double marked, and had what were called two nicks, or notches. The term, in process of time, not being understood, a double animal was invented, with the name of the 'Swan with Two Necks.' - The Mirror, 1828. Why are certain civic excursions on the Thames called 'swan-hopping'? Because of its corruption from swan-upping, or the taking-up of swans, performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at their head, for the purpose of marking the birds. - The Mirror, 1828. Why is a black swan no longer a proverbial rarity? Because it is now found in great numbers in Van Diemen's Land, in New South Wales, and on the western coast of New Holland. The latter settlement, Swan River, has been so named from the flocks of black swans on its banks.. DUCKS. Why is the finest down of the eider-duck called 'live' down? Because it is found in the nest: that which is plucked from the dead bird is little esteemed. Eider-down is imported chiefly from Iceland, and other northern countries. It is collected from the nests of birds; if the nest be deprived of its down, the female takes a fresh quantity from her breast; but, if the nest be a second time deprived of its down, she cannot supply it: the male then takes from his breast the necessary lining.-Selby. Why have the bills of ducks a soft covering? Because it supplies them with a real sense of taste; this covering being supplied with exceedingly large cutaneous nerves. Accordingly, it is easy to remark the manner in which ducks probe, as it were, the puddles, in search of their food, where they cannot be guided by their sight or smell.- Blumenbach. Why do the wedge-like forms of flocks of wild-geese so often change during their flight? Because, it is conjectured, of the leader of the van quitting his post at the point of the angle through fatigue, and leaving his place to be filled by another, himself dropping into the rear. Why is the pied oyster-catcher so called? Because it feeds on oysters and limpets, and its bill is so well adapted to force asunder the valves of the one, and of raising the other from the rock, that 'the Author of nature,' as Derham says, 'seems to have framed it purely for that use.' FOREIGN BIRDS. Why has it been thought that the tropical regions are deficient in birds of song? Because, from the abundance of the picæ tribe, such as parrots, and some others of harsh note, it is probable that their sounds, in the tropical woods, often overpower and confound the more soft and sweet modulations of the warbler tribe. Still, it is a very unfounded notion that in the New World the brilliant hues of the birds take the place of the power of song. On the contrary, it would appear, from Wilson's American Ornithology, that the American song-birds are infinitely more numerous than those of Europe, and many of them superior to our most celebrated songsters. VULTURES. Why was the vulture held sacred by the Egyptians? Because it was extremely serviceable in destroying mice, lizards, &c; whence they have frequently re-. presented it in the hieroglyphics on their obelisks, the Blumenbach. coverings of their mummies, &c. Why is a certain species called 'the King of the vul tures'? Because it has been placed at the head of the vulture tribe, on account of the superior beauty of its external appearance. Waterton, a recent traveller, asserts, that when the king of the vultures is present, the inferior species do not attempt to touch the prey till the king is satisfied. Why are marine shells to be found buried in the plains, or in the sides of the mountains, of South Africa? Because they have been carried there by birds, and not, as has been generally supposed, by eruptions of the sea. Mr Barrow, who is of this opinion, tells us, in confirmation of it, that 'there is scarcely a sheltered cavern in the sides of the mountains that rise immediately from the sea, where living shell-fish may not be found any day in the year. Crows even, and vultures, as well as aquatic birds, detach the shell-fish from the rocks, and mount with them into the air: shells, thus carried, are said to be frequently found on the very summit of the Table Mountain. In one cavern, at the point of Mussel Bay,' he adds, 'I disturbed some thousands of birds, and found as many thousands of living shell-fish, scattered on the surface of a heap of shells, that, for aught I know, would have filled as many thousand wagons.' The story, therefore, of the ancient philosopher, whose bald pate one of these unlucky birds mistook for a stone,and dropped a shell upon, thereby killing at once both fish and philosopher, is not so tramontane as to stumble all belief. PARROTS. Why have parrots, in general, striking peculiarities in their manners? Because they have the power of using their feet almost like hands; as for carrying food to their mouths, scratching behind their heads, &c. When they walk on the ground, they tread not merely on the claws, like other birds, but on the whole of the foot. Their hook |