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ZOOI.OGY

^OL. I.

CLASS I.

QUADRUPED S

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V BRITISH ZOOLOGY,

BY

THOMAS PENNANT, Esq.

A NEW EDITION.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

VOL. L

Class 1. QUADRUPEDS.

11. BIRDS. Div. I. LAND.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR WILKIE AND ROBINSON 5 J. NUNNj WHITE
AND COCHRANE} LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND
BROWN; CADELL AND DAVIES J J. HARDING j J. BOOTH J
J. RICHARDSON; J. MAWMAN 3 J. AND A. ARCH;
R. BALDWIN; AND J. JOHNSON AND CO.

1812.

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March 1, 1777

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VOL. I.

TO THE

DUTCHESS DOAYAGER

OF

PORTLAND,

THIS WORK IS DEDICATED, , "

AS A GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEGEMENT

OF THE MANY FAVORS ; . ,
CONFERRED BY HER GRACE
ON HER MOST OBLIGED, < ;

AND MOST OBEDIENT

HUMBLE SERVANT,

- THOMAS PENNANT.

PREFACE.

At a time, when the study of natural
history seems to revive in Europe; and
the pens of several illustrious foreigners
have been employed in enumerating the
productions of their respective countries,
we are unwilling that our own island
should remain insensible to its particular
advantages ; we are desirous of diverting
the astonishment of our countrymen at
the gifts of nature bestowed on other
kingdoms, to a contemplation of those
with which (at lest with equal bounty)
she has enriched our own.

A judicious Foreigner has well remark-
ed, that an Englishman is excusable should
he be ignorant of the papal history, where
it does not relate to Great Britain; but
inexcusable should he neglect inquiries

a 2

IV PREFACE.

into the origin of parlements, the hmita-
tion of the royal prerogative, and the gra-
dual deviation from the feodal to the pre-
sent system of government.

The observation is certainly just, and
the application appears too obvious to be
pointed out ; yet the generality of man-
kind can rest contented with ignorance of
their native soil, while a passion for no-
velty attracts them to a superficial exami-
nation of the wonders of Mexico, or Ja-
pan; but these should be told, that such a
passion is a sure criterion of a weak judge-
ment: utility, truth, and certainty, should
alone be the point at which science should
aim ; and what knowlege can be more
useful than of those objects with which
we are most intimately connected ? and
where can we reason with greater cer-
tainty on such points, than in our own
country, where a constant recourse may
be had to the specimen of what we have
under consideration? But these, and many
other arguments for examining into the
productions of our own island, may here

PREFACE. tV

be waved, as the admirable Linn^us
has displayed them at large in an oration,*
which for masterly reasoning, and happy
ingenuity, may vie with the best compo-
sitions.

Yet, as that great naturalist has, in the
same tract, published an eulogium on
Sweden ; and as an mcitement to his
countrymen to apply themselves to the
study of nature, enumerated the natural
productions of that kingdom ; we shall
here attempt a parallel, and point out
to the British reader, his native riches;
many of which were probably unknown
to him, or perhaps slightly regarded.

Do the heights of Torsburg^ or Swucku^
afford more instruction to the naturalist
than the mountains of Cumberland, or
Caernarvonshire ? whose sides are covered
with a rich variety of uncommon vegeta-
bles, while theu' bowels are replete with
the most useful minerals. The Derby-
shire hills, abounding in all the magni-

* AmcEn. Acad. Tom. II. p. 409. Stillingfeefs Swedish
Tracts, Tr.l.

VI PREFACE.

ficence of caves and clitfs ; the mountains
of Kerry, and that surprizing harbour the
Midlers of Buchan,^ may well be opposed
to the rocks of Blackulla, or the caverns
of Skiula. Sweden can no where pro-
duce a parallel to that happy combination
of grandeur and beauty in Keswick vale,-!"
or KillarnriX lake ; nor can Europe shew a
natural wonder equal to the Giant's Cause'
way in the north of Ireland.

The excellence and number of our
springs (whether medicinal or incrusting)
are well known to common inquirers.

Our minerals are as great in quantity,
as rich in quality : of gold, indeed, we
cannot produce many specimens, yet suf-
ficient to shew that it is found in this
island ;§ but silver is found in great abund-

* Between Aberdeen and Peterhead.

f In Cumberland.

X In the county of Kerry.

§ That oui" country produces gold, appears In Dr. Bor-
lase's History of Cornwall, p. 214. So late as the year
1753, several pieces were found in what the miners call
stream tin ,- one specimen was as thick as a goose quill ;
others weighed to the value of seventeen shillings, tvven-

PREFACE. Vil

ance in our lead ores, and veins of native
silver in the copper ore of Muckrus, on
the lake of Killarny. The haematites iron
ores of Cumberland, and the beautiful
columnar iron ores of the forest of Dean,
are sufficient to display our riches in that
useful commodity. No country produces
so great a quantity of tin as Cornwall;
and that county, and several others in the
north, have been long noted for their inex-
haustible veins of copper : nor less famous
are the lead mines of Derhyahire, Cardi-
ganshire and Flintshire, which have been
worked for ages, yet shew no sign of the
decline of their stores.

In all these, nature sports with great
luxuriancy ; the crystallized lead ore of
Tralee,* the fibrous lead ore of Tipperari/ ;
the laminated lead ore of Lord Hoptouns
mines; the crystallized tins, and the figured
ores of Zink, are equally noted for their
elegance, scarcity, and richness.

ty-seven shillings, and another even to the value of
three guineas,

* In the county of iCerry. . , .

Vlil PREFACE.

The ore of Zink, or Lapis Calaminaris,
is found in vast quantities in the counties
of Somerset and Flirit ; while black lead
or wadd^ a substance scarce known in
other kingdoms, abounds in the moun-
tains of Cumberland.

To the Swedish Tetroleum, we may
oppose the Well at Pitchford, and that
of St. Catherine's near Edinburgh. Our
amber and our jet, together with our in-
exhaustible strata of coal found in so
many parts of this kingdom, will, in the
article of bitumens, give us the superiority
over these so much boasted productions
of Swedeii.

To avoid a tedious enumeration, we
shall only mention our wonderful mines
of rock salt; our alium and our vitriol
works ; our various marbles, alabasters,
and stones ; our most excellent clays and
earths;* all v,'hich articles, and many

* If the inquisitive reader is desirous of a farther
account of the number and excellence of our subter-
raneous productions, we refer him to the learned Dr.
Woodward's Catalogue of the English Fossils, London
1729j particularly to p. 5.

PREFACE. JX

more unnoted here, might have furnished
us with an ample field for panegyric. ^'-^

Our botanical productions are not less
abundant ; but the works of Ray, which
have lately been much enlarged and me-
thodized, according to the Linncean sys-
tem, by the ingenious Mr. Hudson, in
his Flora Anglica, are a sufficient display
of our vegetable riches.

Our Zoology would be a copious sub-
ject to enlarge on, but the work in hand
restrains us from anticipating our reader's
curiosity. We might expatiate on the
clouds of Soland geese which breed on the
^ass island, or Tuffins on that of Priest-
holme : on our fish, and other marine
animals ; on our insects, and the various
other sensitive productions of this king-
dom ; but we forbear a parade of useless
declamation, and shall only add, that as
few countries receive more advantages
from their natural breed of quadrupeds,
unmixed with any beast that preys on
man, so, few can boast a greater variety of
birds, whether local, or migratory.

X

PREFACE.

This is a general view of the natural
history of our own country ; why then
should we neglect inquiring into the va-
rious benefits that result from these in-
stances of the wisdom of our Creator,
which his divine munificence has so libe-
rally, and so immediately placed before
us? Such a neglect is certainly highly to
be blamed, for (to express ourselves in the
words of an eminent writer) " the Creator
did not bestow so much curiosity, and
workmanship on his creatures, to be
looked on with a careless incurious eye,
especially to have them slighted or con-
temned ; but to be admired by the
rational part of the world, to magnify
his own power to all the world, and the
ages thereof; and since the works of the
creation are all of them so many de-
monstrations of the infinite wisdom and
power of God, they may serve to us, as
so many arguments exciting us to a con-
stant fear of the Deity, and a steady and
hearty obedience to all his laws/'*

* Derham's Phvs. Theol. Book XI. c. 24.

PREFACE. XI

Much might be added to this subject,
if considered in a theological light ; but
since the writings of Boyle, Ray, and
Derha?n, fully prove that the study of
natural history enforces the theory of reli-
gion and practice of morality, we had
better refer to their works in general, than
mangle them by imperfect quotations.

To exalt our veneration towards the
Almighty, is the principal end of this
sublime science ; and next to that, the
various benefits resulting from it to hu-
man society deserve our serious consider-
ation.

, To give an obvious instance : what won-
derful changes have been made in human
affairs by the discovery of an obscure mi-
neral. The antients, ignorant of the ap-
plication of the magnet, timidly attempted
a mere coasting navigation ; while we, bet-
ter informed of the uses of it, traverse
the widest oceans, and by the discovery of
the new world, have layed open to sci-
ence, an inexhaustible fund of matter.
The rise and progress of medicine, kept

XU PREFACE.

pace with the advancement of this most
important discovery ; and though necessity
was the parent of the mechanic arts, yet
they also throve, and grew to maturity,
under the same influence.

Many more instances might be added
to this brief view of the utility of natural
knowlege ; but we shall only give some
of its uses in the polite arts, which have
hitherto been too little connected with it.

To instance particularly in painting, its
uses are very extensive : the permanency
of colors depends on the goodness of the
pigments ; but the various animal, vege-
table, and fossil substances (out of which
they are made), can only be known by
repeated trials ; yet the greatest artists
have failed in this respect : the shadows of
the divine Raphael have acquired an uni-
form blackness, which obscures the finest
productions of his pencil, while the paint-
ings of Holbein, Durer, and the Venetian-
■school (who were admirably skilled in the
knowlege of pigments), still exist in their
primitive freshness.

PREFACE. ■ ^il

But these advantages are small, com-
pared to those derived from the knovvlege
of nature in the representation of objects:
painting is an imitation of nature ; now,
who can imitate without consulting the
original ? But to come to what is more
particularly the object of our inquiries ;
animal and vegetable life are the essence
of landscape, and often are secondary ob-
jects in historical paintings : even the
sculptor in his limited province would do
well to acquire a correctness of design with
a perfect knowlege of the muscles of ani-
mals. But the painter should have all
this and more ; he should be acquainted
with all their various tints, their manner
of living, their peculiar motions or atti-
tudes, and their places of abode,* or he
will fall into manifest errors.

* That great artist, Mr. Ridinger, of Augsburg, exceeds
all others in the three last particulars ; nothing can equal
his prints of animals for propriety of attitudes, for a just
idea of Iheir way of life, and for the beautiful and natural
scenery that accompanies them. His finest works are, his
Wilde Thiere, Kleins Thiere, and Jagdbare Thiers '; but
there are scarce any of his performances that can fail

XIV PREFACE.

Plurimus inde labor tabulas imitando juvabit
"Egregias, operumque typos^ sed plura docebit
Natura ante oculos pr^esens, nam firmat et auget
Vim genii, ex illaque artem experientia complet. *

Descriptive poetry is still more indebt-
ed to natural knowlege, than either paint-
ing or sculpture : the poet has the whole
creation for his range ; nor can his art
exist without borrowing metaphors, allu-
sions, or descriptions, from the face of na-
ture, which is the only fund of great ideas.
The depths of the seas, the internal ca-
verns of the earth, and the planetary
system, are out of the painter's reach;
but can supply the poet with the sublimest
conceptions : nor is the knowlege of ani-
mals and vegetables less requisite, while
his creative pen adds life and motion
to every object.

From hence it may be easily inferred,
that an acquaintance with the works of
nature is equally necessary to form a
genuine and correct taste for any of the

giving pleasure to all admirers of nature represented
as herself.

* Fresnoy de arte graph, lin, 537-

PREFACE. Ay

above-mentioned arts. Taste is no more
than a quick sensibility of imagination
refined by judgement, and corrected by
experience ; but experience is another term
for knowlege : * and to judge of natural
images, we must acquire the same know-
lege, and by the same means, as the
painter, the poet, or the sculptor.

Thus far natural history in general
seems connected with the polite arts ;
but were we to descend into all its parti-
cular uses in common life, we should ex-
ceed the bounds of a preface : it will be
therefore necessary to confine our inqui-
ries to the investigation of a single part of
the material world, which few are so igno-
rant as not to know is divided into the
animal, vegetable, and fossil kingdoms.

Vast would be the extent of the inqui-
ries into each of these; but though ambi-
tion may tempt us to pervade the whole
field of science, yet a little experience will
open to our views the immense tracts of

* See the Essay on the origin of our ideas of the sub-
Jime and beautiful.

XVI PREFACE.

natural knowlege, and we shall find it an
arduous task only to investigate a single
province, so as to speak with precision and
certainty ; without which there can be no
real improvements in natural history.

For these reasons, a partial examination
of this science is all that a considerate
mind will aim at, which may perhaps
be most naturally guided to give the pre-
ference to the most exalted subject of it.

Zoology is the noblest part of natural
history, as it comprehends all sensitive
beings, from reasoning man, through every
species of animal life, till it descends to
that point where sense is wholly extinct,
and vegetation commences : and certainly
none will denj-, that life, and voluntary
motion, are superior to a mere vegetating
principle, or the more inactive state of the
fossil kinsidom.

Should we follow the train of reflections
which naturally arise from the contempla-
tion of animals, they would swell this pre-
face into a volume : and should we only
mention the various uses of IBritish ani-

PREFACE. XVH

mals in common life, yet even these would
greatly exceed the bounds to which we
have thought it right to limit ourselves^
The knowlege of Dicetetics is a necessary
branch of medicine, as by a proper atten- .
tion to that article, an obstinate distemper
may be eradicated, when common reme-
dies have failed ; but this can never be
attained, without the study of Zoology,
which assists us greatly in learning the
different qualities of animal food ; and
how far a difference of nutriment may con-
tribute to cure the disease.

Cloathing is essential, not only to our
comfort, but subsistence ; and the number
of our manufactures, relative to this single
article, demand our care for their extension
and improvement ; especially as the main-
tenance of thousands depends on these
important branches of commerce ; yet
these may be enlarged, by discovering
new properties in animals, or by the far-*
ther cultivation of those already disco-
vered. The science of Zoology is requi-
site for each of these ; and if we reflect

VOL. I. b

XVlll PREFACE.

but a little on the unwearied diligence of
our rivals the French, we should attend to
every sister science that may any ways
preserve our superiority in manufactures
and commerce.

Domestic osconomy is an object of equal
consequence ; and the author* of the Ca-
lendar of Flora has established the uses
of Zoology in this particular, with unde-
niable evidence. This excellent writer has
united a happy invention, with the most
solid judgement, and certainly merits the
highest commendations, as a friend of
human kind. Our ingenious countryman,
and worthy friend, the late Mr. Stilling-
fleet, in the same year pursued almost the
same plan as far as his time would permit,
with equal success, and manifestly proved
the utility of the project, in a learned dis-
course prefixed to his work.-^j-

If then Zoology can suggest so many
hints towards enlarging and improving our
manufactures and agriculture ; we shall

* Alex. Mai. Berger.

f Swedish Tracts^ translated from the Amceiu Acad.
second edition.

PREFACE. XIX

not think our time misapplied, in offering
to the pubhc, the Natural History of
the Quadrupeds and Birds of Great
Britain. This compilation had its pe-
culiar difficulties ; but the labor of tra-
velling through a dry arrangement of the
subject, was very frequently alleviated by
the beautiful specimens we met with in
our progress : besides, we own with plea-
sure that we have been greatly aided by
the lovers of natural history, who since
the appearance of the first edition have
contributed to enrich the present with
several valuable observations : by collect-
ing and digesting these materials, we have
not only rendered the work more com-
plete, but are also encouraged to trace the
British Zoology through some of the re-
maining classes.

Let therefore every merit that may ap-
pear in the present edition, and exerj
error that may have been suppressed from
the former, be attributed to the kind in-
formations we have received from our
learned and ingenious friends ; among

b 2

XX PREFACE.

■whom we are ambitious of naming the
Honorable Dailies Barrington ; the Reve-
rend Sir ^John Ciillum, Baronet ; the
Reverend '^'Geoi^ge Ashby, and the Reve-
rend Mr. ^ Green of Cambridge ; ^WiU
Ham Constahle^ Esquire; Sir Joseph Banks,
Baronet, and K. B. ^Benjamin Stilling'
Jleet, Esquire; ^Thomas Falconer, Esquire,
of Chester ; Doctor Joh?i Reinold Forster ;
the Reverend Doctor ^Buckworth ; the
Reverend Hugh Davies, of Beaumaris ;
Mr. ^Travis, Surgeon, of Scarborough ;
Mr. Latham, Surgeon, of Dartford ;
^Thomas Tofield, of Yorkshire, Esquire;
Mr. ^Flijmly, of Longnor, Shropshire ;
'^Oweji Holland, Esquire, of Conway ;
^ Henry Seymer, Esquire, of Hanford,
Wilts; Doctor Lysons, of Glocester; Doc-
tor ^ Solander ; Mr. ^ Peter ColUnson ;
the Reverend ^Gilbert White, of Selhorn,
Hants ; and that Father of British Orni-
thologists, Mr. ^George Edwards, of the
College of Physicians. -j-

t All marked witli an asterisk I am now to deplore the loss
of by death. Probably written about the year J 793. Ed.

PREFACE. XXI

I unaccountablv omitted the name of
Marmacluke Timstall, Esquire, of TVi/cliff,
in Yorkshire, which I must now add to
the said hst ; the excellency of his moral
character, his uncommon liberality, and
his deep skill and zeal in the study of na-
tural history, made his loss most sincerely
lamented by all who had the happiness of
his acquaintance. At the same time I
regret my particular misfortune, I grate-
fully acknowlege the benefit I received
from his posthumous works. He did my
History of Quadrupeds and my British
Zoology, the honor of bestowing much
time in illustrating them with notes. These
his relative, Edward Constable, of Burton
Constable, has, with great liberality, in-
trusted me with. The following pages
will receive from them the utmost im-
provement. At the time I acknowlege
the favor, I feelingly regret the loss of
our common friend.

In the prosecution of our plan, we shall,
to avoid the perplexity arising from form-
ing a new system, adopt (as far as relates

XXU PREFACE.

to the Quadrupeds and Birds) that of the
inestimable Rai/, who advanced the study
of nature far beyond all that went before
him ; and whose abilities, integrity, and
mildness, were no less an ornament to the
human species in general, than to his own
country in particular. Yet, as this excel-
lent man was in a manner the founder of
systematic Zoology, so later discoveries
have made a few improvements on his la-
bors : wherever, then, he is mistaken in the
arrangement, we shall attempt a reform,
assisted by the more modern systems, all
of which owe their rise to the plan chalked
out by our illustrious countryman. It is
unnecessary to detain the reader in this
place with the reasons for our deviation
from the order we observed in our last
edition, for they are given at large in the
Prefaces to our Sf/)iopsis and Histori/ of
Quadrupeds and Genera of Birds.

We have, in our descriptions, wholly
omitted the anatomy of animals ; as that
part, unless executed with the greatest
skill, would be no small blemish to the

PREFACE. XXUl

rest of this performance ; but the reader
may judge of the extent of our plan, by
the following heads : the character of the
genus shall first be mentioned ; then the
specific name ; the synonyms from differ-
ent authors ; and the genera in which
those authors have placed the animal.
The names shall be given in several Euro^
pea7i languages ; * and we shall conclude
with a brief, but sufficient description,
adding, at the same time, the various uses,
and natural history, of each individual.

If this plan succeeds, in promoting the
knowlege of nature in this kingdom, we
shall think ourselves amply rewarded.
Could our exhortations avail, we should
recommend this study most earnestly to
every country gentleman. To those of

* In the ornithology the European names are prefixed
to the author referred to in the synonyms,

Italian to Aldrovand, Ohna, or Zinanni.

French Brisson, or de BufFon.

German Gesner, or Kramer. i

Swedish the Fauna Suecica.

Danish and Norwegian Brunnich.

Carniolan Scopoli. ..;;.■ .'v .j

XXIV . PREFACE.

an active turn, we might say, that so
pleasing and useful an employment would
relieve the tadium arising from a same-
ness of diversions ; every object would
produce some new observation, and while
they might seem only to gratify them-
selves Vv'ith a present indulgence, they
would be laying up a fund of useful know-
lege ; they would find their ideas sensi-
bly enlarged, till they comprehended the
whole of domestic ceconomy, and the
wise order of Providence.

To those of a sedentary disposition, this
study would not only prove agreeable, but
salutary : men of that turn of mind are
with difficulty drawn from their books,
• to partake of the necessary enjoyments

of air and exercise ; and even when thus
compelled, they profit less by it than men
of an illiberal education. But this incon-
venience would be remedied, could we in-
duce them to observe and relish the won-
ders of nature ; aided by philosophy, they
would find in the woods and fields a series
of objects, that would give to exercise

PREFACE. XXV

charms unknown before ; and enraptured
with the scene, they will be ready to ex-
clame with the poet :

On every thorn, delightful wisdom grows ;

In every rill, a sweet instruction flows. Young.

Thus would the contemplative naturalist
learn from all he saw, to love his Creator
for his goodness ; to repose an implicit
confidence in his wisdom ; and to revere
his awful omnipotence. We shall dwell
no longer on this subject, than to draw
this important conclusion ; that health of
body, and a chearful contentment of mind,
are the general effects of these amuse-
ments. The latter is produced by a se-
rious and pleasing investigation of the
bounties of an all-wise and beneficent Pro-
vidence ; as constant and regular exercise
is the best preservative of the former. ,

THOMAS PENNANT.

Downing,
March 1, 1776. •

ADVERTISEMENT

OF

THE EDITOR.

xN the republication of the British Zo-
ology^ the Editor assumes little merit be-
yond that of a faithful transcriber, and a
not unindustrious compiler. In the latter
capacity he has to acknowlege his obli-
gations to the labors of Dr. Latham, Mr.
Montagu, Dr. Shaw, and of the various
contributors to the valuable volumes of
the Linncean and JVernerian Societies : the
sources from v;hich he borrov/ed informa-
tion have never been concealed. He has,
moreover, the grateful task of expressing
what is due for assistance from his friends ;
at the head of whom he is proud to place
the name of Dr. Latham, who kindly re-
vised the ornithological portion of the

ADVERTISEMENT. XXVll

work, and augmented it bj his observa-
tions. To Edward Hanmer, Esquire, of
Stockgrove, to John Hawkins, Esquire, of
Bognor Park, and to Mr. Henry Jen7ier,
of Berkeley, nephew to the philanthropic
physician of the same name, he is also much
indebted ; but above all to that able and
veteran naturalist the Reverend Hugh
Davies, of Beaumaris, to whose labors the
fourth volume owes, almost exclusively, its
vast augmentation.

It is unnecessary for the Editor to add
his praise to the well-earned reputation of
the author of the British Zoology ; but it
must surprise the reader (who considers
the small attention which had been paid
to the science of Natural History at the
time Mr. Pennant wrote), to perceive how
few additions are made to the catalogue of
Quadrupeds, Birds, and Fishes, and how
few corrections have been necessary. The
succeeding classes, unfortunately, had not ^
obtained an equal share of his attention;
and it must be confessed that the Divi-
sions of Crustacea, of Worms (properly

XXVIU ADVERTISEMENT.

SO called), and of MoUusca, are still im-
perfect. Much has been done by Mr.
Montagu on these subjects ; and the vast
collection he has formed of marine pro-
ductions, enables him to do much more.
It is to be hoped he \vill not withhold
what he is so able to communicate, and
that he or other naturalists will prosecute
Mr. Pen7ianfs labors, and complete what
is still deficient of the British Zoo-
logy.

« THE EDITOR,

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES,

JElian an. var. CLAUDJI ^liani Optra quae extant

omnia, Cura & Opera Conradi Ges-
neri Tigurini, fol. Tiguri, 1556.

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XX]

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

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Belon av.

Belon ols.

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EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

XXXI

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xxxu

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

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Catalogue of the Rarities belonging to

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

XXXlll

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The two first volumes are the pro-
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VOL. I. C

xxxiv

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

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Jonstons Nat. Hist.

Klein quad.

Klein av.
Klein stem,

Kramer.

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Lath. Sup.

Laur. Amph,
Lin. Syst,
Lin. Tf,
Linckii.
List. Ang.
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Martens Spitzlerg,

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J. Theod. Klein Stemmata avium, 40
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EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES. xxxv

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e Proprieta di diversi Uccelli e in
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c 2

XXXVl

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

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EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

XXXVll

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xxxviii EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES.

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F. L. S. 12mo. Sivansea, I8O7.
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nanniy in Fenezia, I737.

LIST OF PLATES.

XXXIX

VOL. I.

Plate

Frontispiece, Sheep.
I. Arabian Horse
II. Highland Bull
Lancashire Cow
in. Domestic Goat
IV. Roebuck

V. Wolf ....

VI. Fitchet Weesel

Martin W. . = _

VII. Common W. - - -
Stoat W. - - - .
VIII. Common Otter
Common Badger
IX. Beaver - - - .
Musimon, head of - -
X. Varying Hare

Rabbet H.
XI. Common Mouse

Water Shrew . - -
XII. Seals ....

XIII. Great Bat

Long eared B. - -

XIV. Horse-shoe B.

XV. Explanation of Technical Terms
XVI. Golden Eagle

XVII. Sea E

XVIIL Cinereous E. . . -

Page

1

21
iL
42

59

88
105
108
112
114
117
100
122

38
129
130
150'
155
167

179
182
180
194
197
205
209

xl

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate

XIX. Gyr-FALcoN . . -
XX. Peregrine F. - - -

XXI. Gentil F. ...

XXII. (Variety)

XXIII. LannerF.

XXIV. Goshawk F. - - -
XXV. Spotted F. . - .

XXVI. Rough legged F.
XXVII. Buzzard F. . . -

XXVIII. Moor Buzzard F.
XXIX. Hen Harrier F.
XXX. Eagle Owl
XXXI. Long eared O. - -

XXXII. Short eared O.

XXXIII. Brown O.

XXXIV. Great Shrike (Female)
XXXV. Carrion Crow

Jackdaw C.
XXXVI. Red legged C. - -

XXXVII. Nutcracker C. -
XXXVIII. Garrulous Roller
XXXIX. Golden Oriole M. and F.
XL. Common Cuckoo

Common Wryneck
XLI. Middle spotted Woodpecker
Lest spotted W. - -

XLII. Common Kingfisher
European Nuthatch
XLIII. Common Hoopoe
Familiar Creeper
XLIV. Wood Grous (Male)
XLV. (Female)

XLVI. Black G. ...

XLVIl. Red G. (Female)

Ptarmigan G. - - -
XLVIII. Great Bustard

Page
217
218
222
ih.
223
225
227
228
232
237
239
254
258
260
268
272
281
2.96
294
298
300
303
305
312
321
322
326
336
342
345
348
351
352
357
359
376

LIST OF PLATES. xii

Plate Page

XLIX. Rock Pigeon . - . - 383

Turtle P. 394

L. Common Stare _ _ - - 396

Ring Ouzel Thrdsh - _ - 415

LI. Penrith Ouzel Stare . . - 399

LII. Blackbird Thrush M. and F. - - 411

LIII. Rose colored Ouzel Th. ... 413

LIV. Waxen Chatterer - - = 418 '

L.V. Pine Grosbeak _ _ _ _ 423

Cross billed G. - _ _ - 425

LVI. Yellow Bunting - . . . 437

Snow B. ----- - 444

LVII. Cirl B. (Female) - ... 438 '

LVIII. Sparrow Finch M. and F. - - 456

LIX. Tree Sparrow F 458

Sedge Warbler - - - - 517 »

LX. Siskin Finch M. and F. - - - 459 ' .

Twite F. M. and F. - - - - 467

LXI. Red headed F. - .... 464

Lesser Red headed F. - - - 466

LXII. Sky Lark 475

White Wagtail _ _ - . 439

Yellow W. 491

LXIII. Dartford Warbler ... 530

LXIV. Great Titmouse .... 532

BlueT 534 '

ColeT. 535

Marsh T. 536

LXV. Chimney Swallow .... 543

Swift S 550

LXVI. Nocturnal Goatsucker M. and F. - 566

CLASS I.

UADRUPEDS.

CLASS I.
QUADRUPEDS.

Div. I. HOOFED.

II. DIGITATED.

III. PINNATED.

IV. WINGED.

Div. I.
Sect. I. WHOLE HOOFED.

Genus

I. HORSE.

Sect. II. CLOVEN HOOFED.

* With horns.
II. ox.

III. SHEEP.

IV. GOAT.
V. DEER.

** Without horns,
VI. HOG.

xlvi

Div. IL DIGITATED.

Sect. I. Teeth cutting, six in each jaw;
Canine, two in each jaw, large,
distant from the cutting teeth.
Rapacious, carnivorous.

Genus.
VII. DOG.
VIII. CAT.
IX. BADGER.
X. WEESEL.
XI. OTTER.

Sect. IL Teeth cutting, tw^o in each jaw,
very distant from the grinders.
Usually herbivorous, frugivorous.

XII. HARE.

XIII. SQUIRREL.

XIV. DORMOUSE.
XV. RAT.

XVI. SHREW.

XVII. MOLE.

XVIII URCHIN.

xlvii

Div. III. PINNATED,

Genus
XIX. SEAL.

Div. IV. WINGED.

XX. BAT.

PI . 1.

VOLl.F.l.

S'h/h/j,^' />.

ARABIAN HORSE

CLASS L
QUADRUPEDS.'

Div. I. HOOFED.
Sect. I. WHOLE HOOFED.

GENUS I. HORSE.

TEETH cutting six in each jaw.

Raii syn. quad, 62.
Merret pinax. l66.
Gesn. quad. 404.
Klein quad. 4.
De Buffon torn. iv. 174.
tah. l— 10,

Equus auriculls brevibus erectis,

jubalonga. Brisson quad.dg.
Eq. Caballus. Gm. Lin. SOQ.
Eq. Cauda undique setosa. Faun.

Suec. 47.
Br. Zool. 1. Hist. quad. 1. 1.

I. Generous.

Horse.

Brit. March, Ceffyl
Fren. Le Cheval
Ital. Cavallo
Span. Cavallo
Port. Cavallo
Germ. Pferd
Dut. Paerd, Hengst
Swed. Hasst

Mare.

Gelding.

Caseg Dyspaiddfarch

LaCavale, Jument. Cheval ongre

Cavalla

Yegua

Egoa

Stut, Motsch

Merrie

Stood, Horss

Dan. Hasst, Oeg, Hingst Stod-Haest, Hoppe.

X HE breed of horses in Great Britain is as
mixed as that of its inhabitants. The frequent
introduction of foreign horses has given us a
VOL. I. :b

g HORSE. Class I.

variety, that no single country can boast of:
most other kingdoms produce only one kind,
while ours, by a judicious mixture of the several
species, by the happy difference of our soilSj
and by our superior skill in management, may
triumph over the rest of Europe, in having
brought each quality of this noble animal to the
highest perfection.
Swiftness. In the annals of Ntxvmarket , may be found
instances of horses that have literally out-strip-
ped the wind, as the celebrated M. Conda-
■" mine has shewn in his remarks* on those of
Great Britain. Chilckrs'\ is an amazing in-
stance of rapidity, his speed having been more
than once exerted equal to 824- feet in a second,
or near a mile in a minute. The same horse
iias also run the round course at Nexvmarket
(which is about 400 yards less than 4 miles) in
six minutes and forty seconds ; in which case his
fleetness is to that of the swiftest Barb, as four
to three ; the former, according to Doctor
J\Iatys computation, covering at every bound
a space of ground equal in length to twentyr

* ln\\hTourio Italy, 1(^0.

\^\. Condamtne illustrates his remarks -with the horse.
Starling ; but the report of his speed being doubtful, we chuse
to instance the speed of Chllders, as indisputable and universally
linovvr. ■

Class I. HORSE. ^

three feet royal, the latter only that of eighteen , ,
feet and a half royal.* -' -i

Horses of this kind, derive their origin from
Arabia; the seat of the purest, and most gene-
rous breed. f

The species used in hunting, is a happy com-
bination of the former with others superior in.
strength, but inferior in point of speed and line-
age : an union of both is necessary, for the fa-
tigues of the chace must be supported by the
spirit of the one, as well as by the vigor of the
other.

No country can bring a parallel to the strength
and size of our horses destined for the draught,
or, to the activity and strength united, of those
that form our cavalry. . :,

* After Childers, Eclipse, the property of the late Mr. 0'^e%,
was the swiftest horse known in England. He died Fehruarjf
26, 1789, in his twenty-fifth year, having won 25,000^. which
is more than any other horse did for one person. After he was
past running, he covered, in I788, forty mares at thirty guineas
each, exclusive of those of his owner. His heart was of an ex- , , ■;;

traordinary size; it weighed thirteen pounds, which was supposed ...... . J-

to have been the cause of his amazing powers. He never was
beat. M. T.

f In 1787 Captain Rattray, of the Phcenix Indiaman, brought
over a beautiful Arahian stallion of a grey color, the price of
which, with the expence of the passage, amounted to the enor-
mous sum of fifteen hundred and ten pounds. M. T.

For a particular account of the Arahian horses, the reader i«
referred to No. I. in the Appendix to these volumes.

B 2

4 HORSE. Class I.

Strength. I^^ our capital there are instances of single
horses that are able to draw on a level surface, for
a small space, the weight of three tons, but could
with ease, and for a continuance, draw half that
weight.* The pack-horses of Yorkshire, em-
ployed in conveying the manufactures of that
county to the most remote parts of the king-
dom, usually carry a burden of 420 pounds,
and that indifferently over the highest hills of the
north, as well as on the most level roads ; but
the most remarkable proof of the strength of our
British horses, is to be drawn from that of our
mill-horses; some of these will carry at one load
thirteen measures, which at a moderate compu-
tation of seventy pounds each, will amount to
910 pounds; a weight superior to that which
the lesser sort of camels will bear : this will ap-
pear less surprising, as these horses are by de-
grees accustomed to the weight, and the distance
they travel no greater than to and from the ad-
jacent hamlets.

Our cavalry in thej" late campaigns (when
they had an opportunity) shewed over those of
our allies, as well as of the French, a crreat su-

* HoUingshed makes it a matter of boast, that in his time,
five horses could draw with ease for a long journey SOOOlb.
weight.

■f Preceding the peace of I763. We may proudly repeat the
same ob'^trvation at the present time. Ed,

jbritish

Cavalry

Class I. HORSE.

periority both of strength and activity : the
enemy was broken through by the impetuous
charge of our squadrons ; while the German
horses, from their great weight, and inactive
make, were unable to second our efforts ; though
those troops were actuated by the noblest ardor.

The present cavalry of this island only sup- Antient.
ports its antient glory ; it was eminent in the
earliest times : our scythed* chariots, and the
activity'!' and good discipline of our horses, even
struck terror into CcEsar^s legions : and the Bri-
tons, as soon as they became civilized enough to
coin, took care to represent on their money the
animal for which they were so celebrated. It is
now impossible to trace out the peculiar sort, for
those which exist among; the indi^encB of Great
Britain, such as the little horses of TVales and
Cormvall, the hobbies oilr eland, and the shelties
of Scotland, though admirably well adapted to
the uses of those countries, could never have
been equal to the work of war ; but probably
we had even then a larger and stronger breed in
the more fertile and luxuriant parts of the island.
Those we employ for that purpose, or for the
draught, are an offspring of the German or

* Covinos vocant, quorum falcatis axibus utuntur. Pomp.
Mela, lib. iii. c. 6.

f Ccesar. Com. lib. iv. Stralo. lib. iv. • '^-^^^i 'i-^.i., ■ x

g HORSE. Class I.

Flemish breed, meliorated by our soil, and a
judicious culture.

The EngUsJi were ever attentive to an exact
culture of these animals, and in very early times
set a high value on their breed. The esteem
that our horses were held in by foreigners so
long ago as the reign of Athelstan, may be col-
lected from a law of that monarch prohibiting
their exportation, except they were designed as
presents. These must have been the native
kind, or the prohibition would have been need-
less, for our commerce was at that time too
limited to receive improvement from any but
the German kind, to which country their own
breed could be of no value.

But Vv'hen our intercourse with the other parts
of Europe was enlarged, we soon layed hold of
the advantages this gave of improving our
breed. Roger de Belesme, created Earl of
Shrewsbury by JViUiam the Conqueror, is the
first that is on record : he introduced the Spa-
nish stallions into his estate in Poxcysland,
from which cause that part of JVales was for
many ages celebrated for a swift and gene-
rous race of horses. Giraldus Cambrensis,
who lived in the reign oi Henry II. takes notice
of it;* and Michal D7riyfon, cotemporary with

* In hac tertia WalUce portione quae Powisia dicitur sunt

Class I. HORSE.

Shakespeare, sings their excellence in the sixth
part of his Polyolhio?t. This kind was proba-
bly destined to mount our gallant nobility, of
courteous knights for feats of chivalry, in the
generous contests of the tilt-yard. From these
sprung, to speak the language of the times, the
Flower of Coursers, whose elegant form added
charms to the rider, and whose activity and
managed dexterity gained him the pakn in that
field of gallantry and romantic honor.

Notwithstanding my supposition, in a former Races.
edition, races were known in Englaiid in very
early times. Fltz-Steplien, who wrote in the
days of Henry II. mentions the great delight
that the citizens of London took in the diversicm;
but by his words, it appears not to have been
designed for the purposes of gaming, but merely
to have sprung from a generous emulation of
shewing a superior skill in horsemanship.

Races appear to have been in vogue in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, and to have been
carried to such an excess as to injure the fortunes
of the nobility. The famous George Earl of
Cumberland is recorded to have wasted more of

equltia peroptima, et equi emissarii laudatissmi, de Hispanien-
si7im equorum generositate, quos olim Comes Slopeslurice Rohev'
tus de Belesme in fines istos adduci curaveratj originaliter propa-
gati. Itin. Camh. 222.

HORSE. Class I.

his estate than any of his ancestors ; and chiefly
by his extreme love for horse-races, tiltings, and
other expensive diversions. It is probable that
the parsimonious Queen did not approve of it,
for races are not among the diversions exhibited
at Kenelworth by her favorite Leicester. In the
following reign, particular places were allotted
for the sport : Croydon in the South, and GaV'
terli) in Yorkshire, were celebrated courses.
Camden also says, that in 1607 there were
races near York, and the prize was a little golden

bell, f : \ ..■•_.;. ..: . •. . .: :,

Not that we deny this diversion to have been
known in these kingdoms in earlier times ; we only
assert a different mode of it; gentlemen being
then their own jockies, and riding their own
horses. Lord Herbert of Cherhurif enume-
rates it among the sports that gallant philoso-
pher thought unworthy of a man of honor.
" The exercise, (says he), I do not approve of,
'^ is running of horses, there being much cheat-
" ing in that kind ; neither do I see why a brave
*' man should delight in a creature whose chief
" use is to help him to run away."* . ,^'

* The Life of Edward Lord Herlert of Cherhury, published
by Mr. JFalpoh, p. 51.

Jarvis Marhham, wlio wrote on the management of horses in
I'jQC), mentions running horses 5 but those were only designed
for matches between gentleman and gentleman.

Class L HORSE. <

r The increase of our inhabitants, and the ex-
tent of our manufactures, together with the
former neglect of internal navigation to convey
those manufactures, multiplied the number of
our horses: an excess of wealth, before un-
known in these islands, increased the luxury of
carriages, and added to the necessity of an ex-
traordinary culture of these animals : their high
reputation abroad, has also made them a branch
of commerce, and proved another cause of their
vast increase.

As no kingdom can boast of parallel circum-
stances, so none can vie ^vith us in the number
of these noble quadrupeds; it would be ex-
tremely difficult to guess at the exact amount of
them, or to form a periodical account of their
increase : the number seems very fluctuating: - Aioa^i
JViUiam Fitz-Stephen relates, that in the reign
of King Stephen, London alone poured out
20,000 horsemen in the wars of those times :
yet we find that in the beginning of Queen
ElizabetliSYeign,^ the whole kingdom could not
supply 2000 horses to form our cavalry : and
even in the year 1588, when the nation was in
the most imminent danger from the Spanish

* Vide Sir Edward Hancood's memorial. Harleian Misc.
iv. 255. The number mentioned by Fitz-Slephen is probablv
«rroneous, and ought to be read 2000. :r.-f;

.-.10 JT

10 HORSE. Class L

invasion, all the cavalry which could then be
furnished amounted only to 3000 : to account
for this difference we must imagine, that the
number of horses which took the field in Ste-
phens reign was no more than an undisciplined
rabble ; the few that appeared under the banners
of Elizabeth, a corps well formed, and such as
might be opposed to so formidable an enemy as
was then expected: but such is their present in-
crease, that in the late war, the number employ-
ed was 13,575;* andsuch is our improvement in
the breed of horses, that most of those which
are used in our waggons and carriages t of dif-
ferent kinds, might be applied to the same pur-
pose : of those, our capital alone employs near
22,000.
pROPAOA- A horse can engender at two years, or two
years and a half. Mares will breed at two
years old, and will continue breeding till five
and twenty, and even till thirty.

The learned M. dc Buffm has almost ex-
hausted the subject of the natural history of the
horse, and the other domestic animals ; and left

* The number of Brilhh cavalry employed in 1810,
amounted to 23,807, of foreign and colonial cavalry, to 3,594,
exclusive of horses attached to the artillery, and the waggon
train. Ed.

■, -f- It may be also observed, that the use of coaches was not in-
troduced into EngloMd till the year 1564, ..

TION.

Class I. HORSE. 11

very little for after-writers to add. We may
observe, that this most noble and useful quad-
ruped is endowed with every quality that can Qualities.
make it subservient to the uses of mankind ;
and those qualities appear in a more exalted,
or in a less degree, in proportion to our various
necessities. !• .

Undaunted courage, added to a docility half
reasoning, is given to some, which fits them for
military services. The spirit and emulation so
apparent in others, furnish us with that species,
which is admirably adapted for the course, or,
the more noble and generous pleasure of the
chace. ; ii ) . /.•

Patience and perseverance appear strongly
in that most useful kind destined to bear the
burdens we impose on them, or that employed
in the slavery of the draught.

Though endowed with vast strength, and
great powers, they very rarely exert either to
their master's prejudice ; but on the contrary,
will endure fatigues, even to death, for our be- . :-, .a
nefit. Providence has implanted in them a be-
nevolent disposition, and a fear of the human
race, together with a certain consciousness of
the services we can render them. Most of the
hoofed quadrupeds are domestic, because neces-
sity compels them to seek our protection : wild

12 HORSE. Class I:

beasts are provided with feet and claws, adapt-
ed to the formation of dens and retreats from the

"\ inclemency of the weather; but the former, de-

stitute of these advantages, are obliged to run
to us for artificial shelter and harvested provi-
sion; as nature, in these climates, does not
throughout the year supply them with necessary
food. ■ .. - ,- ^ - ■ ^nlX

But still, many of our tame animals must by
accident endure the rigor of the season : to pre-
vent which inconvenience, their feet (for the
extremities suffer first by cold) are protected
by strong hoofs of a horny substance.' '^tir c:,;
The tail too is guarded with long bushy hair
that protects it in both extremes of weather;
during the summer it serves by its pliancy and
agility, to brush off the swarms of insects, which
are perpetually attempting either to sting the
animal, or to deposit their eggs in the rectum^
and the same length of hair contributes to guard
it from the cold in winter ; but we, by the absurd

Docking: and cruel custom of docking, a practice peculiar
to our country, deprive these animals of both
advantages ; in the last war our cavalry suf-
fered so much on that account, that we noAv*
seem sensible of the error, and if we may judge

* This odious custom has been for a long time abolished in
eur cavalry, and is at present confined to a few unfortunate draught;
horses. Ed.

Class I. HORSE. 13

from some recent orders in respect to that
branch of the service,* it will for the future be
corrected.

Thus is the horse provided against the two
greatest evils he is subject to from the seasons.
His natural diseases are few ; but our ill usage, Diseases.
or neglect, or, which is very frequent, our over
care of him, brings on a numerous train, which
are often fatal. Among the distempers he is
naturally subject to, are the worms, the bots,
and the stone : the species of worms that infest
him are the lumbrici, and ascaricles; both these
resemble those found in human bodies, only
they are larger : the bots are the eruccE, or cater-

* The following remark of a noble writer on this subject is
too sensible to be omitted : —

* I must own I am not possessed with the English rage of cut-

* ting off all extremities from horses. I venture to declare I
' should be well pleased if their tails, at least a switch or a nag
' tail, (but better if the whole) was left on. It is hardly credi-
' ble what a difference, especially at a certain season of the year,

* this single alteration would make in otir cavalry, which though

* naturally superior to all other I have ever seen, are however,

* long before the end of the campaign, for want of that natural
' defence against the flies, inferior to all : constantly sweating

* and fretting at the picquet, tormented and stung off their meat
' and stomachs, miserable and helpless ; while the foreign cavalry

* brush off the vermin, are cool and at ease, and mend daily, in-
' stead of perishing as ours do almost visibly in the eye of the be-

* holder.'

Method of breaking Horses, &c. by Henry Earl of
Pemhroke, p. 68.

HORSE. Class I.

pillars of the oestrus, or gadfly ; these are found
both in the rectum, and in the stomach, and
when in the latter bring on convulsions, that
often terminate in death.

The stone is a disease the horse is not fre-
quently subject to, yet we have seen two ex-
amples of it ; the one in a horse near High
Wycombe, which voided sixteen calculi, each of
an inch and a half diameter ; the other was of a
stone taken out of the bladder of a horse, and
deposited in the cabinet of the late Dr. Mead,
i\hich weidied eleven ounces.* These stones are
formed of several crusts, each very smooth and
glossy ; their form triangular, but their edges
rounded, as if by collision against each other.
Age. The duration of the life of the horse seldom

exceeds twenty-five or thirty years. M. Tuns-
tall adduced an instance of a horse left ?it Alan-
Chester in 1745, which died there in 1788 at
the age of forty-eight : it, almost to the last^
carried goods daily to the market.

The all-wise Creator hath finely limited the
several services of domestic animals towards
the human race, and ordered that the parts of
such, which in their lives have been the most
useful, should after death contribute the lest to
our benefit. Tiic chief use that the e.vuvia of

* Museum Meadianuni, p. £6l.

Class I. ASS. ^

the horse can be applied to, is for collars,
traces, and other parts of the harness ; and thus,
even after death, he preserves some analogy
with his former employ. The hair of the mane
is of use in making wigs ; of the tail in making
the bottoms of chairs, floor-cloths, and cords,
and to the angler in making liaes. : .,

Asinus. Raii syn. quad. 63. Equus asinus. Gm. Lin. 211. 2. Asg-
Gesn. quad. 5. ' Eq. caudse extremitate setosa

Klein, quad. 6. cruce nigra super humeros.

De Buffon torn. iv. 377» Faun. Siiec. 36.*

tah. 11—13. Br. Zool. 5. Hist, quad. I. 8.

Equus auriculis longis flaccidis,

juba brevi. Brisson quad. 70.

JBnV. Asyn^yir^M. Asen Germ. Esel ' '"' ' ■,"•'' '■■■'■■■

J^/-e7J.L'Ane,y. L'Anesse Dut. Eezel <,-i£,:. .. , -

Ital. Asino, Miccio.y. Miccia Siced Asna

(Span. Asno, Borrico.y. Borrica Dan. Asen, Esel,
Por/. AsnOjBurro.y. Asna3"rra

X HIS animal, though now so common in all . -^

parts of these islands, was entirely lost among
us during the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; Holling-
sked'\ informing us that in his time, " our lancle
did yeelde ?io asses.'' But we are not to sup-

* Halitat In magnatum pTcediis rarius. Faun. Suec. 35. edit.
1746. We imagine that since that time the species is there ex-
tinct, for Linnceus has quite omitted it in the last edition of the
Fauna Suecica,

t 109. . - . .^ . ;

16 ASS. Class L

pose so useful an animal was unknown in these
kingdoms before that period; for mention is
made of them so early as the time of King*
Ethelred, above four hundred years preceding ;
and again in the reign of t Henry III. so that
it must have been owing to some accident, that
the race was extinct during the days of Eliza-
beth. We are not certain of the time it was
again introduced ; probably in the succeeding
reign, when our intercourse with Spain was re-
newed, in which country this animal was great-
ly used, and where the species is in great per-
fection.

The ass is originally a native of Arabia, and
other parts of the East: a warm climate pro-
duces the largest and the best, their size and spirit
declining in proportion as they advance into
colder regions. " With difficulty," says Mr.
Adanson, speaking of the asses of Senegal,
" did I know this animal, so different did it ap-
" pear from those of Europe: the hair was fine,
" and of a bright mouse color, and the black
" list that crosses the back and shoulders had a
" good effect. These were the asses brought
'' by the Moors from the interior parts of the

* When the price of a mule or young ass was \2s. Chron.
' preciosum, 51.

t In 1217, when the Cawie?a?-JM* of St. J/tareV lost two asses,
kc. Chr. pr. 60.

Class I. ASS. 17

*' country."* The migration of these beasts
has been very slow ; we see how recent their
return is in Great 'Britain : in Szveden they are
even at present a sort of rarity, nor does it ap-
pear by the last history of Norxvay,-\ that they
had yet reached that country. They are at
present naturalized in this kingdom ; our cli-
mate and soil seems to ag;ree with them ; the
breed is spread thro' all parts, and their utility
is more and more experienced.

They are now introduced into many services
that were before allotted to horses ; which will
prove of the utmost use in saving those noble
animals for worthier purposes. Many of our '
richest mines are in situations almost inacces-
sible to horses, but where these sure-footed
creatures may be employed to advantage, in
conveying our mineral treasures to their respec-
tive marts : we may add too, that since our
horses are become a considerable article of com-
merce, and bring annually great sums into these
kingdoms, the cultivation of an animal that will
in many cases supply their place, and enable
us to enlarge our exports, certainly merits our
attention.

The age of the ass may be equal to that of Age.

* Voy. Senegal. 212.
t Pontoppidans Nat. History of Norwai/.
VOL. I, C

18 ASS. Class I.

the horse. One which died in 1782, had been
employed in turning the water-wheel at the deep
well in Carishrooke castle for forty years.
Qualities. The qualities of this animal are so well
known, that we need not expatiate on them ; its
patience and perseverance under labor, and its
indifference in respect to food, need not be men-
tioned ; any weed or thistle contents it : if it
gives the preference to any vegetable, it is to
the Plaintain ; for which we have often seen it
neglect every other herb in the pasture. The
narrow-leaved Plaintain* is greedily eat by
horses and cows ; of late years it has been great-
ly cultivated and sowed with clover in North
Wales, particularly in Anglesey, where the seed
is harvested, and thence dispersed through other
parts of the principality.

The ass goes full a year in foal.

* Plantago lanceolata. FL And. 52.

Class 1. MULE. 19

Mulus, Rail syn. quad. 64. juba brevi. Bnsson quad. Mdle.^

Gesn. quad. 702. 71-

Asinus biformis, Klein, quad. 6. Equus Mulus. Gm. Lin. 212.

Charlton ex. 4. Faun. Siiec. 35. edit. 1.

Equus auriculis longis erectis, Br.Zool.6. Hist. quad. I. 8.

Brit. Mulyfcem. Mules Germ. Maulthier, Maulesel

Fren. Le Mulct Dut. IVIuyl-Eesel

Ital. Mula Swe4. Mulasna

Span. Mulo Dan. Muule,v. Muul-Esel

Port. Mula.

X HESE useful and hardy animals are the off-
spring of the horse and ass, or ass and mare ;
those produced between the two last are esteem-
ed the best, as the mule is observed to partake
less of the male than the female parent ; not
but they almost always inherit in some degree
the obstinacy of the parent ass, though it must
be confessed that this vice is heightened by their
being injudiciously broke : instead of mild usage,
which gently corrects the worst qualities, the
mule is treated with cruelty from the first, and
is so habituated to blows, that it is never
mounted or loaded without expectation of ill
treatment ; so that the unhappy animal either
prepares to retaliate, or in the terror of bad
usage, becomes invincibly retrograde. Could

MULE. Class I,

We prevail on our countrymen to consider this
animal in the light its useful qualities merit,
and pay due attention to its breaking, they might
with success form it for the saddle, the draught,
or the burden. The size and strength of our
breed is at present so improved by the impor-
tation of the Spanish male asses, that we shall
soon have numbers that may be adapted to each
of those uses. Persons of the first quality in
Spai7i are drawn by them ; for. one of which
(as Mr. Clarke informs us *) fifty or sixty gui-
neas is no micommon price ; nor is it surprizing,
if we consider how far they excel the horse in
draught, in a mountanous country ; the mule
being able to tread securely where the former
can hardly stand.

This brief account may be closed with the
general observation, that neither nmles or the
spurious offspring of any other animal generate
any farther : all these productions may be look-
ed on as monsters ; therefore nature, to preserve
the original species of animals entire and pure,
wisely stops, in instances of deviation, the powers
of propagation.

* Letters on the Spanish nation.

PI. n.

ArOL.l.r.21

HiaHLAT^D BULL,

LAJ^CASHIRE CUW

Mc.e.^TcffJu ^d

Class I.

OX.

01

Sect. II. CL,0VEN HOOFED.

* WITH HORNS.

GENUS II. OX.

Horns bending out laterally.

Skin along the lower side of the neck pendulous.

Raii syn. quad. JO.

Bos comibus

levibus tereti- 3. Domestic,

Merret pinax. l6f>.

bus, sursum reflexis.

Gesn. quad. 25, 26,

92.

Brisson quad. 52.

Taurus domesticus.

Klein, quad.

Bos tavirus. G

m. Lin. 202.

10.

Bos comibus teretibus flexis.

Charlton ex. 8.

Faim. Suec.

46.

Br.Zool.J. Hist.qtiad. I. l6.

Bull.

Cow.

Ox.

Calf.

Brit. Tarw

Buwch

Ycb, Eidion

Llo

Fren. Le Taureau

La Vache

Le Boeuf

Veau

Ital. Toro

Vacca

Bue

Vitello

Span. Toro

Vaca

Buey

Ternera

Port. Touro

Vaca

Boy

Vitela

Genji. Stier

Kuh

Ochs

Kalb

Dut. Stier, Eul

Koe

Os

KalfF

Swed. Tiur

Ko

Noot

Kalff

Dan. Tyr

Koe

Oxe, Stud

Kalv.

JLhE climate of Great-B?itam is above all
others productive of the greatest variety and
abundance of wholesome vegetables, which, to

ox. Class I.

crown our happiness, are almost equally dif-
fused thro' all its parts : this general fertility is
owing to those clouded skies, which foreigners
mistakenly urge as a reproach on our country ;
but let us chearfully endure a temporary gloom,
which cloaths not only our meadows but our
hills with the richest verdure. To this we owe
the number, variety, and excellence of our cat-
tle, the richness of our dairies, and innumerable
other advantages. CcEsar (the earliest writer
■who describes this island of Great Britahi)
speaks of the numbers of our cattle, and adds
that we neglected tillage, but lived on milk and
flesh.* Straho takes notice of our plenty of
milk, but says we were ignorant of the art of
making cheese. 'j" Mela informs us, that the
wealth of the Britons consisted in cattle, and in
his account of Ireland reports that such was the
richness of the pastures in that kingdom, that
the cattle would even burst if they were suffered
to feed in them long at a time.:}:

This preference of pasturage to tillage was

* L'll. 5. t Lib. 4.

J Adeo luxuriosa herbis non laetis modo sed etiam dulcibus,
ut se exigua parte diei pecora impleant, ut nisi pabulo prohi-
beantur, diutius pasta dissiliant. Lib. iii. c. 6.

Hollinshed says, (but we know not on what authority,) that
the Romans preferred the British cattle to those of Liguria,
Desc. Br, I OQ,

Class L OX.

delivered down from our British ancestors to
much later times, and continued equally preva-
lent during the whole period of our feodal go-
vernment : the chieftain, whose power and
safety depended on the promptness of his vassals
to execute his commands, found it his interest
to encourage those employments that favoured
that disposition; the vassal, who made it his
glory to fly at the first call to the standard of
his chieftain, was sure to prefer that employ,
which might be transacted by his family with
equal success during his absence. Tillage
would require an attendance incompatible with
the services he owed the baron, while the for-
mer occupation not only gave leisure for those
duties, but furnished the hospitable board of his
lord with ample provision, of which the vassal
was an equal partaker. Thereliques of the larder
of the elder Spencer are evident proofs of the
plenty of cattle in his days ; for after his winter
provisions may have been supposed to have
been mostly consumed, there were found, so late
as the month of Mai/, in salt, the carcases of not
fewer than 80 beeves, 600 bacons, and 600
muttons.* The accounts of the several great
feasts in after times, afford amazing instances
■of the quantity of cattle that were consumed in

* Hume's h'liioTyoi England, i'l. 152.

<^,

U ox. Class I.

them. This was owing partly to the continued
attachment of the people to grazing,* partly to
the preference that the English at all times gave
to animal food. The quantity of cattle that
appear from the last calculation to have been
consumed in our metropolis, is a sufficient argu-
ment of the vast plenty of these times ; particu-
larly when "we consider the great advancement
of tillage, and the numberless variety of provi-
sions, unknown to past ages, that are now intro-
duced into these kingdoms from all parts of the
world, f

Our breed of horned cattle has in general
been so much improved by a foreign mixture,

* Poh/d. Jlrgil Hist. Angl. vol. i. 5. who wrote in the time
of //fwr;/ the VIII. says, AngU plures pecuarii qnam aratores.

f That inquisitive and accurate liistorian Maltland furnishes
us with this table of the quantity of cattle that were consumed
in London in the year 1725, when that city was far less popu-
lous than it is at present.

Beeves 98,244. Pigs 52,000. .

Calves 104,700. Sheep and 7

/■ 7 1 1 1 23 .
Ho-s 186,932. Lambs S

The number of cattle sold in Smitlijield in I8O9 is stated to

have been.

Beeves 110,000 Pigs 60,000

Calves 210,000 Sheep and ")

T , ^ 776,000
Hogs 200,000 Lambs j

Middleton, in his agricultural survey of Middlesex, gives the

following comparative statement of the number of cattle and

sheep sold at the same market from the year 1750 to 1794 :—

Class L OX. ^5

that it is difficult to point out the original kind .
of these islands. Those which may be supposed
to have been purely British are far inferior in
size to those on the northern part of the Euro-
pean continent: the cattle of the highlands of
Scotland are exceedingly small, and many of
them, males as well as females, are hornless : the
Welsh runts are much larger : the black cattle
of Cornwall are of the same size with the last.
The large species that is now cultivated through
most parts of Great Britain is either entirely
of foreign extraction, or our own improved by
a cross with a foreign kind. The Lincolnshire
kind derive their size from the Holstein breed ;
and the large hornless cattle that are bred in
some parts of England came originally from
Poland,

About two hundred and fifty years ago there Wild
was found in Scotland a wild race of cattle,
which were of a pure white color, and had (if

Cattle. Sheep.

1750 to 1758 73,331 623,091

1759 1767 83,432 615,328

1768 1776 89,362 627,805 ;,

1777 1785 99,285 687,588

1786 1794 108,075 707,456.

It must also be obsen-ed, that, owing to the cultivation of a
larger breed, the weight of each animal is considerably more
than double what it was at the commencement of the last cen-
tury. Ed.

Cattle.

ox. Class I.

we may credit Boethius) manes like lions. I
cannot but give credit to the relation ; having
seen* in the woods of Drumlanris[ in N. Bri^
tarn, and in the park belonging to Chillingham
castle in Northumberland, herds of cattle pro-
bably derived from the savage breed. They
have lost their manes, but retain their color
and fierceness : they are of a middle size ; long
legd, with black muzzles, and ears : their
horns fine, and with a bold and elegant bend.
The keeper of those at Chillingham said, that
the weight of the ox was 38 stones ; of the cow
28 : that their hides were more esteemed by the
tanners than those of the tame ; and that they
would give six-pence per stone more for them.
These cattle are wild as any deer : on being ap-
proached they instantly take to flight and gallop
away at full speed : never mix with the tame
species; or come near the house unless constrain-
ed by hunger in very severe w^eather. When it
is necessary to kill any they are always shot : if
the keeper only wounds the beast, he must take ,
care to keep behind some tree, or his life would
be in danger from the furious attacks of the ani-

o

mal, which will never desist till a period is put
to its life.

Frequent mention is made of our savage

* Tour in Scotland, ii. 124.

Class I. OX. £7

cattle by historians. One relates that Robert
Bruce was (in chacing these animals) preserved
from the rage of a wild Bull by the intrepidity
of one of his courtiers, from which he and his
lineage acquired the name of Turn-BulL
Fitz-Stephen^ names these animals (Lrri Syl-
westres) among those that harbored in the great
forest that in his time lay adjacent to London.
Another enumerates among the provisions at
the great feast of Nevil'\ archbishop of York,
six wild Bulls ; and Sibbald assures us that in
his days a wild and white species was found in
the mountains of Scotland, but agreeing in form
with the common sort. Bishop Lessley says,
that in his time (1598), cattle in a wild state
were found in Sterling, Cummernald, and
Kincairn. 1 believe these to have been the
Bisontes jubati of Pliny found then in Ger-
many, and which might have been common to
the continent and our island : the loss of their
savage vigor by confinement might occasion
some change in the external appearance, as is
frequent with wild animals deprived of liberty ;
and to that we may ascribe their loss of mane.
The Urns of the Hercynian forest described by

* A monk who lived in the reign of Henry II. and wrote a
History oi London, preserved in Leland's Itin. viii.

f Leland's Collectanea, vi. . . . • ^

2S ' OX. Class L

Ccesar, book vi. Avas of this kind, the same
which is called by the modern Germans, Au-
roclis, i. e. Bos sylvestris.*
Uses. The OX is the only horned animal in these

islands that will apply his strength to the ser-
vice of mankind. It is now generally allowed,
that in many cases oxen are more profitable in
the draught than horses ; their food, harness,
and shoes being cheaper, and should they be
lamed or grow old, an old vrorking beast will be
as good meat, and fatten as well, as a young
one.

There is scarcely any part of this animal with-
out its use. The blood, fat, marrow, hide, hair,
horns, hoofs, milk, creme, butter, cheese, whey,
urine, liver, gall, spleen, bones, and dung, have
each their particular use in manufactures, com-
merce, and medicine.

The skin has been of great use in all ages.
The antient Britojis, before they knew a better
method, built their boats with osiers, and co-
vered them witli the hides of bulls, which served
for short f coasting voyages.

* Gesner Quad. 144. In Fitz-SlepJim, Vnis is printed

t That these litiUa narigia, as Plinij calls them, ivere not
made for long voyages, is evident not only from their structure,
but from the account given by Solinus, that the crew never eat
during the time they were at sea. Vide C. Junii Soli?ii poly^
Mstor. 66.

Class 1. OX.

Primum cana salix madefacto vimiiie parvatn
Texitur in Puppim, caesoque induta juvenco,
Vectoris patiens, tumidum super emicat amnem :
Sic Venetus stagnante Pado, fusoque Britaimus
Navigat oceano. Luca?i. lib. iv. 131.

The bending willow into barks they twine ;
Then line the work with spoils of slaughter d kine.
Such are the floats Venetian fishers know.
Where in dull marshes stands the settling Po ;
On such to neighboring Gaul, allured by gain.
The bolder Britons cross the swelling main. Rowe.

Vessels of this kind are still in use on the
Ii^ish lakes; and on the Dee and Severn: in
Ireland they are called Curach, in England
Coracles, from the British CztTZvgi, a word
signifying a boat of that structure.

At present, the hide, when tanned and cur-
ried, serves for boots, shoes, and numberless
conveniences of life.

Vellum is made of calves skin, and gold-
beaters skin is made of thin vellum, or a finer
part of the ox's guts. The hair mixed with lime
is a necessary article in building. Of the horns
are made combs, boxes, handles for knives, and
drinking vessels ; and v/hen softened by water,
obeying the manufacturer's hand, they are
formed into pellucid laminae for the sides of
lanthorns. The last conveniences we owe to
our great king Alfred, who first invented them
to preserve his candle time measurers, from

30 OX. Class I.

the wind ;* or (as other writers will have it) the
tapers that were set up before the reliques in
the miserable tattered churches of that time.f

In medicine, the horns were employed as
alexipharmics or antidotes against poison, the
plague, or the small-pox ; they have been digni-
fied with the title of English bezoar, and are
said to have been found to answer the end of
the oriental kind : the chips of the hoofs, and
paring of the raw hides, serve to make carpen-
ters glue.

The bones are used by mechanics, where
ivory is too expensive, by which the common
people are served with many neat conveniencies
at an easy rate. From the tibia and carpus
bones is procured an oil much used by coach-
makers and others in dressing and cleaning
harness, and all trappings belonging to a coach ;
and the bones calcined, afford a fit matter for
tests for the use of the refiner in the smelting
trade.

The blood is used as an excellent manure for
fruit trees, J and is the basis of that fine color,
the Prussian blue.

The fat, tallow, and suet, furnish us with

* Anderson's hist, commerce, I. 45.
"f Staveleys hist, of churches, 103.
X Evelijns phil. disc, of earth, p. 319.

Class I. OX. 31

light, and are also used to precipitate the salt
that is drawn from briny springs. The gall,
liver, spleen, and urine, have also their place in
the materia medica.

The uses of butter, cheese, creme and milk,
in domestic oeconomy ; and the excellence of
the latter, in furnishing a palatable nutriment
for most people, whose organs of digestion are
weakened, are too obvious to be insisted on.

m

SHEEP.

Class L

GENUS III. SHEEP.

Horns twisted spirally, and pointing outwards.

4. Fleecy. Ovis, Raii syn. quad. 73.

Gesn. quad. 7I.

Ovis Aries, ovis anglica mutica
Cauda scrotoquead genua pen-
, dulis. Gm. Lin. I97.

Ovis cornibus compressis lunatis.

Faun. Suec. 45.

Aries, Sec. Klein, quad. 13.
Aries laniger cauda rotunda

brevi. Brisson quad. 48.
De Buffon torn. v. tah. I, 2.
Br. Zool. 10. Hist, quad.-

1.37.

Male.

Female.

Lamb.

Brit.

Hwrdd. Maharen

Dafad

Oen

Fren.

Le Belier

La brebis

L'Agneau

Ital.

Montone

Pecora

Agnello

Span.

Carnero

Oveja

Cordero

Port.

Caneiro

Ovelha

Cordeiro

Germ.

, Widder

Scliaaf

Lamm

But.

Ram

Schaep

Lam

Swed.

Wadur

Faar

Lamb

Dan.

Vsedder, Vasrc

Faar

Lam, agna
Gimmer Lam.

J.T does not appear from any of the early wai-
ters, that the breed of this animal was cultivat-
ed for the sake of the wool among the Bintons;
' the inhabitants of the inland parts of this island
either went entirely naked, or were only clothed
■with skins ; those who lived on the sea coasts,

Class I. SHEEP. S3

and were the most civilized, affected the man-
ners of the Gauls, and wore like them a sort of
garments made of coarse wool, called BrachcE.
These they probably had from Gaul, there not
being the lest traces of manufactures among the
Britons, in the histories of those times.

On the coins or money of the Britons are
seen impressed the figures of the horse, the bull,
and the hog, the marks of the tributes exacted
from them by the conquerors.* The Reverend
JVIr. Pegge was so kind as to inform me that he
has seen on the coins of Cunobelin that of a
sheep. Since that is the case, it is probable
that our ancestors were possessed of the animal,
but made no farther use of it than to strip off
the skin, wrap themselves in it, and with the
wool inmost, obtain a comfortable protection
against the cold of the winter season.

This neglect of manufacture, may be easily
accounted for, in an uncivilized nation whose
wants were few, and those easily satisfied ; but
it is more surprising, that after we had for a lone?
period cultivated a breed of sheep, whose fleeces
were superior to those of other countries, we
still neglected to promote a woollen manufac-
ture at home. That valuable branch of busi-

* Camden. I. Preface, p. cxiii.
VOL. I. P

34 SHEEP. Class I.

ness lay for a considerable time in foreign hands,
and we were obliged to import the cloth manu-
factured from our own materials. There seems
indeed to have been many unavailing efforts
made by our monarchs to preserve both the
wool and the manufacture of it among our-
selves : Henry IL by a patent granted to
the weavers in London, directed that if any
cloth vvas found made of a mixture of Spanish
wool, it should be burnt by the mayor :* yet so
little did the weaving business advance, that
Edzvard III. was obliged to permit the im-
portation of foreign cloth in the beginning of
his reign ; but soon after, by encouraging
foreign artificers to settle in England, and in-
struct the natives in tlieir trade, the manufac-
ture increased so greatly as to enable him to
prohibit the Vv-earing foreign cloth. Still to
shew the uncommercial genius of the people,
the effects of this prohibition were checked by
another law, as prejudicial to trade as the for-
mer was salutary; this was an act of the same
reicjn, against exporting vvoollen goods manu-
factured at liomc, under heavy penalties, while
the exportation of wool was not only allov*ed
but encouraged. This oversio;ht was not soon

* Sf.oiv 419»

Class I. SHEEP.

rectified, for it appears that, on the alliance
that Eckvard IV . made with the king of Ar-
ragon, he presented the latter v.ith some ewes
and rams of the Coteswohl kind ; a proof of
their excellency, since they were thought ac-
ceptable to a monarch, whose dominions were
so noted for the fineness of their fleeces. "^^

In the first year of Richard III. and in the
two succeeding reigns, our woollen manufac-
ture received some improvements ;'j' but the
grand rise of all its prosperity is to be dated
from the reign of queen Elizabeth, when the
tyranny of the duke of Alva in the Netherlands
drove numbers of artificers to seek refuo;e into this
country, who were the founders of that immense
manufacture we carry on at present. We have
strong inducements to be more particular on the
modern state of our woollen manufactures, but
desist, from a fear of digressing too far; our
enquiries must be limited to points that have
a more immediate reference to the study of
Zoology.

No country is better supplied with materials,
and those adapted to every species of the cloth-

* Rapin i. 60j. in the note. Sloirs Aiinales, 696.

\ In that of Richard, two-yard clolhs were first made. In
that oi Henry the VIII. an Italian taught us the use of the dis-
•taff. Kerseys were also first made in England about that time.

D 2 ■ •

36 SFIEEP. Class L

ing business, than Great Bjitain ; and though
the sheep of these islands afford fleeces of dif-
ferent degrees of goodness, yet there are none
but what may be used in some branch of it.
Herefhrchlnre, Devonshire, and Co teszvo Id downs
are noted for producing sheep with remarkably
fine fleeces ; the Lincolnshire and JVarzvickshire
kind, which are very large, exceed any for the
quantity and goodness of their wool. The for-
mer county yields the largest sheep in these
islands, where it is no uncommon thing to give
fifty guineas for a ram, and a ouinea for the ad-
mission of a ewe to one of the valuable males ;
or twenty guineas for the use of it for a certain
number of ewes during one season.* Sujfolk
also breeds a very valuable kind. The fleeces
of the northern parts of this kingdom are inferior
in fineness to those of the soutii ; but still are of
great value in different branches of our manu-
factures. The York.shire hills furnish the looms
of that county with large quantities of wool ;

* Four hundred guineas were repeatedly given to the late Mr.
Bakeivell of Dhldeij, for the use of an improved Leicestcrshhe
ram.

The excellent South doivii sheep which have of late years spread
themselves over most parts of the kingdom, were at the period
of the first edition of the British Zoology, either little known, or
disregarded. The present rage for the Merino breed promises to
.^meliorate the wool at the expence of the carcase. Ed.

Class I. SHEEP. S7

and that which is taken from the neck and
shoulders, is used (mixed with Spanish wool) in
some of their finest cloths.

fVales yields but a coarse wool ; yet it is of
more extensive use than the finest Segovian
fleeces ; for rich and poor, age and youth, health
and infirmities, all confess the universal benefit
of the flannel manufacture.

The sheep of Ireland vary like those of
Great Britain ; those of the south and east
being large, and their flesh rank ; those of the
north, and the mountanous parts, small, and
their flesh sweet. The fleeces in the same man-
ner differ in degrees of value.

Scotland breeds a small kind, and their fleeces
are coarse. Sib bald (after Boethiiis) speaks of
a breed in the isle of Rona, covered with blue
wool ; of another kind in the isle of Hirta,
larger than the biggest he goat, with tails hang-
ing almost to the ground, and horns as thick,
and longer than those of an ox.* He mentions

* Gmelin describes ani" animal he found in Siberia, that in
many particulars agrees with this ; he calls it Rupicapra cornulus
urietinis; Linnceus styles it Capra Ainmon. SysL Q7- and Gesner,

■\- This animal, which, in the former edition of the British
Zoology, and in the Synopsis of Quadrupeds, was considered as
belonging to the goat genus, has since been described by Mr.
Pennant in his History of Quadrupeds, p. 45. as a variety of the
wild sheep. Ed.

3^ SHEEP. Class I.

another kind, ^^ iiich is clothed with a mixture
of wool and hair ; and a fourth species, whose
flesh and fleeces are yelloAv, and their teeth of
the colour of gold ; but the truth of these rela-
tions ought to be enquired into, as no other
writer has mentioned them, except the credu-
lous Bucihius. Yet the last particular is not to
be rejected : for notwithstanding I cannot in-
stance the teeth of sheep, yet I saw in the sum-
mer of 1772, at Aihol house, the jaws of an ox,
with teeth thickly incrusted with a gold colored
substance ; and the same might have happened to
those of sheep had they fed on the same grounds,
which were in the valley beneath tlie house.

Besides the fleece, there is scarcely any part of
this animal but what is useful to n:iankind. The
flesh is a delicate an.d wholesome food. The
skin dressed, forms diflcrent parts of our ap-
parel, and is used for covers of books. The
entrails, properly ]rrcpared and t'lvisted, serve
for strings for various musical instruments.
The bones calcined (like other bones in gene-
ral) form materials for tests for the refiner. The

p. 934. hnagines it to be the Musuixon of the aiitienls ; the horns
of the Sicerian animal are two yards long, their weight above
thirty pounds. As we have so good authority for the existence
of such a quadruped, we might venture to give credit to Boetlnuis
account^ that the same kind was once found in Hhta,

Class I. SHEEP.

milk is thicker than that of cows, and conse-
quently yields a greater quantity of butter and
cheese ; in some places it is so rich, that it will
not produce the cheese without a mixture of
water to make it part from the whey. The
dung is a remarkably rich manure, insomuch
that the folding; of sheeo is become too useful a
branch of husbandry for the farmer to neglect.
To conclude, whether we consider the advan-
tages that result from this animal to individuals
in particular, or to these kingdoms in general,
we may with Columella consider it in one
sense, as the first of the domestic animals.
Post majores quadnipedes ovilli pecoris seciinda
ratio est ; quce prima sit si ad utilitatis mag'
nitudinem referas. Xam id prcecipue contra
f rigor is violent iam prole git, corporihusque nos-
tris liberaliora prcebet velamina ; et etiam ele-
gantium mensas jucundis et numerosis dapibus
exornat."^ -

The sheep as to its nature, is a most innocent
mild and simple animal, and conscious of its
own defenceless state, remarkably timid : if at-
tacked when attended by its lamb, it will make
some shew of defence, by stamping with its
feet, and pushing with its head : it is a grega-

* De re rustica, lib. vii. c, 2.

40 SHEEP. Class I.

rious animal, is fond of any jingling noise, for
which reason the leader of the flock has in many
places a bell hung round its neck, which the
others will constantly follow.
Diseases. It is Subject to many diseases : some arise
from insects which deposit their eggs in dif-
ferent parts of the animal; others are caused
by their being kept in wet pastures ; for as the
sheep requires but little drink, it is naturally
fond of a dry soil. The dropsy, vertigo (the
pendro of the JVdsh) the pthisick, jaundice,
and worms in the liver* annually make great
havoke among our flocks : for the first disease,
the shepherd finds a remedy by turning the in-
fected into fields of broom ; a plant which has
been also found to be very eflacacious in the
same disorder among the human species. The
sheep is also infested by difterent sorts of in-
sects ; like the horse it has its peculiar Oestrus
or Gadflv, which deposits its eggs above the
nose in the frontal sinuses ; when those turn
into maggots they become excessively painful,
and cause those violent agitations in which we
so often see the animal. The French shepherds
make a common practice of easing the sheep,
by trepanning and taking out the maggot ; this

* Fasciola hepatica, Lin. syst. 648.

Class I. SHEEP. 41

practice is sometimes used by the English
shepherds, but not always with the same suc-
cess. Besides these insects, the sheep is trou-
bled with a kind of tick and louse, from which
magpies and starlings contribute to ease it by
lighting on its back, and picking off the insects.

42

GOAT.

Class L

GENUS IV. GOAT.

Horns bending backwards and almost close at

their base.
Male generally bearded.

5. Domestic Eaii syn. quad. 77.

Meyer s an. i. Tal\ f)B.
Charlton ex. Q.
Klein quad. 15.
Gesn. quad. 266. 268.
De Buffon. Tom.y. 59. Tah.
8. 9.

Hircus cornibus interlus cultra-
tis, exteiius rotundatis, infra
carinatis, arcuatis. JBrisson
quad. 38.

Capra Hircus, Gm. Lin. ig3.

Capra cornibus carinatis arcuatis,
Fatcn. Suec. 44.

Br. Zool. 13. Hist, quad^p. 60.
Arct. Zool. 1. 17.

Male.

Female.

Kid.

Brit.

Bwch

Gafr

Mynn

Fren.

Le Bouc

La Chevre

Chevreau

Ital.

Becco

Capra

Capretto

Span.

Cabron

Cabra

Cabrito

Port.

Cabram

Cabra

Cabrito

Germ.

Bock

Geisz

Bocklein

Dut.

Bok

Giyt

Swed.

Bock

Geet

Kiidh

Dan.

Buk, Geedebuk

Geed

Kid

J_ HE goat is the most local of any of our do-
mestic animals, confining itself to the momi-
tanous parts of these islands : his most beloved
food are the tops of the boughs, or the tender

H. m

VOL. IP. 42

J\/[(ji{filb\l

Glass I. GOAT. 4S

bark of young trees, on which account he is so
prejudicial to plantations, that it would be im-
prudent to draw him from his native rocks, ex-
cept some method could be devised to ob-
viate this evil. We have been informed, that
there is a freeholder in the parish of Trmvs-
fynnydd, in Meireonethshire, Avho hath, for seve-
ral years past, broken the teeth of his goats short
off with a pair of pincers, to preserve his trees.
This practice has certainly efficacy sufficient to
prevent the mischief, and may be recommended
to those who keep them for their singularity;
but ous;ht by no means to be encouraged, when
those animals are preserved for the sake of their
milk, as the great salubrity of it as a medicine
arises from their promiscuous feeding.

This quadruped contributes in various in-
stances to the necessities of human life ; as food,
as physick, and as cloathing. The whitest wigs
are made of its hair ; for which purpose that of
the he-goat is most in request ; the whitest and
clearest is selected from that which grows on
the haunches, where it is longest and thickest ;
a good skin well haired is sold for a guinea,
though a skin of bad hue, and so yellow as to
baffle the barber's skill to bleach, will not fetch
above eighteen-pence, or two shillings.

The Welsh goats are far superior in size, and

44 GOAT. Class L

in length and fineness of hair, to those of other
mountanous countries. Their usual color is
white : those of France and of the A Ins are
short-haired, reddish, and their horns small. We
have seen the horns of a Cainbi^icm he-goat
three feet two inches long, and measuring three
feet from tip to tip.

The suet of the goat is in great esteem, as
well as the hair. Many of the inhabitants of
Caernarvomhire suffer these animals to run
wild on the rocks during winter as well as sum-
mer, and kill them in October, for the sake of
their fat, either by shooting them with bullets,
or running them down with dogs like deer.
The goats killed for this purpose, are about
four or five years old. Their suet will make
candles, far superior in whiteness and goodness
to those made from that of the sheep or the ox,
and accordingly brings a much greater price in
the market : nor are the horns AA'ithout their use,
the country people making of them excellent
handles for tucks and penknives. The skin is
peculiarly ^^'cll adapted for the glove manufac-
tory, especially that of the kid : abroad it is
dressed and made into stockings, bed-ticks,
holsters,* bed-hangings, sheets, and even shirts.

* Bolsters made of the hair of a goat \-ere in use m the days
oi Saul; as appears from 1 Samuel, c. If), v. 13. The species

Class I. GOAT. 45

In the army it covers the horseman's arms, and
carries the foot-soldier's provisions. As it takes
a dye better than any other skin, it was formerly
much used for hangings in the houses of people
of fortune, being susceptible of the richest
colors ; and when flowered and ornamented with
gold and silver, became an elegant and superb
article of furniture.

The flesh is of great use to the inhabi-
tants of the country w^here it resides ; and af- ' ,
fords a cheap and plentiful provision in the
winter months, w^hen the kids arc brought to
market. The haunches of the goat are fre-
quently salted and dried, and supply all the
uses of bacon ; this by the natives is called
Cdch yr wden, or hung venison. The meat of
a castrated goat of six or seven years old,
(which is called Hyfr) is reckoned the best; ■
being generally very sweet and fat. This makes
an excellent pasty, goes under the name of
rock venison, and is little inferior to that of the
deer. Thus nature provides even on the tops
of high and craggy mountains, not only necessa-
ries, but delicacies for the inhabitants.

The milk of the goat is sweet, nourishing and

very probably was the Angora goat, which is only found in the

East, and whose soft and silky hair supplied a most luxurious ,

couch. Vide Hist. quad. ^. (5\. ,- ...

46 GOAT. Class I.

medicinal : it is an excellent succedaneum for
ass's milk, and has (with a tea-spoonful of
hartshorn drank warm in bed in the morning,
and at four o'clock in the afternoon, and re-
peated for some time) been a cure for the pthisic.
In some of the mountanous parts of Scotland
and Ireland, the milk is made into whey, A\'hich
has done wonders in this and other cases, where
coolers and restoratives are necessary : and to
many of those places, there is as great a resort
of patients of all ranks, as there is in England
to the Spas or Baths. It is not surprizing
that the milk of this animal is so salutary, as it
brouzes only on the tops, tendrils and flowers
of the mountain shrubs, and medicinal herbs,
rejecting the grosser parts. The blood of the
he goat dried, is a great recipe in some families-
for the pleurisy and inflammatory disorders.*

Cheese made of goats milk, is much valued
in some of our mountanous countries, when
kept to a proper age ; but has a peculiar taste
and flavor

The ruttino; season of these animals, is from
the beginning of September to November ; at
that time the males drive whole flocks of the

* This remedy is taken notice of even by Dr. Mead in his
monita ynedica, p. 35. under the sxIicXq pleuritis . Tlie Germans
use that of the Stein-loc, or Jbcx\

Class I. GOAT. 47

females continually from place to place, and
fill the atmosphere around them with their
strong and ungrateful odor ; which, though as
disagreeeable as assa fceticla itself, may be
conducive to prevent many distempers, and to
cure nervous and hysterical ones. Horses are
imagined to be much refreshed with it ; on which
account many persons keep a he goat in their
studs or stables.

Goats go with young four months and a half,
and bring forth from the latter end of Fehru-
a7y to the latter end of April, Having only
two teats, they bear generally but two young,
sometimes three, and in good warm pas-
tures there have been instances, though rare,
of their bringing four at a time : both young
and old are affected by the weather : a rainy
season makes them thin ; a dry sunny one makes
them fat and blythe : their excessive venery
prevents longevity, for they seldom live in our
climate above eleven or twelve years.

These animals climb, with amazing swiftness
and safety, up the most rugged rocks, and
ascend the most dangerous places : they can
stand unmoved on the highest precipices, and
so balance their centre of gravity, as to fix
themselves in such situations with security and
firmness ; so that we seldom hear of their

4S GOAT. Class L

breaking their necks, or falling. When two are
yoked together, as is frequently practised, they
■will, as if by consent, take large and hazardous
leaps, yet so well time their mutual eftbrts, as
rarely to miscarry in the attempt.

The origin of the domestic goat may be de-
rived from the Ste'mboc, Ibe.v or w ild goat,* now
found only in the Alps and in Crete, and also
from the Caucasan goatjf w^hich inhabits the
loftiest and most rude points of Caucasus, the
inhospitable hills of Laar and Khorazan in
Persia, and, according to Monardus, is also
found in Africa ; it may likewise have formerly
been a native of the Alps and of Crete.

* Hist. quad. No. 14?^ f Ih. No. iQ.

Class I.

DEER.

GENUS V. DEER.

Horns upright, solid, branched, annually deci-
(Juous.

Cervus. Rati syn. quad. 84.
Charlt. ex. 1 1 ;
Meyer s an. Tab. 22.
Gesner quad. 326.
Crew's Museum, 2 1 .
De Buffon,Tom. vi. 63. Tal.
9> 10.

Cervus cornibus teretibus ad
latera incurvis. Brisson qxiad.
58.

Cerviis Elaphus. Gm. Lin. 176.

C. cornibus ramosis teretibus
recurvatis. Faun. Suec. 40.

C. nobilis. Klein, quad. 23.

Br. Zool. 15. Hist. quad. p. 114.

6. Stag.

Stag.

Hind.

Young, or Calf.

Brit.

Carw

Ewig

Elain

Fren.

Le Cerf

La Biche

Faoa

Ital.

Cervio

Cervia

Span.

Ciervo

Cierva

Port.

Cervo

Cerva

Germ .

Hirtz, Hirsch

Hind

Hinde kalb

Dutch,

Hart

Hinde

Swed.

Hiort, Kronhiort

Hind

Dan.

Kronhiort

Hind

Kid, orHin(

Platycerata. Plinii, lib. xi. c. Cervus cornuum unica et altiore 7. Fallow.

37. suromitate palmata. Brisson

Eurycerata. Oppian Cyneg, quad. 6^.

lib. 11. lin. 293.

VOL. I,

E

50

DEER.

Class I.

Fallow deer, or buck ; cervus

platyceros. llaii syn. quad.

85.
Dama vulgaris. Gesner quad.

307.
Meyers an. Tom. i. Tab. 71.
De Buffnn. Tom. vi, l6l.

Tah. 27, 28.

Cervus Dama. Cervus cornibvis
ramosis recurvatis compressis :
summitatibus palmatis. Gm.
Lin. 178. Faun. Suec. 82.

JBr. Zool. 15. Hist. quad. p. 113.

Cervus palmatus. Klein, quad.
25.

~

Buck,

Doe.

Fawn.

Brit.

Hydd

Hyddes

Elain

Fren.

Le Dain

La Daine

Faon

Ital.

Daino

Cerbiatto

Span,

Gamo, Corza

Venadito

Port.

Corza

Veado

Germ.

Damhirsch

Swed.

Dof, Dof hiort

Dan.

Daae Dijr.

xxT first, the beasts of chace had this whole
island for their range ; they knew no other
limits than those of the ocean, or confessed
any particular master. When the Sa.vons had
established themselves in the Heptarchy., they
were reserved by each sovereign for his ov/n
particular diversion : hunting and war in those
uncivilized ages were tlie sole employment of
the great ; their active, but uncultivated minds,
being susceptible of no pleasures but those of a
violent kind, such as gave exercise to their
bodies, and prevented the pain of thinking.
As the Saxon kings only appropriated those
lands to the use of forests which were un-

Class I. DEER. 51

occupied, no individuals received an injury :
but when the conquest had settled the Norman
line on the throne, this passion for the chace
was carried to an excess, which involved every
civil right in a general ruin ; it superseded the
consideration of religion even in a superstitious
age : the village communities, nay, even the
most sacred edifices were turned into one vast
waste, to make room for animals, the objects of
a lawless tyrant's pleasure. The New Forest in
Hampshire is too trite an instance to be dwelt
upon : sanguinary laws were enacted to preserve
the game, and in the reigns of JVilliam RiifiiSy
and Henry I. it was less criminal to destroy
one of the human species than a beast of
chace.* Thus it continued while the Norman
line filled the throne ; but when the Sa.von line
was restored under Henry II. the rigor of the
forest laws was immediately softened.

When our barons began to form a power,
they clamed a vast, but more limited tract for
a diversion, the Efiglish were always fond '

of. They were very jealous of any encroach-
ments on their respective bounds, which were
often the cause of deadly feuds ; such a one
gave cause to the fatal day of Cheiy-chace, a fact,

* An antient historian speaks thus of the penalties incurred •
Ccrvuin vel capreolum capienti, oculi eruehantur. Amabat enim
fenis Rex, f eras, quasi pater fer arum. Mat. Paris. Q.

E 2

6% DEER. Class r.

which though recorded only in a ballad, may,
from what we know of the manners of the times,
be founded on truth ; not that it was attended with
all the circumstances the author of that natural,
but heroic composition hath given it, for on that
day neither a Percy or a Douglas fell : here
the poet seems to have clamed his privilege,
and mixed with this, fray son:ie of the events of
the battle of Otterboiirne.

