Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

70

THE SATURDAY MAGAZINE.

takes place. In Derbyshire, for instance, it is asserted that scarcely a goldfinch is seen from the middle of autumn until the ensuing spring. Before the end of April they again make their appearance, and soon become abundant.

The nest of the goldfinch is constructed with care
and neatness, and is frequently placed among the foliage
of evergreens, or on the weak branches at the top of
orchard trees. The song of the male bird is in its
greatest perfection in the month of May, and continues
The
with little intermission from sun-rise to sun-set.
materials used in building the nest seem to be just those
which are the nearest at hand, and the most suitable for
the purpose.
Fine moss, lichens, stalks of grass and
slender twigs are nicely interwoven to form the frame-
work, and this is lined with wool, horse-hair, willow-
down, &c. To show that the birds take the most con-
venient materials within reach, a naturalist relates that
when a pair of goldfinches had formed the ground-work
of their nest of moss and dried grass, he scattered wool
in the garden, and they immediately left off using the
other materials and employed the wool. The next day
he gave them cotton, and on the third day supplied them
with down, and he found that on each occasion they took
the new material and carried on their work with it, for-
saking that which they had previously used.

The goldfinch weaves with willow-down inlaid,
And cannach-tufts*, his wonderful abode;
Sometimes suspended at the limber end

Of plane-tree spray, among the broad-leaved shoots,
The tiny hammock swings to every gale;
Sometimes in closest thicket 'tis concealed,
Sometimes in hedge luxuriant, where the brier
The bramble, and the plum-tree branch,

Warp through the thorn, surrounted by the flowers
Of climbing vetch and honeysuckle wild.
An instance of sagacity is given in the case of a pair
of goldfinches who had built their nest on a branch that
was too slender to afford proper support for their brood.
When the young birds were hatched, the parents per-
ceived that the weight of the growing family was too
great for the branch, for they actually found it giving
way. In this emergency, and to save their nest from
falling, they were observed to interlace the bending
twig with a stronger branch that was near it, and to
secure their work by means of a piece of small string
which they had picked up.

material in building their nests, and the elder naturalists, who have been considered in error when they spoke of thistle-down as the lining of the nest, may have been perfectly accurate in their descriptions. The sources whence the goldfinch gains his winter supply of thistle-seeds are thus noticed by a popular writer.

The numbers of those seeds are beyond all counting; and the means with which they are furnished for floating about with the lightest wind that stirs, are most effective: they are, at the same time, fitted for laying hold, and their oily nature renders them not easily destructible by the weather. Hence they are everywhere; and one who examines the quantity of down that floats off from a single bed in a neglected garden, must see that one acre of cultivated land allowed to run to waste would suffice to infest a whole parish. It is a maxim in farming that where the hedges and lanes are foul, the fields never can be clean; and countless instances may be seen in England, and in Middlesex not less than in more remote places, where the farmer gives half of what his land might produce to the weeds, just because he will not grub up some green lane or inconvenient corner, but retains it as an ever-productive nursery of the most productive species. But though these accumulations of unseemly plants spoil or diminish the harvest of the farmer, they yield an ample autumnal and winter supply for the goldfinches, and the margin of the wild is often made gay with the colours and song of the goldfinch, simply because the farmer on the richer ground is a sloven.

As if conscious of the essential service it performs, the goldfinch trusts to the protection of man, and nestles near his dwelling. It has also been known to show considerable boldness and confidence in such situations. An empty cage being left open in a passage entrance to a house in a country town, a goldfinch was one morning found in it, feeding upon the seeds which had been placed for the former occupant. The door was closed upon the bird; but as it appeared to be a female, it was shortly let out again. In about two hours it returned, was again shut in, and then released as before. A few days afterwards the bird came back, She entered the cage, and accompanied by her mate. fed as usual, but her companion sat on the outside wires, and then flew to a neighbouring tree. Several weeks now elapsed, and the circumstance was almost forgotten, when the goldfinch again made her appearance, accompanied not only by her former companion, but by four full-grown young ones. She entered the cage and fed as usual, but she could not induce her brood to follow her example. Finally she went off, and from that time was never seen again.

