R I C 
thefe two fenfes are alarmed it inftantly repairs; 
and whatever objefts it meets with in it's courfe, 
it ufually overturns and tramples on: men, oxen, 
and even carriages, have been overthrown by it, 
and fometimes deftroyed. However, it never re- 
turns to repeat the charge, but keeps right on it's 
way; fo that a kind of lenfelefs impulfe, rather 
than vehement fury, feems to precipitate the Rhi- 
noceros in thefe it's violent aflions. 
Martial mentions this fpecies under the appel- 
lation of Rhinoceros cornu pemino, and relates 
it's manner of combating the bear. Indeed, the 
Romans procured their Rhinoceros's from Africa 
only, which was the reafon of their being repre- 
fented as double-horned. The animal figured in 
the Preneftine Pavement, and that on one of Do- 
mitian's coins, are each furnifhed with two horns. 
Rhinoceros is alfo a name by which fome na- 
turalifts exprefs a fpecies of beetle, fo called from 
a kind of horn projefting from it's head. 
RHINOCEROS AVIS. A term by which 
fome ornithologiits exprefs a fpecies of Indian ra- 
ven, called alfo corvus Indicus cornutus; in the 
Linnsean fyftem, belonging to the genus of bu- 
ceros. 
This bird, which is extrem.ely ugly and ill- 
fccnted, much exceeds the European raven in 
magnitude: the head and neck are very thick; 
the eyes are extremely large; and the beak is of a 
very fingular figure, having a large thick horn- 
like protuberance on it's upnerpart: the whole 
beak is bent like a bow; aiid is of a yellowifh 
white- colour below; but on the upper part, to- 
wards the head, is of a beautiful vivid red. The 
upper chap is ferrated; and with this the horn 
proceeds from the head, and running along the 
mandible, bends up at it's extremity. 
This fpecies delights in the fame fort of food 
with the common raven. 
RHODOPUS GALLINULA. An appel- 
lation fometimes given to the tringa. 
RHOMBO. A name for a peculiar fifli of 
the rhombus or turbot kind, the Rhombus Acu- 
leatusof Aldrovandus and others. It grows to a 
confiderable fize. The back is afh-coloured and 
green ; and the belly is white. It is deftitute of 
fcales ; but the fKin of the back is divided by lines. 
The mouth is large, and well furnifhed with teeth ; 
and the palate contains a number of tubercles. 
The Rhombo is commonly found in the Ita- 
lian feas; and it's flefh is very delicious. 
RHOMBUS. A fpecies of the pleuroneftes. 
Rhombus is alfo a term ufcd by conchologifts 
to exprefs a genus of the murex; the character of 
v/hich is, that the fhape or contour is rhombic. 
The clavicle, orturban, which is generally fituated 
about the middle, runs out into very fharp or 
acute angles with the top and bottom; and by 
this means gives a rhomboidal figure to the fhell. 
This genus is not very numerous, but contains 
fome very pretty fliclls. 
RICE-BIRD; the Loxia Oryzivora of Lin- 
nseus. This bird, which was firft defcribed by 
Edwards, is about the fize of a green-finch: the 
bill is extremely thick, and of a fine red colour 
above and beneath, except towards the point, 
where there is a little fpace of white. The eyes 
are dark; and the irides are red. The whole 
head is black, except a white oval fpot on each 
cheek ; the neck, breaft, back, and coverts of the 
wings, are of a fine blueiQi afti-colour, the rump 
being fomewhat lighter than the backi while the 
ROC 
afh-colour on the bread changes gradually to- 
wards the belly into a bloflbm-colour; beyond 
which the lower belly and the coverts under the 
tail are of a dirty white. The greater quill-fea- 
thers, as well as the whole tail, are black; thc- 
legs and feet are of a faint red hue; and the claws 
are of a dirty v/hite. 
The plumage of this bird is remarkably fmooth 
and even; from which circumftance it derives a, 
peculiar beauty. It is faid to be a native of China 
RING-DOVE. See Dove. 
RING-OUZEL. See Ouzel. 
RING-TAIL. An Englifti appellation for 
the fubbuteo, or pygargus accipiter; which has 
generally been deemed the female of the hen-har- 
rier: however, males have been lately found of 
this fpecies. 
The Ring-Tail is difiinguiflied by a chain of 
feathers round the back part of it's head, reaching 
to the chin on each fide; which Hand ereft, and 
are brown in the middle, and of a reddiOi white 
hue at the edges, forming a kind of crown, which 
furrounds the head. The top of the head and 
cheeks are dufky, bordered with ferruginous; 
and under erch eye there is a white fpot. The 
back is diifky; the rump is white, with oblong 
yellowifli Ipots on each fhaft; and the tail is long, 
and tipt with white. The breaft and belly ai-e of 
a ytllowifn brown colour, marked with oblong 
dun<y fpots; the legs are yellow; and the infidc 
of the mouth is black. 
This hawk preys on fmall birds; flies much 
hig'ier than the hen-harrier; and fometimes 
perches on trees. It's eggs are of a reddifh hue, 
with a very few clear white marks. 
RING-TAIL EAGLE. See White-Tailed 
Eacls. 
RIONDO. An appellation by which feme 
ichthyologies exprefs the h(h more <:ommonly 
called aper; a fmall one caught in the Mediterra- 
nean, refimbling the faber ordoree in fhape. 
RIVER-HORSE. Sec Hippopotamus. 
ROACH; the Cyprinus Rutilus of Linnsus. 
This fifli, called alfo rutilus, rubiculus, and ru- 
bellio, is a fpecies of cyprinus, both according 
to the Artedian and Linnaean diftributions. Ic 
has (though without jufr reafon) been reputed ex- 
tremely vivacious and atSlive; whence the pro- 
verb, ' Sound as a Roach.' 
In fome parts of the world the Roach can ex- 
ifl- in ftagnant waters only: in this country, it 
thrives equally in ponds and deep frill rivers ; and 
is remarkable for it's numerous progeny, a pond 
be ing much fooner flocked with this than any 
other fifh. It is a gregarious creature, always 
keeping in large fhoals. It is feldom feen of any 
confiderable fize; neverthelefs, Walton makes 
mention of fome that weighed two pounds each. 
The Roach is deep, but thin ; the back is much 
elevated, and fharply ridged; the fcales are large 
and deciduous ; and the lateral line is confidera- 
bly incurvated in the middle towards the belly. 
ROAD GOOSE. An appellation by which 
fome authors exprefs a fmall fpecies of wild Goofe, 
ROBIN. The vulgar name for the red-breafr, 
or rubecula. See Red-Breast. 
ROCK. A bird mentioned by the Arabian 
writers, of which many fabulous accounts have 
been propagated. But, if we may venture to 
form any opinion on a fubjeft fo mangled with 
fiction, it feems to be a fpecies of condor. 
ROCK-EISH. An Englifh appellation for 
the 
