mMi.^i^ r V

UNIVERSITY OF PITTiSBURGH

Darlington JMemorial J_/ibrary

HISTORY

OF

BRITISH BIHDS,

THE FIGURES ENGRAVED ON WOOD BY T. BEWICK.

PART I.

CONTAINING THE

HISTORT AND DESCRIPTION OF LAND BIRDS.

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NEWCASTLE:

PRINTED BY EDWARD AVALKER, FOR T. BEWICK : SOLD BY HJMj.AXD
LONGMAN AND CO. LONDON.

1809.

^s

PREFACE.

TTo tliofe who attentively confider the fubje^l of Natural Hif-
Xorjf as difplayed in the animal creation, it will appear, that
though much has been done to explore the intricate paths of
Nature, and follow her through all her various windings,
much yet remains to be done before the great oeconomy is
completely developed. Notwitli (landing the laborious and
not unfuccefsful inquiries of ingenious men in all ages, the
fubjeft is far from being exhaufted. Syftems have been
formed and exploded, and new ones have appeared in their
ftead ; but, like fkeletons injudicioufly put together, they
give but an imperfe<5t idea of that order and fymmetry to
which they are intended to be fubfervient : they have, how-
ever, their ufe, but it is chiefly the fkilful praditioner who is
enabled to profit by them ; to the lefs informed they appear
obfcure and perplexing, and too frequently deter him from
the great objedt of his purfuit.

To inveftigate, with any tolerable degree of fuccefs, the
more retired and diftant parts of the animal oeconomy, is a
talk of no fmall difficulty. An enquiry fo defirable and fo
eminently ufeful would require the united efforts of many to
give it the defired iuccefs. Men of leifure, of all defcrip-
tions, refiding in the country, could fcarcely find a more
delightful employment than in attempting to elucidate, from
their own obfervations, the various branches of Natural HiT*

VOL. 1. A

iv PREFACE.

torj, and in communicating them to others. Something
like a fociety in each county, for the purpofe of coUeding
a variety of thefe obfervations, as well as for general corref-
pondence, would be extremely ufeful. Much might be ex-
peded from a combination of tliis kind, extending through
every part of the kingdom ; a general mode of communica-
tion might be thereby eftablifhed, in order to afcertain the
changes which are continually taking place, particularly
among the feathered tribes ; the times of their appearing and
difappearing would be carefully noted ; the differences of
age, fex, food, &c. would claim a particular degree of at-
tention, and would be the means of correding the errors
which have crept into the works of fome of the moil emi-
nent ornithologifts, from an over-anxious defire of increafmg
the number of fpecies : but it is referved, perhaps, for times of
greater tranquillity, when the human mind, undifturbed by
public calamities, fhall find leifure to employ itfelf, without
interruption, in the purfuit of thofe objeds which enlarge its
powers and give dignity to its exertions, to carry into the
fuUeft effed a plan for inveftigations of this fort.

As a natiiralift no autlior ha$ been more fuccefsful than
the celebrated Count de Buffon : defpifing the reftraints
which methodical arrangements generally impofe, he ranges
at large through the various walks of Nature, and defcribes
her with a brilliancy of colouring which only the moft lively
imagination could fuggeft. It muft, however, be allowed,
that in many inftances this ingenious philofopjier has over-
ftepped the bounds of Nature, and, in giving the reins to his
own luxuriant fancy, has been too frequently hurried into
the wild paths of conjedure and romance. The late Mr
White, of Selbome, has added much to the general (lock of
knowledge on this delightful fubjed, by attentively and faitli-
fully recording whatever fell under his own obfervation, and
by liberal communications to others.

PREFACE. ' V

As far as we could, confiftently with the plan laid down
m the following work, we have confulted, and we truft with
fome advantage, the works of thefe and other naturalifts.
In the arrangement of the various clafTes, as well as in the
defcriptive part, we have taken as a guide our ingenious
countryman Mr Pennant, to whofe elegant and ufeful labours
the world is indebted for a fund of the moft rational enter-
tainment, and who will be remembered by every lover of
Nature as long as her works have power to charm. The
communications with which we have been favoured by thofe
gentlemen who were fo good as to notice our growing work,
have been generally acknowledged, each in its proper place ;
it remains only that we be permitted to infert this teftimony
of our grateful fenfe of them.

In a few inftances we have ventured to depart from the
ufual method of claflification : by placing the hard-billed
birds, or thofe which live chiefly on feeds, next to thofe of
the Pie kind, there feems to be a more regular gradation
downwards, fmce only a few anomalous birds, fuch as the
Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Nuthatch, &c. intervene. The foft-billed
birds, or thofe which fubfift chiefly on worms, infeds, and
fuch like, are by this mode placed all together, beginning
with thofe of the Lark kind. To this we muft obferve, that,
by dividing the various families of birds into two grand di-
vifions, viz. Land and Water, a number of tribes have
thereby been included among the latter, which can no other-
wife be denominated Water Birds than as they occafionally
feek their food in moid places, by fmall fl:reamlets, or on the
fea-fliore ; fuch as the Curlew, Woodcock, Snipe, Sandpiper,
and many others. Thefe, with fuch as do not commit them-
felves wholly to the waters, are thrown into a feparate divi-
fion, under the denomination of Waders, To this clafs we
have ventured to remove the Kingfiflier, and the Water
Ouzel : the former lives entirely on fiih, is conftantly found

A 2

VI

PREFACE.

on the margins of ftill waters, and may with greater proprie-
ty be denominated a Water Bird than many which come un-
der that defcription ; the latter feems to have no conne(flion
with thofe birds among which it is ufually clafled ; it is ge-
nerally found among rapid running ftreams, in which it chief-
ly delights, and from which it derives its fupport.

It may be proper to obferve, that while one of the editors
of this work was engaged in preparing the cuts, which are
faithfully drawn from Nature, and engraved upon wood, the
compilation of the defcriptions (of the Land Birds ) was under-
taken by the other, fubjeft, however, to the corre<5tions of his
friend, whofe habits had led him to a more intimate acquain-
tance with this branch of Natural Hiftory: the compiler,
therefore, is anfwerable for the defers which may be found
in this part of the undertaking, concerning which he has lit-
tle to fay, but that it was the produftion of thofe hours
which could be fpared from a laborious employment, and
on that account he hopes the feverity of criticifm will be
fpared, and that it will be received with that indulgence
which has been already experienced on a former occafion.

NeiMcditle upon T^ne^ Sept ember <^ 1797,

►©-■^^-^i^^W

INTRODUCTION

TO THE

HISTORT OF BRITISH LAND BIRDS.

■«*«*«o*»>»»

In no part of the animal creation are the wifdom, the good-
nefs, and the bounty of Providence difplayed in a more lively
manner than in the ftru<5lure, formation, and various endow-
ments of the feathered tribes. The fymmetry and elegance
difcoverable in their outward appearance, although highly
pleafmg to the fight, are yet of much greater importance
when confidered with refpe6l to their peculiar habits and
modes of living, to which they are eminently fubfervieuu

vili INTRODUCTION.

Inftead of tlie large head and formidable jaws, the deep
capacious cheft, the brawny fhoulders, and fmewy legs of the
quadrupeds, we obferve the pointed beak, the long and pli-
ant neck, the gently-fwelling fhoulder, the expanfive wings,
the tapering tail, the light and bony feet j which are all wife-
ly calculated to affift and accelerate their motion through the
yielding air. Every part of their frame is formed for light-
nefs and buoyancy ; their bodies are covered with a foft and
delicate plumage, fo difpofed as to protedl them from the in-
tenfe cold of the atmofphere through which they pafs ; their
wings are made of the lighted materials, and yet the force
with which they ftrlke the air is fo great as to impel their bo-
dies forward with aftonifhing rapidity, whilll: the tail ferves
the purpofe of a rudder to direft them to the different ob-
jedls of their purfuit. The internal ftrudure of birds is
no lefs wifely adapted to the fame purpofes ; all the bones
are light and thin, and all the mufcles, except thofe which
are appropriated to the purpofe of moving the wings,
are extremely delicate and light ; the lungs are placed ^lofe
to the back-bone and ribs ; the air entering into them by a
communication from the windpipe, pafTes through, and is
conveyed into a number of membraneous cells which lie upon
the fides of the pericardium, and communicate with thofe of
the ftemum. In fome birds thefe cells are continued down
the wings, and extended even to the pinions, thigh-bones, and
other parts of the body, which can be filled and diftended
with air at tlie pleafure of the animal.

The extreme fmgularity of this almoft univerfal difTufion
of air through the bodies of birds, has excited a flrong de-
fire to difcover the intention of Nature in producing. a con-
formation fo extraordinary. The ingenious Mr Hunter
imagined that it might be intended to affift the animal in
the aa of flying, by increafmg its bulk and ftrength, without
adding to its weight. This opinion was corroborated by

INTRODUCTION. ix

confidering, that the feathers of birds, and particularly thofe
of the wings, contain a great quantity of air. In oppofition
to this, he informs us that the Oftrich, which does not fly,
is neverthelefs provided with air^rells difperfed through its
body ; that the Woodcock, and fome other flying birds, are
not fo liberally fupplied with thefe cells ; yet, he elfewhere
obferves, that it may be laid down as a general rule, that in
birds who are enabled to take the highefl; and longefl; flights
as the Eagle, this extenfion or diffufion of air is carried fur-
ther than in others ; and, with regard to the Oftrich, thou^-h
it is deprived of the power of flying, its runs with amazing ra-
pidity, and confequently requires fimilar refources of air. It
feems therefore to be proved, evidently, that this general dif-
fufion of air through the bodies of birds is of infinite ufe to
them, not only in their long and laborious flights, but like-
wife in preventing their refpiration from being flopped or in-
terrupted by the rapidity of their motion through a refifting
medium. Were it pofllble for man to move with the fwift-
nefs of a Swallow, the adlual refiftance of the air, as he is not
provided with internal refervoirs fimilar to thofe of birds,
would foon fuoffcate him. *

Birds may be diftinguiflied, like quadrupeds, into two
kinds or claffes — granivorous and carnivorous ; like quadru-
peds too, there are foipe that hold a middle nature, and par-
take of both. Granivorous birds are fumiflied with larger
intefl;ines, and proportionally longer, than thofe of the car-
nivorous kind. Their food, which confifts of grain of vari-
ous forts, is conveyed whole and entire into the firft flomach

* May not this universal diffusion of air through the bodies of birds
account for the superior heat of this class of animals ? The separation
of oxygen from respirable air, and its mixture with the blood by means
of the lungs, is supposed, by the ingenious Dr Crawford, to be the effi-
cient cause of animal heat.

r INTRODUCTION-

or craw, where it undergoes a partial dilution by a. liquor
fecreted from the glands and fpread over Its furface ; it is
then received into another fpecles of ftomach, where it is
further diluted ; after which it is tranfmltted into the giz-
zard, or true ftomach, confifting of two very ftrong mufcles,
covered externally with a tendinous fubftance, and lined with
a thick membrane of prodigious power and ftrength ; in this
place the food is completely triturated, and rendered fit for
the operation of the gaftric juices. The extraordinary pow-
ers of the gjizzard in comminuting the food, fo as to prepare
it for digeftion, would exceed all credibility, were they not
fupported by incontrovertible facts founded upon experi-
ments. In order to afcertain the ftrength of thefe ftomachs,
the ingenious Spalanzani made the following curious and
very interefting experiments : — Tin tubes, full of grain, were
forced into the ftomachs of Turkles, and after remaining
twenty hours, were found to be broken, compreffed, and dif-
torted in the moft irregular manner. * In proceeding fur-
ther the fame author relates, that the ftomach of a Cock, In
the fpace of twenty -four hours, broke off the angles of a piece
of rough jagged glafs, and upon examining the gizzard, na
wound or laceration appeared. Twelve ftrong needles
were firmly fixed in a ball of lead, the points of which pro-
jeded about a quarter of an inch from the furface ; thus arm-
ed, it was covered with a cafe of paper, and forced down the
throat of a Turkey ; the bird retained it a day and a half,
without ftiewing the leaft fymptom of uneafmefs ; the points
of all the needles were broken off clofe to the furface of the
ball, except two or three, of which the ftumps projedled a
little. The fame author relates another experiment, feem-
Ingly ftill more cruel : he fixed twelve fmall lancets, very
fharp, in a fimilar ball of lead, which was given in the fame

* Spalanzaai's Dissertations, vol. 1, page 12.

