THE GOLDEN EAGLE, (Falco Chryſaetos, Linnaeus.—Le grand Aigle, Buffon.)

IS the largeſt of the genus: It meaſures, from the point of the bill to the extremity of the toes, [6] upwards of three feet; and in breadth, from wing to wing, above eight; and weighs from ſixteen to eighteen pounds. The male is ſmaller, and does not weigh more than twelve pounds. The bill is of a deep blue colour; the cere yellow; the eyes are large, deep ſunk, and covered by a projecting brow; the iris is of a fine bright yel⯑low, and ſparkles with uncommon luſtre. The general colour is deep brown, mixed with tawny on the head and neck; the quills are chocolate, with white ſhafts; the tail is black, ſpotted with aſh colour; the legs are yellow, and feathered down to the toes, which are very ſcaly; the claws are re⯑markably large; the middle one is two inches in length.—This noble bird is found in various parts of Europe; it abounds moſt in the warmer regions, and has ſeldom been met with farther north than the fifty-fifth degree of latitude. It is known to breed in the mountainous parts of Ireland; it lays three, and ſometimes four eggs, of which it ſeldom happens that more than two are prolific. Mr Pen⯑nant ſays there are inſtances, though rare, of their having bred in Snowdon Hills. Mr Wallis, in his Natural Hiſtory of Northumberland, ſays, it former⯑ly had its aery on the higheſt and ſteepeſt part of Cheviot. In the beginning of January, 1735, a very large one was ſhot near Warkworth, which meaſured, from point to point of its wings, eleven feet and a quarter.

THE RINGTAILED EAGLE. (Falco Fulvus. Lin.—L'Aigle Commun. Buff.)

THIS is the common Eagle of Buffon, and, ac⯑cording to that author, includes two varieties, the brown and the black Eagle; they are both of the [8] ſame brown colour, diſtinguiſhed only by a deep⯑er ſhade; and are nearly of the ſame ſize. In both, the upper part of the head and neck is mixed with ruſt colour, and the baſe of the larger feathers marked with white; the bill is of a dark horn co⯑lour, the cere of a bright yellow, the iris hazel, and between the bill and the eye there is a naked ſkin of a dirty brown colour; the legs are feathered to the toes, which are yellow, and the claws black; the tail is diſtinguiſhed by a white ring, which co⯑vers about two thirds of its length; the remaining part is black.

The Ringtailed Eagle is more numerous and diffuſed than the Golden Eagle, and prefers more northern climates. It is found in France, Ger⯑many, Switzerland, Great Britain, and in America as far north as Hudſon's Bay.

THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. GREAT ERNE—CINEREOUS EAGLE. (Falco Albiulla, Lin.—Le grand Pygargue, Buff.)

[10]OF this there appear to be three varieties, which differ chiefly in ſize, and conſiſt of the following: the great Erne, or Cinereous Eagle, of Latham and Pennant; the ſmall Erne, or leſſer White-tailed Eagle; and the White-headed Erne, or Bald Eagle. The two firſt are diſtinguiſhed only by their ſize, and the laſt by the whiteneſs of its head and neck.

The white-tailed Eagle is inferior in ſize to the Golden Eagle; the beak, cere, and eyes are of a pale yellow; the ſpace between the beak and the eye is of a blueiſh colour, and thinly covered with hair; the ſides of the head and neck are of a pale aſh colour, mixed with reddiſh brown; the general colour of the plumage is brown, dark⯑eſt on the upper part of the head, neck, and back; the quill feathers are very dark; the breaſt is ir⯑regularly marked with white ſpots; the tail is white; the legs, which are of a bright yellow, are feathered a little below the knees; the claws are black.

This bird inhabits all the northern parts of Europe, and is found in Scotland and many parts of Great-Britain; it is equal in ſtrength and vi⯑gour to the common Eagle, but more furious; and is ſaid to drive its young ones from the neſt, after having fed them only a very ſhort time. It has commonly two or three young, and builds its neſt upon lofty trees.

THE SEA EAGLE. (Falco Oſſifragus, Lin.—L'Orfraie, Buff.)

THIS bird is nearly as large as the Golden Eagle, meaſuring in length three feet and a half, but its expanded wings do not reach above ſeven feet. [12] Its bill is large, much hooked, and of a blueiſh colour; its eye is yellow; a row of ſtrong briſtly feathers hangs down from its under bill next to its throat, from whence it has been termed the beard⯑ed Eagle; the top of the head and back part of the neck are dark brown, inclining to black; the feathers on the back are variegated by a lighter brown, with dark edges; the ſcapulars are pale brown, the edges nearly white; the breaſt and belly whitiſh, with irregular ſpots of brown; the tail feathers are dark brown; the outer edges of the exterior feathers whitiſh; the quill feathers and thighs are duſky; the legs and feet yellow; the claws, which are large, and form a compleat ſemicircle, are of a ſhining black. It is found in various parts of Europe and America; it is ſaid to lay only two eggs during the whole year, and frequently produces only one young one; it is however widely diſperſed, and was met with at Botany Iſland by Captain Cook. It lives chiefly on fiſh; its uſual haunts are by the ſea-ſhore; it alſo frequents the borders of large lakes and ri⯑vers; and is ſaid to ſee ſo diſtinctly in the dark, as to be able to purſue and catch its prey during the night. The ſtory of the Eagle, brought to the ground after a ſevere conflict with a cat which it had ſeized and taken up into the air with its ta⯑lons, is very remarkable. Mr Barlow, who was an eye-witneſs of the fact, made a drawing of it, which he afterwards engraved.

THE OSPREY. BALD BUZZARD, SEA EAGLE, OR FISHING HAWK. (Falco Haliaetus, Lin.—Le Balbuzard, Buff.)

The length of this bird is two feet; its breadth, from tip to tip, above five; its bill is black, with a blue cere, and its eye is yellow; the crown of its head is white, marked with oblong duſky ſpots; its cheeks, and all the under parts of its body, are white, ſlightly ſpotted with brown on its breaſt; from the corner of each eye a ſtreak of brown ex⯑tends [14] down the ſides of the neck toward the wing; the upper part of the body is brown; the two middle feathers of the tail are brown, the others are marked on the inner webs with alternate bars of brown and white; the legs are very ſhort and thick, being only two inches and a quarter long, and two inches in circumference; they are of a pale blue colour; the claws black; the outer toe is larger than the inner one, and turns eaſily back⯑ward, by which means this bird can more readily ſecure its ſlippery prey.

Buffon obſerves that the Oſprey is the moſt nu⯑merous of the large birds of prey, and is ſcattered over the extent of Europe, from Sweden to Greece, and that it is found even in Egypt and Nigritia. Its haunts are on the ſea ſhore, and on the bor⯑ders of rivers and lakes; its principal food is fiſh; it darts upon its prey with great rapidity, and with undeviating aim. The Italians compare its de⯑ſcent upon the water to a piece of lead falling up⯑on that element, and diſtinguiſh it by the name of Auguiſta Piumbina, or the Leaden Eagle. It builds its neſt on the ground, among reeds, and lays three or four eggs, of an elliptical form, ra⯑ther leſs than thoſe of a hen. The Carolina and Cayenne Oſpreys are varieties of this ſpecies.

THE COMMON BUZZARD. (Falco Buteo, Lin.—La Buſe, Buff.)

M. BUFFON diſtinguiſhes the Kites and the Buz⯑zards from the Eagles and Hawks by their habits and diſpoſitions, which he compares to thoſe of the Vultures, and places them after thoſe birds. Though poſſeſſed of ſtrength, agility, and weapons to defend themſelves, they are cowardly, inactive, and ſlothful; they will fly before a Sparrow-hawk, and when overtaken will ſuffer themſelves to be [16] beaten, and even brought to the ground without reſiſtance.

The Buzzard is about twenty inches in length, and in breadth four feet and a half; its bill is of a lead colour; eyes pale yellow; the upper parts of the body are of a duſky brown colour; the wings and tail are marked with bars of a darker hue; the upper parts pale, variegated with a light red⯑diſh brown; the legs are yellow; claws black. This well-known bird is of a ſedentary and indo⯑lent diſpoſition; it continues for many hours per⯑ched upon a tree or eminence, from whence it darts upon the game that comes within its reach; it feeds on birds, ſmall quadrupeds, reptiles, and inſects; its neſt is conſtructed with ſmall branches, lined in the inſide with wool, and other ſoft mate⯑rials; it lays two or three eggs, of a whitiſh co⯑lour, ſpotted with yellow; it feeds and tends its young with great aſſiduity. Ray affirms, that if the female be killed during the time of incubation, the male Buzzard takes the charge of them, and pa⯑tiently rears the young till they are able to pro⯑vide for themſelves. Birds of this ſpecies are ſub⯑ject to greater variations than moſt other birds, ſcarcely two being alike; ſome are entirely white, of others the head only is white, and others again are mottled with brown and white.

We were favoured with one of theſe birds by John Trevelyan, Eſq. of Wallington, in the county of Northumberland, by whom it was ſhot in the [17] act of devouring its prey, which conſiſted of a par⯑tridge it had juſt killed: The fleſh was entirely ſeparated from the bones, which, with the legs and wings, were afterwards diſcovered laying at a ſmall diſtance from the place where it had been ſhot.

THE HONEY BUZZARD. (Falco Apivorus, Lin.—La Bondree, Buff.)

Is as large as the Buzzard, meaſuring twen⯑ty-two inches in length; its wings extend above [18] four feet; its bill is black, and rather longer than that of the Buzzard; its eyes are yellow; its head is large and flat, and of an aſh colour; upper parts of the body dark brown; the under parts white, ſpotted or barred with ruſty brown on the breaſt and belly; tail brown, marked with three broad duſky bars, between each of which are two or three of the ſame colour, but narrower; the legs are ſtout and ſhort, of a dull yellow colour; claws black. This bird builds its neſt ſimilar to that of the Buzzard, and of the ſame materials; its eggs are of an aſh colour, with ſmall brown ſpots: It ſometimes takes poſſeſſion of the neſts of other birds, and feeds its young with waſps and other in⯑ſects; it is fond of field mice, frogs, lizards, and inſects: it does not ſoar like the Kite, but flies low from tree to tree, or from buſh to buſh: It is found in all the northern parts of Europe, and in the open parts of Ruſſia and Siberia, but is not ſo common in England as the Buzzard.

Buffon obſerves, that it is frequently caught in the winter, when it is fat and delicious eating.

MOOR BUZZARD. DUCK HAWK, OR WHITE-HEADED HARPY. (Falco Aeruginoſus, Lin.—Le Buſard, Buff)

LENGTH above twenty-one inches; the bill is black; cere and eyes yellow; the whole crown of the head is of a yellowiſh white, lightly tinged with brown; the throat is of a light ruſt colour; the reſt of the plumage is of a reddiſh brown, with pale edges; the greater wing coverts tipped with white; the legs are yellow; claws black. Our figure and [20] deſcription are taken from a very fine living bird ſent us by John Silvertop, Eſq. of Minſter-Acres, in the county of Northumberland, which very nearly agreed with that figured in the Planches Enluminees. Birds of this kind vary much—in ſome the crown and back part of the head are yel⯑low; and in one deſcribed by Mr Latham, the whole bird was uniformly of a chocolate brown, with a tinge of ruſt colour. It preys on rabbits, young wild ducks, and other water fowl, and like⯑wiſe feeds on fiſh, frogs, reptiles, and even inſects: Its haunts are in hedges and buſhes near pools, marſhes, and rivers, that abound with fiſh; it builds its neſt a little above the ſurface of the ground, or in hillocks covered with thick herbage; the female lays three or four eggs, of a whitiſh colour, irregularly ſprinkled with duſky ſpots:— Though ſmaller, it is more active and bolder than the Common Buzzard; and when purſued, it meets its antagoniſt, and makes a vigorous defence.

THE KITE. PUTTOK, FORK-TAILED KYTE, OR GLEAD. (Falco Milous, Lin.—Le Milan Royal, Buff.)

THIS bird is eaſily diſtinguiſhed from the Buz⯑zard by its forked tail, which is its peculiar and diſtinguiſhing feature: Its length is about two feet; its bill is of a horn colour, furniſhed with briſtles at its baſe; its eyes and cere are yellow; the fea⯑thers on the head and neck are long and narrow, of a hoary colour, ſtreaked with brown down the middle of each; the body is of a reddiſh brown co⯑lour, the margin of each feather being pale; the [22] quills are dark brown; the legs yellow; and the claws black. It is common in England, and con⯑tinues with us the whole year: It is found in va⯑rious parts of Europe, in very northern latitudes, from whence before winter it retires towards E⯑gypt in great numbers; it is ſaid to breed there, and return in April to Europe, where it breeds a ſecond time, contrary to the nature of rapacious birds in general. The female lays two or three eggs of a whitiſh colour, ſpotted with pale yellow, and of a roundiſh form. Though the Kite weighs ſomewhat leſs than three pounds, the extent of its wings is more than five feet; its flight is rapid, and it ſoars very high in the air, frequently beyond the reach of our ſight,—yet at this diſtance it perceives its food diſtinctly, and deſcends upon its prey with irreſiſtible force; its attacks are confined to ſmall animals and birds; it is particularly fond of young chickens, but the fury of their mother is generally ſufficient to drive away the robber.

THE GOSHAWK. (Falco Palumbarius, Lin.—L'Autour, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat longer than the Buzzard, but ſlenderer and more beautiful; its length is one foot ten inches; its bill is blue, tipped with black; cere green; eyes yellow; over each eye there is a whitiſh line; the head and all the upper parts of the body are of a deep brown colour, each ſide of the neck being irregularly marked with white; the breaſt and belly are white, with a number of wavy lines or bars of black; the tail is long, of an aſh [24] colour, and croſſed with four or five duſky bars; the legs are yellow, and the claws black; the wings are much ſhorter than the tail. M. de Buf⯑fon, who brought up two young birds of this kind, a male and a female, makes the following obſerva⯑tions: That the Goſhawk, before it has ſhed its fea⯑thers, that is, in its firſt year, is marked on the breaſt and belly with longitudinal brown ſpots; but after it has had two moultings they diſappear, and their place is occupied by tranſverſe bars, which continue during the reſt of its life: He obſerves further, that though the male was much ſmaller than the female, it was fairer and more vicious: The Goſhawk feeds on mice and ſmall birds, and eagerly devours raw fleſh; it plucks the birds very neatly, and tears them into pieces before it eats them, but ſwallows the pieces entire; and frequent⯑ly diſgorges the hair rolled up in ſmall pellets.

The Goſhawk is found in France and Germany; it is not very common in this country, but is more frequent in Scotland; it is likewiſe common in North America, Ruſſia, and Siberia: In Chineſe Tartary there is a variety which is mottled with brown and yellow. They are ſaid to be uſed by the Emperor of China in his ſporting excurſions, when he is uſually attended by his grand falconer, and a thouſand of inferior rank. Every bird has a ſilver plate faſtened to its foot, with the name of the falconer who had the charge of it, that in caſe it ſhould be loſt it may be reſtored to the proper [25] perſon; but if he ſhould not be found, the bird is delivered to another officer called the guardian of loſt birds, who, to make his ſituation known, erects his ſtandard in a conſpicuous place among the ar⯑my of hunters. In former times the cuſtom of carrying a hawk on the hand was confined to men of high diſtinction, ſo that it was a ſaying among the Welſh, "you may know a gentleman by his hawk, horſe, and greyhound." Even the ladies in thoſe times were partakers of this gallant ſport, and have been repreſented in ſculpture with hawks on their hands. At preſent this noble diverſion is wholly laid aſide in this country; the advanced ſtate of agriculture which every where prevails, and the conſequent improvement and incloſure of lands, would but ill accord with the purſuits of the falconer, who requires a large and extenſive range of country, where he may purſue his game without moleſtation to himſelf, or injury to his neighbour. The expence which attended this ſport was very conſiderable, which confined it to princes and men of the higheſt rank. In the time of James I. Sir Thomas Monſon is ſaid to have given a thouſand pounds for a caſt of hawks. In the reign of Ed⯑ward III. it was made felony to ſteal a hawk; to take its eggs, even in a perſon's own ground, was puniſhable with impriſonment for a year and a day, together with a fine at the king's pleaſure. Such was the pleaſure our anceſtors took in this royal ſport, and ſuch were the means by which they en⯑deavoured [26] to ſecure it.—Beſides the bird juſt de⯑ſcribed, there are many other kinds which were formerly in high eſtimation for the ſports of the field; theſe were principally the Jer-Falcon, the Falcon, the Lanner, the Sacre, the Hobby, the Keſtril, and the Merlin: Theſe are called the long-winged hawks, and are diſtinguiſhed from the Goſhawk, the Sparrowhawk, the Kite, and the Buzzard, which are of ſhorter wing, flower in their motions, more indolent, and leſs courageous than the others.

THE SPARROWHAWK. (Falco Niſus, Lin.—L'Epervier, Buff.)

THE length of the male is twelve inches; that of the female fifteen: Its bill is blue, furniſhed with briſtles at the baſe, which overhang the noſtrils; the colour of the eye is bright orange; the head is flat at the top, and above each eye is a ſtrong bony projection, which ſeems as if intended to ſecure it from external injury; from this projection a few ſcattered ſpots of white form a faint line run⯑ning backward towards the neck; the top of the head and all the upper parts of the body are of a duſky brown colour; on the back part of the head there is a faint line of white; the ſcapulars are marked with two ſpots of white on each feather; the greater quill feathers and the tail are duſky, [28] with four bars of a darker hue on each; the inner edges of all the quills are marked with two or more large white ſpots; the tips of the tail feathers are white; the breaſt, belly, and under coverts of the wings and thighs are white, beautifully barred with brown; the throat is faintly ſtreaked with brown; the legs and feet are yellow; claws black.

The above deſcription is that of a female; the male differs both in ſize and colour, the upper part of his body being of a dark lead colour, and the bars on his breaſt more numerous. The Sparrow⯑hawk is a bold and ſpirited bird, and very numer⯑ous in various parts of the world, from Ruſſia to the Cape of Good Hope. The female builds her neſt in hollow trees, high rocks, or lofty ruins, ſometimes in old crows' neſts, and generally lays four or five eggs, ſpotted with reddiſh ſpots at the longer end. The Sparrowhawk is obedient and docile, and can be eaſily trained to hunt partridges and quails; it makes great deſtruction among pi⯑geons, young poultry, and ſmall birds of all kinds, which it will attack and carry off in the moſt da⯑ring manner.

THE JER-FALCON. (Falco Gyrfalco, Lin.—Le Gerfaut, Buff.)

THIS is a very elegant ſpecies, and equals the Goſhawk in ſize: Its bill is much hooked, and yel⯑low; the iris is duſky; the throat white, as is likewiſe the general colour of the plumage, ſpotted with brown; the breaſt and belly are marked with lines, pointing downwards; the ſpots on the back and wings are larger; the feathers on the thighs are very long, and of a pure white; thoſe of the tail are barred; the legs are of a pale blue, and feathered below the knee. This bird is a native of the cold and dreary climates of the north, being found in Ruſſia, Norway, and Iceland; it is never ſeen in warm, and ſeldom in temperate climates; it is found, but rarely, in Scotland and the Orkneys. Buffon mentions three varieties of the Jer-Falcon; the firſt is brown on all the upper parts of the bo⯑dy, and white ſpotted with brown on the under: This is found in Iceland: The ſecond is very ſimilar to it; and the third is entirely white. Next to the Eagle, it is the moſt formidable, the moſt active, and the moſt intrepid of all voracious birds, and is the deareſt and moſt eſteemed for falconry: It is tranſported from Iceland and Ruſſia into France, Italy, and even into Perſia and Turkey—nor does the heat of theſe climates appear to diminiſh its [30] ſtrength, or blunt its vivacity. It boldly attacks the largeſt of the feathered race; the Stork, the Heron, and the Crane are eaſy victims: It kills hares by darting directly upon them. The female, as in all other birds of prey, is much larger and ſtronger than the male, which is uſed in falconry only to catch the Kite, the Heron, and the Crow.

THE GENTIL-FALCON. (Falco Gentilis, Lin.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat larger than the Goſhawk: Its bill is lead colour; cere and irides yellow; the head and back part of the neck are ruſty ſtreaked with black; the back and wings are brown; ſca⯑pulars tipped with ruſty; the quills duſky; the outer webs barred with black; the lower part of the inner webs marked with white; the tail is long, and marked with alternate bars of black and aſh colour, and tipped with white; the legs are yel⯑low, and the claws black; the wings do not ex⯑tend farther than half the length of the tail.

Naturaliſts have enumerated a great variety of Falcons: and in order to ſwell the liſt, they have introduced the ſame bird at different periods of its life; and have, not unfrequently, ſubſtituted acci⯑dental differences of climate as conſtituting perma⯑nent varieties; ſo that, as Buffon obſerves with his uſual acuteneſs, one would be apt to imagine that [31] there were as many varieties of the Falcon as of the Pigeon, the Hen, and other domeſtic birds. In this way new ſpecies have been introduced, and va⯑rieties multiplied without end: An over-anxious deſire of noting all the minute differences exiſting in this part of the works of nature has ſometimes led the too curious inquirer into unneceſſary diſ⯑tinctions, and has been the means of introducing confuſion and irregularity into the ſyſtems of orni⯑thologiſts. Our countryman, Latham, makes twelve varieties of the common Falcon, of which one is a young Falcon, or yearling—another is the Haggard, or old Falcon—whilſt others differ only in ſome uneſſential point, ariſing from age, ſex, or climate. Buffon, however, reduces the whole to two kinds—the Gentil, which he ſuppoſes to be the ſame with the common Falcon, differing only in ſeaſon; and the Peregrine, or Paſſenger Falcon. This laſt is rarely met with in Britain, and conſe⯑quently is but little known with us: It is about the ſize of the common Falcon; its bill is blue, black at the point; cere and irides yellow; the up⯑per parts of the body are elegantly marked with bars of blue and black; the breaſt is of a yel⯑lowiſh white, marked with a few ſmall duſky lines; the belly, thighs, and vent of a greyiſh white, croſſed with duſky bands; the quills are duſky, ſpotted with white; the tail is finely barred with blue and black; the legs are yellow; the claws black.

THE LANNER. (Falco Lanarius, Lin.—Le Lanier, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat leſs than the Buzzard: its bill is blue; cere inclining to green; eyes yel⯑low; the feathers on the upper parts of the body are brown, with pale edges; above each eye there is a white line, which runs towards the hind part of the head, and beneath it is a black ſtreak point⯑ing downwards towards the neck; the throat is white; the breaſt of a dull yellow, marked with brown ſpots; thighs and vent the ſame; the quill feathers are duſky, marked on the inner webs with oval ſpots, of a ruſt colour; the tail is ſpotted in the ſame manner; the legs are ſhort and ſtrong, and of a blueiſh colour. The Lanner is not com⯑mon in England; it breeds in Ireland, and is found in various parts of Europe: It derives its name from its mode of tearing its prey into ſmall pieces with its bill.

THE HEN-HARRIER. DOVE-COLOURED FALCON, OR BLUE HAWK. (Falco Cyaneus, Lin.—L'Oiſeau St. Martin, Buff.)

THE length ſeventeen inches; breadth, from tip to tip, ſomewhat more than three feet; the bill is black, and covered at the baſe with long briſtly feathers; the cere, irides, and edges of the eye⯑lids are yellow; the upper parts of the body are of a blueiſh grey colour, mixed with light tinges of ruſty; the breaſt and under coverts of the wings are white, the former marked with ruſty coloured ſtreaks, the latter with bars of the ſame colour; the greater quills are black, the ſecondaries and [34] leſſer quills aſh-coloured; on the latter, in ſome birds, a ſpot of black in the middle of each feather forms a bar acroſs the wing; the two middle fea⯑thers of the tail are grey, the three next are mark⯑ed on their inner webs with duſky bars, the two outermoſt are marked with alternate bars of white and ruſt colour; the legs are long and ſlender, and of a yellow colour. Theſe birds vary much; of ſeveral which we have been favoured with, from John Silvertop, Eſq. ſome were perfectly white on the under parts, and of a larger ſize than common: —We ſuppoſe the difference ariſes from the age of the bird.^*

The Hen-harrier feeds on birds, lizards, and other reptiles; it breeds annually on Cheviot, and on the ſhady precipices under the Roman wall by Crag⯑lake;^† it flies low, ſkimming along the ſurface of the ground in ſearch of its prey: The female makes her neſt on the ground, and lays four eggs of a red⯑diſh colour, with a few white ſpots.

THE RINGTAIL. (Falco Pygargus, Lin.—Soubuſe, Buff.)

ITS length is twenty inches; breadth three feet nine; its bill is black; cere and irides yellow; the upper part of the body is duſky; the breaſt, bel⯑ly, and thighs are of a yellowiſh brown, marked with oblong duſky ſpots; the rump white; from the back part of the head behind the eyes to the throat there is a line of whitiſh coloured feathers, forming a collar or wreath; under each eye there is a white ſpot; the tail is long, and marked with alternate brown and duſky bars; the legs are yel⯑low; claws black.

THE KESTREL. STONEGALL, STANNEL HAWK, OR WINDHOVER. (Falco Tinnunculus, Lin.—La Creſſerelle, Buff.)

THE male of this ſpecies differs ſo much from the female, and is ſo rarely ſeen, that we have gi⯑ven a figure of it from one we had in our poſſeſſion. Its length is fourteen inches; breadth two feet three inches; its bill is blue; cere and eyelids yellow; eyes black; the forehead dull yellow; the top of the head, back part of the neck, and ſides, as far as the points of the wings, are of a lead colour, faintly ſtreaked with black; the cheeks are paler; from the corner of the mouth on each ſide there is a dark ſtreak pointing downwards; the back and coverts of the wings are of a bright vinous colour, ſpotted with black; quill feathers duſky, with light edges; all the under part of the body is of a pale ruſt colour, [37] ſtreaked and ſpotted with black; thighs plain; the tail feathers are of a fine blue grey, with black ſhafts; towards the end there is a broad black bar both on the upper and under ſides; the tips are white; the legs are yellow, and the claws black.

THE FEMALE KESTREL.

THIS beautiful bird is diſtinguiſhed from e⯑very other Hawk by its variegated plumage; its bill is blue; cere and feet yellow; eyes dark co⯑loured, ſurrounded with a yellow ſkin; its head is ruſt coloured, ſtreaked with black; behind each eye there is a bright ſpot; the back and wing co⯑verts are elegantly marked with numerous undu⯑lated bars of black; the breaſt, belly, and thighs [38] are of a pale reddiſh colour, with duſky ſtreaks pointing downwards; vent plain; the tail is mark⯑ed by a pretty broad black bar near the end, a number of ſmaller ones, of the ſame colour, occu⯑pying the remaining part; the tip is pale.

The Keſtrel is widely diffuſed throughout Eu⯑rope, and is found in the more temperate parts of North America: It is a handſome bird, its ſight is acute, and its flight eaſy and graceful: It breeds in the hollows of trees, and in the holes of rocks, towers, and ruined buildings; it lays four or five eggs, of a pale reddiſh colour: Its food conſiſts of ſmall birds, field mice, and reptiles: After it has ſecured its prey, it plucks the feathers very dex⯑terouſly from the birds, but ſwallows the mice en⯑tire, and diſcharges the hair at the bill in the form of round balls. This bird is frequently ſeen ho⯑vering in the air, and fanning with its wings by a gentle motion, or wheeling ſlowly round, at the ſame time watching for its prey, on which it ſhoots like an arrow. It was formerly uſed in Great Bri⯑tain for catching ſmall birds and young Partridges.

THE HOBBY. (Falco Subbuteo, Lin.—Le Hobreau, Buff.)

THE length of the male is twelve inches▪ breadth about two feet; the bill is blue; cere and orbits of the eyes yellow; the irides orange; over each eye there is a light coloured ſtreak; the top of the head, coverts of the wings, and back, are of a dark brown, in ſome edged with ruſt colour; the hind part of the neck is marked with two pale yel⯑low ſpots; a black mark extends from behind each eye, forming almoſt a creſcent, and extending downwards on the neck; the breaſt and belly are [40] pale, marked with duſky ſtreaks; the thighs ruſty, with long duſky ſtreaks; the wings brown; the two middle feathers of the tail are of a deep dove colour, the others are barred with ruſty, and tipt with white. The female is much larger, and the ſpots on her breaſt more conſpicuous than thoſe of the male; the legs and feet are yellow.

The Hobby breads with us, but is ſaid to emi⯑grate in October. It was formerly uſed in falcon⯑ry, chiefly for Larks and other ſmall birds. The mode of catching them was ſingular; when the Hawk was caſt off, the Larks, fixed to the ground through fear, became an eaſy prey to the fowler, by drawing a net over them. Buffon ſays that it was uſed in hunting Partridges and Quails.

THE MERLIN. (Falco Aeſalon, Lin.—L'Emerillon, Buff.)

THE Merlin is the ſmalleſt of all the Hawk kind, ſcarcely exceeding the ſize of a Blackbird: Its bill is blue; cere yellow; irides very dark; the head is ruſt colour, ſtreaked with black; back and wings of a dark blueiſh aſh colour, ſtreaked and ſpotted with ruſt colour; quill feathers dark, mark⯑ed with reddiſh ſpots; the breaſt and belly are of a yellowiſh white, with ſtreaks of brown pointing downwards; the tail is long, and marked with al⯑ternate duſky and reddiſh bars; the wings, when cloſed, do not reach quite to the end of the tail; the legs are yellow; claws black.

[42]The Merlin, though ſmall, is not inferior in cou⯑rage to any of the Falcon tribe. It was uſed for taking Larks, Partridges, and Quails, which it would frequently kill by one blow, ſtriking them on the breaſt, head, and neck. Buffon obſerves that this bird differs from the Falcons, and all the rapacious kind, in the male and female being of the ſame ſize. The Merlin does not breed here, but viſits us in October; it flies low, and with great ce⯑lerity and eaſe; it preys on ſmall birds, and breeds in woods, laying five or ſix eggs.

THE GREAT-EARED OWL. (Strix Bubo, Lin.—Le grand Duc, Buff)

THIS bird is not much inferior in ſize to an Ea⯑gle: Its head is very large, and is adorned with two tufts, more than two inches long, which ſtand juſt above each eye; its bill is ſtrong, and much hooked; its eyes large, and of a bright yellow; the whole plumage is of a ruſty brown, finely va⯑riegated with black and yellow lines, ſpots, and ſpecks; its belly is ribbed with bars of a brown colour, confuſedly intermixed; its tail ſhort, mark⯑ed with duſky bars; its legs are ſtrong, and cover⯑ed to the claws with a thick cloſe down, of a ruſt colour; its claws are large, much hooked, and of a duſky colour: Its neſt is large, being nearly three feet in diameter; it is compoſed of ſticks bound together by fibrous roots, and lined with leaves; it generally lays two eggs, ſomewhat larger than thoſe of a Hen, and variegated like the bird itſelf; the young ones are very voracious, and are well ſupplied with various kinds of food by the parents. This bird has been found, though rarely, in Great Britain; it builds its neſt in the caverns of rocks, in mountainous and almoſt inacceſſible places, and is ſeldom ſeen in the plain, or perched on trees; it feeds on young hares, rabbits, rats, mice, and reptiles of various kinds.

THE LONG-EARED OWL. HORN OWL. (Strix Otus, Lin.—Le Hibou, Buff.)

ITS length is fourteen inches; breadth ſomewhat more than three feet: Its bill is black; irides of a bright yellow; the radiated circle round each eye is of a light cream colour, in ſome parts tinged with red; between the bill and the eye there is a circular ſtreak, of a dark brown colour; another circle of a dark ruſty brown entirely ſurrounds the face; its horns or ears conſiſt of ſix feathers cloſe⯑ly laid together, of a dark brown colour, tipped [47] and edged with yellow; the upper part of the bo⯑dy is beautifully penciled with fine ſtreaks of white, ruſty, and brown: the breaſt and neck are yellow, finely marked with duſky ſtreaks, pointing downwards; the belly, thighs, and vent feathers are of a light cream colour: upon each wing there are four or five large white ſpots; the quill and tail feathers are marked with duſky and reddiſh bars; the legs are feathered down to the claws, which are very ſharp; the outer claw is moveable, and may be turned backwards.

This bird, is common in various parts of Eu⯑rope, as well as in this country; its uſual haunts are in old ruined buildings, in rocks, and in hollow trees. M. Buffon obſerves that it ſeldom con⯑ſtructs a neſt of its own, but not unfrequently occu⯑pies that of the Magpie; it lays four or five eggs; the young are at firſt white, but acquire their na⯑tural colour in about fifteen days.

THE SHORT-EARED OWL. (Strix Brachyotos, Phil. Tranſ. vol. 62, p. 384.)

