THE EDINBURGH 



JOUENAL OF NATURAL HISTORY, 



AND OF 



THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES, 



SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1836. 



ZOOLOGY. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE THE WHIDAH BUNTING. 



Frosi the remarkable characters of this section of Buntings, we have devoted a whole 

 plate to the illustration of a single species (the Emberiza Paradisea), in its various 

 states of plumage. This biid is an inhabitant of Africa, and is said to be plentiful in 

 the neighbourhood of Fort Whiduh, near Angola, whence it derives its name. It is 

 very commonly designated the Ji idow Bird, being a corruption of its real appellation. 



Like most of the feathered tribe, it undergoes two moults during the year ; and 

 when it has assumed its perfect garb, after each of these, presents appearances so 

 very dissimilar, that it seems a totally distinct species. In its full summer dress it 

 is adorned with four central tail feathers, which are both long and black, as exhibited 

 at fig. ] . Its head and throat are also black ; the sides of the neck arc of a high 

 orange brown. While in its winter attire it is denuded of these elegant appendages* 

 and presents the more humble aspect of our common Corn Bunting. As the seasons 

 in South Africa are opposite to those of Britain, the summer plumage of this bird 

 appears during our winter, or about November and December ; while its winter plum- 

 age appears during our summer, or in May and June. This bird appears to undergo 

 an almost perpetual moult. After it has shed the long tail featheii, which usually 

 takes place about the 6th December, it is something like fig. 3 ; but gradually changes 

 till it assumes the Sparrow-like appearance of fig. 4 ; and finally acquires its winter 

 plumage as seen at fig. 5. This is about the 20th of June in Britain. It remains 

 but a very short time in this garb, when black feathers begin to shoot out in various 

 places, and it soon acquires an appearance something like fig. 4. The moult con- 

 tinues; and the external appearance of the bird changes until it has assumed the 

 dress as represented by fig. 3; shortly after which the long central tail feathers begin 

 to appear, and it is seen, as in fig. 2, on or about the 1st of October. The central tail 

 feathers increase in length until it has again acquired its full summer habit, as at fig. 1. 

 Different as are the various appearances of the bird in the plate, it is subject to many 

 more, during the transitions from one condition to another. 



The bill undergoes considerable change, both in shape and colour, which are pro- 

 duced by exfoliation. It is deep blueish -black in summer, and pale lead-coloui" in 

 winter. 



The female Whidah Bunting, when young, has much the appearance of the male 

 bird in its winter attire, but is considerably deeper in the tone of its plumage, which 

 annually becomes darker till it arrives at mature age, which is said to be four years. 

 It is represented at fig. 6. 



Our figures of the male bird have been drawn from a hving specimen which has 

 been in the possession of Sir Patrick "Walker of Drumsheugh since 1827. This spe- 

 cimen is supposed to have been two years old when he first procured it. Being a long- 

 lived species, it has been known to survive in Europe to the age of sixteen years when 

 in a captive state. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE THK BEETLES. 



The Insects which compose the order Coleoptera are the most perfect of this class 

 of beings, and are, therefore, placed at its head. A striking characteristic which 

 prevails generally throughout the order is, that their lower wings are covered by a scaly 

 sheath. There are, however, a few species which possess all the other characters, 

 but are destitute of this protection to their under wings. 



Coleopterous Insects are remarkable for the perfection of their organic structure, 

 the singularity of their forms, and the splendour of their colouring. Many of them 

 exhibit hues of the most brilliant metallic lustre, sparkhng with all the varied tints of 

 the rainbow. The order comprehends some of the largest species of Insects, while 

 many of them are the most minute which have yet been discovered; the perfection of 

 whose structure is well calculated to excite our highest admiration of that infinite 

 skill and adaptation manifested in all the works of the creation. Is it not truly won- 

 derful that beings invisible to the naked eye, and measuring only the ninetieth part 

 of an inch, should possess as complicated a form as their congeners which measure 

 six inches in length ! 



Fig. 1. The Fiery Beetle (Ontkophagus Igneus) is remarkable for the brilliancy of 

 its head and thorax, which assume a fiery appearance, contrasted with the dull black 

 of its lower wing covers, or elytra. It is a native of India. 



Fig. 2. The Kangaroo Beetle (Scarabceus Macropvs). — There is something very 

 singular in the conformation of this Beetle. Only one specimen has yet been disco- 

 vered, and is said to be in the cabinet of BIr Blacleay. It is supposed to have been 

 brought from South America. 



Fig. 3. The Atlas Beetle (5. Atlas'). — This large and curious Insect is a native of 

 Java, and is said also to occur on the continent of Asia. 



