TRUMPETER.

Why is the trumpeter so called?

Because of its harsh, uncommon cry, not unlike a child's trumpet, with which it follows people through the streets, in Brazil and Guinea, so that it is diffiWaterton. cult to get rid of it.

DARTER.

Why is the darter of Brasil so called?

Because it has a very long neck, which the animal can roll up spirally, and by that means dart its head at the fish it wishes to seize.

TROPIC BIRD.

Why is the tropic bird so called?

Because it lives in the open seas between the tropics, chiefly on the flying fish.

HORNBILLS.

Why is the flesh of the Indian hornbill peculiarly aromatic?

Because it feeds on wild nutmegs, which grow abundantly in its native place, the Molucca Islands. Why is another species of the above-mentioned bird called the jealous hornbill?

Because he feeds the female during her incubation; and, during his absence in search of food, should he find on his return, the marks of another bird near the nest, he will, it is said, inclose the female in the nest, and leave her to perish. - Horsfield.

SOCIABLE NEST.

Why is the sociable grossbeak so called?

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Because it lives in vast tribes, from 800 to 1000 at times, under one common roof,containing their several nests, which are built on a large species of mimosa.

INDIAN GROSSBEAK.

Why is it popularly believed in India that the baya, or grossbeak lights the chambers of his nest with fire

flies, which he catches alive at night, and confines with moist clay or cow-dung?

Because such flies are often found in his nest, where pieces of cow-dung are also stuck; but, as their light could be of little service to him, it seems probable that he only feeds on them.

FAITHFUL JACANA.

Why has the jacana the epithet of 'faithful?'

Because it is kept by the natives of South America to wander with the poultry, and defend them from birds of prey, which it does by the spurs on its wings; it never deserts its charge, but brings them home safely at night.

BELL-BIRD.

Why is the variegated chatterer of South America also called the bell-bird?

Because its voice is, for about six weeks only, in December and January, like the noise of a cracked bell. The carunculated chatterer is also called the bell-bird, from its notes being composed of two syllables -- in an, uttered in a drawling tone, which (Mr Waterton says) may be heard three miles distant.

SAWING BIRD.

Why is the Chilian sawing bird so called?

Because, with its straight, and serrate, or notched bill, it cuts down fresh vegetables, as with a saw.

CAT BIRD.

Why is the cat bird so called?

Because it mews like a cat, or rather, like a young kitten. It also imitates the notes of other birds, and attacks snakes. Wilson.

RICE BIRD.

Why is the rice bird so called?

Because, in Cuba, it is found in great numbers dur

ing the season of the rice crop; but no sooner is the rice gathered, than it removes to Carolina, and meets the same harvest in that country, where it remains till the rice season is past.

COOLIES.

Why do coolies differ from other birds?

Because they do not perch, nor leap from branch to branch, nor do they even walk nimbly; for, resting on the whole length of the leg, they drag the belly after them. At the Cape of Good Hope they are called Mouse Birds, from their soft plumage, and their frequently creeping about the roots of trees. Jennings.

THE BOOBY.

Why is the booby so called?

Because it is an indolent, senseless, and cowardly bird, submitting to all sorts of depredations upon its happiness with indolent imbecility; yet it is occasionally, when much excited, ferocious. The manof-war bird no sooner perceives it in the air, than it pounces upon it, not to destroy it, but to make it disgorge the fish which it has swallowed, which is caught by the voracious plunderer before it reaches the water. Jennings.

THE PELICAN.

Why has the pelican a pouch attached to her bill? Because it answers the purpose of a crop, and is used by the bird to contain food both for herself and her young, which, when hatched, are fed with the fishes that have been for some time macerated in the pouch; this, when distended, will contain ten quarts. Great numbers of pelicans are killed for their pouches, which are converted by the native Americans into purses, &c. When carefully prepared, the membrane is as soft as silk, and sometimes is embroidered by the Spanish ladies for work-bags, &c.