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CAUCASIAN.
AMERICAN INDIAN.
THE MALAY
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( MAN.
together, on the flesh of animals only. In these
respects man stands alone; other animals being con-
fined to particular localities. One class cannot bear
the heat, another cannot endure the cold. Even
with the advantages which human art can suggest,
animals, when removed from their own locality, soon
become diseased, and die. So again, in reference to
food. To the carnivorous class of animals flesh is
indispensable, as an article of food; ruminating
animals, on the contrary, must be supplied with a
vegetable diet, or perish.
Slowness of growth, and tardy development, fur-
ther distinguish the human family. Man remains
longer than other animals in a state of infancy
and youth. The bones are slower in becoming com-
plete; while it requires from fifteen to twenty years
ere he attains his full stature. The length of life in
man is proportionably greater than in other animals.
We will only remark in conclusion, that the human
species may be divided into five varieties:—1. The
Caucasian variety: distinguished by a white skin,
with rosy tint, inclining to brown; hair, eye-brows,
and eyes, of various colours; large skull, with small
face; expanded forehead; nose somewhat aquiline;
mouth smail; front teeth perpendicular; lips turned
out; chin full and rounded; moral feelings, and in-
tellectual powers, most energetic. This variety in-
cludes all Europeans, except the Finns; the inhabi-
tants of Western Asia, to the river Oby, the Caspian
Sea, and the Ganges ; the Tartars Proper ; the tribes
occupying the chain of Caucasus; the Georgians,
Circassians, Mingrelians, and Armenians; the Turks,
Persians, Arabians, Affghans, and Hindoos of high
5
it
2.
SCRIPTURE NATURAL AISTORY.
castes; the northern Africans, Egyptians, and Abys-
sinians.
2. The Mongolian variety: characterized by an
olive colour; black eyes and hair, with little beard ;
head of a square form; low forehead ; broad flat face,
and features running together ; nose small and flat;
round projecting cheeks; eyes very oblique ; large
ears; thick lips; and stature short. It includes the
tribes of Central and Northern Asia, as the Mongols,
&e.; the Manchoos and their neighbours; the Sa-
moiedes, &c.; the Chinese and Japanese, with the
inhabitants of Tibet, Tonquin, Ava, and Siam; the
Laplanders and Esquimaux.
3. The Hthiopian variety: presents a black skin ;
eyes prominent and black; hair black and woolly ;
skull compressed sideways, and elongated in front ;
forehead low; cheek bones prominent; jaws project-
ing; teeth oblique; nose broad, thick, and flat ; lips
thick. All the natives of Africa, not included in the
first variety, belong to this.
4. The American variety: here the skin is dark
and red; hair black and straight ; beard slender; a
countenance and skull similar to the Mongolian ;
forchead low; eyes deep; face broad ; mouth large ;
lips rather thick. This variety includes all the native
Americans, except the Esquimaux. ;
5. The Malay variety: known by a tawny to a
deep brown skin; hair long and black; head narrow;
face large and prominent; nose full and broad; and
mouth large. This variety comprises the inhabitants
of the Malay Archipelago, New Holland, Tasmania,
New Guinea, New Zealand, and all the islands of the
South Scas.—Such is Man!
6
THE NEGRO.
~~
THE MONGOLIAN.
THE LION
Pecan
————
CLASS I.—MAMMALS.} [ORDER I!.—CARNIVORA»
DIVISION I.—FELIS OR CATS.
THE LION.
In Hesrew, Areé.—(Felis Leo.)—In EnGLisu, The Zearer.
“ He crouched as a Lion.†—GxEn. chap. xlix., 9.
Ir Man be the general lord of creation, the lion
may be regarded as king amongst the brutes. He
reigns in the forest, or in the plains, alone; taking
the most prominent position from his immense size,
herculean strength, and undaunted courage. A bet-
ter acquaintance with his history, however, obliges us
to make some drawbacks from the high eulogy
which has been pronounced upon him. He is
naturally sluggish; and it is only when roused by
the influence of strong excitement, hunger, or re-
venge, that he puts forth his native energy, and
innate ferocity. What authors have said of his
generosity, may rather be referred to his cowardice
and irresolution.
A mere glance at a lion is sufficient to convince us
that he was made for aggressive war. ‘The African
lion, the noblest of his compeers, is from eight to
nine feet in length, from five to six feet in height, and
of about five hundred weight. His figure is noble ;
his looks determined ; his gait stately; and his voice
tremendous. His body, in short, is a perfect model
of strength, combined with wondrous agility. His
general muscular strength is expressed by his pro-
digious leaps and bounds, often to the extent of
twenty feet at once; a single sweep of his tail being
sufficient to throw a man to the ground; while a
THE LIONESS AND CUBS.
i a
and weight. The head is adorned with a shage
beautiful mane.
A passing remark must also be given on another
part of the armour of this indomitable warrior. The
fore-paws of the lion have each five toes, and the
hinder-paws four toes, which are armed with very
strong, hooked, and sharp claws, or talons, about an
inch-and-a-quarter long, and well fitted to become a
powerful instrument for seizing and rending the
prey. The claws, a beautiful conformation, are
always preserved, without effort, as in a sheath,
from coming in contact with external bodies, so as
to keep them sharp and ready for action. The talons
thus protected, give the animal another advantage.
The softer part of the paws being alone brought in
contact with the ground, produces that noiseless
tread, in making advances towards its prey, for which
the whole of the cat tribe are so remarkably dis-
tinguished. _
Tue Lioness is usually smaller, less bold, and
more gentle than the male. She goes with young
five months, and produces from two to four at a
litter, which are born blind. In a state of nature
both parents contribute to supply the whelps with
food when they begin to eat, and mutually guard
their young with the greatest jealousy. In these
respects, however, the lioness takes the lead, becom-
ing much more rapacious and terrible when she has
young.
Of the strength of the lion most extraordinary and
well attested examples are on record. To carry off a
man appears to be a feat of wio difficulty to this
powerful brute. A Cape lion has been known to
VOL. I. Cc 9
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3.
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(
THE LION.
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
seize, and carry off a heifer in his mouth, though the
legs dragged upon the ground, conveying it with the
game ease as a cat does a rat, leaping over a broad
ditch with her, without the least difficulty. Another,
and a young one too, conveyed a horse about a mile
from the spot where he had killed it. Sparrman
relates of a third, that having carried away a two-
year old heifer, was followed on his track by horse~
men for five hours, when it appeared that, through-
out the whole distance, the carcass of the heifer had
only once or twice touched the ground.
THE TIGER.
(Felis Tigris.)
SHouLp a comparison be instituted between the lion
and the tiger, we doubt whether the first rank would
not be assigned to the latter. These animals are
closely allied to each other in size, in power, in ex-
ternal form, in internal structure, in zoological
character, in prowling habits, and im sanguinary
propensities; yet the tiger is at once distinguished
from the lion, and from every other of their common
genus, by the peculiar markings of its coat. Ona
ground which exhibits, in different individuals, va-
rious shades of yellow, he is elegantly striped by a
series of transverse black bands or bars, which oc-
cupy the sides of his head, neck, and body, and are
10
THE TIGER.
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THE LEOPARD.
7 4
Herprew, Namar.—(Felis Leopardu.)—ENGLIsi The Spotted.
? \ , }
“Cun the Ethionian change his shin, or the Leopard hits spots 2â€
} J , } a)
Auruoven we are very familiar with the name of
leopard, yet there are several species which so nearly
resemble each other, that the precise distinction 0.
the true leopard still remains a problem unresolved.
Some of our modern ard most experienced natural-
ists confess, that though the names of leopard and
nanther have long been known, yet that no writer
of the last generation has pomted out, in what
respects the animals differ. Major H. Smith,
whose authority is undeniable, says, that the leopard,
as compared with the jaguar ana the panther, is
uniformly of a paler yellowish colour, rather smaller,
and the dots upon her skin rose-formed, or consist-
ing of several dots partially united mto a circular
figure in some instances, and into a quadrangular,
triangular, or other less determinate forms in others:
there are also several single isolated black spots, »
which more especially occur on the outside of the
limbs. If any reliance is to be placed on the most
accurate figures hitherto published, the small spots
of the leopard, and the large ones of the panther,
must strike even a casual observer, and lead him to
believe that the two animals should be called by dif-
ferent names. But in the absence of internal or
anatomical difference, we may easily come to
wrong conclusions, misled by those which are only
( external, a not strongly marked.
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THE LEOPARD © °
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THE PANTHER,
‘From the frequent reference to leopards by the
sacred writers, itis certain, that they were once lo-
cated cither in Palestine itself, or in the neighbouring
countries ; although they are no longer to be found
there. In central Africa leopards are far from
uncommon. They are found in considerable num-
bers in Lower Guinea, where they often make dread-
ful havoe among the flocks and heads. They are
also to be found in India. In a state of nature they
appear to be very active, climbing trees well, and.
taking their prey usually by surprise. Yet are they
characterised as being swift-footed, according to the
allusion made by the prophet Habakkuk, chap. 1., 8,
“their horses also are swifter than the leopards.â€
In captivity they are said to be playful, but apt to
be treacherous. Mrs. Bowditch won the heart of
a leopard by kindness, presenting him with lavender-
water in a tea-tray, of which the animal was fond
almost to ecstasy. Sai, the name given to this
favourite, was however taught, that he should never
be mdulged with this luxury, unless he put on his
gloves, that is, kept his claws sheathed.
THE PANTHER.
(Felis Pardus.)
Iv size the panther ranges next to the tiger. Its
hair is short and smoeth ; and is beautifully marked
on the back, sides, and flanks, with black spots
: — —— ———E————EO—EO—E——EO—E—EeEeE_ OOOO
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
forming a kind of rosettes ; on the face, breast, and
legs the spots are single: the colour of the body, on
the neck and sides is yellow, but of a darker hue
than in the leopard; the belly is white. Its ears
are short and pointed; its eye restless; and its whole
aspect fierce and determined.
The panther attacks alike all the smaller animals ;
and when pressed by hunger will dexterously climb
up trees in pursuit of monkeys. It has the repu-
tation of bemg an untameable animal; but we are
not aware that it is more so than others of the same
family. The ancients were no strangers to the
panther ; he being often brought into the arena by
the Romans, to furnish sport in those cruel and
dangerous games then so common.
This species is spread throughout Africa, in the
warmer countries of Asia, and in the Indian Archi-
pelago.
THE JAGUAR.
(Felis Onca.)
Tux Jaguar may easily be distinguished from others
of the leopard tribe. It is robust im its form, being
far stouter than the leopard, and very strongly built.
The body is also thicker, the limbs shorter, and more
fleshy, and the tail scarcely reaching the ground whex.
the animal stands well on its feet. The head is
larger, and rather shorter, than that of the leopard,
: 4
SO
THE JAGUAR.
THE HUNTING LEOPARD.
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Soe ———s
THE CHETAH.
about seven years old, and the other a boy about
nine, he bounded towards them, his head down, and
his back arched, like a cat at play. He approached
the boy, who was not sensible of his danger, and
began to play with him, till at last, the jaguar struck
him so hard on the head, with his paw, as to draw
blood, whereupon the little girl struck him smartly
with a small switch, and he was bounding back, not
at all irritated, when the Indians, alarmed by the
cries of the girl, came up.
\
}
THE CHETAH, orn HUNTING LEOPARD.
(Felis jubata.)
Tuer chetah, or hunting leopard, was supposed, by
some of our older naturalists, to form a kind of con-
necting link between animals of the cat and the dog
tribe. In the system of dentition, and in its general
habits and peculiarities, it resembles the cat, while
in intelligence, teachableness, and fidelity, it seems to
approach nearer to the dog. Mr. Owen has de-
monstrated that a right place has been given to the
chetah, in arranging it among the true leopards.
It is an animal of great beauty and agility; and,
generally speaking, obtains its prey during the day,
rather than at night. Its colour is a bright yellowish
fawn, in the upper parts of the body, covered above
and on the sides with intensely black spots, closely
19
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THE PUMA.
(Felis Concolor.)
Lions, properly so called, are confined to the old
world; but from the size and ferocity of the puma,
it is often designated the American lion, although, in
fact, it more nearly resembles the leopard: Its colour
is a silvery fawn, on the back and sides; the belly
being nearly white. It has neither mane nor spots.
The range which this animal formerly had, extended
from Canada to Patagonia; this is daily becoming
more contracted. It is still sometimes seen about
the mouth of the Columbia River. In the Brazils it
is far from uncommon.
The puma is always a dangerous and formidable
neighbour. When it meets with a herd of cattle it
will slay in all directions, sucking only a portion
of blood from each victim. Fifty sheep have been
killed by it in a single night. The settler knows,
to his scrrow, that the puma is no less dangerous
amongst his swine. It is an expert climber;
although its principal haunts are swamps and prai-
ries. The animal is said to be untameable; this,
however, must be a mistake, since the late Mr,
Edmund Kean kept one in his house, which was
completely domesticated, following the inmates about
the house with the familiarity of a dog.
It is a favourite sport, in South America, to hunt
the puma with dogs. When the dogs are unken-
nelled, they pursue him until he stops to defend -
himself. If the dogs fly upon him, the hunter
jumps from his horse and despatches him; but if
22
SS a CC
THE PUMA.
RASCREOREE ERS STARTERS REO
‘THE OUNCE.
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THE OUNCE,
the dogs hesitate, and do not attack him boldly, the
hunter throws his dasso over him, and galloping off,
drags him along till the dogs tear him in pieces.
At another time, the, dogs will drive him up a tree,
when the rifle soon ends the conflict. It is, however,
not very safe for a hunter to attack an infuriated
puma alone. Many lamentable occurrences might
be mentioned, in which the hunter has not escaped
with his life; or without receiving some dreadful
injury.
In common with other carnivorous animals, the
female is more to be feared than the male, when she
has young. At this season, she will obtain a supply
of food for her cubs, at all hazards.
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THE OUNCE.
(Felis Uncia.)
Tue ounce, though greatly resembling the panther,
may yet be distinguished from it from the colour of
the body, being a dirty white. It is al&o shorter,
and more stoutly built, for its size, than the panther.
The tail also is peculiar, being decidedly annulated
with black rings, and not spotted. The specimens
seen in England have been brought from India; but
travellers believe that it is not common in any part
of that extensive country. Whether it exists in
other parts of Asia, or in Africa, we have no evi-
23
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
dence by which to determine. The specimen in the
British Museum is remarkable for the thickness of
its fur, the paleness of its colour, the irregular form
of the spots, and the great length and thickness of
the tail. Naturalists feel no hesitation in pronounc-
ing the ounce as a distinct species. Although its
-habits are unknown, yet there is no reason to
suppose that it essentially differs from other animals
of its own order.
THE OCELOT.
(Felis Pardalis.)
Tar Ocelot is an animal of extreme beauty, its skin
being most elegantly variegated, and its shape slen-
der and compact. Its height is about two feet and-a-
half, and its length about four feet. Its general
colour is a bright tawny; a black stripe extends
along the top of the back from head to tail; its fore-
head is spotted with black, as are also its legs; the
shoulders, sides, and rump, being beautifully marbled
’ with long stripes of black, forming oval figures, filled
in the middle with small black spots; its tail is irre-
gularly marked with large spots, and black at the
end. The colours are less vivid in the female than
the male.
It is a native of South America, living chiefly in
the more mountainous districts of Brazil, concealing
itself amongst the leaves of trees. The ocelot is an
expert climber, often extending itself along the
houghs, as if dead, when on the approach of the
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THE OCELOT,
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THE MASTIFF.
(Canis Malossus.)
Tats dog is one of the largest and stroagest of his
kind. His aspect being grave and sullen; his bark
loud and terrific, he seems every way formed for
the important trust of a keeper; guarding and se-
curing all property committed to his care. His ex-
amination of the premises he is to protect is careful,
giving due notice, by his loud and frequent barkings,
that he is ready to defend his charge. Three
mastiffs are reckoned a match for a bear, and four
for a lion. }
Great Britain was noted, even in the time of the
Roman emperors, for its breed of mastiffs. An
officer was appointed to superintend the breeding of
these dogs, which were afterwards sent to Rome, to
assist in those sanguinary combats of the amphi-
theatre, then so common. By neglect, the mastiff,
in a pure and unmixed state, is now seldom to be
seen.
There is a generosity about large dogs which cannot
but be greatly admired. Conscious of their superior
strength, they often overlook injuries inflicted upon
them by a smaller dog. Sometimes, however, they
have given proof that the impertinence of an inferior
must not always go unpunished. A mastiff, belonging
to the late M. Ridley, Esq., of Heaton, near New-
castle, having been frequently molested by a mongrel,
and teased by its continued barking, at last became
3o indignant, that he took up the offending cur in
his mouth, by the skin of the back, and with great
40
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THE MASTIFF. -
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THE BULL DOG.
composure dropped it over the quay, into the river,
without doing any further injury to an enemy, in his
estimation, so much his inferior.
THE BULL DOG.
- (Canis Taurus.)
In olden times, England was notorious for the
eruel sport of bull-baiting, and for a race of dogs
peculiarly adapted for the practice. The prac-
tice itself was not merely encouraged, but en-
joined by statute law, an act of parliament being
then in force, and not yet repealed, that no bull
should be slaughtered until after he had been baited.
The better feelings of modern times, combined with
a proper interference of the local magistracy, have
suppressed this brutal sport, and, as one of the re-
sults, this particular breed of dogs has not been
encouraged, and the pure bull-dog is now scarcely
ever to be found. We must do him the justice
to say, that of all the dog kind he was certainly
the fiercest, and probably the most courageous
animal in the world. It is, however, remarkable,
that the true English bull-dog was always found
greatly to degenerate on being removed from his
own country, losing his courage, together with his
native activity and strength. The bull-dog is but
low in stature, although very strong and muscular.
The nose is short; the under jaw projecting be-
yond the upper; and his general aspect fierce and
forbidding. His implicit obedience to his owner
VOU. L G 41
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— TTT
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
before the attack begins, is no less remarkable, than
his courage in attacking the bull—his fury in seizing
his victim—and his invincible obstinacy in maintain-
ing his hold. In his attacks, he generally aims at the
head or throat. In seizing an infuriated bull, the
dog fastens either upon the lip, the tongue, the eye,
or some part of the face; where he hangs, in spite
of every effort of the bull to disengage himself.
The bull-dog should always be an object of fear to
a stranger; since, making his attack without bark-
ing, or other notice, it becomes dangerous to ap-
proach him alone, without the greatest precaution.
The following fact is mentioned by Bewick, in his
history of quadrupeds; but which could hardly be
credited, if not related by an eye-witness. Some
years ago, at a bull-baiting, in the north of England,
a young man, confident of the courage of his dog,
laid some trifling wager, that he would, at separate
times, cut off all his four feet; and that, after everv
amputation, the dog would attack the bull. The
cruel experiment was tried, and, the poor animal con-
tinued to seize the bull as eagerly as though he had
been perfectly whole. If the dog was a savage, what
must the young man have been, to have made an
experiment so frightful and inhuman !
— eeEOeeEOeeetz'
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THE GREYHOUND.
(Canis Graius.)
Norutne is more difficult than to trace the progen}
of dogs. Buffon pretends that the common grey-
42
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THE GREYHOUND.
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THE BLOOD-HOUND.
(Canis sanguineus.)
« Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail
Flourish’d in air low bending, plies around
His busy nose, the steamin x vapour snufis
Inquisitive, nor leayes one turf untried.
Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart
Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail,
Attest his joy: then with deep-op’ning mouth,
That makes the welkin tren ble, he proclaims
Th’ audacious felon: foot by foot he marks
His winding way, while all the list’ning crowd
Applaud his reas’nings: o’er the watr’y ford,
Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills :
O’er beaten paths, with men and beasts distain’d,
Unerring, he pursues, till at the cot
Arriv’d, and seizing by his guilty throat
The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey:
So exquisitely delicate his sense!â€
Tuus sang the poet Somerville, than which nothing
can be more true. The blood-hound, of all dogs,
appears the most extraordinary. Unlike the grey-
hound, just described, it places no dependence on
its sight, but on its exquisite scent. Blood, scent, and
the smell of persons, attract the special attention of
this unerring hunter. It was formerly employed,
not merely for pursuing game, but persons also.
The true blood-hound stands rather more than
two feet in height, being muscular, compact, and
strong: the forehead is broad, and the face narrow
towards the nose; the nostrils are wide, and well
developed ; the ears large, pendulous, and broad at
the base; the aspect, far from savage or forbidding,
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_THE,.BLOODHOUNDs ‘ : Agen
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THE TERRIER.
that it forms an excellent comment upon the words
of the Psalmist, “So that a man shall say, Verily he
is a God that judgeth in the earth.†Psalm lvin. 2.
THE TERRIER.
(Canis familiaris Terrarius.)
For the name of this useful dog we are indebted to
the French, the word terrier signifying burrow; and
is appropriately given to this class of dogs, for their
willingness to enter any burrow, after what is
technically called, vermin, from the fox to the rat.
He is not very large, but having an acute smell, and
being hardy, keen, and fierce, he thinks well of him-
to fight it out, regardless of consequences.
It is acknowledged that there are two kinds of
terriers, one rough, short-legged, long-backed, very
strong, and generally of a black or yellowish colour,
mixed with white; the other, smooth, sleek, beau-
tifully formed, shorter in the body, more sprightly,
but less hardy and courageous; the colour being
either a reddish-brown, or black. The pepper and
mustard breeds, before referred to, are highly valued.
Dogs employed for badger-baiting are crossed with
the bull-dog. Of this crossed breed was the cele-
brated dog Billy, famous for his destruction of rats,
killmg sometimes in a room, a hundred of these
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self, like most other little people; being ever ready
animals in six or seven minutes. !
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Every pack of hounds, it is said, should be accom-
panied by a brace of terriers, and any colour for such
VOL. I. H 49
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THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
Few animals will bear comparison with the mag.
nificent dog which we are now to describe. In him
seems to centre the sagacity of a human being, the
strength of a lion, with the meekness and quietness
ofalamb. He may sometimes, like his masters, be
put out of temper, but generally, he is a model of
patient endurance, faithful attachment, and untiring
effort. He derives his name from the country whence
‘he was brought ; and where he has long distinguished
himself as the friend and servant of the settlers on
‘those unpropitious shores. He is there chiefly em-
ployed in bringing down wood from the interior:
three or four of these dogs, yoked to a sledge, will
draw two or three hundred weight of wood piled
upon it, for several miles, and that with the greatest
ease. They are attended by no driver, or any
person to guide them; but after having delivered
their loading, they return immediately to the
woods for a farther supply; where also they are
accustomed to be fed with dried fish, or other coarse
_ fare.
The gigantic dimensions of the Newfoundland dog
ave about as follow: from the nose to the end of the
tail the length is something more than six feet ; the
length of the tail nearly two feet; girth behind
the shoulders, more than three feet ; round the head
over the ears, two feet. He is web-footed, and
therefore well adapted for swimming: he is also a
dexterous diver, bringing anything up from the
bottom of the water. Contrary to most dogs, he
Se.
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THE NEWFOUNDLAND: DOG,
( SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
rough coat of hair, most commonly of a pale yellow
colour. He has an advantage over the greyhound,
in possessing a fine scent, which makes him an
admirable assistant to a poacher. Indeed, so useful
was this dog, that an old practitioner in the trade ot
poaching has been heard to boast, that with the aid
of a couple of these dogs he could procure, in the
course of a single night, as many rabbits as he could
carry. The lurcher’s habits are dark and cunning.
When taken to a rabbit-warren, he steals out with the
utmost precaution, watching and scenting the rabbits
while they are feeding, and darts upon them without
barking or making the least noise. The marauder is
beside so well trained, that he never fails bringing
the booty so procured to his master, who waits in some
convenient place to receive it. Their skill in these
illicit practices became so notorious, that they are
now proscribed, and the breed has become almost
extinct.
THE MACKENZIE RIVER DOG.
Visitors to the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park,
may have noticed the dog of which we are now
to give a description. Coming from North America,
he is but little known in this country, or his peculiar
habits inquired into. He bears considerable resem-
blance to the fox of his native regions, being of
slender make, the muzzle long, with upright pointed
ears. The hair is long and fine, and like most animals
of a cold climate, his winter coat is much thicker
54
ESQUIMAUX
ae
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THE DOG OF ST. BERNARD.
Tux last dog which we propose noticing, is that of
Great St. Bernard, a convent situated on the top of a
mountain known by that name, near one of the most
dangerous passes of the Alps, between Switzerland
and Savoy. In these regions, the traveller is often
overtaken by a sudden storm, which renders the
roads impassable by drifts of snow and avalanches ;
huge loosened masses of snow or ice being swept
into the valleys, carrying trees, and crags of rocks
before them. The monks of this convent then open
their hospitable doors for the reception of the weary
or benighted traveller. They devote themselves to
the dangerous task of searching for those unfor-
tunate persons who may have been overtaken by the
pitiless storm In these truly christian offices, they
are assisted by a breed of noble dogs, brought up in
the establishment, and trained to exert their extra-
ordinary sagacity and strength for the rescue of the
endangered traveller, who, benumbed with cold, falls
into a deep sleep, which, if not speedily relieved, in-
evitably proves the sleep of death. 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 twenty, feet beneath the snow,
the delicacy of smell with which they can trace him
offers a chance of escape. Scratching away the snow
with their feet, and setting up a continual hoarse
bark, the monks and labourers of the convent are
hereby aroused to their assistance. To provide for
the chance that the dogs, without farther help, may
58
EEE OO EEL
a EEE
ST. BERNARD DOG.
THE WOLF.
In Hes. Zeatv.—(Canis Lupus.)—In Enc. The Affreghier.
“ Her princes in the midst thereof are like WOLVES ravening the
prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest
gain.†—EZEK. chap. xxii., 27.
Wouvers form a very large family, being distributed
nearly over the whole world; and though found of
various colours, as brown, dusky, and black, yet are
essentially the same. The common European wolf
is of a fulvous grey, and which, though not now
to be found in Great Britain in a ‘wild state, may be
seen in almost every collection of wild animals in the
kingdom; and is, therefore, familiar to our readers.
Formerly, the wolf, far from being uncommon, was
to be found, in considerable numbers, im the wild
tracts and deep forests of ancient Britain. In the
reign of King Athelstane (a.p. 925), it was found
necessary to build a retreat at Flixton, in Yorkshire,
to save travellers from being devoured by these
marauders. Edgar, his successor, applied himself
to their extirpation, by commuting the punish-
ment due to convicted felons on the delivery of a
certain number of wolves’ tongues. The Welsh,
likewise, had their taxes remitted for an annual
tribute of three hundred wolves. But their extir-
pation not being completed, Edward the First
issued a mandamus, to bailiffs and others, to render
assistance to his faithful and beloved Peter Corbet,
whom the king had enjoined to take and destroy
wolves. In Ireland, wolves were to be found as late
as the year 1710.
60
|
Se
THE WOLF.
NEW SOUTH WALES WOLF.
Ea
THE WOLF.
The scent of the wolf is equal to that of any
hound; this, combined with his native ferocity and
courage, make him a good hunter; the size and
speed of the elk or the stag, being no protection
against the speed and cunning of the wolf. He is
naturally a solitary animal, loving a stand-up fight,
single-handed; but in case of need, he will unite
with his compeers; when, having seized and devoured
their prey, they instantly disperse. In inhabited
countries, the wolf is too prudent to show himself
during the day, which he passes in sleep; but, on
the approach of night, the sheep-cotes and farm-
yards are liable to his sanguinary visitation. Such
is his cunning and agility, that though the faithful
dogs may give early notice of his approach, the
daring thief will carry away his prey, almost befcre
the eyes of the robbed farmer. If very hard pressed
by hunger, and all meaner victims fail, he does not
hesitate to prowl into a village, carry off the defence-
less children, or even fall upon the unarmed cottager
himself,
The wolf is several times mentioned in the sacred
writings, and everywhere as opposed specially against
sheep and goats, intimating that his cruelty was
equal to his courage, since his attacks were always
directed against the innocent and unprotected.
THE NEW SOUTH WALES WOLF.
an animal now to be mentioned is but a variety of
the common wolf: it has beon ranked with the dogs;
61
16
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—
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
but from its wild and savage nature it is believed to
be a true wolf. It neither barks nor growls; but
shews displeasure by the erection of the hair over
the whole body, like bristles, combined with furious
looks. It feeds principally on rabbits and poultry ;
having an aversion to dressed meat.