Fig. 4. The Gigantic Beetle {S. Tityus)^ Male, and fig. 5, the Female. — It will 

 be remarked that there is a considerable difference between the male and female of 

 this species; the male is provided with two strong horns, while the female is destitute 

 of them. It is a very rare species, and inhabits Carolina, Virginia, and other states 

 of North America. 



Fig, 6. The Hercules Beetle (5. Hercules). — This gigantic species inhabits the 

 Antilles, where it is very plentiful ; it is sometimes found in several of the other 

 American islands. 



Fig. 7. The Elephant Beetle (5". Elephas) may be justly ranked as one of the 

 most beautiful and interesting of its tribe. It is a native of the West Indies. 



Fig. 8. The Golden Beetle {Chrysophora Chrysoclora). — This species is nearly 

 alhed, in many particulars, to the Kangaroo Beetle, and was first discovered in Peru, 

 by Baron Humboldt. It lives in societies. 



Fig. 9. The Prodigal Beetle (Ruiela Sumptuosa). — This is a beautiful Insect, and 

 forms a fine addition to a genus whose colours are almost all of a sombre hue. It is 

 a native of Brazil. 



Fig. 10. The Shining Beetle (/i. Nitesceiis)^ so named from the glossy appearance 

 of its body, is a native of Brazil. 



Fi"-. 11. The Clubbed Beetle (Macraspis Clavata). — This is the appearance pre- 

 sented by the Insect when in a living state, but when dead it assumes a much darker 

 colour. It is a native of Brazil. 



Fi"-. 12. The Goliath Beetle {GoUathus Magnus'). — This superb beetle is a native 

 of the AVest Coast of Africa, and only one specimen has hitherto been found, which 

 is preserved in the Hunterian Museum of Glasgow. 



Fi'T. 13. The Hicroglj-phic Beetle (Gymnetis Hieroglyphica) is a native of Brazil. 



Fi"-. 14. Macleay's Beetle (^Euchlora Macleayana) is a very beautiful Insect, and 

 a native of Jladras. 



Fi"-. 15. The Peruvian Beetle (Chryseina Peruviana). — This very handsome 

 beetle has one remarkable peculiarity which' distinguishes it from its congeners. The 

 green colour, at least on its upper surface, is merely superficial, and may be removed 

 by friction, when it exposes the black colour beneath. 



A Clrious Fact coycERNiNG Bees. — As a small vessel was proceeding up the 



Channel from the coast of Cornwall, and running near the land, some of the sailors 

 observed a swarm of Bees on an island; they steered for it, landed, and took the bees 

 on board, succeeded in hiving them immediately, and proceeded on their voyage. 

 As they sailed along the shore, the Bees constantly flew from the vessel to the land 

 to collect honey, and returned again to their moving hive; and this was continued 

 all the way up the Channel. 



Fire Fly. — At Baltimore I first saw the Fire Fly. They begin to appear about 

 sunset, after which they are sparkling in all directions. In some places ladies wear 

 them in their hair, and the effect is said to be very brilliant. Mischievous boys will 

 sometimes catch a bull-frog and fasten them all over him. They show to great ad- 

 vantao^c; while the poor frog, who cannot understand the *' new lights" that are 

 breaking upon him, afi'ords amusement to his tormentors by hopping about in a state 

 of desperation. — Vigne's Six Months in America. 



Attack of Sparrows on a Mouse. — In the summer of 1831, one of the resi- 

 dents of the Temple, London, turned a Jlouse loose in the open grand space, and the 

 little intruder had no sooner made his appearance than he was simultaneously attacked 

 by the Sparrows. So furious was their onset, that he was compelled to run in all 

 directions. Endeavouring to escape their fury, he leaped up in great agony from the 

 severe pecks with which he was assailed, and in a very few minutes a period was put 

 to his existence. 



Utility or Crows. — In a field near a gentleman's house, about a mile from 

 Caernarvon, there are some out-buildings much infested with Rats. Four or five traps 

 are set on the premises every night, and it is the business of a servant-man to go 

 to the spot between five and six in the morning. He is always punctually met by a com- 

 pany of Crows that station themselves at a httle distance, and most narrowly watch all 

 his proceedings. No sooner does he remove his captives from the traps, and throw them 

 into the field, than the carnival begins. The Crows seize upon their booty, scientifi- 

 cally perforate the integuments, and scoop out and devour every particle of flesh, even 

 in the head. In a very short time the skins are turned inside out, and a few clean-picked 

 bones are the only memorials of th£ banquet. In hard winters Crows sulTer severely ; 

 they have been observed to fall down in the fields and on the roads, exhausted with 

 cold and hunger. In one of these winters, a few years ago, during a long-continued 

 deep snow, more than sis hundred were shot on the carcase of a dead horse, which 

 was placed in the stable-yard, the discharges being made through a hole in the 

 stable. The Crow is easily domesticated ; and it is only when placed on terms uf 



