LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY 5,137] GIFT OF Pate a oF 1925, tae at = afer ed AND THE WORLD OF NATURE —.. Specimen of.. on the Cloth Cover () Vs [ox] Handsomely Embossed in Gold and Ink Price 1/9 Handsome cloth gilt Case - - - Half green French Morocco Case - Half rich red Persian Morocco case - Full rich red Persian Morocco Case - ANIMAL LIFE Vol. I. is complete with Part 12. Title and Contents Pages have been printed in Two Colours on the same Art Paper as used in the Work itself, and will be supplied to subscribers with Cases for Binding, as under: A full Index will be given away with the JULY No. a a, i i Z 2 c 2 Is. Od. - 2s. 9d. _ 4 = Ss. Od. a : & = 6s. Od. London: HUTCHINSON & CO.. 64-65. & 3) Paternoster Row, E.C. er EE SO a re m ut bake ; Oe Nat 2! ; f hatos Wai hooaty by a aay ANIMAL LIFE AND ine WORED O: NATUINE Sov G NZINESOR NATURAL THls TORY VOL. II. GILG, 19S to JUNE, 1904 With 608 ILLUSTRATIONS (Including 13 Coloured Plates) Direct from Photographs, etc. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., PATERNOSTER Row rd oe ee a y frome ste r A. ee "Le - ~ 4 WOR, iL, COLOURED PLATES. SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLIES AND THEIR CATERPILLARS— By Professor F. Edward Hulme SomE CurrIousLY CoLouRED Bats, By Harington Bird— Facing page 45)° FEMALE GIRAFFE, By J. Smit.. AN AFRICAN LION IN THE OPEN, shy AL F. “Gian & THE ComMON SEAL, By Sir Harry Johnston, G.C.M.G, &e. A PousR BER, By T. F. Smith ROUEN DRAKE AND Ducr, By Harrison Weir, F. R. ‘A. Ss. ay PAGE Abruzzi’s, The Duke of the; Dogs... ery 51 Addax a bs in =. Q1T Adder 00 sb0 -- 243 Adjutant, Indian. -.. 216 Alligator, Dentition of... +. 222 Anaconda ... R O63 coe BEA) Anteater, Great . acd ... 152 Porcupine 298-299 Anthill ce ne ... 300 Antelope, Addax... Py neo MALY Arabian Gazelle .. Seo 8Y9 Blesbok oo 000 a O44 Boschbok ... noe. 4048) Doreas Gazelle 600 166 Egyptian Gazelle ... 37 Harnessed a os hi) Korin Gazelle ts ... B62 Nagor ... 3o0 200 ... 166 Onyx _... don on ».- 305 Onyx, Beisa ... Bs we O34 Onyx, White, or Sabre- horned 218, 339 Reed-buck .... cep BEL) Ril, or Addra Gazelle 360 Saiga 2 aC > 137, Selous’s . 136 Waterbuck ... 278 Apparatus for Photographing Insects... 25 Apparatus for Photographing the Lower Sides of Flat- Fishes ... 335 Arabian Gazelle . os OD Arctic Dog .. 600 00 coo _ 68) Armadillo ... 300 .. 170-172 Australian Magpie 353 Babbler __.. see 1GI8 Baboon, Chacma... «153, 279 Banting, or Javan Wild Ox .. 3508 Bare-necked Fowl ae Barramunda, Tooth of Bat, Collared Fruit- Long-eared Mastiff ... oe 60 sca SNS Bear ... ay, $00 003 sag BAS Polar... 600 cob Dentition of . 111 Gait of .. 23 Beaver 39 Bell-Bird ... oa8 202 IS) Birds, The Gait of oa a. 24 Bison, The American ... .-. 213 Blackbird ... Rte te cow, (6B Black Snakes ond ... 69; 71, 72 Blesbok a 500 244 Boa-Constvictor ... 328, 383, 384 Boar, Wild, Dentition of . 113 Boschbok oa 36 Bower-Bird no th) Breck District, Views in the 1,29 Brown Snake = od Bulbul o00 eas Is) Bulrush Caterpillar Pe ZGONI62 Bush-Rat, The Australian 98 Bustard, Denham’s 10 Buttertly, Green-veined White 60 of the Genus Ornithoptera 393 Swallow-tailed . 387 Camel 0 20 361 Bactrian . 101 The Gait of the 20) Carp, Pharyngeal, Teeth of aie 293, Carpincho, Dentition of > Tiks} oA ” ” Cassowary ... Cat, Domestic and Lamb Cattle, Corean Cavy ... Chattinch Chameleon Indian ... Chimera, Lower Tooth of Chimpanzee “Jimmy” 99, “Mickie” a “Susan” Cheetah Cicada a é Seventeen- -year ola Civet, African Indian ... Sumatran Coati, W. hite-nosed or Red- .. Collared Fr uit-Bat Coot, Egg of Cormorant .. Corn-Crake, Egg or. Corn- -Bunting, Eee OH Crane Asiatic White. Manchurian ... Crocodile, Nile... Dentition of ... ee Crow, King or Drongo ... Cuckoo, Egg of Drongo- Hawk- ... Indian ... Curassow Curlew, Stone... Eggs and Nest of Deer, Eastern Panolia... Fallow ... Formosan Hangul... Japanese o Mouse-, The Gait of | Panolia 5 3 Red Sambar Wapiti, Manchurian Dog 189- “Abr uzzi’ Sy The Duke of the 51 Arctic ... Kirghiz Grey hound — Lhasa Terriers Samoyedes ... Smooth Chow 608 Wolf-Dingo Hybrids Dentition of . Gait of .. Dolphin, Dentition of . Dorcas Gazelle Dove, Hybrids F Mountain Witch- Plumed Ground- Ring- ... Stock- ... Turtle-.. Turtle-, Egg ot i Drongo, or King-Croy ... Cuckoo.. ox Duck, Aylesbury... Call Shoveller Top-knot Eagle... ‘Albino Wedge- tailed Frontispiece PAGE coo PU -. 60 =. 242, ... 213 -.. 215 ... 348 132, 309 .. 131 -.. 258 165, 307 269-270 coo PANG) -.. 107 106, 107 108, 166 221-999 _ 374 2. BIB ©. 3895 * 149 250-251 193, 343 166 209-210 _ 212 ... 248 209, 211 . 211 coo Mla ... 238 .. 374 . 375 62, 181 ... 183 .. 143 . 182 . 324 61 ILLUSTRATIONS LUMPSUCKER, By Miss Florence Seth (ony a Photograph by R. Thiele Stock-DoveE, By the Hom Nive Foljambe = nee 90 op THE ARCTIC Fox—White Phase uv Do. Blue Phase ILIN) PAGE Eagle, Sea, White-headed ... 308 Sea, White-tailed i Eastern Panolia Deer ... Elephant ve Dentition of ... Gait of .. $60 Shipping an ... Egg of Coot Corn-Crake Corn-Bunting Cuckoo... 6 Eared Grebe... Grouse ... a} Guillemot 239-240 House-Martin . 238: Hark 009 =. 237 Nightjar 34, 237 Partridge ... 239 Quail ... 238 Raven ... +. 239 Sparrow iH A ooo MBM Stone-Curlew 00 soe it Swallow Swift =06 Tawny-Owl Be239) Tern... C00 ... 239 Turtle-Dove ... +. 238 Wagtail 5 =. 237 Woodpecker ... 2. 237 Yellowhammer --. 238 Egg within an Egg mon B55) Egret, Snowy _... .. 134 Egyptian Gazelle coo _ NY Ermine on . 164 Falcon . 147 Mediterranean Peregrine 337 Fallow Deer ae coo SI) Field-Mice, Nest of ... 314 File-Fish, Teeth of . 290 Fly, Bee-like ... 127 Face of... . 125 Robber- 127 Stalk-eyed 126 Flycatcher... eo ne 203 JIGS) Fantailed ... oda ... 389 Formosan Deer a .. 251 Fox... 605 a0 54, 55 Egyptian 74 Dentition of Double-tusked 109 Friar-Bird Bouru . 376 Frog, Long-fingered 75 Noisy ... ooo ff) Oceliated Bladder . eno) PRC ems ceo a. 3D Gait of. 000 095 we Od Gazelle, Arabian Doreas .. E gyptian Kkorin Ril, or Adara Gibbon, Silvery 303 tee Giraffe 09s 76, 77, 121, Dentition of ... Gait of . Glass-Snake _ 0 Globe-Fish, Dentition of Gnat, or Mosquito Wing Goat, Khartoum ... 5 Goose, Common ... Pink-footed Spur-winged ... Toulouse Grass Snake o ce Grebe, Eared, Egg Otmre i } BUDGERIGAR, By the Hon. Alice Foljambe ... 208 09 » ABNORMAL Puatcr, Miss Annie Willis ... ae oes ” x) A TIGER IN THE JUNGLE, By T. F. Smith ... oon 59 op Wists, WTB OCI, Facing page 237) 263) By T. F. Smire 7 on As) (313) 333 381 PAGE Grebe, Great Crested . ... 143 Grouse, Bees and Nest of ... 66 Ruffed . < 67 Guillemot . 143, 318 Arctic, or Loon . 157 Blac Egg of --. 239 Egg of . ae ... 240 Gull, Black-headed ... seen 193 Common 145, 307, 321 Herring- ae 276 Ivory, Nest of elo Kittiwake . 157 Hangul 7 .. 301 Hare, Polar a60 . 164 Harnessed Antelope on 8) Hawk, Cuckoo eee BIS) Shikyra .. ... 378 Hawfinch ... ... 195 Hawk-Moth, Lime 173, 177 Hedgehog . 343, 382 Heron 63, 322. Cocoi ... 134 Squacco » 145 Hoplosaur, Tooth of -» 228 Hornbill : . 319 “Horror! among them “was a Gun!” ..: . 343 Horse E 931-239, 244 Iceland.. 50 . 164 Dentition of . 115 Gait of.. : 18, 19 Humming- Bird, Giant. 149 Iguana u ... 168 Dentition of . .. 224 Iguanodon, Tooth of 228 Insects, Apparatus for Photo- graphing 2 ceo LDS} Jackal, Black-backed ... soo Ue) Variegated ... 355 -- 14 Jackdaw ... 50h oe ... 149 White ... Pe wi -.- Q4T Japanese Stag... Bab ... 251 Jerboa, Egyptian ae con 8) Kangaroo, Great... Gait of .. Kestrel 20 Ixhartoum Humped- Bull Kiang Kingfisher, ‘White-breasted . Kir, ghiz Grey hound tee Kittiwake ... 3 Kiwi ... Koala Korin Gazelle Labyrinthodont, Section of the Tooth of 508 Sa so. D277 Lamb and Cat... ; 249, Lamprey, Dentition of 259 Lapwing... an aS 7, 10 Nest of... enc = cco G ans 300 90 300 sco ete) Egg of . ie ooo PSN Lemur, Crowned.. ... 351 Grey abn 349 Yellow-whiskered . 350 Leopard 246, 247 Snow- ... oo3 10 Leopard-Seal, Dentition of ... 112 Lepidotus, Giant, Dentition of 287, 288 PAGE Lhasa Terriers «02 Lion ... ‘128, 129, 234 Dentition of a . 110 Lizard, Blue ars one JK03} Blue-tongued 006 42, 67 Canarian S00 AH ..- 282 Chameeleon ... ... 130 Changeable ... ... 132 Common 00 ... 382 Cunningham’ § Skink .. 281 Derbian Zonure we 44 Fence ... . +. 284 Gila Monster ., 280 Hispid .. a 383, Iguana, Tuberculated ... 168 Iguana, Dentition of ... 204 Lesueur’s Water- ... 43, 169 Monitor Two-banded__... 168 Monitor, Dentition of 293, Simony’s . 00 .-. 103 Stellion Common ag 281, 283 Spiny-tailed Mastigure ... 13 Gait of .. mp aes 24 Llama 6 209 100 Long-eared Bat ... 88 Loon, or Arctic Guillemot 157 Lung-Fish, Dentition of 259 Lynx, Isabelline... 929 Lyre-Bira ... 65, 195, 311, 313 Man, Back-view of Trunk and upper extremities of 155 Gait of 0 e090 18 Magpie, Australian 353 White ... . 241 Marsupial-like Mammal, ex- tinct, Dentition of . . 110 Marten o 90 Martin, House-, Begs 0 of 238 Mastiff Bat.. 2 87 Midge’s Wing ANS 41 Megalosaur, Teeth of . 227 Monkey, Chaema Baboon 15: 53) 279 Chimpanzee “Jimmy” 99, 165, 307 Chimpanzee “ Mickie” 99 Chimpanzee “Susan’ 165, 249 Silvery Gibbon 06 99 White-collared Mangabey 165 Wanderoo ... . 135 The Haunts of the.. 25 Mole-Rat : te 809) Monitor, Two-banded . . 168 Dentition of . 223, Mosquito ... 40, 41 Moth, Lime Hawk- 173-177 Puss- ... 93, 97 Mountain-Witch.. o. 212) Musk-Ox, Greenland 138 139, 162 Mynah, Common ... QT4 Nagor Antelope ... . 166 Nest, Blackbird’s 00 aco _ (8) Gull's ... ogo 63, 157 Grouse’s, Ruffed 65, 66 Fantailed Fly: catcher’s ... 389 Heron’s 26 oon _ 6B} Lapwing’s ooo {th |e Moorhen’s . 180 Nightjar’s 31 Pheasant’s 2 Partridge’s _... : 2 Par tridge’ s, French 2 Plover’s, Ringed- 5 Sparrow's 2 DY Stone-Curlew’'s oo (oh if AUTHORS CONTRIBUTING Curistm, Carr. W. E. CUNNINGHAM, PRorEssor D. TOLYREY CUNNINGHAM, J. T., M.A., F.Z.S. Danvo, W. P., F.Z.S. ENOCH, FRED., F.Z.8., &c. FARMBOROUGH, 1% FARREN, WILLIAM.,. 20 FInn; PRANK, B.A., ‘F. bes S. FLOWER, CapTarn STANLEY GARNER, RK. L. JACKSON, Tapp, WALTER, WELLINGTON, E. Z. S., F. B.S 14, 42, CAPTAIN FREDERICK = G. M.D., F.Z.S. ... Illustrations in the Text, Vol. PAGE Nest, Willow-Wren’s 388 Nesting-Boxes 271-272 Nightjar... .. 81, 33, 149 Eggs of... 34 237 Nuthatch ova 1G)8) Oriole oo 18) Black-headed — . 881 Bower ... 377 Ornithoptera, Butterfly ‘of the Genus ... F . 393 Oryx . . 805 Beisa ... .. 237, White or Sabre-horned 218, 339 Ostrich 00 w. 214 Masai ... . 134 South African : Gait of .. 3 Otter .. Common Small-clawed Ouzel, Grey-winged Ring... ooo Oven-Bird ... Owl, Barn-door Burrowing... Sharpe’s Wood- Tawny, Egg of Ox, Nuer Humped Oyster-Catcher Parrot . 820 Amazon .. 149 Parrot-Fish, Dentition of ... 291 Partridge, ges of .-. 239 Nest of.. 200 cag French, Nest of... bog) 204 Pastor, Rose-coloured ... coo PES) Pelican, Australian . 306 Brown ... . 3807 Penguin 5 321 Petrel, Fulmar 8 coo JLB) Pheasant ... 205 366 .. 1 Argus... 500 Bc ..- 276 Bar-tailed Boe Golden... Hybrid... Japanese 26 Ring-necked ... Swinhoe’s Nests of Photographing Flat- fish, Appa- ratus for 5 335 Photographing Insects, ‘Appa- ratus for 125 Phyllodus Pharyngeal, Plate of 292 Pigeon feeding its Young . 855 Wood- . : ... 149 Pike, Dentition of p oon PAS Dentition of Barracuda ... 293 Pitta .. Bon oho cco SY Plaice. . 333 Plover 000 con 8 Nests of Ringea- 0 og |) Young Ringed- wie ooo (683 Plumed Ground-Dove cag MAllal Porecupine-Anteater 298, 299 Porphyrio, Grey -headed .. 64 Pratincole ... ., 368 Puma 265 Puss-Moth . “93-97 Pycnodont Fish, Palatal Den- tition of . 289, Pycnodus, Palatal Dentition of 288 Python, Malay 1 BT Vertebra of . 326 we 119 J., E.R.S. 128 : 333 9; 35, 73, 99, 132, 165, “212, 248, ¢ 274, 306, 333, 368 93, 173 , &e. 86, 106, 170, Bf 263, 294, 331, 349, 365 eo 1, 29 61, “104, 141, 195, 205, 317, 374 212, 360 189 157 152, ¥31 I. PAGE Quail, Egg of . 238 Rabbit, Gait of ... cee «- 23 Rail, Australian . . 3387 Ypecaha Se 2h pall Rat, Australian Bush- . ooo SIs} Mole-Rat 000 +. B09) Water-... 060 006 ooo 3} Raven a ... 338 Egg of . con PBS) Ray, Dental Plates of . 256-257 Red Deer... 000 con 1} Reed-Buck .. 339 Reindeer _.. 000 161, 278 Reptile, Bean-toothed. Denti- tion of 225 Carnivorous Mammal- like, Dentition of ... -.. 226 Ringdove ... 209, 211 Hybrids oe 209, 210 Rhinoceros, White », 193 Rhea, Common ... 600 a. 61 Ril, or Addra Gazelle ... 360 . Robin en 179, 347, 396 Roller, or Dollar-bird . 390, 391 Indian ... oo ... 149 Ruff (Sandpiper) .. . 145 Saiga Antelope . 137 Sambar Stag ... 202: Samoyedes... 50, 51 Sargus, Dentition of ... 290 Saw-Fish, Saw of 500 +1. 253 Scarabeeus, Sacred a08 coo _ 89) Scorpion... 315, 316 Seal, Greenland Harp-. .. 160 Leopard- P .. 112 Selous’s Antelope _ -. 136 Serpent, Dentition of Poison- ous sae .. 204 Serow .. 302 Shark, Jaw ‘and Teeth of 254, 255, 256 Sheep ac 249, 245, 305 Ewe and her Lambs coo 8) Wallachian ... 804 Sheldrake, Common ve. BIZ Hybrid... - 205 Ruddy ... me 205} Variegated ve 872 Shrike F 99) Skink, Dentition of Giant . 223 Skylark 4 006 . 169 Egg of . . 237 Sloth, "ios toed . ae Te Lod Smooth Chow Dog coo aco 8) Snake, Anaconda 329 Boa-Constrictor 328, 383, 384 0 600 69, 71, 72 coo AY w B41 . 243 Python Malay . 327 Python Vertebree of 326 Tiger 69, 70 White Spotted Burrowin ying 341 How to hold . 119 Snipe, Common, Egg of oo PRY) Somerford Park Cattle coo _ Wl Starling : soo LGM Sparrow, Egg of . . 237 Nest of .. n00 oro BU Sparrow-Hawk . 239 Spider and Nest . . 3l4 Springbok, African, Gaitof... 22 Stock-Dove.. 5 211 LANE, Cyrin GRanr Lra, HERMANN LYDEKEER, R., F.R.S. PopMorn, Pycrart, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S. Royau-Dawson, W., F.Z.S. ScHurenpt, Dr. R. W., SPURRELL, H. Bee ORGS FE. STRICKLAND, TrNcH, MARY th A. TopHam, C. H. WEBSTER, CAPTAIN CAYLEY, r. Z. S. P. Sr. MicHarn, M.A., F.Z.S. C.M.Z.S. . A. GERALD, r. BE. Ss. TO THIS VOLUME. 67, 98, 266, 298, 311, 352, 178, 271, 291, 253, 287, 210, 17, 45, 76, 109, 130, 185, &C. . 40, 125, 260, PAGE Sun-Fish, Gill-teeth of .. 289 Swallow 5 8 .. 203 Egg of. . 237 Swallow-tailea Butterfly 387 Swan. 8 Mute ... . 336 Swift, Eggs of . 237 Tahr, Himalayan 38 Nilgiri a0 .. 38 Thick-Knee, Australian «. 807 Thrush 00 ose +. 203 Teal, Andaman ... we QI5 Tern, Egg of +. 239 Tiger, Clouded coc G5) Indian ... 73, 74 Tiger-Snake it 69, 70 eT trees one ono tf Blue 271, 342, 345 Cole 600 ... 179 Great ... 178, 272 Long-tailed 348 Marsh ... 179, 344 Toad, Black-spotied ~ 132 Giant... ... 132 Moorish P «.. 132 Tortoise, Large Greaved . 340 North Aldabra Giant . 310 Toucan ... 149 Touracou ... 149, 319 Tritylodon, Dentition of .. 226 Trogon : «.. 149 Troupial i -.. 380 Tuatera, Dentition of . 994, 225 Turkey, Brush ono _ 3K0) White ... ... 182 Turtle-Dove wee 2 Egg of ... . 238 Vulture, Riippell’s . 167 Wagtail : sco US) Grey, Egg of . +. 237, Wallaroo 90 «338 Wallaby ova Ls) Walrus ¢ ang lUs{3) Wanderoo Monkey one 13%) Wapiti, Manchurian 280; 251 Waterbuck.. . 278 Water-Hen, White-breasted ... 145 White-collared Mangabey . 165 White-spotted oe Snake ... we B41 Whydah Bird . 104 Long-tailed ae v. 105 Willow-Wren noo «.. 213, 388 Wolf, Grey... 006 ona LS Praivie ... 73 White ... ons 15 White Polar ... . 161 Gait of .. 20 Wolf, Dingo Hybrids fe 53 Wolferies of Mr. C. H. Brook 14 Wolf-Fish ... 999, Woodcocks.. 356 Woodpeckers 323 Egg of ... 237 Green ... 149 Wood-pigeon abe wn L49 Wombat... pea zoOs2OG Wrasse, Teeth of .. 290 | | Yellow-Hammer, Egg of 238 Zebra, Mountain 9 389 342 325 219 181 382 280 383 269 246 937 392 SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLIES AND THEIR CATERPILLARS. From an original painting by PRorEssor BF, Epwarbd HULME, THE BIRD LIFE OF THE BRECK DISTRICT. Written and Illustrated with Photographs by Wm. FarREn. PART I. TP\HE so-called “Breck” district is a large expanse of sandy country in the north- west of Suffolk and south-west of Norfolk; it extends roughly on the south from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds, and on the north from Thetford to Brandon and Lakenheath, some twelve or fourteen miles each way; south and east it is bounded by the higher and more wooded parts of Suffolk, and in the north, crossing the Brandon River, it is gradually lost among the heath-land of Norfolk; while on the west it ends abruptly on the edge of the deep fens of north Cambridgeshire. A barren, infertile land, composed for the most part of sandy, flint-covered hills, the sparse vegetation kept close cropped by innumerable rabbits, and scarcely more fertile valleys, where grow quantities of bladder-campion, viper’s-bugloss, ragwort and poppies. Everywhere are long belts and clusters of Scotch fir, the blackness of which is only relieved by their own red stems, the hght green of occasional beeches, and here and there the silver stem of a birch. On the roadsides, where hedges occur at all, these also are» of Scotch fir—locally called “Scotch fences’”—at some parts cut and trained, dense and impenetrable; at others overgrown, twenty feet high, and nearly as thick at the tops, the lower parts gaunt, twisted stems, bare, and affording glimpses through of the country inside, sometimes of a field of rye—the only crop which flourishes at all on the sandy soil— sometimes of bare hills and scurrying rabbits, and sometimes of a veritable blaze of blue bugloss, white campion, yellow ragwort and red poppies. An infertile land, hopeless of cultivation and thinly populated, no wonder that it should have become what it is—one of the richest game preserves in England. Not only in the “Breck” itself, but for miles on every side, the country is devoted to the preservation cf game, excepting the western boundary which abuts on the Fens, and here the snipe and other wildfowl take the place of partridges and pheasants. In agricultural districts the daily talk is of crops; in the Breck it is of partridges and pheasants—everyone appears to haye an interest in the game, and understanding it, respects it accordingly. The hedgeless fields and heaths near the roads appear to be as inviolate as the most secluded parts; in the nesting season the birds sit as safely by the roadsides as they do in the fir belts (and what a wealth of nests is contained in 1 PHEASANT'S “ NEST WITH sie THIRTEEN EGGS. those dark fir belts!), the partridges, most motherly of birds, utilising every feather in spreading them- selves over their seven- teen or eighteen eggs, deep down in the waving grass, the pheasants closely snuggled under the shelter of a friendly fir. Naturalists may re- eret that the natural fauna of carnivorous mamimals and birds of prey is all but exterminated by watchful keepers, whose one care is naturally the game they have to protect, but none will dispute the fact that all the large game preserves in Kngland give a shelter to many interesting birds which are not detrimental to the game, and are therefore not only unmolested by the keepers, but share with the’ partridges and pheasants that seclusion which is necessary for thei well being—almost for their very existence. Let any who doubt it have an opportunity of inspecting the plantations in an ordinary agricultural district, where game- keepers are unknown; note the gaps in the hedges and trodden-down tracks in the Animal Life vegetation leading to the empty boy-robbed birds’ nests; compare this with the coverts of a well-kept” game preserve, where every nest has eggs or young. The large game moors and heaths are the safe breeding ground of innumerable birds of the wader and plover family, as the Breck district is the sanctuary of the interesting wild birds which in this article the writer will endeavour to describe. The presence in the fauna of several sea- coast forms, the nature of the soil, and its immediate proximity to the deep fens, has led many naturalists to regard the Breck as a remnant of an old coast line, the shore of an ancient bay which possibly covered the whole of the fens of North Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. There is a very natural disposition on the part of students of natural science to value most highly the evidence afforded by their own special branch; and although geologists will pomt out that no sea shells have been found in the Breck, entomologists, know- ing how conservative PARTRIDGE’'S NEST WITH SEVENTEEN EGGS. The Bird Life of the Breck District “Deep down in the waving grass.” “Closely snuggled under the shelter of a friendly fix." 4 Animal Life insects are in adhering to a particular sort of locality, and finding several species of moths otherwise found only on the coast abounding in the Breck, some thirty miles or more from the nearest sea, feel justified in regarding them as the survivors of the littoral fauna of an ancient sea coast. The geologists are undoubtedly right in stipulating for the presence of marine shells, but while this would be definite and convincing, the occurrence of these coast insects in a locality so far imland is one of the shreds of evidence afforded by the geographical distribution of living forms which assist in unravelling the history of the changes the earth’s surface has undergone. In a locality. where the surface has so long remained undisturbed one would naturally expect to’ find some indication of pre- -historic human inhabitants, and this frequently occurs in the form of flint arrow-heads picked up among the surface-flints of the hills; it must have been a vast workshop for the old stone-folk who dwelt there—a wealth of material and consequent waste of the result. The stone-folk have gone, but not their occupation, for there are still living at Brandon some of the old “flint-knappers”’ who, if they are not so now, were up to very recent times celebrated for the manufacture of gun-flints. It is, however, with the birds which inhabit the Breck that this article has to deal, and there is at least one otherwise exclusively coast species which in the nesting season regularly visits the district; this is the ringed plover, or ringed dotterel, one of the commonest of our resident shore birds. It is quite possible that as the large flocks which have wintered on the more southern shores break up and move northward in the spring, pairs settling here and there along the Norfolk coast, while the majority pass across to Lincolnshire and the north, a certain number, following the lime of coast as it turms into the Wash, continue westward till they lose the sea at King’s Lynn, and crossing the twenty-five or thirty miles of Norfolk heaths, find the sandy sohtudes of the Breck sufficiently like the sea shore to suit the requirements of their nesting operations, spread over the hills and sandy fields from Brandon to Mildenhall, and find themselves as much at home for the time as ‘if they could hear the swishing of the tide as it creeps over the broad sands of the Wash thirty miles away. They leave in the early autumn with their young families, and it may be that the latter, with the controlling principle of the instinct of migration, returning again the following spring to the place where they were reared, have so established a regular visitation. This theory is quite independent of the supposed littoral omgin of the Breck ; if we connect the occurrence of the ringed plover with that hypothesis, it is only by regarding the individuals who spend their breeding seasons there now as the descendants of the ringed plover which inhabited the Breck in the remote period when it was an actual sea shore. It is a contemplation fascinating im the extreme, in that it deals so intimately with the mysteries of hereditary habits—very pleasant to dream and theorise, especially so if standing on one of those sandy flint-flecked hills on a warm June day, watching the ringed plovers as they skim low over the ground, sometimes lost to sight as their white under-parts blend with the white flints; and listening to their shrill cries so reminiscent of the shore. One needs but to close one’s eyes for a time and hear the soft wind soughing through the fir trees, sounding so like the murmuring of the sea and blending so naturally with the cries of the ringed plovers, that. one almost expects on looking up to see tiny wavelets creeping over the rippling sand and a blue haze joing sea and sky in the distance. Ringed plovers’ nests are common on most of our coasts, and are mere hollows in the shingle and pebbles of the beach; the four pale stone-coloured eggs, speckled and streaked with brown and black chiefly at the large end, assimdate most remarkably with The Bird Life of the Breck District 5 their surroundings, and are practically invisible except to the practised eye. On the Breck these birds seem to have acquired a special nesting habit. A hollow is made in the sandy soil and neatly lined with small stones carefully selected about the size of peas; the nests when untenanted are conspicuous enough, but with the addition of the eggs they are as invisible as those on the beach; this habit of lmimmeg their nests with stones has earned for them the local name of ‘“ Stone-hatch,’ by which NEST OF RINGED PLOVER. they are known all through the district. The class of birds which inhabit a country or district is largely dependent on the character of the country itself. The Breck is eminently suitable to the habits of ground- nesting birds; not such, however, as ducks and rails, which require swampy ground with long grass and herbage in which their somewhat conspicuous eggs may be hidden, but for such as the ringed plover and others, the remarkable resemblance of whose eggs to a stone-strewn soil gives them a better protection than concealment, the bare hills and fallows of the Breck forming an ideal nesting ground. Best known and most widely distributed of such birds is the Lapwing or Pee-wit. Its breeding grounds are spread all over the country, and its plaimtive cry of es eo a. YOUNG RINGED PLOVERS. “Yee-wit |’ may be heard in early spring on many a heath or other open space, such as commons, downs, fallow fields and meadows, the more bare and_ shelter- less the better to ensure this ever watchful bird from RINGED PLOVER ON NEST. bemg approached LAPWING’S NES’ unawares. ‘Their eggs are the “plovers’ egos” of poulterers’ shops, and ave famihar to all; but few seeing them as they are displayed for sale, often in hundreds, would realise how dificult they are to discover in their natural situations. In a locality so congenial to their watchful habits as the Breck, the presence of these birds in considerable numbers is a foregone conclusion. But of all the birds which inhabit the Breck none are so characteristic, so interesting and fascinating to the naturalist, and none fit in so well with the nature of the country, as the hicknee or Stone-Curlew. It is the largest of all the plover family in Britain, and is often called the Great Plover and Norfolk Plover, the latter name originating in the district of which we are writing. Of the other two names mentioned above, ‘“‘ Thicknee”’ is derived from the thickening of the leg in immature birds, a peculiarity which, although unusually pronounced in this species, 1s common not only to all the plovers but the whole group of birds known as “ waders,” from the herons EGGS OF THE STONE-CURLEW. Animal Life down to the smallest sandpipers. As regards fitness, there is but little to choose between the several trivial names of this bird; even advanced ornithologists hardly show a prefer- ence for any particular one. Although in the writer's opinion “ Stone-Curlew” is not the most appropriate, yet as it is the name generally used in Norfolk and Suffolk, it will be adopted in this article when the bird is subsequently alluded to. The use of the name is, however, apt to be productive of some confusion unless the explanation 1s made that no near relationship exists between this bird and the real curlew ; some approximation ‘there is in build and general colouring of the two birds, but contrasted with the short plover-like bill of the stone-curlew, the characteristic long curved one of the curlew is so distinctive a feature as to make it unlikely that the name arose from appearance alone. It is more likely that it originated in one of the few breeding places of Cidicnemas near the shore, or some moorland where curlews were well STONE-CURLEW’S NEST. The Bird Life of the Breck District FI LAPWING, STONE-CURLEW, 8 Animal Life known, and that the similarity of thei wild mght cries caused the inhabitants to confuse the two birds, and then, recognising a distinction, to add the prefix “stone” to the former from their habit of nesting in stony places. Although belongmg to the plover family the stone-curlew has no close affinities with any other British members of the eroup; if forms an interesting lmk between them and the bustards, which birds it much resembles in both appearance and habits. Apart from other species of its own genus Cidicnemus (which occur in remote parts of the world such as southern Asia, tropical America and Australia, but principally Africa), the stone-curlew is nearly allied to the coursers, which inhabit similar localities, notably the sandy plains of Africa. The stone-curlew is migratory, arriving in this country early in April, at the end of which month its eggs may in some seasons be found, although as a rule it does not commence to lay before May is a week old. Its breeding grounds are the chalk downs, plaims, and heaths im several of our southern counties, but nowhere in such abundance as on the Breck. Whilst most cf the British plovers lay four eggs of the well-known pear-shaped form (which, arranged with the small ends together, occupy a far smaller space than their comparatively large size would lead one to expect), the stone-curlew lays but two; these are nearly oval in shape, stone-coloured, and streaked and blotched with different shades of brown and grey; they are deposited in a shght hollow scraped in the sandy soil, and there are generally loose flints strewn about the surface near the “nest” with which the eggs harmonise so perfectly as to be most difficult to detect. The ringed plover, lapwing and stone-curlew all nesting as they do under similar conditions, it follows that them habits durmg incubation have much in common. ‘The eges are so well protected by their resemblance to their environment that at the approach of danger (by which it may be inferred man is implied) the eggs are safer left to themselves than if the parent bird remained on them, to be probably frightened into a sudden flight by a near approach of the intruder, which would afford a good clue to their whereabouts. (Lo be continued.) A ROYAL BIRD. ULY is the month when the young Swans on the Thames are marked by the King’s Swanherd, in conjunction with the Swanwardens and Markers of the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Companies. These two Companies and the King are the owners of Swans on the River Thames. For the purpose of marking the young birds every year the King’s representative meets the wardens and herdsmen of the Companies, and they all start from Southwark Bridge on the Swan Voyage. The King’s birds are marked with his initial, and those of the Dyers’ and Vintners’ Companies with one and two nicks respectively. In connection with the mark, or rather marks of the latter, it is interesting to note that the old tavern sign “The Swan with Two Necks” is a corruption of “The Swan with two Nicks.” Swan laws still in foree are numerous; among them may be mentioned one which provides that no persons other than the King’s sons may possess the birds unless they hold land to the value of five marks; another is that any Swan. found on any of the seas or rivers of England without an owner’s mark becomes the property of the Crown. MOUNTAIN ZEBRA. THE Mountain Zebra (Hquus zebra) is now exceedingly scarce, and it was with the greatest pride the Zoological Society looked upon their pair of these rare animals, for who can say when, if ever, we shall get another? The picture of the female specimen here reproduced was taken on the very day the poor animal caught the chill which caused her death. The type of this species is more asinine than equine, and the ass- like characteris heightened by the barer tail, which is only furnished with long hairs towards the tip. The mountain zebra is of mus- cular build and very strong, yet beautifully symmetri- cal in form. In colour it is of a silvery white ground, and the black markings are fuller and very even as compared with the other members of the genus, and extend over the entire surface of the body except the Mountain Zebra—the scarcest of all the Zebras. ZOO NOTES. Described and Illustrated with Photographs BY W. P. DANDO, F.Z.S. stomach and inner part of the thighs; it will be observed that even the legs, nght down to the hoof, are closely ribboned in black and white. These zebras run in small troops, and in South Africa are only found in the most rugged and inaccessible mountain ranges. The profile photograph is of the male, taken in the stable. The death of his mate is a great disappointment to those who hoped that the pair might breed this year. MOUNTAIN ZEBRA, 10 BRUSH TURKEY. SOE Ee cle hinas DENHAM’S BUSTARD. LAPWING, Animal Life THESE birds do not sit upon the The eggs, but, after a Brush — certain number have Turkey. }een laid by the hen, the cock collects them all in a suitable spot and covers them over with hay and decayed leaves, making a heap, in the centre of which are the eggs. He does all the work of this incubator, regu- lating the heat by uncovering the eggs should he discover, when he dives his head into the mound, that it is too great, and piling up more leaves should he find that it is not sufficient. It is very amusing to watch this process and to observe with what jealous care he looks after the work, driving the hens away should they approach too near to his charge. a GREAT Bustarps were formerly common in England, Bustard. especially im Wilt- shire and Norfolk ; but being large (the male about four feet long and the female three), they were too conspicuous to escape persecution, and now are rarely seen. We Mr. W. H. Hupson, writing of the Lapwing, describes the curious antics of these birds when one of them pays a formal visit to others of the same species: ‘The three form a procession, the stranger walking in front and his hosts following—all keeping step, and uttermg resonant drumming notes. Presently the march stops, the stranger elevates his wings and stands motionless, while the cther two, exactly abreast, halt behind hum, drop their voices to a murmur, touch the ground with their bills, as though making obeisance, and in this posture remain for some time. Then the ceremony is over, and the The Lapwing. Zoo Notes 11 formed in the earth either by its own labour or by that of some digging mammal. At the bottom of its burrow the eggs are deposited on a bed of moss, grass or dry roots, and here the young remain during the downy period of their existence, occasionally advancing to the entrance, but retreating immediately on the approach of any suspicious object. Now that the specimens have been removed to a small cage Just large enough for them to turn round in, they are no longer attractive, and are passed by without being noticed. In their old quarters they drew quite a crowd. Wa THe White Spoonbill (Platelea leucorodia) is found over Spoonbill. the greater part of Europe and Asia and north of Africa, but is only a_ straggling visitor to England. It possesses no power of modu- SENS YPECAHA RAIL. visitor retires to his own ground and mate, to receive another visitor in exactly the same way.” D/O i ° é c Rama seu re sg lating its voice. The wind- . Se es Been re pipe is bent on itself, like We poet ar the figure 8, the coils applied Ypecaha groups, Land- Rk Reville gal Water-Rails, but the sunpler name 1s now generally applied to all birds which are in- cluded in the family Rallide. These birds also are very ceremonious in their habits, and the same writer, in his “Naturalist in la Plata” (Chap. XIX.), declares that “some of the rails join in festive dances that can only be likened to balls, the performers becoming excited almost to frenzy, and with loud cries and outstretched wings rushing from side to side for several minutes.” to each other, and held in place by a thin membrane. This peculiarity does not exist im young birds. On the Danube spoonbills nest in company with egrets and other herons. And _ the BURROWING OWL. via WHEN these pretty and active little owls (Speotito cumularia) were kept in the first cage of the Northern Aviary, with a plentiful supply of dry sand and shingle and a few drain-pipes laid in amongst it, some idea could be formed of the way they live in their native land, America. Wherever the species is found it dwells, at all ass events during the breeding season, in burrows COMMON SPOONBILL. Burrowing Owls. 12 Animal Life no feathers, and all seemed possessed with one idea, and that was either to limb a small brother or swallow him whole, and all kept up either a shriek of fear or pain or a yell of rage. Floating on the top of the putrid water were masses of dead birds, some with legs torn off, others without heads or wings. Most of them were dead, but others were dragging their maimed carcases about in a ghastly manner. So intent were they on their fiendish pastime that they took little notice of us, and dragged and clawed themselves about after their weaker brethren at our very feet, whilst the old parent birds sat looking on from the topmost twigs as if fractricide were the proper moral pastime for the young. ANOTHER African hzard, from the south, is the Bristly Lizard, belonging to the genus Agama. When this reptile first arrived at the Zoo it was very brilliant im colour, and the symmetry of its markings and the glistening of its shiny skin gave it more the appear- ance of a freshly-lacquered bronze than a living thing. Beimg quite harmless they can be handled with impunity, and when placed in a position they remain there perfectly still until, without any apparent cause, they spring away in a remarkably Ton Deer Thamin Deer. Bristly Lizard. SPINY-TAILED MASTIGAN. 13 HISPID LIZARD. rapid manner, which gives one quite a start. Vy / THERE are about seven species of Spiny- tailed Lizards—called by some “'Thorny-tailed °—all of which inhabit the parched-up land of north Africa and south-west Asia, the species photographed being typical of the former continent. It will be noticed that the body is much depressed and there is no crest alone the back; also that the head is extremely short and rounded in comparison with other Agamide. Vhe coloration of these lizards is no doubt protective, resembling the sombre colour of the desert regions they frequent. Their diet is exclusively of a vegetable character, and their flesh is said to be excellent as a table delicacy; at all events the Arabs are very partial to it. In the small vivarium in which they are held cap- tive they appear sluggish and slow in their movements, but outside, when exposed to a warm _ sun, they are very active and can run with great speed. Spiny -tailed Lizards. —_ = a PR a OP + Samar Be RES THE WOLFERIES. UNCOMMON PETS. A series of articles on the Care and Keep of Animals in Captivity. By P. WELLINGTON FARMBOROUGH, F.Z.S., F.E.S., etc. VIL. THE WOLF. [- seems rather strange, considering that the domesticated varieties of dogs are but the descendants of the wolves or jackals, that the pure type of ancestor, viz., the wolf or jackal, is not more often kept than it is; in fact, if the cubs of the wolf are taken soon after birth and looked after properly they are as tame and playful as puppies of the ordinary dog, and may, up to the time of being fully grown, be treated as harmless companions in the house. Unrestricted liberty is not always desirable with these animals, for unless a watchful eye can be kept on them and their doings, it is possible that somethmg—it is always the unexpected that happens—may occur to bring out thew smouldering savage instincts with disastrous results, so that a kennelled run should be provided in order that the wolf may be in safe quarters when it is impossible to keep observation on it. Such runs are advertised every day in the various “fancy” papers, and no doubt a second- hand one could be got very cheaply by means of a short ad. in the advertisement pages of Antmat Lirs, so that the score of expense, which is always a prime factor in these matters, need not be a deterrent. If possible the run should be placed over a bricked or cement foundation, as the place can be kept more easily clean than if there be only an earth one. The feeding and all general details of management are just the same as for a dog of the same size. Good sound meat, both raw and cooked, stale bread, vegetables, etc., form the principal diet. Wolves, like dogs, are very capricious with regard to individual tastes, one perhaps preferring cabbage as a tit-bit, another a sweet apple, yet another a piece of sugar or a sweet, and so on. The largest owner of wolves in this country is Mr. H. C. Brooke, of Welling, the well-known secretary of the Bulldog Society, to whom, together with Messrs. Harmsworth Bros., I am greatly indebted for pernussion to use the photographs which illustrate this article. The grey wolf in the photographs is a most affectionate 14 Uncommon Pets 15 animal, although only so to Mr. Brooke. Owing to being annoyed in her younger days by street curs, she is rather a terror to strange dogs, and, with the Dingo also shown, has killed a sheep-dog in a couple of minutes; but to dogs who are properly introduced she is amity itself, and quickly makes friends with them. She has a companion, a bull-terrier, with whom she is very fond of playing. Wolves vary very much in disposition: some are very gentle and confiding even with strangers; others, on the contrary, are very treacherous. The wolf, when wild, does not bark, and some, even when tamed and kept with domesticated dogs, remain absolutely dumb; others, however, soon learn to bark. It is curious and at the same time worthy of attention that wolves, unlike dogs, never bark at nothinge—there is always some reason for their bark. Those who haye gone in for wolves are all agreed that the wolf is a very nervous animal and most suspicious of what it does not perfectly comprehend; it therefore follows that in training these animals the utmost patience is required, especially until they get accustomed to, and have perfect confidence in their owner or keeper. Wolves have an advantage over foxes and jackals in that they are less “snappy” and less odoriferous, and with careful attention to cleanliness can be kept quite or almost without smell—far sweeter, in fact, than many dogs are. Mr. Brooke has often, he tells me, taken one of his white females—the one on the lady’s lap—for a ride im a train and cab, and even taken her with him into London restaurants. There appears to be no reason why wolf- breeding should not become a_ profitable hobby when once the general public realise what delightful companionable pets they may be trained to become, as wolves in captivity pair with readiness and bring forth their young in due season. They breed regularly in all the Zoos and in the hands of the various travelline-menagerie keepers, ¢e.g., they breed at Sanger’s place at Margate every oe woe year. If the male wolf is left with the A PET WHITE WOLF. female when the cubs have arrived he will take an active imterest in bringing the young cubs up, and it has been noticed that when the cubs begin to run about, the male, after feeding, regurgitates a considerable portion of his half-digested food, which the cubs rayvenously devour; it has been further noticed, and is a remarkable fact, that if for some reason at this period the male is removed, the female immediately commences to do likewise. Wolves not only breed iter se, but will cross also with suitable dogs and the dingo. Many of the habits of the wolves and jackals show themselves in the domestic dog, as, for instance, the turning round two or three times when about to lie down, this action, no doubt, being originally intended to form a hollow in the ground to make a resting place. 16 Animal Life If it is required to train a wolf up to be a household pet, a bitch cub should be selected, preferably one just weaned, as being quieter and practically free from all smell. ‘Teasing should be xrigorously avoided and a sharp look-out kept on the animal’s behaviour with children, as many otherwise docile wolves have an antipathy to children and are untrustworthy when in their company. Some years ago a very fine Huropean wolf was presented to the Zoological Gardens; it was reared by hand, and was most tame and confiding. It lved in the house and followed its master Just like a dog all about the country roads. But on one occasion it caught sight of a child running in the distance, and at once made after it in that loping, tireless gallop which is a characteristic of the wolf; fortunately it was overtaken before it came up with the child, otherwise there is little doubt it would have seriously injured the youngster. A young wolf cub can be bought for three or four pounds in May or June from almost any of the animal dealers and from some of the Zoos, such as the London or Rotterdam Gardens. Smaller than the common wolf, and equally, if not more, suitable for a pet, particularly for ladies, is the coyote. Owing to its thicker and longer fur and more bushy tail, the coyote appears to be a much larger animal than it really is. The howl of this animal is different from that of the grey wolf. It is a matter of doubt among many scientists as to whether the common or grey wolf (Canis lupus) and the North American timber wolf (Canis occidentalis) are specifically distinct. Personally, as a pet I prefer the look of the North American animal. It is now generally accepted that the HEsquimaux dog is but a reclaimed or domesticated wolf, in just the same way as the Hare Indian dog is presumed to be a domesticated descendant—through association with human beings—of the coyote (Canis latrans). The white variety of wolf, as may be seen, is a very beautiful-looking creature, but unfortunately anything but common, and a good price would have to be paid by a would-be possessor for an example—say fifteen or twenty pounds, just about double the cost of an ordinary grey wolf when adult. A PET GREY WOLF. THE GAIT OF LAND ANIMALS. By BR. LypDEKKeEr. HE existence in our fanguage of such terms as “ walk,’ “run,” “trot,” “canter,” “gallop,” “hop,” etc., implies that characteristic differences in the gait or pace of mammals and other land animals have long been recognised. The application of several of these terms partakes, however, of that mdefiniteness so noticeable in popular language generally. For example, while “hop,” ‘trot,’ “canter,” and “gallop” have each a definite and restricted meaning, the terms “walk” and “run” are applied much more indiscrimi- nately. Thus we call the slower type of locomotion in the great majority of mammals a “walk,” while the term “run” may be employed to designate the more rapid movements of these animals in all cases, save where they hop or leap. The faster motions of a horse or a deer are, however, properly denoted by the terms “trot,” “canter,” and “gallop”; and these words are not rightly applicable to the gait of bipeds. On the whole, it seems probable that the terms “walk” and “run” properly refer to the gait of man and such other bipeds as do not hop, but that they are also used in a wider or general sense for the locomotive movements of the great majority of mammals; and that they are always employed in this wider sense when no special name exists for the movements of any particular kind of animal. or instance, we may say in a general way that a horse walks or runs; but if we desire to be more definite, we say that it either walks, trots, canters, or gallops. On the other hand, in the case of a mouse (as with man), we can only say that it either walks or runs. Although the aforesaid terms imply, as we have seen, the recognition of certain differences in the mode or rapidity of movements in certain animals, yet we have no terms to designate certain other differences in animal locomotion. There are no titles, 17 13 18 Animal Life for instance, to indicate that the movements of a giraffe or a camel are very different from those of a horse. This is probably due to the fact that a very imperfect recognition of the nature of the ordinary movements of locomotion (including those of man himself) exists among most of us. Under these circumstances it has been thought that a brief and simple explanation of some of the leading types of such movements in land animals, and more especially mam- Fig. 3. ig. 4. mals, would be acceptable to many of the readers of ANIMAL LiFe. It should be premised that, in addition to the differences due to whether animals are bipedal or quadrupedal, many of the peculiarities or disabilities in the movements of particular species depend upon the relative straightness or otherwise of their lmbs. That is to say, the extent to which one segment of the limb is flexed upon the other, and the consequent difference in the size of the angles formed by the junction of such segments. The relative lengths of the fore and hind limbs also exercise an important influence on the movements of their owners; those animals which have the longest and most flexed limbs being, prund facie, the swiftest runners and the longest and highest leapers. The great majority of land quadrupeds move thew limbs, when walking or running, in a diagonal order, so that their tracks form a series of ellipses placed end to end, the track of one complete movement forming a figure of eight. Man, in spite of his gait being bipedal, is really no exception to this rule, for in walking or running (Figs. 2 and 3) he swings his arms as well as moves his legs, and the left arm is swung when the right leg is advanced, and wice versa. In other words, the synchronous movements of the limbs are diagonal; and the combined tracks of the hands in the air and of the feet on the ground would form the above-mentioned ellipses, or figures of eight. The part which the arms play in locomotion is perhaps better shown in skating; in running it is generally found preferable to bend the arms on the chest and dispense altogether with them swinging movement, the upper part of the body being at the same time inclined forwards. The alternating diagonal movements of our two pairs of limbs in walking are probably retained to a great extent as an aid in maintaining the balance; but, in any case, they may be regarded as an Vg inheritance from our four-footed ancestors. al Owing to the straightness of his legs, man is a comparatively poor jumper, although he acquires additional power by flexing his limbs (Fig. 4), and thus diminishing the size of the angles formed by the inclination of their component segments at the moment of taking the leap. The Gait of Land Animals 19 WALKING. Fig. 7. } iy yy Wy ti GALLOPING. AMBLING. Fig. 10. Fig. 11. 