SCOPS MAXWELLS, 
133 
own judgment. He was submitted to the in- 
spection of the ornithologists of the Smithsonian 
Institute, and they pronounced him indeed a 
specimen of a new variety, and christened him 
Scops Maxwells. 
There ! I call that something to be proud of! 
A thousand years hence, when all people are 
mourning over the extinction of large animals 
from America, her name will live associated with 
a variety of the bird, that has been from time im- 
memorial a symbol of wisdom 1 
^TcOPS MAXWELL/C is not the only specimen about 
which Mrs. Maxwell has especial reason to 
be pleased. A long, slim creature, with keen 
eyes, and, except for his black feet, remind- 
ing one of an overgrown weasel, has attracted, 
with surprise, the attention of naturalists. It is 
very rare, and is said to be the only specimen, 
except those in the Smithsonian Institute, which 
is known. 
Years ago that distinguished naturalist, Audu- 
bon, described one of this species — the black- 
footed ferret— but as no specimen of it was found 
by other naturalists, it became the received opin- 
ion that its existence was a fancy of his vivid and 
graceful imagination. Alas ! for the faith of man- 
kind in man ! It is so much easier for us of this 
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