LENGTH fourteen inches; breadth three feet: The head is ſmall, and Hawk-like; bill duſky; the eyes are of a bright yellow, which, when the pupil is contracted, ſhine like gold; the circle round each eye is of a dirty white, with dark ſtreaks pointing outwards; immediately round the eye there is a circle of black; the two horns or ears, in thoſe we have examined, conſiſt of not more than three feathers, of a pale brown or tawny colour, with a [49] dark ſtreak in the middle of each; the whole up⯑per part of the body is variouſly marked with dark brown and tawny, the feathers being moſtly edged with the latter; the breaſt and belly are of a pale yellow, marked with dark longitudinal ſtreaks, which are moſt numerous on the breaſt; the legs and feet are covered with feathers of a pale yellow colour; the claws are much hooked, and black; the wings are long, and extend beyond the tail; the quills are marked with alternate bars of a duſ⯑ky and pale brown; the tail is likewiſe marked with bars of the ſame colour, the middle feathers of which are diſtinguiſhed by a dark ſpot in the centre of the yellow ſpace; the tip is white. Of ſeveral of theſe birds, both male and female, which we have been favoured with by our friends, we have obſerved that both had the upright tufts or ears: In one of theſe, which was alive in our poſ⯑ſeſſion, they were very conſpicuous, and appeared more erect while the bird remained undiſturbed; but when frightened, were ſcarcely to be ſeen;—in the dead birds they were hardly diſcernible.

Mr Pennant ſeems to be the firſt deſcriber of this rare and beautiful bird, which he ſuppoſes to be a bird of paſſage, as it only viſits us the latter end of the year, and returns in the ſpring to the places of its ſummer reſidence. It is found chiefly in wooded or mountainous countries: Its food is principally field mice, of which it is very fond.

THE FEMALE HORNED OWL.

THIS bird was ſomewhat larger than the for⯑mer; the colours and marks were the ſame, but much darker, and the ſpots on the breaſt larger and more numerous; the ears were not diſcernible; being a dead bird, and having not ſeen any other at the time it was in our poſſeſſion, we ſuppoſed it to be a diſtinct kind—but having ſince ſeen ſeveral, both males and females, we are convinced of our miſtake.

THE WHITE OWL. BARN OWL, CHURCH OWL, GILLIHOWLET, OR SCREECH-OWL. (Strix Flammea, Lin.—L'Effraie, ou la Freſaie, Buff.)

LENGTH fourteen inches: Bill pale horn colour; eyes dark; the radiated circle round the eye is compoſed of feathers of the moſt delicate ſoftneſs, and perfectly white; the head, back, and wings, are of a pale cheſnut, beautifully powdered with very fine grey and brown ſpots, intermixed with [52] white; the breaſt, belly, and thighs are white; on the former are a few dark ſpots; the legs are feathered down to the toes, which are covered with ſhort hairs; the wings extend beyond the tail, which is ſhort, and marked with alternate bars of duſky and white; the claws are white. Birds of this kind vary conſiderably; of ſeveral which we have had in our poſſeſſion, the differences were ve⯑ry conſpicuous, the colours being more or leſs faint according to the age of the bird; the breaſt in ſome was white, without ſpots—in others pale yellow. The White Owl is well known, and is often ſeen in the moſt populous towns, frequenting churches, old houſes, maltings, and other uninha⯑bited buildings, where it continues during the day, and leaves its haunts in the evening in queſt of its prey: Its flight is accompanied with loud and frightful cries, from whence it is denominated the Screech Owl; during its repoſe it makes a blow⯑ing noiſe, reſembling the ſnoring of a man. It makes no neſt, but depoſits its eggs in the holes of walls, and lays five or ſix, of a whitiſh colour. It feeds on mice and ſmall birds, which it ſwallows whole, and afterwards emits, the bones, feathers, and other indigeſtible parts, at its mouth, in the form of ſmall round cakes, which are often found in the empty buildings which it frequents.

THE TAWNY OWL. COMMON BROWN IVY OWL, OR HOWLET. (Strix Stridula, Lin.—Le Chathuant, Buff.)

Is about the ſize of the laſt: Its bill is white; eyes dark blue; the radiated feathers round the eyes are white, finely ſtreaked with brown; the head, neck, back, wing coverts, and ſcapulars are of a tawny brown colour, finely powdered and ſpot⯑ted with dark brown and black; on the wing co⯑verts and ſcapulars are ſeveral large white ſpots, [54] regularly placed, ſo as to form three rows; the quill feathers are marked with alternate bars of light and dark brown; the breaſt and belly are of a pale yellow, marked with narrow dark ſtreaks pointing downwards, and croſſed with others of the ſame colour; the legs are feathered down to the toes; the claws are large, much hooked, and white. This ſpecies is found in various parts of Europe; it frequents woods, and builds its neſt in the hollows of trees.

THE LITTLE OWL. (Strix Paſſerina, Lin.—La Chevêche ou petite Chouette, Buff.)

THIS is the ſmalleſt of the Owl kind, being not larger than a Blackbird: Its bill is brown at the baſe, and of a yellow colour at the tip; eyes pale yellow; the circular feathers on the face are white, tipped with black; the upper part of the body is of an olive brown colour; the top of the head and wing coverts are ſpotted with white; the breaſt and belly white, ſpotted with brown; the feathers of the tail are barred with ruſt colour and brown, and tipped with white; the legs are covered with down of a ruſty colour, mixed with white; the toes and claws are of a browniſh colour. It frequents rocks, caverns, and ruined buildings, and builds its neſt, which is conſtructed in the rudeſt manner, in the moſt retired places: It lays five eggs, ſpot⯑ted [55] with white and yellow. It ſees better in the day-time than other nocturnal birds, and gives chace to ſwallows and other ſmall birds on the wing; it likewiſe feeds on mice, which it tears in pieces with its bill and claws, and ſwallows them by morſels: It is ſaid to pluck the birds which it kills, before it eats them, in which it differs from all the other Owls. It is rarely met with in Eng⯑land: It is ſometimes found in Yorkſhire, Flint⯑ſhire, and in the neighbourhood of London.

GREAT ASH-COLOURED SHRIKE. MURDERING PIE, OR GREAT BUTCHER BIRD. (Lanius, excubitor, Lin.—La Pie-grieſche griſe, Buff.)

THE length about ten inches: Its bill is black, and furniſhed with briſtles at the baſe; the upper parts of its plumage are of a pale blue aſh colour; the under parts white; a black ſtripe paſſes through each eye; the greater quills are black, with a large white ſpot at the baſe, forming a bar of that colour acroſs the wing; the leſſer quills are white at the top; the ſcapulars are white; the two middle fea⯑thers of the tail are black; the next on each ſide are white at the ends, which gradually increaſes to the outermoſt, which are nearly white; the whole, when the tail is ſpread, forms a large oval ſpot of [59] black; the legs are black. The female differs little from the male; it lays ſix eggs, of a dull o⯑live green, ſpotted at the end with black. Our fi⯑gure and deſcription were taken from a very fine ſpecimen, ſent us by Lieut. H. F. Gibſon, of the 4th dragoons: It is rarely found in the cultivated parts of the country, preferring the mountainous wilds, among furz and thorny thickets, for its reſi⯑dence. M. Buffon ſays it is common in France, where it continues all the year: It is met with likewiſe in Ruſſia, and various parts of Europe; it preys on ſmall birds, which it ſeizes by the throat, and, after ſtrangling, fixes them on a ſharp thorn, and tears them in pieces with its bill. Mr Pen⯑nant obſerves, that, when kept in the cage, it ſticks its food againſt the wires before it will eat it. It is ſaid to imitate the notes of the ſmaller ſinging birds, thereby drawing them near its haunts, in or⯑der more ſecurely to ſeize them.

THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. LESSER BUTCHER BIRD, OR FLUSHER. (Lanius Collurio, Lin.—L'Ecorcheur, Buff.)

Is ſomewhat leſs than the laſt, being little more than ſeven inches long: Its bill is black; irides hazel; the head and lower part of the back are of a light grey colour; the upper part of the back and coverts of the wings are of a bright ruſty red; the breaſt, belly, and ſides of a fine pale roſe or bloom colour; the throat is white; a ſtroke of black paſſes from the bill through each eye; the two middle feathers of the tail are black, the o⯑thers are white at the baſe; the quills are of a brown colour; the legs black.

The female is ſomewhat larger than the male; the head is of a ruſt colour, mixed with grey; the [61] breaſt, belly, and ſides of a dirty white; the tail deep brown; the exterior web of the outer feathers white. It builds its neſt in hedges or low buſhes, and lays ſix white eggs, marked with a reddiſh brown circle towards the larger end. Its man⯑ners are ſimilar to the laſt: It frequently preys on young birds, which it takes in the neſt; it like⯑wiſe feeds on graſshoppers, beetles, and other in⯑ſects. Like the laſt, it imitates the notes of other birds, in order the more ſurely to decoy them.— When ſitting on the neſt, the female ſoon diſcovers herſelf at the approach of any perſon, by her loud and violent outcries.

THE WOODCHAT, (La Pie-Grieſche Rouſſe, Buff.)

IS ſaid to equal the laſt in point of ſize: Its bill is horn-coloured, feathers round the baſe whitiſh; head and hind part of the neck bright bay; from the baſe of the bill a black ſtreak paſſes through each eye, inclining downwards on the neck; back duſky, under parts of a yellowiſh white; quills black, near the bottom of each a white ſpot; the two middle feathers of the tail are black, the out⯑er edges and tips of the others are white; the legs black. The deſcription of this bird ſeems to have been taken from a drawing by Mr Edwards, in the [62] Sloanian Muſeum, and is not unlike the leaſt But⯑cher Bird of that celebrated naturaliſt, which it re⯑ſembles in ſize and in the diſtribution of its co⯑lours. M. Buffon ſuppoſes it may be a variety of the Red-backed Shrike, as they both depart in Sep⯑tember, and return at the ſame time in the ſpring; the manners of both are ſaid to be the ſame, and the difference of colours not very material: The female is ſomewhat different; the upper parts of the plumage being of a reddiſh colour, tranſverſely ſtreaked with brown; the under parts of a dirty white, marked in the ſame manner with brown; the tail is of a reddiſh brown, with a duſky mark near the end, tipt with red.

THE RAVEN. GREAT CORBIE CROW. (Corvus Corax, Lin.—Le Corbeau, Buff.)

IS the largeſt of this kind; its length is above two feet, breadth four: Its bill is ſtrong, and very thick at the baſe; it meaſures ſomewhat more than two inches and a half in length, and is cover⯑ed with ſtrong hairs or briſtles, which extend above half its length, covering the noſtrils; the general colour of the upper parts is of a fine gloſſy black, reflecting a blue tint in particular lights; the un⯑der parts are duller, and of a duſky hue.

The Raven is well known in all parts of the [67] world, and, in times of ignorance and ſuperſtition, was conſidered as ominous, foretelling future events by its horrid croakings, and announcing impending calamities: In theſe times the Raven was conſider⯑ed as a bird of vaſt importance, and the various changes and modulations of its voice were ſtudied with the moſt careful attention, and were made uſe of by artful and deſigning men to miſlead the igno⯑rant and unwary. It is a very long-lived bird, and is ſuppoſed ſometimes to live a century or more. It is fond of carrion, which it ſcents at a great diſ⯑tance; it is ſaid that it will deſtroy rabbits, young ducks, and chickens; it has been known to ſeize on young lambs which have been dropped in a weak ſtate, and pick out their eyes while yet a⯑live: It will ſuck the eggs of other birds; it feeds alſo on earth-worms, reptiles, and even ſhell-fiſh, when urged by hunger. It may be rendered very tame and familiar, and has been frequently taught to pronounce a variety of words: It is a crafty bird, and will frequently pick up things of value, ſuch as rings, money, &c, and carry them to its hiding-place. It makes its neſt early in the ſpring, and builds in trees and the holes of rocks, laying five or ſix eggs, of a pale blueiſh green colour, ſpotted with brown. The female ſits about twen⯑ty days, and is conſtantly attended by the male, who not only provides her with abundance of food, but relieves her by turns, and takes her place in the neſt.

[68]The natives of Greenland eat the fleſh, and make a covering for themſelves with the ſkins of theſe birds, which they wear next their bodies.

THE CARRION CROW. MIDDEN CROW, OR BLACK-NEBBED CROW. (Corvus Corone, Lin.—La Corneille, Buff.)

IS leſs than the Raven, but ſimilar to it in its habits, colour, and external appearance: It is a⯑bout eighteen inches in length; its breadth above two feet. Birds of this kind are more numerous and as widely ſpread as the Raven; they live moſt⯑ly in woods, and build their neſts on trees; the fe⯑male lays five or ſix eggs, much like thoſe of a Ra⯑ven. They feed on putrid fleſh of all ſorts; like⯑wiſe on eggs, worms, inſects, and various ſorts of grain. They live together in pairs, and remain with us during the whole year.

THE HOODED CROW. ROYSTON CROW. (Corvus Cornix, Lin.—Le Corneille Mantelée, Buff.)

IS ſomewhat larger and more bulky than the Rook, meaſuring twenty-two inches in length, and twenty-three in breadth: Its bill is black, and two inches long; the head, forepart of the neck, wings, and tail are black; the back and all the under parts are of a pale aſh colour; the legs black. This bird arrives with the Woodcock, and on its firſt coming frequents the ſhores of rivers, and departs in the ſpring to breed in other coun⯑tries, but it is ſaid that they do not entirely leave [70] us, as they have been ſeen, during the ſummer months, in the northern parts of our iſland, where they frequent the mountainous parts of the coun⯑try, and breed in the pines. In more northern parts it continues the whole year, and ſubſiſts on ſea-worms, ſhell-fiſh, and other marine produc⯑tions. With us it is ſeen to mix with the Rook, and feeds in the ſame manner with it. During the breeding ſeaſon they live in pairs, lay ſix eggs, and are ſaid to be much attached to their offspring.

THE ROOK. (Corvus Frugilegus, Lin.—Le Freux, Buff.)

THIS bird is about the ſize of the Carrion Crow, and, excepting its more gloſſy plumage, very much reſembles it: The baſe of the bill, noſtrils, and even round the eyes are covered with a rough ſcabrous ſkin, in which it differs from all the reſt, occaſioned, it is ſaid, by thruſting its bill into the earth in ſearch of worms; but as the ſame ap⯑pearance has been obſerved in ſuch as have been brought up tame and unaccuſtomed to that mode of ſubſiſtence, we are inclined to conſider it as an original peculiarity. We have already had oc⯑caſion [72] to obſerve that they are uſeful in prevent⯑ing a too great increaſe of that deſtructive inſect the chafer or dor-beetle, and by that means make large recompenſe for the depredations they may occaſionally make on the corn fields. Rooks are gregarious, and fly in immenſe flocks at morning and evening to and from their rooſting places in queſt of food. During the breeding time they live together in large ſocieties, and build their neſts on trees cloſe to each other, frequently in the midſt of large and populous towns. Theſe rook⯑eries, however, are often the ſcenes of bitter con⯑teſts, the new comers being frequently driven a⯑way by the old inhabitants, their half-built neſts torn in pieces, and the unfortunate couple forced to begin their work anew in ſome more undiſturbed ſituation;—of this we had a remarkable inſtance in Newcaſtle. In the year 1783 a pair of Rooks, af⯑ter an unſucceſsful attempt to eſtabliſh themſelves in a rookery at no great diſtance from the Ex⯑change, were compelled to abandon the attempt, and take refuge on the ſpire of that building, and altho' conſtantly interrupted by other Rooks, they built their neſt on the top of the vane, and brought forth their young, undiſturbed by the noiſe of the populace below them; the neſt and its inhabitants were conſequently turned about by every change of the wind. They returned and built their neſt every year on the ſame place till 1793, after which the ſpire was taken down.

THE JACK-DAW. (Corvus Monedula, Lin.—Le Choucas, Buff.)

THIS bird is conſiderably leſs than the Rook, being only thirteen inches in length: Its bill is black; eyes white; the hind part of the head and neck are of a hoary grey colour; the reſt of the plumage is of a fine gloſſy black above, beneath it has a duſky hue; the legs are black.

The Daw is very common in England, and re⯑mains with us the whole year: In other coun⯑tries, as in France and various parts of Germany, it is migratory. They frequent churches, old towers, and ruins, in great flocks, where they build their neſts: The female lays five or ſix eggs, paler than thoſe of the Crow, and ſmaller; they rarely [74] build in trees:—In Hampſhire they ſometimes breed in the rabbit burrows.^* They are eaſily tamed, and may be taught to pronounce ſeveral words; they will conceal part of their food, and with it ſmall pieces of money, or toys. They feed on inſects, grain, fruit, and ſmall pieces of meat, and are ſaid to be fond of Partridge eggs. There is a variety of the Daw found in Switzerland, hav⯑ing a white collar round its neck. In Norway and other cold countries they have been ſeen per⯑fectly white.

THE MAGPIE. PIANET. (Corvus Pica, Lin.—La Pie, Buff.)

ITS length is about eighteen inches: Bill ſtrong and black; eyes hazel; the head, neck, and breaſt are of a deep black, which is finely contraſted with the ſnowy whiteneſs of the breaſt and ſcapulars; the neck feathers are very long, extending down the back, leaving only a ſmall ſpace, of a greyiſh aſh colour, between them and the tail coverts, which are black; the plumage in general is gloſſed with green, purple, and blue, which catch the eye in different lights; its tail is very long, and wedge-ſhaped; [76] the under tail coverts, thighs, and legs are black; on the throat and part of the neck there is a kind of feathers, mixed with the others, re⯑ſembling ſtrong whitiſh hairs. This beautiful bird is every where very common in England; it is likewiſe found in various parts of the Continent, but not ſo far north as Lapland, nor farther ſouth than Italy: It is met with in America, but not commonly, and is migratory there: It feeds, like the Crow, on almoſt every thing animal as well as vegetable. The female builds her neſt with great art, leaving a hole in the ſide for her admittance, and covering the whole upper part with a texture of thorny branches, cloſely entangled, thereby ſecu⯑ring her retreat from the rude attacks of other birds; but it is not ſafety alone ſhe conſults, the inſide is furniſhed with a ſort of mattraſs compoſed of wool and other ſoft materials, on which her young repoſe: She lays ſeven or eight eggs, of a pale green colour, ſpotted with black.

The Magpie is crafty and familiar, and may be taught to pronounce words and even ſhort ſenten⯑ces, and will imitate any particular noiſe which it hears. It is addicted, like other birds of its kind, to ſtealing, and will hoard up its proviſions. It is ſmaller than the Jackdaw, and its wings are ſhort⯑er in proportion; accordingly its flight is not ſo lofty, nor ſo well ſupported: It never undertakes diſtant journies, but flies only from tree to tree, at moderate diſtances.

THE RED-LEGGED CROW. CORNISH CHOUGH. (Corvus Graculus, Lin.—Le Coracias, Buff.)

THIS bird is about the ſize of the Jack-daw: The bill is long, much curved, ſharp at the tip, and of a bright red colour; the iris of the eye is com⯑poſed of two circles, the outer one red, the inner light blue; the eye-lids are red; the plumage is altogether of a purpliſh violet black; the legs are as red as the bill; the claws are large, much hook⯑ed, and black.

Buffon deſcribes this bird "as of an elegant fi⯑gure, lively, reſtleſs and turbulent, but it may be [78] tamed to a certain degree." It builds on high cliffs by the ſea ſide, and chiefly frequents the coaſts of Devonſhire and Cornwall, and likewiſe many parts of Wales; a few are found on the Dover cliffs, and ſome in Scotland. The female lays four or five white eggs, ſpotted with yellow. It is a voracious, bold, and greedy bird, and feeds on inſects and berries: It is ſaid to be particularly fond of the juniper berry. Its manners are like thoſe of a Jackdaw: It is attracted by glittering ob⯑jects. Buffon ſays that it has been known to pull from the fire lighted pieces of wood, to the no ſmall danger of the houſe.

THE NUTCRACKER. (Corvus Caryocatacles, Lin.—Le Caſſe Noix, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is thirteen inches: The bill is about two inches long, and black; the eyes hazel; the upper part of the head and back part of the neck are black; its general colour is that of a duſky brown, covered with triangular ſpots of white; the wings are black; greater wing coverts tipped with white; the tail is white at the tip; the reſt black; rump white; legs and claws black.

There are very few inſtances known of this bird having been ſeen in England: It is common in Germany, is found alſo in Sweden and Den⯑mark, and frequents the moſt mountainous parts of thoſe countries. It makes its neſt in holes of [80] trees, and feeds on nuts, acorns, and the kernels of the pine apple. It is ſaid to pierce the bark of trees with its bill, like the Woodpecker. Our drawing was made from a ſtuffed ſpecimen in the muſeum of George Allan, Eſq.

THE JAY. (Corvus Glandarius, Lin.—Le Geai, Buff.)

THIS moſt beautiful bird is not more than thir⯑teen inches in length: Its bill is black; eyes white; the feathers on the forehead are white, ſtreaked with black, and form a tuft on its forehead, which it can erect at pleaſure; the chin is white, and [81] from the corners of the bill on each ſide proceeds a broad ſtreak of black, which paſſes under the eye; the hinder part of the head, neck, and back are of a light cinnamon colour; the breaſt is of the ſame colour, but lighter; leſſer wing coverts bay; the belly and vent almoſt white; the greater wing coverts are elegantly barred with black, fine pale blue and white alternately; the greater quills are black, with pale edges, the baſes of ſome of them white; leſſer quills black; thoſe next the body cheſtnut; the rump is white; tail black, with pale brown edges; legs dirty pale brown.

The Jay is a very common bird in Great Bri⯑tain, and is found in various parts of Europe. It is diſtinguiſhed as well for the beautiful arrange⯑ment of its colours, as for its harſh, grating voice, and reſtleſs diſpoſition. Upon ſeeing the ſportſ⯑man, it gives, by its cries, the alarm of danger, and thereby defeats his aim and diſappoints him. —The Jay builds in woods, and makes an art⯑leſs neſt, compoſed of ſticks, fibres, and tender twigs: The female lays five or ſix eggs, of a greyiſh aſh colour, mixed with green, and faintly ſpotted with brown. Mr Pennant obſerves, that the young ones continue with their parents till the following ſpring, when they ſeparate to form new pairs. Birds of this ſpecies live on acorns, nuts, ſeeds, and various kinds of fruits; they will eat eggs, and ſometimes deſtroy young birds in the ab⯑ſence [82] of the old ones. When kept in a domeſtic ſtate they may be rendered very familiar, and will imitate a variety of words and ſounds. We have heard one imitate ſo exactly the ſound made by the action of a ſaw, that, tho' it was on a Sunday, we could hardly be perſuaded but that the perſon who kept it had a carpenter at work in the houſe.—A Jay, kept by a perſon we were acquainted with, at the approach of cattle, had learned to hound a cur dog upon them, by whiſtling and calling upon him by his name; at laſt, during a ſevere froſt, the dog was, by that means, excited to attack a cow big with calf, when the poor animal fell on the ice and was much hurt. The Jay being complained of as a nuiſance, its owner was obliged to deſtroy it.

THE CHATTERER. SILK TAIL, OR WAXEN CHATTERER. (Ampelis Garrulus, Lin.—Le Jaſeur de Boheme, Buff.)

THIS beautiful bird is about eight inches in length: Its bill is black, and has a ſmall notch at the end; its eyes, which are black and ſhining, are placed in a band of black, which paſſes from the baſe of the bill to the hind part of the head; its throat is black; the feathers on the head are long, forming a creſt; all the upper parts of the body are of a reddiſh aſh colour, the breaſt and belly inclining to purple; vent and upper tail co⯑verts nearly white; the tail feathers are black, tip⯑ped with pale yellow; the quills are black, the [84] third and fourth tipped on their outer edges with white, the five following with ſtraw colour; the ſe⯑condaries with white, each being tipt or pointed with a flat horny ſubſtance of a bright vermillion colour. Theſe appendages vary in different ſub⯑jects—in one of thoſe we had in our poſſeſſion, we counted eight on one wing and ſix on the other; the legs are ſhort and black. It is ſaid the female is not diſtinguiſhed by the little red waxen appen⯑dages at the ends of the ſecond quills; but this we are not able to determine from our own obſerva⯑tions.

This rare bird viſits us only at uncertain inter⯑vals. In the year 1790 and 1791 ſeveral of them were taken in Northumberland and Durham as ear⯑ly as the month of November; ſince that time we have not heard of any being ſeen here. The ſum⯑mer reſidence of theſe birds is ſuppoſed to be the northern parts of Europe, within the arctic circle, from whence they ſpread themſelves into other countries, where they remain during winter, and return in the ſpring to their uſual haunts. The general food of this bird is berries of various kinds; in ſome countries it is ſaid to be extremely fond of grapes; one, which we ſaw in a ſtate of captivi⯑ty was fed chiefly with quicken-tree berries, but from the difficulty of providing it with a ſufficient ſupply of its natural food it ſoon died. This is the only bird of its kind found in Europe; all the reſt are natives of America.

THE ROLLER. (Coracias Garrula, Lin.—Le Rollier d'Europe, Buff.)

THIS rare bird is diſtinguiſhed by a plumage of moſt exquiſite beauty; it vies with the Par⯑rot in an aſſemblage of the fineſt ſhades of blue and green, mixed with white, and heightened by the contraſt of graver colours, from whence perhaps it has been called the German Parrot, although in e⯑very other reſpect it differs from that bird, and ra⯑ther ſeems to claim affinity with the Crow kind, to which we have made it an appendage. In ſize it [86] reſembles the Jay, being ſomewhat more than twelve inches in length: Its bill is black, beſet with ſhort briſtles at the baſe; the eyes are ſur⯑rounded with a ring of naked ſkin, of a yellow co⯑lour, and behind them there is a kind of wart; the head, neck, breaſt, and belly are of a light pea green; the back and ſcapulars reddiſh brown; the points of the wings and upper coverts are of a rich deep blue, the greater coverts pale green; the quills are of a duſky hue, inclining to black, and mixed with deep blue; the rump is blue; the tail is ſomewhat forked, the lower part of the feathers are of a duſky green, middle part pale blue, tips black; the legs are ſhort, and of a dull yellow.— This is the only one of its kind found in Europe; it is very common in ſome parts of Germany, but is ſo rare in this country as hardly to deſerve the name of a Britiſh bird. The author of the Britiſh Zoology mentions two that were ſhot in England, and theſe we may ſuppoſe have been only ſtragg⯑lers. Our drawing was made from a ſtuffed ſpe⯑cimen in the Muſeum of the late Mr Tunſtall, at Wycliffe.

The Roller is wilder than the Jay, and fre⯑quents the thickeſt woods; it builds its neſt chief⯑ly on birch trees. Buffon ſays it is a bird of paſ⯑ſage, and migrates in the months of May and Sep⯑tember. In thoſe countries where it is common, it is ſaid to fly in large flocks in the autumn, and is frequently ſeen in cultivated grounds, with [87] Rooks and other birds, ſearching for worms, ſmall ſeeds, roots, &c.; it likewiſe feeds on ber⯑ries, caterpillars, and inſects, and is ſaid, in caſes of neceſſity, to eat young frogs and even carrion. The female is deſcribed by Aldrovandus as differ⯑ing very much from the male; its bill is thicker, and its head, neck, breaſt, and belly are of a cheſt⯑nut colour, bordering on a greyiſh aſh. The young ones do not attain their brilliant colours till the ſecond year.

This bird is remarkable for making a chattering kind of noiſe, from whence it has obtained the name of Garrulus.

THE STARLING. STARE. (Sturnus Vulgaris, Lin.—L'Etourneau, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is ſomewhat leſs than nine inches: The bill is ſtrait, ſharp-pointed, and of a yellowiſh brown—in old birds deep yellow; the noſtrils are ſurrounded by a prominent rim; the eyes are brown; the whole plumage is dark, gloſſed with blue, purple, and copper, each feather being marked at the end with a pale yellow ſpot, which is ſmaller and more numerous on the head and neck: the wing coverts are edged with yel⯑lowiſh [89] brown; the quill and tail feathers duſky, with light edges; the legs are of a reddiſh brown.

From the ſtriking ſimilarity, both in form and manners, obſervable in this bird and thoſe more immediately preceding, we have no ſcruple in re⯑moving it from its uſual place, as it evidently forms a connecting link between them, and in a variety of points ſeems equally allied to both.— Few birds are more generally known than the Stare, being an inhabitant of almoſt every cli⯑mate; and as it is a familiar bird, and eaſily train⯑ed in a ſtate of captivity, its habits have been more frequently obſerved than thoſe of moſt other birds. The female makes an artleſs neſt, in the hollows of trees, rocks, or old walls, and ſometimes in cliffs overhanging the ſea; ſhe lays four or five eggs, of a pale greeniſh aſh colour; the young birds are of a duſky brown colour till the firſt moult. In the winter ſeaſon theſe birds fly in vaſt flocks, and may be known at a great diſtance by their whirl⯑ing mode of flight, which Buffon compares to a ſort of vortex, in which the collective body performs an uniform circular revolution, and at the ſame time continues to make a progreſſive advance. The e⯑vening is the time when the Stares aſſemble in the greateſt numbers, and betake themſelves to the ſens and marſhes, where they rooſt among the reeds: They chatter much in the evening and morning, both when they aſſemble and diſperſe. So attach⯑ed are they to ſociety, that they not only join [90] thoſe of their own ſpecies, but alſo birds of a differ⯑ent kind, and are frequently ſeen in company with Redwings, Fieldfares, and even with Crows, Jack⯑daws, and Pigeons. Their principal food conſiſts of worms, ſnails, and caterpillars; they likewiſe eat various kinds of grain, ſeeds, and berries, and are ſaid to be particularly fond of cherries. In a confined ſtate they eat ſmall pieces of raw fleſh, bread ſoaked in water, &c. The Starling is very docile, and may eaſily be taught to repeat ſhort phraſes, or whiſtle tunes with great exactneſs, and in this ſtate acquires a warbling ſuperior to its na⯑tive ſong.

THE ROSE COLOURED OUZEL. (Turdus, Roſeus, Lin.—Le Merle Couleur de Roſe, Buff.)

Is the ſize of a Starling: Its bill is of a carna⯑tion colour, blackiſh at the baſe; irides pale; the feathers on the head are long, forming a creſt; the head, neck, wings, and tail are black, gloſſed with ſhades of blue, purple, and green; its back, rump, breaſt, belly, and leſſer wing coverts pale roſe co⯑lour, marked with a few irregular dark ſpots; legs pale red; claws brown.

This bird has been ſo rarely met with in Eng⯑land that it will ſcarcely be admitted amongſt ſuch as are purely Britiſh. There are however a few inſtances of its being found here; and, although not a reſident, it ſometimes viſits us, on which ac⯑count it muſt not be paſſed over unnoticed. It is found in various parts of Europe and Aſia, and in moſt places is migratory. It ſeems to delight moſt in the warmer climates; it is fond of locuſts, and frequents the places where thoſe deſtructive inſects abound in great numbers; on which account it is ſaid to be held ſacred by the inhabitants.

THE RING OUZEL. (Turdus Torquatus, Lin.—Le Merle à Plaſtron Blanc, Buff.)

THIS bird very much reſembles the Blackbird: Its general colour is of a dull black or duſky hue, each feather being margined with a greyiſh aſh colour; the bill is duſky, corners of the mouth and inſide yellow; eyes hazel; its breaſt is diſ⯑tinguiſhed by a creſcent of pure white, which al⯑moſt ſurrounds the neck, and from whence it de⯑rives its name; its legs are of a duſky brown. The female differs in having the creſcent on the breaſt much leſs conſpicuous, and in ſome birds wholly wanting, which has occaſioned ſome au⯑thors to conſider it as a different ſpecies, under the name of the Rock Ouzel.

[93]Ring Ouzels are found in various parts of this kingdom, chiefly in the wilder and more moun⯑tainous parts of the country; its habits are ſimi⯑lar to thoſe of the Blackbird; the female builds her neſt in the ſame manner, and in ſimilar ſitua⯑tions, and lays four or five eggs of the ſame co⯑lour: They feed on inſects and berries of various kinds, are fond of grapes, and, Buffon obſerves, during the ſeaſon of vintage are generally fat, and at that time are eſteemed delicious eating. The ſame author ſays, that in France they are migra⯑tory, and in ſome parts of this kingdom they have been obſerved to change places, particularly in Hampſhire, where they are known generally to ſtay not more than a fortnight at one time. Our repreſentation was taken from one killed near Bed⯑lington in Northumberland.

THE BLACK OUZEL. BLACKBIRD. (Turdus Merula, Lin.—Le Merle, Buff.)

THE length of the Blackbird is generally about ten inches: Its plumage is altogether black; the bill, inſide of the mouth, and edges of the eye-lids are yellow, as are alſo the ſoles of the feet; the legs are of a dirty yellow. The female is moſtly brown, inclining to ruſt colour on the breaſt and belly; the bill is duſky, and the legs brown; its ſong is alſo very different, ſo that it has ſometimes been miſtaken for a bird of a different ſpecies.

