Hitherto Unpublished Communication to the Linnean Society by John Templeton, 1794Author(s): John TempletonSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 15, No. 12 (Oct., 1967), pp. 353-354Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25537155 .

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353

ramosissima. However, he adds that Templeton "has not preserved a specimen in his herbarium", a statement which is inconsistent with the fact that six mounted specimens of this species were

preserved in the MSS themselves. J. Adams (1908) records that

Templeton found T. ramosissima in a bog in Co. Donegal, but does not mention having seen specimens. Thus the existence of these Ulster Museum specimens does not appear to have been known. West and Fritsch (1904) state that T. ramosissima was only once recorded in Great Britain (from Walton-on-Thames), and no mention is made of the Irish record.

Botany Section, Ulster Museum, Belfast, 9.

REFERENCES

Adams, J. (1908). A Synopsis of Irish Algae, Freshwater and Marine. Proc. Roy. Irish Acad., 27 (B): 11-60.

Harvey, W. H. (1841). A Manual of British Algae. London. Kertland, M. P. H. (1967). The Specimens of Templeton's Algae in the Queen's

University Herbarium. Irish Nat. J.y 15: 318-322. Parke, M. and Dixon, P. S. (1964). A Revised Check List of British Marine Algae.

J. Mar. Biol. Ass. V.K., 44: 499-542. Templeton, John (c. 1800). MSS of "Hibernian Flora", West, G. S. and Fritsch, F. E. (1927). A Treatise on the British Freshwater Algae.

Cambridge,

HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED COMMUNICATION TO THE LINNEAN SOCIETY BY JOHN TEMPLETON, 1794

Reproduced by permission of the Linnean Society of London

No. 123. Read Oct. 7, 1794.

On the colour of Birds by John Templeton, Orange-Grove, Ireland

With pleasure have I often observed the various Colors of Birds, and how the Color of each was adapted to its manner of Life, either that they might escape the sight of their destroyers, or approach their destined Prey unobserved. From every circumstance it appears that the Colors of all Birds that depend for their safety on hiding constantly agree with the color of their haunts. In the Southern Climates where Gaudy blossoms and a neverfailing verdure cloathes the vegetable Kingdom the Birds are clad in all the Gaudy colors of the Rainbow.

There the Peacock displays his splendid tail, and the Hummingbird in Color emulates the Precious Gem. But in our Northern Regions where Nature seems in decay for half the year the Birds wear more sober Colors, though by their

disposition no less beautiful to the eye than the splendid colors of the others. We may observe however that the females of all the species which build upon the ground are colored in exact uniformity with their haunts. During the time of incubation and rearing of their young, it is necessary they should remain undisturbed upon their nest, and lead about the tender young in safety, and that they may do this, nature has furnished both with a color not easily distinguished from the surrounding objects. The young males retain this color until concealment is no longer necessary. The male Widgeon is a remarkable

instance of the color of Birds being adapted to their situation. About the middle of August he begins to cast his showy Plumage which is replaced with dusky and brown feathers nearly resembQing the females when this covering is

completed, the Primaries or Quill feathers drop which disabling him from flying he depends on hiding for his safety, and it now evidently appears how well fitted he is, by his present color to conceal himself. At this time they appear conscious of their inability to escape by flight, and attempt to hide at the least

appearance of Danger. A Pair I have had in a domestic state 9 or 10 years, still

preserve their instinctive dread at this period. They also become careless of

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354

each others company, never calling when separated, which they do at other times. This circumstance led The Ct. De Buffon to say they lost their voice. No sooner are their Quills grown than the shyness leaves them, they become familiar as before, and upon being separated call upon each other. A short time afterwards young feathers appear upon the male, and by the end of November or middle of December he is completely covered with a new and beautifull plumage. The female loses her Quills at the same time but I have never observed that she changes her feathers twice a year as the male does. Whilst some are fitted to escape danger, others disguised by color approach unobserved their prey. The Seagull white as the foam of the Ocean finds a plentifull supply in the small Fish that swim near the surface inattentive to their danger. Others Plunging beneath the Waves seize a Prey that seems destined to remain forever in safety and obscurity. (Fish by their swiftness could easily escape all the diving Birds if they did not come upon them unobserved, to facilitate their approach all diving Birds resemble Fish in Color being mostly dark above and White beneath).

The Eagle and the Hawk whose colors are scarcely to be distinguished from their native rocks and withered branches, sit motionless and unperceived, viewing with attentive eyes the surrounding country, till some unlucky Beast or Bird calls forth their latent Powers. They then launch upon the affrighted Object which soon falls a victim beneath the ruthless talons of their rapacious pursuer.

But lest the equilibrium that reigns throughout the works of the creation should be destroyed, the same Almighty hand that gave to the Hawk a rapid flight, has also given to the Quail the means of avoiding its enemy, colored like the sandy ground scattered o'er with straw and Corn it remains concealed, while its swiftwinged enemy passes it over unnoticed. The Partridge and the Quail haunting the same places resemble the Quail in color, While the Woodcock has the color of decaying leaves, the Snipe the blackness of the bog with streaks resembling withered grass, the Red Grouse is colored with the darkness of heathmold and the redness of the blasted heath. Thus is every Species admirably fitted for the Sphere in which it is to move, nothing being superfluous and

nothing wanting.

(A photostat of this MS was sent to us by Mrs. N. F. McMillan, who received permission to publish it in this Journal. A reproduction of a part is shown in frontispiece to this issue.)

SPECIES OF THE GENUS DROSOPHILA (DIPTERA) INDIGENOUS TO IRELAND

(with notes on the effect of temperature on time of development)

By R. G. H. Downer

No information is readily available concerning the distribution of the genus Drosophila in Ireland, and it was in order to nil this gap in our knowledge that the present survey was undertaken. At the same time it was convenient to study the effect of changes in temperature on the time of development of the various species.

As a result of surveys carried out during 1951, 1952 and 1958, Basden (1966) identified fourteen species of the genus Drosophila in Ireland.

These species were:?

Drosophila acuminata Collin Drosophila littoralis Meigen Drosophila ambigua Pomini ^Drosophila melanogaster Meigen Drosophila andalusiaca Strobl. ^Drosophila obscura Fallen

(=forcipata Collin) Drosophila phalerata *Meigen Drosophila earner aria Haliday Drosophila silvestris

^asden Drosophila deflexa Duda ^Drosophila subobscura Collin ^Drosophila funebris Fabr. Drosophila tristis Fallen

Drosophila helvetica Burla

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Reproduction of an original manuscript in the,archives of the Linnean Society of London.

{By permission of the Linnean Society)

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