Birds, ^c. 7051 



Remarkable Monslrosily in the Beak of a Sparrow. — The engraving below repre- 

 sents a sparrow caught in King Street, Brighton, in June, 1857; it was in a state 

 of perfect health and very fat, and was brought to Mr. Swaysland, the bird-stuffer, who 

 had several times observed it flying in the neighbourhood, from a stable yard, and with 

 the appearance of an ear of wheat in its beak. I am indebted to Mr. Bond for the 

 loan of the specimen and the opportunity of having the very characteristic drawing, 

 made by Mr. Willis. The limits of the proper beak are very clearly defined, and it is 

 diflScult to conceive how the supplementary portion of the beak could have been 

 formed while the true beak was in constant use as a pecking instrument. — Edward 

 Newman. 



The Sea Serpent.— (See ' Liverpool Daily Post,' quoted Zool. 6985). 



I 've a story to tell — I don't say that it's true — 



But just as I heard it I tell it to you. 



A ship there was sailing upon the blue sea 



With her canvas all set, when the captain, said he — 



" I feel that the vessel is all of a tremble, 



A sort of sea earthquake it seems lo resemble ; 



Send forward the mate to see what is the matter." 



When lo ! what he saw would have made your teeth chatter, 



An enormous big snake rising out of the sea. 



Some three hundred feet long it might possibly be. 



And in bulk it might equal a " wide crinoline '' 



(At least seven yards round that description must mean). 



With jaws eight feel long, and with eyes fiercely glaring, 



A horn and a mane, he looked horribly daring, 



