Strange Dwellings: being a Description of the Habitations of Animals

Abstract

MR. WOOD'S works are well and favourably known as presenting the study of Natural History in its most attractive form to the young. The present work is not new, being abridged from his “Homes without Hands,” which obtained, some years ago, a deservedly large amount of popular favour; and even in its original form it consisted of course mainly of selections from accounts given by travellers and naturalists. It is, however, extremely well suited to place in the hands of any boy or girl who is already fond of reading about strange animals, or whom it is desired to interest in the study of nature. We find in it accounts of the curious trap-door spider of Jamaica, the bower-bird of Australia, with its remarkable edifice of twigs and shells, the mud wasps of Guiana, the repulsive-looking aard vark of South Africa, the weaver bird and tailor bird, and many other animals of singular habits, and illustrated with woodcuts, which combine with the lively style of the text to make the volume a very attractive one.