UCSB LIBRARY
 
 THE 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY, 
 
 REV, J, G, WOOD, M,A, 
 
 WITH FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY ORIGINAL DESIGNS, 
 BY WILLIAM HARVEY. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 FRANKLIN SQUARE. 
 
 1854.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ALTHOUGH works on Natural History would seem sufficiently 
 numerous to deter any new writer from venturing on the sub- 
 ject, still there is at present no work of a popular character in 
 which accuracy of information and systematic arrangement are 
 united with brevity and simplicity of treatment. 
 
 All the best-known popular works on Natural History are 
 liable to many objections, among which may be named a want 
 of correct classification, the absence of explanations of the 
 meanings and derivations of scientific words, the strange in- 
 accuracy of many of the accompanying illustrations, and of 
 the accounts of many animals. Nor do the conventional anec- 
 dotes chronicled in their pages evince the personal experience 
 of the animal race which is best calculated to prevent romance 
 and inaccuracy. These deficiencies, it is hoped, will be at all 
 events partly supplied in the present work. 
 
 The present volume, although exceeding the limits originally 
 contemplated, is but a brief digest of a large mass of materials, 
 derived either from personal experience, from the most recent 
 zoological writers, or from the kindness of many friends, who 
 are familiar with almost every portion of the world, and to 
 whom my best thanks are due. The original intention was 
 to carry the work as far as the Zoophytes, but it grew so
 
 iv PREFACE. 
 
 rapidly, especially in the first two classes, the Mammals and 
 Birds, that it was found necessary to conclude at the Insects, 
 and even then to give hut an exceedingly short and meagre 
 account' of them. This was much regretted, as my experience 
 had lain so much in the practical entomological part of Nat- 
 ural History, that during the earlier stages of the work I looked 
 forward with some pleasure to giving a very much fuller ac- 
 count of the British Insects than will he found in the last few 
 of this volume. 
 
 In arrangement, the order of the Catalogue of the British 
 Museum has heen followed, with the view of rendering it a 
 useful companion to that most valuable collection, especially 
 for younger visitors. It has therefore been considered advis- 
 able to commence the volume with a sketch of the theories re- 
 specting the different races of humanity, and at the same time 
 to mention a few of the distinctions which so widely separate 
 man from any other inhabitant of the earth. 
 
 As for the Illustrations, they will best speak for themselves. 
 It will, however, be well to observe that they have all been de- 
 signed expressly for the present work ; and the abilities of the 
 artist and engravers, are a guarantee for their accuracy and 
 perfect execution. For the anatomical and microscopical vig- 
 nettes, I am myself answerable, as well as for several of the 
 later drawings, such as the Thorny Woodcock-shell, the Leaf 
 Insect, the Rove Beetle, together with parts of a few others, 
 all of which were drawn from actual specimens. 
 
 It has been an object in the accounts of each animal, to give 
 as far as possible new anecdotes. In many cases, the anec- 
 dotes related have never been published before, and in many 
 more, they have been extracted from works which, either 
 from their scarcity, their cost, or their nature, would be very 
 unlikely to be placed in the hands of general readers. 
 
 I dismiss these pages with almost a feeling of regret, that a
 
 PREFACE. v 
 
 task which has to me been a labor of love, should have come 
 to an end. Indeed, the only drawback experienced during its 
 progress was the necessary brevity of it, which constrained me 
 to omit many creatures, not only beautiful and wonderful in 
 form, but interesting in habits, and to describe others in a way 
 so brief, as to render the account little else than a formal an- 
 nouncement of the name, country, and food, of the animal. 
 If, however, the perusal of the following pages should induce 
 any one to look upon the great plan of Creation more as a 
 whole than merely as an aggregation of separate parts, or to 
 notice how wonderfully each creature is adapted for its peculiar 
 station, by Him who has appointed to each its proper posi- 
 tion, and assigned to each its own duties, which could not 
 be performed so well by any other creature, or even by the 
 same animal in another place, my end will be attained. Per- 
 haps, also, this volume may cause some who have hitherto 
 been troubled with a causeless abhorrence of certain creatures 
 against which they have nourished early prejudices, to examine 
 them with a more indulgent I should perhaps say, a more 
 reverent eye. I say reverent, because it has long given me 
 deep pain when I have heard others stigmatizing as ugly, 
 horrid, frightful, those beings whom their Maker saw at the 
 beginning of the world, and declared very good. A naturalist 
 will see as much beauty in a toad, spider, or snake, as in any 
 of those animals which we are accustomed to consider models 
 of beauty ; and so will those who have before feared or de- 
 spised them, if they can only persuade themselves to examine 
 them with an unprejudiced eye In those three creatures 
 mentioned a few lines above, there is great beauty even on a 
 superficial examination. The movements of the snake are 
 most graceful, and the changing colours of its varied scales leave 
 the imitations of art far behind. The spiders too are beautiful, 
 even in colour ; some are bright crimson, some pale pink, some
 
 vi PREFACE. 
 
 entirely yellow, some banded with broad streaks of alternately 
 velvety black and silvery white ; while the eye of the toad is a 
 living gem of beauty. When, however, we come to look closer 
 to watch their habits to note their instincts or, by the 
 use of the microscope, to lay open to our view some of the 
 details of their organization then indeed are we lost in wonder 
 and amaze at the vastness of creation, which, even in one 
 little, apparently insignificant animal, presents to our eyes mar- 
 vels marvels which increase in number and beauty as our 
 power for perceiving them increases. 
 
 MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD, 
 December 16, 1852.
 
 u Sufoi. 
 
 Division I. VERTEBRATA. 
 Class I. MAMMALIA. 
 Order I. PRIMATES. 
 
 Family I. Hominidse. 
 
 Genfus I. HOMO. Sapiens, Man. 
 
 Fam. II. SimiSdae. 
 
 TROGLODYTES. Niger, Chimpansee. 
 SIMIA. Satyrus, Orang-Outan. 
 HYLOBATES. Agilis, Agile Gibbon. 
 PRESBYTES. Larvatus, Kahau. 
 
 Entellus, Entellus. 
 
 CYNOCEPHALUS. Mormon, Mandrill. 
 
 Fam. III. Cebidse. 
 
 ATELES. Paniscus, Coaita Spider Monkci/. 
 MYCETES. Urslnus, Ursine Howler. 
 CALLITHRIX. Torq[uatus, Collared Tee_ Tec. 
 JACOHUS. Vulgaris, Marmoset. 
 
 Fam. IV. Lemuridse. 
 
 LEMUR. Macaco, Ruffled Lemur. 
 LORIS. Gracilis, Slender Loris. 
 
 Fam. V. Vespertilionidse. 
 Sub-Fam. a. Phyllostomlna. 
 
 VAMPIRUS. Spectrum, Vampire. 
 Sub-fam. c. Vesper tilionlna. 
 
 PLECOTUS. Aurltus, Long-eared Bat. 
 
 Order II. FER^E. 
 
 Fam. I. Felidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Fellna. 
 LEO. Barbarus, Lion. 
 TIGRIS. Regalis, Tiger. 
 LEOPARDUS. Varius, Leopard. 
 
 Uncia, Ounce. 
 
 Onca,
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 LEOPARDUS. Concolor, Puma. 
 
 Pardalis, Ocelot. 
 
 FELIS. Domestica, Cat. 
 
 CARACAL. Melanotis, Caracal. 
 
 LTNCUS. Canadensis, Canada Lynx. 
 
 GUEPARDA. Jubata, Chetah. 
 Sub-fam. b. Hycenlna. 
 
 HYAENA. Striata, Striped Hyaena. 
 Sub-fam. c. Viverrlna. 
 
 VIVERRA. Civetta, Civet Cat. 
 
 GENETTA. Vulgaris, Genet. 
 
 HERPESTES, Ichneumon, Egyptian Ichneumon. 
 Sub-fam. d. Canina. 
 
 CANIS. Familiaris, Dog. 
 
 Lupus, Wolf. 
 
 Aureus. Jackal. 
 
 VULPES. Vulgaris, Fox. 
 
 Sub-fam. e. Mustellna. 
 
 MARTES. Abietum, Pine Marten. 
 
 Zibelllna, Sable. 
 
 PUTORIUS. Foetidus, Polecat. 
 MUSTELA. Erminga, Stoat. 
 
 Vulgaris, Weasel. 
 
 MELLIVORA. Ratel, Honey Ratel. 
 GULO. Luscus, Glutton. 
 MELES. Vulgaris, Badger. 
 LUTRA. Vulgaris, Otter. 
 
 Fam. II. Ursidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Ursina. 
 UBSUS. Arctos, Bear. 
 
 Horribflis, Grizzly Bear. 
 
 THALARCTOS. Maritimus, Polar Bear. 
 
 Sub-fam. c. Procyonlna. 
 
 PROCYON. Lotor, Racoon. 
 Sub-fam. d. Cercoleptlna. 
 
 NASUA. Fusca, Coati-mondi. 
 
 CERCOLEPTES. Caudivolvulus, Kinkajou, 
 Fam. III. Talpida. 
 Sub-fam. a. Talplna. 
 
 TALPA. Europsea, Mole. 
 Sub-fam. d. Erinaclna. 
 
 SOREX. Araneus, Shrew. 
 
 Fodiens, Water Shrew. 
 
 ERINACKUS. Europaeus, Hedgehog. 
 
 Fam. IV. Macropidffi. 
 Sub-fam. 6. Macroplna. 
 
 MACROPUS. Major, Kangaroo. 
 Sub-fam. e. Didelphlna. 
 
 DIDELPHYS. Virgiuiana, Opossum.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Fam. V. Phocida?. 
 Sub-fam. b. Phoclna. 
 
 PHOCA. Vitullna, Seal. 
 
 MORUNGA. Proboscidga, Elephant Seal. 
 Sub-fam. c. Tricheclna. 
 
 TRICHECUS. Rosmarus, Walrus. 
 
 Order III. CETR 
 
 Fam. I. Balajnidffi. 
 
 BAL^ENA. Mysticetus, Whale. 
 PHYSETER. Macrocephalus, Cachalot. 
 
 Fam. II. DelphinidaB. 
 
 DELPHINUS. Delphis, Dolphin. 
 PHOC.SNA. Communis, Porpoise. 
 MONODON. Monoceros, Narwhal. 
 
 Order IV. GLIRES. 
 Fam. I. Muridse. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Murlna. 
 Mus. Decumanus, Rat. 
 
 Musculus, Mouse. 
 
 Sub-fam. b. Arvicollna. 
 
 CRICETUS. Frumentarius, Hamster. 
 ARVICOLA. Amphibms, Water Rat. 
 Sub-fam. d. Castonna. 
 CASTOR. Fiber, Beaver. 
 
 Fam. II. Hystricida;. 
 Sub-fam. a. Hystriclna. 
 
 HYSTRIX. Cristata, Porcupine. 
 Sub-fam. c. Dasyproctina. 
 
 DASYPROCTA. Aguti, Agouti. 
 Sub-fam. d. Hydrochcerma. 
 
 HYDROCH^ERUS. Capybara, Capybara. 
 
 Fam. III. Leporidffi. 
 
 LEPUS. Timidus, Hare. 
 
 Cuniciilus, Rabbit. 
 
 Fam. IV. Jerboidaj. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Chinchillina. 
 
 CniNcmtLA. Laniger, Chinchilla. 
 Sub-fam. c. Diplna. 
 
 DIPUS. ^Egyptius, Jerboa. 
 Sub-fam. d. Myoxlna. 
 
 MYOXUS. Avellanarius, Dormouse. 
 Sub-fam. e. Sciunna. 
 
 SCIURUS. Europseus, Squirrel. 
 
 PTEROMYS. Alpinus, Fly ing -Squirrel. 
 
 ARCTOMYS. Marmotta, Marmot.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Order V. UNGULATA. 
 Fam. I. Bovidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Bovlna. 
 Bos. Taurus, Bull. 
 
 Zebu. 
 
 BUBALUS. Buffelus, Buffalo. 
 
 Caffer, Cape Buffalo. 
 
 BISON. Americanus, Bison. 
 POEPHAGUS. Grunmens, Yak. 
 OVIBOS. Moschatus, Musk Ox. 
 CATOBLEPAS. Gnu, Gnoo. 
 PORTAX. Picta, Nylghau. 
 STREPSICEROS. Kudu, Koodoo. 
 BOSELAPHUS. Oreas, Eland. 
 ORYX. Leucoryx, Oryx. 
 GAZELLA. Euchore, Springbok. 
 
 Ariel, Gazelle. 
 
 RUPICAPRA. Tragus, Chamois. 
 CAPRA. Ibex, Ibex. 
 
 Hircus, Goat. 
 
 Ovis. Aries, Ram. 
 
 Sub-fam. 6. Camelopardina. 
 
 CAMELOPARDALIS. GirafFa, Giraffe. 
 Sub-fam. c. CameRna. 
 
 CAMELUS. Arabicus, Camel. 
 
 Bactrianus, Bactrian Camel. 
 
 LLAMA. Pacos, Llama. 
 
 Sub-fam. d. Moschlna. 
 
 MOSCHUS. Moschiferus, Musk-deer. 
 Sub-fam. e. Cervlna. 
 
 CERVUS. Capreolus, Roebuck. 
 
 Elaphus, Stag. 
 
 Canadensis, Wapiti. 
 
 Axis. Maculata, Axis. 
 DAMA. Vulgaris, Fallow-deer. 
 RANGIFER. Tarandus, Rein-deer. 
 ALCES. Palmatus, Elk. 
 
 Fam. II. Equidse. 
 
 EQUUS. Caballus, Horse. 
 ASINUS. Vulgaris, Ass. 
 
 Dzigguetai, Dzigguctai. 
 
 Zebra, Zebra. 
 
 Quagga, Quagga. 
 
 Fam. III. Elephantldse. 
 
 Sub-Fam, a. Elephantlna. 
 
 ELEPHAS. Indlcus, Indian Elephant. 
 
 Africanus, Afri"an Elephant. 
 
 Sub-fam. b. Tapirlna. 
 
 TAPIRUS. Terrestris, Tapir.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Sub fam. c. Snlna. 
 Sus. Scrofa, Boar. 
 
 Babyroussa, Babyroussa. 
 
 Sub-fam. d. Rhinocerlna. 
 
 RHINOCEROS. Unicornis, Rhinoceros. 
 
 Bicornis, Rhlnaster. 
 
 Sub-fam. c. Hippopotamlna. 
 
 HIPPOPOTAMUS. Amphibius, Hippopotamus. 
 
 Fam. IV. Bradypida;. 
 
 BRADVPUS. Tridactylus, Sloth. 
 
 Fam. V. Dasypidae. 
 Sub-fam. a. Martina. 
 
 MANIS. Tetradactyla, Pkatagin. 
 
 Pentadactyla, Short-tailed Manis. 
 
 Sub-fam. b. Dasyplna. 
 
 PASYPUS. Sexcinctus, Armadillo. 
 Sub-fam. c. Myrmecophaglna. 
 
 MYRMECOPHAGA. Jubata, Ant-eater. 
 
 Didactyla, Little Ant-eater. 
 
 Sub-fam. d. Ornithorhynchlna. 
 ORNITHORHYNCHUS. Paradoxus, Ornithorhynchus. 
 
 Class II. AVES. 
 
 Order I. AGCIP1TRES. 
 Sub-order I. ACCIPITRES-DIURNI. 
 Fam. I. Gypaettdse. 
 
 GYPAETUS. Barbatus, Lammergeyer. 
 Fam. II. Sarcorhamphidse. 
 
 SARCORHAMPHOS. Gryphon, Condor. 
 
 Papa, King Vulture. 
 
 Fam. III. Vulturidfe. 
 Sub-fam. a. Vulturlnce. 
 
 GYPS. Fulvus, Griffin Vulture. 
 
 Fam. IV. Falcomdfe. 
 Sub-fam. a. Aquillnce. 
 
 AQUILA. Chrysiietos, Gotdtn Eagle. 
 
 PANDION. Haliiietus, Osprey 
 
 HALIAETUS. Leucocephalus, Wldte-lieaded Eagle. 
 Sub-fam. c. Buteonlnce. 
 
 BUTEO. Vulgaris, Buzzard. 
 Sub-fam. d. Milvlnce. 
 
 PERNIS. Apivorus, Honey- Buzzard, 
 
 MILVUS. Regalis, Kite. 
 
 ELANOIDES. Furcatus, Swallow-tailed Falcon. 
 Sub-fam. e. Falconlnce. 
 
 FALCO. Gyrfalco, Gyrfalcon.
 
 xil SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 FALCO. Peregrlnus, Peregrine Falcon. 
 
 HYFOTRIORCUIS. Subbuteo, Hobby. 
 
 Jisalon, Merlin. 
 
 TINXUNCULUS. Alaudarius, Kestrel. 
 Sub-fam. /. Acdpitrlnce. 
 
 ASTUR. Palumbanus, Goshawk. 
 
 ACCIPITER. Nisus, Sparrow-Hawk. 
 Sub-fam. g. Circince. 
 
 SERPENTARIUS. Reptilivorus, Secretary Bird. 
 
 CIRCUS. Cyaneus, Hen-Harrier. 
 Sub-order II. ACCIPITRES-NOCTVRXI. 
 Fam. I. Strigidae. 
 Sub-fam. a. Surnlnce. 
 
 SURNIA. Uliila, Hawk-Owl. 
 
 NYCTEA. Kivga, Snowy Owl. 
 
 ATHENE. Cunicularia, Burroicing Owl. 
 Sub-fam. 6. Bubonlnce. 
 
 EPHIALTES. Scops, Scops Eared-owl. 
 
 BUBO. Maximus, Great Eared-owl. 
 Sub-fam. d. Strigince. 
 
 STRIX. Flammea, Barn-Owl. 
 
 Order II. PASSERES. 
 
 Tribe I. FISSIROSTRES. 
 
 Sub-Tribe I. FISSIROSTRES-NOCTURN/B. 
 Fam. I. Caprimulgidse. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Caprimulgince. 
 
 CAPRIMULGUS. Europseus, Goat-siicker. 
 Sub-Tribe II. FISSIROSTRES-DIURN.E. 
 Fam. II. Hirundinidse. 
 Sub fam. a, Cypsetince. 
 
 CYPSELUS. Apus, Swift. 
 Sub-fam. 6. Hirundinmce. 
 
 HIRUNDO. Rustica, Chimney Martin. 
 COTILE. Riparia, Sand Martin. 
 CHELIDON. Urbica, Martin. 
 Fam. III. Coracildffi. 
 Sub-fam. a. Coracimai. 
 
 CoRAciiAS. Garriila, Roller. 
 Fam. IV. Trogonidse. 
 
 TROGON. Resplendens, Resplendent Trogon. 
 Fam. V. Alcedinidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Alcedinmce. 
 
 ALCEDO. Hispida, King-fisher. 
 Fam. VI. Meropidte. 
 Sub-fam. a. Meroplnce. 
 
 MEROPS. Apiaster, Bee-eater.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. xiii 
 
 Tribe IL TENUIROSTRES. 
 
 Fam. I. Upupidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Upupince. 
 UptfpA. Epops, Hoopoe. 
 
 Fam. II. Trochilldse. 
 
 TROCHILUS. Colubris, Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 
 ORNISMYA. Gouldii, Goulds Humming-bird. 
 Sappho, Bar-tailed Humming-bird. 
 
 Cora, Cora Humming-bird. 
 
 Chrysolopha, Double-crested Humming-bird. 
 
 Fam. III. Certhidte. 
 Sub-fam. a. Certhince. 
 
 CERTHIA. Familiaris, Creeper. 
 Sub-fam. 6. Sittlnce. 
 
 SITI-A. Europsea, Nuthatch. 
 Sub-fam. c. Afenurince. 
 
 TROGLODYTES. Parvulus, Wren. 
 
 Tribe IIL DENTIROSTRES. 
 Fam. I. Luscinidae. 
 Sub-fam. a. Luscinince. 
 
 CALAMODYTA. Locustella, Grasshopper Warbler. 
 LUSCINIA. Philomela, Nightingale. 
 SYLVIA. TJndata, Dartford Warbler. 
 
 Cinerea, Whitethroat. 
 
 Atricapilla, Blackcap Warbler. 
 
 Rufa, Chiff-chaff. 
 
 REGULUS. Cri status, Golden-crested Wren. 
 Sub-fam. b. Erythaclnce. 
 
 RUTICILLA. Phoenicura, Redstart. 
 
 ERYTHACUS. Rubeciila, Redbreast. 
 Sub-fam. c. Accentorince. 
 
 ACCENTOR. Modularius, Hedge Accentor. 
 Sub-fam. d. Parlnce. 
 
 PARUS. Major, Great Titmouse. 
 
 Coeruleus, Blue Titmouse. 
 
 Caudatus, Long-tailed Titmouse. 
 
 Sub-fam. e. Motacilllnce. 
 
 MOTACILLA. Yarrellli, Pied Wagtail. 
 
 Flava, Yellow Wagtail. 
 
 ANTHUS. Pratensis, Meadow Pipit. 
 
 Fam. II. Turdidse. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Formicarince. 
 
 HYDROBATA. Cinclus, Dipper. 
 Sub-fam. 6. Turdlnce. 
 
 TURDUS. Viseivorus, Misseltoe Thrush. 
 
 Pilaris, Fieldfare.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 TURDUS. Musicus, Sony-Thrush. 
 -- Meriila, Blackbird. 
 ORPHEUS. Polyglottus, Mocking Bird, 
 Sub-fam. c. Oriollnce. 
 ORIOLUS. Galbula. 
 Fam. III. Muscicapidfe. 
 Sub-fam. a. Muscicaplnce. 
 
 MUSCICAFA. Grisola, Spotted Fly-catcher. 
 Fam. IV. Ampelidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Ampellnce. 
 
 AMPELIS. Garrulus, Bohemian Wax-win g. 
 
 Fam. V. Lamdse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Lanlnce. 
 
 LANIUS. Excubitor, Great Gray Shrike. 
 __ Collurio, Red-backed Shrike. 
 
 Tribe IV. CONIROSTRES. 
 
 Fam. I. Corvidse. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Garrullnce. 
 
 GARRULUS. Glandaiius, Jay. 
 Sub-fam. b. Corvince. 
 
 NUCIFRAGA. Caryocatactes, Nutcracker. 
 
 PICA. Caudata, Magpie. 
 
 CORVUS. Corax, Raven. 
 
 -- Frugilegus, Rook. 
 
 - Monedula, Jackdaw. 
 
 - Corone, Crow. 
 Sub-fam. c. PyrrhocoraclncE, 
 
 CORACIA. Gracula, Chough. 
 
 Fam. II. Paradiseidse. 
 
 PARADISEA. Apoda, Emerald Bird of Paradise. 
 
 Fam. III. Sturmdse. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Ptilonorhynclnce. 
 
 PTILONORHYNCUS. Sericeus, Satin Bower-Bird. 
 Sub-fam. d. Icterlnce. 
 
 ICTERUS. Baltimorus, Baltimore Oriole. 
 Sub-fam. g. SturnincB. 
 
 STURNUS. Vulgaris, Starling. 
 
 Fam. IV. Fringillldse. 
 Sub-fam. d. Fringilllnai. 
 
 FRINGILLA. Coelebs, Chaffinch.. 
 
 - Carduelis, Goldfinch. 
 
 - Cannabina, Linnet. 
 
 - Spinus, Siskin. 
 
 - Chloris, Greenfinch. 
 PASSER. Domesticus, House Sparrow.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Sub-fam. e. Emberizina;. 
 
 EMBERIZA. Citrinella, Yellow Bunting. 
 Sub-fam./. Alaudlna. 
 
 ALAUDA. Arvensis, Skylark. 
 Sub-fam. g. Pyrrhullnce. 
 
 PYRRHULA. Rubicilla, Bullfinch. 
 Sub-fara. h. LoxlncB. 
 
 LOXIA. Curvirostra, Crossbill. 
 Fam. VII. Bucerotidfe. 
 
 BUCEROS. Rhinoceros, Rhinoceros Hornbill. 
 
 Order III. SCANSORES. 
 Fam. I. Rhamphastldse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Rhamphastince. 
 
 RHAMPHASTOS. Toco, Toco Toucan. 
 Fam. II. Psittacidfc. 
 
 MACROCERCUS. Ararauna, Blue and Yellow Macaw. 
 PAL^ORNIS. Torquatus, Ringed Parrakect. 
 CACATUA. Sulphurga, Great Sulphur Cockatoo. 
 Fam. III. PicidsB. 
 Sub-fam. t'. Picince. 
 
 Picus. Major, Great Spotted Woodpecker. 
 
 Viridis, Green Woodpecker. 
 
 Sub-fam. g. Yuncmce. 
 
 YUNX. Torquilla, Wryneck. 
 Fam. IV. Cuculida;. 
 Sub fam. e. Cuculinai. 
 
 CUCULUS. Canorus, Cuckoo. 
 
 Order IV. COLUMB^E. 
 Fam. I. Colunibidffi. 
 Sub-fam. b. Columblnce. 
 
 COLUMBA. Palurabus, Ringdove. 
 
 (Enas, Stockdove. 
 
 TURTUR. Auntus, Turtle-dove. 
 
 FJCTOPISTES. Migratoria, Passenger Pigeon. 
 
 Order V. GALLING. 
 Fam. III. Phasianidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Pavonlnce. 
 
 PATO. Cristatus, Peacock. 
 Sub-fam. b. Phasianince. 
 
 ARGUS. Giganteus, Argus Pheasant. 
 PHASIANUS. Colchicus, Pheasant. 
 Sub-fam. c. Galtina. 
 
 GALLUS. Domestlcus, Domestic Fowl. 
 Sub-fam. d. Meleagrlnce. 
 
 MELEAGRIS. Gallopavo, Turkey. 
 NUMIDA. Meleagris, Guinea Fowl.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Fam. IV. Tetraonulse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Perdicince. 
 
 PEEDIX. Cinerea, Partridge. 
 
 COTURNIX. Communis, Quail. 
 Sub-fam. b. Tetraoriln.ee. 
 
 TETRAO. Urogallus, Capercaillie. 
 
 - Tetrix, Black Grouse. 
 
 LAGOPUS. Scoticus, Red Cfrouse. 
 
 -- Albus, Ptarmigan. 
 Fam. V. Megapodidse. 
 
 TALEGALLUS. Lalhami, Brush Turkey. 
 
 MEGAPODIUS. Tumulus, Mound-making Megapode. 
 
 Order VI. STRUTHIONES. 
 Fam. I. Struthionidae. 
 Sub-fam. a. Struthionmce. 
 
 STRUTHIO. Camelus, Ostrich. 
 
 CASUARIUS. Casoar, Cassowary. 
 
 DROMAIUS. Novse-Hollandiae, Emu. 
 Sub-fam. b. Apteryglnae. 
 
 APTERYX. Australis, Apteryx. 
 Sub-fam. c. Didince. 
 
 DIDUS. Ineptus, Dodo. 
 Sub-fam. d. Otince. 
 
 OTUS. Tarda, Bustard. 
 
 Order VII. 
 
 Fam. I. Charadridse. 
 Sub-fam. c. Charadrince. 
 
 VANELLUS. Cristatus, Lapwing. 
 Fam. II. Ardeidse. 
 Sub-fam. b. Grulnas. 
 
 GRUS. Cinerea, Crane. 
 Sub-fam. c. Ardelnce. 
 
 ARDEA. Cinerea, Heron. 
 
 BOTAURUS. Stellaris, Bittern. 
 
 PLATALEA. Leucorodia, White Spoonbill. 
 Sub-fam. d. Ciconlnce. 
 
 CICONIA. Albo, Stork. 
 Sub-fam./. Tantallnce. 
 
 IBIS. Religiosa, Sacred Ibis. 
 Fam. III. Scolopacidse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Limosince. 
 
 CRACTICORNIS. Arquatus, Curlew. 
 Sub-fam. c. Recurvirostrlnce. 
 . RECURVIROSTRA. Avocetta, Avocet. 
 Sub-fam. d, Scolopadnce. 
 
 SCOLOPAX. Rusticola, Woodcock. 
 
 NUMENIUS. Scolopaclnus, Snipe.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. xvii 
 
 Sub-fam. e. Tringlnce. 
 
 PHILOMACHUS. Pugnax, JRujf'. 
 Tarn. IV. Palamedeida?. 
 Sub-fam. a. farrlnce. 
 
 PARRA. Jacana, Jacana. 
 Fam. V. Rallidffi. 
 Sub-fam. a. Ralllnce. 
 
 ORYGOMETRA. Crex, Corncrake. 
 Sub-fam. b. Gallinullnce. 
 
 GALLINULA. Chloropus, Water Hen. 
 
 FULICA. Atra, Coot. 
 
 Order VIII. ANSERES. 
 Fam. I. Anatidse. 
 
 Sub-fam. a. Phcenicopterince. 
 
 PH<ENICOPTEROS. Rubra, Flamingo. 
 Sub-fam. c. Anserince. 
 
 BERNICLA. Leucopsis, Bernicle Goose. 
 Sub-fam. d. Gygnlnce. 
 
 CYGNUS. Olor, Mute Swan. 
 
 CHENOPIS. Atrata, Black Swan. 
 Sub-fam. e. Anatince. 
 
 ANAS. Boschas, Mallard. 
 
 QUERQUED^JLA. Crecca, Teal. 
 Sub-fam./. Fuligullna>. 
 
 SOMATERIA. Mollissima, Eider Duck. 
 Fam. II. Colymbidffi. 
 Sub-fam. b. Podicepinoe. 
 
 PODICEPS. Cristatus, Crested Grebe. 
 
 Minor, Dabchick. 
 
 Fam. III. Alcidaj. 
 Sub-fam. a. Alcince. 
 
 FRATERCitLA. Arctica, Puffin. 
 
 ALCA. Impennis, Great Auk. 
 Sub-fam. c. Sphenisclnce. 
 
 SPHENISCUS. Demersus, Cape Penguin. 
 Sub-fam. d. Urince. 
 
 URIA. Troile, Guillemot. 
 Fam. IV. Procellaridse. 
 Sub-fam. a. Procellarlnce. 
 
 PROCELLARIA. Glacialis, Fulmar Petrel. 
 
 THALASSIDROMA. Pelagica, Stormy Petrel. 
 
 DIOMEDEA. Exulans, Albatros. 
 Fam. V. Laridffi. 
 Sub-fam. b. Larmce. 
 
 LARUS. Marinus, Black-backed Gull. 
 Sub-fam. c. Sternin<e. 
 
 STERNA. Hirundo, Tern.
 
 mi SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Fam. VI. Pelecamdse. 
 Sub-fam. b. Phaetonlnce. 
 
 PHAETON. ^Ethereus, Tropic Bird. 
 Sub-fam. c. Pelecanlnae. 
 
 SULA. Bassanea, Gannet. 
 
 PHALACROCORAX. Carbo, Cormorant. 
 
 PELECANUS. Onocrotalus, White Pelican. 
 
 FREGATA. Aquila, Frigate Pelican. 
 
 Class III. REPTIUA. " 
 Order I. SAURA. 
 Sub-order I. LEPTOGLOSS^E. 
 Tribe I. CYCLOSAURA. 
 Fam. IV. Lacertinidaj. 
 
 ZOOTOCA. Vivipara, Lizard. 
 
 > Tribe II. GEISSOSAURA. 
 Fam. XV. Scincidse. 
 
 ANGUIS. Fragilis, Blindworm. 
 Sub-order II. PACHTGLOSS^E. 
 Tribe III. NYCTISAURA. 
 Fam. XXII. Geckotid^. 
 GECKO. Verus, Gecko. 
 
 Tribe IV. STROBILOSAURA. 
 Fam. XXIII. Iguanidse. 
 
 IGUANA. Tuberculata, Iguana. 
 Fam. XXIV. AgamidsB. 
 
 DRACO. Volans, flying Dragon. 
 
 Tribe V. DEM)ROSAURA. 
 Fam. XXV. Chameleonldje. 
 
 CHAMELEON. Vulgaris, Chameleon. 
 
 Order II. OPHIDIA. 
 Sub-order L VEPERINA. 
 Fam. I. Crotalida;. 
 
 UROPSOPHUS. Durissus, Rattle-snake. 
 Fam. II. Viperidse. 
 
 CLOTHO. Arigtans, Puff Adder. 
 CERASTES. Hasselquistii, Cerastes. 
 PELIAS. Berus, Viper. 
 
 Sub-order II. COLUBRINA. 
 Fam. IV. Bold. 
 
 BOA. Constrictor, Boa.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Fam. V. Colubridfe. 
 
 NAJA. Tripudians, Cobra. 
 NATRIX. Torquata, Ringed Snake. 
 
 Order III. CHELONIA. 
 
 Fam. I. Testudinidse. 
 
 TESTUDO. Grseca, Tortoise. 
 Fam. V. Cheloniadse. 
 
 CHELONIA. Viridis, Turtle. 
 
 Order IV. EMYD OS A URL 
 
 Fam. I. Crocodilidse. 
 
 CROCODILUS. Vulgaris, Crocodile. 
 
 Fam. II. Alligatoridfe. 
 
 ALLIGATOR. Mississipensis, Alligator. 
 
 Class IV. AMPHIBt/V 
 
 Order I. BATRACHIA. 
 
 Sub-order I. SALIENTIA. 
 
 RANA. Temporarfa, Frog. 
 BUFO. Vulgaris, Toad. 
 
 Sub-order II. GRADIENTIA. 
 Fam. I. Salamandridae. 
 
 TRITON. Cristatus, Newt. 
 
 Order V. MEANT1A. 
 
 Fam. I. Proteidae. 
 
 PROTEUS. Angulnus, Proteus. 
 
 Class V. PISCES. 
 Sub-class I. PISCES OSSKI. 
 
 Order! ACANTHOPTERYG11. 
 Sub-order I, DACTYLOPHORI. 
 Fam. I. Triglidse. 
 
 TRIGLA. Cuculus, Gurnard. 
 
 Sub-order II. HOLODACTYLI. 
 Fam. IV. Percidse. 
 
 PERCA. Fluviatilis, Perch. 
 
 Fam. Xm. Scomberidse. 
 
 SCOMBER. Scombrus, Mackarel. 
 TIITNNUS. Thynnus, Tunny. 
 XIPHIAS. Gladlus, Swrd-fish.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Fam. XIV. Zeidas. 
 
 ZEUS. Faber, John Dory. 
 Fam. XVII. Syngnathldse. 
 
 HIPPOCAMPUS. Brevirostris, Sea-horse. 
 Fam. XXII. Echeneidse. 
 
 ECHENEIS. Remora, Sucking-fish. 
 Fam. XXIII. Lophiidaj. 
 
 LOPHIUS. Piscatorius, Angler. 
 
 Order II. MALACOPTERYGIL 
 Sub-order I. ARDOMINALIA. 
 
 Fam. I. Cyprinidse. 
 
 CYPRINUS. Carpio, Carp, 
 
 Barbus, Barbel. 
 
 Auratus, Gold-fisk 
 
 ABRAMIS. Brama, Bream. 
 GOBIO. FluviatHis, Gudgeon. 
 TINCA. Vulgaris, Tench. 
 LEUCISCUS. Rutflus, Roach. 
 Leuciscus, Dace. 
 
 Cephalus, Chub. 
 
 Fam. II. Esocida3. 
 
 Esox. Lucius, Pike. 
 
 EXOCCKTUS. Volitans, Fly ing -fish. 
 Fam. IV. Salmonidae. 
 
 SALMO. Salar, Salmon. 
 
 Fario, Trout. 
 
 Fam. V. Clupeidae. 
 
 CUJPEA. Pilchardus, Pilchard. 
 
 Harengus, Herring. 
 
 ENGEAULIS. Encrasicholus, Anchovy. 
 
 Sub-order II. SDB-BRACIIIATA. 
 
 Fam. VI. Gadidse. 
 
 MORRHUA. Callarias, Cod, 
 Fam. VII. Pleuronectida. 
 
 PSETTA. Maxima, Turbot. 
 
 SOLEA. Vulgaris, Sole. 
 
 Sub-order III. APODA. 
 
 Fam. IX. Muraenidae. 
 
 ANGUILLA. Acutirostris, Sharp-nosed Ed. 
 
 CONGER. Vulgaris, Conger. 
 Fam. X. Gymnotidfc. 
 
 GYMNOTCB, Electncus, Electric Eel.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Order III. PLECTOGNATHI. 
 
 Fam. I. Diodontidse. 
 
 ORTHAGORISCUS. Mola, Short Sun-fish. 
 Sub-class II. PISCES CUONDROPTERYGII. 
 Sub-order I. ELEUTHEROPOMI. 
 Fam. I. Acipenseridse. 
 
 ACIPENSER. Sturio, Sturgeon. 
 
 Sub-order II. TREMATOPNEI. 
 Sub-section L SQUALL 
 Fam. L Scyllidse. 
 
 SCYLLIUM. Caniciila, Little Spotted Dog-fish. 
 Fam. II. Squalidse. 
 
 SQUALUS. Carcharias, White Shark. 
 SPIIYRNIAS. Zygsena, Hammer- headed Shark. 
 
 Sub-section H. RAIL 
 Fam. I. Pristidsc. 
 
 PRISTIS. Antiquorum, Sawfish. 
 Fam. II. Raidaj. 
 
 TORPEDO. Scutata, Torpedo. 
 
 RAIA. Clavata, Thornback Skate. 
 
 Sub-order III. CYCLOSTOMI. 
 Fam. I. Petromyzomdse. 
 
 PETROMYZON. Mariniis, Lamprey. 
 LAMPETRA. Fluviatilis, Lampern. 
 MYXINE. Glutinosa, Myxine. 
 
 Division II. INVERTEBRATA. 
 Class VI. MOLLUSCA. 
 Order CEPHALOPODA. 
 Fam. Octopidse. 
 
 OCTOPUS. Vulgaris, Cuttle-fixh. 
 ARGONAUTA. Argo, Nautilu*. 
 
 Order GASTEROPODA. 
 Sub-order PULMOBRANCHIATA. 
 Fam. Limacidse. 
 
 LIMAX. Ater, Black Slug. 
 
 Fam. Helicidse. 
 
 HELIX. Aspersa, Snail. 
 
 Fam. Turbinidffi. 
 
 SCALARIA. Pretiosa, Royal Staircase Wentletrap.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Fam. Coniidae. 
 
 CONUS. Generalis. Cone. 
 Fam. Cyprseidse. 
 
 ARICIA. Moneta, Money Cowry. 
 Fam. Buccinidaj. 
 
 BuccLvoM. Undatum, Whelk. 
 Fam. Muricidse. 
 
 MUREX. Tribiilus, Tlwrny Woodcock. 
 
 Order CYCLOBRANCHIATA. 
 
 Fam. Patellidse. 
 
 PATELLA. Vulgata, Limpet. 
 
 Order CONCHIFERA. 
 
 Fam. Pectinldse. 
 
 PECTEN. Jacobseus, Scallop. 
 
 OSTREA. Edulis, Oyster. 
 Fam. Meleagrinidse. 
 
 MELEAGRINA. Margaratifera, Pearl Oyster. 
 Fam. Mytilidse. 
 
 MYTILUS. Edulis, Edible Mussel. 
 
 Order CIRRHOPODA. 
 
 PENTALASMIS. Anatifera, Bernicle. 
 
 Class VII. CRUSTACEA. 
 Sub-class I. MALACOSTRACA. 
 Order I. DECAPOD A. 
 
 Sub-order I. DECAPODA-BRACHYURA. 
 Fam. I. Canceridse. 
 
 CANCER. Pagurus, Crab. 
 
 Sub-order II. DECAPODA-ANOMOURA. 
 Fam. III. Paguridse. 
 
 PAGUUUS. Bernhardus, Hermit Crab. 
 
 Sub-order III. DECAPODA-MACROURA. 
 Fam. V. Astacidte. 
 
 POTAMOBIUS. Astacus, Cray-fish. 
 
 ASTACUS. Gammarus, Lobster. 
 Fam. VI. Crangomdse. 
 
 CRANGON. Vulgaris, Shrimp. 
 Fam. VIII. Palffimonidse. 
 
 PAL^MON. Serratus, Prawn.
 
 SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Class VIII. ARACHNTDA. 
 
 Order PULMONARIA. 
 Fam. Araneidae. 
 
 MYGALE. Avicularla, Bird Spider. 
 Fam. Seorpionidse. 
 
 SCORPIO. Europseus, Scorpion. 
 
 Class IX. INSECTA. 
 
 Sub-class I. IXSKCTA MANDIBULATA. 
 Order! COLEOPTERA. 
 Fam. Cicindelidro. 
 
 CICINDELA. Campestris, Tiger-beetle. 
 Fam. Carabidae. 
 
 CARABUS. Cancellatus, Ground-beetle. 
 Fam. Silphidse. 
 
 NECROPHAGUS. Vespillo, Biirying-beetle. 
 Fam. Lucanidse. 
 
 LUCANUS. Cervus, Stag-beetle. 
 
 GEOTRUPES. Stercorarius, Dor-beetle. 
 
 MELOLOXTHA. Vulgaris, Cockchaffer. 
 Fam. Lampyridae. 
 
 LAMPYRIS. Noctiluea, Glowworm. 
 Fam. Ptinidse. 
 
 ANOBIUM. Tesselatum, Death-watch. 
 Fam. Cerambycidffl. 
 
 CERAMBYX. Hoschatus, Musk-beetle. 
 Fam. Staphjlinidse. 
 
 CREOPIIILUS. Maxillosus, Rove-beetle. 
 
 Order II. DERMAPTERA. 
 
 FORFICULA. Aurieularia, Earwig. 
 
 Order III. ORTHOPTERA. 
 Fam. Locustidse. 
 
 LOCUSTA. Tartanca, Locust. 
 Fam. Achetidse. 
 
 GRYLLOTALPA. Vulgaris, Mole Cricket. 
 
 PHYLLIA. Foliata, Leaf Insect. 
 
 Order IV. NEUROPTERA. 
 Fam. Libellulldfe. 
 
 LIBELLULA. Depressa, Dragon-fly. 
 Fam. Myrmeleonidos. 
 
 MYRMELEON. Formicarum, Ant-lion.
 
 xiv SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 
 
 Order V. TRICHOPTERA. 
 Fam. Phryganidae. . 
 
 PURYGANEA. Grandis, Caddis-fly. 
 
 Order VI. HYMENOPTERA. 
 Fam. Ichneumomdse. 
 
 PIMPLA. Manifestator, Ichneumon-fly. 
 Fam. Formicidse. 
 
 FORMICA. Rufa, Wood Ant. 
 Fam. Vespidae. 
 
 VESPA. Crabro, Hornet. 
 
 Vulgaris, Wasp. 
 
 Fam. Apidse. 
 
 APIS. Mellif ica, Honey Bee. 
 
 Sub-class II. INSECTA HAUSTELLATA. 
 Order!. LEPIDOPTERA. 
 Fain. Papilionida3. 
 
 PAPILIO. Machaon, Swallow-tailed Butterfly. 
 
 ARGYNNIS. Adippe, Silver-spotted Fritillary. 
 
 VANESSA. Atalanta, Red Admiral. 
 Fam. Spliingidae. 
 
 ACHEKONTIA. Atropos, DeatKs-head Moth. 
 Fam. Arctiadse. 
 
 ARCTIA. Caja, Tiger Moth. 
 Fam. Geometridse. 
 
 OURAPTERYX. Sambucana, Swallow-tailed Moth. 
 Fam. Alucitidse. 
 
 ALUCITA. Hexadactyla, Many-plumed Moth. 
 
 Order II. DIPTERA. 
 Fam. Culicidse. 
 
 CULEX. Pipiens, Gnat. 
 Fam. (Estridffi. 
 
 CEsxRus. Bovis, Gad-fly. 
 
 Order IV. APHANIPTERA. 
 Fam. Pulicidffi. 
 
 PULEX. Irritans, Flea.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY, 
 
 Division I VERTEBRATA. (Lat. possessing vertSbrce.) 
 
 Class L MAMMALIA. (Lat. suckling their young.) 
 
 Order I PRIMATES.(L&t. primus, first.) 
 
 Family I Homiiudaj. (Lat. homo, a man mankind.) 
 
 Genus I HOMO. 
 
 BOSJESMAN AND LION. 
 
 Species I. Sapiens (Lat. wise), Man. 
 
 MAN holds the foremost place in the order of creation. 
 The perfection of his bodily form is as far superior to that of 
 other beings as his intellect surpasses their instinct, beautiful 
 and marvellous though it be. Between man and brutes there
 
 2 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 is an impassable barrier, over which man can never fall, or 
 beasts hope to climb. Man, when fallen from his high estate, 
 and deprived of the use of his reason, still holds the supremacy 
 over the lower animals, and is not subject even to the most 
 perfect and powerful brutes. There is but one genus of man- 
 kind, HOMO, and but one species, Sapiens ; that is, the rational 
 human being. Intellect, or reason, differs from instinct in 
 its power of accommodation to circumstances ; whereas in- 
 stinct ever remains unchanged. The beaver, when confined 
 in a cage, still builds dams in order to confine the stream that 
 never visits it ; the captive squirrel, when satiated with food, 
 still conceals the remnants for a future repast, although it is 
 regularly supplied with its daily meals ; the magpie approaches 
 a dead wasp with the same caution as if it were living ; and 
 the dog flies from a recently flayed tiger skin with no less fear 
 than if the living tiger stood before him. On the contrary, 
 the power of man's reason enables him to alter his habits and 
 actions according to the change of external circumstances. 
 The same man can inhabit the burning sands of the tropics, 
 or the everlasting snows of the north pole ; and is able to 
 defend himself from the scorching heat of the one, or to set 
 at defiance the piercing cold of the other. 
 
 The forms and habits of men are modified according to 
 the different climates and positions in which they are placed. 
 These modifications are in some cases so great that many 
 philosophers, and not a few naturalists, have imagined that 
 there are several distinct classes of mankind, which derive their 
 origin from different sources. There is certainly no doubt 
 that the educated human being who peruses these pages, 
 seated in a comfortable apartment, surrounded with luxuries 
 brought from almost every country on the face of the earth, 
 within sound of church bells, and clothed in garments fitted 
 to defend him from the heat of summer or the cold of winter, 
 is far superior to the half-naked Bosjesman, who has no con- 
 ception of a God, who lives in caves, or scrapes a hole in the 
 sand, in which he crouches until he has devoured the last 
 putrid morsel of the prey which he has been fortunate enough 
 to secure, and which he then abandons to the beasts of the 
 desert, scarcely less provident than himself. Yet this supe- 
 riority results entirely from the external circumstances in
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 3 
 
 which each is placed. Let each be transplanted into the 
 country of the other, and in a lew generations we should find 
 the Bosjesman civilized, and capable of reading how his former 
 superior, now sunk into the savage state, gains a precarious 
 subsistence by hunting, and passes his life in caves. 
 
 Some theorists have ventured so far as to assert that the 
 Negro is but an improved monkey, and that his reason 
 is nothing but a partially civilized instinct. That these 
 theorists were no anatomists is sufficiently evident, and it 
 would not be necessary to prove the absurdity of their 
 assertion, were it not that many have actually been deceived 
 by their flimsy, though specious arguments. Indeed, at the 
 present time, when we find one philosopher giving what he 
 considers satisfactory proofs that salt is the cause of all 
 earthly misery, and the reason why the sun is at so great a 
 distance from us ; another reviving the very ancient belief, 
 that the earth is flat like a plate ; and a third pretending to 
 read a sealed letter with the point of his toe, or to examine the 
 interior of a friend some hundred miles distant ; it is difficult 
 to say to what extent credulity can proceed. 
 
 We will, however, briefly examine this theory respecting 
 the humanity of the Negro, partly by anatomy, but mostly 
 by common sense. That monkey, or rather ape, whose form 
 most resembles that of man, is the Orang-outan. We will 
 compare this animal with the Negro. Will any one venture 
 to deny that the noble sweep of cranium, and the smooth 
 globular surface of the human skull, demonstrating the volume 
 of the brain within, is a proof of far superior intellect than 
 is indicated by the heavy ridges, the irregular prominences, 
 and the small capacity of the ape's skull ? The face of the 
 ape is an instrument for procuring food, and a weapon for 
 attack and defence, while that of man is an ever-changing 
 index of the workings of the mind within. We therefore find 
 that the jaws of the ape are enormously developed, armed 
 with formidable fangs, and marked with strong bony ridges, 
 to which the powerful muscles which move the jaws are 
 attached. On the other hand, as man is enabled to procure 
 food, and to manufacture weapons by means of his hands, 
 his jaws and teeth are reduced to the smallest size compatible 
 with the preservation of life.
 
 4 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The habitually erect posture is another characteristic of 
 mankind. Other animals are not fitted for it ; since, when they 
 attempt to assume that position, their head is thrust so far 
 forward that its weight destroys their balance, and the bones 
 of the leg and the pelvis are so formed as to give them a 
 tottering gait. When the ape attempts to stand erect, it 
 balances itself by its immensely long arms, which reach to 
 the feet, and assists itself along by the hands pressed on the 
 ground. Perhaps the word " feet " should not have been 
 used, as the ape has no feet, properly so called, as another 
 pair of hands supply the place of those members. The 
 length and position of the fingers on these hinder hands, 
 prevent the ape from planting more than the heel upon the 
 ground. It therefore hobbles along with its body bent, and 
 at best can only contrive to manage an uncertain and 
 vacillating shuffle ; nor does it ever walk so well or so grace- 
 fully in the erect posture as many of the performers at Astley's 
 do on their hands, which are apparently less fitted for walking 
 than those of the ape. 
 
 The power of the thumb is much greater in man than in 
 the apes ; it is by means of this instrument that man is able 
 to handle large or small objects, to wield a sword or a pen, 
 to cast a spear or thread a needle. There are many other 
 anatomical differences which need not be described. 
 
 The intellectual power in man shows its supremacy over 
 the instinct of the ape in many ways. We will take as our 
 example of mankind, the most abject of the human race, the 
 Bosjesman as represented at the commencement of this 
 chapter. Surely this is not the act of an ape. No ape or 
 monkey was ever able to manufacture weapons for itself. It 
 may, indeed, take up a stick or a stone and defend itself 
 vigorously, but it could never form a bow and arrow, much 
 less reflect that the juices of certain plants rubbed on the points 
 of its weapons would cause inevitable death to any animal 
 wounded by them. Yet the diminutive Bosjesman, who is 
 far lower in intellect, and much less civilized than the calum- 
 niated Negro, boldly attacks, with perfect certainty of success, 
 an animal before which the most intelligent ape that ever lived 
 would fly in helpless terror. 
 
 Neither can an ape procure fire, nor even renew it. It will
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 5 
 
 sit delighted by a flame which a chance traveller has left, 
 and spread its hands over the genial blaze ; but when the 
 glowing ashes fade, it has not sufficient understanding to 
 supply fresh fuel, but sits and moans over the expiring 
 embers. 
 
 The Bosjesman makes a bow and arrow ; he tips the arrow 
 with a hard substance to make it penetrate ; he imbues the 
 point with substances which he has learned are fatal when 
 mingled with the blood, and then sallies forth in search of 
 some animal whose skin may serve as a dress, and whose 
 flesh may furnish him a meal. When by his unerring 
 weapons he has succeeded in destroying the terrible and 
 ferocious lion, the swift antelope, or the wary ostrich, he 
 constructs for himself a hut by the side of his prey, strikes 
 fire, fetches fuel, and dresses his meat. These are actions which 
 no beast ever performed, and no ape could ever imitate. 
 
 One point of difference between man and brutes has yet to 
 be mentioned LANGUAGE. This one word includes almost 
 every distinction mentioned, as it is by the use of language 
 that we are enabled to communicate our ideas to each other, 
 to give the thoughts hidden in our minds an almost visible 
 shape, to record our experience for the benefit of others ; 
 in a word, it is by language that we are civilized. The ape 
 has no language, although there is no apparent anatomical 
 reason why apes should not speak, and therefore, the Orang- 
 outan in the gardens of the Zoological Society is no more 
 refined, not does it make a nearer approach to civilization, 
 than its ancestors in the time of Adam. 
 
 We have now seen that mankind have little in common 
 with brutes, and that the barrier between the two can be 
 passed by neither : we will now consider the question of the 
 unity of mankind. 
 
 It has already been stated that man is modified according 
 to the climate and position in which he is placed. There 
 are several of these modifications, or varieties as they are 
 called, but authors do not agree as to their number. Some 
 describe the human family as divided into five varieties 
 or races : the Caucasian, the Mongolian, the Ethiopian, 
 the Malayan, and the American ; each of these being sub- 
 divided into families, as for instance, the Caucasian race
 
 6 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 subdivided into the Caucasian, the Celtic, the Germanic, the 
 Arabian, the Libyan, the Nilotic, and the Indostanic families. 
 The division generally received is that of Pickering, who 
 enumerates eleven races of men, all of whom he has seen ; the 
 Arabian, Abyssinian, Mongolian, Hottentot, Malay, Papuan, 
 Negrillo, Telingan, Ethiopian, Australian, and Negro. He 
 differs from Prichard in several points, but especially -in re- 
 ferring the population of America to the Mongolian race, 
 whereas Prichard considers it as entirely separate. 
 
 The characteristics and distribution of each race are briefly 
 these. The Arabian race extends over the whole of Europe, 
 excepting Lapland, about half of Asia, including the greater 
 part of India, and most of the northern third of Africa. The 
 complexion is light, the lips are thin, the nose is prominent, 
 and the beard thick. Number, about 350,000,000. The 
 Abyssinian race occupies a small tract towards the east of 
 Africa, including part of Abyssinia, and part of Nubia. The 
 features are like those of Europeans, the complexion is light, 
 the hair is crisp, and the beard moderate. Number about 
 3,000,000. The Mongolian race is remarkable for a feminine 
 aspect in both sexes, so that a stranger is often perplexed to 
 distinguish a man from a woman at a short distance ; the 
 hair is straight, and the beard is wanting. It extends over 
 the eastern half of Asia, except Corea, over Lapland, and the 
 whole of America, except the western coast by California, 
 and the upper part of South America. Number 300,000,000. 
 The Hottentot race occupies the southern extremity of Africa. 
 The complexion is not so dark as that of the Negro, the hair 
 is woolly, and frequently grows in irregular patches, leaving a 
 bald spot in the centre of each patch. This race includes the 
 Bechuanas and the Bosjesmans. The complexion of the Bosjes- 
 mans, or Bushmen, is very light, and strongly resembles that 
 of an European, with a few sooty patches irregularly placed. 
 Number about 500,000. The Malay race is almost amphi- 
 bious, and is never found inland. It is widely spread, and 
 inhabits the centre of Madagascar, the whole of the islands in 
 the Pacific Ocean, except the Fiji, New Hebrides, Solomon's 
 Isles, Papua, and parts of the Philippines. The parts of 
 America not populated by the Mongolians, are also inhabited 
 by this race. The complexion is a dark copper, the hair
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 7 
 
 straight, when cut it stands erect, and the beard is thin. 
 Number 120,000,000. The Papuan race inhabits about 
 two-thirds of Papua, and the Fiji Islands, where Pickering 
 saw the only individuals of this race who came under his 
 notice. The complexion is dark, the hair bushy, the beard 
 copious. The most remarkable point in this race is the skin, 
 which is astonishingly rough and harsh. Number 3,000,000. 
 The Negrillo race is like the Papuan in colour, but the hair 
 is more woolly, the stature is small, and the beard absent. 
 The Negrillos inhabit part of Papua, Solomon's Isles, the 
 northern extremities of Luzon and Sumatra, and the New 
 Hebrides. Number 3,000,000. The Telingan, or Indian 
 race, inhabits the eastern parts of India, especially about 
 Calcutta, several isolated spots in other parts of India, and 
 the east coast of Madagascar. The complexion is dark (best 
 imitated by a mixture of red and black), the skin is soft, the 
 features are like those of Europeans, hair straight and fine, 
 and the beard copious. Number 60,000,000. The Ethiopian 
 race is darker than the Telingan, the hair is crisp and fine, 
 skin soft, and the features are more like European features 
 than those of the Negro. This race inhabits the north-eastern 
 portion of Africa, including Southern Egypt, part of Nubia, 
 and part of Abyssinia ; a few detached spots toward the 
 jiorth-west, and a large tract of country by Seneg'ambia. 
 Number 5,000,000. The Australian race inhabits Australia 
 alone. The complexion is like that of the Negro, but the 
 hair is not woolly like that of the Negro. Number 500,000. 
 The Negro race inhabits the central parts of Africa, from the 
 north of Ashanti to a little southward of Zanzibar. The 
 complexion is black, the lips are immensely thick, the nose is 
 flat, and the hair is close and curly, strongly resembling wool. 
 Number 55,000,000. The numbers given in this distribution 
 are of course in many cases only conjectural. 
 
 In the distribution of races, it is most interesting to observe 
 the influence of climate and vegetation on the character of 
 man. The vast tract of desert extending from the north-west 
 of Africa, through Arabia, part of India and Tartary, as far 
 as Mongolia, is inhabited by nomadic, or wandering, tribes, 
 who depend principally on the milk of their domesticated 
 animals for subsistence.
 
 8 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The interminable and trackless woods of North America 
 develop tribes whose faculties are moulded to the exigencies 
 of their position. To their practised senses the tangled forests 
 are as clear as the highway ; the moss on the trees, the sun 
 by day, the stars by night, the rushing of the wind, or the 
 sounds of animal life, are as broad roads and legible signs to 
 them, where we should discover no means to escape from the 
 wilderness of trees. Dependent in a great measure on hunt- 
 ing for their subsistence, their keen eye marks the slightest 
 trace of the expected prey ; a drooping leaf, a twisted blade 
 of grass, a bent twig, a ripple in the stream, are all noticed 
 and all understood. Ever eagerly bent on the destruction of 
 inimical tribes, arid deeming the number of " scalps" attached 
 to their dress, each designating a slain enemy, as the best 
 mark of nobility, they learn to track an enemy by his foot- 
 steps with unexampled patience and untiring assiduity. No 
 bloodhound ever followed his prey with more certainty than 
 the American Indian when on his " war-path" tracks his re- 
 tiring enemies, and when near them his approach is silent as 
 the gliding of the serpent, his blow as deadly as its fangs. 
 
 The Malay race, whose lot is thrown amid islands and 
 coasts, are as crafty and fierce on the waters as the American 
 Indians in their woods. Accustomed to the water from their 
 earliest infancy, able to swim before they can walk, making 
 " playthings of waves that would dash an ordinary swimmer to 
 pieces against the rocks, their existence is almost entirely 
 passed on the water. As the American Indians are slayers 
 and robbers by land, so are the Malays murderers and pirates 
 by sea. They have been known to capture a ship in the 
 midst of a storm by swimming to it and climbing up the 
 cable, and many instances of their crafty exploits in ship- 
 taking are on record. For a full account of their ferocity, 
 cunning, and endurance, the reader is referred to Sir James 
 Brook's reports on the Borneo pirates. 
 
 The Esquimaux, situated among ice and snow, where mer- 
 cury freezes in the open air and water becomes ice within a 
 yard of a blazing fire, pass an apparently inactive life. They 
 actually form the ice and snow into warm and comfortable 
 houses ; wrapped up in enormous fur garments that almost 
 disguise the human form, they defy the intensity of the frost,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. u 
 
 and place their highest happiness in the chance possession of 
 a whale, which will furnish them with food, clothing, and 
 light through their long winter. 
 
 All these races, although they differ in habits and external 
 appearance, are but varieties of one species. There is not so 
 marked a distinction between the European and Negro, as 
 between the light and active racer, and the heavy brewer's 
 horse ; yet no one attempts to deny that these are one species. 
 The varieties in man are permanent ; that is, the child of 
 Negro parents will be a Negro, and the child of Malay parents 
 will be a Malay, but that is no proof of a distinct species, as 
 precisely the same argument may be used with regard to the 
 horse. The mind is the important part of man, not the 
 body ; and though the outward bodies of men differ, the 
 mind is the same in all, and in all capable of improvement 
 and cultivation. 
 
 It were an easy task to prove the unity of mankind by 
 Scriptural proofs, but I have thought it better to use rational 
 arguments, as so-called reason was the weapon used to dis- 
 prove the facts which the Scriptures asserted. Sufficient, I 
 trust, has been said to show that man " has dominion over 
 the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over 
 every living thing that moveth upon the earth ;" and also 
 that the whole of mankind forms one great family, precisely 
 according to the Scriptural assertion, that Eve was " the 
 mother of all living." 
 
 The migration of the human race, or their progress from 
 one part of the world to another, is a question of considerable 
 difficulty. Many parts of the earth, such as islands, could 
 not be reached without some artificial means to enable men 
 to cross the water. This implies some degree of civilization, 
 as boats or rafts are the result of much thought and some 
 skill. The question is yet to be answered. Pickering has 
 published a map containing the probable route of mankind 
 through the earth. He appears to think that the oft mooted 
 problem of the population of America is not very difficult of 
 solution, as the Aleutian Isles form a' chain of spots easily 
 traversed by the skin-covered canoes which are still in use 
 among those islands.* 
 
 * Pickering's Races of Man. Hall's Edition, p. 296.
 
 10 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 All nations which have preserved traditions of past events 
 agree in many points in a very remarkable manner. All have 
 some traditions of a creation, not always of a world, but of 
 that particular part in which they reside. The Fiji islanders 
 believe that one of their gods fished up Fiji from the bottom 
 of the sea, by entangling his fish-hook in a rock, and that the 
 island would have been higher had not the line broken. The 
 fish-hook is still preserved as a proof, but they do not state 
 where the god stood while fishing. A traveller asked one of 
 the priests why the hook, an ordinary tortoishell one, did not 
 break ? " Oh ! it was a god's hook and could not break." 
 But why then did the line break ? Whereupon the man, 
 according to the prevailing system of argument in those 
 countries, and perhaps in a few others, threatened to knock 
 him down if he abused the gods any more. Most nations 
 have dim notions of a deluge which overwhelmed the whole 
 world, and from which only a few individuals escaped, by 
 whom the earth was repeopled. Nearly all believe in a 
 good and an evil power continually at warfare, and that the 
 good will finally subdue the evil. Many savage nations, in 
 consequence, seek to propitiate the evil power with prayers and 
 offerings, feeling sure that the good one will not injure them. 
 
 All nations (except one or two, such as the abject Bosjes- 
 man, who can form no idea of what he cannot see, and whose 
 answer when told of a God, is " Let me see him") believe in 
 a future state. Their belief is invariably modified according 
 to their habits. Some of the debased dark races believe that 
 after death they become white men and have plenty of 
 money ; the Mahometan considers his paradise as an abode 
 of everlasting sensual indulgence ; the savage believes that 
 when he leaves this world he will pass to boundless hunting- 
 fields, where shall be no want of game, and where his arrows 
 shall never miss their aim ; the Christian knows his heaven 
 to be a place of unspeakable and everlasting happiness, where 
 the power of sin shall have ceased for ever. 
 
 The mind of man is much influenced by outward objects 
 and the society by which it is surrounded. If a man be con- 
 fined to one spot, or within certain bounds, his mind becomes 
 feeble in proportion to the isolation. The rustic, whose ideas 
 never wander from the farm on which he works, and whose
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 11 
 
 travels are circumscribed by his native village, or, at most, 
 by a casual visit to the nearest market town, exhibits a mind 
 which has received a certain set of ideas, false as well as true, 
 and which refuses alike to admit new notions or to give up 
 any of the old. 
 
 So great is the influence of society on the mind, that an 
 experienced clergyman, while examining some candidates for 
 Confirmation, observed that the Oxford children were two 
 years in advance of those of the same age who had been bred 
 in the country. So with music, a town child is accustomed 
 to hear street music, and readily catches the air, while the 
 country child, whose notions of music are confined to the 
 dismal hosannas and lugubrious psalmody of the village 
 church, is usually devoid of musical ear, but is great in imita- 
 tion of rooks, cows, pigs, and donkeys. 
 
 The most perfect case of isolation known, was that of the 
 celebrated Kaspar Hauser,, who had been confined for the 
 first fourteen or fifteen years of his life in a dark cave, and 
 was never permitted even to see' his keeper. In consequence, 
 when he at length left his dungeon, his mind was that of an 
 infant, his body that of a man. It would have been a most 
 interesting and important experiment to watch the gradual 
 development of his mind, but, unfortunately for science, an 
 unknown dagger reached his heart, and this mysterious 
 victim of a hidden plot perished, leaving the riddle of his 
 life unsolved and the development of his intellect unfinished. 
 This furnishes us with another distinction between man and 
 beasts. When the mind of Hauser was released from its 
 bands, it at once began to expand, and every day gave it 
 fresh powers. Not so with the ape, whose brain is rapidly 
 developed when young, and receives no further increase as it 
 grows in stature. 
 
 SKULL OF MAN.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. Simiadffi. (Lat. Simla, an ape Ape kind.) 
 TROGLODYTES. (Gr. rpujTir], a hole ; 6vu, to creep.) 
 
 
 Niger (Lat. black), the Chimpanzee. 
 
 THE section Quadrumana includes the apes, baboons, and 
 monkeys. The name of Gluadrumana is given to these animals 
 because, in addition to two hands like those of man, their feet 
 are also formed like hands, and are capable of grasping the 
 -branches among which most monkeys pass their lives. 
 
 Apes are placed at the head of the Gluadrumana because 
 their instinct is mostly superior to that of the baboons and 
 monkeys, of whom the former are usually sullen and ferocious, 
 and the latter volatile and mischievous. 
 
 The Chimpansee and the Orang-outan have been con- 
 founded together by the older naturalists, whose error has 
 been repeated even to the present time. That they are really
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 13 
 
 distinct animals a glance at the skull of each will at once 
 prove. The Chimpansee is a native of Western Africa, and is 
 tolerably common on the banks of the Gambia and in Congo. 
 
 Large bands of these formidable apes congregate together 
 and unite in repelling an invader, which they do with such 
 fury and courage that even the dreaded elephant and lion are 
 driven from their haunts by their united efforts. They live 
 principally on the ground, and, as their name imports, spend 
 much of their time in caves or under rocks. Their height 
 is from four to five feet, but they are said not to reach this 
 growth until nine or ten years of age. 
 
 Several young chimpansees have been recently imported 
 into this country, and have shown themselves very docile 
 and gentle ; but, had they lived, they would probably in a 
 few years have become fierce and obstinate, as apes almost 
 invariably are when they reach their full growth. 
 
 SKULL OF CHIMPANSEE. SKULL OF ORANG-OUTAN. 
 
 THE ORANG-OUTAN. 
 
 The ORANG-OUTAN inhabits Borneo and Sumatra. In Borneo 
 there are certainly two species of orang, called by the natives 
 the Mias-kassar and the Mias-pappan. Some naturalists sup- 
 pose that the Sumatran orang is also a distinct species. 
 
 This is the largest of all the apes, as it is said that orangs 
 have been obtained from Borneo considerably above five feet 
 in height. The strength of this animal is tremendous; a 
 female snapped a strong spear asunder after having received 
 many severe wounds. Its arms are of extraordinary length, 
 the hands reaching the ground when it stands erect. This 
 length of arm is admirably adapted for climbing trees, on 
 which it principally resides. Mr. Brooke, the Rajah of Sara- 
 wak, gives the following account of the orangs of Borneo. 
 There appears also to be a third species, the Mias-rombi :
 
 14 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 " On the habits of the orangs, as far as I have been able to 
 observe them, I may remark that they are as dull and as 
 slothful as can well be conceived, and on no occasion, when 
 pursuing them, did they move so fast as to preclude my keep- 
 ing pace with them easily through a moderately clear forest ; 
 and even when obstructions below (such as wading up to 
 
 SIMIA. 
 
 Satyrus (Gr. Survpof, a satyr), the Orang-outan. 
 the neck) allowed them to get away some distance, they were 
 sure to stop and allow us to come up. I never observed the 
 slightest attempt at defence ; and the wood, which sometimes 
 rattled about our ears, was broken by their weight, and not 
 thrown, as some persons represent. If pushed to extremity, 
 however, the pappan could not be otherwise than formidable ; 
 and one unfortunate man, who with a party was trying to 
 catch one alive, lost two of his fingers, besides being severely 
 bitten on the face, whilst the animal finally beat off his pur- 

 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 15 
 
 suers and escaped When they wish to catch an adult, they 
 cut down a circle of trees round the one on which he is seated, 
 and then fell that also, and close before he can recover him- 
 self, and endeavour to bind him. 
 
 " The rude hut which they are stated to build in the trees 
 would be more properly called a seat, or nest, for it has no 
 roof or cover of any sort. The facility with which they form 
 this seat is curious ; and I had an opportunity of seeing a 
 wounded female weave the branches together, and seat her- 
 self in a minute. She afterwards received our fire without 
 moving, and expired in her lofty abode, whence it cost us 
 much trouble to dislodge her. 
 
 " The pappan is justly named Satyrus, from the ugly face 
 and disgusting callosities. The adult male I killed was seated 
 lazily on a tree ; and when approached only took the trouble 
 to interpose the trunk between us, peeping at me, and dodg- 
 ing as I dodged. I hit him on the wrist, and he was after- 
 wards dispatched. I send you his proportions, enormous 
 relative to his height ; and until I came to actual measure- 
 ment my impression was that he was nearly six feet in 
 stature. 
 
 " The great difference between the kassar and the pappan 
 in size would prove at once the distinction of the two species ; 
 the kassar being a small slight animal, by no means for- 
 midable in his appearance, with hands and feet proportioned 
 to the body, and they do not approach the gigantic extremi- 
 ties of the pappan either in size or power ; and, in short, a 
 moderately strong man would readily overpower one, when he 
 would not stand a shadow of a chance with the pappan." 
 
 When young the Orang-outan is very docile, and has been 
 taught to make its own bed, and to handle a cup and saucer, 
 or a spoon, with tolerable propriety. For the former occu- 
 pation it proved itself particularly apt, as it not only laid its 
 own bed-clothes smooth and comfortable, but exhibited much 
 ingenuity in stealing blankets from other beds, which it added 
 to its own. The young Orang in the collection of the Zoolo- 
 gical Society evinced extreme horror at the sight of a small 
 tortoise, and, when the reptile was introduced into its den, 
 stood aghast in a most ludicrously terrified attitude, with its 
 eyes intently fixed on the frightful object.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 HYLOBATES. (Gr. v^r), a wood ; fiaivu, to traverse.) 
 
 AgiUs (Lat active), the Agile Gibbon, or Oungka 
 
 The AGILE GIBBON is a native of Sumatra. It derives its 
 name of Agile, from the wonderful activity it displays in 
 launching itself through the air from branch to branch. 
 One of these creatures that was exhibited in London some 
 time since, sprang with the greatest ease through distances of 
 twelve and eighteen feet ; and when apples or nuts were 
 thrown to her while in the air, she would catch them with- 
 out discontinuing her course. She kept up a succession of 
 springs, hardly touching the branches in her progress, con- 
 tinually uttering a musical but almost deafening cry. She 
 was very tame and gentle, and would permit herself to be 
 touched or caressed. The height of the Gibbon is about three 
 feet, and the reach of the extended arms about six feet. 
 The young Gibbon is usually of a paler colour than its parent. 
 There are several species of Gibbon, amongst which some
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 17 
 
 naturalists include the Siamang, a monkey chiefly celebrated 
 for the pains it takes to wash the faces of its young, a duty 
 which it conscientiously performs in spite of the struggles and 
 screams of its aggrieved offspring. 
 
 PRESBYTES. (Gr. Trpeafivrrif, an old man.) 
 
 Larvatus (Lai masked) Kahau, or Proboscis Monkey. 
 
 The KAHAU is a native of Borneo. It derives its name 
 from the cry it utters, which is a repetition of the word 
 " Kahau." It is remarkable for the extraordinary size and 
 shape of its nose, and the natives relate that while leaping 
 it holds that organ with its paws, apparently to guard it 
 against the branches. The length of its head and body is 
 two feet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Entellus (Lat. A proper name), the Entellus Monkey. 
 
 The ENTELLUS, or Hoonuman, is a native of India. It is 
 astonishingly active in the capture of serpents. It steals 
 upon the snake when asleep, seizes it by the neck, runs to 
 the nearest stone, and deliberately grinds down the reptile's 
 head until the poisonous fangs are destroyed, frequently in- 
 specting its work and grinning at the impotent struggles of 
 the tortured reptile. When- the snake is rendered harmless 
 the monkey casts it to its young, who, after tossing about and 
 exulting over their fallen enemy for some time, finally destroy 
 it. The length of its head and body is about two feet two 
 inches. 
 
 Seven genera are omitted on account of want of space.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 19 
 
 CraocEpniLtrs. (Gr. KVUV, a dog ; /ce^aAi?, a head) 
 
 Mormon (Gr. Mop/^wv, a bogie), the Mandrill. 
 
 We now arrive at the BABOONS. This trihe is principally 
 distinguished from the apes by their short and insignificant 
 looking tails. The baboons are the only mammalia which 
 exhibit brilliant colours ; on these, however, nature has 
 bestowed vivid tints hardly to be surpassed even by the 
 gorgeous plumage of the tropical birds. 
 
 The Mandrill, which is the most conspicuous of the baboon 
 tribe, is a native of Guinea and western Africa. It is chiefly 
 remarkable for the vivid colours with which it is adorned. 
 Its cheeks are of a brilliant blue, its muzzle of a bright 
 scarlet, and a stripe of crimson runs along the centre of its 
 nose. These colours are set off by the purple hues of the 
 hinder quarters. It lives principally in forests filled with 
 brushwood, from which it makes incursions into the nearest 
 villages, plundering them with impunity. On this account it 
 is much dreaded by the natives, who feel themselves incapable 
 of resisting its attacks. It is excessively ferocious, and easily 
 excited to anger ; indeed, Cuvier relates that he has seen 
 several of these animals expire from the violence of their fury.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The greenish brown colour of the hair is caused by alternate 
 bands of yellow and black, which exist on each hair. The 
 brilliant colours referred to above belong to the skin, and fade 
 after death, or when the animal is not in perfect health. 
 
 Family III. *Cebidse. (Gr. Kyfiof, a monkey. Monkey kind.) 
 ATELES. (Gr. dre/lfo, imperfect.) 
 
 Paniscus (Gr. Havianof, dim. of irdv, a little Pan), the Coaita Spider 
 Monkey. 
 
 The AMERICAN MONKEYS, or Cebidae, are found exclusively 
 in South America, and are never seen north of Panama. Their 
 tails are invariably long, and in some genera, prehensile. 
 
 The Coaita is one of the Spider Monkeys, so called from 
 their long slender limbs, and their method of progressing 
 among the branches. The tail seems to answer the purpose 
 of a fifth hand, as it is capable of being used for every pur- 
 pose to which the hand could be applied ; indeed, the Spider 
 
 * Pronounce Kebidas.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 21 
 
 Monkeys are said to use this member for hooking out objects 
 where a hand could not be inserted. The tail is of considerable 
 use in climbing among the branches of trees ; they coil it 
 round the boughs to lower or raise themselves, and often will 
 suspend themselves entirely by it, and then by a powerful 
 impetus swing off to some distant branch. The habits of all 
 the Spider Monkeys are very similar. They are extremely 
 sensitive to cold, and when chilly are in the habit of wrapping 
 their tail about them, so that this useful organ answers the 
 purpose of a boa as well as a hand. They will also, when 
 shot, fasten their tail so firmly on the branches, that they 
 remain suspended after death. The genus is called Ateles, 
 or imperfect, because in most of the species the thumb is 
 'wanting. The Coaita inhabits Surinam arid Guinea. 
 Several genera are omitted. 
 
 MYCETES. (Gr. nvKrjr^f, a howler.) 
 
 Urslnus (Lat. Ursa, a bear Bear-like), the Ursine Howler. 
 
 The HOWLING MONKEYS are larger and more clumsy than 
 the Spider Monkeys, and are chiefly remarkable for the pecu- 
 liarity from which they derive their name. These animals
 
 22 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 possess an enlargement in the throat, which renders their cry 
 exceedingly loud and mournful. They howl in concert, prin- 
 cipally at the rising and setting of the sun ; one monkey 
 begins the cry, which is gradually taken up by the rest, 
 precisely as may be observed in a colony of rooks. They are 
 in great request among the natives as articles of food, their 
 slow habits rendering them an easy prey. 
 
 The Ursine Howler, or Araguato, is common in Brazil, 
 where forty or fifty have been observed on one tree. They 
 generally travel in files, an old monkey taking the lead, and 
 the others following in due order. They feed principally on 
 leaves and fruit ; the tail is prehensile like that of the Spider 
 Monkeys. 
 
 The genus Cebus is omitted. 
 
 CALLITHKIX. (Gr. nakoq, beautiful; 6pi%, hair.) 
 
 Torquatus (Lat. torquis, a necklace Collared), the Collared Tee Tee. 
 
 The beautiful little animals here represented belong to the 
 Squirrel Monkeys, so called on account of their large bushy 
 tails. 
 
 The COLLARED TEE TEE, or White-throated Squirrel Monkey, 
 is found to the east of the Orinoco. It lives on small birds,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 23 
 
 insects, and fruits. Its habits are, apparently, mild and in- 
 offensive, but its acts belie its looks, for when a small bird is 
 presented to it, it springs upon its prey like a cat and speedily 
 devours it. 
 
 JACCHUS. (Gr. 'Ia/c^of, Bacchus.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Marmoset. 
 
 The MARMOSET is a most interesting little creature. It is 
 exceedingly sensitive to cold, and when in England is usually 
 occupied in nestling among the materials for its bed, which it 
 heaps up in one corner, and out of which it seldom emerges 
 entirely. It will eat almost any article of food, but is espe- 
 cially fond of insects, which it dispatches in a very adroit 
 manner.* Its fondness for insects is carried so far, that it has 
 been known to pinch out the figures of beetles in an entomo- 
 logical work, and swallow them. 
 
 Several genera are omitted between Callithrix and Jacchus. 
 
 * The beautiful little marmoset in the Zoological Gardens ate a great number of 
 flies which I caught and presented to it. Its little eyes sparkled with eagerness each 
 time that it saw my hand moving towards a fly settled out of its reach.
 
 24 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family IV. Lemuridse. (Lat. lemures, ghosts Ghostlike.) 
 
 Macaco, the Ruffled Lemur. 
 
 The LEMURS derive their name from their nocturnal 
 habits, and their noiseless movements. The Ruffled Lemur is 
 
 Gracilis (Lat slender), the Slender Loris. 
 
 a native of Madagascar. It lives in the depths of the forests, 
 and only moves by night, the entire day being spent in sleep.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 25 
 
 Its food consists of fruits, insects, and small birds, which latter 
 it takes while they are sleeping. This is the largest of the 
 Lemurs, being rather larger than a cat. 
 
 The SLENDER LORIS* is a native of India, Ceylon, &e. It, 
 like the Lemur, seldom moves by day, but prowls about at 
 night in search of food. No sooner; does it espy a sleeping bird, 
 than it slowly advances until within reach ; then putting 
 forward its paw with a motion slow and imperceptible as the 
 movement of the shadow on the dial, it gradually places its 
 fingers over the devoted bird ; then, with a movement swifter 
 than the eye can follow, it seizes its startled preyr^ 
 
 Two genera are omitted between Lemur and Loris, and 
 several more between Loris and the Vesper tilionidae. 
 
 Family V ... Vespertilionidffl. Lat vespertilio, a bat Bat kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Phyllostomlna. (Gr. ^v/lAov, a leaf; arofia, a mouth.) 
 VAMPIRUS (" said by Adelung to be of Servian origin") 
 
 Spectrum (Lat. a spectre), the Vampire Bat. 
 
 We now arrive at the BATS, or Cheiroptera. This name is 
 derived from the singular manner in which their fore-paws, or 
 
 * See preceding page. 
 B
 
 26 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 hands are developed into wings. If the fingers of a man 
 were to be drawn out like wire to ahout four feet in length, a 
 thin membrane to extend from finger to finger, and another 
 membrane to fall from the little finger to the ancles, he would 
 make a very tolerable Bat. 
 
 The usual food of Bats is insects, which they mostly capture 
 on the wing, but some, as the. Vampires, suck blood from 
 other animals, and a few, as the Kalongo, or Flying Fox, live, 
 upon fruits, and so devour the mangoes, that the natives are 
 forced to cover them with bamboo baskets to preserve them 
 from the ravages of these animals, who would soon strip the 
 fruit-trees without these precautions. Even the cocoa nut is 
 not secure from their depredations. 
 
 The membrane of the Bat's wing is plentifully supplied 
 with nerves, and is extremely sensitive, almost appearing to 
 supply a sense independent of sight. Spallanzani cruelly 
 deprived several Bats of their eyes, and then let them fly loose 
 in his room, across which he had stretched strings in various 
 places. The unfortunate Bats, however, did not strike against 
 the strings or any other obstacles, but threaded their way 
 among them with a degree of accuracy perfectly wonderful. 
 Many Bats possess a similar membrane on the nose, which is 
 apparently used for the same purpose. 
 
 There are five tribes, or sub-families, of Bats, according to 
 Gray, each tribe including many genera. The British Museum 
 possesses seventy-seven genera. 
 
 The Vampire Bat is a native of South America, where it is 
 very common, and held in some dread. It lives on the blood 
 of animals, and sucks usually while its victim sleeps. The 
 extremities where the blood flows freely, as the toe of a man, 
 the ears of a horse, or the combs and wattles of fowls, are its 
 favourite spots. When it has selected a subject, on which it 
 intends to feed, it watches until the animal is fairly asleep. 
 It then carefully fans its victim with its wings while it bites 
 a little hole in the ear or shoulder, and through this small 
 aperture, into which a pin's head would scarcely pass, it con- 
 trives to abstract sufficient blood to make a very ample meal. 
 The wound is so small, and the Bat manages so adroitly, that 
 ;'ie victim does not discover that anything has happened until 
 the morning, when a pool of blood betrays the visit of the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 27 
 
 Vampire. Darwin relates, that while travelling in Chili, 
 " We were bivouacking late one evening near Coquimbo, when 
 my servant, noticing that one of the horses was very restive, 
 went to see what was the matter, and fancying he could dis- 
 tinguish something, suddenly put his hand on the beast's 
 withers, and secured a Vampire. In the morning, the spot 
 where the bite had been inflicted was easily distinguished, from 
 being slightly swollen and bloody." This Bat is placed among 
 the Phyllostomina, because the membrane on its nose re- 
 sembles a leaf. The length of its body is about six inches. 
 
 SKULL OF BAT. HAIR OF BAT.' 
 
 THE LONG-EARED BAT. 
 
 The LONG-EAIIED BAT is found in most parts of Europe, and 
 is common in England. It may be seen any warm evening 
 flying about in search of insects, and uttering its peculiar 
 shrill cry. It is very common on Hampstead Heath. The 
 ears are about an inch and a half in length, and have a fold 
 in them reaching almost to the lips, from which peculiarity 
 the genus is called Plecotus. These Bats are very easily 
 tamed, and will takes flies and other insects from the hand. 
 One that I had in my own possession used to hang by the 
 wing-hooks during the whole of the day, and could hardly be 
 persuaded to move, or even to eat ; but when the evening 
 came on it became very brisk indeed, and after carefully 
 combing itself with its hind feet, it would eagerly seize a fly 
 or beetle and devour it, always rejecting the head, legs, and 
 wings. It was then very impatient to be released from the 
 cage, and would show its uneasiness by climbing about the 
 cage and fluttering its wings. It unfortunately died before 
 further investigations could be made, but during the short 
 
 * Magnified about 200 diameters.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 time that it survived, it seemed very gentle, and only bit me 
 once, although I us6d frequently to handle it. 
 
 Sub-family c. Vespertilionina. 
 PLECOTUS. (Gr. U^EKU, I fold; ovc, an ear.) 
 
 
 Auritus (Lat. auris, an ear Eared), the Long-eared Bat. 
 
 Order II FER^E.(L&i. ferus, wild. Wild beasts.) 
 
 Family I. ... Felidse. (Lat. felis, a cat. Cat kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Fellna. 
 
 THE former sections have been characterised by the number 
 and properties of the Jmnds. In the section that we are about 
 to consider, the hands have been modified into feet. At the 
 head of the quadrupeds, or four-footed animals, are placed the 
 carnivora, or flesh-eaters, and at the head of the carnivora, the 
 Felidae, or Cat kind are placed, as being the most perfect and 
 beautiful in that section. The Felidse all take their prey by 
 creeping as near as they can without observation, and then 
 springing upon their unfortunate victim, which seldom suc- 
 ceeds in making its escape, as the powerful claws and teeth of 
 its enemy usually dash it insensible to the ground. The jaws 
 and teeth of the Felidae are very different from those of the 
 animals already described ; their jaws are more powerful, and
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 29 
 
 their teeth longer and sharper. Trfeir claws, too, are neces- 
 sarily very long and sharp, and to prevent them from being 
 injured by coming into contact with the ground, they are con- 
 cealed, when not in use, in a sheath, which effectually guards 
 them and keeps them sharp. The tongue of the Felids3 is very 
 rough, as may be proved by feeling the tongue of a cat. This 
 roughness is occasioned by innumerable little hooks which 
 cover the tongue, and all point backwards. These are used 
 for the purpose of licking the flesh off the bones of their prey. 
 The bristles of the mouth, or whiskers, are each connected 
 with a large nerve, and are exceedingly useful in indicating 
 an obstacle when the animal prowls by night. Their eyes are 
 adapted for nocturnal vision by the dilating power of the pupil, 
 which expands so as to take in every ray of light. 
 
 THE LION. 
 
 The LION stands at the head of the wild beasts. His noble, 
 and dignified bearing, the terrific power compressed into his 
 comparatively small frame, and the deep majesty of his voice, 
 have gained for him the name of " king of beasts." The Lion 
 inhabits Africa and certain parts of Asia, such as portions of 
 Arabia and Persia, and some parts of India. It varies in 
 appearance according to the locality, but there is little doubt 
 that there is but one species. We are indebted to Mr. Gumming 
 for many interesting notices of this noble animal, observed 
 during his residence in Southern Africa, and from his book 
 many extracts will be given in the course of this work, as by 
 his cool and daring courage he has been enabled to watch the 
 habits and actions of the most ferocious beasts in the depths 
 of their own haunts. 
 
 The Lion is barely four feet high, and eight in length, yet 
 he can, with little difficulty, dash the giraffe to the earth, or 
 overcome the powerful buffalo. He has been known to carry 
 off a heifer in his mouth, and although encumbered with such 
 a burden, to leap a broad dyke, apparently with the greatest 
 ease. No animal willingly molests the Lion, and there are 
 but very few which he cannot overcome. The rhinoceros and 
 elephant are almost the only quadrupeds he dare not meddle
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 with, but he does not seem to stand in much fear of them. 
 Gnoos, zebras, and antelopes, seem to be his favorite prey, 
 although one of the antelopes, the oryx, or gemsbok, not 
 
 LEO. (Lat. a Lion.} 
 
 Barbarus (Lat. fierce), the Lion. 
 
 unfrequently avenges its own death by the destruction of its 
 pursuer, its long straight horns impaling the Lion from side 
 to side. The two skeletons have been seen lying together. 
 The roar of the Lion is one of its chief peculiarities ; the best 
 description of it is in Cumming's Adventures : 
 
 " One of the most striking things connected with the Lion 
 is his voice, which is extremely grand and peculiarly striking. 
 It consists, at times, of a low, deep moaning, repeated five or 
 six times, ending in faintly audible sighs ; at other times he 
 startles the forest with loud, deep-toned, solemn roars, repeated 
 five or six times in quick succession, each increasing in loud- 
 ness to the third or fourth, when his voice dies away in five 
 or six low, muffled sounds, very much resembling distant 
 thunder. At times, and not unfrequently, a troop may be 
 heard roaring in concert, one assuming the lead, and two,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 31 
 
 three, or four more regularly taking up their parts like persons 
 singing a catch." 
 
 " As a general rule lions roar during the night, their sigh- 
 ing moans commencing as the shades of evening envelope 
 the forest, and continuing at intervals throughout the night. 
 In distant and secluded regions, however, I have constantly 
 heard them roaring loudly as late as nine and ten o'clock on 
 a bright sunny morning. In hazy and rainy weather they 
 are to be heard at every hour in the day, but their roar is sub- 
 dued." 
 
 The opinion that lions will not touch a dead animal is 
 erroneous ; as they were frequently shot by Mr. Gumming 
 while devouring gnoos, &c., that had fallen by his rifle. 
 Those lions who have once tasted human flesh are generally 
 the most to be dreaded, as they will even venture to spring 
 in among a company of men, and seize their victim. These 
 lions are called Man-eaters. During the latter part of Cum- 
 ming's residence in South Africa a dreadful instance of their 
 ferocity occurred. While the hunting party was encamped 
 for the night in the territory of the Balakahari, a lion, taking 
 advantage of the stormy night, suddenly sprang upon two 
 men, Hendrick, the driver, and Ruyter, the Bosjesman tracker, 
 who were wrapped in the same blanket, by the fire. It seized 
 Hendrick by the neck, and dragged him into the bushes, in 
 spite of the blows which another man gave it with a burning 
 brand, leaving Ruyter unhurt except by a few scratches with 
 its claws. Next morning it was shot by Mr. Gumming, who 
 placed its skin in his magnificent collection, where Ruyter 
 points it out with great glee. 
 
 The Lioness is much smaller than the Lion, and is destitute 
 of the magnificent mane which is so great an ornament to her 
 mate. As a general rule she is more fierce and active than 
 the male, especially before she has had cubs, or while she is 
 suckling them. She has usually from two to four cubs at a 
 time. They are beautiful playful little things, and are slightly 
 striped. They have no mane until about two years old.* 
 While her cubs are small the Lioness knows no fear, and will 
 attack a company of men or a herd of oxen if they come too 
 
 * Some years since, one of the keepers at Wombwell's placed a pair of lion cubs 
 in my arms. They were rather larger than cats, and almost unpleasantly playful.
 
 32 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 near her den. Her mate also ably seconds her endeavours, 
 and has been known to keep the hunters at bay until she has 
 withdrawn her cubs to a place of safety, after which he bounds 
 off in the direction which she has taken. 
 
 The lion when young is easily tamed, and shows a strong 
 attachment to its keeper. Those who have seen Van Amburgh 
 will know what influence man may obtain over this powerful 
 creature. Many anecdotes have been told of the celebrated 
 lion " Nero," who would sufier even strangers to caress him, 
 and carry children on his back with the greatest good-nature. 
 
 Many naturalists, of whom Buffon is the chief, have fallen 
 into errors concerning the contradictory dispositions of the 
 lion and tiger. " The lion unites with a high degree of 
 fierceness, courage, and strength, the more admirable qualities 
 of nobleness, clemency, and magnanimity. Walking with a 
 gentle step, he does not deign to attack man unless provoked 
 to the combat. He neither quickens his step nor flies, and 
 never pursues the inferior animals except when urged by 
 hunger," while the tiger " presents a compound of meanness 
 and ferocity ; he seems always thirsty for blood," &c. &c. ,'Now 
 nothing can be more erroneous than these sentences. The 
 tiger is as tameable as the lion, the tiger and lion seize their 
 prey with equal ferocity, and neither will attack a man or any 
 other animal when satisfied with food. 
 
 There is a small hook or claw at the extremity of the lion's 
 tail, which has been represented as the means by which the 
 animal lashes itself into fury, using it as a spur. This is im- 
 possible, as the claw or prickle is very small, not fixed to the 
 bone as the claws of the feet are, but merely attached to the 
 skin, and falls off if roughly handled. It is not present in all 
 lions, as Mr. Wood only discovered it once out of numerous 
 specimens which he examined.* 
 
 * In the Nineveh Sculptures this claw is very strongly marked.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 TIGRIS. (Lat. a Tiger.) 
 
 
 Regalis (Lat. royal), the Tiger. 
 
 This magnificent animal is found only in Asia, Hindostan 
 being the part most infested by it. In size it is almost equal 
 to the lion, its height being from three to four feet, and its 
 length rather more than eight feet. It has no mane, but to 
 compensate for this deficiency it is decorated with black 
 stripes, upon a ground of reddish yellow fur, which becomes 
 almost white on the under parts of the body. The chase of 
 the TIGER is among the most exciting and favourite sports in 
 India. A number of hunters assemble, mounted on elephants 
 trained to the sport, and carry with them a supply of loaded 
 rifles in their howdahs, or carriages mounted on the elephants' 
 backs. Thus armed, they proceed to the spot where a tiger 
 has been seen. The animal is usually found hidden in the long 
 grass or jungle, which is frequently eight or more feet in 
 height, and when roused, it endeavours to creep away under 
 the grass. The movement of the leaves betrays him, and he
 
 34 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 is checked by a rifle ball aimed at him through the jungle. 
 Finding that he cannot escape without being seen, he turns 
 round, and springs at the nearest elephant, endeavouring to 
 clamber up it, and attack the party in the howdah. This is 
 the most dangerous part of the proceedings, as many elephants 
 will turn round and run away, regardless of the efforts of 
 their drivers to make them face the tiger. Should, however, 
 the elephant stand firm, a well-directed ball checks the tiger 
 in his spring, and he then endeavours again to escape, but a 
 volley of rifle balls from the backs of the other elephants, who 
 by this time have come up, lays the savage animal prostrate, 
 and in a very short time his skin decorates the successful 
 marksman's howdah. These hunts are not carried on without 
 considerable danger, as in some cases the tiger has succeeded 
 in reaching the howdah, and more than one hunter has been 
 known to overbalance himself in his anxiety to get a shot at 
 his game, and has fallen into the very claws of the enraged 
 brute. Once a wounded tiger sprang at a badly trained 
 elephant, who immediately turned round and made off The 
 tiger succeeded in reaching the elephant's tail, which it 
 mangled dreadfully, but could climb no higher, partly on 
 account of its wounds, and partly through the exertions of 
 a native, who kept it back with a spear. The tiger hung in 
 this way for the greater part of a mile, when another hunter 
 succeeded in overtaking the terrified elephant, and with a 
 single ball freed the poor animal from its tormentor. 
 
