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ZOOLOGIST'S CALENDAR FOR JANUARY. 



Quadrupeds. — Those of our indigenous quadrupeds which 

 exhibit the remarkable phenomenon of torpidity, as the 

 Squirrel {Sciurus vulgaris), and more especially the Hedge- 

 hog {Erinaceus Europceus), and Dormouse {Myoxus avella- 

 narius), are at this dreary season sunk in their deep repose, 

 defended from the inclemency of the weather in retreats well 

 lined with dry leaves and moss, and other non-conductors of 

 heat. The dormouse commonly selects a cleft in a hazel- 

 bush or black-thorn, about three or four feet from the ground, 

 and carefully closes the aperture to its domicile when it has 

 taken up its final abode. Hedgehogs make a snug retreat 

 for themselves, where, imbedded in leaves and moss, they re- 

 main concealed for the winter. 



Birds. — The Blackbird {Merula vulgaris), Thrush {Tardus 

 musicus), Redbreast {Sylvia rubecula), Wren {Anortkura 

 communis), Tomtit {Parus cceruleus), Hedgesparrow {Sylvia 

 modularis), Skylark {Alauda arvensis), Woodlark {Alauda 

 arborea), and Chaffinch {Fringilla spiza), begin to sing oc- 

 casionally. 



Those birds which in summer frequent woods and solitary 

 places, now approach our dwellings. Several species of sea- 

 fowl and water-birds may be met with on our rivers. Larks 

 begin to congregate. The Missel Thrush {Turdus viscivo- 

 rus) begins to build ; and towards the end of the month the 

 Redbreast {Sylvia rubecula), and Housesparrow {Fringilla 

 domestica), commence their nests. The smallest of British 

 birds, the Golden-crested Wren {Sylvia regulus), may now 

 be seen in thick hedges near the house. 



Some birds are accused of destroying the buds of trees at 

 this season; but the truth is, that it is the insects frequenting 

 the buds, and not the buds themselves, of which the birds are 

 in search. 



Insects swarm under hedges on sunny days. Gnats play 

 about ; spiders make their webs ; bees appear. 



The following may be occasionally met with during this 

 month. The Peacock Butterfly {Vanessa lo), the Early Moth 

 {Cheimatobia rupicapraria), the Bay Shoulder Moth (Pero- 

 nea spadiceana), the Hearth Cricket {Acheta domesticus), the 

 Dung Beetle {Geotrupes stercorarius), and the Chain Beetle, 

 {Carabus catenulatus). 



Notwithstanding the severe cold usual at this season, the 

 eggs of many caterpillars which were deposited in autumn 

 survive, and are hatched in the course of the spring. 



Many small insects may also be found amongst mosses. 



