How enchanting soever may be the gorgeous plumage of the feathered inhabitants of the forests in the far Orient, however varied and beautiful their forms, we have such an affection, prejudice it may be, for the little warblers of our own dear land, that we would not part with them for all the Birds of Paradise in the world.

2. Spotted Fly-catcher (Muscicapa Grisola, Linnæus).] pleasure as when his boyhood first learned to distinguish the notes.

The common fly-catcher is about six inches in length, and of rather a dark color; its breast is a dullish white, the sides slightly tinged with dull orange, and the upper part of the body is brown. Its bill is of a dusky color, hooked, and fringed with some little bristles or hairs at its base. It seems particularly partial to the vine and sweetThere is a charm in simplicity which the most brier for the foundation of its nest, and may often refined tastes will acknowledge, and it has this be seen among the leaves near the windows of a advantage over more elaborate performances-cottage. It also chooses the projecting beams or that it never ceases to please. Even our musical rafters of a house or barn for the site of its nest, fashionables, who seem as though they could sit and this so frequently as to have caused it to be out the repetition of the same opera for ever, called the beam or rafter bird. The fly-catcher yawn, at the close of the season, over its prolong- makes little pretension to song, but occasionally ed beauties. Not so with the simplicity of nature; utters a little inward wailing note, which is heard that simple song, "old when Homer sung," yet at intervals till the month of September. retains all its pristine freshness; and, in the This bird, unlike others of the feathered tribe whole catalogue of aerial songsters it will be im- who usually roam over the woods and fields to possible to find one which, once admired, ever seek their food, takes his stand at some favored satiated the ear. The schoolboy stops to listen spot, generally an old withered trunk of a tree, to the lark and to speculate upon his whereabouts; or a convenient post, and from thence watches and the old man, who has heard the same notes swelling in the air hundreds of times, watches them in their risings and fallings with the same VOL. VII. 47

his prey till it approaches him, when he darts after it, secures it, and returns to his post to wait for more; and thus he will continue at one spot

till his appetite is satisfied, scarcely ever touch-1 black, which color also pervades the bill, but ing the ground or taking a longer flight than is there is a white spot on its forehead, from which necessary to the accomplishment of his object. its name is derived; the rest of the body is comIn this task he displays uncommon agility, and it posed of various shades of black, brown, and is highly amusing to witness the velocity with white, the latter covering the breast. which he darts after his intended prey, the adroit turns and flutterings in the pursuit, and the satisfied air with which he returns to his station, pluming himself on his success.

That these birds may not be without rendering some important service to man, their domestication in Italy and the south of Europe, and more particularly in the West Indies has been recommended, where their services would be found valuable in destroying the vast quantities of gnats and other insects which abound in those countries, where, as in South America, the usual morning salutation is not, as with us, "How do you do?" but "How were you off for moschetoes last night?"

Alexander Wilson, in describing some American varieties of the fly-catcher, of which there are several has a curious notice of the duodee, or king bird, who must be considered as the head of the family of fly-catchers. "In fields of pasture he often takes his stand, on the tops of the mullein and other rank weeds, near the cattle, and makes occasional swoops after passing insects, particularly the large black gadfly, so terrifying to horses and cattle. His eye, moving restlessly around him, traces the flight of an insect for a moment or two, then that of a second, THE aye-aye or handed rat of Madagascar is a and even a third, until he perceives one to his very singular animal, classed by Cuvier among liking; when, with a shrill scream, he pursues the Rodentia, or gnawing animals, as intermediate it, seizes it, and returns to the same spot again between the squirrels and rats. From the structo look for more. This habit," continues our ture of its teeth, it certainly requires to be so author, "is so conspicuous, that several intelligent farmers of my acquaintance are of opinion that he picks out only the drones, and never injures the working bees."

AYE-AYE.

classed; but in the form of its body and the structure of its extremities, it resembles more the quadrumana, or handed animals. But the form of the body of an animal, or the structure of the limbs and their terminations, are much less important characters than the teeth, as the latter determine the food of the animal, while the former point out only the general means by which the food is arrived at.

This bird is eight inches long and fourteen in circumference, and is remarkable for the pertinacity with which he attacks all birds, how large soever they may be, who approach his nest. "In the months of May, June, and part of July," says Wilson, "his life is one continued scene of broils and battles, in which, however, he generally comes off conqueror. Hawks and crows, and even the bald eagle and the great black eagle, all equally dread a rencontre with this dauntless little champion, who, as soon as he perceives one of these last approaching, launches into the air to meet him, mounts to a considerable height above him, and darts down on his back, sometimes fixing there, to the great annoyance of his He teases the eagle incessantly, sovereign. sweeps upon him from right to left, remounts, that he may descend on his back with the greater violence, all the time keeping up a shrill and rapid twittering; and continuing the attack for more than a mile, until he is relieved by some other of his tribe equally eager for the contest." The spotted fly-catcher of England has been observed to be particularly fond of bees, not only taking them flying, but waiting for them at the mouth of the hive; and it is from this that he has obtained the name of the bee-bird. His The above figure of this singular animal will, other provincial name of cherry-chopper has been given it from a supposed partiality evinced by it for the fruit of the cherry-tree; but he has never been observed to molest the fruit itself, though it is certain he is often to be seen in and near this tree, probably choosing it for the number of insects attracted to the fruit.