INTRODUCTION. xl

manner to a Turkey-cock, and left eight hours In the fto-
mach ; at the expiration of which the organ was opened, but
nothing appeared except the naked ball, the twelve lancets
having been broken to pieces, the ftomach remaining per-
fecflly found and entire. From thefe curious and well-at-
tefted fads we may conclude, that the ftones fo often found
in the ftomachs of many of the feathered tribes, are highly
ufeful in comminuting grain and other hard fubftances which
conftitute their food. «« The ftones," fays the celebrated Mr
Hunter, " affift in grinding down the grain, and, by feparat-
ing Its parts, allow the gaftric juices to come more readily
into contact ^wlth It." Thus far the conclufion coincides
with the experiments which have juft been related. We
may obferve ftill further, that ftones thus taken Into tlie fto-
machs of birds are feldom known to pafs with the fseces, but
being ground down and feparated by the powerful adion of
the gizzard, are mixed with the food, and, no doubt, contri-
bute efTentlally to the health of the animal.

Granlvorous birds partake much of the nature and dllpo-
fitldn of herbivorous quadrupeds. In both, the number of
their ftomachs, the length and capacity of their inteftlnes, and
the quality of their food, are very fimilar ; they are likewlfe
both diftingulftied by the gentlenefs of their tempers and
manners. Contented with the feeds of plants, with fruits, in-
fers, and worms, their chief attention Is direded to procuring
food, hatching and rearing their offspring, and avoiding the
fnares of men, and the attacks of birds of prey, and other ra-
pacious animals. They are a mild and gentle race, and are
in general fo tracflable as eafily to be domefticated. Man, at-
tentive and watchful to every thing conducive to his intereft,
has not failed to avail himfelf of thefe difpofitions, and has
judlcloully feleded from the numbers which every way fur-
round him, thofe which are moft prolific, and confequently
moft profitable : of thefe the Hen, the Goofe, the Turkey,

xli INTRODUCTION.

and the Duck are the mofl confiderable, and form an inex-
hauftible ftore of rich, wholefome, and nutriiious food.

Carnivorous birds are diftinguifhed by thofe endowments
and powers with which they are furniftied by Nature for the
purpofe of procuring their food : they are provided with
wings of great length, the mufcles which move them being
proportionally large and ftrong, whereby they are enabled to
keep long upon the v/ing in fearch of their prey ; they are arm-
ed with ftrong hooked bills, and fharp and formidable claws ;
they have alfo large heads, fhort necks, ftrong and brawny
thighs, and a fight fo acute and piercing, as to enable them
to view their prey from the greateft heights in the air, up-
on which they dart with inconceivable fwiftnefs and undevi-
ating aim ; their ftomachs are fmaller than thofe of the gra-
nivorous kinds, and their inteftines are much fhorter. The
analogy between the ftrufture of rapacious birds and carni-
vorous quadrupeds is obvious ; both of them are provided
with weapons which indicate deftruflion and rapine ; their
manners are fierce and unfocial ; and tliey feldom live toge-
ther in flocks, like the inoffenfive granivorous tribes. When
not on the wing, rapacious birds retire to the tops of fequeP
tered rocks, or to the depths of extenfive forefts, where they
conceal themfelves in fallen and gloomy folitude. Thofe
which feed on carrion are endowed with a fenfe of fmelling
fo exquifite, as to enable them to fcent putrid carcafes at afto-
nifiiing diftances.

Without the means of conveying themfelves with great
fwiftnefs from one place to another, birds could not eafily
fubfift : the food which Nature has fo bountifully provided
for them is fo irregularly diftributed, that they are obliged
to take long joumies to diftant parts in order to gain the ne-
ceflary fupplies ; at one time it is given in great abundance ;
at another it is adminiftered with a very fparing hand ;
and this is one caufe of thofe migrations fo peculiar to the

INTRODUCTION.

xm

feathered tribes. Eefides the want of food, there are two
other caufes of migration, viz. the want of a proper tempera-
ture of air, and a convenient fituation for the great work of
breeding and rearing their young. Such birds as migrate to
great diftances are alone denominated birds of pajfage ; but
moft birds are, in fome meafure, birds of paiTage, although
they do not migrate to places remote from their former ha-
bitations. At particular times of the year moft birds re-
move from one country to another, or from the more inland
diftri<5ls toward the fliores : the times of thefe migrations or
flittings are obferved with the moft aftonifhing order and
puncfluality ; but tlie fecrecy of their departure, and the fud-
dennefs of their re-appearance, have involved the fubjeft of
migration in general in great diffiulty. Much of tliis diffi-
culty arifes from our not being able to account for their
means of fubfiftence during the long flights of many of thofe
birds, which are obliged to crofs immenfe trads of water be-
fore they arrive at the places of their deftination : accuftom-
ed to meafure diftance by the fpeed of thofe animals with
which we are well acquainted, we are apt to overlook the fu-
perlor velocity with which birds are carried forw^ard in the
air, and the eafe with which they continue their exertions,
for a much longer time than can be done by the ftrongeft
quadruped.

Our fwlfteft horfes are fuppofed to go at tlie raxe of a mile
in fomewhat lefs than two minutes ; and we have one inftance
on record of a horfe being tried, which went at the rate of
nearly a mile in one minute, but that was only for the fmall
fpace of a fecond of time. * In this and fimilar inftances we
find, that an uncommon degree of exertion is attended with
its ufual confequences, debility, and a total want of power to
continue that exertion ; but the cafe Is very different with

* See Kistory of Quadrupeds; page Q^?A edition.
B 2

xlv INTRODUCTION.

birds ; their motions are not impeded by fimilar caufes ; they
glide through the air with a quicknefs fuperior to that of the
fwiftefl quadruped, and they can continue on the wing with
equal fpeed for a confiderable length of time. Now, if we can
fuppofe a bird to go at the rate of only half a mile in a minute,
for the fpace of twenty -four hours, it will have gone over, in
that time, an extent of more than feven hundred miles, which
is fufficient to account for almoft the longeft migration ; but, if
aided by a favourable current of air, there is reafon to fup-
pofe that the fame journey may be performed in a much
Ihorter fpace of time. To thefe obfervations we may add,*
that the fight of birds is peculiarly quick and piercing ; and
from the advantage they poffefs in being raifed to confider-
able heights in the air, they are enabled, witli a fagacity pe-
culiar to inftindive knowledge, to difcover the route they are
to take, from the appearance of the atmofphere, the clouds,
the diredion of the winds, and other caufes ; fo that, without
having recourfe to improbable modes, it is eafy to conceive,
from the velocity of their fpeed alone, that moft birds may
tranfport themfelves to countries lying at great diftances, and
acrofs vaft tra(5ls of ocean.

The following obfervations from Catefby are very applica-
ble, and will conclude our remarks on this head : — " The
manner of their journeyings may vary according as tlie ftruc-
ture of their bodies enables them to fupport themfelves in
the air. Birds with fhort wings, fuch as the Redftart, Black-
cap, &c. may pafs by gradual and flower movements ; and
there feems no neceffity for a precipitate paffage, as every
day affords an Increafe of warmth, and a continuance of
food. It is probable thefe itinerants may perform their jour-
ney in the night time, in order to avoid ravenous birds, and
other dangers which day-iight may expofe them to. The
flight of the fmaller birds of paflage acrofs the feas has, by
many, been coiifidered as woiiderful, and efpecially with re-

INTRODUCTION. xv

gard to thofe with Ihort wings, among which Quails feem,
by their ftnidlure, little adapted for long flights ; nor are
they ever feen to continue on the wing for any length of time,
and yet their ability for fuch flights cannot be doubted.
The coming of thefe birds is certain and regular from every
year's experience, but the caufe and manner of their depar-
ture have not always been fo happily accounted for ; in fhort,
all we know of the matter ends in this obfervation, — that
Providence has created a great variety of birds and other
animals with conftitutions and inclinations adapted to their
feveral wants and necefllties, as well as to the different- de-
grees of heat and cold in the feveral climates of the world,
whereby no country is deftitute of inhabitants, and has given
them appetites for the produdlions of thofe countries whofe
temperature is fuited to their nature, as well as knowledge
and ability to feek and find them out."

The migration of the Swallow tribe has been noticed by
almofl: every writer on the natural hiftory of birds, and vari*
ous opinions have been formed refpeding their difappear-
ance, and the ftate in which they exift during that interval.
Some naturalifts fuppofe that they do not leave this ifland at
the end of autumn, but that they lie in a torpid fl:ate, till the
beginning of fummer, in the banks of rivers. In the hollows of
decayed trees, in holes and crevices of old buildings, in fand
banks, and the like : fome have even afTerted that Swallows
pafs the winter Imraerfed In the waters of lakes and rivers,
where they have been found In clufters, mouth to mouth,
wing to wing, foot to foot, and that they retire to thefe places
in autumn, and creep down the reeds to their fubaqueous re-
treats. In fupport of this opinion, Mr Klein very gravely
aiferts, on the credit of fome countrymen, that Swallows
fometlmes affemble In numbers, clinging to a reed till It
breaks, and fmks with them to the bottom ; that their Im-
merfion is preceded by a fong or dirge, which lafts more

5rvl INTRODUCTION.

than a quarter of an hour ; that fometimes they lay hold
of a draw with their bills, and plunge down in fociety ; and
that others form a large mafs, by clinging together by the
feet, and in this manner commit themfelves to the deep. It
requires no gieat depth of reafoning to refute fuch palpable
abfurdities, or to fhew the phyfical impoffibility of a body,
fpeciiically lighter than water, employing another body
lighter than itfelf for the purpofe of immerfion : but, admit-
ting the poflibility of this curious mode of immerfion, it is by
no means probable that Swallows, or any other animal in a
torpid ftate, can exift for any length of time in an element to
which they have never been accuftom.ed, and for which they
are totally unprovided by Nature with fuitable organs.