 Tigers are usually taken by the natives in pitfalls, at the 
 bottom of which is planted a bamboo stake, the top of which 
 is sharpened into a point. The animal falls on the point and 
 is impaled. 
 
 The general notion that tigers cannot be tamed is erroneous. 
 They can be tamed as easily as the lion ; but great caution 
 must be used with ajl wild animals, as in a moment of irrita- 
 tion their savage nature breaks out, and the consequences 
 have more than once proved fatal. The melancholy death of 
 the " Lion Queen," in Wombwell's Menagerie, is a recent 
 example of this propensity. 
 
 In the British Museum are three cubs bred between a lion 
 and a tigress. They are not unlike lion cubs, but the stripes 
 are much darker, and the colour of the fur is brighter. 

 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 LEOPARDUF. (Lat. leo, a lion ; pardus, a panther.) 
 
 
 Varius (Lat. varied), the Leopard, or Panther. 
 
 The LEOPARD is an inhabitant of Africa, India, and the 
 Indian Islands. A black variety inhabits Java, and is not 
 uncommon there. Its height is about two feet. This and the 
 following Felidae are accustomed to live much on trees, and 
 are on that account called Tree-tigers by the natives. Nothing 
 can be more beautiful than the elegant and active manner in 
 which the leopards sport among the branches of the trees : 
 at one time they will bound from branch to branch with such 
 rapidity that the eye can scarcely follow them ; then, as if 
 tired, they will suddenly stretch themselves along a branch, 
 so as to be hardly distinguishable from the bark, but start up 
 again on the slightest provocation, and again resume their 
 graceful antics. It is easily tamed, and expresses great fond- 
 ness for its keeper, and will play with him like a cat. A 
 remarkably beautiful one in Wombwell's Menagerie was ex- 
 ceedingly fond of playing with the tuft at the extremity of a 
 lion's tail, and from the familiar manner in which he patted 
 and bit it, he evidently considered it as manufactured for his 
 own particular entertainment. The Leopard and Panther are 
 considered as the same animal, on the authority of Mr. Gray.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 LKOPARDUS. 
 
 TJncia (Lat. uncia, an ounce), the Ounce. 
 
 The OUNCE is a native of India, and has been often con- 
 founded with the Leopard. Its fur is much more rough than 
 that of the leopard, and the tail is almost bushy, especially 
 towards the extremity. Its body is marked with irregular 
 wavy stripes, and the head is adorned with black spots. The 
 general colour is a yellowish grey. 
 
 It is easy to distinguish the Ounce from the Leopard, by 
 the indistinctiveness of the markings, and also by the rough- 
 ness of the fur, which latter distinction, in the opinion of 
 some naturalists, shows that it lives in mountainous regions. 
 The habits and. history of this animal are but little known.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 37 
 
 UGOPARDU& 
 
 
 Onca (Gr. Oy/ca, a proper name), the Jaguar. 
 
 The JAGUAR inhabits America. It is larger and more 
 powerful than the leopard, which it resembles in colour, but 
 has a black streak across the chest, and a black spot in the 
 centre of the rosettes. It is fond of climbing trees, and finds 
 little difficulty in ascending, even when the trunk is smooth 
 and destitute of branches. It chases monkeys successfully, 
 and is said to watch for turtles on the beach, and to scoop 
 out their flesh by turning them on their backs and inserting 
 its paws between the shells. It often makes fearful havoc 
 among the sheep-folds, and is said to depart so far from the 
 usual habits of the Felidae, as to enter the water after fish, 
 and to capture them in shallow water. There have been 
 instances of the domestic cat acting in the same manner.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 LEOPARDFS. 
 
 Concolor (Lai of the same colour), the Puma. 
 
 The PUMA inhabits the whole of America, where it is held 
 in much dread by the natives. Its colour is an uniform 
 grey, fading into white on the under parts of its body; this 
 similarity of colour is the reason that the name " concolor" 
 has been given to it. It lives much on trees, and usually lies 
 along the branches, where its uniform dusky fur renders it so 
 like the bark that it can scarcely be distinguished from the 
 branch. This habit it preserves when in captivity, and 
 many persons pass its den in the Zoological Gardens, fancy- 
 ing it empty, while the Puma is lying along its shelf un- 
 observed. 
 
 The Americans always speak of this animal as the panther, 
 or " painter," as it is more familiarly pronounced ; and many 
 authors still term it the " cougar" a word contracted from 
 the original elongated unpronounceable Mexican name.
 
 'NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Pardaiis (Gr. TrupdaAtf, a pard), the Ocelot. 
 
 The OCELOT, one of the Tiger-cats, is a native of Mexico 
 and Peru. ' Its height is about eighteen inches, and its length 
 about three feet. It is a most beautiful animal, and is easily 
 tamed. When in a wild state it lives principally on monkeys, 
 which it takes by stratagem. 
 
 THE CAT. 
 
 The domestic CAT was formerly supposed to be the same 
 animal as the wild Cat, but it is now proved to be a distinct 
 species, and the difference is seen at once by the form of the 
 tail. That of the domestic cat is long and taper, while that 
 of the wild cat is bushy and short. The cat is an animal 
 which, whether lying curled up on the hearth-rug fast asleep 
 and immersed in dreams of shadowy fat mice, or leisurely 
 pacing the room, and complacently muttering its self-satisfied 
 purr as it brushes softly against the legs of the table or chair, 
 certainly succeeds in giving a great air of comfort to a room. 
 On this account it is a general favourite, especially in houses 
 where there are no children. Pussy, however, is not only 
 ornamental, but useful also, as she is eager and successful in
 
 40 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 the pursuit of rats and mice. So strong, indeed, is the passion 
 for hunting in the breast of the Cat, that she sometimes dis- 
 dains mice "and such small deer," aud trespasses on warrens 
 or preserves. A large tabby cat, residing at no great distance 
 from "White Horse Vale, was accustomed to go out poaching 
 in the preserves of a neighbouring nobleman, and so expert 
 was she at this illegal sport that she constantly returned 
 bearing in her mouth a leveret or a partridge, which she in- 
 sisted on presenting to her mistress, who in vain endeavoured 
 to check her marauding propensities. These exploits, how- 
 ever, brought their own punishment ; for one day, when in the 
 
 Domestica (Lat. domestic), the Cat. 
 
 act of seizing a leveret, she found herself caught in a vermin 
 trap, which deprived her of one of her hind legs. This mis- 
 fortune did not damp her enthusiasm for hunting, as although 
 the loss of a leg prevented her from chasing hares, &c., she 
 would still bring in an occasional rat. 
 
 This instinctive desire of hunting seems to be implanted in 
 cats at a very early age. I have seen kittens but just able to 
 see, bristle up at the touch of a mouse, and growl in a terrific 
 manner if disturbed . Weissenborn in his Magazine of Natural 
 History gives the following interesting account of the propen- 
 sity of the cat to hunt, and of the mice to escape, both being
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 41 
 
 at an age rendering it impossible that any instruction could 
 have been given them by their parents. 
 
 " That instinct is an inherent or innate quality of animals 
 is clearly proved by experience. The cat possesses the in- 
 stinct of catching and eating mice, and the mouse that of 
 shunning the cat as its most dangerous enemy. Once, in 
 Rome, I happened to open a drawer which I seldom had occa- 
 sion to use, when I saw a mouse jumping out of it, and found 
 among the papers a nest with five young mice, naked and blind, 
 and of a pale-flesh colour. I placed them on a table, handled 
 them, &c., and they evinced no symptoms of fright, nor any 
 inclination to get away, but only appeared eager to approach 
 each other for the sake of warmth. There happened to be in 
 the house a very young cat who had never tasted anything 
 but milk. I placed it near the little mice by way of experi- 
 ment, but to my astonishment it did not even look at them, 
 nor perceive them, even when I turned its eyes in the proper 
 direction, until at last, when I had repeatedly approached its 
 nose to the mice, it suddenly caught a scent which made it 
 tremble with desire. The propensity became more and more 
 violent, and the cat smelled at the mice, touching them with 
 its nose, when all at once the pale-coloured creatures became 
 suffused with blood, and began to make great exertions to get 
 out of the way of imminent danger, whilst the cat as eagerly 
 followed them." 
 
 The Cat displays a great affection for her kittens, and her 
 pride when they first run about is quite amusing. While I 
 was an undergraduate at College, a cat belonging to the 
 baker's department formed a great friendship for me, and 
 used to come every morning and evening to obtain her share 
 of breakfast and tea. She continued her attentions for some 
 time, but one morning she was absent from her accustomed 
 corner, nor did she return until nearly a week had passed, 
 when she came again, but always seemed uneasy unless the 
 door were open. A few days afterwards she came up as usual, 
 and jumped on my knee, at the same time putting a little 
 kitten into my hand. She refused to take it back again, so I 
 restored it to its brothers and sisters myself. A few hours 
 afterwards, on going into my bedroom, I found another black 
 kitten fast asleep on the bed.
 
 42 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 There are several varieties of the domestic cat, among which 
 the Angora cats, with their beautiful long fur, and the Manx 
 cats of the Chartreuse breed, which have no tails, are the most 
 conspicuous. 
 
 CATS' TAILS.* 
 
 The CARACAL is found in most parts of Asia and Africa. It 
 derives its name from the black tips of its ears, which render 
 it a very conspicuous animal. It is one of the group of the 
 Lynxes, and is generally supposed to be the animal referred 
 to by several ancient authors under the name of Lynx. It 
 lives on the smaller quadrupeds and birds, which it pursues 
 even to the tops of the trees. There are no records of its 
 being tamed, as in every instance when confined it snarls at 
 those who approach its cage. The length of its body is about 
 two feet, and its height about fourteen inches. 
 CARACAL. (Turk, black ears.) 
 
 Melanotis (Gr. /^af. black; ofy, an ear), the Caracal. 
 
 Tail of Domestic Cat. 
 
 2. Tail of Wild Cat.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 LYNCUS. (Gr. Avy, a Lynx.) 
 
 Canadensis (Lat. of Canada), the Canada Lynx. 
 
 The CANADA LYNX is a native of North America, and is re- 
 markable for its gait. Its method of progression is by bounds 
 from all four feet at once with the back arched. It feeds 
 principally on the American hare, as it is not courageous 
 enough to attack the larger quadrupeds. Its length is about 
 three feet. The natives sometimes eat its flesh, which is 
 white and firm, and not unlike that of the American hare 
 itself. Its skin forms an important article in commerce, and 
 between seven and nine thousand are imported yearly by the 
 Hudson's Bay Company, by whom the grey specimen in the 
 British Museum was presented. 
 
 THE CHETAH. 
 
 The CHETAH, or HUNTING LEOPARD, as it is sometimes 
 called, is one of the most elegant and graceful animals known. 
 It is a native both of Africa and India, but it is only in the 
 latter country that it is used for hunting game, as the Africans 
 appear not to possess sufficient ingenuity to train the animal. 
 The method of employing it is usually as follows : The 
 Chetah is either led blind-folded in a chain, or placed 
 upon a hackery, or native cart, and taken as near as possible
 
 44 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 to the place where antelopes or deer are feeding. "When close 
 enough, the hunter takes the band from its eyes, and directs 
 its head towards the game. Directly the Chetah sees the 
 deer, it creeps off the cart, and makes towards them as rapidly 
 and silently as it can. carefully availing itself of the accidental 
 cover of a bush, or stone, precisely as a cat does when stealing 
 after a bird. When it has succeeded in unobservedly ap- 
 proaching the unsuspecting herd, it makes two or three 
 tremendous springs, and fastens on the back of one unfortu- 
 nate deer, brings it to the ground, and waits until its keeper 
 
 Jubata (Lat. crested), tJie Chetah. 
 
 comes up, who induces it to leave its prey by a ladle-full of 
 the blood, which he takes care to have ready. The Chetah 
 is then hooded and led back to his cart. It is so easily tame- 
 able and so gentle that it is frequently led about the streets by 
 a string for sale. 
 
 It is rather larger than the leopard, and differs from it in 
 the length of its paws, its inability to climb trees, and the 
 crispness of its fur. It is therefore placed in a different genus 
 from the leopard. It derives its name of "jubata," from a 
 thin mane running down the neck.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Stub-family b. Hyenina. 
 HYJSNA. (Gr. 'TCaiva.) 
 
 Striata (Lat striped), the Striped Hycena. 
 
 The HYENINA, or HYENAS, are remarkable for their pre- 
 datory, ferocious, and withal, cowardly habits. There are 
 several Hyaenas, the striped, the spotted, and the villose, but 
 as the habits of all are very similar, only one will be men- 
 tioned. The Hyaenas, although very repulsive in appearance, 
 are yet very useful, as they prowl in search of dead animals, 
 especially of the larger kinds, and will devour them even 
 when putrid, so that they act the same part among beasts 
 that the vultures do among birds, and are equally uninviting 
 in aspect. They not unfrequently dig up recently interred 
 corpses, and in Abyssinia, according to Bruce, they even flock 
 in numbers into the village streets, where they prey on 
 slaughtered men who are thrown out unburied. One of 
 these animals attacked Bruce in his tent, and was only 
 destroyed after a severe battle. Their jaws and teeth are 
 exceedingly powerful, as they can crush the thigh bone of an 
 ox with apparently little effort. Their skull too is very 
 strong, and furnished with heavy ridges for the support of 
 the muscles which move the jaw. The hinder parts of the 
 Hyaena are very small, and give it a strange shambling
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 appearance when walking. The Hyaena is easily tamed, and 
 even domesticated, so that the tales <f its untameable dis- 
 position are entirely erroneous. 
 
 The striped Hyaena is found in many parts of Asia and 
 Africa, where it is both a benefit and a pest, for when dead 
 animals fail it, the flocks and herds are ravaged, and even 
 man does not always escape. 
 
 Sub-family c. Viverrina. (Lat. viverra, a Ferret) 
 VIVERBA. 
 
 Civetta (Arabic Zibetta, scent), the Civet Cat. 
 
 The VIVERRINA, or CIVETS, are active little animals, averag- 
 ing about two feet in length. The whole group is celebrated 
 for the perfume which is secreted in a glandular pouch near 
 the tail, and is of some importance in commerce. If the Civet 
 is kept alive, the perfume is obtained by enclosing it in a long 
 narrow box so that it cannot turn round, and then scraping 
 the secretion from the pouch with a spoon. If the creature is 
 killed, the entire pouch is usually cut off, and sells for a higher 
 sum than when the perfume is sold separately. 
 
 The Civet is only found in North Africa, especially in 
 Abyssinia, where it takes up its abode on uncultivated and 
 barren hills. It feeds upon birds and the smaller quadrupeds, 
 which it takes by surprise. As it pursues its prey by night 
 only, its eyes are formed for seeing in the dark, and gleam as 
 do those of a cat.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 GENETTA. (Fr. Genette.) 
 
 -Jfi 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat common), the Genet. 
 
 The GENET slightly resembles the cat, particularly in its 
 spots, and the power of climbing trees. It inhabits Africa, 
 and is not unfrequently found in the south of France. At 
 Constantinople it is domesticated, and keeps the houses free 
 from rats and mice, which are said to be unable to endure its 
 scent, but it is much more probable that it frees the houses 
 from mice by devouring them. 
 
 HKRPESTES. (Gr. tpirjjo-ri)?, a creeper.) 
 
 Ichneumon (Gr. i X vvfiuv, a tracker), the Egyptian Ichneumon. 
 
 The ICHNEUMONS, or MANGOUSTS, well deserve their name 
 of Creepers, for with their long bodies and snouts, their short 
 limbs and slender tails, they insinuate themselves into every 
 crevice in their way in search of their expected food. Few 
 animals are more useful than the Ichneumons. Snakes, 
 lizards, crocodiles' eggs, or even young crocodiles themselves,
 
 48 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 form their principal food, and their activity is so great that 
 when these sources fail, they are able to secure birds, and 
 even the swift and wary lizards, which, when alarmed, dart 
 off like a streak of green light glancing through the bushes. 
 
 The Egyptian Ichneumon, or Pharaoh's Rat, as it is some- 
 times called, is a native of North Africa, and is often do- 
 mesticated for the purpose of destroying the various snakes, 
 and other reptile annoyances, which are such a pest in the 
 houses of hot countries. It principally seeks its prey by 
 night, creeping along with such noiseless and snake-like 
 progress, that not a sound warns the unsuspecting victim of 
 its danger. Its slender snout enables it to suck out the 
 contents of eggs with ease, and it destroys serpents by creep- 
 ing behind them, and then suddenly leaping on their heads, 
 which it instantly crushes between its sharp teeth. Its length 
 without the tail is about eighteen inches. 
 
 About twelve genera are omitted. 
 
 THE DOG. 
 
 We now arrive at the DOG FAMILY, which includes the 
 Dogs, Wolves, Jackals, and Foxes. The first of the Dogs is 
 the Kolsun, or Dhale, which inhabits Bombay and Nepaul. 
 It hunts in packs, as most of the dogs do even in a wild 
 state, and has been known to destroy tigers and chetahs. 
 Let us pass to a more interesting animal, the Newfoundland 
 Dog. This magnificent creature was originally brought from 
 Newfoundland. It is often confounded with the Labrador 
 Dog, a larger and more powerful animal. Both these dogs 
 are trained by their native masters to draw sledges and little 
 carriages, and on that account are highly esteemed. The 
 Newfoundland dog is well known as a most faithful guardian 
 of its master's property. It is remarkably fond of the water, 
 and will fetch out any article which its master indicates, and 
 lay it at his feet. Many instances are known of this noble 
 animal saving the lives of people that have fallen into the 
 water, and must have perished but for its timely aid. There
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 49 
 
 is an anecdote related of one of these dogs leaping over the 
 parapet of a bridge, and rescuing a baby who had sprung from 
 its nurse's arms into the river. A gentleman who just came 
 up, and was caressing the dog after its exploit, discovered, on 
 seeing the child, that it was his own. He offered a large sum 
 for the noble creature, but his master refused to part with him 
 on any terms. 
 
 Sub-family d. Canina. (Lat. Canis, a Dog.) 
 
 Familiaris (Lat. familiar), the Newfoundland Dog. 
 
 This is one of the largest of the dogs, as it stands nearly two 
 feet two inches in height. 
 
 The WATER SPANIEL, as its name denotes, delights in 
 plunging into water, especially if any game is to be found 
 among the rushes that fringe the rivers. It is a most useful 
 assistant when shooting wild ducks, or water hens, as, when 
 wounded, they conceal themselves so effectually, that, without 
 C
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 a dog, discovery is almost impossible. It can also dive to some 
 depth, and bring up in its mouth any small object from the 
 bottom. 
 
 THE WATER SPANIEL. 
 
 The KING CHARLES'S DOG is a diminutive breed of spaniels, 
 first brought into notice by Charles the Second, who delighted in 
 being accompanied by them in his walks, and was accustomed 
 to admit them into his bedchamber, and even permitted them 
 to lie on his bed. 
 
 KING CHARLES'S DOG.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 THE BLOODHOUND. 
 
 There are several varieties of this animal, inhabiting Cuba, 
 Africa, and England. They all are endowed with a wonder- 
 fully acute sense of smell, and can trace a man or animal 
 with almost unerring certainty. The Cuban Bloodhound was 
 formerly employed by the Spaniards to hunt down the 
 natives while endeavouring to escape from their invasions. 
 A few years since, one of these dogs saved the life of its 
 master, an American hunter, by boldly attacking a puma 
 which had sprung on him in the darkness, and was lacerating 
 him in a dreadful manner. The sagacious animal had been 
 tied up at home, but apparently knowing the dangers of the 
 forests through which his master was about to pass, he broke 
 his chain, and arrived barely in time to save the hunter from 
 a horrible death. 
 
 The English Bloodhound is frequently mentioned by the 
 older historians. Bruce was repeatedly chased by blood- 
 hounds, and at one time he was so closely pressed that he 
 barely escaped by leaping into a brook, and wading a con- 
 siderable distance up the stream, knowing that running 
 water would not retain the scent. The bloodhounds led his 
 pursuers as far as the place where he entered the water, but 
 the stratagem of Bruce baffled them, and the pursuit was
 
 52 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 abandoned. The voice of these dogs is peculiarly deep, and 
 may be heard at considerable distance. Not very long since, 
 a sheepstealer was detected by a bloodhound when every other 
 means had failed. The dog, on being shown the footsteps of 
 the thief, at once set off on the track, and dashed into a cottage, 
 where the unsuspecting robber was busily employed in skinning 
 the sheep which he had stolen. The height of this splendid 
 animal is about two feet four inches, and its colour a reddish 
 tan, becoming almost black along the back. 
 
 THE FOXHOUND. 
 
 The FOXHOUND and BEAGLE are not very dissimilar in form 
 or habits. They both follow game by the scent, and are used 
 in hunting. The Foxhound, as its name implies, is used for 
 hunting the fox, and enters into the sport with extraordinary 
 eagerness. These dogs are trained with great care : whole 
 books have been written on their education, and men are 
 engaged at high salaries to train them to the sport. England 
 possesses the finest breed of foxhounds in the world, and 
 certainly no expense is spared to improve them, as one kennel 
 is said to have cost nearly twenty thousand pounds. The 
 height of the foxhound is about twenty-two inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 53 
 
 The BEAGLE is used principally for hare hunting. It is 
 much smaller than the foxhound, and not nearly so swift, 
 but its scent is so perfect that it follows every track of the 
 flying hare, unravels all her windings, and seldom fails to 
 secure her at last. Sportsmen usually prefer the smallest 
 beagles obtainable. The most valuable pack of these dogs 
 known, used to be carried to and from the field in a pair of 
 panniers slung across a horse's back. Unfortunately, this 
 pack was so well known, that numerous were the attempts to 
 gain possession of it. One ill-fated evening, as the dogs were 
 
 THE BEAGLE. 
 
 returning in their panniers after the day's sport, the keeper was 
 decoyed away by some stratagem, and when he returned, his 
 dismay was great to find that the dogs, panniers, and horse were 
 all missing. No traces of them were discovered, and it was 
 conjectured that they must have been sold on the Continent. 
 It is a common custom in the military schools and sometimes 
 at the universities, to follow the beagle on foot.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 THE POINTER. 
 
 The POINTER is used by sportsmen to point out the spot 
 where the game lies. It ranges the fields until it scents the 
 hare or partridge lying close on the ground. It then remains 
 still as if carved in stone, every limb fixed, and the tail point- 
 ing straight behind it. In this attitude it remains until the gun 
 is discharged, reloaded, and the sportsman has reached the place 
 where the bird sprung. It then eagerly searches for the game, 
 and brings the bird in its mouth. There are many anecdotes 
 of its intelligence, among which the following is not the least 
 interesting. 
 
 la 1829, Mr. J. Webster was out on a shooting party near 
 Dundee, when a female pointer, having traversed the field 
 which the sportsmen were then in, proceeded to a wall, and, 
 just as she made the leap, got the scent of some partridges on 
 the opposite side of the wall. She hung by her fore-feet until 
 the sportsmen came up ; in which situation, while they were 
 at some distance, it appeared to them that she had got her leg 
 fastened among the stones of the wall, and was unable to ex- 
 tricate herself. But, on coming up to her, they found that this 
 singular circumstance proceeded from her caution, lest she 
 should flush the birds, and thus suspended herself in place of 
 completing her leap.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 55 
 
 When badly trained, this dog is apt to make very absurd 
 mistakes. A young pointer belonging to a friend disappointed 
 him by most perversely pointing at a pig ; and on another occa- 
 
 Sinn \va: f\is.r*f\-\rf*rc*f\ ^Anc-finnr rm a /Inarl aVia/vn inc-f^a/^ ,,4' ..-**,,,, I ;,,,- 
 
 to its business 
 
 THE MASTIFF. 
 
 The group of the MASTIFF dogs is distinguished by the short- 
 ness of the nose and the breadth of the head. This group in- 
 cludes the Mastiff, the bull-dog, and the almost obsolete absurd 
 little pug-dog. The breadth of their heads is caused by the 
 large muscles which move the jaw. 
 
 The English Mastiff is generally employed as a house-dog, 
 as its powerful frame and deep voice are well fitted to scare 
 away marauders, or to repel them if they approach too near. 
 It is by far the most sagacious of the whole group, and ex- 
 hibits much more attachment to its master than the others. 
 This animal has been called by several names, of which " Ban- 
 dog" is the best known. Bewick thinks that the ban-dog is a sep- 
 arate species, of a lighter make than the ordinary English mastiff.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 THE BULL-DOG. 
 
 The BULL-DOG is proverbial for courage and endurance. Un- 
 fortunately its social qualities are by no means pleasing, as, 
 although it has some attachment to its master, yet it is not 
 always safe even for him to disturb it. This dog was exten- 
 sively used in the cruel sport of bull-baiting, a recreation now 
 extinct. "When opposed to the bull, the dog would fly at 
 its nose, and there hang in spite of all the infuriated animal's 
 struggles. So firm is its hold, that the owner of a bull-dog 
 'laid a wager that when his dog had seized a bull he would 
 cut off all his feet in succession without inducing the poor 
 beast to loose his hold. The experiment was made, and the 
 cruel master, who deserved a similar fate himself, won his 
 wager. 
 
 The PUG-DOG looks like a bull-dog in miniature. It was 
 formerly in great request as a pet, but is now seldom seen. 
 Its tail is curled over its back so tightly, that it is not very 
 difficult to believe the story of a pug-dog being lifted off his 
 hind-legs by the curliness of his tail.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 THE ENGLISH TERRIER. 
 
 The TERRIERS never grow to any considerable size. There 
 are several breeds of terriers, among which the English and 
 Scotch are most conspicuous. These dogs are principally 
 used for destroying rats or other vermin, and are so courageous 
 that they do not hesitate to unearth the fox or the badger. 
 Otters are also hunted by them, but prove by no means an 
 easy prey, as their snake-like body, sharp teeth, and amphi- 
 bious habits, render them very difficult to seize, and their 
 tenacity of life will frequently enable them to escape when 
 the dog considers them dead. The Scotch terrier is a rough, 
 wiry little dog, with hair hanging over its eyes, so that those 
 organs are hardly visible, and when it is in the water its wetted 
 hair quite obscures its vision. There is a smaller breed of these 
 dogs called the "Skye Terrier," whose principal beauty seems 
 to consist in its ugliness. 
 
 Terriers are extremely attached to their master, and are 
 capable of learning many amusing tricks. I had a terrier, 
 said to be of Irish breed, who had imbibed many of the 
 eccentricities of the Irish character. He was particularly fond 
 of terrifying lapdogs, a species of animal which he held in 
 supreme contempt. On one occasion, he met a^ very fat 
 lapdog, the property of an equally fat old lady, 'waddling 
 along the street. Rory looked at it for a short time, and 
 then gave it a pat which rolled it over on its back. Its
 
 58 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 mistress immediately snatched it up, and put it on her mufF, 
 whereupon Rory erected himself on his hind-legs, an art 
 which he possessed in great perfection, and walked along by 
 her side, making occasional snatches at the lapdog. The 
 
 THE SCOTCH TERRIER. 
 
 terrified old lady struck at him with her boa, which Rory 
 immediately caught in his mouth, and dashed off with it 
 down the street in an ecstacy of delight, ever and anon 
 tripping over it and rolling head over heels. He had learned 
 to shut the door, ring the bell, bring the slippers, or put 
 the cat down stairs, which he accomplished by pushing her 
 with his nose down each successive stair. During his residence 
 at College he was accustomed to sit, dressed in a cap and 
 gown, at the breakfast table, where his deportment was always 
 most exemplary, and afforded a good example to many of the 
 guests. 
 
 The SHEPHERD'S DOG is a rough, shaggy animal, with sharp 
 pointed ears and nose. It is an invaluable assistant to the 
 shepherd, as it knows all its master's sheep, never suffers 
 them to stray, and when two flocks have mixed, it will 
 separate its own charge with the greatest certainty. It 
 understands every look and gesture of its beloved master, 
 aud drives the flock to any place which he points out. This 
 is the dog alluded to by Burns in the following beautiful
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 59 
 
 \ 
 
 passage : :; Man," said he, " is the god of the- dog ; he knows 
 no other ; he can understand no other. And see how he 
 worships him ! with what reverence he crouches at his feet ! 
 with what love he fawns upon him ! with what dependence 
 he looks up to him ! and with what cheerful alacrity he 
 obeys him ! His whole soul is wrapt up in his god ! all the 
 
 THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 
 
 powers and faculties of his nature are devoted to his service ! 
 and these powers and faculties are ennobled by the intercourse. 
 Divines tell us that it ought just to be so with the Christian ; 
 but the dog puts the Christian to shame." 
 
 The GREYHOUND is the swiftest of all the dogs, and is prin- 
 cipally used in the pursuit of the hare, which amusement is 
 termed coursing. It has but little delicacy of scent, and hunts 
 almost entirely by sight. The hare endeavours to baffle it by 
 making sharp turns, which the dog cannot do on account of its 
 superior size, and has therefore to take a circuit, during which 
 the hare makes off in another direction. At Ashborne, in 
 Derbyshire, there is a public-house sign representing a black 
 and white greyhound chasing a hare. One greyhound was a 
 little in advance of the other, and struck the game so forcibly 
 with its nose that the hare was thrown over its back into the 
 jaws of the other greyhound. This animal has been known to
 
 tiO NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 exert rather an unexpected talent, viz., retracing a journey 
 during which it had been a close prisoner. 
 
 " The celebrated greyhound, Black-eyed Susan, was brought 
 to Edinburgh from Glasgow in the boot of a coach, on the 
 night of Wednesday, the 13th May, 1835. On the following 
 
 THE GREYHOUND. 
 
 Sunday evening she made her escape, and in forty-eight hours 
 reached her kennel, eight miles beyond Glasgow, being fifty- 
 two miles in all. The road between Glasgow and Edinburgh 
 she had never travelled on foot, and from the time taken she 
 cannot have come direct ; but by what route or process this 
 animal made her point good it is in vain to conjecture." 
 
 THE WOLF. 
 
 Ferocity, craft, and cowardice, are the well-known traits 
 of the WOLF. Although one of the dog tribe, it is held in 
 utter abhorrence by the domesticated dogs. The stronger 
 pursue and destroy it, the weaker fly from it in terror. In 
 the earlier part of English history if is frequently mentioned 
 as a common and dreaded pest. It was finally extirpated in 
 England about 1350, in Scotland about 1600, and was not 
 entirely destroyed in Ireland until the beginning of 1700.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 61 
 
 It is still found in parts of France, Russia, and the whole of 
 Western Asia. 
 
 These formidable creatures almost invariably hunt in bands, 
 and display very great cunning in waylaying and pursuing 
 their prey. Winter is the time of year most dreaded by those 
 who live in countries where wolves' exist, as at that season 
 hunger renders them exceedingly ferocious and daring. They 
 will then attack sledges, or carriages, even when guarded by 
 armed men. They are very wary, and dislike approaching 
 any thing at all resembling a trap. A traveller, aware of this 
 habit, saved his life by trailing a cord from his carriage win- 
 dow. The wolves thought that the cord looked suspicious, and 
 before they had quite made up their minds about it, the traveller 
 reached a station where he was in safety. 
 
 The bite of the wolf is extremely dangerous, as its jaws are 
 immensely strong, and it .generally brings away the part it 
 seizes. When young, the wolf can easily be tamed, and shows 
 as great attachment to its master as any dog will. It is very 
 tenacious of life. Parry relates an anecdote of a wolf that was 
 caught in a trap, and after being pierced with three bullets, and 
 several thrusts of a sword, sprung at one of the officers, and 
 actually succeeded in escaping, although its hind-legs were 
 firmly tied together. 
 
 CANIS. (Lat a Dog.) 
 
 fT^^r- X 
 Lupus (Lat. a Wolf), the Wolf.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Aurgus (Lat golden), the Jackal. 
 
 This animal is found in North Africa, Persia, and India. 
 It derives its name " aureus" from the yellow tint of its skin. 
 It, like the wolf, unites in bands to hunt, and the prey which 
 the pack has taken so much pains to secure is not unfrequently 
 confiscated by the lion, who keeps the reluctant hunters at a 
 distance until he has satisfied his own royal appetite. The 
 Jackals, however, often retaliate by assisting at the demolition 
 of the larger prey which the lion destroys. It is very useful in 
 the East, as it acts as scavenger, and consumes the offal which, 
 in those not very cleanly towns, is cast into the streets, and 
 would inevitably cause a pestilence, were it not for the assist- 
 ance of the jackals and other creatures. 
 
 It is excessively fond of grapes, and makes dreadful havoc in 
 the vineyards, so that the fable of the Fox and the Grapes 
 might be quite as appropriately related of this animal. While 
 hunting, it utters most piercing shrieks, which have been com- 
 pared by those who have heard them to the wailing of evil 
 spirits, an association which the oriental tombs and ruins which 
 it frequents, recalling to mind the mysterious Arabian Nights, 
 are most fitted to produce. 
 
 There are several kinds of Jackals, one inhabiting Senegal, 
 and another the Cape of Good Hope. They are rather larger 
 than the fox, but do not possess nearly so bushy a tail as that 
 " brush," wherein sportsmen take so much delight.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 VULPES. (Lat. a Fox.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the fox. 
 
 This terror of hen-roosts and delight of sportsmen is found 
 in most parts of England, and many other countries. It 
 varies very much in colour and size, according to the country 
 where it lives. 
 
 The hahits of this animal are mostly nocturnal. It lies 
 hy day concealed in its burrow, if it he fortunate enough to 
 possess one, or in the depths of some thicket, if it is not a 
 householder. Towards evening it sallies out in search of 
 food, and woe to the unfortunate hare, rahbit, pheasant, or 
 fowl that comes in its way ! Reynard does not attempt to 
 chase the hare, for it is too swift for him, or the rabbit, as it 
 would immediately dive into its hole ; nor does he run at 
 the pheasant, which would fly away, and probably only leave 
 a tail feather in the fox's mouth. He knows his business too 
 well. He creeps very quietly and slowly to some place where 
 hares or rabbits are likely to pass, and then springs on them 
 as they run by him. Sometimes he steals into the hen-roost, 
 destroys and carries off most of its inmates, some of which he 
 devours on the spot, others he carries home, and the remainder 
 he buries for a future repast. 
 
 "When irritated, the fox gives out a strong disagreeable scent,
 
 04 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 which lies so long on the ground that it may be perceived for 
 nearly an hoftr after the fox has passed. Partly on this ac- 
 count, and partly on account of its speed, endurance, and cun- 
 ning, the chase of the fox is one of the most admired English 
 sports. Many tales are related of its cunning when pursued, 
 such as driving another fox out of its home, and forcing it to 
 substitute itself as the chase, diving into a heap of manure, so 
 that the dogs could not perceive its scent, jumping over a wall, 
 running a little way, coming back again, and lying under the 
 wall until all the dogs had passed, and then leaping a second 
 time over the same place where it had passed before, and mak- 
 ing off on its old track. A fox has been known to leap through 
 a kitchen window, and hide itself behind the plates on the 
 dresser, without the observation of the cook, to whose terror 
 and consternation six or seven dogs have leaped through the 
 same window, and dragged the fox from his lurking place. 
 
 The Arctic Fox changes its fur, and becomes white during 
 the winter. 
 
 Sub-family e. Mustelina. (Lat. Mustela, a Weasel.) 
 MARTES. (Lat. a Marten.) 
 
 Abietum (Lat. of the Pine-tree), the Pine Marten. 
 
 The MUSTELINA, or WEASELS, are easily distinguished by their 
 long slender bodies, short muzzle, sharp teeth, and predatory
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 65 
 
 habits. They inhabit almost every part of the world, and 
 procure their food by creeping on the unsuspecting victim, 
 generally a rabbit, rat, or bird, and then suddenly darting at 
 it and piercing its neck with their sharp teeth. Almost 
 all the weasels devour the brain and suck the blood of their 
 prey, but seldom touch the flesh. 
 
 Two kinds of Martens inhabit England, named, from their 
 favourite haunts, the Pine and the Beech Marten. The Pine 
 Marten is not uncommon in Derbyshire, where it is much 
 too fond of chickens and ducklings to be a desirable neighbour. 
 This animal, as well as the Sable, is much sought after on 
 account of its skin, which furnishes a beautiful fur, not much 
 inferior to that of the Sable. 
 
 The SABLE, long famous for its costly fur, which is thought 
 worthy to adorn the coronation robes of a monarch, inhabits 
 Siberia. The chase, or rather the search, after these animals 
 is attended with dreadful hardships and great danger. Some- 
 times a sable will not be seen for days ; sometimes the bait of 
 the trap is eaten by other animals, such as gluttons, &c. ; 
 sometimes the hunter's provisions fail ; he spends days and 
 nights in the midst of snow, surrounded by interminable pine 
 forests, and exposed to the piercing blasts of the tempest. 
 Many hunters lose their lives in these terrible solitudes, over- 
 whelmed by snow-storms, or famished with hunger. 
 
 A species of Sable (Martes leucopus) inhabits North 
 America. The hair of the sable will turn either way, and in 
 this respect differs from the fur of other animals. The skins 
 are very valuable, varying from one to ten pounds in price, 
 according to the quality. 
 
 Zibe.lllna. th
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 PUTOKITJS. (Lat. from puteo, to stink.) 
 
 Fcetidus (Lat. fetid), the Polecat. 
 
 The POLECAT, fitchet, foulmart, or "fommard," as the farm- 
 ers call it, is very common in most parts of England. It is 
 dreadfully destructive to the poultry, and destroys both old 
 and young. William Howitt relates an interesting anecdote of 
 his dog unearthing a polecat, and afterwards bringing out of 
 its hole an entire brood of ducklings that had most unaccounta- 
 bly disappeared from the premises of a farmer. Winter is the 
 usual time for its appearance in the farmyard, as in the sum- 
 mer it obtains its food with less risk among the warrens. 
 
 The FERRET is supposed to be a domesticated variety of 
 the polecat, and a mixed breed is generally preferred by 
 rat-catchers, who use the ferret, first muzzling it carefully, 
 to drive the rats out of their holes, when they are either 
 struck down with sticks, or killed by terriers, who keep a 
 sharp watch for them. The hair, called Fitch, is much used 
 for making paint brushes. 
 
 MUSTELA. Erminga. The Stoat. 
 
 The STOAT, or ERMINE, is also another common English 
 animal. It is less than the polecat, but its habits are
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 67 
 
 scarcely less predacious. Hares and rabbits fall easy victims 
 to their little enemy, who despatches them with a single bite, 
 penetrating the brain. During the winter, the stoat becomes 
 partially white, in northern countries wholly so, except the 
 tip of the tail, which remains black. In this state it is called 
 the Ermine, and is killed in great numbers for the sake of 
 its beautiful and valuable fur. 
 
 MUSTELA. (Lat. a Weasel.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Weasel. 
 
 The WEASEL is the least of this tribe. It is excessively 
 useful to farmers, as it wages unrelenting war on rats and 
 mice, and in an incredibly short space of time extirpates 
 them from a barn or a stack. It hunts by scent like dogs, and 
 tracks the unfortunate rat with the most deadly certainty. 
 On this account some farmers encourage it on their premises, 
 but the generality destroy it, and nail its body on the barn 
 door, forgetting that although it does sometimes abstract a 
 chicken or an egg, yet it will not touch them as long as it 
 can find rats or mice. It is a most courageous little animal, 
 and will even attack men, who have found it by no means a 
 despicable antagonist, as it invariably dashes at the throat, 
 where a bite from its long sharp teeth would be very 
 dangerous. 
 
 THE HONEY RATEL. 
 
 The RATEL is a native of South Africa, and lives principally 
 on the combs and honey of the wild bee, although it is very 
 probable that much of its subsistence is derived from flesh 
 and roots. It is said to be guided to the bee's nest by a bird
 
 63 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 called the Honey-guide, which, as the natives assert, being 
 
 very fond of honey and unable to attack the hive by itself, 
 
 MELLIVOBA. (Lat. met, honey ; voro, I devour.) 
 
 Ratel, the Honey Ratel. 
 
 seeks for the honey-ratel, and admonishes it by a peculiar 
 cry that the desired honeycomb is not very far distant. 
 
 The WOLVERINE, Glutton, or Carcajou, inhabits North 
 America. Accounts vary respecting the habits of this animal. 
 The older naturalists say that it ascends trees, and drops on 
 GULO. (Lat. a Glutton.) 
 
 Luscus (Lat. blinking), the Wolverine. 
 
 the neck of any unfortunate deer which happens to pass 
 beneath, and that having once secured its prey, it never
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 69 
 
 leaves it until the last morsel is consumed. Be this as it 
 may, the Glutton is known to hunt after its prey, which it 
 follows for many miles at a slow but persevering pace, and 
 seldom fails of bringing it down at last. It is especially 
 hated by the sable hunter, as it will follow him in his rounds, 
 robbing the traps of the baits as it proceeds, and should a 
 sable be caught it generally tears it to pieces, or buries it in 
 the snow. The hunter has some slight revenge in robbing it 
 of its skin, as the fur is in some request, but the mischief it 
 does him is not by any means counterbalanced by the value 
 of its hide. 
 
 It is a very determined animal, and when attacked defends 
 itself vigorously, proving more than a match for a dog. The 
 length of the glutton, without the tail, is about two feet six 
 inches. 
 
 Several genera are omitted. 
 
 MELES. (Lat. a Badger.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. cvmmon), the Badger. 
 
 This harmless and much injured animal (which is often 
 subjected to such ill treatment that the term " badgering" a 
 person is used to express irritating him in every possible 
 way) is found throughout Europe and Asia. It is not now 
 very common in England, but is frequently found in Scotland,
 
 70 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 where it is termed the " Brock," a name familiar to us all, 
 through the means of Dandie Dinmont, who also immortalized 
 the pepper and mustard terriers. 
 
 The Badger lives at the bottom of deep burrows which it 
 excavates, and in which it passes all the day, sleeping on a 
 very comfortable bed of hay and grass. When the evening 
 approaches it seeks its food, consisting of roots, fruit, insects, 
 and sometimes young rabbits. It is also said to attack the 
 wild bee, and boldly to devour the honey and combs, its thick 
 hair and skin rendering it utterly regardless of the stings of 
 the enraged bees, who "might as well sting a barber's 
 block." 
 
 The cruel sport of baiting the badger is still continued. 
 The poor creature is placed inside a kennel, and dogs set at 
 it, who are not unfrequently worsted by the badger, as its 
 bite is terrific, and its skin so tough, and hair so thick, that 
 the bites of the dog do not take full effect. The pleasure of 
 this " sport," as in many other diversions of the sporting 
 world, appears to consist in trying whether the dogs or the 
 badger will be most mangled in a given time. 
 
 Its skin is rather valuable, the hair being extensively em- 
 ployed in the manufacture of brushes, and its fur being in 
 some request for holsters. The omnivorous and thrifty 
 Chinese eat its flesh, as indeed they will that of most animals, 
 and consider its hams a very great dainty. The length of the 
 badger is about two feet three inches. 
 
 THE OTTER. 
 
 The OTTER seems to play the same part in the water as 
 the polecat and the other weasels on the land. Like the pole- 
 cat, it is excessively rapacious ; like the polecat, it destroys 
 many more creatures than it can devour ; and as the polecat 
 only eats the brain and sucks the blood, so the other daintily 
 eats the flakes at the back of the fish's neck, and leaves the 
 remainder for less fastidious animals. In Scotland, where the 
 otter abounds, it is not uncommon to find a large fish, such
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 71 
 
 as a salmon, lying on the bank, perfectly fresh and entire, 
 except a few inches along the back, which the otter has bitten 
 out. 
 
 It is extremely interesting to watch the actions of this 
 almost amphibious creature. It slides noiselessly into the 
 water, turns and twists about below the surface with the same 
 or greater ease than a fish, then, with a graceful sweep of the 
 body, it glides to the surface and ascends the bank with almost 
 the same motion. While below the surface it bears a great 
 resemblance to the seal, the method in which it disposes its 
 hind-feet greatly assisting the effect. Its rapid and easy 
 movements in the water are mostly performed by the assistance 
 of its powerful tapering tail. 
 
 Otter hunting is a very favourite sport in Scotland, where 
 almost every stream is furnished with its otter. At the sight 
 of the footsteps of the animal the population round is in a 
 commotion, the dogs are assembled, guns and spears provided, 
 and the hunters go out in sufficient numbers and with suffi- 
 cient arms to kill a tiger ; and from all accounts it is quite as 
 difficult an animal to destroy; for by diving, and biting, and 
 hiding among stones, added to its great tenacity of life, it gives 
 the hunters no little trouble to secure it. 
 
 The otter is easily tamed, and its predatory habits turned 
 to account, as it is sometimes trained to catch fish and bring 
 them to shore, precisely as the falcon is trained to catch 
 terrestrial game. 
 
 Several genera are omitted. 
 
 LUTRA. (Lat. an Otter.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Otter.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. . . Ursldce. (Lat. ursus, a bear; Bear kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Urslna. 
 
 Arctos (Gr. "Ap/cro?, a bear), the Sear. 
 
 The BEARS and their allies are mostly heavy, and walk with 
 the whole foot placed flat on the ground, unlike the cats, dogs, 
 &c., who walk with merely their paws or toes. All the bears 
 are omnivorous, that is, they can eat either animal or vegetable 
 food, so that a leg of mutton, a pot of honey, a potato, or an 
 apple, are each equally acceptable. 
 
 The Brown Bear inhabits the north of Europe, Switzerland, 
 and the Pyrenees. It has been extirpated from England for 
 many centuries, but is recorded to have been found in Scot- 
 land so late as 1057. The inhabitants of Northern Europe 
 hunt it with much skill, and take it in traps and pitfalls, 
 availing themselves of its love for honey. It is said that there 
 exists a practice of placing the hive in a tree, and planting 
 long spikes round its foot. A heavy log of wood is then sus-
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 73 
 
 pended by a cord just before the entrance of the hive, and the 
 trap is complete. The bear scents the honey and comes to 
 look at the tree. The spikes rather astonish him, but he 
 sniffs his way through them, and commences the ascent. 
 When he has reached the hive, he is checked by the log hang- 
 ing before the entrance : this he finds is movable, and pushes 
 aside, but it is just so long that a mere push will not entirely 
 remove it, so he gives it a tremendous pat, and looks in at 
 the entrance. Just as he has succeeded in putting his nose 
 to the hive, the log returns and hits him very hard on the 
 head. This makes him exceedingly angry, and he pokes it 
 away harder than ever, only to return with a mpre severe blow 
 than before. He now has a regular fight with the log, hitting 
 it first to one side and then to the other, the perverse block 
 invariably striking his head every time, until at last a severer 
 blow than usual knocks him fairly off the tree on to the spikes 
 below. 
 
 In the time of Q,ueen Elizabeth the bear used to be baited, 
 but this cruel sport is now happily extinct. 
 
 Two genera are omitted. 
 
 THE GRIZZLY BEAR. 
 
 The GRIZZLY BEAR is a native of North America. It is 
 the most ferocious and powerful of its family. The American 
 Indians fear it so much, that a necklace of its claws, which 
 may only be worn by the individual who destroyed the bear, 
 is a decoration entitling the wearer to the highest honours. 
 It is able to overcome and carry off the enormous bison, 
 and to dig a pit in which to bury it. 
 
 THE POLAR BEAR. 
 
 The POLAR, or WHITE BEAR, called Nennook by the Esqui- 
 maux, lives in the Arctic regions, where it feeds on seals, fish, 
 and even the walrus, but it dares not attack the latter animal 
 openly. It is a formidable antagonist either by land or water, 
 as it dives with great ease, and is able to chase the seal amid 
 D
 
 74 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 the waves. Nelson nearly lost his life by imprudently 
 attacking one of these animals with no weapon but a rusty 
 musket, which could not be induced to fire ; and indeed had 
 he not been separated from the infuriated bear by a cleft in 
 the ice, he could hardly have escaped its claws. As the seals 
 frequently crawl out of the water upon rocks or fragments of 
 ice, the Polar bear is forced to swim after them, but lest they 
 should observe him he makes his approaches by a succession 
 of dives, and contrives that the last dive brings him directly 
 under the unsuspecting seal, who is immediately grasped and 
 killed. Richardson states that these bears are often drifted 
 
 Horribilis (Lat. horrible), the Grizzly Sear. 
 
 from Greenland to Iceland on fields of ice, and that they find 
 the flocks and herds so very delicious after a long course of 
 seal diet, that the inhabitants are forced to rise in a body and 
 put an end to their depredations. 
 
 To give this animal, who is constantly running over fields
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 75 
 
 of ice, a firm footing, the soles of its feet are thickly covered 
 with long hair, on the same principle that elderly gentlemen in 
 the winter are forced to tie list round their shoes. 
 
 THALARCTOS. (Gr. from duhaaaa, the Sea, and uonTOf, a Bear.) 
 
 
 Maritimus (Lat. belonging to the sea), the Polar Bear. 
 
 THE RACOON. 
 
 The RACOON is an inhabitant of Canada and other parts of 
 America. It derives its name, lotor, from the habit it is said to 
 possess, of washing its food before eating it. It is about the 
 size of a large fox. Its skin is very valuable, and is much 
 sought after by American hunters, who pride themselves on 
 their skill in shooting this active and wary animal. There 
 is a story related by the Americans, of a hunter who was so 
 excellent a marksman that when he entered a wood the 'coons 
 came down of their own accord, knowing that escape was im- 
 possible ; but we must class this tale with the account of the 
 man who could grin the bark off gum trees, and the swift
 
 76 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Indian, who could run so fast round a tree that he sometimes 
 saw his own back. 
 
 The food of the Racoon is principally small animals and 
 insects. Oysters are also a very favourite article of its diet. 
 It bites off the hinge of the oyster, and scrapes out the animal 
 in fragments with its paws. Like a squirrel when eating a 
 nut, the racoon usually holds its food between its fore-paws 
 pressed together, and sits upon its hind-quarters while it 
 eats. Poultry are very favourite objects of its attack, and it is 
 said to be as destructive in a farm-yard as any fox, for it only 
 devours the heads of the murdered fowl. Like the fox, it prowls 
 by night. 
 
 When taken young it is easily tamed, but very frequently 
 becomes blind soon after its capture. This effect is supposed 
 to be produced by the sensitive state of its eyes, which are 
 only intended to be used by night ; but as it is frequently 
 awakened by daylight during its captivity, it suffers so much 
 from the unwonted glare, that its eyes gradually lose their sight. 
 
 It has been mentioned that the name in general use among 
 the Americans of the present day is " 'Coon," a word which 
 strangely contrasts with its ancient Mexican name of Cioatla- 
 macazque. Two genera are omitted. 
 
 Sub-family c. Procyonina. 
 PROCYON. (Gr. TlpoKvuv, a constellation.) 
 
 Lotor (Lat. a washer), the Rcuoon.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Cercoleptina. 
 NASUA. (Lat. from nasus, a nose.) 
 
 Fusca (Lat. fuscus, dusky), the Coati-mondi. 
 
 The peculiarly long snout of the COATIS distinguishes them 
 at once from the Racoons, which they resemble in some other 
 respects. Their snout is very moveable, and is of great use 
 to them in routing out the worms and insects which they dig 
 up. The nostrils are placed on a sort of disk at the end of the 
 snout, and give the whole head a most extraordinary aspect. 
 The Coatis live upon birds, eggs, insects, and worms, and some- 
 times they will eat roots. They are nocturnal in their habits, 
 spending most of the day in sleep, rolled up in a ball. In de- 
 scending a tree they walk with their heads downwards, like the 
 cat, which, however, they surpass in activity. These animals 
 inhabit the warmer parts of America, but do not appear to be 
 much sought after by hunters. The Brown Coati-mondi is the 
 species represented ; there is another species, the Red Coati. 
 
 THE KINKAJOU. 
 
 The KINKAJOU is also an inhabitant of Southern America. 
 It is not unlike the Coati in its habits, but is more active, as 
 it possesses a prehensile tail, which it uses in the same way 
 that the Spider Monkeys use theirs. The tongue of the 
 Kinkajou is capable of being inserted into crevices, and draw-
 
 78 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ing out any insects that may be lying concealed beyond the 
 reach of its paws. The Spanish missionaries give it the name 
 of Honey Bear, because it is a great devastator of the nests of 
 the wild bee, using its long tongue to lick the honey out 
 of the cells. When in captivity it is very tame and gentle, 
 and will play with an acquaintance as a cat will. It displays 
 great address in capturing flies and other insects with its 
 tongue, and it is amusing to watch how its eyes gleam directly 
 that a fly settles within its reach. During the earlier part of 
 the day it will not move, but towards dusk it becomes very 
 brisk and animated, climbing about its cage, and swinging from 
 the top bars by its tail and hind paws. 
 A sub-family is omitted. 
 
 CERCOLEPTES. (Gr. Kep/co? , a tail ; ZeTrrbf, thin.) 
 
 Caudivolviilus (Lat. twisted tail), the Kinkajou. 
 
 Family III Talpidat. (Lat. Talpa, a mole. Mole-kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. . Talpina. 
 
 THE MOLE. 
 
 MANY ridiculous stories of the MOLE and its habits may be 
 found in several authors, among whom ./Esop stands very con- 
 spicuous. This much maligned animal is said to be deprived 
 of eyes, to undergo unheard-of tortures in forcing its Way 
 through the earth, and to spend a life of misery in subter- 
 ranean damp and darkness. So far from being a miserable 
 animal, the Mole seems to enjoy its life quite as much as any 
 other creature. It is beautifully fitted for the station which
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 79 
 
 it fills, and would be unhappy if removed from its accustomed 
 damp and darkness into warmth and light. 
 
 The eyes of the mole are very small, in order to prevent 
 them from being injured by the earth through which the 
 animal makes its way ; indeed larger eyes would be useless 
 underground. When, however, the mole requires to use its 
 eyes it can bring them forward from the mass of fur which 
 conceals and protects them when not in use. The acute ears 
 and delicate sense of smell supply the place of eyes. Its fur 
 is very fine, soft, capable of turning in any direction, and will 
 not retain a particle of mould. But the most extraordinary 
 part of the mole is the paw or hand with which it digs. The 
 two fore paws are composed of five fingers, armed with sharp, 
 strong nails, in order to scrape up the earth, and to prevent 
 
 Europea (Lat. belonging to Europe), the Mole. 
 
 the accumulated mould from impeding the mole's progress ; 
 the hands are turned outwardly, so as to throw the earth out 
 of its way. 
 
 The Mole is a most voracious animal, and is incapable of 
 sustaining even a slight fast. Its principal food is the earth- 
 worm, in chase of which it drives its long galleries under- 
 ground ; but it also will eat insects, bits of meat, aud some- 
 times birds, which it takes by surprise, and then rapidly tears 
 to pieces with its powerful claws.. This ravenous appetite 
 causes it to suffer from thirst if a supply of water is riot at 
 hand. For this reason the mole always makes a tunnel 
 towards a pond or brook, if there is one near. If no water is 
 near, it digs a number of little wells, which receive the rain 
 or dew, and enable it to quench its thirst.
 
 80 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 It is a good swimmer, and can pass from bank to bank, or 
 from the shore to an island, and when the fields are inun- 
 dated by floods it can save itself by swimming. 
 
 The construction of the mole's habitation is very singular 
 and interesting. Each mole has its own habitation and 
 hunting ground, and will not permit strangers to trespass 
 upon its preserves, which it guards, not by "man-traps and 
 spring-guns," but by its own claws and teeth. 
 
 In order to construct a fortress, the mole selects a secure 
 place, as the foot of a tree, or the side of a high bank. It 
 then throws up a heap of earth, which it presses firmly to- 
 gether, as within this mound its fortress has to be made. It 
 commences by running a circular gallery near the summit of 
 the mound, and another larger one near the bottom. These 
 two galleries it connects by five descending passages. In the 
 very centre of the mound, and at the level of the ground, it 
 now digs a circular hole, which it connects with the upper 
 gallery by three ascending passages. Lastly, it makes a 
 number of passages from the lower gallery, and connects the 
 circular chamber with the largest of them, or high road, by a 
 passage that first bends downwards, and then rises into the 
 high road a little outside the large gallery. In the circular 
 chamber the mole sleeps, and can escape into the high road 
 either by the upper gallery or by the road from the bottom 
 of its dormitory. 
 
 Moles vary in colour, the usual tint being a very deep brown, 
 almost black, but they have been seen of an orange colour, 
 and a white variety is not uncommon. Those who have 
 watched its habits state that it alternately works and rests at 
 intervals of three hours. There are several moles known, the 
 Shrew Mole, the Changeable Mole, the Cape Mole and the 
 Star-nosed Mole, are the most conspicuous.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Erinacina. (Lat. from Erinaceus, a Hedgehog.) 
 SOREX. (Lat a Rat.) 
 
 Araneus (Lat. a Shrew), the Shrew Mouse. 
 
 This pretty little animal is very like the common mouse, but 
 is easily distinguished from it by the length of the nose, which 
 is used for grubbing up the earth in search of earth-worms and 
 insects. A peculiar scent is diffused from these animals which 
 prevents the cat from eating them, although she will readily 
 destroy them. 
 
 Many species of shrews are known, inhabiting various coun- 
 tries. There are, besides the common species, the Oared and 
 the Water Shrew, all three inhabiting England. The forma- 
 tion of their hair, as seen under a powerful microscope, is most 
 singular, and differs from the hair of most other animals by 
 suddenly diminishing in thickness, and, after an interval, re- 
 covering its former size. 
 
 This is one of the numerous animals that have suffered by 
 false reports, and have been treated with great cruelty on ac- 
 count of those fables. Rustics formerly believed that the poor 
 little harmless creature paralyzed their cattle by running over 
 them, and that the only way to cure the diseased animal was 
 to place a bough of shrew-ash on the injured part. The 
 shrew-ash was made by boring a hole into an ash-tree, and 
 then plugging up in the hole a living shrew-mouse. By the 
 same process of reasoning a shrew cut in half, and placed on a 
 wound supposed to be caused by its bite, was considered a cer- 
 tain remedy.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The Water Shrew frequents brooks and clear running ditch- 
 es, in the banks of which it lives. It swims and dives with 
 great ease, and when under water appears as if it had been 
 
 WATKR SHREW. 
 
 speckled over its entire surface with silver, from the bubbles 
 of air which adhere to its fur. It eats the grubs of various 
 aquatic insects, digging them out of the muddy banks with its 
 snout. It is not very common, but I have seen numbers of 
 them inhabiting a brook near Little Hinton in Wiltshire, and 
 often watched their elegant movements and gambols through 
 the water. 
 
 One or two genera are omitted. 
 
 ERINACEUS. (Lat. a Hedgehog.) 
 
 Europseus (Lat. belonging to Europe), the Hedgehog. 
 
 The HEDGEHOG is remarkable as being our only English 
 animal that is guarded with spikes. These spikes are fixed 
 into the skin in a very beautiful and simple manner. When 
 the Hedgehog is annoyed it rolls itself up, and the tightness 
 of the skin causes all its spikes to stand firm and erect, bidding
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 83 
 
 defiance to an unprotected hand. When rolled up, even the 
 dog and the fox are baffled by it ; but their ingenuity enables 
 them to overcome the difficulty by rolling it along until they 
 push it into a puddle or pool, when the astonished hedgehog 
 immediately unrolls itself to see what is the matter, and before 
 it can close itself again is seized by its crafty enemy. 
 
 Many more fortunate animals have outlived the aspersions 
 cast upon their character by ignorant persons, but the prejudice 
 against the hedgehog is still in full vigour in the agricultural 
 districts. Scarcely a farmer or labourer will be persuaded 
 that the hedgehog does not suck the cows. Now this is an 
 impossibility for the hedgehog, but I have seen pigs not 
 hedgepigs, but real bacon pigs suck the cows whilst lying 
 down. Among other creatures accused of this theft, are the 
 slow-worm, a creature with an extremely small mouth, and 
 the goatsucker. Really when a man relates that a bird sucks 
 a cow, it reminds one of the brother philosophers, one of whom 
 milked a bull while the other held the pail. 
 
 The food of the hedgehog consists not of cow's milk, but in- 
 sects, snails, frogs, mice, and snakes. Dr. Buckland placed 
 a snake in the same box with a hedgehog. The hedgehog 
 gave the snake a severe bite, and then rolled itself up, this 
 process being repeated until the spine of the snake was broken 
 in several places ; it then began at the tail, and ate the snake 
 gradually, as one would eat a radish. White has seen it bore 
 down and eat the roots of the plantain, leaving the leaves and 
 stem untouched. 
 
 The flesh of the hedgehog is said to be good eating, and the 
 gipsies frequently make it a part of their diet, as do the people 
 in some parts of the Continent. 
 
 During the winter it lives in a torpid state, in a hole well 
 lined with grass and moss, and when discovered looks like a 
 round mass of leaves as it rolls itself among the fallen foliage, 
 which adheres to its spikes. The engraving of the spine, or 
 quill, of this animal shows the method by which it is retained 
 in the skin. 
 
 SPINE OF HEDGEHOfi.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family V. . . Macropidse. (Gr. Moytpof, long ; -rrovf , a foot) 
 Sub-family b. Macropina. 
 
 MACROPUS. 
 
 Major (Lat. larger), the Kangaroo. 
 
 In the mole we saw that the power of the body was placed 
 chiefly in the fore-legs ; we now come to a family which has 
 the principal power placed in the hinder part of the body. 
 In the Kangaroos the hind-legs are very long and immensely 
 powerful ; the fore-legs are very small, and used more as hands 
 than for walking ; the tail also is very thick and strong, and 
 assists the animal in its leaps. 
 
 The Great Kangaroo inhabits New Holland and Van Die- 
 men's Land. Its singular formation, peculiarly adapted to the 
 country, calls forth a corresponding degree of ingenuity on the 
 part of the natives, who live much on its flesh. Its method
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 85 
 
 of progression is by immense leaps from its long hind legs 
 assisted by its tail. The length of each leap is about fifteen 
 feet. Of course this swiftness would soon leave its pursuers 
 behind, but the Australian is able to break one of its limbs 
 or strike it insensible to the ground with his boomerang, the 
 most wonderful weapon that uncivilized man ever produced. 
 This extraordinary missile is a flat curved piece of wood, which 
 the Australian natives can wield with wonderful skill, making 
 it describe circles in the air, or rush at an object, and then 
 return to its owner's feet ; or throw it at the ground and 
 make it leap over a tree and strike an object at the other side. 
 Many boomerangs have been made in England from models 
 brought from Australia, and it is not very difficult to learn 
 the turn of the wrist necessary to make them describe a circle 
 and return, but no one except an Australian can perform the 
 complicated evolutions which the natives force the weapon to 
 describe. 
 
 The Kangaroo, except when feeding, stands upright on his 
 hind legs, and can then see over the tops of the rank herbage. 
 Hunting this animal is a very favourite sport with both 
 colonists and natives. The natives either knock it down with 
 the boomerang, spear it from behind a bush, or unite together 
 and hem in a herd, which soon fall victims to the volleys of 
 clubs, spears, and boomerangs which pour in on all sides. 
 The colonists either shoot it or hunt it with dogs, a herd of 
 which is trained for that purpose just as we train fox-hounds. 
 The " old man," or " boomer," as the Colonists call the Great 
 Kangaroo, invariably leads the dogs a severe chase, always 
 attempting to reach water and escape by swimming. It is 
 a formidable foe to the dogs when it stands at bay, as it seizes 
 the dog with its fore-legs, and either holds him under water 
 until he is drowned, or tears him open with a well directed 
 kick of its powerful hind feet, which are armed with a very 
 sharp claw. 
 
 The female Kangaroo carries its young about in a kind of 
 pouch, from which they emerge when they wish for a little 
 exercise, and leap back again on the slightest alarm. All the 
 kangaroos and the opossums have this pouch, from which they 
 are called " marsupiated" animals, from the Latin word mar- 
 supium, a purse or pouch.
 
 86 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The length of the Great Kangaroo is about five feet without 
 the tail, the length of which is about three feet. 
 
 There are many species of kangaroo, the most extraordinary 
 being the Tree Kangaroo, which can hop about on trees, and 
 has curved claws on its fore paws, like those of the sloth, to 
 enable it to hold on the branches. 
 
 Several genera and two sub-families are omitted. 
 
 Sub-family e. Didelphina. (Gr. A<f, double; detyvf, a pouch.) 
 
 DIDELPHYS. 
 
 Virginiana (Lat. belonging to Virginia), the Opossum. 
 
 This animal inhabits North America, and is hunted with 
 almost as much perseverance as the racoon, not, however, for 
 the sake of its fur but of its flesh. When it perceives the 
 hunter, it lies still between the branches, but if disturbed from 
 its hiding place, it attempts to escape by dropping among the 
 herbage and creeping silently away. 
 
 Its food consists of insects, birds, eggs, &c., and it is very 
 destructive among the hen-roosts. The OPOSSUM uses its tail 
 for climbing and swinging from branch to branch as the 
 spider monkeys use theirs ; but the Opossum uses its tail in 
 a manner that the monkeys have never yet been observed to
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 87 
 
 do, that is, making it a support for its young, who sit on its 
 back and twist their tails round their mother's in order to 
 prevent them from falling off. Lawson, in a passage quoted 
 in the Museum of Animated Nature, gives the following quaint 
 account of this animal : ' ' If a cat has nine lives this creature 
 surely has nineteen ; for if you break every bone in their skin 
 and mash their skull, leaving them for dead, you may come an 
 hour after, and they will be quite gone away, or, perhaps, you 
 may meet them creeping away. I have for necessity in the 
 wilderness eaten of them. Their flesh is very white arid well- 
 tasted ; but their ugly tails put me out of conceit with that 
 fare." 
 
 The length of the Opossum is about twenty-two inches, and 
 its height about that of an ordinary cat. When disturbed or 
 alarmed, it gives out a very unpleasant odour. 
 
 Several genera are omitted. 
 
 Family V ... Phocidse. (Gr. QUKJJ, a Seal. Seal kind.) 
 Sub-family b. Phocina. 
 
 Vitullna (Lat belonging to a calf), the Seal. 
 
 The COMMON SEAL inhabits the coast of Europe, and is not 
 unfrequently found in many parts of the Scottish coasts, 
 where seal-hunting is a favourite amusement. The young 
 are taken by stretching nets across the narrow straits which
 
 88 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 they frequent, but the older and stronger animals are shot or 
 knocked down with clubs when they attempt to scramble into 
 the sea, as a blow on the nose instantly disables them. 
 
 The fore-feet of the Seal are used as fins, and the two hinder 
 feet almost as the tail of a fish, to assist and direct its course. 
 On land the movements of this animal are very clumsy ; it 
 shuffles along by means of its fore-feet, or rather paddles, and 
 drags its hind-feet after it. 
 
 This seal, when taken young, is easily tamed. Edmonston 
 gives an amusing account of a seal named Finna, which he 
 kept for about six months. " We had her carried down daily 
 in a hand-barrow to the sea-side, where an old excavation 
 admitting the salt-water was abundantly roomy and deep for 
 her recreation and our observation. After sporting and 
 diving for some time, she would come ashore, and seemed 
 perfectly to understand the use of the barrow. Often she 
 tried to waddle from the house to the water, or from the 
 latter to her apartment ; but finding this fatiguing, and seeing 
 preparations by her chairmen, she would of her own accord 
 mount her palanquin, and thus be carried as composedly as 
 any Hindoo princess." This interesting animal, after living 
 in the house for about six months, at last was decoyed away 
 by some wild seals and did not return again. A young seal 
 was tamed by the guard of a small island in the Frith of 
 Forth above Edinburgh. It seemed quite to consider itself 
 one of the party, would accompany their boat across the 
 water, and when the vessel was made fast, it used to take its 
 station inside, and watch until the owners returned. It had 
 the playful manners of a water-dog, and would snatch a stick 
 from its master's hand and dash into the sea with it, where it 
 would toss and tumble about, sometimes approaching close 
 to the shore, and swimming off again when its master attempted 
 to grasp the stick, but it invariably brought back whatever it 
 had taken. It would also bring fish out of the water and give 
 them to its owners. 
 
 The length of the Common Seal is about four or five feet, 
 and its weight often two hundred and twenty-four pounds. 
 When surprised basking on the shore, it scrambles off towards 
 the water ; but if intercepted, dashes at its antagonist, oversets 
 him if possible, and makes its escape as fast as it can.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 MOUUNGA. 
 
 V 
 
 THE ELEPHANT SEAL. 
 
 Proboscidea (Gr. that has a proboscis or trunk.) 
 
 The ELEPHANT SEAL inhabits the Atlantic, Pacific, and 
 Southern Oceans. It is very much larger than the Common 
 Seal, being from twenty to thirty feet long. It derives its 
 name from the long snout, something like the proboscis of 
 the elephant, or rather the tapir, which it thrusts forward 
 when angry, and snorts loudly. Only the males have this 
 proboscis, and they do not attain it until they are three years 
 old. Although its appearance is very formidable, it does not 
 attempt to attack men ; but if it cannot frighten them by 
 opening its mouth and displaying its teeth, it makes off 
 towards the water, but with great deliberation, as when in good 
 condition it is so fat that its body trembles like a mass of jelly, 
 and will furnish seventy gallons of oil. This oil is the prin- 
 cipal object of the South Pacific seal fisheries ; but the skin 
 of this seal is also very valuable for its strength, and is used in 
 making harness. The seal skin is often used as fur. 
 
 It is a migratory animal and changes its residence several 
 times in the year, the first migration taking place in June. 
 
 There are many seals known, among which are the Sea 
 Leopard, a spotted species ; the Harp Seal, so called from the 
 markings on its back something resembling a lyre ; and the 
 Sea Lion.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family c. Trichecina. 
 TEICHICUS. (Gr. Qpl%, Hair; fyu, I have.) 
 
 Sosmzirus (Lat. Rosemary}, the Walrus, or Morse. 
 
 The WALRUS inhabits the northern seas, but has been 
 known to visit our coasts. Three instances of this have 
 happened, one in 1817, one in 1825 at the Orkney Isles, and 
 a third in 1839 at the mouth of the Severn. The most 
 remarkable point in the Walrus is the great length of two of 
 its upper teeth, which extend downwards for nearly two feet, 
 and resemble the tusks of the elephant. They furnish very 
 fine ivory, and are extensively used by dentists in making 
 artificial teeth, as teeth made from them remain white much 
 longer than those made from the tusks of elephants. These 
 tusks are used by the Walrus for climbing the rocks or heaps 
 of ice, and also for digging up the sea-weeds on which the 
 animal mostly subsists. It will also eat shrimps and young 
 seals. 
 
 The Walrus is often hunted for the sake of its oil, its flesh, 
 its skin, and its teeth. It is generally found in troops, and 
 if one is wounded, its companions rush to its rescue and 
 attack the enemy with their sharp tusks, which they have 
 been known to drive through the bottom of a boat. Their
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 91 
 
 skin is so strong and slippery that it is very difficult to drive 
 the harpoon through it, and even a sharp weapon frequently 
 glides off without injuring the animal. The great enemy of 
 the walrus is the polar bear, who does not always venture on an 
 open battle, as when a combat takes place, the walrus defends 
 himself most vigorously with his curved tusks and often 
 inflicts fearful gashes on the bear, forcing it to abandon the 
 contest. 
 
 The head of this animal is very small in proportion to the 
 remainder of its body, and often deceives people as to its 
 size, which is difficult to ascertain without examination. The 
 stufled specimen in the British Museum, although in bad 
 preservation, will give a tolerable idea of the animal. The 
 expression of its countenance is very ferocious, principally on 
 account of the enormous size of the upper lip and the thick 
 bristles with which it is covered. The length of the Walrus 
 is about fifteen or sixteen feet, and it yields from twenty to 
 thirty gallons of excellent oil 
 
 Order III. . . CETE. (Gr. K^rof, a Whale, or sea monster.) 
 Family I. ... Balaenidse. (Gr. BaAatvo,a Whale. Whale kind.) 
 
 THE WHALE. 
 
 THE CETACEA, or WHALE tribe, closely resemble the fishes, 
 and have often been placed among these animals by natu- 
 ralists. They, however, are distinguished by possessing warm 
 blood, and in consequence, being forced to rise at intervals in 
 order to breathe the air, instead of separating from the water, 
 by means of their gills, sufficient air for supporting life. 
 
 The great Greenland Whale is found in the Northern 
 Oceans, living amid ice and perpetual cold. Many ships are 
 annually fitted out for the capture of this creature, which, 
 unhappily for itself, furnishes oil and whalebone. The oil 
 is obtained from the thick layer of fatty substance called 
 blubber, which lies immediately under the skin ; and the 
 whalebone which, by the way, is not bone at all is obtained 
 from the interior of the mouth, where it fringes the jaws and
 
 92 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 acts as a sieve for the Whale to strain his food through. The 
 throat of the Greenland Whale is very small indeed, and its 
 food consists of a little creature ahout an inch and a half 
 long, called Clio borealis. The Whale, when it wishes to 
 feed, rushes through the water with its immense jaws wide 
 open, enclosing a host of little sea animals, and a few hogs- 
 heads of water. As the Whale only wants the animals, and 
 not the water, it shuts its mouth, and drives all the water out 
 
 Mysticetus (Gr. Mvara^, a moustache ; KT/TOC, a sea monster), the Whalt. 
 
 through the fringes of whalehone, leaving the little creatures 
 in its jaws. The sailors, who always use forcible expressions, 
 say that a penny loaf would choke a whale. 
 
 For the capture of this animal, a number of ships leave 
 England, France, and other countries, reaching the Polar 
 Seas about the end of April. When arrived at their destina- 
 tion, a careful look-out is kept from the mast-head for " fish,"
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. ' 03 
 
 which are usually first observed by the column of steam and 
 water that the whale sends into the air from its nostrils. 
 At the welcome sound " There she blows," the whole crew 
 starts into activity; the boats, which are always kept hang- 
 ing over the side of the ship, furnished ready for action, 
 are instantly manned and lowered into the water, and the 
 boat springs oft' in chase of the whale. The harpooner, whose 
 station is in the bow, examines his implements carefully, tries 
 the edge of the harpoon, and sees that the rope is properly 
 coiled, as an entanglement would probably upset the boat, or 
 even drag it below water. It will be as well just to notice 
 the different weapons used in the whale-fishery. The first 
 and most important is the harpoon, a kind of spear with a 
 large barbed head, the shape of which is not very unlike the 
 flukes of an anchor. The edges of the barbs are kept very 
 sharp, as otherwise the harpoon would not penetrate beyond 
 the blubber, and the whale would consequently escape. The 
 head of the harpoon is not made of steel, as most would 
 imagine, but of soft iron, so soft that it can be scraped to an 
 edge with a knife. This is fixed to a wooden handle, by 
 which the harpooner holds it. In some vessels the harpoon 
 is fired at the whale from a small cannon placed in the bow 
 of the boat. There are some very ingenious harpoons in the 
 United Service Museum, one of which, intended to be fired 
 from a gun, has its barbs joined to the head by a hinge, and 
 held apart with a spring, so that when a whale is struck the 
 barbs collapse until the force of the blow is expended, when 
 the spring expands them and holds the whale firmly. The 
 common harpoon, however, is the weapon usually employed. 
 
 To the harpoon is fastened a long and very tough line, 
 about 4,000 feet in length. This line is coiled up at the 
 head of the boat, and great care is taken to prevent it from 
 being entangled. It runs over a kind of pully, as the friction 
 is so great when the alarmed whale starts off, that the rope 
 when out of its place has repeatedly set the gunwale of the 
 boat on fire. A bucket of water is therefore always kept at 
 hand to throw on the rope. At Deptford, some years back, 
 might be seen a boat, the head of which had been quite cut 
 off by the rope. When a whale is struck it sometimes runs 
 out with the whole of the line, in which case the line of
 
 94 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 another boat is fastened to it, and sometimes a whale has 
 carried off three miles of line with it. 
 
 The use of the harpoon is merely to hold the whale ; it 
 does not enter deep, and causes the animal but little incon- 
 venience, as a whale has often broken its line and escaped 
 with the harpoon sticking in its back, and been afterwards 
 recaptured, apparently none the worse for its adventure. In 
 order to kill the whale the fishermen have another weapon, 
 called a " lance." This is a long, slender, steel weapon, with 
 a very sharp head, without barbs, as the men have to with- 
 draw the lance as fast as they can after it has pierced a vital 
 part. With these few and simple weapons the fishers contrive 
 to secure the monster of the waters a beautiful instance of 
 the superiority of reason over brute strength ; for as the expert 
 angler secures a large and strong fish with a single hair, utterly 
 inadequate to bear half the weight of the creature it holds, so 
 the whale-fisher, with a few small weapons, achieves a task 
 which may be compared to a mouse attacking and killing a 
 wolf with a reel of thread and a crochet needle. 
 
 The boats always approach the whale from behind, lest 
 the expected prey should see them and escape. When within 
 a few yards the harpooner throws his weapon at the whale, 
 so as to pierce through the mass of blubber, and hold fast in 
 the flesh. The wounded animal instantly dashes off; taking 
 the line with it. When it has been under water for some 
 time, it is forced to come to the surface to breathe. The 
 fishers mark the place where it rises, and thrust their long 
 lances deep into its body, inflicting mortal wounds. Blood 
 mixed with water is now discharged from the whale's nostrils 
 or " blow-holes," a sure sign that it will soon die. Presently 
 streams of blood are thrown up, colouring the sea and fre- 
 quently drenching the crews of the boats, and after a few 
 violent struggles the whale turns over on its side and dies. 
 
 The enormous carcass is now joyously towed to the ship, 
 and preparations are made for "flensing," or cutting off' the 
 useful parts. Strong ropes are attached to the head and tail, 
 and men wearing shoes armed with spikes, to prevent slipping, 
 commence the process by fastening ropes to its head and tail. 
 A strong hook is then fixed into the fat near the neck, called 
 the "kent," as it is used for " kenting," or turning the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 95 
 
 whale over. In this hook is fastened a rope, passing through 
 a pulley at the mainmast head, and fixed to a windlass on 
 deck. The blubber is then taken off the upper side by 
 " blubber spades." The blocks of blubber, called " slips," 
 are then hauled up on deck by means of ropes called " speck 
 tackles," speck being the German word for fat or bacon. 
 When the blubber is all stripped from the upper side, the 
 men turn the whale partly round by hauling at the rope 
 fastened to the " kent." They then cut out the whalebone 
 with knives made for that purpose. Lastly, the " kent" 
 itself is stripped off, and the whale left to the sharks and 
 gulls, who have been helping themselves very liberally while 
 the flensing was going on. The shovel-nosed shark sometimes 
 scoops out semicircular pieces as large as a man's head. 
 
 When the crew have time, the blubber, which has been 
 stowed away in a place with a not very polished name, is 
 "made off," that is, carefully stripped of the pieces of skin 
 and. muscle adhering to it, cut into moderately sized pieces, 
 and packed in casks until wanted. The oil is extracted by 
 boiling the blubber in large coppers ; a most unsavoury 
 occupation, but a very pleasant one to the crew, if they take 
 that duty upon themselves. The refuse blubber is used as 
 fuel, so that there is no waste. 
 
 It is curious to see how one whale will yield to a single 
 harpoon loosely fixed, while another will break away and 
 escape with five or six in his back, and two miles or so of rope 
 trailing behind it. Some instances have been related of whales 
 being killed without being struck at all. Scoresby tells us 
 that after a boat had killed a whale, it sunk as whales 
 sometimes will do. While they were hauling it up, the line 
 sometimes pulled, and sometimes came in easily. At last 
 they drew up a' whale with a coil of the rope round it, 
 which they naturally thought to be the animal struck by 
 them. After disentangling it they found to their surprise 
 that the line still descended into the sea, and dragged as if 
 there was a weight at its end ; and so there was, for they 
 found their harpooned whale still fixed to the weapon, and 
 discovered that the other unfortunate animal had contrived 
 to entangle itself in the line, and been drowned. " A whale 
 was struck from one of the boats of the ship Nautilus, in
 
 96 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Davis' Straits. It was killed, and as is usual after the 
 capture, it was disentangled from the line connected with the 
 first 'fast boat' (the first boat which had struck it), by 
 dividing it at the splice of the foreganger (the part of the 
 rope fastened to the harpoon), within eight or nine yards of 
 the harpoon. The crew of the boat from which the ' fish' 
 was first struck, in the meantime were employed in heaving 
 in the lines by means of a winch fixed in the boat for the 
 purpose. On a sudden, however, to their great astonishment, 
 the lines were pulled away from them with the same force 
 and violence as by a whale when first struck. They repeated 
 their signal indication of a whale being struck ; their ship- 
 mates flocked towards them, and while every one expressed 
 a similar degree of astonishment with themselves, they all 
 agreed that a ' fish' was fast to the line. In a few minutes 
 they were agreeably confirmed in their opinion by the rising 
 of a large whale close by them, exhausted with fatigue, and 
 having every appearance of a ' fast fish.' It permitted 
 itself to be struck by several harpoons at once, and was 
 speedily killed. On examining it after death, they found the 
 line belonging to the boat in its mouth, where it was still 
 firmly fixed by the compression of its lips. The occasion of 
 this happy and puzzling incident was therefore solved. The 
 end of the line, after being cut, was sinking in the water the 
 ' fish' in question, engaged in feeding, was advancing with 
 its mouth wide open, and accidentally caught the line between 
 its extended jaws a sensation so utterly unusual as that pro- 
 duced by the line, had induced it to shut its mouth and grasp 
 the rope which was the cause of its alarm so firmly between 
 its lips as to produce the effect just stated. This circum- 
 stance took place many years ago, but a similar one occurred 
 in the year 1814."* 
 
 The dangers undergone in this pursuit are very great. 
 Sometimes the boat is dashed to pieces by a blow from the tail of 
 the enraged whale ; sometimes the crew are left on the ice for 
 many hours, wet and frozen ; sometimes the ice-fields strike 
 together, and crush the ship between them, although the 
 vessel is strengthened in every possible way by cross-beams 
 and treble sheating ; sometimes a fog comes on and the boat 
 
 * Scoresby's Arctic Regions, vol. ii. p. 264.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 97 
 
 and ship are separated, neither having any means of knowing 
 where the other lies, for sound is much impeded by fog, and 
 even cannon are not heard when fired comparatively close. 
 
 The Whale shows great attachment to its young, which is 
 called the cub, and on the approach of danger, seizes it with 
 its fin or flipper, and carries it down out of danger. The Whale 
 has no fins, properly so called, as it is not a fish. Its flippers, 
 which supply the place of fins, are in fact fore-legs, furnished 
 with a kind of hand covered with a thick skin. They seem 
 to be principally employed in balancing the animal. The 
 hind-legs are concealed under the skin, as are those of the 
 boa constrictor. The length of this Whale averages sixty feet. 
 Its tail is placed transversely, and not vertically, as in the 
 fishes. 
 
 FLIPPER OF THE WHALE. 
 
 THE CACHALOT. 
 
 The chase of the CACHALOT is similar to that of the 
 Greenland whale, and need not be described. It is attended 
 with more danger, as the terrific row of teeth with which 
 the lower jaw of the Cachalot is armed, is not unfrequently 
 employed in biting the boat. In the Ashmolean Museum at 
 Oxford is an under jaw-bone of this whale, sixteen and a half 
 feet in length, containing forty-eight huge teeth. Besides 
 this method of defence, it has a very unpleasant habit of 
 E
 
 98 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 swimming off to a distance, and then rushing at the boat 
 with its head, thereby knocking it to pieces. One of these 
 whales actually sank a ship by three or four blows from its 
 head. 
 
 PiiYSETEB. (Gr. QvatjTTJp, a blow-pipe, or bellows.) 
 
 Macroeephalus (Gr. Ma/cp6f, large ; /ce0aX??, a head), the Cachalot, or 
 Spermaceti Whale. 
 
 Spermaceti is obtained from the head of the Cachalot, and 
 it is this substance that causes the immense size of the head. 
 When the whale is killed, a hole is made in the upper part 
 of the head, and the spermaceti is baled out with buckets. 
 When just procured it is almost fluid, but is rendered solid 
 and transparent by being first drained of its oil, then boiled 
 in water, and lastly set to cool in wide pans, where it soon 
 assumes the white flaky appearance so well known in this 
 country. The layer of blubber is thin, but yields a fine and 
 valuable oil.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 99 
 
 Ambergris, BO long a riddle to all inquirers, is now found to 
 be produced in the interior of the Cachalot. This substance is 
 of the consistency of wax, inflammable, arid gives out a kind 
 of musky odour. It was once in great repute as a medicine, 
 but is now only used as a perfume. 
 
 The Cachalot, although an inhabitant of the arctic seas, has 
 sometimes been found arid captured off our coasts. The length 
 of this whale is about seventy feet. 
 
 JAW OF GREENLAND WHALE. 
 
 Family II. Delphimdse. (Gr. AeA^'f, a Dolphin. Dolphin kind.) 
 DELPHINUS. (Lat. a Dolphin.) 
 
 Delphis, the Dolphin. 
 
 Those readers who have formed their ideas of Dolphins 
 from the very graceful and elegant creatures represented 
 under that name in the pictures of the " old masters" or the 
 statues of the ancient sculptors, will find that the real animal 
 differs as much from the ideal, as the red and green lions 
 wearing golden collars, represented in heraldry, differ from the 
 lion of Africa. Sad to say, almost the whole history of the 
 Dolphin is imaginary very poetical, but very untrue. The
 
 100 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 red and blue colours of the heraldic lion are not less fabulous 
 than the changing tints of the dying dolphin so dear to poetry. 
 Alas ! our unpoetical Dolphin, when we have harpooned and 
 brought him on deck, is only black and white, and all the 
 change that he makes, is that the black becomes brown in 
 time, and the white grey. 
 
 We will leave poetry and its beautiful errors, and pass on to 
 facts. The Dolphin is, like the whale, a warm-blooded animal, 
 suckles its young, and is forced to come to the surface in order 
 to breathe. Its snout is very long, and is apparently used for 
 capturing such fish, &c. as live in the mud. 
 
 The length is from six to ten feet. Several species of Dol- 
 phin are known, of which the British Museum possesses six. 
 
 PHOC^ENA. (Gr. ^uKaiva, & Porpoise.) 
 
 Communis (Lat. common), the Porpoise. 
 
 These animals may be observed in plenty playing their ab- 
 surd antics off every coast of England. There are numbers of 
 them off the Nore, a place which they frequent greatly, as it is 
 at the mouth of a river, and they find more food there than in 
 the open sea. They tumble at the surface of the water for 
 the purpose of breathing. 
 
 In the olden times, when glass windows were considered 
 an effeminate luxury, and rushes supplied the place of carpets, 
 the flesh of the PORPOISE constituted one of the standard 
 delicacies of a public feast, but it has long since been deposed 
 from its rank at the table. Like most of the cetacea, its flesh 
 has a very strong oily flavour, which, however relished by an
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 101 
 
 Esquimaux, is not agreeable to the palate of an English 
 epicure of the present day. 
 
 The voracity of the Porpoise is very great. It feeds on 
 various fishes, but its great feasts are held when the periodical 
 shoals of herrings, pilchards, and other fish arrive on the 
 coasts. In the pursuit of its prey, it frequently ventures 
 some distance up a river, and is then often taken in nets by 
 the fishermen. 
 
 The teeth of this animal are very numerous, and interlock 
 when the jaws are closed, so that the fish when once seized 
 cannot escape. Its length is about five feet, its colour a rich 
 black ; becoming white on the under side. 
 
 THE NARWHAL. 
 
 Although the NARWHAL has not suffered from false reports 
 so much as many other animals, yet it has unwittingly con- 
 tributed to propagate a very old error. The spiral tusk of 
 the Narwhal was accustomed to be sold as the real horn of 
 the unicorn ; and as an accredited part of that animal, forming 
 direct proof of its existence, it used to fetch a very high price. 
 Of course, when the whale fishery was established, the real 
 owner of the horn was discovered, and the unicorn left still 
 enveloped in mystery. 
 
 The name Monodon is not strictly correct, as the Narwhal 
 possesses two of these tusks, one on each side of its head. 
 Only the left tusk projects, the other remaining within the 
 head. Sometimes a specimen has been found with both tusks 
 projecting, and some think that when the left tusk has been 
 broken off by accident, the right one becomes large enough to 
 supply its place. 
 
 The use of these tusks is not known ; some supposing that 
 they are employed to dig up sea- weeds, &c., on which the 
 Narwhal feeds, and some imagining that the living prey is 
 first transfixed and then eaten. Be this as it may, as a 
 weapon the tusk is not to be despised, as the strength and 
 rapidity of the Narwhal are very great. Instances are on 
 record, of the thick oak timbers of a ship being pierced by the
 
 102 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ivory tusk of this creature. The Greenlanders employ this 
 ivory in the manufacture of spears, arrows, hooks, &c. They 
 take the Narwhal by a kind of harpoon attached to a line, 
 with a buoy at its extremity. The use of the buoy is to 
 harass and retard the Narwhal when struck, and to give 
 notice when it is about to rise. Immediately that it reaches 
 the surface, a lance is thrust into it, which generally proves 
 
 MONODON. (Gr. Mwof, solitary ; 66ovf, or 6Suv, a tooth.) 
 
 Monoceros (Gr. Mwof /cepaf, a horn), the Narwhal. 
 
 its death-blow. The adventurous Greenlander find it a most 
 welcome prey, as he obtains from it oil, food, weapons, and 
 ropes. 
 
 Although an inhabitant of the northern seas, it has several 
 times visited our coasts. Its body is from thirty to forty feet 
 in length, and its tusk from five to nine. 
 
 The Manatees and Dugong omitted.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 103 
 
 Order IV. ... GLIRJSS.(L&t. Glis, a Dormouse.) 
 
 Family I Muridse. (Gr. Miif, a Mouse. Mouse kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. Murina. 
 
 Decutuaiius (Lat. tenth or large), the Rat. 
 
 WE now arrive at the Rodentia, or gnawing animals, so 
 called from their habit of gnawing through, or paring away, 
 the substances on which they feed. For this purpose their 
 teeth are admirably formed, and by these teeth it is always 
 easy to ascertain a member of the Rodents. They have none 
 of those sharp teeth called canine, such as are seen in the lions 
 and in those animals which seize and destroy living animals, 
 but in the front of each jaw there are two long flat teeth, 
 slightly curved, and having a kind of chisel edge for rasping 
 away wood, or other articles. The constant labour which 
 these teeth (called incisors, from the Latin word, incido, 
 I cut) undergo, would rapidly wear them away. To coun- 
 teract this loss, the teeth are constantly growing, and being 
 pushed forward, so that as fast as the upper part is worn 
 away, the tooth is replenished from below. So constant is this 
 increase, that when an unfortunate rabbit, or rather rodent, 
 has lost one of its incisors, the opposite one, meeting nothing to 
 stop its progress, continually grows, until sometimes the tooth 
 curls upwards over the lips, and prevents the wretched animal 
 from eating. An 'example of this preternatural growth may 
 be seen in the vignette under the article Rabbit. The sketch 
 was drawn from a specimen in the Anatomical Museum at 
 Oxford. 
 
 The Rodentia include the mice, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, 
 and porcupines.
 
 104 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The BROWN RAT, sometimes called the Norway Rat, is the 
 species usually found in England. It was some years since 
 imported into this country, and from its superior size, strength, 
 and ferocity, has so completely established itself, and expelled 
 the original Black Rat, that it is very difficult indeed to find 
 a Black Rat in any part of England. Waterton's sympathies 
 are much excited in favour of the original rat, and his anger 
 is great against the invader. He says of the Brown Rat : 
 
 " Its rapacity knows no bounds, while its increase is pro- 
 digious, beyond all belief. But the most singular part of its 
 history is, that it has nearly worried every individual of the 
 original rat of Great Britain. So scarce have these last-men- 
 tioned animals become, that in all my life I have never seen 
 but one single solitary specimen. It was sent some few years 
 ago, to Nostell Priory, in a cage, from Bristol, and I received 
 an invitation from Mr. Arthur Strickland, who was on a visit 
 there, to go and see it. Whilst I was looking at the little 
 native prisoner in its cage, I could not help exclaiming, ' Poor 
 injured Briton ! hard, indeed, has been the fate of thy family ! 
 in another generation, at furthest, it will probably sink down to 
 the dust for ever. !' " * 
 
 The same amusing naturalist, being considerably annoyed by 
 the depredations on his provisions, and the unceasing clatter 
 that they kept up behind the panels of his sitting-room, after 
 trying various plans to extirpate them, at last thought of a 
 method, rich in the same humour with which most of' his 
 actions are tinged, and as efficacious in its operation as amusing 
 in its idea : 
 
 " Having caught one of them in a box trap, I dipped its hinder 
 parts into warm tar, and then turned it loose behind the hollow 
 plinth. The others, seeing it in this condition, and smelling 
 the tar all along the run through which it had gone, thought 
 it most prudent to take themselves off: and thus, for some 
 months after this experiment, I could sit and read in peace, 
 free from the hated noise of rats. On moving the plinth at a 
 subsequent period, we found that they had actually gnawed 
 away the corner of a peculiarly hard-burnt brick, which had 
 obstructed their thoroughfare." 
 
 * Waterton's Essays, p. 212.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Musculus (Lat a little mouse,) the Mouse. 
 
 "f he COMMON MOUSE is so well known, that a description of 
 its form and size is useless. It almost rivals the rat in its 
 attacks upon our provisions, and is quite as difficult to extir- 
 pate. It makes a kind of nest, where it brings up its young. 
 When a board of long standing is taken up in a room, it is not 
 uncommon to find under it a mouse's nest, composed of rags, 
 string, paper, shavings, and everything that the ingenious little 
 architect can scrape together. It is a round mass, looking 
 something like a rag ball very loosely made. When opened, 
 seven or eight little mice will probably be found in the interior 
 little pink, transparent creatures, three of which could go into 
 a lady's thimble, sprawling about in a most unmeaning manner, 
 apparently greatly distressed at the sudden cold caused by the 
 opening of their nest. 
 
