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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:09:11 -0700 |
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diff --git a/37959-h/37959-h.htm b/37959-h/37959-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46ede07 --- /dev/null +++ b/37959-h/37959-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18123 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + Natural History In Anecdote, edited by Alfred H Miles -- The Project Gutenberg eBook. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%} +hr.full {width: 95%;} + +hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +ul.toc { list-style-type: none; } +li.ttop { margin-top: 1em; } +li.tclass { margin-top: .5em; } +li.torder {text-indent: 1em;} +li.tsorder {text-indent: 2em;} +li.ttopic {text-indent: 3em;} + +ul.index { list-style-type: none; } +li.ifrst { margin-top: 1em; } +li.indx { margin-top: .5em; } + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} + +.subhead { + width: auto; + padding-bottom: .2em; + padding-top: 0; + padding-left: .2em; + padding-right: .5em; + margin-left: 0; + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-top: 0.2em; + font-weight: bold; + color: black; + background: white; + border: none; +} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.b {font-weight: bold;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + +span.ralign { position: absolute; right: 15%; top: auto;} +span.correction {border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Natural History in Anecdote, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Natural History in Anecdote + Illustrating the nature, habits, manners and customs of + animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, etc., etc., etc. + +Author: Various + +Editor: Alfred Henry Miles + +Release Date: November 10, 2011 [EBook #37959] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE *** + + + + +Produced by Malcolm Farmer, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1 class="smcap">Natural History +in +Anecdote</h1> + +<h3 class="center"><i>ILLUSTRATING THE NATURE,<br /> +HABITS, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS,<br /> +OF ANIMALS, BIRDS, FISHES,<br /> +REPTILES, ETC., ETC., ETC.</i></h3> + +<h4>ARRANGED AND EDITED BY</h4> +<h2>ALFRED H. MILES</h2> + +<h4>EDITOR OF</h4> + +<h4>"<i>1001 Anecdotes</i>", "<i>The New Standard Elocutionist</i>", "<i>The Poets +and the Poetry of the Century</i>", "<i>The A1 Reciters</i>", +"<i>The Aldine Reciters</i>", <i>etc., etc.</i></h4> + +<h3 class="center">London<br /> +HUTCHINSON & CO.<br /> +34 PATERNOSTER ROW +</h3> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center"> +A. C. FOWLER,<br /> +PRINTER,<br /> +MOORFIELDS, LONDON.<br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<img src="images/illus-frontispiece.jpg" width="387" height="600" alt="" title="Tiger Hunting" /> +<span class="caption">Tiger Hunting</span> +</div> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></p> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>Illustrations are like windows to the house of knowledge. +They let light in upon the understanding, and they facilitate the +outlook upon truth and beauty. To illustrate is to help one +sense by the use of another, to reason by analogy, and to teach +the unknown by the known. When definition fails, illustration +often carries conviction, and the most successful teachers are +those who make the best use of sound and telling illustrations. +How many lessons would have been wholly forgotten by us, +but for the illustrations which made their meanings clear, and +left their truths for ever in our minds?</p> + +<p>The book of nature is full of illustrations which help the +understanding of the book of life, and no illustrations are more +valuable and fascinating, whether as revelations of the order and +habits of Nature herself, or as parallels and parables, full of +suggestive application to the social and moral life of humanity, +than those afforded by the study of Natural History.</p> + +<p>To gather into a convenient volume Illustrative Anecdotes +of Natural History, which shall throw light upon the study of +Animal Life, for those pursuing it for its own sake, and help +to the understanding of Nature herself is the primary object of +this work, while it is hoped that it may serve a secondary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> +purpose of no small utility, in suggesting social and moral +parallels.</p> + +<p>With a view to its first purpose the illustrations are classified +in order as those of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes, etc., etc., +and as much knowledge of Natural History as can be conveyed +in anecdote form has been attempted. The book will thus, it +is hoped, be a valuable aid to the teacher of Natural History, +as a manual of illustrations for his lessons, as well as full of +interest to the general reader, who may not wish to devote the +time necessary to more exhaustive scientific study.</p> + +<p><span class="ralign">A. H. M.</span><br /></p> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<ul class="toc"> +<li class="ttop b">INTRODUCTION</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Science, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Kingdoms of Nature, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Zoology, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_2">2</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Classification, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_2">2</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttop b">THE ANIMAL KINGDOM—Sub-Kingdom Vertebrata</li> + +<li class="tclass b">Class I.—Mammalia</li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER I—PRIMATES</li> + +<li class="tsorder"><span class="smcap">Sub-Order I.—Man-Shaped Animals</span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ape Family, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Gorilla, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ancestors of the Gorilla, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Gorilla Hunt, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Du Chaillu's First Gorilla, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Young Gorilla, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Gorilla Superstitions, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chimpanzee, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Docility of the Chimpanzee, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Orang-Utan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Habits of the Orang-Utan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Walk of the Orang-Utan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Strength of the Orang-Utan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Docility of the Orang-Utan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Orang-Utan's Intelligence, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Orang-Utan's Affection, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Maternal Instinct, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Gibbons, or Long-Armed Apes, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sacred Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Long-nosed Monkey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Cheek-pouched Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Baboon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Arabian Baboon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Baboon's Imitative Faculty, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chackma Baboon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Baboon's Utility, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tame Baboon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Baboon's Cunning, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Baboon's Loyalty, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Baboon's Intelligence, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bonnet Monkey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Indian Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Monkey Outdone, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Monkey Aroused, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Monkey's Affection, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">American Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Capuchin Monkey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Spider Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Howling Monkeys, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bearded Saki, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Douroucouli, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Marmosets, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></span></li> + +<li class="tsorder"><span class="smcap">Sub-Order II.—The Lemurs</span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lemurs, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tarsier, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Aye-Aye, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER II—WING-HANDED ANIMALS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Bats, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common English Bat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Vampire Bat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Traveller's Experience, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Megaderma Lyra, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER III—INSECT-EATING ANIMALS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Hedgehog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mole, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span>An Enterprising Mole, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Use of the Mole, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Shrew, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER IV—FLESH-EATING ANIMALS</li> + +<li class="tsorder"><span class="smcap">Sub-Order I.—The Fissipedia</span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fissipedia, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Animals of the Cat Kind, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lion, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lion's Character, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Attitude towards Man, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Better Part of Valour, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lion's Strength, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lion's Affection, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lion's Docility, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Story of Androcles, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Lion Hunt, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Thrilling Experience, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Attacked by a Lion, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Night Surprise, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Lion Outwitted, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Old Instincts and New Opportunities, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tiger, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tiger's Ravages, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">An Intrepid Hunter, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Leopard, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Leopard's Tenacity of Life, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hunters Hunted, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jaguar, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jaguar's Strength, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Night of Horror, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Puma, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Puma's Ferocity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Animals and Men, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ocelot, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Clouded Tiger, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Serval, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Wild Cat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Domestic Cat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Cat Superstitions, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cat as a Hunter, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cat and Her Young, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cat as a Foster Mother, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cat as a Traveller, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cat as a Sportsman, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cat's Intelligence, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lynx, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chetah as Huntsman, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Civits, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ichneumon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Dormant Instinct, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Aard Wolf, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Hyæna, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Striped Hyæna, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Spotted Hyæna, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Narrow Escape, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Animals of the Dog Kind, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wolf, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fox, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jackal, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wolf's Mode of Attack, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wolf's Cunning, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wolf's Cowardice, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hunted by Wolves, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Terrible Alternative, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Marvellous Escape, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Tame Wolves, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cunning of the Fox, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fox as a Hunter, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Fox Hunt, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Arctic Fox, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Wild Dogs, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dog's Understanding, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dog's Sense of Locality, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Dog Friendships and Enmities, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dog Language, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dog's Intelligence, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Dogs' Mistakes, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Eskimo Dogs, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Hard Lot, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Newfoundland Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Newfoundland's Generosity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Newfoundland's Perception of Danger, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Newfoundland's Sense of Right, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Newfoundland's Fidelity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Newfoundland under Training, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sheep Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sheep Dog's Sagacity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sheep Dog's Fidelity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The St. Bernard, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The St. Bernard at Work, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Greyhound, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_122">122</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Greyhound's Affection, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lurcher, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bloodhound, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Scent of the Bloodhound, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_126">126</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Stag Hound, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Stag Hunt, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fox Hound, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fox Hound's Tenacity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Harrier, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Beagle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dalmatian Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Turnspit, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Turnspit's Sagacity, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pointer, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pointer's Intelligence, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span>The Setter, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Pointers and Setters, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sagacity of the Setter, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_133">133</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Spaniel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sagacity of the Water Spaniel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Terrier, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mastiff, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fidelity of the Mastiff, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Mastiff, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mastiff as a Protector, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bull Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_138">138</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Poodle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_139">139</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Shoe-black's Poodle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_139">139</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Weasels, Otters, and Badgers, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Polecat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Weasel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Weasel and the Kite, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Otter, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Badger, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_142">142</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ratel and the Skunk, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_143">143</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Skunk, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Raccoon and the Coati, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Polar Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Black Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Docility of the Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Grizzly Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Brown Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Malayan Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></span></li> + +<li class="tsorder"><span class="smcap">Sub-Order II.—The Pinnipedia</span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Sea Lions, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Sea Bears, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Walrus, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Seal, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Seal's Docility, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_156">156</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER V—WHALES AND DOLPHINS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Right Whale, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sperm Whale, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dolphin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The White Whale, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Narwhal, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Porpoise, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Grampus, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER VI—MANATIDÆ</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sea Cow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER VII—HOOFED ANIMALS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Horse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Arabian Horse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Horse's Affection, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_165">165</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Domestic Horse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Structure of a Horse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Horse's Speed, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Horse's Endurance, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Horse's Memory, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Force of Habit, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Horse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Horse-Play, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Horses and Dogs, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ass, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sagacity of the Ass, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Instinct of the Ass, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Trained Ass, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mule and the Hinny, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Zebra, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tapir, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Rhinoceros, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Rhinoceros Hunting, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tame Rhinoceros, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Hippopotamus, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Haunt of the Hippopotami, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pig Family, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Boar, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Hog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_191">191</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Babiroussa, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Peccary, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Camel and the Dromedary, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Strength of the Camel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_193">193</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Camel and his Master, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_194">194</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Camel Riding, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_195">195</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Camel's Revenge, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_195">195</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Terrors of the Desert, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Llama, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Deer, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Red Deer, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_199">199</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Stag Hunt, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_200">200</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tame Stag, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Reindeer, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Moose or Elk, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Fallow Deer and the Roebuck, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Giraffe, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The History of the Giraffe, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hollow-Horned Ruminants, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bull, the Bison, and the Buffalo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bull, The Ox, The Cow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bull, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Brahmin Bull, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ox, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_210">210</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pride of a Cow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_210">210</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bison, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hunting the Bison, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_212">212</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Buffalo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_213">213</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hunting the Indian Buffalo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_213">213</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cape Buffalo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hunting the Cape Buffalo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span>The Zebu, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Yak, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Antelope, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Gazelle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sheep and the Goat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Sheep, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Animals and Music, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER VIII—THE ELEPHANT</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Elephant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wild Elephant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_220">220</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Elephant Herds, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Elephant Friendships, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sagacity of the Elephant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Centenarian Elephant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">An Elephant Nurse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Elephant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER IX—HYRAX</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Conies, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER X—THE RODENTS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Animals that Gnaw, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Rats and Mice, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Rat Family, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Hamster, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Swarms of Rats, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Invaded by Rats, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Migrations of Rats, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_230">230</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of Rats, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Saved by a Rat, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mouse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Harvest Mouse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_233">233</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Field Mouse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_233">233</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Dormouse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_233">233</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jerboa, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Beaver, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The European Beaver, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The American Beaver, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_235">235</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Squirrel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Squirrel at Home, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_238">238</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Tame Squirrels, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_239">239</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Marmot, the Bobak, the Prairie Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chinchilla, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Porcupine, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Guinea-Pig, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hares and Rabbits, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Hare, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Hare, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Hunted Hare, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_243">243</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Tame Hares, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Rabbit, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER XI—TOOTHLESS ANIMALS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sloth, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pangolin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Armadillo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cape Ant-Bear, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ant-Eater, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER XII—POUCHED ANIMALS</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Opossum, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Kangaroo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Kangaroo Hunting, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_248">248</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER XIII—MONOTREMATA</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Duck-billed Platypus, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Australian Hedgehog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></span></li> + +<li class="tclass b">Class II.—Aves</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Classification, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER I</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Perching Birds, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Thrushes, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Thrush, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Missel Thrush, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Blackbird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mocking Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tailor Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Golden Crested Wren, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Migration of Birds, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Willow Wren, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Wren, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Wren's Music Lesson, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_257">257</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The House Wren, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_257">257</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Nightingale, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_258">258</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Song of the Nightingale, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_258">258</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Robin Redbreast, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_259">259</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Robin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_260">260</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Titmouse, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_260">260</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Golden Oriole, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_261">261</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Shrike, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jay, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Blue Jay, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Magpie, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_264">264</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Habits of the Magpie, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_264">264</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Raven, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_266">266</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Unnatural Parents, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_267">267</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tame Raven, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Raven and the Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_269">269</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Rook, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Carrion Crow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jackdaw, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span>The Chough, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bird of Paradise, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hunting the Bird of Paradise, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_272">272</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tanagers, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tanager, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Swallow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Swallows in Council, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_274">274</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The House Martin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_274">274</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sand Martin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chaffinch. The Goldfinch. The Greenfinch, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Linnet, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_276">276</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Canary, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_276">276</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tame Canary, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Crossbill, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bunting, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Starling, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Starling, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Weaver Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lark, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Maternal Instinct of the Lark, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_280">280</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lark and the Hawk, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_281">281</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wagtails and the Pipits, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_281">281</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ant-Eaters, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The King Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chatterers, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_282">282</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lyre Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER II</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Climbers and Gapers, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Woodpecker, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wryneck, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cuckoo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cuckoo and the Hedge-Sparrow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_285">285</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cuckoo and the Thrush, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_286">286</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Trogons, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_287">287</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Kingfishers, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_287">287</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Hornbill, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_287">287</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Goat-Suckers, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_288">288</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Whip-poor-Will, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_288">288</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chuck-Will's-Widow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_288">288</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Swifts, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_289">289</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Humming Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_289">289</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER III</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Parrots, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_290">290</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Parrot, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_290">290</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Famous Parrots, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_291">291</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Grey Parrot, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Parrot Talk, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_293">293</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER IV</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Pigeons, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Carrier Pigeons, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Pigeons on the Wing, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER V</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Fowls, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_297">297</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Peacock, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_297">297</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pheasant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Partridge, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_299">299</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Wild Turkey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_300">300</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Domestic Turkey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_300">300</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sagacity of the Turkey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_300">300</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Sitting Turkey Cocks, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_301">301</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Domestic Fowls, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_302">302</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Hen, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER VI</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Hoazin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER VII</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Birds of Prey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Eagle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Eagle Shooting, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The White-headed Eagle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_306">306</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Vultures, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_307">307</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Condor, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_308">308</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The King of the Vultures, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_308">308</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Feast of Vultures, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_309">309</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Secretary Bird, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_310">310</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Kite. The Osprey. The Buzzard, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_311">311</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Falcon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_311">311</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sparrow-Hawk, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_312">312</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Owl, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_313">313</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER VIII</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Wading Birds, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_314">314</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cranes, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_314">314</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Heron, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_314">314</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Bittern, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_315">315</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Stork, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_315">315</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Jealousy of the Stork, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_315">315</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Stork's Revenge, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_316">316</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER IX</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Goose, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_316">316</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Gratitude of the Goose, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_316">316</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Wild Goose Chase, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_317">317</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Goose Friendships, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_317">317</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Goose and the Dog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_318">318</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Maternal Instinct of the Goose, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_318">318</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Duck, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_319">319</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Swan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_319">319</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Maternal Instinct of the Swan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_320">320</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Intelligence of the Swan, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_320">320</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Swan and the Fawn, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_321">321</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Sea-Gull, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_321">321</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Tame Sea-Gull, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_321">321</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Mother Carey's Chicken, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Catching the Stormy Petrel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cormorant, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span>The Albatross, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_324">324</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pelican, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_325">325</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Tame Pelican, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_325">325</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Penguin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_326">326</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Puffin, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_327">327</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER X</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ostrich, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_328">328</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ostrich and its Young, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_328">328</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Rhea. The Cassowary. The Emu, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_329">329</a></span></li> + +<li class="tclass b">Class III.—Reptilia</li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER I</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tortoise and the Turtle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_331">331</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Elephant Tortoise, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_332">332</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Turtle, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_333">333</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER II</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Crocodile, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_334">334</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Alligator, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_335">335</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Tame Alligator, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_336">336</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER III</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Hatteria Punctata, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER IV</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Lizards, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Chameleon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Iguana, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_338">338</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Lizard, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_338">338</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Monitor, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></span></li> + +<li class="torder">ORDER V</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Snakes, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Viper, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_340">340</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Viper and its Young, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_340">340</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Rattlesnake, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sting of the Rattlesnake, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Black Snake and the Rattlesnake, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_342">342</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cobra, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_342">342</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Snake Charming, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_343">343</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cobra as Companion of the Bath, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_344">344</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Night with a Cobra, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_345">345</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">An Unpleasant Bedfellow, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Boa Constrictor, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Boa and its Prey, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Boa's Appetite, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_347">347</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Terrible Boa, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_348">348</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">A Narrow Escape, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_349">349</a></span></li> + +<li class="tclass b">Class IV.—Batrachia</li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Batrachia, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_350">350</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Toad, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_351">351</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Tame Toads, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_351">351</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Common Frog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_352">352</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Ingenuity of the Frog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_352">352</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Tree Frog, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_353">353</a></span></li> + +<li class="tclass b">Class V.—Pisces</li> + +<li class="ttopic">Fishes, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Stickleback, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Stickleback and the Leech, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_355">355</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Mackerel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Sword Fish, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Cod, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_357">357</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Salmon, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_358">358</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Pike, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_359">359</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Herring, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_360">360</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Flying Fish, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_360">360</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Eel, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_361">361</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Gymnotus, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_362">362</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Catching the Gymnotus, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_362">362</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Torpedo, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_366">366</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Shark, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_366">366</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The White Shark, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_367">367</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Sharks in the South Seas, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_367">367</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">The Rays, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_368">368</a></span></li> + +<li class="ttopic">Ray Catching, <span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_369">369</a></span></li></ul> + +<hr class="chap" /> +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></p> + +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + + +<p><span class="subhead">Science.</span> +Science is classified truth. Men study the heavenly +bodies, note their characteristics, observe their movements, and +define their relationships; and having verified their deductions +by repeated experiments, arrange the truths they have +discovered into systems, and by classifying their knowledge +reduce it to a science: this science they call Astronomy. +Astronomy is thus the classified arrangement of all known +truths concerning the heavenly bodies. Geology, similarly, is +the classified arrangement of all known truths concerning the +material structure of the Earth.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Kingdoms of Nature.</span> +The Natural World has been variously divided +for the purposes of study. Linnæus divided +it into three kingdoms; (I) the Mineral kingdom (II) the +Vegetable kingdom and (III) the Animal kingdom, thus +naming the three kingdoms in the order of their natural +geneses. The Mineral kingdom comprises the <i>inorganic</i> forms +of nature,—those which have no organism and which can +only increase by external addition. The Vegetable and +Animal kingdoms comprise the organic life of nature,—those +forms which are provided with means for promoting their +own development and propagating species. The Vegetable +kingdom, while easily distinguishable from the Mineral +kingdom is in some of its forms so similar to the lower +forms of animal life as to suggest relationship between the +two; while the Animal kingdom, beginning with the lower +forms which approximate so closely to vegetable forms,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +embraces the whole range of animal life and reaches its +highest order in man. The science which treats of organic +life as a whole is called Biology, while its two departments +are separately known as Botany and Zoology. Natural +History is a general term popularly applied to the study of +Zoology.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Zoology.</span> +Zoology is the science of animal life. It deals +with the origin of species, and the evolution of the varied +forms of animated nature, and treats of the structure, habits, + and environment of all living creatures. Scientifically speaking, +Zoology is the classified arrangement of all known truths +concerning all animal organisms.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Classification.</span> +For convenience in study the Animal kingdom +is divided into seven Sub-kingdoms, each of which is further +divided into classes. These Sub-kingdoms are known as: I +Vertebrata, II Arthropoda, III Mollusca, IV Echinodermata, +V Vermes, VI Cœlenterata, and VII Protozoa. Sub-kingdom I, +Vertebrata, includes all animals distinguished by the possession +of Vertebræ or back-bones, and its classes are I <i>Mammalia</i>:—animals +that suckle their young; II <i>Aves</i>:—Birds; III +<i>Reptilia</i>:—Reptiles; IV <i>Batrachia</i>:—Frogs, Toads, etc.; and V +<i>Pisces</i>:—Fishes. Sub-kingdom II, Arthropoda, includes the +Insect families, etc., which it also divides into classes. Sub-kingdom +III, Mollusca, animals of the cuttle-fish order, including +limpets, oysters, and slugs. Sub-kingdom IV, Echinodermata, +a large number of marine animals, such as the star-fish +and the sea-urchin. Sub-kingdom V, Vermes, the various +classes of worms. Sub-kingdom VI, Cœlenterata, corals and +sponges, etc., etc., and Sub-kingdom VII, Protozoa, +protoplasms and the lowest forms of animal life. This +volume is devoted to the illustration of the first of these +sub-kingdoms, the Vertebrata, with its five classes, Mammalia, +Aves, Reptilia, Batrachia and Pisces.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 391px;"> +<img src="images/illus-003-f.jpg" width="391" height="600" alt="" title="The Gorilla" /> +<span class="caption">The Gorilla</span></div> + +<h2>THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.<br /> +SUB-KINGDOM I—VERTEBRATA.</h2> + +<h3>CLASS I—MAMMALIA.</h3> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER I. PRIMATES.</span> +The most perfect of all animals is man, for +besides having a marvellous animal organism +he possesses reason, which so far transcends +the highest instincts of other animals, that it places him in +a category by himself.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">SUB-ORDER I.<br /> +Man-shaped Animals.</span> +Next to man it is convenient to deal +with man-shaped animals, (<i>anthropoidea</i>)—those +animals which most resemble him in +external appearance and internal organism. This brings us +to the order called <i>Quadrumana</i> or four-handed animals +which include Lemurs and their allied forms, and manlike +monkeys. Monkeys are divided into five families, one at +least of which has to be further divided into sub-families to +accommodate its variety. These families are: I The Apes; +II The Sacred Monkeys; III The Cheek-pouched Monkeys; +IV The Cebidae, with its several sub-families, and V The +Marmosets. The first three of these families inhabit the old +world, the last two belong to the new.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ape Family.</span> +The family of the Apes includes the Gorilla, +the Chimpanzee, the Orang-utan or mias, the +Gibbons or long-armed Apes, and the Siamang; of these the +Gorilla and the Chimpanzee belong to the West of Africa, +the Orang-utan to Borneo, the Gibbons to Assam, the Malay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Cambodia and Hainan, +and the Siamang to Java and Sumatra.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Gorilla.</span> +The gorilla is the largest of the ape family, +and sometimes attains to the height of six feet. It is also +the fiercest, if not the strongest, of man-shaped animals. It +belongs to the genus Troglodytes of which the chimpanzee is +the only other species, and it inhabits a somewhat limited +range of Equatorial Africa, where it makes for itself nests +of sticks and foliage, among the lower branches of trees, +and lives upon berries, nuts and fruits. Though apparently +a vegetarian the gorilla has enormous physical strength. His +arms bear much the same proportion to the size of his body +as those of man do relatively, but his lower limbs are shorter, +and have no calves, the leg growing thicker from the knee +downwards. The hands are broad, thick, and of great +length of palm, and are remarkable for their strength; the +feet, broader than those of man, and more like hands, are +very large and of great power. The gorilla uses his hands +when walking or running, but as his arms are longer than +those of other apes, and his legs shorter he stoops less than +they do in moving from place to place. The gorilla herds +in small companies, or rather families, one adult male being +the husband and father of the band. The females are much +smaller than the males.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ancestors of the Gorilla.</span> +The gorilla, though rediscovered in recent +years, was apparently known to the ancients. +Hanno, a Carthaginian admiral who flourished +some five or six hundred years B.C., once sailed from +Carthage with a fleet of sixty vessels and a company of +30,000 persons, under instructions to proceed past the Pillars +of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar), with a view to planting +colonies on the western coast of Africa. In the course of +their travels they discovered several islands inhabited by +wild creatures with hairy bodies. "There were," says the +ancient navigator, "many more females than males, all equally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +covered with hair on all parts of the body. The interpreters +called them <i>gorillas</i>. On pursuing them, we could not succeed +in taking a single male, they all escaped with astonishing +swiftness, and threw stones at us; but we took three females, +who defended themselves with so much violence, that we +were obliged to kill them; but we brought their skins, +stuffed with straw, to Carthage." Professor Owen remarks +upon this that "though such creatures would suggest to +Hanno and his crew no other idea of their nature than +that of a kind of human being, yet the climbing faculty, +the hairy body, and the skinning of the dead specimens +strongly suggest that they were great apes. The fact that +apes somewhat resembling the negroes, of human size and +with hairy bodies, still exist on the west coast of Africa +renders it highly probable that such were the creatures which +Hanno saw, captured, and called 'gorullai'."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Gorilla Hunt.</span> +Paul du Chaillu, in his "Stories of the Gorilla +Country," gives a graphic description of his first sight of these +"wild men of the woods." He was inspecting the ruins of +a native village with a party of Africans, when they discovered +footprints which the natives immediately recognised as those +of the gorilla. "It was," says he, "the first time I had +seen the footprints of these wild men of the woods, and I +cannot tell you how I felt. Here was I now, it seemed, on +the point of meeting, face to face, that monster, of whose +ferocity, strength and cunning, the natives had told me so +much, and which no man before had hunted. By the +tracks it was easy to know that there must have been +several gorillas in company. We prepared at once to follow +them. My men were remarkably silent, for they were +going on an expedition of more than usual risk; for the +male gorilla is literally the king of the forest—the king of the +equatorial regions. He and the crested lion of Mount Atlas +are the two fiercest and strongest beasts of that continent. +The lion of South Africa cannot be compared with either<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +for strength or courage. As we left the camp, the men and +women left behind crowded together, with fear written on +their faces. Miengai, Ngolai, and Makinda set out for the +hunt in one party; myself and Yeava formed another. We +determined to keep near each other, so that in case of +trouble we might be at hand to help one another. For the +rest silence and a sure aim were the only cautions to be +given. I confess that I was never more excited in my +life. For years I had heard of the terrible roar of the +gorilla, of its vast strength, of its fierce courage when only +wounded. I knew that we were about to pit ourselves +against an animal which even the enormous leopards of the +mountains fear, which the elephants let alone and which +perhaps has driven away the lion out of his territory; for the +king of beasts, so numerous elsewhere in Africa, is not met with +in the land of the gorilla. We descended a hill, crossed a +stream on a fallen log, crept under the trees, and presently +approached some huge boulders of granite. In the stream +we had crossed we could see plainly that the animals had +just crossed it, for the water was still disturbed. Along side +of the granite blocks lay an immense dead tree, and about +this the gorillas were likely to be. Our approach was very +cautious. With guns cocked and ready we advanced through +the dense wood, which cast a gloom even at mid-day over +the whole scene. I looked at my men and saw that they +were even more excited than myself. Slowly we pressed on +through the dense bush, dreading almost to breathe for fear +of alarming the beasts. Makinda was to go to the right of +the rock, while I took the left. Unfortunately he and his +party circled it at too great a distance. The watchful +animals saw him. Suddenly I was startled by a strange, discordant, +half human cry, and beheld four young and half-grown +gorillas running towards the deep forest. I was not ready. +We fired but hit nothing. Then we rushed on in pursuit; +but they knew the woods better than we. Once I caught<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +a glimpse of one of the animals again; but an intervening +tree spoiled my mark, and I did not fire. We pursued +them till we were exhausted, but in vain. I protest I felt +almost like a murderer when I saw the gorilla this first time. +As they ran on their hind legs with their heads down, their +bodies inclined forward, their whole appearance was that of +hairy men running for their lives. Add to this their cry, so +awful yet with something human in its discordance, and you +will cease to wonder that the natives have the wildest +superstitions about these 'wild men of the woods.'"</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Du Chaillu's First Gorilla.</span> +In his "Explorations and Adventures in Equatorial +Africa" du Chaillu gives an equally +thrilling account of the capture of his first gorilla. He says: +"We started early, and pushed through the most dense and +impenetrable part of the forest; in hopes to find the very +home of the beast I so much wished to shoot. Hour +after hour we travelled and yet no signs of gorillas. Only +the everlasting, little, chattering monkeys—and not many of +these—and occasionally birds. Suddenly Miengai uttered a +little cluck with his tongue which is the native way of +showing that something is stirring and that a sharp look-out +is necessary. And presently I noticed, ahead of us +seemingly, a noise as of some one breaking down branches +or twigs of trees. This was a gorilla—I knew at once by +the eager satisfied looks of the men. We walked with +the greatest care making no noise at all. Suddenly, as we +were yet creeping along, in a silence which made a heavy +breath seem loud and distinct, the woods were at once +filled with the tremendous barking roar of the gorilla. Then +the underbrush swayed rapidly just ahead, and presently +before us stood an immense male gorilla. He had gone +through the jungle on all fours; but when he saw our party +he erected himself and looked us boldly in the face. He +stood about a dozen yards from us, and was a sight I +think I shall never forget. Nearly six feet high (he proved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +four inches shorter), with immense body, huge chest, and +great muscular arms, with fiercely glaring, large, deep gray +eyes, and a hellish expression of face, which seemed to me +like some nightmare vision: thus stood before us this king of +the African forest. He was not afraid of us. He stood +there and beat his breast with his huge fists till it resounded +like an immense bass-drum, which is the gorillas' mode of +offering defiance; meantime giving vent to roar after roar. +The roar of the gorilla is the most singular and awful noise +heard in these African woods. It begins with a sharp <i>bark</i>, +like an angry dog, then glides into a deep bass <i>roll</i>, which +literally and closely resembles the roll of distant thunder +along the sky. So deep is it that it seems to proceed +less from the mouth and throat than from the deep chest +and vast paunch. His eyes began to flash fiercer fire as +we stood motionless on the defensive, and the crest of short +hair which stands on his forehead began to twitch rapidly +up and down, while his powerful fangs were shown as he +again sent forth his thunderous roar. He advanced a few +steps—then stopped to utter that hideous roar again—advanced +again, and finally stopped when at a distance of +about six yards from us. And here, just as he began another +of his roars, beating his breast with rage, we fired, and +killed him. With a groan which had something terribly +human in it, and yet was full of brutishness, he fell forward +on his face. The body shook convulsively for a few minutes, +the limbs moved about in a struggling way, and then all +was quiet: death had done its work, and I had leisure to +examine the huge body. It proved to be five feet eight +inches high, and the muscular development of the arms and +breast showed what immense strength it had possessed." A +smaller gorilla, shot by M. du Chaillu on another occasion, +measured five feet six inches in height, fifty inches round +the chest, and his arms had a spread of seven feet two inches.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">A Young Gorilla.</span> +A young gorilla which some natives succeeded +in capturing for M. du Chaillu, and which he +named "Fighting Joe," forms the subject of one of his most +interesting chapters. The young cub was caught by the adroit +use of a cloth which one of the natives managed to throw +over his head, but not until he had severely bitten one of +his captors in the hand and taken a mouthful out of the +leg of another. He was about three years old, three feet +six inches in height and of great strength. A cage was +made for him, from which he twice escaped, on each occasion +being recaptured by the use of fishing nets. On his first +escape he concealed himself under the bed in M. du Chaillu's +house. "Running in," says the writer, "to get one of my guns, +I was startled by an angry growl. It was master Joe; there +was no mistake about it; I knew his growl too well. I +cleared out faster than I came in. I instantly shut the +windows and called in my people to guard the door. When +Joe saw the crowd of black faces he became furious, and +with his eyes glaring, and every sign of rage in his face and +body, he got out from beneath the bed. He was about to +make a rush at all of us. He was not afraid. A stampede of +my men took place, I shut the door quickly (from outside) +and left Joe master of the premises." While the men +outside were devising means for his recapture, the young +gorilla carefully inspected the furniture and M. du Chaillu +became apprehensive for the safety of his clock, the ticking of +which was likely to attract unwelcome attention. However, +by means of a net dexterously thrown over him, he was +secured once more and carried back to his cage, which in +the meantime had been repaired, the full strength of four +men being required for the purpose. On his second escape +he made for the woods and took refuge in a large clump of +trees. "This we surrounded," says M. du Chaillu. "He +did not ascend a tree, but stood defiantly at the border of +the wood. About one hundred and fifty of us surrounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +him. As we moved up he began to yell, and made a dash +upon a poor fellow who was in advance. The fellow ran +and tumbled down in affright. By his fall he escaped the +tender mercies of Joe's teeth; but he also detained the +little rascal long enough for the nets to be thrown over him." +But Joe was a child of nature and could not live with the +chain of civilisation around his neck, and he died somewhat +suddenly some ten days afterwards and finally found his +way to the British museum.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Gorilla Superstitions.</span> +According to du Chaillu, the natives entertain +many superstitions about the gorilla, among the +commonest of which is the belief that some gorillas are +inhabited by human spirits. In his "Stories of the Gorilla +Country" he gives an interesting illustration of this. "In the +evening," he says, "the men told stories about gorillas. 'I remember,' +said one, 'my father told me he once went out to +the forest, when just in his path he met a great gorilla. My +father had his spear in his hand. When the gorilla saw +the spear he began to roar; then my father was terrified +and dropped the spear. When the gorilla saw that my +father had dropped the spear he was pleased. He looked +at him, and then left him and went into the thick forest. +Then my father was glad and went on his way.' Here all +shouted: 'Yes! so we must do when we meet the gorilla. Drop +the spear; that appeases him.' Next Gambo spoke. 'Several +dry seasons ago, a man suddenly disappeared from my +village after an angry quarrel. Some time after an Ashira +of that village was out in the forest. He met a very large +gorilla. That gorilla was the man who had disappeared; +he had turned into a gorilla. He jumped upon the poor +Ashira and bit a piece out of his arm; then he let him go. +Then the man came back with the bleeding arm. He told +me this, I hope we shall not meet such gorillas.' <i>Chorus</i>: +'No; we shall not meet such wicked gorillas.' "I myself," +says du Chaillu, "afterwards met that man in the Ashira<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +country. I saw his maimed arm and he repeated the same story." +Then one of the men spoke up: 'If we kill a gorilla to-morrow, +I should like to have a part of the brain for a fetich. +Nothing makes a man so brave as to have a fetich of +gorilla's brain. That gives a man a strong heart.' <i>Chorus</i> (of +those who remained awake) 'Yes; that gives a man a strong +heart.'" A fetich of the brain of the gorilla is said also to +help its owner in love as well as war.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chimpanzee.</span> +The chimpanzee is a near neighbour of +the gorilla in Equatorial Africa though he appears to have +a more extended range. He is found in Sierra Leone and +in the country lying to the north of the river Congo, and +according to native accounts is gregarious in his habits, +travelling in formidable companies, who carry sticks and +make effective use of them. They are said to reach +maturity at nine or ten years of age and to attain a height +of from four to five feet. Like the gorillas they have +immensely powerful limbs, and have been known without +apparent effort to break off branches of trees which a man +would have been powerless to bend.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Docility and Sagacity of the Chimpanzee.</span> +The chimpanzee differs from the gorilla in +his amenability to civilisation. The gorilla, +however young, seems incapable of being tamed; +while the chimpanzee in its infancy and youth at least has +often been domesticated, though like most other apes, as it +approaches maturity, it needs to be kept under strong control. +Captain Brown in his "Habits and Characteristics of Animals +and Birds" gives the following illustration of the docility +and sagacity of the chimpanzee. He says: "M. de Grandpré +saw, on board of a vessel, a female chimpanzee, which +exhibited wonderful proofs of intelligence. She had learnt +to heat the oven; she took great care not to let any of the +coals fall out, which might have done mischief in the ship; +and she was very accurate in observing when the oven was +heated to the proper degree, of which she immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +apprized the baker, who, relying with perfect confidence +upon her information, carried his dough to the oven as soon +as the chimpanzee came to fetch him. This animal performed +all the business of a sailor, spliced ropes, handled the sails, +and assisted at unfurling them; and she was, in fact considered +by the sailors as one of themselves. The vessel was bound +for America; but the poor animal did not live to see that +country, having fallen a victim to the brutality of the first +mate, who inflicted very cruel chastisement upon her, which +she had not deserved. She endured it with the greatest +patience, only holding out her hands in a suppliant attitude, +in order to break the force of the blows she received. But +from that moment she steadily refused to take any food, +and died on the fifth day from grief and hunger. She was +lamented by every person on board, not insensible to the +feelings of humanity, who knew the circumstances of her +fate."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Orang-utan.</span> +The orang-utan is one of the largest of the +ape species and until the discovery of the +gorilla was supposed to be the largest. It is said sometimes +to attain to the height of six feet, and some travellers' tales +credit it with even greater height. The orang is possessed +of great strength but is of a docile disposition when brought +under civilisation, and even in a wild state is often quiet +and peaceable except when attacked. It inhabits country +that is low, level, and swampy, and that is at the same +time covered with lofty virgin forests. It belongs to the +genus <i>Simia</i> of which it is the single species.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Habits of the Orang-utan.</span> +The following account of the orang is given +by Mr. Brooke of Sarawak. "On the habits of +the orangs, as far as I have been able to observe +them, I may remark that they are as dull and as slothful +as can well be conceived, and on no occasion, when +pursuing them, did they move so fast as to preclude my +keeping pace with them easily through a moderately clear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +forest; and even when obstructions below (such as wading +up to the neck) allowed them to get away some distance, +they were sure to stop and allow us to come up. I never +observed the slightest attempt at defence; and the wood, +which sometimes rattled about our ears, was broken by +their weight, and not thrown, as some persons represent. +If pushed to extremity, however, the pappan could not be +otherwise than formidable; and one unfortunate man, who +with a party was trying to catch one alive, lost two of his +fingers, besides being severely bitten on the face, whilst the +animal finally beat off his pursuers and escaped. When +hunters wish to catch an adult, they cut down a circle of +trees round the one on which he is seated, and then fell +that also, and close before he can recover himself, and +endeavour to bind him. The rude hut which they are +stated to build in the trees would be more properly called +a seat, or nest, for it has no roof or cover of any sort. The +facility with which they form this seat is curious; and I had +an opportunity of seeing a wounded female weave the +branches together, and seat herself in a minute. She afterwards +received our fire without moving, and expired in her +lofty abode, whence it cost us much trouble to dislodge her. +The adult male I killed was seated lazily on a tree; and +when approached only took the trouble to interpose the +trunk between us, peeping at me and dodging as I dodged. +I hit him on the wrist, and he was afterwards despatched."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Walk of the Orang-utan.</span> +In locomotion the orang disdains the earth +and perambulates the vernal terraces of the +forest trees. "It is a singular sight," says Mr. +Wallace, "to watch a mias (orang-utan) making his way +leisurely through a forest. He walks deliberately along some +of the larger branches in the semi-erect attitude which the +great length of his arms and the shortness of his legs cause +him naturally to assume, and seems always to choose those +branches which intermingle with an adjoining tree, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +approaching which he stretches out his long arms, and +seizing the opposing boughs, grasps them together with +both hands, seems to try their strength, and then deliberately +swings himself across to the next branch on which he +walks along as before. He never jumps or springs, or even +appears to hurry himself, and yet manages to get along +almost as quickly as a person can run through the forest +beneath."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Strength of the Orang-utan.</span> +"The Dyaks," says Mr. Wallace, "all declare +that the mias is never attacked by any animal in +the forest, with two rare exceptions; and the +accounts received of these are so curious that I give them +nearly in the words of my informants, old Dyak Chiefs, who +had lived all their lives in the places where the animal is most +abundant. The first of whom I enquired said, 'No animal is +strong enough to hurt the mias, and the only creature he ever +fights with is the crocodile. When there is no fruit in the +jungle he goes to seek food on the banks of the river where +there are plenty of young shoots that he likes, and fruits that +grow close to the water. Then the crocodile sometimes tries +to seize him, but the mias gets upon him and beats him with +his hands and feet, and tears and kills him.' He added that he +had once seen such a fight and that he believed that the mias +is always the victor. My next informant was Orang Kayo +or chief of the Balow Dyaks on the Simunjou River. He +said the mias has no enemies, no animals dare attack it +but the crocodile and the python. He always kills the +crocodile by main strength, standing upon it, and pulling open +its jaws and ripping up its throat. If a python attacks a +mias he seizes it with his hands and then bites it, and +soon kills it. The mias is very strong; there is no animal +in the jungle so strong as he."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Docility of the Orang-utan.</span> +Buffon thus describes an orang-utan that he +saw: "His aspect was melancholy, his deportment +grave, his movements regular, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +his disposition gentle. Unlike the baboon or the monkey, +who are fond of mischief, and only obedient through fear, +a look kept him in awe; while the other animals could +not be brought to obey without blows. He would present +his hand to conduct the people who came to visit him, and +walk as gravely along with them as if he had formed a part +of the company. I have seen him sit down at table, when +he would unfold his towel, wipe his lips, use a spoon or a +fork to carry his victuals to his mouth, pour his liquor into +a glass, and make it touch that of a person who drank along +with him. When invited to take tea, he would bring a cup +and saucer, place them on the table, put in sugar, pour out the +tea, and allow it to cool before he drank it. All this I have seen +him perform without any other instigation than the signs or the +command of his master, and often even of his own accord."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Orang-utan's Intelligence.</span> +M. de la Bosse thus describes two young +orang-utans, male and female. "We had +these animals with us on shipboard. They ate at the same +table with us. When they wanted anything, they, by +certain signs, acquainted the cabin boy with their wishes; +and if he did not bring it, they sometimes flew into a rage +at him, bit him in the arm, and not unfrequently threw him +down. The male fell sick during the voyage, and submitted +to be treated like a human patient. The disease being of +an inflammatory nature, the surgeon bled him twice in the +right arm; and when he afterwards felt himself indisposed, +he used to hold out his arm to be bled, because he recollected +that he found himself benefited by that operation on +a former occasion."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Orang-utan's Affection.</span> +Dr. Tyson in describing one of the earliest +specimens of the orang brought to London, says +that it conceived a great affection for those with whom travel +had made it familiar, frequently embracing them with the +greatest tenderness. A female orang belonging to a Dutch +menagerie showed the greatest affection for her attendants,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +giving unmistakable signs of her delight in their company +and distress in their absence. She would often take the +hay from her bed and spread it at her side and with anxious +and obvious signs invite her keeper to sit beside her. M. +Palavicini credited a pair of orangs which he had in his +possession in 1759 with the still more remarkable quality +in animals of bashfulness. It is said that the female would +shrink from the too persistent gaze of a spectator, and throw +herself into the arms of the male, hiding her face in his +bosom.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Maternal Instinct.</span> +In his "Marvels and Mysteries of Instinct," +Mr. Garrett gives the following instance of +maternal affection. "A gentleman was out with a party of +men in Sumatra, when in some trees removed from a dense +forest a female orang-utan, with a young one in its arms, +was discovered, and the pursuit commenced. In the ardour +of the moment, and excited by the hope of possessing an +animal so rare, the gentleman forgot everything but the prize +before him, and urged on his men by the promise of a +reward, should their exertions be successful. Thus stimulated +they followed up the chase; the animal, encumbered by her +young one, making prodigious efforts to gain the dense and +intricate recesses of the wood, springing from tree to tree, +and endeavouring by every means to elude her pursuers. +Several shots were fired, and at length one took fatal effect, +the ball penetrating the right side of the chest. Feeling +herself mortally wounded, and with the blood gushing from +her mouth, she from that moment took no care of herself, +but with a mother's feelings summoned up all her dying +energies to save her young one. She threw it onwards over +the tops of the trees, and from one branch to another, +taking the most desperate leaps after it herself, and again +facilitating its progress until, the intricacy of the forest being +nearly gained, its chances of success were sure. All this time +the blood was flowing: but her efforts had been unabated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +and it was only when her young one was on the point of +attaining to a place of safety that she rested on one of the +topmost branches of a gigantic tree. True to her ruling +passion, even in death, she turned for a moment to gaze +after her young one, reeled, and fell head foremost to the +ground. The sight was so touching that it called forth the +sympathy of the whole party. The eagerness of the chase +subsided; and so deep an impression did the maternal +tenderness and unexpected self-devotion of the poor orang +make on the gentleman alluded to, whose heart was indeed +formed in 'nature's gentlest mould,' that he expressed the +utmost remorse and pity, declaring that he would not go +through the same scene again for all the world; nor did the +tragical death of the animal cease to haunt his mind for +many weeks, and he never afterwards recurred to it but with +feelings of emotion. The preserved skin is now in the +Museum of the Zoological Society."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Gibbons or Long Armed Apes.</span> +The gibbons belong to the genus Hylobates, +of which there are several species. They are +characterised by the ability to walk almost erect, hence the +name Hylobates. They live in the tops of trees, in large +companies and possess marvellous powers of locomotion, +swinging themselves from tree to tree with such rapidity as +to baffle all pursuit. When on the ground they balance +themselves in walking by holding their hands above their +heads. The adult gibbon is about three feet in height +and has a reach of arms of about six feet. The gibbon is +tractable and capable of strong affection towards those who +show it kindness. One of the Hoolock species petted by +Dr. Burrough, became companionable and would sit at his +master's breakfast-table, eat eggs and chicken, and drink tea +and coffee with great propriety. Fruit was his favourite +food, but insects were especially palatable to him and he +was an expert in catching flies. The siamang differs from +the other species of long-armed apes in the formation of its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +feet and in several other characteristics. It is, however, +similar to the Hoolock in its amenity to kindness and its +affection for its master, when brought under the influence of +kindly treatment. The gibbons have great strength in their lower +limbs, whereby they are enabled to leap surprising distances. +M. Duvaneel said he once saw one of these animals clear +a space of forty feet, from the branch of a tree. Mr. George +Bennet, in his "Wanderings," describes the action of a +siamang that belonged to him, which having managed to free +himself of his tether, proceeded to embrace the legs of +the Malays whom he came across, until he discovered his +former master, whereupon he climbed into the Malay's arms +and hugged him with the tenderest affection.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Monkeys.</span> +Monkeys differ from the apes we have dealt with in +the important characteristic, among others, of possessing tails. +These vary in length from inches to feet, in some cases being +considerably longer than the body and in others little more +than stumps. They vary also in form, some being completely +covered with hair, and others only partially so; some +apparently useful only as ornaments, others being prehensile, +that is capable of grasp, and giving their owners almost +the advantage of a fifth limb.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sacred Monkeys.</span> +The Sacred Monkeys (<i>Semnopithecidæ</i>) include +two genera and a large number of species. +Among these are the species which bear the name of +Hanumán, a Hindoo divinity, and are worshipped in his +honour. The protection these monkeys receive on account +of the superstitions prevalent concerning them, leads to their +large increase in numbers and to many inconveniences +arising therefrom. It is said that if a traveller should be +unfortunate enough to offend one of these animals he is +likely enough to be followed by the whole party howling in +a most hideous and discordant manner, and pelting him +with any missiles upon which they can lay their hands. +There are eighteen species of the Semnopithecus, all of which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +are found in the East. Of these the Entellus is one of the +best known species. It is very susceptible to cold, and +cannot live long in Europe.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Long-nosed Monkey.</span> +The Long-nosed Monkey (<i>Semnopithecus +Larvatus</i>) belongs to this family and is +distinguished, as its name implies, by the length of its +proboscis. This animal is described by Wallace as about +the size of a child of three years of age, while possessing a +nose considerably longer than that of any human adult. +From the head to the tip of the tail the proboscis monkey +measures about four feet and a half. It is sometimes called +the Kahau from its cry which resembles the sound of that +word. It is said to hold its nose when leaping to protect +it from being injured by the branches of trees. The second +genus of this family, of which there are numerous species, +belongs to Africa.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Cheek-pouched Monkeys.</span> +The Cheek-pouched Monkeys form the +third family of the quadrumana. They include +seven genera, and sixty or seventy species, of which five +genera belong to Africa and two to Asia and to the Malay +Islands. Among the better known of these species is the +Talapoin of West Africa; the Diana monkey and the Mona +(Africa); the little White-nosed monkey (Guinea); the Grivet +(Nubia and Abyssinia); the Green monkey (Cape de Verds); +the Patas (Senegal); the Malbrouck monkey; and the Vervet +monkey (South Africa). The Green monkey and the Vervet +monkey are those most commonly seen in England. One of +the best known members of this family is the Baboon.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Baboon.</span> +The baboon is found in many parts of Africa, +and one of its species in Arabia. It is of the genus +<i>cynocephalus</i>, and some of its species attain to considerable +size; the head and face of one species resembling those +of a dog, it is sometimes called the dog-faced baboon. +The baboon herds in large numbers, and is said to make +apparently organized attacks upon villages during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +absence of the peasants in harvest time, placing sentinels +on the look out, to apprise them of danger, while they visit +the houses and take possession of all the food they can find. +They are cunning and powerful, and formidable in combat, +but, greedy in habit, they eat to excess, and when gorged to +satiety fall an easy prey to their enemies. In their wild state +they feed on berries and bulbous roots, but when proximity +to civilisation gives them wider opportunity, they show their +appreciation of a more varied menu. Among the more +familiar species of the baboon are the <i>Chackma</i>, the <i>Drill</i>, +the <i>Mandrill</i>, the <i>Anubis</i>, the <i>Babouin</i>, and the <i>Sphinx</i>, all of +which belong to the West of Africa.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Arabian Baboon.</span> +The Arabian baboon is an animal with a +history. It was worshipped by the Egyptians, +who embalmed its body after death and set +apart portions of their cemeteries for its use. Sacred to +Thoth, the Egyptian Hermes, the God of letters, the baboon +sometimes represents that deity in Egyptian sculptures, where +it is usually figured in a sitting posture, the attitude in +which its body was generally embalmed. The baboon was +also held as emblematic of the Moon, and honoured symbolically +in other connections. It is commonly represented +in judgment scenes of the dead with a pair of scales in +front of it, Thoth being supposed to exercise important +duties in the final judgment of men. The baboon was +held especially sacred at Hermopolis. According to Sir +J. G. Wilkinson the Egyptians trained baboons to useful +offices, making them torch-bearers at their feasts and festivals.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Imitative Faculty of the Baboon.</span> +Like others of the monkey tribes the baboon +shows an extraordinary faculty for imitation. +Captain Browne in his "Characteristics of Animals" +says: "The following circumstance is truly +characteristic of the imitative powers of the baboon:—The +army of Alexander the Great marched in complete battle-array +into a country inhabited by great numbers of baboons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +and encamped there for the night. The next morning, when +the army was about to proceed on its march, the soldiers +saw, at some distance, an enormous number of baboons, +drawn up in rank and file, like a small army, with such +regularity, that the Macedonians, who could have no idea +of such a manœuvre, imagined at first that it was the enemy +drawn up to receive them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chackma Baboon.</span> +The chackma lives among the mountains of +the Cape of Good Hope, where he attains about +the size of an English mastiff and even greater +strength. He descends to the plains on foraging expeditions, +and, when not attacked, will usually make off on the approach +of danger, but if aroused to anger can both show and use +his teeth, and is far superior to the average English boy in +throwing stones.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Baboon's Utility.</span> +Le Vaillant gives an interesting account of +a chackma baboon which accompanied him +through South Africa, and which bore the name of Kees. +He says: "I made him my taster. Whenever we found fruits +or roots, with which my Hottentots were unacquainted, we +did not touch them till Kees had tasted them. If he threw +them away, we concluded that they were either of a disagreeable +flavour, or of a pernicious quality, and left them +untasted. The monkey possesses a peculiar property, wherein +he differs greatly from other animals, and resembles man,—namely, +that he is by nature equally gluttonous and inquisitive. +Without necessity, and without appetite, he tastes every +thing that falls in his way, or that is given to him. But +Kees had a still more valuable quality,—he was an excellent +sentinel; for, whether by day or night, he immediately sprang +up on the slightest appearance of danger. By his cry, and +the symptoms of fear which he exhibited, we were always +apprized of the approach of an enemy, even though the dogs +perceived nothing of it. The latter, at length, learned to rely +upon him with such confidence, that they slept on in perfect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +tranquillity. I often took Kees with me when I went +hunting; and when he saw me preparing for sport, he +exhibited the most lively demonstrations of joy. On the way, +he would climb into the trees to look for gum, of which he +was very fond. Sometimes he discovered to me honey, +deposited in the clefts of rocks, or hollow trees. But, if he +happened to have met with neither honey nor gum, and +his appetite had become sharp by his running about, I always +witnessed a very ludicrous scene. In those cases, he looked +for roots, which he ate with great greediness, especially a +particular kind, which, to his cost, I also found to be very +well tasted and refreshing, and therefore insisted upon sharing +with him. In order to draw these roots out of the ground, +he employed a very ingenious method, which afforded me +much amusement. He laid hold of the herbage with his +teeth, stemmed his fore feet against the ground, and drew +back his head, which gradually pulled out the root. But if +this expedient, for which he employed his whole strength, +did not succeed, he laid hold of the leaves as before, as +close to the ground as possible, and then threw himself +heels over head, which gave such a concussion to the root, +that it never failed to come out.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tame Baboon.</span> +"Serpents excepted, there were no animals of +whom Kees stood in such great dread as of his +own species,—perhaps owing to a consciousness of loss of +natural capacity. Sometimes he heard the cry of other +apes among the mountains, and, terrified as he was, he +yet answered them. But, if they approached nearer, and +he saw any of them, he fled, with a hideous cry, crept +between our legs, and trembled over his whole body. It was +very difficult to compose him, and it required some time +before he recovered from his fright.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cunning of the Baboon</span> +"Like all other animals, Kees was addicted to +stealing. He understood admirably well how +to loose the strings of a basket, in order to take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +victuals out of it, especially milk, of which he was very fond. +My people chastised him for these thefts; but that did not +make him amend his conduct. I myself sometimes whipped +him; but then he ran away, and did not return again to the +tent until it grew dark. Once, as I was about to dine, and +had put the beans, which I had boiled for myself, upon a +plate, I heard the voice of a bird with which I was not +acquainted. I left my dinner standing, seized my gun, and +ran out of the tent. After the space of about a quarter of +an hour I returned, with the bird in my hand, but, to my +astonishment, found not a single bean upon the plate. Kees +had stolen them all, and taken himself out of the way. +When he had committed any trespass of this kind, he used +always, about the time when I drank tea, to return quietly, +and seat himself in his usual place, with every appearance +of innocence, as if nothing had happened; but this evening +he did not let himself be seen. And, on the following day, +also, he was not seen by any of us; and, in consequence, +I began to grow seriously uneasy about him, and apprehensive +that he might be lost for ever. But, on the third day, +one of my people, who had been to fetch water, informed +me that he had seen Kees in the neighbourhood, but that, +as soon as the animal espied him, he had concealed himself +again. I immediately went out and beat the whole neighbourhood +with my dogs. All at once, I heard a cry, like +that which Kees used to make, when I returned from my +shooting, and had not taken him with me. I looked about, +and at length espied him, endeavouring to hide himself +behind the large branches of a tree. I now called to him +in a friendly tone of voice, and made motions to him to come +down to me. But he could not trust me, and I was obliged +to climb up the tree to fetch him. He did not attempt to fly, +and we returned together to my quarters; here he expected +to receive his punishment; but I did nothing, as it would +have been of no use.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Loyalty of the Baboon.</span> +"An officer, wishing to put the fidelity of my +baboon to the test, pretended to strike me. At +this he flew in a violent rage, and, from that time, +could never endure the sight of the officer. If he only saw +him at a distance he began to cry, and make all kinds of +grimaces, which evidently showed that he wished to revenge +the insult that had been done to me; he ground his teeth; +and endeavoured, with all his might, to fly at his face, but +that was out of his power, as he was chained down. The +offender several times endeavoured, in vain, to conciliate +him, by offering him dainties, but he remained long implacable.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Intelligence of the Baboon.</span> +"When any eatables were pilfered, at my quarters, +the fault was always laid upon Kees; and rarely +was the accusation unfounded. For a time the +eggs, which a hen laid me, were constantly stolen, and +I wished to ascertain whether I had to attribute this loss also +to him. For this purpose I went one morning to watch him, +and waited till the hen announced, by her cackling, that she +had laid an egg. Kees was sitting upon my vehicle; but, +the moment he heard the hen's voice, he leapt down, and +was running to fetch the egg. When he saw me, he suddenly +stopped, and affected a careless posture, swaying himself +backwards upon his hind legs, and assuming a very innocent +look; in short, he employed all his art to deceive me with +respect to his design. His hypocritical manœuvres only confirmed +my suspicions, and, in order, in my turn, to deceive +him, I pretended not to attend to him, and turned my back +to the bush where the hen was cackling, upon which he +immediately sprang to the place. I ran after him, and came +up to him at the moment when he had broken the egg and +was swallowing it. Having caught the thief in the fact, I +gave him a good beating upon the spot, but this severe +chastisement did not prevent his soon stealing fresh-laid eggs +again. As I was convinced that I should never be able to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +break Kees off his natural vices, and that, unless I chained +him up every morning, I should never get an egg, I endeavoured +to accomplish my purpose in another manner; I +trained one of my dogs, as soon as the hen cackled, to run +to the nest, and bring me the egg, without breaking it. In +a few days, the dog had learned his lesson; but Kees, as +soon as he heard the hen cackle, ran with him to the nest. +A contest now took place between them, who should have +the egg; often the dog was foiled, although he was the +stronger of the two. If he gained the victory, he ran joyfully +to me with the egg, and put it into my hand. Kees, nevertheless, +followed him, and did not cease to grumble and make +threatening grimaces at him, till he saw me take the egg,—as +if he was comforted for the loss of his booty by his +adversary's not retaining it for himself. If Kees had got hold +of the egg, he endeavoured to run with it to a tree, where, +having devoured it, he threw down the shells upon his +adversary, as if to make game of him. Kees was always the +first awake in the morning, and, when it was the proper time, +he awoke the dogs, who were accustomed to his voice, and, +in general, obeyed, without hesitation, the slightest motions +by which he communicated his orders to them, immediately +taking their posts about the tent and carriage, as he directed +them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bonnet Monkey.</span> +The bonnet monkey is of the genus macacus, +and is to be found in many parts of India. It +is characterized by a bonnet, or cap of hair, which radiates +from the centre of the crown. It is known as the <i>Macacus +Radiatus</i>. Other species of the genus macacus are the +<i>Rhesus</i> monkey, the <i>Wanderoo</i>, the <i>Barbary Ape</i> or <i>Magot</i>, +and the <i>Macaque</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Indian Monkeys.</span> +Many stories are told of the audacity of +the Indian monkeys in which those of the genus macacus +come in for more than honourable mention. Whether in +their native haunts, or in European menageries, they are an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +endless source of amusement and not unfrequently one of +annoyance. In their free state, they tax the ingenuity of +native and European alike by their mischievous habits and +thievish propensities. They climb upon the tops of the +Bazaars and the slightest relapse from vigilance on the part of +the shopkeepers is sure to be followed by the loss or spoliation +of their wares. A common defence against these unwelcome +intruders is to cover the roofs with a certain prickly shrub, +the thorns of which command respect even from monkeys. +Mrs. Bowdich says: "In some places they are even fed, +encouraged, and allowed to live on the roofs of houses;" +but this would be where the goods of the householder were +beyond their reach. "If a man wishes to revenge himself +for any injury committed upon him," says Mrs. Bowdich, +"he has only to sprinkle some rice or corn upon the top +of his enemy's house or granary just before the rain sets in, +and the monkeys will assemble upon it, eat all they can +find outside, and then pull off the tiles to get at that which +has fallen through the crevices. This, of course, gives +access to the torrents which fall in such countries, and +house, furniture and stores are all ruined." Quoting from +another writer, Mrs. Bowdich gives an amusing description +of the way in which one of these monkeys watched his +opportunity for making his descent upon a sweet-stuff shop. +Taking up a position opposite the shop, "he pretended to be +asleep, but every now and then softly raised his head to +look at the tempting piles and the owner of them, who sat +smoking his pipe without symptoms even of a doze. In +half an hour the monkey got up, as if he were just awake, +yawned, stretched himself, and took another position a few +yards off, where he pretended to play with his tail, occasionally +looking over his shoulder at the coveted delicacies. +At length the shopman gave signs of activity, and the +monkey was on the alert; the man went to his back room, +the monkey cleared the street at one bound, and in an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +instant stuffed his pouches full of the delicious morsels. He +had, however, overlooked some hornets, which were regaling +themselves at the same time. They resented his disturbance, +and the tormented monkey, in his hurry to escape, came upon +a thorn-covered roof, where he lay stung, torn, and bleeding. +He spurted the stolen bonbons from his pouches and barked +hoarsely looking the picture of misery. The noise of the +tiles which he had dislodged in his retreat brought out the +inhabitants, and among them the vendor of the sweets, with +his turban unwound, and streaming two yards behind him. +All joined in laughing at the wretched monkey; but their +religious reverence for him induced them to go to his +assistance: they picked out his thorns and he limped away +to the woods quite crestfallen."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Monkey Outdone.</span> +The writer, from whom Mrs. Bowdich quoted +the above story, gives a graphic account of the +success of a stratagem he employed to rid himself of the +unwelcome visits of his monkey friends. "Although," says +he, "a good deal shyer of me than they were of the natives, +I found no difficulty in getting within a few yards of them; +and when I lay still among the brushwood they gambolled +round me with as much freedom as if I had been one of +themselves. This happy understanding, however, did not +last long, and we soon began to urge war upon each other. +The <i>casus belli</i> was a field of sugar-cane which I had +planted on the newly cleared jungle.</p> + +<p>"Every beast of the field seemed leagued against this +devoted patch of sugar-cane. The wild elephants came and +browzed in it; the jungle hogs rooted it up, and munched +it at their leisure; the jackals gnawed the stalks into squash; +and the wild deer ate the tops of the young plants. Against +all these marauders there was an obvious remedy,—to build +a stout fence round the cane-field. This was done accordingly; +and a deep trench dug outside, that even the wild +elephant did not deem it prudent to cross. The wild hogs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +came and inspected the trench and the palisades beyond. +A bristly old tusker was observed taking a survey of the +defences; but, after mature deliberation, he gave two short +grunts, the porcine (language), I imagined, for 'No go,' and +took himself off at a round trot, to pay a visit to my neighbour +Ram Chunder, and inquire how his little plot of sweet +yams was coming on. The jackals sniffed at every crevice, +and determined to wait a bit; but the monkeys laughed the +whole entrenchment to scorn. Day after day was I doomed +to behold my canes devoured as fast as they ripened, by +troops of jubilant monkeys. It was of no use attempting to +drive them away. When disturbed, they merely retreated +to the nearest tree, dragging whole stalks of sugar-cane along +with them, and then spurted the chewed fragments in my +face, as I looked up at them. This was adding insult to +injury; and I positively began to grow bloodthirsty at the +idea of being outwitted by monkeys. The case between us +might have been stated in this way. 'I have, at much +trouble and expense, cleared and cultivated this jungle land,' +said I. 'More fool you,' said the monkeys. 'I have +planted and watched over these sugar-canes.' 'Watched! +Ah, ah! so have we, for the matter of that.' 'But surely +I have a right to reap what I sowed.' 'Don't see it,' said +the monkeys; 'the jungle, by rights prescriptive and indefeasible, +is ours, and has been so ever since the days of Ram +Hanumán of the long tail. If you cultivate the jungle without +our consent, you must look to the consequences. If you +don't like our customs, you may get about your business. +We don't want you.' I kept brooding over this mortifying +view of the matter, until one morning I hatched revenge in +a practicable shape. A tree, with about a score of monkeys +on it, was cut down, and half a dozen of the youngest were +caught as they attempted to escape. A large pot of <i>ghow</i> +(treacle) was then mixed with as much tarter emetic as could +be spared from the medicine chest, and the young hopefuls,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +after being carefully painted over with the compound, were +allowed to return to their distressed relatives, who, as soon +as they arrived, gathered round them and commenced licking +them with the greatest assiduity. The results I had anticipated +were not long in making their appearance. A more melancholy +sight it was impossible to behold; but so efficacious +was this treatment, that for more than two years I hardly +ever saw a monkey in the neighbourhood."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Monkey Aroused.</span> +Tavernier was once travelling from Agra to +Surat with the English president, when passing +within a few miles of Amenabad through a forest of mangoes, +they experienced the danger of provoking such companies. He +says, "We saw a vast number of very large apes, male and +female, many of the latter having their young in their arms. We +were each of us in our coaches; and the English president +stopped his to tell me that he had a very fine new gun; and +knowing that I was a good marksman, desired me to try it, +by shooting one of the apes. One of my servants, who was +a native of the country, made a sign to me not to do it; +and I did all that was in my power to dissuade the gentleman +from his design, but to no purpose; for he immediately +levelled his piece, and shot a she ape, who fell through the +branches of the tree on which she was sitting, her young ones +tumbling at the same time out of her arms on the ground. +We presently saw that happen which my servant apprehended; +for all the apes, to the number of sixty, came immediately +down from the trees, and attacked the president's coach with +such fury that they must infallibly have destroyed him if +all who were present had not flown to his relief, and by +drawing up the windows, and posting all the servants about +the coach, protected him from their resentment." That +diplomacy is better than war in dealing with bands of monkeys +is shown by comparing the results of the foregoing +experiences.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Monkeys' Affection.</span> +That monkeys are capable of very poignant +feeling is shown by the following pathetic story. +Mr. Forbes, in his "Oriental Memoirs," says:—"On a shooting +party one of my friends killed a female monkey, and +carried it to his tent, which was soon surrounded by forty or +fifty of the tribe, who made a great noise, and in a menacing +posture advanced towards it. On presenting his fowling-piece +they retreated, but one stood his ground, chattering and +menacing in a furious manner. He at length came close to +the tent door, and finding that his threatenings were of no +avail, began a lamentable moaning, and by every expression +of grief and supplication seemed to beg the body of the +deceased. On this it was given to him. He took it up in +his arms, eagerly pressed it to his bosom, and carried it off +in a sort of triumph to his expecting companions. The artless +behaviour of this poor animal wrought so powerfully on the +sportsmen that they resolved never more to level a gun at +one of the monkey tribe."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">American Monkeys.</span> +To visit the family of the Cebidæ we have to +cross the Atlantic Ocean, and here we find +characteristics with which the monkeys of the East are unfamiliar, +while we miss others which are common to the +monkeys of the old world. In passing from East to West +we lose the cheek-pouch characteristic and we find that of +the prehensile tail. There are more than eighty species in +the family of the Cebidæ, divided into ten genera and grouped +in four sub-families. The first of the sub-families includes +the monkeys with prehensile tails.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Capuchin Monkey.</span> +The capuchins belong to the genus <i>Cebus</i> +which includes the majority of American monkeys. +There are a number of species of which the Brown Capuchin +(Brazil), the Wheeper Capuchin (Brazil), and the White-throated +Capuchin (Central America) are the best known.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Spider Monkeys.</span> +The Spider Monkey is of the genus <i>Ateles</i> and +is one of the best known of the Cebidæ family.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +In it the prehensile tail reaches its perfection. It is a +remarkably sensitive organ, answering the purpose, as the Rev. +J. G. Wood puts it, of "a fifth hand," being capable of use +"for any purpose to which the hand could be applied," and +for hooking out objects from places "where a hand could +not be inserted." According to Mr. Wood they wrap their +tails about them to protect themselves from cold, to which +they are very sensitive, and hold on by them to the branches +of trees with such tenacity that they remain suspended after +death. The prehensile part of the tail is naked and of +extreme sensibility. The tail is also used to preserve balance +when walking erect, for which purpose it is thrown up and +curled over. The appearance of these monkeys, as they leap +from branch to branch in their native woods, swinging by +their tails, and often hanging on to those of each other, until +a living bridge is formed from tree to tree, is exceedingly +picturesque.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Howling Monkeys.</span> +The Howling Monkeys form the single genus +of the second sub-family of the Cebidæ—the +genus Mycetes. There are a number of species, popularly +known as the "Golden Howler," the "Black Howler," &c. &c. +They are chiefly characteristic for the attribute to which they +owe their name. The howl is a loud mournful cry which +can be heard at a great distance, and is said by Wallace to +proceed from the leader of the band who howls for the whole +company. These animals are larger and more clumsy than +the spider monkeys and therefore less agile; they have powerful, +prehensile tails. The "Howler" is much prized by the Indians +as an article of food.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bearded Saki.</span> +The third sub-family of the Cebidæ includes +some dozen species which inhabit the forests of +Equatorial America. They are of the genus <i>Pithecia</i>, and +some species have broad beards and bushy tails. The head +of the Bearded Saki (<i>Pithecia Satanas</i>) has a singularly +human appearance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Douroucouli.</span> +The fourth sub-family of the Cebidæ includes +several genera and a number of species, of these +the Douroucouli (<i>Nyctipithecus felinus</i>) is one of the most +interesting. It is a small monkey, measuring only thirteen +inches, apart from its tail, which is eighteen inches long: +It is catlike in some of its habits, sleeping during the day, +and prowling about at night in search of food, which it +finds in fruits, insects and small birds. It has a catlike +mew, though it often makes a louder cry more resembling +the noise of the jaguar.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Marmosets.