| | CHAPTER III. | | ARTIODACTYLA—RUMINANTIA: | | BOVIDÆ (concluded)—OXEN, PRONGHORN ANTELOPE, MUSK [DEER], AND GIRAFFE. | | THE NYL-GHAU—Description—Habits—THE MUSK OX—Difficulties in associating it—Distribution—Habits—THE OX—Chillingham Wild Cattle—Their Habits—Domestic Cattle—The Collings, Booth, and Bates Strains—American Breeding—Shorthorns, and other Breeds—Hungarian Oxen—Zebu—Gour—Gayal—Curious mode of Capturing Gayals—Banting—THE BISONS—Description—European Bison, or Aurochs—Almost extinct—CÆsar’s Description of it—American Bison—Distribution—Mythical Notions regarding it—Their Ferocity and Stupidity—“Buffalo” Flesh—THE YAK—Habits—THE BUFFALOES—Varieties—Description—Fight between two Bulls—THE ANOA—THE PRONGHORN ANTELOPE—Peculiarity as to its Horns and Skull—Professor Baird’s and Mr. Bartlett’s Independent Discovery of the Annual Shedding of the Horns—Habits—Peculiarity about its Feet—Colour—Difficulties as to its Position—THE MUSK [DEER]—Its Perfume—Where is it to be placed?—Description—Habits—Hunters for the Perfume—Their Sufferings—THE GIRAFFE—Peculiarities—Skull processes—Its Neck—Habitat—Running power—Habits—Hunting | 29 | | CHAPTER IV. | | THE CERVIDÆ, OR ANTLERED RUMINANTS: | | THE ELK, ELAPHINE, SUB-ELAPHINE, AND RUSINE DEER. | | The Deer Tribe—Distinguishing Characters—Exceptions to the rule—The Musk (Deer) and Chinese Water Deer—Other Characters of the CervidÆ—Antlers, their Nature, Growth, and Shedding—The Knob—“Velvet”—Getting rid of the “Velvet”—Full equipment—Contests—Interlocking Antlers—Distribution—Classification—Development of Antlers in the Common RED DEER—Explanation of the various stages—Splendid “Heads”—Simple and Complex Antlers—Types of Antlers—THE ELK, OR MOOSE DEER—Appearance—Antlers—Habits—Hunting—THE ELAPHINE DEER—THE RED DEER—Distribution—Appearance—Hunting—THE WAPITI—Acting of the Fawns—THE PERSIAN DEER, OR MARAL—THE CASHMERIAN DEER, OR BARASINGHA—Habits and General Appearance—BARBARY DEER—SUB-ELAPHINE DEER—THE JAPANESE, FORMOSAN, AND MANTCHURIAN DEER—THE FALLOW DEER—Peculiarity of its Antlers—THE PERSIAN FALLOW DEER—THE RUSINE DEER—THE SAMBUR, OR GEROW—Habits—Species of Java, Formosa, Sumatra, Borneo, Timor, Ternate, and The Philippines—THE HOG DEER—THE AXIS DEER—PRINCE ALFRED’S DEER—THE SWAMP DEER—SCHOMBURGK’S DEER—ELD’S DEER, OR THE THAMYN—Description—Habits—Hunting—Shameful havoc | 46 | | CHAPTER V. | | THE MUNTJACS—THE ROEBUCK—CHINESE DEER—REINDEER—AMERICAN DEER—DEERLETS—CAMEL TRIBE—LLAMAS. | | THE MUNTJACS—Distribution—Characters—THE INDIAN MUNTJAC, OR KIDANG—Hunting—THE CHINESE MUNTJAC—Habits—DAVID’S MUNTJAC—“Shanyang”—THE ROEBUCK—THE CHINESE WATER DEER—Peculiarity—Chinese Superstition regarding it—THE CHINESE ELAPHURE—Peculiarity of its Antlers—THE REINDEER—Distribution—Character—Colouration—Antlers—Canadian Breeds—Food—THE AMERICAN DEER—THE VIRGINIAN DEER—THE MULE DEER—THE BLACK-TAILED DEER—THE GUAZUS—THE BROCKETS—THE VENADA, OR PUDU DEER—THE CHEVROTAINS, OR DEERLETS—Antlerless—Their Position—Bones of their Feet—General Form and Proportions—Species—THE MEMINNA, OR INDIAN DEERLET—THE JAVAN DEERLET—THE KANCHIL—THE STANLEYAN DEERLET—THE WATER DEERLET—THE CAMEL TRIBE—Their