REVIEW. 
177 
distance, and a hut of boughs is erected within gun-shot to conceal the sports¬ 
man, while he lies in wait for the arrival of his game. The thrushes, jays, and 
magpies, in such cases, are usually the first to descry the owl, and give intima¬ 
tion of his presence to the ravens and hawks; the eagles, if there be any in the 
district, being in most instances the last to arrive. But when they do come, 
they are no less eager than the smaller birds, to swoop down from the air to gaze 
at the strange bird, and to threaten him with voice and wing, for intruding him¬ 
self into day-light. Then is the moment for the sportsman to level his piece, 
loaded of course with ball, and bring down the bird.” 
After passing over seven interesting papers, which were too lengthened for 
our purpose; we found one translated from the French, written, by Col. Bory 
de St. Vincent, on 
The Colour of the Sea. —“Those who have been accustomed to a life con¬ 
fined in the interior of countries, where only rivulets and shallow rivers flow, where 
clear fountains rise, or muddy currents roll along, view with admiration the first 
appearance of the sea, as from the shore they regard the pure and sparkling 
green complexion of its waters; a colour which, indeed, seems peculiar to itself. 
The wonder is increased, when a portion of its water, passed into a vessel, is ob¬ 
served to retain no trace of that very peculiar colour, and to be perfectly clear: 
Its transparency is such, that in places undefiled by filth and dirt, the sand may 
be distinguished at the bottom of its bed at a considerable depth, and stones and 
shells of the smallest size, which lie there, appear then bright and resplendent. 
Marine plants, especially the collarines, beam in it with the greatest splendour; 
and all productions of this nature elegantly shaded, w'hilst they are sunk beneath 
the surface of the water; but as soon as they are taken out, this beauty vanishes. 
* * In proportion as a vessel becomes distant from the shore, and we reach the 
high latitudes, where the depth increases more and more, the green tint changes 
into a blue tint, and in the open sea, the water becomes, at fifty or sixty fathoms, 
of the finest azure colour. The green shade generally announces danger, or an 
approach to low coasts: for along those which are intersected with peaks or 
mountains, and near which the sound descends to a great extent, the blue azure 
is observed to appear, and to become much more lively, as the depth becomes 
more considerable. But this blue, which is ordinary regarded as one of the cha¬ 
racteristics of the ocean, and which is commonly attributed to the manner in 
which the rays of the sun become decomposed, as they penetrate into the waters, 
is not, however, exclusively peculiar to it; every large and deep bed of water has 
a cast of a similar nature.” 
After twelve more pages of interesting matter, follows a Translation of Le 
Vaffiant’s Birds of Africa, which is continued in every number, and commences 
with an account of 
The Griffard. —(Aquila armigera, Ren.)—“ The African eagle, designated 
the Griffard, is nearly equal in size to the Great or Royal Eagle, (Aquila aurea, 
Bris.) but he has longer and more muscular legs, and stronger talons. Various 
species of small gazelles (Antelopes) and hares, form his ordinary prey. Pounc¬ 
ing upon the former, he kills them with great ease, and in a manner that shows 
the great strength with which nature has endowed him. His courage is conspi¬ 
cuous in the hatred he shows towards all other birds of prey, which he pursues 
the instant he perceives them. If they offer any resistance, he attacks them 
with ferocity, and obliges them to retreat, never suffering one to remain in the 
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