Hep tiles. 317 



ISote on the occurrcme of the red-ivingcd Icterus near Norwich, On the 2ikI of 

 June a specimen of the icd-winged Icterus of North America {Icterus phceniceus^ Au- 

 dubon), was brought into this city in the flesh, having been shot near one of the broads 

 or large pieces of water which- are common in this county, at a distance of about twelve 

 miles to the north-east of this place. The bird was a male, in the plumage of the se- 

 cond year, and apparently approaching the period of another moult. It was in good 

 condition, — its stomach filled with the remains of Coleopterous insects, — and its plu- 

 mage free from any marks of having been kept in confinement. Should this really be 

 a wild specimen, I believe it will be the first on record as having been captured in the 

 British islands. — /. H. Gurney ; Norwich, August 17, 1843. 



Notes upon the Reptiles mentioned in Shakspeare's Plays. 

 By Robert Patterson, Esq., V.P. Nat. Hist. Soc. Belfast. 



(Continued from page 253). 



Of the true saurians or lizards but one species has as yet been re- 

 cognized in Ireland : it is the smaller and more abundant of the two 

 known as British, and is distinguished by the name Zootoca vivipara. 

 It brings forth its young alive, or, to speak more correctly, it is ovo- 

 viviparous. The larger species, to which the name Lacerta agilis is 

 now restricted, is, on the contrary, oviparous. This distinction is one 

 of great interest to the erpetologist ; but there is another point better 

 known, and more often marvelled at — the facility with which the tail 

 separates from the body. Great is the astonishment of a person un- 

 acquainted with this peculiarity, when he grasps the tail, and finds it 

 remaining in his hand, while the swift-running reptile effects its escape. 



The lizard presents itself to our eyes decked in bright colours, pos- 

 sessed of the power of rapid and graceful movements, and associ- 

 ated with the season when 



" Summer birds sing welcome as ye pass." 



We know from observation that its food is insects, and that its habits 

 are perfectly innocuous to man : but such were not the opinions 

 respecting it in Shakspeare's time : it was then a creature to be 

 shunned, and one that, by common report, was furnished with a for- 

 midable sting. The bad repute in which the creature w^as held is 

 evinced by the " lizard's leg " being one of the " ingredients " in 

 the witches' cauldron. The sting itself is mentioned in the curses of 

 Suffolk on his enemies. 



" Their softest touch as smart as lizards' stiugs." 



2nd part K. Henrg VI. Act iii Scene iii 