The majority of the goldfinches kept in cages have been reared from the nest, or put into a cage when just

A flexible branch is generally chosen for the nest, which is therefore literally a cradle; yet in the most tempestuous weather the female sits closely on her eggs, without regard to the violent rockings to which she is exposed. The male is very attentive, and sings assidu-fledged, and fed by the parents. A square cage is ously to his mate.

Hid among the opening flowers
Of the sweetest vernal bowers,
Passing there the anxious hours

In her little mossy dome,

Sits thy mate, whilst thou art singing,
Or across the lawn seen winging,
Or upon a thistle swinging,

Gleaning for thy happy home.

It may perhaps be thought that the above lines are only applicable to the later broods of goldfinches, since in the early spring, the usual nesting-time, the thistle has produced neither flower nor seed for the supply of this bird. But in the neighbourhood of waste lands, where thistles are very abundant, it will be found that there is a supply for the goldfinch nearly all the year round. The autumnal thistles retain a portion of their seed until the spring, so that the wind has not shaken them all bare until the groundsel, the dandelion, and other plants have arrived to take their place. although the supply of thistle-down and seed is smaller in the spring than at any other period, yet in particular districts, sheltered from violent winds and abounding in thistles goldfinches may still employ this favourite * The spikes of the Cotton-grass, Eriophorum.

Thus,

recommended for these birds in preference to a round one, as they dislike the swinging motion caused by the latter. If allowed to run on the floor, a small artificial tree should be provided for the birds as a roostingplace. The goldfinch seldom appears so happy in a cage as the linnet or canary. It flutters against the wires, or betrays by incessant hoppings to and fro, its impatience of confinement. In order to cure it of this fluttering, it is sometimes confined in a small trap-cage, two or three inches square, until the habit is overcome. But the better way, in all cases where it is practicable, is to give this restless bird the run of a room or aviary, where it may indulge its active disposition.

The goldfinch is a hearty feeder. In the wild state it subsists on various kinds of small seeds, such as those of the thistle, dandelion, lettuce, goat's-beard, radish, chick-weed, groundsel, &c. In the house it is fed with Poppy, canary, and hemp-seed, varied with lettuce and rape-seed. Green food must be given occasionally, such as chick-weed, water-cresses, lettuce, or endive. Bechstein says, "I have a goldfinch which appears in good health, and eats not only of all the vegetables brought to table, but also meat, though in their wild state these When kept in a room with birds never touch insects." other birds, the goldfinch endeavours to keep possession

H

of the seed box, driving off, if he can, any of his companions who wish to share its contents.

Several of our naturalists speak of the goldfinch as producing three broods in the year, but the experience of Bechstein is opposed to this. He describes the female as rarely producing more than one brood in the year, unless she has been disturbed, and then the number of eggs is diminished. On this account, goldfinches never appear to increase in number. The eggs are bluish-white, spotted with red, and having black streaks, with sometimes a circle at the large end. The young may be reared on poppy-seed and the crumb of white bread soaked in milk or water. If it is wished to take only the male birds from the nest, all those which have a whitish ring round the root of the beak must be left. One of the commonest diseases of the goldfinch is epilepsy, for the cure of which the following is Bechstein's plan. "Plunge the sick birds every now and then into cold water, letting them fall suddenly into it, and cutting their claws, or at least one or two, short enough for the blood to run. From bleeding giving so much relief one would think that this disease is a kind of apoplexy occasioned by want of exercise, and too much food. Bullfinches and thrushes are more subject to it than any other birds, and bleeding always cures them. I have seen this done with great success in the following manner, but much delicacy and skill are required, as there would be great danger of laming the bird:-A very small hole is made on the surface of the claw, with a lancet or very sharp penknife; it is then plunged in lukewarm water, and if the operation be well done the blood runs like a thread of red silk; when removed from the water the bleeding stops: no bandage or dressing is required."

The goldfinch is fond of bathing, and should be supplied with the means of doing so daily during the spring and summer months. In the middle of winter it would do the same; but it is only on very warm days that the practice should be allowed at that season, as it may take cold and die from using the water on frosty days. These birds become blind in old age and also lose their beautiful colours, but with care they may be kept sixteen or even twenty years. A goldfinch mentioned by the eminent naturalist Gesner lived to the age of twentythree years, but at last grew so infirm that its owner was obliged to scrape its claws and beak, that it might take food, and support itself on its perch. It had lived chiefly on poppy-seed, and had lost its power of flying. The plumage, instead of changing to a darker hue, as is commonly the case, became quite white. The use of hemp-seed is found to have the effect of making the plumage darker, and this seed is eaten greedily by the birds even when they are in a dying state. But this only hastens their death, and must be considered very improper food for delicate or sick birds. Small quantities of canary-seed, plenty of groundsel, chick-weed, and lettuce, with thistle-heads, when they can be procured, will afford the best supply for ailing birds.

