The history of the European fauna / [Robert Francis Scharff].

  • Scharff, R. F. (Robert Francis), 1858-1934.
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the European fauna / [Robert Francis Scharff]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN FAUNA. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. ! Every student of natural history, whether he be ' interested in birds, butterflies, or shells, contributes his share of facts which help to show how the fauna of his country has originated. The capture of a Swallow-tail or of a Marbled White Butterfly in Eng- land at once furnishes material for reflection as to the reason of its absence from Scotland and Ireland. Why should the Nightingale allow its beautiful song to be heard in England, and never stray across the Channel to the sister isle or cross the borders of North Britain? Lovers of bird-life and sportsmen, who have observed the habits of the Ptarmigan in the wild mountain recesses of Scotland, are aware that nowhere else in the British Islands do we meet with this interesting member of the grouse family, and many no doubt have allowed their minds to dwell upon the causes of its singularly local distribution.