512 
plitn^y's katueal history. 
[Book X. 
treat. At the rising of Sirius it conceals itself, and at the 
setting of that star comes forth from its retreat : and this it 
does, a most singular thing, exactly upon both those days. 
The chlorion,^^ also, the body of which is yellow all over, is 
not seen in the winter, but comes out about the summer sol- 
stice. 
(30.) The blackbird is found in the vicinity of Cyllene, in 
Arcadia, with white plumage ; a thing that is the case no- 
where else. The ibis, in the neighbourhood of Pelusium^^ only 
is black, while in all other places it is white. 
CHAP. 46. (31.) THE TIMES OF INCUBATIOIS' OF BTEDS. 
The birds that have a note, with the exception of those pre- 
viously mentioned,^^ do not by any chance produce their young 
before the vernal or after the autumnal equinox. As to the 
broods produced before the summer solstice, it is very doubtful 
if they will survive, but those hatched after it thrive well. 
CHAP. 47. (32.) — THE HALCYONES : THE HALCYON DAYS THAT 
AKE FAVOURABLE TO NAVIGATION, 
It is for this that the halcyon is more especially remark- 
able ; the seas, and all those who sail upon their surface, well 
know the days of its incubation. This bird is a little larger 
than a sparrow, and the greater part of its body is of an azure 
blue colour, with only an intermixture of white and purple in 
some of the larger feathers, while the neck^° is long and slen- 
der. There is one kind that is remarkable for its larger size 
it a small bird. Some make it the popinjay ; others, with more proha- 
"bility, the lapwing. Horace, B. iii. Ode 27, mentions it as the parra, a 
bird of ill omen. 
35 The Oriolus luteus, or witwall, according to Linnaeus. 
36 "White blackbirds (if we may employ the paradox) are a distinct 
variety, according to Cuvier, to be found in various countries, though but 
rarely. 
37 This is from Herodotus, but it is incorrect. The black, or rather 
green ibis, Cuvier says, the Scolopax falcinellus of Linnaeus, is found not 
only near Pelusium, but all over the south of Europe. 
38 He alludes to the nightingale, mentioned in c. 43. 
39 The king-fisher, or Alcedo ispida of Linnaeus. There is no truth 
whatever in this favourite story of the ancients. 
In copying from Aristotle, he has put " coUum, " by mistake, for 
" rostrum," the " beak." 
