1. I measured a specimen, which I killed there: it was from tip to tip of wing, eight and a half feet; and from end of beak to end of tail four feet.
1. I measured a specimen, which I killed there: it was from tip to tip of wing, eight and a half feet; and from end of beak to end of tail four feet.
2. I noticed that several hours before any of the Condors died, all the lice with which they are infested, crawled to the outside feathers. I was told, that this always happened.
2. I noticed that several hours before any of the Condors died, all the lice with which they are infested, crawled to the outside feathers. I was told, that this always happened.
3. In the case of theCathartes Aura, Mr. Owen, in some notes read before the Zoological Society, (See Magazine of Nat. Hist. New Ser. vol. i. p. 638.) has demonstrated from the developed form of the olfactory nerves, that this bird must possess an acute sense of smell. It was mentioned on the same evening, in a communication from Mr. Sells, that on two occasions, persons in the West Indies having died, and their bodies not being buried till they smelt offensively, these birds congregated in numbers on the roof of the house. This instance appears quite conclusive, as it was certain, from the construction of the buildings, that they must have gained the intelligence by the sense of smell alone, and not by that of sight. It would appear from the various facts recorded, that carrion-feeding hawks possess both senses, in a very high degree.
3. In the case of theCathartes Aura, Mr. Owen, in some notes read before the Zoological Society, (See Magazine of Nat. Hist. New Ser. vol. i. p. 638.) has demonstrated from the developed form of the olfactory nerves, that this bird must possess an acute sense of smell. It was mentioned on the same evening, in a communication from Mr. Sells, that on two occasions, persons in the West Indies having died, and their bodies not being buried till they smelt offensively, these birds congregated in numbers on the roof of the house. This instance appears quite conclusive, as it was certain, from the construction of the buildings, that they must have gained the intelligence by the sense of smell alone, and not by that of sight. It would appear from the various facts recorded, that carrion-feeding hawks possess both senses, in a very high degree.
4. Voyage dans l’Amérique Méridionale, vol. iii. p. 24.
4. Voyage dans l’Amérique Méridionale, vol. iii. p. 24.
5. In this work, whenever the particular name of any colour is given, or it is placed within commas, it implies, that it is taken from comparison with Patrick Syme’s edition of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours.
5. In this work, whenever the particular name of any colour is given, or it is placed within commas, it implies, that it is taken from comparison with Patrick Syme’s edition of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours.
6.Mileago Chimangoof this work.
6.Mileago Chimangoof this work.
7. Novorum Actorum Academiæ Cæsariæ, Leopol. vol. xvi. p. 62. Observationes Zoologicas, F. J. Meyenii.
7. Novorum Actorum Academiæ Cæsariæ, Leopol. vol. xvi. p. 62. Observationes Zoologicas, F. J. Meyenii.
8. Tom. iii. p. 162.
8. Tom. iii. p. 162.
9. Voyage dans l’Amérique Meridionale Partie, Oiseaux, p. 52.
9. Voyage dans l’Amérique Meridionale Partie, Oiseaux, p. 52.
10. Perhaps to this genus belongMuscicapa thamnophiloidesandcinerea, figured by Spix, in his Aves, pl. 26. f. 1 and 2.G. R. Gray.
10. Perhaps to this genus belongMuscicapa thamnophiloidesandcinerea, figured by Spix, in his Aves, pl. 26. f. 1 and 2.G. R. Gray.
11. Molina, in his account of Chile, attributes this nest, I believe, through an error, toMimus thenca.
11. Molina, in his account of Chile, attributes this nest, I believe, through an error, toMimus thenca.
12. Journal of Researches during the Voyage of the Beagle, p. 60.
12. Journal of Researches during the Voyage of the Beagle, p. 60.
13. This genus, and the following sub-genera, were named by Mr. Gould at a meeting of the Zool. Soc. Jan. 10 1837, p. 4. of Proceedings.
13. This genus, and the following sub-genera, were named by Mr. Gould at a meeting of the Zool. Soc. Jan. 10 1837, p. 4. of Proceedings.
14. Remarks on the Plumage of Birds, Charlsworth’s Mag. of Nat. History, vol. i. p. 480.
14. Remarks on the Plumage of Birds, Charlsworth’s Mag. of Nat. History, vol. i. p. 480.
15. Fauna Borealis, Birds, p. 278. Dr. Richardson states that the egg is only seven lines and a half in length. I presume the measure of eight lines, instead of twelve to the inch, must in this case have been used. I am much indebted to the kindness of Mr. Yarrell for lending me an egg of theMolothrus pecoris, forming part of a collection of North American eggs in his possession.
15. Fauna Borealis, Birds, p. 278. Dr. Richardson states that the egg is only seven lines and a half in length. I presume the measure of eight lines, instead of twelve to the inch, must in this case have been used. I am much indebted to the kindness of Mr. Yarrell for lending me an egg of theMolothrus pecoris, forming part of a collection of North American eggs in his possession.
