BOOK X .] History of Nature. 20 1 



that the Noctua Bubo, the Pious l that pecketh Holes in 

 Trees, the Trogon 2 and the Comix come out of their Shells 

 with their Tails first; because through the Weight of their 

 Heads the Eggs are turned (with the wrong End down- 

 ward), and so the hinder part of their Bodies lieth next 

 under the Hen to cherish with her Heat. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

 Of the Noctua. 



THE Contest of the Noctua with other Birds is with much 

 Skill; for when they are beset with a Multitude of them, 

 they lie upon their Backs, and resist with their Feet ; gather- 

 ing themselves into a narrow Compass, so as to cover their 

 whole Body with their Bill and Talons. The Accipiter, by a 

 peculiar Society of Nature, renders Assistance, and shareth 

 the War. Nigidius writeth, that the Noctua for sixty Days 

 in Winter keepeth close, and hath nine different Notes. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

 Of the Picus Martins. 



THERE are also some small Birds which have hooked 

 Claws, as the Picus ; which is distinguished by the Name of 

 Martius, and are of great Account in Auspices. They that 

 peck Holes in Trees, and climb in a pilfering Way like 

 Cats, are of this Race. They lie supine, and when they 

 strike with their Bills against the Bark, they know by the 

 Sound that there is Food within. These Birds alone bring 

 up their young ones in Excavations of Trees. And if a Shep- 

 herd wedge up their Holes, the Vulgar believe that they will 

 unstop it by the means of an Herb which they apply. Tre- 

 bius writeth, that if a Man drive a Spike or Wedge with all 

 his Might into the Tree in which this Bird hath its Nest, 

 when she settleth upon the Tree, it will instantly fly out 

 (with such a Force) that the Tree will give a Crack. In 



1 P. Martius, the greater Woodpecker. Wcrn. Club. 



2 Perhaps Trygon ; Columba tvj-tur, the Turtle-dove. Wern. Club. 



