_ ^^y WILD LIFE OF THE WORLD si i ^ wtr WILD LIFE OF THE WORLD A DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS BY R. LYDEKKER, F.R.S. ILLUSTRATED WITH OVER SIX HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY STUDIES IN COLOUR i m VOL. 1 1. LONDON FREDERICK WARNE AND CO., LTD AND NEW YORK ^ As Printed in Great Britain CONTENTS ASIA CHAPTER I. AECTIC ASIA II. THE ANIMAL LIFE OF SIBERIA . III. SOUTH-WESTERN ASIA IV. THE CASPIAN AREA V. THE INDIAN FAUNA VI. THE MALAY PROVINCE VII. FAUNA OF THE MALAY ISLANDS AND THE PHILIPPINES VIII. THE FAUNA OF THE CHINESE PROVINCE 1 18 38 84 102 160 208 224 NORTHERN SEAS I. MAMMALS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC . II. BIRDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC III. MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF THE NORTH PACIFIC IV. MAMMALS AND BIRDS OF THE ARCTIC V. FISHES OF THE NORTHERN SEAS VI. LOWER FORMS OF MARINE LIFE V . 241 . 249 . 259 . 268 . 286 . 299 vi CONTENTS AMERICA CHAPTER PAGB I. THE ANIMALS OF ARCTIC AMERICA AND CANADA . . 315 II. THE ANIMALS OF THE UNITED STATES . . . .330 III. TROPICAL AMERICA AND ITS ANIMALS .... 353 IV. THE ANIMALS OF PATAGONIA AND CHILE . ,. . .421 V. THE WEST INDIES— THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS . . .424 LIST OF COLOURED PLATES Mandarin Duck V jEx galerita Frontispiece Glutton or Wolverine Gulo luscus . Facing page 24 Gazelle Gazella dorcas 44 Asiatic Wild Ass Equus hemionus . 46 Striped Hyaena and Jackal Hycena striata, Canis aureus . 54 Sambar Cervus unicolor . 104 Indian Buffalo Bos bubalus 108 Indian Humped Cattle ]>os indicus no Black-Buck Antilope cervicapra 112 Indian Rhinoceros . Rhinoceros unicornis 118 Manchurian Tiger . Felis tigris longipilis 12G Tiger .... Felis tigris 128 Leopard Felis pardus 130 Hanuman Monkey Semnopithecus entellus . 148 Lanceolated Jay . Garrulus lanceolatus 154 Monal. Lophophorus impeyanus 158 White-Handed Gibbon Hylobates lar 162 Indian Tapir . Tapirus indicus . 180 Pied Hornbill Diceros bicornis . 190 Indian Python Python molurus . 204 Orang. Simia satyrus 210 I AK .... Bos grunniens . . 226 viii LIST OF COLOURED PLATES Manchurian Crane . Grus viridirostris Facing page 234 Giant Salamander . Megalobatrachus maximus • » 236 Common Seal Phoca vitulina . • • »» 242 Californian Sea-Lion Otaria gillespii . 4 • n 262 Polar Bear . Ursus maritirmus • ' >• 268 Silver Gull . Larus argentatus • 1! 276 Razorbill Alca tor da • »> 284 Elk or Moose Alces machlis a ' »> 318 American Bison Bos bison . • » » 332 Red Co ati Nasua rufa • l> 362 Llama .... Llama glama • )> 366 Great Ant-Eater MyrmecopJiaga jubata • »» 378 Giant Toucan Rhamphastus magnirostris n 392 Blue and Yellow Macaw . Ara ararauna • • »» 396 Kivo Vulture Cathartes papa • • » 400 Chested Screamer . Chauna chavaria l >» 406 Horned Frog Ceratophrys dorsata n 412 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Arctic Fox PAUB 3 Pallas's Sand-Grouse PAOB 97 Norwegian Lemming 6 Demoiselle Cranes . 99 Little Stint 10 Four-Horned Antelope 102 Red-necked Phalarope 12 Muntjacs . . , 106 Snowy Owl 14 Nilgai 112 Snow-Bunting 16 Himalayan Tahr . 113 Siberian Pica 18 Indian Elephants . 118 Pine-Grosbeak . . 26 Large Indian Squirrel 120 Waxwings . 30 Hunting-Leopard . 134 Caracal 38 Indian Civet 136 Persian Ibex 41 Sloth Bear . . , 142 Suleman Markhor . 43 Indian Fox-Bat 147 Chows 51 Lion-Tailed Macaque , 150 Tibet Dog . 52 Bonnet Macaque . 151 Bearded Tit 59 Slender Loris 152 Desert Lark . . 60 Indian Cobras 158 Bee-eaters . . , 63 Malay Pangolin 160 Griffon Vultures . , 67 Pig-Tailed Monkey 161 Fancy Pigeons . , 71 Slow Loris . . , 164 Spoonbills . . , 75 Cobego 166 Pratincoles . 76 Clouded Leopard . , . 167 Black-winged Stilt 78 Malay Palm-Civet . , 169 The Scheltopusik . 82 Binturong . . , 170 The Sarmatian Polecat 84 Malay Bear . 171 Saiga Antelopes 87 Himalayan Panda . . 172 Rosy Starling 91 The Gayal . . 174 Pander's Chough-Thrush 92 A Thamin Stag . 176 Pheasants . 95 Malay Chevrotain . . 178 X LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE PAOI Red-Beaked Hill-Tit . 182 Sze-chuan Takin . . 230 Malay Grackle . 185 Pere David's Deer . . 232 Small Racket-Tailed Drongo . 187 Michie's Tufted Deer 233 Red-Headed Barbet . 190 Bactrian Camel . 234 Necklaced Suruku . 191 Telescope Fish and Veil-I ailed F ish . 238 Blue-Crowned Hanging Parrots . . 192 Porpoises . . 241 Red-Footed Falconet . 194 The Killer . . 245 Crested Wood-Partridges . . 195 1 The Manx Shearwater 249 Argus Pheasant . 196 Avocet . 