[Page] EXPLANATION.
PLATE I. FALCON GENTIL.
- Falco gentilis. F. cera pedibusque flavis corpore cinereo, maculis fuscis, cauda fasciis quatuor nigricantibus. Lin. syst. 126.
- Falk. Faun. suec. No. 58. Kram. austr. 328.
- Falco gentilis. Brunnich. No. 6.
A Species highly esteemed by Falconers; those of Germany search for them in the Dalecarlian Alps, those of Denmark in Jutland and Norway, and those of our countrymen, who still pursue the diversion, find them in the N. of Scotland *.
Cere and legs yellow; irides pale yellow; pupil large and of a full black. Head light rust color, with oblong black spots; whole under side from chin to tail white, tinged with yellow; each feather marked with heart-shaped dusky spots, pointing [Page 8]downwards. The back brown; quill feathers dusky, barred on the outward web with black, on the lower part of the inner web with white. Coverts of the wings and scapulars brown, edged with rust color; wings reach only one half of the length of the tail. The tail barred with four or five broad bands of black, and the same of cinereous, the edges of the first bounded by narrow lines of dull white. The tips of the feathers white.
II.
PLATE II. Is a variety, a young bird not arrived at its full plumage, with transverse bars of brown on the breast instead of cordated spots.
III. SPOTTED FALCON.
TWO of these were killed in different years, near Longnor, in Shropshire.
Size of a buzzard: bill black: cere and legs yellow: irides pale yellow: crown of the head, and hind part of the neck, white: spotted with light reddish brown: back, and scapulars of the same color, edged with white: quill feathers dusky, barred with ash color: under side of the neck, breast, [Page]
[Page 9]belly, and thighs, white: the first of these, likewise the beginning of the breast, marked with a few rusty spots: rump white: middle feathers of the tail barred with deep brown and white; the rest with a lighter and deeper brown: the legs strong.
IV. LANNER.
The Lanner. Br. Zool. I. 138. sp. ix.
V. MOOR BUZZARD.
Moor Buzzard. Br. Zool. I. 146. sp. xiv.
THIS exhibits a singular variety, with a yellowish white head and chin; and the hind and lower part of the neck, and the coverts of the wings blotched with the same color. Isle of Man.
VI. EAGLE OWL.
- Bubo maximus nigri et fusci coloris. Sib. Scot. 14.
- Great horn, or eagle owl. Wil. orn. 99. Raii syn. av.
- Strix bubo. Lin. syst. 131.
- Uff. Faun. suec. No. 69.
- Berg-uggle, Katugl-hane. Strom. Hist. Sondmore, 222.
- Buhu. Kram. Austr. 323.
- Le grand Duc. Brisson av. I. 477.
SIR Robert Sibbald says it is found in the Orknies: it has been once shot in Yorkshire; another time in the county of Fife. It inhabits inaccessible rocks and desert places; and preys on hares, and game of all kinds. Its appearance in cities was deemed by the Romans an unlucky omen; Rome * itself once underwent a lustration, because one of them strayed into the Capitol. The antients had them in the utmost abhorrence, and thought them, like the screech owl of the moderns, the messengers of death.
In size it is almost equal to the eagle: the irides bright yellow: the head, and whole [Page]
[Page 11]body, finely varied with lines, spots, and specks of black, brown, ash color, and ferruginous: the wings long: the tail short, marked with dusky bars: the legs thick, covered to the very end of the toes with a close and full down, of a pale yellowish brown: the claws great, much hooked, and dusky.
VII. GREAT BUTCHER BIRD.
Br. Zool. I. 161. sp. 1. the female.
DISTINGUISHED from the male by semicircular brown lines across the breast. It breeds in the North of England; makes its nest of heath, and moss, lines it with wool and gossamer; and lays six eggs, of a dull olive green, spotted in the thickest part with black. It is said to kill the young of small birds in their nests.
VIII.
TURTLE.
Br. Zool. . 222. sp. 3.
ENGRAVEN to give a better figure than that in the folio edition, which was taken from a young bird.
IX.
SWALLOW.
Br. Zool. II. 242. sp. I. App. 502.
TO strengthen the two opinions in regard to the disappearance of these birds, a few other evidences in support of each are added to those before given.
My ingenious correspondent, the Rev. Mr. White *, on Michaelmas day, 1768, had the good fortune to have ocular proof of what may reasonably be supposed, and actual migration of swallows. Travelling that morning very early between his house and the coast, at the beginning of his journey he was environed with a thick fog, but on a large wild heath the mist began to break, and discovered to him numberless swallows, clustered on the stunted bushes, as if they had roosted there; as soon as the sun burst out, they were instantly on wing, and with [Page]
[Page 13]an easy and placid flight proceeded towards the sea. After this he saw no more flocks, only now and then a straggler *.
This rendezvous of swallows about the same time of year is very common on the willows, in the little isles in the Thames. They seem to assemble for the same purpose as those in Hampshire, notwithstanding no one has yet been witness of their departure. On the 26th of September last, two gentlemen who happened to lie at Maidenheadbridge, furnished at lest a proof of the multitudes there assembled; they went by torchlight to an adjacent isle, and in less than half an hour brought ashore 50 dozen, for they had nothing more to do than to draw the willow twigs thro' their hands, the birds never stirring till they were taken.
The northern naturalists will perhaps say, that this assembly met for the purpose of plunging into their subaqueous winter quarters; but was that the case, they would never escape discovery in a river so perpetually fished as the Thames, some of them must [Page 14]inevitably be brought up in the nets that harass that water.
Other witnesses crowd on us to prove the residence of those birds in a torpid state during the severe season: First, In the chalky cliffs of Sussex; as was seen on the fall of a great fragment some winters ago.
Secondly, In a decayed hollow tree that was cut down, near Dolgelli, in Merionethshire.
Thirdly, In a cliff near Whitby, Yorkshire, where, on digging out a fox, whole bushels of swallows were found in a torpid condition.
These are doubtless the lurking places of the latter habitations of those young birds, who are incapable of distant migrations. There they continue insensible and rigid; but like flies may sometimes be reanimated by an unseasonable hot day in the midst of winter, for very near Christmas a few appeared on the moulding of a window of Merton College, Oxford, in a remarkable warm nook, which prematurely set their blood in motion; having the same effect as laying them before the fire at the same time of year.
SWIFT.
Br. Zool. I. 245. sp. iv.
THE fabulous history of the Manucodiata, or bird of Paradise, is here in a great measure verified. It was believed to have no feet, to live upon coelestial dew, to float perpetually on the Indian air, and to perform all its functions in that element.
The Swift actually performs what has been in these enlightened times disproved of the former, except the small time it takes for sleeping, and what it devotes to incubation; every other action is done on wing. The materials of its nest it collects either as they are carried about by the winds, or picks them from the surface in its sweeping flight. Its food is undeniably the insect tribe: its drink the dew: even its amorous rites are performed on high. Few persons who have attended to them in a fine summer's morning, but must have seen them making their aerial courses at a vast height, encircling a certain space with an easy steady motion. On a sudden they fall into each others embraces, then drop precipitate with a loud shriek for numbers of yards. This is the critical conjuncture, and no more to [Page 16]be wondered at than that insects (a familiar instance) should discharge the same duty in the same element.