</span> +The fifth family of the quadrumana comprises +the marmosets, of which there are two genera—the +<i>Hapale</i> and the <i>Midas</i>. These are very small, measuring +about eight inches without the tail, which is eleven inches +long. The marmoset is one of the prettiest of the monkeys, +and, though at first shy, soon becomes playful and affectionate. +Marmosets are one of the few species that breed in +confinement. Sir William Jardine describes a marmoset who +gave birth to three offspring in Paris. One of these, for +some reason, displeased her, and she killed it, but upon the +others beginning to suck the maternal instinct awoke, and +she became as affectionate as she was before careless. "The +male seemed more affectionate and careful of them than the +mother, and assisted in the charge. The young generally +keep upon the back or under the belly of the female, and +Cuvier observed, that when the female was tired of carrying +them, she would approach the male with a shrill cry, who +immediately relieved her with his hands, placing them upon +his back, or under his belly, where they held themselves +and were carried about until they became restless for milk, +when they were given over to the mother who, in her turn, +would again endeavour to get rid of them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">SUB-ORDER II.<br />The Lemurs.</span> +The lemurs and their allied forms make up +the remaining families of the quadrumana. +These are three. The <i>Lemuridæ</i>, of which there are many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +species, most of which belong to Madagascar, others to Africa, +Asia, and the Indian Archipelago; the <i>Tarsidæ</i>, which hail from +Sumatra and Borneo; and the <i>Chiromyidæ</i>, of which the aye-aye +is the representative. The <i>Lemuridæ</i> are divided into +four sub-families by Professor Mivart. I, the Indri; II, the +true Lemurs; III, the slow Lemurs and IV, the Galagos. +The lemur is nocturnal in its habits and noiseless in its +movements. Some of its species much resemble the cat in +appearance though its four hands unmistakably demonstrate +its order. Sir William Jones describes a Slow Lemur (<i>Nycticebus +tardigradus</i>), which he had in his possession, as "gentle except +in the cold season, when his temper seemed wholly +changed." This animal expressed great resentment when +disturbed unseasonably. From half an hour after sunrise to +half an hour before sunset he slept without any intermission, +rolled up like a hedgehog: and as soon as he awoke he +began to prepare himself for the occupations of his approaching +day, licking and dressing himself like a cat—an operation +which the flexibility of his neck and limbs enabled him to +perform very completely. He was then ready for a slight +breakfast, after which he commonly took a short nap; but +when the sun was quite set he recovered all his vivacity. +"Generally he was not voracious, but of grasshoppers he never +could have enough; and passed the whole night during the +hot season in prowling for them. He used all his paws +indifferently as hands." Mrs. Bowdich tells of one of these +animals, procured by Mr. Baird at Prince of Wales Island, +who shared a cage with a dog to whom he became greatly +attached, while nothing could reconcile him to a cat, which +constantly jumped over his back, causing him great annoyance.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tarsier.</span> +The tarsier (<i>Tarsius spectrum</i>) is a small, kitten-faced +animal with long hind legs, which enable it to leap +like a frog. It is nocturnal in habit, and is found in Sumatra, +Borneo, and elsewhere.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Aye-Aye.</span> +The aye-aye (<i>Chiromys madagascariensis</i>) is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +a remarkable little animal resembling, as Professor Owen says, +in size and shape the domestic cat, its head and ears being +larger, and its hind legs and tail longer than those of the +cat. Dr. Sandwich, writing of one he had in his possession, +says:—"The thick sticks I put into his cage were bored in +all directions by a large and destructive grub, called the +<i>montouk</i>. Just at sunset the aye-aye crept from under his +blanket, yawned, stretched and betook himself to his tree. +Presently he came to one of the worm-eaten branches, which +he began to examine most attentively, and bending forward +his ears, and applying his nose close to the bark, he rapidly +tapped the surface with the curious second digit, as a woodpecker +taps a tree, though with much less noise, from time +to time inserting the end of the slender finger into the +worm-holes as a surgeon would a probe. At length he came +to a part of the branch which evidently gave out an interesting +sound, for he began to tear it with his strong teeth. +He rapidly stripped off the bark, cut into the wood, and +exposed the nest of a grub which he daintily picked out of +its bed, with the slender, tapping finger, and conveyed the +luscious morsel to his mouth. But I was yet to learn another +peculiarity. I gave him water to drink in a saucer, on which +he stretched out his hand, dipped a finger into it and drew +it obliquely through his open mouth. After a while he lapped +like a cat, but his first mode of drinking appeared to me to +be his way of reaching water in the deep clefts of trees."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER II.<br /> +Wing-Handed Animals.</span> +The animals which most nearly resemble the +four-handed animals or quadrumana are the +wing-handed animals,—the bats or <i>Cheiroptera</i>. +These are of singular <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'appearence'.">appearance</span> and interesting habit. "If," +says the Rev. J. G. Wood, "the fingers of a man were to be +drawn out like wire to about four feet in length, a thin +membrane to extend from finger to finger, and another +membrane to fall from the little finger to the ankles, he +would make a very tolerable imitation of a bat."—Of course,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +it should be added, making allowance for proportion, the +full grown male bat, of the largest species, rarely exceeding +twelve inches in height from head to foot. Bats' wings are +highly nervous and sensitive, so much so as to render their +owners almost independent of sight. Besides being "well +adapted for flight," says Dr. Percival Wright, "they are still +capable in a small measure of seizing, differing thus from +the anterior limbs of Birds."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Bats.</span> +Dr. Dobson divides the order <i>Cheiroptera</i> into +two sub-orders: I, The Great Bats and II, The Smaller Bats. +Of these there are numerous genera and a large number of +species. <span class="smcap">The Great Bats</span> abound in the tropical and sub-tropical +regions of the East, where they live on fruit, and +from this circumstance are classified as "fruit-eating bats," +though they are sometimes called "flying-foxes." The largest +of these inhabit Sumatra and Java, living in large companies, +sleeping by day and foraging by night. A large tree serves +them for a sleeping-chamber, where, suspending themselves +head downwards from the branches, they wrap their wings +about them in lieu of blankets and sleep out the sunshine. +After sunset they gradually awake and proceed to ravage +any fruit preserves which may be within reach, committing +serious depredations while the owners outsleep the moon. +According to Mr. Francis Day, "they do very great injury +to cocoa-nut plantations and mangoe gardens." "Their +habits," says Mr. Day, "are very intemperate, and they often +pass the night drinking the toddy from the chatties in the +cocoa-nut trees, which results either in their returning home +in the early morning in a state of extreme and riotous +intoxication, or in being found the next day at the foot of +the trees, sleeping off the effects of their midnight debauch." +<span class="smcap">The Smaller Bats</span> include several families, numerous genera, +and a large number of species to be found in almost all +parts of the world. These bats are chiefly insect-eaters, +though included among them are the vampire bats and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +Megaderma lyra which have the reputation of being cannibalistic. +The various families are "The Horseshoe Bats," "The +Nycteridæ," "The Vespertilionidæ," "The Emballonuridæ," +and "The Phyllostomidæ.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common English Bats.</span> +The common English bats belong to the +Vespertilionidæ. The Pipistrelle feeds upon +insects but will eat flesh if opportunity serves. +In his "Natural History of Selbourne," Mr. White describes +a tame bat which he saw, which would take flies out of a +person's hand. "If you gave it anything to eat," he says, +"it brought its wings round before the mouth, hovering and +hiding its head in the manner of birds of prey when they +feed. The adroitness it showed in shearing off the wings +of the flies, which were always rejected, pleased me much. +Insects seemed to be most acceptable, though it did not +refuse raw flesh when offered; so that the notion that bats +go down chimneys and gnaw men's bacon seems no improbable +story." The Long-eared Bat, <i>Plecotus auritus</i>, is also common +in England. "Its ears," says Mr. Wood, "are about an inch +and a half in length and have a fold in them reaching almost +to the lips," hence its name. "It is very easily tamed."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Vampire Bat.</span> +The Vampire Bat which belongs to South +America has been invested with a halo of romance +by the stories which have been told about its +sanguinary character. "It lives," says the Rev. J. G. Wood, +"on the blood of animals, and sucks usually while its victim +sleeps. The extremities, where the blood flows freely, as the +toe of a man, the ears of a horse, or the combs and wattles +of fowls, are its favourite spots. When it has selected a +subject, on which it intends to feed, it watches until the +animal is fairly asleep. It then carefully fans its victim with +its wings while it bites a little hole in the ear or shoulder, +and through this small aperture, into which a pin's head +would scarcely pass, it contrives to abstract sufficient blood +to make a very ample meal. The wound is so small, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +the bat manages so adroitly, that the victim does not discover +that anything has happened until the morning, when a pool +of blood betrays the visit of the vampire. "The Vampire +Bat," says Professor Darwin, "is often the cause of much +trouble by biting the horses on their withers. The injury +is not so much owing to the loss of blood, as to the inflammation +which the pressure of the saddle afterwards produces. The +whole circumstance has lately been doubted in England. I +was therefore fortunate in being present when one was actually +caught on a horse's back. We were bivouacking late one +evening, near Coquimbo, in Chili, when my servant, noticing +that one of the horses was very restive, went to see what was +the matter, and fancying he could distinguish something, +suddenly put his hand on the beast's withers, and secured +the vampire. In the morning the spot where the bite had +been inflicted was easily distinguished by its being slightly +swollen and bloody. The third day afterwards we rode the +horse without any ill effects."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Traveller's Experience.</span> +Captain Steadman, in his "Narrative of a Five +Years' Expedition against the Revolted Negroes +of Surinam," relates, that on waking about four o'clock one +morning in his hammock, he was extremely alarmed at finding +himself weltering in congealed blood, and without feeling any +pain whatever. "The mystery was," continues Captain Steadman, +"that I had been bitten by the <i>Vampyre</i> or <i>Spectre</i> of +Guiana, which is also called the <i>Flying Dog</i> of New Spain, +and by the Spaniards, <i>Perrovolador</i>. This is no other than +a bat of monstrous size, that sucks the blood from men and +cattle while they are fast asleep, even sometimes till they die; +and as the manner in which they proceed is truly wonderful, +I shall endeavour to give a distinct account of it. Knowing, +by instinct, that the person they intend to attack is in a +sound slumber, they generally alight near the feet, where, +while the creature continues fanning with his enormous wings, +which keeps one cool, he bites a piece out of the tip of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +great toe, so very small, indeed, that the head of a pin could +scarcely be received into the wound, which is consequently +not painful; yet through this orifice he continues to suck the +blood until he is obliged to disgorge. Cattle they generally +bite in the ear, but always in places where the blood flows +spontaneously."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Megaderma Lyra.</span> +The Vampire Bat of South America has long +been credited with sanguinivorous habits, and +until recently was supposed to be the only bat having such +propensities. Mr. Edward Blyth has, however, shown that +the Megaderma Lyra of Asia will sometimes prey upon the +smaller species of bat with which it comes in contact. Mr. +Blyth, one evening, observed a rather large bat of this species +enter an outhouse, whereupon he procured a light, closed +the door to prevent escape and then proceeded to catch +the intruder. In the chase the bat dropped what Mr. Blyth +at first took to be a young one, but which proved to be +a small Vespertilio Bat, "feeble from loss of blood, which +it was evident the Megaderma had been sucking from a +large, and still bleeding, wound under and behind the ear." +As the Megaderma had not alighted while in the outhouse, +Mr. Blyth concluded "that it sucked the vital current from +its victim as it flew, having probably seized it on the wing, +and that it was seeking a quiet nook where it might devour +the body at leisure." Having caught the Megaderma Mr. +Blyth kept both specimens until the next day, and having +examined each separately put them both into a cage, whereupon +the Megaderma attacked the smaller bat "with the +ferocity of a tiger"; finding it impossible to escape the cage +"it hung by the hind legs to one side of its prison, and after +sucking the victim till no more blood was left commenced +devouring it, and soon left nothing but the head and some +portions of the limbs." "The voidings observed shortly +afterwards in its cage," says Mr. Blyth, "resembled clotted +blood, which will explain the statement of Steadman and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +others concerning masses of congealed blood being observed +near a patient who has been attacked by a South American +vampire."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER III.<br /> +Insect-Eating Animals.</span> +Insect-eating animals (<i>Insectivora</i>) include +several families, of which the hedgehogs, the +moles and the shrews, are the best known genera. +The Colugo is perhaps the most singular member of the +order. According to some writers his proper place is among +the lemurs, and except that his feet are adorned with +claws instead of nails, it is easy to understand why he +might be classed with the quadrumana. The Colugo is +covered from head to foot by a furry membrane, resembling +an overcoat open in front and ending in a three cornered +flap at the tail.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Hedgehog.</span> +The family of the hedgehog contains two genera +and a number of species. Its length is from six +to ten inches; the head, back, and sides being covered with +short spines, the under parts with soft hair. It lives in +thickets, and subsists on fruits, roots, and insects. During the +winter, it lies imbedded in moss, or dried leaves, in a state of +torpidity. It inhabits Europe, Asia and Africa. It is valuable +in the garden for destroying the insects, and in the kitchen +for the extermination of cockroaches, beetles and other household +pests. For defence, it rolls itself into a ball in such a +manner as to present its prickly spines on all sides. In this +condition it can suffer considerable violence without injury. +Mr. Bell mentions a hedgehog that was in the habit of +running to the edge of an area wall twelve or fourteen feet +high, and without a moment's pause, leap over, contracting +into a ball as he fell, and in this form reaching the ground, +where it quietly unfolded itself as if nothing had happened +and ran on its way. It is nocturnal in its habits and in its +natural state lives in pairs. It is easily tamed. A hedgehog +has been trained to serve as a turnspit "as well," says Captain +Brown, "in all respects as the dog of that denomination. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +a wild state it has been known to attack and kill a leveret. +In attacking a snake it will roll itself up between its bites and +thus protect itself against retaliation.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mole.</span> +The family of the Talpidæ to which the mole +belongs is a large and interesting one. The common mole +"when at rest," says the author of "Tales of Animals," "bears +more resemblance to a small stuffed sack than to a living +animal, its head being entirely destitute of external ears, and +elongated nearly to a point, and its eyes so extremely small +and completely hidden by the fur, that it would not be surprising +should a casual observer conclude it to be blind. This +apparently shapeless mass is endowed with great activity and +a surprising degree of strength, and is excellently suited for +deriving enjoyment from the peculiar life it is designed to lead. +It is found abundantly in Europe and North America, from +Canada to Virginia; often living at no great distance from +water-courses, or in dykes thrown up to protect meadows +from inundation. The mole burrows with great quickness, +and travels under ground with much celerity; nothing can be +better constructed for this purpose than its broad and strong +hands, or fore paws, armed with long and powerful claws, +which are very sharp at their extremities, and slightly curved +on the inside. Numerous galleries, communicating with each +other, enable the mole to travel in various directions, without +coming to the surface, which they appear to do very rarely, +unless their progress is impeded by a piece of ground so hard +as to defy their strength and perseverance. The depth of +their burrows depends very materially on the character of +the soil, and the situation of the place; sometimes running +for a great distance, at a depth of from one to three inches, +and sometimes much deeper. Moles are most active early +in the morning, at midday, and in the evening; after rains +they are particularly busy in repairing their damaged galleries; +and in long continued wet weather we find that they seek +the high grounds for security."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">An Enterprising Mole.</span> +Though as Captain Brown points out nothing +is more fatal to the mole than excessive rain, +which fills their subterranean galleries with water; the following +statement made by Mr. A. Bruce in the Linnæan Transactions, +shows that the animal is not without enterprise on +the water:—"On visiting the Loch of Clunie, which I often +did, I observed in it a small island at the distance of one +hundred and eighty yards from the nearest land, measured +to be so upon the ice. Upon the island, the Earl of Airly, +the proprietor, has a castle and small shrubbery. I remarked +frequently the appearance of fresh mole casts, or hills. I for +some time took them for those of the water mouse, and one +day asked the gardener if it was so. No, said he, it was +the mole; and that he had caught one or two lately. Five +or six years ago, he caught two in traps; and for two years +after this he had observed none. But, about four years ago, +coming ashore one summer's evening in the dusk, with the +Earl of Airly's butler, they saw at a short distance, upon the +smooth water, some animal paddling towards the island. They +soon closed with this feeble passenger, and found it to be +the common mole, led by a most astonishing instinct from +the castle hill, the nearest point of land, to take possession +of this desert island. It had been, at the time of my visit, +for the space of two years quite free from any subterraneous +inhabitant; but the mole has, for more than a year past, +made its appearance again, and its operations I have since +been witness to."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Use of the Mole.</span> +The use of the mole is often said to be far +outweighed by the mischief he perpetrates, the +truth appearing to be that like many other animals, in his +own place he is valuable, out of it he is a source of danger. +Both conditions are illustrated by the following, which I quote +from Mrs. Bowdich's "Anecdotes of Animals."</p> + +<p>"A French naturalist of the name of Henri Lecourt devoted +a great part of his life to the study of the habits and structure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +of moles; and he tells us that they will run as fast as a +horse will gallop. By his observations he rendered essential +service to a large district in France; for he discovered that +numbers of moles had undermined the banks of a canal, and +that unless means were taken to prevent the catastrophe, +these banks would give way, and inundation would ensue. +By his ingenious contrivances and accurate knowledge of their +habits, he contrived to extirpate them before the occurrence +of further mischief. Moles, however, are said to be excellent +drainers of land; and Mr. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, used +to declare that if a hundred men and horses were employed +to dress a pasture farm of 1500 or 2000 acres, they would +not do it as effectually as moles would do, if left to themselves."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Shrew.</span> +The shrew family is a large one and widely +distributed over the surface of the earth. The common shrew +(<i>Sorex vulgaris</i>) is that best known in England. It resembles +the mouse in general form and varies in size and colour, its usual +length, including the tail being about four and a half inches. +Its body is moderately full, its neck short, its head tapering +to a pointed snout, the fore-feet small, the hind-feet larger +and the tail shorter than the body. The shrew is generally +found either in burrows, or among heaps of stones, or in +holes made by other animals; near dung heaps or hayricks, +they are more numerous than elsewhere. Insects are their +principal subsistence, but they seem no less fond of grain, +and show a pig's predilection for filth of various sorts. Its +principal enemies are the Kestrel and the Barn Owl. A +superstition to the effect that if the shrew should run over +the legs of a cow or a horse while reposing on the grass it +causes lameness, is also responsible for the destruction of many +by ignorant country folk. One species of the shrew enjoys +the reputation of being the smallest living <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'mammel'.">mammal</span>; it is but +an inch and a half long with a tail of an inch in length. +The water shrew is somewhat larger than the common shrew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +attaining to a length of five and a half inches including the +tail. The water shrew colonises on the banks of rivers.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER IV.<br /> +Flesh-eating Animals.</span> +The order of flesh-eating animals (<i>carnivora</i>) +includes a large number of species among which +are the lion, the tiger and the leopard, as +well as the cat and the dog. The two sub-orders into +which this order is divided are: I, The Fissipedia, and II, The +Pinnipedia. The Fissipedia are again divided into ten families; +lions, cats, dogs, hyenas, weasels, and bears being the +most important members. The Pinnipedia includes the seal, +the sea lion, the walrus and their allies.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">SUB-ORDER I.<br /> +The Fissipedia.<br />Animals of the Cat Kind.</span> +Animals of the cat kind are distinguished +by their sharp and formidable claws, which +they can hide or extend at pleasure. They +are remarkable for their rapacity, subsisting +entirely on the flesh and blood of other animals. The dog, +wolf, and bear, are sometimes known to live on vegetables, +or farinaceous food; but the lion, the tiger, the leopard, and +other animals of this class, devour nothing but flesh, and +would starve upon any other provision. They lead a solitary, +ravenous life, uniting neither for mutual defence, like vegetable +feeders, nor for mutual support, like those of the dog kind. +The first of the class is the lion, distinguished from all the +rest by his strength, his magnitude, and his mane. The +second is the tiger, rather longer than the lion, but not so +tall, and known by the streaks and vivid beauty of its skin; +here we may also mention the puma, which is sometimes +called a panther, or colloquially a "painter", otherwise a +couguar, or American lion, which is of a tawny colour. The +next is the leopard, sometimes called a panther, and the next +the jaguar, followed by the ounce, not so large as any of the +former, spotted like them, but distinguished by the cream-coloured +ground of its hair, and a tail so long as to exceed +the length of its body. The next is the catamountain, or +tiger-cat, less than the ounce, but differing particularly in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +having a shorter tail, and being streaked down the back like +a tiger. The next is the lynx, of the size of a fox, with its +body streaked, and the tips of its ears tufted with black. +Then comes the Persian lynx, not so large as the lynx, nor +mottled like it, but with longer ears, tipped also with black, +and the serval, shaped and streaked like the lynx, but not +having the tips of its ears tufted. Lastly, the cat, wild and +tame, with all its varieties; less than any of the former, but +like them insidious, rapacious, and cruel.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 389px;"> +<img src="images/illus-044-f.jpg" width="389" height="600" alt="" title="The Lion" /> +<span class="caption">The Lion</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lion.</span> +The lion is known as the King of Beasts; +though modern travellers have done much to rob him of +the homage that he once received. Like a human being +who has been too much lionized, he suffers from the detractions +which are excited by his pre-eminence. He is found +chiefly in India and Africa, though he once had a more +extended range. He was well known to the Greeks, and +appears in both their poetry and history. Homer celebrates +him, and according to Herodotus he exploited himself by +attacking the camels of the army of Xerxes. His noble +appearance is said to be responsible for the popular ideal of +his character, which travellers and naturalists declare to be +minus the magnanimous and generous qualities with which +it was at one time credited.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lion's Character.</span> +In judging of the lion's character it is important +to remember that he belongs to the cat family, +and that his virtues and vices are naturally of the cat kind. +"The lion seldom runs," says the author of "Tales of Animals." +"He either walks or creeps, or, for a short distance, advances +rapidly by great bounds. It is evident, therefore, that he +must seize his prey by stealth; that he is not fitted for an +open attack; and that his character is necessarily that of +great power, united to considerable skill and cunning in its +exercise." Again, the lion, as well as others of the cat +tribe, takes his prey at night; and it is necessary, therefore, +that he should have peculiar organs of vision. In all those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +animals which seek their food in the dark, the eye is usually +of a large size, to admit a great number of rays. This +peculiar kind of eye, therefore, is necessary to the Lion to +perceive his prey, and he creeps towards it with a certainty +which nothing but this distinct nocturnal vision could give." +Men who hunt the lion in the daytime, when he is usually +sleeping off the effects of a hearty meal, and who awaken +him in a surprised and dazed condition when his cat-like eyes +cannot bear the blaze of the sun, ought not to be surprised +if he tries to postpone fighting until a more convenient season. +Nor can he be said to be less noble because he only fights +when it is necessary to procure food, to protect his young, +and to defend himself. A veritable Ulysses among the +beasts he is ready to fight if needs be, but unless urged by +hunger, or attacked by the hunter, he does not seem to bear +any particular malice against mankind.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lion's Attitude towards Man.</span> +"It is singular," says Sparrman, "that the lion, +which, according to many, always kills his prey +immediately if it belongs to the brute creation, +is reported, frequently, although provoked, to content himself +with merely wounding the human species; or, at least, to wait +some time before he gives the fatal blow to the unhappy +victim he has got under him. A farmer, who the year +before had the misfortune to be a spectator of a lion seizing +two of his oxen, at the very instant he had taken them out +of the waggon, told me that they immediately fell down +dead upon the spot, close to each other; though, upon +examining the carcasses afterwards, it appeared that their +backs only had been broken. In several places through +which I passed, they mentioned to me by name a father +and his two sons, who were said to be still living, and who, +being on foot near a river on their estate, in search of a +lion, this latter had rushed out upon them, and thrown one +of them under his feet. The two others, however, had time +enough to shoot the lion dead upon the spot, which had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +lain almost across the youth, so nearly and dearly related +to them, without having done him any particular hurt. I +myself saw, near the upper part of Duyvenhoek River, an +elderly Hottentot who, at that time (his wounds being still +open), bore under one eye, and underneath his cheek bone +the ghastly marks of the bite of a lion, which did not think +it worth his while to give him any other chastisement for +having, together with his master (whom I also knew), and +several other Christians, hunted him with great intrepidity, +though without success. The conversation ran everywhere +in this part of the country upon one Bota, a farmer and +captain in the militia, who had lain for sometime under a +lion, and had received several bruises from the beast, having +been at the same time a good deal bitten by him in one +arm, as a token to remember him by; but, upon the whole, +had, in a manner, had his life given him by this noble animal. +The man was said then to be living in the district of Artaquaskloof."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Discretion the better part of Valour.</span> +The following seems to show a curious power +of reasoning on the part of the lion. "Diederik +Muller, one of the most intrepid and successful +of modern lion-hunters in South Africa, had," says Sir +William Jardine, "been out alone hunting in the wilds, when +he came <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'suddently'.">suddenly</span> upon a lion, which, instead of giving way, +seemed disposed, from the angry attitude he assumed, to +dispute with him the dominion of the desert. Diederik +instantly alighted, and confident of his unerring aim levelled +his gun at the forehead of the lion, who was couched in the +act to spring, within fifteen paces of him; but at the moment +the hunter fired, his horse, whose bridle was round his +arm, started back and caused him to miss. The lion, bounded +forward, but stopped within a few paces, confronting Diederik +who stood defenceless, his gun discharged, and his horse +running off. The man and the beast stood looking at each +other in the face for a short space. At length the lion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +moved backward as if to go away. Diederik began to load +his gun, the lion looked over his shoulder, growled, and +returned. Diederik stood still. The lion again moved cautiously +off, and the Boer proceeded to load and ram down +his bullet. The lion again looked back and growled angrily; +and this occurred repeatedly, until the animal had got off +to some distance when he took fairly to his heels and +bounded away."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Strength of the Lion.</span> +Whatever may be said of the lion's courage, +there can be no doubt as to his strength. Burchell +thus describes an encounter with a lion. "The +day was exceedingly pleasant and not a cloud was to be seen. +For a mile or two we travelled along the banks of the river, +which in this part abounded in late mat-rushes. The dogs +seemed much to enjoy prowling about and examining every +rushy place, and at last met with some object among the +rushes which caused them to set up a most vehement and +determined barking. We explored the spot with caution as +we suspected, from the peculiar tone of the bark, that it was +what it proved to be—lions. Having encouraged the dogs to +drive them out, a task which they performed with great +willingness, we had a full view of an enormous black-maned +lion and lioness. The latter was seen only for a minute, as +she made her escape up the river under concealment of the +rushes; but the lion came steadily forward, and stood still +and looked at us. At this moment we felt our situation not +free from danger, as the animal seemed preparing to spring +upon us, and we were standing on the bank, at a distance +of only a few yards from him, most of us being on foot, +and unarmed, without any visible possibility of escaping. At +this instant the dogs boldly flew in between us and the lion, +and surrounding him, kept him at bay by their violent and +resolute barking. The lion, conscious of his strength, remained +unmoved at their noisy attempts and kept his head turned +towards us. At one moment, the dogs perceiving his eye<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +thus engaged, had advanced close to his feet, and seemed +as if they would actually seize hold of him; but they paid +dearly for their imprudence, for, without discomposing the +majestic and steady attitude in which he stood fixed, he +merely moved his paw, and the next instant I beheld two +lying dead. In doing this he made so little exertion, that it +was scarcely perceptible by what means they had been killed. +We fired upon him, and one of the balls went through his +side, just between the short ribs, but the animal still remained +standing in the same position. We had now no doubt that +he would spring upon us, but happily we were mistaken and +were not sorry to see him move slowly away."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lion's Affection.</span> +Many instances are on record of strong +attachments formed by the lion for his keeper, +and for dogs or other animals which have been associated +with him. A remarkable example of this kind is related, where +a little dog, which had been thrown into a lion's den that +he might be devoured, was not only spared by the noble +animal, but became his companion and favourite. In a +moment of irritation caused by long hunger, the dog, having +snapped at the first morsels of food, received a blow from +the lion which proved fatal. From that time the lion +pined away, refused his food, and at length died, apparently +of melancholy.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lion's Docility.</span> +A carpenter was employed some years ago to +do some repairs to the cage of a lion at a +menagerie at Brussels. When the workman saw the lion +he drew back in terror. The keeper, on this, entered the +cage and led the animal to the upper part of it, while the +lower was refitting. He there amused himself for some time +playing with the lion, and being wearied he fell asleep. +The carpenter, having finished his work, called the keeper +to inspect what he had done, but the keeper made no +answer. Having repeatedly called in vain he became alarmed +and proceeded to the upper part of the cage, where, looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +through the bars, he saw the lion and the keeper lying side +by side, and immediately uttered a loud cry. The lion +started up and stared at the carpenter with an eye of fury, and +then, placing his paw on the breast of his keeper, lay down +to sleep again. The carpenter, terrified at what he saw, ran +off to secure help, whereupon some of the attendants succeeded +in arousing the keeper who, far from being disconcerted +by the circumstances, took the paw of the lion and shook +it gently in token of regard and the animal quietly returned +with him to his former residence. M. Felix, the keeper of +the animals at Paris, had charge of a lion which refused +food, and became sullen and mopish during the temporary +absence of M. Felix through illness, but who regained his +spirits and showed every demonstration of joy upon the +reappearance of M. Felix at his post of duty.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The story of Androcles.</span> +With so many authentic instances which can +be cited of the amenability of the lion to kindly +influences, the story of Androcles and the lion does not seem so +improbable as it has been sometimes thought. The following +is the story:—In the days of ancient Rome, a Roman governor +treated one of his slaves or subjects, called Androcles, so +cruelly that he ran away. To escape pursuit he fled to a +desert and crept into a cave. What was his horror to find +that this cave was a lion's den, and to see a large lion +approach him! He expected instantly to be destroyed; but +the lion, approaching Androcles, held up his paw or foot +with a supplicating air. Androcles examined the lion's paw, +and found a thorn in it which he drew out, and the lion, +apparently relieved, fawned upon his benefactor as a dog +does upon his master. After some time Androcles ventured +back to the place where he lived before. He was discovered, +taken up as a runaway slave, and condemned to be the prey +of a wild beast. He was accordingly thrown into a place +where a large lion, recently caught, was let in upon him. +The lion came bounding toward Androcles, and the spectators<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +expected to see the man instantly torn in pieces. What +was their astonishment to see the lion approach him, and +fawn before him like a dog who had found his master! It +was the lion Androcles had met in the desert, and the +grateful animal would not rend his benefactor.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Lion Hunt.</span> +Livingstone came to very close quarters with +a lion on one occasion, the circumstances of which he thus +narrates. "The Bakátla of the village Mabotsa, were much +troubled by lions, which leaped into the cattle-pens by night +and destroyed their cows. They even attacked the herds in +open day. This was so unusual an occurrence that the people +believed that they were bewitched, 'given' as they said, +into the power of the lions by a neighbouring tribe. They +went once to attack the animals, but being rather a cowardly +people compared to Bechuanas in general on such occasions, +they returned without killing any. It is well known that if +one in a troop of lions is killed, the others take the hint +and leave that part of the country. So the next time the +herds were attacked, I went with the people in order to +encourage them to rid themselves of the annoyance by +destroying one of the marauders. We found the lions on +a small hill, about a quarter of a mile in length and covered +with trees. A circle of men was formed round it, and they +gradually closed up, ascending pretty near to each other. +Being down below on the plain with a native schoolmaster, +named Mebálwe, I saw one of the lions sitting upon a +piece of rock, within the now closed circle of men. Mebálwe +fired at him before I could, and the ball struck the rock +upon which the animal was sitting. He bit at the spot struck, +as a dog does at a stick or a stone thrown at him, then, +leaping away, broke through the opening circle and escaped +unhurt. When the circle was reformed we saw two other +lions in it, but we were afraid to fire lest we should strike +the men; and they allowed the beasts to burst through also. +If the Bakátla had acted according to the custom of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +country, they would have speared the lions in their attempt +to get out. Seeing that we could not get them to kill one +of the lions, we bent our footsteps towards the village; in +going round the end of the hill, however, I saw one of the +beasts sitting on a piece of rock, as before, but this time he +had a little bush in front. Being about thirty yards off, I +took a good aim at his body through the bush, and fired +both barrels into in. The men then called out: 'He is shot! +He is shot!' Others cried: 'He has been shot by another +man, too; let us go to him.' I did not see anyone else shoot +at him, but I saw the lion's tail erected in anger behind the +bush, and turning to the people, said: 'Stop a little till I load +again.' When in the act of ramming down the bullets I heard +a shout. Starting, and looking half round, I saw the lion just +in the act of springing upon me. I was upon a little height. +He caught my shoulder as he sprang and we both came +to the ground below together. Growling horribly, close to my +ear, he shook me as a terrier dog does a rat. The shock +produced a stupor, similar to that which seems to be felt by +a mouse after the first shake of a cat. It caused a sort of +dreaminess, in which there was no sense of pain or feeling +of terror, though quite conscious of all that was happening. +It was like what patients partially under the influence +of chloroform describe, who see all the operation but feel +not the knife. This singular condition was not the result of +any mental process. The shake annihilated fear, and allowed +no sense of horror in looking round at the beast. This +peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by +the carnivora; and, if so, is a merciful provision by our +benevolent Creator for lessening the pain of death. Turning +round to relieve myself of the weight, as he had one paw +on the back of my head, I saw his eyes directed to Mebálwe, +who was trying to shoot him at a distance of ten or fifteen +yards. His gun, a flint one, missed fire in both barrels. +The lion immediately left me and attacking Mebálwe bit his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +thigh. Another man, whose life I had saved before, after +he had been tossed by a buffalo, attempted to spear the +lion while he was biting Mebálwe. He left Mebálwe and +caught this man by the shoulder; but at that moment the +bullets he had received took effect, and he fell down dead. +The whole was the work of a few moments, and must have +been his paroxysm of dying rage. In order to take out the +charm from him, the Bakátla, on the following day, made a +huge bonfire over the carcass, which was declared to be +the largest lion they had ever seen. Besides crunching the +bone into splinters, he left eleven teeth wounds on the upper +part of my arm. A wound from this animal's tooth resembles +a gunshot wound. It is generally followed by a great deal +of sloughing and discharge, and pains are felt in the part +periodically ever after. I had on a tartan jacket on the +occasion, and I believe that it wiped off all the virus from +the teeth that pierced the flesh; for my two companions in +this affray have both suffered from the peculiar pains, while +I have escaped with only the inconvenience of a false joint in +my limb."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Thrilling Experience.</span> +Professor Lichtenstein, in his "Travels" gives a +thrilling story of a Boer's adventure with a lion, +which he had from the lips of the Boer himself. "It is now," +said the colonist, "more than two years since, in the very +place where we stand, I ventured to take one of the most +daring shots that ever was hazarded. My wife was sitting +within the house near the door, the children were playing +about her, and I was without, near the house, busied in +doing something to a waggon, when suddenly, though it +was mid-day, an enormous lion appeared, came up and laid +himself quietly down in the shade upon the very threshold +of the door. My wife, either frozen with fear, or aware of +the danger of attempting to fly, remained motionless in her +place, while the children took refuge in her arms. The cry +they uttered attracted my attention, and I hastened towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +the door, but my astonishment may well be conceived when +I found the entrance to it barred in such a way. Although +the animal had not seen me, unarmed as I was escape +seemed impossible, yet I glided gently, scarcely knowing what +I meant to do, to the side of the house, up to the window +of my chamber, where I knew my loaded gun was standing. +By a most happy chance, I had set it into the corner close +by the window, so that I could reach it with my hand; for, +as you may perceive, the opening is too small to admit of +my having got in, and still more fortunately, the door of the +room was open, so that I could see the whole danger of +the scene. The lion was beginning to move. There was +no longer any time to think; I called softly to the mother +not to be alarmed, and invoking the name of the Lord, +fired my piece. The ball passed directly over the hair of +my boy's head and lodged in the forehead of the lion, +immediately above his eyes and stretched him on the ground, +so that he never stirred more." "Indeed," says Professor +Lichtenstein, "we all shuddered as we listened to this relation. +Never, as he himself observed, was a more daring attempt +hazarded. Had he failed in his aim, mother and children +were all inevitably lost; if the boy had moved he had been +struck; the least turn in the lion and the shot had not been +mortal to him; and to consummate the whole, the head of the +creature was in some sort protected by the door-post."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Attacked by a Lion.</span> +In Phillips's "Researches in South Africa," the +following account is given of the adventures of +a traveller which we quote from Jardine's Naturalists' Library +collated with other versions. "Our waggons, which were +obliged to take a circuitous route, arrived at last, and we +pitched our tent a musket-shot from the kraal, and, after +having arranged everything, went to rest, but were soon +disturbed; for, about midnight the cattle and horses, which +were standing between the waggons, began to start and +run, and one of the drivers to shout, on which every one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +ran out of the tent with his gun. About thirty paces from +the tent stood a lion, which, on seeing us, walked very +deliberately about thirty paces farther, behind a small thorn-bush, +carrying something with him, which I took to be a +young ox. We fired more than sixty shots at that bush, +without perceiving any movement. The south-east wind blew +strong, the sky was clear, and the moon shone very bright, +so that we could perceive everything at that distance. After +the cattle had been quieted again, and I had looked over +everything, I missed the sentry from before the tent, Jan +Smit, from Antwerp. We called as loudly as possible, but +in vain; nobody answered, from which I concluded that the +lion had carried him off. Three or four men then advanced +very cautiously to the bush, which stood right opposite the +door of the tent, to see if they could discover anything of +the man, but returned helter-skelter; for the lion, who was +there still, rose up, and began to roar. They found there +the musket of the sentry, which was cocked, and also his cap +and shoes. We fired again about a hundred shots at the +bush, without perceiving anything of the lion, from which +we concluded that he was killed, or had run away. This +induced the marksman of our company to go and see if he +was still there or not, taking with him a firebrand. As soon +as he approached the bush, the lion roared terribly, and +leapt at him; on which he threw the firebrand at him, and +the other people having fired about ten shots at him, he +retired directly to his former place behind that bush. The +firebrand which he had thrown at the lion had fallen in the +midst of the bush, and, favoured by the strong south-east +wind, it began to burn with a great flame, so that we could +see very clearly into and through it. We continued our firing +into it until the night passed away, and the day began to +break, when seven men were posted on the farthest waggons +to watch him, and to take aim at him if he should come +out. At last, before it became quite light, he walked up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +hill, with the man in his mouth, when about forty shots were +fired without hitting him, although some were very near. +Every time this happened, he turned round towards the tent, +and came roaring towards us; and, I am of opinion, that if +he had been hit, he would have rushed on the people and +the tent. When it became broad daylight, we perceived, by +the blood, and a piece of the clothes of the man, that the +lion had taken him away." "For the satisfaction of the +curious," says Sir William Jardine, "it may be mentioned, that +he was followed, and killed in the forenoon, over the mangled +remains of the unfortunate sentinel."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Night Surprise.</span> +Mr. Gordon Cumming gives an even more thrilling +account of a similar adventure of his experience. +He says:—"About three hours after the sun went down, I +called to my men to come and take their coffee and supper +which was ready for them at my fire; and after supper, three +of them returned before their comrades to their own fireside +and lay down.... In a few minutes an ox came out by the +gate of the kraal and walked round the back of it. Hendrick +got up and drove him again and then went back to +his fireside and lay down. Hendrick and Ruyter lay on one +side of the fire under one blanket and John Stofolus lay on +the other.... Suddenly the appalling and murderous voice +of an angry bloodthirsty lion, within a few yards of us, burst +upon my ear, followed by the shrieking of the Hottentots. +Again and again the murderous roar of the attack was repeated. +We heard John and Ruyter shriek, 'the Lion! the +Lion!...' Next instant John Stofolus rushed into the midst +of us almost speechless with fear and terror, and eyes bursting +from their sockets, and shrieked out, 'the lion! the lion! +He has got Hendrick, he dragged him away from the fire +beside me. I struck him with the burning brands upon his +head, but he would not let go his hold. Hendrick is dead! +O God! Hendrick is dead! Let us take fire and seek +him....' It appeared that when the unfortunate Hendrick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +rose to drive in the ox, the lion had watched him to his +fireside, and he had scarcely lain down, when the brute sprang +upon him and Ruyter (for both lay under one blanket) with +his appalling murderous roar, and roaring as he lay, grappled +him with his fearful claws and kept biting him on the breast +and shoulder, all the while feeling for his neck; having got +hold of which, he at once dragged him away backwards +round the bush into the dense shade.... The next morning, +just as the day began to dawn we heard the lion dragging +something up the river side under cover of the bank. We +drove the cattle out of the kraal and then proceeded to +inspect the scene of the night's awful tragedy. In the hollow +where the lion had lain, consuming his prey, we found one +leg of the unfortunate Hendrick, bitten off below the knee, +the shoe still on the foot, the grass and bushes were all +stained with his blood, and fragments of his pea-coat lay +around. Hendrick was by far the best man I had about +my waggons ... his loss to us all was very serious."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Lion Outwitted.</span> +In the southern part of Africa, where the Hottentots +live, lions were very common, and the +adventures of the inhabitants with them very frequent. +One evening a Hottentot saw that he was pursued by a lion. +He was very much alarmed, and devised the following means +of escape. He went to the edge of a precipice, and placed +himself a little below it. He then put his cloak and hat on +a stick, and elevated them over his head, giving them a +gentle motion. The lion came crouching along, and, mistaking +the cloak and hat for the man, as the Hottentot intended +he should do, he sprang upon them with a swift leap, and, +passing over the head of the Hottentot, was plunged headlong +down the precipice.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Old Instincts and new Opportunities.</span> +In the "Miscellany of Natural History," from +which several of these anecdotes are taken there +is a story illustrating the way in which old +instincts will show themselves in the presence of new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +opportunities. On the evening of the 20th October 1816, a +lioness made her escape from a travelling menagerie which was +drawn up on the road-side, about seven miles from the town +of Salisbury. It was about eight o'clock, and quite dark, and +the Exeter mail was passing when the animal suddenly darted +forward, and springing at the throat of the off-leader, fastened +the talons of her fore-feet on each side of the neck, close to the +horse's head, while those of the hind-feet were forced into the chest. +In this situation she hung, while the blood streamed from the +agonized creature, as if a vein had been opened by a lancet. +It may be easily supposed, that the alarm excited by this +encounter, was very great. Two inside passengers instantly +dashed out of the coach and fled to a house on the road-side. +The keeper of the caravan came, and immediately set +a large Newfoundland dog on the animal. The lioness, on +finding herself seized by the leg, quitted the horse, and +turned upon the dog, which the spectators expected would +very soon become the victim of her fury; but she was +contented with giving him only a slight punishment, and +on hearing the voice of her keeper, retired under a +neighbouring straw rick, and gently allowed herself to be +secured. "This anecdote," says the writer, "is remarkably +characteristic, the moment that the animal found herself at +liberty, and an object of prey presented itself, all her original +propensities, hitherto restrained, were instantly called into +action; but no sooner did the voice of her keeper reach her +ears, than the force of long habit prevailed, she became +calm, and allowed herself to be bound, and led again to +her den."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tiger.</span> +The tiger is one of the most beautiful, but at +the same time one of the most rapacious and destructive of +the whole animal race. It is found in the warm climates of +the East, especially in India and Siam. It so much resembles +the cat, as almost to induce us to consider the latter a tiger +in miniature. It lurks generally near a fountain, or on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +brink of a river, to surprise such animals as come to quench +their thirst; and like the lion bounds upon its prey, easily +making a spring of twenty feet and upwards. When it has +killed one animal it often attacks others, swallowing their +blood for which it has an insatiable thirst in large draughts; +for even when satisfied with food, it is not satiated with +slaughter. The tiger is said by some to prefer human flesh +to that of any other animal; and it is certain, that it does +not, like many other beasts of prey, shun the presence of +man, but has been even known on more than one occasion +to spring upon a hunting party when seated at their refreshment, +and carry off one of the number, rushing through the +shrubs into the forest, and devouring the unfortunate victim +at its leisure. The strength as well as the agility of this animal +is remarkable; it carries off a deer with the greatest ease.</p> + +<p>The tiger is ornamented with long streaks across its body. +The ground colour is yellow, very deep on the back, but +growing lighter towards the belly, where it softens to white, +as it does also on the throat and the inside of the legs. The +bars which cross the body from the back to the belly are of +the most beautiful black, and the skin altogether is so extremely +fine and glossy, that it is much esteemed, and sold at a high +price in all the eastern countries, especially China. "The +colouring of the tiger," says the Rev. J. G. Wood, "is a good +instance of the manner in which animals are protected by +the similarity of their external appearance to the particular +locality in which they reside. The stripes on the tiger's skin +so exactly assimilate with the long jungle grass amongst which +it lives, that it is impossible for unpractised eyes to discern +the animal at all, even when a considerable portion of its +body is exposed."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Ravages Committed by Tigers.</span> +The ravages committed by tigers have often +led to the organisation of hunting parties formed +with a view to exterminate the more aggressive +of the enemy. The following narrative of a tiger excursion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +at Doongal is from the "East India Government Gazette."</p> + +<p>"There were five tigers killed by the party, besides one +bear killed, and another wounded; a wolf, a hyæna, a panther, +a leopard, and some immense rock and cobra capella snakes. +Among the occurrences during the excursion, some were of a +peculiar and pathetic nature. The first happened to a poor +Bunnia, or dealer, of the village of Doongal, who had been +to the city of Hydrabad, to collect some money, and who +was returning, after having gathered together a small sum, +when on the way, a little beyond the cantonment of Secunderabad, +he saw an armed Pæon seated, and apparently a +traveller in the same direction. After mutual inquiries, the +Pæon told the Bunnia he was going to the same place; and, +as the Bunnia was glad to have somebody to accompany +him, he gave him a part of his victuals; and, on their way, +they mutually related their histories. The Bunnia innocently +mentioned the object of his visit to the city, and the fact +of his returning with the money he had collected; this immediately +raised the avarice of the Pæon, who decided in +his mind to kill the poor Bunnia in a suitable place, and +strip him of his money. They proceeded together, with this +design in the mind of the Pæon, until they came to a place +where the ravages of the tiger were notorious, and he prepared +to kill the Bunnia; and while he was struggling with him, +and in the act of drawing his sword to slay him, a tiger +sprang upon the Pæon, and carried him off, leaving his shield +and sword, which the Bunnia carried to Doongal, as trophies +of retributive justice in his favour. The next victim was the +wife of a Bunjarra. They were resting under a tree, when a +tiger sprang up, and seized the woman by the head. The +husband, from mere impulse to save his wife, held her by the +legs; and a struggle ensued between the tiger pulling her by +the head, and the man by the legs, until the issue, which +could not be doubted, when the tiger carried off the woman. +The man seemed to be rather partial to his wife, and devoted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +himself to revenge her death,—forsook his cattle and property,—resigned +them to his brother, and offered his services +to be of the tiger-killing party, and strayed about the jungles, +until he was heard of no more."</p> + +<p>"A camel driver, who had been just married, was bringing +home his bride, when a tiger followed, and kept them in view +a great part of the road, for an opportunity to seize one of +them. The bride having occasion to alight, was immediately +pounced upon by the ferocious beast, and he scampered away +with her in his mouth. A shepherd was taken by a young +tiger, which was followed by the mother, a large tigress, and +devoured at a distance of two miles; and a Bunnia, or +dealer, from Bolarum, was seized returning from a fair. A +woman, with an infant about a year old, was captured by a +tiger; and the infant was found by the Puttal, or head of the +village, who brought it to his house. Some of the Company's +elephants that were going for forage were chased by a tiger, +which was kept off by a spearman; and a comical chase of +them was made up to Doongal, the elephants running before +the tiger, until they entered the village. It is said the lives +lost by these tigers amounted to about three hundred persons +in one year, within the range of seven villages; and +the destruction of cattle, sheep, and goats, was said to be +immense."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 389px;"> +<img src="images/illus-060-f.jpg" width="389" height="600" alt="" title=" Lieutenant Collet and the Tiger" /> +<span class="caption"> Lieutenant Collet and the Tiger</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="subhead">An Intrepid Hunter.</span> +Captain Brown in his "Natural History of +Animals" tells a thrilling story of an adventure of +Lieutenant Collet, of the Bombay army, who having heard +that a very large tiger had destroyed seven inhabitants of an +adjacent village, resolved, with another officer, to attempt the +destruction of the monster. Having ordered seven elephants, +they went in quest of the animal, which they found sleeping +beneath a bush. Roused by the noise of the elephants, he +made a furious charge upon them, and Lieutenant Collet's +elephant received him on her shoulder, the other six having +turned about, and run off, notwithstanding the exertions of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +their riders. The elephant shook off the tiger, and Lieutenant +Collet having fired two balls at him, he fell; but, again +recovering himself, he made a spring at the lieutenant. Having +missed his object, he seized the elephant by the hind leg, +and, having received a kick from her, and another ball, he +let go his hold, and fell a second time. Supposing that +he was now disabled, Collet very rashly dismounted, with the +resolution of killing him with his pistols; but the tiger, who +had only been crouching to take another spring, flew upon +the lieutenant, and caught him in his mouth. The strength +and intrepidity of the lieutenant, however, did not forsake +him: he immediately fired his pistol into the tiger's body, +and, finding that this had no effect, disengaged his arms with +all his force, and, directing the other pistol to his heart, he +at last destroyed him, after receiving twenty-five severe +wounds.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Leopard.</span> +The Leopard, who is also known as the panther, +belongs to Asia and Africa. He is distinguished +by the beauty of his coat which is of a rich fawn colour, +graduating to white underneath his belly. It is covered with +spots or clusters of marks which resemble the form of a rose. +He is an agile climber and a terror to goats, sheep, monkeys +and all lesser animals, but shows no special hostility to man +unless attacked or cornered.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Leopard's Tenacity of Life.</span> +Like other members of the cat family the Leopard +shows remarkable tenacity of life. Whether like +the domestic cat he has nine lives or not, he +certainly takes a great deal of killing.</p> + +<p>The following account is from the pen of an eye-witness +quoted from Captain Brown's "Natural History of Animals".—"I +was at Jaffna, at the northern extremity of the Island +of Ceylon, in the beginning of the year 1819, when, one +morning, my servant called me an hour or two before my +usual time, with 'Master, master! people sent for master's +dogs—tiger in the town!' There are no real tigers in Ceylon;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +but leopards or panthers are always called so, and by ourselves +as well as by the natives. This turned out to be a +panther. My gun chanced not to be put together; and, while +my servant was doing it, the collector and two medical men, +who had recently arrived, in consequence of the cholera +morbus having just then reached Ceylon from the Continent, +came to my door, the former armed with a fowling-piece, and +the two latter with remarkably blunt hog-spears. They insisted +upon setting off, without waiting for my gun,—a proceeding +not much to my taste. The tiger (I must continue to call +him so) had taken refuge in a hut, the roof of which, like +those of Ceylon huts in general, spread to the ground like +an umbrella; the only aperture into it was a small door, +about four feet high. The collector wanted to get the tiger +out at once. I begged to wait for my gun; but no—the +fowling-piece, (loaded with ball, of course,) and the two hog-spears, +were quite enough. I got a hedge-stake, and awaited +my fate, from very shame. At this moment, to my great +delight, there arrived from the fort an English officer, two +artillery-men, and a Malay captain; and a pretty figure we +should have cut without them, as the event will show. I +was now quite ready to attack, and my gun came a minute +afterwards. The whole scene which follows took place within +an enclosure, about twenty feet square, formed, on three sides, +by a strong fence of palmyra leaves, and on the fourth by +the hut. At the door of this, the two artillery-men planted +themselves: and the Malay captain got at the top, to frighten +the tiger out, by worrying it—an easy operation, as the huts +there are covered with cocoa-nut leaves. One of the artillery-men +wanted to go in to the tiger, but we would not suffer +it. At last the beast sprang. This man received him on his +bayonet, which he thrust apparently down his throat, firing +his piece at the same moment. The bayonet broke off short, +leaving less than three inches on the musket; the rest remained +in the animal, but was invisible to us. The shot probably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +went through his cheek, for it certainly did not seriously +injure him, as he instantly rose upon his legs, with a loud +roar, and placed his paws upon the soldier's breast. At this +moment, the animal appeared to me to about reach the centre +of the man's face; but I had scarcely time to observe this, +when the tiger, stooping his head, seized the soldier's arm +in his mouth, turned him half round staggering, threw him +over on his back, and fell upon him. Our dread now was, +that, if we fired upon the tiger, we might kill the man. For +a moment, there was a pause, when his comrade attacked +the beast exactly in the same manner as the gallant fellow +himself had done. He struck his bayonet into his head; the +tiger rose at him—he fired; and this time the ball took effect, +and in the head. The animal staggered backwards, and we +all poured in our fire. He still kicked and writhed; when +the gentlemen with the hog-spears advanced, and fixed him, +while he was finished by some natives beating him on the +head with hedge-stakes. The brave artilleryman was, after +all, but slightly hurt: He claimed the skin, which was very +cheerfully given to him. There was, however, a cry among +the natives, that the head should be cut off: it was; and, +in so doing, the knife came directly across the bayonet. The +animal measured little less than four feet, from the root of +the tail to the muzzle. There was no tradition of a tiger +having been in Jaffna before. Indeed, this one must have +either come a distance of almost twenty miles, or have swam +across an arm of the sea nearly two miles in breadth; for +Jaffna stands on a peninsula, on which there is no jungle +of any magnitude."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hunters Hunted.</span> +Captain Brown gives a thrilling story of an +adventure which befell two Boers in South +Africa in 1822. They were returning from a hunting excursion, +when they unexpectedly fell in with a leopard in a +mountain ravine, and immediately gave chase to him. The +animal at first endeavoured to escape, by clambering up a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +precipice, but, being hotly pressed, and slightly wounded by +a musket-ball, he turned upon his pursuers, with that frantic +ferocity, which, on such emergencies, he frequently displays, +and, springing upon the man who had fired at him, tore him +from his horse to the ground, biting him at the same time +very severely on the shoulder, and tearing his face and arms +with his claws. The other hunter, seeing the danger of his +comrade, sprang from his horse, and attempted to shoot the +leopard through the head; but, whether owing to trepidation, +or the fear of wounding his friend, or the sudden motions +of the animal, he unfortunately missed his aim. The leopard, +abandoning his prostrate enemy darted with redoubled fury +upon this second antagonist; and so fierce and sudden was +his onset, that before the Boer could stab him with his hunting-knife, +he had struck him in the face with his claws, and +torn the scalp over his forehead. In this frightful condition, +the hunter grappled with the raging beast, and, struggling for +life, they rolled together down a steep declivity. All this +passed so rapidly that the other man had scarcely time to +recover from the confusion into which his feline foe had +thrown him, to seize his gun and rush forward to aid his +comrade, when he beheld them rolling together down the +steep bank, in mortal conflict. In a few moments he was at +the bottom with them, but too late to save the life of his +friend, who had so gallantly defended him. The leopard +had torn open the jugular vein, and so dreadfully mangled +the throat of the unfortunate man, that his death was inevitable; +and his comrade had only the melancholy satisfaction +of completing the destruction of the savage beast, which +was already much exhausted by several deep wounds it +had received in the breast, from the desperate knife of the +expiring huntsman."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Jaguar.</span> +The Jaguar, otherwise known as the American +Leopard, belongs to the forests of South America, and has many +points of difference from as well as some of similarity with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +the Leopard of Asia. Though ferocious in his wild state, he +is amenable to civilizing influences and becomes mild and +tame in captivity. He is an excellent swimmer and an expert +climber, ascending to the tops of high branchless trees by +fixing his claws in the trunks. It is said that he can hunt +in the trees almost as well as he can upon the ground, and +that hence he becomes a formidable enemy to the monkeys. +He is also a clever fisherman, his method being that of +dropping saliva on to the surface of the water, and upon the +approach of a fish, by a dexterous stroke of his paw knocking +it out of the water on to the bank. D'Azara, says: "He +is a very ferocious animal causing great destruction among +horses and asses. He is extremely fond of eggs, and goes to +the shores frequented by turtles, and digs their eggs out of +the sand."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Strength of the Jaguar.</span> +The strength of the Jaguar is very great, and +as he can climb, swim, and leap a great distance, +he is almost equally formidable in three elements. He is said +to attack the alligator and to banquet with evident relish off +his victim. D'Azara says that on one occasion he found a +Jaguar feasting upon a horse which it had killed. The Jaguar +fled at his approach, whereupon he had the body of the +horse dragged to within a musket shot of a tree in which he +purposed watching for the Jaguar's return. While temporarily +absent he left a man to keep watch, and while he was away the +jaguar reappeared from the opposite side of a river which was +both deep and broad. Having crossed the river the animal +approached, and seizing the body of the horse with his teeth +dragged it some sixty paces to the water side, plunged in +with it, swam across the river, pulled it out upon the other +side, and carried it into a neighbouring wood.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Night of Horror.</span> +Mrs. Bowdich tells a story of two early settlers +in the Western States of America, a man and +his wife, who closed their wooden hut, and went to pay a +visit at a distance, leaving a freshly-killed piece of venison<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +hanging inside. "The gable end of this house was not +boarded up as high as the roof, but a large aperture was +left for light and air. By taking an enormous leap, a hungry +jaguar, attracted by the smell of the venison, had entered +the hut and devoured part of it. He was disturbed by the +return of the owners, and took his departure. The venison +was removed. The husband went away the night after to a +distance, and left his wife alone in the hut. She had not +been long in bed before she heard the jaguar leap in at the +open gable. There was no door between her room and +that in which he had entered, and she knew not how to +protect herself. She, however, screamed as loudly as she +could, and made all the violent noises she could think of, +which served to frighten him away at that time; but she +knew he would come again, and she must be prepared for +him. She tried to make a large fire, but the wood was +expended. She thought of rolling herself up in the bedclothes, +but these would be torn off. The idea of getting +under the low bedstead suggested itself, but she felt sure +a paw would be stretched forth which would drag her out. +Her husband had taken all their firearms. At last, as she +heard the jaguar scrambling up the end of the house, in +despair she got into a large store chest, the lid of which +closed with a spring. Scarcely was she within it, and had +dragged the lid down, inserting her fingers between it and +the side of the chest, when the jaguar discovered where she +was. He smelt round the chest, tried to get his head in +through the crack, but fortunately he could not raise the lid. +He found her fingers and began to lick them; she felt +them bleed, but did not dare to move them for fear she +should be suffocated. At length the jaguar leaped on to the +lid, and his weight pressing down the lid, fractured her +fingers. Still she could not move. He smelt round again, +he pulled, he leaped on and off, till at last getting tired of +his vain efforts, he went away. The poor woman lay there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +till daybreak, and then only feeling safe from her enemy, +she went as fast as her strength would let her to her nearest +neighbour's a distance of two miles, where she procured +help for her wounded fingers, which were long in getting +well. On his return, her husband found a male and female +jaguar with their cubs, in the forest close by, and all were +destroyed."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Puma.</span> +The Puma, or American lion, is known by +several names. It is sometimes called a panther, or colloquially +a "painter", and sometimes a cougar. It resembles +the lioness somewhat in appearance, especially about the +head, though it is smaller and less powerful. Its length +varies from four feet to four feet and a half, and its +colour is that of the fox, graduating in parts to white. Like +the lion it inhabits plains rather than forests;—in the marshy +districts, and on the borders of rivers in the south, and in +the swamps and prairies of the northern districts. It lives on +such wild and domestic animals as come within its reach, +lying at full length upon the lower branches of trees, and +dropping upon its victims as they pass beneath. Deer and +cattle of all kinds it attacks, and, not content with killing +enough for immediate purposes, destroys large numbers, sucking +small quantities of blood from each. According to Sir +William Jardine it is exceedingly destructive among sheep +and has been known to kill fifty in one night. The Puma is, +however, easily tamed and becomes very docile under kindly +treatment. Edward Kean kept a tame one which followed +him about like a dog and was as playful as a kitten.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Puma's Ferocity.</span> +"Molina and D'Azara say," says Sir William +Jardine, "that the puma will flee from men, and +that its timidity renders its pursuit generally free from danger." +The following incident given by Sir William Jardine +and at greater length by Captain Brown, shows that this is +not always the case. According to these accounts, two +hunters visited the Katskills in pursuit of game, each armed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +with a gun and accompanied by a dog. They agreed to +follow contrary directions round the base of a hill, and to +join each other immediately upon hearing the report of a +gun. Shortly after parting, one of the friends heard the gun +of his comrade and hastening to his assistance came first +upon the body of his friend's dog, torn and lacerated; proceeding +further, his attention was attracted by the growl of a +wild animal, and looking up, he discovered a large puma +crouching over the body of his friend, upon the branch of a +tree. The animal glared at him, and he, knowing the rapidity +of the Puma's movements, immediately raised his gun +and fired, whereupon the puma rolled over on to the ground +with his prey. The dog flew at the infuriated beast, but one +blow from the puma's paw silenced him for ever. Seeing +that his comrade was dead the hunter left the scene in +search of assistance, upon securing which, he returned to +find the puma dead, beside the two dogs and the hunter whom +he had killed.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Animals and Men.</span> +Captain Head, in his "Journey Across the Pampas" +says:—"The fear which all wild animals in +America have of man is very singularly seen in the Pampas. +I often rode towards the ostriches and <i>zamas</i>, crouching under +the opposite side of my horse's neck; but I always found +that, although they would allow my loose horse to approach +them, they, even when young, ran from me, though little of +my figure was visible; and when I saw them all enjoying +themselves in such full liberty, it was at first not pleasing to +observe that one's appearance was everywhere a signal to +them that they should fly from their enemy. Yet it is by +this fear 'that man hath dominion over the beasts of the +field,' and there is no animal in South America that does +not acknowledge this instinctive feeling. As a singular proof +of the above, and of the difference between the wild beasts +of America and of the old world, I will venture to relate a +circumstance which a man sincerely assured me had happened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +to him in South America:—He was trying to shoot some +wild ducks, and, in order to approach them unperceived, he +put the corner of his poncho (which is a sort of long narrow +blanket) over his head, and crawling along the ground upon +his hands and knees, the poncho not only covered his body, +but trailed along the ground behind him. As he was thus +creeping by a large bush of reeds, he heard a loud, sudden +noise, between a bark and a roar: he felt something heavy +strike his feet, and, instantly jumping up, he saw, to his +astonishment, a large puma actually standing on his poncho; +and, perhaps, the animal was equally astonished to find +himself in the immediate presence of so athletic a man. The +man told me he was unwilling to fire, as his gun was loaded +with very small shot; and he therefore remained motionless, +the puma standing on his poncho for many seconds; at last +the creature turned his head, and walking very slowly away +about ten yards, he stopped, and turned again: the man still +maintained his ground, upon which the puma tacitly acknowledged +his supremacy, and walked off."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ocelot.</span> +The Ocelot is a native of South America and +one of the most beautiful of the Cat family. It is smaller +than the Leopard, attaining to about three feet in length, and +eighteen inches in height. Its colour is grey, tinged with +fawn and the body and legs are covered with longitudinal +chainlike stripes broken into patches of some inches. Its +habits are like those of its near relations, the Leopard and +the Jaguar, though its appetite for blood makes it perhaps +even more destructive. It will suck blood with the greatest +avidity and frequently leave a carcase otherwise untouched +in order to pursue other animals for the sake of more blood. +When tame the Ocelot is remarkably playful, climbing up +the legs and nestling in the arms of its benefactors. It is +apt to be dangerous in a poultry yard but will keep good +friends with a house dog, and play, somewhat roughly, perhaps, +but without malice, with children.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Clouded Tiger.</span> +This animal belongs to Sumatra where it lives +upon the forest birds. Like the Ocelot it is +exceedingly playful when tame, seeking the notice and returning +the caresses of all who encourage it.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Serval.</span> +"The Serval," says Captain Brown, "is somewhat +larger than the ordinary wild cat. Its general colour is a +pale fulvous yellow. It resides on trees, where it makes a +bed, and breeds its young. It seldom appears on the ground, +living principally on birds, squirrels, and small animals; it is +extremely agile, and leaps, with great rapidity, from one branch +to another. The serval never assaults man, but rather endeavours +to avoid him; if, however, it is compelled to attack, +it darts furiously on its antagonist, and bites and tears, like +the rest of the cat kind."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Wild Cat.</span> +The common wild cat is one of the few wild +animals still to be found in the British Isles. Up +till recent years these cats were observed among the woody +mountainous districts of Cumberland and Westmoreland and in +the wild parts of Scotland and Ireland, though as the land +is brought more and more under cultivation they decrease +in numbers, failing suitable asylum. They abound in the +forests of Germany and Russia, where they live in the hollows +of trees and caves of rocks, and feed on birds, squirrels, +hares and rabbits, and will even attack young lambs and fawns. +The wild cat is not to be confused with the domestic cat +which has relapsed into a wild state. "In the form and +shape of the tail," says Sir William Jardine, "this animal +somewhat resembles the Lynx. The fur is very thick, woolly +and long. The general colour is a greyish yellow, in some +specimens inclining much to a shade of bluish grey."—"They +spring," says Mrs. Bowdich, "furiously upon whoever approaches, +and utter unearthly cries. Mr. St. John, when walking up to +his knees in heather over broken ground, came suddenly +upon a wild cat. She rushed out between his legs, every +hair standing up. He cut a good-sized stick; and three Skye<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +terriers gave chase till she took refuge in a corner, spitting +and growling. On trying to dislodge her, she flew at Mr. +St. John's face, over the dogs' heads; but he struck her while +in the air, and she fell among the dogs, who soon despatched +her, even though it has been said that a wild cat has twelve +instead of nine lives. If one of these animals is taken, those +in the neighbourhood are sure to be also secured, as they +will all, after the manner of foxes, assemble round the body +of their relative."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Domestic Cat.</span> +The origin of the domestic cat is difficult to +determine. Cats were numerous in Egypt from +an early date, and are said to be native to Syria. According +to Professor Rolleston the cat was not domesticated anywhere, +except in Egypt, before the Christian Era. Few +animals are more familiar to the general reader, and few +therefore, need less description. The "Tabby" is perhaps +the commonest, though black, white, and tortoise-shell varieties +abound. The Angora or Angola cat, the Persian cat, and the +Manx cat, which latter is deficient in the useful and ornamental +embellishment of a tail, are also well known.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Cat Superstitions.</span> +There are many superstitions concerning the +cat, the black variety coming in for the larger +share of popular suspicion. To steal one and bury it alive +was at one time regarded as a specific against cattle <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'desease'."> disease</span> +in the Irish Highlands, while, according to Captain Brown, it +was the practice for families in Scotland to tie up their cats +on Hallowe'en to prevent their use for equestrian purposes by +witches during the night. "They have always been regarded +as attendants upon witches," says Mrs. Bowdich, "and witches +themselves have been said to borrow their shapes when on +their mysterious expeditions. I was once told that Lord +Cochrane was accompanied by a favourite black cat in a +cruise through the northern seas. The weather had been +most unpropitious; no day had passed without some untoward +circumstance; and the sailors were not slow in attributing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +whole to the influence of the black cat on board. This came +to Lord Cochrane's ears, and knowing that any attempt to +reason his men out of so absurd a notion was perfectly useless, +he offered to sacrifice this object of his regard, and have +her thrown overboard. This, however, far from creating any +satisfaction, only alarmed the men still more. They were +sure that the tempests she would then raise would be much +worse than any they had yet encountered; and they implored +his lordship to let her remain unmolested. 'There was no +help, and they could only hope, if she were not affronted, +they might at the end of their time reach England in +safety.'"</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cat as a Hunter.</span> +"The cat," says the Rev. J. G. Wood, "is familiarly +known to us as a persevering mouse-hunter. +So strong, indeed, is the passion for hunting in the breast +of the cat, that she sometimes disdains mice, 'and such +small deer,' and trespasses on warrens or preserves. A large +tabby cat, residing at no great distance from White Horse +Vale, was accustomed to go out poaching in the preserves +of a neighbouring nobleman, and so expert was she at this +illegal sport that she constantly returned bearing in her +mouth a leveret or a partridge, which she insisted on presenting +to her mistress, who in vain endeavoured to check her +marauding propensities. These exploits, however, brought +their own punishment; for one day, when in the act of +seizing a leveret, she found herself caught in a vermin trap, +which deprived her of one of her hind legs. This misfortune +did not damp her enthusiasm for hunting, as, +although the loss of a leg prevented her from chasing hares, +and suchlike animals, she would still bring in an occasional +rat."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cat and her Young.</span> +"A cat, which had a numerous litter of kittens," +says Captain Brown, "one sunny day encouraged +her little ones to frolic in the vernal beams of noon, about +the stable door, where she was domiciled. While she was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +joining them in a thousand tricks and gambols, a large hawk, +who was sailing above the barn-yard, in a moment darted +upon one of the kittens, and would have as quickly borne +it off, but for the courageous mother, who, seeing the danger +of her offspring, sprang on the common enemy, who, to +defend itself, let fall the prize. The battle presently became +severe to both parties. The hawk, by the power of his wings, +the sharpness of his talons, and the strength of his beak, +had for a while the advantage, cruelly lacerating the poor +cat, and had actually deprived her of one eye in the conflict; +but puss, no way daunted at the accident, strove, with +all her cunning and agility, for her kittens, till she had broken +the wing of her adversary. In this state, she got him more +within the power of her claws, and availing herself of this +advantage, by an instantaneous exertion, she laid the hawk +motionless beneath her feet; and, as if exulting in the victory, +tore the head off the vanquished tyrant. This accomplished, +disregarding the loss of her eye, she ran to the bleeding +kitten, licked the wounds made by the hawk's talons in its +tender sides, and purred whilst she caressed her liberated +offspring."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cat as a Foster Mother.</span> +The female cat seems to be in a special sense +a born mother. She is assiduous in the care of +her own young and singularly ready to extend +the benefits of motherhood even to alien offspring. Instances +are on record in which cats have reared squirrels, dogs, leverets, +rats, ducks, chickens, and even small birds. These have +usually occurred at times when the cats have been deprived +of their own young. Mr. T. Foggitt says: "A cat belonging +to the Albert Dock Warehouse, Liverpool, gave birth to six +kittens. It was deemed necessary to destroy four of them, +and they were accordingly drowned. The remaining two +were placed, along with their mother, in some loose cotton, +collected for the purpose in a box, in one of the warehouse +rooms. On removing the box a few mornings after, to give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +puss her usual breakfast, great curiosity was excited on seeing +a third added to the number; and the astonishment was still +greater when the third was discovered to be a young rat +which the cat had taken from its nest in the night-time, and +brought home as a companion to the kittens she was then +nursing. The young rat was very lively, and was treated by +the cat with the same attention and care as if it were one +of her own offspring."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cat as a Traveller.</span> +The distances that cats will travel, finding +their way with unerring instinct many miles across +country of which there seems no reason to suppose them to have +had previous knowledge is very remarkable. Mrs. Bowdich +records the case of a cat who disliking her new home, +returned to her old one, in doing which, she had to cross +two rivers, one of them about eighty feet broad and two feet +and a half deep, running strong; the other wider and more +rapid, but less deep. Cats are said to have found their way from +Edinburgh to Glasgow, and one to the writer's knowledge +returned from Dover to Canterbury after being carried from +thence by rail. Captain Brown gives the following remarkable +instance. In June, 1825, a farmer, residing in the neighbourhood +of Ross, sent a load of grain to Gloucester, a +distance of about sixteen miles. The waggoners loaded in +the evening, and started early in the morning. On unloading +at Gloucester, a favourite cat, belonging to the farmer, +was found among the sacks, with two kittens of very recent +birth. The waggoner very humanely placed puss and her +young in a hay-loft, where he expected they would remain +in safety, until he should be ready to depart for home. On +his return to the loft shortly afterwards, neither cat nor kittens +were to be found, and he reluctantly left town without them. +Next morning the cat entered the kitchen of her master's house +with one kitten in her mouth. It was dead; but she placed +it before the fire, and without seeking food, or indulging, +for a moment, in the genial warmth of <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'stic her dome'.">her domestic</span> hearth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +disappeared again. In a short time she returned with the +other kitten, laid it down by the first, stretched herself +beside them, and instantly expired! The poor creature could +have carried but one at a time, and, consequently, must have +travelled three times over the whole line of her journey, and +performed forty-eight miles in less than twelve hours.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cat as Sportsman.</span> +The favourite food of the cat is fish, which +curiously enough inhabits an element to which the +cat has a great aversion. There are, however, numerous instances +on record of cats which have overcome their natural antipathy +to water in order to gratify their natural taste for fish. +An extraordinary case of this kind is recorded in the <i>Plymouth +Journal</i>, June, 1828:—"There is now at the battery on the +Devil's Point, a cat, which is an expert catcher of the finny +tribe, being in the constant habit of diving into the sea, and +bringing up the fish alive in her mouth, and depositing them +in the guard-room, for the use of the soldiers. She is now +seven years old, and has long been a useful caterer. It is +supposed that her pursuit of the water-rats first taught her to +venture into the water, to which it is well known puss has a +natural aversion. She is as fond of the water as a Newfoundland +dog, and takes her regular peregrinations along the +rocks at its edge, looking out for her prey, ready to dive for +them at a moment's notice."</p> + +<p>Mr. Beverley R. Morris says: "When living in Worcester +many years ago, I remember frequently seeing the cat of +a near neighbour of ours bring fish, mostly eels, into the +house, which it used to catch in a pond not far off. This +was an almost everyday occurrence."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cat's Intelligence.</span> +Many remarkable illustrations might be given +of the sagacity and intelligence of the cat. A +lady had for many years been the possessor of a cat and a +canary bird, who became the closest friends, never bearing +any lengthy separation from each other, and spending their +whole time in each other's society. One summer day the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +lady was sitting working in her drawing-room, and the cat +and bird were a short distance off. Suddenly, without a +moment's deliberation, the cat, to the great astonishment of +the lady, uttered a loud growl, and then, seizing her little +playmate in her mouth, darted off with it to a place of safety. +A strange cat had entered the room and the friendly one had +adopted this plan of saving the bird from the enemy. A +still more remarkable illustration of the intelligence of a cat +is given by De la Croix as follows: "I once saw," says he, +"a lecturer upon experimental philosophy place a cat under +the glass receiver of an air-pump, for the purpose of demonstrating +that very certain fact, that life cannot be supported +without air and respiration. The lecturer had already made +several strokes with the piston, in order to exhaust the receiver +of its air, when the animal, who began to feel herself very +uncomfortable in the rarefied atmosphere, was fortunate enough +to discover the source from which her uneasiness proceeded. +She placed her paw upon the hole through which the air +escaped, and thus prevented any more from passing out of +the receiver. All the exertions of the philosopher were now +unavailing; in vain he drew the piston; the cat's paw effectually +prevented its operation. Hoping to effect his purpose, +he let air again into the receiver, which, as soon as the cat +perceived, she withdrew her paw from the aperture; but +whenever he attempted to exhaust the receiver, she applied +her paw as before. All the spectators clapped their hands +in admiration of the wonderful sagacity of the animal, and the +lecturer found himself under the necessity of liberating her, +and substituting in her place another, that possessed less penetration, +and enabled him to exhibit the cruel experiment."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lynx.</span> +The several species of the Lynx belong to the +genus Lyncus, the principle varieties of which are the Canada +Lynx, and the European Lynx. The Lynx has short legs, +and is generally about the size of a fox, attaining often to +three feet in length. It preys upon small quadrupeds and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +birds, in the pursuit of which it is an expert climber. The +Canada Lynx preys largely upon the American hare, which +it is well qualified to hunt. The Lynx is distinguished by a +peculiar gait, for unlike other animals, it bounds with, and +alights upon, all four feet at once. The ears are erect, and +tipped with a long pencil of black hair. The fur which is +long and thick is of a pale grey colour, with a reddish tinge, +marked with dusky spots on the upper part of the body. The +under parts are white. The European Lynx feeds upon +small animals and birds. The fur of the lynx is valuable, on +account of its great softness and warmth, and is in consequence an +extensive article of commerce. It inhabits the northern parts +of Europe, Asia, and America; and prefers cold or temperate +climates, differing in this respect from most of the cat tribe.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chetah.</span> +The Chetah or Hunting Leopard is the one +species of the genus Cynœlurus. It is a handsome animal +and capable of considerable training. According to Mr. Benet's +description it is "intermediate in size between the leopard +and the hound, more slender in its body, more elevated in +its legs, and less flattened on the fore part of its head than the +leopard, while deficient in the peculiarly graceful and lengthened +form, both of head and body, which characterizes the hound." +"The ground colour of the Chetah is a bright yellowish fawn +above, and nearly pure white beneath; covered above, and +on the sides, by innumerable closely approximating spots, +from half an inch to an inch in diameter, which are intensely +black, and do not, as in the leopard and other spotted cats, +form roses with a lighter centre, but are full and complete." +The Chetah is found in India and Africa but it is only in +India that it is trained for hunting purposes. Sir William +Jardine says: "the employment of the hunting leopard may +be compared to the sport of falconry. The natural instinct +teaches them to pursue the game, the reward of a portion +of it, or of the blood, induces them to give it up, and again +subject themselves to their master."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chetah as a Huntsman.</span> +The practice of employing animals to hunt +animals is of very early origin, and the docility +of the Chetah early marked him out as a suitable +ally in the chase. Chetahs are so gentle that they can be +led about in a leash like greyhounds. The following description +of a hunt is from "The Naturalist's Library". "Just +before we reached our ground, the shuter suwars (camel +courier), who always moved on our flanks in search of game, +reported a herd of antelopes, about a mile out of the line of +march, and the Chetahs being at hand, we went in pursuit +of them. The leopards are each accommodated with a flat-topped +cart, without sides, drawn by two bullocks, and each +animal has two attendants. They are loosely bound by a +collar and rope to the back of the vehicle, and are also held +by the keeper by a strap round the loins. A leathern hood +covers the eyes. On entering from a cotton field, we came +in sight of four antelopes, and my driver managed to get +within a hundred yards of them before they took alarm. +The Chetah was quickly unhooded and loosed from his +bonds; and, as soon as he viewed the deer, he dropped +quietly off the cart on the opposite side to that on which they +stood, and approached them at a slow crouching canter, +masking himself by every bush, and inequality, which lay in +his way. As soon, however, as the deer began to show alarm, +he quickened his pace and was in the midst of them in a +few bounds. He singled out a doe, and ran it close for +about 200 yards, when he reached it with a blow of his +paw, rolled it over, and in an instant was sucking the life +blood from its throat." "As soon as the deer is pulled," +says the same account, "a keeper runs up, hoods the Chetah, +cuts the victim's throat, and securing some of the blood in +a wooden ladle, thrusts it under the leopard's nose. The +antelope is then dragged away and placed in a receptacle +under the hatchery, while the Chetah is rewarded with a leg +for his pains."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Civits.</span> +The family Viverridæ includes a large number +of species of small carnivorous animals of which the Civits +and the Ichneumons are the best known. They belong +chiefly to Africa and South Asia, but some are found in +the south of Europe. The African Civit hails from Gaboon +and Abyssinia and the Asiatic variety from Bengal, Nepaul, +China and Formosa. It is from these animals that we get +the fatty substance, used in perfumery and known as +civit. Of this Mr. Piesse says: "In <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'is'."> its</span> pure state, civit +has to nearly all persons a most disgusting odour, but when +diluted to an infinitesimal portion its perfume <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'its'."> is</span> agreeable. +The Genet, and the Paradoxure are other genera of this +family."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ichneumon.</span> +The Ichneumon numbers some fifteen genera, +and sixty species. The best known of these is the grey +Ichneumon which comes from India or adjacent countries. +Naturally savage it soon becomes tame under kindly treatment. +It seems to have a natural enmity towards serpents, +which it attacks and destroys. The Mahrattas say that it +neutralizes the effects of snake bites by eating the root of +the monguswail. Captain Brown records an experiment in +which the ichneumon was placed in a room with a poisonous +serpent which it tried to avoid. On the two being removed +to the open air, the ichneumon is said to have immediately +darted at the serpent and destroyed it, afterwards retiring +to the wood and eating a portion of the plant said to be +an antidote to the serpent's venom. The Ichneumon is +about the size of the domestic cat and of a dark silver +grey colour. The Egyptian Ichneumon much resembles the +cat in its habits and manners and is so deadly a foe to +reptiles and vermin, that it is domesticated with a view to +their destruction. It is remarkably quick in its movements, +darting with unerring aim at the head of the reptile it +attacks. It displays also the cat's patience in watching for +its prey. It has a great liking for crocodile's eggs and with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +remarkable instinct unearths them from the banks of rivers +where they have been deposited.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Dormant Instinct.</span> +Though perfectly tame in captivity, the natural +instincts of the ichneumon are only dormant, as +the following illustration will show. M. d'Obsonville says, in his +"Essay on the Nature of Various Animals", "I had an ichneumon +very young, which I brought up. I fed it at first with +milk, and afterwards with baked meat, mixed with rice. It +soon became even tamer than a cat; for it came when called, +and followed me, though at liberty, into the country. One +day I brought to him a small water serpent alive, being +desirous to know how far his instinct would carry him, against +a being with which he was hitherto totally unacquainted. His +first emotion seemed to be astonishment, mixed with anger: +for his hair became erect; but in an instant after, he slipped +behind the reptile, and, with remarkable swiftness and agility, +leaped upon its head, seized it, and crushed it between his +teeth. This essay, and new aliment, seemed to have awakened +in him his innate and destructive voracity, which, till then, +had given way to the gentleness he had acquired from his +education. I had about my house several curious kinds of +fowls, among which he had been brought up, and which, till +then, he had suffered to go and come unmolested and unregarded; +but, a few days after, when he found himself alone, +he strangled them every one, eat a little, and, as it appeared, +drank the blood of two."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Aard Wolf.</span> +The Aard Wolf of South Africa, is the sole +genus and species of the Protelidæ family. It +much resembles the hyæna in appearance and habit, and +feeds on carrion and white ants.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Hyæna.</span> +The Hyæna, though long treated as a member +of the dog family, is now separately classified as the +Hyænidæ, a family of one genus and three species, all of +which are found in Africa. The Hyæna is also found in +Egypt, Arabia, Persia and other parts of Asia. He has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +immensely powerful teeth with which he can crush the bones +of his victims, apparently eating bones and flesh with impunity. +He is nocturnal in his habits, living in caves and +hollows in the day time and prowling about at night in search +of prey. Speaking of the Barbary hyæna Bruce says:—"He +seems to be stupid or senseless in the day, or at the appearance +of strong light, unless when pursued by hunters. I have +locked up a goat, a kid, and a lamb, with him all day when +he was fasting, and found them in the evening alive and +unhurt." The principle varieties are the striped Hyæna, and +the spotted Hyæna. Bruce speaking of the former says, "he +is brutish, indolent, slovenly and impudent and seems to +possess much the manners of the wolf. His courage appears +to proceed from an insatiable appetite, and has nothing of +the brave or generous in it, and he dies oftener flying than fighting." +The cry of the hyæna, sometimes called a laugh, +begins with a moan and ends with a demoniacal shriek which +has been variously described by travellers but which all agree +in calling hideous and disgusting. In size he resembles a +large mastiff, but the formation of his neck and jaws give +him a power far beyond that of other animals of his size. +Whatever fear he may have of man, he has none of other +animals and will even face the lion. Bruce speaks of his +special liking for the flesh of the dog and of the dog's reluctance +to face him. "My greyhounds, accustomed to fasten +upon the wild boar, would not venture to engage with him. +On the contrary, there was not a journey I made that he +did not kill several of my greyhounds, and once or twice +robbed me of my whole stock: he would seek and seize +them in the servants' tents where they were tied, and endeavour +to carry them away before the very people that were +guarding them." His coat is covered with long coarse hairs +of a dirty grey colour, which form a mane the length of his +back, his sides being striped or spotted, according to the +species. The hyæna for all his repulsiveness serves a useful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +purpose, as a scavenger, devouring all the offal which comes +in its way, including the dead of his own species which no +other animal will touch. The hyæna can be tamed and +taught to follow its master and to hunt other animals.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Striped Hyæna.</span> +Bruce tells the following story of the impudence +of the striped hyæna. "One night in Maitsha, +being very intent on observation, I heard something pass +behind me towards the bed, but upon looking round could +perceive nothing. Having finished what I was then about, I +went out of my tent, resolving directly to return, which I +immediately did, when I perceived large blue eyes glaring at +me in the dark. I called upon my servant with a light; and +there was the hyæna standing nigh the head of the bed, with +two or three large bunches of candles in his mouth. To have +fired at him, I was in danger of breaking my quadrant or +other furniture; and he seemed, by keeping the candles steadily +in his mouth, to wish for no other prey at that time. As his +mouth was full, and he had no claws to tear with, I was not +afraid of him, but with a pike struck him as near the heart +as I could judge. It was not till then he showed any sign. +of fierceness; but, upon feeling his wound, he let drop the +candles, and endeavoured to run up the shaft of the spear +to arrive at me; so that, in self-defence, I was obliged to draw +out a pistol from my girdle and shoot him, and nearly at the +same time my servant cleft his skull with a battle-axe. In a +word, the hyæna was the plague of our lives, the terror of +our night-walks, the destruction of our mules and asses, which +above all others are his favourite food."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Spotted Hyæna.</span> +The spotted hyæna belongs to South Africa +and seems to possess more daring than his cousin +of Abyssinia, and to show a greater preference for human +food. According to Mr. Stepstone, the Mambookies build +their houses in the form of a beehive from eighteen to twenty +feet in diameter, placing a raised platform at the back and +leaving the front-area for the accommodation of the calves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +at night. Thus the animals are nearest to the door, notwithstanding +which the hyæna will "pass by the calves and take +the children from under the mother's kaross; and this in such +a gentle and cautious manner, that the poor parent is unconscious +of her loss, until the cries of her little innocent have +reached her from without, when it has been a close prisoner +in the jaws of the monster." Many years ago, when animals +were kept at the Tower of London, the den of a spotted +hyæna required some repair. "The carpenter," says Mrs. +Bowdich, "nailed a thick oaken plank upon the floor, about +seven feet long, putting at least a dozen nails into it, each +longer than his middle finger. At one end of this piece of +wood there was a small projection, and not having a proper +chisel with him by which he might remove it, the man +returned to his shop to fetch one. While he was absent some +persons came to see the animals, and the hyæna was let +down by the keeper into the part of the den in which the +carpenter had been at work. Directly the beast saw the +projecting piece of wood he seized it with his teeth, tore the +plank up, and drew out every nail with the utmost ease; +which action will give a good idea of the muscular strength +of this creature."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Narrow Escape.</span> +Sparrman tells an amusing story of the daring +and the fright of a hyæna, as follows: "One +night, at a feast near the Cape, a trumpeter who had made +himself drunk with liquor was carried out of doors and laid +on the grass, in order that the air might both cool and +sober him. The scent of the man soon attracted a spotted +hyæna, which threw him on his back, and carried him away +towards Table Mountain. The hyæna doubtless supposed +that the senseless drunkard was a <i>corpse</i>, and consequently +a fair prize. In the meantime the musician awoke, and +was at once sufficiently sensible to know the danger of his +situation, and to sound the alarm with his trumpet, which +he fortunately carried at his side. The hyæna, as it may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +imagined, was greatly frightened in its turn, and immediately +ran away, leaving the trumpeter, it is to be hoped, 'a wiser +man' for his extraordinary ride. It is remarkable that the +soldier was not seriously injured by the hyæna, for the teeth +of the animal were fortunately fastened in the coat and not +in the flesh of the man."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Animals of the Dog Kind.</span> +Animals of the dog kind, are neither so +numerous, nor, in general, so ferocious as those +of the panther or cat kind. The principal species are the +wolf, the jackal, the fox, and the dog. This class may be +principally distinguished by their claws, which have no sheath +like those of the cat kind, but are placed at the point of +each toe, without the capability of being stretched forward +or drawn back. The nose, as well as the jaw, of all the +dog kind, is longer than in the cat; the body in proportion +more strongly made, and covered with hair instead of fur. +They also far exceed the other kind in the sense of smell, +the olfactory nerves being diffused upon a very extensive +membrane within the skull, which accounts for their surprising +acuteness in this sense.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wolf.</span> +The Wolf is about three feet and a half long, +and about two feet and a half high, larger than our great +breed of mastiffs, which are seldom more than three feet by +two. He bears a great resemblance to the dog, but is much +stronger, and the length of his hair contributes still more to +his robust appearance. The feature which principally distinguishes +the visage of the wolf from that of the dog, is the +eye, which opens slantingly upwards in the same direction +with the nose; whereas, in the dog, it opens more at right +angles with the nose, as in man. The colour of the eyeballs +in the wolf, is a fiery green, giving his visage a fierce and +formidable air. He generally hides by day in the thickest +coverts, and only ventures out at night; when, sallying forth +over the country, he keeps peering round the villages, and +carries off such animals as are not under protection—attacks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +the sheep-fold, scratches up and undermines the thresholds +of doors where the sheep are housed, enters furiously, and +destroys all before he begins to fix upon and carry off his +prey. The wolf has great strength, particularly in his foreparts, +and the muscles of his neck and jaws. He carries off a sheep +in his mouth without letting it touch the ground, and runs with +it much faster than the shepherds who pursue him; so that nothing +but the dogs can overtake and oblige him to quit his prey. +Notwithstanding his great strength, cunning, and agility, the +wolf being the declared enemy of man, is often hard pressed +for subsistence; he has always a gaunt and starved appearance, +and, indeed, often dies of hunger. He has been hunted +down, and is now rarely to be found in civilized countries.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Fox.</span> +The Fox is of a much more slender make than +the wolf, and not nearly so large, being little more than two +feet long. The tail is longer and more bushy, the nose +smaller, approaching nearer to that of the greyhound, and its +hair softer. Its eyes, however, are obliquely set, like those +of the wolf. The fox has long been famous for cunning; +he is patient and prudent, and gains by address what is +denied to his courage or strength. He is most destructive +to poultry. When he gets into a farm-yard, he begins by +levelling all the poultry without remorse, and carrying off a +part of the spoil, he hides it at some convenient distance. +Returning, he carries off another fowl, which he hides in like +manner, but not in the same place; and this he repeats several +times, until the approach of day, or the noise of the domestics, +warns him to retire to his hole. He often destroys a large +quantity of game, seizing the partridge and quail while sitting +on their nests. He even eats rats, mice, serpents, toads, +and lizards. In vain does the hedge-hog roll itself up into +a ball to oppose him; he teases it until it is obliged to appear +uncovered, and then devours it. Besides the common Fox +(<i>Vulpes Vulgaris</i>), there are numerous varieties, of which the +Tahaleb or Egyptian Fox and the Fennec (<i>Feneca Zaarensis</i>)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +of North Africa, the Kit Fox, the Red, the Grey and the +Silver Fox of North America, and the Arctic Fox (<i>Leucocyon +lagopus</i>) are the best known.