250 Burmese Peacock . 197 Oyster-Catcher . 251 Water-Pheasant 200 Storm Petrel . 255 Indian Darter 201 Gannet . . , 256 Big- Headed Tortoise 202 Great Auks . 257 Bauded Monitor . 203 Sea-Otter . 259 Malay Flying-Dragon 204 Northern Sea-Elephants . 260 Green Whip-Snake 205 Northern Sea-Bears , 264 Indian Long- Nosed Crocodile . 206 Narwhal . . . 268 Atlas Moth . . . . 208 Walrus . . . 270 Proboscis Monkey . . 210 Greenland Whale . , 271 The Black Ape . 211 Bernicle Geese . , 273 Tarsier , 212 Eider Drake . . 275 Tana Tree-Shrew . 213 Fulmar Petrel . . 279 The Anoa . . 214 Red-Throated Diver . 280 Babinua . 215 Bridled Guillemots 282 Malay Swift and its Edible Nests 217 Little Auk . 283 Sumatran Broadbill 218 Puffins 284 Beinwardt'a Flying Frog . 219 Cod Fish . 286 Climbing 1'erch 220 Sapphirine Gurnard 289 The Gurami 221 Turbot 290 Stick Insect . 222 The Chimaura 294 Dried-Leaf Insect . 223 Hammer-Headed Shark . 295 Thread Scorpion . 223 Basking Shark 296 ■ Deer 224 Hag-Fish . 297 Raccoon Dog 226 The Lancelet . , 298 Short-Tailed Panda 227 Edible Crab 299 Kulja 228 i Slender Sea-Spider 299 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XI Prideaux's Hermit Crab , PAGE . 300 Silky Tamarin PAOl . 359 Mantis-Shrimp . 301 Jaguarondi . 360 The Octopus . 303 Maned Wolf . 362 A Naked -Gilled Gastropod . 304 Kinkajou .... . 364 Hermione hystrix . . 307 Chilian Pudu . 365 Orange Comb-Star . 307 A Herd of Alpacas . 366 Pustule Star 308 Vicunas .... . 367 Moseley's Sea-Lily 309 Collared Peccaries . . 368 Sea- Porcupine 310 Tree-Porcupine . 369 Sailing Jelly -Fish . 310 Chinchilla .... . 371 Actinia equina 311 Viscacha .... 372 Red Coral .... 312 Paca .... . 373 Musk-Ox .... 315 Carpinchos . 374 Wapiti ... 318 Peba Armadillo 375 Rocky Mountain Goat 320 Unau .... 377 American Flying Squirrel 322 Glossy Tanager . 383 Canadian Porcupine 324 Grey Cardinal . 384 Raccoon . 327 Orange Troupial . 385 Rattle- Snake 330 Urraca Jay . 386 Virginian Deer . 332 Sickle-Beaked Tree-Pecker 387 Prongbuck . 334 Costa Rican Hammerer 388 Prairie Marmots . 335 Peruvian Cock-of-the-Rock 389 Puma . 339 Ribbon-Tailed Humming- Bird 390 American Badger . . . . 342 Guacharo . 391 The Skunk . 344 Red-Bearded Motmot 392 Opossum . 346 Red-Tailed Jacnmar 394 Pipiri . 348 Russet-Throated Puff- Bird 395 Swallow-Tailed Kite 349 The Harpy . 398 Mexican Turkey . 350 The Condor 399 Floridan Eel-Salamander . 351 Turkey Vulture . 400 Jaguar . 353 Mexican Curassow 401 White-Throated Capuchin 354 Hoatzin . 402 Woolly Spider-Monkey 355 Seriema . 403 Three- Banded Douroucoli 356 Trumpeter . 404 Bald Uacari . 357 Solitary Tinamu . 406 Red Howler . . . . 358 Rhea or Nandu - 407 Xll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Heloden PAGE , 409 Surinam Lantern-Bearer . tAOh . 417 Horned Iguana . 410 Morpho liecuba . 418 Bushraa.ster . '411 Long-armed Whip-Scorpion 419 Surinam Water-Toad . 412 Bird-catching Spider . 420 Piraya 414 The Mara .... . 42L The Double-Eyed Fish . . 414 Slender-Beaked Parraquet 422 Arapalma . . 415 Undulated Seed-Snipe 423 Lepidosiren 415 Cuban Solenodon . 424 Hercules Beetle . 416 Green Tody . 425 ASIA VOL. II. — I. THE ARCTIC KOX. CHAPTER I The Animals of Arctic Asia The Boreal zone of animal life extends all round the Xorth Pole, its Asiatic portion being consequently much more extensive than the European, which com- prises only the coast from the North Cape to the mouth of the Obi River; and it may be shortly defined as the tract lying northward of the limit of trees, where the realm of the Arctic steppe-area, or tundra, begins. In the Western Hemisphere the northern boundary of tree-growth lies somewhat to the southward of the Arctic Circle, but in the Eastern Hemisphere runs slightly north of the same in certain parts of Siberia. The landscape and vegetation of the tundra bear the impress of the Polar climate, with its long dark cold winter, and its short cool summer of perpetual daylight. Among the characteristics of the Arctic winter are the violent winds which heap up the thin mantle of snow in certain parts of the tundra, and sweep it clean away in others. Equally noticeable is the absence of moisture in the air, under the clear wintry sky. The long winter drags on into the months of our own spring, and in March or April often develops its most intense cold : but in May the temperature of the air suddenly rises, July being the hottest month, 4 THE ANIMALS OF ARCTIC ASIA while the brief summer ends in August. Although during the greater part of