318 EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 



Swallows have been said to retire in winter into holes in the banks of rivers, 

 and there to remain benumbed. But John Hunter has clearly proved that the 

 anatomical structure of these birds prevents the possibility of their long existing 

 in a frozen state. Moreover, Swallows, like other birds, may be traced in their 

 migrations, as is now well known. 



When the period of departure arrives, birds testify an irresistible restlessness. 

 The Canada Geese* (Anser Canadensis), tamed by the author at Charleston, 

 attempted every spring to obey their instinct. Although deprived of a joint of 

 the wing, they endeavoured to fly, and if they were set at liberty for a moment, 

 they escaped towards the north by running, as if they would undertake so long 

 a journey on foot ! A well-authenticated fact is mentioned by Wilson, of a 

 tamed Goose which escaped from Long-Island in spring, and returned to it in 

 autumn with three young ones, which remained with her. Goldwings, Orioles, 

 &c, carried while young from the north, and set at liberty in spring, fly in the 

 direction of the pole, as if guided by the compass. — Bib. Univ. de Geneve. 



2. The Reptiles of Barbaby. — The reptiles which I have studied, says M. 

 Geevais, come from Morocco and the province of Algiers. For those of the one I 

 am indebted to M. Fortune Eydoux, who visited Tangier when he was princi- 

 pal surgeon to the frigate Victoria. The others were taken in the neighbour- 

 hood of Algiers, by M. le docteur Marloy. I have likewise seen several from 

 Bona and Oran ; these last were sent to the Paris Museum, by MM. Bravais, 

 Gerard, Guyon, and Stenheil. The species which furnished the researches 

 of the various individuals I shall have to quote, amount to only twenty-seven ; 

 but, though few in number, they sufficed to impart a tolerably complete idea of 

 the Erpetology of Barbary. The reptiles of this country differ little from those 

 of the other parts of the shores of the Mediterranean ; but one circumstance 

 deserves notice, namely, that the number of species common to Spain and the 

 Morea which were found in Barbary, is unquestionably greater than that of the 

 Egyptian species. I do not insist on this observation, which is limited to geo- 

 graphic researches on another genus : indeed the acquaintance of naturalists with 

 the productions of these interesting countries is so little advanced that all gene- 

 ralisations which might at present be attempted, would undoubtedly be pre- 

 mature. On the Erpetology of North Africa we have but the information col- 

 lected by MM. Geofproy, Savigny, Ruppel, &c, for Egypt ; and by Shaw 

 and Poiret for Barbary. Vandelli has studied the reptiles of a part of Spain ; 

 Wagler has also described a few, but, by a singular mistake, has given them 

 as inhabiting Brazil ; Michaelis has observed them still more recently. M. 



* These birds are not, strictly speaking, British ; but they are met with in a half-wild state io 

 many noblemen's and gentlemen's parks in various parts of England,— Ed. 



