118 
of the praetor Mlms Tubero, while he 
was sitting on his tribunal in the forum, 
and suffered itself to be taken by the 
hand. The augurs being consulted on 
this prodigy, declared, that the empire 
was threatened with destruction, if the 
bird was liberated; and the praetor with 
death, if it was kept. Instantly Tubero 
tore it with his hands. Shortly after, 
Pliny adds, the response was fulfilled. " 
The Tunguses of Nijaia-tunguoka as- 
cribe extraordinary virtues to the Wood- 
pecker; they roast the bird, pound it, mix 
it with any sort of fat, except that of bears, 
because this quickly grows rancid, and 
with this compound besmear the arrows 
which they use in the chase. An animal 
struck with one of these arrows, it is said, 
instantly falls. 
»> 
We have extracted the following 
from Wood's edition of JBuffon's Works. 
"Sonmni says that the Woodpecker is 
neither so vicious nor indocile as is 
generally supposed; for when taken young 
it is susceptible of familiarity, and even 
of attachment. He mentions one at 