EASY LESSONS IN CHESS. XXI.

THE LOPEZ GAMBIT.

THE Lopez Gambit, so called in honour of Ruy Lopez * the celebrated Chess player and writer, was first described in his treatise published in 1561. Some writers regard it merely as a variation of the ordinary King's Bishop's game t; it is, however, a true gambit, a Pawn being sacrificed early in the game by the first player, for the sake of position. It is a safe opening for the first player, because, unlike most of the gambits hitherto considered, the second player cannot capture the Gambit Pawn without getting an inferior game, nor can he conduct the defence after the manner of an ordinary Gambit, as will be proved by the first example given, of this opening.

[blocks in formation]

6. K. Kt. to K. B. third square. 6. Q. P. two squares.

7. K. R. P. two squares.

4. P. takes P.

5. K. Kt. P. two squares. 6. B. to Q. Kt. third square.

He cannot of course advance K. R. P. one square; if he move K. B. P. one square, you take K. Kt. P. with your Kt. and then play Q. to K. R. fifth square, winning easily: therefore he plays

7. K. Kt. P. one square. 8. K. Kt. to Kt. fifth square. 8. K. Kt. to K. R. third square. You have a very fine position, and with ordinary care ought to be able to win easily.

The following game from Greco is well calculated to illustrate the powerful and peculiar attack acquired by the first player, when the defence is weak or injudicious. The moves of the second player are very likely to be made by one unacquainted with this form of Gambit.

1. K. P. two squares.

2. K. B. to Q. B. fourth square. 3. Q. to K. second square. 4. K. B. P. two squares. 5. K. R. takes K. B.

1. K. P. two squares.

2. K. B. to Q. B. fourth square. 3. Q. to K. second square.

4. K. B. takes K. Kt. 5. K. P. takes P.

Pawn, but the present game will furnish another instance It is very natural in the second player to take this of its impropriety. Q. P. one square would have been a much better move.

6. Q. P. two squares.

You thus occupy the centre of the board with your pawns, and open a path for your Q. B.

6. Q. to K. R. fifth square chg. This check is not judicious. He cannot win your K. R. P., because by advancing your K. Kt. P. you defend it with your Q. Indeed, it is in anticipation of this check that it is usual in this gambit to play Q. to had a K. second square at the third move. Instead of this check Black ought to have played Q. P. one square, or K. Kt. or Q. K. to B. third. He ought, in fact, to get out his pieces, and not thus contend with a solitary Queen against a large array of his adversary's forces.

The goldfinch has many enemies. The situation of the nest often makes it the prey of cats, and the beauty and value of the birds lead to an earnest search on the part of bird-nesting boys. There is a great demand for the goldfinch as a cage-bird, and a fine male usually sells for five or six shillings, though when first caught they do not fetch so high a price. These birds in some cases become tame and familiar in confinement; as an instance of this, we may give the case mentioned by the translator of Bechstein's work. "Madam goldfinch that never saw her go out without making every effort in his power to quit his cage and follow her, and welcomed her return with every mark of extreme delight; as soon as she approached, a thousand little actions showed his pleasure and satisfaction: if she presented her finger, he caressed it a long time, uttering a low joyous murmur. This attachment was so exclusive that if his mistress, to prove it, substituted another person's finger for her own, he would peck it sharply, whilst one of his mistress's placed between two of this person's would be immediately distinguished, and caressed accordingly."

7. K. Kt. P. one square.

8. K. R. takes P.

7. P. takes P.

It is much better for you to take the P. with the R.

A notice of Ruy Lopez will be found it Saturday Magazine, Vol. XVIII., p. 149.

+ Seo Saturday Magazine, Vol. XXI., p. 23.

instead of R. P., because the R. has now a wide range of attack. You now also threaten to attack his Q. with your Q. B.