When property became happily more divided
by the relaxation of the feodal tenures, these
extensive hunting-grounds became more limited,
and as tillao;e and husbandry increased, the
beasts of chace were obliged to give way to
others more useful to the community. The
vast tracts of land before dedicated to hunting,
were then contracted, and in proportion as the
useful arts gained ground, either lost their
original destination, or gave rise to the invention
of Parks.* Liberty and the arts seem coeval,
for when once the latter got footing, the former
protected the labors of the industrious from
being ruined by the licentiousness of the sports-
man, or being devoured by the objects of his

* The largest park in England, about tiie year 1780, was thai
belonging to the Duke of Ancaster, at Grimstliorpe, \\\\\c\\, it
is said, contained not less than six thousand head of fallow-deer,
and is annually enlarging. There is near it another park coa-
taininp; two or three hundred head of stags and hinds. M. T.

Class I. DEER. 53

diversion : for this reason, the subjects of a
despotic government still experience the incon-
veniences of vast wastes, and forests, the terrors
of the neighbouring husbandmen ;* while in our
well-regulated monarchy, very few^ chaces re-
main : we still indulc^e ourselves in the generous
pleasure of hunting, but confine the deer-kind
to parks, of which EnglanclhoQ.sX.?> of more than
any other kingdom in Europe. Our equal laws
allow every man his pleasures, but confine them
within such bounds, as prevents them from being
injurious to the meanest of the community.
Before the reformation, our prelates seem to
have guarded sufficiently against the want of
this amusement, the see of Norwich in particu-
lar, being possessed about that time of thirteen
parks. t They seem to have forgot good king
Edgars advice, Doceynus etiam ut sacerdos non
sit 'oenator neque accipitrarius tieque potator^
sed incumhat sids libris siciit ordinem ipsius
decet.X

It was customary to salt the venison for pre-
servation, like other meat. Jxymer preserves a

* In Germany the peasants are often obliged to watch their
grounds the whole night, to preserve the fences and corn froia
being destroyed by the deer.

f Peachams Compleat Gentleman, 26 1. . ^

X Leges Saxon. §7.

54 DEER. Class t.

warrant oi Edward III. ordering sixty deer to
be killed for that purpose.

The stag and buck agree in their nature ; but
the latter being more tender is easier tamed,
and made familiar. They scarcely ever herd
together. The stao; is become less common
than it was formerly ; its excessive vitious-
ness during the rutting season, and the badness
of its flesh, induce most people to part with the
species. Stags are still found wild in the high-
lands of Scotland, in herds of four or five hun-
dred together, ranging at full liberty over the
vast hills of the north. Some grow to a great
size : when I was at Iiwercauld Mr. Farquhar-
son assured me that he knew an instance of
one that weighed eiditeen stone Scots, or three
hundred and fourteen pounds, exclusive of the
entrails, head and skin. Formerly the great
highland chieftains used to hunt with the macr-
nificence of an eastern monarch, assembling
four or five thousand of their clan, who drove
the deer into the toils, or to the station their
lairds had placed themselves in; but as this
pretence was frequently used by them to collect
their vassals for rebellious purposes, an act was
I passed prohibiting any assemblies of this nature.

Stags are likewise met with on the moors that

Class I. DEER. 55

border on Cormvall and Devonshire, and in
Ireland on the mountains of Kerry, where they
add greatly to the magnificence of the romantic
scenery of the lake of Killarny.

The stacks of Ireland during; its uncultivated
state, and while it remained an almost bound-
less tract of forest, had an exact agreement in
habit with those ^vhich range at present through
the wilds of America. They were less in body, .
but very fat ; and their horns of a size far su-
perior to those of Europe, but in form agreed in .
all points. Old Giraldiis speaks with much
precision of those of Ireland, Cervos prce nimia
pingiiedine minus fugere pravalentes, quanta
minores sunt corporis quantitate, tanto pnecel-
lentius efferuntur, capitis et cornuum digni-
tate*

[The rutting time of the old stags, begins the
hittQY end oi August ov hegmnmgoi September,
and ends about the 20th of that month : that
of the next age, begins about the 10th of ^e^/^e77z- . -'

ber, and ends the beginning of October: the
younger stags are in rut from about the ,20th of
September till the loth of October, after whom

* Topogr. Hilernue. c. 19. Lawson in his history of CarO'
Una p. 123, mentions the fatness of the American stags, and
their inferiority of size to the European. I have often seen their
horns, which vastly exceed those of our country in size, and
number of antlers.

v56l DEER. Class I.

none but the prickets are in rut, and the whole
season terminates by Nommher. The young
hinds come into heat later than the old. Both
stag and hind are supposed to be of an age to
engender at eighteen months. The hind carries
her young rather more than eight months, and
produces mostly one, sometimes two at a birth.
Stags seldom live longer than thirty or thirty five
years, although many authors have attributed
to them a much greater degree of longevity.
The fallow-deer does not begin to rut till near
three weeks after the stags, and exactly in the
same order, the old bucks first and the prickets
last. They also drop their horns later in the
same proportion.] M. T.*

We have in England two varieties of fallow-
deer which are said to be of foreign origin : the
beautiful spotted kind, and the very deep brown
sort, that are now so common in several parts
of this kingdom. These were introduced here
by king James I. out of Norway, '\ where
he passed some time when he visited his in-
tended bride, Anne of Denmark.'^ He ob-

* The above paragraph, and the notes marked by the initials
M. T. were communicated to INIr. Pennant by his vaUied frier>d
Marmaduke Tunstall, Esq. Ed.

f This we relate on the authority of Mr. Peter ColHnson.

X One of the Welsh, names of this animal {Geijr Danys, or
Danish goat) implies that it was brought from some of th^
Danish dominions. Ed. Llwyd. Ph. tr. No. 334.

Class I. DEER. 57

served their hardiness, and that they could en-
dure, even in that severe climate, the winter
without fodder. He first broudit some into
Scotland, and from thence transported them
to his chaces of Enfield and Epping, to be
near his palace of Theobalds; for it is well
known, that monarch was in one part of hi§
character the Nimrod of his days, fond to excess
of hunting, that image of war, although he de-
tested the reality. No country produces the
fallow-deer in quantities equal to England. In
France they are scarcely known, but are some-
times found in the north* of Europe. In
Spain they are extremely large. They are met
with in Greece, the Holy Land,'\ and in
China ;% but in every country except our own
are in a state of nature, unconfined by man.
They are not natives of America, for the deer
known in our colonies by that name are a dis-
tinct species, a sort of stag, as we have remark-
ed vol. i. p. 116. of our History of Quadrupeds.

The uses of these animals are almost simi- Uses.
lar ; the skin of the buck and doe is sufficiently
known to every one ; and the horns of the stag
are of great use in mechanics ; they, as well as
the horns of the rest of the deer kind, being ex-

* Pontop. Norway. 11. Q. Faun. Suec. sp. 42.

-}" Ilasselqiiist. itin. 2gO.

X Du Halde hist. China. I. 315.

DEER. Class I.

cessively compact, solid, hard and weighty,
and make excellent handles for couteaus,
knives, and several other utensils. They
abound in ammonia, which is the basis of the
spirit of Hartshorn ; and the remains (after the
salts are extracted) being calcined, become a
valuable astringent in fluxes, which is known by
the name of burnt Hartshorn, Besides these
uses in mechanics and medicine, there is an in-
stance in Giraldus Cambrensis, of a countess of
Chester, who kept milch hinds, and made
cheese of their milk, some of which she pre-
sented to archbishop Balchvin, in his itinerary
through J Vales, in the year 1188.*

* Girald. Camh. Itln, p, 2l6.

n.. TV.

Vol.l.P.5q.

B^OE B VCK.

S..-f.y/rA-^..

Class I.

ROEBUCK.

69

AogKa;, Anstoielis de Part. lib.

iii. c. 2.
lorcas, Dorcas, Opp'ian Cyneg.

lib. ii. lin. 296. 315.
Caprea, Plinii, lib. xi. c. 37.
Capreolus Vulgo. Raiisyn. quad.

89-
Camd. Brit. ii. 77 1.
Meyer s anhn. ii. Tab. 73.
Capreolus, Sih. Scot, pars 3. 0.
Caprea, Capreolus, Dorcas. Gfi-

ner quad. 296.
Merret pinax. 166.

Cervus cornibus teretibus
erectis. Brisson quad. 61.

De Bujfun, Tom. vi. 289.
Ta/j. 32, 33.

Cervus minimus, Klein quad.
24.

Cervus Capreolus, Gm, Lin.
160.

C. Cornibus ramosis tereti-
bus erectis, summitate bi-
fida, Faun. Suec. 43.

Br. Zool. 18. Hist. quad.
p. 120. Tour in Scotland.
288. Tal. xiv. Arct. Zool
1 37-

8 Roe,

Brit.

Iw^rch,/arm. lyrchell

Port.

Cabra montes

Fren.

Le Chevreuil

Ger.

Rehbock,/ce>». Reh-

Ital.

Capriolo

geess

Span.

Zorlito, Cabronzillo

Swed.

Radiur, Rabock

montes

Dan.

Raaedijr Raaebuk.

XHE roebuck prefers a mountanous woody
country to a plain one ; was formerly very com-
mon in Wales, in the north of England, and in
Scotland, but at present the species no longer
exists in any part of Great Britain, except in
the Scottish highlands. According to Dr.
Mouffet, it was found in Wales as late as the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, and in great plenty
in the Cheviot hills according to Leland in that

|Q ^ ROEBUCK. Class I.

of Henry VIIL* In France they are more
frequent ; they are also found in Italy, Szceden,
and Norway ; and in Siberia in Asia.-\ The
first that are met v/ith in Great Britain are in
the woods on the south side of Loch Kamioch,
in Perthshire: the last in those of Langwal, on
the southern borders of Cathness ; but they are
most numerous in the beautiful forests of In-
^cercauld, in the midst of the Grampian hills.
They are unknown in Ireland.
Descrip. This is one of the lest of the deer kind,
being only three feet nine inches long, tvv o feet
three inches high before, and two feet seven
behind : the weight is from .50 to 60lb. The
horns are from eight to nine inches long, up-
right, round, and divided into only three
branches ; their lower part is sulcated length-
ways and extremely rugged ; of this part is
made handles for couteaus, knives, S^c. The
horns of a young buck in its second year are
quite plain; in its third year a branch ap-
pears ; in the fourth its head is complete. The

* The editor has been mfonned that seven or eight specimens
of the horns of the roebuck have been discovered in the peat beds
near Romsey, in Hampshire ; a proof, that at some remote
period, this animal inhabited the southern part of the kingdom.
A complete head of a beaver with the teeth entire, was found in
the same place. Ed.

•\ Bf/Z's Travels^ ■ ,'...-. .'..;..

Class I. ROEBUCK. 61

body is covered during winter with very long
hair, well adapted to the rigor of the highland
air ; the lower part of each hair is ash-color,
near the end is a narrow bar of black, and the
points are yellow. The hairs on the face are
iDlack, tipped with ash-color ; the ears are long,
their insides of a pale yellow, and covered with
long hair; the spaces bordering on the eyes
and mouth are black. During summer its coat
has a very different appearance, being very
short and smooth, and of a bright reddish color.
The chest, belly, and legs, and the inside of
the thighs, are of a yellowish white ; the rump
is of a pure white ; the tail is very short. On
the outside of the hind leg, below the joint, is a
tuft of long hair. The make of the roebuck is
very elegant, and formed for agility.

These animals do not keep in herds like other
deer, but only in families ; they bring two fawns
at a time, which the female is obliged to conceal
from the buck while they are very young.
They engender at the age of eighteen months,
and the doe goes with young five months. They
live twelve or fifteen years. The flesh of this
creature is reckoned a delicate food.

It is a tender animal, incapable of bearing
great cold. M. de Buffon tells us that in the
hard winter of 1709, the s^Qcits m Bwrgimdjj

n ROEBUCK. Class I.

was almost destroyed, and many years elapsed
before it was restored again. I was informed in
Scotland, that it is very difficult to rear the
fawns ; it being computed that eight out of ten
of those that are taken from their parents die.

Wild roes during summer feed on grass, and
are very fond of the rubiis saxatilis, called in
the highlands the roebuck berry ; but in %¥inter
time, when the ground is covered with snow,
they brouze on the tender branches of hr and
birch.

In the old JVelsh laws, a roebuck was valued
at the same price as a she goat ; a stag at the
price of an ox ; and a fallow-deer was esteemed
equal to that of a cow, or, as some say, an he
goat.'"'

It will not be foreign to the present subject,

to mention the vast horns frequently found in

Fossil Ireland^ and others sometimes met with in our

HoRNSo .

own kingdom. The latter are evidently of the
stag kind, but much stronger, thicker, heavier,
and furnished with fewer antlers than those of
the present race ; of those some have been
found on the sea-coast of Lancashire,']' and a
single horn was dug a few years ago out of the
sands near Chester. Those found in:}: Ireland

* Leges JVallicce, 258. f Ph. Tr. No. 422.

X Boaies Nat. Hist. Ireland, 137-

Class I. ROEBUCK. 63

must be referred to the elk kind, but of a species
different from the European, being provided
with brow antlers which that wants : neither are
they of the Moose deer or A?nerica?i, which en-
tirely agrees with the elk of Europe, as I have
found by comparison. Entire skeletons of this
animal are sometimes met with, lodged in a
white marie. Some of these horns are near
twelve feet between tip and tip.* Not the
faintest account (traditional or historical) is left
of the existence of these animals in our king-
dom, so that they may possibly be ranked
among those remains which fossilists distinguish
by the title of dilunian.

Mr. Graham, factor to the Hudson s Bay
company, once gave me hopes of discovering the
living animal. He informed me that he had
received accounts from the Indians who resort
to the factories, that a deer is found about seven
or eight hundred miles west of York fort, which
they call JVaskesseu, and which they say is vastly
superior in size to the common Moose ; but as
yet nothing has transpu'ed relating to so magni-
ficent an animal. The difference of size be-

* A pair of this size is preserved at Sir Patrick Bellew's,
Bart, in the county of Lonlh. The great difference between tlie
Moose horns and the Fossil is shewen in Plate XVII. and XX.
of my History of Quadrupeds.

64 ROEBUCK. Class L

tween the modern Moose, and the owners of the
fossil horns may be estimated by the following
account. The largest horns of the American
Moose ever brought over, are only thirty-twQ
inches long, and thirty-four between tip and tip.
' The length of one of the fossil horns is six feet
four inches ; the space between tip and tip
near twelve feet. The larsiest Moose described
by any authentic voyager does not exceed the
size of a great horse ; that which I saw (a fe-
male) was fifteen hands high ; but we must
search for much larger animals to support the
weight of our fossil horns. If Josselyns or
Dudlys Moose of twelve feet in height ever
existed,* we may suppose that to have been a
species, which as population advanced, retired
into distant parts, into depths of woods unknown
but to distant Indians. • . ■:

* Voy. to New England, 88. New England Rarities, 19.
See also Mr. Dudlys account in Vh. Trans, abridg. VII. 44?.

Class I.

HOG.

35

* WITHOUT HORNS.

GENUS VI. HOG.

Teeth cutting in both jaws.

Sus, seu Porcus domesticus.

Eaii syn. quad. 92.
Gesner quad. 872.
Charlton ex. 14.
Sus caudatus auriculis ob-

longis aoutis, cauda pilosa.

Brisson quad. 74.

JDe Bufon,Tom.Y.gQ.Tah.6,7' 9. Common.

Klein quad. 25.

Sus Scrofa Gm. Lin. 217-

Sus dorse antice setoso, cauda

pilosa. Faun. Suec. 21.
Br. Zool. 19. Hist, quad, 75.

p. 140. .

Boar.

Sow.

Hog.

Brit.

Baedd

Hwch

Mochya

Fren.

Le Verrat

La Truye

Pore

Ital.

Verro

Porca

Porco

Span.

Berraco

Puerca

Puerco

Port.

Porca

Porco

Gertn.

Eber

Sau

Barg

But.

Beer

Soch

Varken

Swed.

Swiin

Dan

Orne

Soe.

According to common appearances, the
hog is certainly the most impure and filthy of
all quadrupeds ; but we should reflect that
filthiness is an idea merely relative to ourselves.
We form a partial judgment from our own
sensations, and overlook that wise maxim of
Providence, that every part of the creation
VOL. r. F

6'6 HOG. Class I,

should have its respective inhabitants. By this
oeconomy of nature, the earth is never over-
stocked, or any part of the creation useless.
This observation may be exemplified in the ani-
mal before us ; the hog alone devouring what is
the refuse of all the rest, and contributing not
only to remove what would be a nuisance to the
human race, but also converting the most
nauseous offals into the richest nutriment : for
this reason its stomach is capacious, and its
gluttony excessive ; not that its palate is insen-
sible to the difference of eatables, for Avhere it
finds variety, it will reject the Avorst with as
distinguishing a taste as other quadrupeds.*

This animal has, not unaptly, been compared
to a miser, who is useless and rapacious in his
life, but on his death becomes of public use, by
the very effects of his sordid manners. The hog
during life renders little service to mankind,
except in removing that filth which other ani-
mals reject; his more than common brutality,

* Tlie ingenious author of the Pan Suecus, has proved this
beyond contradiction, ha\ingwilh great industry drawn up tables
of the number of vegetables, which each domestic animal chuses,
or rejects: and it is found that the hog eats but 72, and refuses
171 plants.

The Ox eats 2/6. rejects 218

Goat 449. 126. ■ '

Sheep 387. 141.

Horse 262. 212. Amcen, Acad, ii, 203,

Class I. HOG. 67

urges him to devour even his own oiF-spring,
All other domestic quadrupeds shew some de-
gree of respect to mankind, and even a sort of
tenderness for us in our helpless years, but this
animal will devour infants, whenever it has op-
portunity.

The parts of the hog are finely adapted to
its way of life. As its method of feeding is by
turning up the earth with its nose for roots of
different kinds, so nature has given it a more
prone form than other animals ; a strong brawny
neck ; eyes small, and placed high in the head ;
a long snout, a nose callous and tough, and a
quick sense of smelling to trace out its food. '
Its intestines have a strong resemblance to those
of the human species ; a circumstance that
should mortify our pride. The external form
of its body is very unwieldy; yet, by the
strength of its tendons, the wild boar (which is
only a variety of the common kind) is enabled
to fly from the hunters with amazing agility :
the back toe on the feet of this animal prevents
its slipping while it descends declivities, and
must be of singular use when it is pursued : yet,
notwithstanding its poM ers of motion, it is by
nature stupid, inactive, and drowsy ; much in-
clined to increase in fat, which is disposed in a
different manner from other animals, and forms

F 21 ' ■ .

HOG. Class I.

a regular coat over the whole body. It is rest-
less at a change of weather, and in certain high
winds is so agitated as to run violently, scream-
ing horribly at the same time ; it is fond of wal-
lowing in the dirt, either to cool its surfeited
body, or to destroy the lice, ticks, and other in-
sects with which it is infested. Its diseases
generally arise from intemperance ; measles, im-
postumes, and scrophulous complaints are
reckoned among them. Lhuia'us observes that
its flesh is wholesome food for athletic constitu-
tions, or those who use much exercise, but bad
for such as lead a sedentary life : it is however
of most universal use, and furnishes numberless
materials for epicurism, among which brawn is
a kind peculiar to Eiio^laml''' The flesh of the
hog is an article of the lirst importance to a
naval and commercial nation, for it takes salt
better than any other kind, and consequently is
capable of being preserved longer. The lard is
of o-reat use in medicine, beins; an ingredient in
various sorts of piaisters, either pure, or in the
form of unguent ; and the bristles are formed
into brushes of several kinds.

This animal has been applied to an use in
this island, which seems peculiar to Minorca
and the part oi Mitrraij which lies between the

* HoUingshed Descr. Brit. IO9.

Class I. • HOG. 69

Spey and Elgin. It has been there converted
into a beast of draught ; for I have been assured
by a minister of that country, eye witness to the
fact, that he had on his first coming into his
parish seen a cow, a sow, and two Trogues
(young horses) yoked together, and drawing a
plough in a light sandy soil, and that the sow
^vas the best drawer of the four. In Minorca
the ass and the hog are common help-mates^
and are yoked together in order to turn up the
land.

The wild-boar was formerly a native of our
country, as appears from the laws of Howel
cida* who permitted his grand huntsman to
chace that animal from the middle of November
to the beginning of Deceviher. William the
Conqueror punished m ith the loss of their eyes,
those who were convicted of killing the wild-
boar, the stag, or the roebuck ;t and Fitz- '
Stephen tells us, that the vast forest which in his -
time grew on the north side of London, was the
retreat of stags, fallow-deer, wild-boars, and
bulls. Charles I. turned out wild-boars in the
New Forest, Hampshire, but they were destroy-
ed in the civil wars.

* Leges JVallkce. Al. f Leges Saxon. 2Q2.

70

DOG. .

Class I.

Div. II. Sect. I. DIGITATED.

Teeth cutting six in each jaw : Canine two in
each jaw, large, distant from the cutting
teeth.

Rapacious, carnivorous.

GENUS VII. DOG.

Toes five before, four behind.
Claws blunt.
Visage long.

10. Faith- Cams, Rah syn. quad. 175.
FUL. Chariton rx. Q6.

Merret pinax, l68.
Gesner quad. l60, 249, 250.
Canis domesticus. Brisso
quad. 170.

Biif. Ci,fcem. Gast

Fren. Le Chien

Jtal. Cane

Spa?!. Perro

Port. Cam

De Buffon, Tom. v. p. 185.
Klein quad. 63.

Canis fainiliaris. Gm. Lin. 6b.
Canis Cauda recurva. Faun.

Slice 5.
Brif. Zool.12.Ilist. quad. p. 235.

Grrni. Hund

Duf. Hond

Swed. Hund .

Dun. Hund, J'a-m. Taeve.

XJR. Cains, an EiigUsJi physician, who flourish-
ed in the reign of queen Elizabeth, has left
among several other tracts relating to natural
historv, one written expressly on the species of
British dogs : they were composed for tiie use
of his learned friend Gesner, with whom he kept

Class I.

DOG.

n

a strict correspondence, and whose death he
laments in a very elegant and pathetic manner.
Besides a brief account of the variety of dogs
then existing in this country, he has added a
systematic table of them : his method is so ju-
dicious, that we shall make use of the same,
explain it by a brief account of each kind, and
point out those which are no longer in use among
iis.

SYNOPSIS OF BRITISH DOGS.

/^ /~ Hounds, f Terrier

^ /
° \

CO

o
Q

I— (

r

C

o .
^ -2

H

{

< Harrier ,

(. Blood hound

Gaze hound
Grey hound
Leviner, or Lyemmer
Tumbler

Spaniel

Setter

\^"ater spaniel, or finder —

Spaniel gentle, or comforter

Shepherd's dog -'.

Mastiff, or ban dog

Wappe

Turnspit

Dancer.

The first variety is the Terrarius or Terrier,
which takes its name from its subterraneous

72 ' DOG. Class I.

employ; being a small kind of hound, used to
force the fox, or other beasts of prey, out of
their holes ; and, in former times, rabbets out of
their burrows into nets.

The Leverarius, or Harrier, is a species
well known at present ; it derives its name from
its use, that of hunting the hare ; but under this
head may be placed the fox-hound, which is
only a stronger and fleeter variety, applied to a
different chace.*

The Sangidnariiis, or Bloodhound, or the
Sleuthoimde^ of the Scots, was a dog of great
use, and in high esteem with our ancestors : its
employ was to recover any game that had
escaped wounded from the hunter, or been
killed and stolen out of the forest. It was re-
markable for the acuteness of its smell, tracing
the lost beast by the blood it had spilt ; from

* Prince Griiffydd ap Ci/nan (who began his reign in the
year 1079) divided hunting into three kinds : the first and no-
blest sort was the Helfa ddoJef, which is hunting for the melody
of the cry, or notes of the pack : the second sort was the i7e//a
gvfartha, or hunting when the animal stood at bay : the last
kind was the Helfa gyffred'm, i. e. common hunting ; which
was no more than the right any person had, who happened acci-
dentally to come in at the death of the game, to claim a share.
Lciviss Hist, of Jf'ales, 06.

f From the Saxon slot, the Impression that a deer leaves of its
foot in the mire, and Jnmd a dog. So they derive their name
from foliowing the track.

Class L DOG. 73

whence the name is derived. This species could,
with the utmost certainty, discover the thief by
following his footsteps, let the distance of his
flight be ever so great, and through the most
secret and thickest coverts : nor would it cease
its pursuit, till it had taken the felon. It
was likewise used by Wallace and Bruce dur-
ing the civil wars. The poetical historians of
the two heroes, frequently relate very curious
passages on this subject ; of the service these
dogs were of to their masters, and the escapes
they had from those of the enemy. The blood-
hound was in great request on the confines of
England and Scotland, where the borderers were
continually preying on the herds and flocks of
their neighbors. The true bloodhound was -
large, strong, muscular, broad breasted, of a -
stern countenance, of a deep tan-color, and
generally marked with a black spot above each
eye. . . ^' ■

The next division of this species of dogs, com-
prehends those that hunt by the eye, and whose
success depends either upon the quickness of
their sight, their swiftness, or their subtlety.

The Agasceus, or Gazehound, was the first:
it chased indifferently the fox, hare, or buck. It
would select from the herd the fattest and
fairest deer, pursue it by the eye, and if lost

U I>OG. Class L

for a time, recover it again by its singular dis-
tinguishing faculty ; should the beast rejoin
the herd, this dog would fix unerringly on the
same. This species is now lost, or at lest un-
known to us.

It must be observed that the Agasaiis of Dr,
Cains, is a very different species from the
Agasseus of Oppian, for which it might be
mistaken from the similitude of names : this he
describes as a small kind of dog, peculiar to
Great Britain ; and then goes on with these
words ;

■ .1 Curvum, macilentum, hispidiim, oculis pigrum.

what he adds afterwards, still marks the differ-
ence more strongly ;

'Pivecrj J' auVs iJ.a.XicrriX'TtavB^OKO; strriv dyaa-asug.
Naribus autem longe prcestantissimus est agasseus.

From Oppian s whole description, it is plain
he meant our Beagle.*

The next kind is the Leporarius, or Gre-
hound. Dr. Cains informs us, that it takes its
name quod prcBcipui gr actus sit inter canes ; the

* Opp. Cyneg. lib. i. I'm. 473. 476,
Nemesianus also celebrates our dogs.
Divisa Britannia mittit
Vcloces, nostriqueorbisvenantibus aptos.

Class I. DOG. ' 75

first in rank among dogs : that it was formerly
esteemed so, appears from the forest laws of
king Canute, who enacted, that no one under
the degree of a gentleman should presume to
keep a gre-hound; and still more strongly from
an old JVelsh saying ; JVrth ei IFalch, ei Farck,
cHi Filgi, yr adzmenir Bonheddig: which signi-
fies, that you may know a gentleman by his
hawk, his horse and his gre-hound.

Froissart relates a fact not much to the credit
of the fidelity of this species. When that un-
happy Prince Richard the second was taken in
Flint castle, his favorite gre-hound immediately
deserted him, and fawned on his rival Boling-
broke ; as if he understood, and foresaw the
misfortunes of the former. The story is so
singular, that we give as a note the words of the
historian.*

* Le Roy Richard avoit ung levrier lequel on nommoit Math,
tres beau levrier oultre mesure, et ne vouloit ce chien cognoistre
nul homme hors le Roi, et quand le Roy vouloit chevaucher,
celluy qui lavoit en garde le laissoit aller, et ce levrier venoit tan-
tost devers le Roy le festoyer ce luy mettoient incontinent quil
estoit eschappe les deux pieds sur les epaules. Et adoncques ad-
vint que le Roy et le conte Derby parlans ensemble en la place de
la court dudit chasteau, et leur chevaulx tous sellez, car ils vou-
ioient monter a cheval, ce levrier nomme Math qui estoit cous-
tumier de faire an Roy ce que dist est, laissa leRoy et sen vint au
due de Lenclastre, et luy fist toutes telles contenances que para-
vant il avoit acoustume de faire au Roy, et lui assist les deux

76 • DOG. Class L

The variety called the Highland gre-hound,
and now become very scarce, is of a very great
size, strong, deep chested, and covered with
long and rough hair. This kind was much
esteemed in former days, and used in great
numbers by the powerful chieftains in their
magnificent hunting matches. It had as saga-
cious nostrils as the Bloodhound, and was as
fierce. This seems to be the kind Boethius
styles, genus venaticum cum celerrimum turn
aiidacisshfiiwi : nee modo in f eras ^ sed in hostes
etiam latr ones que ^ prcesertim si domirmm
ductoj^e?nve injiiriam affici cernat ant in eos
concitetin\

The third species is the Lemnarius, or Lora-
rius ; the Leviner or Lyemmer: the first name
is derived from the lightness of the kind ; the
other from the old word Lyemme, a thong : this

pieds sur le col, et le commenca moult grandement a cherlr, le
due de Lendastre qui point ne cognoissoit ce levrier, demanda
au Roy, et que veult ce levrier faire, cousin, dist le Roy, cc
vous est une grant signifiance et a moy petite. Comment dist
due Icntendez vous. Je lentends dist le Roy, le levrier vous fes-
toye et rcceult au jourdluiy comme Roy d Atiglcferrc que vous
sercz et ien seray depose, et le levrier en a cognoissance natu-
relle. Si le tencz deles vous, car il \ou3 suyura et meslongera.
Le due de Lendastre entendit bien ceste parolle et fist chere au
levrier le quel oncques depuis ne voulut suyvre Richard de Bour-
deaulx suyvit le due de Lendastre. Chronicque dc Froissartf
iom. iv. fueillet 72. Edition de Paris, 1530.

Class I. DOG. 77

species being used to be led in a thong, and
slipped at the game. Our author says, that
this dog was a kind that hunted both by scent
and sight, and in the form of its body observed a
medium between the hound, and the gre-hound.
This probably is the kind known to us by the
name of the Irish gre-hound, ' a dog now ex-
tremely scarce in that kingdom, the late king of
Poland having procured from thence as many as
possible. I have seen two or three in the whole
island : they were of the kind called by M. de
Buffon, Le grand Danois, and probably import-
ed there by the Danes who long possessed that
kingdom. Their use seems originally to have
been for the chase of wolves with which Ireland
swarmed till the latter end of the seventeenth
century. As soon as those animals were extir-
pated, the numbers of the dogs decreased ;
from that period, they were kept only for state.
The Vertagus, or Tumbler, is a fourth species,
which took its prey by mere subtlety, depend-
ing neither on the sagacity of its nose, or its
swiftness : if it came into a warren, it neither
barked, or ran on the rabbets, but by a seem-
ing neglect of them, or attention to something
else, deceived the object till it got within reach,
so as to take it by a sudden spring. This dog

DOG. Class L

was less than the hound, more scraggy, had
prickt up ears, and by Dr. Cains s description
seems to answer to the modern lurcher.

The third division of the more generous dogs,
comprehends those which were used in fowl-
ing; first, the Hispanioliis or Spaniel : from the
name it may be supposed, that we were indebted
to Spain for this breed. There were two varie-
ties of this kind, the first used in hawking, to spring
the game, which are the same with our Starters.
The other variety was used only for the net,
and was called Inde.v, or the Setter ; a kind well
known at present. This kingdom has long
been remarkable for producing dogs of this sort,
particular care having been taken to preserve
the breed in the utmost purity. They are still
distinguished by the name of English spaniels ;
so that notwithstanding the derivation of the
name, it is probable they are natives of Great
Britain. We may strengthen our suspicion by
saying that the first who broke a dog to the net
was an Ens;Ush nobleman of a most distinguish-
ed character, the great Robert Dudleii Duke of
Noi'thiimberlandf^ The Pointer, which is a
dog of foreign extraction, m as unkno^vn to our
ancestors.

* mod's Alh. Ox, TI. 27. - • ■

Class I. DOG. 79

The A quaticus, or Fynder, was another species
used in fowling ; was the same as our Water
Spaniel, and was used to find or recover the
game that was shot.

The Melitceus, or Fotor ; the Spaniel gentle
or comforter of Dr. Cains (the modern lap dog)
was the last of this division. The Maltese
little dogs were as much esteemed by the fine
ladies of past times, as those of Bologjia are
among the modern. Old HoUins'shed is ridicu-
lously severe on the fair of his days, for their
excessive passion for these little animals, which '
is sufficient to prove they were in his time* a
novelty.

The second grand division of dogs compre-
hends the Rustici, or those whicli were used in
the country.

The first species is the Pastoralisy or Shep-
herd's dog ; the same which is used at present, . .
either in guarding our flocks, or in driving-
herds of cattle. This kind is so well trained
for those purposes, as to attend to every part
of the herd be it ever so large, confine them to
the road, and force in every straggler without
doing it the least injury.

The next is the Villaticiis, or Catenarius ;

* In the rcim of Queen ElizalefJt,

80 DOG. Class I.

the Mastiff or Ban dog; a species of great size
and strength, and a very loud barker. Ma7i~
wood say s,^ it derives its name from 7imse thefese,
being supposed to frighten away robbers by its
tremendous voice. Cains tells us that three of
these Avere reckoned a match for a bear ; and
four for a lion : but from an experiment made
in the Tower by James I. that noble quad-
ruped was found an unequal match to only
three ; two of the dogs were disabled in the
combat, but the third forced the lion to seek for
safety by flight.'^ The English bull dog seems
to belong to this species, and probably is the
dog: our author mentions under the title of
Laniarius. Great Britain was so noted for
its mastiffs, that the Roman Emperors appoint-
ed an officer in this island with the title of Pro-
curator Cynegii,X whose sole business was to
breed, and transmit from hence to the Amphi-
theatre, such as would prove equal to the com-
bats of the place,

Magnaque tatirorum fracturi colla Britanni \\.
And British dogs subdue the stoutest bulls.

Gratius speaks in high terms of the excellency
of the British dogs,

* Mamvoods Forest Law. t Sloivs Armuls, 1427-

X Camd, Brit, in Hampshire.

11 Claudian de laude Stilichoms. Lib, iii. Lin. 301,

Class I. DOG. 81

Atque Ipsos libeat penetrare Brilannos ?
O quanta est merces et quantum impendla supra!
Si non ad speciem mentiturosque decores
Protlnus : haec una est catulis jactura Britann'is.
At magnum cum venit opus, promendaque virtus,
Et vocat extreme prasceps discrimine Mauors,
Non tunc egregios tantum admirere Molossos.*

If Britain s distant coast we dare explore.
How much beyond the cost the valued store I
If shape and beauty not alone we prize.
Which nature to the British hound denies :
But when the mighty toil the huntsman warms.
And all the soul is roused by fierce alarms.
When Mars calls furious to th' ensanguin'd field
Even bold Molossians then to these must yield.

Strabo'\ tells us, that the mastiffs of Britain
were trained for war, and were used by the
Gauls in their battles ; and it is certain a well-
trained mastiff might be of considerable use in
distressing such half-armed and irregular com-
batants as the adversaries of the Gauls seem
generally to have been before the Romans con-
quered them. - '

The last division is that of the Degeneres or
Curs. The first of these was the JVappe, a
name derived from its note : its only use was to
alarm the family, by barking, if any person ap-
proached the house. Of this class was the
Versator, or turnspit ; and lastly the Saltatory

* Grata Cynegeticon, Lin. 175. ■

t Straho. Lib. iv. ■ <•. •

VOL. I. G

Sa DOG. Class I.

or dancing dog, or such as was taught a variety
of tricks, and carried about by idle people as a
shew. These Degeneres were of no certain shape,
being mongrels or mixtures of all kinds of dogs.

y/e should now, according to our plan, after
enumerating the several varieties of British dogs,
give its general natural history ; but since
LinncEus has already performed it to our hand,
we shall adopt his sense, translating his very
words (wherever we may) with literal exactness.

*' The dog eats fiesh, and farinaceous vege-
" tables, but not greens : its stomach digests
" bones : it uses the tops of grass as a vomit.^^
'' It voids its excrement on a stone : the album
" s^TLCcmn is one of the greatest encouragers of
" putrefaction. It laps up its drink wdth its
" tongue : it voids its urine sideways, by lifting
'' up one of its hmd legs ; and is most diuretic
" in the company of a strange clog. Odor at
" (rniim alteriiis : its scent is most exquisite,
" when its nose is moist: it treads lightly on its
" toes ; scarcely ever sweats ; but w-hen hot lolls
'"' out its tongue. It generally walks frequent-
*' ly round the place it intends to lye down on :
" its sense of hearing is very quick when asleep :

* It is not to be supposed that grass acts as an emetic, but
merel}^ occasions sickness bv its irritation of \hQ fauces, as when
a feather is employed hy mankind for a similar purpose j mixed
wlih food it does not produce vomiting. Ed.

Class I.

FOX.

it dreams. Procis rivmitibiis crudelis : catu-
lit cum variis : mordet ilia illos : cohceret co-
pula j unci us: it goes with young sixty-three
days; and commonly brings from four to
eight at a time: the male puppies resemble
the dog, the female the bitch. It is the most
faithful of all animals : is very docile : hates
strange dogs : will snap at a stone thrown at
it : will howl at certain musical notes : all
(except the South American kind) will bark at
strangers : dogs are rejected by the Maho-
metans."

Vulpes. Rail syn. quad. 177.
Mortons Northampt. 444.
Meyer s an. i. Tah. 36.
Canis fulvus, pills cinereis

intermixtis. Brisson quad.

173.
De Buffon. Tom. vii. 75-

Tal: 6.
Ges?i. quad. g66.

Vulpes auctorum. Hasselquist

Itin. 191.
Canis Vulpes. Gm. Lin. 73.
Canis Alopex. C. Cauda 'recta

apice nigro. vulpes campes-

Iris. Lin. Syst. 5Q.
Canis Cauda recta apice albo.

Faun. Suec. 1 .
Vulpes vulgaris. Klein, quad. 73.
Br. Zool. 28. Hist. quad, p,

251. Arct. Zool. i. 51.

11. Fox.

Brit. Llwynog,/cf»2. Llvvj'noges Germ. Fuchs

Fren. Le Renard Dut. Vos

Ital. Volpe Swed. RafF

Span. Raposa Dan. Rev.
Port. Rapoza

-1- HE fox is a crafty, lively, and libidinous ani-
mal. It begins to engender at the age of twelve

G 2

FOX. Class L

months ; it breeds only once in a year (except
some accident befals its first litter) and brings
forth, commonly in April, four or five young,
which like puppies, are born blind ; it con-
tinues bearing ten or eleven years. There is
a commonly received opinion, that this animal
will produce with the dog kind ; which may be
well founded ; since it has been proved that the
congenerous wolf will.*' Mr. Brook, animal-
merchant in Holborn, turned a wolf to a Pome-
ranian bitch then in heat : the congress was im-
mediate, with the circumstances usual with the
canine species. The bitch brought ten whelps,
one of which I afterwards saw at the Duke of
Gordon'' s in Scotland. It bore a great resem-
blance to the male parent, and had much of its
nature : being slipped at a weak deer, it in-
stantly caught at the animal's throat and killed

* M. de Buffon asserts the contrary, and gives the following
account of the experiment he had made. J' en jfis garder trois
pendant deux ans, une femelle isf deux males : on tenia inutile-
onent de les /aires accoupler avec des chiennes; guoiqu'ils Ji' eussent
jamais vu de femelle de Icur espece, et qiiils parussent pressh du
liesoin de joitir, ils ne 'purent sy determiner , ils rej-userent toutes
les chiennes, mais des guon leur present a leur femelle legitime,
ils la couvrirenf, quoiqii' enchaines , et elle produisit quatre petits.
Hist. Natiirelle, vll. 81. The same experiments were tried with
a bitch and a male fox, and with a dog and a female wolf, and
as ilf . de Buffon says with the same ill success. Vol. v. 210^
212. but the fact just cited, proves the possibility past contest.

Class I. FOX. 85

it. The fox sleeps much in the day, but is in
motion the whole night in search of pre}^ It
will feed on flesh of any kind, but its favourite
food is lambs, rabbets, hares, poultry, and fea-
thered game. It will, when urged by hunger,
eat carrots and insects * and those that live near
the sea-coasts, will, for want of other food, eat
crabs, shrimps, or shell fish. In Fra}ice Siud
Italy, it does incredible damage in the vine-
yards, by' feeding on the grapes, of M-hich it is
very fond. The fox is a great destroyer of rats,
and field mice, and like the cat, v» ill play Vvith
them a considerable time, before it puts them to
death. When the fox has acquired a larger prey
than it can devour at once, it never begins to feed
till it has secured the rest, which it does with
great address. It digs holes in different places,
returns to the spot where it had left the booty,
and (supposing a whole flock of poultry to have
been its prey) will bring them one by one,
thrust them in Avith its nose, and then conceal
them by ramming the loose earth on them, till
the calls of hunger incite him to pay them ano-
ther \dsit.

Of all animals the fox has the most sig-
nificant eye, by which it expresses every passion
of love, fear, hatred, &c. It is remarkably

86. FOX. Class I.

playful, but like all other savage creatures half
reclamed, will, on the lest offence, bite those it
is most familiar with. It is a great admirer of
its bushy tail, with which it frequently amuses
and exercises itself by running in circles to catch
it, and in cold weather wraps it round its nose.

The smell of this animal in general is very
strong, but that of the urine is most remarkably
foetid. This seems so offensive even to itself,
that it will take the trouble of digging a hole in
the ground, stretchino; its bodv at full length
over it, and there, after depositing its water,
cover it over with the earth, as the cat does its
dung. The smell is so offensive, that it has
often proved the means of the fox's escape from
the dogs, who have so strong an aversion to the
filth V effluvia, as to avoid encounterin2;the animal
it came from. It is said that the fox makes
use of its urine as an expedient to force the
cleaniy badger from its habitation : wiiether
that is the means is rather doubtful, but that
the fox makes use of the badger's hole is cer-
tain ; not through want of ability to form its own
retreat, but to save itself some trouble, for after
the expulsion of the first inhabitant, the fox im-
proves, as vvcU as enlarges it considerabl}^, add-
ing several ciiambers, and providently making

Class I. FOX. S?

several entrances to secure a retreat from every
. quarter. In warm weather it will quit its ha-
bitation for the sake of basking in the sun, or to
enjoy the fresh air ; then it rarely lies exposed,
but chuses some thick brake, and generally of
gorse, that it may rest secure from surprize.
Crows, magpies, and other birds, who consider
the fox as their common enemy, wall often, by
their notes of anger, point out its retreat.

This animal is common in all parts of Great
Britain, and so well known as not to require a
description. The skin is furnished with a soft
and warm fur, which in many parts oi Europeis
used to make muffs and lining for cloaths. Vast •
numbers are taken in Le Valais, and the Alphie
parts of Switzerland. At Lausanne there are
furriers who are in possession of between two
and three thousand skins, all caught in one
winter.

There are three varieties of foxes found in the Varietie?.
mountanous paits of these islands, which differ
a little in form, but not in color, from each
other. These are distinguished in Wales, by as
many different names. The Milgri or G re-
hound fox, is the largest, tallest, and boldest ;
and will attack a grown sheep or vtcther : the
Mastiff fox is less, but more strongly built : the
(Jorgiy or Cur fox is the lest, and lurks about

88' WOLF. Class I.

hedges, out-houses, S^-c. and is the most perni-
cious of the three to the feathered tribe. The
first of these varieties has a wliite tag or tip to
the tail ; the last a black. The number of
these animals in general would soon become in-
tolerable, if they were not proscribed, by having
a certain reward set on their heads.
Wolf. In this place we should introduce the* wolf,

a congenerous animal, if we had not fortunately
a just right to omit it in a history of British
quadrupeds. It was, as appears by HoUing-
s}ied,'\ very noxious to the flocks in Scotland in
1577; nor was it entirely extirpated till about
' 1680, when the last wolf fell by the hand of the
famous Sir Ewen Cameron. We may there-
fore with confidence assert the non-existence
of those animals, notwithstanding AI. de Bi(ffo)i
maintains that the English pretend to the con-
tranj.X

It has been a received opinion, that the other
parts of these kingdoms were in early times de-
livered from this pest by the care of king Edgar.
In England he attempted to effect it by com-
muting the punishments for certain crimes into
the acceptance of a number of wolves tongues
from each criminal : in 11 ales, by converting the

* Hist, cjuad. N. 15g. p. 248. Arctic Zool. i.^. g.
f Disc. Scot. 10. X Tom. vii. p. 50.

. \'

Class I. WOLF. 89

tax of gold and silver into an annual tribute of
300 wolves heads. Notwithstanding these his
endeavours, and the assertions of some au-
thors, his scheme proved abortive. We find
that some centuries after the reign of thQ.t Sa.von
monarch, these animals were again increased to
such a degree, as to become the object of royal
attention ; accordingly Edzvard I. issued out
his mandate * to Peter Corbet to superintend
and assist in the destruction of them in the se-
veral counties of Gloucestet^, Worcester, Here-
ford, Salop, and Stafford: and in the adjacent
county of Derby, as Camden, p. 902, informs
us, certain persons at fVormhill held their lands
by the duty of hunting and taking the wolves
which infested the country, whence they were
stiled JFolve himt. To look back into the Sa.vori

\

* Pro Petro Corhet, de Lupis Capiendis.

Rex, omnibus Ballivis, isfc. Sciatis quod injunximus dilecto
etjideli nostro Petro Corbet quod in omnibus forestis ef parcis et
a/«5 /ocw z«iracowziVa/?« ?zo5/ro5 Gloucester, Wygorn, Hereford,
Salop, et Stafford, in quibus lupi poterunt inveniri lupos cum
hominihus canihus et ingeniis suis capiat et destruat modis omni-
bus quibus viderit expedire.

Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem intendentes et auxiliantes
estis. Teste rege apud Wcstm. 14 Mali A. D. 1281. Rymer,
vol. i. pars 2. p. I92.

By the grant of liberties from king John, to the inhabitants of
Devonshire, it appears that these animals were not then extir-
pated, even in that southern country, vide Appendix No. II.

90 BEAR. Class I.

times we find that in Athelsians reign wolves
abounded so in Yorkshire, that a retreat was
built at Fl'Lvton in that county, to defend pas-
sengers from the ivolves, that they should not be
devoured by them : and such ravages did those
animals make during winter, particularly in
January vv'hen the cold was severest, that our
Saxon ancestors distinguished that month by the
title of wolf monethJ^' They also called an outlaw
JVofshed, as being out of the protection of the
law, proscribed, and as liable to be killed as that
destructive beast. Et tunc gerunt caput lupi-
num, ita quod sine judiciali inquisitione rite
pereant. Bracton. lib. iii. Tr. 1 1 , c. 11. also
Knighton. 2356.

Wolves infested Ireland many centuries after
their extinction in England, for there are ac-
counts of some having been found there as late as
the year 1710; the last presentment for killing
wolves being made in the county of Cork about
that time.f
Bear. The Bear,:]: another voracious beast, was

once an inhabitant of this island, as appears
from different authorities. To begin with the
more antient, Martialmioxms us, that the Cale-

* Verstegans Antiq. 5Q.

t SmitJishist. Cork. II. 220.

X Hist. quad. N. 208. v. 11. p. 1. Arctic Zooh 1. N.20.

Class I. BEAR. 91

donian bears were used to heighten the torments
of the unhappy sufferers on the cross.

Nuda Caledonio sic pectora praebuit urso
Non falsa pendens in cruce Laureolus.*

Plutarch relates, that bears were trans-
ported from Britain to Rome, where they were
much admired.'}' Mr. Lhvycl'^^ also discovered
in some old IVdsh MS. relating to hunting, that
this animal was reckoned among our beasts of
chace, and that its flesh was held in the same
esteem with that of the hare or boar. Many ,
places in Wales still retain the name of Pen-
7iarth, or the bear's head, another evidence of
their existence in our country. It does not ap-
pear how long they continued in that principa-
lity, but there is proof of their infesting Scot-
land diS late as the year 1057,§ when a Gordon^ '
in reward for his valor in killing a fierce bear,
w as directed by the King to carry three Bear's
heads on his banner. They are still found in
the mountanous parts of France, particularly '
about the Grande Chartreuse in Dauphint^
where they make great havoke among the oat-
ricks of the poor farmers. Long after their ex-

* Martial. Lib. Sped. ep. 7.

f Plutarch, as cited by Camden, p. 1227.

X Rail syn. quad. 214.

§ Hist, of the GorcZoJzs. 1, 2. '' ■ ■■ ■-

92 BEAR. Class!.

tirpation out of this kingdom, these animals were
imported for an end, that does no credit to the
manners of tlie times: bear-baitino; in all its
cruelty was a favorite pastime with our ances-
tors. We find it in Queen Elizabeth's days,
exhibited, tempered with other merry disports,
as an entertainment for an ambassador, and again
among the various amusements prepared for her
majesty at the princely Kenelworth.

Our nobility also kept their bear-ward :
twenty shillings was the annual re^^ ard of that
officer from his lord the fifth Earl of Kor-
thumherland, ' when he comyth to my lorde
' in cristmas with his lordsliippes beests for
' makynge of his lordschip pastyme the said xii
' days.*
Menage- It will not be foreign to the subject here to
add, that our nionarchs in very early times kept
up the state of a menagery of exotic animals.
Henry I. had his lions, leopards, lynxes, and
porpentbies (porcupines) in his park at TFood-
stock.'l" The emperor Frederick sent to Henri/
III. a present of three leopards in token of his
royal shield of arms, wherein three leopards
Mere pictured.:}: The same prince had also an
elephant which (with its keeper) was maintained

* Northumherland Household Book.

t Stoivshist. London 1. 79- X I^id.

RIES.

Class I. BEAR.

at the expence of the sheriffs of London for the
time being.* The other animals had their
keeper, a man of fashion, who was allowed six-
pence a day for himself and six-pence for each
beast,

* Stoic's Hist. London, 118.

/

94 • WILD CAT. Class I.

GENUS VIII. CAT.

Toes, five before; four behind.
, Claws, sharp hooked, lodged in a sheath, but
may be exerted at pleasure.
Head round; visage, short; tongue, rough.

12. Wild. Felis pilis ex fusco flavlcante Morton Northampt. 443.

et albido variegatis vestita, Gesner qicad. 325.

Cauda annulis alternatim ni- Catus sylvestris ferus vel fe-

gris et ex sordide albo flavi- ralis eques arborum, Klein.

C2ir\iih\xsc\nc\.'i. Brisson quad. quad. 75.

]f)2. Br. Zool. 22. Hist, quad,

De Bnffon Tom.\\. 20. Tal\ 1. No. ig5.
Felis Catus. Cm. Lin. 80.

Brit. Cath goed Germ, Wilde katze, Boumritter

Fren. Le Chat Sauvage Dan. Vild kat.

Span. Gato Montis

Jl his animal does not differ specifically from
the tame cat ; the latter being originally of the
same kind, but altered in color, and in some
other trifling accidents, as are common to ani-
mals reclamed from the woods and domesticated.
The cat in its savage state is three or four
times as large as the house-cat ; the head larger,
and the face flatter. The teeth and claws, tre-
mendous : its muscles very strong, as being

Class I. WILD CAT.

formed for rapine : the tail is of a moderate
length, but very thick, marked with alternate
bars of black and white, the end always black :
the hips and hind part of the lower joints of the
leg, are always black : the fur is very soft and
fine. The general color of these animals is of
a yellowish white, mixed with a deep grey :
these colors, though they appear at first sight
confusedly blended together, yet on a close in-
spection w^ill be found to be disposed like the
streaks on the skin of the tiger, pointing from
the back downwards, rising from a black list
that runs from the head along the middle of the
back to the tail. ' .

This animal may be called the British tiger;
it is the fiercest, and most destructive beast we
have, making dreadful havock among our poul-
tiy, lambs, and kids. It inhabits the most
mountanous and woody parts of these islands,
living mostly in trees, and feeding only by night.
It multiplies as fast as our common cats, and
the females of the latter will often quit their
domestic mates, and return home pregnant by
the former.

They are taken either in traps, or by shoot-
ing ; in the latter case it is very dangerous only
to wound them, for they will attack the person
who injured them, and have strength enough to

96 WILD CAT. Class I.

be no despicable enemy. Wild cats were for-
merly reckoned among the beasts of chace, as
appears by the charter of Richard II. to
the abbot of Peterborough, giving him leave
to hunt the hare, fox, and wild cat. The use of
the fur Avas in lining robes ; but it was esteem-
ed not of the most luxurious kind, for it was
ordained ' that no abbess or nun should use
' more costly apparel than such as is made of
' lambs or cats skins.'* In much earlier times
it was also the object of the sportsman's diver-
sion.

Felemque minacem

Arboris in trunco longis praefigere telis.

Nemesiani Cynegeticon, L. 55.

* Archbp. IVilliam CorhoyVs canons, A. D. 1127. quoted bj
Mr. T. Row in Gent. Mag. April 1774.

Class I. DOMESTIC CAT. 97

Felis domestica sen Catus. De Bvjfon, Tom. vi. 3. Tal. 2. Domestic.

Raii SI/71, quad. I70. Felis Catus. Gm. Lin. 80.

Charlton ex. 20. Felis cauda elongata, auribus
Meyers an. i. Tal. 15. jequalibus. Faun. Siiec. g.

Gesn. quad. SIT. Br. Zool. 21. Hist. quad. No.
Brisson quad. I9I. IQo. p. 2y7.

Brit. Cath, 7nas. Gwr cath Germ. Katz

Jrew. Le Chat Dut. Cyperse Kat. Huyskat.

Ital. Gatto Swed. Katta

Span. Gato Da/z. Kat.

Po?-/. Gato

iHlS animal is so well known as to make a
description of it unnecessary. It is an useful,
but deceitful domestic ; active, neat, sedate, in-
tent on its prey. When pleased purres and
moves its tail; when angry spits, hisses, and
strikes with its foot; when walking, it draws '
in its claws. It drinks little; is fond of fish;
w'ashes its face with its fore-foot, (Linuceus
says at the approach of a storm). The female is
remarkably salacious ; a piteous, squalling,
jarring lover. Its eyes shine in the night; its
hair when rubbed in the dark emits fire ; it is
even proverbially tenacious of life ; always lights
on its feet ; is fond of perfumes ; Mariun, Cat-
mint, Valerian, &c.*

* Vide Lin. syst.

Dr. Latham communicated to me a singular instance of a cat
in his possession, which was remarkably fond of camphor ; when
VOL. I. K

DOMESTIC CAT. Class I.

Our ancestors seem to have had a high sense
of the utility of this animal. That excellent
Prince Hoxvel dda, or Howel the Good, did not
think it beneath him (among his laws relating to
the prices, &c. of animals,*) to include that of
the cat, and to describe the qualities it ought
to have. The price of a kitling before it could
see, was to be a penny ; till it caught a mouse
two-pence ; when it commenced mouser four-
pence. It was required besides, that it should
be perfect in its senses of hearing and seeing,
be a good mouser, have the claws whole, and be
a good nurse ; but if it failed in any of these
qualities, the seller was to forfeit to the buyer
the third part of its value. If any one stole or
killed the cat that guarded the Prince's granary,
he was to forfeit a milch ewe, its fleece and
lamb ; or as much wheat as when poured on the
cat suspended by its tail (the head touching the
floor) would form a heap high enough to cover
the tip of the former. '(' This last quotation is

that substance or camphorated spirits were thrown on the floor,
the animal would roll itself thereon in the greatest ecstacy, and
would also lick a small portion in powder from the palm of the
hand. Its offspring did not inherit the same taste. Ed.

* Leges TFallicce, p. 247, 248.

f Sir Ed. Coke in his reports, mentions the same kind of
punishment antiently for killing a swan, by suspending it by the
bill, &:c. Vide, Case des Swannes.

Class I. DOMESTIC CAT. 99

not only curious, as being an evidence of the
simplicity of antient manners, but it almost
proves to a demonstration that cats are not abo-
rigines of these islands, or known to the earliest
inhabitants. The large prices set on them, (if
we consider the high value of species at that
time*) and the great care taken of the improve-
ment and breed of an animal that multiplies so
fast, are almost certain proofs of their being
little known at that period.

* Howe! dda died in the year 948, after a reign of thirty-three
years over South Wales, and eight years over all JVales.

H 2

100

BADGER.

Class I.

GENUS IX. BADGER.

Toes, five before; five behind.
Claws on the fore feet very long, strait.
Orifice a transverse between the tail and the
anus.

13. Common. Badger, Brock, Gray Pate, Gesn. quad. 686.

Taxus sive Meles. Rail syn. Ursus iSIeles. Ursus cauda

quad. 185.

Meyer s an. i. Tah. 31.

Sih. Scot. 11.

Meles pills ex sordide albo et
nigro variegatis vestita, ca-
pite toeniis alternatim albis
et nigris variegato. Brisson
quad. 183.

De Biiffon, Tom. vili. Tah. J.
p. 104.

concolore, corpore supra ci-
nereo, subtus nigro, fascia
longitudinali peroculosau-
resque nigra. Gm. Lin. 102.

Coati Cauda brevi. Klein quad.
73.

Meles unguibus anticis Ion-
gissimis. Faun. Suec. 20.

Br. Zool. 30. Hist. quad. No.
215. ii. p. 14. Arct. Zool.
i. p. 81.

Brit. Pryf Llwyd, Pryf pen- Germ. Tachs

frith Dut. Varkens Das

Fren. Le Taisson, Le Blalreau Su:ed. Graf Suin

leal. Tasso Dan. Grevlin, Brok.
Span. Texon
Port. Texugo

ger is a beast of great

Though the bad

strength, and is furnished with strong teeth,
as if formed for rapine, yet it is found to be
perfectly inoffensive: roots, fruits, grass, in-

Class I. BADGER. 101

sects and froa;s are its food : it is charged with
destroying lambs and rabbets, but on enquiry,
there seems to be no other reason to think it a
beast of prey, than from the analogy there is be-
tween its teeth and those of carnivorous ani-
mals. Nature denied the badger the speed and
activity requisite to escape its enemies, so hath
supplied it with such weapons of offence that
scarcely any creature would hazard attacking
it; few animals defend themselves better, or
bite harder : when pursued, they soon come to
bay, and fight wdth great obstinacy. It is
indolent, and sleeps much, for which reason
it is always found very fat. It burrows un-
der ground, like the fox, and forms several
different apartments, though with only one en-
trance, carrying, in its mouth, grass in order to
form a bed for its young. It confine^- itself to v/
its hole during the wdiole day, feeding only at
night : it is so cleanly an animal as never to
obey the calls of nature in its apartments, but
goes out for that purpose : it breeds only once
in a year, and brings four or five at a time. ..

The usual length of the badger, is two feet six Descrip-
inches, exclusive of the tail, which is but six ^^^^'
inches long: the weight is fifteen pounds. The
eyes are very small; the ears short and round-
ed; the neck short; the whole shape of the

102 . BADGER. Class I.

body clumsy and thick, which being covered
with long coarse hairs like bristles, makes it
appear still more aukward. The mouth is fur-
nished with six cutting teeth and two canine
teeth in each jaw ; the lower has five grinders
on each side, the upper four ; in all thirty four.
The nose, chin, lower sides of the cheeks,
and the middle of the forehead, are white : each
ear and eye is hiclosed in a pyramidal bed of
black, the base of which incloses the former;
the point extends beyond the eye to the nose :
the hairs on the body are of three colors ; the
bottoms of a dirty yellowish white, the middle
black, the ends ash-colored,, or grey, from
whence the proverb ; as grey as a badger. The
hairs which cover the tail are very long, and of
the same colors with those of the body ; the
throat and under parts of the body are black ;
the legs and feet, of the same color, are very
short, strong and thick ; each foot is divided
into five toes ; those on the fore feet are armed
with long claw^s, well adapted for digging; in
walking the badger treads on its heel, like the
bear, which brings the belly very near the
j^round. Immediately below the tail, between
that and the anus, is a narrow transverse ori-
fice, which opens in a kind of pouch, from
w hence exudes a white substance of a very fcetid

Glass I. BADGER. 103

smell; this seems peculiar to the badger and the
Hyasna. _ ._

This animal is not mentioned by Aristotle;
not that it was unknown to the antients, for
Pliny takes notice of it.*

Naturalists once distinguished the badger by
the name of the swine-badger, and the dog-
badger, from the supposed resemblance of their
heads to those animals, and so divided them
into two species; but the most accurate ob-
servers have been able to discover only one
kind ; that, whose head and nose resemble those
of the dog. •

The skin of the badger, when dressed with
the hair on, is used for pistol furniture. The
Highlanders make their pendent pouches of it.
The hair is frequently used for making brushes
to soften the shades in painting, which are called
sweetening tools. These animals are also
hunted in the winter nights for the sake of their
flesh ; for the hind quarters may be made into
hams, not inferior in goodness to the best bacon.
The fat is in great request for ointments and
salves.

In Chitia it seems to be a more common food

* Alia solertia in metu Melilus, sufflate cutis distentu ictus '
hominum et morsus canum arcent. LiO, viii. c. 38,

104 BADGER. Class I.

than in Eio^ope, for Mr. Bell* says, he has
seen about a dozen at one time in the markets
at Pekin, and that the Chinese are very fond of
them. It does not appear that this animal is
found in the hotter parts of Asia, but is con-
fined to the cold, or the temperate parts of the
world. ... - .. ;- .J

* Be//'5 Travels, I. 83.

Of r-F ■ ■

a. VI.

V0L.1.P..105,

riTCHE T

MARTi:S

F.108

Class I.

FITCHET.

105

GENUS X. WEESEL.

Nose sharp.

Body slender.

Toes five before, five behind.

Putorius. Polecat or Fitchet.
Raii syn. quad. igg.

Meyers an. il. Tah. 6.

Charlton ex. 20.

Gesn. quad. 767.

Mustela pilis in exortu ex ci-
nereo albidls, colore nigrl-
cante terminatis, oris cir-
cumferentia alba. Brisson
quad. 180.

Brit. Ffvvlbard

Fren. Le Putois

Jtal. Foetta^ Puzolo

Span. Putoro

De Buffon Tom. vii. IQQ. Tab. 14. FiTCHET.

23.
Mustela Putorius. Gm. Lin. 96.
Mustela foetida. Klein, quad. Q3.
Mustela flavescente nigricans,

ore albo, collar! flavescente.

Faun. Suec. \Q.
Br. Zool. 37. Hist. quad. No.

238. ii. p. 37. ^ ,-^ .,

Germ. litis, ulk, Buntsing
Dut. Bousing
Sived. Iller
Dan. Ilder.

.v>l..r//.l/:

XHE length of this animal is about seventeen Descrip-

. . . TIOX.

inches, exclusive of the tail ; that of the tail six.
The shape of this species, in particular, as well
as of the whole genus, is long and slender; the
nose sharp-pointed, and the legs short, in fine,
admirably formed for insinuating itself into the
smallest holes and passages, in search of prey.
It is very nimble and active, runs very fast, will

106; . FITCHET. Class I.

creep up the sides of walls .with great agility,
and spring with vast force. In running, the
belly seems to touch the ground ; in preparing
to jump, it arches its back, which assists it great-
ly in that action.

The ears are short, rounded and tipt with,
white : the circumference of the mouth, that

■ " is to say, the ends of the lower and upper

jaws are white ; the head, throat, breast, legs
and thighs, are wholly of a deep chocolate
color, almost black ; the sides are covered with
hairs of two colors, the ends of which are of a
blackish hue, like the other parts ; the middle of
a full tawny color; in others cinereous. The
toes are long, and separated to the very origin ;
the tail is covered a^ ith pretty long hair.

Manners. The fitchet is very destructive to young game
of all kinds, and to poultry : it generally resides
in woods, or thick brakes, burrowing under
ground, forming a shallow retreat, about two
yards in length, which commonly ends, for its
security, among the roots of some large trees.
It will sometimes lodge under hay-ricks, and in
barns; in the winter it frequents houses, and
makes a common practice of robbing the dairy
of the milk ; it also makes great havoke in war-
rens, .... —

Class I. FITCHET. 107

It brings five or six young at a time. War-
reners assert, that the fitchet will mix with
the ferret, and that they are sometimes obliged
to procure an intercourse between these ani-
mals, to improve the breed of the latter, which
by long confinement will abate its savage na-
ture, and become less eager after rabbets, and
consequently less useful. M. de Buf on denies
that it will admit the fitchet, yet gives the figure
of a variety under the name of the Ferret Pole-
cat* which has much the appearance of being
a spurious offspring. But to put the matter
out of dispute, the following fact need only be
related : the Rev. Mr. Lewis, Vicar of Llmz-
sowel in Caermarthenshire, had a tame female
ferret, which was permitted to go about the
house ; at length it absented itself for several
days, and on its return proved with young; it
produced nine, of a deep brown color, more
resembling the fitchet than the ferret. What
makes the matter more certain is, that Mr.
Lewis had no males of this species for it to
couple with, neither were there any within three
miles, and those were closely confined.

The ferret agrees with the fitchet in many
respects, particularly in its thirst after the blood
of rabbets. It may be aded, that the ferret

* La Furei Putois, Tom.y'iu Tah, 25 i .V.f-i .M I

iXChV

108

MARTIN.

Class I.

comes originally from Africa ;* and is only cul-
tiYSited in Gi^eat Britain . ■ -^ ■ - ■- ?:-;

Though the smell of the fitchet, when alive,
is rank and disagreeable, even to a proverb, yet
the skin is drest with the hair on, and used as
other furs for tippets, S^c. and is also sent abroad
to line cloaths. ' l. :; ,' : j

15. Martin. Martes, alias Foyna. The Martin

and Martlet. Raii syn. quad.

200.
Meyer s an. ii. Tuh. 4.
Martin, or Martern. Charlton

exer. 20.
The Mertrick. 3Iartlns Went.

Isles, 36.

castaneo colore termlnatis
vestita, gutture dXho.Brisson
quad. 178.

De Buffon, Tom. vii. I6I.
Tah. 18.

Mustela Martes. Gm. Lin. 95.

M. Martes. Klein, quad. 64.

M. fulvo-nigricans gnla pal-
lida. Faun. Suec. 15.

Gesner quad. 764.
Mustela pilis in exortu albidis Br. Zool. 38. Hist. quad.

No. 242. ii. p. 41.

Brit. Bela graig
Fren. La Fouine
Ital. Foina, Fouina
Span. Marta, Gibellina

Germ. Hauss marder, stein marder

D?it. Marter

Swcd. Mard

Dan. Maar.

Manners. ThIS is the most beautiful of the British
beasts of prey : its head is small, and elegantly
formed ; its eyes lively ; and all its motions shew
great grace, as well as agility. When taken

* Kai ya.Kff.g ocy^loc; a,; i Xv'^vt) <^s^si. Sirabo, Lib. iii.p.
144'e Edit. Casaubon, .

TION.

Class I. MARTIN. K)!>

young, it is easily tamed, is extremely play-
ful, and in constant good humour : nature will
recur, if it gets loose, for it will immediately
take advantage of its liberty, and retire to its
proper haunts. It makes gTeat havoke among
poultry, game, S^c. and will eat mice, rats, and
moles. With us it inhabits woods, and forms
its lodge in the hollows of trees ; it brings from
four to six young at a time.

The martin is about eighteen inches long; Descrip-
the tail ten, or, if the measurement be taken to
the end of the hair at the point, twelve inches.
The ears are broad, rounded and open; the
back, sides, and tail, are covered with a fine
thick down, and with long hair intermixed ; the
bottom is ash-colored, the middle of a bright
chesnut color, the tips black ; the head brown,
with some slight cast of red ; the legs and upper
sides of the feet are of a chocolate color ; the
palms, or under sides, are covered with thick
down like that on the body ; the feet are broad ;
the claws white, large and sharp, well adapted
for climbing trees, which in this country are its
constant residence. The throat and breast are
white ; the belly of the same color with the
back, but rather paler ; the hair on the tail is
very long, especially at the end, where it appears
much thicker than near the origin of it ; the hair

ilO

PINE MARTIN.

Class I.

in that part is also darker ; but martins vary
in their colors, inclining more or less to ash-
color, according to their ages or the seasons
thev are taken in.
Fine Smell. The skin and excrements of this animal have
a iine musky scent, and are entirely free from
that rankness which distinguishes the other
species of this genus : the skin is a valuable fur,
and much used for linings to the s;owns of ma-
sistrates.

spi.

ID. Pine !Martes abietum. JRc
Martin. gj,ad. 200.

Meyer's an. ii. Tab. 5.

!Martes sylvestris. Gesner quad.

760.
!Mustela Martes. Gm. Lin. 05.
Mustela pilis in exortii ex cine-
reo albidis castaneo colore

terminatis vesnta, gutture

flavo. Brisson quad. l~Q.
De Bvffon. Tom. vii. 186,

Tah. 2'J.
Br. ZooJ. 39. Hist.

No. 244. ii. p. 42.

Zool. i. No. 27. p. I

quad.
Arct.

Brit.

Bela goed

Port.

Fren.

La jNIarte

Germ.

Feld-marder,

IfaL

JNIarta, INIartiira, !Mar-

marder

tora, Martorello

Duf.

^Nlarter

Span.

^larta

Siced.

%vild-

X HIS species is found in Great Britain, but
is much less common in Efigkmd than the for-
mer; it is sometimes taken in the counties of
j\Ieireoneth and Caernarvon, as I was informed
bv mv late worthy friend !Mr. W. Hlorris, where
it is distinguished from the other kind, by the

Class I. PINE MARTIN. in

name of bela goed> or wood martin, it being sup-
posed entirely to inhabit the woods ; the bela
graig to dwell only among the rocks. Tho'
this is so rare in these parts, yet it is the only
kind in Scotland, where it inhabits the fir forests,
buildjng its nest at the top of the trees.* It
loves a cold climate, and is found in much
greater numbers in the north of Europe, than in
the other parts. North America abounds with
these animals. Prodigious numbers of their
skins are annually imported from Hudson's bay
and Canada ; in one of the company's sales \
not fewer than 12,370 good skins, and 2360
damaged ones were sold, and about the same
time, the French brought into the port of
Rochelle from Canada, not less than 30,325.

The principal difference between this and the
former kind, consists in the color of the breast,
which is yellow ; the color of the body is also
much darker, and the fur in general greatly su-
perior in fineness, beauty, and value,:]:

* Vide Sillald's Hist. Scot. Part II. Lib. iii. p. 11. ' .

f In 1743. Vide Dohhss account oi Hudson s bay, 200.

X The length of a male, which the editor had an opportu-
nity of seeing in 5'2{^ott, was nineteen inches, exclusive of the
tail, which measured ten inches ; the total length of the female
the same, but the tail longer in proportion to the body. The
breast of the latter was of a paler yellow, and the color extended
^ligher behind the ears. Ed.

112

COMMON WEESEL. Class I.

17. Common. The Weasel or Weesel, Mustek Mustek supra rutik, infra

vulgaris: in Yorkshire, the a]ha.- Brisso7i quad. 173.

Fitchetor Foumart, i^azi 57/H. De Buffnn, Tom. vii. 235.

■ quad. 195. Tah. 29.

Girald. Camhrens. 14g. Gesner quad. 753.

The Whitred. Sih. Scot. II. Mustek vulgaris. A7em. jz^ac?.

Mustek vulgaris. Gm. Lin. gy. Q2.

,' . . ^ _^ , .. Br.Zool.3Q. Hist, (juad.^o.

'■■- ' " ■•'•-'-■^ ■-'', '■■■■ '■"/■-"■ ." • 244_ jj.^^^ 2.00I. i. No.

-c- \''V"5Cr '?■ .^Sd'--' '"Sv /:5: 25. p. 8§.

Descrip-
tion.

Manners.

Brit. Bronwen

? ^i -. Port. . Don inha

Fren. La Belette - Germ. Wisel

Ital. Donnok, Ballottula, Did. Weezel _ .,,„,,„ .,,„^

Benula Sived. Vesk

Span. Comadreia ■ ■' ; Lan. VcEsel. ^^l ^" Z■:'r^i

.: , .- . . •■ - - --..-h- '■•.■'^■>.-: ■'.

XHIS species is the lest of the weesel kind,
the length of the head and body not exceeding
six, or at most seven inches. The tail is only-
two inches and a half long, and ends in a point ;
the ears are large, and the lower parts of them
are doubled in. The whole upper part of the
body, the head, tail, legs, and feet are of a very
pale tawny brown : the w hole under side of the
body from the cliin to the tail is white, but
beneath the corners of the mouth on each jaw
is a spot of brown.

This, like the rest of the kind, is very de-
structive to young birds, poultry, and young
rabbets, and besides is a sreat devourer of ego's.

PI 311

VOL.1. p. 112

TVEESEL.

STOAT. ;Pii4

MUdj}.a

Class I. COMMON WEESEL. 113

It does not eat its prey on the place, but after
killing it, by one bite near the head, carries it
off to its young, or its retreat. The weesel also
preys upon moles, as appears by its being some-
times caught in the mole-traps. It is a remark-
ably active animal, and will run up the sides of
walls with such facility, that scarcely any place
is secure from it ; and its body is so small, that
there is scarcely any hole but what is pervious
to it. This species is much more domestic than
the others ; frequenting out-houses, barns, and
granaries, where, to make as it were some atone-
ment for its depredations among our tame fowl,
it soon clears its haunts from rats and mice, ' "
being infinitely more an enemy to them than
the cat itself. It brings five or six young at a
time : its skin and excrements are most intole-
rably foetid.

This animal is * confounded by LimicEus with
the Stoat or Ermine. He seems unacquainted
with our weesel in its brown color ; but describes
it in the white state under the title of Snomus^
or Mustela nivalis. ■\ I have met with it so cir-
cumstanced, in the isle of Hay.

* This error is corrected in Gmelins edition of the Systema
NatuTCB of the illustrious Swede. Ed.

"t" Simillima Ermineo sed dimidio minor, caudce apice pilis
■ullis vix nigris . Fuun. Suec.1>io. 18.

VOL. I. I

114

STOAT.

Class I.

18. Common, Mustek Candida, animal er-
OR Ermine, mineum, Raiisyn.quad. I98.

Mort. Northampt. 442.

Meyer s an. ii. Tab. 23, 24.

Mustela hieme alba, sestate su-
pra ratila infra alba, caudse
apice nigro. Brisson quad,
176.

De Bujfun, Tom. vli. 240. Tat.
29. Fig. 2. Tal.31. Fig.i.

Brit. Carlvvm

Fren. L'Hermine, Le Roselet

Ital. Armellino

Sp'xn. Armino, Armelina

DESCRIP-
TION.

Gesner quad. 753.

Mustela erminea. M. plan-
tis fissis, caudse apice atro.
Cm. Lin. 98. Faun. Suec.

11-

Pontop. Norway. Parifii.p.25.
Br. Zool. 40. Hisl. quad.No.

234. ii. p. 35. Arci. Zool.

i. No. 25. p. 86.

Germ. Hermelin, Klein. 63.

Sioed. Hermelin, Lekatt

Dut. Hermilyn

Itan. Hermelin, Lekat.

J- HE lena;th* of the stoat to the origin of the
tail, is ten inches ; that of the tail is five inches
and a half. The colors bear so near a resem-
blance to those of the weesel, as to cause them
to be confounded together by the generality of
common observers ; the weesel being usually
mistaken for a small stoat ; but these animals
have evident and invariable specific differences,
by which they may be easily known. First, b}^
the size ; the v/eesel being ever less than the
stoat : secondly, the tail of the latter is always

* A stoat was brought to the editor in 180g which measured
twenty inches including the tail. It had a strong musky smell
resembling that of the martin j in color and other respects, it
did not differ from the common kind Ed.

Glass I. STOAT. 115

tipt with black, is longer in proportion to the
bulk of the animal, and more hairy ; whereas
the tail of the weesel is shorter, and of the same
color with the body : thirdly, the edges of the
ears, and the ends of the toes in this animal, are
of a yellowish white. It may be added, that
the stoat haunts woods, hedges and meadows, ,
especially where there are brooks, whose sides
are covered with small bushes ; and sometimes
(but less frequently than the weesel) inhabits
barns, and other buildings.

In the most northern parts of Europe, these Ermines.
animals regularly change their color in winter,
and become totally white, except the end of the
tail, which continues invariably black; and in
that state are called Ermines: I am informed that \
the same is observed in the highlands of Scot-
land. The skins and tails are a very valuable
article of commerce in Nom-ay, Lapland, Russia,
and other cold countries, where they are found
in prodigious numbers. They are also very
common in Kamtschatka and Siberia* In
Sibei'ia they burrow in the fields, and are taken How taken.
in traps baited with flesh. In Nortvay'\ they
are either shot with blunt arrovvs, or taken in
traps made of two flat stones, one being propped

* BeWs Travels, i. I99. f Hist. Nonvay, ii. 2,5.

I 2

116 STOAT. Class I.

up with a stick, to wliicli is fastened a baited
string, which when the animals nibble, the stone
falls down and crushes them to death. The
Laplanders take them in the same manner, only
instead of stones make use of two logs of
wood.* The stoat is sometimes found white in
Great Britahi, but not frequently, and then it
is called a white weesel. That animal is also
found white, but may be easily distinguished
from the other in the ermine state, by the tail,
which in the weesel is of a light tawny brown.
With us the former is observed to begin to
change its color from brown to white in Novem-
ber, and to begin to resume the brown the be-
mimiiw oi March. f a'

The natural history of tliis creature is much
the same with that of the weesel, its food being
birds, rabbets, mice, S^'C. its agility the same,
and its scent equally foetid : it is much more
common in Eiig laud tha.n that animal. - 1

* Oeuvres de Manper/uis, In, 187- ,,;

Ub^A^^Y'

B.:v^nr

VOL.. l-I*. 117

O TTER.

■:^^— .-;;-

^■<^

BADGE R.f P. 100

Class I. OTTER. ii7

GENUS XI. OTTER.

Toes five on each foot; palmated, or connected
by a membrane.

Le Loutre, Belon 26. pi. 27. De Buffon, Tom. vii. 134. Tab. 19- Common.
Lutra. The Otter. iJaii iyw. 11. xiil. 322.

quad. 187. Mustela Lutra. Gm. Lin.gZ.

Crew's Mus. l6. amLUlPontop. Norw. 2.27.

Mortons Northampt. 444.

Lutra digitis omnibus asquali-

Sib. Scot. 20.

bus. Faun. Suec. 12.

.Gesner quad. 687-

Br. Zool. 32. Hist. quad. No.

Lutra castanei coloris. Bris-

281 . ii. p. 77. Arct, Zool. i.

son quad. 201.

^■^' :.. :^^ '^^

Brit. Dyfrgi

Germ. Otter, Fisch Otter

Fren. Le Loutre

But. Otter ^.. ^.^^
(Szwec?. Utter

Ital. Lodra,Lodria, Lontra

Span. Nutria

Ban. Odder. - '^fuB- ^ •

Port. .... ...

X HE usual length of this animal is three feet Descrip-

. . ... TION.

three inches, including the tail, which is sixteen
inches long.

The head and nose are broad and flat, the
neck short, and equal in thickness to the head;
the body long ; the tail broad at the base, tapers
off to a point at the end, and is the whole way
compressed horizontally. The eyes are very
small, and placed nearer the nose than is usual

118 OITER. Class L

in quadrupeds : the ears extremely short, and
their orifice narrow : the opening of the mouth
is small, the lips muscular, and capable of being
brought very close together : the nose and the
corners of the mouth are furnished with very
long whiskers, so that the whole appearance of
the otter is something terrible : it has thirty-six
teeth, six cutting and two canine above and be-
low ; of the former the middlemost are the lest ;
it has besides five grinders on each side in both
jaws. The legs are very short, but remarkably
strong, broad, and muscular ; the joints articu-
lated so loosely, that the animal is capable of
turning them quite back, and bringing them on
a line with the body, so as to perform the office
of fins. Each foot is furnished with five toes,
connected by strong broad webs, like those of
water fowl. Thus nature in every article has
had attention to the way of life she allotted to
an animal, whose food is fish, and whose haunts
must necessarily be about waters.
- . The color of the otter is entirely a deep brown,

except two small spots of white on each side the
For. nose, and another under the chin. The skin of
this animal is very valuable, if killed in the win-
ter, and is greatly used in cold countries for
lining cloaths ; but in Ens: land it only serves for
covers for pistol furniture. The best furs of

Glass I. OTTER. 119

this kind come from the northern part of Europe^
and America. Those of N. America are larger
than the European otters. The Indians make
use of their skins for pouches, and ornament
them with bits of horn. The finest sort come
from the colder parts of that continent ; where
they are also most numerous. Westward of Ca-
rolina* there are some found of a white color
inclining to yellow.

The otter swims and dives with great celerity, Manners.
and is very destructive to fish ; in rivers it is al- .
ways observed to swim against the stream, to
meet its prey. In very hard weather, when its
natural sort of food fails, it will kill lambs, suck-
ing pigs, and poultry. It is said that two otters
will in concert hunt that strong and active fish
the salmon. One stations itself above, the
other below the place where the fish lies, and
continue chasing it incessantly till the salmon
quite wearied becomes their prey. To suppose
that they never prey in the sea is a mistake ; for
they have been often seen in it both swimming and
bringing their booty on shore, which has been
observed in the Orknies to be cod, and
congers. Its flesh is excessively rank and fishy.
The Romish church permits the use of it on
maigre-days. In the kitchen of the Carthusian

* Lawsons hist. Carol. 11 9.

120 OTTER. Class I.

convent near Dijon, we saw one preparing for
the dinner of the religious of that rigid order,
who, by their rules, are prohibited during their
whole lives, to eat flesh.

It shews great sagacity in forming its habita-
tion : it burrows under ground on the banks of
some river or lake, and always makes the en-
trance of its hole under water ; works upwards
to the surface of the earth, and forms before it
reaches the top, several holts, or lodges, that in
case of high floods, it may have a retreat, for no
animal afl'ects lying drier, and there makes a
minute orifice for the admission of air: it is fur-
ther observed, that this animal, the more effec-
tually to conceal its retreat, contrives to make
even this little air hole in the middle of some
thick bush.

The otter brings four or five voung at a time ;
as it frequents ponds near gentlemen's houses,
there have been instances of litters beino; found
in cellars, sinks, and other drains. It is ob-
servable that the male otters never make an3aioise
when taken, but the pregnant females emit a
most shrill squeal.
S£A Otter. Sir Robert Sibbakh in his history of Fife, p.
49, mentions a Sea Otter, Avhich he says differs
from the common sort, in beino; larger, and hav-
jng a rougher coat ; but probably it does not

Class I. OTTER. lai

differ specifically from the kind that frequents
fresh waters. Did not Aristotle place his
luOtax* among the animals which seek their
food among fresh waters, we should imagine we
had here recovered this lost animal, which he
mentions immediately after the otter, and de-
scribes as being broader. Though this must
remain a doubt, we may with greater confidence
suppose the sea otter to be the Loup marin of
£elo?i,'[ which from a hearsay account, he says,
is found on the English coasts. He compares
its form to that of a wolf, and says, it feeds ra-
ther on fish than sheep. That circumstance
alone makes it probable, SibbalcVs animal was
intended, it being well known, the otter declines

* Toicculcc Se zTTiv o re >ia\8[X£vo; Ka(rtc'jp, koci t'o cra^s^iov,
HXt TO (TolJv^iov, nai svvo^i;, kcci 'h xaAypsv)} Xaloc^. strri $s
T'slo TtXatvls^ov evv^pi^og, %ai cSovla; s^si i-^j^sg f^istra yap
yvKtuo^ itoXXa-Kii, rag Tts^i rov 7tola,[j.oy xs^KiSag skIsimvei roig
o^scnov. §aKvsi Sa rsg av^ujTtsg xai r, sw^ig ncci sk a(pirj(ny,
wg Xsyii(ri, ixs')(^^ig av o<T8 ^^ocpov a>i'S(TYi. ro Ss r^iy^ouixa, s^si,
-ij Xocla^ (rxKYjOov, ymi ro stSog fj.sra^u rs r-^g (pcuxr/g t^iy^ou[ji.x-
log, KffA 7"s tYjg £Aa08. Aristot. Hist. Anim. p. 905. A.

Sunt etiam in hoc genere (sc. animalium quadrupedum quce
victum ex lacuhus etjiuviis peiunt) Jiher, saiJieriuni, safyrium,
lutris, latax, quce iatior lutre est, dentesque hulet rohustos,
quippe quce noctu plerujnque aggredie7is, vngulta proxima suis
dentibus, ut ferro prcecidtit. Lutris etiam hominem mordet, nee
desistit (utferunt) 7iisi fracti ossis crepitum senserit. Lataci
pilus durus, specie inter pilumvituli marini et cervi,

t Belon de la Nature des Poissons, p. 28. pi. SQ. ■•

122 OTTER. Class I.

flesh when it can get fish. Little stress ought
to be laid on the name, or comparison of it to a
wolf; this variety being of a size so superior to
the common, and its hair so much more shaggy,
a common observer might readily catch the idea
of the more terrible beast, and adapt his com-
parison to it.
Beaver. Beavers,* which are also amphibious ani-
mals, were formerly found in Great Britain;
but the breed has been extirpated many ages
as;o : the latest account we have of them, is in
Giraldus Cambremis,-\ who travelled through
Wales in 1188 : he gives a brief history of their
manners, and adds, that in his time they were
found only in the river Teivi. Two or three wa-
ters in that principality, still bear the name of
Llyn yr afaiigc,X or the beaver lake; which is
a further proof, that these animals were found
in different parts of it. I have seen two of their
supposed haunts ; one in the stream that runs
through Nant Francon ; the other in the river
Cojmy a few miles above Llannvst ; and both
places in all probability had formerly been
crossed by Beaver dams. But we imagine they
must have been very scarce even in earlier

* Hist. quad. No. 311. ii. p. 114. Arct. Zoo!, i. 113.
t Girald. Camh. Itin. 178, 179.
X Rati syn. quad. 213.

PI .ax.

VOE.1.F.122.

^LtrStNtO:?^. (F.3 8.)

BKA\n:R.

Class I. OTTER. Ig3

times ; by the laws of Howel dda, the price of a
beaver's skin {Crotn Llostlydan) * was fixed at
a hundred and twenty pence, a great sum in
those days.

* Llostlydan, that is, the broad tailed animal. Leges Tf'allicce^
261.

124 HARE. Glass I.

bECT. II.

t: .. .: :;*-•;; s.-gENUS XII. HARE. "" '■^■^-^-

Teeth cutting two in each jaw, very distant

from the grinders. .3

Usually herbivorous, frugivorous. - : £\ . ;]

Toes, five before, four behind. . :.c i.,:

Ears fong. . ...: .,:-,,^, .<.:... .. _:'■- ,', .,:/.-i v-
Tail short. :3:. :o).^:or .-r'-^:::-:; ''. :..^ ■;- .'.. h:

20. Common. Lepus. P/z'???"?", lib. viii. c. 55. Dc Bvjffon, Tom. v'u 246.

The Hare. Raii syn. quad. 204. Tal. 38.

White Hare. iJfori. iVorfAamp^. Lepus timid us. Gt7i. Lin. 77.

445. Lepus Cauda abrupta pupilUs

Sib. Scot. 11. air'is. Faun. Suec. 35.

Meyers an. ii. 7a&. 32.- Lepus vulgaris cinereus.

Gesner quad. 605. Klein, quad. 51.

Lepus caudatus ex cinereo rufus. Br. Zool. 41. Hist. quad. No.

' Brisson quad. Q4. 2gg. ii. p. §8. Arct. Zool.

I 112.

Brit.

Ysgyfarnog, Ceinach

Germ.

Has, Haas

Fren.

Le Lievre ; .;. ;.

Dut.

Haas

Ital.

Lepre, Lievora

Swed.

Hare

Span.

Liebre

Dan.

Hare.

Port.

Lebre

X O enter on a minute description of so w ell
known an animal, would be to abuse the reader's
patience, yet to neglect all notice of the admir-
able contrivance of its several properties and

Class I. HARE. 1£5

parts, would be frustrating the chief design of
this work ; that of pointing out the Divine Wis-
dom in the animal world.

Being a weak and most defenceless creature, it
is endued, in a very distinguished degree, with
that preserving passion, fear ; this makes it per-
petually attentive to every alarm, and keeps it
always lean. To enable it to receive the most
distant notices of dangers, it is provided with
very long ears, which (like the tubes made use
of by the deaf) convey to it the remotest sounds.
Its eyes are very large and prominent, adapt-
ed to receive the rays of light on all sides.
To assist it to escape its pursuers by a speedy
flight, the hind legs are formed remarkably
long, and furnished with strong muscles ; their
length gives the hare singular advantages over
its enemies in ascending steep places ; and so
sensible is the animal of this, as always to make
towards the rising ground when started. As it
lies always upon the ground, its feet are pro-
tected above and below with a thick and warm , ..
covering of hair. The various stratagems and
doubles it uses, when hunted, are so well known
to every sportsman, as not to deserve mention,
except to awaken their attention to those facul-
ties nature has endowed it with ; which serve

326 HARE. Class I.

at the same time to increase their amusement,
as well as to prevent the animal's destruction.
It very rarely leaves its form or seat in the
day, but in the night takes a circuit in search of
food, always returning through the same meuses,
or passes.

Color. The color approaches very near to that of
the ground, which secures it more effectually
from the sio;ht of men, and of beasts and birds
of prey. Providence has been so careful in
respect to the preservation of the species of ani-
mals, as to cause in northern countries these as
' well as many others to change color, and be-
come white at the beginning of winter, to render
them less conspicuous amidst the snow. Acci-
dental instances of white hares are met with in
South Britain.