Feet—Stomach—Its Peculiarity—The Water Cells—THE (TRUE) CAMEL—Description—The Pads of Hardened Skin—Its Endurance—Its Disposition—Anecdote of its Revengeful Nature—THE BACTRIAN CAMEL—THE LLAMAS—Description—Habits—Used as Beasts of Burden—Wild and Domesticated Species—THE HUANACO—THE LLAMA—THE VICUNA—THE ALPACA—The Alpaca Industry—FOSSIL RUMINANTIA—Strata in which they are found—Choeropotamus—Hyopotamus—Dichobune—Xiphodon—Cainotherium—Oreodon—Sivatherium—Fossil Deer, Oxen, Goats, Sheep, Camels, Llamas, Antelopes, Giraffes—The Irish Elk—Its huge Antlers—Its Skeleton—Ally—Distribution | 61 | | ORDER RODENTIA. | | CHAPTER I. | | INTRODUCTION—THE SQUIRREL, MARMOT, ANOMALURE, HAPLODONT, AND BEAVER FAMILIES. | | Character of the Order—A well-defined Group—Teeth Evidence—Kinds and Number of Teeth—The Incisors: their Growth, Renewal, and Composition—The Molars—The Gnawing Process—Skeleton—Brain—Senses—Body—Insectivora and Rodentia—Food of Rodents—Classification—THE SIMPLE-TOOTHED RODENTS—Characteristics—THE SQUIRREL-LIKE RODENTS—SCIURIDÆ—Distinctive Features—THE COMMON SQUIRREL—Form—Distribution—Food—Bad Qualities—Habits—THE GREY SQUIRREL—THE FOX SQUIRREL—Flying Squirrels—Their Parachute Membrane—THE TAGUAN—Appearance—Habits—Other Species—THE POLATOUCHE—THE ASSAPAN—The Genus Xerus—THE GROUND SQUIRRELS—THE COMMON CHIPMUNK—THE MARMOTS—Distinguishing Features—THE SPERMOPHILES—THE GOPHER—THE SISEL, OR SUSLIK—THE BARKING SQUIRRELS—THE PRAIRIE DOG—Description—Species—Habits—Burrows—Fellow-inmates in their “Villages”—THE TRUE MARMOTS—THE BOBAC—THE ALPINE MARMOT—THE WOODCHUCK—THE HOARY MARMOT, OR WHISTLER—ANOMALURIDÆ—Tail Peculiarity—Distinctive Features—HAPLODONTIDÆ—Description—THE SEWELLEL—CASTORIDÆ—THE BEAVER—Skeletal Peculiarities—General Form—Appearance—Distribution—The Beavers of the Old and New World—Habits—Wonderful Sagacity—The Building Instinct—Their Method of Working—The various Stages—Their Lodges—Their Dams—Activity by Night—Flesh—Hunted—The Castoreum | 81 | | CHAPTER II. | | THE DORMOUSE, LOPHIOMYS, RAT, AND MOUSE FAMILIES. | | THE MOUSE-LIKE RODENTS—MYOXIDÆ—Characteristics—THE DORMOUSE—Description—Habits—Activity—Food—Winter Condition—THE LOIR—THE GARDEN DORMOUSE—LOPHIOMYIDÆ—How the Family came to be Founded—THE LOPHIOMYS—Milne-Edwards’ Opinion—Skull—General Form—Habits—MURIDÆ—Number of Species—Characteristics—Variety of Forms—Distribution—The Murine Sub-Family—THE BROWN RAT—History—Fecundity and Ferocity—Diet—At the Horse Slaughter-houses of Montfaucon—Shipwrecked on Islands—Story of their Killing a Man in a Coal-pit—In the Sewers of Paris and London—THE BLACK RAT—THE EGYPTIAN RAT—THE COMMON MOUSE—Habits—Destructiveness—Colours—THE LONG-TAILED FIELD MOUSE—Description—Food—THE HARVEST MOUSE—Description—Habits—In Winter—Agility—Their Nest—THE BANDICOOT RAT—THE TREE RAT—THE STRIPED MOUSE—Allied Genera—THE WHITE-FOOTED HAPALOTE—The American Murines—THE WHITE-FOOTED, OR DEER MOUSE—THE GOLDEN, OR RED MOUSE—THE RICE-FIELD MOUSE—THE AMERICAN HARVEST MOUSE—THE FLORIDA RAT—Description—Their Nest—Food—Mother and Young—THE BUSHY-TAILED WOOD RAT—THE COTTON RAT—THE RABBIT-LIKE REITHRODON—THE