July and August the sun never sets, its warmth is for the most part used up in melting the enormous masses of ice and snow, so that very little remains for © warming the air. The summer temperature varies much in different parts of the Boreal area, hut is almost everywhere low, even during July. Fogs are frequent, and in some parts occur continually, being often so dense that objects cannot be recognised even a yard distant. So cold and penetrating, indeed, is this fog, that it wets every- thing like rain, and sometimes can hardly be distinguished from a drizzle. It is clear that such a brief and foggy summer cannot allow the warmth of the sun to penetrate the frozen ground very deeply: and at the most the warming influence extends only to a depth of from 12 to 18 inches, below which the ground remains frozen solid. In spite of this permanently frozen soil, the Arctic countries, where free from ice in summer, are characterised by a vegetation, which although poor in 3p cies clothes a large extent of the tundra with a green mantle, in which moss j plays a conspicuous part. Only indeed in the southern parts of the tundra, on the hanks of rivers, and in fiords, are willow-bushes and small meadows, or thickets of evergreen small-leaved shrubs, rising here and there among mosses, met with. Where the most severe climate holds sway, the vegetation covers only small isolated spots separated by the bare stony soil, where the melted snow gathers in flat cakes on the ground. In such spots, where the soil becomes a swamp containing thin layers of peat, are the flats of the tundra carpeted with a few flowering plants. Those most sheltered against the icy winds form, indeed, warm areas where the almost vertical rays of the sun melt so much of the ice and snow that plants ive such a supply of water as to cause them to grow with the vigour of those in the flower-beds of a southern garden. These flowery oases interrupt, however, only at rare intervals the dead monotony of the tundra, as the time for develop- ment at the disposal of Arctic plants is limited to a short period of some eight or nine weeks' duration. In spite, however, of the moistness of the Arctic summer, the character of the station in these tracts bears a considerable resemblance to that of the deserts of more southern latitudes, for owing to the frozen subsoil the roots of the plants Buffer from dryness at a slight depth, and therefore their leaves, like those of desert plants, are adapted for retaining water. In general the leaves of Ar.-tic plants are either of a juicy, or a leathery and hard type, and their scaly or spiny form presents but little surface to the air, and thus checks wasteful evaporal ion. Monotony is the prevailing note of the tundra; everywhere wind and silence, the sun unci- one long monotonous day, lighted by the pale moon-like sun in a veil off Far or near there is no green like that of the grassy plains of Europe, although bere and I here flowery patches of the tundra heather (Cassiope tetragona), the crow-berry (Empetrum nigrum), or the mountain avens (Dri/as octopetab'), relieve the dull monotone. Here and there also the white coral-like reindeer • (Cladonia rangiferina) spreads itself over the ground, while in its midst half-hidden dwarf willow, or a poor little blossom of the golden saxifrage ( 7* ryaoeplen lum alter n ifolvum), affords a brighter bit of colour. In places again ARCTIC FOX 5 may be seen the pigmy crow-foot (Ranunculus pygmceus) or perhaps a few stunted plants, the tiny whitlow-grass or a clump of saxifrage standing out con- spicuously. The dry leaves and stems of the previous year or two, which generally remain on the growing plants, and which they serve to protect, do hut add to the characteristic impression of dearth. Occasionally, indeed, a yellow Iceland poppy raises its head above the rest of the herbage, generalhv close to spots overflown by water in early summer; and where the grass is greener, the plant-patches may widen out and the n disappear. At wide intervals a vivid green spot breaks the monotonous brown and grey, showing where the grass grows more richly on some abandoned Samoj ed camp, or on the holes of the Arctic fox, but even these do little to redeem the cheerless character of the region. Apart from the polar bear, which is an inhabitant rather of tin- Arctic Fox. . frozen sea, the Arctic fox (Canis lagojnis) is the largest mammal of the Asiatic Boreal tract, and is indigenous not only to the Eastern but also to the Western Hemisphere, the