INDIAN ZOOLOGY.
SECOND EDITION.
LONDON.
Printed by HENRY HUGHS for ROBERT FAULDER.
MDCCXC.
THIS work, or rather fragment, was begun in the year 1769. The deſcriptive part fell to my ſhare: the expence of the plates was divided between Mr. BANKS, now Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Baronet; JOHN GIDEON LOTEN, Eſq a go⯑vernor in Ceylon; and myſelf. Twelve only were engraved and publiſhed: ſoon after which, the un⯑dertaking appeared ſo arduous that the deſign was given over. It would be injuſtice to Mr. LOTEN not to ſay, that the etchings are taken from his fine col⯑lection of drawings made in India: for he alleviated the cares of life with the delicious purſuits of the ſtu⯑dy of NATURE. I prevaled on my two friends to unite with me in preſenting the learned JOHN REIN⯑HOLD FORSTER with the plates. I alſo beſtowed [ii] on him three others, engraven at my own expence, before the work was dropped. Theſe were never publiſhed in England; but when Dr. Forſter left our iſland, he took the whole with him, and in 1781 printed, at Halle, in Saxony, an edition very highly improved, and tranſlated into Latin and German. He prefixed to it a moſt elaborate lu⯑cubration de Finibus et Indole Aeris, Soli, Mariſ⯑que INDICI; deſcribed the ſubjects of the three ad⯑ditional plates; and inſerted, after the deſcription of the fifteenth plate, a moſt learned diſſertation on the genus of the BIRDS OF PARADISE, and on the PHOENIX. He added ſeveral notes; and at the end preſented his readers with a Faunula of the qua⯑drupeds and birds of the extenſive region of IN⯑DIA and its iſlands.
The laſt year, Mr. Robert Faulder, at New Bond⯑ſtreet, bookſeller, applied to me for permiſſion to reprint this very imperfect performance. I con⯑ſented; but adviſed him by all means to get the additions by Dr. Forſter tranſlated, and an improved Faunula to be formed from the beſt authorities [iii] which could be procured: but, having myſelf ab⯑jured all future publications, referred him for that labor to any gentlemen willing and able to do juſ⯑tice to the performance. I took the liberty of pointing out three friends, of indiſputable abilities, and of whoſe Tind ſervices I had long and uſeful experience.
Dr. AIKIN, of Yarmouth, in Norfolk, with great chearfulneſs undertook the tranſlations: Mr. JOHN LATHAM, of Dartford, Kent, juſtly celebrated for extending the ſtudy of ORNITHOLOGY far beyond any naturaliſt of our days; and the Rev. Mr. HUGH DAVIES, rector of Aber, in Caernarvonſhire, underwent the taſk of arranging the very numerous ſubjects of the INDIAN FAUNULA. The more la⯑borious part, relative to the Inſects, fell to the ſhare of Mr. LATHAM: the reſt to that of Mr. DAVIES. A more complete enumeration was never formed, conſidering the extent of the country; and the ma⯑terials imported into our iſlands. Science has of late years found its way into our moſt diſtant poſ⯑ſeſſions; and we gather its fruits: the Faunula [iv] is a ſuffcient proof of the richneſs of the harveſt. Collectors at home, or in the diſtant Indoſtan, will find conſiderable benefit from this part of the work. It will direct their reſearches, or inſtruct them in the arrangement of the new acquiſitions. If my paſt labors can in any ſhape contribute in the left to the amuſement of the individual, or to the pub⯑lic in general, the reflection cannot fail beſtowing on me the moſt pleaſing ſenſation.
TITLE PAGE. The common Bird of Paradiſe, with a View of Dory Harbour in New Guinea.
N. B. The birds repreſented in plates 3, 6, and 8, are, by an over⯑ſight in the letter preſs, ſaid to be figured of the natural ſize: the real meaſures are as follow, viz.
Page 40. For BICALCARATUS read BICALCARATA.—The length of this ſpecies is about 13 inches.
[3] THE name of India is probably derived from Hind, or Hindu, the appellation of the people inhabiting it, which the Spaniards and Portugueſe, the firſt navigators to India, were accuſtomed to write Gentu. The Greeks, who penetrated through Perſia into India, received from the Perſians the name of Hind, as that of the nation; but they alſo improperly called Indus, the river named by the inhabitants Sind or Sindo. In a later age, the Romans termed the country, India, the people, In⯑dians, but the river alſo, Indus; yet they were not unacquainted with the name of Sindi. The Arabians and Perſians again em⯑ployed the names of Sind, and Hind, which occur frequently in their writings. After the Portugueſe began to navigate for the purpoſe of exploring new regions, many of them ſuſpected, that if they were to ſteer directly weſtward, they would at length arrive at the fartheſt iſlands in the vicinity of India; and becauſe they conceived theſe iſlands to lie before thoſe Indian regions (ante illas) they gave them, in the geographical charts made before the diſcovery of America, the name of Antilles; and that India, which [4] they ſuppoſed ſituated behind the Antilles, they named the Weſt Indies, becauſe it might be reached by ſailing weſtward. Hence appears the reaſon why in our age the name of Indies is ſo widely extended.
THAT India whence the animals now to be deſcribed are taken, is Eaſt India. But even here there is much variation as to the countries to which this name is proper and peculiar. In the firſt place it is maintained, that India is only wherever the Hindu nation inhabits, or the country called by the Perſians, Hindoſtan, which is comprehended between the rivers Sind and Ganges, cloſed to the north by the ridge of Imaus or Caucaſus; and on the ſouth ſurrounded by the ocean; ſo that the whole peninſula on this ſide the Ganges, belongs to Hindoſtan.
BUT in a more extended ſenſe, the peninſula beyond the Ganges alſo is a part of India. And its limits are much more extenſive, if under this ſecond ſignification of India are reckoned all the iſlands of the Indian ſea, from the eaſt and north of Madagaſcar, as far as New Holland, and thence eaſtward to the Philippine iſlands, together with New Guinea; and it is principally with this meaning that the Engliſh and Dutch ſailors uſe the word India, and Mr. PENNANT ſeems to have adopted it in his account of the animals, of India.
FROM what has been ſaid, it will be evident that a diſquiſition concerning the climate, ſoil, and ſeas of India, thus largely under⯑ſtood, will be a matter of much difficulty.
MOUNT Imaus, MOUNTAINS. ariſing in the very borders of Perſia, and whoſe northern ridge ſeparates India from Bokara or Bactria, from Ca⯑ſhimire or Caſpatyrus, from the kingdom of Tibet, and from the Chineſe province of Yunnan, terminates at length in the kingdom [5] of Tonquin, and runs out into other branches. At the root of this mountain the temperature of the air is very various; for in the winter ſeaſon the country is buried in ſnow and froſt, not, however, for a long time. Thoſe ſummits alone from which the Sind and Ganges are principally fed, are covered with perpetual ſnow. Yet even the plain tract at the mouths of the Ganges is not entirely free from froſt during winter, ſince the inhabitants collect ice artificially prepared, for cooling liquors in the heat of ſummer, GREAT HEATS. although Fahrenbeit's thermometer never ſinks below 42. But in the ſummer ſeaſon the inhabitants undergo the moſt intenſe heats, ariſing to the 114th, nay even to the 120th degree of Fahrenbeit's thermometer; ſo that men are ſcarcely able to breathe, plunge into water up to the chin, and aſcend the higher trees that they may inhale a ſomewhat cooler breeze; whilſt they whoſe occupations oblige them to endure the hot air abroad, not unfrequently fall ſuddenly dead. The birds too are often killed by the heat, while flying, or ſitting on trees, and fall to the ground.
THEN, as the flat country is inundated about the ſolſtice by the ſwoln waters of the Ganges, which returning into their channel, leave many ſtagnant pools, the exhalations raiſed by the ſun's heat form a body of intenſely hot vapour, extremely noxious, ſo as to occaſion putrid fevers of the higheſt malignity, which frequently prove fatal within three hours.
