504 PLINY'S NATTTBAL HISTOBY. [Boo'kX. 



the north wind is blowing, having the ortygometra 4 for their 

 leader. The first of them that approaches the earth is gene- 

 rally snapped up by the hawk. When they are about to re- 

 turn from these parts, they always invite other birds to join 

 their company, and the glottis, otus, and cychramus, yielding 

 to their persuasions, take their departure along with them. 



The glottis 5 protrudes a tongue of remarkable length, from 

 which circumstance it derives its name : at first it is quite 

 pleased with the journey, and sets out with the greatest ardour ; 

 very soon, however, when it begins to feel the fatigues of the 

 flight, it is overtaken by regret, while at the same time it is 

 equally as loth to return alone, as to accompany the others. Its 

 travels, however, never last more than a single day, for at the 

 very first resting-place they come to, it deserts : here too it 

 finds other birds, which have been left behind in a similar 

 manner in the preceding year. The same takes place with 

 other birds day after day. The cychramus, 6 however, is much 

 more persevering, and is quite in a hurry to arrive at the land 

 which is its destination : hence it is that it arouses the quails 

 in the night, and reminds them that they ought to be on the 

 road. 



The otus is a smaller bird than the horned owl, though 

 larger than the owlet ; it has feathers projecting like ears, 

 whence its name. Some persons call it in the Latin language 

 the " asio ;" 7 in general it is a bird fond of mimicking, a great 

 parasite, and, in some measure, a dancer as well. Like the 

 owlet, it is taken without any difficulty ; for while one person 

 occupies its attention, another goes behind, and catches it. 



If the wind, by its contrary blasts, should begin to prevent 

 the onward progress of the flight, the birds immediately take 

 up small stones, or else fill their throats with sand, and so 

 contrive to ballast themselves as they fly. The seeds of a 

 certain venomous plant 8 are most highly esteemed by the 



4 The "mother of the quails." Frederic II., in his work, De Arte 

 Venandi, calls the "rallus," or "rail," the "leader of the quails." 



5 From yXwrra, " a tongue." It is not known what hird is alluded to. 



6 Bellon thinks that this is the prayer, or prayer, of the French ; Al- 

 drovandus considers it to he the ortolan. 



7 Gesiier suggests from "asinus," an "ass;" its feathers sticking up 

 like the ears of that animal. Palechamps thinks it is because its voice 

 resembles the braying of an ass ; the name " otus" is from the Greek for 

 " ear." 8 Either hemlock or hellebore. 



