The Western World: Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North; and South AmericaKingston, William Henry Giles
History
The Western World: Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North; and South America
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Natural history -- North America; Natural history -- South America
The resplendent trogon is a native of Mexico, and, like all its
congeners, is fond of hiding its beauty in the dark glades of the rich
tropical forests. Its skin is remarkably delicate, and so thin that it
has been compared to wet blotting-paper; while the plumage is so lightly
set, that when the bird is shot, the feathers will fall freely from
their sockets, through the force of the blow.
The colour of the adult male bird is a rich golden green, on the crest,
head, neck, throat, chest, and shoulder-plumes. The breast and under
parts shine with as bright a scarlet as the uniform of an English
guardsman; the central feathers of the tail are black, and the exterior
white, with black bars. The resplendent plumes which overhang the tail
are seldom less than three feet in length, so that the total length of
this gorgeous bird will frequently reach four feet. The bill is of a
light yellow.
This species of trogon feeds chiefly on vegetable diet. We may add that
in old times its long plumes were among the insignia of Mexican
monarchy, and none but members of the "blood royal" were permitted to
wear its gorgeous feathers.
REPTILES:--THE RHINOPHRYNE.
The tongues of frogs, instead of pointing outwards, are directed towards
the throat. This species differs from the rest of its tribe, by having
its tongue free and pointing forwards. Its rounded head sinks
completely into the body, the muzzle being abruptly truncated, so as to
form a circular disc in front. So extremely small is the gape, that it
would not be supposed, if separated from the body, to have belonged to a
frog. On each side of the neck there is a gland, deeply sunk, and
almost concealed by the skin.
The body of this curious creature is extremely short and thick, and its
feet are half webbed. At the end of each of the hinder feet is a flat,
oval, horny spur--its only means of offence and defence, as it possesses
no teeth in its head.
It is of a slaty-grey colour, with yellow spots on the sides and back.
Occasionally the latter unite, so as to form a jagged line along the
back.
THE AXOLOTL.
Among the batrachians found in Mexico is the curious axolotl, which
frequents the great lake on which the chief city is built, as well as
numerous other lakes, some at a considerable elevation above the ocean.
It is between eight and ten inches long, of rather a dark greyish-brown
colour, thickly covered with black spots. Those who have seen a newt in
its larva state, may form a correct idea of the gills which project from
either side of the head.
Naturalists differ in opinion as to whether it is really an adult
batrachian, or merely the larva of some much larger creature. In many
localities it is very plentiful; and the flesh being eatable and of a
delicate character, the creature is sold in great numbers in the
markets.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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