X.
SEDGE BIRD.
- Lesser reed sparrow. Wil. orn. 144.
- Passer arundinaceus minor. Raii syn. av. 47.
- Motacilla salicaria. Lin. syst. 330. Faun. suec. No. 249.
- La Fauvette babillarde. Brisson av. III. 384.
FREQUENTS the fens of Lincolnshire, but not peculiar to that part of the kingdom. It sits on low bushes, on reeds or sedges, and has a most hasty jarring note.
It is a small slender shaped bird: its bill black: over each eye a white line: the crown of the head, hind part of the neck, and upper part of the back, cinereous, marked with dusky spots: the lower part of the back and rump, tawny; coverts of the wings, and quill feathers, dusky; the first edged with pale brown: the tail deep brown: the feet, as Mr. Ray well observes, remarkably large for the size of the bird.
TREE SPARROW.
Mountain Sparrow. Br. Zool. II. 308. sp. iv.
COMMON near Lincoln, Spalding, &c. is conversant among trees, but does not frequent houses. It is less than the common sparrow: the bill thick and black: the crown of the head, hind part of the neck, and lesser coverts of the wings, bright bay; the first plain; the two last spotted with black; just above the greater coverts is a row of feathers, black, tipt with white; the greater coverts black, edged with rust color: quill feathers dusky, edged with pale red: lower part of the back olive brown: tail brown: legs straw color.
Behind each ear is a large black spot; on the chin another: cheeks and whole under side of the body whitish.
XI.
SNOW FLAKE *.
Greater Brambling. Br. Zool. II. 321. sp. iv.
THESE birds appear in hard weather on the Cheviot hills, and in the Highlands of Scotland, in amazing flocks: a few [Page 18]breed on the summits of the highest mountains, in the same places with the Ptarmigans, but the greatest numbers migrate from the north: they appear first * in the Orkney isles, and multitudes of them often fall, wearied with their flight, on vessels in the Pentland Firth. Their appearance is a certain forerunner of hard weather, and storms of snow, being driven by the cold from their summer retreats, Spitzbergen, Greenland, Hudson's bay, and the Lapland alps, into less rigorous climates: they visit at that season all parts of the northern hemisphere, Sweden, Prussia, Austria, Siberia **: they arrive lean and return fat: in their flights keep very close to each other, mingle most confusedly together: and fling themselves collectively into the form of a ball, at which instant the fowler makes great havock among them.
I had opportunity of examining several in North Britain; some were of the colors of that described p. 121, others were black and white, vide p. 322, paragraph 2. I am not certain, but suspect the former to be young; [Page 19]but possibly they may vary according to the season, as is common with arctic birds.
The weight of one I call an old bird, was 1 oz. one-fourth: the bill and legs black: the forehead and crown white: hind part of the head black; and some mixture of black on the hind part of the neck; the rest of the neck, and whole under side of the body white: the back of a full black: the rump marked with a white spot: the bastard wing, and the ends of the greater coverts black; the others white: the base of the quill feathers white; the remaining part black: the secondaries white, with a black spot on their exterior web: the middle feathers of the tail black; the three outmost white, with a dusky spot near their ends *.
XII.
WOODPECKER.
Picus major. P. albo nigroque varius, crisso pileoque rubris. Lin. syst. 176. Faun. suec. No. 101.
A Bird that seems only a variety of my greater spotted woodpecker.
LITTLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER.
Br. Zool. I. 180. sp. iii. the female,
DIFFERS from the male, in wanting the crimson mark on the head: the vent feathers in both sexes are of a dirty light yellowish brown.
XIII.
GROUS.
Br. Zool. I. 204. sp. iii. the female.
PTARMIGAN.
Br. Zool. I. 206. sp. iv.
ONE that I weighed last summer, in the county of Breadalbane, was nineteen ounces *. They inhabit the very summits of the highest of the Highland mountains, amidst the rocks, perching on the grey stones, the general color of the strata in those lofty situations: they seldom take long flights, but fly about like pigeons; are very silly birds, and so tame as to suffer a stone to be flung at them without rising. It is scarce necessary to have a dog to find them. They taste so like a grous as to be scarce distinguishable. They are found from Breadalbane. in the county of Perth, to the vast naked hill of Scaraben, in the county of Caithness.
XV. RUFF AND REEVE.
Br. Zool. II. 363. sp. iii.
RUFFS lose their long feathers in moulting season, nor do they recover them till spring. At the same time the pimples break out about the bill; and the older the birds the larger and more numerous are these marks, and the longer the neck feathers.
Soon after their arrival in the fens in spring, they begin to hill, i. e. to collect on some dry bank near a flash of water, in expectation of the Reeves, which resort to them; each male keeps possession of a small piece of ground, which he continues running round till he has formed a naked circle on the spot. If a female lights the Ruffs immediately fall to fighting.
When a fowler discovers one of these hills, he places his net over night, which is of the same kind with those called day or clap nets, only it is generally single, and about fourteen yards long and four broad. The fowler resorts to his stand before day-break, [Page]
[Page 23]at the distance of one, two, three, or four hundred yards from the nets, according to the season, for the later it is, the shyer are the birds. He then makes his first pull, taking as many as have happened to light within reach during the night. After that he places his stales or stuft birds to entice those that are continually traversing the fens. An old fowler told me, that he once caught forty-four birds at the first hawl, and in all six dozen that morning. When the stales are set, seldom more than two or three are taken at a time.
There is a great difference between the weight of a Ruff and Reeve, the first being 7 oz. ½ the last only 4 oz. Besides the fens they visit annually a place called Martin Moor in Lancashire, the latter end of March, or beginning of April, but continue there scarce three weeks.
XVI.
PURRE.
Br. Zool. II. 374. sp. xiii.
SANDPIPER.
Br. Zool. II. 373. sp. xi.
XVII.
GREBE.
Br. Zool. II. 395. sp. ii.
LITTLE BLACK AND WHITE GREBE.
Br. Zool. II. 397. sp. iv.
XVIII. GREAT AUK.
Br. Zool. II. 401. sp. i.
XIX.
COMMON AUK.
Br. Zool. II. 403. sp. ii.
LITTLE AUK.
Br. Zool. II. 409. sp. iv.
THE variety mentioned by Mr. Edwards, I met with it in the cabinet of Doctor David Skene, at Aberdeen, shot on the coast about twenty miles north of that city, in the spring of the year.
XX.
SPOTTED GUILLEMOT.
Br. Zool. II. 412. sp. viii.
A Variety of the same species with the black guillemot, shot on the same coast as the former.
LESSER GUILLEMOT.
Br. Zool. II. 411. sp. vii.
XXI. LUMME.
Br. Zool. II. 415. sp. iii.
LINNAEUS observes very justly, that they are monogamous, and that their cry forebodes a tempest. I saw a pair on the coast of Caithness, flying wildly high in the air, with a horrible croaking.
XXII. ARCTIC GULLS.
Strundt-jager, i. e. Coprotheres. Raii syn. av. 127. Br. Zool. II. 420. sp. iv.