One of these wolves, which had been brought to this
country, was extremely active and fierce, seizing on any
animal within its reach. If not restrained it would run
down deer and sheep. On one occasion an ass had
nearly fallen a victim to the fury of this wild creature.
Tt is rather less than the common wolf; its ears
being short and erect, and its tail long and brushy:
the general colour is a pale brown, the belly and
inside of the legs being nearly white.
THE FOX.
In Hes. Shual.—(Canis Vulpes.)—In Enc. The Burrower.
“ Take us the FOXES, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for
our vines have tender grapes.†—Can. it, 15.
We will not detain our readers, by mquiring whether
the Hebrew word shual may not mean the jackal as
well as the fox. Perhaps it may; but the term dur-
rower so exactly suits the known habits of the fox
in all countries, that we cannot be wrong in believing
that. the fox of the sacred writings, nearly resembles
the animal bearing that name in our own country,
and so well known, as to require no very minute
description.
The fox is a great sleeper by day, though extremely
62
—_
J
a.
THE FOX.
THE ARCTIC FOX,
THE ARCTIC FOX.
years ago started near Hurworth, in the county of
Durham, and made an extraordinary chase of more
than fifty miles. Mr. Turner, the owner of the dogs,
having tired three horses, only three hounds being in
pursuit, and it being nearly five in the evening, the
dogs were called off, and master Cesar quietly retired
without saying—ZI have conquered !
Besides the fox just described, there are two other
yarieties—the greyhound fox, which is much larger,
and the cur fox, which is the most common, but the
least ; they differ from each other, more in form than
in colour.
THE ARCTIC FOX.
(Canis Lapogus.)
Tis singular animal inhabits the coldest parts of
Europe, Asia, and North America. When the frost
will permit, it makes holes in the ground, several
feet in length, where it forms a nest of moss: two or
three foxes inhabit the same burrow. Where the
climate is so severe that it cannot burrow, the anima.
contents itself with living in the clefts of the rocks.
The hair of the Arctic fox is of an ash colour, which
nature kindly changes to a white, during the winter ;
ihe hair being then long, soft, and somewhat woolly ;
its toes are covered with fur on the under part; its
tail is more bushy than the common fox; its ears
are short and almost hid in the fur; it is also smaller
and more slender than the European fox. Its skin,
so useful and well adapted to the original wearer, is
but of little value to a second owner.
You. I. K 65
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exerts in taking geese, ducks, and other water-fowl,
cae they are able to fly. ‘Hares, wild birds, and
ggs, form another part of its diet; but im the ab-
ae of these, it feeds on berries, and shell-fish. In
Lapland, and the north of Asia, where at a particular
season Immense numbers of marmots are to be found,
the foxes make them their principal food, following
them in their migrations from place to place, and
continuing absent from their usual locality, in search
of their favourite prey, for three or four years
together.
THE JACKAL.
(Canis Aureus.)
Tux jackal scarcely needs to be described, since
every visitor of the Zoological gardens remembers to
have seen this animal. Jt much resembles the fox,
though it is larger; in colour it inclines to a yellow-
ish grey, in the upper part of the body, and nearly
white below; the ears are ruddy; the nose very
pointed. The jackal possesses a wide geographical
range over India, the greater part of Asia, and
Africa. It continues to be an inhabitant of Pales-
tine, although not mentioned, at least,-by its English
-name, in the Sacred writings.
Its habits are far more gregarious than those of
the fox, hunting in packs; when they often attack
the larger quadrupeds ; but the smaller animals, and
poultry, are their more frequent prey. They keep
66
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The Arctic fox is not wanting in cunning, which it
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THE JACKAL.
THE STRIPED HYANA.
THE HYANA.
The strength of this animal, and power of drag-
ging away large bodies, are noticed by travellers.
Colonel Denham relates, that at Houka, in Africa,
the hyenas were so numerous and daring, that a
large village, which he was accustomed to visit, had
been attacked the night before his last visit, though
defended by a prickly fence eight feet high, and two
donkeys carried off in spite of the efforts of the
people. We constantly heard them, continues the
colonel, close to the walls of our town at night, and
on a gate being left partly open, they would enter,
and carry off any unfortunate animal that they could
find in the streets. The same traveller assures us,
that the cemeteries of the country are carefully
guarded, especially after a funeral, or these midnight
prowlers would tear open the graves, and carry away
the newly interred corpses.
THE SPOTTED HY AINA.
(Hyena Maculata.)
Tuis animal, formerly numerous near the Cape of
Good Hope, is described as cruel, mischievous, and
formidable. The huts of the Hottentots were once
boldly entered by this marauder, and their children
carried away ; but since the natives have become ac-
quainted with fire arms, wild beasts have been kept
at a greater distance from the habitations of man-
kind. Still the hyzna hovers about the shambles
near the Cape, ready to take away any offal which
it may chance to find.
So
CLASS I.—MAMMALS.] [ORDER II.—CARNIVORA.
DIVISION III.—PLANTIGRADES.
THE BROWN BEAR.
In Hes. Dov.—(Ursus cauda abrupta).—In Enc. The Growler.
“Twill meet them asa BEAR that ts bereaved of her whelps,
‘and will rend the caul of their heart.’—Hos. chap. xiii., 8.
Bears stand at the head of a numerous family of
carnivorous animals, distinguished by the name of
plantigrades, from their walking on the entire sole
of the foot, which has five toes, armed with strong
claws, but not retractile. Their teeth, like those of
the dog, are forty-two in number, and similarly ar-
ranged, giving them considerable powers of masti-
cation. The bear is ranked amongst carnivorous
animals, and will eat flesh if pressed by necessity,
although it greatly prefers a vegetable diet, soft roots,
fruits, and honey. In the colder climates bears lay
themselves up in caves or hollows for the winter,
passing the time in a drowsy state; the lady-bear
taking advantage of this leisure. for producing her
young.
The brown bear (see our engraving) is better
known than others of the same family, being widely
spread over Europe, particularly in the more north-
ern part; and also in the northern districts of Asia
and Africa. The bear is an unoffending and solitary
animal; not fond of broils, unless in self-defence.
It is very hardy, can endure great and long
privations, and is long-lived; many of them having
been known to survive in captivity for half a century.
It is beside an excellent swimmer, an expert climber,
70
THE BROWN BEAR.
THE SURICATE AND COATI-MONDI.
THE RACOON,
nature, consists of insects, fruits, and roots. The
climbing powers of this animal are considerable,
running up trees with great facility in pursuit of
birds, or for the purpose of plundering their nests.
The head of the racoon is broad at the top, taper-
ing down nearly to a triangular shape; the legs are
slender. In colour it is of a blackish«grey ; the tail
long and bushy, alternately marked with light and
dark rings. The face is nearly white, with a white
band encircling the eyes, and descending on each
side toward the jaw; the upper lip has jong and
thick mustachios; the feet are covered with short
hair.
Of the habits of this quadruped not a great deal
is known. Its geographical range is considerable,
being found in high northern latitudes in America ;
it is also to be met with far south, being well known
in Paraguay. The racoon is believed to be a great
lover of shell-fish. When in quest of them, it will
station itself near a swamp, where, deliberately hang-
ing its tail over into the water, which the crabs mis-
take for food, and laying hold of it, are suddenly
jerked up, and removed out of the water. The cun-
ning animal instantly seizes them, but from behind,
least their nippers should catch hold of the fisher.
In captivity the racoon is extremely docile, court-
ing caresses, and susceptible of attachment. Per-
haps this creature may be ranked with many others,
which, while in captivity accommodate themselves to
their circumstances, acquiring new habits, without
forgetting that “mountain nymph,†so dear to us .
all, “‘ sweet liberty.’ ;
The Coat1-Monnt1, (Nasua), in its habits appears
75
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
to be nearly allied to the animal just described, and
isa native of South America. Two varieties have
reached this country, the brown and the red; but
since they differ only in colour, Cuvier believes that
they form but one species. They are gregarious,
and though living in the woods, often do much mis-
chief in sugar plantations. Their food consists of
fruits, insects, and reptiles; climbing trees in pursuit
of their prey, with surprising agility. In descend-
ing trees, unlike most other animals, they come down
head foremost, hooking to the tree with their hinder
claws.
Their size is about that of a fox, the tail being
nearly as long as their body, which they generally
carry almost erect, placing it between their legs
when they sleep, and which serves them for a bed.
The muzzle of this creature is its striking character-
istic, beimg at once long, flexible, and in perpetual
motion when under excitement. It uses the snout
in searching for worms, of which it is very fond:
the fore paws are employed for the same purpose.
Its voice is shrill and piercing.
Jn confinement the coati-mondi becomes very
tame, taking food from the hand, cr putting its long
snout into the pockets of its attendant in search of
biscuit, or other favourite substance. Its ordinary
food is bread and milk. In drinking it laps like a
dog. It is accustomed when meat is given it, not to
divide it with the teeth, but the claws.
The Suricatr, (Ryzena tetradactyla), is another
curious animal to be seen at the Zoological gardens,
and which deserves a passing notice. Its appear-
ance greatly resembles the polecat, though it seems
Oe a eS
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
had received several severe bites, was at length most
generally effected. This cruel sport, we believe, is
now not much more frequently to be met with than
the badger itself.
The Grurron (Mustela Gulo) next to be described,
very nearly resembles the badger, although by many
it is thought rather to belong to the genus of the
coati. It is one of those animals which is still but
imperfectly known. A specimen may be seen in the
Zoological gardens, which was brought, we believe,
from South America; and of some district of that
country it is thought to be a native. It has the
appearance of a strongly built animal; and in
captivity, at least, appears playful and gentle, though
very irascible and voracious. Knowing its native
habitat so imperfectly we are not likely to know
much of its original habits.
To the foregoing animals may be added the
Raret, Mellivora-Capensis, a pretty specimen of
which adorns the gardens in the Regent’s Park.
The hair of this curious animal is smooth, but stiff
and wiry; the body, from the top of the head to
the root of the tail, a dull ash-grey, whitest towards
the head, but so raised above the skin, that the
animal seems as if wrapped up in a mantle; the
other parts of the body are jet-black. Its bulk is
about that of the badger.
The ratel was formerly supposed to belong ex-
clusively to Africa; but since our better acquaint-
ance with India, the animal has been found there,
scarcely differing at all from that of Africa. The
specimen now in the gardens was a native of Bengal,
although sent from Madras.
80
THE GLUTTON.
THE RATEL
ae
THE RATEL.
Like many other animals it is a great lover of honey.
Sparrman, the well-known African traveller, informs’
us, that the bees of that country usually inhabit the
deserted lairs and burrows of the porcupine, and
other animals, which are discovered by the ratel,
under the guidance of the honey-guide cuckoo,
which serves as a conductor to the bees’ stores.
Should the hive be found in, or on the ground, the
cunning animal will undermine it, by digging with
its natural instruments, its claws, and thus secures
the booty; but should the bees’ nest be found in a
tree, the ratel not being much of a climber, can
do little more than scratch the bark with its claws,
an indication so well known by the Hottentot hunter
that he secures the treasure. Still the formation of
the ratel’s jaws and teeth, and its general strong and
muscular frame, would rather lead us to suspect that
his habitual food must be of a different nature than
honey, to require such physical strength and powers
of mastication which the ratel possesses.
In India, the ratel is thought to be strictly car-
nivorous ; sleeping during the day, but prowling out
at night, to feed upon flesh in any state, or upon
birds and rats; even scratching up the newly-buried
' dead bodies, unless the graves are well protected by’
a covering of thorns. So well will this animal
burrow, that it can work itself under cover, in the’
hardest ground, in the course of ten minutes. The’
natives often take them alive by digging; the old.
ones, however, seldom survive long, becoming sullen .
in captivity: the young become playful and docile.
These animals make a kind of coarse call or barking.
The manners of the ratel, kept in the gardens of
VOL. I. M 81 oie
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The Gener is much larger than the animal just
above described, having a longer body; its head is
long and slender, with a sharp muzzle. The hair is
soft, smooth, and shining, of a tawny red colour,
beautifully spotted with black dots or rings. The tail
is long, and marked with seven or eight rings of
black. The hair along the ridge of the back forms
a kind of mane, characterised, also, by the formation
-of a black line from head to tail. From an orifice
beneath the tail, exudes a substance, not foetid, like
the ichneumon, but highly grateful to most persons,
smelling faintly of musk.
This animal is found in Turkey, Syria, and Spain.
For beauty, cleanliness, .and activity as a hunter, it
has few equals. Its disposition is mild; its colour
pleasingly variegated ; and its fur valuable.
THE WEASEL.
In HeEs., Choled.—(Mustela vulgaris.)—In Ene., The Digger.
“ These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things
that creep upon the earth; the WEASEL.â€â€”Levit. xi., 29.
WE place the common weasel at the head of a large
family, or class of animals, now to be mentioned,
characterized chiefly for their disagreeable qualities :
they are nearly all a family of stinkards, emitting a
most disgusting odour from a pouch, before des-
cribed, near the tail. In disposition and habits they
may all be placed in one category—sanguinary,
gluttonous, and reptile-like in their bodies; creeping
rather than running, though, if occasion requires it,
at a pretty quick pace. The word weasel occurs only
(
(
(
THE GENET.
THE WEASEL.
THE FERRET,
THE FERRET.
birds of prey, and to dogs. In these conflicts, the
weasel’s courage never jails. It will defend its re-
treat, against all intruders, until death ends the
strife. A kite makes no scruple to pounce upon a
weasel, and carry it aloft in its talons. A credible
witness tells us, that after having seen this done,
he noticed that in a few moments the kite began to
show great uneasiness, rising rapidly in the air, or as
quickly fallmg. After a short time, the kite fell
suddenly to the ground, near the narrator of these
facts. What was his surprise, on hastening to the
spot, to find that the weasel was running 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.
Weasels, though not very numerous anywhere,
are prolific, having four or five young at each litter,
and that two or three times a year. They make
their nest of dry leaves and herbage, either in the
erevice of a bank, the hollow of a tree, or in a dry
ditch.
The Ferret (Mustela furo). The Hebrew word
Anaxan, translated ferret, occurs but once in the
bible, and literally signifies the crier ; but whether
the ferret was intended by this word is a matter dif-
ficult of decision. One critic thinks the frog was
intended; another some kind of lizard. The fact is,
that the word only occurring in Leviticus xi. 30,
we cannot pronounce positively what animal or reptile
is intended.
Assuming the animal named in this passage to
be the ferret, we proceed to a short description of
91
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STOAT AND MARTIN.,
OST ~~ See
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\ THE MARTINS.
The Sroar (Mustela Erminea) of this country, so
nearly resembles the weasel in size and habits, that
one may easily be mistaken for the other. In colour
it is somewhat whiter, especially during a severe
winter, when, like the true sable, it is found nearly
white ; and been erroneously called a white weasel. (
The a of the British stoat is of little value, having
neither the thickness, closeness, or whiteness of the
foreign sable.
The Martins form a large and varied family,
although not numerous in this country. The north
of Europe abounds.with them: thirty thousand skins
of the pine-martin have been sent to this country
from Canada, in one year, and about fifteen thousand
from Hudson’s Bay, in the same time. It is re-
markable that though closely allied to the stinkards
in other respects, the odour from the martin is musky
and grateful.
In appearance the martin has greatly the advan-
tage over animals of this class, beimg handsome in
form, with a lively eye; its motions quick and
graceful, ‘When domesticated, it becomes playful
and good~humoured, although its attachment is
never to be depended upon; taking the first op-
portunity which presents itself of returning to its
native haunts. It is a great sleeper, particularly
in cold weather. Its nest is made in the hollow
of a tree, where it has a progeny of from four to six
at a time. The martin feeds on vermin’ or corn;
honey is also considered by it as a dainty dish,
93
{Bite aer ee on eses AN oR Se
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THE POLE-CAT.
(Mustela Putorius.)
THE animal now to be described is one of the
largest of its class, and one of the most disgusting.
Although not numerous, the hand of man is ever
raised against it, either by statute law, or the law of
custom, since it is deemed peremptory upon a
churchwarden to pay a premium of one shilling for
every pole-cat which may be brought him. The
colour of this creature is peculiar; the hair being
long, of a deep chocolate, with a tawny tinge, and
black at the ends. Its eyes are small, but bright,
shining with singular lustre in the dark, when the
animal is under excitement. Its ears are short and
broad, tipped with white on the edges; the head
about the mouth is likewise white. The body is
long, the nose sharp-pointed, the legs short, the toes
long, and the claws sharp. The pole-cat is very
active and nimble, can run fast, and creep up the
sides of walls with great agility. It is a most de-
termined warrior, using its natural armour with
great cruelty. Poultry, pigeons, game, and rabbits
are alike its victims. Its thirst for blood being so
great, that it always kills more than it can eat. A
couple of them have been known to destroy a whole
warren of rabbits during a few hours of the night.
‘Woods, or thick brakes, are the common residence
of the pole-cat, burrowing under ground, forming a
shallow retreat about two yards in length, and often
| terminating, for security, among the roots of trees.
The female has her litter during the summer-time,
Ee |
THE SABLE AND POLECAT.
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISRORY.
great difficulty. The pole-cat is known throughout
Europe.
The Sxunx (Mephitis Americana), is the American
variety of the pole-cat. It stands low on its legs,
with a broad fleshy body; its eyes small, and ears
short and round. The upper parts of the body are
nearly white, while the under parts approach to
black. The tail is covered with very long hairs, being
white above and black beneath. The claws of the
fore feet are very strong and long, fitting the animal
for digging.
This creature remains dormant during a great
part of the winter, scarcely ever going out of its
hole in cold weather. Mice and frogs constitute its
food. The female is said to have but one litter in a
year, and then from six to ten in number.
The skunk is extremely slow; its principal
means of defence consisting of a foetid discharge,
which is described as absolutely intolerable. The
smell of this animal is ten times stronger than that
of a fox. When attacked by a dog, the filthy brute
sprinkles it with urine, so that the poor dog will
not be sweet again in less than a fortnight, or even
more. Notwithstanding this, the Indians esteem
the flesh of this foetid animal a dainty; a statement
confirmed by travellers who have partaken of it.
The Truz Sanrz, (Mustela erminea), is the last of
this numerous family which we shall have to notice.
The summer dress of the sable is a reddish-brown
above, and white beneath ; in winter the animal is
quite white; the tip of the tail only excepted, which
remains always black. It inhabits very high lati-
tudes. The sable skins imported from Siberia and ~
THE SKUNK.
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
colour as the snow, on which it creeps, it much more
easily eludes the keen eye of the hunter.
We will only add in conclusion, that all the weasel
family have the same dental formula: sixteen teeth
in the upper jaw, and eighteen in the lower; in some
instances, two additional molar teeth are found in the
upper jaw.
THE OTTER.
(Lutra vulgaris.)
Tu otter is so well known to visitors of the Zoolo-
gical gardens, that little description is required. Its
agility in the water is admirable; an element for
which this goose-footed creature is obviously made.
The eyes are so placed, that whether the animal is
swimming below its prey, behind it, above it, or beside
it, the least motion of the head and neck, brings it
within the sphere of the pursuer’s vision. Its short
fin-like legs, oary feet, and rudder of a tail, enable
it to make the swiftest turns, nay, almost bounds, in
the water, according as the rapidity of the agile fish
demands; a sudden downward dive, an upward
spring, or a side snap. Its fine short fur keeps the
body at a proper temperature, and the longer hair
being directed backwards, enables the animal to
glide noiselessly, and speedily, through, or beneath,
the water.
In captivity the otter is restricted in its diet; but
-when in a state of nature the havoc which this animal
makes among the finny tribe is very great. Where
98
So
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Sl ll
OT NO
SS
THE OTTER.
THE SEA BEAR.
—_—>-
ai
THE SEA-BEAR.
alone. On perceiving a seal to the windward of him,
he approaches with cautious silence, till within the }
distance: of ten or twelve yards, when holding the /
oar of his canoe with the left hand, he throws /
the harpoon with his right. If it take effect, the |
hunter throws the buoy attached to it, overboard, on
the same side that the seal dives, and he dives upon
the instant. The struck victim may carry the buoy
under water; but wearied and wounded, it must
at length come up to breathe. The hunter now
attacks it with his long lance, and next dispatches it
with his short lance. He then blows the animal up
like a bladder, that it may swim the easier after his
boat. From the experienced dexterity of the hunter
these exploits generally end favourably; but in the
event of the line becoming entangled, or if the /
wounded seal turn upon him, which a female fol- /(
lowed by her young is very apt to do, the Green-
lander is placed in great danger either of his life, or
receiving a severe bite or injury, as the case may be.
The number of skins procured and imported, amounts
annually to hundreds of thousands.
?
THE SEA-BEAR.
(Ursus marinus.)
Tue sea-bear is one of the largest of the seal family,
equalling in size a large bear. Its colour is brown, |
which in old age acquires a greyish tint. The exter- (
nal ears are long, covered with short hair, and open-
ing by an oblong slip, which is shut in the water.
VOL. I, P 105 {
eS eee eeEeeEeS i
© ll ll lomo
=
{
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
Its nails are very minute. ‘The entire length of this
animal is about seven and a-half feet,
The islands on the north-west point of America,
Kamschatka, and the Kurile islands are the habitat
of the ursine seal.
These seals are migratory, appearing off Kams-
chatka and the Kuriles early in the spring, and are
then in high condition. They remain on, or near the .
shore for about two months, during which time the
females bring forth. They live in families, every
male being surrounded by a crowd of females, which
he guards with the greatest jealousy. These families,
including the young, amount to a hundred, or a hun-
dred and twenty, living quite separate. In the event
of one family encroaching on the station of another,
a general fight is the consequence. A traveller has
been known to be beset by seals, for many hours
together ; and at last has been compelled to climb
a precipice lest he should fall a prey to these
infuriated monsters. They have their land war-
notes ; and will chirp like a cricket, after a victory.
In their gambols on the shore, they low like a cow;
but when in distress, will cry like a whelp. They
swim very swiftly, and are a great terror to other
seals,
ee Eee
SR ecole has ani Pah CY San meta pe Er
THE SEA LION.
(Platyrhinchus.)
a Ne Ne ee
TRAVELLERS and voyagers are apt to fall into two
errors in reference to the swhjects of natural history
106
i gp ge
EE
a
— See nee a eee asia eerie peepee aap ee
ee ee
a eeeeeeeeeeeeemr OS reeeem—™™~'
THE SEA LION
oo
a ee —
- SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISRORY.
|
young cubs like lambs. When assailed by a charge
{ of musketry, some of the females were noticed to
carry away their cubs in their mouths. Amongst
themselves they appeared united and friendly. They
come on shore to breed, where they remain for several
weeks, taking little or no food; they then grow lean,
and swallow a considerable number of stones, as if to
distend the stomach; ten or twelve large stones
being found in the stomachs of some which were
dissected.
WALRUS, or SEA HORSE.
(Trichechus Rosmarus.)
Tue last of the Phocide, or seals, we are to notice is
the walrus or sea-horse, which though in its general
structure resembling the seal, yet there is a singular
difference in the cranium, or skull. Including the
two canine teeth or tusks, of the upper jaw, the ani-
mal should have thirty-four teeth; but in adults
eight of the incisor teeth out of ten, are, for the
most part obliterated. The tusks are generally from
fifteen to twenty inches in length; and their weight
from five to ten pounds. From the bluntness of the
molar teeth it is thought that the walrus usually
lives on marine plants, though it will also take animal
food. The colour of the animal seems to vary with
its age. Some of the males are of very large size;
being twenty feet in length, with a girth of from ten
to fifteen.
) The Icy Sea, the Northern Ocean, Spitzbergen,
108
eee eee SS ee eee eee ee eee
eS SS oO Soe
Sa EE
THE WALRUS.
SSS eee
Se eee
THE BAT.
(Vespertilio Murinus.)
In HEBREW, Othelaph—In ENGLISH, The flier in Darkness.
“ Moreover the BAT, and every creeping thing that flieth, is un-
clean to you: they shall not be eaten.†—DEUT. xiv., 18, 19.
Tur sacred writer has well designated the bat as
a flier in darkness; an appellation which the Greeks
have copied in calling this animal nukéeris, from nus,
night ; and the Latins vespertilio, from vesper, even-
ing. Bats are prettily deseribed by a Roman poet,
thus—
“In towns, not woods, the Eooty bats delight,
And never till the dark, begin their flight ;
Till vesper rises with his evning flame.â€
Ovid. Metam. b. iv.
“Tn that day,†says fe prophet Isaiah, chap. ii.
20, “shall they cast away their idols to the moles
and to the bats ;†that-is they shall carry them into
the dark caverns, old ruins, or desolate places to
which they shall fly for refuge, and so shall give
them up, and relinquish them to the filthy animals
that frequent such places, and have taken possession
of them as their proper habitation. Many travellers
speak of bats of an enormous size as inhabiting the
great pyramid at-Gizeh; and it is also well known
that their usual places ‘of resort, in warm climates,
are caves and deserted buildings. Well may bats
then be called—fliers in darkness.
The bat differs from other mammals in having
wings, and the faculty of fiying without the use of
feathers. It has often been described as an imperfect
110
YERNATE AND COMMON BATS.
THE HEDGEHOG.
os
eens
BON ee
J en a SS eae ee
meme
eae
es RS SS ES SSE
eee ees ct
ene ee Seer aaa
THE HEDGE-HOG.
(Erinaceus Europeus.)
Tae hedge-hog, one of the most unoffending of
animals, is clothed, by the kind hand of nature,
with a complete suit of armour, which besides the
ordinary protection of a skin, proves also a means
of defence against the attacks of its numerous ene-
mies, weasels, polecats, and such like. When
alarmed it immediately collects itself into the form
of a ball, and presenting a surface everywhere covered
with sharp points, few animals are hardy enough to
attack it. Dogs which are trained to the practice of
hunting this animal will, by continued annoyances,
compel this patient creature to unfold itself, when it
quickly falls a victim to the fury of the dogs, and
their more brutal owners. The work of destruction
is constantly going on against this innocent, but dis-
agreeable little animal, from a current belief that it
is in the practice of sucking milk from the cow: an
absurd charge, totally unfounded in fact.
The hedge-hog is easily taken, since, when assailed
it attempts neither to fly or to defend itself; but
when touched, shrinks into its circular form, which
it will not easily quit, unless thrown into water. The
hedge-hog has been often so far domesticated as
to learn to turn a spit by means of a wheel, and
to answer to its name when called. When at liberty
it resides in small thickets and hedges, making a nest
of moss, dried grass, and leaves, where it brings up a
litter generally of four or five young. Tt lives on
fruits, worms, and insects, which it goes in search of
115
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after dark. It will also suck eggs; and therefore an
enemy to be feared in game preserves.
It passes the winter in a torpid state, enveloping
itself on all sides with dry herbage. Like most other
animals, it puts off its summer dress during the
autumn, assuming a thicker and warmer coat of mail
for the winter. Hedgehogs, though not rare, are
far from numerous.
The Tenprac, a native of India, and about the size
of a rat, greatly resembles the hedgehog in appear-
ance. Theupper part of the body is covered with
spines, but shorter and smaller than those of the
hedge-hog; the rest of the body is overspread with
fine hard hair, of a whitish colour. About the head
and nose are a number of long hairs. This animal
is more lively than the hedge-hog, making a grunting
kind of noise. It is usually found on the banks
of rivers, making its nest in a hole of the bank; and
passing the colder months in a comparative state of
torpor. Its general history, however, is but little
known.
THE MOLE.
(Talpa Europea.)
In HeBrew, Chaphar Pharoth—In ENGLISH, The Pit-digger.
“ In that day a man shall cast his idots of silver, and his idols of
gold, which they made each one for himself to worship to the
MOLES and to the bats.†ISAIAH, ii., 20.
So many mysteries are found in the volume of nature,
as well as in that of Revelation, that scepticism in
reference to the wisdom of a divine Providence, is
116
ee EEE
I TD EIRP GT
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a SS ee EE
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SHREW AND COMMON MOLE. ~
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
soft short-cut velvetty coat has been given to this
animal, to which no particle of soil ever adheres.