LET us now paſs into the peninſula of India on this ſide the Ganges, and examine the nature of its climate and ſoil. This part of India is divided into two parts by the ridge of mountains called Gatté; and while ſummer reigns on one ſide, winter pre⯑vails on the other. This chiefly proceeds from the winds, which, [6] from October to April, blow conſtantly from the north; and from April to October, from the ſouth. For the ſpace of ſome weeks before this change, there is generally ſcarcely any wind; but at the commencement of the change, ſuch tempeſts ariſe as to cauſe great damage to mariners. On the eaſtern ſide of the peninſula, called the coaſt of Coromandel, the ſky from April to October is conſtantly ſerene without a ſhower, but from October to April is the rainy ſeaſon. On the weſtern or Malabar coaſt, on the contrary, there is no rain from October to April, but very heavy rains fall from May to September. During the fair ſeaſon, intenſe heat infeſts the whole coaſt; but in the rainy ſeaſon, the temperature is at intervals more moderate, and at that time all the rivers ſwell, and their ſtreams are partly diſtributed through the fields for the purpoſe of fertiliſing them, and partly are received into ponds or great receptacles, where the water is preſerved with care, to be let into the fields at proper periods.
THE region of India beyond the Ganges has nearly the ſame climate with the peninſula on this ſide; RIVERS. but it is particularly well watered by large rivers. Of theſe we ſhall firſt mention the Bahramputter (Burrampooter) which flows through the whole country of Tibet from the very confines of Caſhimire, and, after it has croſſed the kingdom of Aſſam, enters that of Bengal at Ran⯑gamatty, and at length, juſt upon the coaſt of the Indian ſea, mixes its waters with thoſe of the Ganges, in an equally copious, ſtream, and thus enters the ſea in a common channel. Next, the rivers Ava, Pegu, and Tenaſſerim, riſing in the Tibet mountains, after watering the kingdoms whoſe names they bear, enter the bay of Bengal on the weſtern ſide of the peninſula.
THE Menam and Menam-kom, or Siam and Cambodia rivers, [7] flow down from the mountains which part the province of Yun⯑nan in China, from India. All the above rivers, the Bahramputter excepted, take their courſe through large vallies, encloſed on each ſide by ridges of hills. On the approach of the ſun to the tropic of Cancer, the ſnow on theſe mountains is diſſolved, and all theſe vallies are overflowed, like Egypt by the Nile. When the rivers return into their channel, the moiſtened countries are ſown chiefly with rice, which yields a very rich increaſe. The kingdoms of Cochinchina, and Tonquin, are bounded to the eaſt by the ſea, and to the weſt by a ridge of mountains ſeparating them from the kingdoms of Cambodia, and Laos. From this ridge many rivers deſcend, which, after they have watered the country for a ſhort tract, mingle with the ſea.
THE ſoil of all India hitherto deſcribed is rich; and, SOIL. by the cultivation of the populous nations, which from the remoteſt ages have inhabited theſe regions, and addicted themſelves to agricul⯑ture, is rendered extremely fertile. And, by reaſon that ſo many nations, and ſuch various ſpecies of animals, have for ſuch a courſe of ages putrefied with the vegetables of this fruitful land, the ſoil, lixiviated with water and mixed with aſhes, affords to Europe a great quantity of nitre, the principal ingredient of its gunpowder. Rice is chiefly ſown in moiſt ſituations, and ſup⯑plies theſe people, who live a Pythagorean life, with a food of eaſy preparation, and extremely cheap. There is another kind of rice, which grows even on the hills, and ſpares the cultivators the labor of watering.
THE marſhes are covered with thick beds of reeds; and, MARSHES. near the mouths of the largeſt rivers, overgrown with impenetrable groves of mangles. Among the cultivated tracts, here and there [8] dry ſpots are obſerved, covered with briars and thickets. The parts neglected by human culture are full of woods, which abound with the moſt beautiful and ſingular birds, eſpecially parrots, peacocks, pigeons, and others infinitely diverſified with the gayeſt and moſt varied plumage; together with herds of antelopes, tribes of monkeys, and numbers of lions and tygers. The ele⯑phant, and rhinoceros, alſo inhabit theſe foreſts, which ſcarcely ever loſe their leaves, but are always verdant, and perpetually loaded with fruits of one kind or another.
NATURE wears a different form in the iſlands of the Indian ſea. ISLANDS. But, that we may the better underſtand the nature of the climate, and the temperature of the atmoſphere, it will be of particular uſe to conſider the courſe of the winds which prevail in theſe ſeas. WINDS. Between both tropics the wind almoſt. conſtantly blows from the eaſt; and at the equinoxes, about the line, the courſe of the wind is directly from eaſt to weſt. For the ſun in the day-time heats the air; and about noon, when it is vertical, the atmoſphere glows with heat, and therefore is rarefied; at the ſame time, the ſun, ſeeming rapidly to move from eaſt to weſt, on account of the diurnal revolution of the earth, cauſes noon ſucceſſively in different regions. Towards evening, when the ſun is in the weſt, the air from both ſides of the globe, as likewiſe from the eaſt, ruſhes towards the weſt, and follows the ſun, in order to balance the rarefaction of the heated atmoſphere: this current of air is the eaſt wind. The greater the diſtance from the equinoctial line in each hemiſphere, the more the wind inclines to the north or ſouth. Now, when the ſun arrives at the tropic of Cancer, the eaſt wind follows it; but the eaſt-north-eaſt and north-eaſt ex⯑tend beyond the tropic of Cancer into the northern hemiſphere, [9] whilſt, on the contrary, the eaſt-ſouth-eaſt, and ſouth-eaſt ſcarcely reach farther than the equinoctial line. And when the ſun re⯑cedes to the tropic of Capricorn, the eaſt wind follows it there too; but the eaſt-north-eaſt, and north-eaſt ſcarcely reach beyond the line, rarely to the tropic; while the eaſt-ſouth-eaſt, and ſouth-eaſt ſpread far into the ſouthern hemiſphere. Theſe obſervations are generally true concerning the winds within the tropics, and eſpecially in the great Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
EVERY where within the tropics, on approaching within three or four leagues of land, a breeze is met with blowing from ſea to land, from nine in the morning to ſun-ſet; and from land to ſea, from about ten at night to ſun-riſe. Theſe obſervations alſo hold in general with reſpect to the winds in the vicinity of lands within the tropics.
IN the Indian ſea, from October to April, the eaſt-north-eaſt, and north-north-eaſt winds prevail as far as the line. But during the ſame ſeaſon, from the line ſouthwards to about the 14th de⯑gree, the weſt, weſt-ſouth-weſt, and ſouth-weſt are the prevailing winds; and beyond this ſpace, the eaſt-ſouth-eaſt, and ſouth-eaſt. From April to October, in the northern hemiſphere, the weſt, weſt-ſouth-weſt, and ſouth-weſt winds reign: to the ſouth of the equinoctial, as far as about the 12th degree, the eaſt, and eaſt-ſouth-eaſt; and beyond that point, the eaſt-ſouth-eaſt, and ſouth-eaſt. Theſe prevailing winds are by ſailors termed the Monſoons; and from them ſome inferences may be drawn as to the tempera⯑ture of the air. The winds which blow acroſs great tracts of land heated by the ſun's rays, acquire a great degree of heat; and the greater ſpace they paſs over, the more ſcorching they prove. But wherever winds blow over the ſea, they are cooled [10] by the evaporation of the water: hence all ſhores and iſlands, though ſituated under the hotteſt ſun, enjoy the benefit of tempe⯑rate ſea breezes.