southern limit of its distribution being where tree- growth begins. This peculiar fox is distinguished from others of its tribe by the short and rounded ears, the short muzzle, and the whiskers on its cheeks. The soles of its feet are more thickly haired in winter than in summer, to facilitate its walking on slippery ice and frozen snow, and in these regions its dark, short- haired summer coat is exchanged for a longer white winter dress. In summer, with the exception of the yellowish white of the under-parts, the fur is principally brown or dark rust-colour, but occasionally bluish grey above and nearly white beneath. These parti-coloured foxes turn absolutely pure white in winter. Such a change is. however, by no means constant in the species; the valuable " blue- fox " of the furrier being: skins of individuals of this animal in the winter coat. As a matter of fact, the Arctic fox is what is called a dimorphic animal : some individuals turning pure white in winter, while others at this season assunir a pale slaty-blue coat. Both dark and light individuals may be found in the same district, and apparently in the same litter. In Iceland none of the Arctic foxes turn white in winter. In many places the Arctic fox seems to migrate south in winter, particularly in the northern section of its American habitat. Although these foxes are known to store up provisions for that season in certain districts, as in Spitzbergen, it is possible that their wanderings may be undertaken in search of food. On the island last named there grow neither berries on which the foxes could subnet during winter, nor is there open water to be found for a distance of many miles through which food might be floated to the shore. Moreover the sea-birds, on which these foxes elsewhere prey, leave these inhospitable shores in October. Nevertheless, a considerable number of foxes winter in Spitzbergen, where they are as active during the long polar night as during summer, when their barking. is so frequently heard. Apparently, therefore, the foxes of Spitzbergen must collect provisions for the winter, as is the case with those inhabiting other districts. During the British Polar Expedition of 1875 a large number of dead lemmings were found hidden in clefts of the rocks, where they had been placed by the foxes as a winter store. 6 THE ANIMALS OF ARCTIC ASIA The most abundant rodent of the tundra is the common lemming Lemming, (jLemmus norveygicus), whose distributional area extends from Norway through Siberia, and whose place is taken by other species in North America. Lemmings have very small ears, a rather stout body, an arched and rounded head, an extremely short tail, long claws, and thick fur; the different 3peciea varying to some degree in size and coloration. About 5 inches is the length of the common Norwegian species. This kind hibernates in winter and does not turn white. The Arctic lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus), which under- „ > 8uch a colour-change, is remarkable for the fact of its developing two claws „.], front-toe with the assumption of the winter dress, the additional claw being used for digging. Lemmings subsist on grass, reindeer-moss, birch-catkins, and probably roots; but in seasons of scarcity they migrate in enormous numbers to other districts. If a mild winter be followed by an early spring and warm summer, lemmings increase rapidly, but the dry summer diminishes their food NORWEGIAN LEMMTNG. Btore, and thus induces them to travel long distances in search of a fresh supply. V | only do these tiny rodents cross mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes, but Bometimea tiny fall in such numbers into wells and rivers that all the water in the country i- contaminated and undrinkable. Swans. The Boreal /one is far richer in birds than in mammals, among its larger feathered inhabitants two kinds of swan being common on the tundra of the Siberian area. Of these, the whistling or whooper swan (Gygnus bul little known in Europe, although it regularly crosses the North md Baltic on migration. This species is abundant in the bays of Rugen and 1 loin bul appears on the Frische Baffin such numbers as to make the meadows * > 1 1 its journeys it passes through England as well as northern Germany, and is seen as far south as the Lake of Constance and the Swiss lakes, and sometimes even crosses into northern Africa. Most whistling swans winter, lowever, in south-eastern Europe, and thousands have been seen at Varna on the