20 Animal Life In a horse, the bones of the upper segments of the limbs are set very obliquely to one another; and as those of the lower segments are much more elongated (both actually and proportionately) than in man, the running and leaping powers are greatly increased. Both in walking (Fig. 6) and in trotting (Fig. 7) the diagonal movement of the lmbs occurs, although it is only in the latter mode of loco- ) motion that one fore-limb moves synchronously with the hind-lmb Fig, 12. of the opposite side. Supposing a horse starts his walk by raising first the left fore-foot (and it is a remarkable fact that most domesticated horses, perhaps as the result of trainmg, show a marked tendency to ‘lead with the left”), the next to be advanced will be the might or diagonal hind-foot; the latter being followed in turn by the right fore-foot, andl this again by its diagonal, namely, the ‘left hind-foot. In slow wailing (Fig. 7) the horse has always three feet on the ground; but when moving at a more rapid walk (Fig. 6) there are short intervals during which two feet are off the ground simultaneously, although these intervals are so short that the fact cannot be detected by the naked eye. Owing to the diagonal and alternate movements of the limbs in walking, a more — or less nearly horizontal roll is communicated to the whole body of the horse. ‘This roll is, however, still more conspicuous in smaller animals, such as dogs and cats, in which a continuous oblique wave of motion seems to traverse their bodies as they advance at a walk or a slow trot. Here it may be mentioned that all, or nearly all, domesticated dogs, when walking or trotting in a given direction, invariably hold the body more or less obliquely to the line of progress; this oblique position being most noticeable in the smaller short-tailed breeds, such as fox-terriers (Fig. 12), some of which advance in an almost crab-like fashion. On the other hand, when at speed, the larger dogs at any vate, such as foxhounds and greyhounds, apparently have the axis of the body coincident with the line of. progress. All wild members of the growp, such as foxes, jackals and wolves, always carry the body perfectly straight (Fig. 13); and it would be very interesting to know the reason why the domesticated breeds have departed from this practice. The idea that the oblique position of the body is connected with the curling of the tail, characteristic of so many domesticated breeds, naturally suggests itself; but even if this be true, it does not much assist matters, so far as a reason is concerned. In trotting, when the legs move diagonally in pairs, the undulations induced in the body by the movement are mainly in a vertical, in place of a horizontal, plane. In trotting, each leg is moved somewhat oftener in a given length of time, the ratio being as six to five. The advantage gained in speed by moving the legs diagonally in paws instead of consecutively is due to the fact that in trotting (Figs. 8 and 9) each foot is on the ground for a short interval and in the air for a long one; just the reverse of this state of things taking place in walking (Fig. 16). From this diagonal motion of the limbs, it follows’that when animals like horses, cattle, deer, pigs, dogs, etc., come to a standstill (Fig. 5) they often have the two feet of one side comparatively Lf close together, while those of the opposite side are as : ss far apart as possible. That is to say, the two feet of om oy ee one side—the right, for instance—will be directly under 0 ‘ ae ig iy the body ; while those of the other side—the left, in this Cristy le Mal instance—will project beyond its two extremities. Such ‘ 3 moves the two limbs of the same side simultaneously. Omitting mention of the canter, the next important a position is impossible in the case of an animal which Vig. 13. natural pace of the horse is the gallop, in regard to The Gait of Land Animals the nature of which movement much mis- understanding long prevailed. We find, for example, the following passage in a book on “Animal Locomotion,” published no longer ago than 1874 :— “The gallop has been erroneously believed to consist of a series of bounds or leaps, the two hind-legs being on the ground when the two fore-legs are in the air, and vice versd, there beg a period when all four are in the air. A little reflection will show that this definition of the gallop cannot be the correct one. When a horse takes a ditch or a fence he eathers him- self together, and by a vigorous effort (par- fiorlenly of the hind-legs) throws himself into the air. This movement requires an immense exertion and is short- lived. It is not in the power of any horse to repeat these bounds for more than a few minutes ; from which it follows that the gallop, which may be con- tinued for considerable periods, must differ very materially from the leap.” This passage illustrates the danger of @ 21 old conventional style—that is to say, as it appears to the eye (Fig. 10). We use this conventional method in drawing the wheels of a carriage when travelling at speed, the spokes bemg depicted as a confused blur, although each would be shown perfectly distinct in an instantaneous photograph. If we use the conventional method in the case of revolving wheels, we should employ it in the case of a galloping horse. It has already been mentioned that most horses, when galloping or cantering, lead with the left fore-foot; and it is not a little remark- able that 1m thoroughbreds and Arabs the articulations of this foot are more strongly developed than are those of its fellow. Yet another pace of the horse, albeit an artificial one, remains to be mentioned, the existence of this pace—known as the amble (Fig. 11)—being a matter of considerable interest as showing that the lateral mode of progression, as it may be termed, is perfectly compatible with the diagonal type, and thus proving that the two do not depend upon struc- a " iit \ tural differences in the animals in which they normally oceur, Jha the amble the two feet \: of one side are moved ‘ a simultane- ously for the prvord reasoning first step, and in such matters, for, as a matter of fact, the older observers were right and their successors and critics in the wrong, photography having shown that at intervals in the gallop all four feet of the horse are simultaneously in the air. ‘This opens up a question in regard to the proper manner of depicting a galloping horse. When an instantaneous photograph is repro- duced, all the four feet of the horse are often shown in the air; but this is not what we see. And, in our opinion, a galloping horse ought to be drawn in the are followed by those of the opposite side for the second. By the rapid succession of movements of this nature the sides of the body of an ambling horse are alternately thrust forwards, thereby pro- ducing a lateral swayimg movement, far less graceful than the one which results from trotting, but much more easy to the rider. Giraffes progress in the same manner when moving at their ordinary pace (Fig. 14), advancing first the two limbs of one side and then those of the other. Whether a swinging lateral motion of this kind is the 9) Animal Life one best adapted to the giraffe’s towering height, or whether it is a feature common to all the members of the group, cannot be determined until we are acquainted with the gait of the okapi. It is, however, noteworthy that the humerus, or upper bone of the fore-leg, of all members of the giraffe family differs somewhat in structure from that of other ruminants, thereby implying a difference in the muscles. And it is possible that these differences may be correlated with the ambling gait of the giraffe. In galloping, giraffes display an altogether peculiar move- ment, bringing the two hind-feet simultaneously i advance of the front pair—of course, on the outer side of the latter. Apparently the two front feet are moved together, as are also the two hind ones, in this very remarkable kind of gallop; but it is by no means easy to decide whether this is really the case merely by watching the animals. Like giraffes, camels when walking and trotting move the two limbs of each side together (Fig. 15); if not unduly pressed, a good riding-camel will keep up its favourite jog-trot for eight or ten hours at a stretch, and will do this day after day, frequently covering from 80 to 90, or even 100, miles in 12 hours. With the nature of a camel's gallop I am unacquainted, but I believe that these animals cannot jump. On smooth and wet inclined roads they are quite helpless, owing to the cushion-like nature of the soles of their feet. The limbs of a camel differ somewhat in structure, both externally and internally, from those of the typical ruminants, the thigh being more free from the side of the body; it is therefore not to be wondered at that their movements are different from those of the majority of the latter. Before leaving the subject of the gait of ruminants, it should be mentioned that many of the lghter-built species of this group, whose ordinary gait is of the diagonal type, frequently commence their progress by a series of bounds. This is specially noticeable in the case of the African springbok and the Indian blackbuck (Fig. 16), as well as in gazelles and some of the smaller kinds of deer, springbok repeating this movement from time to time throughout their progress. The little oriental chevrotains, or mouse-deer, run with a peculiar mincing gait on the tips of their toes (Fig. 17), much the same kind of movement being characteristic of the tropical American rodents known as agutis. Limits of space do not admit of allusion in detail to the important difference in the gait of mammals according as to whether they walk on their toes or on the soles of thei feet—in other words, whether they are digitigrade or plantigrade. It must suffice to state that horses and dogs afford typical examples of the former mode of progression, and bears (Fig. 18) and badgers of the latter. All mammals made for great speed are digitigrade. Neither can much be said with regard to the locomotion of the The Gait of Land Animals 2 smaller mammals. A few words must, however, be devoted to the hare and rabbit, which (and more especially the former) are characterised by the great relative length of the hind as compared with the fore-limbs. In consequence of this, these animals run much better uphill than down- hill. When at speed, they apparently gallop, but when going slowly they often move thew fore-limbs two or three times to one motion of the hind pair; consequently they may be said to walk with the former and hop with the latter (Fig. 19). From all the more typical hoofed mammals the elephant differs very markedly in the structure of its limbs, the component bones of which are set vertically one above the other without the slightest angulation. Consequently these animals are totally unable to jump, their progress being stopped by a six or seven-foot ditch which cannot be taken in thei stride. As regards the gait of elephants, I may quote from Mr. G. P. Sanderson, formerly superintendent of keddas im India, who writes that “the only pace of the elephant is the walk, capable of beimg increased to Abe a fast shuffle of about fifteen miles an hour for very short distances. Ce yy Wy... y It can neither trot, canter, or gallop. It does not move with the legs Akio 4/4 on the same side together, but nearly so” (Hig. 1). A Noh A certain number of mammals have forsaken the ordimary mode of Fig. 19. quadrupedal progression, and have taken to hop on their hind-legs, which for this purpose have been greatly elongated at the expense of the front pair. Among such mammals are the kangaroos (Fig. 20), wallabies, rat-kangaroos, and jerboa-rats (Conilwrus) of Australia; the jerboas of the Old World, the jumping mice of North America and Hastern Siberia, the American kangaroo-rats, and the jumping hare and elephant-shrews of Africa. The majority of these animals have evidently acquired their leaping powers quite independently of one another; and it is not a little remarkable that, with the exception of man and a few monkeys and lemurs which habitually assume the upright posture, no mammal in which the hind-limbs are alone used in progression has taken to walking or running, hopping being the invariable mode of advance. Neither has any mammal in which all four feet are habitually used taken to hopping. On the other hand, in birds there are a large number of species—mostly, by the way, of small bodily size—which hop (Vig. 21); while there are many others, notably the game-birds and the ostriches and their allies (Fig. 22), which run. There is also a lizard—the frilled lizard of Australia—which habitually assumes the erect posture, and walks and runs with great speed on its hind-limbs alone (Fig. 23). Doubtless some of the great extinct dinosaurian reptiles (such as our own iguanodon) which were bipedal likewise walked and ran, for it is practi- cally certain that they did not hop. In any case we have here again an instance where the upright posture has been inde- pendently acquired in two distinct groups, for no naturalist to whose opinion we should care to assign any weight would dream of suggesting that frilled lizards are the direct descendants of iguanodons. So far as I am aware there are no lizards that hop on their hind-legs in kangaroo fashion. As ostriches and frilled lizards exhibit a type of progression unknown among 24 Animal Life relatives, so frogs display yet another type which has no repre- sentative in the entire mammalian class. That is to say, they wig. a1. are the only habitually quadrupedal vertebrates which hop, the hopping being, from the nature of the case, effected solely by means of the long hind-limbs. Frogs can, however, also crawl, although this gait is more typically developed in their ‘ cousins the toads (Fig. 24), some of which progress by first — advancing one of the fore-limbs, and then, so to speak, pulling the body forwards from this point of vantage. In regard to the marching of soldiers, recent mammals, save in the case of man and a few of his nearer <= — Sa army regulations are thoroughly in accord Fig. 23. with the teachings of nature. Till a few years ago troops were always made to march —— in a stiff and constrained position, with the arms held close to Mi the body. Except on special occasions they are now allowed <= SSS to march as they please, with the arms swinging. ‘This is as it Fig 22. should be, for there can be no doubt that the slouching gait of the shepherd is more natural and can be kept up longer than the old-fashioned style of marching. PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION. The following Prizes are offered to readers of ANIMAL Lire: A SILVER MEDAL, TWO BRONZE MEDALS, and various Volumes of Illustrated Books on Natural History. The Silver Medal will be awarded to the reader who sends in the best set of three Photographs of Animal Life in one of the Classes undermentioned, and a Bronze Medal will be awarded to each of the two readers who sends in the best set of three Photographs in the other two Classes. CONSOLATION PRIZES will be awarded to Competitors receiving Honourable Mention. Class A. Animals in Captivity. y) B. Wild Animals in their Native Haunts. oy) Cc. Domesticated Animals. The Editor hopes next month to publish the names of those gentlemen who have consented to act as judges (hors concours) in this Competition. GENERAL RULES. Every set of photographs must reach the office of ANIMAL The Competition is open to amateurs and professionals. Lire, 34, Paternoster Row, London, B.C., between October 12th Tach competitor may send in for competition as many sets and gist, 1903. - ae of prints as he wishes, each set to be accompanied by the Each enyelope or packet must be markéd ‘Competition ’ on necessary set of Coupons. the outside, and each set of photographs must be enclosed in a separate envelope and marked Class A,B, or C, as the case may be. Each photograph must be mounted, and pasted on the back must be one of the Coupons which will be found among the advertisements in the August, September, and October numbers Additional prizes will be given where the Competition warrants them, and the judges reserve the right of withdrawing any of the prizes should the merits of the work in any class seem unworthy of a prize. The decision of the judges on all points will be final. of ANIMAL LIFE, marked 1, 2, and 3. The Proprietors of ANrmAL Lire shall have the right of There is no limit to the size which the photographs may be, | publishing the winning photographs and those awarded but only silver prints are eligible for this Competition. | honourable mention. : No Photographs can be retwrned. SOME RECENT NATURE BOOKS. HE illustration on this page is taken from “The Great Mountains and Forests of South America,’ by Mr. Paul Fountain, who will be remembered as the author of “The Great Deserts and Forests of North America,”’* a book which made up for the want of an index by a preface from the pen of Mr. W. H. Hudson. In his South American volume the latter is wanting but the former is given, and to books of this sort an index is indispensable. Mr. Fountain does not claim to be a scientific naturalist, but his book is not the worse for that; he does not add greatly to our Knowledge of animal lfe, but what he does tell us on that subject is told in so attractive a form and with such a freshness of style that make his books a pleasure not only to read, but also to refer to again and again. The following extract relating to a trip up a tributary of the Purus is typical of many :— “Amimal life of the higher forms was exceedingly scarce in this gloomy place; but the monkeys often came down the vines like a lot of sailors from aloft. Nowhere have I seen monkeys so tame or expose themselves so fearlessly. They are among the most cautious of the forest animals as a rule, and keep themselves carefully hidden among the leaves; but here they came down to within thirty or forty feet of me, looking hke satyrs in the dim light. They kept up an imcessant chatter, and continually leaped backwards and up and down the rope-like trailers; yet curiosity seemed the sole cause of their activity, and they made no hostile gestures. Their proximity was the source of some danger to me as they attracted the caymans, which seemed to be particularly ravenous. I was obliged to shoot many of these reptiles to prevent an attack on the canoe, until my ammunition ran short. At the report of the gun, which * Both these books are published by Messrs. Longman. “The monkeys came down the vines like a lot of sailors from aloft.” 25 26 | eimaleleite boomed very loud in this confined space, the monkeys disappeared into the black recesses aloft in an instant, but they soon came down again and followed me for miles. They were of both sexes and all sizes, and most of the females carried young ones on their backs or shoulders ; but sometimes these monkeys and other spider-monkeys carry the young on the breast, with the legs and arms clasped round the body. I mention this circum- stance because it has been disputed. As is often the case, what one traveller sees and notes another does not.” From the same firm, Messrs. Longman, we have also received three volumes of “Chatty Object Lessons in Nature Know- ledge,’ and three volumes of “Chatty Readings in Hlementary Science.” Another book from which we take an illustration is a neat edition of Gilbert White’s classic published by Messrs. Cassell . & Co., and illustrated entirely from the photographs of the Brothers Kearton, one of whom also supplies several useful notes and an introduction. The book is remarkably well produced, and has a very dainty appearance. The following are Gilbert White’s remarks on the animal here illustrated :— “I suspect much there may be two species of water-rats. Ray says, and Linneus after him, that the water-rat is web-footed behind. Now I have discovered a rat on the banks of our little stream that is not web-footed, and yet is an excellent swimmer and diver; it answers exactly to the Mus amphibius of Linnzus (see Sysé. Nat.), which he says ‘natat in fossis et wrinatur. I should be glad to procure one ‘plantis palmatis. Linneus seems to be in a puzzle about his Mus amphibius, and to doubt whether it differs from his Mus terrestris; which if it be, as he allows, the “Mus agrestis capite grande brachywros’ of Ray, is widely different from the water-rat both im size, make, and manner of life.” Concerning the water-rat being web-footed behind, Mr. Kearton remarks in a foot- note: “This was a mistake into which Ray and Linneus were led by Willughby. There is only. one species of water-rat or vole (microtus amphibius) in this country, and by a strange coincidence the specimen figured in our illustration is lifting the left fore-foot as if to show the correctness of our author in regard to his being non-web-footed.” : We have also to notice a volume by Mr. C. V. A. Peel, F.Z.S.—an industriously- compiled book on “The Zoological Gardens of Europe” (published by F. EH. Robinson & Co.). Mr. Peel, with his camera, visited all the principal menageries on the Continent, and has put together a very readable account of what he saw therein. Necessarily there is a good deal of sameness now and then, and the book is not, perhaps, one of any supreme importance; but those who have the time and money might do a good deal worse than take the book as a kind of naturalist’s “ Baedeker,” and follow out the authors route. If this is impossible, a ten days’ holiday in Northern Hurope would provide a tour (somewhat hurried, it is true) of as many excellent Zoos—say Paris (Jardin des Plantes and Jardin d’Acclimatation), Cologne, From a photograph in White’s ‘‘Selborne”’ by Messrs. Kearton. Some Recent Nate Bostks | DG Berlin, Hamburg (Zoologischer Garten and Hagenbeck’s Park), Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. 4 Mr. Finn, like Mr. Peel, is another of our contributors, and we gladly notice a small book of his published by Messrs. Thacker in India, entitled “The Birds of Calcutta.” This consists of 24 articles reprinted from “The Asian.” All these are popularly written, and contain sufficient scientific data to please the zoologist without annoying the naturalist. We should lke to see these mteresting articles in a more pretentious and permanent form than a small paper-covered pamphlet; perhaps some day Mr. Finn will see his way to write a bigger book on the birds of India, with illustrations. Apropos of a recent anecdote in this magazine on the crow’s intelligence we may quote the following from the first chapter in Mr. Finn’s book, as it bears out our own story: “With a dog,’ he writes, “they will go so far, I am told, as to tell off one of the fraternity to pull his tail when he is engaged with a bone, so that when the aggrieved canine turns round to snap, those in front can make off with his dinner. And this I can readily believe, as I have seen exactly the same trick played or attempted on a kite more than once; the crows in the last cases I have observed seemed undoubtedly to be pairs, which accounts for their working together so well. No doubt the female does the tail-pulling, while the male takes the post of danger in front; in one instance I made sure of this from the forbearing behaviour of the crow which had snatched the bone of contention, which he was able to do before any tail-pulling had taken place.” We have kept to the last, three books of Mr. Walter 5S. Long for mention, on the principle of last but not least, or, rather, last and best. In our opinion Mr. Long as a true naturalist is second only to Mr. Krnest Seton (Thompson), another American who needs no intro- duction to lovers of animals and animal life. Mr. Long is a real student of nature; he loves to watch animals in their native haunts, to become one of them, and to make his readers share the pleasure he himself gets out of them. No one who wishes to form a zoological library can afford to omit Mr. Long’s books from its shelves; the three we refer to are : Le ex “School of the Woods,’ “Beasts of 3 the Field,’ and “Fowls of the Aw,” all published by Messrs. Ginn & Co. The two latter are “handsome editions of chapters reprinted and embellished with additional illustrations from “Secrets of the Woods,’ ‘ Ways of Wood Folk,’ and “ Wilderness Ways.” The former is entirely new matter. The reduced illustration here given aS a specimen of those in that book relates to an encounter with a bear which the author experienced one day on his return **At a turn in the path not ten yards ahead stood a huge bear.” 28 Animal Life from salmon fishmg. Let him tell the story im his own words: “It was late afternoon, and I was hurrying along the path, giving chief heed to my feet in the ticklish walking, with the cliff above and the river below, when a loud ‘ Hoowuff!’ brought me up with a shock. ‘There at a turn im the path not ten yards ahead stood a huge bear, calling unmistakably halt, and blocking me im as completely as if the mountain had toppled over before me. There was no time to think, the shock and scare were too great. I just gasped ‘Hoowwff'/’ instinctively, as the bear had shot it out of his deep lungs a moment before, and stood stock still as he was domg. He was startled as well as I; that was the only thing I was sure about. “T suppose that im each of our heads at first there was just one thought— Tm in a fix; how shall I get out. . . . Something, a mate, perhaps, must be calling him up-river; else he would have whirled and vanished at the first alarm. : I met his eyes squarely with mine and held them, which was perhaps the most sensible thing I could have done, though it was all unconscious on my part. In the brief moment that followed I did a lot of thinking. ‘There was no escape up or down; I must go on or tur back. If I jumped forward with a yell, as I had done before under different circumstances, would he not rush at me savagely, as all wild creatures do when cornered? No, the time for that had passed with the first instant of our meeting. The bluff would now be too apparent; it must be done without hesitation or not at all. If I turned back he would follow me to the end of the ledge, growing bolder as he came on. . . . All the while I looked at him steadily until his eyes began to lose them intentness. . . . Suddenly his eyes wavered from mine; he swung his head to look down and up, and I knew that I had won the first move—and the path also if I could keep my nerve. “T advanced a step or two very quietly, still looking at him steadily. There was a suggestion of white teeth under his wrinkled chops; but he turned his head to look back over the way he had come, and presently he disappeared. It was only for a moment; then his eyes were poked cautiously by the corner of the rock. He was peeking to see if I were still there. . . . He was uneasy now; a low, whining growl came floating up the path. Then I sat down on a rock, squarely in the path, and for the first time some faint suggestion of the humour of the situation gave me a bit of consolation. I began to talk to him, not humourously, but as if he were a Scotchman, and open to an argument. ‘You're in a fix, Moween, a terrible fix,’ I kept saying to him softly. . . . ‘You have put me im a fix, too. Why don’t you climb that spruce and get out of the way ?’ “JT have noticed that all wild animals grow uneasy at the sound of the human voice. . . . I have a theory also that all animals, wild and domestic, understand more of our mental attitude than we give them credit for. . . . Near him a spruce tree sprang out of the rocks and reached upward to a ledge far above. Slowly he raised himself against this. . . . Then an electric shock seemed to hoist him out of the trail. He shot up the tree in a succession of nervous, jerky jumps... till he reached the level of the ledge above and sprang out upon it, where he stopped and looked down to see what I would do next. And there he stayed, his great head hanging over the edge of the rock and looking at me intently till I rose and went quietly down the trail... . At the point where I had stood when his deep ‘Hoowuff!’ first startled me I left a big salmon. . . . Next morning it was gone, and so it may be that Moween, on his next journey, found another and a pleasanter surprise awaiting him at the turn of the trail.” In conclusion we may mention that Mr. Long’s publishers produce many excellent nature-study books, and that those who are interested in such should see a copy of their catalogue. SOME CURIOUSLY-COLOURED BATS. From an original painting by HARINGTON Brrp. THE BIRD LIFE OF THE BRECK DISTRICT. Written and Illustrated with Photographs by Wm. Farren. PART II. be a field where lapwings: are nesting, and you will probably be attracted by the somewhat ostentatious flight of several birds. as they flap away—they are the males, and they will have given the alarm to the sitting females; the latter you will hardly notice as they go silently away close over the ground until well away from their nests. The rimged ployer, and especially the stone-curlew, are still more cautious, and yun for a considerable distance before taking flight. It is the same when returning; neither species will fly straight to the nest, but alighting some distance off will run towards it, occasionally stoppimg to glance suspiciously around or make pretence of looking for food, and passing the nest perhaps several times, before, apparently feeling satisfied that they are unobserved, crouching low down, they run rapidly to the eggs, which they imspect carefully, sometimes turning them about with ther bills as though lovingly caressmg them, and often giving utterance the while to low crooning sounds. Should the lapwing have young all caution is thrown aside; flying to and fro over—sometimes very near—the head of the intruder, screaming thei famuliar ery of ‘‘pee-wit!” while the music of their wing-beats through the air adds considerably to the din, they try their utmost to lure him away from where the young ones— downy balls of dark grey and white fluff—are skulking close to the ground. Should these young ones, and also those of the ringed plover, vealise that they are detected, they will run with incredible swiftness, when it is not easy to keep them in sight; then suddenly sink flat on the ground again, where they remain as before until frightened into another run. In contrast to the noisy manifestations of the lapwing, the stone- curlew is quieter even than before the eggs are hatched, and it needs a very sharp eye to detect it as it runs, crouched low down, often for one or two hundred yards, and disappearing over some slight eminence before taking wing; the young, which are covered with a curious close, greyish stone-coloured down, with longitudinal dorsal stripes, are meanwhile stretched out flat on the ground as motionless as the stones they so much resemble. Although the characteristic attitude of this bird when skulking has been more noticed in the young, it is none the less practised by adults. Like many other birds, they show less fear of one on horseback or driving than on foot, often allowing a very 29 Animal Life ONE-CURLEWS A DAY OLD. The Bird Life of the Breck District 31 STONE-CURLEWS FULLY FLEDGED. NIGHTJAR ON NEST. RD . Animal Life near approach; even then their protective coloration, as with extended neck they lie flat on the ground, no doubt more often than not causes them to escape observation. It is a striking example of attitude combining with colour and markings to secure immunity from detection; the only conspicuous feature is the large yellow eye, which is, however, as rigidly still as the rest of the bird, as may be seen in the photograph of the two fully-fledged young (page 31). They remain near where they were hatched for several weeks, attended and fed by the parent birds; it is said that they eat the black and yellow caterpillars of the cinnaba: moth, which appear to be exempt from the attack of most imsect-eating birds; if so they find abundance of food near at hand, for these caterpillars swarm on the vagwort all over the district. But the stone- curlew is chiefly a night-feeding bird, and its weird cries may be then heard as it wends its way to the rich feeding grounds in the damp valleys of the rivers Lark and Ouse. Not less interesting than these birds, but of an entively different character, 1s the Nightjar. There are probably few places where it is to be found in such numbers as in this part of Norfolk and Suffolk; every fir belt will have its two or three pairs, every solitary tree on the heaths may shade the home of one, every healed-up cavity in the hillsides where gravel has been dug imay be tenanted, or it may be found on an absolutely level part of the Breck away from trees or bushes of any kind. No semblance of a nest is made, not even a hollow; the eggs, two in number, are Jaid on the bare ground; they are protectively coloured, but on quite a different plan to those of the birds before mentioned. They are marked with large irregular lilac and brown blotches on a muilk-white ground, the size and irregularity of the markings having the peculiar effect of breaking the outline of the eges and so causing them to assunilate with their usual surroundings. The latter are generally dead sticks and leaves under trees, and, especially in this district, fir cones and fir needles on the outside of the belts. But the nightjax’s real protection is its own wonderful resemblance to these surroundings ; consequently it does not leave its eggs at the first approach of an intruder, but. sits close and motionless, depending on its protective coloration to escape observation, leaving the eggs only as a last resort if the near proximity of its disturber makes it dangerous to remain, when it will go off with soft, noiseless flight. If it has young it will pretend to be injured and flap in an apparently helpless manner along the ground, endeavouring to attract attention from its young to itself. The newly-hatched young are covered with a hairy down, pale ochreous brown in colour; along either side of the front part of the head, in continued lines with the edges of the short bill and extending to above the eyes, the down is recurved, and is succeeded by similarly-curved feathers. These curved feathers are inconspicuous in adults owing to those of normal form along the middle of the head overlapping them; but before these central feathers grow in immature birds the curved ones are most conspicuous, as may be seen in the photograph of the young birds reproduced on page 33. At least, @ may be seen when the birds themselves are discovered, for it must be admitted that this photograph is somewhat of a puzzle pictwre, but not by any means more so than was the actual subject in nature. After being once disturbed the young will be moved a few feet or yards from the original spot. The mghtjar hunts and feeds at dusk, flitting with ghostly flight to and fro along the fir belts, catching moths and other night-flying insects; its enormous mouth, fringed with stiff bristles, constituting a most effective entomological net. Nightjars have a curious habit of bringing their wings together with a sharp clap, and often when flying give utterance to a plaintive mewing cry; the familar churving note, heard only after dusk, is uttered when at rest in the characteristic The Bird Life of the Breck District HED YOUNG OF NIGHTJAR. NEWLY-HATC ny? H T B AR SRE WHI HTJARS: NIG x TWO YOUNG 34 en eeAiianallis eine attitude along, not across, the branch of a tree. Juke its smaller relative, the swift, the meghtjar allows May to be well advanced, when there is a plentiful supply of insect food, before it ventures to our shores, leaving again before the end of September. But of the Breck birds, the xrimged plovers are the first to leave; they have generally all gone back to the shore by the end of August. The stone-curlews stay on until the end of October or even later, occasional specimens having been recorded in December and even, but more rarely, in January. It is stated that im Cornwall and Devonshire a few sometimes remain resident all the year; im October they gather in large flocks, when fifty or more may be seen together, and it would appear from the detailed observations of Mr. Mdmund Selous (recorded in the pages of the “ Zoologist”’) that they then hold some sort of concerted dance, such as some members of the plover family are known to do. It is at this season, too, that their wild cries are most heard ; but as a rule, even when large numbers are together, they do not all call at once, but take up the cries one after the other. Although in the nesting season the different birds will often, when disturbed in the day, fill the air with much screaming and whistling, it 1s at might that they are most unpressive; and the memory of one June might still remains clear and distinct. The day had been bright and hot, the parched sandy soil and shining flints reflecting and accentuating the heat of the sun’s rays; the faint echoes of very distant thunder, although hardly discernible, brought at intervals fitful crowings from the cock pheasants in the covert; the air was heavy with the fragrance of the firs, wafted over the barren fields by the hot breeze. But coolness comes with the evening, the few scattered fleecy clouds, hardly noticeable during the day, gather together and follow the setting sun to the western horizon, where they hang lke a purple grey curtain over a sea of fire and gold; a partridge is chucking to her chicks on the other side of the “Scotch fence,” and a solitary ringed plover, bringing thoughts of the sea shore, whistles shrilly as it flies by—low over the ground—the curtain of cloud gradu- ally lowers, shutting out the last glimpses of fading gold— unperceptibly dusk is falling—a sudden “clap, clap,” followed by a shrill mewing cry, and the brushing of soft wings through the air; the nightyar is abroad —doubling and turning as it follows the moths amone the davk fir trunks; it vanishes from sight as suddenly as it came, and the next instant its rolling, churring cry breaks forth in ghostly cadence from the tree on which it has settled. It is rudely broken in upon by the loud whistling cry of a stone- curlew, followed quickly by others as the birds wend their way overhead to their feeding grounds in the valleys. No other sounds are heeded now, for as the cries of the curlew are heard far above all its neighbours of the shore, so does its namesake,the stone-cur- lew, dominate with its weird melody all other EGGS OF THE NIGHTJAR. sounds of the Breck. CLOUDED TIGER. ZOO NOTES. Written and Illustrated with Photographs by W. P. Danpo, F.z.s. THis beautiful specimen of the Felis nebulosa is very docile. She has been at the Zoo since 1899. The darkness of the cage and linuted space make it exceedingly difficult to get a good portrait of her, and I believe this is the first time she has been successfully photographed. About the habits of this animal very little is known beyond the Clouded Tiger. Ir is notable that members of two separate families of frogs and of two dis- tinct families of snakes should have taken to arboreal life. The chief characteristics of the Tree-Frogs are that their toes are quite free from webs and that their extremi- ties expand into rounded tips, enabling the animals to chmb with sure though slow Graceful Tree=Frog. progression. The tree-frog fact that it illustrated 1s passes nearly really a very the whole of its pretty little time in trees, iPO@, Ok & sleeping on beautiful the branches, ereen colour, and that its brilhant and food consists shining with chiefly of birds the lustre of and small polished mala- mammals. TREE-FROG. chite. oo 36 Animal Life THE EKeyptian and Arabian gazelles Egyptian 222 typical speciuaens of and Arabian their species. he latter Gazelle. ; rehte svemall ing was for several months catalogued as Thomson’s Gazelle, of which no specimen has been exhibited in the menagerie. A VERY interesting species of goat, quite new to the Zoo, is ilus- The Nilgiri ,. iu ve Wild Goat. trated in the photograph of the Nilewi Tahr (Heme- tragus hylocrius) from Southern India. Mr. Sclater gave the following deseription of this goat in the “‘ Proceedings of the HARNESSED ANTELOPE. Zoological Society, 1886”: “The so-called Ibex of the Nilgherries, Anamallays, and other adjoming ranges of Southern India is an outlying species, apparently allied to the Hemitragus jemlaicus, the Tahr which inhabits suitable regions along the whole range of the Himalaya from Kashmir to Bhutan.” These two species differ from the true goats in the short, thick and much compressed horns, the anterior border of which is keeled, and the moist naked muffle. There are no glands in the fore-feet. The horns of the Nilgiri animal differ markedly from those of the Himalayan ahr, being ARABIAN GAZELLE. much more xrounded-off in the front external angle. we Wer figure two interesting examples of the genus Tragelaphus known as Bosch=bok and 7, j . : Harnessed ’. scriptus and sylvaticus, and Antelope of popularly as the Harnessed South Africa. : . Antelope (on account of the harnessed markings) and the Besch-bok, BOSCH BOK. GAZELLE. ee ee er aeaiaaaaias ann Sa pen amen HIMALAYAN TAHR, Zoo Notes a name taken from the Dutch: bosch, wood or forest, and bok, goat. It will be observed that there is a great similarity in the markings of these closely-allied antelopes. a A VERY scarce species which has not been seen at the Zoo for over twelve years, and then for only a very short period, is the Bles-bok (Damatliscus albifrons). The present speci- Bles=Bok. WAGs THE BEAVER. 39 WHat an interesting study 1t would be, if space were only possible at the Perepean Zoo, to allow a small colony of Beavers (Castor fiber) to be kept. The engimeermg schemes by which these creatures dam a stream by nibbling a tree trunk round, not horizontally, but so as to slope or dip it in the direction in which they itend it to fall, is almost incredible, and it 1s recorded that so perfectly do these creatures do their work, that tracts of forest A seldom-seen inhabitant of the Zoo. men is exceptionally savage and dangerous, and was removed from the case in which it arrived from South Africa with the utmost ditticulty, and great caution had to be exer- cised by the keepers in getting clear of the animal. The way he charges with his sharp horns the partitions of his enclosure at the sight of the camera seems enough to break them, and is really alarming. have been submerged and destroyed by the action of beaver-dams. ‘The hind-feet are webbed, and one of the five toes has a double nail. The tail, which is used as a paddle, is flattened horizontally and covered with scales. Remains of the common beaver have been met with, among other localities, in this country in peat beds in Cambridgeshire and Kssex. MIDGES? GNATS? OR MOSQUITOES? Written and illustrated by T. A. GERALD STRICKLAND, F.E.S. sé OW these midges do bite!” If you are a polite person, you answer, “ Yes, don’t they?” but, as a matter of fact, with one exception, 2.e., the genus Ceratopogon, midges do not bite and are absolutely harmless. It is the female (usually) gnat or mosquito, for the names apply to the same insect, that so beautifully pierces our skin with her stylets and sucks our blood. In the warm. evenings of late spring and early summer clouds of male midges rise and fall and play in the still aur, amusing themselves with innocent terpsichorean movements; and as, to the casual ‘observer, the little creatures are somewhat like gnats, we abuse them and call them bloodsuckers! It is worth while to catch one, and also a gnat proper, and compare the two with the aid of a pocket lens. Of course, there are internal differences in the two insects, but the external are striking enough. In the first place, it will be found that the midge’s proboscis is extremely short and generally minute, whilst that of the gnat or mosquito, which forms a case for the ~ ~ \ | y MOSQUITO (Culex sp.). 40 Midges ? Gnats? or Mosquitoes ? Al piercing-instruments, is notably long and strong; secondly, the wings of the midge are quite clear, or, In some species, evenly coated with fine hairs that cover the membrane as well as the veins. Now, in the gnat, scales or flattened hairs will be observed, even with the naked eye, clustering thickly on the nervures and fringing the edges of the wing, but the membranes are quite free and transparent. Another point to be noted is that m the Culicide (gnats or mos- ze PPS SEG > ~| = ISP ET PI > - : a Ss 2 quitoes) the costal vein runs 2 ame ee ee Pe completely yvound the wing, Ks TROP ag Fates whilst in the Chirononide ME (midges) it finishes abruptly at OOP yp / Frarceeenreener te Ni WING OF GNAT OR MOSQUITO (Culex sp.) x 16. the tip. Mosquitoes are comparatively scarce in Hneland, there being only, seventeen species, but the midges are plentiful imdeed, one genus alone (Chironomas) numbering, it is said, two hundred species. One genus of mosquito (Anopheles) has, so to speak, hummed very loudly lately, indeed has become notorious as the host and transmitter of the malaria parasite; so it is only fair to the lightsome, flightsome midge that their respective families should be strongly. differentiated —even in the minds of the general public. NOTICE. THE Editor begs to draw attention to the notice on page 24 of Animan LIFE, No. XIII, which contains full particulars of the Photographic Prize Competition open to all readers (amateur and professional) of this magazine. The Prizes offered are a Silver’ Medal, Two Bronze Medals, and various consolation prizes of Natural History Books. The Competition closes on October 31st, 1903. The Editor is pleased to announce that the following gentlemen have kindly consented to act as judges (hors concours): R. Liydekker, Hsq., J. W. Swan, Esq., R.A., W. P. Dando, Esq., F.Z.5., and the Editor of “ Photography.” BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD. UNCOMMON PETS. A series of articles on the Care and Keep of Animals in Captivity. By P. WELLINGTON FARMBOROUGH, F.Z.S., F.E.S., ete. VIII. LIZARDS. F lizards there are many that form interesting pets, both from a financial point of view and from a naturalist’s point of view. lizards can be purchased from sixpence each upwards to practically as much as one would care to give. Like snakes they are easily tended, require but little more attention, and are an equal source of attraction to visitors. The case described in the article on Snakes, Vol. I, pp. 312 and 313, is equally suitable for lizards, and will hold half-a-dozen ordinary-sized ones very comfortably without overcrowding. The choice of species made by the would-be owner is usually a financial determination, and therefore in this article I will confine myself to the less expensive kinds and their cost. The Bearded Lizard costs from 15s. each; Skinks from 5s. to 10s. (except the Giant Cyclodus, which costs about £2); Glass-Snakes, 5s. to 10s.; Derbian Zonure, about 15s. to 25s.; the Green Lizard, ls. to 2s. 6d.; Eyed Lizards, 2s. 6d. to 7s. 6d.; Geckos, 2s. 6d. to 15s. The Bearded Lizard, during the winter months and at such other times as the weather is chilly, should have its case placed in a warm room. Snails, slugs, small pieces of meat and bits of fruit form its staple diet. Another interesting lizard of the same family (Agamide) is the Variable Lizard, a very handsome reptile which derives its name from the power it possesses of changing its colour, beimg in this respect more truly chameleon-lhke than the chameleon itself. The changes are most marked when the reptile is basking in the sun, when the head is yellowish, tinged with red, the body red, and the remaiming parts black. The food for the variable lizard may be cockroaches, beetles of various kinds (with the exception of the Devil’s Coach-horse and the Bombardier, both of which ‘are unsuitable as articles of diet), tiny lettuces and a little ripe fruit. These lizards are arboreal, and a growing plant of some kind should be provided for them to climb up and disport themselves. The Skinks require an extra supply of mould and sand in which they may burrow; six inches will not be too great a depth, as, when in a state of freedom, they have been known to bury themselves several feet down in the ground. Some species of skinks are addicted to cannibalism, and therefore it is not expedient to put other lizards in the same case with them, as, if smaller than the skinks, they will soon disappear. Flies are a very favourite diet of these creatures, and a few should be caught whenever possible and turned into the case for the skinks to feed on; other food may be 42 Uncommon Pets 43 cockroaches, mealworms and gentles. In the summer months the gentles will keep up the necessary supply of flies without troubling the owner of the reptiles unduly. Two of the prettiest of the skinks are the Ocellated Sand-Skink and the Greenish Sand-Skink, the names of both beimg sufficiently descriptive of them. The Glass-Snakes, although called snakes, and bearing externally at a first glance no trace of limbs, are nevertheless true lizards. They have all the appearance, although larger in size, of the common slow-worm. All the species are carnivorous, the larger kinds feeding on reptiles and other vertebrates, and the smaller varieties on worms, slugs, insects and spiders. Should any of my readers become possessed of a large specimen, they will find mice and voles not unacceptable. The glass-snake in freedom is a fierce and active reptile, showing no hesitation, if need be, in attacking and killing even the viper. Some specimens will feed on hard-boiled eggs, but worms are an unfailing attraction, and so are small frogs—not large ones, as the glass-snake, unlike the true snakes, has fixed jaws. In colour this reptile is reddish-brown, and in length about thirty inches. The American species is not so commonly imported to this country, and is a prettier reptile than the European kind. Glass-snakes are best kept by themselves, since they sometimes eat up their companions in captivity. LE SEUER’S WATER LIZARD. For the Zonures artificial heat is a necessity, as the temperature must not fall below 70 degrees, so that a well-warmed greenhouse forms as good a place as any in which the case or vivarium containing this reptile may be placed. Cockroaches, tiny frogs and raw meat may form the diet. The rough and spinous appearance of the zonures renders them more attractive to the ordmary observer than the smooth- skinned lizard. The Green Lizard is one of the most popular lizards kept im captivity, this being due to its beautiful green colour and to the trifling cost it entails for the purchase— half-a-crown being a maximum price. This lizard very quickly becomes tame, and in many instances will take food from the fingers of its owner. The diet of the green lizard consists of imsects—either flies, mealworms, cockroaches, earwigs, or gentles—and also slugs and worms. The Hyed Lizard is another beautiful species, marked, as its name implies, with blackish or blue ocelli. It is a more expensive reptile than the preceding species, but is just as easily tamed. When first imported they are very often wild and refuse to feed, and sometimes get quite thin and weak; but after a short time they usually pick up, and soon regain all their former beauty. Those readers who may object to reptiles on the ground that they usually are only eaters 44 _ Animal Life of live food may safely keep the eyed lizard and the green lizard without their susceptibilities being offended, as these species will take dead mice quite readily, ripe grapes and strawberries, and raw meat. Both these lizards will occasionally deposit eges in captivity; although these are usually infertile, they are sometimes seniille, so it is “nelrieele to try anwar incubation, and if possible hatch young. The lizards that all people are interested in are the Geckos, of which there are altogether about three hundred species. To see these lizards climbing up the’ glazed sides or front of a plate-glass vivarium is a source of wonderment to -all beholders who are not acquainted with the peculiar powers of the Geckonide in this direction. One curious trait of the gecko is its. power of uttering an audible cry or call, from which it derives its name, the word “geck-o” being a fairly correct phonetic rendering of the sound made by some species. The under-surfaces of the toes are provided with suckers similar in some instances to those of the sucker-fish, and im others to those on the feet of the common fly; however, some geckos—not many— are unprovided with these means to “upside-down” locomotion on ceilings and glass, and, instead, have developed claws similar to those on the feet of ‘other kinds of lizards. Geckos are usually small—five or six inches in length; others may be a foot in length. They are very quick in all their movements, which are rather jerky in appearance; but in spite of this peculiar jerky style of movement they cover ground very rapidly, and if one escapes from the case it is no easy matter for the owner to recapture it. Mealworms, gentles, flies, spiders, earwigs and cockroaches are readily taken. Geckos are no trouble whatever; and if thei case be kept in a well-warmed room in a nice sunny spot they will always be in good health and lively spirits. Very beautiful little lizards of the Iguanide family are the Anoles; they cost, this country, from five shillings to a sovereign apiece, but, from their beautiful and delightful little ways, are well worth the money. Being arboreal in their habits, it is necessary to provide plant life of some kind for them to climb about in. All lizards require plenty of sunshine; but anoles must have as much as possible, or else they soon get dull and mopish. ‘hey are strictly insectivorous in diet, and want as many flies as it is possible to provide them with; when flies are out of season, cockroaches and mealworms may be substituted. The case for lizards should have a piece .of virgin cork in it, under which they can crawl; it should, however, not be too large, and preferably well arched, so that, if necessary, the underside can be inspected without disturbing it. All lizards drink, and therefore a small pan of water should be provided. DERBIAN ZONURE SOME CURIOUSLY-COLOURED BATS. By R. LyYDEKKER. ATS when on the wing in the twilight form conspicuous objects when seen from below, and it is evident that their coloration is in nowise intended to render them invisible from this aspect. Had it been so, they would have had the under- surface of the body and wings light-coloured, although it may be doubtful