IF we mean to conſider too nature of the ſoil in the Indian iſlands, ORIGIN OF THE ISLANDS. we muſt attend to their two-fold form and origin. Some are lofty, and if of moderate ſize, they have generally a conical ſhape. On examination of the mountain and ſtrata in this caſe, it will preſently be obvious that the whole iſland has emerged from the bottom of the ſea through the force of ſubterranean fire; for all parts are full of volcanic remains. Actually burning mountains are likewiſe not uncommon in theſe iſlands. All the high iſlands which I have ſurveyed between the tropics, in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, were found to contain ſcoriae, eruc⯑tated aſhes, and liquefied matter, the manifeſt veſtiges of inteſtine fires. And that the ſame takes place with regard to the iſlands of the Indian ſea, is rendered probable by ſo many volcanoes yet to be ſeen among them, by the teſtimony of various navigators and eye-witneſſes, and by the ſtones, evidently reſembling ſcoriae and melted rock, brought from thence. It is wonderful that aſhes thrown up from volcanoes, and other ſcoriaceous matters comminuted and mixed with the earth, ſhould conſtitute a ſoil inferior to none in fertility; but it is certain that moſt plants thrive moſt luxuriantly in this ſoil, and that trees of all kinds grow in it to a ſtupendous magnitude.
THERE are within the tropics other iſlands, low, and little elevated above the ſurface of the ſea. All of this kind are the workmanſhip of zoophyte vermes, which raiſe on all ſides from the bottom of the ſea their manſions of a calcareous matter, whence at length are formed rocks and ſtony ſhallows very dan⯑gerous [11] to navigators. Since for the moſt part eaſterly winds are frequent in theſe ſeas, theſe animalcules, as if actuated by inſtinct, endeavour to exclude the waves driven by the winds, by means of their ſtupendous works; and therefore, carrying on the artful ſtructure of their calcareous or ſtony habitations, they extend them in long arms, which at laſt unite in a circle, within which they include a portion of calm untroubled ſea. On the oppoſite or windward ſide, the waves continually throw up fragments of corals, which, accumulating by degrees, form a mound againſt the force of the billows, and on that part the ſea is rendered gra⯑dually ſhallower; whilſt on the other ſide, immediately under the arms raiſed by the zoophytes, the ſea is of aſtoniſhing depth; and not unfrequently a part of the work remains open, for the ingreſs and egreſs of the tide. In the coral banks themſelves, ſand is collected by the waves, which afford ſoil and aliment for the ſeeds of ſhore plants brought thither by the ſea; and theſe plants at length periſhing, gradually create and accumulate a vegetable mould. If by chance a cocoa-nut be carried by the ſea to theſe ſpots, it germinates, and grows into a tall tree, bearing and diſ⯑ſeminating many nuts, ſome of which again germinating, ſoon form a palm-grove, affording ſhade to birds, and other animals, and ſupplying navigators, driven to the place by ſtreſs of weather, with a grateful food and liquor. The bay included within the arms conſtructed by the zoophytes is a receptacle for fiſhes which re⯑quire a calm unagitated ſea, and thus another food from the ani⯑mal kingdom is preſented to ſtrangers. The ſhallows, too, afford quiet and deſirable ſituations to molluſcae, and ſhell-fiſh of all kinds, and contribute much towards ſupplying the inhabitants of the iſlands with a variety of food.
[12] THE greater iſlands of the Indian ſea, Ceylon, Borneo, Java, Su⯑matra, Celebes, Luconia, Mindanao, Ceram, Gilolo, Waighen, and the iſle of Papua or New Guinea, are all mountainous, and full of burning or extinguſhed volcanoes. They are covered with ever⯑green woods and reed-grounds, luxuriant in various tropical fruits, productive of all kinds of ſpices, USEFUL TREES, &c and of many drugs valuable in medicine and the arts, eſpecially Camphor, Benzoin, Gamboge, Sanders, the Amomums, Coſtus, Zedoary, Galangal, the Peppers, Snakeroot, Dragons-blood, and many others which need not here be enumerated. Theſe iſlands, enriched with ſo many and great advantages, are everywhere inhabited by various animals; their woods and thickets are thronged with innumerable birds; their ſeas abound in fiſhes of all kinds, the greateſt part of which have never been examined by naturaliſts; and what vaſt treaſures of ſhell-fiſh their ſhores, marine rocks, and the bottom of their ſeas contain, may be gathered from hence, that for at leſt a century that theſe ſeas have been frequented by Europeans, they have continually been offering ſomewhat new to the curioſity of men whoſe avarice or vanity has prompted them to collect ſuch ſtores from all parts. Nor are theſe regions deſtitute of inhabitants, differing from each other in colour, ſhape, manners, dreſs, religion, and language. For ſome tribes in the interior receſſes of the woods and mountains preſerve their antient ſavage ſtate, treat all ſtrangers as enemies, and devour the ſlain; others, adopting gender manners, and formed to commerce, and even to ſubmiſ⯑ſion, become daily more civilized.
THUS much, concerning the limits, climate, ſoil, and ſeas of India, I thought neceſſary to prefix, in order to render what follows more perſpicuous.
THE Birds of Paradiſe are a genus of birds ſcarcely as yet ſufficiently known to the ornithologiſts, becauſe few of them are imported into Europe, and thoſe, too, mutilated in their feet, wings, and other parts, or diſtorted by having a ſtick thruſt within their ſkins, and thus too much lengthened. No real naturaliſt ever had the fortune to ſee a live Bird of Paradiſe, or to have obſerved their manners and economy *; for they inhabit a region viſited by very few Europeans, ſince ſcarcely any but ſailors and merchants are permitted to penetrate into the remoteſt eaſt, the country of the Paradiſe-birds. The hiſtory of this genus is there⯑fore ſtill full of falſities, or rather buried in ſuch darkneſs, that we can ſcarcely hope to gain more and truer information con⯑cerning them, till ſome perſon, by a journey into theſe parts, is [14] enabled, by his own obſervations and experiments, to give the public ſome accounts more ample and exact than we hitherto poſſeſs.
IT is moſt certain that theſe birds were never known to the antients; and whatever the Egyptian prieſts delivered concerning their Phoenix, has little agreement with the Bird of Paradiſe. But, that there may not be the left doubt remaining on theſe points, we ſhll collect what has been ſaid by the antients concerning the Phoenix, and, after the paſſages are brought in view, briefly ex⯑amine them. Herodotus, the father of hiſtory, relates (1. ii. 73.) that the Phoenix is a bird of the ſhape and ſize of an eagle, deco⯑rated with gold-coloured and purple wings; but he frankly con⯑feſſes that he had never ſeen the bird, but knew it only by its picture. Pliny (1. x. c. 2.) confirms that the Phoenix is of the ſize of an eagle, with the ſplendour of gold around his neck; the reſt of the body purple; having a blue tail ſpotted with roſe-colored feathers; combs adorning his face, and a creſt of fea⯑thers, his head. This was the antient opinion concerning the form and colours of the Phoenix; but the ſame Pliny relates from Manilius, that the converſion of the great year correſponds with the life of this bird, from which period the ſame courſe of ſeaſons, and poſition of the heavenly bodies, is renewed; and that this takes place about noon on the day that the ſun enters Taurus. Horapollo delivers the ſame notion reſpecting the Phoenix. "They (the Egyptian prieſts) meaning to ſignify the converſion of the great year, paint the Phoenix." Theſe notions are then to be explained from the theology of Egypt.