The nervous system and senses of the mole are, more-
over strongly developed. It is true that its sight is’
almost rudimentary, being designed for operating
only as a warning to the animal on its emerging into
the light; and indeed more acute vision would only
have been an incumbrance. Compensation for this
is made in other ways: the muzzle of the mole is
evidently a delicate organ of touch, and that sense is
farther perceptible in its large and broad hands and
feet ; the tail also gives notice of any attack from be-
hind. The smelling of the animal is very sensitive ;
and though there is no external ear, yet from the
largeness of the tympanum, or drum of the inner ear,
the hearing becomes highly developed. The dental
arrangement is very perfect, there being twenty-two
teeth in each jaw.
The mole is well known throughout the whole of
Europe, with the exception of extreme cold regions.
Its favourite abode is in a loose soft soil, which affords
the greatest quantity of worms and insects, on which
it feeds. The female brings forth in the spring,
generally producing four or five at a time. The
young at first are quite naked, and continue so for
some time. It makes a nest a little below the surface
of the ground forming a commodious retreat, with
moss and dry herbs. From this circular nest or
fortress, as some have called it, passages are made in
different directions, through which retreat may be
made in case of danger, and in which excursions are
made in search of food.’ In forming its runs large
heaps of mould are thrown up, which prove extremely
118
ee ee mae
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Sew eee Eee
——~——
— SO eeeeOoeOEOoeSO ee
aN
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EE ESE
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SO
THE GROUND OR STRIPED SQUIRREL.
es
THE SQUIRREL.
injurious in meadows and arable land. A war of ex-
termination is therefore carried on against them by
farmers and gardeners. In their habits they are
strictly carnivorous ; since they have always perished
in confinement, when attempts have been made to
keep them to a vegetable diet.
The American moles so nearly resemble those of
Europe, that they do not require a distinct notice.
CLASS I.— MAMMALS. ] [ORDER III.— RODENTIA.
THE SQUIRREL.
(Sciurus vulgaris.)
We now enter upon a class of animals which differ
from those already described in being granivorous,
or feeding on grain and vegetables, and hence desig-
nated rodentia, or gnawers. __ 4
Pew animals are better known than the red
squirrel, the only species which is a denizen of Great
Britam. It is naturally agile and lively, running up
or down trees with great facility, and bounding
from branch to branch with the rapidity of thought.
The length of the squirrel, including the tail, is about
fourteen inches. The summer dress of this pretty
little animal, is more uniformly of a bright red-brown
than in winter, when the fur becomes softer and
thicker, but assuming a greyish tint. The summer
change is not complete until about July. In its
native forests, it is extremely wild and timid, not
suffering the near approach of either man or animals:
and ‘such is its unceasing motion and swiftness, that
it almost bids defiance to the destructive rifle itself.
119
———S EEE
GREY AND FLYING SQUIRREL.
an aa
NN
THE SQUIRREL,
The flowing tail of the squirrel is doubtless one
distinguishing mark of its beauty; the tail also con-
tributes to the comfort of the animal by day from its
warmth, and serves at night for a soft bed on which
to recline. Bewick mentions a use to which the tail
is applied which our readers would not suspect. He
states that when squirrels are desirous of crossing a
lake or river, they provide themselves with a piece of
wood upon which they sit, and erecting the tail as a
sail, for catching the wind, boldly commit themselves
to the mercy of the waves. A sudden gust of wind
will suffice to overset a whole navy of these adven-
turers, and by which many hundreds perish.
The Grey Sequrrren (Sciurus cinereus) is not un-
common in northern Europe; but in North America
large flocks of them have been known to come from
the mountains to desolate the fields of maize in the
valleys. A reward of three-pence a head was offered
for this marauder; the number of which was so great,
that the state of Pennsylvania has paid rewards in one
year, to the amount of eight thousand pounds cur-
rency. Its habits are similar to those of the common
squirrel.
The fur of this animal, which becomes white in
winter, is very valuable, and is imported under the
name of petit-gris.
The Busacx Squrrrex (sciurus niger), like the last-
described, is nearly twice the size of the common or
red squirrel. It is numerous in North America, and
not rare in northern Asia. Its habits greatly re-
semble other members of this family, excepting that
its nest is made under-ground, where a stock of pro-
vision for winter use is deposited. Its food is chiefly
von. I. k 121
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en
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SCE
y wy
JERBOAS
THE SQUIRREL.
ization which enables it to leap, or rather to fly to a
distance of twenty or thirty yards. There is a mem-
braneous continuation of the skin of the sides and
belly, which extends from the toes of the fore feet to
those of the hind feet, forming at the will of the ani-
mal when stretched out, a kind of parachute, enabling
it to make very lengthened bounds. The specimen
of this curious animal in the Surrey Zoological
gardens, is somewhat larger than the common
squirrel, and of a grey colour.
Though quiet in captivity, the squirrel is naturally.
wild and timid.
The Lone-ratzep Squirren (Sciurus maximus) is
one of the largest of this family, beg three times
the size of the common squirrel. Its pervading
colour is a dull yellow; the back being black. The
tail is nearly twice the length of the body, of a light
ash colour, and extremely bushy. This variety is
found in Ceylon, and on the Malabar coast. Its
habits, it is believed, do not differ from other
squirrels.
The Jerzoa (Mus jaculus) is a native of Egypt,
Barbary, and Palestine; and is thought by many to
be the mouse of Holy scripture. (Isaiah, Ixvi. 17.)
In size it is somewhat less than a rat; and furnishes
a connecting link between the rat and the kangaroo,
which latter animal it more nearly resembles than
any other European mammal. The fore legs are
only about an inch long, the hinder ones four times
that length, so that its motions are rather jumping
than walking or running. Its eyes are large and
full. The tail is much longer than the body, and
terminated with a black tuft, the tip of which is
123
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
white. The general colour is reddish, but gradually
becoming lighter, till the under part of the body
is quite white.
Tt is considered to be lively and harmless, burrow-
ing in the ground, and living entirely on vegetables.
When pursued, the animal springs forward so nimbly,
that its feet scarcely seem to touch the ground. It
is very sensible of cold, wrapping itself warmly up at
the approach of winter. It readily submits to cap-
tivity, being easily tamed.
THE MARMOT.
(Mus marmota.)
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main
Oo oe aaa aa aes eee _—_e_Neees
Tur marmot stands at the head of a numerous family
inhabiting different localities; though in appearance
and habits very much the same. Our limits will
only permit us to notice one or two of the principal.
The marmots unite the family of the rat with that of
the rabbit.
The animal now to be described inhabits the
highest regions of the Alps; but found likewise in
Poland, the Ukraine, and Chinese Tartary. It is
somewhat less than a hare, having short round ears,
which are nearly hid in the fur; its tail is short and
bushy; the colour on the back of a brownish-ash
coloar, but more inclining to red on the belly. Its
voice resembles that of a young puppy, which under
excitement becomes a loud and piercing whistle.
The marmot has its brood of three or four young
in the spring of the year, having first recovered a
124:
THE MARMOT.
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
stones, feeding on insects, corn, and other garbage.
From the peculiar construction of its long snout and
fore teeth, it can readily root up the ground like the
hog. Its nest, which is placed on the surface of the
ground, consists of dry grass and moss. It is very
prolific, having a brood of four or five, several times
in the course of a year. The cat is an avowed enemy
to these creatures: but from some disagreeable
smell which they have, she always refuses to eat them
when killed.
An annual mortality takes place among these ani-
mals in autumn, great numbers being found dead in
the field; but from what cause remains a mystery.
THE BEAVER.
(Castor fiber.)
Tuu geographical range of this animal has been
greatly curtailed. It was formerly a denizen of
Great Britain, and of all the countries of northern
Europe. The numbers now are reduced within a
very narrow compass. About the year 1822 a small
colony of about twenty beavers existed on the small
river Nuthe; a short distance above its confluence
with the Elbe, in a lonely part of the Magdeburg
district, where they had been settled for more than a
century. Naturalists are agreed that the European
and American beavers are essentially the same. In
Canada, and the more northern parts of the Ame-
yican continent, beavers were everywhere to be
found; but now, partly from the encroachments of
30
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THE BEAVER & HAMSTER.
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AFRICAN AND BRAZILIAN PORCUPINE.
——— SEO EE EE
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THE PORCUPINE.
(Histrix cristata.)
Tue works of nature are so diversified as everywhere
to strike a reflecting mind with astonishment. Op-
posites often combine in the same animal. Few crea-
tures are more innocuous and less offending than
the porcupine, which, subsisting on a plain vegetable
fare of roots and herbs, sleeping during the day and
feeding in the night, is yet clothed m an armour
more truly formidable in appearance than in reality.
Had this creature possessed the power which igno-
rance has attached to it, of darting its quills, ad lidi-
tum, at its enemies, it might, indeed, well have been
feared. But having neither the power or the inclina-
tion for attack, its warfare is simply defensive, pro-
ceeding rather from motives of fear than anger, rais-
ing its quills, shaking them with great violence, and
directing them toward their assailant. Their armour
often proves a means of protection, though they
sometimes perish from the aggressive violence of
their enemies, the body of the porcupine having been
found in the stomach of the larger snakes.
The quills are about twelve or fourteen inches in
length, thick in the middle, and extremely sharp
towards the end. The tail is covered with short and
transparent white quills. The legs are short, the
fore-feet having four toes, the hinder ones five.
India, Persia, Palestine, and most parts of Africa,
are the habitat of the porcupine; a few also are
found in Spain and Italy. They are nowhere very
common, the female being but a slow breeder, the
135
eee ee
Sl
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OS Te
ia ee enone pm ee ee
ee
THE HARE
———-
|
ye THE HARE.
In Hex. Arnedeth.—(Lepus timidus.)—In Ene. Herb-cropper.
& And the HARE, because he cheweth the cud, but Bnee not
the hoof ; he ts unclean unto you,†—LxEvit. chap. xi, 6.
eee
Tux Hare is so well known that a description of it is
unnecessary. It is found in most parts of the world,
the American variety being somewhat less than that
of Europe. In high latitudes the hair is white.
According to the Jewish law the hare was ac-
counted unclean, not because of any filthy or las-
civious halvits, but because the feet were not divided
by a corneous separation. Moses asserts that the
hare chews the cud (a process to be more particularly
described in another place), although many have de-
nied the fact. The account which is now to follow
will set this question at rest.
About the year 1774 the poet Cowper, being then
an invalid, had a leveret sent him, then about three
months old, and soon after his neighbours sent him
as many leverets, to use his own words, “as would have
stocked a paddock.†From all these he selected three,
which, though all males, he named Puss, Tiney, and
Bess. He built them houses to sleep in with his own
hands, allowing them in the day-time to range in the
hall, while at night each retired to his own bed. Puss
soon grew familiar, leaping into his owner’s lap, suf-
fering himself to be carried about in the arms, and
sleeping on the knee. He was taken ill, when the
poet nursed him. “No creature,†says Cowper,
“could be more grateful than my patient after his
J recovery, licking my hand, leaving no part of it un-
| VOL, I. T
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RABBITS.
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THE RABBIT.
I kept him for his humour’s sake,
For he would oft beguile
My heart of thoughts, that made it ache,
And force me to a smile.
But now beneath his walnut shade
He finds his long last home,
And waits in snug concealment laid,
Till gentler Puss shall come.
He, still more aged, feels the shocks,
From which no care can save,
And, partner once of Tiney’s box,
Must soon partake his grave.
The Atpinz Harz inhabits the hills of Scotland,
Norway, Lapland, Russia, and Siberia. During the
summer months it is grey, which, on the approach
of winter, changes to a snowy white, excepting the
ears, which never change. In the autumn these
animals collect a vast quantity of herbage, which,
when dry, is piled round the trunks of trees, or other
places of security; from these they supply them-
selves when the rigour of the climate prevents them
from quitting their subterranean retreats in search of
food.
THE RABBIT.
(Lepus cuniculus.)
A.rnoueH to an inexperienced person the hare and
the rabbit may appear but varieties of the same ani-
mal, yet nature has mysteriously placed such a bar
between them, that neither in captivity or in their
native wilds, have they ever been known. to inter
141
—~e
Eee Eee EomTtmWD Ee
|
36
GUINEA PIGS.
eae ey
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ee aes
—_—__—E—EE—————O——EOEe_E—E—EOEO—EeEee eee
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peng
THE GUINEA-PIG.
(Mus porcellus.)
Tuis pretty and well-known animal has been na-
turalized in almost all the countries of Europe,
though originally a native of Brazil. Guinea-pigs
cannot live in very cold countries, often perishing
even in temperate climates during the inclemency of
winter. Neither their skins or their flesh are of
much value. The females make bad mothers, being ©
void of attachment to their offspring, allowing them
often to be devoured the moment of their birth by
the male, without making any attempt to defend
them. Guinea-pigs are naturally gentle and tame,
doing neither good or harm.
The conformation of the upper lip in this animal
is peculiar, beg only half divided. Its prevailing
colours are white, black, and orange; its food grain
and vegetables. About the age of two months the
guinea-pig begins to breed, producing from four to
twelve at one time.
The Acouti (Cavia Aguti),is found in considerable
numbers in the woods of Guiana and. Brazil, making
its nest in hedges and hollow trees.
The agouti being the denizen of a warm climate,
breeds throughout the whole year, producing four or
five at a time.
It is a quiet harmless animal, and easily tamed.
It makes a grunting noise likeapig. The size of this
animal is about that of the hare. It is of a brown-
red colour, and eats fruit, roots, nuts, and vegetables,
148
| ————
THE SPOTTED CAVY.
(Mus paca.)
Tuts animal is a native of South America, living on
the banks of rivers, or moist places, secreting itself
in a burrow during the day, but going out in quest
of food at night.
Tts habits are cleanly, though its motions are
heavy and ungraceful. When pursued it will take to
the water, diving with great dexterity. If hardly
pressed it will make a vigorous defence. It is about
the size of a hare, but plumper and fatter; of a dark
brown colour, marked with lines of white spots run-
ning from its throat to the rump— (see our En-
graving)—the belly is white.
Like the guinea-pig, the spotted cavy has no tail.
The Carrpara (Sus hydrocherus), greatly resem-
bles the animal last described, beg something be-
tween the hare and the hog; larger than the former,
but less than the latter. It is a native of South
America, living on the banks of the great rivers of
that country. It so readily takes the water that it
lives chiefly on fish. The water, likewise, is its chief
means of defence in the event of any attack. These
animals are generally found in large herds, making a
noise not much unlike that of an ass. Feeding as
they do by night, they often commit great ravages
on sngar plantations and gardens.
The fore-feet have four toes, the hind ones only
three, all the toes having a web between them. The
capibara has no tail, and is of a brown colour.
144
S
N=
\ \
SSK
e—=
s.
NS
\
THE CAPIBARA AND SPOTTED CAYY.
THE NEW-HOLLAND HEDGEHOG.
Se
See eee Eee eee eee eee EEE
(een
CLASS I.-—MAMMALS. | [ORDER V.—PACHYDERMATA,
THE ELEPHANT.
(Elephas.)
“All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia: out
of the IVORY palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.â€â€”
Psaum, xly., 8.
‘And to the end they might provoke the ELEPHANTS to jight,
they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.â€â€”
1 Maccasess, chap. vi., 34.
Tue ELEpuant is no where mentioned in the Bible.
The nearest approach to his history is in the use of the
word Ivory, which is known to be obtained from the
tusks of this animal. Solomon, it would seem, sent
ships to Tharshish (India), which, on their return,
brought ivory to Judea. “For the king had at sea
the navy of Tharshish, with the navy of Hiram. Once
in three years came the navy of Tharshish, brmging
gold, and silver, and ivory.†1 Kings, x., 22; 2
Chron., ix., 21. The Hebrew word employed for
ivory is shenhavhim, literally signifying dumb brute’s
tooth. The word ivory occurs again 1 Kings, x., 18,
where, in the Hebrew, the word translated ivory is
shen gedol, great tooth, obviously referring to the
state in which the material was imported, i.e. as a
whole tusk. In the Apocrypha the word Elephant
occurs twice. Many critics maintain that the word
Behemoth, mentioned in the book of Job referred to
the elephant; but by a greater number this appella-
tion has been thought to describe the hippopotamus,
of which more hereafter.
VOL, I. x 153
39
Ee
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.
dred balls having entered the body of the maddened.
brute, Chunee sunk on his knees in the agonies of
death. The dead carcase was then, with great dif-
ficulty, conveyed to the house of Mr. Joshua Brookes,
an eminent surgeon in Blenheim-street, Oxford-
street, where this monster was kept for dissection,
until the whole neighbourhood became inconveni-
enced by the horrid effluvia which proceeded from
such an immense mass of corruption. The police
interfered; but ultimately the entire skeleton of the
renowned Chunee was prepared, and safely deposited
in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons,
Lincoln’s-inn-fields, where it may now be seen.
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.
Hes. Behemoty.—(Hippopotamusamphibius.)— ENG. Lhe Beast.
“ Behold now BEHEMOTH, which I made with thee ; he eateth
grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his
Force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a
cedar: the sinews of his thighs are wrapped together. His
bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars
of tron. He is the chief of the ways of God; he who made
him hath furnished him with his sword. Surely the moun-
tains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field
play. He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the
reed, and fens. The shady trees cover him with their shadow ;
the willows of the brook compass him about. Behold should
the river swell, he hasteneth not ; he is fearless should even
the Jordan come up to his mouth. Who can take hin
openly ? Or draw a cord through his nose ?â€â€”Jox, chap.
xl., 15—24. (Dr. Conquest’s version.)
Tur sublimity of the book of Job cannot be too
highly praised. The most ancient book extant; the
157
a
TO ee
ae
eee
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
\
earliest specimen of poetry im the world; carrying \
with it the impress of its divine origin. Some mo- )
dern critics would refer the above magnificent quota- }}
tion to some extinct genus—the mastadon, or the |)
mammoth, or the iguanodon. We by no means agree
to any such interpretation ; and we believe that our ((
readers, after comparing the above-quoted text, with
the description of the hippopotamus in his native
wilds, as mentioned by modern travellers, will agree (\
with us in that opinion. We must, however, caution
our readers not to identify the above splendid de- ))
scription of an animal, with the ugly, pig-like, and ))
insignificant punchinello, now exhibiting in the Zoo- ))
logical Gardens, Regent’s-park. (See, for a correct ))
portrait, our Engraving.) This animal, presented to
the society by the Viceroy of Egypt, is, in truth, a
hippopotamus, and therefore deserving the attention
which it has received. But it must be recollected
that it is but a mere cud, taken prematurely from
its dam and its native wilds, and imported to a
climate where its innate powers can never be fully
developed.
The mighty behemoth, hippopotamus, or river-horse,
as the name signifies, is, so far as our present know-
ledge goes, confined in its geographical distribution, )
to the great rivers and lakes of Africa. Formerly it |)
was to be found in the neighbourhood of Damietta, ()
Dee
or within the delta of the Nile; at present it is never
seen within the limits of Lower Egypt.
_It is strictly a granivorous animal, in no case ever
taking fish, as ancient authors have asserted. The
dental formula, and the contents of the stomach
when dissected, alike prove that it is not carnivorous.
158
=< Eee 4
Vg OOO et
ee
a a EET
a
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.
Pe ee
The hippopotamus has thirty-eight teeth; eight
incisor, four canine, and twenty-six molar. It must,
however, be borne in mind, that the teeth in this
animal are subject to great variations, according to
itsage. The canine teeth are enormous tusks, shar-
pened into a chisel-like edge, serving for uprooting,
or cutting down, large shrubs or trees. They are
likewise a means of defence. The skeleton presents
an osseous combination of the ox and the hog. The
bones are all massy, and their articulation singularly
firm and secure. The vertebre of the neck, back,
loins, and tail, amount to forty-seven. Throughout
the whole frame strength is eminently predomimant.
Fach foot has five toes, terminating in a kind of hoof.
The reference made by the sacred poet to the belly
of this gigantic quadruped is at once beautiful and
accurate, its body being, like that of the rhinoceros,
girt with a very rough and thick belt. The jaws are,
besides, so constructed that the vegetable masses
taken into the mouth and transmitted into the sto-
mach can be little more than bruised, requiring great
elaboration in the stomach, before the nutritive mat-
ter can be extracted. The stomach of a full-grown
hippopotamus is very capacious, containing five or six
bushels of food. Mr. Burchell, when travelling in
South Africa, tells us that from the stomach and
intestines of a hippopotamus, only half-grown, he ex-
tracted at least three bushels of half-chewed vege-
tables. These animals usually feed during the night,
and in large herds, often desolating whole fields of
corn.
The female’s period of gestation is, it is believed,
three months, the birth taking place on land. One
159
gee ene gee wee ee eee)
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OOOO:
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SS
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———~
~~ a.
— aaa IN
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
of these animals, going up a river to calve, was watch-
ed by a party who wished to secure the young, but
though the mother was shot dead immediately after
the birth, and the Hottentots, who had been em-
ployed for the purpose, instantly rushed forward, the
calf saved itself by taking to the water.
The amazing strength of the hippopotamus be-
comes even more apparent in the water than on land,
bounding, capering, and diving therein, with won-
drous dexterity. These creatures, like seals, have the
capability of closing the nostrils when under water.
Notwithstanding the prodigious bulk and strength
of the hippopotamus, it is by nature quiet and in-
aggressive. When attacked or wounded it becomes
a perfect fury. Instances are not wanting in which
a boat has been sunk by a single gripe of this animal,
or swamped by rushing under it, and uplifting the
same with its back.
‘The hippopotamus, under the Romans, was occa-
sionally exhibited at Rome.
THE WILD BOAR.
In Heprew, Chazer.—(Sus aper.)—In ENGLISH, The Returner.
“The BOAR (swine) out of the wood doth waste it.’—Psatm
Ixxx., 13.
Tus filthy habits of swine are proverbial. One sa-
cred writer says:—“It has happened unto them ac-
cording to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his
own vomit again; and the sow (swine), that was
washed, to her wallowing in the mire.†2 Pet. ii., 22.
Horace cites the same proverb, when speaking of the
160
EE EEE
oO
THE WILD BOAR.
THE BOAR AND SOW.
i
conquered by the charms of Circe,
“ Vixisset canis immundus, vel amica luto sus.â€
He had lived like an impure dog, or a Sow, fond of the mire.
The wild boar may be considered as the parent
stock of our domestic hog. He is much smaller, but
stronger and fiercer than swine when in captivity.
His snout is also longer; but the ears are compara-
tively short. The tusks form a most formidable wea-
pon: his general habits being fierce and savage. He
runs with earnestness and speed for a considerable
distance. When at length he becomes weary, he
will go no further, but battles it out with his pur-
suers to the last extremity. Woe be either to man,
or horse, or dog, that he attack in close combat.
Tn confirmation of the truth of the text at the
beginning of this article, we may quote a passage
from Hartley’s Researches in Greece and the Levant.
“My friend,’ observes the writer, “was proceeding,
in the dusk of the evening, from Constantinople to
Theraxia. Passing a vineyard he observed an animal
of large size rushing forth from among the vines.
‘Wild boar! wild boar!’ exclaimed a Greek in the
company. ‘What has the wild boar to do with the
vineyards?’ was the inquiry. ‘Oh!’ was the reply,
“tis the custom of the wild boars to frequent the
vineyards and devour the grapes.’†The abode of
wild boars is in the woods, from whence they rush
out and ravage the fields, plantations, gardens, and
vineyards. What they eat is of small consequence,
compared with the havoc which they occasion by
trampling with their feet, tearing up roots, breaking
VOL. I. ¥
le
~~
THE WILD BOAR.
travels of Ulysses, and says, that if he had been
ae
41 ;
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
the branches, and lacerating the stem with their
tusks. In one night a fine garden or vineyard may
be completely ruined.
The hog was not merely classed by the Jews among
unclean animals—they would not so much as pro-
nounce its name, but called it “the strange thing.â€
No wonder, then, if the Saviour, for a flagrant breach
of the law of Moses, should permit a whole herd of
swine to run down a steep place into the sea, and
perish in the water. Matt. viil., 32.
DOMESTIC SWINE.
(Sus scrofa.)
Swine are so much improved by domestication that
they scarcely appear like the descendants of the fierce
denizens of the forest whence they received their
origin. In captivity they are of all colours, although
black, and black and white, more generally prevail.
In their food they are truly omnivorous, taking alike
the refuse of the field, the garden, the barn, or the
kitchen. Miser-like, swine are of little value till
after death. ;
The flesh of the hog, though never very wholesome,
especially to those who lead a sedentary life, is an
article of great importance to a commercial country,
since it takes salt better than any other kind of
meat, and in consequence forms a principal part of
the provisions for the navy.
‘he domestic sow is a prolific breeder, having a
brood generally twice a-year, of from ten to twenty
162
ee
So
a
THE COLLARED PECCARY.
THE ECCARY,.
Ce
at a litter. She goes four months with young! The
) sow has a great propensity to devour her newly-born
offspring. ~The boar will infallibly do so if not pre-
) vented. No animals make better sailors than swine,
| never being sick in the roughest weather. A few
breeding-sows are, therefore, quite a treasure to the
crew of a south-sea whaler, furnishing a supply of
) fresh meat, without the necessity of going on shore.
)
‘THE PECCARY.
(Sus tajacu.)
Tun Peceary, or Mexican hog, inhabiting the hotter
parts of South America, does not essenti ially differ
from the animals just described, and yet there is
some mystic line of demarcation which keeps each
class completely distinct. No instance has ever
een known of a hybrid race. In their teeth they
slightly differ from the common hog, having only
thirty-eight, whereas the common breed have “forty-
four. Neither are peccaries fond of wallowing in the
mire; their habits in this respect being much more
cleanly than their congeners.
Being gregarious, and assisting each other in at-
tacks made upon their enemies, they become dan-
gerous, both to the traveller and the hunter. The
only means of escape is to climb into a tree, until
time or hunger compels the waiting and incensed
brutes to make a retreat. They principally feed on
‘fruits and roots. They are expert serpent-hunters,
163
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
very dexterously stripping off the skim with their
fore-feet and teeth.
The body of this animal is somewhat smaller than
that of the hog, and covered with strong bristles
which, when irritated, it can erect like the hedgehog.
It has a pouch in the posterior part of the body re-
sembling the stinkards, and which must be removed
immediately on the animal being killed, or the flesh
will become utterly unfit to be eaten. The peccary
is comparatively a slow breeder, having but two at a
birth.
The Basrroussa (Sus babyroussa), is larger than
the peccary, and furnished with four large tusks, two
of which proceed from the lower jaw upwards, stand-
ing out of the sockets about eight inches; the two
others rise up like horns on the outside of the upper
jaw just above the nose, and extend in a curve above
the eyes, almost touching the forehead, and are
twelve inches in length. These tusks are of the most
beautiful ivory.
These animals, when closély pursued, will plunge
into the sea, and hereby escape; or will defend them-
selves with their under tusks most resolutely, growl-
ing frightfully. They feed entirely on vegetables.
THE TAPIR.
(Tapir Americanus.)
Among the singular animals of the Zoological Gar-
dens the tapir holds a distinguished place, being a
compound of the hog, the hippopotamus, and the
164
eee eee ee eee ee ee Ee
a a
THE TAPIR.
TUE TAPIR.
elephant. Its general habits are essentially like those
of the first of these; the roughness of its almnost hair-
less coat, and its fondness for the water, associate it
with the second; while its rudimentary proboscis, or
long snout, offers an approach to the third animal.
Tts flexible snout may be considered its most dis-
tinctive feature. It is formed by the nose and upper
lip being continued, and forming a sort of proboscis
of considerable power. The legs are thick and
strong, the toes furnished with hard rounded hoofs,
the tail being short.
The tapir is found chiefly in the warmer parts of
South America. It is a solitary animal, spending
the day concealed in the most sequestered and um-
brageous places, going out at night in search of ve-
getable food, on which alone it subsists. Its mode of
escape from the larger animals is peculiar. Con-
scious of the impervious nature of its hide, the crea-
ture will rush through the thickest and most en-
tangled part of the wood, forcing its way through
every obstacle with its head; the pursuers soon be-
come wearied with this resistance, and being, pro-
bably, lacerated also, give up the chase.
The animal soon becomes domesticated when taken
young, being naturally mild and inoffensive. Aggres-
sive war it ever avoids, flying from every appearance
of danger. Its skin, of which the Indians make
bucklers, is remarkably thick, and when dried is
hard enough to resist the impression of an arrow.
The natives eat its flesh, which is pronounced to be
extremely palatable.
