204 SCORPION OF TEXAS. 
erally in a torpid state. They are seen early in warm 
weather coming out at nights, and sometimes during 
warm damp periods in winter. They are altogether noc- 
turnal in their habits, and are carnivorous, subsisting on 
insects of various kinds, and even small lizards. As a 
speciality, they prey largely on crickets. They dwell 
under old logs, rocks, in old stumps, under the bark of 
dead trees, under old fences, between the shingles on 
house-tops, and particularly about the jambs and hearths 
of fire-places. In temper they are hasty, and will employ 
their weapons on slight occasions. The pain occasioned 
by their venom, when injected into one’s flesh, is very 
quickly felt, and quite severe, giving the idea of a burn- 
ing-hot fluid thrown into the system. It does not last 
long, nor does it swell much, and is not so painful, nor 
does it produce so much inconvenience as the sting of the 
honey-bee. In countries where they abound, people do 
not regard them with much terror. Chickens are very 
fond of them, and voraciously devour every one they can 
find. 
I once found a mocking-bird ( Mimus polyglottus) which 
by some awkward stroke in his rapid flight, had fractured 
his right wing. It was running on the ground, and had 
become quite hungry and light. After dressing and se- 
curing the little songster’s wing, I turned over some old 
rails in search of something for him to eat. There were 
plenty of crickets and scorpions concealed under the 
rails, for the latter of which he showed the greatest pref- 
erence. He would peck at them, and by bruising and 
_ thus stunning them a little, readily swallow them whole. 
After he had swallowed seven of them, I thought, as I 
_ had volunteered my services as surgeon and physician for 
him, it would not be prudent for me to suffer him to in- 