HAMSTERS—Characteristics—Appearance—Distribution—Burrows—Disposition—Food—Habits—THE TREE MICE—THE BLACK-STREAKED TREE MICE—THE GERBILLES—Characteristics—Habits—Other Genera—THE WATER MICE—Characteristics—Species—THE SMINTHUS—THE VOLES—Characteristics—THE WATER VOLE—Appearance—Distribution—Food—THE FIELD VOLE—THE BANK VOLE—THE SOUTHERN FIELD VOLE—THE SNOW MOUSE—THE ROOT VOLE—THE MEADOW MOUSE—THE PINE MOUSE—THE MUSQUASH, MUSK RAT, OR ONDATRA—Distinguishing Features—Habits—His House—THE LEMMING—Description—Food—Habits—Disposition—Their Extraordinary Migrations—Other Lemmings—THE ZOKOR | 101 | | CHAPTER III. | | MOLE RATS, POUCHED RATS, POUCHED MICE, JERBOAS, AND OCTODONTIDÆ. | | SPALACIDÆ, OR MOLE RATS—Characteristics of the Family—Habits—Food—THE MOLE RAT—Distribution—Description—THE CHESTNUT MOLE RAT—THE NAKED MOLE RAT—THE STRAND MOLE RAT—Description—Habits—THE CAPE MOLE RAT—GEOMYIDÆ, OR POUCHED RATS—Characteristics of the Family—The Cheek-pouches—THE COMMON POCKET GOPHER—Distribution—Description—Burrowing—Runs—Subterranean Dwelling—THE NORTHERN POCKET GOPHER—HETEROMYINÆ, OR POUCHED MICE—Difficulties as to Position—Characteristics—PHILLIPS’ POCKET MOUSE—Where Found—Description—THE YELLOW POCKET MOUSE—THE LEAST POCKET MOUSE—DIPODIDÆ, OR JERBOAS—Organisation for Jumping—Characteristics—Distribution—THE AMERICAN JUMPING MOUSE—Description—Characters peculiar to itself—Habits—THE TRUE JERBOAS—Characters—THE JERBOA—Distribution—Habits—Mode of Locomotion—THE ALACTAGA—THE CAPE JUMPING HARE—THE PORCUPINE-LIKE RODENTS—OCTODONTIDÆ—Characteristics—Sub-Family CTENODACTYLINÆ—THE GUNDI—THE DEGU—Description—Habits—THE BROWN SCHIZODON—THE TUKOTUKO—THE CURURO—THE ROCK RAT—Sub-Family, ECHINOMYINÆ—THE COYPU—One of the Largest Rodents—Description—Burrows—Habits—Mother and Young—THE HUTIA CONGA—THE HUTIA CARABALI—THE GROUND RAT | 120 | | CHAPTER IV. | | PORCUPINES—CHINCHILLAS—AGOUTIS—CAVIES—HARES AND RABBITS—PIKAS. | | HYSTRICIDÆ, THE PORCUPINES—Conversion of Hairs into Spines—Skull—Dentition—Tail—Sub-families—The True Porcupines—The Tree Porcupines—THE COMMON PORCUPINE—Distribution—Description—The Crest of Bristles—Nature of the Spines—Habits—Young—Flesh—On the Defensive—Other Species—Species of Tree Porcupines—THE COUENDOU—THE COUIY—Description—Habits—THE URSON, OR CANADA PORCUPINE—Description—Habits—Food—CHINCHILLIDÆ, THE CHINCHILLAS—Characteristics—THE VISCACHA—Description—Life on the Pampas—Their Burrows—Habits—The Chinchillas of the Andes—THE CHINCHILLA—THE SHORT-TAILED CHINCHILLA—CUVIER’S CHINCHILLA—THE PALE-FOOTED CHINCHILLA—DASYPROCTIDÆ, THE AGOUTIS—Characters—THE AGOUTI—Distribution—Appearance—Habits—AZARA’S AGOUTI—THE ACOUCHY—THE PACA—Appearance—Distribution—Habits—DINOMYIDÆ—Founded for a Single Species—Description—Rarity—CAVIIDÆ, THE CAVIES—Characteristics—THE RESTLESS CAVY—Appearance—Habits—The Guinea-Pig Controversy—THE BOLIVIAN CAVY—THE ROCK CAVY—THE SOUTHERN CAVY—THE PATAGONIAN CAVY, OR MARA—Peculiar Features—Its Burrows—Mode of Running—THE CAPYBARA—Its Teeth—Where Found—Habits—THE DOUBLE-TOOTHED RODENTS—Characteristics—LEPORIDÆ, THE HARES AND RABBITS—Structural Peculiarities—Distribution—Disposition—THE COMMON HARE—Hind Legs—Speed—Its “Doubles”—Other