110 PROF. J. LOGAN LOBLEY^ F.G.S., V.R.G.S., ON THE HISTORY 



This typically Asiatic bird is now largel}^ domesticated, but it 

 is in a semi-wild state still in the SoiUli of Spain, where I have 

 seen large numbers together. 



The pheasant [Pliasianus colchicns) another typical Asiatic 

 bird, traditionally said to have been brought from tlie banks of 

 the Eiver Phasis by tlie Argonauts, extended its range to 

 England certainly before 1199, for in that year King John 

 mentions it in a licence or charter referring to Devonshire. 

 Unlike the peacock, the genus Fhasianus has many species and 

 a very wide range in the PaUearctic region. 



The common barn-door fowl, as it is called, (Gallus 

 domesticus) which is such a friend in giving to us our breakfast 

 eggs, has many strongly marked varieties, but all are from the 

 Gallus ferntgineus or G. hanldva of India. The genus has been 

 in Europe from at least the times of the ancient Greeks, and 

 was probably introduced into Britain by the Eomans. Like 

 domestic fowls, pigeons are very various, and, also like the former, 

 the many varieties of domesticated pigeons are from one 

 species, Columha livia, or rock pigeon. The genus Colund^a is 

 widely dispersed througliout Europe, Asia and Africa, and is 

 evidently of Asiatic origin. 



Of smaller birds of Oriental origin, the nightingale {Daulias 

 lusciiiia) is perhaps the most noteworthy. This evening songster 

 and spring visitor to our shores has never been known in either 

 Ireland or Scotland, and even in England its range is limited 

 to the Southern and Midland Counties. Other Eastern birds are 

 the bullfinch (Pyrrlmla vvlf/aris), goldfinch {Cardudis elef/aiis), 

 dippers (CincltLs), fire-crested wren {Ilegulits igniccqnllus) and 

 the wagtail (Motaciila). 



Anotlier curious survival in Spain is that of the flamingo 

 {PJmnicojjtcriis ruber), which may be seen in flocks in the great 

 marsh district, Las Maiismas, near Seville. 



Nearly all European Pteptilia and Amphibia are South-Eastern 

 immigrants. The lizards, whicli are so abundant in South 

 Europe, and the snakes, wliich have travelled nortli as far as 

 72° N. Lat. in Norway, as well as toads and frogs, including the 

 curious tree frog {IJyla arhorca) of the Mediterranean Islands 

 and the most southern part of continental Europe, and the still 

 more curious chameleon {Chaindco vzdgaris), are almost all of 

 Oriental origin. 



Of the terrestrial j\Iollusca, but few can be said to be of Asiatic 

 origin, most of tlie species seeming to be indigenous to Europe. 

 But of insects there are nmny butterlHes, of whicli there are 

 20,000 species in the Old and New Worlds, many dragonflies. 