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Jackal.</span> +The Jackal, one of the most common of wild +animals in the East, is about the size of the fox, but +in shape it more nearly resembles the wolf. Its colour is a +bright yellow, or sorrel. Its cry is a howl, mixed with barking, +and a lamentation resembling that of human distress. The +jackal may be considered as the vulture of the quadruped +kind; the most putrid substances that once had life, are +greedily devoured. Like the hyæna, the jackals scratch up +with their feet the new-made grave, and devour the contents, +however decomposed. While at this dreary work, they make +a mournful cry, like that of children under chastisement, and +having thus dug up the body, they amicably share it. In +countries, therefore, where they abound, the people are obliged +to beat the earth over the grave, and mix it with thorns, to +prevent the jackals from scraping it away. The jackal never +goes alone, but always in packs of forty or fifty together. +They watch the burying-grounds, follow armies, and keep in +the rear of caravans. The jackal, after having tired down its +prey, is often deprived of the spoil by the lion, the panther, +or the tiger, whose appetites are superior to their swiftness; +these attend its call, and devour the prey which it has run +down by its unceasing perseverance; and this circumstance +has given rise to the erroneous opinion, that the jackal is the +lion's provider. The jackal is found in some parts of Europe +and abounds in most parts of Asia. Those of the warmest +climates are the largest, and their colour is rather of a reddish +brown than of that beautiful yellow by which the smaller +jackals are distinguished. Like the Fox it forms burrows in +the earth and emits an offensive odour.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wolf's Mode of Attack.</span> +"The Wolf," says Professor Duncan in "Cassell's +Natural History", "usually lives in solitary places +in mountains; but in Spain he is said sometimes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +to make his lair in corn-fields, in close proximity to <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'inhabitated'."> inhabited</span> +dwellings. Here he lives with his wife and family, +usually <i>caché</i> during the day, and issuing forth at night to +take his prey. During the warmer periods of the year wolves, +as a rule, hunt each one for himself, but in winter they often +unite into great packs, and pursue their prey over the snow +at a rapid pace and with indomitable perseverance. Swift +and untiring must be the animal which, on an open plain, +can escape from them; even the horse, perfectly constructed +as he is for rapid running, is almost certain to succumb, +unless he can reach a village before his pace begins to flag. +They never spring upon an animal from an ambush—the +nearest approach ever made to such a mode of attack being +their practice of attacking sheepfolds by leaping into the +midst of the flock and killing right and left; when they +reach their prey, too, the first onslaught is made with their +teeth, and never by a blow of the paw. Thus, a wolfs +attack—like that of all members of the genus Canis—is +entirely different from a cat's. The cat lies in ambush all +alone, springs upon the passing prey, which if he misses he +scarcely ever pursues, and kills by a blow of the paw. The +dog and wolf attack openly, sometimes alone, but oftener in +company, pursue their prey with unflagging energy until it +falls a victim, and give the death-wound at once with their +teeth."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wolf's Cunning.</span> +That the wolf sometimes employs cunning as +well as savagery in seeking his prey is shown by +the following story from "Broke's Travels in the North of +Sweden": "I observed, on setting out from Sormjole, the last +post, that the peasant who drove my sledge was armed with +a cutlass; and, on inquiring the reason, was told that, the +day preceding, while he was passing in his sledge the part +of the forest we were then in, he had encountered a wolf, +which was so daring, that it actually sprang over the hinder +part of the sledge he was driving, and attempted to carry off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +a small dog which was sitting behind him. During my journey +from Tornea to Stockholm, I heard everywhere of the ravages +committed by wolves, not upon the human species or the +cattle, but chiefly upon the peasants' dogs, considerable numbers +of which had been devoured. I was told that these +were the favourite prey of this animal; and that, in order to +seize upon them with the greater ease, it puts itself into a +crouching posture, and begins to play several antic tricks, to +attract the attention of the poor dog, which, caught by these +seeming demonstrations of friendship, and fancying it to be +one of his own species, from the similarity, advances towards +it to join in the gambols, and is carried off by its treacherous +enemy. Several peasants that I conversed with mentioned +their having been eye-witnesses of this circumstance."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wolf's Cowardice.</span> +Mr. Lloyd in his "Field Sports in the North +of Europe" gives a remarkable illustration of +the cowardice of the wolf when caught in a trap. "A +peasant near St. Petersburg," says Mr. Lloyd, "when one +day in his sledge, was pursued by eleven of these ferocious +animals. At this time he was only about two miles from +home, towards which he urged his horse at the very top of +his speed. At the entrance to his residence was a gate, which +happened to be closed at the time; but the horse dashed +this open, and thus himself and his master found refuge +within the court-yard. They were followed, however, by +nine out of the eleven wolves; but, very fortunately, at the +instant these had entered the enclosure, the gate swung back +on its hinges, and thus they were caught as in a trap. From +being the most voracious of animals, the nature of these +beasts—now that they found escape impossible—became completely +changed: so far, indeed, from offering molestation to +any one, they slunk into holes and corners, and allowed +themselves to be slaughtered almost without making resistance."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 390px;"> +<img src="images/illus-088-f.jpg" width="390" height="600" alt="" title="Hunted by Wolves" /> +<span class="caption">Hunted by Wolves</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hunted by Wolves.</span> +Many terrible stories are told of the depredations +caused by packs of wolves, especially in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +Russia, and of the desperate adventures travellers have met +with when attacked by them. The story of the Russian +peasant, who, to save his master's family, leaped out of the +sledge and faced the pack alone, thus delaying the wolves +by his own self-sacrifice, while the sledge proceeded on its +journey, is one of these. In contrast to this is the story of +the Russian woman, given by Mr. Lloyd in the work already +quoted.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Terrible Alternative.</span> +A woman, accompanied by three of her children, +was one day in a sledge, when they were pursued +by a number of wolves. She put the horse into a +gallop, and drove towards her home with the utmost speed. +She was not far from it; but the ferocious animals gained +upon her, and were on the point of rushing on to the sledge. +For the preservation of her own life and that of the remaining +children, the poor, frantic creature cast one of them to her +bloodthirsty pursuers. This stopped their career for a moment; +but, after devouring the poor child, they renewed the pursuit, +and a second time came up with the vehicle. The mother, +driven to desperation, resorted to the same horrible expedient, +and threw another of her offspring to her ferocious assailants. +The third child was also sacrificed in the same way, and +soon after the wretched being reached her home in safety. +Here she related what had happened, and endeavoured to +palliate her own conduct by describing the dreadful alternative +to which she had been, reduced. A peasant, however, +who was among the bystanders, and heard the recital, took +up an axe, and with one blow cleft her skull in two, saying +at the same time, "that a mother who could thus sacrifice +her children for the preservation of her own life, was no +longer fit to live." The man was committed to prison, but +the Emperor subsequently granted him a pardon.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Marvellous Escape.</span> +Equally terrible and more marvellous is the +story of the adventure of a Russian family which +took place as recently as the winter of 1894-5. A peasant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +was riding in a sleigh in company with his wife and child, +when he became aware that they were being pursued by +wolves. He urged the horses to their utmost speed but it +soon became evident that the wolves would overtake them +before they could reach a place of safety. Urged to desperation, +the peasant ordered his wife to throw the child to +the wolves, hoping thereby to gain time and thus escape. +The wife refused to part with her little one, whereupon an +altercation ensued, during which the peasant tried to drag +the child from her arms with a view to throwing it to the +wolves himself. In the struggle both mother and child fell +from the vehicle, and with a lightened load the horses +dashed forward at an even greater speed. For some apparently +unaccountable reason, however, the wolves took no +notice of the mother and child and continued to pursue the +sleigh, possibly anticipating the larger meal that the horses +would supply. In this they were not disappointed, for they +succeeded in overtaking the sleigh, and the peasant and the +horses fell victims to their ravage. In the meantime the mother +and child found their way to a farm house where they were +sheltered until danger was past.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Tame Wolves.</span> +Notwithstanding his natural fierceness, the +wolf becomes tame under kindly treatment, and +shows much affection for those who cherish him. Instances +are common in which wolves have remembered their benefactors, +after years of absence, and have shown every demonstration +of joy on recognition. They have even been harnessed +and taught to draw carriages and to fulfil other useful +offices. With wolves, as with many other animals, hunger +and thirst are apparently the principal causes of savagery +and the struggle for existence the main cause of rapacity and +cruelty.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cunning of the Fox.</span> +The cunning of the fox is proverbial and if +only one half of the stories told about him are +true, there are quite sufficient to invest him with a degree of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +artfulness which is apparently unique. The extraordinary +way in which he will feign himself dead, whether when +hunting or being hunted, is a proof of this, as are also the +various tricks he will resort to, to throw his pursuers off the +scent. Captain Brown tells a story of a fox who leapt a +high wall and crouched under it on the further side until +the hounds had passed over, and then quietly returned, giving +them the slip. Another fox who suddenly baffled two blood +hounds who were in hot pursuit, was discovered lying full +length upon a log of wood from which at first it was difficult +to distinguish him. When feigning death he is said sometimes +to hold his breath and hang out his tongue. He will +sometimes baffle his pursuers by hanging on to a branch of +a tree.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Fox as a Hunter.</span> +Mr. St. John tells the following story of the +fox as a hunter:—"Just after it was daylight +I saw a large fox come very quietly along the edge of the +plantation. He looked with great care over the turf wall +into the field, and seemed to long very much to get hold of +some of the hares that were feeding in it, but apparently +knew that he had no chance of catching one by dint of +running. After considering a short time, he seemed to have +formed his plans, examined the different gaps in the wall, +fixed upon one which appeared to be most frequented, and +laid himself down close to it in an attitude like that of a cat +at a mouse hole. In the meantime I watched all his plans. +He then with great care and silence scraped a small hollow +in the ground, throwing up the sand as a kind of screen. +Every now and then, however, he stopped to listen, and +sometimes to take a most cautious peep into the field. When +he had done this, he laid himself down in a convenient +posture for springing on his prey, and remained perfectly +motionless, with the exception of an occasional reconnoitre +of the feeding hares. When the sun began to rise, they +came, one by one, from the field to the plantation: three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +had already come without passing by his ambush, one within +twenty yards of him; but he made no movement beyond +crouching still more flatly to the ground. Presently two came +directly towards him, and though he did not venture to look +up, I saw, by an involuntary motion of his ear, that those +quick organs had already warned him of their approach. +The two hares came through the gap together and the fox, +springing with the quickness of lightning, caught one and +killed her immediately; he then lifted up his booty and was +carrying it off, when my rifle-ball stopped his course."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Fox Hunt.</span> +Captain Brown tells an amusing story of the +resource shown by a fox who was hard pressed near +Tamary, Ireland, which is as follows. "After a short chase, +Reynard disappeared, having cunningly mounted a turf stack, +on the top of which he lay down flat. Finding himself, at +last, perceived by one of the hounds, he left his retreat, +closely pursued by the pack, ran up a stone wall, from which +he sprang on the roof of an adjoining cabin, and mounted +to the chimney-top. From that elevated situation he looked +all around him, as if carefully reconnoitring the coming +enemy. A cunning old hound approached, and, having +gained the summit of the roof, had already seized the fox +in imagination, when, lo! Reynard dropped down the chimney, +like a fallen star into a draw-well. The dog looked wistfully +down the dark opening, but dared not pursue the fugitive. +Meantime, whilst the hound was eagerly inspecting the +smoky orifice of the chimney, Reynard, half enrobed in soot, +had fallen into the lap of an old woman, who, surrounded +by a number of children, was gravely smoking her pipe, not +at all expecting the entrance of this abrupt visitor. 'Emiladh +deouil!' said the affrighted female, as she threw from her +the black and red quadruped: Reynard grinned, growled, +and showed his fangs; and when the sportsmen, who had +secured the door, entered, they found him in possession of +the kitchen, the old woman and the children having retired,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +in terror of the invader, to a corner of the room. The fox +was taken alive."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Arctic Fox.</span> +The Arctic Fox, which is of a beautiful white +colour, is found, according to Captain James Ross, +in the highest northern latitudes, even in the winter. In the +late autumn the younger generation make their way south +and congregate in the neighbourhood of Hudson's Bay, +returning north in the early spring of the following year. They +are gregarious, living in companies in burrows in sandy places.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Wild Dogs.</span> +Wild dogs abound in various parts of the world, +of which the Dingos of Australia, the Dholes of India and +the Aguaras of South America are examples. The wild dogs +of the East are familiar to all readers of Eastern travels. A +writer in the Times newspaper describes the dogs of Constantinople, +as "omnipresent, lawless, yet perfectly harmless +dogs," which perform valuable but ill requited service as +scavengers of the city. He says:—"In shape, in countenance, +in language, in their bandy legs, pointed noses, pricked +up ears, dirty yellow coats, and bushy tails, they could be +hunted as foxes in Gloucestershire. They are," he continues, +"up and doing from sunset to sunrise, and enjoy the refreshment +of well-earned, profound sleep almost throughout the +day. They are not only homeless and masterless but have +also a sovereign contempt for bed or shelter. There is a time +it would seem, when sleep comes upon them—all of them—like +sudden death; when all squat down, coil themselves up, +nose to tail, wherever they chance to be—on the footpath, +in the carriage way, in the gutter—and there lie in the +sunshine, in the pelting rain, yellow bundles, hardly distinguishable +from the mud. The Constantinople dog never +learns to wag his tail; he never makes up, never looks up +to a human being, never encourages or even notices men's +advances. He is not exactly sullen, or cowed, or mistrustful; +he is simply cold and distant as an Englishman is said +to be when not introduced."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +"The Dingo, the wild dog of Australia," says Mrs. Bowdich +"roams in packs through that vast country; has a broad +head; fierce oblique eyes; acute muzzle; short, pointed, +erect ears; tail bushy, and never raised to more than a +horizontal position. He does not bark, but howls fearfully; is +extremely sagacious, and has a remarkable power of bearing +pain. When beaten so severely as to be left for dead, +he has been seen to get up and run away. A man proceeded +to skin one, not doubting that life was extinct, +and after proceeding a little way with the operation, he +left the hut to sharpen his knife. When he returned, the +poor animal was sitting up, with the loose skin hanging over +one side of his face." The Dhole of India, similarly hunts in +packs, attacking and destroying even the tiger. Their sense +of smell is very acute, their bark similar to that of a hound, +their colour red or sandy. They have long heads, oblique +eyes, long erect ears; and very powerful limbs. The Aguaras +of South America, says Mrs. Bowdich, resemble foxes. "They +are silent if not dumb, and appear to congregate in families +rather than packs. They have a peculiar propensity to steal +and secrete without any apparent object in so doing."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dog.</span> +The dog divides with the horse the honour of +being the most intimate and devoted of the servants of +mankind. "His origin," says Mr. Jesse "is lost in antiquity. +We find him occupying a place in the earliest pagan worship; +his name has been given to one of the first-mentioned stars +of the heavens, and his effigy may be seen in some of the +most ancient works of art. Pliny was of opinion that there +was no domestic animal without its unsubdued counterpart, +and dogs are known to exist absolutely wild in various parts +of the old and new world." Whether the dog of civilization +is a descendant of these wild dogs, or whether the wild dog +is the progeny of domestic varieties relapsed into a condition +of savagery, and whether both are descended from the wolf +and the jackal has often been discussed. Certain it is that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +many of the species which now obtain are in certain characteristics +at least the result of artificial breeding. In its domestic +state, the dog is remarkable for its usefulness, obedience, +and attachment to its master; and the great variety of breeds +that are trained and educated for our benefit or amusement, +are almost too numerous to be mentioned. The principal +are, the <i>greyhound</i>, noted for his speed; the <i>Newfoundland +dog</i>, remarkable for his size, sagacity, and benevolence; the +<i>shepherd's dog</i>, perhaps the most useful of all; the <i>spaniel</i>, the +<i>barbel</i>, and the <i>setter</i>, useful in hunting; the <i>pointer</i>, the +staunchest of all dogs; the <i>Dalmatian</i> or <i>coach-dog</i>, with a +skin beautifully spotted; the <i>terrier</i>, useful for destroying vermin; +the <i>blood-hound</i>, formerly used for tracing criminals; the +<i>harrier</i>, <i>beagle</i>, and <i>foxhound</i>, distinguished for their quick +sense of smell; and the <i>bull-dog</i>, and <i>mastiff</i>, which are our +watch-dogs.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dog's Understanding.</span> +Many marvellous instances are on record of the +dog's capacity for understanding not only the +direct commands of his master, to which of course he may +be easily trained, but also, sometimes, the drift of conversations +in which his master may engage.</p> + +<p>The Rev. James Simpson of Edinburgh had a fine Newfoundland +dog of which some good stories are told. On one +occasion, however, Mr. Simpson happening to remark to a +friend in the dog's hearing that, as he was about to change +his residence, he would have to part with his dog, the dog +took the hint, left the house and was never heard of again. +Sheep dogs have been known to take very apparent interest +in conversations upon the subject of their profession, and to +anticipate the word of command by their perception of the +drift of the remarks. Mr. St. John, in his "Highland Sports", +gives a remarkable illustration of the way in which a shepherd's +dog understood the conversation of his master:—"A shepherd +once, to prove the quickness of his dog, who was lying before +the fire in the house where we were talking, said to me, in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +middle of a sentence concerning something else, 'I'm thinking, +sir, the cow is in the potatoes.' Though he purposely +laid no stress on these words, and said them in a quiet, +unconcerned tone of voice, the dog, who appeared to be +asleep, immediately jumped up, and leaping through the +open window, scrambled up the turf roof of the house, from +which he could see the potato field. He then (not seeing +the cow there) ran and looked into the byre, where she was, +and finding that all was right, came back to the house. +After a short time the shepherd said the same words again, +and the dog repeated his look-out; but on the false alarm +being a third time given, the dog got up, and wagging his +tail, looked his master in the face with so comical an expression +of interrogation, that we could not help laughing aloud +at him, on which, with a slight growl, he laid himself down +in his warm corner, with an offended air, as if determined +not to be made a fool of again."</p> + +<p>The well known story of Sir Walter Scott's dog, supplied +by him to Captain Brown, is another illustration. "The +wisest dog I ever had," said Sir Walter, "was what is called +the bull-dog terrier. I taught him to understand a great +many words, insomuch that I am positive that the communication +betwixt the canine species and ourselves might be +greatly enlarged. Camp once bit the baker, who was bringing +bread to the family. I beat him, and explained the +enormity of his offence; after which, to the last moment of +his life, he never heard the least allusion to the story, in +whatever voice or tone it was mentioned, without getting up +and retiring into the darkest corner of the room, with great +appearance of distress. Then if you said, 'the baker was +well paid,' or, 'the baker was not hurt after all,' Camp came +forth from his hiding-place, capered, and barked, and rejoiced. +When he was unable, towards the end of his life, to attend +me when on horseback, he used to watch for my return, +and the servant would tell him 'his master was coming down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +the hill, or through the moor,' and although he did not use +any gesture to explain his meaning, Camp was never known +to mistake him, but either went out at the front to go up +the hill, or at the back to get down to the moor-side. He +certainly had a singular knowledge of spoken language."</p> + +<p>One of the most remarkable illustrations of the dog's +capacity for understanding is probably that given by Mrs. +Bowdich, as follows:</p> + +<p>"Professor Owen was walking with a friend, by the side +of a river, near its mouth, on the coast of Cornwall, and +picked up a small piece of sea-weed. It was covered with +minute animals; and Mr. Owen observed to his companion, +throwing the weed into the water, 'If this small piece affords +so many treasures, how microscopically rich the whole plant +must be! I should much like to have one.' The gentlemen +walked on, but hearing a splashing in the water, turned +round, and saw it violently agitated. 'It is Lion!' both +exclaimed; 'what can he be about? He was walking quietly +enough by our side a minute ago.' At one moment they +saw his tail above the water, then his head raised for a +breath of air, then the surrounding element shook again, +and at last he came ashore, panting from his exertions, and +laid a whole plant of the identical weed at Mr. Owen's feet. +After this proof of intelligence, it will not be wondered at, +that when Lion was joyfully expecting to accompany his +master and his guest on an excursion, and was told to go +and take care of and comfort Mrs. Owen, who was ill, he +should immediately return to the drawing-room and lay himself +by her side, which he never left during the absence of +his owner, his countenance alone betraying his disappointment, +and that only for a few minutes."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dog's Sense of Locality.</span> +Dogs have a remarkable sense of locality, +and will find their way to a spot they have +once visited with an unerring instinct under circumstances +which make it impossible for them to rely entirely upon their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +sense of scent. Some of the stories told of the extraordinary +journeys made by dogs, apparently without anything to guide +them but their natural instinct, seem almost incredible.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown tells a story of a gentleman of Glasgow, who +was unfortunately drowned in the river Oder while bathing +during a continental tour. A Newfoundland dog, who was his +travelling companion, made every effort to save him, but +failing to do so, found his way either to Frankfort, or Hamburgh, +where he went on board a vessel bound for England, +from which he landed somewhere on the coast, finding his +way ultimately to the person from whom he had been originally +purchased, and who lived near Holyrood palace.</p> + +<p>Another dog who, on arriving in England from Newfoundland, +was given to a gentleman in London, was sent by him +to a friend in Scotland, by water. The dog, however, made +his escape and found his way back to his old master at Fish +Street Hill, London, though as Mr. Jesse puts it "in so +exhausted a state that he could only express his joy at seeing +his master and then die."</p> + +<p>This instinct seems to be common to many varieties of +dogs. Captain Brown tells of a Dalmatian or coach-dog +which Lord Maynard lost in France, and which he found +at his house on his return to England, though how it +had got there he never could trace. It is not necessary, +says Captain Brown, that the dog shall have previously +travelled the ground by which it returns. A person who +went by sea from Aberdeen to Leith, lost his dog at the +latter place, and found it on his return at Aberdeen. It must +have travelled over a country unknown to it, and have crossed +the firths of Forth and Tay.</p> + +<p>Illustrations might easily be multiplied. Mr. Jesse tells of +a dog which was presented to the Captain of a collier by a +gentleman residing at Wivenhoe in Essex and which on being +landed at Sunderland found its way back to its old master, +and also of a spaniel belonging to Colonel Hardy which after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +accompanying him from Essex to Bath in a post chaise, found +its way back through London, a distance of 140 miles in +three days.</p> + +<p>Perhaps a more remarkable instance is that recorded of his +dog by M. d'Obsonville. This animal accompanied his master +and a friend from Pondicherry to Bengalore, a distance of +more than nine hundred miles. M. D'Obsonville says, "Our +journey occupied nearly three weeks; and we had to traverse +plains and mountains, and to ford rivers, and go along bypaths. +The animal, which had certainly never been in that +country before, lost us at Bengalore, and immediately returned +to Pondicherry. He went directly to the house of my friend, +M. Beglier, then commandant of artillery, and with whom I +had generally lived. Now, the difficulty is not so much to +know how the dog subsisted on the road (for he was very +strong, and able to procure himself food), but how he should +so well have found his way after an interval of more than a +month! This was an effort of memory greatly superior to +that which the human race is capable of exerting."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Dog Friendships and Enmities.</span> +That dogs make very strong friendships +among themselves is attested by many an +affecting story. A Radnorshire lady, who married and went +to reside in Yorkshire, afterwards paid a visit to her old +home where her father, before her marriage, had kept two or +three sheep-dogs of whom she was very fond. Having retired +from business, her father had disposed of all but one dog, +and upon her arrival this one met the lady with every +demonstration of delight and, that same night, went a distance +of seven miles to a farmhouse where one of the other dogs +who had become blind, then lived. In the morning when +the lady went to the door she saw not only the dog which +had given her such a glad reception on the previous day, but +also the old blind one, which had evidently been brought +by the other dog to welcome her. When the second night +came the old blind dog was taken back to its home by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +same dog, which afterwards returned, having travelled a distance +of twenty-eight miles to give pleasure to his old blind +friend.</p> + +<p>Instances might easily be multiplied but we must content +ourselves with one of a very different character from +Colonel Hamilton Smith's "Cyclopædia of Natural History." +"In the neighbourhood of Cupar, in the county of Fife, there +lived two dogs, mortal enemies to each other, and who always +fought desperately whenever they met. Capt. R—— was the +master of one of them, and the other belonged to a neighbouring +farmer. Capt. R——'s dog was in the practice of +going messages, and even of bringing butchers' meat and +other articles from Cupar. One day, while returning, charged +with a basket containing some pieces of mutton, he was +attacked by some of the curs of the town, who, no doubt, +thought the prize worth contending for. The assault was +fierce, and of some duration; but the messenger, after doing +his utmost, was at last overpowered and compelled to yield +up the basket, though not before he had secured a part of +its contents. The piece saved from the wreck he ran off +with, at full speed, to the quarters of his old enemy, at +whose feet he laid it down, stretching himself beside it till +he had eaten it up. A few snuffs, a few whispers in the ear, +and other dog-like courtesies, were then exchanged; after +which they both set off together for Cupar, where they +worried almost every dog in the town; and, what is more +remarkable, they never afterwards quarrelled, but were always +on friendly terms." This story also illustrates another characteristic +of the dog family. Dogs combine for purposes of +offence and defence. Cats stand or fall alone.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Dog Language.</span> +The foregoing is also a proof of the faculty by +which animals can communicate their ideas to +each other which in dogs is particularly remarkable. There +are many curious anecdotes recorded, illustrative of this +faculty. "At Horton, England, about the year 1818, a gentleman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +from London took possession of a house, the former +tenant of which had moved to a farm about half a mile off. +The new inmate brought with him a large French poodle +dog, to take the duty of watchman, in the place of a fine +Newfoundland dog, which went away with his master; but +a puppy of the same breed was left behind, and he was +instantly persecuted by the poodle. As the puppy grew up, +the persecution still continued. At length, he was one day +missing for some hours; but he did not come back alone; +he returned with his old friend, the large house-dog, to +whom he had made a communication; and in an instant +the two fell upon the unhappy poodle, and killed him before +he could be rescued from their fury. In this case, the +injuries of the young dog must have been made known to +his friend; a plan of revenge concerted; and the determination +to carry that plan into effect formed and executed with +equal promptitude. The following story, which illustrates, +even in a more singular manner, the communication of ideas +between dogs, was told by a clergyman, as an authentic +anecdote. A surgeon of Leeds found a little spaniel who +had been lamed. He carried the poor animal home, bandaged +up his leg, and, after two or three days, turned him +out. The dog returned to the surgeon's house every morning, +till his leg was perfectly well. At the end of several +months, the spaniel again presented himself, in company with +another dog, who had also been lamed; and he intimated, +as well as piteous and intelligent looks could intimate, that +he desired the same kind assistance to be rendered to his +friend, as had been bestowed upon himself. A similar circumstance +is stated to have occurred to Moraut, a celebrated +French surgeon."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dog's Intelligence.</span> +Many instances have been chronicled of the +actions of dogs, which seem clearly the result +of a process of reasoning. Mr. Jesse tells of a dog who was +sent to fetch two hats which had been left lying upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +grass. After several unsuccessful attempts to carry the two +together in his mouth, he laid them on the ground, placed +the smaller within the larger, pressed it down with his foot, +and then easily carried them to his master. Instances are +recorded of dogs who while always ready to perform a +useful service, absolutely refused to act for the amusement +of on-lookers or to discharge unnecessary duties. Thus a +dog who would go into the water to retrieve a wild duck +would refuse to fetch anything that had been thrown in for +the purpose of displaying his agility, and another who was +accustomed to ring the servants' bell at the bidding of his mistress +refused to do so when told while the servant was in the +room, and if repeatedly commanded to do so, would lay +hold of the servant's coat and attempt to drag him to his +mistress. These illustrations seem to show a power of discrimination +not usually credited to animals. Of the intelligence +shown by dogs which have been trained, the following story +from the "Percy Anecdotes" is at once a remarkable and an +amusing illustration. "One day, when Dumont, a tradesman +of the Rue St. Denis, was walking in the Boulevard St. Antoine +with a friend, he offered to lay a wager with the latter, +that if he were to hide a six-livre piece in the dust, his dog +would discover and bring it to him. The wager was accepted, +and the piece of money secreted, after being carefully +marked. When the two had proceeded some distance from +the spot, M. Dumont called to his dog that he had lost +something, and ordered him to seek it. Caniche immediately +turned back, and his master and his companion pursued +their walk to the Rue St. Denis. Meanwhile a traveller, +who happened to be just then returning in a small chaise +from Vincennes, perceived the piece of money, which his +horse had kicked from its hiding-place; he alighted, took it +up, and drove to his inn, in the Rue Pont-aux-Choux. +Caniche had just reached the spot in search of the lost +piece when the stranger picked it up. He followed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +chaise, went into the inn, and stuck close to the traveller. +Having scented out the coin which he had been ordered +to bring back in the pocket of the latter, he leaped up +incessantly at and about him. The traveller, supposing him +to be some dog that had been lost or left behind by his +master, regarded his different movements as marks of fondness; +and as the animal was handsome, he determined to +keep him. He gave him a good supper, and on retiring +to bed took him with him to his chamber. No sooner had +he pulled off his breeches, than they were seized by the +dog; the owner conceiving that he wanted to play with +them, took them away again. The animal began to bark +at the door, which the traveller opened, under the idea +that the dog wanted to go out. Caniche snatched up the +breeches, and away he flew. The traveller posted after +him with his night-cap on, and literally <i>sans culottes</i>. Anxiety +for the fate of a purse full of gold Napoleons, of forty +francs each, which was in one of the pockets, gave redoubled +velocity to his steps. Caniche ran full speed to his master's +house, where the stranger arrived a moment afterwards +breathless and enraged. He accused the dog of robbing him. +'Sir,' said the master, 'my dog is a very faithful creature; +and if he has run away with your breeches, it is because +you have in them money which does not belong to you.' +The traveller became still more exasperated. 'Compose yourself, +sir,' rejoined the other, smiling; 'without doubt there +is in your purse a six-livre piece, with such and such +marks, which you have picked up in the Boulevard St. Antoine, +and which I threw down there with the firm conviction that +my dog would bring it back again. This is the cause of +the robbery which he has committed upon you.' The +stranger's rage now yielded to astonishment; he delivered +the six-livre piece to the owner, and could not forbear +caressing the dog which had given him so much uneasiness, +and such an unpleasant chase."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Dogs' Mistakes.</span> +That dogs sometimes make mistakes in the +exercise of their intelligence, with somewhat ludicrous +results, is of course true. A dog once accompanied +a gentleman's servant to a tailor's with a coat of his master's +which needed repair. Having his suspicions with regard to +the transaction, the dog watched his opportunity, seized the +coat from the counter and carried it back with evident satisfaction +to his master. Another dog caused great amusement +at a swimming match by insisting upon the rescue of one of the +competitors. Dogs have also been known to cause both +amusement and consternation by leaping upon the stage to +rescue the defenceless characters of the melodrama from the +hands of the heavy villain of the play. The story of the dog who +failed to recognise his master who had been bathing, and who +therefore refused to allow him to have his clothes, is probably +apochryphal, but if true is another illustration of the +awkwardness of dogs' mistakes.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Eskimo Dog.</span> +Colonel Hamilton Smith in his classification of +dogs begins with those which belong nearest to +the arctic circle, and it will be convenient to follow his order +in so far as space will allow. Speaking of the Eskimo +dog Captain Lyon says:—"Having myself possessed during +our hard winter a team of eleven fine dogs, I was enabled +to become better acquainted with their good qualities than +could possibly have been the case by the casual visits of the +Esquimaux to the ships. The form of the Esquimaux dog +is very similar to that of our shepherd's dog in England, but +it is more muscular and broad-chested, owing to the constant +and severe work to which he is brought up. His ears are +pointed, and the aspect of the head is somewhat savage. +In size a fine dog about the height of the Newfoundland +breed, but broad like a mastiff in every part except the nose. +The hair of the coat is in summer, as well as in winter, very +long, but during the cold season a soft, downy under-covering +is found, which does not appear in warm weather. Young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +dogs are put into harness as soon as they can walk, and +being tied up, soon acquire a habit of pulling, in their attempts +to recover their liberty, or to roam in quest of their mother. +When about two months old, they are put into the sledge +with the grown dogs, and sometimes eight or ten little ones +are under the charge of some steady old animal, where, with +frequent and sometimes severe beatings, they soon receive a +competent education. Every dog is distinguished by a particular +name, and the angry repetition of it has an effect as +instantaneous as an application of the whip, which instrument +is of an immense length, having a lash from eighteen to +twenty-four feet, while the handle is one foot only; with this, +by throwing it on one side or the other of the leader, and +repeating certain words, the animals are guided or stopped. +When the sledge is stopped they are all taught to lie down, +by throwing the whip gently over their backs, and they will +remain in this position even for hours, until their master +returns to them. A walrus is frequently drawn along by three +or four of these dogs, and seals are sometimes carried home +in the same manner, though I have in some instances seen +a dog bring home the greater part of a seal in panniers +placed across his back. Cold has very little effect on them; +for although the dogs at the huts slept within the snow passages, +mine at the ships had no shelter, but lay alongside, +with the thermometer at 42° and 44°, and with as little +concern as if the weather had been mild. I found, by several +experiments, that three of my dogs could draw me on a +sledge, weighing one hundred pounds, at the rate of one mile +in six minutes; and as a proof of the strength of a well-grown +dog, my leader drew one hundred and ninety-six pounds +singly, and to the same distance, in eight minutes. At another +time seven of my dogs ran a mile in four minutes, drawing +a heavy sledge full of men. Afterwards, in carrying stores +to the Fury, one mile distant, nine dogs drew one thousand +six hundred and eleven pounds in the space of nine minutes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +When the dogs slackened their pace, the sight of a seal or +bird was sufficient to put them instantly to their full speed; +and even though none of these might be seen on the ice, +the cry of 'a seal!'—'a bear!'—or 'a bird!' &c., was +enough to give play to the legs and voices of the whole pack. +The voice and long whip answer all the purposes of reins, +and the dogs can be made to turn a corner as dexterously +as horses, though not in such an orderly manner, since they +are constantly fighting; and I do not recollect to have seen +one receive a flogging without instantly wreaking his passion +on the ears of his neighbours. The cries of the men are +not more melodious than those of the animals; and their +wild looks and gestures when animated, give them an appearance +of devils driving wolves before them. Our dogs had +eaten nothing for forty-eight hours, and could not have gone +over less than seventy miles of ground; yet they returned, +to all appearance, as fresh and active as when they first +set out."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Hard Lot.</span> +The unhappy condition of the Eskimo dogs +under native treatment is pathetically referred to in "Cassell's +Natural History," edited by Professor Duncan. The writer +says "the horrible savagery of those poor wretches can hardly +be wondered at; they live in a country where there is hardly +a chance for them in any independent foraging expedition; +they are half-starved by their masters, being fed chiefly on +frozen walrus hides in the winter, and allowed to shift for +themselves in the summer when their services are not required, +and are in so perennial and acute a state of hunger that +they are ready at any time to eat their own harness if +allowed to do so. It is generally stated that they are perfectly +insensible to kindness, and only to be kept in order +by a liberal application of the lash, or even of a more +formidable weapon; for the Eskimo, if their dogs are refractory, +do not scruple to beat them about the head with +a hammer, or anything else of sufficient hardness which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +happens to be at hand. They will even beat the poor +brutes in this horrible manner until they are actually stunned. +Notwithstanding the absolute dependence of the Eskimo on +their dogs, little or no care is taken of them; they receive +nothing in any degree approaching petting, and spend all +their time in the open air. The chief use of the Eskimo +dog is to draw the sledges, which are the only possible +conveyances in that frozen land. In all the Arctic expeditions +which have been sent out at various times, a good +supply of sledge dogs has been one of the greatest <i>desiderata</i>, +as without them it would be absolutely impossible to proceed +far. No other animal would answer the purpose, both horses +and cattle being quite useless in journeys over ice and snow, +amongst which the pack of light, active dogs make their +way with wonderful ease and safety." The Siberian dogs +render equally valuable services to their masters with about +an equal measure of appreciation.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Newfoundland Dog.</span> +The dog known as the Newfoundland dog +is one of the handsomest and best beloved +of the dog family. He is distinct from the Labrador dog, +which is more slender in make, has a sharper muzzle and +is generally "black in colour with a tawny nose and a rusty +spot over each eye". The Labrador dog and the Eskimo +have been credited with the parentage of the Newfoundland +species. At home the Newfoundland is made useful for the +purpose of drawing loads, being harnessed to small carts +and sleighs for carrying wood and other commodities. +Abroad like the prophet who "is not without honour save +in his own country", he has been found capable and worthy of +much more honourable service, and his fidelity and sagacity +have won for him universal esteem. He is an expert swimmer, +his feet being webbed and so peculiarly adapted for the +exercise. He takes to the water as though it were his natural +element, and has so often carried the line to sinking ships, +and rescued persons about to drown that such incidents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +have become quite common. The tribute paid to him by +Sir Edwin Landseer, when he named his famous picture of +him "a distinguished member of the humane society", was +no more poetical than just. Volumes might be filled with +stories of his intelligence and prowess, and it is difficult within +present limits to select a due variety of characteristic anecdotes.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Newfoundland's Generosity.</span> +One of the most marked characteristics of +the Newfoundland dog is his generosity to a +fallen foe. His temper is said to be uncertain, though this +has been questioned by some who have had large experience +of him under varying circumstances. Be this as it may, +there are many stories told to his honour of his generosity +to his enemies in the moment of victory. A Newfoundland +dog, who had for some time treated with becoming dignity +the impudence of some mongrels who were amusing themselves +by snapping and snarling at his heels, suddenly turned +and sent the crowd of persecutors flying in all directions, +except the ringleader, who fell sprawling in the middle of +the street, where he was about to receive the punishment he +deserved when a cable car came dashing down the hill, right +upon the dogs. The big dog saw the danger at once and +sprang aside, but his enemy remained upon his back, too +terrified to notice anything. The Newfoundland took in the +situation, in a moment sprang back in front of the car, seized +the cur in his teeth, and snatched him, still whining and +begging for mercy, out of the very jaws of death. Laying +him in the gutter, he gave a good-natured wag or two of his +tail and went his way. Another Newfoundland much bothered +by a small cur who was for ever barking at his heels, but +who treated his assailant with sublime indifference, was on +one occasion aroused to adopt drastic measures by receiving +a bite on his leg. Seizing the cur by the loose skin of his +back he carried him down to the quay of Cork and after +letting him dangle over the water for a little while, dropped +him into it. After watching the animal struggle with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +water until nearly exhausted, the Newfoundland plunged in +and rescued him. Mr. Jesse gives a fine illustration of this +canine chivalry, witnessed at Donaghadee. "The one dog +in this case was also a Newfoundland, and the other was a +mastiff. They were both powerful dogs; and though each +was good-natured when alone, they were very much in the +habit of fighting when they met. One day they had a fierce +and prolonged battle on the pier, from the point of which +they both fell into the sea; and as the pier was long and +steep, they had no means of escape but by swimming a considerable +distance. Throwing water upon fighting dogs is an +approved means of putting an end to their hostilities; and +it is natural to suppose that two combatants of the same +species tumbling themselves into the sea would have the same +effect. It had; and each began to make for the land as best +he could. The Newfoundland being an excellent swimmer, +very speedily gained the pier, on which he stood shaking +himself; but at the same time watching the motions of his +late antagonist, which, being no swimmer, was struggling +exhausted in the water, and just about to sink. In dashed +the Newfoundland dog, took the other gently by the collar, +kept his head above water, and brought him safely on shore. +There was a peculiar kind of recognition between the two +animals; they never fought again; they were always together: +and when the Newfoundland dog had been accidentally +killed by the passage of a stone waggon on the railway over +him, the other languished and evidently lamented for a +long time."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Newfoundland's Perception of Danger.</span> +The quickness with which the Newfoundland +will realise the danger of a situation and the +promptitude with which he will devise a remedy, +make him in some cases a more valuable friend in need +than a man could be. Human aid would have probably +been too slow in the following case related by Mr. Jesse. +"In the city of Worchester, one of the principal streets<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +leads by a gentle declivity to the river Severn. One day a +child, in crossing the street, fell down in the middle of it +and a horse and cart, which was descending the hill, would +have passed over it, had not a Newfoundland dog rushed +to the rescue of the child, caught it up in his mouth, and +conveyed it in safety to the foot pavement."</p> + +<p>The promptitude with which he will leap into the water to +save the drowning, without waiting for any word of command, +is another illustration of this faculty. Another case related by +Mr. Jesse may be quoted. "In the year 1841, as a labourer, +named Rake, in the parish of Botley, near Southampton, +was at work in a gravel-pit, the top stratum gave way, and +he was buried up to his neck by the great quantity of gravel +which fell upon him. He was at the same time so much +hurt, two of his ribs being broken, that he found it impossible +to make any attempt to extricate himself from his +perilous situation. Indeed, nothing could be more fearful +than the prospect before him. No one was within hearing +of his cries, nor was any one likely to come near the spot. +He must almost inevitably have perished, had it not been +for a Newfoundland dog belonging to his employer. This +animal had been watching the man at his work for some +days, as if he had been aware that his assistance would be +required; for no particular attachment to each other had +been exhibited on either side. As soon, however, as the +accident occurred, the dog jumped into the pit, and commenced +removing the gravel with his paws; and this he did +in so vigorous and expeditious a manner, that the poor man +was at length able to liberate himself, though with extreme +difficulty. What an example of kindness, sensibility, and I +may add reason, does this instance afford us!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Youatt gives a remarkable illustration, also quoted by +Mr. Jesse, of a Newfoundland's apparent perception of danger +of quite another sort. Finding it inconvenient to keep this +animal Mr. Youatt had given it to a friend, and four years passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +before the dog saw his late owner again, when they met +quite by chance, the two masters and the dog, on a lonely +road between Wandsworth and Kingston. The dog showed +every sign of pleasure at meeting his old master, but when +they parted faithfully followed the new. Mr. Youatt had +not proceeded far, however, when he discovered that the dog +had rejoined him and was walking at his side, growling and +showing every sign of anger. Looking ahead he discovered +two men approaching him stealthily from behind the bushes +that skirted the road. "I can scarcely say," says Mr. Youatt, +"what I felt; for presently one of the scoundrels emerged +from the bushes, not twenty yards from me; but he no +sooner saw my companion, and heard his growling, the +loudness and depth of which were fearfully increasing, than +he retreated, and I saw no more of him or of his associate. +My gallant defender accompanied me to the direction-post +at the bottom of the hill, and there, with many a mutual +and honest greeting, we parted, and he bounded away to +overtake his rightful owner. We never met again; but I +need not say that I often thought of him with admiration +and gratitude."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Newfoundland's Sense of Right and Wrong.</span> +A number of well authenticated stories, seem +to indicate a certain sense of right and wrong +as characteristic of the more intelligent dogs; +of course the idea of right and wrong being in the case of +animals as in the case of men, largely a matter of education. +The Newfoundland dog belonging to the Rev. J. Simpson of +Potterow Church, Edinburgh, already referred to, on one +occasion detained a party of friends which had been entertained +by the servants during their master's absence at church, +by stationing himself in front of the hall door and preventing +their egress until the rev. gentleman's return. Another Newfoundland +dog who belonged to a grocer, and who had seen +a porter hide money behind a heap of rubbish in a stable,—money +which he had surreptitiously abstracted from the till,—followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +an apprentice into the stable on the first opportunity, +and scratching away the rubbish exposed the money to view, +thus leading to the detection of the thief. It is of course +easy to claim too much for actions apparently so intelligent +and in estimating them coincidence has to be allowed for; +but they are far too numerous to be ignored in estimating +canine character. An instance is recorded of a quiet docile +dog who refused to allow a visitor to leave a stable, when +it was discovered that the man had secreted a bridle in his +pocket.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Newfoundland's Fidelity.</span> +Many illustrations might be given of the +fidelity which the Newfoundland shows in +common with other dogs, but one or two must suffice. A +story is told of a dog who picked up a coin which his +master had dropped from his purse, and which he kept in +his mouth all day, refusing food until his master's return +in the evening, when he laid it at his feet, and then attacked +his dinner voraciously; another of a dog who on being sent +home by his master with a key which he had inadvertently +taken with him, was attacked by a dog belonging to a butcher, +but who declined the combat until he had delivered the +key, but immediately returned and attacking the butcher's +dog killed him. In the first case the dog suffered the natural +pangs of hunger rather than hazard his master's property, and +in the second he postponed the gratification of his natural +feeling of revenge until after the execution of his duty.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Newfoundland under Training.</span> +The tricks to which dogs can be trained, +though often amusing enough, have not the +interest which attaches to the natural display +of their faculties, and yet of course there is plenty of scope +for the trained dog to supplement his culture by the exercise +of his natural gifts, and this he often does. Perhaps one of +the most remarkable of trained Newfoundland dogs, was the +one possessed by Mr. McIntyre of Regent Bridge, Edinburgh. +This dog was trained to perform all kinds of tricks. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +would pick his master's hat out from a number of others +of the same kind, or indeed almost any article of his master's +from a group of similar articles. He would ring the bell to +summon the servants, and if there was no bell rope in the +room, find and use the hand bell with equal facility. A +comb was hidden on the top of a mantel-piece in the room, +and the dog required to bring it, which he almost immediately +did, although in the search he found a number of articles +also belonging to his master, purposely strewed around, all of +which he passed over, and brought the identical comb which +he was required to find, fully proving that he was not guided +by the sense of smell, but that he perfectly understood what +was spoken to him. One evening some gentlemen being +in company, one of them accidentally dropped a shilling on +the floor, which, after the most careful search, could not be +found. Mr. M. seeing his dog sitting in a corner, and looking +as if quite unconscious of what was passing, said to him, +"Dandie, find us the shilling and you shall have a biscuit." +The dog immediately jumped upon the table and laid down +the shilling, which he had previously picked up without +having been perceived. Mr. M. having one evening supped +with a friend, on his return home could not find his boot-jack +in the place where it usually lay. He then said to his +dog, "Dandie, I cannot find my boot-jack,—search for it." +The faithful animal, quite sensible of what had been said +to him, scratched at the room-door, which his master +opened. Dandie proceeded to a very distant part of the +house, and returned carrying in his mouth the boot-jack, +which Mr. M. then recollected to have left that morning +under a sofa. A number of gentlemen, well acquainted +with Dandie, were daily in the habit of giving him a penny +which he took to a baker's shop and purchased bread for +himself. One of these gentlemen, who lived in James' Square, +when passing was accosted by Dandie, in expectation of his +usual present. Mr. T. said to him, "I have not a penny<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +with me to-day, but I have one at home." Having returned +to his house some time after, he heard a noise at the door, +which was opened by the servant, when in sprang Dandie +to receive his penny. In a frolic Mr. T. gave him a bad +one, which he, as usual, carried to the baker, who refused +to take the bad coin. He immediately returned to Mr. T.'s, +scratched at the door, and when the servant opened it, +laid the penny down at her feet, and walked off, seemingly +with the greatest contempt. Although Dandie, in general, +made an immediate purchase of bread with the money +which he received, the following circumstance clearly demonstrates +that he possessed more prudent foresight than many +who are reckoned rational beings. One Sunday, when it +was very unlikely that he could have received a present of +money, Dandie was observed to bring home a loaf. Mr. M. +being somewhat surprised at this, desired the servant to +search the room to see if any money could be found. While +she was engaged in this task, the dog seemed quite unconcerned +till she approached the bed, when he ran to her, +and gently drew her back from it. Mr. M. then secured +the dog, which kept struggling and growling while the servant +went under the bed, where she found seven pence halfpenny +under a bit of cloth. From that time he never could endure +the girl, and was frequently observed to hide his money in a +corner of a saw-pit, under the dust. When Mr. M. had +company, if he desired the dog to see any one of the +gentlemen home, he would walk with him till he reached his +home, and then return to his master, how great soever the +distance might be. Many other stories are told about Dandie +but these must suffice. Of their authenticity there seems +little doubt; they were recorded by Captain Brown during +the lifetime of Dandie and his master.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sheep Dog.</span> +The shepherd dog (<i><span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'canis'."> Canis</span> domesticus</i>) rivals if +not surpasses most other dogs in intelligence, +though his intelligence is less general and more particular<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +than that of other dogs, <i>i.e.</i>, more special to his own profession +and probably more due to training and culture. The +principle of heredity operates conspicuously in the case of +dogs, and shepherding being one of the oldest occupations of +man, the shepherd's dog has probably been under culture for +a longer period than any other,—hence his proficiency in his +work. Buffon credited him with being "the parent stock of +the whole species", and Colonel Smith with civilisation at a +very early period. "The sheep dog," says Colonel Smith, "is +seldom two feet high, but his make is muscular; the nose +rather pointed; the ears erect; and the colour of the hair +black and fulvous; the fur is rather long and rough. In great +Britain, and more particularly in Scotland, the colours are +more mixed with shades of brown, and the ears are often +drooping at the tips. The sheep dog is not to be confused +with the drover or cattle dog, which is larger and still more +rugged in coat, as well as manners.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sheep Dog's Sagacity.</span> +The sheep dog is credited with so many stories +of skill and sagacity, that those unacquainted +with his habits and achievements can scarcely +believe the record. He has been known to rival the St. Bernard +in tracking both men and sheep who have become buried in +the snow, the mastiff in defending his master's property and +the Newfoundland in procuring assistance he was unable to +render himself. But it is in the pursuit of his special duties +that he displays the most remarkable powers; and many +illustrations might be given of his extraordinary skill and +fidelity. Happily for him he found in the Ettrick Shepherd +an historian as well acquainted with his prowess as he was +able to record its exercise; from whose writings we are able +to quote several remarkable illustrations.</p> + +<p>"My dog Sirrah," says he, "was, beyond all comparison, +the best dog I ever saw: he was of a surly and unsocial +temper,—disdaining all flattery, he refused to be caressed; +but his attention to my commands and interests will never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +again, perhaps, be equalled by any of the canine race. Well +as I knew him, he often astonished me; for, when hard +pressed in accomplishing the task that he was put to, he had +expedients of the moment that bespoke a great share of the +reasoning faculty.</p> + +<p>"About seven hundred lambs, which were once under my +care at weaning time, broke up at midnight, and scampered +off in three divisions across the hills, in spite of all that I +and an assistant lad could do to keep them together. 'Sirrah, +my man!' said I, in great affliction, 'they are awa'.' The +night was so dark that I could not see Sirrah, but the faithful +animal heard my words—words such as of all others were +sure to set him most on the alert; and without much ado he +silently set off in search of the recreant flock. Meanwhile I +and my companion did not fail to do all in our power to +recover our lost charge. We spent the whole night in scouring +the hills for miles around, but of neither the lambs nor +Sirrah could we obtain the slightest trace. It was the most +extraordinary circumstance that had occurred in my pastoral +life. We had nothing for it (day having dawned), but to return +to our master, and inform him that we had lost his +whole flock of lambs, and knew not what had become of +them. On our way home, however, we discovered a body +of lambs at the bottom of a deep ravine, called the Flesh +Cleuch, and the indefatigable Sirrah standing in front of them, +looking all around for some relief, but still standing true to +his charge. The sun was then up; and when we first came +in view of them, we concluded that it was one of the divisions +which Sirrah had been unable to manage until he came +to that commanding situation. But what was our astonishment, +when we discovered by degrees that not one lamb of +the whole flock was wanting! How he had got all the divisions +collected in the dark, is beyond my comprehension. +The charge was left entirely to himself, from midnight until +the rising of the sun; and if all the shepherds in the forest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +had been there to have assisted him, they could not have +effected it with greater propriety. All that I can farther say +is, that I never felt so grateful to any creature below the sun, +as I did to my honest Sirrah that morning."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sheep-dog's Fidelity.</span> +"The late Mr. Steel, flesher in Peebles," says +James Hogg, "had a bitch whose feats in taking +sheep from the neighbouring farms into the Flesh-market +at Peebles, form innumerable anecdotes in that vicinity, +all similar to one another. But there is one instance +related of her, that combines so much sagacity with natural +affection, that I do not think the history of the animal creation +furnishes such another. Mr. Steel had such an implicit +dependence on the attention of this animal to his orders, +that, whenever he put a lot of sheep before her, he took a +pride in leaving them to herself, and either remained to take +a glass with the farmer of whom he had made the purchase, +or took another road to look after bargains or other business. +But one time he chanced to commit a drove to her charge +at a place called Willenslee, without attending to her condition +as he ought to have done. This farm is five miles from +Peebles, over wild hills, and there is no regularly defined +path to it. Whether Mr. Steel remained behind, or chose +another road, I know not; but, on coming home late in the +evening, he was astonished at hearing that his faithful animal +had not made her appearance with the flock. He and his +son, or servant, instantly prepared to set out by different +paths in search of her; but, on their going out to the street, +there was she coming with the drove, not one missing; and +marvellous to relate, she was carrying a young pup in her +mouth! She had been taken in travail on those hills; and +how the poor beast had contrived to manage the drove in +her state of suffering is beyond human calculation, for her +road lay through sheep the whole way. Her master's heart +smote him when he saw what she had suffered and effected: +but she was nothing daunted; and having deposited her young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +one in a place of safety, she again set out full speed to the +hills, and brought another and another, till she removed her +whole litter one by one; but the last one was dead. The +stories related of the dogs of sheep-stealers, he continues, are +fairly beyond all credibility. I cannot attach credit to some +of them without believing the animals to have been devils +incarnate, come to the earth for the destruction both of the +souls and bodies of men. I cannot mention names, for the +sake of families that still remain in the country; but there +have been sundry men executed, who belonged to this district +of the kingdom, for that heinous crime, in my own days; +and others have absconded, just in time to save their necks. +There was not one of these to whom I allude who did not +acknowledge his dog to be the greatest aggressor. One young +man in particular, who was, I believe, overtaken by justice +for his first offence, stated, that after he had folded the sheep +by moonlight, and selected his number from the flock of a +former master, he took them out, and set away with them +towards Edinburgh. But before he had got them quite off +the farm, his conscience smote him, as he said (but more +likely a dread of that which soon followed), and he quitted +the sheep, letting them go again to the hill. He called his +dog off them; and mounting his pony, he rode away. At +that time he said his dog was capering and playing around +him, as if glad of having got free of a troublesome business; +and he regarded him no more, till, after having rode about +three miles, he thought again and again that he heard something +coming up behind him. Halting, at length, to ascertain what +it was, in a few minutes up came his dog with the stolen +animals, driving them at a furious rate to keep up with his +master. The sheep were all smoking, and hanging out their +tongues, and their guide was fully as warm as they. The +young man was now exceedingly troubled, for the sheep +having been brought so far from home, he dreaded there +would be a pursuit, and he could not get them home again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +before day. Resolving, at all events, to keep his hands clear +of them, he corrected his dog in great wrath, left the sheep +once more, and taking colley with him, rode off a second +time. He had not ridden above a mile, till he perceived that +his assistant had again given him the slip; and suspecting +for what purpose, he was terribly alarmed as well as chagrined; +for daylight now approached, and he durst not make a noise +calling on his dog, for fear of alarming the neighbourhood, +in a place where they were both well known. He resolved +therefore to abandon the animal to himself, and take a road +across the country which he was sure the other did not know, +and could not follow. He took that road; but being on +horseback, he could not get across the enclosed fields. He +at length came to a gate, which he shut behind him, and +went about half a mile farther, by a zigzag course, to a +farm-house where both his sister and sweetheart lived; and +at that place he remained until after breakfast time. The +people of this house were all examined on the trial, and no +one had either seen the sheep or heard them mentioned, save +one man, who came up to the aggressor as he was standing +at the stable-door, and told him that his dog had the sheep +safe enough down at the Crooked Yett, and he needed not +hurry himself. He answered, that the sheep were not his—they +were young Mr. Thomson's, who had left them to his +charge, and he was in search of a man to drive them, which +made him come off his road." The fidelity of this animal +cost his master his life.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The St. Bernard Dog.</span> +The St. Bernard Dog always honoured for +his work's sake, resembles the Newfoundland in +form, hair, colour, and size. "There is another race," says +Colonel Smith, "trained to the same service, with close +short hair, and more or less marked with grey, liver colour +and black clouds." Bass, a famous St. Bernard, the property +of Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, is thus described by him in +a letter to Mr. W. H. Lizars printed in Vol. XIX of "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +Naturalist's Library":—"My St. Bernard was brought home +direct from the Great St. Bernard, when he was a puppy +of about four or five months. His bark is tremendous; +so loud, indeed, that I have often distinguished it nearly +a mile off. He had been missing for some time, when, +to my great joy, one of the letter-carriers brought him back; +and the man's account was, that in going along a certain +street, he heard his bark from the inside of a yard, and +knew it immediately. He knocked at the gate, and said to +the owner of the premises, 'You have got Sir Thomas +Lauder's big dog.' The man denied it. 'But I know you +have,' continued the letter-carrier; 'I can swear that I heard +the bark of Sir Thomas's big dog; for there is no dog in or +about all Edinburgh that has such a bark.' At last, with +great reluctance, the man gave up the dog to the letter-carrier, +who brought him home here. But though Bass's bark is so +terrific, he is the best-natured and most playful dog I ever +saw; so much so, indeed, that the small King Charles's +spaniel, Raith, used to tyrannize over him for many months +after he came here from abroad. I have seen the little +creature run furiously at the great animal when gnawing a +bone, who instantly turned himself submissively over on his +back, with all his legs in the air, whilst Raith, seizing the +bone, would make the most absurd and unavailing attempts +to bestride the enormous head of his subdued companion, +with the most ludicrous affectation of the terrible growling, +that might bespeak the loftiest description of dog-indignation. +When a dog attacks Bass in the street or road, he runs away +rather than quarrel; but when compelled to fight by any +perseverance in the attacking party, he throws his enemy +down in a moment, and then, without biting him, he lays his +whole immense bulk down upon him, till he nearly smothers +him. He took a particular fancy for one of the postmen who +deliver letters here, whose duty it was, besides delivering +letters, to carry a letter bag from one receiving-house to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +another, and this bag he used to give Bass to carry. Bass +always followed that man through all the villas in this neighbourhood +where he had deliveries to make, and he invariably +parted with him opposite to the gate of the Convent of St. +Margaret's, and returned home. When our gate was shut +here to prevent his following the postman, the dog always +leaped a high wall to get after him. One day when the +postman was ill, or detained by some accidental circumstance, +he sent a man in his place. Bass went up to the man, curiously +scanning his face, whilst the man rather retired from +the dog, by no means liking his appearance. But as the +man left the place, Bass followed him, showing strong symptoms +that he was determined to have the post-bag. The +man did all he could to keep possession of it. But at length +Bass seeing that he had no chance of getting possession of +the bag by civil entreaty, raised himself up on his hind-legs, +and putting a great forepaw on each of the man's shoulders, +he laid him flat on his back in the road, and quietly picking +up the bag, he proceeded peaceably on his wonted way. +The man, much dismayed, arose and followed the dog, +making every now and then an ineffectual attempt to coax +him to give up the bag. At the first house he came to, he +told his fears, and the dilemma he was in; but the people +comforted him, by telling him that the dog always carried +the bag. Bass walked with the man to all the houses at +which he delivered letters, and along the road till he came +to the gate of St. Margaret's, where he dropped the bag and +returned home."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The St. Bernard at Work.</span> +"The convent of the Great St. Bernard is +situated near the top of the mountain known +by that name, near one of the most dangerous passages of +the Alps, between Switzerland and Savoy. In these regions +the traveller is often overtaken by the most severe weather, +even after days of cloudless beauty, when the glaciers glitter +in the sunshine, and the pink flowers of the rhododendron<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +appear as if they were never to be sullied by the tempest. +But a storm suddenly comes on; the roads are rendered +impassable by drifts of snow; the avalanches, which are huge +loosened masses of snow or ice, are swept into the valleys, +carrying trees and crags of rock before them. Benumbed +with cold, weary in the search for a lost track, his senses +yielding to the stupifying influence of frost which betrays the +exhausted sufferer into a deep sleep, the unhappy man sinks +upon the ground, and the snow-drift covers him from human +sight. It is then that the keen scent and the exquisite +docility of these admirable dogs are called into action. +Though the perishing man lie ten or even twelve feet beneath +the snow, the delicacy of smell with which they can trace +him offers a chance of escape. They scratch away the snow +with their feet; they set up a continued hoarse and solemn +bark, which brings the monks and labourers of the convent +to their assistance. To provide for the chance that the dogs, +without human help, may succeed in discovering the unfortunate +traveller, one of them has a flask of spirits round his +neck, to which the fainting man may apply for support; and +another has a cloak to cover him. These wonderful exertions +are often successful; and even where they fail of restoring +him who has perished, the dogs discover the body, so that +it may be secured for the recognition of friends; and such +is the effect of the temperature, that the dead features generally +preserve their firmness for the space of two years." One +of these dogs is said to have saved as many as forty lives +and finally to have fallen a victim to an avalanche.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Greyhound.</span> +The Greyhound is characterised by elegance +of form and grace of movement; he has also great powers +of speed and endurance, is mild and affectionate in disposition +and sagacious in matters other than those connected with +the chase. "The narrow, sharp head, the light half hanging +ears, the long neck, the arched back, the slender yet sinewy +limbs, the deep chest, showing the high development of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +breathing organs, and the elevated hind quarters, says Mrs. +Bowdich, all shadow forth the peculiar qualities of these +dogs. Their coat has been adapted to the climate in which +they originally lived: here it is smooth; but becomes more +shaggy as they are from colder regions." "The Scotch +Greyhound (<i>Canis Scoticus</i>)," she continues, "generally white, +with black clouds, is said to be the most intellectual of all, +and formerly to have had so good a scent as to be employed +as a bloodhound. Maida, whose name is immortalized as +the favourite of Sir Walter Scott, was a Scottish greyhound. +The Irish is the largest of all the western breeds, and is +supposed to owe this distinction to mingling with the great +Danish dog. To it Ireland owes the extirpation of wolves, +though it now scarcely exists itself but in name."</p> + +<p>The greyhound is now principally bred for sporting purposes, +coursing being the favourite amusement. The great speed and +endurance of the dog is shown in this pastime. Mr. Jesse records +several instances of dogs who have died from exhaustion +rather than give up the chase, in one of which it is stated +that two dogs and a hare were found dead within a +few yards of each other after a run of several miles. Mr. +Daniel in his rural sports gives an instance in which a +brace of greyhounds chased a hare a distance of four +miles in twelve minutes.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Greyhound's Affection.</span> +Washington Irving tells the following story +of a greyhound's affection for his master. "An +officer named St. Leger, who was imprisoned in Vincennes +(near Paris) during the wars of St. Bartholomew, wished to +keep with him a greyhound that he had brought up, and +which was much attached to him; but they harshly refused +him this innocent pleasure, and sent away the greyhound to +his house in the Rue des Lions Saint Paul. The next day +the greyhound returned alone to Vincennes, and began to +bark under the windows of the tower, where the officer was +confined. St. Leger approached, looked through the bars,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +and was delighted again to see his faithful hound, who +began to jump and play a thousand gambols to show her +joy. He threw a piece of bread to the animal, who ate it +with great good will; and, in spite of the immense wall +which separated them, they breakfasted together like two +friends. This friendly visit was not the last. Abandoned +by his relations, who believed him dead, the unfortunate +prisoner received the visits of his greyhound only, during +four years' confinement. Whatever weather it might be, in +spite of rain or snow, the faithful animal did not fail a +single day to pay her accustomed visit. Six months after +his release from prison St. Leger died. The faithful greyhound +would no longer remain in the house; but on the +day after the funeral returned to the castle of Vincennes, +and it is supposed she was actuated by a motive of gratitude. +A jailor of the outer court had always shown great kindness +to this dog, which was as handsome as affectionate. Contrary +to the custom of people of that class, this man had been +touched by her attachment and beauty, so that he facilitated +her approach to see her master, and also insured her a safe +retreat. Penetrated with gratitude for this service, the greyhound +remained the rest of her life near the benevolent +jailor. It was remarked, that even while testifying her zeal +and gratitude for her second master, one could easily see +that her heart was with the first. Like those who, having +lost a parent, a brother, or a friend, come from afar to seek +consolation by viewing the place which they inhabited, this +affectionate animal repaired frequently to the tower where +St. Leger had been imprisoned, and would contemplate for +hours together the gloomy window from which her dear +master had so often smiled to her, and where they had so +frequently breakfasted together."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lurcher.</span> +"The rough, large-boned, ill-looking Lurcher," +says Mrs. Bowdich, "is said to have descended from the +rough greyhound and the shepherd's dog. It is now rare;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +but there are some of its sinister-looking mongrel progeny +still to be seen. They always bear the reputation of being +poachers' dogs, and are deeply attached to their owners. +They have a fine scent; and a man confessed to Mr. Bewick, +that he could, with a pair of lurchers, procure as many +rabbits as he pleased. They never give tongue, but set +about their work silently and cautiously, and hunt hares +and partridges, driving the latter into the nets of the unlawful +sportsmen." He is a dog to whom a bad name has +been given, and who has found a bad name but one step +from hanging.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bloodhound.</span> +The Bloodhound (<i>Canis Sanguinarius</i>) whether +because less needed now than <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'formally'."> formerly</span> or not, +is less cultivated and is therefore more rare. Mr. Bell's +description of the breed is as follows:—"They stand twenty-eight +inches high at the shoulder; the muzzle broad and +full; the upper lip large and pendulous; the vertex of the +head protuberant; the expression stern, thoughtful, and noble; +the breast broad; the limbs strong and muscular; and the +original colour a deep tan, with large black clouds. They +are silent when following their scent; and in this respect +differ from other hounds, who are generally gifted with fine +deep voices. Numbers, under the name of sleuth-hounds, +used to be kept on the Borders; and kings and troopers, +perhaps equally marauders, have in olden times found it +difficult to evade them. The noble Bruce had several narrow +escapes from them; and the only sure way to destroy +their scent was to spill blood upon the track. In all the +common routine of life they are good-natured and intelligent, +and make excellent watch-dogs. A story is related of +a nobleman, who, to make a trial whether a young hound +was well instructed, desired one of his servants to walk to +a town four miles off, and then to a market town three +miles from thence. The dog, without seeing the man he +was to pursue, followed him by the scent to the above-mentioned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +places, notwithstanding the multitude of market-people +that went along the same road, and of travellers that +had occasion to come; and when the bloodhound came to +the market town, he passed through the streets without +taking notice of any of the people there, and ceased not +till he had gone to the house where the man he sought +rested himself, and where he found him in an upper room, +to the wonder of those who had accompanied him in this +pursuit."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Scent of the Bloodhound.</span> +A strong characteristic of the Bloodhound is +of course his remarkable scent for blood.</p> + +<p>"Bloodhounds," says Bingley, "were formerly +used in certain districts lying between England and Scotland, +that were much infested by robbers and murderers; +and a tax was laid on the inhabitants for keeping and +maintaining a certain number of these animals. Some few +are yet kept in the northern parts of the kingdom, and in +the lodges of the royal forests, where they are used in pursuit +of deer that have been previously wounded. They are +also sometimes employed in discovering deer-stealers, whom +they infallibly trace by the blood that issues from the wounds +of their victims. A very extraordinary instance of this +occurred in the New Forest, in the year 1810, and was +related to me by the Right Hon. G. H. Rose. A person, +in getting over a stile into a field near the Forest, remarked +that there was blood upon it. Immediately afterwards he +recollected that some deer had been killed, and several +sheep stolen in the neighbourhood; and that this might +possibly be the blood of one that had been killed in the +preceding night. The man went to the nearest lodge to +give information; but the keeper being from home, he was +under the necessity of going to Rhinefield Lodge, which +was at a considerable distance. Toomer, the under-keeper, +went with him to the place, accompanied by a bloodhound. +The dog, when brought to the spot, was laid on the scent;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +and after following for about a mile the track which the +depredator had taken, he came at last to a heap of furze +fagots belonging to the family of a cottager. The woman +of the house attempted to drive the dog away, but was prevented; +and on the fagots being removed a hole was discovered +in the ground, which contained the body of a +sheep that had recently been killed, and also a considerable +quantity of salted meat. The circumstance which renders +this account the more remarkable is, that the dog was not +brought to the scent until more than sixteen hours had +elapsed after the man had carried away the sheep."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Stag-Hound.</span> +"The stag hound," says Colonel Smith, "was a +large stately animal, equal or little less than the +blood hound, and originally, like that race, slow, sure, cautious +and steady." "The modern hound is perhaps still handsomer, +though somewhat smaller; and the breed having been crossed +with the fox hound is now much faster." The stag hunt +having declined in public favour they have ceased to be bred +in packs for hunting purposes.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Stag-Hunt.</span> +"Many years since," says Captain Brown, "a very +large stag was turned out of Whinfield Park in the +county of Westmoreland, and was pursued by the hounds +till, by accident or fatigue, the whole pack was thrown out +with the exception of two dogs which continued the chase. +Its length is uncertain, but the chase was seen at Red Kirk +near Annan in Scotland, distant by the post road about forty-six +miles. The stag returned to the park from which he had +set out, so that considering the circuitous route which it +pursued, it is supposed to have run over not less than one +hundred and twenty miles. It was its greatest and last +achievement, for it leapt the wall of the park and immediately +expired; the hounds were also found dead at no great +distance from the wall which they had been unable to leap. +An inscription was placed on a tree in the park, in memory +of the animals, and the horns of the stag, the largest ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +seen in that part of the country, were placed over it."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Fox-Hound.</span> +"In giving a description of the various breeds of +dogs," says Mr. Jesse, "everyone must be aware, +that by crossing and recrossing them many of those we now +see have but little claim to originality. The fox-hound, the old +Irish wolf-dog, and the Colley or shepherd's dog, may perhaps +be considered as possessing the greatest purity of blood." +Mr. Jesse then refers to a picture of a pack of hounds in +Wilkinson's "Manners and Customs of the Egyptians," a picture +which was copied from a painting found in one of the tombs +of the Pharaohs, in which "every individual hound is characteristic +of the present breed." If this be so, as Mr. Jesse +says, "this breed must be considered of a much more ancient +date than is generally supposed." The Fox-hound is described +by Colonel Smith as "somewhat lower at the shoulders +and more slenderly built" than the stag-hound. His colour +is "white, but commonly marked with larger clouds of black +and tan, one on each side the head, covering the ears, the +same on each flank and one at the root of the tail." The +Fox-hound has great strength and endurance, and will run +ten hours in pursuit of the fox.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Fox-hound's Tenacity.</span> +Many extraordinary stories are told of the +Fox-hound's ardour for sport. According to +Mr. Jesse, a bitch was on one occasion taken in labour while +in the hunting field, and after giving birth to a pup took it +in its mouth and pursued the chase. Another bitch, whose +eye had been struck from the socket accidentally by the lash +of the whipper-in who did not believe her challenge, pursued +the fox alone for a great distance with her eye pendant, until +the rest of the pack came up and the fox was killed. Perhaps +one of the most remarkable instances of tenacity of +purpose in an animal is that quoted by Mr. Jesse from the +supplement to Mr. Daniel's "Rural Sports." "The circumstance +took place in the year 1808, in the counties of +Inverness and Perth, and perhaps surpasses any length of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +pursuit known in the annals of hunting. On the 8th of June +in that year, a fox and hound were seen near Dunkeld in +Perthshire, on the high road, proceeding at a slow trotting +pace. The dog was about fifty yards behind the fox, and +each was so fatigued as not to gain on the other. A countryman +very easily caught the fox, and both it and the dog +were taken to a gentleman's house in the neighbourhood, +where the fox died. It was afterwards ascertained that the +hound belonged to the Duke of Gordon, and that the fox +was started on the morning of the 4th of June, on the top +of those hills called Monaliadh, which separate Badenoch +from Fort Augustus. From this it appeared that the chase +lasted four days, and that the distance traversed from the +place where the fox was unkennelled to the spot where +it was caught, without making any allowances for doubles, +crosses, etc., and as the crow flies, exceeded seventy +miles."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Harrier.</span> +"The Harrier," says Colonel Smith, "so called +from being usually applied to hare hunting is smaller than +the fox-hound, not exceeding eighteen inches at the shoulder. +It is entirely an artificial breed and is often confounded with +the beagle."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Beagle.</span> +The Beagle is called by Mr. Jesse, "a Fox-hound +in miniature," and he adds nothing can well be more +perfect than the shape of these small dogs. "In Queen Elizabeth's +reign," says Colonel Smith, "the fanciers bred a race +so small, that a complete cry of them could be carried out +to the field in a pair of panniers. That princess had little +singing beagles which could be placed in a man's glove! At +present they are about twelve or fourteen inches at the +shoulders, stout and compact in make, with long ears, and +either marked with a bright streak or spot of white about +the neck on a dark brown coat, or white with spots like a +harrier, of black and red. They are slow but persevering, +and are sufficiently sure of killing their game."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dalmatian Dog.</span> +Colonel Smith places the Dalmatian dog +with the hounds on the ground of similarity +of general structure. Elegant in form and beautiful in making +it is said to be less keen in scent and less sagacious than +other dogs. Sagacious or not, it was one of these dogs that +Lord Maynard found awaiting him at his house in England +after having lost him in France.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Turnspit.</span> +"The Turnspit," says Captain Brown, "derived its +name from the service in which it was engaged before the +invention of machinery to do the same work, and, what is +remarkable, now that the office is extinct, so also has nearly +become the species which used to perform it." "I have now +in my kitchen," said the Duke de Laincourt, to M. Descartes, +"two turnspits which take their turns regularly every other +day in the wheel: one of them, not liking his employment, +hid himself on the day he should have wrought, when his +companion was forced to mount the wheel in his stead; but +crying and wagging his tail, he intimated that those in attendance +should first follow him. He immediately conducted +them to a garret, where he dislodged the idle dog, and killed +him immediately." Another instance is recorded by Captain +Brown as follows: "When the cook had prepared the meat +for roasting, he found that the dog which should have wrought +the spit had disappeared. He attempted to employ another, +but it bit his leg and fled. Soon after, however, the refractory +dog entered the kitchen driving before him the truant +turnspit, which immediately of its own accord went into the +wheel." It is easy to see from these stories that the occupation +was not a popular one and it is well that it is no longer +a necessary one.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pointer.</span> +The pointer (<i>Canis avicularis</i>) as resembling +the race of hounds, more than any other of the shooting or +gun dogs is placed next to them in the classification of +Colonel Smith, who says: "In their present qualities of +standing fixed and pointing to game, we see the result of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +long course of severe training; and it is a curious fact, that +by a succession of generations having been constantly educated +to this purpose, it has become almost innate, and young +dogs of the true breed point with scarcely any instruction: +this habit is so firm in some that the late Mr. Gilpin is +reported to have painted a brace of pointers while in the +act, and that they stood an hour and a quarter without +moving." A smooth dog, resembling the fox-hound in his +markings, though sometimes entirely black, the pointer is used +by sportsmen to point them to the spot where the game is +to be found. "It ranges the fields," says Mr. Wood, "until +it scents the hare or partridge lying close on the ground. +It then remains still as if carved in stone, every limb fixed, +and the tail pointing straight behind it. In this attitude it +remains until the gun is discharged, reloaded, and the sportsman +has reached the place where the bird sprang."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pointer as a Sportsman.</span> +The pointer is a keen sportsman and will +"point" without tiring while worthily supported +by the gun, but many stories are told of his disgust at a bad +shot and his refusal to "point" for unskilful sportsmen. The +following amusing story is told by Captain Brown and is +quoted as follows by Mr. Jesse: "A gentleman, on his +requesting the loan of a pointer-dog from a friend, was +informed by him that the dog would behave very well so +long as he could kill his birds; but if he frequently missed +them, it would run home and leave him. The dog was sent, +and the following day was fixed for trial; but, unfortunately, +his new master was a remarkably bad shot. Bird after bird +rose and was fired at, but still pursued its flight untouched, +till, at last, the pointer became careless, and often missed +his game. As if seemingly willing, however, to give one +chance more, he made a dead stop at a fern-bush, with his +nose pointed downward, the fore-foot bent, and his tail straight +and steady. In this position he remained firm till the sportsman +was close to him, with both barrels cocked, then moving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +steadily forward for a few paces, he at last stood still +near a bunch of heather, the tail expressing the anxiety of +the mind by moving regularly backwards and forwards. At +last out sprang a fine old blackcock. Bang, bang, went both +barrels, but the bird escaped unhurt. The patience of the +dog was now quite exhausted; and, instead of dropping to +charge, he turned boldly round, placed his tail between his +legs, gave one howl, long and loud, and set off as fast as he +could to his own home." The pointer has been known to +lie down without bidding beside game which has been dropped +from a bag, after a long day's shooting, and watch it faithfully +until relieved on the following day, when the missing +birds were searched for and found.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Setter.</span> +The Setter (<i>Canis Index</i>) divides with the +pointer the duty of attending the sportsman on his shooting +expeditions. According to Captain Brown he was "originally +derived from a cross between the Spanish pointer and the +large water spaniel and was justly celebrated for his fine +scent." Many crossings have considerably varied the breed, +of which the Irish is now considered purer than the English +and Scotch breeds. "In figure," says Colonel Smith, "they +participate of the pointer and the Spaniel, though larger +than the latter. In England they are white, or white with +black or brown marks." They are intelligent, affectionate +and docile, and often show great sagacity outside the domain +of sport.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Scent of the Setter.</span> +Col. Hutchinson says, "I was partridge-shooting +the season before last with an intimate friend. +The air was soft, and there was a good breeze. We came +upon a large turnip-field, deeply trenched on account of its +damp situation. A white setter, that habitually carried a +lofty head, drew for awhile, and then came to a point. We +got up to her. She led us across some ridges, when her +companion, a jealous dog (a pointer), which had at first +backed correctly, most improperly pushed on in front, but,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +not being able to acknowledge the scent, went off, clearly +imagining the bitch was in error. She, however, held on, +and in beautiful style brought us up direct to a covey. My +friend and I agreed that she must have been but little, if at +all, less than one hundred yards off when she first winded +the birds; and it was clear to us that they could not have +been running, for the breeze came directly across the furrows, +and she had led us in the wind's eye. We thought the +point the more remarkable, as it is generally supposed that +the strong smell of turnips diminishes a dog's power of +scenting birds."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Setter's Sagacity.</span> +Mr. Huet tells the following story of the sagacity +of the setter. "The gamekeeper had, on one of +the short days of December, shot at and wounded a deer. +Hoping to run him down before night, he instantly put the +dog upon the track, which followed it at full speed, and soon +was out of sight. At length it grew dark, and the gamekeeper +returned home, thinking he should find the setter arrived +there before him; but he was disappointed, and became apprehensive +that his dog might have lost himself, or fallen a +prey to some ravenous animal. The next morning, however, +we were all greatly rejoiced to see him come running into +the yard, whence he directly hastened to the door of my +apartment, and, on being admitted, ran, with gestures expressive +of solicitude and eagerness, to a corner of the room +where guns were placed. We understood the hint, and, taking +the guns, followed him. He led us not by the road which +he himself had taken out of the wood, but by beaten paths +half round it, and then by several wood-cutters' tracks in +different directions, to a thicket, where, following him a few +paces, we found the deer which he had killed. The dog +seems to have rightly judged that we should have been obliged +to make our way with much difficulty through almost the +whole length of the wood, in order to come to the deer in a +straight direction, and he therefore led us a circuitous but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +open and convenient road. Between the legs of the deer, +which he had guarded during the night against the beasts of +prey that might otherwise have seized upon it, he had +scratched a hole in the snow, and filled it with dry leaves +for his bed. The extraordinary sagacity which he had displayed +upon this occasion rendered him doubly valuable to +us, and it therefore caused us very serious regret when, in +the ensuing summer, the poor animal went mad, possibly in +consequence of his exposure to the severe frost of that night, +and it became necessary for the gamekeeper to shoot him, +which he could not do without shedding tears. He said he +would willingly have given his best cow to save him; and I +confess myself that I would not have hesitated to part with +my best horse upon the same terms."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Spaniel.</span> +There are many varieties of the Spaniel of which +the Water Spaniel, the King Charles Spaniel, the Blenheim +and the Maltese Spaniels are the best known. The Water +Spaniels figure on some of the later monuments of Rome +and so prove their antiquity. Colonel Smith describes the +Spaniel as a small setter, with silky hair and fine long villous +ears; black, brown pied, liver coloured, white and black-and-white, +the water spaniel differing from the other species +chiefly in his readiness to hunt and swim in the water and +the hair being somewhat harder to the touch. The spaniel +has a great affection for his master and is never tired of +testifying his appreciation of his kindness. Colonel Smith +mentions a dog allied to the spaniel race, who at the time +of his writing (April 1840) had been lying on the grave of +his mistress for three days, refusing all food, and was on that +day being forcibly removed. Spaniels are often very intelligent, +displaying the same sagacity as other and larger dogs +and in the same way. Mr. Jesse mentions a King Charles +spaniel who was locked by his master in a room in Vere +St. Clare Market, one afternoon about half past five, while he +went with his family to Drury Lane theatre. About eight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +o'clock in the evening the dog escaped his confinement and +found his way to the theatre where he discovered his master +in the midst of the pit, though it was crowded at the time. +The Blenheim spaniel is similar to the King Charles breed, +though somewhat different in its markings, fuller about the +muzzle and shorter in the back. Blenheims have been known +to show great intelligence and affection. A story is told of +one who upon being attacked by two cats, obtained the +assistance of a third cat, waylaid his enemies one at a time +and, with the assistance of his friend, taught them better +manners. The Maltese dog is another favourite species, much +admired and petted by ladies.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sagacity of the Water Spaniel.</span> +Captain Brown gives the following from a letter +written by a gentleman at Dijon in France, to +his friend in London, dated August 15, 1764:</p> + +<p>"Since my arrival here a man has been broken on the +wheel, with no other proof to condemn him than that of a +water-spaniel. The circumstances attending it being so very +singular and striking, I beg leave to communicate them to +you. A farmer, who had been to receive a sum of money, +was waylaid, robbed, and murdered, by two villains. The +farmer's dog returned with all speed to the house of the +person who had paid the money, and expressed such amazing +anxiety that he would follow him, pulling him several times +by the sleeve and skirt of the coat, that, at length, the gentleman +yielded to his importunity. The dog led him to the +field, a little from the roadside, where the body lay. From +thence the gentleman went to a public-house, in order to +alarm the country. The moment he entered, (as the two +villains were there drinking), the dog seized the murderer by +the throat, and the other made his escape. This man lay +in prison three months, during which time they visited him +once a-week with the spaniel, and though they made him +change his clothes with other prisoners, and always stand in +the midst of a crowd, yet did the animal always find him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +out, and fly at him. On the day of trial, when the prisoner +was at the bar, the dog was let loose in the court-house, and +in the midst of some hundreds he found him out (though +dressed entirely in new clothes), and would have torn him +to pieces had he been allowed; in consequence of which he +was condemned, and at the place of execution he confessed +the fact."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Terrier.</span> +There are many varieties of terrier including +numerous celebrated breeds. The English, Scotch, Skye, Bull +and Fox terriers being the best known. Innumerable stories +of the intelligence and sagacity of the various breeds might +be told if space permitted, but it must suffice to say that for +sportsmanlike qualities, for general intelligence and sagacity, +and for affection for his master, the terrier of whatever breed +will hold his own against any other dog. Dogs are said to +have natural antipathies, and that of the Bull-dog for the +bull is an obvious illustration. An equal antipathy is shown +by the English terrier for the rat and by the Fox-terrier +for the cat, though the latter is perhaps as much a matter +of education as of nature. Terriers are, however, among the +best known of dogs and therefore need the less description.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mastiff.</span> +The Mastiff is said to be of an original breed +indigenous to England, whence some were exported to Italy in +the days of the Roman emperors. The breed has since been +crossed by stag and blood hounds and the present is a +magnificent animal of great power and noble character. The +ancient breed was brindled yellow and black, the present is +usually deeper or lighter buff with-dark muzzle and ears. +The mastiff is sometimes twenty-nine or thirty inches in +height at the shoulder.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mastiff's Fidelity.</span> +The Mastiff is the best of watch dogs, for he +brings an intelligence to bear upon his duty +which is in the highest degree surprising. He has been +known to walk by the side of an intending thief "forbidding +his laying hands upon any article, yet abstaining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +from doing him any bodily harm, and suffering his escape +over the walls," but leaving his master's property intact. A +mastiff who had been left by his master, who was a sweep, +in charge of his bag of soot in a narrow street in Southampton, +refused to leave it either for coaxings or threats, and rather +than desert his duty allowed himself to be run over and killed.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mastiff's Discrimination.</span> +The mastiff has a powerful scent, and remarkable +skill in discovering the lost property of his +master. Captain Brown gives the following extract +from a letter from St. Germains: "An English gentleman +some time ago came to our Vauxhall with a large +mastiff, which was refused admittance, and the gentleman +left him in the care of the body-guards, who are placed there. +The Englishman, some time after he had entered, returned +to the gate and informed the guards that he had lost his +watch, telling the sergeant, that if he would permit him to +take in the dog, he would soon discover the thief. His +request being granted, the gentleman made motions to the +dog of what he had lost, which immediately ran about +amongst the company, and traversed the gardens, till at last +he laid hold of a man. The gentleman insisted that this +person had got his watch; and on being searched, not only +his watch, but six others, were discovered in his pockets. +What is more remarkable, the dog possessed such a perfection +of instinct as to take his master's watch from the other +six, and carry it to him."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mastiff as Protector.</span> +Mr. Jesse gives the following story which he +reprinted from a contemporary newspaper:</p> + +<p>"A most extraordinary circumstance has just occurred at +the Hawick toll-bar, which is kept by two old women. It +appears that they had a sum of money in the house, and +were extremely alarmed lest they should be robbed of it. +Their fears prevailed to such an extent, that, when a carrier +whom they knew was passing by, they urgently requested him +to remain with them all night, which, however, his duties<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +would not permit him to do; but, in consideration of the +alarm of the women, he consented to leave with them a +large mastiff dog. In the night the women were disturbed +by the uneasiness of the dog, and heard a noise apparently +like an attempt to force an entrance into the premises, upon +which they escaped by the back-door, and ran to a neighbouring +house, which happened to be a blacksmith's shop. +They knocked at the door, and were answered from within +by the smith's wife. She said her husband was absent, but +that she was willing to accompany the terrified women to +their home. On reaching the house, they heard a savage +but half-stifled growling from the dog. On entering they saw +the body of a man hanging half in and half out of their +little window, whom the dog had seized by the throat, and +was still worrying. On examination, the man proved to be +their neighbour the blacksmith, dreadfully torn about the throat, +and quite dead."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bull-Dog.</span> +The Bull-dog (<i>Canis Anglicus</i>), is said to be +an original English breed, and Colonel Smith +suggests that this dog rather than the mastiff was the one +which flourished in England in Roman times. Not indeed +the breed as it at present exists, but "one little inferior to +the mastiff," "but with the peculiar features of the bull form +more strongly marked." "The bull-dog," says Colonel Smith, +"differs from all others, even from the mastiff, in giving no +warning of his attack by his barking, he grapples his opponents +without in the least estimating their comparative weight +and powers. We have seen one pinning an American Bison +and holding his nose down till the animal gradually brought +forward its hind feet and crushing the dog to death tore his +muzzle out of the fangs, most dreadfully mangled. We have +known another hallooed on to attack a disabled eagle; the +bird unable to escape, threw himself on the back, and as the +dog sprang at his throat, struck him with his claws, one of +which penetrating the skull, killed him instantly, and caused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +his master the loss of a valued animal and one hundred +dollars in the wager." "The bull-dog is possessed of less +sagacity and less attachment than any of the hound tribe; +he is therefore less favoured, and more rarely bred with +care, excepting by professed amateurs of sports and feelings +little creditable to humanity. He is of moderate size, but +entirely moulded for strength and elasticity." He never +leaves his hold, when once he has got it, while life lasts, +hence he has become the type of obstinate pertinacity; and +unflinching courage.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Poodle Dog.</span> +The Poodle dog while possessing many natural +qualities which endear it to its owner, is capable +of great cultivation and is for this reason much affected by +those who train dogs for public performances. Of the clever +tricks the poodle has been trained to perform many stories +are told, among which the following from M. Blaze's "History +of the Dog," as quoted in Mr. Jesse's "Anecdotes of +Dogs," is one of the most amusing.</p> + +<p>"A shoe-black on the Pont Neuf at Paris had a poodle +dog, whose sagacity brought no small profit to his master. +If the dog saw a person with well-polished boots go across +the bridge, he contrived to dirty them, by having first rolled +himself in the mud of the Seine. His master was then +employed to clean them. An English gentleman, who had +suffered more than once from the annoyance of having his +boots dirtied by a dog, was at last induced to watch his +proceedings, and thus detected the tricks he was playing for +his master's benefit. He was so much pleased with the +animal's sagacity, that he purchased him at a high price and +conveyed him to London. On arriving there, he was confined +to the house till he appeared perfectly satisfied with +his new master and his new situation. He at last, however, +contrived to escape, and made his way back to Paris, where +he rejoined his old master, and resumed his former occupation."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Weasels, Otters and Badgers.</span> +We come next to the family of the Mustelidæ +which includes Weasels, Otters and Badgers, which +we take as the heads of the three sub-families +into which it is divided. The first of these includes the +Pine Marten, occasionally found in Ireland and Scotland but more +commonly in different parts of Europe; the Sable, which belongs +to northern Europe and Asia; the American Sable, which +supplies the English market with hundreds of thousands of +skins annually; the Ermine or Stoat, still to be found in +Great-Britain and familiar in the northern parts of Europe, +Africa and America; the Weasel which has much the same +<i>locale</i> as the Ermine; the Ferret which hails from Africa and +which is cultivated in England for its use in the destruction +of vermin; and the Glutton (<i>Gulo luscus</i>) which is found +principally in North America. The Polecat is also a member +of this family. It is about seventeen inches long and in form +resembles the weasel. Its colour is deep chocolate. It +generally lives in the neighbourhood of houses on hares, +rabbits, and birds. When pinched for food it will also +catch and eat fish. It is remarkable for an insufferably +fetid odour.