Sea as well as in Asia Minor. Those wintering in Europe and Africa mostly SWANS — GEESE— HARLEQUIN DUCK 7 come from Lapland and northern Russia. But this splendid swan inhabits not only the north of Europe and Asia, but also the Boreal zone of North America. In Iceland some remain throughout the year, but these resort to the open sea when the inland lakes are frozen. In America the swans migrate as far south in winter as Virginia, Carolina, and Louisiana. The Siberian birds winter partly on the Black Sea, and partly on the Caspian, but some remain on the large lakes of southern Siberia and China; and in the latter country are sometimes seen in numbers on the lakes near the imperial palace at Peking. In disposition the whooper is a decidedly quarrelsome and tyrannical bird, which flies very high while migrating, when it often utters the deep "whoop" from which its familiar name is derived. Of practically the same size as the mute swan, it lacks the peculiarly graceful movements of the neck of that bird. Like the mute swan it is wholly white, but majr be distinguished from the latter by the jet black feet and the colouring of the beak, which is yellow from the base to beyond the nostrils, and elsewhere black. The much smaller Bewick's swan (C. bewicki) is another species travelling south every winter, when it passes through Finland, crosses the Baltic, and visits Scotland, England, Holland, and north Germany on its way, journeying almost regularly every year in October and March. Bewick's swan inhabits nearly the same countries as the whistling swan, but seems to go farther north ; it has been met with nesting in Novaia Zemlia, but its principal breeding-area is northern Siberia, whence it visits southern Siberia, northern China, and Mongolia, where it spends the winter. In Turkestan and Persia it has apparently not yet been observed, but in Astrakhan it has been seen passing in great numbers, which probably winter on the shores of the Caspian. This bird much resembles the whistling swan, but is 10 inches shorter, its length not exceeding 50 inches ; the yellow in its beak meets the black just at the nostrils, beyond which it does not extend. The geese are represented in the north Asiatic tundra by the Geese. . . bean-goose, and the white fronted species, which are both breeding birds in this area, as well as by the snow-goose (Chen hyperboreus), which is seldom seen in Europe. All these birds rarely winter on the Caspian, but are seen in innumerable flocks in China, Japan, and Korea, and in the southern states of North America, and occasionally wander to Mexico and the West Indies. The snow-goose is a common bird in the Arctic zone of North America, whereas in north-eastern Asia it nests on the inland lakes and swamps within the Arctic Circle. It is caught in great numbers by the natives of the north for the sake of its savoury flesh and its excellent feathers, which are preserved in pits dug in the frozen ground of the tundra, where they are covered up with earth. With the exception of the black tips of its wings, the plumage of the snow-goose is entirely white, but the feet and beak are bright red. The beautiful harlequin duck (Cosmonetta histrionica), which Harlequin Duck. , , ,,-,..-,! • • xi u £ belongs to the divmg-ducks, appears m winter on the shores oi England and Germany, occasionally on the Rhine, the Main, and the upper Danube, and less frequently on the Lake of Constance. It inhabits the Arctic zone of Europe, Asia, and America, but is particularly abundant in Siberia, where it is found nesting down to the Caspian and the Sea of Aral. It is more frequent 8 THE ANIMALS OF ARCTIC ASIA in America than in Asia: in Iceland, where it does not appear in very large numbers, but Beems to be resident, with a marked preference for flowing water, it is called stream-duck. The nest is found on the shores of rapid rivers, well hidden ander willow-bushes or other covert. The bird obtains most of its food from the bottom of such rivers by diving in the roughest and most troubled waters, and sists on molluscs, small crustaceans, fish-spawn, insects, and aquatic plants, and during the breeding-season on the larvae of the gnats found in such quantities in places of this description. This duck flies strong and fast, dives splendidly, and nods its head as it swims. It breeds late, the eggs not being laid before the 1st of July. The colour of the male is remarkable, being chiefly greyish blue, with the cheeks, a spot on the ear, a stripe on each side of the nape, and a ring round the c, white: the white markings being mostly edged with black. The sides of tli.