THE Sun, which produces the ſeaſons, is the Egyptian OSIRIS, a deity whoſe name has the ſame ſignification; for Oeiſch-iri in the [15] Egyptian tongue, is the maker of ſeaſons. But almoſt all the male gods, eſpecially, of the Egyptians, expreſſed the virtues and powers of the Sun. Hence, the vernal ſun, when it is peculiarly vigorous, and operates with moſt power, according to the diſcipline of the Egyptian prieſts, was Hercules, whom they therefore called Dſem⯑menuti, the virtue of God, or of the Gods. The ſame Hercules, according to Athenagoras (pro Chriſtianis, p. 18.) or, as Damaſ⯑cus has it ( [...] ap. Wolff. Anecdot. iii. p. 254.) "that prin⯑ciple was named, time void of old age, and likewiſe Hercules." Nor is it to be omitted, that in the obeliſk of king Rameſſes, the ſun is called the lord of ſeaſons, which in the Egyptian language is Seſoeiſch, or Seſooſis.
THE annual revolution of the ſun makes a year of twelve months; but the Egyptian year, long, was only 365 days; whence, every fourth year, four true ſolar years exceeded as many Egyp⯑tian years a ſingle day, which they were not accuſtomed to inter⯑calate. Hence the ſeaſons of the year wandered through the whole Egyptian year; and hence of the ſolar years as firſt fixed by Julius Ceaſar the dictator, 1460 equal 1461 vague Egyptian years. On this account, the Egyptian prieſts were accuſtomed to call four years with the day of intercalation, the year of God; and 1461 vague Egyptian years made the great year of God, that is, of the Sun. And they taught, that at this great period, the con⯑verſion of the great year took place, at which alſo the Phoenix regenerated—flew from Arabia to the city of the ſun, and de⯑poſited his father's body on the altar.
IT will now appear, why the Orphics, in hymn xi. to Hercu⯑les 3. addreſs him by the title of various-formed father of time. And Plutarch, in his treadle on Iſis and Oſiris, aſſerts, "that [16] the Egyptians fable Hercules to be placed in the ſun, and to re⯑volve with it." For, from theſe premiſes, it might juſtly be ſaid, with Nonnus of Panopolis, 1. xl. p. 683, "that Hercules rolls round the whole earth in the glittering orb of the ſun, and carries round with him the year, the ſon of time." Every common year, therefore, is a year of God; and the great year, the ſon of time, which, in the Egyptian language, would be Dſphenoeiſch, and, on account of the harſhneſs of the firſt letter, the Creels would make it [...], Phoenix. This origin of the name adds ſtrength to my opinion, ſince it is perfectly agreeable to the doc⯑trine of the Egyptians concerning theſe things, and at the ſame time exactly expreſſes all the ſacred fables of their prieſts relative to the Phoenix.
THAT the fabulous Phoenix of the Egyptians has nothing in common with the Birds of Paradiſe, will be ſufficiently manifeſt from what has been ſaid; yet it is not altogether without reaſon that we have here treated on the Phoenix; for the firſt Portugueſe navigators to the Indian iſlands called the Birds of Paradiſe, paſſa⯑ros da ſol, Birds of the ſun, in the ſame manner as the Egyptians had regarded the Phoenix as a ſymbol of the annual revolution of the ſun, and the converſion of the great year. The inhabitants of the iſle of Ternate call theſe birds Manu-co-Dewata; Birds of God. The French, Engliſh, and Germans have adopted the name of Birds of Paradiſe. All theſe names ſeem to attribute ſomewhat of a celeſtial origin to the birds. The name Manu-co-Dewata has induced ſome writers of natural hiſtory to call the bird Manuco⯑diata (Edwards, t. 110. Marograv. Braſil, 207. Raii Synopſ. Av. 21. n. 7. Briſſon Ornithol. ii. p. 130.) and the illuſtrious count de Buſſon, by cutting off part of the name, has made from [17] it his Manucode. Valentyne (vol. iii. p. 306, 313.) has treated at length of the Birds of Paradiſe. The Portugueſe firſt ſaw them in Gilolo, Papua, and New Guinea. Many idle fables have been propagated concerning theſe birds; among which are to be reckoned, that they have no feet, are always on the wing, paſs their lives in the air and feed on this element; on which account the inhabitants of theſe countries are accuſtomed to cut off their feet. But the people of the Aru iſlands have taught the Dutch in Banda better; and it is ſound that the feet are cut off in order that the birds may be more eaſily preſerved dry. The Indians, too, pay little regard to the feet, becauſe they uſe the ſkins of the Birds of Paradiſe only to adorn their helmets in their games and mock combats. But the Aruans, 70 or 80 years ago, brought theſe birds with their feet. Pigaſette, who accompanied Ferdi⯑nand Magalhaens in his voyage, teſtified from ocular demonſtra⯑tion, about 1525, that they were not without feet. But the length and peculiar ſtructure of the ſcapular feathers, prevent them from ſitting on trees in windy weather; and if they are once blown down to the ground, they are utterly unable to raiſe themſelves again by their wings. When taken by the natives, they are immediately killed, becauſe their food is unknown, and they defend themſelves courageouſly with their very ſtrong beaks.
OF the Birds of Paradiſe there are about ſix ſpecies *. 1. The great Paradiſe-bird of Aru. 2. The leſſer Paradiſe-bird of Papua. 3. and 4. Two black ſpecies. [18] 5. The white Paradiſe-bird. 6. The unknown Paradiſe-bird. 7. The leſſer King-bird, which is alſo to be reckoned among the Paradiſe-birds.
THE greater Paradiſe-bird is generally about two feet in length. Head, ſmall: beak, the length of the head, hard, pale-co⯑loured. Head and nape of the neck, yellow. Space round the eyes, black. Neck, beautifully reſplendent with very ſoft, ſhining, emerald-coloured feathers: thoſe of the breaſt, equally ſoft, of a pale yellowiſh-grey. Large cheſnut-coloured wings. Back co⯑vered with the ſcapulars elongated, ſtiff, narrow, pale brown, very much reſembling the looſe feathers of the oſtrich. Theſe expand while the bird flies; and therefore it is eaſy for him to remain in the air. On the ſides of the breaſt and belly are bundles of feathers, much ſhorter than the anterior ones, ſtiff, gold-coloured. From the rump ariſe two ſtiff feathers of great length, naked in the ſhafts, terminated with radiated plumes. Several birds of theſe countries are furniſhed with ſuch long feathers, as the Belurus (Pylſtaart) of Amboyna, the Alcedo Sari⯑wak, and a ſpecies of Papuan parroquet. In ſize it little exceeds the blackbird. Feet ſhort, with four ſtrong toes. The inhabi⯑tants of Ternate call this ſpecies Burong Papua, Papua birds; and ſometimes Manu-co-dewata, and alſo Soffu, or Sioffu. The Am⯑boyneſe call them Manu-key-aru, birds of the iſlands Key and Aru, [19] becauſe the people of theſe iſlands bring them to Banda and Am⯑boyna for ſale. The Aruans give them the name of Fanaan. In fact, theſe birds are not found in the iſland Key, which is about 50 miles eaſtward of Banda, but are met with in the Aru iſlands (which are 15 miles further to the eaſt than Key) at the dry ſeaſon of the weſtern monſoon, and return to New Guinea at the commencement of the rainy ſeaſon, as ſoon as the eaſt wind begins to blow. They fly in flocks of about 30 or 40, led by a bird which the Aruans call KING, but which is altogether diſtinct from the leſſer Bird of Paradiſe. This leader is black with red ſpots, and conſtantly flies higher than the reſt, which never ſepa⯑rate from it, but immediately when it ſettles, ſettle too; whence they frequently periſh, for if the leader ſettles on the ground, they are not able to riſe on account of the peculiar ſtructure of their feathers. Nor can they fly with the wind, for in that caſe their very long looſe feathers would be totally diſordered: they therefore always fly againſt the wind, and carefully abſtain from flight in a ſtorm, which often throws them to the ground.