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Weasel.</span> +The weasel though thought by some to be +incapable of domestication has, like most other animals who +have had the chance, shown itself amenable to kindly treatment. +Mdlle. de Laistre possessed one which she kept in +her chamber, dispelling its strong odours by perfumes. This +weasel displayed towards her extravagant evidence of affection. +"If the servant sets it at liberty before I am up in the +morning," she writes, "after a thousand gambols, it comes into +my bed, and reposes in my hand or on my bosom. If I +am up before it is let out, it will fly to me in rapture, and +spend half an hour in caressing me. The curiosity of this +little pet is unbounded, for it is impossible to open a drawer +or box, without its roving through every part of it; if even +a piece of paper or a book is looked at, it will also examine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +it with attention." This weasel lived on friendly terms with +both a cat and a dog who shared his mistress' favours. That +the weasel can defend himself when attacked is shown +by the following incident told by Mr. Bell: "As a gentleman +was riding over his grounds, he saw, at a short distance from +him, a kite pounce on some object on the ground, and rise +with it in his talons. In a few moments, however, the kite +began to show signs of great uneasiness, rising rapidly in the +air, or as quickly falling, and wheeling irregularly round, whilst +evidently endeavouring to free himself from some obnoxious +thing with his feet. After a short but sharp contest, the +kite fell suddenly to the earth. The gentleman instantly rode +up to the spot, when a weasel ran away from the kite, apparently +unhurt, leaving the bird dead, with a hole eaten +through the skin under the wing, and the large blood-vessels +of the part torn through." The length of the common weasel +is about eight inches.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Otter.</span> +There are several genera of Otters. The common +otter (<i>Lutra vulgaris</i>) is known throughout Europe +and is not uncommon in Great Britain. The otter lives +on fish, for the hunting of which he is admirably fitted. He +is web-footed and has a body of great flexibility and short +but remarkably muscular legs. The Otter was looked upon +as a friend by the peasants living near salmon preserves years +ago, for after landing his prey he was content with but a +small portion for himself, and left the rest which the peasants +readily appropriated.</p> + +<p>"Otters," says Mr. St. John, "are very affectionate animals; +the young anxiously seek their mother if she should be killed; +and if the young are injured, the parent hovers near them till +she is herself destroyed. If one of a pair be killed, the one that +is left will hunt for its mate with untiring perseverance; and if +one be caught in a trap, its companion will run round and round, +endeavouring to set it free, on which occasions, though so quiet +at other times, they make a snorting and blowing like a horse."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A labourer going to his work, soon after five o'clock in +the morning, saw a number of animals coming towards him, +and stood quietly by the hedge till they came alongside of +him. He then perceived four old otters, probably dams, +and about twenty young ones. He took a stick out of the +hedge and killed one. Directly it began to squeak, all the +four old ones turned back, and stood till the other young +ones had escaped through the hedge, and then went quietly +themselves. Several families were thus journeying together, +and probably they had left their former abode from not +finding a sufficiency of food." Otters have often been tamed +and taught to catch fish for their masters. Captain Brown +tells of an otter which was caught when young and trained +by James Campbell near Inverness. "It was frequently employed +in catching fish, and would, sometimes, take eight or ten +salmon in a day. If not prevented, it always made an +attempt to break the fish behind the anal fin, which is next +the tail; and, as soon as one was taken away, it always +dived in pursuit of more. It was equally dexterous at sea +fishing, and took great numbers of young cod, and other +fish, there. When tired, it would refuse to fish any longer, +and was then rewarded with as much as it could devour. +Having satisfied its appetite, it always coiled itself round, +and fell asleep: in which state it was generally carried home." +Professor Steller says that on killing and skinning a female +otter, which he found at a place at which he had deprived +her of her young eight days previously, he found her quite +wasted away from grief at the loss of her progeny.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Badger.</span> +There are several varieties of Badger, the +Indian and the American being the most important, respectively +of the eastern and western worlds. The common +badger (<i>Meles taxus</i>), which is found in different parts of +England, feeds upon roots, bulbs, fruits, and all kinds of +vegetables, as well as small animals, snails and worms. He +has also a great fancy for eggs. He lives in burrows, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +form passages having a central chamber and various anti-chambers, +which he makes in sandy and gravelly soil. He +is nocturnal in his habits. "When pursued," says Mrs. Bowdich, +"he constantly impedes the progress of his enemies by throwing +the soil behind him, so as to fill up the passages, while +he escapes to the surface." He is a formidable opponent +to his enemies, as his skin is so tough and his bite so severe, +and he displays much sagacity in avoiding traps and escaping +confinement. Mr. St. John placed one in a paved court +for security, but before the next morning he had displaced +a stone and burrowed his way out under the wall. Captain +Brown tells an affecting story of the feeling of a badger for +its mate. "Two persons in France killed a badger and +proceeded to drag it towards a neighbouring village. They +had not proceeded far when they heard the cry of an +animal in seeming distress, and stopped to listen, when +another badger approached them slowly. They at first +threw stones at it; notwithstanding which, it drew near, +came up to the dead animal, began to lick it, and continued +its mournful cry. The men, surprised at this, desisted +from offering any further injury to it, and again drew the +dead one along as before; when the living badger, determined +not to quit its companion, lay down on it, taking it +gently by one ear, and in that manner was drawn into the +midst of the village; nor could dogs, boys, or men induce +it to quit its situation: and to their shame be it said, they +had the inhumanity to kill the poor animal, and afterwards +to burn it, declaring it could be no other than a witch."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ratel and the Skunk.</span> +The Ratel (<i>Mellivora capensis</i>) of South and +East Africa and the Skunk of Canada belong +to this family. The Ratel is a small animal +standing from ten to twelve inches high, with a very tough +skin, which is so loose that, to quote Sparrman, "If anybody +catches hold of the Ratel by the hind part of his neck, he +is able to turn round, as it were, in his skin, and bite the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +arm of the person that seizes him." Dog-like in shape, +the back and head are covered with a coat of lighter +colour than that of the sides and under part of the body, +giving it the appearance of a garment. The Ratel is the +natural enemy of the Bees, his thick skin rendering him impervious +to their attack, and he is said to show great sagacity +in tracing their nests, watching at sundown, with his +eyes shaded by his paws, the homeward flight of the honey +makers and then following them to plunder and destroy. +The Skunk is famous for its offensive smell, which according +to Sir John Richardson is emitted by a deep yellow fluid +which it discharges, and which is so strong that it retains +its disgusting odour for many days. It is about eighteen +inches in length, has short legs and a body that is broad +and flat. It lives upon poultry and eggs, small quadrupeds, +young birds, and wild fruits. Godman says: "Pedestrians, +called by business or pleasure to ramble through the country +during the morning or evening twilight, occasionally see a +small and pretty animal a short distance before them in the +path, scampering forward without appearing much alarmed, +and advancing in a zigzag or somewhat serpentine direction. +Experienced persons generally delay long enough to allow +this unwelcome traveller to withdraw from the path; but it +often happens that a view of the animal arouses the ardour +of the observer, who, in his fondness for sport, thinks not of +any result but that of securing a prize. It would be more +prudent to rest content with pelting this quadruped from a +safe distance, or to drive it away by shouting loudly; but +almost all inexperienced persons, the first time such an opportunity +occurs, rush forward with intent to run the animal +down. This appears to be an easy task; in a few moments +it is almost overtaken; a few more strides and the victim may +be grasped by its long and waving tail—but the tail is now +suddenly curled over the back, its pace is slackened, and in +one instant the condition of things is entirely reversed;—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +lately triumphant pursuer is eagerly flying from his intended +prize, involved in an atmosphere of stench, gasping for breath, +or blinded and smarting with pain, if his approach were sufficiently +close to allow of his being struck in the eyes by the +pestilent fluid of the Skunk."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Raccoon and the Coati.</span> +Our next concern is with the family of the +procyonidæ which includes several bear-like +animals, the Raccoon and the Coati being the best +known. The raccoon belongs to North America, the coati +to Central and Southern America. The raccoon is an +expert swimmer, about the size of a fox, and of nocturnal +habits. "His food," says the Rev. J. G. Wood, "is principally +small animals and insects. "Oysters are also a very +favourite article of its diet. It bites off the hinge of the +oyster, and scrapes out the animal with its paws. Like a +squirrel, when eating a nut, the raccoon usually holds its +food between its fore-paws pressed together and sits upon +its hind quarters while it eats. It is said to be as destructive +in a farm-yard as any fox, for it only devours the +heads of the murdered fowl. When taken young it is easily +tamed but very frequently becomes blind soon after its +capture. The coati (<i>Nasua nasica</i>) is distinguished from the +raccoon by a pointed nose. In size it resembles the cat, its +tail being as long as its body. Like the cat it is a good +climber, and preys upon birds. When domesticated, as it +is in Paraguay, the coati is kept in tether, as its climbing +habits render it dangerous to ornaments and furniture. The +Kinkajou (<i>Cercoleptes caudivolvulus</i>) of Demerara belongs to +this family. The Panda (<i>Ælurus fulgens</i>) constitutes another +family. It is cat-like in the face, but otherwise resembles +the bear. It lives in the dense forests which clothe the declivities +of the Himalayas.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bear.</span> +After the lion and the tiger the bear is +probably the most popular animal in legend and story. +Dr. Gray divides the bears into three classes: the sea bear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +the land bear, and the honey bear. The polar bear is the +sea bear; the brown bear, the black bear, and the grizzly +are land bears, and the Malayan bear is the honey bear. +Mr. Wood says, "Bears and their allies are mostly heavy, +and walk with the whole foot placed flat on the ground, +unlike cats and dogs who walk with merely their paws or +toes. They are omnivorous, that is, they can eat either +animal or vegetable food, so that a leg of mutton, a pot of +honey, a potatoe, or an apple are equally acceptable." The +bears of Kamtchatka live principally on fish, which they are +adepts in catching. The bear is found in the polar regions, +in Siberia, the Caucasus, the Pyrenees, the Himalayas, in +various parts of Western Asia, in Canada, and the United +States.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 390px;"> +<img src="images/illus-146-f.jpg" width="390" height="600" alt="" title="Hunting the Polar Bear" /> +<span class="caption">Hunting the Polar Bear</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Polar Bear.</span> +The Polar Bear is eight or nine feet long, and +a little more than four feet in height. He has +a long nose, short ears, large legs, and a short tail. His +body and neck are long, and he has five sharp claws on +each foot. His colour is a yellowish white; his hair long +and shaggy. He inhabits Greenland and Lapland, as far +north as eighty degrees. He lives on fish and seals and +the bodies of whales, which are thrown ashore or which he +finds in the sea. Dr. R. Brown deprecates the stories of the +polar bear's ferocity which he regards as greatly exaggerated, +though he admits, that when enraged, or suffering from +hunger, they are formidable foes. That they are wary animals +the following story quoted from Captain Brown will show. +"The captain of a Greenland whaler, being anxious to procure +a bear without injuring the skin, made trial of a stratagem +of laying the noose of a rope in the snow, and placing a +piece of kreng within it. A bear, ranging the neighbouring +ice, was soon enticed to the spot by the smell of burning +meat. He perceived the bait, approached, and seized it in +his mouth; but his foot, at the same time, by a jerk of the +rope, being entangled in the noose, he pushed it off with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +paw, and deliberately retired. After having eaten the piece +he had carried away with him, he returned. The noose, +with another piece of kreng, having been replaced, he pushed +the rope aside, and again walked triumphantly off with the +bait. A third time the noose was laid; but, excited to caution +by the evident observations of the bear, the sailors buried +the rope beneath the snow, and laid the bait in a deep +hole dug in the centre. The animal once more approached, +and the sailors were assured of their success. But Bruin, +more sagacious than they expected, after snuffing about the +place for a few moments, scraped the snow away with his +paw, threw the rope aside, and again escaped unhurt with +his prize."</p> + +<p>The polar bear displays a great love for its young and +many pathetic stories are told of its rage and grief at +the loss of them. The following is from Captain Brown's +"Anecdotes of Animals." "A Greenland bear, with two cubs +under her protection, was pursued across a field of ice by a +party of armed sailors. At first, she seemed to urge the +young ones to increase their speed, by running before them, +turning round, and manifesting, by a peculiar action and +voice, her anxiety for their progress; but, finding her pursuers +gaining upon them, she carried, or pushed, or pitched them +alternately forward, until she effected their escape. In throwing +them before her, the little creatures are said to have placed +themselves across her path to receive the impulse, and, when +projected some yards in advance, they ran onwards, until +she overtook them, when they alternately adjusted themselves +for another throw."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Black Bear.</span> +The Black Bear (<i>Ursus Americanus</i>) is about +four and a half feet long and three feet high. +He has long feet terminating in five claws each. His body +is short with longish legs, and he has a large head, with small +eyes, and a sharp nose. He has long, soft and woolly hair. +His food is chiefly fruit, such as acorns, chestnuts, grapes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +and corn; but when hungry he will feed on flesh, and attack +other animals with courage and fierceness. He climbs trees, +and uses his paws like hands. In winter he retires to his +den, which is usually a hollow in some decayed tree, where +he hybernates until spring. Though of a wild disposition, +he can be tamed, and taught various tricks, in which he +displays a good deal of sagacity and docility. The following +story is quoted by Captain Brown from Captains Lewis' and +Clarke's travels to the source of the Missouri, as a striking +instance of the astonishing physical powers of the bear. +"One evening, the men in the hindmost of the canoes, discovered +a large bear lying in the open grounds, about three +hundred paces from the river. Six of them, all good hunters, +set out to attack him; and, concealing themselves by a small +eminence, came unperceived within forty paces of him. Four +of them now fired, and each lodged a ball in his body, two +of them directly through the lungs. The enraged animal +sprang up, and ran open-mouthed at them. As he came +near, the two hunters who had reserved their fire, gave him +two wounds, one of which, breaking his shoulder, retarded +his motion for a moment; but, before they could reload, he +was so near, that they were obliged to run to the river, and, +when they reached it, he had almost overtaken them. Two +jumped into the canoe; the other four separated, and, concealing +themselves in the willows, fired as fast as each could +load. They struck him several times, which only exasperated +him; and he at last pursued two of them so closely, that +they leaped down a perpendicular bank of twenty feet into +the river. The bear sprang after them, and was within a +few feet of the hindmost, when one of the hunters from the +shore shot him in the head, and killed him. They dragged +him to the banks of the river, and found that eight balls +had passed through his body."</p> + +<p>Of his docility Mrs. Bowdich gives the following amusing, +if, at the time, alarming illustration. "A young English officer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +who was stationed at a lone fortress in Canada, amused +himself by taming a bear of this species. He taught him +to fetch and carry, to follow him like a dog, and to wait +patiently at meal times for his share. The bear accompanied +him when he returned to England, and became a great +favourite with the passengers and the ship's company. Bruin, +however, especially attached himself to a little girl about +four years old, the daughter of one of the ladies on board, +who romped with him as she would with a dog. In one of +these games of play, he seized her with one fore-paw, and +with the other clambered and clung to the rigging, till he +lodged her and himself in the main-top, where, regardless +of her cries and the agony of her mother, he tried to +continue his romp. It would not do to pursue the pair, for +fear the bear should drop the child; and his master, knowing +how fond he was of sugar, had some mattresses placed +round the mast in case the child should fall, and then +strewed a quantity of sugar on the deck; he called Bruin, +and pointed to it, who, after a moment's hesitation, came +down as he went up, bringing the child in safety. He was, +of course, deprived of his liberty during the rest of his voyage." +The black bear is hunted for the sake of his skin, many +thousands of skins being sent to Europe every year.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Grizzly Bear.</span> +The Grizzly Bear is an enormous animal, according +to the measurement of Captains Lewis and +Clarke of one they killed, nine feet from nose to tail, though +they claim to have seen one of even larger size. It is said +to attain to a weight of 800 pounds. The fore-foot of +the animal already referred to exceeded nine inches in +length, the hind foot being eleven inches and three quarters, +exclusive of the talons, the breadth of the hind foot +being seven inches. The Grizzly does not climb trees, like +the brown and the black bear. He is ferocious when hungry, +and when attacked, and the female will die hard in the +defence of her young. Such is his strength that he can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +master a bison, and drag him to his retreat. He is by far +the most dangerous brute of North America. He unhesitatingly +pursues both men and animals; but, though he feeds +on flesh, he is capable of subsisting upon roots and fruits. +He is very tenacious of life, and will pursue his enemy after +having received repeated mortal wounds. He is found in +the eastern vicinity of the Rocky Mountains. Though the +Grizzly will sometimes move off on the approach of the +traveller, without showing fight, he will at other times attack +him with great ferocity. A man named Nathan Rogers who +lived on a ranch in the mountains about a mile above +West Point, near the North Fork of the Mokelumne, once +had a terrific encounter with a grizzly bear. He was out +shooting small game when he was suddenly confronted by +an enormous animal. He fired his only shot into the breast +of the bear and then awaited his attack. The fight was +fast and furious, and though in the end the grizzly was killed, +the man only survived in a terrible condition. Conscious +that he must soon have help or perish, he summoned all +his resolution and staggered along, and managed to reach +a spring in sight of a house, when his endurance gave way, +and he fell in a dead faint by the water's edge. Fortunately +he was soon discovered by his son, a lad of some twelve +years, who immediately gave the alarm. In addition to his +horrible wounds, the shock to his system was a terrible +one. His left arm, literally mangled and torn to shreds, +had to be amputated at the shoulder. His left clavicle and +scapula were fractured, and the three lower ribs on the right +side broken. The flesh and muscles on his back were so +broken and abraded that the vertebræ were actually visible +in places; while, his lower limbs were literally seamed and +furrowed by the crooked claws of the bear's hind feet. The +left side of the bear was literally torn to pieces, there being +no less than twenty-two knife-wounds, nearly every one of +which reached to a vital point. Some idea of his size<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +can be obtained when we state that one of his fore-paws just +covered an ordinary dinner plate.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Brown Bear.</span> +The Brown Bear (<i>Ursus arctos</i>) was the bear +of the British Isles, so long as the British +Isles boasted of a bear. This was the baited bear of the +Royal sports, and of the common Bear garden. His last +appearance in Great-Britain in a wild state, however, dates +back more than 800 years. In size, shape, and habits he +much resembles the black bear of America. Like the Malayan +bear he is very fond of honey as the following amusing story +as told by Mrs Bowdich will show:</p> + +<p>"A countryman in Russia, when seeking honey, climbed a +very high tree, the trunk of which was hollow; and finding +there was a large quantity of comb in it, he descended, and +stuck fast in the tenacious substance there deposited. He +was so far distant from home, that his voice could not be +heard, and he remained two days in this situation, relieving +his hunger with the honey. He began to despair of ever +being extricated, when a bear, who, like himself, came for +the sake of the honey, slid down the hollow, hind-part foremost. +The man, in spite of his alarm, seized hold of him; +and the bear, also in a great fright, clambered out as fast as +he could, dragging the man up with him, and when clear of +his tail-bearer, made off as fast as possible."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Malayan Bear.</span> +The Malayan Bear is about four feet long and +two feet high. It has a long tongue which +serves it well in extracting honey from the honey combs in +the hollow trunks of trees. Other bears are the Syrian Bear +of Western Asia, the Spectacled Bear of South America and +Peru and the Sloth Bear of India and the Mahratta country.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">SUB-ORDER II.<br /> +The Pinnipedia.</span> +We come now to the second sub-order of the +Carnivora or flesh-eating animals, the sub-order +which includes the Seal and the Walrus. These +in the form of their skulls and in other ways show evident relationship +to the bear, and so appropriately follow him in classification.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +The family of the Otaridæ, includes the Eared Seals, +the Northern Sea Lion and the Northern Sea Bear. The Eared +Seal is distinguished from the true seal, as his name implies +by the possession of external ears.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Sea Lions.</span> +Mr. Theodore Lyman, who had excellent opportunities +of observing the habits of the Sea Lions on the +Seal Rocks of San Francisco, furnished Mr. Allen with a +graphic account of their movements, from which we quote the +following: "As they approach to effect a landing, the head +only appears decidedly above water. This is their familiar +element and they swim with great speed and ease, quite +unmindful of the heavy surf, and of the breakers on the +ledges. In landing they are apt to take advantage of a +heavy wave which helps them to get the forward flippers on +<i>terra firma</i>. As the wave retreats they begin to struggle up +the steep rocks, twisting the body from side to side, with a +clumsy worm-like motion, and thus alternately work their +flippers into positions, where they may force the body a +little onward. At such times they have a general appearance +of sprawling over the ground. It is quite astonishing to see +how they will go up surfaces having even a greater inclination +than 45° and where a man would have to creep with +much exertion. In their onward path they are accompanied +by the loud barking of all the seals they pass; and these +cries may be heard a great distance. They play among +themselves continually by rolling on each other and feigning +to bite; often too, they will amuse themselves by pushing off +those that are trying to land. All this is done in a very cumbrous +manner, and is accompanied by incessant barking. As +they issue from the water their fur is dark and shining; but as +it dries, it becomes of a yellowish brown. Then they appear +to feel either too dry or too hot, for they move to the nearest point +from which they may tumble into the sea. I saw many roll off +a ledge at least twenty feet high, and fall like so many huge +brown sacks into the water, dashing up showers of spray."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Sea Bears.</span> +The Northern Sea Bear is otherwise known +as the Northern Fur Seal. Captain Charles Bryant gives a +very interesting account of these singular animals, in which +he describes them as approaching and taking possession of +the shores of St. Paul's Island near the coast of Alaska, about +the middle, or towards the end of April, when the snow has +melted and the drift ice from the north has all passed. A +few old male seals first make their appearance and reconnoitre +for two or three days, afterwards climbing the slopes and +taking possession of the rookeries, each male reserving about a +square rod for himself and his wives. The scouts then +return and younger male seals soon begin to arrive in small +detachments, but are prevented from landing by their elders +and are so forced to remain in the water or go to the upland +above. By the middle of June all the males have arrived, +and having adjusted their differences and divided the rookeries +between them, await the arrival of the females. "These +appear in small numbers at first but increase as the season +advances, till the middle of July; when the rookeries are all +full, the females often overlapping each other. The bachelor +seals swim all day along the shore, escorting and driving the +females on to the rocks as fast as they arrive. As soon as +a female reaches the shore, the nearest male goes down to +meet her, making meanwhile a noise like the clucking of a +hen to her chickens. He bows to her, and coaxes her +until he gets between her and the water so that she cannot +escape him. Then his manner changes, and with a harsh +growl he drives her to a place in his harem. This continues +until the lower row of harems is nearly full. Then the males +higher up select the time when their more fortunate neighbours +are off their guard to steal their wives. This they do +by taking them in their mouths and lifting them over the +heads of the other females, and carefully placing them in +their own harem carrying them as carefully as cats do their +kittens. Those still higher up pursue the same method until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +the whole space is occupied. Frequently a struggle ensues +between two males for the possession of the same female, +and both seizing her at once, pull her in two, or terribly +lacerate her with their teeth. When the space is all filled, +the old male walks around complacently reviewing his family, +scolding those who crowd or disturb the others, and fiercely +driving off all intruders. This surveillance always keeps him +actively occupied." After the birth of their young which +takes place towards the end of July, the old males who have +been four months without food, go to some distance from +the shore to feed, teaching the young to swim on their +return. "By the last of October the seals begin to leave the +islands in small companies. The males going last and by +themselves."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Walrus.</span> +The Walrus. (<i>Trichechus rosmarus</i>) is a large and +unwieldy creature. It bears a stronger resemblance to the +seal than to any other quadruped, but it is distinguished by +the proportions of its body and its elephant-like tusks. Vast +herds formerly frequented the shores of the islands scattered +between America and Asia, the coasts of Davis's Straits and +those of Hudson's Bay. They have been found as far south +as the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Now +they are not met with in great numbers, except on the shores +of Spitzbergen and the remotest northern borders of America. +They attain to a very large size. The head is oval, short, +small, and flat in front, having the eyes set in deep sockets +so as to be moved forwards, or retracted at pleasure. On +land the Walrus is a slow and clumsy animal, but in the +water its motions are sufficiently quick and easy. When +attacked, the Walrus is both fierce and formidable, and if in +company with its young, becomes very furious, attempting to +destroy its enemies by rising and hooking its tusks over +the sides of the boat, in order to sink it.</p> + +<p>Captain Cook thus describes a herd of walruses he met +with off the north coast of America. He says: "They lie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +in herds of many hundreds upon the ice, huddling over one +another, like swine; and roar or bray so very loud, that in +the night, or in foggy weather, they gave us notice of the +ice, before we could see it. We never found the whole herd +asleep, some being always upon the watch. These, on the +approach of the boat, would awake those next to them; and +the alarm being thus gradually communicated, the whole herd +would be awake presently. But they were seldom in a hurry +to get away, till after they had been once fired at. They +then would tumble over one another into the sea, in the +utmost confusion; and, if we did not, at the first discharge, +kill those we fired at, we generally lost them, though mortally +wounded. They did not appear to us to be that dangerous +animal which some authors have described, not even when +attacked. They are more so in appearance than reality. +Vast numbers of them would follow, and come close up to +the oars; but the flash of the musket in the pan, or even the +bare pointing of one at them, would send them down in an +instant. The female will defend her young to the very last, +at the expense of her own life, whether in the water or upon +the ice. Nor will the young one quit the dam, though she +be dead; so that, if one is killed, the other is certain prey. +The dam, when in the water, holds the young one between +her fore arms."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Seal.</span> +The True Seals are divided by Dr. Gray into +thirteen genera with eighteen species, of which +the Common Seal, the Ringed Seal, the Harp Seal, the Grey +Seal, the Sea Leopard, the Sea Elephant, and the Bladder-nose +Hooded Seal are the best known. The common seal +has a round head which in front bears some resemblance to +that of the otter. Its average length is about five feet and +its general colour of a yellowish gray, varied or spotted with +brown or blackish in different degrees, according to the age +of the animal. The Common Seal frequents the sea-coasts +perhaps throughout the world, but is most numerous in high<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +northern latitudes, and furnishes the inhabitants of those frigid +regions with nearly all their necessaries and luxuries. Enormous +numbers are caught annually for the sake of their skins +and oil. The Harp Seal frequents the coast of Newfoundland +and is so named from the harp-shaped band which marks the +backs of the males. The Sea Elephant is the largest of the +seals. It is said to attain to the length of twenty-five to +thirty feet, and a circumference of fifteen to eighteen feet. +It belongs to the Antarctic sea.</p> + +<p>"Seals when taken young," says Captain Brown, "are +capable of being completely domesticated, will answer to +their name, and follow their master from place to place. In +January, 1819, a gentleman, in the neighbourhood of Burnt-island, +county of Fife, in Scotland, completely succeeded in +taming a seal. Its singularities attracted the curiosity of +strangers daily. It appeared to possess all the sagacity of a +dog, lived in its master's house, and ate from his hand. In +his fishing excursions, this gentleman generally took it with +him, when it afforded no small entertainment. If thrown into +the water, it would follow for miles the track of the boat; +and although thrust back by the oars, it never relinquished +its purpose. Indeed, it struggled so hard to regain its seat, +that one would imagine its fondness for its master had entirely +overcome the natural predilection for its native element."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Seal's Docility.</span> +Notwithstanding the absence of external ears +the common seal has a remarkable sense of hearing +and a keen taste for sweet sounds. Seals have been +known to follow a vessel, for miles, upon the deck of which +a violin or a flute has been played. To quote Sir Walter +Scott:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Rude Heiskar's seals, through surges dark,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Will long pursue the minstrel's bark."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>They are also easily tamed, when they are found to be +exceedingly affectionate to those who treat them kindly. Some +years ago a farmer, residing on the east coast of Scotland,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +close to the sea-shore, obtained a young seal for the amusement +of his children, who soon became exceedingly fond +of it. Some time after, the farmer, having had a bad year +for his crops, was told by an old woman in the village that +he would never prosper as long as he kept that seal on his +ground. The foolish man giving heed to the superstition sent +away the seal in a boat some distance from land. Towards +evening, as the children were sitting on the sea-shore, what +was their joy on beholding their seal rising out of the water, +and making its way straight back to them again. For some +months they were allowed to retain their pet; but as the +farmer's prospects did not brighten, he again determined to +get rid of it, and for that purpose, hearing of a ship that +was soon to sail for the Baltic, took the little seal, and gave +it in charge to some sailors, begging them to keep it in the +hold of the ship till they arrived at their destination, and +then to throw it into the sea. This was accordingly done, +but the faithful seal was not to be daunted; ere long, it +reappeared, to the great delight of the children, who begged +their father never to send it away again. The farmer gave +a doubtful assent, for a suspicion still lurked in his mind, +owing to the superstitious words of the old woman, that the +presence of the seal had an evil effect upon his crops; and +with these ideas preying upon his mind, the farmer conceived +the cruel thought of putting out the seal's eyes with a view +of preventing it from finding its way back, and again sending +it away to sea. Unknown to his children, he carried this +barbarous plan into execution; and they only discovered the +loss of their favourite too late to aid in its recall, as the ship +in which it had been placed had already sailed for Norway. +Some days after the departure of the vessel, a fearful storm +arose. The farmer and his family were glad enough to close +up their shutters, and shut out as much as possible the +wailings of the wind, as it swept in furious gusts round the +house. They had scarcely retired to rest, when a faint and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +plaintive cry struck upon their ears—and repeated again it +seemed to be—during the momentary lulls of the storm. The +farmer continued to listen, but hearing nothing more, he +descended to the front door and opened it; a dark object +lay before him, on the very threshold, and stooping down +to touch it, what was his astonishment to behold the poor +blind, devoted little seal, apparently dead. The farmer was +greatly touched; he took up the little body gently and carried +it into the kitchen, and used every effort to restore it to +life but in vain.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER V.<br /> +Whales and Dolphins.</span> +This order is divided into two sub-orders, the +one characterised by the possession of teeth, and +the other being toothless.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Right Whale.</span> +The Right Whale when fully grown, attains to +from fifty to sixty-five feet in length, and to from +thirty to forty feet in circumference. It is thickest behind the +fins. When the mouth is open, it presents a cavity as large as a +room, and capable of containing a boat full of men. Its +tongue is said to be as large as a stout feather-bed. The +tail is a powerful instrument of motion and defence: it is +only five or six feet long, but its motions are rapid, and its +strength immense. The eyes are situated in the sides of the +head; they are very small, being little larger than those of +an ox. The whale has no external ear, but there is a small +orifice under the skin for the admission of sound. On the +most elevated part of the head are two blow holes six or +eight inches in length. The mouth, instead of teeth, has +two rows of whalebone, each of which contains more than +three hundred laminae, the longest of which are about ten +or eleven feet. A large whale sometimes contains a ton and +a half of whalebone. The colour of the old whale is gray +and white, that of the young ones a sort of bluish black. +Immediately beneath the skin lies the blubber, or fat; its +thickness round the body is eight or ten or twenty inches, +varying in different parts: the lips are composed almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +entirely of blubber. A large whale yields about twenty tons +of oil, which is expressed from the blubber. It is for this +and the whalebone that this animal is deemed so valuable, +and for which it is so much sought by whalefishers. The +sense of seeing in the whale is very acute. Under the +surface of the water they discover one another at an amazing +distance. They have no voice, but in breathing or blowing +they make a loud noise.</p> + +<p>The usual rate at which whales swim seldom exceeds four +miles an hour, but for a few minutes at a time they are +capable of darting through the water with amazing velocity, +and of ascending with such rapidity as to leap above the +surface. This feat they perform as an amusement, apparently +to the high admiration of distant spectators. Sometimes they +throw themselves in a perpendicular posture, with the head +downwards, and rearing their tails on high, beat the water +with awful violence. Sometimes they shake their tails in the +air, which, cracking like a whip, resound to the distance of +two or three miles. The flesh of the whale, though it would +be rejected by the dainty palates of refined nations, is eaten +with much relish by the Eskimo, and the inhabitants +along the coasts of Hudson's Bay and Davis's Straits, who +esteem it a staple article of subsistence.</p> + +<p>Other whales of this sub-order are the common Fin Whale, +which is said to reach eighty feet in length, the lesser Fin +Whale and the Humpback Whale. In these, the yield of +whalebone and oil is so small that they are not thought +worth the trouble of catching.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sperm Whale.</span> +The Sperm Whale rarely exceeds sixty feet in +length and lives in warm regions, such as the +Indian Ocean; rarely, if ever, visiting Arctic or European seas. +Its yield of oil is said to be less than that of the Greenland +whale but it is of a finer quality. Ambergris is also produced +from the body of the sperm whale.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dolphin.</span> +This is a large creature, so like the porpoise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +that he has been often confounded with it. He is, however, +much larger, sometimes measuring from twenty to twenty-five +feet in length. The body is roundish, growing gradually less +towards the tail; the nose is long and pointed, the skin +smooth, the back black or dusky blue, becoming white towards +the belly. He is entirely destitute of gills, or any similar +aperture, but respires and also spouts water through a pipe +of semi-circular form placed on the upper part of the head. +There are several varieties of dolphins, including the Long-nosed +Dolphins of the rivers of Asia and South America and +the Classical Dolphin of the Mediterranean (<i>Delphinus delphis</i>) +The former are separately classified, and the family of the +latter includes the White Whale, the Narwhal, the Common +Porpoise and the Grampus. The dolphin is gregarious in its +habits, herding and travelling in large shoals. It may sometimes +be seen sporting in the bays and rivers of New York +and is always a pretty sight.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The White Whale.</span> +The White Whale (<i>Beluga catodon</i>) is the whale +which Dr. R. Brown calls <i>the</i> whale of Greenland. +It is the whale which the Greenlander and the Eskimo +find so valuable for its oil and flesh, the latter of which they +dry for winter use. They are sometimes called sea pigs, from +a fancied resemblance they bear to the pig when floundering +in the sea, and sometimes sea canaries, on account +of their peculiar whistle, which resembles that of a bird.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Narwhal.</span> +The narwhal (<i>Monodon monoceros</i>) is found +frequently in company with the white whale, and inhabits +much the same geographical area. It is distinguished by the +possession of a tusk, the aim and purpose of which has been +much debated. "It has been supposed to use it," says Dr. +Brown, "to stir up its food from the bottom, but in such a +case the female would be sadly at a loss. Fabricius thought +that it was to keep the holes open in the ice during the +winter; and the following occurrence seems to support this +view. In April, 1860, a Greenlander was travelling along the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +ice in the vicinity of Christianshaab, and discovered one of +those open spaces in the ice, which, even in the most severe +winters, remain open. In this hole hundreds of narwhals +and white whales were protruding their heads to breathe, +no other place presenting itself for miles around. It was +described to me as an Arctic 'Black Hole of Calcutta' in +the eagerness of the animals to keep at the place." "Neither +the narwhal nor the white whale," he continues, are timid +animals, but will approach close to, and gambol for hours in +the immediate vicinity of the ship." The oil is highly esteemed, +and the flesh is very palatable. The skin of the +narwhal boiled to a jelly is looked upon, and justly so, as +one of the prime dainties of a Greenlander.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Porpoise.</span> +The Porpoise resembles the dolphin in general +appearance. Its length, from the tip of the snout +to the end of the tail, is from five to eight feet; and the +width about two feet and a half. The figure of the whole +body is conical; the colour of the back is deep blue, inclining +to shining black; the sides are gray, and the belly white. +When the flesh is cut up, it looks very much like pork; but, +although it was once considered a sumptuous article of food, +and is said to have been occasionally introduced at the tables +of the old English nobility, it certainly has a disagreeable +flavour. Their motion in the water is a kind of circular +leap; they dive deep, but soon again rise up in order +to breathe. They are seen in nearly all seas, where they +sport with great activity, chiefly on the approach of a +squall.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Grampus.</span> +The Grampus (<i>Orca Gladiator</i>) is the natural +enemy of the whale and the seal, who hold +him in mortal terror. His swallow is so great that he can +take a porpoise or a seal whole, and has been known to +swallow several in succession. The whale escapes him by getting +among the ice, whither it is said the grampus will not follow +him.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER VI.<br /> +The Sea Cow.</span> +The Sea Cow is an aquatic vegetarian who +lives on the coast. Of the three genera which +constitute the family <i>Manatidæ</i> one is now said +to be extinct. The genus Manatus contains two species, one +belonging to South America and the other to the West Coast +of Africa. The Dugong (<i>Halicore Dugong</i>) which attains to +a length of nine or ten feet at maturity produces oil having +similar medicinal properties to that obtained from the Cod's +liver. It inhabits the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the neighbourhood +of the Malay Islands and the North and East +coasts of Australia.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER VII.<br /> +Hoofed Animals.</span> +The order of hoofed animals includes a +number of well known species, of which the +Horse, the Ass, the Ox and the Sheep among +the tame, and the Rhinoceros, the Hippopotamus, the Boar and +the Bison among the wild are familiar examples. The order +is divided into two sub-orders and these into numerous +families. The sub-orders are, I, The Perissodactyla, which +includes three families of animals characterised by an odd +number of toes in their hind feet, the horse having one, and +the Rhinoceros three. II, The Artiodactyla which includes +seven families of animals all having an even number of +toes.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Horse.</span> +The horse stands first among the hoofed animals, +as the friend and servant of man. He has a history +which is full of interest but which it is quite impossible to +give within the limits of our present opportunity. He is +mentioned in both classical and Biblical history at an early +period, but there is reason to believe that he flourished in prehistoric +times. He was used by the Greeks in their public +games, the chariot race being one of their most popular forms +of entertainment; he was also employed by them for the +purposes of war, of which the writings of Homer and other +classical authors give abundant proof. First used apparently +to draw the chariot only, the adaptation of the means to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> +end soon suggested to man the propriety of mounting his +back, and from the throne he thus acquired man has since +conquered the whole world. Man's first appearance on horseback +doubtless suggested the fable of the Centaur; those +unaccustomed to the sight imagining that they beheld a monster, +half man and half horse, as it is said the aborigines of +America did when they first saw Spanish equestrians. The +Egyptians are said to have been the first to cultivate the +horse, and the Persians the first to use him in battle.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Arabian Horses.</span> +The beauty, strength and speed of the Arabian +horse are well known, and the affection which +subsists between him and his master is the basis of many +a pathetic story. These horses are generally of a brown colour; +the mane and tail being short, and the hair black and +tufted. The Arabs for the most part use the mares in their +ordinary excursions, as they are less vicious than the males, +and are more capable of sustaining abstinence and fatigue.</p> + +<p>The Arab often shares his tent with his mare, the husband, +the wife, the child, the mare, and the foal, lying together +indiscriminately; and the youngest branches of the family +embracing the neck, or reposing on the body, of the mare, +without any idea of fear or danger.</p> + +<p>St. Pierre in his "Studies of Nature" tells a pretty story of +the Arab's affection for his horse: "The whole stock of a +poor Arabian of the desert consisted of a beautiful mare; +this the French consul at Said offered to purchase, with an +intention to send her to Louis XIV. The Arab, pressed +by want, hesitated a long time, but at length consented, on +condition of receiving a very considerable sum of money, +which he named. The consul wrote to France for permission +to close the bargain; and, having obtained it, sent the +information to the Arab. The man, so indigent as to possess +only a miserable covering for his body, arrived with his +magnificent courser; he dismounted, and first looking at the +gold, then steadfastly at his mare, heaved a sigh. 'To<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +whom is it,' exclaimed he, 'that I am going to yield thee +up? To Europeans! who will tie thee close, who will beat +thee, who will render thee miserable! Return with me, my +beauty, my jewel! and rejoice the hearts of my children.' +As he pronounced the last words, he sprang upon her back, +and was out of sight almost in a moment." This story +forms the subject of the well known ballad by the Hon. +Mrs. Norton, entitled "The Arab's farewell to his steed."</p> + +<p>Clarke thus describes the way in which the Arab will address +a horse:—"Ibrahim went frequently to Rama to inquire +news of the mare whom he dearly loved; he would embrace +her, wipe her eyes with his handkerchief, would rub her +with his shirt sleeves, would give her a thousand benedictions +during whole hours that he would remain talking to her. +'My eyes! my soul! my heart!' he would say, 'must I be +so unfortunate as to have thee sold to so many masters, and +not keep thee myself? I am poor, my antelope! I brought +thee up in my dwelling as a child; I did never beat nor +chide thee——" Arabs have been known to refuse enormous +sums for horses, though actually themselves in a condition of +extreme want. That the horse can reciprocate the kindness +shown to him is proved by many a story of his fidelity. Chateaubriand +says, "When I was at Jerusalem the feats of one of +these steeds made a great noise. The Bedouin to whom +the animal, a mare, belonged, being pursued by the governor's +guards, rushed with her from the top of the hills that +overlooked Jericho. The mare scoured at full gallop down +an almost perpendicular declivity without stumbling, and left +the soldiers lost in admiration and astonishment. The poor +creature, however, dropped down dead on entering Jericho, +and the Bedouin, who would not quit her, was taken, +weeping over the body of his faithful companion."</p> + +<p>More romantic is the story told by M. de Lamartine, thus +quoted by Mrs. Bowdich. "An Arab chief and the tribe to +which he belonged attacked a caravan in the night, and were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +returning with their plunder, when some horsemen belonging +to the Pasha of Acre surrounded them, killed several, and +bound the rest with cords. Among the latter was the chief +Abou el Marek, who was carried to Acre, and, bound hand +and foot, laid at the entrance of their tent during the night. +Kept awake by the pain of his wounds he heard his horse, +who was picketed at a distance from him, neigh. Wishing +to caress him, perhaps for the last time, he dragged himself +up to him, and said, 'Poor friend! what will you do among +the Turks? You will be shut up under the roof of a khan, +with the horses of a Pasha or an Aga. No longer will the +women and children of the tent bring you barley, camel's +milk, or dhourra, in the hollow of their hands; no longer +will you gallop free as the wind in the desert; no longer will +you cleave the waters with your breast, and lave your sides, +as pure as the foam from your lips. If I am to be a slave, +at least you may go free. Return to our tent, tell my wife +that Abou el Marek will return no more; but put your head +still into the folds of the tent, and lick the hands of my +beloved children.' With these words, as his hands were +tied, the chief with his teeth undid the fetters which held +the courser bound, and set him at liberty; but the noble +animal, on recovering his freedom, instead of galloping away +to the desert, bent his head over his master, and seeing him +in fetters and on the ground, took his clothes gently between +his teeth, lifted him up, and set off at full speed towards +home. Without resting he made straight for the distant +but well-known tent in the mountains of Arabia. He arrived +there in safety, laid his master down at the feet of his wife +and children, and immediately dropped down dead with +fatigue. The whole tribe mourned him, the poets celebrated +his fidelity, and his name is still constantly in the mouths +of the Arabs of Jericho."</p> + +<p>For the sake of the beautiful moral it contains the following +story is well worth adding. In the tribe of Negde there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +was a mare of great reputation for beauty and swiftness, +which a member of another tribe named Daber desired to +possess. Having failed to obtain her by offering all he was +worth, he sought to effect his object by stratagem. Disguised +as a lame beggar he waited by a roadside, knowing that +Nabee, the owner of the horse, would shortly pass that way. +As soon as Nabee appeared, Daber cried out to him, begging +assistance and pretending to be too weak to rise. Nabee +thereupon dismounted from the mare, and helped the beggar +to mount her. The moment he was mounted Daber declared +himself and made off. Nabee called to him to stop, and on +his turning round said to him, "Thou hast my mare, since +it pleased God I wish you success but I conjure thee tell no +one how thou hast come by her." "Why not?" said Daber. +"Lest others should refrain from charity because I have been +duped," said Nabee, whereupon Daber dismounted and +returned the mare.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Domestic Horse.</span> +The Horse has only to be known to be loved, +and has only to be loved to become the most +tractable, patient, and useful of animals. "In the domestic +horse," says Colonel Smith, "we behold an animal equally +strong and beautiful, endowed with great docility and no less +fire; with size and endurance joined to sobriety, speed, and +patience; clean, companionable, emulous, even generous; forbearing, +yet impetuous; with faculties susceptible of very +considerable education, and perceptions which catch the +spirit of man's intentions, lending his powers with the utmost +readiness, and restraining them with as ready a compliance: +saddled or in harness, labouring willingly, enjoying the sports +of the field and exulting in the tumult of the battle; used +by mankind in the most laudable and necessary operations, +and often the unconscious instrument of the most sanguinary +passions; applauded, cherished, then neglected, and ultimately +abandoned to the authority of bipeds who often show little +superiority of reason and much less of temper." "One who,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +like ourselves," continues Colonel Smith, "has repeatedly +owed life to the exertions of his horse, in meeting a hostile +shock, in swimming across streams, and in passing on the +edge of elevated precipices, will feel with us, when contemplating +the qualities of this most valuable animal, emotions +of gratitude and affection which others may not so +readily appreciate."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Structure of a Horse.</span> +"The beauty of the form of the horse has often +been commented upon, his structure is thus admirably +described by a writer in "Cassell's Magazine +of Art": "His nature is eminently courageous, without ferocity, +generous, docile, intelligent, and, if allowed to be so, almost +as affectionate as the dog. In his structure, the ruling characteristic +may be said in one word to consist in obliquity—all +the leading bones in his frame are set obliquely, or nearly +so, and not at right angles. His head is set on with a subtle +curve of the last few vertebræ of the neck, which at the +shoulders, take another subtle curve before they become the +dorsal vertebræ, or backbone; which end, in their turn, with +another curve, forming the tail. His shoulders slope back +more than those of other quadrupeds, the scapula, or shoulder-blade, +being oblique to the humerus, which, in its turn, +is oblique to the radius, or upper part of the fore-leg. So, +again, in the hind-quarters, the haunch is set obliquely to the +true thigh, the thigh, at the stifle joint, to the upper bone +of the hind-leg, which at the hock makes another angle. +The fore and hind quarters form so large a portion of the +entire length that a horse, though a lengthy animal from the +front of the chest to the back of the haunch, is, comparatively, +very short in the actual back or 'saddle-place.' Then +his hocks are much bent, and his pastern joints are rather +long, and again are set at an angle, succeeded by a slightly +different angle in the firm but expanding hoof, thus completing +the beautiful mechanism, which preserves the limbs +from jar, and ensures elasticity in every part of an animal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +destined to carry weight and to undergo rapid and continued +exertion—a combination not existing in any other quadruped +to anything like the same degree, and fitting him precisely +for the purposes for which he was given to man. At present +we have said nothing about his head, every part of which is +equally characteristic. His well-shaped, delicate ears are +capable of being moved separately in every direction, and +every movement is full of meaning and in sympathy with +the eye. The eye is prominent, full, and large, and placed +laterally, so that he can see behind him without turning his +head, his heels being his principal weapon of defence; his +nostrils are large, open and flexible, and his lips fleshy, +though thin, and exquisitely mobile and sensitive. The large, +open nostril is essential to him, as a horse breathes solely +and entirely through it, being physically incapable of breathing +through his mouth, as a valve in the throat actually +precludes him from so doing; hence the mouth of a horse, +without a bridle in it, is opened only for purposes of eating +or biting, but never from excitement or from exhaustion, like +that of most other quadrupeds, except the deer species. The +lips are, perhaps, even more characteristic; they are his +hands as well as part of his mouth, and the horse and +others of his family alone use them in this way. The ox, +the sheep, the goat, the deer, the giraffe above all, and, in +fact, we believe all graminivorous animals except the horse, +either bite their food directly with the teeth, or grasp and +gather it with the tongue, which is prehensile, and gifted +with more or less power of prolongation; but the horse's +tongue has no such function, and, therefore, no such powers, +as these services are all performed in his case by the lips: +and no horseman, who has let a favourite horse pick up +small articles of food from the palm of his hand, can have +failed to be struck with the extreme mobility, and also the +sensibility and delicacy of touch, with which the lips are +endowed."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Horse's Speed.</span> +The quality of speed for which the horse is +so justly esteemed has been the subject of extensive +culture in which the Arabian horse has contributed +no mean share. "Some of the horses first brought from +Arabia having been by no means celebrated," says Captain +Brown, "the breed had fallen into disrepute, till the descendants +of one procured by Mr. Darley from the deserts, and on +that account called the Darley Arabian, having borne away +the palm for fleetness from all others, turned the tide of +fashion in favour of that breed. Yet it is only the progeny +of the Arabian horses that excels. The English race-horses +are equal, if not superior, to all other coursers. As the extraordinary +swiftness of the horse has been most signally +displayed in the English race-course, and can also be there +most precisely measured, we cannot omit the notice of some +of the most remarkable of our racers. The most celebrated +of these—and indeed the fleetest horse that ever was bred +in the world—was Flying Childers, got by the Darley Arabian. +What Achilles was among warriors, and Cæsar among conquerors, +such was Childers among horses, without an equal +and without a rival. He ran against the most famous horses +of his age, and was always victorious. He has been known +to move at the rate of nearly a mile in the minute. Next +to Childers, in fame and fleetness, is Eclipse, so called from +having been foaled during the great eclipse of 1764. This +horse likewise was never beaten: one contemporary rival alone +was supposed to exist, Mr. Shaftoe's horse Goldfinder, but +Goldfinder broke down the October before the proposed +competition. Eclipse's rate of going was 47 feet in the second. +Childers had a rate of 49. One hundred to one were offered +on Eclipse against the most famous racers of his day. Mr. +O'Kelly purchased him for sixteen hundred and fifty guineas, +and cleared by him twenty-five thousand pounds. He had +a vast stride,—never horse threw his haunches below him +with more vigour or effect; and his hind legs were so spread<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +in his gallop, that a wheelbarrow might have been driven +between them. King Herod, another famous horse, which +was generally, though not like Eclipse uniformly, successful, is +chiefly celebrated for his progeny; his immediate descendants +having gained to their owners above two hundred thousand +pounds."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Horse's Endurance.</span> +Many marvellous stories are told of the endurance +of the horse. Sir John Malcolm says, +"Small parties of Toorkomans, who ventured several hundred +miles into Persia, used both to advance and retreat at the +average of nearly one hundred miles a day. They train +their horses for these expeditions as we should do for a race, +and describe him when in a condition for a foray by saying +that his flesh is marble. When I was in Persia, a horseman +mounted upon a Toorkoman horse, brought a packet of letters +from Shiraz to Teherary, which is a distance of five hundred +miles, within six days." Almost equally remarkable records +are held by English horses, but the invention of the locomotive +has done away with the necessity for such trying +expeditions in civilized countries, and the horse is trained +more for speed and strength than for such long distance +efforts. M. de Pages in his travels round the world, tells a +remarkable story of the endurance of the horse when out of +his natural element; he says, "I should have found it difficult +to give it credit had it not happened at this place +(the Cape of Good Hope) the evening before my arrival; +and if, besides the public notoriety of the fact, I had not +been an eyewitness of those vehement emotions of sympathy, +blended with admiration, which it had justly excited in the +mind of every individual at the Cape. A violent gale of +wind setting in from north and north west, a vessel in the +road dragged her anchors, was forced on the rocks and +bulged; and, while the greater part of the crew fell an immediate +sacrifice to the waves, the remainder were seen from +the shore struggling for their lives, by clinging to the different<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +pieces of the wreck. The sea ran dreadfully high, and broke +over the sailors with such amazing fury, that no boat whatever +could venture off to their assistance. Meanwhile a +planter, considerably advanced in life, had come from his +farm to be a spectator of the shipwreck; his heart was melted +at the sight of the unhappy seamen, and knowing the bold +and enterprising spirit of his horse, and his particular excellence +as a swimmer, he instantly determined to make a desperate +effort for their deliverance. He alighted and blew a +little brandy into his horse's nostrils, and again seating himself +in the saddle, he instantly pushed into the midst of the +breakers. At first both disappeared, but it was not long +before they floated on the surface, and swam up to the +wreck; when taking with him two men, each of whom held +by one of his boots, he brought them safe to shore. This +perilous expedition he repeated no seldomer than seven times, +and saved fourteen lives; but, on his return the eighth time, +his horse being much fatigued, and meeting a most formidable +wave, he lost his balance and was overwhelmed in a +moment. The horse swam safely to land, but his gallant +rider was no more!"</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Horse's Memory.</span> +Many remarkable instances are recorded of the +exercise of the faculty of memory by horses. +Colonel Smith mentions an instance of a horse which he +had used for two years while in the army abroad, and +which some years later made himself known to his old +master with every demonstration of pleasure, though harnessed +to a mail coach. "That the horse remembers the scenes +and transactions of past times," says Captain Brown, "is +proved from every day's experience. It enters familiarly +into its usual abode; inclines to stop at its ordinary halting-place; +prefers a journey which it has formerly taken, and +falls readily into an occupation to which it has been accustomed. +It seeks the fields in which it has formerly pastured, +and has been known long afterwards to repair to the scenes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +of its earlier days. A horse belonging to a gentleman of +Taunton strayed from a field at Corfe, three miles distant +from thence. After a long and troublesome search, he was +discovered on a farm at Branscombe, in Devon, a distance +of twenty-three miles, being the place where he was foaled, +although it is certain that the animal had not been there +for ten years, during the whole of which time he had been +in the possession of the gentleman who then owned him." +Horses seem to have a similar sense of locality to that for +which dogs are so famous. A horse will find its way home +when its master cannot see a yard before him, instances +being recorded of parties lost in the snow which covered +all tracks, who only saved their lives by letting a horse +loose and following him. Captain Brown gives two +instances of horses who on becoming ill, found their way +to the veterinary surgeon, who had previously treated them, +entirely of their own accord. Instances are recorded also +of Cavalry horses, who, on hearing thunder while out grazing, +have mistaken it for the sound of cannon and who with +great excitement have formed themselves into line and +"presented the front of a field of war". Old Hunters who +have become coach horses have been known upon hearing +the hounds, at the moment of "changing" to dash after +them with their harness on their backs and riderless and +guideless follow the hunt for hours. These are instances of +the ruling passion strong in after life, or perhaps more +correctly speaking of the force of habit, of which there are +countless illustrations. Kosciusko had a horse which he +once lent to a young man whom he employed upon a +commission, but who on his return declared that he would +never use the horse again unless also supplied with his master's +purse; for said he, "as soon as a poor man on the road +takes off his hat and asks charity the animal immediately +stands still, and will not stir until something is bestowed +upon the petitioner; and as I had no money about me I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +had to feign giving, in order to satisfy the horse and induce +him to proceed." Such loyalty to habit, however interesting, +is not always convenient, as the following, which I quote +from "Anecdotes in Natural History" by the Rev. F. O. +Morris will show.</p> + +<p>"Towards the close of last century, when volunteers were +first embodied in the different towns, an extensive line of +turnpike road was in progress of construction in a part of the +north. The clerk to the trustees upon this line used to send +one of his assistants to ride along occasionally, to see that +the contractors, who were at work in a great many places, +were doing their work properly. The assistant, on these +journeys, rode a horse which had for a long time carried a +field officer, and, though aged, still possessed a great deal of +spirit. One day, as he was passing near a town of considerable +size which lay on the line of road, the volunteers were at +drill on the common; and the instant the horse heard the +drum he leaped the fence, and was speedily at that post in +front of the volunteers which would have been occupied by +the commanding officer of a regiment on parade or at drill; +nor could the rider by any means get him off the ground +until the volunteers retired to the town. As long as they kept +the field the horse took the proper place of a commanding +officer in all their manœuvres, and he marched at the head +of the corps into the town, prancing in military style as +cleverly as his stiffened legs would allow him, to the great +amusement of the volunteers and spectators, and to the no +small annoyance of the clerk."</p> + +<p>Perhaps no more amusing illustration of this force of habit +could be found than that cited by Captain Brown of a Scotch +lawyer who purchased a horse at Smithfield upon which to +make a journey north. The horse was a handsome one and +started well, but on reaching Finchley common, at a place +where the road ran down a slight eminence, and up another, +the lawyer met a clergyman driving a one horse chaise.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +"There was nobody within sight, and the horse by his +manœuvre instantly discovered the profession of his former +owner. Instead of pursuing his journey he laid his counter +close up to the chaise and stopped it, having no doubt but his +rider would embrace so fair an opportunity of exercising his +profession. The clergyman seemed of the same opinion, +produced his purse unasked, and assured the astonished +lawyer, that it was quite unnecessary to draw his pistol as he +did not intend to offer any resistance. The traveller rallied +his horse, and with many apologies to the gentleman he had +so innocently and unwillingly affrighted, pursued his journey. +The horse next made the same suspicious approach to a +coach, from the windows of which a blunderbuss was levelled +with denunciations of death and destruction to the hapless +and perplexed rider. In short, after his life had been once +or twice endangered by the suspicions to which the conduct +of his horse gave rise, and his liberty as often threatened by +the peace-officers, who were disposed to apprehend him as +a notorious highwayman, the former owner of the horse, he +was obliged to part with the inauspicious animal for a trifle, +and to purchase at a large price one less beautiful, but not +accustomed to such dangerous habits."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Horse's Intelligence.</span> +Of the larger quadrupeds the horse is said to +be only second in intelligence to the Elephant, +and many proofs could be given of the high standard of +intelligence to which he sometimes attains. The Rev. F. O. +Morris says,—"We knew a blind coach-horse that ran one +of the stages on the great north road for several years, and +so perfectly was he acquainted with all the stables, halting-places, +and other matters, that he was never found to commit +a blunder. He could never be driven past his own stable; +and at the sound of the coming coach he would turn out, of +his own accord, into the stable-yard. So accurate was his +knowledge of time, that though half-a-dozen coaches halted +at the same inn daily, he was never known to stir till the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +sound of his own coach, the "ten o'clock" was heard in the +distance." The intelligence of this horse was somewhat circumscribed +but it was perfect within its limits. Colonel Smith, +as already quoted, says, "Bipeds who exercise authority over +horses, often show little superiority of reason, and much less +of temper." The way in which horses have preserved masters +who have rendered themselves incapable of taking care +of themselves is proof of this. A horse has been known to +poke his nose in at a tavern door and shake his master by +the shoulder, when he has been lingering too long over his +potations. Another horse whose master from a similar cause +was unable to keep his seat watched by his side in the road +all night, and on being discovered by some labourers in the +early morning vigorously resented their attempts to awaken +him. Professor Kruger of Halle says, "A friend of mine was +one dark night riding home through a wood, and had the +misfortune to strike his head against the branch of a tree, and +fell from his horse, stunned by the blow. The horse immediately +returned to the house which they had left, about a +mile distant. He found the door closed, and the family gone +to bed. He pawed at the door till one of them, hearing the +noise, arose and opened it, and to his surprise saw the horse +of his friend. No sooner was the door opened than the +horse turned round, and the man, suspecting there was +something wrong, followed the animal, which led him directly +to the spot where his master lay on the ground in a faint." +A pony has been known to leap into a canal and save +the life of a child in danger of drowning, and a cart horse +to lift a child out of the road and place it carefully on the +side walk before proceeding with his load. A remarkable +illustration of the intelligence of the horse under circumstances +in which most human beings would have lost all presence of +mind, is quoted by Captain Brown. "In the month of April, +1794, owing to a strong wind blowing contrary to the current +of the river, the island Kroutsand, surrounded by the two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +branches of the Elbe, became entirely covered with water, +to the great alarm of the horses, which, with some foals, had +been grazing on it. They set up a loud neighing, and collected +themselves together within a small space. To save +the foals that were now standing up to their bellies in water +seemed to be the object of their consultation. They adopted +a method at once ingenious and effective. Each foal was +arranged between horses, who pressed their sides together so +as to keep them wedged up, and entirely free from injury +from the water. They retained this position for six hours, +nor did they relinquish their burden till the tide having ebbed +and the water subsided, the foals were placed out of danger."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Horse Play.</span> +Horse-play is a term which conveys the idea +of rough if not brutal romping, and yet the horse can be +gentle in its friendships and considerate in its dealings with +weaker animals, and with children to a remarkable degree. +White in his "Natural History of Selborne", tells of a curious +friendship between a horse and a hen. "These two incongruous +animals spent much of their time together in a lonely +orchard, where they saw no creature but each other. By +degrees an apparent regard began to take place between the +two sequestered individuals; the fowl would approach the +horse with notes of complacency, rubbing herself quietly +against his legs, while the horse would look down with satisfaction, +and move with the greatest caution and circumspection, +lest he should trample on his diminutive companion." +A similar friendship is recorded as between a horse and a +sheep, whom circumstances threw much in company. Both +gregarious animals and both failing of companionships of their +own kind, they found solace in their loneliness in a beautiful +if curious friendship. The gentleness of horses in dealing +with children has often been remarked, even when within the +confined limits of a stable they will use the utmost circumspection +as to movements lest they should inadvertently tread upon +their playfellows. Mr. Morris tells of a plough horse who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +was too tall for his little master to mount and who used to +put his head down to the ground and allow the boy to +bestride his neck and then by gently elevating his head help +him to slide on to his back. Horses have been known to +allow liberties to children that they would not allow to their +elders, a remarkable illustration of which is given by Captain +Brown. A hunter who always violently resented any +attempt on the part of his grooms to trim his fetlocks, was +once the subject of conversation in his master's house, when +the master defied any man "to perform the operation singly." +On the following day when passing through the stable-yard +he was astonished and alarmed at seeing his youngest child, +who had been an unnoticed listener to the conversation the +night before, with a pair of scissors, clipping the fetlocks of +the horse's hind legs, the horse watching the operation with +evident satisfaction. It is, however, as between horses and +dogs that the truest affinity appears to exist of animals of +different families, and numerous anecdotes are told in illustration +of these friendships. Captain Brown gives the following: +"Doctor Smith, a practising physician in Dublin, had no +other servant to take charge of his horse while at a patient's +door, than a large Newfoundland dog; and between the two +animals, a very good understanding subsisted. When he +wished to pass to another patient without remounting, he +needed but to give a signal to the pair, who followed him +in the most perfect good order. The dog also led the horse +to the water, and would give him a signal to leap over a stream. +While performing this on one occasion, the dog lost hold of +the reins, when the horse, having cleared the leap, trotted +back to the dog, who resumed the reins."</p> + +<p>"A gentleman in Bristol had a greyhound which slept in +the same stable, and contracted a very great intimacy with +a fine hunter. When the dog was taken out the horse +neighed wistfully after him; he welcomed him home with a +neigh; the greyhound ran up to the horse and licked him;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +the horse, in return, scratched the greyhound's back with his +teeth. On one occasion, when the groom had the pair out +for exercise, a large dog attacked the greyhound, bore him +to the ground, and seemed likely to worry him, when the +horse threw back his ears, rushed forward, seized the strange +dog by the back and flung him to a distance which the +animal did not deem it prudent to make less."</p> + +<p>The horse's sympathy with his own kind must, however, +not pass without mention. Horses have been known to +masticate food for their toothless companions, an instance +being recorded by M. de Boussanelle, a cavalry officer, of a +horse belonging to his company who was fed for two months +in this way by the horses stationed on either side of him. +Whether the horses in the following case were actuated by +sympathy or fear, the story deserves to be retold for its +extreme pathos. When Sir John Moore's soldiers embarked +after the battle of Corunna, orders were given that the troop +horses should be shot, rather than that they should fall into +the hands of the enemy. "These horses," says Colonel Smith, +"witnessing their companions fall one after another, stood +trembling with fear, and by their piteous looks seemed to +implore mercy from the men who had been their riders, until +the duty imposed upon the dragoons who had been intrusted +with the execution of the order became unbearable, and the +men turned away from the task with scalding tears: hence +the French obtained a considerable number unhurt, and +among them several belonging to officers who, rather than +destroy them, had left their faithful chargers with billets +attached recommending them to the kindness of the enemy."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ass.</span> +The ass is an animal which seems to be more +than ordinarily affected by its surrounding and treatment. +In eastern countries where it is well cared for, and employed +in the service of the rich, it rises to the occasion and becomes +both graceful and spirited in action and elegant and refined +in appearance: in the west where it is discarded for the sake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +of the horse, and used almost solely as a beast of heavy +burden, often suffering great cruelty and hardship, it seems to +lose spirit and become dull and obstinate, as people do who, +crushed by hard circumstances, lose hope. The ass has an +ancient and honourable history which dates back apparently +as far as that of the horse. He is mentioned alike by sacred +and profane writers, Job and Homer making flattering reference +to him. In Syria and Persia, where he is cultivated, he attains +to a much larger size than in the west, where he may +be described as about two-thirds the size of the horse. In +ancient times these animals fetched very large sums, sums +which in our day would be considered very large for a horse, a +stallion mentioned by Pliny realising a sum exceeding £3000. +"No domestic animal," says Colonel Smith, "in proportion +to its bulk, can carry a greater weight, or continue to labour +longer without sustenance. The ass is emphatically the poor +man's horse in every country; and if care were taken of the +breed, and well selected animals imported from Arabia, a +very useful and handsome race might be reared." Though +the ordinary ass is slow and obstinate, his eastern cousin is +both fleet and obedient, and remarkable feats have been +performed by half breeds. A half-bred, Spanish and English, +of twelve and a half hands high, belonging to Mr. Wilson of +Ipswich, drew a light gig from Ipswich to London and back +again, a distance of 140 miles, in two days. He is said to +have maintained a pace little short of that of a good gig +horse and to have performed the whole journey with ease, +finishing it without whip, at the rate of seven miles an hour. +Though patient above most animals, the ass will sometimes +turn like the proverbial worm, and instances are known +in which he has adopted the offensive with effect. Some +years ago, a bull dog which had been set on to an ass, was +caught by the latter in his teeth, carried to the river Derwent +and held under water until he was drowned. Donkeys have +often been known after enduring great provocation from boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +to turn on their assailants and put them to speedy and +anxious flight.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sagacity of the Ass.</span> +Dull though he appears to be, the ass show +himself on occasion to be possessed of no little +invention in matters that concern his liberty and comfort. +His aptitude for lifting latches and drawing bolts has often +been observed. Mr. Fuller describes the actions of an ass +he saw, who put his head sideways between the bars of +a gate and turning it into its normal position lifted the +gate over the latch and pushed it forward, withdrawing his +head after he had opened the gate and proceeding to enjoy +the dainties of the field into which he had thus effected an +entrance. A still more remarkable instance is given by Mr. +East who says: "While living on the Sussex coast, I had +myself a very fine donkey, which was a remarkably docile +and knowing animal. He was the constant companion of my +children in their rambles on the downs, and on those occasions +seemed to think he had a right to share in all the +eatables and drinkables, and would do so most readily, +whether cakes, apples, oranges, sweetmeats, milk, or even +tea; ginger-beer being the only exception. With this he was +thoroughly disgusted, in consequence of the cork, which had +been expelled from the bottle with the usual loud report, +having struck him on the nose. This he never forgot; but +would quickly march off whenever a ginger-beer bottle was +produced. But his cleverness and cunning were more especially +shown in the following incident:—His lodging-place at +night was a small, open shed, whence he had free access to +a yard; but not, of course, to the kitchen-garden which +adjoined it. The latter was separated from the yard by a +wall and door, fastened securely, as we imagined, by two +bolts and an ordinary latch. We were, however, surprised to +find that the door had been unfastened during the night, +while the footprints of the donkey on the garden walks and +beds too plainly told who had been the trespasser. Still we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +could hardly suppose he could have drawn the bolts and +let himself in, especially as the upper bolt was fixed at a +considerable height. This, however, proved to have been the +case; for my bedroom overlooking the yard and garden, I +one night watched at the window, and distinctly saw master +donkey, reared on his hind legs, unfastening the upper bolt +with his nose or mouth. He then withdrew the lower one, +lifted the latch, and walked quietly into the garden. In a +few minutes I further observed him returning to his shed with +a large bunch of carrots, which he deposited in his shed, and +then went back—not, certainly, to bolt, but to latch the +door; after which he leisurely set about munching his slily +acquired booty. Before putting a final stop to these proceedings, +I gave several of my neighbours, who were incredulous +upon the subject, an opportunity of witnessing them. And +at these times his sagacity was further evinced by the fact +that he would never commence his operations until after the +light had been extinguished at the bedroom window."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Instinct of the Ass.</span> +The sense of locality so conspicuous in the +dog, the cat and the horse is also possessed in +a remarkable degree by the ass, as the following story told +by Captain Brown will show. "In 1816, an ass belonging +to Captain Dundas was shipped on board the Ister, bound +from Gibraltar to Malta. The vessel struck on a sand-bank +off the Point de Gat, and the ass was thrown overboard into +a sea which was so stormy that a boat that soon after left +the ship was lost. In the course of a few days, when the +gates of Gibraltar were opened in the morning, the guard +was surprised by the same ass which had so recently been +removed, presenting itself for admittance. On entering, it +proceeded immediately to the stable which it had formerly +occupied. The ass had not only swum to the shore, but +found its own way from Point de Gat to Gibraltar, a distance +of more than two hundred miles, through a mountainous and +intricate country intersected by streams, which it had never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +passed before—but which it had now crossed so expeditiously +that it must have gone by a route leading the most directly +to Gibraltar."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Trained Ass.</span> +The ass like many other animals is capable +of being trained to perform many tricks, advantage +of which seems to have been taken long before our time, +as the following quoted by Captain Brown will show. John +Leo, in a book printed as early as 1556, says, "when the +Mahometan worship was over, the common people of Cairo +resorted to the foot of the suburbs called Bed-Elloch to see +the exhibition of stage-players and mountebanks, who teach +camels, asses, and dogs to dance. The dancing of the ass +is diverting enough; for after he has frisked and capered +about, his master tells him, that the Soldan, meaning to build +a great palace, intends to employ all the asses in carrying +mortar, stones, and other materials; upon which the ass falls +down with his heels upwards, closing his eyes, and extending +his chest, as if he were dead. This done, the master begs +some assistance of the company, to make up the loss of the +dead ass; and having got all he can, he gives them to know +that truly his ass is not dead, but only being sensible of his +master's necessity, played that trick to procure some provender. +He then commands the ass to rise, who still lies in +the same posture, notwithstanding all the blows he can give +him, till at last he proclaims, by virtue of an edict of the +Soldan, all are bound to ride out next day upon the comeliest +asses they can find, in order to see a triumphal show, +and to entertain their asses with oats and Nile water. These +words are no sooner pronounced, than the ass state up, +prances, and leaps for joy. The master then declares, that +his ass has been pitched upon by the warden of his street, +to carry his deformed and ugly wife; upon which the ass +lowers his ears, and limps with one of his legs, as if he were +lame. The master, alleging that his ass admires handsome +women, commands him to single out the prettiest lady in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +the company; and accordingly, he makes his choice by going +round, and touching one of the prettiest with his head, to +the great amusement of the company."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mule and the Hinny.</span> +The Mule and the Hinny, are the off-spring +of the ass and the horse and combine to some +extent the qualities of both. The mule has the sure-footedness +of the ass, and the size and appearance of the horse. +His history dates back to classical and Biblical times, and +mention is made of him both in the Iliad and in the Bible. +In the East he is still trained to useful service, and in England +he is used in tramways and road cars. The Spanish +mules are trained to understand the calls of their driver who +directs their course by shouting from the box.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Zebra.</span> +The Zebra resembles the horse in shape, and +in size stands half way between the horse and the ass. +He belongs to Central Africa, and hitherto has resisted all +attempts to tame him for practical use. He is a beautiful +animal, handsomely marked with black and white stripes +all over the body, and black and white rings round the legs. +Burchell's Zebra which belongs to the Cape of Good Hope, +is similar, but has white legs. The Quagga of Southern Africa +has a brown coat striped with black, a white waistcoat, and +white stockings. Zebras have been half tamed, when kept in +menageries, but lack the instinctive docility of the horse.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tapir.</span> +The next family we have to deal with is the +family of the <i>Tapiridæ</i>, in which there are two genera and +six species. The Tapir is a large and powerful animal +standing from five to six feet in height and inhabiting the +warmer regions of South America. It is nocturnal in its +habits and feeds on water-melons, gourds, and other fruits +and vegetables. It frequents the water and can remain below +the surface for a long time. Its hide is very thick and its +senses of sight, hearing, and smell very acute. Its most +characteristic feature is a short mobile proboscis which enables +it to seize hold of boughs and fruits when in search of food.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +The Rev. J. G. Wood says, "Its disposition is gentle, but +when annoyed, it sometimes rushes at its antagonist, and +defends itself vigorously with its powerful teeth. The jaguar +frequently springs on it, but it is often dislodged by the +activity of the Tapir, who rushes through the bushes immediately +that it feels the claws of its enemy, and endeavours +to brush him off against the thick branches." The Tapir is +easily tamed and even domesticated, though it must be +admitted it makes a somewhat huge pet. It is intelligent +and in its own way shows appreciation of kindness and +attachment to its owner. This family has sometimes been +regarded as a link between the Elephant and the Rhinoceros, +but in the classification here followed the Elephant forms a +separate order; the Tapir and the Rhinoceros complete +the sub-order of Perissodactyla or odd-toed, hoofed animals. +The Indian Tapir is somewhat larger than his American +cousin and is distinguished by the greyish-white colour of +his hind quarters, which gives him the appearance of bearing +a white horse cloth on his loins.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Rhinoceros.</span> +The Rhinoceros is found in both Asia and +Africa, and is classified by Dr. Gray in four +genera. Of these the Indian Rhinoceros, the Rhinoceros of +Sumatra, and the Mahoohoo of South and Central Africa +are representatives. Mr. Gordon Cumming says, "There are +four varieties in South Africa, distinguished by the Bechuanas +by the names of the Borèlé or black rhinoceros, the Keitloa +or two-horned black rhinoceros, the Muchocho or common +white rhinoceros and the Kobaoba or long-horned white +rhinoceros. Both varieties of the black rhinoceros are +extremely fierce and dangerous, and rush headlong and +unprovoked upon any object which attracts their attention. +Their horns are much shorter than those of the other varieties, +seldom exceeding eighteen inches in length. They are finely +polished with constant rubbing against trees. The skull is +remarkably formed, its most striking feature being the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +tremendous thick ossification in which it ends above the +nostrils. It is on this mass that the horn is supported. +The horns are not connected with the skull, being attached +merely by the skin, and they may thus be separated from +the head by a sharp knife. They are hard and perfectly +solid throughout. The eyes of the rhinoceros are small and +sparkling and do not readily observe the hunter, provided +he keep to leeward of them. The skin is extremely thick, +and only to be penetrated by bullets hardened with solder." +"During the day the rhinoceros will be found lying asleep +or standing indolently in some retired part of the forest, or +under the base of the mountains, sheltered from the power +of the sun by some friendly grove of umbrella-topped +mimosas. In the evening they commence their nightly ramble, +and wander over a great extent of country." "The black +rhinoceros is subject to paroxysms of unprovoked fury, often +ploughing up the ground for several yards with its horns, and +assaulting large bushes in the most violent manner." "The +rhinoceros is supposed by many, and by myself among the +rest, to be the animal alluded to by Job, Chap. <span class="smcap">XXXIX</span>, verses +10 and 11, where it is written: 'Canst thou bind the unicorn +with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys +after thee? Wilt thou trust him because his strength is +great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?'" "All the four +varieties delight to roll and wallow in mud, with which their +rugged hides are generally encrusted. Both varieties of the +black rhinoceros are much smaller and more active than the +white, and are so swift that a horse with a rider on his +back can rarely overtake them. The two varieties of the +white rhinoceros are so similar in habits, that the description +of one will serve for both; the principal difference consisting +in the length and set of the anterior horn; that of the +muchocho averaging from two to three feet in length, and +pointing backwards; while the horn of the Kobaoba often +exceeds four feet in length, and inclines forward from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +nose at an angle of 45°. The posterior horn of either species +seldom exceeds six or seven inches in length. Both these +varieties attain an enormous size, being the animals next in +magnitude to the elephant. They feed solely on grass, carry +much fat, and their flesh is excellent, being preferable +to beef."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Rhinoceros Hunting.</span> +Mr. Gordon Cumming gives several graphic +descriptions of his experiences with the rhinoceros, +in his "Hunting Adventures in South Africa", from which +work the foregoing description of the several species is taken. +On one occasion after following a huge white rhinoceros, +which, however, escaped him, he says, "I found myself on the +banks of the stream beside which my waggons were out-spanned. +Following along its margin, I presently beheld a +bull of the borèlé, or black rhinoceros, standing within a +hundred yards of me. Dismounting from my horse, I secured +him to a tree, and then stalked within twenty yards of the +huge beast, under cover of a large strong bush. Borèlé, +hearing me advance, came on to see what it was, and suddenly +protruded his horny nose within twenty yards of me. Knowing +well that a front shot would not prove deadly, I sprang to +my feet and ran behind the bush. Upon this the villain +charged, blowing loudly, and chased me round the bush. +Had his activity been equal to his ugliness my wanderings +would have terminated here, but by my superiority I had +the advantage in the turn. After standing a short time eyeing +me through the bush ... he wheeled about, leaving me master +of the field." This was not the only nor even the narrowest +escape experienced by Mr. Gordon Cumming when hunting +this enormous beast. On another occasion he says:—"Having +proceeded about two miles with large herds of game on every +side, I observed a crusty looking old bull borèlé or black +rhinoceros, cocking his ears one hundred yards in advance. +He had not observed us; and soon after he walked slowly +towards us, and stood broadside, eating some wait-a-bit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +thorns within fifty yards of me. I fired from my saddle, +and sent a bullet in behind his shoulder, upon which he +rushed forward about one hundred yards in tremendous +consternation, blowing like a grampus, and then stood looking +about him. Presently he made off. I followed, but found +it hard to come up with him. The chase led through a +large herd of wildebeests, zebras, and springboks, which gazed +at us in utter amazement. At length I fired my second +barrel, but my horse was fidgety, and I missed. I continued +riding alongside of him, expecting in my ignorance, that at +length he would come to bay, which rhinoceroses never do; +when suddenly he fell flat on his broadside on the ground, +but, recovering his feet resumed his course as if nothing +had happened. Becoming at last annoyed at the length of +the chase, as I wished to keep my horse fresh for the elephants, +and being indifferent whether I got the rhinoceros or not, I +determined to bring matters to a crisis, so spurring my horse, +I dashed ahead, and rode right in his path. Upon this the +hideous monster instantly charged me in the most resolute +manner, blowing loudly through his nostrils; and although +I quickly wheeled about to my left, he followed me at such +a furious pace for several hundred yards, with his horrid +horny snout within a few yards of my horse's tail, that my +little bushman, who was looking on in great alarm, thought +his master's destruction inevitable. It was certainly a very +near thing; my horse was extremely afraid and exerted his +utmost energies on the occasion. The rhinoceros, however, +wheeled about and continued his former course, and I, being +perfectly satisfied with the interview which I had already +enjoyed with him, had no desire to cultivate his acquaintance +any further, and accordingly made for the camp."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tame Rhinoceros.</span> +Some species of the rhinoceros, if not all, seem +to be tamable. The Indian variety distinguished +by the thick folds of heavy garment-like skin, which hang +from his shoulders, haunches and thighs, has been trained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +to exercise the same quiet patience which distinguishes +the elephant. The paroxysms of rage which Mr. Gordon +Cumming describes the African variety as venting upon a +harmless bush, or employing in tearing up the earth, have +been known to seize those specimens which have been imported +into England, as the following account of the rhinoceros, +exhibited at Exeter Change, published in the "Philosophical +Transactions for 1822," will show. "This animal about +a month after it came, endeavoured to kill the keeper, and +nearly succeeded. It ran at him with the greatest impetuosity, +but, fortunately, the horn passed between his thighs, and +threw the keeper on its head; the horn came against a +wooden partition, into which the animal forced it to such a +depth as to be unable for a minute to withdraw it, and, +during this interval, the man escaped. Frequently, (more +especially in the middle of the night), fits of frenzy came +on; and, while these lasted, nothing could control its rage, +the rhinoceros running with great swiftness round the den, +playing all kinds of antics, making hideous noises, knocking +everything to pieces, disturbing the whole neighbourhood, +and then, all at once, becoming quiet. While the fit was +on, even the keeper durst not make his approach. The +animal fell upon its knee to enable the horn to be borne +upon any object. It was quick in all its motions, ate voraciously +all kinds of vegetables, appearing to have no selection. +They fed it on branches of willow. Three years' confinement +made no alteration in its habits." The rhinoceros is said +to live for a hundred years.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Hippopotamus.</span> +The Hippopotamus introduces the second sub-order +of the hoofed animals, the <i>Artiodactyla</i>, +animals having an even number of toes. There is but +one genus of the Hippopotamus and two species, the Hippopotamus +of the great rivers of Southern Africa, and the Liberian +Hippopotamus of the West. The <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'Hippotamus'."> Hippopotamus</span> is gregarious, +congregating in the deep shady pools and on the sandy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +banks of the shallow rivers of its native land. It attains to +ten or eleven feet in length, and to five feet, or more, in +height, being the next largest animal to the rhinoceros and +the elephant. He is a powerful beast and has been known +to attack and capsize boats, though when hunted he usually +sinks to the bottom of the river where he is able to remain +five or six minutes without rising to the surface for breath. +The form of his head enables him to lift his eyes and his nostrils +above the water at the same time without exposing more than +a slight portion of his head. Thus, while taking in breath +to sustain him while out of the reach of his enemies, he can +watch their movements and determine his course below. His +hide is very thick and strong and is, therefore, very useful +for a variety of purposes, while his tusks furnish the dentist +with the material to supply human deficiencies.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Haunt of the Hippopotami.</span> +Mr. Gordon Cumming gives the following +vivid description of the haunt of the Hippopotami. +"The next day I rode down the river to seek +sea-cows, taking as usual my double-barrelled rifles. We had +proceeded about two miles when we came upon some most +thoroughly beaten, old established hippopotamus paths, and +presently, in a broad, long, deep, and shaded pool of the +river, we heard the sea-cows bellowing. There I beheld +one of the most wondrous and interesting sights that a +sportsman can be blessed with. I at once knew that there +must be an immense herd of them, for the voices came from +the different parts of the pool; so creeping in through the +bushes to obtain an inspection, a large sandy Island +appeared at the neck of the pool, on which stood several +large shady trees. The neck of the pool was very wide and +shallow, with rocks and large stones; below, it was deep and +still. On a sandy promontory of this Island stood about +thirty cows and calves, whilst in the pool opposite, and a +little below them, stood about twenty more sea-cows, with +their heads and backs above water. About fifty yards further<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +down the river again, showing out their heads, were eight or +ten immense fellows, which I think were all bulls; and about +one hundred yards below these in the middle of the stream +stood another herd of about eight or ten cows with calves +and two huge bulls. The sea-cows lay close together like +pigs; a favourite position was to rest their heads on their +comrade's sterns and sides. The herds were attended by +an immense number of the invariable rhinoceros birds, which +on observing me did their best to spread alarm throughout +the hippopotami. I was resolved to select, if possible, a first-rate +old bull out of this vast herd, and I accordingly +delayed firing for nearly two hours, continually running up +and down behind the thick thorny cover, attentively studying +the heads. At length I determined to go close in and select +the best head out of the eight or ten bulls which lay below +the cows. I accordingly left the cover, and walked slowly +forward in full view of the whole herd to the water's edge, +where I lay down on my belly and studied the heads of +these bulls. The cows on seeing me splashed into the water +and kept up a continual snorting and blowing till night set +in. After selecting for a few minutes I fired my first shot +at a splendid bull and sent the ball in a little behind the +eye. He was at once incapacitated, and kept plunging and +swimming round and round, wearing away down the pool, +until I finished him with two more shots."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pig Family.</span> +Pigs, hogs and peccaries form the next family +with which we have to deal. The Wild Boar +which we may take first, is famous in classic history and +European legends, and is celebrated both by ancient and +modern poets. He is, or was common to Europe, Asia and +Africa, and whether in the hunt or the banquet has always +been highly esteemed. The boar hunt is an exciting chase, +having all the elements of danger necessary to give it zest. +Boars have been known to kill not only dogs, but horses +and men with their powerful tusks, turning and rending them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +with great strength and ferocity. When in a wild state the +boar is a dangerous and inconvenient neighbour, for he commits +serious depredations upon the property of the peasant +and the farmer. Bruce in his travels gives an illustration of +this. He says: "We pitched our tent in a small plain by the +banks of a quick clear running stream; the spot is called +Mai-Shum. A peasant had made a very neat little garden, +on both sides of the rivulet, in which he had sown abundance +of onions and garlic, and he had a species of pumpkin which +I thought was little inferior to a melon. This man guessed +by our arms and our horses that we were hunters, and he +brought us a present of the fruits of his garden, and begged +our assistance against a number of wild boars, which carried +havoc and desolation through all his labours, marks of which +were, indeed, too visible everywhere.—Amongst us all we +killed five boars, all large ones, in the space of about two +hours; one of which measured six feet nine inches; and +though he ran at an amazing speed near two miles, so as to +be with difficulty overtaken by the horse, and was struck +through and through with two heavy lances loaded at the +end with iron, no person dared to come near him on foot, +and he defended himself above half an hour, till having no +other arms left, I shot him with a horse-pistol." The tusks +of the wild boar are often a foot in length and his hide is +so tough that small bullets have been found between the skin +and the flesh of captured specimens.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Hog.</span> +Authorities differ as to whether the domestic +pig is derived from the wild species or not, but +certain it is that the domestic hog under suitable circumstances, +betrays wild instincts. Hogs have been known to hunt +rabbits and poultry and attack lambs when temporarily free +from restraint, and instances have been recorded in which +the hog has attacked and killed its keeper. The hog grows to +a great size, the measurements of one belonging to Mr. Lunton +of Bodmain some years ago being nine feet in length and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +seven feet five inches in girth. Its weight was eight hundred +and fifteen pounds. These limits have, however, often been +exceeded, a hog bred in Cheshire measuring nine feet eight +inches including tail, and standing four feet six inches in +height. This animal weighed 1,215 pounds when killed. +Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, and Yorkshire have all fine +breeds which supply the larders of the United Kingdom with +prime bacon. The sucking pig has been deemed a dainty +dish even from Roman times. The babiroussa belongs to +Bouru and Celebes, and is gregarious. Its habits are similar +to those of the wild hog, which the male rivals and even +surpasses in size. It has tusks attached to both the upper +and the lower jaw, which bend backwards with a graceful curve.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Peccary.</span> +The Peccary belongs to South America where +it is indigenous. There are two species, the Collared Peccary +and the White-lipped Peccary. The collared peccary is a +timid, inoffensive animal about three feet long, and distinguished +by white bands which traverse the shoulders and +meet at the neck. They associate in pairs or small families +and live in holes and hollows. The white-lipped peccary +herds in large numbers, migrating apparently in regular order +in companies sometimes a thousand strong. These animals +are very fierce when attacked, and the hunter has little chance +of escaping them unless he can find shelter in a friendly +tree. Many stories are told of hunters who have sought +such asylum, and who have been kept treed many hours +by peccaries who, regardless of the mortality of their comrades, +have lingered round the trunk.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Camel and the Dromedary.</span> +The history of the Camel carries us back +to the age of the great patriarchs, and gives +him some claim to be regarded as a patriarch himself. He +belongs to Egypt and Arabia, where he is indispensable to the +desert ranger, and where no longer found in a wild state, +he takes rank as a domestic animal. His uses are several. +As a beast of burden he is invaluable, while the milk of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +female serves as an article of food, the surplus wool of his +body as a material for rough woven cloth and his dung as +excellent fuel. He is said by some to be docile and affectionate +and by others to be dull and stupid, though harbouring the +spirit of revenge. Probably like many other animals he will +be found to reciprocate the treatment he receives in kindness +as well as in cruelty. Some confusion exists in the popular +mind as to distinctions between the Camel and the Dromedary, +the number of the humps being said to differentiate the two. +With regard to this Mr. Palgrave in his "Travels in Central and +Eastern Arabia", says:—"The camel and the dromedary in +Arabia are the same identical genus and creature, excepting +that the dromedary is a high-bred camel, and the camel +a low-bred dromedary; exactly the distinction which exists +between a race-horse and a hack; both are horses, but the +one of blood and the other not. The dromedary is the race +horse of this species, thin, elegant, (or comparatively so) fine +haired, light of step, easy of pace, and much more enduring +of thirst than the woolly, thick-built, heavy-footed, ungainly +and jolting camel. But both and each of them have only +one hump, placed immediately behind their shoulders, where +it serves as a fixing point for the saddle or burden. For +the two humped beast—it exists, indeed, but it is neither an +Arab dromedary nor camel; it belongs to the Persian breed +called by the Arabs 'Bakhtee' or Bactrian."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Strength and Endurance of the Camel.</span> +Like all animals in their native lands the camel +shows remarkable adaptation to his environment. +Water is scarce in the desert, so the ship of the +desert, as he has been poetically called, is provided with a +capacity for the storage of the precious fluid and is able to +take in a several days' supply at one time. The camel is +said to drink "fifty, sixty, or even a hundred pounds' weight" +of water at one time, and then to go for three or four days +without a fresh supply. Again food is scarce in the desert, +and the herbage of a very coarse kind, but the camel is able<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +to do with remarkably little food, if his size and the weight +of his burden are taken into consideration, and he will browse +contentedly upon such food as he finds by the wayside, +supplemented by "a cake of barley, a few dates, or beans" +from the hands of his master. "They are particularly fond," +says a writer in "Tales of Animals", "of those vegetable +productions, which other animals would never touch, such +as plants which are like spears and daggers, in comparison +with the needles of the thistle, and which often pierce the +incautious traveller's boot." A camel can be purchased in +Egypt for from thirty to fifty dollars, though the high bred +dromedary will fetch a very much larger sum. The camel +will carry from five hundred to eight hundred pounds' weight, +but will not stir if loaded beyond his strength. He travels +at a uniform rate of three miles an hour, but will keep on +at that rate for ten or twelve hours. The dromedary attains +to a speed which the Arab compares to the speed of the +wind.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Camel and his Master.