- The Saiga-Antelope (Saiga tartarica)
Some of these, such as the Saiga-Antelope (Saiga tartarica), still inhabit portions of Eastern Europe, whilst others have retreated to their native land. But it might be asked, how is it known that these species did not originate in Europe, and thence migrate to Siberia? Because if they had originated on our continent, they would have spread there. They would have invaded Northern and Southern Europe, and they would probably have left some remains in Spain, Italy, or Greece. - The Great Auk
It is probable that the famous Great Auk (Alca impennis) also was a typical Arctic species. Its range extended to both sides of the Atlantic. In Newfoundland and on the coast of Iceland it is known to have been met with in considerable numbers within historic times; and no doubt, like all Arctic species, it extended farther southwards at a more remote period. - Central Asiatic Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus)
his migration must have been an unusually large one. It has been suggested that the Glacial period had some connection with it, and there can be little doubt, as we shall see later on, that a change of climate probably brought about this great Siberian invasion of Europe. But other causes might tend in the same direction, such as want of sufficient food after a few years of great increase of any particular species. It is not known to what we owe the periodic visits of the Central Asiatic Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), but certain it is that immense flocks of these birds invade Europe from time to time at the present day, just as those mammals may have done in past ages. - Mysis relicta, a small shrimp-like Crustacean
Perhaps the best known form with a similar range is the Schizopod crustacean Mysis relicta, which is clearly a descendant of the Arctic marine Mysis oculata, of which it was formerly considered a mere variety. - Bear with two cubs
Bear with two cubs - Brown Lemming
Brown Lemming - Caribou
Caribou - Haymouse (singing vole)
Haymouse (singing vole) - Meadow vole
Meadow vole - Bear with cubs
Bear with cubs - Lion by Alfred Stevens
- Japanese Birds
- Lion from a Theban bas-relief
- Persian Lion from the frieze at Susa (Perrot & chipiez)
- Lion from Assyrian Bas-relief
Lion from Assyrian Bas-relief - Field mouse caught in baited guillotine trap
If mice are present in small numbers, as is often the case in lawns, gardens, or seed beds, they may readily be caught in strong mouse traps of the guillotine type. These should be baited with oatmeal or other grain, or may be set in the mouse runs without bait. - Field mouse caught in an unbaited guillotine trap
If mice are present in small numbers, as is often the case in lawns, gardens, or seed beds, they may readily be caught in strong mouse traps of the guillotine type. These should be baited with oatmeal or other grain, or may be set in the mouse runs without bait. - Horned Asp
The Adder is spoken of five times in the Bible, and the word is used as the translation of no less than four distinct Hebrew words. In Gen. 49:17 the Adder is spoken of as hiding in the way and biting the horse's heels so that the rider is overthrown. The Hebrew term in this passage (elsewhere rendered ' cockatrice ') is probably the same word as the modern Arabic name for the Horned Sand Snake or Cerastes haselquistii. It is the habit of this extremely venomous viper to lurk in the ruts of wheels or the depression of a footprint by the roadside, and to bite the legs of unwary passers-by, or of horses or cattle. Horses, aware of its nature, are said to be in terror of the Cerastes, and cannot be induced to proceed, once they have detected the concealed reptile, for its bite is most deadly. It derives its name of ' horned ' from the presence of two protuberances, one over each eye. It is of a grayish tint, about a foot long, and very active. The asp of Cleopatra, ' the pretty worm of Nilus,' has been identified with this animal, which is to be seen figured on ancient Egyptian monuments. [Adder Horned Asp ] - Syrian Ants
The Ant is mentioned twice in the Old Testament, both times in the Book of Proverbs (vi. 6 and xxx. 25). Ants are characterized as being exceeding wise, and in both passages are commended for their diligence in preparing their food in the summer, thus by their fore-sight providing for their winter sustenance. Such is at least the` obvious implication contained in the text. This habit was, and is still, contradicted by some writers, from their knowledge of the ways of European ants, which are dormant in the winter, and therefore stand in no need of food. - Eastern Asses