THE Faskidar of Martin, hist. west. isles, p. 73. and the dirty aulin of the Firth of Forth, from its filthy manner of life.
XXIII.
KITTIWAKE.
- Larus albus major Belon? Raii syn. av. 129.
- Larus Rissa. Lin. syst. 224.
- Islandis Ritsa, incolis Christiansoe, Lille Solvet, Rotteren.
- Brunnich, No. 140.
- La petite mouette cendrèe. Brisson, av. vi. 178. tab. xvii.
INhabits the romantic cliffs of Flamborough head; *; the Bass isle, and the vast rocks near the castle of Slains, in the county of Aberdeen, the elegant and hospitable seat of the Earl of Errol, placed like a falcon's nest on the edge of a precipice washed by a wild ocean. These and various other sorts of gulls scream perpetually over the head, while the waves roar beneath.
The young of these birds are a favorite dish in North Britain, being served up roasted, a little before dinner, in order to provoke an appetite, but from their rank taste and smell, seem much more likely to produce a contrary effect. These proved to be the Cornish Tarrock, Br. Zool. II. 425, or the Kittiwake, before its first moulting.
When arrived at full age, the head, neck, belly and tail are of a snowy whiteness; sometimes behind each ear is a small dusky spot: the back and wings grey: the exterior edge [Page]
[Page 27]of the first quill feather, and the tips of the four or five first, are black: the bill yellow, tinged with green: inside of the mouth, orange: legs dusky, with only a knob instead of the back toe.
GULL.
Br. Zool. II. 424. sp. viii.
HAS a great resemblance to the former, in respect to colors; but sometimes the head and hind part of the neck is marked with pale brown spots, as Mr. Ray describes it.
XXIV. WILD DUCKS.
Br. Zool. II. 462. sp. xiii.
XXV. SHAG.
Br. Zool. II. 478. sp. ii.
ARE found in small flocks of five or six, on Flamborough Head, and on other rocks on the coast of Britain; but this variety with a crest is very rare.
XXVII-VIII. THORNBACK.
Br. Zool. III. 69. sp. v.
XXIX.
LUMP FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 103. sp. i.
FIG. I. shews it on its back, in order to give a view of the part by which it adheres so strongly to the rocks. These fish are found in vast numbers during spring on the coast of Sutherland, near the Ord of Caithness, a vast promontory, with a road over it much more tremendous than our Penmaenmawr. The seals which abound beneath, feed greatly on these fish, leaving the skins, numbers thus emptied floating at that season ashore. Erratum, p. 104. lower lege upper.
SEA SNAIL.
Br. Zool. III. 105. sp. ii.
FIG. II. The adhering part. These fish are full of spawn in January, and their bellies at that time vastly prominent.
XXX. DRAGONRT.
Br. Zool. III. 130. sp. i.
IS taken by bait in 30 or 38 fathom water; and is very often found in the stomach of cod fish.
XXXI.
LESSER DRAGONET.
Br. Zool. III. 133. sp. ii.
WEEVER.
Br. Zool. III. 134. sp. i.
XXXII.
LESSER HAKE.
Br. Zool. III. 158. sp. xi.
COAL FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 152. sp. vii.
TWO Specimens of the same size, and caught at the same time, proved the fallibility of the characters of species, taken from the number of rays, for in the two were these differences in the several fins:
- P. Dors. 14 17 21. Pect. 20. Vent. 6. An. 22 22.
- P. Dors. 13 19 21. Pect. 19. Vent. 6. An. 25 20.
The same variation is sometimes observed [Page 30]in the rays of other fish; and in the squamae and scuta of serpents.
XXXIII.
WHISTLE FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 164. sp. xv.
BROWN WHISTLE FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 165. sp. xvi.
XXXIV. BLENNY.
Br. Zool. III. 169. sp. iii.
XXXV. FATHER LASHER.
Br. Zool. III. 179. sp. iii.
XXXVI. WRASSE.
Br. Zool. III. 207. sp. iv.
XXXVII.
WRASSE.
Br. Zool. III. 208. sp. v.
XXXVIII. GURNARD.
Br. Zool. III. 231. sp. i.
IS fond of sporting near the top of the water. Is sometimes taken above two feet and a half long.
XXXIX. TUB-FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 235. sp. iv.
XL.
TROUT.
Br. Zool. III. 250. sp. iv.
SAMLET.
Br. Zool. III. 253. sp. v.
XLI.
RUD.
- Br. Zool. III. 310. sp. vi.
- Rothauge. Meyer An. II. tab. 53.
- Scarf? Faun. suec. No. 366.
FREQUENT opportunity has occurred since the publication of the history of the British fish, of examining this more attentively. It is found in the river Charwell, near Oxford; in Holderness; and in the Witham in Lincolnshire. Our former description is in part erroneous, being confounded with the next species: the rays of the fins of this were, P. D. 11. P. 17. V. 9. A. 13. Linnaeus makes the Orf, figured by Meyer, II. 94. a synonym of our fish; but the last gives the print of one widely differing from the Rud, which in form has much resemblance to the roach: the Orf is less deep, and comes nearer the shape of the dace.
CRUSIAN.
- Karass. Gesner pisc. Paralip. 16.
- Karauschen. Meyer An. II. 54.
- Ruda? Faun. suec. No. 364.
IS a deeper and thicker fish than the last, and of a deeper yellow color: the dorsal fin extended further along the back, and [Page]
[Page 33]consisted of eighteen or twenty rays; the two first strong and serrated.
This species is not uncommon in the ponds near London; whether it is native, or brought out of Germany originally, as many suppose, is unknown to me.
XLII.
STICKLEBACK.
Fifteen spined, S. back. Br. Zool. III. 120. sp. iii.
STICKLEBACK.
Br. Zool. III. 217. sp. i.
STICKLEBACK.
Br. Zool. III. 219. sp. ii.
XLIII. TUNNY.
Br. Zool. III. 223. sp. ii.
THE magnificent environs of Inveraray receive no small improvement from the busy scene during the herring-fishery on Lough Fine, an arm of the sea, which from its narrowness, and the winding of its shore, has all the beauties of a fresh water lake. [Page 34]Every evening several hundreds of boats in a manner cover the surface: on the week days the chearful noise of the bagpipe and dance ecchoes from on board: on the sabbath each boat approaches the land, and psalmody and devotion divide the day; for the common people of the north are disposed to be religious, having the example before them of a gentry untainted by luxury and dissipation, and being instructed by a clergy who are active in their duty, and who preserve respect amidst all the disadvantages of a narrow income.
Each morning the capture of the night is brought on shore: the herring is too common a fish to attract the attention of a stranger, but the size and form of the tunny is what immediately catches his eye.
This fish is the follower of the herring, on which it preys, and often, during night, strikes into the nets and does considerable damage. When the fishermen draw them up in the morning, the tunny rises at the same time towards the surface, ready to catch any fish that drop out; a strong hook, baited with a herring, and fixed to a rope, is immediately flung out, and the tunny seldom fails taking it; but as soon as hooked loses all spirit, and after very little resistance, submits to its fate.