Male Blackbirds, during the firſt year, reſemble the females ſo much as not eaſily to be diſtinguiſh⯑ed from them; but after that, they aſſume the yel⯑low [95] bill, and other diſtinguiſhing marks of their kind. The Blackbird is a ſolitary bird, frequent⯑ing woods and thickets, chiefly of evergreens, ſuch as pines, firs, &c. eſpecially where there are perennial ſprings, which afford it both ſhelter and ſubſiſtence. Wild Blackbirds feed on berries, fruits, inſects, and worms; they never fly in flocks like Thruſhes; they pair early, and be⯑gin to warble ſooner than any other of the ſong⯑ſters of the grove. The female builds her neſt in buſhes or low trees, and lays four or five eggs, of a blueiſh green colour, marked irregularly with duſky ſpots. The young birds are eaſily brought up tame, and may be taught to whiſtle a variety of tunes, for which their clear, loud, and ſpirited tones are well adapted. They are reſtleſs and timorous birds, eaſily alarmed, and difficult of acceſs; but Buffon obſerves that they are more reſtleſs than cunning, and more timorous than ſuſpicious, as they readily ſuffer themſelves to be caught with bird-lime, nooſes, and all ſorts of ſnares. They are never kept in aviaries; for when ſhut up with other birds they purſue and haraſs their compa⯑nions in ſlavery unceaſingly, for which reaſon they are generally confined in cages apart. In ſome counties of England this bird is called the Ouzel.

MISSEL THRUSH. MISSEL BIRD OR SHRITE. (Turdus Viſcivorus, Lin.—La Drainè, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about eleven inches: The bill is duſky, the baſe of the lower bill yel⯑low; the eyes hazel; the head, back, and leſſer coverts of the wings are of a deep olive brown, the latter tipped with white; the lower part of the back and rump tinged with yellow; the cheeks are of a yellowiſh white, ſpotted with brown, as are al⯑ſo the breaſt and belly, which are marked with lar⯑ger ſpots, of a dark brown colour; the quills are brown, with pale edges; tail feathers the ſame; the three outermoſt tipped with white; the legs are yellow; claws black. The female builds her neſt in buſhes or low trees, and lays four or five eggs, of a dirty fleſh colour, marked with blood red ſpots. Its neſt is made of moſs, leaves. &c. lined with dry graſs, ſtrengthened on the outſide with ſmall twigs. It begins to ſing very early, often on the turn of the year in blowing ſhowery weather, from whence in ſome places it is called the Storm-cock. Its note of anger is very loud and harſh, between a chatter and a ſhriek, which accounts for ſome of its names. It feeds on various kinds of berries, particularly thoſe of the miſletoe, of which bird⯑lime is made. It was formerly believed that the [97] the plant of that name was only propagated by the ſeed which paſſed the digeſtive organs of this bird, from whence aroſe the proverb "Turdus malum ſi⯑bi cacat;" it likewiſe feeds on caterpillars and va⯑rious kinds of inſects, with which it alſo feeds its young. This bird is found in various parts of Eu⯑rope, and is ſaid to be migratory in ſome places, but continues in England the whole year, and fre⯑quently has two broods.

THE FIELDFARE. (Turdus Pilaris, Lin.—La Litorne, ou Tourdelle, Buff.)

THIS is ſomewhat leſs than the Miſſel Thruſh; its length ten inches: The bill is yellow; each corner of the mouth is furniſhed with a few black briſtly hairs; the eye is light brown; the top of the head and back part of the neck are of a light aſh colour, the former ſpotted with black; the back and coverts of the wings are of a deep hoary brown; the rump aſh-coloured; the throat and breaſt are yellow, regularly ſpotted with black; the belly and thighs of a yellowiſh white; the tail brown, in⯑clining to black; legs duſky yellowiſh brown; in young birds yellow.

[99]The Fieldfare is only a viſitant in this iſland, making its appearance about the beginning of Oc⯑tober, in order to avoid the rigorous winters of the North, from whence it ſometimes comes in great flocks, according to the ſeverity of the ſeaſon, and leaves us about the latter end of February or the beginning of March, and retires to Ruſſia, Sweden, Norway, and as far as Siberia and Kamſchatka. Buffon obſerves that they do not arrive in France till the beginning of December, that they aſſemble in flocks of two or three thouſand, and feed on ripe cervices, of which they are extremely fond: Du⯑ring the winter they feed on haws and other ber⯑ries, they likewiſe eat worms, ſnails, and ſlugs.— Fieldfares ſeem of a more ſocial diſpoſition than the Throſtles or the Miſſels; they are ſometimes ſeen ſingly, but in general form very numerous flocks, and fly in a body, and though they often ſpread themſelves through the meadows in ſearch of food, they ſeldom loſe ſight of each other, but when alarmed fly off, and collect together upon the ſame tree. We have ſeen a variety of this bird, of which the head and neck were of a yellowiſh white; the reſt of the body was nearly of the ſame colour, mixed with a few brown feathers; the ſpots on the breaſt were faint and indiſtinct; the quill feathers were perfectly white, except one or two on each ſide, which were brown; the tail was marked in a ſimilar manner.

THE THROSTLE. THRUSH OR MAVIS. Turdus Muſicus, Lin.—La Grive, Buff.)

THIS is larger than the Redwing, but much leſs than the Miſſel, to which it bears a ſtrong reſem⯑blance both in form and colours; a ſmall notch is obſervable at the end of the bill, which belongs to this and every bird of the Thruſh kind; the throat is white, and the ſpots on the breaſt more regularly formed than thoſe of the Miſſel Thruſh, being of a conical ſhape; the inſide of the wings and the mouth are yellow, as are alſo the legs; the claws are ſtrong and black.—The Throſtle is diſtinguiſh⯑ed among our ſinging birds by the clearneſs and fullneſs of its note; it charms us not only with the ſweetneſs, but variety of its ſong, which begins [101] early in the ſpring, and continues during part of the ſummer. This bold and pleaſing ſongſter, from his high ſtation, ſeems to command the concert of the grove, whilſt, in the beautiful language of the poet,

The female builds her neſt generally in buſhes; it is compoſed of dried graſs, with a little earth or clay intermixed, and lined with rotten wood; ſhe lays five or ſix eggs of a pale blue colour, marked with duſky ſpots. Although this ſpecies is not con⯑ſidered as migratory with us, it has, nevertheleſs, been obſerved in ſome places in great numbers du⯑ring the ſpring and ſummer, where not one was to be ſeen in the winter, which has induced an opinion that they either ſhift their quarters entirely, or take ſhelter in the more retired parts of the woods.— That the Throſtle is migratory in France, we have the authority of that nice obſerver of nature, M. de Buffon, who ſays that it appears in Burgundy about the end of September, before the Redwing and Fieldfare, and that it feeds upon the ripe grapes, and ſometimes does much damage to the vineyard. The females of all the Thruſh kind are very ſimilar to the males, and differ chiefly in a leſſer degree of brilliancy in the colours.

THE REDWING. SWINEPIPE OR WIND THRUSH. Turdus Iliacus, Lin.—Le Mauvis, Buff.)

IS not more than eight inches in length: The bill is of a dark brown colour; eyes deep hazel; the plumage in general is ſimilar to that of the Thruſh, but a white ſtreak over the eye diſtinguiſh⯑es it from that bird; the belly is not quite ſo much ſpotted, and the ſides of the body and under the wings are tinged with red, which is its peculiar characteriſtic, from whence alſo it derives its name.

Theſe birds make their appearance a few days before the Fieldfare,^* and are generally ſeen with [103] them after their arrival; they frequent the ſame places, eat the ſame food, and are very ſimilar to them in manners. Like the Fieldfare it leaves us in the ſpring, for which reaſon its ſong is quite un⯑known to us, but it is ſaid to be very pleaſing. The female builds its neſt in low buſhes or hedges, and lays ſix eggs, of a greeniſh blue colour, ſpot⯑ted with black. This and the former are delicate eating; the Romans held them in ſuch eſtimation that they kept thouſands of them together in avia⯑ries, and fed them with a ſort of paſte made of bruiſed figs and flour, and various other kinds of food to improve the delicacy and flavour of their fleſh: Theſe aviaries were ſo contrived as to ad⯑mit light barely ſufficient to direct them to their food; every object which might tend to remind them of their former liberty was carefully kept out of ſight, ſuch as the fields, the woods, the birds, or whatever might diſturb the repoſe neceſſary for their improvement. Under this management theſe birds fattened to the great profit of their proprie⯑tors, who ſold them to Roman epicures for three denarii, or about two ſhillings ſterling each.

THE CUCKOO. THE GOWK. (Cuculus Canorus, Lin.—Le Coucou, Buff)

LENGTH fourteen inches; breadth twenty-five: Its bill is black, and ſomewhat bent; eyes yellow; inſide of the mouth red; its head, neck, back, and wing coverts are of a pale blue or dove colour, which is darkeſt on the head and back, and paleſt on the fore part of the neck and rump; its breaſt and belly are white, elegantly croſſed with wavy bars of black; the quill feathers are duſky, their inner webs marked with large oval white ſpots; the tail is long; the two middle feathers are black, with white tips; the others duſky, marked with al⯑ternate [105] ſpots of white on each ſide the ſhaft; the legs are ſhort and of a yellow colour; toes two forward, two backward; claws white.

The Cuckoo viſits us early in the ſpring—its well-known cry is generally heard about the mid⯑dle of April, and ceaſes the latter end of June; its ſtay is ſhort, the old Cuckoos being ſaid to quit this country early in July. Cuckoos never pair; they build no neſt; and, what is more extraordinary, the female depoſits her ſolitary egg in that of another bird, by whom it is hatched. The neſt ſhe chuſes for this purpoſe is generally ſelected from the fol⯑lowing, viz. The Hedge-ſparrow, the Water-wag-tail, the Titlark, the Yellow-hammer, the Green Linnet, or the Whinchat. Of theſe it has been obſerved that ſhe ſhews a much greater partiality to the Hedge-ſparrow than to any of the reſt.

We owe the following account of the economy of this ſingular bird in the diſpoſal of its egg, to the accurate obſervations of Mr Edward Jenner, communicated to the Royal Society, and publiſhed in the 78th volume of their tranſactions, part II. He obſerves that, during the time the Hedge-ſpar⯑row is laying her eggs, which generally takes up four or five days, the Cuckoo contrives to depoſit her egg among the reſt, leaving the future care of it entirely to the Hedge-ſparrow. This intruſion often occaſions ſome diſcompoſure, for the old Hedge-ſparrow at intervals, whilſt ſhe is ſitting, not only throws out ſome of her own eggs, but [106] ſometimes injures them in ſuch a way that they become addle, ſo that it frequently happens that not more than two or three of the parent bird's eggs are hatched with that of the Cuckoo; and what is very remarkable, it has never been obſer⯑ved that the Hedge-ſparrow has either thrown out or injured the egg of the Cuckoo. When the Hedge-ſparrow has ſat her uſual time, and diſen⯑gaged the young Cuckoo and ſome of her own off⯑ſpring from the ſhell, her own young ones, and any of her eggs that remain unhatched, are ſoon turned out, the young Cuckoo remaining in full poſ⯑ſeſſion of the neſt, and the ſole object of the future care of her foſter parent. The young birds are not previouſly killed, nor the eggs demoliſhed, but all are left to periſh together, either entangled in the buſh which contains the neſt, or lying on the ground under it. Mr Jenner next proceeds to ac⯑count for this ſeemingly unnatural circumſtance; and as what he has advanced is the reſult of his own repeated obſervations, we ſhall give it nearly in his own words. "On the 18th June, 1787, Mr J. examined the neſt of a Hedge-ſparrow, which then contained a Cuckoo's and three Hedge-ſpar⯑row's eggs. On inſpecting it the day following, the bird had hatched, but the neſt then contained only a young Cuckoo and one young Hedge-ſpar⯑row. The neſt was placed ſo near the extremity of a hedge that he could diſtinctly ſee what was going forward in it; and, to his great aſtoniſh⯑ment, [107] he ſaw the young Cuckoo, though ſo lately hatched, in the act of turning out the young Hedge-ſparrow. The mode of accompliſhing this was cu⯑rious: The little animal, with the aſſiſtance of its rump and wings, contrived to get the bird upon its back, and making a lodgement for its burden by elevating its elbows, clambered backwards with it up the ſide of the neſt till it reached the top, where reſting for a moment, it threw off its load with a jerk, and quite diſengaged it from the neſt: After remaining a ſhort time in this ſituation, and feeling about with the extremities of its wings, as if to be convinced that the buſineſs was properly executed, it dropped into the neſt again. Mr J. made ſever⯑al experiments in different neſts by repeatedly put⯑ting in an egg to the young Cuckoo, which he al⯑ways found to be diſpoſed of in the ſame manner. It is very remarkable, that nature ſeems to have provided for the ſingular diſpoſition of the Cuckoo in its formation at this period, for, different from other newly hatched birds, its back from the ſca⯑pulae downwards is very broad, with a conſiderable depreſſion in the middle, which ſeems intended by nature for the purpoſe of giving a more ſecure lodgement to the egg of the Hedge-ſparrow, or its young one, while the young Cuckoo is employed in removing either of them from the neſt. When it is above twelve days old this cavity is quite fil⯑led up, the back aſſumes the ſhape of neſtling birds in general, and at that time the diſpoſition for turn⯑ing [108] out its companion entirely ceaſes. The ſmall⯑neſs of the Cuckoo's egg, which, in general, is leſs than that of the Houſe-ſparrow,^* is another circum⯑ſtance to be attended to in this ſurprizing tranſac⯑tion, and ſeems to account for the parent Cuckoo's depoſiting it in the neſts of ſuch ſmall birds only as have been mentioned. If ſhe were to do this in the neſt of a bird which produced a larger egg, and conſequently a larger neſtling, its deſign would pro⯑bably be fruſtrated; the young Cuckoo would be unequal to the taſk of becoming ſole poſſeſſor of the neſt, and might fall a ſacrifice to the ſuperior ſtrength of its partners.

Mr Jenner obſerves, that it ſometimes happens that two Cuckoos' eggs are depoſited in the ſame neſt, and gives the following inſtance of one which fell under his obſervation. Two Cuckoos and a Hedge-ſparrow were hatched in the ſame neſt, one Hedge-ſparrow's egg remaining unhatched: In a few hours a conteſt began between the Cuckoos for poſſeſſion of the neſt, which continued undeter⯑mined till the afternoon of the following day, when one of them, which was ſomewhat ſuperior in ſize, turned out the other, together with the young Hedge-ſparrow and the unhatched egg. This con⯑teſt, he adds, was very remarkable: The combat⯑ants alternately appeared to have the advantage, as [109] each carried the other ſeveral times nearly to the top of the neſt, and then ſunk down again oppreſ⯑ſed with the weight of its burthen: till at length, after various efforts, the ſtrongeſt prevailed, and was afterwards brought up by the Hedge-ſparrow. It would carry us beyond the limits of our work to give a detail of the obſervations made by our in⯑genious inquirer; we muſt therefore refer our read⯑er to the work itſelf, in which he will find a vari⯑ety of matter entirely new reſpecting this ſingular bird, whoſe hiſtory has for ages been enveloped in fable, and mixed with unaccountable ſtories found⯑ed in ignorance and ſuperſtition. At what period the young Cuckoos leave this country is not pre⯑ciſely known; Mr Jenner ſuppoſes they go off in ſucceſſion, and leave us as ſoon as they are capable of taking care of themſelves. That ſome of them remain here in a torpid ſtate we have already had occaſion to obſerve;^* but this cannot be the caſe with the greater part of thoſe which leave this coun⯑try and retire to milder climates, to avoid the ri⯑gours of winter. Buffon mentions ſeveral inſtances of young Cuckoos having been kept in cages, which, probably for want of proper nutriment, did not ſur⯑vive the winter. We knew of one which was preſer⯑ved through the winter by being fed with worms, inſects, ſoaked bread, and ſmall pieces of fleſh. The plumage of the Cuckoo varies greatly at different [110] periods of its life. In young Cuckoos the bill, legs, and tail are nearly the ſame as in the old ones; the eye is blue; the throat, neck, breaſt, and belly are elegantly barred with a dark brown on a light ground; the back is of a lead colour, mixed with brown, and faintly barred with white; the tail feathers are irregularly marked with black, light brown, and white, and tipped with white; its legs are yellow.

THE WRYNECK. (Jynx Torquilla, Lin.—Le Torcol, Buff.)

THE principal colours which diſtinguiſh this beautiful little bird conſiſt of different ſhades of brown, but ſo elegantly arranged as to form a pic⯑ture of the moſt exquiſite neatneſs; from the back part of the head down to the middle of the back there runs an irregular line of dark brown, inclin⯑ing to black; the reſt of the back is aſh-coloured, ſtreaked and powdered with brown; the throat and under ſide of the neck are of a reddiſh brown, croſ⯑ſed with fine bars of black; the breaſt, belly, and thighs are of a light aſh colour, marked with trian⯑gular [112] ſpots, irregularly diſperſed; the larger quill feathers are marked on the outer webs with alter⯑nate ſpots of dark brown and ruſt colour, which, when the wing is cloſed, give it the appearance of chequered work; the reſt of the wing and ſcapu⯑lars are nicely freckled and ſhaded with brown ſpots of different ſizes; the tail feathers are marked with irregular bars of black, the intervening ſpa⯑ces being finely freckled and powdered with dark brown ſpots; its bill is rather long, ſharp-point⯑ed, and of a pale lead colour; its eyes are light brown; but what chiefly diſtinguiſhes this ſingular bird is the ſtructure of its tongue, which is of con⯑ſiderable length, of a cylindrical form, and capable of being puſhed forwards or drawn into its bill a⯑gain; it is furniſhed with a horny ſubſtance at its end, with which it ſecures its prey and brings it to its mouth; its legs are ſhort and ſlender; the toes placed two before and two behind; the claws ſharp, much hooked, and formed for climbing the branch⯑es of trees, on which it can run in all directions with great facility. It makes an artleſs neſt, of dry graſs upon duſty rotten wood, in holes of trees, the entrance to which is ſo ſmall as ſcarcely to admit the hand, on which account its eggs are come at with difficulty; according to Buffon, they are per⯑fectly white, and from eight to ten in number.— This carious bird, though ſimilar in many reſpects to the Woodpecker, ſeems to conſtitute a genus of itſelf: It is found in various parts of Europe, and [113] generally appears with us a few days before the Cuckoo. Its food conſiſts chiefly of ants and other inſects, of which it finds great abundance lodged in the bark and crevices of trees. The ſtomach of one which we opened was full of indigeſted parts of ants. It is ſaid to frequent the places where ant hills are, into which it darts its tongue and draws out its prey. Though nearly related to the family of the Woodpeckers, in the formation of its bill and feet, it never aſſociates with them, but ſeems to form a ſmall and ſeparate family. The Wry⯑neck holds itſelf very erect on the branch of the tree where it ſits; its body is almoſt bent back⯑ward, whilſt it writhes its head and neck by a ſlow and almoſt involuntary motion, not unlike the wa⯑ving wreaths of a reptile. It is a very ſolitary bird, and leads a ſequeſtered life; it is never ſeen with any other ſociety but that of its female, and it is only tranſitory, for as ſoon as the domeſtic union is diſſolved, which is in the month of September, they retire and migrate by themſelves.

THE GREEN WOODPECKER. WOODSPITE, HIGH-HOE. HEW-HOLE, OR PICK-A-TREE.^* (Picus Viridis, Lin.—Le Pic Verd, Buff.)

THIS is the largeſt of the Britiſh kinds, being thirteen inches in length: Its bill is two inches long, of a triangular ſhape, and of a dark horn colour; the outer circle of the eye is white, ſur⯑rounding another of red; the top of the head is of a bright crimſon, which extends down the hinder part of the neck, ending in a point behind; the eye [117] is ſurrounded by a black ſpace; and from each corner of the bill there is a crimſon ſtreak pointing downwards; the back and wing coverts are of an olive green; the rump yellow; the quill feathers are duſky, barred on the outer web with black and white; the baſtard wing is ſpotted with white; the ſides of the head and all the under parts of the body are white, ſlightly tinged with green; the tail is marked with bars like the wings; the legs are greeniſh. The female differs from the male in not having the red mark from the corner of the mouth; ſhe makes her neſt in the hollow of a tree, fifteen or twenty feet from the ground. Buffon obſerves that both male and female labour by turns in boring through the living part of the wood, ſometimes to a conſiderable depth, until they pe⯑netrate to that which is decayed and rotten, where ſhe lays five or ſix eggs, of a greeniſh colour, mark⯑ed with ſmall black ſpots.

The Green Woodpecker is ſeen more frequently on the ground than the other kinds, particularly where there are ant-hills. It inſerts its long tongue into the holes through which the ants iſſue, and draws out theſe inſects in abundance. Sometimes, with its feet and bill, it makes a breach in the neſt, and devours them at its eaſe, together with their eggs. The young ones climb up and down the trees before they are able to fly; they rooſt very early, and repoſe in their holes till day.

GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. WITWALL. (Picas Major, Lin.—L'Epeiche, ou le Pic varie, Buff.)

ITS length is ſomewhat more than nine inches: The bill is of a dark horn colour, very ſtrong at the baſe; the upper and under ſides are formed by high-pointed ridges, which run along the middle of each; it is exceedingly ſharp at the end; the eyes are reddiſh, encircled with a large white ſpot, which extends to the back part of the head, on which there is a ſpot of crimſon; the forehead is buff colour; the top of the head black; on the back part of the neck there are two white ſpots, ſeparated by a line of black; the ſcapulars and tips of the wing co⯑verts [119] are white; the reſt of the plumage on the upper part of the body is black; the tail is black, the outer feathers marked with white ſpots; the throat, breaſt, and part of the belly are of a yel⯑lowiſh white; the vent and lower part of the belly crimſon; the legs and feet of a lead colour. The female wants the red ſpot on the back of the head.

This bird is common in England. Buffon ſays that it ſtrikes againſt the trees with briſker and harder blows than the Green Woodpecker:—It creeps with great eaſe in all directions upon the branches of trees, and is with difficulty ſeen, as it inſtantly avoids the ſight by creeping behind a branch, where it remains concealed.

THE MIDDLE-SPOTTED WOODPECKER. (Picus Medius, Lin.—Le Pic variè a tête Rouge, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat leſs than the former, and differs from it chiefly in having the top of the head wholly crimſon; in every other reſpect the colours are much the ſame, though more obſcure. Buffon gives a figure of it in his Planches Enluminees, but conſiders it as a variety only of the former.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. HICKWALL. (Picus Minor, Lin.—Le petit Epeiche, Buff.)

THIS is the ſmalleſt of our ſpecies, being only five inches and a half in length; weight nearly one ounce: Its general plumage is very ſimilar to the larger ſpecies, but wants the red under the tail, and the large white patches on the ſhoulders; the un⯑der parts of the body are of a dirty white; the legs lead colour, Buffon ſays, that in winter it draws near houſes and vineyards, that it neſtles like the former in holes of trees, and ſometimes diſputes poſſeſſion with the colemouſe, which it compels to give up its lodging.

THE NUTHATCH. NUTJOBBER, WOODCRACKER. (Sitta Europea, Lin.—La Sittelle ou le Torchepot, Buff.)

ITS length is nearly ſix inches: The bill ſtrong, black above, beneath almoſt white; the eyes ha⯑zel; a black ſtroke paſſes over each eye, from the bill extending down the ſide of the neck as far as the ſhoulder; all the upper part of the bo⯑dy is of a fine blue grey colour; the cheeks and chin are white; breaſt and belly of a pale orange colour; ſides marked with ſtreaks of cheſtnut; quills duſky; its tail is ſhort, the two middle fea⯑thers are grey, the reſt duſky, three of the outer⯑moſt [122] ſpotted with white; the legs pale yellow; the claws large, ſharp, and much bent, the back claw very ſtrong; when extended, the foot mea⯑ſures one inch and three quarters.

This, like the Woodpecker, frequents woods, and is a ſhy and ſolitary bird; the female lays her eggs in holes of trees, frequently in thoſe which have been deſerted by the Woodpecker. During the time of incubation ſhe is aſſiduouſly attended by the male, who ſupplies her with food; ſhe is eaſily driven from her neſt, but on being diſturbed hiſſes like a ſnake. The Nuthatch feeds on cater⯑pillars, beetles, and various kinds of inſects; it likewiſe eats nuts, and is very expert in cracking them ſo as to come at the contents; having placed a nut faſt in a chink, it takes its ſtand a little a⯑bove, and ſtriking it with all its force, breaks the ſhell and catches up the kernel. Like the Wood⯑pecker, it moves up and down the trunks of trees with great facility in ſearch of food. It does not migrate, but in the winter approaches nearer inha⯑bited places, and is ſometimes ſeen in orchards and gardens. The young ones are eſteemed very good eating.

THE HOOPOE. (Upupa Epops, Lin.—Le Hupe ou Puput, Buff.)

ITS length is twelve inches, breadth nineteen: The bill is above two inches long, black, ſlender, and ſomewhat curved; the eyes hazel; the tongue very ſhort and triangular; the head is ornamented with a creſt, conſiſting of a double row of feathers of a pale orange colour, tipped with black, the high⯑eſt about two inches in length; the neck is of a pale reddiſh brown; breaſt and belly white, which in young birds are marked with various duſky lines pointing downwards; the back, ſcapulars, and wings are croſſed with broad bars of black and white; the leſſer coverts of the wings light brown; the rump is white; the tail conſiſts of ten feathers, [124] each marked with white, which, when cloſed, aſ⯑ſumes the form of a creſcent, the horns pointing downwards; the legs are ſhort and black.

This is the only one of its kind found in theſe kingdoms; it is not very common with us, being ſeen only at uncertain periods. Our repreſen⯑tation was taken from a very fine one ſhot near Bedlington, Northumberland, and ſent us by the Rev. Mr Cotes. In its ſtomach were found the claws and other indigeſtible parts of inſects of the beetle tribe; it was alive ſome time after being ſhot, and walked about erecting its tail and creſt in a very pleaſing manner. The female is ſaid to have two or three broods in the year; ſhe makes no neſt, but lays her eggs, generally about four or five in number, in the hollow of a tree, and ſome⯑times in a hole in the wall, or even on the ground. Buffon ſays, that he has ſometimes found a ſoft lin⯑ing of moſs, wool, or feathers in the neſts of theſe birds, and ſuppoſes that, in that caſe, they may have uſed the deſerted neſt of ſome other bird. Its food conſiſts chiefly of inſects, with the remains of which its neſt is ſometimes ſo filled as to become extremely offenſive. It is a ſolitary bird, two of them being ſeldom ſeen together; in Egypt, where they are very common, they are ſeen only in ſmall flocks. Its creſt uſually falls behind on its neck, except when it is ſurpriſed or irritated, and it then ſtands erect.

THE CREEPER. (Certhia familiaris, Lin.—Le Grimpereau, Buff.)

ITS length is five inches and a half; the body is about the ſize of that of the Wren: Its bill is long, ſlender, and much curved, the upper one brown, the lower whitiſh; eyes hazel; the head, neck, back, and wing coverts are of a dark brown, varie⯑gated with ſtreaks of a lighter hue; the throat, breaſt, and belly are of a ſilvery white; the rump tawny; the quills are duſky, edged with tawny, and marked with bars of the ſame colour; the tips are white; above each eye a ſmall dark line paſ⯑ſes towards the neck, above which there is a line of white; the tail is long, and conſiſts of twelve ſtiff feathers, of a tawny colour, pointed and forked at the end; the legs are ſhort and of a brown co⯑lour; [126] the claws are long, ſharp, and much hook⯑ed, which enable it to run with great facility on all ſides of ſmall branches of trees in queſt of inſects and their eggs, which conſtitute its food. Although very common, it is not ſeen without difficulty, from the eaſe with which, on the appearance of any one, it eſcapes to the oppoſite ſide of the tree. It builds its neſt early in the ſpring, in the hole of a tree: The female lays from five to ſeven eggs, of an aſh colour, marked at the end with ſpots of a deeper hue.

THE CROSS-BILL. SHEL-APPLE. (Loxia Curviroſtra, Lin,—Le bec Croiſē, Buff.)

THIS bird is about the ſize of a Lark, being nearly ſeven inches in length: It is diſtinguiſhed by the peculiar formation of its bill, the upper and under mandible curving in oppoſite directions, and croſſing each other at the points;^* its eyes are ha⯑zel; [131] its general colour is reddiſh, mixed with brown on the upper parts, the under parts are con⯑ſiderably paler, being almoſt white at the vent; the wings are ſhort, not reaching farther than the ſetting on of the tail—they are of a brown colour; the tail is of the ſame colour, and ſomewhat fork⯑ed; the legs are black; the colours of the Croſs⯑bill are extremely ſubject to variation; amongſt a great number there are hardly two of them exactly [132] ſimilar; they likewiſe vary with the ſeaſon and ac⯑cording to the age of the bird. Edwards paints the male with a roſe colour, and the female with a yellowiſh green, mixed more or leſs with brown. Both ſexes appear very different at different times of the year.

The Croſs-bill is an inhabitant of the colder cli⯑mates, and has been found as far as Greenland. It breeds in Ruſſia, Sweden, Poland, and Germa⯑ny, in the mountains of Switzerland, and among the Alps and Pyrenees, from whence it migrates in vaſt flocks into other countries. It ſometimes is met with in great numbers in this country, but its viſits are not regular,^* as in ſome years it is rarely to be ſeen. Its principal food is ſaid to be the ſeeds of the pine tree; it is obſerved to hold the cone in one claw like the Parrot, and when kept in a cage has all the actions of that bird, climbing by means of its hooked bill, from the lower to the up⯑per bars of its cage. From its mode of ſcrambling and the beauty of its colours, it has been called by ſome the German Parrot. The female is ſaid to begin to build as early as January; ſhe places her neſt under the bare branches of the pine tree, fix⯑ing it with the reſinous matter which exudes from that tree, and beſmearing it on the outſide with the ſame ſubſtance, ſo that the melted ſnow or rain cannot penetrate it.

THE GROSBEAK. HAWFINCH. (Loxia Coccothrauſtes, Lin.—Le Gros-bec, Buff.)

LENGTH near ſeven inches: Bill of a horn co⯑lour, conical, and prodigiouſly thick at the baſe; eyes aſh-coloured; the ſpace between the bill and the eye, and from thence to the chin and throat, is black; the top of the head is of a reddiſh cheſtnut, as are alſo the cheeks, but ſomewhat paler; the back part of the neck is of a greyiſh aſh colour; the back and leſſer wing coverts cheſtnut; the greater wing coverts are grey, in ſome almoſt white, forming a band acroſs the wing; the quills are all black, except ſome of the ſecondaries near⯑eſt the body, which are brown; the four outer quills ſeem as if cut off at the ends; the prime [134] quills have each of them a ſpot of white about the middle of the inner web; the breaſt and belly are of a pale ruſt colour, growing almoſt white at the vent; the tail is black, except the ends of the middle feathers, which are grey; the outer ones are tipped with white; the legs are pale brown. The female greatly reſembles the male, but her colours are leſs vivid, and the ſpace between the bill and the eye is grey inſtead of black. Theſe birds vary conſiderably, ſcarcely two of them being alike: In ſome the head is wholly black, in others the whole upper part of the body is of that colour, and others have been met with entirely white, ex⯑cept the wings.

This ſpecies is an inhabitant of the temperate climates, from Spain, Italy, and France, as far as Sweden, but only viſits this iſland occaſionally, and generally in winter; probably being driven over in its paſſage from its northern haunts, to the milder climates of France and Italy. It breeds in theſe countries, but is no where numerous. Buffon ſays it is a ſhy and ſolitary bird, with little or no ſong; it generally inhabits the woods during ſummer, and in winter reſorts near the hamlets and farms. The female builds her neſt in trees; it is compoſed of ſmall dry roots and graſs, and lined with warmer materials: The eggs are roundiſh, of a blueiſh green, ſpotted with brown. She ſeeds her young with inſects, chryſalids, and other ſoft nutritious ſubſtances.

THE PINE GROSBEAK. GREATEST BULLFINCH. (Loxia Enucleator, Lin.—Le Dur-bec, Buff.)

THIS exceeds the laſt in ſize, being nine inches in length: The bill is duſky, very ſtout at the baſe, and ſomewhat hooked at the tip; the head, neck, breaſt, and rump are of a roſe coloured crim⯑ſon; the back and leſſer wing coverts black, each ſeather edged with reddiſh brown; the greater wing coverts tipped with white, forming two bars on the wing; the quills are black, with pale edges; the ſecondaries the ſame, but edged with white; the belly and vent are ſtraw-coloured; the tail is mar⯑ked as the quills, and is ſomewhat forked: the legs are brown.

This bird is ſound only in the northern parts of this iſland and of Europe; it frequents the pine fo⯑reſts, and ſeeds on the ſeeds of that tree, like the Croſs-bill: It is likewiſe common in various parts of North America, viſiting the ſouthern ſettlements in the winter, and retiring northwards in the ſum⯑mer for the purpoſe of breeding. The female makes its neſt on trees, at a ſmall diſtance from the ground, and lays four white eggs, which are hatched in June.