Artifices—Its “Form”—Habits—Food—Pet Hares—THE RABBIT—Distribution—Habits—Domesticated—THE MOUNTAIN HARE—LAGOMYIDÆ, THE PIKAS—Characteristics—Distribution—THE ALPINE PIKA—THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN PIKA | 133 | | CHAPTER V. | | FOSSIL RODENTIA. | | Families of Rodents represented by Fossil Remains—State of the “Record of the Rocks”—THE SCIURIDÆ—Sciurine Genera now Extinct—No Fossil ANOMALURIDÆ and HAPLODONTIDÆ—ISCHYROMYIDÆ—Pseudotomus hians—Gymnoptychus—CASTORIDÆ—Mr. Allen’s CASTOROIDIDÆ—THE MYOXIDÆ—No Fossil LOPHIOMYIDÆ—THE MURIDÆ—THE SPALACIDÆ—THE GEOMYIDÆ—THE DIPODIDÆ—THE THERIDOMYIDÆ—THE OCTODONTIDÆ—THE HYSTRICIDÆ—THE CHINCHILLIDÆ—THE DASYPROCTIDÆ—THE CAVIIDÆ—THE LEPORIDÆ—THE LAGOMYIDÆ—Mesotherium cristatum—Difficulties concerning it—Mr. Alston’s Suggestion—THE HEBETIDENTATA—Teeth—Skull—Skeleton—Conclusions regarding it—Table of Rodent Families—Concluding Remarks | 151 | | ORDER EDENTATA, OR BRUTA (ANIMALS WITHOUT FRONT TEETH). | | CHAPTER I. | | SLOTHS. | | The South American Forests—Discovery of the Sloth—How it derived its Name—Peculiarities of Dentition—Food—Fore Limbs and Fingers—Hind Limbs and Heel—Other Modifications of Structure—Kinds of Sloth—Waterton’s Captive Sloth—Habits of the Animal—Burchell’s Tame Sloths—Manner of Climbing Trees—Disposition—Activity among Trees—Naturalists’ Debate about Anatomy—Probable Conclusion regarding it—Skeleton—VertebrÆ—the Rudimentary Tail—Most Distinctive Skeletal Characters—Arm, Wrist, Hand, Fingers, Claws—Mode of Walking—Great Utility of the Claws—Face of Sloth—Skull—Teeth—Classification—TARDIGRADA—BRADIPODIDÆ—Genus BRADYPUS—Characteristics—Genus ARCTOPITHECUS—Characteristics—CHOLŒPODIDÆ—THE COLLARED SLOTH—Description—Skull Bones—Habits—Circulation of the Blood—Rete Mirabile—THE AI—THE UNAU—Appearance—Skull and Teeth—Skeleton—Interesting Anatomical Features—Stomach—HOFFMANN’S SLOTH—Description—Habits | 158 | | CHAPTER II. | | THE ANT-EATERS. | | THE CAPE ANT-EATER—The Cage at “the Zoo”—Appearance of the Animal—Its Prey—The Ant-hills-How the Orycteropus obtains its Food—Place in the Order—Teeth—Skull—Tongue—Interesting Questions concerning the Ant-eater—THE PANGOLINS, OR SCALY ANT-EATERS—THE AFRICAN SCALY ANT-EATERS—Differences between the Pangolins and Cape Ant-eaters—Their Habitat—Description—TEMMINCK’S PANGOLIN—Habits—Food—How it Feeds—Superstitious Regard for it shown by the Natives—Scarcity—Appearance—THE LONG-TAILED, OR FOUR-FINGERED PANGOLIN—THE GREAT MANIS—THE ASIATIC SCALY ANT-EATERS—THE SHORT-TAILED, OR FIVE-FINGERED PANGOLIN—The Species of Manis—Skull—Stomach—Claws fitted for Digging—Other Skeletal Peculiarities—THE AMERICAN ANT-EATERS—General Appearance—Genera—THE GREAT ANT-BEAR—Habits—Diet—How it Procures its Food—Distribution—Mode and Rate of Locomotion—Stupidity—Manner of Assault and Defence—Stories of its Contests with other Animals—Appearance—THE TAMANDUA—Description—Where Found—Habits—Odour—THE TWO-TOED ANT-EATER—Appearance—Two-clawed Hand—Habits—Von Sach’s Account of his Specimen | 169 | | CHAPTER III. | | THE ARMADILLO FAMILY. | | The Armour-plates—How the Shields are formed—Their connection with the Body—Description