The celebrated Mr John Hunter inform us, " that he had
difre<5led many Swallows, but found nothing in them differ-
ent from other birds as to the organs of refpiration ;'* and
therefore concludes that it is highly abfurd to fuppofe, that
terreftrial animals can remain any long time under water
without being dro\\med. It muft not, however, be denied
that Swallows have been fometimes found in a torpid ftate
during the winter months ; but fuch inftances are by no
means common, and will not fupport the inference, that, if
any of them can furvive the winter in that ftate, the whole
fpecies is preferved in the fame manner.* That otlier birds

* There are various instances on record, which carry with ftiem
marks of veracity, of Swallows having been taken out of water, and of
their having been so far recovered by warmth as to exhibit evident signs
of life, so as even to fly about for a short space of time. But whilst we
admit the fact, we are not inclined to allow the conchislon generally
drawn from It, viz. that Swallows, at the time of their disappearance,
frequently Immerse themselves In seas, lakes, and rivers, and at the proper
season emerge and reassume the ordinary functions of life and animation ;
for, it should be observed, that in those Instances v/hlch have been the
best authendcated, [See Forster's Translation of Kalm's Travels into

INTRODUCTION. xvli

have been found in a torpid ftate may be inferred from the
following curious fa(5l, which was communicated to us by a
gentleman who faw the bird, and had the account from the
pei-fon who found it. A few years ago, a young Cuckoo
was found in the thickeft part of a clofe furze bufh ; when
taken up it prefently difcovered figns of life, but was quite
deftitute of feathers ; being kept warm, and carefully fed, it
grew and recovered its coat of feathers : in the fpring fol-
lowing it made its efcape, and in flying acrofs the river Tyne
it gave its ufual call. We have obferved a fmgle Swallow
fo late as the latter end of October ; others affert that they
have often been feen till near Chriftmas. Mr White, in his
Natural Hiftory of Selborne, mentions having feen a Houfe
Martin flying about in November, long after the general
migration had taken place. Many more inftances might be
given of fuch late appearances, which, added to the well-
authenticated accounts of Swallows having been a<5lually
found in a torpid ftate, leave us no room to doubt, that fuch

North America, p. 140 — ^note.] it appears, that the Swallows so taken up
were generally found entangled amongst reeds and rushes, by the sides,
or in the shallowest parts, of the lakes or rivers where they happened to
be discovered, and that, having been brought to life so far as to fly about,
they all of them died in a few hours after. From the facts thus stated,
we would infer, that at the time of the disappearance of Swallows, the
reedy grounds by the sides of rivers and standing waters are generally
dr^', and that these birds, especially the latter hatchings, which frequent
such places for the sake of food, retire to them at the proper season, and
lodge themselves among the roots, or in the thickest parts of the rank
grass which grows there ; that during their state of torpidity they are
liable to be covered with water, from the rains which follow, and are
sometimes washed into the deeper parts of the lake or river where they
have been accidentally taken up ; and that probably the transient signs
of life which they have discovered on such occasions, have given rise to a
variety of vague and improbable accounts of their ijmnersion, &c.

xvlli INTRODUCTION.

young birds as were late hatched, and confequently not
ftrong enough to undertake a long voyage to tlie coaft of
Africa, are left behind, and remain concealed in hiding
places till the return of fpring : on the other hand, that adual
migrations of the Swallow tribe do take place, has been ful-
ly proved from a variety of well-attefled fafls, moft of which
are taken from the obfervations of navigators who were eye-
witnefles of their flights, and whofe fhlps have fometimes af-
forded a refting place to the weary travellers.

To the many on record we fliall add the following, which
we received from a very fenfible mafter of a vefTel, who,
whilft he was failing early in the fpring between the iflands
of Minorca and Majorca, faw great numbers of Swallows
flylnj^ northward, many of which alighted on the rigging of
the fhip in the evening, but difappeared before morning.
After all our inquiries into this branch of natural ccconomy,
much yet remains to be known, and we may conclude in the
words of die ingenious Mr White, " that whilft we obferve
with delight with how much ardour and pundluallty thofe
little birds obey the ftrong impulfe towards migration or
hiding, imprinted on their minds by their great Creator, It
Is with no fmall degree of mortification we refledl, that after
all our pains and Inquiries, we are not yet quite certain to
what regions they do migrate, and are ftill farther embar-
raffed to find that fome adually do not migrate at all/'

" Amuslve birds ! say where your hid retreat,

" Wlien the frost rages, and the tempests beat ;

** Wlience your return, by such nice instinct led,

« Wlicn Spring, sweet season, lifts her bloomy head ?

« Such baflled searches mock man's prying pride,

" The God of Nature is your secret guide !"

Moft birds, at certain feafons, live together in pairs ; the
union Is formed in the fpring, and generally continues whilft
the united eff"orts of both are neceffary In forming their tem-

INTRODUCTION. xlx

porary habitations, and in rearing and maintaining their ofF-
fpring. Eagles and other birds of prey continue their at-
tachment for a much longer time, and fometimes for life.
The nefts of birds are con{lru<5led with fuch exquifite art, as
to exceed the utmoft exertion of human ingenuity to imitate
them. Their mode of building, the materials they make
life of, as well as the fituatlons they fele<5l, are as various as
the different kinds of birds, and are all admirably adapted to
tlieir feveral wants and neceflities. Birds of the fame fpecies,
A^diatever region of the globe they inhabit, colle6t the fame
materials, arrange them in the fame manner, and make
choice of fimilar fituatlons for fixing the places of their tem-
porary abodes. To defcribe minutely the different kinds of
nefls, the various fubflances of which they are compofed,
and the judicious choice of fituatlons, would fwell this part
of our work much beyond its due bounds. Every part cf
the world furniflies materials for the serial architects : leaves
and fmall twigs, roots and dried grafs, mixed with clay,
ferve for the external ; whilfi; mofs, wool, fine hair, and the
fofteft animal and vegetable downs, form the warm internal
part of thefe commodious dwellings. The following beau-
tiful lines from Thomfon are highly defcriptive of the bufy
fcene which takes place during tlie time of nidification :— •

*',.... Some to the holly hedge,

*' Nestling, repair, and to the thicket some ;
" Some to the rude protection of the thorn
*' Commit their feeble offspring : the cleft tree
*' Offers its kind concealment to a few,
" Their food its insects, and its moss their nests t
" Others apart, far in the grassy dale
'*' Or roughening waste their humble texture weave ;
*' But most in woodland solitudes delight,
f* In unfreqaentec^ glooms or shaggy banks,
" Steep, and divided by a babbling brook,
** Whose murmurs soothe them all the live-long day,

C

XX INTRODUCTION.

" \^'Tien by kind duty iix'd. Among the roots

*' Of hazel, pendent o'er the plaintive stream,

*' They frame the first foundation of their domes,

*' Dry sprigs of trees, in artful fabric laid,

<' And bound with clay together. Now 'tis nought

*' But resless hurry through the busy air,

*' Beat by unnumber'd wings. The Swallow sweeps

*' The slimy pool, to build the hanging house

" Intent : and often from the careless back

" Of herds and flocks a thousand tugging bills

" Pluck hair and wool ; and oft, when unobserv'd,

" Steal from the barn a straw ; till soft and warm,

*' Clean and complete, their habitation grows."

After the bufinefs of Incubation Is over, and the young are
fufficlently able to provide for themfelves, the nefts are al-
ways abandoned by the parents, excepting by thofe of the
Eagle kind.

The various gifts and endowments which the great Au-
thor of Nature has fo liberally beftowed upon his creatures
in general, demand, in a peculiar manner, the attention of
the curious Naturahfl ; among the feathered tribes in parti-
cular, there is much room, in this refpe(5t, for minute and at-
tentive Inveftigation. In purfuing our inquires into that
fyftem of ceconomy, by which every part of Nature is up-
held and preferved, we are ftruck with wonder in obferv-
ing the havock and deflruflion which every where prevail
throughout the various orders of beings inhabiting the earth.
Our humanity is interefled in that law of Nature which de-
votes to deftruclion myriads of creatures to fupport and con-
tinue the exiftence of others ; but although it is not allowed
us to unravel the myfterlous workings of Nature through all
her parts, or unfold her deep defigns, we are, neverthelefs,
ftrongly led to the confideration of the means by which In-
dividuals, as well as fpecies, are preferved. The weak are
frequently enabled to elude the purfuits of the ftrong by

INTRODUCTION. xxi

flight or ftratagem ; fome are fcreened from the purfuits of
their enemies by an arrangement of colours happily affimi-
lated to the places ^Yhich they moft frequent, and where they
find either food or repofe : thus the Wryneck is fcarcely to
be diftinguiflied from the bark of the tree on which it feeds ;
or the Snipe from the foft and mofly ground by the fprinp-s
of water which it frequents; the Great Plover finds its chief fe-
curity in ftony places, to which its colours are fo nicely adapt-
ed, that the moft exad obferver may be very eafily deceived.
The attentive ornithologift will not fail to difcover nume-
rous inftances of this kind, fuch as the Partridge, Plover,
Quail, &c.

Some are Indebted to the brilliancy of their colours as
the means of alluring their prey ; of this the Kingfifher
is a remarkable inftance, and deferves to be particularly
noticed. This beautiful bird has been obferved, in fome
fequeftered place near the edge of a rivulet, expofmg the vi-
vid colours of its breaft to the full rays of the fun, and flut-
tering with expanded wings over the fmooth furface of the
water ; the fifh, attra(5led by the brightnefs and fplendour
of the appearance, are detained whilft the wily bird darts
down upon them with unerring aim. We do not fay that
the mode of taking fifh by torch-light has been derived from
this pra(5lifed by the Kingfifher, but every one muft be ftruck
by the fimilarlty of the means. Others, again, derive the
fame advantage from the fimplicity of their exterior appear-
ance ; of this the Heron will ferve for an example. He may
frequently be feen ftanding motionlefs by the edge of a piece
of water, waiting patiently the approach of his prey, which
he never fails to feize as foon as it comes within reach of his
long neck ; he then reaffumes his former pofition, and con-
tinues to wait with tlie fame patient attention as before.

Mofl of the fmaller birds are fupported, efpecially when
young, by a profufion ©f caterpillars, fmall worms, and in-

c 2

•axil INTRODUCTION.

fe6ls ; on thefe they feed, and thus they contribute to pre»
ferve the vegetable world from deftrudion. This is contra*
ry to the commonly received opinion, that birds, particular-
ly Sparrows, do much mifchief in deftroying the labours of
the gardener and the hufbandman. It has been obferved,
«* that a fmgle pair of Sparrows, during the time they are
feeding their young, will deftroy about four thoufand cater-
pillars weekly ; they likewife feed their young with butter-
flies and other winged infeds, each of which, if not deftroy-
ed in this manner, would be produdive of feveral hundreds
of caterpillars.*' Swallows are almoft continually upon the
wing, and in their curious winding flights deftroy immenfe
quantities of flies and other infedls, which are continually
floating in the air, and which, if not deftroyed by thefe birds,
would render it unfit for the purpofes of life and health.