GREEN GROSBEAK. GREEN FINCH, OR GREEN LINNET. (Loxia Chloris, Lin.—Le Verdier, Buff.)

THE bill is of a pale reddiſh brown or fleſh co⯑lour; eyes dark; the plumage in general is of a yellowiſh green; the top of the head, neck, back, and leſſer coverts olive green; the greater coverts and outer edges of the ſecondary quills aſh-colour⯑ed; the vent and tail coverts the ſame, daſhed with yellow; the rump yellow.

This bird is common in every part of Great Britain, and may be ſeen in almoſt every hedge, e⯑ſpecially during winter, when flocks of them keep together. The female makes her neſt in hedges or low buſhes; it is compoſed of dry graſs, and lined [137] with hair, wool, and other warm materials; ſhe lays five or ſix eggs, of a pale greeniſh colour, marked at the larger end with ſpots of a reddiſh brown; ſhe is ſo cloſe a ſitter, that ſhe may ſome⯑times be taken on her neſt. The male is very at⯑tentive to his mate during the time of incubation, and takes his turn in ſitting. Though not diſtin⯑guiſhed for its ſong, this bird is ſometimes kept in a cage, and ſoon becomes familiar. It does not migrate, but in the northern parts of our iſland it is ſeldom ſeen in winter, changing its quarters ac⯑cording to the ſeaſon of the year.

BULLFINCH. ALP OR NOPE. (Loxia Pyrrhula, Lin.—Le Bouvreuil, Buff.)

THE bill is duſky; eyes black; the upper part of the head, the ring round the bill, and the origin of the neck, are of a fine gloſſy black;^* the back aſh colour; the breaſt and belly red; wings and tail black; the upper tail coverts and vent are white; legs dark brown. The female is very ſi⯑milar, but the colours in general are leſs bright, and the under parts of a reddiſh brown.^†

[139]This bird is common in every part of this iſ⯑land, as well as moſt parts of Europe; its uſual haunts, during ſummer, are in woods and thickets, but in winter it approaches nearer to cultivated grounds, and feeds on ſeeds, winter berries, &c.; in the ſpring it frequents gardens, where it is uſe⯑fully buſy in deſtroying the worms which are lod⯑ged in the tender buds. The female makes her neſt in buſhes; it is compoſed chiefly of moſs; ſhe lays five or ſix eggs, of a dull blueiſh white, mark⯑ed at the larger end with dark ſpots. In a wild ſtate, its note is very ſimple; but when kept in a cage, its ſong, though low, is far from being un⯑pleaſant. Both male and female may be taught to whiſtle a variety of tunes, and there are inſtances of two Bullfinches having been taught to ſing in parts; a wonderful inſtance of docility! They are frequently imported into this country from Ger⯑many, where they are taught to articulate, with great diſtinctneſs, ſeveral words.

THE BUNTING. (Emberiza miliaria, Lin.—Le Proyer, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about ſeven inches and a half: The bill is brown; iris hazel; the ge⯑neral colour reſembles that of a lark; the throat is white, the upper parts olive brown, each feather ſtreaked down the middle with black; the under parts are of a dirty yellowiſh white, ſtreaked on the ſides with dark brown, and ſpotted with the ſame on the breaſt; the quills are duſky, with yellowiſh edges; upper coverts tipped with white; tail fea⯑thers much the ſame as the wings, and ſomewhat forked; the legs pale brown.

This bird is very common in all parts of the country, and may be frequently obſerved on the higheſt part of the hedge or uppermoſt branch of a [142] tree, uttering its harſh and diſſonant cry, which it inceſſantly repeats at ſhort intervals; this conti⯑nues during the greateſt part of ſummer, after which they are ſeen in great flocks, and continue ſo for the moſt part during winter; they are often ſhot in great numbers, or caught in nets, and, from the ſi⯑milarity of their plumage, are not unfrequently ſold for Larks. The female makes her neſt among the thick graſs, a little elevated above the ground: ſhe lays five or ſix eggs, and while ſhe is employed in the buſineſs of incubation, her mate brings her food, and entertains her with his frequently repeated ſong. Buffon obſerves, that in France the Bunting is ſeldom ſeen during winter, but that it migrates ſoon after the Swallow, and ſpreads itſelf through almoſt every part of Europe. Their food conſiſts chiefly of grain; they likewiſe eat variety of in⯑ſects, which they find in the fields and meadows.

YELLOW BUNTING. YELLOW HAMMER, OR YELLOW YOWLEY. (Emberiza citrinella, Lin.—Le Bruant, Buff.)

LENGTH ſomewhat above ſix inches: Bill duſ⯑ky; eyes hazel; its prevailing colour is yellow, mixed with browns of various ſhades; the crown of the head, in general, is bright yellow, more or leſs variegated with brown; the cheeks, throat, and lower part of the belly are of a pure yellow; the breaſt reddiſh, and the ſides daſhed with ſtreaks of the ſame colour; the hind part of the neck and back are of a greeniſh olive; the greater quills are duſky, edged with pale yellow; leſſer quills and ſcapulars dark brown, edged with grey; the tail is duſky, and a little ſorked, the feathers edged with [144] light brown, the outermoſt with white; the legs are of a yellowiſh brown. It is ſomewhat difficult to deſcribe a ſpecies of bird of which no two are to be found perfectly ſimilar, but its ſpecific characters are plain, and cannot eaſily be miſtaken; the co⯑lours of the female are leſs bright than thoſe of the male, with very little yellow about the head.

This bird is common in every lane and on every hedge throughout the country, flitting before the traveller as he paſſes along the road, or uttering its ſimple and frequently repeated monotone on the hedges by the way ſide. They feed on various kinds of ſeeds, inſects, &c. The female makes an artleſs neſt, compoſed of hay, dried roots, and moſs, which ſhe lines with hair and wool; ſhe lays four or five eggs, marked with dark irregular ſtreaks, and frequently has more than one brood in the ſea⯑ſon. In Italy, where ſmall birds of almoſt every deſcription are made uſe of for the table, they are eſteemed as very good eating, and are frequently fatted for that purpoſe like the Orlotan; but with us, who are accuſtomed to groſſer kinds of food, they are conſidered as too inſignificant to form any part of our repaſts.

THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING. REED BUNTING, OR REED SPARROW. (Emberiza Schaeniclus, Lin.—L'Ortolan de Roſeaux, Buff.)

THIS bird is about the ſize of the Yellow Bun⯑ting: Its eyes are hazel; the head, throat, fore part of the neck, and breaſt are black, which is divided by a white line from each corner of the bill, paſſing downward a little, and meeting on the back part of the neck, which it almoſt encir⯑cles; the upper parts of the body and wings are of a reddiſh brown, with a ſtreak of black down the middle of each feather; the under part of the body is white, with browniſh ſtreaks on the ſides; the rump and upper tail coverts blueiſh aſh colour, mixed with brown; the quills are duſky, edged [146] with brown; the two middle feathers of the tail are black, with pale brown edges; the reſt wholly black, except the two outer ones, which are almoſt white, the ends tipped with brown, and the baſes black; the legs and feet duſky brown. The fe⯑male has no collar; its throat is not ſo black, and its head is variegated with black and ruſt colour; the white on its under parts is not ſo pure, but is of a reddiſh caſt.

Birds of this ſpecies frequent fens and marſhy places, where there are abundance of ruſhes, a⯑mong which it neſtles. The neſt is compoſed of dry graſs, and lined with the ſoft down of the reed; it is fixed with great art between four reed ſtalks, two on each ſide, almoſt cloſe to each other, and about three feet above the water: The female lays four or five eggs, of a pale blueiſh white, veined irregularly with purple, principally at the larger end. As its chief reſort is among the reeds, it is ſuppoſed that the ſeeds of that plant are its princi⯑pal food; it is however frequently ſeen in the higher grounds near the roads, and ſometimes in corn fields. Theſe birds in general ſeek their food, ſimilar to the Bunting, in cultivated places; they keep near the ground, and ſeldom perch except a⯑mong the buſhes. The male, during the time of hatching, has a ſoft, melodious, warbling ſong, whilſt it ſits perched among the reeds, and is fre⯑quently heard in the night time. It is a watchful, timorous bird, and is very eaſily alarmed; in a [147] ſtate of captivity it ſings but little, and only when perfectly undiſturbed.

Birds of this ſpecies are migratory in France; with us they remain the whole year, and are ſel⯑dom ſeen in flocks of more than three or four to⯑gether. The one from whence our figure was taken was caught during a ſevere ſtorm in the midſt of winter.

SNOW BUNTING. SNOWFLAKE. (Emberiza Nivalis, Lin.—L'Ortolan de Neige, Buff.)

LENGTH near ſeven inches: Bill and eyes black; in winter the head, neck, coverts of the wings, rump, and all the under parts of the body are as white as ſnow, with a light tint of ruſty colour on the hind part of the head; the back is black; the baſtard wings and ends of the greater coverts white; the prime quills are black, ſecondaries white, with a black ſpot on their inner webs; middle feathers of the tail black, the three outer ones white, with a duſky ſpot near the ends; legs black. Its ſum⯑mer dreſs is different, the head, neck, and under parts of the body being marked with tranſverſe waves of a ruſty colour, of various ſtrength, but never ſo deep as in the female, of which it is the predominant colour; the white likewiſe upon the under parts of her body is leſs pure than that of the male.

The hoary mountains of Spitzbergen, the Lap⯑land Alps, the ſhores of Hudſon's Bay, and per⯑haps countries ſtill more northerly, are, during the ſummer months, the favorite abodes of this hardy bird. The exceſſive ſeverity of theſe inhoſpitable regions changes parts of its plumage into white in winter; and there is reaſon to believe that the fur⯑ther northward they are found, the whiter the plu⯑mage [149] will be. It is chiefly met with in the nor⯑thern parts of this iſland, where it is called the Snowflake; it appears in great flocks in the ſnowy ſeaſon, and is ſaid to be the certain harbinger of ſe⯑vere weather, which drives it from its uſual haunts. This bird has been caught in various parts of Yorkſhire, and is frequently met with in Northum⯑berland; it is found in all the northern latitudes without exception, as far as our navigators have been able to penetrate, great flocks of theſe birds having been ſeen by them upon the ice near the ſhores of Spitzbergen. They are known to breed in Greenland, where the female makes its neſt in the fiſſures of the mountain rocks; the outſide is compoſed of graſs, within which is a layer of fea⯑thers, and the down of the arctic fox compoſes the lining of its comfortable little manſion; ſhe lays five white eggs, ſpotted with brown. Theſe birds do not perch, but continue always on the ground, and run about like Larks, to which they are ſimi⯑lar in ſize, manners, and in the length of their hind claws, from whence they have been ranged with birds of that claſs by ſome authors, but with more propriety have been referred to the Buntings, from the peculiar ſtructure of their bill. They are ſaid to ſing ſweetly, ſitting on the ground. On their firſt arrival in this country they are very lean; but ſoon grow fat, and are conſidered as delicious food. The Highlands of Scotland abound with them.

TAWNY BUNTING. GREAT PIED MOUNTAIN FINCH, OR BRAMBLING.

THE length is ſomewhat above ſix inches: The bill is ſhort, of a yellow colour, and blackiſh at the point; the crown of the head tawny; the fore⯑head cheſtnut colour; the hind part of the neck and cheeks the ſame, but paler; the throat, ſides of the neck, and ſpace round the eyes are of a dirty white; the breaſt dull yellow; the under parts white, in ſome tinged with yellow; the back and ſcapulars are black, edged with reddiſh brown; the quill feathers are duſky, edged with white; the ſecondaries are white on their outer edges; the greater coverts are tipped with white, which, when the wing is cloſed, forms a bed of [151] white upon it; the upper tail coverts are yellow; the tail is a little forked, the two outermoſt feathers are white, the third black, tipped with white, the reſt wholly black; the legs are ſhort and black; the hind claws almoſt as long, but more bent than thoſe of the Lark.

Our figure and deſcription of this bird are taken from one which was caught in the high moory grounds above Shotley-Kirk, in the county of Northumberland. We are perfectly of opinion, with Mr Pennant, that this and the former are the ſame bird in their ſummer and winter dreſs.^* Lin⯑naeus, who muſt have been well acquainted with this ſpecies, compriſes them under one, and ſays that they vary, not only from the ſeaſon, but accor⯑ding to their age: It is certain that no birds of the ſame ſpecies differ from each other more than they; amongſt multitudes, that are frequently ta⯑ken, ſcarcely two being alike. Mr Pennant ſup⯑poſes, with great probability, that the ſwarms which annually viſit the northern parts of our iſ⯑land arrive from Lapland and Iceland, and make the iſles of Ferro, Shetland, and the Orkneys, their reſting-places during the paſſage. In the winter of 1778—9 they came in ſuch multiludes into Bir⯑ſa, one of the Orkney iſles, as to cover the whole barony; yet, of all the numbers, it could hardly [152] be diſcovered that any two of them agreed perfect⯑ly in colours. It is probable that the Mountain Bunting, or Leſſer Mountain Finch of Pennant and Latham, is the ſame bird in a ſomewhat different dreſs; it has been ſometimes found in the more ſouthern parts of England, where the little ſtran⯑ger would be noticed, and without duly attending to its diſtinguiſhing characters, has been conſidered as forming a diſtinct kind, and adding one more to the numerous varieties of the feathered tribes.— We have frequently had occaſion to obſerve, how difficult it is to avoid falling into errors of this ſort; the changes which frequently take place in the ſame bird, at different periods of its age, as well as from change of food, climate, or the like, are ſo conſiderable, as often to puzzle, and ſome⯑times to miſlead, the moſt experienced ornitholo⯑giſt; much caution is therefore neceſſary to guard againſt theſe deceitful appearances; leſt, by mul⯑tiplying the ſpecies beyond the bounds which na⯑ture has preſcribed, we thereby introduce confuſion into our ſyſtem; and, inſtead of ſatisfying the at⯑tentive inquirer, we ſhall only bewilder and per⯑plex him in his reſearches into nature.

THE HOUSE SPARROW. (Fringilla domeſtica, Lin.—Le Moineau franc. Buff.)

THE length of this bird is five inches and three quarters: The bill is duſky; eyes hazel; the top of the head and back part of the neck are aſh co⯑lour; the throat, fore part of the neck, and ſpace round the eyes, black; the cheeks are whitiſh; the breaſt and all the under parts are of a pale aſh co⯑lour; the back, ſcapulars, and wing coverts are of a reddiſh brown, mixed with black—the latter is tipped with white, forming a light bar acroſs the wing; the quills are duſky, with reddiſh edges; the tail is brown, edged with grey, and a little for⯑ked; the legs are pale brown. The female is diſ⯑tinguiſhed from the male in wanting the black patch on the throat, and in having a light ſtreak [155] behind each eye; ſhe is alſo much plainer and duller in her whole plumage. In whatever coun⯑try the Sparrow is ſettled, it is never found in de⯑ſert places, or at a diſtance from the dwellings of man: It does not, like other birds, ſhelter itſelf in woods and foreſts, or ſeek its ſubſiſtence in uninha⯑bited plains, but is a reſident in towns and villages; it follows ſociety, and lives at its expence; gra⯑naries, barns, court-yards, pigeon-houſes, and in ſhort all places where grain is ſcattered, are its fa⯑vorite reſorts. It is ſurely ſaying too much of this poor proſcribed ſpecies to ſum up its character in the words of the Count de Buffon:— ‘It is ex⯑tremely deſtructive, its plumage is entirely uſe⯑leſs, its fleſh indifferent food, its notes grating to the ear, and its familiarity and petulance diſguſt⯑ing.’ But let us not condemn a whole ſpecies of animals becauſe, in ſome inſtances, we have found them troubleſome or inconvenient. Of this we are ſufficiently ſenſible; but the uſes to which they are ſubſervient, in the grand economical diſ⯑tribution of nature, we cannot ſo eaſily aſcertain. We have already obſerved^* that, in the deſtruction of caterpillars, they are eminently ſerviceable to vegetation, and in this reſpect alone there is rea⯑ſon to ſuppoſe ſufficiently repay the deſtruction they may make in the produce of the garden or the field. The great table of nature is ſpread [156] out alike to all, and is amply ſtored with every thing neceſſary for the ſupport of the various fa⯑milies of the earth; it is owing to the ſuperior in⯑duſtry of man that he is enabled to appropriate ſo large a portion of the beſt gifts of providence for his own ſubſiſtence and comfort; let him not then think it waſte, that, in ſome inſtances, creatures in⯑ferior to him in rank are permitted to partake with him, nor let him grudge them their ſcanty pit⯑tance; but, conſidering them only as the taſters of his full meal, let him endeavour to imitate their chearfulneſs, and lift up his heart in grateful effu⯑ſions to HIM, "who filleth all things living with plenteouſneſs."

The Sparrow never leaves us, but is familiar to the eye at all times, even in the moſt crowded and buſy parts of a town: It builds its neſt under the eaves of houſes, in holes of walls, and often about churches; it is made of hay, careleſsly put toge⯑ther, and lined with feathers: The female lays five or ſix eggs, of a reddiſh white colour, ſpotted with brown; ſhe has generally three broods in the year, from whence the multiplication of the ſpecies muſt be immenſe. Though familiar, the Sparrow is ſaid to be a crafty bird, eaſily diſtinguiſhing the ſnares laid to entrap it. In autumn prodigious flocks of them are ſeen every where, both in town and country; they often mix with other birds, and not unfrequently partake with the Pigeons or the poultry, in ſpite of every precaution to prevent [157] them. The Sparrow is ſubject to great varieties of plumage: In the Britiſh and Leverian Muſeums there are ſeveral white ones, with yellow eyes and bills, others more or leſs mixed with brown, and ſome entirely black: A pair of white Sparrows were ſent us by Mr Walter Trevelyan, of St. John's College, Cambridge.—This bird, as ſeen in large and ſmoaky towns, is generally ſooty and unpleaſing in its appearance; but, among barns and ſtack-yards, the cock bird exhibits a very great variety in his plumage, and is far from being the leaſt beautiful of our Britiſh Birds.

THE MOUNTAIN SPARROW. (Fringilla Montana, Lin.—Le Friquet, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat leſs than the common Sparrow: The bill is black; eyes hazel; the crown of the head and hind part of the neck are of a cheſtnut colour; ſides of the head white; throat black; behind each eye there is a pretty large black ſpot; the upper parts of the body are of a ruſty brown, ſpotted with black; the breaſt and under parts duſky white; the quills are black, with reddiſh edges, as are alſo the greater coverts; the leſſer are bay, edged with black, and croſſed with two white bars; the tail is of a reddiſh brown, and even at the end; the legs are pale yellow.

This ſpecies is frequent in Yorkſhire, Lanca⯑ſhire, and alſo in Lincolnſhire; it differs from the Houſe Sparrow in making its neſt in trees and not in buildings; it has not been ſeen further north than the above-mentioned counties. Buffon ſays that it [159] feeds on fruits, ſeeds, and inſects; it is a lively, active little bird, and, when it alights, has a variety of motions, whirling about and jerking its tail up⯑wards and downwards, like the Wagtail. It is found in Italy, France, Germany, and Ruſſia, and is much more plentiful in many parts of the con⯑tinent than in England.

THE CHAFFINCH. SHILFA, SCOBBY, SKELLY, OR SHELL-APPLE. (Fringilla caelebs, Lin.—Le Pinçon, Buff.)

THE bill is of a pale blue, tipped with black; eyes hazel; the forehead black; the crown of the head, hind part, and ſides of the neck are of a blue⯑iſh aſh colour; ſides of the head, throat, fore part of the neck, and breaſt are of a vinaceous red; bel⯑ly, thighs, and vent white, ſlightly tinged with red; the back is of a reddiſh brown, changing to green on the rump; both greater and leſſer coverts are tipped with white, forming two pretty large bars acroſs the wing; the baſtard wing and quill fea⯑thers are black, edged with yellow; the tail, which is a little forked, is black, the outermoſt feather edged with white; the legs are brown. The fe⯑male [161] wants the red upon the breaſt; her plumage in general is not ſo vivid, and inclines to green; in other reſpects it is not much unlike the male.

This beautiful little bird is every where well known; it begins its ſhort and frequently-repeated warble very early in the ſpring, and continues till about the ſummer ſolſtice, after which it is no more heard. It is a lively bird, and perpetually in mo⯑tion, and this circumſtance has given riſe to the proverb, "as gay as a Chaffinch." Its neſt is conſtructed with much art, of ſmall fibres, roots, and moſs, and lined with wool, hair, and feathers; the female lays generally five or ſix eggs, of a pale reddiſh colour, ſprinkled with dark ſpots, princi⯑pally at the larger end. The male is very aſſidu⯑ous in his attendance during the time of hatch⯑ing, ſeldom ſtraying far from the place, and then only to procure food. Chaffinches ſubſiſt chiefly on ſmall ſeeds of various kinds, they likewiſe eat caterpillars and inſects, with which they alſo feed their young. They are ſeldom kept in cages, as their ſong poſſeſſes no variety, and they are not very apt in learning the notes of other birds. The males frequently maintain obſtinate combats, and fight till one of them is vanquiſhed and compelled to give way. In Sweden theſe birds perform a partial migration; the females collect in vaſt flocks the latter end of September, and, leaving their mates, ſpread themſelves through various parts of [162] Europe: The males continue in Sweden, and are again joined by their females, who return in great numbers, about the beginning of April, to their wonted haunts. With us, both males and females continue the whole year. Mr White, in his Hiſ⯑tory of Selborne, obſerves, that great flocks ſome⯑times appear in that neighbourhood about Chriſt⯑mas, and that they are almoſt entirely hens. It is difficult to account for ſo ſingular a circumſtance as the parting of the two ſexes in this inſtance; we would ſuppoſe that the males, being more hardy and better able to endure the rigours of the nor⯑thern winters, are content to remain in the coun⯑try, and pick up ſuch fare as they can find, whilſt the females ſeek for ſubſiſtence in more temperate regions.

THE MOUNTAIN FINCH. BRAMBLING. (Fringilla Montifringilla, Lin.—Le Pinçon d'Ardennes, Buff.)

LENGTH ſomewhat above ſix inches: Bill yel⯑low, blackiſh at the tip; eyes hazel; the feathers on the head, neck, and back are black, edged with ruſty brown; ſides of the neck, juſt above the wings, blue aſh; rump white; the throat, fore part of the neck, and breaſt are of a pale orange; belly white; leſſer wing coverts pale reddiſh brown, ed⯑ged with white; greater coverts black tipped with pale yellow; quills duſky, with pale yellowiſh ed⯑ges; the tail is forked, the outermoſt feathers ed⯑ged with white, the reſt black, with whitiſh edges; legs pale brown.

[164]The Mountain Finch is a native of northern cli⯑mates, from whence it ſpreads into various parts of Europe: It arrives in this country the latter end of ſummer, and is more frequent in the mountainous parts of our iſland.^* Great flocks of them ſome⯑times come together, they fly very cloſe, and on that account great numbers of them are frequently killed at one ſhot. In France they are ſaid to ap⯑pear ſometimes in ſuch immenſe numbers, that the ground where they rooſted has been covered with their dung for a conſiderable ſpace; and in one year they were ſo numerous, that more than ſix hundred dozen were killed each night during the greateſt part of the winter.^† They are ſaid to build their neſts in fir trees, at a conſiderable height; it is compoſed of long moſs, and lined with hair, wool, and feathers; the female lays four or five eggs, white, ſpotted with yellow. The fleſh of the Mountain Finch, though bitter, is ſaid to be good to eat, and better than that of the Chaffinch, but its ſong is much inferior, and is only a diſagreeable kind of chirping. It feeds on ſeeds of various kinds, and is ſaid to be particularly fond of beech maſt.

THE GOLDFINCH. GOLDSPINK, OR THISTLE-FINCH. (Fringilla Carduelis, Lin.—Le Chardonneret, Buff.)

THE bill is white, tipped with black; the fore⯑head and chin are of a rich ſcarlet colour, which is divided by a line paſſing from each corner of the bill to the eyes, which are black; the cheeks are white; top of the head black, which extends down⯑ward on each ſide, dividing the white on the cheeks, from the white ſpot on the hind part of the head; the back, rump, and breaſt are of a pale brown colour; belly white; greater wing coverts black; quills black, marked in the middle of each feather with yellow, forming, when the wing is cloſed, a large patch of that colour on the wing; the tips white; the tail feathers are black, with a [166] white ſpot on each near the end; the legs are of a pale fleſh colour.

Beauty of plumage, ſays the lively Count de Buffon, melody of ſong, ſagacity, and docility of diſpoſition, ſeem all united in this charming little bird, which, were it rare, and imported from a fo⯑reign country, would be more highly valued. Gold⯑finches begin to ſing early in the ſpring, and con⯑tinue till the time of breeding is over; when kept in a cage they will ſing the greateſt part of the year. In a ſtate of confinement they are much at⯑tached to their keepers, and will learn a variety of little tricks, ſuch as to draw up ſmall buckets con⯑taining their water and food, to fire a cracker, and ſuch like. They conſtruct a very neat and com⯑pact neſt, which is compoſed of moſs, dried graſs, and roots, lined with wool, hair, and the down of thiſtles, and other ſoft and delicate ſubſtances. The female lays five white eggs, marked with ſpots of a deep purple colour at the larger end: They feed their young with caterpillars and inſects; the old birds feed on various kinds of ſeeds, particu⯑larly the thiſtle, of which they are extremely fond. —Goldfinches breed with the Canary; this inter⯑mixture ſucceeds beſt between the cock Goldfinch and the hen Canary, whoſe offspring are produc⯑tive, and are ſaid to reſemble the male in the ſhape of the bill, in the colours of the head and wings, and the hen in the reſt of the body.

THE SISKIN. ABERDEVINE. (Fringilla Spinus, Lin.—Le Tarin, Buff.)

LENGTH near five inches: Bill white; eyes black; top of the head and throat black; over each eye there is a pale yellow ſtreak; back of the neck and back yellowiſh olive, faintly mar⯑ked with duſky ſtreaks down the middle of each feather; rump yellow; under parts greeniſh yel⯑low, paleſt on the breaſt; thighs grey, marked with duſky ſtreaks; greater wing coverts of a pale yellowiſh green, and tipped with black; quills duſ⯑ky, faintly edged with yellow—the outer web of each at the baſe is of a fine pale yellow, forming, when the wing is cloſed, an irregular bar of that colour acroſs the wing; the tail is forked, the mid⯑dle [168] feathers black, with faint edges, the outer ones yellow, with black tips; the legs pale brown; claws white.

We have given the figure and deſcription from one which we have kept many years in a cage; its ſong, though not ſo loud as the Canary, is pleaſing and ſweetly various; it imitates the notes of other birds, even to the chirping of the Sparrow: It is fa⯑miliar, docile, and chearful, and begins its ſong ear⯑ly in the mornings. Like the Goldfinch, it may ea⯑ſily be taught to draw up its little bucket with wa⯑ter and food. Its food conſiſts chiefly of ſeeds; it drinks frequently, and ſeems fond of throwing wa⯑ter over its feathers. It breeds freely with the Ca⯑nary. When a Siſkin is paired with the hen Ca⯑nary, he is aſſiduous in his attention to his mate, carrying materials for the neſt, and arranging them; and, during the time of incubation, regularly ſup⯑plying the female with food. Theſe birds are com⯑mon in various parts of Europe; they are in moſt places migratory, but do not ſeem to obſerve any regular periods, as they are ſometimes ſeen in large and at other times in very ſmall numbers. Buf⯑fon obſerves that thoſe immenſe flights happen on⯑ly once in the courſe of three or four years. It conceals its neſt with ſo much art, that it is ex⯑tremely difficult to diſcover it. Kramer obſerves, that in the foreſts bordering on the Danube thou⯑ſands of young Siſkins are frequently found, which have not dropt their firſt feathers, and yet it [169] is rare to meet with a neſt. It is not known to breed in this iſland, nor is it ſaid from whence they come over to us. Ours was caught upon the banks of the Tyne. In ſome parts of the South it is called the Barley-bird, being ſeen about that ſeed time; and in the neighbourhood of London it is known by the name of the Aberdevine.

CANARY FINCH. (Fringilla Canaria, Lin.—Le Serin des Canaries, Buff.)

IS ſomewhat larger than the laſt, being about five inches and a half in length: The bill is of a pale fleſh colour; general colour of the plumage yel⯑low, more or leſs mixed with grey, and in ſome with brown on the upper parts; the tail is ſome⯑what forked; legs pale fleſh colour.

In a wild ſtate they are found chiefly in the Ca⯑nary iſlands, from whence they have been brought to this country, and almoſt every part of Europe; they are kept in a ſtate of captivity, and partake of all the varieties attendant on that ſtate. Buf⯑fon enumerates twenty-nine varieties, and many more might probably be added to the liſt, were all the changes incident to a ſtate of domeſtication carefully noted and brought into the account.— The breeding and rearing of theſe charming birds forms an amuſement of the moſt pleaſing kind, and [170] affords a variety of ſcenes highly intereſting and gratifying to innocent minds. In the places fitted up and accommodated to the uſe of the little cap⯑tives, we are delighted to ſee the workings of na⯑ture exemplified in the choice of their mates, buil⯑ding their neſts, batching and rearing their young, and in the impaſſionate ardour exhibited by the male, whether he is engaged in aſſiſting his faithful mate in collecting materials for her neſt, in arran⯑ging them for her accommodation, in providing food for her offspring, or in chaunting his lively and amorous ſongs during every part of the impor⯑tant buſineſs. The Canary will breed freely with the Siſkin and Goldfinch, particularly the former, as we have already obſerved; it likewiſe proves prolific with the Linnet, but not ſo readily; and admits alſo the Chaffinch, Yellow Bunting, and e⯑ven the Sparrow, though with ſtill more difficulty. In all theſe inſtances, except the firſt, the pairing ſucceeds beſt when the female Canary is introdu⯑ced to the male of the oppoſite ſpecies. According to Buffon, the Siſkin is the only bird of which the male and female propagate equally with thoſe of the male or female Canaries.

The laſt-mentioned author, in his Hiſtory of Birds, has given a curious account of the various methods uſed in rearing theſe birds, to which we muſt refer our readers. We have thought it ne⯑ceſſary to ſay thus much of a bird, which, though neither of Britiſh origin, nor yet a voluntary viſi⯑tor, [171] muſt yet be conſidered as ours by adoption.^* There are two kinds mentioned by Buffon, ſimilar to the Canary, both of them ſmaller; the former is called the Serin, the latter the Venturon, or Ci⯑tril; they are both found in Italy, Greece, Tur⯑key, and in the ſouthern provinces of France; they breed with the Canary, and are almoſt as remark⯑able for the ſweetneſs of their ſong.

THE LINNET. GREY LINNET. (Fringilla Linaria, Lin.—La Linotte, Buff.)

LENGTH about five inches and a half: The bill blueiſh grey; eyes hazel; the upper parts of the head, neck, and back, are of a dark reddiſh brown, the edges of the feathers pale; the under parts are of a dirty reddiſh white; the breaſt is deeper than the reſt, and in ſpring becomes of a very beautiful crimſon; the ſides are ſpotted with brown; the quills are duſky, edged with white; the tail brown, likewiſe with white edges, except the two middle [172] feathers, which have reddiſh margins; it is ſome⯑what forked; the legs are brown: The female wants the red on the breaſt, inſtead of which it is marked with ſtreaks of brown; ſhe has leſs white on her wings, and her colours in general are leſs bright.

This bird is very well known, being common in every part of Europe; it builds its neſt in low buſhes; the outſide is made up of dried graſs, roots, and moſs; within it is lined with hair and wool: The female lays four or five eggs, of a pale blue colour, ſpotted with brown at the larger end. She breeds generally twice in the year. The ſong of the Linnet is beautiful and ſweetly varied; its manners are gentle, and its diſpoſition docile; it eaſily adopts the ſongs of other birds, when con⯑fined with them, and in ſome inſtances has been ſaid to pronounce words with great diſtinctneſs. This we conſider as a perverſion of its talents, and ſubſtituting imperfect and forced accents, which have neither charms nor beauty, in the room of the free and varied modulations of uninſtructed na⯑ture. Linnets are frequently found in flocks; du⯑ring winter, they feed on various ſorts of ſeeds, and are ſaid to be particularly fond of lintſeed, from whence they derive their name.

THE GREATER REDPOLE. (Fringilla Cannabina, Lin.—Le grande Linotte de Vig⯑nes, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat leſs than the laſt, and differs principally from the Linnet in being mark⯑ed on the forehead by a blood-coloured ſpot; the breaſt likewiſe is tinged with a fine roſe colour; in other reſpects it reſembles the Linnet ſo much, that Buffon ſuppoſes them to be the ſame, and that the red ſpots on the head and breaſt are equivocal marks, differing at different periods, appearing at one time and diſappearing at another, in the ſame bird. It is certain that, during a ſtate of capti⯑vity, the red marks diſappear entirely; and that, in the time of moulting, they are nearly obliter⯑ated, and for ſome time do not recover their uſual luſtre. But hower plauſible this may appear, it is not well founded. The Redpole is ſmaller than the Linnet; it makes its neſt on the ground, while the latter builds in furze and thorn hedges: They differ likewiſe in the colour of their eggs—that of the Redpole being of a very pale green, with ruſty coloured ſpots: The head of the female is aſh-co⯑loured, ſpotted with black, and of a dull yellow on the breaſt and ſides, which are ſtreaked with duſky lines.—Redpoles are common in the northern parts of England, where they breed chiefly in mountain⯑ous places.