[Page 35]They do not come in shoals like the tunnies of the Mediterranean, for not above two or three are taken in a night, which are dragged on shore and cut up, either to be sold fresh to the people who carry them to the country markets, or else are salted in large casks.
The flesh when fresh cut looks exactly like raw beef; but when boiled looks very pale, and has something of the flavor of salmon.
One that I saw * was 7 feet 10 inches long, the greatest circumference 5-7; the lest near the tail 1-6; the distance between one point of the tail, and the other, 2-7: The first dorsal fin consisted of thirteen strong spines, which when depressed, were so concealed in a deep slit in the back, as to be quite invisible till very closely inspected: it had six branchiostegous rays; above were eleven; beneath, ten spurious fins of a fine yellow color: eyes large: irides pale green: the skin on the back smooth, black, and thick: on the belly the scales were visible, strong, compact, and white.
This fish was cut up without being weighed; but another taken the same day, (which I did not see) and weighed for my information, was 460 lb.
They are known on this coast by the name [Page 36]of Mackrel Sture, mackrel, from some resemblance they have to that fish, Sture from the Danish, Stor, great.
XLIV.
FLYING FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 282. sp. i.
THE upper figure represents it in front; the lower sideways. It is found in all warm climates; this is the most northerly I ever heard of its being seen in.
ANCHOVY.
Br. Zool. III. 296. sp. iv.
TAKEN April 21, 1769, in the Chester channel, near my house. Length 5 inches: under jaw much shorter than the upper: teeth small, a row in each jaw, and another in the middle of the tongue: eyes great: scales large, and very deciduous: back green, and semipellucid: sides and belly silvery and opake: edge of the belly smooth. This is the same with the Italian anchovy, having compared it with one which I procured last summer in spirits from Leghorn. [Page]
[Page 37]This is no new discovery, for Mr. Ray mentions them in a letter to Doctor Lister, May 7th, 1669 *.
XLV. LIZARD.
Br. Zool. III. 15. sp. ii.
THE two small ones are Larvae, with their branchial fins, which drop off when they quit the water.
XLVI. SEAL.
Br. Zool. I. 71. sp. i.
THE lower figure is the common species; the upper are two white seals, taken from a painting in the Museum at Oxford, and probably are young ones.
Seals are found in great numbers on the north coast of Scotland; and are seen floating amidst the waves near the foot of the rocks. They prey entirely on fish, never [Page 38]molesting the birds, which swim with great composure amongst them: they eat their prey beneath the water, and if they are devouring any very oily fish, the place is known by a certain smoothness of the waves immediately above.
On the coast of Caithness are immense caverns opening into the sea, and running some hundreds of yards beneath the land: these are the resort of seals in the breeding time, where they continue till their young are old enough to go to sea, which is in about six or seven weeks. The first of these caves is near the Ord, the last near Thrumster: their entrance is so extremely narrow as only to admit a boat; their inside very spatious and lofty. In the month of October, or the beginning of November, the seal-hunters enter the mouths of the caverns about midnight, and rowing up as far as they can they land, each of them being provided with a bludgeon, and properly stationed, light their torches and make a great noise, which brings down the seals from the further end in a confused body with frightful shrieks and cries; at first the men are obliged to give way for fear of being over-born, but when the first crowd is past, kill as many as straggle behind, (chiefly the young) by striking them on the nose; a very slight blow on that part dispatches [Page 39]them. When the work is over, they drag the seals to the boat, which two men are left to guard. This is a most hazardous employ, for should their torches go out, or the wind blow hard from sea during their continuance in the cave, their lives are lost. The young seals are most esteemed, yielding more oil than their emaciated dams, above eight gallons having been got from a single whelp: the oil sells from 6 d. to 9 d. per gallon; the skins from 6 d. to 12 d. The growth of the seals is very sudden; the seal-hunters say that after nine tides from their birth (54 hours) they are as active as their parents: this is certain that a whelp which yields that great quantity of oil is not above five or six weeks old.
On this coast, and on the rock Hiskyr, one of the western isles, is the species of seals (as I conjecture) described by Doctor Parsons, * and mentioned by M. de Buffon; **; it resembles the other in all respects but in size: a gentleman told me he once killed one near 12 feet long; the common kind seldom exceeds ceeds six feet.
XLVII.
ALPINE HARE.
ON the very top of the highest Scotish Alps, with the Ptarmigans and Snowflakes, natives of the loftiest situations, is found a small species of hare, grey in summer, white in winter; which never descends to the sides of the hills, never mixes with the common brown hare, notwithstanding the last abounds in its neighbourhood. It is inferior in size to that species, weighs about 6 lb. ½ has very slender legs, and shorter ears and tail. It does not run fast, and when pursued is very apt to take shelter under stones, and in clifts of rocks. It is very easily tamed, and soon becomes much more familiar than the common hare; is exceedingly sprightly and full of frolick, and shews great agility in its boundings round a room: is very fond of honey and carraway comfits, and is commonly observed to eat its own dung before a storm. The hair is soft and full; the predominant color grey, mixed with a little black and tawny: this is its summer's dress.
In winter it entirely changes to a snowy whiteness, except the edges and tips of the [Page]
[Page 41]ears, which retain their blackness; the alteration of color commences in September, and first appears about the neck and rump; in April it again resumes its grey coat. This kind is found on the Alps, in Norway, Sweden, and Russia *, and like this is subject to the same changes; but in the extreme cold of Greenland never varies from white, the eternal color of the country.
RABBET.
Br. Zool. I. 90. sp. ii.
A Gentleman long resident in the Orkney isles informed me, that abundance of rabbets were found there, and that their skins formed a considerable article of trade; but that no hares, foxes, snakes or toads were to be seen in the country.
XLVIII.
ARGENTINE.
Br. Zool. III. 276.
FROM a drawing of a fish of this species, taken in the sea near Downing, in April last. The figure is as big as life.
ATHERINE.
Br. Zool. III. 277.
THESE are found in high season near Southampton, from the latter end of March to the latter end of May, or beginning of June, in which month they spawn: they never entirely desert the place, and are taken in every month, except when there is a hard frost.
XLIX.
DOREE.
Br. Zool. III. 181.
SMEAR DAB.
Br. Zool. III. 189.
L. HORSE.
THE representative of this species is a native of Yemine, in Arabia felix; the property of Lord Grosvenor, taken from a picture in possession of his Lordship, painted [Page]
[Page 43]by Mr. Stubbs, an artist not less happy in representing animals in their stiller moments, than when agitated by their furious passions; his matchless paintings of horses will be lasting monuments of the one, and that of the lion and panther of the other.
This horse, by its long residence among us, may be said to be naturalized, therefore we hope to be excused for introducing it here, notwithstanding its foreign descent. From its great beauty it may be presumed that it derives its lineage from Monaki Shaduhi, of the pure race of horses, purer than milk *.
Arabia produces these noble animals in the highest perfection; first, because they take their origin from the wild unmixed breeds that formerly were found in the deserts **, which had as little degenerated from their primaeval form and powers as the lion, tiger, or any other creature which still remains in a state of nature unchanged by the discipline of man, or harvested provision.
