504 
PLINTHS NATUEAL HISTOET. 
[Boo-k X. 
the north wind is blowing, having the ortygometra * for their 
leader. The first of them that approaches the earth is gene- 
rally snapped up by the hawk. When they are about to re- 
turn from these parts, they always invite other birds to join 
their company, and the glottis, otus, and cychramus, yielding 
to their persuasions, take their departure along with them. 
The glottis ^ protrudes a tongue of remarkable length, from 
which circumstance it derives its name : at first it is quite 
pleased with the journey, and sets out with the greatest ardour ; 
very soon, however, when it begins to feel the fatigues of the 
flight, it is overtaken by regret, while at the same time it is 
equally as loth to return alone, as to accompany the others. Its 
travels, however, never last more than a single day, for at the 
very first resting-place they come to, it deserts : here too it 
finds other birds, which have been left behind in a similar 
manner in the preceding year. The same takes place with 
other birds day after day. The cychramus,^ however, is much 
more persevering, and is quite in a hurry to arrive at the land 
which is its destination : hence it is that it arouses the quails 
in the night, and reminds them that they ought to be on the 
road. 
The otus is a smaller bird than the homed owl, though 
larger than the owlet ; it has feathers projecting like ears, 
whence its name. Some persons call it in the Latin language 
the " asio in general it is a bird fond of mimicking, a great 
parasite, and, in some measure, a dancer as well. Like the 
owlet, it is taken without any difficulty ; for while one person 
occupies its attention, another goes behind, and catches it. 
If the wind, by its contrary blasts, should begin to prevent 
the onward progress of the flight, the birds immediately take 
up small stones, or else fill their throats with sand, and so 
contrive to ballast themselves as they fly. The seeds of a 
certain venomous plant ^ are most highly esteemed by the 
* The "mother of the quails." Frederic II., in his work, De Arte 
Venandi, calls the "rallus,'* or ^'rail," the "leader of the quails." 
5 From yXwrra, " a tongue." It is not known what hird is alluded to. 
6 Bellon thinks that this is the prayer^ or prayer, of the French ; Al- 
drovandus considers it to be the ortolan. 
Gesner suggests from "asinus," an "ass;'* its feathers sticking up 
like the ears of that animal. Dalechamps thinks it is because its voice 
resembles the braying of an ass ; the name " otus'* is from the Greek for 
ear." ^ Either hemlock or hellebore. 
