482 
BIRD-LIFE. 
leads them to surround everything, which appears to 
them incomprehensible, with the flowery drapery of 
legendary lore, which has long since merged into fairy 
tale: this is received with credence, and is more or 
less intermingled with their very existence. It is not 
only cradle lullaby, but forms the principal source of 
entertainment and conversation among grown men by 
the watch-fire, and becomes universally extended from 
tribe to tribe. The stranger hears it from the lips of the 
oldest sheik, and, unpretending as the tale may be, it 
sounds as the words of wisdom. We take things as they 
are, and do not trouble ourselves uselessly to seek to 
explain the inexplicable; we laugh at those who would 
regard every creature from a purely utilitarian point of 
view. The Arab, however, is less easily satisfied, and 
seeks to interpret everything, even the extraordinary, to 
the best of his ability. 
In Northern Africa there is a species of Plover known 
to naturalists by the name of the Spurwinged Plover 
(Hoplopterus spinosus ), which name indicates its pecu¬ 
liarity. Like the rest of the family this bird is restless 
and noisy both by day and night. We, on examining the 
spurs on the wings, content ourselves with assuming 
them to be weapons for the bird’s defence. But to the 
Arab this explanation is not sufficient: “Why,” says 
he, “are not other Plovers similarly armed?” His 
traditions answer him, and give him the why and the 
wherefore: “All creatures, even the dumb,” says the 
legend, “praise the Lord of the Universe, whose 
excellence is declared by the mouth of his prophet,— 
God’s peace be with him! But, just as, amongst men, 
God punishes those who know Him and do not serve 
Him with humility, so He punishes animals also, as 