WHILE flying they are noiſy, like ſtarlings; but their cry rather reſembles the croaking of ravens, and is particularly audi⯑ble, when in windy weather the incumbrance of their feathers brings them into imminent danger of falling to the ground. In the Aru iſlands they perch on the higheſt trees, eſpecially on thoſe of the ſmall-leaved Waringha with red fruit, on which they chiefly ſubſiſt (Ficus Benjamina? Hort. Malab. iii. f. 35. Rumph. Amboin. iii. f. 90.) They are taken by the inhabitants with bird-lime, ſnares, or blunt arrows. But though many fall alive into the fowlers hands, they are immediately killed, and after em⯑bowelling, and generally cutting off their feet, they are fumigated [20] with ſulphur, and dried; in which ſtate they are ſold, for half a dollar in Banda, but in Aru they may be purchaſed for a large nail or piece of iron. The Dutch ſhips frequenting the ſea be⯑tween New Guinea and Aru (a diſtance of 18 or 20 miles) not unfrequently ſee flocks of Paradiſe-birds croſſing the ſea from one to the other of theſe places, but always againſt: the wind. If a more tempeſtuous gale than uſual riſes during their flight, they ſeek the upper and calmer regions of the air, and thus continue their courſe. The natives faſten theſe birds to their helmets in place of creſts, in real and mock ſights; and often tie the whole or part of the ſkins to their ſwords. During the eaſtern mon⯑ſoon their very long feathers fall; and in the weſtern monſoon, within the ſpace of four months, as the Aruans report, they are replaced by new ones.
THE leſſer Paradiſe-bird of Papua. This ſpecies is about twenty inches in length. Beak, lead-colored, paler towards the apex. Eyes, ſmall, and ſurrounded with black. Neck, eme⯑rald-colored. Head, and back of the neck, duſky-yellowiſh. Wings, ſmall and cheſnut-colored. Breaſt and belly, brown. Back, yellowiſh-grey. Long ſcapulars, about a foot in length, and paler than in the former ſpecies; which is in general to be obſerved of all the ſplendid colours in this ſpecies. The long bare feathers of the tail are conſtantly rejected by the inhabitants. In other reſpects, this ſpecies has every thing in common with the [21] former. Theſe birds alſo follow a leader; which, however, has more of a dark purple in his wings; but this leader is diſtin⯑guiſhed from the 3d and 4th black kinds. The Papuan inhabi⯑tants of the iſland Miſſowal, (Mixoal, Mayſel) relate that theſe Paradiſe-birds never migrate, but build neſts in the higheſt trees, where they are found by the Alfubris. The beak and neck are longer in the male than in the female. By the people of Ternate, and Tidore, this bird is called Toffu or Burong Papuwa, Papua-bird. By the Papuans it is named Shag or Shague. The people of Eaſt Ceram give it the name of Samaleik; but in the iſle of Sorghile, in New Guinea, it is called Tſhakke. It was formerly believed that theſe birds were found in Gilolo or Halamahera, and the adjacent iſlands to the ſouth and ſouth-eaſt; but it is now certain that they are peculiar to the Papuan iſles. Theſe extend from the ſouthern extremity of Gilolo, and northern coaſt of Ceram, as far as the weſtern part of New Guinea. The largeſt of them are Miſſowal (Mayſol) lying to the north of Ceram; and Sala⯑watti, or Salawat, ſituated near the country or iſland of Serghile, in New Guinea. This laſt, in the earlieſt Portugueſe maps, is im⯑properly called Ceram, and is ſeparated from New Guinea. Theſe Paradiſe-birds perch on the higheſt trees of the mountainous region, and are killed with blunt arrows by the people of Miſſo⯑wal. Others relate, that the natives medicate the water of which the birds are uſed to drink, with the India-berries (Meniſperman Cocculus Linn.) whereby they are rendered ſo ſtupid as to be taken by the hand. Theſe birds commonly feed on the fruit of the Tſhampeda-tree, which they perſorate with their bills, and thus extract the kernels. It is fabled by ſome, that when theſe birds become weak with age, they fly a great height towards the [22] ſun, till they fall down dead. The Papuans, after killing and embowelling them, dry the cavity with a hot iron, and encloſe them in a joint of bamboo, in order the better to preſerve them.
THE black Paradiſe-birds. The larger variety of theſe is ſold by the natives without wings and feet, and therefore is very difficult to be deſcribed with accuracy. The remains are generally ſtretched out on a ſtick to the length of four ſpans. The feathers of the head, neck, and belly are black, ſilky, and mixed with a radiant hue of purple and gold. Beak, blackiſh, an inch long. From both ſides ſpring bunches of feathers, ſome⯑what ſimilar to quill-feathers, but in reality very different from them, for this ſpecies is always offered to ſale with the wings cut off. The feathers in theſe bunches are extremely ſoft, with broad webs like peacocks feathers, of a fine ſhining green, and all reverted; whence Valentyne ſuſpects that they become reverted in the bamboo joints in which they are encloſed by the natives. Tail, wedge-ſhaped. Tail feathers next the abdomen, hairy; upper ones, longer, and pointed; thoſe immediately beneath theſe, above a ſpan and a half in length, ſtiff, with looſe doubly com⯑pound rays, black above, ſhining below. The birds of this variety are brought only from the part of New Guinea called Serghile. The inhabitants carry the ſkins dried upon ſticks by ſmoke, and encloſed in bamboo joints, to the iſland Salawat, and exchange them for hatchets and coarſe cloths. The Pa⯑puans call them Shagawa, and alſo, Paradiſe-birds from Serghile: in Ternate and Tidore, they are called Soffu-kokotu, Black Paradiſe-birds. [23] Serghile is the moſt northern part of New Guinea, running out to a ſharp promontory, ſituated beyond or to the eaſt of Gilolo and the Papua iſland, and facing the north.
BESIDES the greater black Paradiſe-bird, there is a leſſer variety. Its feathers are equally long, but not ſo thick; black above, not ſhining. This variety is alſo deſtitute of the ſhining peacock feathers found in the firſt. It likewiſe wants the three long pointed tail-feathers, which are proper to the greater kind. The Alfubris, or inhabitants of the mountainous part of the iſle of Meſſowal, ſhoot theſe birds with arrows, and ſell them to the people of Tidore.
THE white Paradiſe-bird is the rareſt of all the ſpecies, and has two varieties, one entirely white, the other black and white. The firſt is very rare, and in habit much reſembles the Paradiſe-bird of Papua. The ſecond variety has its fore-part black, and back-part white, with twelve ſlender crooked almoſt naked feathers. This kind is the rareſt of all, and is procured only through the people of Tidore, becauſe it is found in thoſe Papuan iſles only which are little frequented, particularly in Way⯑ghihu (called alſo Wadju, Wardju, and Waygiu.) Some ſuſpect that they are imported from Serghile, in New Guinea.
IN 1689, a new ſpecies of black Paradiſe-bird was firſt ſeen at Amboyna, brought from Miſſowal, about a foot in length, with a ſhining purpliſh hue. Head, middle-ſized; bill, ſtraight; back, as in the other ſpecies, adorned with purple-blue feathers, but under the wings, and on the belly, yellowiſh, as in the apodous ſpecies. Back of the neck, mouſe-colored, greeniſh In this kind it is obſervable, that on the ſcapulae are bundles of green-edged feathers, which can be erected at pleaſure, like wings. In place of a tail, it has twelve black, naked, ſetaceous and thready ſhafts, like pendulous feathers. Feet ſtrong, with ſharp claws. Head ſmall; eyes encircled with black.