 The Mouse is said to be greatly susceptible of music. An 
 anecdote is related of a gentleman who was playing a violin 
 seeing a mouse run along on the floor and jump about as' if 
 distracted. He continued the strain, and after some time the 
 mouse, apparently exhausted with its exertions, dropped dead 
 on the floor. An instance occurred to myself very recently, 
 similar in all respects but that of the death of the little animal, 
 which only scampered back to its hole when the music ceased. 
 We afterwards found that it was a partially tamed one which 
 had escaped. 
 
 Every one has heard of the fable of the Lion and the Mouse, 
 but from the following account from Basil Hall's Fragments,
 
 106 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 we must conclude that, whatever the lion might have done 
 under the circumstances, the tiger at all events would not have 
 availed himself of the proffered assistance. He relates of a tiger 
 that was kept in a cage" at Mysore : 
 
 " But what annoyed him far more than our poking him up 
 with a stick, or tantalizing him with shins of beef or legs of 
 mutton, was introducing a mouse into his cage. No fine lady 
 ever exhibited more terror at the sight of a spider than this 
 magnificent royal tiger betrayed on seeing a mouse. Our 
 mischievous plan was to tie the little animal by a string to the 
 end of a long pole, and thrust it close to the tiger's nose. The 
 moment he saw it, he leaped to the opposite side ; and when 
 the mouse was made to run near him, he jammed himself into 
 a corner, and stood trembling and roaring in such an ecstasy of 
 fear that we were always obliged to desist from sheer pity 
 to the poor brute. Sometimes we insisted on his passing 
 over the spot where the unconscious little mouse ran back- 
 wards and forwards. For a long time however we could not 
 get him to move, till at length, I believe by the help of a 
 squib, we obliged him to start ; but instead of pacing leisurely 
 across his den or making a detour to avoid the object of 
 his alarm, he generally took a kind of flying leap, so high 
 as nearly to bring his back in contact with the roof of his 
 cage."* 
 
 HAIR OF MOUSE. 
 
 A white variety of mouse is tolerably common, and is usually 
 bred in cages. As it is very tame and beautiful, it is in great 
 repute as a pet. 
 
 The HARVEST MOUSE, the smallest of the British quadrupeds, 
 discovered and described by White in his " Selborne," is very 
 much smaller than the ordinary mouse, a halfpenny weighing 
 down two of them when placed in a pair of scales. Its nest 
 
 * Hall's Fragments, part iii. page 96.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 107 
 
 is raised about a foot and a half from the ground, and sup- 
 ported on. two or three straws. It is made of grass, about the 
 size of a cricket-ball, and very compact. 
 
 The FIELD MOUSE is as great a pest in the open air as the 
 Common Mouse within a house. It not only devours the 
 corn, but strips the bark off young trees, doing great mischief. 
 The kestrel or windhover hawk lives almost exclusively on the 
 Field Mouse, and ought always to be encouraged. 
 
 Several genera are omitted. 
 
 Sub-family b. Arvicolina. 
 
 Frumentarius (Lat, belonging to' harvest), the Hamster. 
 
 The HAMSTER RAT is a native of parts of Germany. It is 
 a terrible pest there, as it not only devours the corn, &c. in the 
 summer, but lays up a large store for the winter. It is a most 
 furious little animal, and will attack a man or a horse and even 
 a waggon wheel if it approaches too near the spot which the 
 Hamster considers its own property. Rats, mice, lizards, birds, 
 and even its weaker brethren, are eaten by this ravenous little 
 animal. 
 
 It lives in holes underground, and to escape attack has 
 several passages from its chamber leading in different directions. 
 The skin is of some value, and the hunter who spears it usually 
 opens its granary for the sake of its store, which is far from 
 being inconsiderable, a hundredweight of beans having been 
 found in one granary.
 
 103 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ARVICOLA. (Lat. Arvum, a field ; colo, I inhabit.) 
 
 Amphibius (Gr. 'A/u0t, on both sides ; ptou, I live), the Water-rat. 
 
 The WATER RAT is a native of England, and very common 
 on the banks of rivers, brooks, &c. It digs holes in the bank, 
 and is reported to eat fish, frogs, &c., but this is very doubtful. 
 They exist in great numbers round Oxford, and I have re- 
 peatedly watched them feeding. I never saw them eating fish, 
 nor found fish-bones inside their holes, except when a kingfisher 
 has taken possession ; but I have frequently seen them gnaw- 
 ing the green bark from reeds, which they completely strip, 
 leaving the mark of each tooth as they proceed. I shot one 
 while feeding, and at first thought that the marks of its teeth 
 were caused by the shot, for until that time I had supposed that 
 the Water Rat fed on fish.' 
 
 Sub-family d. Castorina. 
 THE BEAVER. 
 
 North America is the principal country where the BEAVER 
 is found, but it is also common on the Euphrates, and along 
 some of the larger European rivers, as the Rhone and the 
 Danube. In former years, when the wolf and bear inhabited 
 England, the Beaver followed its architectural pursuits along 
 the rivers ; but they have not been seen in this country since 
 1188.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 109 
 
 The houses of the Beaver are built of mud, stones, and 
 sticks. They are placed in a stream, and their entrance is 
 always below the surface. As a severe frost would freeze up 
 their doors, it is necessary to make the stream deep enough to 
 prevent the frost from reaching the entrances. This is done 
 by building a dam across the river, to keep back the water 
 until it is sufficiently deep for the beaver's purposes. These 
 banks are made of branches which the Beaver cuts down with 
 its strong sharp teeth, and of mud and stones. The Beavers 
 throw these branches into the water, and sink them to the 
 bottom by means of stones ; by continually throwing in fresh 
 
 CASTOR. (Gr. Kuarup, a Beaver.) 
 
 Fiber (Lat a Beaver), the Beaver. 
 
 supplies a strong embankment is soon made. As many Beav- 
 ers live together in one society, the formation of a dam does 
 not take very long. By their united efforts they rapidly fell 
 even large trees by gnawing them round the trunk, and al- 
 ways taking care to make them fall towards the water, so that 
 they can transport the logs easily. The mud and stones used 
 in their embankments are not carried on their tails, as some 
 say, nor do the Beavers use their tails as trowels for laying 
 on the mud, the fact being that the stones and mud are car- 
 ried between their chin and fore-paws, and the mistake re- 
 specting the tail is evidently caused by the slap that Beavers
 
 110 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 give with that member when they dive. In order that their 
 pond may not be too deep, they always leave an opening in 
 the dam to let the water escape when it rises above a certain 
 height. 
 
 They cut most of their wood in the summer, taking care to 
 choose trees above their houses, so that the stream floats them 
 down to the place where they wish to use them. They also 
 lay up stores of food for the winter, by cutting a number of 
 green branches and sinking them near the door of their habita- 
 tions, where they are held firm by stones laid on the summit 
 of the heap. 
 
 During the severe winter, their mud-built houses freeze quite 
 hard, and prevent the wolverine, their greatest enemy except 
 man, from breaking through and devouring the inmates. 
 
 The fur of the Beaver is exceedingly valuable, especially for 
 the manufacture of hats, and is greatly sought after. The 
 hunting season is in whiter, when the beavers are quietly in 
 their houses. The hunters, armed with spears, &c. break the 
 tops of the houses. The alarmed beavers instantly rush out 
 and pass under the ice to certain hiding-places in the bank. 
 The hunter then discovers the position of the hole in the bank 
 by the sound of his spear struck against the ice ; he then 
 breaks a hole and spears the animal in its place of fancied se- 
 curity. A substance called Castor was formerly obtained 
 from the Beaver and much used in medicine, but is now dis- 
 carded. 
 
 When in captivity the Beaver soon becomes tame, and 
 will industriously build dams across the corner of a room 
 with brushes, boots, fire-irons, books, or any thing it can find. 
 When its edifice is finished it sits in the centre apparently sat- 
 isfied that it has made a beautiful structure to dam up the 
 river a proof that the ingenuity of the Beaver is not caused 
 by reason but by instinct. 
 
 The fur of the Beaver, like that of many other animals, con- 
 sists of a fine wool intermixed with long and stiff hairs. The 
 hairs are useless, but the peculiar construction of the fur causes 
 it to penetrate and fix itself into the felt which forms the body 
 of a hat. The length of the Beaver is about three feet and a 
 half. 
 
 Several genera are omitted. .
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. Ill 
 
 Family II Hystricidse. ("Yarpit;, a Porcupine. Porcupine kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. Hystricina. 
 
 Cristata (Lat. crested), the Porcupine. 
 
 The COMMON PORCUPINE is found in Africa, Tartary, Persia, 
 India, and some parts of Europe. It lives in holes which it 
 digs in the ground, and only comes forth at night in order to 
 feed. It eats vegetable substances only, such as roots, bark, 
 &c. The array of spines or quills with which this animal is 
 covered forms its principal means of defence. If it cannot 
 escape, it suddenly stops, erects all its quills, and runs back- 
 wards against its adversary, striking the quills against him by 
 the weight of its body. Occasionally a looser quill than 
 usual remains in the wound or falls on the ground, which 
 evidently gave rise to the foolish error that the Porcupine 
 could dart its weapons at its adversary from a distance. 
 There are two kinds of these quills, one kind long and 
 curved, the other short, thick, and pointed. These last 
 are the weapons of defence, as the former are too slender to 
 do much service. When the Porcupine walks, its quills make 
 a kind of rustling sound, caused principally by those arranged 
 on the tail, which are large, hollow, and supported on long
 
 112 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 slender stalks. The American Indians use the quills extracted 
 from the Canada Porcupine, a species living on trees, for orna- 
 menting various parts of their dress, especially their mocassins 
 or skin shoes. In England the quills are much used by anglers 
 for making fine floats. The length of the Porcupine is about 
 two feet, and its spines or quills are from six to fourteen inches 
 long. 
 
 Sub-family c. Dasyproctina. 
 DASTPROCTA. (Gr. Aa<rt!f, rough ; Trpw/crof, hind-quarters.) 
 
 Aguti, the Agouti. 
 
 The AGOUTI lives in Brazil, Guiana and Paraguay. It is 
 about the size of a rabbit, and like that animal is generally 
 found in company. In Brazil and Guiana, the Agouti is much 
 sought after for the sake of its flesh, but it appears that in Pa- 
 raguay the flesh is not eaten. When pursued, it runs for a short 
 time with much rapidity, but soon endeavours to conceal itself 
 in a hole or under the roots of a tree, when it will suffer itself 
 to be captured without any resistance, merely uttering a plaint- 
 ive cry. It feeds on vegetables, especially yams and tubers, but 
 in the West India Islands it devours the sugar canes, and is a 
 great pest to the planters.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 113 
 
 Sub-family d. Hydrochcerina. 
 
 r. 'Tdwp, water; x a ' l P u > I rejoice.) 
 
 Capybara, the Capybdra, 
 
 The CAPYBARA or CHIGUIRA is the largest of all the Rodentia. 
 At first sight it looks very like a pig, and its skin is covered 
 thinly with hairs like bristles, which add to the resemblance. 
 
 It inhabits the borders of lakes and rivers in many parts 
 of Southern America. During the day, it hides among the 
 thick herbage of the banks, only wandering forth to feed at 
 night, but when alarmed, it instantly makes for the water, 
 and escapes by diving. It is hunted for the sake of its flesh, 
 which is said to be remarkably good. The Jaguar appears to 
 be of the same opinion, for he is the most terrible enemy of 
 this creature, destroying immense numbers. The food of the 
 Capybara consists of grass, vegetables and fruits. Its length is 
 about three feet six inches. 
 
 The GUINEA-PIG or CAVY belongs to the sub-family Caviina. 
 It was originally brought from South America, and is frequent- 
 ly domesticated in England. Its beauty is its only recom- 
 mendation, as it shows little intelligence, and is never used for 
 food. Children, however, and particularly schoolboys, are fond 
 of keeping Guinea-pigs, as they are wonderfully prolific, easy to 
 manage, and do not make much noise. They are popularly 
 supposed to keep off rats, and are therefore usually patronized 
 in connexion with rabbit-hutches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Family III. Leporidse. (Lat. Lepus, a Hare. Hare kind.) 
 
 Timidus (Lat. timid), the Hare. 
 
 The HARE is one of our most common quadrupeds. It is 
 constantly hunted both for the sport and for its flesh. When 
 hunted with greyhounds, the amusement is called coursing-. 
 Beagles are also used, but they do not catch the Hare by speed, 
 but by patiently following its track, until the wearied animal is 
 no longer capable of escaping. It comes under the denomina- 
 tion of game, and is protected by the Game Laws, as are pheas- 
 ants and partridges. 
 
 It is exceedingly like the rabbit, but its colour is slightly 
 different, and the black spot on the extremity of its ears is a 
 simple method of distinguishing it. The Hare does not burrow 
 like the rabbit, but makes a kind of nest of grass and other 
 materials. In this nest, called a " form," the Hare lies, and 
 trusting to its concealment will often remain quiet until the 
 foot of an intruder almost touches it. Many people can distin- 
 guish it by the sparkle of its eye.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 115 
 
 Innumerable foes besides man surround this animal. 
 Foxes, ferrets, stoats, and all their tribe are unmerciful ene- 
 mies, and sometimes a large hawk will destroy a leveret, as 
 the young Hare is called. Although destitute of all means 
 of defence, it is often enabled to escape by the quickness of 
 its hearing and sight, which give it timely warning of the 
 approach of an enemy, and enable it to escape to a place of 
 safety. 
 
 In cold countries, the Hare changes its fur during winter, 
 and becomes white, like the Arctic fox and the ermine. The 
 Alpine Hare, inhabiting the northern parts of Scotland, is a 
 good example of this change. 
 
 Cuniculus (Lat a little Rabbit). 
 
 The well known RABBIT is rather smaller than the hare, 
 but closely resembles it in form. It lives in deep holes, which 
 it digs in the ground. "When a number of these holes or 
 burrows occur near each other, the place is called a warren. 
 A loose dry soil, such as the soft red sandstone, is the delight 
 of these animals, who may be seen frisking about in great 
 numbers outside their holes, but diving in on the slightest 
 alarm. Poachers often take them in great numbers by 
 spreading nets over the mouth of the holes, and sending a 
 ferret carefully muzzled down one of the burrows. The 
 terrified rabbits rush out at the sight of their dreaded enemy, 
 and are caught in the nets. If the ferret were not muzzled,
 
 116 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 it would kill the first rabbit it caught, and remain in the hole, 
 
 sucking the blood of its victim. 
 
 The female Rabbit forms a soft nest at the bottom of her 
 
 burrow, composed of fur torn from her body, of hay and dried 
 
 leaves. Here the young rabbits are kept until they are 
 
 strong enough to shift for themselves and make their own 
 
 burrows. 
 
 The tame Rabbit is only a variety, 
 rendered larger by careful feeding and 
 attendance. There are many breeds 
 of domestic rabbits, some, as the fancy 
 or lop-eared rabbits, being often of con- 
 siderable value, thirty guineas having 
 OVER-GROWN TEETH OF been refused for a particularly fine one. 
 When tame rabbits are suffered to go 
 
 free, they speedily return to their wild habits and instincts 
 
 Family IV. . . Jerboidse. (Jerboa kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Chinchillina. 
 
 CHINCHILLA. 
 
 Laniger (Lat. wool-bearing), the Chinchilla. 
 
 This pretty little animal is an inhabitant of the valleys in 
 the mountain districts of South America. In such situations 
 the cold is often very intense ; but the long soft fur of the 
 CHINCHILLA forms an effectual protection against the frosts. 
 The fur is extensively used for clothing, and celebrated for its 
 
 * From the Anatomical Museum, Oxford.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 117 
 
 soft and warm texture. Numbers of these animals are 
 anually destroyed for the sake of their skins. Coquimbo 
 appears to be the place where they are taken in the greatest 
 numbers. 
 
 The Chinchilla lives in society like the rabbit, and resides 
 in burrows dug in the ground. Its food is entirely vegetable, 
 and principally consists of bulbous roots. In captivity it is 
 quiet and inoffensive, but seems to betray no particular 
 attachment to its keeper ; neither does it seem playful. Its 
 tail, covered with long bushy hairs, is usually held turned up 
 over its back, like that of the squirrel, and probably for the 
 same reason. 
 
 From the various specimens of fur sent to this country it 
 would appear that there are two species of Chinchilla, but it 
 is not quite certain. The length of the Chinchilla is about 
 nine inches, exclusive of its tail, which measures' about five. 
 
 Sub-family c. Dipina. 
 DIPUS. (Gr. Atf, double ; irovg, a foot) 
 
 ./Egyptius (Lat. belonging to Egypt), the Jerboa. 
 
 The JERBOAS are celebrated for their powers of leaping. 
 Their long hind-legs enable them to take enormous springs,
 
 118 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 during which their tails serve to balance them. Indeed, a 
 Jerboa, when deprived of its tail, is afraid to leap. At first 
 sight the Jerboa seems to alight on its hind-feet, as well as 
 spring from them, but the fact is, that it alights on its fore- 
 feet and draws up the hind legs ready for the next leap 
 with such rapidity that the eye can scarcely follow the move- 
 ment. 
 
 In the history of the polar bear it was mentioned that its 
 feet were prevented from slipping on the ice by a coating of 
 thick hair. The foot of the Jerboa is defended by long 
 bristly hairs, which not only give the creature a firm hold of 
 the ground fat its spring, but also defend the foot from the 
 burning soil. 
 
 The timidity of the Jerboa is very great, and on the 
 slightest alarm it instantly rushes to its burrow, but if inter- 
 cepted, skims "a way over the plain with such rapidity that it 
 seems to fly, and when at full speed a swift greyhound can 
 scarcely overtake it. 
 
 Grain and bulbous roots are its chief food ; while eating, it 
 holds the food with its fore paws, and sits upright on . its 
 haunches, like the squirrels and marmots. The Jerdoa does 
 not bear confinement well; it always appears uneasy and 
 distrustful ; it remains hidden during the day, and even when 
 it emerges from its concealment towards the evening is always 
 ready to retreat at the least alarm. 
 
 There are many jerboas ; the Egyptian Jerboa is rather 
 small, being about the size of a large rat ; its colour is a 
 tawny yellow. 
 
 THE DORMOUSE. 
 
 The DORMOUSE is very common in all the warmer parts 
 of the Continent, and is often found in England, especially 
 in the southern and midland counties. It lives in copses 
 and among brushwood, through which it makes its way with 
 such rapidity that it is very difficult to capture. During the 
 winter it lies torpid, but takes care to have a stock of food 
 laid up, on which it feeds during the few interruptions to its 
 slumbers. A warm day in winter will usually rouse it, but
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d Myoxina. 
 
 MYOXUS. (Gr. Mvofof, or fivu^og, a Dormouse.) 
 
 Avellanarius (Lat. from Avellaris, filbert), the Dormouse. 
 
 during the cold weather it lies rolled up, with its tail curled 
 round it. While in this torpid state, a sudden exposure to 
 heat kills it, but a gentle warmth, such as holding it in the 
 hand, rouses it without injury. It lives principally on nuts, 
 acorns and grain. It brings up its young in a nest composed 
 of leaves and hay, and seems to be fond of society in its 
 household labours, as ten or twelve nests have been seen close 
 to each other. 
 
 THE SQUIRREL. 
 
 The SQUIRREL is a very common animal in woods, where 
 numbers may be seen frisking about on the branches, or 
 running up and down the trunks. If alarmed, it springs up 
 the tree with extraordinary activity, and hides behind a branch. 
 By this trick it escapes its enemy the hawk, and by constantly 
 slipping behind the large branches, frequently tires him out. 
 The activity and daring of this little animal are extraordinary. 
 When pursued, it makes the most astonishing leaps from branch 
 to branch, or from tree to tree, and has apparently some method 
 of altering its direction while in the air, possibly by means of 
 its tail acting as a rudder.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family e. Sdurina. 
 SCIUKUS. (Gr. 2/cm, a shadow ; ovpu, a tail.) 
 
 Europseus (Lat. European), the Squirrel. 
 
 It is easily domesticated, and is very amusing in its habits 
 when suffered to go at large in a room or kept in a spacious 
 cage ; but when confined in a little cramped box, especially in 
 one of the cruel wheel cages, its energies and playfulness are 
 quite lost. The colour of the English Squirrel is a deep reddish 
 brown, and its tail so large and bushy as to shade its whole 
 body, when carried curled over its back, from whence it derives 
 its name of Sciurus, or Shadow-tail. 
 
 THE FLYING SQUIRREL. 
 
 The FLYING SQUIRRELS are well known by their power of 
 making enormous sweeps through the air. They are enabled 
 to make these leaps by a fold of skin at each side, which, when 
 spread by the extended paws, forms a kind of parachute, 
 that supports them in their passage through the air. When 
 they wish to pass from one tree to another, they spring 
 downwards from a lofty branch, stretch out all their legs, and 
 sweep to their mark with an upward curve. The species of 
 Flying Squirrel here represented is a native of the Rocky
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 PTEROMYS. (Gr. Ilrepov, a wing; jui-f. a mouse.) 
 
 Alpinus (Lat. Alpine), the Flying Squirrel. 
 
 Mountains in America, where it lives among the dense pine 
 forests that abound there. Its colour is yellowish brown, and 
 its length about a foot. 
 
 ARCTOMYS. (Gr. "Ap/crof , a bear ; fitf, a mouse.) 
 ^| 
 
 Marmotta, the Marmot. 
 
 The ALPINE MARMOT is common in the mountainous 
 
 districts of Europe. It lives in burrows dug in the ground. 
 
 These burrows are something in the shape of a Y, one of tne 
 
 forks leading to its habitation, a kind of chamber lined with 
 
 F
 
 
 122 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 dry grass and mosses, and the other fork serving as a store- 
 house for food, as a provision against the winter months, when 
 it retires to its hole, closes the entrance, and becomes torpid 
 until the commencement of spring. When it first retires for 
 the winter, it is very fat, and is then killed and eaten in great 
 numbers. The skin is also of some service. 
 
 Many may be seen in England, carried about by the Savoy- 
 ard boys, who catch them when young, and tame them. When 
 domesticated they are mild and inoffensive, but no instruction 
 entirely overcomes their abhorrence of a dog. 
 
 When feeding in its native country, it is very suspicious, and 
 always stations one marmot as a sentinel, and on his giving the 
 alarm, the remainder instantly seek the protection of their holes, 
 closely followed by the faithful sentinel. 
 
 THE OX. 
 
 THE Ruminantia, or animals that chew the cud, include the 
 oxen, sheep and goats, deer, giraffe, and camels. They have a 
 peculiar construction of stomach, which receives the fresh- 
 gathered food, retains it for some hours, and then passes it back 
 into the mouth to be re-masticated. 
 
 The Ox is spread widely over the earth, scarcely any 
 country being without its peculiar breed. In this country, 
 where it is our most useful domesticated animal, there are 
 nearly as many breeds as counties, generally distinguished by 
 the length or shape of their horns. There is the " long-horned 
 breed" from Lancashire, the " short-horned" from Durham, the 
 " middle-horned" from Devonshire, and the " polled," or horn- 
 less, breed. Each of these breeds has its particular value : some 
 fatten easily, and are kept especially for the butcher ; others 
 give milk, and are valuable for the dairy. The best dairy cow 
 is the Alderney, a small, short-horned animal, furnishing ex- 
 ceedingly rich milk. 
 
 In some parts of England, oxen are used to draw waggons, 
 or to drag the plough. They are not so strong as horses, and 
 their movements are much slower. 
 
 Formerly, the cruel sport of bull-baiting was much practised
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order Y UNO ULATA. (Lat. possessing hoofs.) 
 
 Family I BovidsS. (Lat. Bos, an ox. Ox kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. . Bovina. 
 
 Taurus (Lat. a Bull), the Ox. 
 
 in England, and bull-rings, that is, large iron rings firmly fixed 
 in the ground, may be seen in the market-place of many 
 towns. The poor bull was fastened to the ring by a strong 
 rope, and mangled by the repeated attacks of large and-fierce 
 dogs. Sometimes the rope did not prove strong enough to 
 restrain his frantic struggles, and the tortured animal chased 
 and scattered the terrified spectators. In Spain, bull-baiting 
 is a very popular sport. The Spaniards do not confine the 
 animal with a rope, but turn him loose into a large arena, 
 where several men, armed with spears and darts, first goad 
 him into madness, and then slaughter him. The death of 
 the bull is, however, considered as a compliment due to the 
 valour and endurance of the animal ; for if a bull is soon 
 overcome, or refuses to attack his opponents, he is driven out 
 of the arena amid the hisses of the spectators, and suffered to 
 prolong an ignominous existence.
 
 124 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Every part of the Ox is of value. We eat his flesh, we wear 
 shoes soled with his skin, our candles are made from his fat, our 
 tables are joined with glue made from his hoofs, the mortar 
 of our walls is mixed with his hairs, his horns are made into 
 combs, knife handles, drinking cups, &c., his bones are used 
 instead of ivory, and the fragments ground and scattered over 
 the fields as manure, and soup is made from his tail. 
 
 The young ox is called a calf, and is quite as useful in its 
 way as the full-grown ox. The flesh is called veal, and by 
 many preferred to the flesh of the ox or cow, which is called 
 beef: jelly is made from its feet. The stomach is salted and 
 dried, and is called rennet. Cheese is made by soaking a piece 
 of rennet in water, and pouring it into a vessel of milk. The 
 milk soon forms curd, which is placed in a press, and the watery 
 substance, called whey, squeezed from it. The curd is coloured 
 and salted, and is then cheese. 
 
 When a number of cows are kept in the same yard, the oldest 
 cow always takes precedence, and pushes the others with her 
 horns if they interfere with her. She chooses her own rack, 
 and if she sees another rack better furnished, she dispossesses 
 the original proprietor, and with an air of ridiculous complacency 
 appropriates it to herself. None of the junior cows attempt to 
 leave the yard or enter it until she has preceded them, and so 
 jealous is she of her authority, that if any enter before her she 
 refuses to move until they have been turned out. She then 
 looks round in a dignified manner, and marches in, followed by 
 the rest of the troop. 
 
 At Chillingham Park there is a breed of wild cattle, appa- 
 rently the descendants of the original race that overran Eng- 
 land in former years. They still retain their wild habits, and 
 when any of them must be killed, thirty or forty men go out 
 armed with rifles. A keeper mounted on a swift horse sepa- 
 rates the victim from the herd, and drives it by the concealed 
 marksmen, who speedily lay it prostrate. The colour of the 
 Chillingham breed is always white with dark red ears.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 125 
 
 THE ZEBU. 
 
 The ZEBU or BRAHMIN BULL is a native of India. It is 
 a very conspicuous animal on account of the hump on its 
 shoulders. There are different breeds of it, some larger than 
 the English cattle, and some hardly larger than an ordinary 
 hog. The Hindoos treat it with great reverence, and will not 
 suffer it to be molested. It is in consequence so tame and 
 familiar that it will often walk down the streets, examine the 
 shops, and perhaps help itself to some sweetmeats ; or it will 
 lie down in the narrow street ; but no one must disturb it, 
 they must either proceed by another road or wait until the 
 sacred animal is pleased to rise. With singular inconsistency 
 the Hindoo, although he honours the bull with such absurd 
 reverence, yet has no pity on the ox. While the consecrated 
 bull wanders with impunity through the streets, walks into 
 shops, (china shops or otherwise,) and resents with a peevish 
 push of its horns the slightest affront, the ox is fastened to the 
 plough, urged on by the goad, and put to every kind of labour. 
 The Zebu-cow, although not quite so well treated as the bull, 
 yet enjoys more forbearance than the ox.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 BUBALUS. (Gr. Boii(3aAof, a Buffalo.) 
 
 Buffelus, the Buffalo. 
 
 The ASIATIC BUFFALO is a large and powerful animal with 
 enormous horns. It closely resembles the domestic ox, but 
 is larger and stronger. Its strength is so great that it is a 
 formidable enemy even to the tiger. Captain Basil Hall 
 gives an account of a battle between a buffalo and a tiger.. 
 The tiger, however, seemed to have been alarmed at the very 
 unusual scene into which he had been transferred ; but the 
 readiness of the buffalo to attack, proves that it did not fear 
 the tiger. 
 
 " We were promised a grand day's sport one afternoon, 
 when a buffalo and a tiger were to be pitted against each 
 other. The buffalo entered the ring composedly enough ; 
 but after looking about him, turned to one side, and rather 
 pettishly, as if he had felt a little bilious, overturned a vessel
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 127 
 
 of water placed there expressly for his use. The tiger refused 
 for a long time to make his appearance, and it was not till 
 his den was filled with smoke and fire that he sprang out. 
 The buffalo charged his enemy in a moment, and by one 
 furious push capsized him right over. To our great dis- 
 appointment, the tiger pocketed this insult in the shabbiest 
 manner imaginable, and passing on, leaped furiously at the 
 ropes, with which his feet became entangled, so that the 
 buffalo was enabled to punish liis antagonist about the rump 
 most ingloriously. When at length the tiger got loose, he 
 slunk oft' to a distant part of the area, lay down, and pre- 
 tended to be dead. The boys, however, soon put him up 
 again, and tried to bring hirn to the scratch with squibs and 
 crackers ; and a couple of dozen dogs being introduced at the 
 same moment, they all set at him, but only one ventured to 
 take any liberty with the enraged animal. This bold dog 
 actually caught the tiger by the tail, but a slight pat of the 
 mighty monster's paw crushed the yelping cur as flat as a 
 board. The buffalo, who really appeared anxious to have 
 a fair stand-up fight, now drove the dogs off, and repeatedly 
 poked the tiger with his nose, and even turned him half over 
 several times with his horns. 
 
 " We had then a fight between two buffaloes, which ran 
 their heads .against each other with a crash that one could 
 fancy shook the palace to its veiy foundation ; indeed, the 
 only wonder was how both animals did not fall down dead 
 with their skulls fractured. But there appears to be a 
 wonderful degree of thickness or hardness in this part of the 
 animal."* 
 
 The Buffalo has long been domesticated in India, and 
 from its great strength is exceedingly useful. In its wild 
 state it is always found in marshy grounds, where the air is 
 sufficiently pestilential to destroy most animals. There it 
 will luxuriate through the hottest part of the day, with its 
 entire body immersed in the muddy water, only leaving its 
 muzzle above the surface. 
 
 The hide of this animal is particularly thick and strong, 
 and is in great request for making harness. 
 
 * Hall's Fragments, part iii. p. 98.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Caffer, the Cape Buffalo. 
 
 The CAPE BUFFALO is a native of Southern Africa. It is 
 exceedingly ferocious and cunning, often lurking among the 
 trees until an unsuspecting traveller approaches, and then 
 rushing on him and destroying him. The ferocious creature 
 is not content with killing his victim, but stands over him 
 mangling him with its horns, and stamping on him with its 
 feet. Gumming shot several of these animals, and once or 
 twice had narrow escapes from them, as they are difficult to 
 kill. His description of their aspect is very good, and I 
 cannot do better than give it in his own words. 
 
 " Their horns reminded me of the rugged trunk of an oak- 
 tree. Each horn was upwards of a foot in breadth at the 
 base, and together they effectually protected the skull with 
 a massive and impenetrable shield. The horns, descending 
 and spreading out horizontally, completely overshadow the 
 animal's eyes, imparting to him a look the most ferocious and 
 sinister that can be imagined."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Americanus (Lat. American), the Bison. 
 
 The BISON inhabits the plains or prairies of North America 
 in countless multitudes. Its enormous and heavy mane, its 
 fierce eyes and lowering appearance, give this animal a most 
 terrific aspect. The American Indians constantly hunt the 
 Bison, which they call Buffalo. Their weapons are principally 
 bows and arrows, apparently weak and small, but which, 
 when wielded by a skilful hand, will strike the huge bison to 
 the heart. In Catlin's 'account of his travels among the North 
 American Indians are many most interesting accounts of 
 " buffalo hunts." Mounted on a swift horse, and armed with 
 a spear and bow and arrows, the Indians kill great numbers 
 of these animals. They ride up close to the bison, and with 
 the greatest apparent ease bury an arrow up to its feather in 
 the creature's body. Indeed many instances are known where
 
 130 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 the slight Indian bow, drawn without any perceptible effort, 
 has thrown the arrow completely through the body of the 
 huge animal. When only wounded it is a most dangerous 
 antagonist, and rushes on its enemy with the most determined 
 ferocity. Richardson gives an instance of its fury when 
 wounded. 
 
 " Mr. Finnan M'Donald, one of the Hudson's Bay Com- 
 pany's clerks, was descending the Saskatchewan in a boat, and 
 one evening, having pitched his tent for the night, he went 
 out in the dusk to look for game. It had bec^ne nearly dark, 
 when he fired at a bison bull, which was galloping over a small 
 eminence, and as he was hastening forward to see if his shot 
 had taken effect, the wounded beast made a rush at him. He 
 had the presence of mind to seize the animal by the long hair 
 on its forehead as it struck him on the side with its horn, and 
 being a remarkably tall and powerful man, a struggle ensued, 
 which continued until his wrist was severely sprained, and his 
 arm was rendered powerless ; he then fell, and after receiving 
 two or three blows became senseless. Shortly afterwards he 
 was found by his companions lying bathed in blood, being gored 
 in several places, and the bison was couched beside him, ap- 
 parently waiting to renew the attack had he shown any signs 
 of life." 
 
 THE YAK. 
 
 The YAK inhabits Tartary. Of this animal in a native state 
 little or nothing is known. The name of " grunniens," or 
 grunting, is derived from the peculiar sound that it utters. 
 The tail of the Yak is very long and fine, and is used in India 
 as a fan or whisk to keep off the mosquitos. The tail is fixed 
 into an ivory or metal handle, and is then called a chowrie. 
 Elephants are sometimes taught to carry a chowrie and wave 
 it about in the air. From the shoulders of the Yak a mass 
 of long hair falls almost to the ground, something like the 
 mane of a Lion. This hair is applied to various purposes by
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 POEPHAGIT8. (Gr. IIw/, grass; yuyu, I eat.) 
 
 Gruniiiens (Lat. grunting), the Yak. 
 
 the Tartars. They weave it into cloth, of which they not 
 only make articles of dress, but also tents, and even the ropes 
 which sustain the tents. 
 
 THE MUSK OX. 
 
 The MUSK Ox is a native of North America, and is not 
 very unlike the Yak in appearance. It is covered with very 
 long hair, which reaches almost to the ground. Its flesh is 
 tolerably good when fat, but at other times it smells strongly 
 of musk. The horns of this animal are united together at 
 their base, forming a kind of shield or helmet covering the 
 forehead. When the hunters wish to shoot the Musk Ox they 
 conceal themselves, and fire without permitting the oxen to 
 see them. The poor animals seem to fancy that the report 
 of the guns is thunder, and crowd together in a mass, so that 
 they afford a good mark. If, however, they catch sight of 
 one of their assailants, they instantly charge at him, and then
 
 132 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 OVIBOS. (Lat. Sheep-Ox.) 
 
 Moschatus (Lat. musky), the Musk Ox. 
 
 are very dangerous enemies. Both this animal and the Yak 
 are small, scarcely equalling in size the small Highland cattle, 
 but the thick hair which covers them makes them look larger 
 than they really are. 
 
 THE GNOO. 
 
 The GNOO, or WILDEBEEST, inhabits Southern Africa. At 
 first sight it is difficult to say whether the horse, buffalo, or 
 antelope predominates in its form. The horns cover the top 
 of the forehead, and then sweeping downwards over the face, 
 turn boldly upwards with a sharp curve. The neck is fur- 
 nished with a mane like that of the horse, and the legs are 
 formed like those of the stag, It is a very swift animal, and 
 when provoked, very dangerous. When it attacks an oppo- 
 nent it drops on its knees, and then springs forward with such 
 force that, unless he is extremely wary and active, he cannot 
 avoid its shock. When first alarmed, its movemer'.s are very 
 grotesque.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 133 
 
 CATOBLEPAS. (Gr. Karu/3Ae7rwi>, looking down.) 
 
 " When the hunter approaches the old bulls, they commence 
 whisking their long white tails in a most eccentric manner ; 
 then springing suddenly into the air, they begin prancing and 
 capering, and pursue each other in circles at their utmost 
 speed. Suddenly they all pull up together, to overhaul the 
 intruder, when two of the bulls will often commence fighting 
 in the most violent manner, dropping on their knees at every 
 shock ; then quickly wheeling about, they kick up their heels, 
 whirl their tails with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the 
 plain enveloped in a cloud of dust."* 
 
 The size of the Gnoo is about that of a well-grown ass, that 
 is, about four feet in height. Its flesh is in great repute both 
 arnong the natives and colonists. 
 
 * Cumming's South Africa.
 
 134 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 PORTAX. (Gr. Uoprat, a Calf.) 
 
 Picta (Lat. painted), tlie Nylghau. 
 
 The NYLGHAU, one -of the largest and most magnificent of 
 the Antelopes, inhabits the forests of India. It is extremely 
 vicious, and cannot be approached without danger. Its method 
 of attack is similar to that of the gnoo, namely, dropping 
 upon its knees and then springing violently forward. The 
 tiger is its great enemy, and often destroys it in spite of its 
 courage. During the day the Nylghau conceals itself in the 
 forests, and at night leaves its coverts to feed, often doing no 
 inconsiderable harm to adjacent cultivated lands. 
 
 The colour of this creature is a slaty blue ; it has however 
 several white spots, and from its throat and shoulders hangs 
 a dense bnnch of hair. It is about the same size as the 
 gnoo, standing about four feet high at the shoulder.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 STBEPSICEROS. (Gr. 
 
 , a twisting; Ktpaf, a horn.) 
 
 Kudu, the Koodoo. 
 
 The KOODOO is a native of South Africa, living along the 
 wooded borders of rivers. It is chiefly remarkable for its 
 beautifully shaped horns, which are about four feet in length, 
 and twisted into a large spiral of about two turns and a half. 
 A bold ridge runs along the horns and follows their curvature. 
 When hard pressed it always takes to the water, and endeav- 
 ours to escape by its powers of swimming. Although a large 
 animal, nearly four feet in height, it can leap with wonderful 
 activity. The weight of the horns is very considerable, and 
 partly to relieve itself of that weight, and partly to guard them 
 from entanglement in the bushes among which it lives and on 
 which it feeds, it carries its head backwards, so that the horns 
 rest on its shoulders.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 BOSELAPHUS. (Gr. Ox-stag.) 
 
 Oreas (Gr. 'Opetdf, belonging to the mountains), the Eland. 
 
 The best and fullest accounts of the ELAND and the ORYX 
 are to be found in Harris and Cumming's Adventures in South 
 Africa. An extract from Gumming will be both interesting 
 and accurate. Of the Eland, he writes : 
 
 " This magnificent animal is by far the largest of all the 
 antelope tribe, exceeding a large ox in size. It also attains 
 an extraordinary condition, being often burthened with a very 
 large amount of fat. Its flesh is most excellent, and is justly 
 esteemed above all others. It has a peculiar sweetness, and 
 is tender and fit for use the moment the animal is killed. 
 Like the gemsbok, the Eland is independent of water. It is 
 generally diffused throughout all the wooded districts of the 
 interior where I have hunted. Like other varieties of deer 
 and antelope, the old males may often be found consorting 
 together apart from the females, and a troop of these, when
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 137 
 
 in full condition, may be likened to a herd of stall-fed 
 oxen. 
 
 " I have repeatedly seen an eland drop down dead at the end 
 of a severe chase, owing to his plethoric habit. The skin of the 
 eland I had just shot emitted, like most other antelopes, the 
 most delicious perfume of trees and grass." 
 
 ORYX. (Gr. "0/wf, a word from Herodotus, denoting a gazelle.) 
 
 Leucoryx (Gr. the white Oryx,) the Oryx. 
 
 The ORYX, also a South African animal, is well known 
 among hunters as the only antelope that revenges itself on 
 the lion. "When the lion springs on it, it lowers its sharp 
 horns, receiving the lion on their points. It invariably
 
 138 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 perishes by the shock, but the lion also perishes with it. 
 Their skeletons have been seen lying together bleached on the 
 plain. 
 
 " The oryx, or gemsbok, to which I was now about to direct 
 my attention more particularly, is about the most beautiful 
 and remarkable of all the antelope tribe. It is the animal 
 which is supposed to have given rise to the fable of the 
 unicorn, from its long straight horns, when seen in profile, so 
 exactly covering one another as to give it the appearance of 
 having but one. It possesses the erect mane, long sweeping 
 black tail, and general appearance of the horse, with the head 
 and hoofs of an antelope. It is robust in its form, squarely 
 and compactly built, and very noble in its bearing. Its 
 height is about that of an ass, and in colour it slightly 
 resembles that animal. The beautiful black bands which 
 eccentrically adorn its head, giving it the appearance of wear- 
 ing a stall collar, together with the manner in which the. rump 
 and thighs are painted, impart to it a character peculiar to it- 
 self. The adult male measures 3 feet 10 inches in height at the 
 shoulder."* 
 
 THE SPRINGBOK. 
 
 Again an extract from Gumming must supply the place of 
 description. During his early travels in South Africa, the first 
 object that met his eyes on waking one morning, was a herd 
 of SPRINGBOKS, which he thus describes :f 
 
 " On the 28th I had the satisfaction of beholding, for the 
 first time, what I had often heard the Boers allude to, viz. a 
 ' trek-bokken,' or grand migration of springboks. This was, 
 I think, the most extraordinary and striking scene, as connected 
 with beasts of the chase, that I have ever beheld. For about 
 two hours before the day dawned I had been lying awake in 
 my waggon, listening to the grunting of the bucks within 
 two hundred yards of me, imagining that some large herd of 
 springboks was feeding beside my camp ; but on my rising 
 when it was clear, and looking about me, I beheld the ground 
 
 * Cumming's Adventures. t Ibid.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Euchore (Gr. Ev, well ; xPf, dance), the Springbok. 
 
 to the northward of my camp actually covered with a dense 
 living mass of springboks, marching slowly and steadily along, 
 extending from an opening in a long range of hills on the 
 west, through which they continued pouring, like the flood of 
 som3 great river, to a ridge about a mile to the north-east, over 
 which they disappeared. The breadth of the ground they 
 covered might have been somewhere about half a mile. I 
 stood upon the fore-chest of my waggon for nearly two hours, 
 lost in wonder at the novel and wonderful scene which was 
 passing before me, and had some difficulty in convincing my- 
 self that it was reality which I beheld, and not the wild and 
 exaggerated picture of a hunter's dream. During this time 
 their vast legions continued streaming through the neck in the 
 hills in one unbroken compact phalanx. 
 
 " Vast and surprising as was the herd of springboks which 
 I had that morning witnessed, it was infinitely surpassed by 
 what I beheld on the march from my vley to old Sweir's 
 camp ; for on our clearing the low range of hills through 
 which the springboks had been pouring, I beheld the bound-
 
 140 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 less plains, and even the hill sides which stretched away on 
 every side of me, thickly covered, not with herds, but with 
 one vast herd of springboks ; as far as the eye could strain the 
 landscape was alive with them, until they softened down into 
 a dim red mass of living creatures." 
 
 The Springbok is very fearful of man, and if it has to cross 
 a path over which a man has passed before, it does not walk 
 over, but takes a tremendous leap, ten or twelve feet high, 
 and about fifteen long, at the same time curving its back in a 
 most extraordinary manner. It is from this habit of leaping 
 that the Dutch Boers who inhabit the Cape have given it the 
 name of Springbok. 
 
 Ariel (Gr. proper name), the Gazelle. 
 
 The GAZELLE, so famous in Oriental poetry, inhabits Arabia 
 and Syria. Its eyes are very large, dark, and lustrous, so that 
 the Oriental poets love to compare the eyes of a woman to 
 those of a gazelle, just as Homer constantly applied the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 141 
 
 epithet ox-eyed (/3oo>mf) to the more majestic goddesses, such 
 as Juno and Minerva. It is easily tamed when young, and is 
 frequently seen domesticated in the courtyards of houses in 
 Syria. Its swiftness is so great that even a greyhound cannot 
 overtake it, and the hunters are forced to make use of hawks, 
 which are trained to strike at the head of the gazelle, and 
 thus confuse it, and retard its speed, so as to permit the dogs 
 to come up. In several parts of Syria, the gazelle is taken 
 hy driving a herd into a large enclosure surrounded hy a deep 
 ditch. A few gaps are made, through which the terrified 
 animals leap, and fall into the ditch, when they are easily 
 taken. The height of the gazelle is ahout one foot nine 
 inches ; its colour a dark yellowish brown, fading into white 
 on the under parts. 
 
 RUPICAPRA. (Lat. Rock-goat.) 
 
 Tragus (Gr. Tpdyoe, a He-goat), the Chamois. 
 
 The CHAMOIS is found only in mountainous regions, espe- 
 cially the Alpine chains of Europe and Western Asia. It 
 lives on the loftiest ridges, displaying wonderful activity, and 
 leaping with certainty and security on places where the eye 
 can hardly discern room for its feet. The Chamois hunters
 
 142 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 are exposed to the most frightful dangers, to falls down terrific 
 precipices, to hunger and cold, and eveiy imaginable hardship 
 that days spent among Alpine precipices can suggest. Yet a 
 kind of fascination urges them on, although few Chamois 
 hunters escape the dangers that surround them. The skin of 
 the Chamois is used extensively hy shoemakers. 
 Several genera are omitted. 
 
 CAPEA. (Lat. a Goat.} 
 
 Ibex, the Ibex, or Steinbok. 
 
 The IBEX inhabits the Alpine regions of Europe and "Western 
 Asia. It is instantly recognized by its magnificent horns, 
 which curve with a bold sweep from the head almost to the 
 haunches. The horns are surrounded at regular intervals 
 with rings, and are immensely strong, serving, as some say, 
 to break the fall of the Ibex when it makes a leap from a 
 height. 
 
 When chased it is a dangerous animal, as after it has led
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 143 
 
 its pursuer over dangerous heights and fearful chasms, it will 
 frequently turn on him, and unless he can shoot it before it 
 reaches him, will hurl him over the precipice. It is very 
 wary, and, like many other animals, posts a sentry to keep 
 watch : when he sees a suspicious object, he gives notice by a 
 kind of whistle, when the whole of the herd instantly dash off 
 to the highest point they can find. The height of the Ibex 
 is two feet six inches ; the length of its horns often three feet. 
 
 Hircus (Lat. a He-goat), the Goat. 
 
 The common GOAT is not in much request in England, but 
 in some other countries, as Syria and Switzerland, herds of 
 goats are kept for the sake of their milk, and in fact almost 
 entirely take the place of the cow. The most celebrated 
 variety of this animal is the Cashmir goat, which furnishes 
 the beautifully fine wool' from which the costly Cashmir 
 shawls are made. The shawls bear a high value even in their 
 own country, but in Europe the price is much increased by the 
 various taxes which are paid in every stage of the manufacture 
 the average number of taxes paid on each shawl being about 
 thirty, several of which are limited only by the pleasure of the 
 collector.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Ovis. (Lat a Sheep.) 
 
 Aries (Lat. a Rani). 
 
 There are many kinds of SHEEP, among which the common 
 sheep, the long-tailed sheep, and the Wallachian sheep are 
 the most conspicuous. Next to the cow, the sheep is our 
 most useful animal. England produces better wool than any 
 country, for although the wool of the Spanish sheep is finer 
 than ours, it is much less in quantity. The Merino, as this 
 sheep is called, is annually conducted from one part of the 
 country to another, and back again. The distance traversed 
 is upwards of four hundred miles, and the time necessary to 
 complete the journey about six or seven weeks. The pro- 
 prietors of the flocks think that these periodical journeys 
 improve the wool ; but it is in all probability a mistaken 
 notion, as the stationary flocks of Leon and Estramadura pro- 
 duce quite as fine a fleece. Of course such a body of sheep 
 nearly six millions do great damage to the lands over which 
 they pass, and many fall victims to fatigue or are destroyed by 
 wolves. 
 
 The long-tailed sheep inhabit Syria and Egypt. Its tail is 
 so large and so loaded with fat, that to prevent it from being
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 145 
 
 injured by dragging on the ground, a board is fastened to the 
 under side of it, and wheels are often attached to the board. 
 The peculiar fat of the tail is considered a great delicacy, and 
 is so soft as to be frequently used as butter. The weight of a 
 large tail is about seventy pounds. 
 
 The Wallachian or Cretan sheep is found in Crete, Wallachia, 
 Hungary, and Western Asia, Its horns are exceedingly large, 
 and twisted in a manner resembling the horns of the Koodoo. 
 It is very strong, and extremely vicious and unruly. In this 
 and several other sheep the fleece is composed of wool and hair 
 mixed. The hair of the Wallachian sheep is long and silky 
 like that of a spaniel, and of great length, falling almost to the 
 ground. 
 
 THE GIRAFFE. 
 
 This beautiful and extraordinary animal is found only in 
 Africa. As the gnoo seems to combine the properties of the 
 antelope, horse, and buffalo, so the GIRAFFE appears to bear 
 the characteristics of the antelope and the camel. In the 
 opinion of modern naturalists, it holds a place by itself between 
 the deer and antelopes ; it forms, at all events, a group to 
 which no other animals belong. 
 
 The height of the Giraffe varies from thirteen to eighteen 
 feet. Its beautiful long neck enables it to browse on the leaves 
 of the trees on which it feeds. It is very dainty while feeding, 
 and plucks the leaves one by one with its long and flexible 
 tongue. On its head are two very remarkable projections, 
 closely resembling horns. These projections are not horns, but 
 only thickenings of the bone of the skull, covered with skin, 
 and bearing a tuft of black hair at the extremity of each. The 
 fore-legs at first sight appear longer than the hind ones, but 
 this apparent difference is only caused by the great length of 
 the shoulder-blades, as both pair of legs are of the same length 
 at their junction with the body. Its eyes are very large and 
 prominent, so that the animal can see on every side without 
 turning its head. Just over and between the eyes is a bony 
 prominence resembling the projecting enlargements of the skull, 
 called horns. The use of these projections is? not very well
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family b. Camelopardlna. 
 CAMELOPARDALIS. (Gr. KdfiTjAoc, a camel ; 7ruo<5a/Uf, a pard.) 
 
 Giraffa (Arabic, ZarapJta), the Giraffe. 
 
 known, as although in play the Giraffe will swing its head 
 round and strike with it, yet when it wishes to repel an assail- 
 ant it has recourse to violent and rapid kicks from its hind-legs. 
 So light and swift are these kicks that the eye can scarcely 
 follow them, and so powerful are they that the lion is not un- 
 frequently driven off by them. Vaillant relates that a Giraffe 
 which he was hunting, kept off his pack of dogs by its rapid 
 kicks. Indeed, if it were to venture its head too near the lion, 
 a blow from his tremendous paw would in all probability lay 
 the animal prostrate. 
 
 The Giraffe has much difficulty in reaching the ground
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 147 
 
 with its mouth, nor does it often attempt to do so, unless it is 
 bribed with something of which it is very fond, such as a 
 lump of sugar. It then straddles widely with its fore-legs, 
 and with some trouble succeeds in reaching the object aimed 
 at. This attitude was noticed and copied in the Prena>stine 
 pavement. 
 
 The appearance of this animal in its native haunts is very 
 magnificent. "These gigantic and exquisitely beautiful ani- 
 mals, which are admirably formed by nature 1o adorn th^e 
 forests that clothe the boundless plains of the interior, are 
 widely distributed throughout the interior of Southern Africa, 
 but are nowhere to be met with in great numbers. In 
 countries unmolested by the intrusive foot of man, the Girafle 
 is ibund generally in herds varying from twelve to sixteen ; 
 but I have not uufrequently met with herds containing thirty 
 individuals, and on one occasion I counted forty together; 
 this, however, was owing to chance, and about sixteen may 
 be reckoned as the average number of a herd. These herds 
 are composed of Giraffes of various sizes, frcm the young 
 Giraffe of nine or ten feet in height, to the dark chestnut 
 coloured old bull of the herd, whose exalted head towers 
 above his companions, generally attaining to a height of - 
 upwards of eighteen feet. The females are of lower stature, 
 and more delicately formed than the males, their height 
 averaging from sixteen to seventeen feet. Some writers have 
 discovered ugliness and a want of grace in the Girafle, but I 
 consider that he is one of the most strikingly beautiful 
 animals in the creation ; and when a herd of them is seen 
 scattered through a grove of the picturesque parasol-topped 
 acacias which adorn their native plains, and on whose upper- 
 most shoots they are enabled to browse by the colossal height 
 with which nature has so admirably endowed them, he must, 
 indeed, be slow of conception who fails to discover both grace 
 and dignity in all their movements. There can be no doubt 
 that every animal is seen to the greatest advantage in the 
 haunts which nature destined him to adorn, and among the 
 various living creatures which beautify creation. I have 
 often traced a remarkable resemblance between the animal 
 and the general appearance of the locality in which it is 
 found.
 
 148 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 "Ill the case of the Giraffe, which is invariably met with 
 among venerable forests, where innumerable blasted and 
 weather-beaten trunks and stems occur, I have repeatedly 
 been in doubt as to the presence of them, until 1 had recourse 
 to my spy-glass ; arid on referring the case to my savage 
 attendants I have known even their optics to fail, at one time 
 mistaking these dilapidated trunks for camelopards, and again 
 confounding real camelopards with these aged veterans of the 
 forest."* 
 
 The movements of the Giraffe are very peculiar, the limbs 
 of each side appearing to act together. It is very swift, and 
 can outrun a horse, especially if it can get among broken ground 
 and rocks, over which it leaps with a succession of frog-like 
 hops. 
 
 It endures the climate of England very well. In the Zoo- 
 logical Gardens in London are several Giraffes which were 
 born and bred in that country. They seem very healthy and 
 are exceedingly tame, examining the hands of their visitors, and 
 following them round the enclosure. They eat herbs, such as 
 grass, hay, carrots, and onions. When cut grass is given to 
 them, they eat off the upper parts and leave the coarse 
 stems. 
 
 SKULL OP THE GIRAFFE. 
 
 THE CAMEL. 
 
 There is much confusion about the names of the Camels. 
 The BACTRIAN CAMEL is distinguished by bearing two humps 
 on its back, the ARABIAN CAMEL by bearing only one. The 
 Arabian camel is sometimes, but erroneously, called the Dro- 
 medary, as the Dromedary or El-Heirie is a lighter variety of 
 that animal, and only used when despatch is required. 
 
 * Cumming's Adventures.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family c. Camelina. 
 CAMKU;S. (Gr. Ka//7/^of, a Camel.) 
 
 Arabicus (Lat. Arabic), the Camd. 
 
 The Camel forms the principal wealth of the Arab : without 
 it he could never attempt to penetrate the vast deserts where 
 it lives, as its remarkable power of drinking enough water at 
 one draught to serve it for several days enables it to march 
 from station to station without requiring to drink by the 
 way. The peculiar structure of its stomach gives it this most 
 useful power. In its stomach are a great number of deep 
 cells, into which the water passes, and is then prevented from 
 escaping by a muscle which closes the mouth of the cells. 
 When the Camel feels thirsty, it has the power of casting some 
 of the water contained in these cells into its mouth. The 
 habits of this animal are very interesting. A recent traveller, 
 the Rev. J. H. Pollen, most kindly forwarded to me the fol- 
 lowing interesting and amusing account of the habits of the 
 Camel :
 
 150 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 " My principal experience in camels has been during rny 
 travels through the Arabian desert. I followed, after some 
 interval of time, the route of the Hajji the Mecca pil- 
 grimage. 
 
 " The temper of the Camel is in general not very amiable. 
 It is unwilling, jealous, and revengeful to the last degree. Of 
 this latter quality curious tales are told : one, which was fully 
 believed by the Arab that narrated it to me, was as follows. 
 A certain camel driver had bitterly insulted (i. e. thrashed in 
 some ignominious way,) the animal under his charge. The 
 camel showed a disposition to resent, but the driver knowing 
 from the expression of its eye what was passing within, kept 
 on the alert for several days. One night he had retired for 
 safety inside his tent, leaving his striped abbaya or cloak 
 spread over the wooden saddle of the camel outside the tent. 
 
 " During the night he heard the camel approach the object, 
 and after satisfying himself by smell or otherwise that it was 
 his master's cloak, and believing that the said master was 
 asleep beneath it, he lay down and rolled backwards and for- 
 wards over the cloak, evidently much gratified by the cracking 
 and smashing of the saddle under his weight, and fully per- 
 suaded that the bones of his master were broken to pieces. 
 After a time he rose, contemplated with great contentment 
 the disordered mass, still covered by the cloak, and retired. 
 
 " Next morning, at the usual hour for loading, the master, 
 who had from the interior of his tent heard this agreeable 
 process going on, presented himself to the camel. The dis- 
 appointed animal was in such a rage, said my informant, on 
 seeing his master safe before him, that he broke his heart, and 
 died on the spot. 
 
 " I had once to cross a very high range of rocks, and we 
 had very great difficulty in getting our camels to face the 
 steeper part of the ascent, though any horse would have made 
 very light of it. All the riders had to dismount, and the 
 laden animals made the bare rocky solitudes ring to the con- 
 tinual and most savage growls with which they vented their 
 displeasure. It is well on these occasions to keep out of reach 
 of their long necks, which they stretch out and bring their 
 teeth within dangerous proximity to the arm or side of any one 
 but their master.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 151 
 
 " While being laden they testify their dislike to any packet 
 which looks unsatisfactory in point of size or weight as it is 
 carried past them, although when it is once on their backs 
 they continue to bear it with the patient expression of coun- 
 tenance which I fear passes for more than it is worth. All 
 camels are loaded kneeling, and can go from twenty-four to 
 sixty hours without rest, or more than a few mouthfuls of 
 food, which they can crop off a thorny bush as they pass, or 
 a handful of barley given them by their master. Parts of the 
 desert are strewn with small dry drab-coloured plants, thorny 
 and otherwise, which the camels continue to crop as they walk, 
 jerking the rider not a little. 
 
 " They are very sparing of drinking. I have taken camels 
 for eleven or twelve days without a drop of water. All of 
 them did not drink even when we came to water, nor did any 
 drink a large quantity, or seem disturbed by the want of it, 
 although the sun was very powerful, and we travelled twelve 
 or thirteen hours daily. 
 
 " At first they are difficult to ride. The rider mounts while 
 the animal is kneeling, and sits like a lady, with the right leg 
 round the fore pommel of the saddle. In rising, the Camel 
 suddenly straightens its hind-legs before moving either cf the 
 fore-legs, so that if the rider is unprepared, he will be jerked 
 over its ears. It moves the legs of each side alternately, occa- 
 sioning a long undulating motion, which sways the rider to 
 arid fro from the loins. The motion, however, is soon learned, 
 and when fatigued, the rider can change sides, or shift his pos- 
 ture in various ways. 
 
 " Sometimes a traveller places his whole family, wife and 
 children, in one pannier fastened to the saddle, puts himself in 
 another pannier fastened on the opposite side, and then falls in 
 with a caravan and accompanies it. 
 
 "DROMEDARIES the finer and better bred Camels have 
 sparer frames and more endurance, and are principally led by 
 the Bedouins of the desert. They also object either to going 
 up or down a hill. 
 
 " They are fond of kneeling at night just behind the ring of 
 Arabs who squat round the fire, and they stretch their heads 
 over their masters' shoulders to snuff up the heat and smoke, 
 which seems to content them vastly.
 
 NATTKAL HISTORY 
 
 Bactriamis (Lat. Bactriaii), the Bnctrian Cmin-l. 
 
 " Between Cairo and Suez I saw more than one camel dead 
 or dying. They seem very tenacious of life, as they remain 
 unable to rise from a broken limb or other cause for very 
 many days. I more than once wished to go up and shoot 
 the poor creatures to put them out of their misery, but the 
 Arabs have superstitious notions on this point, and would not 
 suffer it. I did once find a camel that had been stabbed by 
 its master, and once only. The poor beast had been exhausted, 
 and the long broad dagger struck into his heart. It must have 
 been a very short time before I reached the spot, as the blood 
 was almost fresh. 
 
 " The Camels at Grand Cairo are remarkably large and 
 powerful, and my informant told me that they are very 
 proud, and will only eat their food from their master's hand 
 preferring to starve rather than receive it from any other 
 source." 
 
 The foot of the Camel is admirably adapted for walking on 
 the loose sand, being composed of large elastic pads, which
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 15:! 
 
 spread as the foot is placed on the ground. To guard it when 
 it kneels down to be loaded, the parts of its body on which 
 its weight rests are defended by thick callosities. The largest 
 of these callosities is on the chest, the others are placed on 
 the joints of the legs. 
 
 The Bactrian Camel inhabits Central Asia, Thibet, and 
 China. It is distinguished from the Arabian camel by pos- 
 sessing two humps. 
 
 LLAMA. (Peruvian name.) 
 
 Paeos (Peruvian), the Llama. 
 
 The LLAMAS, of which there are several species, inhabit 
 America, and are used for the same purposes as the camel. 
 When wild they are very timid, and fly from a pursuer the 
 moment that they see him ; but their curiosity is so great that 
 the hunter often secures them by lying on the ground and 
 throwing his legs and arms about. The Llamas come to see 
 what the extraordinary animal can be, and give the hunter 
 an opportunity of firing several shots, which the astonished 
 animals consider as part of the performance. 
 
 The Llamas, like the camels, have a series of cells in the 
 stomach for containing water, and can go for several days
 
 154 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 without requiring to drink. If too heavily laden, or when 
 they are weary, they lie down, and no threats or punishment 
 will induce them to rise, so that their masters are forced to 
 unload them. When offended they have a very unpleasant 
 habit of spitting at the object of their anger. Formerly it 
 was supposed that their saliva was injurious, aud produced 
 blisters if it touched the skin. 
 
 The fleece of the Llama is very long and fine, more resem- 
 bling silk than wool. It is very valuable, and is extensively 
 imported into this country for the purpose of making cloth and 
 other fabrics. The fleece of the Alpaca is considered the 
 best, as it is sometimes twelve inches in length and very fine. 
 
 In Chili and Peru the natives domesticate the Llama, which 
 in a state of captivity frequently becomes white. It is by no 
 means a large animal, as it measures about four feet six in 
 height. In general shape it resembles the camel, but has no 
 hump on its b t ack, and its feet are provided with sharp hoofs 
 for climbing the rocky hills among which it lives. In Peru, 
 where it is most commonly found, there are public shambles 
 established for the sale of its flesh. 
 
 Sub-family d Moschina. 
 MOSCHUS. (Gr. Motr^of, Musk.) 
 
 Moschiferus (Lat. musk-bearing), the Musk-deer. 
 
 The MUSK-DEER inhabits many parts of India, and is 
 famous for the scent which it produces. This scent, called
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Musk, is secreted in a kind of pouch, and is so very strong 
 
 when recent, that the hunter, after killing the animal, is 
 
 forced to bind his mouth and nostrils with linen before ho 
 
 ventures to open the pouch, as the scent is so intolerably 
 
 powerful that it causes violent bleeding at the nose. When 
 
 the merchants traffic for musk, they remain in the open air, 
 
 holding a handkerchief over their faces, 
 
 and even with these precautions it often 
 
 causes headaches. The musk is never 
 
 imported pure into this country, being 
 
 always adulterated by the merchants. 
 
 It is very costly, and forms an important 
 
 article of commerce in the East. The 
 
 Musk-deer is about two feet in height at 
 
 the shoulders. The male possesses two extraordinarily long 
 
 teeth in the upper jaw, which project from the lips at each side* 
 
 of the mouth. 
 
 SKULL OF THE 
 
 Sub-family e. Cervina. 
 CERVUS. (Lat. a Stag.) 
 
 Capreolus (Lat. a Wild Suck), the Roebuck. 
 
 The ROEBUCK was formerly common throughout the whole 
 of England, but is now only found in Scotland, north of the
 
 !5G NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Forth. It is the least and most beautiful of our British deer. 
 It is not at all adapted for confinement, as it is never induced 
 to be familiar with its keeper, and will sometimes attack any 
 object which it dislikes with its horns and hoofs. It does not 
 live in herds like the Fallow-deer, but singly, or in pairs, driv- 
 ing off its young when they are about nine or ten months old. 
 It is very cunning, and when hunted, sometimes baffles the 
 dogs by making a few enormous leaps, waiting until the dogs 
 have passed, and then returning on its previous track. Its 
 height is about two feet ; its horns are divided into three small 
 branches, and are seldom more than a foot in length. 
 
 Elaplms (Gr. "E^npof, a Stag), the Stag. 
 
 The RED-DEER, or STAG, is the largest of our deer. In the 
 language of hunters, it bears different names according to the 
 size of its horns, which increase vear by vear. All the male 

 
 NATURAL HISTORY. J.T7 
 
 deer have horns, which they shed every year, and renew again. 
 The process of renewal is most interesting. A skin, filled with 
 arteries, covers the projections on which the horns rest. This 
 skin, called the " velvet," is engaged in continually depositing 
 bone on the footstalks, which rapidly increase in size. As the 
 budding horns increase, the velvet increases also, and the course 
 of the arteries is marked on the horn by long furi'ows, which 
 are never obliterated. When the horn has reached its full 
 growth, it cannot be used, as the velvet is very tender, and 
 would bleed profusely if wounded. The velvet cannot be sud- 
 denly removed, as the blood that formed the arteries would rush 
 to the brain and destroy the animal. A ring of bone forms 
 
 (Janadensis (Lat. belonging to Canada), the Wapiti. 
 
 round the root of each horn, leaving passages through which 
 the arteries pass. By degrees, these passages become narrow, 
 and finally close entirely, thus gradually shutting off" the blood. 
 The velvet, being deprived of its nourishment, dies, and is peel-
 
 158 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ed off by the doer, by rubbing against a tree, leaving the white 
 hard horn beneath. 
 
 Hunting the Stag is a very favourite amusement in En- 
 gland, and packs of hounds, called Stag-hounds, are kept ex- 
 pressly for that purpose. 
 
 The WAPITI is one of the largest of the deer tribe, often 
 growing to the height of our largest oxen. It inhabits Canada 
 and other parts of North America, and has been confounded with 
 the Moose. Its horns are very large, measuring nearly six feet 
 from tip to tip. It is very fierce, and boldly attacks an antagonist. 
 
 Axis. (Lat. the Axis Deer.) 
 
 Maculata (Lat. spotted), the Axis. 
 
 This beautiful Deer is an inhabitant of India, especially 
 parts by the Ganges. It has frequently been domesticated in 
 England, and thrives well even in open parks. The horns are 
 slender, and are divided into three branches. Its usual colour 
 is a fawn yellow, spotted regularly with white, and a black 
 stripe runs down the back.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 159 
 
 DAMA. (Lat. a Deer.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Fallow-deer. 
 
 The FALLOW-DEER are usually seen in parks, where they 
 congregate in large herds, and form a most pleasing addition 
 to the landscape when they are seen reposing under the trees, 
 or chasing one another in graceful play. One peculiarly 
 large buck always takes the lead, and suffers none but a few 
 favourite does to approach his regal presence. They soon 
 become familiar with those who treat them with kindness, 
 and will eat from their hands. At Magdalen College, Oxford, 
 where there are some of these deer, it used to be a common 
 practice to let down a crust of 
 bread by a string from one of 
 the windows that overlooked the 
 park. The deer would speedily 
 approach, and it was singular to HAIR OP DEER. 
 
 see how they would take a large crust in their little mouths, 
 and continue to bite it until they contrived to eat the whole 
 of it without once letting it drop.
 
 160 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Tarnndus, the Reindeer. 
 
 The REINDEER is found throughout the Arctic regions of 
 Europe, Asia, and America. The finest animals are those of 
 Lapland and Spitzbergen. The Laplander finds his chief 
 wealth in the possession of the Reindeer, which not only 
 serves him as a beast of burden, but furnishes him also with 
 food and clothing. A Laplander in good circumstances pos- 
 sesses about three or four hundred deer, which enable him to 
 live in comfort. The subsistence of one who only possesses 
 one hundred is very precarious, and he who has only fifty, 
 usually joins his animals with the herd of some richer man, 
 and takes the menial labours upon himself. 
 
 The gadfly ( (Estrus Tarandi) annoys the Reindeer so much, 
 that the Laplander is forced to make periodical migrations 
 to the mountains in order to escape the dreaded gadfly, and 
 the equally dreaded mosquitoes, which are more ferocious in 
 the cold clim:;tes than in the Tropics. The reindeer feeds
 
 principally on a kind of lichen, which it scrapes from beneath 
 the snow. During the winter, its coat thickens, and assumes 
 a lighter hue, many deer being almost white. Its hoofs are 
 divided very high, so that when the animal places its foot on 
 the ground, the hoof spreads wide, and as it raises the foot, a 
 snapping noise is heard, caused by the parts of the hoof closing 
 together. When harnessed to a sledge, it can draw from 250 
 to 300 pounds' weight at about ten miles an hour. 
 
 AI.CES. (Or. ''A/.Kij, .-in Elk.) 
 
 Palmatus (Lat. palmed), the Elk. 
 
 The EUROPEAN ELK inhabits the northern parts of Europe. 
 It was considered at one time to be identical with the Ameri- 
 can Elk, but naturalists now believe it to be a distinct animal. 
 Its usual pace is a high awkward trot, but when frightened, 
 it sometimes gallops. It is very strong, and can destroy a 
 wolf with a single blow of its large and powerful horns, in
 
 1C2 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sweden it was formerly used to draw sledges, but on account 
 of the facility of escape offered to criminals by its great speed, 
 I he use of it was forbidden under high penalties. The skin of 
 the Elk is so tough that a regiment of soldiers was furnished 
 with waistcoats made of its hide, which could scarcely be pene- 
 trated by a ball. 
 
 Family II. Equidse. (Lat. Equus, a Horse. Horse kind.) 
 EQUUS. 
 
 Caballus (Lat. a Saddle-horse.) 
 
 We now arrive at the Pachydermata, or thick-skinned ani- 
 mals, which do not chew the cud. The first on the list is the 
 HORSE, an animal too well known in all its varieties to need 
 much description. The ancient war-horse, so magnificently 
 described in the book of Job, is well represented by that most 
 wonderful head in the British Museum, a fragment from the 
 Temple of Minerva at Athens. The ancients never appeared 
 to ride on the horse to battle, but to fight from small open 
 chariots, to which two or more horses were harnessed.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. K;3 
 
 The Arabian Horse is a model of elegance and beauty. 
 The Arab treats his horse as one of his family : it lives in the 
 same tent with him, eats from his hand, and sleeps among 
 his children, who tumble about on it without the least fear. 
 Few Arabs can be induced to part with a favourite horse. 
 The Rev. V. Monro relates that an Arab, " the net value of 
 whose dress and accoutrements might be calculated at some- 
 thing under seventeen pence halfpenny," refused all offers 
 made to purchase a beautiful mare on which he rode, and 
 declared that he loved the animal better than his own life. 
 
 The plains of La Plata and Paraguay are tenanted by vast 
 herds of wild horses. These are captured by the lasso, bitted, 
 mounted, and broken, within an hour, by the daring and 
 skilful Gauchos. 
 
 The ponderous and powerful dray-horse is of the Flanders 
 breed. These huge animals, as they slowly pace along the 
 streets, conducted by men who seem to be a Flanders race also, 
 never fail to attract the attention of admiring foreigners. 
 
 Wales and the Shetland Isles produce a breed forming a 
 great contrast to the Flanders horse. The Sheltie, as it is 
 called, is very small, its height sometimes being only thirty- 
 four inches ; but it is very strong and sure-footed, carrying its 
 rider with perfect safety along the most terrific precipices, 
 and almost invariably choosing to walk on the very edge. 
 
 The Race Horse is supposed to have been originally derived 
 from the Arabian breed. The Godolphin Arabian, and the 
 Flying Childers, are two of the most celebrated racers. The 
 skeleton of Eclipse, another celebrated racer, is now in the 
 Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. 
 
 THE ASS. 
 
 The humble and hardy Ass is scarcely less serviceable to 
 man than the more imposing horse. In this country, where 
 it meets with harsh treatment, is scantily fed, and only used 
 for laborious tasks, it is dull and obstinate ; but in the East, 
 where it is employed by the rich nobles and is properly treated, 
 it is an elegant and spirited animal, with good action and 
 smooth coat. White asses are always used in the East for the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 ASINUS. (Lai. an Ass.) 
 
 : "''1~- 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Ass. 
 
 especial service of bearing persons of distinction, a custom of 
 great antiquity, as appears from Judges v. 10, "Speak, ye 
 that ride on white asses." 
 
 
 Dzigguetai, the Dzigguetai. 
 
 In Persia and other countries there are herds of wild asses. 
 They are so fleet that no horses can come up to them, and
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 165 
 
 even with rifles the chase is very uncertain. The Persians es- 
 teem its flesh very highly, considering it one of their greatest 
 'elicacies. "Sir R. Ker Porter gives an amusing account of an 
 -uccessful chase after a wild ass, which he could not over- 
 &e, although mounted on a very swift Arabian horse. This 
 animal, called the Dzigguetai, is also found in India, and is 
 quite as difficult to secure as its relations in Persia. 
 
 There is a mixed breed between the Horse and the Ass, call- 
 ed the Mule, an animal in no very great request in this coun- 
 try, but extensively used in the East for riding, and in Spain it 
 is the established beast of burden. It is very surefooted, and is 
 on that account employed in the Andes instead of the Llama. 
 
 Zebra, the Zebra. 
 
 The ZEBRA is found in South Africa. Thisjbeautiful ani- 
 mal lives in troops among the mountains, shunning the pres- 
 ence of man. It is a very conspicuous animal, and easily dis- 
 tinguished by the regular stripes of brownish black with which 
 its whole body is covered even down to the hoofs. It is very 
 wild and suspicious, carefully placinjr sentinels to look out for
 
 166 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 danger. Notwithstanding these precautions several zebras have 
 been taken alive, and some, in spite of their vicious habits, have 
 been trained to draw a carriage. In all probability it might be 
 domesticated like the ass, as the black cross on the back and 
 shoulders of the latter animal prove the affinity between them. 
 The voice of the Zebra is very peculiar, and can hardly be de- 
 scribed. 
 
 Quagga, the Quagga. 
 
 The Q,UAGGA is also a native of South Africa. It bears 
 some resemblance to the Zebra, but is at once distinguished 
 from tttat animal by the paucity and dulness of the stripes, 
 which do not reach to the hind quarters or legs at all, and 
 only faintly mark the back, its head and neck bearing the 
 deepest stripes. It is not formed quite so gracefully as the 
 zebra, its hind quarters being slightly higher than its shoulders. 
 The natives occasionally tame it for the purposes of draught, 
 but it is not to be depended on, being vicious and very wild.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 167 
 
 Family III. . Elephantidse. (Gr. 'EAe^a?, an Elephant. Elephant kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Elephantina. 
 
 ELEPHAS. 
 
 Indicus (Lat Indian), the Indian Elephant. 
 
 Of this magnificent animal, whose form is familiar to every 
 eye, two species are known, the Indian and the African. The 
 anatomy of this huge quadruped is well worthy of consideration. 
 Its head and tusks are so very heavy that no long neck would 
 bear them ; the neck is therefore very short. But this short- 
 ness of neck prevents the ELEPHANT from putting its head to 
 the ground, or from stooping to the water's edge. This appa- 
 rent defect is compensated by the wonderful manner in which 
 its upper lip and nose are elongated and rendered capable of 
 drawing up water or plucking grass. In the proboscis or trunk 
 there are about forty thousand muscles, enabling the Elephant 
 to shorten, lengthen, coil up, or move in any direction this 
 most extraordinary organ. The trunk is piercad throughout 
 its length by two canals, through which liquids can be drawn
 
 168 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 by suction. If the Elephant wishes to drink, after drawing the 
 liquid into its trunk it inserts the end of the proboscis into its 
 mouth, and discharges the contents down its throat ; but if it 
 merely wishes to wash itself or play, it blows the contained 
 liquid from the trunk with great violence. Through the 
 trunk the curious trumpet-like voice of the Elephant is pro- 
 duced. At the extremity is a finger-like appendage, with which 
 it can pick up small objects. lu order to sustain the muscles 
 of the jaw and neck the head must be very large : were it 
 solid it would be very heavy. The skull is therefore foimed 
 of a number of cells of bone, forming the necessary expanse 
 without the weight, leaving but a very small cavity for the 
 brain. 
 
 The Indian Elephant is almost invariably taken from its 
 native haunts and then trained. The Indian hunters proceed 
 into the woods with two trained female elephants. These 
 advance quietly, and by their blandishments so occupy the 
 attention of any unfortunate male that they meet, that the 
 hunters are enabled to tie his legs together and fasten him to 
 a tree. His treacherous companions now leave him to struggle 
 in impotent rage, until he is so subdued by hunger and fatigue 
 that the hunters can drive him home between their two tame 
 elephants. When once captured he is easily trained. Bribes 
 of sugar and arrack a kind of spirit, are the usual means of 
 inducing an Elephant to attempt some new art or to labour 
 with particular assiduity. In its wild state it endeavours to 
 gratify its taste for sweets at the expense of the sugar plant- 
 ers. 
 
 " The Elephant has a natural partiality for sugar, which he 
 finds abundant means to gratify in the plantations of sugar- 
 cane. A curious instance is recorded of his liking for sweet- 
 meats, and of a method adopted in his savage state to gratify 
 this propensity. It chanced that a Cooley, laden with jaggery, 
 which is a coarse preparation of sugar, was surprised in a 
 narrow pass in the kingdom of Candy by a wild elephant. 
 The poor fellow, intent upon saving his life, threw down the 
 burthen, which the elephant devoured, and being well pleased 
 with the repast, determined not to allow any person egress or 
 ingress who did not provide him with a similar banquet. 
 The pass formed one of the principal thoroughfares to the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 1C9 
 
 capital, and the elephant, taking up a formidable position at 
 the entrance, obliged every passenger to pay tribute. It soon 
 became generally known that a donation of jaggery would 
 ensure a safe conduct through the guarded portal, and no 
 one presumed to attempt the passage without the expected 
 offering." 
 
 It has before been mentioned that the Indian elephant is 
 trained for tiger hunting. When the tiger springs, the elephant 
 always raises his proboscis out of reach of the tiger's claws and 
 teeth. 
 
 In captivity, it is very docile and gentle, but sometimes, when 
 provoked, will take a very ample revenge. Of this propensity, 
 many anecdotes are told. 
 
 " A very characteristic action of D' Jeck, the famous elephant 
 of M. Huguet, was lately near costing the life of a young man, 
 a native of Bruges. The elephant, it is well known, is very 
 fond of sweetmeats, and this young man amused himself at 
 Madame D'Jeck's expense, baulking her by offering her some, 
 which, whenever she reached out her trunk to take, he imme- 
 diately withdrew. This trick having been noticed by M. Hu- 
 guet, he observed to the young man how foolish such conduct 
 was towards an animal at once so susceptible and vindictive. 
 But not taking warning from this remark, the Belgian again 
 invited the elephant to approach, and not only again deceived 
 her, but gave the sweetmeats to Mademoiselle Betsy. Madame 
 D'Jeck now lost her patience, and, regardless of the presence 
 of her master and a numerous assemblage of spectators, lifted 
 her trunk and knocked the young man down, tearing open his 
 cheek, and rending his clothes to tatters. Happily, M. Huguet 
 interposed his authority, and the elephant left her hold, but the 
 imprudent sufferer was long confined to his bed from the effects 
 of his absurdity." 
 
 The tusks and teeth of the elephant furnish exceedingly fine 
 ivory, which is used for various purposes, such as knife handles, 
 combs, billiard balls, &c. Sometimes a musket ball has been 
 found imbedded in the tusk without any aperture or mark to 
 show how it got there. In these cases, the ball has penetrated 
 the root of the tusk, and been pushed forward by successive 
 growths of ivory, as the tusk increased in size. A spear head 
 has been found in the same position. 
 H
 
 170 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 All elephants are fond of the water, and sometimes submerge 
 themselves so far that nothing but the tip of their proboscis re- 
 mains above the surface. 
 
 The following account of Elephant catching in Nepal was 
 sent me by a medical gentleman residing at Segouly. 
 
 " The whole batch, tame and wild ones, then rushed into a 
 deep river close by, where it was" a splendid sight to see them 
 swimming, fighting, diving, plunging, kicking and bellowing in 
 a most frantic manner ; the mahouts (the riders on the tame 
 ones) sticking to them like monkeys, and dexterously taking the 
 opportunity of the confusion to secure the dreaded noose round 
 their necks. 
 
 " One of the wild elephants in the struggle got half drowned, 
 and then entirely strangled ; she just staggered to the shore, 
 and then dropped dead without a struggle. It was really 
 quite piteous to see her poor little young one, about ten days 
 old ; she kept walking round the body, pushing it, and trying 
 to coax her dead mother to rise up ; then uttering the most 
 heart-rending cries, and lying down by her side as it were to 
 comfort her. 
 
 " When the contest was over, and the other elephants, tame 
 ones, were brought up near the corpse, the poor little thing 
 with the most indignant, though, of course, unavailing valour, 
 charged on all sides at any elephant who came near, deter- 
 mined, evidently, to defend its mother, even though dead, to 
 the last. The tame ones of course were too sagacious to hurt 
 it with their tusks, and looked on with the most curious air of 
 pity and contempt, as they gradually, despite its violent strug- 
 gles, pushed it away from its mother to a place where it could 
 be properly secured and taken care of. Really its moans and 
 endeavours to remain with its mother were quite affecting. It 
 is too young to be weaned with safety, and will probably die ; 
 at least I am very much afraid so. I shall always feel an in- 
 terest in the poor little animal in future, should it live. It was 
 so devotedly and heroically brave ; never attempting to leave 
 its mother, in order to procure its own escape, which it might 
 easily have done unseen during the confusion." 
 
 On this occasion Jung Bahadoor, the Nepaulese ambassador, 
 distinguished himself greatly by his dexterity and courage, and 
 secured several elephants with his own hands.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. V71 
 
 KLKPIIAS. 
 
 Africanus (Lat. African), the African Elephant. 
 
 This species is distinguished frojn the Indian Elephant by 
 the markings of its teeth and some differences in form. Much 
 interesting information respecting the habits of this animal has 
 been given by Gumming, from whose work the following extracts 
 are taken : 
 
 " The AFRICAN ELEPHANT is widely diffused through the vast 
 forests, and is met with in herds of various numbers. The 
 male is very much larger than the female ; consequently, much 
 more difficult to kill. He is provided with two enormous tusks. 
 These are long, tapering, and beautifully arched ; their length 
 averages from six to eight feet, and they weigh from sixty to a 
 hundred pounds each. 
 
 " The females, unlike Asiatic elephants in this respect, are 
 likewise provided with tusks. The price which the largest 
 ivory fetches in the English market is from 281. to 32Z. per
 
 172 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 hundred-and-twelve pounds. Old bull elephants are found 
 singly or in pairs, or consorting together in small herds, vary- 
 ing from six to twenty individuals. The younger bulls remain 
 for many years in the company of their mothers, and these 
 are met together in large herds of from twenty to a hundred 
 individuals. The food of the Elephant consists of the branches, 
 leaves, and roots of trees, and also of a variety of bulbs, of 
 the situation of which he is advised by his exquisite sense of 
 smell. To obtain these he turns up the ground with his tusks, 
 and whole acres may be seen thus ploughed up. Elephants 
 consume an immense quantity of food, and pass the greater 
 part of the day and night in feeding. Like the whale in the 
 ocean the Elephant on land is acquainted with, and roams 
 over, wide and extensive tracts. He is extremely particular 
 in always frequenting the freshest and most verdant districts 
 of the forests, and when one district is parched and barren he 
 will forsake it for years and wander to great distances in quest 
 of better pasture. 
 
 " The Elephant entertains an extraordinary horror of man, 
 and a child can put a hundred of them to flight by passing at 
 a quarter of a mile to windward ; and when thus disturbed, 
 they go a long way before they halt. It is surprising how 
 soon these sagacious animals are aware of the presence of a 
 hunter in their domains. When one troop has been attacked, 
 all the other elephants frequenting the district are aware of the 
 fact within two or three (Jays, when they all forsake it, and 
 migrate to distant parts." 
 
 " They choose for their resort the most lonely and secluded 
 depths of the forest, generally at a very great distance from 
 the rivers and fountains at which they drink. In dry and 
 warm weather tfclj^ visit these waters nightly ; but in cool 
 and cloudy weather they drink only once every third or fourth 
 day. About sundown the elephant leaves his distant midday 
 haunt, and commences his march towards the fountain, which 
 is probably from twelve to twenty miles distant. This he 
 generally reaches between the hours of nine and midnight; 
 when, having slaked his thirst and cooled his body by spout- 
 ing large volumes of water over his back with his trunk, he 
 resumes the path to his forest solitudes. Having reached a 
 secluded spot, I have remarked that full-grown bulls lie down
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 173 
 
 on their broadsides, about the hour of midnight, and sleep for 
 a few hours. The spot which they usually select is an ant- 
 hill, and they lie around it with their backs resting against 
 it ; these hills, formed by the white ants, are from thirty to 
 forty feet in diameter at their base. The mark of the under 
 tusk is always deeply imprinted in the ground, proving that 
 they lie upon their sides. 
 
 " The appearance of the wild elephant is inconceivably 
 majestic and imposing. His gigantic height and colossal 
 bulk, so greatly surpassing all other quadrupeds, combined 
 with his sagacious disposition and peculiar habits, impart to 
 him an interest in the eyes of the hunter which no other 
 animal can call forth. The pace of the Elephant when undis- 
 turbed is a bold, free, sweeping step ; and from the peculiar 
 spongy formation of his foot, his tread is extremely light and 
 inaudible, and all his movements are attended with a peculiar 
 gentleness and grace. 
 
 " The under skin is of a tough and pliant nature, and is 
 used by the natives for making water bags, in which they 
 convey supplies of water from the nearest vley or fountain 
 (which is often ten miles distant). They remove this inner 
 skin with caution, taking care not to cut it with the assagai ; 
 and it is formed into water-bags by gathering the corners 
 and edges, and transfixing the whole on a pointed wand." 
 
 SKULL OF THE ELEPHANT.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Sub-family b. Tapirina. 
 
 Terrestris (Lat. belonging to the earth). 
 
 The TAPIR forms one of the links connecting the elephant 
 with the hog. The snout is lengthened into a kind of 
 proboscis like that of the elephant, but it is comparatively 
 short, and has no finger-like appendage at the extremity. 
 Many of the remaining links are supplied by the various 
 species of the fossil genus Palseotherium. 
 
 The Common Tapir is spread throughout the warmer 
 regions of South America. It sleeps during the day, and 
 wanders about at night in search of its food, which consists of 
 water melons, gourds, and other vegetables. It is very fond 
 of the water, and can remain below the surface for a consi- 
 derable period. It is a very powerful animal, and as it is 
 furnished with a very thick hide, it plunges through the 
 brash wood, breaking its way through any obstacles that may 
 oppose its progress. 
 
 Its disposition is gentle, but when annoyed it sometimes 
 rushes at its antagonist and defends itself vigorously with
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 175 
 
 its powerful teeth. The jaguar frequently springs on it, but 
 is often dislodged by the activity of the tapir, who rushes 
 through the bushes immediately that 
 it feels the claws of its enemy, and 
 endeavours to brush him off against 
 the thick branches. The height of 
 the American Tapir is from five to 
 six feet. The Malay Tapir is some- 
 what larger, and is known by the 
 greyish white colour of the loins and 
 hind quarters, which give the animal an appearance as if a 
 white horsecloth had been spread over it. 
 
 SKULL OF THE TAPIR. 
 
 Sub-family c. Suina. 
 Sus. (Lat. a Sow.) 
 
 Scrofa (Lat. an old Sow), the Soar. 
 
 The animals composing the HOG tribe are found in almost 
 every part of the globe. Their feet are cloven and externally 
 resemble those of the Ruminants, but an examination of the 
 bones at once points out the difference. 
 
 The WILD HOG or BOAR inhabits many parts of Europe, 
 especially the forests of Germany, where the chase of the 
 wild boar is a common amusement. It has become extinct 
 in this country for many years. Its tusks are terrible
 
 176 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 weapons, and capable of being used with fatal effect. They 
 curve outwards from the lower jaw, and are sometimes eight 
 or ten inches in length. In India, where the Boar attains to 
 a great size, the horses on which the hunters are mounted 
 often refuse to bring their riders within spear stroke of the 
 infuriated animal, who has been known to kill a horse and 
 severely injure the rider with one sweep of its enormous tusks. 
 
 The DOMESTIC HOG scarcely needs any description. It is 
 by no means the unclean and filthy animal that moralists love 
 to represent it. It certainly is fond of wallowing in the mire, as 
 are the elephant, tapirs, &c., but no animal seems to enjoy clean 
 straw more than the Hog. We shut it up in a dirty narrow 
 crib, give it any kind of refuse to eat, and then abuse it for 
 being a dirty animal and an unclean feeder. While, however, 
 it should be rescued from these unjust imputations, it should 
 bear the weight of an accusation never before made. I have seen 
 pigs suck- the cows in a farmyard while they were lying down 
 and chewing the cud, nor did the cows attempt to repel them. 
 
 Babyroussa (native word, Hog-deer), the Babyroussa, 
 
 The BABYROUSSA inhabits the Molucca Islands, and Java. 
 It is remarkable for possessing four tusks, two of which pro- 
 ceed from the upper jaw, and do not pass out between the lips, 
 but through an aperture in the skin, half way between the end 
 of the snout and eyes.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. JRhinocerina. 
 RHINOCEROS. (Gr. 'Piv, or fa, a nose ; Kepae, a horn.) 
 
 Unicornis (Lat. Unus, one; cornu, a horn), the Rhinoceros. 
 
 There are, apparently, six species of this formidable animal. 
 Their chief peculiarity, the so-called horn, is a mass of fibres 
 matted together, and closely resembling the fibres of whalebone. 
 Their feet are divided into three toes, incased in hoofs. The 
 best description of the various species of the AFRICAN RHINOCEROS 
 is given in Cumming's Adventures. 
 
 " Of the Rhinoceros there are four varieties in South Africa, 
 distinguished by the Bechuanas by the names of the ' borele,' 
 or black rhinoceros, the ' keitloa,' or two-horned black rhino- 
 ceros, the 'muchocho,' or common white rhinoceros, and the 
 ' kobaoba,' or long-horned white rhinoceros. Both varieties 
 of the black rhinoceros are extremely fierce and dangerous, 
 and rush headlong and unprovoked at any object which at- 
 tracts their attention. They never attain much fat, and their 
 flesh is tough, and not much esteemed by the Bechuanas.
 
 178 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 RHINOCEROS. 
 
 Bicornis (Lat. bis, twice; cornu, a horn), the Two-Horned Rhinoceros, 
 or Rhinaster. 
 
 Their food consists almost entirely of the thorny branches of 
 the wait-a-bit thorns. Their horns are much shorter than 
 those of the other varieties, seldom exceeding eighteen inches 
 in length. They are finely polished with constant rubbing 
 against the trees. The skull is remarkably formed, its most 
 striking feature being the tremendous thick ossification in 
 which it ends above the nostrils. It is on this mass that the 
 horn is supported. The horns are not connected with the 
 skull, being attached merely by the skin, and they may thus 
 be separated from the head by means of a sharp knife. 
 They are hard, and perfectly solid throughout, and are a fine 
 material for various articles, such as drinking cups, mallets 
 for rifles, handles for turners' tools, &c. &c. The horn is 
 capable of a very high polish. The eyes of the rhinoceros 
 are small and sparkling, and do not readily observe the 
 hunter, provided he keep to leeward of them. The skin is
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 179 
 
 extremely thick, and only to be penetrated by bullets hardened 
 with solder. During the day, the rhinoceros will be found 
 lying asleep, or standing indolently, in some retired part of 
 the forest, or under the base of the mountains, sheltered from 
 the power of the sun by some friendly grove of umbrella-topped 
 mimosas. In the evening, they commence their nightly 
 ramble, and wander over a great extent of country. They 
 usually visit the fountains between the hours of nine and 
 twelve o'clock at night, and it is on these occasions that they 
 may be most successfully hunted, and with the least danger. 
 The black rhinoceros is subject to paroxysms of unprovoked 
 fury, often ploughing up the ground for several yards with 
 its horn, and assaulting large bushes in the most violent 
 manner. On these bushes they work for hours with their 
 horns, at the same time snorting and blowing loudly ; nor do 
 they leave them in general until they have broken them into 
 pieces. All the four varieties delight to roll and wallow in 
 mud, with which their rugged hides are generally encrusted. 
 Both varieties of the black rhinoceros are much smaller and 
 more active than the white, and are. so swift that a horse 
 with a rider on its back can rarely overtake them. The two 
 varieties of the white rhinoceros are so similar in habits, that 
 the description of one will serve for both, the principal differ- 
 ence consisting in the length and set of the anterior horn ; that 
 of the common white rhinoceros averaging from two to three 
 feet in length, and pointing backwards ; while the horn of the 
 long-horned white rhinoceros often exceeds four feet in length, 
 and inclines forward from the nose 
 
 " Both these varieties of rhinoceros attain an enormous size, 
 being the animals next in magnitude to the elephant. They 
 feed solely on grass, carry much fat, and their flesh is excellent, 
 being preferable to beef. They are of a much milder and 
 more inoffensive disposition than the black rhinoceros, rarely 
 charging their pursuer. Their speed is very inferior to that of 
 the other varieties, and a person well-mounted can overtake and 
 shoot them." The description of the famous rhinoceros birds 
 is very interesting. 
 