- body are chestnut, as is a stripe on the breast; while the wings are brown, blue, white, and grey with a purple speculum. The female is much more soberly clad, being dark brown, with a white ear-patch, and a white breast marked with brown undulations. Long-Tailed Equally conspicuous is the long-tailed duck (Harelda glacialis), Duck. which appears every winter in immense flocks on the shores of the Baltic and North Sea. Also a diving-duck, this species nests on the Arctic coasts of Europe, Asia, and America, and though most abundant in Siberia, often nests "ii the large inland lakes of Lapland. Its European breeding-area includes ill" lakes and shores of northern Norway, while in other parts of the Continent it probably appears only on migration, which does not take it far to the south. Some winter in Iceland, some in the Hebrides where it is known as the musical • luck, sonic in the Orkneys where it is termed the calloo, many on the mainland of Scotland and the coast of Scandinavia, a few in England, and fewer still in many, where it is called the ice-duck. Its southern limits seem to be the Lake of Constance and northern Italy, where a few stragglers occur. This duck measures about 26 inches in length; the males being distinguished by the long and narrow middle tail-feathers. The breeding-plumage of the male is white on the head, the fore part of the neck, and the upper part of the back, the lower part «.! t In- back being dark brown ; the breast is brown, and the rest of the lower-parts whio- : the lores and sides of the face are grey, separated by a white line from the beak, which is lead-colour with an orange band. The characteristic middle tail- Feathers arc black, the outer ones being white, scaup Duck. ^ie ,scauP (Fuligula marila), another common diving-duck in the Arctic regions, winters in thousands in China and Japan, and migrates in the west of its Old World habitat as far south as the Mediterranean, lower Egypi and Arabia. The nest has been found on Loch Leven in Scotland, well as in Brunswick, Mecklenburg, and other parts of Germany; but the principal breeding-area of the species is the Arctic zone. This duck feeds more mimal than on vegetable matter, diving for molluscs to depths down to 12 feet. On tin German coast it is taken in drift nets of that depth, in the wide meshes wind, the birds entangle their heads as they dive. The scaup measures about In colour the drake is greenish black with brown wings barred with fche b,,cl; is white or speckled, the lower part of the body white, the beak SCOTERS— GREY PLOVER— BAR-TAILED GOD WIT 9 bluish grey with a black nail, the feet blue with black claws, and the eyes yellow. The female, which, like the young males, has a white band round the base of the beak, in colour is brown with whitish wavy linos; the wings being much the same as in the male. Among other northern ducks, six species of scoter are common Scoters. ° . x to both hemispheres, all of which are black in colour, and dis- tinguished by a large knob near the base of the broad and flat beak. The common scoter {(Edemia nigra) swarms in the North Sea every winter, and appears in thousands on the shores of the British Isles, Holland, and France. It nests, however, in the polar regions, where it is especially numerous on the Siberian coasts, also appearing, although rarely, on the Caspian and the Baltic. Returning to its breeding-area in March and April, this scoter nests mostly in barren localities near fresh water ; but it is quite marine in its habits, and seldom seen far away from the sea. Except during pairing-time, it seldom comes on shore, and even then prefers deep open waters. Being a very shy bird, and alwa}rs out in the open, it is difficult of approach. In length it is about 20 inches from beak to tail, and may be recognised by the reddish yellow mark round the nostrils. The female is brown with whitish tips to the feathers of the under-parts, and a very small knob on the beak. The velvet scoter {(E.fasca), which is unknown in Arctic Iceland and Greenland, and represented in America by (E. deglandi, much resembles in habits the common species, with which it associates in large flocks. The feathers are as valuable as those of the eider-duck ; and the species is much hunted in Kamchatka, where the natives drive it into the bays with boats, where it is killed with sticks. They also take scoters in nooses, using