[Page 44]The Arabs place their chief delight in this animal; it is to them * as dear as their family, and is indeed part of it: men, women, children, mares, and foals, all lie in one common tent, and they lodge promiscuously without fear of injury.
This constant intercourse produces a familiarity that could not otherwise be effected; and creates a tractability in the horses that could arise only from a regular good usage, little acts of kindness, and a soothing language, which they are accustomed to from their masters; they are quite unacquainted with the spur; the lest touch of the stirrup sets these airy coursers in motion; they set off with a fleetness that surpasses that of the ** ofstrich, yet they are so well trained as to [Page 45]stop in their most rapid speed by the slightest check of the rider: there are sometimes instances of their being mounted without either bridle or saddle, when they shew such compliance to their rider's will, as to be directed in their course by the meer motion of a switch *.
Several things concur to maintain this perfection in the horses of Arabia, such as the great care the Arabs take in preserving the breed genuine, by permitting none but stallions of the first form to have access to the mares: this is never done but in the presence of a witness, the secretary of the Emir, or some publick officer; he asserts the fact, records the name of the horse, mare, and whole pedigree of each, and these attestations † are carefully preserved, for on these depends the future price of the foal.
The Arabs, whose riches are their horses, take all imaginable care of them; they have it not in their power to give them grass in their hot climate, except in the spring; their [Page 46]constant food is barley, and that given only in the night, being never suffered to eat during the day.
[Page 47]In the day-time they are kept saddled at the door of the tent, ready for any excursion their masters may make; the Arabs being fond of the chace, and living by the plundering of travellers. The horses are never hurt by any servile employ, never injured by heavy burthens, or by long journies, enjoy a pure dry air, due exercise, great temperance, and great care.
Every horse in Arabia (except those which by way of contempt are called Guidich, or pack horses) has a degree of good qualities superior to those of other places; but it is not to be supposed but that there are certain parts of that country, which have attained a higher perfection in the art of management than others.
Thus we find by some late information *, that Yemine, in Arabia Felix, is at present in great repute for its breed; for the jockies of that part have acquired such a superior name, as to be able to sell their three year old horses for two or three hundred guineas a-piece, and when they can be prevailed on to part with a favorite stallion, they will not take less for it than fifteen hundred guineas. It is from this country that the great men in India are supplied with horses, for India itself is possessed of a very bad kind. [Page 48]These noble animals being much neglected there, from the constant use of the Buffalo, not only in tillage, but even in riding.
It may be allowed here to give some account of the horses of other countries, which derive their origin, and at lest receive their improvement from the Arabian kind, for wheresoever the Saracens spread their victorious arms, they, at the same time, introduced their generous race of horses.
Those of Persia are light, swift, and very like those of Arabia, but formed very narrow before: they are fed with chopped straw, mixed with barley, and instead of soiling, are fed with new-eared or green barley for about fourteen or twenty days *.
Aethiopia has with some writers the credit of having originally furnished Arabia with its fine race of horses; but we believe the reverse, and that they were introduced into that empire by the Arabian princes, whose lineage to this day fills that throne. The horses of that country are spirited and strong, and generally of a black color: they are never used in long journies, but only in battle, or in the race, for all servile work is done by mules: the Aethiopians never shoe them, for which reason, on passing thro' stony [Page 49]places, they dismount, and ride on mules, and lead their horses *; so from this we may collect, that this nation is not less attached to these animals than the Arabs.
Aegypt has two breeds of horses, one its own, the other Arabian; the last are most esteemed, and are bought up at a great price, in order to be sent to Constantinople; but such is the discouragement arising from the tyranny of the government, that the owners often wilfully lame a promising horse ** lest the Beys should like it and force it from them.
Barbary owes its fine horses to the same stock, which in general are far inferior in point of value; and for the same reason as is given in the last article, the great insecurity of property under the Turkish government. The breed was once very famous: M. D'arvieux † says, that when he was there in 1668, he met with a mare that he thought worthy of the stud of his grand Monarque, when in the height of his glory; but Doctor Shaw informs us, that at present the case is entirely altered ‡.
[Page 50]Notwithstanding Spain has been celebrated of old for the swiftness of its horses, yet it must have received great improvement from those brought over by their conquerors, the Saracens. According to Oppian *, the Spanish breed had no other merit than that of fleetness, but at present we know that they have several other fine qualities.
To sum up the account of this generous animal, we may observe, that every country that boasts of a fine race of horses, is indebted to Arabia, their primaeval seat. No wonder then, that the poetic genius of the author of the book of Job, who not only lived on the very spot, but even at a time when the animal creation still enjoyed much of its original perfection, should be able to compose that sublime description which has always been the admiration of every person of genuine taste**.
LI. SEA EAGLE.
Br. Zool. I. 126.
THE largest of this species inhabits Greenland, where they are strong enough to take a young seal out of the water: It is strange that writers should give the name of Nisus to the sparrow-hawk, when the poet expressly mentions the bird into which the father of Scylla was transformed.
LII. PEREGRINE FALCON.
Br. Zool. I. 136. Br. Mus.
THIS engraving was taken from a dark colored and very beautiful specimen preserved in the British Museum. These birds breed in the north of Scotland, and are sometimes trained for falconry, being an excellent species. They never quit their [Page 52]prey as long as it is in sight, but dash through the thickest woods after it. This is the species * which Dame Juliana Barnes, sayeth, is by the best judgments bequeathed to an Earl.
LIII. BUZZARD.
Br. Zool. I. 143. Falco Buteo. Carniol. Kaine, Scopoli An. I. No. 4.
LIV.
CROW.
Br. Zool. I. 167. Corvus vulgaris. Carniol. oru, Scopoli No. 36.
VERY few crows in the highlands of Scotland, the Royston, or as it is called there the hooded crow, being much more numerous.
JACK-DAW.
Br. Zool. I. 175. Br. Mus. Scopoli No. 38.
JACK-DAWS sometimes breed in hollow trees, near a rookery, and will join the rooks in their foraging parties. [Page]
[Page 53]They also breed in the interstices between the upright and transome stories of stone-henge, a proof of the prodigious height of that stupendous antiquity, for their nests, are placed beyond the reach of the shepherds boys, who are always idling about the place: but in the neighboring country of Hampshire, these birds affect as humble a situation to breed in as the other is lofty, laying and bringing up their young in the rabbet burrows.
LV.
CUCKOO, FEMALE.
Br. Zool. I. 182. Carniol. Kukautra, Scopoli, No. 48. Br. Mus.
JUVENAL * very properly transfers the disgrace of cuckoldom to the bird in whose nest the cuckoo leaves its offspring.
WRYNECK.
Br. Zool. I. 181. Carniol. Tschudesch, Scopoli, No. 50. Br. Mus.
BOTH these birds migrate in the winter from Carniola. This feeds on ants, [Page 54]as we found on opening the stomach of one recently killed. Its note is like that of a Kestrel, a quick repeated squeak.
LVI.
NUTHATCH.
Br. Zool. I. 185. Carniol. Barless, Scopoli, No. 50. Br. Mus.
LAYS up against winter a considerable provision of nuts in a hollow tree.
KINGFISHER.