 " Before I could reach the proper distance to fire, several 
 ' rhinoceros birds,' by which he was attended, warned him of 
 his impending danger, by sticking Iheir bills into his ear. and
 
 180 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 uttering their harsh, grating cry. Thus aroused, he suddenly 
 sprang to his feet, and crashed away through the jungle at a 
 rapid trot, and I saw no more of him 
 
 " These rhinoceros birds are constant attendants upon the 
 hippopotamus and the four varieties of rhinoceros, their object 
 being to feed upon the ticks and other parasitic insects that 
 swarm upon these animals. They are of a greyish colour, and 
 are nearly as large as a common thrush : their voice is very 
 similar to that of the mistletoe thrush. Many a time have 
 these ever-watchful birds disappointed me in my stalk, and 
 tempted me to invoke an anathema upon their devoted heads. 
 They are the best friend the rhinoceros has, and rarely fail to 
 awaken him, even in his soundest nap. ' Chukuroo' perfectly 
 understands their warning, and, springing to his feet, he gener- 
 ally first looks about him in every direction, after which he 
 invariably makes off." 
 
 The Indian Rhinoceros is chiefly remarkable for the very 
 deep foldings of the skin. Goblets, made of its horn, were 
 formerly in high estimation as preservatives against poison. 
 The Indian kings were accustomed to have their wine served 
 up in these goblets, as they imagined that if any poison were 
 introduced into the cup, the liquid would boil over, and betray 
 its presence. 
 
 The upper lip is used by the rhinoceros as an instrument of 
 prehension, with which it can grasp the herbage on which it 
 feeds, or pick up small fruit from the ground. The very tame 
 rhinoceros in the Zoological Gardens will take a piece of bun 
 or biscuit from a visitor's hand, by means of its flexible upper 
 lip.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family e. Hippopotamina. 
 HIPPOPOTAMUS. (Gr. iTTTrof, a Horse; 7rora/z6f, a River.) 
 
 181 
 
 Amphibius (Gr. 'A/j,<j>i fitou), the Hippopotamus. 
 
 There is, in all probability, but one species of the HIPPO- 
 POTAMUS. It inhabits Africa exclusively, and is found in plenty 
 on the banks of many rivers, where it may be seen gamboling 
 and snorting at all times of the day. 
 
 They are quiet and inoffensive while undisturbed, but if 
 attacked they unite to repel the invader, and have been known 
 to tear several planks from the side of a boat, and sink it. 
 They can remain about five or six minutes under water, and 
 when they emerge they make a loud and very peculiar snorting 
 noise, which can be heard at a great distance. 
 
 The hide is very thick and strong, and is chiefly used for 
 whips. The well-known " cow-hides" are made of this mate- 
 rial. Between the skin and flesh is a layer of fat, which is 
 salted and eaten by the Dutch colonists of Southern Africa. 
 When salted it i%alled Zee-koe speck, or Sea-cow's bacon- 
 The flesh is also in some request.
 
 182 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The Hippopotamus feeds entirely on vegetable substances, such 
 as grass and brushwood. The fine animal now in the posses- 
 sion of the Zoological Society eats all kinds of vegetables, not 
 disdaining roots. This animal is peculiarly interesting from 
 being the first Hippopotamus brought to Europe for many 
 hundred years, and in all probability the first that has ever 
 reached this country. 
 
 In Harris's Sports of South Africa, a very good and accurate 
 account is given of the habits of the Hippopotamus. 
 
 " This animal abounds in the Limpopo, dividing the empire 
 with its amphibious neighbour the crocodile. Throughout 
 the night the unwieldly monsters might be heard snorting 
 and blowing during their aquatic gambols, and we not unfre- 
 quently detected them in the act of sallying from their reed- 
 grown coverts, to graze by the serene light of the moon ; 
 never, however, venturing to any distance from the river, 
 the stronghold to which they betake themselves on the small- 
 est alarm. Occasionally, during the day, they were to be seen 
 basking on the shore, amid ooze and mud ; but shots were 
 most constantly to be had at their uncouth heads, when pro- 
 truded from the water to draw breath ; and, if killed, the 
 body rose to the surface. Vulnerable only behind the ear, how- 
 ever, or the eye, which is placed in a prominence, so as to 
 resemble the garret window of a Dutch house, they require 
 the perfection of rifle practice, and after a few shots become 
 exceedingly shy, exhibiting the snout only, and as instantly 
 withdrawing it. The flesh is delicious, resembling pork in 
 flavour, and abounding in fat, which in the colony is de- 
 servedly esteemed the greatest of delicacies. The hide is up- 
 wards of an inch and a half in thickness, and being scarcely 
 flexible, may be dragged from the ribs in strips like the planks 
 from a ship's side." 
 
 Gumming relates that the track of the Hippopotamus may 
 be distinguished from that of any other animal by a line of 
 unbroken herbage which is left between the marks of the feet 
 of each side, as the width of the space between the right and 
 left legs causes the animal to place its feet so considerably 
 apart, as to make a distinct double track. 
 
 This is supposed by many to be the anirqjj called Behemoth 
 in Scripture.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family IV. Bradypidse (Gr. Bpadvf, slow ; TTOVG, a foot.) 
 BRADYPUS. 
 
 Tridactylus (Gr. TpiduK-rvhoc, three-fingered), the Sloth. 
 
 The Edentata include the ant-eaters and the pangolins which 
 possess no teeth at all, and the sloths, armadillos, &c., whose 
 teeth are small and of peculiar structure. 
 
 The SLOTHS form the first division of the Edentata the 
 leaf-eaters. 
 
 The Sloth or Ai is another example of the errors into which 
 even great naturalists are led from hasty observation. The 
 great Cuvier himself condemns the Sloth as a degraded and 
 miserable animal, moving with pain, and misshapen in form. 
 Yet no animal is more fitted for its position than the Sloth. 
 " The Sloth," says Waterton, " in its wild state spends its 
 whole life in the trees, and never leaves them but through 
 force or accident, ^id what is more extraordinary, not upon 
 the branches, like the squirrel and monkey, but under them.
 
 184 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 He moves suspended from the branch, he rests suspended 
 from the branch, and he sleeps suspended from the branch. 
 Hence his seemingly bungled composition is at once accounted 
 for." 
 
 To render it fit for this singular mode of life, its long and 
 powerful arms are furnished with strong curved claws, which 
 hook round the branches, and keep the animal suspended 
 without any effort. When on the ground, these claws are 
 very inconvenient, and it can barely shuffle along ; but when 
 it is among its native branches, it moves with exceeding rapid- 
 ity, particularly in a gale of wind, when it passes from branch 
 to branch and from tree to tree with an activity which its move- 
 ments on the ground by no means portend. 
 
 Family V. . . DASYPID^. (Gr. Aaavc, hairy; Troiif, afoot. Hairy-footed.) 
 Sub-family a. Manina. 
 
 Totradactyla (Gr. TerpaduKTvloe, four-fingered), the Phatagin, or Long- 
 tailed Manis. 
 
 The MANIDJE or PANGOLINS are immediately known by the 
 peculiar, strong, horny plates with which their bodies are de- 
 fended, giving them the appearance of an Animal enveloped in 
 a suit of scale armour. When attacked, they roll themselves
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 185 
 
 up, wrap their tails round them, and raise the whole array of 
 sharp-edged scales with which their body is covered, and hid 
 defiance to almost any enemy except man. They live on ants 
 and termites, or white ants, as they are called, which they take 
 by thrusting their long slender tongue among the ants, which 
 adhere to it by a gummy saliva. When the tongue is covered 
 it is rapidly retracted, and the ants swallowed. To obtain the 
 ants the Pangolins are furnished with powerful claws to tear 
 down the dwellings of their prey. 
 
 The Long-tailed Manis is widely scattered through Africa, 
 but is not very common. The length of its body is about two 
 feet, and that of its tail rather more than three. 
 
 Pentadactyla (Gr. 
 
 ve-fingered), the Short-tailed Mani 
 
 The Short-tailed Manis, or Bajjerkeit, is very common in 
 India. Its entire length is about four feet. 
 
 THE ARMADILLO. 
 
 The ARMADILLOS live exclusively in the warmer parts of 
 America. They eat carrion, insects, and sometimes fallen 
 fruit. The armour that covers them, instead of resembling 
 scale armour like that of the Manis, forcibly reminds the 
 observer of the modified plate armour worn in the time of 
 Charles I. They burrow with great rapidity, and can only
 
 MATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family b. Dasypina. 
 DASYPUS. (Gr. Aa<rvf, hairy; irov$, a foot.) 
 
 Sexcinctus (Lat. six-banded), the Armadillo. 
 
 be forced from their refuge by smoke or water. The natives 
 and colonists consider them great delicacies when roasted in 
 their shells. 
 
 The Armadillos are all small except the Gigantic Armadillo, 
 which is well described in the following extract. " I found 
 that an Armadillo of gigantic size had caused the commotion. 
 It was lying a round, misshapen mass, its head partly buried 
 under its armour, the feet drawn together, and its body pierced 
 by numerous arrows. It offered not the slightest resistance to 
 its tormentors, whom I desired to end its sufferings by a heavy 
 stroke of a club. Two men were required to carry it, and 
 Mr. Schomburgh estimated its weight at from 110 to 120 
 pounds ; its height was about three feet, its length five and a 
 half. Its tail was about fourteen or sixteen inches long, and 
 its root nearly as thick as a man's thigh, tapering very ab- 
 ruptly. The middle one of the five toes of the fore foot was 
 seven and a half inches in length. In size it greatly surpasses 
 the largest Giant Armadillo known (Dasypus giganteus, 
 Desm.), though Mr. Schomburgh does not mean to assert it is 
 a different species from the giganteus ; yet its enormous size 
 will attract the attention of naturalists and geologists to the 
 fossil genera."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 187 
 
 Sub-family c. Myrmecophagina. 
 MYRMECOPHAGA. (Gr. Mvp/ij?? , an Ant ; <j>ayetv, to eat.) 
 
 Jubata (Lat. crested), the Ant-eater. 
 
 This curious animal inhabits Guiana, Brazil, and Paraguay. 
 As its name imports, it lives principally upon ants and 
 termites, which it procures in precisely the same manner as 
 was related of the Manis. It short legs and long claws 
 would lead an observer to suppose that its pace was slow and 
 constrained. "When chased, however, it runs off with a 
 peculiar trot, and with such rapidity, that it keeps a horse to 
 its speed to overtake it. Schomburgh relates that a tame 
 ANT-EATER, in his possession, by no means restricted itself to 
 ants, but devoured meat, when minced, with much avidity. 
 The same naturalist also discovered a Julus, or Millipede, in 
 the stomach of an ant-eater, which he dissected. The ordinary 
 length of this animal is about three feet seven inches, and its 
 height about three feet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Didactyla (Gr. AidaKTvTios, two-fingered), the Little Ant-eater. 
 
 The LITTLE ANT-EATER also inhabits Guiana and Brazil. 
 The principal characteristics of this animal are the shortness 
 of its muzzle, and the prehensile power of its tail, which it 
 twists round the branches on which it principally resides. It 
 often attacks the nests of wasps, pulling them to pieces with 
 its claws, and devouring the grubs. The length of its body is 
 ten inches. 
 
 THE DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 
 
 Australia, where everything seems to be reversed, where 
 the thick end of a pear is next the stem, and the stone of a 
 cherry grows outside, is the residence of this most extraordinary 
 animal. When it was first introduced into Europe it was 
 fully believed to be the manufacture of some impostor, who 
 with much ingenuity had fixed the beak of a duck into the 
 head of some unknown animal. 
 
 It lives by the banks of rivers, in which it burrows like the 
 water rat. It feeds upon water insects and shell-fish, always 
 rejecting the crushed shells after swallowing the inhabitant.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Ornithorhynchina. 
 ORNITHORHYNCUS. (Gr. Opvif, a bird; f>vy%o$, a snout.) 
 
 Paradoxus (Lat. puzzling), the Duck-billed Platypus. 
 
 Mr. Bennet attempted to rear some young ORNITHORYNCHI 
 at Sydney, but they died in a short time. They were very 
 fond of climbing between a press and the wall, placing their 
 backs against the press and their feet against the wall. They 
 used to dress thfeir fur with their beak and feet, just as a duck 
 prunes its feathers. 
 
 The male has a spur on its hind feet. 
 
 SKULL OF THK PLATYPUS.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Class II. ... AVES. (Lat. Birds.) 
 Order I. ... ACCIPIT2tES.(Lfit Hawks.) 
 Sub-order I. ACCIPITRES D*[URNI. (Lat. Haieks of the day.) 
 Family I. . . Gypaetidse. (Gr. Tity a Vulture ; 'Aerof , an Eagle. 
 Vulture-eagle kind.) 
 
 GYPAETU8. 
 
 Barbatus (Lat. bearded), the Bearded Vulture or Lammergeyer. 
 
 BIRDS are immediately distinguished from the Mammalia hy 
 their general form, their feathery covering, and by producing 
 their young enclosed in eggs. 
 
 The different orders of birds are principally known by the 
 character of the claws and beak, examples of which will be 
 seen in the progress of the work. Before we pay attention to 
 any individual species, we will first examine some of the struc- 
 tures common to all birds. 
 
 One of the first great marks of distinction in birds is the 
 wing. This organ is a modification of the arm or forelimb of 
 mammalia, clothed with feathers instead of hair.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 191 
 
 The bones of adult birds are not filled with marrow like 
 the bones of mammalia, but are hollow and filled with air, 
 and are therefore rendered very light, a bone of a goose being 
 barely half the weight of a rabbit's bone of the same size, after 
 the marrow has been extracted. In this formation, strength 
 as well as lightness is consulted, as a tubular rod is well 
 known to be very much stronger than the same quantity of 
 matter formed into a solid bar. The bones forming the wing 
 are worthy of notice for the beautiful manner in which they 
 are jointed together, and arranged so as to give great strength 
 together with lightness. In the following figure, the limbs of 
 a man and of a bird are compared, the corresponding divisions 
 of each being marked by similar letters. 
 
 As many important characteristics are drawn from the 
 plumage, it will be necessary to give a figure, (p. 192,) exhibit- 
 ing the feathers of the different parts, together with their names : 
 A, primaries, or great quill feathers of the wing ; B, seconda- 
 ries ; c, tertials ; D, lesser coverts ; E, greater coverts ; F, winglet, 
 or bastard wing ; G, scapularies ; H, upper tail coverts ; i, under 
 -tail coverts ; K, rectrices or tail-feathers. 
 ~" In the above engraving^ is also a figure, showing the method 
 by which birds hold on The perch while sleeping. It will be 
 seen that the great tendon A, which is connected with all the 
 toes or claws, passes over the joints in such a manner that 
 when the leg is bent, the tendon is shortened and the claws 
 drawn together, so that the weight of the bird while perched, 
 pressing on the tendon, holds it firmly on the branch. This
 
 192 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 action of the tendon is easily observed by watching a common 
 fowl walk. At each step that it makes, on lifting its foot, the 
 claws are seen to be drawn together. When an eagle wishes 
 to drive his claws into its prey, he perches on it, and then sinks 
 down with the whole weight of his body, by which movement 
 the tendon is shortened and the claws forcibly pressed to- 
 gether. 
 
 As the wing presents a very broad surface to the air, it is 
 necessary that very powerful muscles must be used to move it 
 with sufficient rapidity. The pectoral muscles are therefore 
 enormously developed, extending almost the whole length of 
 the body, as every one who has carved a fowl must have seen, 
 and in order to form an attachment for these immense muscles, 
 the ridge of the breast-bone is equally enlarged. It is the want 
 of these enlarged muscles that prevents man from flying, even 
 when he has attached wings to his arms. 
 
 CLAW AND BEAK OF RAPACIOUS BIRD.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 193 
 
 The LAMMERGEYER (Germ. Lambs -eagle), or BEARDED VUL- 
 TURE, inhabits most mountain ranges, and is very common in 
 the Alps of Switzerland, and Germany, where from its depre- 
 dations on the kids and lambs, it has earned its name of Lam- 
 mergeyer. 
 
 Although called the "Bearded" Vulture, it is not strictly a 
 vulture, as its head and neck are feathered, and it rejects putrid 
 flesh, unless hard pressed by hunger. 
 
 It destroys hares, and young or sickly sheep and goats, nor, 
 when rendered fierce by hunger, does it fear to attack the 
 adult chamois, or even man. It is said to destroy the larger 
 animals by watching until they are near the brink of a preci- 
 pice, and then suddenly driving them over the rocks by an un- 
 expected swoop. In this manner the strong and swift chamois 
 falls a victim to the craft of its winged foe, and instances are 
 not wanting where the chamois hunter himself has been struck 
 from a narrow ridge into the valley beneath by a blow from 
 this ferocious bird. 
 
 It is exceedingly bold, and shows but little fear of man. While 
 Bruce was preparing his dinner on the summit of a mountain, 
 one of these birds, after scalding its feet in several unavailing 
 attempts to extract some meat out of the boiling water, actually 
 seized a piece from a platter, and went off with it. 
 
 The name of " Bearded" Vulture is given to it on account 
 of the long tuft of hairs with which each nostril is clothed. 
 The length of its body is about four feet, and the expanse of 
 its wings from nine to ten. The second and third primary 
 feathers are the longest. 
 
 It lays two eggs, white, marked with brown blotches. 
 
 THE CONDOR. 
 
 The SarcorhamphidsB are distinguished by a fleshy tuft 
 growing on their beaks, somewhat resembling the wattles of a 
 turkey. The genus Sarcorhamphos includes the Condor, the 
 King Vulture, and the California!! Vulture. These birds are 
 distinguished by the wattles on their beaks, their naked necks, 
 and the size of the nostrils. The third primary feather is the 
 longest. 
 
 I
 
 194 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. Sarcorhamphidse. (Gr. Sap, flesh; fiuftQof, beak.) 
 
 SARCOKHAMrilOS. 
 
 Gryphon (Gr. Tpvip, a Griffon), the Condor. 
 
 The CONDOR inhabits the Andes of South America, always 
 choosing its residence on the summit of a solitary rock. It ap- 
 pears that this hird does not build any nest, but lays its two 
 white eggs on the bare rock after the manner of many sea 
 birds. It is a very large bird, but by no means the gigantic 
 creature some former naturalists relate, with wings twenty 
 feet in length, and powerful enough to carry off a horse. The 
 real expanse of wing is about nine or ten feet, and the length 
 of the bird about four feet. It is, however, exceedingly strong 
 and very tenacious of life. Two Condors will attack and kill 
 the llama, or even the puma ; for by their repeated buffeting 
 and pecking they weary it so completely that it yields to their 
 perseverance.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 195 
 
 SARCORHAMPHOS. 
 
 Papa, the King Vulture. 
 
 The KING VULTURE is also a native of South America, seldom 
 if ever being seen north of Florida. Travellers relate that this 
 species keeps the other vultures under subjection, and does not 
 suffer them to approach a dead animal until he has complete- 
 ly satisfied his own appetite, which is certainly none of the 
 smallest. 
 
 We now arrive at the true VULTURES. These birds are the 
 representatives of the carrion-devouring animals, such as the 
 hyenas, wild dogs, &c. They however do not, as the hyenas 
 and wild dogs, attack living animals. The neck of the Vulture 
 is almost naked, very slightly sprinkled with down, and from 
 the formation of the lower part of the neck, the bird is enabled 
 to draw its head almost under the feathers of its shoulders, so 
 that a hasty observer would conclude that the creature had no 
 neck at all. 
 
 The marvellous quickness with which the vultures discover 
 a dead animal has caused many discussions among naturalists 
 as to the sense employed ; some, as Audubon, declaring entirely
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III. . . . Vulturidse. (Lat. Vnltur. Vulture kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Vulturince. 
 
 Fulvus (Lat. tawny), the Griffon Vulturt. 
 
 for sight, and others, as Waterton, asserting that the scent of 
 putrid animal matter leads the vultures to their prey. The 
 experiment of stuffing a deer's hide and placing it exposed in 
 the open air was hy no means conclusive, as the hide, however 
 dry, must have given out some odour, and the vulture certainly 
 acted very properly in pulling out the straw and endeavouring 
 to get at the inside. The probability is that both senses are 
 used, one aiding the other ; for in another experiment, where 
 a dead hog was hidden under canes and briars, numbers of 
 vultures were seen sailing in all directions over the spot, 
 evidently directed by the scent, but unable to discover by
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 197 
 
 eyes the exact position of the animal. The olfactory nerves of 
 the Vulture are beautifully developed, so that Waterton had 
 reason for his pathetic remark, " I never thought I should 
 have lived to see this bird deprived of its nose." 
 
 The GRIFFON VULTURE is found in almost all parts of the 
 old world. It is one of the largest of its group, measuring 
 upwards of four feet in length. Like most of the vultures, it 
 does not appear to move its wings while flying, but soars on 
 expanded pinions in large circles, apparently gaining the ne- 
 cessary impetus by the movements of its head and body, just 
 as an accomplished skater uses but little force in his various 
 evolutions, an imperceptible inclination of the head or sway 
 of the body sufficing to keep up the impetus gained at starting, 
 and to bring him round in any direction he chooses. 
 
 Vultures are generally protected by the natives of the 
 countries where they reside, on account of their great utility 
 in cleaning away the putrid animal matter, which would other- 
 wise be exceedingly injurious as well as disagreeable. The 
 Turkey Buzzard or John Crow ( Cathartes Aura), or Jamaican 
 vulture, is protected by a fine of five pounds inflicted on any 
 one who destroys the bird within a certain distance of the 
 principal towns. Waterton's account of this bird is very in- 
 teresting, and well worthy of notice. There are many species 
 of vultures inhabiting different countries, but their habits as 
 well as their forms are so familiar that a detailed description 
 of each is needless. 
 
 EAGLES. 
 
 The Falconidse hold the same place among birds as the 
 Felidse among terrestrial quadrupeds. The beak of this fam- 
 ily is strong and curved, and the feet furnished with sharp 
 talons, just as the Felidse are armed with long sharp teeth 
 and powerful claws. The Falconidse differ from the Vulturidae 
 in having feathered necks, and in killing their prey and de- 
 vouring it while fresh. 
 
 At the head of the Falconidse the EAGLES are placed. In 
 them the wings are large, powerful, and slightly rounded, the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Family IV. ... Falconidse. 
 Sub-family a. . Aquilince. 
 
 AQUILA. (Lat. an Eagle.) 
 
 
 Chrysagtos (Gr. XpvaaisTOf, Golden Eagle), the Golden Eagle. 
 
 fourth primary feather being the longest. The feet of the 
 genus Aquila are feathered to the toes. 
 
 The Golden Eagle is found in most parts of Europe, and is 
 not uncommon in Great Britain, especially in the mountainous 
 parts of Scotland and the Hebrides. The flight of this mag- 
 nificent bird is peculiarly beautiful and imposing, but its gait 
 when on land is rather awkward, for its long talons encumber 
 it in the same manner that the sloth is prevented from rapid 
 locomotion by its curved claws. 
 
 Its food is usually sea birds and the smaller quadrupeds, 
 such as hares, rabbits, &c., but it does not hesitate to carry 
 off young lambs, or sometimes to destroy a sickly sheep.
 
 NATURAL HISJORY. 199 
 
 Some instances have been related of children that have been 
 carried away by this eagle, but they are very doubtful. Eagles 
 certainly have pounced upon children and carried them a little 
 way, but there are no authenticated accounts of children, hav- 
 ing been actually taken to the eagle's nest. 
 
 It generally hunts in pairs, one eagle watching from some 
 height while the other courses along the ground and drives 
 the game from the bushes. The male and female remain 
 together all the year, and very probably for life. It lays two 
 eggs of a yellowish white colour with pale brownish spots, on 
 a nest composed of a great mass of sticks, rushes and grass. 
 The young are fledged about the end of July. While the 
 young are in the nest it is very dangerous to approach the 
 spot, as the Eagles are then extremely tierce and daring. The 
 Rev. Mr. Inglis gives an account of an adventure with an 
 eagle. " The farmer of Glenmark, whose name was Miln, 
 had been out one day with his gun, and coming upon an 
 eagle's nest, he made a noise to start her and have a shot. 
 She was not at home, however, and so Miln, taking off his 
 shoes, began to ascend, gun in hand. When about half way 
 up, and in a very critical situation, the eagle made her appear- 
 ance, bringing a plentiful supply to the young which she had 
 in her nest. Q,uick as thought she darted upon the intruder, 
 with a terrific scream. He was clinging to the rock by one 
 hand, with scarcely any footing, Making a desperate effort, 
 however, he reached a ledge, while the eagle was now so close 
 that he sould not shoot at her. A lucky thought struck him : 
 he took off his bonnet and threw it at the eagle, which imme- 
 diately flew after it to the foot of the rock. As she was re- 
 turning to the attack, finding an opportunity of taking a steady 
 aim, he shot her." 
 
 The eye of this bird, and of most of the birds of prey, is pro- 
 vided with an arrangement for enabling it to see an object near 
 or at a great distance. The old tale of the eagle delighting to 
 gaze at the sun is equally poetical and false, the true fact being 
 that the eye is shaded from the sun by the projecting eyebrow. 
 As to the nictitating membrane which some assert to be given 
 to the Eagle in order to enable it to gaze at the sun, all birds 
 have it, and the owl, who is blinded by ordinary daylight, pos- 
 sesses it in perfection.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 PANDION (Gr. Proper name.) 
 
 Haliaetus (Gr. "A^c, the sea, deroc, an Eagle), the Osprey. 
 
 The feet of the genus Pandion are naked, armed with very 
 long curved talons, the outermost of which can be drawn to- 
 gether, so as to hold their slippery prey. The wings are ample, 
 and the second and third primary feathers the longest. 
 
 The OSPREY, or FISHING HAWK, is spread over the whole 
 of Europe, part of Asia, and some portions of North America. 
 As its name imports, its food consists entirely of fish, which 
 it obtains by dashing into the water, and seizing them with 
 its curved talons. The Osprey, although it takes the fish, is 
 not the only bird that has a predilection for that diet, as the 
 bald-headed eagle frequently waits until the osprey has seized 
 the prey, and then deprives him of it. Want of room prevents 
 the insertion of the entire spirited passage from Wilson's Orni- 
 thology, describing the chase and capture. He relates that 
 the eagle, after watching the osprey as it dashes into the 
 water after its finny prey, starts off in pursuit as it emerges, 
 bearing a fish in its talons. " Each exerts his utmost to 
 mount above the other, displaying, in these rencontres, the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 201 
 
 most elegant and sublime aerial evolutions. The unencum- 
 bered eagle rapidly advances, and is just on the point of reach- 
 ing his opponent, when, with a sudden scream, probably of 
 despair and honest execration, the latter drops his fish : the 
 eagle, poising himself for a moment, as if to take a more cer- 
 tain aim, descends like a whirlwind, snatches it in his grasp 
 ere it reaches the water, and bears his ill-gotten booty silently 
 away to the woods." 
 
 When the Osprey plunges after its finny prey, it never 
 attempts to seize them while leaping out of the water, but 
 plunges downwards with such force, that it disappears below 
 the surface, throwing up the foam around it. 
 
 Its nest is made of an enormous heap, enough to make a fair 
 cart-load, of sticks, grass, &c., laid among the branches of a 
 tree. In this nest it lays its eggs, which are a yellowish white, 
 sprinkled with brown blotches. 
 
 The length of this bird is about two feet, and the expanse 
 of its wings about five feet and a half. Its feet are a pale 
 greyish blue colour, which, unfortunately, fades in a stuffed 
 specimen. 
 
 THE WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 
 
 The WHITE-HEADED EAGLE, or BALD EAGLE, as it is called 
 by Wilson, inhabits most parts of America, and especially 
 frequents the cataract of Niagara. It is very accommodating 
 in its appetite, and preys indiscriminately on lambs, pigs, swans, 
 and the fish which, as related above, it takes away from the 
 unfortunate osprey. Sometimes it can take fish honourably 
 for itself in shallow water, by wading as far as it can, and 
 snatching up the fish with its beak. Audubon gives a splendid 
 description of the chase of a swan by an eagle, but want of 
 space again prevents its insertion. 
 
 Like the Golden Eagle, this bird lives constantly with its 
 mate, and hunts in company. It lays from two to four eggs, 
 of a dull white colour, in a huge nest placed on a tall tree. 
 
 The claws of this bird are grooved beneath, and the hind 
 claw is the longest. The feet are half feathered, and the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 LeucocephSlus (Gr. Aev/co/ce^aAof, white-headed), the White-headed 
 Eagle. 
 
 fourth primary feather of the wing is the longest. "When full 
 grown, the general colour of the bird is a deep brownish black, 
 but its head, neck, tail, and upper tail-coverts are white. 
 
 THE BUZZARD. 
 
 The family of the BUZZARDS are distinguished by their short 
 beaks, large rounded wings, and squared tails. They all prey 
 on small animals, reptiles, and various insects. 
 
 The Common Buzzard occurs throughout most of Europe 
 and part of Asia, being frequently found in England. When 
 searching for food, it rests upon some high branch, keeping a 
 keen watch on the ground, and waiting patiently until some 
 small animal, such as a rat, or young rabbit, makes its appear- 
 ance, when it instantly sweeps down from its elevation, seizes 
 its prey without settling on the ground, and returns, if not dis- 
 turbed, to the same spot, very much in the same manner that 
 the fly-catcher may be observed to act.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family c. Buteonirue. (Lat. Buteo, a Buzzard) 
 BUTEO. 
 
 \ 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Buzzard. 
 
 It generally builds in high trees, but has been known to 
 make its nest among rocks. Its eggs are usually three in 
 number, of a whitish colour, spotted with pale brown, and 
 almost devoid of the peculiar red tinge that generally charac- 
 terises the eggs of the diurnal birds of prey. The length of 
 this bird is from twenty to twenty-two inches : the fourth pri- 
 mary feather is the longest. 
 
 THE HONEY BUZZARD. 
 
 The genus Pernis is distinguished by the feathered lorum 
 or band round the eyes. The HONEY BUZZARD is found in the 
 warmer parts of Europe, and in Asia, seldom visiting our 
 shores. Its food does not consist of honey, as its name might 
 seem to indicate, but of bees, wasps, and their larvse. In the 
 stomach of one that was shot in Scotland, a great number of
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Sub-family d. Milvina. 
 
 PKRN'IS. 
 
 Apivorus (Lat. Bee-eating), the Honey Buzzard. 
 
 bees and grubs were found, but no honey or wax. It does not, 
 however, refuse small quadrupeds, or sometimes small birds, 
 if pressed by hunger. It is a bird of passage, leaving Europe 
 at the commencement of winter. Its nest is built in high 
 trees, and its eggs are two or three in number, grey, spotted 
 with red at one end, and surrounded with a red band. Its 
 length is about two feet, and the expanse of its wings fifty-two 
 inches. The third primary feather is the longest. 
 
 The KITE, GLEDE, or GLED, is not uncommon in England, 
 and is spread over Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. It is 
 especially hated by the farmer for its depredations on his 
 poultry, and its appearance is the signal for a general outcry 
 among the terrified poultry, who perceive it long before the 
 keenest-eyed man can distinguish it from a casual spot in the 
 distant sky. The sportsman also detests it for the havoc 
 which it makes among the game, possibly the kite hates 
 the sportsman for the same reason. 
 
 It builds in tall trees, and lays three eggs, white, spotted 
 with reddish brown at the larger end. Its length is rather
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Mn,vr. (iMt. a Kite.) 
 
 Regalis (Lat. royal), the Kite. 
 
 more than two feet ; the fourth primary feather is the longest, 
 the first and seventh nearly equal. 
 
 The SWALLOW-TAILED FALCON is an inhabitant of North 
 America, but has been twice taken in England. It feeds on 
 the wing, like the swallows, pursuing the large moths and 
 other insects with an ease and rapidity for which its formation 
 eminently fits it. These insects are however not the only 
 food of this bird. Audubon mentions that " Their principal 
 food is large grasshoppers, grass caterpillars, small snakes, 
 lizards, and frogs. They sweep close over the fields, some- 
 times seeming to secure a snake, and holding it fast by the 
 neck, carry it ofF, and devour it in the air." This act is shown 
 in the figure on p. 206. Its nest is built on the summit of an 
 aged pine or oak, and its eggs are from four to six in number, 
 of a greenish white colour, irregularly spotted with brown at 
 the large end. The length of this bird is two feet. It should
 
 206 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ELANOIDES. 
 
 Furcatus (Lat. forked), the Swallow-tailed Falcon. 
 
 properly be called the Swallow-tailed Kite, as it belongs to 
 that family. 
 
 FALCONS. 
 
 In the genus Falco, the second primary feather is the long- 
 est, the first and third being of equal length. The GYRFAL- 
 CON may be considered the type of the British Falconidse. It 
 is, however, extremely rare in England, those intended for 
 hawking being principally brought from Iceland. On the 
 rocky coasts of Norway and Iceland its eggs are laid. These 
 birds are very courageous in defending their young. A pair 
 of them attacked Dr. Richardson while he was climbing near 
 their nest, flying in circles round him and occasionally dashing 
 at his face with loud screams. The entire length of the Gyr- 
 falcon is twenty-three inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family e. Falconince. 
 FALCO. (Lat. a Falcon.} 
 
 Gyrfalco (Lat.) the Gyrfalcon. 
 
 The PEREGRINE FALCON, an inhabitant of most parts of 
 Europe, Asia, and South America, was, in the palmy days of 
 hawking, one of the favourite falcons chosen for that sport. 
 Its strength and swiftness are very great, enabling it to strike 
 down its prey with great ease ; indeed, it has been known to 
 disable five partridges in succession. From its successful pur- 
 suit of ducks the Americans call it the Duck Hawk. 
 
 There is a peculiarity in the method of attack which this 
 bird employs when pursuing small game. Instead of merely 
 dashing at its prey, and grasping it with its claws, the Pere- 
 grine Falcon strikes its victim with its breast, and actually 
 stuns it with the violence of the blow before seizing it with 
 its claws. The boldness of the Peregrine Falcon is so great 
 that it was generally employed to take the formidable Heron.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Peregiimis (Lat. wandering], the Peregrine Falcon. 
 After the Heron had been roused from his contemplations by 
 some marsh or river, the Falcon, who had previously been 
 held hooded on its master's hand, was loosed from its bonds 
 and cast off. A contest then generally took place between 
 the Heron and the Falcon, each striving to ascend above the 
 other. In this contest the Falcon was always victorious, and 
 after it had attained a sufficient altitude, it swept, or " stooped," 
 as the phrase was, upon the Heron. When the Falcon had 
 closed with its prey, they both came to the ground together, 
 and the sportsman's business was to reach the place of con- 
 flict as soon as possible, and assist the Falcon in vanquishing 
 its prey. Sometimes, however, the wary Heron contrived to 
 receive its enemy on the point of its sharp beak, and transfixed 
 it by its own impetus. 
 
 It changes the colour of its plumage several times before 
 it arrives at full maturity, and in the days of falconry was 
 known by different names, such as " haggard" when wild, 
 " eyass," " red falcon" when young, " tiercel" or " tassel-gentle" 
 when a full grown male ; a term forcibly recalling the words 
 of Juliet, " Oh for a falconer's voice, to lure this tassel-gentle 
 back again !" 
 
 It builds on ledges of rocks, laying four eggs of a reddish 
 brown colour. Its length is from fifteen to eighteen inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 HTPOTBIORCHIS. (Gr. 'YtroTpi6px?l<;-) 
 
 Subbuteo (Lat. the Hobby.) 
 
 The HOBBY is a summer visitor in England, appearing in 
 April and leaving in October. It was formerly trained to fly 
 at larks, quails, and other small birds. When wild it seems 
 to feed principally on small birds and large beetles, the com- 
 mon dor-beetle being a very favourite article of food. It 
 builds its nest at the summit of a high tree, usually appro- 
 priating the deserted habitation of a crow. The eggs are 
 four in number, of a dirty white colour, speckled with reddish 
 brown. The length of the bird is from twelve to fourteen 
 inches. 
 
 The MERLIN, the least of our Falcons, was considered in 
 olden tiroes as the lady's bird, every rank being obliged to
 
 210 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 JIYI'OTUIOKCIIIS. 
 
 jEsalon (Gr. A.lau^.uv), the Merlin. 
 
 content itself with the bird allotted to its peculiar station, 
 royalty alone having the privilege to bear an eagle into the 
 field. 
 
 The spirited little Merlin seizes with great dexterity small 
 birds such as buntings, thrushes, and blackbirds, itself really 
 hardly larger than its prey, its entire length being barely eleven 
 inches. Even the partridge falls before a trained bird. Its 
 eggs are four in number, of a reddish mottled brown, laid in a 
 rude nest among the heather. 
 
 The KESTREL, or WINDHOVER as it is often called, frequently 
 falls a victim to the mistaken zeal of the farmer, who takes 
 every opportunity of destroying it, as he confounds it with the 
 sparrow-hawk. The natural food of the Kestrel is field-mice, 
 so that the farmer should protect instead of remorselessly 
 murdering his benefactor. These birds are not uncommon. 
 Many live close to Oxford and in Bagley Wood, where they 
 may be seen almost daily. They also live in great numbers
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 TINNUNCULUS. (Lat. a Kestrel.) 
 
 Alaudarius (Lat. of a Lark), the Kestrel, 
 
 among the precipices in Dovedale. Their nest is usually built 
 in the deserted mansion of a crow or magpie. The eggs are 
 four in number, of a dark reddish brown. The length is from 
 thirteen to fifteen inches. 
 
 THE GOSHAWK 
 
 The GOSHAWK is found plentifully in most of the wooded 
 districts of Europe, but is comparatively rare in the British 
 Isles. It seldom breeds south of Scotland, but its nest is not 
 unfrequently found in that country, built upon lofty trees, 
 principally firs, and containing three eggs of a bluish white 
 colour with reddish brown marks. When in pursuit of prey, 
 it strikes its victim to the ground by the force with which it 
 dashes through the air. Should the terrified quarry hide it- 
 self, the Goshawk takes up its station on some elevated spot, 
 and there patiently waits until the game takes wing. Its 
 principal food consists of hares, squirrels, pheasants, and other
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family /. Accipitrina. 
 ASTCR. (Proper name.) 
 
 Palumbarius (Lat. of the Dove), the Goshawk. 
 
 large birds, which its great strength enables it to destroy. Its 
 length is about two feet ; the fourth primary feather is the 
 
 The SPARROW-HAWK is common throughout Europe. It 
 skirns along, a few feet above the ground, and snatches away 
 its prey, pursuing it with wonderful pertinacity. One of 
 these birds was known to dash through a window in pursuit 
 of a small bird. When taken young it is easily tamed, and 
 will then associate with the most incongruous companions. 
 A gentleman had a young Sparrow-hawk which used to live 
 in his dovecote among his pigeons, would accompany them 
 in their flights, and was uneasy if separated from its strange 
 friends. The length of this bird is from twelve to fifteen
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 2J3 
 
 ACCIPITER. (Lat.) 
 
 Nisus (Lat. proper name), the Sparrow-hawk. 
 
 inches. The fourth and fifth primary feathers are the longest. 
 It builds upon lofty trees, laying five eggs, of a whitish colour 
 blotched with variable reddish brown markings, usually collect- 
 ed towards the large end. 
 
 THE SECRETARY BIRD. 
 
 The SECRETARY BIRD derives its name from the tufts of 
 feathers at the back of its head, which bear a fanciful resem- 
 blance to pens stuck behind the ear. This extraordinary bird, 
 whose true position in ornithology has been such a stumbling- 
 block to naturalists, inhabits South Africa, Senegambia, and 
 the Philippine Islands. Probably a different species inhabits 
 each of these countries. It feeds on snakes and other reptiles, 
 of which it consumes an amazing number, and is on that ac- 
 count protected. When battling with a snake, it covers itself 
 with one wing as with a shield, and with the other strikes at 
 the reptile until it falls senseless, when a powerful blow from
 
 214 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family g. Circina. 
 SEKPENTARIUS. (Lat. of a Serpent.) 
 
 Reptilivorus (Lat. Reptile-eating}, the Secretary Bird. 
 
 the beak splits the snake's head asunder, and the vanquished 
 enemy is speedily swallowed. In the crop of a Secretary hird 
 that was dissected by Le Vaillant were found eleven large liz- 
 ards, three serpents, each a yard in length, eleven small tor- 
 toises, and a great quantity of locusts and other insects. Besides 
 these, the bird had just killed another serpent, which it would 
 in all probability have transferred to the same receptacle had 
 it not been killed. The Secretary is easily tamed, and is then 
 exceedingly useful. It builds on high trees, laying three large 
 eggs, almost white. Its length is about three feet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 215 
 
 CIRCUS. (Lat.) 
 
 Cyaneus (Lat. azure), the Hen Harrier. 
 
 The HARRIERS are remarkable for the peculiar feathered 
 disk round their eyes, something resembling that of the owl. 
 The Hen Harrier is a native of England, and lives principally 
 about forests and heaths. Its length is about seventeen inches ; 
 the first primary feather is very short, the third or fourth is 
 the longest. 
 
 OWLS. 
 
 A large round head, with enormous eyes looking forward, 
 is a distinguishing mark of the OWL family. Many species 
 possess two feathery tufts placed on the head, greatly re- 
 sembling horns. The Owls are nocturnal birds, pursuing 
 their prey by night, and sleeping during the day. In order 
 to enable them to see their prey, their eyes are enormously 
 large, and capable of taking in every ray of light. Their 
 power of vision is also increased by the method in which the 
 eye is fixed in a kind of bony socket, just like the watch- 
 maker's glass. The nictitating membrane is very conspicuous 
 in these birds. The power of hearing is also very delicate, 
 and greatly assists them. In order to protect them from the 
 cold, they are furnished with "a dense covering of downy
 
 216 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-order II. . ACCIPITRES NOCTURNI. 
 
 Family I. ... Strigidse. (Lat. Strix, a Screech-owl. Screech-owl 
 
 kind.) 
 Sub-family a . Surninee. 
 
 Uliila (Lat howling), the Hawk-owl. 
 
 feathers, which also prevent the movements of the wing from 
 being heard by the wary mouse ; and so noiseless is their 
 flight that they seem borne along by the wind like a tuft of 
 thistle-down. 
 
 The HAWK, or CANADA OWL, inhabits the arctic portions of 
 Asia and America. Its head is not so round, nor is its face so 
 broad, as those of the other owls, from which it is also distin- 
 guished by its habit of hunting by day. In face it bears some 
 resemblance to the harriers. It builds in trees, and lays two 
 eggs white, as are those of all owls. The eggs of owls are 
 easily distinguished from other white eggs by a peculiar rough- 
 ness of surface, which cannot be mistaken. The length of the 
 Hawk Owl is from fifteen to eighteen inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 NYCTEA. (Gr. Nii/mo?, nightly.) 
 
 Nivea (Lat. snowy), the Snowy-owl. 
 
 The SNOWY OWL is properly an inhabitant of the north of 
 Europe, but has more than once been discovered in Great 
 Britain. It is also found in North America. Wilson relates 
 that it is a good fisher, snatching its prey from the water by 
 a sudden grasp of the foot. It also preys on lemmings, hares, 
 ptarmigans, &c., chasing and striking at them with its feet. 
 It makes its nest on the ground, and lays three or four white 
 eggs, of which more than two are seldom hatched. Its length 
 is from twenty-two to twenty-seven inches, the expanse of 
 wing four feet ; the third primary feather is the longest. 
 
 K
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 ATHENE. (Gr. proper name.) 
 
 Cunicularia (Lat. of the Rabbit), the Burrowing Owl. 
 
 The BURROWING OWL accompanies the prairie dog, and where- 
 ever that animal chooses to live, there is the Burrowing Owl. 
 This singular little hird finds that to take possession of the 
 ready-made burrows of the prairie dog is much more agreeable 
 than to dig a hole for itself; so it takes unfurnished lodgings 
 in a deserted dwelling, undisturbed by anything except a casual 
 lizard or rattlesnake. 
 
 So numerous are these little owls, that they may be seen 
 in small flocks seated on the tops of the mounds in which the 
 entrance of the burrows is formed. It is said that the owls, 
 marmots (or prairie-dogs), lizards, and snakes, all live har- 
 moniously in one happy family. Such, however, is not really 
 the case, as the Burrowing Owls prefer holes unoccupied by 
 any other tenant, and have been seen with something most 
 suspiciously like a young snake struggling in their mouths. 
 The bottom of its hole is generally comfortably filled with 
 dried hay and roots. 
 
 The legs of this bird are longer than those of other owls. 
 It is by no means large, measuring: but ten inches in length.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 219 
 
 Sub-family b. Bubonina. 
 EPHIALTES. (Gr. proper name.) 
 
 Scops (Gr. Z/c&ty, an Owl), the Scops Eared-owl. 
 
 The SCOPS EARED-OWL has been once or twice found in 
 Yorkshire, but usually resides in the southern parts of the 
 Continent. It is remarkable for the regularity with which it 
 utters its monotonous cry, as if a person were constantly re- 
 peating the letter Q, at regular intervals of two seconds. It 
 does not seem to prey upon mice and other animals like most 
 of its relations, but feeds on large insects, such as beetles and 
 grasshoppers. The size of this owl is very small, as it only 
 measures seven inches in length ; the third primary feather is 
 the longest. It lays from two to four white eggs in a simple 
 nest made in a hollow tree or in a cleft in the rock. 
 
 The GREAT EARED-OWL or EAGLE OWL, is the largest of the 
 family. This powerful bird, not satisfied with the " rats and 
 mice and such small deer" which content the English owls, 
 boldly attacks young fawns, hares and rabbits, together with 
 small birds. It inhabits the north of Europe, but has been
 
 220 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 BUBO. (Lat. an Owl.) 
 
 Maximus (Lat. greatest), the Great' Eared-owl 
 
 several times observed in Great Britain. It lays its eggs in 
 the clefts of rocks or in ruined buildings. The length of this 
 bird is upwards of two feet. 
 
 The BARN OWL affords another instance of mistaken per- 
 secution. This beautiful and most useful bird, whose carcase 
 we so often see triumphantly nailed to the barn, actually 
 feeds upon and destroys in incalculable numbers the rats and 
 mice which bear it company in its undeserved punishment. 
 Waterton remarks, " When farmers complain that the Barn 
 Owl destroys the eggs of their pigeons, they lay the saddle on 
 the wrong horse. They ought to put it on the rat. Formerly 
 I could get very few young pigeons till the rats were ex- 
 cluded from the dovecote. Since that took place, it has pro- 
 duced a great abundance every year, although the barn owls
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 221 
 
 Sub-family d. Strigince. 
 STKIX. (Lat. a Screech-owl.) 
 
 Flammea (Latjlaminf/), the Barn-owl. 
 
 frequent it, and are encouraged all afound it. The barn owl 
 merely resorts to it for repose and concealment. If it were 
 really an enemy to the dovecote, we should see the pigeons 
 in commotion as soon as it begins its evening flight, but the 
 pigeons heed it not, whereas if the sparrow-hawk or hobby 
 should make its appearance, the whole community would be 
 up at once. ... I am amply repaid for the pains I have taken 
 to protect and encourage the barn owl ; it pays me an hun- 
 dred fold by the enormous quantity of mice which it destroys 
 throughout the year." 
 
 It also destroys great numbers of beetles and other insects. 
 It is possible that it may destroy young birds, but not probable, 
 as feathers and birds' bones are never found among the rejecta- 
 menta. It will, however, when domesticated devour a dead 
 sparrow or linnet when presented to it. 
 
 The Barn Owl lays three or four eggs upon a mass of the 
 pellets which all the owls disgorge. Its length is rather more 
 than twelve inches ; the second primary feather is the longest. 

 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order II. ... PASSERES. 
 
 Tribe I. .... FISSIROSTRES. Lat. Split-bills.) 
 
 Sub-tribe I. . FISSIROSTRES NOCTURNE. 
 
 Family I. ... Caprimulgidae. (Lat. Goat-sticker kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. Caprimulgince. 
 
 CAPRIMULGUS. 
 
 Europseus (Lat European}, the Goat-sucker. 
 
 The Fissirostres are so called from the peculiar formation of 
 their mouths, which appear as if they had heen slit up from 
 their ordinary termination to beyond the eyes, much resemhling 
 the mouth of a frog. In the insect-eating Fissirostres this for- 
 mation is admirably adapted for capturing their active prey, 
 and in the Kingfishers it is equally adapted for securing the 
 slippery inhabitants of the waters. 
 
 The Caprimulgidse are nocturnal in their habits, chasing 
 their insect prey by night or at the dusk, when the chaffers 
 and large moths are on the wing. In order to prevent the 
 escape of the insect when taken, the mouth is fringed with 
 long stiff bristles, called "vibrissse." The name of Goat-
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 223 
 
 sucker is derived from a silly notion that they suck goats, a 
 piece of credulity only equalled by the hedgehog's supposed 
 crime of sucking cows, and the accusation against the cat of 
 sucking the breath of children. The genus Caprimulgus is 
 furnished with a kind of comb on the middle claw of its foot, 
 but for what purpose is not clearly ascertained. 
 
 The Nightjar, or Goat-sucker, sometimes called the Fern Owl, 
 is spread over Europe, and is tolerably common in England. 
 It may be seen at the approach of evening, silently wheeling 
 round the trees, capturing the nocturnal moths and beetles ; 
 then occasionally settling and uttering its jarring cry. It ar- 
 rives in this country at the beginning of May, and leaves in De- 
 cember. It makes no nest, but lays two mottled eggs on the 
 bare ground. Its length is ten inches. The Whip-poor- Will 
 and the Chuck- Will's- Widow both belong to this family. 
 
 These two birds derive their singular names from their cry, 
 which is said closely to imitate the words that have been as- 
 signed to them as their names. Of course the English language 
 must feel itself highly honoured that an American bird should 
 prefer the language of the " Britisher" to that of the Delaware 
 or the Sioux. Both the birds fly by night, or rather in the 
 dusk of the evening, and like the owl are much distressed by 
 being forced to face a brilliant light. The Chuck- Will's- Widow 
 is partially migratory, and dwells in the more southern parts of 
 America during the winter. Audubon relates that this bird 
 applies its enormous mouth to rather an unexpected use, viz., 
 that of removing its eggs, if it finds that they have been dis- 
 turbed. Of this curious circumstance he was an eye-witness. 
 He saw the bird that first discovered that an intruder had 
 touched the eggs wait for its mate, and then saw each of them 
 take an egg in its mouth and convey it off. 
 
 MARTINS. 
 
 The Hirundinidse are remarkable for their great power of 
 wing, their wide mouths, and short legs. In the genus Cyp- 
 selus, the toes are all directed forward, and the tarsus is thickly 
 feathered. The whole of their plumage is constructed with a 
 view to rapid and active motion. The feathers of their bodies
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-tribe II. . . FISSIROSTRES DIURN.E. 
 
 Family II Hirundinidse. (Lat. Hirundo, a Swallow. Swal- 
 low kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. . Cyp&elince. 
 
 CYPSELUS. (Gr. KityeAof, a Martin.) 
 
 Apus (Gr. aTrovf, without feet), the Swift. 
 
 are firm and close, so as not to impede their passage through 
 the air ; their wing feathers are long, stiff and pointed, and 
 their tails are long and forked ; all which properties we know 
 to belong to great speed. 
 
 The SWIFT, popularly called " Jack Screamer," is the largest 
 and swiftest of the British Hirundinidse. It seems to spend 
 the whole day on the wing, wheeling with wonderful velocity, 
 and occasionally soaring until it is hardly perceptible, but 
 screaming so shrilly that the sound is plainly heard. The 
 number of insects which it destroys is almost incredible ; 
 they are retained in a kind of pouch under the tongue, and 
 when taken out, could hardly be pressed into a tea-spoon.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 225 
 
 These are intended for the young, and the supply is constantly 
 renewed. It lays from two to four long white eggs, on a nest 
 composed of grass, straws, feathers, silk, &c. The colour of this 
 bird is a dusky black. The length is eight inches, the expanse 
 of wing eighteen inches, and its weight barely one ounce. 
 
 Sub-family b. Hirundininse. 
 HIRUNDO. (Lat) 
 
 Rustica (Lat. rustic), the Chimney Martin. 
 
 The CHIMNEY MARTIN or SWALLOW is the most common of 
 its family, and too well known to need much description. 
 When skimming over ponds or rivers in search of insects, the 
 snap with which it closes its bill may easily be heard. It also 
 dashes up the water with its wings, which action gave rise 
 to the opinion that Swallows passed the winter under water, 
 and rose in the spring. It may be easily caught with a rod 
 and line baited with a fly, after the manner of anglers. It 
 breeds twice in the year, building a nest of mud against a 
 wall or other convenient situation, and laying five very pale 
 pink eggs, spotted with reddish brown, the pink of which 
 vanishes when the egg is emptied of its contents, as it is 
 caused by the light passing through the yolk, and has to be 
 renewed by artificial means if the egg is placed in a collection. 
 The same is the case with most small light-coloured eggs. 
 The bird appears regularly to return, year by year, to its old 
 tiest. The whole of its upper surface is a deep purplish black, 
 its forehead and throat chestnut.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 COTILE. (Gr. K&mAof, twittering.) 
 
 Riparia (Lat. of a bank), the Sand Martin. 
 
 The SAND MARTIN is the smallest of our British Swallows, 
 but makes its appearance before any of its brethren. It 
 principally builds in cliffs of sandstone, boring holes three 
 feet or more in depth, and often winding in their course, 
 most probably to avoid a casual stone or spot too hard for 
 its bill, which, although small and apparently unfitted for the 
 task, makes its way through the sandstone with extraordinary 
 rapidity. Where a convenient sand-cliff exists, hundreds of 
 these pretty little birds may be seen working away at their 
 habitations, or dashing about in the air looking at a distance 
 like white butterflies, occasionally returning to the rock, often 
 completely honeycombed by their labours. Near Ashbourn 
 in Derbyshire there are plenty of these rocks, where the Sand 
 Martins build in myriads, tolerably safe except from the 
 school-boy, who will clamber up and down the crumbling 
 surface, and thrust his arm into the holes, perfectly regard- 
 less of the danger, and content with grasping a tuft of grass 
 or a root of blackberry as an anchorage. I have seen the 
 Sand Martins there engaged in mobbing a sparrow-hawk, who, 
 after being buffeted about for some time, retaliated by seizing 
 a too daring Martin and carrying it off, when the whole scene 
 was changed the triumphant jeerings turned into cries of
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 fear, and the place was deserted except by the crafty hawk 
 and his screaming prey. The eggs are five, pinkish white 
 with an almost imperceptible dotting of red. 
 
 CHELIDOX. (Gr. Xf7u6ui>, a Swallow.) 
 
 Urbica. (Lat. of the city), the Martin, 
 
 The MARTIN or WINDOW SWALLOW reaches this country a 
 little after the swallow, and almost invariably takes possession 
 of its old nest, which it repairs about May. It lays five eggs 
 closely resembling those of the sand martin. About September 
 immense numbers may be seen perched upon houses and trees 
 preparatory to their departure. The dome of the Radcliffe 
 Library at Oxford is a favourite assembling place for these birds, 
 where they may be seen lingering for several days after most 
 of their fellows have vanished. At these times every available 
 point is covered with them. The dome of St. Paul's is also a 
 favoured spot. 
 
 The ESCULENT SWALLOW, whose nests are considered such 
 a delicacy among the Chinese, builds its singular habitation in 
 the sides of almost inaccessible cliff's, so that the business' of 
 procuring them is a most dangerous task. The nature of the 
 jelly-like transparent material of which the nests are made is 
 not yet known. The nests are found in Java.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III. . Coraciidse 
 Sub-family a Coraciince. 
 
 CORACIAS. (Gr. KopaKiaf, like a Raven.) 
 
 Garrula (Lat. talkative), the Holler. 
 
 The ROLLER is plentifully found in most parts of Europe, 
 but has seldom been seen in England. Its mouth is slightly 
 furnished with vibrissse, like those of the nightjar. It is a very 
 shy bird, frequenting the depths of the forests. It builds its 
 nest in hollow trees some say in banks and lays from four 
 to seven white eggs, very like those of the kingfisher. Its legs 
 are short, and the upper mandible is bent over the lower at the 
 extremity. The colouring is brilliant, shades of blue and green 
 prevailing. Its length is about thirteen inches. 
 
 TROGON. 
 
 The magnificent family of the TROGONS stands preeminent 
 in beauty and brilliancy of plumage, the usual tint being a 
 metallic golden green, boldly contrasted with scarlet, black, 
 and brown. The toes are placed two behind and two before, 
 like those of the woodpeckers. 
 
 The Resplendent Trogon is the most gorgeous of all this
 
 NATURAL mSTORY. 
 Family IV. Trogonldse. 
 
 TUOGOV. 
 
 Resplendens (Lat. shining), the Resplendent Trogon. 
 
 gorgeous family. Its long and gracefully curved tail, nearly 
 three feet long ; the whole of the upper surface, and the 
 throat, are a glowing green ; the breast and under parts are 
 bright crimson ; the middle feathers of the tail black, and the 
 outer feathers white. This splendid bird is an inhabitant of 
 Mexico, and was used by the Mexican nobles as an ornament 
 to their head dress. From the feathers of these and other 
 Trogons the mosaic pictures of the Mexicans were made. One 
 of these, most delicately and beautifully executed, containing 
 many figures, is now in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. It 
 is there said to be made of humming-birds' feathers. The sub- 
 ject is " Christ fainting under the cross." The whole picture 
 is about the size of the palm of the hand, and the figures are 
 barely half an inch in height, yet the very expression of the 
 features is preserved.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family V Alcedinidse. (Lat. Alcedo, a Kingfisher.) 
 
 Sub-family a. . Alcedinince. 
 
 Hispida (Lat rough), the Kingfisher. 
 
 The peculiarities of their form immediately distinguish the 
 KINGFISHERS from other birds. The disproportionate length of 
 the bill is their chief characteristic. 
 
 The Common Kingfisher is found in most parts of England. 
 Scarcely anything more beautiful can be conceived than the 
 metallic glitter of its plumage as it glides along the banks of 
 the river, or darts into the water after its struggling prey. 
 Its usual method of fishing is by placing itself on a stump or 
 stone overhanging the water, from which spot it watches for 
 the unsuspecting fish beneath. After a fish is caught, the bird 
 kills it by beating it several times against its resting-place, 
 and then swallows it, head foremost. Sometimes it does not 
 exercise sufficient caution in its devouring propensities. A 
 heedless Kingfisher was exhibited at the Ashmolean Society, 
 which had been found dead with a peculiarly large minnow 
 firmly fixed in its throat. 
 
 It lays its eggs in holes bored in the banks of rivers or 
 ponds, and appears to build no nest. A pair of kingfishers, 
 for two successive years inhabited a bank of a very small
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 231 
 
 stream, little more than a drain, at little Hinton, Wiltshire, 
 where no fish lived, nor were there any to be found within a 
 considerable distance. The eggs are from four to seven in 
 number, of a pearly whiteness, and remarkably globular in 
 shape. In many parts of the country it is fully believed that 
 if a kingfisher is dried and suspended by the beak, the breast 
 will always turn in the direction of the wind. This belief has 
 caused the death of no few kingfishers, whose suspended bodies 
 may be seen in many a cottage, their brilliant blue and red 
 plumage rotating in a most impartial manner. The length of 
 this bird is seven inches. 
 
 Family VI. . . Meropidse. 
 
 Sub-family a. . Meropince. 
 
 MEROPS. (Gr. Me'poi/;.) 
 
 Apiaster (Lat. Bee-eater.) 
 
 The BEE-EATER is common on the Continent, but seldom 
 visits England. In appearance it is not very unlike the king- 
 fisher, both in shape and its brilliant colours. It has long 
 been celebrated for the havoc it causes among the inhabitants 
 of the hive, although it does not restrict itself to those insects, 
 but pursues wasps, butterflies, &c., on the wing, with great 
 activity. Like the kingfisher, it lays its eggs in holes bored in 
 banks. The eggs are white, and from four to seven in number. 
 Its length is eleven inches.
 
 232 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Tribe II. ... TENUIROSTRES. (Lat. Slender-billed.) 
 Family I. ... Upupidse. (Lat Hoopoe kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Upupince. 
 
 ITPUPA. 
 
 Epops (Gr. "Enro^), the Hoopoe. 
 
 The HOOPOE, one of the most elegant birds that visit this 
 country, is, unfortunately, a very rare guest, and seldom, if ever, 
 breeds here. Its beautiful crest can be raised or depressed at 
 pleasure, but is seldom displayed unless the bird is excited 
 from some cause. Its food consists of insects, which it first 
 batters and moulds into an oblong mass, and then swallows, 
 with a peculiar jerk of the head. In Yarrell's British Birds, 
 there is a very interesting account of a tame Hoopoe in the 
 possession of Mr. Bartlett. 
 
 In France Hoopoes are very common, and may be seen ex- 
 amining old and rotten stumps for the insects that invariably 
 congregate in such places. There they may be seen in flocks, 
 but they never seem to come over to England in greater
 
 NATURAL "HISTORY. '233 
 
 numbers than one pair at a time. M. Beckstein gives a curi- 
 ous account of the attitude assumed by the Hoopoe on per- 
 ceiving a large bird in the air. " As soon as they perceived a 
 raven or even a pigeon, they were on their bellies in the 
 twinkling of an eye, their wings stretched out by the side of 
 the head, so that the large quill feathers touched : the head 
 leaning on the back with the bill pointing upwards. In this 
 curious posture they might be taken for an old rag !" It lays 
 from four to seven grey eggs in the hollow of a tree. Its 
 length is one foot. 
 
 Family II. Trochilidse. 
 TROCHILUS. (Gr. 
 
 Colubris (Lat. like a snake), the Ruby-throated Humming-bird. 
 
 These little living gems are exclusively found in the New 
 World, especially about the tropical parts, becoming gradually 
 scarcer as we recede from the tropics in either direction. Only 
 two species are known to exist in the northern parts but in 
 the central portions and in the islands about Florida they ab- 
 solutely swarm. They glance about in the sunshine, looking 
 like streaks of brilliant light, and so rapid is the vibration of 
 their fine and elastic wings, that when hovering over a flower,
 
 NATURAt HISTORY. 
 ORNISMTA. (Gr. "Opvtf , a bird ; //i>f, a mouse.) 
 
 Gouldii (Lat. of Gould), Gould's Hummingbird. 
 Sappho (Gr. proper name), the Bar-tailed Humming-bird. 
 
 Cora (proper name), the Cora Humming-bird. 
 
 Chrysolopha (Gr. Xpvoof , gold ; Zo^of, a crest), the Double-crested 
 
 Humming-bird. 
 
 a humming or buzzing sound is produced, from which pecu- 
 liarity the name of HUMMING-BIRD has been given them in al- 
 most every language. "Waterton's description of the appear- 
 ance of the Humming-bird in the sun is very characteristic. 
 
 " Though least in size, the glittering mantle of the Hum- 
 ming-bird entitles it to the first place in the list of the birds 
 of the New World. It may truly be called the Bird of Para- 
 dise ; and had it existed in the Old World, it would have 
 claimed the title instead of the bird which has now the honour 
 to bear it. See it darting through the air almost as quick as 
 thought! now it is within a yard of your face in an instant
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 235 
 
 gone now it flutters from flower to flower to sip the silver 
 dew it is now a ruby now a topaz now an emerald now 
 all burnished gold." 
 
 It is a singular fact that a common insect called the Hum- 
 ming-bird Moth is formed on precisely the same principle, 
 and flies in just the same manner. This moth is furnished, 
 like the Humming-bird, with rigid sharp wings ; instead of 
 the long slender bill and longer tongue of the Humming-bird, 
 the moth is furnished with an exceedingly long and flexible 
 proboscis, which it uses in the same manner, i. e. in thrusting 
 into the interior of flowers while the creature is hovering 
 above them. The moth also possesses a kind of moveable 
 tail wherewith to direct its course. The description of a 
 Humming-bird hovering over a flower will exactly serve for 
 the moth, save that the moth lacks the brilliant plumage of 
 the bird. Gardens are a great attraction to this moth, and if 
 the observer is very quiet, while looking at a flower, he sud- 
 denly sees an insect apparently suspended over it exploring 
 the flower with its proboscis. It moves from flower to flower, 
 always balancing itself over them by its wings. Let the ob- 
 server move but his hand, and it is gone has vanished as 
 mysteriously as it came. 
 
 In the same way, the Humming-bird hovers over flowers, 
 not only to extract the honey and dew, but to search for the 
 little insects that are always to be found in such places. 
 Speaking of the Ruby-throated Humming-bird, Waterton ob- 
 serves : 
 
 " It seems to be an erroneous opinion that the Humming- 
 bird lives entirely on honey-dew. Almost every flower of 
 the tropical climates contains insects of one kind or other ; 
 now, the Humming-bird is most busy about the flowers an 
 hour or two after sunrise, and after a shower of rain, and it 
 is just at this time that the insects come out to the edge of 
 the flower in order that the sun's rays may dry the nocturnal 
 dew and rain which they have received. On opening the 
 stomach of the Humming-bird, dead insects are almost always 
 found there." 
 
 The tongue is formed much like that of the woodpecker, 
 being curled round the head, under the skin, and thus capable 
 of being darted to a considerable distance.
 
 236 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 There are an immense number of species of these exquisite 
 birds, varying from the size of a swift to that of a humble bee. 
 Any description of them is impossible they must be seen. 
 Fortunately, the magnificent collection brought to England 
 by that most indefatigable and enterprising naturalist, Mr. 
 Gould, places it in the power of every one to view these living 
 gems in all the attitudes of life, and surrounded with the ap- 
 propriate vegetation. They need nothing but motion. It 
 appears that cold is destructive to the Humming-birds. Wilson 
 says : 
 
 " This little bird is extremely susceptible of cold, and if 
 long deprived of the animating influence of the sunbeams, 
 droops, and soon dies. A very beautiful male was brought 
 me this season, which I put into a wire cage, and placed in a 
 retired shaded part of the room. After fluttering about for 
 some time, the weather being uncommonly cool, it clung by 
 the wires, and hung in a seemingly torpid state for a whole 
 forenoon. No motion whatever of the lungs could be per- 
 ceived on the closest inspection ; though at other times this 
 is remarkably observable ; the eyes were shut, and when 
 touched by the finger it gave no signs of life or motion. I 
 carried it out to the open air, and placed it directly in the 
 rays of the sun in a sheltered situation. In a few seconds 
 respiration became very apparent ; the bird breathed faster 
 and faster, opened its eyes, and began to look about with as 
 much seeming vivacity as ever. After it had completely re- 
 covered I restored it to liberty ; and it flew off" to the withered 
 top of a pear-tree, where it sat for some time, dressing its 
 disordered plumage, and then shot ofFlike a meteor."* 
 
 Fear will also produce the same effect, as they have re- 
 peatedly died when caught in a common gauze net, which 
 does not injure even the delicate scales of the butterfly's wing. 
 They are very quarrelsome little creatures, and frequently 
 fight with expanded crests and ruffled feathers until they fall 
 exhausted to the ground. 
 
 The nests are very neat and beautiful, and, as may be 
 imagined from the diminutive size of the little architect, exceed- 
 ingly small. They are composed of down, cotton, &c., and are 
 
 * Wilson's Ornithology, vol. ii. p. 30.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 237 
 
 sometimes covered on the outside with mosses and lichens. 
 Waterton relates a curious formation of the nest of one par- 
 ticular species, whose habitations are built at the extremity of 
 thin branches. 
 
 " Instinct teaches one species, which builds its nest on the 
 slender branches which hang over the rivers, to make a rim 
 round the mouth of the nest, turned inwards, so as to prevent 
 the eggs from rolling out. . . The trees on the river's bank are 
 particularly exposed to violent gusts of wind, and when I have 
 been sitting in the canoe and looking on, I have seen the 
 slender branch of the tree which held the Humming-bird's nest 
 so violently shaken, that the bottom of the inside of the nest has 
 appeared, and had there been nothing at the rim to stop the 
 eggs, they must inevitably have been jerked out into the water." 
 
 Family III. . . Certhidse. (Gr. 
 Sub-family a. Certhinae. 
 
 Creeper kind.) 
 
 Familiaris (Lat. familiar), the Creeper. 
 
 The CREEPERS are remarkable for their long slender bills 
 and claws, adapted for climbing trees, and capturing insects. 
 The common Creeper may often be seen in this country, run- 
 ning spirally up the trunks of trees, and probing the bark 
 with its bill, and so firmly do the claws hold, that when shot
 
 238 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 it does not always fall, but remains clinging to the tree. The 
 nest of this elegant little bird is made in a decayed tree. The 
 eggs are from seven to nine in number, grey with dusky spots. 
 
 Sub-family b. . Sittince. 
 SITTA. (Gr. Strr??.) 
 
 Europsea (Lat. European), the Nuthatch. 
 
 The term NUTHATCH well explains the habits of this inter- 
 esting little bird. As may be imagined from its name, nuts 
 form a considerable portion of its food, but it also feeds largely 
 on insects, pecked from the bark of trees. While searching after 
 insects, it displays an activity even surpassing the creeper, as it 
 runs up and down the trunk, mostly descending with its head 
 downwards, a feat beyond the capacity of either creeper or 
 woodpecker. In order to break the shell of nuts, it contrives to 
 fix the nut in some crevice, and then grasping with its power- 
 ful feet, it swings its beak against the nut with the whole force 
 of its body, and soon splits the nut in pieces. In spots frequent- 
 ed by this bird, heaps of nut-shells may be seen, as it usually 
 resorts to a place where it has found a convenient resting-place 
 for the nut, just as heaps of snail-shells may be often found by 
 stones which the thrush has found fitted for breaking them.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 230 
 
 It has hitherto been found impossible to keep the Nuthatch 
 in captivity. Its restless spirit and obstinate perseverance in 
 pecking at its prison speedily kill it ; and although several 
 have been placed in confinement, none have been recorded to 
 survive beyond the third day. The Kev. Mr. Bree relates 
 that the bill of a Nuthatch which he had taken in a common 
 brick trap was worn away to barely two-thirds of its usual 
 length by the unremitting attempts of the bird to escape from 
 its prison. 
 
 The nest of this bird is usually made in a hole in a decayed 
 tree, and as is usual with nests made in holes, it is a very 
 rough fabrication, composed of a few dried leaves. The bird 
 is also remarkable from its habit of plastering up the hole 
 with mud when it is too large to suit it. The eggs are from 
 five to seven in number, of a whitish colour, spotted with red- 
 dish brown. 
 
 Sub-family c. Menurince. 
 TROGLODYTES. (Gr. Tpu-yhodvrif, & creeper into caves.) 
 
 Parvulus (Lat. very small), the Wren. 
 
 The WREN shares with the robin some immunity from 
 juvenile sportsmen. Although it may be fearlessly hopping 
 about in the hedge, jerking its funny little tail, and playing 
 its antics just at the muzzle of the gun, few boys will fire at
 
 240 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 it a privilege for which it is difficult to give a reason, except, 
 perhaps, the very incomprehensible assertion that " The robin 
 and the wren are God Almighty's cock and hen ;" although 
 why these two birds, hoth proverbially quarrelsome and pug- 
 nacious, should be selected, to the exclusion of others, is diffi- 
 cult to say. Perhaps the robin enjoys his immunity from the 
 " Babes in the Wood," and the wren makes a convenient rhyme. 
 Be this as it may, it is to be wished that a similar rhyme ex- 
 isted, including the owl and the kestrel. 
 
 A singular anecdote is related of this bird. 
 
 " In the end of June, 1835, a person was shooting in the 
 neighbourhood of Bandrakehead, in the parish of Colton, West- 
 moreland : he killed a brace of blue titmice (Parus cceruleus), 
 which some time before had been observed to be constructing a 
 nest, in the end of a house belonging to a Mr. Innes of the same 
 place. In the course of the day, it was ascertained that the 
 titmice had completed the time of incubation, and that their 
 death had consequently left their offspring in a state of utter 
 destitution. This, however, was not long permitted to continue, 
 for the chirping of the young birds attracted the attention, and 
 excited the compassion of a wren ; which, since that period, 
 adopted the nestlings, and was daily engaged in rearing and 
 feeding them, with the affectionate kindness and unremitting 
 assiduity of a parent bird." 
 
 The nest of the Wren is built in any convenient cranny ; an 
 ivy-covered tree, the thatch of a barn, or a warm scarecrow, 
 are all used by this fearless little bird. The nest is usually of 
 an oven-like shape, always covered on the outside with some 
 material resembling the colour of the objects round it, such as 
 green moss if built among ivy, or brown lichen if built on a 
 rock or in the fork of a withered branch. The eggs are six or 
 eight in number white, speckled with reddish brown.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 211 
 
 Tribe III DENTIROSTRES. (Lat. tooth-billed.) 
 
 Family I Luscinidse. (Lat. Lusdnia, a Nightingale. Nightin- 
 gale kind) 
 Sub-family a. . Luscinince. 
 
 CALAMODYTA. (Gr. Kal.a[iodvTT)f, a diver in reeds.) 
 
 Locustella, the Crrasshopper Warbler. 
 
 WHILE walking along the hedges during the spring, an inces- 
 sant cry, closely resembling that of the grasshopper, and easily 
 to be taken for it, is heard proceeding from the hedge. This 
 cry proceeds from a little bird, called on that account the GRASS- 
 HOPPER WARBLER. The little creature keeps so close that it 
 is very difficult to catch even a casual glance at it, as it flits 
 along th3 bottom of the hedge. 
 
 The nest is carefully concealed, and very difficult to find. 
 It is composed of dried grass, and is usually hidden by the tufts 
 of herbage among which it is built. The eggs are from five to 
 seven in number ; white, speckled with red. The length of 
 the bird is five inches and a half; the third primary feather is 
 the longest. 
 
 L
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Philomela (Gr. QiAOfjijha, proper name), the Nightingale. 
 
 " Tiuu tiuu tiuu tiuu Spe tiu zqua 
 Tio tio tio tio tio tio tio tix Qutio qutio qutio qutio 
 Zquo zqup zquo zqup Tzu tzu tzii tzii tzu tzii tzii tzii tzu tzi 
 Quorror tiu zqua pipiquisi Zozozozozozozozozozozozo zirrhading ! <fec. &c." 
 
 So does a well-known naturalist endeavour to express the 
 wild and spiritual melody of this most exquisite of British song- 
 birds, the NIGHTINGALE. And in truth it is peihaps as good a 
 description as can be given without the aid of music. Even its 
 own marvellous notes sound comparatively weak unless backed 
 by the accompaniments of night and tranquillity ; for the in- 
 imitable song of this Mendelssohn among birds loses great part 
 of its beauty when uttered by day, deadened and confused with 
 other sounds. 
 
 In some counties of England it is never found, but in many 
 its nightly strains are frequently heard. The fields and College 
 gardens of Oxford are full of Nightingales, whose songs add 
 greatly to the effect of the scene. "Well may Isaak Walton say 
 in his delightfully quaint language : 
 
 " But the Nightingale, another of my airy creatures, 
 breathes such sweet, loud music out of her instrumental 
 throat, that it might make mankind to think that miracles 
 are not ceased. He that at midnight when the very labourer 
 sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear 
 airs, the sweet descents, the natural rising and falling, the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 243 
 
 doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted 
 above earth, and say, ' Lord, what music hast thou provided 
 for the saints in Heaven, when thou affordest bad men such 
 music on earth /' " 
 
 It must be borne in mind, that not only in this bird, but in 
 other singing birds, the male is the vocalist, so that Milton's 
 address to the " sweet songstress" is unfortunately not quite 
 so correct as poetical ; a misfortune of frequent occurrence. 
 
 SYLVIA. (Proper name.} 
 
 Undata (Lat. wavy), the Dartford Warbler. 
 
 The WAB.BLERS are spread over almost the entire globe, 
 and many gladden this country with their pleasant songs. 
 The Dartford Warbler derives its name from the place where 
 it was first noticed as a British bird. It is extremely small, 
 hardly larger than a wren, but the length of its tail increases 
 its apparent size. Furze-bushes form its usual residence. 
 There it may be seen hovering over the tops of the bushes, 
 uttering its curious quavering song, at the same time erecting 
 the feathers of its head, and puffing up its throat. It lays its 
 eggs in a nest carefully concealed in the centre of a furze- bush. 
 The eggs are of a greenish white, speckled with brown spots. 
 Its length is five inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 SYLVIA. 
 
 Cinerga (Lat. ashy), the Whitethroat. 
 
 The pretty little WHITETHROAT is one of the migratory 
 birds, remaining with us during the summer. Few copses 
 are without the singular and pleasing song of the Whitethroat. 
 It derives its name from the white colour of its throat and 
 abdomen, which renders it a conspicuous bird. Its curious 
 habit of flying upwards from its perch, and again descending 
 on the same spot, immediately points it out. 
 
 It builds a small nest, mostly among brambles or on a 
 stump densely covered with weeds. The eggs are five in 
 number a greyish white thickly spotted with brown. The 
 length of the bird is not quite six inches. 
 
 The BLACKCAP, almost a rival to the nightingale, is at once 
 recognised by the black colour of the crown of the head. 
 Only the males, however, are thus decorated, the crown of 
 the head of the female being dark brown. Its sweet notes 
 are poured forth from the concealment of some thicket or 
 tuft of trees, where it trusts to the density of the foliage to 
 elude discovery. Like the mocking-bird of America, it can 
 imitate the songs of other birds with such perfect inflection 
 that it is almost impossible to detect the imposture. 
 
 Among bushes and brambles it builds its nest, which is 
 made of dried grass, moss, and hairs. The eggs are five in
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 SYLVIA. 
 
 Atricapilla (Lat. blackhaired), the Blackcap Warbler. 
 
 number reddish brown, marked with dark spots. The length 
 of the bird is nearly six inches ; the third primary feather is 
 the longest. 
 
 The CHIFF-CHAFF, so called from its peculiar cry, is almost 
 the first of the Warblers that visits us in the spring, and one 
 of the last to leave us in the autumn, sometimes remaining 
 here until the middle of October. This little bird is found 
 
 Rufa (Lat. ruddy), the Chiff-chaff. 
 
 in most of the southern counties of England, and in Wales, 
 but has not been noticed north of Northumberland. On its
 
 246 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 first arrival it feeds on the leaf-rolling caterpillars that infest 
 the- leaves and early buds of trees, thereby doing great service 
 to the gardener, who especially detests all " blight," as he calls 
 these insidious little devourers. 
 
 The nest of the Chiff-chaff, like that of the wren, is oval or 
 rounded, and entered by a hole at the side. It is placed near 
 the ground in a bush, or sometimes resting on the hedge-bank. 
 Its eggs are six in number, speckled with purplish red on a 
 white ground. The length of the bird is not quite five inches ; 
 the third and fourth primary feathers are the longest. 
 
 (Lat.) 
 
 Cristatus (Lat crested), the Golden-crested Wren. 
 
 The GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS, as it ought properly to be 
 called, is one of the smallest of British birds. Fir plantations 
 are its favourite resort, and there it may be seen hopping about 
 the branches, running round them, head downwards, in search 
 of the insects hidden beneath the bark. Its name is derived 
 from the orange-coloured tuft of feathers on the crown of its 
 head, for which reason it is often called the Kinglet. Its 
 note is weak, but very pleasing, and much resembles that of 
 the common wren. The female is very bold while sitting, 
 and will permit close observation without quitting the nest.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 247 
 
 The nest itself is an object of great beauty. It is usually 
 placed on the under side of a fir branch, sheltered by the over- 
 hanging foliage, and sometimes further protected by a large 
 bunch of cones forming a kind of roof over it. The eggs are 
 from six to ten in number, very small, and of a reddish white 
 colour. The length of the bird is three inches and a half. 
 The fourth or fifth primary feather is the longest. 
 
 Sub-family b. JSrythacince. 
 RUTICILLA. ( Lat. sparkling.) 
 
 Phoenicura (Gr. $aivu, I display ; ovpu, a tail), the Redstart. 
 
 The REDSTART derives its name from the bright reddish 
 chestnut colour of the upper tail coverts and tail feathers, which 
 appear very conspicuous as the bird flits from one tree to an- 
 other, or dashes off when startled. It inhabits the skirts of 
 forests, copses, gardens, and especially frequents old ivied walls, 
 where numbers of the nests may be found.* The song of this 
 bird is not very powerful, but the notes are peculiarly sweet. 
 While singing it often changes its situation, occasionally sing- 
 ing as it flies. 
 
 The nest is placed usually in a hole in a wall, or in a hollow 
 
 * In 1847, I found a Redstart's nest built in a hole of a wall, forming one side of a 
 narrow passage in Merton College, Oxford. The eggs were nearly hatched, and the 
 birds did not seem to be disturbed by the constant passing of servants with their 
 paraphernalia of brooms, pails, <5cr.
 
 248 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 tree. The eggs are five in number, of a greenish blue colour, 
 closely resembling those of the Hedge Accentor. The length of 
 the bird is rather more than five inches. The fourth primary 
 feather is the longest. 
 
 ERYTHACUS.* (Gr. ' 
 
 Rubecula (Lat. a Redbreast), the Redbreast. 
 
 The REDBREAST, or ROBIN REDBREAST, as it is affectionate- 
 ly termed, has, by its fearless conduct, earned itself golden 
 opinions from all kinds of men. Every nation seems to pro- 
 tect it. Even the American Redbreast lives unharmed, pos- 
 sibly on account of its connexion with its English relation, 
 whose oft-told charity towards the Babes in the Wood has 
 turned aside from its posterity even the unsparing hand of the 
 sporting schoolboy. 
 
 In the winter, when the berries are gone, insects dead, and 
 the worms hidden under the hard frozen soil, then the Robin 
 flies for refuge to the habitations of man for shelter and food. 
 It is very amusing to see the half trusting, half fearful look 
 with which it hops to the window-sill for the first time. 
 After a while, it becomes bold, and taps at the window, if the 
 expected crumbs are not thrown out. Before very long, it 
 ventures to enter the room, hops about on the table, and 
 
 * This word ought to be spelt ERITHACCS, but in the Brit. Mus. Catalogue it i 
 spelt as above.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 249 
 
 quite seems to consider as a right what was first merely a fa- 
 vour.* When once established, it is very jealous, and will not 
 suffer a friend to be partaker of the same comforts, but attacks 
 him with the greatest fury ; so the unfortunate second comer 
 has to wait shivering outside the window, with his feathers 
 puffed up, and his little bright eye glancing from the depths of 
 the plumage. 
 
 The nest of this bird is built in a crevice of an old ivied wall, 
 in a bank, sheltered by the roots of trees, or in a mass of ivy 
 clinging to an old tree. The eggs are five in number, of a pale 
 grey colour, profusely marked with reddish spots. 
 
 Sub-family c. Accentorince. 
 ACCENTOR. (Lat. a Singer.) 
 
 Modularius (Lat. warbling], the Hedge Accentor. 
 
 The HEDGE ACCENTOR, or HEDGE SPARROW, is one of our 
 commonest English birds. It closely resembles the common 
 sparrow in appearance. The nest is built in holes, and con- 
 tains five blue eggs. 
 
 * About the year 1843, a Robin used to frequent our house. He was so tame as to 
 answer to his name " Bob." and continued his attachment even through the summer. 
 When the rabbits were fed, Bob always came to assist, and usually contrived to 
 perch on the edge of the pan from which the rabbit was eating. Both parties seem- 
 ed perfectly satisfied, and Bunny and Bob always continued very good friends.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Parince. 
 PAEUS. 
 
 Major (Lat. greater), the Great Titmouse. 
 
 ,The birds of the family of the TITS are remarkable for their 
 active habits among the branches of trees. There are few who 
 have not seen these beautiful and interesting little birds twist- 
 ing round the branches, perfectly unconcerned at the presence 
 of the spectator, sometimes hanging, head downwards, some- 
 times chasing an unlucky beetle along the bark, and invariably 
 catching it, in spite of its swift limbs and active wings ; some- 
 times twisting off a bud, and pulling it to pieces with marvel- 
 lous rapidity, in order to secure the lurking caterpillar within ; 
 sometimes pecking away at a piece of loose bark, and extract- 
 ing an unwilling spider by one of its legs, left incautiously pro- 
 jecting from its lurking-place. Pity it is that their funny little 
 sharp beaks should ever be put to worse uses ; but they lie 
 under a grave imputation of using these very beaks in the 
 slaughter of the defenceless young of other birds. 
 
 The GREAT TITMOUSE is common in England, frequenting 
 gardens, orchards, copses, &c. During the spring it is very 
 active in the capture of insects, but in autumn and winter it 
 is forced to content itself with grains and seeds of various 
 descriptions. Gilbert "White, in his " Selbourne," mentions 
 that he has seen the Great Tit " while it hung with its back
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 251 
 
 downwards, to my no small delight and admiration, draw 
 straws lengthwise from the eaves of thatched houses, in order 
 to pull out the flies that were concealed among them, and 
 that in such numbers that they quite defaced the thatch, and 
 gave it a ragged appearance." 
 
 The nest of this bird is built in a hole of a wall, or a 
 decayed tree, and in it are placed six or eight eggs, of a white 
 colour, spotted with reddish brown. The length of the bird 
 is about six inches. 
 
 Cceruleus (J.at, blue), the Blue Titmouse. 
 
 The little BLUE TITMOUSE is so well known as hardly to 
 require any description. It is most amusingly courageous, 
 and from the strenuous resistance it offers to its capturer, has 
 acquired from rustic boys the name of " Billy-biter." The 
 angry hiss of the female has frequently caused an intruding 
 hand to be rapidly withdrawn, for the sound is so exceedingly 
 like the hiss of an irritated snake, and the little beak is so 
 sharp, that few have the courage to proceed with their 
 investigations. A pair of these birds built their nest in the 
 coping of the Great Western Railway, at the Shrivenham 
 station, not two feet from the fiery and noisy engines, which 
 were constantly passing. The men respected the courage of 
 the little birds, and this whole brood was hatched, and suffered 
 to fly at liberty. 
 
 The utter contempt which this bird entertains for fire- 
 arms often leads to its destruction, for when the disappointed
 
 252 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 schoolboy has been wasting his powder and shot in attempting 
 to hit larks and such large game, he consoles himself by 
 shooting the unfortunate titmouse, who will allow him to 
 come so close that few vestiges of it remain except a tuft 
 of blue feathers. 
 
 The eggs of the Blue Titmouse are from six to eight in 
 number, white, marked with reddish brown spots. Its length 
 is about four inches and a half. 
 
 Caudatus (Lat. tailed), the Long-tailed Titmouse. 
 
 The LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE is another well-known species 
 of this amusing family. Unlike the other Tits, it does not 
 frequent human habitations during the winter, but may be 
 seen in great numbers twisting and creeping about the branches 
 of hedge-rows and field trees. In the summer they are quite 
 as bold as their relations, and especially favour apple-trees, for 
 the sake of the diseased buds, which they pick ofi' and devour, 
 thereby drawing upon themselves the vengeance of the gar- 
 dener, who prepares his gun, fires at the supposed depredators, 
 and possibly succeeds in killing them ; but he has also suc- 
 ceeded in doing more damage to the healthy buds by his spare 
 shot, than a score of tits would injure during the entire
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 253 
 
 The beautiful and elaborate nest which this bird constructs 
 is one of its chief peculiarities. It is oval in shape, and 
 entirely closed, except one small hole at the side, just large 
 enough to admit the bird. The exterior of the nept is usually 
 covered with lichens, and it is lined with a thick layer of soft 
 feathers. In this warm and elegant habitation from ten to 
 fourteen eggs are laid. They are small and very delicately 
 spotted. The entire length of the bird is about five inches 
 and a half. 
 
 Sub-family e. Motacillince. 
 MOTACILLA. (Lat. a Wagtail.) 
 
 Yarrellii (Lat. of Yarrell), the Pied Wagtail. 
 
 The WAGTAILS, so named, from the almost incessant vibra- 
 tion of their tails, are exclusively confined to the Old World. 
 The PIED WAGTAIL is the most common of its race. We often 
 see it pass rapidly, with its peculiar dipping flight ; it settles 
 on the ground and wags its tail ; it runs a few paces, and 
 wags its tail again ; pecks at an insect, and its tail again 
 vibrates, &c. It does not hop, like the warblers, finches, 
 &c., but runs with great rapidity, and altogether looks very 
 like a diminutive magpie. Sand banks by the sides of rivers 
 are the usual resort of these birds, where they may almost 
 always be seen, running about by the water's edge, sometimes
 
 254 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 snatching at an incautious may-fly, sometimes wading into 
 the water after a caddis-worm or a stray grub, nor is it quite 
 safe for a minnow to come too near the surface and then 
 flying off to another spot to repeat the same manoauvres. This 
 bird also greatly frequents pastures, and may be seen running 
 about among the cows in the most nonchalant manner ima- 
 ginable, catching the flies that torment those animals in the 
 summer, or flying off to its unfinished nest with a beak full 
 of hairs. Their nests are built near the water, in crevices 
 among stones, or in the hole of a wall. Frequently when 
 stones are piled by a wet quarry, several nests may be found 
 in one heap of stones. The eggs are four or five in number, 
 of a dusky white colour, spotted with ashy brown. The length 
 of the bird is seven inches and a half. 
 
 MOTACILLA. 
 
 Flava (Lat. yellow), Yellow Wagtail. 
 
 The YELLOW WAGTAIL is very similar in habits to the more 
 common Pied Wagtail, but the yellow tints of some of its 
 feathers, somewhat resembling those of the Yellow Hammer, at 
 once distinguish it.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 255 
 
 ANTHUS. (Lat. a Titlark.') 
 
 Pratensis (Lat. of a Meadow), the Meadow Pipit. 
 
 The MEADOW PIPIT, more commonly called the Titlark, 
 resembles the true Larks in the long hind claw and peculiar 
 plumage, but is pointed out as distinct, from the different 
 colour of the bill. Like the skylark, it sings while in the 
 air, but sometimes also pours forth its musical strains while 
 settled upon the ground. It feeds principally on slugs, worms, 
 and insects, which it chases with much activity, after the 
 manner of the wagtails, even vibrating its tail like them. 
 Hilly grounds, commons, and meadows are its chief resort in 
 summer, but during September and October flocks of these 
 birds may be seen congregated in turnip fields, and in the 
 winter they seek the protection of the warm hedge-rows. 
 
 The nest of the Titlark is made on the ground, concealed 
 by a tuft of grass. There are usually five or six eggs, light 
 brown in colour, spotted with a darker tint. The length of 
 the bird is six inches.
 
 256 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. . . Turdidse. (Lat. Turdus, a. Thrush. Thrush kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Formicarince. 
 
 HYDROBATA. (Gr. "Tdwp, water; fiaivu, I go.) 
 
 Cinclus (Gr. Kt'y/cAof), the Dipper. 
 
 The WATER OUZEL, or DIPPER, is one of the most interesting 
 of our native birds. It is found principally in hilly places 
 where there are clear and rapid streams, such as in Derbyshire 
 and Yorkshire. There it may be seen to go through its far- 
 famed movements under the water, which have given rise to 
 so much controversy. It dives for considerable distances with 
 apparent ease, and has a habit of dipping and rising repeatedly, 
 from which practice its name has been derived. 
 
 The nest is usually built by the water side, and is most 
 carefully concealed. In general appearance it is not unlike 
 that of the wren, being made of intertwined mosses, with an 
 entrance at the side. It lays five largish eggs, of a pure white. 
 The length of this bird is about seven inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Sub-family b. Tardince. 
 
 257 
 
 Viscivorus (Lat. Viscus, a Misseltoe; voro, I devour), the Misseltoe 
 Thrush. 
 
 The MISSELTOE THRUSH, or STORMCOCK, according to 
 Waterton, " surpasses all other thrushes in ^ize, and is deci- 
 dedly the largest songster of the European birds. He remains 
 with us the whole of the year, and he is one of three birds 
 which charm us with their melody during the dreary months 
 of winter, when the throstle and lark are silent, and all the 
 migratory birds have left us, to sojourn in warmer climates. 
 He appears to be gregarious in the months of August and 
 September." " This bird, though usually known by the name 
 of the Misseltoe Thrush in many parts of England, is invari- 
 ably called the Stormcock by all the lower orders in our 
 neighbourhood : not that it delights in storms more than in 
 fine weather ; but that nature has taught it to pour forth its 
 melody at a time of the year when the bleak winds of winter 
 roar through the leafless trees." 
 
 It is very fond of the berries of the misseltoe, but when 
 they fail it turns its attention to those of the mountain ash, 
 which are almost certain to attract this beautiful and powerful
 
 258 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 songster. In the summer it devours all kinds of garden-fruits, 
 especially cherries and raspberries. 
 
 During the breeding season it is very pugnacious, attacking 
 and driving away not only small birds, but the crow, the 
 magpie, or even a prowling cat. The nest is very large, 
 always built in a tree, and containing about five reddish 
 spotted eggs. The length of the bird is eleven inches. 
 
 Pilaris (Lat. like a ball), the Fieldfare. 
 
 The FIELDFARE is properly a native of the cold regions of 
 Europe, and only visits this country during the cold winter 
 months. From its excellence as an adjunct to the table, it is 
 perseveringly sought after, but is so shy, that unless the bird 
 is very busy satisfying its hunger, there is some difficulty in 
 approaching within gun-range. 
 
 It builds in fir or pine-trees, and lays several bluish-green 
 eggs, spotted with brown. Its length is about ten inches. 
 
 The SONG-THRUSH, THROSTLE or MAVIS, is deservedly con- 
 sidered one of our best singing birds. Its powerful and rich 
 notes may be heard even during the month of January, when 
 most of the other singing birds are either silent, or have 
 departed. Its nest is built almost before any other bird has
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 TURDUS. 
 
 Musicus (Lat. musical), the Bong-Thrush. 
 
 commenced, and may often be seen conspicuously placed in a 
 bush, sometime before the leaves have begun to sprout. In 
 order to defend the callow young from the cold winds of the 
 season when they are hatched, the nest is more substantial 
 than birds are accustomed to build, being thickly plastered 
 within with a coating of mud, effectually keeping out the 
 chilling blasts. Were it only for its singing powers, the 
 Thrush would deserve protection ; but the services it renders 
 to the gardener in devouring insects, snails, &c., entitle it to 
 a double share of regard. 
 
 It is very amusing to watch the thrush listening for the 
 sound of the earth-worm working his way through the ground, 
 or the gnawing teeth of the cockchaffer grub. The grub he 
 unearths and devours without further ceremony, but he knows 
 that if he is not cautious, the earth-worm will withdraw itself 
 out of his reach. He therefore gives several hops near the 
 worm, which, fancying that it hears its enemy the mole pur- 
 suing it, comes to the surface, and is instantly seized in triumph 
 by the crafty thrush. 
 
