185 



HONEY BUZZxVRD, (PERNIS APIVORUS.) 



The unusually marked Honey Buzzard, of which we present our readers with 

 a faithfully-coloured, and carefully- executed figure, was shot in the neighbour- 

 hood of Bridlington, Yorkshire, and was taken in the flesh to Mr. Jones, a bird- 

 stuffer of that town, about the end of May, 1850. It was from him purchased 

 by T. AlIUs, Esq., of Osbaldwickj but being in a very bad condition, was 

 sent by him to be re-stufFed by Mr. Graham, of York; who, with his usual 

 taste and skill, made a splendid specimen of it. To Mr, Graham we are 

 indebted for permission to copy the admirable painting of the bird made 

 for him by Miss Barker, the same young lady who so kindly executed the 

 drawing of the New Bustard, from which our plate in a recent number was 

 copied. The life-like attitude of the bird, so ably imitated by Mr. Graham, 

 has been admirably preserved in Miss Barker's drawing; and cannot fail, we 

 think, to be satisfactory to such of our readers as are familiar with the 

 natural positions of birds, which are always graceful and pleasing. 



By giving an accurately-coloured figure of the bird, we avoid the necessity of 

 a lengthened description. It is sufficient for us to remark that it differs from 

 the ordinary appearance of the Honey Buzzard in having the neck and breast 

 almost entirely of a pure white, instead of a rufous colour; having but a few 

 dark blotches towards the vent; the head and nape of the neck are also of a 

 bluish slate-colour: but it is possible that this may be the effect of age. 

 The eyes in the young of the Honey Buzzard are hazel, and yellow in the 

 adult. In this specimen the eyes were of a bright yellow colour, leading to the 

 supposition that it was an old bird. The sex was not ascertained, but from 

 its size it was probably an adult female. The back and tail were of the 

 usual colour. — B. R. M. 



CAN TOADS EXIST FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD 

 DEPRIVED OF FOOD AND AIR? 



BY n. MAVSMOR, ESQ. 



In the January number of ^'The Naturalist," Mr. Faulkner relates an 

 account of a Toad having been found in a strange situation, namely, in the 

 middle of a stone; and from this recent circumstance draws attention to such 

 rare phenomena, and thereby brings this disputed point before the readers of 

 "The Naturalist" for consideration. That Toads have been found in most 

 unlooked-for situations there can be no doubt; but naturalists can never be 

 brought to believe that they have been found alive in such extraordinary 

 places as parties fond of the marvellous have occasionally stated and insisted 

 on; and which statements have found credence among many unphilosophical 

 persons, who are only accustomed to look upon the surface of things; they arc ever 

 inclined to render uncommon appearances still more marvellous, and are there- 

 fore not to be trusted. It may be said that these unaccountable stories are 



VOL, II. 2 B 



