



Produced by Chris Curnow, Wayne Hammond and the Online
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REPTILES AND BIRDS.


[Illustration: HAWKING IN THE MIDDLE AGES.
_Frontispiece._]




  REPTILES AND BIRDS.


  A POPULAR ACCOUNT OF THEIR VARIOUS ORDERS,
  WITH A DESCRIPTION OF
  THE HABITS AND ECONOMY OF THE MOST INTERESTING.

  BY LOUIS FIGUIER,
  AUTHOR OF "THE WORLD BEFORE THE DELUGE," "THE VEGETABLE WORLD,"
  "THE INSECT WORLD," ETC. ETC.

  ILLUSTRATED WITH 307 WOODCUTS.
  BY MM. A. MESNEL, A. DE NEUVILLE, AND E. RIOU.

  Edited and Adapted by
  PARKER GILLMORE
  ("UBIQUE").

  NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND CO.

  1870.

  LONDON:
  PRINTED BY VIRTUE AND CO.,
  CITY ROAD.




PREFACE.


In presenting to the public this English version of LOUIS FIGUIER'S
interesting work on Reptiles and Birds, I beg to state that where
alterations and additions have been made, my object has been that the
style and matter should be suited to the present state of general
knowledge, and that all classes should be able to obtain useful
information and amusement from the pages which I have now the honour and
pleasure of presenting to them.

On commencing my undertaking I was not aware of the immensity of the
labour to be done, and fear that I must have relinquished my arduous
task but for the kind encouragement of FRANK BUCKLAND, Esq., Inspector
of Salmon Fisheries, and HENRY LEE, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c., to both
of whom I take this opportunity of returning my sincere thanks.

PARKER GILLMORE
("UBIQUE").


_December, 1869._




CONTENTS.


  REPTILES.

                                               PAGE
  INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER                            1

  CHAPTER I.

  AMPHIBIA, OR BATRACHIANS.

  Structural Distinctions                         8
  Intelligence                                   13
  Characteristics                                15
  Historical Antiquity                           18
  Distribution                                   19
  Frogs                                          19
    Habits of Life                               21
    Development of Young                         22
    Green                                        23
    Common                                       23
    Green Tree                                   24
  Toads                                          25
    Natterjack                                   26
    Surinam                                      28
  Land Salamanders                               31
    Spotted                                      32
    Black                                        33
  Aquatic Salamanders                            33
    Crested                                      34
    Gigantic                                     34
    Transformations and Reproduction             35

  CHAPTER II.

  OPHIDIAN REPTILES, OR TRUE SNAKES.

  Snakes                                         38
    Burrowing                                    42
    Ground                                       43
    Tree                                         43
    Fresh-water                                  43
    Sea                                          43
    Innocuous                                    46
    Blind                                        46
    Shield-tail                                  47
    Black                                        49
    Rat                                          49
    Ringed                                       49
    Green and Yellow                             52
    Viperine                                     52
    Desert                                       53
    Whip                                         54
    Blunt-heads                                  56
    Boas                                         56
    Diamond                                      59
    Carpet                                       59
    Rock                                         61
    Natal Rock                                   61
    Guinea Rock                                  61
    Royal Rock                                   61
    Aboma                                        62
    Anaconda                                     65
    Cobra