LESSER REDPOLE. (Fringilla Linaria, Lin.—Le Sizerin, Buff.)

LENGTH about five inches: Bill pale brown, point duſky; eyes hazel; the forehead is marked with a pretty large ſpot, of a deep purpliſh red; the breaſt is of the ſame colour, but leſs bright; the feathers on the back are duſky, edged with pale brown; the greater and leſſer coverts tipped with dirty white, forming two light bars acroſs the wing; the belly and thighs are of a dull white; the quills and tail duſky, edged with dirty white; the latter ſomewhat forked; legs duſky. In our bird the rump was ſomewhat reddiſh, in which it agrees with the Twite of Mr Pennant, and moſt probably conſtitutes one ſpecies with it and the Mountain Linnet, the differences being immaterial, and merely [175] ſuch as might ariſe from age, food, or other acci⯑dental circumſtances. The female has no red on the breaſt or rump, and the ſpot on her forehead is of a ſaffron colour; her plumage in general is not ſo bright as that of the male.

Birds of this kind are not unfrequent in this iſ⯑land; they breed chiefly in the northern parts, where they are known by the name of French Linnets. They make a ſhallow open neſt, compoſed of dried graſs and wool, and lined with hair and feathers: The female lays four eggs, almoſt white, marked with reddiſh ſpots. In the winter they mix with other birds, and migrate in flocks to the ſouthern counties: They feed on ſmall ſeeds of various kinds, eſpecially thoſe of the alder, of which they are extremely fond; they hang, like the Titmouſe, with their back downwards, upon the branches while feeding, and in this ſituation may eaſily be caught with lime twigs. This ſpecies is found in every part of Europe, from Italy to the moſt ex⯑treme parts of the Ruſſian empire. In America and the northern parts of Aſia it is likewiſe very common.

THE SKYLARK. LAVROCK. (Alauda arvenſis, Lin.—L'Alouette, Buff.)

LENGTH near ſeven inches: Bill duſky, under mandible ſomewhat yellow; eyes hazel; over each eye there is a pale ſtreak, which extends to the bill, and round the eye on the under ſide; on the upper parts of the body the feathers are of a reddiſh brown colour, dark in the middle, with pale edges; the fore part of the neck is of a reddiſh white, daſh⯑ed with brown; breaſt, belly, and thighs white; the quills brown, with pale edges; tail the ſame, and ſomewhat forked, the two middle feathers dark⯑eſt, the outermoſt white on the outer edge; the legs duſky. In ſome of our ſpecimens the feathers on the top of the head were long, and formed a ſort [179] of creſt behind. The Leſſer Creſted Lark of Pen⯑nant and Latham is perhaps only a variety of this; the difference being trifling. It is ſaid to be found in Yorkſhire.

The Lark commences its ſong early in the ſpring, and is heard moſt in the morning: It riſes in the air almoſt perpendicularly and by ſucceſſive ſprings, and hovers at a vaſt height; its deſcent, on the contrary, is in an oblique direction, unleſs it is threatened by birds of prey, or attracted by its mate, and on theſe occaſions it drops like a ſtone It makes its neſt on the ground, between two clods of earth, and lines it with dried graſs and roots; the female lays four or five eggs, of a greyiſh brown colour, marked with darker ſpots; ſhe generally has two broods in the year, and ſits only about fif⯑teen days; as ſoon as the young have eſcaped from the ſhell, the attachment of the parent bird ſeems to increaſe; ſhe flutters over their heads, directs all their motions, and is ever ready to ſcreen them from danger. The Lark is almoſt univerſally dif⯑fuſed throughout Europe; it is every where ex⯑tremely prolific, and in ſome places the prodigious numbers that are frequently caught are truly aſto⯑niſhing. In Germany there is an exciſe upon them, Which has produced, according to Keyſler, the ſum of 6000 dollars yearly to the city of Leipſic alone. Mr Pennant ſays, the neighbourhood of Dunſtable is famous for the great numbers of theſe birds found [180] there, and that 4000 dozen have been taken be⯑tween September and February for the London markets. Yet, notwithſtanding the great havock made amongſt theſe birds, they are extremely nu⯑merous. The winter is the beſt ſeaſon for taking them, as they are then very fat, being almoſt con⯑ſtantly on the ground, feeding in great flocks; whereas in ſummer they are very lean; they then always go in pairs, eat ſparingly, and ſing inceſ⯑ſantly while on the wing.

THE FIELD LARK. (Alauda campeſtris, Lin.ſLa Spipolette, Buff.)

THIS exceeds the Titlark in ſize, being about ſix inches long: Its bill is ſlender; the plumage on the head, neck, and back is of a dark greeniſh brown, ſtreaked with black, paleſt on the rump; above each eye is a pale ſtreak: quill feathers duſky brown, with pale edges; the ſcapulars faint⯑ly bordered with white; the throat and under parts of the body are of a dirty white; the breaſt is yel⯑lowiſh, and marked with large black ſpots; the ſides and thighs ſtreaked with black; the tail duſ⯑ky, two outer feathers white, excepting a ſmall part of the inner web, the two next tipped with white; the legs are of a yellowiſh brown; the hind claws ſomewhat curved.

[181]Though much larger than the Titlark, this bird is ſimilar to it in plumage; its ſong is however totally different, as are alſo its haunts, being found chiefly near woods, and not unfrequently on trees; it builds its neſt like the laſt, and in ſimilar ſitua⯑tions, on the ground, and ſometimes in a low buſh near the ground. The male is ſcarcely to be diſ⯑tinguiſhed from the female in its outward appear⯑ance. We have occaſionally met with another bird of the Lark kind, which we have ventured to denominate the Tree Lark; it frequents woods, and ſits on the higheſt branches of trees, from whence it riſes ſinging to a conſiderable height, de⯑ſcending ſlowly, with its wings and tail ſpread out like a fan. Its note is full, clear, melodious, and peculiar to its kind.

THE GRASHOPPER LARK. (Alauda trivialis, Lin.—L'Alouette Pipi, Buff.)

THIS is the ſmalleſt of the Lark kind, and has, though we think not with ſufficient reaſon, been ranked among the warblers; Its bill is ſlender and duſky; the upper parts of the body are of a green⯑iſh colour, variegated and mixed with brown; the under of a yellowiſh white, ſpeckled irregularly on the breaſt and neck; the feathers of the wings and tail are of a paliſh duſky brown, with light edges; [182] the legs pale duſky brown; its hind claws, though ſhorter and more crooked than thoſe of the Sky⯑lark, ſufficiently mark its kind: It builds its neſt on the ground, in ſolitary ſpots, and conceals it be⯑neath a turf; the female lays five eggs, marked with brown near the larger end.

In the ſpring the cock-bird ſometimes perches on a tall branch, ſinging with much emotion: At intervals he riſes to a conſiderable height, hovers a few ſeconds, and drops almoſt on the ſame ſpot, continuing to ſing all the time; his tones are ſoft, clear, and harmonious. In the winter its cry is ſaid to reſemble that of the graſhopper, but is ra⯑ther ſtronger and ſhriller: It has been called the Pipit Lark from its ſmall ſhrill cry, and in German Piep-lerche for the ſame reaſon. Mr White ob⯑ſerves, that its note ſeems cloſe to a perſon, though at an hundred yards diſtance; and when cloſe to the ear, ſeems ſcarce louder than when a great way off: It ſkulks in hedges and thick buſhes, and runs like a mouſe through the bottom of the thorns, e⯑vading the ſight. Sometimes, early in a morning, when undiſturbed, it ſings on the top of a twig, ga⯑ping and ſhivering with its wings.

THE WOODLARK. (Alauda arborea, Lin.—L'Alouette de bois, Buff.)

THIS is ſomewhat ſmaller than the Field Lark, but reſembles it ſo much in the colours of its plu⯑mage as ſcarcely to need a ſeparate deſcription; in general they are much paler and leſs diſtinct; the ſtreak over each eye extends backwards towards the head, ſo as to form a ſort of wreath or coronet round it, which is very conſpicuous; the ſpots on its breaſt are larger and more diſtinct than thoſe of the Skylark, and its tail much ſhorter; the legs are of a dull yellow; the hind claw very long, and ſomewhat curved.

The Woodlark is generally found near the [184] borders of woods, from whence it derives its name; it perches on trees, and ſings during the night, ſo as ſometimes to be miſtaken for the Nightingale; it likewiſe ſings as it flies, and builds its neſt on the ground, ſimilar to that of the Skylark; the female lays five eggs, of a duſky hue, marked with brown ſpots: It builds very ear⯑ly, the young, in ſome ſeaſons, being able to fly about the latter end of March: She makes two neſts in the year, like the Skylark, but is not near ſo numerous as that bird. In autumn the Wood⯑larks are fat, and are then eſteemed excellent eating.

THE TITLARK. (Alauda pratenſis, Lin.—La Farlouſe ou L'Alouette, de prez, Buff.)

THIS bird is leſs than the Woodlark, being not more than five inches and a half in length: Its bill is black at the tip, and of a yellowiſh brown at the baſe; its eyes are hazel; over each eye is a pale ſtreak; the diſpoſition of its colours is very ſimilar to thoſe of the Skylark, but ſomewhat dark⯑er on the upper parts, and inclining to a greeniſh brown; the breaſt is beautifully ſpotted with black on a light yellowiſh ground; the belly light aſh colour, obſcurely ſtreaked on the ſides with duſky; the tail is almoſt black, the two outer feathers white on the exterior edges, the outermoſt but one tipped with a white ſpot on the end; the legs are yellowiſh; feet and claws brown: The female [186] differs only in its plumage being leſs bright than that of the male.

The Titlark is common in this country; and, though it ſometimes perches on trees, is gene⯑rally found in meadows and low marſhy grounds: —It makes its neſt on the ground, lining it with hair; the female lays five or ſix eggs, of a deep brown colour; the young are hatched about the beginning of June. During the time of incuba⯑tion the male ſits on a neighbouring tree, riſing at times and ſinging. The Titlark is fluſhed with the leaſt noiſe, and ſhoots with a rapid flight. Its note is fine, but ſhort, and without much va⯑riety; it warbles in the air like the Skylark, and increaſes its ſong as it deſcends ſlowly to the branch on which it chuſes to perch. It is further diſtinguiſhed by the ſhake of its tail, particularly whilſt it eats.

THE PIED WAGTAIL. BLACK AND WHITE WATER-WAGTAIL. (Motacilla Alba, Lin.—La Lavandiere, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about ſeven inches: The bill is black; eyes hazel; hind part of the head and neck black; the forehead, cheeks, and ſides of the neck are white; the fore part of the neck and part of the breaſt are black, bordered by a line of white, in the form of a gorget; the back and rump are of a deep aſh colour; wing coverts and ſecon⯑dary quills duſky, edged with light grey; prime quills black, with pale edges; lower part of the breaſt and belly white; the middle feathers of the tail are black, the outermoſt white, except at the baſe and tips of the inner webs, which are black; legs black. There are ſlight variations in theſe birds; ſome are white on the chin and throat, leav⯑ing only a creſcent of black on the breaſt. The head of the female is brown.

[189]This is a very common bird with us, and may be ſeen every where, running on the ground, and frequently leaping after flies and other inſects, on which it feeds. Its uſual haunts are the ſhallow margins of waters, into which it will ſometimes wade a little in ſearch of its food. It makes its neſt on the ground, of dry graſs, moſs, and ſmall roots, lined with hair and feathers; the female lays five white eggs, ſpotted with brown. The parent birds are very attentive to their young, and conti⯑nue to feed and train them for three or four weeks after they are able to fly; they will defend them with great courage when in danger, or endeavour to draw aſide the enemy by various little arts. They are very attentive to the cleanlineſs of the neſt, and will throw out the excrement; they have been known to remove light ſubſtances, ſuch as paper or ſtraw, which has been laid as a mark for the neſt. It is ſaid by ſome authors to migrate into other climates about the end of October; with us it is known to change its quarters as the winter approaches, from north to ſouth. Its note is ſmall and inſignificant, but frequently repeated, eſpecially while on the wing.

THE GREY WAGTAIL. (Motacilla Boarula, Lin.—La Bergeronette jaune, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat larger than the laſt, ow⯑ing to the great length of its tail: Its bill is dark brown; over each eye there is a pale ſtreak; the head, neck, and back are of a greyiſh aſh colour; the throat and chin are black; the rump and all the under parts of the body are of a bright yellow; wing coverts and quills dark brown, the former with pale edges; the ſecondaries, which are almoſt as long as the greater quills, are white at the baſe, and tipped with yellow on the outer edges; the middle feathers of the tail are black, the outer ones white; legs yellowiſh brown.

This elegant little bird frequents the ſame pla⯑ces [191] as the laſt; its food is likewiſe ſimilar to it. It remains with us during winter frequenting the neighbourhood of ſprings and running waters: The female builds her neſt on the ground, and ſometimes in the banks of rivulets; it is compoſed of nearly the ſame materials as the laſt; ſhe lays from ſix to eight eggs, of a dirty, white, marked with yellow ſpots: She differs from the male in having no black on the throat.

THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. (Motacilla Flava, Lin.—La Bergeronette de printems, Buff.)

LENGTH ſix inches and a half: Bill black; eyes hazel; the head and all the upper parts of the bo⯑dy are of an olive green, paleſt on the rump; the [192] under parts are of a bright yellow, daſhed with a few dark ſpots on the breaſt and belly; over each eye there is a pale yellow ſtreak, and beneath a duſky line, curving upwards towards the hind part of the head; wing coverts edged with pale yellow; quills duſky; tail black, except the outer feathers, which are white; the legs are black; hind claws very long.

Buffon obſerves that this bird is ſeen very early in the ſpring, in the meadows and fields, amongſt the green corn, where it frequently neſtles; it haunts the ſides of brooks and ſprings which never freeze with us during winter. The female lays five eggs, of a pale lead colour, with duſky ſpots irregularly diſpoſed.

THE PIED FLYCATCHER. COLDFINCH. (Muſcicapa Atricapilla, Lin.—Le traquet d' Angleterre, Buff.)

LENGTH near five inches: Bill black; eyes ha⯑zel; the forehead is white; the top of the head, back, and tail are black; the rump is daſhed with aſh colour; the wing coverts are duſky, the great⯑er coverts are tipped with white; the exterior ſides of the ſecondary quills are white, as are alſo the outer feathers of the tail; all the under parts, from the bill to the tail, are white; the legs are black: The female is brown where the male is black; it likewiſe wants the white ſpot on the fore⯑head. This bird is no where common; it is in moſt plenty in Yorkſhire, Lancaſhire, and Derby⯑ſhire. Since the cut, which was done from a ſtuf⯑fed [196] ſpecimen, was finiſhed, we have been favoured with a pair of theſe birds, ſhot at Benton, in Nor⯑thumberland: We ſuppoſe them to be male and female, as one of them wanted the white ſpot on the forehead; in other reſpects it was ſimilar to the male: The upper parts in both were black, obſcurely mixed with brown; the quill feathers dark reddiſh brown; tail dark brown, the exterior edge of the outer feather white; legs black.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. BEAM-BIRD. (Muſcicapa Griſola, Lin.—Le Gobe-mouche, Buff.)

LENGTH near five inches and three quarters: Bill duſky, baſe of it whitiſh, and beſet with ſhort briſtles; inſide of the mouth yellow; the head and back light brown, obſcurely ſpotted with black; the wings duſky, edged with white; the breaſt and belly white; the throat and ſides under the wings tinged with red; the tail duſky; legs black.

Mr White obſerves, that the Flycatcher, of all our ſummer birds, is the moſt mute and the moſt familiar. It viſits this iſland in the ſpring, and diſ⯑appears in September; it builds in a vine or ſweet⯑briar, againſt the wall of a houſe, or on the end of a beam, and ſometimes cloſe to the poſt of a door where people are going in and out all day long; it returns to the ſame place year after year: The [197] female lays four or five eggs, marked with ſmall ruſty ſpots; the neſt is careleſsly made, and conſiſts chiefly of moſs, frequently mixed with wool and ſtrong fibres, ſo large, ſays Buffon, that it appears ſurprizing how ſo ſmall an artificer could make uſe of ſuch ſtubborn materials. This bird feeds on inſects, which it catches on the wing; it ſome⯑times watches for its prey, ſitting on a branch or poſt, and, with a ſudden ſpring, takes it as it flies, and immediately returns to its ſtation to wait for more; it is likewiſe fond of cherries. Mr Lath⯑am ſays, it is known in Kent by the name of the Cherry-ſucker. It has no ſong, but only a ſort of inward wailing note, when it perceives any danger to itſelf or young: It breeds only once, and re⯑tires early. When its young are able to fly, it re⯑tires with them to the woods, where it ſports with them among the higher branches, ſinking and riſing often perpendicularly among the flies which hum below.

THE NIGHTINGALE. (Motacilla luſcinia, Lin.—Le Roſſignol, Buff.)

THIS bird, ſo deſervedly eſteemed for the excel⯑lence of its ſong, is not remarkable for the variety or richneſs of its colours; it is ſomewhat more than ſix inches in length: Its bill is brown, yel⯑low on the edges at the baſe; eyes hazel; the whole upper part of the body is of a ruſty brown, tinged with olive; the under parts pale aſh co⯑lour, almoſt white at the throat and vent; the quills are brown, with reddiſh margins; legs pale brown. The male and female are very ſimilar.

Although the Nightingale is common in this country, it never viſits the northern parts of our iſland, and is but ſeldom ſeen in the weſtern coun⯑ties [200] of Devonſhire and Cornwall: It leaves us ſome time in the month of Auguſt, and makes its regular return the beginning of April; it is ſup⯑poſed, during that interval, to viſit the diſtant re⯑gions of Aſia; this is probable, as they do not win⯑ter in any part of France, Germany, Italy, Greece, &c. neither does it appear that they ſtay in Africa, but are ſeen at all times in India, Perſia, China, and Japan; in the latter place they are much e⯑ſteemed for their ſong, and ſell at great prices. They are ſpread generally throughout Europe, e⯑ven as far north as Siberia and Sweden, where they are ſaid to ſing delightfully; they, however, are partial to particular places, and avoid others which ſeem as likely to afford them the neceſſary means of ſupport. It is not improbable, however, that, by planting a colony in a well-choſen ſitua⯑tion, theſe delightful ſongſters might be induced to haunt places where they are not at preſent ſeen; the experiment might be eaſily tried, and, ſhould it ſucceed, the reward would be great in the rich and varied ſong of this unrivalled bird. The fol⯑lowing animated deſcription of it is taken from the ingenious author of the Hiſtoire des Oiſeaux:— ‘The leader of the vernal chorus begins with a low and timid voice, and he prepares for the hymn to nature by eſſaying his powers and at⯑tuning his organs; by degrees the ſound opens and ſwells, it burſts with loud and vivid flaſhes, it flows with ſmooth volubility, it faints and mur⯑murs, [201] it ſhakes with rapid and violent articula⯑tions; the ſoft breathings of love and joy are poured from his inmoſt ſoul, and every heart beats uniſon, and melts with delicious languor. But this continued richneſs might ſatiate the ear. The ſtrains are at times relieved by pauſes, which beſtow dignity and elevation. The mild ſilence of evening heightens the general effect, and not a rival interrupts the ſolemn ſcene.’— Theſe birds begin to build about the end of April or the beginning of May; they make their neſt in the lower part of a thick buſh or hedge; the fe⯑male lays four or five eggs, of a greeniſh brown colour; the neſt is compoſed of dry graſs and leaves, intermixed with ſmall fibres, and lined with hair, down, and other ſoft and warm ſubſtances. The buſineſs of incubation is entirely performed by the female, whilſt the cock, at no great diſtance, entertains her with his delightful melody; ſo ſoon, however, as the young are hatched, he leaves off ſinging, and joins her in the care of providing for the young brood. Theſe birds make a ſecond hatch, and ſometimes a third; and in hot coun⯑tries they are ſaid to have four.

The Nightingale is a ſolitary bird, and never unites in flocks like many of the ſmaller birds, but hides itſelf in the thickeſt parts of the buſhes, and ſings generally in the night: Its food conſiſts prin⯑cipally of inſects, ſmall worms, eggs of ants, and ſometimes berries of various kinds. Nightingales, [202] though timorous and ſhy, are eaſily caught; ſnares of all ſorts are laid for them, and generally ſuc⯑ceed; they are likewiſe caught on lime twigs:— Young ones are ſometimes brought up from the neſt, and fed with great care till they are able to ſing. It is with great difficulty that old birds are induced to ſing after being taken; for a conſider⯑able time they refuſe to eat, but by great attention to their treatment, and avoiding every thing that might agitate them, they at length reſume their ſong, and continue it during the greateſt part of the year.

THE DARTFORD WARBLER. (Le Pitchou de Provence, Buff.)

THIS bird meaſures above five inches in length, of which the tail is about one half; Its bill is long and ſlender, and a little bent at the tip; it is of a black colour, whitiſh at the baſe; its eyes are red⯑diſh; eye-lids deep crimſon; all the upper parts are of a dark ruſty brown, tinged with dull yellow; the breaſt, part of the belly, and thighs are of a deep red, inclining to ruſt colour; the middle of the belly is white; the baſtard wing is alſo white; the tail is duſky, except the exterior web of the outer feather, which is white; the legs are yellow.

This ſeems to be a rare bird in this country, and owes its name, with us, to the accident of a pair of them having been ſeen near Dartford, in Kent, a [204] few years ago; they have ſince been obſerved in greater numbers, and are ſuppoſed ſometimes to winter with us. Buffon ſays they are natives of Provence, where they frequent gardens, and feed on flies and ſmall inſects. Our repreſentation was taken from a ſtuffed ſpecimen in the Wycliffe Mu⯑ſeum, now in the poſſeſſion of Geo. Allan, Eſq. of the Grange, near Darlington.

THE REDBREAST. ROBIN-REDBREAST, OR RUDDOCK. (Motacilla rubecola, Lin.—Le Rouge-gorge, Buff.)

THIS general favorite is too well known to need a very minute deſcription: Its bill is ſlender and delicate; its eyes are large, black, and expreſ⯑ſive, and its aſpect mild; its head and all the upper parts of its body are brown, tinged with a greeniſh [205] olive; its neck and breaſt are of a fine deep red⯑diſh orange; a ſpot of the ſame colour marks its forehead; its belly and vent are of a dull white; its legs are duſky.

During the ſummer the Redbreaſt is rarely to be ſeen; it retires to woods and thickets, where, with its mate, it prepares for the accommodation of its future family. Its neſt is placed near the ground, by the roots of trees, in the moſt conceal⯑ed ſpot, and ſometimes in old buildings; it is con⯑ſtructed of moſs, intermixed with hair and dried leaves, and lined with feathers: In order more effectually to conceal it, the bird covers its neſt with leaves, leaving only a narrow winding en⯑trance under the heap. The female lays from five to nine eggs, of a dull white, marked with reddiſh ſpots. During the time of incubation, the cock ſits at no great diſtance, and makes the woods reſound with his delightful warble; he keenly chaſes all the birds of his own ſpecies, and drives them from his little ſettlement; for, as faith⯑ful as they are amorous, it has never been obſer⯑ved that two pairs of theſe birds were ever lodged in the ſame buſh.^* The Redbreaſt prefers the thick ſhade, where there is water; it feeds on in⯑ſects and worms; its delicacy in preparing the lat⯑ter is ſomewhat remarkable:—It takes it by one end, in its beak, and beats it on the ground till the [206] inward part comes away; then, taking it by the other in like manner, cleanſes it from all its im⯑purities, eating only the outward part or ſkin.— Although the Redbreaſt never quits this iſland, it performs a partial migration. As ſoon as the bu⯑ſineſs of incubation is over, and the young are ſuf⯑ficiently grown to provide for themſelves, it leaves its retirement, and again draws near the habitations of mankind: Its well-known familiarity has at⯑tracted the attention and ſecured the protection of men in all ages; it haunts the dwellings of the cot⯑tager, and partakes of his humble fare; when the cold grows ſevere, and ſnow covers the ground, it approaches the houſe, taps at the window with its bill, as if to entreat an aſylum, which is always chearfully granted, and, with a ſimplicity the moſt delightful, hops round the houſe, picks up crumbs, and ſeems to make himſelf one of the family.— Thomſon has very beautifully deſcribed the an⯑nual viſits of this little gueſt in the following lines:

[207]The young Redbreaſt, when full feathered, may be taken for a different bird, being ſpotted all over with ruſt-coloured ſpots on a light ground: The firſt appearance of the red is about the end of Au⯑guſt, but it does not arrive at its full colour till the end of the following month. Redbreaſts are never ſeen in flocks, but always ſingly; and, when all other birds aſſociate together, they ſtill retain their ſolitary habits. Buffon ſays, that as ſoon as the young birds have attained their full plumage, they prepare for their departure; but in thus changing their ſituation, they do not gather in flocks, but per⯑form their journey ſingly, one after another; which is a ſingular circumſtance in the hiſtory of this bird. Its general familiarity has occaſioned it to be diſ⯑tinguiſhed by a peculiar name in many countries: About Bornholm it is called Tomi Liden; in Norway, Peter Ronſmad; in Germany it is called Thomas Gierdet; and with us, Robin-Redbreaſt, or Ruddock.

THE REDSTART. RED-TAIL. (Motacilla Phoenicurus, Lin.—Le Roſſignol de muraille, Buff.)

THIS bird meaſures rather more than five inches in length: Its bill and eyes are black; its forehead is white; cheeks, throat, ſore part and ſides of the neck black, which colour extends over each eye; the crown of its head, hind part of its neck, and back are of a deep blue grey; in ſome ſubjects, probably old ones, this grey is almoſt black; its breaſt, rump, and ſides are of a fine glowing red, inclining to orange colour, which extends to all the feathers of the tail, except the two middle ones, which are brown; the belly is white; feet and claws black. The female differs conſiderably from the male; the top of the head and back are of a grey aſh colour; the chin is white, and its colour not ſo vivid.

[209]The Redſtart is migratory; it appears about the middle of April, and departs the latter end of Sep⯑tember, or beginning of October; it frequents old walls and ruinous edifices, where it makes its neſt, compoſed chiefly of moſs, lined with hair and fea⯑thers: It is diſtinguiſhed by a peculiar quick ſhake of its tail from ſide to ſide on its alighting on a wall or other place. Though a wild and timorous bird, it is frequently found in the midſt of cities, always chuſing the moſt difficult and inacceſſible places for its reſidence; it likewiſe builds in foreſts, in holes of trees, or in high and dangerous precipices; the female lays four or five eggs, not much unlike thoſe of the Hedge-ſparrow, but ſomewhat lon⯑ger. Theſe birds feed on flies, ſpiders, the eggs of ants, ſmall berries, ſoft fruits, and ſuch like.

THE FAUVETTE. PETTICHAPS. (Motacilla hippolais, Lin.—La Fauvette, Buff.)

LENGTH about ſix inches: Its bill is blackiſh; eyes dark hazel; the whole upper part of the body is of a dark brown or mouſe colour, lightly tinged with pale brown on the edges of the wing coverts, and along the webs of the ſecondary quills; the larger quills are of a duſky aſh colour, as are alſo thoſe of the tail, except the outermoſt, which are white on their exterior ſides and tips; over each [210] eye there is a pale ſtreak; the throat and belly are of a ſilvery white; legs dark brown.

This bird frequents thickets, and is ſeldom to be ſeen out of covert; it ſecretes itſelf in the thickeſt parts of the buſhes, from whence it may be heard, but not ſeen: It is truly a mocking bird, imitating the notes of various kinds, generally beginning with thoſe of the Swallow, and ending with the full ſong of the Blackbird. We have often watched with the utmoſt attention whilſt it was ſinging de⯑lightfully in the midſt of a buſh cloſe at hand, but have ſeldom been able to obtain a ſight of it: We could never procure more than one ſpecimen:— Its appearance with us does not ſeem to be re⯑gular, as we have frequently been diſappointed in not finding it in its uſual haunts. We ſuppoſe this to be the ſame with the Fauvette of M. Buffon,^* which he places at the head of a numerous family, conſiſting of ten diſtinct ſpecies; many of which viſit this iſland in the ſpring, and leave it again in autumn. "Theſe pretty warblers," ſays he, "ar⯑rive when the trees put forth their leaves, and be⯑gin [211] to expand their bloſſoms; they diſperſe through the whole extent of our plains; ſome inhabit our gardens, others prefer the clumps and avenues; ſome conceal themſelves among the reeds, and ma⯑ny retire to the midſt of the woods." But, not⯑withſtanding their numbers, this genus is confeſſed⯑ly the moſt obſcure and indetermined in the whole of ornithology. We have taken much pains to gain a competent knowledge of the various kinds which viſit our iſland, and have procured ſpeci⯑mens of moſt, if not all of them, but confeſs that we have been much puzzled in reconciling their provincial names with the ſynonima of the differ⯑ent authors who have noticed them.

The following is deſcribed by Latham as a va⯑riety of the Pettichaps, and agrees in moſt reſpects with our ſpecimen. We conceive it to be the ſame as the Paſſerinette of Buffon, allowing ſome⯑what for difference of food, climate, &c.

THE LESSER FAUVETTE. PASSERINE WARBLER. (Motacilla paſſerina, Lin.—Le Paſſerinette, Buff.)

LENGTH nearly the ſame as the laſt: Bill pale brown; upper parts of the body brown, ſlightly tinged with olive green; under parts duſky white, a little inclining to brown acroſs the breaſt; quills duſky, with pale edges; tail duſky; over each eye there is an indiſtinct whitiſh line; legs pale brown. The male and female are much alike: The eggs are of a dull white, irregularly marked with duſ⯑ky and black ſpots.—This bird is alſo a mocker, but its ſong is not ſo powerful as the laſt.

THE WINTER FAUVETTE. HEDGE WARBLER, HEDGE SPARROW, OR DUNNOCK. (Motacilla Modularis, Lin.—La Fauvette d'hiver, Buff.)

THE length of this well-known bird is ſomewhat more than five inches: Its bill is dark; eyes ha⯑zel; its general appearance is that of a duſky brown, moſt of the feathers on the back and wings being edged with reddiſh brown; the cheeks, throat, and fore part of its neck are of a dull blue⯑iſh aſh colour; the belly is of a dirty white; quills and tail duſky; rump greeniſh brown; ſides and thighs pale tawny brown; the legs are brown.

This bird is frequently ſeen in hedges, from whence it derives one of its names; but it has no [214] other relation to the Sparrow than in the dingineſs of its colours; in every other reſpect it differs en⯑tirely. It remains with us the whole year, and builds its neſt near the ground; it is compoſed of moſs and wool, and lined with hair; the female generally lays four or five eggs, of a uniform pale blue, without any ſpots: The young are hatched about the beginning of May. During the time of ſitting, if a cat or other voracious animal ſhould happen to come near the neſt, the mother endea⯑vours to divert it from the ſpot by a ſtratagem ſi⯑milar to that by which the Partridge miſleads the dog: She ſprings up, flutters from ſpot to ſpot, and by that means allures her enemy to a ſafe diſtance. In France, the Hedge-ſparrow is rarely ſeen but in winter; it arrives generally in October, and de⯑parts in the ſpring for more northern regions, where it breeds. It is ſuppoſed to brave the ri⯑gours of winter in Sweden, and that it aſſumes the white plumage common in thoſe ſevere cli⯑mates in that ſeaſon. Its ſong is little varied, but pleaſant, eſpecially in a ſeaſon when all the other warblers are ſilent: Its uſual ſtrain is a ſort of qui⯑vering, frequently repeating ſomething like the fol⯑lowing tit-tit-tititit, from whence, in ſome places, it is called the Titling. We have already obſer⯑ved that the Cuckoo frequently makes uſe of the neſt of this bird to depoſit her egg in.

THE REED FAUVETTE. SEDGE BIRD. (Motacilla Salicaria, Lin.—La Fauvette de roſeaux, Buff.)

THIS elegant little bird is about the ſize of the Black-cap: Its bill is duſky: eyes hazel; the crown of the head and back are brown, marked with duſky ſtreaks; the rump tawny; the cheeks are brown; over each eye there is a light ſtreak; the wing coverts are duſky, edged with pale brown, as are alſo the quills and tail; the throat, breaſt, and belly are white—the latter tinged with yel⯑low; the thighs are yellow; legs duſky; the hind claws are long and much bent.

