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Read Ebook: Zoological Illustrations Second Series Volume 2 or Original Figures and Descriptions of New Rare or Interesting Animals by Swainson William
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Ebook has 285 lines and 24197 words, and 6 pages
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
We view this elegant, though common shell, as the type of the Lamarkean Mitres, a group we shall hereafter consider as a sub-family. It is common in various parts of the Asiatic Ocean, and sometimes occurs of gigantic size: in its natural state it is covered with a thin olive epidermis.
TIARA isabella.
Order Zoophaga. Family Volutidae.
Sub-Family Mitrianae.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Types of Form.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
It is highly probable that the Mitres, like some other carnivorous marine animals, seek their prey, and habitually reside, in the deep recesses of the ocean. Instances are recorded of individuals having been brought up from great depths; and notwithstanding the number of species, of which we already know near 150, very few are common.
TIARA sulcata.
For this new and very distinct species, we are indebted to Mr. Bulwar. It was collected on the Pacific side of the American Isthmus. The central line indicates the true size of our specimen.
SYLVIA Regulus.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
With the exception of the Humming Birds, the Gold crests are the smallest birds in creation. The natural size of the only species found in this country is here represented; while the weight seldom exceeds eighty grains. Notwithstanding its delicate structure, this beautiful little bird braves the severest winters of Northern Europe: it is found in Denmark , and extends to the borders of the Arctic Circle, It is more frequent with us than is generally supposed, but its diminitive size screens it from observation. It is perpetually in motion: hopping among the branches, examining every leaf and spray, and will frequently catch minute insects that endeavour to escape, by darting at them like a Flycatcher: we have repeatedly watched a pair of these birds which frequented our garden at Warwick, in the middle of winter, for three years: their favourite resort was an old fir-tree, which they regularly and carefully explored, much in the manner of the Titmice
PHAENICORNIS flammeus.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Mus. Paris. Nost.
VOLUTILITHES muricina.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
VOLUTILITHES pertusa.
This species is certainly undescribed by Lamarck, nor do we find it in Dr. Fleming's useful compendium of the "Mineral Conchology." Our specimen has the grey tinge of the London clay fossils. Neither of these species are typical; as they represent the recent costated Volutes, in the adjoining group.
MITRELLA fusca.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Types of form.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
MITRELLA ocellata.
MARGARITA crocata.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Margarita. See Leach. Zool. Miss. 1. p.107.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
The present is a small species, seldom exceeding the size of the figure: in young shells there is a cardinal tubercle in our valve, which disappears with age. The Pearl-oysters are nearly all inhabitants of warm seas; the species require much elucidation.
NYCTIORNIS amictus.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Mus. Paris.
This is perhaps the rarest, and certainly the most extraordinary bird, which the recent Zoological researches in India has brought to light. Its discovery is due to a young and accomplished Naturalist of France--M. Duvaucel, now alas! no more: but who lived to perpetuate his name by his brilliant discoveries, and to enrich the French Museum with the most splendid specimens of oriential Zoology now in Europe.
Total length ab. 13, wings 5 1/4 , tail 3, tarsi hardly 1/2 in.
CULICIVORA atricapilla.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
The birds composing this natural but intricate group, have hitherto been found only in America. Scarcely superior in size to the Gold-crested Wrens, they exhibit much of the same activity and restlessness in searching after insects. Yet their manners, in other respects, are more in unison with those of the flycatching birds.
OLIVA purpurata.
SUB-GENUS, OLIVELLA.
CHARACTERS.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
OLIVA eburnea.
MARIUS Thetys.
Order Lepidoptera. Sub-order Papilionides.
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