16. Wilson’s American Ornithology, vol. ii. p. 162.
16. Wilson’s American Ornithology, vol. ii. p. 162.
17. Magazine of Zoology and Botany, vol. i. p. 217.
17. Magazine of Zoology and Botany, vol. i. p. 217.
18. See Azara, vol. iii. p. 170.
18. See Azara, vol. iii. p. 170.
19. It appears that the eggs in the same nest with that of theMolothrus pecoris, are turned out by the parent birds before they are hatched, owing to the egg of theM. pecorisbeing hatched in an unusually short time; in the case of the young cuckoo, as is well known, the young bird itself throws out its foster-brothers. Mr. C. Fox, however, (Silliman’s American Journal, vol. xxix. p. 292), relates an instance of three young sparrows having been found alive with a Molothrus.
19. It appears that the eggs in the same nest with that of theMolothrus pecoris, are turned out by the parent birds before they are hatched, owing to the egg of theM. pecorisbeing hatched in an unusually short time; in the case of the young cuckoo, as is well known, the young bird itself throws out its foster-brothers. Mr. C. Fox, however, (Silliman’s American Journal, vol. xxix. p. 292), relates an instance of three young sparrows having been found alive with a Molothrus.
20. Humboldt, Pers. Narr. vol. v. part 1. p. 352. Cook’s Third Voyage, vol. ii. and Beechey’s Voyage.
20. Humboldt, Pers. Narr. vol. v. part 1. p. 352. Cook’s Third Voyage, vol. ii. and Beechey’s Voyage.
21. Cowley’s Voyage, p. 10, in Dampier’s Collection of Voyages.
21. Cowley’s Voyage, p. 10, in Dampier’s Collection of Voyages.
22. Dampier’s Voyage, vol. i. p. 103. For some further observations on the tameness of the birds on this and some other islands, see my Journal of Researches, p. 475.
22. Dampier’s Voyage, vol. i. p. 103. For some further observations on the tameness of the birds on this and some other islands, see my Journal of Researches, p. 475.
23. In Hearne’s Travels in North America, (p. 383), it is stated that the Northern Indians shoot the varying hare, which will not bear to be approached in a straight line, in an analogous manner, by walking round it in a spire. The middle of the day is the best time, when the shadow of the hunter is not very long.
23. In Hearne’s Travels in North America, (p. 383), it is stated that the Northern Indians shoot the varying hare, which will not bear to be approached in a straight line, in an analogous manner, by walking round it in a spire. The middle of the day is the best time, when the shadow of the hunter is not very long.
24. Sturt’s Travels, vol. ii. p. 74.
24. Sturt’s Travels, vol. ii. p. 74.
25. A Gaucho assured me that he had once seen a snow-white, or Albino variety, and that it was a most beautiful bird.
25. A Gaucho assured me that he had once seen a snow-white, or Albino variety, and that it was a most beautiful bird.
26. It appears, also, from Mr. Gould’s late most interesting discoveries regarding the habits of theTalegalla Lathami, (an Australian bird, one of the Rasores,) that several females lay in one nest, and that the eggs are hatched by the heat engendered by a mass of decaying vegetable matter. It appears that the males assist the females in scratching together the leaves and earth, of which the great conical mound or nest is composed.
26. It appears, also, from Mr. Gould’s late most interesting discoveries regarding the habits of theTalegalla Lathami, (an Australian bird, one of the Rasores,) that several females lay in one nest, and that the eggs are hatched by the heat engendered by a mass of decaying vegetable matter. It appears that the males assist the females in scratching together the leaves and earth, of which the great conical mound or nest is composed.
27. Burchell’s Travels, vol. i. p. 280.
27. Burchell’s Travels, vol. i. p. 280.
28. Azara, vol. iv. p. 173.
28. Azara, vol. iv. p. 173.
29. Lichtenstein, however, (Travels, vol. ii. p. 25.) states, that the hens begin to sit when ten or twelve eggs are laid, and that they afterwards continue laying. He affirms that by day the hens take turns in sitting, but that the cock sits all night.
29. Lichtenstein, however, (Travels, vol. ii. p. 25.) states, that the hens begin to sit when ten or twelve eggs are laid, and that they afterwards continue laying. He affirms that by day the hens take turns in sitting, but that the cock sits all night.
30. The naturalists in Lutke’s voyage, vol. iii. p. 255, seem to consider a gull, which they obtained at Concepcion, as theLarus Frankliniiof North America.
30. The naturalists in Lutke’s voyage, vol. iii. p. 255, seem to consider a gull, which they obtained at Concepcion, as theLarus Frankliniiof North America.
31. I am much indebted to Mr. Eyton for these observations, which greatly add to the value of the previous descriptions.
31. I am much indebted to Mr. Eyton for these observations, which greatly add to the value of the previous descriptions.
32. Since the above was in type, I have had, through the kindness of Mr. Gould, an opportunity of examiningMenura lyra, and find my former supposition to be correct; but neither of these genera can be placed among the gallinaceous birds where the latter bird has been arranged by some authors.
32. Since the above was in type, I have had, through the kindness of Mr. Gould, an opportunity of examiningMenura lyra, and find my former supposition to be correct; but neither of these genera can be placed among the gallinaceous birds where the latter bird has been arranged by some authors.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTESPageChanged fromChanged to130albis, illis obscure, his plane grisescenti fusco fasciatis; rostri rubescenti fuscoalbis, illis obscure, bis plane grisescenti fusco fasciatis; rostri rubescenti fuscoTypos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained.Used numbers for footnotes, placing them all at the end of the last chapter.
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