ADDEES8 OF DE. J. B. HOLDEE. 
47 
abominable professional man contortionist in his horrible evolu- 
tions, only in this case the action is natural and not painful. 
An example of the absurdity of treatment sometimes seen is 
that of the pigmy deer, one of the very small antelope-like ani- 
mals of the group of Chevrotains. Its natural attitude is any- 
thing but that of the deer, or possibly it is that of some species 
that carry their hind quarters in a crouching or half-sitting atti- 
tude, This little creature, when erect, looks as if it were about 
to sit. It has the timid attitude of the hare. Yet how fre- 
quently we see the pigmy creature stuffed and set up after the 
model of a deer, entirely to the ignoring of nature. Indeed, we 
have seen more than once this delicate creature, no bigger than 
the smallest black-and-tan dog, set up in all the added glory and 
dignity of adult antlers, made to order; the graceful appendage, 
so appropriate to the deer tribe, being, as is well known, super- 
fluous and unnatural in this pigmy form. 
Waterton’s flgure of the scarlet ibis is extremely strange, yet 
it is a correct drawing from the living bird. 
Regarding the attitudes of birds, we hope to see more atten- 
tion paid to the study of sea-fowl, especially the long-necked 
kinds — the cormorants, snake birds, and the like. Their atti- 
tudes are often graceful as well as singular. One of the most 
remarkable examples perhaps of the unlooked for display of indi- 
vidual peculiarities is that reported lately in Nature. A species 
of humming-bird was observed (in most instances the young 
males, sometimes the adult, but never the females) to flutter op- 
posite each other, with bodies perpendicular and parallel, as if 
engaged in a quadrille, first two forward and back-like. The 
most remarkable part of the performance is seen in the exten- 
sion of a single tail-feather from each side, at a right angle with 
the body, the quills ends nearly touching each other. These 
feathers now rotate sufficiently to present their flat surfaces hori- 
zontally, This singular attitude is not likely to be copied at any 
time by the taxidermist, yet it is a part of his study to know the 
various positions peculiar to each creature he may be called upon 
to manipulate. 
Waterton, in the enthusiasm of his art, and in his quaint 
language, says : “ If you wish to excel in the art, if you wish to 