 It clears the shells from snails by beating them against a 
 stone, and when it has found a convenient place for that pur-
 
 260 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 pose, it invariably returns to it with its prey, so that heaps of 
 broken snail-shells may often be found where the thrushes have 
 been at work. 
 
 The eggs of the Thrush are five in number, of a bluish- 
 green colour, spotted with a deep reddish-brown. Sometimes 
 the spots are altogether absent. 
 
 Merula (Lat. a Blackbird), the Blackbird. 
 
 The BLACKBIRD is another delightful songster, whose jetty 
 hue and orange-tawny bill are too well known to need de- 
 scription. It is a very shy bird, and if disturbed in a hedge, 
 has a habit of darting through it, and then escaping on the 
 other side, uttering a sharp cry of alarm. The habits of this 
 bird are not unlike those of the thrush, especially in its zeal 
 for unearthing the cockchaffer-grubs, and possibly for eating 
 cherries when they are ripe. 
 
 Its nest is built usually at the foot of a hedge, frequently 
 in the very centre of a holly bush, safe from most enemies, but 
 weasels, &c.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 261 
 
 A beautiful King Charles' dog of my acquaintance was 
 accustomed to search for thrush's and blackbird's nests, and 
 bite out the bottom of them, so that the eggs rolled quietly 
 into his mouth, he having discovered that when he tried to 
 take them from the mouth of the nest, he invariably broke 
 them. The eggs are five in number, of a bluish-green colour, 
 profusely spotted with brown. 
 
 ORPHEUS. (Gr. proper name of a famous musician.) 
 
 Polyglottus (Gr. UoAvf, many ; yAwrra, a tongue), the Mocking-Bird. 
 
 The MOCKING-BIRD or POLYGLOT THRUSH is a native of 
 most parts of America. This wonderful bird stands pre- 
 eminent in powers of song. Not only are its natural notes 
 bold and spirited, but it has the faculty of imitating with 
 deceptive fidelity every sound it hears. To its flexible organs, 
 the harsh setting of a saw, the song of a nightingale, the 
 creaking of a wheel, the whistled tune of a passer-by, the full 
 and mellow notes of the thrush, the barking of a dog, the 
 crowing of a cock, and the savage scream of the bald eagle, 
 are each equally easy of execution, and follow one another
 
 262 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 with such marvellous rapidity that few can believe that the 
 insignificant brown bird before them is the sole author of 
 these varied sounds. The Virginian nightingale and the 
 canary hear their exquisite modulations performed with such 
 superior execution, that the vanquished songsters are silent 
 from mere mortification, while the triumphant Mocking-bird 
 only redoubles his efforts. Wilson, whose animated description 
 of this bird has never been surpassed, says : " His expanded 
 wings and tail glistening with white, and the buoyant gaiety 
 of his action arresting the eye, as his song does most irre- 
 sistibly the ear, he sweeps round with enthusiastic ecstasy, 
 and mounts and descends as his song swells or dies away. 
 He often deceives the sportsman, and sends him in search of 
 birds that are not perhaps within miles of him, but whose 
 notes he exactly imitates : even birds themselves are frequently 
 imposed upon by this admirable mimic, and are decoyed by 
 the fancied calls of their mates, or dive with precipitation into 
 the depth of thickets at the scream of what they suppose to 
 be the sparrow-hawk." 
 
 While its eggs are hatching it is an exceedingly courageous 
 bird, attacking without discrimination man, dogs, or any animal 
 who may approach too near the nest. But the black snake 
 is the special object of its vengeance. The snake, who has 
 perhaps just arrived at the vicinity of the nest, and is con- 
 templating a pleasant breakfast on the young or eggs, is 
 violently attacked by the enraged Mocking-bird, who, by 
 repeated blows on the head, generally destroys its enemy, and 
 then mounting upon a bush, pours forth a triumphant song 
 of victory. 
 
 The nest is made generally in a bush or apple-tree, frequent- 
 ly close to houses, as the bird is protected by the inhabitants. 
 The Mocking-bird is often kept tame, in which case, so far 
 from its imitative powers showing any decrease, the variety 
 of domestic sounds heard about the house, is often very 
 perplexing.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Sub-family c. Oriolince. 
 
 Galbula (Lat), tlie Golden Oriole. 
 
 The genus Oriolus has the beak notched and rather bent at 
 the tip. The GOLDEN ORIOLE is only an occasional visitor to 
 this country, and has never as yet been seen in Scotland. It 
 is a very shy bird, frequenting the skirts of woods, especially 
 copses that border on larger woods. In the fruit season it 
 leaves the woods for the orchards, and makes no small havoc 
 among the fruit, particularly the figs, grapes,- and cherries. 
 
 The riest is made of wood and fine hay ; it is generally 
 placed on the fork of a bough. The eggs are five in number, 
 of a purplish white spotted with reddish marks. The length 
 of the bird is rather more than ten inches. 
 
 THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. 
 
 The SPOTTED FLYCATCHER may be considered as the type of 
 
 the entire family. It may be constantly seen in gardens and 
 
 orchards, going through the evolutions that have given it the 
 
 names of Flycatcher, Post-bird, Beam-bird, &c. It takes its
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III. . . Muscicapidse. (Gr. Musca, a Fly ; capio, I take. Fly- 
 catcher kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Muscicapince. 
 
 Grisola, the Spotted Flycatcher. 
 
 station on some elevated spot, such as the overhanging bough 
 of a tree, a post, or a rail, and from thence watches for a 
 passing insect, on seeing which, it darts from its post, secures 
 the insect in the air, and returns to the same spot by a short 
 circular flight. It is not a timid bird, and will permit an 
 observer to stand quite close to it provided that he does not 
 disturb it.* It is only a summer visitor to England, arriving 
 in May and departing about the beginning of October. The 
 note of this bird is a weak chirp, and even that is not often 
 heard. 
 
 The nest is built usually in holes of trees or walls, or 
 sometimes between a branch of a wall-fruit tree and the wall 
 itself. The eggs are five in number, spotted with reddish 
 brown on a grey ground. The length of the bird is about 
 five inches. 
 
 * I saw one of these birds engaged in the pursuit of flies in a garden at Headington. 
 It perched on a balustrade close to a window from which several persons were 
 watching it, and continued its evolutions perfectly undisturbed by their proximity.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family IV. ... Ampelidae. 
 
 Sub-family a. . . Ampelince. 
 
 AMPELIS. (Gr. 'A.fiire^.if.) 
 
 Garrulus (Lat. chattering), the Bohemian Waxwing. 
 
 The BOHEMIAN WAXWING or WAXEN CHATTERER is only 
 occasionally seen in England during severe frosts,* at which 
 time flocks of them sometimes arrive. It is very common in 
 Norway and Russia, and is plentiful in North America. The 
 name of Waxwing is given to it from the singular appendages 
 to the secondary quill feathers, bearing much resemblance to 
 a drop of red sealing-wax pressed on the wing. 
 
 Berries of all kinds, especially those of the dog-rose and the 
 hawthorn, form the principal food of this bird, but it is related 
 that when in captivity it rejects scarcely any vegetable sub- 
 stance, losing at the same time all its vivacity and social 
 habits. The note of the Waxwing is not unlike that of the 
 thrush, but it is very weak and more uncertain than the notes 
 of that beautiful songster. While singing it agitates the 
 
 * A specimen was shot in Oxford in 1846.
 
 266 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 crest on its head, but shows scarcely any of that swelling in 
 the throat so perceptible in the canary and other singing 
 birds. 
 
 The length of the bird is rather more than eight inches. 
 
 Family V. ... Lamdse. (Lat. Lanius, a Butcher. Butcher-bird 
 
 kind.) 
 Sub-family a. . Lanince. 
 
 LANIUS. (Lat. a Butcher.) 
 
 Excubitor (Lat. a Sentinel), the Great Grey Shrike. 
 
 The SHRIKES or BUTCHER BIRDS well deserve their name, 
 as they live upon insects and small birds, which they kill and 
 afterwards transfix with a thorn preparatory to devouring 
 them. They take their prey much after the same manner 
 as the flycatchers, by darting on it from some place of con- 
 cealment. 
 
 The GREAT GREY SHRIKE is supposed to be only an occa- 
 sional visitor to this country. It feeds upon mice, birds, 
 and other small animals. After pouncing upon its
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 267 
 
 prey, the Shrike, by a few blows on the head from its powerful 
 bill destroys it. The unfortunate animal is then carried to 
 the nearest hedge, impaled with a thorn, and the Shrike 
 devours it at his leisure. Large insects are treated in the 
 same manner. The name Excubitor or Sentinel is given it 
 from its habit of watching for birds of prey, and chattering 
 loudly directly it perceives them ; thereby proving that, like 
 most other tyrants, he has a great objection to suffering any 
 injury himself. The bird catchers on the Continent take ad- 
 vantage of this peculiarity, to assist them in the capture of 
 the peregrine falcon. The fowler places a small net on the 
 ground, with a pigeon fastened to it by way of bait. A 
 string is attached to the net, and brought within a turf hut 
 where the fowler sits. Close to the hut a shrike is tied to 
 the ground, and two pieces of turf are set up as a shelter for 
 the bird from the weather, and as a refuge from the hawk. 
 The fowler remains within his hut busied with some sedentary 
 occupation, knowing well that his vigilant watchman will not 
 fail to give him notice of the approach of a hawk. Directly 
 a hawk appears in the distance, the shrike becomes agitated ; 
 as it draws nearer, he begins to scream with fright ; and just 
 as the hawk pounces on the pigeon, he runs under his turf, 
 which is the signal to the fowler within the hut to pull the 
 string, thereby enclosing the hawk within the folds of the net. 
 The nest is built on trees, and contains about six eggs, 
 greyish- white, spotted with dark ash on the larger end ; the 
 length of the bird is from nine to ten inches. 
 
 THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. 
 
 The RED-BACKED SHRIKE is much more common than the 
 last-mentioned bird, and may be seen in and about hedges, in 
 the spring, when it is occupied in building its nest. It is 
 rather a noisy bird, and the nest is so large as to be easily dis- 
 covered. It feeds principally on insects, such as bees, beetles, 
 &c., which may frequently be found impaled on thorns.* 
 
 * The insect most commonly found by myself, in this position, was the Stap 
 erythropterus, but I have also found ground beetles and humble bees i
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Collurio (Gr. KohAvpiuv), the Red-backed Shrike. 
 
 These impaled insects form a very good indication as to the 
 locality of the nests, and are probably placed there for food ; 
 certainly not, as some authors have stated, for the purpose 
 of decoying other birds to the spot in order to murder and 
 devour them. The nest and eggs much resemble those of the 
 Great Shrike, but are smaller. The length of the bird is seven 
 inches and a half. 
 
 THE JAY. 
 
 The CORVID.E are peculiarly remarkable for a kind of pre- 
 ternatural air of sagacity with which they set about any self- 
 imposed task, especially if that task be a mischievous one. 
 The ravens and magpies are most conspicuous in these quali- 
 ties. 
 
 The JAY, so well known for the beautiful blue markings on 
 its wings, is rather a shy bird, preferring to reside in the 
 thickest woods, and seldom coming into the open country. 
 It is easily tamed when young, and is very amusing when 
 domesticated.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Tribe IV. ... CONIROSTRES. (Lat. Cone-shape beaked.) 
 Family I. ... Corvidse. (Lat. Corvus, Crow. Crow kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Garrulince. 
 
 L-S (Lat. talkative.) 
 
 Glandarius (Lat. of the Acorn), the Jay. 
 
 This bird possesses, like several others of the same family, 
 considerable talents for mimicry. It has been known to imi- 
 tate the sound of a saw, the bleat of a lamb, or even the neigh- 
 ing of a horse, with the most perfect accuracy. Nor do its pow- 
 ers cease here, for although its natural voice is harsh and grat- 
 ing, yet it can imitate the sweet notes of singing birds, such as 
 the Greenfinch, with wonderful fidelity. It has also frequently 
 been taught to articulate words. 
 
 The name of Glandarius has been given to the Jay, because 
 it feeds on vegetable productions, such as acorns, &c., more 
 than the true Crows. It is also partial to fruits, especially ripe 
 cherries, and is consequently persecuted by the gardener. It is 
 also said to devour eggs and young birds. 
 
 Its nest is built about twenty feet from the ground, the upper 
 part of a thick bush being preferred . The eggs are five or six 
 in number, of a yellowish white, thickly speckled with brown. 
 The length of the bird is nearly fourteen inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family b. Corvince. 
 NUCIKEAGA. (Lat. Nux, a mit; frango, I break.) 
 
 Caryocatactes (Gr. KapvoKaraKTijc., properly, the Nuthatch), the 
 Nutcracker Grow. 
 
 The NUTCRACKER CROW, whose true position in the scale 
 of creation has so long bewildered naturalists, is about the 
 size of a jackdaw, but its form is more slender, and the tail is 
 longer. It is seldom found in this country, but is very com- 
 mon in more northern districts. In its habits it displays a 
 singular mixture of the woodpecker and the nuthatch, and 
 exhibits so few of the well-known habits of the Crows, that 
 observers might well be perplexed where to place it. It is 
 now supposed to be one of the connecting links between the 
 crows and the woodpeckers. It runs about the branches of 
 trees, using its tail for a support, and pecks away the bark in 
 order to reach the insects beneath, just as the woodpeckers do. 
 It also pecks open the fir-cones, in search of the hidden seed, 
 and breaks nuts by repeated strokes of its bill, like the nuthatch. 
 It is usually seen in flocks, but is not so wary as the crows. Its 
 eggs are laid at the bottom of a hole in some tree. They are of 
 a greyish yellow colour, diversified with a few dark grey spots.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 271 
 
 PICA. (Lat. a Magpie.) 
 
 Caudata (long-tailed), the Magpie. 
 
 The MAGPIE, who seems to rival the Parrot in the proud 
 title of the Monkey of the Birds (the Raven being the orni- 
 thological Baboon) is a well-known inhabitant of this country. 
 Its thieving and hiding propensities have been frequently told ; 
 but I must still venture to give a few anecdotes of a tame 
 magpie that resided in Wiltshire. This bird found a malicious 
 enjoyment in pecking the unprotected ankles of little boys not 
 yet arrived at manly habiliments, and was such a terror to the 
 female servants that they were forced to pass his lurking-place 
 armed with a broom. One of the servants having neglected 
 this precaution was actually found sitting down on the stones 
 to protect her ankles, the magpie triumphantly pacing round 
 her, until aid was brought, and the bird driven away. But 
 to little boys and girls the magpie showed no mercy, springing 
 out of its hiding-place, and chasing them completely along 
 the garden walk. 
 
 It had also a great penchant for tearing and biting to pieces 
 any papers that came in its way, probably because it had 
 perceived that people valued them. One Sunday morning,
 
 272 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 after the family had returned from church, the rector found 
 his study strewed with pamphlets, torn newspapers, &c., so 
 that until the delinquent was discovered, he really thought 
 that thieves had been in the house. A magpie never seems 
 to be happy unless it possesses a hiding-place, nor did this 
 one form an exception to the general rule, as it had pecked a 
 hole in the thatch of a barn, wherein to dispose its ill-gotten 
 goods, and displayed great uneasiness if anybody approached it. 
 
 Another magpie gained entrance into the chapel of Wadham 
 College, Oxford, and remained quiet enough until the service 
 had begun, when it gravely walked up the centre, bowing and 
 saying, " Pretty Mag ! Pretty Mag !" much to the discomposure 
 of the junior members. A curious story is told respecting the 
 power of the Magpie to count numbers. 
 
 " George Le Roy states that a magpie having stolen some 
 game, it was resolved to shoot it. A man hid himself in a 
 hut near its nest for this purpose. The bird flew away when 
 he entered, nor would return. The next day two men entered 
 and one came out. Mag was not to be cheated; she waited 
 till the second left also. Three went in and two came out, 
 with the same result. Four then entered, and three came 
 away. The bird went back and was shot. So magpies, says 
 George La Roy, can count three but not four." 
 
 The nest of the Magpie is built on a high tree, and curiously 
 defended with thorns, having only a small hole just large 
 enough to admit the owners, so that the liberal use of a pocket 
 knife is frequently requisite in order to obtain the eggs. The 
 nest is covered with a dome of thorns, respecting which a 
 curiously quaint fable is told. 
 
 " The birds," says the historian, " not knowing how to build 
 nests, went in a body to request the Magpie to teach them. He 
 willingly undertook the office. ' First,' he said, ' you must 
 look out for a good, strong, forked branch, and begin by laying 
 two sticks crosswise.' ' That's just what I did,' said the rook. 
 ' Next, you must raise the sides a little, and then put in some 
 hay, which you must work well into the sticks.' ' The very 
 thing I have been doing,' said the crow. ' Now, for fear the 
 eggs should be broken or thrown out, you must raise the 
 sides about as high as your head when you sit in the bottom 
 of the nest, and put in some soft wool.' ' Why,' said the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 273 
 
 thrush, ' I did as far as that before I came here.' ' Oh ! then, 
 replied the magpie, ' as I see that you all know how to 
 make nests, there is no occasion for me to teach you.' And 
 that is the reason why the other birds are only able to build 
 half nests." 
 
 The interior of the nest is defended by a coating of mud, 
 worked smooth. The eggs are five in number, of a greenish 
 white, covered with brown markings. The length of the bird 
 is about eighteen inches. 
 
 CORVUS. (Lat. a Crow.) 
 
 
 Corax (Gr. Kopat, a Raven), the Raven. 
 
 The RAVEN is very common on the continent, and most- 
 parts of Asia and America, but is now seldom seen in this 
 country except in a domesticated state. It is more frequently 
 found in the Hebrides than in any other part of Great Britain. 
 In those islands it lives principally on carrion of various 
 
 M *
 
 274 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 kinds, such as dead sheep or lambs, whose death the Raven is 
 accused with some justice of hastening, and on fishes or ceta- 
 ceous animals which have been cast on shore by the waves. 
 In these cases the Raven conducts itself much in the manner of 
 the vulture. It commences by taking out the eye and tongue, 
 and then proceeds to tear open the abdomen, operations for 
 which its sharp and powerful bill seems quite as well fitted as 
 the hooked beak of the rapacious birds. It is a very crafty 
 bird, and can with difficulty be approached, but by laying 
 a dead carcase near its haunts, and being carefully concealed, 
 it may be seen cautiously approaching ; first perching on an 
 eminence, it looks carefully round ; then, advancing with a 
 sidelong step, it examines its expected prey. When fully 
 satisfied, it pecks out the eyes and proceeds to satiate itself 
 with food. The Raven seems to fear no storms, and to be 
 deterred by no inclemency of weather from seeking its prey. 
 Although formerly so plentiful in England that innumerable 
 omens were drawn from its croaking, flight, &c., it has almost 
 become extinct, much to the discomfiture of omen seekers. 
 No incantation and no dance of witches seemed to be considered 
 complete, without a black cat, a toad or two, a bat and a 
 raven. Certainly the extraordinary gravity which marks the 
 demeanour of the Raven has something almost preternatural 
 in it. The manner in which he sets about a piece of mischief, 
 as if he considered it a moral duty, is most absurd, and the 
 pertinacity with which he prosecutes a great work, such as the 
 feat of Charles Dickens' s raven, who " new pointed the greater 
 part of the garden wall, by digging out the mortar, and tore 
 up and swallowed in splinters the greater part of a wooden 
 staircase of six steps and a landing," is perfectly astounding.* 
 
 It has a great capacity for imitating sounds, and can be 
 taught to pronounce whole sentences, or sings songs with won- 
 derful accuracy. 
 
 In the northern parts of Scotland it makes its nest on high 
 rocks, but not ijpfrequently builds on the summit of a tall 
 tree. The nest is a large irregular structure of heath, grass, 
 
 * A raven in our possession used to watch the gardener taking particular pains to, 
 prop up and secure a valuable plant. His labour was always in vain, for the raven, 
 with a sidelong step and an unconcerned air, as if he were thinking of anything but 
 the plant, would sidle by it, when one wrench of his iron bill laid the unfortunate 
 plant on the earth, and the raven moved off with a most provoking air of innocence.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 wool and feathers, and sea-weed if it builds near the sea-shore. 
 It lays from four to seven eggs, of a pale green colour, spotted 
 with greenish brown. The length of the bird is two feet two 
 inches, and the expanse of wing four feet eight inches. 
 
 Frugilggus (Lat Corn-gatherer), the Rook. 
 
 The ROOK inhabits almost every part of Europe, and is very 
 common in England, where it lives in a kind of semi-domesti- 
 cation, usually inhabiting a grove of trees near a house, or in 
 a park, where it is protected by the owner, although he makes 
 it pay for this accommodation by shooting the young once every 
 year. Apparently in consequence of this annual persecution, 
 the Rook has an intense horror of guns, perceiving them at a 
 great distance. "While feeding in flocks in the fields, or 
 following the ploughman in his course, and devouring the 
 worms and grubs turned up by the share, the Rook has 
 always a sentinel planted in a neighbouring tree, who instantly 
 gives the alarm at th|sight of a gun, or of a suspicious-looking 
 object. 
 
 The good which the Rook does by devouring the grubs of
 
 276 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 the cockchafier, and the tipulas or daddy-long-legs, both of 
 which are exceedingly injurious to the crops, more than com- 
 pensates for the damage it sometimes causes, by pulling up 
 young corn, or newly set potato cuttings ; in the latter case 
 more, I believe, to get at the wireworms, which crowd to the 
 slices of potato, than to eat the vegetable itself. In the fruit 
 season, the Rook, like most other birds, likes to have his 
 share of the cherries, pears, and walnuts, but may be easily 
 kept away by the occasional sight of 'a gun. 
 
 Towards evening the Rooks may be seen flying in long 
 lines to their resting-place " The blackening train of crows 
 to their repose." They then perform sundry evolutions in 
 the air, and finally settle to rest. 
 
 Round the base of the Rook's beak is a whitish looking 
 skin, denuded of feathers, the reason or cause of which is not 
 very obvious. A white variety of the Rook is sometimes 
 seen. The gamekeeper at Ashdown had a very fine white 
 Rook, which he kept tame in his garden. 
 
 The eggs of this bird are five in number, similar to those of 
 the raven in colour, but much smaller. The length of the 
 bird is nineteen inches. 
 
 The JACKDAW is another well-known bird. It does not 
 build in the branches of trees like the Reck, to which it is very 
 similar in many respects, but prefers holes in decayed trees 
 or old buildings, particularly frequenting church towers and 
 steeples. The Jackdaw feeds upon almost any substance that 
 it can find. It kills mice with a single blow of its beak, and 
 then devours them piecemeal. Grasshoppers, beetles, &c. are 
 also killed by a squeeze across the thorax, and the head, wings, 
 and legs, are twisted off before the bird begins to eat them. 
 It treats bees, wasps, and other stinged insects with much more 
 caution. The feathers upon the crown of its head are of a 
 greyish white colour, a peculiarity instantly distinguishing 
 it from the rook. It is frequently kept tame,- and is very 
 amusing in captivity.* The eggs are of a lighter colour than 
 
 * A tame Jackdaw in the possession of one of my scholars used to travel backwards 
 and forwards from the school to his own home. When in the train, his terror at the 
 sight of the trees whizzing past him, was most ludicrous. He uttered a sharp cry of 
 fear, twisted round in his basket, and thrust his beak through the interstices on the 
 opposite side. After he had recovered from his fright, he was usually very talkative.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 277 
 
 Monedula (Lat. a Jackdaw), the Jackdaw. 
 
 those of the rook, smaller and more sparingly spotted. The 
 length is fourteen inches. 
 
 The CROW, or CARRION Crow, as it is erroneously called, 
 seldom feeds on carrion, for poor indeed would be his meals 
 were he dependent on dead sheep or horses for a livelihood. 
 Possibly the name was given as a distinction between it and 
 the rook. Waterton states that the flesh of the Carrion Crow 
 is just as good as that of the rook, and relates how he once 
 served up a pie of these birds to some friends, who thought 
 them pigeons. It will also eat cherries and walnuts like the 
 rook, and when the supply of insects has failed, it will then turn 
 its attention to the duck-pond and farm-yard, and carry off a 
 young duckling or chicken. 
 
 " Sometimes he approaches the farm-house by stealth, in the 
 search of young chickens, which he is in the habit of snatching 
 off, when he can elude the vigilance of the mother hen, who 
 often proves too formidable for him. A few days ago, a crow 
 was observed eagerly attempting to seize some young chickens 
 in an orchard, near the room where I write, but these cluster-
 
 278 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Corone (Gr. Kopwv??), the Crow. 
 
 ing round the hen, she resolutely defended them, and drove the 
 crow into an apple-tree, whither she pursued him with such 
 spirit and intrepidity, that he was glad to make a speedy re- 
 treat and abandon his design."* 
 
 It also carries off eggs, by pouncing upon them, and driving 
 its bill through the shell. It will be seen, from the following 
 anecdote, that mice and rats are not unaccustomed food. 
 
 In a field near a gentleman's house about a mile from 
 Caernarvon there are some outbuildings much infested with 
 rats. Four or five traps are set on the premises every night, 
 and it is the business of a servant-man to go to the spot 
 between five and six in the morning. He is always punctually 
 met by a company of crows that station themselves at a little 
 distance, and most narrowly watch all his proceedings. No 
 sooner does he remove his captives from the traps and throw 
 them into the field, than the carnival begins. The crows 
 seize upon their booty, scientifically perforate the integuments, 
 and scoop out and devour every particle of flesh, even in the 
 head. In a very short time the . skins are turned inside out, 
 
 * Waicrton.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 279 
 
 and a few clean picked bones are the only memorials of the 
 banquet. 
 
 The nests of this bird are placed on the summit of some tall 
 tree, and contain about five eggs, closely resembling those of the 
 rook. The length of the bird is eighteen inches. 
 
 Sub-family c. Pyrrhocoracince. 
 CORACIA. (Gr. KopaKiaf, like a Raven.) 
 
 Gracula (Lat. a Chough), the Chough. 
 
 The CHOUGH is rather larger than the jackdaw, and is 
 principally distinguished by the red hue of its bill and legs. 
 It inhabits the counties of the western coast of England, and 
 is, perhaps, more common in Cornwall than in any other county. 
 When tame, it shows a very inquisitive disposition, examining 
 every novelty with the greatest attention. 
 
 It builds its nest in the cavities of high cliffs, and lays four 
 or five eggs of a yellowish white colour, spotted with light brown. 
 The length of the bird is seventeen inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family II. Paradiseidae. 
 
 PARADISEA. (Gr. Hapddsiaog, a pleasure-ground.) 
 
 Apoda (Gr. 'A-irovf, without feet), the Emerald Bird of Paradise. 
 
 "Which, like a bird of Paradise, 
 Or herald's martlet, has no legs. 1 ' 
 
 This most gorgeous and elegant bird was once the subject 
 of much discussion between naturalists. The natives of New 
 Guinea were accustomed to dry them, having first cut off their 
 legs, and then to offer them for sale. In this footless state they 
 reached Europe, where it was immediately stated that the bird 
 lived always in the air, buoyed up by the lightness of its feathery 
 covering ; that the shoulders were used as its nest ; that the 
 only rest it took was by suspending itself from a branch by the 
 filamentary feathers of the tail ; that its food was the morning 
 dew ; together with many other conjectures not, less ingenious 
 than amusing.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 281 
 
 This bird appears about the size of a jay. Its body, breast, 
 and lower parts are of a deep rich brown; the front set close 
 with black feathers shot with green ; the throat is of a rich 
 golden green ; the head yellow ; the sides of the tail are 
 clothed with a splendid plume of long downy feathers of a 
 soft yellow colour. By these are placed two long filamentous 
 shafts, which extend nearly two feet in length. 
 
 Of these beautiful feathers the bird is so proud that it will 
 not suffer the least speck of dirt to remain upon them, and it 
 is constantly examining its plumage to see that there are no 
 spots on it. When in its wild state it always flies and sits 
 with its face to the wind, lest its elegant filmy plumes should 
 be disarranged. 
 
 So far from living exclusively on dew, it eats no small 
 amount of insects, such as grasshoppers, which it will not 
 touch if dead, and commences its repast by stripping off" the 
 legs and wings. When in confinement, it also eats boiled 
 rice, plantains, &c., but in the wild state it seems to feed 
 mostly on the seeds of the teak-tree, and a kind of fig. 
 
 There are several species of Paradise Birds known, but the 
 one given in the engraving is the most common, and is the 
 one of which the above-mentioned fables were told. 
 
 THE SATIN BOWER-BIRD. 
 
 It is a singular thing to find, a bird building a kind of 
 playground, without reference to its nest, but merely for 
 amusement. The BOWER-BIRD has this curious habit. It 
 builds a kind of bower of thin twigs, interwoven so as to 
 meet above, forming a kind of tunnel. The entrance of this 
 bower is decorated with any brilliant article that the bird can 
 find, such as shells, bones, and feathers of several parrots, 
 some feathers being stuck in among the twigs, and others 
 strewn at the entrance. Mr. Gould, who first brought this 
 curious bird before the public, says, " The propensity of these 
 birds to pick up and fly off with any attractive object, is so 
 well known to the natives (of Australia), that they always 
 search the runs for any small missing article, as the bowl
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III. . . Sturnidae. (Lat. Sturnus, a Starling. Starling kind.) 
 Sub-family a. . Ptilonorhynchince. 
 
 PTOONORHYNCUS. (Gr. Urihov, a feather ; 
 
 beak.) 
 
 Sericeus (Lat. silky), the Satin Bower-Bird. 
 
 of a pipe, &c. that may have been accidentally dropped in the 
 brush. I, myself, found at the entrance of one of these 
 a small neatly worked stone tomahawk, of an inch and a half 
 in length, together with some slips of blue cotton rags, which 
 the birds had doubtless picked up at a deserted encampment 
 of the natives. For what purpose these curious bowers are 
 made, is not yet, perhaps, fully understood : they are certainly 
 not used as a nest, but as a place of resort for many individuals 
 of both sexes, which, when there assembled, run through and 
 around the bower in a sportive and playful manner, and that 
 BO frequently, that it is seldom entirely deserted."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Icterina. 
 ICTERUS. (Gr. 'I 
 
 Baltim5rus, the Baltimore Oriole. 
 
 The STARLINGS comprise many genera, among which the 
 PENSILE ORIOLES of America are the most interesting. These 
 birds build, or rather weave, a fabric not unlike loose cloth, 
 composed of hemp or flax. This nest is of the singular form 
 represented in the engraving, and the entrance is at the side. 
 In all probability this singular formation is for the purpose of 
 keeping out the Black Snake, who is constantly on the look- 
 out for young birds. The parent Orioles often attack the 
 snake, and compel him to retreat. 
 
 The plumage of the male when full grown is very brilliant. 
 The head, throat, and back are black^ the under parts are 
 orange, the breast vermilion. A band of orange passes over 
 the shoulders, and the tail is orange and black. The length
 
 284 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 of the bird is almost eight inches. This is not the only bird 
 that constructs pensile nests ; the Weaver Birds also form 
 these nests, but of a different form. They look like great 
 pistols hung up by the butt, the entrance being at the muzzle, 
 and the nest in the butt. 
 
 Sub-family g. Sturnince. 
 
 8TURNUS. 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Starling. 
 
 The COMMON STARLING is a bird well known both for its 
 beauty and the singular method of flight. When a flock of 
 Starlings begin to settle for the night, they wheel round the 
 place selected with great accuracy. Suddenly, as if by word 
 of command, the whole flock turn their sides to the spectator, 
 and with a great whirring of wings, the whole front and shape 
 of the flock is altered. No body of soldiers could be better 
 wheeled or countermarched than are these flocks of Starlings, 
 except, perhaps, an unfortunate few, who are usually thrown 
 out at each change, and whom we must charitably suppose 
 recruits. 
 
 The Starling lives principally among old buildings, and is 
 very fond of gaining admittance into dovecotes, where it is a 
 harmless visitor, and may be suffered to remain without detri- 
 ment to the pigeons or their eggs. Its nest is made usually 
 in a hole in a wall, sometimes in a decayed tree, and contains 
 five eggs of a very delicate uniformly pale blue.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Family IV. . Fringillidse. (Lat. Fringilla, a Finch. Finch kind.) 
 Sub-family d. Fringillince. 
 
 Coelebs (Lat Bachelor), the Chaffinch. 
 
 We now arrive at the Finches ; a very large and interesting 
 family. None of the species are large, and most of them are 
 excellent songsters. Their beaks are all conical, and fitted 
 for the destruction of corn, peas, &c. 
 
 The CHAFFINCH or PIEFINCH, as it is often called, is so 
 well known as to need no description. It is chiefly re- 
 markable for the beautiful nest which it constructs. The 
 forks of a thorn or wild crab-tree are favourable places for the 
 nest, which is composed of mosses, hair, wool and feathers, 
 covered on the exterior with lichens and mosses, so exactly 
 resembling the bough on which the nest is placed, that the 
 eye is often deceived by its appearance. In the nest four or 
 five very pretty eggs are laid : these are of a reddish-brown 
 colour, sparely marked with deep brown spots, especially 
 towards the larger end.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Carduelis (Lat a Linnet), the Goldfinch. 
 
 The GOLDFINCH or THISTLEFINCH, so called on account of 
 its fondness for the down of the thistle, is one of our most 
 beautiful birds. Where thistles abound, small flocks of gold- 
 finches may be seen flying from hedge to hedge, and occa- 
 sionally pecking the white tops of the thistles. The tufted 
 seed of the dandelion, groundsel, and other plants is also eaten 
 by the Goldfinch. 
 
 In captivity it is very tame, and can be trained to per- 
 form a multitude of tricks, the most common of which are, 
 drawing its own food and water with a chain and bucket, 
 or firing a gun when commanded. The nest is very beau- 
 tiful, being mostly made of wool and down from various 
 plants, and is usually placed on the extremity of a spray. 
 The eggs are small, of a whitish tint, spotted with orange 
 brown. 
 
 The COMMON LINNET frequents commons and neglected 
 pastures. Its song is very sweet, and many bird-fanciers sup- 
 pose that the mixed breed of a canary and a linnet has a sweeter 
 song than either bird. 
 
 Its nest ia usually built in the centre of a large and dense
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 287 
 
 Cannabina (Lat. fond of hemp), the Linnet. 
 
 bush. The eggs are five in number, greyish-white speckled 
 with red. 
 
 Spinus (Lat. a Sloe-tree), the Siskin. 
 
 The SISKIN is hardly to be considered more than an occa- 
 sional visitor in England, but in Scotland it sometimes breeds, 
 as may be seen from the following extract :
 
 288 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 " The Siskin is a common bird in all the high parts of 
 Aberdeenshire, which abound in fir-woods. They build 
 generally near the extremities of the branches of tall fir-trees, 
 or near the summit of the tree. Sometimes the nest is found 
 in plantations of young fir- wood. In one instance I met with 
 a nest not three feet from the ground. I visited it every day 
 until four or five eggs were deposited. During incubation the 
 female showed no fear at my approach. On bringing my hand 
 close to the nest, she showed some inclination to pugnacity, 
 tried to frighten me away with her open bill, following my 
 hand round and round when I attempted to touch her. 
 At last she would only look anxiously round to my finger, 
 without making any attack on me. The nest was formed of 
 small twigs of birch or heath outside, and neatly lined with 
 hair." 
 
 Its eggs are a bluish-white spotted with purplish-red. 
 
 Chloris (Gr. X/lwpof, green), the Greenfinch. 
 
 The GREENFINCH or GREEN LINNET is larger that the Com- 
 mon Linnet. It frequents gardens, shrubberies and cultivated 
 lands, and feeds on insects or seeds. The notes of this bird are 
 not peculiarly ''melodious, nor has it many qualifications to 
 entitle it to notice.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 PASSER. (Lat. a Sparrow.) 
 
 Domesticus (Lat. domestic), the House Sparrow. 
 
 The courageous, impudent, quarrelsome SPARROW is so 
 well known as to need no description. "When pressed by cold 
 in the winter, there are few who have not seen this little 
 bird come to the window, expecting his donation of crumbs. 
 It is very fond of grain of various kinds, and does some 
 damage to the former, but the destruction of caterpillars by 
 the bird more than compensates for the loss of the grain. 
 The little impertinent bird has no scruple in perching on the 
 pig's trough, and partaking of his dinner, or in mixing with 
 fowl and taking its share of their provisions, and on a newly 
 thatched house it absolutely revels. Dozens of sparrows may 
 be seen pecking and pulling at the straws in high enjoyment. 
 I was once watching a flock of sparrows on a newly thatched 
 barn, hopping, pecking and scrambling in perfect happiness, 
 when suddenly a sharp twitter was heard, and the whole body 
 hastily adjourned to a tree close by, making a prodigious 
 chattering. Presently I saw appear, over the ridge of the 
 house, the head of a cat, who had walked up the thatcher's 
 N
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ladder, hoping to secure a few sparrows in the midst of 
 their meal. The nest of the House Sparrow is usually built 
 in holes of roofs. The eggs are speckled black and white, arid 
 very variable. 
 
 Sub-family e. Emberizince. 
 
 EMBERIZA. 
 
 I 
 
 Citrinella (Lai yellowish), the Yellow Bunting. 
 
 The YELLOW HAMMER or YELLOW BUNTING is a very deli- 
 cately marked little bird, very common in our hedges, where 
 it flits before the traveller, always keeping about twenty yards 
 in front. It makes its nest on the ground, and lays five eggs 
 curiously scribbled over with dark chocolate lines, just as if a 
 child had been trying to write Arabic on the eggs. 
 
 The ORTOLAN, a little bird in very great repute for the table, 
 is also an Emberiza. This bird is regularly fed like poultry, 
 in the South of Europe, and soon becomes exceedingly fat, 
 when a guinea is frequently the price of it. 
 
 THE SKYLARK. 
 
 The LARKS are known by their very long hind toe. The 
 Skylark, which pours forth its animated song while suspended 
 high in the air, is an inhabitant of most parts of Europe, Asia, 
 and North Africa, but is not found in America. A very inte-
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family f. . . Alaudince. 
 ALAUDA. (Lat. a Jl/ark.) 
 
 Arvensis (Lat. belonging to the fields), the Skylark. 
 
 resting story is told of a Skylark that was taken out to America 
 by a poor emigrant, and which tised to collect crowds of 
 delighted listeners round its cage. An English settler who 
 happened to be passing by while the bird was singing, was 
 so affected by the reminiscences which its song called up, that 
 he offered his horse and cart for the bird, on the spot. The 
 owner, however, would take no price for it, although most 
 extravagant offers were made, and kept it till his death. The 
 bird afterwards passed into other hands, but refused to sing 
 until its cage was hung up in the open air. After its death, 
 its skin was sent back to its native land, and is now stuffed, 
 seated in its old cage, with a suitable inscription attached. 
 
 The nest is made on the ground, frequently in the print of 
 a horse's foot, and contains five eggs of a greenish-white, 
 thickly spotted with brown. There are generally two broods 
 in the year, one in May, and the other in July or August. 
 Immense numbers of these birds are caught annually and 
 sent to the London markets. Dunstable is the most cele- 
 brated place for them. It does not at all agree with the sense 
 of justice, that these beautiful birds, who charm us with their 
 voices, should be killed to increase the pleasures of the table.
 
 292 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The WOODLARK is another of our British Larks, but differs 
 in some respects from the skylark. It is smaller, and can 
 perch on trees, a power denied to the skylark. It also sings 
 on the wing, but sometimes prefers to pour forth its notes 
 while perched on the branch of a tree. 
 
 Its nest, like that of the skylark, is also placed on the 
 ground ; the eggs are darker than those of the skylark. 
 
 Sub-family g. PyrrJiulince. 
 
 . (Gr. 
 
 Rubicilla (Lat reddish), the Bullfinch. 
 
 The BULLFINCH is a singular instance of the power of art 
 on the song of birds. The natural note of the Bullfinch is 
 low, and can only be heard at a short distance, but when 
 well trained the bird whistles, or " pipes," as it is called, any 
 melody which has been taught it, in a fine flute-like tone. 
 A good piping Bullfinch sells at a very high price. The 
 method of teaching, is to confine the birds in a dark room, 
 and before their food is given to play the air that they have to 
 learn, on an instrument called a bird-organ. The birds soon
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 293 
 
 begin to imitate the notes, and by degrees the whole tune is 
 learned. Some trainers substitute a small clarionet for the 
 bird-organ. 
 
 When in captivity the Bullfinch is very sociable, and soon 
 learns to know his owners, and to come to them if called. 
 
 The nest of this bird is made in thick bushes, or fir-trees. 
 The eggs are of a pale greenish white, spotted with orange 
 brown. The name of Bullfinch is given to it, on account of 
 the large proportionate size of its head and neck. When in 
 captivity its plumage sometimes turns black, the result of 
 feeding it too profusely with hempseed. 
 
 Sub-family h. Loxince. 
 LOXIA. (Gr. Aofof, crosswise.) 
 
 Curvirostra (Lat. Curved-bill), the Cross-bill. 
 
 The genus LOXIA is instantly known by the crossed points 
 of the beak, and the horny scoop at the tip of the tongue. 
 The Crossbill uses these tools to open the fir-cones, on the 
 seeds of which it feeds. The bird inserts both its mandibles 
 under the scales of the cone, then by separating them the 
 scale is raised up, while the seed is scooped out by the horny
 
 294 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 tip of the tongue. This singular structure of the beak enables 
 the bird to divide an apple in halves, so as to get at the pips. 
 Although the crossed mandibles appear rather a barrier to 
 picking up small objects, yet the Crossbill can pick up and 
 husk the smallest seeds, or shell almonds, which latter ieat is 
 accomplished by picking a hole in it and then wrenching it 
 open, just as an idle schoolboy opens a nut with his penknife 
 when he ought to be using that instrument in the more 
 legitimate operation of mending his pen. Mr. Yarrell gives 
 an amusing account of a pair of Crossbills, who amused them- 
 selves by twisting out the wires of their cage. They actually 
 succeeded in pulling out a flat-headed nail used to confine the 
 network, but the bird lost the point of his bill in his efforts. 
 They were at last banished on account of their unceasing 
 destruction of cages. 
 
 The nest is built on the branches of a fir-tree. The eggs 
 are bluish white spotted with red. In taking leave of the 
 finches, it may be mentioned that the Canary belongs to that 
 family, but has not been described, as being essentially a cage 
 bird, and perfectly familiar to every one. 
 
 A lady opening her window, saw a bullfinch sitting on the 
 sill. To her surprise the bird did not fly away, but suffered 
 itself to be taken and carried into the room. When placed 
 on the table it still sat quiet, but looked as if it were suffering 
 from illness. On examination, a seed was found to be fixed 
 in the bird's throat. This was quickly removed with a needle, 
 and the bird became quite lively. It however soon met 
 with a tragical end, for while a cage was being prepared for 
 its reception, it escaped from the hands of its benefactress, 
 flew against a window pane, and instantly fell dead on the 
 floor* 
 
 THE RHINOCEROS HORNBILL. 
 
 This singular and almost startling family comprises but 
 few species, which are all natives of India and Africa. The 
 enormous bill, with its incomprehensible appendage, although 
 of course heavy, is really much lighter than it looks, being 
 composed of a kind of light honeycombed structure. The 
 
 * This anecdote was related to me by an eye-witness of the scene.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family VII. Bucerotidae. 
 BUCEROS. (Bowcepwf, ox-horned.) 
 
 Rhinoceros, the Rhinoceros Hornbill. 
 
 upper protuberance is hollow, and the only conjecture formed 
 of its use, is that it serves as a sounding board to increase the 
 reverberations of the air, while the bird is uttering its peculiar 
 roaring cry. 
 
 In spite of the apparently unwieldy bill the bird is very active, 
 and hops about the branches of trees with much ease. The 
 appendage to the upper mandible is small when the bird is 
 young, and only attains its enormous size when the HORNBILL 
 has reached its full growth. The bill of the hoopoes presents 
 a somewhat analogous peculiarity, as when the bird is young 
 the bill is short and pointed, and increases with the size of the 
 bird. From this circumstance, together with some other resem-
 
 296 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 blances, some imagine that there is an affinity between the 
 hornbills and hoopoes. 
 
 The Hornbills seem to be omnivorous, fruits, eggs, birds, 
 reptiles &c., forming their food. The African Hornbills are 
 extremely fond of nutmegs, and are on that account said to be 
 peculiarly delicate eating, though reminding one of the Barme- 
 cide's memorable lamb fed on pistachio nuts. 
 
 The Rhinoceros Hornbill is a native of India, and the Indian 
 islands. The length of its bill is usually about ten inches. 
 
 Order III. . . . SCA NSdfiES. (Lat. scando, I climb. Climbing birds.) 
 
 Family I Ramphastida. 
 
 Sub-family a. Ramphastidinas. 
 
 RAMPHASTOS. (Gr. Ta/^T/cmfr, properly, a Pike.) 
 
 Toco, the Toco Toucan. 
 
 The SCANSORES, or CLIMBING BIRDS, now engage our 
 attention. According to Mr. Gray, under this order are 

 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 297 
 
 placed the Toucans, the Parrots, the Woodpeckers, and the 
 Cuckoos. The feet of these birds have two toes in front and 
 two behind. 
 
 The TOUCANS are all natives of tropical America. Their 
 enormous bill is rendered light in the same way as that of 
 the hornbills, by being chiefly composed of a honeycomb 
 structure. It seems to be very sensitive, and well supplied 
 with nerves, as the bird not only appears to enjoy holding 
 meat or fruits with the tip of its bill, but has been seen to 
 scratch that organ with its foot, plainly proving that there 
 must be sensation. It seems to be omnivorous, but is par- 
 ticularly fond of mice, and small birds, which it kills by a 
 powerful squeeze, then strips and finally pulls to pieces and 
 devours, having previously reduced it to a shapeless mass by 
 repeated lateral wrenches with its enormous and saw-like 
 bill. Waterton in his Wanderings describes the usual haunts 
 of the Toucan. 
 
 " Heedless and bankrupt in all curiosity must he be who 
 can journey on without stopping to take a view of the 
 towering mora. Its topmost branch, when naked with age or 
 dead by accident, is the favourite resort of the toucan. Many 
 a time has this singular bird felt the shot faintly strike him 
 from the gun of the fowler beneath, and owed his life to the 
 distance betwixt them." In the same interesting and amusing 
 work, he remarks a strange habit of the Toucan, called the 
 Houtou by the natives. 
 
 " This bird (the Houtou) seems to suppose that its beauty 
 can be increased by trimming the tail, which undergoes the 
 same operation as our hair in a barber's shop, only with this 
 difference, that it uses its own beak, which is serrated, in lieu 
 of a pair of scissors. As soon as his tail is full grown he begins 
 about an inch from the extremity of the two longest feathers 
 in it, and cuts away the web on both sides of the shaft, 
 making a gap about an inch long : both male and female 
 adorn their tails in this manner, which gives them a re- 
 markable appearance amongst all other birds." 
 
 When sleeping, the Toucan takes great care of his bill, 
 packing it away and covering it carefully with the feathers of 
 its back, and altogether presents the appearance of a large 
 round ball of feathers. The body is about eighteen inches
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 in length. These birds, together with the hoopoes and 
 hornbills, have a habit of throwing their food down their 
 throats with a peculiar jerk of the bifl. 
 
 Family II. Psittacid. 
 MACROCERCUS. (Gr. Ma.vpor, great ; /cep/cof, tail.) 
 
 Ararauna, the Blue and Yellow Macaw. 
 
 Many naturalists imagine, and with some reason, that the 
 Psittacidse ought to be formed into an order by themselves. 
 In this family the construction of the bill is very remarkable. 
 As the curved tip of the bill would prevent the bird from 
 opening it wide enough to admit its food, the upper mandible 
 is united to the skull by a kind of hinge joint, of equal 
 strength and flexibility. When climbing among the branches
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 299 
 
 of trees or about their cages, the Parrots invariably make great 
 use of their hooked bills in assisting themselves both in ascending 
 and descending. The crossbills have been observed to climb 
 much in the same way. 
 
 The Parrots are said to be very long lived, some have 
 certainly been known to live upwards of eighty years in 
 captivity, and may be imagined to exceed that period in a wild 
 state. 
 
 The MACAWS are natives of South America. The blue and 
 yellow Macaw inhabits Brazil, Guiana anJ Surinam, living 
 principally on the banks of rivers. Of one 01 the Macaws, the 
 Carolina Parrot, or Parrakeet as Wilson calls it, the following 
 anecdote is told by that enterprising naturalist : 
 
 " Having shot down a number, some of which were only 
 wounded, the whole flock swept repeatedly round their 
 prostrate companions, and again settled on a low tree, within 
 twenty yards of the spot where I stood. At each successive 
 discharge, though showers of them fell, yet the affection 
 of the survivors seemed rather to increase, for after a few 
 circuits round the place they again alighted hear me, looking 
 down on their slaughtered companions with such manifest 
 smyptoms of sympathy and concern, as entirely disarmed 
 me." 
 
 Wilson also makes mention of a singular idea, that the brains 
 and intestines of the Carolina Parrot (which lives on cockle- 
 burs) are poisonous to cats. Why the brains should be so is 
 rather incomprehensible, although we can easily understand 
 that the Parrot might take some substance into its stomach 
 injurious to cats. Wilson tried the experiment after being 
 repeatedly disappointed of a patient, but comes to no conclusion 
 on the subject. 
 
 " Having shut up a cat and her two kittens, the latter only 
 a few days old, in a room with the head, neck, and whole intes- 
 tines of the parrakeet, I found on the next morning the whole 
 eaten except a small part of the bill. The cat exhibited no 
 symptom of sickness, and at this moment, three days after the 
 experiment had been made, she and her kittens are in their 
 usual health. Still however the effect might have been different, 
 had the daily food of the bird been cockle-burs instead of Indian
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 PAL^ORNIS. (Gr. Ilahaiog, old; op^C, a bird.) 
 
 Torquatus (Lat. collared), the Hinged Parrakeet. 
 
 The RINGED PARRAKEET is frequently seen domesticated in 
 this country, where its pleasing manners and gentle disposition 
 render it a great favourite. It seems to be exceedingly fond of 
 ripe walnuts, divided in halves, and while it is picking out the 
 kernel continually utters a short clucking sound indicative of 
 pleasure. 
 
 It soon learns to repeat words and short sentences, and to 
 speak with tolerable distinctness. Sometimes when excited it 
 utters most ear-piercing screams,* and always appears to prac- 
 tise any new accomplishment when it thinks that no one is 
 within hearing. The colour of the bird is green, and a rose 
 coloured band round its neck gives it the name of the Rose- 
 ringed Parrakeet. The bill is red. 
 
 * A Ringed Parrakeet belonging to one of my scholars was accustomed to live in 
 the schoolroom. At first it used to become angry that it was not noticed during 
 school hours, and to utter a succession of screams, but after being shut up in a dark 
 closet several times, it learned to behave very demurely, giving an example worthy 
 of imitation to several of its human playfellows.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 301 
 
 f-ACATVA. 
 
 Snlphurea (Lat Sulphury), the Great Sulphur Cockatoo. 
 
 The COCKATOOS are remarkable for the powdery surface of 
 their wings, and the crest on the head, which can be raised or 
 depressed at pleasure. The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is an 
 inhabitant of New Guinea. Its colour is white, and the crest 
 is of a sulphur yellow. Its white plumage glancing among 
 the dense dark foliage of its native forests, imparts a wonder- 
 ful beauty to the scene, and as Sir Thomas Mitchell remarks, 
 " amidst the umbrageous foliage, forming dense masses of 
 shade, the white cockatoos sported like spirits of light." This 
 Cockatoo is easily tamed, and is of a very affectionate dispo- 
 sition. When in captivity it has been known to live to the 
 age of 120 years. Its nest is built in hollow trees and the 
 crevices of rocks. The eggs are white. The length of the 
 bird is about eighteen inches.
 
 302 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III. . Picidse. (Lat. Pints, a Woodpecker. Woodpecker kind.) 
 Sub-family c. Picince. 
 
 
 Major (Lat. greater), the Great Spotted Woodpecker. 
 
 The WOODPECKERS, whose name indicates their habits, are 
 widely spread, being found in all quarters of the globe except 
 Australia. They subsist on insects and grubs, which they dig 
 out of trees, or discover under the bark. For this purpose 
 their whole structure is admirably adapted. The bill is long, 
 sharp, and powerful, and the formation of the feet and legs is 
 such that the bird is able to grasp the tree firmly with the 
 feet, while swinging with the force of his whole body against 
 it. Another most singular point in the Woodpeckers is 
 the method by which they are enabled to thrust the tongue 
 deep into the crevices, and bring out any insects that may 
 happen to be there. The tongue is connected with two 
 elastic ligaments which are inserted near the juncture of the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 3C3 
 
 upper mandible with the skull. From thence they sweep 
 round the back of the head, and passing ' under the lower 
 mandible, enable the tongue to be thrust out a considerable dis- 
 tance. The tip of the tongue is sharp, and barbed with several 
 filaments, and more firmly to secure the prey, a kind of gummy 
 secretion causes those insects to adhere, that would be too 
 small to be impaled. 
 
 It appears to be an erroneous opinion that these birds in- 
 jure trees. Their only object in pecking away the wood and 
 bark, is to get at the insects which they know are hidden 
 within. Now insects seldom or never bore into healthy wood, 
 but a decayed branch or stump is always full of them, as is 
 well known to the entomologist. So the winged entomologist, 
 when he perceives a decayed branch, or finds an unsound'spot in 
 the trunk, immediately sets to work industriously, and is re- 
 warded by finding plenty of insects, which he draws out and 
 demolishes, with more benefit to himself and possibly more 
 good to others than many human entomologists can boast. 
 
 Although the Woodpecker does not scoop away sound trees, 
 yet it is because it has no motive for doing so not that the 
 power is wanting. Wilson had an Ivory-billed Woodpecker in 
 his possession, which pecked away lath and plaster in its 
 efforts to escape, and utterly ruined a mahogany table to which 
 it was fastened. 
 
 The GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER is an inhabitant of Eng- 
 land, but is seldom seen. Large woods are its favourite haunts. 
 Like all its tribe, it feeds on the insects which it procures from 
 decayed trees, and also on berries and fruits. Its eggs are laid 
 in a deep hole excavated in a tree. For this purpose the 
 Woodpecker usually chooses a place where a branch has broken 
 off, or more commonly the part of the trunk where a certain 
 fungus has grown, causing the tree to decay in that spot, al- 
 though apparently healthy. 
 
 SKULL OK THE WOODPECKER.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Viridis (Lat. green), the Green Woodpecker. 
 
 The GREEN WOODPECKER is by far the most common in 
 this country, and may be often seen in woods,* tapping the 
 trees with wonderful rapidity, the blows following each other 
 something like the sound of a watchman's rattle. It generally 
 runs up the trunk of the tree in a spiral direction, occasionally 
 striking off large pieces of dry bark. When it descends it still 
 keeps its head uppermost. 
 
 THE WRYNECK. 
 
 The WRYNECK is tolerably common in the southern counties 
 of England, but is scarcely ever seen in the north and west. 
 It principally feeds on ants, which it picks up with great 
 
 I have more than once seen the Green Woodpecker busily employed among the 
 
 very frequently in Bagley Wood. 
 have never seen it on the ground, and but once on the 
 
 trees of the Christ Church Walks, Oxford, and ve 
 
 frequently in Bagley Wood. I 
 aller branches of the tr
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 305 
 
 Sub-family g. Yuncince. 
 Yrox. (Gr. Iwyf.) 
 
 Torquilla (Lat. twisting), the Wryneck. 
 
 rapidity by means of its long tongue, covered with a glutinous 
 secretion like that of the woodpecker. The rapidity with 
 which the ants are taken is so great, that " an ant's egg, 
 which is of a light colour, and more conspicuous than the 
 tongue, has somewhat the appearance of moving to the mouth 
 by attraction, as a needle does to the magnet." The name 
 Wryneck is given it from its habit of rapidly twisting its head 
 and neck, and hissing like a serpent, if disturbed upon its eggs. 
 The young also hiss if they are molested. 
 
 Its eggs are laid on the bare wood in the holes of trees. 
 Like most eggs that are laid in holes, they are of a pure white. 
 The length of the bird is seven inches. 
 
 THE CUCKOO. 
 
 The CUCKOO, spring's harbinger, has, at all ages, obtained 
 for itself a name at once pleasing and disreputable ; pleasing, 
 because its well-known notes are a sign that the cold winter 
 is gone ; and disreputable, because it usurps the nests of other
 
 06 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family IV . . Cuculidse. (Lat. Cuculus, a Cuckoo. Cuckoo kind.) 
 Sub-family e. Cuculince. 
 
 CUCtTLUS. 
 
 Canorns (Lat musical), the Cuckoo. 
 
 birds, of which the Hedge Sparrow is the usual victim. In 
 its nest the cuckoo deposits one of its own eggs, which are 
 remarkably small in proportion to the size of the bird. The 
 unsuspecting hedge sparrow hatches the intruder together 
 with her own young. The Cuckoo rapidly increases in size, 
 and monopolizes no small portion of the entire nest, besides 
 taking the lion's share of the provisions. The mother, how- 
 ever, never seems to perceive the difference, but feeds and 
 tends the interloper with quite as much care as her own 
 young.* 
 
 The Cuckoo feeds principally on the hairy caterpillars, 
 
 * Dr. Jenner states that the young Cuckoo ejects the former and rightful occupants 
 of the nest by managing to get the egg or young bird upon its back, clambering up to 
 the edge of the nest, and then throwing it over by a sharp jerk. 
 
 At some times of the year. Cuckoos are comparatively tame. I have repeatedly 
 decoyed them by imitating their cry, until they came near enough for me to see the 
 movement of the beak. Once a Cuckoo came voluntarily, and settled on a hurdle 
 close by, uttered his peculiar cry several times, and then leisurely flew off.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 307 
 
 especially those of the Tiger Moth (Arctia caja), the hairs of 
 which form a" kind of lining to its stomach. A tame Cuckoo, 
 that lived for more than a year in captivity, seemed to consider 
 a young mouse an especial treat. The mouse was first beaten 
 against the ground or a hard stone, until it was reduced to a 
 soft mass, after which process it was swallowed. The length 
 of the bird is about fourteen inches. 
 
 Order IV. . . COLUMB^E. 
 
 Family I. . . Columbidse. (Lat Columba, n Dove. Dove kind.) 
 
 Sub-family b. Columbines. 
 
 Palumbus (Lat. a Pigeon), the Ringdove. 
 
 THIS family is supposed to be more widely distributed than 
 any other. The three pigeons engraved are the only species 
 that live wild in this country.
 
 308 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The KINGDOVE, or CUSHAT, is the largest of our native 
 pigeons. A black ringlet round the neck, edged with white, 
 gives it the name of Ringdove. It is very common in 
 England, and its nests are usually found to consist of a few 
 sticks, thrown loosely together on a spray of fir or holly. The 
 structure of this platform, for nest it can hardly be called, is so 
 loose, that the white eggs can generally be seen through the 
 interstices. 
 
 (Enas (Gr. Olvuf), the Stockdove. 
 
 The STOCKDOVE builds its nest in the stocks of trees, (from 
 whence its name,) and has been known to lay its eggs in 
 deserted warrens, without making any nest at all. In former 
 times, when forests of beech-trees used to cover the, country, 
 enormous flocks of these birds frequented them, in order to 
 feed on the beech-mast. Now they are not so common, 
 although still in considerable numbers.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 TURTUR (Lat. a Turtle-dove). 
 
 Aurltus (Lat. eared,) the Turtle-dove. 
 
 The TUKTLE-DOYE, a bird much revered by poets for its 
 constancy, is only a spring visitor to our shores, arriving 
 towards May, and leaving us about September. The nest is 
 a mere platform of twigs, on which the eggs are laid. The 
 constancy and affection of this bird for its mate has been 
 deservedly celebrated in all ages, though it is not easy to 
 understand why other birds, such as the Raven, whose con-^ 
 stancy is quite as remarkable, should be deprived of the meed 
 of praise due to them. 
 
 THE PASSENGER PIGEON. 
 
 This extraordinary bird, whose powers of flight are almost 
 incredible, is a native of America, and overspreads the country 
 in countless myriads during the breeding season. It is well 
 that their power of wing is so great, for were the enormous 
 flocks to be confined to one place, they would devour the 
 whole of the grain. PIGEONS have been killed in New York 
 with Carolina rice still in their crops. As their digestion is 
 remarkably rapid, these birds must have flown between three 
 and four hundred miles in six hours, giving an average speed 
 of a mile per minute. 
 
 At the breeding season the overwhelming multitudes of
 
 310 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ECTOPISTES. (Gr. 'Earom^u, to migrate.) 
 
 Migratoria (Lat. migratory), the Passenger Pigeon, 
 
 Pigeons that settle on one spot are almost incredible. Wilson, 
 who was present at one of these breeding places, gives the fol- 
 lowing account : 
 
 " Not far from Shelbyville, in the state of Kentucky, about 
 five years ago, there was one of these breeding places, which 
 stretched through the woods in nearly a north and south direc- 
 tion, was several miles in breadth, and was said to be upwards 
 of forty miles in extent .' In this tract almost every tree was 
 furnished with nests, wherever the branches could accommodate 
 them. The pigeons made their first appearance there about 
 the 10th of April, and left it altogether, with their young, before 
 the 25th of May. 
 
 " As soon as the young were fully grown, and before they 
 left the nests, numerous parties of the inhabitants, from all 
 parts of the adjacent country, came with waggons, axes, beds,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 311 
 
 cooking utensils, many of them accompanied by the greater 
 part of their families, and encamped for several days at this 
 immense nursery. Several of them informed me that the 
 noise in the woods was so great as to terrify their horses, and 
 that it was difficult for one person to hear another speak, 
 without bawling in his ear. The ground was strewed with 
 broken limbs of trees, eggs, and young squab pigeons, which 
 had been precipitated from above, and on which herds of hogs 
 were fattening. Hawks, buzzards, and eagles, were sailing 
 about in great numbers, and seizing the squabs from their 
 nests at pleasure ; while from twenty feet upwards to the 
 tops of the trees, the view through the woods presented per- 
 petual tumult of crowding and fluttering multitudes of pigeons, 
 their wings roaring like thunder, mingled with the frequent 
 crash of falling timber, for now the axe men were at work 
 cutting down those trees that seemed to be most crowded with 
 nests, and contrived to fell them in such a manner, that in 
 their descent they might bring down several others, by which 
 means the falling of one large tree sometimes produced two 
 hundred squabs, little inferior in size to the old ones, and 
 almost one mass of fat. 
 
 " All accounts agree in stating that each nest contains only 
 one young squab. These are so extremely fat, that the 
 Indians and many of the whites are accustomed to melt 
 down the fat for domestic purposes, as a substitute for butter 
 and lard." 
 
 A few observations on the mode of flight of these birds 
 must not be omitted. "A column, eight or ten miles in 
 length, would appear from Kentucky, high in air, steering 
 across to Indiana. The leaders of this great body would 
 sometimes gradually vary their course, until it formed a large 
 bend of more than a mile in diameter, those behind tracing 
 the exact route of their predecessors. This would continue 
 sometimes long after both extremities were beyond the reach 
 of sight, so that the whole, with its glittering undulations, 
 marked a space on the face of the heavens, resembling the 
 windings of a vast and majestic river. . . . Sometimes a hawk 
 would make a sweep on a particular part of the column, from 
 a great height, when, almost as quick as lightning, that part 
 shot downwards out of the common track, but soon rising
 
 312 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 again, continued advancing at the same height as before ; 
 this inflection was continued by those behind, who, on ar- 
 riving at this point, dived down almost perpendicularly to a 
 great depth, and rising, followed the exact path of those that 
 went before." 
 
 DOMESTIC PIGEONS. 
 
 The above group comprises the most conspicuous varieties 
 of the Domestic Pigeon. All these birds, except the Carrier, 
 the Pouter, and the Tumbler, are very similar in their habits, 
 and need no description. 
 
 The TUMBLER is a very little pigeon, and derives its name 
 from its singular habit of falling backwards when on the wing. 
 Pigeon fanciers assert that a flight of twelve Tumblers may be 
 covered with a handkerchief. 
 
 The POUTER is a large pigeon. It stands particularly erect, 
 and seems exceedingly vain of the swollen crop which gives it 
 the name of Pouter. The bird is enabled to inflate its crop 
 with air, until the head is almost hidden behind it. This 
 inflation sometimes causes the bird to lose its balance, and
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 313 
 
 fall down chimneys, on which it is fond of standing, thereby 
 illustrating the proverb that " Pride will have a fall." 
 
 The CARRIER PIGEON is the bird that was so largely em- 
 ployed to take messages, before the invention of the Electric 
 Telegraph rendered even the speed of the wind too slow for 
 the present day. The most valuable carriers were trained to 
 carry to and from their residence. A letter was written on a 
 small piece of paper, and fastened under the wing of the pigeon, 
 or to its feet. The feet were then bathed in vinegar to keep 
 them cool, lest the bird should stop on the way to bathe. 
 When the Pigeon was set free, it rose high in the air, made 
 one or two circular flights, and then darted ofF like an arrow 
 in the proper direction. One of these birds has been known to 
 fly nearly one hundred and fifty miles in one hour. 
 
 THE PEACOCK. 
 
 THIS magnificent bird is not a native of this countiy, but 
 has been domesticated in England for many years. Some 
 suppose that it was at first brought from India by Alexander, 
 and by him introduced into Europe. The magnificent plumes 
 that adorn the Peacock are not the tail, as many suppose, but 
 the tail-coverts. The tail feathers themselves are short and 
 rigid, and serve to keep the train expanded, as may be seen 
 when the bird walks about in all the majesty of his expanded 
 plumage. 
 
 Although pea-fowl seek their food on the ground, they 
 invariably roost on some elevated situation, such as a high 
 branch or the roof of a barn or haystack. When the bird is 
 perched on the roof, its train lies along the thatch, and is quite 
 invisible in the dusk. 
 
 We have almost dismissed pea-fowl from our entertainments 
 in these days, but in the times of chivalry, a roasted peacock, 
 still clothed in its plumage, and with its train displayed, 
 formed one of the chief ornaments of the regal board. The 
 nest of this bird is made of sticks and leaves rudely thrown 
 together, and contains from twelve to fifteen eggs. The 
 young do not attain their full plumage until the third year, 
 and only the males possess the vivid tints and lengthened 
 O
 
 14 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order V GALLING 
 
 Family III. . Phasianidse. (Gr. Qaaiavog , a Pheasant, i. e. a bird from 
 
 the river Phasis in Colchis. Pheasant-kind.) 
 Sub-family a. Pavonince. 
 
 PAVO (Lat. a Peacock). 
 
 Cristatus^Lat. crested), the Peacock. 
 
 train, the female being a comparatively ordinary bird. A 
 white variety of the Peacock is not uncommon. In this case, 
 the eyes of the train feathers are slightly marked with a kind 
 of neutral tint.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family 6. Phasianince. 
 ARGUS. (Gr. proper name.) 
 
 315 
 
 Giganteus (Lat. gigantic), the Argus Pheasant. 
 
 The ARGUS PHEASANT is found in Sumatra and the south- 
 eastern parts of Asia. The magnificently marked secondary 
 quill feathers render it a most conspicuous bird. The primary 
 feathers are comparatively short. No living specimen has 
 yet been brought to Europe, as it is said to pine in captivity. 
 In its native haunts it is very shy, avoiding the proximity of 
 human abodes, and living in the solitary depths of woods.* 
 
 * The bird derives its name from the shepherd Argus, who had a hundred eyes, 
 and was set by Juno to watcli lo.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 PHASIANU9. 
 
 Colchicus (Lat. Colchian), the Pheasant. 
 
 The COMMON PHEASANT was originally brought from Georgia, 
 and has completely naturalised itself in this country. It is a 
 hardy hird, and bears the cold months very well. Although it 
 can be tamed and will come to be fed with the poultry, yet an 
 innate timidity prevents it from being thoroughly domesticated. 
 Young pheasants that have been hatched under a hen, scamper 
 off in terror if an unexpected intruder makes his appearance 
 among them, although the remainder of the poultry remain 
 perfectly unconcerned. 
 
 This bird loves to perch at night on trees, especially on the 
 spreading branches of the larch. Poachers are so well aware 
 of this habit that they always visit the larches first, while on 
 their marauding excursions. A few spruce-firs surrounded 
 by dense and tall holly hedges form an excellent place of refuge 
 for the birds, who can bid the poacher defiance from their 
 stronghold. A few dozen wooden pheasants nailed on the 
 branches of the unguarded trees, are admirably adapted for
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 317 
 
 trying the patience and wasting the ammunition of the noctur- 
 nal plunderer. 
 
 A white variety of the Pheasant sometimes occurs, hut seems 
 never to he propagated. The nest of the hird is made on the 
 ground, and contains from ten to eighteen eggs of an uniform 
 dun colour. 
 
 Sub-family c. Oallincf. 
 GALLUS. (Lat. a Cock.) 
 
 Domesticus (Lat. domestic), the Domestic Fowl. 
 
 The DOMESTIC FOWLS are too well known to need much 
 description. There are many varieties, the most conspicuous 
 of which are the Cochin-China, Crested, and Bantam. The 
 Game Fowl was formerly in great request for the cruel sport 
 of cock-fighting, an amusement which, although happily now 
 almost extinct, was in great vogue hut a few years since. 
 The Java Fowl, of which the enormous Cochin-China bird is 
 a variety, is supposed to he the origin of the Barn-door fowl.* 
 
 * A young hen of the Cochin-China breed, when introduced among the other 
 imultry of a farmyard, was shamefully persecuted by its companions. It was very
 
 318 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The cock has been long celebrated for his warlike propensities, 
 and his habit of greeting the approach of morn by his " shrill 
 clarion." 
 
 The Bantam is a very little bird indeed, but exceedingly 
 courageous, and does riot hesitate to attack a turkey or such 
 large bird with most amusing pompousness of manner. Some 
 Bantams- have their legs thickly leathered down to the very 
 toes. The hackles or long neck feathers of this and the 
 preceding bird are much used by anglers for making artificial 
 flies. 
 
 The celebrated Jungle Fowl of India belongs to this race, 
 and is by many supposed to be the origin of our domestic 
 game fowl. The Chinese, who are greatly addicted to the 
 sport of cock-fighting, prefer this bird for their cruel amuse- 
 ment. 
 
 The Dorking Fowl is a large and delicate species. The 
 chief peculiarity in this bird is the double hind toe, so that it 
 has five toes instead of four. 
 
 THE TURKEY. 
 
 The TURKEY is an inhabitant of America, and appears to 
 have been imported into Europe about the year 1600. Its 
 habits in a state of domestication need no description, but 
 when wild in its native woods are rather interesting. It 
 is partly migratory in its habits, moving from the parts 
 about Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, towards the Ohio and 
 Mississippi. The march is usually performed on foot in large 
 flocks, the birds seldom using their wings except when at- 
 tacked, or in order to cross a river. The powerful birds can 
 easily cross a river of a mile in breadth, but the weaker 
 frequently fall into the water, and then paddle to shore with 
 some rapidity. This migration is performed about the end 
 of October. Bonaparte, in his splendid work on the American 
 
 absurd to see the poor creature pecking up a stray crumb or two outside the general 
 circle, and flying in terror before a little game hen, if it ventured to approach too 
 close. The principal advantage of this bird seems to be that the chickens, from their 
 superior size, are ready for the market at an earlier age than those of the ordinary 
 fowl.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Meleagrinae. 
 MELEAGRIS. (Gr. MeAeayptf, a Guinea-fowl.) 
 
 Gallopavo (Lat. the Turkey). 
 
 Ornithology, gives an account of the ingenious way in which 
 the turkeys escape the insiduous attacks of their enemies. 
 
 " These birds are guardians of each other, and the first who 
 sees a hawk or eagle gives a note of alarm, on which all within 
 hearing lie close to the ground. As they usually roost in 
 flocks, perched on the naked branches of trees, they are easily 
 discovered by the large owls, and when attacked by these 
 prowling birds, often escape by a somewhat remarkable 
 manoeuvre. The owl sails round the spot to select his prey, 
 but notwithstanding the almost inaudible action of his 
 pinions, the quick ear of one of the slumberers perceives the 
 danger, which is immediately announced to the whole party 
 by a chuck : thus alarmed, they rise on their legs, and watch 
 the motions of the owl, who, darting like an arrow, would 
 inevitably secure the individual at which he aimed, did not
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 the latter suddenly drop his head, squat, and spread his tail 
 over his back ; the owl then glances over without inflicting 
 any injury, at the very instant that the turkey suffers him- 
 self to fall headlong towards the earth, when he is secure from 
 his dreaded enemy." 
 
 Meleagris, the Guinea-fowl. 
 
 The GUINEA-FOWL or PINTADO was originally brought from 
 Africa, and was anciently confounded with the turkey. From 
 its peculiar cry it has gained the name of " Come-back." In 
 its wild state it is gregarious, assembling in large flocks in 
 some marshy situation. At night the birds roost on the trees 
 in company, like the turkey. It is of a restless, wandering 
 disposition, which does not leave it in captivity, the bird fre- 
 quently wandering for several miles from its home. Like the 
 turkey, the Pintado lays its eggs in the closest concealment it 
 can find. The eggs are rather smaller than those of the hen, 
 the shell is very thick, and the colour is a yellowish red pro- 
 fusely spotted with dark brown. 
 
 This is the bird that was called Meleagris by the ancients. 
 The sisters of Meleager were said to have been metamorphosed 
 into birds, whose feathers were sprinkled with the tears shed 
 
 for his death. 
 
 \
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 321 
 
 Family IV. . . Tetraomdae. 
 Sub-family a. . PerdicinoB. 
 
 PERDIX (Gr. Tlfpfii!;, a Partridge.) 
 
 Cinerea (Lat. asAy), the Partridge. 
 
 The PARTRIDGE, an inhabitant of England, is well known 
 as one of the birds included in the designation of " game." 
 It lays from fifteen to twenty eggs in a rude nest placed on 
 the ground, and displays great attachment to them, and no 
 small ingenuity in decoying an intruder away. Mr. Jesse 
 mentions that a gentleman who was overlooking his plough- 
 man, saw a partridge run from her nest, almost crushed by 
 the horses' hoofs. Being certain that the next furrow must 
 bury the eggs and nest, he watched for the return of the 
 plough, when to his great astonishment the nest, previously 
 containing twenty-one eggs, was vacant. After a search, he 
 found the bird sitting upon the eggs under a hedge, nearly 
 forty yards from the nest, to which place she and her mate 
 had removed the whole number in less than twenty minutes. 
 In some parts of England the Partridge is very plentiful
 
 322 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 one sportsman having shot in two days one hundred and sixty- 
 eight brace on one manor. 
 
 The length of the bird is twelve inches and a half ; the 
 wing is short and rounded, causing the peculiar whirring 
 sound when in motion ; the third and fourth primary feathers 
 are the longest. 
 
 COTTJRNIX. (Lat.) 
 
 Communis (Lat. common), the Quail. 
 
 The GLuAiL is a tolerably common little bird, visiting England 
 in the summer. Countless flocks of them are spread over 
 the whole of Southern Europe, and multitudes are taken and 
 sent to the London markets ; thirty-six thousand having been 
 purchased during one season by the London poulterers. 
 
 Temminck states that hundreds of thousands arrive in 
 Naples and Provence, and are so fatigued that for several 
 days they suffer themselves to be taken by hand. We are 
 here reminded of the flight of Gluails with which the Israelites 
 were fed, the sacred narrative even preserving the nocturnal 
 flight of these birds. " And it came to pass that at even 
 the Quails came up and covered the camp." Probably the 
 instinct to fly by night is implanted in them for the purpose 
 of avoiding the birds of prey that would attack them by day. 
 The female lays from seven to twelve eggs in a rude nest on 
 the ground. 
 
 The length of the bird is seven inches ; the second primary 
 feather is the longest.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family b. Tetraonince. 
 TETRAO. (Lat. a Bustard.} 
 
 Urogallus, the Capercaillie. 
 
 The CAPERCAILLIE or COCK OF THE WOOD is common in 
 most parts of northern Europe, and was once to be found in 
 Scotland and Ireland. The male is a large bird, almost 
 equalling a Turkey in size, but the female is considerably 
 smaller. In the early spring, before the snow has left the 
 ground, this singular bird commences his celebrated " play." 
 This play is confined to the males, and intended to give 
 notice of their presence to the females who are in the neigh- 
 bourhood. " During the play," says Lloyd, "the neck of the 
 Capercaillie is stretched out, his tail is raised and spread like 
 a fan, his wings droop, his feathers are ruffled up, and in short 
 he much resembles in appearance an angry turkey-cock. He 
 begins his play with a call something resembling peller, peller, 
 peller ; these sounds he repeats at some little intervals, but
 
 324 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 as he proceeds, they increase in rapidity, iintil at last, and 
 after perhaps the lapse of a minute or so, he makes a sort of 
 gulp in his throat, and finishes with sucking in, as it were, his 
 breath. 
 
 " During the continuance of this latter process, which only 
 lasts a few seconds, the head of the Capercaillie is thrown up, 
 his eyes are partially closed, and his whole appearance would 
 denote that he is worked up into an agony of passion. At this 
 time, his faculties are much absorbed, and it is not difficult to 
 approach him." 
 
 The nest is made on the ground, and contains from six to 
 twelve eggs. 
 
 Tetrix, the Black Grouse. 
 
 The BLACK GROUSE or BLACK COCK is still found on the 
 moors of Scotland and some parts of England, and with the 
 red grouse tempts innumerable sportsmen annually to spend 
 their leisure months on the moors.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 325 
 
 LAGOPUS. (Gr. Aayuf , a Hare ; irovg , a foot ; the Ptarmigan.) 
 
 Scoticus (Lat. Scotch], the Red Grouse. 
 
 The RED GROUSE has never been found -wild on the Conti- 
 nent, but seems to confine itself exclusively to the heaths of 
 Scotland, Wales and Ireland. In these places it is very 
 numerous, associating in flocks or " packs," and together 
 with the black grouse is eagerly pursued by sportsmen, who 
 are frequently baffled by the shy and wary habits of the birds. 
 The nest of the Red Grouse is formed of heath and grass 
 carelessly heaped together on the ground under the shelter 
 of some low shrub. The young are fully fledged by August. 
 
 THE PTARMIGAN. 
 
 The legs and feet of the PTARMIGANS are thickly covered 
 with hair-like feathers reaching as far as the claws. Their 
 plumage bears a singular analogy to the fur of the ermine 
 and some other quadrupeds, as it changes in winter from a 
 rich almost tortoiseshell colour to a pure white. The 
 common Ptarmigan inhabits the northern parts of Europe 
 and America, and is also found in the north of Scotland, 
 principally among the mountains. The colour of the bird 
 is so similar to that of the mossy and lichen-covered rocks
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Albus (Lat white), the Ptarmigan. 
 
 among which it dwells, that a whole covey easily eludes an 
 unpractised eye. 
 
 Enormous numbers of Ptarmigans are annually imported 
 from the north of Europe, especially Norway and Sweden, to 
 the London market. One poulterer has purchased fifteen 
 thousand of these hirds, and twenty-four thousand have been 
 exported in one ship from one place. 
 
 Like that of the grouse, the Ptarmigan's nest is a loosely 
 constructed heap of twigs and grass, and contains from ten 
 to fourteen eggs of a reddish white spotted with brown. 
 
 THE BRUSH TURKEY. 
 
 The MEGAPOBID^E, deriving their name from the enormous 
 size of their feet, are inhabitants of Australia and the Papuan 
 Islands. In the habits of these birds there is a peculiarity 
 hardly less singular than surprising. Instead of hatching 
 their eggs by the warmth of the body, as most birds do, not 
 excepting the ostrich, the Megapodes bury their eggs in a 
 decaying heap of grass and leaves, trusting to the heat fur- 
 nished by the fermentation to hatch the eggs.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family V. Megapodidse. (Gr. Meyaf, great ; Trovf, a foot. The 
 great-footed kind.) 
 
 TALEGALLUS. 
 
 Lathami (Lat. of Latham), the Brush Turkey. 
 
 The BRUSH TURKEY is principally found in the thick 
 brushwood of New South Wales. Mr. Gould, who first 
 brought it before the public, gives this curious account of 
 their nests : " The mode in which the materials composing 
 these mounds are accumulated is equally singular, the bird 
 never using its bill, but always grasping a quantity in its 
 foot, throwing it backwards to one common centre, and thus 
 clearing the surface of the ground for a considerable distance 
 so completely that scarcely a leaf or a blade of grass is left. 
 The heap being accumulated, and time allowed for a sufficient 
 heat to be engendered, the eggs are deposited, not side by side 
 as is ordinarily the case, but planted at the distance of nine 
 or twelve inches from each other, and buried at nearly an 
 arm's depth, perfectly upright, with the large end upwards.
 
 328 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 They are covered up as they are laid, and allowed to remain 
 until hatched. I am credibly informed, both by natives and 
 settlers living near their haunts, that it is not an unusual event 
 to obtain nearly a bushel of eggs at one time from a single 
 heap ; and as they are delicious eating they are eagerly sought 
 after." 
 
 When the Brush Turkey is disturbed, it either runs through 
 the tangled underwood with singular rapidity, or springs upon 
 a low branch of some tree, and reaches the summit by a suc- 
 cession of leaps from branch to branch. This latter peculiarity 
 renders it an easy prey to the sportsman. 
 
 MEGAPODIUS. 
 
 Tumulus (Lat a Mound), the Mound-making Megapode. 
 
 The MOUND-MAKING MEGAPODE inhabits the dense thickets 
 bordering on the sea-shore, and is never found far inland. 
 Like the Brush Turkey it deposits many eggs in one mound, 
 but instead of placing them at intervals in the mound, the bird 
 makes deep holes from five to six feet, at the bottom of which 
 the eggs are deposited. The natives obtain the eggs by 
 scratching up the earth with their fingers, until they have 
 traced the hole to the bottom ; a very laborious task, as the 
 holes seldom run straight, and often turn off at right angles
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 320 
 
 to avoid a stone or root. The mounds are enormously large. 
 Mr. Gilbert was told by the residents that they were the 
 tombs of the aborigines, nor was it until after some time that 
 their real nature was made known. The height of one mound 
 was fifteen feet, and its circumference at the base sixty feet. 
 
 THE OSTRICH. 
 
 The STRUTHIONID.E include the Ostrich, Emu, Cassowary, 
 and Apteryx. The birds of this family are all remarkable ibr 
 the shortness of their wings, which are weak and unable to raise 
 them from the ground, but appear to assist them in running. 
 On this account Cuvier called the family Brevipennes, i. e. short- 
 winged birds. 
 
 The OSTRICH is the largest bird as yet known to exist, its 
 height being from six to eight feet. It is an inhabitant of Africa, 
 and from thence the elegant plumes are brought. These plumes 
 are mostly obtained from the wings of the bird, and not from 
 the tail, as is generally imagined. 
 
 An immense number of eggs are laid by the Ostriches in one 
 spot, several birds belonging to each nest. The eggs are very 
 large and strong, and are in general use by the Bosjesmans for 
 holding water. By means of these eggs, which they bury at 
 intervals in the sand, after filling them with water, they are 
 enabled to make inroads across the desert and retreat with 
 security, as none can follow them for want of water. Each 
 egg holds rather more than five pints. An excellent omelet is 
 made by the natives, by burying the fresh egg in hot ashes, and 
 stirring round the contents with a stick through a hole in the 
 upper end, until thoroughly cooked. 
 
 The principal strength of the Ostrich tribe lies in the legs. 
 These limbs are so powerful that a swift horse has great diffi- 
 culty in overtaking the bird. As the Ostrich mostly runs in 
 large curves, the hunters cut across and intercept the bird, 
 which would in all probability escape if followed in its exact 
 course. 
 
 The Ostrich is easily tamed, as those who have been 
 pursued by the magnificent birds in the Zoological Gardens
 
 330 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order VI. STRUTHIONES. 
 
 Family I. Struthiomdse. (Gr. 2 Tpavffof, an ostrich. Ostrich kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. . Struthionince. 
 
 STRUTHIO. 
 
 CamSlus (Gr. Ka/^Aof, a Camel), the Ostrich. 
 
 can testify. These frequently astonish the visitor by suddenly 
 snatching out of his hand a bun or cake which he had in- 
 tended for his own special benefit, their long necks enabling 
 them to reach to a surprising distance. Many of my readers
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 331 
 
 have doubtless seen the tame ostriches at the Hippodrome, who 
 ran races bearing riders on their backs, and really seemed to 
 enjoy the sport as much as any of the spectators. The inter- 
 esting narrative of Captain Gumming contains some useful re- 
 marks on the habits of the Ostrich, and the method in which it 
 is destroyed by the Bosjesmans. 
 
 " While encamped at this vley we fell in with several nests 
 of ostriches ; and here I first ascertained a singular propensity 
 peculiar to these birds. If a person discovers the nest, and 
 does not at once remove the eggs, on returning he will most 
 probably find them all smashed. This the old birds almost 
 invariably do, even when the intruder has not handled the 
 eggs, or so much as ridden within five yards of them. The 
 nest is merely a hollow scooped in the sandy soil, generally 
 amongst heath or other low bushes ; its diameter is about seven 
 feet ; it is believed that two hens often lay in one nest. The 
 hatching of the eggs is not left, as is generally believed, to 
 the heat of the sun, but, on the contrary, the cock relieves 
 the hen in the incubation. These eggs form a considerable 
 item in the Bushmen's cuisine, and the shells are converted 
 into water flasks, cups, and dishes. I have often seen Bush- 
 girls and Bakalahari women, who belong to the wandering 
 Bechuana tribes of the Kalahari desert, come down to the 
 fountains from their remote habitations, sometimes situated 
 at an amazing distance, each carrying on her back a kaross 
 or a net- work containing from twelve to fifteen ostrich egg- 
 shells, which had been emptied by a small aperture at one 
 end ; these they fill with water and cork up the hole with 
 
 ; A favourite method adopted by the wild Bushman for 
 approaching the Ostrich and other varieties of game, is to 
 clothe himself in the skin of one of these birds, in which, 
 taking care of the wind, he stalks about the plain, cunningly 
 imitating the gait and motions of the Ostrich, until within 
 range, when, with a well-directed poisoned arrow from his 
 tiny bow, he can generally seal the fate of any of the ordinary 
 varieties of game. These insignificant-looking arrows are 
 about two feet six inches in length ; they consist of a slender 
 reed, with a sharp bone head, thoroughly poisoned with a 
 composition, of which the principal ingredients are obtained
 
 332 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 sometimes from a succulent herb, having thick leaves, yielding 
 a poisonous milky juice, and sometimes" from the jaws of 
 snakes. The bow barely exceeds three feet in length ; its 
 string is of twisted sinews. When a Bushman finds an os- 
 trich's nest he ensconces himself in it, and there awaits the 
 return of the old birds, by which means he generally secures 
 the pair. It is by means of these little arrow's that the major- 
 ity of the fine plumes are obtained which grace the heads of the 
 fair throughout the civilized world." 
 
 The food of the Ostrich is vegetable, and it swallows many 
 stones, &c. to assist it in grinding its food. When in confine- 
 ment it picks up anything, glass, nails, &c., from the effects of 
 which it sometimes dies.* 
 
 Capt. Gumming remarks a fact not generally known, viz. the 
 care that the Ostrich takes of its young. It has generally been 
 supposed that after the eggs are laid, the female leaves them 
 to be hatched in the sun, and takes no more care for them. 
 The following anecdote would do honour to the far-famed Lap- 
 wing. " I fell in with a troop of about twelve young ostrich- 
 es, which were not much larger than Guinea-fowls. I was 
 amused to see the mother endeavour to lead us away, exactly 
 like a wild duck, spreading out and drooping her wings, and 
 throwing herself down on the ground before us as if wounded, 
 while the cock bird cunningly led the brood away in an oppo- 
 site direction." 
 
 The Rhea, or American Ostrich, is abundant on the banks 
 of the. river La Plata, and is chased by the Gauchos, who pur- 
 sue it on horseback, and kill it by throwing the celebrated 
 " bolas." These curious weapons are made of a long leathern 
 thong, having a heavy stone or leaden ball attached to each end. 
 The Gaucho can throw it so as either to stun his prey with a 
 blow from the ball, or strangle it by causing the thong to twist 
 round its neck. 
 
 It is known that the Rhea can swim well, and frequently 
 crosses rivers several hundred feet in width, a power which the 
 ostrich and the cassowary are not ascertained to possess. There 
 are two species of this bird, one, the Darwin's Rhea, has been 
 but lately introduced to science. 
 
 * I have been present at the dissection of an ostrich, when an astonishing amount 
 of pebbles and other hard materials was taken from its stomach, among which were 
 a tolerably large piece of deal, and a considerable portion of a brickbat.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 CASUARIUS. 
 
 Casoar, the Cassowary. 
 
 The CASSOWARY is a native of the eastern parts of Asia. 
 Like the ostrich, it cannot fly, but runs with great swiftness, 
 and if attacked by dogs kicks with extreme force and rapidity. 
 The feathers of this bird are remarkable for being composed 
 of two long, thread-like feathers, sprouting from the same root. 
 The wing feathers are round, black, and strong, and resemble 
 the quills of the porcupine. At the end of the last joint of the 
 wing is a sort of claw or spur. 
 
 The food of the bird consists of vegetable substances, and it 
 will frequently swallow a tolerably large apple entire, trusting 
 to the pebbles, &c. in its stomach to bruise it.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 DROMAIUS. (Gr. Apoftalof, running swiftly.) 
 
 Novse-Hollandise (Lat of New Holland), the Einu. 
 
 The EMU is a native of New Holland, and nearly equals 
 the ostrich in bulk, its height being between five and six 
 feet. Its feathers lie loosely on the body, and its wings are 
 small and hardly to be distinguished. The skin of the Emu 
 furnishes a bright and clear oil, on which account it is eagerly 
 sought after. Mr. Bennet gives the following account of the 
 habits of this bird. 
 
 "In its manners the Emu bears a close resemblance to the 
 ostrich. . . Its food appears to be wholly vegetable, consisting 
 chiefly of fruits, roots, and herbage, and it is consequently, 
 notwithstanding its great strength, perfectly inoffensive. The 
 length of its legs and the muscularity of its thighs enable it 
 to run with great swiftness ; and as it is exceedingly shy, it is
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 335 
 
 not easily overtaken or brought within gunshot. Captain 
 Currie states that it affords excellent coursing, equalling if not 
 surpassing the same sport with the hare in England ; but Mr. 
 Cunningham says that dogs will seldom attack it, both on ac- 
 count of some peculiar odour in its flesh which they dislike, 
 and because the injuries inflicted upon them by striking out 
 with its feet are frequently very severe. The settlers even as- 
 sert that the Emu will break the small bone of a man's leg by 
 this sort of kick ; to avoid which, the well- trained dogs run up 
 abreast, and make a sudden spring at their neck, whereby they 
 are quickly dispatched." 
 
 " Its flesh has been compared to coarse beef, which' it re- 
 sembles both in appearance and taste. There is but- little 
 fit for culinary use upon any part of the Emu except the hind 
 quarters." 
 
 The voice of the Emu is a kind of low booming sound. The 
 eggs are six or seven in number, of a dark green colour, and 
 are much esteemed by the natives as food. When the natives 
 take an Emu, they break its wings, a curious custom of no per- 
 ceptible utility. Young men and boys are not permitted to 
 eat the flesh of this bird. 
 
 THE APTERYX. 
 
 This extraordinary bird, whose name is derived from the ap- 
 parent' absence of wings, those members being merely rudi- 
 mentary, inhabits Australia and the islands of New Zealand. 
 It conceals itself among the densest fern, and when hunted by 
 dogs, it hastens to seek a refuge among rocks and in the cham- 
 bers which it excavates in the earth. In these chambers its 
 nest is made and the eggs laid. The natives hunt it with 
 great eagerness, as the skin is used for the dresses of chiefs, 
 who are so tenacious of them that they can hardly be per- 
 suaded to part with a single skin. The feathers are employed 
 to make artificial flies. When attacked it defends itself by 
 rapid and vigorous strokes with its powerful feet. 
 
 Dr. Shaw first brought this bird before the notice of the 
 public, but for many years naturalists considered it an extinct
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family b. Apteryginte. 
 APTERYX. (Gr. a, priv. ; Trreovt;, a wing; wingless.) 
 
 Australis (Lat. Australian,) the Apteryx. 
 
 species. Latterly the question has been set at rest, not only 
 by the researches of Gould and other naturalists, but 'by the 
 arrival in this country of several skins * and one living speci- 
 men, now in the Zoological Gardens. This bird has a singular 
 habit of resting with the tip of its bill placed on the ground. 
 The nostrils of the APTERYX are placed almost at the very ex- 
 tremity of the bill. The aborigines of New Zealand give it the 
 name of Kiwi Kiwi. The food of the bird consists of snails, 
 insects, and worms, which latter creatures it obtains by striking 
 the ground with its feet, and seizing them on their appearance 
 at the surface. 
 
 * A small but well preserved skin is mounted in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. 
 The rudimentary wings are very well shown. A skeleton is in the museum of the 
 College of Surgeons. 

 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Sub-family c. Didince. 
 
 Ineptus (Lat. stupid), the Dodo. 
 
 This singular bird, which is supposed to be extinct, was 
 discovered at the Mauritius by the earlier voyagers. For 
 many years their accounts of the Dodars were supposed to be 
 mere flights of fancy. Lately, however, the discovery of 
 several relics of this bird in various countries has set the 
 question at rest. Not so the question of the proper position 
 of the bird. Some think it belongs to the pigeons, and some 
 to the ostriches. In the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford are 
 a head and foot of the Dodo, sole remnants of a perfect speci- 
 men known to have existed in 1700 ; and in the same place, 
 in the year 1847, during the meeting of the British Association, 
 were gathered together the whole of the existing remains from 
 every country. 
 
