Orr's Circle of the Sciences: Organic nature, v. 3] A system of natural history: 2. Vertebrated animalsWilliam Somerville Orr W.S. Orr and Company, 1855 |
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abundant America amongst anal fin animals aperture appear arch attains a length bill birds body bones bony plates branchial branchial arches British species cartilaginous caudal caudal fin cavity Chimæra claws coasts colour common composed compressed confined considerable covered Crustacea ctenoid curved destitute dorsal fin eggs elongated Europe exceedingly exhibit extremity feathers feed principally feet female fishes frequently furnished genus ground habits head horny inches in length inhabitants insects larvæ legs male mandible membrane mouth nearly allied neck nest nostrils occasionally occur opercula organs pair palatine bones pectoral fins peculiar perch placed plumage portion prey rays remarkable Reptiles resemble scales seas Sharks short side singular skin slender Snakes sometimes South America species are found spines structure sub-family sub-order surface tail tarsi teeth toes trees tropical upper jaw upper mandible usually ventral fins vertebræ vertebral column whilst wings Yarrell young
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Стр. 309 - But the Nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet loud music out of her little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think miracles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet descants, the natural rising and falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted above earth, and say...
Стр. 295 - While thus exerting himself, a bystander destitute of sight would suppose that the whole feathered tribe had assembled together on a trial of skill, each striving to produce his utmost effect, so perfect are his imitations. He many times deceives the sportsman, and sends him in search of birds that perhaps are not within miles of him, but whose notes he exactly imitates ; even birds themselves are frequently imposed on by this admirable mimic, and are decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates ;...
Стр. 227 - ... birds beneath, forcing down the dense groups with which every stick was loaded. It was a scene of uproar and confusion. I found it quite useless to speak, or even to shout to those persons who were nearest to me. Even the reports of the guns were seldom heard, and I was made aware of the firing only by seeing the shooters reloading.
Стр. 259 - The base consists of an extensive, and rather convex platform of sticks firmly interwoven, on the centre of which the bower itself is built ; this, like the platform on which it is placed, and with which it is interwoven, is formed of sticks and twigs, but of a more slender and flexible description, the tips of the twigs being so arranged as to curve inwards, and nearly meet at the top.
Стр. 336 - The swallow lays from four to six white eggs, dotted with red specks ; and brings out her first brood about the last week in June, or the first week in July. The progressive method by which the young are introduced into life is very amusing : first, they emerge from the shaft with difficulty enough, and often fall down into the rooms below ; for a day or so they are fed on the chimney-top, and then are conducted to the dead, leafless bough of some tree, where, sitting in a row, they are attended...
Стр. 407 - Again she arose to the surface ; darted furiously to and fro ; frequently stopped short, or suddenly changed her direction, and gave every possible intimation of extreme agony. For a length of time she continued thus to act, though closely pursued by the boats ; and, inspired with courage and resolution by her concern for her offspring, seemed regardless of the danger which surrounded her. At length, one of the boats approached so near, that a harpoon was hove at her : it hit, but did not attach...
Стр. 252 - We have heard one imitate the sound made by the action of a saw so exactly, that though it was on a Sunday, we could hardly be persuaded that the person who kept it had not a carpenter at work in the house.
Стр. 140 - The tortoise is very fond of water, drinking large quantities, and wallowing in the mud. The larger islands alone possess springs, and these are always situated towards the central parts, and at a considerable height. The tortoises, therefore, which frequent the lower districts, when thirsty, are obliged to travel from a long distance. Hence broad and well-beaten paths branch off...
Стр. 350 - O ! sufficient to have alarmed a whole garrison. He has other nocturnal solos, no less melodious, one of which very strikingly resembles the halfsuppressed screams of a person suffocating, or throttled, and cannot fail of being exceedingly entertaining to a lonely benighted traveller, in the midst of an Indian wilderness...
Стр. 157 - ... mistaken for a quadruped. When at sea and fishing, it comes to the surface, for the purpose of breathing, with such a spring, and dives again so instantaneously, that I defy any one at first sight to be sure that it is not a fish leaping for sport.