This bird is found in places where reeds and ſedges grow, and builds its neſt there; it is made of dried graſs and tender fibres of plants, and lined with hair, and uſually contains five eggs, of a dir⯑ty [216] white, mottled with brown; it likewiſe frequents the ſides of rivers and ponds where there is covert: It ſings inceſſantly night and day, during the breed⯑ing time, imitating by turns the notes of the Spar⯑row, the Swallow, the Skylark, and other birds— from whence it is called the Engliſh Mock-bird. Buffon obſerves, that the young ones, though ten⯑der and not yet fledged, will deſert the neſt if it be touched, or even if a perſon go too near it. This diſpoſition, which is common to all the Fauvettes, as well as to this which breeds in watery places, ſeems to characteriſe the inſtinctive wildneſs of the whole ſpecies.

THE BLACK-CAP. (Motacilla Atricapilla, Lin.—La Fauvette à tête noire, Buff.)

THIS bird is in length ſomewhat above five inch⯑es: The upper mandible is of a dark horn colour; the under one light blue—edges of both whitiſh; top of the head black; ſides of the head and back of the neck aſh colour; back and wings of an olive grey; the throat and breaſt are of a ſilvery grey; belly and vent white; the legs are of a blueiſh co⯑lour, inclining to brown; the claws black: The head of the female is of a dull ruſt colour.

The Blackcap viſits us about the middle of A⯑pril, and retires in September; it frequents gar⯑dens, and builds its neſt near the ground, which is compoſed of dried graſs, moſs, and wool, and lin⯑ed with hair and feathers; the female lays five eggs, of a pale reddiſh brown, ſprinkled with ſpots of a darker colour. During the time of incubation the [218] male attends the female, and ſits by turns; he like⯑wiſe procures her food, ſuch as flies, worms, and inſects. The Black-cap ſings ſweetly, and ſo like the Nightingale, that in Norfolk it is called the Mock-nightingale. Buffon ſays that its airs are light and eaſy, and conſiſt of a ſucceſſion of modu⯑lations of ſmall compaſs, but ſweet, flexible, and blended. And our ingenious countryman, Mr White, obſerves, that it has uſually a full, ſweet, deep, loud, and wild pipe, yet the ſtrain is of ſhort continuance, and its motions deſultory; but when this bird ſits calmly, and in earneſt engages in ſong, it pours forth very ſweet but inward melody, and expreſſes great variety of ſweet and gentle modu⯑lations, ſuperior perhaps to any of our warblers, the Nightingale excepted; and, while they warble, their throats are wonderfully diſtended. Black-caps feed chiefly on flies and inſects, and not un⯑frequently on ivy and other berries.

THE WHITE-THROAT. MUGGY. (Motacilla ſylvia, Lin.—La Fauvette griſe, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about five inches and a half: Its bill is dark brown, lighter at the baſe; eyes dark hazel; the upper part of the head and back are of a reddiſh aſh colour; throat white; leſſer wing coverts pale brown; the greater duſky brown, with reddiſh margins; breaſt and belly ſilvery white; the wings and tail are duſky brown, with pale edges, the outer feathers white; the legs pale brown: The breaſt and belly of the female are entirely white.

This bird arrives with the Redſtart, Black-cap, &c. in the ſpring, and quits us in autumn about the ſame time with them; it frequents thickets [220] and hedges, and feeds on inſects and wild berries; it makes its neſt in thick buſhes, of dried graſs and moſs; the female lays five eggs, of a greeniſh white, ſprinkled with dark ſpots. Its note, which is rather harſh and unpleaſing, is frequently repeat⯑ed, and is attended with a particular motion of the wings; it is ſhy and wild, and is not frequently found near the habitations of men.

THE YELLOW WILLOW WREN. (Motacilla trochilus, Lin.—Le Pouillot, ou le chantre, Buff.)

LENGTH nearly five inches: The bill is brown, the inſide and edges yellow; eyes hazel; the up⯑per parts of the plumage are yellow, inclining to a pale olive green; the under pale yellow; over each eye there is a whitiſh ſtreak, which in young birds we have obſerved to be particularly diſtinct; the wings and tail are of a duſky brown, with pale edges; legs yellowiſh brown.

The ingenious Mr White obſerves, that there are three diſtinct ſpecies of the Willow Wren, of which this is the largeſt; the two following differ in their ſize as well as note; their form and man⯑ners are however very ſimilar: We have been fortunate in procuring ſpecimens of each kind, ta⯑ken at the ſame time of the year, and had an op⯑portunity of noticing the difference of their ſong. [221] For ſpecimens of all the birds of this kind, as well as many others, we are indebted to Lieut. H. F. Gibſon, of the 4th dragoons, whoſe kind attention to our work merits our warmeſt acknowledge⯑ment.—This bird is frequent on the tops of trees, from whence it often riſes ſinging; its note is ra⯑ther low, but ſoft, and ſweetly varied. It arrives in this country early in the ſpring, and departs in autumn; it makes its neſt in holes, at the roots of trees, or in dry banks; it is arched ſomewhat like that of the Wren, and is made chiefly of moſs, lin⯑ed with wool and hair; the female lays from five to ſeven eggs, of a dirty white, marked with red⯑diſh ſpots.

THE WILLOW WREN. (Le Figuier brun et jaune, Buff.)

THIS is next in ſize: Its bill is brown, the upper parts of a greeniſh olive colour, darker than the laſt; over each eye a light yellow line extends from the bill to the back part of the head; the wings are brown, with light yellowiſh edges; the throat and breaſt are white, with a pretty ſtrong tinge of yel⯑low; the belly is whitiſh; thighs yellow; legs yel⯑lowiſh brown,—as is likewiſe the inſide of the bill. They vary much in colour.

We are favoured, by the ingenious Mr I. Gough of Kendal, with the deſcription of a bird very ſi⯑milar to this, which is common in Weſtmoreland, where it is known by the name of the Strawſmeer. It appears in the vallies in April, a few days after [223] the Swallow, and begins to ſing immediately on its arrival, and may be heard till the beginning of Auguſt; it frequents hedges, ſhrubberies, and ſuch like places; its food conſiſts of inſects, in ſearch of which it is continually running up and down ſmall branches of trees: It makes an artleſs neſt, of wi⯑thered graſs, moſs, and the ſlender ſtems of dried plants, it is lined with feathers, hair, and a little wool, and is commonly placed in a low thick buſh or hedge; the female generally lays five eggs, of a dirty white, marked at the larger end with numer⯑ous dark brown oval ſpots. We ſuppoſe this to be the Scotch Warbler of Mr Pennant, and the Fi⯑guier bran et jaune of M. Buffon.

THE LEAST WILLOW WREN.

THE upper parts of the plumage of this bird are darker than the two laſt, ſomewhat inclining to a mouſe colour: Its breaſt is of a dull ſilvery white, from whence in ſome places it is called the Linty-white; its legs are dark.

The ſong of this is not ſo loud as the laſt, though very ſimilar, and conſiſts of a ſingle ſtrain, very weak, and frequently repeated; they are both com⯑mon in woods and coverts, warbling their little ſimple ſong as they ſit upon the branches of trees.

THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. (Motacilla regulus, Lin.—Le Roitelet, Buff.)

THIS is ſuppoſed to be the leaſt of all the Euro⯑pean birds; it is certainly the ſmalleſt of the Bri⯑tiſh kinds, being in length not quite three inches and a half,^* and weighs only ſeventy-ſix grains: Its bill is very ſlender and dark; eyes hazel; on the top of its head the feathers are of a bright orange colour, bordered on each ſide with black, which forms an arch above its eyes, and with which it ſometimes conceals the crown, by contracting the muſcles of the head; the upper part of the body is of a yellowiſh green or olive colour; all the un⯑der [225] parts are of a pale reddiſh white, tinged with green on the ſides; the greater coverts of the wings are of a duſky brown, edged with yellow, and tip⯑ped with white; quills duſky, edged with pale green, as are alſo the feathers of the tail, but light⯑er; the legs are of a yellowiſh brown. The fe⯑male is diſtinguiſhed by a pale yellow crown; the whole plumage is leſs vivid than that of the male.

This curious little bird delights in the largeſt trees, ſuch as oaks, elms, tall pines, and firs, par⯑ticularly the firſt, in which it finds both food and ſhelter; in theſe it builds its neſt, which is of a round form, having an aperture on one ſide, and is compoſed chiefly of moſs, lined with the ſoft⯑eſt down, mixed with ſlender filaments; the fe⯑male lays ſix or ſeven eggs, ſcarcely larger than peas, which are white, ſprinkled with very ſmall ſpots of a dull colour. Theſe birds are very a⯑gile, and are almoſt continually in motion, flutter⯑ing from branch to branch, creeping on all ſides of the trees, clinging to them in every ſituation, and often hanging like the Titmouſe: Their food con⯑ſiſts chiefly of the ſmalleſt inſects, which they find in the crevices of the bark of trees, or catch nim⯑bly on the wing; they alſo eat the eggs of inſects, ſmall worms, and various ſorts of ſeeds. The Golden-creſted Wren is diſſuſed throughout Eu⯑rope; it has alſo been met with in various parts of Aſia and America, and ſeems to bear every change [226] of temperature, from the greateſt degree of heat to that of the ſevereſt cold: It ſtays with us the whole year; but Mr Pennant obſerves, that it croſſes annually from the Orknies to the Shetland iſles, where it breeds and returns before winter— a long flight (of ſixty miles) for ſo ſmall a bird. Its ſong is ſaid to be very melodious, but weaker than that of the common Wren; it has beſides a ſharp ſhrill cry, ſomewhat like that of the Graſ⯑hopper.

THE WREN. KITTY WREN. (Motacilla troglodytes, Lin.—Le Troglodyte, Buff.)

LENGTH three inches and a half: The bill is ſlen⯑der, and a little curved; upper mandible and tips of a browniſh horn colour, the under one and edges of both dull yellow; a whitiſh line extends from the bill over the eyes, which are dark hazel; the upper parts of its plumage are of a clear brown, obſcurely marked on the back and rump with nar⯑row double wavy lines of pale and dark brown co⯑lours; the belly, ſides, and thighs are the ſame, but more diſtinct; the throat is of a dingy white; the cheeks and breaſt the ſame, faintly dappled with brown; the quills and tail are marked with alter⯑nate [228] bars of a reddiſh brown and black; the legs are of a pale olive brown.

This diminutive little bird is very common in England, and braves our ſevereſt winters, which it contributes to enliven by its ſprightly note. Du⯑ring that ſeaſon it approaches near the dwellings of man, and takes ſhelter in the roofs of houſes, barns, hay-ſtacks, and holes in the walls; it continues its ſong till late in the evening, and not unfrequently during a fall of ſnow: In the ſpring it betakes itſelf to the woods, where it builds its neſt near the ground, in a low buſh, and ſometimes on the turf, beneath the trunk of a tree, or in a hole in the wall; its neſt is conſtructed with much art, being of an oval ſhape, with one ſmall aperture in the ſide for an entrance; it is compoſed chiefly of moſs, and lined within with feathers; the female lays from ten to ſixteen, and ſometimes eighteen eggs, of a dirty white, dotted with red at the larger end.

THE WHITE-RUMP. WHEATEAR. (Motacilla oenanthe, Lin.—Le Motteux, ou le cul-blanc, Buff.)

LENGTH five inches and a half: The bill is black; eyes hazel; from the baſe of the bill a black ſtreak extends over the eyes, cheeks, and ears, where it is pretty broad; above this there is a line of white; the top of the head, back part of the neck, and back are of a blueiſh grey; the wing coverts and quills are duſky, edged with ruſty white; the rump is perfectly white, as is alſo part of the tail; the reſt is black; the under parts are of a pale buff colour, tinged with red on the breaſt; legs and feet black. In the female the white line above the eye is ſomewhat obſcure, and all the black parts of the plumage incline more to brown; neither is the rump of ſo pure a white.

[230]This bird viſits us about the middle of March, and from that time till ſome time in May is ſeen to arrive; it frequents new-tilled grounds, and ne⯑ver fails to follow the plough in ſearch of inſects and ſmall worms, which are its principal food. In ſome parts of England great numbers are taken in ſnares made of horſe hair, placed beneath a turf; near 2000 dozen are ſaid to be taken annually in that way, in one diſtrict only, which are generally ſold at ſixpence per dozen:^*—Great numbers are ſent to the London markets, where they are much eſteemed, being thought not inferior to the Orto⯑lan. The White-rump breeds under ſhelter of a tuft or clod, in newly ploughed lands, or under ſtones, and ſometimes in old rabbit burrows; its neſt is conſtructed with great care; it is compoſed of dry graſs or moſs, mixed with wool, and lined with fea⯑thers; it is defended by a ſort of covert, fixed to the ſtone or clod under which it is formed; the fe⯑male generally lays five or ſix eggs, of a light blue, the larger end encompaſſed with a circle of a ſome⯑what deeper hue. They leave us in Auguſt and September, and about that time are ſeen in great numbers by the ſea-ſhore, where, probably, they ſubſiſt ſome little time before they take their de⯑parture. They are extended over a large portion of the globe, even as far as the ſouthern parts of Aſia.

THE WHINCHAT. (Motacilla rubetra, Lin.—Le grand Traquet, ou le ta⯑rier, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat larger than the Stone⯑chat: Its bill is black; eyes hazel; the feathers on the head, neck, and back are black, edged with ruſt colour; a ſtreak of white paſſes from the bill over each eye towards the back of the head; the cheeks are blackiſh; chin white; the breaſt is of a ruſt colour; belly, vent, and thighs pale buff; each wing is croſſed by a white mark near the ſhoulder, and another ſmaller near the baſtard wing; part of the tail, at the baſe, is white, the reſt black, the two middle feathers are wholly black; the legs are black: The colours in ge⯑neral of the female are paler; the white ſtreak [232] over the eye, and the ſpots on the wings, are much leſs conſpicuous; and the cheeks, inſtead of being black, partake of the colours on the head. The Whinchat is a ſolitary bird, frequenting heaths and moors; it has no ſong, but only a ſimple unvaried note, and in manners very much reſembles the Stonechat; it makes its neſt very ſimilar to that bird, and is generally ſeen in the ſame places du⯑ring the ſummer months; the female lays five eggs, of a dirty white, dotted with black. In the northern parts of England it diſappears in winter; but its migration is only partial, as it is ſeen in ſome of the ſouthern counties at that ſeaſon: It feeds on worms, flies, and inſects;—about the end of ſummer it is very fat, and at that time is ſaid to be ſcarcely inferior in delicacy to the Ortolan.

THE STONECHAT. STONE-SMITH, MOOR TITLING. (Motacilla rubecola, Lin.—Le Traquet, Buff.)

LENGTH near five inches: The bill is black; eyes dark hazel; the head, neck, and throat are black, faintly mixed with brown; on each ſide of the neck, immediately above the wings, there is a large white ſpot; the back and wing coverts are of a fine velvet black, margined with reddiſh brown; the quills are duſky, with pale brown edges—thoſe next the body are white at the bottom, forming a ſpot of that colour on the wings; the breaſt is of a bay colour, lighteſt on the belly; the rump white; the tail is black, the outer feathers margined with ruſt colour; the legs are black: The colours of the female are duller; the white on the ſides of the neck is not ſo conſpicuous; the breaſt and bel⯑ly [234] are much paler, and the white ſpot on the rump is wanting.

This ſolitary little bird is chiefly to be found on wild heaths and commons, where it feeds on ſmall worms and inſects of all kinds: It builds its neſt at the roots of buſhes, or underneath ſtones; it care⯑fully conceals the entrance to it by a variety of lit⯑tle arts; it generally alights at ſome diſtance from it, and makes its approaches with great circum⯑ſpection, creeping along the ground in a winding direction, ſo that it is a difficult matter to diſcover its retreat; the female breeds about the end of March, and lays five or ſix eggs, of a blueiſh green, faintly ſpotted with ruſt colour. The flight of the Stonechat is low; it is almoſt continually on the wing, flying from buſh to buſh, alighting only for a few ſeconds. It remains with us the whole year, and in winter is known to frequent moiſt places, in queſt of food. Buffon compares its note to the word wiſtrata frequently repeated. Mr Latham obſerves, that it ſeemed to him like the clicking of two ſtones together, from whence it is probable it may have derived its name.

THE GREATER TITMOUSE. OX-EYE. (Parus major, Lin.—Le Groſſe Meſange, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about five inches: The bill is black, as are alſo the eyes; the head is covered with a ſort of hood, of a fine deep gloſſy black, which extends to the middle of the neck; the cheeks are white; the belly is of a greeniſh yellow, divided down the middle by a line of black reaching to the vent; the back is of an olive green; rump blue grey; the quills are duſky, the greater edged with white, the leſſer with pale green; the wing coverts are of a blueiſh aſh co⯑lour; the greater coverts are tipped with white, which forms a bar acroſs the wing; the tail is black, the exterior edge of the outer feathers is white; the legs are of a dark lead colour; claws black.

[238]The Titmouſe begins to pair early in February; the male and female conſort for ſome time before they make their neſt, which is compoſed of the ſofteſt and moſt downy materials—they build it ge⯑nerally in the hole of a tree; the female lays from eight to ten eggs, which are white, ſpotted with ruſt colour. Buffon ſays, that the young brood continue blind for ſeveral days, after which their growth is very rapid, and they are able to fly in about fifteen days: After they have quitted the neſt they return no more to it, but perch on the neighbouring trees, and inceſſantly call on each o⯑ther; they generally continue together till the ap⯑proach of ſpring invites them to pair. We kept one of theſe birds in a cage for ſome time; it was fed chiefly with hemp-ſeed, which, inſtead of break⯑ing with its bill, like the Linnet, it held very dex⯑terouſly in its claws, and pecked it till it broke the outſide ſhell; it likewiſe ate raw fleſh minced ſmall, and was extremely fond of flies, which, when held to the cage, it would ſeize with great avidity: It was continually in motion during the day, and would, for hours together, dart backwards and forwards with aſtoniſhing activity. Its uſual note was ſtrong and ſimple; it had, beſides, a more varied, but very low, and not unpleaſant ſong:— During the night it reſted on the bottom of the cage.

THE BLUE TITMOUSE. TOM TIT, BLUE-CAP, OR NUN. (Parus coeruleus, Lin.—La Meſange, bleue, Buff.)

THE length of this beautiful little bird is about four inches and a half: The bill and eyes are black; crown of the head blue, terminated behind with a line of dirty white; ſides of the head white, underneath which, from the throat to the back of the neck, there is a line of dark blue; from the bill, on each ſide, a narrow line of black paſſes through the eyes; the back is of a yellowiſh green; coverts blue, edged with white; quills black, with pale blue edges; the tail is blue, the two middle feathers longeſt; the under parts of the body pale yellow; legs and claws black. The female is ſomewhat ſmaller than the male, has leſs blue on [240] the head, and her colours in general are not ſo bright.

This buſy little bird is ſeen frequently in our gardens and orchards, where its operations are much dreaded by the over-anxious gardener, who fears, leſt in its purſuit after its favorite food, which is often lodged in the tender buds, that it may de⯑ſtroy them alſo, to the injury of his future harveſt —not conſidering that it is the means of deſtroying a much more dangerous enemy (the caterpillar), which it finds there: It has likewiſe a ſtrong pro⯑penſity to fleſh, and is ſaid to pick the bones of ſuch ſmall birds as it can maſter, as clean as ſkele⯑tons. This bird is diſtinguiſhed above all the reſt of the Titmice by its rancour againſt the Owl:— The female builds her neſt in holes of walls or trees, which it lines well with feathers; ſhe lays from fourteen to twenty white eggs. If her eggs ſhould be touched by any perſon, or one of them be broken, ſhe immediately forſakes her neſt and builds again, but otherwiſe makes but one hatch in the year.

THE COLE-TITMOUSE. (Parus ater, Lin.—Le petite Charbonniere, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat leſs than the laſt, and weighs only two drachms; its length is four in⯑ches: Its bill is black, as are alſo its head, throat, and part of its breaſt; from the corner of the bill, on each ſide, an irregular patch of white paſſes under the eyes, extending to the ſides of the neck; a ſpot of the ſame colour occupies the hind part of the head; the back and all the upper parts are of a greeniſh aſh colour; the wing coverts are tip⯑ped with white, which forms two bars acroſs the wing; the under parts are of a reddiſh white; legs lead colour; tail ſomewhat forked at the end.

THE MARSH TITMOUSE. BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE. (Parus, paluſtris, Lin.—Le Meſange de marais, Buff.)

ITS length is ſomewhat ſhort of five inches: Its bill is black; the whole crown of the head, and part of the neck behind, are of a deep black; a broad ſtreak, of a yellowiſh white, paſſes from the beak, underneath the eye, backwards; the throat is black; the breaſt, belly, and ſides are of a dirty white; the back is aſh-coloured; quill feathers duſ⯑ky, with pale edges; the tail is duſky; legs dark lead colour.

The Marſh Titmouſe is ſaid to be fond of waſps, bees, and other inſects:—It lays up a little ſtore of ſeeds againſt a ſeaſon of want: It frequents marſhy places, from whence it derives its name; its man⯑ners are ſimilar to the laſt, and it is equally as pro⯑lific.

THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. (Parus caudatus, Lin.—La Meſange a longue queue, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is nearly five inches and a half, of which the tail itſelf is rather more than three inches: Its bill is very ſhort and black; eyes hazel, the orbits red; the top of the head is white, mixed with gray; through each eye there is a broad black band, which extends backwards, and unites on the hind part of the head, from whence it paſſes down the back to the rump, bordered on each ſide with dull red; the cheeks, throat, and breaſt are white; the belly, ſides, rump, and vent are of a dull roſe colour, mixed with white; the coverts of the wings are black, thoſe next the body white, ed⯑ged with roſe colour; the quills are duſky, with pale edges; the tail conſiſts of feathers of very un⯑equal lengths, the four middle feathers are wholly black, the others are white on the exterior edge; legs and claws black.

[244]Our figure was taken from one newly ſhot, ſent us by Lieut. H. F. Gibſon. We made a drawing from a ſtuffed bird in the muſeum of the late Mr Tun⯑ſtall, at Wycliffe, in which the black band through the eyes was wholly wanting; the back of the neck was black; the back, ſides, and thighs were of a reddiſh brown, mixed with white: We ſuppoſe it may have been a female. The neſt of this bird is ſingularly curious and elegant, being of a long oval form, with a ſmall hole in the ſide as an entrance; its outſide is formed of moſs, wool, and dry graſs, curiouſly interwoven, whilſt the inſide is thick⯑ly lined with a profuſion of the ſofteſt down.^*— In this comfortable little manſion the female de⯑poſits her eggs, to the number of ſixteen or ſeven⯑teen, which are concealed almoſt entirely among the feathers; they are about the ſize of a ſmall bean, and of a grayiſh colour, mixed with red.— This bird is not uncommon with us; it frequents the ſame places with the other ſpecies, feeds in the ſame manner, and is charged with the ſame miſ⯑demeanor in deſtroying the buds, and probably with the ſame reaſon: It flies very ſwiftly, and from its ſlender ſhape, and the great length of its tail, it ſeems like a dart ſhooting through the air: It is almoſt conſtantly in motion, running up and down the branches of trees with great facility. The young continue with the parents, and form [245] little flocks through the winter; they utter a ſmall ſhrill cry, only as a call, but in the ſpring they are ſaid to acquire a very melodious ſong. The long⯑tailed Titmouſe is found in the northern regions of Europe; and, from the thickneſs of its coat, ſeems well calculated to bear the rigours of a ſevere cli⯑mate. Mr Latham ſays, that it has likewiſe been brought from Jamaica, and obſerves, that it ap⯑peared as fully cloathed as in the coldeſt regions.

THE BEARDED TITMOUSE. (Parus biarmicus, Lin.—La Meſange barbue, Buff.)

LENGTH ſomewhat more than ſix inches: The bill is of an orange colour, but ſo delicate that it changes on the death of the bird to a dingy yellow; the eyes are alſo orange; the head and back part of the neck are of a pearl gray or light aſh co⯑lour; on each ſide of the head, from the eye, there is a black mark extending downwards on the neck, and ending in a point, not unlike a muſta⯑choe; the throat and fore part of the neck are of a ſilvery white; the back, rump, and tail are of a light ruſt colour, as are alſo the belly, ſides, and thighs; the breaſt is of a delicate fleſh colour; the vent black; the leſſer coverts of the wings are duſ⯑ky, the greater ruſt colour, with pale edges; the [247] quills are duſky, edged with white—thoſe next the body with ruſty on the exterior web, and with white on the inner; the baſtard wing is duſky, ed⯑ged and tipped with white; the legs are black.— The female wants the black mark on each ſide of the head; the crown of the head is ruſt colour, ſpotted with black; the vent feathers are not black, but of the ſame colour with the belly.

The Bearded Titmouſe is found chiefly in the ſouthern parts of the kingdom; it frequents mar⯑ſhy places, where reeds grow, on the ſeeds of which it feeds: It is ſuppoſed to breed there, though its hiſtory is imperfectly known. It is ſaid that they were firſt brought to this country from Denmark by the Counteſs of Albemarle, and that ſome of them having made their eſcape, founded a colony here; but Mr Latham, with great proba⯑bility, ſuppoſes that they are ours ab origine, and that it is owing to their frequenting the places where reeds grow, and which are not eaſily acceſ⯑ſible, that ſo little has been known of them. Mr Edwards gives a figure of this bird, and deſcribes it under the name of the Leaſt Butcher Bird.

THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW. HOUSE-SWALLOW. (Hirundo ruſtica, Lin.—L'Hirondelle domeſtique, Buff.)

LENGTH ſomewhat more than ſix inches: Its bill is black; eyes hazel; the forehead and chin are red, inclining to cheſtnut; the whole upper part of the body is black, reflected with a purpliſh blue on the top of the head and ſcapulars; the quills of the wings, according to their different po⯑ſitions, are ſometimes of a blueiſh black, and ſome⯑times of a greeniſh brown, whilſt thoſe of the tail are black, with green reflections; the fore part of the breaſt is black, and the reſt of the breaſt and belly white; the inſide and corners of the mouth are yellow; the tail is much forked, each feather, except the middle ones, is marked with an oval [253] white ſpot on the inner web; the legs are very ſhort, delicately fine, and blackiſh.

The common Swallow makes its appearance with us ſoon after the vernal equinox, and leaves us again about the end of September: It builds its neſt generally in chimnies, in the inſide, within a few feet of the top, or under the eaves of houſes; it is curiouſly conſtructed, of a cylindrical ſhape, plaſtered with mud, mixed with ſtraw and hair, and lined with feathers; it is attached to the ſides or corners of the chimney, and is ſometimes a foot in height, open at the top; the female lays five or ſix eggs, white, ſpeckled with red. Swallows return to the ſame haunts; they build annually a new neſt, and fix it, if the place admits, above that occupied the preceding year.^* We are favoured by Sir John Trevelyan, Bart. with the following curious fact:—At Camerton Hall, near Bath, a pair of Swallows built their neſt on the upper part of the frame of an old picture over the chimney, coming through a broken pane in the window of the room. They came three years ſucceſſively, and in all pro⯑bability would have continued to do ſo if the room had not been put into repair, which prevented their acceſs to it. Both this bird and the Martin have generally two broods in the year, the firſt in June, the other in Auguſt, or perhaps later. We have ſeen a young Swallow, which was ſhot on the 26th [254] of September; its length was ſcarcely five inches; its tail was ſhort, and not forked; the feathers were black, but wanted the white ſpots; its breaſt was tinged with red. Swallows frequently rooſt at night, after they begin to congregate, by the ſides of rivers and pools of water, from whence it has been ſuppoſed that they retire into that ele⯑ment.

THE MARTIN. MARTLET, MARTINET, OR WINDOW-SWALLOW. (Hirundo urbica, Lin.—L'Hirondelle à cul blanc, Buff.)

LENGTH about five inches and a half: The bill is black; eyes dark hazel; inſide of the mouth yellow; the top of the head, the wings, and tail are of a duſky brown; the back is black, gloſſed with blue; the rump and all the under parts of the body, from the chin to the vent, are of a pure white; the ends of the ſecondary quill feathers are finely edged with white; the legs are covered with white downy feathers down to the claws, which are white alſo, and are very ſharp and much hooked; the middle toe is much longer than the others, and is connected with the inner one as far as the firſt joint.

This bird viſits us in great numbers; it has ge⯑nerally two broods, ſometimes three in the year; it builds its neſt moſt frequently againſt the crags of [256] precipices near the ſea, or by the ſides of lakes, and not unfrequently under the eaves of houſes, or cloſe by the ſides of the windows; its neſt is made of mud and ſtraw on the outſide, and is lined within with feathers; the firſt hatch the female lays five eggs, which are white, inclining to duſky at the larger end; the ſecond time ſhe lays three or four; and the third, (when that takes place) ſhe only lays two or three. During the time the young birds are confined to the neſt, the old one feeds them, ad⯑hering by the claws to the outſide; but as ſoon as they are able to fly, they receive their nouriſhment on the wing, by a motion quick and almoſt imper⯑ceptible to thoſe who are not accuſtomed to ob⯑ſerve it. The Martin arrives ſomewhat later than the Swallow, and does not leave us ſo ſoon: We have obſerved them in the neighbourhood of Lon⯑don as late as the middle of October. Mr White, in his Natural Hiſtory of Selborne, has made ſome very judicious remarks on theſe birds, with a view to illuſtrate the time and manner of their annual migrations. The following quotation is very appoſite to that purpoſe, and ſerves to confirm the idea that the greateſt part of them quit this iſland in ſearch of warmer climates. "As the ſummer declines, the congregating flocks increaſe in numbers daily by the conſtant acceſſion of the ſecond broods; till at laſt they ſwarm in myriads upon myriads round the villages on the Thames, darkening the face of the ſky as they frequent the [257] aits of that river, where they rooſt: They retire in vaſt flocks together about the beginning of Oc⯑tober." He adds, "that they appeared of late years in conſiderable numbers in the neighbour⯑hood of Selborne, for one day or two, as late as November the 3d and 6th, after they were ſup⯑poſed to have been gone for more than a fort⯑night." He concludes with this obſervation:— "Unleſs theſe birds are very ſhort-lived indeed, or unleſs they do not return to the diſtrict where they have been bred, they muſt undergo vaſt devaſta⯑tions ſomehow and ſomewhere; for the birds that return yearly bear no manner of proportion to thoſe that retire."

THE SAND MARTIN. BANK MARTIN, OR SAND SWALLOW. (Hirundo riparia, Lin.—L'Hirondelle de rivage, Buff.)

LENGTH about four inches and three quarters: The bill is of a dark horn colour; the head, neck, breaſt, and back are of a mouſe colour; over each eye there is a light ſtreak; the throat and fore part of the neck are white, as are alſo the belly and vent; the wings and tail are brown; the legs are dark brown, and are furniſhed with feathers behind, which reach as far as the toes.

This is the ſmalleſt of all our Swallows, as well as the leaſt numerous of them: It frequents the ſteep ſandy banks in the neighbourhood of rivers, in the ſides of which it makes deep holes, and pla⯑ces the neſt at the end; it is careleſsly conſtruct⯑ed of ſtraw, dry graſs, and feathers; the female lays five or ſix white eggs, almoſt tranſparent, and is ſaid to have only one brood in the year.

THE SWIFT. BLACK MARTIN, OR DEVILING. (Hirundo apus, Lin.—Le Martinet noir, Buff.)

LENGTH near eight inches: Bill black; eyes ha⯑zel; its general colour is that of a ſooty black, with greeniſh reflections; the throat is white; the wings are long, meaſuring, from tip to tip, about eighteen inches; the tail is much forked; the legs are of a dark brown colour, and very ſhort; the toes ſtand two and two on each ſide of the foot, and conſiſt of two phalanges or joints only, which is a conformation peculiar to this bird. The female is rather leſs than the male, her plumage inclines more to brown, and the white on the throat is leſs diſtinct.