That a<5i:ive little bird the Tomtit, Vv'hich is generally fup-
pofed hoftile to the young and tender buds that appear in
the fpring, when attentively obferved, may be feen running^
up and down among the branches, and picking up the egg%
of infects, or the fmall worms that are concealed in the blof-
foms, and which would effectually deftroy the fruit. As the
feafon advances, various other fmall birds, fuch as the
Redbreaft, Wren, Winter Fauvette or Hedge-iparrow, White-
throat, Redftart, &c. are all engaged in the fame ufeful
work, and may be obferved examining every leaf, and feed-
ing upon the infed:s which they find beneath tliem. Thefe
are a few inftances of that fuperintending providential care,
wliich is continually exerted in preferving the various ranks
and orders of beings in the fcale of animated Nature ; and
although it is permitted that myriads of individuals fhould
every moment be deftroyed, not a fmgle fpecies is loft, but
every link of the great chain remains unbroken.

Great Britain produces a more abundant variety of birds
than moft northern countries, owing to tlie various conditiojEi

INTRODUCTION. xxlii

of our lands, from the higheft ftate of cultivation to tliat of
the wildeft, moft mountainous, and woody. The great
quantities of berries and other kinds of fruit produced in our
hedges, heaths, and plantations, bring fmall birds in great
numbers, and birds of prey in confequence : our fhores, and
the numerous little iflands adjacent to them, afford fhelter
and protedion to an infinite variety of almoft all kinds of
water fowl. To enumerate the various kinds of birds that
vifit this ifland annually will not, we prefume, be unaccepta-
ble to our readers, nor improper in this part of our work.
The following are feleded^ chiefly from Mr "Wliite's Natural
Hiftory of Selborne, and are arranged nearly in the order of
their appearing.

1 Wryneck, Middle of March

2 Smalleft Willow Wren, . . . Latter end of ditto

3 Houfe Swallow, Middle of April

4 Martin, Ditto

5 Sand Martin, Ditto

6 Black-cap, Ditto

7 Nightingale, Beginning of April

8 Cuckoo, Middle of ditto

9 Middle Willow Wren, .... Ditto

10 Whitethroat, Ditto

11 Redftart, Ditto

12 Great Plover or Stone Curlew, End of March

1 3 Grafshopper Lark, Middle of April

1-i Swift, Latter end of ditto

15 Lefler Red Sparrow,

IG Com Crake or Land Rail, . .

17 Largeft Willow Wren, .... End of April

18 Fern Owl, Latter end of May

19 Flycatcher, Middle of ditto.*

* This, according to Mr White, Is the latest summer bird of passage
but the arrival of some of the sununer birds is very uacertain : those

xxiV INTRODUCTION.

To this lift of migratory birds, fome ornlthologlfts have
added the Larks, Ouzels, Thrufhes, and Starlings.

Moft of the foft-biiled birds feed on infeds, and not on
grain or feeds, and therefore ufually retire before winter ;
but the following, tliough they eat infe«5ls, remain with us
during the whole year, viz. The Redbreaft, Winter Fauvette,
and Wren, which frequent out-houfes and gardens, and eat
fpiders, fmall worms, crumbs, Sec. The Pied, the Yellow,
and the Grey Wagtail, which frequent the heads of fprings,
where the waters feldom freeze, and feed on the aurelias of
infefls ufually depofited there. Befide thefe, the Winchat,
jhe Stonechat, and the Golden-crefted Wren, are feen with
us during tlie winter ; the latter though the leaft of all the
Britifti birds, is very hardy, and can endure the utmoft feve-
rlty of our winters. The White-rump, though not common,
fometimes ftays the winter with us. — Of, the winter birds of
paffage, the following are the principal, viz.

1. The Redwing, or Wind Thru .

2. The Fieldfare. — [Both thefe arrive in great numbers
about Michaelmas and depart about the end of February,
or bep-lnning of March, but are fometimes detained by eafter-
ly winds till the middle of April.]

3. The Hooded, or Sea Crow, vifits us in the beginning
of winter, and departs with the Woodcock.

4. The Woodcock appears about Michaelmas, and leaves
us about the beginning of March, but is fometimes detained
till the middle of April.

5. Snipes are confidered by Mr Wlilte as birds of paffage,
though he acknowledges that they frequently breed with us.
Mr Pennant remarks, that their young are {o frequently
found in Britain, that it may be doubted whether they ever
entirely leave this ifland.

which are the first in some seasons, are the last in others ; this can only
be determined by their song.

INTRODUCTION. xxv

6. The Judcock, or Jack Snipe.

7. The Wood Pigeon. — [Of the precife time of its arrival
we are not quite certain, but fuppofe it may be fome time in
April, as we have feen them in the north at that time.
Some ornithologifts aflert that they do not migrate.]

• 8. The Wild Swan frequents the coafls of this ifland in
large flocks, but is not fuppofed to breed with us. It has
been chiefly met with in the northern parts, and is faid to
arrive at Lingey, one of the Hebrides, in Odober, and to re-
main there till March, when it retires more northv/ard to
breed.

9. The Wild Goofe pafles fouthward in Odlober, and re-
turns northward in April.

With regard to the Duck kind in general, they are moftly
birds of paflage. Mr Pennant fays, " Of the numerous
fpecies that form this genus, we know of no more than five
that breed here, viz. the Tame Swan, tlie Tame Goofe, the
Shield Duck, the Eider Duck, and a very fmall number of
the Wild Ducks : the refl: contribute to form that aniazinp-

o

multitude of water fowls that annually repair from moft
parts of Europe to the woods and lakes of Lapland and
other ardtic regions, there to perform the fun<5tions of incu-
bation and nutrition in full fecurity. They and their young
quit their retreats in September, and difperfe themfelves over
Europe. With us they make their appearance in the begin-
ning of October, circulate firfl: round our fliores, and when
compelled by fevere froft, betake themfelves to our lakes and
rivers.'* — In winter the Bernacles and Brent Geefe appear in
vaft flocks on the north-weft coaft of Britain, and leave us in
February, when they migrate as far as Lapland, Greenland,
or Spitzbergen.

The Solan Geefe or Gannets are birds of pafTage ; their
firft appearance is in March, and they continue till Auguft
or September. The long-legged Plover and Sanderling

xxvi INTRODUCTION.

vifit US in winter only ^ and it is worthy of remark, that
every fpecies of the Curlews, Woodcocks, Sandpipers, and
Plovers, Vv^hich forfake us in tlie fpring, retire to Sweden,
Poland, Riiflia, Norway, and Lapland, to breed, and return
to us as fcon as the young are able to fly ; for the f rolls,
which fet in early in thofe countries, deprive them totally of
the means of fubfiftence.

Befide thefe, there is a great variety of birds which per-
form partial migrations, or fiittings, from one part of the
country to another. During hard winters, when the furface
of the earth is covered with fnow, many birds, fuch as Larks,
Snipes, Sec. withdraw from the inland parts of the country
towards the fea-fhores, in queft of food ; others, as the Wren,
the Redbreaft, and a variety of fmall birds, quit the fields,
and approach the habitations of men. The Bohemian Chat-
terer, the Grofbeak, and the Crofsbill, are only occafional vi-
fitors, and obferve no regular times in making their appear-
ance. Great numbers of the Bohemian Chatterer were
taken in the county of Northumberland in the latter end of
the years 1789 and 1790, before which they had feldom been
obferv^ed fo far fouth as that county, and fmce tliat time they
have rarely vifited it.

The term of life varies greatly in birds, and does not
feem to bear the fame proportion to the time of acquiring
their growth, as has been remarked with regard to quadru-
peds. Moft birds acquire their full dimenfions in a few
months, and are capable of propagation the firft fummer af-
ter they are hatched. In proportion to the fize of their
bodies, birds poflefs more vitality, and live longer, than
either man or quadrupeds : notwitliftanding the difficulties
which arife in afcertaining the ages of birds, there are in-
ftances of great longevity in many of them. Geek and
Swans have been known to attain to the age of feventy and
upwards; Ravens are very long-lived birds, they are faid

INTRODUCTION, xxvii

fometimes to exceed a century ; Eagles are fiippofed to ar-
rive at a great age ; Pigeons are known to live more tlian
twenty years ; and even Linnets and other fmaU birds have
been kept in cages from fifteen to twenty years.

To the pradical ornithologifl there arifes a confiderable
gratification in being able to afcertain the diflinguifhing cha-
rafters of birds as they appear at a diftance, whether at reft,
or during their flight ; for not only every genus has fome-
thing peculiar to itfelf, but each fpecies has its own appro-
priate marks, by which a judicious obferver may difcrimi-
nate almoft with certainty. Of thefe, the various modes of
flight afford the moft certain and obvious means of diftinc-
tion, and fhould be noted with the moft careful attention.
From the bold and lofty flight of the Eagle, to tlie fhort and
fudden flittings of tlie Sparrow or the Wren, there is an am-
ple field for the curious inveftigator of nature, on which he
may dwell with inexpreflible delight, tracing the various
movements of the feathered nations which every where pre-
fent themfelves to his view. The notes, or, as it may with
more propriety be called, the language, of birds, whereby
they are enabled to exprefs, in no inconfiderable degree, their
various paffions, wants, and feelings, muft be particularly
noticed. * By the great power of their voice, tliey can
communicate their fentiments and intentions to each other,
and are enabled to a6t by mutual <;oncert : that of the
wing, by which they can remove from place to place
with inconceivable celerity and difpatch, is peculiar to the
feathered tribes ; it gives them a decided fuperiority over
•every fpecies of quadrupeds, and affords them the greateft
means of iecurity from thofe attacks to which their weak-
nefs would otherwife expofe them. The focial inftinifl

* White's Selborne.

XXVllI

INTRODUCTION.

among birds is peculiarly lively and interefting, and likewife
proves an efFedlual means of prefervation from the various
arts which are made ufe of to circumvent and deftroy them.
Individuals may perifli, and the fpecies may fuffer a dimi-
nution of its numbers ; but its inftindls, habits, and ceconomy
remain entire.

.1^

.0^^

'^^f^-^

AN

EXPLANATION

OF THE

TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THIS WORK:

TO WHICH ARE SUBJOINED

SOME OF THOSE USED BY LINN/EUS AND OTHER ORNITHOLO-
GISTS, DESCRIPTIVE OF THE PARTICULAR PARTS
PECULIAR TO SOME SPECIES.

A — AuRicuLARs, — feathers which cover the ears.

BB — The BASTARD WING, [_altila fpurlaf Lin.] three or five
quill-Hke feathers, placed at a fmall joint rifmg at the middle
part of the wing.

CC — ^The LESSER COVERTS of the wings, {^leBrices prima,
Lin.] fmall feathers that lie in feveral rows on the bones of
the wings. The under coverts are thofe that line the infide
of the wings.

d2

XXX TECHNICAL TERMS.

DD — The GREATER COVERTS, \_teElrices Jecun^/By Lin.]] the
feathers that lie immediately over the quill feathers and the
fecondaries.

GG — The PRIMARIES, or primary quills, \_primoreSf
Lin.] the largeft feathers of the wings: they rife from the firft
bone.