EEE ———EE—EOE—E—EE—EEEOE—O
THE RHINOCEROS.
In Hes. Reiam.—(Rhinocerosunicornis.)—In ENG. The Exalted.
‘ FVill the UNICORN be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy
crib ? Canst thou bind the UNICORN with his band in the
furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee ?â€â€”JoB,
chap. xxxix., 9, 10.
Tun Ruinoceros is, doubtless, the Unicorn of scrip-
ture, and the source of many fables recorded of him
by ancient writers. He is mei tioned nine times by
the sacred writers, always being referred to as a
model of strength and untractableness. Second only
to the elephant im size, he is altogether unlike him
from his indocility. No animal appears less aggres-
sive than the rhinoceros, none less fearful of attack,
or better prepared for defence. The length of an
adult is about twelve feet, which is likewise the size
of the girth. The nose is armed with a most for-
midable weapon, peculiar to this creature, being a
very hard and solid horn, with which he can rip up
the body of his largest and fiercest enemy. The
tiger, with all his ferocity, seldom attacks him. The
hide is likewise so hard that the claws of the tiger
make little impression upon it; it will turn the edge
of a scimitar, or resist a ball from the rifle.
The legs of the rhinoceros are short and thick ; the
head large; the ears long and erect; the eyes small
and dull: the upper lip is so long that it overhangs
the lower one, and being capable of great extension
gives the animal considerable facility in moving it
from side to side twisting it round a stick, collecting
166
—_—
[EFF PS
THE RHINOCEROS.
eee eee eee
—
THE RHINOCEROS,
food, or seizing anything which it would convey to
its mouth.
Its chief habitat is India beyond the Ganges, but
no where does it abound. Its habits are solitary,
living in moist and marshy places, and seldom going
far from the banks of a river. Like the hog, it is
fond of wallowing in the mire.
The female produces but one at a time, which is
long in becoming fully developed. The hunting of
this huge beast is attended with considerable danger,
his scent being so acute that his pursuers find it safe
to avoid being to the windward of him, and not to
attack him until he lies down to sleep.
The rhinoceros feeds on the coarsest herbs, even
preferring thistles and shrubs to soft and more del-
icate pasturage. It is said to be very fond of the
sugar-cane, and eats all kinds of grain. From the
peculiar construction of his eyes, the rhimoceros can
see only what is immediately before him. When he
pursues any object he proceeds always in a direct
line, overturning every obstruction, uprooting trees,
raising stones, and throwing them behind him to
a considerable distance, and without any apparent
effort. This herculean animal was known to the
Romans in very early times, and a knowledge of it has
been handed down to us in some of the works of that
celebrated people.
Ferocious, carnivorous, and extremely wild, the
rhinoceros well answers to the description given of
him by Job in the passage above quoted, beg un-
tameable, swift, and immensely strong.
167
SS SSS 80 00.000. 00.0
THE HORSE.
in HEBREW, Sts.—(Equus caballus.)—In Eneuisu, The Ruleu.
“ Fast. thow given the WORSE strength? hast thou clothed his
neck with thunder? Canst thow make him leap as a grass-
hopper ? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in
the valley, and rejorceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet
the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted ;
neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rat-
tleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He
swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: he standeth
not still at the sound of the trumpet. -At the blast of the
trumpets he saith, ah! ha! And he smelleth the battle afar
off, the thunder of the camzins, and the shoutings.’—Jos,
chap. xxxix., 19—-25.—(Dr. Conquest’s version.)
Tus magnificent passage of Hebrew poetry has been
so often commented upon that we must content our-
selves with one short passage in explanation of it,
from the eloquent Rollin—‘ Every word of this,â€
he observes, “would merit an explication in order
to display the beauties of it; but I shall take notice
only of the latter part, which gives a kind of under-
standing and speech to the horse. Armies are a long
time before they are set in battle array; and are
sometimes a great while in view of one another with-
out moving. All the motions are marked by parti-
cular signals; and the soldiers are appointed to per-
form their various duties by the sound of a trum-
pet. This slowness makes the horse impatient. He
is ready at the first sound of the trumpet. He is
very impatient that the army must so often have
notice given to it. He murmurs against all these
delays, and not being able to continue quietly in his
168
Se ee — ee
THE HORSE.
ee)
} THE HORSE.
\
place, nor to disobey orders, he strikes the ground
perpetually with his hoof; and complains in this
way that the warriors lose their time in gazing upon
one another.â€
“He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and (
rage. In his impatience he considereth as nothing
all such signals as are not decisive, and which only
point out some circumstances to which he is not at-
( tentive; neither believeth he that it is the sound of
| the trumpet. But when it is earnest, and the
(( last blast cails to battle, then the whole counte-
(( nance of the horse is changed.â€
( “ One would conclude that he distinguishes by his
(( smell that the battle is about to begin, and that he
heard the orders of the general distinctly, and
answers the confused cry of the army by a noise that
discovers his joy and courage. He saith among the
trumpets, ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar
off, the thunder of the captains and the shoutings !â€â€™
Belles Lettres, t. i. p. 645.
Whenever the horse may have lost his liberty,
man, at that epoch, achieved a great conquest. No
attendant upon man is more subservient to his
owner’s will (the dog only excepted), than the
horse. He is generous, docile, spirited, yet obedient ;
alike adapted to the purposes of pleasure and con-
venience; his active service being available in the
draught, the field, or the race. It is only to be re-~
gretted that so useful and obedient a servant, should
ever have a bad master; yet it must be confessed,
that the excellent qualities of the horse are often
shamefully abused, in most unnecessary exertions,
urged upon him by unfeeling folly.
VOL. I, Z 169
ei te tS rn ere
oS
43
le
Se
SORIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,
To enter into detailsis unnecessary. Suffice it to
say that the mare goes with foal rather more than
')) eleven months, and continues to breed till the age of
sixteen, or eighteen. The horse seldom lives more
than thirty years.
and its dogs. In the breeding of horses, generally,
we have long been famous. By great attention, a
judicious mixture of several kinds, and superior skill
in management, the English race-horse excels those
of the whole world. For supporting a continuance of
violent exertion, and for swiftness, our race-horse
yields the palm to none.
Cuinpers is acknowledged to have been the swift-
est horse ever bred in the world. He has gone
eighty-two feet and a half in a second, or nearly a
mile Im a minute; he has run round the course of
Newmarket, which is little less than four miles, in
six minutes and forty seconds. Childers was never
veaten. His sire was an Arabian.
Ecuipst, since the time of Childers, excelled all
other horses for swiftness. The mechanism of his
frame was almost perfect; and yet he was neither
handsome, or well proportioned. Compared with a
presumed correct table of the geometrical proportions
of the horse, Eclipse measured in height one-seventh
more than he ought, and his neck was one-third too
THE RACE HORSE.
Encexanp has long been distinguished for its Lorses
! long. A perpendicular line falling from the stifle of a
176
sre
THE RACEHORSE.
THE ASS.
THE ASS.
horse should touch the toe. This line in eclipse
touched the ground at the distance of half a head be-
fore the toe. Again, the distance from the elbow to
the bend of the knee should be the same as from the
bend of the knee to the ground. The former, in
Eclipse, was two-parts of a head longer than the lat-
ter. ‘These were some of the remarkable differences
between the presumed standard of proportions in a
well-formed horse, and the horse of the greatest
celebrity ever bred in England.
The excellence of Eclipse in speed, blood, pedigree,
and progeny, will be transmitted, perhaps, to the
end of time. This far-famed racer was foaled during
the great eclipse of 1763, whence he derived his name.
Eclipse died at Canons, near Edgeware, in 1739,
in the twenty-sixth year of his age. He was never
beaten on the turf, winning everything for which he
ran. It was thought that the size of the animal’s
heart greatly enabled him to do what he did, weigh-
ing no less than thirteen pounds,
THE ASS.
(Equus Asinus.)
In Hesrew, Chamor.—In Encuisn, The Burthen-bearer.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of
Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee: he is just,
and having salvation: lowly, and riding upon an ass, and
upon a colt the foal of an ass.†—ZECH., Ix., 9.
Tue Ass is one of the oldest servants of man, Two
thousand years prior to the Christian era, when
Abraham went into Egypt, he possessed asses in a
17i
a)
)
I en
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
domesticated state. “He had,†says the sacred his-
torian, “sheep, and oxen, eed he-asses, and men-
servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and ca-
mels.†Gen. xii. 16. From this statement it would
appear that horses in a domestic state were, at this
early period, unknown to the Egyptians.
Whatever the ass might have been in ancient
times, or whatever he may be amongst eastern na-
tions, with us, he is an animal at once oppressed and
neglected. Consigned to the tender mercies of the
costermonger, he endures all kinds of privations ;
coarse and scanty food, neglect in being groomed,
burdens of undue weight, journeys of improper length,
with frequent exposure to wet and cold; these make
him a dejected and crest-fallen creature. He is na-
turally less swift than the horse, and more sluggish,
perverse, and untractable. Still, against a stubborn
nature, and innumerable wrongs, the ass possesses
many redeeming and angel- like properties. He is
proverbially gentle, patient, persevering, temperate,
and cleanly. He may be cold in his friendship, yet
is not insensible to the hand of kindness. Though
frugal in his diet, the ass, notwithstanding, “ knows.
his master’s crib.’ Coarse fare is rather grateful to
him than the reverse, the plantain and the thistle
being amongst his favourite food. He drinks, if prac-
ticable, from the clearest brooks, and pertinaciously
refuses water when offered him in a greasy or dirty
vessel. The ass greatly dislikes wetting his feet ; and
even when loaded, will deliberately turn aside, to avoid
the dirtier parts of the road. In the midst of filthi-
ness and neglect he is never infested with vermin.
A warm climate suits this animal much better than
172
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(
(
(
So
THE WILD ASS.
ee eee at
THE WILD ASS.
a cold one, and which is, probably, the reason why
in more southern countries the ass becomes larger
and stronger.
The she-ass goes eleven months with young, and
seldom has more than one at a time.
THE WILD ASS.
In Hes., Para—(Asinus hemionus.)—In Enc., The feunner.
« Who hath sent out the WILD ass free? or who hath loosed the
bands of the WILD ASS? Whose house I have made the wil-
derness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the
multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the erying of the
driver. The range of the mountains ts his pasture, and he
searcheth after every green thing.†—JOB, xxxix., 5—8.
A prautirun and original description of a wild ani-
mal, despising the restraints of man. The prophet’s
account of the same creature is no less descriptive of
its native wildness. “A wild ass, used to the wil-
derness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure, in
her occasion who can turn her away? All they that
seek her will not weary themselves; in her month
they shall find her.†Jer. i. 24.
The wild ass is taller and more compact than the
domestic ass. Its head is more elevated, and a dusky
woolly mane peculiarly distinguishes it. The general
colour is silvery white. A stripe of waved, coffee-
coloured, bushy hair, runs along the top of the back
froma the mane to the tail. In summer the hair is
very smooth and silky, but in winter soft, silky, and
waving.
173
4A
ee
“ NN
aa
eee
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
These animals associate in herds, under a leader,
and are very shy. They inhabit mountainous regions
and deserts, their geographical range being consider-
able. They are found in considerable numbers in
western Asia and northern Africa. Since the con-
quest-of South America by the Spaniards, they have
spread over that vast continent, and in large numbers.
THE MULE.
In Hep. Pereh.—(Equus mulus.)—In Ene. The Separated-one.
“ Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got him up upon
his MULE, and fled.†—2 SAMUEL, xiil., 29.
Tun Muze is a hybrid between the horse and ass,
and though known to the Jews in the time of David,
the above text being the first time that it occurs in
the sacred volume, yet it could not be bred by the
Jews, since there is an express law which prohibits
such a practice. See Levit. xix.19. The barrenness of
the mule furnishes an indisputable proof that the two
species are perfectly distinct. Nature hereby showing
an abhorrence against such heterogeneous produc-
tions, and by some unknown law preserves the orl-
ginal perfection and identity of each species.
In southern Europe, especially in Spain, the mule
is a noble and most useful animal, being alike em-
ployed for the saddle, the draught, or the burden.
Mules are remarkably sure-footed, and hence are to
be trusted in descending the frightful precipices of
the Alps or the Andes. When they come to the
174
~——
THE MULE.
THE CAMEL.
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CLASS I.—MAMMALS. ] , [ORDER IV.—RUMINANTIA.
THE CAMEL.
In Hes. Gamail.—(Camelus Bactrianus.)—In Enc. The Repayer.
“ Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud,
or of them that divide the hoof: as the CAMEL, because he
cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean
unto you. †__LEvITICus, chap. xi., 4.
No class of animals more nearly approach each other
in their general organization than the ruminants of
which we are now to treat. The most apparent dif-
ference is that the camels, the llamas, and the chev-
rotains, a kind of goat, have no horns; other rumi-
nants, of the male sex at least, having two horns more
or less long, projecting from the frontal bones, and
which are not found in any other family of mammals.
It seems necessary here, for the sake of our younger
readers especially, that we should explain what is
meant by a ruminant, or an animal which chews the
cud. Rumination, then, or chewing the cud, is that
singular faculty which this order of animals possesses
of chewing the food a second time, and which is
returned into the mouth after having been previously
swallowed. This extraordinary anomaly i is the result
of the structure of their stomachs, four of which they
always have. The process is highly grateful to the
animal, and indispensable for fully extracting the
nutritious parts of its food. The teeth, also, are
formed for facilitating this process, consisting of eight
incisor teeth, in the lower jaw only, twelve molar, or
grinding teeth, in each jaw; and between the incisors
VOL, I. 24 177
es
ae gue
I
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
and molars, in some genera, only one or two canine
teeth.
The first stomach, or paunch (rumen), is much the
largest in the adult animal, and is slightly separated
into four parts on the inside, which is covered with
papille, or small pimples. Here the masses of her-
bage eaten by the animal, and roughly broken up by
)) the first mastication are deposited. The herbage, in
|) this state, passes into the second stomach, or honey-
combed bag (reticulum.) Here the masses of food
are arrested, imbibed, and compressed into small
balls, which are thence returned successively into the
\ mouth by a convulsive action of the stomach, to be
re-masticated. During this operation the animal
remains in a state of repose. The food having un-
dergone the action of the molar teeth a second time,
passes into the third and smallest stomach, called.
manyplus, from the numerous and broad duplicatures
of its internal coat. From hence the food is trans-
mitted into the fourth stomach (abomasus), which
may be regarded as the true organ of digestion.
The remarkable process of rumination, though ab-
solutely necessary to be done, and requiring a con-
siderable portion of time, yet remains, by some mys-
terious law, entirely under the control of the will of
the animal.
The Bactrian, or two-hunched camel, besides pos-
sessing a digestive organization nearly analogous to
that above described, has also a stomach, or tank, in
which a large quantity of water can be deposited,
serving for a supply to the animal in the event of
water failing while traversing those arid deserts
which it is accustomed to do.
178
——— — EEE eee:
SOO eee eee lee
aa
THE CAMEL.
The feet of the camel have ever excited the admira-
tion of the physiologist, being so admirably adapted
to meet the exigencies of this creature. The sole-
cushions of the spreading feet are divided into two
toes without being externally separated, which buoy
up the whole bulk, by their expansive elasticity, from
sinking in the sand, on which it advances with silent
step.
The nostrils of this ship of the desert are, likewise,
so formed that the animal can close them at plea-
sure, and hereby exclude the drift-sand of the parch-
ing simoom.
The countries of the Levant are the special habitat
of the camel. To the Arab the camel is everything.
Tt furnishes him with food and milk; his clothing
and tents are woven from its hair, his belt and san-
dals are the produce of its hide, the dung affords him
fuel. But the surpassing excellence of the camel
consists in its capabilities of crossing desolate and
frightful deserts, which the peculiar organization of
this animal, and its extreme temperate habits, enable
it to perform with comparative ease. The average
load of a heavy, or caravan-camel, is from five to six
hundred weight. Camels are broken for work at the
age of four years, and nothing short of the most wan-
ton cruelty will render them insubordinate. When
once fnjured, however, they never forget the wrong
until they have their revenge; hence the origin of
their name—the re-payer.
The acute sense of smelling in the camel is truly
marvellous. When, apparently, worn out by fatigue,
and the whole caravan is in danger of perishing, the
camel is known to break his halter, and run with
179
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|
a
Se eran a
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
unerring certainty to a spring of water, which had
otherwise escaped observation.
The female goes with young about twelve months,
and has but one at a birth. The average age to
which the camel arrives is about forty years. They
are six years coming to maturity.
The camel was known in the remotest times as the
servant of man, being often mentioned in the earlier
parts of the Bible. See Genesis, xxxvii. 25; Judges,
vill. 21; Job, i. 17.
(Camelus Dromedarius.)
In Hez., Bacar.—In Enc., First-born ; Distinguished.
“ How canst thou say, Iam not polluted; I have not gone after
Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast
done: thou art a swift DROMEDARY traversing her ways.’—
JEREMIAH, chap. ii., 24.
Tur Dromepary may be denominated the Arabian
racehorse, being chiefly remarkable for its prodigious
swiftness. It is distinguished from the camel by
having but one protuberance on its back.
Couriers, it is said, can go on them above a hun-
dred miles a-day, and that for nine or ten days suc-
cessively. Dromedaries require neither whip nor
spur to quicken their pace, but go freely; if kindly
treated. The females’ time of gestation is about
twelve months; and they generally bring forth one
at a birth.
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
THE DROMEDARY.
(
THE ELK.
THE LLAMA.
~~
THE LLAMA.
(Camelus glama.)
Turs gentle and tractable animal may be regarded as
the camel of South America, of which country itis a
native. The llamas are employed for agricultural
purposes, and to carry burdens; though extremely
slow, not travelling more than ten or twelve miles in
a day, yet that is made up by perseverance and in-
dustry. Like the camel, they lie down to be loaded.
When angry they have no method of revenge but
spitting; an operation which many a visitor to the
Zoological garden can witness not to be very agreeable.
In a wild state llamas live in herds. Running with
great swiftness in places difficult of access, where
dogs cannot follow, the only way of killing them is
by the rifle.
The height of the Hama is about four feet, and its
length six feet. The female, which has only two
teats, is said to go six months with young.
THE ELK, or MOOSE DEER.
(Cervus alces.)
| Tue deer family, though numerous, yet from their
general similarity, a very lengthened account of each
will be by no means necessary. This noble natural
group is distinguished by a remarkable development
from the skull, of antlers or horns, belonging, gen-
erally speaking, to the male only, and given as wea-
181
———SS eee
46
THE REIN DEER.
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ooo
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THE REIN-DEER.
his ancle, and the two others were tired out; but
one of them having rested for twelve hours, set out
again, and succeeded in killing the animal after a
further pursuit of two days’ continuance. It was,
however, noticed that the elk in his progress had
latterly left traces of blood in his footsteps, arising
from being tender-footed. Hearn besides noticing
the tender feet of the elk, adds, that it is short-
winded, and becomes an easy prey to horsemen and.
dogs, when found in a country free from underwood,
and dry under foot.
This animal is a native of North America; but
cannot endure a higher latitude than about 64°. It
is also found in northern Europe, although less fre-
quently than formerly.
The flesh of the elk is very excellent. The skin,
though thick, is convertible to many purposes.
Tradition says, that a pair of inexpressibles made of
it, for the peasantry of olden times, went as a legacy
for several generations.
THE REIN-DEER.
(Cervus tarandus.)
Tz sovereignty of Divine Providence is very appar-
ent in the distribution of its favours, conferring
more upon some than upon others; yet in mercy
overlooking none. How many useful animals, for
example, are given to the inhabitants of temperate
climates; while to those living in the arctic regions,
one animal only is given—the rein-deer; but that
183
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aE
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THE STAG, orn RED DEER.
(Cervus elephas.)
Tur stag has ever been admired for his surpassing
beauty. The general elegance of his form, the light-
ness of his motions, the flexibility of his limbs, his
branching antlers, his size, strength, and swiftness,
place him at the head of the class to which he
belongs.
After shedding their horns, and polishing their
new antlers, which take till about July, the season
of love begins, when the stag, from being gentle and
quiet, becomes furious, and even dangerous. At this
season, when two stags meet, their contest is most
desperate, ending in the flight of one of them: the
other remaining in possession of his mistress and the
field till another rival approaches, when the conflict
is reiterated. This state of things continues for
three weeks, or a month.
The hind goes with young eight months, seldom
producing more than one, which she conceals and
euards with great care and courage. ‘The stag,
himself, ranges among the enemies of the fawn,
which he would inevitably destroy, but for the ma-
ternal watchfulness of the hind. The fawn keeps
with its mother during the whole summer; and m
the winter, all animosity having ceased, the stags
and hinds herd together until the spring, when
they again separate: the fawns alone remaining
together.
The stag is proverbially a timid animal, examin-
ing every bush and thicket that he passes, as if
186
Frank
sah
THE STAG.
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THE AXIS DEER.
(Cervus axis.)
l
To the visitors of the Zoological Gardens the axis (
deer is no stranger. Although remarkably timid, it (
- fearlessly takes bread or biscuit from the hand, pro- (
vided it be clean. If previously offered to another (
animal, and blown upon, it is pertinaciously refused. \
Nicety of smell, however, is not peculiar to the
axis deer, but common to the deer family generally. )
This animal is of surpassing beauty, its general ap- |
pearance being elegant; the horns are round, and /
its colour bright fulvous, varied with white spots. }
The habitat of the axis deer is India, chiefly the (
Dacca districts and Rohilla country. Its habits so {
nearly resemble those of other deer that they do not (
require distinct notice.
THE FALLOW DEER.
(Cervus dama.)
In Hesrew, Yechmur—In Eneiisa, The Red-coloured.
“ These are the beasts which ye shall eat : the ox, the sheep, and
the goat, the hart, and the roebuck, and the FALLOW DEER.â€
—DEvrt., chap. xiv., 4, 5.
Fe a
Tars beautiful animal very nearly resembles the stag,
though somewhat smaller, and its horns not round,
but flat, palmated at the ends, and more ornamented
188
(
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SSS aaa
|
Nal (t \
Us NY
THE AXIS DEER.
THE FALLOW DEER.
THE MEMINNA.
a
THE FALLOW DEER.
with antlers. Its colour is likewise brighter and
spotted.
The fallow deer, though originally foreign, has be-
come almost indigenous amongst us, having greatly
increased in almost every part of the country. The
flesh of the stag is hard and insipid, while that of the
English fallow deer, for fatness and flavour, is said
to exceed that of any other country.
This animal, with some variation, is found in
almost every country in the world. The words fallow
deer occur twice in the Bible, and doubtless refer to
some animal of the deer kind, but whether that
known amongst us by this name, is perhaps doubtful.
THE CHEVROTAIN anp MEMINNA.
Tuxsp beautiful animals claim attention from their
diminutive size and symmetry, being at once the
smallest of all cloven-footed quadrupeds, and the
most beautiful. The chevrotain is not more than
about seven inches in height, and twelve inches in
length. The male has horns, which are scarcely two
inches long, and jet black. Their general colour is
a glossy reddish-brown inclining to yellow.
The chevrotain is a native of Senegal and the
hottest parts of Africa: it is also found in India and
the Indian isles.
The Meminna perfectly resembles a fallow-deer,
though not larger than a hare. It is of a grey colour,
spotted and barred with white; its ears are long
and open.
| pais dts sn ah eg ae
a ci aa
48
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ee ee ee ee
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
Both these animals are so extremely delicate, that
they soon die when brought into a northern climate.
In their native wilds, though gentle and familar,
they are extremely agile, bounding over a fence
twelve feet in height.
THE ROEBUCK.
In Hes. Tzevee.—(Cervus capriolus.)—In Ene. Beautiful.
“« Notwithstanding thou mayest hill and eat flesh in all thy gates,
whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of
the Lord thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean
and the clean may eat thereof, as of the ROEBUCK, and as of
the hart.†——DEvt., chap. xii., 15.
Eastern nations are so fond of figurative language
that we need not wonder at the numerous passages of
Scripture where this has been employed. The deer
family being alike distinguished for timidity, beauty,
and swiftness, furnish the sacred writers with appro-
priate illustrations of the subjects on which they
treat. Animals of this family have, in eastern coun-
tries, always been held in the highest estimation for
the voluptuous beauty of their eyes, the delicate
elegance of their form, and their graceful agility of
action. Hence Saul is denominated (2 Sam. i. 19}
“the Roe (beauty) of Israel.†So in verse 18 of the
ensuing chapter we are told that “Asahel was as
light of foot as a wild roe.†Thus again, Lament.
i. 6, “Her princes are like harts which find no pas-
ture’? And in Habakkuk, ii. 19, we read, “The
Lord Jehovah is my strength, he will make my teet
190
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SS a =
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THE ROEBUCK.
— ao
ea
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The habitat of the roebuck is extensive, being
spread all over Europe. It was formerly common in
many parts of England and Wales, but now it is only
to be found in the Highlands of Scotland. In Ame-
rica it is much more common than in Europe, grow-
ing, it is said, in Louisiana, to a very large size.
THE ANTELOPE.
(Capra cervicapra.)
Ir would, probably, be difficult to decide whether the
passages of Scripture where the words hart, roe, and
deer, occur, may not refer to the antelope, which also
is considered to be the dorcas or gazelle of antiquity.
Certain it is that the animal now to be described is
quite equal to that of the preceding article for beauty
and loveliness.
The antelopes form an extensive family, which,
however, cannot be very accurately distinguished
from the deer and the goats, two families of which
the antelope seems to form the connecting link.
Baron Cuvier simply refers to the curvatures of the
horns as their peculiar characteristic, a distinction,
however, very indefinite.
The common. antelope is an animal of surpassing
beauty of form, and swiftness of motion. Its colour
is a bright reddish-brown, the belly and inner parts
of the thigh white, the tail short. In size it is some-
what less than the fallow-deer, but far surpasses it in
swiftness, giving the dog no chance in its pursuit, the
rifle of the huntsmau being employed in its destruc-
192 \
Fee = ee
oe
RL oD
be aE
TC TINS
THE WAPITI.
THE GAZELLE.
THE ANTELOPE.
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Tn ena ne
—
Sa pega WS
—_
WS
nmin
|
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
then shuffled towards each other, still keeping upon
their knees, and at the distance of a few yards they
made a spring, and darted against each other with
great force. These attacks were renewed until the
weaker of the combatants, to save his life, was obliged
to retire. The nyl-ghau is a native of India.
THE GIRAFFE or CAMELEOPARD.
_ (Cervus Camelopardis.)
Yo a reader of the Bible the question naturally sug-
gests itself, Is this extraordinary animal mentioned
in Scripture? To this we answer, that the word cer-
tainly does not occur in our translation of the Bible,
although high authority may be adduced to show
that the giraffe or cameleopard is the animal intended.
to be noticed by the writer of the book of Deuter-
onomy. In the fourteenth chapter of that book, and
at the fifth verse, we read, “These are the beasts
which ye shall eat: the fox, the sheep, and the goat,
the hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow-deer, and
the wild goat, and the pygarg (the dishon or bison),
and the cnamois.†Now the word employed for this
last animal in.,the Hebrew, is zemar, literally sig-
nifying the cropper, and which the Alexandrine and
Vatican versions of the Septuagint, or Greek Bible,
agree in translating camelopardalis, or cameleopard.
Jerom, a distinguished Latin commentator, and Rab-
bis Jonas, and Kimchi, well-known writers among the
Jews, concir in this rendering ; although others of
great repute, as Bochart and Leclere, take a different
194
ee ee aes
a
THE GiRAFFE.,
ee
THE COMMON GOAT.
colder weather. Their principal food consists of
good hay, to which, by way of a treat, is occasion-
ally added carrots, onions, or sugar.
THE COMMON GOAT.
In Hesrew, Hz.—(Capra hircus)—In ENGLisH, The Hardy.
* Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids
of the Goats.â€â€”—GEN. chap. xxvil., 9.
Famritar though we may be with the lively, pretty,
and useful animal, the goat, yet zoologists are not
agreed as to the species from which it is derived.
Cuvier remarks that the domestic goat varies in-
finitely in stature, colour, length, and fineness of the
hair, and in the size and number even of the horns.
That the goat was well known at a very early period,
no better proof can be given than the frequent refer-
ence made to it in the sacred volume. It was rec-
koned among the clean animals, according to the
Mosaic economy, and was not only freely eaten by
the Jews, but employed also in their sacrifices and
feasts, especially that of the passover.