</span> +Mr. Macfarlane says, "I have been told that +the Arabs will kiss their Camels in gratitude and +affection, after a journey across the desert. I +never saw the Turks either of Asia-Minor or Roumelia, carry +their kindness so far as this; but I have frequently seen them +pat their Camels when the day's work was done, and talk to them +on their journey, as if to cheer them. The Camels appeared +to me quite as sensible to favour and gentle treatment as a +good bred horse is. I have seen them curve and twist their +long lithe necks as their driver approached, and often put +down their tranquil heads towards his shoulder. Near +Smyrna, and at Magnesia and Sardes, I have occasionally +seen a Camel follow his master like a pet dog, and go down +on his knees before him, as if inviting him to mount. I +never saw a Turk ill use the useful, gentle, amiable quadruped. +But I have frequently seen him give it a portion of his own +dinner, when, in unfavourable places, it had nothing but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +chopped straw to eat. I have sometimes seen the drivers +on a hot day, or in passing a dry district, spirt a little +water in the Camel's nostrils; they pretend it refreshes them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Camel Riding.</span> +Camel riding is evidently an exercise which +needs getting used to. Mrs. Bowdich says: "High saddles +are placed on their backs; and it requires either to be used +to them, or to be particularly careful, not to be half-killed +at starting. The rider places himself in the saddle while +the animals are kneeling; and when they raise their hind-legs, +which they do first of all, they send the unprepared +traveller forwards, and his breath is almost taken out of him +by the blow which he receives upon his chest; then as they +get upon their fore-legs they throw him back, so as to +endanger his spine. Their pace is at first very disagreeable, +being so long and slouching."</p> + +<p>Captain Riley describes his experiences as follows: "They +placed me on the largest Camel I had yet seen, which was +nine or ten feet in height. The Camels were now all +kneeling or lying down, and mine among the rest. I thought +I had taken a good hold, to steady myself while he was +rising; yet his motion was so heavy, and my strength so far +exhausted, that I could not possibly hold on, and tumbled +off over his tail. Turning entirely over, I came down upon +my feet, which prevented my receiving any material injury, +though the shock to my frame was very severe."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Camel's Revenge.</span> +Mr. Palgrave who combats the idea of the +camel's docility, unless stupidity may be taken +as its synonym, gives a painful illustration of the savagery to +which the camel may be provoked by cruel treatment, though +we doubt if the elephant who is proverbial for his docility +would stand the brutality to which the camel is sometimes +treated. "A lad of about fourteen, had conducted a large +camel laden with wood from one village to another, half an +hour's distance or so. As the animal loitered or turned out +of the way, its conductor struck it repeatedly, and harder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +than it seems to have thought he had any right to do, but +not finding the occasion favourable for taking immediate +quits, it 'bode its time', nor was that time long in coming. +A few days later the same lad had to re-conduct the beast, +but unladen, to his own village. When they were about +half way on the road, and at some distance from any +habitation, the camel suddenly stopped, looked deliberately +round in every direction, to assure itself that no one was in +sight, made a step forward, seized the unlucky boy's head +in his monstrous mouth, and lifting him up in the air, flung +him down again upon the earth with the upper part of his +skull completely torn off, and his brains scattered on the +ground. Having thus satisfied his revenge, the brute quietly +resumed his pace towards the village as though nothing +were the matter, till some men, who had observed the whole, +though unfortunately at too great a distance to be able to +afford timely help, came up and killed it."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Terrors of the Desert.</span> +Terrible stories are told of the sufferings sometimes +experienced by camels and Arabs alike +on desert journeys. Burckhardt gives the following narrative +which is quoted by Captain Brown. "In the month of +August, a small caravan prepared to set out from Berber to +Daraou. They consisted of five merchants and about thirty +slaves, with a proportionate number of camels. Afraid of +the robber Naym, who at that time was in the habit of waylaying +travellers about the wells of Nedjeym, and who had +constant intelligence of the departure of every caravan from +Berber, they determined to take a more easterly road, by +the well of Owareyk. They had hired an Ababde guide, who +conducted them in safety to that place, but who lost his way +from thence northward, the route being little frequented. +After five days' march in the mountains, their stock of water +was exhausted, nor did they know where they were. They +resolved, therefore, to direct their course towards the setting +sun, hoping thus to reach the Nile. After experiencing two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +days' thirst, fifteen slaves and one of the merchants died; +another of them, an Ababde, who had ten camels with him, +thinking that the animals might know better than their masters +where water was to be found, desired his comrades to +tie him fast upon the saddle of his strongest camel, that he +might not fall down from weakness, and thus he parted from +them, permitting his camels to take their own way; but +neither the man nor his camels were ever heard of afterwards. +On the eighth day after leaving Owareyk, the survivors came +in sight of the mountains of Shigre, which they immediately +recognized; but their strength was quite exhausted, and +neither men nor beasts were able to move any farther. +Lying down under a rock, they sent two of their servants, +with the two strongest remaining camels, in search of water. +Before these two men could reach the mountain, one of them +dropped off his camel, deprived of speech, and able only to +move his hands to his comrade as a sign that he desired to +be left to his fate. The survivor then continued his route; +but such was the effect of thirst upon him, that his eyes grew +dim, and he lost the road, though he had often travelled +over it before, and had been perfectly acquainted with it. +Having wandered about for a long time, he alighted under +the shade of a tree, and tied the camel to one of its +branches: the beast, however, smelt the water, (as the Arabs +express it) and, wearied as it was, broke its halter, and set +off galloping in the direction of the spring, which, as afterwards +appeared, was at half an hour's distance. The man, +well understanding the camel's action, endeavoured to follow +its footsteps, but could only move a few yards; he fell exhausted +on the ground, and was about to breathe his last, +when Providence led that way from a neighbouring encampment, +a Bisharye Bedouin, who, by throwing water upon +the man's face, restored him to his senses. They then +went hastily together to the water, filled the skins, and, +returning to the caravan, had the good fortune to find the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +sufferers still alive. The Bisharye received a slave for his +trouble."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Llama.</span> +The Llamas are classified as members of the +Camel Family of which they are the second genus. The +Vicuna (<i>Llama vicugna</i>) of the Peruvian Andes is one of +these. It is a very beautiful animal, combining, as Professor +Cunningham points out, to some extent the characteristics of +the camel, the deer and the goat. Its neck is long and slender +and carried with a graceful curve, and its legs are slight and +elegant, its wool fine and silky. It is a timid animal and +very wary of the approach of danger, seeking safety in flight, +though often falling a victim to the rapacity of the puma, +or the necessities of the Patagonian Indians, who eat its flesh +and clothe themselves in its skin. The Llama, (<i>Llama +peruana</i>) and the Alpaca (<i>Llama pacos</i>) are other species of +this family. The former is used by the Peruvians as a beast +of burden, as it will carry from a hundred-weight to a hundred +weight and a half for fifteen or twenty miles a day. According +to Mrs. Bowdich, at one time 300,000 of these animals +were employed in carrying metal over the rugged mountain +passes for the Potosi mines alone. Like the camel, it refuses +to stir when overloaded, and continues to move at a slow +uniform pace throughout the day. Like camels also, they are +apt to fight among themselves, when the wool flies in an +absurd way, and if not separated, they do each other serious +injury. When offended with their driver they spit in his face, +their saliva being particularly unpleasant. The Alpaca which +is also domesticated is useful for its fleece.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Deer.</span> +There are two families of Deer; that of the +Mouse deer with its mouse-shaped head, and without horns, +and that of the deer proper of which there are more than +fifty species. There are five species of the mouse deer, +genus <i>Tragulus</i>, all of which belong to Asia. They are found +in Java, Penang, Sumatra, Borneo, Cambodia and Siam. +The Indian Chevrotain (<i>Tragulus meminna</i>) is spotted. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> +belongs to Ceylon, though it is said to be common to the +forests of all parts of southern India. Mrs. Bowdich says: +"The smallest of the deer species lives in Ceylon; a lovely +delicate creature, with lustrous eyes and of exquisite form. +When full grown it is only ten inches high, fourteen long, +and weighs about five pounds. Its throat, head and neck are +all white; its body is grey, striped with black, and spotted +at equal distances with yellow. Although very timid it is to +be tamed; but if angry it kicks out its little hind legs and +slender pointed hoofs with great violence. One which was +domesticated, was placed on a dinner table, where it ran +about and nibbled fruit from the dishes, answered to its +name and returned the caresses which were bestowed upon +it." The deer proper, genus <i>cervus</i>, is found all over Europe, +Asia and America, one or two species belonging to the Mediterranean +coasts of Africa. Of these the Red Deer, the +Reindeer, the Moose or Elk, the Fallow Deer and the Roe +buck are the better known species, all of which chew the +cud, have a divided hoof, and shed their horns annually.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Red Deer.</span> +The Red Deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) is still found +in Scotland as well as in the forests of Europe +and Asia and is commonly hunted for sport. The stag is a +timid and apparently highly sensitive animal, but when brought +to bay has often shown a strength and courage which has +cost its hunters dear. It is one of the most beautiful animals +in nature, and combines with its beauty powers of speed and +endurance which are little short of the marvellous. Full grown +it measures four feet six inches in height at the shoulders, +and about five feet six inches in length. The hunting of the +stag in England has been a royal sport for centuries, though +owing to altered conditions it has fallen into disrepute of late +years. The overcrowded state of the country near London, +and the half tame character of the royal stags have rendered +the performances of the Windsor stag hounds an exhibition +more honoured in the breach than in the observance. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +would be difficult indeed to find anything noble or enobling +in the following account of a stag hunt quoted by Captain +Brown with deprecation, from the pages of "The Sporting +Magazine."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Stag Hunt.</span> +"On Monday Nov. 20, 1820, the royal hounds met +at Stoke Common, Bucks, where a remarkably fine +deer was turned out. The field was extremely numerous. +The deer, at starting, showed great sport, taking, at full +speed, through the enclosures, making towards Slough, and +afterwards for Datchet, where he crossed the Thames, and +then took to the right, and again crossed the river. The +deer proceeded up a lane at the back of Eton College, running +with great swiftness into the yard of Mr. Castles, pork +butcher. He boldly proceeded through the house into the +street, with a cur-dog at his heels; and crossing Windsor +Bridge, to the bottom of Thames-street, actually ran up the +Hundred Steps, a steep and winding ascent to the Castle. On +his reaching the top, he made a pause, and then returned into +Thames-street, many of the sportsmen having rode round into +the Castle, with the object of heading him as he came up the +steps. The stag crossed Windsor Bridge again with great +swiftness, and passed down Eton, entered the shop of Mr. +Levy, an orange merchant, making his way in different parts +of the house, till he got into the kitchen, where he remained +some time: a great crowd was collected round the house. +On his leaving the kitchen, he passed through the back way +into gardens. At this time, many hundreds of persons joined +in the chase. This excellent deer, after having performed +these extraordinary feats, and afforded a charming day's sport, +was at last taken in attempting to leap over the high wall +between Eton College and the Fifteen-arch Bridge." In the +open country and in the olden time a stag hunt was, of +course, a very different thing, though the hunting of so sensitive +and so timid an animal as the stag could never be +other than a cruel pastime. Of the speed and endurance of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +the stag a remarkable illustration will be found on page 127. +Many years ago the Duke of Cumberland thought to make +trial of a stag's courage by placing him in an enclosure with +an ounce, or hunting tiger, on Newmarket Heath. The +enclosure was made by a net-work of about fifteen feet high, +and the contest took place in the presence of some thousands +of spectators. On seeing the stag, the ounce crouched down +and prepared to spring, but the stag kept such a steady +front that the ounce, turn as he would, was out-manœuvred +by the stag and could not get a chance of turning his flank. +After a long time the ounce was goaded to the attack by the +order of the Duke, whereupon it leapt, not upon the stag +but over the enclosure and among the people, immediately +crossing the road and entering the wood opposite, where it +fastened upon the haunches of a fallow deer.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tame Stag.</span> +Stags have been tamed and brought largely +under control but they are said to be uncertain +in their temper, probably from their timidity. Many years +ago Lord Oxford trained four red deer stags to draw a +phaeton, and Captain Brown tells an amusing story of an +adventure which befell him while driving his unique team in +the neighbourhood of Newmarket. It happened that as they +were proceeding on the road to Newmarket they heard the +cry of a pack of hounds and immediately the four stags +made off at the top of their speed, followed by the hounds +who had sighted them or scented them from a distance. +The animals were quite beyond control, but on reaching +Newmarket, they ran into the yard of the Ram Inn where +Lord Oxford had been accustomed to take them, and they +were safely housed in a barn when the pack of hounds +came up. Stags have also been trained to play tricks of +various kinds. A tame stag at one time marched with a +Newfoundland dog, with the band of the 42nd Highlanders.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Reindeer.</span> +The Reindeer belongs to the north of Europe +Asia and America, where he is the chief source of comfort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +and wealth of the natives. In Lapland, as the author of +"Tales of Animals" puts it, he supplies the place of the horse, +the cow, the sheep, and the goat. "Alive and dead, the reindeer +is equally subservient to their wants. When he ceases +to exist, spoons are made of his bones, glue of his horns, +bowstrings and thread of his tendons, clothing of his skin, +and his flesh becomes a savoury food. During his life, his +milk is converted into cheese, and he is employed to convey +his owner over the snowy wastes of his native country. Such +is the swiftness of the reindeer that two of them, yoked in +a sledge, will travel a hundred and twelve English miles in +a day." The reindeer will draw about 300 lbs. weight, though +250 lbs. is a sufficient average load. His ordinary pace is +said to be about ten miles an hour and his powers of endurance +are very great. His pace for a short distance is thus +given by Pictet, who took the measurements and tested the +speed of three animals yoked to light sledges. "The first +deer performed 3089 feet, 9 inches, in two minutes, being +at the rate of nearly 19 English miles in an hour, and thus +accomplishing 25 feet, 9 inches, in every second. The second +did the same in three minutes; and the third and last deer, +in three minutes and twenty-six seconds. The ground in this +race was nearly level." The reindeer is gregarious in its +wild state, and retains its social instinct when in a state of +domestication. When travelling, the hindmost animals follow +their leader with dogged persistency, even though the leader +may make a circuit which the followers might avoid by taking +a direct cut. Nor will they accept the guidance of their drivers +in such cases and if dragged out of their course by main force +will return to it as soon as the force is removed. In his own +way, however, the reindeer will follow unerringly though his +leader may be out of sight, moving along with his nose close to +the ground and tracing the way by his scent, which is very keen. +The reindeer is much troubled in the summer time by the +attacks of small flies. De Broke says "The poor animal is thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +tormented to such a degree, that the Laplander, if he were +to remain in the forests during the months of June, July, and +August, would run the risk of losing the greater part of his +herd, either by actual sickness, or from the deer fleeing of their +own accord to mountainous situations to escape the gad-fly. +From these causes, the Laplander is driven from the forests to +the mountains that overhang the Norway and Lapland coasts, +the elevated situations of which, and the cool breezes from +the Ocean, are unfavourable to the existence of these troublesome +insects, which, though found on the coast, are in far +less considerable numbers there, and do not quit the valleys; +so that the deer, by ascending the highlands, can avoid +them." Reindeer are extremely timid when hunted, but if +the hunter can get sufficiently near to strike panic into a herd +they seem to lose all sense but that of fear, and are easily +captured in numbers. Writing of the North American Reindeer, +Sir John Richardson says:—"The Chippewayans, the +Copper Indians, the Dog-ribs, and Hare Indians of the Great +Bear Lake, would be totally unable to inhabit their barren +grounds, were it not for the immense herds of this deer that +exist there. Of the caribou horns they form their fish spears +and hooks; the hide, dressed with the fur on, is excellent +for winter clothing, and supplies the place both of blanket +and feather bed to the inhabitants of these arctic wilds." +Captain Franklin gives the following description of the manner +in which the Dog-rib Indians kill the reindeer. "The +hunters go in pairs, the foremost man carrying in one hand +the horns and part of the skin of the head of a deer, and +in the other a small bundle of twigs, against which he, from +time to time, rubs the horns, imitating the gestures peculiar +to the animal. His comrade follows, treading exactly in his +footsteps, and holding the guns of both in a horizontal position, +so that the muzzles project under the arms of him who +carries the head. Both hunters have a fillet of white skin +round their foreheads, and the foremost has a strip of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +same round his wrists. They approach the herd by degrees, +raising their legs very slowly, but setting them down somewhat +suddenly, after the manner of a deer, and always taking care +to lift their right or left feet simultaneously. If any of the +herd leave off feeding to gaze upon this extraordinary phenomenon, +it instantly stops, and the head begins to play its +part by licking its shoulders, and performing other necessary +movements. In this way the hunters attain the very centre +of the herd without exciting suspicion, and have leisure to +single out the fattest. The hindmost man then pushes forward +his comrade's gun, the head is dropped, and they both +fire nearly at the same instant."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Moose or Elk.</span> +The Moose or Elk is the largest of the Deer +kind, and often attains to and even exceeds the +size and bulk of the largest horses. He is less graceful +than other members of his family, having a short thick neck, +necessary perhaps to sustain his huge antlers, which sometimes +reach five feet in length and weigh as much as sixty +pounds. He escapes the torment of insects by taking to the +water, in which he is an expert swimmer. Like the other +animals of the Deer kind he sheds his horns annually. Year +by year these huge growths increase in breadth and in the +number of branches they bear, until there are sometimes as +many as twenty on each horn. He is docile and easily +tamed, and has been broken to run in harness. The Elk +occupies much the same geographical area as the reindeer, +though not travelling so far north.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Fallow Deer and the Roebuck.</span> +The Fallow Deer (<i>Dama vulgaris</i>) is smaller +than the stag, but similar to it in colour, form, +and habit. It is this species which is domesticated +and kept in the parks of the wealthy in England. +Fallow Deer often quarrel among themselves over rights of +pasturage, the herd dividing into two and engaging in a pitched +battle for the possession of the disputed land. The Roebuck +is smaller than the Fallow Deer, his height being about two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +feet six inches and his length three feet. He is less sociable +than other species of his kind, living alone with his family +and not in herds like the Fallow Deer. He is found in Scotland +and in the northern parts of Europe.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Giraffe.</span> +The Giraffe (<i>Camelopardalis giraffa</i>) belongs +to Abyssinia, Nubia and South-Africa. It is the tallest of +living animals, attaining to the height of eighteen feet. Its +body has some similarity to that of the camel in form, and +its head, which surmounts a neck seven feet long and bears +two horns six inches long, resembles generally that of a horse. +Its tongue, which can be extended seventeen inches, is very +mobile and can be so tapered as to enter a small ring. It +is used in tearing off the foliage of the trees upon which the +animal feeds. Its neck, but for its length, is like that of the +stag, and its legs are slender. The hide is spotted like that +of the leopard and when young is of a light red colour, which +becomes deeper with age, that of the female becoming a +yellow brown and that of the male a dark brown approaching +to black. In repose it lies on its side, resting its head on +its hind quarters. Though only living in a wild state, the +Giraffe is a mild and docile animal, only fighting in self-defence, +and then making powerful use of its heels. The +lion is its great enemy and if it succeeds in leaping upon its +back there is not much chance for the giraffe, which usually +runs until it drops from exhaustion. A blow from the heel +of the Giraffe in the right place would probably kill any of +its enemies, and even the lion has been known to pay dearly +for coming within its reach.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The History of the Giraffe.</span> +The Giraffe was known to the ancients, though, +like the gorilla, it has been re-discovered in +recent years. Le Vaillant saw and described the giraffe, but +he was credited with having invented it, and it was not +until a live specimen of it was brought to Paris that his +credibility was established, Mrs. Bowdich, who happened to +be in Paris at the time this animal arrived, gives an amusing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +description of its triumphal march from Bordeaux to the Capital. +"A deputation from each large town through which she passed," +says Mrs. Bowdich, "formed of the municipal authorities, +met her; and one of the most learned savants went all the +way from the Jardin des Plantes, to accompany her on +her march. 'La giraffe,' however, did not appreciate these +honours, and was often impatient under the etiquette imposed +on her. On one occasion she broke loose from her cavalcade, +keeper and all, and dashing among the horsemen, scattered +them right and left, some on and some off their steeds. A +dignified mayor lay in the dust, and by his side rolled the +painstaking savant who had performed so long a journey in +her service. The enthusiasm did not abate when she reached +her destination. Thirteen thousand more than the usual +weekly number passed over the Pont d'Austerlitz alone; and +as the public curiosity did not but increase for six weeks, +steps were obliged to be taken to prevent the multitude from +pressing upon her. Her love for roses was very great; and +she eagerly snatched them from those who carried or wore +them, to their great astonishment; for few could calculate on +the distance which she could reach." Mr. Gordon Cumming +describes a herd of ten giraffes which he saw moving together +along an African valley, forming an imposing spectacle.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hollow-Horned Ruminants.</span> +We come now to a family of great importance +to the human race, the family which includes +among its members the Ox and the Sheep. +These are grouped as hollow-horned ruminants, this one +touch of nature making the whole family kin. The hollow-horned +ruminants are divided into numerous sub-families, +of which the Ox, the Antelope, the Sheep, and the Goat are +the best known representatives. The horn by which the +family is characterised, comprises a hollow horny sheath which +covers a bony core, and which, except in one case, unlike +the horns of the stag, which are shed annually, is permanent. +Sir Victor Brooke divides the family of the Bovidæ into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +thirteen sub-families. I Bovinæ, II Tragelaphinæ, III Oryginæ, +IV Hippotraginæ, V Gazellinæ, VI Antilocaprinæ, VII Cervicaprinæ, +VIII Cephalophinæ, IX Alcephalinæ, X Budorcinæ, +XI Rupicaprinæ, XII Nemorhedinæ, XIII Caprinæ.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bull, The Bison, and The Buffalo.</span> +The sub-family Bovinæ includes the Bull, the +Bison, and the Buffalo. The antiquity of the +ruminants shrouds their origin in obscurity. They +are of frequent mention in the sacred writings as belonging +to the earliest historic period, and as living in a state of +domestication in all times. The Bull has a very wide geographical +area, and is found in most parts of the world. In +England, as the Rev. J. G. Wood puts it, there are almost +as many breeds as counties, and they are generally distinguished +by the length or shape of their horns. The "long-horned" +breed belong to Lancashire, the "short-horned" +to Durham, the "middle-horned" to Devonshire, besides +which there is the "polled", a hornless breed. Of the Bison +there are two species, one belonging to Poland and the Caucasus, +and the other to North America. The Buffalo belongs +to the south of Europe, to India, and to North Africa, +the Cape Buffalo inhabiting the south of "the dark continent."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bull. The Ox. The Cow.</span> +Few animals show as much difference of disposition +in the male and female as the Bull +and the Cow. The Bull is often excited to ungovernable +fury, is generally unsafe and often dangerous. +These characteristics have doubtless marked him out as the +object of sport in the Roman Amphitheatre and the Spanish +Bull fight. The Cow, on the other hand, displays a gentle +and docile disposition, is placid, mild, and obedient to the +will of those who govern it. The Bull is kept mainly for the +purposes of breeding, being too uncertain for use as a beast +of burden or for other employment. The Ox which is the +subdued offspring of the Bull and the Cow, is much more +amenable to control and therefore a much more useful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +servant to man. The Cow is invaluable for the milk it supplies, +upon which mankind is dependent for butter and for +cheese.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bull.</span> +The Bull is a handsome animal and of great +strength, especially about the head and neck. Its fierceness +has often been turned to account by the farmer, for it is an +excellent animal to dispute a right of way, the force of its +arguments usually bearing down all opposition. It has been +known also to use its strength for the protection of other +animals. "Two robbers," says the author of "Domestic Animals +and their Treatment," "took a pig, weighing fourteen stone, out +of its sty, and drove it along a lane leading towards Rotherham. +On coming to a lonely path across the fields they +thought it would be better to kill the pig at once in this +quiet place, where no one would be likely to hear the cries +of the animal. One of the robbers accordingly took a knife +out of his pocket, and commenced cutting the pig's throat. +The poor pig struggled violently, and managed to escape +from his hands, running squealing into the next field, with +a fearful gash in his throat. The men ran after the pig, but +found in the field a bull grazing, who seemed at once to +understand the state of the case, and took upon himself the +championship of the wounded animal. The bull ran furiously +at the robbers, who fled for their lives, and only just managed +to escape a toss from his horns. They lingered outside the +fence, however, hoping that an opportunity would still offer +of their catching the pig; but the pig wisely kept close to +his new friend, and the men at last were under the mortifying +necessity of going home without their booty. These men +were afterwards convicted of stealing sheep and corn, when +one of them confessed this affair of the pig, and thus explained +what had been a great mystery to the owner, namely, +how it was that his pig came to be in a field at some distance +from the sty, with his throat partly cut, and keeping +close company with the bull." Mr. Byam's "Central America"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +affords another illustration: "A bull had gored so many cattle +that he was lassoed, and his horns blunted at the tips to +prevent further mischief. A few weeks after, a panther (jaguar) +killed a cow; and from the torn condition of the bull's head +and neck, and the trampled state of the ground, he had +evidently done battle for the cow. He was secured, his wounds +plastered up, his horns made sharp again, and turned out +into the savannah. The wild dogs and vultures having been +kept from the body of the cow during the day, the panther +returned to his feast at night, and a furious engagement took +place between him and the bull; for the former was found +dead close by the cow the next morning, pierced through +and through. The bull returned again and again to him with +fury, and was himself again wounded; but his gashes were +sown up, and he remained so fierce that his horns were +obliged to be re-blunted."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Brahmin Bull.</span> +The Brahmin Bull of India, is a sleek, tame +animal of a different species to the ordinary +working ox. He is protected as sacred and allowed more +liberty than is sometimes either convenient or pleasant, as he +is apt to become obtrusive and his devotees fear to check +or thwart him. Sacred as he is he does not believe in the +eighth commandment and so helps himself without scruple to the +wares of the fruiterer and the gardener's preserves.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ox.</span> +The Ox is one of the most useful creatures of +the animal world. It is used as a beast of burden and employed +to draw waggons and to drag the plough in England, and in +a variety of useful labours abroad. "Every part of the Ox +is of value," says the Rev. J. G. Wood. "We eat his flesh, +we wear shoes soled with his skin, our candles are made +from his fat, our tables are joined with glue made from his +hoofs, his hair is mixed with the mortar of our walls, his +horns are made into combs, knife-handles, drinking-cups, etc., +etc., his bones are used as a cheap substitute for Ivory, and +the fragments ground and scattered over the fields as manure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +and soup is made from his tail." The value of the Ox in +drawing waggons abroad may be gathered from the following +quotation from Mr. Gordon Cumming's "Hunting Adventures +in South Africa." "They (the oxen) are expected, unguided +by reins, to hold the rare-trodden roads, which occur throughout +the remoter parts of the Colony, either by day or night; +and so well trained are these sagacious animals, that it is +not uncommon to meet with a pair of fore-oxen which will, +of their own accord, hold the "spoor" or track of a single +waggon, which has perhaps crossed a plain six months previously."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cow.</span> +The Cow after supplying enormous quantities +of milk during life is almost as valuable as the Ox when +dead. It is from the Cow moreover that we get the lymph +used in vaccination, which has proved such a wonderful +safeguard against small-pox. In its quiet way the Cow sometimes +shows sagacity. Mr. Bell gives us the following illustration:—"A +cow which was feeding tranquilly in a pasture, the +gate of which was open to the road, was much annoyed by +a mischievous boy who amused himself by throwing stones +at the peaceful animal, which, after bearing with his impertinence +for some time, at length went up to him, hooked the end +of her horn into his clothes, and lifting him from the ground, +carried him out of the field and laid him down in the road. +She then calmly returned to her pasture, leaving him quit +with a severe fright and a torn garment." Cows have been +taught to graze close to forbidden crops without yielding to +the temptation to eat them.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pride of a Cow.</span> +A writer in Frank Leslie's popular monthly gives +an amusing instance of vanity as shown by a +cow. This cow, he was told, claimed precedence in all cases; +she always went ahead of the herd and claimed the best piece +of pasture as her exclusive domain. So far did she carry +her pretensions, that if any of the other cows entered the +stable before her, she would refuse to follow. Anxious to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> +see this with his own eyes, he desired to be taken to her +stable at evening. The man, instructed how to act, drove in +some of the other cows. The white cow drew up; not only +did she refuse to advance, in spite of all encouraging words, +but her whole frame swelled with anger and offended dignity. +She kept lowing continually. At last the cows within, as +though conscious that they had forgotten their place, began +to come out, and as they were driven out, the proud white +cow, with an evident air of gratified pride, strode in in silence. +It is almost impossible to convey the impression produced +by this exhibition of downright pride, Hidalgo pride, in what +many would call a dumb brute.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bison.</span> +The American Bison is a formidable animal +when engaged alone, and when charging in a pack simply +irresistible. He is about the size of an ox, one measured +by Sir J. Richardson being eight feet six inches in length, +without his tail, and more than six feet in height at his forequarters. +He has an enormous head, surmounted by a huge +hump on his shoulder which is covered in winter with shaggy +mane-like hair. His hinder quarters are comparatively thin +and small, and his colour is a dark brown approaching to black. +Sharp piercing eyes and short powerful horns give him a fierce +appearance and dangerous powers. He has enormous strength +in his head and neck. The Bison is gregarious, associating +in herds many hundreds strong. These herds have been +greatly reduced during late years, but a herd seen by Captains +Lewis and Clerk was numbered by them at not less than +twenty thousand. "Such was the multitude of these animals, +that, although the river, including an island over which they +passed, was a mile in breadth, the herd stretched as thick as +they could swim completely from one side to the other." When +they join in a stampede, they are said to rush over the plains +like a cataract, with a noise resembling that of thunder. Captain +Brown says, "Bison generally prefer the open plains, and +do not resort to woods, except when attacked; they seldom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +attempt to defend themselves, but almost invariably take to +flight. They are extremely fleet, and their sense of smell is +so acute, that they discover an enemy at a great distance, +so that it is difficult to get near them. They are frequently +hunted by the natives, who live principally on their flesh. +When the hunters kill an old dam, they pay no attention +to the calf, as it is sure to remain by its dead mother. +Instances have been known of a mother entering the town +of Cincinnati, followed by its calves. Many of them fall +victims to wolves and grizzly bears. Their beef is of an +excellent quality, and of a very superior flavour."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hunting the Bison.</span> +Hunting the Bison is both a popular sport +and a lucrative commercial enterprise. The +Indians hunt them for their skins, which they sell as "Buffalo +robes," the Bison being commonly called a Buffalo by them, +as well as for food. The Rev. J. G. Wood says, "The +hunters take advantage of the gregarious instincts of this +animal, and hunt them when they are collected together in +their vast herds, which blacken the face of the prairie for +miles. Sometimes they form in line, and drive the herd to +the edge of some tall cliff, over which they fall in hundreds, +those behind pushing on those in the van; or sometimes +they form a large circle, driving the animals into a helpless +and leaderless mass, into which the hunters spring, leaving +their horses, and treading with the skill of rope-dancers on +the backs of the bewildered bisons, whom they slaughter as +they pass, stepping from one to the other, and driving the +sharp blade of their spear through the spine of the animal +whose back they have just quitted. When only wounded +the Bison is a most dangerous antagonist, and rushes on its +enemy with the most determined ferocity."</p> + +<p>The Eastern Bison lives in the forests of Bialowesha in +Lithuania under the protection of the Czar of Russia. The +numbers are much smaller than those of North-America but +they are said to be more fierce.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Buffalo.</span> +The Buffalo, which must not be confused with +the Bison, is similar in appearance to an ox, which it often +exceeds in size. It has no hump on its shoulder as the +Bison has, but it has much longer horns, horns that often +measure three feet in length, and is much fiercer in their use. +The Indian Buffalo will attack the hunter when it is brought to +bay, and unless the hunter can despatch him as he approaches, +there is no chance for him at close quarters. These Buffaloes, +however, may be tamed and are often trained to and employed +in useful service.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hunting the Indian Buffalo.</span> +Captain Brown gives the following account of +a Buffalo hunt which took place at Keshennagar, +in Hindostan, when four gentlemen on horseback +chased a herd of seven buffaloes and a calf for a long distance. +"After having followed them three miles, the young one separated +from the herd, and joined some tame cattle belonging to a +neighbouring village. It was killed by the party, who afterwards +continued the pursuit of the old ones, when they +were overtaken in a high grass jungle four miles farther off. +They were quickly driven from this place, and closely followed +for more than six miles over a plain: at length the party +succeeded in separating one buffalo from the herd. Here +the encounter began. After receiving several wounds, he +still continued his flight; he suddenly halted, and kept his +pursuers at bay; after a short interval he again fled, and was +pursued and wounded as before, carrying the spears sticking +in his back and sides for several hundred yards. Lieutenant +White, of the 15th Native Infantry, rode up very close to +him, threw his spear, and wounded the animal in the loins. +His horse being much exhausted, was unable to wheel round +before the buffalo turned about and charged with such vigour, +that both horse and rider were overthrown, and lay many yards +distant. Fortunately, the lieutenant received no material injury; +and when the animal approached he had the presence of +mind to lie flat on his back. The beast approached, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +stood at his feet, without offering any violence. The other +sportsmen called repeatedly to their companion to arise and +escape. For some time, however, he disregarded the advice, +fearful of the consequences; at length, in compliance with +their entreaty, he arose; the buffalo instantly rushed forward, +but Mr. White escaped by throwing himself down; while the +enraged beast, missing his aim, fell on the ground, his horns +grazing Mr. White's back, as he passed over him. After this +lucky escape, he seized the favourable opportunity, and +regained his horse. The buffalo then took refuge in a tank; +and when his former opponent joined his companions, who +were standing upon the bank, the animal issued forth, and +selecting Lieutenant White for the object of its vengeance, +pursued him to a considerable distance. The animal was +now rendered quite furious, and attacked everything within +his reach, such as cows and dogs. Unfortunately, an old +woman returning from market passed, and became the victim +of his rage; she was taken up without any appearance +of life, having her arms broken, and many wounds. The +cavalry being, from fatigue, <i>hors de combat</i>, could not renew +the attack; and the buffaloes, whose system was retreat, having +gained a victory, now continued their course without molestation."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cape Buffalo.</span> +The Cape Buffalo is the fiercest of the Bull +family. He will charge a lion or a tiger and +often come off victor in the strife. According to Mr. Pringle +he is considerably larger than the domestic ox; the bony +pad on his forehead making a complete helmet, and it is impossible +to pierce him with bullets which have not been +hardened by tin. He is said to be fierce, treacherous, and +savage; and even when not provoked, to attack any man who +strays near his haunts, skulking in the jungle when he sees +him approach, and then suddenly rushing out upon him. +Having tossed his enemy to his heart's content or thrown him +down, he will trample and gore him, tearing off his skin with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +his tongue, until he is shockingly mutilated. He is one of +the few animals which seem to cherish the spirit of revenge.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hunting the Cape Buffalo.</span> +Mr. Pringle gives the following description of +a Cape Buffalo hunt. "A party of boers had +gone out to hunt a herd of buffaloes which were grazing on +a piece of marshy ground. As they could not get within shot +of the game without crossing part of the marsh, which was +not safe for the horses, they agreed to leave them in charge +of the Hottentots, and advance on foot, thinking that if any +of the buffaloes should turn upon them, it would be easy to +escape by retreating across the quagmire, which, though +passable for man, would not support the weight of a heavy +quadruped. They advanced accordingly, and, under a covert +of the bushes, approached the game with such advantage that +the first volley brought down three of the fattest of the herd, +and so severely wounded the great bull leader that he dropped +on his knees, bellowing furiously. Thinking him mortally +wounded, the foremost of the huntsmen issued from the covert, +and began reloading his musket as he advanced to give him +a finishing shot. But no sooner did the infuriated animal +see his foe in front of him, than he sprang up and rushed +headlong upon him. The man, throwing down his heavy +gun, fled towards the quagmire; but the beast was so close +upon him that he despaired of escaping in that direction, +and turning suddenly round a clump of copsewood, began +to climb an old mimosa tree which stood at one side of it. +The raging beast, however, was too quick for him. Bounding +forward with a roar which my informant described as +being one of the most frightful sounds he ever heard, he +caught the unfortunate man with his terrible horns just as +he had nearly escaped his reach, and tossed him into the +air with such force that the body fell, dreadfully mangled, +into a cleft of the tree. The buffalo ran round the tree once +or twice, apparently looking for the man, until, weakened +with loss of blood, he again sank on his knees. The rest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +of the party, recovering from their confusion, then came up +and despatched him, though too late to save their comrade, +whose body was hanging in the tree quite dead."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Zebu.</span> +The Zebu is found in India, China, Arabia, +Persia and Africa. It is of about the same size as a cow, +but is distinguished by the possession of a hump upon its +shoulders, giving it some resemblance to the Bison. It is used +both for riding and driving in India, where it admirably serves +the purposes of a horse, travelling at the rate of six miles an +hour for many hours at a stretch and leaping obstacles with +the facility of a practised hunter. It is also used for ploughing +land and threshing corn.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Yak.</span> +The Yak belongs to Western Thibet. It is of +singular appearance, having the head of a bull and the hump +of a Bison, and being covered with long hair reaching almost +to the ground. In a wild state it is savage and dangerous, +but it is brought under cultivation by the Tartars, who use +it as a beast of burden and make ropes and garments from +its hair. The female yields rich milk from which excellent +butter is made; butter which is stored in bladders from which +the air is excluded. It is then carried to market by the faithful +animal which has produced it.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Antelopes.</span> +The Antelopes are numerous in kind and +various in form, too numerous and various to be separately +described. The Eland, the largest and heaviest of the +species, belongs to South Africa; the Bosch-bok, to South and +Central Africa, the Harnessed Antelope to West Africa; and +the Nylghau to India. The Leucoryx and the Addax are +found in North Africa, the Equine Antelopes in tropical Africa +and the Cape. The Pallah herds in South Africa. The +Prong-horned Antelope belongs to North America, inhabiting the +Rocky Mountains and the districts both north and south. The +Bay Antelope is found on the Gold Coast, the Four-horned +Antelope in India. The Gnu or Wildebeest belongs to South +Africa and the Chamois and the Izard to the Pyrenees.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Gazelle.</span> +The Gazelle, of which there are numerous species, +belongs to Syria, Egypt and Algeria. It is a beautiful animal, +resembling a roebuck, but more delicately and finely limbed, +with hair equally short, but finer and more glossy. It has a +small tuft of hair on each of its fore limbs. Of all animals +in the world, gazelles are said to have the most beautiful +eyes—extremely brilliant, and yet meek and expressive. Their +swiftness is equal to that of the roe; they do not, however, +bound forward like the roe, but run along in an even, uninterrupted +course. Most of them are brown upon the back, +white under the belly with a black stripe separating these +colours. Their horns are annulated or ringed round.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sheep and the Goat.</span> +The sheep, so useful to man, furnishing him +with both food and clothing, is one of the most +defenceless and inoffensive of all animals. The goat is more +hardy, more playful, lively, and vagrant than the sheep. It +delights in climbing precipices, for which nature has fitted +it, by giving it hoofs hollow underneath, with sharp edges, +so that it walks securely on narrow ridges. Both animals have +been known from the earliest times, and are frequently mentioned +in the Sacred Writings. Of the different kinds of sheep, +the common sheep, the long-tailed sheep and the Wallachian +sheep are typical varieties. The common sheep provides us +with our chief supplies of wool. The wool of the Spanish +sheep (the merino) is finer in quality, but much less in quantity. +The long-tailed sheep belongs to Syria and Egypt, and +the Wallachian sheep to Crete, Wallachia, Hungary, and +Western Asia. This last has long horns, and its wool is +mixed with hair. The musk sheep of Arctic America resembles +the yak somewhat in appearance, though minus the hump and +with horns more resembling those of the buffalo. It is sometimes +called the musk ox. The goat is not much used in +England, but it is practically the cow of Syria and Switzerland. +The Cashmir goat produces the fine wool so much valued for +shawl material; the kid, the materials so largely used by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +glove makers. The ibex belongs to the Carpathians, the +Pyrenees, and the Savoy Alps, though it is now but rarely +found in places where it was once abundant.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Intelligence of the Sheep.</span> +Mr. W. H. G. Kingston tells an interesting +story of a ewe, bred in the neighbourhood of +Sheep. Edinburgh who was driven into Perthshire, a +distance of upwards of a hundred miles, to a place where +she became the mother of a lamb. Not liking her new +quarters, she evidently determined to revisit the old, and set +off with that purpose, taking her lamb with her. Arrived at +Stirling she found the place alive with the excitement of an +annual fair. Not deeming it prudent to increase the excitement +she rested on the north side of the town throughout +the day, where she was noticed by many people, but molested +by none. Early the following morning she crossed the town +and proceeded on her journey. Arrived at the toll bar of +St. Ninians, she was stopped by the toll keeper who supposed +her to be a stray sheep. Unable to get through the gate, +she turned back, made a circuitous detour and reached her +old home after a journey of nine days. Her former owner +rewarded her by repurchasing her and allowing her to remain +on his farm until her death, which occurred at the mature age +of seventeen years. The sense of locality noticed in the cat, +the dog, the horse, and other animals is here seen to be +characteristic of the sheep. Mr. Kingston tells another story +of a ewe who, unable to extricate a lamb which had become +entangled in a hedge, made her way through several hedges +into a neighbouring field and fetched a ram to its assistance, +thus effecting its liberation. Sheep have also been known to +seek and secure the assistance of cattle when in difficulty.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Sheep and Music.</span> +Haydn the composer tells a pretty story of the +power of music over the mountain sheep in the +neighbourhood of Lago Maggiore in Lombardy. "Having +reached the middle of the ascent by daybreak," he says, "we +stopped to contemplate the Borromean Isles, which were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +displayed under our feet, when we were surrounded by a +flock of sheep, which were leaving their fold to go to pasture. +One of our party, who was no bad performer on the flute, +and who always carried the instrument with him, took it out +of his pocket. 'I am going,' said he, 'to turn Corydon; +let us see whether Virgil's sheep will recognise their pastor.' +He began to play. The sheep and goats, which were following +one another towards the mountain with their heads +hanging down, raised them at the first sound of the flute, +and all, with a general and hasty movement, turned to the +side from whence the agreeable noise proceeded. They gradually +flocked round the musician, and listened with motionless +attention. He ceased playing, and the sheep did not stir. +The shepherd with his staff now obliged them to move on; +but no sooner did the fluter begin again than his innocent +auditors again returned to him. The shepherd, out of patience, +pelted them with clods of earth; but not one of them would +move. The fluter played with additional skill; the shepherd +fell into a passion, whistled, scolded, and pelted the poor +creatures with stones. Such as were hit by them began to +march, but the others still refused to stir. At last the shepherd +was forced to entreat our Orpheus to stop his magic +sounds; the sheep then moved off, but continued to stop at +a distance as often as our friend resumed the agreeable +instrument. As music was our continual employment, we +were delighted with our adventure; we reasoned upon it the +whole day, and concluded that physical pleasure is the basis +of all interest in music."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER VIII.<br /> +The Elephant.</span> +Of the elephant there is now but one genus +and two species; respectively the Indian and +the African varieties. At least fourteen species are known to +be extinct.</p> + +<p>The elephant is the largest of the quadrupeds; his height +is from eight to fourteen feet; his length is ten to fifteen +feet. His form resembles that of a hog; his eyes are small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +and lively; his ears are broad, long, and pendulous. He has +two large tusks, and a trunk or proboscis at the extremity +of the nose, which he uses to take his food with, and, in +case of necessity, for attack or defence. His legs are thick +and long, and his feet are divided into five rounded toes. +His colour is a dark ash brown. There are elephants, +however, of a white or cream colour. The African is distinguished +from the Indian variety by the size of its ears, +which in the African species are very large. Dr. Livingstone +gave the measurement of the ears of a female he killed, as +four feet five inches in depth and four feet in horizontal +breadth, and said he had seen a native creep under one so +as to be completely covered from the rain. The ear of the +Indian variety is not more than a third of this size. Generally +the elephants of Africa and especially those of the +south are larger than those of India. The most striking +characteristic of the elephant is his trunk. "In this," says the +Rev. J. G. Wood, "there are about forty thousand muscles, +enabling the elephant to shorten, lengthen, coil up, or move +in any direction this most extraordinary organ. The trunk is +pierced throughout its length by two canals, through which +liquids can be drawn by suction. If the elephant wishes +to drink, after drawing the liquid into its trunk, it inserts +the end of its proboscis into its mouth, and discharges the +contents down its throat; but if it merely wishes to wash +itself or play, it blows the contained liquid from the trunk +with great violence. Through the trunk the curious trumpet-like +voice of the elephant is produced. At the extremity is +a finger-like appendage, with which it can pick up small objects." +The elephant is thirty years old before he attains +maturity. He lives on foliage, herbs, and fruits, having a special +taste for those which are sweet.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wild Elephant.</span> +The elephant is naturally a quiet and inoffensive +animal, and being gifted with an unusually keen +scent and sense of hearing, will usually decamp on the approach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +of danger. If wounded, however, he will sometimes turn upon +his aggressor with terrible vengeance. Mr. Burchell, the South +African traveller, gives a painful illustration of this. He says:—"Carl +Krieger was a fearless hunter, and being an excellent +marksman, often ventured into the most dangerous situations. +One day having, with his party, pursued an elephant which +he had wounded, the irritated animal suddenly turned round, +and singling out from the rest the person by whom he had +been injured, seized him with his trunk, and lifting his wretched +victim high in the air, dashed him with dreadful force +to the ground. His companions, struck with horror, fled +precipitately from the fatal scene, unable to look back upon +the rest of the dreadful tragedy; but on the following day +they repaired to the spot, where they collected the few bones +that could be found, and buried them. The enraged animal +had not only literally trampled Krieger's body to pieces, but +did not feel its vengeance satisfied till it had pounded the +very flesh and bones into the dust, so that nothing of the +unfortunate man remained excepting a few of the latter, +which made most resistance from their size." Another elephant +seized a soldier of the Royal African Corps, threw him +down, brought his four feet together and stamped upon him +until he was dead; then seizing the body with his trunk, +threw it into the jungle.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Elephant Herds.</span> +Major Skinner in a communication made to +Sir E. Tennant gives the following graphic description +of the actions of a herd of elephants he watched on one +occasion in the north of Ceylon. Knowing that from the +scarcety of water at that time and place a large herd of +elephants which he knew to be in the neighbourhood must +visit a certain pool during the night he made his preparations +accordingly. He says:—"Having ordered the fires of my +camp to be extinguished at an early hour, and all my followers +to retire to rest, I took up my post of observation on +an overhanging bough; but I had to remain for upwards of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +two hours before anything was to be seen or heard of the +elephants, although I knew they were within 500 yards of +me. At length, about the distance of 300 yards from the +water, an unusually large elephant issued from the dense cover, +and advanced cautiously across the open ground to within +100 yards of the tank, where he stood perfectly motionless. +So quiet had the elephants become (although they had been +roaring and breaking the jungle throughout the day and +evening) that not a movement was now to be heard. The +huge vidette remained in his position, still as a rock, for a +few minutes, and then made three successive stealthy advances +of several yards (halting for some minutes between each, with +ears bent forward to catch the slightest sound), and in this +way he moved slowly up to the water's edge. Still he did +not venture to quench his thirst; for though his forefeet were +partially in the tank, and his vast body was reflected clear +in the water, he remained for some minutes listening in perfect +stillness. Not a motion could be perceived in himself +or his shadow. He returned cautiously and slowly to the +position he had at first taken up on emerging from the forest. +Here in a little while he was joined by five others, with which +he again proceeded as cautiously but less slowly than before, +to within a few yards of the tank, and then posted his patrols. +He then re-entered the forest and collected around him the +whole herd, which must have amounted to between eighty +and a hundred individuals, led them across the open ground +with the most extraordinary composure and quietness till he +joined the advance guard, when he left them for a moment +and repeated his former reconnaissance at the edge of the +tank. After which and having apparently satisfied himself +that all was safe, he returned and obviously gave the order +to advance, for in a moment the whole herd rushed into the +water with a degree of unreserved confidence, so opposite to +the caution and timidity which had marked their previous +movements, that nothing will ever persuade me that there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +not rational and preconcerted co-operation throughout the +whole party, and a degree of responsible authority exercised +by the patriarch leader.</p> + +<p>"When the poor animals had gained possession of the tank +(the leader being the last to enter), they seemed to abandon +themselves to enjoyment without restraint or apprehension +of danger. Such a mass of animal life I had never before +seen huddled together in so narrow a space. It seemed to +me as if they would have nearly drunk the tank dry. I +watched them with great interest until they had satisfied +themselves as well in bathing as in drinking, when I tried +how small a noise would apprise them of the proximity of +unwelcome neighbours. I had but to break a little twig, and +the solid mass instantly took flight like a herd of frightened +deer, each of the smaller calves being apparently shouldered +and carried along between two of the older ones. In drinking, +the elephant, like the camel, although preferring water +pure, shows no decided aversion to it when discoloured with +mud; and the eagerness with which he precipitates himself +into the tanks and streams attests his exquisite enjoyment of +the fresh coolness, which to him is the chief attraction. In +crossing deep rivers, although his rotundity and buoyancy +enable him to swim with a less immersion than other quadrupeds, +he generally prefers to sink till no part of his huge +body is visible except the lip of his trunk through which he +breathes, moving beneath the surface, and only now and +then raising his head to look that he is keeping the proper +direction."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Elephant Friendships.</span> +The affection shown by elephants for each +other has often had pathetic illustration. Two +elephants, male and female, which had been brought separately +to Paris, were placed in adjoining apartments divided by a +portcullis. The male soon discovered that this was fastened +by a bolt well within his reach, and hastily withdrawing it rushed +into the other apartment. The meeting is described as indescribable.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +Their cries of joy, says Mrs. Bowdich, shook +the whole building, and they blew air from their trunks +resembling the blasts from smiths' bellows. The female moved +her ears with great rapidity, and entwined her trunk round +the body of the male. The male encircled her with his +trunk and shed tears.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Elephant's Sagacity.</span> +The sagacity of the elephant has been said +sometimes to equal that of the dog. A striking +illustration of it is related in Pettit's work on the +Tinnevelly Missions. "While the large chapel at Nagercoil +was building the missionaries obtained the loan of a trained +elephant for drawing the larger timber used in its erection. +The late Mrs. Mault kindly saw the animal regularly fed, +lest the food should be stolen by the attendant. One day +the allowance of rice seemed very deficient in quantity, and +the good lady expostulated on the subject with the keeper. +Raising his hands to heaven, the man loudly, and with great +apparent earnestness and sincerity, repudiated the idea of +his having taken any of the rice. 'Do you think, madam, +that I would rob my child? No, never! no more than I +would deprive my own children of their daily food.' While +he was speaking and gesticulating, the intelligent creature, +slyly extending his trunk, unfastened the man's waist-cloth, +spilling the missing rice, which had been concealed in a corner +of the cloth, and exposing the dishonesty of the attendant."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Centenarian Elephant.</span> +Some years ago there was an elephant who was +known to be a hundred years old, named Soupramany, +or Old Soup as he was called, who +lived upon the banks of the Ganges near the city of Cawnpore. +On one occasion Old Soup was engaged with a number +of other elephants and a party of soldiers, under the +direction of Major Daly, in loading a ship with bags of rice. +While the work was proceeding one of the elephants began +to throw the bags into the river, and it was found that the +animal had gone mad. Having killed his keeper the elephant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> +started in pursuit of the major's children who with their +nurses had been watching the elephants at work. Old Soup +seemed to realize the situation at once. He dashed in between +the mad elephant and the children and engaged the +infuriated beast in mortal combat. The fight lasted for an +hour and a half and when the mad elephant lay dying on +the ground it was found that Old Soup had many wounds +to remind him of the fray, his ears were badly torn, his +head was bruised, and one of his tusks was broken off short.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">An Elephant Nurse.</span> +Elephants are most affectionate animals and +can be trusted even to take care of children. +Old Soup whose gallant fight recorded above gained him +great fame, became the daily guardian of Major Daly's +children, whom he had so heroically rescued. He would +accompany them down to the riverside when they went +fishing, and could himself hold a rod and line, which the +children baited for him, watching the float and landing the +fish as skilfully as an accomplished angler.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Elephant's Intelligence.</span> +As we have seen in the case of a dog and +that of a monkey, animals sometimes rise to +the intelligence of willingly submitting to painful +surgical treatment in view of cure. Mr. Kingston tells +of an elephant, which had been severely wounded, and which +used to go alone to the hospital and extend itself so that +the surgeon could easily reach the injured part. Mr. Kingston +says: "Though the pain the animal suffered, was so severe +that he often uttered the most plaintive groans, he never +interrupted the operation, but exhibited every token of submission +to the surgeon till his cure was effected." Another +instance given by Mr. Kingston is even more remarkable if +only for its analogy to human conduct. A young elephant +had a severe wound in its head, which it had gained on +the battle-field. "Nothing could induce it to allow the +injury to be attended to. At length by certain signs and +words, the keeper explained to the mother what was wanted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +The sagacious animal immediately seized the young one with +her trunk, and though it groaned with agony, held it to the +ground, while the surgeon was thus enabled to dress the +wound. Day after day she continued to act in the same +way till the wound was perfectly healed." There is surely +no stronger proof of intelligence than that afforded when +present suffering is willingly endured for the sake of future +good.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER IX.<br /> +The Coney.</span> +The Coney is a small animal, but it is an +animal of distinction. It has been classed with +the Rodents and with the Pachyderms but its characteristics +are so unique that it is thought better to give it a separate +order, and this is placed between the Elephants and the +Rodents. The coney resembles the rabbit in size and general +form, perhaps more than any other animal. There are a +number of species belonging to one genus, the genus Hyrax: +In Psalm CIV, 18, the writer says the rocks are a refuge for +the conies, and Agur puts the coney with three other animals +which are both little and wise. "The conies are but a feeble +folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks (Proverbs <span class="smcap">XXX</span>, +26). This description applies to the Syrian Hyrax of our day +as truly as it did to that of the Psalmists time. The coney +is found all over Africa. According to Dr. Kirk it lives +in colonies at Mozambique, where it is often trapped and +eaten.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER X.<br /> +The Rodents:<br />Animals that Gnaw.</span> +The Rodents are more numerous and various +than other class of mammals: There are +said to be 800 or more varieties. These are +divided into two sub-orders: I, The Simplicidentati +and, II, the Duplicidentati. Those of the first sub-order +have two incisor teeth in the upper jaw; those of the +second have four. The Simplicidentati include mice, rats, +jerboas, beavers, squirrels, chinchillas, porcupines, guinea +pigs, &c.; the Duplicidentati includes the numerous varieties of +hares and rabbits.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Rats and Mice.</span> +There are more than 300 varieties of rats and +mice, and they are found almost everywhere. +The rat is an irrepressible stowaway, and following toothsome +cargoes on board ship has made his way nearly all over the +world. This may be said, in a less degree, of the mouse. +The better known varieties of rats are the Brown Rat, the +Black Rat, the Water Rat, the Beaver Rat, the Musk Rat, +the Lemming, the Pouched Rat, &c., &c. The principal +varieties of the mouse are, the House Mouse, the Fieldmouse, +the Harvest Mouse, the African Mouse and the Dormouse.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Rat Family.</span> +The brown rat is the species common in +England, and best known throughout the world. +It is said to have travelled from Persia to England less than +two hundred years ago and to have spread from thence to +other countries visited by English ships. It measures about +nine inches, and is of a light brown colour. It multiplies +very fast and once colonised is very difficult of extermination. +It is larger and stronger than the black rat which it found +in England when it came and which it has almost entirely +destroyed and replaced. The brown rat is often mistaken +for the water rat as it will take to the water on occasion +and is often found in ditches and watery places. The water +rat is common to central and northern Europe and is well +known in England and Scotland. It differs little from the +brown rat in appearance, and inhabits the banks of rivers +and ponds. The black rat is of a deep iron grey, or nearly +black. It is about seven inches long and in other respects +bears a close resemblance to the brown rat. The beaver +rat is a native of America and measures about fourteen +inches exclusive of tail. It resembles the beaver in form, is +fond of the water and swims well. At the approach of winter +it builds itself little dome-topped houses, in which it hibernates +in families. In the spring its flesh is good eating, but later +it acquires a musk-like flavour which is disagreeable. It is +easily tamed when young. The Muskovy musk rat is about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> +the size of the common rat; it has a long and slender +nose; no external ears; and very small eyes; the tail is +compressed sideways, and its hind feet are webbed; it is of +a dusky colour; the belly is of a light ash. It is a native of +Lapland and Russia, in the former of which countries it is +called the Desman; it frequents the banks of rivers, and feeds +on small fish. The Hudson's Bay lemming is covered by +very fine soft and long hair of an ash colour. In winter it is +white. The limbs are quite short and the fore feet being +formed for burrowing, are very strong. The Lapland lemming +resembles the preceding and is remarkable for its extensive +migrations. When a severe winter is approaching, the lemmings +migrate southward, and move in a straightforward +direction with such inflexible regularity, that, sooner than +deviate from it, they will perish in attempting to pass over +any obstacle which they may find in their way. The pouched +rat belongs to America and is found in Florida, Georgia, and +Missouri. It is brown in colour and lives in burrows under +ground. The cheek pouches are external and are said to +be used for the purpose of carrying food and also of removing +sand loosened in the process of burrowing.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Hamster.</span> +The hamster is a curious little rat-like animal +of the thrifty kind, that lays up store in the +summer for winter use. It lives in burrows which it connects +with various apartments, used as storehouses for food. On +the approach of the cold weather it closes the entrance to +its burrow, and makes a nest of straw in which it sleeps; +becoming torpid in extreme cold.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Swarms of Rats.</span> +The rapidity with which rats multiply, makes +them troublesome and unpleasant neighbours. In +the vicinity of the horse slaughter-houses at Montfaucon, +near Paris, some years ago, they had become so numerous +that the proposal to remove the slaughter houses was +opposed on the ground of the danger that would accrue to +the inhabitants from the rats being deprived of their means<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +of subsistence. It was said that the carcases of thirty-five +horses, if left unprotected, would be eaten by these rats in +one night, the bones being picked clean. On one occasion, +the carcases of three horses were placed in a high walled +enclosure, small holes having been made in the walls for the +admission of the rats, and subsequently stopped up. Several +men armed with torches and sticks, then entered the yard, +which was so full of rats that they could strike right and +left without aim and yet be sure of destroying them. Two +thousand six hundred and fifty rats fell victims to this experiment +in one night. At the end of a month, the experiment +having been several times repeated, sixteen thousand and +fifty rats had been killed. The danger accruing from the +burrowing of such enormous quantities of rats is by no means +slight.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Invaded by Rats</span> +The story of Bishop Hatto and the invasion +of the "Mäusethurm" on the Rhine by rats, is +well known if not entirely authentic. Some idea of what it would +be to be invaded by rats, may be gathered from Mrs. +Bowdich's graphic account of her own painful experiences. +"When living in Cape Coast Castle, I used to see the rats +come in troops past my door, walking over my black boys +as they lay there, and who only turned themselves over to +present the other sides of their faces and bodies when the +rats returned, and thought it a good joke. The fiercest +encounter which I ever had with them was during one of +those terrific storms which are more furious between the +tropics than elsewhere. I was then, however, under the +Equator, in a native hut, and heard an exceeding rustling +and movement all around me. To my terror I perceived +that these proceeded from a number of rats running up and +down the sides of the room in which I was to pass the night, +and who shortly began to run over me, they being disturbed +by the torrents of rain which were then falling. The only +weapon I could find was a shoe, and curling myself into a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +large arm-chair taken out of a French vessel, and covered +with blue satin damask, I sat prepared for my enemies, whom +I dreaded much more than the lightning, which was flashing +across the iron bars laid upon the floor. I felt that the silk +of my place of refuge was some sort of protection against +this; but my own arm could alone save me from my four-footed +foes. Presently my husband came in, and saluted me +with a shout of laughter, which, however, abated when he +saw my antagonists. The storm lulled for a while, and the +rats retreated. We then crept within the curtains of bamboo +cloth which encircled a rude imitation of a fourpost bedstead, +but I kept possession of my shoe. Weary with watching, I +closed my eyes, but was awakened by a tremendous flash of +lightning, immediately followed by awful thunder and a +tumultuous rush of rats. Some of them scrambled up the +outside of the curtains; but, arms in hand, I sat up, and +directed by the noise, I hurled the invaders to the ground, +till at length resistance and the passing away of the storm +allowed me to sleep in peace." This was the brown rat so +familiar all over the world.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Migrations of Rats.</span> +The habit of rats to migrate in numbers, apparently +well ordered, and under leadership, has +often been noticed, and the way in which they will leave a +burning house or a sinking ship has often been recorded. These +companies will as a rule pass on their own way, and mind +their own business if unmolested, but instances are recorded +of their attacking and severely biting those who have opposed +their progress. The Rev. Mr. Ferryman, who resided at Quorn +in Leicestershire and who made somewhat of a study of rats, +was walking in a meadow one evening when he observed a +large number of rats in the act of migrating from one place +to another. He stood perfectly still, and the whole assemblage +passed close to him. His astonishment, however, was +great when he saw amongst the number an old, blind rat, +which held one end of a piece of stick in its mouth while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +another rat had hold of the other end of it, and thus conducted +its blind companion.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Intelligence of Rats.</span> +Some remarkable illustrations of the intelligence +of rats have been recorded from time to time. +The following which occurred recently seems to +show both thought and reason. A Burley rat found a dead +hen in a field, one evening, and departed to inform his +brethren of the discovery, when a gentleman, who afterwards +reported the incident to the Leeds <i>Evening Post</i>—removed +the prize, which the speedy return of half-a-dozen rats was +too late to secure. The first rat plainly evinced his disappointment, +but his friends suspected him of hoaxing them, +turned upon him suddenly, and in a few moments he was +as dead as the chicken which had disappeared, and was left +lying on almost the same spot which it had occupied. Captain +Brown tells the following story of the ingenuity of the rat in +self-preservation. "During the great flood of September, the 4th, +1829, when the river Tyne was at its height, a number of +people were assembled on its margin. A swan at last appeared, +having a black spot on its plumage, which the spectators were +surprised to find, on a nearer approach, was a live rat. It +is probable it had been borne from its domicile on some hay +rick, and, observing the swan, had made for it as an ark of +safety. When the swan reached the land, the rat leapt from +its back, and scampered away."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Saved by a Rat.</span> +Perhaps no better example of the intelligence +of the rat could be given than that afforded by +the incident quoted by Jesse from Mr. Ferryman. Mr. Ferryman +records that he had an old friend, a clergyman, of +retired and studious habits. When sitting in his room one +day, he saw an English rat come out of a hole at the bottom +of the wainscot; and threw it a piece of bread. In process +of time, he so familiarised the animal, that it became perfectly +tame, ran about him, was his constant companion, and +appeared much attached to him. He was in the habit of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +reading in bed at night; and was on one occasion awoke +by feeling a sharp bite on his cheek, when he discovered +the curtains of his bed to be on fire. He made his escape, +but his house was burnt down, and he saw no more of his +rat. He was, however, convinced, and remained so for the +rest of his life, that his old companion had saved him from +being burnt to death, by biting his cheek; and thus making +him aware of his danger.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mouse.</span> +The mouse is a much more popular animal +than the rat, though taking its size and numbers into account +it is scarcely less destructive. No one weeps when the rat +suffers capital punishment, but many a tear has been shed +over a "dear little mouse". The house mouse is too well +known to need description. Like rats, mice appear to act in +companies, either under leadership or by common consent. +Mrs. Bowdich describes a number of mice which she observed +during an illness frequently emerge from her bed-room closet +and gravely form themselves into a circle and apparently +hold a council. That they frequently combine to effect +purposes which they are unable to accomplish singly is well +known. Mrs. Bowdich describes an attempt made by a +combined force of mice to get possession of the dainties +provided for her as she approached convalescence. These +were placed under tin covers upon a chest of drawers, and +the mice were evidently of opinion that if they could only +climb to the top of these covers they would find them open +like a basin, and so effect an entry. Unable to gain a footing +on the smooth metal sides, "they mounted upon each other's +shoulders and so accomplished the feat", though like arctic +explorers they failed to find an open sea and were compelled +to return with disappointment. An organised attempt to +remove a cover from the bottom, when, on one occasion, it +had not been firmly set down, resulted in an accident similar +to those incident to human engineering, for the cover slipped +and many tiny hands were severely pinched. After this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> +they abandoned their attempts though a single mouse would +occasionally reconnoitre the scene, apparently unsatisfied with +the defeat. Mice, like many other animals, are said to be +much affected by music.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Harvest Mouse.</span> +The harvest mouse is a most interesting little +creature; whose habits are thus described by +White of Selborne:—"They build their nest amidst +the straws of the corn above the ground, and sometimes in +thistles. They breed as many as eight at a litter, in a little +round nest composed of the blades of grass or wheat. One of +these I procured this autumn, most artificially plaited, and +composed of the blades of wheat, perfectly round, and about +the size of a cricket ball, with the aperture so ingeniously +closed that there is no discovering to what part it belonged. +It was so compact and well filled that it would roll across +the table without being discomposed, though it contained +eight little mice that were naked and blind. As this nest +was perfectly full, how could the dam come at her litter +respectively so as to administer a teat to each? Perhaps +she opens different places for that purpose, adjusting them +again when the business is over; but she could not possibly +be contained, herself, in the ball with her young, which moreover +would be daily increasing in bulk. This procreant +cradle—an elegant instance of the efforts of instinct—was found +in a wheat field, suspended in the head of a thistle."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Field Mouse.</span> +There are two kinds of field mice, the long-tailed +and the short-tailed varieties. The long-tailed +field mouse is the mouse immortalised by Burns, and +is found throughout Europe. The short-tailed variety occupies +much the same geographical area, though it probably extends +further. The latter are very destructive, and have sometimes +increased to such an extent, that organised efforts have had +to be made to exterminate it.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Dormouse.</span> +The common dormouse, and the greater dormouse +are the principal varieties of this interesting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +little animal. They resemble the squirrel in appearance as +well as in some of their habits. They live in trees, where +they construct nests, on nuts, acorns, fruits, insects, birds and +eggs, and squirrel-like rest upon their hindquarters when +eating, holding their food between their forepaws. They +lay up store for the winter and become torpid in the cold +weather, rolling themselves into a ball, in which condition +they may be handled without disturbance or injury. The +common dormouse is found all over Europe, the greater +dormouse occupying a still more extended area.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Jerboa.</span> +The Jerboa is a curious, little animal with the +body of a mouse and hind legs which resemble those of the +kangaroo in appearance. There are several varieties, one +belonging to Southern Russia, one to the deserts of Egypt, +Nubia, Arabia, Barbary and Tartary, and one to North +America. They live in burrows which they construct with +great care and industry. They are naturally timid and make +for their holes on the slightest disturbance, leaping kangaroo +fashion sometimes as high as five feet, and so swiftly as to +be very difficult of capture. They have very long tails.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Beaver.</span> +There are two species of the beaver, the +European beaver, and the American beaver. The former is +most numerous in Siberia, Tartary, and the Caucasus but is +also occasionally found in Central Europe. The American +beaver is found throughout North America where it is eagerly +hunted for the sake of its fur.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The European Beaver.</span> +The following anonymous paragraph cut from +a newspaper, but likely enough quoted from some +standard Natural History, perhaps that of Messrs. Cassell +and Co., throws some light upon the present condition of the +European beaver.</p> + +<p>"There are still some naturalists who assert that the beaver +has ceased to exist in France. This, however, is a mistake; +an animal of that species was caught a short time ago in the +Hérault, and is now being exhibited at Montpelier. Beavers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +do not live in Europe in large companies or herds as they +do in America, but only in solitude, and in this state they +haunt secondary rivers, such as the Gard and the Gardon. +There are a few on the banks and islands of the Rhone, +but as these creatures are averse to noise, the splashing of +the steamers plying to and fro has driven most of them away. +They give a decided preference to such streams as are overshadowed +by the willow, of the bark of which they are exceedingly +fond. The beaver is also to be found as far north +as the Saone, in those valleys where there is peat-ground. +It lives in Spain, in Italy, and in Greece, but always solitary +and fugitive. This curious animal is not only called <i>Castor +Americanus</i>, but also <i>Castor Gallicus</i>, and not without reason, +since the fossil remains of the genus are sufficient to attest +their having been very numerous in France at some remote +period. The little stream of the Bièvre derives its name +from its having been the habitat of these creatures; its +resemblance to the English name beaver need hardly be +alluded to. In Europe this amphibious animal does not build +those substantial and commodious dwellings which have rendered +it so celebrated, because the rapacity and spirit of +destruction so common in man have made it suspicious and +cautious."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The American Beaver.</span> +Writing of the American Beaver Dr. Godman +says:—"Beavers are not particular in the site +they select for the establishment of their dwellings, but if in +a lake or pond, where a dam is not required, they are careful +to build where the water is sufficiently deep. In standing +waters, however, they have not the advantage afforded by a +current for the transportation of their supplies of wood, which, +when they build on a running stream, is always cut higher +up than the place of their residence, and floated down. The +materials used for the construction of their dams are the +trunks and branches of small birch, mulberry, willow, and +poplar trees. They begin to cut down their timber for building<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +early in the summer, but their edifices are not commenced +until about the middle or latter part of August, and are not +completed until the beginning of the cold season. The strength +of their teeth, and their perseverance in this work, may be +fairly estimated by the size of the trees they cut down. Dr. +Best informs us, that he has seen a mulberry tree, eight +inches in diameter, which had been gnawed down by the +beaver. The figure of the dam varies according to circumstances. +Should the current be very gentle, the dam is carried +nearly straight across; but when the stream is swiftly flowing, +it is uniformly made with a considerable curve, having the +convex part opposed to the current. Along with the trunks +and branches of trees they intermingle mud and stones, to +give greater security; and when dams have been long undisturbed +and frequently repaired, they acquire great solidity, +and their power of resisting the pressure of water and +ice is greatly increased by the trees occasionally taking +root, and eventually growing up into something of a regular +hedge.</p> + +<p>"The dwellings of the beaver are formed of the same +materials as their dams, and are very rude, though strong, and +adapted in size to the number of their inhabitants. These +are seldom more than four old and six or eight young ones. +Double that number have been occasionally found in one of +the lodges, though this is by no means a very common +circumstance. When building their houses, they place most +of the wood crosswise, and nearly horizontally, observing no +other order than that of leaving a cavity in the middle. +Branches which project inward are cut off with their teeth, +and thrown among the rest. The houses are by no means +built of sticks first and then plastered, but all the materials, +sticks, mud, and stones, if the latter can be procured, are +mixed up together, and this composition is employed from +the foundation to the summit. The mud is obtained from the +adjacent banks or bottom of the stream or pond near the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +door of the hut. Mud and stones the beaver always carries +by holding them between his fore paws and throat.</p> + +<p>"Their work is all performed at night, and with much +expedition. As soon as any part of the material is placed +where it is intended to remain, they turn round and give it +a smart blow with the tail. The same sort of blow is struck +by them upon the surface of the water when they are in the +act of diving. The outside of the hut is covered or plastered +with mud late in the autumn, and after frost has begun to +appear. By freezing it soon becomes almost as hard as stone, +and effectually excludes their great enemy, the wolverine, +during the winter."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Squirrel.</span> +The family of the Squirrel is a very large one +and with it are included the marmots, the prairie dogs, and +the anomalures, the latter of which form a sub-family. The +common squirrel, the variety familiar in England, is a pretty +little creature with its bright piercing eyes, and knowing look, +and its graceful bushy tail. It is one of the most agile of +animals, ascending and descending trees with the rapidity of +a flash and so sensitive, that it is said that if the tree upon +which its nests is only touched at the bottom it takes alarm +and seeks safety on another tree. It builds its nests in the +forks of branches of trees,—of moss, twigs, and dried leaves,—and +leaps great distances from tree to tree. The ground +squirrel is characterised by fine longitudinal black bands on +its back, which form a very pretty marking. It belongs +chiefly to North America. "It lives in villages under ground," +says an American writer, "and plunders the farmers worse +than the gopher. Every two months the ground squirrel +breeds and neither State premiums nor strychnine diminishes +its numbers. It levies an assessment of thirty per cent. +on the profits of a wheat crop in many sections."</p> + +<p>The flying squirrel, also common in the United States, has +a membranous skin which extends from the fore limbs along +the body to the hind limbs by which its body is buoyed up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +as it descends obliquely through the air from the tree to +the ground, the tail operating as a rudder. One species +of the flying squirrel is found in Europe and several in +India.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Squirrel at Home.</span> +Mr. Head gives a graphic description of his experiences +with a squirrel in the Canadian woods. +He says:—"I was waiting the approach of a large flock of +wild fowl, but a little villain of a squirrel on the bough of a +tree close to me, seemed to have determined that even now +I should not rest in quiet, for he sputtered and chattered +with so much vehemence, that he attracted the attention of +my dog, whom I could scarcely control. The vagrant inattention +of my dog was truly mortifying; he kept his eyes fixed upon +the squirrel, now so noisy as to be quite intolerable. With +my hand, I made a motion to threaten him, but the little +beast actually set up his back, and defied me, becoming even +more passionate and noisy than before, till all of a sudden, +as if absolutely on purpose to alarm the game, down he let +himself drop, plump at once within a couple of yards of +Rover's nose. This was too much for any four-footed animal +to bear, so he gave a bounce and sprang at the impertinent +squirrel, who, in one second, was safe out of his reach, cocking +his tail, and showing his teeth on the identical bough +where he had sat before. Away flew all the wild fowl, and +my sport was completely marred. My gun went involuntarily +to my shoulder to shoot the squirrel. At the same moment, +I felt I was about to commit an act of sheer revenge, on a +little courageous animal which deserved a better fate. As if +aware of my hesitation, he nodded his head with rage, and +stamped his fore paws on the tree: while in his chirruping, +there was an intonation of sound, which seemed addressed +to an enemy for whom he had an utter contempt. What +business, I could fancy he said, had I there, trespassing on +his domain, and frightening his wife and little family, for +whom he was ready to lay down his life? There he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +sit in spite of me, and make my ears ring with the sound +of his war whoop, till the spring of life should cease to bubble +in his little heart."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Tame Squirrels.</span> +Captain Brown tells of a gentleman who had a +tame squirrel, who used to run up his legs and +enter his pocket when he saw him preparing to go out. +From this safe retreat the squirrel often poked his head and +peeped at the people as they passed, but never ventured to +emerge until the crowded thoroughfares were passed. When +they reached the outskirts of the city, however, the squirrel +leaped to the ground, ran along the road, ascended trees and +hedges, with the quickness of lightning, and nibbled at the +leaves and bark. If the gentleman walked on, it would +descend, scamper after him, and again enter his pocket. On +hearing a carriage or cart, it became much alarmed, and always +hid itself till it had passed by. This gentleman had a dog, +between which and the squirrel a certain enmity existed. +Whenever the dog lay asleep, the squirrel would show its +teasing disposition, by rapidly descending from its box, scampering +over the dog's body, and quickly mounting to its box again. +Another squirrel who frequented his master's pocket, on +one occasion rendered important service. One evening, +as was his practice, when his master's coat was taken +off and hung behind a door, the squirrel ran up the door +and took up his quarters in the familiar pocket, carrying with +him a supply of tow with which to make himself comfortable +for the night. After all the family had retired to rest, a +burglar made his appearance, effected an entrance, and +proceeded to examine the pockets of the coat hanging to the +door. Putting his hand rather unceremoniously into the +squirrel's bedroom the robber received such a sharp and +unexpected bite that he could not forbear to cry out and +the master of the house, aroused by the unusual sound, +entered the room, armed with a poker, just in time to secure +the thief as he was escaping through the window.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Marmot. The Bobak. The Prairie Dog.</span> +Marmots are found in the northern parts of +both the old and the new worlds. The Bobak +belongs to southern Russia, the Prairie Dog to +North America and the Woodchuck to Canada.</p> + +<p>The marmot is easily tamed and is familiar to many from +being made the companion of itinerant Savoyards who exhibit +them when asking alms. The Bobak is also readily amenable +to kindness. All these animals live in burrows and are +exceedingly interesting in their habits. The anomalure is a +squirrel with a membranous skin resembling to some extent +that of the flying squirrels and used by it for the same purpose. +It belongs to Fernando Po.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chinchilla.</span> +The Chinchilla is about nine inches long, its +tail being about five inches. Its eyes are full, +like those of the rabbit, its hind legs are long, its fore ones +short. It sits upon its haunches, and takes its food in its +fore paws. It is found in Chili and Peru, and inhabits the +open country, living in burrows, and subsisting on the roots +of bulbous plants, which are abundant in those regions. +Great numbers of them are killed for their skins, which furnish +the most delicate and beautiful of furs. The Alpine Viscacha +and the Viscacha of the Pampas, are included in the same +family.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Porcupine.</span> +The Porcupine is found throughout Africa and +southern Asia and also in the south of Europe. +"Less completely covered with weapons of defence than the +hedgehog," says Captain Brown, "the porcupine possesses +them in greater strength, for its formidable quills are capable +of inflicting severe wounds. When irritated or in danger it +raises its quills on its back; but it is though fretful, not fierce +in disposition but easily tamed." When cornered the porcupine +turns its back to its assailant, who usually wounds +himself by coming in contact with the quills. The porcupine +lives in burrows by itself; it is a lonely animal. The Cavies +and the Agouti of America are classified with this family.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +Among the former is the Capybara, the largest of the rodents, +an animal which attains to from three to four feet in length. +It belongs to Brazil, Guinea, and Paraguay. The Canadian +porcupine, and the Brazilian porcupine, are tree porcupines +and are only found in America.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Guinea Pig.</span> +The Guinea Pig (<i>Cavia Cobaya</i>) is said to be +the domestic form of the <i>Cavia Aperea</i> of Brazil +and Peru. It derives its name from its supposed place of +origin, as it was said to have been first introduced into England +from Guinea. It is tailless, but clean and neat in appearance, +being marked with black, white, and orange colours. +It is said to lack intelligence and to be destitute of attachment, +suffering its young to be destroyed without resistance. +Perhaps this is due to the fact that it has so many; it breeds +at intervals of two months and produces from three to twelve +young ones at a birth.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hares and Rabbits.</span> +We come now to the second sub-order of the +Rodents or animals that gnaw, the <i>Duplicidentati</i>, +the rodents having four incisor teeth in the upper jaw. This +brings us to the Hares and Rabbits, of which there are numerous +species, the Common Hare, the Irish or Mountain +Hare and the Common Rabbit being the best known. The +Irish or Mountain Hare is somewhat larger than the common +hare and changes from brown to white in the winter. The +Sardinian, the Egyptian, the Polar, and the Sage hares are +other varieties.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Hare.</span> +The Common Hare is a familiar animal and +needs no description. It is found throughout +Europe and is well known in England. The +hare hides during the day under cover of low foliage, ferns, +and the undergrowth of preserves, in spots known as 'forms'. +Its habit of making a definite track from its form to its feeding +grounds and of always following its own track makes it an +easy sacrifice to those who know its ways. It is exceedingly +swift in its movements, and it is well that it is so, for its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +only safety is in flight and in the sagacity and cunning it +shows in eluding its pursuers. Many illustrations of the latter +have been recorded. Fouilloux mentions a hare which he +saw start from its form at the sound of a hunter's horn, +run towards a pool of water at a considerable distance, plunge +in and swim to some rushes in the middle, and there lay down +and conceal itself from the pursuit of the dogs. Another +hare, when closely pressed passed under a gate, the dogs +leaping over it. The hare quickly perceived the advantage +it had gained by this, and so doubled, returning under the +gate, the dogs following over it as before. This was repeated +several times until taking advantage of the exhaustion of the +dogs the hare escaped. The hare will often run perfectly +straight while in view of the hounds, but immediately on +gaining the slightest cover will double, and redouble with +astonishing rapidity, apparently to confuse the scent.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"> +<img src="images/illus-242-f.jpg" width="393" height="600" alt="" title="A Hare's-breadth Escape" /> +<span class="caption">A Hare's-breadth Escape</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Intelligence of the Hare.</span> +The following anecdote seems to show remarkable +intelligence on the part of a hare. It is +from a statement made by Mr. Yarrell in the +"Magazine of Natural History":—"A harbour +of great extent on our southern coast has an island near the +middle, of considerable size, the nearest point of which is a +mile distant from the mainland at high water, and with which +point there is frequent communication by a ferry. Early one +morning in spring two hares were observed to come down +from the hills of the mainland towards the seaside, one of +which from time to time left its companion, and proceeding +to the very edge of the water, stopped there a minute or +two, and then returned to its mate. The tide was rising, +and after waiting some time, one of them, exactly at high +water, took to the sea, and swam rapidly over, in a straight +line, to the opposite projecting point of land. The observer +on this occasion, who was near the spot, but remained +unperceived by the hares, had no doubt that they were of +different sexes, and that it was the male—like another Leander—which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +swam across the water, as he had probably done +many times before. It was remarkable that the hares had +remained on the shore nearly half an hour, one of them +occasionally examining, as it would seem, the state of the +current, and ultimately taking to the sea at that precise period +of the tide called slack water, when the passage across could +be effected without being carried by the force of the stream +either above or below the desired point of landing. The +other hare then cantered back to the hills."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Hunted Hare.</span> +The following story of a hunted hare is from +"The Annals of Sporting," for May 1822:—"Two +years ago, a doe hare produced two young ones in a field +adjoining my cottage; and the three were occasionally seen, +during the summer, near the same spot. But the leverets +were, I have reason to believe, killed at the latter end of +September of the same year; the old doe hare was also +coursed, and making directly for my cottage, entered the +garden, and there blinked the dogs. I repeatedly afterwards +saw her sitting, sometimes in the garden, (which is one +hundred and ten yards by forty-three,) but more frequently +in the garden-hedge. She was repeatedly seen by greyhounds +when she sat at some distance, but uniformly made for the +garden, and never failed to find security. About the end of +the following January, puss was no longer to be seen about +the garden, as she had probably retired to some distance +with a male companion. One day, in February, I heard the +hounds, and shortly afterwards observed a hare making towards +the garden, which it entered at a place well known, and left +not the least doubt on my mind, that it was my old acquaintance, +which, in my family, was distinguished by the name of Kitty. +The harriers shortly afterwards came in sight, followed Kitty, +and drove her from the garden. I became alarmed for the +safety of my poor hare, and heartily wished the dogs might +come to an irrecoverable fault. The hare burst away with +the fleetness of the wind, and was followed breast high, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +her fierce and eager pursuers. In about twenty minutes I +observed Kitty return towards the garden, apparently much +exhausted, and very dirty. She took shelter beneath a small +heap of sticks, which lay at no great distance from the +kitchen door. No time was to be lost, as, by the cry of +the hounds, I was persuaded they were nearly in sight. I +took a fishing-net, and, with the assistance of the servant, +covered poor Kitty, caught her, and conveyed the little, +panting, trembling creature into the house. The harriers +were soon at the spot, but no hare was to be found. I am +not aware that I ever felt greater pleasure than in thus saving +poor Kitty from her merciless pursuers. Towards evening I +gave Kitty her liberty; I turned her out in the garden, and +saw her not again for some time. In the course of the +following summer, however, I saw a hare several times, which +I took to be my old friend; and, in the latter end of October, +Kitty was again observed in the garden. Henceforward she +was occasionally seen as on the preceding winter. One +morning, in January, when I was absent, a gun was fired near +my cottage; Kitty was heard to scream, but, nevertheless, +entered the garden vigorously. The matter was related to +me on my return home; and I was willing to hope that Kitty +would survive. However, I had some doubt on the subject; +and, the next morning, as soon as light permitted, I explored +the garden, and found that my poor unfortunate favourite +had expired; she was stretched beneath a large gooseberry +tree; and I could not help very much regretting her +death."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Tame Hares.</span> +Though exceedingly timid creatures hares are +readily tamed, and have often become as domesticated +as cats and dogs. Cowper's experiments with hares will naturally +occur to the reader, besides which there are cases +recorded where tame hares have been associated in domesticity +with cats and even sporting dogs. One possessed by +Mr. A. S. Moffat was thus domiciled and would feed from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +the same plate with a cat and a dog. This hare would knock +a book out of its master's hand to secure his attention.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Rabbit.</span> +The Common Rabbit is found all over the +British Isles, as well as in France and Spain; +and in the north of Africa where it is indigenous. It is +smaller than the hare and lives in burrows, in large numbers, +completely honey-combing sand hills which are covered +with grass and vegetation. Before producing her young, the +female forms a separate burrow where she conceals them +after birth. This is done to protect them from the male +who destroys, if he discovers them. The young are born +blind and gain their sight after ten days. They are a month +old before they are allowed to leave the burrow.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER XI.<br /> +Toothless Animals.</span> +Curiously enough this order, though denominated +toothless, includes several animals +which have well developed dental arrangements. +In these, however, the teeth are not found in the +front of the jaw, and those which are found are elementary +and simple. Several families are classified with this order, of +which the Sloth, the Pangolin, the Armadillo, the Cape Ant-Bear, +and the Ant-Eater are the best known representatives.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sloth.</span> +The Sloth belongs to South America. "In its +wild state," says Waterton, "the Sloth spends its whole life in +the trees, and never leaves them but through force or accident, +and, what is more extraordinary, not <i>upon</i> the branches, +like the squirrel and monkey, but <i>under</i> them. He <i>moves</i> +suspended from the branch, he <i>rests</i> suspended from the +branch, and he <i>sleeps</i> suspended from the branch." "In fact," +says the Rev. J. G. Wood, "as Sydney Smith observes, he +passes a life of suspense, like a curate distantly related to a +Bishop. To render it fit for this singular mode of life, its +long and powerful arms are furnished with strong curved +claws, which hook round the branches, and keep the animal +suspended without any effort. When on the ground, these +claws are very inconvenient, and it can barely shuffle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +along; but when it is in its native element, it moves with +exceeding rapidity, particularly in a gale of wind, when it +passes from branch to branch, and from tree to tree, with +an activity which its movements on the ground by no means +portend."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pangolin.</span> +There are two species of the Pangolin, or +Manis, the long-tailed and the short-tailed, the +former being a native of Africa and the latter of the East Indies. +The long-tailed manis measures about five feet inclusive of +the tail which is about three feet long, the short-tailed manis +about four feet in all. All the upper parts of its body are +closely covered with scales of different sizes, which, as they +are attached to the skin only by the lower extremity, it can +erect at pleasure, opposing to its adversary a formidable row +of offensive weapons. They are sharp at the point, and so +hard as, on collision, to strike fire like a flint. The moment +it perceives the approach of an enemy, it rolls itself up like +a hedgehog, by which means it covers all the weaker parts +of its body. The Pangolins live on ants, which they catch +by thrusting their long slender tongues into the midst of their +prey, their tongues being covered by a gummy saliva to which +the ants adhere.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Armadillo.</span> +The Armadillo is a native of South America, +in which country there are several varieties. They +are all covered with a strong crust or shell, resembling, as +the Rev. J. G. Wood puts it, "the modified plate armour" worn +by men in the 16th century. They eat vegetables and insects, +and do good work as scavengers. They burrow with great +rapidity and when rolled up, after the manner of the hedgehog, +are invulnerable to their ordinary enemies.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cape Ant-Bear.</span> +The Cape Ant-Bear belongs to the Cape of +Good Hope. It differs from the ant-eaters of the +western world in many ways, being a hairy animal without +scales, its head resembling that of the deer kind, having long +ears but no horns. The length of its body which is covered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +with bristles is about four feet, and its feet which are short, +are furnished with strong claws which enable it to excavate +the cavities in which it lives.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ant-Eater.</span> +The true Ant-Eater is found in the South +American tropics. The Great Ant-Eater belongs +to La Plata, the Little Ant-Eater to the Brazils. The Great +Ant-Eater is four feet in length, without its tail, which is +two feet six inches long. The true ant-eater like the Pangolin +already described inserts its long tongue into the nest +of the ant, catching its little victims in large numbers by +the sticky mucus which covers its tongue.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER XII.<br /> +Pouched Animals.</span> +Of the several families classed in this order +the opossums and the kangaroos are the most +familiar. The Dasyures of Tasmania and the +Bandicoots of Australia and New Guinea also belong to this +order, as do the many varieties of the Phalanger of Australasia +and those of the Wombat of Tasmania. The pouch is one +of the most remarkable provisions of Nature, the young of +the pouched animals being small and of imperfect form at +birth and requiring the protection of the pouch for their +sustenance and development.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Opossum.</span> +The common Opossum, which is a native of +Virginia, is about the size of a badger. It is +provided with a pouch, in which it carries its young, and +into which they leap on the approach of danger. Its covering +is a coat of long fur, of a dingy white colour. It feeds upon +fish, birds, insects, and reptiles. Its tail is very muscular, and +by this it hangs from the branches of trees and, watching its +prey, lets itself fall upon its victims with great precision. +Its hind feet are formed something like hands, by which it is +enabled to climb with wonderful facility. The opossum when +caught often simulates death so admirably that he deceives +his captors and ultimately escapes them.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Kangaroo.</span> +The Kangaroo belongs to Australia and New +Guinea. The length of its body is from four to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +five feet six inches; its fore legs are very short; its hind ones +very long. Its tail is from three to four feet in length, and its +strength is such, that a stroke of it will break a man's leg. +The Kangaroo moves by great leaps or bounds of from twelve +to twenty feet. It is covered with a short soft fur, of a reddish +ash-colour. It feeds on vegetables, and has a pouch for its +young, like the opossum. Mr. Cunningham says: "The +Kangaroos make no use of the short fore legs, except in +grazing. When chased, they hop upon their hind legs, bounding +onward at a most amazing rate, the tail wagging up and +down as they leap, and serving them for a balance. They +will bound over gulleys and deep declivities, and fly right +over the tops of low brush wood." There are several varieties +of this animal; one of which, called the Rat Kangaroo, is +only the size of a rabbit; another, called the Tree Kangaroo, +can hop about on trees in an extraordinary manner and is +furnished with curved claws, on its fore paws, similar to those +of the sloth, by which he can lay hold of the branches.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Kangaroo Hunting.