EE — The secondaries, or secondary quills, {Jeconda-
riaj Lin.] thofe that rife from the fecond bone.

HH — The tertials. Thefe alfo take their rife from the
fecond bone, at the e/bo'zu joinf, forming a continuation of
the fecondaries, and fcem to do the fame with the fcapulars,
which lie over them. Thefe feathers are fo long in fome of
the Scolopax and Tr'inga genera, that when the bird is flying
they give it the appearance of having four wings.

SS — The SCAPULARS, or scapular feathers, take their
rife from the (boulders, and cover the fides of the back.

P — Coverts of the tail, \uropygium, Lin.] Thefe fea-
thers cover it on the upper fide, at the bafe.

V — The VENT feathers, \_crijfum, Lin.] tliofe that lie from
the vent, or anusy to the tail underneath..

Liis, (plural irides) the part which furrounds the pupil
of tlie eye.

Mandibles, — the upper and under parts of the bilL
Compressed, — flatted at the fides vertically.
Depressed, — flatted horizontally.
Cu neat ED, — wedge-fhaped.

TECHNICAL TERMS. xxzi

Head of the Merlin Hawk,

2

1 — The CERE, {^ceray Lin.] the naked Ikin which covers
the bafe of the bill, as in the Hawk kind.

2 — The ORBITS, [^orbita, Lin.] the ikin which furrounds
the eye. It is generally bare, but particularly in the Par-
rot and the Heron.

Head of the Great JJh-coloured Shrike*

1 — When the bill is notched near the tip, as in Shrikes,
Thrufhes, &c. it is called by Linnasus rojirum emarginatum.

. 2 — Vihrijfe^ (Lin.) are hairs that ftand forward like feel-
ers : in fome birds they are flender, as in Flycatchers, &c.
and point both upwards and downwards, from both the up-
per and under fides of the mouth.

3 — Captflrum, — a word ufed by Linnseus to exprefs the
fhort feathers on the forehead juft above the bill. In fome
birds thefe feathers fall forward over tlie noftrils : tliey quite
cover thofe of tlie Crow.

Rojirum cultratum, (Lin.) when the edges of the bill are
very Iharp, as in that of the Crow.

zxnx

TECHNICAL TERMS.

Head of the Night-jar.

1 — Vthrijfa psElinata, (Lin.) Thefe hairs in this bird are
very ftiff, and fpread out on each fide Hke a comb from the
upper fides of the mouth only.

Foot of the N'lght-jart

Shewing the middle toe claw serrated like a faw. Pec-
tinated fignifies tootlied like a comb.

Head of the Great-crejled Grehe^

2— The Lore, [Lorum, Lin.] the fpace between the bill
and the eye, which in this genus is bare, but in other birds
is generally covered with feathers.

TECHNICAL TERMS.

XXXIU

Foot of the Kingji/ber,

Shewing the peculiar ftriKfttire, in the toes being joined toi
gether from their origin to the end joints.

Foot of the Grey Phalarope.

FiN-FooTED and scalloped, [j>innatus, Lin.] as are clfb
thofe of the Coots.

Foot of the Red-necked Grehe»

Toes furnifhed on their fides with broad plain membranes.
\_Pes lohatus, Lin.]

KXXIV

TECHNICAL TERMS.

Foot of the Corvorantf

*^^

y -•<...

\

Shewing all the four toes connected by webs.

c«.-«<-<«»^»-»

Semi-palmated, \^femt-palmatus, Lin.J when the middle
of the webs reach only about half the length of the toes.

Ciliated, [Jingua cU'tata, Lin.] when the tongue is edged
with fine briftles, as in Ducks.

Nostrils linear, — when they are extended lengthwife in
a line with the bill, as in Divers, &c.

Nostrils pervious, — when they are open, and may be
feen through from fide to fide, as in Gulls, &c.

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST PART.

/

^age.

Page,

Bitifs of Prey

43

Of the Onvl

81

The Falcon tribe

45

1 Great-eared Owl

82

1 Golden Eagle

47

2 Long -eared Owl

84

2 Ringtailed Eagle

49

3 Short-eared Owl

86

3 White-tailed Eagle

51

4 Female Homed Owl 88

4* Sea Eagle

53

5 White Owl

89

5 Ofprey

SS

6 Tawny Owl

91

6 Common Buzzard

57

7 Little Owl

92

7 Honey Buzzard

59
61

8 Moor Buzzard

9 Kite

63

Of the Shrike

93

10 Gofliawk

(SS

1 Great afti-coloured

11 Sparrowhawk

68

Shrike

94

12 Jer Falcon

69

2 Red-backed Shrike

m

13 Gentil-Falcon -

70

3 Woodchat

97

14 Hen Harrier

72

15 Rinertail

74

O

16 Lanner

ih.

17 Keftrel -

75

Birds of the Pie kind

98

18 Female Keftrel -

77

1 Raven

100

19 Hobby -

78

2 Carrion Crow -

102

20 Merlin - -

79

3 Hooded Crow -

ib.

xxxti

CONTENTS.

4 Rook

5 Jackdaw

6 Magpie

7 Red-legged Cr

8 Nutcracker

9 Jay

10 Chatterer

11 Roller

12 Starling
Rofe-coloured

Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Black Ouzel
Mifrel Thrufli
Fieldfare
Throftle
Redwing
Cuckoo
Wryneck

ow

Page.
104-
106
109
107
111
112
114-
116
118

120
121
122
124
125
127
129
131
136

The Woodpeckers - 139

1 Green Woodpecker 140

2 Greater fpotted

Woodpecker 142

3 Middle fpotted

Woodpecker 14-3

4 LefTer fpotted Wood- ,

pecker - ib.

Nuthatch - 144
Hoopoe - 146

Creeper - 148

Cf the Fajferine order 150

. Page,

Of the Crojbeak - 152

1 CrofsbiU - 153

2 Grofbeak - 156

3 Pine Grofbeak 157

4 Green Grofbeak 159

5 Bullfinch - 160

0/the Bunting - 162

1 Bunting - 163

2 Yellow Bunting 164

3 ^lack-headed Bunt-

ing - - 166

4 Snow Bunting 168

5 Tawny Bunting 170

0/the Finch - 173

1 Houfe Sparrow 174

2 Mountain Sparrow 177

3 Chaffinch

4 Mountain Finch

5 Goldfinch

6 Siikin

7 Canary Fiach

8 Linnet

9 Greater Redpole
10 LefTer Redpole

0/the Lark

1 Skylark

2 Fieldlark

178
180
182
184
186
188
190
191

193
194
196

CONTENTS."

Page.

3 Grafshopper Lark 1 97

4 Woodlark - 198

5 Titlark - 200

0/the Wagtail - 202

1 Pied Wagtail - 203

2 Grey Wagtail - 205

3 Yellow Wagtail 206

0/the Flycatchers 207

1 Pied Flycatcher 208

2 Spotted Flycatcher 209

Of the Warblers

1 Nightingale

2 Dartford Warbler

3 Redbreaft

4 Redftart

5 Fauvette

6 Lefler Fauvette

7 Winter Fauvette

8 Reed Fauvette

9 Blackcap

10 Whitethroat

11 Yellow Willow

Wren

12 Willow Wren

13 Leaft Willow

Wren

14 Golden-crefted

Wren

211
212
215
216
219
221
223
224
22&
227
229

230
231

232

233

15 Wren
16" White-rump
17 Winchat
IS Stonechat

xxxvit

Page,
235
236
2S8
240

Of the TUmoufe - 242

1 Greater Titmoufe 244-

2 Blue Titmoufe 24&

3 Cole Titmoufe 247

4 Long-tailed Tit-

moufe - 248

5 Marfh Titmoufe 250

6 Bearded Titmoufe 251

Of the Sivallow

253

1 Chimney Swallow

256

2 Sand Martin -

260

3 Martin - -

261

4 Swift

263

Nightjar

265

Of the Dove kind -

268

1 Wild Pigeon -

269

2 Ring Dove

272

3 Turtle Dove -

274

Of the GalVinaceous hind 276
1 Domellic Cock 278

2 £

xxxvnr

CONTEJNTS.

Page.

Page.

e Pheafant

283

13 Great Buftard

310

3 Turkey

287

14. Little Buftard

313

4 Peacock

289
292

5 Pintado

6 Wood Groufe

294.

0/i/je Plover

315

7 Black Groufe

297

1 Great Plover

- 316

8 Red Groufe -

299

2 Pee-wit

318

9 White Groufe

301

3 Golden Plover

S22

10 Partridge

303

4 Grey Plover

323

11 Quail

305

5 Dotterel

324

12 Corncrake

308

6 Ring Dotterel

32&

'•*'-;> ^ 1

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND PART.

><25><=

1 Sanderling - 19

2 Long-legged Plover 21

Of the Oyjler-catcher
1 Oyfter-catcher

1 Water Crake

2 Water Rail

1 Water Ouzel

1 Kingfiftier

Of the Spoonbill
1 Spoonbill

Of the Crane
1 Crane

23

ib.

25

28

30
33

37

38

41

42

2 Stork

Page,
44,

1 Heron - - 48

2 Great White Heron 52

3 Night Heron 53

4 Egret - - 55

5 Bittern - - 57

6 Little Bittern - 60

Of the Curlew

1 Curlew

2 Whimbrel

1 Woodcock

2 Great Snipe

3 Common Snipe

4 Judcock

62
63
65

67
68
73
75
79

xl

CONTENTS.

Page.

Page.

5 Knot

81

2 Tumftone (mori-

83

nella)

121

Of the Godwit

1 Godwit

2 Red Godwit -

84

85
87

1 Water Hen

123

3 Cinereous Godwit

4 Cambrid;.;e Godwit

88

Of the Coot

126

5 Lefler Godwit

ik

1 Coot - -

127

6 Greenfhank

89

2 Greater Coot

isa

7 Spotted Redfhank

90

8 Redfhank

91

94
95
99

Of the Phalarope

1 Red Phalarope

2 Grey Phalarope

131

Of the Sandpiper
1 Ruff

ib.
132

2 Shore Sandpiper

S Green Sandpiper

100

Of the Grebe

134*

4 Gambet

102

1 Great crefted Grebe 136

5 Afh-coloured Sand-

2 Tippet Grebe

138

piper

ib.

3 Eared Grebe

139

6 Common Sandpiper

104

4 Duflcy Grebe

141

7 Brown Sandpiper

106

5 Red-necked Grebe

' 142

8 Greenwich Sand-

6 Little Grebe

144

piper

ih.