of the Animals—Mode of Walking—Diet—Skeleton—Adaptation of their Limbs for Burrowing—Classification—THE GREAT ARMADILLO—Appearance—Great Burrower—THE TATOUAY—THE POYOU, OR YELLOW-FOOTED ARMADILLO—THE PELUDO, OR HAIRY ARMADILLO—THE PICHIY—THE PEBA, OR BLACK TATOU—THE MULE ARMADILLO—THE BALL ARMADILLO—Dr. Murie’s Account of its Habits—Description—The Muscles by which it Rolls itself up and Unrolls itself—THE PICHICIAGO—Concluding Remarks: Classification of the Order, Fossil Edentates, the Allied Species of Manis in South Africa and Hindostan | 181 | ORDER MARSUPIALIA, MARSUPIAL OR POUCHED ANIMALS.
SUB-ORDER MARSUPIATA. | | CHAPTER I. | | THE KANGAROO AND WOMBAT FAMILIES. | | THE GREAT KANGAROO—Captain Cook and the Great Kangaroo—Habitat—Appearance of the Animal—Marsupials separated from the other Mammalian Orders, and why (Footnote)—Gestation and Birth of Young (Footnote)—Mode of Running—The Short Fore Limbs—The Marsupium, or Pouch—Head—Dentition—Peculiarities in the Teeth—Hind Extremities—Foot—Great Claw—How the Erect Position is maintained—Whence their Jumping Power is derived—Other Skeletal Peculiarities—Kangaroo Hunts—Becoming Rarer—Mode of Attack and Defence—Hands—Bones of the Fore Limbs—Skull—Stomach—Circulation of Blood—Peculiarity in Young—Nervous System not fully developed—Brain—The Baby Kangaroo in the Pouch—THE HARE KANGAROO—THE GREAT ROCK KANGAROO—THE RED KANGAROO—THE BRUSH KANGAROO—THE BRUSH-TAILED ROCK KANGAROO—THE COMMON TREE KANGAROO—THE KANGAROO-RATS—Characteristics—THE RAT-TAILED HYPSIPRYMNUS—Description—THE WOMBAT FAMILY—THE WOMBAT—Peculiarities—Description—Habits—Teeth—Skeleton | 191 | | CHAPTER II. | | THE PHALANGER, POUCHED BADGER, AND DASYURE FAMILIES. | | THE PHALANGER FAMILY—THE KOALA—Habits—Characteristics—THE CUSCUS—THE VULPINE PHALANGER—THE DORMOUSE PHALANGER—Habits—Remarkable Characters—THE FLYING PHALANGERS—Its Flying Machine—Habits—THE SQUIRREL FLYING PHALANGERS—Habits—The Parachute-like Membrane—Exciting Scene on board a Vessel—Characteristics—THE OPOSSUM MOUSE—THE NOOLBENGER, OR TAIT—A Curiosity among Marsupials—Distinctive Features—THE POUCHED BADGER FAMILY—Characteristics—THE RABBIT-EARED PERAMELES—THE BANDICOOT—THE BANDED PERAMELES—THE PIG-FOOTED PERAMELES—Discussion regarding it—Characteristics—THE DASYURUS FAMILY—Characteristics—THE POUCHED ANT-EATERS—THE BANDED MYRMECOBIUS—Description—Great number of Teeth—History—Food—Habits—Range—THE URSINE DASYURE—Appearance—“Native Devil”—Ferocity—Havoc among the Sheep of the Settlers—Trap to Catch them—Its Teeth—A True Marsupial, though strikingly like the Carnivora—Skeletal Characters peculiar to itself—MAUGE’S DASYURE—THE DOG-HEADED THYLACINUS—Description—Resemblance to the Dog—Habits—Peculiarities—THE BRUSH-TAILED PHASCOGALE—Description—Other Varieties | 203 | | CHAPTER III. | | THE OPOSSUMS. | | Prehistoric Opossums—Description of the Animal—Their Teeth—Habits—THE COMMON OPOSSUM—Appearance—Use of its Tail—Food—The Young—How they are Reared—D’AZARA’S OPOSSUM—THE CRAB-EATING OPOSSUM—THE THICK-TAILED OPOSSUM—MERIAN’S OPOSSUM—Pouchless Opossums—Their Young—THE MURINA OPOSSUM—THE ELEGANT OPOSSUM—THE YAPOCK—Classification of Marsupial Animals—Geographical Distribution of the Sub-Order—Ancestry of the Marsupials—Fossil Remains | 219 | | SUB-ORDER—MONOTREMATA. | | CHAPTER IV. | | THE PORCUPINE OR LONG-SPINED ECHIDNA AND DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. |