</span> +Kangaroo hunting is a favourite Australian sport. +It is not unattended with danger either to dogs +or men, the sharp claws and powerful hind legs of the animal +making it a formidable enemy at close quarters. Dawson in his +"Present State of Australia" says: "A full-sized 'wool man' +at bay always sits on his haunches, and when he rises to +move forward, he stands four, or four and a half feet high. +In this manner, he will, when pressed, meet a man, and hug +and scratch him, if not to death, in such a way that he does +not soon forget it. When hard pressed, and near to water, +the kangaroo always takes it; if it be deep water, and the +dogs follow him, one or the other is almost sure to be drowned. +If a single dog, the kangaroo is nearly certain to come off +victorious, by taking his assailant in his fore arms, and holding +him under water till he is dead; but, if he has two dogs +opposed to him, he is not left at liberty to hold either of +his opponents long enough under water to drown him, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +he generally himself falls a sacrifice, after a long and hard +struggle. Notwithstanding the courage and ferocity of the +kangaroo, when pressed, he is otherwise extremely timid, and +more easily domesticated than any wild animal with which I +am acquainted, The smaller ones are frequently quite as +swift as a hare; and I have sometimes seen them outstrip +the fleetest dogs." Young and inexperienced dogs are almost +sure to fall victims to the sharp claw and powerful hind leg +of the kangaroo, with one stroke of which he will rip the dog +open and let his entrails out.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER XIII.<br /> +Monotremata.</span> +The order Monotremata includes two families, +the <i>Ornithorhynchidæ</i> and the <i>Echidnidæ</i>, +both of which belong to Australia. The Duck-billed +Platypus belongs to the former, the Australian Hedgehog to +the latter family.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Duck-billed Platypus.</span> +The Duck-billed Platypus is one <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: The original was 'if'.">of</span> the most +singular of animals. "When it was first introduced +into Europe," says Mr. Wood, "it was fully believed +to be the manufacture of some impostor, who with much +ingenuity had fixed the beak of a duck into the head of +some unknown animal. It will, however, be seen by +examining the skull of the animal, that this duck-like beak +is caused by a prolongation of some of the bones of the +head." The Platypus lives on the banks of rivers in burrows +which it forms, and feeds on water insects and small shell +fish. It is web-footed but its feet are so constructed that it +can fold back the web when it wants to burrow, and unfold +it when it wants to swim. The hind feet of the male are +armed with a sharp spur.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Australian Hedgehog.</span> +The Australian Hedgehog is about a foot long. +It lives in burrows and feeds on insects, has a long +tongue but no teeth. It has spines from which +circumstance it is called a hedgehog after its English namesake, +though its spines are almost hidden by its hair. It is +said to be a dull, unintelligent animal.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></p> + +<h3>CLASS II—AVES.</h3> + +<p><span class="subhead">Classification.</span> +The Birds are distinguished from the Mammals +by many obvious characteristics, chief among which are their +bodily form, their feathery covering and their manner of +producing their young by means of eggs. The Birds form +the second class of the sub-kingdom Vertebrate and according +to the classification followed in this work are divided into ten +orders. These orders are, I Passeres: birds characterised by +the habit of perching; II Picariæ: birds that climb, etc. +Ill Psittacini: the Parrots; IV Columbæ: the Doves; V +Gallinæ: the Fowls; VI Opisthocomi: the Hoazin of Brazil +and Guinea; VII Accipitres: the Birds of Prey; VIII Grallatores: +the birds that wade; IX Anseres: the Birds that swim; +X Struthiones: the Ostrich, the Emu, etc., etc.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER I.<br /> +Perching Birds.</span> +The species of this order are very numerous, and +have been variously divided by different authorities. +Mr. Wallace forms them into five groups, which +classification we shall find it convenient to follow. These +five groups are: I The Thrushes and Thrush-like perching +birds; II The Tanagers and similar kinds; III The Starlings +and allied species; IV The Ant-eaters, etc., and V The Lyre +Birds, and the Scrub Birds of Australia. The first group +includes many well known feathered favourites: the Thrush; +the Blackbird; the Mocking Bird; the Tailor Bird; the +Wren; the Robin; the Nightingale; the Titmouse; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +Golden Oriole; the Jay; the Magpie; the Raven; the Rook; +the Carrion Crow; the Jackdaw; the Chough; and the Bird +of Paradise. The second group includes the Swallow; the +Martin; the Goldfinch; the Linnet; the Canary; the Bullfinch; +the Bunting and many others. The third group contains +the Starlings; the Weaver Bird; the Lark; the Wagtail, +and the Pipits; the fourth group, the King Bird of North +America; the Manakins of Guinea; the Chatterers of South +America; the Bell Bird of Brazil, and the Umbrella Bird of +the Amazon. The fifth group contains the Lyre Birds and +the Scrub Birds of Australia.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Thrush.</span> +The order of Thrush-like perching birds is a +very large one, including nearly three thousand +known varieties. Of these it will be impossible, within present +limits, to even mention a very large number, and we shall +content ourselves with dealing with a few of the better known +species.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Thrush.</span> +The Thrush is one of the most popular of +English native birds, as its song is one of the +most beautiful of those of the bird kind. It is a herald of +the English spring and summer, beginning to sing at the end +of January and continuing until July. It builds its nest in a +hedge or bush, and, as it breeds early in the year, lines it +with a plaster of mud to protect its young from the cold winds. +It is a bold bird and will vigorously defend its nest from the +attacks of larger birds. It feeds on insects, snails and worms.</p> + +<p>"Watch an old thrush," says Dr. Stanley, "pounce down +on a lawn, moistened with dew and rain. At first he stands +motionless, apparently thinking of nothing at all, his eye +vacant, or with an unmeaning gaze. Suddenly he cocks his +ear on one side, makes a glancing sort of dart with his head +and neck, gives perhaps one or two hops, and then stops, +again listening attentively, and his eye glistening with attention +and animation; his beak almost touches the ground,—he +draws back his head as if to make a determined peck.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +Again he pauses; listens again; hops, perhaps once or twice, +scarcely moving his position, and pecks smartly on the sod; +then is once more motionless as a stuffed bird. But he knows +well what he is about; for, after another moment's pause, +having ascertained that all is right, he pecks away with might +and main, and soon draws out a fine worm, which his fine +sense of hearing had informed him was not far off, and which +his hops and previous peckings had attracted to the surface, +to escape the approach of what the poor worm thought might +be his underground enemy, the mole."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Missel Thrush.</span> +The Missel Thrush, so called from its fondness +for the mistletoe, is larger than the common or +song thrush, less melodious and not so common in England, +but well known upon the continent of Europe. Like the +song thrush it finds a determined enemy in the magpie, +against which it often defends itself with success. It is, however, +unable to withstand a combined attack. Gilbert White +says: "The Missel-thrush is, while breeding, fierce and pugnacious, +driving such birds as approach its nest with great fury +to a distance. The Welsh call it "pen y llwyn," the head +or master of the coppice. He suffers no magpie, jay, or +blackbird, to enter the garden where he haunts; and is, for +the time, a good guard to the new-sown legumens. In general, +he is very successful in the defence of his family; but once +I observed in my garden, that several magpies came determined +to storm the nest of a missel-thrush: the dams defended +their mansion with great vigour, and fought resolutely <i>pro aris +et focis</i>; but numbers at last prevailed, they tore the nest to +pieces, and swallowed the young alive."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Blackbird.</span> +The Blackbird is another of the most cherished +of English song birds. It is one of the earliest +to wake the morning with a song. Its habits are similar to +those of the Thrush; it builds its nest in bushes, in shrubberies +and gardens, safe from the sight, but close to the haunts of +man. It lines its nest with a plaster of mud which it covers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +over with dry grass, and is exemplary in the care of its young. +It has a black coat as its name implies, and an orange +tawny bill. The blackbird has to some extent the power +of the mocking bird, of imitating the sounds it hears,—such +as the chuckling of a hen, the song of the nightingale, the +caw of the crow. In the "Magazine of Natural History" of +September 1831, Mr. Bouchier of Wold Rectory, near Northampton, +says: "Within half a mile of my residence there is +a blackbird which crows constantly, and as accurately as the +common cock, and nearly as loud; as it may, on a still day, +be heard at the distance of several hundred yards. When +first told of the circumstance, I conjectured that it must have +been the work of a cock pheasant, concealed in a neighbouring +brake; but, on the assurance that it was nothing more or +less than a common blackbird, I determined to ascertain the +fact with my own eyes and ears; and this day I had the +gratification of getting close to it, seated on the top bough +of an ash tree, and pursuing with unceasing zeal its unusual +note. The resemblance to the crow of the domestic cock +is so perfect, that more than one in the distance were answering +it. It occasionally indulged in its usual song; but +only for a second or two; resuming its more favourite note; +and once or twice it commenced with crowing, and broke off +in the middle into its natural whistle. In what way this +bird has acquired its present propensity I am unable to say, +except that as its usual haunt is near a mill where poultry +are kept, it may have learned the note from the common +fowl."</p> + +<p>The Blackbird of America resembles his English cousin in +most particulars. He is often seen following the plough, +looking for worms in the fresh furrows, and frequently, like the +crow, stealing the planted maize or Indian corn from the hill. +In the autumn the American Blackbirds gather in vast flocks, +and sometimes produce a roar like the rush of a waterfall +by their flight.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Mocking Bird.</span> +The Mocking Bird is a native of America and +many stories are told of its wonderful powers +of mimicry. The following description is furnished +by Wilson: "The plumage of the Mocking Bird, though +none of the homeliest, has nothing gaudy or brilliant in it, +and, had he nothing else to recommend him, would scarcely +entitle him to notice; but his figure is well proportioned, and +even handsome. The ease, elegance, and rapidity of his +movements, the animation of his eye, and the intelligence +he displays in listening, and laying up lessons from almost +every species of the feathered creation within his hearing, +are really surprising, and mark the peculiarity of his genius. +In his native groves, mounted upon the top of a tall bush +or half grown tree, in the dawn of a dewy morning, while +the woods are already vocal with a multitude of warblers, +his admirable song rises pre-eminent over every competitor. +The ear can listen to his music alone, to which that of all +the others seems a mere accompaniment. Neither is this +strain altogether imitative. His own native notes, which are +easily distinguishable by such as are acquainted with those +of our various song birds, are bold and full, and varied +seemingly beyond all limits. They consist of short expressions +of two, three, or at the most five or six syllables, generally +interspersed with imitations, and all of them uttered with +great emphasis and rapidity, and continued with undiminished +ardour for half an hour, or an hour, at a time. His expanded +wings and tail, glistening with white, and the buoyant gaiety +of his action, arresting the eye, as his song most irresistibly +does the ear, he sweeps round with enthusiastic ecstasy and +mounts and descends as his song swells or dies away. 'He +bounds aloft with the celerity of an arrow, as if to recover +or recall his very soul, which expired in the last elevated +strain.' He often deceives the sportsman, and sends him in +search of birds that are not perhaps within miles of him, but +whose notes he exactly imitates: even birds themselves are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +frequently imposed upon by this admirable mimic, and are +decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates, or dive with +precipitation into the depth of thickets at the scream of what +they suppose to be the sparrow-hawk."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tailor Bird.</span> +The Tailor Bird is a small bird of no very +remarkable appearance, but it is singular from +its habit of sewing leaves together in forming its nest. This it +does by using its beak as a needle, and certain vegetable fibres +as thread, and sewing the edges of leaves together in the form +of a pocket, in which it deposits its eggs and rears its young.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Golden Crested Wren.</span> +The Golden Crested Wren is the smallest +of British Birds, and it is one of the most +beautiful, <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'acccording'."> according</span> to Mrs. Bowdich it only weighs eighty +grains. It is peculiar among British birds for suspending its +nest to the boughs of trees. Its nest is an elegant structure, sometimes +open at the top, sometimes covered with a dome, having +an entrance at the side. It is a tame bird, and often visits +country gardens where it may be distinguished by its green and +yellow coat with white facings, and its golden crest. Captain +Brown says: "its song is weak and intermittent, yet sweet as +that which fancy attributes to the fairy on the moonlight hill."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Migration of Birds.</span> +Captain Brown, quoting from "Selby's Ornithology", +gives an interesting account of the way in +which our native birds are reinforced from other +countries.—"On the 24th and 25th of October, 1822," says Mr. +Selby, "after a very severe gale, with thick fog, from the +North East, (but veering, towards its conclusion, to the east +and south of east,) thousands of these birds were seen to +arrive upon the sea-shore and sand-banks of the Northumbrian +coast; many of them so fatigued by the length of +their flight, or perhaps by the unfavourable shift of wind, as +to be unable to rise again from the ground, and great numbers +were in consequence caught or destroyed. This flight +must have been immensely numerous, as its extent was traced +through the whole length of the coasts of Northumberland<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +and Durham. There appears little doubt of this having +been a migration from the more northern provinces of Europe +(probably furnished by the pine forests of Norway, Sweden, +&c.), from the circumstance of its arrival being simultaneous +with that of large flights of the woodcock, fieldfare, and +redwing. Although I had never before witnessed the actual +arrival of the gold-crested regulus, I had long felt convinced, +from the great and sudden increase of the species, during +the autumnal and hyemal months that our indigenous birds +must be augmented by a body of strangers making these +shores their winter's resort.—A more extraordinary circumstance +in the economy of this bird took place during the same +winter, <i>viz.</i>, the total disappearance of the whole, <i>natives</i> as +well as strangers, throughout Scotland and the north of +England. This happened towards the conclusion of the +month of January 1823, and a few days previous to the long-continued +snow-storm so severely felt throughout the northern +counties of England, and along the eastern parts of Scotland. +The range and point of this migration are unascertained, but +it must probably have been a distant one, from the fact of +not a single pair having returned to breed, or pass the +succeeding summer, in the situations they had been known +always to frequent. Nor was one of the species to be seen +till the following October, or about the usual time, as I have +above stated, for our receiving an annual accession of strangers +to our own indigenous birds."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Willow Wren.</span> +The Willow Wren is a summer visitor to the +British Isles. He arrives about the end of March +and leaves in the month of September. He is +an active little bird, an expert fly-catcher and an agreeable +singer. His coat is of a greenish yellow-brown, his waistcoat +is white tinged with yellow.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Wren.</span> +The Common Wren is indigenous to Great +Britain. It builds its nest under the shelter of +thatched eaves, in out-of-the-way and unusual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +places. It is a plain homely looking little bird of a pale +chestnut brown colour. Captain Brown gives the following +interesting description of a wren's music lesson.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Wren's Music Lesson.</span> +"A pair of wrens," says Captain Brown, "built +their nest in a box, so situated that the family on +the grounds had an opportunity of observing the mother's care +in instructing her young ones to sing. She seated herself on +one side of the opening of the box, facing her young, and +commenced by singing over all her notes very slowly and +distinctly. One of the little ones then attempted to imitate +her. After chirping rather inharmoniously a few notes, its +pipe failed, and it went off the tune. The mother immediately +took up the tune where the young one had failed, and +distinctly finished the remaining part. The young one made +a second attempt, commencing where it had left off, and continuing +for a few notes with tolerable distinctness, when it again +lost the notes; the mother began again where it ceased, and +went through with the air. The young one again resumed +the tune and completed it. When this was done, the mother +again sung over the whole of her song with great precision; +and then another of the young attempted to follow it, who +likewise was incapable of going through with the tune, but the +parent treated it as she had done the first bird; and so on +with the third and fourth. It sometimes happened that the +little one would lose the tune, even three or four times in +making the attempt; in which case the mother uniformly +commenced where it had ceased, and always sung to the end +of the tune; and when each had completed the trial, she +always sung over the whole song. Sometimes two of them +commenced the strain together, in which case she pursued +the same conduct towards them, as she had done when one +sung. This was repeated at intervals every day, while they +remained in their nest."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The House Wren.</span> +The American House Wren is described by +Audubon as a cheery familiar little bird, resembling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> +the common wren in many of his habits, if not indeed +identical with it.</p> + +<p>Wilson says, "in the month of June a mower hung up his +coat, under a shed, near the barn, and two or three days +elapsed before he had occasion to put it on again, when +thrusting his arm up the sleeve, he found it completely filled +with some rubbish, as he called it, and on extracting the +whole mass, found it to be the nest of a wren completely +finished, and lined with a large quantity of feathers. In his +retreat, he was followed by the forlorn little proprietors, who +scolded him with great vehemence for thus ruining the whole +economy of their household affairs." Wilson also tells a +very pretty story of a pair of wrens who built their nest +upon a window sill, one of whom, the female, venturing to +enter the room was devoured by a cat. The male bird +showed much uneasiness when he missed his mate, but +after a time disappeared for two days, returning with a new +wife, and with her help removing the two eggs left by her +predecessor to a new nest in a more secure position.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Nightingale.</span> +The Nightingale and the Sky-Lark, may perhaps +be said to divide honours in the sphere of feathered +song. Both have entranced innumerable auditors and both +have won noble tributes from poets' pens. Both, moreover, +are plain birds. The nightingale is of a tawny colour on the +head and back, and of a greyish white on the throat and +under parts. It has a full large eye of great brightness. It +is one of the largest of the song birds, measuring seven inches +in length. The nightingale is found in Yorkshire but not in +Lancashire, also in Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire +and East Devonshire, but not in Cornwall. It belongs +to France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Palestine.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Nightingale's Song.</span> +"The Nightingale's song," says the author of +"Tales of Animals," "unites strength and sweetness, +in a most wonderful degree, as its notes may be +heard on a calm evening at the distance of half a mile.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +The most consummate musician might listen with delight to +its song, whatever might be his peculiar taste, as it can at +one moment thrill the heart with joy and at another melt it +to sober sadness, by the laughing and sighing modulations +which follow each other in rapid succession through the +melody, which is seldom interrupted by a pause. As if +conscious of its unrivalled powers, it does not join the sometimes +discordant concert of the other songsters, but waits on +some solitary twig till the blackbird and thrush have uttered +their evening call, till the stock and ring doves have lulled +each other to rest, and then it displays at full its melodious +fancies." The following is an attempt made by a well-known +naturalist to reduce the song to writing:</p> + +<p>"Tiuu tiuu tiuu tiuu—Spe tiuu zqua—Tiō tiō tiō tio tio tio +tio tix—Qutio qutio qutio qutio—Zquo zquo zquo zquo—Tzü +tzü tzü tzü tzü tzü tzü tzü tzü tzi—Quorror tin zqua +pipiquisi—Zozozozozozozozozozozozo zirrhading!" &c. &c.</p> + +<p>Quaint old Izaac Walton says: "But the nightingale, another +of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet, loud music out of +her instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think +that miracles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the +very labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very +often, the clear airs, the sweet descents, the natural rising +and falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might +well be lifted above earth, and say, '<i>Lord, what music hast +thou provided for the saints in Heaven, when thou affordest +bad men such music on earth!</i>'"</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Robin Redbreast.</span> +The Robin Redbreast is a prime favourite in +English cottage homes. Its appearance on the +window sill at the approach of winter is an irresistible appeal +to human sympathy and seldom fails of a hearty response. +Captain Brown mentions a robin which, during a severe storm, +came to the window of the room where his father sat, upon +which his father opened the window, to give it some crumbs. +"Instead of flying away, the robin hopped into the room,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +and picked the crumbs from the floor. His father, being +very fond of animals, took great pleasure in taming this bird, +and so completely succeeded, that it would pick small pieces +of raw flesh and worms from his hand, sat on the table at +which he wrote, and, when the day was very cold, perched +upon the fender. When a stranger entered, it flew to the +top of a door, where it perched every night. The window +was frequently opened to admit air, but the robin never +offered to go away. As the spring advanced, and the weather +became fine, it flew away every morning, and returned every +evening, till the time of incubation arrived, and it then flew +away altogether. At the next fall of the year it again asked +for admittance, and behaved exactly in the same manner as +before. It did this a third time, but when it flew away the +ensuing spring, it was never seen again." Robins have been +known to build their nests in queer places. Mrs. Bowdich +tells of one which attached its nest to the Bible of the parish +church of Hampton, Warwickshire, and of others which built +theirs on the reading desk of a church in Wiltshire and +deposited six eggs in it.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Intelligence of the Robin.</span> +The Robin is an intelligent little bird and +some pretty stories are told of its sagacity. +Mrs. Bowdich mentions a gardener who was in the service +of a friend of hers, who having made a pet of a robin, was +one day much struck with the uneasiness of his little friend, +and concluding that he wanted assistance followed him to +his nest, which occupied a flower pot, when he discovered +that a snake had coiled itself round the little home. Happily +the gardener was in time to save the birds though at the +snake's expense. In "The Gardener's Chronicle" there is a +story, quoted by Mrs. Bowdich, of a robin which having been +caught young and kept with a nightingale, learned the nightingale's +song so perfectly as to be indistinguishable in performance.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Titmouse.</span> +There are several varieties of the Titmouse;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +the Blue Titmouse, the Great Titmouse, and the Long-tailed +Titmouse are some of these. The Blue Titmouse, sometimes +called a Tomtit, is a plucky little bird and resists capture +with such vigour that according to the Rev. J. G. Wood it has +become known to rustic boys by the name of "Billybiter." +"The angry hiss of the female," says Mr. Wood, "has frequently +caused an intruding hand to be rapidly withdrawn, for +the sound is so exceedingly like the hiss of an irritated snake, +and the little beak is so sharp, that few have the courage to +proceed with their investigations. A pair of these birds built +their nest in the coping of the Great Western Railway, at +the Shrivenham station, not two feet from the fiery and +noisy engines, which were constantly passing. The men respected +the courage of the little birds, and the whole brood +was hatched, and suffered to fly at liberty."</p> + +<p>The Great Titmouse is found in various parts of Europe. +According to Mrs. Bowdich it is sufficiently pliable to roll +itself up in a ball, and is strong enough to crack a hazel nut. +She says, "It will plant itself at the door of a hive, and tap +loudly on the edge; which signal is answered by a sentinel +bee who is immediately snapped up, taken to the bough of +a tree where he is beaten to death, and then loses his head +and thorax; the rest of him being unworthy of the appetite +of his captor." The Long-tailed Titmouse is famous for the +beauty, security and warmth of its nest.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Golden Oriole.</span> +The Golden Oriole deserves mention if only +for its beautiful name; it has, however, other +claims to attention. It is found in Europe and Australia and +visits England occasionally during the summer, but is not +found in America. The male is a very handsome bird of a +golden yellow colour, with wings and tail of black, the +feathers of the latter ending in yellow. It lives on fruit and +berries, and, failing these, insects, and inhabits thickets and +wooded spots adjacent to orchards, upon which it commits +serious depredations.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Shrike.</span> +There are several species of Shrikes, the +Thick-headed Shrike, the Great Shrike, and the Red-backed +Shrike being among these. The Great Shrike belongs to both +Europe and America. In appearance it resembles the +Mocking Bird for which it is sometimes mistaken. It +preys upon mice, frogs, birds, grasshoppers and large insects, +killing and then impaling them upon thorns until such time +as it chooses to eat them. Its rapacity has earned for +it the name of "the Butcher Bird." According to Mr. +Bell these birds are kept tame in the houses in Russia. One +in his possession was furnished with a sharply pointed stick +for a perch, on the end of which it spitted any bird or animal +it caught. The Shrike believes in a well filled larder, and +does not proceed to eat his game until he has a good stock. +He is also known as the "Nine-killer" in America, from his +supposed preference for spitting that number at a forage.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Jay.</span> +We now come to the family of the Corvidæ, +the crow family, which includes the Jays, the Magpies and +the Choughs. The Common Jay is indigenous in England +where it secludes itself in woody fastnesses, rarely exposing +itself in open country. It is a handsome bird about thirteen +inches long, with beautiful blue markings on its wings, but +is so shy that it is difficult to get a sight of it when at +liberty. Taken young it may be easily tamed, when it becomes +an amusing, if mischievous pet. It has considerable powers +of mimicry and can imitate the common sounds it hears with +wonderful exactness. The bleat of the lamb, the mew of the +cat, the neigh of the horse and the cries of other birds give +exercise to this faculty, and Bewick says: "We have heard +one imitate the sound made by the action of a saw, so exactly, +that though it was on a Sunday, we could hardly be persuaded +that the person who kept it had not a carpenter at work in +the house." Like many other birds it becomes bold in the +care and protection of its young. Knapp in his "Journals +of a Naturalist" says:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +"This bird is always extremely timid, when its own interest +or safety is solely concerned; but no sooner does its hungry +brood clamour for supply, than it loses all its wary character, +and becomes a bold and impudent thief. At this period it +will visit our gardens, which it rarely approaches at other +times, plunder them of every raspberry, cherry, or bean, that +it can obtain, and will not cease from rapine as long as any of +the brood or the crop remains. We see all the nestlings +approach, and, settling near some meditated scene of plunder, +quietly await a summons to commence. A parent bird +from some tree, surveys the ground, then descends upon +the cherry, or into the rows, immediately announces a discovery, +by a low but particular call, and all the family flock +into the banquet, which having finished by repeated visits, +the old birds return to the woods, with all their chattering +children, and become the same wild, cautious creatures they +were before."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Blue Jay.</span> +Wilson gives the following description of the +Blue Jay: "This elegant bird, peculiar to North +America, is distinguished as a kind of beau among the +feathered tenants of the woods, by the brilliancy of his dress; +and like most other coxcombs, makes himself still more +conspicuous by his loquacity, and the oddness of his tones +and gestures. Of all birds he is the most bitter enemy to +the owl. No sooner has he discovered the retreat of one +of these, than he calls the whole feathered fraternity to +his assistance, who surround the glimmering recluse, and +attack him from all sides, raising such a shout as may be +heard on a still day more than half a mile off. The owl +at length, forced to betake himself to flight, is followed by his +whole train of persecutors, until driven beyond the boundaries +of their jurisdiction. But the blue jay himself is not guiltless +of similar depredations as the owl and becomes in his +turn the very tyrant he detested, and he is sometimes attacked +with such spirit as to be under the necessity of making a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +speedy retreat. The blue jay is not only bold and vociferous, +but possesses a considerable talent for mimicry, and seems +to enjoy great satisfaction in mocking and teasing other birds, +particularly the little hawk, imitating his cry whenever he +sees him, and squeaking out as if caught; this soon brings +a number of his own tribe around him, who all join in the +frolic, darting about the hawk, and feigning the cries of a +bird sorely wounded, and already in the clutches of its +devourer; while others lie concealed in bushes, ready to +second their associates in the attack. But this ludicrous farce +often terminates tragically. The hawk, singling out one of +the most insolent and provoking, swoops upon him in an +unguarded moment, and offers him up a sacrifice to his +hunger and resentment. In an instant the tune is changed, +all their buffoonery vanishes, and loud and incessant screams +proclaim their disaster. Whenever the jay has had the +advantage of education from man, he has not only shown +himself an apt scholar, but his suavity of manners seems +equalled only by his art and contrivances, though it must +be confessed that his itch for thieving keeps pace with all +his other acquirements."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Magpie.</span> +The Magpie is an ancient bird and is mentioned +by Plutarch and other early writers. It +is indigenous in England and shows great industry and ingenuity +in the construction of its nest, which it lines with +mud plaster and covers with thorns, building upon high +trees and in secluded spots. It feeds upon both animal and +vegetable food, attacking birds, young ducks and chickens, +as well as mice and even rats, and regaling itself on both +fruit and grain. It attains to a length of about eighteen +inches and is a handsome bird, though captivity does not +improve its appearance.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Magpie's Mischief.</span> +The mischievous habits of the magpie have +won for it the name of "the Monkey of the +Birds," the Raven as Mr. Wood puts it being "the ornithological<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +baboon." Its mischief is displayed in many ways; +in the wanton destruction of articles and in their crafty +secretion, as well as in the thievish appropriation of edible +dainties. Mr. Wood tells of a Wiltshire magpie which "found +a malicious enjoyment in pecking the unprotected ankles of +little boys not yet arrived at manly habiliments, and was +such a terror to the female servants that they were forced +to pass his lurking-place armed with a broom. One of the +servants having neglected this precaution, was actually found +sitting down on the stones to protect her ankles, the magpie +triumphantly pacing round her, until aid was brought, and +the bird driven away." Mrs. Bowdich quotes the following +from Mr. Ranson: "A magpie, kept by a branch of our +family, was noted for his powers of imitation. He could +whistle tunes, imitate hens and ducks, and speak very plainly. +Seated upon a toll-bar gate, he would shout 'Gate, ahoy!' +so distinctly, as to draw out the keeper, who was generally +saluted by a loud laugh when he answered the call. When +the keeper's wife was making pastry, he would practise the +same manœuvre, and if the trick were not detected, and the +woman rushed out to open the gate, the magpie darted into +the house, and speedily made his exit with his bill full of +paste; and he, in great glee, would chatter about it for some +time afterwards. He would perch upon the backs of chairs, +say he was hungry, or inform the juniors of the family it +was time to go to school. He was allowed to run about, +but was never out of mischief, and had a constant propensity +to pilfer and hide small articles." Of the serious consequences +sometimes attending this habit of secreting things, the +following story from Lady Morgan's "Italy" is a painful +illustration.—"A noble lady of Florence, resided in a house +which stands still opposite the lofty Doric column which was +raised to commemorate the defeat of Pietro Strozzi, and the +taking of Sienna, by the tyrannic conqueror of both. Cosmo, +the First, lost a valuable pearl necklace, and one of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +waiting-women, (a very young girl) was accused of the theft. +Having solemnly denied the fact, she was put to the torture, +which was then <i>a plaisir</i> at Florence. Unable to support +its terrible infliction, she acknowledged that 'she was guilty,' +and, without further trial, was hung. Shortly after, Florence +was visited by a tremendous storm; a thunder-bolt fell on +the figure of Justice, and split the scales, one of which fell +to the earth, and with it fell the ruins of a magpie's nest, +containing the pearl necklace. Those scales are still the +haunts of birds, and I never saw them hovering round them, +without thinking of those 'good old times,' when innocent +women could be first tortured, and then hung on suspicion."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Raven.</span> +The Raven is a large bird, indeed the largest +of the British crows, attaining to a length of two +feet two inches, and having a stretch of wing of four feet eight +inches, in width. It is an historic bird, being mentioned +by Pliny who records that a tame one kept in the Temple +of Castor, was taught by a tailor whom it used to visit, to +pronounce the name of the Emperor Tiberius and of the +other members of the Royal family. The fame of the bird +brought the tailor riches, but excited the jealousy of his +neighbours, one of whom killed the bird. The record states +that the offender was punished and the bird accorded a magnificent +funeral. The Raven builds its nest in high trees and +among inaccessible and precipitous rocks, especially in the +Hebrides, and lives on carrion, not disdaining fruit and grain. +Like many other birds who afterwards show little concern +for their young the Raven is assiduous in its attentions during +the period of incubation. The following is from White's +"Natural History of Selborne":</p> + +<p>"In the centre of a grove near Selborne, there stood an +oak, which though shapely and tall on the whole, bulged out +into a large excrescence near the middle of the stem. On +the tree a pair of ravens had fixed their residence for such +a series of years, that the oak was distinguished by the name<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +of the 'raven tree,' Many were the attempts of the neighbouring +youths to get at this eyrie; the difficulty whetted +their inclinations, and each was ambitious of surmounting +the arduous task; but, when they arrived at the swelling, it +jutted out so much in their way, and was so far beyond +their grasp, that the boldest lads were deterred, and acknowledged +the undertaking to be too hazardous. Thus the ravens +continued to build nest after nest, in perfect security, till the +fatal day arrived on which the wood was to be levelled. +This was in the month of February, when these birds usually +sit. The saw was applied to the trunk, the wedges were +inserted in the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy +blows of the beetle or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall; +but the dam persisted to sit. At last, when it gave way, the +bird was flung from her nest; and though her maternal affection +deserved a better fate, was whipped down by the twigs, +which brought her dead to the ground." Ravens are said +to pair for life and to live for a hundred years.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Unnatural Parents.</span> +Though models of conjugal fidelity, Ravens +are said to be very unnatural parents, often +showing not only indifference but cruelty to their young. +Mr. Morris in his "Anecdotes of Natural History" tells an +interesting story of a family of ravens whose mother came +to an untimely death. "For a time the surviving parent +hovered about the nest, uttering loud and menacing croakings +whenever anybody approached. At length, however, he +disappeared, and absented himself for two or three days, +and then returned with another mate, when a strange scene +occurred. The poor half-starved nestlings were attacked +without mercy by the step-mother, who, after severely +wounding, precipitated them from the nest; two, however, +were found at the foot of the tree with signs of life, and +with great care and attention reared at the rectory, about +half a mile distant, and after being slightly pinioned, were +allowed their liberty; but they seldom quitted the lawn or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +offices, roosting in a tree in the shrubbery. Here, however, +they were soon discovered by their unnatural parents, who +for a long time used to come at early dawn and pounce +upon them with fierce cries." In this case it was the step-mother +and not the mother that treated the young ravens so +unkindly, and the father may be charitably credited with +acting under the influence of his second wife. That the +Raven drives its young out of its nest as soon as they are +able to provide for themselves is true, but why they should +pursue them after they have become independent is not clear. +This habit of the ravens, as Mr. Morris points out, may be +referred to in the following quotations: "He giveth to the +beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry" (Psalm +<span class="smcap">CXLVII.</span> 9). "Who provideth for the raven his food? when +his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat" +(Job <span class="smcap">XXXVIII.</span> 41).</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tame Raven.</span> +The Raven may be easily tamed, and in private +life is always an amusement, if sometimes +an annoyance. Like all birds which are capable of imitating +sounds and which learn words and phrases it will often +"speak its lines," with startling appropriateness as to time +and place. Captain Brown tells a good story of a Raven +which belonged to a gentleman who resided on the borders +of the New Forest in Hampshire. On one occasion a +traveller who was passing through the forest was startled +by the frequent repetition of the words: "Fair play, gentlemen! +fair play! for God's sake, gentlemen, fair play!" and +upon tracing the source of the sound discovered the tame +raven defending himself from the attacks of two of his own +species. It is needless to say that the traveller rescued the +"gentleman" from the two "ruffians" who molested him. +Captain Brown also tells of a tame raven who was an +expert rat-catcher and whose method was to place a meat +bone in front of a rat hole and to stand on a ledge above +the hole, pouncing on the rat as soon as he emerged from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +his retreat. In this way he captured as many as six in a +fore-noon.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Raven and the Dog.</span> +Dr. Stanley tells the following story of a +Raven and a Dog: "A strong attachment +was once formed between a raven and a large otter-dog. +The raven had been taken when young, and reared in +a stable-yard, where the dog was kept chained up. A +friendship soon commenced, which, increasing from little to +more, in time ripened into a most extraordinary degree of +intimacy. At first the bird was satisfied with hopping about +in the vicinity of the kennel, and occasionally pecking a hasty +morsel from the dog's feeding-pan when the latter had finished +his meal. Finding, however, no interruption on the part of +his friend, the raven soon became a constant attendant at +meal times, and, taking up his position on the edge of the +dish, acted the part of a regular guest and partaker of the +dog's dinner, which consisted usually of meal and milk, with +occasional scraps of offal meat, a piece of which the bird +would often snatch up, almost from the very mouth of the +dog, and hasten beyond the reach of his chain, as if to +tantalise his four-footed friend; and then hopping towards +him, would play about, and hang it close to his nose; and +then as speedily, at the moment the dog was preparing to +snap it up, would dart off beyond the reach of the chain. +At other times he would hide the piece of meat under a +stone, and then coming back, with a cunning look, would +perch upon the dog's head. It was observed, however, that +he always ended his pranks by either sharing or giving up +the whole piece to his friend the dog. By some accident the +raven had fallen into a tub of water, and, either weakened +by struggling, or unable to get out owing to its feathers being +soaked with water, it was nearly drowned. The dog (whether +the same dog or another does not appear), chained at a short +distance, saw the poor bird's danger, and dragging his heavy +kennel towards it, reached his head over the side of the tub,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +and taking the drowning raven up in his mouth, laid him +gently on the ground, when he soon recovered."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Rook.</span> +The Rook which is often confused with the +Carrion Crow is found in many parts of Europe and is +abundant in England, where it is common to see groups of +trees near gentlemen's houses given up to their occupancy. +Here they build their nests, rear their young, keep up an +incessant cawing, quarrel and make peace as do all other +large communities. If a new-comer appears among them, +he is generally received in a very rough manner. At Newcastle, +a pair of rooks attempted to introduce themselves +into a rookery, but were so rudely treated, that, in high +dudgeon, they ascended to the steeple of one of the public +buildings, and built their nest on the vane. Here they lived +for several successive seasons, turning about with every change +of wind, and regardless of the busy scene in the town beneath. +The rook is gregarious, in which particular it differs from +the Carrion Crow which lives in pairs. Further differences +are found in the feathering of the head and neck of these +birds, that of the crow being much more completely covered +than that of the rook. The croak of the crow is, moreover, +much harsher than the caw of the rook. Like most, if not +all other birds and animals, the rook serves a useful purpose in +nature, in checking the multiplication of the worms and insects +which prey upon the crops; and doubtless were he able to +argue the question he would contend that helping the farmer +to produce his harvest he has a right to a share in it. +It is only when the rook in his turn gets too numerous that +he needs a similar check.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Carrion Crow.</span> +The Carrion Crow resembles the raven in appearance, +but is about one third smaller in size. +It lives in pairs and is said to be a model of conjugal fidelity +and parental care. Omnivorous in habit it appropriates all +kinds of food: insects, grain, eggs, fruit, nuts, mice, ducklings +and chickens, as well as such dead meat as may offer opportunitty.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +Captain Brown quoting from a Scotch newspaper tells +of a crow which made an attempt to carry off one of a +brood of fourteen chickens, but which on being disturbed, +dropped its prey and made its escape, returning some time +after with thirteen other crows and carrying off the whole +brood.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Jackdaw.</span> +The Jackdaw, measures about fourteen inches, +and is thus the smallest of the birds of its kind. It builds +in old ruins, church towers, and rocky eminences, in which +particular it differs from the rooks and the crows, who select +the topmost branches of trees for this purpose. Like its near +relatives with whom we have been dealing, it is thievish and +secretive in its habits, showing a preference, in its appropriations, +for bright objects such as silver spoons and gold rings. These +habits and their terrible consequences have been immortalized +by the history and fate of the "Jackdaw of Rheims."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chough.</span> +The Chough frequents the western sea coasts +of England, the north, south, and west of Ireland and the +Isle of Man, and the borders of the snow line or Alpine +ranges on the continent of Europe. It nests in the cavities +of high cliffs and attains a length of seventeen inches; its +beak and legs are of a brilliant red. When tamed it shows +the same qualities of curiosity and secretiveness which characterise +the other birds of its kind.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bird of Paradise.</span> +The Bird of Paradise is one of the most beautiful +of living birds. Mr. Wallace thus describes the +<i>Paradisea apoda</i> which is the largest species +known: "The body, wings, and tail are of a rich coffee +brown, which deepens on the breast to a blackish-violet or +purple brown. The whole top of the head and neck is of +an exceedingly delicate straw-yellow, the feathers being short +and close set, so as to resemble plush or velvet; the lower +part of the throat up to the eye is clothed with scaly +feathers of an emerald green colour, and with a rich metallic +gloss, and velvety plumes of a still deeper green, extend in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +a band across the forehead and chin as far as the eye, +which is bright yellow. The beak is pale lead blue, and the +feet which are rather large and very strong and well formed, +are a pale ashy pink. The two middle feathers of the tail +have no webs, except a very small one at the base and at +the extreme tip, forming wire-like cirri, which spread out +in an elegant double curve, and vary from twenty-four to +thirty-four inches long. From each side of the body beneath +the wings, springs a dense tuft of long and delicate plumes, +sometimes two feet in length, of the most intense golden +orange colour, and very glossy, but changing towards the tips +into a pale brown. This tuft of plumage can be elevated +and spread out at pleasure so as almost to conceal the body +of the bird. These splendid ornaments are entirely confined +to the male sex; the female is a very plain and ordinary +looking bird. The male is generally seventeen or eighteen +inches from the beak to the tip of the tail."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Hunting the Bird of Paradise.</span> +In catching the Bird of Paradise, the natives +take advantage of the apparent vanity of their +victims. "In May when they are in full +plumage," says Mr. Wallace, "the males assemble early in the +morning to exhibit themselves in a most singular manner. +This habit enables the natives to obtain specimens with +comparative ease. As soon as they find that the birds have +fixed upon a tree upon which to assemble, they build a +little shelter of palm leaves in a convenient place among the +branches, and the hunter ensconces himself in it before +daylight, armed with his bow and a number of arrows terminating +in a round nob. A boy waits at the foot of the tree, +and when the birds come at sunrise, and a sufficient number +have assembled, and have begun to dance, the hunter +shoots with his blunt arrow so strongly as to stun the bird, +which drops down, and is secured and killed by the boy, +without its plumage being injured by a drop of blood. The +rest take no notice, and fall one after another till some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +them take the alarm." The Bird of Paradise is found in +New Guinea and the Papuan Islands.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tanagers.</span> +Following Mr. Wallace's order we come now +to the second class of the perching birds, the +Tanagroid perchers, with the more important species of +which we will now proceed to deal.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tanager.</span> +Tanagers are found in America and the West +Indian Islands. Wilson, the American ornithologist, +describing the scarlet Tanager, says: "Among all other +birds that inhabit our woods, there is none that strikes the +eye of the stranger or even a native with so much brilliancy +as this. Seen among the green leaves, with the light falling +strongly on his plumage, he really appears beautiful. If he +has little melody in his notes to charm us, he has nothing +in them to disgust. His manners are modest, easy and inoffensive; +he commits no depredations on the property of the +husbandman, but rather benefits him by the daily destruction +in spring of many noxious insects; and when winter approaches +he is no plundering dependant, but seeks in a distant +country for that sustenance which the severity of the season +denies to his industry in this. He is a striking ornament to +our rural scenery and none of the meanest of our rural songsters." +Its body is scarlet and its wings and tail are black. +One species of the Tanager is known as the Organist Tanager +from the richness of its tones.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Swallow.</span> +Though only a summer friend the swallow is +among the most popular of birds in England. It arrives +in April and is always sure of a hearty welcome, and when +it leaves in September for its long journey across the sea no +one would withhold from it a "God speed". The swallow +builds under the eaves of houses, always selecting dry and +sheltered spots. Its flight is very rapid, and is a pretty sight +to watch as it skims over the surface of the water, sometimes +striking it with its wings as it darts hither and thither, snapping +at the flies and insects which come within its reach. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +marvellous flights of these birds when they migrate are among +the many wonderful things of nature. Humboldt states that +he saw a swallow alight on the rigging of his vessel when it +was one hundred and twenty miles from land. How such +tiny creatures can sustain such extended flights it is difficult +to understand.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Swallows in Council.</span> +Swallows seem to understand the principle of +co-operation and what the family is unable to +do for itself the community seems always ready to undertake for +it. Captain Brown tells of a pair of swallows who returning to +their last year's nest found it occupied by a robust English +sparrow. The sparrow declined to give up the nest and the +swallows were not strong enough to eject it, whereupon a +council was called, as a result of which a large army of swallows +proceeded to close up the entrance to the nest with clay, +"leaving the sparrow to perish in the garrison it had so +gallantly defended." This happened at Strathendry, Bleachfield, +in Fifeshire, on the banks of the Leven, and was witnessed +by Mr. Gavan Inglis. But not only do the swallows co-operate +for the purposes of war; Mr. Inglis was a witness +of another effort of combination. It happened that a pair +of swallows had built a nest in the corner of one of his windows, +in which they had hatched five offspring. The parent birds fell +victims to a sportsman's gun and Mr. Inglis contemplated an +attempt to rear the family himself. This, however, proved +unnecessary. In a very short time a number of swallows +came and inspected the bereaved dwelling, apparently noting +the condition of the house as well as the brood. A supply +of food was immediately brought, and the next morning the +kindly offices were renewed and thenceforward continued +until the young were able to provide for themselves. Remarkable +as these incidents are they are not singular, for both +have been known to occur more than once.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The House Martin.</span> +The House Martin is characterized by a white +spot above his tail which adds to the prettiness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +of his appearance in flight. The summer residence of this +agreeable bird is universally among the habitations of man, +who, having no interest in its destruction, and deriving +considerable advantage as well as amusement from its +company, is generally its friend and protector.</p> + +<p>The Martin inhabits America as well as Europe, and is a +particular favourite wherever it takes up his abode. "I never +knew but one man," says Wilson, "who disliked the Martins, +and would not permit them to settle about his house: this +was a penurious, close-fisted German, who hated them, because, +as he said, 'they eat his <i>peas</i>.' I told him he certainly +must be mistaken, as I never knew an instance of +Martins eating peas; but he replied with coolness, 'that he had +many times seen them himself <i>blaying</i> near the hive, and going +<i>schnip schnap</i>,' by which I understood that it was his bees that +were the sufferers; and the charge could not be denied."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sand Martin.</span> +The Sand Martin is the smallest of the British +swallows and it is the first to arrive. It bores +horizontal holes two or three feet deep into the sides of +sand-pits, at the end of which it builds its nest of grass +and feathers.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chaffinch. The Goldfinch. The Greenfinch.</span> +The Finches are beautiful and interesting +birds. The Chaffinch is famous for the vivacity +of its song and the beauty of its nest. "The +forks of a thorn, or wild crab tree," says Mr. Wood, "are +favourite places for the nest, which is composed of mosses, +hair, wool and feathers, covered on the exterior with lichens +and mosses so exactly resembling the bough on which the +nest is placed that the eye is often deceived by its appearance." +The Goldfinch is a favourite pet, and is capable of +being trained to perform tricks. It has been called the +Thistlefinch from its use of the down of the thistle in the +construction of its nest. It is bright of appearance, cheery +of song, and affectionate of disposition. The Greenfinch has +a coat of rich olive green, and a waistcoat of greyish-yellow.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Linnet.</span> +The Linnet is a homely looking little brown +bird with a sweet melodious voice. It frequents commons +and waste lands, where it builds its nest under the cover +of friendly furze bushes, or nearer the habitations of man, in +thick-set hedges. The Linnet is the natural laureate of the +English cottage home.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Canary.</span> +The Canary, as its name implies, comes from +the Canary Islands, but it has been so crossed +in breeding that it differs very considerably from its original +ancestors. Buffon says:—"If the nightingale is the chauntress +of the woods, the canary is the musician of the chamber; +the first owes all to nature, the second something to art. +With less strength of organ, less compass of voice, and less +variety of note, the canary has a better ear, greater facility +of imitation, and a more retentive memory; and as the +difference of genius, especially among the lower animals, +depends in a great measure on the perfection of their senses, +the canary, whose organ of hearing is more susceptible of +receiving foreign impressions, becomes more social, tame, and +familiar; is capable of gratitude and even attachment; its +caresses are endearing, its little humours innocent, and its +anger neither hurts nor offends. Its education is easy; we +hear it with pleasure, because we are able to instruct it. It +leaves the melody of its own natural note, to listen to the +melody of our voices and instruments. It applauds, it +accompanies us, and repays the pleasure it receives with +interest; while the nightingale, more proud of its talent, seems +desirous of preserving it in all its purity, at least it appears +to attach very little value to ours and it is with great difficulty +it can be taught any of our airs. The canary can speak +and whistle; the nightingale despises our words, as well as +our airs, and never fails to return to its own wild-wood +notes. Its pipe is a masterpiece of nature, which human +art can neither alter nor improve; while that of the canary +is a model of more pliant materials, which we can mould<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +at pleasure; and therefore it contributes in a much greater +degree to the comforts of society. It sings at all seasons, +cheers us in the dullest weather, and adds to our happiness, +by amusing the young, and delighting the recluse, charming +the tediousness of the cloister, and gladdening the soul of +the innocent and captive."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tame Canary.</span> +The canary is easily tamed, and has been taught +to perform many little tricks, indeed groups of +them have been trained to act little plays, firing cannons and +driving coaches. The canary shows a humane disposition, +has been known to foster the young of other birds, to make +friends with other pets, even cats; to show great affection for +its master and to die of grief on the loss of its mate. Dr. +Darwin tells of "a canary bird which always fainted away +when its cage was cleaned. Having desired to see the +experiment," says Dr. Darwin, "the cage was taken from the +ceiling, and the bottom drawn out. The bird began to tremble, +and turned quite white about the root of the bill; he then +opened his mouth as if for breath, and respired quickly; +stood up straighter on his perch, hung his wing, spread his +tail, closed his eyes, and appeared quite stiff for half an hour, +till at length, with trembling and deep respirations, he came +gradually to himself."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Crossbill.</span> +The Crossbill must be mentioned for the sake +of the peculiarity indicated by its name. The +points of the beak instead of being straight and meeting in +a common point, "curve to the right and left and always in +opposite directions." They therefore cross each other and +present a unique appearance. It is found in the North of +Europe, and in the great pine forests of Germany.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bunting.</span> +There are several kinds of Bunting; the English +Bunting common to wayside hedges, and +familiar from its habit of flitting in front of the traveller, and +the Snow Bunting of the northern regions, which turns white +on the approach of snow.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Starlings.</span> +We come now to the third division of the +<i>Passeres</i> or perching birds, to which Mr. Wallace +attaches the name of the starlings. "The starlings or <i>Sturnidæ</i>," +says Dr. Percival Wright, "are a well marked old-world +group. No species of the family are found in Australia."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Starling.</span> +The Common Starling is a bird of passage, +arriving in England about the beginning of March +and leaving some time in October. Knapp says:—"There +is something singularly curious and mysterious in +the conduct of these birds previously to their nightly retirement, +by the variety and intricacy of the evolutions they +execute at that time. They will form themselves, perhaps, +into a triangle, then shoot into a long, pear-shaped figure, +expand like a sheet, wheel into a ball, as Pliny observes, +each individual striving to get into the centre, etc., with a +promptitude more like parade movements than the actions of +birds. As the breeding season advances, these prodigious +flights divide, and finally separate into pairs, and form their +summer settlements." The Starling is a handsome bird and +usually nests in old buildings, though it has a preference for +a dove-cote if it can gain admission. It is a peaceable +bird and for all its military evolutions does not seem to war +with other species. Its domestic character is also good.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Weaver Bird.</span> +The Weaver birds which are included in this +division, are a very interesting species. They +belong to Africa, where they hang their nests upon trees, +those of the sociable weaver birds giving the trees the +appearance of partially thatched wall-less structures. Le Vaillant +thus describes his experience of the sociable weaver bird: he +says:—"I observed, on the way, a tree with an enormous nest +of these birds, to which I have given the appellation of +republicans; and as soon as I arrived at my camp, I dispatched +a few men with a wagon to bring it to me, that +I might open the hive and examine its structure in its minutest +parts. When it arrived, I cut it to pieces with a hatchet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +and saw that the chief portion of the structure consisted of +a mass of Buckmans grass, without any mixture, but so +compactly and firmly basketed together, as to be impenetrable +to the rain. This is the commencement of the structure; +and each bird builds its particular nest under this canopy, +the upper surface remaining void without, however, being +useless; for, as it has a projecting rim and is a little inclined, +it serves to let the rain water run off and preserve each little +dwelling from the rain. Figure to yourself a huge, irregular, +sloping roof, all the eaves of which are completely covered +with nests crowded one against another, and you will have +a tolerably accurate idea of these singular edifices. Each +individual nest is three or four inches in diameter, which is +sufficient for the bird. But as they are all in contact with +one another around the eaves, they appear to the eye to +form one building and are distinguishable from each other +only by a little external aperture which serves as an entrance +to the nest; and even this is sometimes common to three +different nests, one of which is situated at the bottom and the +other two at the sides." One of these structures examined +by Patterson contained three hundred and twenty inhabited +cells.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lark.</span> +The skylark is common all over Europe and is +an especial favourite in the British Isles, It builds its nest +on the ground among growing corn or high grass, and shows +especial care for its young. Its song is perhaps the most +joyous and inspiriting of those of English birds. Captain +Brown quotes the following interesting particulars of its song +from a communication made by Mr. J. Main to the "Magazine +of Natural History:" "His joyous matins and heavenward +flight have been aptly compared to hymns and acts of adoration +and praise. No bird sings with more method: there is an +overture performed <i>vivace crescendo</i>, while the singer ascends; +when at the full height, the song becomes <i>moderato</i>, and +distinctly divided into short passages, each repeated three or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +four times over, like a <i>fantasia</i>, in the same key and time. +If there be any wind, he rises perpendicularly by bounds, +and afterwards poises himself with breast opposed to it. If +calm, he ascends in spiral circles; in horizontal circles during +the principal part of his song, and zigzagly downwards during +the performance of the <i>finale</i>. Sometimes, after descending +about half way, he ceases to sing, and drops with the velocity +of an arrow to the ground. Those acquainted with the song +of the skylark can tell without looking at them whether the +birds be ascending or stationary in the air, or on their +descent; so different is the style of the song in each case. +In the first, there is an expression of ardent impatience; in +the second, an <i>andante</i> composure, in which rests of a bar +at a time frequently occur; and in the last, a graduated +sinking of the strains."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Maternal Instinct of the Lark.</span> +Mrs. Bowdich quoting from "The Naturalist" +gives the following pretty story of the maternal +instinct of the Lark:—"The other day, some +mowers shaved off the upper part of the nest of +a skylark, without injuring the female, who was sitting on +her young: still she did not fly away; and the mowers +levelled the grass all round her, without her taking any notice +of their proceedings. The son of the owner of the crop +witnessed this, and, about an hour afterwards, went to see +if she were safe; when, to his great surprise, he found that +she had actually constructed a dome of dry grass over the +nest during the interval, leaving an aperture on one side for +ingress and egress; thus endeavouring to secure a continuance +of the shelter previously supplied by the long grass." Buffon +tells a remarkable story of the self-sacrifice of a young lark +who took upon itself the duties of a foster mother. He +says:—"A young hen bird was brought to me in the month +of May, which was not able to feed without assistance. I +caused her to be educated, and she was hardly fledged when +I received from another place a nest of three or four unfledged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> +skylarks. She took a strong liking to these new-comers, +which were scarcely younger than herself; she tended them +night and day, cherished them beneath her wings, and fed +them with her bill. Nothing could interrupt her tender offices. +If the young ones were torn from her, she flew to them as +soon as she was liberated, and would not think of effecting +her own escape, which she might have done a hundred times. +Her affection grew upon her; she neglected food and drink; +she now required the same support as her adopted offspring, +and expired at last consumed with maternal anxiety. None +of the young ones survived her. They died one after another; +so essential were her cares, which were equally tender and +judicious."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lark and the Hawk.</span> +The Lark when pursued by the Hawk has +been known to seek refuge under the protection +of man, as the following quoted by Captain Brown +from Bell's "Weekly Messenger" will show. "On Wednesday, +the 6th of October, 1805, as a gentleman was sitting on the +rocks at the end of Collercot's sands, near Tynemouth, Northumberland, +dressing himself after bathing, he perceived a +hawk in the air, in close pursuit of, and nearly within reach +of a lark. To save the little fugitive, he shouted and clapped +his hands, when immediately the lark descended, and alighted +on his knee, nor did it offer to leave him, when taken into +the hand, but seemed confident of that protection, which it +found. The hawk sailed about for some time. The gentleman, +after taking the lark nearly to Tynemouth, restored it to its +former liberty."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wagtails and Pipits.</span> +The Wagtails, of which family the Pied Wagtail +is the most familiar, derives its name from +its habit of wagging its tail. As Mr. Wood says, "it settles +on the ground and wags its tail; it runs a few paces and +wags its tail again; pecks an insect, and again its tail vibrates." +It frequents sandbanks and the margins of rivers where it +finds its food. It is found in England throughout the year,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> +migrating to the southern counties in the early winter. The +Pipits, of which "The Meadow Pipit" and the Tree Pipit +are the best known varieties, are found all over the British +Isles as well as in many parts of Europe.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ant-Eaters.</span> +The fourth division of the perching birds designated +by Mr. Wallace, the Ant-Eaters, includes +a large number of American varieties, which space forbids +us even to enumerate. One or two must suffice.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The King Bird.</span> +The King Bird or Tyrant Fly-catcher of North +America is small, but of a fearless disposition, +attacking hawks, crows, and other larger birds, and generally +having the best of the battle. The upper part of its body +is black and the lower of a delicate white. Its song is a +shrill twittering "resembling the jingling of a bunch of keys." +It belongs to the family of the Tyrant Shrikes or <i>Tyrannidæ</i>. +It is during the time of incubation that it shows so much +ferocity. Wilson says, "I have seen the red-headed woodpecker +while clinging on a rail of the fence, amuse himself +with the violence of the king bird, and play 'bo-peep' with +him round the rail, while the latter, highly irritated, made +every attempt, as he swept from side to side, to strike him, +but in vain. All his turbulence subsides as soon as his young +are able to shift for themselves, and he is then as mild and +peaceable as any other bird."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chatterers.</span> +The Chatterers, or <i>Cotingidæ</i> include among +them, the Cock of the Rock, one of the most +beautiful of South-American birds. Resembling a pigeon in +size, its head is sufficiently like that of the farm-yard cock +to account for its name, which is also made to indicate the +nature of its haunts. Its coat is a warm saffron yellow and +its crest resembles a fan. Sir Robert Schomburgh says: +"While traversing the Kikiritze mountains in Guiana, we +saw a number of that most beautiful bird, the cock-of-the-rock, +or Rock Manakin (<i>rupicola elegans</i>), and I had an opportunity +of witnessing an exhibition of some of its very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> +singular antics, of which I had heard stories from the Indians, +but had hitherto disbelieved them. Hearing the twittering +noise so peculiar to the <i>Rupicola</i>, I cautiously stole near, with +two of my guides, towards a spot secluded from the path +from four to five feet in diameter, and which appeared to +have been cleared of every blade of grass, and smoothed as +by human hands. There we saw a cock-of-the-rock, capering +to the apparent delight of several others, now spreading its +wings, throwing up its head, or opening its tail like a fan; +now strutting about, and scratching the ground, all accompanied +by a hopping gait, until tired, when it gabbled some +kind of note, and another relieved it. Thus three of them +successively took the field, and then with self-approbation +withdrew to rest on one of the low branches near the scene +of action. We had counted ten cocks and two hens of the +party, when the crackling of some wood, on which I had +unfortunately placed my foot, alarmed and dispersed this +dancing party." The Bell Bird of Brazil; the Umbrella Bird +of the Amazons, the Broadbills, the Plant cutters, the Oven +bird, and the Ant-Thrushes are all included in this group.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Lyre Bird.</span> +The Lyre Bird, which according to the classification +we are following, with the scrub bird, +forms the fifth group of the perching birds, belongs to Australia. +The Lyre Bird has been so often depicted in illustrations that +its form is familiar to most people. The tail of the male +bird which is composed of three different kinds of feathers +so beautifully resembles the Lyre that there could be no +hesitation in giving the bird its name. Since its discovery this +bird has been so hunted as to considerably reduce its numbers, +and the tail feathers which at one time could be purchased +at a low price, have become rare and costly.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER II.<br /> +Climbers and Gapers.</span> +This order includes some widely different species +and is made up of <i>Scansores</i>, Climbers and +<i>Fissirostres</i>, Gapers. A few of the better known +species are all that we can mention.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Woodpecker.</span> +The green Woodpecker is the variety best +known in England, where it inhabits the woods +and feeds upon the insects it finds in the bark of trees. +Audubon writing of the "Ivory-billed" variety says:—"The +birds pay great regard to the particular situation of the tree, +and the inclination of its trunk; first, because they prefer +retirement, and again, because they are anxious to secure the +aperture against the access of water during beating rains. To +prevent such a calamity the hole is generally dug immediately +under the junction of a large branch with the trunk. It is +first bored horizontally for a few inches, then directly downwards, +and not in a spiral manner as some people have +imagined. According to circumstances, this cavity is more or +less deep, being sometimes more than ten inches, whilst at +other times it reaches three feet downwards into the core of +the tree. The average diameter of the different nests which +I have examined was about seven inches within, although +the entrance, which is perfectly round, is only just large +enough to admit the bird." Wilson declares that during the +excavation of its nest, which occupies several days, the woodpecker +will often carry the chips and strew them at a distance +to divert suspicion. Audubon describing the Red-headed +Woodpecker says:—"With the exception of the mocking +bird, I know no species so gay and frolicsome. Their whole +life is one of pleasure."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wryneck.</span> +This bird which was known to the Greeks, and +described by Aristotle, forms with its allied species +a connecting link between the Woodpecker and the Cuckoo. +It feeds on caterpillars and insects which it catches with its +long sticky tongue, with such rapidity of movement that the +eye cannot follow it.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cuckoo.</span> +The Cuckoo is always welcomed in England +as the harbinger of Spring. Its cry is one of the most easily +distinguished of bird songs, and is the nearest approach to +a definite musical interval produced by any bird. The habit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> +of the cuckoo of laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, +has given rise to much speculation, ancient and modern, and +now, though the fact remains, a sufficiently satisfactory +reason seems as remote as ever. The nest of the Hedge-sparrow +seems to be the one most often selected, though that +of the wagtail is sometimes chosen. The consequences to +the young of the native bird, are somewhat serious as the +following will show.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cuckoo and the Hedge-Sparrow.</span> +Dr. Jenner, the discoverer of vaccination +says:—"On the 18th of June, 1787, I examined +the nest of a hedge-sparrow (<i>Accentor +modularis</i>), which then contained a cuckoo and three hedge-sparrows' +eggs. On inspecting it the day following, the bird +had hatched; but the nest then contained only a young +cuckoo and one hedge-sparrow. The nest was placed so near +the extremity of a hedge, that I could distinctly see what was +going forward in it; and, to my great astonishment, I saw +the young cuckoo, though so lately hatched, in the act of +turning out the young hedge-sparrow. The mode of accomplishing +this was very curious; the little animal, with the +assistance of its rump and wings, contrived to get the bird +upon its back, and making a lodgment for its burthen by +elevating its elbows, clambered backwards with it up the side +of the nest till it reached the top, where, resting for a moment, +it threw off its load with a jerk, and quite disengaged it from +the nest. It remained in this situation for a short time, +feeling about with the extremities of its wings, as if to be +convinced whether the business was properly executed, and +then dropped into the nest again. I afterwards put in an +egg, and this, by a similar process, was conveyed to the edge +of the nest and thrown out. These experiments I have since +repeated several times, in different nests, and have always +found the young cuckoo disposed to act in the same manner. +"It sometimes happens that two cuckoos' eggs are deposited +in the same nest, and then the young produced from one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +them must inevitably perish. Two cuckoos and one hedge-sparrow +were hatched in the same nest, and one hedge-sparrow's +egg remained unhatched. In a few hours afterwards +a contest began between the cuckoos for the possession of the +nest, which continued undetermined till the next afternoon, +when one of them, which was somewhat superior in size, +turned out the other, together with the young hedge-sparrow +and the unhatched egg. The combatants alternately appeared +to have the advantage, as each carried the other several times +to the top of the nest, and then sunk down again, oppressed +by the weight of the burthen; till at length, after various +efforts, the strongest prevailed, and was afterwards brought +up by the hedge-sparrow." Jenner's experiences have been +corroborated by repeated experiments since. Colonel Montague +carried a hedge-sparrow's nest, so inhabited, into his house +where he could watch it at leisure and where he saw the +young cuckoo frequently oust the baby hedge-sparrow in +the manner described. The cuckoo feeds on caterpillars, and +insects. It may be tamed, but as a rule does not live long +in confinement. Its note is heard from April to June.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cuckoo and the Thrush.</span> +That the cuckoo is scarcely an amiable bird +would appear from the following incident recorded +by Dr. Stanley: "A young thrush, just able to +feed itself, was placed in a cage. A short time +after, a young cuckoo, which could not feed itself, was placed +in the same cage, and fed by the owner. At length it was +observed that the thrush fed it; the cuckoo opening its +mouth, and sitting on the upper perch, and making the thrush +hop down to fetch its food. One day, while thus expecting +its supply, a worm was put into the cage, and the thrush +could not resist the temptation of eating it, upon which the +cuckoo descended, attacked the thrush with fury, and literally +tore out one of its eyes, and then hopped back. Although +so lacerated, the poor thrush meekly took up some food, and +continued to do so till the cuckoo was full grown."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Trogons.</span> +The Trogons are among the most gorgeous of +living birds; the brilliance of their plumage defying +verbal description. Their main colour is "a metallic golden +green, boldly contrasted with scarlet, black, and brown." +"The Resplendent Trogon," says Mr. Wood, "is the most gorgeous +of all this gorgeous family. Its long and gracefully +curved tail is nearly three feet long, and the whole of the +upper surface, and the throat, are a glowing green; the breast +and under parts are bright crimson; the middle feathers of +the tail black, and the outer feathers white." These birds +are natives of Mexico.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Kingfisher.</span> +The Kingfishers are a wide-spread family, being +found all over the world. There are numerous +varieties, of which the Common Kingfisher and the Laughing +Kingfisher are all that we can notice. The Common Kingfisher +is indigenous in England where it usually lives on the +banks of rivers and streams, feeding upon fish and insects. +It makes burrows or holes in the banks, where it lays its eggs +and rears its young; fishing from the low branches of trees +which overspread the water. When the fish is caught it is +beaten to death against some hard substance and then +swallowed whole, head foremost. The Common Kingfisher +is somewhat larger than the lark, and has a beautiful metallic +coat which shimmers with a very pleasing effect as it darts +among the greenery of the river bank or flies along the +surface of the water. The Laughing Kingfisher belongs to +Australia and is so named from its peculiar cry. It is one of +the largest species of its kind. Other species belong to the +Moluccas and New Guinea, and a few to America.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Hornbill.</span> +The Hornbill is famous for the size and shape +of its bill, which is very large. There are several +varieties, African and Indian. They live mostly on fruit, +though some are said to eat reptiles. They have some very +curious habits. Mr. Wallace describes the habit of the male +Hornbill of shutting up the female during the period of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> +incubation and feeding her through a small hole left open for +the purpose.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Goat-Suckers.</span> +The goat-sucker is so called from the belief +long entertained that it was in the habit of sucking +the teat of the goat. There are several varieties and they are +remarkable for the strangeness of their cries. The Goat-sucker +has sometimes been called the Night-jar from its discordant +note, it is also known as the Fern Owl. Mr. Wood says:—"It +may be seen at the approach of evening silently wheeling +round the trees, capturing the nocturnal moths and beetles; +then occasionally settling and uttering its jarring cry. When +flying the bird sometimes makes its wings meet over its back, +and brings them together with a smart snap. It arrives in +England in the beginning of May and leaves in December. +The Whip-poor-will and the Chuck-will's-widow both belong +to this family."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Whip-poor-Will.</span> +The Whip-poor-will, which is peculiar to America, +is celebrated for its singular melody, which is +heard in spring to issue at night from the woods and glens +of all parts of the country. It is a rapid warbling repetition +of the name given to the bird, and is so distinctly pronounced, +as to seem like the voice of a human being. It is a solitary +bird, remaining silent and sequestered during the day, but at +night it often approaches a dwelling, and pours forth its +song upon the door-step, or a neighbouring tree.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Chuck-Will's-Widow.</span> +This bird, also peculiar to America, is about +a foot in length, resembling in colour, form, and +habits, the whip-poor-will. It is a solitary bird, frequenting +glens and hollows, and seldom making its appearance during +the day. Its song, which is uttered, like that of the whip-poor-will, +at night, is a constant repetition of the sound, +chuck-will's-widow, very distinctly articulated. It is common +in Georgia, and is regarded by the Creek Indians with superstitious +awe. It is very seldom seen in the Middle or Eastern +States; "but I recollect once," says an American writer, "to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +known a whole village in New England in terror and amazement +at hearing one of them singing its strange song on +the edge of a swamp. The superstitious part of the inhabitants +considered it a prediction of some evil that was to befall a +widow of the parish; but there was a diversity of opinion as +to who the hapless Chuck-will's-widow might be."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Swift.</span> +The Swift, so called from the remarkable speed +of his flight, is also known as "Jack screamer" +from the shrillness of his voice. He winters in Africa and +arrives in England about May, remaining until about the +middle of August. He builds his nest under the eaves of +houses and frequents steeples and other lofty edifices, +forming his nest of grasses and feathers. The esculent swift, +so called from the fact that its nests are edible, builds at +the sides of almost inaccessible cliffs, a habit which renders +the collection of these singular dainties very dangerous. The +nests are formed of mucilaginous sea-weeds and have the +appearance of isinglass. They are considered great delicacies +in China, where they are found. They abound in Java. The +swifts resemble the swallows in several particulars and have +often been classed with them, there are, however, important +differences which separate them.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Humming Bird.</span> +There are hundreds of kinds of Humming Birds, +nearly all of them natives of America, where +they frequent the gardens, and sip the honey from the +honeysuckle and other plants, like the hive and humble bee. +The humming bird is several times larger than the latter, but flies +so swiftly as almost to elude the sight. Its wings, when it is +balancing over the flower, produce a humming sound, from which +it takes its name. It is the smallest of the feathered race, and +is one of the most beautiful in the elegance of its form, and +the glossy brilliancy of its delicate plumage. Small as it is, +however, it is exceedingly courageous, and has violent passions. +The length of this bird is three inches; it lives partly on +honey obtained from flowers, but devours also great quantities<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +of very small insects. The general colour is a rich +golden green on the upper parts; the breast and neck are +of a dusky white. Its nest is very small, and is elegantly +lined with the down of the mullein. It is covered on the +outside with moss, to imitate the colour of the limb on which +it is built.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER III.<br /> +The Parrots.</span> +The parrots never fail to interest, on account +of their beauty of form and colour, and their +aptitude for imitating common sounds. There are some hundreds +of species, belonging to different parts of the world, the +Cockatoos to Australia, the Macaws to America, and many +varieties to Africa. The Macaws and some other kinds +are among the most gorgeous of living birds and whether +seen in their native wilds or in the aviaries of civilisation +never fail to excite admiration. The Cockatoo is distinguished +from the true parrot by its crest; other species are differentiated +by habit, size, colour, and form. The better known of these +are, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, the Ground parrot, the +Macaw, the Grey parrot, the Green parrot, the Parrakeets +and the Love-birds.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Parrot's Intelligence.</span> +Many stories are told of the remarkable powers +of individual parrots and the singular appropriateness +of their remarks on particular occasions. These are +often so startling as to arouse suspicion of their authenticity, +and yet a moment's reflection will show that coincidence +plays a large part in these demonstrations, and that many of +the most astonishing examples of felicitous interjection, or +repartee, are due to this, and not to any special gift of +intelligence on the part of the bird. An ordinary parrot with +half a dozen phrases which it is constantly repeating, will in +the nature of things, often use them in singularly felicitous +connection with current conversation. No notice is taken of +the many instances in which the phrase is inappropriate and +yet a few cases of remarkable fitness are held to demonstrate +extraordinary intelligence. Teach a parrot such a simple<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +rejoinder as "not I!" and the bird using it in answer to all +sorts of questions, will often use it with apparent intelligence, +but a doll might be made to show equal wit. That parrots +are taught to give certain answers to certain questions is of +course true, but in these cases the questions suggest the answers +and all the intelligence is shown by the interrogator. Those +birds which have lived many years and acquired many phrases, +will naturally, from the extent of their repertoire, the more often +surprise their hearers; but that they show any greater intelligence +may perhaps be doubted. That some of the parrots, +and especially the Love-birds, show great feeling for each +other and attachment to their owners is well known, but the +claim sometimes made that they show greater intelligence +than any other birds may be very safely disputed. The term +"parrot-like," as applied to the repetition of lessons by rote +which are not understood by those repeating them, involves +no injustice to the parrot.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Famous Parrots.</span> +There have been many famous parrots who +have played their part in history if they have +not rivalled the geese that saved Rome. The Emperor Basilius +Macedo was induced by a Parrot, who cast a gloom over +the guests at a banquet by continually calling out, "Alas, +alas! poor Prince Leo", to liberate his son whom he had +confined on suspicion of treason. The Emperor observed the +gloom of his guests and urged them to the pleasures of the +table, when one of them is said to have responded, "How +should we eat, Sire, when we are thus reproached by this +bird of our want of duty to your family? The brute animal +is mindful of its Lord; and we that have reason, have neglected +to supplicate your Majesty in behalf of the prince, whom +we all believe to be innocent, and to suffer under calumny." +Whether the bird had been purposely taught this phrase, or +had merely acquired it by hearing its frequent repetition does +not appear. The following memorial which appeared in the +London papers in October 1822 is quoted from the "Percy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> +Anecdotes." "A few days ago, died, in Half Moon Street, +Piccadilly, the celebrated parrot of Colonel O'Kelly. This +singular bird sang a number of songs in perfect time and +tune. She could express her wants articulately, and give her +orders in a manner nearly approaching to rationality. Her +age was not known; it was, however, more than thirty years, +for previous to that period, Colonel O'Kelly bought her at +Bristol for one hundred guineas. The Colonel was repeatedly +offered five hundred guineas a year for the bird, by persons +who wished to make a public exhibition of her; but this, out +of tenderness to the favourite, he constantly refused. She +could not only repeat a great number of sentences, but answer +questions put to her. When singing, she beat time with all +the appearance of science; and so accurate was her judgment +that if by chance she mistook a note, she would revert to +the bar where the mistake was made, correct herself, and still +beating regular time, go through the whole with wonderful +exactness." A Grey parrot is said to have been sold in 1500, +for a hundred guineas, to a Lord High Cardinal at Rome, on +account of its ability to repeat, without error, the Apostles' +Creed.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Grey Parrot.</span> +The Grey Parrot though less attractive in colour +than other species, is perhaps the most popular +of the parrot family on account of its superior accomplishments +as an imitator of familiar sounds. Mr. Jesse secured from +a lady friend a description of the performances of a grey +parrot which resided at Hampton Court, from which we +quote the following: "Her laugh is quite extraordinary, and +it is impossible not to help joining in it, more especially +when in the midst of it she cries out, 'Don't make me +laugh so; I shall die, I shall die!' and then continues +laughing more violently than before. Her crying and sobbing +are curious; and if you say, 'Poor Poll, what is the +matter?' she says, 'So bad, so bad; got such a cold;' and +after crying some time, will gradually cease, and making<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +a noise like drawing a long breath, say, 'Better now,' and +begins to laugh." "If any one happens to cough or sneeze, +she says, 'what a bad cold.' She calls the cat very plainly, +saying, 'puss, puss,' and then answers 'mew'; but the most +amusing part is, that whenever I want to make her call it, +and to that purpose say, 'puss, puss', myself she always +answers, 'mew', till I begin mewing; and then she begins +calling 'puss', as quickly as possible. She imitates every kind +of noise, and barks so naturally, that I have known her to +set all the dogs on the parade of Hampton Court barking, +and the consternation I have seen her cause in a party of +cocks and hens, by her crowing and chuckling, has been the +most ludicrous thing possible. She sings just like a child and +I have more than once thought it was a human being; and +it is most ludicrous to hear her make what one would call +a false note and then say, 'oh la!' and burst out laughing +at herself, beginning again in quite another key. She is very +fond of singing 'Buy a Broom', which she says quite plainly, +but if we say, with a view to make her repeat it, 'Buy a +Broom', she always says 'Buy a <i>Brush</i>', and then laughs as +a child might do when mischievous. She often performs a +kind of exercise which I do not know how to describe, +except by saying that it is like the lance exercise. She puts +her claw behind her, first on one side and then on the other, +then in front, and round over her head; and whilst doing so, +keeps saying, 'Come on, come on!' and when finished she +says 'Bravo, beautiful,' and draws herself up."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Parrot Talk.</span> +To deny the parrot the understanding of what +it says, is to relieve it of the responsibility of +using bad language, and offering unsound advice, and this +it surely needs. A gentleman who was in the habit of +kissing his parrot and then kissing his wife, before leaving +home in the morning, taught the bird to say, on being kissed, +"Now kiss the missus," with the result that most of the +gentlemen visitors who took any notice of the parrot were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> +recommended to salute the lady of the house. Another +parrot whose cage occupied a window close to a fashionable +church continually accosted the passers-by, by calling out +"That's right! Go to church, keep up appearances." Such +remarks must often be very embarrassing, as must have +been the words and actions of a parrot who frequently +called out "Who kissed the pretty girl?" and then gave +a perfect imitation of the sound of several kisses in succession. +Perhaps no more aggravating use was ever made +of a parrot's powers than that witnessed by Buffon, who +says, "I have seen a parrot very ridiculously employed, +belonging to a distiller who had suffered pretty severely in +his circumstances from an informer who lived opposite him. +This bird was taught to pronounce the ninth commandment,—'Thou +shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour,' with +a very clear, loud, articulate voice. The bird was generally +placed in a cage over against the informer's house, and delighted +the whole neighbourhood with its persevering exhortations."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER IV.<br /> +Pigeons.</span> +There are many varieties of pigeons, some +being peculiar to certain districts, and others +covering a much more extended geographical area. Mr. +Darwin divides the British varieties into four groups: I. The +English carrier; the Runt, and the Barb. II. The Fantail; +the African owl; the Short-faced Tumbler; the Indian Frill-back; +and the Jacobin. III. The English Pouter, and IV. The +Dove-cote pigeon; the Swallow; the Spot; the Nun; the +English Frill-back; the Laugher, and the Trumpeter. The +Passenger pigeon of America, the Nicobar pigeon of the +Philippine Islands, the Great-crowned pigeon of New Guinea +and the Hook-billed ground pigeon of Samoa are other important +species.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Carrier Pigeons.</span> +In the "Percy Anecdotes" there is a brief history +of the use of carrier pigeons, which we quote as +follows:—"The first mention we find made of the employment +of pigeons as letter carriers is by Ovid, in his 'Metamorphoses',<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +who tells us that Taurosthenes, by a pigeon stained +with purple, gave notice of his having been victor at the +Olympic games on the very same day to his father at Ægina. +Pliny informs us that during the siege of Modena by Marc +Antony, pigeons were employed by Brutus to keep up a correspondence +with the besieged. When the city of Ptolemais, +in Syria, was invested by the French and Venetians, and it +was ready to fall into their hands, they observed a pigeon +flying over them, and immediately conjectured that it was +charged with letters to the garrison. On this, the whole army +raising a loud shout, so confounded the poor aërial post that +it fell to the ground, and on being seized, a letter was found +under its wings, from the sultan, in which he assured the +garrison that 'he would be with them in three days, with an +army sufficient to raise the siege.' For this letter the besiegers +substituted another to this purpose, 'that the garrison must +see to their own safety, for the sultan had such other affairs +pressing him that it was impossible for him to come to their +succour;' and with this false intelligence they let the pigeon +free to pursue his course. The garrison, deprived by this +decree of all hope of relief, immediately surrendered. The +sultan appeared on the third day, as promised, with a powerful +army, and was not a little mortified to find the city already +in the hands of the Christians. Carrier pigeons were again +employed, but with better success, at the siege of Leyden, in +1675. The garrison were, by means of the information thus +conveyed to them, induced to stand out, till the enemy, +despairing of reducing the place, withdrew. On the siege +being raised, the Prince of Orange ordered that the pigeons +who had rendered such essential service should be maintained +at the public expense, and that at their death they should be +embalmed and preserved in the town house, as a perpetual +token of gratitude."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Pigeons on the Wing.</span> +Pigeons are said to travel as fast as 2,200 yards +per minute and to sustain flight for hundreds of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +miles at a stretch. The extraordinary manner in which they +will find their way almost incredible distances has suggested +all kinds of speculation as to the instinct or sense which +guides them. A well known pigeon fancier, interviewed by a +writer who published the results of the interview in "Chums" +(Cassell & Co.) says, "The popular notion that carrier pigeons +are guided by some 'direction sense,' or blind instinct, is +quite as absurd as the French belief that they follow certain +electrical currents. I have had to do with pigeons for over +twenty years," he continued, "and I am open to demonstrate +to anyone that in flight they are guided by sight alone. Of +course, some pigeons are more sagacious, cleverer than others; +but the fact remains, and everything tends to prove it. For +example, no carrier-pigeon can find its way over a strange +country: it often gets lost in a fog; and again, until taught +by experience, it is often led astray by colours and objects +which appear to be familiar. Quite recently, when I was +trying some young birds, I had an instance of how easily +they may be led astray. Close to my residence is a large +red-brick building, which, to an old bird, would prove a good +landmark miles away. In this case, however, the birds had +not been tried before, although, of course, they had been let +loose and had circled round the loft for several weeks. I +took five birds with me some half-mile distant from home; +and, letting them loose separately from the box, was rather +surprised to see four out of the five, after circling round, +fly off in an entirely opposite direction to that in which they +should have gone. I soon solved the mystery, however, for, +watching the birds, I saw they were making for another +red-brick building, which showed up clearly in the sunlight. +Arriving there, each one evidently discovered its mistake, +and, after flying back to the starting-point, found their whereabouts, +and made for home—not in a straight line, however, +for young birds invariably take a crooked, tortuous path, as +though feeling their way. If pigeons are let loose on water<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +(from a boat in a lake or wide river), they always make for +the nearest land first; then, circling round, widening their +circle and rising higher at the same time, they keep the +starting-point in view until they sight some familiar object, in +which direction they travel. If a bird is dull, or 'stupid,' as +we term it, and has been tried from various points of the +compass, it often happens that, when taken to a distance +(say thirty or forty miles), the time occupied in reaching the +loft is three of four times longer than was expected; but, +take it there next day, and the journey will be done quicker +than a mile a minute. Why is that? Well, the birds get +confused; some object which it may have seen on a former +journey, may possibly stand out boldly; and, flying at once +toward this, the bird may find itself just as far from finding +the 'lay of the land.' Thus it may go from one familiar +point to another before 'striking' for home. That is the +reason why, in training a bird for a match, we take it only +in the direction from which it will have to fly, increase the +distance gradually, until the bird is familiar with the path +it must travel and recognises each landmark as soon as it +comes in sight."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER V.<br /> +Fowls.</span> +In this order (<i>Gallinæ</i>) the Grouse, the Ptarmigan, +the Quail, the Peacock, the Pheasant, the +Jungle Fowl, the Guinea Fowl, and the Wild Turkey are +included; as well as our Domestic Fowls to the forms of which +they more or less closely approximate. The Black Grouse, +and the Red Grouse are found throughout Great Britain; the +Prairie Grouse in North America. The Ptarmigan is found in +Scotland and in the North of the continent of Europe; it +changes colour with the seasons, becoming snow-white in winter. +The Quail is found in many parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa; it +visits England in the early summer and leaves about October +for Africa, where it winters.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Peacock.</span> +The Peacock has been famous in the East from +before the days of Solomon and the Queen of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +Sheba, and has been much affected in England in more +recent years, on account of its beauty, as an adornment of +English lawns, and as a royal dainty upon the festive board. +It may be said still to keep its place as an ornament of the +park, but it is no longer the choice of the epicure and seldom +appears at the feast. It is said to have come originally from +Persia and has doubtless reached the west from India where +it still abounds. Colonel Williamson says that he has seen, +in the passes of the Jungletery district, as many as twelve +or fifteen hundred pea-fowls of various sizes within sight of +one spot. "The gorgeous plumes that adorn the Peacock," +says Mr. Wood, "do not compose the tail, as many suppose, +but are only the tail-coverts. The tail feathers themselves are +short and rigid, and serve to keep the train spread, as may +be seen when the bird walks about in all the majesty of his +expanded plumage. Although pea-fowl seek their food on +the ground, they invariably roost on some elevated situation, +such as a high branch, or the roof of a barn or haystack." +The peacock is swift of foot, but heavy on the wing, and +remains ordinarily on the ground, where it finds its food. It +has a harsh voice. The peahen is a plain, homely looking +bird, lacking the gorgeous tail which adorns her lord and +master. Guillim, an old writer quoted by Captain Brown, says: +"The Peacock is so proud, that when he erecteth his fan of +plumes, he admireth himself. He displayeth his plumes against +the rays of the sun, that they may glister the more gloriously: +and he loseth this beautiful train yearly with the fall of the +leaf; at which time he becometh bashful, and seeketh corners, +where he may be secret from the sight of men, until the spring of +the year, when his train beginneth to be renewed. And such +is the quality of many dames, who being painted and richly +attired, cannot keep within doors; but being undressed, and +in their own hue, they are loath any man should see them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pheasant.</span> +There are several varieties of the Pheasant, of +which the Peacock Pheasant of Burmah, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +Argus Pheasant of Malacca, the Golden Pheasant of China, +and the Common Pheasant are the better known species. +The Common Pheasant is a native of the British Isles, where +it is cultivated and preserved. Under some circumstances +the cock pheasant displays considerable pugnacity and a +story is told of a young lady who when walking near Stirling +was attacked by one which, "with spurs and beak began +a furious assault. Seeing no escape from the enraged bird, +she seized her adversary, and carried him home. He was, +however, soon released, and when the door was opened, he +went out without any sign of fear, and, with a deliberate +step, paced backwards and forwards in front of the house, +and manifested an inclination to join the fowls in the poultry +yard. The only way to account for this assault is, that the +lady wore a scarlet mantle, to which the pheasant may have +had such an antipathy as the turkey cock manifests to that +colour; an antipathy evinced by many other birds, and +various quadrupeds; and the cause of which is to us a +mystery."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Partridge.</span> +The partridge is an interesting bird and shows +great intelligence in the care of its young. Mr. +Jesse mentions an instance quoted by Mr. Wood. "A gentleman +who was overlooking his ploughman, saw a partridge run +from her nest, almost crushed by the horses' hoofs. Being +certain that the next furrow must bury the eggs and nest, +he watched for the return of the plough, when to his great +astonishment, the nest, previously containing twenty-one eggs, +was vacant. After a search, he found the bird sitting upon +the eggs under a hedge, nearly forty yards from the nest, +to which place she and her mate had removed the whole +number in less than twenty minutes." Mr. Markwick relates, +that "as he was once hunting with a young pointer, the dog +ran on a brood of very small partridges. The old bird +cried, fluttered, and ran trembling along just before the dog's +nose, till she had drawn him to a considerable distance;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +when she took wing and flew farther off, but not out of the +field. On this the dog returned nearly to the place where +the young ones lay concealed in the grass; which the old +bird no sooner perceived, than she flew back again, settled +just before the dog's nose, and a second time acted the +same part, rolling and tumbling about till she drew off his +attention from the brood, and thus succeeded in preserving +them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Wild Turkey.</span> +The Wild Turkey was at one time common in +all parts of America, but it is fast diminishing, +and is now seldom found except in the western territories. +It is often larger than the domestic turkey; it is gregarious +and feeds on grain, seeds, and fruits. It is the original stock +of the domestic turkey. Mr. Lucien Bonaparte has given a +long and interesting account of this bird. He says they +sometimes fly across broad rivers, ascending the tallest trees +on one side, and the whole flock starting together. Some +of the younger and weaker birds sometimes fall into the +water and either paddle to the shore or are drowned.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Domestic Turkey.</span> +The Wild Turkey was first carried to Europe +and other parts of the eastern continent and +domesticated in the 16th century. It is now extensively +diffused over the world, and its flesh is ranked among the +most delicious poultry. The cock is a noisy fellow, strutting +about, and displaying his plumage with great ostentation; he +is also very quarrelsome. The hen seems to possess a more +modest and retiring disposition, wandering about the fields +with a melancholy and dejected air, occasionally uttering a +short plaintive note. She is exceedingly attached to her +young, but leads them away from danger without ever +attempting to defend them by repelling an attack.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sagacity of the Turkey.</span> +Of the sagacity of the Turkey Audubon +says: "While at Henderson, on the Ohio, I +had a fine male turkey, which had been reared from its +earliest youth under my care. It became so tame that it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +would follow any person who called it, and was the favourite +of the little village. Yet it would never roost with the tame +turkeys; but regularly betook itself at night to the roof of +the house, where it remained till dawn. When two years +old it began to fly to the woods, where it remained for a +considerable part of the day, and returned to the enclosure +as night approached. It continued this practice until the +following spring, when I saw it several times fly from its +roosting-place to the top of a high cotton-tree on the bank +of the Ohio, from which, after resting a little, it would sail +to the opposite shore, the river being there nearly half a +mile wide, and return towards night. One morning I saw it +fly off, at a very early hour, to the woods in another direction, +and took no particular notice of the circumstance. Several +days elapsed, but the bird did not return. I was going +towards some lakes near Green River, to shoot, when, having +walked about five miles, I saw a fine large gobbler cross the +path before me, moving leisurely along. Turkeys being then +in prime condition for the table, I ordered my dog to chase +it and put it up. The animal went off with great rapidity, +and as it approached the turkey, I saw, with great surprise, +that the latter paid little attention. Juno was on the point +of seizing it, when she suddenly stopped, and turned her +head towards me. I hastened to them; but you may easily +conceive my surprise when I saw my own favourite bird, +and discovered that it had recognised the dog, and would +not fly from it, although the sight of a strange dog would +have caused it to run off at once. A friend of mine, being +in search of a wounded deer, took the bird on his saddle +before him, and carried it home for me. The following +spring it was accidentally shot, having been taken for a wild +bird, and brought to me, on being recognised by the red +ribband which it had round its neck."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Sitting Turkey Cocks.</span> +The male Turkey is said to be but an indifferent +father, but there are some curious illustrations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> +on record of his displaying maternal instincts. Captain Brown +tells of a cock Turkey near Abingdon who manifested a +desire to sit and was allowed to experiment with thirteen eggs, +from which in three weeks he hatched twelve fine chickens. +A precisely similar incident occurred many years ago in +Sweden, according to the same authority.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Domestic Fowls.