 In the travels of Sir T. Hubert, in the year 1627, are 
 several accounts. From the work of this traveller, whose 
 P
 
 338 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 amusement it was to re-write his travels, each time completely 
 changing the language but retaining the matter, an extract is 
 taken. 
 
 " The DODO, a bird the Dutch call Walghvogel, or Dod 
 Eersen ; her body is round and fat, which occasions the slow 
 pace, or that her corpulencie, and so great as few of them 
 weigh less than fifty pound : meat it is with some, but better 
 to the eye than stomach, such as only a strong appetite can 
 vanquish. . . It is of a melancholy visage, as sensible of nature's 
 injury in framing so massie a body to be directed by com- 
 plemental wings, such, indeed, as are unable to 
 hoise her from the ground, serving only to rank 
 her among birds. Her traine, three small plumes, 
 short and improportionable, her legs suiting to 
 her body, her pounces sharpe, her appetite strong 
 and greedy. Stones and iron are digested, which 
 description will better be conceived in her repre- 
 sentation." The " representation " here alluded to 
 f^ DODO, is that of a globular-shaped bird, perfectly naked, 
 with the exception of three separate feathers on the 
 tail, and a few feathers on the wing. The expression of lugu- 
 brious wisdom on the countenance is irresistibly ludicrous. 
 
 It is still within the range of possibility that this bird 
 should again be discovered, as at present but little of Mada- 
 gascar has been searched, and in that island, if any where, it 
 will be found. 
 
 Another bird, the gigantic Dinornis, has been extirpated 
 from the face of the earth by man. This enormous bird, 
 whose leg is rather larger than that of a fossil elk, and whose 
 head could not have been less than ten feet and a half from 
 the ground, was at one time an inhabitant of New Zealand, but 
 has been extirpated for many years, a fate likely to befal the 
 defenceless Apteryx. In the Anatomical Museum at Oxford 
 is a cast of the leg of the Dinornis, standing side by side with 
 that of an ostrich. The leg of the ostrich is quite insignificant 
 by the side of the enormous cast.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d, Otince.{Gr. 'Crtf, a Bustard.) 
 OTUS. 
 
 Tarda (Lat. slow), the Great Bustard. 
 
 The GREAT BUSTARD, our English representative of the Otidse, 
 is now scarcely ever seen in this country, although formerly it 
 was tolerably common. It runs with great swiftness, and will 
 never rise on the wing until forced, so that instances have been 
 known of bustards being captured by greyhounds. It is ex- 
 ceedingly wary, and can hardly be approached within gun-shot, 
 except by adopting some disguise, as a labourer with the gun 
 in his wheelbarrow, or by driving a cart or a carriage by the 
 spot where it is feeding. 
 
 The male Bustard possesses a membranous pouch on the 
 fore part of the neck, capable of holding six or seven pints of 
 water. There is an opening to this pouch under the tongue, 
 and its use is possibly, like that of the pelican, to carry water 
 for the use of the young, but this is not ascertained. The
 
 340 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 length of the bird is rather more than* three feet. Its nest is 
 a loose heap of straws on the ground, and contains two pale 
 brown eggs, spotted with brown, rather larger than those of the 
 turkey. 
 
 Order VII. . GRALL^. <Lat. Stilted Birds.) 
 Family I. . . Charadridse. 
 Sub family c. Ch aradrince. 
 VANELLUS. 
 
 Cristatus (Lat. crested), the Lapwing or Peewt. 
 
 The PLOVERS are known by their long legs, short toes, and 
 long and powerful wings. Many are inhabitants of England, 
 of which the Lapwing and Golden Plover are the most 
 common. 
 
 The LAPWING, or PEEWIT, is very common in most parts of 
 England, and is well known for its plaintive cry, and the 
 stratagems it employs to decoy intruders away from its nest, 
 or rather eggs, for nest it has none. Frequently, however, 
 the attempts of the bird only draw the attention of the passer- 
 by to the necessary vicinity of the eggs. These eggs are dark 
 brown, blotched with black, and are hardly to be distinguished 
 from the soil where they are laid. If an intruder approach 
 them, the bird glides before him, and flutters along, drooping 
 her wings, as if wounded, invariably endeavouring to lead 
 him away from her nest. When it has succeeded in 
 decoying away the intruder, it suddenly mounts in the air, 
 uttering its cry of pee-weet, leaving its pursuer to gaze with
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 341 
 
 astonishment at the escaping bird. When flying, the black and 
 white colours of its plumage make it very conspicuous. On the 
 head of the bird is a kind of crest. 
 
 Family II. ... Ardeidse. (Lat Ardea, a Heron. Heron-kind.) 
 Sub-family 6. . . Gruinoe. 
 
 GRUS. (Lat. a Crane.) 
 
 Cinerga (Lat ashy), the Crane. 
 
 The COMMON CRANE is now but rarely seen on our shores, 
 although formerly as common as was the bustard. It flies at 
 so great a height, that although its hoarse cry is audible, the 
 bird itself is far out of the reach of sight. It generally feeds on 
 snails, frogs, and worms, but is not by any means averse to new- 
 ly sown grain. The nest is made among reeds and rushes, and 
 contains two bluish green eggs, marked with brown. -The 
 length of the bird is nearly four feet.
 
 342 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family c. . Ardeince. 
 
 AEDEA. 
 
 Cinerea, the Heron. 
 
 The HERON, or HERNE, is a bird renowned in the noble 
 science of falconry, and respecting which much curious know- 
 ledge is to be gained from the work of Dame Juliana Berners, 
 a book of most amusingly quaint language. The Common 
 Heron generally breeds in numbers, like the rook ; indeed, 
 these two birds frequently inhabit contiguous trees, but never 
 interfere with each other. In the dawn of the early morning, 
 or while the moon casts an uncertain light, the Heron may be 
 seen standing in the shallow water, stiff and motionless, and 
 by the faint light may be mistaken for a stump of a tree. 
 But his eye is keenly directed on the water, and no sooner 
 does a fish approach, than a dart of his unerring bill secures 
 it, and the Heron soars exultingly to his nest, bearing his
 
 -NATURAL HISTORY. 343 
 
 prey with him. The fixed patience that the Heron displays 
 has caused it to be chosen as the emblem of Solitude. 
 
 The plumes of the Heron were formerly considered as 
 ornaments only to be worn by the noble. It is not an 
 uncommon sight to see this splendid bird slowly winnowing 
 his way through the air, when suddenly a magpie, or a crow, 
 gives the alarm, and the poor bird is instantly beset by its 
 annoying enemies, especially the crows, who resent the Heron's 
 approach to their own residence, and frequently drive him away. 
 
 The nest of the Heron is a flat mass of sticks, laid on the 
 highest branches of a tree, and contains five bluish green 
 eggs. The length of the bird is about three feet. 
 
 An old name of this bird was the Herne, or Hernshaw, 
 from which was derived the saying, " He does not know 
 a Hawk from a Hernshaw." The last word has been cor- 
 rupted into "handsaw," and of course renders the proverb 
 most unmeaning. 
 
 THE BITTERK 
 
 - 
 
 The beautiful BITTERN has been almost banished from this 
 country, although formerly common. It frequents morasses, 
 and dense beds of reeds, where it lies concealed until the 
 evening, when it leaves its rushy bed and soars to a vast 
 height, continually uttering its sepulchral booming cry. This 
 singular sound is not unlike the deep bellowing of a bull, and 
 is most startling in its effect. It was one of the birds chiefly 
 sought after in falconry, as the stout defence it makes against 
 its enemies, by darting its sharp and powerful beak at them, 
 and beating violently with its feet, renders it by no means an 
 easy prey. For this reason the falconer's first care, on reach- 
 ing the Bittern when brought to the ground by his falcon, 
 was to secure its head, and by fixing its bill deep in the earth, 
 to save his eyes from the rapid and well-aimed blows of the 
 wounded bird. The falcon also was' in danger of being trans- 
 fixed by the sharp beak of his victim. 
 
 The plumage of this beautiful bird is a rich reddish-yellow 
 ground, boldly variegated with various black marks, which are 
 most conspicuous in the loose, long feathers that decorate
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Stellaris (Lat. starry), the Bittern. 
 
 its neck. In size, it is a little less than the heron. It feeds 
 principally on small reptiles, field mice, and fish. Its nest 
 is built on some slight elevation in a morass, and contains five 
 bluish green eggs. 
 
 THE WHITE SPOONBILL. 
 
 The COMMON SPOONBILL is found in Europe, Asia, and 
 Africa, and frequents Holland, together with the stork. The 
 strange shape of the tip of its beak has gained it the name 
 of Spoonbill. It has rarely been taken in this country. It 
 feeds on worms, snails, and water plants, searching for the 
 latter by agitating the water with its broad beak. 
 
 The nest of the White Spoonbill is sometimes placed in
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 PLATALEA. (Lat. ) 
 
 Leucorodia (Gr. bevKopotiov, a white rose), the White Spoonbill. 
 
 trees, and sometimes amid rushes. It contains three whitish 
 eggs, slightly spotted with red. The length of the bird is not 
 quite three feet. 
 
 THE STORK. 
 
 The STORK is extensively found throughout Europe, Asia, 
 and Africa. In Holland storks are very abundant, and are 
 encouraged by the Dutch to build in their towns. Among 
 the ruins of Persepolis they are very common, scarcely one 
 pillar being without a stork's nest at the summit. In 
 Holland a kind of false chimney is built by the inhabitants 
 for these birds to make their nests in. When the Stork 
 cannot find a building on which to make its nest, it chooses 
 the flat spreading branches of a cedar or pine, and there
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. . . . Ciconince. 
 CICONIA. (Lat. a Stork.) 
 
 Alba (Lat. white), the Stork. 
 
 collects a large mass of sticks and twigs, on which it lays 
 from three to five whitish eggs. When disturbed, the birds 
 make a great clattering with their bills. The draining of our 
 morasses seems to have driven the Stork completely out of 
 this country, where it was formerly tolerably common. The 
 food of this bird consists of rats, mice, frogs, &c., and it is for 
 the benefits it confers upon man by devouring these vermin 
 that it is so carefully protected and encouraged, especially in 
 the East, where the inhabitants do not trouble themselves by 
 removing carrion or offal, but leave that office to the vultures, 
 hyenas, and others scavengers of nature. The height of the 
 Stork is nearly four feet. 
 
 The Adjutant of India, which is so useful in devouring offal 
 and vermin, is one of the Stork tribe. In the crop of one of 
 these birds was found a land tortoise, ten inches long, and 
 " a large black male cat, entire."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 347 
 
 Sub-family/ . Tantalincp. 
 IBM. (Gr. 'I/3t f .) 
 
 Religiosa (Lat. sacred), the Sacred Ibis. 
 
 The SACRED IBIS inhabits Egypt, but does not seem to breed 
 there. This is the bird so. frequently depicted in the hiero- 
 glyphics as playing a conspicuous part in religious ceremonies. 
 Their mummies are constantly found in the tombs, and in one 
 of these mummies Cuvier discovered remnants of skin, and scales 
 of snakes. The Sacred Ibis is about the size of an ordinary 
 fowl.
 
 348 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III ... Scolopacidse. (Gr. 2/toAoTraf, a Woodcock. "Wood- 
 cock-kind.) 
 Sub-family a. . Limosince. 
 
 CRACTICORNIS. (Gr. Kpar</c6?, clamorous; opvif, a bird.) 
 
 Arquatus (Lai arched), the Curlew. 
 
 The CURLEW or WHATJP is often found in the northern parts 
 of England and Scotland, and is spread over the whole of the 
 Old World, from South Africa to the polar regions. In winter 
 it collects in large flocks at the muddy shores of the sea, where 
 its long curved bill can easily penetrate in search of food. It 
 is an exceedingly shy bird, and difficult to approach within 
 gunshot. 
 
 Its nest is composed of grass and rushes, collected under the 
 shelter of a tuft of heath or grass, and contains four greenish 
 olive eggs blotched with brown. The length of the bird slightly 
 exceeds two feet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 340 
 
 Sub-family c. Recurvirostrince. 
 RECURVIROSTRA. (Lat. with bill curved upwards.) 
 
 Avocetta, the Avocet. 
 
 The bill in the genus Recurvirostra is exactly the reverse 
 of that in the genus Numenius, the curve being upwards in- 
 stead of downwards. The common AVOCET is spread through- 
 out the warmer regions of Europe, and is also found in some 
 parts of Africa. It is very common in Holland, and is frequent- 
 ly seen on the eastern coasts of England, but seldom visits 
 Scotland. It frequents marshes and the mouths of rivers, 
 where it finds in the mud myriads of the small worms and 
 insects on which it feeds, and which it obtains by scooping 
 them up from the mud with its curious curved bill. It is a 
 good swimmer, but seldom has recourse to that art except 
 when it wades unexpectedly out of its depth. 
 
 The eggs of the Avocet are laid on the ground, in a de- 
 pression sheltered by a tuft of herbage. Their colour is a 
 bluish green, spotted with black. The birds when disturbed 
 at their nests feign lameness, like the lapwing, in order to 
 draw the intruder to a distance. The length of the bird is 
 eighteen inches. 
 
 The curious Stilt Plover belongs to the Avocets.
 
 350 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Siib-family d. Scolopacince, 
 
 Rusticola (Lat. fond of the country), the Woodcock. 
 
 The WOODCOCK is a native of the northern parts of Europe 
 and Asia, and is common in this country, but rarely has heen 
 known to hreed here. It generally reaches England at the 
 beginning of October, and leaves us in March or April, at 
 which time its flesh loses the delicacy that characterises it, 
 and becomes coarse and valueless. The Woodcock frequents 
 dense thickets during the day, but at night it leaves these re- 
 treats, and visits the swamps and flooded meadows, where it 
 finds a sufficiency of worms and insects. 
 
 The nest of this bird is a loose mass of grass and leaves, 
 gathered together in some sheltered depression. The eggs are 
 four in number, of a yellowish brown, blotched with dark 
 brown and grey.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 351 
 
 NUMENIUS. (Gr. 
 
 Scolopacinus (Lat. like a Woodcock], the Snipe. 
 
 The SNIPE is too well known to need description. In its 
 habits it much resembles the woodcock, excepting that it 
 breeds plentifully in several counties of England, Scotland, and 
 and Ireland. Its flight is very singular, rendering it a difficult 
 mark. The Jack Snipe confines itself to one spot, and cannot 
 be induced to leave it even when fired upon. Its flight is fully 
 as perplexing as that of the common Snipe. Stanley, in his 
 History of Birds, mentions " a gentleman, a very bad shot, who 
 having at length succeeded in killing a Jack Snipe, deeply 
 lamented the loss of a bird which, as he was always sure of 
 finding it in the same place, had afforded him constant amuse- 
 ment during a whole winter." 
 
 THE RUFF. 
 
 The RUFF is celebrated for its pugnacious habits and the 
 singular change of its plumage at certain seasons of the year. 
 Towards the breeding season a heautiful frill of long feathers 
 forms round the neck. It is a singular fact, that in hardly 
 any two of these birds is the frill of the same colour ; an( l 
 more remarkable, that the frill of the same bird is of different 
 colours at different seasons. At the same time that the frill
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family e. Tringince. 
 PHILOMACHUS. (Gr. ^iAo/io^of, a lover of battles.) 
 
 Pugnax (Lat. quarrelsome), the Ruff. 
 
 forms, the male birds choose each for themselves a small spot, 
 on which no other bird is permitted to intrude without a severe 
 battle taking place. The females, called Reeves, now arrive, 
 and their approach is the signal for a general melee ; and the 
 ground is soon denuded of grass by the constant battles. 
 
 The nest of the Reeve is merely a slight depression in a tuft 
 of grass. The eggs are four in number, of a greenish white 
 blotched with reddish brown. 
 
 Great numbers of these birds are annually sent to the London 
 markets. Various precautions are taken to prevent their de- 
 structive quarrels from taking place, as captivity in no way 
 diminishes their pugnacity. 
 
 THE JACANAS. 
 
 The JACANAS are found in Asia, Africa, and A"merica. Their 
 light bodies and widely extended claws enable them to walk 
 on the leaves of aquatic plants with equal ease and safety. 
 As their weight is just sufficient to sink the leaf a little below 
 the surface, they have all the appearance of walking on the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 353 
 
 Family IV. . . Palamedeidse. (Gr. Ua^ufirj, the palm of the hand) 
 Sub-family a. Parrince. 
 
 PABRA. (Lat.) 
 
 Jacana, the Jacana. 
 
 water itself. The common Jacana inhabits the hotter parts 
 of South America, and is abundant in Brazil and Guiana. It 
 possesses large and sharp spurs on the wing. 
 
 THE CORNCRAKE. 
 
 The CORNCRAKE or LANDRAIL is very common in England. 
 It reaches us at the beginning of April, and leaves us at the 
 end of October, after hatching its eggs. During the early part 
 of the summer months its harsh cry may be heard in almost 
 every field, but the bird is very seldom seen, as it threads its 
 way among the long grass with marvellous rapidity. Its cry
 
 54 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family V. . . Rallida;. 
 Sub-family a. . Rallince. 
 
 OETYGOMETKA. (Gr. 'Oprvyo/z^rpa, migrating with the Quails ; the 
 Landrail.) 
 
 Crex (Gr. Kpe, a Crake ; derived from its cry), Corncrake or Landrail. 
 
 can be so exactly imitated by drawing a quill sharply across 
 the teeth of a comb, that the bird may be decoyed by the 
 sound until quite close to the operator, The Corncrake is so 
 averse to rising on the wing, that a dog is frequently employed 
 to hunt it. The young when taken feign death with admirable 
 accuracy, nor do they move until they imagine that the in- 
 truder is safely out of the way. 
 
 The nest of the Corncrake is by no means uncommon. It 
 is formed of hay, collected and worked into some depression 
 in the ground, and contains from eight to twelve eggs of a 
 greyish yellow, covered with dark brown spots. The length 
 of the bird is about nine inches. 
 
 THE WATER-HEN. 
 
 The WATEII-HEN, or MOOR-HEN, is very common along the 
 reedy banks of rivers and ponds. It is very widely distributed, 
 being found in almost all parts of the old world. It swims
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 355 
 
 Sub-family b. Gallinulince. 
 G ALLINULA. CLat. ) 
 
 Chloropus (Gr. XAwpo? , green ; novf, a foot), the Water-hen. 
 
 very gracefully, constantly nodding its head, and dives with 
 great skill and rapidity, particularly when alarmed, in which 
 case it generally dives under some floating herbage, and re- 
 mains there with merely its heak ahove the water until the 
 danger is passed. On account of this habit it is almost useless 
 to shoot this bird unless accompanied by a dog, for if it is not 
 shot dead it instantly dives, and nothing but a dog can dis- 
 cover its retreat. It runs on land with considerable activity, 
 constantly flirting up its tail so as to show the white feathers 
 beneath, and when alarmed, instantly makes for the water. 
 
 The nest of the Water-hen is built among sedges and reeds 
 at the water side, and contains from five to eight or nine eggs 
 of a cream yellow, spotted with dark brown, When the Water- 
 hen leaves her nest, she covers the eggs with dried grass and 
 reeds, so as completely to conceal them, apparently lest the 
 rats should discover them. The young when hatched look 
 like round tufts of black down. They swim and dive well, fol- 
 lowing their parent with great address. The pike is their chief 
 enemy, and destroys numbers by darting at them from under 
 the cover of water-lilies or other plants.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 FULICA. (Lat.) 
 
 Atra (Lat. black), the Coot. 
 
 The COOT much resembles the water-hen in its habits. It 
 is usually found in large sheets of water, particularly if shel- 
 tered by trees. The nest is a huge mass of flags, reeds, and 
 grass, usually at the water's edge, but sometimes actually in 
 the water.* In the nest are from seven to ten greenish white 
 eggs, spotted with brown. 
 
 THE FLAMINGO. 
 
 The FLAMINGO is an inhabitant of the warmer parts of 
 Europe, and is common in Asia and the coasts of Africa. The 
 singularly shaped beak of this splendid bird is peculiarly 
 adapted to its long and flexible neck. When the bird wishes 
 to feed, it merely stoops its head to the water ; the upper 
 mandible is then lowest, and is well fitted to receive the 
 nutritive substances which are entangled in a filter placed on 
 the edges of the beak, much resembling the analogous apparatus 
 of the whale. 
 
 The Flamingo frequents marshes, lakes, and mouths of 
 rivers, bidding defiance to the pestilent exhalations that drive 
 
 * In 1849 I took five Coots' eggs from a nest situated at the Reservoir near Swin- 
 don. The nest was nearly fifty yards from the bank, and was made on a very small 
 sunken hillock, in three feet water.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 31 
 
 Order VIII. . . ANSJSRE8.(lMt. Geese.) 
 
 Family I Anatidse. (Lat. Ana*, a Duck. Duck-kind.) 
 
 Sub-family a. . Phcenicopterince. 
 PHCENICOPTKROS. (Gr. QoivinoirTepoc;, red-winged; the Flamingo.) 
 
 Rubra (Lat. red), the Flamingo. 
 
 man far from their haunts. The colour of their plumage is 
 a deep brilliant scarlet, except the quill feathers, which are 
 black. When a flock of these birds stands ranged in a line, 
 according to their custom, they present the appearance of a 
 small and well-drilled body of soldiers, but are far more
 
 358 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 dangerous to approach than the most formidable army, for 
 the miasma of the marshes has a more deadly aim than the 
 rifle, and its breath is more certainly fatal than the bullet. 
 
 The nest of the Flamingo is a curious conical structure of 
 mud, with a cavity at the summit, in which are placed two or 
 three whitish eggs. "When the female bird sits on the nest, 
 her feet rest on the ground, or hang into the water. The 
 height of the bird is between five and six feet. 
 
 Sub-family c. Anserince. 
 
 BERNICLA. 
 
 : < 
 
 Leucopsis (Gr. Acv/cof, white ; ety>, a face), the Bernicle Goose. 
 
 The BERNICLE GOOSE inhabits the northern parts of Europe 
 and America, but during the winter it resorts to our shores 
 in great numbers. It is an extremely shy bird, and cannot 
 be approached without the greatest caution and skill. Of the 
 origin of this bird most absurd tales have been told. All 
 agreed that it was produced from a tree, but the latest and 
 most approved account was that of Gerard, who in 1636 
 wrote as follows : " But what our eyes have seen, arid hands 
 have touched, we shall declare. There is a small island in 
 Lancashire called the Pile of Foulders, wherein are found the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 359 
 
 broken pieces of old and bruised ships, some whereof have 
 been cast thither by shipwracke, and also the trunks and 
 bodies with the branches of old and rotten trees, cast up there 
 likewise ; wherein is found a certain spume or froth, that in 
 time breedeth into certaine shels, in shape like those of the 
 muskle, but sharper pointed, and of a whitish colour ; one end 
 whereof is fastened into the inside of the shell, even as the 
 fish of oisters and muskles, the other end is made fast unto 
 the belly of a rude masse or lumpe, which in time commeth 
 to the shape and form of a bird : when it is perfectly formed 
 the shell gapeth open, and the first thing that appeareth is the 
 foresaid lace or string ; next come the legs of the bird hanging 
 out, and as it groweth greater it openeth the shell by degrees, 
 till at length it is all come forth and hangeth only by the 
 bill : in short space after it commeth to full maturitie, and 
 falleth into the sea, where it gathereth feathers, and groweth 
 to a fowle." 
 
 Of the TAME GOOSE, Anser ferus, nothing need be said, 
 except that enormous flocks are bred in Lincolnshire, con- 
 taining from two to ten thousand birds each. The birds are 
 periodically subjected to the operation of plucking out the 
 quill-feathers, in order to supply the vast demand for pens, &c. 
 
 THE SWAN. 
 
 The MUTE or TAME SWAN, a well-known ornament to our 
 lakes and rivers, is not an inhabitant of England, but was in- 
 troduced from Eastern Europe and Asia, several hundred years 
 back. All are familiar with the graceful deportment of this 
 bird while sailing on the surface of the water. Unfortunately 
 its progress on land by no means corresponds with its aquatic 
 grace, being confined to an awkward waddle. 
 
 The female Swan makes its nest of a great mass of dry reeds 
 placed among osiers or rushes near the water, and lays six or 
 eight large white eggs. During the time of incubation, and 
 while the young are still small, the parent birds defend them 
 with great assiduity and courage. 
 
 Several large Swanneries are still in existence. The Crown,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Cygnince. 
 CYGNTJS. (Lat. a Swan.) 
 
 Olor (Lat. a Swan), the Mute Swan. 
 
 and the Dyers' and Vintners' Companies own the greater part of 
 the swans on the Thames, and their swans are annually mark- 
 ed on the bills by men termed Swan-uppers, or hoppers. The 
 mark of the Vintners' Company is a notch or nick at each side 
 of the bill, from which arose the term, " swans with two nicks," 
 corrupted into " necks." 
 
 The WHISTLING SWAN, or HOOPER ( Cygnus ferus), resides 
 during summer within, the Arctic circle, but in winter visits 
 the northern parts of Europe, including England. It migrates 
 in flocks of various numbers, arranged in the form of a wedge. 
 The down of this bird is very valuable, and is sought after by 
 the Icelanders, who choose the time when the birds have shed 
 their quill-feathers and are unable to fly, to chase them with
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 361 
 
 dogs. The Whistling Swan wants the grace that character- 
 izes the Tame Swan ; its neck is carried upright, without the 
 elegant arch of its domesticated relative. It is not quite so 
 large as the Tame Swan ; the expanse of its wings is about 
 eight feet. 
 
 CHENOPIS. (Gr. XT?'?-, a Ooose ; wi/>, a face.) 
 
 Atrata (Lat. blackened), the Black Swart. 
 
 " Like a Black Swan," was formerly a well known proverb, 
 analogous to the Horse Marines of the present day : unfortu- 
 nately for the proverb, a swan has been discovered in Australia, 
 the whole of whose plumage is a jetty black, with the excep- 
 tion of the quill feathers, which are white. It has been domes- 
 ticated in this country, and may be seen in St. James' Park, 
 eagerly seeking after the crumbs offered by juvenile hands. It 
 is rather smaller than the Whistling Swan.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family e. Anatince. 
 
 Boschas (Gr. Bovnag, a Mallard, from POCKTI, pasture*), the Mallard. 
 
 The MALLARD or WILD DUCK is the origin of our domestic 
 bird, and is widely spread over the northern parts of Europe, 
 Asia, and America. In the winter it migrates in countless 
 flocks, many reaching this country. In Lincolnshire incredi- 
 ble numbers of these birds are taken in a very ingenious trap, 
 called a decoy. It is a perfect edifice of poles and nets, and 
 is built in the form of a tube, very wide at the mouth, and 
 very narrow at the extremity. The ducks are induced to 
 enter the " pipe" by the antics of a dog, and by some hemp- 
 seed previously strewn on the water.- They are then driven 
 onwards to the smaller end, where they are caught and killed. 
 
 Wilson, in his American Ornithology, gives the following 
 account of the method of catching wild ducks practised in 
 America. 
 
 " In some ponds frequented by these birds, five or six 
 wooden figures, cut and painted so as to represent ducks, and 
 sunk by pieces of lead nailed on their bottoms so as to float 
 at the usual depth on the surface, are anchored in a favourable 
 position for being raked from a concealment of brush, &c. on 
 
 * The keeper of a decoy in Lincolnshire mentioned that " the Mallard, Pintail, and 
 Teal frequent rich flooded lands, swittering with their nebs (beaks) in the soil, and 
 sucking out all its strength; but the Wigeon is an amazing fowl to graze, and a 
 strange eater of grass " RICHARDSON
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 363 
 
 shore. The appearance of these usually attracts passing flocks, 
 which alight, and are shot down. Sometimes eight or ten of 
 these painted wooden ducks are fixed on a frame in various 
 swimming postures, and secured to the bow of the gunner's 
 skifF, projecting before it in such a way that the weight of the 
 frame sinks the figures to their proper depth ; the skiff is 
 then dressed with sedge or coarse grass, in an artful manner, 
 as low as the water's edge ; and under cover of this, which 
 appears like a party of ducks swimming by a small island, the 
 gunner floats down sometimes to the very skirt of a whole 
 congregated multitude, and pours in a destructive and re- 
 peated fire of shot among them. In whiter, when detached 
 pieces of ice are occasionally floating in the river, some of the 
 gunners on the Delaware paint their whole skiff or canoe 
 white, and laying themselves flat at the bottom, with their 
 hand over the side silently managing a small paddle, direct it 
 imperceptibly into or near a flock before the ducks have dis- 
 tinguished it from a floating mass of ice, and generally do 
 great execution among them. A whole flock has sometimes 
 been thus surprised asleep with their heads under their 
 wings."* 
 
 The Tame Duck is so well known as to need no description. 
 The manner in which it fights the cock is highly amusing, 
 and but little known. It frequently happens while the fowls 
 are being fed, that the duck runs among them, and by his 
 larger beak, gobbles up an undue share of the provisions. 
 This the cock resents by giving him a peck. The duck takes 
 no notice, but gets behind the cock, deals him a hard peck, 
 and looks innocent. The cock jumps round, but sees nothing 
 Presently another hard peck comes, and he is very angry. 
 A third peck but this time the cock sees his enemy, and 
 rushes at him furiously. Down flops the duck on the ground, 
 and lets the cock pass over him. After running over him 
 once or twice, and then jumping on him, the cock is persuaded 
 that his enemy is quite dead, and walks off on the tips of his 
 toes. Presently the duck first opens one eye and then the other, 
 gets up and quietly pecks the cock again. The same ma- 
 no3uvres are repeated, until at last the duck wins, like Fabius, 
 by delay, and drives his antagonist fairly off the field. 
 
 * Wilson's Ornithology, vol. viii. p. 114.
 
 364 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 4 
 
 QtJERQUEDULA. (Lat.) 
 
 Crecca, the Teal. 
 
 The TEAL is the smallest of our ducks. It frequently 
 breeds in England, mostly choosing the northern lakes for that 
 purpose. Its flight is exceedingly rapid, soon carrying it out 
 of the reach of gun-shot. It chooses night for its feeding- 
 time, and during the day conceals itself under the herbs that 
 fringe the banks of the water where it has chosen its habita- 
 tion. Its nest is also carefully placed among dense herbage, 
 and contains from eight to twelve whitish eggs. 
 
 The delicacy of its flesh is well known, and it therefore 
 figures on most well-furnished tables. 
 
 THE EIDER DUCK. 
 
 The EIDER DUCK furnishes . the celebrated down in such 
 request for pillows and beds. It is a singular fact, that the 
 down must, be plucked from the bird when living, as it seems 
 to lose its peculiar elasticity and softness when taken from 
 the bird after its death. The down is plucked by the bird 
 itself from its breast, for the purpose of lining its nest, which
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family f. Fuligulince. 
 SOMATEEIA. (Gr. Zw^a, the body ; reipu, to wear away.) 
 
 '-^ .. \- 
 
 Mollissima (Lat. very soft), the Eider Duck. 
 
 ibed until the Eider is ra 
 n from the male bird. It 
 of Europe, Iceland, and the Hebrides. 
 
 is then robbed until the Eider is reduced to laying its eggs 
 on the down from the male bird. It is common in the north 
 
 THE CRESTED GREBE. 
 
 The COLYMBID^E are remarkable for their powers of diving. 
 The legs are placed very far behind, and the toes are so 
 arranged as to fold up when returning from the stroker. 
 
 The foot of the GREBES is not webbed like that of most 
 water birds, but each toe is separate and flattened so as to 
 serve as a separate paddle, the Grebes dive so instantane- 
 ously that it is difficult to shoot them, as they dive at the 
 flash, and do not reappear for nearly two hundred yards, and 
 then they merely raise their head above water for a second, 
 and again disappear. 
 
 All the Grebes feed upon fishes and the various water 
 insects, but their stomachs are almost invariably found to
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. ... Colymbidae. (Gr. K6Av///3of, a Diver.) 
 Sub-family b . Podicepince. 
 
 FODICEPS. 
 
 Cristatus (Lat. crested), the Crested Grebe. 
 
 contain a mass of their own feathers. This circumstance pre- 
 sents a singular analogy to those masses of compacted hair which 
 are often found in the stomachs of cows. In all probability 
 the reason for their presence is the same, that the feathers and 
 hairs are accidentally conveyed to the stomach after the crea- 
 ture has been making its toilet. 
 
 The CRESTED GREBE is found in some of the fens of the 
 Midland counties of England, and also inhabits parts of Scot- 
 land. This bird, together with the other Grebes, builds its nest 
 of a mass of roots and reeds, among sedges. The female, like 
 the water hen, covers up her eggs when she leaves her nest, 
 which, unlike the nests of most of the aquatic birds, floats on 
 the water.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Minor (Lat. lesser), the Little Grebe or Dabchick. 
 
 The DABCHICK or LITTLE GREBE is very common in most 
 parts of England, and is spread over Europe and Asia. It is 
 easily alarmed, and instantly dives, after which it is of little use 
 to look for the bird. Even in a small pond where tame Dab- 
 chicks are kept, if they are startled at anything, they all disap- 
 pear as if by magic, and reappear in the same mysterious man- 
 ner. Even when confined in the limited space of a small pond, 
 the sharpest eye cannot detect them as they hide under floating 
 herbage, or are sheltered by an overhanging bank. 
 
 It is easily domesticated, and is often seen placed as an or- 
 nament in lakes, or even in ponds, where it swims about very 
 merrily, and seems to enjoy playing a game at hide-and-seek 
 with any observer who is attempting to witch its movements.
 
 368 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family III. . . Alcidse. 
 Sub-family a. Alcina. 
 
 FRATEBCULA. (Lat.) 
 
 Arctica (Lat. Arctic), the Puffin. 
 
 The PUFFIN is common at the Needles and the western 
 islands of England. It forms deep burrows in the soil, in 
 which one egg is deposited, or usurps the burrow of a rabbit. 
 The hole is generally from three to four feet in depth, when 
 the Puffin is forced to labour for itself; it usually takes a 
 winding course ; and the inhabitant is secured from surprise 
 by forming two entrances, in order that if one entrance is at- 
 tacked, it may escape by the other. The egg is always depos- 
 ited at the furthest gxtremity of the hole, and is not easy to be 
 obtained, on account of the vigorous resistance made by the 
 parent bird. It is an excellent diver, plunging fearlessly from 
 a lofty cliff into the sea, and speedily returning with its beak 
 full of fish, which are secured by their heads, and lie in a row 
 along the bill of the Puffin, forming a kind of piscatorial fringe. 
 Its enormous and sharp-edged bill renders it a formidable 
 antagonist to intruders. The length of the bird is thirteen 
 inches.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 
 Impennis (Lat. wingless), the Great Auk. 
 
 The ALCHXE or AUKS are never seen inland, but exclusively 
 inhabit the sea-shores. In this family the wings are small, 
 and in some genera useless for flight. The feet are placed so 
 far back that the birds, when sitting, assume an erect attitude. 
 
 The GREAT AUK is an inhabitant of the Arctic circle, but 
 is sometimes seen in the northern islands of Scotland. The 
 wings of this bird are incapable of raising it into the air, but 
 serve admirably as paddles when diving. It breeds princi- 
 pally on the shores of Iceland and Spitzbergen, laying one 
 large egg on a cleft of a high rock. The eggs are extremely 
 scarce, and fetch a very high price among collectors, a circum- 
 stance which has caused some most ingenious impositions. 
 The length of the bird is nearly three feet. 
 Q*
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family c. Spheniscince. 
 SPHENISCUS. (Gr. wedge-shaped.) 
 
 Demersus (Lat. submerged), the Cape Penguin. 
 
 The CAPE PENGUIN is very common at the Cape of Good 
 Hope and the Falkland Islands. From the extraordinary 
 sound it produces while on shore, it is called the Jackass 
 Penguin. Darwin gives the following interesting account of 
 this bird : " In diving, its little plumeless wings are used as 
 fins, hut on the land, as front legs. When crawling (it may 
 he said on four legs) through the tussocks, or on the side of 
 a grassy cliff, it moved so very quickly that, it might readily 
 have been mistaken for a quadruped. When at sea and 
 fishing, it comes to the surface, for the purpose of breathing, 
 with such a spring, and dives again so instantaneously, that 
 I defy any one at first sight to be sure that it is not a fish 
 leaping for sport."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family d. Urince. 
 URIA. (Gr. Ovpia.) 
 
 V 
 
 Trofle, the Guillemot. 
 
 The COMMON GUILLEMOT makes its appearance on our coasts 
 in the beginning of spring, and inhabits the cliffs overhanging 
 the sea. Each female deposits one egg on a naked ledge of 
 rock, and sits upon it with great perseverance, even suffering 
 itself to be taken by hand. The egg is usually a pale green, 
 streaked and blotched with brown, but is very variable both 
 in colour and markings. The length of the bird is fifteen 
 inches. 
 
 THE FULMAR PETREL, 
 
 The FULMAR PETREL is an inhabitant of the Arctic circle, but 
 breeds abundantly in St. Kilda and the Orkneys. The inhabit- 
 ants of those islands consider the Fulmar as one of their princi- 
 pal means of subsistence. It lays one white egg, large and brit- 
 tle, which is imbued with the peculiar oily odour that charac- 
 terises the bird. The food of the Fulmar consists of the flesh
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family IV. . Procellaridse. 
 Sub-family a. Procellarince. 
 PROCELLARIA. (Lat. stormy.) 
 
 Glacialis (Lat. icy), the Fulmar Petrel. 
 
 and blubber of dead whales and other cetaeea, and also of mol- 
 lusks and Crustacea. The length of the bird is sixteen inches. 
 
 THALASSIDROHA. (Gr. Qdhaaaa, the sea; dpopoc, a race.) 
 
 
 Pelagica (Lat. belonging to the sea), the Stormy Petrel. 
 
 The STORMY PETREL is, under the name of Mother Carey's 
 chieken, the terror of the sailor, who always considers the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 373 
 
 bird as the precursor of a storm. It is the smallest of the 
 web-footed birds. Few storms are violent enough to keep 
 this curious little bird from wandering over the waves in 
 search of the food that the disturbed water casts to the sur- 
 face. Like the Fulmar, the Stormy Petrel is so exceedingly 
 oily in texture, that the inhabitants of the Feroe Islands draw 
 a wick through its body and use it as a lamp. Wilson gives 
 the following account of its habits while following a ship under 
 sail : 
 
 " It is indeed an interesting sight to observe these little birds 
 in a gale, coursing over the waves, down the declivities, up the 
 ascents of the foaming surf that threatens to bend over their 
 heads ; sweeping along the hollow troughs of the sea, as in a 
 sheltered valley, and again mounting with the rising billow, 
 and just above its surface, occasionally dropping its feet, which, 
 striking the water, throws it up again with additional force ; 
 sometimes leaping with both legs parallel, on the surface of the 
 roughest waves for several yards at a time. Meanwhile it 
 continues coursing from side to side of the ship's wake, making 
 excursions far and wide, to the right and to the left, now a 
 great way ahead, and now shooting astern for several hundred 
 yards, returning again to the ship as if she were all the time 
 stationary, though perhaps running at the rate of ten knots 
 an hour ! But the most singular peculiarity of this bird is 
 its faculty of standing and even running on the surface of the 
 water, which it performs with apparent facility. When any 
 greasy matter is thrown overboard, these birds instantly collect 
 round it, and facing to windward, with their long wings ex- 
 panded and their webbed feet patting the water, the lightness 
 of their bodies and the action of the wind on their wings en- 
 able them to do this with ease. In calm weather they per- 
 form the same manoBuvre by keeping their wings just so much 
 in action as to prevent their feet from sinking below the sur- 
 face. According to Buffon, it is from this singular habit that 
 the whole genus have obtained the name Petrel, from the 
 apostle Peter, who, as Scripture informs us, also walked on the 
 water."* 
 
 * Wilson's Ornithology, vol. vii. p. C2.
 
 374 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 DIOMEDEA. (Proper name.) 
 
 Exulans (Lat. banished), the Wandering Albatros. 
 
 The WANDERING ALBATROS, the largest of the genus, is a 
 well-known bird in the southern seas, following ships for many 
 miles in hopes of obtaining the refuse thrown overboard. So 
 voracious is the Albatros, that it will swallow entire a fish of 
 four or five pounds weight. The flight of this bird is peculiar- 
 ly majestic. Its extreme length of wing prevents it from rising 
 at once from the ground, but when once launched into the air, 
 it seems to float and direct its course without effort. Gould in 
 describing the flight of this bird says : 
 
 " The powers of flight of the Wandering Albatros are much 
 greater than those of any other bird that has come under my 
 observation. Although during calm or moderate weather it 
 sometimes rests on the surface of the water, it is almost 
 constantly on the wing, and is equally at ease while passing 
 over the glassy surface during the stillest calm, or sweeping 
 with arrow-like swiftness before the most furious gale ; and 
 the way in which it just tops the raging billows, and sweeps 
 between the gulfy waves, has a hundred times called forth 
 my wonder and admiration. Although a vessel running
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 375 
 
 before the wind frequently sails more than 200 miles in the 
 twenty-four hours, and that for days together, still the Alhatros 
 has not the slightest difficulty in keeping up with the ship, but 
 also performs circles of many miles in extent, returning again 
 to hunt up the wake of the vessel for any substances thrown 
 overboard." 
 
 The voracity of the Albatros renders it an easy prey. A 
 hook is baited with a piece of blubber, fastened firmly to a 
 string, and suffered to tow astern. The bird immediately 
 sweeps down to seize its prey, arid is arrested by the hook, by 
 means of which it is drawn into the ship. The best descrip- 
 tion of the nidification of the wandering Albatros is that given 
 by Mr. Earl, quoted by Gould. 
 
 Mr. Earl after climbing a fearfully dangerous precipice in the 
 Island of Tristan d'Acunha arrived at a large plain of dark 
 grey lava, on the summit of which the nests of the Albatros 
 were made. " A death-like stillness prevailed in these high 
 regions, and to my ear our voices had a strange unnatural echo, 
 and I fancied our forms appeared gigantic, whilst the air was 
 piercing cold. The prospect was altogether sublime, and filled 
 the mind with awe. The huge Albatros here appeared to 
 dread no interloper or enemy ; for their young were on the 
 ground completely uncovered, and the old ones were stalking 
 around them. They lay but one egg, on the ground, where they 
 make a kind of nest by scraping the earth around it ; the young 
 is entirely white, and covered with a woolly down, which is 
 very beautiful. As we approached, they snapped their beaks 
 with a very quick motion, making a great noise ; this and the 
 throwing up the contents of the stomach are the only means of 
 offence and defence they seem to possess. I again visited the 
 mountain about five months afterwards, when I found the young 
 albatroses still sitting on their nests, and they had never moved 
 away from them." The expanse of wing in the Wandering 
 Albatros is from eleven to fourteen feet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family V. ... Laridse. 
 Sub-family b. Larince. 
 LARUS. (Lat. a Gull.} 
 
 Mantras (Lat. belonging to the sea), the Slack-backed Gull. 
 
 The BLACK-BACKED GULL is a common bird on our coasts. 
 During the winter it seeks the warmer coasts of southern 
 Europe. It breeds in great numbers on the shores of the 
 Bristol Channel, the Orkneys, and other coasts of Great 
 Britain. Its nest is composed of grass, rushes, and other 
 materials, and contains three or four eggs, of an olive green 
 marked with very dark brown. Neither the gulls nor the 
 terns dive, but snatch up their prey when at or near the 
 surface. 
 
 THE COMMON TERN. 
 
 The TERNS or SEA-SWALLOWS are possessed of great power 
 and endurance of flight, their long forked tails and pointed 
 wings indicating strength and swiftness. 
 
 The Common Tern w found in plenty along the southern 
 shores of Europe, in many parts of Asia and Africa. It is 
 frequently seen on the southern shores of England, and has
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 377 
 
 Sub-family c. Sternince. 
 
 Hirundo (Lat. a Swallow), the Common Tern. 
 
 been found in North America. It preys on fish, which it 
 snatches from the surface with unerring aim, as it skims ovei 
 the waves with astonishing velocity. 
 
 The nest of this bird is made on the sand above high- water 
 mark, and contains two or three eggs, on which the female 
 usually sits by night. The length of the common Tern is 
 about fourteen inches. 
 
 The Noddy, so frequently celebrated by travellers who have 
 passed the equator, is a species of Tern. 
 
 THE TROPIC BIRD. 
 
 The TROPIC BIRD, as its name imports, is seldom seen many 
 degrees beyond the tropics, although a storm occasionally drives 
 it from its accustomed habitat. 
 
 Its rapid flight seems to be accomplished almost without 
 the aid of wings. It preys extensively on the flying-fish, 
 who frequently escapes his airy foe but to fall into the jaws 
 of some rapacious rover of .the deep. It has been known to
 
 378 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family VI ... Pelecanidse. Gr. He^e/cav, a Pelican. Pelican kind.) 
 Sub-family b. . Phaetonince. 
 
 PHAETON. (Gr. $ai6u ; proper name.) 
 
 ^Ethereus (Lat. belonging to the sky), the Tropic Bird. 
 
 continue on the wing for whole days and nights, but some- 
 times rests on the back of a turtle sleeping at the surface of 
 the water. The length of the Tropic Bird is about eighteen 
 inches. 
 
 THE SOLAN GOOSE. 
 
 The GANNET, or SOLAN GOOSE, is common on some of our 
 shores, especially at the Bass Rock at the entrance of the 
 Frith of Forth. This rock is literally covered with Gannets, 
 and is rented at a high price from the proprietor, who makes 
 over to the tenant the vast flocks of birds that take up their 
 residence on the rock. Great numbers of Gannets breed at 
 St. Kilda, and many are sent to Edinburgh and other 
 markets.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-family c. Pelecanince. 
 SULA 
 
 Bassanga (Lat. the Gannet, or Solan Goose.) 
 
 The Gannet feeds almost entirely on herrings, which it 
 seizes by plunging with extraordinary force from a considerable 
 height. This method of procuring food has led to an ingeni- 
 ous device for capturing the bird. A herring is fastened to 
 a board, and suffered to float on the surface of the water. 
 The Gannet, seeing the fish apparently sporting on the sur- 
 face, plunges at it with such force that it is instantly killed 
 by the blow. A Gannet was once taken when the board was 
 sunk to the depth of six feet, yet even at that depth the bird's 
 neck was dislocated, and its bill firmly stuck into the wood. 
 The length of the Gannet is about two feet eight inches. 
 
 The Booby is a species of Gannet. Sailors have given it 
 this rather inelegant name on account of the stupidity it dis- 
 plays in suffering itself to be knocked down with a stick, or 
 even taken up by hand.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 PHALACKOCOKAX. (Gr. 4>a/,apof, bald; /copaf, a Raven.) 
 
 Carbo (Lat. a Coal), the Cormorant. 
 
 The CORMORANT is found in abundance on our coasts, and 
 is widely spread over many parts of the world. It is exceed- 
 ingly voracious, and devours an almost incredible amount of 
 fish. It is an excellent diver, and chases the fish actually 
 under the water, seldom, if ever, returning without having 
 secured its prey. Like the otter, when engaged in chase, it 
 occasionally rises to take breath, and then resumes the 
 pursuit with renewed vigour. Waterton gives the following 
 amusing description of the proceedings of a Cormorant : 
 " First raising his body nearly perpendicular, down he plunges 
 into the deep, and after staying there a considerable time 
 he is sure to bring up a fish, which he invariably swallows head 
 foremost. Sometimes half an hour elapses before he can 
 manage to accommodate a large eel quietly in his stomach. 
 You see him straining violently with repeated efforts to gulp 
 it, and when you fancy that the slippery mouthful is success-
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 381 
 
 fully disposed of, all of a sudden the eel retrogrades upwards 
 from its dismal sepulchre, struggling violently to escape. 
 The cormorant swallows it again, and up again it comes, and 
 shows its tail a foot or more out of its destroyer's mouth. At 
 length, worn out with perpetual \rrithings and glidings, the 
 eel is gulped down into the cormorant's stomach for the last 
 time, there to meet its dreaded and inevitable fate. This 
 gormandising exhibition was witnessed here by several in- 
 dividuals, both ladies and gentlemen, on Nov. 26, 1832, 
 through an excellent eight-and-twenty guinea telescope, the 
 cormorant being at that time not more than a hundred yards 
 distant from the observers. I was of the party." 
 
 The Cormorant is easily tamed, and its fishing propensities 
 can be turned to good account. The Chinese, at the present 
 day, employ a kind of cormorant for that purpose, having 
 previously placed a ring round the bird's neck, to prevent it 
 from swallowing the fish. The eggs of this bird are usually 
 laid on the rock, but sometimes in the branches of trees. A thick 
 coat of chalk envelopes the eggs, and can be easily scraped off 
 with a knife. The length of the bird is about three feet. 
 
 THE WHITE PELICAN. 
 
 The WHITE PELICAN inhabits Africa, India, and great part 
 of the south-eastern portions of Europe. It is a very con- 
 spicuous bird, its singular membranous pouch offering a dis- 
 tinction perfectly unmistakeable. The pouch, when distend- 
 ed, holds two gallons of water, but the bird has the power 
 of contracting it so that it is scarcely to be discerned. The 
 pouch also serves as a net, in which to scoop up the fish 
 on which the Pelican feeds.* Another most important use of 
 the pouch is to convey food to the young. The parent Peli- 
 can presses the pouch against its breast, in order to enable 
 the young to obtain the fish, which action, in all probability, 
 gave rise to the fable of the Pelican feeding its young with 
 its own blood. The red tip of the bill probably aided the 
 deception. 
 
 * The beautiful Pelicans in the Zoological Gardens exhibit this pouch and its 
 uses admirably.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 PELECANUS. 
 
 OnocrotSlus (Gr. 'OvoKporaloc), the White Pelican. 
 
 Although a web-footed bird, the Pelican, like the cormorant, 
 can perch on trees, although it prefers sitting on rocks. The 
 colour of this bird is a pure white, with a very slight tinge of 
 rose colour, and the pouch is yellow. The length of the bird 
 is nearly six feet. 
 
 THE FRIGATE PELICAN. 
 
 The FRIGATE PELICAN, or MAN-OF-WAR. BIRD, is usually 
 found between the tropics. Although when stripped of its 
 feathers it is hardly longer than a pigeon, yet no man can 
 touch at the same time the tips of its extended wings. The 
 long wing bones are exceedingly light, and the whole ap- 
 paratus of air-cells is extremely developed, so that its real 
 weight is very trifling. It flies at a great height above
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 FREGATA. 
 
 Aqufla (Lat. an Eagle), the Frigate Pelican. 
 
 the water, and from that elevation pounces down- on fish, 
 especially the poor persecuted flying-fish. According to 
 some authors, the name of Mari-of-War Bird was given to it 
 because its appearance was said to foretel the coming of a 
 ship ; probahly because the Frigate Pelican and ships are 
 equally averse to storms, and both like to come into harbour if 
 the weather threatens. Under the throat of the Frigate Pelican 
 is a large pouch, of a deep red colour, which can be distended 
 with air at the pleasure of the bird. The pouch is larger and 
 of a more brilliant red in the male than in his consort, and the 
 general plumage of the female is not so bright as that of the 
 male. 
 
 Although its swiftness of wing and general activity enable 
 it to snatch a fish from the surface of the water, or to pounce 
 upon the flying-fish before it can again seek the protection 
 of its native element, yet it too often uses its powers in 
 robbing other birds of their lawful prey. It is enabled in 
 some mysterious way to find its way home by night, even 
 though it may be four or five hundred miles from land. 
 The length of the male bird is three feet, and the expanse of 
 wing eight feet.
 
 384 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Class III. . . REPTIUA. (Lat. Creeping things.) 
 
 Order I. ... SA UJtA.(Gr. Xavpa, a Lizard.) 
 
 Sub-order I. LEPTOGLOSS^E. (Gr. Aerrrof, slender; y^uoaa, the tongue.) 
 
 Tribe I. ... CYCLOSAURA. (Gr. KtkAof , a circle ; aavpa.) 
 
 Family IV. Lacertinidse. (Lat. Lacerta, a Lizard. Lizard-kind.) 
 
 ZOOTOCA. Gr. Zu6f , living ; TIKTU, to bring forth.) 
 
 VivipSra (Lat. viviparous), the Common Lizard. 
 
 "We now arrive at the singular Class of REPTILES. The 
 animals of this class vary exceedingly in their forms, sizes, and 
 habits, but the peculiar formation of the circulatory system, 
 together with many other anatomical distinctions, plainly mark 
 them out as a distinct class. 
 
 The LIZARDS are usually active, bright-eyed little creatures, 
 delighting to bask in the sun, near some safe retreat, to which 
 they dart with astonishing celerity upon the slightest alarm. 
 Two species of Lizards inhabit this country, the Common 
 Lizard, and the Sand Lizard. The latter animal is consider- 
 ably larger than the common Lizard, as it sometimes measures 
 a foot in length. It frequents sandy heaths, and in the sand 
 its eggs are deposited, fourteen or fifteen in number. The 
 eggs are hatched by the heat of the sun, and the young im- 
 mediately lead an independent life. During the winter this 
 as well as the Common Lizard hybernates into a burrow usually
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 385 
 
 made under the roots of a tree, nor does it again make its ap- 
 pearance until the spring. 
 
 The Common Lizard is only six inches in length. It is 
 more active than the Sand Lizard, disappearing like magic on 
 being alarmed. When seized its tail frequently snaps off like 
 glass. Both British Lizards feed on insects. 
 
 Tribe II GEISSOSAURA. (Gr. Teiaoov, a cornice ; aavpa.) 
 
 Family XV. Scincidse. (Gr. 2/uy/cof, a kind of Lizard) 
 
 ANGUIS. (Lat. a Snake.) 
 
 Fragflis (Lat. fragile), the Blind-worm or Slow-worm. 
 
 The BLIND-WORM is not a snake, as generally supposed, but 
 a lizard of the Skink family. It is perfectly harmless, its 
 small mouth and very minute teeth precluding all attempts to 
 injure, even if it had the will. "When alarmed it snaps asun- 
 der at the slightest blow, like the tail of the Common Lizard, 
 and from that peculiarity has derived its name of " fragilis." It 
 feeds almost entirely on small slugs, its jaws not being capable 
 of admitting any larger prey. It is very common in most 
 parts of England, and may be seen basking in the sun in 
 hedgerows or under old walls. Its eyes are very small, but 
 brilliant. 
 
 R
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-order II. . PACHTGLOSSA (Gr. ITo^wf, thick ; yhuaaa, the tongue.) 
 
 Tribe III NYCTISAURA. (Gr. NW& night; aavpa, a Lizard.) 
 
 Family XXII. Gecko tiifa. (Geckos.) 
 
 Verus (Lat true), the Gecko. 
 
 The GECKOS are nocturnal lizards, remaining hidden in 
 crevices during the day, but wandering forth at night in search 
 of their insect prey. They run ahout on the smooth walls and 
 ceilings with the greatest ease, as their feet are furnished with 
 an apparatus exactly resembling a boy's sucker, by means of 
 which they are able to adhere to the wall or even to the roof. 
 They labour in their country under precisely the same imputa- 
 tions that the toad does in England, namely, of being venomous 
 creatures, producing horrible diseases when touched, together 
 with many similar tales. Geckos are spread over every quarter 
 of the globe, but are most numerous in Southern Asia. The 
 species represented is common in India.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 887 
 
 Tribe IV ..... STROBILOSAURA. (Gr Zrpopihos, anything twist- 
 
 ed, a Fir-cone.) 
 Family XXIII. Iguanidae. (Iguanas.) 
 
 Tuberculata (Lat. covered with pimples), the Iguana. 
 
 The IGUANA family is a veiy large one, containing 150 
 species. The Common Iguana is a native of Brazil, Cayenne, 
 Jamaica, &c. In spite of its repulsive appearance, it is with 
 many people a favourite article of food, and is said some- 
 what to resemble chicken. It is very fierce when attacked, 
 and snaps at its enemies in a most determined manner, often 
 scaring away an intruder by the ferocity of its aspect. It is 
 generally taken by throwing a noose over its head, and dragging 
 it from the branches by main force. It is then immediately 
 killed, as its sharp notched teeth inflict a very disagreeable 
 wound. Sometimes it is hunted with dogs trained to the 
 .sport. It attains a considerable size, frequently reaching the 
 length of six feet. It feeds usually on vegetable substances, 
 such as leaves, fruit, and fungi ; but iguanas have been seen 
 in the island of Isabella, that fed on eggs, insects, and even 
 the intestines of fowls. An enormous fossil iguana has been 
 discovered by Dr. Mantell, whose length must have been nearly 
 seventy feet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family XXIV. Agamidse. 
 DRACO. (Lat. a Dragon.) 
 
 Volans (Lat. flying), the Flying Dragon. 
 
 The terrible name of FLYING DRAGON belongs to a harm- 
 less little lizard, bearing small resemblance to the terrific ani- 
 mal so graphically depicted by Retsch. This curious little 
 lizard lives on trees, and feeds on insects instead of devouring 
 pilgrims bound to the Gnadenbilde. The peculiar structure of 
 its body bears a singular resemblance to that of the flying 
 squirrel. The first six false ribs are greatly elongated, and 
 support a wing-like expansion of skin, which when stretched 
 serves to bear them up as they skim through the air from one 
 tree to another. While running about on the branches, the 
 so-called wings are folded to the side, but when it wishes to 
 throw itself from the tree, the ribs are raised, and the wings 
 expanded. It is common in Java, India, and Borneo. 
 
 THE CHAMELEON. 
 
 The COMMON CHAMELEON is plentifully found in northern 
 Africa, the south of Spain, and Sicily. It lives on trees, but 
 exhibits none of the activity usually found in arboreal reptiles. 
 On the contrary, its movements are absurdly grave and sol- 
 emn. The whole activity of the animal seems to be centered 
 in its tongue, by means of which organ it secures flies and
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 389 
 
 Tribe V. DENDROSAURA. (Gr. Mvdpov, a tree ; aavpa.) 
 
 Family XXV. Chameleonidse.- (Gr. Xa//at/>.ewv, a Chameleon. Cha- 
 meleon kind.) 
 
 CHAMELEON. 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Chameleon. 
 
 other insects with such marvellous rapidity, that the ancients 
 may be well pardoned for their assertion that the air formed 
 the only food of the Chameleon. 
 
 Highly exaggerated descriptions have been given of the 
 changes of colour in this animal. The changes are by no 
 means so complete, nor are the colours so bright, as generally 
 supposed. 
 
 " And then its hue, 
 
 Who ever saw so fine a blue ?" 
 
 The poetic moralist further recounts its changes to green, 
 black, and white. The umpire referred to in the poem is re- 
 corded to assert, 
 
 " If you don't find him black, I'll eat him ;" 
 
 but every one who has watched a Chameleon for any time, will 
 be equally ready to eat him the moment that he turns white. 
 
 The power of the Chameleon to move its eyes in different 
 directions, gives it a most singular aspect. Its enormously long 
 tongue can be withdrawn into the mouth when not in use, but 
 when the creature sees a fly within reach, the tongue is instant- 
 ly darted forth, and by means of a gummy secretion at the tip 
 secures the fly. The whole movement is so quick as almost to 
 elude the eye.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order II. ... OPHIDIA.{Gr. "O<j>i?, a Serpent.) 
 Sub-order L VIPERINA. (Lat. Viper a, a Viper.) 
 Family I. . . Crotalidse. (Gr. KporaAov, a Rattle.) 
 
 UROPSOPHUS. (Gr. Ovpd, the tail ; i/io^of, a noise.) 
 
 Durissus (Lat. durus, harsh), the Rattle-snake. 
 
 THE peculiar gliding movements of the Snakes render them 
 excellent types of the Reptiles, a word derived from the Latin 
 repo, I creep. The extraordinary flexibility of their bodies is 
 caused by the structure of their vertebrae, each one of which fits 
 into the one behind it by a ball-and-socket joint, thus allowing 
 freedom of motion in every direction. 
 
 The RATTLE-SNAKE is a native of America. Its name is de- 
 rived from the loose bony structure at the extremity of its tail, 
 called the rattle, and which by the sound of its movements gives 
 timely intimation of the vicinity of this terrible reptile. Fortu- 
 nately, its disposition is exceedingly sluggish, and it invariably 
 sounds its rattle when irritated or disturbed. Its bite is inevi- 
 tably mortal, and death always ensues "-within a few hours after 
 its bite. 
 
 The deadly weapons with which the venomous serpents 
 are armed, are two long curved fangs belonging to the upper 
 jaw, and moving on a hinge by which they lie flat in the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 391 
 
 mouth, when not wanted. An aperture exists in the point 
 of the fang, by which a poisonous fluid, secreted in a gland at 
 the base of the tooth, is poured into the wound, and, mixing 
 with the blood, rapidly carries its deadly influence throughout 
 the entire system. A short time since an American physician 
 was exhibiting a caged rattle-snake to his friends. He ap- 
 proached his hand too near the irritated reptile, who instanta- 
 neously inflicted a wound, and although every precaution was 
 taken, the bite proved fatal in a few hours. 
 
 Waterton gives some useful hints respecting snakes, especial- 
 ly those of the venomous kind : 
 
 " When a man is ranging a forest, and sees a serpent gliding 
 towards him (which is a very rare occurrence), he has only to 
 tack off in a side direction, and he may be perfectly assured 
 that it will not follow him. Should the man, however, stand 
 still, and should the snake be one of those overgrown monsters 
 capable of making a meal of a man, in these cases the snake 
 would pursue its course ; and when it got sufficiently near to 
 the place where the man was standing, would raise the fore- 
 part of its body in a retiring attitude, and then dart at him 
 and seize him. A man may pass within a yard of rattle-snakes 
 with safety, provided he goes quietly ; but should he irritate a 
 rattle-snake, or tread incautiously upon it, he would infallibly 
 receive a wound from its fang, though, by the bye, with the 
 point of that fang curved downwards, not upwards."* 
 
 The same author was nearly falling a victim to a rattle- 
 snake. He saw what he thought was a green locust struggling 
 in the grass. On stooping down to examine it, he was consid- 
 erably alarmed at discovering it to be the tail of a rattle-snake. 
 
 The length of this snake has seldom been known to exceed 
 seven feet. 
 
 * This latter passage refers to a plate in Audubon's Ornithology, where a rattle- 
 snake is represented attacking a mocking-bird's nest, and threatening the birds with 
 two fangs curved upwards a mistake which Waterton never loses sight of.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family IL Viperidse. 
 CLOTHO.* (Gr. proper name.) 
 
 Arigtans (Lat butting like a Ram), the Puff Adder. 
 
 The PUFF ADDER is an inhabitant of Southern Africa. It is 
 a short thick flattish snake, of a most sinister and malignant 
 aspect. The following alarming adventure occurred to Mr. 
 Cole, a resident in the Cape. 
 
 " I was going quietly to bed one evening, wearied by a long 
 day's hunting, when, close to my feet and by my bedside, 
 some glittering substance caught my eye. I stooped to pick 
 it up ; but, ere my hand had quite reached it, the truth flash- 
 ed across me it was a snake ! Had I followed my first nat- 
 ural impulse, I should have sprung away, but not being able 
 clearly to see in what position the reptile was lying, or which 
 way his head was pointed, I controlled myself, and remained 
 rooted breathless to the spot. Straining my eyes, but moving 
 not an inch, I at length clearly distinguished a huge puff 
 adder, the most deadly snake in the colony, whose bite would 
 have sent me to the other world in an hour or two. I watch- 
 ed him in silent horror ; his head was from me, so much the 
 worse ; for this snake, unlike any other, always rises and 
 
 * This is the name of one of the three Fates, viz. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. 
 All three names are used as genera of venomous serpents.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY, 393 
 
 strikes back. He did not move, he was asleep. Not daring 
 to shuffle my feet, lest he should awake and spring upon me, 
 I took a jump backwards, that would have done honour to a 
 gymnastic master, and thus darted outside the door of the 
 room ; with a thick stick I then returned and settled his wor- 
 ship." 
 
 The same author remarks in his " Five Years' Residence in 
 South Africa," that its (the puff adder's) bite will kill occa- 
 sionally within an hour. 
 
 " One of my friends lost a favourite and valuable horse by 
 its bite in less than two hours after the attack. It is a slug- 
 gish reptile, and therefore more dangerous, for instead of rush- 
 ing away like its fellows, at the sound of approaching footsteps, 
 it half raises its head and hisses. Often have I come to a sud- 
 den pull up on foot or on horseback, on hearing their dreaded 
 warning." 
 
 CERASTES. (Gr. Kepuarrjf, horned.) 
 
 Hasselquistii (Lat. of Hasselquisf), the Cerastes. 
 
 The CERASTES is a well-known snake in Egypt, and derives 
 its name from the horny scale over each eyebrow. Bruce 
 mentions that the Cerastes can spring several feet in any
 
 3U4 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 direction ; but his description of the stratagems employed by 
 it, "to surprise any one who is too far from it," is probably 
 more fanciful than correct, as snakes do not attack unless 
 suddenly surprised or irritated. The size of the Cerastes is by 
 no means great, as its average length is only eighteen inches. 
 The snake charmers of Egypt employ these reptiles precisely 
 as their brethren of India employ the Cobra de Capello. 
 
 PELIAS. (jGr. proper name.) 
 
 Berus, the Viper. 
 
 The COMMON VIPER, or ADDER, is the only venomous 
 reptile inhabiting England, nor is its bite nearly so dangerous 
 in its consequences as has been reported. Seldom has the 
 bite of the Viper proved mortal, and in all probability, had 
 proper precautions been taken, no case would have been 
 fatal. Viper catchers employ olive oil as a remedy against 
 the bite, and, from all accounts, it appears to be a certain 
 preservative against all evil effects. 
 
 It is asserted that when danger threatens, the female viper 
 opens her mouth and permits her brood to hide themselves, 
 but it is by no means an ascertained fact.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 396 
 
 Frogs, lizards, mice, and other small animals, form the food 
 of this reptile, but sometimes it falls a victim to its own vorac- 
 ity. In the Magazine of Natural History, a viper is mentioned 
 which had swallowed a lizard nearly as large as itself, and one 
 of whose legs was protruding from its side. 
 
 In former times, preparations from vipers, and especially 
 viper-broth, were in great request as medicines. 
 
 Sub-order II. . COLUBKINA. (Lat, Coluber, a Snake.) 
 Family IV. . . Boide. 
 
 Constrictor (Lat. a binder), the Boa. 
 
 The enormous BOA-CONSTRICTOR inhabits tropical America. 
 It is not venomous, but is not the less dangerous, as the 
 tremendous power of its muscles enables it to crush its 
 prey in the coils of its huge body. In order to procure its 
 food, the Boa-constrictor lies in wait by the side of some
 
 396 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 river or pool, where animals of all kinds are likely to come to 
 quench their thirst. It patiently waits until some animal 
 draws within reach, when, with one spring, the Boa fixes its 
 teeth in the creature's head, coils its body round its victim, 
 and crushes it to death. After the unfortunate animal has 
 been reduced almost to a shapeless mass by the pressure of the 
 snake, its destroyer makes preparations for swallowing it en- 
 tire, a task which it accomplishes, although the slaughtered 
 animal is usually very much larger than the dimensions of the 
 serpent. At last, the snake succeeds in swallowing its prey, 
 and then lies torpid for nearly a month, until its enormous 
 meal is digested, when it again sallies forth in search of 
 another. 
 
 Even the buffalo has been known to fall a victim to this fear- 
 ful serpent, whose length frequently exceeds twenty-five feet, 
 
 THE COBRA DE CAPELLO. 
 
 The COBRA DE CAPELLO is a native of India. It must not 
 be confounded with several other hooded snakes, such as the 
 Haje of Egypt, the snake so frequently depicted on the hiero- 
 glyphical monuments. 
 
 The serpent charmers invariably use this formidable reptile 
 for their performances. The exhibitors possess several Cobras 
 shut up in baskets, and when commencing their performances, 
 the lid of the basket is opened, and the snake creeps out. 
 Its course is arrested by the sound of the rude fife that 
 the charmer always carries, and it immediately expands its 
 beautiful though threatening hood, erects its neck, and com- 
 mences a series of undulatory movements, which are continued 
 until the sound of the fife ceases, when the snake instantly 
 drops, and is replaced in its basket by its master. The 
 charmers appear to be able to discover snakes, and to induce 
 them to leave their retreats. Indeed it is rather a singular 
 fact, that those travellers who most strongly insist that the 
 snakes thus caught are tame and divested of their fangs, 
 appear to forget that even in that case the creatures must 
 have been previously caught in order to deprive them of
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family V. Colubridse. 
 
 NAJA. 
 
 Tripudians (Lat. dancing), the Cobra de Capello. 
 
 their weapons. The length of this snake is about five or six 
 feet.* 
 
 The Egyptian Asp, or Haje, is supposed to be the asp by 
 whose bite Cleopatra died, and is in all probability the deaf 
 adder alluded to in the Scriptures, " which stoppeth her ears, 
 and refuseth to hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never 
 so wisely." 
 
 * A Cobra in the Zoological Gardens was a long time in learning caution. It was 
 accustomed to lie coiled up at the bottom of the cage until a spectator came close, 
 when it invariably darted at him, of course striking its nose against the glass with 
 no small violence. On my first visit to the Reptile House after its arrival, it made 
 its customary attack, and after the space of a week, it again struck at me. On a 
 visit, several months afterwards, it laid very quietly at the bottom of its cage, and 
 contented itself with a hiss.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 NATRIX. (Lat. a Water Snake.) 
 
 Torcruata (Lat. collared), the Ringed Snake. 
 
 The COMMON RINGED or GRASS SNAKE is a harmless inhab- 
 itant of this country, and may be frequently seen or heard 
 gliding along the hedge-banks in search of food. It is easily 
 tamed, and soon learns to know its master. It lives principally 
 on frogs, mice, young birds, newts, &c.* It is an excellent 
 swimmer, and from the peculiar structure of its lungs can 
 remain under water for some time. It seems very fond of the 
 water, and is most commonly found on marshy land, or in 
 hedges planted over a wet ditch. The viper, on the contrary, 
 prefers dry sandy situations. 
 
 Like all other serpents, the Ringed Snake sheds its skin 
 several times during the year. The entire skin comes off, 
 
 * Several snakes kept tame at a village in Wiltshire were fed with frogs and small 
 newts, which latter animals the snake was induced to swallow, by the simple process 
 of opening the snake's mouth and pushing the newt down its throat. This process, 
 although apparently rather rude, seemed to cause the snakes no inconvenience.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 3 99 
 
 even the covering of the eyes. A rent opens in the neck, and 
 the snake, by entangling itself in the thick grass or bushes, 
 actually creeps out of its skin, turning it inside out in the 
 effort. 
 
 Order III. . CHELONIA.(Gy. XeAww?, a Tortoise.) 
 Family I. . Testudinidse. (Lat. Testudo, a Tortoise. 
 
 Grseca (Lat. Greek), the Tortoise. 
 
 The whole of this order is characterized by the complete 
 suit of bony armour with which the animals are protected. 
 The so-called " shell" is in fact a development of various bones, 
 and not a mere horny appendage, like the coverings of the 
 armadillo and manis. The upper shield is called the " cara- 
 pace," and is united to the under shield, or "plastron," by 
 certain bones, leaving orifices for the protrusion of the head 
 and limbs. Most species are able to withdraw their head and 
 limbs completely within the shell, and in some few the orifices 
 are closed by a kind of hinge joint. The tortoiseshell of com- 
 merce is a series of horny plates that cover the exterior of the
 
 400 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 shield, and is in great request on account of the beautiful wavy 
 markings that are so familiar to our eyes. 
 
 The Tortoises and Turtles possess no teeth, but the sides of 
 their jaws are very hard and sharp, enabling them to crop 
 vegetable substances, or to inflict a severe bite. 
 
 The family is divided into Land Tortoises, Marsh Tortoises, 
 River Tortoises, and Marine Tortoises, or Turtles. 
 
 The COMMON LAND TORTOISE is found in abundance in the 
 south of Europe. It is often kept in captivity in this country, 
 and is very long lived, individuals being known to have ex- 
 ceeded two hundred years. Its movements are very slow, but 
 it can excavate a burrow with unexpected rapidity. Secure 
 in an impenetrable covering, it bids defiance to any ordinary 
 enemy, except, as Sidney Smith wittily observes, "man and the 
 boa-constrictor. Man, however, takes him home and roasts 
 him, and the boa-constrictor swallows him whole, shell and 
 all, and consumes him slowly in the interior, as the Court of 
 Chancery does a great estate." 
 
 THE COMMON GREEN TURTLE. 
 
 The feet of the MARINE TORTOISES, or TURTLES, are modi- 
 fied into fins or flippers, just as are the feet of the seals, and 
 consequently, although the Turtles are active in the water, 
 on land their walk is nothing but an awkward shuffle. The 
 flippers, however, are admirable instruments for scooping out 
 the sand, in which the eggs are laid, and afterwards covered 
 over. Nearly two hundred eggs are laid in one nest. The 
 eggs are held in great estimation, but the albumen, or " white," 
 does not become hard by boiling. 
 
 The COMMON GREEN TURTLE, whose flesh is considered 
 such a luxury, is common in Jamaica, and most of the islands 
 of the East and West Indies. The Turtles are captured 
 by turning them on their backs, for the carapace is so flat, 
 and their legs are so short, that they are forced to lie help- 
 less until their captors have leisure to drag them away.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY, 
 Family V. Cheloniadse. 
 
 CHELONIA. 
 
 Viridis (Lat. green), the Turtle. 
 
 The Green Turtle has been known to reach the weight of five 
 or six hundred pounds. The tortoiseshell of commerce is almost 
 entirely obtained from the Hawksbill Turtle, 
 
 THE CROCODILE. 
 
 These animals are separated from the Lizards on account 
 of the peculiar horny covering with which they are pro- 
 tected. 
 
 The CROCODILE is an inhabitant of the Old "World, the 
 ALLIGATOR of the New, and the two animals are best dis- 
 tinguished by the construction of the jaws. In the Crocodiles 
 the lower canine teeth fit into a notch in the edge of the upper 
 jaw, and there is in consequence a contraction of the muzzle 
 just behind the nostrils. The lower canine teeth of the Alli- 
 gators fit into a pit in the edge of the upper jaw, and in con-
 
 402 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order IV. . EMTDOSA URL (Gr. 'E/nV, the Water-Tortoise ; aavpa.) 
 Family I. . Crocodilldse. (Gr. KponoSeihoc.. Crocodile kind.)* 
 CEOCODILUS. 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Crocodile. 
 
 sequence no contraction is needed. At the back of the throat 
 is a valve completely shutting out water, but leaving the pas- 
 sage to the nostrils free, so that the Crocodile can keep his 
 mouth open when beneath the surface, without swallowing the 
 water, or can hold his prey to drown under the water while he 
 himself breathes at ease with his nostrils at the surface. There 
 is no true tongue. 
 
 The Common Crocodile inhabits many African rivers, and 
 is, probably, the reptile infesting the Ganges. The Nile, how- 
 ever, is the best known haunt of this terrible creature. 
 
 The Crocodile feeds on fish, floating carrion, and dogs or 
 other animals, which it is enabled to surprise as they come to 
 drink at the water's edge, but man frequently falls a victim 
 
 * The word Crocodile literally signifies, " one afraid of saffron."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 403 
 
 to its voracity. In revenge for this treatment all nations per- 
 secuted with this pest have devised various methods of killing 
 it. The Negroes of some parts of Africa are sufficiently bold 
 and skilful to attack the Crocodile in his own element. They 
 fearlessly plunge into the water, and diving heneath the 
 Crocodile plunge the dagger with which they are armed into 
 the creature's belly, which is not protected by the coat of 
 mail that guards the other parts of its body. The usual plan 
 is to lie in wait near the spot where the Crocodile is accus- 
 tomed to repose. This is usually a sandy bank, and the 
 hunter digs a hole in the sand, and armed with a sharp 
 harpoon patiently awaits the coming of his expected prey. 
 The Crocodile comes to its accustomed spot, and is scon 
 asleep, when it is suddenly roused by the harpoon, which 
 penetrates completely through its scaly covering. The hunter 
 immediately retreats to a canoe, and hauls at the line attached 
 to the harpoon until the Crocodile is at the surface, when a 
 second harpoon is darted. The struggling animal is soon 
 wearied out, dragged to shore, and dispatched by dividing the 
 spinal chord. In order to prevent the infuriated reptile from 
 biting the cord asunder, it is composed of about thirty small 
 lines, not twisted, but only bound together at intervals of two 
 feet. 
 
 When on land it is not difficult to escape the Crocodile, as 
 certain projections on the vertebrae of the neck prevent it from 
 turning its head to any extent. 
 
 The eggs of this creature are very small, hardly exceeding 
 those of a goose ; numbers are annually destroyed by birds of 
 prey and quadrupeds, especially the Ichneumon. 
 
 THE ALLIGATOR. 
 
 The ALLIGATOR, or CAYMAN, is an inhabitant of the New 
 World, and is unpleasantly common in the rivers of North 
 America. It pursues fish with exceeding dexterity, by driving 
 a shoal of them into a creek, and then plunging amid the 
 terrified mass, and devouring its victims at its pleasure. It 
 also catches pigs, dogs, and other animals that venture too 
 close to the river. In that case, as the animal is too large to
 
 404 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. Alligatoridse. (Lat. a binder. Alligator-kind.) 
 
 ALLIGATOR. 
 
 Mississipensis (Lat. of the Mississipi), the Alligator. 
 
 be swallowed entire, the Alligator conceals it in some hole in 
 the bank until it begins to putrefy, when it is dragged out, 
 and devoured under the concealment of the rank herbage 
 fringing the river. 
 
 The usual method of taking this creature is by baiting a 
 most formidable four-pointed hook, and suffering it to float 
 in the river. When an alligator has swallowed it, he is 
 hauled on shore by the rope, and slaughtered. Waterton 
 gives a very amusing account of catching a cayman. The 
 reptile had swallowed the hook, and was being towed ashore. 
 Waterton was waiting for him, armed with the mast of the boat 
 to force it down the throat of the cayman should he prove 
 restive. " By this time the cayman was within two yards of 
 me : I saw he was in a state of fear and perturbation. I in- 
 stantly dropped the mast, sprang up, and jumped on his back-
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 405 
 
 turning half round as I vaulted, so that I gained my seat with 
 my face in a right position. I immediately seized his fore legs, 
 and by main force twisted them on his back ; thus they served 
 me for a bridle. 
 
 " He now seemed to have recovered from his surprise, and 
 probably fancying himself in hostile company, he began to 
 plunge furiously, and lashed the sand with his long and pow- 
 erful tail. I was out of reach of the strokes of it, by being near 
 his head. He continued to plunge and strike, and made my 
 seat very uncomfortable." 
 
 In Audubon's American Ornithology is an account of a 
 wounded ibis chased by the alligators. A white ibis had been 
 shot, and had fallen into the water with a broken wing. 
 " The exertions which it made to reach the shore seemed to 
 awake the half torpid alligators that lay in the deep mud at 
 the bottom of the pool. One showed his head above the 
 water, then a second and third. All gave chase to the 
 wounded bird, which, on seeing its dreaded and deadly foes, 
 made double speed towards the very spot where we stood. I 
 was surprised to see how much faster the bird swam than the 
 reptiles, who, with jaws widely opened, urged their heavy 
 bodies through the water. The ibis was now within a few 
 yards of us. It was the alligator's last chance. Springing 
 forwards, as it were, he raised his body almost out of the 
 water ; his jaws nearly touched the terrified bird, when, by 
 pulling three triggers at once, we lodged the contents of our 
 guns in the throat of the monster. Threshing furiously with 
 his tail, and rolling his body in agony, the alligator at last 
 sunk to the mud ; and the ibis, as if in gratitude, walked to 
 our very feet, and then lying down, surrendered himself to us." 
 
 Like the Crocodile, the Alligator lays its eggs in the sandy 
 bank of the river. Fortunately, but few of the young ever 
 reach maturity, as their ranks are thinned by various birds 
 and beasts of prey before the eggs are hatched, and by the at- 
 tacks of large fishes, and even their own species, when they 
 have reached the water.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Class IV. . . AMPHIBIA. (Gr. 'A/z0i/3iOf, leading a double life, i.e. on 
 
 land and on water.) 
 
 Order I. . . EATRACHIA. (Gr. Burpa^of, a Frog.) 
 Sub-order I. SALIENTIA. (Lat. Leaping animals.) 
 
 RANA. (Lat. a Frog.) 
 
 Temporana (Lat. temporary), the Common Frog. 
 
 The appearance and habits of the FROG and the TOAD are 
 so familiar as to require but little description. A short ac- 
 count, however, is necessary, of the peculiarities common to 
 both Frogs and Toads. 
 
 In the early stage of their existence, these animals are 
 termed tadpoles. They at first appear to be nothing but head 
 and tail, but after several days have passed, four legs are ob- 
 served to become developed. These rapidly increase, and the 
 little creature closely resembles a small eft. In due time, 
 however, the tail is lost, and the creature becomes a perfect 
 frog. Another important change also takes place. In its tad- 
 pole state the creature was essentially a water animal, but after 
 its change has taken place it is not able to exist under water 
 for any great length of time, and is forced to come to the sur- 
 face to breathe. 
 
 The tongue of the Frog is curiously fixed almost at the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 407 
 
 entrance of the mouth, and when at rest points backwards 
 down the throat. When, however, the Frog comes within reach 
 of a slug or insect, the tongue is darted out with exceeding 
 rapidity, the slug secured, carried to the back of the throat, and 
 swallowed. 
 
 Both frogs and toads hybernate, the former congregating 
 in multitudes in the mud at the bottoms of ponds and marshes, 
 while the latter choose a hole in the ground, frequently at the 
 roots of a tree, and pass the winter in solitary dignity.* 
 
 The skin of these animals has the property of imbibing 
 water, so that if an apparently emaciated frog is placed in a 
 damp place, it will soon look quite plump. 
 
 The Common Frog is a well known frequenter of marshy 
 places and the banks of rivers. It is an admirable swimmer, 
 and from the peculiar construction of its lungs can remain for 
 some time under water, but is forced periodically to come to 
 the surface for the purpose of breathing. 
 
 The Bull-Frog is an inhabitant of North America. It is very 
 voracious, feeding upon fishes, mollusks, and even young fowl. 
 Its powers of leaping are so great that an Indian was not able 
 to overtake an irritated bull-frog after it had sprung three hops 
 in advance. It is very large, measuring about seven inches in 
 length. 
 
 The Tree Frogs are very peculiar animals. The construc- 
 tion of their feet, something resembling that of the geckos, en- 
 ables them to traverse the branches, and even to hang on the 
 under surface of a pendant leaf, which it so resembles in colour 
 that the unwary insect passes by and is instantly seized by the 
 watchful frog. The Green Tree Frog is the most common, 
 and is plentifully found in southern Europe and northern Africa. 
 There are several specimens in the Zoological Gardens, which 
 present a most absurd appearance as they stick against the pane 
 of glass forming the front of their cage. 
 
 * In February, 1852, two frogs were dug out of the play-ground of Magdalen School, 
 Oxford. They were about a foot from the surface of the ground, and their habitation 
 was quite smooth. Both were sitting with their mouths pointed upwards, but I could 
 not ascertain if there had been auy communication with the open air.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Euro. (Lat a Toad.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Common Toad. 
 
 The COMMON TOAD has had its full share of marvellous tales. 
 Its poisonous properties are celebrated in many an ancient 
 chronicle, as are also the virtues of the jewel contained in its 
 head. 
 
 Its skin certainly does secrete an acrid humour, which at all 
 events defends it from dogs, who can never be induced to bite 
 a toad a second time ; but of course such absurd notions as the 
 romantic story of the death of a young lady and her lover, who 
 each ate a leaf of a shrub at the root of which a toad had made 
 its habitation, need no refutation. 
 
 The Toad is easily tamed. A correspondent from the coun- 
 try has kindly sent an account of a tame toad, that had lived 
 in the family for several years, and which was accustomed to 
 sup on a lump of sugar. 
 
 The well-known instances of imprisoned toads who must 
 have spent many years in their narrow habitations, are 
 apparently explained by the supposition that some aperture 
 or fissure existed, through which air and minute insects 
 could pass, sufficient for their nourishment while in a semi- 
 torpid condition. Certainly those experimented on by Dr
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 400 
 
 Buckland in 1825, and from whom all air was cut oft', died be- 
 fore a year's imprisonment. The Toad casts its skin at certain 
 times, but we never find the slough as we do that of the snake, 
 as the toad invariably swallows its former covering. 
 
 Sub-order II. GRADIENTIA. (Lat. walking animals.) 
 
 Family I. ... Salamandridse. (Gr. Zahripavdpa, a Salamander.) 
 
 TRITON. (Gr. fpiruv, a Sea-god.) 
 
 
 Cri status (L'at. crested), the Common Newt. 
 
 The NEWTS are separated from the lizards on account of their 
 changes while young. Like the frogs, they are first tadpoles, 
 and do not assume their perfect shape until six weeks after 
 their exclusion from the eggs. 
 
 The Common Newt is a beautiful inhabitant of the ponds, 
 ditches, and still waters. It feeds principally on tadpoles and 
 worms, which it eats with a peculiar rapid snap.* It is con- 
 
 * I have frequently seen it attack the smaller newt with great perseverance, but I 
 was never fortunate enough to see it kill its prey. 
 
 I kept some newts for some time in a large glass vessel, and noticed that when a 
 
 new inhabitant was added, it always cast its skin within two or three days. The 
 
 skin came off in pieces, the covering of the feet slipping off like a glove, but I conhl 
 
 never see how the creature contrived to pull it off. 
 
 S
 
 410 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 stantly in the habit of rising to the surface of the water in order 
 to breathe. 
 
 Many country people have great horror of these beautiful 
 and harmless little animals. In a little village in Wiltshire 
 there is a current anecdote of a girl who was bitten in the arm 
 by an effet, who spit fire into the wound. The girl consequently 
 lost her arm. Some of these newts or efts were placed in a 
 trough where the cows were accustomed to drink. After a few 
 days a calf died, and nothing would convince the rustics that 
 the effets were not the cause of the untimely decease of the 
 calf, although it had never come near the trough, but was safely 
 fastened in the cow-house. The male Newt is distinguished by 
 a beautiful crimson-tipped wavy crest of loose skin, that extends 
 along the whole course of the back and tail,* and which, to- 
 gether with the rich orange-coloured belly, makes it a most beau- 
 tiful creature. The female has a singular habit of laying her 
 eggs upon long leaves of water-plants, and actually tying them 
 in the leaf by a regular knot. 
 
 Order V. . . MEANTIA. (Lat. gliding animals.) 
 Family I. . . Proteidse. 
 
 PROTEUS. (Proper name.) 
 
 Angulnus (Lat like a Snake), the Proteus. 
 
 The PROTEUS is an extraordinary animal, which has been 
 found in dark subterranean lakes, many hundred feet below 
 
 * This crest is represented in the engraving, but it does not remain erect while the 
 eft is on the land, but falls over the back and can hardly be discerned. In the water, 
 it is erect, and constantly undulating.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 411 
 
 the surface of the earth, where no ray of light can possibly enter. 
 The eyes of this singular creature are mere points covered with 
 skin, and useless for vision ; indeed when in captivity it always 
 chooses the darkest parts of the vessel in which it is confined. 
 
 The Proteus breathes in two ways by lungs and by gills, 
 the latter organs appearing in the form of two tufts, one on 
 each side of the neck, just above the fore limbs. The circula- 
 tion of the blood in these branchial tufts can easily be seen 
 with a microscope of moderate power. These tufts are of a 
 rather deeper pink tinge than the remainder of the body, which 
 is of a very pale flesh-colour. Exposure to light darkens the 
 tints both of gills and body. It bears some resemblance to the 
 young of the newts, which are furnished with branchial tufts, 
 which they lose upon attaining maturity, and were therefore 
 for some time thought to be the young of some unknown reptile. 
 It has, however, been proved to be a perfect animal, and has 
 been found of all sizes. 
 
 It is easily kept in water and requires no feeding, but the 
 water must be frequently changed to keep it in health. The 
 blood disks of this animal are exceedingly large ; so large, in- 
 deed, as almost to be distinguished by the naked eye. When 
 in captivity, its movements are slow and eel-like, nor does it 
 seem to make much use of its almost rudimentary limbs. 
 
 It has usually been found on the soft mud of a small lake in 
 the grotto of Maddalena. It is not always present, and has 
 been conjectured to be the inhabitant of some unknown sub- 
 terranean body of water, and to have been forced through the 
 crevices of the rocks. Besides the grotto of Maddalena at 
 Adelsburg, they have also been found at Sittich, thirty miles 
 distant, thrown up from a subterranean cavity.
 
 412 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Class V. ... PISCES. (Lat. Fishes.) 
 
 Sub-class I. PISCES OSSEL (Lat. bony fakes.) 
 
 Order I ACANTHOPTERYGH.(Gr. 'A/cavflof, a thorn; 
 
 irrepvyiov, a fin.) 
 
 Sub-order I. DACTYLOPHORL (Gr. Aurt>/lof, a finger; <j>cpu, I bear.) 
 Family I.. . Triglidse. (Gr. TpiyXa, a Mullet) 
 
 Cuctilus (Lat. a Cuckoo), the Gurnard. 
 
 As the FISHES live exclusively in the water, it is necessary 
 that their organs of respiration should be differently formed 
 from those of the animals breathing atmospheric air. Instead 
 of the purification of the blood being accomplished by the 
 contact of atmospheric air in the apparatus called lungs, that 
 office is performed by the water, which passes into the mouth 
 of the fish, and from thence out at the gill-covers, on its 
 way being strained through the singular structure called the 
 " gills." These gills are able to extract from the water suffi- 
 cient oxygen to purify the blood of the fish. If the oxygen 
 has already been extracted, the fish instantly dies. The same 
 effect is produced if the fish be so held as to prevent the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 413 
 
 water from flowing in the proper direction, so that it is per- 
 fectly possible to drown a fish ; although L 5 Estrange may doubt 
 the fact : 
 
 "And like those sages that would drown a fish, 
 I am condemn'd to suffer what 1 wish." 
 
 Most anglers are perfectly aware of the power obtained by keep- 
 ing the head of a hooked fish down the stream. 
 
 The elongated form of fishes, and their smooth covering, af- 
 fording but little resistance to the water, beautifully show their 
 perfect adaptation for the element in which they reside. 
 
 Their rapid movements through the water are principally 
 performed by means of a lateral vibration of the tail, just as a 
 boat is sculled along by a single oar at the stern, or by a con- 
 stant vibration of the rudder.* The fins serve principally as 
 balancers. 
 
 Most fish possess a singular organ called the " swimming- 
 bladder." This is a membranous pouch, varying exceedingly 
 in size and shape, situated close under the spine, and filled by 
 some means with gas, mostly found to be nitrogen, but in deep- 
 sea-fishes, an excess of oxygen is discovered to exist. The fish 
 seems to be able to rise or sink by means of compressing or 
 expanding this pouch, without being forced to make use of its 
 tail or fins. 
 
 The smooth scaly covering with which most fish are fur- 
 nished, is admirably fitted both for defence against the water, 
 and for enabling the fish to glide easily through places where 
 a rough covering would have held it prisoner. Many valuable 
 characteristics are derived from the shape of the scales in dif- 
 ferent fish. There are four principal varieties, called, 1. Pla- 
 coid, or flat scales ; 2. Ganoid, or polished scales ; 3. Ctenoid, 
 or toothed scales ; and 4. Cycloid, or circular scales.f 
 
 The Acanthopterygii are so called from their spinous fin rays. 
 Those of the Perch are excellent examples. 
 
 The RED GURNARD, or CUCKOO GURNARD, as it is sometimes 
 called from the sound it utters when taken out of the water, 
 is very common on the English coast. It is rather a small 
 
 * The dead and mangled carcase of a flensed whale has been frequently known to 
 swim for a considerable distance by the mere force of the muscular movements of the 
 tail arter death. 
 
 t These names are derived from, 1. 7rAu<toff, flat ; 2. yav6w, 1 polish ; 3. KTCIS, xrtvtt, 
 a comb; 4. KVK^OS, a circle. The scales of the 1. Dogfish; 2. Sturgeon; 3. Perch; and 
 4. Carp, are excellent instances of the four kinds of scales.
 
 414 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 fish, rarely exceeding fourteen inches in length. The colours 
 of its body when living are very beautiful, the upper part being 
 bright red, and the under parts silvery white. 
 
 There are nine species of Gurnard known to frequent the 
 coasts of England, some, as the Sapphirine and the Mailed 
 Gurnards, being most extraordinary in form. 
 
 The Flying Gurnard is common in the Indian seas. Its 
 pectoral fins are so much enlarged, that when it springs out of 
 the water, when pursued by the dolphin or bonito, the wide 
 quivering fins are able to sustain it in the air for a limited 
 period. 
 
 This fish has often been confounded by voyagers with the 
 true Flying-fish (Exocwtus), which belongs to an entirely dif- 
 ferent order. 
 
 Sub-order II. HOLODACTYLI. (Gr. "OAof, entire, <5a/crv/lof, a finger.) 
 Family IV. . . Percidse. (Gr. UepKi), a Perch.) 
 
 Fluviatilis (Lat. of the river), the Perch. 
 
 The COMMON PERCH is well known to anglers both as a 
 " bold biting fish," and as a fish that does not yield up its life 
 without endangering the person of its captor ; for the formida- 
 ble row of spinous rays belonging to the first dorsal fin have 
 wounded the hands of many an incautious angler. 
 
 It is extremely voracious, so much so that after all the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 415 
 
 legitimate bait has been exhausted, it is a common practice 
 for the fisherman to place on his hook the eyes of the perch 
 already taken, which are as eagerly bitten at, as the worms 
 were formerly. An anecdote is related of a gentleman who 
 struck at a perch, but unfortunately missed it, the hook tearing 
 out the eye of the poor creature. He adjusted the eye on the 
 hook, and replaced the line in the water, where it had hardly 
 been a few minutes before the float was violently jerked under 
 the surface. The angler of course struck, and found he had 
 captured a fine perch. This when landed was discovered to be 
 the very fish which had just been mutilated, and which had 
 actually lost its life by devouring its own eye. It is quaintly 
 observed in Izaak Walton, that " if there be twenty or forty in 
 a hole, they may be at one standing all caught one after anoth- 
 er, they being like the wicked of the world, not afraid though 
 their fellows and companions perish in their sight." 
 
 The Perch seldom exceeds two pounds and a half in weight, 
 and a Perch weighing a pound and a half is considered a very 
 fine fish. 
 
 Family XIII. Scomberidse. (Gr. 2/c6///3pof, a generic name for the 
 Tunny.) 
 
 Scombrus (Latinized form of Z/co/i/Jpof), the Mackarel. 
 
 The elegant shape and resplendent colours of the MACKAREL 
 point it out as one of the most beautiful fishes known. Nor is 
 it only valuable for its beauty, as it is highly prized as an arti- 
 cle of food in mnst parts of the world.
 
 4I NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Vast shoals of Mackarel visit our coasts, and myriads are 
 taken by fishermen both by nets and with lines. The line of 
 nets frequently exceeds a mile in extent, and of course the num- 
 ber of fish contained in this enormous net must be beyond all 
 calculation. On several occasions, the meshes of the net were 
 completely choked up by fish hanging by their gills, and the net 
 acted like a dredge, sweeping up myriads more fish in a solid 
 mass. In 1808, the whole net and its cargo sunk, and were 
 lost to the too successful fishermen. 
 
 The profits of the fishery vary exceedingly ; sometimes the 
 boats will hardly take a single mackarel, and at other times, 
 or even in different spots, the draught of fish will nearly fill the 
 boat. In 1834, one boat sold in one night nearly one hundred 
 pounds' worth of mackarel. 
 
 The fish require to be used soon after they are taken out of 
 the water, as the flesh is very tender, and easily injured by ex- 
 posure to the air, or by carriage to any great distance. 
 
 When the fishermen employ the line for the capture of the 
 mackarel, the hook is baited with a strip cut from a dead mack- 
 arel, and is suffered to trail overboard. The fish bite eagerly 
 at this cannibal kind of bait, and are frequently taken by bait- 
 ing the hook with a strip of scarlet leather or cloth. 
 
 THVN 
 
 Thynnus, the Tunny, 
 
 The TUNNY is a tolerably large fish, averaging four feet in 
 length, and is very common in the Mediterranean. Large 
 fisheries are established during May and June, at which
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 417 
 
 season immense shoals of these fish rove along the coast. 
 The most approved method of fishing is by the " madrague " 
 or " tonnaro." A large number of long and deep nets are 
 placed along the shore, one edge being fixed to the bottom of 
 the sea by anchors and weights, and the other edge kept 
 at the surface of the water by corks. A wall is thus formed, 
 stretching along the coast for nearly a mile in length. The 
 tunnies swimming along the coast pass into this net, and con- 
 tinue their course until they are stopped by other nets placed 
 across the principal net, and dividing it into chambers. From 
 chamber to chamber the unfortunate fishes are driven through 
 openings permitting their entrance, but preventing egress, until 
 they arrive at the last chamber, called significantly the " cham- 
 ber of death." A strong net, placed horizontally, enables the 
 fishermen to draw the tunnies to the surface, when a showei 
 of blows from poles and similar weapons soon destroys the en- 
 tire shoal. 
 
 This fish is not unfrequently found on the English coast. 
 
 XIPHIAS. (Gr. Xt0taf, shaped like a sword ; the Sword-fish.) 
 
 Gladius (Lat. a Sword), the Sword-fish. 
 
 The well-known SWORD-FISH inhabits every part of the 
 Mediterranean Sea, and has several times been seen near the 
 shores of England and Scotland. 
 
 The " sword " for which this fish is so famous, is an elon- 
 gation of the upper jaw, of great strength, and capable of 
 doing considerable injury to any object against which it
 
 118 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 directs its attacks. In the British Museum is a portion of the 
 bottom of a ship, pierced completely through by the " sword " 
 of one of these fish. Its unfortunate owner must have instant- 
 ly perished by the shock, for the sword was imbedded almost 
 to its base, and broken short off. In one instance, a Sword- 
 fish attacked a whaling-ship, and drove its weapon " through 
 the copper sheathing, an inch-board sheathing, a three-inch 
 plank of hard wood, the solid white oak timber of the ship 
 twelve inches thick, through another two-and-a-half inch hard 
 oak ceiling plank, and lastly, perforated the head of an oil 
 cask, where it still remained immovably fixed, so that not a 
 single drop of oil escaped." 
 
 In the Mediterranean, the fishermen eagerly chase the 
 Sword-fish. The harpoon and line are used much in the 
 same manner as in the whale fishery. The Sicilian fishermen 
 have a strange superstition that if the Sword-fish were to 
 hear a word of Italian, it would instantly dive and escape 
 them. They therefore restrict their vocal sounds to an un- 
 intelligible chant. It is said that the whale is an object of 
 particular enmity to the Sword-fish, and that ships are struck 
 by it, being mistaken for whales. 
 
 The length of this fish is usually from twelve to fifteen 
 feet. It is said to feed principally on tunnies, pursuing the 
 shoals, and transfixing the fish with its sword. 
 
 THE JOHN DORY. 
 
 The JOHN DORY, rendered illustrious by duin the comedian, 
 who was not less known for his comic powers than for his love 
 of good living, is found plentifully off the coasts of Cornwall 
 and Devonshire. The derivation of its name is not quite cer- 
 tain, but in all probability it is derived from the French, d&ree, 
 or golden, in allusion to its peculiar golden yellow colour. 
 
 Traditions vary as to the spots so conspicuous on its side. 
 Some strenuously assert that this was the fish caught by St. 
 Peter when he took the tribute-money out of its mouth, and 
 upon whose sides the marks of his finger and thumb were 
 left. The Haddock, however, vies with the Dory for this
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family XIV. Zeida?. (Gr. Zevf, Jupiter.) 
 
 Faber (Lat. a Workman ; sometimes used for the fish), the John Dory. 
 
 honour. Other traditions are quite as vigorous in their asser- 
 tion, that St. Christopher produced these marks while crossing 
 an arm of the sea, bearing the Saviour in his arms. 
 
 Family XVII. Syngnathidse. (Gr. 2w, together ; -yvu6of, the jaw.) 
 HIPPOCAMPUS. (Gr. 'iTTTro/ca^Trof, a Sea-horse.) 
 
 Brevirostris (Lat. short-beaked), the Sea-horse. 
 
 The singular fish called the SEA-HORSE has often been found 
 off the southern coasts of England. The habits of this fish
 
 420 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 are very singular and interesting. A pair were kept alive for 
 some time in a glass vessel, and exhibited considerable activity 
 and intelligence. They swam about with an undulating kind 
 of movement, and frequently twined their tails round the 
 weeds placed in their prison. Their eyes moved independent- 
 ly of each other, as those of the chameleon, and the change- 
 able tints of the head closely resemble that animal. 
 
 More than once, these curious fish have been seen curled up 
 in oyster shells. 
 
 The singular creatures called Pipe-fish also belong to the 
 Syngnathidae. 
 
 Family XXIL Echeneldce. (Gr. 'E^ev^tf ; from lx u > I hold; vavf, a 
 ship.) 
 
 KOHF.NETS. 
 
 Remora (Lat. properly a delay), the Sucking-jinh. 
 
 The REMORA, or SUCKING-FISH, is remarkable for the pecu- 
 liar apparatus situated on the upper part of its head. By this 
 it can adhere to any object so firmly that it is a difficult mat- 
 ter to make it loose its hold. It is often found adhering to 
 large fish or to the bottoms of ships, probably in both instances 
 for the sake of the fragments of food rejected by the one, or 
 thrown overboard from the other. 
 
 The older writers on Natural History fully believed that one 
 Remora had the power of arresting the swiftest ship in its 
 course, and fixing it firmly in the same spot in spite of spread 
 canvass and swift gales. As the Remora is about the same 
 size as a herring, our ancestors naturally considered this a very 
 curious circumstance, and wrote no few poems on the subject. 
 The following true account of this fish is extracted from Mac- 
 gillivray's Voyage of the Rattle-snake :
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 421 
 
 " Small fish appeared to abound at this anchorage (the 
 Calvados group of islands). I had never before seen the 
 Sucking-fish (Echeneis remora) so plentiful as at that place ; 
 they caused much annoyance to our fishermen by carrying 
 off baits and hooks, and appeared always on the alert, darting 
 out in a body of twenty or more from under the ship's bottom 
 when any offal was thrown overboard. Being quite a nui- 
 sance, and useless as food, Jack often treated them as he would 
 a shark, by sprit-sail yarding, or some less refined mode of 
 torture. One day, some of us while walking the poop had 
 our attention directed to a sucking-fish about two and a half 
 feet in length, which had been made fast by the tail to a billet 
 of wood by a fathom or so of spun yarn, and so turned adrift. 
 An immense striped shark, apparently about fourteen feet 
 in length, which had been cruising about the ship all the 
 morning, sailed slowly up, and turning slightly on one side, 
 attempted to seize the apparently helpless fish, but the sucker 
 with great dexterity made himself fast in a moment to the 
 shark's back. OfT darted the monster at full speed, the sucker 
 holding fast as a limpet to a rock, and the billet towing astern. 
 He then rolled over and over, tumbling about ; when, wearied 
 with his efforts, he lay quiet for a little. Seeing the float, the 
 shark got it into his mouth, and disengaging the sucker by a 
 tug on the line, made a bolt at the fish ; but his puny antago- 
 nist was again too quick, and, fixing himself close behind the 
 dorsal fin, defied the efforts of the shark to disengage him, al- 
 though he rolled over and over, lashing the water with his tail 
 until it foamed all around. What the final result was, we 
 could not clearly make out." 
 
 THE ANGLER. 
 
 The ANGLER, or FISHING FROG, as it is more generally 
 called, is not uncommon in all the European seas. The pe- 
 culiar formation of its pectoral fins enables it to crawl for some 
 distance on land. 
 
 On its head are two elongated bony appendages, curiously 
 articulated to the skull, and capable of movement in any 
 direction. The Angler couches close to the bottom of the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family XXIII. Lophiidse. (Gr. Ao^of, a crest.) 
 
 Piscatonus (Lat. fishing}, the Angler. 
 
 sea, and by the movement of its pectoral fins stirs up the sand 
 and mud, and agitates the bony appendages amid the turbid 
 cloud produced. The small fishes, observing the muddy water, 
 and taking the filaments for worms, approach to seize them, 
 and are instantly engulphed in the capacious jaws of the crafty 
 Angler. 
 
 The voracity of the Angler is so great, that when caught in 
 a net together with other fish, it generally devours some of its 
 'fellow-prisoners a useless act, for the fishermen mostly open 
 its stomach and recapture the flounders and other fish found in 
 its interior. 
 
 THE CARP. 
 
 The Malacopterygian fishes have their fin membranes sup- 
 ported by flexible rays. The Abdominal Malacopterygii have 
 their ventral fins situated on the belly, without any connexion 
 with the bones of the shoulder. 
 
 The COMMON CARP is a well-known inhabitant of our ponds, 
 lakes, and sluggish rivers. It is a very shy and wary fish
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 423 
 
 Order II. ... MALACOPTERYGII.(G\: MaAa/co'f, soft; irrepiyiov, 
 
 a fin.) 
 
 Sub-order I. ABDOMINALIA. (Lat. belonging to the abdomen.) 
 Family I Cyprinidse. (Gr. Kvnplvof, a Carp.) 
 
 Carpio (Lat.), the Carp. 
 
 rejecting one day a bait which had been freely taken the day 
 previous.* 
 
 It lives to a great age, and when very old its scales turn grey 
 just as human hairs do. In several places in France numbers 
 of Carp were kept until they attained an enormous size. These 
 great sluggish fish were accustomed to come to the water's 
 edge in order to be fed at the call of their keeper. Feeding the 
 Carp was almost a hereditary amusement of the latter kings of 
 France. 
 
 Very few fish are so tenacious of life as the Carp. It is the 
 custom in Holland to keep these fish in nets filled with wet 
 moss. They are fed with bread and milk, and are preserved 
 in health by frequent immersion in water, in order to keep the 
 moss thoroughly wet. 
 
 Two or three pounds is the average weight of a good Carp, 
 but individuals have been known weighing upwards of eigh- 
 
 * In 1847, white fishing in a small pond near Oxford, T took in one hour six or 
 seven carp, weighing from half a pound to nearly three pounds each. A few days 
 afterwards, although the weather was equally propitious, the carp were not, and the 
 whole day was spent without even a bite.
 
 424 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 teen pounds. It is enormously prolific, as the roe of one 
 female weighing nine pounds was found to contain six hundred 
 thousand eggs. Of course comparatively few of these eggs 
 arrive at maturity, by far the greater number being eaten by 
 other fish. 
 
 Barbus (Lat Barba, a beard), the Barbel. 
 Auratus (Lat gilded), the Gold-fish. 
 
 The GOLD-FISH or GOLDEN CARP, is another species of the 
 genus Cyprinus. It was originally brought from China, about 
 two hundred years since, when it was considered a great curi- 
 osity ; now, however, it is quite common, and is found to live 
 in ponds even when the surface of the water is thickly covered 
 with ice. The ponds in Christ Church College, and the Bo- 
 tanic Gardens, Oxford, are thickly populated with these beau- 
 tiful fish, which increase with the most marvellous rapidity. 
 The pond in the centre of the Clarendon Printing Office was 
 stocked with these fish, and as the spare water from the steam- 
 engine used in the works passed into the pond, they throve 
 amazingly. One unfortunate morning, the surface of the pond 
 was covered with Golden Carp, all floating dead. Some verdi- 
 gris had formed in some part of the engine, had been washed 
 into the pond, and had poisoned all its finny inhabitants.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 425 
 
 The BARBEL is found in most of the European rivers. Its 
 flesh is coarse and unsavoury, but it is eagerly sought after by 
 anglers, as the spirit and vigour displayed by it when hooked 
 afford fine sport. It is peculiarly clever at breaking the line, 
 a feat sometimes accomplished by a violent blow of the tail, 
 and sometimes by contriving to twist the line round a root or 
 post, and giving a sudden jerk. 
 
 It feeds principally on larvsB and molluscs, inhabiting the 
 banks, and obtains them by rooting in the sand with its snout. 
 The barbels, or beards, hanging from the upper jaw, doubtless 
 assist in these investigations. It frequently grows to a very 
 great size, weighing from fifteen to eighteen pounds, and mea- 
 suring upwards of three feet in length. Many are captured 
 by nets during the summer, at which season they frequent the 
 weedy parts of the river in shoals ; but in winter they retire to 
 the shelter afforded by banks and old woodwork. Several 
 good swimmers have been known to dive after the Barbel, as 
 they lay pressed against the banks, and to bring up one each 
 time, not unfrequently appearing with two, one in each hand. 
 
 THE GUDGEON AND BREAM. 
 
 The ease with which the GUDGEON is taken has passed into 
 a proverb. This pretty little fish is usually found in shallow 
 parts of rivers, where the bottom is gravelly. If the gravel is 
 stirred up, the Gudgeons immediately flock to the place, and a 
 worm suspended amid the turbid water is eagerly snapped at 
 by them. The fishermen usually take them in nets, and keep 
 them alive in well-boats. They are largely purchased as baits 
 for trolling. 
 
 The flesh of the Gudgeon is particularly delicate, and al- 
 though its length rarely exceeds seven inches, yet from the 
 ease with which numbers can be obtained, it forms by no 
 means a dish to be despised. 
 
 The BREAM is very common on the Continent, but in En- 
 gland is only found in certain rivers and lakes, such as the
 
 426 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 GOBIO. (Lat. a Crudgeon.) 
 
 ABRAMIS. (Gr. 'A/3pa/f, a Bream.) 
 
 Fluviatilis (Lat of the river), the Gudgeon. 
 
 Brama (Lat.), the Bream. 
 
 Medway and Trent, and the lakes of Cumberland and "West- 
 moreland. It is also found in the lakes of Ireland. 
 
 The breadth of the Bream is greater in proportion to its 
 length than that of most fishes. It affords excellent sport to 
 the angler, biting readily and resisting vigorously when hooked. 
 The most approved method of catching these fish is by prepar- 
 ing the spot with ground bait for a day or two previous ; the 
 Bream then assemble in numbers and bite freely at a bait. In 
 Ireland the Bream taken were accustomed to be given to the 
 poor, who split and salted them for winter provision. 
 
 Its length rarely exceeds ten or twelve inches, nor is it of 
 any value for the table. 
 
 THE TENCH. 
 
 The habits of the TENCH are not unlike those of the carp, 
 excepting that it seems even more sluggish than that fish, 
 tt especially delights in muddy banks of ponds, where the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 TINCA. (Lat. a Tench.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Tench. 
 
 weeds grow thickly. Roget gives an account of a Tench that 
 had been taken out of a pond almost filled up with stones and 
 rubbish, and which had actually grown into the shape of the 
 hole where it had been confined, evidently for many years. 
 The weight of that fish was eleven pounds nine ounces. Four 
 hundred tench and as many perch were also taken out of 
 the same pond. This fish is even more tenacious of life than 
 the carp. 
 
 THE ROACH AND DACE. 
 
 The ROACH is very common in most rivers in England, and 
 is generally spread over the temperate parts of Europe. It 
 is by no means a large fish, rarely exceeding two pounds in 
 weight, and but seldom attaining that size. These fish usually 
 live in small shoals, and pass from one part of the river to 
 another. 
 
 The Roach is not unlike the Dace, but may be easily dis- 
 tinguished by its bright red ventral fins, those of the dace being 
 silvery white. It is rather a favourite with anglers, as it bites 
 or rather nibbles at the bait in such a dainty and delicate man- 
 ner, that the disappointed fisherman not unfrequently finds 
 the bait gone without the movement of his float betraying the
 
 428 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 LEDCISCUS. (Gr.AevK.iaK.oe ; from Aev/c6f, white.) 
 
 Rutflus (Lat. shining red), the Hooch. 
 Leuciscus, the Dace. 
 
 theft. A quick eye and a dexterous hand are required for this 
 sport. The float is so balanced as barely to appear above the 
 surface of the water, for, unlike the perch, that dashes at the 
 bait and boldly jerks the float at once under water, the Roach 
 does little more than swim under the bait as far as it can, and 
 then just gives a gentle nibble, repeating the process until the 
 bait has entirely left the hook. 
 
 The habits of the DACE are so similar to those of the Roach 
 as to need but little description. It is usually found wher- 
 ever the roach resides, and, like that fish, swims in shoals. 
 It makes an excellent bait for trolling, as the silvery white- 
 ness of its scales renders it a conspicuous object, and serves 
 to attract the pike. It seldom exceeds nine or ten inches in 
 length. 
 
 The BLEAK and the MINNOW both belong to the genus Leu- 
 ciscus. The former fish is remarkable for the use made of its 
 scales, which when washed in water deposit a powder much 
 used in the manufacture of artificial pearls.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 1 
 
 Cephalus (Gr. Ktya/lof, a large-headed fish), 
 
 The CHUB is also common in most of our rivers. It affords 
 good sport to the angler, both with a fly and with a bait. 
 
 The usual bait employed is a cockchaffer, which, when fas- 
 tened to the hook and artistically made to dance on the surface 
 of the water, is a temptation that few Chub can resist. This 
 method of fishing is termed " dibbing," and the peculiar move- 
 ment is communicated to the bait by tapping the butt end of 
 the rod, while the cockchaffer or moth just rests on the surface 
 of the water. 
 
 Its flesh is very coarse, and requires some skill on the part 
 of the cook to make it fit for the table. Its weight rarely ex- 
 ceeds five pounds, but it is very powerful, and requires a strong 
 line and skilful management on the part of the angler.* 
 
 * A well-known piscator at Oxford, while fishing with a fly from a small skiff, 
 succeeded in hooking a Chub, apparently weighing about four pounds, which actually 
 towed him up and down stream for some time, until the line, not calculated for Chub, 
 snapped, and the fish of course escaped.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family II. Esocidse. (Lat. Esox, a Pike.) 
 
 Lucius (Lat. a Pike), the Pike. 
 
 This fierce and voracious fish is now common in most rivers 
 and lakes in England, although it was formerly so rare as to 
 be rated at ten times the value of turbot. 
 
 It affords much sport to anglers, who generally employ a 
 method of fishing called " trolling." A gudgeon, roach, or 
 large minnow is so fixed to a number of formidable hooks, 
 that when drawn through the water, it spins rapidly round, 
 and attracts the notice of the watchful PIKE, who dashes at 
 the glittering bait with a violence that jars the rod down to 
 the very butt. Off swims the pike to his place of concealment, 
 leisurely turns the head of the bait downwards, and swallows 
 it. Now, to swallow the fish is easy enough, but the array of 
 barbed hooks proves an effectual obstacle to the endeavours of 
 the Pike to get rid of the unwelcome morsel as soon as the an- 
 gler jerks the line, and gives the Pike to understand that hooks 
 have points. The deluded Pike now endeavours to break the 
 line, but a good fisherman foils all his efforts, and at last lands 
 him, wearied and bleeding, but ferocious to the last.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 431 
 
 The method of fishing for Pike called " trimming" is hardly 
 worth mention. A line baited with living fish is fastened to a 
 float, and suffered to lie on the surface of the water. The Pike, 
 seeing the bait swimming about, dashes at it and hooks itself 
 in the effort. 
 
 This fish varies in size from two or three pounds' weight to 
 twenty or thirty, but a Pike weighing fifteen pounds is con- 
 sidered a very fine fish. Above that weight they are almost 
 useless for the table. A Pike weighing less than two pounds 
 is called a jack.* 
 
 The appetite of this fish is almost insatiable. Mr. Jesse 
 threw to one Pike of five pounds' weight, four roach, each 
 about four inches in length, which it devoured instantly, and 
 swallowed a fifth within a quarter of an hour. Moor-hens, 
 ducks, and even swans have been known to fall a prey to this 
 voracious fish, its long teeth effectually keeping them prisoners 
 under water until drowned. 
 
 THE FLYING-FISH. 
 I 
 
 This fish, so celebrated in most books of voyages, is found 
 in the warmer latitudes, but has several times been seen off 
 our coasts. The so-called " flight" is very similar to that of 
 the flying squirrels and dragons, the fish merely springing 
 out of the water with a violent impetus, and sustaining itself 
 in the air by means of its enormous pectoral fins. It is not 
 able to alter its course while in the air, nor to rise a second 
 time without repeating its course through the water. The 
 reader will notice the remarkable fact, that individuals of three 
 wingless classes, the Mammalia, the Reptiles, and the Fishes, 
 have each the power of sustaining themselves in the air. 
 
 The "flight" of this fish seldom exceeds two hundred yards. 
 The unfortunate creatures are pursued in the water by " Dora- 
 dos," erroneously called dolphins, and other fishes of prey. To 
 escape their finny tyrants, they spring into the air, and for a 
 while escape. But the gulls and albatroses are on the watch, 
 
 * In the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford is a Pike weighing thirty pounds, that was 
 taken in the lake at Blenheim Park.
 
 432 NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 ExocffiTtis. (Gr. 'Eokotrof, sleeping out [of the sea].)* 
 
 Volltans (Lat. flying), the Flying-fish. 
 
 and pounce on the FLYING -FISH from above, so that the perse- 
 cuted creatures are tolerably sure to fall a prey to one or the 
 other of their foes. 
 
 The usual height of flight is about two or three feet above 
 the surface of the water, but it has frequently been known to 
 exceed fourteen feet, and in one instance a Flying-fish came 
 skimming into the ports of a large man-of-war, nearly twenty 
 feet above the water. 
 
 The size of the fish is about the same as that of a herring. 
 Sailors are always glad to capture it, as its flesh proves an 
 agreeable change from the eternal salt junk, by which the power 
 of the sailor's teeth is woefully tried. 
 
 The food of this fish is molluscs and small fishes. 
 
 THE SALMON. 
 
 The SALMON is a migratory fish, annually leaving the sea, 
 its proper residence, and proceeding for many miles up rivers 
 for the purpose of depositing its spawn. This duty having 
 
 * The ancients believed that this and other fishes slept on the beach.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family IV. Salmonidse. 
 SALMO. (Lat. a Salmon.) 
 
 Salar, 
 
 been accomplished, it returns to the sea in the spring. The 
 perseverance of this fish in working its way up the stream is 
 perfectly wonderful. No stream is rapid enough to daunt it, 
 nor is it even checked by falls. These it surmounts by spring- 
 ing out of the water, fairly passing over the fall. Heights of 
 fouteeen or fifteen feet are constantly leaped by this powerful 
 fish, and when it has arrived at the higher and shallower parts 
 of the river, it scoops furrows in the gravelly bottom, and there 
 deposits its spawn. The young, called " fry," are hatched 
 about March, and immediately commence their retreat to the 
 sea. By the end of May the young salmon, now called " smolts," 
 have almost entirely deserted the rivers, and in June not one is 
 to be found in fresh water. Small Salmon weighing less than 
 two pounds are termed " salmon peel," all above that weight 
 are called " grilse." 
 
 The havoc wrought among Salmon by foes of every descrip- 
 tion is so enormous, that notwithstanding the great fecundity 
 of the fish, it is a matter of surprise that so many escape des- 
 truction ; for although the fish are preserved from their human 
 foes by many stringent regulations, yet other foes, such as otters, 
 who devour the large fish, and other fish who devour the spawn, 
 have but little respect for laws and regulations.
 
 1 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 While in the rivers, multitudes of Salmon are annually 
 caught, usually by stake nets, which are capable of confining 
 an immense number of fish at one time. Salmon spearing 
 is a favourite amusement. This animated and exciting sport 
 is usually carried on by torch-light. The torches, when held 
 close to the surface of the water, illumine the depths of the 
 river, and render every fish within its influence perfectly 
 visible. The watchful spearman, guided by slight indications 
 bearing no meaning to an unpracticed eye, darts his unerr- 
 ing spear, and brings up in triumph the glittering captive, 
 writhing in vain among the barbed points. In the northern 
 rivers this destructive pursuit is carried on to a great extent, 
 more than a hundred salmon being frequently taken in an even- 
 ing. Anglers also find considerable sport in using the fly for 
 this beautiful and active fish, whose strength makes it no mean 
 antagonist. 
 
 Fario (Lat. the Trw.it.} 
 
 The COMMON TROUT is found in many rivers in this coun- 
 try, always preferring rapid, shallow, and sparkling streams,.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 435 
 
 especially if there should be little falls at intervals. The Der- 
 went and the Dove are particularly famous for their trout. 
 The latter river is quite the beau ideal of a trout stream. It 
 never seems to know its own mind for half a mile together. 
 Sometimes it is rapid, frisking over stones and round trees, and 
 throwing up the sparkling foam in all direetions. Presently it 
 has changed into a silent, slow, melancholy river, with dark 
 pools of unknown depth, shaded by overhanging trees, and 
 suggestive of murders successfully concealed. Everywhere 
 are the trout. Lying quietly under the shelter of some large 
 stone, while the water is leaping round them, are the moder- 
 ate sized trout, darting off like meteors to snatch at a passing 
 fly, and as quickly returning to their concealment. In the 
 deeper pools are the large fish, who, too sagacious to be de- 
 ceived by the artfully made fly of the professed angler, yet 
 often fall victims to the less scientific but more successful 
 ploughboy.* 
 
 The usual method of fishing for trout is with a fly, but 
 trolling with a minnow is often successfully used, nor does the 
 trout reject a well-selected and properly arranged worm. 
 
 The brilliant speckled tints of this beautiful fish vary much 
 according to the locality and the time of year. ' In May the 
 fish assume their brightest colours and their most delicate 
 flavour. The size of the fish also varies exceedingly, being 
 from half a pound in weight and about eight inches in length, 
 to ten or fifteen pounds weight. 
 
 The Smelt belongs to this family, and in its progress to the 
 sea is destroyed in great quantities in mill-ponds, &c. 
 
 * Several of my schoolboy years were spent near the banks of the Dove, which 
 river, of course, formed one of our favourite haunts. We were accustomed to take 
 the large trout by the rather unsportsmanlike, but very amusing method of " tickling." 
 It was excessively amusing to watch the angry countenances of London anglers, 
 "who came to the Dove bedizened with all the appurtenances of rods, lines, baskets, 
 &c., and who, after whipping the water most perseveringly for the whole morning 
 without a single bite, while resting their tired arms, saw the country boys seated on 
 the bank, armed with a long stick and a line barely two feet long, adding every 
 minute to the heap of glittering fishes at their side.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family V. Clupeldse. (Lat. Clupea, a Herring.) 
 
 CLUPEA. 
 
 Pilchardus (Lat. the Pilchard). 
 
 The value of the HERRING family to man is almost incalcu- 
 lable The PILCHARD and the Herring are very similar in ap- 
 pearance, but may be easily known by the position of the 
 dorsal fin, which in the Pilchard is so exactly in the centre 
 of the body, 'that if the fish is held by it, the body exactly 
 balances ; while in the herring, the dorsal fin is placed rather 
 backwards, so that when suspended, the fish hangs with its 
 head downwards. 
 
 Unlike the herring, which visits every part of our coasts, 
 the Pilchard is only found on the shores of Devonshire and 
 Cornwall. Here, however, the enormous shoals that annually 
 make their appearance, fully compensate for the limited space 
 occupied by them. Occasionally a few shoals are seen on the 
 southern coast of Ireland. The coasts of France and Spain 
 are tolerably frequent resorts of this fish. 
 
 The fish are usually taken in an enormous building of nets, 
 called " scan nets." The nets used in the sean fishery are two, 
 a large net called the " stop sean," about a quarter of a mile in 
 length, and a hundred feet in depth ; and a smaller net, called 
 the " tuck sean," about a furlong in length, and a hundred and 
 twenty feet in depth, the average value of the two nets being 
 5001. 
 
 "When the fishermen see a shoal of pilchards approaching,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 437 
 
 they immediately set out in two fishing boats, one of which 
 carries the tuck scan and the other the stop scan. Guided 
 by signs from the master-seamen, they silently surround the 
 shoal with the nets, the larger of which is used to enclose 
 a large number of fish, and the smaller to pass within the 
 other net to bring the mass of fish into a small compass, and 
 finally to prevent them from escaping until the fishermen have 
 leisure to remove them to the boats. 
 
 When landed, the pilchards are taken to the store houses, 
 salted, and after remaining in heaps for five or six days, are 
 pressed into casks by powerful levers. During the pressure, 
 which lasts about a fortnight, fresh layers of fish being added 
 as the former are pressed close, an abundance of excellent oil 
 escapes from holes made in the cask for the purpose. The 
 entire refuse of the fish, consisting of the superabundant salt, the 
 scales and other rejected portions, is sold to the farmers as a 
 valuable manure. The refuse of each pilchard is calculated to 
 manure one square foot of land. 
 
 Harengus (Lat. the Herring). 
 
 The HERRING makes its annual appearance in the northern 
 parts of Scotland about June. This most valuable fish arrives 
 in enormous shoals, five or six miles in length and three or 
 four in breadth. Their advent is heralded by various sea 
 birds, such as the gannets and gulls, which constantly hover
 
 438 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 over the shoals and commit unceasing devastation among them. 
 Yet in spite of the myriads destroyed by birds and fishes, in 
 spite of the shoals captured by man, in spite of the vast quan- 
 tity of spawn devoured by other fishes, their numbers seem 
 quite undiminished, and each year they are led by the instinct 
 inculcated in them by Providence, to visit the shore in incal- 
 culable numbers, not only to yield to man an unfailing supply, 
 but to make the necessary provision for the increase of their 
 number. 
 
 The fishery is conducted by boats and nets, the whole 
 fitting up of each boat costing little less than 1000Z. To 
 add to the expense, the whole apparatus must be renewed 
 every four or five years, as independently of the injuries inflict- 
 ed by the sea and the weight of fish, the dog-fish, which 
 unremittingly follows the shoals of herrings, is often entangled 
 in the nets together with its intended victims, and by its 
 sharp teeth and vigorous struggles makes sad ravages among 
 the nets. 
 
 When taken out of the water, the herring dies almost 
 immediately, as do all fish that live near the surface of the 
 water. Those on the contrary, as the carp, tench, eels and 
 the flat fish, who reside at the bottom, are able to sustain 
 life for a much longer period when taken out of their native 
 element. It is therefore necessary that the herrings should 
 be cured as soon as possible. The " White Herring" are 
 cured in the boats, but the " Red Herrings" are taken on 
 shore and suspended in the smoke of a wood fire for twenty- 
 four hours in addition to the salting that both they and the 
 White Herring undergo. 
 
 The well-known SPRAT (Clupea Sprattus) also belongs to 
 the genus Clupea, and, like the herring, visits our shores in 
 large shoals. The Sprat fishery commences in the beginning 
 of November. Not only are enormous quantities of this small 
 but useful fish used as food, and sent into all parts of this 
 country, but they are very largely used as manure ; fish, ac- 
 cording to the researches of Sir H. Davy, being a most power- 
 ful manure, retaining its fertilising influence for a long time. 
 Many thousand tons' weight of sprats are annually used for this 
 purpose. 
 
 The White-bait belongs to the same family.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 ENGRAUUS. (Gr. 'Eyypa.vl.if.) 
 
 Encrasicholus (Gr. 'EyKpaaixoho? , mixed with bitter ; the Anchovy, from 
 its taste), the Anchovy. 
 
 The little ANCHOVY is a fish of no small importance, being 
 very largely used in various sauces, besides the numbers that 
 are preserved in pickle. It is common in the Mediterranean, 
 and is also found oh our coasts. The upper jaw of this fish 
 is longer than the lower one ; the entire length of the fish is 
 usually from four to five inches, but it has been seen measuring 
 upwards of seven inches. 
 
 THE COD. 
 
 In this Sub-order the bones of the ventral fins are placed 
 under, and support the bones of the shoulder. 
 
 The well-known COD-FISH is principally found on the coasts 
 of Newfoundland, but is taken in great numbers on our own 
 shores. The hook is generally employed for the capture of this 
 fine fish. An immense number of hooks, each baited with a 
 whelk or limpet and attached to short lines, are fastened at 
 intervals along a rope, which is stretched, or shot, as it is termed, 
 across the tide, in order to prevent the hooks from getting en- 
 tangled. Such is the voracity of the fish, that nearly five hun- 
 dred fish have been taken by one man in the course of ten 
 hours. The intense cold renders the Cod fishery a service of 
 great hardship.
 
 410 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-order II. SUB-BRACHIATA. (Lai. sub, under ; brachium, an arm.) 
 Family VI. . . Gadidfe. (Gr. IVtSor.) 
 
 MORKIUTA. 
 
 Callarias (Gr. KaMapiac), the Cod. 
 I 
 
 When taken, the fish are placed in a well boat, through 
 which the salt water has a free passage, so that the cod-fish are 
 brought to Billingsgate still living. Several successful experi- 
 ments have been made to preserve this fish in salt water ponds, 
 in which it appears to thrive well. The fecundity of this fish is 
 almost incredible, the roe of one fish having been ascertained to 
 contain nine million eggs. The Whiting belongs to this family. 
 
 In the Flat-fish we see a most extraordinary instance of 
 adaptation of structure to peculiar circumstances. We have 
 all seen Flat-fish, and all know that the upper side is dark, 
 and the under side nearly white. The word " side" is used 
 advisedly, as these curious fish actually lie on their sides at
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 441 
 
 the bottom of the water while undisturbed, or merely feeding. 
 When, however, they are alarmed, they rapidly assume the 
 vertical position, and dart off with great speed. The dark 
 upper surface serves to protect them from becoming too visi- 
 ble to enemies above. The two eyes are also placed on the 
 upper side of the head for obvious reasons. In fact, the whole 
 fish appears as if it had been laid on its side, and rolled flat, 
 the head also being twisted round, and the lower eye removed 
 to the upper suri'ace. 
 
 Family VII. Pleuronectidaj. (Gr. IQevpov, a rib or side; VIJKTOV, 
 power of swimming.) 
 
 PSETTA. (Gr. ^TJTra, a Turbot.) 
 
 * Maxima (Lat. greatest), the Turbot. 
 
 The TURBOT is found on the coasts of most parts of England, 
 but is mostly confined to the southern coasts of Ireland. 
 
 The fishery is conducted both by nets and lines. The net, 
 called the haul-net, drags from the bottom not only turbots but 
 other flat fish, such as soles and plaice. The line, used when 
 the bottom of the sea is too deep or rocky for the net, is armed 
 with many hooks, baited with smelts and other small fish. 
 The lampern, or river lamprey, was formerly in very great
 
 442 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 use as a bait, as its brilliant silvery appearance, and its great 
 tenacity of life, rendered it peculiarly lit for the capture of the 
 voracious but dainty turbot, who, rejecting all stale or dis- 
 coloured baits, eagerly devours them if bright coloured and 
 moving. The fishermen state that the turbot will not touch 
 a bait that has been bitten by any other fish. On the English 
 coasts one turbot-line frequently extends for three miles in 
 length, and is furnished with 2500 hooks, which are attached 
 to the main line by small horse-hair lines, each twenty-seven 
 inches in length. This enormous line is " shot" across the 
 current at the turn of the tide. Each boat possesses a double 
 set of lines, so that one line is " shot" and another " hauled" 
 every turn of the tide. 
 
 The little star-like bones imbedded in the upper part of the 
 skin of this fish are very curious. The dark side of the turbot 
 is the left, on which the eyes are also placed. Reversed 
 turbots, and even turbots dark on both sides, are not at all 
 uncommon. 
 
 SOLEA. (Lat. the Sole of a shoe.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common], the Sole. 
 
 The COMMON SOLE is too well known to need much descrip- 
 tion. This fish is the reverse of the turbot, having the eyes 
 and colour on the right side ; although, as in the turbot, 
 varieties are not rare. It is in season during most parts of
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 443 
 
 the year, except a few weeks in March or April. Although it 
 is a marine fish, it seems to thrive well in river-water, or even 
 in a pond. Mr. Arnold kept several in a pond in Guernsey, 
 where the soles became twice as thick in proportion to their 
 length as those living in the sea. 
 
 Sub-order III. APODA. (Gr. 'A, privation; TTOVC, a foot.) 
 Family IX. . . Muraendise. (Gr. Mvpaiva, a Sea-eel.) 
 
 ANGUIU.A. (Lat. a little Eel.) 
 
 Acutirostris (Lat. sharp-beaked), the Sharp-nosed Eel. 
 
 The APODA, or footless fish, so called from the absence of 
 ventral fins, comprise the Eels. 
 
 These fish assume a form very similar to the serpents. Al- 
 though on a hasty examination they seem to be devoid of scales, 
 yet when the skin is dried, very minute scales may be seen 
 through the semi-transparent outer skin, and may be easily de- 
 tached by carefully separating the two skins. 
 
 Eels inhabit muddy ponds and rivers, and are common in 
 many canals. They are susceptible of cold, and constantly de- 
 scend the rivers to deposit their spawn in the sea, after which, 
 the young, when hatched, work their way up the rivers, there- 
 by precisely reversing the habits of the salmon. They are ca- 
 pable of living out of water for a long time, and often make 
 voluntary land excursions, either for the purpose of avoiding an 
 insurmountable fall, or in search of frogs or worms, on which
 
 444 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 they feed. In the winter, while they are lying torpid in the 
 mud, multitudes are taken by spears many-pronged instru- 
 ments, whose prongs are feathered with recurved barbs, which, 
 when pushed into the mud, entangle the eels, and effectually 
 prevent their escape. 
 
 There are supposed to be four species of English eel ; name- 
 ly, the Sharp-nosed, the Broad-nosed, the Snig, and the Grig. 
 
 CONGER. (Lat. from Gr. Toyypof, a Cor.ger EeL) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Conger. 
 
 The CONGER EEL is found in all the rocky parts of the 
 British coasts, and is exceedingly common on the coasts of 
 Cornwall. 
 
 It is usually caught with a hook, the best bait of which is a 
 sand-launce, a little fish belonging to the same family as the 
 eels, and which buries itself five or six inches deep in the sand 
 when the tide ebbs, and releases itself on the next flood tide. 
 The fishermen rake it out of the sand with iron hooks. A 
 pilchard is a common bait for the Conger. 
 
 The size of this fish is sometimes very great. Yarrell men- 
 tions, in his " British Fishes," that " specimens weighing eighty- 
 six pounds, one hundred and four pounds, and even one hundred 
 and thirty pounds, have been recorded, some of them measuring 
 more than ten feet long and eighteen inches in circumference. 
 They possess great strength, and often form very formidable an- 
 tagonists if assailed among rocks, or when drawn into a boat 
 Avith a line."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 4 
 
 Family X. Gymnotidrc. (Gr Tvnv6<;. naked; ixirof, the back.) 
 
 GYMNOTUS. 
 
 Electricus (Lat. electric), the Electric Eel. 
 
 This curious fish, which exhibits the singular phenomenon 
 of voluntary electric power residing in a living animal, is an 
 inhabitant of the fresh- water rivers and ponds of Surinam, and 
 other parts of South America, where it was first discovered in 
 the year 1677. 
 
 This power of emitting an electric shock, is apparently 
 given it in order to enable the creature to kill its prey. Those 
 who have seen the ELECTRIC EEL in the Polytechnic while 
 being fed, will have little doubt of this. The fish given to it 
 are, directly it becomes aware of their presence, instantly struck 
 dead, and then devoured.* 
 
 Captain Stedman, in his account of Surinam, gives an ac- 
 count of the electric eel, which he, of course, had many oppor- 
 tunities of seeing. He attempted, for a trifling wager, to lift 
 up a gymnotus in his hands, but according to his own words : 
 
 " I tried about twenty different times to grasp it with my 
 hand, but all without effect, receiving just as many electrical 
 shocks, which I felt even to the top of my shoulder. It has 
 been said that this animal must be touched with both hands 
 before it gives the shock, but this I must take the liberty of 
 
 * This specimen is unfortunately blind, but it has learned to turn in the direction 
 of a paddling in the water, made by the individual who feeds it. The fish is scarcely 
 in the water before a shock from the Gymnotus kills it. The usual length of the 
 Gymnotus is about three feet.
 
 446 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 contradicting, having experienced the contrary effect. " The 
 eel mentioned was a small one, only two feet long ; but one 
 that had arrived at its full growth would have given a very 
 much stronger shock. An English sailor was fairly knocked 
 down by a shock from one of these eels, nor did he recover his 
 senses for some time. It is said that the shock can pass up a 
 stick, and strike the person holding it. Mr. Bryant and a 
 companion were both struck while pouring off the water from 
 a tub in which an electric eel had been placed. 
 
 Hurnboldt, in his " Views of Nature," gives a very animated 
 description of the method employed by the Indians to take 
 these formidable creatures a method equally ingenious and 
 cruel. Knowing from experience that the powers of the 
 gymnotus are not adequate to a constant volley of shocks, 
 they contrive that the shocks shall be expended on the horses 
 instead of themselves. 
 
 Having found a pool containing electric eels, they force a 
 troop of wild horses to enter the pool. The disturbed eels 
 immediately attack the intruders, and destroy many of them 
 by repeated shocks ; but by constantly forcing fresh supplies 
 of horses to invade the pool, the powers of the gymnoti be- 
 come exhausted, and they are then dragged out with impunity. 
 
 THE SHORT SUN-FISH. 
 
 This order derives its name from the curious structure of the 
 jaws, which are fixed together in a very peculiar manner. 
 
 The SHORT SUN-FISH has been frequently taken in almost 
 all parts of our coasts. It is of a most singular shape, looking 
 as if three-fourths of a very large fish had been cut ofT, leaving 
 only the head and shoulders, something like a marine Baron 
 Munchausen's horse. 
 
 It attains to a very large size, and has been known to weigh 
 three hundred pounds, its length being only four feet five 
 inches. 
 
 It lives mostly at the bottom of the sea, but frequently 
 rises to the surface, and lies, perhaps, asleep, floating with the
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 44' 
 
 Order III. PLECTOGNATHI. (Gr. ZUe/cTof, plaited; jvddog, th< 
 
 jaw.) 
 
 Family I. Diodontidae. (Gr. Atf, double ; 66ovs, a tooth.) 
 OKTHAGORISCUS. (Gr. 'OpdayopicKoc, a Sucking-pig.) 
 
 Mola (Lat. a Mill-stone), the Short Sun-fish. 
 
 tide. Sailors in this case are fond of trying their skill with a 
 harpoon. When struck, it uses very powerful but exceedingly 
 awkward efforts to escape. The sailors, of course, eat it, as 
 they do almost anything. 
 
 THE STURGEON. 
 
 The remaining fishes belong to the Cartilaginous sub-class ; 
 that is, their skeletons are composed of cartilage, and not of true 
 bone. 
 
 The first sub-order possess free gill-covers like those of all the
 
 448 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-class II. PISCES CHOKDROPTERYGIL (Gr. Xovdpoc, carti- 
 lage ; nrepvyiov, a fin.) 
 
 Sub-order I. ELEUTIIEROPOML '-{Gr. 'EhevOepoc, free; mj/io, a lid or 
 cover. ) 
 
 Family I. ... Acipensendse. (Lat. Acipensa, a Sturgeon.) 
 
 ACIPENSER. 
 
 Sturio, the Sturgeon. 
 
 preceding fish ; but the remainder breathe by means either of 
 slits, as in the sharks, or holes, as in the lampreys. 
 
 The STURGEONS are remarkable for the rows of bony plates 
 extending along the body. It is exceedingly common in the 
 northern parts of E urope, where regular fisheries are organized 
 for its capture. Almost every part of it is used. Isinglass is 
 obtained by drying and shredding the air-bladder ; caviare is 
 made of the roe of the female, and the flesh is extensively pre- 
 served both by pickling and salting, besides the large quantities 
 that are consumed fresh. The flavour of its flesh is said not to 
 be unlike veal. 
 
 It has occasionally been taken on our coasts, usually by 
 entangling itself in the nets, and although it then does some 
 injury to the nets by its violent struggles to release itself, it 
 is otherwise perfectly harmless. Yarrel mentions that a 
 sturgeon measuring eight feet six inches in length, and weigh- 
 ing two hundred and three pounds, was taken in a stake net 
 near Findhon in 1833. A specimen was once caught in the 
 Esk, weighing four hundred and sixty pounds. The female
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 always deposits her eggs in fresh water, and the young, when 
 hatched, descend to the sea, and are supposed not to return 
 again until, in their turn, they seek the fresh water in order to 
 deposit their spawn. 
 
 Sub-order II. TREMATOPNEI. (Gr. Tpij/ta, & hole pierced through any- 
 thing; 7n>E, I breathe.) 
 Family I Scyllldae. (Gr. S/cvXfa, a Dog-fish.) 
 
 Caniciila (Lat. a little Dog), the Little Spotted Dog-fish. 
 
 The SHARKS and RAYS have no gill-covers, but the water 
 passes through five elongated apertures on each side of the head. 
 
 The Sharks are proverbially ferocious and dangerous crea- 
 tures, and are the pest of those seas which they infest. Their 
 mouths are furnished with several rows of sharp jagged teeth, 
 which can be raised or depressed at pleasure, and which can 
 cut through a limb or even the body of a man with the greatest 
 ease. The mouth of these fishes is placed beneath, the head, 
 so that a shark cannot seize a prey at the surface of the water 
 without turning on its side, which evolution often gives time 
 for its expected prey to escape. 
 
 The LITTLE SPOTTED DOG-FISH is the most common of the 
 Sharks that visit our shores. It is principally known on 
 account of the havoc it makes among the fish during the 
 seasons of the various fisheries, for which reason it is most 
 especially detested by the unfortunate fishermen, who not un- 
 frequently, together with their expected spoil, draw up a
 
 450 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 few dog-fish in their nets. The dog-fish, on finding themselves 
 entangled, immediately commence tearing the nets to pieces 
 with their sharp and powerful teeth. 
 
 The empty eggs of this fish are often found washed up on 
 the sea-shore, and called hy the name of " mermaids' purses." 
 They are oblong, and furnished at each corner with a long 
 semitransparent convoluted tendril, the use of which is appa- 
 rently to entangle and fix the egg among the sea-weed, and 
 thus prevent it from being washed on shore until the young is 
 hatched. 
 
 A considerable quantity of oil can be obtained from the brain 
 of the dog-fish, and the skin, in common with that of other 
 cartilaginous fishes, is made into shagreen. 
 
 Family II. Squalidse. 
 SQUALUS. (Lat. a Shark.) 
 
 Carcharias (Gr. a Shark ; from Kdp%apof, jagged ; in allusion to its 
 teeth), the White Shark. 
 
 The WHITE SHARK is a well-known scourge of the Mediter- 
 ranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This is the creature so 
 detested by sailors, who, when they have caught a " shirk," 
 subject it to every possible indignity. 
 
 This voracious creature has been known to swallow an entire 
 man, and as it is in the habit of lurking about ships for the 
 sake of the scraps thrown overboard, and almost invariably 
 swallows whatever is cast over the side, the contents of its 
 stomach are often of a most heterogeneous description. The 
 sailors always arnuse themselves by seeing what the shark
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 451 
 
 had " stowed away," and the substances thus brought to light 
 have been most curious. The entire contents of a lady's 
 work-basket, down to the scissors, were found in the interior 
 of one. shark, and another had actually swallowed an entire 
 bull's hide a circumstance which led the operating sailor to 
 remark that the shark had swallowed a bull, but could not 
 " disgest" the hide. 
 
 The amphibious South Sea Islanders stand in great dread 
 of the Shark, and with good reason, for not a year elapses 
 without several falling victims to the rapacity of this terrific 
 animal. Nearly thirty of the natives of the Society Islands 
 were destroyed at one time by the sharks. A storrn had so 
 injured the canoe in which they were passing from one island 
 to another, that they were forced to take refuge on a raft 
 hastily formed of the fragments of their canoe. Their weight 
 sunk the raft a foot or two below the surface of the water, 
 and, dreadful to say, the sharks surrounded them and dragged 
 them off the raft one by one, until the lightened raft rose 
 above the water and preserved the few survivors. 
 
 SPHYBNIAS. (Gr. from 2<j>vpa, a Hammer.) 
 
 Zygama (Gr. Zoyatva), the Hammer-headed Shark. 
 
 The HAMMER-HEADED SHARK inhabits the same latitudes. 
 This curiously constructed fish closely resembles the white 
 shark in all respects but the head, which is widened out at 
 each side, exactly like a double-headed hammer or mallet.
 
 452 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The eyes, being placed at each extremity of the head, must of 
 course possess a very extended power of vision. 
 
 The THRESHER, a fish which has a curious habit of springing 
 out of the water and inflicting a violent blow with its tail on 
 any object that annoys it, belongs to the Shark tribe. 
 
 Family IV. Pristidse. (Gr. Hpiariy, the Sawfish.) 
 
 PRISTIS. 
 
 Antiquorum (Lat. of the Ancients), the Sazcfish. 
 
 The SAWFISH is found in the greatest perfection in the tro- 
 pical seas, although it also inhabits the Mediterranean. The 
 weapon from which the fish derives its name, is a flat, long 
 prolongation of the head, on each edge of which are set hard 
 tooth-like projections, curiously inserted into the bone. 
 
 This fish has been known to employ its saw in the attack 
 of the whale, burying the apparently inappropriate weapon 
 to the very root in the body of the whale ; nor are instances 
 wanting where the saw has been found firmly imbedded in 
 the hull of a ship. 
 
 The strength of the Sawfish is very great. Captain Wilson 
 gives an account of the capture of a Sawfish, measuring 
 twenty-two feet in length, and weighing nearly five tons. 
 After the fish had been entangled in a net for several hours, 
 making violent efibrts to escape, Captain Wilson got a rope 
 firmly fixed round its saw, and set thirty men to haul at the 
 rope. The whole thirty could not move it one inch, nor was
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 453 
 
 it until one hundred men had heen pulling at the rope for 
 nearly the whole of the day, that they succeeded in dragging 
 it on shore. Even then it made such violent strokes with its 
 saw, that they were forced to fasten strong guy ropes to prevent 
 it from cutting them to pieces. It was finally disabled by a 
 Spaniard, who cut through the joint of the tail. 
 
 Family V. Raidae. (Lat. Raia, a Skate or Ray.) 
 TORPEDO. (Lat. Cramp or numbness.) 
 
 Scutata (Lat. shielded), the Torpedo. 
 
 The TORPEDO may fairly be considered a British fish. It 
 affords a second instance of the electric power residing in a 
 fish. The organs that produce the electric shock are shown 
 externally by two elevations extending from the eyes about 
 half down the body.* 
 
 Although it has once or twice been caught on our coasts, 
 it is usually found in the Mediterranean, where its powers are 
 well known, and held in some awe. The shock that the 
 
 * Those who would wish to examine the structure of this most singular organ, 
 are referred to the Museum of the College of Surgeons, where is a series of beautiful 
 wax models, admirably illustrating the entire structures.
 
 454 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Torpedo gives, of course, varies according to the size of the fish 
 and its state of health, but a tolerably large fish in good health, 
 can, for the time, disable a strong man. From the effects of 
 its shock, it is in some parts called the Cramp-fish. 
 
 Colonel Montagu notices a Torpedo caught on a turbot line, 
 at Tucky. It weighed about one hundred pounds, and com- 
 pletely puzzled the fisherman, who found it hanging dead on 
 the hooks, and had never seen such a creature before. Colonel 
 Montagu quaintly remarks, that had it not been dead, the fisher- 
 man would certainly have had a shock that would have made 
 him remember the species again. 
 
 Clavata (Lat. from Clavus, a nail), the Thornbaclc Skate. 
 
 The RAYS are at first sight not unlike the turbot and sole, 
 but a closer examination will show that the Rays really swim 
 with their backs upwards, whereas the turbot swims on its side. 
 The movement of the Ray is very curious, and is admirably 
 expressed by the word " sluddering" used by an old fisherman. 
 
 The SKATE is caught in abundance on our shores, and in 
 England is much used as an article of food, although in Scotland 
 it is used principally for bait.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 455 
 
 The THORNBACK SKATE derives its name from the spiny 
 armature of the tail, with which the fish defends itself most 
 vigourously by hending itself almost into a semicircle and lash- 
 ing about with its tail. The female of the Thornback Skate is 
 termed a Maid. It often attains to a large size, the largest 
 known being twelve feet in length, and nearly ten in width. 
 
 The jaws of the Rays are exceedingly powerful, and enable 
 them to crush with perfect ease the various shell-fish on which 
 they feed. 
 
 The STING RAY is another species, which is armed with a 
 serrated bone in its tail, with which it can inflict painful and 
 even dangerous wounds. 
 
 Sub-order III. CTCLOSTOMI. (Gr. Kv/cAof, a Circle ; oro/za, the mouth.) 
 Family I Petromyzonidse. (Gr. Ilerpof, a Stone; fiv&, I suck.) 
 
 PETKOMYZON. 
 
 Maiinus (Lat. Marine), the Lamprey. 
 
 These curious fishes, in many respects the lowest in organiza- 
 tion of the vertebrate animals, are chiefly remarkable for the sin- 
 gular construction of the mouth, which, formed like that of the 
 leech, enables it to hold firmly to any object by suction. The 
 breathing apparatus appears externally to consist of fourteen 
 small apertures, seven on each side of the neck. Their progress 
 through the water is accomplished by a rapid undulating move-
 
 456 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The MARINE LAMPREY is found in the Mediterranean, and 
 in most of the northern European rivers. It has also beri 
 discovered in America. A few are caught in the Thalnes 
 almost every year, but the Severn is its usual haunt. Like 
 many other fishes, it travels for many miles up rivers for the 
 purpose of depositing its spawn, at which time it is considered 
 to be in the highest perfection. 
 
 The spawn is deposited in furrows, some excavated by the 
 parent Lampreys, who, by the help of their sucker-like mouthi, 
 rapidly remove even large stones. 
 
 Fluviatilis (Lat, of the river), the Lampern. 
 
 The LAMPERN, or RIVER LAMPREY, is plentifully found in 
 many rivers of England.* It was formerly held in great repute 
 as bait for turbot, cod, and other fish, but in consequence of the 
 diminished supply other substances have been employed. Its 
 length is usually from twelve to fifteen inches. In some coun- 
 ties it is called Seven-eyes, in allusion to the breathing apertures 
 in the neck. 
 
 * It is extremely common at Ashbourne in Derbyshire, inhabiting the Dove and its 
 tributary brooks. Strange to say, the inhabitants of Ashbourne held it in some ab- 
 horrence, and there was only one individual possessing sufficient strength of mind to 
 eat them. He found them a most agreeable addition to his ordinary diet. The Lam- 
 perns, or Lampreens as they were called, used to lie in masses of eighteen or twenty 
 together in a hole, and if disturbed, set off down the stream with some speed.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family II. Myxinidss. 
 MYXINE (Gr. Mv^ivof, from ftvt;a, slime.) 
 
 Glutinosa (Lat. glutinous), the Myxine or Glutinous Hag-fish. 
 
 The MYXINE, which, although a decided fish, was classed 
 by Linnaeus among the worms, occurs frequently on the eastern 
 coast of this country. The fishermen find it within the bodies 
 of fish attached to the lines. The Scarborough fishermen call 
 such fish " robbed," as the Myxine, in the course of a single 
 tide, will devour the whole fish, except the skin and bones. 
 It is usually found in the body of the cod. 
 
 It is quite blind, but is supposed to derive considerable aid 
 from the eight barbules ranged round its mouth. Six indi- 
 viduals have been found in the body of a single haddock. 
 
 Along the under surface of the body are two rows of pores, 
 from which the Myxine is enabled to throw out a most copious 
 gelatinous secretion, apparently for the purpose of escape from 
 its enemies. The length of the Myxine is from twelve to 
 fifteen inches. 
 
 U
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Division II. INVERTEBRATA. (Lat. without vertebrae.) 
 
 Class VI. . . MOLLUSCA. (Lat. from mollis, soft ; properly, a soft 
 
 nut.) 
 
 Order. . . . CEPHALOPODA. (Gr.Ke^a^, the head; irovf, afoot.) 
 Family . . . Octopidae. (Gr. 'Orw, eight; novf, a foot.) 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Cuttle-fish. 
 
 The Mollusca have neither spine nor bones, the nervous sys- 
 tem consisting of a number of nervous knobs called " ganglia," 
 which give off filamentous nerves in different directions. 
 
 Few Molluscs possess eyes, but in one or two, as the snails 
 and slugs, those organs are to be found, and in the higher 
 Molluscs, such as the Cuttle-fish, we see not only large and 
 brilliant eyes, but also organs of hearing. 
 
 The Cephalopoda, so called by the organs of movement sur- 
 rounding the head, are divided into naked and testaceous,* or 
 covered with a shell. 
 
 The COMMON CUTTLE-FISH is an example of a naked cephal- 
 opodous mollusc. This repulsive looking creature is common on 
 our shores, and is, in spite of its unpleasant appearance, often 
 
 * Derived from Lat. testa, a shell.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 459 
 
 used for food. Its eight long and flexible arms are covered 
 with suckers of various sizes, enabling their owner not only to 
 fix itself firmly to the rocks on which it dwells, but to seize 
 and retain with the greatest tenacity any unfortunate fish or 
 shell that may happen to come within its reach. Its powerful 
 parrot-like beak enables it not only to devour fishes, but even 
 to crush the shells and Crustacea that are entangled in its 
 deadly embraces. In England the Cuttle does not grow to 
 any great size, but in the Indian Seas it is absolutely danger- 
 ous, and the crews of boats are forced to be armed with a 
 hatchet, to cut off the arms of the cuttle-fish. 
 
 There are few who have not heard of the colour called 
 " sepia." This is, or ought to be, prepared from a black pig- 
 ment, secreted by the Cuttle-fish, and used in order to escape 
 its foes, by blackening the water with the ink, and hurrying 
 off under shelter of the dense cloud of its own creating. Dr. 
 Buckland actually drew a portrait of a fossil Cuttle-fish with 
 some of its own ink that still remained in its body. 
 
 The substance sold in the shops as cuttle-fish bone is a 
 chalky substance secreted from the mouth of the fish, and com- 
 posed of an infinite number of plates, joined by myriads of 
 little pillars.* 
 
 The entire body is soft, and encased in a coarse, leather-like 
 skin, unprotected by any shell. 
 
 THE NAUTILUS. 
 
 The ARGONAUT, or NAUTILUS, is an example of the testaceous 
 Molluscs. This curious creature, about which so many mar- 
 vellous and poetical tales have been told, is very abundant in 
 the Mediterranean. 
 
 It has been clearly proved that the Nautilus does not urge 
 itself along the surface of the water by the expanded arms 
 used as sails. These arms are in fact used to cover the shell, 
 
 * At a meeting of the Ashmolean Society at Oxford, Dr. Buckland, while exhib- 
 iting some relics of a huge fossil Saurian, said, " I know where that fellow lived, I 
 know where he died, and moreover, I know what he had for dinner on the day that 
 he died. He had a cuttle-fish for dinner, and here is its bony ring, which I found in 
 the Saurian's stomach."
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ARGONAOTA. (Lat. a sailor in the ship Argo.) 
 \ 
 
 Argo (Lat.), the Argonaut or Paper Nautilus. 
 
 and it is from these that the beautiful shell is secreted. The 
 Argonaut propels itself through the water by violently ejecting 
 water from the tube with which it, as well as the cuttle-fish, 
 is furnished for that purpose. The colours of the Hving animal 
 of the Nautilus are exceedingly beautiful. 
 
 The arms of this creature are furnished with suckers. Its 
 shell, when the creature is living, is flexible and semi-trans- 
 parent. 
 
 The fossil Ammonites belong to the testaceous Cephalopoda.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 461 
 
 Order GASTEROPODA. <Gr. Taanjp, the belly; TTOVC, a foot.) 
 
 Sub-order. PULMOBRANCHIATA. (Pulmo the lungs; branchiae, gills.) 
 Family Limacidse. (Gr. Aet/mf, a Slug.) 
 
 Ater (Lat. black), the Black Slug. 
 
 Shells are secreted from a part of the inhabitant called the 
 " mantle," and of course, as the shell is always added round 
 the rim, as may be seen by taking a small snail in the spring, 
 it naturally follows, that ^s the animal becomes larger, so the 
 mantle becomes larger, and secretes a larger ring of shell. 
 
 Many shells, as that of the oyster, are deposited in layers, a 
 fine membrane interposing between each layer : they are there- 
 fore called membranous shells. Most membranous shells are 
 lined with a brilliant enamelled substance, called " nacre :" 
 " mother of pearl" is the nacre of the pearl oyster. That of 
 the fresh-water mussel is a beautiful azure. 
 
 The other structure of shells is called " porcellaneous," be- 
 cause they look like porcelain or china. The common cowrie 
 is a well-known instance of a porcellaneous shell. Some shells 
 are so transparent as to resemble glass, and are therefore called 
 " vitreous."* 
 
 Shells are divided into Univalve, or one-valved shells, such 
 as the snail ; and Bivalve, or two-valved shejls, such as the 
 
 * Derived from Lat. vitrum, glass
 
 462 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 oyster. Those of the univalve molluscs are capable of protect- 
 ing themselves when withdrawn inside the shell by a horny 
 plate called the " operculum,"* which completely closes up the 
 aperture, and which may be seen in the periwinkle. The clos- 
 ing membrane found in the common snail, if taken in the win- 
 ter, is called the epiphragma.f and is supposed to be hardened 
 mucus. 
 
 The Gasteropoda move by means of a fleshy disc or foot on 
 the under surface of the body, and by the alternate expansive 
 and contractive movements of this foot, the creature is enabled 
 to crawl. The Gasteropoda inhabit both land and water, un- 
 like the bivalves, which are exclusively inhabitants of the latter 
 element. 
 
 If the shell of a Gasteropodous mollusc be broken, it has the 
 power of repairing the injury by secreting fresh layers of shell 
 from the mantle within. 
 
 The SLUGS are well-known invaders of our gardens, and, 
 together with the snail, the caterpillar, and the mysterious 
 " blight," are objects of the gardener's most intense hatred. 
 The Black Slug is usually found by hedge-banks, and in grassy 
 meadows. It seldom ventures out by day, especially if the day 
 be bright, but at night, when the dew is on the ground, it 
 may be seen trailing its dark length through the herbage, or 
 eagerly devouring the leaves.! The small Grey Slug (Limax 
 is more common in gardens than the Black Slug. 
 
 THE COMMON SNAIL. 
 
 Several species of SNAILS inhabit this country, among 
 which the Edible Snail (Helix pomatia), the Belted Snail 
 (Helix nemoralis), and the common Garden Snail (Helix 
 aspersa), are the most conspicuous. The Edible Snail was 
 imported into England by the Romans, who prized them 
 highly, and fattened them in a building erected for that 
 express purpose, as indeed they are now in some parts of the 
 
 * Lat. a cover or lid. t Gr. 'Eiri^pay/ia, a cover. 
 
 t While employed at night in decoying moths, by means of a fragrant compound 
 of sugar, beer, and rum, spread on the trunks of trees, I used constantly to find my 
 bait attacked by huge slugs of all kinds, descending and ascending towards the sweet 
 but dangerous banquet.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Heliculse. (Gr. "Ehii;, twisted.) 
 HELIX. 
 
 s 
 
 Aspersa (Lat. sprinkled), the Common Snail. 
 
 Continent. This snail grows to a large size, nearly attaining 
 the magnitude of an ordinary closed fist. 
 
 The eyes of the Snail are placed at the extremity of the ten- 
 tacula, or " horns" as they are usually called. 
 
 The common garden snail is so well known that no descrip- 
 tion of it is needed. It lays eggs very large in comparison with 
 the size of the parent ; they are about the size of small peas, 
 round, soft, and semi-transparent. They are deposited about 
 two inches below the surface of the earth. 
 
 This creature is very tenacious of life. A living snail was 
 exhibited at the Ashmolean Society at Oxford, which had made 
 a long sea voyage, packed up in cotton wool. An immersion 
 in water soon brought the inhabitant to view, and when it was 
 exhibited it was crawling about a box in perfect health. 
 
 THE ROYAL STAIRCASE WENTLETRAP. 
 
 The K.OYAL STAIRCASE WENTLETRAP affords us an excellent 
 and most beautiful example of the Turbinidse. It is a native 
 of the Chinese and Indian seas, and was formerly so scarce that 
 a specimen two inches in length would sell for a hundred
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Turbinidse. (Lat. Turbo, a Whorl.) 
 SCALARIA. (Lat Scala, a Ladder, or stairs.) 
 
 Family. Coniidse. (Gr. Kvof, a Cone.) 
 
 IVetiosa (Lat. valuable), the. Royal Staircase Wentletrap. 
 
 Generalis (Lat general), the Cone. 
 
 pounds. Even now, a very fine specimen cannot be obtained 
 under six or seven pounds. For this reason, the specific name 
 " pretiosa" was affixed to it by Lamarck. 
 
 As an example of the large family of Cones, we will take 
 the common Cone, whose beautiful marbled colour and elegant 
 shape render it a most attractive shell. 
 
 THE MONEY COWRY, AND THE WHELK. 
 
 The Cowries are not less celebrated for the elegance of their 
 form and the beauty of their markings, than for the curious 
 circumstance that one species is used as current coin in 
 Guinea and Bengal, thus being employed for the same purpose 
 by two entirely distinct races of men, situated in different 
 quarters of the globe. Their value is of course small in 
 proportion to gold or silver. At the present time a rupee in
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Cyprseidse. (Gr. from KvTrpof, Cyprus.) 
 
 ARICIA. 
 
 Family, Buccinidse. (Lat. Buccinum, a Trumpet.) 
 Bucclmnc 
 
 Moneta (Lat. the stamp on money), the Money Cowry. 
 
 Undatum (Lat. wavy), the Whelk. 
 
 Bengal is worth 3200 Cowries, the value of the rupee being 
 2s. 3d. of our money. 
 
 The BUCCINHXE are so named from their fancied resem- 
 blance to a trumpet. The common Whelk is everywhere 
 abundant on our coasts, and is taken in such profusion that it 
 is largely exported for food, and may be seen on the street 
 stalls of the metropolis exposed for sale, like the oyster and 
 periwinkle. 
 
 The proboscis of this creature is of a most singular structure, 
 and by means of the numerous teeth with which it is armed, 
 it is able rapidly to bore its way through shells, and then to 
 feed upon the unfortunate inmate. The hermit crab often 
 takes possession of the empty shells of the Whelk. 
 
 The famous Tyrian purple was obtained from one of the 
 Buccinidae, Purpura imbricata.
 
 466 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Muricidse. (Lat. Murex, the purple shell-fish.) 
 
 Tribulus (Lat. a Thistle), the Thorny Woodcock. 
 
 The beautiful THORNY WOODCOCK, sometimes called by the 
 name of Venus' comb, is an excellent example of the Muricidse. 
 This elegant shell is an inhabitant of the Indian Ocean. 
 
 Order. . . CYCLOBRANCHIATA.(Gr. KwcAof, a circle ; 
 
 gills.) 
 Family . . Patellldse. (Lat. Patella, a Porringer.) 
 
 Vulgata (Lat. made common), the Limpet. 
 
 The LIMPETS are spread over every latitude, except the 
 Arctic regions. The common Limpet is to be found on every 
 rock and large stone at the sea-side. The variety of its 
 attachment to the rocks is very curious, and well repays a
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 467 
 
 careful examination. Every one who has seen a living limpet 
 knows how firmly it fixes itself to the rock. This is done by 
 the inhabitant creating a vacuum on the under surface of its 
 body, which causes the pressure of the atmosphere to keep it 
 so tightly fixed to the rocks, that a blade of a strong knife is 
 required to detach it. Frequently the margin of the shell 
 adapts itself to the shape of the substance to which it adheres, 
 proving that it must remain fixed in the same spot for a long 
 time, and rendering it difficult to imagine from whence it can 
 obtain sufficient nourishment to support life. 
 
 Sometimes a large shell may be picked up covered with 
 limpets, that adhere firmly to it in spite of the rolling of the 
 waves, and the tossings about to which it must necessarily be 
 subjected. 
 
 Order.. CONCHIFERA.(Gr. Koy /t ;;, a Mussel-shell; fepu, I bear.) 
 Family. Pectinidse. (Lat. Pecten a Scallop.) 
 PECTEN. 
 
 Jacobseus (Lat. from a proper name), the Scallop. 
 
 We now arrive at the BIVALVE MOLLUSCS. It has been 
 already stated that the Bivalves are all aquatic. These crea- 
 tures are enabled to keep their shells firmly closed by means 
 of a powerful muscle. Those who have attempted for the first 
 time to open an oyster, must be convinced of the strength of 
 this muscle. The two shells are united by a powerful and
 
 468 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 extremely elastic hinge, which after the death of the animal 
 opens the shells widely. 
 
 The Bivalves do not enjoy such powers of locomotion as the 
 Univalves, yet some, as the fresh-water mussel, can urge them- 
 selves along by means of a fleshy organ called the foot ; and so 
 powerful in some is this organ, that by means of it the animal 
 can not only burrow in the sand, but actually leap out of a 
 boat. The rapid opening and shutting of the valves is used by 
 some, as the scallop, as a means of progression. It is believed 
 that the Bivalves have no visual organs. 
 
 The common SCALLOP is found along our southern coasts, 
 and in the seas of Europe.* This shell was formerly used as 
 the badge of a pilgrim to the Holy Land. 
 
 " His pilgrim's staff he bore.. 
 
 And fix'd the Scallop in his hat before." 
 
 ORTREA. (Gr. 'Oarpeov, an Oyster.) 
 
 Edulis (Lat. edible), the Oyster. 
 
 The COMMON OYSTER has been for many ages considered as 
 delicacy for the table. In the times of the ancient Romans, 
 
 * It is a singular fact, that in the stomach of the common Scallop is found an 
 earthy deposit, which, when boiled in nitric acid in order to dissolve the animal and 
 other portions, exhibits under a powerful microscope animalcules precisely similar 
 to those which, in a fossil state, form the earth on which the town of Richmond in 
 America is built.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 4ti9 
 
 we find that our " Native Oysters" were exported to Rome, and 
 there placed in the Lucrine Lake, where they were fattened. 
 
 On our coasts the oysters breed in large beds, to which vast 
 quantities of young oysters are conveyed by the fishermen, and 
 suffered to increase without molestation. Newly-formed beds 
 are untouched for two or three years. During the months of 
 May, June, and July,* the oysters breed, and are considered 
 unfit for food. At this time the young, called " spat," are 
 deposited in enormous numbers. They instantly adhere to the 
 substance among which they fall ; and this, whatever it be, is 
 called " cultch," and is protected by severe penalties. About 
 May the fishermen separate the spawn from the cultch, which 
 is then thrown back into its former place. After May it is 
 felony to disturb the cultch, as were it removed, mussels and 
 cockles would rapidly take the place of the oysters. 
 
 The oysters are taken in the proper season by the "dredge," 
 a kind of small net fastened round an iron frame- work, which 
 scoops up the oysters and many other marine animals. 
 
 The part of the Oyster called the " beard," is in reality the 
 respiratory apparatus. 
 
 THE PEARL OYSTER. 
 
 The Pearl Oyster is the animal from which those highly- 
 valued ornaments, pearls, are extracted. The pearl is nothing 
 more than " nacre," deposited in the shape of globular drops 
 instead of being spread over the inner surface of the shell, in 
 which case it is known as Mother-of-pearl. 
 
 These valuable shells are found both in the Old and New 
 World. Ceylon is very famous for its pearl fisheries. The 
 fishermen are trained to remain a long time under water, and 
 assisted in their descent to the bottom of the sea by a heavy 
 weight tied to their feet. They rapidly gather all the Pearl 
 Oysters in their way into a basket, and when in want of air, 
 give a signal to their friends above, who draw them to the 
 surface by a rope. The Oysters are then left to putrefy for 
 eome weeks, when they are carefully washed, and the pearls 
 extracted . 
 
 * Most people are acquainted with the proverb, that oysters are in season during 
 the months in which is the letter R.
 
 470 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Meleagrimdse. (Gr. 
 
 MELEAGRINA. 
 
 Margaritifgra (Lat Margarita, a pearl ; fero, I bear), the Pearl Oyster. 
 
 The Chinese have a method of forcing oysters, or rather 
 mussels, to form pearls, by artfully placing beads in their shells, 
 round which a layer of nacre is deposited, and the beads then 
 perfectly resemble real pearls. 
 
 THE MUSSEL. 
 
 The SEA MUSSELS are usually fixed where the tide leaves 
 them alternately wet and dry, and it is worthy of notice that 
 those " shell-fish" which are exposed to variations of this kind 
 are enabled to close their shells so firmly as to prevent any 
 evaporation. One species is extensively used as an article of 
 food.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Mytilidse. (Gr. Mvrihoe, a Mussel.) 
 
 Edulis (Lat. edible), the Edible Mussel 
 
 The river mussels occasionally produce pearls of some value 
 The nacre of these mussels is of a beautiful azure blue. 
 
 Order, CIRRHOPODA.(Gv. Uevre, five; Aaojua, a plate.) 
 
 PENTALASMIS. 
 
 Anatifera (Lat. Goose-bearing}, the Bernicle. 
 
 At first sight, the Bernicle bears a close resemblance to a 
 mussel-shell fixed to a long stem. On a closer examination, 
 however, the difference is at once apparent. The shell is in 
 fact composed of Jive pieces, and through the aperture of the
 
 472 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 shell are thrust two rows of arms, or " cirrhi," as they are more 
 properly called. These cirrhi serve to entangle the small crus- 
 tacea or molluscs which pass near their sphere of action, and 
 which are then carried to the mouth and speedily devoured. 
 
 The Bernicle is always found adhering to some larger object, 
 usually floating wood, and is very common on the hulls of ships. 
 Although the perfect animal is permanently fixed, it has been 
 discovered that the young are free and capable of locomotion ; 
 nor is it until a week or two has passed, that they finally settle 
 themselves. 
 
 The name Anatifera or Goose-bearing, has been given to 
 this animal on account of the ancient story of the production 
 of the Bernicle-goose. This fable has already been related 
 under the article, Bernicle-goose.
 
 NATl'itAL HISTORY. 473 
 
 Class VII. . . CRUSTACEA. (Lnt. Crusta, a crust or shell.) 
 Sub-class I.. MALACOSTRACA. ( Gr. MaAn/to'f, soft; ZarpaKov, n 
 shell.)* 
 
 Order I DECAPODA. (Gr. Aea ? ten ; irwf, a foot.) 
 
 Sub-order T. BECAPODA-BRACHYURA. (Gr. Bpajvf, short; ovpd, a tail.) 
 Family I. . . Cancendw. (Lat. Cancer, a Crab.) 
 
 Pagurus, the Crab. 
 
 The CRUSTACEA are almost all aquatic animals. They have 
 no internal skeleton, but their body is covered with a strong 
 crust, which serves for protection as well as for strength. 
 Their whole framework consists of a series of rings fitted to, 
 and working in each other ; some forming limbs, and others 
 developing into the frame work supporting the different organs. 
 From this reason, they and the remaining animals, as far as 
 the star-fishes, who have no limbs, are called " articulated" 
 animals. 
 
 * So called because their shell is soft compared with that of the univalve or bivalve 
 molluscs.
 
 474 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Their method of growth is very curious. Other animals as 
 they increase in size experience no particular inconvenience 
 Not so the Crustacea. Their bodies are closely enveloped in a 
 strong, unyielding mail, which cannot grow with them. Their 
 armour is therefore cast off every year, and a fresh coat formed 
 to suit their increased dimensions. Not only is the armour 
 cast off, but even the covering of the eyes, the tendons of the 
 claws, and the lining membrane of the stomach, with its 
 teeth. 
 
 They all also possess the curious power of reproducing a lost 
 or injured limb. In the former case, a fresh limb supplies the 
 place of that lost ; and in the latter case, the animal itself 
 shakes off the injured joint, and a new one soon takes its place. 
 Lobsters, when alarmed, frequently throw off their claws. 
 
 The Decapods, as their name imports, are the fortunate 
 possessors of ten legs, five at each side. They also possess 
 three pairs of jaws, besides the teeth in the stomach. They 
 breathe by means of branchiae or gills, fixed at each side of 
 the throat, or chest, often erroneously called the head.* 
 
 The COMMON CRAB belongs to the short-tailed Decapods. 
 It is abundently taken on our coasts by fishermen, who employ 
 for its capture a wicker basket called a " creel" or crab-pot. 
 The crab-pots are made each with an aperture which permits 
 the animal to enter, but forbids its egress just like a common 
 wire mouse-trap. A piece of a fish is fastened at the bottom 
 of the creel, and the whole apparatus let down to the bottom 
 of the sea, guarded by a line connected with a float, by means 
 of which the fishermen draw it up and then remove its con- 
 tents. Each float has a peculiar mark, by which the fisher- 
 man knows ,his own. "When taken, the crabs are kept alive 
 in well-boats, until wanted. 
 
 * These animals have no distinct head ; that and the thorax being merged into 
 what naturalists call " cephalo-thorax," or head-thorax,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-order II. DECAPODA-ANOMOURA. (Gr. 'A.vofio^, unaccustomed; ovpd 
 
 a tail.) 
 Family III. . Pagurldffl. (Gr. Tl/iyvvfu, to fix; ovpd a tail.) 
 
 PAGt'RUS. 
 
 Bernhardus (Lat. proper name), the Hermit Crab. 
 
 The HERMIT CRAB is not so well protected as most of his 
 relations, for his tail has no shelly armour. He is therefore 
 forced to protect his undefended tail by putting it into an 
 empty shell, usually that of a whelk, and then walks about, 
 dragging his curious house after him. Sometimes, two hermit 
 crabs wish to obtain possession of the same shell, and then 
 there is a battle royal. When the crab grows larger, he only 
 has to change his old shell for a new one, and it is very amus- 
 ing to see them slipping their tails, first into one shell, and 
 then into another, until they have pleased themselves with a 
 good fit. 
 
 The Land Crabs make annual excursions to the sea in large 
 armies. They go straight forward, and nothing except a house 
 or such insurmountable barrier can stop them. Those of 
 Jamaica are particularly celebrated.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-order III. DECAPODA-MACROURA. (Gr. Map<>f, large ; ovpd, a tail.) 
 Family V. . . Astacidse. (Gr. 'Aara/cof, a Lobster.) 
 
 POTAMOBIUS. (Gr. ITora/zof, a river ; f)wu, to live.) 
 
 AstScus, the Crayfish. 
 
 The long-tailed crustaceans include the Lobster, Shrimp, &c. 
 
 The RIVER CRAY-FISH is common in most of our rivers and 
 brooks. It resides in holes in the bank, sometimes excavated 
 by itself, but more often the deserted habitations of water-rats. 
 In rocky situations it lives under and among the stones. The 
 excellence and delicacy of its flesh causes it to be much sought 
 after. The usual method of catching these animals is by low- 
 ering a net to the bottom of the water, baited with a piece of 
 meat. The cray-fish soon discover this and come in numbers 
 to the bait, when the net is suddenly hauled up, and most of 
 the cray-fish secured. Some, however, escape by darting off 
 backwards, a movement produced by the violent bending of 
 their tails. It is a favourite amusment with boys to search 
 for them in their holes, and drag them from their conceal- 
 ment.
 
 .NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 ASTACUS. 
 
 Gammarus, the Lobster. 
 
 The common LOBSTER is found in great abundance on our 
 coasts, usually in the clear rocky waters. The fishermen 
 take great numbers of lobsters in baskets made on the same 
 principle as those used for the capture of the crab. The 
 powerful tail of the lobsters enables them to spring through 
 a great distance if alarmed, and they have been seen to pass 
 nearly thirty feet. They direct their course with wonderful 
 accuracy, and can throw themselves through apertures hardly 
 larger than the size of their bodies : of course they spring tail 
 foremost. 
 
 The grasp of the lobster's claw is so tight that to break 
 off the claws is often the only method of disengaging its 
 hold. 
 
 Although enormous quantities are destroyed every year they 
 are so prolific that the supply never fails. 
 
 The so-called lady's-fingers of the Lobster are its breathing 
 apparatus.
 
 478 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family VI. Crangonidse. (Gr. Kpayywf, a Shrimp.) 
 
 CRANGOX. 
 
 Family VIII. Palsemonidse. (Gr. HaXaipuv, a proper name.) 
 
 PAL.EMOX. 
 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Shrimp. 
 
 Serratus (Lat. toothed, jagged), the Prawn. 
 
 These two animals are so familiar to every one as to need 
 but little description. Both are taken in nets swept along the 
 sandy bottom of the sea. The chief distinction in the appear- 
 ance of these two creatures is the serrated or toothed ridge 
 which runs along the back of the head or rather carapace. 
 When in their natural state, they are of a brown colour, and 
 only assume the pinkish hue when boiled. Spirits of wine has 
 the same effect. 
 
 The Fresh- Water Shrimp (Gammarus Pulex), and the 
 Water-Flea (Daphnia Pulex), both so common in our rivers 
 and ponds, are placed among the Crustacese.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 479 
 
 Class VIII. ARACHNTOA. (Gr. 'Apdxvtjf, a Spider.) 
 Order. . . . PULMONARIA.* (Lat. Pulmo, the Lungs.) 
 Family . . . Araneidse. Lat. Aranea, a Spider.) 
 
 MYGALK. (Gr. MvyaAj?, the Shrew-mouse.) 
 
 Avicularia (Lat. Aviculus, a little Bird), the Bird Spider. 
 
 The Class ARACHNIDA, or the Spiders, are by many supposed 
 to be insects. Such, however, is not the case. The Arachnida 
 possess eight legs, while the true Insects only have six ; they 
 undergo no transformations, they possess no wings or antennae 
 (the place of the latter organs being supplied either by two 
 jointed claws, as in the Scorpions, or by two fangs, as in the 
 Spiders) ; and their eyes are simple instead of compound. 
 
 Could people divest themselves of the horror felt at the sight 
 of these creatures, especially of the larger sort, they would be 
 well repaid by the interesting instinct displayed by all the 
 Spiders, who do not differ from each other more in form than in 
 
 * So called, because the animals belonging to this class breathe by means of air- 
 sacs, called by Latreille, Pneumobranchise, or lung-gills. The Trachearia, on the 
 contrary, breathe by means of trachese, or air-tubes branching through the whole 
 system, like the insects.
 
 480 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 habits. Those of our own country afford an ample field, which 
 has been as yet but imperfectly trodden. There are the Gossa- 
 mer Spiders, who float high into the air, borne upon an almost 
 invisible thread ; the Water Spiders, who form an air-tight 
 dwelling under the wave ; the Hunting Spiders, that creep 
 stealthily upon their prey, and then spring on it like lightning ; 
 the beautiful Garden Spiders, who weave from their self-af- 
 forded stores their geometrical nets ; the Pirate Spiders, who 
 skim over the surface of the waters, and snatch up the drown- 
 ing and helpless fly ; together with many others, whose form 
 and habits must be familiar to any observer of Nature. 
 
 On account of the limited space that can be given to each 
 Class, a short account of some of the principal species of this 
 class is all that can be given. 
 
 The enormous Spider represented above is a native of 
 Surinam, arid was brought into notice by that indefatigable 
 naturalist, Madame Merian. Her account of it is very short. 
 She relates that it carries about with it a habitation, re- 
 sembling the cocoon of some of the moths, and that it is 
 armed with sharp fangs and inflicts dangerous w r ounds, at 
 the same time injecting into the wound a poisonous liquid. 
 She also tells us that it feeds principally upon ants, but that 
 in their absence it drags little birds out of their nests, arid 
 then, as she pathetically observes, " sucks all the blood out of 
 their poor little bodies."* Here, however, it is generally sup- 
 posed that Madame Merian has been imposed upon, as is 
 evidently the case in another portion of her work, where she 
 has drawn a curious insect, compounded of the head of a 
 lantern-fly, and the body of a cicada, She seems to have 
 had her doubts on the subject, for she says, " The Indians told 
 me."t 
 
 The common Garden, or Geometrical Spider, as it is called 
 from the mathematical regularity of its net, is an excellent 
 example of the Spiders. The net is formed from a gummy 
 substance secreted in an apparatus called the spinneret, 
 through the holes of which the gummy secretion is drawn 
 and becomes hard when exposed to the air. Each thread 
 
 * " Formicarum defectu, ipsas e nidis tollunt aviculas, onmemque corpusculis 
 cruorem exsugunt." Merian. Met. Insect. Sur. p. 18. 
 t " Persuasum milii ab Indis est " Id. p. 49.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 481 
 
 is composed of many thousand lines. "When the web is com- 
 pleted, the Spider generally hides itself under a leaf or other 
 convenient lurking-place, and from thence pounces upon any 
 unwary fly that has entangled itself in the slender meshes. 
 Should the fly he a large one, the Spider rapidly encircles it 
 with fresh threads until it has bound its wings and legs to the 
 body, and then breaking off" the few threads that held it to the 
 net, bears it off triumphantly to its hiding-place. Frequently 
 the Geometrical Spider sits in the centre of the web, appar- 
 ently enjoying the air, and if disturbed shakes the net so vio- 
 lently that its shape is completely obscured by the rapidity of 
 the vibrations. 
 
 The House Spider makes a thicker and irregular web, and 
 hides itself at the bottom of a silken tunnel communicating 
 with the web.* 
 
 Several endeavours have been made to procure silk from 
 spiders, but although sufficient has been obtained to weave 
 gloves from, yet spiders are so pugnacious that they cannot be 
 kept together. The eggs of the Spiders are enclosed in a silken 
 bag, and when hatched, the young keep closely together, and 
 when dispersed by an alarm, soon reassemble. 
 
 The Tarantula, whose bite was fabled to procure convulsions 
 which could only be appeased by music, is a spider of consider- 
 able size, inhabiting the south of Europe. It lives in holes 
 about four inches deep in the ground. 
 
 THE SCORPION. 
 
 These formidable creatures inhabit most of the hotter parts 
 of the globe. They are quite as pugnacious as the spiders, and 
 if several are placed in one box, they will fight until few sur- 
 vive, who immediately devour their fallen foes. 
 
 The maxillae of the SCORPION are developed into large claws, 
 like those of the lobster. With these, the Scorpion seizes its 
 prey, and while holding it pierces it with its sting, which is 
 situated at the extremity of its tail. The tail is composed of 
 six joints, rendering it very flexible. 
 
 * An acquaintance of mine had so far tamed a huge house spider, that it would 
 come and take a fly out of his hand. He states, that as it sat at the bottom of its den, 
 its eyes gleamed like diamonds. 
 
 X
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Scorpionidae. (Lai. Scorpio, a Scorpion.) 
 SCORPIO. 
 
 N f~ 
 
 Europaeus (Lai European), the Scorpion. 
 
 The sting of this creature is exceedingly painful, and with 
 some persons dangerous ; indeed, the sting of the large black 
 Scorpion of Ceylon is said to cause death. 
 
 Order, TRACHEARIA. (From Trachea, a word used to represent 
 tubes through which insects and other animals breathe ; 
 the windpipe.) 
 
 Family, Acaridse. (Gr. * A/cap*, a Mite.) 
 
 These creatures are mostly minute, requiring the aid of a 
 microscope fully to develop their form ; but some are considera- 
 bly larger, and their organs can be distinguished with the naked 
 eye. In this order are included the common cheese mite, the 
 harvest-bug, the water mites, &c.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 483 
 
 Class IX. . . INSECTA. (Lat. Insccare, to cut into.) 
 
 Sub-class I. INSECTA MANDIBULATA. (Lat. mandare, to chew.) 
 
 Order I. : . COLEOPTRA.(Gr. KoAto'f, a sheath; Trreptw, a 
 
 wing.) 
 Family I. . . Cicindelidae. (Lat. a Glowworm.) 
 
 Campestris (Lat of the fields), the Tiger-beetle. 
 
 The body of an insect is divided or cut into three parts, 
 called the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The body is 
 defended by a horny integument, divided into rings and con- 
 nected by a softer membrane. The legs are six in number. 
 Many insects possess wings, and in all the rudiments of those 
 organs are perceptible. The eyes are compound, that is, a 
 number of eyes are massed together at each side of the head ; 
 and so numerous are they, that in the compound eyes of the 
 ant are 50 lenses, in the house-fly, 8,000, in the butterfly, 
 17,000, and in the hawk-moth, 20,000. 
 
 The insects pass through three transformations before they 
 attain their perfect form. The first state is called the larva,* 
 because .the future insect is masked under that form ; the 
 second is called the puparf on account of the shape often as- 
 sumed ; and the third is called the imago^ as being the image 
 of the perfect creature. Insects breathe by means of air-tubes, 
 called tracheae, which penetrate to every part of the body, 
 even to the extremities of the limbs, antennse and wings. 
 The air gains access to the tubes by means of small apertures 
 
 * From Lat. Larva, a mask. t From Lat. Pupa, a doll. 
 
 } From Lat. Imago, an image or effigy.
 
 484 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 called spiracles. The tubes are prevented from collapsing by a 
 delicate thread wound spirally between the two membranes 
 of which the tubes are composed. This wonderful and beau- 
 tiful arrangement not only prevents the tubes from collapsing, 
 but keeps them flexible. There are, according to Stephens, 
 whose arrangement is the one usually followed, fourteen orders 
 of insects. Examples will be given of each, and their names 
 explained. The most perfect insects are placed first. 
 
 There are two great divisions of insects, namely, those which 
 bite and eat solid food with jaws, as the beetles, locusts, bees, 
 &c., and those which suck liquid food through a proboscis, as 
 the butterflies, flies, &c. The first order of insects derives its 
 name from the sheath or covering with which the wings are 
 defended.* This is a very extensive order, as, exclusive of 
 exotic and other foreign beetles, there have been discovered 
 no less than three thousand ; five hundred inhabit England 
 The first in order of the British insects, are the TIGER-BEE- 
 TLES, so called from their activity and voracity. The most 
 common of these is the ordinary Green Tiger-beetle, that 
 may be seen any hot summer's day, glancing in the sun on 
 gandy banks. The exceeding beauty of this insect is beyond 
 all description. The upper surface of the body is a deep, dead 
 green, changing under the microscope to a glossy gold, shot 
 with red and green, the surface of the abdomen covered by 
 the wings, and the entire under-surface of the body, brilliant 
 emerald green, and when the insect is on the wing it sparkles 
 in the sun like a flying gem. Nor is this the last of its at- 
 tractions, for when handled it gives forth a scent closely re- 
 sembling that of the verbena. It is indeed as beautiful among 
 insects as the tiger is among beasts, and is, perhaps, the more 
 ferocious of the two. It runs and flies with great activity, and 
 takes to the wing as easily as a bee or fly, and is an conse- 
 quence rather difficult to capture without a net. Its jaws are 
 long, sharp, curved like a sickle, and armed with several teeth. 
 Its eyes are large and prominent, enabling it to see on all bides. 
 Its length is rather more than half an inch. 
 
 * This, as well as the general covering of insects, is composed principally of a 
 substance called by chemists, chit me,
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 Family, Carabidae. (Gr. Kapc^of a Beetle.) 
 
 CAB A BUS. 
 
 Cancellatus (Lat. chequered), the Ground-beetle. 
 
 The GROUND-BEETLE is one of our largest and most beautiful 
 beetles. Its general colour is a coppery green, and its wing- 
 cases are ornamented with several rows of oblong raised spots- 
 Its length is about an inch. 
 
 Family, Silphidae. (Gr. 1,'ityri, a Bury ing-beetle.) 
 NECROPHAGUS. (Gr. Ne/cpof, a dead body ; Qayelv, to eat) 
 
 Vespillo (Lat. a bearer of the dead,) the Burying-beetle. 
 