The Swift arrives later and departs ſooner than any of the tribe, from whence it is probable that it has a longer journey to take than the others; it is larger, ſtronger, and its flight is more rapid than any of its kindred tribes, and it has but one brood [260] in the year, ſo that the young ones have time to gain ſtrength enough to accompany the parent birds in their diſtant excurſions: They have been no⯑ticed at the Cape of Good Hope, and probably vi⯑ſit the more remote regions of Aſia. Swifts are almoſt continually on the wing; they fly higher, and wheel with bolder wing than the Swallows, with which they never intermingle. The life of the Swift ſeems to be divided into two extremes; the one of the moſt violent exertion, the other of perfect inaction; they muſt either ſhoot through the air, or remain cloſe in their holes; they are ſeldom ſeen to alight; but, if by any accident they ſhould fall upon a piece of even ground, it is with difficulty they can recover themſelves, owing to the ſhortneſs of their feet, and the great length of their wings. They are ſaid to avoid heat, and for this reaſon paſs the middle of the day in their holes; in the morning and evening they go out in queſt of proviſion; they then are ſeen in large flocks, deſcribing an endleſs ſeries of circles upon circles, ſometimes in cloſe ranks, purſuing the di⯑rection of a ſtreet, and ſometimes whirling round a large edifice, all ſcreaming together; they often glide along without ſtirring their wings, and on a ſudden they move them with frequent and quickly repeated ſtrokes. Swifts build their neſts in ele⯑vated places; lofty ſteeples and high towers are generally preferred; ſometimes they build under the arches of bridges, where, though the elevation [261] is not great, it is difficult of acceſs; the neſt is compoſed of a variety of materials, ſuch as dry graſs, moſs, hemp, bits of cord, threads of ſilk and linen, ſmall ſhreds of gauze, of muſlin, feathers, and other light ſubſtances which they chance to find in the ſweepings of towns.^* It is difficult to conceive how theſe birds, which are never ſeen to alight on the ground, gather theſe materials; ſome have ſuppoſed that they catch them in the air as they are carried up by the wind; others, that they raiſe them by glancing along the ſurface of the ground; whilſt others aſſert, with more probabili⯑ty, that they often rob the Sparrow of its little hoard, and frequently occupy the ſame hole after driving out the former poſſeſſor: The female lays five white eggs, rather pointed and ſpindle-ſhaped; the young ones are hatched about the latter end of May; they begin to fly about the middle of June, and ſhortly after abandon their neſts—after which the parents ſeem no more to regard them.— Swifts begin to aſſemble, previous to their depar⯑ture, early in July; their numbers daily increaſe, and large bodies of them appear together; they ſoar higher in the air, with ſhriller cries, and fly differently from their uſual mode;—theſe meetings continue till towards the middle of Auguſt, after which they are no more ſeen.

THE NIGHT-JAR. GOAT-SUCKER, DORR-HAWK, OR FERN OWL. (Caprimulgus Europeus, Lin.—L'Engoulivent, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about ten inches and a half: The bill is ſmall, flat, and ſomewhat hook⯑ed at the tip, and is furniſhed on each ſide of the upper mandible with ſeveral ſtrong briſtles, where⯑by it ſecures its prey; the lower jaw is edged with a white ſtripe, which extends backward towards the head; the eyes are large, full, and black; the plumage is beautifully freckled and powdered with browns of various hues, mixed with ruſt colour and white, but ſo diverſified as to exceed all deſcrip⯑tion. The male is diſtinguiſhed by an oval ſpot of white on the inner webs of the three firſt quill fea⯑thers, and at the ends of the two outermoſt feathers of the tail; the legs are ſhort, rough, and ſcaly, and feathered below the knee; the toes are con⯑nected [263] by a membrane as far as the firſt joint; the middle one is conſiderably larger than the reſt, and the claw is ſerrated in one ſide.

To avoid as much as poſſible perpetuating error, we have dropped the term Goat-ſucker, which has no foundation but in ignorance and ſuperſtition, and have adopted one, which, though not univer⯑ſally known, bears ſome analogy to the nature and qualities of the bird to which it relates, both with reſpect to the time of its appearance, which is al⯑ways in the duſk of the evening, in ſearch of its prey, as well as to the jarring noiſe which it utters whilſt at reſt perching on a tree, and by which it is peculiarly diſtinguiſhed. The Night-jar is found in every part of the old continent, from Siberia to Greece, Africa, and India; it arrives in this coun⯑try about the latter end of May, being one of our lateſt birds of paſſage, and departs ſome time in the latter end of Auguſt or the beginning of Septem⯑ber; it is no where numerous, and never appears in flocks: Like the Owl, it is ſeldom ſeen in the day-time, unleſs diſturbed, or in dark and gloomy days, when its eyes are not dazzled by the bright rays of the ſun: It feeds on inſects, which it catch⯑es on the wing; it is a great deſtroyer of the cock-chafer or dor-beetle, from whence in ſome places it is called the Dor-hawk: Six of theſe inſects have been found in its ſtomach, beſides four or five large-bodied moths. Mr White ſuppoſes that its [264] foot is uſeful in taking its prey, as he obſerved that it frequently put forth its leg whilſt on the wing, with which it ſeemed to convey ſomething to its mouth. Theſe birds frequent moors and wild heathy tracts abounding with ferns; they make no neſt, but the female depoſits her eggs on the ground; ſhe lays only two or three, which are of a dull white, ſpotted with brown. Birds of this kind are ſeen moſt frequently towards autumn; their motions are irregular and rapid, ſometimes wheeling in quick ſucceſſion round a tree or other object, diving at intervals as if to catch their prey, and then riſing again as ſuddenly. When perched, the Night-jar ſits uſually on a bare twig, its head lower than its tail, and in this attitude utters its jarring note; it is likewiſe diſtinguiſhed by a ſort of buzzing which it makes while on the wing, which has been compared to the noiſe cauſed by the quick rotation of a ſpinning-wheel, from which, in ſome places, it is called the Wheel-bird; ſome⯑times it utters a ſmall plaintive note or ſqueak, which it repeats four or five times in ſucceſſion; the latter, probably, is its note of call by which it invites the female, and which it has been obſerved to utter when in purſuit of her. Buffon ſays, that it does not perch like other birds, ſitting acroſs the branch, but lengthwiſe. It is a ſolitary bird, and is generally ſeen alone, two being ſeldom found together, but ſitting at a little diſtance from each other.

THE WILD PIGEON. STOCK DOVE. (Columba oenas, Lin.—Le Biſet, Buff.)

LENGTH fourteen inches: Bill pale red; the head, neck, and upper part of the back are of a deep blue gray colour, reflected on the ſides of the neck with gloſſy green and gold; the breaſt is of a pale reddiſh purple, or vinous colour; the lower part of the back and rump light gray or aſh colour, as are alſo the belly, thighs, and under tail co⯑verts; the primary quill feathers are duſky, edged with white, the others gray, marked with two black ſpots on the exterior webs, forming two bars acroſs each wing; the tail is aſh colour and black [268] at the end, the lower half of the two outermoſt feathers is white; the legs are red; claws black. —The Stock Dove, Rock Pigeon, and Wood Pi⯑geon, with ſome ſmall differences, may be inclu⯑ded under the ſame denomination, and are proba⯑bly the origin of moſt of thoſe beautiful varieties which, in a ſtate of domeſtication, are dependent upon man for food.

Wild Pigeons are ſaid to migrate in large flocks into England, at the approach of winter, from the northern regions, and return in the ſpring; many of them, however, remain in this country, only changing their quarters for the purpoſe of procu⯑ring their food: They build their neſts in the hol⯑lows of decayed trees, and commonly have two broods in the year. In a ſtate of domeſtication their increaſe is prodigious; and though they ne⯑ver lay more than two eggs at a time, yet, allow⯑ing them to breed nine times in the year, the pro⯑duce of a ſingle pair, at the expiration of four years, may amount to the enormous number of 14,762.^* The male and female perform the office of incubation by turns, and feed their young by caſting up the proviſions out of their ſtomachs in⯑to the mouths of the young ones. To deſcribe the numerous varieties of the domeſtic Pigeon would exceed the limits of our work; we ſhall therefore barely mention the names of the moſt [269] noted amongſt them, ſuch as Tumblers, Carriers, Jacobines, Croppers, Powters, Runts, Turbits, Shakers, Smiters, Owls, Nuns, &c. Of theſe the Carrier Pigeon is the moſt remarkably deſerving of notice, having been made uſe of in very early times as the means of conveying intelligence on the moſt trying and important occaſions, and with an expedition and certainty which could be equal⯑led by no other. The Pigeon uſed on theſe occa⯑ſions was taken from the place to which the ad⯑vices were to be communicated, and the letters being tied under its wings, the bird was let looſe, and in ſpite of ſurrounding armies and every ob⯑ſtacle that would have effectually prevented any other means of conveyance, guided by inſtinct a⯑lone, it returned directly home, where the intelli⯑gence was ſo much wanted. There are various inſtances on record of theſe birds having been em⯑ployed during a ſiege to convey an account of its progreſs, of the ſituation of the beſieged, and of the probable means of relief: Sometimes they were the peaceful bearer of glad tidings to the anxious lover, and to the merchant of the no leſs welcome news of the ſafe arrival of his veſſel at the deſired port.

THE RING DOVE. CUSHAT, OR QUEEST. (Columba palumbus, Lin.—Le Pigeon ramier, Buff.)

THIS is the largeſt of all the Pigeon tribe, and meaſures above ſeventeen inches in length: The bill is of a pale red colour, the noſtrils being co⯑vered with a mealy red fleſhy membrane; the eyes are pale yellow; the upper parts of the body are of a blueiſh aſh colour, deepeſt on the upper part of the back, the lower part of which, the rump, and fore part of the neck and head, are of a pale aſh colour; the lower part of the neck and breaſt are of a vinous aſh colour; and the belly, thighs, and vent are of a dull white; on the hind part of the neck is a ſemicircular line of white—from [271] whence its name—above and beneath which, the feathers are gloſſy, and of a changeable hue in dif⯑ferent lights; the greater quills are duſky, and all of them, except the outermoſt, edged with white; from the point of the wing a white line extends downwards, paſſing above the baſtard wing; the tail is aſh colour, tipped with black; the legs are red, and partly covered with feathers; the claws are black.—Our figure was taken from ſpecimens ſent us by John Trevelyan, Eſq. and Mr Bailey of Chillingham.

The Ring Dove is very generally diffuſed throughout Europe: It is ſaid to be migratory, but that it does not leave us entirely we are well convinced, as we have frequently ſeen them du⯑ring the winter on the banks of the Tyne, where they conſtantly breed: The neſt is compoſed of ſmall twigs, ſo looſely put together, that the eggs may be ſeen through it from below. The female lays two eggs, and is generally ſuppoſed to have two broods in the year: They feed on wild fruits, herbs, and grain of all kinds; they will likewiſe eat turnips, which give their fleſh an unpleaſant flavour. The Ring Dove has a louder and more plaintive ſort of cooing than the common Pigeon, but is not heard except in pairing time, or during fine weather; when it rains, or in the gloom of winter, it is generally ſilent. Their fleſh is excel⯑lent, eſpecially when young.

THE TURTLE DOVE. (Columba turtur, Lin.—La Tourterelle, Buff.)

LENGTH ſomewhat more than twelve inches: The bill is brown; eyes yellow, encompaſſed with a crimſon circle; the top of the head is aſh colour, mixed with olive; each ſide of the neck is marked with a ſpot of black feathers, tipped with white; the back is aſh colour, each feather margined with reddiſh brown; wing coverts and ſcapulars reddiſh brown, ſpotted with black; quill feathers duſky, with pale edges; the fore part of the neck and breaſt are of a light purpliſh red; the belly, thighs, and vent white; the two middle feathers of the tail are brown, the others duſky, tipped with white, the two outermoſt edged and tipped with [273] white; the legs are red.—One of theſe birds, which was ſent us by the Rev. Henry Ridley, was ſhot out of a flock at Preſtwick-Carr, in Northumber⯑land, in the month of September, 1794: It agreed in every reſpect with the common Turtle, except⯑ing the mark on each ſide of the neck, which was wholly wanting. We ſuppoſe it to have been a young bird. The note of the Turtle Dove is ſin⯑gularly tender and plaintive: In addreſſing his mate the male makes uſe of a variety of winning attitudes, cooing at the ſame time in the moſt gen⯑tle and ſoothing accents; on this account the Tur⯑tle Dove has been repreſented, in all ages, as the moſt perfect emblem of connubial attachment and conſtancy. The Turtle arrives late in the ſpring, and departs about the latter end of Auguſt: It fre⯑quents the thickeſt and moſt ſheltered parts of the woods, where it builds its neſt on the higheſt trees: The female lays two eggs, and has only one brood in this country, but in warmer climates it is ſup⯑poſed to breed ſeveral times in the year. Turtles are pretty common in Kent, where they are ſome⯑times ſeen in flocks of twenty or more, frequent⯑ing the pea fields, and are ſaid to do much damage. Their ſtay with us ſeldom exceeds more than four or five months, during which time they pair, build their neſts, breed and rear their young, which are ſtrong enough to join them in their retreat.

THE DOMESTIC COCK. (Phaſianus Gallus, Lin.—Le Coq, Buff.)

THE Cock, like the Dog, in his preſent ſtate of domeſtication differs ſo widely from his wild origi⯑nal, as to render it a difficult matter to trace him back to his primitive ſtock; however it is general⯑ly agreed that he is to be found in a ſtate of nature in the foreſts of India, and in moſt of the iſlands of the Indian ſeas. The varieties of this ſpecies are [277] endleſs, every country, and almoſt every diſtrict of each country producing a different kind. From Aſia, where they are ſuppoſed to have originated, they have been diffuſed over every part of the in⯑habited world. America was the laſt to receive them. It has been ſaid that they were firſt intro⯑duced into Brazil by the Spaniards; they are now as common in all the inhabited parts of that vaſt continent as with us. Of thoſe which have been ſelected for domeſtic purpoſes in this country, the principal are,

1. The Creſted Cock, of which there are ſeve⯑ral varieties, ſuch as the white-creſted black ones; the black-creſted white ones; the gold and ſilver ones, &c.

2. The Hamburgh Cock, named alſo Velvet Breeches, becauſe its thighs and belly are of a ſoft black.^* This is a very large kind, and much uſed for the table.

3. The Bantam, or Dwarf Cock, a diminutive but very ſpirited breed: Its legs are furniſhed with long feathers, which reach to the ground behind; it is very courageous, and will fight with one much ſtronger than itſelf.

4. The Frizzled Cock. The feathers in this are ſo curled up that they ſeem reverſed, and to ſtand in oppoſite directions: They are originally [278] from the ſouthern parts of Aſia, and when young are extremely ſenſible of cold: They have a diſor⯑dered and unpleaſant appearance, but are in much eſteem for the table.

We ſhall finiſh our liſt with the Engliſh Game-Cock, which ſtands unrivalled by thoſe of any other nation for its invincible courage, and on that account is made uſe of as the inſtrument of the cruel ſport of cock-fighting. To trace this cuſtom to its origin we muſt look back into barbarous times, and lament that it ſtill continues the diſ⯑grace of an enlightened and philoſophic age. The Athenians allotted one day in the year to cock-fighting; the Romans are ſaid to have learned it from them; and by that warlike people it was firſt introduced into this iſland. Henry VIII. was ſo attached to the ſport, that he cauſed a commodious houſe to be erected for that purpoſe, which, though it is now applied to a very different uſe, ſtill re⯑tains the name of the Cock-pit. The Chineſe and many of the nations of India are ſo extravagantly fond of this unmanly ſport, that, during the par⯑oxyſms of their phrenzy, they will ſometimes riſk not only the whole of their property, but their wives and children on the iſſue of a battle.

The appearance of the Game-cock, when in his full plumage, and not mutilated for the purpoſe of fighting, is ſtrikingly beautiful and animated: His head, which is ſmall, is adorned with a beautiful red comb and wattles; his eyes ſparkle with fire, [279] and his whole demeanour beſpeaks boldneſs and freedom; the feathers on his neck are long, and fall gracefully down upon his body, which is thick, firm, and compact; his tail is long, and forms a beautiful arch behind, which gives a grace to all his motions; his legs are ſtrong, and are armed with ſharp ſpurs, with which he defends himſelf and at⯑tacks his adverſary. When ſurrounded by his fe⯑males, his whole aſpect is full of animation; he al⯑lows of no competitor, but on the approach of a rival he ruſhes forward to inſtant combat, and either drives him from the field, or periſhes in the attempt. The Cock is very attentive to his fe⯑males, hardly ever loſing ſight of them; he leads, defends, and cheriſhes them, collects them toge⯑ther when they ſtraggle, and ſeems to eat unwil⯑lingly till he ſees them feeding around him; when he loſes them he utters his griefs, and from the different inflexions of his voice, and the various ſignificant geſtures which he makes, one would be led to conclude that it is a ſpecies of language which ſerves to communicate his ſentiments. The fecundity of the hen is great; ſhe lays generally two eggs in three days, and continues to lay through the greateſt part of the year, except during the time of moulting, which laſts about two months. After having laid about twenty-five or thirty eggs, ſhe prepares for the painful talk of incubation, and gives the moſt certain indications of her wants by [280] her cries and the violence of her emotions. If ſhe ſhould be deprived of her own eggs, which is fre⯑quently the caſe, ſhe will cover thoſe of any other kind, or even fictitious ones of ſtone or chalk, by which means ſhe waſtes herſelf in fruitleſs efforts. A ſitting hen is a lively emblem of the moſt af⯑fectionate ſolicitude and attention; ſhe covers her eggs with her wings, foſters them with a genial warmth, changing them gently, that all parts may be properly heated; ſhe ſeems to perceive the im⯑portance of her employment, and is ſo intent in her occupation, that ſhe neglects, in ſome meaſure, the neceſſary ſupplies of food and drink; ſhe omits no care, overlooks no precaution, to complete the ex⯑iſtence of the little incipient beings, and to guard againſt the dangers that threaten them. Buffon, with his uſual elegance, obſerves, "that the con⯑dition of a ſitting hen, however inſipid it may ap⯑pear to us, is perhaps not a tedious ſituation, but a ſtate of continual joy; ſo much has Nature con⯑nected raptures with whatever relates to the mul⯑tiplication of her creatures!"

For a curious account of the progreſs of incuba⯑tion, in the developement of the chick, we refer our readers to the above-mentioned author, who has given a minute detail of the ſeveral appearan⯑ces which take place, at different ſtated periods, till the young chick is ready to break the ſhell and come forth. In former times the Egyptians, and in later days philoſophers, have ſucceeded in hatch⯑ing [281] eggs without the aſſiſtance of the hen, and that in great numbers at once, by means of artificial heat, correſponding with the warmth of the hen: The eggs are placed in ovens, to which an equal and moderate degree of heat is applied, and every kind of moiſture or pernicious exhalation careful⯑ly avoided—by which means, and by turning the eggs ſo that every part may enjoy alike the requi⯑ſite heat, hundreds may be produced at the ſame time.

THE PHEASANT. (Phaſianus Colchicus, Lin.—Le Faiſan, Buff.)

IS of the ſize of the common Cock: The bill is of a pale horn colour; the noſtrils are hid under an arched covering; the eyes are yellow, and are ſur⯑rounded by a naked warty ſkin, of a beautiful ſcar⯑let, finely ſpotted with black; immediately under each eye there is a ſmall patch of ſhort feathers, [283] of a dark gloſſy purple; the upper parts of the head and neck are of a deep purple, varying to gloſſy green and blue; the lower parts of the neck and breaſt are of a reddiſh cheſtnut, with black indented edges; the ſides and lower part of the breaſt are of the ſame colour, with pretty large tips of black to each feather, which in different lights vary to a gloſſy purple; the belly and vent are duſky; the back and ſcapulars are beautifully variegated with black and white, or cream colour ſpeckled with black, and mixed with deep orange, all the feathers being edged with black; on the lower part of the back there is a mixture of green; the quills are duſky, freckled with white; wing co⯑verts brown, gloſſed with green, and edged with white; rump plain reddiſh brown; the two middle feathers of the tail are about twenty inches long, the ſhorteſt on each ſide leſs than five, of a red⯑diſh brown colour, marked with tranſverſe bars of black; the legs are duſky, with a ſhort blunt ſpur on each; between the toes there is a ſtrong mem⯑brane.

The female is leſs, and does not exhibit that va⯑riety and brilliancy of colours which diſtinguiſh the male: The general colours are light and dark brown, mixed with black; the breaſt and belly finely freckled with ſmall black ſpots on a light ground; the tail is ſhort, and barred ſomewhat like the male; the ſpace round the eye is covered with feathers.

[284]The Ring Pheaſant is a fine variety of this breed; its only difference conſiſts in a white ring, which encircles the lower part of the neck; the colours of the plumage in general are likewiſe more diſtinct and vivid. A fine ſpecimen of this bird was ſent us by the Rev. Wm Turner, of Newcaſ⯑tle, from which our figure was engraven. They are ſometimes met with in the neighbourhood of Alnwick, whither they were brought by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland. That they inter⯑mix with the common breed is very obvious, as in thoſe we have ſeen the ring has been more or leſs diſtinct; in ſome hardly viſible, and in others a few feathers only, marked with white, appear on each ſide of the neck, forming a white ſpot. It is much to be regretted that this beautiful breed is likely ſoon to be deſtroyed by thoſe who purſue every ſpecies of game with an avaricious and indiſcrimi⯑nating rapacity.

There are great varieties of Pheaſants, of extra⯑ordinary beauty and brilliancy of colours; many of theſe, brought from the rich provinces of China, are kept in aviaries in this kingdom; the Common Pheaſant is likewiſe a native of the eaſt, and is the only one of its kind that has multiplied in our iſland. Pheaſants are generally found in low woody places, on the borders of plains, where they delight to ſport; during the night they perch on the branches of trees: They are very ſhy birds, and do not aſſociate together, except during the months [285] of March and April, when the male ſeeks the fe⯑male; they are then eaſily diſcoverable by the noiſe which they make in crowing and clapping their wings, which may be heard at ſome diſtance. The hen breeds on the ground like the Partridge, and lays from twelve to fifteen eggs, which are ſmaller than thoſe of the Common Hen; the young follow the mother as ſoon as ever they are freed from the ſhell. During the breeding ſeaſon the cocks will ſometimes intermix with the Com⯑mon Hen, and produce a hybrid breed, of which we have known ſeveral inſtances.

THE TURKEY. (Meleagris Gallopavo, Lin.—Le Dindon, Buff.)

IT ſeems to be generally allowed that this bird was originally brought from America, and in its wild ſtate is conſiderably larger than our domeſtic Turkies: Its general colour is black, variegated with bronze and bright gloſſy green, in ſome parts changing to purple; the quills are green gold, black towards the ends, and tipped with white; the tail conſiſts of eighteen feathers, of a brown co⯑lour, mottled and tipped with black; the tail co⯑verts are waved with black and white; on the [287] breaſt there is a tuft of black hairs, eight inches in length: In other reſpects it reſembles the domeſtic Turkey, in having a bare red carunculated head and neck, a fleſhy dilatable appendage hanging over the bill, and a ſhort blunt ſpur or knob at the back part of the leg.

Tame Turkies, like every other animal in a ſtate of domeſtication, are of various colours; of theſe the prevailing one is dark grey, inclining to black, with a little white towards the ends of the feathers: ſome are perfectly white; others black and white; there is alſo a beautiful variety of a fine deep copper colour, with the greater quills pure white; the tail of a dirty white: In all of them the tuft of black hair on the breaſt is prevalent. Tur⯑kies are bred in great numbers in Norfolk, Suffolk, and other counties, from whence they are driven to the London markets in flocks of ſeveral hundreds each. The drivers manage them with great faci⯑lity, by means of a bit of red rag tied to a long pole, which, from the antipathy theſe birds bear to that colour, acts as a ſcourge, and effectually an⯑ſwers the purpoſe. The motions of the Turkey, when agitated with deſire or inflamed with rage, are very ſimilar to thoſe of the Peacock; it erects its train, and ſpreads it like a fan, whilſt its wings droop and trail on the ground, uttering at the ſame time a dull hollow ſound; it ſtruts round and round with ſolemn pace, aſſumes all the dignity of the moſt majeſtic of birds, and thus expreſſes its attach⯑ment [288] to its females, or its reſentment to thoſe ob⯑jects which have excited its indignation. The Hen Turkey begins to lay early in the ſpring; ſhe is very attentive to the buſineſs of incubation, and will produce fifteen or ſixteen chicks at one time, but ſeldom has more than one hatch in a ſeaſon in this climate. Young Turkies, after their extrication from the ſhell, are very tender, and require great attention in rearing them; they are ſubject to a variety of diſeaſes from cold, rain, and dews; even the ſun itſelf, when they are expoſed to its more powerful rays, is ſaid to occaſion almoſt immediate death. As ſoon as they are ſufficiently ſtrong, they are abandoned by the mother, and are then capable of enduring the utmoſt rigour of our win⯑ters.

THE PEACOCK. (Pavo criſtatus Lin.—Le Paon, Buff.)

TO deſcribe the inimitable beauties of this ele⯑gant bird, in adequate terms would be a taſk of no [290] ſmall difficulty. "Its matchleſs plumage," ſays Buffon, "ſeems to combine all that delights the eye in the ſoft and delicate tints of the fineſt flow⯑ers; all that dazzles it in the ſparkling luſtre of the gems; and all that aſtoniſhes it in the grand diſplay of the rainbow." Its head is adorned with a tuft, conſiſting of twenty-four feathers, whoſe ſlender ſhafts are furniſhed with webs only at the ends, painted with the moſt exquiſite green, mixed with gold; the head, throat, neck, and breaſt, are of a deep blue, gloſſed with green and gold; the back the ſame, tinged with bronze; the ſcapulars and leſſer wing coverts are of a reddiſh cream co⯑lour, variegated with black; the middle coverts deep blue, gloſſed with green and gold; the great⯑er coverts and baſtard wing are of a reddiſh brown, as are alſo the quills, ſome of which are variegated with black and green; the belly and vent are black, with a greeniſh hue: But the diſtinguiſhing cha⯑racter of this ſingular bird is its train, which riſes juſt above the tail, and, when erected, forms a fan of the moſt reſplendent hues; the two middle fea⯑thers are ſometimes four feet and a half long, the others gradually diminiſhing on each ſide; the ſhafts, which are white, are furniſhed from their origin nearly to the end with parted filaments of varying colours, ending in a flat vane, which is decorated with what is called the eye. "This is a brilliant ſpot, enamelled with the moſt enchant⯑ing colours; yellow, gilded with various ſhades; [291] green, running into blue and bright violet, vary⯑ing according to its different poſitions; the whole receiving additional luſtre from the colour of the centre, which is a fine velvet black." When pleaſed or delighted, and in ſight of his females, the Peacock erects his tail, and diſplays all the majeſty of its beauty; all his movements are full of dignity; his head and neck bend nobly back; his pace is ſlow and ſolemn, and he frequently turns ſlowly and gracefully round, as if to catch the ſun-beams in every direction, and produce new colours of inconceiveable richneſs and beauty, ac⯑companied at the ſame time with a hollow mur⯑muring voice expreſſive of deſire.

The Peahen is ſomewhat leſs than the cock, and though furniſhed both with a train and creſt, they are deſtitute of thoſe dazzling beauties which diſ⯑tinguiſh the male: She lays five or ſix eggs, of a whitiſh colour: For this purpoſe ſhe chuſes ſome ſecret ſpot, where ſhe can conceal them from the male, who is apt to break them; ſhe ſits from twenty-five to thirty days, according to the tem⯑perature of the climate, and the warmth of the ſea⯑ſon. Peacocks have been originally brought from the diſtant provinces of India, and from thence have been diffuſed over every part of the world. —The firſt notice that has been taken of them is to be found in holy writ,^* where we are told, [292] they made part of the cargoes of the rich and va⯑luable fleet which every three years imported the treaſures of the Eaſt to Solomon's court. They are ſometimes found in a wild ſtate in many parts of Aſia and Africa: The largeſt and fineſt are ſaid to be met with in the neighbourhood of the Ganges, and on the fertile plains of India, where they grow to a great ſize; under the influ⯑ence of that luxuriant climate this beautiful bird exhibits its dazzling colours, which ſeem to vie with the gems and precious ſtones produced in thoſe delightful regions. In colder climates they require great care in rearing, and do not obtain their full plumage till the third year. In former times they were conſidered as a delicacy, and made a part of the luxurious entertainment of the Ro⯑man voluptuaries.

White Peacocks are not uncommon in England, the eyes of the train not excepted, which are bare⯑ly viſible, and may be traced by a different undu⯑lation of ſhade upon the pure white of the tail. It is a very ſingular circumſtance, that the females of this ſpecies have been ſometimes known to aſſume the appearance of the male, by a total change of colour. This is ſaid to take place after ſhe has done laying. A bird of this kind is preſerved in the Leverian Muſeum.

THE PINTADO. GUINEA HEN, OR PEARLED HEN. (Numidia Meleagris, Lin.—La Pintade, Buff.)

THIS bird is ſomewhat larger than the common Hen: Its head is bare of feathers, and covered with a naked ſkin, of a blueiſh colour; on the top is a callous protuberance, of a conical form; at the baſe of the upper bill, on each ſide, there hangs a looſe wattle, which in the female is red, and in the male of a blueiſh colour; the upper part of the neck is almoſt naked, being very thinly furniſhed with a few ſtraggling hairy feathers; the ſkin is of a light aſh colour; the lower part of the neck is covered with feathers of a purple hue; the ge⯑neral colour of the plumage is a dark blueiſh grey, [294] ſprinkled with round white ſpots of different ſizes, reſembling pearls—hence it has been called the Pearled Hen; its wings are ſhort, and its tail pen⯑dulous, like that of the Partridge; its legs are of a dark colour.

This ſpecies, which is now very common in this country, was originally brought from Africa, from whence it has been diffuſed over every part of Eu⯑rope, the Weſt Indies, and America: It formed a part of the Roman banquets, and is now much eſteemed as a delicacy, eſpecially the young birds. The female lays a great number of eggs, which ſhe frequently ſecretes till ſhe has produced her young brood: The egg is ſmaller than that of a common Hen, and of a rounder ſhape; it is very delicious eating. The Pintado is a reſtleſs and very clamorous bird; it has a harſh, creaking note, which is very grating and unpleaſant; it ſcrapes the ground like the Hen, and rolls in the duſt to free itſelf from inſects; during the night it perches on high places; if diſturbed, it alarms every thing within hearing by its unceaſing cry. In its natural ſtate of freedom it is ſaid to prefer marſhy places.

THE WOOD GROUSE. COCK OF THE WOOD, OR CAPERCAILE. (Tetrao urogallus, Lin.—Le grand Coq de Bruyere, Buff.)

THIS bird is as large as a Turkey, is about two feet nine inches in length, and weighs from twelve to fifteen pounds: The bill is very ſtrong, convex, and of a horn colour; over each eye there is a naked ſkin, of a bright red colour; the eyes are [296] hazel; the noſtrils are ſmall, and almoſt hid under a covering of ſhort feathers, which extend under the throat, and are there much longer than the reſt, and of a black colour; the head and neck are ele⯑gantly marked with ſmall tranſverſe lines of black and grey, as are alſo the back and wings, but more irregularly; the breaſt is black, richly gloſ⯑ſed with green on the upper part, and mixed with a few white feathers on the belly and thighs; the ſides are marked like the neck; the tail conſiſts of eighteen feathers, which are black, thoſe on the ſides being marked with a few white ſpots; the legs are very ſtout, and covered with brown fea⯑thers; the toes are furniſhed on each ſide with a ſtrong pectinated membrane. The female is con⯑ſiderably leſs than the male, and differs greatly in her colours: The throat is red; the tranſverſe bars on the head, neck, and back are red and black; the breaſt is of a pale orange colour; bel⯑ly barred with orange and black, the top of each feather being white; the back and wings are mot⯑tled with reddiſh brown and black, the ſcapulars tipped with white; the tail is of a deep ruſt co⯑lour, barred with black, and tipped with white.

This beautiful kind is found chiefly in high mountainous regions, and is very rare in Great Britain. Mr Pennant mentions one, which was ſhot near Inverneſs, as an uncommon inſtance. It was formerly met with in Ireland, but is now ſup⯑poſed to be extinct there. In Ruſſia, Sweden, and [297] other northern countries, it is very common: It lives in the foreſts of pine, with which thoſe coun⯑tries abound, and feeds on the cones of the fir trees, which, at ſome ſeaſons, give an unpleaſant flavour to its fleſh, ſo as to render it unfit for the table; it likewiſe eats various kinds of plants and berries, particularly the juniper. Early in the ſpring the ſeaſon of pairing commences: During this period, the cock places himſelf on an emi⯑nence, where he diſplays a variety of pleaſing atti⯑tudes; the feathers on his head ſtand erect, his neck ſwells, his tail is diſplayed, and his wings trail al⯑moſt on the ground, his eyes ſparkle, and the ſcar⯑let patch on each ſide of his head aſſumes a deeper dye; at the ſame time he utters his well-known cry, which has been compared to the ſound produ⯑ced by the whetting of a ſcythe; it may be heard at a conſiderable diſtance, and never fails to draw around him his faithful mates. The female lays from eight to ſixteen eggs, which are white, ſpot⯑ted with yellow, and larger than thoſe of the com⯑mon Hen; for this purpoſe ſhe chuſes ſome ſecret ſpot, where ſhe can ſit in ſecurity; ſhe covers her eggs carefully over with leaves, when ſhe is under the neceſſity of leaving them in ſearch of food. The young follow the hen as ſoon as they are hatched, ſometimes with part of the ſhell attached to them.

THE BLACK GROUSE. BLACK GAME, OR BLACK COCK. (Tetrao Tetrix, Lin.—Le Coq de Bruyere a queue four⯑chue, Buff.)