Hares differ much in size : the smallest are
in the isle of Ilai/ : the largest in that of Ma??,
where some have been found to weigh twelve
pounds.

Food, Its food is entirely vegetable, and it does great

injury to nurseries of young trees, by eating the
bark : it is particularly fond of pinks, parsley,
and birch.

The hare never pairs, but in the rutting sea-
son, which begins in February, the male pur-

Class I. HARE.

sues and discovers the female, by the sagacity of
its nose. The female goes with young one
month, brings usually two young at a time,
sometimes three, and very rarely four. Sir
Thomas Brown, in his treatise on vulgar errors,*
asserts the doctrine of superfetation ; i. e. a
conception upon conception, or an improve-
ment on the first fruit before the second is ex-
cluded, and he brings this animal as an in-
stance; asserting, from his own observation,
that after the first cast there remain successive
conceptions, and other younglings very imma-
ture, and far from the term of their exclusion ;
but as the hare breeds very frequently in the
year, there is no necessity of having recourse to
this accident! to account for their numbers.
The antients were acquainted with this circum-
stance. Horace alludes to it in the fourth satire
of the second book.

Fcecundi leporis sapiens sectabltar armos,

says the bon vivant^ " every man of taste will
" prefer the wing of the fruitful hare." Pliny
as a philosopher is moi'c explicit, and assigning
a moral reason for the great encrease of this ani-

* P 118.

f For a further account of this doctrine, we refer the curious
reader toM. de Buffons works, vol. vi. p. 252, 279, ^'c

127

128 HARE. Class I.

mal gives the following elegant account of it
Lepus omnium prcedce nascens, solus prcBter
Dasypodem superfxtat, aliud educans, aliud in
utero pills vestitum, aliud implume, aliud inchoa-
tum germs pariter.

Hares are very subject to fleas ; Linnmis tells
us, that the Dalecarlians make a sort of cloth
of the fur, called j^7^ ; which, by attracting those
insects, preserves the wearer from their trouble-
some attacks.* The hair of this creature forms
a great article in the hat manufacture ; and as
this country cannot supply a sufficient number,
vast quantities are annually imported from
Russia and Siberia. .

The hare was reckoned a great delicacy among
the Romans ;'\ the Britons, on the contrary,
thought it impious even to taste it ; J yet this
animal was cultivated by them, either for the
pleasure of the chace, or for the purposes of
superstition, as we are informed that Boadicea,
immediately before her last conflict with the
Romans, let loose a hare she had concealed in

* Faun. Suec. 25.

'f' Inter aves tardus, si quid mejudice verum:

Inter quadrupedes gloria prima Lepus. Martial. 13- 92.

X Leporemet gallinam ei anserem gustarefas nonputant: hiec
tamen aluni, animi voluptatisque causa. Cssar- Com. lib. v.

Pl.^.

VOXJ..T.129.

V^VB.r IKG I lARE

B.ABBET (F.150J

Class I. VARYING HARE. 129

her bosom, which taking what was deemed a for-
tunate course, animated her soldiers by the omen
of an easy victory over a timid enemy,* 'M

Lepus hieme albus. Forster hist. Alpine Hare. Hisi. quad, 21. VARYING.

n(i(.Vo]g^.Ph.Tr.L.VU.343, ii. No. 300. p. 100. Arcf.

Lepus variabilis Pallas nov, sp. Zool. i. 108.

1. Gm. Lin. l6l.

X HE Varying hare inhabits the summits of
the highland mountains, never descends into the
vales, or mixes with the common species which
is frequent in the bottoms : it lives among the
rocks with Ptarmigans, natives of the loftiest
situations : does not run fast, and if pursued is
apt to take shelter beneath stones or in clefts of
rocks ; is easily tamed, and is very sprightly
and full of frolick ; is fond of honey, and carra-
way comfits, and is observed to eat its own •
dung before a storm.

It is less than the common hare, weighing
only 61b. -1-. whereas the first weighs from eight
to twelve pounds. Its hair is soft and full; the
predominant color gi'ey mixed with a little black
and tawny.

* Taura sitfacra Xaywv [/t^y sk ra MXte, &c, Xiphilini
Epitome Dionis. 173.

VOL. I. K

.13©

RABBET.

Class I.

This is its summer's dress ; in winter it en-
tirely changes to a snowy whiteness except the
edges and tips of the ears which retain their
blackness. The alteration of color begins in
September, and first appears about the neck and
rump ; in April it again resumes its grey coat.
This is the case in Styria,^ but in the polar
tracts such as Greenland it never varies from
white, the eternal color of the country. In the
intermediate climates between temperate and
frigid, such as Scotktnd and Scandinavia, it re-
gularly experiences these vicissitudes of color.

22. Rabbet. Cuniculus. The Rabbet or
Cony. Rail syn. quad. 205.

Meyers an. i. Tah. 83.

Gesner quad. 362.

Lepus caudatus, obscure cinere-
us. Brisson quad. g5.

De Buffon Tom. vi. 303. Tab.
50,51.

Brii. Cwningen

Fren. Le Lapin

lial. Coniglio

Span. Conejo

Port. Coelho

Lepus Cuniculus. Gjji. Lin.

163.
Lepus Cauda brevissima pa-

pillls rubris. Faun. Suec.

26.
Cuniculus terrain fodiens ;

Klein quad. 52.
Br. Zool. 43. Hist. quad. ii.

iS"o. 302. p. 103.

Ger. Koniglein, Kaninchia

Dut. Konyn

Sived. Kanin

Dan. Kanine.

J.T is well observed by Pliny, that nature 'hath
' shewed great kindness, in causing those things

* Kramer Austr. 315-

Class I. RABBET. 131

' to be most prolific, that are the most harmless
* and the properest for our food.**

This excellent observation of his, cannot be Prolific.
better illustrated than in shewing the great fruit-
fulness of this animal ; as it far exceeds that
proof, brought by the ingenious author of the
oeconomy of nature, in support of the same quo-
tation. The instance he produces is the pigeon,
whose increase, from one pair, may in four
years amount to 14,760 ij" but rabbets will
breed seven times a year, and bring eight young
ones each time ; on a supposition this happens
regularly, during four years, their numbers
will amount to 1,274,840. By this account,
we might justly apprehend being overstocked
with these animals, if they had not a large
number of enemies which prevent the too great
increase ; not only men, but hawks, and beasts
of prey, make dreadful havoke among the
species. Notwithstanding these different ene-
mies, we are told by Pl'my^ and Strabo, that
they once proved so great a nuisance to the
.inhabitants of the Balearic islands, that they
were obliged to implore the assistance of a

* Benigna circa hoc natura, innocua et esculenta animalia
fcecunda generavii. Lib. viii. c 55.

f Vide Swedish Essays, translated by Mr. StilUngJleet, Ed.
1st. p. 75.

K 2

132 RABBET. Class I.

military force from the Romaiis, in the time of
Augustus, in order to extirpate them.* Their
native country is Spain, Avhere they were taken
as we do at present, by means of ferrets, which
animals were first introduced there out of
Afi'ica :-\ they love a temperate and a warm
climate, and are incapable of bearing great cold,
so that in SzvedenX they are obliged to be kept
in houses. Our country abounds with them;
Fur. their furs form a considerable article in the hat
manufactures, and of late, such part of the fur
as is unfit for that purpose, has been found as
good as feathers for stuffinfj; beds and bolsters.
Numbers of the skins are annually exported to
China. The English counties that are most
noted for these animals are Lincolnshire^ Nor-
folk, and Camhridgeshire. Methold, in the last
county, is famous for the best sort for the table;
the soil there is sandy, and full of mosses and
the carices. Rabbets swarm in the isles of
Orkney, where their skins form a considerable
article of commerce. Excepting otters, brown
rats, common mice, and shrews, no other quad-
rupeds are found there. The rabbets of those
isles are in general grey: those which inhabit the
hills, grow hoary in winter.

* Tlhi. lib. viil. c. bb, f Straho, iii. 3,44--

1 Faun Suec, §0.

Class I. RABBET. 13^

Formerly the silver-haired rabbets. were in
great esteem for lining cloaths, and their skins
sold at three shillings a piece ;* but since the in-
troduction of the more elegant furs, the price is
fallen to six-pence each. The Sunk Island f in
the Humber was once famous for a mouse-
coloured species, now extirpated by reason of
the injury it did to the banks by burrowing.

* HartliVs Legacy. f Ph. Trans.'No. 36l,

iM SQUIRREL Class L

GENUS XIII. SQUIRREL.

Toes four before ; five behind. • ,

Ears tufted.

Tail long cloathed with long hair.

i3. CoMMOif. Sciurus vulgaris. Raiisyn. quad. palmis 4-dactyli5 plantis

214. 6-dactylis. Gm. Lin. 145.

Meyer s an. i. Tal. p7. Sciurus palmis solis saliens.

Gcsner quad. 8i5. ,_ Faun. Suec. 31 .

Sciurus rufus, quandoque griseo Sc. vulgaris rubicundus.

admixto. Brisson quad. 104. Klein quad. 53.

De Buffon, Tom. vii. 258. Tab. Br. Zool. 44. Hist. quad. ii.

32. No. 329. p. 138. Arcl.

Sciurus auriculis apice barbatis, Zool. i. 142.

• Brit. Gwiwair Germ. Eichorn, Eichmerm-
Fren. L'Ecureuil lin

Ital. Scoiattolo, Schiarro, Dut. Inkhoorn

Schiratto Siced. Ikorn, graskin

Span. Harda, Hardilla, Esqnilo Dan. Ekorn.
Port. Ciuro

Name. J- HE squirrel derives its name from the form
of its tail, ff-nicc a shade, ^(a a tail, as serving this
little animal for an umbrella. That part is long
enough to cover the whole body, and is clothed
M ith long hairs, disposed on each side horizon-
tally, which gives it a great breadth. These
serve a double purpose; when erected, they
prove a secure protection from the injuries of

Class I. SQUIRREL. • 135

heat or cold ; when extended, they are very in-
strumental in promoting those vast leaps the
animal takes from tree to tree. On the autho-
rity of Klein and Liwiceus, we may add a third
application of the forin of the tail ; these natu-
ralists tell us, that when the squirrel is disposed
to cross a river, a piece of bark is the boat, the
tail the sail.

This animal is remarkably neat, lively, active, Manweks.
and provident ; never leaves its food to chance,
but secures in some hollow tree a vast mas;azine
of nuts for winter provision. In the summer it
feeds on the buds and yoimg shoots, and is par-
ticularly fond of those of the fir and pine, and
also of the young cones. It makes its nest of
the moss or dry leaves, between the fork of two
branches, and brings four or five young at a
time. Squirrels are in heat early in the spring,
when it is very diverting to see the female feign-
ing an escape from the pursuit of two or three
males, and to observe the various proofs they
give of their agility, which is then exerted in . '
full force.

The color of the whole head, body, tail, and Descrip-
tion.
legs of this animal, is a bright reddish brown ;

the belly and breast white ; the ears are very

beautifully ornamented Avith long tufts of hair,

of a deeper color than those on the body ; the

136 . SQUIRREL. Class I.

eyes are large, black, and lively ; the fore teeth,
strong, sharp, and well adapted to its food ; the
legs are short and muscular ; the toes long, and
divided to their origin; the nails strong and
sharp, in short, in all respects fitted for climb-
ing, or clinging to the smallest boughs ; on the
fore-feet it has only four toes, vi^ith a claw in the
place of the thumb or interior toe, on the hind
feet there are five toes.

When it eats or dresses itself, it sits erect,
covering the body with its tail, and making use
of the fore-legs as hands. It is observed, that
the gullet of this animal is very narrow, to pre-
vent it from disgorging its food, in descending
trees, or in down leaps.

Class I.

DORMOUSE.

137

GENUS XIV. DORMOUSE.

Toes four before; five behind.

Ears naked.

Tail long covered with hair.

JMus avellanarum minor
Dormouse or Sleeper.
syn. q7iad. 220.

The Dormouse. Ediv. 266.

Gesner quad. l62.

Glis supra rufus infra albicans
Brisson quad. 115.

The De Buffon, Tom. viii. IQS.
Rail Tal. 2Q.

Myoxus Muscardinus. Gm.

Lin. 155.
Mus Cauda longa pilosa cor-

pore rufo gula albicante.

Faun. Suec. 35.
Br. Zool. 45. Hist. quad. ii.

No. 359. p. 157. Arci. ZooL

i. 149.

Brii. Pathew Span. LIron

Fren. Le Muscardin, Croque- Gmn. Rothe, Wald-maus

noix, Rat-d'or Swed. Skogsums

Ital. Moscardino Dan. Kassel-muus.

X HIS animal agrees with the squirrel in its food,
residence, and in some of its actions : on first
sight it bears a general resemblance to it, but
on a closer inspection, such a difference may be
discovered in its several parts, as vindicates M.
Brisson for forming a distinct genus of the Dor-
mice, or Glires. These want the fifth claw on
the interior side of their fore-feet, nor are their
ears adorned with those elegant tufts of hair

24. Dor-
mouse.

138 DORMOUSE. Class I.

which distinguish the squirrel kind. These dis-
tinctions prevale in the other species, such as the
Lerot and Loir.
Ma:nners. Dormice inhabit woods, or very thick hedges,
forming their nests in the hollow of some low
tree, or near the bottom of a close shrub : as they
want much of the sprightliness of the squirrel,
they never aspire to the tops of trees, or, like it,
attempt to bound from spray to spray ; like the
. , squirrel they form little magazines of nuts, &;c.

for winter provision, and take their food in the
same manner, and same upright posture. The
consumption of their hoard during the rigor of
the season is but small, for they sleep most part
of the time ; retiring into their holes at the first
approach of winter, they roll themselves up, and
lie almost torpid the greater part of that gloomy
season. In that space of time, they sometimes
experience a short* revival, in a warm sunny day,
when they take a little food, and then relapse
into their former state.
Descrip- The size of the dormouse is equal to that of a
mouse, but it has a plumper appearance, and
the nose is more blunt; the eyes are large,
black, and prominent; the ears are broad,

* Not as Martial says in Epigram 5Q. Lib- XIII.
Tota mihi dormitur hyems, et pinguior illo
Tempore sum, quo me nil nisi soumus alit. Ed.

TION,

Class I. DORMOUSE. 139

rounded, thin, and semi-transparent : the fore-
feet are furnished with four toes ; the hind-feet
with five, but the interior toes of the hind-feet
are destitute of nails : the tail is about two
inches and a half long, closely covered on every
side with hair : the head, back, sides, belly, and
tail, are of a tawny red color ; the throat white.
These animals seldom appear far from their
retreats, or in any open place, for which reason
they seem less common in England than they
really are. They make their nests of grass, Nest.
moss, and dead leaves, and bring usually three
or four young at a time.

140

BLACK RAT.

Class I.

GENUS XV. RAT.

Toes four before; five behind.
Tail very slender; naked, or very slightly
haired.

Black. ^I"5 domesticus major, seu
Raltus. Raii syn, quad, 217.

Meyer s an. ii. Tah. 83.

Gesner quad. 731.

Mas Cauda longissima obscure
cinereus. Brisson quad. 118.

De Buffon, Tom. vii. p. 278.
Tal. 36.

Brii. Llygoden ffrengig

Fren. Le Rat

ItaL Ratto, Sorcio

Span. Raton, Rata

Port. Rato

Mus Rattus. Gm. Lin. 127.
Mus Cauda longa subnuda cor-

pore fusco cinerescente^

Faun. Suec. 33.
Mus Rattus, mus cistrinarius.

Klein quad. 57.
Br. ZooL 46. Hist. quad. ii.

No. 373. p. 176. Jlrcf,

ZooL i. 150.

Germ. Ratz.

Dut. Rot

Swed. Rotta

Dan. Rotte.

Manners. XHE rat is the most pernicious of our
smaller quadrupeds: our meat, com, paper,
cloaths, furniture, in short every conveniency of
life is a prey to this destructive creature ; nor
does it confine itself to these, but will make
equal havoke among our poultry, rabbets, or
young game. Unfortunately for us it is a do-
mestic animal, always residing in houses, barns,

Class!. BLACK RAT. 14.1

or granaries, and nature has furnished it with -
fore-teeth of such strength, as enable it to force
its way through the hardest wood, or oldest
mortar. It makes a lodge, either for its day's
residence, or a nest for its young, near a chim-
ney, and improves the warmth by forming
in it a magazine of wool, bits of cloth, hay
or straw. It begins to breed under the age of
one year, and goes with young about six weeks,
breeds frequently in the year, and brings about
six or seven young at a time. They in-"- .;,;;'
crease so fast, as to over-stock their abode;
which often forces them, through deficiency of
food, to devour one another : an unnatural dis-
position which happily prevents even the human
race from becoming a prey to them i not but that
there are instances of their gnawing the extre-
mities of infants in their sleep. .:: x.~

The greatest enemy the rats have is the weesel ;
which makes infinitely more havoke among them
than the cat ; for the weesel is not only endowed
with superior agility, but, from the form of its
body, can pursue them through all their retreats
which are impervious to the former. The Brown ^-

rat has also greatly lessened their numbers, and
in most places extirpated them : this will apo-
logize for a brief description of an animal once
so well known.

i42

BROWN RAT.

Class I.

Descrip-
tion.

King's rat-
catcher.

Its length from the nose to the origin of the
tail, is seven inches ; the tail is near eight inches
long ; the nose is sharp-pointed, and furnished
with long whiskers; the color of the head and whole
upper part of the body is a deep iron-grey, bor-
dering on black ; the belly is of a dirty cinereous
hue ; the legs are of a dusky color, and almost
naked ; the fore-feet want the thumb or interior
toe, having only in its place a claw ; the hind-
feet are furnished with five toes.

Among other officers, his British majesty has
a rat-catcher^ distinguished by a particular dress,
scarlet embroidered with yellow worsted, on
which are figures of mice destroying wheat-
sheaves.

26. Brown. Mus sylvestris. Rat de bois.

Brisson quad. 20.
Le Surmnlot. De IBuffon,

Tom. viii. 206. Tab. 2?.
Mus decumanus. Gm. Lin.

127.

]Mus norvegicus. Klein quad.

56.
Mus ex norvegia. SeJ:. Mus.

Tom. ii. 64. Tah. 63.
Br. Zool. 47. Hist. quad. Ii.

No. 21 5. p. 178. Arct. Zool.

i. lol.

Descrip- X HIS is a very large species, thicker, and of
a stronger make than the common rat: the
length from the end of the nose to the beginning
of the tail, is nine inches ; the length of the tail
the same ; the usual weight eleven ounces ; thQ

Class I. BROWN RAT. 143

ears resemble those of the rat : the eyes are large
and black : the color of the head and whole
upper part of the body is a light brown, mixed
with tawny and ash-color : the end of the nose,
the throat and belly, are of a dirty white, inclin-
ing to grey : the feet and legs almost bare, and
of a dirty pale flesh-color: the beginning of the
tail of the same color as the back ; the rest of
the tail is covered with minute dusky scales,
mixed with a few hairs.

This is the species well known in this king- History,
dom under the name of the Nonvay rat, but it
is an animal quite unknoAvn in Scandinavia, as
we have been assured by several natives of the
countries which form that tract, and Linnceus
takes no notice of it in his last system. It is fit
here to remark an error of that able naturalist
in speaking of the common rat, which he says
was first brought from America into Europe by
means of a ship bound to Antwerp. The fact
is, that both rat and mouse were unknown to the
new world before it was discovered by the Eu-
ropeans, and the first rats it ever knew, were in- ,
troduced there by a ship from Antwerp.^' This
animal never made its appearance in England

* Oyalles Hkt. of Chile in ChurehilFs foy. ii-i. 43,

144 BROWN RAT. Class L

till about forty years ago.* It has quite extir*
pated the common kind wherever it has taken
its residence, and it is to be feared that we shall
scarcely find any benefit by the change ; the
Norxvay rat having the same disposition, with
greater abilities for doing mischief, than the
common kind. This species burrows like the
water rat, in the banks of rivers, ponds and
ditches ; it takes the water very readily, and
swims and dives with great celerity; like the
black species, it preys on rabbets, poultry, and
all kind of game, and on grain and fruits. It
increases most amazingly, producing from four-
teen to eighteen young at a time, and breeds
three times in the year. Its bite is not only
severe, but dangerous, the wound being im-
mediately attended with a great swelling, and is
a long time in healing. These rats are so bold,
as sometimes to turn upon those who pursue
them, and fasten on the stick or hand of such as
offer to strike them.

M . Brisson describes this same animal twice
under different names, p. 170 under the title of
le rat du bois ; and again, p. 173 under that of
k rat de fior^vege. M. de Buffon stiles it le
Surmulot ; as resembling the mulots, or field

* This species reached the neighborhood of Paris, about
seventeen years ago, or about the year 17^0.

Class I.

WATER RAT.

145

mice, in many respects ; but exceeding them in
bulk.

I suspect that this rat came in ships origi-
nally from the East Indies. They are found
there and also in vast numbers in Persia, from
whence they have made their way westerly even
to Petershurs..

Le Rat d'Eau, Belon 30. pi.

31.
Mus major aquaticus, seu

Rattus aqviaticus. Kaii

syn. quad. 217.
Sorex aquaticus. Charlton

ex. 25.
Meyer s an. ii. Tab. 84.
Mus Cauda longa pilis supra

ex nigro et flavescente

mixtis, infra ci nereis ves-

titus. Brisson quad. 124.

Brit. Llygoden y dwfr
Tren. Le Rat d'eau
Ital. Sorgo morgange
Span.
Port.

DeBuffon, Tom. vii. 348. Tah. 27- Water.

43.
Mus amphibius. Mus cauda
elongata pilosa plantis pal

mails. Gm. Lin. 132.
Castor Cauda lineari tereti. Faun.

Suec. 25. Ed. 1. Mus amphi-
bius 52. Ed. 2.
Mus aquatilis. Klein quad.

57.
Br. Zool. 48. Hist. quad. ij.

No. 380. p. 182. ylrct. Zool,

i. 152.

Germ. Wasser mause.Rit^

Dut. Water-rot

Sived. Watn-ratta

Dan. Vand-rotte.

LlNN^US irom the external appearance of this
animal, has in one of his systems placed it in
the same genus ^vith the beaver. The form
of the head, the shortness of the ears, the

VOL. I. . L

14^ WATER RAT. Clas* L

thickness of the fur, and the places it haunts,
vindicate in some degree the opinion he at
that time entertained, but the form of the
• tail is so different from that of the beaver, as to
oblige him to restore the water rat to the class
in which he found it, in the system of our illus-
trious countryman Ray.

Manners. The water-rat never frequents houses, but is
always found on the banks of rivers, ditches and
ponds, where it burrows and breeds. It feeds
on small fish, or the fry of greater, on frogs, in-
sects, and sometimes on roots ; it has a fishy
taste, and in some countries is fe*aten; ]M. de
Buffon informing us that the peasants in France
eat it on maigre days.

It swims and dives admirably well, and con-
tinues long under water, though the toes are
divided like those of the common rat ; not con-
nected by membranes, as Mr. Ray imagined,
and as Linmfus, and other writers, relate after
him.

Dhscrip- The male weighs about nine ounces ; the
length is seven inches from the end of the nose
to the tail ; the tail five inches : on each foot are
five toes, the inner toe of the fore-foot is very
small ; the first joint of the latter is very flexi-
ble, which must assist it greatly in sw imming,
and forming its retreat. The head is large, the

TION,

CtASS I.

FIELD MOUSE.

147

ears small, and scarcely appear through the hair :
the nose blunt, and the eyes little : the teeth
large, strong, and yellow: the head and body
are covered with thick and pretty long hairs,
chiefly black, but mixed with some of a reddish
hue : the belly is of an iron-grey : the tail is
covered with short black hairs, the tip of it with
white hairs,

A female that we opened had six young ones
in it.

Mus domeslicLis medius. Mus sylvaticus, M. cauda longa 28. Field,

Raii syn. quad. 218. squamosa, corpore griseo lu-

Mus Cauda longa supra e tescente subtus lateribusque

fusco flavesceiis infra ex abrupte aibo. Gm. Lin, 129.

albo cinerescens. Brisson Pallas glires. p. 94. n. 42.

quad. 123. Faun. Suec. 36.

De Buffo?!, Tom. vii. 325, Brit. Zool. 4g. Hisi. quad. ii.

Tal'. 41. A^o. 383. p. 184.

Brit. Llygoden ganolig. Fren. Le Mulot

Llygoden y maes Dan. Voed.

X HIS measures from the nose-end to the set-
ting on of the tail, four inches and a half; the tail
is four inches long : the eyes are black, large,
and full ; the ears prominent ; the head and
upper part of the body, is of a yellowish brown,
mixed with some dusky hairs ; the breast is of

L 3

Descrip-
tion'.

148 FIELD MOUSE. Class I,

an ochre color; the rest of the under side is white :
the tail is covered with short hair.
M.4NNERS. These animals are found only in fields and
gardens ; in some places they are called bean-
mice, from the havoke they make among beans
when first sown. They feed also on nuts, acorns,
and corn, forming in their burrows vast maga-
zines of winter provision.

Saepe exiguus nius
Sub terris posultque domos atque horrea fecit.
Virgil. Georg. I. 181.

Often the little mouse
Illudes our hopes ; and safely lodged below
Hath formed his granaries. ■ ■ ,' . ■

Doctor Derham takes notice of this wonderful
sagacity of theirs, in providing against that sea-
son when they would find a defect of food abroad ;
but they provide also for other animals : the
hog comes in for a share, and the great damage
we sustain in our fields, by their rooting up the
ground, is chiefly owing to their search after the
concealed hoards of the field mice.

They generally make the nest for their young
very near the surface, and often in a thick tuft
of grass ; they bring from seven to ten at a time.

Class I. HARVEST MOUSE. 149

Less long-tailed field mouse. cauda longa siibpilosa, auri- 29. Harvest.

Br.ZQ0l.Il.Jpp.4gS.HisL colis vellere longioribus.

quad. ii. iS^o. 384. p. 185. Shnivs Gen. Zool.n.^. Q2. '.

Mus messorius. M. supra Linn. Tr.\n. 274:.

ferrugineus, subtus albus. White s Selbonie, 33, 3Q.

JL HIS species is very numerous in Hampshire* . -

particularly during harvest.

They form their nest above the ground, be- Manners.
tween the straws of the standing corn, and some-
times in thistles ; it is of a round shape, and
composed of the blades of corn. They bring_
about eight young at a time.

They never enter houses, but are often carried

in the sheaves of corn into ricks, and a hundred

of them have been found in a single rick, on

pulling it down to be housed. Those that are

not thus carried away in the sheaves, shelter

themselves during winter under ground, and

burrow deep, forming a warm bed for them- '

selves of dead grass.

They are (except the Shrew) the smallest of Descrip-
tion.
the British quadrupeds ; their length from nose

to tail is only two inches and a half; their tail

two inches ; their weight one sixth of an ounce.

* It is said by the observant Mr. Montagu, not to be uncom-
mon in Wiltsliire, Devon, and Giocestershire. Ed.

130

COMMON MOUSE.

Class I-

They are more slender than the other long-tailed
Field Mouse ; their eyes less prominent ; their
ears naked, and standing out of the fur ; their
tail slightly covered with hair ; their back of a
fuller red than the larger species ; inclining to
the color of a Dormouse : the belly white ; a
strait line along the sides dividing the colors of
the back and belly.

30. Mouse. Mus domesticus .vulgaris seu

Common. minor. Raii syn. guad. 218.

Seh. Museum, i. Tab. 1 1 1. f. 6.

its skeleton. Tal. 31.
Gesner quad. 714.
Mus Cauda longissima, obscure

cinereus, ventre subalbes-

cente. Brissonquad. IIQ.
De Btiffon, Tom. vii. 30g.

Tab. 39.

Brii. Llygoden

Fren. La Souris

Jtal. Topo, sorice

Span. Raton

Fori. Ralinho

Mus musculus. M. Cauda
elongata, subnuda, palmis
tetradactylis, plantis penta-^
dactylis, pollice mutico.
Gm. Lin. 128.

Taun. Suec. 34.

Mus minor, Musculus vul-
garis. Klein quad. 57-

Br. Zool. 50. Ilist. quad. ii.
No. 382. p. 184. Arct.
Zool. u \b2.

Germ . Mavis

Dut. Muys

Swed. Mus

Dan. Muus.

A HIS timid, cautious, active, little animal, is
too w^ell known to require a description ; it is
entirely domestic, being never found in fields,
or, as M. Buffon observes, in any countries un-
inhabited by mankind. It breeds very frequently

pi.:si

^^OL.l.F150

COMMOlsr MOUSE

TVATER 5HREW" P156J

Class I.

MEADOW ^lOUSE.

151

in the year, and brings six or seven young at a
time. This species is often found of a pure
white, in which state it makes a most beautiful
appearance, the fine full eye appearing to great
advantage, amidst the snowy color of the fur.
The root of white hellebore and staves-acre,
powdered and mixed with meal, is a certain
poison to them.

Mus arvalis. M. cauda uncial!,
auriculis vellere prominulis,
palmis subtetradactylis, cor-
pore fusco. Gm. Lin. 134.

Mus agrestis capite grandi bra-
chiurus. Raii syn. quad. 218.

Mus cauda brevi pilis e nigri-
cante et sordide luteo mixtis
in dorso et saturate cinereis

Brit. Llygoden gwtta'r maes
Ifal. Campagnoli

in ventre vestitis.
quad. 125.

Brisson 31. Meadow,

Mus agrestis. Faun. Suec. 30.
De Buffon, Tom. vii. 369.

Tal. 47.
Klein quad. b1 . No. 50.
Br. Zool. 50. His(. quad, ii.

No. 409. p. 205. Arcf.

Zool. i. 154.

Fren. Le petit Rat de

champs, Le campagnol
Dan. Skier-muus.

X HE length of this species, from the nose to Descrip-
the tail, is about six inches ; the tail only an
inch and a half: the head is very large; the
eyes prominent ; the ears quite hid in the fur ;
the whole upper part of the body is of a ferrugi-
nous color, mixed with black ; the belly of a
deep ash-color ; the tail is covered with short
hair, ending with a little bush, about a quarter

152 MEADOW MOUSE. Class L

of an inch long. The legs, particularly the fore
legs, verv short. •

Manners. This animal makes its nest in moist meadows,
and brings eight young at a time : it has a
strong affection for them ; one that was seduced
into a wire trap, by placing its brood in it, was
so intent on fostering them, that it appeared
quite regardless of its captivity. The manners
of this creature much resemble the 28th species :
like it, this resides under ground, and lives on
nuts, acorns, but particularly on corn ; it differs
from the former in the place of its abode, seldom
infesting gardens. It has been observed that
in housing a rick of corn, the dogs have devoured
all the mice of this species that they could catch,
and rejected the common kind, and that the
cats on the contrary would touch none but the
last

Cla.ss I.

FETID SHREW.

153

GENUS XVI. SHREW.

Teeth cutting, pointing forv/ard.

Nose long, slender.

Ears small.

Toes five on each foot.

Mus araiieus. Shrew, Shrew

Mouse, or Hardy Shrew.

Rail syn. quad. 239-
Gesner quad. 747-
Mus araneus supra ex fusco ru-

fus infra albicans. Brisson

quad. 126.
De Buffon, Tom. viii. 57. Tah.

10.

Sorex araneus. S. cauda me- 32, Fetid,

diocri, corpore subtus albi-

do. Gm. Lin. 114.
Faun. Suec. 24:. , :. L-^

Mus araneus rostro producti-

ore. Klein quad. 58.
Br. Zool. 54. Hist. quad. ii.

No. 428. p. 224. Arct.

Zool. i. l6l.

Brit. Llygoden goch, Chwist-

len, Llyg
Fren. La Musaraigne
Ital. Toporango
Span. Murganho ...j-- ' .

Port.

Germ. Spitzmause, Zissmuss,

IVIuger
Swed. Nabbmus
Dan. Nffibmuus, Muuse-

skier.

X HE length of this little animal, from the end Des
of the nose to the origin of the tail, is two inches
and a half; that of the tail, near one inch and a
half: the nose is very long and slender, and the
upper part is much longer than the lower, beset
with long but fine whiskers ; the ears are short,
and rounded ; the eyes are very small, and,

CRIP-
TION.

154 FETID SHREW. Class L

like those of the mole, almost concealed in the
hair. The color of the head, and upper part of
the body, is of a brownish dusky red ; the belly
of a dirty white ; the tail is covered with short
dusky hairs ; the legs are very short ; the feet
are divided into five toes. Above and below
are two slender cutting teeth pointing forward,
and on each a minute process ; the rest of the
teeth are so closely united, as to appear a con-
tinued serrated bone in every jaw ; the whole
number is twenty eight.
Manners. 'jj^g shrew inhabits old walls, heaps of stones,
and holes in the earth ; is frequently found near
hayricks, dunghills, and necessary houses ; is
often observed rooting like a swine in ordure :
it lives on corn, insects, and any filth ; from its
food or the places it frequents, has a disagree-
able smell ; cats will kill but not eat it. Brings
four or five young at a time. In August there
is an annual mortality of them, numbers being
in that season found dead in the paths. The
antients believed them to be injurious to cattle,
an error now detected.

Class I. WATER SHREW. 155

Sorex fodiens. S. cauda medio- Sorex fodiens, Pallas ined. 33. Water.

cri subnuda, corpore nigri- Linn. Tr. vii. 276.

cante subtus cinereo, digitis La Musaraigne d'Eau, de

ciliatis. Gm.Lin.\\3. Biiffon. Tom. vi'ii. 64.

Mus araneus dorso nigro A'en- Water Shrew, Hisf. quad,

treque albo. Merret Pinax. ii. No, 42g. p. 225.

167.

XHIS species inhabits the banks of ditches, Manners,
and other wet situations, and is in some places
called the Blind Mouse, from the smallness of
its eyes. The Germans call it Grceber or digger.
I imagine it to be the same which the inhabitants
of Sutherland call the water mole, and those of
Cathness, the La'vellan, which the last imagine
poisons their cattle, and is held by them in great
abhorrence. It burrows in banks near the water,
and according to M. de Biiffon brings nine
young. It was known to Dr. Merret above a
century ago, but lost again till within these few
years, when it was found to inhabit Lmcoln-
skire, and Lancashire*

Its length from nose to tail is three inches and Descrip-

1 1-1 -11 TION.

three quarters ; the tail two mches : the nose
long and slender ; ears minute ; eyes very small
and hid in the fur ; the color of the head and

* It has also been seen about the same period by the reverend
Hugh Davies, near Aher in Caernarvonshire, and more recently
■by George Montagu esq. in Devonshire, Ed.

156 WATER SHREW. Class I.

upper part of the body black ; the throat, breast,
and belly ash-color ; beneath the tail is a trian-
gular dusky spot.

[Mr. Sozverby in his " British Miscellany,"
p. 103. Tab. xlix. has described and figured an
animal of this genus resembling the Water Shrew
in some respects, but distinguished by being of
an uniform greyish black color, and having a re-
markable fringe of shortish white hairs on the
under side of the tail, which is blackish Avith
a white tip. The legs and toes are also fringed
underneath with white hairs. It was caught
in a ditch in Norfolk, by JV. J, Hooker esq.]
' Ed.

Class I.

MOLE.

157

GENUS XVII. MOLE.

Nose long, slender.

Jaw upper, much longer than the lower.
Ears none.

Fore-feet very broad, with scarcely any appa-
rent legs before : hind-feet very small.

Talpa. The Mole, Mole- Warp,

or Want. Raii syn. quad.

236.-
Meyer s an. i. Tal. 2.
Talpa alba nostras. Sel). Mas. i.

p. ei.TcZ). 32. f. 1.
Sib. Scot. 11.
Gesner quad. 931.
Talpa caudata nigricans pedi-
- bus anticis et posticis penta-

dactylis. Brisson quad. 203.

De Buffon, Tom. vlii. 81.

Tal. 12.
Talpa europaea. T. cauda

brevi, pedibus pentadacty-

lis. Gm. Lin. 1 10.
Faun. Suec. 23.
Talpa. Klein quad. 60.
Br, Zool. 52. Hist. quad. ii.

iVo. 440. p. 22g. Arct. Zool.

i. l64.

34, EuRO«

PEAN-.

Brit.

Gwadd, Twrcli daear

Germ.

Maulwerf

Fren.

La Taupe

Dut.

Mol

Ital.

Talpa

• Sived.

Mulvad, Surk

Span.

Topo

Dan.

Muldvarp.

Port.

Toupeira

-1. HERE are many animals in which the Divine
Wisdom may be more agreeably illustrated, yet
the uniformity of its attention to every article of
the creation, even to the most apparently con-
temptible, by adapting the parts to its destined

158 MOLE, Class t

course of life,appears more evident in the mole
than in any other animal.

A subterraneous abode being allotted to it,
the seeming defects of several of its parts vanish ;
which, instead of appearing maimed, or un-
finished, exhibit a most striking proof of the
fitness of their contrivance. The breadth,
strength, and shortness of the fore-feet, which
are inclined sideways, answer the use as well
as form of hands, to scoop out the earth, to
form its habitation, or to pursue its prey. Had
they been longer, the falling in of the earth
would have prevented the quick repetition of its
strokes in working, or have impeded its course ;
the oblique position of the fore-feet has also this
advantajTe, that it flings all the loose soil behind
the animal.

The form of the body is not less admirably
contrived for its way of life ; the fore part is
thick and very muscular, giving great strength
to tlie action of the fore-feet, enabling it to dig
its way with amazing force and rapidity, either
to pursue its prey, or elude the search of the
most active enemy. The form of its hind parts,
which are small and taper, enables it to pass
with great facility through the earth, that the
fore-feet had flung behind ; for had each part
of the body been of equal thickness, its flight

Class I. MOLE. 159

would have been impeded, and its security pre-
carious.

The skin is most excessively compact, and so
tough as not to be cut but by a very sharp knife ;
the hair is very short, and close set, and softer
than the finest silk ; the usual color is black, not
but that there are instances of these animals '

being spotted,* and a creme colored breed h -
sometimes found in my lands near Doivnhig.

The smallness of the eyes (which gave occa- ,

sion to the antients to deny it the sense of sight,)^
is to this animal a peculiar happiness ; a small
degree of vision is sufficient for an animal ever
destined to live under ground ; had these organs .
been larger, they would have been perpetually
liable to injuries, by the earth falling into them ; "
but nature, to prevent that inconvenience, hath
not only made them very small, but also cover-
ed them very closely with fur. Anatomists
mention (besides these) a third very wonderful
contrivance for their security, and inform us that
each eye is furnished with a certain muscle, by
which the animal has the power of withdrawing
or exerting them, according to its exigencies.

To make amends for the dimness of its sight,

* Edw. 268. ■ •

• t Aut oculis capti fodere cubllia talpas. Firg. Georg. 1,
Or sightless moles have dug their chamber'd lodge.

]60 MOLE. Glass L

the mole is amply recompensed, by the great
perfection of two other senses, those of hearing
and of smelling ; the first gives it notice of the
most distant approach of danger; the other,
which is equally exquisite, directs it in the midst
of darkness to its food : the nose also, being
very long and slender, is well formed for thrust-
ing into small holes, in search of the worms and
insects that inhabit them. These gifts may
with reason be said to compensate the defect of
sight, as they supply in this animal all its wants,
and all the purposes of that sense. Thus am-
ply supplied as it is, with every necessary ac-
commodation of life, we must avoid assenting
to an observation of a most respectable writer,
and only refer the reader to the note, where he
may find the very words of that author, and
compare them with those of our illustrious
countryman, Mr. Ray.^'

* La taupe, sans etre aveugle, a les yeux si pellts si couverts,
qu'elle ne peut faire grand usage du sens de la vue : en dedom-
magemcnt la nature lui a donne avec magnificence Tusage du
sixiime sens, Sec.

Mr. i?a^ makes the latter obsen-ation ; but forms from it a con-
clusion much more solid and moral. Testes maximos, parastatas
amplissimas, novum corpus seminale ah his diversum et separatum

natura concessit: penem etiam facile omnium, ni Jailor,

animalium,longissimn}n : ex quihus colligere est, maximum prce re-
liquis omnibus animalilus voluptaiem in coitu hoc aljectum et

Class I. MOLE. 161

It is supposed that the verdant circles so
often seen in grass grounds, called by country
people Jairi/ rings, are owing to the operations
of these animals, who at certain seasons perform
their burro wings by circumgyrations, which
loosening the soil, give the surface a greater
fertility and rankness of grass than the other
parts within or without the ring.

The mole breeds in the spring, and brings
four or five young at a time ; it makes its nest
of moss, and that always under the largest
hillock, a little below the surface of the ground.
It is observed to be most active, and to cast
up most earth, immediately before rain, and
in the winter before a thaw, because at those -^
times the worms and insects begin to be in mo-
tion, and approach the surface ; on the con-
trary, in very dry weather, this animal seldom
or never forms any hillocks, as it penetrates
deep after its prey, which at such seasons re-
tires far into the ground. During summer it
runs in search of snails and worms in the night
time among the grass, which makes it the prey
of owls. The mole shews o;reat art in skinning
a worm, which it always does before it eats it ;

vile animalculum percipere, ut haheant quod ipsi invideant', qui
in hac supremas vitce suae delicias collocant. Raii syn. quad.
£38, 239.

VOL. I. M

162 MOLE. Class I.

stripping the skin from end to end, and squeez-
ing out all the contents of the body.

These animals do incredible damage in gar^
dens, and meadows, by loosening the roots of
plants, flowers, grass, corn, S;c. Mortime7^ says,
that the roots of Palma christi and white helle-
bore, made into paste, and laid in their holes,
will destroy them. They seem not to have
many enemies among other animals, except in
Scotland, where (if we may depend on Sir
Robert Sib bald) there is a kind of mouse, wuth
a black back, that destroys moles.* We have
been assured that moles are not found in Ire-
land.

* Sih. Hist. Scot. Part iii. p. 12- I did not find it was known
at present.

Class I.

URCHIN.

16^

GENUS XVIII. URCHIN,

Toes five on each foot.

Body covered v/ith short strong spines.

Echinus sc. erinaceus terrestris.

Raii syn. quad. 231.
Meyer s an. i. Tal: 95,96.
Sih. Scot. 11.
Erinaceus parvus nostras. Seh.

Mus. i. p. 78. Tab. 49. f.

1,2.
Erinaceus auriculis erectis.

Biissonqnad. 128.
De Buffon, Tom. viii. 28c

I'ah. Q.

Echinus terrestris. Gesner 25. Common",

quad. 368.
Erinaceus europ^Bus. Gm.Lin.

75.
Erinaceus spinosus auricula-

tus. Faun. Siiec. 22.
Acanthion vulgaris nostras.

Klein quad. 66.
Br. Zool. 51. Hist. quad. ii.

No. 446. p. 234. Arct,

Zool. i. 165.

Brit.

Draenog, Draen y coed

Germ.

Igel

Fren.

L'Hcrisson

But.

Eegel-varken

Ital.

Riccio

Sived.

Igelhot

Span.

Erizo

Dan.

Pin-suin, Pin-soe,

Port.

Ourizo /

1- HE usual length of this animal, exclusive of Des
the tail, is ten inches ; the tail is little more than
an inch long, but so concealed by the spines, as
scarcely to be visible. The form of the nose is
like that of the hog, the upper part being much
longer than the lower, and the end flat ; the nos-
trils are narrow, terminated on each side by a
thin loose flap ; the color of the nose is dusky,

31 2

CRIP-
TION".

164 URCBIN. Class I.

it is covered by a few scattered hairs ; the upper
part of the head, the sides, and the rump, are
clothed with strong stiff hairs, approaching the
nature of bristles, of a yellowish and cinereous
hue. The legs are short, of a dusky color, and
almost bare ; the toes on each foot are live in
number, long, and separated the w hole way ; the
thumb, or interior toe, is much shorter than the
others ; the claws long, but weak ; the whole
upper part of the body and sides are closely
covered with strong spines, of an inch in length,
and very sharp pointed ; their lower part is
white, the middle black, the points white. The
eyes are small, and placed high in the head ; the
ears are round, pretty large, and naked. The
mouth is small, but well furnished with teeth ;
in each jaw are two sharp pointed cutting teeth ;
in the upper Jaw are on each side four tushes,
and five grinders ; in the lower jaw on each side
are three tuslies, pointing obliquely forward;
and beyond those, four grinders.
Manisters, The hedge hog is a nocturnal animal, keeping
retired in the day, but is in motion the whole
night, in search of food. It generally resides
in small thickets, in hedges, or in ditches cover-
ed with bushes, lying well wrapped up in moss,
grass, or leaves. Its food is roots, fruits, worms,
and insects : it lies under the undeserved re-

Class I. URCHIN. l65

proach of sucking cattle, and hurting their
udders, but the smalhiess of its mouth renders
that impossible.

It is a mild, helpless, and patient animal,
and would be liable to injury from every enemy,
had not Providence guarded it with a strong
covering, and a power of rolling itself into a
ball, by that means securing the defenceless
parts. The barbarity of anatomists furnishes
us with an amazing instance of its patience ; one
that was dissected alive, and whose feet were
nailed down to the table, endured that, and
every stroke of the operator's knife, without even
one groan.*

* Clavis terelrari sili pedes et discindi viscera patientissime
ferehat ; omnes cultri ictus sine gemitu pliisqiiam Spartana nohili"
tate concociuens. Borrich : in Bias ; de Echino. 64.

166 GREAT SEAL. Class L

Div. III. PINNATED.

iTH fin-like feet; fore legs buried deep in
the skin ; hind legs pointing quite back-
wards.

GENUS XIX. SEAL.

Teeth in the upper jav/, six, pointed ; in the
lower jaw, four, rather blunt.

Toes five palmated on each foot.

Body thick at the shoulders, tapering towards
the tail.

56". Great. Sea calf. Ph. Trans, ix. 74. Utsuk? Crantz Greenl. i.

Tal. 5. 125.

Le grand Phoqiie, Dc Btilfo'i, Great seal. Hist. quad. ii.

Tom. xiii. 345. Xo. 478. p. 277. -^rd-

Phoca barbata. Gm. Lin. 65. Zool. i. 185.

A SPECIES not very uncommon on the coast
of Scotland, particularly about the rock Hiskyr,
one of the western isles, where it grows to the
length of twelve feet. One was some years ago
shewn in London, and notwithstanding it was

PI. 31.

i^oii.piez

SEALS

Class I.

COMMON SEAL.

167

so young as to have scarcely any teeth, yet it
was seven feet and a half long.

In my voyage among the Hebrides I frequent-
ly heard of this species, but did not meet with
it. Mr. Thompso)!, our master, shot one, but it
sunk, and we lost it.

Le Veau marin, ou loup de
Mer. Belon 25. PI. 26.

Seal, Seoile, or Sea-calf.
Phoca, seu vitulus mari-
nus. Rail syn. quad. 18g.

Sea-calf. Phil. Trans. No.
46g. Tab. 1. Alridg. xlvii.

SmitJis Kerry, 84, 364.

Borlases Cornw. 284.

Worm. muse. 289.

Kassigiak. Crantzs hist.
Greenl. i. 123.

Brit. Moelrhon

Fren. Le Veau marin

Ital. Vechio marino

Span. Lobo marino

Le Phoque, De Buffon, Tom. 37. Common.

xiii. 333. Tah. 45.
Ilorr. Icel. 88.
Pontop. Norw. ii. 125.
Brisson quad. 162.
Phoca vitulina. Gm. Lin. 63.
Phoca. Klein quad. g3.
Phoca dentibus caninis rectis.

Faun. Suec. 4.
Br. Zool. 34. Hist. quad. ii.

No. 470. p. 270. Arct. Zool.

I. 175.

Gerrn. Meer wolflF, Meer hund
Dut. Zee hond
Swed. Sial
Dan. Saelhund.

X HE common length of those taken on the
British coasts, is from five to six feet.

The subject that we took our description
from, was a young one ; allowance must there-
fore be made for the proportions of the measure-
ments of those that have attained their full size.
Its length, from the end of the nose to the end

Desckip-

TION.

168 COMMON SEAL. Class I,

of the hind feet, was two feet nine inches, to the
end of the tail, two feet three inches ; the head
was seven inches long ; the tail two and a half;
the fore legs were deeply immersed in the skin
of the body ; what appeared out, was only eight;
inches long ; the breadth of the fore feet, wheq
extended, was three inches and a half; the hind
legs were placed in such a manner, as to point
directly backwards, and were ten inches long ;
each hind foot, when extended, was nine inches
and a half broad; every foot was divided into
five toes, and each of those connected by a
strong and broad web, covered on both sides
with short hair. The toes were furnished with
strong claws, well adapted to assist the animal
in climbing the rocks it basked on ; the claM^s
on the hind feet vrere about an inch long, slender,
and strait, except at the ends, which were ^
little incurvated.

The circumference of the body in the thickest
part, which was near the shoulders, was one
foot ten inches, but near the hind legs, where it
was narrowest, it measured only twelve inches.
The head and nose were broad and flat, like
those of the otter ; the neck short and thick ; the
eyes large and black ; it had no external ears,
but in lieu of them, two small orifices ; the nos-
trils were oblong ; on each side the nose were

Class I. COMMON SEAL. 169

several long stiff hairs, and above each eye, were
a few of the same kind. The form of the tongue
of this animal is so singular, that were other
notes wanting, that alone would distinguish it
from all other quadrupeds, being forked, or slit
at the end. The cutting teeth are singular in
respect to their number, being six in the upper
jaw, and only four in the lower. It has two
canine teeth above and below, and on each side
of the jaws five grinders; the total thirty-four.

The whole animal was covered with short
hair, very closely set together ; the color of that
on the head and feet was dusky ; on the body
dusky, spotted irregularly with white ; on the
back the dusky color predominated, on the
belly white, but seals vary greatly in their marks
and colors, and some have been found * entirely
white.

The seal is common on most of the rocky
shores of Great Britain and Ireland, especially
on the northern coasts ; in Wales it frequents
the coasts of Caernar'conshire, and Anglesey. It
preys entirely on fish, and never molests the sea
fowl ; for I have seen numbers of each floating
on the waves, as if in company. Seals eat their

* In the AsJimolean Museum at Oxford, is a good picture of
tvyo white seals. ,'

170 COMMON SEAL. Class I.

prey beneath the water, and in case they are
devouring any very oily fish, the place is known
by a certain smoothness of the v/aves im-
mediately above. The power of oil in stilling
the waves excited by a storm, is mentioned by
Pliny ; the moderns have made the experiment
with success,* and by that made one advance
towards eradicating the vulgar prejudices against
that great and elegant writer.

We must acknowledge the obligations we
were under to the Rev. Mr. Farrington oiDinaSy
in Caernarxmnshire^ for several learned commu-
nications, but in particular for the natural
history of this animal, which we shall give the
public in his own words.
Manners. ' The seals are natives of our coasts, and are
' found most frequently between Llyn in Caer-
' narvonshire, and the northern parts of Angle-

* sey ; they are seen often towards Carreg y
^ moelrJion, to the west of Bardsey, or Yuys

* Enlli ; and the Ske7^ries, commonly called in
' the Bintish language Y^iiys y moelrhoniad, or
'^ seal island. The Latin name of this amphi-
' bious animal is Phoca ;| the vulgar name is

* Phil. Trans. 1774. p. 445.

t Doctor Ckar/e/oji derives the word <r,ijjKr^ ex (oujkYj, loattt
(]uem edit ; vide Exercitationes de dif. An. pise. p. 48. Bat I
do not find any authority for his opinion. .■ ■

Class I. COMMON SEAL. 171

sea calf, and on that account, the male is
called the bull, and the female the cow, but the
Celtic appelative is Moelrhon, from the word
Moel, bald, or without ears, and Rhon, a spear
or lance.

' They are excellent swimmers, and ready
divers, and are very bold when in the sea,
swimming carelessly enough about boats ; their
dens or lodgements are in hollow rocks, or
caverns, near the sea, but out of the reach of
the tide : in the summer they will come out of
the water, to bask or sleep in the sun, on the
top of large stones, or shivers of rocks, and
that is the opportunity our countrymen take
of shooting them ; if they chance to escape,
they hasten towards their proper element,
flinging stones and dirt behind them, as they
scramble along ; at the same time expressing
their fears by piteous moans, but if they
happen to be overtaken, they will make a vigo-
rous defence with their feet and teeth, till they
are killed. They are taken for the sake of
their skins, and for the oil their fat yields ; the
former sell for four shillings, or four and six-
pence a piece, which, when dressed, are very
useful in covering trunks, making waistcoats,
shot pouches, and several other conveniencies.'

The flesh of these animals, and even of por-

173 COMMON SEAL. Class h

pesses, formerly found a place at the tables of
the great, as appears from the bill of fare of
that vast feast that archbishop Nevill gave in
the reign of Edxvard IV. in which is seen,
that several were provided on the occasion.*
They couple about April, on large rocks, or
small islands, not remote from the shore, and
bring forth in those vast caverns that are fre-
quent on our coasts ; they commonly produce
two at a time, which in tlieir infant state are
covered with a whitish down, or woolly sub-
stance. The seal-hunters in Cathness have as-
sured me that their growth is so sudden, that
in nine tides from their birth (fifty-four hours)
they will become as active as their parents.
On the coast of that county are immense ca-
verns opening into the sea, and running some
hundreds of yards beneath the land. These are
the resort of seals in the breeding time, where
they continue till their young are old enough to
go to sea, which is in about six or seven weeks.
The first of these caves is near the Ord, the last
near Thrumster ; their entrance so narrow, as
only to admit a boat ; their inside very spatious
and lofty. In the month of October, or the be-
ginning of Nommber, the seal-hunters enter the

• , • : * Leland's Collectanea- ■..

Class 1. COMMON SEAL. 17^

mouths of the caverns about mid-night, and
rowing up as far as they can, they land ; each of
them being provided with a bludgeon, and pro-
perly stationed, light their torches, and make a
great noise, which brings down the seals from
the farther end in a confused body with fearful
shrieks and cries ; at first the men are obliged
to give way for fear of being over-borne, but
when the first crowd is past, they kill as many
as straggle behind, chiefly the young, by striking
them on the nose ; a very slight blow on that
part dispatches them. When the w^ork is over,
they drag the seals to the boat, which two men
are left to guard. This is a most hazardous
employ, for should their torches go out, or the
wind blow hard from the sea during their con-
tinuance in the cave, their lives are lost. The
seals of six weeks old, yield more oil than their
emaciated dams ; above eight gallons have been
procured from a single whelp, v»hich sells from
six-pence to nine-pence per gallon; the skins
from six-pence to twelve-pence.

The natural history of this animal may be fur-
ther elucidated, by the following extracts from a
letter of the Rev. Dr. JVilUam JBor/ase, dated
October the 24th, 1763.

* The seals are seen in the greatest plenty on
' the shores of CormvaU, in the months of May,

174 COMMON SEAL. Class I.

^ June, and Julij. They are of different sizes ;
' some as large as a cow, and from that down-

* wards to a small calf. They feed on most sorts
' of fish which they can master, and are seen
' searching for their prey near shore, wiiere the

* whistling fish, wrav* s, and polacks resort.

* They are very swift in their proper depth of
' water, dive like a shot, and in a trice rise at

* fifty yards distance; so that weaker fishes
' cannot avoid their tyranny, except in shallow

* water. A person of the parish of Senncin,

* saw not long since a seal in pursuit of a mullet

* (that strong and swift fish) ; the seal turned it
' to and fro' in deep water, as a gre-hound does

* a hare ; the mullet at last found it had no v;'ay

* to escape, but by running into shoal water;
^ the seal pursued, and the former, to get more
" surely out of danger, threw itself on its side,

* by which means it darted into shoaler water
" than it could have swam in vrith the depth of
^ its paunch and fins, and so escaped.

' The seal brings her young about the be-
^ ginnino; of autumn ; our fishermen have seen
' two sucking their dam at the same time, as
^ she stood in the sea in a perpendicular posi-
^ tion.

^ Their head in svv'imming is always above
'^ water, more so than that of a dog. They

Class I. COMMON SEAL. 175

sleep on rocks surrounded by the sea, or on
the less accessible parts of our cliffs, left
dry by the ebb of the tide, and if disturbed
by any thing, take care to tumble over the
rocks into the sea. They are extremely
watchful, and never sleep long without mov-
ing ; seldom longer than a minute ; then raise
their heads, and if they hear or see nothing
more than ordinary, lie down again, and so
on, raising their heads a little, and reclining
them alternately, in about a minute's time.
Nature seems to have given them this pre-
caution, as being unprovided with auricles, or
external ears ; and consequently not hearing ~ ■ .
' very quick, nor from any great distance.'

In Sir R. Sihbald's history of Scotland, we
find an account of another species of the seal ' "
kind, which is copied from Boethiiis. The ani-
mal he mentions is the sea-horse,* JValriis or
Morse: as this vast creature is found in the
Norwegian seas, we think it not improbable but
that it may have appeared on the Scottish
coasts, but having no better authority for it,
than what is above-mentioned, we dare not give
it a place in a British Zoology. The teeth of
that animal are as white and hard as ivory ; but

Hist. quad. 468. ii- p. Sf)6. Arct. Zool i. iGS

176 COMMON SEAL. Class t

\vhether the sAecpavTr/a ^'aXja, ivory bits, which
Strabo* mentions among the articles of the
British commerce, were made of them, or the
tooth of the Narhwal, or of some of the toothed
whales, is not at this time easy to be deter-
mined ; but we may here remark that Soimus^
in his account of Britain^ informs us that the
fine gentlemen of our island adorned the hilts
of their swords with the teeth of sea beasts,
which were as white as ivory itself f

* Strabo, Lib. iv. 200.
f Poll/hist. c. XXXV.

Class I. PIED SEAL. 177

Pied Seal, Br. Zool. 4th ed. i. Phoca bicolor. P. nigra in- 38. Pied.

139- Hist. quad. ii. No. 471. auriculata, albo varia, naso

p. 273. Tab. 98. elongato, pedibus posteri-

La Phoque a ventre blanc. De oribus lunatis. Shaw,

Buffon, supp. vi. 310. Tal. Gen. Zool. i. p. 254.

xliv.

JL HE nose of this species is taper and elon- Descrip-
gated ; the fore-feet furnished with five toes in-
closed in a membrane, but very distinct ; the
claws long and straight ; the hind feet very
broad, with five distinct toes, the claws just
extending to the margin of the membrane,
which expands into the form of a crescent.
This I saw at Chester; it was taken near
that city in Mai/ 1766. On the first capture,
its skin was naked like that of a porpesse, and
only the head and a small spot beneath each
leg was hairy ; before it died the hair began
to grow on other parts. The fore part of the
head was black, the hind part of the head and
the throat white ; beneath each fore leg a spot
of the same color ; hind feet of a dirty white ;
the rest of the animal of an intense black. I
believe they vary in the disposition of the
colors ; the animal given by M. de Buffojt had
only the belly white. These species, according

VOL, I. N

178 . PIED SEAL. Class I.

to that great writer, frequent the coast of the
Adriatic : the length of that described by M.
de Buffon, was seven feet and a half; that
which I saw was much less, and probably a
young one. ., ; v-^^ p >

Pi.xffl:

Vol.l^.l^(^.

lo^Ct eared bat. IZJ82

GRRAT BAT.

JV^PSS'

nffdjU

Class I. GREAT BAT. 179

Div. IV. WINGED.

GENUS XX. BAT.

Toes of the, fore-feet long, extended, connected
by a thin membrane continued to the hind-
legs, and giving a power of flight.

Vespertilio Noctula. V. cauda- La noctule De BuffonTom. 39, Great.

tns, naso oreque simplici, \\n.Tah.yi\in.^.\2Q.Hist.

aurlculis ovalibus operculatis : quad. ii. No. 513. p. 317-

operculo exili. Gm.Lin. 48. Arct. Zool. i. 215.

XS a species less common in Great Britain
than the smaller. It ranges high in the air for
food, and retires early in the summer. Is the
largest we have ; its extent of wing is fifteen
inches ; its length to the rump two inches eight
tenths ; that of the tail one inch seven tenths. -
The nose is slightly bilobated ; the ears small and
rounded ; on the chin is a minute wrruca. Hair
on the body a reddish ash-color.

They collect under eaves of buildings in vast
numbers. The Rev. Doctor Buckzvorth in-
formed me that under those of Queen s College,
Cambridge, he saw taken, in one night, one hun-
dred and eighty-five; the second night sixty-
three ; the third, two.

180 HOKSE-SHOE BAT. Class I.

40. Horse- La Chauve-souris a fer a cbeval. operculatis, cauda dimidia

SHOE, j)g Buffon Tom. viil. 131. corporis longitudine. Gm,

TaZ'.xvIi. XX. Lin. 50.

Vespertilio ferrum eqiiinum. V. Horse-shoe Bat. Hist. quad.

naso ferro equino siniili, auri- ii. No. 512. p. 3l6.
bus caput sequantibiis non

jL HIS species Avas discovered by Dr. Lathmn^
at Dartford, Kent, who was so obliging
as to communicate it to me. They are found
in the greatest numbers in the salt-petre
houses belonging to the powder mills, and fre-
quent them during the evening for the sake of
the gnats which swarm there. They have been
also found during winter in a torpid state cling-
ing to the roof. They often feed on Chafers,
but only cat the body.
Bescrip- The length from the nose to tlie tip of the tail
is three inches and a half; the extent fourteen.
At the end of the nose is an upright membrane
in form of a horse-shoe. Ears large, broad at
their base, inclining backwards ; but want the
little or internal ear. The color of the upper:
part of the body is deep cinereous ; of the lower
whitish.

* The celebrated author of our best works on ornithology,
now resident at Romsey. Ed.

o

CO

O

TIONo

Class I. MINUTE BAT. 181

Vespertilio mlnutus. Montagu. Lin. 50. Schreh. Seanghth, ^\, Minute.
Linn. Tr. ix. l63. V, ferrum i. p. 174. Tah. LXII. ic.
equlnum. B. minor. Gm. sup.

-fVl R. Montagu, to whom the lovers of natu-
ral history are so much mdebted, has added this
new species to the list of British animals. He
has found it more than once in Wiltshire and
Devonshire.

In color and general character, it strongly re- De?crip-
sembles the Horse-shoe Bat, but is much smaller,
scarcely exceeding in length two inches and
three quarters from the tip of the nose to the
end of the tail ; the extent of the wings is nine
inches and a half; the weight from sixty-three
to eighty grains. A material distinction also
occurs in the formation of the nasal membranes,
especially that which is posterior and transverse.
To explain this, the editor has taken the liberty
of copying the outline from PL xviii. of the Lin-
ncean Transactions. Fig. 1. in the annexed
plate, represents the side view of the membranes
of the Horse-shoe Bat, of which a is the poste-
rior transverse one; the front is seen at Fig 2.
The same views are given of the nasal mem-
branes of the Minute Bat at Fig. 3 and 4. where
Z», h represent tlie membranes in different points

182 LONG EARED BAT. Class I.

of view. In these a very striking difference is
observable, and it will also be perceived, that
the anterior longitudinal membrane is by no
means similar in both species. The Horse-shoe
Bat has two small teeth placed at some distance
in the upper jaw, which are not to be found in
the Minute.

Mr. Montagu discovered four teats in a fe-
male of this species, a circumstance which
draws from him some excellent observations
on the fallibility of all general rules. It is well
known, that the great Linnceus had ranked the
bats among the Primates, on the supposition
that they possessed only tw o /^^/ji//^^. Ed.

42 Long Edw. av. ^OlA.Z. Vespertilio auritus. Gm. Lin,

EARED. ^/^_ ;-_ j^^,^ ^^^^ 4^_

La petite chauve souris de V. auritus, naso oreque sim-

notre pays. Brisson quad. pHci, auriculis duplicatis^

160. capite majoribus. Faun.

L'oreillar. De Buff on, T ova.. Slice. 3.

viii. 118. 127. Tah. 17. Br. Zool. b6. Hht. quad.n.No.

f. 1. 519. p. 320.

J- HE length of this species of bat, exclusive of
the tail, two inches and three quarters ; the ex-
tent of the fore-legs ten inches and three quar-
ters.

The principal distinction between this and

Class I. RARBASTELLE BAT; 183

the common kind, is the ears, which in this. are.
above an inch long, very thin, and almost trans-
parent; within each of these is a lesser ear, or
at least a membrane resembling one, which, as
Mr. Edzvards ohsei'ves, may possibly serve as a-
valve to close the larger, in the sleeping state of
this animal.

VespertUio Barbastellus. V. can- La Barbastelle, De Btiffon 43. ^akbaS'

datus, buccis elatis pilosis, Toffl.viii.-lSO.Totfc. xix.^g. telle.

auriculis magnis inferius an- 1. Schreher. 203. Tal. Iv.

gulatis. Gm. Lin. 48, Hist.quad.i'i.No.dlJ.p. 31Q. ' -

X HE Barbastelle has a sunk fore-head : Ions?

and broad ears, the lower part of the_ inner sides

of which touch each other, and conceal the face

and head when looked at in front. The nose

is short; the end flatted ; the cheeks full. The ^^

upper part of the body is of a dusky brown ; the '- '

lower ash-colored and brown. Its leno-th to

the rump is about two inches ; that of the tail

nearly the same ; its extent ten and a half.

Mr. Soxverby in his British Miscellany, p, 9.
Tab. v. first announced the discovery of this
species in England: it was found in the powder
mills at Dartford. Mr. Montagu observed it
about the same time in Devonshire, and has
given a full description of it in the ninth volume,
p. 171 of the Zi««<^6f/2 Transactions. Ed. '

184

COMMON BAT.

Class I.

44. Common. Vespertilio. Bat, Flitter, or

Flutter Mouse. Rail syn.

quad. 243.
Short-eared English Bat. Edio.

av. 201. f. 2.
Seh. Mus. i.
The Rear Mouse. Charlton ex.

80.
Meyer's an. i. Tah. 3.
Gesner av. 766.
Vespertilio murini coloris, pe-

dibus omnibus pentadacty-

lis. Brisson quad. 158.
La chauvesouris. DeBujffoTif

Tom. viii. 113. Tab. \6.
Vespertilio murinus. Gm.Lin.

48.
V. caudatus naso oreque sim-

plici. Faun. Suec. 2.
V. major. Klein quad. 61.
Vespertilio. Plinii Lib. x. 6.

61.
Br. Zool. 55. Hist. quad. ii.

No. 51Q. p. 320. Arct.

Zool. i. p. 215.

Brit.

Ystlum

Port.

Morcego

Ft en.

La Chauve sourls

Germ.

Speckmaus, Fleder-

Ital.

Nattola, Notula, Spor-

maus

teglione, Vispristrello,

Did.

Vledermuys

Vilpistrello

Siced.

Ladcrlap, Fladermus

Spaji.

Murcielago, jMorcie-

Dan.

Flagermuus, Aften-

galo

bakke.

XHIS singular animal was placed by Plini/,
Gesner, Aldrovandus, and some other natural-
ists, among the birds ; they did not consider,
that it wanted every character of that order of
animals, except the power of flying ; if the irre-
gular, uncertain, and jerking motion* of the

* The English synonym of this animal. Flitter, or Flutter
mouse, is very expressive of its action in the air.

TION.

Class I. COMMON BAT. 185

bat in the air, can merit the name of flight.
No birds whatsoever are furnished with teeth,
or bring forth their young alive, and suckle
them : were other notes wanting, these would
be sufficient to determine that the bat is a quad-
ruped.

The species now described, is the most com- Descrip-
mon : the usual length of it is about two inches
and a half ; the extent of the fore-legs nine inches.
The members that are usually called the
wings, are nothing more than the four interior
toes of the fore-feet, produced to a great length,
and connected by a thin membrane, which ex-
tends also to the hind legs, and from them to
the tail ; the first toe is quite loose, and serves
as a heel, when the bat walks ; or as a hook,
when it would adhere to any thing. The hind-
feet are disengaged from the membrane, and
divided into five toes, furnished with pretty
strong claws ; the membranes are of a dusky
color. The body is covered with short fur,
of a mouse-color, tinged with red. The eyes
are very small : the ears like those of the
mouse.

This species of bat is very common in Eng-
land : it makes its first appearance early in the
summer, and begins its flight in the dusk of the
evening; it principally flrequents the sides of

186 COMMON BAT. Class I.

woods, glades, and shady walks, and is also
frequently observed to skim along the surface
of pieces of water, in quest of gnats and insects ;
these are not its only food, for it will eat meat
of any kind that it happens to find hanging up
in a larder.

The bat brings only two young at a time,
which it suckles from two* teats placed on the
breast, like those of the human race. These
animals are capable of being brought to some
degree of familiarity. The Rev. ]\'lr. White of
Selborne has seen a bat so far tamed as to eat
insects out of a person's hand, and while it
was feeding would bring its wings round before
its mouth, hovering in the manner of birds of
prey.

Towards the latter end of summer, the bat
retires into caves, ruined buildings, the roofs of
houses, or hollow trees, where it remains the
whole winter, in a state of inaction, suspended
by the hind-feet, and closely wrapped up in the
membranes of the fore-feet.

The voice of the bat is somewhat like that of
the mouse, but very low, and weak. Ovid takes
notice both of that, and the derivation of its
Latin mxiiG, . -. -^ ■' '' ■. ' .

* With exception apparently of the Minute Bat, which has a
greater number. See above p. 182. Ed. *- .

Class I. COMMON BAT. 187

Lucemque perosae
Nocte volant, seroque tenent a vespere nomen.

Minimam pro corpora vocem

Einittunt, peraguntque levi stridore querelas.

Met. lib. iv. 10.

Their little bodies found
No words, but murmur'd in a fainting sound.
In towns, not woods, the sooty bats delight.
And never till the dusk begin their flight j
Till Vesper rises with his evening flame ;
From whom the Romans have derived their name.

Eusderu

II. XVI.

■Vb]^i.r.i89-

CI.J^^S8 II. ItlRU^

DIV. I. L^VTSTD --IiIlCl> S

CLASS II.

BIRDS

AVES INTERNUNCIO JOVIS.

CLASS II.

BIRDS.
Div. I. LAND BIRDS.

Sect. I. RAPACIOUS.

Genus.

I. Falcon.

11. OWL.

Sect. IL PIES.

III. SHRIKE.

IV. CROW.
V. ROLLER.

VI. ORIOLE. .;
VIL CUCKOO.
VIII. WRYNECK.
IX. W OODPECKER.
X. KINGFISHER.
XL NUTHATCH.
XII. BEE-EATER.
XIIL HOOPOE.
XIV. CREEPER.

Sect. IIL GALLINACEOUS,

COCK.
TURKEY.

192 BIRDS. Class II.

Genus. :.

PINTADO.

PEACOCK.

PHEASANT.

XV. GROUS.

XVI. BUSTARD.

Sect. IV. COLUMBINE.

XVII. PIGEON.

Sect. V. PASSERINE.

XVIII. STARE.
XIX. THRUSH.
XX. CHATTERER.
XXI. GROSBEAK.
XXII. BUNTING.

XXIII. FINCH.

XXIV. FLY-CATCHER.
XXV. LARK.

XXVI. WAGTAIL. ,
XXVII. WARBLERS. ,
XXVIII. TITMOUSE.
XXIX. SWALLOW.
XXX. GOATSUCKER.

Div. II. WATER BIRDS.
Sect. I. CLOVEN FOOTED.

I. SPOONBILL.
II. HERON.
IIL IBIS.
IV. CURLEW.

V. SNIPE. -

Class II. BIRDS. 193

Genus. "

VI. SANDPIPER.
VII. PLOVER.
VIII. GOURSER.
IX. PRATINCOLE.
X. OYSTER-CATCHER.
XL RAIL.
XII. GALUNULE.

Sect.il fin footed.

XIII. PHALAROPE.

XIV. COOT.
XV. GREBE.

Sect. III. WEB FOOTED.

XVI. AVOSET.
XVII. AUK.
XVIII. GUILLEMOT.

XIX. DIVER.
XX. TERN.

XXI. GULL.

XXII. PETREL.

XXIII. MERGANSER.

XXIV. DUCK.
XXV. CORVORANT,

VOL. I.

194

BIRDS.

Class II.

EXPLANATION of some technical tekms

IM ORNITHOLOGY USED IN THIS WORK, AND

BY LlNN^US.

Rostrum uncinatum

- _ ■ _ cultratum

. = - - sululatum

^ - = - imguiculatiiin
. . — emarginafum

Nares lineares

- - - mar^inatcB

f'ihrisscE

Lingua integra
- - - - ciliatn

XlOOKED bill, such as is seen in

fg. 16. h-

Cultrated. When the edges of the
bill are very sharp, such as in that of
the Crow.

Awl shaped; a term which Lin-
ncBus uses for a straight and slender
hin,fg. 17.

A bill with a nail at the end, as in
those of the Goosanders and Ducks.

Emarginated, when there is a
small notch near the end of the
bill; this is conspicuous in that of
Thrushes, ^^. 5.

When the nostrils are very narrow,
as in Sea-gulls.

"With a rim round the nostrils, as
in the Stare.

Tlie naked skin that covers the base
of the bill in the Hawk kind. Jig.
16. c.

Stiff hairs at the base of the bill;
in some birds simple, as in the Fly-
catcher^g. 6. ; in others pectinated,
or comb-like, as in the Goat-sucker.

The tongue entire, or not cloven.

When the tongue is edged in fine
bristles, as in Ducks.

Tl.^^Vr

'\^0L l.P. 194.

n.^cvr

Explanation uf TEOH:sn:rAX, Terjms

A"OL 1-1'. 19it.

Class II.

Lingua lumhriciformis
Lorum

Orhita
strum

Nucha

Pennce scapular es

Alula spuria
Tectrices prhnce

:undce

Remiges primores

secundaria

BIRDS.

When ihe tongue is long, round
and slender like a worm, as that of
the Woodpecker.

The space between the bill and
the eye generally covered with fea-
thers ; but in some birds naked, as in
the black and white Grebe,^g. 17. a.
Orbits. The skin that surrounds
the eye, which is generally bare, par-
ticularly in the Heron, ^g-. 1(5. e.

A word used by Linnceus to express
the short feathers on the forehead,
just above the bill. In Crows these
fall forwards over the nostrils. Jig.
16. d.

The hind part of the head. Jig.
16. a.

Scapular feathers, that rise from
the shoulders, and cover the sides of
the backj^g-. 15.

Bastard wing, a small joint rising
at the end of the middle part of the
wing, or \ht cuhitus ; on which are
three or five feathers,J?g. 7.

Lesser coverts of the wings, the
small feathers that lie in several rows
oh the bones of the wings. The
Under coverts are those that lie inside
of the wing,j?g. 8.

Greater coverts, the feathers that
lie immediately over the quil-fea-
thers and secondary feathers, ^g. g.

Greater quil-feathers. The largest
feathers of the wings, or those that
rise from the first hone, Jig. 10.

Lesser quil-feathers, those that rise
from the second bone,^g. 11.

o 21

195

396

BIRDS.

Class II.

Uropygium

Crissum

Rectrices

Pes gressorius

- amlulalorius

- cursorius sive tri-

dactylns

- scansorius

- lol-atui

- pinnatus

- semipahiiatus

- - - paJmatiis, $.

natatorius

- - - digitis4 omnilus

palmatis

- - ungue postico

sessili

Pedes compedes

Coverts of the tail ; those that
cover the base of the tail^^g. ]2.

Vent feathers : those which cover
the region of the vent.

The feathers of the tail,^g. 14.

Where the outward toe is closely
united, almost its whole length, with
the middle toe. Example of it in the
footof the Kingfisher, ^g. 18.

Foot with four toes, the three
fore almost separated to their origin.

Such as want the back toe,Jig. 22.

The foot of the Woodpecker form-
ed for climbing, ^g. ig.

Finned foot, such as those of
GrebeSj^^g. 20.

Scalloped toed, such as that of the
Coot and scallop-toed Sandpiper,

fg- 21.

Half-v.'ebbed foot, when the webs
only reach half way of the toes.

Full webbed foot, Jig. 22, 24, 25.

All the four toes connected by
webs, as in the Corv-orants,^g. 25.

When the hind claw adheres to the
leg without any toe, as in the Petrels,
fg. 24.

When the legs are placed so far
behind as to make the bird walk with
difficulty, or as if in fetters; as is the
case with the Auks, Grebes, and
Divers.

CLASS 11.
BIRDS.

Div. I. LAND BIRDS.
Sect. I. RAPACIOUS.

GENUS I. FALCON.

Bill strong, hooked, the base covered with a

Cere or naked skin.
Tongue divided at the end.

Falco Chrysaetos. F. cera lutea
pedibusquelanatis luteo-ferru-
gineis, corpore fusco ferrugi-
neo vario, cauda nigra basi
cinereo-undulata. Lath. ind.
orn, 12. id. Syn. i. 31. id.
Sup. i. 10.

Grand aigle royal. Belon av, 8Q,

Aquila Germana. Gesn. av. l68.

Aquila, aguglia, Chrysaetos.
Aldr. 1. 62.

Gnesios. Plinii HI. 10. c. 3.

The golden eagle. TVil. orn. 8,

Aquila aurea, sen fulva. Raii

syn. av. 6.
Falco Chrysaetos. Gm. Lin.

2o6.
Orn. Faim. Suec. sp. 54.
L'Aigle dor^. Brisson av. I.

431.
Stein adler. Kram. 325. Sco-

poli. No. 1.
Le grand Aigle. Hist, d'ois.

i.76. PL Enl. 410.
Golden eagle. Br. Zool. 6\.

Tab. A. Arci. Zool. i. 225.

1. Golden
Eagle,

JLHIS species is found in the mountanous
parts of Ireland, where it breeds in the loftiest
cliffs : it lays three, and sometimes four eggs,

198 GOLDEN EAGLE. Class IL

of which seldom more than two are prolific ;
Providence denying a large increase to rapacious
birds/* because they are noxious to mankind,
but graciously bestowing an almost boundless
one on such as are of use to us. This kind of
eade sometimes migrates into Caemai^vonskire,
and there are instances, though rare, of its hav-
ing bred in the Snoxvdon hills, from whence some
writers give that tract the name of Creigiaur
eryrii or the eagle rocks ; others that of Crei-
giaur eira, or the snowy rocks ; the latter seems
the more natural epithet, it being more reason-
able to imagine that those mountains, like Niph-
ates in Afinema, and Imam '\ in Tartary, de-
rived their name from the circumstance of being
covered with snow, which is sure to befal them
near the half of every year, than from the acci-
dental appearance of a bird on them, once only
in several years.
Descrip- The golden eagle weighs about twelve pounds ;
its length is three feet ; the extent of its wings
seven feet four inches; the bill is three inches
long, and of a deep blue color; the cere is yel-
low ; the irides of a hazel color : the sight and
sense of smelling are very acute : her eyes be-

* Twv yafj.^uivvy^cov oXiyotCiKO. 'Tfavta. Arist. hist. an.

^ Imaus incolarum lingua nivosum significante. Plin.

lib. 6. c. 21.

TION.

Class II. GOLDEN EAGLE. 199

- hold afar off:* the head and neck are clothed
with narrow sharp-pointed feathers, of a deep
brown color, bordered with tawny ; the hind part
of the head in particular is of a bright rust-color.
The whole body, above as well as beneath, is
of a dark brown, and the feathers on the back
are finely clouded with a deeper shade of the
same: the wings, when closed, reach to the end
of the tail ; the quil feathers are of a chocolate
color, the shafts white : the tail is of a deep
brown, irregularly barred and blotched with an
obscure ash color, and usually white at the roots
of the feathers : the legs are yellow, short, and
very strong, being three inches in circumference,
and are feathered to the very feet : the toes are
covered with large scales, and armed with most
formidable claws, the middle of which are two
inches long.

Eagles in general are very destructive to
fawns, lambs, kids, and all kind of game ; parti-
cularly in the breeding season, when they bring
a vast quantity of prey to their young. Smith,
in his history of Kerry, relates that a poor man
in that county got a comfortable subsistence for
his family, during a summer of famine, out of

* /oZ) xxxix. 9. Where the natural history of the eagle is
finely drawn up. '^

200 GOLDEN EAGLE. Class IL

an eagle's nest, by robbing the eaglets of the
food the old ones brought, whose attendance he
protracted beyond the natural time, by clipping
the Avings and retarding the flight of the former.
It is very unsafe to leave infants in places where
eagles frequent; there being instances in Scot-
land* of two being carried off by them, but for-
tunately, . " . . :

Illcesum ungLiibus haesit onus,

the theft was discovered in time, and the child-
ren restored unhurt out of the eagles' nests, to
the affrighted parents. f In order to extirpate
these pernicious birds, there is a law in the
Orkney isles, which entitles any person that
kills an eagle to an hen out of every house in
the parish, in which it was killed.

Eagles seem to give the preference to the
carcasses of dogs or cats. Persons, who make
it their business to kill these birds, lay that of
one or other by way of bait, and then conceal
themselves within gun-shot. They fire the in-
stant the eagle alights, for she that moment looks
about before she begins to prey. Yet quick as
her sight may be, her sense of hearing seems

* Martin s hist. JFest. Isles, 299. SiO. hist. Scot. 14.

f Camden s Brit. i. 1474. The impression of an eagle and
child on the coin of iheJs/e of Man, was probably owing to some
accident of this kind.

Class II. GOLDEN EAGLE. 201

still more exquisite. If hooded crows or ravens
happen to be nearer the carrion and resort to it
first, and give a single croak, the eagle, if there
is one in any part of the neighborhood, is cer-
tain of instantly repairing to the spot.

Eagles are remarkable for their longevity, and Longevity.
for their power of sustaining a long abstinence
from food. Mr. Keyskr relates that an eagle
died at Vienna Sifter a confinement of 104 years.
This pre-eminent length of days probably gave
occasion to the saying of the Psalmist, thi/
youth is renewed like the eagle's. One of this
species, which was nine years in the possession
of Ozv en Holkuid esq. oiComvy, lived thirty-two
years with the gentleman who made him a pre-
sent of it; but what its age was when the latter
received it from Ireland is unknown. The same
bird also furnishes a proof of the truth of the
other remark, having once, through the neglect
of servants, endured hunger for twenty-one
days, without any sustenance whatsoever.

" The golden eagle is not uncommon in
Russia,* where it is said to be used in falconry,
for the purpose of taking wolves, foxes, and an-
telopes. It is seldom killed in England. One
y^diS ^hotdX Yarmouth in 1783, the extent of
which was reported to be twelve feet. Mr.

* Decouvertes Russes. iii. 127.

BLACK EAGLE. Class IL

Jlfarckrvick, in the fourth volume of the Linncean
Transactions, records an instance of one having
been killed at Bexhill, in Sussct. J. L.*

A male of this species M-as shot in Suffolk in
the winter of 1810, by a servant of Sir Thomas
Gooch, baronet; a larger bird, probably the fe-
male, was observed at the same time near
Blythhurgh, for several evenings, but escaped
its pursuers. Ed.

2. Black falco fulvus. F. ceraflava, pedi- Rail syn. av. 6.

bus lanatis fiisco-ferrugineis. White tailed eagle. Edio. 1.

dorso fusco, cauda fascia alba. Falco fulvus. G»z. Lin. 255.

Lath. ind. orn. 10. id. Syn. i. Brisson av. i. 420. L'Aigle

32. id. Sup. i. 10. commun. Hist, d'ois. i. 86.

Golden eagle, with a white ring PL Enl. 409.

about its tail. JVil. orn. 5Q. Ring-tail Eagle. Br.Zool. 62.

Arct. Zuol. i. 226.

JL HIS bird is common to the northern parts of
Europe and America; that figured by Mr.
Edwards, differing only, in some white spots on
the breast, from our species. It is frequent in
Scotland, where it is called the Black Eagle,
from the dark color of the plumage. It is very de-
structive to deer, M'hich it will seize between the
horns, and by incessantly beating it about the

* The editor has to express his acknowledgements to his re-
spected and valuable friend, /o/nz Lathatn, esq. for the paragraphs
and notes distinguished by the initials, J. L.

Class II. BLACK EAGLE. 203

eyes with its wings, soon makes a prey of the
harassed animal. The eagles in the isle of Rum
have nearly extirpated the stags which used to
abound there. This species generally builds in
clefts of rocks near the deer forests, and makes
great havoke not only among them, but also the
white hares and Ptarmigans.

It is equal in size to the preceding : the bill is Descrip-

TION.

of a blackish horn color ; the cere yellow ; the
whole body is of a deep brown, slightly tinged
with rust color ; but what makes a long descrip-
tion of this kind unnecessary, is the remarkable
band of wdiite on the upper part of the tail ; the
end only being of a deep brown ; which charac-
ter it maintains through every stage of life, and
in all countries where it is found. The less

a

are feathered to the feet ; the toes yellow, the
claws black. Mr. Willughby gives the follow-
ing very curious account of the nest of this
species, p. 21.

' In the year of our Lord 1 668, in the wood- Nest.

* lands near the river Derwetit, in the Peak of
' Derbyshire, was found an eagle's nest made of
' great sticks, resting one end on the edge of a

* rock, the other on two birch trees ; upon which
' was a layer of rashes, and over them a layer
' of heath, and upon the heath rushes again ;
' upon which lay one young one, and an addle

204 BLACK EAGLE. Class IL

' egg ; and by them a lamb, a hare, and three
' heath poults. The nest was about two yards
' square, and had no hollow in it. The young
' eagle was black as a hobby, of the shape of a
* goshawk, of almost the weight of a goose, rough
' footed, or feathered down to the foot : having
' a white ring about the tail.'

Mr. Williighby imagines, his first py gar gus,
or white tailed eagle, p. 61. to be but a variety
of this, having the same characteristic mark, and
differing only in the pale color of the head.

The antients believed, that the pebble com-
monly called the cetites* or eagle stone, was
formed in the eagle's nest ; and that the eggs
could not be hatched without its assistance.
Many absurd stories have been raised about this
fossil, which (as it bears but an imaginary rela-
tion to the eagle) must be omitted in a zoologic
work. , -_■

" The black eagle is very common and de-
structive in Germany. Beckslei?i'\ ssys, that in
an aery of one were found the skeletons of three
hundred ducks, and of forty hares, and that the

* If the reader's curiosity should be excited, we refer him for
information to Pliny, lib. x. c. 3. lib. xxx. c. 21. to Boetius de
gemmis, p. 375. to Dr. Woodward's catalogue of fossils, vol. i.
p, 53. c. 268, 269. and Grew's Rarilies, p. 297-

t Deutsch. ii. 218.

VOJ^.:l.T.Z05

pi.:Kvn "'■

SEA EAGLE

flJl Ij fijl til ' ^^

Class II.

SEA EAGLE.

205

rapine they commit in cultivated parts cannot
be computed. He adds, that the egg is not
colored, as is usually asserted, with irregular
marks of a deeper tint. J. L.

FalcoOssifragus.F. ceraluteape-
dibusque semilanatis, corpore
ferrugineo, rectricibus latere
interiorealbis. Lath. ind. orn.
12. id. Syn. i. 30. id. Sup.i.Q.

Bein-brecher, Ossifraga, Meer-
adler, Fisch-arn, Haliseetos.
Gesner av. 201. 203.

Halisetos. Turneri.

Auguista barbata, Ossifraga.
Aldr. av. i. 118.

Haliseetos. Plinii lib. 10. c. 3.

Sih. hist. Scot. 14.

Sea eagle, or osprey. Wil. orn.
59.

Raii syn. av. 7-

Sea eagle. Dales Harwich^

396.
Martins hist. West, isles 70.
Le grand aigle de mer, Bris-

son av. i. 437-
Falco Ossifragus. Gm. Lin.

255.
Gaase orn. Brunnich, 13-
L'Orfraie. Hist, d'ois. i. 112.

Pl.Enl. 112.415,
Sea eagle. Br. Zool. 63. Arcto

Zool. i. 224.

X HIS species is found in Ireland, and several
parts of Great Britain ; the specimen we took
our description from, was shot in the county of
Galway : Mr. TVillughhy tells us there was an
aery of them in TVhinfield-pai^lx, Westmoreland ;
and the eagle soaring in the air, with a cat in its
talons, which Barloxv drew from the very fact
which he saw in Scotland* is of this kind. The

3. Sea
Eagle,

* Mr. Walpoles catalogue of engravers, p. 49.

206 SEA EAGLE. Class II.

cat's resistance brought both animals to the
ground, wlien Barlozv took them up ; and after-
wards caused the event to be engraved in the
thirty-sixth plate of his collection of prints.
Turner says, that in his days, it was too well
known in England, for it made horrible destruc-
tion among the fish; he adds, the fishermen
were fond of anointing their baits with the fat
of this bird, imagining that it had a peculiar
alluring quality : they were superstitious enough
to believe that whenever the sea eao;le hovered
over a piece of water, the fish, (as if charmed)
would rise to the surface with their bellies up-
wards, and in that manner present themselves
to him. No writer since Clusius has described
the sea eagle : though no uncommon species, it
seems at present to be but little known, being
generally confounded with the golden eagle, to
which it bears some resemblance.
Desckip- The color of the head, neck and body, are the
same with the latter, but much lighter, the tawny
part in this predominating ; in size it is far su-
perior, the extent of wings in some being nine
or ten feet. The bill is larger, more hooked,
and more arched; underneath grow several
short, but strong hairs or bristles, forming a sort
of beard. This gave occasion to some writers
to suppose it to be the aqidla barbata or beard-

TIOW.