The goat inhabits most parts of the world, either
native or naturalized, bearing all extremes of wea-
ther, whether hot or cold. However numerous in
some localities, it is comparatively rare in Britain.
In South Wales the goat is now seldom to be seen,
and a few only can be found in a wild state in Gla-
morganshire. Formerly, according to tradition, bro-
ther Taffy never wanted a pony while a single goat
remained in his possession.
197
~~.
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NN.
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)
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rings. Some of these horns have been found two
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,
The odour of the goat though strong, especially
from September to November (the rutting season),
is believed not to be unwholesome. Horses are said
to be refreshed by it. The activity of the goat is
well known, the creature feeling in perfect security
on the edge of the highest precipices, bounding from
rock to rock with wonderful precision. It is nice in
its feeding, selecting the tops, tendrils, and flowers of
mountain shrubs, and aromatic herbs. It is a fearful
enemy to the vine, and as such was sacrificed by the
heathen to Bacchus. The female brings forth from
February to April, after a gestation of eighteen
weeks, generally two, but not unfrequently three, ur
even four. The milk of the- goat is of a peculiar
quality, and was formerly in request as a specific for
certain disorders.
a aa a a aS
THE IBEX.
(Capra Thex.)
Tre Ibex forms a beautiful specimen amongst the
goat family. It is larger than the common goat,
with horns much longer, bent backward, and full of
EG TR GR gE GTR
yards long. The head is small, and furnished with a
dusky beard. The upper part of the animal’s thick
hairy coat is of a deep brown colour, a black streak
running along the top of its back; the belly and
thighs are of a delicate fawn colour. The female is
about a third-part less less than the male, and is fur-
Se
THE IBEX.
\ r "
THE CHAMOIS
Sata I i aS ae
THE CHAMOIS GOAT.
nished with horns, although but small. She brings
forth one young at a time, seldom two.
This animal is found in elevated situations, chiefly
amongst the highest Alps of the Grison country.
They are excessively wild, keeping on the loftiest
points of the rocks, the hunting of them, m con-
sequence, not unfrequently proves dangerous, or even
fatal, to the huntsman.
THE CHAMOIS GOAT.
(Capra Rupicapra.)
Tis animal, in common with the whole goat family,
is pretty, lively, and active beyond expression. It is
of an ashy colour, which, towards winter, becomes
ablackish brown. It has often been greatly admired
for the beauty of its eyes, which are large, round, and
sparkling. Its head is furnished with two horns of a
brilliant black colour, which stand forward, and then
bend a little backward towards their extremities.
The ears are elegantly placed near the horns, and are
of a whitish-yellow colour, which colour also pervades
the whole head, with two stripes of black on each
side of the face. The horns of the female are shorter
than those of the male.
The dams and fawns herd together in considerable
numbers until the season of love, which commences
in the beginning of October, when the males, before
feeding detached from the rest, approach the females,
and drive the fawns away. The females bring forth
in March and April.
a
:
2
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The chamois feeds upon the most delicate parts of
plants, flowers, and tender buds, within its reach.
The aromatic plants of the mountains are no less
grateful to this animal.
In the mountainous districts of Dauphiny, Pied-
mont, Savoy, Switzerland, and Germany, these ani-
mals greatly abound. They are surprisingly sure-
footed, ascending or descending precipices as if fur-
nished with wings rather than legs, so that no dog
stands the least chance when in pursuit of them.
The huntsman, armed with his rifle, cannot approach
them without considerable hazard, and always with
great labour.
The skin of this animal, for the manufacture of the
leather called shamoy, is far less valuable than for-
merly.
THE GOAT OF ANGORA.
Tus variety is well known for its long, thick, and
glossy hair, fine like silk. Its ears are long and pen-
dulous. The horns of the male are curiously twisted,
proceeding horizontally from each side of the head,
in shape resembling a screw; those of the female are
shorter, encircling the ear. Like other goats they
are fond of an elevated situation, and can endure a
very cold climate. The mountainous rocks of Pontus
are believed to be their special habitat.
206
THE SYRIAN & ANGORA GOATS.
THE SHEEP.
In Heprew, Keves.—(Ovis aries.)\—In ENGLisu, Valuable.
* Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:
ye shall take tt out from the SHEEP, or from the goats.â€â€”
EXODUS, chap. xil., 5.
Tue sheep is so widely scattered over all tem-
perate climates, that to trace its original habitat is
impossible. Its history appears coeval with time, the
sheep being mentioned as connected with the second
individual born into this world. See Genesis, iv. 2.
It has, doubtless, undergone many changes from cli-
mate, food, and cultivation, which have made it pre-
eminently the creature of man; yet it has, to a great
degree, preserved its identity and habits. Writers,
sacred and secular, have often referred to it as a
model of singular jnoffensiveness and harmlessness.
No wonder, then, that the name of this creature is
frequently given to the founder of our holy religion.
Still, it would be wrong to infer that the sheep is
> as stupid as he is quiet and unoffending. There are
occasions when, in the absence of the protection of
man, sheep have been obliged to exert a courage
which, at first sight, we are apt to pronounce that
they do not possess. The ram, indeed, in such cases
‘very properly takes the lead, and in which he will
boldly repel the attacks of a dog, and compel his
canine combatant to quit the arena of contest in dis-
comfiture. When the danger is more alarming, the
whole flock will form themselves into a complete
phalanx, placing the lambs and ewes in the centre;
the lords of the flock taking the foremost ranks, and
202
LEICESTER AND WALLACHIAN SHEEP.
AYO
ii
i
it
\
NSH
j ANU d
ENO MO NVR a=
ANON
yD
4 i=
a) al!
Nye Na r-
entation ire tae hs phe
THE HEATH RAM
THE BULL.
shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the
corn.†Deut. xxv. 4. Our readers, we feel per-
suaded, will not consider these introductory re-
marks to be either tedious or irrelevant.
No habitat appears to suit the ox better than
Great Britain, its climate and pasturage being well
adapted to the nature of this animal. The variety
and abundance of our vegetables have doubtless
been the great means of increasing the number and
excellence of our cattle. Oxen, it has often been
remarked, prefer high and rich grass in pastures,
rather than the shorter and more delicate, and that
they thrive admirably in grass which is rather high
and flourishing, than in that which is more succulent
and nutritious.
Great attention having been paid in this country
to the breed of cattle, we need not wonder that con-
siderable improvements have taken place in this
department of agricultural pursuits. The size of our
oxen materially differ according to the breed. The
Holstein or Dutch breed, in good pastures, grows to
a large size, the cows yielding a greater abundance
of milk than those of any other kind. A seven-year-
old ox will measure from the head to the rump from
nine to ten feet; the height from the shoulder about
six feet; the weight, without the offal, from a hun-
dred and eighty to two hundred stone, of fourteen
pounds. Cows of this large size are usually kept by
the London cow-keepers, from the large quantity of
milk which they produce. The milk is forced by the
cows being fed with grains, and drenched with distil-
ler’s wash; this, with a moderate admixture from the
black cow, or pump, will make the daily average of milk
207
(caer,
THE SYRIAN OX.
a I OT
ae Oe ee ees
ES
THE SYRIAN OX.
is found to direct the whole herd, placing himself at
their head, and braving every danger in their de-
fence.
Wild cattle are almost extinct in this country.
Numerous herds of them were formerly to be found
in several parts of England and Scotland; but they
have now nearly disappeared. A few, we believe,
are still to be found in the parks of’ Chillingham-
castle, Northumberland, the seat of the Harl of Tan-
kerville and in two or three other parks in the
- north of England. Our print represents a bull from
Chillingham park. Wild cattle are invariably white.
Oo
THE SYRIAN OX.
Tan Syrian ox, next to be described, was not re-
markable for its large size; but for its compactness
and strength. It may be compared to the Kyloe
ox of the western islands of Scotland, both for size
aud colour. It did not exceed, in the ordinary way,
more than forty stones in weight, and was almost of
a black colour. It possessed one mark which dis-
tinguishes all Asiatic cattle, that of having a large
protuberance above and between the shoulders. The
horns of this variety were aiso very wide, tapering,
and sharp at the tips. When domesticated, it
appears to have been quiet, docile, and laborious.
This animal amongst other duties was employed in
treading out the corn, and to which the prophet
beautifully refers in his remonstrance with disobe-
dient Israel. Hosea x., 11.
voL. I 25 209
EEE OES RSS
)
(Bison Americanus.)
THE AMERICAN BISON.
Tus American bison greatly resembles that of Hu-
) rope. In both are to be found the same huge head ;
the lengthened spinous processes of the back bone,
for the attachment of the animal’s brawny muscles ;
the conical hump between the shoulders, and the
shaggy mane. Yet are there some peculiarities: the
common ox, has but thirteen ribs on each side; the
European bison fourteen; the American species
fifteen. The general development of the American
bison is, however, much inferior to that of the bison
of Europe.
It would appear that formerly these animals were
to be found in almost every part of the North Ame-
rican continent; ‘but they have gradually retired
before the white population, and are now rarely to
be seen south of the Ohio, on the eastern side of the
Mississippi. They still exist in vast numbers in
Louisiana, roaming in countless herds over the prai-
ries that are watered by the Arkansa, Platt, and
Missouri rivers. ‘Towards the summer they migrate
northward, and are seen as far north as Great Marten )
Lake, in latitude 68° or 64°. In these transits
during spring and autumn, they sometimes form
herds of several thousands. Captains Lewis and
Clarke saw such multitudes on the banks of the
Missouri, that, although the river, including an
island over which they passed, was a mile in length,
the herd stretched as thick as they could swim,
210
EEE
—
THE BISON.
THE BUFFALO.
THE BUFFALO.
completely from one side to the other: their num-
ber was calculated at twenty thousand.
The bison, though furious when irritated, is not
fond of aggressive war, being naturally disposed to
be quiet. Still they defend themselves with great
spirit against the attacks of bears and wolves, forming
themselves, on such occasions, into.a complete circle ;
the bulls placing themselves outside. The Indians
shoot them, or encompass:a herd by firing the grass,
when they are destroyed without difficulty.
The hunting of this animal, though attended with
some danger, well repays the huntsman for his pains,
sinee every part of the animal is turned to account,
for food, clothing, or other purposes..
THE BUFFALO...
(Bos Bubalus.)
Tun buffalo in: a wild state is a fierce and formidable
animal, although without much difficulty. rendered
submissive to the yoke. Its length from head to
tail, is about eight feet; its height five and. a-half
feet ; the limbs, in- proportion to its size, being much
stouter than those of an ox; the horns are singular
both in form and position, extending over a. great
part of the head, though not joined at their bases,
the distance between their pomts being often more
than five feet ; the ears are large, and somewhat, pen-
dulous; their colour is a dark brown; the tail. is
short and tufted; the eyes large, but somewhat
sunk; the general aspect of the animal being at
211
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
twenty, or twenty-five miles forming the juurney of
a day. The zebu is chiefly distinguished from the
common ox by a large lump on the shoulder, which
sometimes will weigh as much as fifty pounds : this
is esteemed a great luxury for the table. When
zebus have bred with our common cattle, the hump
has gradually disappeared.
There are several specimens of this animal in the
gardens of the Regent’s Park. The Brahmin bull
and cow deserve peculiar notice. The body and
head of these animals are of a bright slate colour;
the legs and dewlap, or loose part beneath the neck,
being cream coloured. The horns are short and
stunted; the ears large and pendulous, and which
the animal can move with great facility, in any di-
rection.
In India beautiful specimens of these animals are
selected by the priests to pay them special venera-
tion, the whole breed being held sacred by the
deluded Hindoos, who regard it a crime to kill
them.
THE MUSK BULL.
(Bos Moschatus.)
Tuer last of the ruminants which we can notice is the
musk bull, an inhabitant of North America, on the
shores of Hudson’s Bay. In size it nearly re-
sembles the Highland breed. The horns are round
and tapering, curving directly downward, and then
upward, being smooth and black at the point. The
214
SARS
a
4
THE MUSK BULL.
CLASS J.—MAMMALS. ] [ORDER V.—MARSUPIATA,
THE KANGAROO.
(Macropus major.)
Tue arrangement of the order of animals which next
claims our attention, is by no means decided. The
pouch with which they are furnished, might seem to
discriminate this family ; but even in this they very
much differ, and in other respects run so parallel
with the orders of ordinary quadrupeds, and also
present so many anomalies in their general struc-
ture, that each imdividual seems to require a distinct
notice. They are chiefly inhabitants of the Austra-
lian continent, but not exclusively so, since America
also furnishes a few specimens.
The larger or gigantic kangaroo is a native of New
Holland, having been first discovered by Captain
Cook, during his third voyage, in the year 1770. So
many have been brought to England since that pe-
riod, that few persons are strangers to them. The
most striking outward peculiarity of this animal is,
the extreme disproportion of its limbs, the fore legs
being only about twenty inches long, while the
hinder ones are more than twice that length, and
very muscular. The fore legs, therefore, are not em-
ployed, excepting in. browsing, or in very slow pacing.
The tail is extremely thick at its base, and very long
and tapering. When the animal wishes to proceed
quickly, the tail as well as the hind feet is employed,
the animal making successive leaps of from twenty
to thirty feet forward, and six or eight upwards.
216:
~—_\y \
Ah
SAMN
THE KANGAROO,
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
ever, must be understood with some limitation. It
is a very stupid creature, and in captivity sullen and
snappish also.
(
(
(
(
(
(
THE MEXICAN OPOSSUM.
(Didelphys dorsigera.)
|
(
(
(
(
Tuts variety in the opossum family is distinguished
by having the inner toe of the hind feet converted
into a thumb, destitute however of a claw, hereby
( giving additional security to the animal in climbing;
a development which is found in nearly all the
species which have a scaly prehensive tail. In some
of the smaller opossums likewise the sub-abdominal
tegumentary folds are but rudimental, serving merely
to conceal the nipples, and are not developed into a
pouch. In such species the young adhere to the
mother by entwining their little prehensile tails
around hers, and clinging to the fur of her back. Of
the facts relating to the condition of the newly born
young, and their precise mode of uterine develop-
ment in the pouchless opossum, we know, at pre-
sent, but little; but since the marsupial bones are
found in those animals where there is no pouch to
support as well as in others, there is presumptive
proof that they must assist in the function of the
mammary glands.
The opossum dorsigera is a native of New Spain.
220
NS
THE MEXICAN OPOSSUM AND YOUNG,
Ee A
SN ee eee eT nt NR i Naa oe ON
SEE EEE EEE
: <<
Ne
NEN Ne
Pees
\
OE OE
THE SQUIRREL OPOSSUM.
(Didelphys sciurea.)
Tre fur of this animal is long, soft, and very close,
of a brown or greyish colour on the back; the un-
der parts of a yellowish white. The length of the
animal is about eighteen inches, exclusive of the
tail, which is prehensile, broad at the base, tapering
to the end, and naked on the under side; its length
about twelve inches. The eyes are full, prominent,
and of a red colour. There are five claws on the
fore feet, and four on the hind feet. It sits up to
receive its food, which it takes with the fore paws,
and with considerable dexterity. It feeds chiefly
on vegetables. The female is furnished with a
pouch.
The squirrel opossum is a native of New South
Wales.
The Kancaroo-rat (Hypsiprymnus Potoroo), is
found only in New South Wales, being about the
size of a rabbit, and resembles the kangaroc in form,
colour, and general habits: it burrows in the ground.
THE FLYING OPOSSUM.
(Pataurus sciurus.)
Amone the most singular of marsupial quadrupeds
is the flying opossum. It is peculiar to New South
Wales, where, by some of the colonists, it has been
called the flying squirrel; by others, the flying fox.
ow
ee
EN aE
SQUIRREL OPOSSUM AND KANGAROO RAT.
THE FLYING OPOSSUM.
THE WOMBAT.
fe
THE WOMBAT.
Although nearly resembling the opossum family, yet
certain anomalies distinguish this creature. Its
flying apparatus is an extraordinary peculiarity, con-
sisting of a loose membrane which extends laterally
between the fore and hind feet. This membrane
makes the animal more buoyant, enabling it to des-
cend safely from great heights, and assists it in
making bounds many yards in length. The tail is
long and brushy, but not prehensile. On the fore
legs it has five toes, with a claw on each; on the
hind ones, four toes, and a long thumb, which
enables the animal to use it as a hand, the three
outside claws of the hind feet not being separated
like the others. Its nose is pointed; its ears large
and erect; the fur of a fine delicate texture, of a
beautiful dark colour, very glossy, and mixed with
grey; the under parts are white. On each hip is a
large tan-coloured spot: the fur is continued to the
very claws.
In common with many animals of New Holland
the flymg opossum lodges in hollow trees, to which
retreat being driven by dogs it may there be taken.
The hunting of these creatures commonly takes place
on a moonlight night ; the ordinary time for feeding
being during the night. ;
THE WOMBAT.
(Phascolomys Wombat.)
Tuis singular creature has been placed by Cuvier
among marsupial animals, since, like the opossum, it
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
carries its young in a pouch, although in fact it forms
a species isolated in nature, and is the type of a
genus, itself constituting that genus.
Jt is a native of New Holland, and its size about
that of a badger. It burrows in the ground, which
it does so rapidly that it is seldom to be seen. Its
food consists of green and withered vegetables.
The colour of the wombat is a brownish cinnamon,
vather paler under the neck, and round the ears,
than elsewhere.
Two of these animals may be seen (1851) in the
Zoological gardens, Regent’s Park. They appear to
be quiet, unoffending, and stupid. No kindness seems
sufficient to attract their sympathy; nor any violence
to excite them to fear or anger: perhaps, no animal
in existence is naturally more completely passive.
CLASS I.—MAMMALS. ] [ORDER VIII.—QUADRUMANA.
THE ORAN-OUTANG.
In HEB. Koph.—(Simia satyrus.)—In Ene. The Walker.
Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish
bringing gold and silver, ivory and APES, and peacocks.â€â€”
2 Curon. chap. ix., 21.
QuapRuMANovs, or four-handed animals form an in-
teresting order, from their near approach to the
human form; the skeleton of the larger species of
this order so closely resembling that of man, that an
inexperienced eye might pronounce them identical.
Still, there are particulars in which they essentially
224
* “ For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of
ewe eee EEE
ee aL ae
EEE
ee
SE OR
ae
OURANG-~OUTANG. |
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,
would entice them to play by striking them with its
hand as they passed, and then bounding from them,
but allowing them to overtake it, and engage in a
mock battle. The oran-outang was observed to take
but little notice of some small monkeys on board, or
ever to romp with them, although the monkeys
seemed to have a predilection for its company, always
making way to its resting-place whenever they
chanced to break loose. On one occasion three mon-
keys confined in a small cage narrowly escaped being
thrown overboard by the oran-outang, but whether
in jest or earnest scarcely appeared. Although this
creature was generally quiet and good-tempered, yet
when refused what it wanted, or otherwise thwarted,
it would exhibit such paroxysms of passion as seemed
to threaten suicide itself, suddenly starting up, utter-
ing the most piercing screams, and then rushing
furiously over the side of the ship and disappearing.
The habits of the oran-outang in its native woods
are but very imperfectly known.
The word apg only occurs twice in the sacred vo-
lume: the particular species referred to cannot be
identified.
THE CHIMPANZEE.
(Pithecus troglodytes.)
AttHoucH the Chimpanzee has often been seen by
travellers, still, from its being a solitary and swift
animal, but few opportunities occur of knowing much
| of its habits. At the beginning of the year 1836 a
228
Sanat tlie ei ei ein ae em eae
a
CHIMPANZEE.
—_T TN
THE BARBARY APE
_ ue Sl
THE BARBARY APE.
chimpanzee would go, taking up the puppies one by
one, gravely looking at them, and then gently re-
placing them; and ‘this was done amidst the con-
tinued snarling and barking of the mother.
At night-fall this creature retires to its bed of
blankets, covering itself up, usually crossing its
arms over its chest, burying its face up in the blan-
kets, and settling down to sleep.
THE BARBARY APE.
(Simia inuus.)
Tus animal is found in most parts of Africa, from
Barbary to the Cape of Good Hope. Being much
more hardy than the larger apes, it has remained for
years in this country in good health. An ape of
this kind, known by the name of Jacko, ascended
several times from the Surrey Zoological Gardens, in
a balloon, and descended with a parachute in safety.
The Barbary ape is distinguished for its wildness
and untractableness. Its head is large, and the
nose prominent: it has also cheek-pouches, which it
fills with food before beginning to eat. The teeth
are large and strong; the ears round; the body of
a brown colour, inclining to green. Its height, when
erect, is about three feet. It is a remarkable fact,
that our anatomists have only of late years dis
covered, that the dissections of Galen were per-
formed, not upon the human subject, but upon the
Barbary ape; so perfectly conformable are ie
descriptions to the structure of the human frame.
231
Oe Od |
a
ean aa = ETON
—. Se ae aS =)
THE RIBBED-NOSE BABOON.
(Simia maimon.)
pact, and nervous; their disposition fierce, untrac-
table, and libidinous. This latter propensity renders
them singularly disgusting to females, whom they
will often notice in a manner which need not be
described. In a state of captivity they must be
closely confined, since they seek every opportunity
of shewing their savage and vicious propensities.
The habitat of baboons is the hottest parts of
Africa, although not exclusively confined to those
regions. Their food chiefly consists of succulent
5 fruits, which they very dexterously throw from one
to another, and by this means do incredible damage
in a short time.
These animals seldom breed in captivity. The
female brings forth only one young at a time, which
she carries at her breast, and in her arms. When
the mother jumps from bough | to bough, the young-
ster clings so closely, that it is in no danger of being
shaken off.
The ribbed-nose baboon is one of the largest of its
kind, often exceeding five feet in height. It is ex-
tremely fierce, libidinous, and strong. It is distin-
guished by broad ribs on each side of the nose, of a
fine violet blue colour: a bright vermillion line is
found a little above the eyes, and which, running
down on each side of the nose, spreads over the tip
of the muzzle. The insides of the ears are blue,
232
ee ee ee
— OO
appearance and habits. Their body is thick, com-
)
Basoons differ from animals of the ape kind both in
——
—~——
THE RIBBED-NOSE BABOON,
LONG-ARMED APE.
|
THE PIG-TAILED BABOON,
softening to purple, and terminating in vermillion;
the posteriors are also of a vermillion colour, and the
colour on the hips graduate from red to blue. The
voice is strong and harsh, much resembling the
growl of the lion. Its ordinary position is that
shewn in our engraving. Altogether it is a most
disgusting creature,
THE PIG-TAILED BABOON.
(Simia nemestrina.)
Tur Pig-tailed Baboon is a native of Sumatra
and Java, and is the least of the baboon family. It
is also comparatively mild, gentle, and tractable.
Though lively and frolicsome, it possesses but little
of that impudent petulance for which its congeners
are so remarkably characterized. The muzzle is
large and thick, the face and ears naked, and of a
flesh colour ; its general colour is dark olive, palest on
the belly; the eyes are hazel; the jaws furnished with
cheek-pouches ; the posteriors void of hair, and red.
Amongst the singular propensities of this animal,
in common with many of the monkey kind, may be
reckoned a remarkable greediness for tobacco, mus-
tard, snuff, and other stimulants, which it greedily
devours, without the slightest inconvenience.
Baboons of this species are gregarious. Assem-
bling in large companies they often do considerable
damage to gardens and cultivated fields; eating
much, carrying more away in their cheek pouches,
and wantonly destroying most of all.
( VOL. I. 2H 233
eee So ee
59
— Soe eee eee ee
(
eee EEE $$
aT EEE
ES
SO
THE FAIR MONKEY.
(Simia Mico.)
Monkeys are at once numerous and various. Yet it
is probable, that resembling each other so nearly,
their variations, as among dogs,.are continually in-
creasing. They so seldom breed in confinement,
that their history and habits, as practised in their
native wilds, are very imperfectly known. Cunning,
however, seems a characteristic mark of the whole
family. Of this one instance will suffice.
A monkey belonging to a captain in the navy,
was remarked on board by the sailors as a gentleman
of excellent humour, and hence almost adored. Pug’s
owner, however (for that was the monkey’s name),
wishing to consummate his bliss, procured him a
wife. For some weeks he shewed her every sort of
attention. He then grew cool, and jealous of any
sort of kindness shewn her by his master, and used
her cruelly. As female hearts bear a great deal,
this treatment only made her wretched, without kill-
ing her. Pug then changed his battery, made up
matters by degrees, and appeared as fond of her as
ever. One morning, when the sea ran very high,
he seduced her up aloft, and seemed shewing her
some distant object from the yard-arm; when, all
of a sudden, her attention being fixed, he canted
her into the sea, (where of course she was imme-
diately drowned), and came down in high spirits.
The Mico is thought to be the most beautiful of
this numerous race. Its head is small and round;
face and ears of so lively a vermillion colour, as to
234
|
a
a Io =
= — a
SSS — =
= SSS
= SCOw2
—S
SSF EES
ZZ
SVL
SS
SSS EZEZ
THE FAIR MONKEY.
MONA AND GREEN MONKEYS.
oe ~~
EEE
THE GREEN MONKEY.
appear the effect of art; its body is covered with
long hair, of a bright silvery whiteness, and uncom-
mon elegance ; tail long, and of a shining dark ches-
nut colour. :
Tis habitat is South America, frequenting the
banks of the river Amazon.
THE GREEN MONKEY.
(Simia sabeea.)
Tae Green Monkey is another singular variety,
receiving its name from the fine green colour of the
upper part of its skin; the throat, belly, and inner
sides of the limbs being of a silvery white. The
length of the body itself is only thirteen inches;
that of the tail eighteen. Its height eight inches
and-a-half.
It is common in the Cape de Verd Islands, and
the East Indies: it is also found in Northern Africa.
Adanson relates. that the woods along the river
Niger, are full of green monkeys, which, from their
colour, are scarcely discernible among the branches
of the trees where they live.
This species being found in Mauritania, and in the
territories of ancient Carthage, M. Buffon, the cele-
brated naturalist, thinks it probable, that this crea-
ture was known to the Greeks aud Romans, and
that it was one of those long-tailed monkeys to which
they gave the general name of Callitrix. Most of
the monkeys we have described, may be seen in the
extensive menagerie of the Regent’s Park.
235
——
Fe
eT
NN
THE RING-TAILED MACAUCO.
(Lemur catta.)
I's singular animal now to be described greatly re-
ssembles the kangaroo family, progressing by a sort
of gallop or canter, rather than a walk: its tail is
carried nearly erect ; but which, when the animal is
at rest, is either twisted round the body, or brought
over its head. In Madagascar, and the neighbour-
ing isles, they are seen in troops of thirty or forty
together.
This playful and harmless creature, when taken
young, may easily be domesticated.
In size it nearly resembles a cat, while in the con-
formation of its paws it approaches the monkey kind;
its nose is long and sharp, like that of a fox. It
may justly be pronounced a beautiful animal. Its
body and limbs are long and slender ; its tail very
long, and marked with alternate bars of black and
white; its ears are large and pointed. The general
colour of the macauco is reddish ash; the head,
throat, and belly being white: the eyes are large,
and surrounded with black.
THE YELLOW MACAUCO.
(Lemur potto.)
Tux yellow macauco likewise greatly resembles the
opossum : its entire length from nose to tail does not
exceed nineteen inches, The head is flat and broad;
236
a
lle eee eee ee ee
eo
SA
|
(
(
THE SPIDER AND BONNETTED MONKEYS.
} RING-TAILED AND YELLOW MACAUGOS
THE GREENLAND WHALE.
THE SPERM WHALE
THE CACHALOT, OR SPERM WHALE.
the membranes of the stomach into clothing; the
thin transparent peritoneum serves the place of glass
for their huts; the bones are converted into props
for their tents, aid them in building their boats, and
supply them with harpoons and spears; whilst the
sinews furnish them with thread.
The Jews were certainly not acquainted either
with the Greenland or Southern whale. The cre-
ation of great whales mentioned by Moses -must
therefore refer to some other animals, probably to
crocodiles.
THE CACHALOT, or SPERM WHALE.
(Physeter macrocephalus.)