THIS bird, though not larger than a fowl, weighs near four pounds; its length is about one foot ten inches; breadth two feet nine: The bill is black; the eyes dark blue; below each eye there is a ſpot of a dirty white colour, and above a larger one, of a bright ſcarlet, which extends al⯑moſt to the top of the head; the general colour of the plumage is of a deep black, richly gloſſed with blue on the neck and rump; the leſſer wing co⯑verts are duſky brown; the greater are white, [299] which extends to the ridge of the wing, forming a ſpot of that colour on the ſhoulder when the wing is cloſed; the quills are brown, the lower parts and tips of the ſecondaries are white, forming a bar of white acroſs the wing—there is likewiſe a ſpot of white on the baſtard wing; the feathers of the tail are almoſt ſquare at the ends, and when ſpread out, form a curve on each ſide; the under tail coverts are of a pure white; the legs and thighs are of a dark brown colour, mottled with white; the toes are toothed on the edges like the former ſpecies. In ſome of our ſpecimens the noſ⯑trils were thickly covered with feathers, whilſt in others they were quite bare, which we ſuppoſe muſt be owing to the different ages of the birds.

Theſe birds, like the former, are found chiefly in high and wooded ſituations in the northern parts of our iſland; they are common in Ruſſia, Siberia, and other northern countries: They feed on va⯑rious kinds of berries and other fruits, the produce of wild and mountainous places; in ſummer they will frequently come down from their lofty ſitua⯑tions for the ſake of feeding on corn. They do not pair, but on the return of ſpring the males aſ⯑ſemble in great numbers at their accuſtomed re⯑ſorts, on the tops of high and heathy mountains, when the conteſt for ſuperiority takes place, and continues with great bitterneſs till the vanquiſhed are put to flight; the victors being left in poſſeſſion of the field, place themſelves on an eminence, clap [300] their wings, and with loud cries give notice to their females, who immediately reſort to the ſpot. It is ſaid that each cock has two or three hens, which ſeem particularly attached to him. The fe⯑male is about one-third leſs than the male, and dif⯑fers conſiderably in colour; her tail is likewiſe much leſs forked: She makes an artleſs neſt on the ground, where ſhe lays ſix or eight eggs, of a yellowiſh colour, with freckles and ſpots of a ruſty brown: The young males at firſt reſemble the mother; they do not acquire their full plumage till toward the end of autumn, when it gradually changes to a deeper colour, and aſſumes that of a blueiſh black, which it afterwards retains.

RED GROUSE. RED GAME, GORCOCK, OR MOORCOCK. (Tetrao Scoticus, Lin.—L'Attagas, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is fifteen inches; the weight about nineteen ounces: The bill is black; the eyes hazel; the noſtrils ſhaded with ſmall red and black feathers; at the baſe of the lower bill there is a white ſpot on each ſide; the throat is red; each eye is arched with a large naked ſpot, of a bright ſcarlet colour; the whole upper part of the body is beautifully mottled with deep red and black, which gives it the appearance of tortoiſe⯑ſhell; the breaſt and belly are of a purpleiſh hue, croſſed with ſmall duſky lines; the tail conſiſts of ſixteen feathers, of equal lengths, the four middle-moſt [302] barred with red, the others black; the quills are duſky; the legs are clothed with ſoft white fea⯑thers down to the claws, which are ſtrong, and of a light colour. The female is ſomewhat leſs; the naked ſkin above each eye is not ſo conſpicuous, and the colours of its plumage in general much lighter than thoſe of the male.

This bird is found in great plenty in the wild, heathy, and mountainous tracts in the northern counties of England; it is likewiſe common in Wales, and in the highlands of Scotland. Mr Pennant ſuppoſes it to be peculiar to Britain; thoſe found in the mountainous parts of France, Spain, Italy, and elſewhere, as mentioned by M. Buffon, are probably varieties of this kind, and we have no doubt would breed with it. We could wiſh that attempts were more frequently made to introduce a greater variety of theſe uſeful birds in⯑to this country, to ſtock our waſte and barren moors with a rich fund of delicate and wholeſome food; but, till a wiſe and enlightened legiſlature ſhall alter or abrogate our very unequal and inju⯑dicious game laws, there hardly remains a ſingle hope for the preſervation of thoſe we have. Red Grouſe pair in the ſpring; the female lays eight or ten eggs, on the ground: The young ones follow the hen the whole ſummer; as ſoon as they have attained their full ſize, they unite in flocks of forty or fifty, and are then exceedingly ſhy and wild.

WHITE GROUSE. WHITE GAME, OR PTARMIGAN. (Tetrao lagopus, Lin.—Le Lagopède, Buff.)

THIS bird is nearly the ſame ſize as the Red Grouſe: Its bill is black; the upper parts of its body are of a pale brown or aſh colour, mottled with ſmall duſky ſpots and bars; the bars on the head and neck are ſomewhat broader, and are mix⯑ed with white; the under parts are white, as are alſo the wings, excepting the ſhafts of the quills, which are black. This is its ſummer dreſs; in winter it changes to a pure white, except that in the male there is a black line between the bill and the eye; the tail conſiſts of ſixteen feathers; the two middle ones are aſh-coloured in ſummer, and [304] white in winter, the two next ſlightly marked with white near the ends, the reſt are wholly black; the upper tail coverts are long, and almoſt cover the tail.

The White Grouſe is fond of lofty ſituations, where it braves the ſevereſt cold: It is found in moſt of the northern parts of Europe, even as far as Greenland; in this country it is only to be met with on the ſummits of ſome of our higheſt hills, chiefly in the highlands of Scotland, in the Heb⯑rides and Orkneys, and ſometimes, but rarely, on the lofty hills of Cumberland and Wales. Buffon, ſpeaking of this bird, ſays, that it avoids the ſolar heat, and prefers the biting froſts on the tops of mountains; for, as the ſnow melts on the ſides of the mountains, it conſtantly aſcends, till it gains the ſummit, where it forms holes, and burrows in the ſnow. They pair at the ſame time with the Grouſe; the female lays eight or ten eggs, which are white, ſpotted with brown; ſhe makes no neſt, but depoſits them on the ground. In winter they fly in flocks, and are ſo little accuſtomed to the ſight of man, that they ſuffer themſelves to be ea⯑ſily taken either with the ſnare or gun. They feed on the wild productions of the hills, which ſome⯑times give the fleſh a bitter taſte, but not unpalate⯑able; it is dark coloured, and according to M. Buffon has ſomewhat the flavour of hare.

THE PARTRIDGE. (Tetrao perdix, Lin.—Le perdrix Griſe, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about thirteen inches: The bill is light brown; eyes hazel; the general colour of its plumage is brown and aſh, elegantly mixed with black, each feather being ſtreaked down the middle with buff colour; the ſides of the head are tawny; under each eye there is a ſmall ſaffron-coloured ſpot, which has a granulated ap⯑pearance, and between the eye and the ear a naked ſkin of a bright ſcarlet, which is not very conſpi⯑cuous but in old birds; on the breaſt there is a creſcent of a deep cheſtnut colour; the tail is ſhort; the legs are of a greeniſh white, and are furniſhed with a ſmall knob behind: The female [306] wants the creſcent on the breaſt, and its colours in general are not ſo diſtinct and bright.

Partridges are chiefly found in temperate cli⯑mates, the extremes of heat and cold being equally unfavourable to them: They are no where in greater plenty than in this iſland, where, in their ſeaſon, they contribute to our moſt elegant enter⯑tainments. It is much to be lamented, however, that the means taken to preſerve this valuable bird ſhould, in a variety of inſtances, prove its deſtruc⯑tion; the proper guardians of the young ones and eggs, tied down by ungenerous reſtrictions, are led to conſider them as a growing evil, and not only connive at their deſtruction, but too frequently aſ⯑ſiſt in it. Partridges pair early in the ſpring; the female lays from fourteen to eighteen or twenty eggs, making her neſt of dry leaves and graſs upon the ground: The young birds learn to run as ſoon as hatched, frequently encumbered with part of the ſhell ſticking to them. It is no uncommon thing to introduce Partridge eggs under the common Hen, who hatches and rears them as her own: In this caſe the young birds require to be fed with ants' eggs, which is their favourite food, and with⯑out which it is almoſt impoſſible to bring them up; they likewiſe eat inſects, and, when full grown, feed on all kinds of grain and young plants. The af⯑fection of the Partridge for her young is peculiarly ſtrong and lively; ſhe is greatly aſſiſted in the care of rearing them by her mate; they lead them out [307] in common, call them together, point out to them their proper food, and aſſiſt them in finding it by ſcratching the ground with their feet; they fre⯑quently ſit cloſe by each other, covering the chick⯑ens with their wings, like the Hen: In this ſitua⯑tion they are not eaſily fluſhed; the ſportſman, who is attentive to the preſervation of his game, will carefully avoid giving any diſturbance to a ſcene ſo truly intereſting; but ſhould the pointer come too near, or unfortunately run in upon them, there are few who are ignorant of the confu⯑ſion that follows: The male firſt gives the ſignal of alarm by a peculiar cry of diſtreſs, throwing himſelf at the ſame moment more immediately in⯑to the way of danger, in order to deceive or miſ⯑lead the enemy; he flies, or rather runs along the ground, hanging his wings, and exhibiting every ſymptom of debility, whereby the dog is decoyed, by a too eager expectation of an eaſy prey, to a diſtance from the covey; the female flies off in a contrary direction, and to a greater diſtance, but returning ſoon after by ſecret ways, ſhe finds her ſcattered brood cloſely ſquatted among the graſs, and collecting them with haſte, ſhe leads them from the danger, before the dog has had time to return from his purſuit.

THE QUAIL. (Tetrao coturnix, Lin.—La Caille, Buff.)

THE length ſeven inches and a half: Bill duſ⯑ky; eyes hazel; the colours of the head, neck, and back are a mixture of brown, aſh colour, and black; over each eye there is a yellowiſh ſtreak, and another of the ſame colour down the middle of the forehead; a dark line paſſes from each corner of the bill, forming a kind of gorget above the breaſt; the ſcapular feathers are marked by a light yellowiſh ſtreak down the middle of each; the quills are of a lightiſh brown, with ſmall ruſt co⯑loured bands on the exterior edges of the feathers; the breaſt is of a pale ruſt colour, ſpotted with black, and ſtreaked with pale yellow; the tail con⯑ſiſts of twelve feathers, barred like the wings; the belly and thighs are of a yellowiſh white; legs pale brown. We were favoured with a very fine [309] ſpecimen of this beautiful bird alive by Mr Gil⯑frid Ward, and one ſhot by the Rev. Mr Brockle⯑bank of Corbridge, from which our repreſentation was made. The female wants the black ſpots on the breaſt, and is eaſily diſtinguiſhed by a leſs vivid plumage.

Quails are almoſt univerſally diffuſed through⯑out Europe, Aſia, and Africa; they are birds of paſſage, and are ſeen in immenſe flocks traverſing the Mediterranean ſea from Italy to the ſhores of Africa in the autumn, and returning again in the ſpring, frequently alighting in their paſſage on ma⯑ny of the iſlands of the Archipelago, which they almoſt cover with their numbers. On the weſ⯑tern coaſts of the kingdom of Naples ſuch prodi⯑gious quantities have appeared, that an hundred thouſand have been taken in a day within the ſpace of four or five miles. From theſe circum⯑ſtances it appears highly probable, that the Quails which ſupplied the Iſraelites with food, during their journey through the wilderneſs, were ſent thither on their paſſage to the north by a wind from the ſouth-weſt, ſweeping over Egypt and Ethiopia to⯑wards the ſhores of the Red ſea. Quails are not very numerous in this iſland; they breed with us, and many of them remain throughout the year, changing their quarters from the interior counties to the ſea coaſt. The female makes her neſt like the Partridge, and lays to the number of ſix or [310] ſeven^* eggs, of a greyiſh colour, ſpeckled with brown: The young birds follow the mother as ſoon as hatched, but, do not continue long toge⯑ther; they are ſcarcely grown up before they ſe⯑parate; or, if kept together, they fight obſtinately with each other, their quarrels frequently termina⯑ting in each other's deſtruction. From this quar⯑relſome diſpoſition in the Quail it was, that they were formerly made uſe of by the Greeks and Ro⯑mans, as we do Game-cocks, for the purpoſe of fighting. We are told that Auguſtus puniſhed a prefect of Egypt with death, for bringing to his ta⯑ble one of theſe birds which had acquired celebrity by its victories. At this time the Chineſe are much addicted to the amuſement of fighting Quails, and in ſome parts of Italy it is ſaid likewiſe to be no unuſual practice. After feeding two Quails very highly, they place them oppoſite to each other, and throw in a few grains of ſeed between them—the birds ruſh upon each other with the utmoſt fury, ſtriking with their bills and ſpurs till one of them yields.

THE CORN-CRAKE. LAND RAIL, OR DAKER HEN. (Rallus-Crex, Lin.—Le Rale de genet, Buff.)

LENGTH rather more than nine inches: The bill is light brown; the eyes hazel; all the fea⯑thers on the upper parts of the plumage are of a dark brown, edged with pale ruſt colour; both wing coverts and quills are of a deep cheſtnut; the fore part of the neck and breaſt is of a pale aſh colour; a ſtreak of the ſame colour extends over each eye from the bill to the ſide of the neck; the belly is of a yellowiſh white; the ſides, thighs, and vent are faintly marked with ruſty coloured ſtreaks; the legs are of a pale fleſh colour.

We have ventured to remove this bird from the uſual place aſſigned to it among thoſe to which it ſeems to have little or no analogy, and have placed [312] it among others, to which, in moſt reſpects, it bears a ſtrong affinity. It makes its appearance about the ſame time with the Quail, and frequents the ſame places, from whence it is called, in ſome countries, the king of the Quails. Its well-known cry is firſt heard as ſoon as the graſs becomes long enough to afford it ſhelter, and continues till the time it is cut, but is ſeldom ſeen; it conſtantly ſkulks among the thickeſt part of the herbage, and runs ſo nimbly through it, winding and doubling in every direction, that it is difficult to come near it; when hard puſhed by the dog, it ſometimes ſtops ſhort and ſquats down, by which means, its too eager purſuer overſhoots the ſpot, and loſes the trace. It ſeldom ſprings but when driven to ex⯑tremity, and generally flies with its legs hanging down, but never to a great diſtance: As ſoon as it alights it runs off, and before the fowler has reach⯑ed the ſpot, the bird is at a conſiderable diſtance. —The Corn-crake leaves this iſland in winter, and repairs to other countries in ſearch of food, which conſiſts of worms, ſlugs, and inſects; it likewiſe feeds on ſeeds of various kinds: It is ve⯑ry common in Ireland, and is ſeen in great num⯑bers in the iſland of Angleſea in its paſſage to that country. On its firſt arrival in England it is ſo lean as to weigh leſs than ſix ounces, from whence one would conclude that it muſt have come from diſtant parts; before its departure, however, it has been known to exceed eight ounces, and is then [313] very delicious eating. The female lays ten or twelve eggs, on a neſt made of a little moſs or dry graſs careleſsly put together; they are of a pale aſh colour, marked with ruſt-coloured ſpots. The young Crakes run as ſoon as they have burſt the ſhell, following the mother; they are covered with a black down, and ſoon find the uſe of their legs.— Our figure was made from the living bird ſent us by Lieut. H. F. Gibſon.

GREAT BUSTARD. (Otis tarda, Lin.—L'Outarde, Buff.)

THIS very ſingular bird, which is the largeſt of our land birds, is about four feet long, and weighs from twenty-five to thirty pounds; its characters [315] are peculiar, and with thoſe which connect it with birds of the gallinaceous kind, it has others which ſeem to belong to the Oſtrich and the Caſſowary: Its bill is ſtrong and rather convex; its eyes red; on each ſide of the lower bill there is a tuft of fea⯑thers about nine inches long; its head and neck are aſh-coloured. In the one deſcribed by Ed⯑wards, there were on each ſide of the neck two na⯑ked ſpots, of a violet colour, but which appeared to be covered with feathers when the neck was much extended. The back is barred tranſverſely with black and bright ruſt colour; the quills are black; the belly white; the tail conſiſts of twenty feathers —the middle ones are ruſt colour, barred with black; thoſe on each ſide are white, with a bar or two of black near the ends; the legs are long, na⯑ked above the knees, and duſky; it has no hind toe; its nails are ſhort, ſtrong, and convex both above and below; the bottom of the foot is fur⯑niſhed with a callous prominence, which ſerves in⯑ſtead of a heel.—The female is not much more than half the ſize of the male: The top of her head is of a deep orange, the reſt of the head brown; her colours are not ſo bright as thoſe of the male, and ſhe wants the tuft on each ſide of the head: There is likewiſe another very eſſential difference between the male and the female, the former being furniſhed with a ſac or pouch, which is ſituated in the ſore part of the neck, and is capable of contain⯑ing about two quarts; the entrance to it is im⯑mediately [316] under the tongue.^* This ſingular reſer⯑voir was firſt diſcovered by Dr Douglas, who ſup⯑poſes that the bird fills it with water as a ſupply in the midſt of thoſe dreary plains where it is accuſ⯑tomed to wander; it likewiſe makes a further uſe of it in defending itſelf againſt the attack of birds of prey; on ſuch occaſions it throws out the water with ſuch violence, as not unfrequently to baffle the purſuit of its enemy.

Buſtards were formerly more frequent in this iſland than at preſent; they are now found only in the open countries of the South and Eaſt, in the plains of Wiltſhire, Dorſetſhire, and in ſome parts of Yorkſhire; they were formerly met with in Scotland, but are now ſuppoſed to be extinct there. They are ſlow in taking wing, but run with great rapidity, and when young are ſometimes taken with greyhounds, which purſue them with great avidity: The chace is ſaid to afford excellent di⯑verſion. The Great Buſtard is granivorous, feed⯑ing on herbs and grain of various kinds; it is alſo fond of thoſe worms which are ſeen to come out of the ground in great numbers before ſun-riſe in the ſummer; in winter it frequently feeds on the bark of trees: Like the Oſtrich, it ſwallows ſmall ſtones,^† [317] bits of metal, and the like. The female makes no neſt, but, making a hole on the ground, ſhe drops two eggs, about the ſize of thoſe of a Gooſe, of a pale olive brown, with dark ſpots: She ſome⯑times leaves her eggs in queſt of food; and if du⯑ring her abſence, any one ſhould handle, or even breathe upon them, ſhe immediately abandons her neſt. Buſtards are found in various parts of Eu⯑rope, Aſia, and Africa, but have not hitherto been diſcovered on the new continent.

LITTLE BUSTARD. (Otis Tetrax, Lin.—Le petite Outarde, Buff.)

LENGTH only ſeventeen inches: The bill is pale brown; eyes red; the top of the head is black, ſpotted with pale ruſt colour; the ſides of the head, chin, and throat, are of a reddiſh white, marked with a few dark ſpots; the whole neck is black, encircled with an irregular band of white near the top and bottom; the back and wings are ruſt co⯑lour, mottled with brown, and croſſed with fine ir⯑regular black lines; the under parts of the body, and outer edges of the wings are white; the tail conſiſts of eighteen feathers—the middle ones are [319] tawny, barred with black, the others are white, marked with a few irregular bands of black; the legs are gray. The female is ſmaller, and wants the black collar on its neck; in other reſpects ſhe nearly reſembles the male.

This bird is very uncommon in this country; we have ſeen only two of them, both of which were females: Our figure was taken from one ſent us by W. Trevelyan, Eſq. which was taken on the edge of Newmarket Heath, and kept alive a⯑bout three weeks, in a kitchen, where it was fed with bread, and other things, ſuch as poultry eat. Both this, and the Great Buſtard are excellent eat⯑ing, and, we would imagine, would well repay the trouble of domeſtication; indeed it ſeems ſurpri⯑ſing that we ſhould ſuffer theſe fine birds to run wild, and be in danger of total extinction, which, if properly cultivated, might afford as excellent a repaſt as our own domeſtic poultry, or even the Turkey, for which we are indebted to diſtant coun⯑tries: It is very common in France, where it is taken in nets like the Partridge: It is a very ſhy and cunning bird; if diſturbed, it flies two or three hundred paces, not far from the ground, and then runs away much faſter than any one can follow on foot. The female lays her eggs in June to the number of three or four, of a gloſſy green colour; as ſoon as the young are hatched, ſhe leads them about as the hen does her chickens; they begin to fly about the middle of Auguſt.

THE GREAT PLOVER. THICK-KNEE'D BUSTARD, STONE CURLEW, NORFOLK PLOVER. (Charadrius Oedicnemus, Lin.—Le grand Pluvier, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about ſixteen inches; Its bill is long, yellowiſh at the baſe, and black at the end; its eyes and eye-lids are pale yellow; a⯑bove each eye there is a pale ſtreak, and beneath one of the ſame colour extends to the bill; the throat is white; head, neck, and all the upper parts of the body are of a pale tawny brown, down the [322] middle of each feather there is a dark ſtreak; the fore part of the neck and breaſt are nearly the ſame, but much paler; the belly, thighs, and vent are of a pale yellowiſh white; the quills are black; the tail is ſhort and rounded—a dark band croſſes the middle of each feather, the tips are black, the reſt white; the legs are yellow, and naked above the knees, which are very thick, as if ſwelled— hence its name; the claws are black.

This bird is found in great plenty in Norfolk and ſeveral of the ſouthern counties, but is no where to be met with in the northern parts of our iſland; it prefers dry and ſtony places, on the ſides of ſloping banks: It makes no neſt; the female lays two or three eggs on the bare ground, ſhelter⯑ed by a ſtone, or in a ſmall hole formed in the ſand; they are of a dirty white, marked with ſpots of a deep reddiſh colour, mixed with ſlight ſtreaks. Although this bird has great power of wing, and flies with great ſtrength, it is ſeldom ſeen during the day, except ſurpriſed, when it ſprings to ſome diſtance, and generally eſcapes before the ſportſ⯑man comes within gun-ſhot; it likewiſe runs on the ground almoſt as ſwift as a dog; after running ſome time it ſtops ſhort, holding its head and body ſtill, and on the leaſt noiſe ſquats cloſe on the ground. In the evening it comes out in queſt of food, and may then be heard at a great diſtance; its cry is ſingular, reſembling a hoarſe kind of whiſtle three or four times repeated, and has been [323] compared to the turning of a ruſty handle. Buf⯑fon endeavours to expreſs it by the words turrlui, turrlui, and ſays, it reſembles the ſound of a third flute, dwelling on three or four tones from a flat to a ſharp. Its food conſiſts chiefly of worms. It is ſaid to be good eating when young; the fleſh of the old ones is hard, black, and dry. Mr White mentions them as frequenting the diſtrict of Sel⯑borne, in Hampſhire. He ſays, that the young run immediately from the neſt, almoſt as ſoon as they are excluded, like Partridges; that the dam leads them to ſome ſtony field, where they baſk, ſkulking among the ſtones, which they reſemble ſo nearly in colour, as not eaſily to be diſcovered. Birds of this kind are migratory; they arrive in April, live with us all the ſpring and ſummer, and at the beginning of autumn prepare to take leave by getting together in flocks; it is ſuppoſed that they retire to Spain, and frequent the ſheep-walks with which that country abounds.

THE PEE-WIT. LAPWING, BASTARD PLOVER, OR TE-WIT. (Fringilla vanellus, Lin.—Le Vanneau, Buff.)

THIS bird is about the ſize of a Pigeon: Its bill is black; eyes large and hazel; the top of the head is black, gloſſed with green; a tuft of long narrow feathers iſſues from the back part of the head, ſome of which are four inches in length, and turn upwards at the end; the ſides of the head and neck are white, which is interrupted by a blackiſh ſtreak above and below the eye; the back part of the neck is of a very pale brown; the fore part, as far as the breaſt, is black; the back and wing coverts [325] are of a dark green, gloſſed with purple and blue reflections; the quills are black, the four firſt tip⯑ped with white; the breaſt and belly are of a pure white; the upper tail coverts and vent pale cheſtnut; the tail is white at the baſe, the end is black, with pale tips, the outer feathers almoſt wholly white; the legs are red; claws black; hind claw very ſhort.

This bird is a conſtant inhabitant of this coun⯑try; but as it ſubſiſts chiefly on worms, it is forced to change its place in queſt of food, and is fre⯑quently ſeen in great numbers by the ſea-ſhores, where it finds an abundant ſupply. It is every where well known by its loud and inceſſant cries, which it repeats without intermiſſion, whilſt on the wing, and from whence, in moſt languages, a name has been given to it as imitative of the ſound.— The Pee-wit is a lively active bird, almoſt con⯑tinually in motion; it ſports and frolics in the air in all directions, and aſſumes a variety of atti⯑tudes; it remains long upon the wing, and ſome⯑times riſes to a conſiderable height; it runs along the ground very nimbly, and ſprings and bounds from ſpot to ſpot with great agility: The female lays four eggs, of a dirty olive, ſpotted with black; ſhe makes no neſt, but depoſits them upon a little dry graſs haſtily ſcraped together; the young birds run very ſoon after they are hatched;—during this period the old ones are very aſſiduous in their at⯑tention [326] to their charge; on the approach of any perſon to the place of their depoſit, they flutter round his head with cries of the greateſt inquietude, which increaſes as he draws nearer the ſpot where the brood are ſquatted; in caſe of extremity, and as a laſt reſource, they run along the ground as if lame, in order to draw off the attention of the fow⯑ler from any further purſuit. The young Lap⯑wings are firſt covered with a blackiſh down in⯑terſperſed with long white hairs, which they gra⯑dually loſe, and about the latter end of July they acquire their beautiful plumage. At this time, according to Buffon, the great aſſociation begins to take place, and they aſſemble in large flocks of young and old, which hover in the air, ſaunter in the meadows, and after rain they diſperſe among the ploughed fields. In the month of October the Lapwings are very fat, and are then ſaid to be ex⯑cellent eating: Their eggs are conſidered as a great delicacy, and are ſold in the London markets at three ſhillings a dozen.

The following anecdote, communicated to us by the Rev. J. Carlyle, is worthy of notice, as it ſhews the domeſtic nature of this bird, as well as the art with which it conciliates the regard of a⯑nimals differing from itſelf in nature, and general⯑ly conſidered as hoſtile to every ſpecies of the fea⯑thered tribes. Two of theſe birds, given to Mr Carlyle, were put into a garden, where one of them ſoon died; the other continued to pick up [327] ſuch food as the place afforded, till winter deprived it of its uſual ſupply; neceſſity ſoon compelled it to draw nearer the houſe, by which it gradually be⯑came familiariſed to occaſional interruptions from the family. At length, one of the ſervants, when ſhe had occaſion to go into the back-kitchen with a light, obſerved that the Lapwing always uttered his cry 'pee-wit' to obtain admittance. He ſoon grew more familiar; as the winter advanced, he approached as far as the kitchen, but with much caution, as that part of the houſe was generally oc⯑cupied by a dog and a cat, whoſe friendſhip the Lap⯑wing at length conciliated ſo entirely, that it was his regular cuſtom to reſort to the fireſide as ſoon as it grew dark, and ſpend the evening and night with his two aſſociates, ſitting cloſe by them, and partaking of the comforts of a warm fireſide. As ſoon as ſpring appeared, he left off coming to the houſe, and betook himſelf to the garden; but on the approach of winter, he had recourſe to his old ſhel⯑ter and his old friends, who received him very cor⯑dially. Security was productive of inſolence; what was at firſt obtained with caution, was after⯑wards taken without reſerve: He frequently amu⯑ſed himſelf with waſhing in the bowl which was ſet for the dog to drink out of, and while he was thus employed, he ſhewed marks of the greateſt indignation if either of his companions preſumed to interrupt him. He died in the aſylum he had [328] choſen, being choaked with ſomething which he picked up from the floor. During his confinement, crumbs of wheaten bread were his principal food, which he preferred to any thing elſe.

THE GOLDEN PLOVER. YELLOW PLOVER. (Charadrius Pluvialis, Lin.—Le Pluvier doré, Buff.)

THE ſize of the Turtle: Bill duſky; eyes dark; all the upper parts of the plumage are mark⯑ed with bright yellow ſpots upon a dark brown ground; the fore part of the neck and breaſt are the ſame, but much paler; the belly is almoſt white; the quills are duſky; the tail is marked with duſky and yellow bars; the legs are black.— Birds of this ſpecies vary much from each other; in ſome which we have had, the breaſt was marked with black and white; in others, it was almoſt black; but whether this difference aroſe from age or ſex, we are at a loſs to determine.

[330]The Golden Plover is common in this coun⯑try, and all the northern parts of Europe; it is very numerous in various parts of America, from Hudſon's Bay as far as Carolina, migrating from one place to another according to the ſea⯑ſons: It breeds on high and heathy mountains; the female lays four eggs, of a pale olive colour, variegated with blackiſh ſpots: They fly in ſmall flocks, and make a ſhrill whiſtling noiſe, by an imi⯑tation of which they are ſometimes enticed within gun-ſhot. The male and female do not differ from each other. In young birds the yellow ſpots are not very diſtinguiſhable, the plumage inclining more to gray.

THE GRAY PLOVER. (Tringa Squatarola, Lin.—Le vanneau Pluvier, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about twelve inches: Its bill is black; the head, back, and wing coverts are of a duſty brown, edged with greeniſh aſh co⯑lour, and ſome with white; the cheeks and throat are white, marked with oblong duſky ſpots; the belly, thighs, and rump are white; the ſides are marked with a few duſky ſpots; the outer webs of the quills are black, the lower parts of the inner webs of the four firſt are white; the tail is marked with alternate bars of black and white; the legs are of a dull green; its hind toe is ſmall.—In the Planches Enluminees this bird is repreſented with eyes of an orange colour; there is likewiſe a duſ⯑ky line extending from the bill underneath each eye, and a white one above it.

We have placed this bird with the Plovers, as agreeing with them in every other reſpect but that of having a hind toe; but that is ſo ſmall as not to render it neceſſary to exclude it from a place in the Plover family, to which it evidently belongs. The Gray Plover is not very common in Britain; it appears ſometimes in ſmall flocks on the ſea⯑coaſts: It is ſomewhat larger than the Golden Plover. Its fleſh is ſaid to be very delicate.

THE DOTTEREL. (Charadrius Morinellus, Lin.—Le Guignard, Buff.)

THE length of this bird is about nine inches: Its bill is black; eyes dark, large, and full; its forehead is mottled with brown and white; top of the head black; over each eye an arched line of white paſ⯑ſes to the hind part of the neck; the cheeks and throat are white; the back and wings are of a light brown, inclining to olive, each feather being mar⯑gined with pale ruſt colour; the quills are brown; the fore part of the neck is ſurrounded by a broad band of a light olive colour, bordered on the under ſide with white; the breaſt is of a pale dull orange; middle of the belly black; the reſt of the belly, thighs, and vent are of a reddiſh white; the tail is of an olive brown, black near the end, and tipped [333] with white—the outer feathers are margined with white; the legs are of a dark olive colour.

The Dotterel is common in various parts of Great Britain; in others it is ſcarcely known:— They are ſuppoſed to breed in the mountains of Cumberland and Weſtmorland, where they are ſometimes ſeen in the month of May, during the breeding ſeaſon; they likewiſe breed on ſeveral of the Highland hills: They are very common in Cambridgeſhire, Lincolnſhire, and Derbyſhire, ap⯑pearing in ſmall flocks on the heaths and moors of thoſe counties during the months of May and June, and are then very fat, and much eſteemed for the table. The Dotterel is ſaid to be a very ſtupid bird, and eaſily taken with the moſt ſimple artifice, and that it was formerly the cuſtom to decoy them into the net by ſtretching out a leg or an arm, which caught the attention of the birds, ſo that they returned it by a ſimilar motion of a leg or a wing, and were not aware till the net dropped and covered the whole covey. At preſent the more ſure method of the gun has ſuperſeded this ingeni⯑ous artifice.

THE RING DOTTEREL. RING PLOVER, OR SEA LARK. (Charadrius Hiaticula, Lin.—Le petit Pluvier à collier, Buff.)

THE length is rather more than ſeven inches: The bill is of an orange colour, tipped with black; the eyes are hazel; a black line paſſes from the bill, underneath each eye, to the cheeks, where it is pretty broad; above this a line of white ex⯑tends acroſs the forehead to the eyes—this is bounded above by a black fillet acroſs the head; a gorget of black encircles the neck, very broad on the fore part, but growing narrow behind—a⯑bove which, to the chin, is white; the top of the head is of a light brown aſh colour, as are alſo the back, ſcapulars, and coverts; the greater coverts are tipped with white; the breaſt and all the under [335] parts are white; the quills are duſky, with an oval white ſpot about the middle of each feather, which forms, when the wing is cloſed, a ſtroke of white down each wing; the tail is of a dark brown, tip⯑ped with white, the two outer feathers almoſt white; the legs are of an orange colour; claws black.—In the female, the white on the forehead is leſs; there is more white on the wings, and the plumage inclines more to aſh colour.

Theſe birds are common in all the northern countries; they migrate into Britain in the ſpring, and depart in autumn: They frequent the ſea⯑ſhores during ſummer; they run nimbly along the ſands, ſometimes taking ſhort flights, accompanied with loud twitterings, then alight and run again: If diſturbed, they fly quite off. They are ſaid to make no neſt; the female lays four eggs, of a pale aſh colour, ſpotted with black, which ſhe depoſits on the ground.