Class II. SEA EAGLE. 207

ed eagle oi Pliny. The interior sides, and the
tips of the feathers of the tail, are of a deep
brown ; the exterior sides of some are ferrugi-
nous, in others blotched with white. The legs
are yellow, strong and thick ; and feathered but
little below the knees, which is an invariable
specific difference between this and our first
species. This nakedness of the legs is besides
no small convenience to a bird who preys
among the waters. The claws are of a deep
and shining black, exceedingly. large and sti'ong,
and hooked into a perfect semicircle ; those of
the hind and first toe are an inch and a half
long.

All writers agree, that this eagle feeds princi- Food,
pally on fish, which it takes as they are swim-
ming near the surface,* by darting itself down
on them ; not by diving or swimming, as several
authors have invented, who furnish it for that
purpose with one webbed foot to swim with, and
another divided foot to take its prey with. Pliny ^
with his usual elegance, describes the manner
of its fishing. Superest halicsetos, clarissima

* Martin, speaking of what he calls the great eagles in the
western isles, says, that they fasten their talons in the back of the
fish, commonly of salmon, which are often above water, or on
the surface. Those of Greenland will even take a young seal out
of the water.

£08 ^ SEA EAGLE. Class IL

oculoram acie, librans e.v alto sese, visoque in
mart pisce, prcsceps in eum miens, et discussis
■■ pectoix aquis rapiejjs.

It also preys on water fowl. The same writer
prettily describes the chace, an amusement the
inhabitants near the large lakes formed by the
^/z«;2?2o;2 frequently enjoy. . - ■

It is strange that authors should give the
name of Nistis to the sparrow hawk, when Ovid
expressly mentions this as the bird to which the
father of aS'cj///^ was transformed.

Ouam pater ut vidit (nam jam pendebat in auras
Et modo factus erat fulvis HALiiEEXOS alls)
Ibat, ut haerentem rostro laniaret adunco.

' ~ A hawk from upper air came pouring down,

■■ - ('Twas Nisus cleft the air with wings new growrt.)
At Scyllas head his horny bill he aims.

CroxaL

-.H.^

pi.sxni.

CIKERBOnS IxJLCHiE

A^OL.1.P.209.

JndloLK hi.Nx''

Class II. CINEREOUS. 209

Falco Albicella. F. cera pedi- Pygargus hiiirmlarlus, au 4, Cinere-

busqueflavis, rectricibusalbis, ^rne. Sih. Scot. ous.

intermediis apice nigris. Laih. Braunfahle Adler. Frisch i.

Ind. orn. 9. id. Syn. i. 33. id. 70-

Sup. i.W. Gamsengeyer. Kram.32Q.

Pygargiis, or white tailed eagle. Postoina. Scopoli. No. 2.

IVil. orn. 61. Raii Syn. av. 7. Falco Albicilla. Gm. Lin. 253.

Le grand Pygargue. Brisson. i. Cinereous eagle, ylrct. Zool.

427. Hist, d'ois. i. 99. PI. i. 249.

Enl. 411.

XS inferior in size to the golden eagle: the ^xion?"
beak, cere and irides are of a very pale yellow ;
the space between that and the eyes bare, and
of a bluish color. The head and neck are of a
pale ash-color; the body and wings cinereous
clouded with brown, the quil feathers very dark;
the tail white; the legs feathered but little be-
low the knees, and of a very light yellow. The
male is of a darker color than the female.

The bill of this is rather straiter than is usual
in the eagle, which seems to have induced Lin-
nceus to place it among the vultures ; but it can
have no clame to be ranked with that genus, for
the pygargus is wholly feathered ; whereas, the
characteristical mark of the vulture is, that the
head and neck are either quite bare, or only
covered with down.

Inhabits Scotland^, and the Orhiies, and feeds
on fish, as well as on land animals.

VOL. I. p - ■

2i0 lALCONRY. Class II.

" The cinereous eagle is frequent in the south-
ern parts of Russia, as far as trees grow, parti-
cularly about the Volga, where it winters and
breeds, and though scarce in Sibiria, has been
observed as far as lake Baikal"* J. L.

■^A^ ^-ocn n-^-s-^' FALCONRY.- -^^ .^^'^^-^l^m

Falconry was the principal amusement of our
ancestors : a person of rank scarcely stirred out
without his hawk on hts hand; which, in old
paintings, is the criterion of nobility. Harold,
afterwards kins of England, when he went on a
most important embassy into Normandy, is
painted embarking with a bird on his fist, and a
dog under his arm;t and in an antient picture
of the nuptials of Henry VI. a nobleman is re-
presented in much the same manner ;:}: for in
those days, It zvas thought sufficient for nohle-
tneris sons to xvinde their horn and to carry their
haxvk fair, and leave study and Icarn'mg to the
children of mean people.^ The former were the
accomplishments of the times ; Spenser makes
liis gallant Sir 7rij^r«»2 boast, ^ or i^jv^itty^i

* Pallas. MS S. - -' ^ ■ ^

■f Montfaucon, monumens de la monarchiefrancoise, i. 372-
X Mr. JFalpoles anecdotes of paintings i. 33. "

§ Biog. Brit, article Caxton.

Class II. FALCONRY. 211

^■Ju^ ■ Ne is there hauke which mantleth heron pearch.
Whether high towring, or accoasting low.
But I the measure of her flight doe search,
'^' And all her pray, and all her diet know.*

In short, this diversion was, among the old
English, the pride of the rich, and the privilege
of the poor, no rank of men seems to have been
excluded the amusement: vte learn from the
book of St. Albans,'\ that every degree had its
peculiar hawk, from the emperor down to the
holy water clerJi. Vast was the expence that
sometimes attended this sport ; in the reign of
James I. Sir Thomas MonsonX is said to have
given a thousand pounds for a cast of hawks :
we are not then to wonder at the rigor of the
laws that tended to preserve a pleasure that was
carried to such an extravagant pitch. In the
34th of Edward II L it was made felony to
steal a hawk; to take its eggs, even in a person's
own ground, was punishable with imprison-
ment for a year and a day, besides a fine at the * '
king's pleasure : in queen ElizabetJis reign the .
imprisonment ^vas reduced to three months; but
the offender was ^to find security for his good
behaviour for seven years, or lie in prison till he

* Book Y I. Canto 2. '9^1 ;-''r*^. ■'

'• t. A treatise on hunting, hawking and heraldry, printed at

St. Alhayis by Caxton, and attributed to Dame Julicai Barnes.

X 'Siii Ant- fFtldon's coxixi of K.. James. 105. IX y^','^ r

g:l^ FALCONRY. Class IL

, did. Such was the enviable state of the times

of old Erighmd : during the whole da}^ our gentry
w ere given to the fowls of the air, and the beasts
of the field ; in the evening they celebrated their
exploits with the most abandoned and brutish
sottishness ; at the same time the inferior rank
of people, by the most unjust and arbitrary laws,
was liable to capital punishment, to fines, and
loss of liberty, for destroying the most noxious
of the feathered tribe.

According to Olcarms, the diversion of fal-
conry is more followed by the Tartars and Per-
sians, than ever it was in any part of Europe.
Jl iiy avo'it point de hutte qui neust son aigle ou
sonfaucon.^'

Our ancestors made use of several kinds of
native hawks ; though that penetrating and faith-
ful naturalist I\Ir. Hay, has left us only the bare
name of a falcon in his list of the English birds,
without mentioning the species. The falcons
or hawks that were in use in these kingdoms,
are now found to breed in IFales, and in North
Britain, and its isles. The peregrine falcon
inhabits the rocks of Caernartw?ishire, Holy-
head mountain, and Priestholme island in Jit-
glesey. The same species, with the gyrfalcon,

* Tom. i. 217- 328. ■

Class II. FALCONRY.

the gentil, and the goshawk, are found in Scot-
land, and the lanner in Ireland.

We may here take notice that the Norwegian
breed were, in old times, in high esteem with our
countrymen : they Avere thought bribes worthy
a king. Geoffrey Fitzpierre gave two good Nor-
way hawks to king John to obtain for his friend
the liberty of exporting 100 weight of cheese :
and Nicholas the Dane was to give the king a
hawk every time he came into England, that he
might have free liberty to traffick throughout
the king's dominions.* They w^ere also made
the tenures by which some of our nobility held
their estates from the crown. Thus Sir John
Stanley had a grant of the Isle of Man from
Henry IV. to be held of the king, his heirs and
successors, by homage and the service of two
falcons, payable on the day of his or their coro-
nation :f and Philippe de Hastang held his
manor of Combertoun, in Cambridgeshire, by
the service of keeping the king's falcons. J
i*-i ' -■. ■ ■ ■'.

* Madox antiq. exchequer. I. 469, 470.

•f Blunt' s antient tenures. 20. % Madox. i. 632,

■ .'"... ■:',. .-'. -li. ;. ,. ' > ,

■ ' ■ 3... c.\,v....-,.. -iCj^i^^ilA-.'Kr

214

OSPREY.

Class II.

^^'

:lm^ ■

. it- ■'■J-»^3 -?■;

cera pedi- Bald Buzzard. JFil. orn. 6q.
busque cseruleis, corpore supra Bald Buzzard, or sea eagle,
fusco, subtus albo, capite al- Rail syn. av. l6.

y. OsPREY. Falco Haliaeetus. F

Fishing hawk. Cateslys

Carol, i. Tah. 2.
Falco cyanopus. Klein Stem.

Tah. 8.
Falco Haliseetus. G»2.Ziw. 263.
Blafot, Fisk-orn. Faun. Suec.

sp. 63.
Aigle de mer. Brisson av. i.

440. Tah. 34. Hist. dois.

i. 103. PL Enl. 414.

bido. Lath. Ind. orn. 17. id.

Syn. i. 45. id. Sup. i. 13.
Une Orfraye. Belon. av. 96.
Fisch-adler, Masswy, Aqtiila

anataria, Clanga, Planga,

Percnos, Morphnos. Gesner.

av. 196.
Haliaetus, seu aquila marina.

Gesner. av. 804.
Balbushardtis. Turneri.
Auguista piumbina, Aqullastro, Fisk-oern. Brunnich, p. 3.

Haliaetus, sea Morphnos. The Osprey. Br. Zool. 63.

Aldr. av. 1. 105. 114. Tah. A. 1. Arct. Zool. i.

Halisetus. Caii opusc. 85. 231.

J^XR. Ray places this bird among the hawks,
instead of the eagles, on a supposition that Mr.
JVillughhy had exceeded in his account of its
weight ; but as we had an opportunity of con-
firming the words of the latter, from one of this
species just taken, we here restore it to the aqui-
line rank, under the name of the Osprey; which
was the name it was known by in England above
one hundred and sixty years ago, as appears by
Dr. Kay, or Caiuss description of it, who also
calls it an eagle.

This bird haunts rivers, lakes, and the sea-

Class 11. OSPREY. '215

shores. Mr. Oedman flings new light on its
history; he says, that it breeds on the tops of
the highest trees,* and makes its nest with
wonderful art of the twigs of the fir-tree, and Nest.
lines the bottom with polypodies. It lays three
eggs of the size of those of a hen, marbled
with rust color. It brings fish and serpents
to feed its young, and even eels of a large size,
which renders its nest very fetid. It feeds Food.
chiefly on fish,f taking them in the same manner
as the sea eagle does, not by swimming but by
precipitating itself on them ; its feet being formed
like those of other birds of prey, for the left is
not at all palmated, as some, copying the errors
of antient writers, assert it to be. The Italians
compare the violent descent of this bird on its
prey, to the fall of lead into tiie water, and call
it, Augidsta piumbiua, or the leaden eagle.

The bird here described was a female; its Descrip-
weight w as sixty-two ounces : the length twenty-
three inches ; the breadth five feet four inches ;
the wing when closed reached beyond the end of
the tail; that, as in all the hawk kind, consisted
of twelve „ feathers; the $\vo , middle feathers

* Mr. Montagu in his Ornithological dictionary says, that he
observed the nest of an Osprey, on the top of the chimney of
a ruined building in the island of Loch Lomond. Ed.

f Turner says it preys also on coots, and other water fowl.

TION.

216 OSPREY. Class If.

were dusky, the others barred alternately on
their inner webs with brown and white ; on the
joint of the wing next the body was a spot of
■" ■ white: the quil feathers of the wings were
"black ; the secondary feathers and the coverts
dusky, the former having their interior webs
varied with brown and white ; the inner coverts
were white spotted with brown. The head
small and flat, the crown white marked with ob-
long dusky spots. The cheeks, chin, belly and
breast white, the last spotted with a dull yellow :
from the coriier of each eye a bar of brown
extended along the sides of the neck point-
ing towards the wing. The legs very short,
thick and strong, their length being only two
inches and a quarter ; their circumference two
inches ; their color a pale blue : the outward
toe turns easily backwards, and what merits at-
■ tention, the claw beloncfingj to it is larger than
that of the inner toe, in which it differs from all
other birds of prey, but seems peculiarly ne-
cessary to this kind, for better securing its slip-
pery prey : the roughness of the soles of the
feet contributes to the same end. The differ--
ence in weight, and other trifling particulars,
makes us imagine that the bird Mr. IVillughby
saw was a male, as the females of all the hawk
kind are lar2;er, stronger, and fiercer than the

n.yiy .

GYRTALaflSr.

VOL.X.P. 217-

(^LASSII. GYRFALCON. '\'i £tz

males ; the defence of their young, and the
providing them with food, resting chiefly on
them. :; ^rii^tu ^iv:

Falco islandicus, F. albus macu- White Falcon, Wil, orn. 80. 6. Gyrfal-

lis fuscis varlus, rectricibus F. Islandus albus. HrunnicJi con.

albis, lateralibus extus fusco ' 7> 8.

- Tad.c\i\3.iis. Lath. Ind. orh.22. Le Gerfaxilt. Brisson (fv. u
, icl.Syn.i.Q3,S4:.id.Sup.i.2l. 370. Hist, d'ois. i.23g. PL
Le Gerfault. Belo7i av. 94. Enl. 446.

GyxMco. Jldr.a?:. 1.243. Sil. Scot. 14. ;'

Jer-falcon. Wil.orn. 78. Clharlton EcX. 317. -

Gyr falco. Rail syn. av. 13. White Gyr-falcon. Arct.

ZooL i. 232. • ■ ' -

J- HIS elegant species is not much inferior in Descrip-

size to the Osprey. The irides are dusky : the bill ^^°^'

is very much hooked and yellow. The throat

is of a pure white : the -whole plumage of the

same color, but marked with dusky lines, spots

or bars ; the head, breast and belly with narrow

lines, thinly scattered and pointing downwards;

the wings with large heart-shaped spots ; the

middle feathers of the tail with a few bars : the

feathers on the thighs are very long, and of a

pure Avhite ; the legs of a pale blue, and fea- ......

thered a little below the knees. This kind is "'^^^
sometimes found quite white : it was in high
esteem when falconry was in vogue, and useid for
the noblest game, such as cranes and herons.

218 - PEREGRINE FALCON. Class II.

This is the Gyrfalco of all the ornithologists
except LinncEus, whose bird we are totally un-
acquainted with : though he gives several of
their synonyms, his description differs entirely
from each of them. It inhabits the north oiScot-
^ land; our specimen was shot near ^^erfifee/z. -

" Iceland is supposed to furnish the most ge-
nerous breed of this species, and the king of Den-
rnay'k sends there annually for all that can be
procured; they are also in great request at
Vienna. Those of a white color are most esteem-
ed." J, L..4.i, vt------ j.d....;i

7. Pere- Falcoperegrinus, F.cerapedibus- Blue backed Wicoxi. . .Charh

GRiNE. que luteis, corpore nigricante Ex. 73.

transversim striato, supra caeru- Sparviere pellegrino femmina.

lescente, subtus albido, rectri- Lorenziav. Tab. 24.^ *,

cibus fasciatis apicibus albidis. Le Faucon pelerin. Brisson

Lath. Ind. orn. 33. id. Syn. i. av. i. 341. Hist, d'ois. i.

73. id. Sup. i. 18. Gm. Lin. 24g. -

272. Peregrine Falcon. Br. ZooU
Bdonav.UQ. ,.., r.- Tab. A*. 5. Arct.Zool.'i.

Fako pcregrinus niger. ^/c?r. (zu. 23Q.

i. 23g. ' '^^^^ Ofoftw 9D i

.'■an ^law •■^ysr" ^iMi&.5fu>-'i:<t w-oMjik. i/j-iis
Descrif- J[>^ size equiai to the liidor-buzzard. The bill

TION. 1

is strong, short, and very much hooked, armed
near the end of the upper mandible vrith a very
sharp process; blue at the base, black at tha
point: the irides dusky. ;am.:.v;:i

H.XS

^01:1. P. 21 a

peregrtnt; falcon.

*^**"- ■ < *.jlf ■ Mil.

S^* -Ul,(

Class II. PEREGRINE FALCON. ^ 219

The feathers on the forehead are whitish : the
crown of the head black mixed with blue; the
hind part of the neck black ; the back, scapu-
lars, and coverts of the wings, elegaintly barred
with deep blue and black. The quil feathers
dusky, marked with elliptical white spots placed
transversely ; the inner coverts crossed with black
and white bars ; the throat white ; the fore part
of the neck, and upper part of the breast white
slightly tinged with yellow, the last marked with
a few small dusky lines pointing downwards.
The rest of the breast, the belly, thighs and vent
feathers, white inclining to grey, and crossed
with dusky strokes pointed in the middle.
The tail consists of feathers of equaL lengtli,
finely and frequently barred with blue and black.
The legs are short and yellow: the toes very
long. - .^i;iT.^i*«1 ■>;'■. -J

' - This species seems to vary : we have seen one
that was shot in Hampshire, just as it had
struck down a Rook and was tearing it to pieces^
The whole under side of the body was of a deep
dirty yellow, but the black bars were the same
as in that above described. The weight of this Hr.v--.jCi
was two pounds eight ounces ; the extent thirty "' "
eight inches. Another which was shot by the
Dean of St. Asaph, in October 1 794, was of the
first kind. Its extent was three feet one inch.

220 PEREGRINE FALCON. Class II.

its length eighteen inches and a half: the weight
only twenty four ounces and a half. It was
most excessively fat. As it was inferior in
weight to the other, it probably was a male
bird.

This species breeds on the rocks of Llan"
dudno in Caernart^onshire. That promontory
has been long famed for producing a generous
kind, as appears by a letter extant in Gloddaeth
library, from the lord treasurer Burleigh to an
ancestor of Sir Roger Mostyn, in which his
lordship thanks him for a present of a fine cast
of hawks taken on those rocks, which belong to
the family. They are also very common in the
north of Scotland, and arc sometimes trained
for falconry by some few gentlemen who still
take delight in this amusement in that part of
Great Britain. Their flight is amazingly rapid :
one that was reclamed by a gentleman in the
shire of Angus, a county on the east side of
Scotland, eloped from his master with two heavy
bells to each foot, on the twenty-fourth of Sep-
tember 1772, and was killed in the morning of
the twenty-sixth, near Mostyn, Flintshire.

Class II. GREY FALCON. 221

Falco griseus. F. cera palpebris bus albo maculatis. Lath. s. Grey.
pedibusque luteis, corpore su- Ind. orn.37. id. Syn. i. 82.

pra griseo, abdomine albo Falco griseus. Gm. Lin. 275.

maculis oblongis nigris, cau- Grey Falcon. Br. ZooL 65,
da cunei-formi longa, remi- ih. octavo, 137.
gibus rectricibusque laterali«

This kind was shot near Halifax in 1762, Descrip-

. TION.

and the following account transmitted to us by
Mr. Bolt 072, of TVorlij -dough. This bird was
about the size of a raven : the bill was strong,
short, much hooked, and of a bluish color ; the
cere, and edges of the eye-lids yellow; the
irides red ; the head was small, flatted at the
top ; the fore part of a deep brown ; the hind
part white. The sides of the head and throat
were creme colored; the belly white, marked
with oblong black spots ; the hind part of the
neck, and the back M'^ere of a deep grey. Th©
wings were very long, and when closed reached
beyond the tail ; the first of the quil feathers
were black, with a white tip ; the others were of
a bluish grey, and their inner webs irregularly
spotted with white : the tail was long, and wedge
shaped ; the two middle feathers being the long-
est, were plain, (the color not mentioned) the
rest spotted. The legs were long, naked; and
yellow.

22'2 GENTIL FALCON. Class II.

Q. Gentil. Falcogentilis. F. cerapedibusque Rati syn. av. Arct. Zool.

flavis, corpore cinereo maculis i. 237.

fuscis, Cauda fasciis quatuor Falk. Faun. Sitec. sp. 58.

nigricantibus. Lath. Ind. orn. Kram. Austr. 323.

2y. id. Syn. i. 64. id. Sup. VJ. Falco gentilis. Brun. No. 6.

■"'?.'.■: ; Cm. Li7i. 270. .Scopo/i, No. 3.

Gcntil Falcon. IPil. orn. 80. L'Autour. Bisf. dois. i. 230.

TION.

Descrip- XHIS species is larger than the goshawk, and
of an elegant make. Cere, and legs yellow;
irides light yellow; pupil large and of a full
black : head light inist color, with oblong black
spots. The whole under side from chin to tail
white, tinged with yellow ; each feather marked
with heart-shaped dusky spots pointing down ;
back brown ; quil feathers dusky, barred on the
out-most web with black, on the lower part of
the inner with white. Coverts of the wings, and
the scapulars, brown edged with rust color;
wings reach only one half the length of the tail.
The tail with four or five bars of black, and
the same of cinereous ; the first edged above
and below with a line of dull white ; the very
tips of all the tail feathers white.

The young birds vary in having on their breasts
transverse bars instead of cordated spots, as in
the specimen, P/«/e XXII. < . -z . . ,,

pi.:xxi

FALCON GEIsTTILi .

v^on:.i_.r. 222.

P1.3S1C

VO J. IP. 2 2 2

FAIiCON GENTIL

Ti.xan.

VOH.F.22S.

LATSTNKR

¥'.'; '

( ;

Glass II. ^ LANNER. ^ i ..- 223

- This species inhabits the north of Scotland,
and was in high esteem as a bold and spirited
bird in the days of falconry. It makes its nest
in rocks.

:.' .1^ ■^•■v^.^ .^u-,-',- ■■-■.' '\

Falco Lanarius. F. cera lutea. The Lanner. Wil. orn. 82. 10. Lanneu.

pedibus rostroque cseruleis, Arct. Zool. i. 260.

corpore subtus maculis nigris Lanarius. Rati syn. av. 15.

longitudinalibus. Xa^A. Ind. Falco Lanarius. Gm.ii'ra. 276.

prn. 38. id. Syn. i. 86. id. Sup. Faun. Suec. sp. 62.

^*Ai;%li* '^'^i-*^'^, ■'■ Le Lanier. Hist. dots, i.243.

XHIS species breeds in Ireland: the bird our
description is taken from, was caught in a decoy
in Lincolnshire, pursuing some wild ducks
under the nets, and communicated to us by
Taylor White Esq. undey tfetejGQiuii6;tQf lihe
Lanner.* . = '^'.^- -^ >-:"^ >^

It was less than the buzzard. The cere was Descrip-
of a pale greenish blue ; the crown of the head of
a brown and yellow clay color : above each eye,
to the hind part of the head, passed a broad white
line, and beneath each, a black mark pointing
downwards : the throat white ; the breast tinged
with dull yellow, and marked with brown spots
pointing downwards; the thighs and vent spotted
in the same manner ; the back and coverts of the

•* * 'Yht Lanner, though common in the norlliein parts of
Europe, is rarely met with in ErVsUmd. - J. I..V' •■i?''4iiiyy>':-j'- ■«'-'■

TIOIT.

224 LANNER. ' Class II.

wings deep brown, edged with a paler brown :
the quil feathers dusky ; the inner webs marked
with oval rust colored spots : the tail was spotted
like the Avings. The legs short and strong, and of
a bluish cast, which Mr. Willughby says, is the
character of that bird. We are here to observe,
that much caution is to be used in describing
the hawk kind, no birds being so liable to change
their colors the two or three first years of their
lives : inattention to this has caused the num-
ber of hawks to be multiplied far beyond the
reality. The marks to be attended to as form-
ing the characters of the species, are those on the
quil feathers and the tail, which do not change.
Another reason for the needless increase of the
species of this tribe of birds, is owing to the
names given to the same kinds in different
" periods of their lives, by the writers on falconry,
which ornithologists have adopted and described
as distinct kinds : even Mr. Ray has been ob-
liged to copy them. The falcon, the falcon
gentii, and the haggard, are made distinct
species, whereas they form only one : this is ex-
plained by a French author, who Avrote in the
beginning of the seventeenth century, and ef-
fectually clears up this point ; speaking of the
falcon, he tells us, " S'il est prins en Jii'm,
" Juilkt et Aoust, vous le nommerez Gsntii:

Ti.josjv:

The (tOSHAWK.

A'OL,.l.P.2 2 5

/^Ju/Zi

•^i^LASS 11.

GOSHAWK.

225

" si en Septembre, Octobre, Novembre ou De-
" cembre, vous le nommerez Pellerin ou P«5-
" sager : s'il est prins en Janvier, Feburier et
" 3fa7\<i, il sera nomme Antenere: et apres
" estre mue une fois et avoir chang^ son cer-
" ceau, non auparavant, vous le dires Hagar^
" mot Hebrieu, qui &ignifie estranger*."

Falco palumbarius F. cera nigra. Goshawk, accipiter palumba^
marginepedibusqueflav'iSjCor- this. Wil. av. 85. Arct
pore fusco, rectricibus fasciis
pallidis, superciliis albis. Lath.

Ind. orn. 2Q. id. Syn. i. 58. id.

Sup. l6. Gm. Lin. 20q.
Autour. Belon av. 112.
Gesner av. 5.
Aldr. av. i. 181.
Sih. Scot. 15.

Zool. i. 238.
Itaii Syn. av. 18.
L'Atour, Astur. Brisson av.

i. 317. Hist, d'ois. I. 230.

PI. Etil. 418. 461.
Grosser gepfeilter Falck.

Frisck. I. 82.
Astore. Zinan. 87.

II. Gos-
hawk.

XHE goshawk is larger than the common
buzzard, but of a longer and more elegant
form. The bill is blue towards the base, black
at the tip : the cere a yellowish green ; over
each eye is a white line ; and on the side of the
neck is a bed of broken white : the head, hind
part of the neck, back and wings are of a deep

Descrip-
tion.

* La fauconnerie de Charles d'Arcussia seigneur d'Esparron,
J). \4. 5mc edit. Paris ]607.

VOL. I. Q

^26 GOSHAWK. Class II.

brown color : the breast and belly white, beau-
tifully marked with numerous transverse bars
of black and white : the tail is long, of a brown-
ish ash-color, marked with four or five dusky
bars placed remote from each other. The legs
are yellow : the claw of the back, and that of
the inner toe very large and strong.
' This species and the span'ow hawk, are di-

stinguished by Mr. JPllliighby by the name of
short winged hawks, because their wings, when
closed, fall short of the end of the tail.
';^"'"'''^- The goshawk was in high esteem among fal-

coners, and flown at cranes, geese, pheasants
and partridges. It breeds in Scotland, and
builds its nest in trees; is very destructive to
game, and dashes through the woods after its
quarry with vast impetuosity ; but if it cannot
catch the object of its pursuit, almost immedi-
ately, desists, and perches on a bough till some
new game presents itself -^^^i^^-'y --nmi- , uotie

*' The female goshawk, as is usual among
tlie hawk tribe, is much larger than the male.
Young birds incline to grey, and have the
markings less clearly defined than in the adult.
This species is by no means uncommon in
America, but is in general larger. I observe it
also in drawings from India and China, under
the name of Ba/i2:e or Bair''' J. L.

PI innr.

VOL.1. F. 227-

SPOTTED FALCON.

Class U. SPOTTED FALCON. 227

[■■:■. o'nmun Mm h^^Bni ^^ :

Falco versicolor. F. cera flava, id. Syn. i. 74. Gm. Lin. 1%. Spotted.

^^- corpore supra albo et rufes- 272.

cente-fusco vario, uropygio Spotted Falcon, Br. Zool, p.

subtus albicante, pectore fer- 4- tah, 11.

rugineo maculato, remigibus Common Falcon, var. 10.

rectriclbusque fuscis saturatiore Shaw. Gen. Zool. vii. i27>
fasciatis. Lath. Ind. orn. 33.

X wo of these birds have been shot near Long-
7ior, Shropshire.

Size of a buzzard : bill black; cere and legs Descrip-
yellow : irides pale yellow : crown, and hind
part of the neck white, spotted with light reddish
brown : back and scapulars of the same color
edged with white. Quil feathers dusky barred
with ash color. Under side of the neck, breast,
belly, and thighs, white; the first, also the
beginning of the breast marked with a few rusty
spots ; rump white : middle feathers of the tail
barred with white, and a deep brown ; the others
with a lighter and darker brown. The legs
-very strong.

ci2

£28 ROUGH LEGGED FALCON. Class IL

13. Rough Faico lagopus. F. cera pedi- Roughlegged Falcon. Br .Zoo/.

LeggeDj busque pennatis luteis, corpere ii. App. 52g. ArcL ZooL i.

fusco exalbido vario, rectrici- 233. Dusky Falcon? il. i.

has fuscis basi dimidia apU 248.

ceque albis. Lath. Tnd. orn. IQ. Falco lagopus. Gm. Lin. 260.

id. Syn. i. 73. id. Sup. i. 18. Brumiich, No. 15. Leems.

'' ' - -- -- Lapon.236'. po^ .■■l.3.<:

XHIS species is a native of Denmarhy but
was shot near London, and was preserved in the
Leveinan museums ffcstvi^ Y^l^^'ssns^. mvk '3.H 1.
Descrip- ItS' length is two feet two inches ; that of the

TJON.

wing, when closed, eighteen inches ; the bill
dusky : the cere and irides yellow : the head,
neck and breast of a yellowish white, marked in
some parts with oblong brown strokes: the
belly of a deep brown; thighs and legs of a
pale yellow, marked with brown; the scapulars
blotched with brown and j^ellowish white ; co-
verts of the wings brown, edged with rust co-
lor; ends of tlie primaries deep brown; the
lower parts white : the extreme half of the tail
brown, tipt with dirty white ; the part next to
the body white. Legs covered with feathers as
low as the feet: feet yellow; claws black*, i:

* The editor received a specimen which had been shot in
Suffolk, exactly corresponding with the above description. An-

n.xxvL.

VOL.1: V. 221

ROUGH liEOGED FALCON.

*

Class IL^ ■ ^ODJfflflgtOaaJ ^mQOH ,229

Falco Milvus- F. cera flava, Raii Syn. av. 17- 14. Kite.

Cauda forficata, corpora ferru- Rother Milon. Kram. 326.

gineo, capite albidiore, Lalh. Falco Milvus. Gm. Lin. 26 1.

Ind. orn. 20. id, Syn. i.Qv.id. Glada. Faun. Suec. sp. 57. ;

Sup. i. 17. Le Milan royal. Brisson av.
Le Milan royal. Belon av. ]2Q. i. 414. Tal. 33. Hisf.
Milvus. Gesn. av. 6O9. d'Ois. 1. 197. PL E71I. 422^

Glede, Puttok, Kyte Turneri. Nibbio. Zinan. 82.

Milvio, Nichio. ^/ci. fli). i. 201. The Kite. Br. Zool 66. Tab.
Kite, or Glead. Wil. orn. 74. A. 2. Arct. Zool. i. 258.

Milvus. Plinii lib. x. c. 10. Glente. Brunnich 3. V

JL HE kite generally breeds in large forests, or
wooded mountanous countries ; its nest is made
externally with sticks, lined with several odd
materials, such as rags, bits of flannel, rope,
and paper. It lays two, or almost three eggs,
which, like those of other birds of prey, are much
rounded, and blunt at the smaller end ; they are
white, spotted with a dirty yellow. Its motion
in the air distinguishes it from all other birds,
being so smooth and even, as to be scarcely
perceptible ; sometimes it will remain quite
motionless for a considerable time; at others
glides through the sky, without the least appa-
rent action of its wings : from thence is derived
the old name of Glead, or Gl§de, jfronv the

other was killed in Flintshire, w\\\c\\ differed in some few re-
spects, chiefly in being of a much darker color. Its length was
two feet four inches, its extent near six feet. Ed.

QS6 KITE. Class It.

Saxon Glida. Lord Bacoji observes, that when
•■> ■ - • kites fly high, it portends fair and dry weather.
Some have supposed them to be birds of pas-
sage; but in England they certainly continue
the whole ^^ear. Clusius relates * that when he
was in London^ he observed a most amazing
number of kites that flocked there for the sake
of the offals, &:c. which were flung in the streets.
They were so tame as to take their prey in the
midst of the greatest crowds, and it was forbid-
den to kill them. " " "'- ' j-'^^^^*^ ■- :-^<^
" The tail of this kind is sufficient to distinguish
it from all other British birds of prey, being
forked. Pliny thinks that the invention of the
rudder arose from the observation men made
of the various motions of that part, when the
kite was steering through the air f . Certain it
is that the most useful arts were origmally co-
pied from animals ; however we may now have
improved upon them. Still in those nations
which are in a state of nature, (such as the Sa-
moieds and Esquimaux) their dwellings are in-
ferior to those of the beavers, wdiich those
scarcely human beings but poorly copy. '
Descrip- The weight of this species is forty-four

TION.

- * Belon ol-s. adjinem Clus. exot. 108. '' ' ■■'■ '^

f lidem videntur artem gubernandi docuisse caudae flexibus
Lih. X. c. 10.

Class II. KITE. 23L

ounces: the length twenty-seven inches: the

breadth five feet one inch. The bill is two

inches long, and very much hooked at the end :

the cere yellow : the irides of a straw-colon

The head and chin are of a light grey, in some,

white, marked with oblong streaks of black : the

neck and breast are of a tawny red, but the

middle of the feathers black. On the belly and

thighs, the spots are fewer, and under the tail

they almost vanish. The upper part of the

back is brown, the middle covered with very

soft white down. The five first quil feathers

are black; the inner webs of the others dusky ; -r.?

barred with black, and the lower edges white.

The coverts of the wings are varied with tawny

black and white : the tail is forked, and of a

tawny red : the outmost feather on each side of

a darker hue than the rest ; and marked with a

few obscure dusky spots : the thighs are covered

with very long feathers : the legs are yellow

and strong.

These birds differ in their colors. We have
seen a beautiful variety shot in Lincolnshire that
was entirely of a tawny color. \

'' Kites destroy great numbers of moles,
which frequently come to the surface of pasture
lands in search of caterpillars and insects. An
instance is on record of twenty two moles being

23f COMMON BUZZARD. CtAss it^

found in one kite's nest, as well as many frogs,
and unfledged birds. The species extends to
Africa, and is not unGOinmon in various parts
of India. We are of opinion that this and
the Barbary kite is one and the same, as it is
well known that the common species passes al-
ternately, spring and autumn, from Andalusia
in Spai?! to the coast of Barbary, being there
migratory, but it certainly is to be seen in En"
^/czw6? in all seasons." J. L. vf- ' : - . i

15. Buzzard. FalcoButeo. F. cera pedibusque Common Buzzard, or Pilttock.
luteis, corpore fusco, abdo- Wil. orn. 70.

mine pallido maculis fuscis, Wald Geyer. Kram. 329-

Cauda fusco fasciata. Lath. Falco Buteo. Gm. Lin. 2Q0.

',^,,,, ■ Ind. orn. 23. id. Syn.\. A%. id. Quidfogel. Faun. Suec sp.

Slip. i. 14. 60.

' Le Buse, ou Busard. Beloti au. La Buse. Brisson av. I. 406_

100. Hist. dOis. I. 206. PI Eni.

Buteo. Gesner. av. 46. 4lQ. ■. ^i;,.!;'-: -vf--,?

Busharda Turneri. Pojana. Zinan. 85. Scopoli
Buteo, seuTriorches. Aid. av. I. No. 4.

190. Br. Zool m. Tab. A- 3. Arct-
Triorches, Buteo. Pliniilib.x. Zool. i. 241.

^ c. 7. , .. Oerne Falk. Brunnich p. 5.

J?aiz (S^/K. av. 1 6. ■ -"■' •^>.

J- HIS bird is the commonest of the hawk
kind we have in England. It breeds in large
woods, and usually builds on an old crow's nest,
which it enlarges and lines with wool, and other

pi.:ssviL .

VOL. 1. p. 232.

BUZZJS.RD.

i i VUulV

'.j\>

CtAss n. COMMON BUZZARD/ ^S:

soft materials ; it lays two or three eggs, whiclr
are sometimes Avholly white ; sometimes spot-
ted with yellow. The cock buzzard will hatch
and bring up the young, if the hen is killed *.
The young consort with the old ones for . some
little time after they quit the nest ; which is not
usual with other birds of prey, who always
drive away their brood as soon as they can fly.;
This species is very sluggish and inactive ; and
is much less in motion than other hawks, re- .■ -■">
maining perched on the same bough for the
greatest part of the day, and is found at most
times near the same place. It feeds on birds,
rabbets, moles and mice; it will also eat frogs„
earth-worms and insects. 5 siir,.

. This bird is subject to some variety in its DEscRir-
colors; we have seen some whose breast and
belly were brown, and only marked across the
craw with a large white crescent : usually the
breast is of a yellowish white, spotted with ob-
long rust-colored spots, pointing downwards.
The chin is ferruginous ; the back of the head
and neck, and the coverts of the wings are of a
deep brown, edged with a pale rust color : the
scapular feathers brown, with white towards their
roots : the middle of the back is covered only

* Ray's Letters. 352.

234: COMMON BUZZARD. Class II.

with a thick white down : the ends of the qui!
feathers are dusky ; their lower exterior sides
,^^,t)y ,^ ash-colored; their interior sides blotched with
r^. •' '- darker and lighter shades of the same. The tail
is barred with black and ash-color, and some-
times with ferruginous ; the bar next the very
tip is black, and the broadest of all ; the tip it-
self of a dusky white. The irides are white,
tinged with red. The weight of this species is
Size. thirty-two ounces : the length twenty-two inches ;

the breadth fifty-two.

„,,..r " On the continent this bird like the kite is

' migratory, but we believe does not leave this

kingdom. It is very common here and in most

parts of Europe^ and with some variety in-

- ■ ' ' habits also several districts of North America ^

J. L.

'* h.' i>^t:t^'i.V55'fi.>d'^'^ ''. cijid i koi'nj Uk>0^'-'3i :i:y.A'

o

y-V

^LASs li. HONEY BUZZARD. ^33

Falco apivorus. F. cera nigra, Frosch-geyerl. Kram. 331. iS. Honey

pedibus seminudis flavis, ca- Falco apivorus. Gw. iiw- 267.

pite cinereo, caudse fascia ci- Slag-hok. Faun. Suec sp. 65.

nerea, apice albo. Lalh. Ind. La Bondree. Brisson av. i.

cm. 25. id. Syn. i. 52. id. Sup. 410. Hist. d'Ois. I. 208.

i. 14. PI- Eld. 420.

Le Goiran, ou Bondree. Belon Zinan, 84.

av. 101. Br. Zool. 67. Tab. A. 4. A*

^W. av. i. 191. 4. ^7-c/;. Zool. i. 26O.

Honey-Buzzard. /FzY. orn. 72. Muse-Hoeg, Muse-Baage^

J?a22 Syn. av. 16. Brunnich p. 5-

XHE weight of this species is thirty ounces : Descrip-
the length twenty-three inches; the breadth
fifty-two. The bill and cere are black ; the lat-
ter much wrinkled: the irides of a fine yellow:
the cro\\Ti of the head ash-colored : the neck,
back, scapulars, and covert feathers of the
wings, are of a deep brown : the chin is white ;
the breast and belly of the same color, marked
with dusky spots pointing downwards. The
tail is long, of a dull brown color, marked with
three broad dusky bars ; between each of which
are two or three of the same color, but narrow-
er. The legs are short, strong, and thick, and
of a dull yellow : the claws large and black.

After the publication of the folio Zoology^
Mr. FlxjinUy favored us with a variety of this
species, engraved in the additional plates, sup-

ess HONEY BUZZARD. Class 11.

posed to be a female, being shot on the nest : it
was entirely of a deep brown color, but had
much the same marks on the wings and tail as

"'':!^'''':...^J the male; and the head was tinged with ash
Eggs. color. There were two eggs in the nest,
blotched over with two .shades of red something
darker than those of the kestrel ; though Mr,
Willughby says they are of a different color :
that naturalist informs us, that this bird builds
its nest with small twigs, which it covers with
wool ; that its eggs are cinereous, marked with

^ . . : - darker spots : as he found the combs of wasps*
■ -'■ in the nest, he gave this species the name of the
honey-buzzard : he adds, that it feeds on th^
eruccE of those insects, on frogs, lizards, S^c,
and that it runs very swiftly like a hen. ; j '|
" This, in respect of Englaiid, must be con- '
sidered as a rare species, and like the common
buzzard varies nmch in its plumage, as well as
in tlie color of its eggs. It is, we believe, more
frequent on the continent, and is found in Russia
as well as in Sihiria, in wooded districts, where
lizards are plentiful, but is by no means com-r
mon any where." J. L. - ./

Pi.:ssr[iL

^^OLl 3 2 57

MOOR BUZZARD,

Ci^A^sII. MOOH BUZZAHDvH 237

Falc.o aeruginosas. F. cera vires- Falco aeruginosas. Gm. Lin, jy. Mooit
' cehte, cor|X)re griseo, vertice 267. -..-jsjii . ,->^ Buzzard.

gala axillis pedibusque luteis. Hoens-tjuf. Faun. Suec'spi;

Lath. Lid. orn. 25. id- Syn. i. 6Q. , ;,

53. id. Sup. i. 15. Pojana rossa. Ziria?*, 83.

Le fau-Perdrieux. Bdon aV' Le Busard de marais. Brisson
• ll'*^)'; tO'^T^^i^ £ - ""• i-^OI. Jlist. d'Ois. i.

Circus Acciprter. Gesner av. 218- PI. Enl. 423 i 424.

4^. ' ' ■ Schwartz-brauner Fisch-Gey-

Miiyus seruginosus. Aid. av. i, er mit dem gelben Kopf,
,. 203. Frisch. I. 77_

Moor Buzzard. TFil. orn- 75. Hoense Hoeg. Brunnich p. 5.

LiaiiSyn. av. 17. ^ Br. Zool. 67. Tab- A. 5. ArcL

Brauner rohr Geyer. Kram. 328. Zool i, 261.

species frequents moors, marshy places,
and heaths ; it never soars like other hawks,
but commonly sits on the ground, or on small
bushes : it makes its nest in the midst of a tuft
of grass or rushes : we have found three young
ones in it, but never happened to meet with the
eggs*: it is a very fierce and voracious bird,
and is a great destroyer of rabbets, young wild
ducks I, and other v*ater fowl... , It ^^Iso. preys,
like the Osprey, upon fish. "' 9'?3£l'r? ya^ sKh;:

* The eggs, in general four or five In number, are of a plain
white color. The Moor Buzzard will sometimes build its nest
in the fork of a large tree ; but the instance is rare. J. L.

^ In some places it is called the drick hav^k.

This

^38 MOOR BUZZARD. Class JlJ

TION.

Descrip- fts usual weight* is twenty ounces : the length
twenty-one inches; tlie breadth four feet three
inches. The bill is black ; cere yellow ; irides of
the same color: the whole bird, head excepted,
is of a chocolate brown, tinged with rust color :
on the head is a large yellowish spot. We have
seen some birds of this kind with their head
and chin entirely white ; others again have a
whitish spot on the coverts of the wings ; but
these are only to be deemed varieties. The
uniform color of its plumage, and the great
length and slenderness of its legs, distinguish it
from all other hawks.

* A pair of this species were brought at the same time to the
reverend Hugh Davies : the male weighed only sixteen ounces
and a half, th<i female thirty-six ounces- Eo.

-ij

-ou-r' ^

■?ij^: niH^d^bas' .^d'fi^\.

■^m

\fi^y-^j;i. : :

:? -^^r^ U^.a.^ "■?/5>^ >: '-T^vt

■^.

m^k

-:'i ^Si'" ••

,;X:7! >'!.:}■:

^; ■!(} f ino >;iyfitc ^n.;.

J,' J

dh^

j ry-i-^^A<

•■■f -r:h'{''f ^vtidd 'Of-'^-

PI.

^^OL.l. i'.ud.

HJE^sr T£ ^ 15- B_ I E R

Class IL

HEN HARRIER.

Q39

!V'n^>' ^fh :ja)--,(ifi,

-S ' jfitn'^W Uili^ii xli

Descrip-
tion.

jFalco cyaneus. F. cera alba. Blue Hawk. Edw. 22d. the 18. Hen-

pedibus fulvls, corpora coeru- male. xIarrieRo

leo-canesceate, arcu superci- Falco cyaneus. Gm. Lin. 276.

liari albo gulam cingente. Le Lanier cendrS. Brisson

(Mas.) Lath. ind. orn. SQ. av. u 365. the male. Hist.

. id. syn. i. 88. id. sup. i. 22. d'ois. i. 212. PI. Enl. 459.

Lanarius albus. Aldr. av. i. Br. Zool. 68. Tah.A.6.

197. Grau-weisse Geyer. Frisch.

Rubetarius Turneri. i. 79, 80.

JVil. orn. 70. Bnmnich 14. ■■{ - ^y<>.hi\/'

Rail sy?i. av. I7. -^s.' "i;*

XHE HEN-HARRIER WClghs about tWClvC

ounces: the length is seventeen inches; the
breadth three feet three inches. The bill is
black : the cere, irides, and edges of the eye-lids
yellow : the head, neck, back, and coverts of the
wings, are of a bluish grey : the back of the head
white, spotted with a pale brown ; the breast,
belly, and thighs, are white ; the former marked
with a fevv^ small dusky streaks : the scapular fea-
thers are of a deep grey, inclining to dusky : the
two middle feathers of the tail are entirely grey ;
the others only on their exterior webs ; the in-
terior being white, marked with dusky bars : the
legs yellow, long and slender.

240 RINGTAIL. Class IL

18. Ring- Falco cyaneus. F. cera pedibus- Le faucon a collier. Brisson

TAIL. que flavis, corpore cinereo, av. i. 345.

J^-EMALE. abdomine pallido, maculisob- Une autre oyseau St. Martin.

longis rufis, oculorum orbita Belon av. 104.

alba. (Femina.) Lath. ind. Rubetarius Turneri,

orn. 39. id. sup. i. 22, La soubuse. Hist. dots, i,

Subbuteo. Gesner. av.^%. 215. P/. jBn/. 443. 480.

Ringtail. Pygargus accipiter. Brunnicli No. 14.

Ran syn. av. 17. WiL orn. Br. Zool. 68. Tah. 4. 7,

70. . Arct. Zool. 1. 243.

TION.

^^111^-!^' XHE RINGTAIL weighs sixteen ounces; is
twenty inches long; and three feet nine inches
broad. The cere and irides are yellow : on the
hind part of the head, round the ears to the chin,
is a wreath of short stiff feathers of a dusky hue,
tipt with a reddish white ; on the top of the
head, and the cheeks, the feathers are dusky,
bordered with rust color ; under each eye is a
white spot : the back is dusky ; the rump white,
with oblong yellowish spots on each shaft. The
tail is long ; the two middle feathers marked
with four dusky, and four broad cinereous bars ;
the others with three black, and three tawny
bars ; but the tips of all, white. The breast and
belly are of a yellowish brown, with a cast of
red, and marked with oblong dusky spots, but
they are subject to vary, for we have met with
one specimen that had these parts entirely plain.

CtAffsIt RINGTAIL. 241

The legs in color and shape resemble those of
the preceding.

These birds are extremely destructive to
young poultry, and to the feathered game : they
fly near the ground, skimming the surface in
search of prey. They breed on the ground, and
never are observed to settle on trees. JVilliigh-
hy says, that the eggs are white, much besmear-
led with red. "« f

In the earlier editions of the British Zoology ^
the hen harrier and the ringtail were consi-
dered as the same species, and it is certain that
the opinion was well founded. In the last edi-
tion Mr. Pennant says, " The ringtail has ge- ^
" nerally been supposed to be the female of the
*' former ; but from some late observations by
*' the infallible rule of dissection, males have
" been found of this species." Doctor Latham
in the first volume of the supplement to his
Synopsis of birds, has treated the subject much
at length, and with his usual accuracy. He ac-
counts for the circumstance, which deceived ]\Ir.
Pennant, of a male being observed v/ith the
plumage of the ringtail, from its being ascer-
tained that it does not assume the grey color till
the second year. M. Beckstein, in the GemC'
mniissige Natiirf: Deutsch: says, that the heii '

VOL. I. R

242 M RINGTAIL. Class II.

harrier does not complete its paler plumage till
the fourth year. Could any doubts have how^
ever remained, they must now be removed by
the observations of Mr. Montagu, communicated
in the ninth volume of the Linncean Transac-
tions. He obtained in 1805 a brood of young
birds, two of which proved to be females, and
one male ; during the first autumn and the fol-
lowing winter, their plumage resembling that of
the ringtail, was similar. In the ensuing July, the
male threw out several grey feathers, particu-
larly on the coverts of the wings. On the 20th
of Augiist, the greater part of the quil and tail
feathers were grown to their full length, and a
■gradual increase of grey feathers appeared on
most other parts ; the eyes also, which had beeri
previously lighter than those of the female, became
more orange. In the month of October, when
it was killed, the plumage of the ringtail still
remained about the neck, the smaller coverts of
-the wings the thighs and part of the belly, in-
termixed with the male plumage ; the top of the
head and wreath had also a mixture of the fea-
thers of both sexes ; the quils, scapulars, and
tail were completely masculine ; in the last of
these, there were a few small broken bars of
cinereous brown on a white ground, in the three
outer feathers, the exterior margin cinereous

Class II. ASH-COLORED FALCON. ^ 243

grey; the six middle feathers were almost
wholly grey, and the markings very obscure be-r
neath. Ed. ^

Ash-colored Falcon. Mont.or?i. Falco hyemalis. Gm. Lin. ^9- AsH-
dict. id. Lin. Tr. ix. 188. 274. Palcon'!

SSjl^. Montagu adds to the list of British
falcons, a species shot in Wiltshire, which re-
sembles the hen harrier in many respects, but
differs in the want of the wreath of short
feathers round the head, and in the greater re-
lative length of wing and tail. Another speci-
men, a male, was killed in Devonshire in 1 803.
The weight of this was nine ounces and three Descrip-
quarters ; its length eighteen inches ; its extent
three feet eight inches and a half Bill black,
base and cere greenish ; irides bright yellow ;
crown of the head, cheeks, throat, under part of
the neck and upper breast, dark ash-color:
upper part of the neck, back and scapulars
cinereous brown ; greater covers the same ; the
eight prime quils dusky black; secondary quils
cinereous brown above, pale beneath, with three
remarkable dusky bars across them, nearly in
parallel lines, each half an inch in breadth, one
only of which is to be seen on the upper side
of the wing, on the under part two of these

R 2

TION.

244

KESTREL.

Class II.

bars are very conspicuous. The under parts
of the body and thighs white, with a broad
streak of bright bay dowii the shaft of each fea-
ther : the tail rather cuneiform, the two middle
feathers dark brown or dusky, the rest dark ash-
color marked on the inner webs with four equi-
distant bars ; the legs orange yellow, rather long
and slender : the claws small and black. Ed.

£0. Kestrel. FalcoTinnuncalus. 1". cera pe-
dibusque flavis, dorso rufo
punctis nigris, peclore striis
fuscis, Cauda rotundata. Lath.
'■■ - Ind. orn. 41. id. Sijn. i. g4. id.

Sup. i. 25.

LaCresserelle. Belon ai\ 125.

Gesner av. 54.

Kistrel, Kastrel, or Steingal^

■ Turneri.

Aldr. av. 188.

The Kestril, Stannel, Stone-

' gall. Windhover. Wil. orn.

- 84.

Rati syn. av. l6.

La Cresserelle. Brisson av. i.

; 393. Hist, d'ois. i. 280. PL
Enl. 401. 471.

Wlndvvachl, Rittlweyer,

Vv^annenweher. Kram^

331.
Roethel-Geyer. Frisch. i. 84.

J'cem. Mause-Falck. Frisch.

i. 88.
Falco thmunculus. Gm. Li)i.

278.
Kyrko-Falk. Faun. Suec. sp.

61.
Kirke-Falk. Brunnick4, 5.
Gheppio, Acertello, Gavi-

nello. Zinan. 88.
Br. Zool. 68. plate A, Arci.

Zool. i. 261.
Postoka, Splintza, Skoltsch*

ScopoU. No. 5. -- -■" - ■•■

Descrip- X HE male of this beautiful species weighs
only six ounces and a half:, its length is fourteen

TION.

Class II. KESTREE. U^

inches: thebreadthtwo feet three inches r- The ' -

cere and legs yellow : irides dark. Its colors

at once distinguish it from all other hawks : the

croAvn of the head, and the greater part of the

tail, are of a fine light grey, the lower end of

the latter is marked Avith a broad black bar : the

inner webs of the three feathers next the two

rniddle barred with black ; the tips wliite : the

back and coverts of the wings are of a brick redj

elegantly spotted with black : the interior sides

of the quil feathers are dusky, deeply indented

with white. The whole under side of the bird^

of a pale rust color, spotted with black; the

thighs and vent only, plain.

The female weighs eleven ounces : the color Female.
of the back and wings are far less bright than
those of the male : it differs too in the colors of -
the head and tail ; the former being of a pale
reddish brown, streaked with black ; the latter
of the same color, marked with numerous trans-
verse black bars : the breast is of a dirty yel-
dowish white ; and the middle of each feather
Jias an oblong dusky streak, pointing downwards.

The kestrel breeds in the hollows of trees, in
the holes of hifj;h rocks, towers and ruined build-
ings: it lays four eggs, of the same color
with those of the Rinstail. Its food is field
mice, small birds and insects, which it will dis>-
icover at a great distance, lliis is the hawk

ti6 KESTREL. Class 11.

We so frequently see in the air fixed in one
place, and as it were fanning it with its wings ;
at which time it is watching for its prey. It
flings up the indigested fur and feathers in form
of a round ball. While falconry was in use in
Great Britain J this kind was trained for catch-
ing small birds and young partridges.

A few winter in Italy ; the greater part mi-
grate in September.

Dr. Latham in the second volume p. 44. of
the supplement to his Synopsis of birds, de-
scribes a Kestrel, shot in Surrey, which varied
in color from the common sort. Its length was
fourteen inches ; the bill pale with a black tip :
cere and legs yellow ; the forehead over the nos-
trils white ; the head grey, streaked with black,
under the eye a black mark like a whisker; the
back of a rufous brick color, with a spot of black
at the tip of each feather ; the rump pale ash ;
all the under parts of the body of a pale rufous
white, streaked with black down the shafts ; the
thighs the same, with an occasional spot of
black ; the chin and vent nearly white ; the
wing coverts crossed with black bars ; the quil
dusky, barred within with reddish vvhite ; the
tail of a pale rufous ash-color, barred on each
side the shafts with black, those on the inner
ivebs most complete, and all the feathers marked

.Class H.

HOBBY.

4gi7

at the end for an inch with a bar of black, but
.the very tips quite pale. This he conjectures
.to be a male kestrel in the first years plum-
age, and to be Eperv'ier des Alouettes of Bris-
£Qn* Ed.

; " The kestrel is common on the continent, as
:well as in England. We have seen it represent-
ed both in Chinese drawings, and among those
from India. It is observed in the south oi Spain
throughout the year." J. L.

Falco Subbuteo. F. cera pedibus-
que flavis, dorso fusco, nucha
alba, abdomine pallido macu-
lis oblongis fuscis, crisso fe-
moribusque rufis Lath Ind.
orn. 47. id. Syn. i 103. id.
Sup. i. 28.
,Le Hobreau. Belon av. 118.
Gesnerav. To.fcem.
Hobbia Turneri.
-JEsalon. Aldr. av. i. 187.
,The Hobby. Wil. orn. 83.

Le Hobreau, Dendro-falco. 22. Hobby.

Brissonav 1.375. Hist. d'ois.

i. 277. Pl.Enl. 431. 432.
Ttaii syn. av. 15.
Falco Subbuteo. Gm. Lin.

283. ^ - ^

Faun. Suec. sp. 5Q.

Barletta. Lurenzi av. 45. " -'

Stein-Falck. Frisck. i. 86.
Laerke-Falk. Brunnich 10, 11.
Br. Zool. 69 plate A. 9.

Arct. Zool. i. 262. . ;

XHIS bird was also used in the humbler kind
of falconry ; particularly in what was called dar-
ing of larks : the hawk was cast off; the larks
aware of their most inveterate enemy, are fixed
to the ground through fear, which makes them

* Brisson orn. i. p. 379. 22.

J;t;:A

MS HOBBY, - Class IL

ia ready prey to the fowler, by drawing a net
'over them. The hobby is a bird of passage,
'but breeds * in England; it migrates in October.
Descrip- ■ The male weighs seven ounces : the length
is one foot ; the breadth two feet three inches.
'The cere and orbits are yellow : irides hazel :
tipper mandible furnished with a process:
above each eye a white line : the crown of
the. head and back are of a deep bluish
black : the hind part of the head is marked
with two pale yellow spots ; each cheek with
a large black one pointing downwards : the
.i.i ■' : coverts of the wings are of the same color
with the back, but slightly edged with rust
color : the interior webs of the secondary and
■ quil feathers, are varied vvith oval transverse red-
dish spots. The breast white, marked Vvith ob-
long spots of black : thighs and vent feathers,
pale orange : the two middle feathers of the tail
, are entirely of a deep dove color ; the others are
barred on their interior sides with rust color,
. and tipt vvith a dirty white : legs yellow. The
Femali;. spots on the breast of the female are of a higher

* It makes its nest on a lew tree, and eyen on a moderate
sized hawthorn ; sometimes lays in an old crow's nest ; the
eggs are three or four in numher, and said to be of a white color.
/\s far as we can learn, it is migratory in every place where it is
found. J. L. .. ■

Class IL

SPARROW HAWK.

249

color than those of the male : it is greatly supe-
rior in size ; its legs have a tinge of green, in
other respects it resembles the former, -rim |ycr:

Palco Nisus. F. cera viridi, pedi-
bus flavis, abdomine griseo
undulato, cauda fasciis nlgri-
cantibus. Lath. Ind. orn. 44.
id. Syn. i. gg. id. Sup. i. 26.

ii'Espervier. Belonav. 121.

Gesner av. 51.

Sparhauc Turneri.

Accipiter fringillarius, spar-

- viero. Aldr. av. i. 183.

Will. orn. 86.

L'Epervier, accipiter. Brisson
av. i. 310. Hist, d'ois. i.

omjM

■^xi^j^yQ

-.^0)

.vf'M^'^iK

225. PL Enl. 467.

22. Spakrow

412.

Hawk.

Rail syn. av. 18.

Sperber. Frisch. i. gO, gi.

Kra7n. 332.

Falco Nisus. Gm. Lin. 280.

.•'-:-". .'I

Sparfhoek. Faun. Suec. sp.

69.

Spurre-hoeg. Brunnick p. 5.

Scopoli. No. 6.

Br. Zool.Gg. plate A. 10. A.

11. Arci. Zool.i. 262.

■/!':a--

A- HE difference between the size of the male
and female sparrow hawks, is more dispropor-
tionate than in most other birds of prey ;
the former sometimes scarcely weighing five
ounces, the latter nine ounces. The length
of the male is about twelve inches, the breadth
twenty-three : the female is fifteen inches long ;
in breadth twenty-six. These birds, as well
as the hawk kind in general, vary greatly in
their colors ; in some, the back, head, co-
verts of the wings and tail, are of a deep
bluish grey ; in others of a deep brown, edged

Descrip-
tion.

t250 SPARROW HAWK. Class TI.

t^'ith a rusty red : the quil feathers are
dusky, barred with black on their exterior v/ebs,

<3U f and spotted with white on the lower part of

"'■ their inner webs : the tail is of a deep ash color

marked with five broad black bars, the tip

.. . white : the breast and belly are of a W'liitish

,:; '.. yellow, adorned with transverse waved bars ; in

some of a deep brown color, in others orange.

The cere, irides, and legs yellow. The colors

Female, of the female differ from those of the male: the
head is of a deep brown ; the back, and co-
yerts of the vdngs, are dusky mixed with dove
color ; the coverts of the tail of a brighter dove
color ; the waved lines which cross the breast,
are more numerous than those on that of the
male ; and the breast itself of a purer white. ^ ,

Masmeks. . This is the most pernicious haAvk we have ;
and makes great havoke among pigeons, as well
as partridges. It builds in hollow trees, in old
nests of crows, large ruins, and high rocks : lays

-- : .: four white eggs, encircled near the blunter end
.with red specks. Mr. IVillughbij places this
among the short- winged hawks ; or such whose
wings, when closed, fall short of the end of the
toil.

,^ " The sparrow hawk, as well as the hobby,
iwas formerly used in Falconry. A beautiful
Variety, wholly white, is in the collection of
General Daxues''' J. L.

Class II. MERLIN. , 251

Falco JEsalon. F. cera pedibus- Merllna TurnerL 23. Mer-

,, (jue flavis, capite ferrugineo, Smerlus, Smerillus. Aldi.av. lin.*

corpore supra coerulescente- i. I87.

'I" cinereo iiiaculis striisque fer- TVil. orn. 85. ..j- .'lil

>- _riigmeis, subtus flavioante- Rail syn. nv. 15. v ■ ,

r albo, maculis oblongis. Lath. L'Emerillon. Brisson av. i. ■ -

^'' Ind. orn. 4Q. id. St/n. 1. IO6. 382. HisL dois. i. 288.

y.i.«U Sup. \.2g. PL Enl. 468.

Falco iEsalon. Gni. Lin. 284. Smerlio, o Smeriglio. Lorenzi

L'Esmerlllon. Belon av. 118. av. tab. 18, I9.

JEsalon. Gesnerav.44. £r. Zoo/. 70. plate A. 12. ' ■,

J- HE merlin weighs nearly five ounces and a Descrip-
half : its length is twelve inches, its breadth ^^°^*
twenty five. The bill is of a bluish lead color : . ' .
the cere of a lemon color : the irides very dark,
almost black : the head is ferruginous, and each
feather is marked with a bluish black streak '

along the shaft. The back and wings are of a
deep bluish ash color, adorned with ferruginous
streaks and spots, and edged with the same : the
quil feathers are almost black, marked with red-
dish oval spots : the under coverts of the wings
brown, beautifully marked with round white
spots. The tail is five inches long, crossed with
aJternate bars of dusky and reddish clay color ;
,on some of the feathers of the same bird are

* Merularius; quia merulas insectatiir. Skinner. '.

^50, 3IERLIN. Class IT.

thirteen, on some fifteen, but in one bird I ex-
amined, were no more than eight bars. The

_-. ' - - breast and belly are of a yellowish white, mark ^
ed with oblong brown spots pointing downwards :
the legs yellow : the wings when closed reach
within an inch and a half of the end of the tail.

Man^^ers. This and the preceding kind were often trained
for hawking : and this species, small as it is, was
inferior to none in point of spirit : it was used
for taking partridges, which it would kill by a
single stroke on the neck. The merlin flies low,
and is often seen along the sides of roads, skim-
^K ming from one side of the hedges to the other^

in search of prey. • • - . . - . .

It does not breed*^ in England, but migrates
here in October, about the time that the Hobby
disappears ; for the lark-catchers observe that
in September they take no merlins but abun-
dance of hobbies : but in the following month^
merlins only.

* Dr. Latham says It breeds occasionally in Cumberland, and
forms its nest on the ground like the ringtail. iNIr. Montagu
found three half grown merlins, in the middle of a high clump
of heath upon the moors in i\"orM?/?;z^e?7o?ic?. Ed. ; ;

. " Beckstein states, that it builds in higli trees, and lajcs
five or six whitish eggs, marked with bro\\n spots. In Thu-
ringia it is rarely seen in the summer, but during the autumn
and winter, is plentiful in the forests and mountainous districts."

Class II. .MERLIN. ^'- 25<

It was known to our British ancestors by the
name of llamysden ; was used in hawking ; and
its* nest was valued at twenty-four pence. They
made use of four other species, but have left us
only their names ; the hebog or hawk, whose
nest was estimated at a pound ; the gwalcJis or
falcon's at one hundred and twenty pence ; the
Jiwyedig's or long winged, at twenty-four pence ;
and a species called cammin or crooked bill, at
four pence. The penhebogydd or chief falconer,
held the fourth place at the court of the Welsh
prince : but notwithstanding the hospitality of
the times, this officer was allowed only three
draughts out of his horn, least he should be fud-
dled and neglect his birds, f

* Leges IValliecE, 253. f lb. 24.

'25i EAGLE OWL. Class II:

GENUS IL OWL. ^

Head large round. ' ;

Bill strong hooked, no cere.

Feathers round the face disposed in a circular

form.
Toe outmost, capable of being turned back,

and doing the office of a hind toe.
Tongue divided.

EARED.

J.E.iCiLE. Strix Bubo. S. capite auriculato. Berg Uggle, Katugl hane,

corpore rufo. Lath. hid. dm. Strom. Sondm. 222.

51. id. S)jn. i. Il6. id. Sup. i. Buhu. Kram. Austr. 323.

40. Sova. Scopoli. No. 7.

Bubo maximus nigri et fusci Le grand d uc. i?rmo«. i. 477.

coloris. Sid. Scot. 14. Hist. dois. i. 332. Tab.

Great Owl, or Eagle Owl. JVil. 22. PI. Enl. 385. 435.

orn. 99. Rail Syn. av. 24. Eagle Owl. Br. Zool. Fol.

Strix Bubo. Gm. Lin. 286. 4. Tah. vi. Arct. Zool. i.

Uff. Faun. Suec. No. 69. 263.

X HE eagle owl has been shot in Scotland and
in Yorkshire.* It inhabits inaccessible rocks
and desert places ; and preys on hares and fea-

* Also in Kent and Sussex. J. L.

Tl.XSK

VOL.1. P. 256.

EAGLE OTVL

'r 'Uli^^^J■■^

Class II. EAGLE OWL. 255

thered game. Its appearance in cities was
deemed an milucky omen ; Rome itself once
underwent a lustration, because one of them
strayed into the Capitol. The antients had
them in the utmost abhorrence, and thought
them, like the screech owls, the messengers of '
death. Pliny styles it Bubo funehis et noctis
monstrum.

Solaque culminihiis ferali carmine Bubo
Scepe queri et longas infietum ducere voces.

Virgil.

Perch'd on the roof the bird of night complains.
In lengthen'd shrieks, and dire funereal strains.

In size it is almost equal to an eagle. The Descrip-
irides are bright yellow ; the head and whole
body finely varied with lines, spots and specks of
black, brown, cinereous, and ferruginous; the
wings are long; the tail short, marked with
dusky bars ; the legs thick, covered to the very
end of the toes with a close and full down of a
testaceous color j the claws great, much hooked
and dusky."^ -• - "'' ' ,^^^ ... .. "^^ ;.;^ ..^^^,

*' The female lays two eggs the size of thos^
of a hen, and white. ^. J^ Lj, .„,^ ...,, I

TION.

VOL. I.

258

LONG EARED OWL. Class IL

2. Long
Eared.

Descrip-
tion.

StrixOtus. S. capite aurlto pen-

nis senis. Lath. Ind. orn. 53.

id. Syn. i. 121. id. Sup. i.

42.
L'Hibou cornu. Belon av. 136.
Gesner av. 635.
Asio, seu Otus. Aldr. av. i.

265.
The Horn Owl. Wil. orn.lQO.
Rail Syn. av. 25.
!Noctua aurita. Sil. Scot. 14.
Strix otus. Gm. Lin. 286.
Le moyen Due ou le Hibou.

Brisson av. i. 486. Hist.

dois. i. 342. Tab. 23.
Horn-uggla. Faun. Suec. sp,

71-
Hasselquist itin. 233.
Horn Ugle. Brunnich l6.
Horn-eule. Kram. 323.
Mala Sova. Scopoli, No. Q.
Rothe Kautzlein. Frisch, i.

99-
Br. Zod. Plate 4. f. 1. Arct.
Zool. i. 264.

XHIS species is found, though not frequently,
in the north of England, in Cheshire and in
TVales. The weight* of the female, according
to Mr. JVillughbij (for we never had an oppor-
tunity of weighing it) is ten ounces : the length
fourteen inches and a half: the breadth three
feet four inches. The irides are of a bright
yellow; the bill black; the circle of feathers
surrounding the eyes is white tipt with reddish

* In one I weighed of eight ounces and an half only, the
length was twelve inches and an half, the breadth two feet ; this
was a male. It is not an uncommon species, and remains with
us throughout the year. The eared tuft is composed of nine fea-
thers each, of which the front one is the shortest, and the fifth
the longest. A nest of this species was found in a tree covered
with ivy, which contained three white eggs. Mr. Hutchins in-
formed me they are common at Hudson s Bay. J. L.

PI.

VOh.J.P.25^.

liOISTG -BARED O^WIi.

Class II. LONG EARED OWL. . 1^

and dusky spots, and the part next the bill

black ; the breast and belly are of a dull yellow,

marked with slender brown strokes pointing

downwards ; the thighs and vent feathers are of

the same color, but unspotted. The back and

coverts of the wings are varied with deep brown • ■

and yellow ; the quil feathers of the same color,

but near the ends of the outermost is a broad

bar of red ; the tail is marked with dusky and

reddish bars, but beneath appears ash colored ;

the horns or ears are about an inch long, and

consist of nine feathers variegated with yellow

and black; the feet are feathered down to the

claws. ; ; •. : ' ■ •■ •

S60

SHORT EARED OWL. Class II.

3. Short Strix brachyotos. S. capite au-

Eared.

rito penna solitaria, corpore
fiisco subtus flavescente lon-
gitudinaliter striate, rectrici-
bus fuscis, intermediisj 4
macula lutea pupilla fusca.
Lath. Ind. orn. 55. id. Syn.
i. 124. id. Sup. i. 43. Sjip.
ii. 56.
Strix brachyotos. Gm. Lin.
289.

La Choiiette ou la grande

cheveche. Hist, dois, i.

372. Tab. xxvii. PL Enl,

438.
Moyen due ou hibou. PL

EnL 29. ?
PhiL Trans. Ixii. 384.
Br. ZooL 71. Tab. B- 3. and

B. 4. Fig. 2. Arct. ZooL i.

265.

X HE horns of this species are very small, and
consist of only a few feathers ; these it can raise
or depress at pleasure ; in a dead bird they are
with difficulty discovered. This kind is scarcer
than the former. Both are solitary birds, avoid-
ing inhabited places. They may be called long
winged owls ; the wings when closed reaching
beyond the end of the tail, whereas in the com-
mon kinds, they fall short of it.

This is a bird of passage,* and has been ob-
served to visit Lincolnshire, the beginning of
October., and to retire early in the spring ; so
probably, as it performs its migrations with the
woodcock, its summer retreat is Norzcay. Dur-
ing the day it lies hid in long old grass : when

* In some parts o£ England it is, on account of its periods of
migration, called the U'oodcock owl. Ed.

pi.xsxn.

VOL.l.r.260.

siTo:aT EAREn ifwij.

Class II. SHORT EARED OWL. S6l

disturbed, it seldom flies far, but will light and
sit looldng at its observer, at which time the
horns may be seen very distinctly. It has not
been known to perch on trees, like other owls :
it will also fly in search of prey in cloudy hazy
weather. Farmers are fond of seeing these
birds in their fields, as they clear them from
mice. It is found frequently on the hill oi Hoy
in the Orknies, where it flies about and preys
by day like a hawk. I have also received this
species from La7icash'ire, which is a hilly and
w^ooded country : and my friends have also sent
it from New England and NeivfoundlandJ^

The length of the short eared owl is fourteen Descrip-
inches ; its extent three feet ; its weight four-
teen ounces. The head is small and hawk-like ;
the bill is dusky ; the circle of feathers that im-
mediately surrounds the eyes is black ; the larger
circle white, terminated with tawny and black ;
the irides yellow ; the feathers on the head,
back, and coverts of the wings, are brown edged
with pale dull yellow ; the breast and belly are
of the same color, marked with a few long nar-
row streaks of brown pointing downwards ; the
thighs, legs and toes, are covered with plain

* It is common at HudsorCs Bay, and Is there said to make a
nest of dry grass on the ground ; the eggs are white. It visits
that country in May and departs in September. J. L.

TIOS.

SHORT EARED OWL, Class IL

yellow feathers; the quil feathers are dusky,
barred with red ; the tail is of a very deep brown,
adorned on each side the shaft of the four middle
feathers with a yellow circle which contains a
brown spot; the tip of the tail is white. ;; . ;:I

The short eared owl appears to me to be La
Chouetfe of the coynte de Buffon, and his moyen
due ou hiboii, Tab. 29 of the PL Enl. In p.
102 of my index to his Ornithologie and the
Planches enhiminees I have endeavoured to
clear up the confusion which the illustrious
writer has introduced on the subject.*

The other Europeaji horned owl, the little
horn owl, Seops or Petit Due of M. de Buffon^
I. S5^. is unknown in Great Britain.^

* Arct. Zool i. 266.

■f An intelligent friend lately informed the editor, that, in his
younger days, he shot in Dorsetshire, a small horned owl, and
that another was seen in the same county, about that period :
the bulk of the body was superior to that of the blackbird, and
nearly equal to the magpye's. Might it have been the Scops or
a variety of the Long eared owl ? Ed.

Class II. WHITE OWL. 263-

** SMOOTH HEADED.

Strixflammea. S. capite laevi, Raii Syn. av. 25. 4. White.

corpore luteo punctis albis, Le petit Chat-huant. Brisson

subtus albido punctis nigri- av. i. 503.

cantibus. La(h. Ind.orn. 60. Allocco. Zinan. Qg.

id. Syn. 138. id. Sup. i. 46. Strix flammea. Gm. Lin. 2Q3.

Belon av. 143.* Faun. Suec. 73.

Aluco minor. J/c?r. ay, i. 272. L'Effraie. Hist, d'ois. i. 3QQ.
Commonbarn,whIte,orchurch PI. Enl. 440.

Owl, Howlet, madge How- Perl-Eule. Frisch, i. 97,

let, Gillihowter. fVil. orn. Br. Zoo/. 7 1. plate B. Arct.

104. Zool. i. 272.

XHIS species is almost domestic; inhabiting
for the greater part of the year, barns, haylofts,
and other outhouses ; and is as useful in clear-
ing those places from mice, as the congenial
cat: towards twilight it quits its perch, and
takes a regular circuit round the fields, skim-
ming along the ground in quest of field mice,
and then returns to its usual residence : in the
breeding season it takes to the eaves of churches,
holes in lofty buildings, or hollows of trees.
During the time the young are in the nest, the
male and female alternately sally out in quest

* This refers only to the figure, for his description means the
Goatsucker.

2G4 WHITE OWL. Class IT.

of food, make their circuit, beat the fields with
the regularity of a spaniel, and drop instantly
on their prey in the grass. They very seldom
stay out above five minutes j return with their
prey in their claws; but as it is necessary to
shift it into their bill, they always alight for that
purpose on the roof, before they attempt to en-
ter their nest.

This species I believe does not hoot, but
snores and hisses in a violent manner; and
while it flies along, will often scream most tre-
mendously. Its only food is micej as the
young of these birds keep their nest for a great
length of time, and are fed even long after they
can fly, many hundreds of mice will scarcely
suffice to supply them with food.

Owls cast up the bones, fur or feathers of
their prey in form of small pellets, after they
have devoured it, in the same manner as hawks
do. A gentleman, on grubbing up an old pol-
lard ash which had been the habitation of owls
for many generations, found at the bottom
many bushels of this rejected stuff". Some owls
will, when they are satisfied, hide, like dogs, the
remainder of their meat.
Descrip- The elegant plumage of this bird makes
amends for the uncouthness of its form. A circle
of soft white feathers surrounds the eyes ; the

Class II. WHITE OWL. 265

upper part of the body, the coverts and secon-
dary feathers of the wings are of a fine pale
yellow; on each side the shafts are two grey
and two white spots placed alternately ; the ex-
terior sides of the quil feathers are yellow ; the
interior white, marked on each side with four
black spots ; the lower side of the body is wholly
white ; the interior sides of the feathers of the
tail are white ; the exterior marked with some
obscure dusky bars. The legs are feathered to
the feet ; the feet are covered with short hairs,
and the edge of the middle claw is serrated.
The usual weight of this species is eleven
ounces ; its length fourteen inches ; its breadth
three feet.

266

TAWNY OWL.

Class II.

5. Tawny Strix striclula. S. capite lasvi.
Owl. corpore ferrugineo, remige

tertio longiore. Lath. Ind.

orn. 58. id. Syn. i. 139.
Ulula. Gesner av. 773.
Strix. Aldr. av. i. 285.
Common brown or ivy Owl.

IFil. orn. 102.
Raii Syn. av. 25.
Le Chat huant. Brisson av. i.

500. Hist, d'ois. i. 362. PL

Enl. 437.
Strige. Zinan, 100. Scopoli,

No. 12. .

Strix strldula. Gm. Lin. 294.
Skrik uggla. Faun. Suec. 77.
Strix Orientalis. Hasselquist

itin. 233.
Nacht Eule, Gemeine. Kram.

324.
Braune-Eule, or Stock-Eule?

Frisch, i. gQ.
Nat Ugle. Brunnich 18.
Br. Zool. 72. plate B. 3.

Arct. Zool I. 275.

JL HIS is the Strix oi Aldro'vandus, and what we
call the Screech Owl, to which the folly of su-
perstition had given the power of presaging
death by its cries. The antients believed that
it sucked the blood of young children ; a fact
not incredible, for Hasselquisf' describes a
species found in Syria, w^iich frequently in the
evening flies in at the windows, and destroys the
helpless infant.

Nocte volant puerosque petunt nutricis egentes,
Et vitiant cuneis corpora rapta suis.
Carpere dicuntur lactentia viscera rostris,
Et plenum poto sanguine guttur habent.

* Itin. 255.

Class II. TAWNY OWL. 267

Est illis strigibus nomen, sed nominis hujus
Causa qiiod horrenda stridere nocte solent.

Ovid. Fast. VI. 135. '

This is the bird Shakespeare describes so
poetically in the Midsummer Night's Dream,
as the omen of death in the mouth of Puck,

Now the wasted brands do glow.

Whilst the scritch-owl scritching loud
Puts the wretch that lies in woe

In remembrance of a shroud. _. . " . ••'.

TION.

The female of this species weighs nineteen Descrip-
ounces ; the length is fourteen inches ; the
breadth two feet eight inches. The irides are
dusky; the ears in this, as in all owls, very
large, and their sense of hearing very exquisite.
The color of this kind is sufficient to distinguish
it from every other; that of the back, head, co-
verts of the wings, and the scapular feathers,
being of a fine tawny red, elegantly spotted and
powdered with black or dusky spots of various
sizes ; on the coverts of the wings, and on the
scapulars, are several large white spots; the
coverts of the tail are tawny, and quite free from
any marks ; the tail is variously blotched,;
barred and spotted with pale red and black ; in
thie two middle feathers the red predominates ;
the breast and belly are yellowish, mixed Avith
white, and marked with narrow black strokes,

268 BROWN OWL. Class II.

pointing downwards ; the legs are covered with
feathers down to the toes.

This is a hardier species than the former; and
the young will feed on any dead thing, whereas
those of the white owl must have a constant
supply of fresh meat. ^ - --- -■ --- -•- -■'-

*5. Brown. Strix Aluco. S. capitelasvi cor- Ilisi. cTois. i. 358. PL Enl.

pore ferruglneo, iridibus a- 441.

tris. Lath. Lid. orn. bQ. id. Strix Aluco Gm. Lin. 292.

Syn.i. 134. Faun. Suec. 78. 'i'/t ■':

The grey Owl. JVil. orn. 103. Ugle. Brunnich \Q.

Maii Syn. av. 26. GiaueEule? Frisch, i. Qi.

LaHulote. Brissonav.i. 507. Br. Zool. 72. Plate B. 1.

jrV.S the names this and the preceding species
bear by no means suit their colors, we have
taken the liberty of changing them to others
more congruous. Both these kinds agree en-
tirely in their marks, and differ only in the
Descrip- colors : in this the head, wings, and back, are of
a deep brown, spotted with black in the same
manner as the former ; the coverts of the wings
and the scapulars are adorned with similar
white spots j the exterior edges of the four first
quil feathers in both are serrated ; the breast in
this is of a very pale ash color mixed with
tawny, and marked with oblong jagged spots ;

TIOJT.

PI. XXXTEX.

VOT..1.T. 26S.

BRO^VTSr OAVX

Class 11. BROWN OWL.: 269

the feet too are feathered down to the ver j
claws; the chxle round the face is ash- colored,
spotted Avith brown.

Both these species inhabit vvoodSj where they
reside the whole day; in the night they are very
clamorous; and when they hoot, their throats
are inflated to the size of a hen's egg. In the
dusk they approach our dwellings ; and will fre- •- ^ '■

quently enter pigeon houses, arid make great
havoke in them. They destroy numbers of
little leverets, as appears by the legs frequently
found in their nests. They also kill abundance
of moles, and skin them with as much dexterity
as a cook does a rabbet. These breed in hollow
trees or ruined edifices ; lay four eggs of an
elliptic form, and of a whitish color. a ,

[The opinion entertained by Doctor Latham
in the second supplement to "his Synopsis of
birds, that the brown and tawny owls ought to
be included in one species, is apparently well
founded; the sole distinction between them ....-,:
consisting in a trifling variety of color. - . ,

In the exquisite drawings by the late Joseph
Plymley, Esq. from which many of the plates
in the folio edition of the British Zoology
were taken, these two supposed species are
represented with dark irides, but those of the

270 LITTLE OWL. Class II.

Brown owl have rather a bluish tint, those of
the Grey of Willughby (whose nomenclature hQ
followed) are nearly black. Ed.

6. Little. Strix pasberina. S. eapite Isevi,
remigibus maculis quinque
ordinum. Lath. Ind. orn.
65. id. Syn i. 150.

La Cheveche. Belon av. 140.

Noctua. Gesner av. 620.

Little Owl. JFil. orn. 105.

Ravi Syn. av. 26.

Edw. 228.

Tschiavitl. Kram. 324.

Faun. Suec. 79'

La petite Chouette, ou la

Cheveche. Brisson av. L

514. Hisl. d'ois. i. 377

PI. Enl. 439.
Strix passerina. Gm. Lin. 296.
La Civetta. Olina, 6b. ScopO"

li. No. 17.
Krak-Ugle. Brunnich 20.
Kleinste Kautzlein. Frisch, i,

100.
Br. Zool. 73. plate B. 5. Arct,

Zvol. i. 274.

Descrip-
tion.

J- HIS elegant species is very rare in Eng-
land; it is sometimes found in Yorkshire, Flint-
shire, and also near London. In size it scarcely
exceeds a thrush, though the fulness of its
plumage makes it appear larger. The irides are
of a light yellow ; the bill of a paper color; the
feathers that encircle tlie face are white tipt with
black ; the head brown, spotted with white ; the
back and coverts of the wings of a deep olive

Class II. LITTLE OWL. 271

brown; the latter spotted with white; on the
breast is a mixture of white and brown ; the
belly is white, marked with a few brown spots ;
the tail of the same color with the back ; in each
feather barred with white, and adorned with
circular white spots, placed opposite one another
on both sides the shaft ; the legs and feet are
covered with feathers down to the claws.

The Italians made use of this owl to decoy
small birds to the limed twig; the method of
which is exhibited in O Una's iiccelliera, p. 65.

Mr. Stuart, the admirable author of the An-
tiquities oi Athens, informed me that this species
of owl was very common in Attica ; that they
were birds of passage, and appeared there the
beginning of April in great numbers ; that they
bred there; and that they retired at the same
time as the Storks, whose arrival they a little
preceded.* _,

* John Hawkins, esq- to whom the editor is indebted for se-
veral observations on the species of birds which are common to
Greece and the British isles, suggests that the owl alluded to by
Mr. Stuart, as being migratory, is the eatable owl of Aristotle,
probably the (Scop5 of modern naturalists. Ed.

27$

GREAT SHRIKE.

Class II.

Sect. II. PIES.
GENUS III. SHRIKE.

Bill strong, strait at the base, and hooked at
the end with a sharp process or tooth on
each side near the point of the upper man-
dible.

Tongue jagged.

1. Great. Lanlus Excubitor. L. cauda
cuneiformi, lateribus alba,
dorso cano, alls nigris, ma-
cula alba. Lath. Ind. orn.
67. id. Syn. i. 160.

La grande Pie-grlesche. Belon
av. 126.

Laniiis cinereus. Gesner av.
579.

Skrike, nyn murder Turneri.

Lanius cinereus, CoUurio ma-
jor. Aldr. av. i. igg.

Castrica, Ragastola. 0/zna, 41.

Greater Butcher Bird, or Mat-
tagess ; in the North of Eng-
land, Wierangle. JVil. orn.
87.

Haii Syn. av. 18.

Speralster, Grigelalster, Neun-
todter. Kram. 364.

Butcher Bird, Murdering Bird

or Skreek. Aler. PinaXj

170.
Cat. Carol, app. 36.
Night Jar. Mort. Northampt.

424.
La Pie-griesche grise. Brisson

av. ii. 141. Hist, d'ois. i.

296. PL Enl. 32. f. 1.

445.
Lanius excubitor. Gm. Lin.

300.
Warfogel. Faun. Suec. 80.
Danish Torn-Skade, Norvegis

Klavert. Br. 21, 22.
Velch Skrakoper. Scopoli,

No. 18.
Berg Aelster (Mountain Mag-
pie) or grosser Neuntocd-

ter. Frisch, i. 59.
Br. Zool. 73. plate C. Arct.

Zool. I. 27s,

Size. J_HIS bird weighs three ounces: its length is
ten inches; its breadth fourteen. The bill is

P1.2XS7r

V0I>,1. P. 272.

G-REAT pe:m:^le shrike .

Class II. GREAT SHRIKE. 273

black, one inch long, and hooked at the end ;
the upper mandible furnished with a sharp pro-
cess : the nostrils are oval, covered with black
bristles pointing downwards : the muscles that
move the bill are very thick and strong, which
makes the head very large. This apparatus is
quite requisite in a species whose method of Manners.
killing its prey is so singular, and whose manner
of devouring it is not less extraordinary : small
birds it will seize by the throat, and strangle ;*
which probably is the reason the Germans call
this bird JViirchangeI,-\ or the suffocating angel.
It feeds on small birds, young nestlings, beetles
and caterpillars. When it has killed the prey,
it fixes them on some thorn, and when thus
spitted pulls them to pieces with its bill : on this
account the Germans also call it Thorntrder and
Thonrfreker. We have seen them, when con-
fined in a cage, treat their food in much the
same manner, sticking it against the wires be-
fore they would devour it. Mr. Echvarcls very
justly imagines that as nature has not given
these birds strength sufficient to tear their prey
to pieces with their feet, as the hawks do, they
are obliged to have recourse to this artifice.

It makes its nest with heath and moss, lining ^'^st,
it with wool and gossamer, and lays six eggs,

* Edio. Gl. iii. 233. t ^Vil orn. 87.

VOL. I. T

TION.

S74 GREAT SHRIKE. Class II.

of a dull olive green, spotted at the thickest end
with black.
Descrip- The crown of the head, the back, and the co-
verts which lie immediately on the joints of the
win2;s are ash-colored ; the rest of the coverts
black : the quil feathers are black, marked in
their middle with a broad white bar ; and ex-
cept the four first feathers, and the same num-
ber of those next the bod}^ are tipt with white.
The tail consists of twelve feathers of unequal
lengths, the middle being the longest ; the two
middlemost are black, the next on each side tipt
with white, and in the rest the white gradually
increases to the outmost, where that color has
either entire possession, or there remains only a
spot of black. The cheeks are Avhite, but crossed
from the bill to the hind part of the head with
a broad black stroke : the throat, breast and
belly are of a dirty white : the legs are black.
The female is of the same color with the male,
the breast and belly excepted, which are marked
transversely with numerous semicircular brown
lines.

" It is found in North America, from Hud-
S071S Bay to Georgia, \vhere it is known by the
name of Big-headed Mocking bird. From vari-
ous drawings it appears to inhabit India.'' J. L.

Class II. RED-BACKED SHRIKE.

275

Lanlus Collurio. L. catida sub-

cnneiformi, dorso griseo, rec-

tricibus 4 intermediis iTiiico-

loribus, rostroplumbeo. Lath.

Ind. orn. 69. id. Si/?i. i. 1G7.

id. Sup. i. 52.
La petite Pie griesche grise.

Belou av. 128.
Lanius tertius. Aldr. av. i. IQQ.
Lesser Butcher Bird, called in

Yorkshire Flusher. IVil. orn.