Br. Zool. I. 187. Alcedo Ispida Scopoli, No. 64. Br. Mus.
LVII.
CREEPER.
Br. Zool. I. 193. Certhia familiaris. Scopoli, No. 59. Br. Mus.
HOOPOK.
Br. Zool. I. 195. Smerda kaura, Smerduch Scopoli No. 62.
FEEDS on infects which it picks out of ordure of all kinds, carries them to its young, which seems the reason why [Page]
[Page 55]its nest is so excessive foetid. Is found far S. as Ceylon: also found in Aegypt, where it is called Tir Chaous, or messenger bird, from its crest resembling the plumes worn by the Chaous or Turkish messengers *.
LVIII. CHOUGH.
Br. Zool. I. 197. Gracula Pyrrhocorax. Italis Zaola, Zola. Scopoli No. 46, Br. Mus.
SCOPOLI says that in Carniola and Carinthia, it devours the locusts, is very fond of juniper berries; and that the feet of some turn black in autumn.
LIX. BUSTARD.
Br. Zool. I. 214. Otis Tarda. Scopoli, No. 159.
DRAWN in all its insolence from a most beautiful bird in the menagery of her grace the Dutchess Dowager of Portland.
LXI.
RING-OUZEL.
Br. Zool. I. 229. Turdus Torquatus Scopoli No. 198. Br. Mus.
THE Rev. Mr. White of Selborn, favored me with the following observations on this species; that these birds regularly visit his neighborhood in flocks of twenty or thirty, about the middle of April, and again about Michaelmas: that they seem to make it only a resting place from some other country; in their spring migration they continue there scarce a week, in the autumnal, about a fortnight; that they fed on haws, or for want of those, on yew berries. That in a certain spring he shot a male and female, both plump and in high condition; and that he found in the female very small rudiments of eggs, which proves them to be very late breeders; for the other birds of the thrush kind which [Page]
[Page 57]continue here, have fledged young before this time, and that these ring-ouzels are never seen in his neighborhood at any other season of the year.
To this account I must add, that these migratory flocks seem to be on their passage to some other kingdom; for as far as I could learn, that this species, which is found plentifully in the mountanous parts of Wales and in the highlands of Scotland *, resides in both places the whole year: it breeds in the hills, and comes down from the highlands in flocks to eat the berries of the wicken trees. I have seen these birds disturbed in the breeding season, when they flutter for some time about, and make a harsh chattering noise.
STARE.
Br. Zool. I. 231. Carniol. Starl. Scopoli, No. 189. Br. Mus.
DURING winter assemble in myriads in the fens of Lincolnshire and do great damage to the fenmen, by breaking [Page 58]down the reeds by roosting on them; the reeds being the thatch of that country, and harvested for that purpose with great care.
LXII.
SKY LARK.
Br. Zool. II. 233. Carniol. Lauditza. Scopoli No. 184. Br. Mus.
YELLOW WAGTAIL.
Br. Zool. II. 276. Italis Squassacoda d'acqua Scopoli No. 225. Br. Mus.
THIS species migrates during winter from our country. A few of the grey, and of the white wagtails continue with us.
LXIII. GOATSUCKER.
Br. Zool. II. 246. Caprimulgus Europeus. Scopoli No. 167. Br. Mus.
MALE, and female. The error of their sucking the teats of goats and other horned cattle, prevalent from the time of Aristotle * to the present: for Scopoli seems to credit the report. In fact their food is only moths and nocturnal insects; perhaps Dorrs, or canthari, for which reason Charlton calls them Cantharophagi **.
LXIV.
PINE BULL FINCH.
- Loxia enucleator. L. Linea alarum duplici alba, rectricibus totis nigricantibus. Lin. Syst. 299.
- Suecis Tallbit, Swansk Papgoja. Wbothnis natt-waka. Faun. Snece. No. 223.
- Coccothrausies canadensis Brisson av. III. 250. Pl. Enl. 135. Greatest Bull-Finch Edw. 123, 124.
INHABITS the pine forests of Invercauld in the county of Aberdeen and perhaps other parts of Scotland. Found also [Page 60]in the north of Europe and of America; feeds on the seeds of the pine and fir: Linnaeus says they sing in the night. I have seen them flying in the forests of North Britain, August the fifth, so suppose they breed there.
Length nine inches three quarters. Bill strong, dusky, hooked at the end; head, back, neck, and breast of a rich crimson; the bottom of the feathers of a deep ashcolor; back and head spotted with black; lesser coverts of the wings dusky edged with orange crossed with a white line, and the greater coverts with another; quil feathers and tail dusky; the exterior edges of the feathers whitish; lower belly and vent ash-color; legs black.
The female is of a dirty green; the quil feathers and tail dusky.
LXV. SPARROWS.
Br. Zool. II. 300. Carniol. Grabetz, Scopoli. No. 220. Br. Mus.
SPARROWS sometimes make their nests in trees that are near buildings.
LXVI.
SISKINS.
Br. Zool. II. 309. Carniol. Saisl, Scopoli. No. 212. Br. Mus.
TWITE.
Br. Zool. II. 315. Br. Mus.
IS very soon tamed; is almost incessantly uttering a weak low note.
LXVIII. TITMICE.
1. GREAT.
Br. Zool. II. 334. Carniol. Snitza, Scopoli. No. 242. Br. Mus.
IS very destructive to bees; watches those insects at the door of the hive, and catches them as they go in and out: If the bees are not inclined to stir out, the titmouse will strike against the hive with its bill in order to force them abroad.
2. BLUE.
Br. Zool. II. 325. Carneol. Blava snitza, Blau-mandltz. Scopoli. No. 244. Br. Mus.
3. COLE.
Br. Zool. II. 326. Scopoli. No. 246.
LXIX. RED GODWIT.
Br. Zool. II. 354. Br. Mus.
DR. BUCKWORTH, of Washenborough, Linconshire, informed me, that a few of these birds breed in the fens, near his house.
LXX. WHIMBERL.
- Br. Zool. II. 347.
- Kleiner Goisser. Kramer. 350.
I Received one from Invercauld, shot on the Grampian hills, where they breed: it differed from that described in the British Zoology, and perhaps might have been of another sex.
The length was sixteen inches; the bill two; the head round, black on the top, divided lengthways by a white line; chin white; cheeks, neck, breast, and upper part of the belly of a whitish brown, marked with streaks of black, pointing downwards: [Page 64]the streaks on the neck narrow, on the belly broader; lower belly and vent white. Back and coverts of the wings dusky; the sides of each feather spotted with reddish white. Lower part of the back white. Rump white, barred with black. Tail barred with dusky and white; quil feathers black, with large white spots on the inner webs only; the secondaries spotted on both webs. Legs black.
These birds are called at Spalding, curlew knots: appear in that neighborhood in April, continue there a month, and never revisit the place till the year following, and about the same time.
LXXI.
SNIPE.
Br. Zool. II. 358. Carniol. Kositza, Scopoli. No. 138. Br. Mus.
LXXII.
RED SANDPIPER.
- Tringa Icelandica. Tr. rostro pedibusque fuscis, corpore subtus ferrugineo, remigibus secundariis margine albis. Lin. syst. inter addenda.