a stuffed female bird as a decoy ; few are, however, shot, as these birds sink the body deep into the water while swimming, only showing the head and neck above the surface. The velvet scoter is rather larger than the common species, from which it may be distinguished by the white speculum on the wing, the white spot below the eye, the red feet, and the reddish yellow beak, of which the base and edges are black. The plovers of the far north are represented by a species easily Grey Plover. ... mistaken for the golden plover, but recognisable by its superior size, stronger beak, and the presence of a small hind-toe. This bird, the grey plover (Squatarola helvetica), during migration is often seen on the North Sea, more seldom on the Baltic, and very rarely inland, though now and then visiting peat-moors. Inhabiting the north-east of Europe and the north of Asia and America, the grey plover migrates in August and September, and returns in March, April, or May. Migration takes it as far south as Cape Colony, the Malay Archipelago, and Australia, and in America it is met with in Brazil and Peru. The grey plover is mostly mottled white above and black below, except the abdomen and tail-coverts, which are white. The wing has a white bar when open, and the tail is white with six or seven black bars. Bar-Tailed The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), which breeds on the Goiwit. large swamps and inland waters of northern Sweden, Finland, and Lapland, on the Peninsula of Kola in northern Russia, and the tundras of northern Siberia, migrates to central and southern Europe, and appears in JO I'HE AMMALS OF ARCTIC ASIA thousands in the autumn and spring on all the shores of the North Sea, swarming on the beach as the tide turns, and eagerly following the receding waves. Feeding on molluscs, insects, and crustaceans, this species may be distinguished from the black-tailed godwit by the brown-barred feathers of the tail and axillaries, and the brown-spotted back, of which the lower part is whitish. spotted An allied species inhabiting the Arctic zone from Norway to Redshank, southern Siberia, and visiting in the Mediterranean area, or even still farther south, is the spotted or dusky redshank (Tota.ius fusctis). This bird nests in tip- highest north, beyond the Arctic Circle, whence it migrates south in _ ist. in which month, or September, it may sometimes be seen in flocks of six to twenty on the shores. During their spring migration in April and May these birds i appear in solitary inland places. One of the largest of the sandpipers, this species is about a foo( long, and may be recognised by the white lower half of the « S ^c M III I- STINT. rod the brownish bars ou the white secondaries. The beak is almost black, wuh the lower mandible red ai the base, and the legs are red with black claws. The (i,lls- which breed in the far north beyond the limits of tree-growth, are small birds frequenting the sea-shore, where they ■'' for f ' "" ""■ -""'- Sociable in disposition, they breed in colonies and tteron m large flocks which generally migrate under the leadership of a ^"je other species. The little stint (Tringa mvnuta) selects as its dwelling- bl<* ' r in her^ge( with quiet nooks and smooth water. But seldom "'VV"1"^ °f ' '' " preferS 8ma11 bays with muddy soil, or inland ; J: ^ *°" fche 8ea" " breeds i* the north from Scandinavia to the "insula but in largest numbers in northern Asia beyond the Urals. migrates - far as Cape Colony and Ceylon, and occurs in almost V:UiVy.;:] Eur°P« «* — tern Asia. A quiet, brisk, confiding bird. ,'"'"''- ^me Prom its grasshopper-like call of "stint" and having a KNOT— PURPLE SANDPIPER— BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER n twittering trill by way of a song, the little stint is distinguished by the shining white of its under-parts, the chestnut brown of the back, and its small size, the length being only about 6 inches. Teinminck's stint (T. temmincki), which does not extend so far east in its breeding-range as the last, and travels less far to the south on migration, differs by having the six outer tail-feathers white instead of grey, as well as by the darker colour of the legs, and its somewhat superior bodily size. The Siberian birds winter in India, while those nesting in Europe seem to bear to the west, and are much more frequent in spring and autumn in Britain. France, Switzerland, and Spain than elsewhere. M any have also been found wintering in Senegambia. The knot (T. canutus) also