214 UTILITARIAN ZOOLOGY 
Birps (Aves).—Birds are eaten even more indiscriminately 
than Mammals, though birds of prey and fish-eating forms are 
avoided. The eggs of some wild birds, e.g. Plovers, are esteemed 
a delicacy. Edible birds’- nests have been mentioned elsewhere 
(see vol. iii, p. 462). 
Reprives (Reptitia).— The high reputation of the Green 
Turtle (Chelone mydas) is familiar, and other members of the 
same order (Che/onia) are also eaten in various parts of the 
world, besides which the eggs of such creatures may also figure 
as an article of diet. 
Some of the larger Lzzards (Lacertilia) are regularly used as 
articles of food, especially the Iguanas (/euanzde) of America and 
the Water-Lizards (Varanzde) of South and South-East Asia. 
To a less extent Crocodiles and Alligators (Crocoditia) and 
Snakes (Ophidia) serve as a source of food. 
AmpuiBians (Ampuisia).—The only members of the group 
of importance in this connection are some of the Frogs, which 
are eaten in India and Europe. In the latter case it is the 
Edible Frog (Rana esculenta) that falls a victim. 
Fisues (Pisces).—Fishes are, and always have been, of great 
importance as a source of food. A very large number are regu- 
larly eaten, and it will be most convenient to deal with these 
in a special chapter. 
Motiuscs (Mottuscs).—Many kinds of shell-fish are used 
as food, and some of the more important, eg. the Oyster, will 
be dealt with separately. 
Cuttle-fishes, Sgquids, and Octopods (Cephalopoda) are eaten 
in various parts of the world, particularly by the Chinese and 
Japanese, while one species (Z¢Zedone) is a common article of 
diet in South Europe, nor is it the only one. 
Of Suazls and Slugs (Gastropoda) utilized as food by Euro- 
peans many examples might be given. The commonest marine 
form thus employed is probably the Periwinkle (Lzttorna), and 
after this come Whelk (Buccenum), Limpet (Pated/a), and the 
Ormer or Sea-Ear (Afalzo¢zs). But there are many more, and 
in other parts of the world the list is much larger. The marine 
slug known as the Sea-Hare (4/4ysia) is eaten in the South Sea 
Islands. 
Land Snails (species of AYeéx) are largely used on the Con- 
tinent, and to some extent in Great Britain. 