- Tringa ferruginea islandis Randbrislanger Brunnich. ornith Boreal. No. 180.
HAVE appeared in great flocks on the coast of Essex, on the estate of Col. Schutz.
Crown of the head spotted with black and ferruginous. The lower side of the neck, the breast, and belly of a full ferruginous color. Back marked with black and rust color. Coverts of the wings ash-colour; legs black. Bill strong, an inch and a half long: the whole length of the bird ten inches.
GREEN PLOVER.
- Br. Zool. II. 379.
- The variety with a minute back toe, mentioned Br. Zool. II. 380.
GREEN plovers breed on the Cheviot hills, in Northumberland, and in the highlands of Scotland. The bellies of the young birds are black.
LXXIII.
DOTREL.
Br. Zool. II. 381.
APPEARS near the sea side at Meales, in Lancashire, the beginning of April, frequents the barley fallows, and continue there about three weeks; from thence remove northward to a place called Leyton Haws, where they stay only a fortnight. From the account I received of certain birds that breed in the Highlands, I suspect that lofty tract to be one of the summer retreats of the dotrel.
SANDERLING.
Br. Zool. II. 384.
THESE birds vary much in their marks, some being much whiter than others.
LXXIV.
WATER-RAIL.
Br. Zool. II. 385. Rallus aquaticus Scopoli. No. 155. Br. Mus.
LXXV. SCOLLOP TOED SANDPIPERS.
GREY.
Br. Zool. II. 391.
RED.
Br. Zool. II. 391.
SHOT on the banks of a fresh water pool in the Isle of Stronsa, one of the Orknies, May, 1769 *.
Size of a purr. Bill an inch long, strait to near the end, which bends a little downwards. Crown of the head, hind part of the neck, back, scapulars, and coverts of the wings of a deep lead color; the back and scapulars striped with dirty yellow. Cross the greater coverts is a line of white. Throat white; under part and sides of the neck of a bright ferruginous; breast of a deep cinereous; belly white; tail short and cinereous; legs black.
LXXVI.
WATER-HEN.
Br. Zool. II. 388. Fulica Chloropus, Scopoli, No. 153. Br. Mus.
COOT.
Br. Zool. II. 392. Carniol. Liska. Scopoli, No. 149. Br. Mus.
A Few years ago a white coot was shot near Spalding. I have been credibly informed that the common coots will lay fourteen Eggs.
LXXVII.
LITTLE GREBE.
Br. Zool. II. 398.
IN the male birds the chin is black; the feathers on the cheeks, over the ears, bright ferruginous. These breed as far north as the isle of Tirey, one of the western isles of Scotland.
LESSER CRESTED GREBE.
Br. Zool. II. 396. Colymbus auritus. Scopoli, No. 100, Br. Mus.
VERY common in the fens of Spalding, where it breeds: lays four or five [Page]
[Page 69]small white eggs, and makes its nest not unlike that of the great crested grebe, Br. Zool. II. 394.
Length to the rump one foot; extent of wings twenty-two inches. Bill turns up a little; lorum naked and black; irides red. Behind each eye a long tuft of ferruginous feathers, pointing backwards; feathers on the head, cheeks, and throat full and black; neck, back, and quil feathers black; secondaries white; sides under the wings as far as the rump of a bright serruginous color. Belly white and glossy; outside of the legs dusky, inside greenish.
LXXVIII. AVOSETTA.
Br. Zool. II. 399. Scolopax avosetta Scopoli, No. 129. Br. Mus.
ARE found in considerable numbers during the breeding season, near Fossdyke wash, in Lincolnshire, called there Yelpers, on account of their noise; and sometimes Picarinis. Like the lapwing when disturbed, fly about and have a shrill note (twit) twice repeated; and carry their long necks and legs quite extended during their flight.
LXXX:
WINTER MEW.
Br. Zool. II. 423.
BLACK TOED GULL.
Br. Zool. II. 419.
A Variety that in color nearly approaches that described by doctor Lysons, in the 52d volume of the Phil. Trans. p. 135.
LXXXI.
GREAT TERN.
Br. Zool. II. 428. Br. Mus.
LXXXII.
FULMAR.
Br. Zool. II. 431.
STORM FINCH.
Br. Zool. II. 434.
LXXXIII. RED BREASTED GOOSANDER.
Br. Zool. II. 437. Edw. 95, Br. Mus.
MALE and female: the first rarely migrates farther south than the Firth of Forth; the female is often seen in the southern parts of this island.
LXXXIV. WILD GOOSE.
Br. Zool. II. 447.
BREEDS in such numbers in Harris and Vist, two of the western isles, that the inhabitants are obliged to watch their [Page 72]corn to prevent it from the attacks of these birds. In autumn they begin to migrate southward: some species of wild goose (I could not learn which) breeds in the fens of Lincolnshire, which they leave in October, and go to the rye grounds.
Head of the white fronted wild goose, Br. Zool. II. 450. Branta Albifrons Scopoli, No. 87.
LXXXV. VELVET DUCK.
Br. Zool. II. 456.
Male and female.
LXXXVI. SWALLOW TAILED SHIELDRAKE.
Br. Zool. II. 469. Anas hiemalis Brunnich. ornith. Boreal. No. 76.
DIFFERS from that described in the Br. Zoology; the crown of the head is dusky, rest of the head white; all the neck; breast and back of a chocolate brown; scapulars edged with tawny; belly white.
[Page 73]The lower figure is a duck taken in a decoy in Lincolnshire, seems only a variety of the common kind.
LXXXVII.
GAROANEY.
Br. Zool. II. 474. Anas Querquedula Scopoli No. 75. Br. Mus.
A Few breed in the fens of Lincolnshire, called there the summer duck or teal.
BROWN DUCK.
LESS than the last above, the whole plumage is brown and cinereous, some parts clouded with a deeper shade; coverts of the wings cinereous. No speculum or spot on the wings; quil feathers dusky; belly white: from the furthest corner of the eye is a whitish line, extending almost to the hind part of the neck; bill dusky and flattish.
I found two of these in Leaden-ball market. Whether the females of the Garganey?
LXXXVIII. LAMPRIES.
- 1. LAMPREY, Br. Zool. III. 58.
- 2. LESSER L. Br. Zool. III. 60.
- 3. PRIDE L Br. Zool. III. 61.
LXXXIX.
STURGEON.
Br. Zool. III. 96.
THE drawing is taken from a young fish; which have the tubercles much larger in proportion than old fish, and also much closer together; the number of tubercles on the back differ in different fish, is therefore no specific character.
SUN FISH.
OBLONG. Br. Zool. III. 100.
[Page 75]SHORT. Br. Zool. III. 102. Tetrodon mola Brunnich pisc. massil. No. 16.
MR. BRUNNICH informs us, that between Antibes and Genoa, he saw one of this species lie asleep on the surface of the water, and adds, that a sailor jumped overboard and caught it. Perhaps the name is derived from its thus basking on the top of the water.
I took the liberty of borrowing the figures of these two species from doctor Borlase's history of Cornwall; the sword fish from Klein's hist. pisc. and the opah from the pbilosophical transactions, as I could not possibly procure the originals for my limner to paint.