</span> +The Domestic Fowls are too well known to need +description here. They are said to have descended +from the Java species and have long been the subjects of +systematic and careful culture. John Guillim who wrote in 1677 +and whose quaint description of the peacock we have already +quoted, says: "As some account the eagle the queen, and +the swallow or wagtail the lady, so may I term this (the cock) +the knight amongst birds, being both of noble courage, and also +prepared evermore to the battel, having his comb for an helmet, +his sharp and hooked bill for a faulchion or court-lax, to slash +and wound his enemy: and as a compleat soldier armed cap-a-pe, +he hath his legs armed with spurs, giving example to +the valiant soldier to expell danger by fight, and not by flight. +The cock croweth when he is victor and giveth a testimony +of his conquest. If he be vanquished, he shunneth the light, +and society of men." The cock is a courageous bird and in +fighting with his own kind or in the defence of his family will +show great gallantry and endurance. Buffon thus describes +an encounter of which he was an observer. He says: "I have +just witnessed a curious scene. A sparrow hawk alighted +in a populous court-yard; when a young cock, of this year's +hatching, instantly darted at him, and threw him on his back. +In this situation, the hawk defending himself with his talons +and his bill, intimidated the hens and turkeys, which streamed +tumultuously around him. After having a little recovered +himself, he rose and was taking wing; when the cock rushed +upon him a second time, upset him, and held him down so +long, that he was easily caught by a person who witnessed +the conflict." The cock is said to show many of the qualities<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +which belong to knighthood. He is jealous, and has been +known to kill a hen which has hatched a foreign brood; and +he is chivalrous both in the treatment of his hens and in +their defence against their enemies. He has a sense of justice +too, which he does not hesitate to assert on occasion. Mrs. +Bowdich says: "On one occasion I saw a cock pursue a +hen round the poultry-yard; and, as she had a worm in her +bill, I at first thought he was so acting from a greedy desire +to have the delicious morsel; but when he at last caught +her, he gave her a knock on the head with his beak, and, +taking up the worm which she had dropped, brought it to +another hen, who stood witnessing the affray in mute expectation. +A further knowledge of the habits of these birds has +made me feel sure she had purloined the worm from the +other, and the cock had restored it to its rightful owner." +Though natural fighters, cocks sometimes form friendships +for each other, and Captain Brown records an instance of +two game cocks, belonging to the same owner, who obstinately +declined combat though all means were tried to excite +mutual animosity. These same birds when placed in the ring +with other cocks fought furiously, and in both cases destroyed +their antagonists.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Hen.</span> +The hen gathering her chickens under her wings +is a favourite type of motherhood, and it cannot +be denied that in many ways the hen shows herself a model +parent. The care she will expend upon her brood, or upon +a brood of ducks which she may have hatched, is well known, +and the courage she will show in their defence is well attested. +The following from the "Percy Anecdotes" is an illustration +of this: "In June, 1820, a contest of rather an unusual +nature took place in the house of Mr. Collins, at Naul in +Ireland. The parties concerned were, a hen of the game +species, and a rat of the middle size. The hen, in an accidental +perambulation round a spacious room, accompanied +by an only chicken, the sole surviving offspring of a numerous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> +brood, was roused to madness by an unprovoked attack made +by a voracious rat, on her unsuspecting companion. The +shrieks of the beloved captive, while dragged away by the +enemy, excited every maternal feeling in the affectionate bosom +of the feathered dame: she flew at the corner whence the +alarm arose, seized the lurking enemy by the neck, writhed +him about the room, put out one of his eyes in the engagement, +and so fatigued her opponent by repeated attacks of +spur and bill, that in the space of twelve minutes, during +which time the conflict lasted, she put a final period to the +invader's existence; nimbly turned round, in wild but triumphant +distraction, to her palpitating nestling, and hugged it +in her victorious bosom." In this same work there is a story +of a hen, near Exeter, which devoted itself with much assiduity +and success to catching mice. Hens often take to other +animals and have been known to show great attachment to +kittens, and to dogs, instances being recorded of hens living +in dogs' kennels and laying their eggs there under canine +protection. The concern shown by hens, when the ducks +they may have hatched take to the water, is very amusing. +Captain Brown gives an instance of a hen which had +become used to this phenomena, from having been employed +in hatching successive broods of ducks, and which showed +equal concern when a brood of her own chickens avoided +the watery element.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER VI.<br /> +The Hoazin.</span> +The Hoazin is the only bird of this order. +It belongs to Brazil and Guiana and is nearly +as large as the peacock. It has been variously classified but, +differing in important characteristics from any other bird, it +is deemed best to place it in an order by itself.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER VII.<br /> +Birds of Prey.</span> +This order includes the Vultures, Condors, +Eagles, Kites, Falcons, Goshawks, Sparrowhawks, +Buzzards, Kestrals, Owls, &c., &c. Interesting as many +of these birds are the briefest possible mention is all that +we can give of some of them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> +<span class="subhead">The Eagle.</span> +Whatever may be said of the claims of other +birds, the Eagle is traditionally the king of the air, as the +lion is king of the forest. There are a large number of +species of which the Golden Eagle, the Spotted Eagle, the +Imperial Eagle and the White-headed Sea Eagle are among +the best known varieties. The Golden Eagle belongs to +Europe and America, and is sometimes found in Scotland +and Ireland. It lives upon smaller birds and animals: hares, +young lambs and deer, grouse, plovers, &c., &c. Though the +eagle has often attacked children the stories of its carrying +them away are generally discredited. Eagles often hunt in +pairs and show great ferocity and determination in attacking +their prey.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Eagle Shooting.</span> +Mr. St. John gives the following description of +a shooting expedition in which he bagged a +pair of splendid birds. "On a very dark morning I sallied +out with Malcolm to take a shot at the eagles, and at last +I was ensconced in a hiding-place (near the dead body of a +sheep) which gave me hardly room to stand, sit, or lie. It +was scarcely grey dawn when a bird with a slow, flapping +flight passed, and alighted out of sight, but near, for I +heard him strike the ground, and my heart beat faster. +What was my disappointment, when his low, crowing croak +announced a raven; he hopped and walked suspiciously +round the sheep, till, supposing the coast clear, he hopped +upon the carcase, and began with his cut and thrust beak +to dig at the meat. Another raven soon joined him, and +then two more, who, after a kind of parley, were admitted +to their share of the banquet. They suddenly set up a +croak of alarm, stopped feeding, and all turned their knowing +eyes in one direction. At that moment I heard a sharp +scream, but very distant. The black party heard it too, +and instantly darted off, alighting again at a little distance. +Next came a rushing noise, and the monarch of the clouds +lighted at once on the sheep. He quietly folded up his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +wings, and, throwing back his magnificent head, looked +round at the ravens, as if wondering at their impudence in +approaching his breakfast; they kept a respectful silence, +and hopped further away. The royal bird then turned his +head in my direction, his bright eye that instant catching +mine, as it glanced along the barrel of my gun. He rose, I +drew the trigger, and he fell quite dead six yards from the +sheep. As one eagle is always followed by a second, I +remained quiet, in hopes that his mate was not within +hearing of my shot. I had not waited many minutes when +I saw the other eagle skimming low over the brow of the +hill towards me. She did not alight at once, but her eye +catching the dead body of her mate, she wheeled up into +the air. I thought she was lost to me, when presently I +heard her wings brush close over my head, and she wheeled +round and round the dead bird, turning her head downwards +to make out what had happened. At times she stooped so +low that I could see the sparkle of her eye, and hear her +low, complaining cry. I watched the time when she turned +up her wing towards me, and dropped her actually on the +body of the other. She rose to her feet, and stood gazing +at me with a reproachful look, and would have done battle, +but death was busy with her, and as I was loading in haste +she reeled, and fell perfectly dead."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The White-Headed Eagle.</span> +The white-headed or bald eagle, is a native of +North America, and feeds equally on the produce +of the sea and of the land, but is particularly fond +of fish. "In procuring these," says Wilson, "he displays in a very +singular manner the genius and energy of his character, which +is fierce, contemplative, daring and tyrannical, attributes not +exerted but on particular occasions, but when put forth overwhelming +all opposition." "Elevated," says Wilson, in his "American +Ornithology," "on the high dead limb of some gigantic tree, +that commands a high view of the neighbouring shore and +ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +various feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations +below; the snow-white gulls, slowly winnowing the air; the +busy tringæ, coursing along the sands; trains of ducks streaming +over the surface; silent and watchful cranes, intent and +wading; clamorous crows; and all the winged multitude that +subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of nature. +High over all these hovers one, whose action instantly arrests +all attention. By his wide curvature of wing, and sudden +suspension in the air, he knows him to be the fish-hawk, +settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His eye +kindles at the sight, and balancing himself with half-opened +wings on the branch, he watches the result. Down, rapid +as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant object of his +attention, the roar of its wings reaching the ear as it disappears +in the deep, making the surges foam around! At +this moment the looks of the eagle are all ardour; and levelling +his neck for flight, he sees the fish-hawk once more emerge, +struggling with his prey, and mounting into the air with +screams of exultation. This is the signal for the eagle, who, +launching in the air, instantly gives chase, and soon gains on +the fish-hawk; each exerts his utmost power to mount above +the other, displaying in these rencontres the most elegant +and sublime aërial evolutions. The unencumbered eagle +rapidly advances, and is just on the point of reaching his +opponent, when with a sudden scream, probably of despair +and honest execration, the latter drops his fish; the eagle +poising himself for a moment, as if to take a more certain +aim, descends like a whirlwind, snatches it in his grasp ere +it reaches the water, and bears his ill-gotten booty silently +away into the woods."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Vulture.</span> +The Vultures have been sometimes called the +Hyænas of the feathered world, and judged by their habits, +they certainly justify the term. As scavengers they serve +a useful purpose in Eastern lands and deserve the protection +they are said to receive from the natives. The Griffin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +Vulture of Europe, Turkey, Persia and Africa, the Egyptian +Vulture of the Nile country, and the Condor, or American +Vulture, are the best known varieties.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Condor.</span> +The American Condor is the largest of the +birds of prey, and is said to partake of the ferocity of the +Eagle and the filthiness of the Vulture. "Two of these birds, +acting in concert," says an American writer, "will frequently +attack a puma, a llama, a calf, or even a full-grown cow. +They will pursue the poor animal with unwearied pertinacity, +lacerating it incessantly with their beaks and talons, until it +falls exhausted with fatigue and loss of blood. Then, having +first seized upon its tongue, they proceed to tear out its eyes, +and commence their feast with these favourite morsels. The +intestines form the second course of their banquet, which is +usually continued until the birds have gorged themselves so +fully as to render themselves incapable of using their wings +in flight." This bird is said to measure from three and a +half to four feet from head to tail.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The King of the Vultures.</span> +This bird which is the handsomest of its tribe +is called the King of the vultures, because of the +royal honours it receives from common vultures. Mr. Byam +says in his "Central America," "One day, having lost a mule +by death, he was dragged up to a small hill, not far off, +where I knew, in an hour or two, he would be safely buried +in vulture-sepulture. I was standing on a hillock, about a +hundred yards off, with a gun in my hand, watching the +surprising distance that a vulture descries his prey from, and +the gathering of so many from all parts, up and down wind, +where none had been seen before, and that in a very short +space of time. Hearing a loud, whirring noise over my head, +I looked up, and saw a fine large bird, with outstretched +and seemingly motionless wings, sailing towards the carcase +that had already been partially demolished. I would not fire +at the bird; for I had a presentiment that it was his majesty +of the vultures; but beckoned to an Indian to come up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +hill—and, showing him the bird that had just alighted, he +said, 'the King of the vultures; you will see how he is +adored.' Directly the fine-looking bird approached the carcase, +the <i>oi polloi</i> of the vultures retired to a short distance; +some flew off, and perched on some contiguous branch; +while by far the greatest number remained, acting the courtier, +by forming a most respectful and well-kept ring around him. +His majesty, without any signs of acknowledgment for such +great civility, proceeded to make a most gluttonous meal; +but, during the whole time he was employed, not a single +envious bird attempted to intrude upon him at his repast, +until he had finished, and taken his departure with a heavier +wing and slower flight than on his arrival; but when he had +taken his perch on a high tree, not far off, his dirty, ravenous +subjects, increased in number during his repast, ventured to +discuss the somewhat diminished carcase; for the royal appetite +was certainly very fine. I have since beheld the above +scene acted many times, but always with great interest."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Feast of Vultures.</span> +Wilson gives the following account of the Black +Vulture of America. "February 21st, 1809. Went +out to Hampstead this forenoon. A horse had dropped +down in the street, in convulsions; and dying, it was dragged +out to Hampstead, and skinned. I ventured cautiously within +thirty yards of the carcase, where three or four dogs, and +twenty or thirty vultures, were busily tearing and devouring. +Seeing them take no notice, I ventured nearer, till I was +within ten yards, and sat down on the bank. Still they paid +little attention to me. The dogs being sometimes accidentally +flapped with the wings of the vultures, would growl and snap +at them, which would occasion them to spring up for a +moment, but they immediately gathered in again. I remarked +the vultures frequently attack each other, fighting with their +claws or heels, striking like a cock, with open wings, and +fixing their claws in each other's heads. The females, and +I believe the males likewise, made a hissing sound with open<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +mouth, exactly resembling that produced by thrusting a red +hot poker into water; and frequently a snuffing like a dog +clearing his nostrils, as I suppose they were theirs. On +observing that they did not heed me, I stole so close that +my feet were within one yard of the horse's legs, and I +again sat down. They all slid aloof a few feet; but seeing +me quiet, they soon returned as before. As they were often +disturbed by the dogs, I ordered the latter home: my voice +gave no alarm to the vultures. As soon as the dogs departed, +the vultures crowded in such numbers, that I counted at one +time thirty-seven on and around the carcase, with several +within; so that scarcely an inch of it was visible. Sometimes +one would come out with a large piece of the entrails, which +in a moment was surrounded by several others, who tore it +in fragments, and it soon disappeared. They kept up the +hissing occasionally. Some of them having their whole legs +and heads covered with blood, presented a most savage +aspect. Sometimes I observed them stretching their neck +along the ground, as if to press the food downwards."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Secretary Bird.</span> +The Secretary Bird, so called from the possession +of feathers thought to resemble pens behind the +ear, feeds on snakes and other reptiles. Le Vaillant, who +in dissecting one of these birds, found in his crop eleven +large lizards, three serpents each a yard in length, eleven +small tortoises and a great quantity of locusts and other +insects, once witnessed a contest thus referred in the "Percy +Anecdotes":</p> + +<p>"When the secretary approaches a serpent, it always carries +the point of one of its wings forward, in order to parry off +its venomous bites; sometimes it finds an opportunity of +spurning and treading upon its antagonist; or else, of taking +him upon its pinions, and throwing him into the air. When +by this system it has, at length, wearied out its adversary, +and rendered him almost senseless, it kills and swallows him +at leisure. On the occasion which Vaillant mentions, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +battle was obstinate, and conducted with equal address on +both sides. The serpent, feeling at last his inferiority, +endeavoured to regain his hole; while the bird apparently +guessing his design, stopped him on a sudden, and cut off +his retreat by placing herself before him at a single leap. +On whatever side the reptile endeavoured to make his escape, +the enemy still appeared before him. Rendered desperate, the +serpent resolved on a last effort. He erected himself boldly +to intimidate the bird, and hissing dreadfully, displayed his +menacing throat, inflamed eyes, and a head swollen with rage +and venom. The bird seemed intimidated for a moment, +but soon returned to the charge; and covering her body with +one of her wings as a buckler, struck her enemy with the +bony protuberance of the other. M. Vaillant saw the serpent +at last stagger and fall; the conqueror then fell upon him +to despatch him, and with one stroke of her beak laid open +his skull."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Kite. The Osprey. The Buzzard.</span> +The Kite is common in Europe and is sometimes +seen in Scotland. It is a bird of the Hawk +kind and may easily be distinguished from other +birds of prey by its forked tail and the slow and circular +eddies it describes in the air whenever it spies its prey. +It measures about two feet in length. The Osprey is common +in Europe and America. It feeds principally upon fish, in +pursuit of which it frequents the sea coast and the borders +of lakes and rivers. It is about two feet in length. The +common Buzzard is rather smaller, measuring twenty or twenty-two +inches. It nests on high trees and watches on overhanging +branches for any prey that may pass beneath. The Marsh +Harrier which measures twenty-one to twenty-three inches +is a formidable foe to moles and mice, rabbits and reptiles.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Falcon.</span> +The Peregrine Falcon so famous in the days +of Falconry is a fearless bird and does not hesitate to attack +those of much larger size. For this reason it was often +employed in hunting the Heron. "In this contest," says<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +Mr. Wood, "the Falcon was almost always victorious, and +after it had attained a sufficient altitude, it swept, or 'stooped', +as the phrase was, upon the Heron. When the Falcon had +closed with its prey, they both came to the ground together. +Sometimes, however, the wary Heron contrived to receive +its enemy on the point of its sharp beak, and transfixed +it by its own impetus." This bird is from fifteen to eighteen +inches in length. Mr. Selby in his "Ornithology" says, "In +daring disposition, this bird equals most of its congeners. I +may be allowed to add the following instance, as having +happened under my own observation, and as exemplifying +not only its determined perseverance in pursuit of its prey, +when under the pressure of hunger, but as arguing also an +unexpected degree of foresight:—In exercising my dogs upon +the moors, previous to the commencement of the shooting-season, +I observed a large bird of the hawk genus, hovering +at a distance, which, upon approaching, I knew to be a +Peregrine Falcon. Its attention was now drawn towards the +dogs, and it accompanied them, whilst they beat the surrounding +ground. Upon their having found, and sprung a brood of +grouse, the falcon immediately gave chase, and struck a +young bird, before they had proceeded far upon wing. My +shouts and rapid advance, prevented it from securing its +prey. The issue of this attempt, however, did not deter the +falcon from watching our subsequent movements, and another +opportunity soon offering, it again gave chase, and struck +down two birds, by two rapidly repeated blows, one of +which it secured, and bore off in triumph."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sparrow Hawk.</span> +The Sparrow-hawk which measures from twelve +to fifteen inches long is a terror to smaller +birds, showing great pertinacity in their pursuit. +Mr. St. John says that one pursued a pigeon through his +"drawing-room window, and out at the other end of the +house through another window, and never slackened its +pursuit, notwithstanding the clattering of the broken glass of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +the two windows as they passed through," and that on +another occasion he found "a sparrow hawk deliberately +standing on a very large pouter pigeon on the drawing-room +floor, and plucking it, having entered in pursuit of the +unfortunate bird through an open window, and killed him +in the room." White says, in his "Natural History of +Selborne," "About the tenth of July, a pair of sparrow-hawks +bred in an old crow's nest on a low beech in Selborne-hanger; +and as their brood, which was numerous, began to +grow up, they became so daring and ravenous, that they +were a terror to all the dames in the village that had chickens +or ducklings under their care. A boy climbed the tree, and +found the young so fledged that they all escaped from him; +but discovered that a good house had been kept; the larder +was well stored with provisions; for he brought down a +young blackbird, jay, and house martin, all clean picked, and +some half devoured. The old birds had been observed to +make sad havoc for some days among the new flown swallows +and martins, which, being but lately out of their nests, had +not acquired those powers and command of wing that enable +them when more mature to set enemies at defiance."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Owl.</span> +Great interest attaches to the owl from the singularity +of its appearance and habits. There are many +varieties, the Common Barn Owl; the Long-eared Owl; the +Great Eagle Owl; and the American Horned Owl being some +of these. The Barn Owl measures about twelve inches in +length. This bird does great service in the destruction of +mice, rats, and other vermin, and it is the nemesis of fate +that it is destroyed by those it serves. Its movements are +noiseless, the peculiar form of the feathers of its wings enabling +it to fly without making any sound, and so surprise its prey. +"Its method of devouring a mouse," says Mr. Wood, "is quite +different from the mode in which it eats a bird. If a mouse +is given to an owl, the bird seizes it across the back, and +gives it one or two smart bites, much as a terrier handles a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +rat. The mouse is then jerked upwards, and caught again +head downwards. A second jerk sends the mouse half down +the owl's throat, while its tail remains sticking out of the +side of its bill, where it is rolled about as if the owl were +smoking. After some time has been spent in this amusement, +another jerk causes the mouse to disappear altogether, and +the owl looks very happy and contented. But if a small +bird is presented to it, the owl tears it up and devours it +piecemeal." The great Eagle Owl which measures two feet +and upwards will attack hares, rabbits, and young fawns.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER VIII.<br /> +Wading Birds.</span> +The order of wading birds includes many +that we can do no more than mention:—the +Moor Hen; the Woodcock; the Snipe; the Water pheasant; +the Plover; the Lapwing; the Crane; the Heron; the Stork; +and the Flamingo are the more familiar birds of the order, +which however includes the Crakes; the Coots; the Curlews; +the Bustards; the Sandpipers, and others.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cranes.</span> +The Cranes belong to Africa and Southern Asia, +but migrate from clime to clime as the seasons change. The +flight of the Cranes, like that of some other birds, is a compact +and well ordered progression. They fly high and commonly +at night, apparently under the direction of a leader whose +course they follow and whose calls they obey. There are +several varieties, the Common Crane, the Numidian Crane, +and the Balearic Crane being the better known of these.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Heron.</span> +The Heron is an expert fisherman and has +all the necessary patience for the pursuit of his sport. He +will stand motionless for hours at the water side, waiting his +opportunity, and then dart with unerring aim at the unsuspecting +fish and secure his meal. The bill of the heron is a +powerful weapon, and as we remarked when dealing with the +falcons, formerly used in hunting the heron, it will sometimes +transfix the Falcon by throwing its head back and receiving +its enemy on the point. Captain Brown gives an illustration +which shows that the Heron's bill may be as effective in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +other cases. "A gentleman being on a shooting excursion, +accompanied by a small spaniel, observed a heron wading +a little above a waterfall. He fired—wounded it—and sent +his dog into the stream to bring it to land. As soon as the +dog had come within its reach, the heron drew back its +head, and with all its force, struck him in the ribs with its +bill. The gentleman again fired, and killed the heron; but +it had well revenged itself: both dog and heron floated dead +together, down the foaming waterfall." The Heron nests on +the tops of high trees and lives in companies.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Bittern.</span> +The Bittern is remarkable for its loud booming +cry which has some resemblance to the bellowing of a bull, +and for its spiral flight which it pursues to a great altitude.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Stork.</span> +Storks are found in different parts of Europe, +Asia and Africa. In Holland, and in some other countries, +they live in a state of semi-domestication, encouraged by the +people, and building nests upon the roofs of their houses. +They feed on rats, mice, frogs, and other vermin, and +render the Hollander good service by keeping down the +numbers of such pests. In the East they act as scavengers, +and for this reason are as much encouraged by the people. +"A recent visitor to Constantinople," says Mr. Wood, "remarks +that the very Storks seemed to have become Ottoman, for +they sat on the tops of the houses, looking staid and solemn, +as becomes the Oriental character, and managed their beaks +just as if they were pipes. It is true that they wore no +turbans, but each of them appeared to have left a turban of +preposterous dimensions, <i>viz.</i>, his nest, on the roof of a house +close by." The Stork is easily tamed and sometimes shows +considerable intelligence.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Jealousy of the Stork.</span> +The following illustration which we take from +the "Percy Anecdotes" shows that the Stork shares +with other birds the feeling of jealousy. "In Smyrna there +are a great number of storks, who build their nests and hatch +their young very regularly. The inhabitants, in order to divert<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +themselves at the expense of these birds, and gratify a cruel +disposition, sometimes convey hens' eggs into the stork's +nest; and when the young are hatched, the cock on seeing +them of a different form from his own species, makes a +hideous noise, which brings a crowd of other storks about the +nest, who to revenge the disgrace which they imagine the +hen has brought upon her race, immediately peck her to +death. The cock in the meantime makes the heaviest lamentation, +as if bewailing his misfortune, which obliged him to +have recourse to such extreme punishment."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Stork's Revenge.</span> +From the same work we quote the following, +which shows that though ordinarily placid and +placable the stork can cherish the feeling of revenge. "A +wild stork was brought by a farmer in the neighbourhood of +Hamburgh, into his poultry yard, to be the companion of a +tame one, which he had long kept there; but the tame stork +disliking a rival, fell upon the poor stranger, and beat him +so unmercifully that he was compelled to take wing, and with +some difficulty escaped. About four months afterwards, however, +he returned to the poultry yard, recovered of his wounds, +and attended by three other storks, who no sooner alighted, +than they all together fell upon the tame stork, and killed it."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER IX.<br /> +The Geese.</span> +This order includes the Goose, the Duck, +the Swan, the Teal, the Gull, the Petrel, the +Albatross, the Cormorant, the Pelican, the Penguin, the +Grebe, the Great Auk, the Puffin and other birds. The +first of these is found in all parts of the world, geese +being especially cultivated in England for the sake of their +quills and feathers, and for the purposes of food. The +goose, far from being the foolish bird it is popularly esteemed, +often shows considerable intelligence, as well as great affection +for those who show it kindness.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Gratitude of the Goose.</span> +Many instances are recorded of gratitude shown +by geese towards those who have befriended +them. Buffon once rescued a young gander from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +an older and stronger bird, after which his young <i>protégé</i> +would follow him on all his daily walks, never tiring of his +company. "On one occasion," says Buffon, "he heard me +talking in the rector's upper room, and as he found the +front door open, climbed upstairs, and, marching into the +room, gave a loud exclamation of joy, to the no small +astonishment of the family."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Wild Goose Chase.</span> +Bishop Stanley, in his "Familiar History of +Birds," says:—"An officer settled on a farm near +the Missouri in North America, one day, when walking near the +banks of the river, observed a large eagle frequently darting +towards the water, and then rising again. On a near approach, +he perceived that its object was to take a wild goose, which +had alighted on the water, and which was diving to avoid +so powerful an enemy. Its efforts, however, appeared to be +in vain; and, after diving again and again, and as often rising +to get breath, it became nearly exhausted, when, suddenly +turning, it made for the shore with all speed towards the +officer's house, where two men were at work, and as soon +as it had landed walked leisurely up to them, permitting +itself to be taken without attempting to escape. It was +completely exhausted, but soon recovered, and within three +days seemed quite contented, and confident of protection."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Goose Friendships.</span> +There are some curious instances known of +friendships formed by geese for both men and +animals, apparently without any special reason. A goose in +Cheshire once followed a farmer with so much persistency, +at the plough, to the market, and in the house, that the +farmer who had shown it no special kindness, superstitiously +regarded it as a bird of ill omen and had it killed. A +singular friendship grew up some years ago between a +gander at York and an old man who lived near the farm +to which the bird belonged. In this case the gander waddled +off in the morning and spent the day with his human friend, +returning at night to its home at the farm. One of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +prettiest of these stories is that of a gander in Germany who +used to lead a blind woman to church, taking the corner of +her apron in his beak, and wait quietly in the churchyard +until the service was over to conduct her home again. +Another goose was known to have a great affection for +soldiers and to regularly perform sentry duty, walking backwards +and forwards for hours with his red-coated friends.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Goose and the Dog.</span> +A more singular friendship than any perhaps, +was that existing between a goose and a dog, +thus described in "The Philosophical Magazine":—</p> + +<p>"A species of goose, a native of Africa, belonging to a +person in Scotland, was observed some time ago to pay +particular attention to a dog which was chained up; a dog +which had previously manifested a great dislike to poultry, +never allowing them to come within reach of his chain. The +goose, finding she had nothing to fear from her canine friend, +would enter his kennel, in the centre of which, among the +straw, she made her nest and deposited her eggs, which was +not known till one of the family mentioned that the goose +slept in the dog's bosom. The singularity of the circumstance +led to an examination of the box, but not without the +greatest reluctance on the part of the dog, who appeared +determined to protect what was left to his charge. On +removing the straw, five eggs were discovered in a fine bed +of down and feathers. The dog was in the habit of going +into his box with the greatest care, for fear of injuring +the eggs."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Maternal Instinct of the Goose.</span> +The Rev. C. A. Bury gives a pathetic illustration +of the maternal instinct of the goose:—</p> + +<p>"An old goose, that had been for a fortnight +hatching in a farmer's kitchen was perceived on a sudden +to be taken violently ill. She soon after left the nest, and +repaired to an outhouse where there was a young goose of +the first year, which she brought with her into the kitchen. +The young one immediately scrambled into the old one's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> +nest, sat, hatched, and afterwards brought up the brood. +The old goose, as soon as the young one had taken her +place, sat down by the side of the nest, and shortly after +died. As the young goose had never been in the habit of +entering the kitchen before, I know of no way of accounting +for this fact than by supposing that the old one had some +way of communicating her thoughts and anxieties, which the +other was perfectly able to understand. A sister of mine, +who witnessed the transaction, gave me the information in +the evening of the very day it happened." The Rev. F. C. +Morris tells of a goose which had a number of ducks' eggs +placed with some of her own that she might hatch them, +but which twice removed the ducks' eggs from the group, declining +to sit on any but her own.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Duck.</span> +The many varieties of Ducks might well occupy +much more space than we can spare for them. The better +known of these are the Wild Duck, the Common Duck, the +Eider Duck, the Long-tailed Duck, the King Duck, the +Canvas-back Duck, the Mallard, the Teal, the Widgeon, the +Mandarin, and the Common Shelldrake.</p> + +<p>An interesting illustration of the affection which ducks +sometimes show towards each other is given by Dr. Stanley. +He says:—"A pair of Muscovy Ducks were landed at Holyhead +from a Liverpool vessel, returning from the coast of Africa. +The male was conveyed to a gentleman's house, and put +with other ducks, towards whom he evinced the utmost +indifference: he evidently pined for the loss of his mate; but +she was brought after a time, and let loose; he did not at +first see her, but when, on turning his head, he caught a +glimpse of her, he rushed towards her with a joy which was +quite affecting. Nothing after that would induce him to quit +her; he laid his beak upon hers, nestled his head under her +wing, and often gazed at her with the greatest delight."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Swan.</span> +The Swan is one of the most graceful of the +bird kind, the purity of its colour and the beauty of its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +form as it glides along the river making it one of the prettiest +sights in nature. There are several varieties of the swan, of +which the Whooping Swan and the Common Swan of Europe, +the Black Swan of Australia, and the Black-necked Swan of +South America are the most familiar.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Maternal Instinct of the Swan.</span> +The swan is assiduous in the care of her young, +and shows great intelligence in providing for +them as well as courage in their defence. She +makes her nest in the grass among reeds; and in February +begins to lay, depositing egg after egg, until there are six or +eight. Dr. Latham mentions two females that for three or +four years successively, agreed to associate, and had each a +brood yearly, bringing up together about eleven young ones: +they sat by turns, and never quarrelled. Captain Brown +gives a remarkable illustration of the courage of a swan in +defending her nest. He says:—"A female swan, while in the +act of sitting, observed a fox swimming towards her from the +opposite shore: She instantly darted into the water, and +having kept him at bay for a considerable time with her +wings, at last succeeded in drowning him; after which, in the +sight of several persons, she returned in triumph. This circumstance +took place at Pensy, in Buckinghamshire."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Swan's Intelligence.</span> +Mr. Yarrell, in his "British Birds," mentions a +remarkable instance of the sagacity and intelligence +of the swan: "A female swan was sitting on four or five +eggs. One day she was observed to be very busy in collecting +weeds, grasses, and sticks, to raise her nest above its usual +level. A kind-hearted farming man threw her some handfuls +of brushwood, with which she most industriously raised her +nest, and soon placed the eggs about two feet and a half +above the old level. That night there came down a tremendous +fall of rain, which flooded all the fields and cellars, +and did great damage in the village. Man made no preparation—the +bird did; and instinct prevailed over reason! +Her eggs were above, and only just above, the water."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Swan and the Fawn.</span> +Swans are said to be spiteful at times, and to +show a savagery of temper on occasion, for which, +as in the following case, it is difficult to account. +"In the park of Lord Grantley at Wonersh, near Guildford, +a fawn, drinking, was suddenly pounced upon by one of the +swans, which pulled the animal into the water, and held it +under until quite drowned. This action was observed by the +other deer in the park, and did not long go unrevenged; for +shortly after, this very swan, which had hitherto never been +molested by the deer, was singled out when on land, and +furiously attacked by a herd, which surrounded and killed it."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Sea-Gull.</span> +The Gulls are a numerous family, the Common +Gull, the Herring Gull, the Great Black-Backed +Gull and the Ivory Gull being well known species. +The Common Gull is found everywhere. It frequents the +coasts of continents and islands and feeds principally upon +fish, though its voracity is very accommodating, and its taste +not over fastidious.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Tame Sea-Gull</span> +Many years ago, Mr. Scot, of Benholm, near +Montrose, caught a sea-gull, and having cut its +wings put it into his garden. The bird remained in this situation +for several years, and being kindly treated, became so +familiar, as to come at call to be fed at the kitchen door +and to answer to the name of Willie. It became so tame +at last that no pains were thought necessary to circumscribe +its liberty, and its wings having grown to full length, it flew +away, joined the other gulls on the beach, and came back, +from time to time, to pay a visit to the house. When its +companions left the country at the usual season, Willie accompanied +them, much to the regret of the family. To their +great joy, however, it returned next season; and with its +usual familiarity came to its old haunt, where it was welcomed +and fed very liberally. In this way it went and returned for +<i>forty years</i>, without intermission, and kept up its acquaintance +with the family, for while in the country it visited them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +almost daily, answered to its name like any domestic animal, +and ate almost out of the hand. One year, however, very +near the period of its final disappearance, Willie did not pay +his respects to the family for eight or ten days after the +general flock of gulls were upon the coast, and great was +their lamentation for his loss, as it was feared he was dead: +but to the surprise and joy of the family, a servant one +morning came running into the breakfast-room with delight, +announcing that Willie was returned. The whole company +rose from the table to welcome the bird. Food was supplied +in abundance, and Willie with his usual frankness ate of it +heartily, and was as tame as any barn-yard fowl about the +house. In a year or two afterwards this grateful bird disappeared +for ever.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Mother Carey's Chicken.</span> +The Stormy Petrel or Mother Carey's Chicken, +is a small black bird well known to mariners, and +familiar to all at sea in stormy weather. It +follows in the wake of ships and is regarded as a prophet of +evil, at least in so far as stormy weather is concerned. It +is seen in many parts of the ocean busily engaged in searching +for food, braving the fury of the storm and skimming along +the waves, sometimes above their tops, and sometimes screening +itself from the blast by sinking down into the billows +between them. It nests in all but inaccessible places, the +Island of St. Kilda being the chief British breeding place of +the Fulmar variety. These are of great importance to the +natives who run great risks in searching for their eggs and +who catch the birds for the purposes of food, and for the +oil which they supply.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Catching the Stormy Petrel.</span> +The danger attaching to the capture of the +Petrel in its rocky haunts in the Hebrides is thus +vividly described by Mr. Drosier. "As the stormy +petrel, is scarcely ever to be seen near the land, except in +very boisterous weather, one of the natives for a trifling +remuneration, agreed to traverse the face of a rock, and take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> +me some from out its fissures. Accordingly, accoutred with +a rope of hemp and hogs' bristles coiled over his shoulders, +he proceeded to the cliff. Having made one end fast by +means of a stake, he threw the coil over the face of the rock, +and gradually lowered himself down, but with the utmost +caution and circumspection, carefully pressing his foot hard +upon the narrow ridges before he at all loosened his firm +grasp of the rope, which he never altogether abandoned. I +had previously thrown myself upon my chest, to enable me +to have a better view of him, by looking over the cliff; and, +certainly, to see the dexterity and bravery with which he +threw himself from one aperture to another, was truly grand. +The tumbling roar of the Atlantic was foaming many hundreds +of feet beneath, and dashing its curling cream-like surge against +the dark base of the cliff, in sheets of the most beautiful +white; while the herring and black-backed gulls, alternately +sweeping past him so as to be almost in reach of his arm, +threw a wildness into the scene, by the discordant scream of +the former, and the laughing, oft-repeated bark of the latter. +This, however, he appeared entirely to disregard; and continuing +his search, returned in about half an hour, with seven +or eight of the stormy petrels, tied up in an old stocking, +and a pair of the Manks puffins, together with their eggs. +The birds, he told me, he had no difficulty in capturing. The +eggs of the stormy petrel are surprisingly large, considering +the diminutive size of the bird, being as large as those of +the thrush. The female lays two eggs, of a dirty or dingy +white, encircled at the larger end by a ring of fine rust-coloured +freckles. The birds merely collect a few pieces of dried grass, +with a feather or two, barely sufficient to prevent the eggs +from rolling or moving on the rock."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cormorant.</span> +The Common Cormorant is familiar all round +the coast of England, and will even sometimes venture inland +or at any rate up the mouths of rivers. Captain Brown +mentions one that, many years ago, was seen resting upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> +the vane of St. Martin's steeple, Ludgate Hill, London; and +was shot in the presence of a large number of people. It +is a voracious bird and shows great dexterity in the catching +and swallowing of fish, turning them round so as to swallow them +head foremost, in order to avoid the resistance of the fins and +spines. Colonel Montague had one, caught in a tributary of +the Bristol Channel, by a Newfoundland dog, which at first +refused food but offered no resistance to being crammed. +"The Colonel having retired to the library after seeing the +bird fed," says Captain Brown, "was surprised in a few +minutes to see it walk boldly into the room, unceremoniously +place itself by him at the side of the fire, and begin to dress +its feathers. This practice it continued till removed to an +aquatic menagerie. Whenever it saw the water it became +restless, and on being set at liberty, plunged into it, and +incessantly dived for a considerable time in search of fish. +After this, it seemed to be convinced that there were none +to be found there, as it was not noticed to dive again for +three days."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Albatross.</span> +The great Albatross is a large and powerful +bird, measuring three feet in length and having a stretch of +wing of from nine to twelve or fourteen feet. It is a heavy +bird, and needs great strength to sustain its weight during +its long and rapid flights. Mrs. Bowdich says, "One was +known to follow a ship, which made two hundred miles a +day, for forty-eight hours; and besides these miles, from its +irregular flight, it must have passed over a much longer +distance. The Albatross darts with unerring aim and great +force on its prey, as it swims on the top of the waves. A man +who fell overboard near the island of St. Paul's was killed +by these birds; for, although the boat was lowered immediately, +nothing was found of him except his hat, pierced through +and through by the beaks of three albatrosses, who had +marked him, pecked him on the head, and caused him to +sink." Their flight is easy and apparently performed without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +effort and with an almost imperceptible movement of wing. +The Albatross is easily caught from the stern of a ship with +a hook. Mr. Wood says: "It seems rather remarkable that +a bird that lives in or over the sea during its whole life, +should prove a landsman when taken on board. Yet, when +the Albatross is caught and placed on deck, it begins to +stagger about, and soon becomes as thoroughly sea sick as +the most inexperienced cockney." Mr. Earl thus describes +the haunt of the Albatross in the heights of the Island of +Tristan d'Acunha: "A death-like stillness prevailed in these +high regions, and to my ear our voices had a strange unnatural +echo, and I fancied our forms appeared gigantic, +whilst the air was piercing cold. The prospect was altogether +sublime, and filled the mind with awe. The huge Albatross +here appeared to dread no interloper or enemy; for their +young were on the ground completely uncovered, and the +old ones were stalking around them."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pelican.</span> +The Pelican is one of the largest of swimming +birds. It is distinguished by the possession of a pouch which +is capable of holding two gallons of water, and which it uses +for the purposes of catching fish, and feeding its young. In +this latter operation the bird presses its pouch which hangs +beneath its beak, against its breast, and so disgorges its +contents. This action is said to have given rise to the fable +that pelicans pluck nourishment from their own breasts to +feed their young. The Pelican belongs to the South and +East of Europe and the North of Africa.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Tame Pelican.</span> +Mr. Hill, of St. Domingo, gives an interesting +account of a tame pelican which is quoted by +Mrs. Bowdich. He says:—"The facility with which the +pelican resigns itself to fasting or feasting, was very interestingly +exhibited to me in a bird I saw the other day at +Passage Fort. It was a pelican of mature age; it flew backwards +and forwards, visiting the wild flocks, and feeding +with them in the harbour during the day, and withdrew from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +them to roost in its master's yard during the night. In that +period of restraint, when it was necessary to observe the +caution of drawing its quill feathers, to keep it within +diminished capabilities of flight, until it became familiar and +domesticated, it was wholly dependent on the fish provided +for it by the fishermen of the beach. Sunday was no fishing +day with these men; and this was, therefore, a day in which +there were no supplies for the pelican. It became, in time, +so conscious of the recurrence of this fast-day, that although, +at all other times, it went daily down to the sea-side to +wait the coming in of the canoes, on the seventh day it +never stirred from the incumbent trunk of a tree, on which +it roosted, within the yard. It had been found necessary to +pluck its wings within the last two or three months, to restrain +it within bounds, in consequence of its absence latterly +with the wild birds, for several days in succession, and in +this state it was reduced, as formerly, to depend on the +fishermen for food. The old habit of abstinence and drowsy +repose on the Sundays again recurred, and when I saw it, +it was once more a tranquil observer of the rest, and with +it the fast, of the Sabbath-day."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Penguin.</span> +The Penguin belongs to South America, Australia, +New Zealand and the Cape of Good Hope. There +are a number of species; the Jackass Penguin, so called from +the peculiarity of its cry, the King Penguin of the South +Pacific, and the Cape Penguin of Cape Horn, the largest of +the penguins, being the principal varieties. Mr. Darwin in +describing the Jackass penguin says:—"In diving, its little +plumeless wings are used as fins, but on the land <i>as front +legs</i>. When crawling (it may be said on four legs) through +the tussocks, or on the side of a grassy cliff, it moved so +very quickly that it might readily have been mistaken for a +quadruped. When at sea and fishing, it comes to the surface, +for the purpose of breathing, with such a spring, and dives +again so instantaneously, that I defy any one at first sight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> +to be sure that it is not a fish leaping for sport." The penguin +is a courageous bird, and will not hesitate to attack a +man. Mr. Darwin when on the Falkland Islands, placed +himself between one of the Patagonian penguins and the +water, and till it reached the sea, it regularly fought and +drove him backwards. It stood close before him, erect and +determined, and every inch gained it firmly kept. Nothing +less than heavy blows would have stopped it.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Puffin.</span> +The Puffin is a bird of singular appearance +and interesting habits. It is sometimes called the sea parrot +from the resemblance of its head to that of the Parrot +kind. The bird measures thirteen inches in length, and its +bill is a formidable weapon. The Raven seems to be its +natural enemy, and when they come to close quarters a +great deal depends upon which succeeds in getting the first +grip. Naturally each bird has the best chance in its own +element. It is a bird of passage, visiting its customary +breeding places in the summer and wintering in southern +Europe. Mr. Rennie says, "In the breeding season, numerous +troops of them visit several places on our coasts, +particularly the small island of Priestholm, near Anglesey, +which might well be called puffin land, as the whole surface +appears literally covered with them. Soon after their arrival +in May, they prepare for breeding, and it is said, the male, +contrary to the usual economy of birds, undertakes the hardest +part of the labour. He begins by scraping up a hole +in the sand not far from the shore; and after having got +some depth he throws himself on his back, and with his +powerful bill as a digger and his broad feet to remove +the rubbish, he excavates a burrow with several windings +and turnings, from eight to ten feet deep. He prefers, +where he can find a stone, to dig under it, in order that +his retreat may be more securely fortified. Whilst thus +employed, the birds are so intent upon their work that they +are easily caught by the hand."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER X.<br /> +The Ostriches.</span> +This order includes the Ostrich, the Rhea, the +Cassowaries and the Emus. The Ostrich belongs +to Africa, Australasia, and South America. +It is the largest of the birds, attaining to a height of six +feet, and a weight of three hundred pounds. It is hunted +for the sake of its feathers, but being very swift of foot has +to be circumvented by strategy. It is said to run in large +curves, which habit gives the hunter the opportunity of riding +straight and intercepting it. "A favourite method adopted +by the wild Bushman for approaching the Ostrich and other +varieties of game," says Captain Gumming, "is to clothe himself +in the skin of one of these birds, in which, taking care +of the wind, he stalks about the plain, cunningly imitating +the gait and motions of the Ostrich, until within range, when, +with a well-directed poisoned arrow from his tiny bow, he +can generally seal the fate of any of the ordinary varieties +of game." The eggs of the Ostrich are also much prized. +"The nest," says Captain Gumming, "is merely a hollow +scooped in the sandy soil, generally amongst heath or other +low bushes; its diameter is about seven feet; it is believed +that two hens often lay in one nest. The hatching of the +eggs is not left, as is generally believed, to the heat of the +sun, but, on the contrary, the cock relieves the hen in the +incubation. The eggs form a considerable item in the Bushman's +cuisine, and the shells are converted into water flasks, +cups, and dishes. I have often seen Bush-girls and Bakalahari +women, who belong to the wandering Bechuana tribes +of the Kalahari desert, come down to the fountains from +their remote habitations, sometimes situated at an amazing +distance, each carrying on her back a kaross, or a net-work +containing from twelve to fifteen ostrich egg-shells, which had. +been emptied by a small aperture at one end; these they +fill with water."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ostrich and its Young.</span> +The Ostrich shows the same affection for its +mate, and the same devotion to the care of its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +young that we have noticed in other birds, and in animals. +The female of a pair in Paris died through swallowing a +three-cornered piece of glass which a glazier had dropped +into their cage, after which the mate pined away and died +in a few weeks. Of their care of their young Captain +Cumming says:</p> + +<p>"I fell in with a troop of about twelve young ostriches, +which were not much larger than Guinea-fowls. I was +amused to see the mother endeavour to lead us away, exactly +like a wild duck, spreading out and drooping her wings, and +throwing herself down on the ground before us as if wounded, +while the cock bird cunningly led the brood away in an +opposite direction." Professor Thunberg once rode past the +place where a hen Ostrich was sitting in her nest; when +the bird sprang up, and pursued him, evidently with a view +to prevent his noticing her eggs or young. Every time he +turned his horse towards her she retreated ten or twelve +paces; but as soon as he rode again she pursued him, till +he had got to a considerable distance from the place where +he had started her.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Rhea. The Cassowary. The Emu.</span> +The Rhea is a beautiful bird of the ostrich +type belonging to South America. There are +several species, known as the Common Rhea, +the Great-billed Rhea, and Darwin's Rhea, the latter belonging +to Patagonia. A Common Rhea bred some time ago in +the Zoological gardens, when the male bird discharged the +duties of incubation. The Cassowary and the Emu belong +to Australia. The Cassowary resembles the ostrich in form, +but is not so large. It stands about five feet. Like all these +birds it is unable to fly, but is very swift of foot. It can +kick too, with great violence, as dogs have sometimes found +to their cost. The Emu is a very large bird and is said +sometimes to exceed six feet in height.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bennett says:—"The length of its legs and the muscularity +of its thighs enable it to run with great swiftness; and as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +it is exceedingly shy, it is not easily overtaken or brought within +gun-shot. Captain Currie states that it affords excellent coursing, +equalling if not surpassing the same sport with the hare in +England; but Mr. Cunningham says that dogs will seldom attack +it, both on account of some peculiar odour in its flesh which +they dislike, and because the injuries inflicted upon them by +striking out with its feet are frequently very severe. The +settlers even assert that the Emu will break the small bone +of a man's leg by this sort of kick; to avoid which, well-trained +dogs run up abreast, and make a sudden spring +at the neck, whereby the bird is quickly dispatched. Its +flesh has been compared to coarse beef, which it resembles +both in appearance and taste." Mr. Jesse says, "The only +instance I have met with in which the hen bird has not the +chief care in hatching and bringing up the young, is in the +case of the Emus, at the farm belonging to the Zoological +Society, near Kingston. A pair of these birds bred five +young ones: the female, at different times, dropped nine +eggs in various places in the pen in which she was confined. +These were collected in one place by the male, who rolled +them gently and carefully along with his beak. He then +sat upon them himself, and continued to do so with the +utmost assiduity, for nine weeks, during which time the +female never took his place, nor was he ever observed to +leave the nest. When the young were hatched, he alone +took charge of them, the female not appearing to notice +them in any way. On reading this anecdote, many persons +may suppose that the female emu is not possessed of that +natural affection for its young which other birds have. In +order to rescue it from this supposition, I will mention that +a female emu belonging to the Duke of Devonshire at +Chiswick, laid some eggs; and as there was no male bird, +she collected them together herself, and sat upon them." +The Apteryx, the wingless bird of New Zealand, belongs +to this order.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></p> + +<h3>CLASS III—REPTILIA.</h3> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER I.<br /> +The Tortoise and The Turtle.</span> +This order introduces us to creatures differing +very widely, in form and character, from those +which we have been considering. There are more +than two hundred species of the tortoise, and +these are grouped into four families. The Common European +tortoise is found in the South of France and Italy, as well +as in Sicily and Greece. It feeds on vegetables, and under +favourable circumstances lives a great number of years. It +is slow in its movements but it burrows rapidly and is soon +out of sight in the sandy soil it affects. Tortoises are commonly +kept in a state of domestication in England, one known to +the writer showing a great preference for pansies, eating the +flowers and leaving the other parts of the plant. Mr. Wood +describes the efforts made by a tortoise in his possession to +attain the summit of a footstool, which shows that the reptile +has some measure of intelligence. "Unfit as the form of +the creature may seem for such a purpose," says Mr. Wood, +"it did contrive to scramble upon a footstool which was +placed by the fender. Its method of attaining this elevation +was as follows:—First it reared up against the footstool in +the angle formed by it and the fender, and after several +ineffectual attempts, succeeded in hitching the claws of one +of its hind feet into the open work of the fender. On this +it raised itself, and held on to the top of the stool by its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +fore feet, while it gained another step on the fender, and +so managed to raise itself to such a height, that it only had +to fall flat on the top of the footstool. When once there, +it could hardly be induced to leave the elevation which it +had gained with such difficulty."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Elephant Tortoise.</span> +The gigantic tortoises of the Galapagos Islands +came under the observation of Mr. Darwin, from +whom we quote the following descriptive passages: "These +animals are found, I believe, in all the Islands of the Galapagos +Archipelago. They frequent in preference the high damp +parts, but likewise inhabit the lower and arid districts. Some +individuals grow to an immense size. Mr. Lawson told us +that he had seen several so large that it required six or +eight men to lift them from the ground, and that some had +afforded as much as two hundred pounds of meat. This +tortoise is very fond of water, drinking large quantities and +wallowing in the mud. The larger islands alone possess +springs, and these are always situated towards the central +parts and at a considerable elevation. The tortoises, therefore, +which frequent the lower districts, when thirsty have to +travel from a long distance. Hence broad and well beaten +paths radiate off in every direction from the wells, even +down to the sea coasts, and the Spaniards by following them +up first discovered the watering-places. Near the springs it +was a curious spectacle to behold many of these great +monsters; one set eagerly travelling onwards with outstretched +necks, and another set returning, having drunk their fill. The +tortoises when moving towards any definite point, travel by +night and day, and arrive at their journey's end much sooner +than would be expected. One large tortoise, which I watched, +I found walked at the rate of sixty yards in ten minutes, +that is three hundred and sixty in the hour, or four miles a +day, allowing also a little time to eat on the road. During +the breeding season, when the male and female are together, +the male utters a hoarse roar or bellowing, which, it is said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +can be heard at a distance of more than a hundred yards. +The female never uses her voice and the male only at such +times. They were at this season (the month of October) +laying their eggs. The female, where the soil is sandy, +deposits them together and covers them up with sand; but +where the ground is rocky she drops them indiscriminately +in any hollow. Mr. Bynoe found seven placed in a line on +a fissure. The egg is white and spherical; one which I measured +was seven inches and three-eighths in circumference. The +inhabitants believe that these animals are absolutely deaf; +certainly they do not overhear a person walking close behind +them. I was always amused when overtaking one of these +great monsters as it was quietly pacing along, to see how +suddenly, the instant I paused, it would draw in its head +and legs, and uttering a deep hiss, fall to the ground with +a heavy sound as if struck dead. I frequently got on their +backs, and then, upon giving a few raps on the hinder parts +of the shell, they would rise up and walk away, but I found +it very difficult to keep my balance. The flesh of these +animals is largely employed, both fresh and salted; and a +beautiful clear oil is prepared from the fat. When a tortoise +is caught, the man makes a slit in the skin, near its tail, so +as to see inside its body whether the fat under the dorsal +plate is thick. If it is not, the animal is liberated; and is +said to recover soon from this strange operation. In order +to secure the tortoises it is not sufficient to turn them, like +turtles, for they are often able to regain their upright position."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Turtle.</span> +The Green Turtle is the turtle of the famous +soup. It is a large animal, measuring five or six feet in length +and weighing from five hundred to six hundred pounds; it +feeds on sea-weeds and is found in large numbers in the +seas of warm latitudes. The species from which we get the +horny substance known as tortoiseshell (<i>Chelonia Imbricata</i>) +is sometimes called the Hawk's-bill turtle. It is a smaller +variety, measuring about three feet and belonging to tropical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +seas. The Leathery Turtle is said to reach eight feet in length +and a weight of a thousand pounds. The Loggerhead Turtle +is even larger than this, and sometimes weighs as much as +fifteen hundred pounds.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 387px;"> +<img src="images/illus-334-f.jpg" width="387" height="600" alt="" title="Crocodile and Tiger Fight" /> +<span class="caption">Crocodile and Tiger Fight</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER II.<br /> +The Crocodile.</span> +The Crocodile and the Alligator belong +respectively to the Eastern and the Western +Worlds. The former infests the rivers of Africa and Asia, +one species at least belonging to Australia. Some of the +best known varieties are those of the river Nile, the Gavial +of the Ganges being also among the more familiar species. +These formidable and unwieldy monsters grow to an immense +size, sometimes attaining to a length of twenty-five feet. +Their enormous jaws and innumerable sharp teeth (they +sometimes number a hundred) give them a terrible appearance, +while their hard scaly coats are invulnerable against +ordinary attack. Their point of weakness is their unwieldy +character, taking advantage of which the natives will dive +beneath them and stab them with knives in vulnerable parts. +The huntsman aims at their eyes as being the nearest approach +to their brains. Mungo Park relates that one of his guides +across the river Gambia was suddenly seized by a Crocodile +and pulled under the water; upon which the negro thrust +his fingers into the animal's eyes with such violence that it +quitted its hold, but seizing him again, he resorted to the +same expedient and with more success, as it again released +him, appeared stupified, and then swam down the river. +This man reached the bank bleeding very much, with long +and deep wounds in his thighs, which incapacitated him for +travel for six days. The crocodile lays an enormous number +of eggs on the banks of its native rivers, but most of these +are prevented from maturing by the birds and animals which +prey upon them. Mrs. Bowdich tells an amusing story of a +merchant who packed some crocodiles' eggs in sand for shipment +to England and placed the barrel containing them with +other goods in his warehouse. Strange and unaccountable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +noises, attracted attention to the spot, when it was discovered +that the eggs had become hatched and the young crocodiles +were quite ready to assume the responsibilities of life. The +natives fled in terror, and the merchant had to take speedy +measures for destroying his unexpected brood. Some species +of the crocodile have been tamed or partially so, the sacred +crocodiles being among these. Accustomed to be fed regularly +by the same hands they gradually become familiar with their +priestly attendants, and to some extent obedient to their +commands. Mungo Park says:—"The crocodiles of the +Congo appear to be of a smaller species, and not so numerous +as those at Old Calabar, where they continually float past the +shipping like large grey pieces of timber, and are so bold +that they frequently seize people in the small canoes. In +Old Calabar river, I once observed a crocodile swimming +with a large cat-fish in its mouth to the opposite shore. It +held the fish by the head, whilst the body was thrown into +a perpendicular position. I watched it with the spy-glass +until it had dragged the fish upon the mud bank, and +commenced its meal."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Alligator.</span> +The Alligator of which there are some ten +or twelve species known, is found exclusively in America. The +Mississippi Alligator is one of the most familiar of these. +The Alligator is smaller than the crocodile, which it much +resembles in form and habit, though specimens have been +met with which measure twenty-two feet in length. The +Alligator is naturally most abundant in tropical regions. +Captain Brown says: "In the height of the dry season in +torrid regions all animated nature pants with consuming +thirst. A party of wood cutters, English and Irish, went +on one occasion to hunt in the neighbourhood of a lake +called Pies Pond in Beef Island, one of the smaller islands +of the Bay of Campeachy. To this pond the wild cattle +repaired in herds to drink, and here the hunters lay in wait +for them. The chase had been prosecuted with great success<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +for a week, when an Irishman of the party going into the +water during the day, stumbled upon an alligator, which +seized him by the knee. His cries alarmed his companions, +who fearing he had been seized by the Spaniards, to whom +the island belonged, instead of affording assistance, fled from +the huts which they had erected. The Irishman seeing no +appearance of help, with happy presence of mind (a quality +which the natives of that country possess in an eminent +degree) quietly waited till the alligator loosened his teeth to +take a new and surer hold; and when it did so, snatched +away his knee, interposing the butt-end of his gun in its +stead, which the animal seized so firmly that it was jerked +out of the man's hand and carried off. He then crawled +up a neighbouring tree, again shouting after his comrades, +who now found courage to return." Mr. Waterton in his +"Wanderings" says, "One Sunday evening, some years ago, +as I was walking with Don Felipe de Ynciarte, governor of +Augustura, on the bank of the Oroönque, 'Stop here a +minute or two, Don Carlos,' said he to me, 'while I recount +a sad accident. One fine evening last year, as the people +of Augustura were sauntering up and down here, in the +Alameda, I was within twenty yards of this place, when I +saw a large Cayman rush out of the river, seize a man, and +carry him down, before any one had power to assist him. +The screams of the poor fellow were terrible as the Cayman +was running off with him; he plunged in the river with his +prey; we instantly lost sight of him, and never saw or heard +him more.'"</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Tame Alligator.</span> +That the Alligator is amenable to kindness is +shown by the following account of a tame specimen, +which we quote from Mr. Jesse. He says, "The most singular +instance of attachment between two animals, whose nature +and habits were most opposite, was related to me by a +person on whose veracity I can place the greatest reliance. +Before he took up his abode at Hampden-court, he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> +resided for nine years in the American States, where he +superintended the execution of some extensive works for the +American government. One of these works consisted in the +erection of a beacon in a swamp in one of the rivers, where +he caught a young alligator. This animal he made so perfectly +tame, that it followed him about the house like a dog, +scrambling up the stairs after him, and showing much +affection and docility. Its great favourite, however, was a +cat, and the friendship was mutual. When the cat was +reposing herself before the fire, (this was at New York) the +alligator would lay himself down, place his head upon the +cat, and in this attitude go to sleep. If the cat was absent, +the alligator was restless; but he always appeared happy +when the cat was near him. The only instance in which +he showed any ferocity was in attacking a fox, which was +tied up in the yard. Probably, however, the fox resented +some playful advances, which the other had made, and thus +called forth the anger of the alligator. In attacking the fox +he did not make use of his mouth, but beat him with so +much severity with his tail, that had not the chain which +confined the fox, broken, he would probable have killed him. +The alligator was fed on raw flesh, and sometimes with milk, +for which he showed great fondness. In cold weather he +was shut up in a box, with wool in it; but having been +forgotten one frosty night, he was found dead in the morning."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER III.<br /> +Hatteria Punctata.</span> +Order III consists of a large reptile belonging +to New Zealand which for anatomical reasons +cannot be classed either with the Crocodiles +or the Lizards. It is rare if not almost extinct, but a +specimen may be seen in the Natural History Museum.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER IV.<br /> +The Lizards.</span> +The lizards form an exceedingly numerous +order. There are many hundreds of different +species, large and small, of which we can only refer to the +Chameleon, the Iguana, the Common Lizard, and the Monitor.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Chameleon.</span> +The Chameleon family belongs to Africa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> +the common variety being otherwise found in central Asia +and Ceylon. There are several genera, and numerous species. +They live on insects and possess tongues of unusual length, +furnished with a sticky mucus, which they protrude and +retract with such rapidity and certainty of aim that insects +are caught, and conveyed to the mouth with a speed the +eye cannot follow. The characteristic for which they are +most famous is that of changing their colour, a power which +has doubtless been much exaggerated but which no less +surely exists. Mrs. Bowdich describes some she had in her +possession; she says, "Mine became green and yellow, +assumed lighter and brighter lines, but I could not see the +bright blue or red substances on which I put them reflected +in their skins." According to M. d'Obsonville, who is quoted +by Mrs. Bowdich, the original colour is green, the shades of +which vary according to circumstances. When at liberty, +and in health, it assumes gradations of brown, red, or light +grey; when well-fed and in the open air, if provoked, it +becomes a blue-green; but when feeble, or deprived of free +air, the prevailing tint is yellow-green. If surrounded and +teased or if one of its own species comes near, it exhibits +all three tints of green. If dying, especially of hunger, +yellow first predominates; and when dead, it is the colour +of dead leaves.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Iguana.</span> +The Common Iguana which sometimes attains +to a length of five feet, belongs to South America. It is a +singular looking animal but is much esteemed as an article +of food, its flesh resembling that of chickens. When taken +young it may be tamed by kindness but otherwise it is fierce +when attacked and its bite is very severe. It is said that +the natives of the Bahama Islands who subsist largely on +the Iguana, sew up their mouths to prevent them biting +when they wish to keep them alive for a time.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Lizard.</span> +The Common Lizard and the Sand Lizard are +the varieties found in England. The Common<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> +Lizard is the smaller of the two, measuring about six inches, +the Sand Lizard sometimes attaining to double that length. +The former frequents green and sunny banks and is so rapid +in its movements when disturbed that it is sometimes mistaken +for a viper. The latter, which frequents sandy heaths and +lives in burrows, assimilates to the colour of its surroundings.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Monitor.</span> +The Monitor is the largest of the Lizards, +sometimes measuring as much as six feet in length. The +largest of these frequents the Nile and is known as the Nile +Monitor from the habit attributed to it of signalling the +presence of crocodiles by a peculiar whistling sound. Dr. +Abel Smith says, "It is usually met with in rocky precipices, +or on low, stony hills, and when surprised, seeks concealment +in the chinks of the former, or in the irregular cavities +of the latter; and when any projections exist upon the +surface of the rocks or stones, it clasps them so firmly with +its toes, that it becomes a task of no small difficulty to dislodge +it, even though it can be easily reached. Under such +circumstances, the strength of no one man is able to withdraw +a full-grown individual; and I have seen two persons +required to pull a specimen out of a position it had attained, +even with the assistance of a rope fixed in front of its +hinder legs. The moment it was dislodged, it flew with +fury at its enemies, who by flight only saved themselves +from being bitten. After it was killed, it was discovered +that the points of all the nails had been broken previously, +or at the moment it lost its hold. It feeds upon frogs, +crabs, and small quadrupeds, and, from its partiality to the +two former, it is often found among rocks near to springs +or running streams, which fact having been observed by the +natives, has led them to regard it as sacred, and not to be +injured without danger of drought."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">ORDER IV.<br /> +Snakes.</span> +There are hundreds of species of snakes, +distributed in different parts of the world, of +which we can only select a few, of the better known, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> +present purposes. These are the Viper, the Rattlesnake, the +Cobra, and the Boa Constrictor.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Viper.</span> +The Viper is found throughout Europe and is +the only venomous reptile known in England. It feeds on +frogs, lizards, mice, and other small animals, but like many of +the snake kind often gorges itself and falls a victim to its +own rapacity. A Viper mentioned in the "Magazine of +Natural History" swallowed a lizard almost as large as itself, +with the result that one of the lizard's legs protruded through +its side. Another Viper came into the possession of Professor +Bell, which had lost its life through attempting to swallow a +mouse which was too big for it, the skin of its neck being so +distended as to burst in several places. The sting of the +Viper, though venomous, is not nearly so fatal as is commonly +supposed. The simplest remedy is suction, fomentation, and +the application of oil. Vipers are sometimes caught by +the sudden seizure of the hand, at the neck, whereupon the +creature opens its mouth to bite its captor who cuts off its +fangs with a pair of scissors.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Viper and its Young.</span> +"On August 4th, 1776," says Gilbert White, "we +surprised a large viper, which seemed very heavy +and bloated, as it lay in the grass basking in +the sun. When we came to cut it up, we found that the +abdomen was crowded with young, fifteen in number; the +shortest of which measured full seven inches, and were about +the size of full-grown earth-worms. This little fry issued into +the world with the true viper-spirit about them, showing +great alertness as soon as disengaged from the belly of the +dam; they twisted and wriggled about, and set themselves up, +and gaped very wide when touched with a stick, showing +manifest tokens of menace and defiance, though as yet they +had no manner of fangs that we could find, even with the +help of our glasses. To a thinking mind nothing is more +wonderful than that early instinct which impresses young +animals with a notion of the situation of their natural weapons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> +and of using them properly in their own defence, even +before those weapons subsist or are formed. Thus a young +cock will spar at his adversary before his spurs are grown; +and a calf or a lamb will push with their heads before their +horns are sprouted."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Rattlesnake.</span> +The Rattlesnake belongs to America, and +many exaggerated stories are current concerning +it. At certain seasons it is very fierce and its bite is at all +times very dangerous, but in the ordinary way it will not +attack anything but the animals it feeds upon, unless molested. +It has been tamed and kept in cages, one in the possession +of Mr. Pierce making friends with a toad which was introduced +to its cage for the purposes of food, and allowing it to take +many liberties.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sting of the Rattlesnake.</span> +"After the death of this snake," says Mr. +Pierce, "I examined his fangs; they were sharp +like a sickle; a duct led from the reservoir of +poison at the bottom of the tooth quite through +its whole length, and terminated just by the point, which +was exceedingly sharp. Thus, when the fang is darted out +it makes the puncture, and simultaneously the poison flows +through the duct, and is deposited in the very bottom of +the wound. As this rarely fails to touch a blood-vessel, the +venom is thus instantly issued into the system, and without +delay, commences the march of death through every vein +and artery." Mr. Smith in the "Philosophical Transactions" +says:—"If a venomous serpent be made repeatedly to +inflict wounds, without allowing sufficiently long intervals for +it to recover its powers, each successive bite becomes less +and less effective. A gentleman who had a rattlesnake in a +cage, put a rat in with it; it immediately struck the rat, +which died in two minutes. Another rat was then introduced, +which ran as far as it could from the snake, with cries of +distress. In half an hour, during which time the snake +showed no hostility, on being irritated, it struck the rat,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> +which died in twenty minutes. A third, and remarkably +large rat, was then thrust into the cage, which showed no +terror of the snake, and the snake took no notice of the rat; +the gentleman, after watching them for the whole evening, +went to bed, and when he inspected the cage the next morning, +the snake was dead, and the muscular part of its back +eaten by the rat."</p> + +<p>The rattle consists of a number of horny joints which when +shaken produce the sound by which it is known, and which +gives notice of the proximity of the snake.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Black Snake and the Rattlesnake.</span> +"The black snake of Central America," says +Mr. Byam, "is a deadly enemy to the rattlesnake; +it is next in size to the boa, but much more +agile; very vicious and ill-tempered, but not poisonous; it +measures from nine to ten feet, and whenever they meet a +pitched battle ensues, which, if tolerably equal in size, ends +in favour of the black snake. It is not known whether they +bite each other, but, at all events, the poison of the venomous +serpent has no effect upon his adversary, although a rattlesnake +bit itself one day, and died of the wound. A black +and a rattlesnake were each descending opposite banks to +drink at a stream a yard broad; the black fellow sprang +over the stream, and they instantly joined in conflict. They +twined together, and the black snake had evidently most +muscular power, so that in half an hour the rattlesnake was +dead, and the black snake swallowed him, gliding into the +thicket, double the size he was when he came out of it."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cobra.</span> +The Cobra is one of the most venomous of the +snakes of the East. It is common all over India and +Ceylon and the Islands of the Archipelago. It attains to a +length of five or six feet, and feeds on birds, small animals, +lizards, frogs, toads, and fishes, in the pursuit of which it +will ascend trees and swim the sea. Notwithstanding its +dangerous character, the Cobra is the chosen subject of the +Indian snake charmer, who keeps it in a basket, until the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> +time for the performance and then allows it to creep out to +the sounds of a native fife, upon hearing which the Cobra +immediately expands its beautiful though threatening hood, +erects its neck, and commences a series of undulating movements, +which are continued until the sound of the fife ceases, +when the snake instantly drops, and is replaced in its basket +by its master.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Snake Charming.</span> +"One morning, as I sat at breakfast," says a +writer in the Penny Magazine, "I heard a loud +noise and shouting among my palankeen bearers. On +enquiry, I learned that they had seen a large hooded snake, +and were trying to kill it. I immediately went out, and saw +the snake creeping up a very high green mound, whence it +escaped into a hole, in an old wall of an ancient fortification; +the men were armed with their sticks, which they always +carry in their hands, and had attempted in vain to kill the +reptile, which had eluded their pursuit, and in his hole had +coiled himself up securely, whilst we could see his bright +eyes shining. I had often desired to ascertain the truth of +the report, as to the effect of music upon snakes. I therefore +enquired for a snake-catcher. There was one about three +miles off, and I accordingly sent for him, keeping a strict +watch over the snake, which never attempted to escape, whilst +we, his enemies, were in sight. About an hour elapsed, +when my messengers returned, bringing a snake-catcher. +This man wore no covering on his head, nor any on his +person, excepting a small piece of cloth round his loins; +he had in his hands two baskets, one containing tame +snakes, the other empty; these, and his musical pipe, were +the only things he had with him. I made the snake-catcher +leave his two baskets on the ground, at some distance, +while he ascended the mound with his pipe alone. He +began to play: at the sound of music the snake came +gradually and slowly out of his hole. When he was entirely +within reach, the snake-catcher seized him dexterously by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> +the tail, and held him thus at arm's length, while the snake, +enraged, darted his head in all directions, but in vain; thus +suspended, he has not the power to round himself, so as to +seize hold of his tormentor. He exhausted himself in vain +exertions; when the snake-catcher descended the bank, +dropped him into the empty basket, and closed the lid, he +then began to play, and after a short time raising the lid +of the basket, the snake darted about wildly, and attempted +to escape; the lid was shut down again quickly, the music +always playing. This was repeated two or three times; and, +in a very short interval, the lid being again raised, the snake +sat on his tail, opened his hood, and danced quite as quietly +as the tame snakes in the other basket, nor did he again +attempt to escape."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cobra as Companion of the Bath.</span> +A gentleman in India once visited a neighbouring +station for the purpose of taking part in +a cricket match, and was hospitably entertained. +He was put up in a large tent, accompanied by his wife. +After the day's play, at dusk, he went between the canvas +walls of the tent where his bath was ready. Touching the +bath-tub, were placed two large earthenware jars, full of +cold water, and next to them was a brass basin, also containing +water, on a stand; the light was burning in the centre +of the tent so that between the canvas walls was darkness. +He stepped into the tub, and finding the water too hot, +bent down to take up one of the cold water jars, but something +induced him instinctively to refrain. He stayed his +hand, at the same time calling out to his wife to bring a +light, which she did when, to his horror, he saw a large +cobra coiled round the mouth of the jar, within a foot of +his naked legs. The sensation can be imagined. To move +was probably death, to stand still required nerve. Experience +and courage decided the point, and fixing his eye on the +reptile, he quietly told his wife to put down the light on +the ground and get him a stick. The wife, a sensible creature,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> +obeyed, leaving her lord in the agonies of suspense as to +what the snake's next move would be. This was soon +settled by the reptile uncoiling itself and gliding up the +chillumchee stand on to the basin, from which it commenced +drinking. By this time the stick was gently put into the +bather's hand, who with a well-directed blow cut the snake +in half against the edge of the copper basin, thus putting a +full stop to a thrilling period.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Night with a Cobra.</span> +"I was on a visit during the rainy season, a +few years ago," says a recent writer, "when I slept +upon an iron bedstead which had two lots of bedding on it. +The first night I awoke, as I thought with a horrible nightmare, +feeling the cold slimy body of a snake gliding over +my person, and imagining myself in the regions described +in Milton's <i>Paradise Lost</i>, and so wondrously drawn by Doré. +I was bathed in perspiration, and trembled all over till daylight +brought relief, and I convinced myself it must have +been merely a nightmare. But the next night I again awoke +in terror, feeling the same awful sensation of a cold, clammy +body gliding gently along my side, and passing with a +wriggle over my body; terror preventing me moving. +Whether I fainted or again fell asleep I have never been +able to decide, but at daylight I fled from the room and sat +cowering in the verandah, in a state of mind bordering on +insanity. My hostess was informed of my state, and got me +round with a glass of wine. Nothing would induce me to +re-enter my bedroom. The bearer and other domestics +were sent for, and headed by the mistress of the house, +inspected the bed by removing the sheets. Nothing was to +be seen till one of the servants brushed his leg against +something soft and cold, and looked down at the junction +of the two beddings; he saw the end of a dark-coloured tail. +A howl from him scattered the servants and made me imagine +the snake was about to attack me. The valiant servants +again assembled, and with sticks entered the bedroom and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> +poked off the upper bedding, revealing a large hooded cobra +coiled in the centre, which was eventually despatched by +blows."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">An Unpleasant Bedfellow.</span> +A soldier in a regiment stationed at C—— +was, for disorderly conduct, condemned to pass +the night in one of the cells. Just as he was going to sleep +he was startled by hearing a noise, which he knew could +only be occasioned by a snake. Instead of jumping up and +calling to the sentinel for help, and perhaps treading on the +snake and being bitten by it, he lay perfectly still, knowing +that unless disturbed the snake would not hurt him. Presently +the snake drew its cold slimy body over his bare feet. There +are few persons who, in a similar condition, would not have +drawn up their legs with a start, but our hero did not even +move. Soon the snake began to crawl over his body and +even passed over his face. The poor soldier hardly dared +to breathe. At last the reptile coiled itself under his pillow, +and when day broke our soldier, seizing the stone with which +he ought to have blocked up the hole by which the snake +entered, crushed it to death. On being examined, the reptile +proved to be of a kind whose bite is almost invariably fatal.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Boa Constrictor.</span> +The Boa Constrictor is one of the largest of the +snake kind. It is not venomous, but is possessed +of enormous strength which it shows by coiling itself round +the object of its attack and crushing it into a shapeless mass. +It belongs to tropical America and feeds on birds, and animals +of all kinds, not hesitating to attack even the larger quadrupeds. +The following account from the pen of Mr. Byam will give +an idea of the way in which these monsters dispose of their +prey.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Boa and its Prey.</span> +An Englishman and an Indian, travelling together +through a thick forest, heard a noise like the +cry of a child in great pain. Pulling out their pistols, and +tying up their horses, they proceeded to the spot, and there +saw a boa crushing a young roebuck with short horns. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> +had wound itself twice round its prey, just behind the +shoulders, one coil lying on the other to increase the weight, +and its teeth were fastened on the back of the deer's head. +The tail was twisted twice round a young tree close by. It was +too busy to observe the strangers; and the Englishman +wished to attack it, and save the deer; but the Indian +walked off very gently, and made signs to him to follow. +When they had regained their horses, the Indian said it would +have been madness to have fought with the irritated animal, +and they went their way. This was seven in the morning, +and they marked the spot by notching the trees. At four +in the afternoon they again passed that way, and found the +boa lying straight upon the ground; one of the horns of the +roebuck sticking out of a corner of the mouth, and the other +looking as if it would perforate the neck of the snake; the tail +was still coiled round the tree, and the middle of the body +looked like a nine-gallon cask. A few blows of the hunting +sword about the tail finished the monster; but when attacked, +it tried to throw up the deer." The boa has been known +to measure upwards of twenty-five feet, though commonly +not exceeding eighteen feet.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Boa's Appetite.</span> +Captain Heyland thus describes a boa which +was in his possession for some time:—"The +animal was brought to me early in January, and did not +taste food from that time until the July following. During this +period he generally drank a quart of water daily. The man +who brought him stated, that he had been seen to eat a hog +deer the day before he was taken. He was allowed to be +at liberty in the grounds about my house. One evening +early in July, hearing a noise, I went out, and discovered +that the snake had left his harbour, under the boards of a +stable where he generally lay; and having entered a small +shed in which some fowls were roosting, had swept eleven +from the perch, and destroyed them by pressing them +between his folds. Then taking them one by one, head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> +foremost into his mouth, swallowed the whole down in +twenty minutes. The largest animal that he ate while in +my possession was a calf, which he killed and gorged in +two hours and twenty minutes. He never attacked dogs, +cats, or pigs. Of these last, indeed, he seemed to be in +dread, for, whenever one was presented to him, he retired +to a corner, and coiled himself up, with his head undermost. +If fed with animals not larger than a duck, he ate readily +every day; but after the meal of a goat, refused food for a +month."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Terrible Boa.</span> +Not many years ago, says a writer in "Chums," +a boa escaped from a menagerie at Grenoble, +and disappeared without leaving a trace. A few days afterwards +a certain Monsieur Flisson went on a visit to Beauregard +along with a friend, who accompanied him on an +excursion among the romantic hills and rocks in that part of +the country. At a particularly interesting spot he tarried +behind his friend, and, in order to enjoy the glorious prospect, +sat down on what appeared to be a stone covered with +soft moss. It was eight o'clock in the evening, and M. Flisson, +though shortsighted, was a man of prodigious strength. +This was lucky for him, for the stone now began to move +under him, stretched itself out with the elasticity of a spring, +and lifted him several feet from the ground. M. Flisson had +sat down on the boa. Before he had time to recover his +presence of mind, he felt himself rolling downwards. The +serpent had curled his tail round a tree-trunk, and Flisson +held its head firmly grasped between his hands. A strange +and terrible struggle ensued. The boa, securely fastened to +the tree, pulled upwards, and Flisson, still clinging with herculean +strength to the head of the creature, found himself at +last swinging over a precipice or about seventy feet in depth, +as though suspended by a rope. In this terrible situation +he remained ten minutes, until his friend, with the assistance +of a few countrymen, came to his relief.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">A Narrow Escape.</span> +Mr. Byam's book contains many interesting +anecdotes of the experiences of travellers, of +which the following snake story is one.</p> + +<p>"Two travellers passed a hillock in a marsh, and heard +some groans proceeding from a man on the top of it. +Earnestly beckoned to approach, they at first hesitated, +thinking it might be a contrivance to entice them into +danger. They, however, went near, and the man told +them that, while asleep, a snake had crept up his loose +drawers, and was then lying on his stomach, and from +what he had seen of it, he believed it to be a Coral-snake, +one of the deadliest of the western serpents. He had +nothing on but his drawers and a short cloak. The travellers +saw the form of the snake under the drawers; they dismounted, +put on thick gloves, took a pair of scissors, cut very carefully +through the drawers till they came to the head of the animal, +still fast asleep, and then one of them seized it by the neck, +and so released the poor man. It was nearly three feet +long, as thick as a walking-stick, coral-red in colour, with +yellow rings. The poor man said he had passed two or three +hours in that dangerous situation, which appeared as long +as weeks, and had called to two or three passers-by, who +had all avoided him, from the supposition that it was the +decoy of a marauding Indian. He was completely unmanned, +and his strength was prostrated by his apprehensions."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></p> + +<h3>CLASS IV—BATRACHIA.</h3> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Batrachia.</span> +Class IV of the Vertebrata comprises the +Batrachia. Batrachia, which are divided into three orders: +I Pseudophidia, II Urodela, III Anura. The first order comprises +the limbless worm-like reptiles of the genus Cæcilia +of Africa and South America; the second includes the Newts, +the Salamanders, etc., etc.; the third the Frogs and the Toads. +Leaving the first two orders, we devote a few lines to the +third, dealing with the Toad, the Common Frog and the +Tree Frog. The members of this order are singular for the +extraordinary changes through which they pass between birth +and maturity. As Tadpoles, in which form they first reach life, +they have thick black legless bodies ending in tapering tails, +and are provided with the fishlike anatomy necessary to +an aquatic existence. In the process of development they +completely change both in internal arrangement and external +appearance. The gills are exchanged for lungs, the legs +supersede the tail and the internal system undergoes corresponding +change. In the end the animal becomes semi-aquatic, +capable of living under water for some time, but compelled +to come to the surface for air at intervals; and also of living +out of the water altogether in such places as afford sufficient +moisture, damp being as necessary to their comfort as food +and air. They hybernate in the winter and propagate in the +spring; and in times of drought burrow into the earth and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> +remain lethargic until rain falls. They feed on insects and +slugs for which they have a voracious appetite. Their tongues, +which like those of the chameleon and other insect eaters, +are furnished with a sticky mucus to which insects adhere,—when +in repose, turn inwards towards the throat, and the act +of catching flies and other insects is simply that of flapping +the tongue out and in again, an act performed with such +rapidity as to almost escape observation.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Toad.</span> +The toad is found in all temperate and torrid +climes. It hides in damp secluded places during +the day emerging in search of food at night, or after the +fall of rain. Though voracious in its appetite, it can accommodate +itself to circumstances, and can subsist with little +food, if its abode be damp. Failing food and damp, it has +yet another resource, namely that of sleep, or torpor, in which +condition it can lay by and wait for better times. Under +such circumstances, the toad naturally lives a long life, and +survives conditions usually fatal. The voracity of the toad +is attested by the following incident, furnished by Captain +Brown. "A gentleman who resides at Keswick, Cumberland, +one evening in the latter end of July, observed a rustling +among the strawberries in his garden, and on examining +what it was, found that a toad had just seized a field-mouse, +which had got on the toad's back, scratching and biting to +get released, but in vain. The toad kept his hold, and as +the strength of the mouse failed, he gradually drew the +unfortunate little animal into his mouth, and gorged him."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Tame Toads.</span> +The toad may be easily tamed. Mr. Wood +tells of one which lived with a family for years and was in +the habit of supping on a piece of sugar. The story of the +Duke of Wellington and the tame toad deserves telling in this +connection. The Duke of Wellington was one day taking +his usual country walk, when he heard a cry of distress. +He walked to the spot, and found a chubby, rosyfaced boy +lying on the ground, and bending his head over a tame<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> +toad, and crying as if his little heart would break. Enquiry +elicited the fact that the boy was about to be sent to +boarding school and that he was afraid the toad, lacking his +attention, would die in his absence. The duke promised +to look after the toad, and apprise the boy, from time to +time, of its condition. During the time the boy was at school he +received five letters couched in the following terms:—<i>Strathfieldsaye, +July 27, 1837</i>. "Field Marshal the Duke of +Wellington is happy to inform William Harries that his toad +is alive and well." When the boy returned for his Christmas +holidays, the toad was, as the duke said, "Alive and well," +but, in accordance with the usual habits of these animals, he +was in his winter's sleep, in which he remained until spring +and genial weather brought him from his well-guarded hole +in the ground.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Common Frog.</span> +The Common Frog (<i>Rana Temporaria</i>) is now +found all over the British Isles. Formerly unknown +in Ireland it was introduced there about the year +1700 and has since spread all over the country. The frog +is more sociable than the toad, and is often seen, and heard +in large numbers; his habits, however, are very similar, and +his mode of seizing his prey the same. The Edible Frog +belongs to Europe, where it is used as an article of food, and +is not found in England. The Bull Frog is an Indian Variety +and attains to a great size. The American Bull Frog is also +an interesting species.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Ingenuity of the Frog.</span> +Mr. Jesse gives the following illustration of the +ingenuity of the Frog: "I may mention a curious +observation made in regard to some frogs that +had fallen down a small area, which gave light to one of the +windows of my house. The top of the area being on a level +with the ground, was covered with some iron bars, through +which the frogs fell. During dry and warm weather, when +they could not absorb much moisture, I observed them to +appear almost torpid; but when it rained they became impatient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> +of their confinement, and endeavoured to make their +escape, which they did in the following manner. The wall +of the area was about five feet in height, and plastered and +whitewashed, as smooth as the ceiling of a room. Upon this +surface the frogs soon found that their claws would render +them little or no assistance; they therefore contracted their +large feet, so as to make a hollow in the centre, and by +means of the moisture which they had imbibed in consequence +of the rain, they contrived to produce a vacuum, so that by +the pressure of the air on the extended feet (in the same +way that we see boys take up a stone by means of a piece +of wet leather fastened to a string), they ascended the wall +and made their escape. This happened constantly in the +course of three years."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Tree Frog.</span> +The Tree Frog, of which there are numerous +varieties, belongs to both East and West occurring +in China and Japan or well as in North and South America. +It is not found in England. Mr. Gosse says: "They are +very numerous in the damp woods of tropical America, and +reside by day in the tufts of those parasitical plants, which +form reservoirs for rain-water. The under-surface of their +bodies is very different to that of the terrestrial species; for +the skin, instead of being smooth, is covered with granular +glands, pierced by numerous pores, through which the dew +or rain, spread on the surface of the leaves, is rapidly absorbed +into the system, and reserved to supply the moisture needful +for cutaneous respiration. The males make the woods resound +throughout the night with their various cries, and, mingled +with the shrill chirping of insects, quite banish sleep from +the stranger's eyes."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></p> + +<h3>CLASS V—PISCES.</h3> + +<p><span class="subhead">Fishes.</span> +We come now to the fifth and last class of the +Vertebrata, a class so large that it is impossible to deal +adequately with it in a single volume of ordinary size, much +less in a single section of one treating of the whole of the +vertebrates. There are said to be 10,000 species, so that a +book which devoted one page to each would make an enormous +volume. All that can be done here is to deal with a +few of the better known species, as far as possible selecting +types of orders-without attempting to follow closely any +classification. Günther divides the Fishes into six sub-classes, +which are further arranged in thirteen orders. The first of +these orders includes the Sticklebacks, the Perches, the Mullets, +the Gurnards, the Mackerel and the Sword-fish besides others. +Of these we can deal with but two or three.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Stickleback.</span> +The Stickleback associated with the earliest +efforts of the youthful angler, and most of us +can remember capturing specimens of some fresh water +variety, in the days of childhood, and carrying them home +in triumph, in a bottle. There are a number of species of +the stickleback, some living in fresh water and some being +marine. They are extremely <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'vocacious'."> voracious</span> and it is a good job +for a large number of other living things that they are no +bigger than they are. They are also very pugnacious, and fight +among themselves with great determination. The Stickleback<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> +is about an inch and a half in length and is furnished with +spines, which it uses with great effect when fighting with its +enemies.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Stickleback and the Leech.</span> +Mr. John Stark who experimented with some +sticklebacks and leeches some years ago, gives +the following description of his experiences.</p> + +<p>"On putting the leeches into the water, the stickleback +darted round the tumbler with lively motions till it found a +leech detached, and in a proper situation for being seized. +When the leech was very small, say about half an inch in +length, it was often swallowed at once before it reached the +bottom of the vessel, but when a larger one, about an inch, +or an inch and a half in length in its expanded state, was +put in, and had fastened itself by its mouth to the glass, the +efforts of the stickleback to seize and tear it from its hold, +were incessant, and never failed to succeed. It darted at the +loose extremity, or, when both ends were fastened, at the +curve in its middle, seized it in its mouth, rose to near the +surface, and after a hearty shake (such as a dog would give +a rat) let it drop. The leech, who evidently wished to avoid +its enemy upon its release, again attached itself by its mouth +to the glass; but again and again the attack was repeated, +till the poor leech became exhausted, and ceased to attempt +holding itself by its disc. The stickleback then seized it by +the head in a proper position for swallowing, and after a +few gulps the leech disappeared. The flattened leech being +of an oval form, and having a hard skin, was not attacked, +unless when very young, and small; and leeches of the other +species when pretty well grown, or larger than himself when +expanded, were killed in the manner above mentioned, but +not swallowed. In one of his attempts to seize a leech, the +stickleback having got it by the tail, the animal curled back +and fixed its disc upon his snout. The efforts of the stickleback +to rid himself of this encumbrance were amusing. He let +go his hold of the leech, which then hung over his mouth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> +and darting at the bottom and sides of the glass with all his +strength, endeavoured to rub off this tantalizing morsel. This +lasted for nearly a minute, when at last he got rid of the +leech by rubbing his back upon the bottom of the vessel. +The leech, perfectly aware of the company he was in, no +sooner loosed his hold, than he attempted to wriggle away +from his devourer; but before he had reached mid-way up +the tumbler, the stickleback had turned and finished the contest +by swallowing him up."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Mackerel.</span> +The Mackerel is one of the most useful as well +as one of the most beautiful of familiar fishes. +It measures from twelve to twenty inches and weighs from +one and a half to two or three pounds. It is elegant of form +and brilliant of colour, as well as agreeable as an article of +food. Mackerel visit the coast of England in vast shoals at +certain seasons, but retire to deep seas for the winter. They +are exceedingly voracious, and prey upon the herrings; Captain +Brown tells a story of a number of mackerel fastening +on to a sailor who had plunged into their midst for a bath. +The man was rescued by his comrades, but he died soon +after from loss of blood.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Sword-fish.</span> +The Sword-fish is a formidable member of this +order. It is found in the Mediterranean, and +the Atlantic, and sometimes visits the English coast. It has +been known to measure ten feet or more without the sword, +with which it attains even to a length of fifteen feet. It +attacks other large fish and is a great enemy to the whale, +which it charges with great force and destructive effect. It +is said sometimes to mistake the hull of a ship for the body +of a whale and to charge it accordingly, with the result that +it leaves its sword fixed in the ship's timbers as the bee +leaves its sting in human flesh. The sword of this fish is +formed by the elongation of its upper jaw, and some idea +of the force with which it can be used may be gained from +the fact that one found in the hull of a ship at Liverpool<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> +and described by Scoresby had penetrated a sheet of copper, +an oak plank two and a half inches in thickness, a solid oak +timber of seven and a half inches, and another plank also +of two inches. "The position of the bone was at the distance +of four feet horizontally from the stern, and two feet below +the surface of the water when the vessel was afloat. Hence, +it appeared, that when the ship had been in rapid progress +through the water, she had been met with and struck by a +sword-fish advancing in an opposite direction, by the shock +of which, or by the action of the water forced past the body +of the animal by the vessel's progress, the snout had been +broken off and detached. The blow, though it must have +been singularly forcible, was not observed by any person in +the ship. Had the bone been withdrawn, the vessel would +probably have foundered." Mr. Wood says in one instance, +a Sword-fish attacking a whaling-ship, drove its weapon +"through the copper sheathing, an inch board sheathing, a +three-inch plank of hard wood, the solid white oak timber +of the ship twelve inches thick, through another two-and-a-half +inch hard oak ceiling plank, and lastly, perforated the +head of an oil-cask, where it still remained immovably fixed, +so that not a single drop of oil escaped."