THE laſt ſpecies is the King-bird, which ſome reckon among the Paradiſe-birds; but, according to Valentyne, it is totally different from them. LINNAEUS and BUFFON, however, refer them to the Paradiſe-birds, chiefly induced by the ſhape of the bill, and the feathers peculiar to this genus. This bird is about ſeven inches in length, and ſomewhat exceeds a titmouſe in bulk. Head, and eyes (which are ſurrounded with a black circle) ſmall. Beak, ſtraight. Crown of the head, flame-colored: nape of the neck, blood-colored: neck and breaſt, cheſnut, with a band of bright emerald. Wings, large for the body; quill-feathers black, with rays ſpotted and ſtreaked with ſhining red. Tail, ſtraight, ſhort, and brown. Intermediate tail-feathers, long, [25] thread-ſhaped, black, exceeding the reſt a palm in length, with a lunated feathered tip, of a ſhining green above, brown below. Belly, ſpotted: from the ſides proceed bundles of broad-rayed feathers, one part of the rays, green, the other, brown. Back, blood-brown, gloſſy like ſilk. Feet, like thoſe of a lark; three toes before, one behind.
THIS bird never aſſociates with the other ſpecies of Paradiſe-birds, but flies about the lonely thickets, wherever it ſees red ber⯑ries, nor ever fits upon tall trees.
IN Aru it is called Wowi Wowi: in the Papua iſles, Sopclo-o. The Dutch name it Kings-bird. It is chiefly brought from Aru-Sopolo-o; and eſpecially from Wodjir, a well-known town of this iſland. The Aruans ſay they have never ſeen its neſt; but ſuſ⯑pect that it is a ſtranger from New Guinea, and there brings up its young, but never leaves Aru during the dry ſeaſon of the weſtern monſoon. It is taken in ſnares made of Gummatty, or with birdlime prepared from the Sukkom or bread-fruit (Artocar⯑pus communis Forſt. Charact.)
IT is embowelled and dried, and ſold in Banda. The Aruans put it in their helmets in their mock fights, and the game Toba⯑kalil.
THE illuſtrious BUFFON, or rather his friend Guencau de Mont⯑beillard, deſcribes ſix Paradiſe-birds in his Hiſt. of Birds, tom iii. edit. in 4to: and torn v. edit. in 12mo, p. 207, 238. Theſe birds ſeem alſo to be delineated in Daubenton's ſplendid Planches Enluminces, No 254, 496, 631, 632, 633, 634. Sonner at like⯑wiſe deſcribes and delineates the ſame ſix birds. We ſhall now therefore briefly compare theſe ſix birds with what we have above deſcribed at length from Valentyn, vol. iii.
[26] I. L'oiſeau de Paradis, is Valentyn's, I. Paradiſea major Aru⯑ena; and the Paradiſea apoda Linn.
II. Le Manucode, is Valentyn's, 7. Avis regia; Paradiſea regia Linn.
III. MAGNIFICENT. Latham Syn. ii. 477. Index, i. 195. Le Magniſique, on Manucode à bouquets, may ſeem in ſome reſpect referable to Valentyn's Paradiſea minor Papuana; though I conſeſs it much differs from it.
IV. SUPERB. Latham Syn. ii. 479. Index, i. 196. Le Superbe, on Manucode noir, as delineated in the Planches Enlum. ſeems to be either a young bird, or a hen, or taken at the moulting ſeaſon; for Valentyn's 3. Paradiſea nigra major, has long ſetaceous feathers in the tail; and the Hiſt. of Birds, as well as Daubenton's Le Superbe, are without them. What Gueneau de Monbeillard obſerves, however, is not to be overlooked; that the ſpecimens in the royal Paris muſeum are ill kept, and have loſt theſe long feathers by accident.
V. GOLD-BREASTED. Latham Syn. ii. 481. Index, i. 196. Le Siſilet, ou Manucode à ſix filets. I can ſcarcely help thinking that this is Valentyn's, 4. Paradiſea nigra minor, which by chance or deſign had loſt its long filaments near the ears.
VI. BLUE-GREEN. Latham Syn. ii. 482. Index, i. 197. Le Calybé, ſeems to be an obſcure ſpecies.
[27] THE other Paradiſe-birds of Valentyn are not yet ſufficiently aſcertained. It is greatly therefore to be wiſhed, that a naturaliſt ſhould undertake a journey into New Guinea, and the Papua iſles, ſince theſe regions ſeem full of new and unexplored natural wonders. In the meantime we hope that theſe obſervations con⯑cerning the Birds of Paradiſe will not be unacceptable to thoſe who are deſirous of an accurate knowledge of the works of Nature.
THIS ſpecies is found in Ceylon and Malabar. In the Cingaleſe tongue it is called Dandoelana; and, LONG-TAILED-SQUIRREL. from the noiſe it makes, Roekea.
It is about three times the ſize of the European ſquir⯑rel.
THE ears are tufted with black hairs: the end of the note is pink-coloured: the cheeks, legs, and belly, are of a dull yellow: between the ears is a yellow ſpot: the crown of the head, and the back, are black: from each ear is a bifurcated line or the ſame color, pointing down the cheeks: the upper part of the feet is covered with black hairs: the lower part naked and red.
THE tail is near twice the length of the body, of a light aſh-color, and extremely buſhy. The part next the body quite ſurrounded with hairs: on the remainder the hairs ore ſeparated, and lie flat.
[32] THE tree is the JAMBU Rumph. Amboin. i. 121. tab. 37. EUGENIA MALAC. EUGENA MALACCENSIS, Sp. Pl. 672. Fl. Zeyl. No 187. It is the moſt excellent of the Indian fruits, delicious in taſte, grateful in ſmell, pleaſing to the eye, and ſalubrious in its effects.
ITS native place is Malacca; and is only cultivated in Goa and Amboina, on account of its fine qualities, its roſeate ſcent and color, and its happy faculty of allaying the rage of thirſt in the burning fevers of the torrid zone.
INHABITS Ceylon: its length is ſixteen inches, BLACK AND WHITE FALCON. its weight about ten ounces.
THE bill is black: the irides of a reddiſh yellow: the orbits marked with white ſpecks. The head, neck, back, ſcapulars, quil-feathers, and ſome of the middle coverts of the wings, are black; the reſt of the coverts, thoſe of the tail, the tail itſelf, the breaſt and belly, are of a pure white.
THIS ſpecies is called in the Cingaleſe, Kaloe Koeroel⯑goya. We are uncertain whether it is trained for the amuſement of falconry, as ſome other kinds are, by the natives of Ceylon.
THE tree is the Vidara of Rumphius, ii. 17. tab. 36. RHAMNUS JUJUBA. the Rhamnus jujuba, Sp. Pl. 282. Fl. Zeyl. No 89. It bears an eatable fruit, of very little flavor.
THIS elegant ſpecies is found in Ceylon; LITTLE HORN OWL. is called there Bakkamoena, and is a ſcarce ſpecies even in that iſland.
IT is repreſented of its natural ſize. The irides are ſcarlet: the horns take their origin from the baſe of the bill, and point to the ſide of the head: on their inner ſide they are duſky, on their exterior white.
THE bill is duſky, ſurrounded with long briſtles: the circle of feathers round the eyes is of a very pale aſh⯑color: the external circle of a yellowiſh brown.
THE head of a deep aſh color: the back duſky: co⯑verts of the wings grey, marked with narrow, lines of black, pointing downwards: the quil-feathers regularly barred with black and white: the breaſt buff-colored, marked with ſmall ſagital black ſpots: the legs feathered half way down the naked part of a reddiſh yellow.
THE plant is one of the moſt beautiful of the Indies; GLORIOSA SUPERBA. []
[35] but at the ſame time its roots are the moſt venemous. It is found in Ceylon and Malabar, and, on account of its charming appearance, is called by Linnaus, GLORIOSA SUPERBA, Sp. Pl. 437. By the natives it is ſtyled Na⯑jajala and Nyaghala, poſſibly from its being poſſeſſed of a poiſon as potent as that of the ſerpent Naja, or Cobra de Capello, whoſe bite is the moſt fatal of any yet known.