Next in size to the Greenland whale, and of much
greater value, is the cachalot, or sperm whale, the
chief habitat of which is the Southern Ocean, on the
coasts of America, Japan, New Guinea, &c. The
largest ever taken have little exceeded eighty feet in
length; the depth of head from eight to nine feet ;
breadth from five to six feet; the depth of body
seldom exceeding twelve or fourteen feet; circum-
ference about*thirty-six feet; the pectoral fins about
six feet long, and three broad. The cachalot is by
no means a sightly animal; on the contrary, its
clumsiness and bulk make it a disgusting object of
deformity. The head is thick and blunt, constituting
more than a third of the entire body; a large protu-
berance presents itself at its junction with the body,
forming the thickest part, which from thence tapers
VoL, I. 21 241
EO
THE WHITE WHALE.
THE BELUGA, or WHITE WHALE.
(Delphinus leucas.)
Tue general length of this animal is from twelve to
twenty feet; its head being obtuse, its muzzle short
and conical; it has eighteen teeth in the upper, and
sixteen in the lower jaw. It has no dorsal fin, but
flippers, or pectoral fins, like its congeners; neither
has it any external ear; the mouth is small, and its
blue eye not larger than that of a man’s. Its colour
is a yellowish-white, approaching to orange. The
symmetry of the white whale is an object of admira-
tion, suggesting the idea of perfect adaptation to a
rapid progression in the water. The tail, which is
large, is bent under the body in swimming, propel-
ling the animal forward with the velocity of an arrow.
From this swiftness their prey, consisting chiefly of
salmon, cod, haddock, and flounders, rarely escape.
The chosen haunts of the beluga are Hudson’s Bay,
Davis’s Straits, and Spitzbergen. The whale fishers
seldom disturb these creatures, for, from their ex-
treme activity they are difficult to strike; when
stricken the harpoon frequently draws, and if it holds
the capture is but of little worth. Hence they are
not shy, but tumble around the ships in herds of
forty or fifty.
The oil of the beluga is reported to be of the best,
whitest, and finest quality, and of their skins a sort
of morocco leather is made, which though thin, will
resist a musket-ball. ‘Uhe flesh resembles beef, and
when marinated with vinegar and salt, both it, and
-the fat, have nc bad taste.
VOL, I. 2K 249
:
:
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aes
THE CONDOR.
(Sarcoramphus gryphus.)
a
oe
Tue condor is the largest of the birds of prey, and is
a native of South America. He inhabits the moun-
tainous districts of Peru and Chili, well deserving
- the appellation of “ Lord of the Andes,†over which
he is accustomed to soar, amid regions of eternal
snow, and at an elevation of more than fifteen thou-
sand feet above the level of the sea. Here on the
boldest points and crags three or four of these aérial
monsters group together. They descend into the
plains for prey, guided by an eye which serves the
double purpose of telescope and microscope. In the
rainy season they often frequent the sea coast in the
evening, remaining there all night, and returning to
the mountains in the morning. Their comparatively
straight talons are but ill adapted for perching on
trees, or carrying away prey of any size, though ad-
mirably fitted for tearing up the carcase of an animal
already dead. The female makes no nest, but de-
posits her white eggs upon the bare rock. The habits |{
of the condor are but imperfectly known. Our
readers may satisfy themselves of its personal ap-
pearance by a visit to the Regent’s Park Gardens,
where a fine male bird of this species may be seen.
Mr. Darwin’s observations on the condor may be
depended upon, and are of a comparatively late date.
On the 27th of April, 1834, Mr. Darwin shot a
condor in Patagonia, which measured from tip to
tip of the wings eight and a-half feet, and from beak
to tail four feet. “It is,’ he observes, “a magnifi-
256
PIII ee
aoe eee
ee ee ee
Se
THE CONDOR.
IRIS
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
some basaltic cliffs of Santa Cruz, many scores were
noticed to resort together ; hence it is conjectured,
that the condor must, to a certain degree, be a gre-
garious bird. Condors do not, on ordinary occasions,
(( extend their daily excursions to any great distance
from their regular sleeping places, keeping a con-
stant look out for animals which have either died
a natural death, or as more commonly happens,
have been killed, and partially devoured, by wild
(( beasts.
The condor is most tenacious of life. One of
these birds had been lashed with a rope, and was
otherwise much injured; yet the moment the cord
was loosened, although surrounded by people, it
began ravenously to tear a piece of carrion. Glut-
tonous although condors are, they can, nevertheless,
(
|
(
submit to great abstinence. Between twenty and
thirty condors were kept in a garden at Valpa-
raiso, their owner feeding them only once a week,
yet they appeared in pretty good health. Instances
have been known in which they have passed five
or six weeks without food, and not enduring much
suffering.
Condors from their weight, rise from the ground
with great difficulty, strongly flapping with their
wings so to do; but once on the wing, their wheel-
ing round and round at an immense elevation,
presents a spectacle magnificently beautiful. “I
watched these birds,†says Mr. Darwin, “when at
Lima, for half-an-hour, without taking my eyes from
them. They moved in large curves, sweeping in cir-
cles, descending and ascending without once flapping.
The head and neck were moved frequently, and
258
PN ee
Le
——
s ——
—~—
THE KING VULTURE.
THE KING VULTURE,
apparently with force; and it appeared as if the
extended wings formed the fulcrum on which the
movements of the neck, body, and tail acted. If the
birds wished to descend, the wings were for a mo-
ment collapsed; and then, when again expanded
with an altered inclination, the momentum gained
by the rapid descent seemed to urge the bird up-
wards with the even and steady movement of a paper
kite. It is truly wonderful and beautiful to see so
great a bird, hour after hour, without any apparent
exertion, wheeling and gliding over mountains and
rivers.â€
THE KING VULTURE.
(Vultur papa.)
Tue African and Indian vultures so nearly resemble
in appearance and habits those already described,
that a distinct notice of each does not seem neces-
sary. The king vulture, the habitat of which ex-
tends from the southern parts of the United States
to about 32° south latitude, must be described.
This bird is only occasionally found in Florida,
though very common in Paraguay. Like its con-
geners, the head and neck are bare, but of a bril-
liant red colour; the beak is reddish, with a shade
of black; cere bright orange, continued between the
nostrils into a comb about an inch and-a-half long,
loose in texture, and falling on either side of the bill
when the head is erect. Round the eye is a scarlet
circle; the iris nearly colourless; side of the head
259
A Og
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
| purplish black. From the bright red of the upper part
of the neck the colour gradually lessens in intensity,
fadimg into orange and yellow towards the lower
part. Round the bottom of the neck is a broad ruff
of soft, downy, deep ashy-grey feathers. Back and
tail-coverts bright fawn; quills, greater wing-coverts,
and tail feathers, glossy black; legs and claws dusky
black. Total length about two feet and-a-half.
The expanded wings, are more than five feet across.
The young, in common with many birds, take a con-
siderable time before they assume the colour of an
adult.
In all vultures the sense of smelling and vision are
highly developed.
The expanse and strength of the wing in king
vultures enable them to reach a lofty height, and
there remain, bringing their wondrous powers of
observation over a wide extent of country. Patient
under hunger, these birds are believed never to
attack birds and quadrupeds however small, while
they are alive; though when pressed with hunger,
from the want of their favourite carrion, they will feed
upon snakes aud lizards. A plentiful table during
the summer months is spread for these epicures,
when the lakes drying up, leave an abundance of
putrid fish on the shore. The king vultures are
thought to be solitary, or to live in pairs; but some
travellers have stated that in Mexico they are to be
seen in large flocks. The term king has been ap-
plied to this particular species from a tradition,
that other vultures patiently stand by till this their
monarch has finished his repast. From the superior
strength and courage of these birds, the opinion pro-
260
a E
——— ———
(a Sree
THE LA MMER-GEYER
ET ee
SS
Frag a a
ES
THE LEMMER-GEYER.
bably, is not without foundation. The king vultures
make their nests in the hollow of trees, laying two
)) eggs only.
’ THE LAAMMER-GEYER
(Cypaetus barbatus.)
Tus Lemmer-geyer, unlike other vultures, far from
having the neck bare, has it thickly covered with
feathers; neither will it feed on carrion, unless very
hard pressed by hunger. In its bold and predatory
habits it greatly resembles the eagle, pouncing, with
violent impetuosity, on animals exceeding itself in
size; deer, goats, hares, and various large birds,
being alike destroyed by this ferocious warrior. Its
talons are of a straight form, which disables it from
carrying its prey to a distance; the victim is usually
devoured on the spot.
This bird is about four and-a-half feet long, and
more than eight feet from wing to wing. A forked
brush of long hair, divided at the point into two,
proceeds from the cavity of the lower jaw at the be-
ginning of the throat. The wings and tail feathers
are ashy-grey, while the mantle, back, and wing co-
verts are deep grey-brown; the beak and claws are
black; feet blue; iris orange; which colour likewise
prevails on the lower part of the breast. The eye is
) surrounded by a red lid. Like many other birds,
the plumage varies according to age.
The habitat of the lemmer-geyer is extensive,
ge
being found in the highest mountains of Europe,
gale Sete)
66
|
a.
ww
oe
RN
: ne
4) SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
| Asia, and Africa. Formerly it was numerous in all
the mountainous regions of the Tyrol, Switzerland,
and Germany, but has now become one of the rarest
birds of Europe. Its nest is found on the naked
| summits of precipitous rocks; the eggs, two, which
( are white, marked with brown blotches.
Bruce, the African traveller, tells us that this noble
bird, in Abyssinia, is not an object of any chace or
pursuit, or stands in need of any stratagem to bring
it within reach. Upon the highest top of the
mountain Lamalmon, while the traveller and his
party were enjoying themselves after a toilsome as-
cent, dining, in the open air, with several large dishes
of boiled goat’s flesh before them, one of these birds
suddenly appeared. It did not stoop rapidly froma
| height, but came flying slowly along the ground, and
sat down close to the meat. A loud shout was made,
Se ee
and the bird stood for a minute, as if to recollect
itself, giving the party time to collect their arms.
Mr. Bruce perceived that the attention of his new
visitor was fully fixed upon the flesh, and though the
traveller had walked up close to the bird, it deliber- )
ately put its foot into a pan where was a large piece )
in water about to be boiled, but the smart from the
hot water made the bird Jeave the piece which it had
held. Two large pieces lying near on a platter, a leg
and a shoulder, the lemmer-geyer very deliberately
trussed these with his claws, and looking, as the tra-
veller thought, very wistfully at the large piece in the
water, carried off what he had gotten. Not many
minutes elapsed before the bird returned, the party
loudly exclaiming, “He is coming, he is coming.â€
During the interval a rifle had been prepared, and
262
THE SECRETARY
THE SECRETARY.
the uninvited guest received a ball through his body,
which proved fatal without a single struggle
THE SECRETARY.
(Gypogeranus serpentarius.)
Turis singular bird is chiefly found in the eastern
parts of south Africa. By the Dutch at the Cape it
was called the snake-eater, appearing ever to be in
search of serpents, not merely for the purpose of
food, but for the sport or pleasure of killmg them. .
In a country abounding with dangerous reptiles,
therefore, the secretary is invaluable. In a state of
nature it is wild and difficult of approach, but if
taken young it may be easily tamed, and hence
frequently found in the poultry-yard of the Cape
colonists. . Provided that this bird be well supplied
with food, it does no injury to the poultry, but if
overlooked in this respect by its owners, the secretary
will take the liberty of helping itself to a duckling
or achicken. Its habits are strictly carnivorous.
In size, the secretary is about three feet in length ;
its eye full, and surrounded by a naked skin ; the
plumage bluish-grey, with a reddish-brown tinge on
_the wings; the greater quills are black; the
throat and breast nearly white; the legs bright
black. Its crest, consisting of black and grey fea-
thers, it can raise or depress at pleasure.
These birds are not gregarious, but live in pairs.
They build, if practicable, on high trees, or very close
263
Lar
NR NN INO OCT ONTO
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
thickets. Their long naked legs enable them to run
with great swiftness, although heavy on the wing.
That entertaining traveller, M. Le Vaillant, re-
marks that the Dutch named this bird the secretary
on account of the tuft of plumes which it has, the
clerks in Holland being in the practice, when inter-
rupted, of putting their pen behind the ear. This
bird, remarks the same author, has three bony blunt
protuberances at the bend and last joint of the wings,
which form its arms in any aggressive attack. Far
from being a timid creature, the secretary is waging
a continual war, seeking his enemies everywhere, and
attacking them with indomitable courage. M. Le
Vaillant, on one occasion, was descending from a
mountain into a very deep bog; he perceived at
some distance a bird which raised and lowered itself
very rapidly, and with very extraordinary movements.
Struck with this phenomenon, and favoured by the
presence of some rocks, he found means of approach-
ing pretty near without being discovered. He per-
ceived that the bird was a secretary, combating with
a serpent. The fight was very sharp on both sides,
and the skill about equal in each of the combatants.
But the serpent perceiving the imequality of its
strength, employed that adroit cunning which it
possesses, in order to save itself by flight, and regain
its hole, while the bird, divining its intention, stopped
it at once, and throwing itself before the serpent by
one spring, cut off its retreat. Wherever the reptile
essayed to escape, there it always found its enemy.
The serpent, uniting skill with courage, erected itself
fiercely to intimidate the bird, and presented itself
with a frightful hiss, a menacing gape, inflamed eyes
264
\
\ VOL. I. 2M 265
INO IIR AIL RRRD RED AIRE
THE SECRETARY.
and a head swollen with rage and poison. Some-
times this offensive resistance suspended hostilities
for an instant, but the bird soon returned to the
charge, and covering its body with one of its wings,
as with a shield, struck its enemy with the bony
protuberance of the other, and which, like small
clubs, overpowered it the more surely. The serpent
reeled and fell extended, when the conqueror threw
himself upon it, and finished the work with one blow
of the bill, which split the serpent’s skull. When
the secretary attacks a large snake, it not unfre-
quently strikes its victim on the back with its foot,
to break the back-bone.
Another traveller, (Mr. Smith), confirms the same
account. ‘The secretary was noticed to approach
some object with great caution, continually agitating
one of its wings. It was discovered to be a large
serpent, which on perceiving the bird, raised its
head and prepared for its defence. The secretary
gave the snake a quick but heavy blow with its wing
which laid it prostrate; and then, after a moment’s
pause, seized the vanquished foe with its feet and
bill, and rising perpendicularly im the air let the
serpent fall on the ground, more securely to des-
troy it.
The bird mentioned by Le Vaillant, on being killed
and dissected, the crop was found to contain eleven
large lizards, three serpents as long as one’s arm,
eleven small tortoises entire, with a quantity of
locusts and insects. With a crop so well filled, the
secretary’s attack could not have arisen from hunger,
but from the hatred and antipathy which it bears
to these reptiles.
67
coe
In Hes. Nachar—(Falco chrysztos.)—IN Ena. The Lacerator.
Doth the EAGLE mount up at thy command, and make her nest
on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, and the
strong place. From thence she seeketh her prey, and her
eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up blood:
and where the slain are, there 1s she.â€â€”JOB, chap. xxxix.,
27—80 inclusive. :
No words can more graphically describe the Eagle,
that king amongst birds, than do these of the pa-
triarch Job. As a family, eagles are very widely
spread over nearly the space of the whole earth, and |
though each species varies in some minor particulars,
yet, essentially, one general description may be given
of them all. Their habits, also, are virtually the same.
Of eagles, generally, it may be said that the bill is
strong, of considerable length, and hooked towards
the extremity; their legs are strong, nervous, cov-
ered with feathers or naked; the toes robust,
and armed with powerful and very crooked claws ;
their wings long and muscular, while the first,
. second, and third feathers are shorter than the fourth
and fifth. They are, moreover, never found in com-
pany, but in pairs, excepting during the season of
incubation, when the male bird wings his rapid flight
after his prey alone. Their nests, according to the
sacred writer above quoted, are on high, on the in-
accessible and craggy rock; the young ones suck up
blood; the old birds stirring them up in thee nest,
fluttering over them, spreading abroad their wings,
taking up the young, and bearing them on their wings,
266
}
THE GOLDEN EAGLE.
(
TN
a ee
OR em
————
THE GOLDEN EAGLE.
SSS SE SSS
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
to be long coming to perfection, varying their colour
from year to year; and from this circumstance, it
was but reasonable to expect that their longevity
would be great. Keysler accordingly refers to an
individual at Vienna, which lived a hundred and
four years, though in captivity. Neither is their
endurance’ of abstinence less remarkable, especially
when deprived of exercise; for one taken from a
fox-trap, refused food for five weeks, when it was
killed. Redi informs us that he kept two eagles
alive, the one for twenty-eight, and the other twenty-
one days, without food. It should, however, be
borne in mind, that the eagle, unlike the vulture, is
never a gluttonous feeder.
Numerous stories are related of the amazing
strength of this bird, and of its carrying off children
as its prey. Ray, an author of undoubted credit,
mentions, that in one of the Orkney islands, an
infant of a year old was seized in the talons of
an eagle, and conveyed about four miles to its eyry ;
while the mother, knowing the spot, pursued the
bird, found her child in the nest, rescued it from
its perilous situation, and conveyed it home unhurt.
Such a story is quite within the sphere of possibility,
and perhaps from the acknowledged courage of the
bird, especially when it has young, of probability also.
The prowess of the golden eagle has long been
known by the aborigines of America; a young Indian
warrior glorying in his eagle plume as the most
honourable ornament with which he can adorn him-
self. So highly are these plumy ornaments prized,
that a warrior has often exchanged a valuable horse
for the tail-feathers of a single cagle. )
268
= - a
SO ag pn
——
Se
THE SEA EAGLE.
nn mo
ooo
THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. -
(Faico albicilla.)
Tuts bird, often. called the sea eagle, is rather smaller
than the golden eagle, but possesses great strength,
vigour, and courage. The beak, cere, and eyes, are
of a pale yellow; the space between the beak and
the eye of a bluish colour, and thinly covered with
hair; the sides of the head and neck are of a pale
ash, mixed with brown, which is the prevail-
ing colour of the plumage; the quill feathers are
nearly black; the breast marked with irregular white
spots ; the tail, its leading characteristic, white; the
legs are a bright yellow with black claws.
The white-tailed eagle is widely scattered over
most of the countries of northern Europe ; often to
be seen on the coasts of England, Holland, and
France, but is a permanent sojourner in Scotland. (
It is a very hardy bird, possessing the power of absti- ©
nence to an extraordinary degree, having existed for
several weeks together without any sustenance.
In Greenland these birds are killed with arrows,
or caught in snares laid on the snow, their flesh
being regarded as a dainty. Under garments and
beds are made of their skins, which are sewed to-
gether. The bill and claws serve as amulets in the
treatment of various complaints. ;
The nest of the white-tailed eagle is usually built
upon a lofty tree: two eggs are generally laid, some-
times three. The female has the character of being
but an indifferent mother. After a short time, she
unceremoniously drives the young from the nest.
eo
a
THE OSPREY.
(Falco haliztus.)
Tur osprey is the smallest of the eagle family,
its entire length scarcely ever reaching to two feet ;
and its breadth, from the tip of one wing to the
other, five feet. The bill is black, with a blue cere;
the eye yellow; the upper parts of the body brown ;
the under-parts and breast white, slightly spotted
with brown; the crown of the head is also white ;
the legs are short and thick, and of a pale blue
colour; the claws are black.
This bird is believed to be more numerous than
any of the large birds of prey, being thickly scattered
over the whole extent of Europe, and northern Africa
also. Its haunts are on the sea-shore, and on the
borders of lakes and rivers. It is a most expert
fisherman, darting upon fish, its principal food, with
ereat rapidity, and undeviating aim. Nature seems
to have formed this bird for catching fish, the outer
toe being larger than the inner one, and turning
easily backward, by which means its slippery prey
can be more readily secured.
Sometimes the osprey is known to select the lofty
rock, or the tall tree for constructing its nest, but
more generally it builds on the ground, among reeds,
laying three or four eggs.
The incubation of birds is one of the mysteries
of nature. Why birds of the same family should
choose such different localities for building, or why
they should alter their usual locality, are mvsteries
which we cannot explore.
270
a
ee
i
Ee ee ae
a ca eg
1. BALD EAGLE. 2. FISHING-HAWK.
zi eS
Se I
ae
(
! THE WHITE-HEADED, or BALD EAGLE.
(Halizetus leucocephalus.)
Tuts bird has often been confounded with the white-
tailed or sea eagle, already described; the young of
this species may, before its fourth year, easily be
mistaken; but after that time a final development
takes place, which at once distinguishes it from the
remainder of its tribe. This character consists in
the pure whiteness of its head and neck, from whence
it has derived the popular, though inappropriate title
of the bald eagle, by which appellation it is most
commonly known. ‘The upper parts of the body are
deep brown; the under parts a dirty white, mixed
with brown. The quill feathers, and primary wing-
coverts are black; the beak a dusky brown; the cere
and legs yellow, with talons nearly black; the tail is
perfectly white.
The bald eagle is found in every part of the United
States, preferring, however, the low lands of the sea-
shores, those of the larger lakes, and the borders of
rivers and very mountainous districts. If the habitual
residence of this bird be not the regions of the
Arctic circle, certain it is, that it is an early visitor
to the fur districts of Hudson’s Bay. It sometimes
builds as far south as Virginia, although its nests are
not so commonly found within any part of the
United States, as in the fur countries. :
The work of incubation begins in January, the nest
being usually placed on the top of a very large
tree, which happens towards the summit to be des-
titute of branches. It is of immense size, often as
271
|
_ ———————E—E—EE——EE—EOEOEeeeeeeeeleleleE—EEeE—eEeeEeeeT
OOO OTOFTFOOFO TOO oem
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY
much.as from five to six feet in diameter, and when
finished, about the same in depth, receiving some
augmentation each season. The eggs are most com-
monly two or three, and of a dull white colour.
The Yankees have made this bird the symbol of
the United States. In this choice we quite agree
with Franklin, that our brothers, or rather our sons
of the American Union, have not shown their good
taste. “For my part,†says the Doctor, “1 wish the
bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative
of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character;
he does not get his living honestly. You may have
seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy
to fish for himself, he watches the labours of the
fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at
length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for
the support of his mate and young ones, the bald
eagle pursues him, and takes it from him. With
all this injustice, he is never in good case, and like
those among men who live by sharping and robbing,
he is generally poor, and often very lousy. Beside,
he is a rank coward; the little king-bird, not bigger
than a sparrow, attacks him boldly, and drives him
out of the district. He is therefore by no means
a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati
of America, who have driven all the king-birds from
our country ’? Notwithstanding this little error of
judgment, we wish every possible prosperity to young
‘America; and that the lessons which the Great
Exursrtion has taught, or may yet teach, may he
eminently useful. Gop oranr Tat Tae UNITED
STATES MAY EVER BE GREAT AND FREE! !
272
7
4
ee
or
THE HARPY EAGLE
|
THE HARPY EAGLE.
(Harpyia destructor.)
Tue last of the eagle family which we propose to
notice, and which may be seen in the Zoological-
gardens, Regent’s-park, is the harpy eagle, remark-
able for its destructive habits, being quarrelsome,
sullen, and fierce. Its habitat is Guiana, and the
neighbouring districts, of South America.
The robust legs, and extraordinary curvature of
the beak and talons of this bird sufficiently demon-
strate its predatory powers. The sudden curvature
downward of the upper mandible, with a strong
anchor-hook towards the point, which is excessively
sharp, together with the comparative shortness of the
wings, readily distinguish this marauder from other
eagles. The length from beak to tail is about three-
and-a-half feet. The head is covered with a thick
downy plumage of slate-grey, and a crest of black
| and grey feathers, rising from the back of the head,
\
:
which the bird has the power of raising or depressing.
The back, wings, and fore-part of the neck are black;
the feathers of the back somewhat lighter; the breast
and legs are white, the latter variegated with black
bars. The tail is ashy, banded with black ; the beak
and claws black; the legs, partly feathered, are
dusky yellow.
In its native forests of Guiana its tyranny extends
not merely to birds, and small animals, but to the 2)
most ferocious, and evén to man himself; a single
blow of its beak having been known to cleave a
man’s skull. It more commonly feeds upon sloths,
/ VOL. I. 2N ve
\
De TEE
Cora a a
69
more ee
4
STII
er eee eee ee ee
Spa
he ee
Fee Le ee
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,
fawns, and other young quadrupeds. A harpy eagle
having been taken when young, and tamed, was not-
withstanding so spiteful, that if an unfortunate
monkey happened to approach too near its cage, the
winged savage would seize and devour it entire, with
the exception of a few of the bones, having first
carefully skinned it.
THE FALCON.
(Falco communis.)
Tue falcons, like the eagles, have various minor dis-
tinctions of size and colour, which distinguish one
kind from another; yet are there certain general
characteristics by which they are all known. Their
bill is short, and bent from its base: the upper man-
dible having one, and rarely two strong teeth, which
lock into hollows in the lower mandible; legs robust;
toes strong and long, armed with crooked and sharp
claws; the back toes, or tarsi, short; wings long,
the first wing-feather and the third of equal length,
the second longest; this particular organization
giving amazing rapidity of flight,
These birds prey habitually on living animals, and
show much address in surprising and seizing their
prey. They nestle in the crevices of rocks.
The greater number of the falcon family were for-
merly employed with success in hawking. The name,
noble birds of prey, which has been applied to them,
comes from the prerogative once attached to falconry,
the practice of which was only permitted to nobles. +¢
274
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This gave rise to the common saying, that a gen-
tleman may be known by his hawk, horse, and grey-
hound, the first of these being carried on the hand.
Even ladies in those days were partakers of this
gallant sport, and are often represented in sculpture
with hawks on their hands.
The mania of hawking is now laid aside, and what
was once regarded as a noble diversion, quite ne-
glected ; agricultural improvements, and inclosure of
lands, would but ill accord with the pursuits of the
falconer, who requires a large and extensive range of
country, where he may pursue his game without
molestation to himself, or injury to his neighbour.
The expense which attended this sport was very con-
siderable, and therefore confined to princes and men
of the highest rank. In the time of James I., Sir
Thomas Monson is said to have given a thousand
pounds for a cast of hawks.
The people of England formerly took as much
pleasure in falconry, as they now do in hunting and
racing. The art of teaching one species of bird to
fly at, and catch another, probably took its rise in
the Hast, and that from remote ages; whence it
afterwards came into Europe. From the Heptarchy
to the time of Charles II., faleonry was one princi-
pal amusement of the gentry of England; a person
of rank scarcely stirring out without a bird upon his
hand. King Alfred, a.p. 872, had his falconers
among those persons whose skill in different profes-
sions he encouraged.
In Domesday Book the. practice of falconry is
illustrated by numerous entries. In the 14th of
Henry II., Walter Cnot one of the King’s tenants,
275
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
rendered his rent at the exchequer in three hawks
and three girfalcons. By the 34th Edward III. it
was made felony to steal a hawk; to take its eggs,
even in a person’s own ground, was punishable with
imprisonment for a year and a day, besides a fine at
the King’s pleasure. In Elizabeth’s reign the im-
prisonment was reduced to three months; but the
offender was to find security for his good behaviour
for seven years, or lie in prison till he did. Edward
TII., when he invaded France, took thirty falconers
with him, who had charge of his hawks. Queen
Elizabeth often enjoyed this royal sport, as did her
successor James I. Neither were the clergy behind
in their patronage of hawking. Hawks and hounds
were even taken to church. According to the Ori-
ginalia rolls, 85th Edward IIL., it appears that the
prices which the sheriff was to give for hawks for
the King’s use, were for a falcon gentil, 20s.; a
tersil gentil, 10s.; a tersil lestour, 6s. 8d.; and a
lanner, 6s. 8d. In an account book, 20th Henry
VIII., a gos-hawk and two falcons are prized at £3,
and five falcons and a tersil at £8. In 1619, a gos-
hawk and a tersil were sold for a hundred marks, or
£16: 5s.
The birds chiefly employed in these sports were
the gerfalcon, the falcon, the lanner, the sacre, or
falcon gentil, the hobby, the kestril, and the merlin :
these were called the long-winged hawks. The gos-
hawk, the sparrow-hawk, the kite and the buzzard,
which were denominated the shorter-winged hawks.
The falconer depended upon the long-winged hawks
for taking the larger birds, as herons and cranes;
while the shorter-winged hawks were employed for
276
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THE FALCON. \
the capture of smaller birds. It is worthy of remark,
that in the practice of hawking, the female birds
were always preferred, not merely for their superior
size and courage, but also for their greater aptitude
in training, and ready obedience when on flight. In
the language of falconry, the female peregrine was
exclusively called the falcon; the male peregrine the
tercel, tiercel, and tiercelet; young peregrines of a
year old were called, the female a red falcon, and
the male a red tiercel, to distinguish them from
older birds, which were called haggards.