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Cod.</span> +The third order of Dr. Günther's classification +includes many of the more familiar fishes. Here we find the +Cod, the Haddock, the Plaice, the Flounder, the Halibut, +the Turbot, the Brill, and the Sole. Of these we will take +the Cod as representative. The Cod is one of the most +prolific of fish. Enormous quantities are caught and consumed +every year, and yet the number seems to increase rather than +decrease. This is accounted for by the fact, that the spawn +of one fish will sometimes contain nine millions of eggs. The +Cod frequents the deep seas of the temperate and colder +climes, not being found in any quantities north of Iceland, +or South of Gibraltar. They are found chiefly in the Northern +Atlantic where extensive fisheries are carried on, but they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> +are also caught in the Firth of Forth at the mouth of which +some of the best are taken. The Cod grows very rapidly +and often to a great size. One is said to have been caught +off Scarborough many years ago which weighed seventy-eight +pounds and measured five feet eight inches in length. They +feed on herrings, sprats, mollusca, worms, and small shell-fish, +are very voracious, and have excellent digestions. Captain +Brown killed one at Killough, Co. Down, Ireland in which he +found upwards of fifty small crabs, and other testaceous and +crustaceous animals. The Cod fisheries find employment for +a large number of people and are a great source of profit. +The flesh is highly valued as an article of diet, and the liver +for the properties of the oil which it produces, while other +parts are used for various purposes.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Salmon.</span> +In the Fourth order of Dr. Günther's classification +we find the Salmon, the Trout, the Pike, the Flying +Fish, the Carp, the Roach, the Chub, the Herring, the +Sardine, the Anchovy, the Gymnotus and the Eel, besides +other fish. Of these the Salmon takes easy precedence. +Izaak Walton called it "the King of fresh water fish," and +many have accorded it the first place among its kind for +the delicacy of its flavour. It is of migratory habits, leaving +the sea in the autumn and ascending rivers for the purpose +of depositing its spawn, and returning to the sea in the +spring. In seeking suitable places for its purpose the salmon +brooks no obstacle, leaping with great vigour the rapids and +falls that impede its course even though they may sometimes +exceed eight or ten feet in height. Curving the body +until it forms a circular spring, it strikes the water with +great force throwing itself forward and thus lifting itself +over rocks and weirs. In the shallow gravelly pools which +they find towards the source of rivers, Salmon form hollows +in which they spawn, covering up their eggs with the loose sand +they excavate in the process. The eggs deposited in the +later months of the autumn are hatched in the earlier months<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> +of Spring and by the end of May the whole of the young +fish have followed their parents to the sea.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Pike.</span> +The Pike,—fierce, strong, and voracious,—holds +his own in the rivers of both the old and the new Worlds. +It has been known to attack a man when its retreat has been +cut off; to bite the legs of bathers, and to snap at the fingers +of persons cooling their hands in the water; and when pressed +with hunger, to fight an otter for the possession of a carp, +which the latter had caught. Its strength and endurance +have often been demonstrated in the destruction of strong +tackle and in its power to survive, without apparent inconvenience, +with hooks and wires mingling with its anatomy. +Captain Brown gives an instance of a pike being caught, which +had a strong piece of twisted wire projecting from its side. +It was in excellent condition, and on being opened, discovered +in its stomach a double eel hook, much corroded, +and attached to the protruding wire. Another pike when +caught, in the river Ouse, was found in possession of a watch +with a black ribbon and seals attached; property which it +was afterwards discovered had belonged to a gentleman's +servant who had been drowned. The pike has often been +caught with portions of tackle broken from the line in former +engagements hanging from the mouth. Its rapacity is extraordinary. +Eight-hundred gudgeon are said to have been consumed +in three weeks by eight pike of not more than five +pounds weight each. "The appetite of one of my pike," says +Mr. Jesse, "was almost insatiable. One morning I threw to +him one after the other, five roach, each about four inches +in length. He swallowed four of them, and kept the fifth in +his mouth for about a quarter of an hour, when it also disappeared." +The pike attains to large proportions and to a +great age. When less than two pounds weight, it is called a +jack, but it has been known to attain to sixty or seventy +pounds weight, and if all records be true, to more than a hundred +years of age. Gesner mentions a pike caught in standing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> +water at Heilbroon, in Suabia in 1497 which had a ring round +its head with an inscription in Greek which ran somewhat +as follows; I am the first fish that was launched into this pond, +and was thrown in by Frederick the Second, emperor of the +Romans, on the fifth of October, 1230." If this be true, the +pike was two hundred and fifty-seven years old at the time +of its capture, when it is said to have weighed three hundred +and fifty pounds.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Herring.</span> +Probably no living thing of its size is equal +to the herring in its value to man. It visits the northern +coasts of England and Scotland in vast shoals, of several +miles in extent, in the autumn of the year, heralded by seagulls +and followed by dog-fish, both of whom take toll as it +proceeds. The annual produce of these little fish is beyond +all calculation. The Scotch fisheries are credited with the +capture of over four hundred millions a year, while those of +Norway can scarcely be much less successful. The Swedish +fisheries are said to capture nearly double that number, +to which must be added those taken by the English, Irish, +Dutch, French, and German fisheries before the grand total +can be reached. The enormous number of hands employed +in these various fisheries, to say nothing of the capital +invested in them, marks them out as one of the most +important of European enterprises.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Flying Fish.</span> +The Flying fish is about the size of a herring, +and is furnished with strong pectoral fins, almost +the length of its body, by which it is able to spring out of +the water and sustain itself for a time in the air. It has +apparently no power of guiding itself, or of varying its +altitude while in the lighter element, both the height and +the course of its flight being determined by the direction +and the force of its spring. Its ordinary flight is about +three feet above the surface of the water, and of no very +great distance or duration, but it has been known to fly +as high as fourteen or fifteen feet, and even higher, and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> +distance of over two hundred yards. Flying fish often fall +upon the decks of ships, where they are welcomed as affording +a pleasant variety to the sailors' menu. They frequent warmer +latitudes, but are sometimes seen off the English coast. They +leave the sea to escape the larger fish which prey upon +them, only too often to fall a prey to the fowls of the air.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Eel.</span> +The Eel from its general resemblance to the +snake is not usually a favourite when alive, however popular +it may be with the palate, when served up with suitable +accessories at table. It is, however, full of interest as a study, +and shows many remarkable characteristics and traits. It +migrates from the river to the sea in the autumn to produce +its young, thus reversing the order of procedure of the +salmon. Mr. Jesse, writing of these migrations as observed +by him in the Thames many years ago, says, "An annual +migration of young eels takes place in the river Thames in the +month of May, and they have generally made their appearance +at Kingston, in their way upwards, about the second week in +that month. These young eels are about two inches in length, +and they make their approach in one regular and undeviating +column of about five inches in breadth, and as thick together +as it is possible for them to be. As the procession generally +lasts two or three days, and as they appear to move at the +rate of nearly two miles and a half an hour, some idea may +be formed of their enormous number. Sir Humphrey Davy +says, in his "Salmonia,"—"There are two migrations of eels, +one <i>from</i> and the other <i>to</i> the sea; the first in spring and +summer, and the second in autumn, or early in winter. The +first of very small eels, which are sometimes not more than +two and a half inches long; the second of large eels, which +sometimes are three or four feet long, and weigh from fifteen +to twenty pounds. There is great reason to believe, that all +eels found in fresh water are the results of the first migration; +they appear in millions in April and May, and sometimes +continue to rise as late as July, and the beginning of August.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> +They feed, grow, and fatten in fresh water. In small rivers, +they are seldom very large; but, in large deep lakes, they +become as thick as a man's arm, or even leg; and all those +of a considerable size attempt to return to the sea in October +or November, probably when they experience the cold +of the first autumnal rains." Mr. St. John thus describes some +young Eels which he saw ascending the river Findhorn +"When they came to a fall, which they could not possibly +ascend, they wriggled out of the water, and gliding along +the rock, close to the edge, where the stone was constantly +wet from the splashing and spray of the fall, they made +their way up till they got above the difficulty, and then +again slipping into the water, continued their course." The +eel is voracious, and will leave the water in search of frogs, +and other food. It will attack, and <span class="correction" title="Transcriber's Note: Original text was 'appropiate'."> appropriate</span>, young ducks, +and one is said to have been caught near Bootle with two +rats in its stomach. The Conger Eel grows to a great size +and attains great weight. It is said sometimes to measure +eight or even ten feet, and to weigh a hundred pounds or +even more. It is plentiful in the English Channel, and on +the coast of Cornwall.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Gymnotus.</span> +The Gymnotus is the famous electric eel, and +like the Torpedo of the English Channel and the +Mediterranean, has the power of communicating a violent +electric shock. It belongs to the Amazon and other South +American rivers and their tributaries, and is well known to +American Indians. Humbolt describes the shock produced by +this creature, as exceeding in strength that of a large Leyden +jar. Having imprudently placed his foot on one just taken +from the water he received such a shock that, he says, "I +was affected the rest of the day with violent pains in the +knees, and in almost every joint."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Catching the Gymnotus.</span> +The following vivid description of a Gymnotus +hunt is given by Humbolt: "We at first wished +to make our experiments in the house we inhabited at Calabozo;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> +but the dread of the electrical shocks of the gymnoti is so +exaggerated among the vulgar, that during three days we +could not obtain one, thought they are easily caught, and +though we had promised the Indians two piastres for every +strong and vigorous fish.</p> + +<p>"Impatient of waiting, and having obtained very uncertain +results from an electrical eel that had been brought to us +alive, but much enfeebled, we repaired to the Cano de Bera, +to make our experiments in the open air, on the borders of +the water itself. We set off on the 19th of March for the +village of Rastro de Abaxo, thence we were conducted to a +stream, which, in the time of drought, forms a basin of muddy +water, surrounded by fine trees. To catch the gymnoti with +nets is very difficult, on account of the extreme agility of the +fish, which bury themselves in the mud like serpents. We +would not employ the <i>barbasco</i>, that is to say, the roots of +Piscidea erithryna and Jacquinia armillaris, which, when thrown +into the pool, intoxicate or benumb these animals. These +means would have enfeebled the gymnoti; the Indians therefore +told us, that they would 'fish with horses.' We found +it difficult to form an idea of this extraordinary manner of +fishing; but we soon saw our guides return from the Savannah, +which they had been scouring for wild horses and mules. +They brought about thirty with them, which they forced to +enter the pool.</p> + +<p>"The extraordinary noise caused by the horses' hoofs +makes the fish issue from the mud, and excites them to +combat. These yellowish and livid eels resemble large aquatic +serpents, swim on the surface of the water, and crowd under +the bellies of the horses and mules. A contest between +animals of so different an organization furnishes a very striking +spectacle. The Indians, provided with harpoons and long +slender reeds, surround the pool closely; and some climb +upon the trees, the branches of which extend horizontally +over the surface of the water. By their wild cries, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> +length of their reeds, they prevent the horses from running +away and reaching the bank of the pool. The eels, stunned +by the noise, defend themselves by the repeated discharge +of their electric batteries. During a long time they seem to +prove victorious. Several horses sink beneath the violence +of the invisible strokes which they receive from all sides, in +organs the most essential to life; and stunned by the force +and frequency of the shocks, disappear under the water. Others, +panting, with their mane standing erect, and wild looks, +expressing anguish, raise themselves and endeavour to flee +from the storms by which they are overtaken. They are +driven back by the Indians into the middle of the water; +but a small number succeeds in eluding the active vigilance +of the fishermen. These regain the shore, stumbling at every +step, and stretch themselves on the sand, exhausted with +fatigue, and their limbs benumbed by the electric shock of +the gymnoti.</p> + +<p>"In less than five minutes two horses were drowned. The +eel, being five feet long, and pressing itself against the belly +of the horses, makes a discharge along the whole extent of +its electric organs. It attacks at once the heart, the intestines, +and the <i>plexus cæliacus</i> of the abdominal nerves. It is natural, +that the effect felt by the horses should be more powerful +than that produced upon men by the touch of the same fish +at any one of his extremities. The horses are probably not +killed, but only stunned. They are drowned from the impossibility +of rising from amid the prolonged struggle between +the other horses and the eels.</p> + +<p>"We had little doubt, that the fishing would terminate by +killing successively all the animals engaged; but by degrees +the impetuosity of this unequal combat diminished, and the +wearied gymnoti dispersed. They require a long rest, and +abundant nourishment, to repair what they have lost of +galvanic force. The mules and horses appear less frightened; +their manes are no longer bristled, and their eyes express<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> +less dread. The Indians assured us, that when the horses +are made to run two days successively into the same pool, +none are killed the second day. The gymnoti approach +timidly the edge of the marsh, when they are taken by means +of small harpoons fastened to long cords. When the cords +are very dry, the Indians feel no shock in raising the fish +into the air. In a few minutes we observed five eels, the +greater part of which were but slightly wounded. Some were +taken by the same means towards the evening.</p> + +<p>"The temperature of the water in which the gymnoti +habitually live is about 86 degrees of Fahrenheit. Their +electric force, it is said, diminishes in colder waters. The +gymnotus is the largest of electrical fishes. I measured some +that were from four feet to five feet three inches long; and +the Indians assert, that they have seen them still larger. We +found that a fish of three feet ten inches long weighed twelve +pounds. The transverse diameter of the body was three +inches five lines. The gymnoti of <i>Cano de Bera</i> are of a +fine olive-green colour. The under part of the head is +yellow, mingled with red. Two rows of small yellow spots +are placed symmetrically along the back, from the head to +the end of the tail. Every spot contains an excretory aperture. +In consequence the skin of the animal is constantly covered +with a mucous matter, which, as Volta has proved, conducts +electricity twenty or thirty times better than pure water. It +is somewhat remarkable, that no electrical fish yet discovered +in the different parts of the world, is covered with scales.</p> + +<p>"It would be rashness to expose ourselves to the first +shocks of a very large and strongly irritated gymnotus. If +by chance you receive a stroke before the fish is wounded, +or wearied by a long pursuit, the pain and numbness are so +violent, that it is impossible to describe the nature of the +feeling they excite. I do not remember having ever received +from the discharge of a large Leyden jar, a more dreadful +shock than that which I experienced by imprudently placing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> +both my feet on a gymnotus just taken out of the water."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Torpedo.</span> +It would be difficult to name two fish more +dissimilar in outward appearance than the Gymnotus and the +Torpedo, and yet they enjoy in common the unique power +of communicating electric shocks. The Gymnotus is a long +eel-like fish, the Torpedo is round and flat. The Torpedo +belongs to the family of the Rays and sometimes reaches a +large size. It is common in the Mediterranean and is sometimes +found on the southern coasts of the British Isles.</p> + +<p>"Although it has once or twice been caught on our coasts," +says Mr. Wood, "it is usually found in the Mediterranean, +where its powers are well known, and held in some awe. +The shock that the Torpedo gives, of course, varies according +to the size of the fish and its state of health, but a tolerably +large fish in good health can, for the time, disable a strong +man. From the effects of its shock, it is in some parts called +the Cramp-fish. It has been known to weigh from seventy +to a hundred pounds.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Shark.</span> +The Shark, whose name instinctively suggests +a shudder, is the largest of the fishes and one of the largest +of marine animals. There are many varieties, and they are +found in all seas; some measuring no more than a few feet, +others attaining to very large proportions. The Blue Shark of +the Mediterranean which measures about eleven feet sometimes +approaches the south coast of England and Ireland, as does +the Hammer-headed Shark of the Atlantic and the Indian +Ocean a shark of twelve feet in length. The Tope, a smaller +variety, is often seen in the English channel, as are also +several others of the smaller Sharks. The Great Basking +Shark which often measures thirty feet in the length is the +largest of those which visit the English coast, but like the +largest of all the sharks (<i>Rhinodon Typicus</i>), which sometimes +exceeds fifty feet in length, is herbivorous, and therefore not +bloodthirsty.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The White Shark.</span> +The Shark known to sailors as the White +Shark is a fierce and sanguinary creature. It +frequents the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, +where it follows ships for days for the sake of the refuse, +which is thrown overboard. This creature has been known +to swallow a man entire, and commonly to devour one in +two or three portions. Sailors get no mercy from the shark, +and consequently show him none. There is a story told +of a negro cook who seeing a shark follow in the wake of a +ship made a brick hot in the stove, and then threw it to +the monster who probably never had a warmer or more +indigestible meal. This shark suffered great agony if its +contortions may be taken as evidence, and, after exhausting +itself with its fury, allowed itself to drift away with the tide. +Expert swimmers, armed with long sharp knives have sometimes +engaged the shark single-handed, diving underneath +it, and stabbing it before it discovered their whereabouts. +The Negroes of the West Indies are credited with this hardihood, +and are said to be frequently successful.</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Sharks in the South Seas.</span> +"The amphibious South Sea Islanders," says +Mr. Wood, "stand in great dread of the Shark, +and with good reason, for not a year elapses +without several victims falling to the rapacity of this terrific +animal. Nearly thirty of the natives of the Society Islands +were destroyed at one time by the sharks. A storm had +so injured the canoe in which they were passing from +one island to another, that they were forced to take refuge +on a raft hastily formed of the fragments of their canoe. +Their weight sunk the raft a foot or two below the surface +of the water, and, dreadful to say, the sharks surrounded +them and dragged them off the raft one by one, until the +lightened raft rose above the water and preserved the few +survivors." Mrs. Bowdich who was an eye-witness of the +tragic circumstances she describes, says:—"Sharks abounded +at Cape Boast, and one day, as I stood at a window commanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> +a view of the sea, I saw some of the inhabitants +of the town bathing, and the sharks hastening to seize upon +them,—they being visible from always swimming with part of +their dorsal fin out of water. I sent to warn the men of +their danger, and all came ashore except one, who laughed +at the caution of his companions. A huge shark was rapidly +approaching, and I sent my servant again, and this time +armed with half a bottle of rum, to bribe the man to save +himself. It was too late, the murderous creature had seized +him, and the water around was dyed with his blood. A +canoe was dispatched to bring him ashore, but a wave threw +him on to the beach; and it was found that the shark had +taken the thigh bone completely out of the socket. The +man, of course, expired in a very few minutes. Accidents +were often happening, and always fatal, and yet the negroes, +who seldom think beyond the present moment, could not be +dissuaded from bathing. A man walking in the sea, up to +knees, was dragged away by one, almost before my eyes."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">The Rays.</span> +The Rays are large flat fish of which there +are numerous species, the Thornback and the Common Skate +being the best known. They have large pectoral fins, and +some species grow to an enormous size. The Skate has been +known to measure six or seven feet. Other species are the +Homelyn Ray and the Sandy Ray which like the Thornback +and the Skate are found in British waters. The Sting Ray +and the Eagle Ray cover wider areas and grow to a gigantic +size in tropic seas. It is a large species of the Eagle Ray +that is known as the Sea Devil of the tropics. These fish, +though very large, display no great antipathy to man, though +from their enormous size and strength they are a source of +danger to small craft. Mr. Swinburne Ward in a letter to +Colonel Playfair, quoted in Dr. Percival Wright's "Concise +Natural History", thus describes the capture of one of these +monsters off the Seychelles.</p> + +<p>"Coming home we passed close to an enormous 'diable-de-mer'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> +floating quietly about. We changed from the pirogue +to the Whale-boat, which I had scientifically fitted up for +the <i>gros poissons</i>, and went alongside of him, driving a regular +whale harpoon right through his body. The way he +towed the water was beautiful, but we would not give him +an inch of line and he also had to succumb to a rather +protracted lancing. His size will give you an idea of his +strength in the water—forty-two feet in circumference! We +got him awash on the beach, but the united strength of ten +men could not get him an inch further, so we were obliged +to leave him there. By this time the sharks will not have +left much of him; they have not had such a meal as that +for a long time. The fishermen say that when alive the +sharks do not molest the 'diable-de-mer', whose offensive +weapons consist of those enormous flexible sides (one can +hardly call them fins) with which they can beat almost any +shark to death. As a rule when harpooned, they endeavour, +like other rays, to bury themselves in the sand, and if they +succeed in doing this, no line can ever haul them out of +it—their flat bodies act on the principle of an enormous +sucker. Another curious fact about them is that when harpooned +they swim sideways, edge on, in order to avoid +exposing too broad a surface to their enemy. They never +do this unless harpooned."</p> + +<p><span class="subhead">Ray Catching.</span> +Lieutenant Lament gave the following graphic +description of a Ray fishing expedition in which he took +part near Port Royal, Jamaica, in 1824, to Professor Jameson.</p> + +<p>"The first appearance of an animal of this species, since +I have been here, (about eighteen months,) was about two +months ago, when I was called out to the beach by some +of the inhabitants, whom I found, on going there, to be +assembled in great numbers, to see what they called the <i>Sea +Devil</i>. I confess my curiosity was not less excited than theirs, +when I saw floating close to the surface of the water, about +twenty yards from me, a large mass of living substance of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> +dark colour, but of the shape and size of which I could not, +at the time, form any proper idea, it being so very different +from what I had ever before seen or heard of, farther than +that I supposed it to have been many times the size of what +I now believe it was. No time was lost in setting out in +pursuit of him, with harpoons, &c.; and it was not long before +he was come up with, and struck with one of the harpoons, +when he made off with great velocity, towing the boat after +him. As he seemed to incline chiefly to the surface of the +water, six or seven more harpoons were (with the assistance +of several canoes that had come up) successively plunged +into him, and all the boats made fast to each other, which +he was obliged to pull after him, with several people in each. +Such, however, was the great strength of the animal, that, +after being fast in the manner I have described, for upwards +of four hours, and taking the boats out to sea attached to +him to a distance of about ten miles from the harbour, and +having been pierced with so many wounds, he was still able +to defy every effort to bring him in. It had now got late, +and was dark, and an attempt was made to force him up +near enough to get another large harpoon into him, this was +no sooner done, than he darted off; and by an almost unaccountable +and seemingly convulsive effort, in a moment +broke loose from all fetters, carrying away with him eight or +ten harpoons and pikes, and leaving every one staring at his +neighbour in speechless astonishment, confounded at the power +of the animal which could thus snatch himself from them at +a time when they conceived him almost completely in their +power.</p> + +<p>"Since then some of these animals have occasionally been +heard of at a distance from the harbour; and a few days ago, in +coming over from Port Augusta with another gentleman, we fell +in with one of them, which allowed us to get so near him, that +it was determined to set out the next morning to look for him. +We did so; and took with us several large harpoons, muskets,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> +pikes, &c., determined, if it were possible, to bring him in. +He was descried about eight o'clock near Greenwich, towards +the top of the harbour, as usual floating near the surface, +and moving slowly about. Having allowed the boat to +get very close to him, he was struck with a harpoon, which +was thrown at him in a most dexterous manner by Lieutenant +St. John, of the royal artillery. He immediately set out towards +the mouth of the harbour, towing the boat after him +with such velocity, that it could not be overtaken by any of +the others. After going on this way for near an hour he +turned back, which enabled the other boats to lay hold; and +four of them were tied, one after the other, to the one in +which he was harpooned, with four of five people in each of +them. By this means we hoped to tire him out the sooner. +In about an hour and a half after he was first struck, a +favourable opportunity offering, a large five-pointed harpoon, +made fast to a very heavy staff, was thrown at him with +such an elevation, that it should fall upon him with the +whole weight of the weapon—this having been as well directed +as the first, was lodged nearly in the middle of his back. +The struggle he made at this time to get away was truly +tremendous,—plunging in the midst of the boats,—darting +from the bottom to the surface alternately,—dashing the water +and foam on every side of him,—and rolling round and +round to extricate himself from the pole. This might be +considered as having given him the <i>coup de grace</i>, although, +at short intervals afterwards, he was struck with two more +harpoons, and several musket balls were fired into him. Still +he was able to set out again, taking the four boats after +him, which he carried along with the greatest ease. Having +gone in this way for some time he came to a stop, and laid +himself to the bottom, when, with all the lines that were +attached to him, it was quite impossible to move him. All +expedients were nearly beginning to fail, when it was proposed +to slacken the lines, which being done had the desired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> +effect, and he again set out. Having thus got him from the +ground, inch by inch was gained upon him, till he was got +near the surface, when he was struck with two large pikes. +He now got rather faint; and the boats closing on him on +every side, the combat became general with pikes, muskets, +and every weapon we had. In fact, to such a pitch were +all excited on the occasion, that, had a cool spectator seen +the affray, he would undoubtedly have imagined that it was +his <i>sable majesty</i> himself that we had got amongst us. He +was now towed ashore, being about five hours since he was +first struck. This it required all the boats to do, and then +but very slowly. His appearance now showed the extraordinary +tenacity of life of which this animal must be possessed, +as his whole body was literally a heap of wounds, +many of which were through and through, and he was not +yet quite dead. This circumstance, with his great strength, +is the cause of the name which has been given him by the +fishermen here, as they have never been able to succeed in +taking one of them, and were firmly of opinion it was impossible +to do so.</p> + +<p>"On measurement, it was found to be in length and breadth +much the same, about fifteen feet, and in depth from three +to four feet. It had the appearance of having no head, as +there was no prominence at its mouth; on the contrary, its +exterior margin formed, as it were, the segment of a circle, +with its arc towards the animal's body, and opening into a +large cavity of about two feet and a half in width, without +teeth, into which a man went with so much ease, that I do +not exaggerate when I say, that another might have done +so at the same time. On each side of the mouth projected +a mass of cartilaginous substance like horns, about a foot +and a half long, and capable of meeting before the mouth. +These feelers moved about a great deal in swimming, and +are probably of use in feeding. On looking on this animal +as it lay on the ground with its back upwards, it might be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> +said to be nearly equal in dimensions on every side, with +the exception of the two lateral extremities, extending to a +point about four feet from the body, and a tail about five +feet long, four and a half inches diameter at the root, and +tapering to a point. Above the root of the tail was the +dorsal fin, and on each side of it a flat and flabby substance +close to the body, of the appearance of fins. There were +no other distinct fins, and its sole propelling power seemed +to be its two lateral extremities, which became very flat and +thin towards the point. As it shows these much in swimming, +it gives a spectator an extraordinary idea of its size, as, to him +imperfectly seen, the conclusion naturally is, if the breadth +is so great, how much greater must the length be. This +animal was a female, and was viviparous. On opening it, a +young one, about twenty pounds weight, was taken out, perfectly +formed, and which had been preserved. Wishing to know what +it fed upon, I saw the stomach opened, which was round, +about eight inches in diameter, and quite empty. It was closely +studded over with circular spots of a muscular substance. +Under the stomach was a long bag, with transverse muscular +layers from end to end, and which contained nothing but +some slime and gravel. This muscular appearance of the +digestive organs would lead one to suppose that it fed upon +other fish, as is the general opinion here, though its having +no teeth does not support that idea. Its weight was so great +that it was impossible to ascertain it at the time; but some +idea may be formed of it when I assure you that it was with +difficulty that forty men, with two lines attached to it, could +drag it along the ground. Its bones were soft, and, with +the exception of the jaw-bones, could be cut with a knife. +One ridge of bone ran from the mouth to the middle of the +back, where it was met by another running transversely, +from the extremities of which there were two larger ones +converging towards the tail."</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></p> + +<h2>INDEX.</h2> + +<ul class="index"> +<li class="ifrst">A.</li> + +<li class="indx">Aardwolf, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Accentor modidaris</i>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Accipitres</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Addax, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Ælurus fulgens</i>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">African mouse, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx">African owl [pigeon], <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Agouti, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Aguara, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Albatross, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Alcephalinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Alligator, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>-<a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Alpaca, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American blackbird, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American bull frog, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American horned owl, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American house wren, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American leopard, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>-<a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American lion, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>-<a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American monkey, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>-<a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American sable, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">American vulture, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Anchovy, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Angola <i>or</i> Angora cat, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Anomalure, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Anseres</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ant-eater, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ant-eater [bird], <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ant-thrush, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Antelope, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Antilocaprinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Anubis, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Anura</i>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ape, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Apteryx, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Arabian baboon, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Arabian horse, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>-<a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Arctic fox, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Argus pheasant, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Armadillo, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Artiodactyla</i>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ass, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>-<a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Ateles</i>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Australian hedgehog, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Aye-aye, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">B.</li> + +<li class="indx">Babiroussa, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Baboon, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>-<a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Babouin, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bactrian camel, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Badger, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bald eagle, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Balearic crane, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bandicoot, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Barb [pigeon], <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Barbary ape, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Barbel [sporting dog], <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Barn owl, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bat, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>-<a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bay antelope, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Beagle, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bear, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>-<a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bearded saki, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Beaver, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>-<a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Beaver rat, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bell bird, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Beluga catodon</i>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>"Billybiter," <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bird of Paradise, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>-<a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bison, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bittern, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>-<a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black grouse, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black howler, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black rat, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black snake, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black swan, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black vulture, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Black-necked swan, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blackbird, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bladder-nose hooded seal, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blenheim spaniel, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blood-hound, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>-<a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blue jay, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blue shark, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Blue titmouse, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Boa constrictor, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>-<a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Boar, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bobak, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bonnet monkey, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Borèlé, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bosch-bok, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Bovidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Bovinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brahmin bull, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brazilian porcupine, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brill, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Broadbill, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brown bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brown capuchin, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Brown rat, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Budorcinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Buffalo, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>-<a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bull, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bull frog, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bull terrier, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bull-dog, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bullfinch, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bunting, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Bustard, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">"Butcher bird", <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Buzzard, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">C.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cæcilia</i>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Camel, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>-<a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Camelopordalis giraffa</i>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Canadian porcupine, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Canary, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canis anglicus</i>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canis avicularis</i>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canis domesticus</i>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canis index</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canis sanguinarius</i>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canis scoticus</i>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Canvas-back duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cape ant-bear, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cape buffalo, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cape penguin, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Caprinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Capuchin, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Capybara, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Caribou, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>-<a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Carnivora</i>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Carp, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Carrier pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Carrion crow, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cashmir goat, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cassowary, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Castor americanus</i>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Castor gallicus</i>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cat, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>-<a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Catamountain, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cavia aperea</i>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cavia cobaya</i>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cavy, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cayman, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cebidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>-<a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cephalophinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cercoleptes caudivolvulus</i>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cervicaprinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cervus</i>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cervus elaphus</i>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chackma, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chaffinch, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chameleon, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chamois, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chatterer, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cheek-pouched monkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cheiromyidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cheiromys madagascariensis</i>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cheiroptera</i>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Chelonia imbricata</i>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span>Chetah, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chevrotain, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chimpanzee, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chinchilla, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chough, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chub, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Chuck-Will's-widow, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Civet, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Classical dolphin, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Clouded tiger, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coach-dog, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coati, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cobra, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>-<a href="#Page_346">346</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cock of the rock, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cockatoo, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cod, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Colugo, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Columbæ</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common barn owl, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common crane, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common fin whale, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common frog, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common gull, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common iguana, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common jay, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common kingfisher, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common lizard, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common pheasant, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common porpoise, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common rabbit, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common rhea, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common seal, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common skate, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common starling, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common swan, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common thrush, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common toad, <a href="#Page_351">351</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Common wren, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Condor, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coney, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Conger eel, <a href="#Page_362">362</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coot, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Coral snake, <a href="#Page_349">349</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cormorant, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Corvidae</i>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cotingidae</i>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Couguar, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cow, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Crake, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cramp-fish, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Crane, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Crocodile, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Crossbill, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Crow, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Cuckoo, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>-<a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Curlew, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cynælurus</i>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cynocephalus</i>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">D.</li> + +<li class="indx">Dalmatian, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Dama vulgaris</i>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Darwin's rhea, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dasyure, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Deer, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>-<a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Delphinus delphis</i>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Desman, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dhole, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Diable-de-mer</i>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Diana monkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dingo, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dog, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>-<a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dolphin, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Domestic fowl, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>-<a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Domestic turkey, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>-<a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dormouse, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Douroucouli, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dove, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dove-cot pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Drill, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dromedary, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Duck, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Duck-billed platypus, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Dugong, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Duplicidentati</i>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">E.</li> + +<li class="indx">Eagle, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>-<a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eagle ray, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eared seal, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eastern bison, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Echidnidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span>Edible frog, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eel, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Egyptian fox, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Egyptian hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Egyptian vulture, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eider duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eland, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Electric eel, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>-<a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Elephant, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>-<a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Elephant tortoise, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Elk, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Emballonuridæ</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Emu, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li class="indx">English bunting, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li class="indx">English carrier, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">English frill-back, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">English pouter, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">English terrier, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Entellus, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Equine antelope, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ermine, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Esculent swift, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Eskimo dog, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>-<a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">F.</li> + +<li class="indx">Falcon, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fallow deer, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fantail, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fawn, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Feneca zaarensis</i>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fennec, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fern owl, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ferret, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fieldmouse, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Finch, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fish-hawk, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Fissipedia</i>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Fissirostres</i>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flamingo, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flounder, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flying dog, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flying fish, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flying fox, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Flying squirrel, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Four-horned antelope, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fowl, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fox, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>-<a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Fox terrier, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Foxhound, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Frog, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + + +<li class="ifrst">G.</li> + +<li class="indx">Galago, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Gallinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gavial, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gazelle, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Gazellinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Genet, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gibbon, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Giraffe, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Glutton, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gnu, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goat, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goatsucker, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Golden eagle, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Golden howler, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Golden oriole, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Golden pheasant, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Golden-crested wren, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goldfinch, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goose, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>-<a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gorilla, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>-<a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Goshawk, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Grallatores</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grampus, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great albatross, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great ant-eater, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great auk, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great basking shark, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great black-backed gull, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great eagle owl, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great shrike, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great titmouse, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great-billed rhea, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Great-crowned pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grebe, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Green monkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Green parrot, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Green turtle, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Green woodpecker, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Greenfinch, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grey fox, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grey parrot, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>2</li> + +<li class="indx">Grey seal, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>Greyhound, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>-<a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Griffin vulture, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grivet, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grizzly bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>-<a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ground parrot, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Grouse, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Guinea fowl, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Guinea-pig, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gull, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Gulo luscus</i>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gurnard, <a href="#Page_354">354</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Gymnotus, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>-<a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">H.</li> + +<li class="indx">Haddock, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Halibut, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Halicore dugong</i>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hammer-headed shark, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hamster, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hapale</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hare, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>-<a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harnessed antelope, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harp seal, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harrier, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Harvest mouse, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hatteria punctata</i>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hawk, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hawk's-bill turtle, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hedge-sparrow, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hedgehog, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hen, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Heron, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Herring, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Herring gull, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hinny, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hippopotamus, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>-<a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hippotraginæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hoazin, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hog, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Homelyn ray, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Honey bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hook-billed ground pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hoolock, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hornbill, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Horse, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>-<a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Horseshoe bat, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> + +<li class="indx">House martin, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> + +<li class="indx">House mouse, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Howling monkey, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Humming bird, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Humpback whale, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hunting leopard, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hunting tiger, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Hyæna, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>-<a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hyænidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hylobates</i>, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>7</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hyrax</i>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">I.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ibex, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ichneumon, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Iguana, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Imperial eagle, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Indian buffalo, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Indian frill-back, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Indian monkey, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>-<a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Indian rhinoceros, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Indian tapir, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Indri, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Insectivora</i>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Irish hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ivory gull, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ivory-billed woodpecker, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Izard, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">J.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jack, <a href="#Page_359">359</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jack screamer, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jackal, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jackass penguin, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jackdaw, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jacobin, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jaguar, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>-<a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jay, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jerboa, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Jungle fowl, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">K.</li> + +<li class="indx">Kahau, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kangaroo, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Keitloa, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kestrel, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>King bird, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">King Charles spaniel, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li class="indx">King duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">King of the vultures, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li class="indx">King penguin, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kingfisher, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kinkajou, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kit fox, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kite, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Kobaoba, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">L.</li> + +<li class="indx">Labrador dog, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Land bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lapwing <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lark, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>-<a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Laugher, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Laughing kingfisher, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leathery turtle, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leech, <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lemming, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lemur, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Lemuridæ</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leopard, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>-<a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lesser fin whale, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Leucocyon lagopus</i>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Leucoryx, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Linnet, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lion, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>-<a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Little ant-eater, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lizard, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Llama, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Llama pacos</i>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Llama peruana</i>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Llama vicugna</i>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Loggerhead turtle, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-eared owl, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-nosed dolphin, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-nosed monkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-tailed duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-tailed manis, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-tailed sheep, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Long-tailed titmouse, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Love bird, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lurcher, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Lutra vulgaris</i>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lynx, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Lyre bird, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">M.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Macacus</i>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Macaque, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Macaw, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mackerel, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Magot, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Magpie, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>-<a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mahoohoo, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Malayan bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Malbrouck monkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mallard, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Maltese spaniel, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Manakin, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Manatidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mandarin, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mandrill, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Manis, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Manx cat, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Marmoset, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Marmot, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Marsh harrier, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Martin, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mastiff, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>-<a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Meadow pipit, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Megaderma lyra</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Meles taxus</i>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Mellivora capensis</i>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Merino, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mias, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Midas</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Missel thrush, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mississippi alligator, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mocking bird, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mole, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>-<a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mona, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Monitor, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Monkey, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>-<a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Monodon monoceros</i>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Monotremata</i>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Moor hen, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Moose, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mother Carey's chicken, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mountain hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mouse, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mouse deer, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Muchocho, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>Mule, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Mullet, <a href="#Page_354">354</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Muscovy duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Musk rat, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Musk sheep, <i>or</i> ox, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Mustelidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Mycetes</i>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">N.</li> + +<li class="indx">Narwhal, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Nasua narica</i>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Nemorhedinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Newfoundland dog, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>-<a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Newt, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nicobar pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Night-jar, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nightingale, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nile monitor, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nine-killer, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Northern sea bear, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Northern lion, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Numidian crane, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nun, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Nycteridæ</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Nycticebus tardigradus</i>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Nyctipithecus felinus</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Nylghau, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">O.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ocelot, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Opisthocomi</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Opossum, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Orang-utan, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>-<a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Orca gladiator</i>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Organist tanager, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Ornithorhynchidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Oryginæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Osprey, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ostrich, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Otaridæ</i>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Otter, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ounce, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Oven bird, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Owl, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ox, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">P.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pallah, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Panda, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pangolin, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Panther, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>-<a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Paradisea apoda</i>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>-<a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Paradoxure, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Parrakeet, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Parrot, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>-<a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Partridge, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Passenger pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Passeres</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Patas, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pea-fowl, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Peacock, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Peacock pheasant, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Peahen, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Peccary, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pelican, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Penguin, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Perch, <a href="#Page_354">354</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Peregrine falcon, <a href="#Page_311">311</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Perissodactyla</i>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Persian cat, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Persian lynx, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Petrel, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pheasant, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Philander, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Phyllostomidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Picariæ</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pied wagtail, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pig, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pigeon, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>-<a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pike, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pine marten, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pinnipedia</i>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pipistrelle, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pipit, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pithecia</i>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Plaice, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Plantcutter, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Platypus, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Plecotus auritus</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Plover, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pointer, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>-<a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Polar bear, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Polar hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Polecat, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Poodle, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Porcupine, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>Porpoise, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Pouched rat, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Prairie dog, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Prairie grouse, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Procyonidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Prong-horned antelope, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Protelidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pseudophidia</i>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Psittacini</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ptarmigan, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Puffin, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Puma, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>-<a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Python, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">Q.</li> + +<li class="indx">Quagga, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Quail, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">R.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rabbit, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Raccoon, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Rana temporaria</i>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rat, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>-<a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rat kangaroo, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ratel, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rattlesnake, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Raven, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>-<a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ray, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>-<a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Red deer, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Red fox, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Red grouse, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Red-backed shrike, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Red-headed woodpecker, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Reindeer, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>-<a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Resplendent trogon, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rhea, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rhesus monkey, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rhinoceros, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>-<a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rhinoceros bird, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Rhin don typicus</i>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Right whale, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Ringed seal, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Roach, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Robin, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rock manakin, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rodents, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Roebuck, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Rook, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Runt, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Rupicaprinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Rupicola elegans</i>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">S.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sable, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sacred monkey, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sage hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx">St. Bernard dog, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>-<a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Salamander, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Salmon, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sand lizard, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sandmartin, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sandpiper, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sandy ray, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sardine, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sardinian hare, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Scansores</i>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Scarlet tanager, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Scotch greyhound, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Scotch terrier, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Scrub bird, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea bear, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea canary, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea cow, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea devil, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>-<a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea elephant, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea leopard, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea lion, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea pig, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sea-gull, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Seal, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>-<a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Secretary bird, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Semnopithecus</i>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Serval, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Setter, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>-<a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Shark, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>-<a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sheep, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>-<a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sheldrake, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Shepherd's dog, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>-<a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Short-faced tumbler, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Short-tailed manis, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Shrew, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Shrike, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Siamang, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>Siberian dog, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Silver fox, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Simia</i>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Simplicidentati</i>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Skate, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Skunk, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>-<a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Skye terrier, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sky-lark, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>-<a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sleuth-hound, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sloth, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sloth bear, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Slow lemur, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Snakes, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>-<a href="#Page_349">349</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Snipe, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Snow bunting, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sociable weaver-bird, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sole, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Sorex vulgaris</i>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spaniel, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>-<a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sparrow-hawk, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spectacled bear, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sperm whale, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sphinx, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spider monkey, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spot, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spotted eagle, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Spotted hyæna, 82, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Squirrel, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>-<a href="#Page_239">239</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stag, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>-<a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Staghound, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Starling, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stickleback, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>-<a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sting ray, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stoat, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stork, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Stormy petrel, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Striped hyæna, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Struthiones</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Sturmidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sulphur-crested cockatoo, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Swallow, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Swallow [pigeon], <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Swan, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>-<a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Swift, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Sword-fish, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Syrian bear, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">T.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tadpole, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tahaleb, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tailor bird, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tanager, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Talapoin, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Talpidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tapir, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tapiridæ</i>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tarsidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tarsier, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tarsius spectrum</i>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Teal, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Terrier, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thick-headed shrike, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thistlefinch, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thornback, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Thrush, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tiger, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>-<a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tiger-cat, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Titmouse, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Toad, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>-<a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tomtit, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tope, <a href="#Page_365">365</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Torpedo, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tortoise, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tragelaphinæ</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tragulus</i>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tragulus meminna</i>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tree frog, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tree kangaroo, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tree pipit, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tree porcupine, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Trichechus rosmarus</i>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Troglodytes</i>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Trogon, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Trout, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Trumpeter, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Turbot, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Turkey, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>-<a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Turnspit, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Turtle, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tyrannidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tyrant fly-catcher, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Tyrant shrike, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">U.</li> + +<li class="indx">Umbrella bird, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>Unicorn, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Urodela</i>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Ursus americanus</i>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Ursus arctos</i>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">V.</li> + +<li class="indx">Vampire bat, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>-<a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vervet monkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Vespertilionidæ</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Viper, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Viscacha, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Viverridæ</i>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Vulpes vulgaris</i>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Vulture, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_310">310</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">W.</li> + +<li class="indx">Wagtail, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wallachian sheep, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Walrus, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wanderoo, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Water rat, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Water shrew, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Water spaniel, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Water-pheasant, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Weasel, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Weaver bird, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Weeper capuchin, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Whale, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Whip-poor-Will, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li class="indx">White shark, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li> + +<li class="indx">White whale, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + +<li class="indx">White-headed sea eagle, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> + +<li class="indx">White-nosed monkey, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>19</li> + +<li class="indx">White-throated capuchin, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Whooping swan, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Widgeon, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wild boar, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wild cat, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wild dog, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wild goose, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wild turkey, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wild-duck, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wildebeest, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Willow wren, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wolf, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>-<a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wombat, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Woodchuck, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Woodcock, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Woodpecker, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + +<li class="indx">"Wool man", <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wren, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>-<a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Wryneck, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">Y.</li> + +<li class="indx">Yak, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + + +<li class="ifrst">Z.</li> + +<li class="indx">Zebra, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li class="indx">Zebu, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +</ul> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<h4 class="u"><i>NEARLY 300,000 OF THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN SOLD</i></h4> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:200%;">NEW GIFT BOOKS</p> + +<blockquote class="bbox"><p>"Such Volumes are invaluable for our young +people, and all thanks are due to those who have +brought them within easy reach of every child +in the three kingdoms."—GUARDIAN.</p></blockquote> + +<p style="font-size:150%; font-weight:bold;">The Fifty-two Series of Stories +for Boys and Girls</p> + +<p class="center">Edited by ALFRED H. MILES.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Each in large cr. 8vo, 400-500 pp., bound in cloth, richly gilt,<br /> +bevelled boards, gilt edges, with illustrations.<br /> +Price <b>5s.</b> each.</i></p> + +<p class="center b">Among the Contributors to the Series are:—</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="2" summary=""> +<tr><td align="left">G. A. Henty<br /> +R. M. Ballantyne<br /> +George Manville Fenn<br /> +W. Clark Russell<br /> +W. H. G. Kingston<br /> +Captain Mayne Reid<br /> +Gordon Stables<br /> +Ascott R. Hope<br /> +David Ker +</td><td align="left">W. M. Thackeray<br /> +Robert Chambers<br /> +Lord Macaulay<br /> +Sir Edward Creasey<br /> +L. T. Meade<br /> +Sarah Doudney<br /> +Harriet B. Stowe<br /> +Grace Stebbing<br /> +Mary E. Wilkins +</td><td align="left">Darley Dale<br /> +Susan Coolidge<br /> +F. R. Stockton<br /> +Mrs. Coulston Kernahan<br /> +Frances Gerard<br /> +Lucy Hardy<br /> +W. P. Frith, R.A.<br /> +Washington Irving<br /> +Alphonse Daudet +</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="b center">AND MANY OTHERS</p> + +<p class="center"><i>For List of Volumes see over.</i></p> + +<hr class="r5" /> + +<p class="b center">London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row</p> + +<hr /> + +<ol class="b"> +<li>Fifty-two Stories for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two More Stories for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two More Stories for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Further Stories for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Further Stories for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Other Stories for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Other Stories for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Fairy Tales.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories for Boyhood and Youth.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories for Girlhood and Youth.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories for Children.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Boy Life at Home and Abroad.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Girl Life at Home and Abroad.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the Indian Mutiny and the Men who saved India.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Pluck and Peril for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Pluck, Peril and Romance for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the British Navy.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stores of Duty and Daring for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the British Army.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Sunday Stories for Boys and Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the Wide, Wide World.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the British Empire.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Greater Britain.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Girls.</li> +<li>Eifty-two Stories for the Little Ones.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Boys.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Girls.</li> +<li>Fifty-two Stories of Animal Life and Adventure.</li> +</ol> + +<p class="center">London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:200%">HUTCHINSON'S NEW 1s. 6d. Series</p> + +<p class="smcap center">(Including Copyright Books)</p> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:150%">OF POPULAR STORIES</p> + +<p class="center b">ENTIRELY RESET FROM NEW TYPE.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Each Volume in large crown 8vo, handsome cloth gilt.</i></p> + +<p class="center">With Illustrations on Art Paper.</p> + +<p>1. <b>GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES.</b> By the Brothers Grimm.</p> + +<p>2. <b>ANDERSON'S FAIRY TALES.</b> By Hans Christian +Anderson.</p> + +<p>3. <b>UNCLE TOM'S CABIN.</b> Mrs. H. B. Stowe.</p> + +<p>4. <b>THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD.</b> Elizabeth Wetherell.</p> + +<p>5. <b>NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE.</b> Edited by +Alfred H. Miles.</p> + +<p>6. <b>LITTLE WOMEN.</b> Miss L. M. Alcott.</p> + +<p>7. <b>GOOD WIVES.</b> Miss L. M. Alcott.</p> + +<p>8. <b>LOG LEAVES AND SAILING ORDERS</b>—True +stories of Naval Life and Adventure. Edited by Alfred H. +Miles.</p> + +<p>9. <b>WITH FIFE AND DRUM</b>—True +Stories of Military Life and Adventure. Edited by Alfred +H. Miles.</p> + +<p>10. <b>MELBOURNE HOUSE.</b> Elizabeth Wetherell.</p> + +<p>11. <b>FAIRY TALES FROM AFAR.</b> From the Danish, translated +by Jane Mulley.</p> + +<p>12. <b>OPENING A CHESTNUT BURR.</b> E. P. Roe.</p> + +<p>13. <b>STEPPING HEAVENWARD.</b> Mrs. E. Prentiss.</p> + +<p>14. <b>HELEN'S BABIES AND SEQUEL.</b> J. K. Habberton.</p> + +<p>15. <b>ROBINSON CRUSOE.</b> Daniel Defoe.</p> + +<p>16. <b>THE LAMPLIGHTER.</b> M. S. Cummins.</p> + +<p>17. <b>ROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS.</b> Jules +Verne.</p> + +<p>18. <b>ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA.</b> Jules Verne.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO., LONDON.</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:200%">The "Victory" Series</p> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:150%">OF GIFT AND PRIZE BOOKS</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In large crown 8vo, handsome cloth gilt, and full gilt edges.</i></p> + +<p class="center">With Illustrations printed on plate paper, <b>5s.</b></p> + +<p>1. <b>From Middy to Admiral of the Fleet.</b> Being the Story +of Commodore Anson. By <span class="smcap">Dr. Macaulay</span>.</p> + +<p>2. <b>From Poverty to the Presidency.</b> Being the Story of +General Andrew Jackson. By <span class="smcap">Oliver Dyer</span>.</p> + +<p>3. <b>The Adventures of Leonard Vane.</b> An African Story. +By <span class="smcap">E. J. Bowen</span>.</p> + +<p>4. <b>The Emperor's Englishman.</b> By <span class="smcap">Fred Wishaw</span>.</p> + +<p>5. <b>King for a Summer.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edgar Pickering</span>.</p> + +<p>6. <b>Golden Gwendolyn.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<p>7. <b>Through Pain to Peace.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarah Doudney</span>.</p> + +<p>8. <b>Namesakes.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<p>9. <b>Where Two Ways Meet.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarah Doudney</span>.</p> + +<p>10. <b>Godiva Durleigh.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarah Doudney</span>.</p> + +<p>11. <b>Dare Lorimer's Heritage.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<p>12. <b>The House of Elmore.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. W. Robinson</span>.</p> + +<p>13. <b>Hooks of Steel.</b> By <span class="smcap">Helen Protheroe Lewis</span>.</p> + +<p>14. <b>Miss Marjorie of Silvermead.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<p>15. <b>Olivia's Experiment.</b> By <span class="smcap">Evelyn Everett-Green</span>.</p> + +<p>16. <b>Owen, a Waif.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. W. Robinson</span>.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO., LONDON.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:200%">The Boys' Golden +Library</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In crown 8vo, very handsomely bound in cloth, bevelled boards, +richly gilt, and full gilt edges.</i></p> + +<p class="center">With Illustrations printed on Plate Paper, <b>3s. 6d.</b></p> + + +<p>1. <b>The Desert Ship.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. Blonndelle Burton</span>.</p> + +<p>2. <b>The Little Marine; or the Land of the Rising Sun.</b> By +<span class="smcap">Florence Marryat</span>.</p> + +<p>3. <b>The Warriors of the Crescent.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. H. Davenport +Adams</span>.</p> + +<p>4. <b>Pictures from Roman Life and Story.</b> By Professor <span class="smcap">A. +J. Church</span>.</p> + +<p>5. <b>Up North in a Whaler.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edward A. Rand</span>.</p> + +<p>6. <b>Pictures from Greek Life and Story.</b> By Professor <span class="smcap">A. J. +Church</span>.</p> + +<p>7. <b>Robinson Crusoe.</b> By <span class="smcap">Daniel Defoe</span>.</p> + +<p>8. <b>Our Clerk from Barkton.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edward A. Rand</span>.</p> + +<p>9. <b>After Sedgemoor.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edgar Pickering</span>.</p> + +<p>10. <b>The Cruise of the Crystal Boat.</b> By <span class="smcap">Dr. Gordon +Stables</span>, R.N.</p> + +<p>11. <b>The Oracle of Baal.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. Provand Webster</span>.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO., LONDON.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:200%">The Girls' Golden +Library</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In crown 8vo, very handsomely bound in cloth, bevelled boards, +richly gilt, and full gilt edges.</i></p> + +<p class="center">With Illustrations printed on Plate Paper, <b>3s. 6d.</b></p> + + +<p>1. <b>A SINGER FROM THE SEA.</b> By Amelia E. Barr.</p> +<p>2. <b>THE FAMILY DIFFICULTY.</b> By Sarah Doudney.</p> +<p>3. <b>WINNIE TRAVERS.</b> By Anna E. Lisle.</p> +<p>4. <b>THE MAID OF ORLEANS.</b> By W. H. Davenport Adams.</p> +<p>5. <b>AMONG THE WELSH HILLS.</b> By M. C. Halifax.</p> +<p>6. <b>SELF AND SELF-SACRIFICE.</b> By Anna E. Lisle.</p> +<p>7. <b>A CHILD OF THE PRECINCT.</b> By Sarah Doudney.</p> +<p>8. <b>THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD.</b> By E. Wetherell.</p> +<p>9. <b>THE CLEVER MISS JANCY.</b> By Margaret Haycraft.</p> +<p>10. <b>MISS PRINGLE'S PEARLS.</b> By Mrs. G. Linnæus Banks.</p> +<p>11. <b>THE LAMPLIGHTER.</b> By Maria S. Cummins.</p> +<p>12. <b>NO HUMDRUM LIFE FOR ME.</b> By Mrs. J. Kent Spender.</p> +<p>13. <b>A BUBBLE FORTUNE.</b> By Sarah Tytler.</p> +<p>14. <b>LOVE FOR AN HOUR IS LOVE FOR EVER.</b> By Amelia E. Barr.</p> +<p>15. <b>MY COUSIN FROM AUSTRALIA.</b> By Evelyn Everett-Green.</p> +<p>16. <b>A STEPMOTHER'S TRAGEDY.</b> By Evelyn Everett-Green.</p> +<p>17. <b>LITTLE CAMP ON EAGLE HILL, &c.</b> By E. Wetherell.</p> +<p>18. <b>THREE COMELY MAIDS.</b> By M. L. Pendered.</p> +<p>19. <b>A KNIGHT OF THE NETS.</b> By Amelia E. Barr.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">Messrs. HUTCHINSON & CO., LONDON.</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center b" style="font-size:150%">SOME CHARMING 'FAIRY' BOOKS</p> + +<p class="center">By HELEN BROADBENT<br /><br /></p> + +<p class="center">With 72 Beautiful Illustrations by W. T. WHITEHEAD</p> + +<p class="b center" style="font-size:150%">The Dew Babies</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In cloth, richly gilt, and gilt edges, <b>6s.</b></i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"One of the best modern fairy tales we have met for a long time."—<i>Church +Times.</i></p> + +<p>"Not only has Miss Broadbent told the most enchanting of stories, +but W. T. Whitehead has embellished them with a host of such pictures +that merely seeing them compels one to read the tale."—<i>Liverpool Post.</i><br /><br /></p></blockquote> + +<p class="center">With 78 Beautiful Illustrations by H. R. MILLAR</p> + +<p class="b center" style="font-size:150%">The Ruby Fairy Book</p> + +<p class="center"><i>A large handsome volume, richly cloth gilt and gilt edges, <b>6s.</b></i></p> + +<p class="center">The Fairy Tales included in this Volume comprise Stories by—</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="2" summary=""> +<tr class="smcap"><td align="left"> +Jules Le Maitre<br /> +J. Wenzig<br /> +F. C. Younger<br /> +</td><td align="left"> +Canning Williams<br /> +T. R. Edwards<br /> +Flora Schmals +</td><td align="left"> +Luigi Capuani<br /> +John C. Winder<br /> +Daniel Riche, etc. +</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="center">With 83 Original Illustrations by H. R. MILLAR</p> + +<p class="b center" style="font-size:150%">The Diamond Fairy Book</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In handsome cloth gilt and gilt edges, <b>6s.</b></i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"'The Diamond Fairy Book' is the daintiest and most fascinating +of its kind we have seen for a very long time."—<i>The Lady.</i></p></blockquote> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row</p> + +<hr class="chap" /> + +<p class="center">With 84 Original Illustrations by H. R. MILLAR</p> + +<p class="b center" style="font-size:150%">The Silver Fairy Book</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In handsome cloth binding, silver edges, <b>6s.</b></i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"'The Silver Fairy Book' is, both from the interesting nature of +the stories and the excellence of the illustrations, likely to be one of the +most popular among young people, and indeed, among all who still +retain a fondness for fairy stories. The greater portion of them will be +entirely new to English readers, and may be said to depart altogether +from beaten paths."—<i>Standard.</i><br /><br /></p></blockquote> + + +<p class="center">With 111 Original Illustrations by H. R. MILLAR</p> + +<p class="b center" style="font-size:150%">The Golden Fairy Book</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In handsome cloth gilt, gilt edges, <b>6s.</b></i></p> + +<blockquote><p>"An excellent collection of charming tales by famous authors. The +volume is prettily bound, and excellently printed with a profusion of +illustrations."—<i>Times.</i><br /><br /></p></blockquote> + + +<p class="center">An Important and Unique Work<br /> +Edited by ROGER INGPEN</p> + +<p class="b center" style="font-size:150%">One Thousand Poems +for Children</p> + +<p class="center b">A COLLECTION OF THE BEST VERSES OLD & NEW</p> + +<p class="center"><i>In crown 8vo, cloth gilt, <b>6s.</b><br /> +With Illustrations printed on Plate Paper</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center">London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + + +<div class="transnote"> +<h2>Transcriber's Notes</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><th colspan="4">A number of typographical errors were corrected in the text.</th></tr> +<tr class="b"><td align="left">Page</td><td align="left">Original</td><td align="left">Corrected to</td><td align="left">Context</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">34</td><td align="left">appearence</td><td align="left">appearance</td><td align="left">of singular appearance and interesting habit.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">42</td><td align="left">mammel</td><td align="left">mammal</td><td align="left">the smallest living mammal</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">46</td><td align="left">suddently</td><td align="left">suddenly</td><td align="left">he came suddenly on a lion</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">71</td><td align="left">desease</td><td align="left">disease</td><td align="left">specific against cattle disease</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">74</td><td align="left">stic her dome</td><td align="left">her domestic</td><td align="left">genial warmth of her domestic hearth</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">79</td><td align="left">is</td><td align="left">its</td><td align="left">In its pure state</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">79</td><td align="left">its</td><td align="left">is</td><td align="left">perfume is agreeable</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">87</td><td align="left">inhabitated</td><td align="left">inhabited</td><td align="left">proximity to inhabited dwellings</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">114</td><td align="left">canis</td><td align="left">Canis</td><td align="left">Canis domesticus</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">125</td><td align="left">formally</td><td align="left">formerly</td><td align="left">less needed now than formerly</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">188</td><td align="left">Hippotamus</td><td align="left">Hippopotamus</td><td align="left">The Hippopotamus is gregarious</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">249</td><td align="left">if</td><td align="left">of</td><td align="left">one of the most</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">255</td><td align="left">acccording</td><td align="left">according</td><td align="left">according to Mrs. Bowdich</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">354</td><td align="left">vocacious</td><td align="left">voracious</td><td align="left">They are extremely voracious</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">362</td><td align="left">appropiate</td><td align="left">appropriate</td><td align="left">It will attack, and appropriate</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><th colspan="4">Some words occur with and without hyphenation in the text.</th></tr> +<tr class="b"><td align="left">Hyphenated</td><td align="left">Instances</td><td align="left">Unhyphenated</td><td align="left">Instances</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">bed-room</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">bedroom</td><td align="left">5</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">blood-hound</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">bloodhound</td><td align="left">3</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Blood-hound</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Bloodhound</td><td align="left">6</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">cat-like</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">catlike</td><td align="left">2</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">eye-witness</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">eyewitness</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">farm-house</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">farmhouse</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">fore-feet</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">forefeet</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">fore-noon</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">forenoon</td><td align="left">2</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">fore-paw</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">forepaw</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">fore-paws</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">forepaws</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Fox-hound</td><td align="left">3</td><td align="left">Foxhound</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">fox-hound</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">foxhound</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Goat-sucker</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Goatsucker</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">gun-shot</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">gunshot</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">hedge-hog</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">hedgehog</td><td align="left">9</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">hind-quarters</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">hindquarters</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">mid-day</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">midday</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">off-spring</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">offspring</td><td align="left">10</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">re-discovered</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">rediscovered</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">road-side</td><td align="left">2</td><td align="left">roadside</td><td align="left">2</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">sand-banks</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">sandbanks</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">sea-side</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">seaside</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">tortoise-shell</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">tortoiseshell</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><br /></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><th colspan="4">Some words occur with and without ligatures in the text.</th></tr> +<tr class="b"><td align="left">Ligature</td><td align="left">Instances</td><td align="left">No Ligature</td><td align="left">Instances</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cebidae</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Cebidæ</td><td align="left">7</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Corvidae</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Corvidæ</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cotingidae</td><td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Cotingidæ</td><td align="left">1</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="center"><br />Both "M. d'Obsonville" and "M. D'Obsonville" occur on page 99.</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Natural History in Anecdote, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE *** + +***** This file should be named 37959-h.htm or 37959-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/5/37959/ + +Produced by Malcolm Farmer, LN Yaddanapudi and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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