[35]THIS ſpecies is rarely, FASCIATED COUROUCOU. found in the iſle of Ceylon, where the Cingaleſe call, it Rantvan-kondea. A ſpe⯑cies bearing ſome reſemblance to it is deſcribed by M. Briſſon, iv. 165, by the name Le Couroucou Cendre; but the bend on the breaſt, which diſtinguiſhes the Indian ſpecies, evinces it to differ from that of Cayenne.
ITS length was ten inches and an half: DESCRIPTION. the weight one ounce five-eighths.
THE bill black, thick, ſtrong, and arched; the baſe beſet with briſtles: the orbits naked, and of a deep blue: the irides yellow.
THE head and neck of a very deep duſky blue, fading into a paler as it approaches the breaſt.
ACROSS the breaſt is a faſcia or band of white; beneath that the whole under-ſide is of a bright reddiſh orange⯑color.
[]
[37] THE back is tawny; the coverts of the tail grey; the coverts of the wings, and the ſcapulars, elegantly barred with narrow undulated lines of black and white; the quil-feathers duſky, ſtriped with white on their out⯑ward webs.
THE tail is very long, tipped with black, and com⯑poſed of feathers of unequal lengths; the exterior feathers being much the ſhorteſt.
THE legs and feet ſmall and duſky: the toes diſpoſed two backward and two forward, as in the woodpecker tribe.
THE plant is the Nummularia lactea minima. Rumph. NUMMULARIA. Amboin. lib. ix. c. 78.
THE Cingaleſe give this ſpecies the name of Malkoha: THE RED-HEADED CUCKOO. it inhabits the woods, and lives on fruits
ITS length is ſixteen-inches: its weight four ounces.
THE bill is much arched. ſtrong, and of a greeniſh-yellow color: the crown of the head, and part of the cheeks, are of a bright crimſon, entirely ſurrounded by a band of white. The hind part of the head and neck black, marked with ſmall white ſpots: the fore part of the neck entirely black.
THE back and wings black: the tail very long, com⯑poſed of feathers of unequal lengths; their lower part black, the ends white.
THE breaſt and belly white: the legs of a pale blue.
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MR. Loten ſhot this on the Highlands of Java. It is called by the Malayans, THE RED WOODPECKER.Toekan, or the Carpenter, a name they give to woodpeckers in general, from the noiſe theſe birds make in boring trees, which reſembles that made by a workman.
IT is drawn the ſize of life. The bill is of a duſky blue: the head of a deep dull red, and adorned with a long crest pointing backwards: on the chin is a ſpot of yellow.
THE hind part of the neck, the back, the coverts, and ſecondary feathers of the wings, are of the color of red lead: the fore part of the neck is of a roſe-color: the belly white.
THE quil-feathers black, marked with large white ſpots: the coverts of the tail green: the tail consiſt of ſharp-pointed feathers, like the European kind, and is of a deep blue.
THE bill of the MALE is red: DOUBLE SPURRED PARTRIDGE. from that to the re⯑gion of the eyes is a naked red ſpace. The head is varied with black and white ſtreaks. The whole neck, above and below, is black, elegantly marked with ſagittal lines, the points tending upwards. The thighs white. The primaries duſky, edged with rufous. The back covered with rufous feathers, duſky on each ſide of their ſhafts. Tail duſky. Legs red, on each a pair of ſtrong ſharp ſpurs.
THE head of the female is cinereous. The color of the back and belly rufous, brighteſt below. The tail duſky. Legs red and unarmed.
THESE were taken near Colombo. The Cingaleſe call them Haben-Kukella.
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THIS moſt elegant ſpecies is painted the ſize of life. BLACK-CAPPED PIGEON. It was found on the ground in the iſle of Java, HEAT OF THE TORRID ZONE. hav⯑ing dropped down dead in one of thoſe hot days that are known only in the torrid zone, when the fowls of the air often periſh, unable to reſpire; when lions, leopards, and wolves, immerge themſelves up to their noſtrils in the water, to preſerve themſelves from the ſcorching fun *; and when even men themſelves have been forced to aſ⯑cend the higheſt trees, in order to draw in a more tempe⯑rate air †.
SUCH a day occaſioned the diſcovery of this ſpecies.
THE fore part of the head, the cheeks, DESCRIPTION. and beginning of the breaſt, were white: the hind part of the head black: the chin yellow.
[42] THE reſt of the neck, the breaſt, upper part of the belly, the back, coverts, and ſecondary feathers of the wings, of a fine green: the quil-feathers of a dark pur⯑ple.
THE lower belly and vent feathers of a fine yellow: the outſide of the thighs green; the inſide white; the lower ſide of the tail crimſon: the legs red.
THE bill, head, neck, fore part of the back, FLAMMEOUS FLYCATCHER. and leſſer coverts of the wings, black: reſt of the back bright orange or flame-color: primaries partly black, partly orange: breaſt and belly of the laſt color, ſinking into pale yellow towards the lower belly: tail duſky yellow towards the point: legs black.
THE upper part of the head, and whole back, of the ſuppoſed female, is aſh-colored: about the cheeks and throat duſky: breaſt orange: belly white: acroſs the primaries a flammeous band, bounded above and below with black: tail black above.
THESE are inhabitants of Ceylon.
TAILOR BIRD. HAD Providence left the feathered tribe unendowed with any particular inſtinct, WONDROUS INSTINCT. the birds of the torrid zone would have built their neſts in the ſame unguarded man⯑ner as thoſe of Europe; but there the leſſer ſpecies, hav⯑ing a certain preſcience of the dangers that ſurround them, and of their own weakneſs, ſuſpend their neſts at the ex⯑treme branches of the trees; they are conſcious of inha⯑biting a climate replete with enemies to them and their young; with ſnakes that twine up the bodies of the trees, and apes that are perpetually in ſearch of prey; but, heaven-inſtructed, they elude the gliding of the one, and the activity of the other.
AN Indian foreſt is a ſcene the moſt pictureſque that can be imagined; AN INDIAN FOREST. the trees ſeem perfectly animated; the fantaſtic monkies give life to the ſtronger branches; and the weaker ſprays wave over your head, charged with vocal and various-plumed inhabitants. It is an error to []
[45] ſay that nature hath denied melody to the birds of hot climates, and formed them only to pleaſe the eye with their gaudy plumage: Ceylon abounds with birds equal in ſong * to thoſe of Europe, which warble among the leaves of trees, groteſque in their appearance, and often loaden with the moſt delicious and ſalubrious fruit. Birds of the richeſt colors croſs the glades, and troops of peacocks complete the charms of the ſcene, ſpreading their plumes to a ſun that has ample powers to do them juſtice. The landſcape, in many parts of India, correſponds with the beauties of the animate creation: the mountains are lofty, ſteep, and broken, but cloathed with foreſts enlivened with cataracts † of a grandeur and figure unknown to this part of the globe.
BUT to give a reverſe of this enchanting proſpect, which it is impoſſible to enjoy with a ſuitable tranquillity; you are haraſſed in one ſeaſon with a burning heat, or in the other with deluges of rain: you are tormented with clouds of noxious inſects: you dread the ſpring of the Tiger, or the mortal bite of the Naja.
THE brute creation are more at enmity with one ano⯑ther than in other climates; and the birds are obliged to exert unuſual artifice in placing their little broods out of [46] the reach of an invader. Each aims at the ſame end, NEST. though by different means. Some form their penſile neſt in ſhape of a purſe, deep, and open at top; others with a hole in the ſide; and others, ſtill more cautious, with an en⯑trance at the very bottom, forming their lodge near the ſummit *.
BUT the little ſpecies we deſcribe, DESCRIPTION. ſeems to have greater diffidence than any of the others: it will not truſt its neſt even to the extremity of a ſlender twig, but makes one more advance to ſafety by fixing it to the leaf itſelf.