8. K. Kt. to K. B. third square. 9. Q. Kt. to Q. B. third square. 9. K. Kt. to K. R. fourth square. Greco now commences one of those brilliant and decisive attacks which are so characteristic of this player. Taking advantage of his adversary's confined position he sacrifices a piece, in order to lay bare the feeble defence of the Black King.

[blocks in formation]

You do not take off his K. Kt., because the Q. Kt.

In his new Treatise on the Game of Chess, the publication of which is just completed, Mr. Lewis gives a variation of the above defence, which also leads to an even game. It is very similar to that given by Mr. Cochrane.

1. K. P. two squares.

2. K. B. to Q. B. fourth square.
3. Q. to K. second square.

4. K. B. P. two squares.
5. K. Kt. to K. B. third square,
6. Q. P. one square.

7. K. B. P. takes P.

8. Q. B. to K. Kt. fifth square. 9. Q. Kt. to Q. second square. 10. K. castles with Q. R.

1. K. P. two squares.

2. K. B. to K. B. fourth square.
3. Q. P. one square.

4. K. Kt. to K. B. third square
5. Q. to K. second square.
6. Q. B. to K. Kt. fifth square.
7. Q. P. takes P.

8. Q. Kt. to Q. second square.
9. K. castles with Q. R.

[merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][graphic][subsumed][merged small]

is ready to occupy its place; and if he advance his PROBLEM XXIV. White to move first, and to give K. Kt. P. upon the B., you can take it en passant.

10. Q. B. to K. R. fourth square.

11. P. takes P. en passant.

12. K. R. P. one square.

13. Q. takes B.

Mr. Cochrane says,

10. K. Kt. P. two squares.

11. K. B. P. takes P.

12. K. B. takes Kt.

13. Castles with Q. R

"the situation of the Black is full as good as that of the White."

[blocks in formation]

check-mate in four moves.

BLACK.

WHITE.

JOHN W. PARKER, PUBLISHER, WEST STRAND, LONDON.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[graphic][merged small][subsumed]

RUINS OF THE MONZAS, OR HOUSE OF THE NUNS, AT CHICHEN-ITZA.

748

74

ACCOUNT OF THE RUINED CITIES OF YUCATAN.

[blocks in formation]

In a foregoing Supplement, at page 33, of the present volume, we commenced a description of the mysterious ruins of Yucatan. We now propose to follow Mr. Stevens, the traveller who has so ably investigated the condition and origin of these remains, to the completion of his last expedition. The reader will remember that we introduced the subject to him, first, with an outline of the discovery of the country by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. We next collected what particulars are known concerning the modern Mayas, or Indian inhabitants of the peninsula of Yucatan, and, after briefly sketching the five principal cities, Merida, Campeachy, Valladolid, İzamal, and Tekax, we proceeded from these points to explore the ruins of Mayapan, Uxmal, Zayi, Ticul, Kabah, Zabnà, and Labphak. We propose, now, to leave Valladolid nine miles behind us to the eastward, and pay a visit to the Ruins of Chichen. The first settlement of the Spaniards in the interior of Yucatan was made at Chichen, or Chichen-Itza, as it was called, from the name of the people who then occupied the district. It was here that Don Francisco Montejo, commander of the third expedition, made a fatal mistake; lured by the glitter of gold in another province, he divided his forces, and sent one of his best captains with fifty men in search of it. From that time calamities and dangers pressed upon him; altercations and contests began with the Indians; provisions were withheld, and all that they ate was procured at the price of blood. At length, the Indians determined upon their utter destruction. Immense multitudes surrounded the camp of the Spaniards, hemming them in on all sides. The latter, seeing themselves reduced to the necessity of perishing by hunger, determined to die bravely in the field, and went out to give battle. The most sanguinary fight they had ever been engaged in then took place. The Spaniards fought for their lives, and the Indians to remain masters of their own soil. Masses of the latter were killed, but great slaughter was made among the Spaniards, and, to save the lives of those who remained, Don Francisco retreated to the fortifications.

Unable to hold out there, the Europeans took advantage of a night when the Indians were off their guard; they tied a dog to a bell, putting some food before him, but out of his reach, and then, with great silence, they marched out from the camp. The dog, when he saw them going, pulled the cord in order to go with them, and afterwards to get at the food. The Indians, supposing that the Spaniards were sounding the alarm, remained quiet, waiting the result, but a little before daylight, perceiving that the bell did not cease ringing, drew near the fortification and found it deserted. In the meantime, the Spaniards escaped towards the coast, and in the meagre and disconnected accounts of their dangers, it is, perhaps, not surprising that we have none whatever of the buildings, arts, and sciences, of the fierce inhabitants of Chichen.