88. sp. 2. the male. 89. sp. 3.

ihe female.
THaii syn. av. 18.
Dawfi'/iTornskade. Now. Hanl-

vark. Br. 23.

Mort. Northampt. 424.
L'Ecorcheur. Brisso?i av. ii;

151. Hisl. d'ois. i. 304.

PI. -Eh/. 31. f. 2.
Lanius Collurio. Gm. Lin.

300.
Faun. Suec. 81. Tah.u. f. 81.
Dorngreul, Dornheher. ^?-a??z .

363.
Eufferola, Ferlotta rossa. Zl'

tian, 91.
Br. Zool. 74. plateC. 1. Arc'.

Zool. I. 280.
Mali Skrakoper. ScopoU^

No. ]g.

2. Red-

BACKED.

-L HE male weighs two ounces ; the female
t^vo ounces two drams. The length of the for-
mer is seven inches and a half; the breadth
eleven inches. The irides are hazel ; the bill
resembles that of the preceding species : the
head and lower part of the back are of a fine
light grey : across the eyes from the bill runs a
broad black stroke : the upper part of the back,
and coverts of the wings, are of a bright ferru-
ginous color ; the breast, belly and sides are of
an elegant blossom color ; the two middle fea-
thers of the tail are longest, and entirely black ;
the lower part of the others white, and the ex-

Df.SCRIP"
TION.

276 RED-BACKED SHRIKE. Class IL

terior webs of the outmost feather on each side
Female, wholl}'^ SO. Ill the female the stroke across the
eyes is of a reddish bro^vn ; the head of a dull
rust color mixed with grey; the breast, belly
and sides of a dirty white, marked with semi-
circular dusky lines. The tail is of a deep
brown; the outward feather on each side ex-
cepted, whose exterior webs are white.

These birds build their nests in low bushes,
and lay six eggs of a white color, but encircled
at the bio;o;er end witli a rino; of brownish red.

They arrive in Italy in Apinl, go away in
September ; visit England in Jllai/ and depart
in Septe?nber.

" The Red-backed Shrike inhabits various
parts of the old continent, also the Cape of
Good Hope and India.'' J. L.

Class II.

WOOD-CHAT.

277

Lanius rutilus. L. supra tricolor,
subtus rufescente-albus, scapu-
laribus totis, rectricibus a basi
ad medium, lateralibus apice
albls, fascia oculari nigra.
Lath. Ind. orn. 70. id. Syn. i.
169. Slip. ii. 70.

Lanius minor primus. Aldr. av.
i. 200.

Another sort of Butcher Bird.
ff^il, orn. 8g. sp. 4.

The Wood-chat. Rail syn. av.
19. sp. 6.

Lanius CoUurio. Gm. Lin.

301. J/.
Dorngreul mit rother platten.

Kram. 363.
LaPiegriesche rousse. Brisson

av. ii. 147. Hisi. d'ois.

i. 301. PL Enl. 9. f. 2.

and 31.
Euferola, Felotta biancar.

Zinan. 89.
Kleiner Neuntoedter. Frisch,

i. 61.
Br. Zool. 74 plate C. 2.

3. Wood-
Chat.

J.N size it seems equal to the preceding. Tiie ^escrip-

^ 1 G TION".

bill is horn colored ; the feathers that surround
the base are whitish ; above is a black line
drawn across the eyes, and then downwards on
each side the neck ; the head and hind part of
the neck are of a bright bay ; the upper part of
the back dusky ; the coverts of the tail grey ; the
scapulars white; the coverts of the wings dusky ;
the c{uil feathers black, marked towards the
bottom with a white spot; the throat, breast
and belly of a yellowish white. The two mid-
dle feathers of the tail appear by the drawing to
be entirely black ; the exterior edges and tips of
the rest wdiite ; the legs black.

The female differs ; the upper part of the Female.
head, neck and body are reddish, striated trans-

WOOD CHAT. Class II.

versely with brown; the lower parts of the body
are of a dirty white, rayed with brown ; the tail
is of a reddish brown, marked near the end with
dusky, and tipt with red.

" The Wood-chat, in respect to England at
least, is a very rare bird; but is probably not
uncommon in France, as ]\Ionsieur de Bujfon
says, the manners are similar to those of the
Red-backed Shrike, differing in this particular,
that the latter remains throughout the year,
whereas the Wood-chat comes in spring and
departs in autumn with its young brood. The
nest is said scarcely to differ from that of the
Red-backed ; the eggs five or six in number are
whitish, sprinkled with brown or fulvous spots.
It is supposed to retire to Barhary on the ap-
proach of winter. Levaillant found it in Senegal
and at the Cape cf Good Hope.'' J. L.

Class IL RAVEN. i79

GENUS IV. CROW.

Bill strait, strong, somewhat convex.
Nostrils covered with bristles reflected down.
Tongue cartilaginous, cloven.

Corvus corax. C. ater, dorso Hist. cTois. m. 13. PI. Enl. 1. Raven,

casrulescente, cauda subro- 495.

tunda. Lath. Ind. orn. 150. Velch oni. Scopoli, No. 35.

id. Syyi. i. 367. id. Sup. i. 74. Corvus corax. Gm. Lin. 364.

id. Sup. ii. 106. Korp. Faun. Suec. 85.

Le Corbeau. Belon av. 279. Danish Raun. Norv. Korp.

Corvus. Gesner av. 334. Bi; 27.

Corvo, Corbo. Aldr. av. \. 343. Rab. Kram. 333. Frisch. i.

JViLorn. 121. 63. - ' '

Rail. syn. av. 39. Br. Z00l.75.Arci. Zool. i. 286.
Le Corbeau. Brisson av. ii. 8.

J_ HIS species weighs three pounds ; its length Descrip.
is two feet two inches ; its breadth four feet.
The bill is strong and thick ; and the upper man-
dible convex. The color of the whole bird is
black, finely glossed with rich blue ; the belly
excepted, which is dusky.

Ravens build in trees, and lay five or six eggs
of a pale green color marked with small brownish
spots. They frequent in numbers the neigh-
borhood of great towns, and are held in the
same sort of veneration as the vultures are in

280 . EAVEN. Class II.

Egypt * and for the same reason ; devouring
the carcases and filth, that would otherwise
prove a nuisance. A vulgar respect is also paid
to the raven, as being the bird appointed by
Heaven to feed the prophet Elijah, when he fled
from the rage of A/iab.'t They are docile, may
be taught to speak, and fetch and carry. In
clear weather they fly in pairs to a great height,
making a deep loud noise, different from the
common croaking. Their scent is remarkably
good ; and their life prolonged to a long period.

The quils of ravens sell for twelve shillings
the hundred, being of great use in tuning the
lower notes ofa harpsichord, when the wires are
set at a considerable distance from the sticks.

In Italy the raven quits the subalpine woods
in October, and spreads over the lower coun-
tries ; it returns to the woods in April.

" This is an universal species, found both in
the old and new continents ; from Greenland to
the Cape of Good Hope in the one, and from
Hudson's Bay to Me.vico in the other. It was
also met with by our circumnavigators in the
Sandxvich isles, and at Oxvhyhee was held in
oreat estimation." J. L,

fc

* Hnsselqmst itin. 2. f I Kings 17,

■■)is

tn..:KSxy

JACKDAW. /J^.2j^dj VolI.I'ZSl

CARRLOX CROW

Class II.

CARRION CROW.

281

Corvus corone. C. atro-cas rules- Rail Syn. av. 3Q,

cens totus, cauda rotundata. La Corbine. Hist.

rectricibus acutis. Lath. Ind-

orn. 151. id- Syn. i. 370. id.

Sup. 1. 75. id. Sup. ii. 108.
La Corneille. Belon av. 281.
Comix (Krae). Gesver av. 320.
Cornice, Cornacchio. Aldr. av.

i. 36g.
Wil. orn. 122.

2. Carrion.

d'ois. lii.

45. PI. Enl. 483.
La Corneille. Brisson av. 12.
Corvus corone. Gm. Lin. 365.
Faun. Suec 86.
Krage. Br. 30.
Br. Zool. 75. Arct. Zool. {•

287-
Oru. Scopoli, No. 36.

J_HE crow in the form of its body agrees
with the raven ; also in its food, which is car-
rion and other filth. It will also eat grain and
insects, and like the raven will pick out the eyes
of young lambs when just dropped ; for which
reason it was formerly distinguished from the
rook, which feeds entirely on grain and insects,
by the name of the gor or gorecroxv ; thus ^en
Jonson in his Fo.v, act 1. scene 2.

Vulture, kite.
Raven and gor-crow, all my birds of prey.

Virgil says that its croaking foreboded rain :

Turn Cornix plena pluviam vocat improla voce.

It was also thought a bird of bad omen :

Scepe sinistra cava prcedixit ah ilice Cornix.

CARRION CROW. Class IL

Eiio-land breeds more birds of this tribe than
any other country in Europe. In the twenty-
fourth of Henry VIII. they were grown so nu-
merous, and thought so prejudicial to the far-
mer, as to be considered an evil worthy of par-
lementary redress : an act w^as passed for their
destruction, in which rooks and choughs were
included. Every hamlet Avas to provide crow
nets for ten years, and all the inhabitants w^ere
obliged at certain times to assemble during that
period to consult the properest method of extir-
pating them.

Though the crow abounds in our country, yet
in Sweden it is so rare, that Linnceus mentions
it only as a bird that he once knew killed there.

Crows lay the same number of eggs as the
raven, and of the same color : immediately after
deserting their young, they go in pairs. Both
these birds arc often found white, or pied ; an
accident that befals black birds more frequently
than those of any other color. I have also seen
one entirely of a pale brown color, not only in
its plumage, but even in its bill and feet. The
crow weighs about twenty ounces. Its length is
eighteen inches ; its breadth two feet two inches.

They come from Hungary into Italy in
March, and re-migrate in flocks in October ;
many remain during the w inter.

Class II.

ROOK.

283

" Though not generally inhabiting the same
places as the raven, yet the carrion crow is
found in various parts of both continents, and
most certainly in India and China. It is also
met with in Nao Holland, Nexv Guinea^ and
New Caledonia.'" J. L.

Corvus frugilegus. C. ater,fronte

cinerascente, cauda subrotun-

data. Lath. Ind. orn. 152. id.

Syn. i. 372. id. Sup. i. 76. id.

Sup. ii. 109.
La Graye, Grolle ou Freux.

Belon av. 283.
Cornix frugivora (Roeck). Ges-

ner av. 332.
Aldr. av. i. 378.
fFil. orn. 123.
JRaii syn. av. 39.
Corvus frugilegus. Gm. Lin.

366.

Le Freux, ou la Frayonne. 3^ RoOK.

Hist, d'ois. iii. 55. PI. Enl,

484.
La Corneille Moissoneuse.

Brisson nv. ii. 16.
Roka. Faun, Suec.87.
Spermologus, seu frugilega.

Caii opusc, 100.
Schwartze krau, Schwartze

krahe. Kram. 333. Frisch,

i. 64.
Br. Zeol 76. Arct. Zool. i.

292.

X HE Rook is the Corvus of Virgil, no other
species of this kind being gregarious,

E pastu decedens agmine magno
Corvorum increpuit densis exercitus alls.

A very natural description of the evening return
of these birds to their nests.

This bird differs not greatly in its form from q^
the carrion crow; the colors in each are the

SCRIP-
TION,

284 ROOK. Class II.

same, the plumage of both being glossed with a
rich purple. But what chiefly distinguishes*
the rook from the crow is the bill ; the nostrils,
chin, and sides of that and the mouth being in
old birds white and bared of feathers, by often
thrusting the bill into the o-round in search of the
eruc(2 of the Dor-beetle ;| the rook then, in-
stead of being proscribed, should be treated as
the farmers friend ; as it clears his ground from
caterpillars, which do incredible damage by eat-
ing the roots of the corn. In Suffolk and part
of Norfolk, the farmers find it their interest to
encourage these birds. ]\Ir. Matthezcs, a most
excellent and observant farmer in Berkshire^
assured Mr. Stilling fleet, that the rooks one
year, while his men were hoeing a field of tur-
nips, settled on a spot where they were not at
work, and that the crop proved very fine in
that part, whereas in the remainder it failed. J
Rooks are sociable birds, living in vast flocks :
crows go only in pairs. They begin to build
their nests in March : one bringing materials,
while the other v.atches the nest, lest it should

* Another distinction arises from the form of the tail feathers,
the extremities of v.hich are much more rounded in the Rook
than in the Crow. Ed.

■f" ScarabtEus rnelolonfha. Lin.syst. 351. RveseL ii. Tab i.
List. Goed. 265.

X SiiUhgf eet'sTracls^Qd cdii. 175. „■ . . ..-

Class II. ROOK. 285

be plundered by its brethren : they lay the same
number of eggs as the crow, and of the same
color, but smaller. After the breeding season
rooks forsake their nest-trees, and for some time '
go and roost elsewhere, but return to them in
August: in October they repair their nests,*
quit their nest-trees again in the depth of winter
and roost in other woods, till February , when
they select their mates.

In France and Silesia, these birds are migra-
tory ; in the former they appear at the approach
of winter ; in the latter they announce by their
arrival, the return of summer. 'f According to
Ekmark, who made his remarks in Ostrogoth-
land, they arrive in that province of Szveden
ab'vut the beginning of April, and leave it in

autumn. J "

. /

« Calendar of Flora.

■\- De Buffon.m.bQ.

\ Amcen Acad. iv. 583. Vergente mense regelatlonis, in the
language of philosophy the ^/icat'iwo- month, beginningin Sweden
the 19th oi March and ending the 12th of April

286

HOODED CROW.

Class II»

4. Hooded. Corviis Cornix. C. cinerascens,

capite jugulo alis caudaque

nigris. Lailu Ind, orn. 153.

id. Syn. i. 374 id. Sup. i. 77-

id. Sup. li. 109.
La Corneille emantelee. Belon

av. 285.
Cornix varia, Marina, Hy-

berna, (Nabelfrae.) Gesner

av. 332,
Cornix cinerea. Aldr. av, i. 379.
Rail syn. av. 3Q.
Martins West. Isles, 376-
Hooded Crow. Sih. Scot. 15.
La Corneille mantelee. Brisson

av.'i'i. ig. Hist.d^ois.ni.6l>

PI. Enl. 76.
Mulacchia cinerizia, Monac-

chia. Zinan. 70.
Corvus cornix. Gm. Lin. 366.
Kraka. Faun. Suec. sp. 88.
Grave Kran,Kranveitl. Kram,

333.
Graue-Kroehe (grey-Crow),

Nebel-Kroehe (mist Crow).

Frisch. 1. 60.
Urana, ScopoU, No. 37-
Br. Zool. 76. plate D. i. Arcl.

Zool.i. 2Q3.

Descrip-
tion.

XHE weight of this species is twenty-two
ounces : the length twenty-two inches ; the
breadth twenty-three. The head, under side of
the neck, and wings are black, glossed over with
a fine blue ; the breast, belly, back, and upper
part of the neck, are of a pale ash color ; the
irides hazel ; the legs black, and weaker than
those of the Rook. The bottom of the toes are
very broad and flat, to enable them to walk
without sinking on marshy and muddy grounds,
where they are conversant.

In England hooded crows are birds of pass-
age, coming and going with the woodcock,
and are found both in inland and maritime
places. Belon, Gesner, and Aldrovandus agree.

Class 11. HOODED CROW.

that they are migratory in their respective coun-
tries, resortino; in the breedins; time to high
mountains. They breed also in the southern
parts of Gerviany on the banks of the T)anube^'
and extend as far north as Norxvay and Fin-
mark. '\ They are found in all parts of Russia
and Sibiria, but never are seen beyond the
Lena; to the east of the Oby they are very
large, and often vary to black.

They are very common in Scotland ; in many
parts of the Highlands, and in all the Hebrides,
Orknies, and Shetlands, are the only species of
genuine crow ; the Cartoon and the Rook being
unknown there. They breed and continue in
those parts, the whole year round. Perhaps
those that inhabit the northern parts of Europe,
are the same which migrate here. In Szveden they
build in the alder trees ; in the Highlands indif-
ferently in all kinds. In the Orkney and Shet-
land islands, which are destitute of trees, they
make their nests in the holes of the rocks ; they
lay six eggs. They have a shriller note than the
common crow, are much more mischievous, pick
out the eyes of lambs, and even of horses when
engaged in bogs ; are therefore in many places
proscribed, and rewards given for killing them.

* Krum. 333. f Seems, 239

288 HOODED CROW. Class IL

For want of other food, they will eat cran-
berries and other mountain berries. ■ / '
. ; These birds are not gregarious unless when

attracted by carrion, or meet accidentally on the
shores in search of shell-fish. In spring before
pairing time, they convene in great flocks ; each
associates with its mate and then they disperse.
They are observed in Kent to quit the shores
of the Thames towards evening, and roost in
great numbers promiscuously in the woods.

It is a bird of uncommon atfection to its
mate ; one which had been shot and hung by its
legs on a tree adjacent to the nest, was dis-
covered by its companion on returning from
forage. It perched over the dead body, sur-
veyed it attentively, as if in expectation of its
revival ; at length, on a windy day, the corpse
being put in motion, the survivor, deceived by
it, descended, fluttering round for a considerable
time, endeavouring to release its mate, and
uttering a melancholy scream ; at last finding
its eflbrts to be in vain, it retired without ever
returning to its usual haunts.

" Is very common in some parts of India j
and was found by Monsieur Sounerat, in the
Philippine h\es.'' J. L. . , . , ..*4

Class II.

MAGPIE.

289

Corvus Pica. C. albo nigroque

varius, cauda cuneiformi.

Lath. Ind. orn. l62. id. Syn. i.

392. id. Sup. i. 80. id. Sup. ii.

113.
La Pie. Belon av.Sgi.
Pica varia et caudata. Gesner av.

695.
Aldr. av. I. 392.
The Magpie, or Pianet. Wil.

orn. 127.
Rail Syn. av. 41.
La Pie. Brisson, ii. 35. Hist.

d'ois. iii. 85. PI. Enl. 488.

Gazza, Putta. Zinan. 66.
Corvus Pica. Gm. Lin, 373.
Sliata, Skiura, Skara. Faun.

Suec. sp. 92.
Danish Skade, Huus Skade.

Norv. Skior, Tunfugl.

Brunnich 32.
Aelster. Frisch, i, 58.
Alster. Kram. 335.
Praka. Scopoli, No. 3§.
Br. Zool. 77- plate D. 2. Arct,

Zool. i. 289.

5. Magpie.

X HE great beauty of this very common bird
was so little attended to, that the editors of the
British Zoology thought fit to publish a print of
it after a painting by the celebrated Barlow,
The marks of this species are so well known,
that it would be impertinent to detain the reader
with the particulars. -^ •• - "■'.■-■ '

We shall only observe the colors of this bird ;
its black, its white, its green, and purple, and
the rich and gilded combination of glosses on
the tail, are at lest equal to those that adorn the
plumage of any other of the feathered race. It
bears a great resemblance to the butcher-bird in
its bill, Avhich has a sharp process near the end
of the upper mandible ; in the shortness of its

VOL. I, u

290 MAGPIE. Class 11.

wings, and the form of the tail,* each feather
shortening from the two middlemost : it agrees
also in its food, which are worms, insects, and
small birds. It will destroy young chickens ;
is a crafty, restless, noisy bird : Ovid therefore
with great justice styles it,

Nemoruni convlcia Pica.

Is easily tamed, and may be taught to imitate the
human voice. It builds its nest with great art,
covering it entirely with thorns, except one small
hole for admittance, and lining it with wool and
soft materials. It lays six or seven eggs, of
a pale green color spotted with brown. The
magpie weighs near nine ounces : the length is
eighteen inches ; the breadth only twenty four.
" The Magpie is found throughout Europe.
1 have also seen a specimen from China, In
America it is a rare bird. It is subject to much
variety, mz. wholly white, black and white in
streaks, and white and soot color." J. L.

*The tail very cuneiform, the two middle feathers being eleven
inches in length and sometimes more, the exterior feather only
five inches and a half. J>L.

Class IL

JAY.

S91

Corvus glandarlus. C. tectiici-
bus alarum casruleis, lineis
transversis aibis nigrisque,
corpore ferrugineo variegato.
Lath. Ind. orn, 157. id. Syn.
384. id. Sup. i. 79-

Le Jay. Belon av. SSQ.

Pica glaudaria. Gesner av. 700.

Aldr. av. i. 303.

Olina, 35.

Wil. orn. 130.

Rail Syn. ay. 41.

Ghiandaia. Zinan. 67-

Corvus glandarius. Gm. Lin.
368.

Le Geay, Garrulus. Brisson

av. ii. 47- Hisi, d'ois. iii.

107. Pl.Enl.4Sl.
Allonskrika, Kornskrika.

Faun. Suec. sp. 90.
Skov-skade. Br. 33.
Nuss-heher. Kram. 335.
Eichen-Heher (Oak- Jay), or

Holtz-Schreyer (Wood-

Cryer). Frisch, i. 55.
Skoia, Schoga. Scopoli, No.

39.
Br. Zool. 77. plate D. Aret,

Zool. i. 295. --^.

6. Jay.

XHIS is one of the most beautiful of the
British birds. The weight is between six and
seven ounces : the length thirteen inches ; the
breadth twenty and a half The bill is strong,
thick and black, about an inch and a quarter
long; the tongue black, thin, and cloven at
the tip; the irides white; the chin is white;
at the angle of the mouth are two large black
spots ; the forehead is white, streaked with
black ; the head is covered with very long
feathers, which it can erect at pleasure into
the form of a crest : the whole neck, back,

u 2

Descri?-

TlOIf.

292 JAV. Class II .

breast and belly are of a faint purple dashed
with grey ; the covert feathers of the wings are
of the same color. The first quil feather is
black ; the exterior webs of the nine next are
ash-colored, the interior webs dusky : the six
next black, but the lower sides of their exterior
webs are white tinged with blue; the two next
wholly black; the last of a fine bay color tipt
with black. The lesser coverts are of a light
bay ; the greater covert feathers most beauti-
fully barred with a lovely blue, black and Avhite ;
the rest black : the rump is white. The tail
consists of twelve black feathers. The feet
are of a pale brown; the claws large and
hooked. '■ 'i^ ■■ . >r\ v

The nest is made entirely of the fine fibres of
roots of trees, but has for a foundation some
coarse sticks ; it is generally placed on the top
of the underwood, such as hazels, thorns, or
low birch. [It lays five or six eggs, of a dull
whitish olive, mottled very obscurely with pale
brown, and usually marked towards the large
end with two or three short irregular black lines.]
The young follow their parents till the spring :
I in the summer they are very injurious to gardens,

being great devourers of pease and cherries ; in
the autumn and winter they feed on acorns, from

Class II. JAY. 293

whence the Latin name. Dr. Krarner* ob-
serves, that they will kill small birds. Jays are
very docile, and may be taught to imitate the hu- - • ; ,
man voice : their native note is very loud and
disagreeable. When they are enticing their
fledged young to follow them, they emit a noise
like the mewing of a cat.

[The Jay is very common in Greece, and still
retains its antient name, MaAajiox^oaveuf. Ed.]

" This species, though not near so far spread
as the last, exists in various parts of the con-
tinent of Europe. I have also observed it
among drawings done in China. I have seen
only two varieties, the one pure white, the other
as in the common Jay, but having the whole of
the quills white." J. L.

* Krara- eleneh. 335.

294

RED LEGGED CROW. Class II.

7. Red
Legged.

Corvus Giaculus, C. violaceo

nigricans, rostro pedibusque

luteis. Lath. Ind. orn. l65.

id.Syn. i. 401. id. Sup. i. 82.

id. Sup. ii. 115.
Scurapola. Belon. ols. 12.
La Chouette ou Chouca rouge.

Belon av. 286.
Pyrrhocorax gracculus saxatilis

(Stein-tahen, Stein-frae). Ges-

ner av. 522, 527-
Spelvier, Taccola. Aldr. av. i.

386.
Wil. orn. 126.
Rail Syn. av. 40.

Le Crave, ou Coracias Brisson
av. ii. 4. Tah. 1. Hist.dois.
iii. 1. PL Enl. 255.

Tlie Killegrew. Charlton ex.
75.

Cornwall Kae. Sih. Scot. 15.

Borlase Cornw. 249. Tab. 24.

Camden, vol. i. 14.

Corvus Gracculus. Gm. Lin.

377-
Monedula pyrrhocorax. Has-

selquist if in. 238.
Gracula pyrrhocorax. Scopoli,

No. 46.'
Br. Zool. 83. plate L*.

X HIS species is but thinly scattered over the
northern world ; no mention is made of it by
any of the Faunists; nor do we find it in other
parts of Europe, except England, and the Alps*
In Asia, the island of Candia produces it.f In
Africa, ^gypt ; which last place it visits to-
wards the end of the inundations of the Nile^.
Except lEgypt it affects mountanous and rocky
situations ; it builds its nest in high cliffs, or
ruined towers, and lays four or five eggs, white
spotted with a dirty yellow. It feeds on in-

* 'Plin. nat. hist. lih. X. c. 48. Brisson, ii. 5.
f Belon oh. 17. % Hasselquist itin. 240.

Tl.XXX.Vi

VOKl. P. 294.

BET) LEGGED CROA^.

Class II. RED LEGGED CROW. 295

sects, and also on new sown corn : commonly
flies high, makes a shriller noise than the jack-
daw, and may be taught to speak. It is a very
tender bird, and unable to bear very severe wea-
ther ; is of an elegant, slender make ; active,
restless, and thieving ; much taken with glitter,
and so meddling as not to be trusted where
things of consequence lie. It is very apt to
catch up bits of lighted sticks, so that there
are instances of houses being set on fire by its
means ; which is the reason that Camden calls
it incendiaria avis. Several of the JVelsh and
Cornish families bear this bird in their coat of
arms. It is found in Cornwall, Flinfshit^e,
Caernarvonshire, and Anglesey, in the cliffs
and castles along the shores ; in different parts
of Scotland as far as Straithnavern ; and in
some of the Hebrides. It is also found in small
numbers on Dover cliff, where they came by
accident ; a gentleman in that neighborhood had
a pair sent as a present from Cornwall, which
escaped, and stocked those rocks. They some-
times desert the place for a week or ten days at
a time, and repeat it several times in the year.*

Its weight is thirteen ounces : the breadth Descrip-

^ TION.

* It is also said to frequent the South Downs about Beachy
Head and Easthourne, where it is called the Red-billed Jack-
daw. J. L.

296

JACK-DAW.

Class IL

bright orange

inclinino; to red

most as long as the bill, and a little cloven

thirty-three inches; the length sixteen. Its color
is wholly black, beautifully glossed over with
blue and purple : the legs and bill are of a

the tongue al-
the

claws large, hooked, and black. ScopoU says
that in Carniola the feet of some, during autumn,
turn black. ; > ■ ' • . ^^

[The chough inhabits the lofty cliffs about the
mid-region of the highest mountains of Greece,
but never the maritime parts, as with us. Ed.]

S. JacK'DAW, Corvus Monedula. C. fusco-ni-

gricans, occipite Incano, fronte

alls caudaque nigvis. hatli.

Ind. orn. 154. id. Sijn.\.3TB.

id. Sup. i. 78.
Chouca, Chouchette, ou Chou-

ette. Belon an. 285'.
Gracculus, seu monedula. Ges-

ner uv. 521.
Aldr. av. i. 387.
}Fil. orn. 125. ■ ., ^

Rail Syn. av. 40.
Le Choucas. Brisson av. 24.

BisL dois. iii. 6q. PL Enl.

ScopoU, No. 38.
Mulacchia nera. Zinan.'/O.
Corviis Monedula. Gm. Lin.

367.
Kaja. Faun. Si/rr. sp. SQ.
Danish Alike. Norv. Kaae,

Kaye, Raun Kaate, Raage.

Br. 31.
Tagcrl, Dohle, Tschockerl.

Kram. 334.
Graue- Dohle. Frisch, i.67.
Br. Zool. 7S. Arci. Zool. u

204.

Descrip- J_ he jack-daw weighs nine ounces : the length
is thirteen inches ; the breadth twenty-eight.
The head is large in proportion to its body,

TION.

Class II. JACK-DAW. «

which Mr. JVillughby says argues him to be in-
genious and crafty; the irides are white; the
forehead is black ; the hind part of the head a
fine light grey ; the breast and belly of dusky
hue, inclining to ash-color ; the rest of the plum-
age is black, slightly glossed with blue; the
feet and bill black; the claws very strong, and ,

hooked. It is a docile loquacious bird.

Jack-daws breed in steeples, old castles, and
in high rocks ; layhig five or six eggs. I have
known them sometimes to breed in hollow trees
near a rookery, and join those birds in their
foraging parties. In some parts of Ha?nps/nre
they make their nests in rabbet holes : they also
build in the interstices between the upright and
transome stones of Stone- Ilenge ; a proof of the
prodigious height of that stupendous antiquity,
for their nests are placed beyond the reach of
the shepherd-boys, who are always idling about
the spot. [Their nests are awkwardly composed
of a quantity of dry sticks, thickly lined with
wool, hair, &c. : they lay five or six eggs some-
what like those of the Magpie, but rather thick-
er, and the spots larger and more distinct. When
they can, they build as contiguous to each other
as Rooks do, and agree in society much better.]
They are gregarious birds ; and feed on insects^
grain, and seeds.

298 NUTCRACKER. Class II.

They migrate from Italy in September^ but
are not frequently seen there.

[The Jack-daw is a very common bird at
Athens, where it inhabits the rocks of the Acro-
polis. Ed.]

9. Nut-
cracker.

Corvus caryocatactes. C. fuscus
albo punctatus, alis caudaque
nigris, rectricibus apice albis,
intermediis apice detritis.
Lath. Ind. orn. l64. id. Syn.
i. 400. id. Sup. I. 82.

Caryocatactes. IFil. orn. 132.

Raii Syn. av. 42.

Nucifraga, le Casse-noix. Bris-
son av. ii. 59. Tah. 5.

Corvus Caryocatactes. Grii. Lin,
370.

Hist, d'ois. Hi. 122. PL Enl.

50.
Notwecka, Notkraka. Faun.

Suec. sp. 19.
Tannen-Heher (Pine-Jay)

Frisch, i. 56.
Edw. 240.
Danis Noddekrige. Norvegis

Not-kraake. Brunnich, 34.
Br. Zool. 4to. App. 531.

Arct. Zool. I. 294.

Descrip-
tion.

X HE specimen we took our description from,
is the only one we ever heard was shot in these
kingdoms ; it was killed near Mostyn, Flintshire,
Octobers, 1753.

It was somewhat less than the jackdaw : the
bill strait, strong, and black : the color of the
whole head and neck, breast and body, was a
rusty brown ; the crown of the head and the
rump were plain ; the other parts marked with
triangular white spots ; the wings black ; the
coverts spotted in the same manner as the body;

Fl. JXXVU.

ITOTCRACKER .

Vol.lF2g8-

V . —t '■' ?L# 1.'"- QRi^^--
>^- ■.' ■- /■.■■r.''<:iv*'^'.s?v*

Class II, NUTCRACKER.

the tail rounded at the end, black tipt with
white ; the vent-feathers white ; the legs dusky.

This bird is also found in most parts of
Europe. We received a specimen from Den-
mark, by means of Mr. Brunnich, author of the
Ornithologia Borealis, a gentleman to whose
friendship we owe a numerous collection of the
curiosities of his country.

It feeds on nuts, from whence the name.

^00 ROLLER. Class IL

GENUS V. ROLLER.

Bill strait, bending a little towards the end,

edges cultrated, bare of feathers at the

base.

Nostrils narrow, naked. ;■'■-•>■:

Tongue cartilaginous, cloven. -^^ "

i. Garru- Coracias garrula. C. cserulea, Spransk Kraka, Blakraka, Al-

LOUS. dorso rubro, remigibus nigris. lekraka.. Faun. Suec. sp. Q4.

Lath. Ind. orn. \QQ.id. Syn. i. Edw. \0Q.

406. id. Sup. i. 85. The Shagarag. Shaw's Tra~

Roller. WU. orn. 131. vels,2b2.

Garrulus argentoratensis. Rail EUekrage. Brunnich, 35.

Syn.av. 41. Birk-Heker; Blaue-Racke.

Galgulus, le RoUier. Brisson Frisch, i. 57.

av. ii. 64. Tab. 5. Hist, d'ois. Br. Zool. 4to. App. 530.

iii. 135. Pl.Enl.486. Arct. Zool. i. 279.

Coracias Garrula. Gtn, Lin. 378. " '

UF these birds we have heard of only two
being seen at large in our island ; one of which
was shot near Helston-bridge, Cornxvall, and an
account of it transmitted to us by the Reverend
Doctor JViUiam Boi^lasc* They are frequent

* In the month of May 1811, Sir Thomas GoocKs keeper
shot a female Roller near Benacre, in Suffolk, on the same spot
where he had killed the male four years since; the ground they
frequented was a coarse sort of heath and fen interniLxed. Ed.

pixxxvnr.

GARRlTi^oUS ROLLER.

VOL. IF. 500.

Descrip-
tion.

CtAss 11. ROLLER. 301

in moat iparts 0^ Etcf^ope, and we have received
them from Denmark.

In size it is equal to a jay. The bill is black,
strait, and hooked at the point; the base beset
with bristles : the space about the eyes, is bare,
and naked ; behind each ear is also another
bare spot, or protuberance; the head, neck,
breast, and belly, are of a light bluish green; the
back, and feathers of the wings next to it, are
of a reddish brown ; the coverts on the ridge of
the wings are of a rich blue ; beneath them of a
pale green ; the upper part and tips of the quil
feathers are dusky ; the lower parts of a fine
deep blue ; the rump is of the same color. The
tail consists of twelve feathers, of which the out-
most on each side are considerably longer than
the rest, are of a light blue, and tipt with black;
beneath that a spot of deep blue ; as is the case
with such part of the quil-feathers that are
black above: the other feathers of the tail are
of a dull green. The legs short, and of a dirty
yellow.

It is remarkable for making a chattering noise^
from which it is by some called Garrulus,

" The Garrulous Roller is so common in
Sicily and Malta, that it is sold in the poul-
terers' shops for the table, and is said to have the
taste of a turtle dove. It builds chiefly in birch

3Q2 ROLLER. Class 11.

trees, and lays five green eggs marked with nu-
merous dark specks ; sometimes it forms its nest
■ ' " in the holes of old oaks. Migrates southward
in autumn, and is found during the winter in
Barbarj/, and as far as Senegal. Is probably
an inhabitant of India^ as we see it in drawings
from thence." J. L. , :: o '

VOL.i.F.aoa.

GOLDEN ORIOLE M..Sr P.

Class II. GOLDEN ORIOLE.

303

GENUS VL ORIOLE.

Bill strait conic, sharp pointed, cultrated,
upper mandible rather longer and slightly
notched at the end.

Tongue sharp and divided.

Orlolus Galbula. O. luteus, Oriolus. Gesner av.7l3. Aldr. 1. Golv^^.

loris artubusque nigris, rectri-
cibus exterioribus postice
flavis. Lath. Ind. orn. 186. id.
Syn. ii. 249. id. Sup. i. 89. id.
Sup. ii. 126.

Oriolus Galbula. Gm. Lin. 382.
Faun. Suec. No.Q5.

Scopoli, No. 45 Kramer, ZQO.

av. 1. 418.
Le Loriot. Brisson av. ii. 320.
Hist. dois. iii. 284. ' PI. Enl.

26.
TheWitwal. Wil. orn. I98.

Rail Syn. av. 68.
Golden Thrush. Edw. 185.
Br. Zool. 4to. App. 532.

Arcti Zool. ii. 26.

JL HIS beautiful bird is common in several parts
of Europe ; where it inhabits the woods, and
hangs its nest very artificially between the slen-
der branches on the summits of antient oaks.
It lays four or five dirty white eggs, spotted with
dark brown chiefly at the larger end. Its note
is loud, and resembles its name. I have heard

TION.

304 GOLDEN ORIOLE. Class IL

of only one being shot in Great Britain, and
that in South Wales.*
^.^f^!^.^^" It is of the size of a thrush. The head and
whole body of the male is of a rich yellow ; the
bill red ; from that to the eye a black line ; the
wings black, marked Avith a bar of yellow ; the
ends of the feathers of the same color ; the two
middle feathers of the tail black ; the rest black,
with the ends of a fine yellow : the legs dusky.
The body of the female is of a dull green :
the wings dusky ; the tail of a dirty green ; the
ends of the exterior feathers whitish,

[This species visits Greece about the seven-
teenth of y^pnX Ed.] "'

" At Naples it is exposed for sale in the market
as food. Is common in India, and known there
under the name of Pilluck, or Peeluck. Draw-
ings of both sexes were sent from Oude to Lord
Valentia. J. L."

* The editor is informed by David Davy, esq. that one has
been killed near Saxmundham in Suffolk,

.■■ -..,■ ---.,, 'if.- ; J..;, .^^-.i-lifi , .. ■ ; .. :

PI XL'

A^OLXP 30d

FEMALE Cl'CKOO

312

Class II.

CUCKOO.

305

GENUS VII. CUCKOO.

Bill a little arched, roundish.
Tongue short, horny at the end, entire.
Feet climbing.

Cuculus canoras. C. ciiiereus,
subtus albidus fusco transver-
sim striatus, cauda rotundata
nigricante albo punctata. Lath.
Ind. orn. 207. id, Syn. ii.
509. id. Sup. i. 98. id. Sup.
ii. 133.

Le Coqu. Belonav. 132.

Cuculus. Gesner av. 362.

Aldr. av. i. 20.

Cuculo. Olina 38.

Wil. orn. 97.

Rail syn. av. 23.

Jenner in Phil Tr. I788. 2I9.

Le Coucoii. Brissonav, 105.
Hist, d'ois. vi. 305. PL Enl.

811.
Cuculus canorus. Gm. Lin.

409.
Gjok. Faun. Suec. sp. q6.
Danish Gjoeg v. Kuk. Norv.

Gouk. Br. 36.
Kuckuck. Frisch, i. 40, 41,

42.
Kuctuct. Kram. 337.
Kukautza. Scopoli. No. 48.
Br. Zool. 80. plate G. G. 1.

Arct.Zool. i. 312.

1. CoMaioN.

X HIS singular bird appears in our country
early in the spring, and makes the shortest stay
with us of any bird of passage ; it is compelled
here, as Mr. Stillingfteet observes, by that con-
stitution of the air which causes the fig-tree to
put forth its fruit.* From the coincidence of

* Calendar of Flora, A new edition of Stillingfleet's

VOL. r. X

300 CUCKOO. Class II.

the first appearance of the summer birds of pas-
sage, and the leafing and fruitmg of certain
plants, this ingenious writer would establish a
natural calendar in our rural oeconomy ; to in-
struct us in the time of sowing our most useful
seeds, or of doing such work as depends on a
certain temperament of the air. As the fallibi-
lity of human calendars need not be insisted
upon, we must recommend to our countrymen
. some attention to these feathered guides, who

come heaven-taught, and point out the true
commencement of the season ;* their food being
the insects of those seasons they continue with us.
It is very probable, that these birds, or at lest
a part of them, do not entirely quit this island
during winter, but that they seek shelter in hollow
trees, and lie torpid, unless animated by unusual-
ly warm weather. I have two evidences of their
being heard to sing as early as February ; one
was in the latter end of that month in 1771,
the other on the fourth in 1 769 ' the weather in
the last was uncommonly warm, but after that
they were heard no more, chilled again as I sup-
pose into torpidity. There is an instance of

works, preceded by an interesting literary life of the amiable
writer^ has recently been published by the reverend Archdeacon
Coxe. Ed.

* In Sweden, which is a much colder climate than our own,
tlie cuckoo does not appear so early by a month.

Class II. CUCKOO. S07

their beincp heard in the summer time to sing at
midnight. There is a remarkable coincidence
between their song, and the season of the mack-
erel's continuance in full roe; that is from
about the middle of April, to the lalter end of
June.

The cuckoo is silent for some little time after
his arrival ; his note is a call to love, and used
only by the male,* who sits perched generally on
some dead tree, or bare bough, and repeats his
song, which he loses as soon as the amorous
season is over. In a trap, which we placed on
a tree frequented by cuckoos, we caught not
fewer than five male birds in one season. His
note is so uniform, that his name in all lan-
guages seems to have been derived from it ; and
in all other countries it is used in the same re-
proachful sense.

The plain song cuckoo grey.

Whose note full many a man doth mark.

And dares not answer nay.

Shakespeare.

* The female never emits the well known sound which gives
name to the species, but often, particularly when she hears
the male, makes a noise not unlike the Dabchick, which at-
tracts the other sex, who pursue her and cry more vehemently
in their flight, at which time the males frequently fight near the
tree in which she may happen to alight; Ed. ..::•■

X 2

30S CUCKOO. Class II.

The reproach seems to arise from this bird
making use of the bed or nest of another to de-
posit its eggs in ;* leaving the care of its young
to a wrong parent ; but Jwwwa/ with more jus-
tice gives the infamy to the bird in whose nest
the supposititious eggs were layed,

Tu till tunc curruca places.f

, A water- wagtail, a yellow hammer, or hedge-
sparrowjj is generally the nurse of the young
cuckoos ; who, if they happen to be hatched at
the same time with the genuine offspring,
quickly destroy them, by ejecting them from the
nest. This want in the cuckoo of the common
attention other birds have to their young, seems
to arise from some defect in its make, which dis-
ables it from incubation ; but what that is, we
confess ourselves ignorant, referring the inquiry
to some skilful anatomist. A friend tells me
that the stomach is uncommonly large, even so
as to reach almost to the vent: may not the

* The eggs are rather bigger than those of the hedge-sparrow,
elongated in shape, of a pale greenish grey, mottled thickly with
purplish ash-color. J. L.

t 5a?. VI. 275.

\ I have been eye-witness to tv/o instances : when a boy I
saw a young cuckoo taken out of the nest of a hedge-sparrow :
and in 1773 took another out of that of a jrellow hammer : the
old yellow hammer seemed as anxious about the loss as if it had
been its proper offspring'

Class II. CUCKOO. S09

pressure of that in a sitting posture, prevent in-
cubation ?*

This bird has been ridiculously believed to
change into a hawk, and to devour its nurse on
quitting the nest, whence the French proverb
ingrat comme un coucou. But it is not carnivo-
rous, feeding only on worms and insects : it
grows very fat, and is said to be as good eating
as a land rail. The French and Italians eat
them to this day. The Romans admired them
greatly as a food ; Pliny\ says, that there is no
bird to compare with them for delicacy.

* Doctor Jenner in his valuable observations on the Cuckoo,
published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1788, controverts
this opinion, and attributes its not performing the office of incu-
bation, to the short residence it is allowed to make in the coun-
try, where it is destined to propagate its species. He ex-
plains most satisfactorily, the wonderful manner in which the
young cuckoo dislodges its rightful owners from the nest. This
is effected within a day or two after it is hatched, when the
young bird will crawl backwards with the assistance of its
wings, up the side of the nest with a young hedge-sparrow, or
an egg, if one remains unhatched, on its back, and getting
quite to the edge throw it over, then tumble again into the nest,
and after a little time renew its efforts till every young bird and
egg has met with the same fate. The whole of Doctor Jenner s
remarks on this subject are extremely worthy of perusal ; and we
have to regret, that he who has benefited his fellow creatures
in the most eminent degree by the introduction of vaccina-
tion, has not had the leisure to extend his inquiries farther
into the natural history of his country. Ed.

t Lih. X. c. 9.

310 CUCKOO. Class II.

Descrip- The weight of the cuckoo is a little more than
five ounces; the length is fourteen inches; the
breadth twenty-five. The bill black, very strong,
a little incurvated, and about two-thirds of an
inch long ; the irides are yellow. The head, hind
part of the neck, the coverts of the wings, and
the rump, are of a dove color ; darker on the
head and paler on the rump. The throat and
upper part of the neck are of a pale grey ; the
breast and belly white, crossed elegantly Avith
undulated lines of black ; the vent feathers are
of a buff color, marked with a few dusky spots.
The wings are very long, reaching within an
. ' inch and a half of the end of the tail ; the first
quil feather is three inches shorter than the
others ; all are dusky, and their inner webs
are barred with large oval white spots. The
tail consists of ten feathers of unequal lengths
like those of the butcher bird : the two middle
are black tipt with white ; the others are marked
with white spots on each side their shafts. The
legs are short, and the toes disposed two back-
wards and two forwards like the woodpecker,
though it is never observed to run up the sides
Female, of trees. The female differs in some respects ;
the neck before and behind is of a brownish
red ; the tail barred with the same color and
black, and spotted on each side the shaft with

Glass II. CUCKOO. 311

white. [The cuckoo when very young is a black
looking ugly animal resembling at first sight
a young toad or bat; in this state when you
approach the nest, it will raise its crest and
feathers, and peck or strike with the wings at
the hand which offers to lay hold upon it, ele-
vating itself on the nest, and when fledged, will
make a shrieking noise; but this disposition
soon leaves it, when it will take food and be
easily tamed. Ed.]

At a more advanced period the young birds
are brown mixed with ferruginous and black,
and in that state have been described by some
authors as old ones.

The cuckoo is scarce in Italy ; it arrives
there in April, and disappears with the goat-
suckers after the dog-days.

312

WRYNECK.

Class II.

GENUS VIII. WRYNECK.

Bill weak, slightly incurvated.

Nostrils bare, sunk.

Tongue long, slender, armed at the point.

Tail of ten flexible feathers.

Feet climbing.

1. Wry-
neck.

Yunx Torquilla. Y. grisea fus-
co nigricanteque varia, abdo-
mine rufescente — albo ma-
culis nigricantibus, rectrici-
bus maculis striis fasciisque
nigris undulatis. Lath. Ind.
orn. 223. id. Syn. ii. 548.
t. 24. id. Sup. i. 103.

Le Tercou, Torcou, ou Tur-
cot. Beton av. 306.

Jynx. Gesner av. 573.

Aldr. av. i. 421.

The Wryneck. Wil. orn. 138.

Raii Syn. av. 44.

Le Torcol, Torquilla. Brisson
av. iv. 4. Tah. i. Jig. 1.

Hist, d'ois. vii. 84. f. 3. PL
Enl. 6g8.

Collotorto, Verlicella. Zi-
nan. 72.

The Emmet Hunter. Charl-
ton ex. 03.

Jynx Torquilla. Gm. Lin. 423.

Gjoktyta. Faun. Suec. sp. 97.

Bende-Hals. Br. 37-

Natterwindl, Wendhalss.

Kram. 336.

Dreh-Hals. Frisch, i. 38.

Ishudesch. Scopoli, No. 50.

Br. Zool. 80. plate F. Jrcf.
Zool. i. 313.

Descrip- i>l ATURE, by the elegance of its penciling
the colors of this bird, hath made ample amends
for their want of splendor. Its plumage is mark-
ed with the plainest kinds. A list of black and
ferruginous strokes divides the top of the head

Class II. WRYNECK. 31S

and back. The sides of the head and neck are
ash colored, beautifully traversed with fine lines
of black and reddish brown ; the quil feathers are
dusky, but each web is marked with rust colored
spots. The chin and breast are of a light
yellowish brown, adorned with sharp pointed /'

bars of black. The tail consists of tea feathers,
broad at their ends and weak; of a pale ash
color, powdered with black and red, and marked
with four equidistant bars of black. The tongue
is long and cylindric, for the same use as that of
the woodpecker. The toes are also disposed
the same way. The bill is short, weak, and a
little arcuate. The irides are of a yellowish hazel.

The Wryneck we believe to be a bird of pass-
age, appearing here in the spring before the
cuckoo. The fVelsh consider it as the fore-
runner or servant of that bird, and call it Gzvds
y gog, or the cuckoo's attendant : the Swedes re-
gard it in the same light.*

The food of this species is insects, but chiefly
ants, for on examination we found the stomach
of one filled with their remains. As the tongue
of this bird, like that of the Ant-bear or Ta-
mandria, is of an enormous length j it possibly

* Jynx hieme non apparet, vere autem remigrans, cuculi, post
quatuordecem dies, adventum ruricolis annuntiat, Amcen. acad.
iv. 584.

314 WRYNECK. Class II.

not only makes use of it to pick those insects
out of their retreat, but like that quadruped
may lay it across their path, and when covered
with ants draw it into its mouth.

Its weight is one ounce and a quarter : the
length seven inches ; the breadth eleven. It
takes its name from a manner it has of turning
its head back to the shoulders, especially when
terrified ; it has also the faculty of erecting the
feathers of the head like those of the jay. Its
note is like that of the Kestrel, a quick repeated
squeak. Its eggs are white, and have so thin a
shell that the yolk may be seen through it. It
builds in the hollows of trees, making its nest of
dry grass, in which we have counted nine young.

[In Gloucestershire it is called the Cuckoo
Maid, and Cuckoo Fool, from its attendance on
that bird, and from its being considered as the
most foolish of the feathered tribe ; also the
Snake bird, from its resemblance to that reptile
in the form, color, and singular contortion of the
neck in various ways, and particularly when the
body is held in the hand, and the head at
liberty. Ed.]

Class II. GREEN WOODPECKER.

S15,

GENUS IX. WOODPECKER.

Bill straight, strong, angular.

Nostrils covered with bristles.

Tongue very long, slender, and armed at the

end with a sharp bony point.
Tail of ten stiff feathers.
Feet climbing.

Picus viridis. P. viridis, vertice
coccineo. Lath. Ind. orn.234.
id. Syn. ii, 577. id. Sup. i.
110.

Le Pic mart. Pic verd. Pic
jaulne. Belon av. 299.

G'esner av.JlO.

Pico verde. Aldr. av. i. 4l6.

Green Woodpecker, or Wood-
spite ; called also the Rain
Fowl, High Hoe, and Hew-
hole. JVil. orn. 135.

Jlaii Syn. av. 42.

Picus viridis. Gm. Lin. 433.

Lie Pic verd. Brisson av. iv. 9.

Hist, d'ois. vii. 7- ^ i- PL 1- Green.

Enl. 371- 879-
Wedknar, Gronspik, Grong-

joling. Faun. Suec. sp. 99.
Hasselquist itin. Ter. Sand.

291.
Girald. Camhrens. IQl.
Danish & Norv. Groenspet*

Br. 39.
Grunspecht. Kram. 334.

Frisch, i. 33.
Deteu, Detela. Scopoli. No.

52.
Br. Zool. 78. plate E. Arct.

Zool. i. 325.

X HE wisdom of Providence in the admirable
contrivance of the fitness of the parts of ani-
mals to their respective nature, cannot be better
illustrated than from this genus ; which we shall

316 GREEN WOODPECKER. Class II.

give from the observations of our illustrious
countryman Mr. Ray*

These birds feed entirely on insects, and
their principal action is that of climbing up and
down the bodies or boughs of trees ; for the first
purpose they are provided with a long slender
tongue, armed with a sharp bony end barbed on
each side, which by the means of a curious ap-
paratus ofmusclesf they can exert at pleasure,
darting it to a great length into the clefts of the
bark, transfixing and drawing out the insects
that lurk there. They are reckoned great ene-
mies to bees according to Frisch.
Nest. They make their nests in the hollows of trees :

the entrance to which is as exact a circle, as if
it had been formed by the assistance of a com-
pass. They will work their way for the space
of nearly t^'o feet, and lay their eggs, in the
chamber at the extremity on the bare wood.
The number of their eggs, which are of a beau-
tiful transparent white, amounts to seven at lest,
for I have seen so many of their young taken
out of a single nest; this was on June 12,
1794. They will, before they can fly, appear
out of their hollows, and climb up and down the

* Ray on the Creation, p. 143.

f Phil. Trans. Martin s abridg. V, p. 55. plate 2.

Class n. GREEN WOODPECKER. 317

body of the tree. In order, therefore, to force
their way to those cavities, their bills are formed
strong, very hard, and wedge-like at the end ;
Dr. Derham observes, that a neat ridge runs
along the top, as if an artist had designed it for
strength and beauty ; it has not the power to
penetrate a sound tree: their perforation of
any tree is a warning to the owner to throw it
down.

Their legs are short, but strong ; their thighs
very muscular ; their toes disposed, two back*
wards, two forward ; the feathers of the tail are
very stiff, sharp pointed and bending down-
wards : the three first circumstances admir-
ably concur to enable them to run up and down
the sides of trees with great security ; and the
strength of the tail supports them firmly when
they continue long in one place, either where
they find plenty of food, or while they are form-
ing an access to the interior part of the timber.
This form of the tail makes their flight very
awkward, as it inclines their body down, and
forces them to fly with short and frequent jerks
when they would ascend, or even keep in a line.
This species feeds oftener on the ground than ~ .
any other of the genus.

This kind weighs six ounces and a half: its Descrip-
length is thirteen inches ; the breadth twenty

318 GREEN WOODPECKER. Class II.

and a half. The bill is dusky, triangular, and
nearly two inches long ; the crown of the head is
crimson, spotted with black. The eyes are sur-
rounded with black, beneath which (in the males
only) is a rich crimson mark. The back, neck,
and lesser coverts of the wings, are green ; the
rump of a pale yellow ; the greater quil fea-
thers are dusky, spotted on each side with white.
The tail consists of ten stiff feathers, whose ends'
are generally broken as the bird rests on them
in climbing ; their tips are black ; the rest of
each is alternately barred with dusky and deep
green. The whole under part of the body is
of a very pale green ; and the thighs and vent
marked with dusky lines. The legs and feet
are of a cinereous green. ' ^ - - ^ - ■

[This and the following species are confined to
the wooded districts oi Greece, and consequent-
ly are never seen on the eastern side of the
country which is bare of trees. Ed.]

ClassII. great spotted WOODPECKER.

3!9

Picus major. P. albo nigroque

varius, crisso occipiteque ni-
• gris. Lath. Ind. orn. 228. id.
. Syn.n.bQA.id.Sup. i. 107.
JL'epeiche, Cul rouge. Pic

rouge. Belon av. 300.
Picus varius, sen albus. Gesner

av. 709.
Greater spotted Woodpecker, or

Witwal. Wll. orn. 13?.
Itaii syn. av. 43.
Picchio. Zinan. 73.
Le grand Pic varie. Brisson av.

iv. 34. Hisi. dJois. vii. 57.

PI. Enl. 196. m. 5Q5. Jem.
Picus major. Gm. Lin. 436.
Gyllenrenna. Faun. Suec. sp*

100.
Hakke-speet. Brunnkh, 40.
Grosses Baumhackl. Kram,

336.
Bunt Specht. Frisch, i. 36.
Kobilar. Scopoli, No. 53.
Br. Zool. 79. plate E. Arcf.

Zool. i. 319?

2. Great
Spotted.

XHIS species weighs two ounces three quar- Descrip=

* ... TlOIf,

ters : the length is nine inches ; the breadth
sixteen. The bill is one inch and a quarter
long, of a black horn color. The irides are red ; ,

the forehead is of a pale buff color; the
crov/n of the head a glossy black, the hind part
marked with a rich deep crimson spot ; the cheeks
white, bounded beneath by a black line which
passes from the corner of the mouth, and sur-
rounds the hind part of the head. The neck is
encircled with a black collar; the throat and
breast are of a yellowish white ; the vent fea-
thers of a fine light crimson. The back, rump,
and coverts of the tail, and lesser coverts of the

S£0 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Class II.

wings are black ; the scapular feathers and
coverts adjoining to them are white; the quil
feathers black, elegantly marked on each web
with round white spots. The four middle fea-
thers of the tail are black, the next tipt with dir-
ty yellow ; the bottoms of the two outmost
black, the upper parts a dirty white; the ex-
terior feather marked on each web with two
black spots ; the next with two on the inner
web, and only one on the other. The legs are
Female. Qf ^ lead color. The female wants that beauti-
ful crimson spot on the head ; in other respects
the colors of both agree. This species is much
more uncommon than the preceding ; and keeps
altogether in the woods.

All the species continue the whole year in
Italy. . ; ^- , : ^ V, jjj

*' Is found in France, Germany and other
parts of Europe, and if the same as is mentioned
by Hasselqiiist, frequents the higher parts of
Asia, Among the drawings of Indian birds
communicated by Doctor Buchanan, is one of
the middle spotted woodpecker, with the whole
crown crimson ; therefore if this be allowed to
be an immature bird, it will ascertain this
species to be a native of Calcutta and other
parts of India. It makes its nest in the holes

Pl.XLI.

Vol.lJ^S2L

M:IDDLE AND LEST SPOTTED TVOODPECKER5.

Cl. II. MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 321

of decayed trees, and lays five pure white and
glossy eggs." J. L.

[This bird in Gloucestershire is known by the
name of the French Pie. It has a method of
obtaining its food, which, with the exception of
the following species, is different to others in
this country; by putting the point of its bill
into a crack or the limb of a large tree, and
making a quick tremulous motion with its head,
it occasions a sound as if the tree was splitting,
which alarms the insects and induces them to
quit their recesses ; this, during the spring it
repeats in the same spot every minute or two
for half an hour, and will then fly to another
tree, generally fixing itself near the top, for the
same purpose. The noise may be distinctly
heard for half a mile. This bird will also keep
its head in very quick motion, while moving
about the tree for food, jarring the bark, and shak-
ing it at the time it is seeking for insects. Ed.]

Picus medius. P. albo nigroque Gm. Lin. 436. A. Middle.

varius, crisso pileoque ru- Faun. Suec. sp. 82.

bris. Lath. Ind, orn. 229. id. Scopoli, No. 54.

Syn. ii. 565. id. Sup. i. IO7. Le Pic vari^. Brisson av. iv.
id. Sup. v. UO. 38. Pl.Enl.6n.

XHIS agrees with the pijeceding in colors
and size, excepting that the crown of the head

VOL. I. Y

322 LEST SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Class II.

in this is of a rich crimson ; the crown of the
head in the male of the former is black ; and the
crimson is in the form of a bar on the hind part.
Birds thus marked have been shot in Lanca-
shire^ and other parts of Englaiid ; but I am
doubtful whether they are varieties, or distinct
species.*

3. Lest Picus minor. P. albo nigroque Le petit Pic varie. Brisson av.

SPOTTED. varius, vertice rubro, crisso iv. 41. Hisi. d'ois. v'n. 62

testaceo. Lath. hid. orn.22g. PL Enl. 5Q8.

id. S2/71. li. 566. id. Sup. i. Scopoli. No. 55.

107. Hasselquist itiii. 242.

Gesner av. 70g. Kleiner Bunt-Specht. Frisch,

Aldr. av. I. 416. i. 37.

Lesser spotted Woodpecker, or Kleiner Baumhackl. Kram.

Hickwall. Wil. orn. 138. 336.

Raii Syn. av. 43. Br. Zool. 79. plate E. Arct.

Picus minor. Gin. Lin. 437- Zool. i. 326.

Faun. Suec. \Q2.

Descrip- X HIS species is the lest of the genus, scarcely
weighing an ounce ; the length is six inches ; the
breadth eleven. The forehead is of a dirty
white ; the crown of the head (in the male) of a
beautiful crimson ; the cheeks and sides of the

* It seems now ascertained, that they are merely the young of
the greater spotted woodpecker, the head of which, in its first
plumage, is entirely of a crimson color. When they moult the
crown of the head in both sexes becomes black, but the cock
aftervvards obtains the beautiful bar of crimson at the poll, which
is Avanting in the hen. Ed.

Class II. LEST SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 32^

neck are white, bounded by a bed of black be-
neath the former. The hind part of the head
and neck, and the coverts of the wings are black ;
the back is barred with black and white; the
scapulars and quil feathers spotted with black
and white ; the four middle feathers of the tail
are black; the others varied with black and
white ; the breast and belly are of a dirty white;
the crown of the head (in the female) is white.
The feet are of a lead color.

It has all the characters and actions of the
greater kind, but is not so often met with.

[This is called in Gloucestershire the Crank
bird. Its habits are nearly the same as the
preceding species, but is more active, lively, and
very industrious about the bark of trees in its
search for insects. The tremulous motion of
its head is more frequent, but the jarring noise
is not so loud, though it may be heard at a
considerable distance, and the species easily
distinguished by the difference of the sound.
It builds in holes of trees, and like others of
the genus makes no nest, and lays white eggs.
Ed.]

" Is not plentiful in this kingdom. It fre-
quents deep woods. Is a native of Ceylon.''

J. L,

V ^

324 HAIRY WOODPECKER. Class II.

4. Hairy. Picus vlllosus. P. albo nigroque P. villosus. Gm. Lin. 435,

varius, subtus albus, dorso Picchevelude Virginie. Bris-

longitudinallter subvilloso, son iv. 48. Hist, d'ois. vli.

rectricibus externis toto albis. 74. PI. Enl. 754,

Lath. Ltd. orn. 232. id. Syn. Arct. Zool i. 320.
ii. 572. Sup. i. 108".

Descrip- [THE crown of the head is black ; the hind

TION

part marked with a crimson spot ; the cheeks
with two lines of white and two of black ;
the whole under side of the body is of a white
color, divided in the middle lengthways, with a
line of white unconnected feathers, resembling
hairs ; the wings are black spotted in rows with
white : the two middle feathers of the tail are
black, the two outmost entirely white ; the rest
black marked crossways with white. The fe-
male wants the red spot on the head. Its
weight is about two ounces ; its length nine
inches. ■

We are informed by Dr. Latham, that a pair
of these birds Avere shot near Halifax, in York-
shire, and they are said not to be uncommon in
the north of England. Ed.]

Class II. GREAT BLACK WOODPECKER. 325

Picus martius. P. niger pileo d'ois. y'li. 41. Tab. 2. PI. 5. Great

coccineo. Lath. Ind. or7u 224. Enl. 5q6. Black.

id. Syn. ii. 552. Sup. i. 104. Rail syn. av. 42. JFillugkly

Gm. Lin. 424. 02. t. 21.

Le pic noir. ^rmora iv. 2 1 . Hisi. Arct. Zool. i.324.

[THIS species is also added to the British
Zoology on the authority of Dr. Lathajii, who
says he has been informed it has occasionally
been seen in Z)ex'oWzire, and the southern parts
of the kingdom.

The length of this woodpecker, is eighteen Descrip-

& ^ r :i O TION.

inches, and its extent twenty-nine. Its whole
plumage is of a full black, excepting the head,
which is of a rich crimson. In the female, the
crimson color is confined to the hind part of the
head.

It inhabits the forests of Germany, Switzer-
land, and the north from Petersburg to Ochotsk;
does great damage to trees by making deep
holes in them to nestle in. Lays two or three
white semi-transparent eggs. Feeds on cater-
pillars and insects, especially ants. Ed.]

3S6

KINGFISHER.

Class II.

GENUS X. KINGFISHER.

Bill straight, strong, triangular, sharp pointed.
Tongue short and pointed.
Toes, three lowest joints of the outmost connect-
ed to the middle toe.

1. Common. AlcedoIspida.A.brachyura, sub-
cristata coerulea, subtiia rufa,
loris fulvis, vertice nigro un-
duiato, macula aurium gula-
que albis. Lath. hid. ortu 2b2-
id. Syn. ii. 626. id. Sup. i.
115.

Le Martinet pescheur. Belon av,
218.

Ispida (Isfogel). Gesnerav. 571.

Aldr. av. iii. 200.

Olina 39, 40.

fVil. em. 146.

Raii Syn. av, 48.

Alcedo Ispida. Gm. Lin. 448.

Le Martin-pecheur. Brisson
av, iv. 47 1. Hist, d'ois. vii.
164. PL E Hi. 77.

Piombino, Martino pescatore,
Pescatore del re. Zinan 11 6.

Isfogel. Mus. Fr. ad. l6, ScO'
poll. No. 64.

Jis-fugl. Brutmich in Ap-
pend.

Eisvogel. Frisch, ii. 223.

Meerschwalbe. Kram. 337.

Br. Zool 82. plate I. Arct.
Zool. i. 328.

Descrip-
tion.

X HIS bird weighs an ounce and a quarter : its
length is seven inches ; its breadth eleven. Its
shape is very clumsy, the head and bill being
very large, and the legs disproportionably small ;
the bill is two inches long ; the upper mandible
black, the lower yellow : the irides are red. The
colors of this bird atone for its inelegant form.

PLJOiir.

"VDL.l .p. 32G.

N^UTHATCH

P. 336.)

Class II. KINGFISHER. 329

a fabulous age every odd substance that was
flung ashore received that name ; a species of
tubular coral, a sponge, a zoophyte, and a mis-
cellaneous concrete having by the antients been
dignified with that title from their imaginary
origin.* Yet much of this seems to be founded
on truth. The form of the nest agrees most
exactly with the curious account of it that
Count Zinamii has favored us with.'j" The ma-
terials which Aristotle says it was composed
of, are not entirely of his own invention. AVho-
ever has seen the nest of the kingfisher, will ob-
serve it strewed with the bones and scales of
fish; the fragments of the food of the owner and
its young ; and those who deny that it is a bird
which frequents the sea, must not confine their
ideas to our northern shores, but reflect, that
birds inhabiting a sheltered place in the more
rigorous latitudes, may endure exposed ones in
a milder clime. Aristotle made his observa-

* Plin. lib. xxxii. c. 8. Diosc. lib. v. c 94.

\ Nidifica egli nelle ripe degli acquidotti, o de piccoli tor-
renti vicino al mare, forinando pero il nido nei siti piu alti di
dette ripe, acciocche I'escrescenza delle acque non possa insi-
nuarsi nel di lui foro ; e fa egli detto nido incavando interna-
mente il terreno in tondo per la lunghezza di tre piedi, e ridu-
cendo il fine di detto foro a foggia di batello, tutto coperto di
scaglie di pesci, che restano vagamente intrecciate ; ma forse non
sono cosi disposte ad arte, bensi per accidente.

330 KINGFISHER. Class II.

tions in the east, and allows, that the halcyon
. sometimes ascended rivers ;* possibly to breed,
for we learn from Zinanni, that in his soft cli-
mate, Itali), it breeds in Maij, in banks of
streams that are near the sea ; and having brought
up the first hatch, returns to the same place to
lay a second time.

On the foundation laid by the philosopher,
succeeding writers formed other tales extremely
absurd, and the poets, indulging the powers of
imagination, dressed the story in all the robes of
romance. This nest was a floating one ;

Incubat halcyone pendentibus sequore nidis.f

it was therefore necessary to place it in a tran-
quil sea, and to supply the bird with charms to
allay the fury of a turbulent element during the
time of its incubation ; for it had, at that sea-
son, power over the seas and the winds.

To'v re vohv, tov r* evpov, og 'kcrya.'ta (punlcx. Kivsr

' KXtivovsg, yXoLvnajg Nrj^r/Kri rat t's ^xccAiirra

0§vl^ujv BflXa^sv. Theocrit, Idyl. vii. 1. 57.

May Halcyons smooth the waves, and cahn the seas.
And the rough south-east sink into a breeze ;
Halcyons of all the birds that haunt the main.
Most lov'd and honor'd by the Nereid train.

Faivkes.

* Avajoalvsi Ss ts Bit\ fsg liofa^ss. Hist. an. 1050.
t Ovid. Met. lib. xi.

Class IL KINGFISHER. 331

These birds were equally favourites with
Thetis as with the Nereids ;

Dilect33 Thetidi Halcyones. Virg. Georg. i. 399.

As if to their influence these deities owed a re-
pose in the midst of the storms of winter, and
by their means were secured from those winds
which disturbed their submarine retreats, and
which agitated even the plants at the bottom
of the ocean.

Such are the accounts given by the Roman
and Sicilian poets. Aristotle and Pliny tell us,
that this bird is most common in the seas of
Sicily; that it sat only a few days, and those in
the depth of winter ; and during that period the
mariner might sail in full security, for which
reason they were stiled. Halcyon days.*

Perque dies placidos hiberno tempore septem

Incubat Halcyone pendentibus aequore nidis :

Turn via tuta maris : ventos custodit, et arcet

^olus egressu. Ovid. Met. lib. XI. . ' -. •

y4/c!/o?ze compress'd.
Seven days sits brooding on her watery nest
A wintry queen ; her sire at length is kind.
Calms every storm and hushes every wind. Dryden.

* Arist. hist. an. 541. Pliru lib. x. c. 32. lib. xviii. c. 24.
'AA)cuov£ja< TjixspaJ of the former; and dies halcyonides of the
latter. ...

332 KINGFISHER. Class II.

In after times, these words expressed any
season of prosperity : these were the Halcyofi
days of the poets, the brief tranquillity, the
septem placid'i dies of human life.

The poets also made it a bird of song : Vir-
gil seems to place it in the same rank with the
Linnet:

Litloraque Halcyonem resonant, et Acanlhida dumi.

Georg. III. 338.

And Siliiis Italicus celebrates its music, and its
floating nest :

• Cum sonat Halcyone cantu, nidosque natantes
Immota gestat sopitis fluctibus unda.

ii5.XIV. 275.

But we suspect that these writers have trans-
ferred to our species the harmony that belongs
to the vocal alcedo of the philosopher, xa) ^ i^bv

t^bsyysrcct, KaSi^dvscra eiti ruv Sovcckwv, ' 'Wnich IVCIS

"vocal, and peixhed upon reeds. Aristotle says,
it is the lest of the two, but that both of them
have a cyanean back.f Belon labors to prove
the "cocal alcedo to be the rousserole, or the
greater reed sparrow, J a bird found in France

* Hist. an. Sgs.

■f 'NwT'ov Tivavsov, the color of the cyanus, or lapis lazuli.
X Le Rousserolle, Belun av. 221. Le Roucherolle, Brisson

Class II. KINGFISHER. 33^

and some other parts of Europe, and of a very
fine note ; it is true that it is conversant among
reeds, like the bird described by Aristotle, but
as its colors are very plain, and that striking
character of the fine blue back is wanting, we
cannot assent to the opinion of Belon, and ra-
ther imagine it to be one of the lost birds of
the antients.

Those who think we have said too much on
this subject, should consider how incumbent it
is on every lover of science, to attempt placing
the labors of the antients in a just light; to
clear their works from those errors, which owe
their origin to the darkness of the times ; and
to evince, that many of their accounts are
strictly true ; many founded on truth ; and
that others contain a mixture of fable and
reality, which certainly merit the trouble of se-*
paration. It is much to be lamented that tra-
vellers, either on classic or any other ground,
have not been more assiduous in noting the
zoology of those countries, which the antients
have celebrated for their productions : for, from
those who have attended to that branch of na-
tural knowledge, we have been able to deve^^
lope the meaning of the old naturalists, and

av. ii. 218. Greater reed sparrow, Wil. orn. 143. Turdusarun-
dinaceus, Lin. syst. sp. 296. Reed Thrush, Lafh. Syn. iii. 32.

334 KINGFISHER. Class II.

settle with precision some few of the animals
of the antients. '

Italy, a country crowded with travellers of
all nations, hath not furnished a single writer
on classical zoology. The East has been more
fortunate; Belo?i, the first voyager who made
remarks in natural history during his travels,
mentions many of the animals of the places he
visited, and may be very useful to ascertain
those of Aristotle, especially as he has given
their modern Greek names. Our countryman.
Dr. Russel, enumerates those of Syria. Dr.
Hasselquist has made some additions to the
ornithology of Egypt: but all these fail short
of the merits of that most learned and inquisi-
tive traveller, Dr. Slum; who with unparal-
leled learning and ingenuity, has left behind
him the most satisfactory, and the most beauti-
~ , ful comments on the animals of the antients,

particularly those mentioned in holy writ,
or which relate to the JEgyptian mythology:
such as do honor to our country, and we flatter
ourselves will prove incentives to other travel-
lers, to complete what must prove superior to
any one genius, be it ever so great : from such
we may be supplied with the means of illustrat-
ing the works of the antient naturalists ; whilst
commentators, after loading whole pages with

Class II. KINGFISHER. S3.5

unenlightening learning, leave us as much in
the dark, as the age their authors wrote in.

The Kingfisher never quits Italy.

[The Kingfisher seldom flies much or far
from its haunt, and only passes just above the
surface of the water in an easy gliding swift
flight either up or down the stream, except
when it traverses a meadow by a shorter way
to a branch of the winding river it frequents.
It generally alights on the branch of a low tree
hanging over the side of the water, or upon
reeds, where it remains in a quiet attitude, not .
stirring from the spot, unless when it may be
observed to dart down, dive under the water,
and bring up a small fish, which it immediately
swallows. It has been seen at times balancing
itself over the water, in which a great many of
the small round shining beetles were swimming
swiftly in a circular, and which it makes its
prey. Ed.]

336

NUTHATCH.

Class H.

GENUS XL NUTHATCH.

Bill straight, the upper mandible a little
longer than the lower, and angular at the
point.

Tongue short, horny at the end, and jagged. ^

Toes divided to the base.

1. Euro-
pean.

Sitta Europasa. S. cinerea sub-
tus rufescens, rectricibus ni-
gris lateralibus quatuor infra
apicem albls. Lath. Ind.
orn. 261. id. Syn. ii. 648.
id. Sup. i. 117-

Le Grand Grimpereau, le Tor-
chepot. Belon av. 304.

Picus cinereus, seu Sitta. Ges-
ner ai). 71I.

Ziolo. Aldr. av. i. 417.

The Nuthatch, or Nut-jobber.
Wil. orn. 142.

Rail syn. av. 47-

The Woodcracker. Plotfs
hist. Ox. 173.

Sitta EuropEea. Gm. Lin. 440.

Le Torchepot, Sitta. Brisson
av. iii. 588. Tab. 2Q. Jig. 3.
Hisi. d:ois. v. 460. PI. Enl.
623. 1.

Picchio grigio, Raparino, Zi-

71071. 74.

Notwacka, Notpacka. Faun.

Suec. sp. 104.
Danish SpcEtt-meise. Norv.

Nat-Bake. Br. 42.
Klener, Nusszhacker. Kram,

362.
Blau-specht Frisch, i. 3g.
Earless. Scopoli, No. 57.
Br. Zool. 81. plate H. Arci.

Zool. i. 330.

Descrip- XHE nuthatch weighs nearly an ounce; its
length is about five inches three-quarters; its
breadth nine inches. The bill is strong and

Class II. NUTHATCH. 337

straight, about three quarters of an inch long ;
the upper mandible black, the lower white ;
the irides hazel ; the crown of the head, back,
and coverts of the wings are of a fine bluish
grey ; a black stroke passes over the eye from
the mouth : the cheeks and chin are white ;
the breast and belly of a dull orange color; "
the quil feathers dusky ; the wings underneath
are marked with two spots, one white at the
root of the exterior quils, the other black at
the joint of the bastard wing. The tail consists
of twelve feathers ; the two middle are grey ;
the two exterior feathers tipt with grey, then
succeeds a transverse white spot ; beneath that
the rest is black. The legs are of a pale yellow ;
the back toe very strong, and the claws large.

This bird runs up and down the bodies of MAsrNERa.
trees, like the woodpecker tribe, and feeds not
only on insects, but nuts, of which it lays up
a considerable provision in the hollows of
trees. It is a pretty sight, says Mr. Willughby,
to see her fetch a nut out of her hoard, place it
fast in a chink, and then standing above it
with its head downwards, striking it with all
its force, break the shell, and catch up the ker-
nel. It breeds in the hollows of trees f if the

* The eggs, generally six or seven in number, are of a dirtv
•white color, blotched with rufovis or sanguineous. J. L.

VOL. T. % < _

33d NUTHATCH. Class H.

entrance to its nest be too large, it stops up
part of it A^'itli clay, leaving only room enough
for admission : in autumn it begins to make a
chattering noise, being silent for the greatest
part of the year. Doctor Plot tells us, that
this bird, by putting its bill into a crack in the
bough of a tree, can make* such a violent saund
as if it was rending it asunder, so that the
noise may be heard at least twelve score
yards.

The Nuthatch migrates in Italy ; a few only
remain there during the w inter.

* There is every reason to believe that this assertion is ili-
founded. Eu. • ' ■ '

Class II. BEE EATER. 339

GENUS XII. BEE EATER.

Bill quadrangular, a little incurvated, sharps

pointed.
Nostrils small, placed near the base.
Tongue slender.
Toes, three forward, one backward : the three

lower joints of the middle toe closely

joined to those of the outmost.

Merops apiaster. M. dorso fer- The Ree eater. Wll. om. 147, Common.

rugiueo abdomine caudaque Raii Syn. av. 4g.

viridl-cserulescente, rectrici- Lin. Tr. iii. 333.

bus duobus longioribus, gu- Le Guepier. Brisson av. iv.

la lutea. Lath. Ind. orn. 532. Hist. cVois. vi. 480.

269. id. Syn. ii. 667. id. PL Enl. §38.
Sup. \\Q. Grn. Lin.460.

[THIS beautiful bird was first observed to
visit England in 1 794, when a flock of about
twenty passed most part of the summer in
Norfolk : other specimens have since that time
been killed in Suffolk.

It measures from bill to tail ten inches. The Descrip-
bill is black, an inch and three quarters in
length ; the irides red ; the forehead of a blu-
ish-green color, with green ; above the top of

7 o

I' .^

§40 BEE EATER. Class II.

the head chesniit tinged with green : the head
and upper part of the neck chesnut, growing
paler towards the back : from the bill to the
back of the head is a black stripe, which passes
through the eyes : the back and scapulars are
of a very pale yellow, tinged with both chesnut
and green ; the rump and upper tail coverts
blue-green with a yellowish tinge ; the throat
yellow ; the under parts of the body blue-
green, growing paler towards the belly; the
lesser wing-coverts dull green, the middle ru-
fous, and the greater rufous green ; the quils
for the most part sea-green without, many of
the inner rufous ; the first short, the second the
longest : the tail consists of twelve feathers, the
shafts of which are brown above and w^hitish
beneath ; the two middle feathers are sea-green
with a shade of rufous, the rest the same, but
margined with cinereous within ; the two mid-
dle feathers exceed the outer by three quarters
of an inch ; the tail is of a w edge-shaped form :
the legs are reddish brown • the claws reddish
black.*

These birds chiefly inhabit the southern parts
of Europe, but visit occasionally Germany,

* Latham Si/n. ii. 66~, from vihoni the above accurate de-
scription is borrowedi

Class II. BEE EATER. S4l

Lorraine, and other northern districts. They are
most abundant in the southern parts of Russia,
particularly about the rivers Don and Volga,
in the banks of which they build their nests,
perforating holes to the depth of half a foot for
that purpose, and in such numbers, that the
clayey banks appear like a honeycomb. The
nest is composed of moss, in which they depo-
sit six or seven eggs, perfectly white, and about
the size of those of a stare. At the approach
of winter they migrate to more southern lati-
tudes.* Ed.]

* Montagu Ornithological Dictionary.

S4^

HOOPOE.

Class IL

GENUS XIII. HOOPOE.

Bill slender incurvated.
Tongue very short, triangular, entire.
Toes divided to their origin.
Tail of ten feathers.

Common. Upupa Epops. U. nlgricante
et rufo-albo variegata, subtus
rufescens, crista rufescente
apice nigra, cauda nigra
fascia alba. Lafh. Jnd. orn.
277. id. Syn. ii. 687- id.
Sup. i. 122.

La Huppe. Belon av. 2Q3.

Upupa. Gesner av. 776.

Aldr. av. ii. 314.

Bubbola. OUna, 36.

Tlie Hoop, or Hoopoe. JP'il.
orn. 145.

Rail Syn. av. 48.

The Dung Bird. Charlton ex.
98. Tal. gy.

Plott's Oxf. 177.

Edw. 345.

La Hupe ou Puput. Brisson

av. iii. 435. Tab. 43. Hist.

dois. vi. 439. PI. Enl. 52.
Upupa Epops. Gm. Lin. 46S.
Harfogel, Pop. Faun. Siiec.

sp. 105.
Ter Chaous Pocoche Trav, i.

209.
Her-fugl. Brunnicli, 43.
Widhopf. Kram. 337-
Upupa ; arquata stercoraria ;

gallus lutosus. Klein. Stem.

av. 24. Tah. 25.
Smerda kaura. Scopoli, No.

62.
Br. Zool. 83. plate L. Arct.

Zool. I. 332.

Descrip- XHIS bird may be readily distinguished from
all others that visit these islands by its beautiful
crest, which it can erect or depress at pleasure.

its length is twelve

It weighs three ounces

ri.XILLL

A^OL.l.P.3 42.

CREEPER. P.346.

Class II. HOOPOE. 543

inches ; its breadth nineteen. The bill is black,
two inches and a half long, slender, and
incurvated; the tongue triangular, small, and
placed low in the mouth ; the irides are hazel ; the
crest consists of a double row of feathers, the
highest about two inches long ; the tips are
black, their lower part of a pale orange color.
The neck is of a pale reddish brown ; the breast
and belly white ; but in young birds marked v/ith
narrow dusky lines pointing downwards; the
lesser coverts of the wings are of a light brown ;
the back, scapulars and wings crossed with
broad bars of white and black ; the rump is
white. The tail consists of only ten feathers,
white marked with black, in form of a crescent,
the horns pointing towards the end of the fea-
thers. The legs are short and black.

According to Lhmccus it takes its name from
its note,* which has a sound similar to the
word ; or it may be derived from the French
hupp^, crested. It breeds in hollow trees, and
lays two ash-colored eggs ; feeds on insects
which it picks out of ordure of all kinds. The
antients believed that it made its nest of hu-
man excrement; so far is certain, that its hole
is excessively fcetid from the tainted food it

* Fmin. Suec. 2d edif. 37.

344 HOOPOE. Class II.

brings to its young. The country people in
Szveden look on the appearance of this bird as a
presage of war ; '. , ; ^ ■. [

__ ■ Facies armata videtur ;

and formerly the vulgar in our country esteem-
ed it a forerunner of some calamity. It visits
these islands frequently; but not at stated
seasons, neither does it breed* with us. It is
found in many parts of Europe, in Egypt, and
even as remote as Ceylon. The Turks call it
Tir Chaous or the messenger bird, from the
resemblance its crest has to the plumes worn
by the Chaous or Turkish couriers.

Ovid says that Tereus was changed into this
bird : ,;

Vertitur in volucrem, cul stant in vertice cristas,
Promlnet immodicum pro longa ciispide rostrum:
Nomen Epops volucri. Metam. lib. vi. 1. 672.

Tereus, through grief, and haste to be reveng'd.
Shares the like fate and to a bird is chang'd.
- Fix'd on his head the crested plumes appear;

Long is his beak, and sharpen'd as a spear, CroxalL

The Hoopoe visits Italy in May and retires

in September.

* Dr. Latham suggests that the Hoopoe breeds in England
oftener than is generally supposed, and mentions that a pair some
years ago had begun to make a nest in Hampshire, but were
disturbed and quitted It. A young bird was also sent to him on
the 10th oiMay, 178G. Ed.

Class H.

CREEPER.

345

GENUS XIV. CREEPER.

Bill very slender, very much incurvated.
Tail of twelve feathers.
Toes divided to the origin.

Certhia familiaris. C. grisea,
subtus alba, remigibus fu3-
cls decern macula alba.
Lath. Jnd. orn. 280. id.
Syn. ii. 701. id. Sup. i.l26.

Le petit Grlmpereau. Belon
av. 375.

Certhia. Gesner av. 251.

A/dr. av.i. 424.

Wtl. orn. 144.

Raii Syn. av. 47-

The Oxeye Creeper. Charlton
ex. 93.

Picchio piccolo. Zinan. 75.

I^e Grimpereau. Brisson iii. 1. Familiar.

603 . Hist, d' Ois. v. 48 1 . P/.

Enl.QQl. 1.
Cat. Carol, app. 37.
Certhia familiaris. Gm. Lin.

469.
Krypare. Faun, Suec. sp. IO6.
Trsee-Pikke v. Lie-Hesten.

Br. p. 12. Scopoli, No.

59.
Grau-Specht. Frisch, i. 39.
BaumlauflFerl. Kram. 337.
Br. Zool. 82. plate K. Arct.

Zool. 1. 334.

JLHE creeper weighs only five drams; and
next to the Crested wren is the lest of the Bri-
tish birds ; the manner it has of ruffling its fea-
thers, and their length, give it a much larger ap-
pearance than is real. The length of this bird
is five inches and a half; the breadth seven and
a half. The bill is hooked like a sickle ; the
irides are hazel ; the legs slender ; the toes and

Descrip-.

TION.

34t) CREEPER. Class II.

claws very long, to enable it to creep up and
down the bodies of trees in search of insects,
which are its food. It breeds in hollow trees,
and is said to lay sometimes twenty eggs, but
they are rarely more than eight in number, of a
white color minutely dotted with bright ferrugi-
nous, and the shell rather hard. The nest loosely
made of dry grass, lined with small feathers, is
•. , -. placed in the hollow of decayed trees. The
head and upper part of the neck are brown,
streaked Avith black ; the rump is tawny ; the
coverts of the wings are variegated with brown
and black; the quii- feathers dusky, tipt with
whitC; and edged and barred with tawny marks;
the breast and belly are of a silvery white. The
tail is very long, and consists of twelve stiff fea-
thers, notwithstanding Mr. WiUughbij and other
ornithologists give it but ten ; they are of a
tawny hue, and the interior ends of each slope
off to a point.
„ -; [ Migrates in Italy in Septemher and October.

"■ • " Is found in various parts of Germany and

elsewhere on the continent, and is also said to
inhabit North Ameinca.'' J. L.

Glass II.

WOOD GROUS.

347

Sect. III. GALLINACEOUS.

GENUS XV. GROUS.

Bill short arched.

Toes outmost and inner connected to the first
joint of the middle toe by a small mem-
brane.

* With legs feathered to the feet: broad scarlet
eye-brows.

Tetrao Uroo;allus. T. fusco-ru-
fus, capite coUoque einereis,
gula abdomineqiie nigris,
axillis albls. Lath. Ind. orn,
634. id. Syn. iv. 729.

Le Coc de bois ou Faisau
bruyant Beton av. 249-

Urogallus major (the Male).
Gesner av. 490.

Grygallus major (the Female).
495.

Gallo cedrone, Urogallus sive
Tetrao. Aldr. av. ii. 29.

Gallo alpestre, Tetrax Nemesi-
ani (fem.) Aldr. av. ii. 33.

Pavo sylvestris. Girald. To-
pogr. Hihern. 706.

Rail Syn. av. 53.

Cock of the Mountain, or

Wood. Wil. orn. I72.
Capricalca. Sih. Scot. I6. Tab.

14, 18.
Le grand coq de Bruyeres. Bris-

son av. I. 182. Hist. d'Ois.

ii. 191. PL Enl. 73,74.
Tetrao Urogallus. Gm. Lin.

746.
Kjader. Faun. Suec. sp. 200.
Pojitop. ii. 101.
Tjader-hona. Hasselquist itin.

t571.
Klein. Stem. Tab. 27.

I. Wood.

f Swedish edition. This bird was shot in the isle of 3Iilo,
on a palm tree. Belon tells us, it is often found in Crete-, Ols.
p. 11. The English translator of Hasselquist gives a false name
to the bird, calling it the Black Game.

348 WOOD GROUS. Class II.

Mas Norvegis Tiur, Teer, Auerhahn. Frisch, i. 107,

Toedder. Foemina Noru. 108.

Roey. Bruimicfi, igi. Devi peteln. -Sco^joZf, No. 1 69.

Aurhan. Kram. 356. Br. Znol. 84. plates M. M*.

Arct. Zool. i. 364.

J- HIS species is found in no other part of
Great Britain than the Highlands of Scotland,
north of Inverness, and is very rare even in
those parts. It is there known by the name of
Capercalze, Aner-calze, and in the old law
books Caperkallif ; the last signifying the horse
of the woods ; this species being, in comparison
of others of the genus, pre-eminently large.'}'

Giraldiis Cai7ibrensis'f. describes it under the
title of Peacock of the zvood, from the rich green
that shines on the breast of the male. Boe-
thius^ also mentions it under the name of Ca-
percalze, and truly describes its food, the ex-
treme shoots of the pine. He afterwards deli-
vers an exact description of the Black cock, but
gives it the name of the Cock of the wood, an
appellation now confined to this species. Bishop
Lessli/\\ is a third of our historians who makes

i' For the same reason the Germans call it Aur-han, or the
Urus, or wild ox cock.
X Topogr. Hibern. 706. § Descr, Eegni Scotice. 7.,

II Scotice Descr. 24. , . . ■ .. ;

• XLIV

Toll. T.3a-8.

^r>.'&...

^Ass It. WOOD GROUS. S49

taention of this bird along with two others of the
genus, the black cock and common grous ; but
the Ptarmigan is overlooked by them. None of
these writers were conversant in the study of
natural history, therefore are very excusable
for theii* inaccuracy.

It inhabits wooded and mountanous coun- Manners,
tries ; in particular, forests of pines, birch trees
and junipers, feeding on the tops of the former,
and berries of the latter ; the first often infects
the flesh with such a taste, as to render it
scarcely eatable. In the spring it calls the
females to its haunts with a loud and shrill
voice ; and is at that time so very inattentive to
its safety, as to be very easily shot. It stands
perched on a tree, and descends to the females
on their first appearance. The female lays
from eight to sixteen eggs ; eight at the first,
and more as they advance in age.*

These birds are common to Scandinavia,
Germany, France, and several parts of the
Alps. In our country I have seen one speci-
men, a male, killed in the woods of Mr. Chis-
olme, to the north of Liverness. About the
year 1760, a few were to be found about Tho-
mas-tozvn, in the county of Tipperary, but I

* Schwenckfelt Aviarrum Silesice. 372,

TION.