The Ass is mentioned upwards of fifty times in the Bible, and from its having been selected as the animal on which it pleased our Saviour to enter Jerusalem, it carries with it in some respects a higher degree of interest than any other. References to the ass may be grouped under five heads, according to the Hebrew names for the different sorts in the original. These are (1) CHAMOR, which is the ordinary name for the domestic ass, whether male or female, but more properly the male ; (2) ATON, also a domestic ass, but rendered always a she-ass ; (3) AYIR, a colt or young ass ; (4) PERE, wild ass, and (5) AROD, another term for wild ass. In Eastern countries, as Egypt and Syria, the ass is a far more valuable animal, well cared for and fed, and considerably larger in size than in this country. It is capable of a good day's journey at a moderate pace either an easy canter or a less agreeable trot—with a man on its back, and it has a spirited demeanour and wide-awake manner which render it a pleasant quadruped to deal with. The breed is carefully selected, and a well-bred Syrian ass will fetch forty pounds. Their average height is perhaps two to three hands above that in this country. The Palestine asses are the finest in the world. Their colour and markings are much the same everywhere, and no animal has changed so slightly under domestication as the ass. - Deer
Deer - Canada Geese
Canada Geese - Two puppies and a cat
Two puppies and a cat - Lobster
Lobster - Butter fish
In the 'butter-fishes' or 'gunnels' which are found round our coasts, the eggs are rolled into a ball, and jealously nursed by the parents, each in turn coiling its body round the mass, and so protecting it from injury - Three Spined Stickleback
The male stickleback, as many of you may know, builds a wonderful nest, in which, when finished, he invites his chosen mate to lay her eggs. As soon as these precious treasures have been entrusted to his care, he makes himself their sole guardian, forcing currents of fresh water through the nest by the violent fanning motion of his breast-fins, and driving away all that come near. Strangely enough, he has to exercise the greatest care to keep out his mate, who would eat every single egg if she could but get the chance! - Paradise fish
Thus, certain fishes related to the wonderful Anabas—the perch that climbs trees!—make nests of bubbles, in which the eggs are placed! The Gorami and the beautiful little 'paradise-fish', for example, built floating nurseries of this kind, the bubble-raft being made by the male. In the case of the paradise-fish these bubbles are blown so that the enclosed eggs are raised above the level of the water, where they remain till hatched! This raft, although it has been seen many times by travellers, is so frail that it cannot be preserved, and has never yet been drawn by an artist, so that we can only show the fish that makes it. - The Aspredo Cat fish
In one of the 'cat-fishes'—the Aspredo—the mother carries the eggs about with her, and this is managed in a very remarkable way. Just at the time she lays her eggs, the skin of the under surface of her body becomes swollen and spongy, and into this she presses her eggs by lying on them. Here, snugly sheltered, they remain till hatched! - Ringed Plover, and young ones
When young birds live in the open, as on shingly beaches, then their down is mottled. How perfectly this harmonises with the surrounding stones only those who have tried to find young terns, or young ringed plover, for example, can tell. - Skylark, and young ones
The fact that many young birds which are quite helpless are now reared in nurseries on the ground, as in the case of young skylarks, is a fact of interest; for it shows that the parents have chosen this nesting site comparatively recently, and are of course unable to lay large eggs, which shall produce active young, like young chickens, at will. They have acquired the habit, so to speak, of laying small eggs, and cannot alter it by changing their nesting-place. - Tern, with young one
When young birds live in the open, as on shingly beaches, then their down is mottled. How perfectly this harmonises with the surrounding stones only those who have tried to find young terns, or young ringed plover, for example, can tell. - Peregrine Falcon, and young ones
As you doubtless know, however, some young birds, like young rooks and sparrows, thrushes and skylarks, when they leave the egg, are perfectly bare, blind, and helpless, and have to be fed and brooded by their mothers for a long time. Other young birds, like young owls, falcons, and hawks, also leave the egg blind and helpless, but their bodies are covered with long woolly down.