THE MONJAS OF CHICHEN.

The Monjas, or House of the Nuns, is conspicuous among the ruins of Chichen-Itza. It is remarkable for its good state of preservation, and the richness and beauty of its ornaments. The engraving at the beginning of this paper will convey some idea of the florid architecture of the American Indian. On the right hand is represented the corner of a building called the Eglesia, or Church. The height of the noble façade which is represented in the body of the wood-engraving is 25 feet, and its width 35 feet. It has two cornices of tasteful and elaborate design. Over the doorway are twenty small compartments of hieroglyphics in four rows, five in a row, and to make room for which

the lower cornice is carried up. Over these stand out in a line six bold projecting curved ornaments, as at Uxmal, resembling elephants' trunks. In the central space over the doorway is an irregular circular niche in which portions of a seated figure with a head-dress of feathers, still remains. The tropical plants and shrubs growing on the roof hang over the cornice like a fringe-work, and add greatly to the picturesque effect of this elegant façade.

"The whole building is composed of two structures entirely different from each other, one of which forms a wing to the principal edifice, and has, at the end, the façade above described. The whole length is 228 feet, and the depth of the principal structure is 112 feet. The only portion containing interior chambers is that which Mr. Stevens calls the wing. The great structure adjoining to the wing is apparently a solid mass of masonry, erected only to hold up the two ranges of buildings upon it. A grand staircase 56 feet wide rises to the top. On one side of the staircase a huge breach, 20 or 30 feet deep, has been made by the proprietor, for the purpose of getting out buildingstone; this discloses only solid masonry. The grand staircase is 32 feet high, and has thirty-nine steps. On the top of the structure stands a range of buildings, with a platform of 14 feet in front."

"From the back of this platform the grand staircase rises again fifteen steps to the roof of the second range, which forms a platform in front of the third range; this last is, unfortunately, in a ruined condition, and it is to be observed that in this, as in all other cases, these ancient architects never placed an upper building on the roof of a lower one, but always carried it back, so as to rest it on a structure solid from the ground, the roof of the lower range being merely a platform in front of the upper one.

"The circumference of this building is 638 feet, and its height, when entire, was 65 feet. It seems to have been constructed only with reference to the second range of apartments, upon which the art and skill of the builders have been lavishly expended. It is 104 feet long, and 30 feet wide, and the broad platform around it, although overgrown with grass several feet high, formed a noble promenade, commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding country.

"Detached portions of human figures continually occur among these remains which are well drawn, the heads adorned with plumes of feathers, and the hands bearing shields and spears."

[ocr errors]

THE CARACOL OF CHICHEN.

Northward from the Monjas of Chichen stands among the ruins an object conspicuous for its picturesque appearance, and unlike any other Mr. Stevens had seen in this country, except one at Mayapan much ruined. It is circular in form, and is known by the name of the Caracol, or winding staircase, on account of its interior arrangements. It stands on the upper of two terraces. The lower one measures in front from north to south 223 feet, and in depth from east to west 150 feet, and is still in good preservation. A grand staircase 45 feet wide, and containing twenty steps, rises to the platform of this terrace. On each side of this staircase, forming a sort of balustrade, were the entwined bodies of two gigantic serpents, 3 feet wide, portions of which are still in place; and among the ruins of the staircase was a gigantic head which had terminated on one side the foot of the steps.

The platform of the second terrace is reached by another staircase 42 feet wide. In the centre of this stands the building, which has four small doorways facing the cardinal points. The height, including the terraces, is little short of 60 feet, and, when entire, even among the great buildings around, this structure must have presented a striking appearance. The doorways give entrance to a circular corridor 5 feet wide. The inner wall has also four doorways, smaller than the others, and standing at intermediate points of the compass, facing north-east, north-west, southwest, and south-east. These doors give entrance to a second circular corridor, 4 feet wide, and in the centre is a circular mass apparently of solid stone; but at one place, at the height of 8 feet from the ground, was observed a small square opening choked up with stones. The walls of

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »