113 
(which consists chiefly of insects,) and the 
structure of its different organs the same 
as in the other species, it is unnecessary 
to enter into a repetition of the subject. 
This bird is said to destroy such vast 
numbers of bees, by piercing their hives, 
that in Russia the inhabitants remove the 
hives as far out of its way as possible, and 
for greater security they surround them 
with thorns. 
We have before noticed that this bird, 
from its superior strength, is enabled to 
do great mischief to forests, which may 
perhaps account for its being so scarce, 
even on the continent, where the pro- 
prietors of woods for self defence (if we 
may so use the expression) are obliged to 
declare war against the whole race. 
Some idea may be formed of its capa- 
bility of doing mischief, from the following 
extracts from Buffon, though we cannot 
but think them a little exaggerated. "This 
DO 
bird strikes the trees with such force, that, 
according to Friscb, it may be heard as 
far as a hatchet. M. Deslandes, in his 
Q 