whether even this would have very greatly helped matters. When seen from above, their dark colour not improbably renders them difficult to detect against the ground over which they are flying; and this may be one of the reasons why bats form such a small proportion of the prey of owls, although their swiftness of flight is probably another. That the number of bats killed by owls is comparatively insignificant is demonstrated by a table of the analysis of the cast “pellets” of the latter given in Professor Newton’s edition of “ Yarrell’s Birds.” In that instance the pellets of three species of owls were examined, with the result that in the case of two out of the three no remains of bats were discovered, while in the case of the third species—the barn-owl—evidence was obtained of the destruction of only 16 bats, against 237 mice, 693 voles, and 1,590 shrews. Whether the barn-owl is the only species of its tribe that preys on bats, and if so, for what reason, does not appear to be ascertained; but it seems evident from the foregoing statement that ordinary bats have little to fear from enemies while on the wing, and consequently have no need of protective coloration. In the gloom of caverns, hollow trees, and roofs and towers, where they pass the daylight hours (and indeed their whole time in the winter of the temperate zone), their sombre coloration must doubtless assist to render them inconspicuous. Even in such situations, however, it is more than doubtful whether such adventitious protection is of any advantage to them, for it does not appear that they are habitually preyed upon by manmimals which, like weasels and rats, could easily gain access to their roosting-places. Possibly this presumed immunity from attack may be due to the unpleasant smell of bats, which may render their flesh distasteful to the smaller beasts of prey. Be this as it may, it seems evident that the great majority of bats are not specially coloured for purposes of protection. Most rules have, however, their exceptions, and this is the case with regard to the coloration of bats. It is perhaps not unreasonable to suppose that the natives of India and Ceylon have recognised the remarkable resemblance existing between the coloration of the Painted, or Plantain, Bat (Cerivoula picta) and its inanimate surroundings. At any rate, the Cingalese have named it Kehel-voulha; kehel, or kehl, being the vernacular name for plantain, and vouwlha (probably a derivative from the same root as the Latin volare, to fly) signifying a bat. lt is from the native designation that the generic name, Cerivoula, of this group of bats is derived. With the single exception of the plantain-bat, the members of the Oriental genus Oerivoula present nothing specially noticeable in their colouring. Indeed they are all very nearly related to the genus which includes the European Bechstein’s Bat (Myotis bechsteini), one of the points of difference being the direction of the front teeth. The plantain-bat, on the other hand, as shown in the uppermost figure of the coloured plate, is coloured in a most striking and peculiar manner. The whole of the fur on the upper part of the body and head is bright orange, while those portions of the wing-membrane which are adjacent to the bones by which it is 45 46 Animal Life supported, as well as the margin, are also of the same brilliant hue, as is likewise the whole of the membrane connecting the hind-legs. With the exception of a few spots and flecks of orange, the rest of the wing-membranes are deep black; on the lower surface of the body the fur is somewhat lighter in colour than that of the back. When disturbed and made to take flight in the daytime, this bat looks like a large brilliantly-coloured butterfly or moth. Obviously there must be some special reason why this particular species should differ so remarkably in colour from all its relatives, and this reason is not far to seek. Those who have seen it in its native haunts tell us that during the daytime this bat conceals itself in a folded leaf of the planta. Now the ripe fruit of the plantain—and in Ceylon and Southern India the fruits are ripe throughout the year— is practically identical in colour with the bat; and possibly decaying leaves may take on the same yellow and black-flecked coloration, although I cannot now remember whether this is really the case. Anyway, the resemblance of the colouring of the bat to that of a ripe plantain is a sufficient explanation why this species differs so remarkably in hue from all its kindred. It is, moreover, a striking demonstration of the fact that marked peculiarities in the coloration of a particular species or genus are very frequently of a protective nature. How this bat acquired its distinctive livery is a question I will leave my readers to discuss, for I am told that my own views on such matters are somewhat old-fashioned and out of date. But the plantain-bat is by no means the only species displaying this abnormal type of coloration, two members of the allied genus Myotis being also orange and black. The first of these is Hodgson’s Bat (M. formosus), ranging from India to China, and the second Welwitsch’s Bat (M. welwitschi) of Angola and probably other districts on the west coast of Africa. In the latter the general tint of the fur is reddish above and straw-coloured below. The wing-membranes are orange and black, but the arrangement of the two colours differs somewhat from that obtaining in the plantain-bat. The black portions, for instance, are triangular in form, and occupy the spaces between the second and third and third and fourth fingers, as well as an area included between the fourth finger and a line drawn between the wrist and the ankle. The rest of the wings 1s orange with black spots and dots, as is also the membrane between the legs with the exception of its margin, which is black. Hodgson’s bat, in which the fur is yellower, has the wings coloured in almost exactly the same way, but the black spots are wanting from the orange areas, and the dark spaces are flecked and spotted with orange. Moreover, orange extends along the margins of the fingers (of which the bones are of the same hue), and the ears and the whole of the membrane connecting the hind-limbs are lkewise orange. With the habits of Hodgson’s bat we are fortunately well acquainted, owimg to observations made many years ago by an English naturalist im Formosa. It appears that these bats are in the habit of hanging suspended during the daytime from the branches of the evergreen longan-tree, a species of Nephelium. As the leaves of that tree decay they turn orange and black, such decaying leaves being found at all seasons. The fruit is also of a reddish-yellow colour when ripe; and we are told that it is almost impossible to detect the bats from the dead leaves or ripe fruit among which they hang. Probably the coloration of Welwitsch’s bat harmonises in precisely the same manner with the fruit or decaying foliage of one of the trees of its native country. The remarkable thing in all this is, of course, that three distinct species of bats, none of them very closely allied, and one generically distinct from the other two, should have acquired an almost identical type of protective coloration, each apparently quite independently of the others. If all the members of a single genus had been thus modified, the marvel would have been very much less, since they might all be descended from a common ancestor possessing the distinctive colouring. Some Curiously-Coloured Bats A7 In all the species hitherto mentioned there has been no difficulty in assigning a reason for them departure from the normal type of coloration. We come now to certain other forms im regard to some of which there is at present no clue to account for their peculiar colourmg. The first of these is the White-Winged Bat (Scotophilus albofuscus) of the Gambia, a member of an Old World genus of the typical bats (Vespertilionide), most of the other representatives of which present no peculiarity in colour. ‘This species is remarkable from the circumstance that the greater portion of the wing-membranes are pure white. It is, however, only those portions of these membranes which are concealed when the bat is in repose that are white, all the parts lying internally of a lime connecting the elbow with the knee being dark-coloured like the fur of the body and head, the general hue of which is deep amber-brown. Consequently, when the bat is at rest there is nothing specially noticeable in its colouring, and it is only when in flight that the white wings are shown; the white, it should be mentioned, bemg common to both thei upper and lower surfaces. The contrast between the dark body and white wings is most strikmg when the limbs are extended, although when in repose there is nothing specially noticeable in the colouring of this bat. Whatever may be the purpose of the white wings, it is evident that this purpose comes into play only when the creature is in flight. That there is some special object in this very peculiar colouring may be taken for granted, more especially as certain other West African bats belongmg to different genera display the same peculiarity. The attention of naturalists and collectors who may be travellmg in the Gambia and other parts of West Africa should be especially directed to the importance of solving this curious problem. One of the species last referred to is the Silvery Bat (Chalinolobus argentatus) of the Cameroons, in which the general colour of the fur is dark silvery-grey, while the skin of the face and ears is pearly white, and that of the wing and leg membranes dusky translucent white traversed by dark network and limes. Other species are Nyctinomus punilus and N. whiteleyr. Very remarkable is the colouring of a Himalayan representative of a genus already mentioned, namely, the Harlequin Bat (Scotophilus ornatus). In this species (which is shown flying in the centre of the plate) the general colour of the fur of the back is brownish yellow, verging on orange-brown marked with white spots. On the crown of the head is a small elongated patch of pure white; a narrow white stripe runs down the middle line of the back, and there are two white spots behind each shoulder just above the origin of the wing-membrane. On the under-surface a white chevron extends from the abdomen to terminate in front of each shoulder; while a second white band forms a collar, commencing below each ear and running forwards to the chin. The rest of the lower-parts are brown. Such a remarkable coloration must certainly have a meaning, and it is noteworthy that specimens of this bat, said to have been obtained close to the snows in the Sikhim Himalaya, were named by the late Mr. Bran Hodgson Nycticejus (= Scotophilus) nivicolus. On the other hand, Dr. Jerdon states that this bat is found in warm low valleys near Darjiling, one of his specimens being reported to have been taken in a plantaim leaf. Moreover, Dr. Blanford observes that some of Hodgson’s specimens from the interior of the hills, although obtained near high mountains, were from the deep valleys at low elevations above the sea. Although the name nivicola (as it should properly be) is suggestive that this bat owes its white markings to its inhabiting districts where the leaves are flecked with snow during some portion of the season when it is abroad, yet this interpretation cannot be sustained in face of the statements cited above. Moreover, it would be unlikely that bats could live at elevations where the snow lasted during most of the summer. Some other explanation has therefore to be sought ; but this can only be found out by careful observation of the habits of this bat in its native haunts. 48 Animal Life Another abnormal type of coloration is presented by the White Bats of Central and South America. In the common Diclidurws albus the hai of the body is dark- coloured for the greater part of its length, but the tips are yellowish or creamy-white, as are also the wing-membranes. The first example of this species known to science was taken in Brazil while resting in the leaf of a cocoanut palm; and this suggests that the peculiar colouring of these bats (one of which is shown in a hanging posture on the right side of the coloured plate) is to harmonise with the silvery under-side of the leaves of cocoanut palms. In all the foregoimg imstances of abnormal coloration im bats, the colours are those of the hair and skin. One remarkable species, the African False Vampire (Megaderma rons), shown flying on the left side of the lower part of the plate, is, however, in at least one portion of its range, in the habit of dyemg its hai, © and thus producing a brilliant orange tint in place of the natural brown. ‘This hair-dyeing process is brought about by means of a gland on the rump—very similar in position to the oil-gland of a bird—by which is secreted a sticky orange- coloured powder. Apparently, as I am informed by an observer in the Sudan by whom this remarkable fact was first made known, the powder is ejected immediately before the bat takes to flight, and from its glutinous nature sticks to the wings and the hair of the lower part of the back; the latter being dyed more or less permanently yellow. When on the wing in the daytime, this bat, like the Indian plantain bat, is said to resemble a huge butterfly or moth. This large bat has a very extensive distribution in tropical Africa, ranging from the coast of Guinea to Zanzibar, Abyssinia, and the eastern Sudan. In 1878 the late Dr. Dobson stated that the only information then available with regard to its habits was contained in a note by the explorer Speke. According to this, these bats were met with in considerable numbers at Meninga, where they rose singly from the ground, to alight sometimes in bushes, but on other occasions again in the grass. ‘This appears to indicate,” adds Dr. Dobson, “that Megaderma jfrons hunts for its prey by day as well as by night; and the large size of the eyes in this as well as in the other species of the genus leads us to consider this very probable. Mr. Blyth has shown that M. lyra {the Indian representative of the genus] feeds on grasshoppers and small bats (and probably on other small animals); and the individuals of M. frons observed by Captain Speke may have been engaged in hunting for grasshoppers and small mammals among the long grass.” Can it be that some of the creatures on which this bat preys mistake it for a butterfly, and thus make no effort to hide themselves when it appears in sight? In conclusion, I may state that one of the objects of this article is to draw attention to some of the many interestmg problems connected with the habits of animals and the adaptation of particular species to their environment that still await solution at the hands of naturalists. Without in any way underrating the importance of describing species (although I may think that in some instances these are nowadays somewhat unnecessarily multiplied), it cannot be too strongly inculcated that the observation of the life-history of animals in the field should form an essential part of the duty of every collector. Without such knowledge the dried skins are, in a sense, almost as valueless as a field-gun without the breech-block. A TEAM OF WORKING SLE DGE-DOGS MORE ARCTIC DOGS*—AND OTHERS. THE accompanying picture, lent us by Mr. Menten Cc. Brooke, of Wellime, Working whose collection of foreign pucilze Dogs. dogs has for years been the finest in the country, represents a team of working Sledge-Dogs, with the sledge, tent, and other paraphernalia actually used by their owner when prospecting in Alaska. The first dog in the team is an Hsquimaux of sorts; but it is alleged, and his appearance bears it out, that he has one-quarter wolf blood in his veins. The second and third are very fair specimens of the Hsquimaux dog, though not as high-class as the dog “Arctic King,” whose portrait we reproduced a couple of months back. The dog next to the sledge is an animal by no means noticeable for beauty or purity of blood, but regarded as a working dog he is, according to his owner, worth the rest of the team. He is a dog of some hundred pounds weight, heavy and powerful, with drop ears and docked tail, and is a specimen of the manu- factured variety known as the Hudson’s Bay Husky (a mixture originally of mastiff, boar- hound, wolf and Esquimaux), which is found to be more enduring and more tractable than the Esquimaux dog, whose wildness and ferocity in times of want, as well as his pugnacity and thieving propensities, are sometimes rather hardly felt. Both Hsqui- maux dogs and Huskies are used to draw the mail-sledges which now weekly leave Dawson City to carry the mails to the various parts of the Yukon District and even as far away as Cape Nome, a distance of nearly one thousand five hundred miles. This mail service 1s maintained by the Governments of both Canada and the United States. The average daily distance covered by these official teams is about forty miles; but of course, in the case of private teams such as that in our illustration, the distance depends upon the capacity of the dogs and the caprice and necessity of the owner. The photograph from which our illustration is taken was taken in England, and the back- eround is artificial, the sledge running on a specially-prepared track; but the dogs are genuine Alaskan workers, and the sledge the one which had been used in the Yukon territory. *See AnrmaL Lire, Vol. I., pp. 107 and 192. 49 50 WHat the Esquimaux dog (portraits of which breed were recently given in AniIMAL Lire) is to the Ksqui- maux of Arctic America and Greenland, so is the Samoyede dog to the nomadic tribes inhabiting the western portion of Siberia and north-east of Russia. These two, with the Norwegian dog, commonly called Elkhound in this country, are the most important forms of the Arctic dog. The Samoyede is rather smaller than the Esquimaux, and more domestic-looking ; in character also he is less wild than the Esqui- maux, just as the Samoyede tribes are more civihzed than the Green- landers and Alaskan In- dians. This makes him more suitable as a pet than the American dog, but also, in my opinion (writes Mr. Brooke, who sends us the photograph), renders him less distinctive In appearance asa breed: for there is no dis- guising the fact that he is apt to look lke a large Pome- ranian dog; in fact, when a great German cynologist and judge was in this country last summer, at the Botanic Gardens Dog Show, he remarked that the majority of the Samoyedes exhibited would, if running about a German town, be taken for large Pome- yanians. Another point which domestication in this country is altering is the eye. All Arctic dogs have a more or less keen and wild expression, which is typical and goes far to make up the correct towt ensemble ; but many of the specimens bred in this country have a soft, gentle, butter-won’t- The Samoyede Sledge=Dog. 2m Sat Photograph by T. Fall. x “PERLENE.” A pure white Samoyede. Animal Life melt-in-my-mouth expression which, whilst it may be pretty and attractive to ladies, is by no means correct. The Samoyede dog is found of all colours, but that preferred in this country is white. This is the dog now usually made use of in Polar expeditions, partly owing to its being more tractable than the EKsquimaux. It will be remembered that some years back a large number of these dogs which had been employed in the Jackson- Harmsworth expedition were brought to this country and exhibited at the Crystal Palace Dog Show, with tent and sledge complete. They attracted much attention. Of these dogs Her Majesty the Queen still possesses one, “Jacko” by name, who has won several prizes. The best Samoyede ever seen in this country was a dog pre- sented some five years back to a President of the Kennel Club on the occasion of his visit to Russia. This beautiful dog was far ahead of any others ever exhibited, but what ulti- mately became of it I do not know. The accompanying illustration shows very much what the true Siberian sledge-dog is hke. The colour, "however, may be black, brown, red, yellow, or black and white. As in the case of the EHsquimaux dog, there is no doubt that wolf blood is sometimes introduced, either accidentally or on purpose, into this breed: and it is worthy of notice that whereas the ears of the Hsquimaux dog should be rather small, closely set and carried forwards, in this respect resembling those of the Aretic wolf, the ears of the the Russian or set wider apart, Samoyede, like those of Siberian wolf, are larger, and more sideways. Our portraits represent Mrs. Kilburn-Scott’s “ Perlene,”’ who is descended from dogs which took part in the Jackson-Harmsworth ex- pedition, and is the winner of many prizes ; also the same lady’s “ Nansen” and one of the Duke of Abruzzi’s. Arctic Dogs—and The dog in the left-hand photograph is “Gatto,” one of the pack used in the Duke of Abruzzi’'s Polar Expe- dition, which penetrated farther north than Nansen. The right- hand picture represents Mrs. Kilburn- Scott's Samoyede sledge-dog “ Nansen,” 21ins. high at the shoulders. He is a prize- winner, and wonderfully intelligent. Others et Onty a few years back a very pretty breed of little dog made its first appearance at our dog shows, being introduced by the Hon. Mrs. Mclaren Morrison. Since then, after having been called “Tibet” terrier, “ Bhutea”’ terrier, and “‘ Bhutan” terrier, the breed has attained at last to the dignity of a separate classification in the Stud Book under The Lhasa Terriers. “ PERLENE.” Another photograph of Mrs. Kilburn-Scott’s pure white Samoyede. TWO LHASA TERRIERS. the heading of “Lhasa Terriers,’ though doubtless the first name of “Tibet” terrier was more suitable, the present nomenclature being much as if, say, the fox terrier were called the “Tondon” terrier. Our photo- graph represents two winning specimens of this variety from Mrs. Mclaren Morrison’s kennels. "Ss THE dog in the accompanying illustration Copyright Photograph, Hutchinson & Co. KIRGHIZ GREYHOUND. Animal Life is one of the pair belonging to Mr. H. C. Brooke, of Welling, re- ferred to in our recent notes on the Persian greyhound (see pages 286 and 287 of Vol. L.). Owing to the shyness of the bitch it has as yet not been possible to obtain a photograph of her, which is to be regretted, for whilst a little smaller and less noble in appearance than the dog, she is possibly more perfect in points, and in shape and make is a treat for a lover of a grey- hound to gaze upon. The most usual colour for the Persian greyhound is fawn, but red, black-and-tan, pied, and white specimens also occur. This pair, which were taken from a tribe of Kirghiz Tartars, are pale cream-coloured. They are, unfortunately, not sufficiently domesticated to make it sate to put their hunting capabilities to the test, but if their owner is fortunate enough to obtain a litter of pups from this, undoubtedly the only pair in England, he intends bringing up one or two with greyhounds in order to test them against an average Hnelish coursing hound. Kirghiz Greyhound. 5) THE litter of cubs portrayed on the following page were bred by Wine ee Brooke and were sired by the prize-winuing Dingo “ Chels- worth Myall” (whose portrait was given on page 160 of Vol. 1.), the mother being a European wolf, particulars and a portrait of which will also be found on page 224 of the same volume. These hybrids, in - shape and make, follow the dam; ® in colour they are different, some being grey, -with the characteristic markings of the wolf, whilst others show the ruddy colour of them Hybrid Cubs. More Arctic Dogs—and Others Australian sire. This is not the first litter of these hybrids Mr. Brooke has bred: one of a previous litter he presented to Mr. Walter Rothschild, to whom theanimal became extremely attached, following him about in his rides, only occasionally leaving him to lull a chicken or two. It was desired to mate the wolf with the white wolf whose portrait was also given on page 224, but she obstinately refused all his advances until her time seemed passed, when she was again placed with her old kennel-mate, to whom she is devotedly attached, and the litter portrayed was the result. The dingo is an excellent father. As each cub was born he would help to dry and clean it; as they began to toddle about he would superintend their personal cleanlmess; and when the time came for them to be weaned he would bring up his food for them in the manner familiar to all breeders in the females of the domestic dog. How different this from the domestic dog, who either strongly objects to or at least ignores his helpless offspring. We are sorry to learn that these cubs are now all dead, with the exception of the large light-coloured one sitting up at the back, which is now the property of Mr. A. J. Sewell, the eminent canine specialist. Pure titi ea WHEREAS the ordinary rough-haired pi moorh Chow-chow is now quite com- mon in this country, and is frequently to be seen in the streets of London, the | smooth variety is stillscarce, 5S WOLE-DINGO HYBRID CUBS. and the majority of the specimens seen, so Mr. H. C. Brooke tells us, are of rather inferior quality. ‘“ Lun-Tai,” however, the property of Miss Casella, is a most bigh-class specimen, as may be imagined from the fact that he was picked out on purpose for his present owner by a mandarin at Hong-Kong from a crowd of over a hundred chows brought in for him to select from. “LUN-TAI,” A SMOOTH CHOW. ANIMAL WHEN travelling up an incline about 180 miles from Albany, between Wagin and Beverley, the wheels of the engine belonging to a through trai from Perth failed to grip the line. The train was brought to a standstill, and then it was found that the metals for hundreds of yards were coyered by millions upon millions of black ants. The tiny insects were evidently treking, and took advantage of the smooth passage offered by the rails. The wheels of the engine crushed the ants and thus greased the rails, so that no purchase could be obtained. We. Mr. W. S. Wauss says that monkeys are known to be very fond of beer, and in The Results of Africa, the natives make use of Intemperance. x ‘ bY : this evil trait to capture their poor relations. The monkeys there are extremely fond of a beer brewed by the natives, who place quantities of it within easy reach and wait until their victims are thoroughly befuddled. In this state they are unable to recognise the difference between negro and ape. When the negro takes the hand of one of them to lead him off, a second monkey takes the hand of the first, a Ants stop a train. ANECDOTES. third that of the second, and so on. A single negro may sometimes be seen carrying off a string of staggering monkeys. 7 Tur mole, which is perhaps the most voracious of all animals, usually feeds on insects and earth-worms. But it will devour other animals, ineclu- ding rats and, sometimes, birds. The last-named it catches in a very ingenious, if cruel, manner. Buried in a mole-hill, it moves its muzzle very slightly just below the surface of the soil. The bird, thinking a worm is stirring, immediately darts down to seize it, but is itself seized by the mole, dragged below the surface, and devoured. Wa" THE voracity of the mole is such that it is caleu- lated that one of these animals will, independently of its other food, devour 20,000 earthworms in the course of a year. If kept without food for a day, moles die of hunger. The strength of the muzzle and forepaws of the mole is evident from the extraordinary rapidity with which it burrows its way through the earth. A Mole’s Tit=bit. It’s usual Menu. “The fox laid down, apparently to sleep.” 54 Animal Anecdotes 55) “Some unsuspecting fowl put its head inside, and was quickly dispatched by the crafty fox.” A Fox which was kept as a pet in a cage devised the following plan by which to augment his breakfast table. Close by the bars of his den several chickens enjoyed a greater freedom than he was allowed. Reynard, more probably from motives of greed than of jealousy, determined to reduce the fowls in number. Accordingly he placed a morsel of his own meat near the bars of the cage, and well within reach of the chickens. He then laid down, apparently to sleep, and awaited developments, with the result that some unsuspecting fowl, scenting a tit-bit, put its head inside and was quickly dispatched by the crafty fox. The Device of the Fox. Sy Iv is very uncommon for herons to get into mid-ocean, but it is recorded that two of these birds flew into the rigging of a British steamship when she was half-way across the Atlantic. One of them broke its wing by striking against a yardarm. It fell to the deck, was picked up by an officer of the ship, and placed in an improvised case. Its mate steadfastly hovered over the ship until finally the door of the cage was opened. Instantly the second heron flew from A Faithful Mate. the rigging and entered the cage, where it remained, a willing prisoner, with the disabled bird. ie Minuions of butterflies are eaten every year by the Australian aborigines. The insects congregate in vast quan- tities on the rocks of the Bugong Mountains, and the natives secure them by lindling fires of damp wood and thus suffocating them. Then they are gathered in baskets, baked, sifted to remove the wings, and finally pressed into cakes. A Curious Dish. We A cERTAIN farmer possessed a donkey which had a great fondness for apples. Turning it out one day to graze in an orchard, he first tied the halter to its fore-feet in order to prevent it lifting its head to the fruit on the trees. The donkey, however, managed to get at the fruit by backing at the trees and kicking furiously at their trunks till some apples were shaken down. But at last, in kickmg a twisted trunk, it wedged one of its hoofs so firmly into a fork of the tree that it was unable to drag it out, and had to stand on its fore-feet, with its hind-legs in the air, until its master cut it loose. A Little Too Clever. NOTES AND From Mr. Stephen Cribb, of Southsea, comes the photograph reproduced on paces this page of an elephant in the act of landing after a long sea voyage. The animal is the property of the Duke of Connaught, to whom it was presented by a native prince during his Royal Highness’s visit to the Delhi Durbar. It was brought over in H.M.S. Renown, and no sooner was it landed at Southampton than it was transferred to another boat en route for Dublin, where it is sure to find true Inish hospitality. we" Mr. H. C. Brooke writes: “I Arctic f : Animals. W725 much interested in the account of the Aretic White Wolves. Tshould be gladif your contributor would state whether he con- siders them a distinct variety of the common Arctic Wolf, ormerely a colour sport. “All the white wolves (Huropean variety) I have seen have been smaller than the common wolf, and I take them to be a colour variety merely, probably in many inbred. The one now at the Zoo belonging to Mr. Rothschild is the biggest white wolf I ever saw. He was from common grey parents, and was the only white cub in the litter. He was bred Cases SHIPPING AN ELEPHANT. 56 COMMENTS. by Biddell Bros., the showmen. The other white wolves I have seen and owned have been much smaller, and mostly menagerie bred, consequently inbred. Many of these have been bred by Purchase Bros., also showmen. “Tf is interesting to note how the Esquimaux dog resembles the Arctic wolf in his smaller and more erect ears; you will see the Huropean wolf's ears are much larger and more sideways set. The best Hsquimaux dogs also exhibit the sloping back so marked in the Arctic wolf, though not to such a degree. “here is a very fine pair of Arctic wolves (greys) now at the Zoo, tame as dogs. They have had cubs, of which I was mostanxious tosecure one, but they have all gone nearly paralysed in the hind-quarters. “T have at last some Hsquimaux »yups out of the bitch whose photograph you gave—absolutely the last chance of breeding any in this country as things are at present, she being the only bitch im the country, and the dogs being eleven and fourteen years old respectively. I am more than pleased. My old Tibet dog is dead; he was about fourteen years old.” We hope to insert Mr. Madsen’s reply in our next or an early number. Notes and Comments NEST IN A LONDON BOARD A SPARROWS’ SCHOOL’S PLAYGROUND. THERE is surely no limit to the boldness of the London Sparrow. The accom- panyine photograph shows the nest of a pair that built in the playground of a London Board School. They chose for their home the space behind a cork-covyered bracket hanging on the wall against the caretaker’s house, and, to make their ingress and egress easier, pecked away the wood. Photograph No. 1 shows the bracket mm position, and photograph No. 2 the nest with its clutch of five eggs. Con- sidering the noise and turmoil made by hundreds of youngsters playing around it a great part of the day, it is surprising that the birds chose such a place. Mr. G. C. Grover, of Wandsworth, is the photographer. we A WELL-AUTHENTICATED incident is reported from Forfarshire which seems to prove that birds are capable of counting. We quote from the “ Westminster Gazette”: “Two nests of the common green plover were discovered in a~ The London Sparrow. Can Birds Count ? 57 meadow, about a yard apart. Hach nest contained four eggs; and the inquiring mind of the finder led him to alter the arrange- ment, so that in one nest eight eggs were placed, while the other was empty. Then he retired to a strategic position whence subsequent events could be watched. In a few minutes the plovers returned, and expressed them feelings in unimistakable language at this unecalled-for interference with their property. Great was the twitter- ing and fluttering that went on around the nests, but after a time the birds calmed down, and the observer emerged from his retreat to inspect developments. Hach nest was found to contain four eggs as before. It would be interesting to know whether the mother recognised her own eggs or merely removed four haphazard.” wa “WHAT a pity they ever grow big!” This is the exclamation of many a lover of animals when watch- ing the gambols of some fluffy little lutten or puppy, and the remark is Owls as Pets. INTERIOR VIEW, SHOWING 58 Animal Life always shown a much more docile disposition than the other; the tamer of the two will actually take food from our hands if at all hungry, but the other only comes to feed when quite satisfied that we have gone to a safe distance, and it will on no account face the camera. They are kept in a specially-constructed large square of wire netting, in which stands their cage. I have frequently felt tempted to let them fly quite loose at night, feeling sure they would return to their cage at daylight, but lhvimg as we do very near a game preserve, I am afraid some ubiquitous keeper would consider them suitable targets for his much too ready gun. They are fed as nearly in accordance with nature as possible, rats and mice being often available, but when these cannot be obtained raw meat cut small is given them. Ovwls, like cats, always begin at the head when eating a rat, tearing away the flesh and leaving the skin; mice are bolted whole, Ro whilst birds are always plucked with great YOUNG BARN-OWL, AGED ONE MONTH. dexterity before they are swallowed. After equally applicable to owls. Young owls are digestion the bones, etc., of their carnivorous very queer-looking birds, the white powder- diet which are not required for nourishment puff of the nursery being the object nearest are expelled from their mouths in pellets resembling them, especially as they remain quite motionless for long periods of time. When disturbed they turn their uncanny- looking heads from side to side and com- pletely round, bobbing up and down and emitting a hissing noise which would put a boiling tea-kettle quite into the shade. The bird, of which two portraits are given, is one of a pair which were taken when about a month old from an old pigeon loft where their ancestors had been established for many years. ‘The knowing country folk of the district prophesied that we should never rear them (writes C. W. M., their owner), but up to the present they have been splendidly healthy, having passed through successive moultings without mishap most successfully, and it was extremely interesting to watch them at the critical period of their lives when they evolved from powder-puffs into awkward-looking hobbledehoys, and then into lovely-plumaged full-sized barn owls. Strangely enough, from the first days of their arrival one has SS SS THE SAME OWL TWO YEARS OLD. Notes and Comments of the size and shape of large hard nuts. It is a comical sight, which I have often watched, to see an owl dis- charge a pellet. Possessing a notoriously grave visage, the solemnity of aspect on these occasions is most ludicrous ; standing quite still, the head is bent forward, the cruel- looking beak opens, the eyes are for an instant closed, then suddenly the pellet is ejected and the bird resumes its normal condition.” ie Ty Antuat Lire for last December the first of Mr. Farmborough’s articles on “Uncommon Pets” was pub- lished. This dealt with jerboas and kangaroo rats. The accompanying photograph by Mr. Herbert Lazenby, of York, gives an excellent idea of the former animals, but it is un- necessary to describe them again after what has been so recently said about them in the article referred to. The little creatures illus- trated belong to Mr. H. C. Shann, of York, to whom they were sent by Captain Flower, of the Zoological Gardens at Ghizeh. Jerboas. Sy Tur next photograph represents a half-bred Cheviot and Leicester Hwe that became, on April the 3rd of this year, the proud mother of six lambs, or rather five, for although she gave birth to six, one was born dead. The other five, however, she successfully reared, and as the picture (which was taken three weeks after the event) shows, they ave average-sized, healthy lambs. It is a very unusual occurrence for a ewe to have and to rear such a large number. Miss Jones, of Cramlington, who sends the photograph, tells us that the A Prolific Ewe. 59 EGYPTIAN JERBOAS. lambs were born on Lord Ridley’s home farm at Blagdon, Northumberland. SS Miss May Lauvrte sends us a photograph of an eccentric cat that spends most of its time in a position with which one generally asso- ciates St. Simon Stilites. The reason of this is that his devotion to hunting has necessitated life on a chain. He wears an ordinary small dog-collar with a long cord appended, and to the other end is attached a ring which runs along a wire stretched between two trees, thus allowing plenty of freedom to the animal, while it debars him Chained Enthusiasm. 60 from poaching in the neighbouring woods and prob- ably meeting sudden death at the hands of the gamekeeper. When free, “Spot” is a good hunter, but never devours his prey. Every- thing he catches is brought home to his chum, a little black terrier. He spends much of his time on the stump of the old tree where he is represented in the photograph. ND In last month’s coloured plate we gave pictures of the Small White (Pieris rape) and its larva and pupa. The female could be distinguished from the male by its two spots on the upper wing, while the latter has only one, and occasionally none at all. This month we are able to give a photograph (by Mr. Hugh Mair) of the Green-Veined White (Pieris napi) immediately after its emergence from the chrysalis stage. Like the small white, the male of the Pieris napi has only one round spot (instead of two as in the female) on the fore-wings. “The nervures on the upper wings are darker ordinarily, and the tip a stronger black in the female than in the male, but the strength of colouring varies very much in different individuals. It is an insect, too, that fluctuates a good deal in size; but, as a general rule, we find that the female is some- what larger than the male. The eggs are laid on cabbage, turnip, horse-radish, watercress, and other cruciferous plants, and the resulting caterpillars are of a delicate green colour. like those of the large white, they are A WOULD-BE POACHER. British Butterflies. Animal Life vigorously attacked by a special parasite, the Hemiteles melanarius. This butterfly is double-brooded, one generation appearing in April or May and another in July or August. They remain in the pupal state about three weeks before emergence. The specific name napt is bestowed on the species from the botanical name for the turnip, Brassica napus, one of the food-plants of the larvee. A variety of the green-veined white is sometimes found in which the colour of the wings, instead of being white at all, 1s of a beautiful canary colour, the veiming, soft shading, and definite spots and tips of the wings being, as normally, black. It is a very striking and beautiful form, and, entomologically, is the variety known as flava. We sometimes also get very dark forms and other modifications from type, such as the bryome, sabellice, and nape varieties: these were formerly given full specific rank, but are now accepted as being merely variants. Though called the green- veined white, the veining is often really grey. When the ground-colour of the wings is white the grey asserts itself; but this ground-colour varies a good deal, and when decidedly yellow the minute black scales that form the fringing of the nervures, blending with this yellow, appeal to the eye as green.’ —From “ Butterflies and Moths of the Country-Side,” by F. Edward Hulme, B.S.A. The Green-Veined White Butterfly, a just emerged from the Chrysalis. BIRD NOTES BY FRANK FINN, B.A., F.Z.5S., M.B.O.U, Photograph by D. Le Souef, Melbourne. ALBINO WIEDGHE-TAILED EAGLE, EVERYONE knows that albinism, more or less complete, is not at all an unusual i phenomenon in the bird world; but it is not so familiar in some parc Dino eroups as it is in others. Thus albinistic specimens of birds of prey ave decidedly rare, although black varieties of these birds are not at all uncommon. So the white Wedge-tailed Kagle (Uroaétus audax) illustrated here is a very noteworthy bird. The ordinary colour of this species, which is usually on view at the london Zoological Gardens, is dark brown ; it inhabits Australia, where also occurs a very remark- able Goshawk (Astur nove-hollandie), which is always white when adult, though brown on the upper ~~ plumage when young. No doubt in the latter case the albinism has proved to be hereditary. At the opposite extreme to the powerfully-flying birds of prey are the flightless members of the ostrich order, and these also are little subject to albinism. White-splashed varieties of the true ostrich have, however, been seen, and the Rhea, the so-called ostrich of South America (Rhea americana) 1s exceptional in not unfrequently producing a white form. he bird in the photograph was exhibited in the Jondon Zoological Gardens, and Molina, writing considerably more than a hundred years ago, mentions white (and also black) rheas as occurring in Chill. The ordinary colour of the rhea is grey, and as its feathers have some value at present, the birds being periodically driven in and plucked on some estates in Argentina, it would be worth while to attempt to breed the white form, as white feathers always command a higher price than coloured ones. The Aylesbury Duck is a good example of an albino form which is now a permanent breed, especially cultivated about the village from which it takes its name. It is, of course, like all other domestic ducks COMMON RHEA (White Variety). 61 62 except the Muscovy, descended from the wild Mallard (Anas boschas), and the drake still retains the curls in the tail, although his figure is sadly degenerated from the fine outlines of the wild bird. The Aylesbury duck is remarkable for its early maturity, and attains a great size; a drake 10 Ibs. in weight and a yard long appears to be at present in existence, as eges sired by such a one are advertised. The Aylesbury is the whitest of all the white ducks, even its bill bemeg pale flesh-colour, although the feet are orange. Im the Pekin Duck breeds of Animal Life occurrence of white wild birds, should make us cautious in accepting the common theory that everything goes by slow gradations in nature. Nature, indeed, is especially fond of making a jump from black to white; albinos are particularly common in the crow tribe, and no British bird is more lable to albinism than the Blackbird (Merula merula), which frequently throws white or pied varieties. To From what I have seen, however, I should say that albinistic cock black- birds are more common than Hen Blackbird. Photograph by S. G. Payne, Aylesbury. AYLESBURY DUCKS. and the little white Call-Duck the bill is orange. It is a curious fact that the Aylesbury’s delicate bill is easily discoloured, and will become very sallow if the ducks be allowed to go about in the sun or “bibble” in dirty water. A new breed of white ducks has been produced of late years from the mallard direct, two white birds haying been bred wild parents and the ancestors of a strone-flying white strain. Such cases as these, and the frequent from become hens, which rather bears on the tendency of black to “throw” white. The hen blackbird, of course, is not black, but a dark sooty brown with hght streaks on the throat, as shown in the photograph of the sittmg bird. The hen blackbird is very steady on her nest, and will bear being looked at almost at arm’s length— at any rate that was the with one I have been studying in a Kentish garden lately. Sase Bird Notes 63 SY ly Photographs by G. H. Bentley, Sheffield. HEN BLACKBIRD. YOUNG BLACK-HEADED GULLS. <<: ¥ j % ¥ \ ‘ i Photograph by J. Newman, Berkhampstead YOUNG RINGED PLOVER. YOUNG HIRONS. 64 THE nestling birds shown in the accompany- ing pictures are particularly interesting as exemplifying the way in which the relationships of bird-groups appear in the young. Formerly, plovers and herons used both to be classed together as wading birds, while gulls were ranked, as swimmers, in a different “order.” Anatomical research, however, showed that gulls and plovers agreed very closely in a great many points, while herons were very different from either. This is borne out by the character of the young birds. Young gulls and young plovers are hatched with a good covering of down, and run about ac- tively like chicks and pick up their food, though in the case of gulls this is mostly brought to them by their parents. Young herons, on the other hand, are ag helpless as young pigeons, and clad in long scanty down, and they do not leave their nest until fledged, while they gape and cry for the food the parents drop into their beaks. As they fledge they do, indeed, move about to some extent, having, unlike the ground-building waders, a very strong grip in the feet, as the hind-toe is Some Nestlings. San large. This leads us to what seems at first rather an absurd idea—that the state of a bird’s young on hatching can be foretold by looking at the parents’ feet. But this can usually be done; a bird with helpless nestlings usually builds in a tree, and tree- perching birds mostly have a long back-toe, while ground-dwellers have a small one or none at all. Photograph by Lewis Medland, North Finchley. GREY-HEADED PORPHYRIO. Animal Life The young Ringed Plover (Aegialitis hiaticula) deserves notice for its remarkable likeness to a pebble, the little things when in danger having the instinct to squat and thus escape notice, being “not the only pebble on the beach” in many cases, though not in this particular picture. Wa" OnE of the Porphyrios, or Purple Moorhens (Porphyrio calvus), 1s here The Moorhen’s Exercise. shown in the act of stretch- ing its wings and exempli- fying a family custom thereby. as observant people have Most. birds, all noticed, stretch one wing only at a time, but all the Rail family, to which imoor- hens and porphy- rios belong, appear to stretch both at once. No doubt they wish they could stretch both legs at once, but as that would leave them without a leg to stand upon, they have to be com- monplace in this respect. The porphyrios, how- ever, are remark- able among rails in having a special habit of their own. ‘This is the trick of holding up food in one foot when eating, a habit common to several kinds of land birds, but, except for the porphyrios, unknown amongst water-fowl, not even the other rails sharing it with them. Wa THe curious Lyre-Bird (Menuwra superba) is “ ” a very “good footer,’ as a ihe faleoner would say; it employs Lyre-Bird. * } SEN 5 211 p10) its feet with great energy in scratching and turing over clods, as the Bird illustration shows. It can move a considerable weight in this way, and no doubt finds the accomplishment of the greatest use in securing the insects and other small creatures on which it feeds. Dy Tur two last photographs are of the nest of the Rufted Grouse (Bonasa wm- bellus)—one showing the eggs and the other the bird. These have been sent from Okana- ean by Mr. R. Leckie-Kwing, who contributes the following note: “This handsome species can be found in almost every part of the Province, and apparently is quite as much at home in the higher altitudes and pine- clad mountain slopes as it 1s in lower-lying and open stretches of country. The manners of these grouse are solitary; often they are found singly or in pairs, although in the late fall coveys of twenty or more are met A Game Bird of British Columbia. NEST AND EGGS OF RUFFED GROUSE. Photograph by D. Le Souef, Melbourne. Notes os HEN VICTORIA LYRE-BIRD. with. A marked peculiarity of the male bird is the habit he has of drumining, a peculiar and penetrating sound made by his wings when amorously calling his mate. The birds begin to pair early in April, building their nest in May. This is placed on the ground, usually in some well-sheltered spot and extremely difficult to find. The eggs are from eight to fifteen in number, of a brownish-white colour, and about the same size as a pheasant’s. The young leave the nest as soon as hatched, and behave very much in the same manner as young pheasants or partridges, although the mother-bird is much more courageous in guarding her young than either of these birds. In the early autumn ruffed grouse fall easy victims to the gun, although later on in the season they become very much wilder and are difficult to shoot. With a good dog they are easily discovered, and when young they ave more often treed than not, allowing the sportsman (if I may call him so) to get below the tree and shoot them off one by one, till often a whole covey is wiped out. With a shot gun there is no sport at all in killing them thus, and very little even with a small-bore rifle; the weapon T always use is a “22 pistol with a 6-n. barrel, With this minute and hght weapon a steady hand and some considerable practice 1s required ere the marksman can count upon making a decent bag. Where birds are plentiful I have shot as many as fifteen or twenty brace in a 66 Animal Life was absolutely im- possible to get within range of them. On the other hand, I have hunted birds which have been continually shot at and driven from place to place, and they appeared to get tamer the more they were molested. With the blue grouse the very opposite 1s the case. This hand- some bird, the largest of his kind, is tame and fairly easy to shoot on grounds where he has not been disturbed before.” The ruffed grouse, it may be mentioned in conclusion, is the typical representative of a small group of few hours with my pistol. The grouse is an excellent table- bird, more especially so in September, when saskatoon, whortle, and partridge-berries are plentiful. During winter they feed on the tender tops of pine trees when other food fails them. A strange feature I have noticed in the ruffed grouse, and in no other bird in this country, 1s that the further away from civilization one gets, and the less this bird is hunted or shot at, the wilder he appears to be. I have come across coveys of them in mountainous regions, where they never saw the face of Photograph by R. Leckie-Ewing, British Columbia. which all the members man before, and it RUFFED GROUSE ON NEST. are North American. THE Editor begs again to draw attention to the notice on page 24 of ANIMAL LIFE, No. XIII, which contains full particulars of the Photographic Prize Competition open to all readers (amateur and professional) of this magazine. The Prizes offered are a Silver Medal, Two Bronze Medals, and various consolation prizes of Natural History Books. The Competition closes on October 31st, 1903. The Editor is pleased to announce that the following gentlemen have kindly consented to act as Judges (hors concours): KR. liydekker, Esq., J. M. Swan, Hsq., A.R.A.. W. P. Dando, Esq., F.Z.5., and the Editor of ‘ Photography.” THREE COMMON REPTILES OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH. By Cyrm Grant LANE. Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. HAT more certain to overwhelm the stout heart of the most experienced bush- man with sudden fear, and fill his mind with a knowledge of imminent danger, than the sudden hearing of that gentle, dreaded voice—the warning hiss of an angry snake ! Little wonder that the city-dweller, with but vague conceptions of “ bush-life,” so frequently refuses to venture “ up-country,’ even though the rapidly-increasing facilities for travelling are so obvious a consideration, for, in the mysterious regions of “up-country’”’ and “back-blocks,’ have not treacherous reptiles of dread repute to be contended with daily at every turn and bend in the track, and is not one obliged, from well-justified motives of self-preservation, to hunt im the bed, on the bed, wnder the bed, and thoroughly investigate every nook and cranny which might perchance conceal the lithe body of some poison-fanged visitor ? Something of this is indeed beyond refute, bwt—and there is much in that little word—like numerous imminent dangers, this also is constantly and absurdly exaggerated. Danger undoubtedly there is, and fully the fact is realised by one who has spent long years in snake-infested localities! Notwithstanding, if propensities of a designedly vicious nature are characteristics of Victorian snakes, they seem only recognisable when the reptiles are labouring under real or fancied provocation. Then, I admit, no more deadly or determined enemy can be encountered in the wilds of the bush! In certain localities, where water is abundant, Brown, Black, and Tiger-Snakes may be found in great numbers, occupying such cover as hollow logs, decaying stumps and disused burrows. heir food consists chiefly of frogs, mice, lizards, and even young water-rats or partly-grown rabbits. 67 68 Animal Life When camping on the banks of the Acheron river (tributary of the Goulbourne, Victoria) my companion and I killed a great number of these venomous reptiles, for thereabouts they literally infested the scrub-belts bordering the water. We indulged in regular snake-hunting expeditions, as much to ensure our personal safety as to secure the beautifully striped and spotted skins, which, under the hands of skilled workers, furnish very handsome belts. It was there, tenting beneath the shadow of ti-tree scrub and lofty blue-gums, that I was enabled to study the habits of three of the most common snakes of Victoria. The Tiger-Snake—which name it derives on account of its colour and general markings closely resembling the stripmg of a tiger's skin—was perhaps the most numerous, and certainly regarded our approach with greater animosity than its near relatives. I could enumerate many instances which would amply prove that this snake, when wounded or even greatly provoked, recklessly risks its life, blindly oblivious to the possibility of resultant disaster in the all-absorbing, eager desire to strike home with deadly fangs that blow which seldom fails to certify the virulence of its poison. To one armed with a long plant stick and possessed of a fair amount of agility the tiger-snake falls an easy victim, for the great aversion it evinces to being compelled to vacate some pet position, even when persistently harrassed, offers many favourable opportunities for its dispatch. I have sometimes tested the force of a large tiger-snake’s blow by pinning the reptile to the ground with the butt of my rifle and placing a green sap stick within its reach, afterwards examining the depth of the punctures inflicted on the soft bark. On two occasions my leather leggings have borne the spittle and “trade-mark” of a tiger-snake, the result of my accidentally treading on their mottled bodies while they lay concealed among tussocky grass. It is not surprising that these reptiles are so numerous when it is taken into consideration that one Black Snake will sometimes give birth to as many as forty-two lively little youngsters at one time. Having killed a very fine specimen some years ago, and knowing that the handsome red bands on the belly proved it to be a female, I subjected the carcase to the keen edge of a dissecting-knife, thereby exposing no less than thirty-six perfectly-formed, healthy little snakes of a slaty hue and some four inches in length. Vigorous and full of energy, they immediately commenced to wriggle about in the grass, quite unconcerned, and apparently cognisant of the fatal power peculiar to them, since, with natural instinct, they struck out at any object which failed to find favour in their eyes. The parent snake measured six feet seven inches, and was possessor of a beautiful glossy skin. One early morning, while watching some platypuses (Onuthorhynchus paradoxus) disporting in the waters of a mountain creek, sliding with swift but noiseless movements beneath the surface only to reappear a moment afterwards where least expected, my attention was attracted elsewhere. Upon the lower twigs of a ti-tree bush I espied a dozen or more little snakes, about six inches in length, happily wriggling about from twig to twig and amusing themselves by striking at the trembling dewdrops which hung hike brilhant jewels from every leaf and stem. The Brown Snake, when fully grown, is usually of greater length than its black companion, and, on the whole, more whip-like in appearance. Nevertheless there are exceptions to this rule, for the biggest snake I ever killed in Victoria measured nearly eight feet, and its coal-black, well-glossed skin left no room for doubt regarding its species. I have had very many narrow escapes from the fangs of the brown snake, attributable, I conclude, principally to the wonderful adaptation of its colour and faint markings to 2 er eA TWO TIGER-SNAKES, 69 70 Animal Lite the objects amongst which it moves—grass-grown banks of rivers, creeks and lagoons so nearly similar to the reptiles body in general hue as to give mse to feelings of astonishment that dwellers in the bush are not more frequently victims of its poison-glands. On one occasion, while quietly writing in my tent, a brown snake actually coiled up beside my feet. It seems inexplicable what power induced me to glance in the direction of the reptile, for my thoughts were lost in realms far distant from the haunts of snakes. A sudden movement on my part resulted in the speedy departure of the intruder to the outside of the tent, where I utilised a charge of shot with telling effect. On another occasion, in leaping from a log I alighted right on the body of a full-grown brown snake, the incident for the moment so unnerving me that I permitted the injured creature to escape down a crab-hole. I could relate various other “close calls” if space would allow, such as bathing while for some time quite unconscious of the fact that my nearest neighbour was a finely-striped tiger-snake coiled in watchful attitude upon the bank, two or three yards from my divested garments. Also ... . but I will make reference to a few notes dotted down when the circumstances of which I am thinking transpired, for I truly think—so far as a horrible fear and the nearness of a dreaded death are concerned—_that they rank first among the many and often dangerous incidents which have helped to make my life in the far-stretching expanses of the bush and forest country of Victoria of a somewhat adventurous nature :— By my side, upon a bunk composed of Australian “feathers” (young gum-boughs), my companion les—a young fellow eighteen years of age—quietly sleeping, with a big retriever at his feet. : Day after day we have pushed further back into the mountains, bent upon securing typical photographs of the bush and its imbabitants. Tired out with many a hard day's tramping, we flung ourselves down in this hut upon some dry ferns, and soon reclined in the kindly arms of sleep. The sensa- tions of awakening I recollect fullwell. Something seemed to rest heavily on my mind ; what it was I could not tell. Neither could I, for quite a minute, decide whether in reality I was awake or sleeping. “Iwas actually hard mental labour to struggle with my thoughts and attempt to form a correct conclusion of any kind, although I recollect being extremely anxious to do so. These sensations of uneasiness gradually awakened me, and I slowly Three Common Reptiles of the Australian Bush 71 opened my eyes. Sleep was immediately a thing forgotten, while fear of a sickening nature filled its place. As I lay upon my side I stared straight at a snake which lay curled up on the wood-slab floor only two or three feet from my head! Slowly, though without cessation, its graceful head and sinuous neck swayed from side to side. JI could feel the sweat roll off my face and hear the thumping of my heart; but worst of all was a decided disinclination to move—a sort of imability to rise; and yet I was, strange to say, fully cognisant of a great longing to escape this pending danger. With a truly desperate effort I strove to pull myself together and obey the misty reasonings of my mind; nevertheless I felt 1 dare not move! Still the graceful swaying of that small, well-shaped head, with its brillant bead- like eyes, continued, while across my dizzy brain fait suggestions of a present fascinating power nearly drove me mad. A MONSTER BLACK SNAKE Which nearly cost the Author his life. At length every spark of energy I possessed was exercised, and I flung myself in the opposite direction across my companion, who still slept peacefully on. In an instant I had rolled him over and begged him to get up, while I pointed to the doorway through which the snake was fast retreating. Seizing my rifle I followed the reptile, pmning it to the ground with the stock, and my companion—now very much awake—dealt the fatal blow. The horrible experience of those few dread seconds, while lying so close to a possible death, is but inadequately expressed in words! Neither my companion nor those who read these lines can measure the extent of such sufferme—the agony of the mind. It is known only to those who, im like manner, have suffered * st x AD Animal Life These snakes are remarkably good swimmers, and, considering their length, far from ungraceful. I have frequently cbserved that, on first taking the water, they often slide right beneath the surface, quickly reappearing, however, and swimming in a direct line for the opposite bank. The wriggling motion common to snakes when moving on terra firma seems to be exaggerated when they take to water, for by means of a similar wrigelineg motion—though far more rapid in water—the reptile, its elegant head always raised some few inches above the surface, propels its whip-like body from bank to bank. Judging from a pathetic incident which came under my notice a short while ago it would seem that snakes recognise, in the blue-tongued lizard, a natural enemy. The illustration will testify to the hate these reptiles possess the one for the other. In a dark gully beneath the shade of drooping tree-ferns the enraged combatants must have fought and struggled till overcome by the poison they freely injected. Thus they lay, side by side in the throes of death, mcapable of further enjoying the freedom of the bush. I have failed to obtain veritable elucidation respecting the matter of accustomed antagonism between these two occupants of the bush; also it seems, so far as bush knowledge extends, to be a doubtful pomt whether the bite of the blue-tongued lizard, or dew lizard, as it is commonly called, is indeed poisonous. By some it is averred that its fine but powerful teeth alone inflict the wounds which cause the death of its opponents. Snakes by no means enjoy entire despotism in the bush, for numbers of these reptiles, when in youthful stages, are destroyed by the merry “Laughing Jackass ” (great kingfisher). Bush fires, also, and floods are responsible for the annual extermination of a great many. Although I have not had the opportunity of proving the following statement for myself, I am nevertheless aware that it is an accepted belief with many that the porcupine-anteater, when encountering a snake in the vicinity of its hunting- ground, will instantly assume a ball-hke shape and roll upon its unfortunate companion, with a full array of sharp spines bristling defiance and inflicting fearful wounds. BLACK SNAKE TAKING AN EVENING DRINK. PRAIRIE WOLF. THE PRAIRIE WOLF or Coyote (Canis latrans) of North America is a much smaller animal than the common wolf, its body and head together With Photographs BY W. P. DANDO, F:z.S. BLACK-BACKED JACKAL. BLACK-BACKED JACKAL. measuring only about three feet, and its tail not quite one- half that length. Its is a dull yellowish grey, clouded with black. colour “PRINCE,” VHE INDIAN TIGER. 73 74 SIP RIN Cw,” wie INDIAN TIGER, is one of the finest specimens in the Gardens. He is not yet fully grown, but his beautiful shape, colour, and mark- ings are things to admire. We THE JAckaus illus- trated on this and the previous page come from South Africa and Kgypt—the black- backed jackal from the former country and the varie- gated from the latter. SO THE Heyp- TIAN Fox (Canis vulpes niloticus) is anothermem- ber of the family to which the jackals belong, and really only a variety of the common fox, whose reputation for craft and cunning is not by any means over- rated. fa" THE OcELLATED BLADDER FRoG, de- picted on page 75, takes its name from the highly-developed fore- lunbs it possesses. So Animal Life = ““PRINC EGYPTIAN e EE. FOX. powerful is the grip with which this amphibian is able to hold almost any- thing it seizes, that it is exceedingly difficult to withdraw even one’s fingers from its vice - like grasp. ee THE LoNnG-FING- ERED FROG, next shown on the same page, is one of those species which only differs in trivial details from certain other mem- bers of its tribe. Dy THE Norsy Froc, the last of the trio, well de- serves its name. One Or wmese animals is enough to make sleep an impossibility ; but when several hundred join in concert, and their din ean be heard a mile off, the results defy description. a THe Ring OvzEL (Turdus torquatus) of Europe is one of our summer visitors, breeding im Deyon- shire, Derbyshire, the north of England, and some parts of Scotland, Ireland and Wales. ia THE GREY-WINGED OuzEL (Turdus boulboutl) of India is a new addition to the Zoo. It is now | caged in the Western | Aviary, but will probably be transferred to the new one which is being made LONG-FINGERED FROG. on the banks of the canal. This will be so large (enclos- ing trees thirty feet high) that one almost wonders if the GREY-WINGED OUZEL. Zoo Notes OCELLATED BLADDER FROG. ERRATUM.—We are indebted to an Aus- tralian correspondent for pointing out that in Mr. Dando’s ‘“‘ Zoo Notes” in our Feb- ruary number, the author should have stated that the Dingo is the only large non- Marsupial mammal in Australia. a5) smaller birds will ever be seen. 5 Tort BowrEr Brirp, of whose nest a description was given on page 150, Vol. I., but whose portrait it was not then possible to reproduce, is here shown. The reader is referred to ANIMAL LiFe for last October in order to gain NOISY FROG. some idea of the wonderful architectural and artistic re- sults which these birds achieve in their native haunts. Tig. 1. Immature Bull Givaffe from the Egyptian Sudan. Fig. 2. Immature Cow Giraffe from the Egyptian Sudan. Fig. 3. Inmature Bull Giraffe from Kordofan. Fig. 4. Adult Bull Giraffe from British East Africa, LOCAL VARIATION IN THE GIRAFFE, 76 oe ‘ SSE Re = SS FEMALE GIRAFFE (from Lake Baringo) IN THE BRITISH (Natural History) MUSHUM. From an Original Painting by J. Smir. Fig. 5. The Somali or Netted Giraffe, Fig. 6. Bull Giraffe from the Congo Free State. Fig. 7. Head of Mount Elgon Giraffe, from a sketch by Sir Harry Johnston. Reproduced by permission of the Author and Publishers of ‘‘ The Uganda Protectorate.’ 77 LOCAL VARIATION IN THE GIRAFFE. By R&R. LyDEKKER. lees many years 1t has been known to naturalists and sportsmen that giraffes from different parts of Africa display considerable variation as regards markings, colour, and the degree of development of the median horn on the forehead, which may indeed be practically absent; and distinct specific or subspecific names have been from time to time assigned to these local forms. Recently, as hitherto unexplored districts of the Dark Continent have been opened up, and facilities for transporting the skins and bones of large animals from the interior have increased, much fresh information with regard to these local variations has come to hand, and attempts have been made by several distinguished naturalists to put our knowledge of the subject on something lke a satisfactory footing. Hitherto, however, there has been one great difficulty, namely, the jack of a sufficiency of well-preserved specimens, of which the locality is ascertained, for comparison. Nor is this a matter for wonder, since the transport of such bulky aninals, whether alive or dead, imvolves much difficulty and expense, and even when skins are brought to Hurope few museums have either the means or the space to mount and exhibit them in a manner to display their mutual resemblances or differences to the best advantage. During the past twelve months or so naturalists in this country have, however, been afforded exceptional and hitherto unprecedented opportunities of instituting com- parisons of this nature. The collection of the British Museum, for instance, which previously contained mounted heads and necks of three very distinct forms of giraffe, respectively from the Lake Rudolf district, Mount Elgon, and the Kalahari Desert, has been enriched by two complete mounted specimens from British Hast Africa—the one the gift of Mr. Walter Rothschild, and the other of Captain Powell Cotton. There is also a mounted male from Angola in Mr. Rothschild’s private museum at Tring. Of living specimens, the Zoological Society's Gardens in the Regent’s Park contain a handsome pair of immature giraffes from Kordofan, in addition to the older female from South Africa which has been in the collection for some years. Then, again, last winter the Duke of Bedford had a trio of these animals—a male and two females living at Woburn. ‘The females were still flourishing when these lines were written, but the bull unfortunately died in July, when his head and neck was presented to the British Museum, where it will in due course be exhibited. All three specimens, as I am informed by Mr. Carl Hagenbeck, by whom they were imported, came from the Kigyptian Sudan. Another bull, reputedly from Abyssinia, which I have not yet seen, has just been received at Woburn. With this unrivalled series of specimens in the country, if occurred to me that it would be most inportant to have accurate coloured sketches made of as many of them as possible; firstly, because we should then have a permanent record of their colours and markings, and, secondly, because without such sketches it was utterly impossible to make accurate comparisons between the specimens at Woburn Abbey and those in the Regent’s Park, or between either of these and the stuffed examples in the British Museum. When the matter was brought to the notice of the owner of the Woburn specimens, his Grace was good enough to see it in the same lght, with the result that I am enabled to illustrate the present article in a manner that would not otherwise haye been practicable. 18 Local Variation in the Giraffe 79 The reader’s attention may now be directed to some of the leading points in connection with what is already known with regard to the various local forms of giraffes. And here it is essential to observe that, as the subject is somewhat more abstruse than many of those discussed in ANIMAL Lire, a certain amount of technicality is unavoidable. I shall, however, treat the subject in as popular a manner as the nature of the case permits. Apparently giraffes may be divided into two distinct species, of which the one oresents only a single colour phase, while the other has several. The first of these is the Somali or netted giraffe, ranging from Somaliland through the Lake Rudolf district to the northern part of British East Africa. It was originally described as a race, or local variety of the ordinary blotched giraffe, under the name of Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata; but now that it has been promoted to specific rank, it must be known simply as G. reticulata. No living example of this very handsome giraffe has hitherto been brought to this country, nor, so far as I am aware, to the Continent; neither is there a complete mounted skin in any of our museums. The British Museum has, however, a mounted head and neck; and excellent photographs: of dead individuals, as well as of living ones in covert, were obtained during Lord Delamere’s expedition to East Africa, some of the latter having been reproduced in earlier issues of this journal and in “The Living Animals of the World.” One of the latter is here reprinted (Fig. 5) for the sake of comparison. The body and neck of the Somali giraffe are coloured of a deep-liver red, marked with a very coarse network of narrow white lines, the meshes of which gradually decrease in size towards the head, although they are everywhere large. On the head itself the markings change to rounded chestnut spots on a fawn-coloured ground, the back of the ears being pure white, as are the legs below the knees and hocks. The liver- coloured areas on the body and the lower half of the neck are for the most part quadrangular, and show no tendency to become rounded. ‘The essential feature of the colouring is the superposition of a white network on a liver-red ground, so that this species cannot properly be described as a spotted animal. The unpaired horn on the forehead is moderately developed. The type of coloration distinctive of the Somali giraffe seems, as previously explained in this journal, a special adaptation to render the animals as invisible as possible when in the scrub-jungle to which they habitually resort. All the other known forms of giraffe may apparently be regarded as local variations of a single specific type, popularly known as the common or blotched giraffe, and technically as Giraffa camelopardalis. In none of the phases of this species are the dark areas of the deep liver-red tint characteristic of the Somali animal, while the light markings never form such a distinct and coarse network, and are usually tawny-coloured instead of pure white. It is, however, very noteworthy that the northern or typical form of the common giraffe is the one which makes the nearest approach in coloration to the Somali species, being a chestnut-coloured animal with an irregular network of light markings. It has, moreover, the three horns characteristic of the Somali species. On the other hand, as we travel down the eastern side of the African continent, it is noticeable that the pattern of the giraffe’s colouring shows a gradual tendency to pass from the reticulate, or netted, to the spotted, or blotched, type, this beg brought about by the increase in the width of the light markings and a darkening of their colour, accompanied by a corresponding diminution in the size and multiplication in the number of the dark areas. The culmination of this gradual change is that the Cape giraffe may be best described as a fawn-coloured animal marked with irregular dark blotches, which are chestnut-coloured in the cows and young males, but deep chocolate in the old bulls. Nor is this all, for the males of the Cape giraffe have almost completely lost the unpaired frontal horn so couspicuously developed in all or 80 Animal Life most of the northern and eastern races of the species; neither has it any distinct external traces of the small back-horns found in some of the eastern forms. As already incidentally mentioned, the typical or true Giraffa camelopardalis is the northern form of the species, and, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, we may take Nubia as the type locality. The Camelopardalis ethiopicus of Ogilby,* which from the absence of any sufficient description ranks as what naturalists call a nomen nudum, may be regarded as a synonym. The name C. sennarensis, Geoffroy (fide Gray), likewise lacks definition, and may therefore be disregarded. here is, however, the name C. antiquorwm, first employed by Swainson,t but subsequently used by Sir Wilham Jardine,{ which is available for the Kordofan form of the species, since it was especially applied by the latter writer to an animal from the district in question figured in a coloured plate in the volume quoted in the footnote. For the Cape form, which has been regarded by one recent naturalist$ as a distinct species, and by a second|| only as a local race, the name capensis is employed, the later australis being a synonym. For the giraffe inhabiting that district of German Hast Africa lying between Ujiji and Lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa the name of Guraffa tippelskirchi§| has been proposed, and that of G. schillingsi** for the one from the tract between Taveta and Mount Kilimanjaro. Both these latter are best regarded as local races rather than distinct species. Finally, the name Guraffa camelopardalis peralta}+ has been applied to a giraffe lalled at some distance from Lokoja, at the junction of the Niger and Benue rivers, in West Africa, on the evidence of the skull and cannon-bones. . With these preliminary remarks I proceed to the consideration of the specimens forming the special subject of this article. First of all with regard to the three mmmature Woburn specimens. ‘These, as already mentioned, came from the Egyptian Sudan, that is to say, in all probability, Upper Nubia. I accordingly regard them as representatives of the typical race of Giraffa camelopardalis; and I may add that, so far as my recollection serves me, they agree well im general coloration with the original Nubian herd formerly living in the London Zoological Gardens. One of the cows is considerably smaller than the other. Their immaturity 1s shown not only by their stature (which at the date of the death of the bull fell considerably short of that of average-sized giraffes), but also by the conparatively small size of the main horns and the very slight development of the median frontal horn of the bull (Fig. 1), as well as by the light colour of all three. Possibly the narrowness of the network of lght limes may also be in some degree a feature of immaturity, but of this 1 am by no means sure. It is important to notice that both the cows are alike in their markings, and that the bull differs in this respect only by such shght details as might naturally be expected to occur in different sexes of the same form. So far as it goes, therefore, this resemblance tends to show that giraffes from the same locality are practically alike, as, deed, was to be expected. This is confirmed by the similarity between the two lJKordofan specimens in the London Zoological Gardens. As regards the general type of coloration of the bull, it will be noticed that the spots are large and quadrangular, with the intervening light lines narrow and * «Proc. Zool. Soc. London,” 1836, p. 184.—The older naturalists used the term Camelopardalis in the sense in which Giraffa is now employed. t “Geography and Classification of Animals,” p. 95 (1835). { “Naturalist’s Library,” Vol. XXI., p. 187, pl. XNI. (1838). § De Winton, “Proc. Zool. Soc. London,” 1897, p. 277. || Thomas, Zbid., 1901, p. 479. §| Matschit, ‘ Sitzungsberichte Ges, Naturfor. Berlin,” 1898, p. 77. Ge Weyl, 1b TS), t{ Thomas, “ Proc. Zool. Soc. London.” 1898, p. 40, Local Variation in the Giraffe 81 pale-coloured, in some parts of the body and on the limbs being nearly white. A special feature is a row of five large spots, of which the first is partially divided, extending from just below the point of the shoulder in a curved line to the middle of the back. On the outer side of the fore-limb the spots extend well down to the knee, and in the hind-limb a considerable distance down the cannon-bone. The under-parts are comparatively free from spots, as is- the inner surface of the upper segment of both limbs. In the female (Fig. 2) the spots are smaller and*more numerous, this being especially noticeable on the hind-quarters and the upper part of the fore-legs. Correlated with this is the greater width of the light interspaces, which are nearly white on the greater part of the body. Faint spotting occurs on the belly and the fore part of the inner surface of the front legs. The position in which the cow is drawn shows that, while the side of the face is fully spotted, the front of the face (as in the bull) is uniformly reddish-fawn. As a whole, the female may be described as a more decidedly spotted animal than her consort. I believe that even old bulls of the Nubian giraffe never have the deep chocolate spots of old males of the eastern and southern races. I now come to the bull and cow from Kordofan in the Zoological Society’s Menagerie, which were considerably younger than the two larger Woburn specimens at the time the sketches were made. The bull is shown in Fig. 3. Compared with the Woburn bull, it will be seen that the Kordofan male differs by the dark areas on the neck and body being decidedly smaller, more numerous, and more irregular in shape, while the light interspaces, more especially on the neck, are wider and darker. The difference in the number and size of the spots is well shown by taking those corresponding to the line of five in the Woburn bull between the point of the shoulder and the middle of the back. Of these only two near the middle of the series are at all comparable in size and form to those of the latter, those on either side being smaller, more numerous, and more irregular. There are, in fact, seven or eight spots in this line. In the neck there are a number of quite small spots between the larger ones, of which there is no trace in either of the Woburn specimens. A further difference is to be found in the presence of a triangular area immediately below the ear of which the ground-colour is pure white. The spotting on the side of the face is also less abundant in the Kordofan animal. A more important difference from the Woburn bull is to be found in the circumstance that in the fore-limb from just above the line of the abdomen, and also on the hind-lmb half way up the thigh, the spots suddenly break up into a numerous series of very small and irregular spots, similar irregular spots also occurring all over the abdomen and on the inner surface of both pairs of limbs. In the hind-leg the spots extend only a very short distance below the knee. Although, as already mentioned, the cow of the Woburn pair has smaller spots than the bull, there is none of that sudden transition from comparatively large to very small spots on the limbs so noticeable in the Kordofan bull, from which the Woburn cow further differs by the almost complete absence of spotting on the belly and the imner side of the hind-limbs. The foregoing points of distinction between the Woburn and the Zoological Society’s bulls (which, as being both immature, are strictly comparable) indicate that they are almost certainly referable to distinct races. As regards the name to be applied to the giraffe of Kordofan, I have already mentioned that the specimen from that district figured by Sir William Jardine in the volume of the “Naturalist’s Library’’ cited above is entitled to be regarded as the type of the so-called Camelopardalis antiquorum. If the plate of that specimen (which is an adult bull) be compared with the figure of the younger bull in the Zoological Gardens, it will be apparent that the two agree precisely in the very remarkable feature 82 Animal Life of the sudden breaking-up of the large spots of the body into small and irregular ones on the upper part of the lmbs, and also, so far as can be seen, in the presence of similar spots on the inner side of the limbs. As regards the spotting of the body and neck of Sw William Jardine’s specimen, this agrees (making allowance for the somewhat crude execution of the plate) with that of the London specimen, although the small spots on the neck of the latter are not shown. The much darker colour of the spots in Sir William Jardine’s animal is, of course, merely due to its greater age. I have no doubt whatever that the latter and the two immature animals now in the London Zoological Gardens belong to the same form, which is distinguishable from the typical Nubian G. camelopardalis, as represented by the Woburn specimens, by the characteristics already mentioned. ‘The Kordofan race may therefore be known as G. camelopardalis antiquorune. I now come to the mounted male specimen in the British Museum, which is from Quashengerhue Plateau, British East Africa, and is shown in Fig. 4. It is very differently marked from either of the preceding animals; and, as shown by its dark colour and the full development of the median frontal horn, was fully adult at the time of its death. Compared with the Nubian giraffe (Fig. 1), the markings on the body differ by their more irregular form and greater individual variation in size. The line of five large and nearly equal-sized spots extending in the former obliquely backwards to the middle of the back is wanting im the present specimen. On the other hand, it has two very large spots, placed one directly above the other in the neighbourhood of the shoulder-blade, which are quite unrepresented in the Nubian bull. Other differences in the form and pattern of the spots will be apparent from a comparison of the two figures, but the presence of large spots on the inner side of the upper half of the fore-limb and on the under-parts may be specially noted, the imner side of the thigh beine also partially spotted. Then, again, the spots on the fore-legs stop short of the knee, and in the hind-legs do not extend below the hock. On the sides of the face the spots are much more numerous and cover a larger area between the eye and the horn, and lkewise extend more on to the front of the face below the eye. Very noticeable in the Museum bull is the white triangular area extending downwards from the crown of the head through the eye and behind the ear. It should be added that the ground-colour (for this specimen is distinctly a spotted animal) is much darker than in the Woburn bull, but this may be partly due to difference of age. From the Kordofan giraffe the specimen under consideration is at once distinguished by the large size of the spots on the limbs and thighs, and the absence of any trace of the sudden breaking-up of large spots into small ones as the limbs are reached which constitutes such a characteristic feature of the former. In the young Kordofan bull there is a small white area below the ear, but it is neither so large nor so conspicuous as in the Quashengerhue bull. That the latter animal is racially distinct from both the Nubian and Kordofan fornrs of the species seems therefore most likely. Not improbably it is specifically identical with the giraffe obtained by Sir Harry Johnston at Mount Elgon, as represented by the mounted head and neck of an old bull im the British Museum. It is true that in this specimen (Fig. 7) the posterior rudimentary horns are much more strongly developed than in the Quashengerhue specimen, while the ground-colour is darker, the form of the spots somewhat different, and the light-coloured area on the side of the upper part of the face less conspicuous; but these differences may perhaps be due to age. For the present, at any rate, I do not intend to assign a distinct name to the Quashengerhue giraffe, as it may prove to be identical with G. camelopardalis schillingst, from the district between Taveta and Mount Kilimanjaro, which is chiefly characterised, Local Variation in the Giraffe 83 according to its describer, by the white lower portion of the legs and the curvature of the light lmes between the spots. The last of the five specimens forming the special subject of this article is the mounted female in the British Museum, represented in the coloured plate, which was lulled to the eastward of the north end of Lake Baringo. That lake, it may be observed, lies to the north-east of Lake Victoria Nyanza, or about 150 miles east of Mount Elgon. That this specimen is unlikely to be the female of the Quashengerhue form will be, I think, sufficiently apparent from a comparison of the figures, the differences between the bulls and cows of the Nubian and Kordofan races making no approach to those between the mounted bull and cow in the British Museum. As there is no bull from the Lake Baringo district available for comparison, 1 cannot say whether or no this race has a median frontal horn. In regard to its plan of coloration, the Baringo giraffe differs very widely tndeed from all the specimens with which we have been hitherto dealing. On a groundwork of bright yellow fawn are a number of very irregularly-shaped chestnut spots, with jagged outlines. On the neck they become somewhat less jagged and very sparse, and on the upper part of the limbs they break up into much simaller spots, although not quite so suddenly as in the Kordofan race. In the fore-limbs the spots stop just short of the knee, but in the hind-limbs they reach well on to the hock. Both limbs are spotted on the inside—the hind-pair less than the front ones. The under-parts have a few spots near the fore-legs, but are otherwise white. A very small white area occurs in the neighbourhood of the ear, but does not reach within a considerable distance of the eye. The spotting on the sides of the head does not extend nearly so much towards the front as in the Quashengerhue bull. In the ragged and somewhat star-like form of its spots this giraffe approximates to the description of G. camelopardalis tippelskirchi from German Hast Africa between Ujyji and Lakes Tanganyika and Nyassa. That form was described on the evidence of two specimens, in one of which the lower part of the legs was spotted, while in the other 1t was white, and it may be that these are really distinct. However this may be, it would be very rash to identify the Lake Barimgo female with a race from a district so far to the south as Ujiji without further evidence, more especially as we do not yet know the characteristics of the male. It would be still more rash to assign a distinct name to the specimen in question. For the present, therefore, it may remain unnamed. Finally, I have to mention a male giraffe from the Congo Free State mounted in the museum at Tervueren, near Brussels, of which the Secretary of the Interior has been good enough to send me a photograph, from which Fig. 6 was drawn. From the presence of a well-developed frontal horn, this animal is clearly allied to the northern and eastern forms of the species. On the other hand, it resembles the South African race (G. camelopardalis capensis) in having the hind-legs spotted mght down to the hoofs; the fore-lmbs also displaymg the same feature, although less distinctly. The sides of the head are much more fully spotted than in the Cape form, and the tail is remarkable for the great fullness of its terminal tuft. In the spotting of the legs it resembles the description of one of the type specimens of G. camelopardalis tippelskirchi, although the dark markings show no trace of the ragged and star-like form characteristic of that race. As to the possibility of the Congo giraffe being identical with the imperfectly known G. camelopardalis peralta of Nigeria, it may be remarked that the latter takes its name from the great length of the cannon-bones of the legs, which indicate a very tall animal. The Congo specimen, on the other hand, although apparently adult, is a comparatively small animal. It seems to me, therefore, that it imdicates a distinct race, for which the name G. camelopardalis congoensis will be appropriate. This race will 84 Animal Life be characterised by the presence of a well-developed median front horn, coupled with the fully-spotted legs and the normal form of the body-spots. Possibly Mr. Rothschild’s Angola giraffe may indicate another race, unless indeed it belongs to the one represented by the Tervueren specimen. In conclusion, my readers may perhaps be interested in the following note in connection with the dentition of giraffes which the Editor of “The Zoologist” was good enough to publish for me a short time ago :— “Tn the course of his memow on the Okapi, published last year in the ‘Transactions’ of the Zoological Society, Prof. Ray lankester drew attention to the circumstance that all the living, and many (Qf not all) of the extinct members of the Giraffide, are distinguished from other ruminants by the crowns of the outermost of the four pairs of lower front teeth (corresponding to the canines of other mammals) being bifid, or bilobed; this bilobed structure having been observed in the Giraffe and Okapi, as well as m the extinct Stvatheriwm of India and the Samotherium of Southern Hurope. No explanation was at the time given for this departure from the normal structure. “Recently I have had an opportunity of watching carefully the mode in which a Giraffe plucks the leaves from a bough. The leaves are first grasped by the long and extensile tongue, and are then stripped from the bough by being drawn between the lower teeth and the front of the palate im such a manner that the twigs of the bough itself are left practically uninjured. The lower front teeth act, in fact, as a kind of comb in stripping off the leaves; and I think there can be little doubt that the broad bilobed crowns of the outer pai of teeth have been developed in order to increase the breadth of this ‘comb,’ and at the same time to render its comb-like action as efficient as possible. “Deer and cattle, when browsing, eat the twigs as well as leaves, and since this difference of habit is correlated with a simple lower canine, while there is almost certainly some good reason for the bifid crown of that tooth in the Giraffe and its allies, there appears to be a strong probability of the truth of the foregomg suggestion. Should it . be well founded it will be evident that the Stvatheriwn and other extinct relatives of the Giraffe and the Okapi fed in the same manner as those animals.” ANIMAL ANECDOTES. A NATURALIST gives the following description of _ an exciting battle between two fut armies ereat armies of ants as witnessed ; by him in a Californian orange grove:—“ Hor some days before the battle I had noticed a great restlessness in the colonies of ants around two large oak trees. They were in a stite of simmering excitement, which came to a head one morning, when I observed that, instead of going about their work as usual, they were inassing in columns. Four columns, each com- posed of many thousands of ants, issued from one tree, and four similar columns advanced to meet them from the tree adjacent. In a few moments they met, and then commenced a battle unequalled for sheer ferocity. No quarter was given. Ant seized ant, and the victory went to the one with the stronger jaws. There were charges, flank movements, and other manceuyres, for if was plainly to be seen that the ants had their officers in command, and that occasionally messengers were sent from column to column. The ground was piled with the slain, and the survivors some- times fought on the top of a hill formed of the bodies of theic fellows; but the columns generally kept their formation until the close of the battle, when the victorious army, by sheer weight of numbers, threw their opponents into disorder, and then began to close in on all sides. The weaker army showed not the faintest disposition either to retreat or to surrender. Like the old Greeks, its members closed their ranks and fought doggedly until they were at last overwhelmed and exterminated. Then the victors advanced on the tree which was lately the home of their enemies, annexed it, and established a colony there.” Animal Anecdotes Ramway trains have often been stopped by __¢urious obstacles, including ants oe aD nantine (see page 54 of this Volume), but probably no engine-driver has had a more surprising experience than that which recently befell a man employed upon the Assam le. He turned a corner suddenly —to find himself just behind a troop of savage elephants. The great creatures, evidently finding the iron road a pleasant path for travelling, had spread them- selves across it, making such a considerable ob- struction that the train was driven off the rails before the driver could bring it to a standstill. Then ensued confusion amongst the pas- sengers, but still more amongst the elephants. Hap- pily the former were scarcely hurt; the latter fled in wild con- fusion, utterly terrified by an enemy they did not understand. S/O “The elephants fled in wild confusion, utterly terrified by an enemy they did not understand.” Mr. Oswatp Latrsr, writing on the subject of wasps finding their way home, says: ‘I once had an oppor- tunity of seemg how wasps take their bearings. A lucky accident revealed a nest in an old meat-tin that had been thrown into The Wasp and his Home 85 a ditch. Wishing to observe the operations somewhat more comfortably, I cautiously lifted the tin on to the bank, a distance of two or three yards. The wasps that were abroad at the moment of removal all came straight back to the old spot in the ditch, and were evidently perplexed at the absence of their nest, but after some search most of them discovered it in its new position. Those, however, which were with- in noticed, as soon as they came to the exit preparatory to taking flight, that a change had oceurred, and paused upon the threshold, look- ing about and waving their antenne; then they took wing and hovered over the tin, flying to and fro im eyver- increasing swings, noting carefully the exact surround- ings. Soon their oscillations brought them to the edge of the ditch, and then, all being here familiar, they dashed straight away. After an interval wasps began returning direct to the nest in its new position, and I have no doubt that these were the workers who had thus carefully noted the alteration when they emerged from their home.” UNCOMMON PETS. A series of articles on the Care and Keep of Animals in Captivity. By P. WELLINGTON FARMBOROUGH, F.Z.S., F.E.S., etc. IX. FOREIGN BATS. HOSE who may be in search of the uncommon in the way of pets can derive an extreme amount of pleasure and interest from a study of the habits of the Exotic Chiroptera. Those who have not attempted to keep these animals as pets have very little idea of what extreme interest they are capable of giving their owner, and usually describe them as being “slow.” Well, that is as may be, but the writer, who has had a considerable number of Foreign Bats as pets durmeg an experience of animal-keeping now extending over a period of years, can unhesitatingly state they possess an entrancing interest peculiar to themselves. Those bats possessing the greatest interest to the average pet-keeper are the frugivorous bats, or Fruit Bats, as they ave popularly called. There are three species which are not uncommon in captivity, and which, according to the writer's experience, are the most easily cared for; they are the Collared Fruit Bat (Rowsettus collaris), the Indian Fox Bat (Pteropus medius) and the Comimon Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus marginatus). There is also an Australian species of fruit bat, the Pteropus poliocephalus, but these do not seem adapted to a life in captivity, and are a much greater trouble to look after than the other mentioned varieties. These animals are almost entirely nocturnal or crepuscular in their habits, and to an unobservant individual are perhaps too quiet or inactive in the daytime to make up for their increased liveliness during the evening and early night hours. As twilight becomes apparent bats get very lively indeed, more so in fact than most other animals are during the daytime, and the “swish” and gentle rustle of their wings as they move about the cage can be heard some little distance away. Unfortunately, as bats are not possessed of a “homing” instinct, their powers of flight cannot be observed unless their owner has a spare room in which they may be permitted to have partial freedom for a short time, a privilege they will much appreciate, and one that should be given them as often as circumstances permit. It is an extremely interesting sight to see the dexterity with which these creatures, during their flight, will avoid any obstacles in their way. The insectivorous bats which are adapted for a captive life are very few, owing to the difficulty of providing them with suitable food. The three species the writer has been successful with are the Indian False Vampire (Megaderma lyra), the Chestnut Mastiff Bat (Molossus glaucinus) and the Brazilian Wrinkle-lipped Bat (Nyctinomus 86 Uncommon Pets 87 brasiliensis). Of these the first-named species is the most easily cared for, and is no more trouble than the frugivorous bats. The cage for bats, of whatever species they may be, must be most carefully and exactly finished, in order that there may be no projecting points to catch or tear the wings, as the tiniest splinter may either tear or scratch the tender membranous texture, which closely resembles a very fine quality of sheet-rubber closely ramified with nerves and bloodvessels, with the result that an inflammation sets in round the wound, suppuration takes place, and eventually eats away the surrounding membrane, giving the bat a most miserable and wretched appearance. ‘There is no advantage gained in having too small a cage; a convenient size is three feet six inches long by three feet in height, and a couple of feet im depth. This will hold from two to six bats very comfortably without overcrowding, a thing to be guarded against, as bats are by no means amicable in disposition, and often quarrel and bite one another, especially if wrangling oyer some coyeted tit-bit. If the task of making the cage be given over to a practical carpenter, he must be care- fully imstructed to plane the interior free from all roughness and splinters. ‘The wires must not be galvanized wire netting, but the best tinned bird-cage wire. The doors should be two in number, one at the top of the cage, the other at the bottom coming quite flush with the floor, so that the imterior can be readily got at for cleaning and to facilitate the refilling of the food vessels. The perches must be arranged differently from those m a bird-cage, as bats do not use them to stand upon, but to suspend themselves from; therefore the perches must be fixed about an inch from the top of the cage, three or four inches apart, and extending from one side to the other, parallel with the front; they do not require to be very thick—no larger than an ordinary lead pencil—so that the creature can easily get the wing-hooks and feet-claws round them. As bats are unable to jump up to these perches, some wooden slots must be fixed at the back of the cage to enable the animals to climb up by; these can be about an inch in width and nailed a couple of inches apart; both these and the perches must be carefully smoothed down. The food and water vessels are preferably of china, as this material is more readily cleaned than metal and is not lable to rust; and the use of proper utensils keeps the food fresh and less likely to be wasted than if thrown promiscuously into the cage, when it is lable to be spoilt by the excrement or by being trodden upon. Bran is the best covering for the floor. For many years the writer used sawdust, but latterly he has given up the use of it and now uses bran only. The reason is a simple one. When feeding, the bats often take their food up with them and eat it in the roof; but it often happens that, especially if another one takes to quarrelling for the possession of the bit, it slips from their grasp and falls on the floor, where it gets coated with whatever it happens to fall on. Should sawdust be on the floor at the time, some of it gets imto the stomach of the animal along with the food, where it acts as an irritant; whereas if a little bran be eaten there is no harm done at all, and the bat is none the worse for it. COLLARED FRUIT BAT EATING GRAPE. 88 Animal Life As the bats above named come from tropical or sub-tropical regions, the cage ought to be kept in a fairly warm room, especially if it is desired the collared species should breed, as they readily will if kept properly. In order that the inmates may not be annoyed by the glare of light and inquisitiveness of prying eyes during the daytime, a blind or curtain should be suspended in front of the cage, if not over the whole at least covering the upper half. During the daytime bats are very quiet, and spend most of their time in sleep; if anyone comes to have a look at them, all they usually do is just to blink an eye at the intruder and then cover up their head with one wing from the light. The temperature should not fall below fifty degrees, and a higher temperature is much better and makes the animals more lively; they mope considerably if kept in too cold a room, as they are very susceptible to a chill. Cleanliness is an imperative necessity with these and all other animals, and those people who have failed as pet-keepers have nearly always fallen over this particular stumbling-block, viz., uncleanliness. The floor must be thoroughly cleaned out every day and fresh bran put down, and not less than once a week the floor must be serubbed over with boiling water and disinfectant soap. Unless this be done the cage and its inmates speedily become an offensive nuisance, not only to the owner but to the bats themselves, as there 1s a peculiar, yet not naturally unpleasant, odour emanating from bats of all species, which speedily becomes intensified with the slightest neglect. The staple diet of the frugivorous bats is fruit of various kinds, preferably dates, figs, bananas and grapes, but apples, pears and raisms, and almost any kind of good mpe fruit may be given. A little boiled rice serves as an hors d’@uvre. The water must be always sweet and fresh, as bats are very particular animals with regard to this. Boiled carrot sweetened with sugar or honey has been recommended. The insectivorous bats are best fed on most finely-shredded beef or mutton, imsects of various Photograph by George Solly. '-—s'i«kinds, such as beetles, grasshoppers, etc.; frogs, anne Toes too, are particularly acceptable to the Indian false vampire. Cockroaches may be offered when beetles cannot be obtained. The insectivorous species, as might be well inferred, are more strongly scented than the frugivorous kinds, and extra cleanliness is advisable; they are also more quarrelsome, and those of smaller size than the other msectivorous ones should be kept in a separate cage, as occasionally cannibalism is developed, with the result that the larger make meals off their companions of smaller size. NOTES AND Mr. T. A. Geraup StRickiANn, F.E.S., who The Sacreq SUpplies the two photographs on Scarabeus of this page, writes: “To the ento- the Egyptians.» 5Jogist this beetle is simply looked upon as a more or less interesting example of the family Scarabaide, and the knowledge that the large balls made by these insects of a mixture of clay and camel’s dung are sunply reserve supplies of food for themselves or their larve knocks any later mysticism on the head. With the ancient Egyptians it was far otherwise. The sight of these beetles’ peculiar evolutions as they rolled spheres larger than themselves over the desert, and also the fact that the creatures seemed to appear COMMENTS. and disappear from and to they knew not where, naturally was quite mexplicable to these ancient peoples; consequently the insects were held in great reverence— not to say awe. According to Pliny the scarabeeus was worshipped as one of the gods of the country: but be that as if may, as an emblem and symbol it abounded. Representations of the beetle in the sculptures are ex- tremely numerous. It was an emblem of the sun (to which deity 1t was particu- larly sacred), symbolically represented the world, was an emblem of Ptah, the Creative Power, of Ptah- Socharis-Osiris, of the world, and finally was connected with astronomical subjects and with funeral rites.” SACRED SCARABASUS = eS SACRED BEETLES ROLLING THEIR BALLS ON THE FACE OF THE DESERT. 89 asl 90 Animal Life A TAME MARTEN Amonast the Weasel tribe are to be found some of the most graceful of Re created things, and perhaps most eraceful amongst them are the Martens. Only those who have been able to watch this agile murderer in his native haunts, actually running down the nimble squirrel in his native branches or catching with agile bound the bird in flight, can form an idea of the poetry of motion exhibited. But this does not add to the eligibility of the animal as a subject for the photographer; and after eiving up as a bad job the two white - throated Beech Martens, which leapt like wildfire from branch to branch of their roomy cage, our photographer was more fortunate with his picture of “Wick,” Mr. EH. C. Brooke’s tame Pine Marten, which was kept still for at least three consecutive seconds by means of a saucer of milk. The martens are easily tamed if taken young, and exhibit ereat fondness for the company of dogs. The pleasant musky odour they exhale also renders them: more suitable pets than many other members of the weasel tribe. They are also not so strictly carnivorous in their habits, but are very fond of cherries, grapes, straw- berries and other sweet fruits. In South Germany the beech martens approach nearer to the haunts of men than does the “ Edelmarder,” often even making their nests im the roof of a farmhouse, busy in the vineyards and cherry orchards. fa" “Tats photograph,’ writes Mr. Herbert Lazenby, “ of a pair of young Fallow-Deer may be of interest to the readers of ANIMAL ire. These graceful but timid animals have been reared by a well-known game- dealer in York, and considerable interest has occasionally been caused by seeing the deer bemg led by their young keeper through the streets of the old city. The photograph was taken in the cathedral grounds whilst the deer were having a morning outing.” we Mr. G. H. Parsons, whose two photographs The Somerford #€ reproduced on page 91, Park White writes as follows: “The Polled Herd. comerford Park Herd is a domesticated herd and a polled one; but Fallow=Deer as pets. TWO TAME FALLOW-DEER FAWNS. a A YOUNG HEIFER. A GROUP OF SOMERFORD PARK CATTLE. 91 92 Animal Life its cattle are very characteristic, and have all the peculiar features of the white forest breed. It is certainly of great, though un- known antiquity, and is probably, now that the Gisburne Park cattle are extinct and the Hamilton herd has acquired horns, the best representative yet extant of the polled form of the old white breed of park cattle. Jiyme Hall is fifteen miles to the north-east, and Chartley is thirty miles to the south-east, and the three herds probably form a group. Perhaps, however, the Somerford herd is still more nearly allied to the Gisburne and others which came from Whalley Abbey. The herd, which is without horns, consists of twenty-six head in all (June, 1903).” The distinctive features noted by the late Rey. John Storer in 1875 are still retained, and we cannot do better than quote his words: “The three-year-old bull,” he then wrote, “was not very high standing, but compact and well made: fine in the bone—the hair rather wiry. He was fair in the ribs and loin; not particularly neat, nor yet specially defective, in the hind-quarters: moderately good in the twist, but rather light in the leg, and in these respects resembled (as did the herd generally) the wild animal. The fore-quarters, chest, girth and bosom very good: plates and fore-flanks remarkably good; shoulders very neat, and head and neck very beautiful—the head broad, short and blood-lke; the neck strong, very much arched and of great substance. There was a tendency to a mane, which is more prominent when in full coat. The colour was pure white; the ears, rims of the eyes, muzzle and hoofs being quite black. There were a few black spots on the fetlocks of the two fore-legs, and immediately above the bare black skin of the muzzle was a strong, deep black line, perhaps an inch wide: and unmediately above it, clustering together, there were a few small black spots.” This description tallies very closely with that of the four-year-old bull now at Somerford. Like all other old herds of the forest breed of white cattle, they have a strong tendency to produce small black spots on the neck, sides and legs. The cows are pure white or nearly so, but there is a certain amount of black or of black spots immediately above the hoof on the front part of the fore-leg; and a line of about an inch wide of jet black hair round the muzzle. ‘The tails are all white. On their polls they all wear, in greater or less abundance, the “toppin” of long hair, which is considered a peculiar hereditary distinction of the race. We We understand that Mr. R. lydekker (to whom our readers need no introduction) has been elected a foreign member of the Royal Academy (Reale Academia dei Lincei) of Rome. Mr. Lydekker is already an honorary member of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland and of the New Zealand Institute, and likewise a corresponding member of the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences and of the Boston (U.S.A.) Natural History Society. He is also a Fellow of our own Royal Society. It is seldom that one man achieves such high distinction in two separate sciences as has fallen to Myr. Liydekker’s lot. This is not the place to speak of his services to geology, but we beg leave to say that, in our humble opinion, Mr. luydekker is not only the foremost all- round zoologist in Great Britain to-day, but that there are not a dozen others who can approach within measurable distance of him. We congratulate the members of the Royal Academy of Rome on thei new colleague, and we congratulate ourselves that their choice has fallen on an Hnelishman who will so thoroughly prove himself worthy of the high honour which has been bestowed upon him. Our readers will be interested to hear that, in addition to the very important article on “Tocal Variation in the Giraffe” by Mr. Lydekker which appears in this number, we have also secured from him a short series of articles on ‘“ Aninal Dentition” which will begin in our next number, Honoris Causa. ee ee iy ® AS) ‘WOMPAO[OD aATJOO}OAd Jo o[duLexe SUYSELojUT Ue St puB ‘CREM SeTPONOAO 41 OUOJS 9Y4 WO’, poysmusuiystp oq Ajedxwos pynoo jwoliNE sty} soURASTP & Vy ‘NHdO HH NI NOIT NVOIWHY NY THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE PUSS-MOTH. Written and Illustrated with Photographs from Life by rep ENocK, F.1.8. HERE are few insects which make so strong a first impression on the mind of the young entomologist as the Puss-Moth, so called from the likeness of its face, as well as the silver-erey colour and markings on the wings, to the domestic silyer-grey puss of our home. The moth is fairly common, and generally falls to the lot of the collector in his first season; but should he fail to find the perfect insect he will, if he keep his eyes open, see the strange caterpillar, with its “face” and forked tail, either at rest or feeding upon the willow or poplar during July and August; and if carefully provided with fresh food it will make its tough cocoon in the crevice of the bark, or even upon the side of the breeding-box, where it will be safe and require no further attention until the following June, when the perfect imsect will emerge. After pairing, the female flies at dusk to a considerable distance searching for willow or sallow bushes, on the upper side of whose leaves she lays from one to three circular, pin-cushion-shaped, reddish eggs, as shown in Fig. I. These eggs of the puss- moth are hatched in about a month’s time. The larvee at first are velvety black (Mig. 2), with a thorny process at each side of the head, and a forked tail, which is kept erect; each fork bemg telescopic, from which a long pink, whip-like extension is protruded and waved about whenever an Ichneumon fly approaches. From some cause or other a large percentage of the larve die in babyhood. Fig. 3 shows a larva which has passed through this critical period and is rejoicing in twisting and twirling its body about previous to eating up the old suit adhering to the leaf at its side. When nearing maturity the larva frequently hides itself amone the willow leaves in so successful a manner that the sharp eyes of birds and entomologists are deceived. When the larva has stripped the stems of the terminal leaves it becomes a conspicuous object (Fig. 4), and were it not for the terrifying appearance which it puts on it would soon fall a prey to sparrows; but, as I have frequently noticed, they look askance at the strange creature with a black head, surrounded by a_ bright crimson ring bordered by two black eye-like spots, giving the larva a most terrifying appearance, which is intensified when the pink tails are flashed forth—and the sparrow declines the anticipated feast. Most of the larvee are full-fed about the first week in August, when they lose their pure colours which protected them so well during thew life among the leaves. Fig. 1. Eggs of Puss-Moth on leaf of Sallow. 93 94 Animal Life Nature again comes to their aid, providing them with a colour more in tone with the bark and earth over which they sometimes crawl before reaching a suitable place on which to spin their cocoons. It is an interesting sight to watch puss larve select nice comfortable crevices in the bark; they are decidedly fastidious, putting a few threads of silk down, then turning away like a dissatisfied customer at a draper’s shop. I always give a good selection of willow stumps and virgin cork, of which they are very fond: it is soft to their teeth and full of convenient crevices. On one willow branch (Fig. 5) I watched the entire operation. The larva first went over the surface, trying if with its mouth and spinning organ. After careful measurement, it com- menced at the top end by stretching a few strong silken threads across from the highest points; to these were attached cross-threads, forming a very coarse mesh. Drawing the body slightly underneath this network, it turned its head backward and worked Fig. 2. Young Caterpillar of Puss-Moth. Fig. 3. Puss Caterpillar in its New Dress. the network over the middle of its body. Then, curling itself round, it stretched the network to its full capacity, bringing its head on a level with the tail, working the silken threads over and just beyond the latter, which was soon covered in, a small aperture being left open about the centre. An occasional pause was made in the spinning to permit of the larva biting off small pieces of bark, which it carefully forced between the viscid meshes; these pieces were equally distributed over the surface of the cocoon except at the top end, which was left clear and not so thick as the main part. When the larva had completely covered itself in with the coarse network of silk and fixed the small pieces of bark over the surface, it ejected a quantity of viscid fluid, with which it washed all over the inside of the cocoon, giving it the appearance of hayimg been varnished. Though ! could not see through the cocoon, the larva was evidently hard at work smoothing down the irregularities of the bark forming the floor, as small pieces were The Life History of the Puss-Moth 95 still oceasionally pressed through the soft material. At ten o'clock next day it was quite finished and began to dry, finally becoming as hard as the surrounding bark, which it resembled so closely that no ordinary observer would have been able to detect its presence. In a week the strange larva had assumed the pupa, in which stage it rested in a quiescent state through the winter, until the warmth of spring-time awoke it into renewed life, when those mysterious and secret changes commenced and the fluid matter began to take definite form and the various organs were differentiated— until every hair was perfect. The horn-like covering was stretched to its fullest capacity, finally bursting at the suture of the thorax and legs. But before emergence could take place the hard cocoon must be pierced. As I had never observed this act until last June, I made all arrangements to ensure success. I had already bred a number of puss-moths, and noticed that they Full-grown Caterpillar. Fig. 5. Puss-Moth emerging from Cocoon. Fig. 4. emerged between the hours of four and six in the afternoon. I therefore focussed a large cocoon formed upon a small willow branch, drew the slide, and with the shutter piston between thumb and finger, patiently waited for the appearance of lite stirring from within. After watching for three hours I gave up my vigil for the first day, resuming it at four o'clock the next afternoon—again without any result. On the third day, after watching for two hours I fancied that I could detect a slight discoloration on the top end of the cocoon, about the size of a big pin’s head; my magnifier confirmed my suspicion, and very slowly the mark increased until it was half an inch in diameter. Half an hour after I noticed the centre of the discoloration becoming moist, and a tiny fissure appeared, followed by a streak of white hairs, which I instantly photographed (Fig. 5), changed my plate, and then, before I could put the slide down, I saw a flash of white protrude from the widened fissure, and in Fig. 6. Puss-Moth. Fig. 8. Puss-Moth. Wings further developed. Wings developing. Wings fully developed. The Life History less than five seconds the puss-moth was crawling up the bark, in which act I took its photograph (Fig. 6). I have never before seen such a rapid emergence. I then swung the table round so as to bring the moth sideways, that the development of the wings could be seen and photographed. At first the wings are not more than half an inch long, with every scale and marking in miniature; but the moment that the moth had obtained a firm footing upon the bark, she gave her stumpy wings a preliminary shake previous to going through that most wonderful and mys- terious development. The wings first begin to swell out at the base (Fig. 7), the outer margin being arrested in develop- ment, though only for a few moments. Two minutes after emergence the wings ave much swollen out at the base and puffed out away from the body; gradually the under-wings gain on the upper and are spread out first, show- ing all the nerves full of yellowish fluid. Now the upper wings are filling out, looking like a half-hoisted mainsail gently flap- ping in the wind (Fig. 8). But there is no flapping of the moth’s wings yet; the movement 1s almost umperceptible, though, as we watch it, we see that the tip is eradually straightening out until both wings are fully expanded and stand upright back to back (Fig. 9). In this position the moth remains for about half an hour, or until the fluid has permeated to the extreme margin of the Wings; then, but not before, the wings are ug Fig. 10. Fully-deve loped of the Puss-Moth 97 turned away from each other and quietly folded down over the body (Fig. 10), not moving until the dusk. of evening comes on and Nature intimates that the time for action arrived. First she slowly erects her antennm or feelers; next a very sheht shiver seems to run through the wines, which is increased to a decided vibration until the whole body and wines quiver with excitement; and at last the power and desire to fly become too great to and away she goes, rising somewhat heavily at first: but feeling her new power, she soon mounts over the tree- tops, where in all pro- bability she will meet with a partner, the following hours being spent in distributing two hundred eos over half that number of willows and sallow bushes, the moth seldom lay- ine more than two eggs upon one bush. 3 the SCOplc OVivoroUs para- site mentioned, the puss-moth is fre- quently attacked by a large comb-footed Ichneumon fly, and though the caterpillar lashes out vigorously with its pink whips if is not always suc- cessful in driving off this parasite, which manages to take a firm hold with its comb- like claws; and the puss larva has to subnut to haying a number of eggs injected into its body, and to sustain the maggots hatching therefrom, until both have had enough and the caterpillar dies, while the parasitic mag- eots spin tough cocoons, sometimes within the cocoon which the caterpillar has just had strength enough to form before being overcome by weakness and death. roof - shape has resist, sole eooS Besides micro- , we ES Puss-Moth at rest. A NATURALIST’S NOTES FROM THE BUSH. Written and Illustrated with Photographs by CYRIL GRANT WANE.* I. THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH-RAT. HE Australian bush-rat is a little smaller than the well-known English brown rat, but its fur is of much finer quality, and of a somewhat slaty hue upon the back. So strictly nocturnal are the habits of this little animal that it is difficult to obtain much reliable information respecting it—indeed I believe few bushmen are even acquainted with its general appearance. Nevertheless, my night wanderings in various parts of the Victorian bush have supplied me with a knowledge of some of its peculiarities which may be deemed worthy of comment. My first introduction to this animal was in a certain log hut, where I was much worried by these inquisitive little beasts, which disported themselves in every part of the hut, continually uttermg a peculiar short, mewing cry. Z Various attitudes into which the animal throws itself while scenting for food, in the act of listening, or climbing, serve to show how extremely supple the little creature’s body is. At one moment it may be seen huddled into a furry ball, the next elongated to inelegant proportions in its efforts to reach objects in difficult positions. While reading or writing by the light of a slush-hght, I used to watch, at intervals, the incautious little creatures working their way all round the log-work of the hut, and their feats of climbing at such times were sufficient to suggest that there is a large amount of truth in the statement that the bush-rat passes much of its time among the rough-barked timber so prolific among mountain gullies; in fact, while out ‘“’possuming” on moonlight nights, I have watched them chasing each other with surprising agility along the heavier limbs of the wattle trees. T am inclined to think—though I cannot state that such is invariably the case— that the bush-rat is particularly fond of building its nest (a construction of soft material such as fibrous bark, skeleton leaves, wattle blossom, etc.) in a decaying stump, hollow lmb of a tree, or, in accordance with the geological nature of the locality, among the lchen-lined crevices of granite rock; also it is thought by some that the animal burrows, making a snug nest beneath the surface of the ground, which I think is not unlikely in situations where the soil is sufficiently soft and yielding. The animal is a vegetarian, but that does not prevent him from making raids on the hutter’s “tucker,’ edibles of all descriptions proving anything but distasteful to him, judging by the results of his depredations. Only once have I seen the bush-rat in captivity. This was when I captured a full-grown doe in the act of thieving my tinned jam by clapping my hand over the opening of the tin, thus entrapping the animal. I do not forget, either, that I received a sharp bite upon the finger from her long incisor teeth, which caused the blood to flow with considerable freedom. *Previous articles by the same writer have appeared in Anrman Lirn, Vol. I., p. 304 (“The Wombat”), and in Vol. II., p. 67 (‘Three Common Reptiles of the Australian Bush’’). 98 ZOO NOTES: 4 “JIMMY.” “MICKIN,” Photographs oy W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. SILVERY GIBBON. 99 Photographs by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S LLAMA, 100 ND FOAL. MEL A CA BACTRIAN Photographs by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. OLD BACTRIAN CAMEL. 101 102 THe New !nce attention has been to the Study of directed on several occasions ALLSTON COO ETIONS 5 your journal to animal coloration, your readers may hke to hear something of two new contributions to this subject. In ‘The Field’ of October 17th, Mr. Llydekker, amplifying an investigation recorded in earlier articles (reproduced in ‘Mostly Mammals’), feels himself justified in asserting that in mammals a_ seasonal change of colour is correlated with the fall of the leaf, and does not take place im tropical and sub-tropical species. And he suggests that the same law may hold good in the case of birds. In inammals of the temperate zone, as well exemplified by the roe-deer, the change is very generally from some shade of chestnut or rufous-brown in summer to grey or brownish-grey im winter. It is also pointed out that in Arctic and sub-Arctic mammals, the change is from grey or grey- brown in summer to white in winter; so that these changes seem to be merely an extension of those which take place in mammals of the temperate zone. Further, a certain number of tropical or sub-tropical Species, such as the males of the Indian black-buck and of Mrs. Gray’s water-buck of the White Nile, exchange the typical rufous tint when fully adult for a sable livery (this, of course, not being a seasonal change). Hence it would seem that all these changes form part of a connected series; rufous, or bay, being the primitive type, or starting point. As to the reason for this prevalence of rufous as the summer coat of so many temperate maminals and the permanent livery of tropical -kinds, it is suggested that its power of resisting the bleaching effects of sunlight may be the most important factor. “The second contribution is by Mr. W. L. Power, of Chicago, who gives in ‘ Decennial Publications” an exquisitely-coloured plate showing the gradual development of a deep chestnut colour, variegated with black mark- ings, in a long-horned beetle. Starting from a pure white pupa, we notice the first appearance of colour in the head, whence it extends in successive stages backwards till the deep adult tints are attaimed. Dark spots and stripes are likewise shown to make their appearance in a precisely similar manner in another kind of beetle. “Colours of this type are the result of pigment developed in the dermal tissues of the insects, and the various markings (when present) correspond to a great extent with the subjacent vital organs. Moreover, they are largely due to the nature of the inteeu- ment (or ‘chitin’) itself, which has a marked tendency to turn brown as it hardens. Hence the prevalence of brown and yellow in beetles, cockroaches and earwigs, which display the typical ‘ chitmous,’ or horny integument. Moreover, this type of colora- tion is evidently very ancient — probably, indeed, as old as insects themselves. “On the other hand, many of the more specialised insects, such as peacock and red admiral butterflies, develop a totally different type of coloration, which in place of being situated in the integuments, has its origi in the minute scales (or modtfied haus) with which the latter is clothed. More- over, since it has no sort of connection with the vital organs, or with the brown chitin of the integument, it can run riot in the matter of brilliant hues and of eccentricity of pattern. Hence we have an explanation of the reason why butterflies are so much more elaborately and gorgeously coloured than beetles, so far at Jeast as the pigment colouring of the latter 1s concerned; the metallic tints of many beetles being due, of course, to the prismatic breaking-up of heht, and not to pigment at all.” THE IDENTIFICATION OF BIRDS. PART I. By I. FINN, B.A., F.Z.S. Fig. 1. KIWI, OR APTERYX. | eee exact relationship of the various natural families of birds to each other has been long a matter of discussion among scientists, and will probably continue to be so. But the limits of the families themselves are well agreed upon, and it only remains to give for these brief diagnoses so that they may be readily recognised by external and easily appreciable characters. This task Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell and I embarked upon together, but when it was about half completed the appointment of my coadjutor to the Secretaryship of the Zoological Society prevented us from working further together, and so I am reluctantly compelled to finish it alone, as Dr. Mitcheil’s multifarious duties preclude any further co-operation. The real difficulty im assigning any bird to its proper family lies in the great number of these families, which never have been, and perhaps never will be, satisfactorily combined into large “orders” such as accommodate the groups of families im mammals and reptiles. For the old arrangement of perchers, swimmers, and so forth has long ago been found to be unnatural, combining under certain broad resemblances of structure and habit families of birds which were really essentially different. These families; themselves, however, are not really hard to determine, and when they are once learnt any scheme for their combination into “orders” is more readily mastered. The points to which attention will especially be drawn are the situation of the nostrils and the extent of the gape of the mouth, and the scaling and webbing of the feet, points which hitherto have been rather too much neglected by ornithologists, both fxom a scientific and practically diagnostic point of view. Other points will of course be introduced when necessary, but bill and feet will separate iost families of birds satisfactorily. In studying the feet of birds it must be borne in mind that no more than four toes exist in any species (the “fifth toe” of certain fowls bemg merely a double monstrosity), and that in the usual arrangement of three in front and one behind the back toe is the first, corresponding to our own great toe, while the three front toes, beginning from the inside, represent our second, third, and fourth toes respectively. THE RATITE BIRDS. The comparatively small. number of species included under this name (derived from vatis, 2 raft, from the raft-lhke, because keel-less, condition of their breast-bone) are all incapable of flight, and usually of large size. Their lax hair-lke plumage will distinguish them at once, and, with the exception of the Kiwis, they have short beaks and no hind-toe. Taking the families in detail :— The Ostriches (if there be really more than one species), (Strwthionide), are diagnosed from all other birds not only by their pre-eminent size, but by having two toes only, both in front, these being the third and fourth. The Rheas (Rheide) have better-developed wings than any other Ratites, these being quite lage, covering the back, and folding in a Z-shape at the elbow and 141 142 Animal Life wrist as in ordinary birds, which is not the case in any other family of this group. There is no tail, and three toes are present. The Emus (Drom@ide) have very small wings, hanging down unfolded, and scarcely noticeable. They have short curly feathers on the head, and three toes with equal nails. Their colour is grey at all ages, though an extinct species was black. The Cassowaries (Caswartide) have equally small and useless wings, but these are armed with several long conspicuous black spines, the remains of secondary quills. Their feet are furnished with an extra large claw on the inner of the three toes, and their heads with a conspicuous helmet of bone plated with horn. The Kiwis (Apterygide) are quite small birds compared to the rest, not exceeding a large fowl in size. Their bills are very long, and they have a small hind-toe. The wings are so small that they have to be felt for. (Hig. 1.) THE CARINATE BIRDS. All other birds are classed as Carinate—provided with a carina or keel—thew breast- bone, as everyone has seen when carving a fowl, being provided with a great ridge of bone to carry the huge breast-muscles which move the wings. In some _ species which have lost the power of flight this is wanting, but these never have the haty- looking plumage of the Ratite, which must have degenerated into flightlessness at a much earlier date, their whole structure being more primitive. All Carinates are also very much inferior in size to any Ratite except the Kiwis. Among themselves they differ very much, and as there are so many families the only way of treating them intelligibly is to divide them, somewhat as used to be done in the old classifications, according to their habits of hfe and general structural characters, though it must be clearly understood that this does not imply that the fanulies grouped together are really related, the less conspicuous features of structure and habit being more important than the grosser ones. DIVING FAMILIES. With short or moderate wings and feet placed far back. The Penguins (Spheniscidea) are at once distinguished from all other birds by their wings, which, although well developed, are not folded, but hang down as the birds stand erect, and have no quills, being uniformly covered with small stiff feathers resembling scales. Consequently these birds cannot fly in the air, but they do so under water, and hence have a well-developed keel to the breast-bone. Their bills vary in shape, but their feet have always very short shanks, and three webbed toes in front and a small useless one on the inner side. The Divers (Colymbide) have three webbed toes in front and a small hind-toe. This distinguishes them from the Auks, which have no hind-toe. The Grebes (Podicipedide) have three toes in front. and a small hind-toe, all of them lobed or individually webbed, with flat nails. (Fig. 2.) The Auks (Alcide) have three webbed toes in front; no hind-toe. (Fig. 3.) The Cormorants and Darters (Phalacrocoracide) have four toes all united by a web, although the first points backwards as usual; their tails are well developed, unlike those of most other diving-birds. (Fig. 4.) The Finfoots (Heliornithide) possess four toes, the hind one rather small, the front ones lobed or individually webbed, somewhat as in the grebes; but the claws are shaped as in ordinary birds, and the tail is well developed and of good size, whereas the grebes have no tail—merely a wisp of hairy down. Fig. 4._ 1TED CORMORANT. The Identification of Birds 143 SURFACE-FEEDING WATERFOWL. With wings of varying length and more or less webbed front toes; many of them feed much ashore, but al] swim at times. The Ducks (Anatide), including Geese, Swans, \ and Mergansers, have a straight bill, with teeth Fig. GRE Fig, 5. SHOVELLER DUCK. than one . or outstanding ridges along the edge of both jaws, and covered with skin, instead of horn as in most birds; the feet have a small hind-toe. (Fig. 5). 2. e N.b.—The Magpie Goose of Australia (Anser- cRESTED anas melanoleucus) has a large hind-toe and only GREBE. small webs to the front toes; but its bill shows ridges, though small ones. Many of the geese seldom enter the water, and many ducks con- << stantly dive, but they do not resemble the true \. diving-birds. The Pelicans (Pelecanide) have a very long beak, hooked at the tip, with the lower jaw supporting a great pouch. All four toes are webbed together, and the tail is short, and thus, with the long bill, separates them from the other birds (gannets, cormorants, &c.) with similarly con- structed feet. The Flamingoes (Phenicopteride@) have exces- sively long legs, with webbed front toes, and the hind-toe small and useless, or absent altogether. The bill is short, with the lower jaw much stouter than the upper, and both edged with ridges, as in the ducks; it is bent down at an obtuse angle in the middle in a way which renders it strikingly different from the beak of any other birds. The Screamers (Palamedeid@) are large birds with fowl-like heads and all the toes long, with a yan oS short web between the L ee bes two outer front ones. ey Jey” iS The wings are large sj and armed at ax the bend with NS iN two spurs—a \ feature dis- tinguishing them from all other birds, since no other spur-winged bird has more FULMAR PETREL. weapon on each wing. 144 Animal Life AERIAL WATERFOWL. With three front toes webbed and wings very long. The Petrels and Albatrosses (Procellariide) are characterized by a hooked beak with its covering of horn divided into sections by grooves and the nostrils tubular, the tubes being contiguous in the Petrels and separate in the Albatrosses. The hind-toe is only represented by the claw, and even this may be absent. (Mig. 6.) N.B.—The Diving Petrels (Pelecanoides) in form and habits resemble Auks, having short wings and diving constantly, but the beak at once distinguishes them. The Gulls and Terns (Laride) possess bills with the covering of horn in one piece and the nostrils open and slit-like. The bill is more or less hooked in the Gulls and straight in the Terns. There is usually a small hind-toe, and in the Kittiwakes (Rissa), where it is rudimentary, the bill will distinguish the bird from any petrel. (Fig. 7.) The Gannets (Swltd@) exhibit straight bills with the covering divided, and no perceptible nostrils; the hind-toe is united to the front ones by a web, as in the Cormorants. The Tropic-Birds (Phdethontide) show also straight bills but with uniform covering and slit-like nostrils; the hind-toe is united to the front ones by a web, this distinguishing them from the Terns, which they much resemble. The Frigate-Birds (Fregatide) have long hooked bills with the covering in sections; all the four toes are united by very small webs and the legs are feathered; the wings are enormous, and the tail excessively long and forked. LONG-LEGGED WADING BIRDS. With well-developed hind-toe, perching much in trees, &c. The Herons (Ardeide) are easily distinguished by their long straight bill with the mouth reaching to the middle of the eye and the nostrils at the end of a groove; the feet have three toes in front, with short webs at the base of the outer two only; the hind-toe is of large size. (Fig. 8.) In the Storks (Ciconiide) the bill is also long, straight or curved at the end, but without a groove; the mouth reaches about to the eye; in the feet all the front toes are united by short webs, and the hind-toe is not so large as in Herons. The Ibises and Spoonbills (Plataleid@) have the bill long and curved downwards throughout or broadened and curved down only at the end (Spoonbills); the three front toes are united at the base by short webs and the hind-toe is well-developed, whereas in the Curlews, often confused with them, it is short and useless. N.B.—The Tantalus Storks have the bill curved down, but only at the tip, and this is not broadened as in the Spoonbills. The Hammerkop (Scopus wmbretta) forms a family by itself; it is a bird with comparatively short neck and legs, three toes before, all webbed at the base, and a well-developed hind-toe; the head crested and with a deep bill hooked at the tip, and the general plumage brown and buzzard-like. The Sun-Bitterns (Hurypygide) ave birds showing long slender bills and necks, broad rounded wings and large, broad tails very beautifully coloured, and feet with small but useful hind-toe. The short hind-toe is a sufficient distinction from the true Bitterns, as well as the close-feathered neck, the Bitterns proper having a full ruff there. USUALLY LONG-LEGGED RUNNERS OR WADERS. With hind-toe never large, and seldom perching. The Cranes (Gruide@) much resemble Herons and Storks, with which they are often confounded, being tall, leggy, straight-billed birds with large wings. Their feet will at The Identification of Birds once distinguish them, the hind-toe being so small and high up as to be of no use; only the two outer front toes show a web at the base. In the bill the corner of the mouth does not extend further back than the forehead, and the nostrils are set well forwards, the front being in the middle of the bill; in the Storks and Herons they are at the base. The Rails, mcluding Moorhens and Coots (Rallide), are very narrowly-built birds with flat-sided bills, having the nostrils set far forward as in the Cranes, and the three front toes quite free. The hind-toe is large enough to be of use, and these birds are the only ones of the present section at all given to perching. The wings are always short. (Fig. 9.) The Courlans (Aramide), in their anatomy said to be allied to the Cranes, resemble large Fig. 7. COMMON GULL Rails im outward characteristics. The Plovers (Charadriide), belonging to a family which includes the Sandpipers, Snipes, Avocets, Curlews, and Oyster-Catchers, are easily distinguishable, and yet possess only one point in common—the very forward situation of the corner of the mouth, which is well in ‘front of the forehead. This peculiarity does not occur in any birds which could be mistaken for the present group. The bill itself varies immensely; in the Plovers it much resembles a pigeon’s, and these birds have large round heads; in the Sandpipers it is long, and especially so in the Snipes; im the Curlews it is turned down, in the Avocets upwards, and in the Wry-Billed Plover (Anarhynchus frontalis) to one side! The feet are equally variable; the three front toes may be free altogether, as in the Snipes, or webbed more or less, even for half their length, as in the Avocets ; the shanks may be as short as a pigeon’s, as in the Turnstones; or as long in proportion as the Flamingo’s, as in the Stilts. The hind-toe is always small, usually useless, and often absent altogether. (Fig. 10.) The wings are usually characteristic, the inner quills or tertiaries being much longer than the adjacent an eee a) 8. SQUACCO HERON. Fa ae = =e Se & WHITE-BREASTED WATER-HEN. secondaries, and reaching to the tip of the wing; but in some this curious formation is less striking. The Crab-Plover (Dromas ardeola) has a family to itself; it is a pied bird with a strong crow-like beak with corner of mouth running back to eye, feet with the three fore-toes webbed well at the base, and the hind-toe large enough to Its foot and bill are rather like a small Stork’s; but its plover-like wings and short neck will distinguish it have large, strong, crow-like bills, with the corner of the mouth extending be of use. The Stone-Plovers (Hdicnemide) RUFF (SANDPIPER). 140 Animal Life back to the eye, which is large; the feet have the three front toes only, connected at the base by webs, and the shank is covered with small scales as in the Bustards. From these birds, in addition to thei usually smaller size, they may be distinguished by their large heads and comparatively short necks. The Coursers (Glareolide), with which are also grouped the Pratincoles or Swallow-Plovers, have much the appearance of ordinary Plovers, but the corner of the mouth extends to the eye or nearly so, and the bill is usually curved. The Pratincoles have long wings and forked tails, and feed mostly on the wing lke swallows. The Sheath-Bills (Chionidide) are white birds with a short stout bill and the nostrils with an overhanging sheath; the feet have three toes before and a short useless hind-toe. The Jacganas (Parride) have pigeon-like bills and long legs with excessively long toes, the hinder being well developed as well as the three front, and all devoid of webs and provided with remarkably long straight claws. The Kagu (Rhinochetus jubatus) is the sole member of its family and has a stout, rather long bill, with the nostrils overhung by a scrolled membrane, the hind-toe small, the head and eyes large, and the wings short and broad. The Trumpeters (Psophiide) have pheasant-like heads, and long legs with a small hind-toe; the wings are short and rounded and the tail not noticeable. The Mesites (Mesitide) is a curious Madagascar bird with short wings and bill, ample rounded tail, and rather long legs with three toes in front and a smaller hind-toe. It looks much like a Passerine bird. GROUND-BIRDS. With strong feet formed for running, which seldom or never enter water, even to wash The Pheasant family (Phasianide), including Fowls, Peacocks, Partridges, Quail, Turkeys, and Guinea-Fowls. These have three toes before, united at the base by short webs, and a small hind-toe raised above the rest. The shank has two rows of large scales in front, meeting in a zigzag seam. The beak is always short, with nostrils arched over on the inner side by a eristly scale, and the profile curved; the corner of the mouth comes nearly below the front of the eye. The wings are always short and rounded. Many of these birds go up in trees to roost. (Fig. 11.) The Grouse (Tetraonide) much resemble the above, but the covering of the nostril is feathered, and usually the shanks also. When they are not, the grouse may be distinguished by the fringe of narrow scales along the edge of each toe. The wings are short. Their separation as a distinct family is hardly justifiable. The Mound-Builders (Megapodiid@) have a large hind-toe set on at the same level as the others, and open nostrils. The wings are short, and the tail either very short or of medium length and folded like a fowl’s. The Hemipodes or Button-Quails (Twrnicide) look much like Quails, but have no webs at the base of the toes and only one row of scales down the shank. Except the Australian Plain-Wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) they have no hind-toe. Their wings are short. The Tinamous (Zinamide) much resemble Partridges, but differ by having the covering of the bill in sections and the corner of the mouth reaching to the middle of Fig. 11. PHEASANT. The Identification of Birds 147 the eye; the shanks also have but a single row of scales down the front, and there are no webs at the base of the front toes. The hind-toe is very small and useless, and sometimes quite absent. The nostrils are oval, open, and situated at least as far forward as the centre of the beak, whereas in the Button-Quails, which much resemble small Tinamous, the nostrils are roofed and run back to the base of the beak, as in the Quails. The Bustards (Otidide) have long shanks, bare above the hock and covered all over with small scales (reticulate), and three short front toes only, united at the base by small webs. The bill is rather short, and the corner of the mouth comes as far back as the eye. The wings are large and powerful and the head small, though often thickly feathered and havmg a bushy appearance. The Quail-Snipes (Lhinocorythide) are birds much resembling Quails or small Partridges, with the long poimted wing of a Snipe. Their bills are partridge-like, but the corner of the mouth terminates below the forehead; the feet have three toes in front, and a small hind-toe, but there are no webs at the base of the front toes and the shank is covered all over with small scales. The Sand-Grouse (Pteroclide) are birds of pigeon-like form, with long pointed wings and grouse-like heads. Thew feet have three short toes in front; the hind- foe is very small or wantimg, and the shanks are feathered. Their long wings and the absence of the fringe of scales along the toes will distinguish them from true Grouse. The Seriemas (Cariamide) have a short curved bill with wide gape, short round wings and a long tail, and long legs, with three short front toes united by a web at the base, and a short hind-toe. They bear some resemblance to the Secretary-Bird, but the cere to the bill and the long wings easily distinguish the latter. BIRDS OF PREY. With hooked bills and strong talons, strong-winged, and preying on other animals or carrion. The Hawks (Falconide), including the Eagles and Old World Vultures. In these the nostrils are separated, as in most animals, by a partition or septwm im the middle; the mouth terminates below the eye and usually as far back as the middle thereof ; feet with a strong hind-toe set on at the same level as the rest, and the outer front tees united at the base by a short web. The Old World Vultures, which chiefly differ from Eagles in their more or less complete baldness, are often given separate family rank. The Osprey (Pandion haliaétus), which has no web at the base of the toes, is also frequently placed in a separate family. (Fig. 12.) The Secretary-Bird (Gypogeranus serpentarius) forms a family by itself; it much resembles an Hagle, but has very long legs with all the front toes united by a web at the base. The American Vultures (Cathartide), wmcluding the Condor, have the hind-toe small and almost useless, it being set on above the rest, and all the front toes con- nected by short webs; the nostrils are pervious, 7.e., have no partition, and the corner of the mouth terminates high up on a level with the eye, and usually far m front of it. Y The Owls (Strigid@) have the face usually surrounded toy by a ruff of feathers; there are no webs at the base of Z the toes, and the outer front toe is turned back when perching, so that the toes fall into pas. (Fig. 13.) The Barn-Owls (Strix) are sometimes separated as a family (Strigide); they may be distinguished from most Fig. 12, FALCON. 148 Animal Life of the other Owls (in this case called Bubonide or Asionide) by their heart-shaped face and the comb on the inner edge of the middle claw. AERIAL LAND-BIRDS. With very small] feet and long wings, spending most of their time in the air. The Humming-Birds (Lrochilide) have slender needle-like bills of varying length, either straight or curved, with the corner of the mouth not far back; the feet have three toes before and one behind, the front toes free to the base. These are small birds, including much the smallest of all species, and have the buzzing flight of an insect. (Fig. 14.) The Swifts (Cypselide) have very short wide bills, and the mouth is very wide, the corner coming under the middle of the eye. There are either three toes mm front and one behind, or all the four toes point indefinitely forwards, like the fingers of the human hand. The first toe, whether behind or not, is always noticeably the smallest. N.B.—These birds are frequently mistaken for the Swallows, which are Passerines, and will be noticed later. They may be distinguished by the smaller first toe, and by having only ten tail-feathers, the Swallows having twelve. The Nightjars (Caprimulgide) have an extremely small bill and enormous mouth, very wide and reaching back to below the middle of the eye; their feet have three toes in front and a small hind one, the three front ones being united at the base by a short web. The nostrils are close together and tubular, except in the Potoos or Ibijaus (Nyctibius), which, however, show the tiny bill and huge mouth in its most typical form. (Fig. 15.) ; The Bee-Katers (Meropide) have long curved bills, and feet with three toes in front joined closely by a common skin, and a rather small hind-toe. N.B.—The wings vary in length in this family, and some perch more than they fly, but on the whole they are birds of the air. SEDENTARY PERCHERS. With small fect and moderate wings; making sallies for their food from a fixed station. The Kingfishers (Alcedinide) have a long straight bill and two or three front toes (the inner front (or second) toe being sometimes wanting), joimed in a common skin, and a smaller hind-toe. (Fig. 16.) N.B—The bill is not always long, the well-known Laughing Lingfisher, or “Tiaughing Jackass” of Australia (Dacelo gigantea) having it only mederate, and the Shoe-Billed Kingfisher (Clytoceyr rex) quite short; but it is always straight except in the Hook-Billed Kingfisher (Melidora macrorhina), in which the tip only is hooked. Many kingfishers do not catch fish. The Rollers (Coraciide) have a stout strong bill, and feet with three free toes in front and a smaller hind-toe; the back of the shank is covered with separate scales. These birds, from their general size and colour, are often confounded with Jays which, however, have a large hind-toe and the shank covered with long plates behind. (Fig. 17.) N.B.—The Ground Rollers of Madagascar have long legs, unlike the rest. The Trogons (T'’rogonide) have short stout bills, and feet of quite unique structure ; the toes are in two pairs, but the inner front toe is turned back instead of the outer; thus, unlike any other pair-toed birds, the outer toe of each pair is the smaller. (Fig. 18.) The Jacamars (Galbulide) have lone straight bills like Kingfishers, and the toes in pairs, the outer front being turned back. The Identification of Birds 149 oe 0, ~ e2= Y Yy y Be SS Z = = aw Fig 14. GIANT HUMMING-BIRD., by eee SS Fig. 16. WHITE-BREASTED _J \ / S \ = ATT) { \ (Owe \ KINGFISHER. SHARPRE’S WOOD OWL. Fig. 17. INDIAN ROLLER. Fig. 19. AMAZON PARROT. Fig. 22. TOUCAN. Fig. 21. INDIAN CUCKOO. Fig. 25. JACKDAW. WOODPIGEON. | Fig. 23. GREEN WOODPECKER. Fig. 24. 150 Animal Life N.B.—The great Jacamar (Jacamerops grandis) has a curved bill, but its pair-toed feet will distinguish it from a Bee-Hater; the Three-Toed Jacgamar (Jacamaralcyon tridactyla) has only three toes, the first, or true hind-toe, being missing; this will distinguish it from the Three-Toed Kingfishers, in which the missing toe is the second, or inner front one. The Puff-Birds (Bucconide) have rather stout bills of moderate length, curved or hooked at the tip, and the toes in pairs. The Motmots (Momotide) have a bill of moderate length and stoutness, curved, and notched like a saw along the edges; the feet have three toes in front, jomed in a common skin, and a smaller hind-toe; the shanks are short, but not excessively so. This and the toothed bill will distinguish these birds from Bee-Haters, the short-winged species of which they otherwise much resemble. The Todies (Todide), with a long, straight, flat bill, have three toes in front, joined in a common skin, and a smaller one behind; the shank is rather long, distinguishing these birds from some flat-billed Kingfishers. The Broadbills (Hurylemide) have short broad bills with a wide gape, and three toes in front united at the base, with one toe behind, as large as the inner front one; the shank is covered behind with numerous small scales, which will distmeguish them from Passeres, in which the hind-toe is also large. In the Frogmouths (Podargide) the bill is stout and powerful, but very short and broad, with a wide gape, and the nostrils sht-hke and well separated; there are three toes in front, webbed at the base, but the outer toe is turned out sideways in perching; the hind-toe is smaller. Their wings are short. N.B.—The Owlet Nightjars (4gotheles), which belong to this family, in their very small beak are like the true Nightjars, but their short wings will distinguish them. ACTIVE PERCHERS. Spending much of their time moving about in trees. The Parrots (Psittacida) have an extremely short and much-hooked bill, covered at the base with a skin as in birds of prey, but with a narrow mouth not reaching beyond the forehead; the feet also are very characteristic, with four toes in two pairs, the outer front toe being turned backwards; the shanks are always short and covered with numerous small scales all over. (Fig. 19.) N.B.—The Lories (Loriide), which live much on honey and have a brush-like termination to the tongue, are often ranked as a distinct family. The Touracous (Musophagide) have a very short stout bill with curved profile and saw-like edges, shanks of moderate length, with a hind-toe smaller than the rest; the outer front toe, though joined by a short web at the base to the middle one, can be turned back, and is indeed usually so. The wings are always short and the tail long and rounded. (Fig. 20.) The Mouse-Birds (Coliid@) are small birds with long tapering tails, short wings, and short beaks with curved profile. Their feet are very peculiar, having the four toes with no special direction, but capable of turning any way; the first toe is the smallest. The Cuckoos (Cuculide) have a bill of moderate length, with the profile curved as a rule, or, if not, hooked at the tip, and the nostrils very low down and near the edge of the upper chap (or jaw). The feet have two toes before and two behind, the outer front toe being turned back. (Fig. 21.) The Toucans (Rhamphastide) have an enormous beak, the largest among known birds, and feet with the toes in pairs, the outer front turned back; this will distinguish them from the Hornbills, with which they are often confounded. (Fig. 22. The Identification of Birds 151 The Barbets (Capitonide) have feet like the Toucans, but a much smaller bill, not unlike a Crow’s. The Honey-Guides (Indicatoride) ave small birds with pair-toed feet, as in Barbets and oucans, but with short beaks either stout and finch-like or slight and curved. The Woodpeckers (Picide) have straight or nearly straight bills of only moderate length and thickness, used for chisellmg into wood; their feet have the outer front toe turned back, so that the toes are in pairs, except in some three-toed species, in which there is only one toe behind, the first or true hind-toe having disappeared. These birds spend most of their time in climbing, not usually perching like others. (Fig. 23.) The Hornbills (Bucerotide) have long curved bills of disproportionate size, much as in the Toucans, but their feet resemble those of Kingfishers, having three toes in front closely united, and one behind. N.B.—The Ground Hornbils have long legs, but their toes are still united, and their bills of typical size and shape. The Hoopoes (Upupide) have long, slender, curved bills, moderately-long square tails, and a fan-like crest; the feet have short shanks and three free toes in front and one behind. N.B.—These birds spend most of thew time feeding on the ground, but perch constantly also. The Wood-Hoopoes (I7risoride) also have slender bills, more or less curved; the shanks are very short, with three free toes in front and one behind, but the tail is long and magpie-like. The Pigeons (Columbide) have « moderate-sized bill of very characteristic shape, narrowest in the middle, with nostrils pierced in a soft swollen skin at the base; the head is small, and the shanks inclining to shortness, with three free toes in front and one behind. Pigeons are often chiefly ground-feeders, and some never leave the ground, but more are exclusively attached to the trees. (Fig. 24.) The Hoactzin (Opisthocomide) constitutes a family by itself; it has a short stout bill, broad short wings and a long broad tail; the feet have three free toes before, and a well-developed one behind. The Curassows (Cracide), including the Guans, much resemble the pheasant family, with short stout bills, powerful feet, with three front toes united by short webs, and short round wings; but they have a well-developed hind-toe and live much in trees, where also they build. The Passerine Birds (Passeride) form an enormous family, numbering half of the entire class of birds, and also remarkably numerous in individuals. They are at once characterized by their feet, which always have the hind-toe large and well-developed; this toe, taken together with its claw, being always larger than the inner front toe. The front toes are three and usually free, but the outer two may be joined at the base. The type of this family is the Sparrow (Passer), but the foot-structure is well exemplified in a larger species, such as the Jackdaw (Fig. 25). The Passerine birds vary enormously in size and structure of beak, to say nothing of shape and _ habits, although they are not hard of recognition to anyone who will take the trouble to note the peculiarities of foot-structure. A few birds outside the family, notably some birds of prey (Falconide) have also very large hind-toes, but will not be mistaken for Passerine birds. [The last part of this article, to be published next month, will deal with the Passerines.] LA. Ra = Y TU = y < ) a ZA) — Gye! Sees Saree = UN = Sa “Se RE Folding GREAT ANTEATER. Showing abnormal direction of hair in fore-limbs. TRACES OF ANIMAL HABITS. By WALTER KIDD, M.D., F.Z.S. PART I. \7ORKS on Natural History must always find a place for the description of what is known by observation of the habits of animals. Among these the more notable and characteristic are dealt with. But there is a method of reading in simple hieroglyphs the less striking habits of animal life, and so to fill im much of the background of the picture, and that is by studying the arrangement of them hairy coverings. There is no attempt here to consider the qualities of thickness, texture, or coloration of the animal hair which so eminently make for the safety and comfort of different forms, but the arrangement, direction and disposition of that hai may be profitably studied, if in a humbler sphere. By the terms of the discussion we are restricted to such animals as Marsupials, Hdentates, Rodents, Carnivores, Unegulates, Insectivores, Bats and the Primates, including such as Marmosets, Lemurs, Monkeys, Anthropoid Apes, and not excluding Man himself. Most of the groups mentioned, when examined from our standpoint, ‘give themselves away” at once as creatures of simple habit and low life, and we can extract no varied interest from the records of their hair-story. The most interesting groups are Edentates, Carnivores, Ungulates, and some of the Primates. We can here only look at the evidence afforded by the hair-slope of a few individual forms of life as to their favourite attitudes of repose. We are thus chiefly concerned with the numerous hours of leisure enjoyed by those which we, restless unleisured creatures, call the lower animals. The individual hairs he at an acute angle with the skin except on the muzzle, the eyelids and eyebrows, the mane, and on parts of the external ears. In long ages back when hairy mammals were in the making, the primitive hair-slope can have been none other than an entirely simple uniform slope from head to tail, and from proximal to distal extremities of the limbs and base to tips of the ears. The body must have been elongated and the limbs short. The departures from this simple and original type of slope are numerous, and are proportioned to the complexity of the habits of the animals concerned. We are able by these new departures in style or fashions in hai to trace clearly some of the habits of animals, e.g., how they lie and how they sit, and even to calculate roughly the proportions of these two habits in individuals. A subsequent study will show also how we may gauge the active as contrasted with the passive life of certain animals. f j Traces of Animal Habits 152 Tt wil! be well to look first at an extreme instance—that of the Two-T'oed Sloth of Central and South America. The long hair of this creature, instead of lying as the hair of a Skye-terrier does, is disposed on most of the head, trunk, and limbs so that it falls wpwards, if one may so say. ‘This is not at all surprising when we remember that it is in the almost unique position—which it shares with a select circle of its slothful relatives and the bats—of spending most of its life upside down. This sloth hangs all day and probably most of the night in dark moist forests, clinging by its powerful well-adapted claws to the boughs of trees, descending reluctantly and at night to the ground in search of food. A very slight examination of its tell-tale hairy ‘coat would declare at once its prevailing habit of life, even if we did not know it from other sources. By way of contrast let us look at the long hairy coat of a Baboon as it stands on all fours. One can have no doubt, if one examine the direction of the hair and thus decipher the record of its habits, that to sit, and not to lie, stand, or walk, is its favourite habit. In the uniform slope of hair from stem to stern, from head to gluteal region, can be seen at once the unmistakable signs of much sitting. It is on the gluteal region particularly that the direction of hair is seen to be foreign to other habits than that of sitting. The baboon is here taken as a representative of many other monkeys and apes. The two instances of the sloth and baboon show how a prevailing habit can he traced in the hair, and how the less favourable attitudes fail to impress themselves. We know quite well that a sloth can and does walk, trot and stand, and that a baboon can and does walk, trot, stand and le, but the records of these habits are obliterated and neutralised by the preponderating habit of each animal. The Great Anteater is another animal that carries about on its coat clear evidence of its sluggish habit of hfe. Not so slothful as its near relative the sloth, if is one of the notable sluggards of the tropical world. Living in the same countries as the sloth, it spends its day in a lair among the long grass, emerging rarely into the light of day for food. It surely must have been a lineal ancestor of the rustic youth whose ideal of happiness was “to sit all day on a gate and eat fat bacon.” In its most favoured attitude it lies on one side, curled up, with its limbs tucked under its body, the whole being encircled by its enormous bushy tail. It thus stamps on its hairy coat the signs of its favourite attitude and business in life; for when it stands or walks one can see that the stiff long hai lies in that direction which makes it fit the curled-up position, and certainly x € 1 oO. Showing streams of hair on fore-limbs and femoral region of hind-limbs altered by not that of standing action of gravity. Kven its skeleton is CHACMA BABOON. 154 Animal Life compressed and narrow by reason of its constant habit of lying. When one examines the “set” of its hair in the standing posture one feels instinctively that there is something wrong, especially on the side of the fore-limb, for here the hairs lie at right angles to the axis of the limb instead of nearly parallel with that axis, which is the normal direction. The crea- ture gives you the kind of impression when it stands up that a man does who has just awakened from sleep and has not had time to brush his whiskers and _ hair. y ‘ The Great Anteater is indeed one i A ee ed, REH of the few out of the myriads of Showing action of gravity upon the hair-streams. animal forms that have grown grotesque, and this, as in other cases, is mainly from sluggishness of lte—which may contain a moral for ourselves. The beautiful White-Collared Mangabey recently at the Zoological Society's Gardens shows a marked impress of its prevailing attitude. The long silky hair is arranged on the side of the trunk, so that the hair-streams belonging to the back and the abdomen are parted very definitely, and this arrangement terminates abruptly near the armpit. The reason for this is seen at once when the animal is examined as it sits, the upper limit being formed by the acutely-flexed knee-joint, and the wide space occupied by the parting being produced by the constant pressure of the lower limb against the trunk im the habitual attitude of sitting. The familiar Fox-Terrier presents points of interest, for it shows on two regions of its hairy coat definite marks of two most favourite attitudes. One cannot but ask why the hair on the under or posterior surface of the fore-limb should slope upwards to the trunk when the normal direction is from shoulder to digit, and why on the front surface the normal direction is maimtained. Surely the answer comes from observation of the way in which this and most other carnivores lie with their fore-lmbs planted out in front of their chest and not doubled up lke those of an ox. The abnormal slope has thus at once a mechanical explanation. The fox-terrier also shows on the gluteal region a clear-cut whorl or reversed area of hair over the tuberosity of the ischium, thus proclaiming the frequency of the habit of sitting, which we also know by observation to be characteristic of this animal. No animal shows this patch of hair thus reversed unless it sits much. The callosities so common in monkeys on this part of the body are strictly analogous. No ungulate has it, for no ungulate sits. The Fallow Deer (Cervus dama) of our country exhibits two marks of its very constant habits. One of these consists in a remarkable reversal of the slope of the hair which starts in a whorl just in front of the withers, and from this point to about the level of the external ears the hairs of the neck point forwards in a feather- shaped arrangement. There is thus produced along the whole of the dorsal surface of the neck a marked exception to the general and common slope of hair on an animal’s body, viz. from head to tail. This central whorl, from which a feathering proceeds against the general stream of hair, is not peculiar to the fallow deer, but is BN S NN) Ay NY RA AS aw, y LMM MED Ga ae WAAL RAN Hl Traces of Animal Habits 155 found in‘ many other ruminants, such as antelopes and oxen, and it reminds one very much of the peculiar break in the stream of hair in the mane of the Giraffe, which will be referred to in the second part of this article. Such a modification of the hair-slope is not causeless, accidental, or without meaning, whether the meaning of it be important or otherwise. There are two alternative views one might take as to its causation. It might be the result of a strong oft-repeated action of the fly-shaker muscle so common and useful in ungulates. This muscle, by very constant action, is quite capable of causing a reversal of the “set” of the hairs in the skin over it. One has only to watch on a hot day the almost ceaseless action of this muscle in cows as they browse or le ruminating to see how this could come to pass. But a more probable view of the production of this curious reversed area of hair is that the attitude so largely adopted by ruminants in their long hours of cropping grass, which they are to digest subsequently in their peculiar way, so stretches the skin of the back of the neck down to the withers that the hairs over it are reversed. A second mark of its habits is seen on the pectoral region of the fallow deer. Here, on each side of the sternal region and extending forwards from the flexure of the shoulder-joint, is a symmetrical area of reversed hair, oval in shape, and corresponding exactly to the region where the surfaces of the chest and the fore-lim)h are brought in contact in the habitual ungulate attitude of rest. In its own way this phenomenon marks as clearly the great length of time spent by the fallow deer in chewing the cud, as the former one on the neck pointed to the time occupied in browsing. Numerous instances might be chosen for description, but space will allow of only one more, and that from the body of Man. Man is far from being the hairless creature which he is generally supposed to be. Hardly an inch of his skin is not clothed with fine hair visible with or without a lens. On his back the hair-streams pass in a remarkable direc- tion, from the sides upwards towards the spine, making with the long axis of the vertebral column an angle of about 459. Not one of the great groups of hai-clad mammals shows a direction of the hair on its back anything like this. A mechanical explanation is readily afforded by man’s habitual or prevailing attitude in sleep, which is that of lying on one side or the other, with his head raised on a pillow. A slight reflection on the mechanics of the matter shows that there are present the very conditions calculated to produce this unique hair-slope on this part of man’s body. It is only one of many eee ieee sa) 4 BACK VIEW OF TRUNK AND UPPER EXTREMITins ‘simular new departures in hair-slope con OF MAN, fined to the human species, ~ » == SS “ \ Ny (G (ava HM Vt, aN ( / i ation DOG TALES. ; Tue following comes from Paris:—M. X., the owner of a small villa in the environs of Paris, had a dog—a Great Dane—an intelligent and faithful animal, of whom he was very fond. Having sold his house in order to return to Paris, he was reluctantly obliged to separate from the dog. A friendly gamekeeper agreed to take the dog, which followed disconsolately its new master, who, not being tender-hearted, grew tired of it, and resolved to get rid of his charge. He therefore fastened a heavy stone to the dog’s neck, put it in a boat, and rowed towards the middle of the river Marne. When the boat was in mid- stream the man threw the dog into the water. The rope, however, broke, and the animal swam towards the boat, and had nearly reached it when the gamekeeper struck it over the head with an oar. Again the dog returned towards its executioner, who became more furious with his victim. He had not put down his oar, and now brandished it like a windmill to strike a mortal blow; but his violence made him lose his equilibrium, and he fell into the water. He did not know how to swim, and would certainly haye been drowned if the dog had not seized with his teeth and supported the helpless man. The gamekeeper could thus lay hold of the boat, and so row to land. This saving of his life modified, as may’ be supposed, the man’s feelings for the dog. Nothing, he says, when relating the story, but death shall separate him from the creature to whom he owes his life. Good for Evil. Wa A MAN once took a kitten to a neighbouring pond with the intention of drowning it, being accompanied to the scene of execution by his dog. No sooner, however, had he thrown it into the pond than in jumped the dog and brought the kitten to land again, laying it at its master’s feet. Again the kitten was thrown in, and again the dog rescued it. The process was repeated, when the dog swam to land with the kitten and bolted home as fast as it could run, carrying it in its A Dog’s Humanity. mouth. A few minutes later the dog was in its kennel, licking the half-drowned litten with all the solicitude and affection of a mother. No further attempts were made to drown the kitten, which became the inseparable companion of its gallant rescuer. D/O Does with collecting- boxes attached to their collars are comparatively common. It may not, however, be generally known what large sums they earn for the charities they represent. One which used to beg for a hospital im Ireland collected in five years nearly £3,000. He had a special banking account, which was submitted periodically to a chartered accountant. Made £600 a Year. S/O Two boys had a dog named “ Buff,” which used to go with them on their ramb- Shares. lings. One day the boys went into the woods to have a picnic, and of course ‘‘ Buff’? accompanied them and shared their meal. Presently the dog ran away, but returned before long and deposited a big water-rat at the boys’ feet, which he evidently intended as a contribution towards the picnic. we “WHEN at Brighton,’ writes a correspondent, “T was bathing off a boat at some distance from the shore. ‘ Tiger,’ my dog, was watching proceedings with unusual interest, and when I dived he sprang in after me. I rose from my plunge, and the dog seized me very gently by the neck. Then, with his fore-paws on my shoulders, he kept me under water. We had a terrific struggle. The more I fought the more energetic he became, although he never attacked me savagely. I managed at last to reach the boat, and supported myself by the gunwale. We then came to terms. ‘Tiger,’ finding that I was not in danger, as he supposed, left me, and my difficulty was at an end.” A Little Too Zealous. 156 p t p i ‘HIINS (LW fig Mapang Wwubhig Www WoW é “A01 WHE NI WIOH DNINDVHUE SIVAS V LY DNIHOLVYM UVHd AVTOd V Photographs by Capt. Jackson. LOONS WITH YOUNG MIGRATING SOUTH. ARCTIC ANIMALS. By Captain FREDERICK G. JACKSON, F.Z.S. (Leader of the Jackson-Harmsworth Polar Hxpedition.) HERE is a popular impression that animal life is chiefly remarkable for its absence in the Polar Regions. This is perfectly true with regard to many vast frozen tracts within the Arctic Circle and the dreary wastes of floe-ice reaching towards the Pole. On the other hand, there are many more favoured localities literally teeming with life, to which the Little Auk, Guillimot, and Kittiwake return in the spring, after the long, death-like Arctic winter, to bask im the warming sunshine of the returning daylight and to bring forth their young. The spots which birds frequent are usually southerly- facing rocks on a coast line, which rise above the glacier ice and stand sentinel-like at imtervals overlooking the frozen sea beneath them. Here, as the darkness lightens and the first rosy blush of a returning sun appears over the desolate landscape after the four months of continuous darkness, the Dovekie first wings its flight from the more favoured lands of the south, followed in a few days by the Loon or Arctic Guillimot, Rotge or Little Auk, and later still by the IKittiwake. The Polar Bear, Walrus and Seal are always with us, summer and winter, and depend only upon a limited amount of open water and the presence of food for their well-being. The bear least of all requires much water, for wherever the seal can find breathing space by keeping its blow-hole open, there also will the polar bear be found ‘mm search of his dinner. The walrus too will, in the localities he frequents, ive summer and winter if the conditions, such as strong currents and high gales, favour the formation of thin ice. I have been asked in this article to give a short account of the commoner Arctic animals which I came 157 IVORY GULL’S EGGS AND NEST. NESTING ON KITTIWAKES AND LOONS CAPE FLORA. 158 across during my three years’ sojourn in Franz Josef Land. I do not propose to deal with these in any scientific order, and as the Polar Bear is the most popular, I will begin by telling my readers a little about his ways. As I find that there is some doubt on the matter, I may say at once that he is yellowish-white in colour all the year round, and does not change from a darker hue to white in the autumn. He is, strictly speaking, a carni- vorous animal, and _ lives Photograph by) shed and replaced by one more suited to the warmer temperature of summer. The feet are very large and well adapted for travelling over snow, and between the pads thick hair erows to aid in keeping the feet warm and to pre- vent slipping upon smooth ice. The bram capacity is small, and I found, in a large number of bears whose brains I weighed, the weight not to exceed 164 ozs. The impression Animal Life Photograph by) POLAR BEAR ON A BERG. STEALING (Capt. Jackson. THE PROVISIONS. (Capt. Jackson. almost entirely upon seals. On the other hand, I have frequently found the stomachs of these bears crammed with vegetable matter—chiefly grass, which has been gathered from the sparsely- covered spots where the ice-sheet fails to reach. his bear - is one of the largest of its family, and a large male will weigh as much as 900 lbs. His coat during the winter and early spring is very long and thick; and in the late spring it is Arctic Animals 159 given on seeing an unskinned bear’s head is that it has a large brain-cavity, but on cleaning the skull it is seen that the appearance is caused by the huge muscles used for moving the jaws. he polar bear is “a bit of a fool” is the conclusion one arrives at on examining the head closely, but a terrible fellow to bite, which is quite true. The belief that the polar bear hibernates is an erroneous one. JI have shot numbers of polar bears, both male i and female, during the long Arctic winter. The female will lay up in a lai deeply buried in snow for many weeks, both before and after bringing forth young, and during that time will touch no food. As the time of gestation, as a rule, is during the months of dark- ness, this period of seclusion has been mistaken by some travellers for hibernation by both male and female. The law is dumb-bell shaped and about twelve feet from end to end, with a narrow breathing-hole from the waist of the dumb-bell communicating with the outside air. = The cubs, rarely more than two in number, weigh 77°? °Y Be pee eee aoe about 16 Ibs. at birth. The hair is whiter than in the Taken at the Tiondon Zoo, where it adult, and naturally finer in texture. They show the bad Siegen yD manners of thei kind at an early age, and are intractable, ill-tempered little creatures, on whom kindness has no softening influence. During one winter we had no less than three bear-cubs living in the hut at one time with ourselves. As time went on their uncouth behaviour increased, and they turned the place into a bedlam of noise—so much so that my party could get no sleep mght or day, and if any of the men ventured across the room one of the little cubs was pretty sure to “eo for” him. We fed them on condensed milk from an extemporised feeding-bottle, which they took to very readily. The polar bear is the great provider of sport in the Arctic regions, and of supply to the larder. The terrible monotony of Photo Ce life there has often : 4 . Hagenbeck. fakes Yeo 2 o been relieved by the A ANN warms, GOSememes or Ins great straw-coloured approaches from lee- Once the property of body as he cautiously Carl Hagenbeck; now ward the ice-bound jin Roumania. Photographs by Capt. Jackson. WALRUS IN THE WATER. TWO WALRUSES ASLEEP ON FLOATING ICE. 160 Animal Life ship or the lonely hut in those desolate wastes. His flesh, too, in a land where fresh meat is so all-important, is hailed with satisfaction by all but the most prejudiced. Bear-meat has been the chief stand-by of more than one expedition, and with plenty of it, or of any fresh meat, and proper care being exercised, scurvy— that curse of Polar expeditions—can be kept at bay. One never knows, from a sporting point of view, how the polar bear will behave on being sighted. He may take to his heels at once, panic-stricken at the sight of a human being, or on the other hand, probably spurred on by curiosity—a marked characteristic of the species—may come rushing down to ascertain what this new lind of seal, as man possibly appears to him, may be. Dogs, especially those of Arctic breeds, such as Esquimaux, Samoyad, or Ostiak, ave of great help in hunting the bear, especially during the darkness of the winter months. Should the bear show an inclination to take to flight these dogs, by biting his heels and generally annoying him, will cause him to turn about and fight a rear-guard action, thus giving the sportsman time to come up and with a rifle-shot put an end to the hunt. Bears frequently came down to our hut at Cape Flora, and were added to the pot. Sometimes, after a long chase, the bear will dash up the sloping side of a berg Photograph by Gane Tackson. GREENLAND HARP-SHAL Lying near its hole on an ice-floe, twenty miles from open water. or other position of vantage and there stand at bay, as in the photograph on page 158, until his human enemy appears and adds to his indignities by making him pose as a sitter for his photograph first before giving him the cowp de grace with the rifle. The photograph here referred to is one of a number taken by the author of polar bears on their native floes—the first ever so taken. Next to the polar bear the Walrus probably claims the greatest amount of popular interest amongst Arctic animals, though to most his ponderous body and long white tusks are unfamiliar except in museums and pictures, for the walrus is exceedingly difficult to rear in captivity. A full-grown bull walrus weighs about 2,000 lbs.; it has very heavy, strong tusks, and outweighs the female, whose tusks are much thinner and very considerably lghter. The skin, which in parts of the body, such as along the back, is as much as an inch and a half in thickness, is covered with short, sparse, coarse hair, brown in colour. The value of the walrus lies in the hide itself, the thick layer of blubber underlying the skin, and in a lesser degree in the ivory of the tusks. In some parts of the Arctic, such as the islands of Spitzbergen and the neighbour- hood, walruses have been found in great numbers—soon reduced by persistent hunting. Arctic Animals 101 Proximity to land and in shallow water is the spot chosen by the walrus as its habitat. Here it brings forth its young, usually one at a birth, and is able to dredge on the bottom of the sea for its food, which consists largely of shell-fish. The chief uses of the formidable tusks are four: In the first place to scrape up the bottom to obtain food; secondly, when lying on its back in the water, by their aid the animal is able to knock holes through thin ice, and so clamber out; thirdly, as very formidable weapons of offence in fighting; and last of all, to enable the walrus to scramble out of the water upon ice or land, and as propelling agents in walking. The walrus is an animal of considerable amount of intelligence—far more so than the polar bear. He has a well-shaped head and a large brain-cavity. At our hut on Cape Flora, Franz Josef Land, we had two juvenile walruses, whose weight, although only a few weeks old, was nearly thirteen and a-half stones each. These two little animals soon eot to know us, and one of them, although a bad walker, even tried to follow me about the plateau near the hut. We fed them on condensed milk, and for some time they did well, but eventually died on their way home to the Zoo. Walruses, bulls especially, are animals that love a fight and will go a long way out of their course to have one. In the water they are most dangerous antagonists, and with their powerful tusks, enormous weight and great strength, will quickly reduce a boat to matchwood. On ice or land, owimg to their want of mobility, they are harmless in dealing with an ordinarily active man with space to move about. It is a common sight to see eight or ten walruses lying asleep on small detached pieces of floating ice, idly drifting with the tide. They then look much like large leeches, and the photograph on page 159 gives a good idea of their appearance. They are, too, quite at home in the water, and the photograph in question shows a young walrus raising his head above the water to look about him. The appearance of small heaps of pebbles and shells on the ice-floes in the neighbour- hood where walruses have been lying is some- what puzzling at first. These stones have, however, been swallowed by these animals either accidentally in gathering up bivalves and other shell-fish from the bottom of the sea, or deliberately to aid digestion, and then ejected by the contraction of the stomach after that act has been performed. There are several varieties of the Arctic PuotaTaan SE RRaAIS Hox, and these differ in colouring. ‘The creature WHITE POLAR WOLF. aS ws =X Photograph by E. J. Beck. REINDEER, 162 Animal Life is a thin, lthe-looking animal, somewhat smaller than his English relative. As everyone knows, the Arctic fox is one of those animals on whose coat the seasons effect a change in the matter of colour, altering as a rule from a darker hue to white or piebald in autumn, though I have seen these animals in the [Se S35 . See stasis HET? NOVA. YAM ORNS Baokagueri Gy dh THe quite dark even in the winter months. The most interesting characteristic of the Arctic fox is perhaps his habit of stormg up a larder for use during the long winter months, when food is scarce. The commonest of the Arctic Seals, of which there are many species, is the Greenland Harp-Seal, for whose capture scores of vessels annually leave the American, British, and Norwegian ports. A single vessel would take sometimes as many as 40,000 seals, which will give some idea of the immense destruction of life. The natural result has followed, namely, a very great reduction in their numbers. The Fur-Seal, the skin of which is used for ladies’ jackets, comes only from Alaska and the islands off that coast. There was once a large fishery for fur-seals in the Antarctic regions, but indiscriminate slaughter almost exterminated them, and the survivors are now protected and slowly increasing in numbers. Like the seals, Reindeer, the great draught animals of the sub-Arctic regions, have a very wide distribution. They are the mainstay of the Samoyads, who to a large extent live upon thei flesh, and of course make much use of them as draught animals. The same remark, but in a lesser degree, holds good with regard to the Lapps. The Samoyads never drive less than two reindeer abreast, sometimes as many as seven or eight, whereas the Lapps only harness up one; but that one as a rule is much larger. The reindeer is the only deer of which both the male and female have antlers. The Caribou of Northern America are varieties of reindeer. In parts of Spitzbergen, Nova ZGembla, Siberia, and even in the dense forests near the shores of the White Sea, wild reindeer are still to be met with. a of v With the remaining animals to be mentioned here I must deal very briefly, as the space at my disposal is lmited. The Wolf in Europe is met with chiefly im two varieties—the large. wolf of Russia, which goes about as a rule singly, and a smaller variety which hunts in packs. The first 1s seldom dangerous, whereas the eee ee ES, a ik TAME MUSK-OX IN ICELAND. latter, owing to thew a. Jol a itd Arctic Animals 163 numbers, when pressed by hunger, may be. Wolf-skin is one of the warmest skins known, second probably only to remdeer-skin. Its high price, however, renders the use of reindeer-skin far more common. Musk-Oxen now exist only in a few very remote spots in the Arctic regions. The Nares Expedition found them in Grinnell Land, Peary at the extreme north-east point of Greenland. They also exist in some numbers along the east coast of Greenland and along the shores of Arctic America. A bull weighs about 300 Ibs.. stands about 3 ft. 6 im. high, and is a dull brown in colour. They are easily killed, and when attacked commonly cluster together and form up with their heads towards the foe—a plan of defence which avails them little against the rifle. Nares records that one of his expedition even killed one with a knife, not having a eun handy. The Scandinavian Elk would rapidly become extinct but for the protection afforded it by the Government of Norway and Sweden, where very stringent laws are in force for its preservation. Only during a few weeks m the year can it be hunted, and even then only a limited number may be killed in each district. The Moose is the American counterpart of the European elk. It is the largest of the deer, and is very difficult to stalk on account of its extreme wariness. The Arctic Hare is only white in winter, changing from its brown summer coat in the late autumn to white—the only remnant of colour remaiming bemg the black tips to the ears. No one who has never seen Arctic haves in their winter coat can credit how extremely ditficult they are to see on the snow, for unlike the polar bear, they are a pure white. They live in burrows in the snow during the winter, only coming out to feed. The Ermine has a_ very wide distribution. The majority of ermine-skins which reach this country come from northern Russia, where these skins are little valued and sell as low as eight kopecks apiece, and when I travelled across the Great Tundra country to the south of Waigatz in 1893, I could have bought numbers at even a lower price of the Samoyads and Russian peasants. It is, in fact, a poor skin with short, thin hair. Its use for ages past by royal personages has apparently given it a value it does not deserve. The last of the Arctic mammals that I shall mention are the members of the great Whale family. The most valuable and one of the largest of these monsters is the Greenland Right Whale, from which the whalebone of commerce is obtained. It has in addition deep layers of blubber under the skin twelve or fourteen or more inches in thickness in many parts of the body. The whalebone is obtained in the form of plates set close together in the mouth, and as much as twelve feet in length. On the imner edge is a hairy fringe which forms a kind of network and enables the whale when swimming with its mouth open to enclose its minute animal food, which the whalers call “rice food” owing to its resemblance to a grain of rice. At one bodes TREC ASS + NE Photograph by J. Madsen. YOUNG SCANDINAVIAN ELK. 104 Animal Life time large fleets of ships used annually to leave the Scotch, English, and Norwegian ports to hunt the Greenland Right Whale; but these whales have been so reduced in numbers as to be hardly worth going after, and scarcely ie Cor any whalers now hunt [8 = St Sc. ae % 3 Photo by J. Madsen. them. The Fin ners Photo by J. Madsen. ERMINE. POLAR HARE. and the Bottle-Nose are also taken chiefly for the blubber, as the Bottle-Nose has no whalebone, and the Finners have only very short plates in the mouth. I have left no space to speak in detail even of the commoner Arctic birds. Of these, probably the most familiar to travellers within the Circle is the Loon or Arctic Guillimot, of which some photographs are given at the beginning of this article. This bird, together with the Little Auk and the Dovekie, is the first to break the long silence of the dark winter months. The Loon lays a single egg on the bare ledges of rock without any attempt at a nest. ‘Towards the end of August the young birds make their descent to the sea by taking a jump from the high cliffs, opening their wings and so skimming downwards towards the sea. In this the old birds aid them, flying with them and holding up the youngsters by the tail. I have seen as many as three old birds helping a single young one. Kittiwakes are nearly as common in some spots on the Arctic as on the British coasts. They make a nest of dry grass, and usually build near the loons, but on a tier of rocks beneath them. Concerning Gulls I need say nothing, as these have already been dealt with in ANrwaAL Lire; and it only remains for me to mention the names of the Snow Bunting, the Skua, the Snowy Owl, the Turnstone, the Knot and the Brent Goose as some of the birds more commonly met with in the Arctic Regions. Photograph by J. Madsen. ICELAND HORSE. ZOO NOTES. At the present moment the Ape House is well filled with Chimpanzees. Chimpanzees. Susan, one of the new arrivals, is shown on the left of the pic- ture. She and Jimmy are the best of friends, but it is evident from the photograph that the former was the one who made the first advances. She is the only lady of her species at present in the Gardens, so Jimmy ought to be flattered by her attentions. The other & 3 SES Photograph by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. “JIMMY ” AND “SUSAN.” ~ ate Photograph by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. WHITE-COLLARED MANGABEY. less-favoured members of this chimpanzee “school” are a younger male, and three fair- sized ones named Micky, Pat, and John—a most unrivalled series. Unfortunately there is no room for the small specimens upstairs, so Jummy, Susan, and the other child chim- panzee are at present secluded below. All these chimpanzees are of the ordinary type, with light skins and hairy heads, whereas the late lamented Sally was bald and black. a" A MONKEY of lower degree is Cherry-Crown the Cherry- Monkey. Crown or White-Throated Mangabey (Cercocebus albigularis), which is noticeable for its handsome colour, the neck and under-surface being pure white, while the rest of the body is mostly slate-colour, and the top of the head of so rich a veddish-brown that the title of ‘ Cherry-Crown ” 1s quite appropriate. like all the other mangabeys, this species has the upper eyelids white. There are only a few species of mangabeys, all 166 inhabiting West Africa; and, as is so often the case with West African animals, little is known about them. D> THE Sumatran Civet (Viverra tangalunga) is an example of the heavily- built ground- living civets of which the African Civet-Cat (Viverra civetta) is the type. The former has a wide range in the islands of the Hastern Archipelago, but its emigva- tion in some cases may have been ‘“‘ assisted,” as 1t 1s one of the species which are kept caged for their scented secretion, and so commonly carried about from place to place by the Malays. As an example of the curious way in which captive animnals turn up in out-of- Sumatran Civet. NAGOR ANTELOPE. Animal Life Tur Nagor Antelope of West Africa (Cervi- capra vredunca), although de- Nagor aha . 4 ri re + Sk Sentry CR Re ‘ SSS SSS Photo by Herbert Lazenby, York. OTTER FEEDING. which it scrambles, gives itself a “send-off” with its hind-limbs, and slides down the declivity ; one pair were observed to make twenty-two slides before they ceased their fun. On land the otter runs with a peculiar “loping” gallop, but on ice the American species, if pursued, makes ‘a short scrambling run and then takes a slide as far as its impetus will carry it, repeating the process again and again. In water, however, the otter is quite another creature, and glides with beautiful movements almost surpassing those of the seal, moving to and fro more like a shadow than a living animal; its course, more often than not, only being traced by the track of air-bubbles rising to the surface of the stream, rather than by any actual sight of the otter itself. The best plan for those who do not live in districts where otters are to be found will be to apply to keepers of preserved fisheries, as these have a more direct interest Uncommon Pets 297 in keeping their eyes on otters than anyone else, and with very few exceptions nearly all the otters that get into dealers’ hands come from this source of supply. A short advertisement in ANIMAL Lire would probably result in the reader getting into communication with a keeper, who would jrocure a puppy otter for fifteen shillings or a sovereign. An adult trapped otter is useless, or almost so, as a pet since it hardly ever gets even to tolerate its owner, and certainly never quiet enough to be handled, whereas a puppy can be brought up to be almost as domesticated as a dog. The greatest dithculty in keeping otters is in arranging a proper water supply, as, unless they have the freest of access to water, ophthalmic troubles always arise, and anything wrong with the eyes of an auimal, besides its own personal discomfort and suffering, renders it unsightly to the owner and his friends; apart from this, which is a preyentible disease, otters are unusually free—for animals in captivity—from ailments of any kind. If the prospective owner has an ormamental basin of water with a central fountain, as is found nowadays in many suburban residences, this will be just the thing for the otter to have a swim in if wired over and the kennel placed inside the wirework, which must be either of very strong wire-netting or else rod-iron placed closely together, as the otter is an extremely lithe animal, and if is surprising through what small openings it can squeeze itself. If, however, the reader has not such a pond im his garden, one must be made some six or eight feet square—the larger the better. This is a very sunple and comparatively inexpen- sive matter, the greatest item being the fixmeg of a pipe stopped with a movable plug at the bottom of the pond and tunning it into the nearest drain. The pond itself is merely excavated in the ground to the required size and depth and lined with cement. The kennel can be an ordimary dog’s kennel fully lined with straw, as much as it will hold loosely. The pond and kennel must be kept quite clean, as the otter is a scrupulously fastidious animal. The feeding is simple—small birds, animals, fish, etc.; they particularly relish frogs as a bonne bouche, and do not object to grubbing in the garden in search of worms, snails, and other small insects. A perfectly tame otter may safely be permitted to enter the house and play about the rooms, and will curl itself up in a chau or stretch itself out on the hearthrug with the air of being quite at home. Otters are fond of being played with and notice taken of them, puttmg up with a good deal of handling, but they nearly always resent their head, and most particularly their snout, bemg interfered with. Apart from their “touchiness” about their nose, they are most good-tempered little creatures with the exception of those which have been captured when adult; upon whose temper, consequently, no reliance whatever can be placed. Although May and June are specifically mentioned as the two chief months in which otters breed when wild, young puppies are noticed nearly all the year round. Photo by Herbert “Lazenby, York. OTTERS LEAVING THE WATER AFTER THEIR BATH. A NATURALIST’S NOTES FROM THE BUSH. By CyRin GrAanD DAnn, Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. . wat FULL-GROWN PORCUPINE-ANTEATER. cae MW. THE PORCUPINE-ANTEHATER. HIS interesting and curious animal, which has no connection with the true Porcupine, but is one of the two egg-laying mammals, has very frequently come under my notice while crossing the mountain tracts of Victoria, and at all times awakens within me a desire to observe its actions while following out the routine of its daily life; being, of course—and this is the true secret of successful Nature observation— unseen myself. There is something so sedate, so matter-of-fact, in relation to its general method of carrying into effect any passing desire. No hurry or unnecessary bustle is at any time noticeable; and while the sharp ears and sharper little eyes are perpetually on the qui vive, it requires an accustomed and observant onlooker to detect the high-strung condition of its nervous system. With back arched and a formidable array of pointed spines laid evenly upon the thick hairy coating, the porcupine moves among the scrub or ferns with a regular, leisurely step, occasionally pausing in its erratic course to overturn a strip of bark or scratch aside half-decayed sticks and roots likely to prove a good resort for lurking insects. A little while ago I caught sight of a very fine porcupine busily engaged digging into an ant-heap. Creeping to within a few yards of the animal as quietly as I could I sank cautiously down among the ferns, and prepared myself to, watch it while thus occupied in obtaining its natural food. So far as I could judge, it appeared to be quite oblivious of possible danger; in fact, I have sometimes felt almost convinced that the animal is not of a nervous disposition at all. However, experiments I have resorted to always proved it otherwise. This particular porcupine I subjected to one or two tests, and I am since content to admit that, like every other denizen of forest country, the porcupine is ever on the alert. Making a spring of a supple twig I released it with a sharp snap against my leather legging and noted that the effect upon the porcupine was considerable, causing a spasmodic shudder to convulse its whole body; suggesting, too, that such a sound in the bush is uncommon. When whistling the familiar call-notes of various bush-birds no heed was taken at all, the animal even failing to tur its head in the direction from which the sounds emanated. 298 A Naturalist’s Notes from the Bush 299 Again, through closed lips I drew my breath sharply, producing that shrill effect so frequently in demand when one is desirous of attracting the attention of a dog, caged bird, or encouraging a horse to quicken its pace; and once more the effect. upon the animal was most pronounced, the porcupine instantly assuming a_ball-like attitude and setting every spine on end. A second time I tried the same experiment, and the animal at once commenced to burrow. Since I eventually maintained perfect silence, burrowing operations were soon deemed a superfluous effort, and the animal somewhat deliberately unfolded from its spherical pose, pausmg for a moment to veconnoitre ere it resumed the interesting occupation of unearthing its treasures from thew case-hardened, weather-crusted receptacle. With little hind-legs well set apart and long, pointed snout nearly hidden beneath its chest, the porcupine tore away the caked exterior of the ant-heap, much as the Enelish mole, when alarmed during a moonlght ramble, burrows into the outside walls of its dome-like edifice. The broken earth was cast ‘aside, not rapidly, or even energetically, but with a most effective shovelling stroke, serving to reach in a surprisingly short time the nurseries and egg-stores of the ant colony. With great rapidity the porcupime’s tongue—which is very long and slender—was darted imto the midst of the excited and teeming millions of ants, the glutinous substance peculiar to insect-eating animals and birds retainmg them till swallowed. ‘Long before the supply was exhausted the ant-hill was abandoned, which, one is led to think, suggests that a succession of visits is made by the porcupine to yarious ant colonies in the course of its search for food. My own painful experiences supplied the knowledge that the species of ant thus unearthed is of a savage disposition, sharp, contimuous, throbbing twinges being the effect of its sting. The porcupine, upon vacating the hollow it had excavated in the ant-heap, leisurely rubbed its long, delicate snout against the softer fur of its fore-arm, then, with a quite consequential air, walked slowly away among the ferns. Only once do I recollect seeing a porcupine quicken its pace to a run, and then merely for a few yards, incited into such unusual activity by the iridescent hues of a burrowing fire-beetle. As is so conspicuous in all animals, especially when studied midst the sur- roundings of their natural environment, the physical protection provided for the porcupine is notably in keeping with its modus vivendi. How many enemies this animal would be forced to contend with were it not for the wound-inflicting array of spikes with which it is so admirably guarded; a guard so sharp, so_ strong, and so effective that great difficulty is experienced in handling the owner even when dead! The tenacity with which the animal ay a A clings to the ground when attempts are PORCUPINE-ANTRATER AT HOME. 300 Animal Life made to turn it over is a singularity with which every bushman is acquainted. After most strenuous efforts, aided by a stout stick used as a lever, I have known children utterly fail in their endeavour to overturn a full-grown porcupine. Dogs are at all times greatly irritated by the presence of this anteater, and little wonder, since their every attempt to bite the burrowing animal can but mean severe punishment. A little while ago—and it is the only instance coming under my notice—I was informed of a cattle dog (smooth-haired collie) which succeeded, after extraordinary perseverance, in killing a poreupine, though the treatment the determined animal was subjected to was extremely severe. Muzzle, gums, tongue, in fact the dog’s mouth generally, were considerably swollen and bleeding profusely—yet, with a warlike stride, ludicrously expressive of Vent, vidi, vict, the animal marched round its fallen victim in apparent satisfaction, despite the pain it must have suffered. The photograph on page 299 is of a fine porcupine, which, with the assistance of an enthusiastic. companion, I removed from some bracken ferns where it was discovered to a more open spot, but even before I had time to get my camera in position the porcupine had already commenced to sink into the ground, the black earth, visible in the fore- ground, being cast aside in the usual deliberate and effective manner. My other photograph on page 298 of unother specimen was more successful. The under-parts of a porcupine’s body are well covered with soft hair of a brownish tinge. The fore- feet ave armed with very long and powerful claws, as are also, though in a less degree, the hind-feet. When digging, the animal's head is tucked under until the top of its skull rests upon the earth; the long, sensitive snout by this means is safely protected among the soft fur thickly coating the chest. During the winter months the porcupine hibernates, seldom coming forth from its retreat till the warmth of late spring excites the insect world to renewed activity. The flesh of the porcupine is by many bushmen considered a delicacy, while by the aboriginals it is looked upon as a customary item in the bush menu whenever procurable. The native’s method of cooking the flesh is somewhat strange. After being captured and despatched, the animal is taken to the creek-bed, swamp, or water-hole beside which the natives are camping, and a fair supply of “pug” (yellow adhesive clay) having been scooped from the moistened soakage or water-way, the porcupine is entirely enveloped in it. Thus a heavy ball of clay is the result. This is placed among the hot embers of their camp fire and allowed to bake. As may be imagined, the clay slowly hardens till it cracks asunder, at which stage the “dish ” is considered fit to serve. When the clay casing is finally broken away, all the qulls, hair and skin adhere thereto, the flesh being cooked to a turn. ns ANT-HILL. Showing excavations made by Porcupine-Anteaters. BUDGERIGAR. From an original painting by THE Hon, ALICE FOLJAMBE. @. C. FOWLER, TYPO, LONDON E C: THOSE THAT CHEW THE CUD. SOME RANDOM REMARKS ON RUMINANTS. is the true native name of the large deer of Kashmir (Cervus The Hangul. cashmirianus), although it 1s not unfrequently called the “ Barasingha.” The latter name, however, properly belongs to a quite different deer (Cervus duvaucelt), which does not occur in Kashmir but inhabits the plains of India. The hangul is a member of the group which includes our red deer and the American wapiti. In size if resem- bles the former, but in the voice of the stag-—a squeal instead ofa roar —it 1s more like the latter ; while it differs from both in the fact that the stag’s ant- lers usually have no more than five pots. More- over the young retain their spotted coat for an unusually long time, it is said until the third or fourth “HANGUL Tae pike ast J es year. This fine deer has not a very wide range; besides Kash- mir it inhabits some of the Photo by S. Nasiruddin, Calcutta. neighbouring Himalayan valleys, and is represented by an allied species in the woods of the Yarkand River in Hastern Turkestan. In Kashmir it frequents pine-forests, vary- ing its elevation according to the season ; in winter it may come down as low as five thousand feet above sea-level. The species has been exhibited at the London Zoological Gardens, but is seldom sent to Europe, and the specimen shown in the annexed cut was photographed in India. The present writer heard, when in India, that there was some idea of introducing the American wapiti into Kashmir; if this project should succeed it Is quite possi- ble the hangul would cease to exist as a species, for it would © almost inevitably in- terbreed with the wapiti, and the hybrids, which would certainly be as . fertile, would oradually mon- (>) THE HANGUL. grelise the stock. 301 302 Tur little animal shown in the photo- graph on this page belongs to Young Serow. a Species very rare in cap- tivity, the Serow (Nemorhadus sumatrensis). No specimen of this animal appears to have reached Europe alive, and the present one was thought a great rarity in India, where the photograph was taken. The serow is a member of the curious group of animals known as goat-antelopes, which are all mountaineers, and are most familiar im the person of the Huropean The present species has a wide range in South-Hast Asia, extending from Kashmir to the island of Sumatra. There is a certain amount of difference between examples from different parts of this large area, which gives reason for the establish- ment of several sub-species, the Himalayan serow being thus styled Nemorhedus suma- trensis bubalinus. In colour this form is black-and-tan, with white belly and stockings; chamois. Animal Life a specimen from Arakan in the Indian Museum, the Capricornis rubida of that eminent naturalist the late Hdward Blyth, was tan throughout. The serow is about the size of a donkey when adult, and both sexes have short but sharp horns, ringed at the base and gently curved backwards. The longest pair recorded barely exceed a foot in length. Nevertheless, in spite of his awkward appearance and in- significant-looking weapons, the serow 1s an animal of much character. HWxtremely active, he frequents the most difficult and steep ground, though he does not range to a very high elevation; and he is not only dangerous to man when brought to bay, but is said to be a match even for the terrible dholes or wild dogs (Cyon dukhun- ensis), the worst foes of Indian big game. ND For the accompanying ilustration, said to Tne Banting, be unique of its kind, the or Javan writer is indebted to the Wild Ox. Governor of one of the pro- vinces of Java. It represents a cow and a calf of the Banting, or wild ox of Java (Bos sondaicus), a near relative of the Indian gaur (Bos gawrus), but distinguished, among other features, by the circumstance that old bulls ave alone dark-coloured (nearly black in this instance), as well as by the presence of a horny boss between the bases of the horns, by the much smaller develop- ment of the hump on the withers, and by the conspicuous white blaze on the rump. In English collections, whether of living animals or of their skins, the wild banting is among the rarest of the larger mammals. The last specimen exhibited in the Zoological Gardens in the Regent’s Park was a bull (whether adult, history sayeth not) presented so long ago as 1863 by Sir Arthur Phayre ; and as this came from Pegu, it was not (as will be shown below) a member of the typical Javan race. The British Museum possesses the mounted skin of a very old bull from Java, but in too bad a_ state for exhibition; and (in addition to skulls and horns) the species is represented in the public galleries only by a stuffed specimen THE BANTING, OR JAVAN WILD OX. 304 of the domesticated Javan breed, and by two heads of the Burmese race. The latter (locally known as ‘“T'saine”’) differs from the typical Javan animal by the tawny colour of the fully adult bulls. The only mounted specimen of a Javan bull in good condition in this country is a head in the collection of Sir Hdmund Loder, at Leonard’s Lee, near Horsham. Mr. F. E. Blaauw, of Graveland, Holland, is, however, the fortunate owner of one or more living examples of this (in Hurope) rare animal. Very little is known of the habits of + the true banting in the wild state. The species is, however, kept in a domesti- cated condition both in Java and in the neighbouring island of Batchian, in both of which it apparently constitutes the common, if not the only, breed of the country. ND The Wallachian Sheep. SEVERAL of the con- tinental countries of South- Hast- ern Hurope and South- Western Asia are the home of a very remark- able breed, or rather of several closely-allied breeds, of sheep characterised by the corkscrew-like form of the long and slender horns of the rams. As shown in our illustration, which is taken from a ram of the Wallachian breed, these sheep have black faces, ears, and legs, and long bushy tails. The fleece is also rather dark-coloured, and consists of long, shaggy wool mingled with hair. The most striking feature is, however, undoubtedly formed by the horns, which are present in both sexes, although very much smaller in the ewes than in the rams. It is said these horns attain their finest development WALLACHIAN SHEEP. Animal Life in the Cretan breed. In the Wallachian breed, however, they are also of great length, and diverge at about an angle of 45 degrees from the middle lime of the head. In the Hungarian breed the divergence is very much less, the two horns forming a narrow Y. It will be seen that the horns form a regular closely-twisted corkscrew-like spiral, recalling that of the lesser kudu among the antelopes, and the markhor among the wild goats. By linneus the spike-horned sheep was regarded as a species distinct from the one represented by the ordinary domesti- cated breeds; and there is much to be said in favour of this view. In Wood’s “oN a tu rail BiG wOw iy there 1s, how- ever, a figure of a Walla- chian, or Cre- tan, sheep, in which the horns at first take a down- ward and in- ward curve like those of an ordinary ram, and then shoot up- wards in the straight corkscrew-like spiral, of which, by the way, the twists are much more open than in the specimen here figured. Whether this is true to nature or a fancy of the artist is not easy to determine; if the former, it suggests that these sheep are nearer to the ordinary breeds than is commonly supposed. Apparently these sheep are by no means uncommon’ in their native countries, although it is difficult to ascertain whether they take the place of the ordinary breeds, or whether they are a special half-wild breed. Authentic information on this point would be of interest. Those that Chew the Cud 305 THE young Beisa Oryx, shown in the Another 2¢COMpanying photo- Regimental graphs, was caught by a Po British officer a few months ago. At first it was very wild and neryous, but the kindly cow in the photograph (a loan to the same officer by a friendly Somali sheikh) took pity on it and brought it up with her own calf, which may also be seenin the photograph looking out under its mother’s nose. The little oryx has gone many marches, packed comfortably on a camel’s hack, and it originally had as a companion another baby antelope, an awal or agate: aS é PEEPS A YOUNG BEISA ORYX AND ITS FOSTER-MOTHER. familiar with the sight of the bottle. It is quite amusing to see — the strugele that takes place when the lady in the photograph appears with the milk, and it will be seen that the animals look no worse for this substitute for their parent.” Photo by Herbert Lazenby. TAKING THE BOTTLE. Scemmerring’s gazelle, also to be seen in the photograph, packed on the camel; but that has unfortunately died since. The photographs, taken in Somali- land, have been kindly sent to us by Mrs. Barnard. ie “TE enclosed photograph,” writes Mr. Taking the Herbert Lazenby, “shows Bottle. the method of feeding lambs which have been forsaken by the mother. The lambs draw the nulk from 3 v7 Se the bottle by the aid of a large teat, and é Bee ; ae it is astonishing how soon they become ORYX PaCKED ON A CAMEL, ZOO NOTES. Tis, the only Pelican found in Australia, is oasily distinguished from all The the other laree pelicans by Australian Be i : ie Pelican, the largo amount of black in its plumage—the others only having the quills black —and by having the bare skin of the face restricted to a ring round the eyes, whence its scientific name of Pelecanus conspicillatus—the Spectacled Pelican. Tt breeds on the @round, and, like the other big pelicans, is a surlace-foeder, reaching down for its food while swimming. Like rally, th does remark- ably well in captivity, au specimen having lived at the Tondon pelicans gene- Yoological Gardens for over thirty-two years, Lt showed no signs of age when the writer last saw it, im 1897, and the keeper afterwards that whon it died it passed away so quietly, in the ordinary position sid Photo by Wy Py Dando, IAS, of repose, that at first he thought it was merely asleep, Pelicans have, however, been known to live in cap- tivity much longer than this. It is a curious fact that these large pelicans are not a match for the ordinary white swan; im St. James's Park a common pelican (2?. enro- crofalus) was killed by one of these birds, and another swan in the Caleutha Zoological Gardons accounted for two pelicans, one of the Australian and the Speclos, one of common We* Tim poor little chimpanzee so named is now no like his panion Susan,’ whose likeness appeared a little while MOLE, COM “Jimmy.” ago, “Jimmy” was AUSTRALIAN never strone, and he recently succumbed to pheumonia following on influenza, Indeed, the Ape House was recently visited by an la grippe, but owing to the excellent arrangement of the building the results were not very serious, “ Jimmiy’s” being the only fatal case, It is a great pity these anthropoid apes are so delicate, but no doubt if they were properly cared for at the time of capture, their constitutions would be better able fo bear the trials of captivity. Some day, perhaps, the various Zoological Gardens of Murope may find it worth while to finance aw joint scheme for the epidemic ol proper management of the capture and export of such valu- able and interesting animals these, keeping a trustworthy agent in their native countries, who could be depended upon to give them proper treatment from the first, aus PILTOAN, and not to ship them till they were thoroughly robust and the time of year favourable. Under these conditions, chim- panzees, orangs, &e., would no doubt prove very much easier to manage when they arrived in this country. we Tris species (Pelecanies fuscus) is not very appropriately named, since the prevailing hue in the plumage of the old bird is a silver-grey, the head being eream-colour and. the neck dark brown. ‘he young, however, are of av general dull light-brown colour, This species is the smallest of the pelicans, about The Brown Pelican. 306 Zoo Notes 4 « JTMMY.” The last photograph taken before his death in January. equalling an ordinary size, but its bill and pouch are much larger in proportion than those of the bigger species goose in of pelicans. It has also unusually long wings and short legs, and, unlike the large pelicans, fishes on the wing, plunging down on its prey lke a gannet; it goes completely under water, and comes up with its head facing in the opposite direction to that it took in making the plunge. It is a sea- coast bird, and is confined to the warmer parts of North America, where it usually COMMON GULL. Photos by W. P. Dando, Regent's Park. F.Z.S., 307 BROWN PELICAN. where time been breeds. On Pelican Island, however, these birds have for some protected, the great number breeding has resulted in the destruction of the trees to a great extent, so that the pelicans have taken to buildimg on the ground, thus showing that birds are willing to change their habits considerably rather than leave a locality to which they have become attached. Although the change of conditions in captivity must be much greater in its case, the Brown Pelican lives as well in that condition as the larger and less active species. sulle, UPR ay ‘win AUSTRALIAN THICK-KNEE. 308 Animal THE Common Gull (Larus canus) is also not quite properly named, for with us at all events it certainly 1s not so common as the herring eull (L. argentatus) or the laughing gull (L. ridibundus), to which last species most of our winter visitors to London belong. The common gull is one of the smaller species, being little bigger than the lanehing eull, although more stoutly made. In its pure erey and white plumage it much resembles the similar-sized kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), but the latter may be distinguished when in adult plumage by its blackish feet, the feet of the common gull beimg pale ereenish in colour. The young birds of the two species are very differ- ent, young kittiwakes being grey and white With a black band on each wing and at the tip of thre tail, while young com- mon gulls are of a mottled drab, and look much like small editions of the young herring gull. Unhke the kittiwake, which is essentially a sea-bird and a cliff-breeder, the common gull breeds on low shores, and is especially addicted to coming inland. The Common Gull. WHITE-HEADED SEA-EAGLE, ¢ Wa" Thick-Knees or Stone-Curlews form a small family of birds closely allied to the plovers, which they nearly resemble in shape, though they are very much larger as a rule. They may, however, be easily distinguished by having the corner of the mouth extending THE The Australian Thick=Knee. Photos by W. P. Dando, F.Z.5. os to the eye, while in the true plovers it terminates below the forehead. They are night birds and have large yellow eyes, whence in India they are called gogele- eyed plovers. The present bird (Burhinus grallarius) 1s the largest of the family m linear measurement, though in bulk and stoutness of build it is inferior to the great- billed stone-plovers (4¥sacus) of India and Australia. These great plovers do well in captivity, and the present kind and the common Indian great-billed species (4i’sacus recurvirostris) exhibit a peculiar habit of rushing about with wings and tail expanded so as to display their conspicuous black and white markings, which are concealed in repose. A similar habit has been ob- served with our Hng- lish stone- curlew (47. crepitans) when at hiberty. DD THIS 18S The White=- headed WHITE-TAILED Sea-Eagle. SEA-EAGLE, the Haliaétus leucocephalus of ornithologists, and the “Bald Hagle” and “Bird of Free- dom” of American writers, the national emblem of the United States. Benjamin Franklin, indeed, objected to its use in this capacity, alleging that it was a rascally bird and did not get its living honestly, pre- ferring to rob the industrious osprey of the fruits of its piscatorial labours. But, after all, this accusation might be brought against eagles in general; in India the osprey is victimised by the white-bellied sea-eagle (H. lewcogaster), and in the same country one of the hunting eagles (Aquila vindhiana) Zoo gains much of its livelihood by robbing kites and falcons of their prey. The White-headed Eagle is certainly one of the most striking in appearance of the whole aquilme group; its dark-brown plumage is well set off by its pure white head and tail, and in size it about equals the golden eagle. The young are dark all over, and as they are a little longer in feather than their parents, and thus look larger, they were at first described as a separate species. A pair of white-headed eagles once actually bred in the London Zoological Gardens, but the eggs were not hatched. Vy Tuts fine bird, sometimes called the Erne (Haliaétus albicilla), is the only sea-eagle to be found over a large part of the north- ern shores of the Old World, while it also inhabits Greenland. The erne is certainly not equal to the white-headed eagle in beauty, though equalling it in size; the adult being of drab colour throughout, with the exception of the white tail. The young have the tail mottled with brown. Although this bird nowadays does not breed in our islands, the young frequently visit us, and White-tailed Sea-Eagle. Notes 309 are of course shot, and generally reported as “Golden Eagles”! The true golden eagle (Aquila chrysaétus) may, however, always be distinguished by its feathered shanks; these in all the sea eagles being bare. CHAMZILEONS. Dy Mr. Danpo’s camera has very happily caught some of the characteristic attitudes of these absurd-looking reptiles. Particu- larly noticeable is the way in which the left- hand specimen has taken a turn of his tail round the bough, as if his slow movements and strong graspmg feet were not enough to secure safety from falls. This species of chameleon (Chameleon vulgaris) is fre- quently imported, but is not very easy to keep. It will, indeed, live for some time even without feeding; but, according to Dr. Gadow in his excellent book on reptiles, the real difficulty is to keep it through the winter, unless it has been well fed up and got into good condition previously. More- over the dealers seem usually to be unaware of the fact that these creatures need water, and will commonly only take it in the form of drops; hence those in shops are apt to be so thirsty that they are dull and unwilling to feed. Sprinkling the twigs or leaves in their cage will give them a chance Chamzleons. SS Photos by iW. P. Dando, F.Z.S. NILE 310 to revive, and once they can be got to feed and take a variety of food they have a fair chance of survival. They must of course be kept in a warm place, and no one should attempt to keep them who cannot conunand a constant supply of living insect food of some kind. ‘This species of cham- wleon is found in North Africa, Syria, and Asia Minor, and also in a few places in Spain. It is the species which was known to the ancients, and gave rise to the proverbial expressions of the chameeleon’s change of colour and power of feeding on air. Ws" great general similarity in the appearance and habits of croco- THERE is ¢ Nile Crocodile. diles, but the N. Afri- can species (Crocodilus niloticus) 1s peculiarly interesting as being the real original crocodile, which, says Herodotus, the Weyp- tians called champsa, but the Greeks cro- codile, after the croco- diles which were on the walls—of course, lizards of kind. In this connection it is interesting to note that the Greeks still eall the lizard Stellio vulgaris by the name of crocodile, according to Dr. Kriiper (quoted in Mr. Dresser’s ‘‘ Birds of Europe”), who found this reptile to be a common prey of the rave Hleonoran Faleon (alco eleonor@) on the island of Myconos. The Nile Crocodile is an African species, and also inhabits Madagascar, where it is extremely numerous. Although it seems to have been very common in Lower Weypt even in historical times, it is now practicatly exterminated there. It is, Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.8. some \, NORTH ALDABRA GIANT TORTOISE Animal Life of course, a fierce and dangerous reptile, but the largest specimens do not appear to equal in size the biggest Indian ‘“ Muggers “—a specimen of the Hstuarine Crocodile of the Hast (C. porosws) having been known to attain the enormous length of thirty-three feet. The largest specimen of the Nile crocodile in the British Museum is less than half this length. The individual figured here is about a yard long, and has been in the Zoological Gardens more than three years; if came from Hast Africa. We As one of the species of gigantic tortoises, North Aldabra NOw, alas! so rapidly approach- Tortoise. ing their extinction, Vestudo gigantea 1s worthy of more than a passing glance from the visitor to the Zoo. There are at the time of writing this no less than eleven species on view in tine i on= toise House. These vary consider- ably in age and size, the largest being only a few inches short of five feet alone the curve of the shell, and weighing about six hundredweight. It is quite possible that this specimen is three hundred years old! This species is now quite extinct in its original home, the North Island of Aldabra, but a good many specimens are still kept im a semi-domesti- ‘ated state in the Seychelles. These large tortoises, both the Hastern species and those of the Galapagos, have been carried about a good deal, and one of the present species has lived at St. Helena for more than a hundred years, A NATURALIST’S NOTES FROM THE BUSH. By Cyrin Grant LANe. TV. THE AUSTRALIAN LYRE-BIRD. T all times when reference is made to the Australian Lyre-Bird I seem to be swiftly transported to the forest home of these singularly interesting birds; to hear, as it were, the subdued splashing of the scrub-embowered, fern-hidden creeks flowing over the bed-rock of their chosen course from down the mountain-gullies, deeply shaded by canopies of promiscuous foliage, which, by its very density, defies the brilhant actinic rays of cloudless skies to filter through the secret depths of shadow and illumine the crystal waters flowing beneath: to be midst solemn mountains studded from base to summit with the softly-gleamimg trunks of the mountain-ash, clothed with the olive-brown of their tapering, pendulous leaves: instinctively to feel that great hush so impressive, that calm and dignified silence so potent a part in the whole atmosphere of a mountainous region: and then, listen to the lyre-bird! The dogwood scrub thrusts its slender canes up towards the greater light; the supplejack, with toughened strands and sinuous tendrils, clasps the vegetation in powerful embrace, while the drooping fronds of ten thousand graceful tree-ferns gently fan the flower-scented atmosphere and shade the deep rich soil from the fiercer heat of the sun. From the margin of all such creeks rank patches of bracken-fern creep up the rugged sides of the contiguous ranges, covering their slopes with a mantle of green and brown, and affording to the entire animal life of the locality admirable cover from the ravages of their respective enemies. Here, among these great quiet ranges, where a perpetual softened twilight percolates in delicate shafts of green and amber hue through the reticulate masses of foliage, is the ideal home, the true haunt, of the most wonder- ful bird-vocalist resident in the forest depths of the bush. I feel that im taking up my pen to write of this bird all diftidence and hesi- tation may be waived on one side, for I have known the lyre-bird in its every phase of life, am conversant with its every habit, mood, and feature of interest, and best of all, am familiar with the almost unlimited ability it possesses of imi- tating the variety of sounds common to its environment. Ee To see and judge of Photo by Cyril Grant TES the bird for one’s self it THE HAUNT OF THE LYRB-BIRD, oll 312 Animal Life is strictly necessary to visit just such localities as are described above; for there the lyre-bird moves about with a spirit of perfect freedom, waking the still forest depths with the charm of its wonderful voice. To gain a correct idea of the bird’s talent in mocking sounds with which it is familiar, it is a sine qua non that one should be other than ignorant of the general “music of the ranges,” for a far greater conception of its vocal powers can be received when, in the multiplicity of sounds issuing from that one able throat, the call-notes and songs of other birds are recognised. The harsh notes of the wattle-bird, the bugling of leather-heads (friar-birds), and the liquid whistling of the native thrush, are about as dissimilar in tone and manner of production as it is possible for the call-notes of birds to be, yet all are so perfectly imitated as frequently to give rise to feelings of incredulity even among practical bushmen. Then again, the ery of the curlew, which is at all times sad in the extreme, long-drawn and very penetrating, bears no resemblance to the whining, querulous screams of the black cockatoo; nor are the inquiring flute-lke notes of the mountaim magpie lke the continuous, noisy laughter of the merry laughing jackass, or the incessant chattermg of parrots; but to the lyre-bird it is an easy task to imitate them all to perfection. The lyre-bird seems particularly fond of mocking the strange notes of the coach- whip-bird. The long, scarce-audible, sighing note is beautifully produced; then comes that sharp, loud crack, echoing all down the gully, which so forcibly reminds one of the report of a well-handled coach-whip. Like most other birds, the lyre-bird is silent during, certain periods of the day, and to those unaccustomed to assign the niunutest causes to the actual presence of the bird, the great shady gulhes appear. to be untenanted by any such illustrious vocalist. On the other hand, to those conversant with the signs and symbols of the bush, there is ample proof of thei presence in localities frequented by them. When strolling among the belts of dogwood scrub bordering the creeks, we see the deep black soil scratched and furrowed just as the earth in a back-yard is disturbed by domestic poultry. Keeping a watchful eye upon the ground as we press aside the cane-like scrub and edge our way round the butt of a monstrous forest tree, we shall probably be rewarded by finding some of those long graceful feathers and hair-lke appendages, which latter constitute so singular a feature in the lyre-bird’s tail. As a matter of fact I have seen (apparently perfect) specimens of the birds’ tails which, in reality, are a collection of feathers gathered from the lyre-bird haunts and cleverly arranged in natural order to deceive the buyer; for, on account of the handsome ornament provided in a well set-up tail, there is considerable demand for them. Of late years, however, the stricter enforcement of the Protection Act serves to shield the birds from wanton slaughter. Should the locality prove to be the true home of the lyre- bird, its nest will sooner or later be seen, although—to those uninitiated into the ways of these birds—it will not be recognised as such. I have sometimes been asked what site the lyre-bird may be considered to favour specially, and as a result of long and interested experience I can but reply that the lyre-bird is as changeful, and, I almost feel inclined to say, humorous as the little jenny-wren of the British Isles in its choice of a nesting-place. In Gippsland, among the Angora ranges, Tambo valley, I saw a nest of this bird partially protruding from a huge hollow limb some twenty-five feet above the ground. It is interesting to know that when a nest is placed in a position some feet above terra-firma it is absolutely necessary for the bird to mount the side of the range or some well-branched tree before it can hope to reach its nest, for the simple reason that lyre-birds cannot rise straight up off the ground in manner like an English A Naturalist’s Notes from the Bush evi) “rocketer,’ but are obliged to mount gradually some loftier object than the nest from which to float on expanded wings to the desired goal. Among the forested ranges at the base of Mount Torbrek I saw a nest conspicuously built upon the splintered stooaial of a lofty stump, standing erect in the midst of a grove of fern-trees. In the wilderness of rock lying away at the back of the Cathedral Mount I have detected the nests of these birds in a variety of positions, such as resting upon ledges, jambed tightly into fissures, or ensconced among the roots of the out-jutting scrub which clambers so profusely over the boulders. : Where the country is deeply furrowed by mountain water-courses and dense with the vegetable life of a virgin forest I have most frequently found the nest on, or very ’ [be + Photo by Loghorne, Wood's Pcint. VICTORIAN LYRE-BIRDS DANCING ON THEIR * HEAP.’ near, the ground, in which case it is generally covered with a heavy dome, entrance being made through an opening in one side. My experience of the bird and its nursery suggests that it is merely an exception to the rule when the nest lacks this roofing of twigs and bark, of which material the whole structure is comprised. The massy, spacious top or crown of a tall tree-fern is not infrequently utilised as a suitable position for nesting purposes, and in consequence of the abundant foliage shooting out on all sides, forms at least a safe, secluded retreat. THE BUDGERIGAR. THe tiny Australian parraquet locally known as the budgerigar, but frequently termed in Europe the Australian lovye-bird, shell parraquet, or grass parraquet, is one of the prettiest and most elegantly coloured of the smaller members of its group. Scientifically it is known as Melopsittacus undulatus; and it is the sole representative of its group. It forms an excellent cage-bird. NOTES AND ESSERE a GARDEN SPIDER AND NEST. SPIDERS would appear to be creatures not well adapted for taming ; never- theless the writer knows of an instance where fauly suc- cessful results were obtained by an attempt to gain the confidence and affections of a member of this group; “Mrs. Spider,” it is said, answering to the call of her master. The true, or web-making, spiders, of which the ordinary garden, or cross, spider is in this country one of the most familiar examples, bring themselves most promi- nently into notice by the structures from which they take their name. In addition to these, the females, however, construct nests in which are deposited the eggs; the nests of the common house-spider taking the form of small cocoons of silky material, frequently placed in the corners of neglected rooms or outhouses. The nest of the garden spider is shown in the photograph. Spiders of different species display marked variability in the amount of attention they bestow on their nests and offspring. “The garden spider, which, by the way, generally suspends its nursery on or near the web, leaves its young to shift for themselves. Certain other species, on the contrary, remain for a certain period on guard in the neighbour- hood of the nest, and look after the young when hatched. The fineness and at the same Garden Spider and Nest. COMMENTS. time the strength of spider-silk is familiar to all; but it is probably less well known that a few years ago an establishment was formed in France for the purpose of obtaining this silk in quantities sufficient for commercial use. Large numbers of spiders were kept, and their silk worked off from time to time on reels. For a time, at any rate, the experiment was stated to be a success; but we have not heard lately of the progress of the new venture. SE “A FEw days ago,’ writes Mr. Herbert Lazenby, “whilst walking in the country I heard the squeak of a mouse, which appeared to come from under some loose grass near to my feet. I carefully removed the grass, and found a nest of the Field-Mouse with four young ones, which I photographed for the readers of AnrmMAL Lire. ‘The young mice appeared to be only a day or two old, and were very funny little animals with perfectly smooth skins. ‘The nest was well made of fine grass, and the young ones appeared quite snug.” Nest of Young Field= Mice. NEST OF YOUNG FIELD-MICE. 314 Notes and Comments a THE two annexed photographs of Scorpions, readers of Annan Lire. These creatures Scorpionsiane ele one showing a male and (for we must not call them insects) vary rest and in female in repose, and the other much in size, but are all nocturnal in their a couple of males fighting, habits, skulking under stones or bark during combat. SCORPIONS FIGHTING. serve to illustrate an interesting chapter in the daytime. Although the sting of the Mr. Lydekker’s “ Mostly Mammals,’—a book small European species does not inflict a which we take for granted is familiar to all severe wound, that caused by the larger 316 tropical kinds is a very serious matter indeed. Despite the fact that in the species in which the tail is light it is generally carried straight, whenever the sting 1s about to be brought into use the tail is curved over the back and the wound inflicted by a forward thrust of its weapon. Apparently when male scorpions fight with one another the sting is invariably brought into use, as in our first illustration; but its effects are much less severe in such instances than when other creatures are attacked, for it has been proved that scorpion-poison is innocuous to the creatures by which it is produced. This, it may be added, effectually disposes of the old legend that a scorpion when surrounded by a ring of fire (from the effects of which, it may be incidentally remarked, it would speedily perish) puts an end to its misery by turning its tail over its back and stinging itself to death. Although apparently unprepossessing animals for pets, My. Pocock, the new Superimtendent of the “Zoo,” says that scorpions can easily be tamed and taught to know thei master. We THosE who are fortunate enough to be owners of a country residence oung : ae ceo ORES: situated alongside of a fox- covert cannot fail to be delighted with the playful gambols of the fox-cubs when they leave their “earths” in early evening to wander about in the neighbour- hood and to be taught the business of life PS ens SANE SCORPIONS AT REST; MALE Animal Life by the vixen. Few persons, by the way, know the reason why the female fox is called by the latter name; and yet, as Sir Herbert Maxwell has told us m the third volume of that delightful series of books entitled “Memories of the Months,” it is merely the south-west country pronunciation of foxen, said to be the Saxon feminine of fox (see also Johnston’s “ British Mammals’). Per- haps we may be permitted to suggest that it may really be a Saxon plural, as in ‘oxen,’ and that the singular was ‘‘vix.” Curiously enough, in that well-known work “ Bell’s British Quadrupeds” there appears to be no mention of the fact that fox-cubs, like puppies, are born blind. This omission is, however, supplied in Sir Harry Johnston’s volume of the Wobwn Library, m which we ave told that they do not open their eyes until about the tenth day. _ As regards the playful habits of the cubs, the following extract from a correspondent of Bell may be given: “ We have ourselves noticed the playfulness of young foxes, and may observe that they can be watched without giving them the least alarm, # the observer be elevated only a few feet from the ground. Seated in the top of a pollard ash, we have watched for an hour at a time, without exciting the least suspicion, several half-grown foxes, although they were con- tinually within a few feet of us.” Although differmg somewhat in colour, fox-cubs ave otherwise miniatures of their pavents—veritable “chips of the old block.” NS AND FEMALE. THE GAIT AND FLIGHT OF BIRDS. By FRANK FINN, B.A., F.Z.S. Fig. 1. Ostrich’s Foot. Eee as a general rule birds employ but one pair of limbs at a time in executing the movements necessary for progression, there is a considerable amount of variety in their actions, which are often much misrepresented even by scientific writers. When moving on the ground, birds have in the ordinary way but two modes of progression—walking, when each foot is advanced alternately, and hopping, when both are moved together in a series of leaps. By increasing the rapidity of the alternate movements the walk is converted into a run, which is often very rapid. As a general rule, birds are digitigrade—that is to say, they walk on the toes only, the whole surface of at least the three anterior toes being applied to the ground. But there are a few exceptions. The Ostrich carries the digitigrade mode of progression to a greater length than any other bird, the basal joints of its two toes beg raised off the ground, so that the foot has a pastern like that of an ordinary ungulate mammal. To this, no doubt, the peculiar springy gait of this great bird is due (see Fig. 1). On the other hand, some birds in which the shank (wrongly called in ornithology the tarsus) 1s peculiarly short : apply this also to the ground in walking, i}8) Stock-Dove 60 262, Stone-Curlew 6, 8, 99, 30, 31, 3d Hatch é F 5 Storks ; (144 The Indian Adjutant 26 = =» 216 Stridulating Apparatus < of Cicadas ... 269 Struthionide 5 ano A neo. JUST Sugar-Birds «.. 202 Sun-Birds ... a 201 Sun-Fishes, Dentition of ... 289 Suricate, The 2 s-- 334 Surniculus lugubris a =. of. “Susan,” The Chimpanzee ... .-. 250 Swallow-Plovers.. ... 368 Swallow-tailed Butterfly, Scarce .. 386, Swallows 148, 201 Shrikes -co OL Swans .-. 143 Australian oo MIB} Black-necked... S65 «-- 212 Common or Mute ... - 336 Royal Thames 20 8 Flight of 322 Swifts a e 148, 201 Spine- tailed ... . 323 T Tamre LEOPARD, THE STORY OF A 247 Tadorna cornuta... 500 ie 372 Tahr, Himalayan 36, 38 Nilgiri_... 36, 38 Tailor-Bird .-- 203 Tanagers 202 Tapaculos ze 106 Tapir, Dentition of 115 Teals, Andaman . o74 Terns.. F 144 Testudo gigantea --. B10 Tetrodon 3 . 288 Thamin Deer 13 Thick-Knee ooo _ Australian —... -. 308 Thoroughbred Horse, Origin of the -.- 249 Thrushes ... os 3 te: 179, 203 Tiger, Clouded Peo) Indian ... : 73, 74 In the Jungle _ 381 Tinamous ... 5 146 Tits os ‘178, 179, 204 Greater wee 2D Toads oh . 136 Gait of .. vee 24 Todies a ag AG{0) Tortoise, Large Greaved «.. 340 North Aldabra . 310 Toucans oo UGY0) Touracous . wee . 150 ey ragelaphus scriptus 060 36 sylwaticus ox Bt) Trervonine ... . 318 Triodon ° ss. 289 Tritylodon, Dentition of .. 227 Trogons... 200 = ... 148 Tropic- Birds 00 ww 1d4 Troupial, Red- winged . .. 378 Troupials ... oD . 202 Trumpeters fs Tuatera, Dentition of . Turdus boulbout.. torquatus Turkey, American Br onze Brush ... 200 White ... Turkeys Tyrants U Uncommon PEtTs— PAGE 14, 42, 86, 106, 170, 229, 263, 294, 331, 349, 7 Umbrella-Bird Ungulates, Recognition-marks on. Uroaétus audax . Vv Vampire, African False Indian False ... Vidua paradisea... Viverra civetta matlaccensis tangalunga zubetta ... 6S Vultures, American Old World Riippell’s Flight of Wagtails Wallaby... Wallachian Sheep Wallaroo Walrus 0 Dentition of - Wanderoo Monkey Wapiti, American Manchurian ... co one Warblers ... 266 one Bos American Wasps Waterbuck.. Female.. Water-Rats — Waxwings ... 500 Wealden Fishes ... Weavers... Whale Fishing... Whales, Antarctic Arctic ... cco Dentition of . White-headed Sea. Eagle, The White-tailed Sea Hae The... Whydah Bird és Paradise Willow-Wren Wolf, Arctic Prairie ... White ... Breeding Pets... Wolf-Fish, Dentition of Wombat, The Woodcocks.. Wood-Hewers Woodpeckers Flight of 200 Wood- “pigeon Hybrids .. Worm, Japanese Palolo. Wrasses, Dentition of ... Wrens noe a0 OY Ypecaha Rail Z Zoo NotEs— 9, 35, 73, 99, 132, ZOOLOGICAL Beane IN 1903 Zebra 20 300 = Beet Mountain Dentition of . Zonures as é Zoo of Khartoum — Zoos of N. Hurope PRINTED BY A, C. 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Od. ,, a SOME PRESS NOTICES “The illustrations from life are worth all the money.”— “Likely to make all other popular Natural Histories Field. obsolete.” —Literary World. “The reliance on photography for the illustrations is admirably justified by the results.”—Academy. “One of the most remarkable works ever undertaken in “The best popular Natural History extant.’”—Scotsman. Natural History.—New York Herald. ‘Without parallel. As a contribution to NATURAL History its value cannot be overestimated.”—Daily Mail. Loxnpox: HUTCHINSON & CO., Patrrnoster Row. ADVERTISHMENTS Hl. -o ANIMAL LIFE x- And the World of Nature. CONTENTS, AUGUST, 1908. Frontispircr : SOME CURIOUSLY-COLOURED BATS. From an original painting by Harington Bird. 1. THE BIRD LIFE OF THE BRECK DISTRICT, PART II. - - 3 = 5 - By Wm. Farren 29 Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. 2. ZOO NOTES - - - - - Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. PAGE - - By W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 35 3. MIDGES? GNATS? OR MOSQUITOES ? - - - - - - By T. A. Gerald Strickland, F.E.S. 40 Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. : 4. UNCOMMON PETS - - - - - - - - By P. Wellington Farmborough, F.Z.S., F.E.S., etc. 42 VIII. LIZARDS. Tlustrated with Photographs. 5. SOME CURIOUSLY-COLOURED BATS - - - - - - - - - - - By R. Lydekker 45 6. MORE ARCTIC DOGS—AND OTHERS - - - - - - - - 2 = 2 = = 3 = dé) Illu trated with Photographs. 7. ANIMAL ANECDOTES - - - - - - - = 5 = - - 2 s = = S se 5a Tllustrated with Drawings. 8. NOTES AND COMMENTS - - - - - - = 2 2 = = 2 = - = a Be 5G Illustrated with Photographs. e 47 Drawings and Photographs. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) The Editor will be glad to consider any Contributions of a switable nature for ANIMAL Lire, and provided they are accompanied by a sufficiently STAMPED AND ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, he will endeavour to return promptly MSS. and photographs of which he cannot make use, but he cannot hold himself responsible for accidental loss, though every care will be taken to secure their safe return. g Articles and Notes should be short and of general interest; whenever possible, they should be accompanied by photographs (silver prints) and a written statement giving permission to reproduce them. Unless otherwise arranged, MSS. and photographs will be paid for on publication at the usual rates of this Magazine. Anima Lire can be obtained at all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the offices of the Publishers, post free, for 10/- per annum. The Publishers would be glad to hear from any reader who may experience difficulty in procuring copies. The views expressed in the Articles appearing in this Magazine are those of thew respective Authors, and do not necessarily represent thuse of the Editor. The Bedford Conservatories, | [Coupon No. 1.| Aviaries & Aquarium .. Animal Life Prize Competition over COVENT GARDEN MARKET. la here insert A, B or C, Fresh arrivals daily, including— Class (es the case may ee eee eee Green Tree Frogs, 6d.each. Grass Snakes, 4s. & 1/6. Italian Toads, 2/6 each. Australian Lizards, 25s. Green Lizards, 1/6 each. Wall Lizards, 4s. own original and unaided work and has not been Land Tortoises, 1s. to 2/6. Water Tortoises, 9d. to 10/5 Also Rare and Foreign Birds, including Pet Piping Bullfinches, from 50s. I hereby certify that this Photograph is my exlibited or reproduced before. Sigmed a Private Prepaid Advertisements HOW, TOUTE secre Rrcctnsesaemic: Ce eerie erates eee ee ee Advcrtisements for this page should reach the Advertising Manager, ‘‘ Animal Life,’’ 34, Paternoster Row, London, by the end of the month. They should be prepaid at the rate of 1d. a word; minimum, 2s. Replies to advertisements can be received at this office, free of charge. ONAN GOD OS Sy aera enc ee ee OE Send Stamp to “THE VIVARIUM,” Wexsr Bromwicu, for list of fine healthy Reptiles and Batrachians. Constant arrivals from all parts of the world. No rubbish offered. Satisfaction guaranteed. Iv. ADVERTISEMENTS NOW READY. LOUIS WAIN’S SUMMER BOOK Price One Shilling. THE PALL MALL GAZETTE says: ‘It would be difficult for any parent on holiday-making bent to find a better present for a little girl or boy than Louis Wain’s ‘Summer Book for 1903,’ which Messrs. Hutchinson have just published. The stories are simple without being silly, and there are 143 illustrations by Mr. Wain. That speaks for itself.” “ Just the thing for the children; amusing and entertaining. A never-ending source of enjoyment.”—ST. JAMES’ GAZETTE. “ Will more than sustain his reputation. It would be a strange child indeed who did not find endless pleasure and amusement in this ‘Summer Book.’ ”—SKETCH. ‘A veritable marvel of cheapness.’’ THE CONCISE KNOWLEDGE NATURAL HISTORY Edited by ALFRED H. MILES. By R. Lyprxxer, B.A., F.R.S., V.P.G.S.; R. Bowpntrr SHarps, LL.D.; W. F. Kirsy, F.L.8., F.E.S.; W. Garsrane, M.A., F.Z.S.; B. B. Woopwakp, F.L.S., F.G.S.; F. A. Barun, M.A., F.G.S.; R. Kirgparrick; R. I. Pocock; H. M. Brrnarp, M.A., F.L.S. With 530 Original Illustrations. Over 75O pages. In half bound leather and gilt, 5S.s “ fixcellently arranged, beautifully printed, neatly illustrated, and sensibly and strongly bound. It isa model of how a book of reference should be produced. Its contributors are the highest authorities on zoological science.’”’—Pall Mall Gazette. NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE Illustrating the Nature, Habits, Manners and Customs of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, etc. Arranged and Edited by ALFRED H. MILES NEW EDITION In handsome gilt cloth, 3s. Gd. “©A Natural History Classic.’’ BRITISH VEG ETABLE GALLS An Introduction to their Study By E. T. CONNOLD In handsome cloth gilt, 15s. net. With 130 full-page plates and 27 smaller drawings. Printed on art paper. “Mr. Connold deals with the subject in quite a fascinating style.”—Daily Telegraph. “Well worthy of study both by botanists and entomologists.”— Pall Mall Gazette. “Nothing but praise can be bestowed upon the general get-up of the book on British Vegetable Galls.”—Manchester Guardian. Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO. will send post free to any address, on receipt of a post card, their new Bibliography ~ of works on Natural History ome: SMOMCIMINSON ¢ CO., Duman Son ADVERTISEMENTS ANOTHER GREAT ENTERPRISE | IN NOT MORE THAN 18 FORTNIGHTLY PARTS. PRICE 7d. EACH NET | PART I. NOW READY L LIVING PLANT LEAF, FLOWER AND FRUIT A POPULAR BOOK ON Each Part is re-read and revised a month Every line has been specially written, and bef : every Illustration spe- B O [ A N Y in TREE Accurate = Reliable clally reproduced for this great New Work FOR THE GENERAL READER Up-to-date BY A. E. KNIGHT anv EDWARD STEP, F.L.S. WITH OVER 700 Illustrations, including many Superb Photographs printed on Art Paper, the whole being specially reproduced for this Work The Coloured Plate in Part I. is by SIR HARRY JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G. When complete, THE LIVING PLANT will, it is believed, be the only book of its kind, viz., A SIMPLIFIED STUDY OF BOTANY for General Readers, wherein the essentials of the Science are presented in a complete and popular manner PHOTOGRAPHS OF PLANT LIFE SEVEN HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS On the popular Installment Plan. Light to handle, Light to read, Up-to-date, Accurate Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row Miewne 4 2 OV Se Cosa ar ae ee " - Sa 2 ce Se FES eee RE es H andeome 1S, inal handsome does > Mon key Brand does wonders. “WONT WASH CLOTHES. (oxe] MONKEY BRAND fal] LEVER BROTHERS, Limited, Port Sunlight, Cheshire. PRINTED BY A. 0. FOWLER, MOORFIELDS, E.C For Metals, Marble, Painted Surfaces. | For Cutlery, Crockery, and Machinery. Forathousand House - hold. Uses. For Linoleum and Oil-Cloths. For Kitchen Tables, and Floors, &c. LABOUR-SAVING. COMFORT-MAKING. WONDER-WORKING. ee pe A MAGAZINE oF NATURAL HISTORY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD A we, ACCURATE —~-""~ ACTUAL LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW ADVERTISEMENTS AN IMPORTANT WORK WHICH HAS BEEN IN PREPARATION — FOR OVER TEN YEARS. IN FORTNIGHTLY PARTS, PRICE 7°: NET. EVERYONE INTERESTED OR CONCERNED IN THE CARE OR MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY SHOULD BUY OUR POULTRY AND ALL ABOUT THEM BY HARRISON WEIR With over 250 Original Drawings by the Author exclusively for the Work, including 36 Coloured Plates reproduced from Mr. Weir’s Original Paintings, besides a number of select Photographs PART 22 NOW READY *‘ Promises to be one of the most sumptuous books on the subject ever issued. Mr. Weir is not only an artist, but a naturalist, and his work takes the réswmé of over fifty years’ experience with Poultry.”—Westminster Gazette. “This admirable work.”—World. ‘All who are interested in the management of Poultry will welcome this magnificent production.”—Literary World. THE GREATEST WORK ON POULTRY EVER PROJECTED Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Darsernoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS i. Now Beaty §6FOLLOWING THE DEER WILLIAM J. LONG, Author of ‘‘BEASTS OF THE FIELD,” ‘‘FOWLS OF THE AIR,”’ ‘‘SCHOOL OF THE WOODS,” etc. Charmingly bound and lavishly illustrated, Price 4s. Gd. net. This volume is dedicated “to all sportsmen with kind hearts, who rejoice in the autumn woods, and to whom killing is least of the hunting.” Its chapters are alive with the voices »* the forest and the joy of nature, while down the pages creep those fascinating marginal illustrations by Charles Copeland, w. ch add so much to the interest and enjoyment of the reader. BY THE SAME AUTHOR AND ARTIST: BEASTS OF THE FIELD FOWLS OF THE AIR SCHOOL OF THE WOODS ach @S. Gd. Three attractive volumes, uniform in style and size, containing Life Studies of Animals and Birds, written with a rare understanding of the wild creatures of the woods, and illustrated by Mr. Copeland in such a way as to cause the author to say that “he makes the animals live again and peep at me shyly from behind old mossy logs, or glide away into their leafy solitudes, halting, listening, looking back at ms inquisitively, just as they did in the wilderness.” Athenzum.—‘ These books have that rare thing, charm, and 8 thi The Times.—‘‘No books at once so graceful in style, so remark- we hope that the author has more of the sort in his note-books.” able in insight, so finished in observation, and so truthful in recoré. Daily Telegraph.—“ No reservation is necessnry in the praise haye appeared in our own country.” bestowed upon these delightful works, which will fascinate every Westminster Gazette.—‘ A keen knowledge of wild life, and lover ofanimals . . . Would that the incidents of most novels ro i sympathetic eye to note every detail of it, combined with infinite - were half as engrossing!” patience in the desire to learn all that can be learnt of the secre St. James’s Gazette.—“ The author views the forest people as and mysteries of the life that throbs all around us outside our ereatures rational with a human form of reason; and this discern- human race—these are the qualifications that Mr. Long posseszes ment, followed up as it is with sincerity, makes the book one of in asingular degree, and which makes his descriptions so fascizatiug unusual charm.” and yet so credible.” WooD FOLK SERIES Lach 2s. Gd. SECRETS OF THE WOODS WILDERNESS WAYS WAYS OF WOOD FOLK WOOD FOLK AT SCHOOL Four smaller volumes containing most of the stories i ‘‘ Beasts of the Field,” “ Fowls of the Air,” and “‘ School of the Woods.” LISTS POST FREE ON APPLICATION. GINN & COMPANY, 9, St. Martin’s Street, London, W.C. JUST READY. A New Natural History Work. MOSTLY MAMMALS By R. LYDEKKER, F.R.S. With 16 full-page Illustrations from Drawings and Photographs by J. Wourr, the Ducuuss oF BrEprorD, the Lorp Dretamere, the Hon. WatTER RoTHSCHILD, and others, In cloth gilt and gilt top, 12s. Gd. net. Some idea of the ground covered in this volume may be gathered from the titles of a few of its forty or so chapters e.g., ‘Animals Exterminated in the 19th Century,” ‘““The Colouration of Large Animals,” “Monkey Handprints,” ‘‘ Deserts and their Inhabitants,” “The Predigree of the Cat,” “‘ How Arctic Animals turn White,” ‘‘Armour-clad Whales,” ‘*The Beaver iu Norway,” “A Giant among Seals,” “Scorpions and their Antiquity.” All lovers of animals and those interested in natural history must read this important yolume of popular zoological essays, for it can truly claim to be the latest work on almost every branch of natural history to which the observations of explorers throughout the world haye brought fresh light in the past decade. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parrrnoster Row il. ADVERTISEMENTS he Woburn Library of Natural History Edited by His Grace the DUKE OF BEDFORD, K.G. A New Volume by Professor F. EDWARD HULME, F.L.S., ** An ideal holiday gift-book.”’ Butterflies and Moths of tne country-sipe With 312 figures in colour from Original Drawings by the Author. In one large handsome cloth gilt and gilt top volume, 12s. 6d. net. “Tf all parents were wise—which, alas, they are not, this would be their gift-book for the holidays.” —Newcastle Leader. By the same Author. Wild Fruits of the Gountry-side With 36 fine Coloured Plates by the Author. In one large handsome cloth gilt and gilt top volwme, 12s. 6d. net. “Tf all the succeeding volumes of the Woburn Library are as good as this first volume, the whole series will be a very acceptable addition to all libraries.”—Guardian. OTHER VOLUMES IN THE PRESS. BRITISH MAMMALS sy sir HARRY JOHNSTON, G.c.M.G. Author of ‘‘ The Uganda Protectorate.”’ With 16 coloured and 32 other plates from Drawings by the Author, and from Photographs, and about 100 illustrations in the text. BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISH By THE RIGHT HON. SIR HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., F.R.S. Author of ‘‘Salmon and Sea Trout.”’ With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. BRITISH BIRDS _s,y a4. TREVOR BATTYE, M.A., F.L.S., ete. With ‘numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. FISHES OF OUR SEAS pyF.«G. AFLALO, F.z:s., Author of ‘‘Sea Fish.” With Contributions by W. Senior (‘‘ Red Spinner’’), and R. B. Marston (Editor of the ‘‘ Fishing Gazette”’). With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parzrnostzr Row ADVERTISEMENTS ili. soc NIVEA LIP E eq And the World of Nature. CONTENTS, SHPTEMBER, 1908. PAGE 1. BIRD NOTES. - - - - - - = = 7 =e ss By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. 61 Illustrated with Photographs. ® ROREWORD .o =o» 6 “eh “sR Se eee een mic ie Se wae vee) e315 3. THREE COMMON REPTILES OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH. - - - - - By Cyril Grant Lane 67 Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. 4, ZOO NOTES - - - - - Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. 5. CoLoureD Pratse—FEMALE GIRAFFE (from Lake Baringo) IN THE British (NatTuRAL History) Museum - - - - - - - - - - - To face page 76 From an Original Painting by J. Smit. Sy ee ee ce a ee a By W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 73 6. LOCAL VARIATION IN THE GIRAFFE - - - - - - - - - - By R. Lydekker 76 Illustrated with Photographs and Drawings. 7. ANIMAL ANECDOTES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 84 Illustrated. 8. UNCOMMON PETS - - - - - - - - By P. Wellington Farmborough, F.Z.S., F.E.S., etc. 86 IX. FOREIGN BATS. Tlustrated with Photographs. 9. NOTES AND COMMENTS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - §9 Tilustrated with Photographs. 48 Drawings and Photographs. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) The Editor will be glad to consider any Contributions of a suitable nature for Anima Lire, and provided they are accompanied by a sufficiently STAMPED AND ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, he will endeavour to return promptly MSS. and photogranhs of which he cannot make use, but he cannot hold himself responsible for accidental loss, though every care will be taken to secure their safe return. Artisles and Notes should be short and of general interest; whenever possible, they should be accompanied by photographs (silver prints) and a written statement giving permission to reproduce them. Unless otherwise arranged, MSS. and photographs will be paid for on publication at the usual rates of this Magazine. AniMAL Lire can be obtained at all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the offices of the Publishers, post free, for 10/- per annum. The Publishers would be glad to hear from any reader who may experience difficulty im procuring copies. The views expressed in the Articles appearing in this Magazine are those of their respective Authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Editor. “Two superb volumes of absorbing interest.’’—Datny | Coupon No. 2. | TELEGRAPH. “These two handsome and beautifully Ulustrated volumes will take their place as a classic in the literature of Arctic Animal Life Prize Competition exploration.” —StTanDARD. 7 —~ ” “A truly princely book.”—Datny CHRONICLE. Class (nerginse A Bor Gs : - SEILRCICRSCR AGING) Sete eee ‘‘ Must necessarily become a classic.’’—Datny Matt. “ & worthy record of a great achievement.’”—Patn Maty, I hereby certify that this Photograph as my GAZETTE, eats . own original and unaided work and has not been ON THE 6s POLAR STAR 97 exhibited or reproduced before. IN THE ARCTIC SEA By H.R.H. THE DUKE OF THE ABRUZZI SF ORUE US OD eee and address... be aetna In Two large handsome Volumes. Printed on English Art Paper, with over 200 Mlustrations in the Text, and with Full-page Photogravure Plates, Panoramas, Maps, etc. 42s. net. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parrrnoster Row Iv. ADVERTISEMENTS Uniform with ANIMAL LIFE “¢éThe Living Animals of the World’ has already had a larger sale than any other Natural History ever published. D The Living Animals of the World A POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY By C. J. CorxisH (Editor), M.A., F.Z.A.; F. C. Srtous; Sim Harry JoHnston, G.C.M.G.; ©. H. Lane, F.ZS8.; W. P. Pycrart, A.L.S., ¥.Z.S.; H. A. Brypen; F. G. Aruato, F.Z.S.; W. Savinirn-Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; W. F. Kirsy, F.L.S.; Srrm Herpsrr Maxwett, F.R.S. ; Joon BioxwrpyKn, M.A.; THEODORE Woop, F.H.S. Printed throughout on the best English Art Paper. With 1,210 Illustrations, including 25 Coloured Plates from Photographs IN TWO VGLUMES In handsome cloth gilt, gilt edges 10s. Gd. net, per volume In 4=-green French morocco, gilt edges om on oo oOo dis. Gd. 98 90 In 4=red Persian morocco, gilt edges ... =O ono = on 12s. 6d. 50 AO In full red Persian morocco, gilt édges ano eee ees on0 15s. Od. 9D on Some Press Notices : “The illustrations from life are worth all the money.” | “Tikely to make all other popular Natural Histories —Field. obsolete.”’—Lilerary ‘Yorld. “Without parallel. As a contribution to NATURAL “The reliance on photography for the illustrations is admirably justified by the results.” —Academy. “One of the most remarkab!e works ever undertaken in “The best popular Natural History extant.”’—Scotsman. Natural History.”—New York Herald. History its value cannot be over-estimated.”—Darly Mail. ‘Another Selborne.’’—The Country Gentleman. - - Being Notes and Observations by the late LORD LILFORD, Lord Li iford on Birds with contributions on Falconry and Otter Hunting Edited by A. TREVOR-BATTYE, M.A., F.L.S., etc. In one large handsome cloth gilt volume, 16s. net With 13 Drawings by A. THORBURN, including a Photogravure Plate “Mo the lover of birds, Lord Lilford’s notes on birds, with admirable illustrations by Mr. A. Thorburn, will bea pure delight. The book is onc which will be welcomed not only by ornithologists, but by bird-lovers in general.”—Daily Telegraph. “The difficulty of finding a suitable present for a man is solved. Col. Haggard’s book supplies a need.’’—Sundiy Times. Sporting Yarns = spun orF THE REEL By Lt.-Col. ANDREW C. P. HAGGARD, D.S.O. With 164 Humorous Illustrations, 6s. net Sport with Rod, Rifle & Gun in Great Britain, India, Africa, Japan, Canada & Newfoundland The Field says:—‘ This most interesting book. A volume which will give great delight.” “*A veritable marvel of cheapness.’’ The Concise Knowledge Natural History Edited by ALFRED H. MILES. By R. LypEK«er, B.A., F.R.S., V.P.G.S.; R. Bowpier SHarpn, LL.D.; W. F. Krrsy, F.L.8., F.H.S.; W. Garsrane, MA, F.Z.S.; B. B. Woopwarp, F.L.S., F.G.S.; F. A. Barun, M.A., F.G.S.; R. Kingparrick; R. I. Pocock; H. M. BrRNARD, M.A., F.L.S. With 53O Original Illustrations. Over F5OQ pages. In half bound leather and gilt, 5Sa “ Bixcellently arranged, beautifully printed, neatly illustrated, and sensibly and strongly bound. It isa model of how a book of reference should be produced. Its contributors are the highest authorities on zoological science.’ —Pall Mall Gazette. Messrs. HUTCHINSON & GO. will send post free to any address, on receipt of a post card, their new Bibliography of works on Natural History. Loypon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parrrnoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS Botany Popularised A Fascinating Study Simplified THE LIVING PLANT N LEAF, FLOWER, AND FRUIT. WITH OVER 700 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. To be completed in not more than 18 Fortnightly Parts. Price 7d. | Part 2 now ready | *,* (Mhis fine work is absolutely new and up-to-date. Every part is examined by 2 leading authority immediately before going to press. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parrrnostrr Row SWAN SOAP. © SWAN SOAP. Always in Sight. > SWAN SOAP. Never Forgotten—No Waste. TNLEP HONE 665 LONDON WALL. Just the Thing for the Bath. AR White Floating Dainty, Fragrant, RISES TO THE SURFACE LIKE CREAM. A PURER SOAP IS BEYOND THE ART OF SOAPMAKING. LEVER BROTHERS, LIMITED, Port Sunlight, Cheshire. PRINTED BY A, C. FOWLER, ER STREET, MO RETEDS AND SHOREDITCH, LONDON, E Cc, SWAN SOAP. Light, Buoyant, Fragrant. SWAN SOAP. Pure, Refreshing, Hconomical. SWAN SOAP. For All Toilet Purposes. A MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTO RY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ACCURATE ACTUAL ANECE GIS | LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW _ ADVERTISL MENTS AN IMPORTANT WORK WHICH HAS BEEN IN PREPARATION FOR OVER TEN YEARS. IN FORTNIGHTLY PARTS, PRICE 7°: NET. EVERYONE INTERESTED OR CONCERNED IN THE CARE OR MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY SHOULD BUY OUR POULTRY AND ALL ABOUT THEM BY HARRISON WEIR With over 250 Original Drawings by the Author exclusively for the Work, including 36 Coloured Plates reproduced from Mr. Weir’s Original Paintings, besides a number of select Photographs. THE FIRST VOLUME NOW* READY. With 386 Illustrations, including 18 Coloured Plates In cloth gilt, gilt edges 00 -. I4/- net. In half-red Persian morocco.. oo LAE p&p “‘ Promises to be one of the most sumptuous books on the subject ever issued. Mr. Weir is not only an artist, but a naturalist, and his work takes the véswmé of over fifty years’ experience with Poultry.””— Westminster Gazette. “This admirable work.”—World. «All who are interested in the management of Poultry will welcome this magnificent production.”’—Literary World. THE GREATEST WORK ON POULTRY EVER PROJECTED Loxypon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parrernoster Row ADVERTISHMENTS th JUST READY. A New Natural History Work. MOSTLY MAMMALS By R. LYDEKKER, F.R.S. With 16 full-page Illustrations from Drawings and Photographs by J. Wourr, the DucusEss oF Beprorp, the Lorp DELAMERE, the Hon. WALTER ROTHSCHILD, and others. In cloth gilt and gilt top, 12s. Gd. net. Third Thousand SIR HARRY JOHNSTON’S GREAT WORK THE UGANDA PROTECTORATE In two large Volumes, 1,053 pages, handsomely bound im cloth gilt, 42s. net. With 506 Illustrations, 48 Full-page Coloured Plates, and 9 Maps, specially drawn for the work. The Times says: ‘‘It is difficult to avoid the use of superlatives in writing of this superb work.” “A magnificent work.”—Pall Mall Gazette. : ‘*A Natural History Classic.”’ BRITISH VEGETABLE GALLS An Introduction to their Study By E. T. CONNOLD In handsome cloth gilt, 15s. net. With 130 full-page plates and 27 smaller drawings. Printed on art paper. “Mr. Connold deals with the subject in quite a fascinating style.” —Daily Telegraph. “Well worthy of study both by botanists and entomologists.” —Pall Mall Gazette. “Nothing but praise can be bestowed upon the general get-up of the book on British Vegetable Galls.”—Manchester Guardian. By OLIVER G. PIKE HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE Bird Life Pictured with Pen and Camera. In cloth gilt, 6S Illustrated with 1140 Photographs, taken direct from Nature, by the Author, and a coloured Frontispiece. “ Will be very warmly welcomed by all readers of his former fascinating volumes.”—S¢é. James’s Gazette. “<4 bird book, and a mest fascinating one, full of beautiful photographs.”—Leeds Mercury. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row il. ADVERTISEMENTS he Woburn Library of Natural History Edited by His Grace the DUKE OF BEDFORD, K.G. A New Volume by Professor F. EDWARD HULME, F.L.S., ** An ideal holiday gift-book.’’ Butterflies and Moths oF tHe country-sipe With 342 figures in colour from Original Drawings by the Author. In one large handsome cloth gilt and gilt top volume, 12s. 6d. net. “Tf all parents were wise—which, alas, they are not, this would be their gift-book for the holidays.” —Newcastle Leader. By the same Author. Wild Fruits of the Countpry-side With 36 fine Coloured Plates by the Author. In one large handsome cloth gilt and gilt top volume, 12s. 6d. net. “Tf all the succeeding volumes of the Woburn Library are as good as this first volume, the whole series will be a very acceptable addition to all libraries.’—Guardian. OTHER VOLUMES IN THE PRESS. BRITISH MAMMALS sy sir HarRRY JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G. Author of ‘‘ The Uganda Protectorate.’’ With 16 coloured and 32 other plates from Drawings by the Author, and from Photographs, and about 100 illustrations in the text. BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISH By THE RIGHT HON. SIR HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., F.R.S. Author of ‘‘Salmon and Sea Trout.”’ - a With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. BRITISH BIRDS _ saya. TREVOR BATTYE, M.A., F.L.S., etc. With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. FISHES OF OUR SEAS 5yFr.c. aFLALo, F.z5s., Author of ‘‘Sea Fish.’’ With Contributions by W. Senior (‘‘ Red Spinner’’), and R. B. Marston (Editor of the ‘‘ Fishing Gazette”’). With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations, Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS ill. —¢ ANIMAL LIFE 34+ And the World CONTENTS, OCTOBER, Frontispirch: AN AFRICAN LION IN THE OPEN. From an Original Painting by T. F. Smith. 1. THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE PUSS-MOTH - - Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. 2. A NATURALIST’S NOTES FROM THE BUSH - - I.—TueE AustrRaLian Busu-Rat. Dlustrated with Photographs by the Author. 3. ZOO NOTES - - - - - - - - - Illustrated with Photographs. 4. A PASHA OF TWELVE TAILS - . - - - Tlustrated with Photographs. 5. UNCOMMON PETS - - - : : - ° 2 X.—CIVETS. Illustrated with Photographs. 6. ANIMAL DENTITION - - 5 - o 5 C I.—MammMats. Tilustrated with Drawings. ta FOREWORD - - = = - 5 = oS o 8. A DAY’S SNAKE-HUNTING IN SOUTH AFRICA - Tilustrated. 9. NOTES AND COMMENTS - - - = 2 2 Illustrated with Photographs. 49 Drawings and of Nature. 1908. PAGE = - - - - By Fred Enock, F.L.S. 93 = - - - - - By Cyril Grant Lane 98 - - - - - By W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 99 > 9 By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. 104 By P. Wellington Farmborough, F.Z.8., F.E.S., etc. 106 : - - : - - - By R. Lydekker 109 - - - - - - - - - - - 118 - - - By Captain W. E. Tolfrey Christie 119 2 3 = : 2 - = - - - - 121 Photographs. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) The Editor will be glad to consider any Contributions of a suitable nature for AnimaL Lire, and provided they are accompanied by a sufjiciently STAMPED AND ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, he will endeavour to return promptly MSS. and photographs of which he cannot make use, but he cannot hold himself responsible for accidental loss, though every care will be taken to secure their safe return. Articles and Notes should be short and of general interest; whenever possible, they should be accompanied by photographs (silver prints) and a written statement giving permission to reproduce them. Unless otherwise arranged, MSS. and a will be paid for on publication at the usual rates of this Magazine. Antman Lire can be obtained at all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the offices of the Publishers, post free, for 10/- per annum. The Publishers would be glad to hear from any reader who may experience difficulty in procwring copies. The views expressed in the Articles appearing in this Magazine are those of their respective Authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Editor. Private Prepaid Advertisements Advertisements for this page should reach the Advertising Manager, ‘‘ Animal Life,’’ 34, Paternoster Row, London, by the end of the month. They should be prepaid at the rate of 1d. aword; minimum, 2s. Replies to advertisements can be received at this office, free of charge. Young man, 25, seeks post as Secretary-Conservator to Gentleman (or similar post). Considerable amateur ex- perience preserving Birds, Insects, &c.—‘‘ Avis,” c/o Animal Lire. “Two superb volumes of absorbing interest.’’—Dainy TELEGRAPH. “These two handsome and beautifully illustrated volumes will take their place as a classic in the literature of Arctic exploration.” —STANDARD. “4 truly princely book.”—Datny CHRONICLE. “Must necessarily become a classic.’—Dainy Mart. ‘“‘X worthy record of a great achievement.”—Patn Mann GAZETTE. ON THE “POLAR STAR” IN THE ARCTIC SEA By H.R.H. THE DUKE OF THE ABRUZZI In Two large handsome Volumes. Printed on English Art Paper, with over 200 Illustrations | in the Text, and with Full-page Photogravure Plates, Panoramas, Maps, etc. 42s. net. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., PatmRNostER Row Coupon No. 3. Animal Life Prize Competition ere insert A, B or C, Class & the case may be I hereby certify that this Photograph is my own original and unaided work and has not been exhibited or reproduced before. RUUUL PUCLIIUG ere ren ere en OR ee oe eae ae ee WE GATES MAD set elds Pi ie Ren Seah ean eae cen ee IV. ADVERTISEMENTS Uniform with ANIMAL LIFE ‘“««The Living Animals of the World’ has already had a larger sale than any other Natural History ever published. wy The Living Animals of the World A POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY By C. J. Cornish (Editor), M.A., F.Z.A.; F. C. Setous; Sim Harry JOHNSTON, G.6.M.G.; C. H. Lanz, E.ZS.; W. P. Pyorart, A.L.S., F.Z.8.; H. A. Brypen; F. G. Armano, F.Z.S.; W. Savitte-Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.8.; W. I’. IarsBy, F.L.S.; Sir Hersert Maxwe tt, F.R.S.; Jonn BickeRpyKE, M.A.; THEODORE Woop, F.E.S. Printed throughout on the best English Art Paper. With 1,210 Illustrations, including 25 Coloured Plates from Photographs IN TWO VOLUMES In handsome cloth gilt, gilt edges con ona coo 10s. Gd. net, per volume In 4-green French morocco, gilt edges on oxo ooo aco tis. 6d. ” ts In 4-red Persian morocco, gilt edges ... co0 cos ono oo 12s. 6d. 9 0 In full red Persian morocco, gilt edges coo cca cco 200 15s. Od. 99 90 Some Press Notices : “The illustrations from life are worth all the money.” “Tikely to make all other popular Natural Histories —Freld. obsolete.” —Literary World. | ati GG i he illustrations is “Without parallel. As a contribution to NATURAL The reliance on photography aoe & History its value cannot be over-estimated.”—Daily Mail. admirably justified by the results.” —Academy. j “One of the most remarkable works ever undertaken in “The best popular Natural History extant.”—Scotsman. Natural History.”—New York Herald. ‘¢ Another Selborne.’’—The County Gentleman. Lo rd Li Ifo rd on Bi rds Being Notes and Observations by the late LORD LILFORD, with contributions on Falconry and Otter Hunting Edited by A. TREVOR-BATTYE, M.A., F.L.S., etc. In one large handsome cloth gilt volume, 16s. net With 13 Drawings by A. THORBURN, including a Photogravure Plate “Mo the lover of birds, Lord Lilford’s notes on birds, with admirable illustrations by Mr. A. Thorburn, will be a pure delight. The book is one which will be welcomed not only by ornithologists, but by bird-lovers in general.” —Daily Telegraph. “The difficulty of finding a suitable present for a man is solved. Col. Haggard’s book supplies a need.’’—Sunday Times. Sporting Yarns — spun off THE REEL By Lt.-Col. ANDREW C. P. HAGGARD, D.S.O. With 164 Humorous Illustrations, 6s. net Sport with Rod, Rifle & Gun in Great Britain, India, Africa, Japan, Canada & Newfoundland The Field says:— This most interesting book. A volume which will give great delight.” “*A veritable marvel of cheapness.’’ The Concise Knowledge Natural History Edited by ALFRED H. MILES. By R. LyprxKer, B.A., F.R.S., V.P.G.S.; R. Bowpner SHarrr, LL.D.; W. F. Kirey, F.L.S., F.E.S.; W. Garstane, M.A., EF ; B. B. Woopwarp, F.L.S., F.G.S.; F. A. Baruer, M.A., F.G.S.; R. Kirkpatrick; R. I. Pocock; H. M. BERNARD, s With 530 Original Illustrations. Over 75O pages. In half bound leather and gilt, 5Ss “Excellently arranged, beautifully printed, neatly illustrated, and sensibly and strongly bound. It isa model of how a book of reference should be produced. Its contributors are the highest authorities on zoological science.’—Pall Mall Gazette. Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO. will send post free to any address, on receipt of a post card, their new Bibliography of works on Natural History. Loxpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS Botany Popularised A Fascinating Study Simplified THE LIVING PLANT IN LEAF, FLOWER, AND FRUIT. WITH OVER 700 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. To be completed in not more than 18 Fortnightly Parts. Price Wd. Part 5 now ready *.* This fine work is absolutely new and up-to-date. Every part is examined by a leading authority immediately before’ going to press. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Patrrnostrer Row | y Cm i iB) WAA b Ze WZ f) A ) ) tt II PHY UNVTWVULIQNQNUUU LLU | ANIA ia DI NEEGTAN St ‘ETA | a \ ii NWN ATRL I Lt mre Bw WW aattkttan, SOA FP CLEANS AND DISINFECTS AT THE SAME TIME AND AT THE SAME COST. {er MAKES HEALTH INFECTIOUS “BW LEVER BROTHERS, Limited, Port Sunlight, Cheshire. “a t r | : | Gated TELEPHONE 656 LONDON WALL. PRINTED BY A. C. FOWLER, TENTRR ST., MOORFIELDS, AND SHORTDITCH, LONDON, F.C. ad copemd naar ae ATURE A MAGAZINE oF ATURAL HISTORY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD A re 9 en hy ACCURATE ACTUAL ANECDOTAL LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. =—~ yg = i ww Bue ei 1 Qa’W BB 21S gaw ry ADVERTISEMENTS AN IMPORTANT WORK WHICH HAS BEEN IN PREPARATION FOR OVER TEN YEARS. IN FORTNIGHTLY PARTS, PRICE 7°: NET. EVERYONE INTERESTED OR CONCERNED IN THE CARE OR MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY SHOULD BUY OR POULTRY AND ALL ABOUT THEM BY HARRISON WEIR. With over 250 Original Drawings by the Author exclusively for the Work, including 36 Coloured Plates reproduced from Mr. Weir’s Original Paintings, besides a number of select Photographs. THE FIRST VOLUME NOW READY. With 386 Illustrations, including 18 Coloured Plates In cloth gilt, gilt edges 00 -- I4/- net. In half-red Persian morocco.. ee I7/= 45 “‘ Promises to be one of the most sumptuous books on the subject ever issued. Mr. Weir is not only an artist, but a naturalist, and his work takes the réswmé of over fifty years’ experience with Poultry.”— Westminster Gazette. “‘ This admirable work.”—World. “‘ All who are interested in the management of Poultry will welcome this magnificent production.”—Literary World. THE ' GREATEST WORK ON POULTRY EVER PROJECTED Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS l. A New Natural History Work. MOSTLY MAMMALS By R. LYDEKKER, F.R.S. With 16 full-page Illustrations from Drawings and Photographs by J. Wourr, the Ducuuss or Beprorp, the Lorp DrELAMERE, the Hon. WALTER RoTHSCHILD, and others. In cloth gilt and gilt top, 12s. 6d. net. «A valuable and most attractive volume.’’—St. Jame’s Gazette. “Cram full of information.”—Daily Chronicle. “Mr. Lydekker not merely supplies pleasant reading about the animal world, but makes each chapter a text for some valuable teaching on the zoological problems of the age.”—Daily Telegraph. Third Thousand SIR HARRY JOHNSTON’S GREAT WORK THE UGANDA PROTECTORATE In two large Volumes, 1,053 pages, handsomely bound in cloth gilt, 42s. net. With 506 Llustrations, 48 Full-page Coloured Plates, and 9 Maps, specially drawn for the work. The Times says: “It is difficult to avoid the use of superlatives in writing of this superb work.” «A magnificent work.”—Pall Mall Gazette. ‘*A Natural History Classic.”’ BRITISH VEGETABLE GALLS An Introduction to their Study By E. T. CONNOLD In handsome cloth gilt, 15s. net. With 130 full-page plates and 27 smaller drawings. Printed on art paper. “Mr. Connold deals with the subject in quite a fascinating style.”—Daily Telegraph. “ Well worthy of study both by botanists and entomologists.” —Pall Mall Gazette. “Nothing but praise can be bestowed upon the general get-up of the book on British Vegetable Gualls.”— Manchester Guardian. By OLIVER G. PIKE HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE Bird Life Pictured with Pen and Camera. In cloth gilt, GSu Illustrated with 140 Photographs, taken direct from Nature, by the Author, and a coloured Frontispiece. “ Will be very warmly welcomed by all readers of his former fascinating volumes.”—St. James’s Gazette. “ A bird book, and a most fascinating one, full of beautiful photographs.”——Leeds Mercury. ; Lonnon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternostrer Row ii. ADVERTISEMENTS he Woburn Library of Natural History Edited by His Grace the DUKE OF BEDFORD, K.G. A New Volume by Professor F. EDWARD HULME, F.L.S., “An ideal gift=book.”* Butterflies and NMioths oF tHe country-sipE With 342 figures in colour from Original Drawings by the Author. In one large handsome cloth gilt and gilt top volume, 12s. 6d. net. “Tt admirably fulfils the intention of this excellent series.” —Daily Huxpress. ‘““A treatise of a very high order, interesting alike to scientific and non-scientific minds, and forming a most valuable addition to tho library of any lover of Nature. Prof. Hulme’s work has been excellently done, alike in the letterpress and the illustrations. 312 butterflies, all drawn from the actual insect; these are an attraction in themselves. A display of colour printing of which we have rarely seen the equal.—Birmingham Post. By the same Author. Wild Fruits of the Country-side With 36 fine Coloured. Plates by the Author. In one large handsome cloth gilt and gilt top volwme, 12s. 6d. net. “Tf all the succeeding volumes of the Woburn Library are as good as this first volume, the whole series will be a very acceptable addition to all libraries.” —Gwardian. OTHER VOLUMES IN THE PRESS. BRITISH MAMMALS sy sir HaRRy JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G. Author of ‘‘ The Uganda Protectorate.”’ With 46 coloured and 32 other plates from Drawings by the Author, and. from Photographs, and about 100 illustrations in the text. BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISH By THE RIGHT HON. SIR HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., F.R.S. Author of ‘‘Salmon and Sea Trout.’’ With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. BRITISH BIRDS _,By A. TREVOR BATTYE, M.A., F.LS., etc. With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. FISHES OF OUR SEAS psyF.G. AFLALO, F.Z.S., Author of ‘‘Sea Fish.” With Contributions by W. Senior (‘‘ Red Spinner’’), and R. B. Marston (Editor of the ‘‘ Fishing Gazette”’). With numerous coloured plates and other illustrations. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parernoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS iii. -o ANIMAL LIFE x And the World of Nacure. CONTENTS, NOVEMBER, 19038. Frontispiece: THE COMMON SEAL (PHOCA VITULINA) PAGE From an Original Painting by Sir Harry Johnston. 1. HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH INSECTS - - - - - - - - By T. A. Gerald Strickland, F.E.S. 125 Illustrated with Photographs by the Author. 2. THE DUBLIN LIONS - - - = = - - - By Professor D. J. Cunningham, F.R.S. 128 Illustrated with Photographs. 3. A STRANGE RESEMBLANCE - - - - - - - - - - - = - By R. Lydekker 130 Tlustrated with Drawings. 4. ZOO NOTES With Photographs by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 132 5. NOTES AND COMMENTS - - - - - - = - - - = - = a = - = ey Illustrated with Photographs. 6. THE IDENTIFICATION OF BIRDS (PART I.) - - - - - - By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. 141 Illustrated with Drawings. 7. TRACKS OF ANIMAL HABITS (PART I.) - - - - - - = Illustrated with Drawings. @, DOG WAIN — eee le ey ce Se etry 56 Illustrations direct from Photographs. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) By Walter Kidd, M.D., F.Z.8. 152 The Editor will be glad to consider any Contributions of a suitable nature for ANiman Lire, and provided they are accompanied by a sufficiently STAMPED AND ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, he will endeavour to return promptly MSS. and photographs of which he cannot make use, but he cannot hold himself responsible for accidental loss, though every care will be taken to secure their safe return. Articles and Notes should be short and of general interest; whenever possible, they should be accompanied by photographs (silver prints) and a written statement giving permission to reproduce them. Unless otherwise arranged, MSS. and photographs will be paid for on publication at the usual rates of this Magazine. AnimaL Lire can be obtained at all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the offices of the Publishers, post free, for 10/- per annum. The Publishers would be glad to hear from any reader who may experience difficulty in procuring copies. The views expressed im the Articles appearing im this Magazine are those of their respective Authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Editor. Private Prepaid Advertisements Advertisements for this page should reach the Advertising Manager, ‘‘ Animal Life,’’ 34, Paternoster Row, London, by the end of the month. They should be prepaid at the rate of 1d. a word; minimum, 2s. Replies to advertisements can be received at this office, free of charge. Harmless Reptiles from all countries. Good healthy specimens. “Present stock includes:—Boa Constrictors, Alligators, Crocodiles, Iguanas, Horned Lizards, Monitors: Bull, Corn, Racer, Corais, and other harmless snakes, etc. List Stamp. State wants. TH Vivarium, West BromwicH. Just ready. An instructive story of the bees. By FRANK STEVENS ADVENTURES IN HIVELAND In Crown 8vo cloth gilt, 3/6 With 84 original illustrations by L. A. SARGENT. Loxnpon: HUTCHINSON “Two superb volumes of absorbing interest.”—Datny TELEGRAPH. “These two handsome and beautifully illustrated volumes will take their place as a classic in the literature of Arctic exploration.” —StTanDARD. ‘(A truly princely book.” —Datny CHRONICLE. “‘Must necessarily become a classic.’””—Dainy Marz. “4 worthy record of a great achievyement.’—Pann Man GAZETTE. ON THE “POLAR STAR” IN THE ARCTIC SEA By H.R.H. THE DUKE OF THE ABRUZZI In Two large handsome Volumes. Printed on English Art Paper, with over 200 Illustrations in the Text, and with Full-page Photograyure Plates, Panoramas, Maps, etc. 42s. net. & CO., Parrrnostsr Row lv. ADVERTISEMENTS Uniform with ANIMAL LIFE ‘<¢The Living Animals of the World’ has already had a larger sale than any other Natural History ever published.” The Living Animals of the World A POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY By GC. J. Cornish (Editor), M.A., F.Z.A.; F. ©. Senous; Sm Harry Jounston, G.C.M.G.; C. H. Lann, E.Z.S. ; W. P. Pycrart, A.L.S., F.Z.8.; H. A. Brypen; F.G. Arnato, F.Z.S.; W. Savitte-Kenzt, F.L.S., F.Z.8.; W. F. KIRBY, F.L.S.; Six Herserr Maxwextt, F.R.S.; Jonn BickerpyKe, M.A.; THroporE Woop, F.E.S8. Prinied throughout on the best English Art Paper. With 1,210 Illustrations, including 25 Coloured Plates from Photographs IN TWO VOLUMES In handsome cloth gilt, gilt edges 10s. Gd. net, per volume In 4=green French morocco, gilt edges oc coc ooo oo tis. 6d. ” ” In 4=red Persian morocco, gilt edges ... om cn0 200 200 12s. 6d. o° oo In full red Persian morocco, gilt edges G00 ob oon on 15s. Od. 00 50 Some Press Notices : “The illustrations from life are worth all the money.” “Tikely to make all other popular Natural Histories —Freld. obsolete.”—Literary World. i ern ‘ i he illustrations is “Without parallel. As a contribution to NATURAL puheprelancejon photography Hoe History its value cannot be over-estimated.”—Daily Mail. admirably justified by the results.” —Academy. B “One of the most remarkable works eyer undertaken in “The best popular Natural History extant.”—Scotsman. Natural History.”—New York Herald. “Another Selborne.’’—Zhe County Gentleman. Lo rd Li Ifo rd on B i rds Being Notes and Observations by the late LORD LILFORD, with contributions on Falconry and Otter Hunting Edited by A. TREVOR-BATTYE, M.A., F.L.S., etc. In one large handsome cloth gilt volume, 16s. net With 13 Drawings by A. THORBURN, including a Photogravure Plate “Mo the lover of birds, Lord Lilford’s notes on birds, with admirable illustrations by Mr. A. Thorburn, will bea pure delight. The book is one which will be welcomed not only by ornithologists, but by bird-lovers in general.”—Daily Telegraph. “‘The difficulty of finding a suitable present for a man is solved. Col. Haggard’s book supplies a need.’’—Sunday Times. Sporting Yarns — spun oFF THE REEL By Lt.-Col. ANDREW C. P. HAGGARD, D.S.O. With 164 Humorous Illustrations, 6s. net Sport with Rod, Rifle & Gun in Great Britain, India, Africa, Japan, Canada & Newfoundland Lhe Feld says:—‘ This most interesting book. A volume which will give great delight.” **A veritable marvel of cheapness.”’ The Goncise Knowledge Natural History Edited by ALFRED H. MILES. By R. Lyprexxsr, B.A., F.R.S., V.P.G.S.; R. Bowpter SHarpr, LL.D.; W. F. Kirsy, F.1.8., F.H.S.; W. Garstane, M.A., F.Z.S.; B. B. Woopwarp, F.L.S., F.G.8.; F. A. Barumr, M.A., F.G.8.; R. Kirxpatrick; R. I. Pocock; H. M. BERNARD, M.A., F.L.S. With 53O Original Illustrations. Over 75O pages. In half bound leather and gilt, 5su “ Hixcellently arranged, beautifully printed, neatly illustrated, and sensibly and strongly bound. It isa model of how a book of reference should be produced. Its contributors are the highest authorities on zoological science.’’—Pall Mall Gazette. Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO. will send post free to any address, on receipt of a post card, their new Bibliography of works on Natural History. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Parernoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS Botany Popularised A Fascinating Study Simplified THE LIVING PLANT LEAF, FLOWER, AND FRUIT. WITH OVER 700 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. To be completed in not more than 18 Fortnightly Parts. Price 7d. Part 7 now ready +,* This fine work is absolutely new and up-to-date. Every part is examined by a leading authority immediately before going to press. Lonvon: HUTCHINSON & CO., ParsrnosterR Row AO 4 (tsi Hl , AR ‘y Wy) " i { i NY hy Nitty MN AN ‘ Wd. Ht) ahi tet ) i f Ra RST B iN Mn i Mi (MU sand ua Vit Wii i Nt A on WM i Nt i NAM intl Wit Ii RN \K ANAS WH | \ iY i) | TAN : ORR RN ANA AMHR) HAGA AAR = 5 MAAN i PNR) DONT) N\ \ Su mh ARKD NE SN ii) H i | \ \) ight ay it NUNC Hihttl {\ AAAI NAA tt IWAN See AHA i ( = Ae SAGA AAA nh Raa we i | HN 3 Nig ; Auta iW ee SAINT AY YF \ Wt i Softens Hard Water. Soothes the Skin. A Good Hairwash. A Luxury in the Bath. A Pure Prenaration. INS Wye ») For the Bath. For the Toilet. For Shampooing. For Lace and Hosiery. . =O 7 For Flannels and Woollens. PURIFYING AND REFRESHING. A unique washing preparation made in the form of flakes or wafers. SOLD BY ALL GROCERS AND OILMEN. LEVER BROTHERS, LIMITED, PORT SUNLIGHT, CHESHIRE. TELEPHONE 666 LONDON WALL. PRINTED BY A. C. FOWLER, TENTER ST., MOORFIELDS, AND SHOREDITCH, LONDON, E.C. NS " ee = = = 4 = FE > c ro SS. Gaan the Simnice Wav “i © bd 4 \ ‘ _~ i —_ aN } qc } N - » » Fi al | ww nlight wWwOoaDd “fg ; A) eS Bate ve eg AES. is YW a A A e . \ ’/ There is no labour, no experience necessary with \ , | | Rub it well on the clothes, let them soak, rinse them out, and you will find | them pure, whife, with a fresh odour of the country. | = } d ; y au a iXNZ = LZ MIMY7) - By J. T. Cunningham, M.A., F.Z.S. 333 Illustrated with Photographs by the ator! 3. ZOO NOTES - - - - - - - - Illustrate 1 with Photographs by W. P. Dando, F.Z.8. 336 4. EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF A BLUE TIT. Edited and Illustrated with Photographs by Hermann Lea. 342 5. UNCOMMON PETS.—XVI. THE LEMURS - - - By P. Wellington Farmborough, F.Z.8., F.E.S., &c. 349 Illustrated with Photographs. 6. A NATURALIST’S NOTES FROM THE BUSH—Y. THE MAGPIE - - - With a Photograph by the Author. THUNOMMSCANIDICONIMIENTS:.. 0s) ce 0 8 agg le) S55 8. ANIMALS AT KHARTOUM - - : - - - - - - By Captain S.S. Flower 360 Illustrated with Photographs by the AvapTnor, 9. EDITORIAL NOTES - = - - - - = E - = : = - - - : - - - 363 10. ANIMAL ANECDOTES - - < - 3 = = 2 = = - = - - - - S - 864 44 Illustrations. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) By Cyril Grant Lane 352 The Editor will be glad to consider any Contributions of a suitable nature for ANnimaL Lire, and provided they are * accompanied by a sufficiently STAMPED AND ADDRESSED ENvELopPE, he will endeavour to return promptly MSS. and photographs of which he cannot make use, but he cannot hold himself responsible for accidental loss, though every care will be taken to secwre their safe retwrn. Articles and Notes should be short and of general interest; whenever possible, they should be accompanied by photographs (silver prints) and a written statement giving permission to reproduce them. Unless otherwise arranged, MSS. and photographs will be paid for on publication at the usual rates of this Magazine. AntmaL Lire caw be obtained at all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the offices of the Publishers, post free, for 10/- per annum. The Publishers would be glad to hear from any reader who may experience difficulty i procuring copies. The views expressed in the Articles appearing in this Magazine are those of their respective Authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Hditor. «The Living Animals of the World’ has already had a larger sale than any other Natural History ever published.” The Living Animals +. World — A POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY By C. J. Cornish (Editor), M.A., F.Z.A.; F.C. Selous; Sir Harry Johnston, G.C.M.G.; C.H. Lane, F.Z.S.; W.P. Pycraft, A.L.S., F.Z.S. 3 H. A. Bryden; F. G. Aflalo, F.Z.S.; W. Saville-Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; W. F. Kirby, F.L.S.; Sir Herbert Maxwell, F.R.S.; John Bickerdyke, A.; Theodore Wood, F.E.S. Printed throughout on the best English Art Paper. With 1,210 Illustrations, including 25 Coloured Plates from Photographs IN TWO YOLUMES In handsome cloth gilt, gilt GRISSS 0 6 10s. Gd. net per volume. THE LIVING PLANT IN LEAF, FLOWER AND FRUIT BY A. E. KNIGHT & EDWARD STEP, F.L.S. With 432 pages and 831 Illustrations, including SG full=page Plates and a Frontispiece in colours from a drawing by Sir Harry Johnston. In one handsome volume, cloth gilt, 12s. 6d. net, and wm half red Persian morocco, 14s. net. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., ParrerRNoster Row | Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Patrprnostrr Row By HARRISON WEIR OUR POULTRY AND ALL ABOUT THEM With S30 pages and 586 Illustrations, comprising many Photographs, and over 250 Reproductions of the Author’s original Drawings, including 36 superb Coloured Plates. In two large handsome volumes, cloth gilt, with full gilt edges, 14s. each net. In half red Persian morocco, 17s. each net. LONDON : HUTCHINSON | & CO., PATERNOSTER Row ADVERTISEMENTS The Woburn Library of Natural History Edited by the DUKE OF BEDFORD Each Volume in Crown 4to, handsome cloth gilt and gilt top, 12s. 6d. net A New Volume by SIR HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., M.P., F.R.S. BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES With 12 Coloured Plates, including 22 Figures from Photographs. By SIR HARRY JOHNSTON BRITISH MAMMALS With 16 Coloured Plates by the Author, 32 other Plates from Photographs and Drawings, and 120 Illustrations in the Text by the Author. “A valuable contribution; handsome in appearance and beautifully printed.”—Pall Mall Gazette. “In this handsome and strikingly-illustrated addition to the Woburn Library the author has succeeded in producing an extremely interesting and attractive volume.’’—Nature. “A charming and interesting volume.’’—St. James’s Gazette. “Sir Harry writes with a charm of style and an enthusiasm which are refreshing and entertaining. This valuable book, published at such a reasonable price.”—Manchester Guardian. By Professor F. EDWARD HULME BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS of the COUNTRY-SIDE With 312 Figures in Colour from Original Drawings by the Author. “Tt admirably fulfils the intention of this excellent series.’”—Daily Express. ‘““A treatise of a very high order, interesting alike to scientific and non-scientific minds, and forming a most valuable addition to the library of any lover of Nature. Prof. Hulme’s work has been excellently done, alike in the letterpress and the illustrations. 312 butterflies, all drawn from the actual insect; these are an attraction in themselves. A display of colour printing of which we have rarely seen the equal.’’—Bu'minghamni Post. By the same Author WILD FRUITS of the COUNTRY-SIDE With 36 Fine Coloured Plates by the - uthor. “Tf all the succeeding volumes of the Woburn Library are as good as this first volume, the whole series will be a very acceptable addition to all libraries.”—Guardian. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., Patrrnoster Row ——_ oe ew | f | =e li : | | | LUM = nl ine il | Wea i EB = 1) = B= , | ttf OHTA a \\ HAUL TU PIII | | . ii HAUTE utc ul I TU | PIN | ut a : | | | | i } LiKE BU ow NrEor A F_ DISINEECTAN'T CLEANS AND DISINFECTS AT THE SAME TIME AND AT THE SAME COST. i=" MAKES HEALTH INFECTIOUS “Fa LEVER BROTHERS, Limited, Port Sunlight, Cheshire. TELEPHONE 6f6 LONDON WALI PRINTED BY A. C. FOWLER, TENTER ST., MOORFIELDS, AND SHOREDITCH, LONDON, E.O, FAINIIMASIOIIEE AND THE WORLD OF NATURE | cae MAGAZINE OF NATU RAL H (STO RY. TH [ROUGHOUT THE wo RLD ae LONDON: HUTCHINSON. 3 CO., ‘PATERNOSTER ROW ADVERTISEMENTS Soe AMINA, IDI, See ; And the World of Nature. CONTENTS, JUNE, 1904. 1. CotourED Pratz: A TIGER IN THE JUNGLE PAGE 2. UNCOMMON PETS.—XVII. THE COATI - - - By P. Wellington Farmborough, F.Z.S., F.E.S., &c. 365 Illustrated with Photographs. 3. ZOO NOTES - - - - - - - - Illustrated with Photographs by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S. 368 4. MIMICRY IN BIRDS - - - - - - - - - - - By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.8. 374 Illustrated with Photographs. 5. OUR COLOURED PLATE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 381 6. NOTES ON THE HEDGEHOG - - - - - - - - - - By W. Royal-Dawson, F.Z.S. 382 Illustrated with Photographs. 7. THE BOA-CONSTRICTOR - - - - - - - - - - By H. George F. Spurrell 383 Tilustrated with Photographs by the Aeetine 8. NOTES AND COMMENTS. - - - - - = 3 2 2 = 2 “ 3 a Ms - 885 Illustrated with Photographs. 9. ANATURALIST’S NOTES FROM THE UTS Ne aoe SUED UISD) JES OL INCISORS AND THE ROLLER OR DOLLAR-BIRD~ - . - - - By Cyril Grant Lane 389 Illustrated with Photographs by the Axtinon, 10. BIRD-WINGED BUTTERFLIES - - = - - - - By Captain H. Cayley Webster, F.Z.8. 392 Illustrated with a Photograph by the Author. 11. ANIMAL ANECDOTES - - - - = = = 2 2 = = = = es 2 5 s - 394 31 Illustrations. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.) The Editor will be glad to consider any Contributions of a suitable nature for AnimauL Lire, and provided they are accompanied by a sufficiently STAMPED AND ADDRESSED HINVELOPE, he will endeavour to return promptly MSS. and photographs of which he cannot make use, but he cannot hold himself responsible for accidental loss, though every care will be taken to secure their safe return. Articles and Notes should be short and of general interest; whenever possible, they should be accompanied by photographs (silver prints) and a written statement giving permission to reproduce them. Unless otherwise arranged, MSS. and photographs will be paid for on publication at the usual rates of this Magazine. AnimaL Lire can be obtained at all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the offices of the Publishers, post free, for 10/- per annum. The Publishers would be glad to hear from any reader who may experience difficulty im procuring copies. The views expressed in the Articles appearing in this Magazine are those of their respective Authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Editor. 1 1 THE Live Harmless Reptiles | ; jyviNG PLANT Paced Oe aioe. Leopard cwakee Gib IN LEAF, FLOWER AND FRUIT 20/=. Eyed, Giant Green, Notopholis, Ocellated, BY Blue, Starred, Anolis Lizards, 2/6 to 10/=. Green A. E. KNIGHT & EDWARD STEP, F.L.S. Lizards, English Grass Snakes, 7/6—15/= doz. Also Alligators, various Tortoises, Terrapins, Batrachians. With 432 pages and 831 Illustrations, including : ; : 36 full-page Plates and a Frontispiece in colours Constant arrwals from all countries. from a drawing by Sir Harry Johnston. List stamp. Advice gratis, In one handsome volume, cloth gilt, 12s. 6d. net, and im half red Persian morocco, 14s. net. ; The Vivarium,’ West Bromwich. Lonpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., PatEeRNosTER Row By far the Cheapest Work on Butterflies and Moths ever published. Price 6d. net. Complete in 13 Parts. BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS OF THE COUNTRY SIDE By PROFESSOR F. E. HULME 35 Superb Coloured Plates, representing 312 Figures from the actual Insects. London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row ADVERTISEMENTS A POPULAR BOOK ON BOTANY FOR THE GENERAL READER COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME THE LIVING PLANT IN LEAF, FLOWER AND FRUIT By ALFRED ERNEST KNIGHT, Author of “Luminous Plants,” &., AND EDWARD STEP, F.L.S., Author of ‘The Romance of Wild Flowers,” &c. With 432 pp. and 863 illustrations, including 32 full-page Plates and a Frontispiece in colours from a drawing by Sir Harry Johnston. In one handsome cr. 4to volume, cloth gilt, gilt edges, 12s. 6d. net: and im half red Persian morocco, gilt edges, 14s. net. This is the only work of its kind, viz.: a Simplified Study of Botany for General Readers, yet withal complete, accurate and trustworthy. There is no other work on Popular Botany so full, so well supplied with Illustrations and so up-to-date. The authors presuppose no knowledge on the subject on the part of their readers, yet those who wish to grasp the leading principles of the science will here find more than a superficial treatment, not less useful because the dry bones of science have been enlivened by popular treatment. To insure the utmost accuracy, the work has been carefully revised by Dr. A. B. Rendle. A special word should be said about the Illustrations: these have been made with definite relation to the text, and in many instances, the subjects have never been illustrated before. The Photographs, printed separately on art paper, have been specially selected from a very large collection made from every quarter, and it may be truthfully said that modern photography is heie seen in its highest form. Briefly, this work is light to handle, light to read, and pleasing to look at. By PROF. F. EDWARD HULME ‘WILD FRUITS OF THE COUNTRY SIDE With 36 Fine Coloured Plates by the Author In handsome cloth gilt and gilt top, 12s. 6d. net. “Tf all the succeeding volumes of the Woburn Library are as good as this first volume, very acceptable addition to all libraries.” —Guardzan. Three Press Quotations: “ Magnificent.’’—“ Most interesting and informing.’’—“‘ Wonderful.”’ THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD An Interesting Description of Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, Insects, etc., with authentic Anecdotes By C. J. CORNISH. M.A., F.Z.S. (Editor); SIR HARRY JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G.; W. SAVILLE-KENT, F.L.S., F.Z,S., and other well-known Authorities. With 1,210 Magnificent Illustrations entirely from Photographs, and 25 Coloured Plates IN TWO YOLUMES IN HANDSOME CLOTH GILT, GILT EDGES . . 10s.6d. NET, PER VOLUME. IN HALF-GREEN FRENCH MOROCCO, GILT EDGES. 11s.6d. ,, # IN HALF-RED PERSIAN MOROCCO, GILT EDGES . 12s.6d. ,, < IN FULL RED PERSIAN MOROCCO, GILT EDGES . 15s.0d. ,, “4 By HARRISON WEIR OUR POU LTRY AND ALL ABOUT THEM With S3O pages and 586 Illustrations, comprising many Photographs, and over 250 Reproductions of the Author’s original Drawings, including 36 superb Coloured Plates. In two large handsome volumes, cloth gilt, with full gilt edges, 14s. each net. In half red Persian morocco, 17s. each net. Loxnpon: HUTCHINSON & CO., PatERNostER Row a TAS had DOWNVAREEAY Hi yi Tn i IN iy NAW Minh ANN it NM : , SRY | aa ANG ARS He yy tt AN ARRAN BAN: SS \ Ni) yin RHONA LNA j i IANsth yay es \ SN) ait " NN H IN ALARA ANNAN i tnt NNN Nit Winer i } SE UTRH i i \ SAAR RT f ASMA SAAR i EEE Cen I 1 i DAH aH anit bt A Nan i ih AY AGT ! HN wi} M iy AY i Nl Hat LGAs AMAA CAN itt BANYAN NH KAUR aN HU AVAUC AAA A ARYA URRRXRYTANKU ih \ ARAN (i " Nt i i t tt ARR NN Nh ' AURAL iN i IWAN H INAS Ha Hit TEM BN \ AAAAAR ee Te Tc GEE cA a NA DAA i AVAAM OC TARA) \ it BREA ah iii Hl ARRAS i inhth iH 1 | ) MM i ) k NAA et lent Hit ty H RR LAG \ i i Ai } IK MW i i | AH i Ny Wastin iN AANA Wt Hy ANA SN NY AY Nh \ Nitin SAHAREANN aN) i » = \\¥ Dey \ | yi) For the Bath. For the Toilet. For Shampooing. For Lace and Hosiery. For Flannels and Woolleiis. Softens Hard Water. Soothes the Skin. A Good Hairwash. A Luxury in the Bath. A Pure Preparation. PURIFYING AND REFRESHING. A unique washing preparation made in the form of flakes or wafers. SOLD BY ALL GROCERS AND OILMEN. LEVER BROTHERS, LIMITED, PORT SUNLIGHT, CHESHIRE. PRINTED BY A. C. FOWLER, TENTER ST., MOORFIRLDS, AND SHOREDITCH, LONDON, E.C. TELEPHOND 666 LONDON WALL. Eee) (e % * eae Ne 1 3 = ‘ 4 \\ pani 4 “3 : ae