227 |
| THE CLASS AVES.—THE BIRDS. |
| CHAPTER I. |
| INTRODUCTION—WING STRUCTURE AND FEATHERS—DISTRIBUTION. |
| Introduction—Distinctive Characters of the Class Aves—Power of Flight—The Wing—Its Structure—The Six Zoo-geographical Regions of the Earth—Birds peculiar to these Regions | 235 |
| CHAPTER II. |
| THE ANATOMY OF A BIRD. |
| The Three Divisions of the Class Aves—ANATOMY OF A BIRD—The Skeleton—Distinctive Features—Peculiar Bone Character—The Skull—Difference between the Skull of Birds and that of Mammals—The Jawbones—Vertebral Column—Sternum—Fore-limbs—Hind-limbs—Toes—The Muscular System—How a Bird remains Fixed when Asleep—The Oil-gland—The Nervous System—The Brain—The Eye—The Ear—The Digestive System—The Dental papillÆ—The Beak—Tongue—Gullet—Crop—Stomach—Uses of the Gizzard—Intestine—The Liver, Pancreas, and Spleen—The Blood and Circulatory System—Temperature of Blood of a Bird—Blood Corpuscles—The Heart—The Respiratory System—Lungs—Air-sacs—The Organs of Voice—The Egg—Classification of the Class Aves | 239 |
CHAPTER III.
DIVISION I.—THE CARINATE BIRDS (CARINATÆ).
THE ACCIPITRINE ORDER—BIRDS OF PREY. |
| VULTURES AND CARACARAS. |
| The Birds of Prey—Distinctive Characters—The Cere—How the Birds of Prey are Divided—Difference between a Hawk, an Owl, and an Osprey—The Three Sub-orders of the Accipitres—Sub-order FALCONES—Difference between the Vultures of the Old World and the Vultures of the New World—THE OLD WORLD VULTURES—Controversy as to how the Vultures reach their Prey—Waterton on the Faculty of Scent—Mr. Andersson’s, Dr. Kirk’s, and Canon Tristram’s Views in Favour of Sight—THE BLACK VULTURE—THE GRIFFON VULTURE—Its Capacity for Feeding while on the Wing—THE EARED VULTURE—One of the Largest of the Birds of Prey—Whence it gets its Name—THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE—A Foul Feeder—THE NEW WORLD VULTURES—THE CONDOR—Its Appearance—Power of Flight—Habits—THE KING VULTURE—THE TURKEY VULTURE—THE CARACARAS—Distinctive Characters—Habits—THE SECRETARY BIRD—How it attacks Snakes—Habits—Appearance—THE ÇARIAMA. | 254 |
| CHAPTER IV. |
| THE LONG-LEGGED HAWKS AND BUZZARDS. |
| THE BANDED GYMNOGENE—Habits—Its Movable Tarsi—THE HARRIERS—Distinctive Features—THE MARSH HARRIER—Habits—Its Thievish Propensities—THE HARRIER-HAWKS—Colonel Greyson’s Account of their Habits—THE CHANTING GOSHAWKS—Why so Called—Habits—THE TRUE GOSHAWKS—Distinctive Characters—THE GOSHAWK—Distribution—In Pursuit of its Prey—Appearance—THE SPARROW-HAWKS—Distinctive Characters—THE COMMON SPARROW-HAWK—Habits—Appearance—THE BUZZARDS—Their Tarsus—THE COMMON BUZZARD—Where Found—How it might be turned to Account—Food—Its Migrations—Habits—Appearance—THE HARPY | 267 |
| CHAPTER V. |
| EAGLES AND FALCONS. |