7 Black-chm Grebe

145

9 Black Sandpiper

107
108

10 Spotted Sandpiper

11 Red-legged Sand-

Of the Avofet
1 Avofet

146
147

piper

109
112
113
115
118

12 Red Sandpiper

13 Dunlin

14 Furre

15 Little Stint

Of the Auh or Penguin

1 Great Auk

2 Razor-Bill

3 Black-billed Auk

4 Puffin

149
150
152
154

155

1 Tumftone

119

5 Little Auk

158

CONTENTS.

xli

Page.
Of the GuWetnoi - 160

1 Guillemot - 161

2 LefTer.Guillemot 163

3 Black Guillemot 165

4 Spotted Guillemot 166

167

Of the Divers

1 Great Northern

Diver - 168

2 Imber - 170

3 Lefler Imber - 172

4 Firft Speckled Di-

ver - - 173

5 Second Speckled

Diver - 175

6 Red-tliroated Diver 177

7 Black-throated Di-

ver - 178

Of the Terns or Sea
Sivallows

1 Common Tern

2 Lefler Tern -

3 Black Tern -

4 Sandwich Tern

5 Sterna navia

6 Brown Tern

180
181
183

184
185

187
188

Of the Gull - 189

1 Black-backed Gull 191

2 Herring Gull 193

3 Wagel - 195

4 Common Gull 197

Page.

5 Winter Gull 199

6 Black-headed Gull 200

7 Brown-headed

Gull - 203

8 La petite mouette

grife - 205

9 Kittiwake - 206

10 Tarrock - 207

11 Skua Gull - 209

12 Black-toed Gull 212

13 Araic Gull 214

Of the Petrel

216

1 Fulmar

218

2 Shearwater

220

3 Stormy Petrel

223

Of the Mergus

226

1 Goofander

228

2 Dun-diver

231

3 Red-breafted Mer-

ganfer

235

4 Smew

238

5 Red-headed Smew 240

6 Lough-diver

241

Of the Anas

1 Wild Swan

2 Mute Swan

3 Swan Goofe

243
245
249
253

4 Canada Goofe 'i55

5 Egyptian Goole ?5S

6 Red-breafted Goole 2o0

xlii

CONTENTS.

Page.

7 Grey Lag Goofe 262

8 Tame Goofe 266

9 White-fronted

Wild Goofe 272

10 Bean Goofe - 273

11 Bernacle - 274

12 Brent Goofe - 277

13 Eider Duck - 279

14 Mufk Duck - 284
U Velvet Duck 286

16 Scoter - 288

17 Mallard - 291

18 Tame Duck - 299

19 Hook-billed Duck 303

20 Scaup Duck 304

21 Shieldrake - 306

22 Shoveler - 310

23 Red-breafted Sho-

veler - 313

Page,

24 Gadwall - 314

25 Wigeon - 316

26 Bimaculated Duck 319

27 Pochard - 320

28 Ferruginous Duck 323

29 Pintail Duck - 324

30 Long-tailed Duck 327

31 Golden-eye

32 Morillon

33 Tufted Duck

34 Garganey

35 Teal

3 Shag

4 Gannet

330
333
334
336
338

Of the Pelican - 341

1 Corvorant - 343

2 Crefted Corvorant 349

351
354

BRITISH BIRDS.

BIRDS OF PRET,

Rapacious birds, or those which subsist chiefly on flesh,
are much less numerous than ravenous quadrupeds ; and
it seems wisely provided by nature, that their powers
should be equally confined and limited with their num-
bers i for if to the rapid flight and penetrating eye of the
Eagle, were joined the strength and voracious appetite of
the Lion, the Tiger, or the Glutton, no artifice could
evade the one, and no speed could escape the other.

The characters of birds of the ravenous kind are par-
ticularly strong, and easily to be distinguished : the for-
midable talons, the large head, the strong and crooked
beak, indicate their ability for rapine and carnage ; their
dispositions are fierce, and their nature untraftable ; un-
sociable and cruel, they avoid the haunts of civilization,
and retire to the most melancholy and wild recesses of
nature, where they can enjoy, in gloomy solitude, the
effedls of their depredatory excursions. The fierceness
of their nature extends even to their young, which they
drive from the nest at a very early period. The difiicul-
ty of procuring a constant supply of food for them some-
times overcomes the feelings of parental affeClion, and
they have been known to destroy them in the fury of

BRITISH BIRDS.

disappointed hunger. Different from all other kinds,
the female of birds of prey is larger and stronger than
the male : naturalists have puzzled themselves to assign
the reason of this extraordinary property, but the final
cause at least is obvious, — as the care of rearing her
young is solely intrusted to the female, nature has fur-
nished her with more ample powers to provide for her
own wants, and those of her offspring.

This formidable tribe constitutes the first order among
the genera of birds. Those of our own country consist
only of two kinds, viz. the Falcon and the Owl. We
shall begin with the former.

BRITISH BIRDS, M

THE FALCON TRIBE.

The numerous families of which this kind is compo-
sed, are found in almost every part of the world, from
the frigid to the torrid zone : they are divided into
various classes or tribes, consisting of Eagles, Kites,
Buzzards, Hawks, &c. and are readily known by the
following distinguishing charafteristics : —

The bill is strong, sharp, and much hooked, and is
furnished with a naked skin or cere situated at the base,
in which are placed the nostrils ; the head and neck are
well cloathed with feathers, which sufficiently distin-
guish it from every one of the Vulture kind ; the legs
and feet are scaly 5 the claws are large and strong, much
hooked, and very sharp. Birds of this species are also
distinguished by their undaunted courage, and great
aftivity. Buffon, speaking of the Eagle, compares it
with the Lion, and ascribes to it the magnanimity, the
strength, and the forbearance of that noble quadruped.
The Eagle despises small animals, and disregards their
insults ; he seldom devours the whole of his prey, but,
like the Lion, leaves the fragments to other animals :
though famished with hunger, he disdains to feed on
carrion. The eyes of the Eagle have the glare of thos«
of the Lion, and are nearly of the same colour ; the
claws are of the same shape, and the cry of both is power-
ful and terrible : destined for war and plunder, they are
equally fierce, bold, and untra^lable. Such is the resem-
blance which that ingenious and fanciful writer has pictur-
ed of these two noble animals *, the characters of both are
striking and prominent, and hence the Eagle is said to

F 2

46 BRITISH BIRDS.

extend his dominion over the birds, as the Lion over
the quadrupeds.

The same v^^riter also observes, that, in a state of na-
ture, the Eagle never engages in a solitary chace but when
the female is confined to her eggs or her young : at this
season the return of the smaller birds affords plenty of
prey, and he can with ease provide for the sustenance of
himself and his mate ; at other times they unite their
exertions, and are always seen close together, or at a
short distance from each other. They who have an op-
portunity of observing their motions, say, that the one
beats the bushes, whilst the other, perched on an emi-
nence, watches the escape of the prey. They often soar
out of the reach of human sight ; and, notwithstanding
the immense distance, their cry is still heard, and then
resembles the barking of a small dog. Though a voraci-
ous bird, the Eagle can endure the want of sustenance for
a long time. A common Eagle, caught in a fox trap, is
said to have passed five whole weeks without the least
food, and did not appear sensibly weakened till towards
the last week, when a period was put to its existence.

BRITISH BIRDS.

47

THE GOLDEN EAGLE.

{Fako Chryfatos, Linnaeus. — Le grand Algky BufFon.)

This is the largest of the genus ; it measures, from
the point of the bill to the extremity of the toes, upwards
of three feet *, and in breadth, from wing to wing, above
eight ; and weighs from sixteen to eighteen pounds.

48

BRITISH BIRDS.

The male is smaller, and does not weigh more than
twelve pounds. The bill is of a deep blue colour ; the
cere vellow : the eyes are large, deep sunk, and covered
by a projecting brow ; the iris is of a fine bright yellow,
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 remarkably 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 Pennant says there are instances, though rare, of
their having bred in Snowdon Hills. Mr Wallis, in his
Natural History of Northumberland, says, " it formerly
had its aerie 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."

BRITISH BIRDS.

49

"IW^^'^-**'"''^'**

THE RINGTAILED EAGLE.

{^Falco Fulvus, Lin. — U A'lgh. Commun. Buff.)

This is the common Eagle of Buffon, and, according
to that author, includes two varieties, the Brown and
the Black Eagle ; they are both of the same brown colour,
distinguished only by a deeper shade, and are nearly

50

BRITISH BIRDS.

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 colour ; 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 dis-
tinguished by a white ring, which covers about two-
tliirds of its length ; the remaining part is black.

The Ringtailed Eagle is more numerous and diffused
than the Golden Eagle, and prefers more northern cli-
mates. It is found in France, Germany, Switzerland,
Great Britain, and in America as far north as Hudson's
Bay.

BRITISH BIRDS.

51

THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE.

GREAT ERNE, CINEREOUS EAGLE.
( Falco Miulla, Lm,—Le grand Pygargue^ Buff. )
Of this there appears to be three varieties, which dif-

G

52 BRITISH BIRDS.

fer chiefly in size, and consist of the following : — the
Great Erne, or Cinereous Eagle, of Latham and Pen-
nant ; the Small Erne, or Lesser White-tailed Eagle ;
and the White-headed Erne, or Bald Eagle. The first
two 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 Gold-
en Eagle. The beak, cere, and eyes are of a pale yel-
low : the space between the beak and the eye is of a
bluish 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, darkest 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 Bri-
tain. It is equal in strength and vigour 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.

^'^^^'-ZJH^^^^^M^A^^^^

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SEA EAGLE.

(Falco OJifragus, Lin. — VCrfraie, BufF.)

This bird is nearly as large as the Golden Eagle,
measuring in length tliree Feet and a half, but its ex-
panded wings do not reach above seven feet. Its bill is
large, much hooked, and of a bluish colour ; irides in

g2

54. BRITISH BIRDS.

some light hazel, in others yellow : a row of strong
bristly feathers hangs down from its under bill next to
its throat, whence it has been termed the Bearded 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 complete semicircle, are of a shining
black.

It is found in various parts of Europe and America : it
It said to lay only two eggs during the whole year, and
frequently produces only one young bird : 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 ^orders of
large lakes and rivers j and is said to see so c'.stin^tty 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 confli£l with a cat, which it had
seized and taken up into the air with its talons, is very
remarkable. Mr Barlow, who was an eye-witness of the
fa£l, made a drawing of it, which he afterwards engraved.

BRITISH BIRDS.

S5

THE OSPREY.

BALD BUZZARD, SEA EAGLE, OR FISHING HAWK.
(Falco Haliafus, Lin. — Le BalhuzzarJ, 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 yellow : the crown of its head is white, mark-
ed with oblong dusky spots ; its cheeks, and all the un-
der parts of its body, are white, slightly spotted with
brown on its breast ; from the corner of each eye a streak
of brown extends down the sides of the neck towards
the wing j the upper part of the body is brown -, the two

5S

BRITISH BIRDS.

middle feathers of the tail are the same ; 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 circum-
ference; they are of a pale blue colour ; the claws
black : the outer toe is larger than the inner one, and
turns easily backward, by which means this bird can
more readily secure its slippery prey.

BufFon observes that the Osprey is the most numerous
of the large birds of prey, and is scattered over the ex-
tent 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 borders of rivers and lakes : its
principal food is fish ; it darts upon its prey with great
rapidity, and with undeviating aim. The Italians com-
pare its descent upon the water to a piece of lead falling
upon that element, and distinguish it by the name of
Aqu'ila Piumbway or the Leaden Eagle. It builds its nest
on the ground, among reeds, and lays three or four eggs,
of an elliptical form, rather less than those of a Hen.
Th^ Carolina and Cayenne Ospreys are varieties of this
species.

