GLEANINGS FROM PUNCH.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 153, 16 January 1847, Page 4

GLEANINGS FROM PUNCH.

The American Eagle. — (Jlquila Repudiatruc, Linn. Aigle Coquin, Buff.^ — This unclean bird of the ancients, though classed among the Eagles, seems in its aspect and peculiarities rather to resemble the Vulture tribe. It must not, however, be confounded ■with the " King Vulture" of Bewick, as it is a republican bird. It is distinguished from all others by being curiously marked with stripes and stars. Its flight resembles that of the Kite. Its voracity is something tremendous ; it preys chiefly on the Oregon racoon, the Texas oppossum, and the green snake of California ; but it is also extremely fatal to the large species of goose called the Creditor. (Anser Extraordinarius, Linn. ; Jolt Marin, Buff.,) which it decoys into accompanying it to its own haunts by an affectation of honest friendship, apparently finding means to persuade the foolish bird that more ample supplies and thorough security will be found there : the unfortunate goose, thus entrapped, is then, at once despatched by its ruthless betrayer. It is one' peculiarity of this Eagle, that he invariably performs the operation of plucking his victim, which he does as neatly as the most accomplished cook. This process has been admirably described by that excellent Natural Historian, the late Key. Sydney Smith, who was an eye-witness of the capture and plucking of several Creditor Geese by the American Eagle in the manner explained, somewhere in the State of Pennsylvania. The Eagle is also partial to the flesh of negroes, which it will seize with evident gusto. A singular antipathy is evinced by this bird to that noble animal, the British Lion {Leo Verus Cceruleus, Linn. ; Lion Bonhomme, Buff.), whom, in spite of his strength and courage, it contrives occasionally to dislodge from his own hunting grounds, in Oregon, and elsewhere. This is performed by a number of the Eagles building their unpleasant nests in his neighbourhood, by which the Lion is gradually driven further and further off, till at length he finds himself deprived of the whole of his accustomed haunt, merely by this " masterly inactivity" on the part of his inferior opponent. American naturalists affirm that the Eagle is constantly seen to li whip the British Lion/ though how this can be performed it seems impossible to explain, and the statement is commonly classed with the majority of American assertions. A sort of alliance has been remarked to exist between the Eagle and the Gallic Cock {Gallus tolerabilis bonus, Linn. ; Cog assezrespectable, Buff.), owing, probably, to their sharing in the antipathy to the British animal ; but this is a strange and unnatural alliance, for the gallant Cock, with all his faults, is a much more valuable bird.

Many eminent naturalists, who have watched the American species now under discussion, are of opinion that the race is becoming deteriorated, and losing some high distinctions which it undoubtedly possessed ; the colours grow dimmer ; and it is expected that (if the deterioration continues) the stars which adorn the wing of the bird will be all extinguished : the stripes on the back, however, are likely to be greatly multiplied. Absurd Rumour. — There was no truth whatever in the report that the " 500 Cardinals," who are constantly on view at a linendraper's in Oxford Street, went to Rome to assist at the election of the new Pope. — Standard.

j To be Sold. — A great bargain (in consequence of the Corn Law Bill passing). The British Lion. — The proprietors having no further use for him. He would stuff well as a curiosity. His tail would be invaluable to a young member who wishes to come out in the comic line, a la Sibthorpe or j D'lsraeli, on account of its waggish propensities. For terms, apply to the Agricultural Protection office, Bond-street. | Encouragement xo Fight. — The State of Louisiana has passed an act for the protection of all debtors who are willing to take arms against Mexico 4 thus offering a premium to those heroes who at home, are not " worth powder and shot." Improved British Beverages. — Since the consumption of British produce should be the desire of the British heart, whilst, at the same time, the British momenclature is a disqualification to it in the British mind, whereas it goes down or is swallowed very readily under a foreign one 4 and since this particularly applies to wines, we beg to recommend to public favour some excellent beverages of this description, as old friends under new names. The peculiar advantage, in addition to their quality and flavour, is their moderate price, which renders them very eligible for families of small capitalists, or large economists. We shall specify : — « 1. The Gdngerberger. — This, particularly diluted with a little water, is a light and agreeable dinner wine, and possesses cordial and stomachic properties, which challenge competition with Vermuth, Gingerberger, having all the sparkles of that article without any of its bitterness. 2. The Elderberger. — This so-called rich and luscious potation is likewise a powerful cordial, and carries a fine bouquet. Elderberger is very fruity. It is a splendid supperwine, particularly on a cold frosty night, and may without vulgarity be said emphatically to be spicy. 3. The Currantsheim has a pleasant tartness, and is a most agreeable accompaniment to a piece of plum-cake. It may confidently be offered to the younger classes of students, male and female. 4. Ihe Sparkling Groseille need not be mentioned when introduced at dinner parties; and it will then unhesitatingly be drunk as Champagne. When we consider how frequently the vintage of the hedge-pick is relished as fine " Old Crusted," and the amount of bees-wing, which as such it is found to contain, we shall readily see that, in order to be appreciated, four native liquors need only foreign titles, just as the Monsieur gives a currency to the Balfe, and the Herr an interest to the name of Muggins. Smithfield Intelligence — Our Smithfield correspondent writes to us in a state of gloomy despondency. A general flatness prevailed in all sorts of meats, and veal was as dead as mutton. Thei'e was a terrible glut of beef, and several cows got their horns crumpled in the crowd. A few south downs exhibited a slight upward tendency, but they went into a rapid decline before the close of business, — a decline caused by a want of general consumption. Pigs fell when taken by the leg, and fine old steers were so depressed that it required several doses of Steer's opodeldoc to bring them up again. There was in the course of the day a buoyancy in heifers, but the (h)effervescence was only temporary.