350 WOOD GROUS. Class II.

suspect that the breed is now extmct in every
part of Ireland. All the British grous and
partridge are found in Italy, except the Red
Grous.
Descrip- The length of the male is two feet eight
inches ; the breadth three feet ten inches : its
w^eight sometimes fourteen pounds. The female
is much less, the length being only twenty-six
inches ; the breadth forty. The sexes differ
also greatly in colour. The bill of the male is
of a pale yellow ; the nostrils are covered with
dusky feathers ; the head, neck and back, are
elegantly marked, with slender lines of grey
and black running transversely; the feathers
on the hind part of the head are long, and be-
neath the throat is a large tuft of long feathers.
The upper part of the breast is of a rich glossy
green ; the rest of the breast and the belly
black, mixed with some white feathers ; the
sides are marked like the neck ; the coverts of
the wings crossed with undulated lines of black
and reddish brown ; the exterior webs of the
greater quil feathers are black ; at the setting
on of the wings in both sexes is a white spot;
the inner coverts are of the same color. The
tail consists of eighteen feathers, the middle of
which is the longest ; these are black, marked
on each side with a few white spots ; the vent

pi.:sL>^

Toll I". 351.

(jerrvalej

Class II. WOOD GROUS. S5i

feathers black mixed with white. The legs
very strong, covered with brown feathers : the
edges of the toes pectinated.

The female differs greatly from the. male. Female.
The bill is dusky ; the throat red ; the head,
neck and back, are marked with transverse
bars of red and black ; the breast has some
white spots on it, and the lower part is of a
plain orange color ; the belly barred with pale
orange and black; the tips of the feathers
white. The feathers of the back and scapulars
black, the edges mottled with black and pale
reddish brown ; the scapulars tipt with white ;
the inner webs of the quil feathers dusky ; the
exterior mottled with dusky and pale brown.
The tail is of a deep rust color barred with
black, tipt with white, and consists of sixteen
feathers.

Gesner, as Mr. fVillughbi/^ has long since ob-
served, deceived by the very different plumage
of the male and female of this kind, has formed
of them two species.

* TVil. orn. 173. Gesner av. 49O. 495. ' '^

352

BLACK GROUS. Glass IL

r(7-rR-;rr- ..Jifits ? :'':>? ,&Ulv>i ^d'' I'W

2. Black. , Tetrao Tetrix. T. nigro-viola-
cea, Cauda bifurca, remigi-
bus secundariis versus basin
albis. Lath. tnd. orn. &2b.
id. Syn. iv. 733. id. Sup. I.
213.

Urogallus minor (the Male).
Gesner av. 4Q3. Grvgallus
minor (the Female). 496.

Fasan negro, Fasiano alpestre,
Urogallus sive Tetrao minor
Gallus Scoticus sylvestris.
Aldr. av. ii. 32. 160.

Raii Syn. av. 53.

Heath-cock, black Game, or
Grous. JVil. orn. 173.

Tetrao tetrix. Gm. Lin. 784.^
Orre. Faun. Suec. sp. 102.
Le Coq-de-bruyeres a queue

fourchue. Brisson av. i. 186.

Hist. dois. ii. 210. PL

Enl. 172, 173.
Cimhris mas Urhane, fcemina

Urhoene. Norvegis Orrfugl.

Brunnich, I96.
Berkhan, Schildhan. Kram.

356.
Birckhahn. Frisch. i. lOg.
Gallo sforcello Italis. Scopoli,

No. 169.
Br. Zool. 85. Tal. M. 1. 2.

Arct. Zool.\. 367. "■"''•■

Manners. XHESE birds, like the former, are fond of
wooded and mountanous situations ; they feed
on bilberries, and other mountain fruits, and
in the winter on the tops of the heath. They
are often found in woods ; this and the preced-
ing species perching like the pheasant : in the
summer they frequently descend from the hills
to feed on corn ; they never pair, but in the
spring the male gets upon some eminence,
crows and claps his wings ;* on which signal

* The ruffed heathcock oC America, a bird of this genus, does
the same. Edw. Gl. p. 80. The cock of the wood agrees too

ri. XLVL

VOL.i.T.aas.

BLACK GROT7S.

Class II. BLACK GROUS. 355

all the females within hearing resort to him.
The young males quit their mother in the
beginning of winter, and keep in flocks of
seven or eight till spring; during that time
they inhabit the woods. They are very quarrel-
some, and will fight together like game cocks ;
and at that time are so inattentive to their own
safety, that it has often happened that two or
three have been killed at one shot.

Black grous are foundinvarious parts of (xre«^
Bf^itam, in Scotland, the Hebrides, and also in
JVales.'^ Some have been shot in Ireland, in
the county of Sligo, where the breed was for-
merly introduced out of Scotland, but I believe
that at present the species is extirpated. They
are met with even far south, and Hutch'uhs, in
the introduction to his history of Dorsetshire,
says that a few are found in that county. I
think they extend to the moors of Devonshire,
the New Forest in Hampshire, Ashdown Forest
in Susse.v, on the north-west to Cank heatli in
Staffordshire, and to some of the Shropshire

in this exultation during the amorous season ; at which time the
peasants in the Alps^, directed by the sound, have an opportunity
of l^illing them.

* A few are still found on a moss, the property of Sir Thomas
JIanmer, on the confines of the hundred of Maelor in Flintshire :
the breed has been extirpated in other parts of Wales. Ed.

VOL. I. ' 2 A ' ' ;' ''

354

BLACK GROUS.

Class 11.

Descrip-
tion.

Fe?4ALI

moors, but in most places they are consider-
ably reduced in numbers by the unrestrained
havock made among them.

An old black cock weighs from four pounds
to four pounds and an half; its length is one
foot ten inches ; its breadth two feet nine.
The bill is dusky; the plumage of the whole
body black, glossed over the neck and rump
with a shinino; blue ; the coverts of the wings
are of a dusky brown ; the four first quii
leathers are black, the next white at the bot-
tom ; the lo^\ er half of the secondary fea-
thers whitOj and the tips are of the same color ;
the inner coverts of the wings white; the
thighs and legs are covered with dark brown
feathers ; on the former are some white spots ;
the toes resemble those of the former species.
The tail consists of sixteen black feathers, and
is much forked ; the exterior feathers bend
greatly outwards, and their ends seem as if cut
off; the feathers under the tail and inner co-
verts of the wings are of a pure w^hite.

The female weighs only two pounds : its
length is one foot six inches ; its breadth two
feet six. The head and neck are marked with
alternate bars of dull red and black ; the breast
with dusky, black and white, but the last pre-
dominates. The backj coverts of the wings

Class II. BLACK GROUS. 555

and tail, are of the same colors as the neck, but
the red is deeper ; the inner webs of the quil
feathers are mottled with black and white ; the
inner coverts of the wings are white, and in
both sexes form a white spot on the shoulder.
The tail is slightly forked ; it consists of eigh-
teen feathers variegated with red and black;
the feathers under the tail are white, marked
with a few bars of black and orange. This
bird hatches its young late in summer ; it lays
from six to eight eggs, of a dull yellowish white
color, marked with numbers of very small fer-
ruginous specks, and towards the smaller end •
with some blotches of the same hue.

Besides the common species of black cock, Mixei>
M. Bjisson mentions a variety found in Scot-
landi under the name of k coq de hruyere
piquete, or spotted black cock. It differs from
the common sort in being spotted on the neck,
breast, wings and thighs with red. This I sup-
pose to have been a spurious breed between
this and the former species, as the Tetrao Ily-
bridiis* of Linnceus is. I could not learn that
this mixed race was found at present in North
Britain, perhaps because the cock of the wood
is now become so very rare. It is also found in

* Arct. Zool. i. 366. Sparman Mus, Carlo. Tah. xv. Lath.
Sup. i. 214. id. Sup. ii. 275 ?

2 A 2t

Bkeed.

356

RED GROUS.

Class II.

Sxveden, and described by LinncEUii in his Faun.
Suec. sp. 201. by the title of Tetrao caudd bi-
jurca subtus albo punctata^ in Szvedish, Rackle-
hane or Roflare. The legs of this and the prece-
ding kind are feathered only to the feet ; they
both inhabit woods in the winter ; therefore na-
ture hath not given them the same kind protec-
tion against the cold, as she has the grous and
ptarmigan, who must undergo all the rigor of
the season beneath the snow, or on the bare
ground.

3. Red. Tetrao Scoticus. T. rufo et
nigricante transversim stria-
tus, rectrlclbus sex utrinque,
exterioribiis nigricantibus.
Lath. Ind. orn. 641 . id. Suti.
iv. 74(5. id. Sup. i. 2l6.

Tetrao Lagopiis. y et S, Gin.
Lin. 750.

Gallina campestris. Girald.
topogr. Hihern. 706.

Red Game, Gorcock, or
Moor-cock, Wil. orn. I77.

Lagopvis altera Plinii. Ravi

Syn. av. 54.
Moor-cock, or Moor-fowl. Sil.

Scot. 16.
Attagen. Brisson av, i. 209.

Hist, d'ois. ii. 252.
La Gelinote d'Ecosse, Bonasa

Scotica. Brisson av. Igg.

tal. 22. f. i. Hist, d'ois. ii.

242.
Br. Zool. 85. plate M. 3.

Descrip- XHE male weio;hs about nineteen ounces;*

TION.

the length is fifteen inches and a half; the
breadth twenty-six. The bill is black; the
nostrils covered with red and black feathers;

* I have since heard of one shot in Yorkshire which weighed
twenty-nine ounces.

Class II. RED GROUS. 357

the irides hazel colored ; at the base of the
lower mandible, on each side, is a white spot ;
the throat is red. The plumage on the head
and neck is of a light tawny red ; each feather
is marked with several transverse bars of black.
The back and scapular feathers are of a
deeper red, and on the middle of each feather
is a large black spot ; the breast and belly are
of a dull purplish brown, crossed with numerous .
narrow dusky lines ; the quil feathers are
dusky. The tail consists of sixteen feathers of
an equal length, all of them (except the four
middlemost) are black, and the middle feathers
are barred with red ; the thighs are of a pale
red, barred obscurely with black ; the legs and
feet cloathed to the very claws with thick soft
white feathers;* the claws are whitish, very
bi'oad and strong.

The female weighs only fifteen ounces. The Female.
colors in general are duller than those of the
male; the breast and belly are spotted with
white, and the tips of some of the coverts of
the wings are of the same color. The red naked

* The feet in the figure given by M. Brisson are engraven
naked, or bare of feathers. The specimen probably came to
that gentleman in that condition : his description in other re-
spects is very accurate.

358 RED GROUS. Class II.

part that lies above the eyes is less promi-
nent than in the male, and the edges not so
deeply fringed. /

We believe this species to be peculiar to
England, Scotland, and Ireland; not having met
with any account of it, except in the writings of
our countrymen T^Ir, Ray and JVillughby, and
M. Brisson under the name of Boiiasa Scotica ;
the same writer describes it again by the title
of Aitagen, but his references are either to au-
thors who have copied our naturalists, or to
such who mean quite another kind. Mr. Ray
seems to think his bird, the other Lagopus of
Pliny,^'' or the Francolino of the modern Ita-
lians : but the account left us by Pliny seems
too brief and uncertain to determine at this
time what species he intended; and that the
Francolino is not the same with our grous, is
evident from the figure of it exhibited by our
accurate friend Mr. Edwards. '\

These birds pair in the spring, and lay fi'om
six to ten eggs : the young brood or packs fol-
low the hen the whole summer ; in the v. inter
they join in flocks of forty or fifty, and become

* Est et alia nomine eodem, a coturnicibus magnitudine
tantum diflerens, croceo tinctu, cibis gratissima. Lib. x. c. 48.

■\- Plate 246. This is the Perdix Francoiinus. Lalh. bid,
orn. 644. id. Svn. iv. 730. PI. Enl. 147, 148. Ed,

A%

Pl.XVU.

A^OL.l.P.359.

FTAHMIG.^JSr.

r. RED GI^OUS. {F.357.

Class II.

PTARMIGAN.

359-

remarkably shy and Avild : they always keep on
the tops of the hills, are scarcely ever found on
the sides, and never descend into the vallies;
their food is the mountain berries, and the tops
of heath.

Tetrao Lagopus. T. cinereo al-
boque varius, pedibus lana-
tis, remigibus albis, rectri-
cibus nigris apice albis, in-
termediis albis. Lath. Ind.
orn. 639. id. Syn. iv. 741.
id. Sup. i. 216.

La perdris blanche. Belon av.
259.

Lagopus. Gesner av. 576.

Perdrix alba seu Lagopus,
Perdrice alpestre. Aldr, av.
ii. 66.

Lagopus. Plinii lib. x. c. 48.

Tetrao Lagopus. Gm.Lin. 749.

Snoripa. Faun, Suec. sp. 203.

La Gelinote blanche. Brisson

av. 1. 216. Hist. d'Ois. ii. 4. Ptarmi-

264. PL Enl. 129.
Raii syn. av. 55.
White Game, erroneously

called the white Partridge.

TFil. orn. I76.
The Ptarmigan. Sil: Scot. 16.
Norv. Rype, Mas Islandis,

Riupkarre, Fcem. Riupa.

Brunnich IQQ.
Schneehuhn. Frisch, 1. 110.
Schneehun. Kram. 256.
Scopoli. No. 118.
Br. Zool. 86 plates M. 4. -5.

Arct. Zool. i. 368.

GAN.

X HIS bird is well described by Mr. TVillugh-
by, under the name of the white game. M.
Brisso7i* joins it with the white partridge of
Mr. Edwards, plate 72. I have received both

* Tom, i. p. 216.

Descrip-
tion.

360 PTARMIGAN. Class II.

species at the same time from Norway, and am
convinced that they are not the same.

These two birds differ greatly ; the former*
being above twice the size of the Ptarmigan ;
and the color of its summer plumage quite dif-
ferent ; that of Mr. Echvards bird being mark-
ed with large spots of white, and dull orange ;
that of the Ptarmigan is of a pale brown or
ash-color, elegantly crossed or motled with
small dusky spots, and minute bars ; the head
and neck with broad bars of black, rust-color,
and white : the wings are white, but the shafts
of the greater quil-feathers black ; the belly
white. In the male, the grey color predomi-
nates, except on the head and neck where there
is a great mixture of red, with bars of white ;
but the whole plumage in this sex is extremely
elegant. The females and young birds have a
great deal of rust-color in them : both agree in
their winter dress, being entirely white, except
as follows : in the male a black line occurs be-
tween the bill and the eyes; the shafts of the
seven first quil-feathers are black ; the tail of the
Ptarmigan consists of sixteen feathers, the two
middle of which are ash- colored, motled with

* White grous. Ard. Zool. i. 360. Tetrao albus. Lath.
Jnd. orn. 639. Syn. iv. 743.

Class II.

PARTRIDGE.

363

** With naked legs.

Perdix, Cinerea. P. calcarata,
cinereo rufo et nigro varia,
macula nuda coccinea sub
oculis, Cauda ferruginea pec-
tore brunneo. Lath. Ind.
orn. 645. id. Syn. iv. 762.

La Perdris grise ou Gouache.
Belon av. 257.

Perdix CWaldhun). Gesner. av.
669.

Perdix minor sive cinerea.
Aldr. av. ii. 66.

Wil. orn. \66.

Raii Syn. av. 57.

Tetrao Perdrix. Gm. Lm. 757. 5. Common
Rapphona. Faun. Suec. $p. Partridge.

203.
La Perdrix grise. Brisson av.

i. 219. Hisi. d'o'is. ii. 401.

PI. Enl. 27.
Starna. Zinan. 30.
Agerhoene. Br. 201.
Rebhun. Kram. 357.
Rebhuhn. Frisch, i. 114.
Sercbitza, Scopoli. No. 175.
Br. Zool. 86. plate M. ArcL

Zool. i. 373. ■ -

XHE male partridge weighs near fifteen
ounces ; the female about two ounces less : the
length to the end of the tail is thirteen inches ;
the breadth twenty. The bill is whitish : the
crown of the head is brown spotted with reddish
white : behind each eye is a naked red skin. The
chin, cheeks and forehead are of a deep orange
color, but in the females it is much paler than
in the other sex. The neck and breast are
prettily marked with narrow undulated lines of
ash color and black; and in the hind part of

Descrip-
tion.

564 PARTRIDGE. Class II.

the neck is a strong mixture of rust color :
on the breast of the male is a broad mark
in form of a horse-shoe, of a deep orange
hue; in the female it is less distinct. Each
feather on the back is finely marked with
several semicircular lines of reddish brown
and black: the scapulars with a narrow white
line along their shafts, and with black and ci-
nereous undulated lines on the webs ; whose
sides are marked with a large spot of rust color.
The greater quil feathers are dusky, spotted oa
each web with pale red : it has eighteen feathers
in the tail ; the six outmost on each side are of
a bright rust color tipt with white ; the others
marked transversely with irregular lines of pale
reddish brown and black : the legs are of a
whitish cast.
Manners. The nature of this bird is so well known, that
it will be unnecessary to detain the readers with
any account of it : all writers agree, that its
passion for venery exceeds that of any bird of
the genus ; should the readers' curiosity be ex-
cited to see a more particular account, we beg
leave to refer them to those authors who have
recorded this part of its natural history.*

* Pliny lib. x. c. 23. Wil. orn. l68. Edw. preface to Glean,',
ings, pari 2. -

Class II. PARTRIDGE. 365

The affection of the female for the young
even exceeds the passion above alluded to. I
well recollect in my neighbourhood a strong in-
stance. A partridge followed by a large covey
of very young birds, was surprised by a violent
shower of rain. She collected them under her,
and to secure them farther, spread her wings to
prevent every injury. In vain !. The storm
encreased, yet she would not quit her charge,
she preferred death, and we found her lifeless
(with all the little brood) with distended wings,
retaining her attempt to preserve them even to
the very article of death. -. _ .

The British name of this bird is Coriar, a
word now obsolete ; that now in use is Pertri-
sen, borrowed from the Normans. - i

[The common partridge occurs no where
in Turkey in a lower latitude than Salonica, or -
south of Thrace and Macedonia. The red-
legged species is found throughout Greece in
all the rocky districts whether high or low, but
in no other situation. The latter feeds on
seeds and berries, the former is confined to
corn-land ; in no instance are they observed
together. j ■ . :■ s- .: :. ^j ; :;;ov..j3:;

Red legged partridges were introduced from Red Legge©
France into Suffolk about the year 1770, and

366

QUAIL.

Class II.

have multiplied considerably, particularly near
Orford and in the vicinity of the sea. Ed.] -.

6. OuAiL. Perdix. Coturnix. P. mutica,
corpore griseo maculato, su-
perciliis albis, rectricibus
margine lunulaque ferrugi-
nea. Lath. Ind, orn. 651.
id. Syn. iv. 779- ^d. Sup. i.
222.

La Callle. Belon. av. 263.

Gesner av. 334.

Coturnix Latinorum. Aklr. uv.
ii. 69.

JJll. orn. 169.

Rail Syn. av. 58.

La Caille. Brisson uv. i. 247.
Hist. d'ms. ii. 449- PL Enl.

170. ,

Ouaglia. Zinan. 36.
Tetrao Coturnix. Gm. Lin.

760.
Wachtel. Faun. Suec. sp. 206.
Vagtel. Brunmdi, 202.
Wachtel. Kram. 357. Frisch,

i. 117.
Perpelitza. ScopoU, No. I76.
Br. Zool. 87. late M. 6.

Arcf. Zool. i. 374.

Descrip- X HE length of the quail is seven inches and a

TION.

half; the breadth fourteen : the bill is oi a
dusky color ; the feathers of the head are black,
edged with rusty brown ; the crown of the head
divided by a whitish yellow line, beginning at
the bill and running along the hind part of the
neck to the back: above each eye is another
line of the same color ; the chin and throat are
of a dirty white ; the cheeks spotted with brown
and white ; the breast is of a pale yellowish red
spotted with black ; the scapular feathers and
those on the back are marked in their middles

Class II. QUAIL. 307

with a long pale yellow line, and on their sides
with ferruginous and black bars ; the coverts of
the wings are reddish brown, elegantly barred
with paler lines bounded on each side with
black. The exterior side of the first quil fea-
thers is white, of the others dusky spotted with
red; the tail consists of twelve short feathers
barred with black and very pale brownish red :
the legs are of a pale hue.

Quails are found in most parts of Great Bri-
tain, but not in any quantity : they are birds
of passage ; some entirely quitting our island,
others shifting their quarters. A gentleman, to
whom this work lies under great obligations for
his frequent assistance, has assured us, that
these birds migrate out of the neighbouring in-
land counties, into the hundreds of Esse.v, m
October, and continue there all the winter : if
frost or snow drive them out of the stubble
fields and marshes, they retreat to the sea-side,
shelter themselves among the weeds, and live
upon what they can pick up from the algce, &c.
between high and loAv water mark. Our friend
remarks, that the time of their appearance in
Essex, coincides with that of their leaving the
inland counties ; the same observation has been
made in Hampshire.

These birds are much less prolific than the

368 _, QUAIL. Class IL

partridge, seldom laying more than six or seven
whitish eggs, marked with ragged rust colored
spots : yet the late Ozven Holland, Esq. of Con-
wy, once found a nest with twelve eggs, eleven
of which were hatched : they are very easily
taken, and may be enticed any where by a call.
They are birds of great spirit ; insomuch
that quail fighting among the Athenians was as
great an entertainment as cock fighting is in
this country : it is at this time a fashionable
diversion in China, and large sums are betted
there on the event.* The bodies of these
birds are extremely hot; the Chinese on that
account hold them in their hands in cold wea-
ther in order to warm themselves. f Chaude
comme une Caille, is a common proverb.
The antients never eat this bird, supposing
them to have been unwholesome, as they were
said to feed on /ie//eZ>ore. ... - ^ . r

Quails arrive in Italy the latter end of April,
and remigrate in August and September ; some
remain during the winter.

The editor has been favored by a friend
with the following observations on the migra-
tion of the quail and other birds in the eastern
regions.

* Bell's Travels, i. 371. f Osheck's Voyage, i. 26g.

Class II. PEACOCK, 8tc. 369

" The quail together with the stork, and
many other species of birds, arrive from Africa
into Greece, during the prevalence of the warm
southerly wind the Ornithe.v, in the month of
April. I have twice had an opportunity of ob-
serving the birds on their passage ; once between
Cyprus and Rhodes, and another time between
the Morea and- Crete, when several species
alighted on the vessels and were caught. Be-
Ion notices the same occurrence. All these
birds have their fixed periods of return in the
autumn, from the tenth oi August to the end of
September, when some of them, particularly the
Turtle Dove and Quail, are remarkably fat,
whereas at their first arrival they are lean. At
each of these periods, as they congregate on
points of land and small islands, they are caught ' -., ■
or shot in great numbers."]

To the birds of this genus we should add the
whole tribe of domestic land fowl, such as Pea-
cocks, Pheasants, &c.; but these cannot claim
even an European origin.

India gave us Peacocks ; and we are assured* Peacocks,
they are still found in the wild state, in vast
flocks, in the islands of Ceylon and Jaua. So

* Knox's hist, of Ceylon, 28. .. ;.

VOL. I. 2 B

S70 PEACOCK. Class II.

beautiful a bird could not long be permitted to
be a stranger in the more distant parts ; for so
early as the days of Solomon* we find among
the articles imported in his Tarshish navies,
Apes and Peacocks. A monarch so conversant
in all branches of natural history, who spoke of
trees, from the cedar of. Lebanon, even unto the
hyssop that springeth out of the wall : who spoke
also of beasts and of foivl, would certainly not
neglect furnishing his officers with instructions
for collecting every curiosity in the countries
they voyaged to, which gave him a knowledge
that distinguished him from all the princes of
his time. jElianf relates, that they were
brought into Greece from some barbarous
country ; and that they were held in such high
esteem, that a male and female were valued at
Athens at 1000 drachynce, or 32/. 5s. lOd.
Their next step might be to Samos ; where they
were preserved about the temple of Juno, being
the birds sacred to the goddess : J and Gellius
in his nodes AtticcE, c. 16. commends the ex-
cellency of the Satnian peacocks. It is there-
fore probable that they were brought here ori-

* 1 Kings, X. 22. t JElian de mil. an. lib. v. 21.

J AthencEUS. Ul\ xiv. p. 655.

Class II. POULTRY, Sec. 371

ginally for the purposes of superstition, and
afterwards cultivated for the uses of luxury.
We are also told, when Alexander was in In-
dia,* he found vast numbers of wild ones on the
banks of the Hyarotis, and was so struck with
their beauty, as to appoint a severe punishment
on any person that killed them.

Peacocks' crests, in antient times, were among
the ornaments of the Kings of England. Er-
nald de Aclent paid a fine to King John in
a hundred and forty palfries, with sackbuts, lo-
rains, gilt spurs and peacocks' crests, such as
would be for his credit, f

Our common poultry came originally from Poultry.
Persia and India. Aristophanes'^ calls the
cock Tfs^a-iKos opvis, the Persian bird ; and tells us,
it enjoyed that kingdom before Darius and
Megabyzus: at this time we know that these
birds are found in a state of nature in the isles
of Tinian,^ and others of the Indian ocean;
and that in their wild condition their plumage
is black and yellow, and their combs and wat-
tles purple and yellow. || They were early in-
troduced into the western parts of the world ;

* Q. Curiius. lib. ix. f Maddox. ant. Exch. i. 273.

\ Aves, tin. 483.

§ Dumpier s voy. i. 392. Lord Anson s voy. 30Q.
II For this information we are indebted to governor Loten.

^ B 2

3?^ GUINEA HEN. Class II.

and have been very long naturalized in this
country ; long before the arrival of the Romans
in this island, CcEsar informing us, they were
one of the forbidden foods of the old Britons.
These were in all probability imported here by
the Phcenicians, who traded to Britain^ about
five hundred years before Christ. For all
other domestic fowls, turkies, geese, and ducks
excepted, we seem to be indebted to our con-
querors, the Romans. The wild fowl were all
our own from the period they could be sup-
posed to have reached us after the great event
of the flood.
Pheasants. Pheasants were first brought into Europe
from the banks of the Phasis, a river of Col-
chis. -

Argiva primuni sum transportata carina.
Ante mihi notum nil, nisi Phasis erat.

Martial, lib. xiii. ep. 7t.

GuiNKA Guinea hens, the jMeleagrides or Gallince nu-

Hens. . . . „ ^

midiccE of the antients, came origmally from
Africa.^ We are much surprized how Belon
and other learned ornithologists could possibly
imagine them to have been the same with our
Turkies ; since the descriptions of the meleagri

* Bosmaris history of Guinea. 248. Voyages de Marchais iii.
.323. Barhot's descr. Guinea, Chtirchill's coll. voy. v, 2i).

Class II. GUINEA HEN. 373

left us by Athenceus and other antient writers,
agree so exactly with the Guinea hen, as to take
away (as we should imagine) all power of mis-
take. Atheyiaus (after Clytus Miksius, a dis-
ciple of Aristotle) describes their nature, form
and colors : he tells us, '• Thev want natural
" affection towards their young ; that their head
" is naked, and that on the top of it is a hard
" round body like a peg or nail ; that from the
" cheeks hangs a red piece of flesh like a beard ;
" that it has no wattles like the common poul-
" try ; that the feathers are black spotted with
" white ; tliat they have no spurs ; and that
" both sexes are so like, as not to be distin-
" guished by the sight."* Vai^ro and Pliny\
take notice of their spotted plumage, and the
gibbous substance on their head : so that from '

Tuv vscots^cuv, — Itt' avtrjs $b x6<pov cra,^Kivov, (XKXr^^oy, (Xt^oy^
yvXov I^BKOvra r-ri^ KS(pa.Xijs wTifz^ TtdrraXov — nt^o? 81 foug ■■'■ '
yvd^oig onto ■r'y (ru!iJ.a.rog a^^aij.£VYjv dvr) ttuoyujvos [x^aK^xv
crd^Ka, xa) JfuS'forifav rouv o^vt^uiv rryv Ssrol; opvicriv hitl Tio
k^y/J-^ yjvojafvryv, -/jv IviOf Tidjytxivixv.a.X'jVfjiv, ovk £%s<> 8io kou

rccvty) 'KoXo^ov acrri. crwiJ^cx, ccTTav itomXov, ijJXavo; ovtog '

rou yj^M^oLtoi; oXovrrrlXot; Xsvuotg (tkeXtj -kc/a aKsvT^a. —

Tta-^OLitXriffioii 8s s\(t)v al ^rjXsiai rolg df/pscriv' Sio xcci SvcrSid-
y.^iTov £<rri to rwv [j.£Xsay^l8ujv ysvog. AihenEeus, 655.
t Varro. lib. 3. c. Q. Pliny, lib. 10. c. 2().

574 TURKY. Class II.

these citations we find every character of the
Guinea hen, but none that agrees with the
Turky.

Barbot* informs us that very few turkies are
to be met Avith in Guinea; and those only in
the hands of the chiefs of the European forts ;
the negroes declining to breed any on account
of their tenderness, which sufficiently proves
them not to be natives of that climate. On the
contrary the same writer says, that the Guinea
hens, or as he calls them Pintadas, are found
there in flocks of two or three hundred, that
they perch in trees, and feed on worms and grass-
hoppers ; that they are run down and taken by
dogs, and that their flesh is tender and sweet,
generally white, though sometimes black. He
also remarks that neither the common poul-
try or ducks are natural to Guinea, any more
than the Turky. Neither is that bird a native
of Asia : the first that were seen in Persia were
brought from Venice by some Armenian mer-
chantsf. They are also cultivated in Cey-
lon, but not found wild. In fact the Turky
was unknown:}; to the antient naturalists, and
even to the old \vorld before the discovery of

* Barlot 217. f Tavernier. 146.

X This subject has been most satisfactorily discussed by Mr.
Pennant in the Arctic Zoology, vol. i. p. 345, &c. Ed.

Pl-XL\aiT.

VOL.1.P376.

GREAT BUSTARD.

Class II. GREAT BUSTARD. 377

mandible. Its head and neck are ash colored ;
the back is barred transversely with black and
bright rust color ; the greater quil feathers are
black ; the belly white ; the tail is marked with
broad red and black bars, and consists of twen-
ty feathers ; the legs are dusky.

The female is about half the size of the male: Female.
the crown of the head is of a deep orange, tra-
versed with black lines ; the rest of the head is
brown ; the lower part of the fore-side of the
neck is ash-colored : in other respects it resem-
bles the male, only the colors of the back and
wings are far more dull.

These birds inhabit most of the open coun- Place.
tries of the south and east parts of this island,
from Dorsetshire, as far as the Wolds in York-
shire.* They are exceedingly shy, and difficult
to be shot; run very fast, and when on the
wing can fly, though slowly, many miles with-
out resting. It is said that they take flight with
difliculty, and are sometimes run down with
gre-hounds. They keep near their old haunts,
seldom wandering above twenty or thirty miles.
Their food is corn and other vegetables, and

* In Sir Rolert Sihlald's time they were found In the Mers,
but I believe that they are now extinct in Scotland.

The breed is now nearly extirpated, except on the downs of
Wiltshire, where it is also very scarce. Ed.

378 GREAT BUSTARD. Class 11.

those large earth worms that appear in great
quantities on the Downs, before sun-rising in
the summer. These are replete with moisture,
answer the purpose of liquids, and enable them
to live long without drinking on those extensive
and dry tracts. Besides this, nature hath given
■ " ^ the males an admirable magazine for their se-
curity against drought, being a pouch,*' whose
entrance lies immediately under the tongue, and
which is capable of holding near seven pints ;
and this they probably fill with water, to supply
the hen when sitting, or the young before they
can fly. Bustards lay only two eggs, of the
• size of those of a goose, of a pale olive brown,
marked with spots of a darker color ; they make
no nest, only scrape a hole in the ground. In
autumn they are (in Wiltshire) generally found
in large turnep fields near the Downs, and in
flocks of fifty or more.

[The Bustard still retaining its antient name
Otii, is found in all the great plains of Greece.

Ed.] . . :. :, ... . . . _

* The world is obliged to the late Dr. Douglas for this disco-
very 5 and to Mr. Edwards for communicating it.

Class II. LESSER BUSTARD. 379

Otis Tetrax. O. nigro rufo La petite outard. Brisson av. o. Lesser.

alboque variegata, subtus al- v. 24. Hisi. d'ois. ii. 40.

ba, capite juguloque Isevi. PL Enl. 10, 25.

Laih. Ind. orn. 65g. id. syn. Otis Tetrax. Gm. Lin. 725.

iv. 75g. id. Sup. i. 226. Arct. Zool. i. 375.

The French Canne-petiere. '' . . > . • -

IFil. orn. 17Q.

J- HERE are three or four instances of this
species having been shot in England, but the
specimens I have seen have all been female.
Whether they were accidental stragglers from
the continent, or whether they breed here, and :..
the male has escaped the sportsman's notice, is
not yet ascertained.*

This bird is about the size of a pheasant.
The male, which I have seen in France, varies
much in the colors of the neck from the female,
being black, marked transversely above and be-
low with a band of white. The crown of the
head black and ferruginous ; the back, scapu-
lars, and coverts of the wings, varied with black
and ferruginous lines; the quil feathers black

Til: V
* Dr. Latham in the supplement to his Synopsis p. 226, ob-
serves that the late Mr. Tunstall had in his possession a speci-
men, shot in Sussex, which had the plumage of a female, but on
dissection proved to be a male bird.f Ed.

f One was shot within three miles of Romsey, Hants, Jan. 15, -
I8O9, believed to be a female from its plumage. J. L.

3S0

THICK-KNEED BUSTARD. Class II.

Female.

at their ends, white at their bottoms ; the white
predominating to the secondaries, which are
quite white; the breast, belly, and thighs, white;
the middle feathers of the tail, tawny barred
with black ; the rest white ; legs cinereous.

The neck of the female agrees in colors with
the back : in other respects the marks pretty
nearly agree.

It inhabits open countries ; feeds on grain,
seeds, and insects. - ■

5. Thick- Otis. Qi^dicnemus, O. grisea,
KNEED. remigibus primoribus dua-

bus nigris medio albis, ros-

tro acuto, pedibus cinereis.

Lath. Ind. orn. 06 1. id.

Syn. iv. 806.
Un Ostardeau, Qidicnemus.

Bclo-a. av. 239,
Charadrius (Triel vel Grid).

Gesner av. 256.
The Stone Curlew. Wil. orn.

306.

Rail Syn. av. 108. - '

Le grand Pluvler, Courly de

terre. Brisson av. v. 76.

Tah. 1. fig. 1. Hist, d'ois.

viii. 105. Pl.Enl. ^\g.
Charadrius CEdicnemus. Gm.

Lin. 689.
Kervari. Hassdquist Itin. 210?

Engl. Ed. 200.
Norfolk Plover. Br. Zool. ii.

378. Br. Zool.fol. 127.

Descrip-
tion.

X HE weight of this species is eighteen ounces.
The length to the tail eighteen inches : the
breadth thirty-six. The head is remarkably
round ; the space beneath the eyes is bare of
feathers, and of a yellow ish green ; the irides
yellow ; the feathers of the head, neck, back,

Class II. THICK-KNEED BUSTARD. 381

and scapulars, and coverts of the wings are
black, edged deeply with a pale reddish brown;
the belly and thighs are of a pure white ; the
two first quil feathers are black, marked on the
middle of each web with a large white spot.
The tail consists of twelve feathers ; the tips
of the two outmost are black, beneath is a broad
white bar, the remaining part barred with white
and dusky brown ; in the next feathers the white
lessens ; in the middle it almost disappears,
changing to a pale reddish brown, mottled with
a darker ; its mouth very wide ; the legs are of
a fine yellow; the toes very short, bordered
with a strong membrane ; the knees thick, as if
swelled, like those of a gouty man : from whence
Belon gives it the name of (Edkiiemus.^

This bird seems unknown in the western parts
of this kingdom ; but is found in Hampshire,
Norfolk, and on Lincoln heath, where, from a
similarity of colors to the curlew, it is called
the Stone Curlew. It breeds in some places in
rabbet burrows ; also among stones on the bare
ground, laying two eggs of a copper color, spot-
ted with a darker red. The young run soon
after they are hatched. These birds feed in the
night on worms and caterpillars : they will also

* From Qihw, and Kvifj.i^.

S82 THICK-KNEED BUSTARD. Class II.

eat toads; and Gesner says they will catch
mice, which is confirmed by Hasselquist.

They make a most piercing shrill noise, which
they begin in the evening ; and are so loud, as
to be heard nearly a mile in a still night. They
inhabit fallow lands and downs ; affect dry
places, never being seen near any waters.
When they fly, they extend their legs straight
out behind ; are very shy birds ; run far before
they take to wing ; and often squat : are gene-
rally seen single, and are esteemed very delicate
food. In habit, make, and manners, these
birds approach near to the Bustard. We have
therefore removed them into this genus, from
that of Plovers.

They are migratory : appear in England
about the middle of April, and retire in autumn.

i'i.:sLrz:

VOL.1 .P. 58 3

TURTLE r.59i

ROCK I^I&EOIsr,

Class II. COMMON PIGEON.

383

Sect. IV. COLUMBINE.

GENUS XVI. PIGEON.

Bill soft straight.

Nostrils lodged in a tuberous naked skin.

Toes divided to their origin.

Columba. domestica. C. mi-
nor versicolor, dorse inferi-
ore albo. Lath. Ind. orn.
589. Id. Syn. iv. 605.

La Pigeon prive. Belon av.
313.

Columba vulgaris. Gesner av.

279-

Columba domestica. Aldr. av.
ii. 225.

Common wild Dove, or Pi-
geon. Wil. orn. 180. Rock
Pigeon, il. 186.

Bail Syn. av. 5Q. C rupi-
cola. id. 63.

Golob. Scopoli, No. 177.

Le Pigeon domestique. Brisson
av. i. 68. Hist. d'ois.ii. 501.

PL Enl. 466. Le* Biset. 1. Common,

Brisson av. i. 82. Hist, d'ois.

I 82. PL EnL 510. Le

Rocheraye. Brisson av. i.

84.
Columba CEnas, domestica

j8. Lin. Syst. 279. C. do-

mestica. Gm. Lin. 769.
Skogs dufwa, Dufwa, Hem-

dufwa. Faun. Suec. sp,

207.
Kirke-Due, Skov-Due. Brwi'

nich, 203.
Feldtaube, Haustaube, Hohl-

taube. Kram. 358.
Blau-Taube, or Holtz-Taube.

Frisch, i. 139.
Br. ZooL 88. plate 88.

XHE tame pigeon, and all its beautiful varie-
ties, derive their origin from one species, the
These birds, as Var7^o'\ ob-

Rock Pigeon.

* Columba livia. Aldr. av, ii. 234. et Oenas, seu vinago.
233.

t De Ling. Lat. lib. iv.

384 COMMON PIGEON. Class II.

serves, take their Latin name, Columba, from
their voice or cooing ; and had he known it, he
might have added the British, Sec. for Coloin-
men, Kylobman, Kulm and Kolm, signify the
same bird. They were, and still are, found in
this kingdom in a state of nature, especially on
the vast rocks which impend over the sea. The
French call them Rocherayes, and some old
sportsmen in the south of England, Rockiers.
They swarm in the Orknies and Hebrides. In
the first they collect by thousands towards win-
ter, and do great injury to the rick-yards. I
have seen in Hay the bottoms of the great
chasms, covered with their dung for many feet
in thickness, which is drawn up in buckets, and
used successfully as a manure. Notwithstand-
ing this species is so easily domesticated, yet it
is difficult to tempt them to continue regularly
in a dove-cot near to their natural haunts. I
am acquainted with one, not far from those vast
rocks, the Of^ms-head, where they will reside on
account of the supply of food provided for
them, till the breeding season, at which time,
the greater part of the flock quit the artificial
holes, and return to the rude habitations on the
neighbouring promontories. Virgil, as a fami-
liar occurrence, describes the Pigeon as haunting
the caverns of a rock in such beautiful numbers,

Class II. COMMON PIGEON. 385

that I cannot forbear repeating his simile :

Qualis spelunca sublto commota Columba
Cui domus et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi,
Fertur in an'a volans, plausumque exterrila pennis
Dat teclo ingentem — mox aere lapsa quieto
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas.*

As when a Dove her rocky hold forsakes,
Rous'd in a fright, her sounding wings she shakes ;
The cavern rings with clattering — out she flies.
And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies :
At first she flutters ; but at length she springs
To smoother flight, and glides upon her wings.

Dryden.

This bird in its native state weighs about Descrip-
thirteen ounces : its length is thirteen inches
and a half; extent twenty-four inches and three
quarters ; but I believe it is not usually so
large. The head is grey ; the sides of the neck,
variable with rich gi'een, purple, and copper co-
lor; the breast and belly cinereous; the upper
part of the back and coverts of the wings
bluish ash-color; the gi'eater crossed with a
black bar; the primaries cinereous, tipped
with black ; the lower part of the back white,
a constant and specific mark ; the tail cine-
reous : the outmost web of the exterior fea-
ther white almost to the end, which, with those

* .ffineid. v. 1, 213.
VOL, I. S C

386 COMMON PIGEON. Class II.

of all the rest, is crossed with a black bar;
the legs purplish red.
Varieties. The varieties produced from the domestic
pigeon are very numerous, and extremely ele-
gant; these are distinguished by names ex-
■ pressive of their several properties, such as
Tumblers, Carriers, Jacolnnes, Croppers, Poivt-
ers, Runts, Tiirbits, Owls, Nuns,* &c. The
Carrier, most celebrated of these is the Carrier, which
from the superior attachment that pigeon shews
to its native place, is employed in many coun-
tries as the most expeditious courier : the let-
ters are tied under its wing, it is let loose, and
in a very short space of time returns to the
home it was brought from, with its advices. f

* Vide Wil. orn. Moore s Columlarmm, and a treatise on do-
mestic pigeons, publisiied in 1765. The last illustrates the
names of the birds, with several neat figures.

t This custom was observed by that legendary traveller. Sir
John Maundevile, knight, warrior and pilgrim ; who, with the
true spirit of religious chivalry, voyaged into the East, and pene-
trated as far as the borders of China, during the reigns o{ Edward
II. and III.

•' In that contree," says he, " and other contrees bezonde,
thei han a custom, whan thei schulle usen werre, and whan
men holden sege abouten cytee or castelle, and thei withinnen
dur not senden out messagers with lettere, fro lord to lord, for
to aske sokour, thei maken here letters and bynden hem to the
nekke of a Colver, and leten the Colver flee ; and the Colveren

Class 11. COMMON PIGEON. 387

This practice was much in vogue in the East;
and at Scanderoon^ till of late years,*' used on the
arrival of a ship, to give the merchants at
Aleppo a more expeditious notice than could be
done by any other means. In our own coun-
try, these aerial messengers have been em-
ployed for a very singular purpose, being let
loose at Tyburn at the moment the fatal cart
was drawn away, to notify to distant friends,
the departure of the unhappy criminal.

In the East, the use of these birds seems to
have been improved greatly, by having, if M^e
may use the expression, relays of them ready
to spread intelligence to all parts of the coun-
try. Thus the governor of Damiata circulated
the news of the death of Orrilo:

Tosto che'l Castellan dl Damiata

Certificossi, ch'era morto Orrilo, . ■ '

La Colomha lascio, ch'avea legata

Sotto I'ala la lettera col filo.

ben so taughte, that thei fleen with the letters to the verry place,
that men wolde send hem to. For the Coheres ben norj'sscht
in tho places, where thei ben sent toj and thei senden hem
thus, for to beren here letters. And the Coheres retournen
azen, where as thei ben norisscht and so they don comounly."
The voiage and travaile of Sir J, Maundevile, knight, ed.
1727.

* Dr. Russel informs us, that the practice is left off. Hist,
Aleppo, 66,

* 2 c 2 '

COMMON PIGEOiX. Glass IL

Quelle ando al Cairo, ed indi fu lasciata
Un' altra altrove, come quivi e stilo :
Si, che in pochissime ore ando ravviso
Per tntto Egiito, ch'era Orn7o ucciso.*

But the simple use of them was known in very
early times : Anacreon tells us, he conveyed
his billet-doux, to his beautiful Bathyllus, by
a dove. \

Kcx,i vvv olcc; aKslvov ' ■ '' -

'E'ffKn'oXocs y.OfjA^w.f

' 1 am now Anacreon' s slave.
And to me entrusted have
All the o'erflowings of his heart
To Bathyllus to impart ;
Each soft line, with nimble wing.
To the lovely boy I bring.

Taurosthenes also, by means of a pigeon he
had decked with purple, sent advice to his fa-
ther, who lived in the isle of TEgina, of his vic-
tory in the Olympic games, on the very day he

* ' As soon as the commandant of Da7niata heard that Or-
' rilo was dead, he let loose a pigeon, imder whose wing he had
* tied a letter j this fled to Cairo, from whence a second was
' dispatched to another place, as is usual ; so that in a very few
' hours, all Egypt was acquainted with the death of Orrito,'
Ariosto, canto 15. " . .

t Anacreon, ode 9. ei; Tts^ta-ts^ocv,

Class II. COMMON PIGEON. 3S9

had obtained it.* And, at the siege of Modena]
Hirtius without, and Brutus within the walls,
kept, by the help of pigeons, a constant corre-
spondence ; baffling every stratagem of the be-
sieger Antony,-\ to intercept their couriers. In
the times of the Crusades, there are many more
instances of these birds of peace being employ-
ed in the service of war : Joinville relates one
during the crusade oi Saint Louis ;'^ and Tasso
another, during the siege of Jerusalem.^

The nature of pigeons is to be gregarious ;
to lay only two eggs ; to breed many times in
the year ;|| to bill in their courtship ; for the
male and female to sit by turns, and also to
feed their young ; to cast their provision out of
their craw into the young ones* mouths ; to
drink, not like other birds by sipping, but by
continual draughts like quadrupeds ; and to
have notes mournful, or plaintive.

* JElian var. hist. lib. ix. 2. Pliny, lib. x. c. 24. saysj that
swallows have been made use of for the same purpose.

f Pliny, lib. x. c. 37. Exclames, Quid vallum et vigil ob-
sidio atque etiam retia amne pretenta profuere Antonio, per ces-
ium eunte nuncio ?

X Joinville, 638. app. 35.

§ Tasso, book xviii.

II So quick is their produce, that the author of the Oeconomy
of nature observes, that in the space of four years, 14,700 may
come from a single pair. Stillingjieefs tracts, 73.

590

STOCK DOVE.

Class IL

2. Stock
Dove.

Columba CEnas. C. coerule-
scens, cervice viridi-nitente,
dorso posLico cinerascente,
fascia alaram duplici apice-
que caudjE nigricante. Lath.
Jnd. orn.. 58g. id. Sy7i. iv.
604. id. Sup. i. 197.

CEnas seu vinago. Rail Syn.
av. 62. A. 10.

Gesner av. 307-

Stock dove or Wood Pigeon.

IVillnghhy orn. 185.
Le Pigeon sauvage. Brisson

av. i. 86.
Le Pigeon fuyard. Belon av.

78. G;«. Li?i. 769.
Arct. Zool. ii. 9.

Descrip- XHE head, neck, and beginning of the back,
are of a fine bluish grey ; the sides of the neck
marked with a variable green spot ; the coverts
of the wings grey, the most remote marked
w ith black spots ; the primaries dusky ; the
secondaries grey, the farthest spotted like the
coverts ; the lower part of the back and the
rump of a very pale grey ; the breast vina-
ceous ; the belly of a light grey ; the tail of the
same color, except the exterior side of the
outmost feather, ^hich is white ; the ends of
ail are black. The length is fourteen inches
and a half; the extent, two feet two; the
weight fourteen ounces.

Manners. This species is migratory, and arrivesin Hamp-
shire the latest of any bird of passage. Flocks
of them appear towards the latter end of No-

Class II. STOCK DOVE. 391

'vember, and retire early in the spring. They
probably come from Szveden, for the time of
their migration and remigration in that country
coincides with their appearance and disappear-
ance in Britain. When the south of England
was covered with large woods of beech, they
came in myriads to feed on the mast. They
also alight on the barley stubble to collect the
scattered grain, and in hard weather, are very
destructive to turnips by picking holes in the
roots, from which they acquire a rancid taste.
A few continue and breed in England, particu-
larly in Susse.v : they make their nests in the
hollows of stocks of trees, from which they
take their name. I have also been informed by
the reverend Mr. Ashby, of Barrow, near NeW'
viarket, that multitudes breed in the rabbit
burrows on the sandy plain of Suffolk about
Brando7ij and that the shepherds annually take
the young for sale.

These perch and roost in trees, which the
Rock and domestic kinds never do : yet a few
Rock-Pigeons have been often seen mixed with
the flights of Stock Doves. I have also fre- -
quently observed some of these (which are
easily known by their grey backs) mingling
among the flocks of tame pigeons, and breed-
ing with them. This, therefore, causes me to

m

RING DOVE.

Class II.

suspect the Stock Dove may likewise contri-
bute to add to the domestic kinds, as their
place of nidification in a state of nature is in
holes of trees, as that of the others is in holes
of rocks.

3. Ring. Columba. Palumbus. C. cine-
rea, rectricibus postice atris,
remigibas primoribus mar-
gine exteriore albidis, collo
utrinque albo. Lath. Ind.
cm. 601. id. Syn. iv. 635.
id. Sup. i. 198.

Le Rainier. Belon av. 307.

Phassa. Belon ols. 13.

Palumbus. Gesner av. 310.

Palumbus major sive torqua-

tus. Aldr.

av. 11. 227.

Colombaccio. OHna, 54.
Ring-dove, Queest, or Cushat.
fFil. orn. 185.

Rati Syn. av. 62.

Le Pigeon Ramier. Brisson av.

I. 89. Hist, d'ois. ii. 531.

PL EnL3l6.
Griunik. Scopoli, No. 178.
Columba Palumbus. Gin. Lin.

776.
Ringdufwa, Siutut. Faun.

Suec. sp. 208.
Wildtaube, Ringltaube. Kram.

359.
Ringel-Taube. Frisch. i. 138.
Dan. Ringel-due Bornholmis,

Skude. Brunnich, 204.
Br. Zool. 89. plate O. /Ircf.

Zool. ii. 10.

J-HIS species forms its nest of a few dry
sticks in the boughs of trees : attempts have
been made to domesticate them, by hatching
their eggs under the common pigeon in dove
houses ; but as soon as they could fly, they
always took to their proper haunts. In the
beginning of the winter they assemble in great
flocks, and leave off cooing ; which they begin
in March, when they pair.

Class II. RING DOVE. 393

The ring dove is the largest pigeon we have ;
and may be at once distinguished from all
others by the size. Its weight is about twenty Descrip-
ounces ; its length eighteen inches ; its breadth ^^°^°
thirty. The head, back, and coverts of the
wings are of a bluish ash color ; the lower side
of the neck and the breast are of a purplish red,
dashed with ash color ; on the hind part of the
neck is a semicircular line of white; above
and beneath that the feathers are glossy, and of
changeable colors as opposed to the light ; the
belly is of a dirty white ; the greater quil fea-
thers are dusky ; the rest ash colored ; under-
neath the bastard wing is a white stroke point-
ing downwards.

[The Ring dove, like the preceding species,
quits Sweden in the autumn, and returns early
in the spring ; it is not found in Norxvay or
within the arctic zone, by reason not only of
the cold but of defect of food.* Ed.]

* Arct. Zool. ii. 10.

394

TURTLE.

Class 11.

4. Turtle. Columba. Turtur. C. rectrici-
bus apice albls, dorso griseo,
pectore incarnato, macula
lateral! colli nigra lineolis
albis. Lath. hid. orn. 605.
id. Syn. iv. 644. id. Sup.
i. WJ-

La Turtrelle. Belon av. SOg.

Turtur. Gesner av. 31 6.

Turtur. Aldr. av. ii. 235.

Tortora. Olina, 34.

The Turtle-dove. Wil. orn.
183.

Bail Syn. av. 6l.

Wilde Turtel taube. Kram.

359.
Turtel-Taube. Frisch, i. 140.
Le Tourterelle. Brisson av. i.

92. Hist, d'ois. ii. 545. PL

Enl. 394.
Scopoli, No. 181.
Columba Turtur. Gm. Lin.

276.
Br. Zool. 89. plate O. 1.

XHIS species is found in Buckinghamshire,
Gloucestershire, Shropshire, and in the West of
England. They are very shy and retired birds,
breeding in thick woods, generally of oak : we
believe that they reside in Buckinghamshire
during the breeding season, migrating into the
other counties in autumn.*

About the year 1785, a pair came into my
garden at Downing in the winter season and
continued there two or three weeks. I have seen

* The stomach of a Turtle Dove examined by the reverend
Hugh Davies in the month of October, contained only some
seed of the Polygonum aviculare, of rape and of mustard ; it must
therefore at that season have declined from choice every species
of bread-corn. Ed.

Class II. TURTLE. 395

one shot in Angksei/, and another near Holi/-
zvelL

The length is twelve inches and a half; the Descrip-
breadth twenty-one: the weight four ounces.
The irides are of a fine yellow; a beautiful
crimson circle encompasses the eye lids ; the
chin and forehead are whitish, the top of the
head ash colored mixed with olive ; on each
side of the neck is a spot of black feathers
prettily tipt with white ; the back ash colored,
bordered with olive brown; the scapulars and
coverts of a reddish brown spotted with black ;
the quil feathers of a dusky brow^n, the tips and
outward edges of a yellowish brown ; the breast
of a light purplish red, having the verge of each
feather yellow ; the belly white ; the sides and
inner coverts of the wings bluish ; the tail is
three inches and a half long ; the two middle-
most feathers are of a dusky brown ; the others
black, with white tips; the end and exterior
side of the outmost feathers wholly white.

Turtle doves arrive in Italy in Afaj/ and
migrate in September. [They visit Greece rather
earlier, and generally come during the month of
April in four or five vast flocks. Ed.]

596

STARE.

Class II.

Sect. V. PASSERINE.

^ GENUS XVIII. STARE.

Bill, strait depressed.

Nostrils surrounded with a prominent rim.

1. Common, Sturnus vulgaris. St. rostro

flavescente, corpore nigro-

nitente punctis albis. Lath.

Ind. orn. 321. id. Sijn. iii.

2. id. Sup. i. 137.
L'Estourneau. JSe/ora au. 321.
Stumus. Gesner av. 746.
Aldr. av. ii. 284.
Stare, or Starling. JVil. orn.

196.
Rail Syn. av. 67.
L'Etourneau. Brisson av. ii.

439. Hist, d'ois. iii. I76.

PL Enl. 75.

Starl. ScopoU, No. I89.

Storno. Zinan, 69.

Olina, 18.

Stumus vulgaris. Gm. Lin.

801.
Stare. Faun. Suec. sp. 213.
Hasselquist, itin. 284.
Danis & NorvegiSy Stasr. Br.

229.
Staar. Frisch. ii. 217.
Starl. Kram. 362.
Br. Zool. 93. plate P. 2. f. 1,

Arct. Zool, ii. 12.

JLhE Stare breeds in hollow trees, eaves of
houses, towers, ruins, cliffs, and often in high
rocks over the sea, such as those of the Isle of
Wight. It lays twice, sometimes thrice, in the
season; the first time it is said to deposit five
eggs, the second four, the last three : the eggs
are of a pale greenish ash-color : its nest is made

Pl.L.

VOL.1. F.396.

RING OTJZEL. (p. 415.)

Class II. STARE. 397

of straw, small fibres of roots, and the like.
In winter, stares assemble in vast flocks : they
collect in myriads in the fens of Lincolnshirey
and do great damage to the fen-men, by roosting
on the reeds, and breaking them down by their
weight ; for reeds are the thatch of the country,
and are harvested with great care.

These birds feed on worms, and insects ; and
it is said that they will get into pigeon houses,
for the sake of sucking the eggs. Their flesh is
so bitter, as to be scarcely eatable. They are
very docile, and may be taught to speak.

The weight of the male of this species is Descrip-
about three ounces ; that of the female rather
less. The length is eight inches three quarters :
the breadth fourteen inches. The bill, in old
birds, is yellow ; the whole plumage is black,
very resplendent with changeable blue, purple,
and copper ; each feather marked with a pale
yellow spot ; the lesser coverts are edged with
yellow, and slightly glossed with green; the
quil feathers and tail dusky ; the former edged
with yellow on the exterior side ; the last with
dirty white ; the legs are of a reddish brown.

The Starling visits Italy in February^ mi-
grates in October,

S9S

WATER-OUZEL.

Class II.

2. Water-
Ouzel.

Turdus Cinclus. T. fusco-ni-
gricans, genis gutture coUo
inferiore et pectore niveis,
ventre supremo fusco-rufe-
scente, imo rectricibusque
nigricantlbus. Lath. Ind.
orn. 343: id. Sijn. iii. 48.
id. Sup. i. 142.

Merula aquatica. Gesner av.
608.

Lerlichirollo. Aldr. av. iii.
186.

Water-craw. Turner.

The Water-Ouzel, or Water-
Crake. IFil. orn. lig.

JRaii Syn. av. QQ.

Sturnus Cinclus. Gvi. Lin,
803.

Watnstare. Faun. Suec. sp.

214.
Povodni Koss. Scopoli, No.

223.
Le Merle d'eau. Brisson av. v.

252. Hist, d^ois. viii. 134-

Pl. Enl. 940.
Merlo aquatico. Zhian. lOp.
Norvegis, Fosse Fald, Fosse

Kald, Ouaern Kald, Stroem-

Stsr, Baskke Eugl. Briai'

nich. 230.
Wasser-amsel, Bach-amsel.

Kra. 374.
Br. Zool. 92. plate. P. 1. f.

2. Arct. Zool. ii. 13.

Nest.

XHIS bird frequents small brooks, particu-
larly those with steep banks, or that run through
a rocky country. It is of a very retired nature,
and never seen but single, or with its mate. It
breeds in holes in the banks, and lays five
white transparent eggs adorned with a fine
blush of red. The nest is constructed in a
curious manner, of hay and fibres of roots, and
lined with dead oak leaves, having a portico, or
grand entrance made with green moss. It
feeds on insects and small fish; and as Mr.

rixi.

A^OL. L P.

PEISTRITH OUZEL.

m_j^

S&,^

Class II. PENRITH OUZEL. 399

TVillughby observes, though not web-footed,
will dart itself after them quite under water.

Its weight is two ounces and a half; the Descrip-
length seven inches one quarter; the breadth
eleven ; the bill is narrow, and compressed
sideways ; the eyelids are white ; the head,
cheeks, and hind part of the neck are dusky,
mixed with rust color; the back, coverts of
the wings, and of the tail also dusky, edged
with bluish ash color; the throat and breast
white; the belly ferruginous, vent feathers a
deep ash color ; the legs are of a pale blue be-
fore, black behind; the tail short and black,
which it often flirts up, as it is sitting, ■ .

Penrith Ouzel. Pennant's Tour to Alston Moot. Var. A.- 1"

Penrith

Ouzel,

[EITHER a singular variety or a new species
of Water Ouzel, shot near Penrith, is thus de-
scribed by Mr. Pennant in his tour to Alsto7i
Moor, p. 159.

It is rather superior in size to the common
water-ouzel ; the head, wings, upper part of the
body, and tail are dusky ; the chin and throat
white ; at the bottom of the last is a dusky bar ;
the breast, belly, and thighs are white, marked

400 PENRITH OUZEL. Class II.

with short black strokes, pointing downwards,
most numerous towards the lower part of the
belly and the thighs ; the vent is of a rusty yel-
low crossed with bars of black ; the legs are of
a rusty yellow. Ed.] :

Class II.

MISSEL^THRUSH.

401

GENUS XIX. THRUSH.

Bill strait, a little bending at the point, with a
small notch near the end of the upper
mandible.

Toe outmost adhering as far as the first joint
to the middle toe.

Tongue divided and jagged. -

Gullet bristly.

Turdus visclvorus. T. supra
griseo-fuscus, subtus albo-
flavicans, maculis nlgrican-
tibus varius, rectricibus tri-
bus extimis albo terminatis.
Lath. Ind. orn. 326. id.
Syn. iii. \Q.

La Grive ou Sisene. Belon.
av. 324.

Turdus viscivorus. Gesner av.
759.

Aldr. av. ii. 273.

Tordo. Olina, 25.

Missel-bird, or Shrite. ffil.
orn. I87.

Rail Syn. av. 64.

Misseltoe-thrush, or Shreitch.
Charlton ex. 89.

Turdus viscivorus. Gm. Lin. 1. Missel.

806.
Tordo viscada, Zicchio. Zi-

nan. 2Q.
La Draine. Hist, d'ois. iii.

295. Pl.Enl. 439.
La grosse grive, Turdus ma-
jor. Brisson av. ii. 200.
Biork-Trast. Faun. Suec. sp,

216.
Dobbelt-Kramsfugl. Brun-

nich, 231.
Zariker, Mistier, Zerrer.

Kram. 36l.
Mistel-Drossel, or Schnarre.

Scopoli, No. 193. Frisch, i.

25.
Br. Zool. go. plate P. f. 1.
Arct. Zool. ii. 24.

This

is the largest of the genus, and weighs

nearly five ounces.

VOL. I.

Its length is eleven inches :

402 MISSEL-THRUSH. Class H.

its breadth sixteen and a half. The bill is
shorter and thicker than that of other thrushes ;
dusky, except the base of the lower mandible,
which is yellow. The irides are hazel. The
head, back, and lesser coverts of the wings are
of a deep olive brown ; the lower part of the
back tinged with yellow ; the lowest order of
lesser coverts, and the great coverts brown;
the first tipt with white, the last both tipt and
edged with the same color ; the quil feathers,
and secondaries dusky, but the lower part of
the inner webs white ; the inner coverts of the
wings white. The tail brown : the three out-
most feathers tipt with white. The cheeks and
throat are mottled with brown and white ; the
breast and belly whitish yellow, marked with
large spots of black : the legs yellow.

These birds build their nests in bushes, or
on the side of some tree, generally an ash, and
lay four or five eggs. Their note of anger or
fear is very harsh, between a chatter and
shriek ; from whence some of their English
names; their song nevertheless is very fine,
which they begin, sitting on the summit of a high
tree, very early in the spring, often Math the new
year, in blowing showery weather, which makes
the inhabitants oi Hampshire cdW them the Storm-
cock. They feed on insects, holly and missel-

Class II. MISSEL-THRUSH. 403

toe berries, which are the food of all the thrush
kind : in severe snowy weather, when there is
a failure of their usual diet, they are observed
to scratch out of the banks of hedges, the root
of Arum, or the cuckoo pint : this is remarkably
warm and pungent, and a provision suitable to
the season.

This bird migrates into Burgundy in the
months of October and November: in Great
Britain, it continues the whole year. The * -

Welsh call it Pen y Ikvyn, or the master of the
coppice, as it will drive all the lesser species of
thrushes from it. The antients believed that
the misseltoe (the basis of bird-lime) could not
be propagated but by the berries that had past
through the body of this bird; and on that is
founded the proverb of Tardus malum sibi
cacat. . —

It may be observed, that this is the largest
bird, British or foreign (within our knowledge)
that sings or has any melody in its note : the . "
notes of all of a superior size, being either
screaming, croaking, or chattering, the pigeon
kind excepted, whose slow plaintive continued
monotone has something sweetly soothing in it.
Thomson (the naturalist's poet) in the concert
he has formed among the feathered tribe, allows
the imperfection of voice in the larger birds, yet

2 d2

404

FIELDFARE.

Class II.

2, Field-
fare.

introduces them as useful as the base in chorus,
notwithstanding it is unpleasing by itself.

The jay, the rook, the daw.

And each harsh pipe (discordant heard alone)

Aid the full concert : while the stock-dove breathes

A melancholy murmur thro' the whole.*

Tardus Pilaris. T. fuscorru-
fescens, subtus nigricante
varius, rectricibus nigris,
extimis margine interiore
apice albicantibus, capita
uropygioque cano. Lath.
Ind, orn. 330. id. Syn. iii.
24.

La Litorne. Belon av. 328.

Turdus pilaris. Gm. Lin. 8O7.
Gesner av. 753.

Aldr. av. ii. 274.

Wil. orn. 188.

Rail Syn. av. 64.

La liitorne, ou Tourdelle.
Brisson av. ii. 214. Hist,
d'ois. iii. 301. PI. Enl.
490.

Kramsfogel, snoskata. Faun.

Suec. No. 215.
Brinauka. Scopoli, No. 194.
Dan. Dobbelt Kramsfugl.

Cimlris. Snarrer. Norve-

gis, Graae Trost, Field-

Trost, Nordenvinds Pibe,

Bornholmis, Simmeren. Br.

232.
Kranabets vogel, Kranabeter.

Kram. 36 1.
Wacholder-Drossel, (Juniper

Thrush), or Ziemer. Frisch,

i. 26.
Br. Zool. 90. plate P. 2. f. 1.

Arct. Zool. ii. 23.

XHIS bird passes the summer in the northern
parts of Europe; also in lower Austria.^ It
breeds in the largest trees ','\, feeds on berries

* Seasons. Spring. 1. 606.
X Faun'. Suec. sp. 78.

f Kramer elench. 3Q\,

Class II. FIELDFARE. 405

of all kinds, and is very fond of those of the
juniper. Fieldfares visit our islands in great
flocks about Michaelmas, and leave us the latter
end of February, or the beginning of March.
We suspect that the birds that migrate here,
come from Norwaij, &c. forced by the excessive
rigor of the season in those cold regions ; as we
find that they winter as well as breed in Pi^ussia,
Austria,^ and the moderate climates. f

These birds and the Redwings were the Tiirdi
of the Romans, which they fattened with crums
of figs and bread mixed together. Varro in-
forms us that they were birds of passage, coming
in autumn, and departing in the spring. They
must have been taken in great numbers, for they
were kept by thousands together in their fatten-
ing aviaries.:]: They do not arrive in France
till the beginning of December.

These birds weigh generally about four Descrip-

, , . TION.

ounces ; their length is ten inches, their breadth
seventeen. The head is ash-colored inclining

* Klein hist. cu. I78. ■

•\- " Instances of their breeding in England are rare. Mr. y

Leivin assured me that Felruary 12, 179?, a pair were observed
to make a nest near his residence in an ivy bush, and, in a former
year, he has seen them in summer. We are told also that a nest
of this bird has been found at Paddington,"^ J. L.
X Varro, lib. iii. c. 5.

§ HarL Misc. ii. 561. Barrin^t. Misc. 219.

^406 FIELDFARE. Class II.

to olive, and spotted with black ; the back and
greater coverts of the wings are of a fine deep
chesnut; the rump ash-colored. The tail is black ;
the lower parts of the two middlemost feathers,
and the interior upper sides of the outmost
feathers excepted; the first being ash-colored,
^ the latter white. The legs are black ; the claws

very strong.

Class IL

THROSTLE.

407

Turdus musicus. T. supra gri-
seo-fuscus, subtus albo-rufe-
scens maculis nigricantlbas
varius, remigibus basi inte-
■ riore ferrugineis. Lath. Ind.
orn. 327. id. Syn. iii. 18.
id. Sup. i. 139.

La petite Grive. Belon av.
226.

Turdus minor alter. Gesnerau.
762.

Aldr. av, ii. 275.

Storno. Olina, 18.

Mavis, Throstle, or Song
Thrush. Wil. orn. 188.

Rati Syn. av. 64.

La petite Grive, Turdus mi-
nor. Brisson av. ii. 205.

Hist, d'ois. iii. 280. PI. 3. Throstle.

Enl. 406.
Turdus musicus. Gm. Lin.

8O9.
Faun. Suec. sp. 217-
Turdus in altissimis. Klein

stem. av. Tab. 13.
Weindroschl, WeissdroschI,

.Sommer-droschl. Kram.

361.
Sing-Drossel, or Weiss-dros-

sel. Frisch, i. 27-
Cimhis & Bornholmis, Viin-

drossel. Norvegis, Tale

Trast. Br. 236.
Drasich. Scopoli, No. I95.
Br. Zool. 91. plate P. f. 2.

Arct. Zool. ii. 25. •

J- HE weight of this species is three ounces :
the length nine inches : the breadth thirteen
inches and a half. In colors it so nearly re-
sembles the missel thrush, that no other remark
need be added, but that it is less, and that the
inner coverts of the wings are yellow.

The throstle is the finest of our singing birds,
not only for the sweetness and variety of its notes,
but for the long continuance of its harmony ;
for it obliges us with its song for nearly three
parts of the year. Like the missel bird, it de-
livers its music from the top of some high tree ;

Descrip-
tion.

408 THROSTLE. Class II.

but to form its nest descends to some low bush
or thicket. The nest is made of earth, moss,
and straws, and the inside is curiously plaistered
with clay. It lays five or six eggs, of a pale
bluish gTeen, marked with dusky spots.

In France these birds are migratory : in Bur-
gundy, they appear just before vintage, in order
to feed on the ripe grapes, are therefore called
there la Gj^ive de vig?ie: retire at the first frosts,
return in March and April, as if it were to
disappear again in May. A few stragglers
stay to breed. In Italij they arrive in April
and May, and return before October.
., " With us it seems to shift its quarters ac-

cording to the season, but we believe does not
depart from the kingdom. The chief food is
berries, but in defect of these sometimes eats
snails in quantities, and it is not unusual to
see numbers of the broken shells together near
some particular stone, used by them for the
purpose of the more easily breaking them
against.* It builds very early ; a nest was
found in a garden near Chester the third week in
January containing four eggs, on which the
bird was sitting." J. L.
Var. a. " Two specimens, exactly alike, of a uniform

LORED.' buff-colored Throstle, with the exception of the
breast and vent which are a shade lighter, have

• Natur. Calend. 6l.

Class II. REDWING THRUSH.

409

been sent to the ingenious Miss Meyrick, of
Beaumaris ; one was found near St. Asaph, in
Flintshire, the other near Bangor, in Caeimar"
mnshire. Brisson, who is so very particular
with regard to varieties, who has his Tiirdus Can-
didas, T. minor leucocephalus, T. minor cristatus,
and all the pied varieties of T. Merula, has no-
thing like this. Should it form a distinct spe-
cies it may be defined Turdiis unicolor. T.
totus luteus, pedibiis concoloribus, rostra sub-
fuscor H. D.

Tardus Illacus. T. griseo-fus-
cus, subtus albidus maculis
fuscis, alls subtus ferrugi-
neis, supercilils albicanti-
bus. hatli. Ind. orn. 32Q.
id. Syn. iii. 22.

Le Mauvis. Belon av. 327-

Tardus minor. Gesner av.
761.

T. Illas seu Tylas. Aldr. av.
ii. 275.

Redwing, Swinepipe, or Wind
Thrush. JVil. orn. 18Q.

Jtaii Syn. av. 54.

Le Mauvis. Brisson av. ii. 4^ Redwing.

208. Tah. 20. fg. 1. Hist.

d'ois. iii. 309. PL E?il. 51.
Scopoli, No. ]g6.
Turdus iliacus. Gtn. Lin. 808.
Klera, Kladra, Tall-Trast.

Faun. Siiec. sp. 218.
Rothdroschl, Walddroschl,

Winterdroschl. Kram. 36l. ,
Wein-Drossel. Roth-Drossel.

Frisch, i. 28.
Br. Zool. 91. plate P. f. 2.

Arct. Zool. ii. 23,

JL HESE birds appear in Great-Britain a few
days before the fieldfare; they come in vast
flocks, and from the same countries. With us

TION.

410 REDWING THRUSH. Class H.

tliey have only a disagreeable piping note, but
in Sweden, during the spring they sing very
finely, perching on the top of some tree among
the forests of maples. They build their nests
in hedges, and lay six bluish green eggs spotted
with black.*
DEscRir- They have a very near resemblance to the
throstle, but are less, only weighing two ounces
and a quarter : their colors are much the same,
but the sides under the wings and the inner
coverts in this are of a reddish orange ; in the
throstle yellow : above each eye is a line of
yellowish Mhite, beginning at the bill and pass-
ing towards the hind part of the head. The
vent feathers are white.

Besides these three sorts of throstles, the
author of the Epitome of the art ofhusbcmdry,-\
mentions a fourth kind under the name of the
heath throstle, which he commends as far su-
perior to the others in its song : he says it is
the lest of any, and may be known by its dark
breast; that it builds its nest by some heath-
side, is very scarce, and will sing nine months
in the year.

* Taun. Suec. sp. 218.

t % J. B. gent, third edit. l685.

Pi. LI

VOL1-F411-

JS£. te r. BliJ^CKBIRD.

.lAC,n[[,Hu c\L.

Class II.

BLACKBIRD.

411

Turdus Merula. T. ater, ros-

tro palpebrisque fulvis. Lath.

Ind. orn. 340. id. Syn. iii.

43. id. Sup. i. 141.
Le Merle noir. Belon av. 320.
Merula. Gesnerav,Q02.
Aldr. av. ii. 276.
Merlo. Zinan. SQ. Olina, 2Q.
Wil. orn. igo.
Haii Syn. av. 65.
La Merle. Brisson av. ii. 227.

Hist. dots. iii. 330, PL

Enl. 2.

Turdus Merula. Gm. Lin. 5, Black-

831. BIRD.

Kohl-Trast. Fauri. Suec. sp.

220.
Dan. & Norvegis Solsort. Br.

234.
Amsel, Amarl. Kram. 360.
Schwartze Amsel. Frisch, i.

29.
Koss. Scopolij'No. 197.
Br. Zool. 92. Arcf. Zool. ii.

29.

JLHIS bird is of a very retired and solitary
nature ; frequents hedges and thickets, in which
it builds earlier than any other bird. The nest
is formed of moss, dead grass, fibres, &c. lined
or plaistered with clay, and that again covered
with hay or small straw. It lays four or five
eggs of a bluish green color, marked with irre-
gular dusky spots. The note of the male is
extremely fine, but too loud for any place ex-
cept the woods ; it begins to sing early in the
spring, continues its music part of the summer,
desists in the moulting season ; but resumes it
for some time in September, and the first winter
months.

TIONt.

412 BLACKBIRD. Class II,

Descrip- The color of the male, when it has attained
its full age, is of a fine deep black, and the
bill of a bright yellow : the edges of the eye-
lids yellow. When young the bill is dusky,
and the plumage of a rusty black, so that it
cannot be distinguished from the female; but
at the age of one year it attains its proper
color.

The blackbird continues in Italy the whole
year.

" "We can ti'ace the blackbird as far as the
southern part of Spain, from whence it is said
alternately to visit Barbary, and in both places
to be numerous, though in general it is a soli-
tary species. It is a constant inhabitant here ;
is subject to much variety, and is found some-
times white and occasionally pied in different
degrees. When kept tame may be taught to
whistle tunes and imitate the human voice/'
J. L.

PLLm

« ROSE COLORh^D OUZEJ.

Vffiil^ai3.

Class II. ROSE COLORED OUZEL. 413

Turdus roseus. T. sublncar- Brisson av. ii. 250. Hist. 6. Rose

natus, capita alls caudaque d'ois. iii. 348. PL Enl. colored

nigris, occipite cristato. Lath. 2.5 1 .

Ind. orn. SAAs. id. Syn. iii. Turdus roseus. Gm. Lin. 8ig.

50. id. Sup. i. 142. Faun. Suec. sp. 2ig.

Merula rosea. Raii Syn. av. Edw. 20.

67. Aldr. av. ii. 283. Br. Zool. 4to. ii. App. 533.

JVil. orn. ig4. tah, v. Aret, Zool. ii. 27.
Le Merle Couleur de Rose.

J\j-R. Edwards discovered this beautiful bird
twice in our island, once near London, at Nor-
wood, and another time in Norfolk* The
figure of this and of the Oriole, were copied,
by permission, from his excellent and accurate
designs, which we gratefully acknowlege, as
well as every other assistance from our worthy
friend, whose pencil has done as much honor
to our country, as the integrity of his heart,
and communicative disposition, have procured
him esteem from a numerous and respectable
acquaintance.

The size of this bird appears by the print to Descrip-
be equal to that of a stare. The bill at the
point is black, at the base of a dirty flesh color :

* Dr. Shaw, in the seventh volume of the Naturalist's Mis'
cellany, tah. 231, gives the figure of a specimen shot in Oxford-
shire. Ed.

414 ROSE COLORED OUZEL. Class IL

the head is adorned with a crest hanging back-
wards. The head, crest, neck, wings, and tail
are black, glossed with a changeable blue,
purple and green : the breast, belly, back, and
lesser coverts of the wings, are of a rose color,
mixed with a few spots of black : the legs are
of a dirty orange color.

This bird is found in Lapland, Italy, and
Syria. About Aleppo it is called the locust
bird, possibly from its food ; and appears there
only in summer.* In Italy it is styled the sea-
stare; and, as Aldrovandus says, frequents
heaps of dung-f Mr. EkmarckX informs us,
that it resides in Lapland, never passing beyond
the limits of that frozen region. We have
mentioned very opposite climes, but believe it
to be a scarce bird in all, at lest in Europe.

We have seen one that was shot at Gran-
tham in Lincolnshire, and it has been told me
that one has been shot and sometimes more
about Ormskij^k in Lancashire. J. L.

* Russet's hist. Alep. 70. Tavernier, 146.

t Aldr. av. ii. 283.

X Migr. (IV. Amcen. acad, iv. 594.

Class II.

RING-OUZEL.

415

Turdus torquatns. T. nigri-
cans, torque albo, rostro fla-
vescente. Lath. Ind. om.
343. id. Syn. iii. 46. id.
Sup. i. 141.

Le Merle ou Collier. Belon
av. 318.

Merula torquata. Gesner av.
607.

Merle alpestre. Aldr. av. ii.
282.

JVil. orn. 194. Rock or
Mountain-Ouzel, I95.

Itaii Syn. av. 65.

Mwyalchen y graig. Cainden
Brit. 795.

Le Merle a plastron blanc.

Hist, d'ois. iii. 340. PL

Enl. 516.
Le Merle a Collier. Brisson

av. ii. 235.
Mar ton Northampt. 425.
Turdus torquatus. Gm. Lin.

832.
Ringel-Amsel. Frisch, i. 30.
Faun, Suec. sp. 221.
Scopoli, No. 198.
Dan. Ringdrossel. Norvegis

Ring Trost. Br. 237.
Ringlamsel. Kram. 360.
JSr. Zoo/. 92. plate P. 1. f. 1,

Arct. Zool, ii. 28.

7- Ring-
Ouzel.

X HESE birds are superior in size to the black- Descrip-
bird : their length is eleven inches ; their breadth
seventeen. The bill in some is wholly black, in
others the upper half is yellow : on each side of
the mouth are a few bristles : the head and
whole upper part of the body are dusky, edged
with pale brown : the quil feathers, and the tail
are black. The coverts of the wings, the upper
part of the breast, and the belly are dusky,
slightly edged with ash-color. The middle of
the breast is adorned with a crescent, the horns
of which point to the hind part of the neck;

4l6 RING-OUZEL. Class 11.

in some birds this is of a pure white, in others
of a dirty hue. In the females and in young
birds this mark is wanting, which gave occa-
sion to some naturalists to form two species
of them.

Ring-Ouzels inhabit the Highland hills, the
north of England, and the mountains of IVales.
They are also found to breed in Dart-moor, in
Devo7isIiire, in banks on the sides of streams. I
have seen them in the same situation in TVales^
very clamorous when disturbed.

They are observed by the Rev. Mr. White, of
Selborne, near Alton, Hants, to visit his neigh-
bourhood regularly twice a year, in flocks of
twenty or thirty, about the middle of Api^il,
and again about Michaelmas. They make it
only a resting place in their Avay to some other
country; in their spring migration they only
stay a week, in their autumnal a fortnight. They
feed there on haws, and for want of them on
yew berries. On dissection in April, the fe-
males were found full of the small rudiments of
eggs, which prove them to be later breeders
than any others of this genus, which generally
have fledged young about that time. The place
of their retreat is not known : those that breed
in TFales and Scotland never quitting those

Class II. RING-OUZEL. 417

countries. In the last they breed in the hills,
but descend to the lower parts to feed on the
berries of the mountain ash.

They migrate into France late in the season :
and appear in small flocks about Montbard, m
Burgundy, in the beginning of October, but sel-
dom stay above two or three weeks. Notwith-
standii.g this, they are said to breed in Sologne
and the forest of Orleans.

" The nest and eggs are said not to be unlike
those of a blackbird : the former is made on the
ground or the side of a bush ; the eggs usually
five in number. This species is met with in
the warmer and the colder regions, as well in
Africa as Asia; but does not inhabit either
Russia or Sibiria, though it is seen in Persia
about the Caspian sea." J. L.

VOL. I.

418

WAXEN CHAITERER. Class IL

GENUS XX. CHATTERER.

Bill strait, a little convex above, and bending
towards the point : near the end of the
lower mandible a small notch on each
side.
Nostrils hid in bristles. '

Toe middle connected at the base to the out-
most. ■ . • . ^

1« Waxen. Ampelis Garrulus. A. occi-
pite cristato, remigibus se-
cundariis apice membrana-
ceo coloralo. Lath. Ind.
orn. 363. id. Syn. iii. 9I.

Garrulus Boliemicus. Gesner
av. 703.

Aldr. av. I. 305.

Bohemian Chatterer. JFil.
orn. 133.

Silk Tail. Raii Syn. av. 85.

Ray's Letters, I98. 200.

Bell's Travels, i. 198.

Le Jaseur de Boheme, Bom-
bycilla Bohemica. Brisson

av. ii. 333. Hist, d'ois. Iii.

429. PL Enl.261.
Phil. Trails. No. 175.
Ampelis Garrulus. Gtn. Lin.

838.
Siden-Suantz, Snotuppa.ivzMW.

Suec. sp. 82.
Sieden vel Sieben Suands.

Brunnich 25.
Zu3erl,Geidenschweiffl.^ra?B.

oito.
Seiden-schwantz. Friscli, i. 32.
Scopoli No. 20.
Br. Zool 77. plate C. 1.

Arct. Zool. ii. 31.

X HESE birds appear but by accident in South
Britain : about Edinburgh they come annually

Voll£ul8.

CH^T T e,ii:bh_

Class II. WAXEN CHATTERER. 419

in Febricary, and feed on the berries of the
mountain ash : they also appear as far south as
Northumberland, and like the fieldfare make
the berries of the white thorn their food. That
Bohemia is their native country is a mistake of
past writers. They breed and pass their sum-
mer within the Arctic circle, from whence they
disperse themselves (often in vast flocks) over
many parts of Europe, but I believe not farther
south than Italy. All retire north before the
spring. One was killed at Garthmeilio in Den-
bighshire, in a fir-tree, during the severe frost
of December 1788.'* They were once super-
stitiously considered as presages of a pestilence.
They are gregarious ; feed on grapes where
vineyards are cultivated, and are esteemed deli-
cious food ; they are easily tamed.

The length of the bird I saw was eight Descrip-
inches. The bill was short, thick, and black ; the
base covered with black bristles ; from thence
a bar of black passes to the hind part of the
head over each eye : on the head is a sharp
pointed crest reclining backwards; the irides

* The late Mr. Tunstall informed me, that m the winter of
1787, many flocks were seen all over the county of York, and
that towards the spring a flock of between twenty and thirty
were observed within two miles from Wycliffe, his place of resi-
dence. Frisch mentions it as a bird of Tartanj, and says it
there breeds in the rocks. J. L.

2 E 2

TION.

420 WAXEN CHA^ITERER. Class IL

are of a bright ruby color ; the cheeks tawny ;
the throat black, with a small bristly tuft in the
middle. The head, crest, and back are ash-co-
lored mixed with red : the rump of a fine cinere-
ous color; breast and belly, pale chesnut dashed
with a vinaceous cast ; the vent feathers bright
, bay ; the lower part of the tail black, the end of
a rich yellow ; the lesser coverts of the wings
brown, the greater black tipt with white; the
quil feathers black, the three first tipt with
white ; the six next have half an inch of their
exterior margin edged with fine yellow, the in-
terior with white; but what distinguishes this
from all other birds are the horny appendages
from the tips of seven of the secondary feathers
of the color and gloss of the best red wax ;
some have one more or one less. The legs are
black.

I think that the females want the yellow
marks in the wings.

Class II. HAW GROSBEAK.

421

GENUS XXI. GROSBEAK.

Bill strong, thick, convex above and below.
Nostrils small and round.
Tongue as if cut oif at the end.

Loxia Coccothraustes. L. ci-
nereo-castanea, linea alarum
alba, remigibus mediis apice
rhombeis, rectricibus latere
tenuiore baseos nigris. Lath.
Ind. orn. 371. id. Syn. iii.
103. id. Sup. i. 148.

Le Grosbec ou Pinson royal.
Belon av. 373.

Coccothraustes (steinbeisser)
Gesner av. 27^-

Aldr. av. ii. 289-

Frosone. Olina 37.

Grosbeak, or Hawfinch. Wtl.
orn. 244.

Rail Syn. av. 85.

Charlton ex. 9 1 .

DIeschk. Scopoli, No. 201.
Edw. av. 188. The male.
Le Grosbec. Brisson av. iii.

219. Hiit. d'ois. iii. 444.

PI. Enl. 99, 100.
Loxia Coccothraustes. Gm.

Lin. 844.
Stenkneck. Faun. Suec. sp.

222.
Kernbeis, Nusbeisser. Kram.

365.
Kirschfinch (Cherry-finch).

Frisch, i. 4.
Brunnich, in append.
Br. Zool. 105. plate U. Fig. 1.

Arct. Zool. ii. 40.

1. Haw.

XHE birds we describe were shot in Shrop-
shire: they visit us only at uncertain times, and
are not regularly migrant. "^ They feed on ber-

* " The Hawfinch visits us chiefly in winter, but one was
shot in the summer months near Dartford, in Kent. Mr.

TION.

422 HAW GROSBEAK. Class II.

ries, and even on the hardest kernels, such as
those of cherries and ahiionds, which they crack
•with the gi'eatest facility: their bills are well
adapted to that work, being remarkably thick
and strong. My. fFillughby tells us, they are
common in Germany and Italy ; that in the
summer they live in woods, and breed in hollow
trees, or in holes in the walls of churches, laying
five or six eggs ; but in the w inter they come
down into the plains.
Descrip- This species weighs nearly two ounces : its
length is seven inches ; the breadth thirteen.
The bill is of a funnel shape, strong, thick, and
of a dull pale pink color ; at the base are some
orange colored feathers : the irides are grey ;
the crown of the head and cheeks of a fine deep
bay ; the chin black ; from the bill to the eyes
is a black line ; the breast and \\ hole under
side is of a dirty flesh color ; the neck ash-co-
lored ; the back and coverts of the Avings of a
deep brown, those of the tail of a yellowish
bay : the greater qui] feathers are black, marked
with white on their inner webs. The tail is

JVhite records another instarice at the same season, and says
that it had the kernels of damsons in its stomach.* These might
possibly have bred here, though we have no authority for it ever
being the case." J. L.

* xsatur. Calend. 41.

Tl.UV.

VOL.1.P.423.

F. CROSS BILL. fP. 425

Ti:?fE CtROSBEAK . (T. 433.

Class II. PINE GROSBEAK. 423

short, spotted with white on the inner sides ;
the legs are of a flesh color.

The great particularity of this bird, and what
distinguishes it from all others, is the form of
the ends of the middle quil feathers ; which Mr.
Edzvards justly compares to the figure of some
of the antient battle-axes : these feathers are
glossed over with a rich blue ; but are less con-
spicuous in the female : the head in that sex is
of dull olive, tinged with brown ; it also wants
the black spot under the chin.

It arrives in Ital/^ at the end of April, and
migrates in October.

Loxia Enucleator. L. sordide Tallbit, Natt-waka. Faun. 2. Pine.

roseo fusco griseoque varia, S?xec. No. 223.

linea alarum duplici alba. Greatest Bulfinch. Edw. 123,

rectricibus totis nigricanti- 124. mas ttfemina.

bus. Lath. Ind. orn. 372. Le Dur-bec. Coccothraustes

id. Syn. iii. 111. id. Sup. Canadensis. £rmo?z,iii. 230.

i. 148. Hist, d'ois. iii. 457. PI- Enl,

Loxia Enucleator. Gm. Lin. 135. f. 1.

845. Arct. Zool. ii. 33.

XHESE are common to Hudson's Bay, Swe-
den, and Scotland. I have seen them flying
above the great pine forests of Invercauld, in
Aberdeenshire ; and I imagine they breed there,
for I saw them on the 5th of August. They

TXON.

424 PINE GROSBEAK. Class II.

feed on the seeds of the pine. LinncEus says,
they sing in the night. '

Descrip- They are nearly twice the size of the bul-
finch, being nine inches and an half in length.
The bill is strong, dusky, hooked at the end,
less thick than that of the common bulfinch ;
the head, back, neck, and breast are of a rich
crimson; the bottoms of the feathers ash-co-
lor ; the middle of those on the back and head
black ; the lower belly and vent ash-color ; the
lesser coverts of the wings dusky, edged with
orange, the next with a broad stripe of white ;
the lowest order of greater coverts with an-
other; the exterior edges of the same color;
the quil feathers and tail dusky; their exte-
rior edges of a dirty white; the legs black.
There seems an agreement in colors, as well
as food, between this species and the cross-
bill ; one that I saw in Scotland, and believe
to be the female, was (like the female cross-
bill) of a dirty green ; the tail and quil feathers
dusky.

" They breed in Hudson s Bay, where Mr.
HutcJiins told me that they make their nest,
formed with sticks, and lined \^ ith feathers, in
the trees at a small height from the ground, in
May, deposit five white eggs, and that the
young are hatched the middle of June.'^ J. L.

Class II. CROSS-BILLED GROSBEAK.

425

Loxia curvirostra. L. rostro
forficato, corpore versicolore,
remigibus rectricibusque fus-
cis, oris exterioribus virldi-
olivaceis, cauda furcata.
Lath. Ind. orn. 370. id.
Syn. iii. 106.

Loxia. Gesner av. ^Ql.

Aldr. av.\. 426.

Shell-apple, or Cross-bill. Wil.
orn. 248.

Itaii Syn. av. 86.

Charlton ex. 77.

Edw. av. 303.

Cat. Carol, app. 37.

Le Bec-croise. Brisson av. iii.

329. tai. 17- fg- 3. Hist.

d'ois. iii. 449. t. 27. /. 2.

PI. Enl. 218.
Loxia Curvirostra. Gm. Lin.

843.
KorssnaflF, Kinlgelrifvare.

Faun. Suec. sp. 224.
Scopoli, No. 200.
KrumbschnaVjl, Kreutzvogel.

Kram. 365.
Kreutz-Schnabel. Frisch,i. 11.
Norveg, Kors-Naeb. Kors-

fugl. Br. 238.
Br. Zool. 106. plate U./. 2.

Arct. Zool. ii. 32.

3. Cross

BILLED.

X HERE are two varieties of this bird : Mr.
Edzvards has very accurately figured the lesser,
which we have seen frequently : the other is
very rare. We received a male and female of
the large variety out of Shropshire ; the bill
was remarkably thick and short, more incurvat-
ed than that of the common kind, and the ends
more blunt.

These birds, like the Pine Grosbeak, are in-
constant visitants of this island : in Gtrmany and
Switzerland^ they inhabit the pine forests, and
breed in those trees as early as the months oiJa-

Gesner 5Q. Kramer Blench. 36,5.

426 CROSS-BILLED GROSBEAK. Class IL

nuary and February. They feed on the seeds
of the cones of pines and firs, and are very dex-
terous in scaling them, for Avhich purpose the
cross structure of the lower mandible of their bill
is admirably adapted; they feed also on hemp
seed, and the pips or kernels of apples, and are
said to divide an apple with one stroke of the
bill to get at the contents. Lhmdeus*' says,
that the upper mandible of this bird is move-
able ; but on examination we could not dis-
cover its structure to differ from that of others
of the genus.

It is an undoubted fact, that these birds
change their colors ; or rather the shades of
their colors : that is, the males which are red,
vary at certain seasons to deep red, to orange,
or to a sort of a yellow : the females which are
green, alter to different varieties of the same
color.

Cross-bills are rare in Italy. jMy friend,
John Strange, Esq. informed me that they
have appeared in flocks in Tuscany among the
cypresses and pines, for the sake of the cones,
a favorite food with them. The form of the
bill astonished the peasants, to whom they were
before quite unknown.

* Faun. Suec. sp 224.

Class II. CROSS-BILLED GROSBEAK. 427

" I know but one certain instance of their
breeding in England, and that on a pine-tree
within two miles oi Dartford m Kent. The
nest, about the size of a blackbird's, was made
on the lowest fork of the tree, composed of
dried twigs of a loose texture ; however, no eggs
were laid, for from the too great curiosity of
frequent observers the birds forsook it. A fe-
male shot at Erith, in August 1791, was bare
on the breast, a circumstance common to sit-
ting birds. In July 1791, Mr. Lewin shewed
me two of these old birds, a male and female,
shot in his garden, as also one young bird ;
three or four other young birds were still about
his garden. Some authors inform us that the
eggs are four or five in number, yellowish
white, tinged with brown, Avith small red dots,
most numerous at the larger end. I saw at
Colonel Woodford's one of these birds in a
cage: he had had it for some time. It sung very -
prettily, the note somewhat like that of the
bulfinch." J. L.

428 WHITE WINGED CROSSBILL. Class IL

4. White Loxia falcirostra. L. rostrofor- Loxia leucoptera. Gm. Lin.

WINGED. ficato, corpore croceo-cocci- 844.

neo, alls nigris fasciis duabus Dandm.'ii. 3bd,. - ■

albis, remigibus secunda- Lin. Tr. vii. SOQ.

riis apice albis, cauda nigra. Crossbill var. Arct. Zool. ii.

Lath. Lid. orn. 37 1 • id. Syn. 32.

iii. 108. id. Sup. i. 148. Dixo?is Voy. PI. ii. p. 356.

female.

" XHIS bird is a common species in North
America. Mr. Hutchins found it frequently
at Hudson's Bay, coming there in March. In
May it makes a nest of grass, mud, and fea-
thers, half way up a pine-tree, and lays five
white eggs with yellowish spots. The young
fly towards the end of June, and all depart
about November. I find from Mr, Abbot that
it is found about Burke county, in Georgia,
though very rarely. The reason of my giving
the bird a place here is, its having been shot
within two miles of Belfast, in January 1802.
The specimen was a female, and perfectly re-
sembling that figured in DLvoiis voyage above
mentioned. I had indeed been informed before
of the species having been met with in Scot-
land, but the report came through so uncertain
a channel as to forbid my noticing it.
Descrip- 'p|-,g gi^e of this small species is about that of

TION. ^

the goldfinch, and measures only five inches

Class II. WHITE WINGED CROSSBILL. 429

and three quarters in length. The bill is of a
dusky horn-color; the nostrils covered with re-
flected bristles of a pale buff-color ; at the base
of the bill from eye to eye, a streak of brown :
the feathers on the head, neck, back, and under
parts are whitish, deeply margined with crim-
son ; and as some part of the white appears not
fully covered with the crimson, gives the bird a
mottled appearance : the rump is pale crimson,
the vent dirty white ; the wing is black, marked
with a bar of white from the shoulder, passing
obliquely backwards, and a second bar, or ra-
ther spot of the same below that, but only in
the inner half: the second quills are each of
them tipped with white ; the tail black ; the legs
brown.

The female differs from the other sex much
in the same manner as in the common cross-
bill," J. L.

430

BULFINCH.

Class II.

.5.BuLFiNCH. Loxia Pyrrhula. L. cinerea,
artubus nigris, tectricibus
caudoe remigumque postica-
' rum albls- Lath. hid. orn.

387. id. Syn. lii. 145. id.
Sup. I. 152

Le Pivoine. Beloii av. 35().

Asprocolos, ohs. 13.

Rubicilla, sive PjTrhiUa. Ges-
ner av. 733.

Aldr. av. ii. 326. '

Ciufolotto. Olina, 40.

Bulfinch, Alp, or Nope. Wil.
orn. 247-

Rail Syn. av. 86.

Blutfinck, Frisch, i. 2.

Le Bouvreuil. Brisson av. iii.

308. Hist, d'ois. iv. 372. PL

Enl. 145.
Monachino, Sufolotto. Zinan.

58.
Loxia Pyrrhula. Gm. Lin.

846.
Domherre. Faun. Suec. sp.

225.
Gumpl. Kram. 365. Gimpl.

Scopoli, No. 202.
Danis & Noi-vegis Dom-pape,

quihusdam Dom-Herre. Br.

240.
Br. Zool. 106. plate U./. 3.4.

Arct. Zool. ii. 39

Descrip-
tion.

XHE wild note of this bird is not in the lest
musical ; but when tamed it becomes remark-
ably docile, and may be taught any tune after
a pipe, or to whistle any notes in the justest
manner: it seldom forgets what it has learned;
and will become so tame as to come at call,
perch on its master's shoulders, and (at com-
mand) go through a difficult musical lesson.
It may be taught to speak, and some thus in-
structed are annually brought to London from
Germany.

The male is distinguished from the female

Glass II. BULFINCH. .431

by the superior blackness of its crown, and by the
rich crimson which adorns the cheeks/ breast,
belly, and throat of the male; those of the
female being of a dirty color. The bill is black,
short, and very thick ; the head large ; the
hind part of the neck and the back grey;
the coverts of the wings black ; the loAver cross-
ed with a w^hite line ; the quil feathers dusky,
but part of their inner webs white ; the coverts
of the tail and vent feathers white, the tail
black.

In the spring these birds frequent our gar-
dens, and are very destructive to fruit-trees,
by eating the tender buds. They breed about
the latter end of May, or beginning of Jime,
and are seldom seen at that time near houses,
as they chuse some very retired place to breed
in. These birds are sometimes wholly black ;
I have heard of a male bulfinch which had
chanojed its colors after it had been taken in full
feather, and with all its fine tints. The first
year it began to assume a dull hue, blackening
every year, till in the fourth it attained the
deepest degree of that color. This was com-
municated to me by the Reverend Mr. White ' -
of Selborne. Mr. Morton, in his History of
^Northamptonshire,*' gives another instance of

* Pae;e 437- '

432

GREEN GROSBEAK. CtAss II.

such a change, with this addition, that the year
following, after moulting, the bird recovered its
native colors. Bulfinches fed entirely on hemp-
seed are aptest to undergo this change.

They for the most part winter in Italy.

" They seem to be common to most parts of
the continent of Europe, and extend to Russia
and Sibiria, in which last place they are caught
for the use of the table. Thunherg says they
are found in Japan,''' J. L.

6. Green. Loxia Chloris. L. flavicanti-
virens, remigibus primori-
bus antice luteis, rectricibus
lateralibus quatuor basi lu-
teis. Lath. Ind. orn. 382.
id. Syn. iii. 134. id. Sup.
i. 152.

Belon av. 365.

Assarandos. ols. 13.

Chloris. Gesner av. 258.

Aldr. av. ii. 371.

Olina, 26.

Wil. orn. 246".

Rail Syn. av. 83.

Le Verdier. Brisson av. Iii.

190. Hisi. d'ois. iv. I72.

Pl.Enl.267.f. 1.
Grindling. Scopoli, No. 206.
Verdone, Verdero, Antone.

Zinan. 63.
Loxia Chloris. Gm. Lin. 854-
Swenska. Faun. Suec. sp. 226.
Svenske. Br. 242.
Grunling. Kram. 368.
Griinfinck (Greenfinch) Frisch

i. 2.
Br. Zool. 107. Arct. Zool. ii.

39.

Descrip- XhE head and back of this bird are of a yel-

TION.

lowish green ; the edges of the feathers are
grey ; the rump more yellow ; the breast of
the same color ; the lower belly white ; the

Class II. GREEN GROSBEAK. 433

edges of the outmost quil feathers are yellow,
the next green, the farthest grey. The tail is a
little forked ; the two middle feathers are wholly
dusky ; the exterior webs of the four outmost
feathers on both sides the tail are yellow. The
colors in the female are much less vivid than in
the male.

These birds are very common in this island : Nest.
they make their nest in hedges ; the outside is
composed of hay or stubble, the middle part of
moss, the inside of feathers, wool, and hair.
They lay five or six eggs of a pale green color,
marked with blood colored spots. During .
breeding-time, that bird which is not engaged
in incubation, or nutrition, has a pretty way of
sporting on wing over the bush.

Their native note has nothing musical in it ;
but a late writer on singing-birds says, they
may be taught to pipe or whistle in imitation of
other birds. The Green Grosbeak is so easily
tamed, that it frequently eats out of the hand
five minutes after it is taken, if there is an op-
portunity of carrying it into the dark ; the bird
should first be put upon the finger, which it
does not attempt to move from (as being in
darkness it does not know where to fly); the
finger of the other hand should then be intro-
duced under its breast, which making it incon-

VOL. I. 2 F

434 GREEN GROSBEAK. Class 11.

venient to stay where it was before placed, it
climbs upon the second finger, where it like-
wise continues, and for the same reason. When
this hath been nine or ten times repeated, and
the bird stroked and caressed, it finds that no
harm is intended, and if the light is let in by
degrees, it will very frequently eat any bruised
seed out of the hand, and afterwards continue
tame.

Class II.

BUNTING.

4S5

GENUS XXII. BUNTING.

Bill strong and conic, the sides of each man-
dible bending inwards : in the roof of the
upper, a hard knob, of use to break and
comminute hard seeds.

Emberiza Miliaria. E. grisea,

subtus nigro-maculata, orbi-

tis rufis. Lath. Ind. or7i.

4:02. id. Syn. iii. 171-
Le Proyer, Prier, ou Pruyer.

Belon av. 266.
Emberiza alba. Ges7ier av.

654.
Aldr. av. ii. 264.
Strillozzo. Olina, 44.
Wil. orn. 267.
Rati Syn. av. 93.
Le Proyer, Cynchrarmis. Bris-

sonav. iii. 292. Hisi. d'ois.

iv. 355. PL Enl. 233.

Petrone, Capparone, Stardac- i. Commok.

chio. Zinan. 63.
Emberiza Miliaria. Gm. Lin.

86s.
Faun. Suec. sp. 228.
Korn Larkor. Lin. it. scan.

292. tal. 4.
Cimlris Korn-Lserke. Norveg.

Knotter. Brumiich 247-
Graue Ammer. Frisch, i. 6.
Brasler. Kram. 372.
Br. Zool. 111. plate W. f. 7.

Arct. Zool. ii. 54,

xHE bill of this bird, and of the other species Dee
of this genus, is singularly constructed ; the sides
of the upper mandible forming a sharp angle,
bending inwards towards the lower; in the
roof of the former is a hard knob, adapted to
bruise corn or other hard seeds.

2 F 2!

SCRIP-
TIOM". .

436 BUNTING. Class II.

The throat, breast, sides, and belly are of a
yellowish white ; the head and upper part of the
body of a pale brown, tinged with olive; each
of which (except the belly) are marked with
oblong black spots ; towards the rump the
spots grow fainter. The quil feathers are dusky,
their exterior edges of a pale yellow. The
tail is a little forked, of a dusky hue, edged
with white ; the legs are of a pale yellow.

This bird resides with us the whole year, and
durino; winter collects in flocks.

I received in Koveniber, 1787, a Bunting
with a white head and tail ; the head elegantly
tinged with yellow ; the back white and brown;
the coverts of the wings the same, but on both
the white predominated ; the breast had all the
usual marks of the Bunting.

:r'^'^v:'^y

U'U-^ti- -Vfr

lllii'a.;!^'

Pl.IiV.

VOL.1. p. 437.

TELLOW Bl'XTi:srG

Class II. YELLOW BUNTING.

437

Emberiza Citiinella. E. rec-
tricibus nigricantibus, exti-
mis duabns latere interiore
macula alba acuta. Lath.
Ind. orn. 400. id. Syn. iii.
170. id. Sup. i. 157.

Belon av. 366.

Emberiza flava. Gesner av.
653.

Cia pagglia riccia, Luteae alte-
rum genus. Aldr. av. ii.
372.

Wil. orn. 26s.

Yellow Hammer, Rati Syn.

av. Q3.
Le Bruant. Brisson av. iil.

258. Hist, d'ois. iv^342. PI.

Enl. 30. f. 1.
Sternardt. Scopoli, No. 20g.
Emberiza Citrinella. Gm. Lin.

870.
Groning, Golspink. Faun.

Suec. sp. 230.
Ammering, Goldammering.

Kram. 370. Frisch, i. 5.
Arct. Zool. ii. 55.

2. Yellow.

XHIS species makes a large flat nest on the Nest.
ground, near or under a bush or hedge ; the
materials are moss, dried roots, and horse hair
interwoven. It lays six eggs of a white color,
veined with a dark purple : is extremely com-
mon, and in w inter frequents our farm yards
with other small birds.

The bill is of a dusky hue ; the crown of the Descrip-
head is of a pleasant pale yellow, in some al-
most plain, in others spotted with brown ; the
hind part of the neck is tinged with green ; the
chin and throat are yellow ; the breast is mark-
ed with an orange red ; the belly yellow ; the
lesser coverts of the wings are green; the
others dusky, edged with rust color; the back

438 ' CIRL BUNTING. Class IL

of the same colors ; the rump of a rusty red ;
the quil feathers dusky, their exterior sides
edged with yellowish green ; the tail is a little
forked ; the middle feathers are bro^vn ; the
two middlemost edged on both sides with green ;
the others on their exterior sides only : the in-
terior sides of the two outmost feathers are
marked obliquely near their ends with white.

It visits Italy the end of April, and quits it
in October, but many winter there.

3 CiRL. Emberiza Cirlus. E. supra va- Luteae primum genus. Raii
ria, subtus lutea, pectore Syn. au. 93.

niaculato, superciliis luteis, Le Bruant de Haye. Embe-
rectrlcibus duabus extimis riza seploria. Srisson, av.

macula alba cuneato. Lath. ill. 263. Hist, d'ois. iv. 347.

Ind. orn. 401. id. Syn. iii, PL Enl.653.f. 1.2.

190. Bunting Cirl. Mo7itagu, orn.
E. Cirlus. Cm. Lin. ii. 879. diet. id. Lin, Tr. vii. 276.

[THE discovery of the Cirl Bunting, as a
British bird, is due to that accurate ornitholo-
gist, George Montagu, esq. who first observed
it in Devonshire, in the year 1800, amongst
flocks of yellow buntings and chaffinches.*
Descrip- It is thus described by Dr. Latham. " Size
of a yellow-hammer ; length six inches and a

TION.

* Mr. Montagu afterwards found its nest with four eggs in the
stump of an old tree. Ed. :

Pl.TJVIL

VOL.1. P. 438.

Y . CIRL . BtTNTTlNG.

i^,
>

Class n. GIRL BUNTING. 439

quarter ; bill cinereous brown ; the head olive-
green, with a dusky line down the shaft of .....: ,
each feather ; side of the head yellow, with a
dash of black between the bill and eye, and
some markings of black on the ears ; the chin
is also black, passing a little backwards ; the
hind part of the neck, back, and rump, brown;
the feathers dusky in the middle ; the under
parts from the chin are yellow ; the breast in-
clining to bro^n, and a few dusky streaks on
the sides of the body ; across the throat a yel-
low band; the tail is brown, edged with grey,
the outer feather with white ; and has also a
spot of white on the inner web for half the
length ; the outermost but one has also a ,
spot of white on the same place, but of a much
smaller size ; the shape a little forked ; the legs / . :
yellowish.

■; The female is not unlike the male on the up-
per parts ; the under are yellow streaked with
dusky and inclining to white at the chin and
vent: in some the breast inclines to green."
Ed.]

440

HEED BUNTING.

Class II.

4. Reed.

Nest.

Emberiza Schceniclus. E. ca-
pite nigro, corpore griseo
nigroque, rectricibus exti-
mis macula alba cuneiformi.
Lath. Ind. orn. 402. id.
Syn. iii. 173. id. Sup. i.
157.

Schceniclus. Gesner av. 573,
652.

Wil. orn. 269.

Reed Sparrow. Raii Syn. av.

95.

The Nettle-monger. Morton
Northampf. 428.

Ror-Spurv. Brunnich 251.
L'Ortolan de Roseaux, Hor-

tulanus arundinaceus. Bris-

son av. iii. 274. Hist, d'ois.

iv. 315. PI. Enl. 247-/. 2.

477. /. 2.
Emberiza Schceniclus. Gm.

Lin. 881.
Saf-sparf. Faun. Suec. sp. 23 i.
Rohrammering, Meerspatz.

Kram. 37 1 .
Rohrammer (Reed-hammer)

Frisck, i. 7-
Br. Zool. 112. plate W.

Descrip-
tion.

XHE reed bunting inhabits marshy places,
most commonly among reeds ; from which it
takes its name.

[Its nest is composed of stalks of grass inter-
mixed sometimes with moss, and lined with fine
grass, and generally placed on the ground near
water, sometimes in high grass reeds or sedge.
The eggs are of a dirty bluish white, spotted
and veined like those of the Chaffinch. Its
song is inharmonious, consisting only of two
notes, the first repeated three or four times,
the last single and more sharp.* Ed.

In the male, the head, chin, and throat, are
black ; the tongue livid : at each corner of the

* Mo7it. orn. Diet. art. Bunting-Reed.

Class II. REED BUNTING.

mouth commences a white ring, which encircles
the head. At the approach of winter the head
changes to hoary, but on the return of spring
-^•esumes its pristine jettyness. The whole under
side of the body is white. The back, coverts
of the wings, and the scapular feathers are
black, deeply bordered with red ; the two mid-
dle feathers of the tail are of the same colors ;
the three next black; the exterior web, and
part of the interior of the outmost feather is
white. The head of the female is rust-colored,
spotted with black; it wants the white ring
round the neck : but in most other respects
resembles the male. -

443

TAWNY BUNTING.

Class II.

5. Tawny. Emberiza glacialis. E. nigra,
pennis flavo-fusco margiua-
tis, gula uropygioque flave-
scentibus, subtus alba fla\o
obscure maculata. Lath. Ind.
orn. 3g8. id. Syn. iii. l64.

Great pied Mountain Finch, or
Brambling. Wil. orti. 255.

Emberiza mustelina. Gm.
Lin. 867.

Raii Si/n. av. 88.

L'Ortolan de Neige, Hortula-
nus nivalis. Brisson av. iii.
285. Hist, d'ois. iv. 329.
Pi Enl. 497-

Schnee-ammer (Snow-ham-
mer). Frisc/i, i. 6.

Tawny Bunting. Br. Zool.
ed. 4to. i. 278. Br. Zool.
lis. plate V. f. 6. Arct.
Zool. ii. 41.

Emberiza nivalis. E. remigi-
bus albis, primoribus ex-

Descrip-
TI.ON.

trorsum nlgrls, rectricibus

nigris, lateralibus tribus al-
bis. Lath. Ind. orn. 897. id.

Syn. iii. iGl.id. Sup. i. 157-
Emberiza nivalis. Gm. Lin,

866.
Snosparf. Faun. Suec. No.

227.
Le Pingon de neige ou la nive-

rolle. Brisson, iii. l62.
Cimhris, sneekok, vinter fugl.

Norvegis. Sneefugl, Fialster,

Brunnich, 245.
Avis ignota a Piperino missa.

Gesner av. 7Q8.
Scopoli, No. 214.
Snow-bird, Edio. 126. Egede

Greenl. 64. Marten s Spitz-

lergen, 73.
Forster in Ph. Tr. vol. Ixii.

p. 403.
Snow Bunting. Br. Zool. 4to.

i. 279-

Jl he weight of this bird is rather more than
an ounce; the length is six inches three quar-
ters ; the breadth tvvelve inches three quarters.
The bill is very short; yellow, except at the
point, which is black ; the crown of the head
is tawny, darkest near the forehead ; the whole
neck is of the same color, but jialer ; the throat
almost white ; the upper part of the breast is of

Class II. TAWNY BUNTING. 443

a dull yellow ; the belly and whole under part
of the body white, dashed with a yellowish
tinge. The back and scapular feathers are
black, edged with a pale reddish brown ; the
rump and covert feathers of the tail are white
on their lower half, on their upper, yellow.
The tail consists of twelve feathers, and is a
little forked : the three exterior feathers are
white ; the two outmost marked with a dusky
spot on the exterior side ; the third is marked
with the same color on both sides the tip ; the
rest of the tail feathers are entirely dusky.
The wings, when closed, reach to about the
middle of the tail ; the color, of as much of the
six first quil feathers as appears in view, is
dusky, slightly tipt with a reddish white, their
lower part on both sides white; in the seven
succeeding feathers the dusky color gradually
gives place to the white, which in the seventh
of these possesses the whole feather, except a
small spot on the exterior upper side of each ;
the two next are wholly white ; the rest of the
quil feathers and the scapular feathers are
black, edged with a pale red : the bastard wing, -
and the outmost secondary feathers are of the
same color with the quil feathers ; the rest of
them, together with the coverts, are entirely
white, forming one large bed of white. The

444 SNOW BUNTING. Class II.

' legs, feet and claws are black ; the hind toe is

very long, like that of a lark, but not so
strait.

Snow This is their summer dress. Against the

Bunting. . , , , . , .

rigorous season, they become white on their
head, neck, and whole under side: great- part
of their wings and the rump assume the same
color; but the back and middle feathers of
the tail remain black : Linnaus, who was
well acquainted with the species, says that
they vary according to age and season. In
this state they are called in Scotland, Snow-
flakes, from their appearance in hard wea-
ther and in deep snows. They arrive in that
season among the Cheviot hills, and in the
Highlands, in amazing flocks. A few breed in
the last on the summit of the highest hills in the ,
same places with the Ptarmigans ; but the
greatest numbers migrate from the extreme,
north. They first appear in the Shetland islands,
then in the Orknies, and multitudes of them
often fall, wearied with their flight, on vessels
in the Pentland Firth. Their appearance is a
certain fore-runner of hard weather, and storms .
of snow, being driven by the cold from their
common retreats. Their progress southward is
probably thus; Spitzbergen and Greenland,
Hudson s Bay, the Lapland Alps, Scandinavia,

Class II. MOUNTAIN BUNTING. 445

Iceland, the Fti^rot isles, Shetland, Orknies,
Scotland, and the Cheviot hills. They visit at
that season all parts of the northern hemi-
sphere, Prussia, Austria, and Sibiria.* They
arrive lean and return fat. In Austria they are
caught and fed with millet, and, like the Orto-
lan, grow excessively fat. In their flights, they
keep very close to each other, mingle most con -
fusedly together ; and fling themselves collect -
ively into the form of a ball, at which instant
the fowler makes great havoke among them,

[The Emberiza nivalis is found in all the
highest mountains of Greece, Ed.]

Emberiza montana. E. cine- Emberiza Montana. Gm.Lin. g, Mouii-
rea subtus flavescente-undu- 867. taikt.

lata, capite castaneo, fronte Lesser Mountain-finch, or
saturatiore, gula alba, rec- Brambling. JVil. orn. 255.

tricibus tribus extimis albis. Morton Northampt. 423. tah.
Lath. Ind. orn. 3Q8. id. ^S-J^g- 3.

Syn. iii. l6j. Br. Zool. 113.

VV E are obliged to borrow the following de- Descrip-
scription from the account of Mr. Johnson
transmitted to Mr. Ray ; having never seen
the bird. Mr. Ray suspected that it was only
a variety of the Tawny Bunting, but Mr. Mor-

TION.

* Kram. Austria, 372. Bell's Travels, i. I98,

446 ^MOUNTAIN BUNTING. Class II.

ton, having frequent opportunity of examining
this species, proves it to be a distinct kind.

According to Mr. JoJmson, its bill is short,
thick, and strong ; black at the point, the rest
yellow. The forehead is of a dark chesnut;
the hind part of the head and cheeks of a light-
er ; the hind part of the neck, and the back are
ash-colored ; the latter more spotted with black;
the throat is white ; the breast and belly waved
with flame color ; at the setting on of the wing,
grey ; the first five feathers of the wing are of a
blackish brown, the rest white with the point of
each dashed with brown ; the three outmost fea-
thers of the tail are white, the rest dark brown ;
the feet black ; the hind claw as long again as
any of the rest. The breast of the female is of a
darker color than that of the male. The spe-
cies, by the above-mentioned writer's account,
is found in Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.

Class JL

GOLD FINCH.

447

GENUS XXIII. FINCH.

Bill perfectly conic, slender towards the end,
and sharp-pointed.

Fringilla Carduelis. Fr. remi-
gibus antrorsum luteis, ex-
tima immaculata, rectrici-
bus duabus, extlmis medio
rellquisqueapicealbis. Lath.
Ind. orn. 449. id. Syn. iii.
281.

Belon av. 353.

Carduelis. Gesner av. 242.

Aldr. av. ii. 340.

Cardelli. Olina, 10.

Goldfinch, or Thistlefinch.
JVil. orn. 256.

Rail Syn. av. 89.

Le Chardonneret. Brisson av.

iii. 53. Hist, d'ois. iv. I87.

Pl.Enl.A. f. 1.
Cardellino. Zinan. 5Q.
Fringilla Carduelis. Gm. Lin.

903.
Stiglitza. Faun. Suec.sp. 236.
Stiglitz. Br. 257. Scopoli,

No. 211.
Stiglitz. Kram. 365. Distel-

finck, Frisch, i. I.
Br. Zool. 108. plate v. f. 1.

Arct. Zool. ii. 73.

1. Gold.

X HIS is the most beautiful of our hard billed
small birds ; whether we consider its colors,
the elegance of its form, or the music of its
note. The bill is white, tipt with black, the
base surrounded with a ring of rich scarlet
feathers : from the corners of the mouth to the
eyes is a black line ; the cheeks are white ; the
top of the head black, and the white on the
cheeks is bounded almost to the forepart of the

Descrip-

TlOlf-

448 GOLDFINCH. Class 11.

neck with black ; the hind part of the head is
white ; the back, rump, and breast, are of a fine
pale tawny brown, lightest on the two last : the
belly is white ; the covert feathers of the wings,
in the male, are black ; the quil feathers black,
marked in their middle with a beautiful yellow ;
the tips white : the tail is black, but most of the
feathers marked near their ends with a white
spot : the legs are white. n ;

Female. The female is thus distinguished from thie
male : the feathers at the end of the bill are
brown ; those in the male black : the lesser
coverts of the wings are brown ; and the black
and yellow in the wings are less brilliant. The
young bird, before it moults, is grey on the
head ; and hence it is termed by the bird-
catchers a grey pate.

Their note is very sweet, and they are much
esteemed on that account, as well as for their
great docility. Towards winter they assemble
in flocks, and feed on seeds of different kinds,
particularly those of the thistle. They are fond
of orchards ; and frequently build in an apple
or pear tree : their nest is very elegantly formed
of fine moss, liver-worts, and bents on the out-
side ; lined first with wool and hair, and then
with the goslin or cotton of the sallow. They
lay five white eggs, marked with deep purple
spots on the upper end.

Class II. GOLD FINCH. 449

This bird seems to have been the %fucrojw,lrcij*
of Aristotle ; being the only one that we know
of, that could be distinguished by d, golden Jillet
round its head, feeding on the seeds of prickly
plants. The very ingenious translator^" of Vir-
giVs eclogues and georgics, gives the name of
this bird to the acalanthis or acanthis :

Littoraque alcyonen resonant, acanthida dumi.

In our account of the Halcyon of the an-
tients, p. 191 of the former edition, we followed
his opinion ; but having since met with a pas-
sage in Aristotle that clearly proves that acan-
this could not be used in that sense, we beg,
that, till we can discover what it really is, the
w^ord may be rendered linnet ; since it is im-
possible the philosopher could distinguish a
bird of such striking and brilliant colors as the
goldfinch, by the epithet Ka.y.ox^oog, or bad co-
lored ; and as he celebrates his acanthis for a •
fine note, <pw/>;v [x.kv tot xr/v^dv eyo'^o-i,'^ both cha-
racters will suit the linnet, being a bird as
remarkable for the sweetness of its note, as for
the plainness of its plumage.

* Which he places among the axavS-Oi^aya. -Sea %e?- reads ; .,-
the word ptroptlrfff, which has no meaning; neither does the
critic support his alteration with any reasons. Hist, an, 887.

f Dr. Martyn.

% Hist. an. 1055.
VOL. I. 2 G

450 GOLDFINCH. Class 11.

The Goldfinch comes into Italij in Aprils
builds in rocks, and migrates in October and
November. '■ '-' •-"-■■^-'■^■^'■'= ■''^-'■'■^■- -'-■ i-- • -

" This bird is as well known on the conti-
nent as in this kingdom, and is found at least
as high as So72dmor. It breeds in France and
f Italy, also in Spain; comes in prodigious
flocks early in winter to Gibraltar, and dis-
perses in the spring; iew are seen there in
summer. It is said to be found both in Africa
and Asia, but much less common. Russell
mentions it as being at Aleppo^ J. L,

Var. a. There is a variety of goldfinch, which is,

Cheverel.

perhaps, not taken above once in two or three
years, which is called by the London bird-
catchers a cheverel, from the manner in which
it concludes \isjerk : when this sort is taken, it
sells at a very high price: it is distinguished
from the common sort by a white streak, or by
two, and sometimes three white spots under the
throat.

Var. B. [The editor has been favored by an intelli-

icHOL. g^^^ friend with the following account of a birdy

which is an occasional visitant in the neidibour-

hood of IVrexham, in the county of Denbigh,

and probably in other parts of North Wales;

Class II. GOLD FINCH. 451

whether it is a disticnt species or a variety of the
Goldfinch, he cannot pretend to determine, as
it never fell under his observation, and was not
seen in the present year. (1811.)

The Nichol is considerably less than the Gold- Descrip-
finch. The fore part of the head of the male
has a spot of dark red, almost approaching to
black ; the hinder part of the head dusky brown,
as is the whole back and wings, except a feather
or two in the latter, which are of a dingy yellow ;
the tail is rather forked ; the belly of an ash-
color, dashed M^ith brown irregular spots ; the
note jerking, and rather hoarse, which is heard
when the bird is in motion ; the neck very
short ; the nest much like that of the Goldfinch,
but less, as are the eggs : it seems to prefer
the white-thorn, especially if mixed with honey-
suckles. Ed.]

2 G 2

452

CHAFFINCH.

Class II.

2. Chaf-
finch.

Fringilla Ccelebs. Fr. artubus
nigris, remigibus utrinque
albis, tribus primis immacu-
latis, rectricibus duabus ob-
lique albis. Lath. Ind. orn.
437. id. Syn. iii. 257. id.
Sup. 1. 165.

Le Pinson. Belon av. 371 •

Fringilla. Gesner av. 337.

Aldr. av. ii. 336.

Olina. 31.

Wil. orn. 253.

RaiiSyn. av. 88.

Fringuello. Zinan. 61.

Le Pinion. Brissonav. iii. 148.

Hist, d'ois. iv. 109. Pl.Enl.

54. f. 1.
Schinkovitz. Scopoli, No. 217-
Fringilla coelebs. Gm. Lin.

901.
Fincke, Bofincke. Faun. Suec.

sp. 232.
Buchfinck (Beaclifinch)

Frisck, i. 1.
Finke. Kram. 367.
Bofinke. Br. 253.
Br. Zool. 108. plate V. f. 2.

3. Arct.Zool. ii. 71.

xHIS species entertains us agreeably with its
song very early in the year, but towards the
latter end of summer assumes a chirping note :
both sexes continue with us the whole year.
AVhat is very singular in Szveden, the females
quit that country in Septembe7\ migrating in
flocks into Holland, leaving their mates be-
hind ; in the spring they return."^' In Hampshire
Mr. White has observed something of this kind;
namely, vast flocks of females with scarcely
any males among them. Their nest is almost
as elegantly constructed as that of the goldfinch,
and of much the same materials, only the inside

* Amcen. acad. ii. 42. iv. 5^5.

Class 11. CHAFFINCH. ' 453

has the addition of some large feathers. They
lay four or five eggs, of a dull white color,
tinged and spotted with deep purple.

The bill is of a pale blue, the tip black ; the Descrip-
feathers on the forehead black ; the crown of
the head, the hind part and the sides of the
neck, are of a bluish grey ; the space above the
eyes, the cheeks, throat, and forepart of the
neck, are red ; the sides and belly white, tinged
with red ; the upper part of the back is of a deep
tawny color ; the lower part and rump green ;
the coverts on the very ridge of the wing black
and grey ; beneath them is a large white spot ;
the bastard wing and first greater coverts
black, the rest tipt with white; the quil fea-
thers black; their exterior sides edged with
pale yellow; their inner and outward webs
white on their lower part, so as to form a third
white line across the wing ; the tail is black,
except the outmost feather, which is marked
obliquely with a white line from top to bottom,
and the next which has a white spot on the end
of the inner web ; the legs are dusky. The colors
of the female are very dull ; it entirely wants
the red on the breast and other parts : the head
and upper part of the body are of a dirty green ;
the belly and breast of a dirty white ; the wings
and tail marked much like those of the male.

454

BRAMBLING FINCH. Class II.

It arrives in Italy in April, and departs in
October ; but many winter there.

5. Bram-

BLKVG.

Fringilla montifrlngilla. Fr.
nigra pennis rufo margina-
tls, subtus uropygioque alba,
jiigulo pectoreque rufescen-
tibus, rectricibus lateralibus
nigricantibus, extus albo
marginatis. Lath. Ltd. orn.
439. id. Syn. iii. 26I.

Le Montain. Belon av. 372.

Montifrlngilla montana. Ges-
ner av. 388.

Aldr. av. ii. 358.

Fringuello montanina. Ol'ina,
32.

Bramble, or Branibling. ITll.
orn. 254.

Mountain-finch. Raii Syn.
av. 88.

Le Pinion d'ardennes. Bris'^

son av. iii. 155. Hist, d'ois.

iv. 124. PL Eyil. 54. f. 2.
Fringilla Montifringilla. Gm,

Lin. g02.
Pinosch. (ScopoZz. No. 218.
Norquint. Faun. Suec. sp.

233.
Quaker, Bosinkens Hore-

Unge, Akerlan. Brunnich,

255.
Nicowitz, Meeker, Pienck.en.

Kram. 36?.
Bergfinck (Mountainfinch) .

Frisch, i. 3.
Br. Zool. 108. plate V. f. 4.

Arct. Zool, ii. 71.

Descrip- J. his bird is not very common in these

TION.

islands. It is superior in size to the chaffinch :
the top of the head is of a glossy black, slightly
edged with a yellowish brown ; the feathers of
the back are of the same colors, but the edges
more deeply bordered with brown ; the chin,
throat, and breast, are of an orange color ; the
lesser coverts of the wings of the same color,
but those incumbent on the quil feathers barred

Class II. BRAMBLING FINCH. 45.5

with black, tipt with orange ; the inner coverts
at the base of the wings are of a fine yellow ;
the quil feathers are dusky ; but their exterior
sides edged with yellow ; the tail a little forked ;
the exterior web of the outmost feather is white,
the others black, except the two middle, which j..?^
are edged and tipt with ash color.

It migrates in Italy ^ and takes its departure
later than the chaffinch.

" The Brambling visits £w^'/^2^ occasionally,
but rarely, if ever, breeds here. Mr. Bezvick^
however, mentions having seen these birds on
the Cumberland hills in August ^ which gives an
air of probability to the circumstance. It some-
times assembles in vast flocks ; I once had
eighteen brought to me in Kent which were
killed with one discharge of the fowling-piece."
J. L.

SPAEROW FINCH. Class II.

'''Lb'IC! ^- f^'' "^'f' ' "

,i3^'<^ i~'

Sparrow. Fringilk domestica. Fr. remi-
gibus rectricibusque fuscis,
corpore griseo liigroque, fa-
scia alarum alba solitaiia.
Lath. Ind. orn. 432. id.
Syn. iii. 248. id. Sup. l63.

Le Moineau, Paisse, ou Mo-
isson. Belon av. 361.

Passer. Gesner av. 643.

Jldr. av. ii. 246.

Passera nostrale. Olina, 42.
, \ The House-sparrow. Wil. orn.
249.

liaii Syn. av. 86.

Le Moineau franc. Brisson av.

iii. 72. ^w^. d'ois. iii. 474.

Pl.Enl. 6. f. 1.55. f. 1.
Fringilla domestica. Gjw. itw.

925.
Tatting, Grasparf. Faun. Suec.

sp. 242.
Danis Graae-Spurre. Norveg.

Huus-Kald. Br. 264- .; J.
Hausspatz. Kram. 369.
Grabetz. Scopoli. No. 220.
5r. ZooZ. ii. 300. Arct. ZoeL

ii. 73.

JESCRIP-
TIOK.

[E bill of the male is black ; the crown

of the head grey; under each eye is a black

spot, and above the corner a broad bright

bay mark, which surrounds the hind part

of the head ; the cheeks are white ; the chin

and under side of the neck are black ; the

latter edged with white ; the belly of a dirty

white ; the lesser coverts of the wings are of

a bright bay ; the last row black, tipt with

white ; the great coverts black, outwardly edged

with red ; the quil feathers the same ; the back

spotted with red and black ; the tail dusky.

The lower mandible of the bill of the female

is white ; beyond each eye is a line of white ;

Fixvnr.

VOL.l.F. 45<

M feF. SFJ^^RHOWS.

Mi}n[[dhh

Class II. SPARROW FINCH. 457

the head and whole upper part are brown, only
on the back are a few black spots ; the black
and white marks on the wings are obscure ; the
lower side of the body is a dirty white. "'^"^,

Sparrows are proverbially salacious; they
breed early in the spring, make their nests
under the eaves of houses, in holes of walls,
and very often in the nests of the martin, after
expelling the owner. Linnceus tells us (a tale
from Albertus Magnus) that this insult does
not pass unrevenged ; the injured martin assem-
bles its companions, who assist in plaistering
up the entrance with dirt ; then fly away, twit-
tering in triumph, and leave the invader to
perish miserably. They will often breed in
plumb-trees and apple-trees, in old rooks'
nests, and in the forks of boughs beneath

them.

'- - -*■ - -■
They remain in Italy the whole year, and

breed thrice.

458

TREE SPARROW FINCH. Class II.

5. Tree
Sparrow.

Fringllla moritana. Fr. remi-
gibus rectricibusque fuscis,
corpore griseo nigroque, ala-
rum fascia alba gemina.
Lath. Ind. orn. 433. id.
Syn. iii. 252. id. Sup. i.
163.

Passerinus. Gesner av. 606.

Aldr. av. ii. 26 1.

Olina, 48.

Wil. orn. 252.

Rail Syn. av. 87.

Edw. av. 269.

Le Molneau de Montagne,

Passer montanus. Brisson

av. iii. 79.
Le Friquet. Hist, d'ois. 48g,

PL Enl. 267./. 1.
Passere Montano. Zinan. 81.
Fringilla montana. Gm. Lin.

925.
Faun. Suec. sp. 243.
Scopoli, No. 221.
Skov-Spurre. Brunnich, 267.
Feldspatz, Rohrspatz, Kram.

370. Frisch, i. 1.
Br. Zool. 109. Arct. Zool. ii.

62.

TION,

Descrip- JL his species is inferior in size to the common
span-ow. The bill is thick and black; the
crown of the head, hind part of the neck,
and the lesser coverts of the wings are of a
bright bay; the two first plain, the last spot-
ted with black; the chin black; the cheeks
and sides of the head white, marked with a
great black spot beneath each ear ; the breast
and belly of a dirty white; just above the
greater coverts is a row of feathers black
edged with white ; the greater coverts are black
edged with rust color ; the quil feathers dusky,
edged with pale red ; the lower part of the back
of an olive brown ; the tail brown ; the legs
straw color. : r

Pl.LlX

VOX. 1. P. 46^
TREE SPARROAV.

PI. i.X.

A OL.1.P.4J9.

SIiSKI^T -M.. k F.

T^viTE. :m:.<^f. [t 4-e7)

Class II.

SISKIN FINCH.

These birds are very common in Lincolnshire;
are conversant among trees, and collect like the
common kind in great flocks.

They winter in Italy.

" The nest of this species is made in trees.
The eggs, five in number, are pale brown with
chocolate spots running together, and forming
a cloud at the larger end. It is found in North
America in great plenty." J. L.

459

Fringilla Splnus. Fr. remigi-
bus medio luteis, primis qua-
tuor immaculatis, rectrici-
t)us basi flavis apice nigris.
Lath. Ind. orn. 452. id.
Syn. iii. 28g. id. Sup. i. l66.

Belon av. 354.

Acanthis, Spiniis, Ligurinus
Gesner av. 1.

Aldr. av. ii. 352.

Lucarino. Olina, 17.

Wil. orn. 261.

Raii Syn. av. 9I.

Le Serin. Brisson av. iii. 65. 6. Siskin.
Le Tarin. Hist, d'ois. iv. 221.

PI. Enl. 483. f. 3.
Fringilla Spinus. Gm. Lin.

914.
Siska, Gronsiska. Faun. Suec.

sp. 237.
Sisgen. Brunnich, 261.
Zeisel, Zeiserl. Kram. 366.

Friscky i. 2. Scopoli, No.

212.
Br. Zool. log. plate V. Arct.

Zool. ii. 74.

TIOX.

X HE head of the male is black ; the neck and Descrip.
back green; but the shafts on the latter are
black ; the rump is of a greenish yellow ; the
throat and breast the same; the belly white;
the vent-feathers yellowish, marked with oblong
dusky spots in the middle; the pinion quil feather

460 SISKIN FINCH. Class II.

is dusky edged with green ; the outward webs of
the nine next quil feathers are green ; the green
part is widened by degrees in every feather, till
in the last it takes up half the length ; from the
tenth almost the lower half of each feather is
yellow, the upper black ; the exterior coverts
of the wings are black ; the two middle feathers
of the tail are black ; the rest above half way
are of a most lovely yellow, with black tips.
The colors of the female are paler; her throat
and sides are white spotted with brown ; the
head and back are of a greenish ash-color,
marked also with brown.

Mr. JVilhighby tells us, that this is a song
bird : that in Susse.v it is called the harley-birdj
because it comes to them in barley-seed time.
We are informed that it visits these islands at
very uncertain periods, like the grosbeak, &c.
It is to be met with in the bird shops in Lon-
don, and being rather a scarce bird, sells at a
higher price than the merit of its song deserves :
it is known there by the name of the Aberda-
"cine. The bird catchers have a notion that it
comes out of Russia. Dr. Kramer* informs
us, that it conceals its nest with great art, and
that no one could discover it, though there are

* Kramer elench. 366.

Class II. SISKIN FINCH. 461

infinite numbers of young birds in the woods on
the banks of the Danube, that seem just to have
taken flight.

In Italy it builds its nest in the highest woods
of the Alps, and migrates in flocks in October.

" The Siskin is generally seen in this king-
dom in winter : in some years much more
scarce than in others. It often mixes with the
smaller linnet, picking the seeds of the alder
with the back downwards. Is said to breed
sometimes in Westmoreland. Mr. Lexvin once
put into my possession two birds, male and fe-
male, shot in his garden in Kent, in the summer
months. The nest, as figured by /Se/*^, is com-
posed of dried bents and leaves, lined with
feathers. The eggs dull white, marked with
reddish spots : a pretty representation is given -

of them in Bolton's Song birds, pi. 25 ; they
are five in number, and were sent him from
Berlin.'^ J. L. i '. m-'.^ ^tui;^ --iO. i^H'MAj'u

'•^tiV5"M!l '^Htif

462

LINNET FINCH.

Class II.

7. Linnet. Frlngiila Linota, Fr. fusco-
castanea, subtus albida, fa-
scia alarum longitudinali al-
ba, rectricibus nigris, mar-
ginibus undique albis. Lath,
hid. orn. 457- id, Syn. iii.
302.
Fringilla Linota. Gm. Lin.

916.
Belon av. 356

Linaria, Henfling, Schofzling,
Flacklin. Gesner av. SQO.

Haenfling. Frisch, i. Q.

Aldr. av. ii. 359.

TFil. orn. 258. ■ ,

Rail Syn. av. gO.

Fanello. Zinan. 6l.

La Linotte. Brisson av. iii.
131. Hist, dois.iv.5i. PL
Enl. 151. f. 1.

Br.Zool.na, •

Descrip- X HE bill of this species is dusky, but in the
spring assumes a bluish cast ; the feathers on
the head are black edged with ash-color; the
sides of the neck deep ash-color; the throat
marked in the middle with a brown line,
bounded on each side with a white one; the
back black bordered with reddish brown ; the
bottom of the breast is of a fine blood red,
which heightens in color as the spring advances ;
the belly white; the vent feathers yellowish;
the sides under the wings spotted with brown ;
the quil feathers are dusky ; the lower part of
the nine first are white ; the coverts incumbent
on them black ; the others of a reddish brown ;
the lowest order tipt with a paler color; the
tail is a little forked, of a brown color, edged

<-^^i5.J!

Class II. LINNET FINCH. 46S

with white ; the two middle feathers excepted,
which are bordered with dull red. The fe-
males and young birds want the red spot on
the breast; in lieu of that, their breasts are
marked with short streaks of brown pointing
downwards; the females have also less white
in their wings.

These birds are much esteemed for their
song; they feed on seeds of different kinds,
which they peel before they eat; the seed of
the linum or flax is their favorite food, from
whence the name of the linnet tribe.

They breed among furze and white thorn;
the outside of their nest is made with moss
and bents, and lined with wool and hair.
They lay five whitish eggs, spotted like those of
the goldfinch.

1 i V i)

RED HEADED FINCH. Class U.

8. Red

HEADED.

TION.

Fringilla cannabina. Fr. fus-
co-castanea, subtus albo-ru-
fescens, fascia alarum longi-
tudinali alba, macula verd-
cis pectoreque rubris. Laik.
Ind. orn. 458. id. Syn. iii.
304. id. Sup. i. 167. id. Sup.
ii. 209.

Linaria rubra. Gesner av.5gi.

Fanello marino. Aldr. av. ii.
360.

Wil. orn. 260.

Rail Syn. av. 9I.

La grande Linotte des vignes.

Brisson av. i' . 135. Hisi.
d'ois. iv. 58. PL Enl. 485.

/ 1.

Fringilla cannabiHa. Gm. Lin.

916.

Scopoli, No. 219.

Hampling. Faun.Suec. sp. 240.

Torn-Irisk. Brunnich, 203.

HauefFerl, Hampfling. Kram.
368.

Blut Hanfling (Bloody Lin-
net). Frisch, i. g.

Br. ZooL 110. Arct. Zool. ii.
68.

Descrip- XHIS bird is less than the former; on tlie
forehead is a blood colored spot; the rest of
the head and the neck are of an ash-color ; the
breast is tinged with a fine rose color; the
back, scapular feathers, and coverts of the
wings, are of a bright reddish brown ; the first
quil feather is entirely black ; the exterior and
interior edges of the eight following are white,
which forms a bar of that color on the wing,
even when closed ; the sides are yellow ; the
middle of the belly white ; the tail, like that of
the former, is forked, of a dusky color, edged
on both sides with white, which is broadest on
the inner webs. The head of the female is

PJ.JLXI.

VOI.a.F.464.

GREATJER ANT> lESSER BED HEADED TUvTCHES.

-^1

JACn/fullJ

u^:\'/?i-

Class II. RED HEADED FINCH. 465

ash color, spotted with black ; the back and
scapulars are of a dull brownish red • and the
breast and sides of a duty yellow, streaked r-^i^^
with dusky lines. It is a common fraud in the
bird shops in LondoJi, when a male bird is
distinguished from the female by a red breast,
as in the case of this bird, to stain or paint the
feathers, so that the deceit is not easily disco-
vered, without at lest close inspection.*

These birds are frequent on our sea-coasts ;
and are often taken in flight time near London.
It is a familiar bird, and is chearful in five ^ '
minutes after it is caught. •;:.

It leaves Italy in flocks in September and
October.

* Doctor Latham, in the second supplement to his Synopsis,
suggests the possibility that this and the common linnet consti-
tute only one species, the latter not completing the red on the i
forehead till the end of the second year at soonest, though it is
capable of breeding in the first spring after it is hatched. Ed,

^:ri\:\ -., /f

VOL. I. 2 H

466 LESS RED HEADED FINCH. Class II.

■ . ■ •^' ■■,■ •■■; ' .' -.. • \' ■ ' -ob') .•:•■■

9. Less Red Fringilla Linaria. Fr. fusco Le Sizerin. Hist, d'ois. iv.

HEADED. gi-iseoque varia, subtus al- 2l6. PL Enl \b\A. 2.

bo-rufescens, fascia alarum Fringilla Linaria. Gm. Lin.

dupliei albida, vertice pec- 917-

toreque rubris. Lath. Ind. Grasiska. Faun. Suec.sp. 2^1.

orn. 458. id. Syn. iii. 305. Grasel, Meerzeisel, Tschot-

id.Sup.i. 167. scher]. Kram,36g.

> TVil. orn. 26O. Rothplattige Staenfling. Fris.

Rati Syn, av. gi. i. 10.

La petite Linotte des vignes. JBr. Zool. 111. Arct. Zool. 11.

Brisson av. in. 138. 68.

TION.

Descrip- JLHIS is the lest of the ge?2iis, bemg scarcely
half the size of the preceding. Its bill is
dusky, but the base of the lower mandible
yellow ; the forehead ornamented with a rich
shining spot of a purplish red ; the breast is of
the same color, but not so bright ; yet, in the
breasts of some, we have found the red want-
ing ; the belly is white ; the back dusky, edged
with reddish brown ; the sides in some yellow-
ish, in others ash color, but both marked with
narrow dusky lines ; the quil feathers, and those
of the tail, are dusky, bordered with dirty white;
the coverts dusky, edged with white, so as to
form two transverse lines of that color. The
spot on the forehead of the female is of a saf-
fron color : the legs are dusky.

We have seen the nest of this species on an
alder stump near a brook, between two or three

Class II.

TWITE FINCH.

467

fe6t from the ground : it was made on the out-
side with dried stalks of grass and other plants,
and here and there a little wool, the linincf con-
sisted of hair and a few feathers : the bird was
sitting on four eggs of a pale bluish green, thickly
sprinkled near the blunt end with small reddish
spots, and was so tenacious of her nest, as to
suffer us to take her off with our hand, and we
found that after we had released her she would
not forsake it.

This seems to be the species known about
London under the name of stone redpoll: it is
gregarious, ' '^-■^''

Fringilla Linaria. /3. Fr. supra
varia, subtus rufescens, ab-
domine albido, snperciliis
fasciaque alarum rufescenti-
bus, vertice uropygioque ru-
bris. Lath. Lid. orn. 45g.
id. Syn. iii. 307-

LePicaveret? Belonav. 358.

Wil. orn. 26] .

Rail Syn. av. Ql.

Fanello dell'Aquila. Olina. 8. 10. Twite.

Linaria montana. Linaria mi-
nima. La petite Linotte, ou
le Cabaret. Srisson av. iii.
142. Hist. dots. iv. 76. PL
E71I. 485. f. 2.

Linaria fera saxatilis. Klein,
hist. av. 93.

Br. Zool. 111. Arct. Zool. ii.
70.

X HIS is an inhabitant of the hilly parts of our
country, as Mr. Willughby informs us. He
says it is twice the size of the last species ; that
the color of the head and back is the same with

O TJf O

^ yi M

TION.

463 TWITE FINCH. Class II.

that of tlie common linnet : that the feathers on
the throat and breast are black edged with
white ; and that the rump is of a rich scarlet
or orange tawny color; that the edges of the
middle qui! feathers are white, as are the tips
of those of the second row ; the two middle
feathers of the tail of a uniform dusky co-
lor; the others edged Avith white. This spe-
cies is taken in the flight season near London
with the linnets; it is there called a Twite.
The birds we examined differed in some parti-
Descrip- culars from Mr. JVillughhifs description. In
size they were rather inferior to the common lin-
net, and of a more taper make; their bills
short and entirely yellow; the head cinereous
and black ; above each eye was a spot of pale
brown; the back rusty, spotted with black;
the coverts of the tail of a rich scarlet ; the tips
of the greater coverts of the wings, white ; the
primaries dusky; the inner sides white; the
tail dusky, and all but the two middle feathers
were edged with white. The female wants the
red mark on the rump.

These birds take their name from their note,
which has no music in it : it is a familiar bird,
and more easily tamed than the common linnet.

We believe it breeds only in the Northern
parts of our island.

Here it may not be improper to mention the

Class II. CANARY BIRD. 469

Canary bird,* which is of the finch tribe. Canary
It was originally peculiar to those isles, to
which it owes its name; the same that were
known to the antients by the addition of the .
fortunate. The happy temperament of the air ;
the spontaneous productions of the ground in
the varieties of fruits ; the sprightly and chear-
ful disposition of the inhabitants ;'\ and the
harmony arising from the number of the birds
found there, J procured them that romantic di-
stinction. Though the antients celebrate the
isle of Canaria for the multitude of birds, they
have not mentioned any in particular. It is
probable then, that our species was not intro-
duced into Europe till after the second discovery
of these isles, which was in the fourteenth cen-
tury. We are uncertain when it first made its
appearance in this quarter of the globe. Belon^

* Wil. orn. 262. Raii Syn. av. 91. Serin des Canaries. Bris-
son av. iii. 184. Fringilla Canaria. G?n. Lin. Q13. ,

f Fortunatse insulce abundant sua sponte geniiis, et suhinde
aliis super aliis innascent'ibus nihil solicitos alunf ; leatius quam
alice urhes excultce. Mela de sit. orb. iii. 17, He then relates
the vast flow of mirth among this happy people, by a figurative
sort of expression, that alludes to their tempering discretion with
their jollity, and never suffering it to exceed the bounds of pru-
dence. This he delivers under the notion of two fountains found
among them, alterum qui gustavere risu solvuntur in mortem ;
ita affectis remedium est ex altera bibere.

"l Omnes copia pomorum, et avium omnes gerieris abundant,
8cc. Plin. lib. vi. c. 32.

470 CANARY BIRD. Class II.

who wrote in 1555, is silent in respect to these
birds : Gesner^' is the first who mentions them ;
SindAldrovatid-f speaks of them as rarities ; he
says that they were very dear on account of the
difficulty attending the bringing them from so
distant a country, and that they were purchased
by people of rank alone. OlinaX says, that in
his time there was a degenerate sort found on
the isle of Elba, off the coast of Italy, which
came there originally by means of a ship bound
from the Canaries to Leghorn, which was
wrecked on that island. We once saw some
small birds brought directly from the Canary
Islands, that we suspect to be the genuine sort ;
they were of a dull green color, but as they did
not sing, we supposed them to be hens. These
birds will pvoduce with the goldfinch and linnet,
and the offspring is called a mule- bird, because,
like that animal, it proves barren.

They are still found§ on the same spot to
which we were first indebted for the production
of such charming songsters; but they are noAv
become so numerous in our country, that we
are under no necessity of crossing the ocean
for them.

* Gesner av. 240. f Aldr. au. ii. 355.

X Olina uccel. 7. § Glas's hist, Canary Isles, I99.

Class II. SPOTTED FLY CATCHER. 471

GENUS XXIV. FLY-CATCHER.

Bill flatted at the base, almost triangular,
notched near the end of the upper mandi-
ble, and beset with bristles.

Toes divided to their origin.

Muscicapa. Grisola. M. sub- Zman. 45. 1. Spotted.

fusca subtus albicans, collo The Cobweb. Morton Nor'

longitudinaliter maculate, thampt. 426.

crisso rufescente. Lath. Le Gobe-mouche, Muscicapa. . ' ,

Ind. orn. 467. id. Syn, iii. Brisson av, ii. 357. tah. 35.

323. f. 3. Hist, d'ois. iii. 517.

Stoparola. Aldr. av. ii. 324. PL Enl. bQ5. f. 1.

A small bird without a name, Muscicapa Grisola. Gm. Lin.

like the Stopparola of Al- 949.

drovand. JVil. orn. 217. Br. Zool. 99. plate P. 2. f. 4.

Ravi Syn. av. 77. Arct. Zool. ii. 83.

XHE fly-catcher is a bird of passage, appears ' -^
in the spring, breeds with us, and retires in Au-
gust. It builds its nest on the sides of trees,
towards the middle part, and sometimes, as Mor-
ton says, in the corners of walls where spiders
weave their webs. We have seen them followed
by four or five young, but never saw their eggs ;*

* Mr. Montagu says, that the eggs are not much unlike those
of the Redbreast, but rather less, the rust-colored spots more
distinct, and not so much confined to the larger end. Ed.

47^ SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. Class II.

when the young can fly the old ones withdraw
with them into thick woods, where they frolick
among the top branches ; frequently dropping
from the boughs quite perpendicularly on the
flies that sport beneath, and rising again in the
same direction. They will also take their stand
on the top of some stake or post, from whence
they spring forth on their prey, returning still
to the same stand for many times together.
They feed also on cherries, of which they seem
very fond.

The head is large, of a brownish hue spotted
obscurely with black ; the back of a mouse
color ; the wings and tail dusky ; the interior
edges of the quil feathers edged with pale yel-
low ; the breast and belly white ; the shafts of
the feathers on the former dusky; the throat
and sides under the wings are dashed with red ;
the bill is very broad at the base, ridged in
the middle, and round the base are several
short bristles ; the inside of the mouth is yel-
low ; the legs and feet short and black.

Descrip-
tion.

Class II. PIED FLY-CATCHER.

473

Miiscicapa atricapilla. M. ni-
gra, subtus frontisque macu-
la alarumqne specvilo albis,
rectricibus lateralibus extus
albis. Lath, Ind. orn. 467.
id. Syn. iii. p. 323.

Atricapilla sive ficedula. Aldr.
av. ii. 331.

Cold finch. Wil orn. 236.

Raii Sy?i. av. 77.

Edw. 30.

Frisch, i. 22.

Le Traquet d'Angleterre. Ru-

betra anglicana. Brisson, av.

iii. 436. Hist, d'ois. v. 222.
Meerschv/artz pluffle. Kramer

Aust. 377-
Muscicapa Atricapilla. Gm.

Lin. 935.
Faun. Suec. No. 256. Tab. 1.

103.5./. 1.
Cold-finch. Br. Zool. 103. B,

Jig. 1. Arct. Zool. ii. 85.

Pied.

JL HIS is less than a hedge sparrow. The bill
and legs are black ; the forehead white; the head,
cheeks, and back black ; the coverts of the tail
spotted with white; the coverts of the wings
dusky, traversed with a white bar; the quil fea-
thers dusky; the exterior sides of the secondaries
white, the interior dusky ; the middle feathers of
the tail black ; the exterior marked with white ;
the whole under side of the body white.

The female wants the white spot on the fore-
head ; the whole head, and upper part of the
body are of dusky brown ; the white in the
wings is less conspicuous ; the under side of the
body is of a dirty white.

It is found occasionally in different parts of
England.

" In respect to England this is a rare species,

Descrip-
tion.

474 PIED FLY-CATCHER. Class II.

but is most common in Yorkshire, Lancashire,
and Derhyshire. Mr. Bolton says it visits the
fVest Riding in April, and departs with the
young in September. A nest built on the
branch of an almond-tree was well concealed ;
it was loose in structure, composed of moss,
hay, small sticks, roots, and lined with finer
"fibres, hair and a few feathers. The eggs, six
in number, were pale bright blue. A few years
since a young male was shot at Uxbridge.
It is not observed in the west of England,''
J. L.

ri. Lxn

voj:.. i.p. 475.

"WHITE AVAG TAIL. ( T. 48

YELLO^^ "WA.GTAIL. ( P- 491 )

SKY LARK. (p. 4 75)

Class II,

SKY LARK.

475

GENUS XXV. LARK.

Bill weak, strait, bending towards the point.
Nostrils covered with feathers or bristles.
Toes divided to their origin ; back toe armed
with a long and strait claw.

Alauda. Arvensis. A. nigricante
griseo-rufescente et albido va-
ria, subtus rufo-alba, rectri-
cibus extimis duabus extror-
sum longitudinaliter albis,
intermediis interior! latere
ferrugineis. Lath. Ind. orn.
491. id. Syn. iv. 368.

L'Alouette. Belon av. 26q.

Chamocliilada. Ohs. 12.

Alauda sine crista. Gesner av.
78.

Aldr. av. ii. 369.

Lodola. Olina, 12.

Common Field Lark, or Sky
Lark. Wil. orn. 203.

Hail syn. av. 69.

L'Alouette. Brisson av. iii.

335. Hist. dois. v. 1. PL

Enl. 363./. 1.
AUodola, Panterana. Zinan.

55.
Alauda arvensis. Gm.Lin. 79 1 .
Larka. Faun, Suec. sp. 20Q.
Alauda coelipeta. Klein stem.

Tab. 15. f. 1.
Sang-Lcerke. Br. 221.
Feldlerche. Kram, 362. Frisck,

i. 15.
Lauditza. Scopoli, No. 184.
Br. Zool. 93. plate S. 2. f. 7-

Arct. Zool. ii. 86.

1. Sky.

XHE length of this species is seven inches Descrip-
one-fourth; the breadth twelve and a half; the ^'°"'^'
weight one ounce and a half. The tongue broad
and cloven; the bill slender; the upper man-
dible dusky, the lower yellow ; above the eyes

476 SKY LARK. Class II.

is a yellow spot ; the crown of the head is of a
reddish brown spotted with deep black; the
hind part of the head ash-color ; the chin white.
It has the faculty of erecting the feathers of the
head. The feathers on the back, and coverts of
the wings are dusky edged with reddish brown,
which is paler on the latter ; the quil feathers
dusky; the exterior web edged with white, that
of the others with reddish brown ; the upper
part of the breast yellow spotted with black;
the lower part of the body of a pale yellow ; the
exterior web, and half of the interior web next
to the shaft of the first feather of the tail are
white ; of the second only the exterior web ;
the rest of those feathers dusky ; the others are
dusky edged with red ; those in the middle deep-
ly so, the rest very slightly; the legs dusky;
the soles of the feet yellow : the hind claw very
long and strait. It builds its nest on the ground,
beneath some clod 3 forming it of hay, dry fibres,
&c. and lays four or five eggs, of a dirty white
color, blotched and spotted with brown.

This and the v^ood lark are the only birds
that sing as they fly 5 this raising its note as it
soars, and lowering it till it quite dies away as
it descends. It will often soar to such a height,
that we are charmed with the music when we
lose sight of the songster j it also begins its song

Class II. SKY LARK. 477

before the earliest dawn. Milton, in his Alle-
gro, most admirably expresses these circum-
stances ; and bishop Newton observes, that the
beautiful scene which Milton exhibits of rural
cheerfulness, at the same time gives us a fine
picture of the regularity of his life, and the in-
nocency of his own mind 3 thus he describes
himself as in a situation

To hear the lark begin his flight.

And singing startle the dull night.

From his watch tower in the skies,

'Till the dappled dawn doth rise. . '

It continues its harmony several months, begin-
ning early in the spring, on pairing.

In the winter larks assemble in vast flocks,
grow very fat, and are taken in great numbers
for our tables. The place where these birds are
caught in the greatest quantity is in the neigh-
bourhood of i^wz^i'^^/e:* theseason begins about

* " The number caught about Dunstable, bears no propor-
tion to the immense multitudes met with in Germany, where
they are subject to excise, which, according to Keysler, pro-
duces six thousand dollars, (above nine hundred pounds sterling)
to the city of Leipsic yearly. The duty at Leipsic is a grotsch,
(about 2\d.) for every sixty birds, and has been known to produce
frequently twelve thousand crowns. The country about Nurem-
hurg, Merselurg, Halle, and other p:irts furnish proportional
numbers. Larks are every whare seen on the Continent and as
far as the Cape of Good Hope ; we have also observed drawings of
them from India. J. L,''

478 SKY LARK. Class II.

the fourteenth oi September, and ends the twenty-
fifth of Februai^ ; and during that time, about
4000 dozen are taken, which supply the markets
of the metropolis. Those caught in the day are
taken in clap-nets of fifteen yards in length, and
two and a half in breadth, and are enticed
Avithin their reach by means of bits of looking-
glass, fixed in a piece of wood, and placed in
the middle of the nets, which are put in a quick
whirling motion, by a string the larker com-
mands ; he also makes, use of a decoy lark.
These nets are used only till the fourteenth of
November, for the larks will not dare, or frolick
in the air except in fine sunny weather, and of
course cannot be inveia;led into the snare. When
the weather grows gloomy, the larker changes
his engine, and makes use of a trammel net
twenty-seven or twenty-eight feet long, and five
broad, which is put on two poles eighteen feet
long, and carried by men under each arm, who
pass over the fields and quarter the ground as a
setting dog; when they hear or feel a lark hit
the net, they drop it down, and so the birds are
taken.

Class II.

WOOD LARK.

479

Alauda arborea. A. varia, ca-

pitevltta annulari alba cinc-

to. Lath. Ind. orn, 492.

id. Syn. iv. p. 370.
Tottavilla, Olina, 27.
Wil. orn. 204.
Ttaii Syn. av. Qg.
L' Alouette de Bois ou le Cu-

jelier. Brisson av. iii. 340.

Tah. 20. fg. 1. Hist.

d'Ois. V. 25. PL Enl. 66O.

f.2.

Alauda arborea. Gm. Lin. 793.
Faun. Siiec. sp. 211.
Ludllerche, Waldlerche Kram .

362.
Danis Skov-Lerke, Cimlris

Heede-Leker, Lyng-Lreke.

Br. 224. . -..i .

Zippa. Scopoli, No. 186.
Br. Zool. 94. plate O /. 3.

Arct. Zool. ii. 87.

2. Wood.

X HIS bird is inferior in size to the sky lark,
and is of a shorter thicker form; the colors
are paler; its note less sonorous and varied,
though not less sweet. These and the follow- r

ing characters, may serve at once to distinguish
it from the common kind : it perches on trees ;
it whistles like the black-bird j the crown of Descrip-
the head, and the back, are marked with large ^^^^;
black spots edged with pale reddish brown ; the
head is surrounded with a whitish coronet of
feathers, reaching from eye to eye; the throat
is of yellowish white, spotted with black : the
breast is tinged with red ; the belly white ; the
coverts of the wings are brown, edged with
white and dull yellow; the quil feathers dusky;
the exterior edges of the three first white ; of the

480 WOOD LARK. CtAss II.

others yellow, and their tips blunt and white ;
the first feather of the wing is shorter than the
second ; in the common lark it is nearly equal ;
the tail is black, the outmost feather is tipt with
white ; the exterior web, and inner side of the
interior are also white ; in the second feather,
the exterior web only ; the legs are of a dull
yellow; the hind claw very long. The wood
lark will sing in the night, and, like the com-
mon lark, will sing as it flies. It builds on the
ground, and makes its nest on the outside with
moss, within of dried bents lined with a few
hairs. It lays five eggs, dusky and blotched
with deep brown, the marks darkest at the
thicker end.

The males of this and the last species, are
known from the females by their superior size ;
but this is not near so numerous as the pre-
ceding. 5 . ■ '- \-r, .:

■ This species migrates from Italy in October;

the sky lark seldom quits that country.

Class II.

TIT LARK.

4Sl

Alauda pratensis. A. viridi-
fiisca, rectrlcibus duabus ex-
trorsum albis, linea superci-
liari alba. Laih. Ind. orn.
493. id. Syn. iv. p. 374.

La Farlouse, Fallope ou L'A-
louette de pre. Belon av.
272-

Aldr. av. ii. 370.

Lodolo di Prato. Olina, 27.

7Fz7. orn. 206.

Rail Syn. av. 6q.

L' Alouette de prez ou la

Farlouse, Brissoji av. iii. 3. TiT.

343. Hist. d'ois.Y. 31. PL

Enl.QQO.f.l.
Mattolina, Petragnola, Corri-

era. Zina7i. 55.
Alauda pratensis. G)n. Lin.

793.
Faun. Suec. sp. 210.
Wiesen Lerche (Meadows

Lark) Frisch, i. 16.
Englerke. Br. 223.
Br. Zool. 94. plates O. f. 6.
Arcf. Zool. ii. 87.

XHIS bird is found frequently in low marshy
grounds. It builds its nest among the grass,
lining it with horse hair, and lays five or six eggs,
generally of a deep brown color, but sometimes
whitish, and thickly speckled with rufous brown.
Like the woodlark it sits on trees, and has a most
remarkable fine note, singing in all situations,
whether when perched or on the ground, or while
it is sporting in the air, and particularly in its de-
scent. This bird with many others, such as the
thrush, blackbird, willow wren, &c. become si-
lent about Midsummer, and resume their notes
in September : hence this interval is the most
mute of the year's three vocal seasons, spring,
summer, and autumn : perhaps they are induced

VOL. I.

Sr

Tioisr.

482 DUSKY LARK. Class II.

to sing again as the autumnal temperature
Descrip- resembles the vernal. It is a bird of an ele-
gant slender shape : the length is five inches
and a half; the breadth nine inches. The
bill is black ; the back and head is of a green-
ish brown, spotted with black ; the throat and
lower part of the belly are white; the breast
yellow, marked with oblong spots of black ; the
tail is dusky; the exterior feather is varied by
a bar of white, which runs across the end, and
takes in the Avhole outmost web. The claw on
the hind toe is very long, the feet yellowish.

4. Dusky. Alauda obscuva. A. olivaoeo. nerascente. Lath. hid. orh.

fusca nigricantevaria, subtus 4f)4. id. Sup. ii. 227.

flavlcans, lateribus colli pec- Montagu Orn. Diet.

toreque maculls fuscescenti- Alauda petrosa. Lin. Tr. iv.
bus, rectrice extima dimi- 41.

diato, secunda apice albo ci- Br. Zool. 94. Tab. P. i.f. 3.

[THIS bird in the preceding edition of the Bri-
tish Zoology, was considered as a variety of the
tit lark, to which it bears a great resemblance ;
tuit the editor feels himself authorised to follow
the example of later ornithologists, and describe
it as a distinct species. .

DtscRip. In size it exceeds the tit lark : the upper part
^^^^" of the head, back of the neck, and tail covertSj

Class II. DUSKY LARK. 48^

are of a dark brown ; the back and scapulars of
the same color, obscurely marked with dusky
strokes ; the throat whitish, the breast and belly
of a yellowish white; the former blotched with
large dusky spots ; the sides marked with strokes
of the same ; the tail three inches long ; the
legs brown ; the hind claw, which is crooked,
is about four tenths of an inch in length.

We are informed by Mr. Alontagu that it be-
gins breeding early in the spring, and that the
nest is made of dry grass, marine plants, and a
very little moss externally, and lined with fine
grass and a few long hairs. This is generally
placed on the shelf of a rock near the sea, where
there are a few scanty bushes or tufts of grass.
It lays four or five eggs, of a dirty white, sprink-
led with numerous specks of brown, so conflu-
ent at the larger end as to give that part the ap-
pearance of an uniform color.

This species is found from the coast of Caer-
narvonshire, where it was first observed by Mr.
Pennant, to the southern parts of the kingdom,
and seems confined to the neighbourhood of the
sea. Ed.]

484 . FIELD LARK. Class IL

5. Pipit. Alauda trivial is. A. nigricante Grasshopper Warbler. Lath.

etolivaceovaria, subtusalbo- Syn. iv.42g. (quoad synon.)

flavicans maculis nigricanti- A. sepiaria. Brisson av. iii. 349.

bus, rectrice cxtima dimi- Alouette pipi. Hist, d'ois. v.

diato secunda apice alba. 3g. f. 4.

Lalh. hid. orn. 4g3. Piep Lerche, Frisch, 26.

Gm. Lin. 796. Pipit Lark. Alb. i.44.

[THE Pipit Lark has generally been confound-
ed with the tit lark and the grasshopper warbler,
and can only be distinguished from the former
by the color of the upper parts being more oli-
vaceous, and the yellow of the under more fer-
ruginous ; and also from its superior size, being
six inches and a half in length. Ed,]

6. Field. Alauda minor. A. rubro-fnsca Alauda minor. Gm. Lin. 793.
subtus maculata, gula abdo- The Lesser Field Lark. WiL
mineqne albis, jugulopecto- orn, 207.
reque obscure flavescentibus. Arct. Zool. n. SS-
Lath. hid. orn. ^Q^.id. Syn. .
iv. 375. ,

Descrip- XHIS species we received from Mr. Plymly.
It is larger than the tit lark 5 the bill dusky
above, whitish beneath ; the head and hind part
of the neck are of a pale brown, spotted with,
dusky lines, which on the neck are very faint ;
the back and rump are of a dirty green, the
former marked in the middle of each feather with

TION.

Class II. FIELD LARK. 485

black, the latter plain ; the coverts of the wings
dusky, deeply edged with white ; the quil fea-
thers dusky ; the exterior web of the first edged
with white, of the others with a yellowish green.
The throat is yellow ; the breast of the same
color, marked with large black spots ; the belly
and vent-feathers white ; on the thighs are a few
dusky oblong lines : the tail is dusky, but half the
exterior and interior web of the outmost feather
is white ; the next is marked near the end, with
a short white stripe pointing downwards; the
legs are of a very pale yellowish brown ; and
the claw on the hind toe very short for one of
the lark kind, which strongly distinguishes it . ,

from the tit lark.

[The excellent naturalist who has particularly
elucidated this species in his Ornithological
Dictionary says, that this bird visits England
late in the spring, and is chiefly found in TVilt-
shire and the southern parts of the kingdom. It ' .

generally makes its nest amongst high grass or
green wheat, and frequents the more cultivated
districts, where there are trees ; the nest is com-
posed of dry grass, fibrous plants, and sometimes
a little moss, and is lined with fine dry grass and
horse hair. The eggs are four in number, of a
dirty bluish white, thickly blotched and spotted
with purplish brown. Ed.]

486 RED LARK. Class II.

7- Red. Alanda rubra. A. obscure fus- Pensylvanie. Brisson av.

ca, subtus fulvo-rufescens. Sup. Q4. Hist. dots. v. 58.

maculis fuscis varia, genis Alauda rubra. Gm. Lin. 794.

nigricantibuSjSuperciliispal- Lark from Pensylvania. Edw.
lide rufis. Lath. Ind. orn. tah. 297.

494. id. Syn. iv. 376. Br. Zool. ii. 239. Jrct. Zool.
Alouette a joues brunes de ii. 85.

JL MET with this species in the magnificent
and elegant Museum of Ashton Lex>ej% Esq;
where the lover of British or exotic ornithology,
may find delight and instruction equally inter-
mixed.
Descrip- This species is equal in size to the common
lark. A white line crosses each eye, and an-
other passes beneath ; the bill is thick ; the chin
and throat whitish ; the head, neck, back, and
coverts of the uings are of a rusty broAvn, spot-
ted with black; the breast whitish, with dusky
spots ; the belly of a dirty white ; the middle fea-
ther of the tail black edged with brown ; the
two exterior white ; the legs of a pale brown.

This bird is common to the neighborhood of
London., to North America, and to the South
of Europe; but in most parts of England is, rare.
IMr. Edzvards first discovered it; he remarks,
that when the wing is gathered up, the third pri-
mary feather reaches to the tip of the first.

TION.

Class II. LESSER CRESTED LARK. 487

Alauda, cristatella. A. cristata, Alauda cristata minor. Aldr g. Lesser

corpore supra fusco subtus av. ii. 371. Crested.

albicante, remigibus rectrici- JVil. orn. 20Q.

busque fuscis, pedibus subru- Rail Syn. av. 6<^.

hris. Laih. Ind. orn. 4QQ. id La petite alouette hupee. Bris'

Syn. iv. 3gi. son av. iii. 36l.

Alauda cristatella. Gm. Lin. Le Lulu. Hisf. d'ois. v. 74.

797. PJ. Enl. 303. /. 2.

Br. Zuol. Q5.

JL HIS species we find in Mr. Ray's history of
English birds ; who says it is found in York-
shire, and gives us only this brief description of
it, from Aldrovandus. That it is like the greater
crested lark, but much less, and not so brown ;
that it hath a considerable tuft on its head for the
smallness of its body ; and that its legs are red.
We never saw this kind ; but by Mr. Bolton s
list oi Yorkshire birds, which he favored us with,
we are informed it is plentiful in that country.

" Mr. Lewin once showed me a lark, which
he supposed to be this. It resembled the sky-
lark, but had the tail only two inches and a
half long ; the wings approaching to within three
quarters of an inch of the end of it. The total
length of the bird was six inches and three quar-
ters. It certainly was not unlike the field* spe-

* Mr. Montagu says, there is great reason to believe it is
merely the Field Lark of this work. Ed.

488 LESSER CRESTED LARK. Class IL

cies, but the head feathers were more elongated.
We have seen one exactly resembling it, and
crested on the crown in drawings from India,
under the name of Chundool." J. L.

Class II. WHITE WAGTAIL.

489

GENUS XXVI. WAGTAIL.

Bill slender, with a small tooth near the end

of the upper mandible.
Tongue lacerated.
Tail long.

Motacilla alba. M. pectore ni-

gro, rectricibus duabus latera-

libus dimidiato oblique albis.

Lath. Ind. orn. 501. id. Syn.

iv. 395. id. Sup. i. 178.
Belon. av. 349-
Motacilla alba. Gesnerav.QlQ.
Aldr. av. ii. 323.
Ballarina, Cutrettola. Olina,

43.
Wil. orn. 237.
Maii Syn. av. 75.
La Lavandiere. Brissonav. in.

461. Hist, d'ois. vi. 251. PI.

Enl. 652. f. I. 2.

Monachina. Zi7ian. 51.
Pliska, Pastaritra. Scopoli, No.

224.
M. alba. Gm. Lin. 960. '

Aria, Sadesarla. Faun. Su-ec»

sp. 252.
Danis Vip-Stiert, Havre-Saeer.

Norvegis Erie, Lin-Erie.

Brunnich, 271-
Weiss und schwartze Bach-

steltze. Frischj i. 23.
Graue Bachstelze. Kram. 374.
Br, Zool. 104. ..irct. Zool. ii.

1. White.

XHIS bird frequents the sides of ponds, and
small streams ; and feeds on insects and worms,
as do all the rest of this genus. Mr. JVillughby
justly observes, that this species shifts its quar-
ters in the winter, moving from the north to the
south of Englandy during that season. In spring

TION.

490 WHITE WAGTAIL. Class II4

and autumn it is a constant attendant of the
plough, for the sake of the worms thrown up
by that instrument.
Descrip- The head, back, and upper and lower side
of the neck as far as the breast are black ; in
some the chin is white, and the throat marked
with a black crescent ; the breast, and belly are
Avhite ; the quil feathers are dusky ; the coverts
black tipt and edged with white ; the tail is
very long, and always in motion ; the exterior
feather on each side is white, the lower part of
the inner web excepted, which is dusky ; the
other feathers are black ; the bill, inside of the
mouth, and the legs, are black ; the back claw
very long.

It visits Italy in Aprils and departs in Sep-
Umber.

TION.

Class II. YELLOW WAGTAIL. 491

Motacilla flava. M. pectore Edw. av. 258. 2. Yellow.

abdomineque flavis, rectrici- Bergeronette de Printems.

bus duabus lateralibus dimi- Brisson av. ili. 468. Hist.

diato oblique albis. Lath. d'ois. 265. t. 14. f. 1. P/.

Ind. orn. 504. id. Syn. iv. Enl. 674. 2.

400. id. Sup. i. 17Q. Motacilla flava. Gm. Lin. 963.

La Bergerette. Belon av. 351. Faun. Suec. 253.

Motacilla flava alia. Aldr. av. Scop. Ann. No. 226.

ii. 383. Br. Zool. 105. Arct. Zool ii.

Wil. orn. 238. t. 68. 89.
Rail Syn. av. 75.

X HE male is a bird of great beauty : the breast, Descrip-
belly, thighs, and vent-feathers, being of a most
vivid and lovely yellow; above the eye is a
bright yellow line; beneath that, from the bill
across the eye, is another of a dusky hue; and
beneath the eye is athii^d of the same color;* the
head and whole upper part of the body is of an
olive green, which brightens in the coverts of
the tail; the quil feathers are dusky; the coverts
of the wings olive colored, but the lower rows
dusky, tipt with yellowish white; the two out-
most feathers of the tail half white; the others
black, as in the former.

The colors of the female are far more ob-
.scure than those of the male.

* The lov\'er part of the cheeks and the throat of young birds
are mottled with brown, not unlike what is observed oa
Thrushes. Ed. •

'49^^ GREY WAGTAIL. Class II.

It makes its nest on the ground, in corn
fields; the outside is composed of decayed stems
of plants, and small fibrous roots ; the inside is
lined with hair : it lays five eggs, of a pale brown
color, sprinkled all over ^vith a darker shade,
and not unlike those of the sedge warbler. This
species migrates in September. /

3. Grey. M. Boarula. M. cinerea sub- Codatremola. Zinan. 5\.

tus flava, rectrice prima tota, Bergeronette jaune. Brisson

secunda latere Interiore alba. av. iii. 47 1. t. 23. f. 3. Hist.

Laih. Ind. orn. 502. id. d'ois. v. 268. PL Enl. 28.

Stjn. 398. id. Sup. i. 178. /• 1.

Susurada. Belon ols, ii. Grey Wagtail. Edw. av. 25g.

Motacilla flava, (Gale Wasser- Motacilla Boarula. Gm. Lin.

steltz.) Gesner av.6\8. 997.

Aldr. av. 323. Scopoli, 225.

Wil. orn. 328. Br. Zool. 105.
Hail Syn. av. 75.

Descrip- X HE top of the head, upper part of the neck,
and the back of this species, are ash-colored,
slightly edged with yellowish green; the space
round each eye is ash colored, beneath and
above which is a line of white ; in the male, the
chin and throat are black ;* the feathers incum-
bent on the tail are yellow ; the tail is longer, in
proportion to its size, than that of the other kinds ;
the two exterior feathers are white, the rest

* During the winter these marks are said to disappear. Ed.

Class II. GREY WAGTAIL. 493

black ; the breast, and whole under side of the
body are yellow ; the quil feathers are dusky ;
those next the back edged with yellow. The
colors of the female are usually more obscure ;
and the black spot on the throat is wanting in
that sex.

The birds of this genus are much in motion ;
seldom perch ; are perpetually flirting their tails ;
scream when they fly ; frequent waters ; feed on
insects, and make their nests on the ground.

494

NIGHTINGALE.

Class II.

GENUS XXVII. WARBLER. ^ '

Bill slender and weak. -■■--'

Nostrils small and sunk.
Toe exterior, joined at the under part of the
last joint to the middle toe.

1. Night-
ingale.

Descrip-
tion.

Sylvia Luscinia. S. rufo-cine-
rea subtus cinereo-alba, rec-
tricibus fusco-rufis, armillis
cinereis. Lath. Tnd. orn.
506. id. Syn. iv. 408. id.
Sup. I. 180.

Le Rossignol. Belon av. 335.

Adoni, Aidoni. Obs. 12.

Luscinia. GesJier av. 5Q2.

Aldr. av. ii. 336.

JVil. orn. 220.

Itaii Syn. av. 78.

Le Rossignol. Brisson av. iii.
397. Hist. d:ois. V. 81. PI.
Enl.6l5.L2.

Slauz. Scopoli. No. 227-
Rusignulo. Zinan. 54.
Motacilla Luscinia Gm. Lin,

950.
Nachtergahl. Faun, Suec. sp,

244.
Hasselquht Itin. Ter. Sand.

291.
Nattergale. Brunnich in ap-

pend.
Au-vogel, Auen - nachtigall.

Kram. 376.
Nachtigall. Frisch, i. 21.
Br. Zool. 100. plate S. 1. f. 2.

Arct. Zool. ii. 112.

xHE nightingale takes its name from nighty
and the Saxon Avord galan to sing; expressive
of the time of its melod}^ In size it is equal to
the sky lark, but longer bodied, and more ele-
gantly made. The colors are very plain. The
head and back are of a pale tawny, dashed with

Class II. NIGHTINGALE. 495

olive ; the tail is of a deep tawny red ; the throat,
breast, and upper part of the belly, are of a light
glossy ash-color ; the lower belly almost white ;
the exterior Avebs of the quil feathers are of a
dull reddish brown ; the interior of brownish
ash-color ; the irides are hazel, and the eyes re-
markably large and piercing ; the legs and feet
of a deep ash-color.

This bird, the most famed of the feathered ' '
tribe, for the variety*, length, and sweetness
of its notes, visits England the beginning of
April., and leaves us in August. It is a species
that does not spread itself over the island. It
is not found in North fVales, or in any of the
English counties north of it, except Yorkshire,
where it is met with in great plenty about Don-
caster ■\. It has been also heard, but rarely, near
Shreivsbury. It is also remarkable, that this
bird does not migrate so far west as De'vonshire
and Corfiwall; counties where the seasons are
so very mild, that myrtles flourish in the open

* For this reason^ Oppian, in his halieutics, 1. I. 728.
gives the nightingale the epithet of dioXotpuivrj, or varicms
voiced; and Hesiod, (figuratively) oi nto^Y-iXohifo., or va-
rious throated. Eoya. xcci -^[/^sgoci, 1.201.

t In the year 1808, a nightingale was several times
beard in the gardens of the Earl of Lonsdale, in Fisher
Street, Carlisle. J. L.

496 NIGHTINGALE. Class II.

air during the whole year: neither is it found
in Ireland. Sibbald places nightingales in his
list of Scotch birds; but they certainly are un-
known in that part of Great Britain, probably
from the scarcity and the recent introduction of
hedges there ; yet they visit Sweden, a much
more severe climate. With us they frequent
thick hedges, and low coppices, and generally
keep in the middle of the bush, so that they are
very rarely seen. They form their nest of oak
leaves, a few bents and reeds. The eggs are of
a deep brown. When the young first come
abroad, and are helpless, the old birds make a
plaintive and jarring noise with a sort of snap-
ping as if in menace, pursuing the passengers
along the hedge.

They begin their song in the evening, and con-
tinue it the whole night. These, their vigils,
did not pass unnoticed by the antients : the
slumbers of these birds were proverbial ; and not
to rest as much as the nightingale, expressed a
very bad sleeper*. This was the favorite bird of
the British poet, who omits no opportunity of
introducing it, and almost constantly noting its
love of solitude and night. How finely does it

* JElian var. hist. 577. both in the text and note. It must
be remarked, that nightingales sing also in the day.

Class II. NIGHTINGALE. 497

serve to compose part of the solemn scenery of
his Penseroso ; when he describes it

In her saddest sweetest plight.
Smoothing the rugged brow of nighty
While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke.
Gently o'er th' accustom'd oak ;
Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly.
Most musical, most melancholy !
Thee, chauntress, oft the woods among,
I woo to hear thy evening song.

In another place he styles it the solemn bird;
and again speaks of it,

As the wakeful bird
Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid.
Tunes her nocturnal note.

The reader must excuse a few more quota-
tions from the same poet, on the same subject;
the first describes the approach of evening, and
the retiring of all animals to their repose :

Silence accompanied ; for beast and bird.
They to their grassy couch, these to their nests
Were slunk ; all but the wakeful nightingale^
She all night long her amorous descant sung.

When Eve passed the irksome night preced-
ing her fall, she, in a dream, imagines herself
thus reproached with losing the beauties of the . - ~

night by indulging too long a repose :

Why sleep' St thou. Eve? now is the pleasant tiniei
The cool, the silent, save where silence yields

VOL. I. • 2 .K

49S NIGHTINGALE. Class II.

To the night-warbling bird, that now awake _
Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song.

The same birds sing their nuptial song, and
lull them to rest. How rapturous are the fol-
lowing lines ! how expressive of the delicate
sensibility of our Milton s tender ideas !

The Earth ' ' ' -
Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill; -• - - ;;'
Joyous the birds ; fresh gales and gentle airs
Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings
Plung rose, flung odors from the spicy shrub^ ■ -

Disporting, till the amorous bird of night : ";

Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star
On his hill-top to light the bridal lamp.

These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept.;
And on their naked limbs the flowery roof
Shower 'd roses, which the morn repair'd.

These quotations from the best judge of me-
lody, we thouo;lit due to the sweetest of our
feathered choiristers, and a\ e believe no reader
of taste will think them tedious.

Virgil seems to be the only poet among the
antients, who hath attended to the circumstance
of this bird's sindnff in the ni^ht time.

Oualis populea mcerens Phihriiela sub umbra
Amissos queritur foetus, quos durus arator
Observans nido implumes detraxit : at ilia
Tlet noctcm, ramoque sedens miserabile carmen
Lau^grat, et ffiosstis late loca questibus implet.

, Georg. IV. 1. 511.

Class II. NIGHTINGALE. 499

As Philomel in poplar shades, alone,

For her lost offspring pours a mother's moan.

Which some rough ploughman marking for his prey, •

From the warm nest, unfledg d hath dragg'd away ;

Percht on a bough, she ail night long complains.

And fills the grove with sad repeated strains.

TVarton,!

Pliny has described the warbling notes of
this bird, with an elegance that bespeaks an ex-
quisite sensibility of taste ; notwithstanding that
his words have been cited by most other writers
on natural history, yet such is the beauty, and
in general the truth of his expressions, that they
cannot be too much studied by lovers of natu-
ral history, and therefore clame a place in a work
of this kind. We must observe notwithstand-
ing, that a few of his thoughts are more to be
admired for their vivacity than for strict philo-
sophical reasoning ; but these few are easily dis-
tinguishable.

" Lusciniis diebus ac noctibus continuis xv. garrulus sine in-
" termissu cantus, densante se frondium germine, non in novis-
" simum digna miratu ave. Primum tanta vox tam parvo in
" corpusculo, tam pertinax spiritus. Deinde in una perfecta
" musicse scientia modulatus editur sonus : et nunc continuo
" spiritu trahitur in longum, nunc variatur inftexo, nunc dis-
" tinguitur conciso, copulatur in torto : promittitur revocato,
'* infuscatur ex inopinato : interdum et secum ipse murmurat :
** plenus, gravis, acutus, creber, extentus, ubi visum est, vi-
" brans, summus, medius, imus. Breviterque omnia tam par-
" mollis in faucibus, quse tot exquisitis tibiarum tormentis ars

2 K 2

500

REDSTART WARBLER. Class II.

" hominum excogitavit : ut non sit dubium banc sviavitatem prs-
" monstratam efficaci auspicio, cum in ore Stesichori cecinit in-
*' fantis. Ac ne quis dubitet artis esse, plures singulis suntcan-
" tus, nee iidem omnibus, sed sui cuique. Certant inter se,
" palamque animosa contentio est. Victa morte finit saepe
*' vitam, spiritu prius deficiente, quam cantu. Meditantur aliae
" juniores, versusque quos imitentur accipiunt. Audit discipula
" intentione magna et reddit, vicibusque reticent. Intelligitur
** emendatas correctio et in docente quasdam reprehensio."*

The nightingale arrives in Italj/ at the end
of i^pril, and disappears in September.

2. Redstart. Sylvia. Phoenicurus. S. gula

nigra, abdomine caudaque
. lufis, capite dorsoque canis,

fronte alba. Lath. Ind. orn.

511. id. Sijn. iv. 421.
Le Ptossignol de Muraille. Be-

lon av. 347'
Ruticilla, sive Phoenicurus

(Sommerotele) Gemer av.

731.
Aldr. av. ii. 327.
Codorosso. Olina, 47-
Wil. orn. 218,
Rail Syn. av. 78.
Ruticilla. Brisson av. iii. 403.
Rossisnol de murailles. Hist.

d'ois. V. 170. PL Enl. 351.

f. 1.2.
Culo ranzo, Culo rosso. Zi-

nan. 53. Scopoli, No 232.
Motacllla Phoenicuras. Gm.

Lin. 987-
Rodstjert. Faim. Suec. sp. 257.
Norvegis Blod-fugl. Dani^

Roed-stiert. Brunnich, 280.
Schwartzkehlein (Blackthroat)

Frisch, i. IQ-
Waldrothschweiffl. Kram.

376.
Br. Zool. 99- plate S. f. 6. 7.

Arct. Zool. ii. 112.

J- HIS also appears among us only in the spring
and summer, and is observed to come over

* Plin. lib. X. c 2Q.

Class II. REDSTART WARBLER. 501

nearly at the same time with the nightingale.

It makes its nest in hollow trees, and holes in " ~

walls and other buildings, which it forms with

moss on the outside, and lines with hair and fea- -

thers. It lays four or five eggs, very like those

of the hedge-sparrow, but rather paler, and more

taper at the lesser end. This bird is so remark- .

ably shy, that it will forsake its nest, if the

eggs are only touched. It has a very fine soft

note, but being a sullen bird, is with difficulty

kept alive in confinement. It is remarkable in

shaking its tail, and moves it horizontally as a

dog does when fawning.

The bill and legs of the male are black ; the Descrip-
forehead w^hite; the crown of the head, hind
part of the neck, and the back are of a deep blue
grey ; the cheeks and throat black ; the breast, :
rump and sides are red ; the two middle feathers
of the tail brown, the others red ; the wings
brown. In the female, the top of the head and
back are of a deep ash-color; the rump and
tail of a duller red than those of the male; the
chin white ; the lower side of the neck cinere-
ous ; the breast of a paler red.

It visits and departs from Italy sooner than
the red-breast.

" The redstart inhabits various parts of
Europe, and may be traced to the Cape of Good

TION.

502 RED-BREAST WARBLER. Class 1L

Hope. Ill England is seldom met with to the
west of ^.re/er." J. L. ■••-■•■'-.:;!,■

3. Red-
breast.

Sylvia. Rubecula. S. gvisea,
gula pectoreque ferrugineis.
Lath. hid. orn. 520. id. Syn.
iv. 442.

Rubeline. Belon av. 348.

Rubecula. Gesner av. 730.

Erithacus. Aldr. av. ii. 325.

Olina, IQ.

Robin Red-breast, or Rud-
dock. Wil. orn. 219.

Rail Syn. av. 78.

H-e Rouge-gorge. Brisson av.
in. 418. Hist, d'ois. v. lg6.
PL Eul.36l.L 1.

Pettorosso. Zinan. 46.
Motacilla Rubecula. Gm.Lin.

993.
Rotgel. Faun. Suec. sp. 260.
Roed-Finke, Roed-Kielke.

Br. 283.
Rothkehlcin. Frisck, i. I9,
Rothkropfl. Kram. 376.
Smarnza, Taschtza. Scopolt,

No. 231.
£?-. Zoo/. 100. plate S. 2. f. 2.

Jrct. Zool. ii. 113.

JLpIIS bird, though so ver}' petulant as to be
at constant war with its own tribe, 3i^et is re-
markably sociable with mankind : in the winter
it frequently makes one of the family ; and takes
refuge from the inclemency of the season even
by our fire sides. Thomson^ has prettily de-
scribed the annual visits of this guest. . ,-

The Red-breast, sacred to the houshold gods,
Wisely regardful of th' embroiling sky.
In joyless fields, and thorny thickets, leaves
His shivering mates, and pays to trusted Man
His annual visit. Half afraid, he first

* In his Seasons, vide Winter, line 246.

CtAss II. RED-BREAST WARBLER. 50^

Against the window beats ; then, brisk, alights

On the warm hearth ; then, hopping o'er the floor, ^

Eyes all the smiling family askance, ,

And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is :

'Till more familiar grown, the table-crumbs

Attract his slender feet.

The great beauty of that celebrated poet con-
sists in his elegant and just descriptions of the
economy of animals; and the happy use* he
hath made of natural knowledge, in descrip-
tive poetry, shines through almost every page of
his Seasons. The affection this bird has for
mankind, is also recorded in that antient bal-
lad, "f The babes in the wood ; a composition of
a most beautiful and pathetic simplicity. It is
the first tryal of our humanity : the child that
refrains from tears on hearing that read, gives
but a bad presage of the tenderness of his fu-
ture sensations.

In the spring this bird retires to breed in the
thickest covers, or the most concealed holes of
walls and other buildings. The eggs are of a
dull white, sprinkled with reddish spots. Its
song is remarkably fine and soft ; and the more
to be valued, as we enjoy it the greatest part of
the winter, and early in the spring, and even

* Vide our Preface.

f Reliques of antient English Poetry, Vol. iii. p. I70.

TION.

504 ^ RED-BREAST WARBLER. Class IT.

through great part of the summer, but its notes
are during a part of that time drowned in the
^^ general warble of the season. Many of the au-
tumnal songsters seem to be the young cock
red-breasts of that year.
Dfscrip- The bill is dusky ; the forehead, chin, throat
and breast are of a deep orange color ; the head,
hind part of the neck, the back and tail are of
a deep ash-color, tinged with green; the wings
rather darker; the edges inclining to yellow;
the legs and feet dusky.

It comes into Italy in April and leaves it in
September. - . .

" It is common in most parts of Europe, from
Sweden to Italy, and is found in great abund-
ance in Spain, Gibraltar, Barbary, and Al-
giers. I also observe it among Indian draw-
ings." J. L.

Class II. BLACK-CAP WARBLER;

v^ :i!-u ■■:>

::■ iQ m^q iea'j^ ii^ifoifts

- r^-.it.: '..■^ i'V

- ■ "•'.-.- ;—,... : .r ry.J..-.,,/,^.^ '^,1, ■:

Sylvia. atricaplUa. S. testacea
subtus cinerea, pileo obscu-

Olina, 9. Scopoli, No. 229;
Raii Syn. av. 7Q.

4. Black-
cap.

ro. Lalh. Lid. orn. 508. id.

Motacilla Atricapilla. Gm.

Syn. Iv. 415.

■ Lin. 970. -^^-I^f

Atricapilla. Gesner av. 371,

Faun. Suec. sp. 256.

384.

Hav-Skade. quihusdam Spikke.

Aldr. av. il. 329.

Br. 228. ~ •'-■■^-•-,»^^-^"'

JVil. orn. 226.

Moench mit der' Schwarfzefl

'

La Fauvette a tete noire, Cur-

Platte (Monk with .the blact

ruca atricapilla. Brisson a».

crown) Frisch, i. 23.

iii. 380. HisL d'ois. v. 125.

Schwartz plattl. Kram. 377.

- PL Enl. 580.

Br. Zool. 101. plate S. f. 5.

Gapinera. Zinan. 56.

^rci. Zoo/, ii. 1 14. .. .

«'X:jS»^^

This ytS: i3 aM6^^ tli^&trMlfelt: iftMs^^rlbe,
scarcely weighing half an ounce. The crown of
the head in the male is black ; the hind part of
the neck of a light ash-color ; the back and co-
verts of the wings are of a greyish green ; the
quil feathers and tail dusky, edged with dull
green ; the breast and upper part of the belly
are of a pale ash-color ; the vent feathers whit-
ish ; the legs of a lead color. The female is dis-
tinguished from the male by the spot on the
head, M'hich in that is of a dull rust-color. The
black-cap is a bird of passage, leaving us before
winter. It sings very finely^ and on that ac-
count is called in Norfolk the mock nightingale.
It has usually a full, sweet, deep, loud wild

Descrip-
tion.

506 GREATER IPETTY-CHAPS. Class 11.

pipe ; yet the strain is of short continuance,
and its motions are desultory : but when it
sits calmly, and in earnest engages in song,
it pours forth very sweet but inward melody,
and expresses a great variety of soft and gentle
modulations, superior perhaps to those of any
of our warblers, the nightingale excepted;
while it warbles, its throat is wonderfully dis-
tended.

The black-cap frequents orchards and gar-
dens. Last spring we discovered the nest of
this bird in a spruce fir, about two feet from
the ground ; the outside was composed of the
' ' dried stalks of the goose grass, with a little wool

and gi'een moss round the verge ; the inside was
lined with fibres of roots, thinly covered with
black horse hair. There were in it five eggs of
a pale reddish brown, mottled with a deeper
color, and sprinkled with a few dark spots.

5. Greater Sylvia hortensls. S. griseo-fus- orn. 507. id. Syn. iv. 413.

Petty- ^a subtus rufescente-alba, id. Sup. ii. 234.

superciliis albidis, rectrici- Motacilla hortensis. Gm. Lin.
bus fuscis extus grlseo mar- 955.

ginatis, extima oblique di- Cunuca. Brisson. iii. 372.

midiato alba. Lath. Ind. La Fauvette. Hist, d'ois. v.
. . . • . ... 117. PI- Enl. 579. f. 1.

[THIS charming songster was first observed in
Lancashire, by the late Sir Ashton Lever, and

Class II. GREATER PETTY-CHAPS. 507

communicated by him to Dr. Latham ; it has
since been found in several parts of the king-
dom.

Its length is nearly six inches; the color of Descrip.
the upper parts of a light brown, inclining to
olive green; the quils and tail edged with the
same; below the ears is a dash of ash-color;
the throat, neck, and upper part of the breast
are of a dirty white, inclining to a dull buff; the
lower parts of the breast, belly, and under tail
coverts, white ; beneath the wings buff; the
legs dusky. When in full plumage, there is an
obscure yellowish streak over the eye.

Its nest which it forms in thick hedges or --!•■--
bushes, is composed of dried fibres, some wool,
and a little green moss outwardly, and is some-
times lined with horse hair. The eggs, generally
four in number, are of a dirty white marked
with rather numerous brownish specks, and
running frequently together at the larger end.
The young are observed to remain in the nest
till they are grown very large, and almost as
Mell feathered as their parents. mj\.

The males of this species generally arrive
the last week in Aprils the females a few days
later.}

^.LESSER PETTY-CHAPS. Class II.

CHAPS.

5. Lesser Sylvia hippolais. S. viresceiite-
Petty- cinereasubtus flavescens, ab-

domine argenteo, artubus

fuscis, superciliis albldis.

Lath. Ind. orn. 507- id.

Sy?i. iv. 413. id. Sup. ii.

236.
Ficedula. Gesner 385.
Beccafigo, or Fig eater. TFil.

orn. 21 6.
Rail Syn. av. 79»

La Fauvette, curruca. JBrisson'

av. iii. 372.
Beccafico cinerizio. Zinan 44.
Motacilla Hippolais. Gm,

Lin. 954.
Faun. Suec. sp. 248.
Braune grass-mucke, Kleiner

spottvogel. Kram. 377.
Br. Zool. [99. Arct. ZooL ii.

115.

Descrip-
tion.

XHIS species is inferior in size to the former.'
The inside of the mouth is red : the head, neck,
back and wings are of an olivaceous ash-color;
the quil feathers darker, edged with olive ; the
inner coverts of the wings yellow ; the breast'
white, tinged with yellow ; the belly of a sil- ■
very white; the tail dusky ; the legs bluish. ■ •
[This is said to be one of the earliest of the ■
tribe, which comes to pass the warmer season
in England; it has been seen before the 20th of
March, and remains till the end of October.
Mr. Montagu informs us, that the nest is
of an oval form, with a small hole near the top,
that it is composed externally of dried leaves,
then of coarse grass, and that it is lined with
feathers and placed in a low bush or tuft of

Class il. ASiMe sMMoW WARBLER:

509

grass on or near the ground. The eggs are six
in number, white speckled with purplish red on
the larger end only, with here and there a
single speck on the sides. The Lesser petty-
chaps resembles the Yellow Warbler in its
plumage, but is inferior in size, and its legs
are of a much darker hue; it has also been
confounded with the Wood wren, but a striking
distinction occurs in the tail coverts, which in
the latter are of a pure white, Mobile those of
this species are tinged with yellow. Ed.]

Sylvia modularis. S. supra
griseo-fusca, tectricibus ala-
ram apice albis, pectore cae-
Tulescente-cinereo. Lath.
Ind, orn. 511. id. Syn. iv.
419.

Le petit Mouchet. Belon. av.
375.

Potamida, ols. 12=

Passer sepium Angl. Aldr. av.
ii. 329.

Curruca Eliotce (Zaunschlip-
fle). Gesner av, 37 1.

Wil. orn. 215.

Ttaii Syn. av. 79.

La Fauvette de haye, ou la pas-
se buse. Curruca sepiaria.
Brisson av. iii. 394. Hist,
d'ois. V. 151. PI. Enl. 6l5.
f. 1.

Jarnsparf. Faun. Suec. sp. 245.

Motacilla modularis. Gm.
Lin. 952.

Braunflekkige Grasmucke
(Brown spotted Petty-
chaps.) Frisch, i. 21.

Br. Zool. plate S. 1. f. 3. 4.
Arct. Zool. ii. 115.

7 Hedge.

TION.

X HIS bird weighs twelve drams. Its head is Descrip>.
of a deep brown, mixed with ash color, the
cheeks marked with oblong spots of dirty white;

510 HEDGE SPARROW WARBLER. Class 11.

the back and coverts of the wings are dusky,
edged with reddish brown ; the quil feathers
and tail dusky; the rump brown, tinged with
green ; the throat and breast are of a dull ash
color ; the belly of a dirty white ; the sides,
thighs, and vent-feathers are of a pale tawny
brown ; the legs of a dull flesh color.

This bird frequents low hedges, especially
those of gardens. It makes its nest in some small
bush, and lays four or five eggs of a fine pale
blue color; during the breeding season it has
a remarkable flirt with its wings. The male has
a short but very sweet plaintive note, which it
begins with the first frosty mornings, and con-
tinues till a little time in the spring. This is
the Motacilla modularis of LinncEus; the bird
which he supposes to be our hedge sparrow,
and describes under the title of Motacilla Cur-
ruca,^ differs in colors of plumage as well as

* Faun. Suec. sp, 247 KruJca Warbler. ArcL Zool. ii.
UQ. Ed.

Class II. YELLOW WARBLER.

511

Sylvia. Trochilus. S. cinereo-
virens, alis subtus tectrici-
busque flavescentibvis, su-
perciliis luteis. Lath. hid.
orn. 550. id. Syn. iv. 512.

Chofti, ou Chanteur. Belon
av. 344.

Trochilus. Gesner av. 726.

Asilus. Aldr. av.'n. 293.

Little yellowish Bird. Wil.
orn. 228.

JRaii Syn. av. 80.

Edw. av. 278.

Schnee Rienig (Snow king).
Frisch, i. 24.

Schmittl. Kram. 378.

Le Pouillot, ou chantre. Asi-
lus. Brisson av. iii. 479*
Mist, d'ois. V. 344. PI. Enl
651./. 1.

Motacilla trochilus. Gm. Lin.

995.
Faun. Suec. sp. 264.
^copo/i No. 238.
Spurre-Konge, Fager-Flis. Br.

286.
Br. Zool. 101. plate S. f. 2. S.

2. f. 1. Jrct. Zool. ii. 108.

8. YeLLOWo

JLhE Yellow Warbler frequents large moist
woods, and places where willow trees abound,
from which it takes one of its names. Its weight
is about two drams. The color of the whole up-
per part of the body is a dusky green; the wings
and tail are brown, edged with yellowish green;
above each eye is a yellowish stroke ; the breast,
belly, and thighs vary in their color in different
birds ; in some the yellow is bright, in others it
fades almost into white.

It builds in hollows in the sides of ditches,
making its nest in the form of an egg ; with a
large hole at the top, as an entrance ; the out-
side is composed of moss and hay, the inside
lined with soft feathers. It lays commonly se-

DeSCRIP"
TION,

512 WOOD WARBLER. Class II.

veil white eggs, marked with numerous small
rust colored spots. It has a low plaintive note;
and is perpetually creeping up and down the
bodies and boughs of trees.

[The Scotch wren of the preceding edition,
is discovered by Dr. Tengmelin to be no other
than a young bird of this species.* Ed.] •-"

g. Wood. Sylvia sj'lvicola. S. virescens, Regulus non cristatus major.

subtus flavcscens, supercl- Brisson av. iii. 482.

His luteis, abdomine crisso- Larger not crested Wren. TfiL

que niveis. Lath. Sup. ii. orri. 228.

liii. Kay's Letters, 108. > ' •'

Sylvia Asilus zc?. (Sj/jz. iv 514, Large Yellow Wren. Tfliite's

E. id. Ind. orn. 550. S. Selhorne. 55

Wood Wren. Ziw. Tr. ii. 245. _ •

t. 24. ih. IV 35.

[THIS species, which has been confounded
with the yellow warbler, was first figured and
described by Mr. Lamb, in the Linnean Trans-
actions, and its manners more fully elucidated
by Mr. Mo7itagu, in a subsequent volume of the
same work. ... .:^ '

Descrip- It exceeds the yellow warbler in size, mea-
suring in length five inches and a quarter ; its
plumage is also more vivid, the stroke over the
e,ye of a lighter yellow, and a more character-

TION.

* Arct. Zool. ii. 1Q.Q.

Class II. WOOD WARBLER. 513

istic distinction, the belly and under tail co-
verts are of a. pure white. The bill is dusky;
the upper part of the head, the back, scapu-
lars, and upper coverts of the tail are of a lively
yellow green ; over the eye is a light brimstone-
colored streak ; the cheeks and throat are yel-
low ; the upper part of the breast white tinged '
with yellow, the lower part, the belly and un-
der tail coverts of a pure white; the quil-fea-
thers dusky, edged on their outer webs with
yellow green ; the tail rather forked, colored
like the quils, except the two outmost feathers
which want the yellow margin; the legs yellow-
ish brown.

It visits England towards the end of Apjil,
and departs in Septembe?^ the males arriving -
ten days before the females. The nest is placed
on the ground, and is constructed of dry grass,
a few dead leaves, and a little moss ; and in-
variably lined with finer grass, and a few long
hairs. It lays six eggs, white and sprinkled all
over with purplish spots. Ed,]

"?i7ms:k -i^j'-r ^J^'l^ tq^.^-^^ •xs^il^fl' c ;

YOL, I. • 2 L

514

GOLDEN CRESTED WARBLER. Class IL

10. GoLDEKT Sylvia. Regulus. S. virescens.
Crested. remigibus secundarus exte-

riori margine flavis, medio

albis, verdce luteo. Lath.

hid. orn. 548. id. Si/n. iv.

508.
La Soulcie. Belon av. 345.
Tettigon. ohs. 12.
Regulus. Gesner av. 1'2'J,
Fior rancio. Olina, 6.
Aldr. av. ii. SgO.
JFil. orn. 227.
Ttaii Syn. av. JQ.
Edw. av, 254.
Cat. Carol, app. 36, 37.

Kratllch. ScopoH, No. 240.

Le Poul, ou SoucI, ou Roi-
telet hupe. Calendula. Bris^
svn av. iii. 57g. Hist, d'ois.
y. 363. PL Enl. 651. f. 3.

Motacilla Regulus. Gm. Lin.
995.

Koiigsfogel. Faun. Suec. sp.
262.

Sommer Zaunkoenig (Sum-
mer Wren). Frisch, i. 24.

Goldhannel. Kram. 378.

Fugle-Konge. Br. 283,

Br. Zool. 101. plate S. f. 3.
Arct. Zool. ii. IO9.

Descrip-
tion.

XlilS is the lest of the Bi^itish birds, weigh-
ing only seventy-six grains. Its length is three
inches and a half; the breadth five inches; it
may readily be distinguished from all other birds,
not only by its size, but by the beautiful scarlet
mark on the head, bounded on each side by a
fine yellow line. The bill is dusky ; the feathers
of the forehead are green ; from the bill to the
eyes is a narrow white line ; the back and the
hind part of the neck are of a dull green ; the
coverts of the wings dusky, edged with green
and tipt with white ; the quil feathers and tail
dusky, edged with pale green. The throat and
lower part of the body white, tinged with green;

Ci^Ass II. GOLDEN CRESTED WARBLER. 515

the legs dull yellow ; the claws very long. It
frequents woods, and is found principally in
oak trees. Though so small a bird it indures
our winters, for we have frequently observed
it later than Christmas. It is seen in autumn
as far north as the Shetland Isles, but quits the
country before winter ; a vast flight for so mi-
nute and delicate a bird.

We have observed this bird suspended in the
air for a considerable time over a bush in flower,
whilst it sung very melodiously. The note does
not much differ from that of the common wren,
but is very weak.

2 l2

il5

WREN.

Class II,

11. Wren. Sylvia. Troglodytes. S. grisea,

superciliis albidis, alls nigro

cinereoque undulatis. Lath.

Ind. orn. 547- id- Syn. iv.

506.
Roytelet, Boeuf de Dieu, et

Berichot. Belon av. 343.
Trilato, ohs. 12.
Passer troglodytes. Gesner av.

651.
Aldr. av. ii. 202.
Reatino. Olina, 6.
TFil. orn. 22Q.
Ttaii Syn. av. 80.
Streschj Storschek. Scopoli,

No. 239.

Le Roitelet, Regulus. Brisson

av. iii. 425. Hist, d'ois. v.

352. PL Enl. 651. f. 2.
Motacilla T*roglodyles. Gm.

Lin. 993.
Faun. Suec. sp. 26 1.
Nelle-Konge. Brunnich, 284.
Schneekoning, Konickerl,

Zaunschlupfrel. Kram.

378.
Schneekoenig (Snow king) =

Frisch, i. 24.
Br. Zool. 102. Arct. Zool.

ii. 110.

J- HE wren may be placed among the finest of
our singing birds. It continues its song through-
out the winter, excepting during the frosts. It
makes its nest in a very curious manner, of an
oval shape, very deep, with a small hole in the
middle for ingress and egress : the external ma-
terial is moss, within it is lined with hair and
feathers. It lays from ten to eighteen eggs,
and often brings up as many young; and, as
Mr. Ray observes, it may be ranked among
those daily miracles we take no notice of, that
it should feed such a number without passing
over one, and that too in utter darkness.

Class 1L SEDGE WARBLER. 517

The head and upper part of the body of the Descrip-
wren are of a deep reddish brown ; above each
eye is a stroke of white; the back, and coverts
of the wings, and tail, are marked with slender
transverse black lines; the quil feathers with
bars of black and red. The throat is of a yel-
lowish white. The belly and sides crossed with
narrow dusky and pale reddish brown lines.
The tail is crossed with dusky bars.

Sylvia, sallcaria. S. cinerea Faun. Suec. No. 249. 12. Sedge.

subtus alba, superciliisalbis. Brisson av. iil. 378.

Laih. Ind. ora.5l6. id. Syn. La Fauvette de roseaux. Hist.

iv. 430. id. Sup. i. 180. d^ois. v. 142. PL Enl. 381. 'J

Avis consimilis Stoparolae et f. 2.

Magnanimae. Raii Si/n. av. Willow Lark, Br. Zool. Fol.

81. 6. Q5. plate 2. f. 4. ed, 1768,

Salicaria. Raii Syn. av. 81. ii. 241.

11. Sedge Bird. Br. Zool. ed.
Wil. orn. 217. 1768. iv. 16. /, 10. Arcf.

Motacilla salicaria. Gm. Lin. Zool. ii. II6.

955. ,

X HIS species is of a slender elegant form ; the Descp.ip-
bill black ; the head brown, marked with dusky '^^"^"
streaks ; over each eye is a line of pure white,
over that another of black; the cheeks brown;
the throat, breast, and belly white ; the two last
tinged with yellow ; the hind part of the neck and
back of a reddish brown ; the back spotted with
black ; the coverts of the tail tawny; those of the

518 GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. Class II.

^vings dusky, edged with pale brown; the quil
feathers dusky; the tail brown, cuneiform, form-
ing a circle when spread ; the legs dusky.

It is a most entertaining polyglot, or mock-
ing bird ; sitting concealed in willows or reeds,
in a pleasing but rather hurrying manner, it imi-
tates the swallow, the sky-lark, the house-spar-
row, &c. sings all night, and seems to leave ns
before winter. Makes its nest with straw and
dried fibres, lined with hair; lays five eggs,
white marbled with brovtn.

13. Grass- Sylvia Locustella. S. fusco-viri- " Fauvctte tachetee. PL Enl,
^ ' (lis niaculis nigricantlbus 581. f. 3,

subtus flavescens, pectore Tit-lark, that sings like a
saturatiore, caucla cuneata Grasshopper. JVil. orn. 207-

rectricibus apice mucrona- Jiaii Syn. av. 70.

tis. Lath. Ind. orn. 515. id. Ray's Letters, 108.

Syn. iv.42Q. id. Sup. 11.240. Br. Zool. g5. plate O. f, 5.
Alauda minima locusts' voce. Arct. Zool. ii. Il6.

Locustella, D. Jolinson.

X HIS bird we received out of Shropshire : it
is the same with that ]\Ir. Ray describes as hav-

* This has been considered by recent ornithologists as La Zo-
cus telle of de Bujfon, but his description of that bird corresponds
with the Sedge Warbler, and is in fact merely a translation from
the British Zoology to Avhich he refers. Mr. Montagu, in the
Ornithological Dictionary, gives a reference in this instance as-
"he does in that of the Pipit Lark to the Alauda irivialis oi Lin-
71WUS, but it seems evident that neither the illustrious Swede ot
Ills editor Ctnelin were acquainted with the species. Ed.

I

Class II. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. 519

ing the note of the grasshopper, but louder and
shriller. It is a most artful bird, will sculk in
the middle, and thickest part of the hedge, and
will keep running along for a hundred yards to-
gether, nor can it be forced out but with the
greatest difficulty : it is from this covert that it
emits its note, which so much resembles the in-
sect, from which it derives its name, as gene-
rally to be mistaken for it. In the height of
summer it chirps the whole night : its sibilou
note is observed to cease about the latter €nd of
Juli/.

The bill is very slender, of a dusky color; Descrip-
the head, and whole upper part of the body is
of a greenish brown, spotted with black ; the
quil feathers dusky, edged with an olive brown ;
the tail very long, composed of twelve sharp
pointed feathers j the two middlemost are the
longest, the others on each side grow gradually . -
shorter. The under side of the body is of a
dull yellowish white, darkest about the breast ;
the legs are of a dirty whiter the bind claw
short and rather crooked.

^# ^ REED WARBLER. Class II;

14. Reed. Sylvia arundinacea. S. supra Motacilla arundinacea. Gm,

olivaceo-fusca, subtiis aibi- Lin. ggs.

da, loris et crbitis fusco-al- Lesser Reed Sparrow. WiL

bescentibus, angulo carpi orn. 144.? Raii Syn. av,

subtusluleo-fulvo, Cauda sub- 47- ?

cuneata fusca. Latli. Lid. Lightfoot in Ph. Trans. Ixxr.

01-71. 510. id. Syn. Sup. 184. 8. Tah. I.

Descrip- j_ he head, upper part of the body, and co-

TION". . . .

verts of the wings of this species, are olive
brown ; the primaries and tail of the same co-
lor, but darker; from the bill to each eye is
a stripe of ta^tvny white feathers ; the chin white;
the breast and belly white, shaded with tawny ;
the tail slightly cuneated. The size nearly equal
to that of the sedge warbler.

It was discovered by Mr. Lightfoot, on the
banks of the Colne, near LKvbridge, where it
Nest. makes its nest externally with dry stalks, lined
with the tufts of the common reed, mixed with
a few hairs. It usually is suspended between
three or four reeds ; sometimes to the branches
of the water dock. This bird lays commonly
four eggs of a dirty white, stained with dull
olive-colored spots. The note of this species is
simple and plaintive.

[Mr. Montagu has found this species along
the coasts of Kent and Sussei\ from Sandwich
to Ariwdei, amongst the reedy pools and ditches,

Class II. WHEAT-EAR WARBLER.

especially on Ronmey Marsh. He says, it
makes its appearance in April, or the begin-
ning of May^ and departs in September; and,
that it is distinguishable from the sedge warbler
by the base of the bill being broader j in having
no light stroke over the eye, and in the whole
upper parts being of one plain color. Ed.]

521

#*

With party colored Tails.

Sylvia. CEnanthe. S. dorso ca-
nOj fronte linea supra ocu-
los uropygio basique caudse
albis, per oculos fascia ni-
gra. Lath. Lid. orn. 52Q.
id. Syn. iv. p. 465. 75. id.
Sup. i. p. 182.

Belon av. 352.

tEnanthe. Gesner av. Q2Q.

Aldr. av. ii. 332.

Wheat-ear, Fallow-smich,
White- tail. Wil. orn. 233.

Rail Syn. av. 75.

Motacilla CEnanthe. Gm. Lin.
966.

Stensquetta. Faun. Suec. sp. j;

254.
Le Cul blanc, Vitrec, ou Mo-

tenx, Vitiflora. Brisson av.

iii. 449. Hist, d'ois. v. 327.

PI. Enl. 554./. 1. 2.
Culo bianco, Fornarola, Pe-

tragnola. Zina7i. 41.
Norvegis, Steendolp, Steen

Squette, Steeng}'Ipe. Brun-

nich, 276.
Steinschwaker, Steinschnap-

perl. Kram, 374.
Bella. Scopoli, No. 230.
Br. Zool. 102. plate S. 1./.

5. 6. Arct. Zool. ii. 11 7.

3l HE wheat-ear begins to visit us about the
middle of March, and continues coming till the
beginning of May : we have observed that the
females arrive about a fortnight before the
males. They frequent warrens, downs, and thfe

Wheat-
ear.

522 WHEAT-EAR WARBLER. Class IL

edges of hills, especially those that are fenced
with stone walls. They breed in the latter, in
old rabbet burrows, cliffs, and frequently under
old timber : their nest is large, made of dried
grass, rabbet's down, a few feathers, and horse
hair ; and they lay from six to eight eggs, of a
light blue color. • f.:\>-'rj-:<^i

They grow very fat in autumn, and are
esteemed a delicacy. Their chief autumnal
rendezvous in Susse.v is about Eastbourn, where
they are taken by the shepherds in great num-
bers, in snares made of horse hair, placed under
a long turf; being very timid birds, the motion
of a cloud, or the appearance of a hawk, will
drive them for shelter into those traps. The
numbers annually ensnared in that district
alone, amount to about 1 840 dozen, which sell
usually at sixpence per dozen ; and what ap-
peal's very extraordinary, the numbers that re-
turn the following year do not appear to be
lessened, as we are assured by a vei'y intelli-
gent person resident near that place. The sea-
son is in July and August, in which more or
less aj'e taken, according to tlie warmth of
these months. The reason of their being so
numerous in the neighborhood of Eastbourn
arises from its abounding with a certain fly.
■vvhicii frequents the adjacent hills, for the sake

Class II. WHEAT-EAR WARBLER. 523

of the wild thyme they are covered with, and
which is not only a favorite food of that insect,
but the plant on which it deposits its eggs.

Wheat-ears are much fatter in a rainy season
than a dry one, for they not only feed on in-
sects, but on earth worms, which come out of
the ground in greater numbers in wet weather
than in dry.

The head and back of the male are of a light Descrif-
grey, tinged with red ; over €ach eye is a white
line; beneath that is a broad black stroke,
passing across each eye to the hind part of the
head ; the rump and lower half of the tail are
white ; the upper half black ; the under side of
the body is Vvhite, tinged with yellow ; on the
neck it inclines to red; the quil feathers are
black, edged with reddish brown. The colors
of the female are more dull; it wants that
black stroke across the eyes, and the bar of
white on the tail is narrower. These birds-
disappear in September, at lest from the north-
ern parts of this kingdom ; but in Hampshire
they continue the whole winter, as they do in
Susse.v.

Great quantities of these birds are sent pot-
ted to London, and numbers dressed fresh in
the country. They are roasted, wrapped up
in vine leaves, on account of the great tender-

524 WHEAT-EAR WARBLER. Class II.

ness of the flesh, insomuch that it is even diffi-
cult to pluck without bruising them.

Var. A. MotacillaCEnanthe. /S. S. cor- Lid. orn. b30. Syn.iv. 468.

vjREY. pore supra fulvo albidoque Cul blanc gris. Brisso7i av. iii.

vario, collo infimo griseo 452. tab. 21. Jig^ 2, HisL

maculato, rectrlcibus duabus d'ois. v. 244.

intermediistotonigris. /.a/A. Br. Zool. app. I

Descrip- J. he following variety was shot near U:v-

TION. , . ,

bridge.

The crown and back were of a tawny brown ;
the under side of the neck of a dull brownish
yellow ; from the bill to eye passed an obscure
dusky line; the quil feathers and secondaries
were black, edged Avith tawny and white; the
tail like that of the common wheat-ear, but the
edges marked with pale tawny.

Class II. WHIN-CHAT WARBLER.

525

Sylvia rubetra. S. nigricans,
superciliis albis, macula ala-
rum alba, gula pectoreque
flavescente. Lath. Ind. orn.
525. id. Syn. iv. 454.

LeTarier. Belonav.ZQl.

Rubetra. Gesner av. 72g.

Le grand Traquet, ou le Ta-
rier. Brisson av. iii. 432.
tab. 2^. Jig. 1. Hist.d'ois.

. V. 224. PI. Enl. 678. /.
2.

Wil. orn. 234.

Rail Syn. av. 76.

Motacilla rubetra. Gm. Lin.

967.
Faun. Suec. sp. 255. Scopoli,

No. 237.
Gestettenschlager. Kram. 375.
Grosser Fliegenfuenger (great

Fly-catcher). Frisch, i. 22.
Br. Zool. 103. plate S. 2./. 3.

4. Arct. Zool. ii. 118.

16. Whin%

CHAT.

X HIS is in the north of England., also a bird
of passage ; we are not certain whether it quits
this island, but are rather inclined to think it
only shifts its quarters.

The head and back are of a pale reddish Descrif=
brown, regularly spotted with black; over each '^'°^'
eye is a narrow white stroke, beneath that is a
broad bed of black, which extends from the
bill to the hind part of the head ; the breast is
of a reddish yellow; the belly paler; the quil
feathers are brown, edged with a yellowish
brown; the upper part of the wing is marked
with two white spots ; the lower part of the
tail is white, the two middle feathers excepted,
which are wholly black ; the upper part of the
others are of the same color, -

Il2i§

STONE-CHAT WARBLER. Class II.

The colors of the female are far less agree-
able ; in lieu of the white and black marks on
the cheeks, is one broad pale brown one ; and
the white on the wings is in far less quantity
than on those of the male.

It often winters in Italy.

17. Stone- Sylvia rubicola. S. grisea sub-
CHAT. jyg rufesceus, jugulo fascia

alba, loris nigris, uropygio

maculaque alarum alba.

Lath. hid. orn. 523. id.

Syn. iv. 448.
Le Traquet ou Groulard. Be-

lon av. 360.
Rubetra. Jldr. av. ii. 32-3.
Stone-smich, Stone-chatter, or

Moortitling. TVil. 01-71. 235.
Rail Syn. av. 76.

Descrip-
tion.

Le Traquet, Rubetra. Brisson

av. iii.428. tab. 23. Jig. 1.

Hist, d'ois. V. 215. PL Enl.

QlB.f. 1.
Pontza. Scopoli, No. 236.
Occhio di bue. Zinan. 52.
INIotacilla Rubicola. Gm. Lin.

969.
Cristoffl. Kram. 375.
Br. Zool. 103. plate S. 2. f. 5,

6.

XHIS species is common during summer, in
gorsy grounds. In the winter they disperse
into marshes, and other places, but do not quit
the island. It is a restless and noisy bird, and
perches frequently on some bush, chattering
incessantly.

The head, neck, and throat, are black ; but
on both sides the latter is a white bar, so that it
appears at first sight to be encircled with white *
the feathers on the back are black edged with

Class II. STONE-CHAT WARBLER. 527

tawny ; the lower part of the back just above
the rump is white ; the end and exterior side of
the two outmost feathers of the tail are of a
pale rust-color, the rest are black ; the breast
is of a deep reddish yellow; the belly of a
lighter hue; the quil feathers are dusky
edged with dull red ; those next the body are
marked with a white spot near their bottoms ;
the coverts of the wings are adorned with an-
other. The head of the female is ferruginous
spotted with black; and the colors in general
less vivid. In both sexes the legs are black ;
which also is the character of the two preced-
ing species, as well as that next to be de-
scribed.

528 WHITE-THROAT WARBLER. Class H.

18. White- Sylvia cinerea. y3. S. supra Fauvette grise ou la Grisette,

THROAT. rufo-cinerea, subtus rufo-al- Hist. dois. 132. PL Enl.

ba, gula alba, rectrice extima 579- f- 3.

extus toto intus dimidiato Motacilla Sylvia? Gm. Lin.

alba. Lath. Ind. orn, 515. QSS.

zcZ. (Si/w. iv. p. 428. 19. Kogsnetter, Mesar. Faun,

Wil. orn. 236. Suec. sp. 250.

Raii Syn. av. 77. Br. Zool. 104. plate S. f. 4.

La Mesange cendree, Parus Arct. ZooL ii, 118.

cinereus. Brisson av. iii.

549.

XHIS frequents our gardens in the summer
time ; in the winter it leaves us. It builds in
low bushes near the ground, making its nest
externally of the tender stalks of herbs and
dry straw, the middle part of fine bents and
soft grass, the inside of hair. It lays five eggs
of a whitish green color, sprinkled with black
spots.* Its note is continually repeated, often
attended with odd gesticulations of the wings,
and is harsh and displeasing ; it is a shy and
wild bird, avoiding the haunt of man ; seems of
a pugnacious disposition, singing with an erect-
ed crest, and in attitudes of defiance.
Descrip- The head of this bird is of a brownish ash-
color ; the throat white ; the breast and belly
white tinged with red ; (in the female wholly

TION.

* TFil. orn.

Cl. II. lesser WHITE-THROAT WARBLER. 529

white;) the back inclines to red; the lesser
coverts of the wings are of a pale brown; the
greater dusky, edged with tawny brown ; the
quil feathers dusky, edged with reddish brown ;
the tail the same, except the upper part of the
interior side and whole exterior side of the out-
most feather, which are white ; the legs are of
a yellowish brown.

Sylvia Sylviella. S. cinereo- Lath. Ind. orn. 515. id. ig. Lesses.

fusca, subtus sordide alba. Sup. i. 185. t. 113. id. Sup. Whxte-

rectricibus duabus interme- il. 23Q.

THROAT.

diis brevioribus subulatis.

[THE crown and upper part of the body are Descrip-
of a pale cinereous brown ; from the chin to the
vent of a dull white ; the tail long, very slightly
forked, of the same color with the back ; rather
less than the preceding species. The female
does not differ in plumage from the male.

It appears in May and June about Bid-
strode, in Buckinghamshire ; builds in brambles
and small bushes : the nest is composed of dry
bents mixed with wool, and lined with finer
bents and a few hairs. The eggs are white,
dotted with brown, and marked with irregular
blotches of a paler brown. It was first noticed
by the reverend John Lightfoot.

VOL. I. 2 m

530

DARTFORD WARBLER.

Class JI.

Mr. Montagu conjectures that this species
is confined to the eastern part of the kingdom,
to Gloucestershire, JViltshire, and part of So-
mersetshire, and that it is not found in Devon-
shire or Cornwall. Its bill is shorter than
that of the common white-throat, the legs are
darker, the whole under parts of the plumage
much whiter, and the whole upper parts do
not possess the least appearance of rufous
brown, Ed.]

20. Dart- Sylvia dartfordiensis. S. satu-

FORD.

rate rufo-fusca subtus ferru-
glnea, abdomine medio al-
bo, palpebris iridibusque
coccineis, pedibus flavis.
Lath. Ind. orn. 517. id.
Syn. iv. 435. id. Sup. i. 181.
id. Sup. ii. 241.

IMotacilla provlncialis. Gm.

Lin. 958.
Le Pitchon de Provence. Hisi.

d'ois. V. 158. PL Enl. Qoa.

/•I-
Lin. Tr. vii. £80.

Descrip-
tion.

J-TS irides are reddish; the eyelids of a deep
crimson ; the bill black, slender, and a little
curved at the point : the whole upper part of
the head, neck, and back, of a dusky brown
tinged with a dull 3^ellow ; the throat, under
side of the neck, the breast and belly deep fer-
ruginous ; the middle of the belly white ; the
quil feathers dusky edged with white; the
bastard wini; white ; the exterior side of the

PJ.J.XTTT.

VOL.1, r. 530.

DJ^RTT'OB.D MTAJRBIiER

Class II. DARTFORD W.ARBLER. 531

interior feather of the tail white, the rest dusky,
and long in proportion to the size of the bird ;
the legs yellow.

A pair of these w ere shot on a common near
Dartfoj^d, m April 1773, and communicated to
me by Mr. Latham; they fed on flies, which
they sprung on from the furze bush they sat on,
and then returned to it again.

[They have since been seen near TVands-
worth, in Surrey, and Mr. Montagu observed
them about Falmouth in the month of Septem-
ber. Ed.]

2 m2'

^3'1

GREAT TITMOUSE. Class IL

GENUS XXVIII. TITMOUSE.

Bill strait, short, hard, strong, sharp-pointedj

a little compressed.
Nostrils round covered with bristles.
ToxGUE as if cut at the end, terminating with

two or three bristles.

1. Great. Parus. major. P. viridi-ollvace-
iis subtas flavescens, capite
nigro temporibus albis, nu-
cha lutea. Lath. Ind. om.
562. id. Sijn. iv. 536.

Nonette ou Mesange. Belon
av. 370-

Parus major. Gesner av. 640.

Aldr. av. ii. 3ig.

Spernuzzola, Parussola. Oli-
na, 28.

Great Titmouse, or Ox-eye.
Wil. orn. 240.

Pitd'i Syn. av. 73.

Snitza. Scopoli, No. 242.
Parus major. Gm. Lin. IOO6.
Talg-ose. Faun. Suec. sp.

265.
Le grosse Mesange ou la Char-

bonniere. Brisson av. iii.

539.
Hisf. d'ois. V. 392. PI. Enl.

3./. 1.
JNIusvit. Brunnich, 287-
Kohlmeise. Kram. 378. Frisch,

i. 13.
Br. Zool. 113. plate W. f. 4.

JrcL Zool. ii. 123.

J- HIS species sometimes visits our gardens,
but chiefly inhabits woods, where it builds in
hollow trees, laying about ten eggs. This, and
the whole tribe feed on insects, which they find
in the bark of trees ; in the spring they do a
great deal of mischief in the fruit garden, by

•I J-xiv^ VOL.1 r.53ii

1 GREAT, 2. BLUE , 3 COLE, 4 MAKSH TITMOUiSE.

TION.

Class ll. GREAT TITMOUSE. 533

picking off the tender buds. Like wood-peck-
ers they are perpetually running up and down
the bodies of trees in quest of food. The bird
has three chearful notes, which it begins to
utter in the month of February.

The head and throat of this species are Descrip-
black ; the cheeks white ; the back green ; the
belly of a yellowish green, divided in the middle
by a bed of black, which extends to the vent ;
the rump is of a bluish grey. The quil fea-
thers are dusky, edged partly with blue, partly
with white ; the coverts blue, the greater tipt
with white. The exterior sides of the outmost
feathers of the tail are white ; the exterior sides
of the other bluish ; their interior sides dusky ;
the legs lead color. The toes are divided to the
origin; and the back toe of the whole genus is
very large and strong.

It appears in Italy towards the end of April,
and retires, as most of the titmice do in that
country, in October.

" Inhabits Europe throughout, and indeed
every part of the old continent, at least from
Sweden to the Cape of Good Hope, and also
India, where it is called Har Goura, Mr.
Lewin records the circumstance of one having
been killed at Faversham, v, hich had both man-
dibles singularly elongated or crossed in the
manner of the Crossbill." J. L,

534

BLUE TlTxMOUSE. Class II.

2. Blue.

Descrip-
tion.

Parus, cseruleus. P. olivaceo
virescens subtus luteus, re-
miglbus cajrulescentibus,
jirimoribus margine exteri-
ore albis, fronte alba, ver-
tice cagruleo. Lath. Ind.
orn. 566. id. Si/n. iv. 543.

lielon. av. 369.

Panis ca?ruleus. Gesner av.
641.

Aldr. av. ii. 321.

Blue Titmouse, or Nun. Tf-ll.
orn. 242.

Rail Syn. av. 74.

La Mesanse Bleue. Brisson

av. iii. 544. Hisi. d'ois. y.

413. Pl.Enl.S.f. 2.
Blava snitza, Blau mandlitz.

Scopoli, No. 244.
Parozolino, o Fratino. Zinan.

76.
Parus caeruleus. Gm. Lin.

1008.
Blamees. Faun. Siiec. sp.

267.
Blaaemeise. i?>-. 288.
Blaumcise. Kram. 37Q. Frisch,

i. 14.
Br. Zool. 114. plate W. f. 5.

Arct. Zool. ii. 124.

J- HIS bird frequents gardens, and does great
injury to fruit trees, by bruising the young buds
in search of the insects that lurk under them ;
it breeds in holes of walls, and lays about twelve
t)r fourteen eggs.

It is a very beautiful species, the bill is short
and dusky ; the crown of the head of a fine
blue ; from the bill to the eyes is a black line ;
the forehead and cheeks are white ; the back is
of a yellowish green ; the lower side of the body
yellow; the wings and tail blue, the former
marked transversely with a white bar; the legs
are of a lead color.

Class II.

COLE TITMOUSE.

535

Parus. ater. P. dorso cinereo,
capite nigro, occipite pec-
toreque albo. Lath. Lid.

. orn. 564. id. Si/n. iv.
540.

Quatriesine espece de Me-
sange. Belon av. 370.

Parus ater. Gesner ay. 641.

Aldr. av. ii. 321.

JVil. orn. 241.

Eaii Syn. av. 73.

Speermiese, Creuzmeise.
Kram. 37g.

Tannen Meise (Pine Tit-
mouse). Frisch, i. 13.

La Mesan2;e a tete noire, Pa-
rus atricapillus. Brisson av.
ili. 551.

La petite charbonniere. Hisi,
d'ois. V. 400.

Cui. Carol, app. 37.

P. ater. Gm. Lin. lOOg.

Faun. Suec. sp. 268. Scopoli,
No. 245.

Br. Zool. 1 14. Arct. Zool. ii.
121.

Cole,

X HE head of the cole titmouse is black, marked
on the hind part with a white spot ; the back is
of a greenish grey ; the rump more green ; the
tail and wings dusky ; the exterior feathers
edged with green ; the coverts of the wings are
of a dusky green ; the lowest tipt with white.
For a farther account we beg leave to refer to
the next description.

Descrip.1

TION.

MARSH TITMOUSE. Class II.

Marsh. Parus palustris. P. capite ni-
gro, dorso cinereo, teinpori-
bus albis. Lath. Ind. orn.
565. id. Sijn. iv. 541. id.
Sup. i. I89.

Parus palustris. Gesner av.
64!.

Paronzino. Aldr. av. ii. 32.

Marsh Titmouse, or Black-
cap. Wil. orn. 241.

Raii Syn. av. 73.

Frattino pakislre. Zinan. 77.

La Mesano;e de Marais ou la

Nonette cendree. Brisson

av. iii. 555. Hist, d'ois. v.

403. PL Enl. 3./. 3.
P. palustris. Gm. Lin. lOOQ.
Entita, Tomlinge. Faun. Suec.

sp. 26g. Scopoli, No. 246
Asch Meise (Ash Titmouse).

Frisch, i. 13.
Hundsmeise. Kram. 379-
Norvegis Graae-Meise. Bnm-

nich. igO.
Br. Zool. 114. plate W. f. 3-

Arct. Zool. ii. 125.

Descrip-
tion.

J- HIS species is called by Gesner ihe marsh
titmouse ; because it frequents wet places.
With us it inhabits woods, and seldom infests
our gardens : early in February it emits two
notes, not unlike the whetting of a saw. It is
said to be a great enemy to bees, and to lay up
a magazine of seeds against times of want.

Mr. TViUughbif observes, that this bird differs
from the former in these particulars, 1st, that
it is bigger ; 2d, that it wants the white spot on
the head ; 3d, it has a larger tail ; 4th, its under
side is white ; 5th, it has less black under the
chin ; 6th, it wants the white spot on the co-
verts of the wing's.* This last distinction does

* Mr. Montagu adds, that its head is of a dull sooty black j
tvhile that of the Cole Titmouse is extremely glossy. Ed.

Class II. LONG TAILED TITMOUSE.

537

not hold in general, as the subject figured in
the British Zoology had those spots ; yet want-
ed that on the hind part of the head.

Le Comte de Buffon thought this only a va-
riety of the preceding species : certain it is that
the haunts of this and of the former differ,
but each agree in being equally prolific with
others of the genus._

Parus. caudatus. P. albo roseo
nigroque longitudinallterva-
rius, vertice albo, cauda lon-
giore. Lath. Ind. orn. 56g.
id. Syn. iv. 550. id. Sup. i.
190.

Belon av. 368. ,• . ,■ ■

Parus caudatus. Gesner av.
642.

Monticola. Aldr. av. ii. 3ig.

Wil. orn. 242.

Ttaii Syn. av. 74-

Pendolino, Paronzino. Z'lnan.
77-

Gaugartza. Scopoli, No. 247.

La Mesange a longue queue,
Parus longicaudus. Brisson
av. iii. 570. Hist, d'ois. v.
437- PI- Enl. 502. f. 3.

Parus caudatus. Gm. Lin,

■ 1010.

Alhtita. Faun. Suec. sp. 83.

BelzmeisePfannenstiel. Kram.

379- J

Langschwaentzige Meiss. v

Frisch, i. 14.
Br. Zool. 110. W. f. 6. Arcf.

Zool. ii. 125.

5. Long
Tailed.

XHE length is five inches and a quarter; the D
breadth seven inches. The bill is black, very
short, thick, and very convex, differing greatly
from all others of the titmouse kind ; the base
is beset with small bristles ; the irides are of a
hazel color. The top of the head, from the bill

ESCRIP-i
TION.

538 LONG TAILED TITMOUSE. Class IL

to the hind part, is white, mixed with a few
dark grey feathers ; this bed of white is entirely
surrounded with a broad stroke of black, wdiich,
rising on each side the upper mandible, passes
over each eye, unites at the hind part of the
head, and continues along the middle of the
back to the rump ; the feathers on each side of
this black stroke are of a purplish red, as are
those immediately incumbent on the tail. The
covert feathers of the Avings are black ; the se-
condary and quil feathers are dusky, the largest

"' • - of the latter wholly so; the lesser and more
remote have their exterior sides edged with
white.

The tail is the longest in proportion to the
bulk of any British bird, being in length three
inches ; the form of it is like that of a magpie,
consisting of twelve feathers of unequal lengths,
the middlemost the longest, those on each side
growing gradually shorter ; the exterior sides,
and the top of the interior sides of the three
outmost feathers are white ; the rest of the tail

.-. - . .; black. The cheeks and throat are white: the
breast and whole under side white, with a cast
of red. The legs, feet, and claws, are black. .
Kest. It forms its nest with great elegance, of an

oval shape, and about eight inches deep ; near
the upper end is a hole for admission ; the ex-

Class II. LONG TAILED TITMOUSE. 539

ternal materials are mosses and lichens, cu-
riously interwoven with wool ; within it is lined
very warmly with a thick bed of feathers; it ^ '

lays from ten to seventeen eggs. The young
follow the parents the whole winter ; and from
the slimness of their bodies, and great length of
tail, appear, while flying, like so many darts
cutting the air. They are often seen passing
tiirough our gardens, going progressively from
tree to tree, as if on their road to some other
place, never making any halt.

It is seen in Italy flying about during the
whole winter. -

540

BEARDED TITMOUSE.

Class IL

6. Bearded, Parns. blarmicus. P. rafiis,
vert ice cano, cauda corpore
longiorc, capite barbato,
crisso nigro. Lath. Ind. orn.
570. id. Syn. iv. 552 id.

Slip. 190.

Lest Butcher Bird.

Edw. av. 55.

Bearded Titmouse. Aldr. av.

i. tal. 48.
Scopoli, No. 241.

Nest.

La mesange barbae, gu 1«
moustache, Parus barbatus.
Brisson av. iii. 567. Hist.
d'ois. V. 418. PL E?il. 6I8.

/•I.2.
Parus biarmlcus. Gn2. Lin.

1011.
Lest Butcher Bird. Br. ZooL

Ed. 2d. i. 165.
Br. Zool. 74. plate C.2. Arct.

Zool. ii. 126.

jlHIS species is found in the marshes near
Loudon : we have seen it near Gloucester ; it is
also frequent among the great tracts of reeds
near Cozvbit in Lincolnshire, where I suspect
it breeds.

The nest is not accurately known.* One
supposed to belong to this bird was formed of
soft materials, and suspended from three reeds.
Kramer-\ says that it is built among willows,
or the aspen tree, from the branches of which it

* The nest has been ascertained by Mr. Montagu, who in-
forms us it is of an oval form, made of white moss and lichens
curiously and firmly wove together with wool, covered at the
top, with only a small hole on the side, and lined with a prodi-
gious quantity of feathers. It is placed in the fork of some bush
or tree. Its diminutive egg is white, sparingly marked with
small rust-colored spots tovi'ards the larger end. Ed.

t Latham Syn. iv. 584.

Class IL BEARDED TITMOUSE. 541

is pendulous. It inhabits Schonetz, in Sweden,
and is found in great numbers on the banks of
the Volga and Yaik, Mdiere its pendulous nest
is very common among the reeds,* and is said
to be of the same shape as that of the long tailed
titmouse, but rather larger. . ■ ...

The bill is short, sti'ong, and very convex, of Descrip-

• • • TION.

a box color; the irides pale yellow; the head is of
a fine grey ; on each side of the bill, beneath the
eye, is a long triangular tuft of black feathers ;
the chin and throat are white ; the middle of the
breast flesh colored ; the sides and thighs of a " ^

pale orange ; the hind part of the neck and the
back are of an orange bay ; the secondary fea-
thers of the wings are black edged with orange ;
the quil feathers dusky on their exterior, white
on their interior sides ; the lesser quil feathers
tipt with orange. The tail is two inches and
three quarters long ; the two middle feathers
are largest, the others gradually shorten on each
side, the outmost of which are of a deep orange
color. The vent-feathers of the male are of
a pale black ; of the female of a dull orange.
The legs are of a deep shining black. ^

The female wants the black mark on each Female.
cheek, and the fine flesh color on the breast;

* Dr. Pallas MS.

CRESTED TITMOUSE. Class II.

the crown of the head is of a brownish rust color,
spotted with black ; the outmost feathers of the
tail are black tipt with white.

7. Crested. Parus cristatns. P. griseo- Brisson orn. iii. 558. ■

rufescens cristatus, collari La Mesange huppe. Hist.d'ois.

nigro, ventre albo. Latfi. \. 447. PL Enl. 502. f. 1.

Ind. orn. 567. id. Syn. iv. Rail St/n. av. 74.

550. id. Sup. i. igO. Tfll. orn. 242.

Gm. Lin. 1005. ■ -■

Descrip- xHE front and cheeks of this species are
white; the chin and throat black; the head
highly crested with black feathers edged with
white ; the cheeks branded beneath with black ;
from the throat to the belly white; the back,
wings, and tail, of a rufous dark grey. Its size
that of the Blue Titmouse.

As yet it has only been discovered in Scot-
land, but is not unfrequent in many parts of
Europe : it inhabits Scho72en in Siveden, and the
western and more temperate parts of Russiaj
but does not reach Sibiria. Its haunts are
chiefly among ever-green trees, especially the
resinous kinds.

TION.

pl.a.xv.

VOL IP. 545

CHIMNEIT SW^AlAjOy^r.

Class II. CHIMNEY SWALLOW,

543

GENUS XXIX. SWALLOW.

Bill short, weak.
Mouth very wide.
Legs short, weak.

Hirundo rustlca. H. nigro-
coerulescens subtus albida,
fronle gulaquecastaneis, rec-
tricibus lateralibus macula
alba notatis. Lath. Ind.
orn. 572. id. Syn. iv. 36l.
id. Sup. i. 192.

La petite Hirondelle. Belon
av. 378.

Hirundo domestica. Gesnerav.
548.

Aldr. av. ii. 2Q4.

llondone. Zinan. 47-

L'Hirondelle de Cheminee.
Brisson av. ii. 486. HisL

d'ois. vi. 591. PL Enl. 543. 1. Chimney.

/•I-

Hirundo rustica. Gm. Lin,

1015.
Ladu-Swala. Faun. Suec. sp^

270.
Forstue-Svale, Mark-Svale.

Brunnich, 289,
Haus-Schwalbe. Frisch, i. 17.
Hauss Schwalbe. Kram. 380.
Laustaza. Scopoli, No. 24g.
Raii Syn. av. 7i- l

House or Chimney Swallow.

TFil. orn. 212.
Br. Zool. 96; Arci. Zool. ii.

127.

XHIS species appears in Great Britain nearly
twenty days before the martin, or any other of
the swallow tribe. They leave us the latter
end oi September ; and for a few days previous
to their departure, assemble in vast flocks on
house tops, churches, and even trees, from

544 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. Class IL

whence they take their flight. It is now known
that swallows fix their winter quarters in Se-
negal, and possibly they may be found along
the whole Morocco shore. We are indebted to
M. Adanson^ for this discovery, who first ob-
served them in the month of October, after their
migration from Europe, on the shores of that
kingdom ; but whether it was this species alone,
or all the European kinds, he is silent.

The name of chimney swallow may almost
be confined to Great Britain, for in several
other countries they chuse different places for
their nests. In Szveden, they prefer barns, so
are styled there Ladu-Szvala, or the barn sAval-
low ; and in the hotter climates, they make their
nests in porches, gateways, galleries, and open
halls.
Descrip- The house swallow is distinguished from ail
others by the superior forkiness of its tail, and
by the red spot on the forehead, and under the
chin. The crown of the head, the whole upper
part of the body, and the coverts of the wings
are black, glossed with a rich purplish blue,
most resplendent in the male ; the breast and
belly white, that of the male tinged with red ;
the tail black ; the two middle feathers plain.:

* Voyage to Senegal, p. 121, l63.

TION.

Class II. CHIMNEY SWALLOW. , 545

the others marked transversely near their ends
with a white spot. The exterior feathers of the
tail are much longer in the male than in the
female.

Their food is the same with that of the
others of the genus, viz. insects ; for the tak-
ing of which in their swiftest flight, nature
hath admirably contrived their several parts;
their mouths are very wide ; their wings are
long, and adapted for distant and continual
flight, and their tails are forked, to enable
them to turn the readier in pursuit of their
prey. This species, in our country, builds
in chimneys, and makes its nest of clay
mixed with straw, leaving the top quite
open. It lines the bottom with feathers and
grasses ; and usually lays from four to six eggs,
white speckled with red ; but by taking away
one of the eggs daily, it will successively lay as
far as nineteen, as Doctor Lister has expe-
rienced. It breeds earlier than any other
species. The first brood are observed to quit
the nest the last week in Ju7ie, or the first in
July ; the last brood towards the middle or
end of Aus:ust. The nest beino; fixed five or
six feet deep within the chimney, it is with dif-
ficulty that the young can emerge. They even
sometimes fall into the rooms below; but as

VOL. I. S N

546 CHIMNEY SWALLOW. Class II.

soon as they succeed, they perch for a few days
on the chimney top, and are there fed by their
parents. Their next essay is to reach some
leafless bough, where they sit in rows, and
receive their food. Soon after they take to the
wing, but still want skill to seize their own prey.
They hover near the place where their parents
are in chase of flies, attend their motions, meet
them, and receive from their mouths the offered
sustenance.

It has a sweet note, which it emits in August
and Septemhtr, perching on house tops.

[Swallows appear in Greece from the 1 6th of
March to the ^d of April, and are accompanied
or soon followed by the Martins. Ed.]

" They are found every where on the old
continent, and may be traced to India and Ja-
pan, and at Newfoundland, and other parts of
North America. Two instances of the capri-
ciousness of the swallow are on record. One
in the museum of the late Sir Ashton Lever,
in which was the nest made in the dead body of
an owl nailed against a barn. After the young
were flown, Sir Ashton substituted a large shell
in the place of the owl, and in the following sea-
son had the satisfaction of seeing a nest made
in the shell, supposed by the same pair of birds.
At Camerton Hall^ near Bath, a pair built a

Class II. MARTIN SWALLOW.

nest in the upper part of the frame of an old
picture over a chimney, in a room little fre-
quented, coming through a broken pane of the
window, and this for three successive years,
and probably would have continued to do so,
if the room being put into repair all access
to the inside was prevented." J. L.

547

Hirundo urbica. H. nigro-cce-

rulescens subtus alba, rectri-

cibus immaculatis. Lath.

Ind. orn. 573. id Syn. iv.

564. id. Sup. i. 192.
Le Martinet. Belon av. 380.
Hirundo sylvestris. Gesner av.

564. Frisch, i. I7.
Aldr. av. ii. 311.
Martin, Martlet, or Martinet.

Wil. orn. 213.
Raii Syn. av. 71.
Rondone minore, e Grassolo.

Zinan. 48.
Huda urnik. Scopoli, No.

250.

La petite HIrondelle, ou le 2. Martin.

Martinet a cul blanc. Bris-

son av. ii. 49O. Hist, d'ois.

vi. 614. Pl.Enl. 542, f. 2.
Hirundo nrbica. Gm. Lin.

1017.
Hus-Swala. Faun. Suec. sp.

271.
Speyerl. Kram. 380.
Dunis, Bye V. Tagskioeg-Svale,

LangelaJidis , Rive. Br. 29O.
Ph.Tr. 1774. p. 196.
Br. Zool. 96. plate Q. f. 2. p,

196= Arct.Zool. ii. 128.

J_ HE Martin is inferior in size to the former

species, and its tail is much less forked. The Descrip^

head and upper part of the body, except the

rump, is black glossed with blue ; the breast,

belly, and rump, are white ; the feet are covered

with a short white down. This is the second

N

548 MARTIN SWALLOW. Class IL

5f the swallow kind that appears in our coun-
try. It builds under the eaves of houses, with
the same materials, and in the same form as
the house swallow, only its nest is covered
above, having only a small hole for admittance.
We have also seen this species build against
the sides of high cliffs over the sea. For the
time that the young keep the nest, the old one
feeds them, adhering by the claws to the out-
side ; but as soon as they quit it, feeds them
flying, by a motion quick and almost impercep-
tible to those who are not used to observe it.

It is a later breeder than the preceding by
some days ; but both will lay twice in the sea-
son, and the latter brood of this species have
been observed to come forth so late as the
eighteenth of September ; yet that year (17^6)
they entirely quitted our sight by the fifth of
October ; not but they sometimes continue here
much later : the martins and red wing thrushes
having been seen flying in view on the seventh
oi No'v ember. Nestlings have been remarked
in Hampshire as late as the 21st of October,
1772.

In Italy they appear and retire sooner than
the chimney-swallows.

Class II. SAND MARTIN SWALLOW.

549

HIrundo riparia. H, cinerea,

gula abdomineque albis.

Lath. Ind. orn. 575. id. Syn.

iv. 568.
L'Hirondelle de rivage. Be!on

av. 379.
Hirundo riparia, seu Drepa-

nis. Gesner av. 565.
Dardanelli. Aldr. av. ii. 312.
Sand Martin, or Shore Bird.

TFil. orn. 213.
Raii Syn. av. 71.
L'Hirondelle de rivage. JBris-

son av. ii. 506. Hisi. d'ois.

vi. 632. PI. Enl. 54:3. f. 2.

Cat. Carol, app. 37.
Rondone riparia. Zinan. 49.
Hirundo riparia. Gm. Lin.

1019.
Strand-swala, Back swala.

Faun. Suec. sp. 273.
Danis, Dig-v. Jord-svale, Soil-

baake. Norveg. Sand Rasn^

ne. Br. 29 1.
Ufer-Schwalbe (Shore Swal-
low). Frisch, i. 18.
Gestetten-schwalbe, Kram.

3S1.
Br. Zool. 97. plate O. f. 1.

Arct. Zool. ii. 129.

3, Sand.

X HIS is the lest of the genus that frequents
Great Britain. The head and whole upper
part of the body are mouse colored ; the throat
white, encircled with a mouse colored ring ; the
belly white ; the feet smooth and black.

It builds in holes in sand pits, and in the
banks of rivers, penetrating some feet deep into
the bank, boring through the soil in a wonderful
manner with its feet, claws, and bill. It makes
its nest of hay, straw, &c. and lines it with fea-
thers : it lays five or six white eggs. It is the
earliest of the swallow tribe in bringing out its
young, and arrives in Eiigland about the same
time as the Chimney Swallow.

Descrip-

TION.

550 SWIFT SWALLOW. Class IL

4. Swift. HirundoApus. H. nigricans, 514. Hist, d'ois. vi. 643.

' , gula alba, digitis omnibus PL Enl. b^2.f. 1.

quatuor anticis. Lath. Ind. Hirundo Apus. Gm. Lin.

orn. 582. id. Syn. iv. 584. 1020.

La grande Hirondelle, Mou- Ring-swala. Faun. Suec. sp.

tardier ou grand Martinet. 272.

Belon av. 377. Steen, Kirke-v. Saee-Svale.

Apus. Gesner av. 166. Br. 2g2.

Aldr. av. ii. 312. Speyer, grosse thurn schwalbe.

Black Martin, or Swift. Wil. Kram. 380. Scopoli, No.

orn. 214. 251.

Jtaii Syn. av. 72. Br. Zool. 97. Arct. ZooL ii.

Rondone. Zinan. 47- 130.
Le Martinet. Brisson av. ii.

XHIS species is the largest of our swallows;
but the weight is iiiost disproportionately small
to its extent of wing ; the former being scarcely
one ounce, the latter eighteen inches ; the
length near eight inches. The feet of this bird
are so small, that the action of walking and of
rising from the ground is extremely difficult;
so that nature hath made it full amends, by fur-
nishing it with ample means for an easy and
continual flight. It is more on the wing than
any other swallows ; its flight is more rapid,
and that attended with a shrill scream. It rests
by clinging against some wall, or other apt
body; from whence Klein styles this species
Hirundo 7nuraria. It breeds under the eaves

Class II. SWIFT SWALLOW. 551

of houses, in steeples, and other lofty build-
ings ; makes its nest of grasses and feathers,
and lays only two eggs, of a white color.

It is entirely of a glossy dark sooty color, Descrip-

. . . TIOBT.

only the chm is marked with a w hite spot ; but
by being so constantly exposed to all weathers,
the gloss of the plumage is lost before it retires.
The feet are of a particular structure, all the
toes standing forward ; the lest consists of only
one bone ; the others of an equal number, viz.
two each ; in which they differ from those of all
other birds.

This appears in our country about fourteen
days later than the sand martin; but differs
greatly in the time of its departure, retiring in-
variably about the tenth of August, being the
first of the genus that leaves us. I cannot trace
them to their winter quarters, unless in one in-
stance of a pair found adhering by their claws
and in a torpid state, in February 1 766, under
the roof of Longnor Chapel, Shropshire: on
being brought to a fire, they revived and moved
about the room.

Swifts appear about Pavia on the eighth of
April, and depart towards the twenty-fifth of
July ; some remain as late as Septeinber,

The fabulous history of the Manucodiata, or
bird of Paradise, is in the history of this species

551 SWIFT SWALLOW. Class IL

in great measure verified. It was believed to
have no feet, to live upon the celestial dew, to
float perpetually on the Indian air, and to per-
form all its functions in that element.

The Swift actually performs what has been
in these enlightened times disproved of the
former ; except the small time it takes in sleep-
ing, and what it devotes to incubation, every
other action is done on the wino;. The mate-
rials of its nest it collects either as they are car-
ried about by the winds, or picks them up from
the surface in its sweeping flight. Its food is
undeniably the insects that fill the air. Its
drink is taken in transient sips from the water's
surface. Even its amorous rites are performed
on high. Few persons who have attended to
them in a fine summer's morning, but must
have seen them make their aerial courses at a
great height, encircling a certain space with an
easy steady motion. On a sudden they fall
into each other's embraces, then drop precipi-
tate with a loud shriek for numbers of yards.
This is the critical conjuncture, and to be no
more wondered at, than that insects (a familiar
instance) should discharge the same duty in the
same element.

These birds and swallows are inveterate ene-
mies to hawks. The moment one appears, they

Class II.

SWALLOWS.

555

ropean swallows, has been proved beyond con-
tradiction (as above cited) by M. Adanson.
We often observe them collected in flocks in-
numerable on churches, on rocks, and on trees,
previous to their departure hence ; and Mr.
Collinson proves their return here in perhaps
equal numbers, by two curious relations of un-
doubted credit : the one communicated to him
by Mr. Wright, master of a ship ; the other by
the late Sir Charles JVager, who both describ-
ed (to the same purpose) what happened to
each in their voyages. " Returning home, says
' Sir Charles, in the spring of the year, as I
' came into sounding in our channel, a great
' flock of swallows came and settled on all my
' rigging ; every rope was covered ; they hung
' on one another like a swarm of bees ; the
' decks and carving ^vere filled with them.
' They seemed almost famished and spent, and
' were only feathers and bones ; but being
' recruited with a night's rest, took their flight
' in the morning."* This vast fatigue, proves
that the journey must have been very great,
considering the amazing swiftness of these birds :
in all probability they had crossed the Atlantic

* Phil Trans, vol. li. Part 2. p. 469-

556 SWALLOWS. Class II.

ocean, and were returning from the shores of
Senega/, or other parts of Africa ; so that this
account from that most able and honest sea-
man, confirms the later information of M.
Adanson.

The following observations made during re-
peated passages of the Atlantic were commu-
nicated by Charles Mills, Esq. of Maccles-
field.

Crossed the

Atlantic, April

1770.

Saw no Swallows.

Ditto

May

1772.

Ditto.

Ditto

July

1773.

Ditto.

Ditto

- 16 May

1775.

Lat. 20° 20' N. Long.
29° 23' W. from St,
Helena. Saw a swal-
low.

Ditto

- 30 June

1778-

Lat. 28° 5' N. Long. 20"
9' W. from Asce7ision.
Saw four swallows.

Ditto

- 1 July

1778.

Lat. 25° 37' N. Long.
20° 23' W. Saw a
swallow.

Ditto

- 2 July

1778.

Lat. 29° 41' N. Long.
20° 19' W. A swal-
low about the ship.

Mr. White, on Michaelmas day, 17^8, had
the good fortune to have ocular proof of what
may reasonably be supposed an actual migra-
tion of swallows. TraveUing that morning very

Class II. SWALLOWS* 557

early between his house and the coast, at the
beginning of his journey he was environed with
a thick fog, but on a large wild heath the mist
began to break, and discovered to him num-
berless swallows, clustered on the standing
bushes, as if they had roosted there ; as soon
as the sun burst out, they were instantly on
wing, and wdth an easy and placid flight pro-
ceeded towards the sea. After this he saw
no more flocks, only now and then a strag-
gler.* ■■-.'■■ :- ; . : ,, ;

This rendezvous of sw allows about the same
time of year is very common on the willows^
in the little isles in the Thames. They seem to
assemble for the same purpose as those in
Hampshhe, notwithstanding no one yet has
been eye-witness of their departure. On the
26th of September last, two gentlemen who hap-
pened to lie at Maidenhead bridge, furnished at
lest a proof of the multitudes there assembled :
they went by torch-light to an adjacent isle, and

* In Kalms Voyage to America, is a remarkable instance of
the distant flight of swallows; for one lighted on the ship
he was in, Septemler 2d. when he had passed only over two
thirds of the Atlantic ocean. His passage was uncommonly
quick, being performed from Deal to Philadelphia in less than
six weeks 5 and when this accident happened, he was fourteen
days' sail from Cape Hinhpen.

558 SWALLOWS. Class IL

ill less than half an hour brought ashore fifty
dozen ; for they had nothing more to do than
to draw the willow twigs through their hands,
the birds never stirring till they were taken.

The northern naturalists will perhaps say,
that this assembly met for the purpose of
plunging into their subaqueous winter quarters ;
but was that the case, they would never escape
discovery in a river perpetually fished as the
Thames; some of them must inevitably be
brought up in the nets that harass that water.

The second notion has great antiquity on its
side. Aristotle* and Plini)'\ give, as their be-
lief, that swallows do not remove very far from
their summer habitation, but winter in the hol-
lows of rocks, and during that time lose their
feathers. The former part of their opinion has
been adopted by several ingenious men 5 and of
late, several proofs have been brought of some
species, at lest, having been discovered in a
torpid state. ]\Ir. CoUinson'^ favored us with
the evidence of three gentlemen, eye-witnesses
to numbers of sand martins being drawn out of
a cliff on the Rhine, in the month of March,

* Hist. an. Q35. f L'lh. 10. c. 24.

X By letter, dated Ju7ie 14, 1764.

Class II. SWALLOWS. 559

1769,.* And the Honorable Daines Bminng-
ton communicated to us the following fact, on
the authority of the late Lord Belhaven, that
numbers of swallows have been found in old
dry walls, and in sandhills near his Lordship's
seat in East Lothian ; not once only, but from
year to year ; and that when they were exposed
to the warmth of a fire, they revived. We have
also heard of the same annual discoveries near
Morpeth in Northumberland, but cannot speak
of them with the same assurance as the two
former : neither in the two last instances are
we certain of the particular species.'}'

Other witnesses crowd on us to prove the
residence of those birds in a torpid state during
the severe season. ■

First, In the chalky cliffs of Sussex ; as was
seen on the fall of a great fragment some
years ago.

Secondly, In a decayed hollow tree that was
cut down, near Dolgelleu, in Meireonethshire. .

Thirdly, In a cliff near Whitby, Yorkshire ;
where, on digging out a fox, whole bushels of
swallows were found in a torpid condition.
And, .

* Phil. Trans, vol. liii. p. 101. art. 24.
•f Klein gives an instance of swifts being found in a torpid
state. Hist. av. 204.

5^0 SWALLOWS. Class II.

Lastly, The Reverend Mr. Conxvay, of Sych-
ton, Flintshire, was so obliging as to communi-
cate the following fact. A few vears a^o, on
looking down an old lead mine in that county,
he observed numbers of swallows clinging to
the timbers of the shaft, seemingly asleep ; and
on flinging some gravel on them, they just
moved, but never attempted to fly or change
their place; this was between All Saints and
Christmas.

These are doubtless the lurking places of the
latter hatches, or of those young birds, who are
incapable of distant migrations. There they
continue insensible and rigid ; but like flies may
sometimes be reanimated by an unseasonable
hot day in the midst of winter ; for very near
Christmas a few appeared on the moulding of
a window of Merton College, O.vford, in a re-
markably warm nook, which prematurely set
their blood in motion, having the same effect as
laying them before the fire at the same time of
year. Others have been known to make this
premature appearance, but as soon as the cold
natural to the season returned, they withdrew
a rain to their former retreats.

I shall conclude with one argument drawn
from the very late hatches of two species.

On the twenty-third oi October, 1767, a mar-

Class II. SWALLOWS. 561

tin was seen in Southwark, flying in and out of
its nest ; and on the twenty-ninth of the same
month, four or five swallows were observed
hovering round and settling on the county hos-
pital at Oxford. As these birds must have
been of a late hatch, it is highly improbable
that at so late a season of the year, they would
attempt from one of our midland counties, a
voyage, almost as far as the equator, to Senegal
or Goree: we are therefore confirmed in our
notion, that there is only a partial migration of
these birds, and that the feeble late hatches
conceal themselves in this country.

The above, are circumstances we cannot but
assent to, though seemingly contradictory to
the common course of nature in regard to other
birds. We must, therefore, divide our belief
relating to these two so different opinions, and
conclude, that one part of the swallow tribe
migrates, and that others have their winter quar-
ters near home. If it should be demanded,
why swallows alone are found in a torpid state,
and not the other many species of soft billed
birds, which likewise disappear about the same
time ? The following reasons may be assigned.

No birds are so much on the wing as swal-
lows; none fly ^vith such s^^iftncss and rapidity;

VOL, T. 52 O

SWALLOWS. Class II.

none are obliged to such sudden and various
evolutions in their flight; none are at such pains
to take their prey ; and we may add, none exert
their voice more incessantly : all these occasion
a vast expence of strength, and of spirits, and
may give such a texture to the blood, that other
animals cannot experience, and so dispose, or
we may say, necessitate, this tribe of birds, or
a part of them, at lest, to a repose more lasting
than that of any others.

The third notion is, even at first sight, too
amazins and unnatural to merit mention, if it
was not that some of the learned have been
credulous enough to deliver, for fact, what has
the strongest appearance of impossibility ; we
mean the relation of swallows passing the win-
ter immersed under ice, at the bottom of lakes,
or lodged beneath the water of the sea at the
foot of the rocks. The nrst vv ho broached this
opinion, was Olciiis Magnus, Archbishop of
Upaal, who very gravely informs us, that these
birds are often found in clustered masses at
the bottom of the northern lakes, mouth to
mouth, wing to vving, foot to foot; and that
they creep down the reeds in autumn, to their
subaqueous retreats. That when old fisher-
men discover such a mass, they throw it into

Class II. SWALLOWS. , ■ 563

the water again ; but when young inexperienced
ones take it, they will, by thawing the birds at
a fire, bring them indeed to the use of their
wings, which will continue but a very short time;
owing to a premature and forced revival.*

That the good Archbishop did not want cre-
dulity, in other instances, appears from this,
that after having stocked the bottoms of the
lakes with birds, he stores the clouds with
mice, which sometimes fall in plentiful show-
ers on Norway and the neighboring coun-
tries.'!' ■ ■••' ' — - • • - ,

Some of our own countrymen :|: have given cre-
dit to the submersion of swallows ; and Klein
patronises the doctrine strongly, giving the fol-
lowing history of their manner of retiring, which
he received from some countrymen and others*
They asserted, that sometimes the swallows
assembled in numbers on a reed, till it broke and
sunk with them to the bottom ; and that their
immersion was preluded by a dirge of a quarter
of an hour's length ; that others A^'ould unite

* Derhams Phys. Theol. note d. p. 349- Pontop. hbt.
Norw. I. 99.

■\ Gesner Icon. An. 100.

X Derham's Phys. Theol. 340. 349- Hildrop's Tracfs, ii.
32.

564 SWALLOWS. Class IL

in laying hold of a straw with their bills, and so
plunge down in society; that others again would
form a large mass, by clinging together with
their feet, and so commit themselves to the
deep.*

Such are the relations given by those who are
fond of this opinion, and which, though delivered
without exaggeration, must provoke a smile.
Thev assign not the smallest reason to account
for these birds being able to endure so long a
submersion v.ithout being suffocated, or without
decaying, in an element so unnatural to their
delicate frame ; Avhen we know that the otter,']'
the corvorant, and the grebes, soon perish, if
caught under ice, or entangled in nets : and it

* Klein hist. av. 205, 20S. Ekmarck migr. av. Aman.
acad. iv. 589-

^ Though entirely satisfied in our own mind of the Impos-
sibihty of these relations ; yet, desirous of strengthening our
opinion with some better authority, we applied to that able
anatomist, Mr. JoJm Hunter ; who was so obliging to inform
us, that he had dissected many swallows, but found nothing in
them different from other birds as to the organs of respiration.
That all those animals which he had dissected of the class that
sleep during winter, such as lizards, frogs, &c. had a very dif-
ferent conformation as to those organs. That all these animals,
he believes, do breathe in their torpid state; and, as far as his ex-
perience reaches, he knows they do : and that therefore he
tsteems it a very wild opinion, that terrestrial animals can re-
main any long time under water without drowning.

Class II. SWALLOWS. \ sdS

is well known, that those animals will continue
much longer under water than any others to
whom nature hath denied that particular sti'uc-
ture of heart, necessary for a long residence
beneath that element.

.500

NOCTURNAL GOAT-SUCKER. Class IL

GENUS XXX. GOAT-SUCKER.

Bill very short, bent at the end, bristles round

the base.
Nostrils tubular, very prominent.
Tail consisting often feathers, not forked.

1. Noctur-
nal.

Caprimulgus Europeus. C ni-

ger cinereo fusco ferrugineo

et albo varius, subtus albo-

rufescensfasciisfviscis. Lath.

Ind. orn. 384. id. Si/?i. iv.

593. id. Sup. 1. 194.
L'EflFraye ou Fresaye. Belon

av. 343.
Caprimulgus, Geissmelcher.

Gesner av. 241.
Calcobotto. Aldr. av. I. 288.
Fern Owl, Goatsucker, Goat

Owl. Wil. orn. 107- x\lso.
Churn Owl. Rail Syn. av.

26. Cat. Carolin. i. 8.
Dorhawk, acciplter Cantha-

rophagus. Charlton ex. 79-
Le Tette Chevre ou Crapaud

volant. Brisson av. ii. 470.

Tab. 44. Hist, d'ois.y'u 512=

PL Enl. 193.
Covaterra. Zinanni, Q4. Sco-

poli. No. 234.
Caprimulgus Europeus. Cm.

Lin. 1027.
Natskrafa, Natskarra, Quall-

knarren. Faun. Suec. sp.

274.
Hirando Cauda squabili. H.

caprimulga. Klein av. 81.
Nat-Ravn, Nat-Skade, Af-

ten-bakke. Brun. 293.
Mucken stecker, Nachtrabb.

Kram. 381.
Br. Zool. 97. Tah. R. R. 1.

Arct. Zool. ii. 136.

-IVLEIN hath placed this bird in the swallow
tribe, and styles it a swallow with an undivided
tail. It has most of the cliaracters of that ere-

o

nus ; a very small bill, wide mouth, small legs.

pj.r.xvi.

^OLl.P.566.

IsLScF. GOATSUCKERS

Class II. NOCTURNAL GOAT-SUCKER. ,56',

It is also a bird of passage ; agrees in food with
this genus, and in the manner of taking it : dif-
fers in the time of preying, flying only by night,
so with some justice may be called a nocturnal
swallozv. It feeds on moths, gnats, dorrs or
chaffers; from which Charlton calls it a Dorr-
hawk, its food being entirely that species of
beetle during the month of July, the period of
that insect's* flight in this country.

This bird makes but a short stay with us :
appears the latter end of May ; and disappears
in the northern parts of our island the latter end
of August, I but in the southern stays above a
month later. It inhabits all parts of Great
Britain, from Cornwall to the county of Koss.
Mr. Scopoli seems to credit the report of their
sucking the teats of goats, an error delivered
down from the days of Aristotle.

Its notes are most singular : the loudest so
much resembles that of a large spinning wheel,
that the JFelsh call this bird aderyn y droell, or
the wheel bird. It begins its song most punc-
tually on the close of day, sitting usually on a
bare bough with the head lower than the tail, as
expressed in the upper figure in the plate ; the
lower jaw quivering with the efforts, llie noise
is so very violent, as to give a sensible vibration

* ScardhcBus Melolontha.

t It quits Italy about the same period.

568 NOCTURNAL GOAT-SUCKER. Class II.

to any little building it chances to alight on, and
emit this species of note : the other is a sharp
squeak, which it repeats often ; this seems a note
of love, as it is observed to reiterate it when in
pursuit of the female among the trees. It lays
its eggs on the bare ground ; usually two : they
are of a long form, of a whitish hue, prettily
marbled with reddish brown.
Descrip- The weight of this bird is two ounces and a
half; its length ten mches and a half; the extent
twenty-two. The bill is very short ; the mouth
vast; the irides hazel. The plumage a beautiful
mixture of black, white, ash color, and ferrugi-
nous, disposed in lines, bars, and spots. The
male is distinguished from the female by a great
oval white spot near the end of the three first quil
feathers, and another on the outmost feathers of
the tail ; the plumage is also more ferruginous.
The legs are short, scaly, and feathered below
the knee ; the middle toe connected to those
on each side by a small membrane, as far as the
first joint; the claw of the middle toe thin^
broad, serrated.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Priiiied by S. HamiUorij WeybricigT

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