The directions for training these birds were as fol-
lows :—after the feast of St. Margaret, the dranchers,
that is birds who could just fly, were ensnared. Then
the young prisoner was to be blindfolded, technically
termed znseele, which at first was done by sewing up
the eye-lids with needle and thread, but afterwards
simply by a bandage. The bird was next placed on
the perch, and left a night and a day in darkness,
and without food. Next the poor sufferer was taught
to sit on the hand; the second night after being fed,
it was to be kept awake all night and the next day,
to make it tame, when plenty of hot capon was to be
given it. Great patience and temper, if not wit and
talent, were really required in teaching and training
these fierce birds. The bird was next to be carried
about, accustomed to the sight of dogs and horses,
to hear all kinds of noises, and made to stand before
a fire, without flinching or blinking. The bird was
then to be brought by easy degrees to her lure, first
by dainties, making her jump upon your fist, then to
fall upon the wre, when held out to it, and then to
come at the sound of your voice; and to delight her }}
277 |
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
the more with the ure, it was to be ever garnished,
on both sides, with warm and bloody meat. The
lure, or hawker, was a staff about twenty-two inches
long, cased at the upper part with iron, having a
bell, and the figure of a bird carved at the top.
When this instrument was shaken, a well trained
hawk would descend to it from the clouds; but in a
bird of the highest training, the sight of the hood,
and the call of the faleoner, were enough. If during
the training the bird became indocile, one meal was
then to serve for three; but being tamed by low
diet it was again to be coaxed by tit bits. When a
young hawk was taken into the field, it was at first
only cast off at pigeons, or easy game, least the
bird being foiled, or punished, at her first beginning,
should lose her courage, or become fowl. If the
hawk killed the bird at which it was cast, it was
rewarded with the head and neck of the captive,
which was eut off, and rubbed over with blood.
Having thus regaled itself it was left some time “to
rejoice,†that is to clean its beak, and prune its
feathers. Hawks were always taken to the field
hooded. The hoods were to be drawn very gently
over their heads, least they should be annoyed by
them. Two bells were also attached to the hoods,
which were neither to be too heavy, or of unequal
weight, but one bell was to be a note at least higher
than the other. Hawking gloves were worn both
by gentlemen and ladies. Spaniels or other dogs
were also required.
The hawk when fully tramed was taken out
either in cast or in dese, that is in couples or in
threes, and when the hunting party had reached a
278
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THE FALCON.
proper elevation to rouse the bird, the hawk was
treed from her head-gear, and was cast off from
the sportsman’s fist with a loud whoop to en-
courage it. The pursuer and the pursued would
sometimes fly so high as almost to be lost in the
clouds. When the hawk reached a proper elevation
above the game, she shot down upon it with all her
force and velocity. Sometimes the hawk would be
killed by the crane, or heron, which it attacked ; but
generally they fell both from the sky together, and
the object of the sportsman was, either by running
on foot, or galloping his horse, to get to the spot as
soon as they should reach the ground, in order to
assist the hawk in her struggle with its prey. The
victim being secured the hawk was fed, and again
made “to rejoice,†as before described, when the
hoods were replaced, and the party wended their
way towards home. Such was the royal sport o
hawking. We will only add, that though this prac-
tice is now unknown in western Europe, it is still
common in Turkey, Persia, and India.
The Peregrine Falcon varies in length from a foot
to a foot and-a-half; the beak blue-black; the cere
and eye-lids yellow; the eyes dark hazel; the head
and neck nearly black ; the back and prevailing co-
lour, varying at each moult, bluish slate colour:
wings and tail dark brown; legs and toes yellow,
with black claws.
The habits of this bird are strictly carnivorous,
feeding upon land and water-fowl, with rabbits and
hares. It isnaturally fierce and rapacious, especially
the females. It builds on high rocks ; sometimes on
the coast of England, but more frequently in Scot-
279
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
land, especially in the locality of St. Abb’s Head,
Frith of Forth. It has from two to four eggs,
which are of a pale reddish brown. Zubervile, an
old English writer, says, that this bird is called pere-
grine, because no man, christian’ or heathen, can
find their eyrie in any region ; and farther, because
they seek-so many strange and foreign coasts, and
range so far abroad.
It is quite true that this bird may be called a.
citizen of the world, being found in all the moun-
tainous countries of Europe, though very rarely in
champaign countries ; and never in marshy districts.
It is well known at a particular season of the year,
at Hudson’s Bay; aud Captain Parry brought home
several specimens from Melville Peninsula, now pre-
served in the British Museum. It is a summer
visitor of the northern parts of America; and in
winter frequents the shores of New Jersey and Penn-
sylvania, where it is celebrated for the havoc which
it makes among the water fowl. The ducks which
are struck by this marauder, are lacerated from the
neck to the tail; giving the fatal blow in passing;
the bird deliberately returns to pick up *ts prey.
THE JER-FALCON.
(Falco gyrfaico.)
Tuts is an elegantly formed bird, having its bill much
hooked and yellow; the iris dusky; the throat white,
which is also its general colour, spotted with brown ;
the breast and belly are marked by lines pointing
downward; the spots on the back and wings are
280
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THE JER-FALCON
KESTRELS, MALE AND FEMALE.
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THE KESTREL.
larger than elsewhere ; the feathers of the thigh are
very long, and of pure white; those of the tail are
barred ; the legs are pale blue, and feathered.
The habitat of this bird is to be found in the cold
and dreary regions of the north. In Russia, Nor-
way, and Iceland, it is common; rarely to be seen
in England, and only occasionally in Scotland and
the Orkneys.
It is the most formidable and intrepid of the
falcons, eagles only excepted; and was, as we have
already mentioned, highly esteemed for falconry.
Though never a voluntary visitor to a warm climate,
yet when transported thither, it loses nothing of its
native strength, energy, and cruelty. It boldly
attacks the largest of the feathered race ; the stork,
the heron, and the crane, becoming its victims.
Neither are fawns, goats, or other animals of large
size, secure from its attacks: the female is more ra-
pacious than the male.
THE KESTREL. —
(Falco tinnunculus.)°
Tux wings of this bird end at about three-fourths the
length of the tail; the upper part of the plumage,
of the male particularly, is variegated with numerous
black spots; wing-feathers banded interiorly; claws
black. The length a little more than a foot.
The kestrel is by far the most elegant of the
smaller British falcons, especially the male bird. It is
a common inhabitant of our rocky coasts, and is also
VOL. I. 20 2
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
widely spread throughout Europe. Though naturally
wild and fierce, yet when taken young it may be
easily domesticated. It feeds on moles, field mice,
frogs, and small birds.
This tyrant is often to be seen hovering in the air,
and fanning with its wings by a gentle motion, or
wheeling slowly round, at the same time watching
its intended victim; at length it darts upon it with
the swiftness of an arrow.
Its nest is usually built in the holes of rocks;
and the eggs, four or five in number, are of a
dirty white, blotched with rust colour of various
shades.
The male and female so much differ that they may
easily be taken for birds of different species.
THE HOBBY.
(Falco subbuteo.)
Tus is another of the falcons, the name of which
has already been mentioned in connexion with fal-
conry. It is about the size of the kestrel just de-
scribed, but a bird of less activity and courage. The
bill is blue ; the prevailing colour of the bird is a
bluish- black, the breast and belly being much
lighter ; the wings are brown; the tail a deep dove
colour, marked with white.
The hobby is migratory, visiting us about April,
for the purpose of incubation: having brought up
its family, it retires from our country, leaving in
October for some more congenial abode.
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THE MERLIN.
Though the reputation of this bird has passed
away with falconry, it still continues in a state of
unceasing warfare with larks, which constitute its
favourite food. Great numbers of these hapless
but pretty songsters being, by this means, yearly
destroyed.
THE MERLIN.
(Falco esalon.}
Tus bird is the smallest of the falcon family, not
exceeding the blackbird in size. The head, back,
and wings are a reddish-brown, tinged with ash ; the
quill feathers dark, with reddish-white; the tail is
long and marked with alternate dusky and pale bars;
the legs are yellow, with black claws.
Though small, the merlin is not wanting in cou-
rage, and like other little people, considers itself
equal to any of its tribe. Its food chiefly consists of
small birds. One peculiarity in this species must
not be overlooked, namely, that contrary to all other
falcons the male and female are of the same size.
_The merlin is known to breed in woods, laying
five or six eggs, but seldom in Great Britain, since
this visitor does not usually arrive amongst us till
October. A nest of this bird was, however, disco-'
vered a few years ago in Northumberland, with three
young ones about half grown. The nest was in the
middle of a high clump of heath, and so well con-
cealed, that it would not have been discovered, but
for a setting dog making a point at it.
Ee pS RO OI RO
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283
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THE GOS-HAWK.
In Hus. Netz.—(Falco palumbarius.)—In Eng. The Flyer.
“ Doth the HAWK fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings
towards the south ?†Jos, chap. xxxix., 26.
the falcon and the hawk, because of their amazing
rapidity of flight, and the length of their migrations.
The venerable patriarch, in the passage above quoted,
refers to that astonishing instinct which teaches birds
of passage to know their times and seasons, when to
Tur word employed in this text equally apples to |
\
migrate out of one country into another for the pur-
poses of incubation, a better supply of food, or for a
thy skill or wisdom, the precise period for taking
flight, or migrating and stretching her wings towards
a southern or warmer climate?†The passage is well
rendered by Sandys :—
“Doth the wild haggard tower into the sky,
And to the south by thy direction fly?â€
her migration not being conducted by the wisdom
and prudence of man, but by the superintending and
upholding providence of God.
Hawks may be reckoned as the third family
amongst birds of prey. Their wings are compara-
tively short, ending at about two-thirds the length
of the tail, the first wing feather being shorter than
the second, the third nearly equal to the fourth; feet
with long toes, especially the tarsus, or hindermost
toe, the intermediate one being the longest; the
claws are much bent, and very sharp.
284
Eee
Da a a ee Se
warmer or colder climate. The real meaning of the
passage, says Dr. Harris, is—‘ Doth she know, through
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THE GOS-HAWK.
The upper parts of the gos-hawk are a blue-ash
colour; a broad white stripe is above the eyes; the
under parts white, with transverse bands of dark
brown; tail ashy, with several dark bars; the bill
bluish-black ; the cere yellowish-green; the iris and
feet yellow. The length of the female is about two
feet, the male one-third less. ;
The gos-hawk is entitled to be ranked amongst
British birds; for, though it is seldom seen in Eng-
land, or even on the mainland of Scotland, it is far
from uncommon in the Orkney Islands. It more
generally chooses a high tree for buildimg its nest,
the female laying from two to four eggs, of a bluish-
white, spotted with brown.
This bird is very destructive to game, pigeons, and
poultry, dashing through the woods after its prey
with surprising impetuosity; still it has but little
pluck, for if it cannot immediately catch the object
of its pursuit it becomes discouraged, desists, and
perches on a neighbouring tree, waiting some more
favourable opportunity. In the palmy days of hawk-
ing, though it was in higher estimation than any of
the short-winged hawks, it was often condemned for
its want of perseverance, as a foul bird.
The gos-hawk is widely spread over the north of
Europe, Chinese Tartary,and North America. Hawk-
ing is still a favourite amusement in China, the Em-
peror keeping a number of birds for that purpose.
‘When he goes on « hunting excursion, he is attended
by his grand falconer, and a large number of persons
of inferior rank. Every bird has a silver plate fastened
to its foot, inscribed with its keeper’s name, that it
may be restored, in the event of its being lost.
285
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THE SPARROW-HAWK.
(Falco nisus.)
Tue length of the male bird is about a foot, the
female a fourth part larger. Its bill is blue,
and furnished with bristles at the base; the eye
bright orange; the top of the head, and all the upper
parts a dusky brown; the tips of the tail feathers,
the breast, belly, and under coverts of the wings and
thighs are white, finely barred with brown; the legs
and feet are yellow, the claws black. The male bird
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part of his body being of a dark lead colour, and the
bars on his breast much more numerous.
The nests of these birds are built either on high
rocks, lofty ruins, or in hollow trees. The number
of eggs range from four to six, which are of a dirty
white, blotched at the larger end with reddish spots.
Sparrow-hawks, though far from being large birds,
have ever been distinguished for their daring courage,
and ceaseless depredations. In one of their nests,
containing five young ones, Mr. Selby, a distin-
guished ornithologist, found a lapwing, two black-
birds, a thrush, and two green linnets, all recently
killed, and partly divested of the feathers. In the
absence of more dainty food they will also prey upon
mice, moles, lizards, and snails.
These birds, when taken young, may easily be
tamed; but such is their innate voracity, that though
the young are reared together, the female birds, being
the larger and stronger, will, if possible, destroy and
devour the males.
286
THE SPARROW HAWK
THE KITE.
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THE KITE.
Their habitat is extensive, these beautifully-coated
marauders being very numerous in different parts of
the world, from Russia to the Cape of Good Hope.
THE KITE.
(Falco milvus.)
“And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among
the fowls; the KITE after his kind.â€â€”LeEviticus, chap.
xi, 13, 14.
(
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Tux word Kite occurs only twice in the Bible,
namely, in the above-quoted passage, and in Deut.
xiv. 13; but neither of these passages throw any light
upon the particular species intended, but simply that
the falcon family, as birds of prey, were interdicted
) to the Jews.
Kites form the fourth section of the birds of prey.
The nostrils of these birds are placed obliquely, with a
|| fold at their exterior margin; the tarsi short, and
)) feathered a little below the knee 3 wings very long, the
third and fourth feathers longest; the tail forked,
being a distinguishing characteristic of this family.
(The upper parts of the body of the kite, or glead,
(( is a reddish-brown, the feathers bordered with a
brighter colour; lower parts ferruginous, with dusky
spots; feathers of the head and neck whitish, striped
with brown; the tail a bright ferruginous colour;
}) bill hooked at the end; cere, iris, and legs yellow.
Length, about two feet two inches.
} The flight of this bird is so peculiar, that by this
alone may the kite be known, sailing or gliding
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SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
through the air, without apparent motion of its
wings. It preys on young rabbits, hares, game of
all kinds, poultry, and young unfledged birds still
in the nest. The shepherd is constantly upon the
look-out for this unwelcome visitor, since it will
destroy young lambs. This bird is particularly
fond of young chickens, but the fury of the hen
is generally sufficient to drive the robber away. It
also greedily feeds on carrion, and in case of need
can make a dinner of snakes, mice, worms, or insects.
It frequently resorts to the neighbourhood of a town
or village, to pick up offal, which it also sweeps
from the surface of the water with great dexterity
when on the wing. The flight of the kite is most
rapid, and its capability of soaring in the a truly
wonderful. Often does it rise to heights which no
human eye can reach; yet at such distances can it
distinctly perceive its food, and descends upon its
prey with irresistible force. For such feats the kite
is singularly gifted by nature, its body scarcely weigh-
ing three pounds, with an extent, from the extre-
mity of one wing to the cther, of more than five feet.
Although the kite remains with us during the
whole year, yet is it not uncommon in the northern
latitudes of Europe, whence it retires, before winter.
Contrary tc the general habits of rapacious birds, it
often brings up a second brood. The female usually
lays two or three eggs, of a whitish colour, spotted
with brown. The nest is usually built on the fork
of a tree in a thick wood, with small sticks, and lined
with soft materials. In the event of the nest being
attacked, the female will often make a most vigorous
defence.
288
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THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.
(Falco furcatus.)
Tris beautiful variety of the kite is a native of the
United States, chiefly inhabiting the states of Loui-
siana and Mississippi, where they are abundant. They
arrive in these States in April, coming from the west-
ward, upwards of a hundred together having been
noticed to pass in an easterly course, and uttering a
sharp plaintive note. At that season, and in the month
of September, when they are all leaving the United
States, they are easily approached on alighting,
being then apparently fatigued, and busily employed
in preparing themselves for their journey, by dress-
ing and oiling their feathers. At all other times they
are extremely difficult of approach, being almost
always on the wing through the day, and at night
rest on the higher pines and cypresses bordering the
river bluffs, lakes, or swamps. In calm and warm
weather they soar to an immense height, pursuing
large insects called musquito hawks, and performing
the most singular evolutions that can be conceived,
using their long forked tail with an elegance of mo-
tion peculiar to themselves. Their principal food is
large grasshoppers, caterpillars, snakes, lizards, and
frogs. They sweep close over the fields, sometimes
alighting for a moment to secure a snake, and, hold-
ing it fast by the neck, carry it off, and devour it in
the air. :
When one of these birds is killed the whole flock
will come over the dead bird, as if intent upon carry-
ing it away. This gives an excellent opportunity to
YOu. I. 2P 289
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QCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
the sportsman of shooting what may be wanted, firing
as fast as the gun can be loaded.
The season of love commences immediately on the
arrival of this bird in the southern States ; and, since
their courtship takes place on the wing, their motions
are then more beautiful than ever. The nest is con-
structed on the top branches of the loftiest oaks or
pines near the water, and is externally formed. of dry
sticks, intermixed with moss, and lined with coarse
grass and feathers. The eggs are from four to six in
number, of a greenish-white colour, with blotches of
brown. The male and female sit alternately, the
one feeding the other. This may be true as regards
the swallow-tailed kite, but with birds generally it is
otherwise, the work of incubation falling chiefly, or
entirely, upon the female bird, the male taking care,
from time to time, to supply his yoluntarily-impris-
oned mate with a supply of food. The success of
incubation, as is well known, depends upon the con-
stant application of a certain degree of heat applied to
the eggs. This is the reason why the female amongst
birds so rarely and so unwillingly leaves her nest, lest
the eggs should become chilled. This natural pro-
cess has led to the hatching of chickens by the ap-
plication of artificial heat. To this subject we will
take occasion again to advert. Redéumur, a celebrated
naturalist, tells us of a lady who hatched four gold-
finches from five eggs, by keeping them in her bo-
som during ten days successively. The story is quite
possible; but we presume that ladies do not often
employ their bosoms for such purposes.
The swallow-tailed kite is a rare, and, probably, an
accidental visitor also to Great Britain. In 1772 one
290
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THE COMMON BUZZARD
—-
THE COMMON BUZZARD.
of these birds was shot at Balachoalish, Argyleshire,
and another, in 1805, was taken alive near Hawes, in
Yorkshire. The latter bird, beaten down by a tre-
mendous thunder-storm, and annoyed by the inces-
sant clamour of a flock of rooks which attacked it at
the same time, the distressed stranger took shelter
in a thicket, where it was seized before it could ex-
tricate itself. The person who caught it kept it for
a month, but a door being accidentally left open it
made its escape. It first alighted on a tree at no
great distance, from which it soon ascended in a
spiral flight to a great elevation, and then went stea-
dily off in a southerly direction as far as the eye
could trace it.
The length of this bird is about twenty inches ;
its beak and cere bluish; eyes nearly black; the
head, neck, breast, belly, and tail coverts pure white;
the back, wings, and tail feathers a glossy purplish
black; legs and toes greenish-blue; claws light
orange. Altogether it is a most graceful bird.
THE COMMON BUZZARD.
(Falco buteo.)
Tur buzzards form the next class ot rapacious birds.
The bills of these birds are small, bending imme-
diately from the base; the wings shorter than the
tail, and the first four feathers notched near their
tip; the first quill-feathers very short, the fourth the
longest; thigh feathers long and pendant; tarsi
short, with claws not much hooked.
291
sa
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The plumage of the common buzzard is brown and
ferruginous above, white and ferruginous beneath ;
the cere, eyes, and legs yellow; tail banded. with
brown. These birds, however, present a singular
variety, scarcely two being alike. In length they are
about twenty-one inches, and though possessed of
strength and ability to defend themselves, having
the weapons of the birds of prey, they are notwith-
standing cowardly, inactive, and slothful ; sitting for
many hours together on the same bough, flying
before a sparrow- “hawk, and easily beaten. They feed
on pigeons, partridges, small birds, reptiles, and
insects.
Though wanting in courage and energy, the buz-
yard is a model worthy of imitation in domestic life.
Tt feeds and tends its young with great assiduity, the
brunt of the work falling, as is usually the case, very
much upon the mother; but should any fatality
befall her, the male bird will take charge of the
brood, patiently rear the young, and combine in his
own person, the duties of both parents, until the
orphan progeny can provide for themselves. The
nest is usually constructed of small branches, lined
with wool and other soft materials. The number of
eggs laid seldom being more than two or three.
The buzzard, though a British bird, has an exten-
sive range, being well-known in the wooded parts of
the continent of Europe, south of Russia, and in-
habits Spain and Italy, passing over the Mediter-
ranean to North Africa: but Trebizond, Smyrna,
and Madeira appear to be its limits to the south-
ward.
202,
EE oe
MARSH HARRIER.
a
——
THE HONEY BUZZARD.
(Falco apivorus: )
Tis bird is somewhat larger than that just described.
Tts plumage is brown above, with cineritious bands on
the wings; under-parts white with brown spots; the
space between the eyes and the bill is covered with
close set feathers, resembling scales; the beak is
black ; the legs of a dull yellow colour, with black
claws.
The nest of the honey buzzard resembles that of
its congener above-mentioned. It is fond of mice,
frogs, and lizards; but generally feeds its young
with insects, especially wasps and bees, whence also
it receives its name. It does not soar like the kite,
but merely flies from tree to tree.
It is found in all the northern parts of Europe,
though rarely to be met with in England.
eee
THE MARSH HARRIER.
(Falco rufus.)
Tx harriers form another family of rapacious birds,
having in common a bill bending from its base ; the
nostrils oblong; the tail long and rounded; wings
long, the first “quill- feather very short, the third and
fourth longest; the tarsi, or hindermost toes, long
and slender.
The marsh harrier is sparingly scattered over most
of the countries of Europe; yet it is remarkable that
293
— Sl llOlEEOEeele OEE Oe eee eee
RETR II
Ca a cea eee
—
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,
England and Scotland. On the sandy flats of the
coast of Caermarthen no fewer than nine of these
birds have been seen at one time, regaling themselves
on the carcase of a sheep.
Its plumage is brown ; head and breast a yellowish
white; bill black; cere and legs yellow. The length
about twenty inches. .
of all the falcon tribe it is the most common both in !
THE HEN HARRIER.
(Falco cyaneus.)
Tus bird derives its English name from its pre-
datory visits to the poultry-yard, especially attacking
chickens three-parts grown, and which have lost the
protecting care of a mother, ever ready to expose
her own life for the protection of her young. The
head and upper part of the body are bluish-grey ;
the wing-feathers white at their origin, afterwards
black ; the under-parts pure white; the eyes and
legs yellow; wings short. About a foot-and-a-
half long.
The hen-harrier is entitled to be pronounced one
of the handsomest of our birds of prey. It always
flies low, skimming along the surface in quest of
prey. It delights in marshy situations, where it finds
its more favourite food, lizards, and other small rep-
tiles; it feeds also upon small birds, especially
chickens.
The female makes her nest on the ground, laying
{
generally four eggs, which are of a yeddish colour, ;
294
Sea ree ee ae cre ae Fg ne le ee CN
WUEâ€
Sere De
ee a
ae
HEN HARRIER.
—~—
A TRG GR GR
THE OWL.
with a few white spots. The different localities
which birds choose for building their nests admit of
no explanation, being guided by an instinct which the
ken of human knowledge has never explored. Yet
do the same birds, unless under peculiar influences,
choose one and the same locality for building ; one
kind of birds uniformly building on the ground ;
another kind upon some particular species of trees 5
a third kind upon rocks; and so on. The architec-
ture of each species amongst birds never varies.
The Cheviot hills, and the shady precipices of
Craglake, both in Northumberlandshire, are said to
be the favourite spots of this bird in England. The
whole of Europe, however, may be said to be its
habitat.
= 4
THE OWL.
In HEB. Leeleeth.—(Strix bubo.)—In Ena. The Burd of Night.
“And it shalt be an habitation of dragons and a court for OWLS.
The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild
beusts of the island, and the satyr shall ery to his fellow ;
the SCREECH OWL also shall rest there, and find for herself
a place of rest.†ISAIAH, chap. xxxiv., 18, 14.
Tue last of the birds of prey which require notice
are the owls, which form a numerous and remarkable
family. ‘Their bills are compressed, and bent from
their origin, the base surrounded by a cere, covered
wholly, or in part by stiff hairs. Head large, and
much feathered ; nostrils lateral, pierced in the an-
terior margin of the cere, rounded, open, concealed
295
——EEel™TEEE—EOeeE_EeEOe ee eee Ee
SS Sao
\
by hairs, and directed forwards; eyes very large, the
orbits surrounded by shield-like feathers; the legs
often feathered to the claws; three toes before, and
one behind, separable, the exterior reversible ; the
first wing-feathers dentated on their exterior border,
the third the longest.
( The greater number of this genus being nocturnal
birds of prey, it would appear natural to look for
some peculiarities in them adapted to their way
of life. We accordingly find these adaptations
specially in their sight and hearing. Our readers are
aware, that the eye consists of three coats, and three
humours; and in these generalities owls do not differ
from other creatures. But though the eye itself be
large, the cornea, or outermost coat of the eye is
very flat, and the aqueous humour inconsiderable ;
but the middle of the eye, consisting of the crystal-
line lens, is very convex, throwing the rays of light
well concentrated, upon the bottom of the eye, which .
is covered with the retina, or net-work, which is but
a ramification of the optic nerve ; the pigmentum, or
lining of the eye, not being as in human beings,
black, but purple or green. The globe of the eye is
also immoveably fixed in its socket by a strong
elastic, hard, cartilaginous case, covered with a skin
formed of fifteen different pieces, placed like the
staves of a cask, overlapping a little at the base, or
narrow end, and capable of being enlarged or con-
tracted by the bird; this peculiar conformation
obliges the bird to turn its head, and thus makes the
vision more distinct. For such a marvellous appa-
ratus little light is required ; and hence, a faint twi-
light is sufficient to enable the bird to pursue its
208
(eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeTTTEETEuEe
| SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
(
THE BROWN OWL.
EERE Ee
THE OWL. :
prey. The nictitating, or winking membrane, or
third eyelid, is also very large; and the upper eyelid,
unlike other birds, is moveable. The concave disc of
feathers surrounding the head materially aids vision,
by concentrating the rays of light. Owls are farther
assisted in their nocturnal depredations, by quick-
ness of hearing. Night-birds alone have a large
external ear; though not quite so prominent as
in quadrupeds. This opening is generally covered
with barbed feathers, more fringed than the others.
Even at twilight owls need not always go out in
search of food; for when in a building where their
prey abounds, they may be seen perched majestically
and silently upon some projecting substance, atten-
tive to the least sound. Thus elevated the sounds
indicative of their prey must ascend, and the acute
sense of the birds being roused, they ‘naturally turn
their head in the direction whence the sounds
emanate ; and thus discover and secure their prey.
Of the success of this bird in procuring food during
the hours of darkness one proof will suffice. A
female owl was one evening surprised on her nest,
with her two young ones, and a good supply of food.
The old bird, one of the young, and the food
were removed; but in the morning, when the nest
was again visited, the young one which had been left
in the nest had been supplied with three rabbits,
taken by the male bird during the night for family
use. There is yet another peculiarity in owls which
we must just notice. The whole body of the owl is
remarkably well-furnished with soft feathers, ap-
proaching almost to down, the legs and even toes,
being nearly covered with the same. The passage
VOL. I. 2a 297
oo
75
\
i
an
WS
rr ee
EE eee eT EEE
a ee
(
(
——
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
of the owl in consequence, through the air, is
noiseless, like that of a bag of feathers, giving no in-
dications of its approach to the prey. This arrange-
ment seems the more necessary, since the food
of the owl consists of animals which are themselves
nightly prowlers, and upon the look-out for their
own sustenance. By this quietness of flight the
victims have no warning of their danger, until they
find themselves in the actual grasp of their wily foe.
The great-horned owl is of an ochre colour,
marked with black and yellow spots and waves; the
throat is white; two tufts of feathers on the fore-
head; legs covered to the toes with feathers of
a reddish yellow; bill and claws horn coloured ; iris
bright orange. Length about two feet.