&*:[ru!^'i^yM'^^''^

BRITISH BIRDS.

57

THE COMMON BUZZARD,

OR PUTTOCK. • - . ' r;'

{Falco ButeOf Lin. — La Bufe, Buff.)

M. Buffo N distinguishes the Kites and the Buzzards
from the Eagles and Hawks by their habits and disposi-
tions, 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, inaftive, and slothful ; they will fly
before a Sparrow-hawk, and when overtaken, will suffer
themselves to be beaten, and even brought to the ground,
without resistance.

The Buzzard is about twenty inches in length, and in

SS BRITISH BIRDS.

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 j the wings and tail are marked with
bars of a darker hue ; the under parts pale, variegated
with a light reddish brown : the legs are yellow ; claws
black. But birds of this species are subject to greater
variations than most other birds, as scarcely two are
alike : some are entirely white ; of others the head only
is white j and others again are mottled with brown and
white.

This well-known bird is of a sedentary and indolent
disposition ; it continues for many hours perched upon a
tree or eminence, whence it darts upon the game that
comes within its reach : it feeds on birds, small quadru-
peds, reptiles, and insedts. Its nest is construfbed with
small branches, lined in the inside with wool and other
soft materials ; it lays two or three eggs, of a whitish
colour, 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 patiently rears the young
till they are able to provide for themselves.

The editors 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 a6l of de-
vouring its prey — a Partridge it had just killed. It had
entirely separated the flesh from the bones, which, with
the legs and wings, were afterwards discovered lying at
a small distance from the place where the Buzzard was
was shot.

BRITISH BIRDS.

59

rr^irrKJiJ^l^^

THE HONEY BUZZARD

{Fako Aplvorus, Lin. — La Bondrecy Buff.)

Is as large as the Buzzard, measuring twenty-two
inches in length ; the wings extend above four feet. Its
bill is black, and rather longer than that of the Buzzard j
the eyes are yellow j the head 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.

H

m

BRirrSIT BIRDS.

This bird builds a nest similar to that of the Buzzard,
and of the .same kind of materials ; its eggs are of aii ash
colour, with small brown spots : it sometimes takes posses-
sion of the nests of other birds, and feeds its young with
wasps and other insc(^ts \ it is fond of field mice, frogs,
lizards, and inserts. It does not soar like the Kite, but
Hies 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 I'lngland as the Buzzard.

IWillbn observes, that it is frequently caught in tl.e
winter, when it is fat and delicious eatin|j;.

1

^ mi^SSt

IJRITJ.SH BIRDS.

^1

MOOR nUZ/ARD.

DUCK HAWK, OR WIirn>IlEADi:i) HARI^Y.
{^Falcrj JErug'tnoJusy \a\\.-^ Le Biifard, Buff.)

Length above twenty-one Indies. 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 arc yellow ; claws
black.

H 2

62

BRITISH BIRDS.

Birds of this kind vary much : in some, the crown
and back part of the head are yellow j and in one
described by Mr Latham, the whole bird was uniformly
of a chocolate brown, with a tinge of rust colour. The
above figure and description were taken from a very
fine living bird, sent for the use of this work by the
late John Silvertop, Esq. of Minster-Acres, in the
county of Northumberland, which very nearly agreed
with that figured in the Planches Enluminees.

The Moor Buzzard preys on rabbits, young Wild
Ducks, and other water fowl ; and likewise 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 wnm 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 faces its antagonist,
and makes a vigorous defence.

f?l t-'i'y

BRITISH BIRDS.

63

THE KITE.

FORK-TAILED KYTE, OR GLEAD.
{Falco Milvus, Lin. — Le Milan Royal, Buff.)

This bird is easily distinguished from the Buzzard 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 the base ; its eyes
and cere are yellow s the feathers on the head and neck
are long and narrow, of a hoary colour, streaked with
brown down the middle of each j those on the body are
of a reddish brown colour, the margin of each feather
pale ; the quills are dark brown, the legs yellow, and the
claws black. It is common in England, where it con-
tinues the whole year. It is found in various parts of

m

BRITISH BIRDS.

Europe, in very northern latitudes, whence It retires
towards Egypt before winter, 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 some-
what 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 *,
vet at this distance it perceives its food distindlly, and
descends upon its prey with irresistible force : its attacks
are confined to small animals and birds j it is particularly
fond of young chickens, but the fury of their mother is
generally sufficient to drive away the robber.

BRITISH BIRDS.

6S

THE GOSHAWK.

{Faico Palumbarius, Lin. — U 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 is irregularly mark-
ed with white : the breast and belly are white, with a
a number of wavy lines or bars of black ; the tail is long,
of an. ash 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 BufFon,
who brought up two young birds of this kind, a male and

ae BRITISH BIRDS.

a female, makes the following observation : " That the
Goshawk, before it has shed its feathers, that is in its first
year, is marked on the breast and belly with longitudi-
nal 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 fiercer and more vicious. The Gos-
hawk 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 frequently 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
vhich is mottled with brown and yellow. They are said
to be used by- the Emperor of China in his sporting ex-
cursions, when he is usually attended by his grand fal-
coner, and a thousand of inferior rank. Every bird has
a silver plate fastened to its foot, with the name of the
falconer who has the charge of it, that, in case it should
be lost, it may be restored to the proper 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 army of hunters. In former times the
custom of carrying a Hawk on the hand was confined to
men of high distin61:ion ; so that it was a saying among
the Welsh, " you may know a gentleman by his Hawk^
horsej and greyhound." Even the ladies in those times

BRITISH BIRDS. 6H

were partakers of this gallant sport, and have been re-
presented 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 in-
closure 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 mo-
lestation to himself, or injury to his neighbour. The
expence that 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 Edward 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 delight our ancestors took in this royal sport, and
such were the means by which they endeavoured to se-
cure it. Besides the bird just described, 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, slower in their motions, more indolent,
and less courageous than the others.

* A name implying a particular brown colour of some of the
unmoulted Falcons- Gentil.

6S

BRITISH BIRDS,

THE SPARROWHAWK.

( Fako Nifus, Lin. — VEpervler, 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 running 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, 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 j the tips of the tail feathers

BRITISH BIRDS. 69

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 is the description of a female ; the male
differs both in size and colour : the upper part of his
body is of a dark lead colour, and the bars on his breast
are more numerous.

The female builds her nest in hollow trees, high rocks,
or lofty ruins, sometimes in the old nest of a crow, and
generally lays four or five eggs, spotted with reddish
spots at the longer end.

The Sparrowhawk is very numerous In various parts
of the world, from Russia to the Cape of Good Hope.
It is a bold and spirited bird ; but is obedient and docile,
and can be easily trained to hunt Partridges and Quails ;
it makes great destru6lion among Pigeons, young poultry,
and small birds of all kinds, which it will attack and car-
ry off in the most daring manner.

THE JER-FALCON.

[Faico Gyrfakoi lA^.—Le Gerfaut, Buff.)

This is a very elegant species, and is larger than the
Goshawk. Its bill is much hooked, and yellow ; the
iris is dusky •, the throat white, as is likewise the general
colour of the plumage, but spotted with brown j the
breast and belly are marked with lines, pointing down-
wards ; the spots on the back and wings are larger ; the
feathers on the thighs are very long, and of a pure
white j those of the tail are barred : the legs are of a pale
blue, and feathered below the knee. This bird is a na-
tive of the cold and dreary climates of the north, and is

i2

70 BRITISH BIRDS.

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 meni.
tions three varieties of the Jer-Falcon ; the first is brown
on all the upper parts of the body ; 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 a^live^ 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 strength, or blunt
its vivacity. It boldly attacks the largest of the feathered
race; the Stork, the Hei'on, and the Crane are easy vic-
tims : it kills hares by darting dire6lly 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 Gentths, Lin.)

This bird is somewhat larger than the Goshawk. Its
bill is of a 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 ; scapulars 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 yellow, and the claws black : the wings extend ex-
actly to the tip of the tail.

BRITISH BIRDS. 71

Naturalists enumerate a great variety of Falcons ; and
in order to swell the list, they introduce the same bird
at different periods of its life -, and have, not unfrequent-
ly, accounted accidental differences, produced by climate,
as permanent varieties *, so that as Buffon observes with
his usual acuteness, one would be apt to imagine that
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 varieties multi-
plied 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 distinctions, and has been the means of in-
troducing confusion and irregularity into the systems of
ornithologists. 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 Fal-
con— ^\vhilst others differ only in some unessential point,
arising from age, sex, or climate. Buffon, however, re-
duces the whole to two kinds — the Gentil, which he sup-
poses 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 consequently
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 upper parts of the body are ele-
gantly marked with bars of blue and black ; the breast is
of a yellowish white, marked with a few small dusky
lines ; the belly, thighs, and vent are 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.

72

BRITISH BIRDS.

6^

THE HEN-HARRIER.

DOVE-COLOURED FALCON, OR BLUE HAWK.
(Faico Cyaneusf Lin. — UOlfeau 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 eyelids are yellow : the
upper parts of the body are of a bluish 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
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 feathers of the tall are
grey, the next three are marked on their inner webs
with dusky bars, the two outermost are marked with al-

BRITISH BIRDS. 73

temate bars of white and rust colour : the legs are long
and slender, and of a yellow colour. These birds vary-
much : of several with which this work has been favour-
ed by John Silvertop, Esq. some were perfectly white
on the under parts, and of a larger size than common :
probably 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 Craglake :f
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 reddish colour, with a
few white spots.

* It has been supposed that this and the following are male
and female ; but the repeated instances of Hen-harriers of both
sexes having been seen, leave it beyond all doubt that they constii.
iute two distinct species.

f Wallis's Natural History of Northumberland.

74

BRITISH BIRDS-

THE RINGTAIL.

^Falco Pygargus, Lin. — Soub'ufey 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, belly, 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 yellow ;
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 yellow ; the fea-

BRITISH BIRDS.

75

tliers on the upper parts of the body are brown, with pale
edges ; above each eye there is a white line, which runs
towards the hinder part of the head, and beneath it is a
black streak pointing downwards towards the neck ; the
throat is white *, the breast of a dull yellow, marked with
brown spots •, thighs and vent the same j the quill fea-
thers are dusky, marked on the inner webs with oval
spots, of a rust colour j the tail is spotted in the same
manner : the legs are short and strong, and of a bluish
colour.

The Lanner is not common in England ; it breeds in
Ireland, and is found in various parts of Europe. It de-
rives its name from its mode of tearing its prey into
small pieces with its bilL

THE KESTREL.

STONEGALL, STANNEL HAWK, OR V/INDHOVER.
( Falco Tinnunculus, Lin. — La Crejferelle^ Buff. )

The male of this species differs so much from the fe-
male, that we have given a figure of it from one we had

K

75 BRITISH BIRDS.

in our possession, probably an old one. Its length is
fourteen inches ; breadth two feet three inches : its bill
is blue •, cere and eyelids yellow ; eyes black ; the fore-
head 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 j quill feathers dusky, with light edges ; all
the under part of the body is of a pale rust colour, streak-
ed 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 part and
under sides ; the tips are white : the legs are yellow, and
the claws black.