XC. SWORD-FISH.
Br. Zool. III. 126. Xiphias gladius Brunnich, pisc. massil, No. 27.
XCI.
GILT-HEAD.
Br. Zool. III. 197.
ORAN.
- Br. Zool. III. 201.
- Zeus cauda cauda bifurca, colore argenteo, purpureo splendens Strom Sondmor. 323.325. tab. I. fig. 20.
A Fish inhabiting the Norwegian and North British seas; to be placed in the genus of zeus, in the Artedian system; and to be removed into that of doree in the Br. Zool. III. 181.
XCII.
PERCH.
Crooked Perch, Br. Zool. III. 213. phil. trans. LVII. 204. Faun. suec. No. 332. p. 118.
A Variety with a very hunched back, and the back bone near the tail laterally distorted; found in Great Britain in the water of Llyn Raithlyn in Merionethshire; some have been taken of two pounds weight; but they are most commonly much smaller. In some parts of Caernarvonshire, are also found trouts with the same curvature, which likewise never attain the size of the common sort.
SEA PERCH.
- Une perche de mer, Belon. 163.
- Perca marina, Salvian. 225. Rondel. 182. Wil. Icth. 327. Raii syn. pisc. 140.
- Perca lineis utrinque septem transversis, nigris, ductibus miniaceis, coeruleisque in capite et antica ventris, Arted. syn. pisc. 68.
- Perca marina. P. pinnis dorsalibus unitis radiis xv spinosis, xiv muticis, corpore lituris variegato, Lin. syst. 483.
TAKEN in the sea near Scarborough, but omitted in the British Zoology; grows to the length of a foot; the head large and deformed; irides yellow; on the gill covers two large spines; body deep; back fins united: the rays next the head spiny, the others soft; tail slightly forked; color on the head and fore part of the belly red and blue disposed in stripes; the rest of the body and fins red tinged with yellow.
XCIII.
LOCHE.
Br. Zool. III. 239.
SALMON.
Br. Zool. III. 239.
ALL fishermen agree that they never find any food in the stomach of this fish; it is likely that many neglect their [Page 78]food entirely during the time of spawning and melting; as sea lions * and sea bears ** are known to do for months together during their breeding season: and it may be observed, that like those animals the salmons return to the sea lank and lean; and come from the salt water in good condition. It is evident that their food is both fish and worms, for the angler uses both with success, as well as a large gaudy colored artificial fly, which probably the fish mistakes for a gay libellula, or dragon fly.
Otters are said to hunt this strong and active fish, in concert; one stations itself above, another beneath the place where the fish lies, and continue chasing it incessantly from one to the other, till the salmon quite wearied, becomes their prey ‡.
XCIV.
MULLET.
Br. Zool. III. 278.
PAR.
A Small species never exceeding eight inches and a half in length; but very rarely reaches that size: the sides marked with eight or nine large oval spots, lying transversly; and of a bluish color; the side line marked with red spots; and above them in old fish are some black spots; tail forked.
Common in the rivers of Scotland; the river Levin that washes Dunbarton, during the month of May, is animated with their fry: are perhaps a variety of the samlet. Br. Zool. III. 253.
XCV.
PIKE.
Br. Zool. III. 270.
SIA PIKE.
Br. Zool. III. 274.
XCVI.
GATTORUGINE.
Br. Zool. III. 168.
CRESTED.
Crested Blenny, Br. Zool. III. 167.
SPOTTED.
Spotted Blenny, Br. Zool. III. 171.
XCVII. WRASSES.
THESE three species were sent to me from the coast of Cornwall.
The first was of a slender form; the back, fins, and tail red; the belly yellow; the sides marked beneath the side line with a smooth, even stripe from the gills to the tail of a silvery color; the tail rounded at the end. P. D. 20. spiny, 11. soft. Pect. 14. vent. 5, an, 3 spiny, 7 soft. caud, 14. perhaps the COMBER, Br. Zool. III, 210.
[Page 81]The second, a deeper species, of a red color, striped with yellow about the head; the tail rounded; the red on the fins and tail more brilliant than the body.
P. D. 16 spiny, 9 soft. Pect. 14, vent, 5. an. 3 spiny, 9 soft, caud, 13.
The third, the colors of this were much faded, but seemed to have been olive or greenish; was marked with a black spot near the tail; another about the vent. Goldsinny, Br. Zool. III. 209.
P. D. 16 spiny, 9 soft. Pect. 14. vent. 6. an. 3 spiny 11 soft. caud. 15. tail almost even.
XCVIII.
SCAD.
Br. Zool. III. 225.
MACKREL.
Br. Zool. III. 221.
MACKREL appear very late on the coasts of Scotland, I think not till August, and are small and lean in comparison [Page 82]son of what they are in the south of Great Britain. It is a common opinion among fishermen, that at a certain season of the year, these fish are blind, and they assert they have taken them with a film over their eyes. Martin relates something to this purpose, in his voyage to Spitsbergen, p. 121, he says he took * some mackrel near the isle of St. Kilda that were half blind, occasioned by a black skin which grows over their eyes in winter and comes off the beginning of summer.
XCIX. GOAT.
Br. Zool. I. 29.
C.
OTTER.
Br. Zool. I. 67.
CI.
ERMINE.
Br. Zool. I. 84.
TAKEN in the winter of 1770, in Whiteford parish, Flintshire, at a time when it had undergone only a partial change of color.
WEISEL.
Br. Zool. I. 82.
CII.
WATER SHREW-MOUSE.
- Mus araneus dorso nigro ventreque albo Merr [...] Pinax. 167.
- La musaraigne d'eau de Buffon. viii. 64. tab.
- Sorex fodiens. Pallas ined.
FOUND in the fens of Lincolnshire, May, 1768, where it is called, from the smallness of its eyes, the blind mouse: [Page 84]the Germans call it Groeber, or digger. I imagine it is the same which the inhabitants of Sutherland name the water mole; and those of Caithnes the Lavellan. Inhabits the banks of ditches and other wet places; brings, according to M. de Buffon, nine young at a time.
Length from the nose to the tail is three inches three quarters; tail two inches; eyes very small; nose long; color of the head and upper-part of the body black; belly white, or very pale ash-color; beneath the tail is a triangular dusky spot.
MOUSE.
Common mouse Br. Zool. I. 105.
CIII.
BATS.
Long eared bat, Br. Zool. I. 116.
NOCTULE.
La noctule de Buffon. viii. tab. XVIII p. 128.
A Species first discovered by M. de Buffon, in Burgundy; since that in Flintshire, and in other parts of England; ranges high in the air for food; retires early in summer.
[Page 85]Is the largest kind in Great Britain; its length being four inches 6/10 tail inclusive; that of the tail one 7/10 ears small and rounded; eyes small; nose bilobated; on the chin a little verruca; color of the fur ferruginous.
These bats collect in great numbers in some places, if I mistake not the species; for doctor Buckworth informed me, that at Queen's College, Cambridge, in one night were taken in a net placed against the eaves 185, the second night 63, the third night 2, and in two or three years after 95 were taken in one night, each measuring fifteen inches in extent.