This species seldom perches on trees; its haunts
being mountainous and rocky situations, deserted
towers, precipices, and lonely crags. On these it
builds a very large nest, sometimes nearly a yard in
diameter, of sticks bound together by fibrous roots,
and lined with leaves. The female lays two eggs,
somewhat larger than those ofa hen. The young
are said to be very voracious, but are plentifully sup-
plied by their parents, with food: hares, rabbits, rats,
mice, and various reptiles.
Europe is the habitat of the great-horned owl;
though it very rarely visits Great Britain.
The word owl too frequently occurs in our author-
ised version of the Bible; several words in the original
Hebrew signifying other animals, yet rendered owl.
The extreme difficulty, however, of determining the
precise meaning of words referring to the orni-
thology of the Bible being even greater than that of
298
ee
THE BARN OWL
oe :
a EEE EE EEE
Se
t
——
THE COMMON BROWN OWL.
the mammalia. There can be little doubt, but that
the word translated screech owl, in the passage of
scripture above quoted, must refer to some species of
the owl, fitly designated, as the bird of night.
A variety of the present species of owl is remark-
able as the sacred bird of Minerva, and the emblem
of wisdom, so much venerated by the Athenians.
THE COMMON BROWN OWL.
(Strix stridula.)
Tue grey-brown owl has its wing coverts spotted
with white ; the feathers of the wings and tail being
banded across with blackish and reddish-ash colour ;
the eyes green; the feet feathered to the toes. The
length about fifteen inches.
This species has a large range, being natives of
most of the countries of Europe; it is also found in
Newfoundland and South America, frequenting large
and dense forests, concealing itself in the thickest
recesses. This bird is one of the most common of
the British owls, making itself notorious by its
horrible, and to many minds, ominous screechings
and hootings; noises which in lonely and quiet
localities may be heard for many miles around.
It breeds in the hollows of trees, or in barns
and granaries, in which it is weleomed by the farmer,
on account of the number of mice which it destroys.
Woe be to the tenants of the pigeon-house should
this bird pay them an unacceptable visit, since most
serious devastation would certainly follow. It lays
299
EEE
}
~
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
from two to four eggs of a dull white colour. The
young birds are clothed with a light-coloured down,
and soon become tame if fed from the hand. These
birds, in common with many other species, are often
brought up by the parent birds, after they are in (
captivity, for if put out of doors within hearing, the
old birds, will, durmg the night, bring them an ample |
supply of food.
THE COMMON BARN OWL.
(Strix flammea.)
‘Tux colour of this species varies considerably,
according to age, yellow variegated with grey and
brown, being the prevailing colours; the shafts of
the feathers are marked with black and white spots ;
the breast and belly also white; the feet and toes
covered with a short down; the eyes yellow. In
length a little more than a foot.
The barn, or white owl is found in most parts of
the world, as well as in every part of our own
country. Its more usual haunts are old churches,
decayed towers, and barns. In fine weather it
generally leaves its haunt about twilight, and may
be seen skimming along the ground, and exploring
the neighbouring woods in search of its prey, which
consists of rats, mice, bats, and beetles. It does not
hoot, but makes a blowing kind of noise, not unlike
the snoring of a man who sleeps with his mouth
open.
300
oe |
GREAT AND LESSER BUTCHER BIRD.
I I IIS II SEI
Oe a ne
CLASS II.—AVES, OR BIRDS. ] [ORDER II.—PASSERES.
DIVISION I.—DENTIROSTRES, OR TOOTH-BILLED.
THE GREAT BUTCHER BIRD.
(Lantus excubitor.)
Tue order of birds upon which we are now entering,
is not very clearly defined, nor is it easy to do this
with great precision. The great modern naturalists
consider, very properly, that the principal discrimi-
nating marks of this order must consist either in
the variety of their beaks or their claws.
The genus Janius, or butcher-bird, has a short bill,
but strongly hooked; the wings of moderate length,
somewhat pointed ; tail rounded ; toes free and equal.
HE a
|
The colour of the butcher-bird on the head, nape,
and back is bright ash, a band passing between the
eyes; the under-parts pure white; the wings black
and white; the bill and feet a deep black. Length
nine or ten inches.
This bird has never been known to breed in Eng-
land, although it is an occasional visitor here. It is
found in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and
Germany. In Holland it is rare; but rather a com-
‘mon bird in France, remaining there throughout the
whole year, frequenting woods in summer, and open
plains in winter. It is also found in Spain, Por-
tugal, and Italy. Its food consists of mice, frogs,
small ‘birds, and insects. It derives its name of
butcher-bird from its habit of suspending its prey,
after it has killed it, upon a thorn; hanging it up,
as a butcher does his meat.
301
76
SS EES
| aOnâ€~>~0-—-—6—0.—>>—00C0COEO0E
Ieee eeeeeeeeEeeEeeESEeES
—_—e———————— S000
a eas
Rp PI ip
in 1835, and lived with its owner for about twelve
months. It became very tame, readily taking food
| from the hand. When a bird was given to it,
) it invariably broke the skull, and generally ate the
) head first. It sometimes would hold a bird in
‘its claws, and pull it to pieces in the manner of
hawks; but usually preferred forcing part of it
) through the wires, and pulling at it. It always hung
what it could not eat upon the sides of the cage. It
would often eat three small birds in a day. In the
spring of the year it became very noisy, its cries
‘ much resembling those of a hawk.
In the palmy days of falconry, though the butcher-
\ bird was deemed unworthy of being trained itself,
) it was nevertheless employed in catching hawks
for that purpose. A small bag-net having been
placed in a favourable situation, and so eee
) that it could be drawn over quickly by a long string
) attached to it, a pigeon of light colour being tied
) on the ground as a bait, and the falconer concealed,
) at a convenient distance, in a hut made of turf,
) to which the string of the net reached, a butcher-
bird was also tied on the ground near the hut, two
\ pieces of turf being set up to serve it for a place
) ae een ee ee Se or of retreat from the
\ hawk. e butcher-bird, on perceiving its enem
) at a distance, by screaming isgale Pee it ee
failed to do, and running under the turf for protec-
tion, hereby gave notice to the falconer to pull the
string et the net the moment that the hawk ee
) upon the pigeon.
This bird has the reputation of being a mimic. Its
/
\
/
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY. \
An adult bird of this kind was taken near Norwich,
(
802 |
4
THE LESSER BUTCHER BIRD.
whistle, it is said, somewhat resembles that of the
grey parrot; its own warbling being most agreeable,
but often spoiled by the introduction of harsh and
discordant notes.
Its nest is generally built on trees, and made
of grass stalks, roots, and moss, with a liming of
wool or down. The eggs are from four to six, of a
ereyish-white, spotted at the larger end, with brown
and ash.
Turs bird, though less than the last described,
being only about seven inches long, greatly resembles
its compeer in fierceness and cruelty. The back and
wing coverts are a reddish-brown, the back of the
head and neck grey, the throat and vent white;
breast, belly, and flanks rose-red; tail wedge-shape,
_the middle feathers black, marked and tipped with
white, the legs and feet black.
It is found throughout Europe, but is a rare bird
in Great Britain. Hedges and low bushes are
the usual places for its nest; the number of eggs
about six, of a whitish colour, with a brown-reddish
circle towards the larger end.
On seizing their prey, especially the larger chafers,
they habitually transfix them on thorns, and then
tear off the body, till only the wing-cases, the
wings, and head are left. Small birds, and even
some of their own kind, are often destroyed by these
303
(
THE LESSER BUTCHER BIRD.
(Lanius collurio.)
|
|
NN
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
cruel marauders. A gentleman kept a young brood
of this species for some time, but though they lived
in amity for about two months, they then beeame so
very pugnacious, that two out of the four were
at length killed.
THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER.
(Muscicapa grisola.)
Tue flycatchers form a most extensive family, being
alike known in all latitudes. The bills of the birds
are strong and depressed at the base, and much
notched; the nostrils partly covered by hairs;
tarsus, or hinder toe as long as the middle toe, and
all of about the same length, but very short. They
derive their name from the food on which they
chiefly subsist, and which they catch very much on
the wing. They take their stand on a bush or post,
whence they spring forth on their prey, which they
eat without touching the ground, and then return to
their former station. Some of them will take fruit,
especially the cherry; and so well known are they
in the orchards of Kent, as to have received the
name of the cherry-suckers.
~ The spotted flycatcher is about six inches long,
pill dusky, and beset with hairs; the head and back
light brown, spotted wtth black; the breast and
belly white, tinged with red; the legs are black.
This bird is one of our most familiar and quiet
visitors, having no song. It appears early in the
spring, returning to build its nest on the same spot
304
WSS
THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER.
THE AZURE FLYCALUME Ke
year after year, unless it meets with some inter-
ference; sometimes choosing to build close to the
entrance of a house where people are going in and
cut all day long. It is by no means nice as an
architect, carelessly making its nest of such stub-
born materials, that it is wonderful how the artificer
could employ them at all. The female lays four
or five eggs, spotted with dark rusty red, breeding
but once during the season. When the young can
fly she retires with them to the woods, as if the
better to initiate them in the art of fly-catching.
Early in September these birds disappear.
THE AZURE FLYCATCHER.
(Muscicapa azurea.)
Tux azure flycatcher does not essentially differ from
the foregoing, only that instead of a brown coat it
assumes one of a beautiful blue. Neither is it
a visitor to the British isles, confining itself to a
warmer climate, especially Brazil, which seems to
be its native home. Its habits, so far as we are
acquainted with them, are the same as its numerous
congeners.
In countries under the more immediate influence
of the sun, the birds of this class are of infinite use,
in destroying those numerous swarms of noxious
insects which everywhere abound. All nature may
thus be balanced, by one animal feeding upon an-
other, and the circle of generation and destruction
perpetuated. 5
VOL. I. 2k 305
|
|
THE GREAT TANAGER.
(Tanagra magna.)
Tue tanagers form the third family of tooth-billed
passerines. Their bills are short, strong, and bent
at the point; the upper mandible longer than the
under, and notched. This gives them great facility
in cracking hard seeds and nuts, which form a con-
siderable part of their food. The ¢arsus, or hinder-
most toe, is of the same length as the middle toe.
The second and third quill-feathers of the wing being
longest. ‘Their habits are those of the sparrow
tribe; but many of them are conspicuous rather for
the brilliancy of their plumage, than the beauty
of their song. They are all foreign, inhabiting the
warmer districts of North and South America, and
never visiting. Great Britain but im captivity.
The great tanager, in its upper parts, is olive-brown,
with the forehead and cheeks blue. It has a black
stripe near the jaw. The throat and vent are red,
with occasional white spots. In length it is some-
what more than eight inches.
Birds of gaudy plumage, and without song, are in
general shy, unsocial, and suspicious, living in
the deepest recesses of the forest, and yarely ap-
proaching the habitations of man, unless perhaps to
the skirts of the orchard, where they sometimes
stealthily resort for a taste of the early-inviting, but
forbidden cherry.
~ The nest of the great tanager is built about the
middle of May, in some forest tree, but exhibits no
particular skill in the architect. The eggs are from
306
THE GOLDEN JANEGER.
THE BLACKBIRD
et Nt
THE GOLDEN TANAGER,
as
three to four in number; the female contenting her-
self with a single brood during the year. ‘The early
care of the young devolves upon the mother; but
after a certain time the male bird becomes unremit-
ting in his attention to them, following them after
they have flown, and not unfrequently exposing him-
self to considerable danger, in the discharge of this
domestic employment.
Though members of a numerous species, they are
better known by their appearance in the cabinets of
the ornithologist than from their habits in their
native wilds.
a
=
THE. GOLDEN TANAGER.
(Tanagra-aurata.):
Tuts bird very nearly resembles that just described,
excepting in size and colour. It is. much smaller
than the great tanager, being even less than our
common sparrow. ‘The plumage is the principal
characteristic of this species, which is a rich golden
colour. It makes a twittering noise, but has no
song.
THE BLACKBIRD.
(Turdus merula.)
No birds are better known, or more highly es-
teemed, than that which we are next to describe ;
307
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HIStToey,.
not indeed for the splendour of its livery, but the bril-
lrancy of its song. Blackbirds range with the tootk-
billed family, though their upper mandible is but
slightly curved, and notched at the point; the base
of the bill is faurnished with some coarse hairs, which
point forward. They have three toes before, and one
behind, arranged on the same level; the bill and
feet are tawny yellow; the iris and. legs black; a
yellow circle surrounding the eyes. Length about
nine inches.
The male bird is altogether black, but the female
is brown, inclining to a rusty colour on the breast
and belly, so that it has often been taken for a bird
of a different species. This bird is remarkable for
its strong musical voice, making the woods resound
with its melody. He begins to sing on the first fine
day in spring, and continues, excepting during the
silent month of August, the moulting season, until
the beginning of winter, It is a solitary bird, fre-
quenting woods and thickets, but unlike the thrush,
never is to be found in flocks. Blackbirds prin-
cipally feed on berries, fruits, and insects.
They are early in the work of incubation, begin-
ning to make their nest on the first dawn of spring,
and will bring up two or three broods during the
season. The female has her nest chiefly in low
bushes near the ground, laying four or five eggs, of
a bluish-green colour, marked irregularly with dusky
spots.
The young birds are, it is said, easily brought up
in captivity, and may be taught to whistle a variety
of tunes, for which their native vocal powers aamy-
rably fit them. Though wild, restless, and timavrous,
3808
THE THRUSH
THE THRUSH.
out-of-doors, the old birds may be readily snared,
and soon become reconciled to confinement. They
are seldom kept but in cages, having, in aviaries, an
incessant propensity to tease and harass their fellow-
prisoners.
THE THRUSH.
(Turdus musicus.)
Tur Turusn, or Turostie, is not distinguished by
gay plumage, the upper parts being brown; the
breast white, inclining to a yellowish-red towards
the tail, and beautifully variegated with spots of a
conical shape; the inside of the wings, and the
mouth are yellow, as are also the legs; the claws are
strong and black. The throstle is larger than the
redwing, but less than the missel thrush.
This bird is most highly gifted in song. Amongst
our permanently resident singing birds it holds the
first place, for the clearness, sweetness, and fullness
of its-notes. Its song is beside very varied, and of
long continuance, beginning early in the spring, and
continuing until a late season. After other birds
have retired to rest, this pleasing warbler continues
to sing until very late at night.
‘The nest is usually built in bushes, of dried grass
intermixed with a little earth or clay, and lined with
rotten wood. The female lays five or six eggs, of a
paie blue colour, marked with dusky spots. The
femaie is very similar to the male.
309
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THE COMMON BEE-EATER.
(Merops apiaster.)
Tus bird, although formerly not believed ever to
visit Great Britain, has of late years been seen
amongst us, it may therefore be regarded as, at least,
an occasional visitant to this country. A specimen
in the British Museum, has on the label the word
Devonshire, where, we presume, it was taken.
The forehead of the bee-eater is greenish-white,
the nape and top of the back being chesnut; the
rest of the body reddish-vellow; the middle of the
wing deep red; the wing and tail-feathers olive-
green; the throat golden yellow, with a black semi-
coilar. The bird is distinguished by the two middle
tail-feathers being elongated. It is therefore sin-
gularly handsome, inhabiting most of the countries
of Europe, especially in the south.
These birds feed on bees and wasps, which they
seize on the wing; and it seems surprising, that
they are not stung by these insects. They are not,
however, confined to this diet, but eat beetles, grass-
hoppers, and other insects. From the make and shape
of bee-eaters, they ;robably prey also upon fish.
Their nests are made in the banks of rivers, where
they dig deep holes, laying from five to seven white
eggs, the nest being composed of moss and other
soft materials. In habits, and general appearance,
they greatly resemble the kingfishers, having plumes
of brilliant colours, which change according to expo-
sure to light, the prevalent hues beg azures and
greens.
THE MOCKING BIRD.
THE MOCKING BIRD.
(Turdus polyglottus.)
Amone the numerous family of the thrushes, there
is no species more remarkable than that which now
claims our attention. In its general appearance it
does not essentially differ from its congeners, the
plumage being grey-brown above, greyish-white be-
neath; the lateral tail feathers, and spot on the
wing, white; rump grey blue; legs cenereous. In
size about that of our common blackbird.
It is by no means uncommon in the more tempe-
rate regions of North and South America, and in
several parts of the West Indies. So extensive is its
range, that it has been traced from the states of New
England to Brazil, although much more numerous in
those states which are south of the river Delaware,
than in those to the north of it, being in fact migra-
tory in the latter, but permanently resident in the
former. A warm and low country, not far from the
sea, appears most congenial to the nature of this ex-
traordinary songster.
Its powers of voice are so great, that in the opinion
of Audubon, who spent a long life in the study of
American birds, and therefore a competent judge,
the song of the mocking bird is far beyond that of
the nightingale. He compares the notes of the lat-
ter to a student under a Mozart; but yet thinks it
quite absurd to compare its essays with the finished
talent of the mocking bird. Besides the copious
volubility of its “wood-notes wild,†the imitative
powers of this bird are truly amazing, mimicking
311
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY,
with case, all its fellows, whether of the forests or
the waters, as well as many quadrupeds. The lively
habits, equally with the vocal powers of this won-
derful songster, charm alike the eye and ear of the
observer.
The ease, elegance, and rapidity of its movements,
the animation of the eye, and the intelligence it dis-
plays in listening and laying up lessons from almost
every species of the feathered creation within its
hearing, demonstrate the peculiarity of its gemius.
Its voice is full, strong, musical, and capable of end-
less modulation, from the mellow notes of the wood
thrush, to the savage scream of the bald eagle.
‘Keeping close in its imitations to the originals, it
notwithstanding improves upon them, making the
sweeter sounds more sweet, and adding dissonance to
the harsher notes. Mounted on the top of a tall
bush, or low tree, at the dawn of day, when the nu-
merous warblers of the forest have already begun the
charming matins, then does this inimitable vocalist
rise pre-eminent over every competitor. The ear can
alone listen to this sylvan Jenny Lind, the songs of
all other birds seeming but an accompaniment. This
ardour of song will continue undiminished for an
nour together, the vocalist sweeping occasionally
round in enthusiastic ecstasy, with expanded wings
and tail, glistening with white; the buoyant gaiety
of its actions, arresting the eye, as its song most irre-
sistibly does the ear. At other times this bird will
give a series of imitations, so startling, that a by-
stander may well come to the conclusion, that
though he sees but a single bird, yet that he is hear-
ing a fuil choir of the feathered race assembled to«
312
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“HE MUCKING BIRD. |
gether on a trial of skill, each striving to produce its <{
utmost effect. So perfect are the imitations of this
king of song, that he often deceives the sportsman,
sending him in search of birds, that perhaps are not
within miles of him; even birds, themselves, are de-
ceived by this admirable mimic, being at one time
decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates; and at
another, are driven precipitately into the depths of
the thicket, at the supposed scream of their enemy, (
the sparrow-hawk. . (
In captivity the mocking bird may lose a little of
its natural power and energy of song; yet being a
very apt scholar, its mimicking becomes even more
expanded. It whistles for the dog; Czesar starts up,
wags his tail, and runs to meet his master. The
bird squeaks out like a hurt chicken; when the hen
hurries about with drooping wings, for the protection
of her young one. Our mimic can bark with the
dog, mew with the cat, creak with the ungreased
wheel, repeat full and faithfully the lengthened tune
of its master’s teaching; run over the quivering
notes of the canary bird, or the clear whistlings of
the Virginian red bird. Such is its love of variety,
that in the midst of its melodious and most compli-
cated warblings it will stop to crow with the cocks, \
cackle with the hens, repeat the shrill reiterations of
the whip-poor-will, scream with the swallow, or
chatter with the jay. These, with twenty other
sounds, may be heard in succession, yet the sole per-
former in this singular concert is the mocking-bird.
Neither does this bird content itself with day recita-
tions. No sooner does the moon rise in all the so-
lemn stiliness of night, than our songster begins its
VOL. I. 28 313
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—
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delightful solo; serenading the inhabitants of the
house through the live-long night, with a full display
of its powers, making, in fact, the whole neighbour-
hood ring with its inimitable melody.
In a state of nature, having spent many a long
and pleasant night in musical performances, at
a peculiar note of the female, the song of the male
suddenly ceases, and he attends to the wishes of his
mate. A future family must be provided for; and
as an incipient step, their mutual attention is directed
to the choice of a site where the nest may be most
securely constructed. The orange, the fig, and the
pear-tree of the garden, may be inspected; but
knowing that man is not their most dangerous
enemy, instead of retiring from him, they often seek
an abode in his immediate vicinity ; choosing, per-
haps, the nearest tree to his house. Dry twigs,
leaves, grass, cotton, and other substances are se-
SORIPTURE NATURAL HISTURY.
lected, and carried to a forked branch of the tree, and
there properly arranged. The male bird is the very
model of a husband. His mate having deposited
five eggs in their newly constructed domicile, he has
little else to do than to attend to her comfort, during
her confinement. He, therefore, attunes his pipe
anew, and serenades his mate to repose. LEvery now
and then, he spies an insect on the ground, the taste
of which he believes will be grateful to the palate of
his beloved one; he therefore seizes his prey, and
beating it against the ground, flies with it to the nest
to feed his devoted partner, and receive her sincere
thanks. This continues for fourteen days, the pe-
riod of incubation, when his zeal becomes redoubled
to supply the wants of his infant family.
e
THE REDWING AND FIELDFARE
THE FIELDFARE.
Although this bird is considered, like the robin
with us, to be sacred, the planters of Louisiana giving
them protection, and never permitting, at any time,
a mocking bird to be shot; yet have they enemies
in cats, and especially in the black snake, which is
the mortal enemy of our songster’s eggs and young.
Should, however, the marauder, when detected,
not make the most precipitous retreat, the special
and deadly vengeance of the male bird, rarely leaves
the serpent until he has breathed his last.
The food of this species consists of the berries of
the red cedar, myrtle, holly, and a profusion of
others, with which the swampy thickets abound
Of winged insects, likewise, they are exceeding fond,
especially while rearing their infant family.
THE FIELDFARE.
(Turdus pilaris.)
Tue length of the fieldfare is about ten inches,
its head, neck, and lower part of the back, being
ash-coloured, the top of the back, and wing coverts,
chesnut; the space between the eye and bill black;
the throat and breast, bright red, with black trian-
gular spots; the belly pure white; the tail black.
The fieldfare in this country is a migratory bird,
arriving here, for the most part, in October or No-
vember, in numerous flocks, and frequently remain-
ing until April, but more generaily taking its
departure in March.
315 .
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
The migration of birds has arrested the attention
of naturalists in all ages; but while we are acquainted
with certain facts, the precise nature of those facts,
and their causes, are to us unknown. Some birds
visit us in the spring, and having brought up a
family, retire with their young in the autumn of the
year ; but why they leave, or where, or how they go,
remain a mystery. The same remark is applicable
to another class who visits us in the autumn, or
during the winter, sojourning amongst us until the
spring, when, sooner or later, before the season of in-
cubation, they take their departure ; never by any
chance, breeding in this country. These migrations,
in most cases, are so periodical, that no regard seems
to be paid, either to the state of the weather, the
forwardness or lateness of the season, the actual
plenty or scarcity of food, or other adventitious
circumstanees: many birds make their reappearance
almost on the same day of the month, and that for
years together. Most of them return, from time to
time, to the same locality; while others, as the
swallows, come to the same identical spot which they
had previously occupied. All this can alone be re-
ferred to an impress by the hand of their Maker, but
the particulars of which we cannot explore.
Fieldfares, unlike most other thrushes, are of a
sociable disposition, sometimes flying singly, but
generally in very numerous flocks, often of hundreds,
or even thousands, together. In searching for food
they are obliged partially to disperse; but even
then they seldom lose sight of each other; but when
alarmed fly off, and collect together, perhaps, upon
the same tree.
316
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GREAT AUK.
SOOT EEE
THE REDWING.
During the winter these birds feed upon haws, and
other berries; occasionally regaling themselves with
worms, snails, and slugs. On leaving this country,
they retire, it is supposed to Russia, Norway, Siberia,
and Kamtsclratka.
THE REDWING.
(Turdus iliacus.)
Tur redwing requires only a very short notice, being
in appearance and habits very like the fieldfare. The
billis brown; the eyes hazel; the plumage like the
thrush, but with a white streak over the eye; the
feathers under the wing are tinged with red, which
is its particular characteristic.
They arrive somewhat before the fieldfares, fre-
quent the same places, eat the same food, and retire
from us about the same time. Their song is said to
be very pleasing, though unknown to the groves of
Great Britain, from the season of the year when
they live amongst us.
The female builds a nest in low bushes or hedges,
and lays about six eggs, of a greenish-blue colour,
spotted with black.
Redwings and fieldfares were considered to be deli-
cate eating by the ancient Romans, who held them
in such estimation, that thousands of them were kept
together in aviaries, and fed with a sort of paste
made of bruised figs and flour, to improve the deli-
cacy and flavour of their flesh. In the opinion of
their goodness for the table, modern epicures juite
concur.
THE LYRE BIRD.
(Mcenura superba.)
So ong ago as the year 1802, heutenant Collins
described the lyre bird, giving a print of the same.
He considered it one of the singular wonders of
Australia, of which country this bird is a native. It
has been chiefly seen in the forests of Eucalyptus
and Casaurina, which cover the Blue mountains,
and in their rocky and retired retreats. Travellers
and authors have been much divided as to what
class this lusus naiure belongs; baron Cuvier, how-
ever, ranges it with the passerine, or sparrow family.
The bill is depressed at the base, and straight, the
tip being obsoletely notched; the nostrils naked, and
placed near the middle of the bill. Feet very large,
strong, and robust, the fore-toes being nearly equal
in length; the claws are of enormous size, im pro-
ortion to the size of the bird, and are obtuse
and slightly curved. The throat and chin are of
a dark rufous colour, the rest of the body of a dusky
grey ; the wings are also dark rufous. ‘The feathers
of the tail are singularly developed, and composed. of
three different sorts. The twelve ordinary feathers
are very long, with loose and very distant barbs ;
two more in the middle are furnished on ove side
only, with close set barbs, and the two external on2s
are curved in the form of an 8, or like the brancaes
of a lyre, the internal barbs of which are jarge |
and closely set, representing a broad ribbon, wuile
the external ones are very short, and do no% become
enlarged till towards the end of the feathers. Lhe
318
LYRE BIRD.
THE LYRE BIRD.
female differs very little from the male, excepting in
the tail, which, in the hen bid, is composed of
twelve feathers, a little curved and plumed, having
the upper side of a dark rufous and grey colour; the
under, of a pearly white colour. Notwithstanding
the sombre hues of this extraordinary bird, the mag-
nificence and peculiar structure of the tail of the
male, imitating the form of an ancient Grecian lyre,
give it a superb appearance. The lyre-bird has
never yet been brought alive to this country; but
some fine specimens of it may be seen in the British
Museum.
These birds are believed to be gallinaceous in their
habits, living together in small companies. In the
interior of the country, they are far from uncommon ‘
but near the habitation of man, such has been the
ardour with which these birds, as well as other
animals, have been pursued by the settlers, that
a number of species, both of birds and beasts,
whether useful or noxious, are rapidly disappearing.
Their tail feathers may be purchased in the shops
ot Sydney, but not at a lower price than from
thirty to forty shillings the pair.
The lyre-bird has its young in December, the
season when all the wild animals in the colony are
produced. It builds in old hollow trunks of trees,
which are lying on the ground, or in the -holes
ot rocks; the nest is formed meéyely of dried grass,
or dried ieaves, scraped together; the female lays
trom twelve to sixteen eggs, of a white colour,
totted with bine; the young are difficult to catch,
sce they run very fast, concealing themselves
among rocks and bushes.
~~
NN eo Ebmm TT EL EE
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY.
This bird is of heavy flight, though swift of foot.
On catching a glimpse of the sportsman, it runs with
rapidity, aided by the wings, in getting over logs of
wood, rocks, or any obstruction to its progress. It
seldom flies into trees, except to roost, and then
rises only from branch to branch. On descending
from its roost it has been seen to fly some distance,
and may more often be observed in the early hours
of the morning and evening, than during the heat of
the day. Like the gallinaceous tribe, it scratches
about the ground and roots of trees, to pick up
seeds or insects.
The aborigines, when they can procure the
splendid tail-feathers of this bird, are accustomed to
decorate their greasy locks with the same.
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