The pied fly-catcher is a much less common bird, though it has been supposed to be indigenous to England. It is about the size of the linnet, but, from its shape, has been compared to a magpie in miniature. The crown of the head is

Aye-aye.

in part, save the necessity of verbal description.

The size of the aye-aye is about the same as that of a hare; the covering of the body is a mixture of brown and yellow; the ears, which are large, are nearly naked; and the long tail is covered with coarse black hair: the tail is not prehensile. The outline of the head has not the arched or rounded form which is common to all, or nearly all, the true rodentia, which are ascer tained to gnaw vegetable substances, but more resembles that of some of the quadrumana; the teeth are, however, truly rodent in their struc

2

ture: the incisors are very large, and curve outward in both jaws; and on their front edges they are much more deeply furrowed than those of the squirrels. They are two in each jaw, which is the normal, and indeed the constant number in the rodentia. Four cutting teeth in each jaw is the normal number in the quadrumana, though some have as many as six in the under jaw, and some are described as having only two in the one, but a greater number in the other.

sharp and considerably crooked, are much smaller. The thumbs on the hind feet are articulated far back; they are rather short, reaching only as far as the division of the fingers; but they act in opposition to these, so that the foot is both a walking and a prehensile instrument; the hind leg and thigh are as stout and muscular as the fore ones are slender.

The whole animal indeed is peculiar, almost to the extent of being an anomaly. It is certainly The subjects from which those accounts made a separate genus with much propriety; and are taken are, however, in some instances, it can hardly be said to come into any of the only mutilated fragments, so that descriptions natural families, and not very satisfactorily into founded on them are not very satisfactory. All any of the orders, as at present constituted. If the quadrumana, too, have canine teeth, which the teeth are to be taken as the basis, and that are wholly wanting in the aye-aye, and their they are the most certain basis there is no quesgrinders are more numerous. Of these, the aye- tion, the animal clearly and decidedly belongs to aye has four in each side of the upper jaw, and the rodentia; because the coincidence with those three in the under, small in size, and separated species which may be regarded as typical of the from the cutting teeth by wide intervals. The order are perfect. Upon this point Cuvier apquadrumana also have pectoral mammæ ; but the pears not to have the slightest doubt or hesitation, mammæ of the aye-aye, which, like these, are and his knowledge of the structure of animals, only two in number, are in the groin. Indeed, all and discrimination in the use of it for the purthe characters which are usually considered as poses of arrangement, were of so very superior being most important in the formation of a nat-a description that, except upon some minor points ural or structural classification, are similar to those of the rodentia.

where he was not well informed as to the facts, opposition to what he has deliberately laid down, The aye-aye is described as spending the day betrays as much of rashness as of any thing else. in holes of the ground; one would suppose nat-If, on the other hand, we depart from the principle ural ones, because the paws are very unlike those of ordinary burrowing animals; but the same or similar purposes are, in the animal kingdom, so often accomplished by organs apparently very different from each other, that this animal may dig its own burrows.

The general character is, however, that of a climber, though a less expert climber than many other animals because of the shortness of the fore-legs; these are considerably shorter and also more feeble than the hind ones, and the length and slenderness of the fingers makes them look more feeble than they are in reality. All the fingers on these paws (or hands) are very long and slender, especially the second ones; and the claws upon them are long, considerably crooked, and at their bases nearly as thick as the fingers. The thumb on these is articulated near the wrist, and the point of it does not reach beyond the first joint of the fore-finger; but it acts very slightly, if at all, in opposition to the fingers: the fact is, that the hands, like the animal itself, are rather puzzles, as there is not any similar organs with which they can be very fairly compared. From the shortness and feebleness of the arms, and the spider-like structure of the hands, they are neither efficient for walking nor for reaching long distances from branch to branch in climbing; and the lengths of the fingers are so unequal, and the nails so long, that the fingers do not appear very capable of being used in any way but singly.

The hind feet are much more robust, and formed as if they were the principal organs of locomotion; the soles are long, and they plant them fairly upon the ground, and do not turn on the side, like the feet of many animals that live chiefly in trees. The toes on them are long and slender, but not nearly so much so as those on the anterior extremities, and the nails, though

of the teeth, and go to the general structure of the animal, we are left in doubt and perplexity. It has analogy to several others; but it has wellestablished affinity to none; and even the analogies are imperfect, and far from close, even as far as they go. There is not, in any respect, identity between it and any other handed animal. stands alone, and it wants to be more intimately studied.

