On the habits and instincts of animals / By William Swainson.

  • William Swainson
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the habits and instincts of animals / By William Swainson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of the young which are hatched from the other — was considered incredible, when first announced as a fact by this well-known traveller ; but subsequent observations have, in this instance, and in many others, only proved his veracity. The number of eggs which the ostrich usually sits upon is ten. But the Hottentots, who are very fond of them, upon discovering a nest, seize fitting opportunities to remove one or two at a time: this in- duces the bird to deposit more ; and in this manner she has been known, like the domestic hen, to lay between forty and fifty in a season. - The pelican is stated to preserve her eggs from injury, by hiding them in the water until the fancied danger is removed.* The razorbill fixes hers on the smooth rock, with so exact a balance, that, if removed, and afterwards attempted to be replaced, it is difficult, if not im- possible, to adjust it safe in the same position. f Le Vaillant remarks, that the African Anhinga (fig. 2.), or darter, which is a completely aqua- tic bird, neverthe- less builds its nest and rears its young on rocks and trees ; yet the former is so constructed, that, at any mo- ment of pressing danger, when the young are once able to swim, the mother can plunge them into the water be- neath. f * (20.) The expedients by which birds provide their food is often equally sagacious ; none, however, show a more wonderful instinct in effecting this purpose, than those of the genus Indicator, or honey-guide. Dr. Spar- man, the African traveller and naturalist, was the first who made this singular statement. He says, that, when * Clark’s Travels. + Pen. Brit. Zool, vol. ii, p. 510. t Le Vaillant’s Travels in Africa, vol. iii. p. 184. Cc
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