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Ah, good, yer back!  'Ave a seat, then, and I'll get started.

Drawings today are courtesy of Red Scharlach.  We thank her for her works and permission.  You can go over to http://www.geocities.com/scharlachred/ to see her other stuff.

Second Year - Assignment 2

Augurey

The Augurey is known as the Irish Phoenix.  It's native to Britain and Ireland, though it will occasionally be found elsewhere in northern Europe.  It resembles a small, underfed vulture being thin and mournful-looking.  It's plumage is greenish-black.  The Augurey is rarely seen, being very shy.  It's nesting is in areas of bramble and thorn, where people rarely go.   It dines on large insects and fairies, flies only in heavy rain, and otherwise remains hidden in it's tear-shaped nest.

The Augurey has a distinctive low, throbbing cry.  This cry was believed to foretell death, giving it a rating of Class XXX (3X).  Wizards feared Augurey nests, and there are those believed to have suffered heart attacks when passing thickets and hearing the Augurey's wail.  However, research  by Gullivery Pokeby changed the view.  His book, published in 1824, showed that the Augurey's cry was the result of approaching rain.  Since then, the Augurey was reclassed as a Class XX (2X) creature, and it's had a minor fame as a home weather forecaster.  However, most people tire of its endless moaning rather quickly.

Augurey feathers are useless as quills, because they repel moisture, including ink.  They are having a rise in the joke market, as a great gag gift to give to a friend.  Or enemy.  Other wizards are experimenting to see if Augurey parts would have weather control or forecast uses.

Dugbog

The Dugbog lives in marshes.  It is normally found in Europe and North and South America.  The Dugbog resembles a piece of deadwood, floating along.  However, looking closer shows finned paws and very sharp teeth.  It slithers and glides through marshland.

The Dugbog feeds on small mammals and doesn't hesitate to do immense harm to human ankles.  A Dugbog's favorite food is Mandrake.  Mandrakes grow in the same terrain, and a Mandrake grower may seize the leaves of a prize plant to discover a bloody mess below.

The Dugbog is rated Class XXX (3X).  It is not of great harm, but does require knowledge to deal with.  Or good thick boots.  

Murtlap

The Murtlap resembles a rat, vaguely.  It lives in the coastal areas of Britain.  Upon its back is a growth which resembles a sea anemone.  It's largely ignored by humans because of it's small size.

Murtlaps are Class XXX (3X) creatures.  Their only real danger is the fact that they are very carnivorous.  They usually eat crustraceans, but they will also eat the feet of anyone who steps on them.  They are quick and quite successful at feet eating.

The Murtlap does have one major use.  When pickled and eaten, the growths on Murtlap promote resistance to curses and jinxes.  However, an overdose may cause purple ear hair.  

Second Year - Assignment 2

Direct your answers to your professor at comc@starpaw.com.  Clicking on this link will fill in year and assignment number.

All answers must be in your own words.  

Remember, making your answers interesting and/or amusing may result in bonus points at the end of the term.

1.  Describe an Augurey.

2.  What is the Augurey's Ministry of Magic rating?  Why does it have that rating?

3.  Describe a Dugbog.

4.  What is the Dugbog's Ministry of Magic rating?  Why does it have that rating?

5.  Describe a Murtlap.

6.  What is the Murtlap's Ministry of Magic rating?  Why does it have that rating?

7.  You are near a thicket, and you spot an Augurey.  What do you do and why?

8.  You are in a swamp and you spot a Dugbog.  What do you do and why?

9.  You are by the shore and you spot a Murtlap.  What do you do and why?

10.  How do Augureys, Dugbogs and Murtlaps escape Muggle notice?

What is your name and House?