REEDS.-Arundo donax.

It

THE paper reed, or papyrus, of which the fore- of romance of American writers, to the entire going cut is a representation, is a plant common neglect of our own unequalled natural scenery, to nearly all tropical countries, and grows spon- hallowed as almost every spot is by associations taneously upon the banks of rivers, lakes and connected with our history. A salutary change creeks. The species termed Arundo, is quite ex-in this respect is now progressing, but it must tensive, and includes many kinds of reeds, of all be radical before we can possess a purely national of which, paper was anciently made. It is dis-literature. tinguished from other plants of the reed kind, by We propose under this head to introduce producing a cluster of small flowers, each of whatever we find that will prove interesting to which is encircled at its base by a collar of fine our readers, and commence with the following :— wool, which at once gives a characteristic to the reed, and contributes toward the general beauty of the plant. The Arundo donax, was well known to the ancients for its value in making paper, and for the sugar or saccharine matter that its roots contained, making them very edible. Among the orientals the stem and leaves are manufactured into mats and other articles of a similar nature.

NEW FISH.

THE ARCH ROCK AT MACKINAC.

I WISH Some of our friends, those not irretrie vably tied to the car of artificial life, refined, elegant recherche though it be, might now and then break away from the charmed circle, and visit the island of the North-the Great Turtle of the arctics. If there be any restorative to over-wrought morbid sensibility-to the lassitude which sometimes creeps over the most nervous minds, it is a few weeks of genuine rustication like this. Wander through pathless woods-lose yourselves amid tangled cedars, maples, and wildest evergreen-drag yourself up steep precipices by friendly briers and wild vines. Sweep around the island in a bark canoe, and paddle it yourself-look from the shaded side of the bark on four fathoms water into the crystal depths below, and see the glorious world there—take in the heavens and the rocks, the green trees, the grassy summits, the quiet glades, the cool springs bubbling from dark caverns the white pebbles and the transparent waters, and thank your Maker for faculties to enjoy these sights; that dreamy abstractions have not refined you out of a sense of their glorious freshness.

MR. Strickland, of Yorkshire, has communicated to the British Association an account of the capture of a new species of fish, at Burlington Quay, on the eleventh of August 1839. It was of the shark tribe, but it differed from those that are usually met with. It was seven feet and a half in length, and three feet three inches round the girth. The skin was smooth and shining, and on the upper part of the back it had sharp spiles, not large in size, and about one inch asunder. Its eyes were large, and hung over the mouth, and between the eyes were placed the nostrils. It was of a reddish slate color when taken, but assumed a redder cast before it died. The author then described the anatomy of the fish, the result of which convinced him that it was a species not hitherto taken on the British shore. Mr. Yarrel thought it would be found to this is not altogether wanting in interest from be mentioned the celebrated Arch Rock; yet resemble one brought from Africa by Dr. Smith, such sources. There was a tradition long prevaand to belong to the genus Saylbinum of Cuvier; lent among the eastern nations, the Iroquois and but Dr. Smith had found it necessary to subdivide Algonquins, that the sun passed through this that genus, and this animal might be referred to rock just before disappearing in the Western the group thus separated from the species origi-horizon. Those adventurous chiefs, who in after nally placed in the genus.

AMERICAN SCENERY.

PROBABLY no country in the world presents such a great variety of sublime and beautiful scenery as our own, and yet it is a strange fact that Americans go abroad to enjoy the beauties of the sunny vales of France and Italy, and to view the sublime scenery upon the banks of the Rhine, when vales as sunny, and Alps as grand are here within our own borders. And it is to be lamented that these foreign scenes are so often made the "wooff and filling" of the tales

You have been here, and know that many places tradition. Among those, however, that owe less on the Island are made interesting by history and to associations than to extraordinary formation,

may

times visited the Island, for the purposes of trade or war, made earnest inquiries for the sacred rock which received the setting sun under its arch.

There are few scenes more imposing than a view of the arch from the top, looking down on water, and away over the pure wave, and the blue Islands that lie soft and trembling in the distance, like some of Turner's glorious visions, married to wave, and heaven.

But if the view from above impresses the mind with awe, I know not what language to use to describe the sensations awakened in contemplating the same from below. Off on the water at a sufficient distance, for the eye readily to coma scale, that it really appears light and airy as pass the whole, its structure is built upon so vast though mingling in the mist of a cloudy atmosphere, or the hazes of extreme distance. The

banks all along the shore, and immediately in the vicinity are lofty and precipitous, and have already familiarized the mind with great elevation; and though the arch rises far above surrounding rocks, yet the tall trees that grow from its base, and spread their foliage against its precipitate and dark ledges, and the stinted cedars and other evergreens that shoot from crevices and over awful chasms, take away the nakedness from the vast columns and masses of limestone, which in every varied, fantastic and grand form, spring to incredible heights.

form that gives beauty and consistency to the inner curvature, or great funnel, of which it forms a section; but while an apparent harmony is thus obtained, as it leaves the prodigious mass of overhanging limestone less secure, startles the mind with awful apprehension.