migrates through the west of Europe, Knot. . . .... r its main route to Africa taking it through Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, England, France, and Holland, the numbers passing through Germany being comparatively few. When migrating across Asia it visits southern Siberia, Lake Baikal, and China, and journeys as far south as New Zealand. As a breed- ing bird it inhabits the Arctic countries of Europe, Asia, and America, and seems to nest more frequently near inland waters than by the sea-shore. Running with short, quick steps, it holds the wings straight up when crossing soft mud or stepping over watery places. The flight is fast and straight with strong, although not frequent, movements of the widely expanded wings. The knot, which feeds on the smaller animals of the shore, such as insects and their larvae, is the largest of its kind, being almost as large as the golden plover. In summer the plumage is chestnut-brown spotted with blackish on the upper part of the bod}" ; but in winter the colour is ashy grey above, with dark bars on the lower part of tin- back and the white upper tail-coverts. The throat and under-parts are white, and the feet and beak black. Purple Frequenting steep and rugged shores, where the sea washes sandpiper, the wildest rocks and sprinkles them with its spray, the purple sandpiper (T. maritima) in May repairs inland to nest on some elevated plateau or in some moorland valley, where it is often found in numbers. When surprised, the young birds hide away, while the old ones, uttering the most pitiful cries, scud about with ruffled feathers, drooping wings, and body almost touching the ground. At other times the purple sandpiper is less mindful of its safety. It walks gracefully, swims well, and has a strong undulating flight, while in character it is sociable and peaceable. In diet it differs in some ways from its relatives, since it subsists principally on small shell-fish. The breeding-area, which is circumpolar, extends to a higher latitude than that of any other sand- piper, embracing the shores of Hudson Bay, Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, Novaia Zemlia, northern Lapland, and northern Siberia, and seeming to include the Fame Islands in its southern boundary. In winter this bird migrates to the Mediterranean, and the Azores on one side of the Atlantic, and the Bermudas on the other. About 8 inches long, the species is distinguished- by the blackish upper tail-coverts, the white bar on the wings, and the yellow feet. Broad-Billed The broad-billed sandpiper (Trivga platyrhyncha), which is sandpiper. f0Und in muddy shallow places in stagnant water, where grass does not grow too abundantly, and where cattle drink and leave innumerable foot- I 2 THE ANIMALS OF ARCTIC ASIA prints, nests in the Scandinavian mountains and the swamps of Finland, although true br ling-grounds are in the tundras of Arctic Europe and Asia. In autumn this bird migrates as far south as Formosa, Bengal, and Madagascar. In babits it is as much a snipe as a sandpiper. In colour it is blackish brown above, with a white eye-stripe, and a brown spot in front of the eye which is placed well in the centre of the side of the head; the beak is broad in the middle / // &*9 agS^^p^ ** ^ RED-NECKED 1'IIAI.AROPE. and longer than the head, curving slightly downwards at the point. It is not a large bird, being only some (i inches in length. Another well-known member of this group is the sanderling Sanderling. . a i _ » (Cahdris arenaria), which inhabits Hat and sandy shores, Vicing seldom seen on muddy ground. During the nightless summer it breeds within the Arctic Circle, its ana extending ;,]] round the pole; and on migration it aches Borneo, Java Ceylon, Cape Colony, Patagonia, and the Sandwich Islands, aving representatives dnring the winter in almost every country on the way. PHALAROPES — SNOWY OWL 13 The sanderling walks daintily and briskly, with an occasional short run, and flies fast and energetically. Its food consists of worms, molluscs, crustaceans, and other small inhabitants of the shore. The plumage of the upper part of the body is grey in autumn and chestnut in spring, while the under-parts are white, with the exception of the brown-spotted breast, and the beak, legs, and feet, which are greenish black. In length it is about 8 inches. The sanderling is best recognised by its three toes and the large amount of white in its plumage. The phalaropes, that is the fringed feet — from their toes bein