 This curious beetle derives its name from its habit of bury- 
 ing any small dead animal left on the surface of the ground. 
 With such rapidity does it work, that two beetles have been 
 known to cover up a sparrow within a few hours ; and so un-
 
 486 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 wearied are they, that if several Burying-beetles are placed in 
 a vessel filled with earth, and kept constantly supplied with 
 dead frogs, mice, &c., they will continue to bury them as long 
 as the supply is kept up. The object of this remarkable in- 
 stinct, so beneficial in its effects, is to furnish food for the young 
 who are hatched from eggs laid in the body of the animal dur- 
 ing its burial. In this way innumerable carcasses which would 
 pollute the atmosphere are removed, and made beneficial to 
 the soil. 
 
 Family, Lucanidse. (Lat. Lucanus, the Stag-beetle.) 
 
 LUNCANUS. 
 Family, Geotrupidse. (Gr. 1^, the Earth; rpvirdo, to bore.) 
 
 GEOTRUPE8. 
 
 Family, Melolonthidae. (Gr. HbjfoMitiii, a Cockchaffer.) 
 
 MELOLONTHA. 
 
 Cervus (Lat a Stag), the Staff-beetle. 
 Stercorarius (Lat. Dung), the Dor-beetle. 
 Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Cockchafer. 
 
 The LAMELLICORN BEETLES are exceeedingly useful to man- 
 kind. Many of them act as scavengers and farmers, for they
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 487 
 
 not only remove putrefying substances from the surface of the 
 ground, but bury them beneath. 
 
 The STAG-BEETLE is the largest of British insects. Although 
 so formidably armed, it is quite harmless, and only uses its enor- 
 mous jaws to break the tender bark of trees, in order that the 
 sap, on which it feeds, may exude. The mouth of this beetle 
 is very small, and is furnished with a brush, with which it licks 
 up the food. Several of these beetles lived for some time on 
 moist sugar. During the winter, it hides in the earth, making 
 for itself a kind of cave, very smooth inside.* This beetle is 
 common in the New Forest. 
 
 The DOR-BEETLE is a very common English insect. At the 
 approach of evening, it may be seen whirling round in the air 
 with a dull humming sound. The country children call it the 
 Watchman, comparing it to a watchman going his rounds in 
 the evening. It usually lays its eggs on a rounded mass of cow- 
 dung, and then buries the whole mass in the ground. When 
 caught, it pretends to be dead.f 
 
 The COCKCHAFFER needs not much description. Its larva 
 works great mischief during the spring, as it feeds on the roots 
 of plants, and cuts them off with its sharp sickle-like jaws. 
 Where many of these " grubs" have been, the grass curls up, 
 and dries like hay. One farmer actually collected eighty bush- 
 els of the grubs of the Cockchaffer on his farm. Fortunately 
 the thrushes, blackbirds, rooks, and many other birds are invete- 
 rate destroyers of the grubs, and devour myriads of them. It 
 is for this purpose that these birds pull up the grass, and not to 
 spoil or devour the herbage, as is generally supposed. 
 
 The huge Hercules and Atlas Beetles, and larger still, the 
 Goliath Beetle, belong to the Lamellicorns. 
 
 * In the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, is an excellent specimen of the winter hab- 
 itation of this beetle, with Ihe beetle itself enclosed. 
 
 t The Dor-beetle is very tenacious of life. I have now in my cabinet a specimen 
 of this insect, which 1 took on the wing. It had lost several legs, one wing-cover or 
 elytron, the whole of the contents of the abdomen, and part of the thorax. I suppose 
 that a bird must have been eating it, and have been disturbed, for when thrushes, 
 blackbirds, jackdaws, <fec. eat large beetles, they begin by picking off the wings, limbs, 
 <fcc. I also took, in May 1852, a cockchaffer walking along very unconcernedly, who 
 had lost both his wings and elytra, and all the contents of the abdomen.
 
 438 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, LampyrTdse. (Gr. AU/OTU, to shine ; ovpd, a tail.) 
 LAMPYRIS. 
 
 Noctiluca (Lat. night-shining), the Glowworm. 
 
 The GLOWWORM may be seen in the warm summer even- 
 ings, shedding its pale green light on grassy banks. The female 
 insect gives out a much stronger light than the male, and 
 there is some light visible even in the larva. The light of this 
 insect proceeds from the abdomen. The light given out by 
 the firefly, another kind of beetle inhabiting South America, 
 proceeds from three yellow tubercles placed on the throat. 
 The grub or larva of the Glowworm is of a singular form, and 
 is furnished with a brush at the extremity of the tail, with 
 which it cleanses its body from dust or the slime of the snails 
 on which it frequently feeds. 
 
 THE DEATH-WATCH. 
 
 The formerly terrible DEATH-WATCH, is now generally 
 known to be merely a small beetle. Indeed it is nothing 
 more than the creature that perforates the round holes in old 
 " worm-eaten" furniture and wood-work. The " ticking" 
 is produced by striking the head against the wood. If there 
 is a Death-Watch in the room, it is easy to incite it to begin 
 to tick, by striking with the head of a pin on the panelling. 
 There are several insects that produce this sound, the Anobium 
 striatum, tesselatum, and pertinax. The last named is so
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Ptinidse. 
 ANOBIUM. 
 
 Tesselatum (Lat tesseiated), the Death- Watch. 
 
 called from the pertinacity with which it simulates death if 
 alarmed, preferring to suffer the severest treatment rather than 
 give signs of life. 
 
 Family, Cerambycida 
 
 , the Musk-beetle.) 
 
 CEUAMBYX. 
 
 Moschatus (Lat. musky), the Musk-beetle. 
 
 The beautiful Beetles of which the common MUSK-BEETLE 
 is an excellent example vary considerably in size ; some 
 being several inches in length, while some are hardly one-
 
 490 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 quarter of an inch long. The extreme length of their antennae 
 is the most conspicious property, and from that peculiarity they 
 are at once recognized.* 
 
 The Musk-beetle is a large insect, common in most parts of 
 England. It is extremely common at Oxford, and is found in 
 old willow-trees, with which Oxford is surrounded. Its pecu- 
 liar scent, something resembling that of roses, often betrays its 
 presence, when its green colour would have kept it concealed. 
 When touched, it emits a curious sound, not unlike that of a bat, 
 but more resembling the faint scratching of a perpendicularly- 
 held slate pencil. Its larva bores deep holes in the trees, which 
 are often quite honeycombed by them. 
 
 THE ROVE BEETLE. 
 
 The ROVE-BEETLES form an exceedingly extensive section. 
 Some are so small as to require the assistance of the microscope 
 to discover their shape, and others, as those represented on the 
 next page, are more than an inch in length. The small species 
 are usually on the wing, and it is very amusing to see them 
 alight, and with their flexible tails tuck their long and beauti- 
 fully shaped wings under the elytra, run about for a moment, 
 and then again take to flight. These are the creatures that 
 cause so much annoyance by flying into one's mouth or eye in 
 the warm months. 
 
 The GREAT ROVE-BEETLE is commonly found upon decaying 
 animal substances. It is most formidably armed with two large, 
 curved, sharp mandibles, the bite of which is tolerably severe ; 
 and more than once, when the creature has been recently feed- 
 ing upon putrid substances, dangerous results have followed. 
 
 I much regret that want of space has withheld me from 
 giving accounts of many most interesting beetles, particularly 
 some of the Carabidae, the Silphida?, Ptinidee, and the Water- 
 
 * A small moth, Adela de Geerella, possesses the same peculiarity. The length of 
 the moth is about a quarter of an inch, and the length of the antenna? more than an 
 inch and a half. The antennae wave about with every breath of air, as if the insect 
 had become entangled in a spider's web, and escaped with some of the loose threads 
 floating about it.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Staphylimdse. (Gr. Sra^An/of, the Rove-beetle.) 
 CHEOPHILUS. (Gr. Kpeus, flesh ; <j>ifaiv, to love.) 
 
 Maxillosus (LaL large-jawed), the Rove-beetle. 
 
 beetles. These last inhabit the water, and swim with re- 
 markable activity. They occasionally come to the surface for 
 a fresh supply of air, which they carry down between the ely- 
 tra and the upper surface of the abdomen. They fly very 
 well, but the construction of their limbs prevents them from 
 walking. They cannot be kept in a limited space, as they 
 are very fierce and voracious, and in one case when a male 
 and female were placed in a jar filled with water, only one 
 day elapsed before the male was found dead and half devoured 
 by his disconsolate widow. 
 
 The EARWIG is placed in an order by itself, called Der- 
 maptera from the soft elytra. The wings are large and ex- 
 ceedingly beautiful, and the method of folding by which they 
 are packed under the very small elytra is very curious. The 
 use of the forceps seems principally for the purpose of folding 
 the wings and placing them in their proper position under 
 the elytra. Ten species of earwigs inhabit England. The 
 eggs of the earwigs are hatched, and the young protected by 
 the parent.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order IIL ORTHOPTERA.(Gr. 'Op0o f , straight; irrepov, a wiug.) 
 Family . . . Locustidse. (Lat. Locusta, a Locust.) 
 
 Tartarica (Lat. of Tartary), the Locust. 
 
 These pests of the warmer countries of the earth belong to 
 the order called Orthoptera, because the wings are not folded 
 transversely. 
 
 They fly in countless myriads, and where they descend, 
 they devour every particle of green herbage the trees are strip- 
 ped of their leaves, the grass and corn is eaten to the very 
 ground ; for their jaws are so strong as to inflict a severe 
 wound when the insect is incautiously handled. Nor does the 
 mischief end with their life, for their dead bodies often accumu- 
 late in such numbers that the air is even dangerously infected. 
 They infest Africa and central Asia, but they annually make 
 incursions to Europe, where the damage they occasion is much 
 less reparable than in their native lands, for there the power of 
 vegetation is so great that a few days repair the injuries caused 
 by them, but in Europe a whole year is required for that pur- 
 
 CThe following account of these creatures is extracted 
 i Mr. Cumming's South Africa :
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 493 
 
 " On the following day I had the pleasure of beholding the 
 first flight of locusts that I had seen since my arrival in the 
 colony. We were standing in the middle of a plain of unlim- 
 ited length, and ahout five miles across, when I observed them 
 advancing. On they came like a snow-storm, flying slow and 
 steady, about a hundred yards from the ground. I stood look- 
 ing at them until the air was darkened with their masses, 
 while the plain on which we stood became densely covered with 
 them. Far as my eye could reach, east, west, north, and south, 
 they stretched in one unbroken cloud ; and more than an hour 
 elapsed before their devastating legions had swept by. . . . 
 
 " Locusts afford fattening and wholesome food to man, birds, 
 and all sorts of beasts ; cows and horses, lions, jackals, hyaenas, 
 antelopes, elephants, &c. devour them. We met a party of 
 Batlapis carrying heavy burdens of them on their backs. Our 
 hungry dogs made a fine feast on them. The cold frosty night 
 had rendered them unable to take wing until the sun should 
 restore their powers. As it was difficult to obtain sufficient 
 food for my dogs, I and Isaac took a large blanket, which we 
 spread under a bush, whose branches were bent to the ground 
 with the mass of locusts which covered it, and having shaken 
 the branches, in an instant I had more locusts than I could 
 carry on my back ; these we roasted for ourselves and our 
 dogs." 
 
 Our common grasshoppers belong to this order, but require 
 no description. 
 
 The Cockroach (Blatta orientalis), erroneously called by 
 housewives, the " Black-beetle" (it not being a beetle at all, and 
 its colour being a reddish brown), belongs to the family Blattidae. 
 It was originally brought from abroad, and has completely 
 domesticated itself, just as the brown rat has done, so that few 
 houses are free from it. 
 
 THE MOLE-CRICKET. 
 
 The curious insect called the MOLE-CRICKET is not un- 
 common in England. It inhabits sandy banks, digging deep 
 holes, and forming chambers, in which the eggs are laid.
 
 494 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Achetidse. (Gr. 'A^eraf, a Chirper, i.e. the Grasshopper.) 
 GBYLLOTALPA. (Lat. Gryllus, a Cricket ; talpa, a Mole.) 
 
 Vxilgaris (Lat. common), the Mole-Cricket. 
 
 The fore legs closely resemble those of the mole, and are used 
 for the same purpose. From its not unmusical cry it is called 
 in some parts of England the Churr-worm, and near Oxford the 
 rustics call it " Croaker." 
 
 PHYLLIA.* (Gr. QvUov., a Leaf.) 
 
 Foliata (Lat. like a leaf), the Leaf Insect. 
 
 The LEAF INSECT is an inhabitant of South America. Not 
 only does it resemble a leaf in shape, but even in colour, and 
 
 * I have preferred to place these two insects in close proximity, as they both af- 
 ford a curious instance of resemblance to another part of creation.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 495 
 
 its legs may be easily mistaken for dry twigs. Even the rami- 
 fied veinings of the leaf are preserved on its wings. It is singu- 
 lar that while some insects closely resemble vegetables, some 
 vegetables, as the Orchidaceae, should as closely resemble insects. 
 Nearly connected with this insect, is the Praying Mantis, so 
 called from the curious manner in which it holds its fore legs. 
 It is very voracious and exceedingly quarrelsome, fighting with 
 the fore legs, which it uses like a sword. In China, the inhab- 
 itants keep them in cages, and set them to fight as in other 
 countries certain barbarians keep cocks for the same purpose. 
 
 Order IV. NEUROPTERA.-^Gr. Nevpov, a nerve ; nrtpov, a wing.) 
 Family . . . Libellulidae. (Lat. Libellulo,' & Dragon-fly.) 
 
 LIBELLULA. 
 
 Depressa (Lat. flattened), the Dragon-fly. 
 
 Well do the DRAGON-FLIES deserve their name. Fierce, 
 voracious, active, and powerful, they are a scourge to the in- 
 sects. Few but the Coleoptera can escape them. They are on 
 the wing nearly the whole day, seizing and devouring flies, spi- 
 ders, and various insects ; nor can even the broad-winged but- 
 terfly escape them : so voracious are they, that when held in
 
 496 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 the hand they will devour flies, &c., if held within their reach, 
 and they have even been known, when their bodies have been 
 severed in two, to eat flies, although they had no stomach to 
 put them in.* A very great variety of these beautiful insects 
 inhabit England. Some, the Agrionidae, whose head resembles 
 that of the hammer-headed shark, are of every vivid colour im- 
 aginable, floating in the air like beams of azure, emerald, and 
 rosy light, while others have their wings marked with large in- 
 digo-coloured spots. The larva of the Dragon-fly inhabits the 
 water, and is quite as voracious as in its perfect state. Affixed 
 to its head, a curious set of organs, called the mask, which it 
 can extend, seize its prey, and hold it to its mouth. 
 
 Family, Myrmeleonidae. (Gr. Mvp/nn^, an Ant; "kiuv, a Lion.) 
 
 MYRMELEON.f 
 
 Formicarum (Lat of ants), the Ant-lion. 
 
 This insect in its perfect form, although very elegant, 
 exhibits no peculiarity, but in its larva state its habits are so 
 extraordinary as to have excited general attention As it is 
 slow and awkward in its movements, it has recourse to 
 stratagem for capturing the agile insects on which it feeds. 
 Choosing a light sandy soil, it digs for itself a conical pit, at 
 the bottom of which it conceals itself, leaving only its jaws 
 
 * I once caught a dragon-fly in my net, and while holding it by the wings I pre- 
 sented to it no less than thirty-seven large flies in rapid succession, all of which it- 
 devoured, together with four long-legged spiders. It would probably have eaten as 
 many more had 1 not been tired of catching flies for it. 
 
 t The winged Ant-Lion is reduced one-half in size.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 497 
 
 exposed. When an unwary insect approaches too near the 
 edge of the pit, the sand gives way, and down rolls the insect 
 into the very teeth of the concealed ANT-LION, who instantly 
 pierces its prey with its calliper-shaped fangs, and sucks out 
 its juices through the jaws, which are hollow. Should, how- 
 ever, the Ant-lion miss its prey, and the insect endeavour 
 to escape, its captor instantly makes such a turmoil by 
 tossing up the sand with its closed jaws, and covering each 
 side of the pit with the moving grains, that the insect is 
 tolerably certain to be brought down to the bottom, and is 
 seized by the Ant-lion, who immediately drags it below the 
 sand. When the insect is very strong and struggles hard to 
 escape, the Ant-lion shakes it about as a dog does a rat, and 
 beats it against the ground until it is disabled. 
 
 The TERMITES, or WHITE ANTS as they are very erroneously 
 called, belong to this order. These insects live in large soci- 
 eties, and build edifices, sometimes of enormous size, and al- 
 most as hard as stone. Twelve feet in height is quite common, 
 so that were we to compare our works with theirs, St. Peter's 
 in Rome, and St. Paul's in London, fall infinitely short of the 
 edifices constructed by these little creatures. The common 
 Termes bellicosus, or warlike Termite, inhabits Africa. Not 
 only does it build these houses, but runs galleries underground, 
 as, curiously enough, although blind, it always works either at 
 night or in darkness. In each house or community, there are 
 five different kinds of Termites : 1. the single male, or king, 
 whose life is very short ; 2. the single female or queen : these 
 are the perfect insects, and have had wings, but have lost them 
 soon after their admission into their cell ; they also have eyes ; 
 3. the soldiers or fighting men : these possess large jaws, do no 
 work, but repel adversaries and watch as sentinels ; 4. the 
 pupae, who resemble the workers, except that they possess the 
 rudiments of wings ; and 5. the larvae, or workers. These do 
 all the work, i. e. they collect food, attend to the queen, and 
 watch over the eggs and young, and build and repair their cas- 
 tle. These are more numerous than all the other kinds. 
 
 On the approach of the rainy season, the pupae obtain wings 
 and issue forth in swarms. Few, however, survive. Myriads 
 are devoured by birds, reptiles, and even by man ; and many 
 are carried out to sea, and perish there. Those that do escape
 
 498 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 are speedily found by the labourers, who enclose a pair in a clay 
 cell from which they never emerge. The male soon dies, 
 but the female, after rapidly increasing to nearly three inches 
 in length and one in breadth, continues to lay eggs unceas- 
 ingly for a very long time. This cell becomes the nucleus 
 of the hive, and round it all the other cells and galleries are 
 built. 
 
 These insects are terribly destructive, as they eat through 
 wooden beams, furniture, &c., leaving only a thin shell, which 
 is broken down with the least extra weight, and many are 
 the occasions when an unsuspecting individual, on seating 
 himself on an apparently sound sofa or chair, finds himself, 
 like Belzoni in the Pyramid, reposing among a heap of dust 
 and splinters. 
 
 Mr. Gumming describes the habitations of the White Ant in 
 these terms : 
 
 " Throughout the greater part of the plains frequented by 
 blesboks, numbers of the sunbaked hills or mounds of clay 
 formed by the white ants occur. The average height of the 
 ant-hills in these districts is from two to three feet. They 
 are generally distant from another from one to three hundred 
 yards, being more or less thickly placed in different parts. 
 These ant-hills are of the greatest service to the hunter, en- 
 abling him with facility to conceal himself on the otherwise 
 open plain." 
 
 THE CADDIS-FLY. 
 
 This fly is well known to every angler both in its larva 
 and in its perfect state. The larva is a soft white worm, 
 of which fishes are exceedingly fond, and it therefore requires 
 some means of defence. It accordingly actually makes for 
 itself a movable house of sand, small stones, straws, bits of 
 shells, or even small living shells, in which it lives in perfect 
 security, and crawls about in search of food, dragging its 
 house after it. "When it is about to become a pupa, it spins 
 a strong silk grating over the entrance of its case, so that 
 the water necessary for its respiration can pass through, but
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order V. TRICHOPTERA.(G*. e/wf, hair ; irrtpov, a wing.) 
 Family. . Phrygamdae. (Gr. Qovyavov, a dry stick : alluding to their 
 habitations.) 
 
 PHRYGANEA. 
 
 Grandis (Lat. large), the Caddis-fly.* 
 
 at the same time all enemies are kept out. When the time 
 for its change has arrived, the pupa bites through the grating, 
 rises to the surface, and crawls out of the reach of the water, 
 which would soon be fatal to it. The skin then splits down 
 the back, and the perfect insect emerges. 
 
 The order is called Trichoptera, because the wings, instead 
 of being covered with scales as are those of butterflies, are 
 clothed with hairs. There are many species of Caddis-flies. 
 
 THE ICHNEUMON FLY. 
 
 WE have now reached a most important and interesting 
 order. In it are contained the bees, wasps, ants, &c. This 
 is the only order where the insects possess stings. The wings 
 are four in number, with certain veinings upon them, the shape 
 and number of which in many cases distinguishes the species. 
 
 * In this cut the cases of the Caddis-worm are of the natural size, but the insect 
 in the centre is reduced one half.
 
 500 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Order VI. HYMENOPTERA.(Gr. T^w, a Membrane; irrepov, 
 
 wing.) 
 
 Family . . . Ichneumonidse. (Gr. 'Ixvevfiuv, a Hunter.) 
 PIMPLA. (Gr. IlipirlTini, to fill.) 
 
 Manifestator (Lat. a pointer out, the Ichneumon-fly. 
 
 The ICHNEUMONS form a very large section. They are 
 most useful to mankind, as one ichneumon will destroy more 
 caterpillars than 'a man could kill in his lifetime. They do 
 not, as most other insects, deposit their eggs upon vegetable 
 or dead animal substances, but they actually bore holes in 
 other insects while they are still in the larva state, and 
 leave the eggs to hatch in their living receptacle. The most 
 common ichneumon is a very small insect, not so large as 
 an ordinary gnat. This little creature may be seen searching 
 for caterpillars. It generally selects the common cabbage 
 caterpillar, and sitting upon it, pierces with its sting, or 
 ovipositor as it is called, the skin of the caterpillar, and 
 deposits an egg. After repeating this operation many times 
 it flies off, and the caterpillar proceeds as before in the great 
 business of its life, that is, eating, and continues in apparently 
 perfect health until the time for its change into the chrysalis 
 state occurs. The good condition of it, however, is merely 
 deception, for the offspring of the little ichneumon have all 
 this while been silently increasing in size, and feeding on the 
 fat, &c. of the caterpillar, but cautiously avoiding any vital 
 part, so that the plump appearance of the caterpillar is merely
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 501 
 
 produced by the young ichneumons lying snugly under the skin. 
 Just as the caterpillar commences its change out come all the 
 ichneumons, looking like little white maggots, and immediately 
 each spins for itself a yellow oval case, frequently enveloping 
 the form of the now emaciated caterpillar. In a few days a 
 little hd on the top of each case is pushed open, and the perfect 
 flies issue forth, and immediately commence their own work of 
 destruction.* 
 
 Family, Formicidoe. (Lat. Formica, an Ant.) 
 FORMICA. 
 
 Rufa (Lat. red), the Wood Ant. 
 
 The remaining Hymenoptera are furnished with true stings, 
 that is, with stings to which is attached a poison apparatus, 
 like that belonging to the teeth of venomous snakes. 
 
 The WOOD ANT is the largest of our British species. It is 
 found principally in woods, and builds a large nest, which looks 
 like a hillock of sand and earth, intermixed with bits of stick, 
 leaves, &c. The interior of this hill is chambered out into a va- 
 riety of apartments, and is traversed by passages. The so-called 
 ants' eggs are not eggs at all, but the pupa cases of the insect, 
 and if opened, the perfect insect is seen curled up inside. In 
 the autumn, the ants burst forth by thousands, and may be seen 
 hovering in clouds above the nest. Their beautiful wings do 
 
 * I examined numbers of caterpillars in the course of dissection, and seldom found 
 (hem free from ichneumons I took out of one small goat caterpillar 137 of these in- 
 sidious destroyers. I found them useful auxiliaries in dissection, as they had usual- 
 ly consumed all the fat. leaving the important organs ready cleared.
 
 502 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 not last long, for when a female ant escapes, and founds an in- 
 fant colony, her wings are soon lost. Few do escape, as the birds 
 find these living clouds a most agreeable and plentiful repast. 
 
 Ants do not, as has been so frequently said, lay up stores of 
 corn for the whiter, for they are in a state of torpidity, during 
 the cold months, and require no food. Moreover, an ant would 
 find as much difficulty in eating or digesting a grain of corn as 
 we should in devouring a truss of straw. 
 
 In each nest are three kinds of ants, males, females, and 
 neuters, or workers. 
 
 Family, Vespidse. (Lat. Vespa, a "Wasp.) 
 VESPA. 
 
 Crabro (Lat. a Hornet), the Hornet. 
 Vulgaris (Lat common), the Wasp. 
 
 Let us honour the Wasps as the first paper-makers, for of 
 that material is the nest composed. The paper is rough and 
 coarse, certainly, but it is still paper. The Wasp, in order to 
 make this paper, rasps off fibres of decayed wood, which it 
 afterwards mashes with its teeth into a pulp, and then spreads 
 the pulp in layers, when it hardens and forms coarse paper. 
 
 The dreaded HORNET is usually found in woods, where it
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 503 
 
 builds its nest in the hollows of trees. A deserted hut is a 
 favourite spot, and when occupied by a full nest of hornets, is 
 not particularly safe to enter,* as the sting of this insect is 
 peculiarly severe. It feeds upon other insects, and even attacks 
 and devours the formidable wasp. 
 
 The COMMON WASP builds its nest in the ground, usually 
 in banks. The comb is laid horizontally, and not vertically 
 like those of the bee. As the cells are made of paper, they 
 will not hold honey, nor does the wasp endeavour to collect 
 honey, although it is very fond of it, and never loses an op- 
 portunity of robbing a bee-hive, although its natural food is 
 flies or other animal substances. Nor does it despise sugar, 
 as every grocer's window testifies. Very few wasps survive 
 the winter, and those who do, immediately set about forming 
 a new nest. Only a few cells are made at first, but the number 
 rapidly increases, until the nest is furnished with about sixteen 
 thousand cells. 
 
 Some wasps build nests upon the branches of trees, and others 
 suspend them from the branches. 
 
 THE BEE. 
 
 This useful little creature is so well known that a lengthened 
 description of it would be useless. A merely general sketch 
 will be quite sufficient. 
 
 The cells of the bee are, as is well known, made of wax. 
 This wax is secreted in the form of scales under six little flaps 
 situated on the under side of the insect. It is then pulled out 
 by the bee, and moulded with other scales until a tenacious 
 piece of wax is formed. The yellow substance on the legs of 
 the bees is the pollen of flowers. This is kneaded up by the 
 bees, and is called bee-bread. 
 
 The cells are six-sided, a form which gives the greatest 
 space and strength with the least amount of material, but the 
 
 * In 1847, while on an entomological excursion in Bagley Wood, I saw five hornets 
 sitting in a row, gnawing a dead branch. I was rather fearful of disturbing them, 
 but at the same time, they were much wanted for a museum. They were all secured 
 by tapping each in succession with a twig, and receiving it in my net as it flew oft 
 Each bit a hole in the net, which had to be repaired before it could be used again 
 with safety.
 
 504 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Apidae. (Lat. Apis, a Bee.) 
 
 Mellif ica (Lat. Mel, honey ; facere, to make), the Honey Bee* 
 
 method employed by the bees to give the cells that shape is 
 not known. The cells in which the drone or male bees are 
 hatched, are much larger than those of the ordinary or worker 
 bee. The edges of the cells are strengthened with a substance 
 called propolis, which is a gummy material procured from 
 the buds of various trees. This propolis is also used to stop 
 up crevices and to mix with wax when the comb has to be 
 strengthened. 
 
 The royal cells are much larger than any others, and are of 
 an oval shape. When a worker larva is placed in a royal 
 cell, and fed in a royal manner, it imbibes the principles of 
 royalty, and becomes a queen accordingly. This practice is 
 adopted if the queen bee should die, and there be no other 
 queen to take her place. 
 
 The Q,ueen Bee is lady paramount in her own hive, and suf- 
 fers no other queen to divide rule with her. Should a strange 
 queen gain admittance, there is a battle at once, which ceases 
 not until one has been destroyed. 
 
 * In the cut, the upper figure is the Queen Bee ; that on the left the Worker ; and 
 that on the right the Drone.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 505 
 
 At the swarming time, the old queen is sadly put out by 
 the encroachments of various young queens, who each wish ibr 
 the throne, and at last is so agitated that she rushes out of 
 the hive, attended by a large body of subjects, and thus the 
 first swarm is formed. In seven or eight days, the queen 
 next in age also departs, taking with her another supply of 
 subjects. When all the swarms have left the original hive, 
 the remaining queens fight until one gains the throne. 
 
 The old method of destroying bees for the sake of the 
 honey was not only cruel but wasteful, as by burning some 
 dry " puff-ball " the bees are stupefied, and shortly return to 
 consciousness. The employment of a " cap" on the hive is 
 an excellent plan, as the bees deposit honey alone in these 
 caps, without any admixture of grubs or bee-bread. Extra 
 hives at the side, with a communication from the original hive, 
 are also useful. 
 
 The queen bee lays about eighteen thousand eggs-. Of 
 these about eight hundred are males or drones, and four or five 
 queens, the remainder being workers. 
 
 THE SWALLOW-TAILED BUTTERFLY. 
 
 We now arrive at the Haustellate Insects, so called, because 
 they suck liquid food through an apparatus resembling the 
 proboscis of an elephant. The first order of haustellate insects 
 is the LEPIDOPTERA, containing the butterflies and moths. 
 The butterflies always fly by day, from which circumstance 
 they are sometimes called Diurnal Lepidoptera. Most of the 
 moths fly by night, and are called Nocturnal Lepidoptera. 
 This is not a rule, however, as many moths fly by day. 
 
 Butterflies are usually lighter in the body than moths, from 
 which insects they are easily distinguished by the shape of 
 the antennae, which in the butterflies are slender, and termi- 
 nate in a small knob, but in the moths terminate in a point, 
 and are often beautifully fringed. 
 
 The name Lepidoptera is given to these insects because 
 their wings are covered with myriads of minute scales, by 
 which the beautiful colouring of the wings is produced. 
 Y
 
 506 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Sub-class II. INSECTA HAUSTELLATA. (Lat. haurire, to suck up.) 
 
 Order I LEPIDOPTERA. (Gr. AfTrtf , a Scale ; ffrtpov.a wing.) 
 
 Family .... Papiliomdse. (Lat. Papilio, a Butterfly.) 
 
 PAPILIO. 
 
 Machaon (Gr. a proper name), the Swallow-tailed Butterfly.* 
 
 These scales vary in size and shape, according to the species, 
 or the part of the wing from which they are taken. Under 
 the microscope they are most exquisite objects, and well repay 
 a long and careful examination. 
 
 The Lepidoptera pass through three distinct changes before 
 assuming their perfect form. They first exist in the larva 
 state, in which state they are called caterpillars. They then 
 pass to the pupa state, when they are known by the name of 
 " aurelias" t or " chrysalides,"! both words being derived 
 from words signifying gold, from the golden lustre of the 
 pupa of certain butterflies. When they have remained in 
 the pupa state during a time, varying from a few days to two 
 years, they burst their shells and issue forth in their full and 
 perfect beauty. This transformation has for many ages been 
 used as an illustration of the resurrection after death. 
 
 The beautiful insect represented above is not very un- 
 
 * This figure is about one-third smaller than the insect. t Lat. Aurwn, gold. 
 J X/)v<roj, gold.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 50T 
 
 common in some parts of England, especially in the fenny 
 parts of Cambridgeshire.* 
 
 It flies with exceeding rapidity, nearly in a straight line, and 
 is very difficult to capture. 
 
 The colour of the wings is black, variegated most beauti- 
 fully with yellow markings, and near the extremity of each 
 hinder wing is a circular red spot, surmounted by a crescent 
 of blue, and the whole surrounded by a black ring. 
 
 VANESSA. <Lat. a proper iiamc.) 
 I 
 
 Adippe (proper name), the Silver-spotted Fritillary. 
 Atalanta (proper name], the Red Admiral. 
 
 The FRITILLARIES are well deserving of notice for the 
 delicacy of their colouring, and the beauty of their markings. 
 The Silver-spotted Fritillary is remarkable for the peculiar ap- 
 pearance presented by the under surface of the wings, which 
 look as if they had been studded with pieces of burnished silver 
 leaf. It is found mostly on thistles in woods, and is very com- 
 
 * I once saw it in the water meadows near Oxford.
 
 508 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 mon in Bagley Wood near Oxford, about the end of June, or 
 during July. 
 
 The RED ADMIRAL is one of the most gorgeous of our 
 butterflies. The colour of the wings is a deep black, relieved 
 by a broad band of scarlet across each, and a series of semicir- 
 cular blue marks edge each wing. It is usually found in woods 
 and lanes, were there are nettles, as the larva feeds upon that 
 plant. It appears about the middle of August. 
 
 Family, Sphingida>. 
 ACHERONTIA. (Gr. 'A^povTiof, belonging to Acheron.) 
 
 Atropos (Gr. proper name ; one of the Fates), the Death's-head Moth. 
 
 This family is called Sphingidse on account of the sphynx- 
 hke attitude that the caterpillars of some species assume. 
 The larva of the Puss-moth (Cerura vinula), is particularly 
 celebrated for this position. It holds the plants on which 
 it feeds with its hinder feet, and raises the fore part of its 
 body, just as the sphynx is represented. When in this 
 position, it seems so remarkably self-satisfied, that the gar-
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 509 
 
 dener of Rosel, a famous naturalist, was quite disconcerted, af- 
 firming that he never saw insects hold their heads so high. 
 
 The DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH is the largest of the British Lepi- 
 doptera, as it not unfrequently measures nearly six inches across 
 the wings. Its rather ominous name is derived from the singu- 
 lar marking in the thorax, which does not require much imga- 
 ination to represent a skull and cross-bones. 
 
 Some naturalists have asserted that this moth makes its way 
 into bee-hives, and robs the inhabitants of their honey, disarm- 
 ing their resentment by a curious squeaking noise which it has 
 the power of producing. 
 
 The uneducated rustics have a great horror of this insect, and 
 consider its appearance as a most disastrous omen. In a small 
 village removed from the influence of railways, on one Sunday 
 morning, as the inhabitants were going through the churchyard, 
 a Death's-head Moth appeared on the path. Every one recoil- 
 ed in dismay, and no one dared approach the dreaded object. 
 Sundry heads were shaken at the evil omen, and various pro- 
 phetic remarks made. At last, the blacksmith summoned up 
 courage, and with a great jump, came down on the unfortunate 
 moth, and happily destroyed it.* The people were in blissful 
 ignorance that as there were several fields near planted with 
 potatoes, on which vegetable the caterpillar generally feeds, 
 there were probably a few hundred of Death's-head Moths in 
 the vicinity. 
 
 In common with many other nocturnal insects, the eyes of 
 the Death's-head Moth shine at night like two stars, which adds 
 considerably to the terror inspired by its appearance. 
 
 * I have this specimen now in my possession ; it is of course mashed quite flat. 
 It is a. very singular fact, that those who. living so much in the open fields, would 
 be supposed to have a correct knowledge ot'natural phenomena, are really profoundly 
 ignorant of facts that pass daily before their eyes. 1 have already mentioned the pop- 
 ular superstitions regarding elts.
 
 510 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 Family, Arctiidse. (Gr. "A/wcrof, a Bear ; iu allusion to the popular 
 name of the larva.) 
 
 AlttTIA, 
 
 Caja (Lat. proper name), the Tiger-moth. 
 
 This common but beautiful moth is found in the beginning 
 of autumn. It runs on the ground with such swiftness as to be 
 often mistaken for a mouse.* The larva is popularly called 
 " the woolly bear." It is rather large, and is surrounded with 
 tufts of long elastic hairs of a reddish brown colour, which serve 
 as a defence against many enemies. When disturbed, it rolls 
 itself round, just as a hedgehog does, and if on a branch, suffers 
 itself to fall to the ground, when the long hairy covering de- 
 fends it from being injured by the fall. When the caterpillar is 
 about to change into a pupa, it spins a kind of hammock, and 
 lies there until it comes forth as a moth. 
 
 * I have more than once seen a fcitten chasing a tiger-moth among the flowers in 
 a garden, evidently deceived by its resemblance to a mouse.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The colour and markings "of this moth vary considerably. 
 The usual tints are, the thorax brown, the body red striped 
 with black. The two anterior wings are cream colour, mark- 
 ed with bold patches of a deep brown : the posterior wings are 
 bright red, spotted with bluish black. 
 
 Family, Geometridse. (Gr. Feo^crpT/f, a Land-measurer.) 
 
 OURAPTERYX. (Gr. Oipd, a Tail ; irrepov, a wing.) 
 
 Family, Alucitidse. 
 
 ALUCITA 
 
 Sambucaria (Lat. Sambucus, the Elder-tree), the Swallow-tailed Moth. 
 Hexadactyla (Gr. "E six; do/crvAof, a finger), the Many-plumed Moth. 
 
 The larvae of the Geometridse move in a very singular 
 manner. When preparing to make a step, they hold firmly 
 by their hinder legs to the substance on which they are 
 moving, and then stretch out their body to the fullest extent, 
 as if measuring their distance. After these preliminaries, 
 they take a firm hold with the fore feet, and draw the hinder
 
 512 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 feet up to them, forming their body into an arch or loop. 
 When at rest, the caterpillars often deceive an observer by 
 their close resemblance to twigs, as they stretch themselves out 
 motionless from the branch. 
 
 The family is very large, and contains many interesting 
 species, but want of space compels me to omit all but the 
 insect represented above, the SWALLOW-TAILED MOTH. The 
 caterpillar ot this moth feeds principally on the elder, willow, 
 and lime, and the moth appears in June and July. It is one 
 of the largest of the British Geometridse, as the spread of the 
 wing considerably exceeds two inches. Its colour is a pale 
 yellow, and the lines across the wings are deep yellow. It 
 derives its name from the shape of the hinder wings. 
 
 The MANY-PLUMED MOTH is found towards the close of 
 autumn, usually running about windows. It is very small, 
 measuring barely half an inch across the wings. The structure 
 of the wings is very curious, each of the two anterior wings 
 being divided into eight beautiful feather-like rays, and each 
 of the posterior into four rays. Nearly allied to this are the 
 common Feather Moths, the most common of which is the 
 White-plumed Moth, whose wings measure nearly an inch 
 across, and are divided into five feathered rays.
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 513 
 
 Order II. DIPTERA.(GTc. A/ f , twice; irrtpov, a wing.) 
 Family, Culicldse. (Lat. Culex, a Gnat.) 
 
 CULEX. 
 
 Family, CEstrfda;. (Gr. Olarpos, the Gad-fly.) 
 
 CESTRUS. 
 
 Pipiens (Lat humming), the Gnat. 
 
 Bovis (Lat. of the Ox), the Gad-fy. 
 
 The insects of this order possess but two wings, the place 
 of the others being supplied by two little organs something 
 like drum-sticks, called "balancers." Without these the in- 
 sect seems to be unable to direct its flight. 
 
 All are familiar with the COMMON GNAT. This pretty tor- 
 mentor passes its larval existence in the water, in which state 
 thousands may be seen in any uncovered water-butt, wriggling 
 about with the most untiring energy, or reposing head down- 
 wards, only leaving the end of the tail at the surface. The 
 reason for this is very curious. This larva breathes through 
 its tail, and is moreover enabled by means of a fringe of hairs 
 to carry air down with it. 
 
 It is a singular circumstance, that although the larva lives 
 in the water, yet were either the eggs or the perfect insect to 
 be submerged, they would be destroyed. The instinct of the 
 Gnat in order to fulfil all three conditions is very beautiful. 
 When the Gnat wishes to deposit its eggs, it rests on a leaf 
 or twig on the surface of the water ; it then takes each egg 
 separately, and fastens them side by side in such a manner 
 that they actually form a little boat, which will neither fill
 
 514 NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 with water nor upset, however the water may be agitated. In 
 a few days the eggs are hatched, when a little lid opens in 
 the under end of each egg, and down tumbles the larva into 
 the water. 
 
 After remaining in the water for some days it assumes the 
 pupa form. In this state it floats at the surface with the 
 back of the thorax uppermost. Soon this splits, and the in- 
 sect emerges, standing on its own cast skin, which forms a 
 raft for it until its wings are fully dry, when it takes to flight, 
 leaving behind it the empty shell floating on the water. This 
 change may be witnessed any warm day in summer. 
 
 The GADFLY has from the most ancient times been known 
 as the terror of the herd. At the sound of its approach the 
 cattle are driven almost mad with terror. The young gad- 
 flies are nourished under the skin, where they remain until 
 they are fit to pass into the pupa state, when they bury 
 themselves in the ground, and after a few days spent under 
 the earth, issue forth in their perfect state. 
 
 Order IV. APHANIPT&RA.(Gr.'A<f>avfc, invisible; trrepov, a wing.) 
 Family . . Pulicidse. (Lat. Pulcx, a Flea.) 
 PULEX. 
 
 Imtans (Lat. irritating), the Flea. 
 
 The strength and agility of this curious but annoying little 
 insect is perfectly wonderful. Many of my readers have doubt- 
 less seen the exhibition of the Industrious Fleas, who drew 
 little carriages, and carried comparatively heavy weights with
 
 NATURAL HISTORY. 5J5 
 
 the greatest ease. The apparatus with which it extracts the 
 blood of its victims is very curious, and forms a beautiful object 
 under a microscope of low power. Its leap is tremendous in 
 proportion to its size. This property it enjoys in common with 
 many other insects, among which the Common Grasshopper, 
 the Frog-hopper, and the Halticas, or Turnip-flies are conspicu- 
 ous. In all these insects the hinder pair of legs are very long 
 and powerful. 
 
 I am here most reluctantly compelled to close this little work. 
 Most willingly would I have entered into a sketch of the re- 
 maining classes. These, however, are so numerous, and their 
 habits are so difFereiit from those of the creatures whom we 
 have already examined, that even a very slight description 
 would consume too much space and time. 
 
 Here, then, I take my leave of the reader, with a sincere 
 hope that the perusal of this little work will not only have 
 proved interesting, but will also have given him some insight 
 into the beautiful order of the animated world.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 ABDOMINALIA, 423. 
 
 Americanus, 129. 
 
 Argus, 315. 
 
 Abietum, 64. 
 
 Ampehdss, 265. 
 
 Argus Pheasant, 315. 
 
 Abramis, 426. 
 
 Ampelina;, 265. 
 
 Argynnis, 507. 
 
 Acanthopterygii, 412. 
 AcaridiB, 482. 
 
 Ampelis, 265. 
 Amphibius, 108. 
 
 Aricia, 465. 
 Ariel, 140. 
 
 Acarus, 482. 
 
 Anas, 362. 
 
 Aries, 144. 
 
 Accentor, 249. 
 Hcd**e 19 
 
 Anatidaj, 362. 
 Anatifera 471. 
 
 Arietans, 392. 
 Armadillo 186. 
 
 Accentorinae, 2iJ. 
 
 Anatinae, 362. 
 
 Arquatus/348. 
 
 Accipiter, 213. 
 
 Anchovy, 439. 
 
 Arvensis, 291. 
 
 Accipitres, 190. 
 
 Angler, 422. 
 
 Arvicola, 108. 
 
 Accipitres Diurni, 190. 
 Accipitres Noeturni, 216. 
 Accipitrinae, 212. 
 
 Anguilla, 443. 
 Anguinus, 410. 
 Anguis, 385. 
 
 Arvicolina, 107. 
 Asinus, 164. 
 Aspersa, 463. 
 
 Acherontia, 508. 
 
 Anobium, 489. 
 
 Ass, 164. 
 
 Achetidse, 494. 
 
 Anseres, 357. 
 
 Astacidae, 476. 
 
 Acipenser, 448. 
 
 Anserinse, 358. 
 
 Astacus, 476, 477. 
 
 Acipenseridae, 448. 
 
 Ant, Wood, 501. 
 
 Astur, 212. 
 
 Acutirostris, 443. 
 
 Ant-Eater, 187. 
 
 Atalanta, 507. 
 
 Adder, Puff, 392. 
 Adippe, 507. 
 
 Ant-Lion, 496. 
 Anthus, 255. 
 
 Ateles, 20. 
 Athene, 218. 
 
 Admiral, Red, 507. 
 
 Antiquorum, 452. 
 
 Atra, 356. 
 
 ^Egyptius, 117. 
 
 Ape, 12. 
 
 Atrata, 361. 
 
 ^Esalon, 210. 
 ^Ethereus, 378. 
 
 Aphaniptera, 514. 
 Apiaster, 231. 
 
 Atricapilla, 245. 
 Atropos, 508. 
 
 Africanus, 171. 
 
 Apidae, 504. 
 
 Auk, Great, 369. 
 
 Agamida:, 388. 
 
 Apis, 504. 
 
 Auratus, 424. 
 
 Agile Gibbon, 16. 
 
 Apivorus, 204. 
 
 Aureus, 62. 
 
 Agilis, 16. 
 
 Apoda, 280. 
 
 Auritus, 28. 
 
 Agouti, 112. 
 
 Apteryginae, 336. 
 
 Australis, 336. 
 
 Aguti, 112. 
 
 Apteryx, 336. 
 
 Avellanarius, 119. 
 
 Alauda, 291. 
 
 Apus, 224. 
 
 Avicularia, 479. 
 
 Alaudarius, 211. 
 
 Aquila, 198. 383. 
 
 Avis, 190. 
 
 Alaudinse, 291. 
 
 Arabicus, 149. 
 
 Avocet, 349. 
 
 Alba, 346. 
 
 Arachnids, 479. 
 
 Avocetta, 349. 
 
 Albatros, Wandering, 374. 
 
 Araneidae, 479. 
 
 Axis, 158. 
 
 Albus, 326. 
 
 Araneus, 81. 
 
 
 Alca, 369. 
 
 Ararauna, 298. 
 
 Babyroussa, 176. 
 
 Alcedinids, 230. 
 
 Arctia, 510. 
 
 Bactrian Camel, 152. 
 
 Alcedininae, 230. 
 
 Arctica, 368. 
 
 Bactrianus, 152. 
 
 Alcedo, 230. 
 
 Arctiidae, 510. 
 
 Badger, 69. 
 
 Alces, 161. 
 
 Arctomys, 121. 
 
 Batena, 92. 
 
 Alcidas, 368. 
 
 Arctos, 72. 
 
 Balaenida;, 91. 
 
 Alcina, 368. 
 
 Ardea, 342. 
 
 Baltimore Oriole, 283. 
 
 Alligator, 404. 
 
 Ardeidae, 341. 
 
 Baltimorus, 283. 
 
 Alligatoridae, 404. 
 
 Ardeinss, 342. 
 
 Barbaras, 30. 
 
 Alpinus, 121. 
 
 Argo, 460. 
 
 Barbatus, 190. 
 
 Alucita, 511. 
 
 Argonaut, 460. 
 
 Barbel, 424. 
 
 Alucitidae, 511. 
 
 Argonauta, 460. 
 
 Barbus, 424.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 517 
 
 Barn-owl, 220. 
 Bar-tailed Humming-bird, 
 
 Bucerotidae, 295. 
 Bufo, 408. 
 
 Cat, 40. 
 Civet, 46. 
 
 234. 
 
 Buffalo, 126. 
 
 Caudata, 271. 
 
 Bat, Long-eared, 28. 
 
 Cape, 128. 
 
 Caudatus, 252. 
 
 Vampire, 25. 
 
 Buffelus, 126. 
 
 Caudivolvulus, 78. 
 
 Batrachia, 406. 
 
 Bulldog, 56. 
 
 Cavy, 113. 
 
 Beagle, 53. 
 
 Bullfinch, 292. 
 
 Cebidse, 20. 
 
 Bear, 72. 
 Grizzly, 73. 
 
 Bull-frog, 407. 
 Burrowing-owl, 218. 
 
 Cephalopoda, 458. 
 Cephalus, 429. 
 
 Polar, 75. 
 Bearded Vulture, 190. 
 
 Burying-beetle, 485. 
 Bustard, Great, 339. 
 
 Cerambycidae, 489. 
 Cerambyx, 489. 
 
 Beaver, 109. 
 
 Buteo, 203. 
 
 Cerastes, 393. 
 
 Bee-eater, 231. 
 
 Buteoninae, 203. 
 
 Certhidae, 237. 
 
 Beetle, Burying, 485. 
 
 Butterfly, Atalanta, 507. 
 
 Certhina:, 237. 
 
 Cockchaffer, 486. 
 
 Fritillary, 507. 
 
 Cercoleptes, 78. 
 
 Dor, 486. 
 
 Swallow-tailed, 506. 
 
 Cervina, 155. 
 
 Ground, 485. 
 
 Buzzard, 203. 
 
 Cervus, 155, 486. 
 
 Stag, 486. 
 
 
 Cete, 91. 
 
 
 Caballus, 162. 
 
 Chaffinch, 285. 
 
 Bernhardus, 475. ' 
 
 Cacatua, 301. 
 
 Chameleon, 369. 
 
 Bernicla, 358. 
 
 Cachalot, 98. 
 
 Chameleonidae, 389. 
 
 Bernicle, 471. 
 
 Caddis-fly, 499. 
 
 Chamois, 141. 
 
 Bernicle Goose, 358. 
 
 Caffer, 128. 
 
 Charadridae, 340. 
 
 Berus, 394. 
 
 Caja, 510. 
 
 Charadrinae, 340. 
 
 Bicornis, 178. 
 
 Calamodyta, 241. 
 
 Chelidon, 227. 
 
 Bird Spider, 479. 
 
 Callarias, 440. 
 
 Chelonia, 399, 401. 
 
 Bison, 129. 
 
 CaUithrix, 22. 
 
 Cheloniadae, 401. 
 
 Bittern, 344. 
 
 Camel, 149. 
 
 Chenopis, 361. 
 
 Blackbird, 260. 
 
 Camelina, 149. 
 
 Chetah, 44. 
 
 Black Grouse, 324. 
 Black Swan, 361. 
 
 Camelopardalis, 146. 
 Camelopardina, 146. 
 
 Chicken, Mother Gary's, 372. 
 Chiff-chaff; 245. 
 
 Black-cap Warbler, 245. 
 
 Camelus, 149, 330. 
 
 Chimney Martin, 225. 
 
 Black-backed Gull, 376. 
 Blatta, 493. 
 
 Campestris, 483. 
 Canada Lynx, 43. 
 
 Chimpansee, 12. 
 Chinchilla, 116. 
 
 Blattidae, 493. 
 
 Canadensis, 43. 
 
 Chinchillina, 116. 
 
 Blindworm, 385. 
 
 Cancellatus, 485. 
 
 Chloris, J88. 
 
 Bloodhound, 51. 
 
 Cancer, 473. 
 
 Chloropus, 355. 
 
 Blue and Yellow Macaw, 
 
 Cancerida, 473. 
 
 Chough, 278. 
 
 298. 
 
 Canicula, 449. 
 
 Chrysaetos, 198. 
 
 Blue Titmouse, 251. 
 
 Canis, 48. 
 
 Chrysolopha, 234. 
 
 Boa, 395. 
 
 Canina, 49. 
 
 Chub, 429. 
 
 Boar, 175. 
 
 Cannabina, 287. 
 
 Cicindela, 483. 
 
 Bohemian Waxwing, 265. 
 Boidae, 395. 
 Booby, 379. 
 Bos, 123. 
 
 Canorus, 306. 
 Cape Buffalo, 128. 
 Cape Penguin, 370. 
 Capercaillie, 323. 
 
 Cicindelidas, 483. 
 Ciconia, 346. 
 Ciconinae, 346. 
 Cinclus, 256. 
 
 Boschas, 362. 
 
 Capybara, 113. 
 
 Circus, 215. 
 
 Boselaphus, 136. 
 Botaurus, 344. 
 
 Capra, 142. 
 Capreolis, 155. 
 
 Citrinella, 290. 
 Civet Cat, 46. 
 
 Bovida;, 123. 
 Bovina, 123. 
 
 Caprimulgidse, 222. 
 Caprimulginae, 222. 
 
 Civetta, 46. 
 Clavata, 453. 
 
 Bovis, 513. 
 Bower-bird, Satin, 282. 
 Bradypidae, 183. 
 Bradypus, 183. 
 Brama, 426. 
 
 Caprimulgus, 222. 
 Carabidae, 485. 
 Carabus, 485. 
 Caracal, 42. 
 Carbo, 380. 
 
 Clotho, 392. 
 Clupea, 434, 436, 437. 
 Clupeidfe, 434, 436. 
 Coaita, Spider Monkey, 20. 
 Coati Mondi, 77. 
 
 Bream, 426. 
 Brevirostris, 419. 
 
 Carcharias, 450. 
 Carduelis, 286. 
 
 Cobra de Capello, 397. 
 Cockatoo, Great Sulphur, 
 
 Brush Turkey, 327. 
 Bubalus, 176. 
 
 Carp, 423. 
 Carpio, 423. 
 
 301. 
 Cockchaffer, 486. 
 
 Bubo, 220. 
 Bubonia, 219. 
 Buccinidae, 465. 
 
 Carrier Pigeon, 313. 
 Caryocatactes, 270. 
 Casoar, 333. 
 
 Cockroach, 493. 
 Cod, 440. 
 Coelebs, 285. 
 
 Buccinum, 465. 
 
 Cassowary, 333. 
 
 Cceruleus, 251. 
 
 Buceros, 295. 
 
 Casuarius, 333. 
 
 Coleoptera, 483
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Collared Tee Tee, 22. 
 Collurio, 268. 
 Colubridse, 397. 
 
 Cyclostomi, 455. 
 Cygninae, 360. 
 Cygnus, 360. 
 
 Draco, 388. 
 Dragon, Flying, 388. 
 Dragon-fiy, 495. 
 
 Colubrina, 395. 
 
 Cynocephalus, 19. 
 
 Dromaius, 334. 
 
 Colubris, 233. 
 
 Cyprscidae, 465. 
 
 Duck, Wild, 362. 
 
 Colymbidas, 366. 
 
 Cyprinidae, 423. 
 
 Duck-billed, Platypus, 189. 
 
 Concolor, 38. 
 
 Cyprinus, 423, 424. 
 
 Durissus, 390. 
 
 Condor, 194. 
 
 Cypselinae, 224. 
 
 Dzigguetai, 164. 
 
 Cone, 464. 
 
 Cypselus, 224. 
 
 
 Conger, 444. 
 
 
 Eagle, Golden, 198. 
 
 Coniidffi, 464. 
 
 Dabchick, 367. 
 
 Whiteheaded, 6-.'. 
 
 Conirostres, 469. 
 
 Dace, 428. 
 
 Eared-owl, Great, 220. 
 
 Constrictor, 395. 
 
 Dactylophori, 412. 
 
 Earwig, 491. 
 
 Conus, 464. 
 
 Dama, 159. 
 
 Echeneide, 420. 
 
 Coot, 356. 
 
 Dartford Warbler, 243. 
 
 Echeneis, 420. 
 
 Cora Humming Bird, 234. 
 Coracia, 279. 
 
 Daspidae, 184. 
 Dasypina, 186. 
 
 Ectopistes, 310. 
 Edible Mussel, 471. 
 
 Coracias, 228. 
 
 Dasyprocta, 112. 
 
 Edulis, 471, 468. 
 
 Coraciida;, 228. 
 
 Dasyproctina, 112. 
 
 Eel, Sharp-nosed, 443. 
 
 Coraciinse, 228. 
 
 Dasypus, 186. 
 
 Electric, 445. 
 
 Corax, 273. 
 
 Death's-head Moth, 508. 
 
 Eider Duck, 365. 
 
 Cormorant, 380. 
 
 Death- Watch, 489. 
 
 Eland, 136. 
 
 Corncrake, 354. 
 
 Decapoda, 473. 
 
 Elanoides, 206. 
 
 Corvids, 269. 
 
 Anon * u ^ a > jjijj' 
 
 Electricus 445 
 
 Corvinae' 270 
 
 Macrourn 176 
 
 Elephant 167 
 
 Corvus, 273. ' 
 
 Decumanus, 103. 
 
 Seal, 69. 
 
 Cotile, 226. 
 
 Deer, Fallow, 159. 
 
 Elephantidae, 167. 
 
 Coturnix, 322. 
 
 Musk, 154, 
 
 Elephantinae, 167. 
 
 Cowry, 465. 
 
 Rein, 160. 
 
 Elephas, 167. 
 
 Crab, 473. 
 
 Delphinidse, 99. 
 
 Elk, 161. 
 
 Hermit, 475. 
 
 Delphinus, 99. 
 
 Emberiza, 290. 
 
 Crabro, 502. 
 
 Demersus, 370. 
 
 Emberizinse, 290. 
 
 Cracticornis, 348. 
 
 Dendrosaura, 389. 
 
 Emerald Bird of Paradise, 
 
 Crane, 541. 
 
 Dentirostres,241. 
 
 280. 
 
 Crangon, 478. 
 
 Depressa, 495. 
 
 Emu, 334. 
 
 Crangonidae, 478. 
 
 Dermaptera, 491. 
 
 Emydosauri, 402. 
 
 Cray-fish, 476. 
 
 Didactyla, 188. 
 
 Encrasicholus, 439. 
 
 Crecca, 364. 
 
 Didelphina, 86. 
 
 Engraulis, 439. 
 
 Creeper, 237. 
 
 Didelphys, 66. 
 
 Entellus, 18. 
 
 Creophilus, 491. 
 
 Didinee, 337. 
 
 Ephialtes, 219. 
 
 Crex, 354. 
 
 Didus, 337. 
 
 Epops, 232. 
 
 Cricket-Mole, 494. 
 
 Diodontidse, 447. 
 
 Equida;, 162. 
 
 Cricetus, 107. 
 Cristata, 110. 
 
 Diomedea, 374. 
 Dipina, 117. 
 
 Equus, 162. 
 Erinaceus, 82. 
 
 Cristatus,246, 340,366,409. 
 
 Dipper, 256. 
 
 Erinacina, 81. 
 
 Crocodile, 402. 
 
 Diptera, 513. 
 
 Erithacus, 248. 
 
 Crocodilidae, 402. 
 
 Dipus, 117. 
 
 Erminea, 66. 
 
 Crocodilus, 402. 
 
 Dodo, 337. 
 
 Erythacinte, 247. 
 
 Cross-bill, 293. 
 
 Dog, Bull, 56. 
 
 Esculent Swallow, 227. 
 
 Crotalidae, 390. 
 
 Newfoundland, 49. 
 
 Esocidse, 430. 
 
 Crow, 278. 
 
 King Charles's, 50. 
 
 Esox, 430. 
 
 Nutcracker, 270. 
 Crustacea, 473. 
 Cuckoo, 306. 
 
 Shepherd's, 59. 
 Dog-fish. Spotted, 449. 
 Dolphin, 99. 
 
 Euchore, 139. 
 Europea, 79. 
 Europseus, 82. 
 
 Cuculidse, 306. 
 
 Domestic Fowl, 317. 
 
 Excubitor, 266. 
 
 Cuculinae, 306 
 
 Domestica, 40. 
 
 Exoco3tus, 432. 
 
 Cuculus, 306, 412. 
 
 Domesticus, 289. 
 
 Exulans, 374. 
 
 Culex, 513. 
 
 Dor Beetle, 486. 
 
 
 CulicidfB, 513. 
 
 Dormouse, 119. 
 
 Faber, 417. 
 
 Cunicularia, 218. 
 
 Dory, John, 419. 
 
 Falco, 207. 
 
 Cunlculus, 115. 
 
 Double-crested Humming- 
 
 Falcon, Peregrine, 208. 
 
 Curlew, 348. 
 
 Bird, 234. 
 
 Swallow-tailed, 200. 
 
 CurTirostra, 293. 
 
 Dove, Ring, 307. 
 
 Falconidaj, 198. 
 
 Cyaneus, 215. 
 
 Turtle. 309. 
 
 Falconinae, 207.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Fallow-deer, 159. 
 Familiaris, 49. 
 
 Gazelle, 140. 
 Gecko, 386. 
 
 Gudgeon, 426. 
 Guillemot, 371. 
 
 Fario, 434. 
 
 Geckotidse, 386. 
 
 Guinea Pig, 113. 
 
 Felidse, 28. 
 
 Geissosaura, 385. 
 
 Gull, Black-backed, 376. 
 
 Felina, 28. 
 
 Generalis, 464. 
 
 Gulo, 68. 
 
 Felis, 40. 
 
 Genet, 47. 
 
 Gurnard, 412. 
 
 Ferae, 28. 
 
 Genetta, 47. 
 
 Gymnotidae, 445. 
 
 Fiber, 109. 
 Fieldfare, 258. 
 
 Geometridee, 511. 
 Geotrupes, 486. 
 
 Gymnotus, 445. 
 Gypaetidae, 190. 
 
 Fishing-frog, 422. 
 Fissirostres, 222. 
 
 Geotrupidae, 486. 
 Gibbon, Agile, 16. 
 
 Gypaetus, 190. 
 Gyrfalco, 207. 
 
 Fissirostres Diurnas, 224. 
 
 Giganteus, 315. 
 
 Gyrfalcon, 207. 
 
 Nocturnse, 222. 
 
 Giraffa, 146. 
 
 
 Flamingo, 356. 
 Flaminea, 221. 
 
 Giraffe, 146. 
 Glacialis, 372. 
 
 Hag-fish, Glutinous, 457. 
 Haliaetus, 200. 
 
 Flava, 254. 
 Flea, 514. 
 
 Gladius, 417. 
 Glandarius, 269. 
 
 Hammer-headed Shark, 
 451. 
 
 Fly-catcher, Spotted, 264. 
 
 Glires, 103. 
 
 Hamster, 107. 
 
 Flying Squirrel, 121. 
 
 Glow-worm, 488. 
 
 Hare, 114. 
 
 Flying Dragon, 388. 
 Flying-fish, 432. 
 
 Glutinosa, 457. 
 Gnat, 513. 
 
 Harengus, 437. 
 Harrier, Hen, 215. 
 
 Foliata, 494. 
 
 Gnoo, 133. 
 
 Hasselquistii, 393. 
 
 Formica, 501. 
 
 Gnu, 133. 
 
 Hawk-owl, 216. 
 
 Formicarum, 496. 
 
 Goat, 143. 
 
 Sparrow, 213. 
 
 Formicarinae, 256. 
 
 Goat-sucker, 222. 
 
 Hedge Accentor. 249. 
 
 Formicidss, 501. 
 
 Gobio, 426. 
 
 Hedgehog, 82. 
 
 Fowl, domestic, 317. 
 
 Goldfinch, 286. 
 
 Helicidae, 463. 
 
 Fox, 63. 
 Foxhound, 52. 
 
 Gold-fish, 424. 
 Golden-crested Wren, 246. 
 
 Helix, 463. 
 Hen Harrier, 215. 
 
 Fragilis, 385. 
 Fratercula, 368. 
 
 Golden Eagle, 199. 
 Golden Oriole, 263. 
 
 Hermit Crab, 475. 
 Heron, 342. 
 
 Fregata, 383. 
 
 Goose, Bernicle, 358. 
 
 Herpestes, 47. 
 
 Frigate Pelican, 383. 
 Fringilla, 285. 
 
 Solan, 379. 
 Goshawk, 212. 
 
 Herring, 436. 
 Hexadactylae, 511. 
 
 Fringillidae, 285. 
 Fritillary, Silver-spotted, 
 
 Gouldii, 234. Hippocampus, 419. 
 Gould's Humming-bird, 234. Hippopotamina, 181. 
 
 507. 
 
 Gracilis, 24. 
 
 Hippopotamus, 181. 
 
 Frog, 406. 
 
 Gracula, 279. 
 
 Hircus, 143. 
 
 Bull, 407. 
 Fishing, 422. 
 
 Gradientia, 409. 
 Graeca, 399. 
 
 Hirundinidas, 224. 
 Hirundo, 225. 377. 
 
 Tree, 407. 
 
 Grallas, 340. 
 
 Hispida, 230. 
 
 Frugilegus, 275. 
 
 Grandis, 499. 
 
 Hobby, 2091 
 
 Frumentarius, 107. 
 
 Grasshopper Warbler, 24 1 . 
 
 Holodactyli, 414. 
 
 Fulica, 356. 
 
 Great Auk, 369. 
 
 Hominidse, 1. 
 
 Fuligulinse, 365. 
 
 Great Bustard, 339. 
 
 Homo, 1. 
 
 Fulmar Petrel, 372. 
 
 Great-eared Owl, 220. 
 
 Honey Bee, 504. 
 
 Fulvus, 196. 
 
 Great Grey Shrike, 266. 
 
 Hoopoe, 232. 
 
 Furcatus, 206. 
 
 Great Titmouse, 250. 
 
 Hornet, 502. 
 
 Fusca, 77. 
 
 Great Spotted Woodpeck- 
 
 Horribilis, 74. 
 
 
 er, 302. 
 
 Horse, 162. 
 
 Gadfly, 513. 
 
 Grebe, Crested, 366. 
 
 Sea, 419. 
 
 Gadidae, 440. 
 
 Little, 367. 
 
 House Sparrow, 289. 
 
 Galbula, 263. 
 
 Greenfinch, 288. 
 
 Howler, Ursine, 21. 
 
 Gallina?, 314. 
 
 Green Woodpecker, 304. 
 
 Humming-bird, Bar-tailed, 
 
 Gallinula, 355. 
 
 Greyhound, 60. 
 
 234. 
 
 Gallinulinse, 355. 
 
 Griffon Vulture, 196. 
 
 Cora, 234. 
 
 Gallopavo, 319. 
 
 Grisola, 264. 
 
 Double-crested, 234. 
 
 Gallus, 317. 
 
 Ground Beetle, 485. 
 
 Gould's 234. 
 
 Gammarus, 477. 
 
 Grouse, Red, 325. 
 
 Ruby-throated, 233. 
 
 Gannet, 379. 
 
 Black, 324. 
 
 Hunting Leopard, 44. 
 
 Garrula, 228. 
 
 Gruinae, 341. 
 
 Hydrobata, 256. 
 
 Garrulins, 269. 
 
 Grunniens, 131. 
 
 Hydrochasrina, 113. 
 
 Garrulus, 265. 
 
 Grus, 341. 
 
 Hydrochasrus, 113. 
 
 Gasteropoda, 461. 
 Oazella, 139. 
 
 GryHotalpa, 49J. 
 Gryphon, 196. 
 
 Hyasna, 45. 
 Hyenina, 45.
 
 520 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Hylobates, 16. 
 
 Lathami, 327. 
 
 Malacostraca, 473. 
 
 Hymenoptera, 500. 
 
 Leaf Insect, 494. 
 
 Mallard, 362. 
 
 Hypotriorchis, 209. 
 
 Lemur, 24. 
 
 Mammalia, 1. 
 
 Hystricidaj, 111. 
 
 Lemuridas, 24. 
 
 Man, 1. 
 
 Hystricina, 111. 
 
 Leo, 30. 
 
 Mandril, 19. 
 
 Hystrix, 111. 
 
 Leopard, 35. 
 
 Manifestata, 500. 
 
 Ibex, 142. 
 Ibis, Sacred, 347. 
 Ichneumon, 47. 
 Ichneumon-fly, 500. 
 
 Leopardus, 35. 
 Lepidop'tera, 500. 
 Leporidae, 114. 
 Leptoglossae, 384. 
 
 Manis, 184. 
 Many-plumed Moth, 511. 
 Margaritifera, 470. 
 Marinus, 376. 
 
 Ichneumonidas, 500. 
 
 Lepus, 114. 
 
 Maritimus, 73. 
 
 Icterinse, 283. 
 
 Leuciscus, 428. 
 
 Martin, 227. 
 
 Icterus, 283. 
 
 Leucocephalus, 202. 
 
 Chimney, 225. 
 
 Iguana, 387 
 
 Leucopsis, 358. 
 
 Sand, 2S;0. 
 
 Iguanidae, 387. 
 
 Leucorodia, 345. 
 
 Marmoset, 23. 
 
 Impennis, 369. 
 Indicus, 167. 
 
 Leucoryx, 137. 
 Libellula, 495. 
 
 Marmot, 121. 
 Marmotta, 121. 
 
 Ineptus, 337. 
 
 Libellulidae, 495. 
 
 Marten, Pme, 64. 
 
 Insecta, 483. 
 
 Limacidae, 461. 
 
 Martes, 64. 
 
 Insecta Haustellata, 506. 
 
 Limax, 461. 
 
 Mastiff, 65. 
 
 Insecta Mandibulata, 483. 
 
 Limosina:, 343. 
 
 Maxillosus, 491. 
 
 Irritans, 514. 
 
 Limpet, 466. 
 
 Maxima, 411. 
 
 
 Linnet, 287. 
 
 Maximus, 220. 
 
 Jacana, 353. 
 
 Lion, 30. 
 
 Meadow Pipit, 255. 
 
 Jacchus, 23. 
 
 Lizard, 384. 
 
 Meantia, 410. 
 
 Jackal, 62. 
 
 Llama, 153. 
 
 Megapode, Mound-making, 
 
 Jackdaw, 277. 
 
 Lobster, 477. 
 
 328 
 
 Jacobaeus, 467. 
 
 Locust, 492. 
 
 Megapodidae, 327. 
 
 Jaguar, 37. 
 
 Locusta, 492. 
 
 Megapodius, 328. 
 
 Jay, 216. 
 
 Locustella, 241. 
 
 Melanotis, 42. 
 
 Jerboa, 117. 
 
 Locustidae, 492. 
 
 Meleagrina, 470. 
 
 Jerboidae, 116. 
 
 Long-eared Bat, 28. 
 
 Meleagrinas, 319. 
 
 John Dory, 419. 
 Jubata, 44. 
 
 Long-tailed Titmouse, 252. 
 Lophiida:, 422. 
 
 Meleagrinidae, 319. 
 Meleagris, 319, 320. 
 
 
 Lophius, 422. 
 
 Meles, 69. 
 
 Kahau, 17. 
 
 Loris, 24. 
 
 Mellifica, 504. 
 
 Kangaroo, 84. 
 
 Lotor, 76. 
 
 Mellivora. 68. 
 
 Kestrel, 211. 
 
 Loxia, 293. 
 
 Melolontha, 486. 
 
 Kingfisher, 230. 
 
 Loxina, 293. 
 
 Melolonthidae, 486. 
 
 King Vulture, 195. 
 
 Lucanidae. 486. 
 
 Menurinee, 239. 
 
 Kinkajou, 78. 
 
 Lucanus, 486. 
 
 Merlin, 210. 
 
 Kite, 205. 
 Koodoo, 135. 
 
 Lucius, 430. 
 Lupus, 61. 
 
 Meropid(E,231. 
 Meropinae, 231. 
 
 Kudu, 135. 
 
 Luscinidae, 241. 
 
 Merops, 231. 
 
 
 Luscininss, 241. 
 
 Merula, 260. 
 
 Lacertinidae, 384. 
 
 Luseinia, 242. 
 
 Migratoria, 310. 
 
 Lagopus, 325. 
 
 Luscus, 68. 
 
 Milvina, 204. 
 
 Lammergeyer, 190. 
 
 Lutra, 71. 
 
 Milvus, 205. 
 
 Lampern, 456. 
 
 Lynx, 43. 
 
 Minor, 367. 
 
 Lampetra, 456. 
 
 
 Misseltoe Thrush, 257. 
 
 Lamprey, 455. 
 Lampyris, 488. 
 
 Macaco, 24. 
 Macaw, Blue and Yellow, 
 
 Mississipensis, 404. 
 Mocking Bird, 261. 
 
 Lampyridae, 488 
 
 298. 
 
 Modularius, 249. 
 
 Landrail, 354. 
 
 Machaon, 506. 
 
 Mola, 447. 
 
 Lanidss, 266. 
 
 Mackarel, 415. 
 
 Mole, 79. 
 
 Laniger, 116. 
 
 Macrocephalus, 98. 
 
 Mole Cricket, 494. 
 
 Laninae, 266. 
 
 Macrocercus, 298. 
 
 Mollissima, 365. 
 
 Lanius, 266. 
 Lapwing, 340. 
 Laridae, 376. 
 
 Macropidas, 84. 
 Macropina, 84. 
 Macropus, 84. 
 
 Mollusca, 458. 
 Monedula, 277. 
 Moneta, 465. 
 
 Larina;, 376. 
 
 Maculata, 158. 
 
 Money Cowry, 465. 
 
 Lark, Sky, 291. 
 
 Magpie, 271. 
 
 Monkey, Entellus, 18. 
 
 Larus, 376. 
 
 Major, 84. 
 
 Proboscis, 17.
 
 Monoceros, 102. 
 
 Numenius, 351. 
 
 Paniscus, 20. 
 
 Monodon, 102. 
 
 Numida, 320. 
 
 Panther, 35. 
 
 Mormon, 19. 
 
 Nut-Cracker Crow, 270. 
 
 Papa, 195. 
 
 Morrhua, 440. 
 
 Nuthatch, 238. 
 
 Papilio, 506. 
 
 Morse, 90. 
 
 Nyctea, 217. 
 
 Papilionidae, 506. 
 
 Morunga, 89. 
 Moschatus, 132, 489. 
 
 Nyctisaura, 386. 
 Nylghau, 134. 
 
 Paradise, Emerald Bird of, 
 280. 
 
 Moschiferus, 154. 
 
 
 Paradisea, 280. 
 
 Moschina, 154. 
 
 Ocelot, 39. 
 
 Paradiseida;, 280. 
 
 Moschus, 154. 
 Motacilla, 253. 
 
 Octopida?, 458. 
 Octopus, 458. 
 
 Paradoxus, 169. 
 Pardalis, 39. 
 
 Motacillinae, 253. 
 
 (Enas, 308. 
 
 Parra, 353. 
 
 Moth, Death's-head, 508. 
 
 CEstridsB, 513. 
 
 Parrakeet, Ringed, 300. 
 
 Many-plumed, 511. 
 
 CEstrus, 513. 
 
 Parrinae, 353. 
 
 Swallow-tailed, 511. 
 Tiger, 510. 
 
 Olor, SCO. 
 Onca, 37. 
 
 Partridge, 321. 
 Parvulus, 239. 
 
 Mound-making Megapode, 
 328. 
 
 Onocrotalus, 382. 
 Ophidia, 390. 
 
 Passenger Pigeon, 310. 
 Passer, 289. 
 
 Mouse, 105. 
 
 Opossum, 86. 
 
 Passeres, 222. 
 
 Muraenidoj, 443. 
 
 Orang Outan, 13. 
 
 Patella, 466. 
 
 Murex, 466 
 
 Oreas, 136. 
 
 Patellidae, 466. 
 
 Muricidse, 466. 
 
 Oriole, Baltimore, 283. 
 
 Pavo, 314. 
 
 Muridse, 103. 
 
 Onolinae, 203. 
 
 Pavoninae, 314. 
 
 Murina, 103. 
 
 Oriolus, 263. 
 
 Peacock, 314. 
 
 Mus, 103. 
 Muscicapa, 264. 
 
 Ornismya, 234. 
 Ornithorhynchina, 189. 
 
 Pearl Oyster, 470. 
 Pecten, 467. 
 
 Muscicapidae, 264. 
 
 Ornithorhynchus, 189. 
 
 Pectinida. 468. 
 
 Muscicapina;, 204. 
 
 Orpheus, 261. 
 
 Peewit, 340. 
 
 Muscicus, 259. 
 
 Orthagoriscus, 447. 
 
 Pelagica, 372. 
 
 Musculus, 105. 
 
 Orthoptera, 402. 
 
 Pelias, 394. 
 
 Musk Beetle, 489. 
 
 Ortygometra, 354. 
 
 Pelecanidz, 378. 
 
 Musk Deer, 154. 
 
 Oryx, 137. 
 
 Pelecanina;, 378. 
 
 Musk Ox, 132. 
 
 Osprey, 200. 
 
 Pelecanus, 382. 
 
 Mussel, Edible, 471. 
 
 Ostrea, 468. 
 Ostrich 330. 
 
 Pelican, Frigate, 383. 
 White 36 
 
 Mustelina, 64. 
 
 Otinae, 339. 
 
 Penguin, Cape, 270. 
 
 Mute Swan, 360. 
 
 Otter, 71. 
 
 Pentadactyla, 185. 
 
 Mycetes, 21. 
 
 Otus, 339. 
 
 Pentalasmis, 471. 
 
 Mygale, 479. 
 
 Ounce, 36. 
 
 Perca, 414. 
 
 Myoxina, 119. 
 
 Ourapteryx, 511. 
 
 Perch, 414. 
 
 Myoxus, 119. 
 
 Ovibos, 132. 
 
 Percidae, 414. 
 
 Myrmecophaga, 187. 
 Myrmecophagina, 187. 
 
 Ovis, 144. 
 Owl, Barn, 221. 
 
 Perdicina;, 321. 
 Perdix, 321. 
 
 Myrmeleon, 496. 
 Myrmeleonids, 496. 
 
 Burrowing, 218. 
 Great-eared, 220. 
 
 Peregrine, Falcon, 208. 
 Peregrinus, 308. 
 
 Mysticetus, 92. 
 
 : Hawk, 216. 
 
 Pernis, 204. 
 
 Mytilidie, 470. 
 
 Scops-eared, 219. 
 
 Petrel, Fulmar, 272. 
 
 Mytilus, 470. 
 Myxine, 457. 
 
 Snowy, 217. 
 Ox, 123. 
 
 Stormy, 272. 
 Petromyzon, 455. 
 
 
 Musk, 132. 
 
 Petromyzonidas, 455. 
 
 Naja, 397. 
 
 Oyster, 468. 
 
 Phaeton, 378. 
 
 Narwhal, 102. 
 
 Oyster, Pearl, 470. 
 
 Phaetoninse, 378. 
 
 Nasua, 77. 
 
 
 Phalacrocorax, 380. 
 
 Natrix, 398. 
 
 Pachyglossae, 386. 
 
 Phatagin, 184. 
 
 Nautilus, Paper, 460. 
 
 Pacos, 153. 
 
 Phasianidss, 314. 
 
 Necrophagus, 485. 
 Neuroptera, 495. 
 Newt, Common, 409. 
 
 Paguridae, 475. 
 Pagurus, 473, 475. 
 Palamedeida;, 353. 
 
 Phasianinae, 315. 
 Phasianus, 315. 
 Pheasant, 316. 
 
 Niger, 12. 
 
 Palaemonidae. 478. 
 
 Philomachus, 352. 
 
 Nightingale, 242. 
 Nisus, 213. 
 
 Palsmon, 478. 
 PaUeornis, 300. 
 
 Philomela, 242. 
 Phojnicopterina?, 357. 
 
 Nivea, 217. 
 
 Palmatus, 161. 
 
 Phosnicopteros, 357. 
 
 Noctiluca, 488. 
 
 Palumbarius, 212. 
 
 Phcenicura, 247. 
 
 Nova) Hollandiae, 334. 
 
 Palumbus, 307. 
 
 Phoca, 87. 
 
 Nucifraga, 270. 
 
 Pandion, 200. 
 
 Phociena, 100.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Phocidae, 87. 
 Phocina, 87. 
 
 Puffin, 368 
 Pugnax, 352. 
 
 Rubra, 356. 
 Ruby-throated Humming- 
 
 Phryganea, 499 
 
 Pulmobranchiata, 461. 
 
 Bird, 233. 
 
 Phrygauidae, 499. 
 
 Pulmonaria, 479. 
 
 Rufa, 245, 501. 
 
 Phyllostomina, 25. 
 
 Puma, 38. 
 
 Ruff, 352. 
 
 Phyllia, 494. 
 
 Putarius, 66. 
 
 Rupicapra, 141. 
 
 Physeter, 98. 
 
 Pyrrhocoracinae, 279. 
 
 Rustica, 225. 
 
 Pica, 271. 
 
 Pyrrhula, 292. 
 
 Rusticola, 350. 
 
 Picida;, 302. 
 
 Pyrrhulinse, 292. 
 
 Ruticilla, 247. 
 
 Picmae, 302. 
 
 
 Rutilus, 428. 
 
 Picta, 134. 
 
 Quagga, 166. 
 
 
 Picas, 304. 
 
 Quail, 322. 
 
 Sable, 65 
 
 Pied Wagtail, 253. 
 
 Querquedula, 364. 
 
 Sacred Ibis, 347. 
 
 Pike, 430. 
 
 
 Salamaiidndaj, 409. 
 
 Pigeon, Domestic, 312. 
 
 Rabbit, 115. 
 
 Salientia, 406. 
 
 Panacncer 310 
 
 
 Salmo 433 434. 
 
 Pilaris, 258. 
 
 Raia, 454. ' 
 
 Salmon, 433. 
 
 Pilchard, 436. 
 
 Raidse, 453. 
 
 Salmonida?, 433. 
 
 Pilchardus, 436. 
 
 Rallidae, 354. 
 
 Sambucaria, 511. 
 
 Pimpla, 500. 
 
 Rallina?, 354. 
 
 Sand Martin, 225. 
 
 Pine Marten, 64. 
 
 Ram, 144. 
 
 Sapiens, 1. 
 
 Pipiens, 513. 
 
 Ramphastidae, 296. 
 
 Sappho, 234. 
 
 Pipit, Meadow, 255. 
 Piscatonus, 422. 
 Pisces Chondropterygii, 
 
 Ramphastidinae, 296. 
 Ramphastos, 296. 
 Rana, 406. 
 
 Sarcorhamphida?, 194. 
 Sarcorhamphos, 194. 
 Satin Bower-Bird, 282. 
 
 448. 
 
 Rangifer, 160. 
 
 Satyrus, 14. 
 
 Ossei, 412. 
 
 Rat, 103. 
 
 Saura, 384. 
 
 Platalea, 345, 
 
 Water, 108. 
 
 Saw-fish, 452. 
 
 Plectognathi, 447. 
 
 Ratel, Honey, 68. 
 
 Scalaria, 464. 
 
 Pleuroneclidae, 441. 
 
 Rattle-snake, 390. 
 
 Scallop, 467. 
 
 Podicepina;, 366. 
 
 Raven, 273. 
 
 Scansores, 296. 
 
 Podiceps, 366, 367. 
 
 Recurvirostra, 349. 
 
 Scincidae, 385. 
 
 Poephagus, 131. 
 
 Recurvirostrmae, 349. 
 
 Sciurinas, 120. 
 
 Pointer, 54. 
 
 Red-Admiral, 507. 
 
 Sciurus, 120. 
 
 Polecat, 66. 
 
 Red-backed Shrike, 268. 
 
 Scolopacidae, 348. 
 
 Polyglottus, 261. 
 Porcupine, 111. 
 Portax, 134. 
 
 Redbreast, 248. 
 Redstart, 247. 
 Regalis, 33 
 
 ScolopacinEe, 350. 
 Scolopacinus, 351. 
 Scolopax, 350. 
 
 Potamobius, 476. 
 Pouter, 312. 
 
 Regulus, 246. 
 Reindeer, 160. 
 
 Scomber, 415. 
 Scomberida>, 415. 
 
 Pratensis, 255. 
 
 Religiosa, 347. 
 
 Scombrus, 415. 
 
 Prawn, 478. 
 
 Remora, 420. 
 
 Scops-eared Owl, 219. 
 
 Presbytes, 17. 
 
 Reptiha, 384. 
 
 Scorpio, 482. 
 
 Pretiosa, 464. 
 
 Reptilivorus, 214. 
 
 Scorpion, 482. 
 
 Primates, 1. 
 
 Resplendens, 229. 
 
 Scorpionidse, 482. 
 
 PristidaB, 452. 
 Pristis, 452. 
 
 Resplendent Trogon, 229. 
 Rhinaster, 178. 
 
 Scoticus. 325. 
 Scrota, 175. 
 
 Proboscidea, 89. 
 
 Rhinocerina, 177. 
 
 Scutata, 453. 
 
 Procellaria, 372. 
 Procellaridce 372 
 
 Rhinoceros, 177. 
 
 Scyllida?, 449. 
 
 Procellarina;; 372! 
 Procyon 76. 
 
 two-horned, 
 178. 
 
 Sea-horse, 419. 
 Seal 87 
 
 Procyonlnffi, 76. 
 
 Ring-dove, 307. 
 
 Elephant, 89, 
 
 Proteidas, 410. 
 
 Ringed Parakeet. 300. 
 
 Secretary Bird, 214. 
 
 Proteus, 410. 
 
 Snake, 398. 
 
 Sericeus, 282. 
 
 Psetta, 441. 
 
 Riparia, 226. 
 
 Serpentarius, 214. 
 
 Psittacidae, 298. 
 
 Roach, 428. 
 
 Serratus, 478. 
 
 Ptarmigan, 326. 
 
 Roebuck, 155. 
 
 Sexcinctus, 166. 
 
 Pteromys, 121. 
 
 Roller, 228. 
 
 Shark, White, 450. 
 
 Ptilonorhynchinae, 282. 
 
 Rook, 275. 
 
 Hammer-headed, 
 
 Ptilonorhynchus, 282. 
 
 Rosmarus, 90. 
 
 451. 
 
 Ptionida?, 452. 
 
 Rove-beetle, 491. 
 
 Sharp-nosed Eel, 443. 
 
 Pulex, 515. 
 
 Ruffled Lemur, 24. 
 
 Shon Sun-fish. 447. 
 
 Pulicids, 515. 
 
 Rubicilla. 292. 
 
 Shrew, Mouse, 81. 
 
 Puff Addpr. 2i)2. 
 
 Rubicula, 248. 
 
 Water, 82.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Shrike, Great Grey, 266. 
 
 Sturio, 448. 
 
 Timidus, 114. 
 
 Red-backed, 268. 
 
 Sturnidae, 282. 
 
 Tinea, 427. 
 
 Shrimp, 478. 
 
 Sturninae, 284. 
 
 Tinnunculus, 211. 
 
 Silphidse, 485. 
 Silver-spotted Fritillary 
 
 Sturnus, 284. 
 Sub-brachiata 440. 
 
 Titmouse, Blue, 251. 
 
 507. 
 
 Subbuteo 208* 
 
 ureat, *JO. 
 
 Simia, 14. 
 
 Sucking-fish, 420. 
 
 Toad, 408, 
 
 Simiadae, 12. 
 
 Suina, 175. 
 
 Toco, 296. 
 
 Siskin, 287. 
 
 Sula, 379. 
 
 Toucan, 296. 
 
 Sitta, 238. 
 
 Sulphurea, 301. 
 
 Torpedo, 452. 
 
 Sittinae, 238. 
 
 Sun-fish, 447. 
 
 Torquata, 398. 
 
 Skylark, 291. 
 
 Surnia, 216. 
 
 Torquatus, 22. 
 
 Slender Loris, 24. 
 
 Surnina), 216. 
 
 Torquilla, 305. 
 
 Sloth, 183. 
 
 Sus, 175. 
 
 Tortoise, 399. 
 
 Slowworm, 385. 
 
 Swallow, Esculent, 227. 
 
 Toucan, Toco, 296. 
 
 Slug, 463. 
 
 Swallow-tailed Butterfly, 
 
 Trachearia, 482. 
 
 Snail, 463. 
 Snipe 351 
 
 506. 
 Moth 511 
 
 Tragus, 141. 
 
 Snowy-owl, 217. 
 Solan Goose, 379. 
 
 Swan, 360. 
 Black, 361. 
 
 Trematopnea, 449. 
 Tribulus, 466. 
 
 Sole, 442. 
 
 Swift, 224. 
 
 Trichecina, 90. 
 
 Solea, 442. 
 
 Sword-fish, 417. 
 
 Trichecus, 90. 
 
 Somateria, 364. 
 
 Sylvia, 243. 
 
 Trichoptera, 499. 
 
 Song- Thrush, 259. 
 
 Syngnathids, 419. 
 
 Tridactylus, 183. 
 
 Sorex, 81. 
 
 
 Trigla, 412. 
 
 Spaniel, Water, 50. 
 Sparrow, 289. 
 Sparrow-hawk, 213. 
 
 Talegallus, 327. 
 Talpa, 78. 
 Talpidae, 78. 
 
 Triglidae, 412. 
 Tnnginas, 352. 
 Tripudians, 397. 
 
 Spectrum, 25. 
 
 Talpina, 78. 
 
 Triton, 409. 
 
 Spermaceti Whale, 98. 
 
 Tamalinse, 347. 
 
 Trochilidaj, 233. 
 
 Spheniscinae, 370. 
 
 Tapir, 174. 
 
 Trochilus, 233. 
 
 Spheniscus, 370. 
 
 Tapirina, 174. 
 
 Troglodytes, 12. 
 
 Sphingidas, 508. 
 
 Tapirus, 174. 
 
 Trogon, 229. 
 
 Sphyrnias, 451. 
 
 Tarandus, 160 
 
 Trogonidae, 229. 
 
 Spider Bird, 479. 
 
 Tarantula, 481. 
 
 Troile, 371. 
 
 Spinus, 28" 
 
 Tarda, 339. 
 
 Tropic Bird, 378. 
 
 Spoonbill, White, 345. 
 
 Tartarica, 492. 
 
 Trout, 434 
 
 Spotted Flycatcher, 264. 
 
 Taurus, 123. 
 
 Tuberculata, 387. 
 
 Springbok. 139. 
 
 Teal, 364. 
 
 Tumbler Pigeon, 312. 
 
 Squalus, 450. 
 
 Tee-Tee, Collared, 22. 
 
 Tumulus, 328. 
 
 Squirrel, 120. 
 
 Temporaria, 406. 
 
 Tunny, 416. 
 Turhinidae, 464 
 
 Stag, 156. ying> 
 
 Tenuirostres, 232. 
 
 Turbot, 441. 
 
 Beetle, 486. 
 
 Tern, Common, 377. 
 
 Turdidae, 256. 
 
 Staphylinidffi, 491. 
 
 Terrestris, 174. 
 
 Turdinae, 257. 
 
 Starling, 284. 
 Stembok 142 
 
 Terrier, English, 57. 
 Scotch 58 
 
 Turdus, 257. 
 Turkey 319. 
 
 
 
 ' Brueh 37 
 
 Stercoranus, 486. 
 
 Testudo, 399. 
 
 Turtle, 401. 
 
 Sterna, 378. 
 
 Testurdinidse, 399. 
 
 Turtle-dove, 309. 
 
 Sterninae, 378. 
 
 Tetradactyla, 184. 
 
 Turlur, 309. 
 
 Stoat, 66. 
 
 Tetrao, 323, 324. 
 
 Twohorned Rhinoceros, 
 
 Stockdove, 308. 
 
 Tetraonida:, 321. 
 
 178. 
 
 Stork, 346. 
 
 Tetraoninas, 323. 
 
 
 Stormy Petrel. 372. 
 
 Tetrix, 324. 
 
 Ulula, 216. 
 
 Strepsiceros, 135. 
 
 Thalarctos, 75. 
 
 Uncia, 36. 
 
 Slriata, 45. 
 
 Thalassidroma, 372. 
 
 Vndata, 243. 
 
 Strigida:, 216. 
 
 Thrush, Misseltoe, 257. 
 
 Dndatum, 465. 
 
 Striinna? 221 
 
 
 Vn ff ulata 123. 
 
 Strix, 221. 
 
 Thynnus, 416. 
 
 Llnu'ornis, 177. 
 
 Strobilosaura, 387. 
 
 Tiger, 33. 
 
 TJpupidae, 232. 
 
 Strulhio, 330. 
 
 Cat, 39. 
 
 tJpupinae, 232. 
 
 Struthionidae, 330. 
 
 Moth, 510. 
 
 tirbica, 227. 
 
 Struthioninae. 330. 
 
 Beetle, 483. 
 
 Uria. 371. 
 
 Sturgeon, 448. 
 
 Tigris. 33. 
 
 TJrinB?, 371.
 
 524 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Uregallus, 323. 
 Uropsophus, 390. 
 Ursida, 72. 
 llrsina, 72. 
 Ursine Howler, 21. 
 Ursinus, 21. 
 
 Vampire Bat, 25. 
 Vampirus, 25. 
 Vanellus, 340. 
 Vanessa, 507. 
 Vanus, 35. 
 Vertebrata, 1. 
 Verus, 386. 
 Vespa, 502. 
 Vespertilionidae, 25. 
 Vespertilionina, 28. 
 Vespida;, 502. 
 Vcspillo, 485. 
 Viper, 394. 
 Viperina, 390. 
 Viperida-, 392. 
 Virginiana, 86. 
 Viridis, 304, 401. 
 Viscivorus, 257. 
 Vitulma, 67. 
 Viverra, 46. 
 Vivernnae, 46. 
 
 Vivipara, 384. 
 
 Whitethroat, 244. 
 
 Volans, 388. 
 
 Wolf, 61. 
 
 Voliiiins, 432. 
 
 Wolverine, 68. 
 
 Vulpes, 63. 
 
 Wood Ant, 501. 
 
 
 Woodcock, 350. 
 
 Wagtail, 253. 
 
 Woodcock, Thorny, 466. 
 
 Walrus, or Morse, 90. 
 
 Woodpecker, Green, 304 
 
 Wandering Albatros, 374. 
 Wapiti, 157. 
 Warbler, Blackcap, 245. 
 Dartford, 243. 
 
 Spotted, 202. 
 Wren, 239. 
 Golden Crested, 2-16. 
 Wryneck, 305. 
 
 Wasp, 502. 
 
 Xiphias, 417. 
 
 Water-lien, 355. 
 
 
 Water Shrew, 82. 
 
 Yak, 131. 
 
 Water Rat, 108. 
 Waxwing, Bohemian, 265. 
 
 Yarrelhi, 254. 
 Yellow Bunting, 290. 
 
 Weasel, 67. 
 
 Wagtail, 254. 
 
 Weniletrap, Royal Stair- 
 
 Yuncinv. 305. 
 
 case, 464. 
 
 Yunx, 305. 
 
 Whale, 91. 
 
 
 Spermaceti, 98. 
 
 Zebra, 165. 
 
 Whelk, 465. 
 
 Zebu, 125. 
 
 Whistling Swan, 360. 
 
 Zeidae, 419. 
 
 White Pelican, 382. 
 
 Zeus, 419. 
 
 White Shark, 450. 
 
 Zibellma, 65. 
 
 White Spoonbill, 345. 
 White-headed Eagle, 202. 
 
 Zootoca, 384. 
 Zygtena, 451.
 
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