A grandeur, dizzy and frightful, invests these suspended masses of rock; and the mind, unable to sustain reflection, feels as though pressed down by some dreadful phantom. Alas! how futile must be all efforts at pictorial representation from this position; and yet here are you the most im

The whole range of rock, indeed, is much high-pressed with its sublime forms. er, and more vast than appears from the water. Bewildering sensations now succeed, difficult to Several circumstances contribute to this decep- be described. From painful oppression the mind tion. Shrouded, as much of the lower part of the seeks relief by comparing the grandest human rocks are with evergreen, beauty is mingled with structures with what now seizes its attention; its grandeur, and consequently the simple sensa- and where nature has not far overshot the proudtion of the sublime is broken. There is also a est monument of human art, a strange sort of derugged acclivity or preparation, difficult of ascent, light is felt, and quiet and self-possession restored. composed of broken fragments, and gradually But here, in vain does the mind seek such converted into a soil that sustains a growth of repose-comparisons are hardly dwelt on, though tangled underwood. The dark base of the rocks the struggle is made. A range of rock on rock, is thus softened. The eye running along this as- dreary chasms, perpendicular lines stretching cent, covered with dense foliage takes the whole away into dizzy heights, and whitened cliffs pushas springing from the level, and is again deceived up into the regions of lightning and thunder, ed-for we compare heights unknown with what present a combination of sublime images that defy objects soever there may be around, whose uni- comparison-that defy all efforts to delineate or form magnitudes are familiar-such as figures of comprehend. The mind shrinks within itself, men, animals, and in their absence, trees. Again awed to solemn thought and appalled by what is the deception is continued, for trees and shrubs above and around it. You unconsciously sink to that cling to the sides of the rocks, and shoot out the ground-you cover your face with your from gloomy fissures in many places, keep up hands, and murmur-"Lord, what is man that the appearance of verdure quite to the top. thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that These, which in fact, are often a succession of thou shouldst regard him? tall trees, each length repeated, seen at a distance, seduce the eye, and give back the impression of the lofty trees that spring from the water's edge! True, the slightest observation corrects all this, yet the impression is left on the mind, and some pains must be taken to remove it by a detailed examination, ere you fully awaken to the stupendous structure before you.

To realize this, let us paddle our bark ashore; let us approach the vestibule of one of Nature's temples. * We have wended and fought our way through dense thickets, over irregular fragments of rocks, up an ascent fearful enough, and through a small archway, which in any other place would be a wonder in itself. Now you have reached the spot from which springs the lowest foot of the great arch. Here you are under and surrounded by vast rocks and perpendicular masses that rise for a great distance in irregular and broken forms above, and finally jut out beyond the plumb-line, and with the tangled briers that crown their summits, shut out the heavens from view!

Correspondent of Detroit Advertiser.

THE CUMBERLAND WATER-FALL.

THIS Fall is situated on the top of the Cumberland mountains, East Tennessee. I had frequently heard it spoken of by travellers who had visited it; and their descriptions excited in me a very great desire to see it, as I conceived it to be a beautiful miniature representation of the falls of Niagara. I have recently had an opportunity of gratifying this desire; and I assure you that my most exalted preconceptions were more than realized when I had the pleasure of viewing this most interesting scene, which is distinguished alike for its beauty, and its wild and awful grandeur. This fall is within two hundred yards of the stage road crossing the Cumberland mountain. The pathway which conducts to it passes over a gently inclined plane, on the lower margin of which meanders a small stream, which is here remarkable only for its beautifully transparent water which flows on smoothly and silently, to the The atmosphere is chilled by gloomy shades, very verge of the precipice over which it falls. and rocks, and dark caverns. The upper foot of Immediately beyond the little rivulet there rises the arch is yet at a great distance; you clamber an abruptly steep mountain, which is clothed with half way of this distance and pause to get breath; a luxuriant growth of ivy and laurel, the beauty you look up, and find yourself immediately under of which was greatly heightened when I saw it, by the apex of the great arch!-spanning a chasm being covered with richly variegated bloom-and of fifty feet. And here you discover a new ele- the noble yew trees, as if too proud to associate ment of the sublime-a feature which has not be- with the humble shrubbery beneath, send far their fore been remarked. This immense arch bends lofty shafts, which almost vie with the clouds in outward toward the water, at least eight feet—a height.