| THE EAGLES—THE BEARDED EAGLE, OR LÄMMERGEIER—A Visit to their Nest—Habits—A Little Girl carried off Alive—Habits in Greece—Appearance—Von Tschudi’s and Captain Hutton’s Descriptions of its Attacks—THE TRUE EAGLES—THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE—Eye—Crystalline Lens—How Eagles may be Divided—THE IMPERIAL EAGLE—THE GOLDEN EAGLE—In Great Britain—Macgillivray’s Description of its Habits—Appearance—THE KITE EAGLE—Its Peculiar Feet—Its Bird’s-nesting Habits—THE COMMON HARRIER EAGLE—THE INDIAN SERPENT EAGLE—THE BATELEUR EAGLE—THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE—A Sea Eagle—Story of Capture of some Young—THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE—On the Wing—THE COMMON KITE—THE EUROPEAN HONEY KITE—Habits—ANDERSSON’S PERN—THE FALCONS—The Bill—THE CUCKOO FALCONS—THE FALCONETS—THE PEREGRINE FALCON—Its Wonderful Distribution—Falconry—Names for Male, Female, and Young—Hawks and Herons—THE GREENLAND JER-FALCON—THE KESTRELS—THE COMMON KESTREL—Its Habits and Disposition | 277 |
| CHAPTER VI. |
| THE OSPREYS AND OWLS. |
| THE OSPREY—Distribution—Food—How it Seizes its Prey—Nesting Communities—STRIGES, or OWLS—Distinctions between Hawks and Owls—Owls in Bird-lore and Superstition—Families of the Sub-order—THE FISH OWL—PEL’S FISH OWL—THE EAGLE OWL—Dr. Brehm’s Description of its Appearance and Habits—THE SNOWY OWL—HAWK OWLS—PIGMY OWLETS—THE SHORT-EARED OWL—THE LONG-EARED OWL—THE BARN OWL—The Farmer’s Friend—Peculiar Characters—Distribution | 296 |
| THE SECOND ORDER.—PICARIAN BIRDS. |
| CHAPTER VII. |
| THE PARROTS. |
| Characteristics of the Order—The Sub-orders—ZYGODACTYLÆ—THE PARROTS—Their Talking Powers—Sections of the Family—THE GREAT PALM COCKATOO—THE PYGMY PARROTS—THE AMAZON PARROTS—THE AMAZONS—THE GREY PARROT—Court Favourites—Historical Specimens—In a State of Nature—Mr. Keulemans’ Observations—THE CONURES—THE ROSE-RINGED PARRAKEET—Known to the Ancients—Habitat—Habits—THE CAROLINA CONURE—Destructive Propensities—THE PARRAKEETS—THE OWL PARROT—Chiefly Nocturnal—Incapable of Flight—How this Fact may be accounted for—Dr. Haast’s Account of its Habits—THE STRAIGHT-BILLED PARROTS—THE BRUSH-TONGUED PARROTS—THE NESTORS—THE KAKA PARROT—Skull of a Parrot—The Bill | 308 |
THE SECOND ORDER.—PICARIAN BIRDS.
SUB-ORDER I.—ZYGODACTYLÆ. |
| CHAPTER VIII. |
| CUCKOOS—HONEY GUIDES—PLANTAIN-EATERS—WOODPECKERS—TOUCANS—BARBETS. |
| THE CUCKOOS—THE BUSH CUCKOOS—THE LARK-HEELED CUCKOOS, OR COUCALS—THE COMMON CUCKOO—Its Characteristics—Mrs. Blackburn’s Account of a Young Cuckoo Ejecting a Tenant—Breeding Habits—The Eggs—The Call-notes of Male and Female—Food—Its Winter Home—Its Appearance and Plumage—THE HONEY GUIDES—Kirk’s Account of their Habits—Mrs. Barber’s Refutation of a Calumny against the Bird—THE PLANTAIN-EATERS—THE WHITE-CRESTED PLANTAIN-EATER—THE GREY PLANTAIN-EATER—THE COLIES—THE WHITE-BACKED COLY—THE WOODPECKERS—How they Climb and Descend Trees—Their Bill—Do they Damage Sound Trees?—THE WRYNECKS—THE YAFFLE—THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER—THE SPOTTED WOODPECKER—THE TOUCANS—Mr. Gould’s Account of their Habits—Mr. Waterton’s Account—The Enormous Bill—Azara’s Description of the Bird—Mr. Bates’ History of a Tame Toucan—THE BARBETS—Messrs. Marshall’s Account of the Family—Mr. Layard on their Habits | 323 |
THE SECOND ORDER.—PICARIAN BIRDS.
SUB-ORDER II.—FISSIROSTRES. |
| CHAPTER IX. |
| THE JACAMARS, PUFF BIRDS, KINGFISHERS, HORNBILLS, AND HOOPOES. |
| THE JACAMARS—THE PUFF BIRDS—THE KINGFISHERS—Characters—THE COMMON KINGFISHER—Distribution—Its Cry—Habits—After its Prey—Its own Nest-builder—Mr. Rowley’s Note on the Subject—Nest in the British Museum—Superstitions concerning the Kingfisher—Colour—Various Species—CRESTED KINGFISHER—PIED KINGFISHER—Dr. Von Heuglin’s Account of its Habits—New World Representatives—OMNIVOROUS KINGFISHERS—THE AUSTRALIAN CINNAMON-BREASTED KINGFISHER—Macgillivray’s Account of its Habits—THE LAUGHING JACKASS of Australia—Its Discordant Laugh—The “Bushman’s Clock”—Colour—Habits—THE HORNBILLS—Character—Their Heavy Flight—Noise produced when on the Wing—Food—Extraordinary Habit of Imprisoning the Female—Native Testimony—Exception—Fed by the Male Bird—Dr. Livingstone’s Observations on the point, and Mr. Bartlett’s Remarks—Strange Gizzard Sacs—Dr. Murie’s Remarks—Mr. Wallace’s Description of the Habits of the Hornbills—Capture of a Young One in Sumatra—THE GROUND HORNBILLS—South African Species—Kaffir Superstition regarding it—Habits—Mr. Ayres’ Account of the Natal Species—How it Kills Snakes—The Call—Habits—Mr. Monteiro’s Description of the Angola Form—Turkey-like Manner—Wariness—Food—THE HOOPOES—Appearance—Distribution—THE COMMON HOOPOE—Habits—The Name—How does it produce its Note?—THE WOOD HOOPOES—Habits | 343 |
| CHAPTER X. |
| THE BEE-EATERS—MOTMOTS—ROLLERS—TROGONS—NIGHTJARS, OR GOATSUCKERS—SWIFTS—HUMMING-BIRDS. |
| THE BEE-EATERS—Their Brilliant Plumage—Colonel Irby’s Account of the Bird in Spain—Shot for Fashion’s sake—THE MOTMOTS—Appearance—Mr. Waterton on the Houtou—Curious Habit of Trimming its Tail—Mr. O. Salvin’s Observations on this point—Mr. Bartlett’s Evidence—THE ROLLERS—Why so called—Canon Tristram’s Account of their Habits—Colour—Other Species—THE TROGONS—Where found—Peculiar Foot—Tender Skin—Inability to Climb—Their Food—THE LONG-TAILED TROGON, OR QUESAL—Mr. Salvin’s Account of its Habits—Its Magnificent Colour—How they are Hunted—THE NIGHTJARS, OR GOATSUCKERS—Appearance—Distribution—The Guacharo, or Oil Bird—“Frog-mouths”—Mr. Gould’s Account of the Habits of the Tawny-shouldered Podargus—How it Builds its Nest—Mr. Waterton’s Vindication of the Goatsucker—What Services the Bird does really render Cattle, Goats, and Sheep—Its Cry—THE COMMON GOATSUCKER—THE SWIFTS—THE COMMON SWIFT—Migration—Their Home in the Air—When they Breed—Nest—TREE SWIFTS—The Edible-Nest Swiftlets—Mr. E. L. Layard’s Visit to the Cave of the Indian Swiftlet—THE HUMMING BIRDS—Number of Species—Distribution—Professor Newton’s Description of the Bird—Mr. Wallace on their Habits—Wilson on the North American Species | 360 |
