NATURAL HISTORY OF THE RIVIERA. 205 



damaged the lemon harvest in the Riviera to the extent of several 

 million francs. We found a large hornet seated on a lemon looking 

 out for prey ; and, as we walked by the road side among the heath, 

 locusts, looking like small birds, rose up and in their flight reminded 

 us of flying fish, for they appear unable to control their wings, 

 suddenly dropping as though they had been shot. But birds were 

 rare. Here and there a few goldfinches were seen feeding on thistle- 

 down, and a solitary raven, which had escaped the chasseurs, who 

 are ever on the watch, was croaking among the rocks. 



After a residence in England and India, the scarcity of birds here 

 is very marked. Rooks and wood pigeons are unknown. There are 

 no large trees for rooks to build their nests on, and if there were, 

 a rookery would attract every chasseur within one hundred miles, 

 and every bird, young and old, would be killed with the greatest 

 possible despatch. 



At twelve o'clock we reached Turbia, which overlooks Monaco, 

 and forms one of the finest views in the world. A gambling 

 train from Nice arrived as we were standing there, and hundreds of 

 persons got out to try their luck at the tables. Many of the English 

 whom we met at the hotels go very regularly and lose their money 

 there. Some believe they can win by watching their opportunity ; 

 but most, whilst acknowledging that they must certainly lose in the 

 long run, declare that they consider themselves amply repaid by the 

 excitement which the tables afford. It is difficult to imagine that a 

 mathematician or an actuary would frequent the tables, for the 

 percentage which the bank will gain may be calculated to a very 

 considerable nicety. 



Although I stayed some months at Nice and Mentone, and went 

 almost daily to Monaco, I never felt the smallest inclination to try 

 my luck at the tables, for it seemed like an invitation to play at 

 pitch and toss, on the understanding that I should pay a sovereign 

 when heads turned up, receiving only nineteen shillings for the 

 tails. But I had no objection to sit in a velvet cushioned chair, 

 and listen to the band ; for with my eyes turned up towards the 