IT picks up a dead leaf, and, ſurpriſing to relate, ſews it to the ſide of a living one †, its ſlender bill being its needle, and its thread ſome fine fibres; the lining, feathers goſſamer, and down. Its eggs are white. The color of the bird light-yellow: its length three inches, its weight only three-ſixteenths of an ounce, ſo that the materials of the neſt, and its own ſize, are not likely to draw down a habi⯑tation that depends on ſo ſlight a tenure.
IN ſize it is much ſuperior to our largeſt curlews. The bill is yellow, WHITE-HEADED IBIS. very long, and thick at the baſe, and a little incurvated: the noſtrils very narrow, and placed near the head: all the fore part of the head is covered with a bare yellow, DESCRIPTION. and ſeems a continuance of the bill; and the eyes are, in a very ſingular manner, placed very near its baſe.
THE reſt of the head, the neck, back, belly, and ſecon⯑dary feathers, are of a pure white; a tranſverſe broad band of black croſſes the breaſt: the quil-feathers, and coverts of the wings, are black: the coverts of the tail are very long, and of a fine pink color;, they hang over and con⯑ceal the tail.
THE legs and thighs are very long, and of a dull fleſh-color; the feet ſemi-palmated, or connected by webs as far as the firſt joint.
[48] THIS bird was taken in the iſle of Ceylon, PLACE. and kept tame for ſome time at Colombo; it made a ſnapping noiſe with its bill like a ſtork; and, what was remarkable, its fine roſy feathers loſt their color during the rainy ſeaſon.
THIS ſpecies is very common in Ceylon, RED-TAILED WATER-HEN. where it is called Kaloe-kerewaka, and ſeems the ſame kind that is ſo often figured on the Indian papers.
ITS length is nine inches; DESCRIPTION. its weight ſeven ounces and a quarter.
IT has the form of the European kind: the bill a little thicker, of a greeniſh caſt, tinged with red; on the fore⯑head is a fleſh-colored ſpot.
THE hind part of the head and neck, the back and coverts of the wings, are black: the quil-feathers black, marked with large ſpots of a bluiſh caſt.
THE crown of the head, the cheeks, and whole under⯑ſide of the body, as far as the vent, are of a pure white: the vent feathers, and the tail, of a ferruginous red.
THE-legs and feet long, and of a dirty green, tinged with red.
NOTWITHSTANDING the iſles of the Eaſt-Indies ſwarm with crocodiles, BLACK-BACKED GOOSE. which are animals of inſati⯑able voracity, catching at every living creature that fre⯑quents their element, yet no country, abounds more with aquatic birds; nature hath happily given them a quick⯑neſs of fight, and an inſtantaneous locomotive power, which enables them to elude the jaws of an enemy, which, it is well known, cannot turn without the utmoſt diffi⯑culty. It is by a fine inſtinct that the leſſer and more agile ſpecies of ducks frequent, in flocks innumerable, the ſhores, the mouths of rivers, and the marſhy parts of the iſles, and are, with the crocodiles, joint tenants of the waters; while the larger and more clumſy fowl avoid thoſe places, and, dividing into ſmall families, haunt only the lakes and ſtreams that lie * in the deep receſſes of the []
[51] lofty and craggy mountains, protected by the cataracts that prevent the approach of their enemy.
TAME ducks abound ſo greatly in the iſles, INDIAN FOWLING. that the capture of the wild ſort is much neglected. Decoys are unknown there: the commoneſt, method of taking them is this: A man goes into the water with a pot or a hol⯑low calabaſh on his head, and walks or ſwims ſo low as to conceal his whole body: the birds, imagining the gourds to be brought down accidentally, ſuffer the fowler to ap⯑proach them; he pulls them by the legs under water, faſtens them to a girdle he wears for that purpoſe, and then proceeds in his ſport. This method is alſo practiſed in China, * and was doubtleſs introduced there, and into India, from Aegypt, the original ſeat of ſcience.
THE ſpecies of gooſe we now deſcribe, DESCRIPTION. is extremely common in Ceylon, and is equal in ſize to our wild gooſe: the bill is long, and black; at the baſe is a knob, which in old birds is very large.
THE head and neck are white, marked with ſmall black ſpots: the breaſt and belly of a pure white: the back and wings are black, but the ends of the primary feathers of a fine variable green.
THE tail is ſharp-pointed and black: the legs of the ſame colour.
SPOTTED-BILLED DUCK THE bill of this ſpecies is black, tipt with yellow, DESCRIPTION. and marked on each ſide of the baſe with a red ſpot: a white line paſſes from thence to and beyond the eye. The cheeks, and under ſide of the neck and body, white, more and more clouded from the chin to the vent, which is totally black: the wings, back, and tail, are black; each feather ſlightly edged with white; ſome of the ter⯑tials wholly white: the ſpeculum of a variable green, bounded above and below with a narrow line of white.
THIS is the common wild duck of Ceylon; and, if I recollect right, is not inferior in ſize to the Engliſh wild duck.
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WE give it this epithet, BLACK-BELLIED ANHINGA. to diſtinguiſh it from an Ame⯑rican ſpecies with a ſilvery belly *.
THIS kind is found in Ceylon and Java, but is not peculiar to thoſe iſlands; a variety, if not the ſome, being met with in Senegal †.
IT fits on the ſhrubs that hang over the water; and, in a country where every one's ideas are filled with ſerpents, often terrifies the paſſengers by ſhooting out its long ſlen⯑der neck, which, in their firſt ſurprize, they take for the darting of ſome fatal reptile.
ITS body is about the ſize of that of a common duck, DESCRIPTION. but the neck extremely long: the bill ſtrait, long, and ſharp-pointed; the upper part of a pale blue, the lower reddiſh.
THE eye is very piercing.
[54] THE head and neck and upper part of the breaſt are of a light-brown; each ſide of the head, and the upper part of the neck, marked with a broad white line.
THE crop is very large.
THE back, ſcapulars, and coverts of the wings, are marked lengthways, in equal portions, with ſtripes of black and white.
THE quil-feathers, belly, thighs, and tail, of a deep black; the tail remarkably long and ſlender.
THE legs and feet of a pale green; the four toes united by webs, after the manner of thoſe of the corvorant.
THE head of this ſhark ends obtuſely, TIGER SHARK being of an equal thickneſs: DESCRIPTION. the noſtrils are at the end of the noſe: at each corner of the mouth, is a ſtrong beard: the fins of the back are rounded and contiguous: it is of the diviſion that has the anal fin. The ground-color is duſky: the body marked with white bands paſſing from the back, towards the belly: the fins are ſpotted with the ſame color.
THIS ſpecies grows to the length of fifteen feet, and is ſaid to feed on the teſtaceous and cruſtaceous animals of the ſea.
CEYLON WRASSE. THIS ſpecies reſembles in form the elegant European ſpecies, DESCRIPTION. the L. Pavo, and L. Iulis. The head is blue: the coverts of the gills green, marked with purple lines: the whole body of a rich green: the dorſal and anal fins purple, edged with pale ſky-blue: on the mid⯑dle of the pectoral fin is an oblong purple ſpot, environed with light blue: the tail is lunated, the baſe blue: the two ſide rays (which appeared by the drawing to be ſtrong) purple; the intervening rays yellow. The ſize, about a foot and a half.
INHABITS the ſeas of Ceylon and Java: is called by the Cingaleſe, Dſchirau-Malu: by the Dutch, Papegaay Viſch, or Parrot-fiſh; and is eaten by the common people.
THIS Catalogue is taken from MR. LATHAM'S SYNOPSIS OF BIRDS, in Seven Volumes, Quarto (including the Supplement); and from his IINDEX ORNITHO⯑LOGGICUS, the moſt complete Work in its kind which I am acquainted with.
N. B. From our ignorance of the productions of India in. this Claſs, we are obliged to omit many Genera.