234 History of Nature. [Boon X . 



Teeth ; with Eyes of the Colour of Fire ; but otherwise they are 

 white. They have always two Leaders, one to lead the Host, 

 and the other to guard the rear. With their Bills they dig 

 Furrows, over which they strew Bundles of Sticks, and cover 

 them with the Earth that they have before thrown out ; and 

 in these Recesses they breed. Every one of these Trenches 

 hath two Doors : one looking toward the East, through 

 which they go out to feed ; and the other looking west- 

 ward, by which they return. When these Birds discharge 

 themselves, they always fly against the Wind. They are 

 found only in one Place of all the World, which is an 

 Island, ennobled, as we have written before, for the Tomb 

 and Shrine of Diomedes, opposite the Coast of Apulia. These 

 Birds are like the Fulicae. They annoy Strangers that come 

 thither with their Cries ; but they fawn upon Greeks only, as 

 if they give such friendly Welcome to the Race of Diomedes. 

 Every Day they fill their Throat and Wings with Water, arid 

 so wash and purify the Temple; and hence arose the Fable, 

 that the Companions of Diomedes were turned into the 

 Shapes of these Birds. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

 What Animals cannot learn anything. 



AND now that we are in this Discourse on Ingenuity, I 

 must not omit to note, that among Birds, the Swallows 

 (Hirundines), and of land Animals the Mouse (Mures), 

 are very untoward in being brought to learn. Whereas 

 Elephants do what they are commanded. Lions draw under 

 the Yoke : Seals (Vituli) in the Sea, and very many sorts 

 of Fishes grow to be tame. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

 The manner of Birds in their drinking. 



BIRDS drink by sucking ; and those which have long- 

 Necks make Pauses between, with the Head thrown back- 

 ward, as if they would pour the Water into themselves. The 



