Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-13
CITY AND COUNTY.
Natural History socicty.r

AAASAOAy ANhss.
The meeting of this society last Saturday
evening was largely attended, and unusually
interesting. The feature of the evening was
the reading of a very interesting paper on ra-
pscious birds, by VIM. A. Smith, Esq, 1t
exhibited thorough study of the subject,
and was listened to NTH undivided attention.
He described at some length the claws of the
rapaces-the vultures and hawks. Two fine
specimens of Worcester county hawks were
on the table deserved toilustrate the subject.
No abstract can do justice to his report, Suf-
fee it to say the interest in the ornithological
department of natural science will not abate
so long rs Mr.. Smith gives to the society the
result of his observation and researches.
Mr.. Stephen Salisbury Jr., read a paper
upon the rattlesnake, prefacing it, however,
with some remarks upon the order of qeptilia
This venomous reptile is found in all parts of
the North American continent. 1t is very
common in Virginia and the Carolinas Rat
tlesnakcs although exceedingly venomous sell
dom attack man unless provoked. They are
fortunately slow and sluggish in their move
ments, unable to spring except from a coil,
and are disabled by slight blows. 1t has
been thought that the use of the rattles was
to warn animals and man of its vicinity; but,
as other equally and even more dangerous
species have no such apparatus, it is more
likely its use is to startle squirrels, birds, and
other creatures, upon which it preys, from
| Al.
bring them within reach of its spring. The
male of this species is easily distinguished by
a black velvet spot upon the crown of the
head. Mr.. S. described the teeth and poison
fangs of this reptile. Its food is birds, SOUR.
rels, and the like small animals, which it is be-
Geyed thsy have the power of fascinating.
Whatever may be the nature of this power,
the effect upon the smaller animals is very
apparent. When the eye OF the rattesnakei is
upon them terror and amazement render them
incapable of escaping, and while involunta-
rily keeping their eyes on those of the rep
tile, birds have been seen to drop into its
mouth as if parayzed, and squirrels descend
trees into the jaws of their devourer They
1ofe lile "oous anu lOlty Hills where the strata
is rocky or chalky. Being slow in mo ion,
they frequent the sides of rills, where frogs,
| &C., resort.
There were on exhibition at the room two
| live specimens of the American cross -bill-a
bird which has excited much attention in our
city during the last week. They are rare,
very tame, but never breed here. The male
bird has a beautiful carmine breast, and its
appearance about the time of Easter is the
origin of the beautiful legend of the cross
bill translated by Longfellow from the Ger
man of Julius Mosen =
On the cross the dying Savior
Heayenward lifts his eyelids calm
| Feels, but scarcely feels tre--"iiing
III his pierced and lfsNuliis p"iAh'
Al -, ..iG the world forsaken
Sees he how with Jealous care
At the ruthless nail OF iron
A little bird is striving there.
Stained with blood and never firing,
| With its beak it does not cease,
| From the cross twould free the Savior
| Its Creators son release
And the Saviour speaks in nildness:
| ''Blest be thou of all the good!
| Bear, as token of this moment
Marks of blood and holy roodn
And that bird is called the crossbill;
Covered all with blood so clear,
In the groves of pine it singeth
Songs, like legends, strange to hear.
Contributions were received from Mrs. Can.
field, Mrs. j. G. Arnold, Messrs Sewall H.
Bowker, Henry Shaw, w. A. Smith, Theo,
Bartlett, Ii. T. Gates and Pratt & Manning
Charles n. Bowker presented a snow bird and
linnet, which were shot by him and prepared
by Henry Shaw. special vote Of thanks
was passed to Mr.. Sewall II. Bowker for his
many very valuable donations to the society.
| Reports will be read at the next meeting by
| Nathaniel Paine and Others