The Kestrel is widely diffused throughout Europe, 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 dexte-
rously from the birds, but swallows the mice entire, and
discharges the hair, in the form of round balls, from its bill.
This bird is frequently seen hovering in the air, and fan-
ning 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 Britain for catching small birds and young
Partridges.

BRITISH BIRDS.

77

THE FEMALE KESTREL.

This beautiful bird is distinguished from every other
Hawk by its variegated plumage : its bill is blue ; cere
and feet yellow j eyes dark coloured, surrounded with a
yellow skin ; its head is rust coloured, streaked with
black ; behind each eye there is a light spot ; the back
and wing coverts are elegantly marked with numerous
undulated bars of black ; the breast, belly, and thighs are
of a pale reddish colour, with dusky streaks pointing
downwards ; vent plain ; the tail is marked by a pretty
broad black bar near the end ; a number of smaller ones,
of the same colour, occupy the remaining part ; the tip
is pale.

K 2

78

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HOBBY.

[Falco Subhuteoy Lin. — Le HobreaUf BufF.)

The lenfrth of the male is twelve inches ; breadtli
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, and back,
are of a bluish black •, the wing coverts the same, but in
some edged with rust colour ; the hinder part of the
neck is marked with two pale yellow spots ; ahlack mark
from behind each eye, forming almost a crescent, is ex-
tended downwards on the neck ; the breast and belly are
pale, marked Avith dusky streaks j 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 tipped with white. The fe-
male is much larger, and the spots on her breast more

BRITISH BIRDS.

79

conspicuous than those of the male : the legs and feet
are yellow.

The Hobby breeds with us, but is said to emigrate in
0£lober. It was formerly used in falconry, clHefly for
Larks and other small birds, which were caught in a sin-
gular manner : when the Hawk was cast off, the Larks,
fixed to the ground through fear, became an easy prey to
the fowler, who drew a net over them. Buffon says,
that it was used in taking Partridges and Ouails.

y^m^^iMA,

-^jtf^>»> — •

THE MERLIN.

[Falco JEfalon, lAri.—V EmerlUorii Buff.)

The Merlin is the smallest of all the Hawk kind,
scarcely exceeding the size of a Blackbird. Its bill is
blue -, cere and irides yellow : the head is of a rust co-
lour, streaked with black ; back and wings of a deepish

80 BRITISH BIRDS.

brown, tinged with ash, streaked down the shafts with
black, and edged with rust colour ; quill feathers dark,
tipped and margined on the inner webs with reddish
white ', the breast and belly are of a yellowish white,
with streaks of rusty brown pointing downwards •, the
tail is long, and marked with alternate dusky and pale
bars ; the wings, when closed, do not reach quite to the
end of the tail : the legs are yellow ; claws black.

The Merlin, though small, is not inferior in courage
to any of the Falcon tribe. It was used for taking Larks,
Patridges, and Quails, which it would frequently kill by
one blow, striking them on the breast, head, or neck.
BufFon observes that this bird differs from the Falcons,
and all the rapacious kind, in the male and female's be-
ing of the same size. The Merlin does not breed here,
but visits us in October ♦, it flies low, and with great cele-
rity and ease. It preys on small birds, and breeds in
woods, laying five or six eggs. *

BRITISH BIRDS. 81

OF THE OWL.

The Owl is distinguished, among birds of the rapa-
cious kind, by pecuHar and striking characters : its out-
ward appearance is not more singular than its habits and
dispositions : unable to bear the brighter light of the
sun, the Owl retires to some lonely retreat, where it
passes tlie day in silence and obscurity ; but at the
approach of evening, when all nature is desirous of
repose, and the smaller animals, which are its principal
food, are seeking their nestling places, the Owl comes
forth from its lurking holes in quest of its prey. Its
eyes are admirably adapted for this purpose, being so
formed as to distinguish objects with greater facility in
the dusk than in broad day-light. Its flight is low and
silent during its nocturnal excursions, and when it rests it
is then only known by its frightful and reiterated cries,
with which it interrupts the silence of the night. During
the day, the Owl is seldom seen -, but, if forced from
his retreat, his flight is broken and interrupted, and he
is sometimes attended by numbers of small birds of
various kinds, who seeing his embarrassment, pursue
him with incessant cries, and torment him with their
movements: the Jay, the Thrush, the Blackbird, the
Redbreast, and the Titmouse, all assemble to hurry and
perplex him. During all this, the Owl remains perched
upon the branch of a tree, and answers them onlv with
aukward and insignificant gestures, turning his head,
eyes,* and body, with all the appearance of mockery

* At whatever they look, they turn their heads round towards
the object ; for it appears that the eyes of all this tribe are fixed
in their sockets, and do not move.

82 BRITISH BIRDS.

and affectation. All the species of Owls, however, are
not alike dazzled and confused with the light of the
sun ; some of them being able to fly, and see distinctly
in open day.

Nocturnal birds of prey are generally divided into
two kinds — that which hath horns or ears, and that
which is earless or without horns. These horns consist
of small tufts of feathers, standing up like ears on each
side of the head, which are erected or depressed at the
pleasure of the animal ; and in all probability are of use
in directing the organs of hearing, which are very large,
to their proper object. Both kinds agree in having
their eyes so formed as to be able to pursue their prey
with much less light than other birds. The general
character of the Owl is as follows : — ^The eyes are large,
and are surrounded with a radiated circle of feathers,
of which the eye itself is the centre ; the beak and
talons are strong and crooked ; the body very short,
but thick, and well covered with a coat of the softest
and most delicate plumage ; the external edges of
the outer quill feathers in general are finely fringed,
which adds greatly to the smoothness and silence of
its flight. ^

THE GREAT EARED OWL.

[Strix Buboy Lin. — Le grand Due , BufF.)

This bird is not much inferior in size to an Eagle.
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 ; the eyes
large, and of a bright yellow 5 the whole plumage is of

BRITISH BIRDS.

83

a rusty brown, finely variegated with black and yellow
lines, spots, and specks ; its belly is ribbed with bars of
a brown colour, confusedly intermixed ; its tail is short,
marked with dusky bars ; its legs are strong, and covered
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 on the plain, or perched on trees : it
feeds on young hares, rabbits, rats, mice, and reptiles
of various kinds.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LONG-EARED OWL.

HORN OWL.
(Sirix Otus, Lin Le Hihou, BuflF.)

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, closely laid together, of a dark
brown colour, tipped and edged with yellow •, the upper
part of the body is beautifully penciled with fine streaks
gf white, rusty, and brown 5 the breast and neck are

BRITISH BIRDS.

83

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 j 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 Europe, as
well as in this country ; its usual haunts are in old ruin-
ed buildings, in rocks, and in hollow trees. M. BuiFan
observes, that it seldom constructs a nest of its own,
but not unfrequently occupies that of the Magpie : it
lays four or five eggs ; the young are at first white, but
acquire their natural colour in about fifteen days.

^

L5

86

BRITISH BIRDS-

THE SHORT-EARED OWL.

(Strix Brachyotos, Phil. Tranf. vol. 62, p. 384.)

Length fourteen inches ; breadth three feet. The
head is small, and Hawk-like j bill dusky; the irides
are of a bright yellow, and when the pupil is contracted,
shine like gold : the circle round each eye is of a dirty
white, with dark streaks pointing outwards; imme-
diately round the eye there is a circle of black ; the two
horns or ears consist of not more than three feathers, of
a pale brown or tawny colour, with a dark streak in
the middle of each ; the whole upper part of the body is
variously marked with dark brown and tawny, the fea-
thers are mostly edged with the latter ; the breast and
belly are of a pale yellow, marked with dark longitudinal

' BRITISH BIRDS. S7

^trealis which are most numerous on the breast : the legs
SLud feet are covered with feathers of a pale yellow co-
lour ; 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 dusky and a pale brown j
the tail is likewise marked with bars of the same colours,
and the middle feathers 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, with which
this work has been favoured, both sexes had the upright
tufts or ears : in one which was alive, they were very
conspicuous, and appeared more ere^t while the bird re-
mained undisturbed ; but when frightened, were scarce-
ly to be seen : in the dead birds they were hardly dis-
cernible .

Mr Pennant seems to be the first describer of this rare
and beautiful species, which he supposes to be a bird of
passage, as it only visits us in the latter part of the year,
and disappears in the spring. It flies by day, and some-
times is seen in companies : twenty-eight were once
counted in a turnip-field in November.* It is found
chiefly in wooded or mountainous countries : its food is
principally field mice.

* Communicated by Thomas Penrice, Esq. of Yannouth.

$$

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE FEMALE HORNED OWL.

This bird was somewhat larger than the former ; 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 hav-
ing not seen any other at the time, the editors supposed
it to be a distinft kind ; but having since seen several,
both males and females, they are convinced of the mis-
take.

BRITISH BIRDS.

S9

THE WHITE OWL.

BARN OWL, CHURCH OWL, GILLIHOWLET, OR
SCREECH OWL.

{Strix Flammea, Lin. — UEffratey ou la Frefaie, 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 j the head, back, and wings, are of a pale chesnut,
beautifully powdered with very fine grey and brown spots,
intermixed with 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
kairs j the wings extend beyond the tail, which is short.

da BRITISH BIRDS.

and marked with alternate bars of dusky and white ; the
claws are white. Birds of this kind vary considerably :
of several which were in the hands of the editors, the
differences were very 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,
makings, and other uninhabited buildings, where it con-
tinues during the day, and leaves its haunts in the twilight
in quest of its prey. It has obtained the name of
Screech Owl from its cries, repeated at intervals, and
rendered loud and frightful from the stillness of the
night. During its repose it makes a blowing noise, re-
sembling 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 it frequents.

>'>*..*

^@^

••'^%*

BRITISH BIRDS,

91

THE TAWNY OWL.

COMMON BROWN IVY OWl., OR HOWLET,
(Sirix Slriiluhy Lin — Le Chathuant, BufF.)

This bird 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 spotted with dark
brown and black •, on the wing coverts and scapulars,
are several large white spots, regularly placed, so as to
form three rows *, the quill feathers are marked with al-
ternate 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

M

^ BRITISH BIRDS.

the same colour: the legs are feathered down to the
toes ; the claws are large, much hooked, and white.
Tixis species is found in various parts of Europe 5 it
frequents woods, and builds its nest in the hollows of
trees.

THE LITTLE OWL.

(Slrlx Pqfferina, Lin. — La Cheveche ou petite Chouette^ Buff.)

This is the smallest of the Owl kind, not being 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 j
the breast and belly white, spotted with brown ; the fea-
thers 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 con-
structed in the rudest manner, in the most retired places :
it lays five eggs, spotted 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 England : it is sometimes found in
Yorkshire, Flintshire, and in the neighbourhood of
London^

BRITISH BIRDS. 93

OF THE SHRIKE,

The last class to be mentioned of birds of the rapaci-
ous kind, is that of the Shrike, which, as M. Buffon ob-
serves, though they are small, and of a delicate form, yet
their courage, their appetite for blood, and their hooked
bill, entitle them to be ranked with the boldest and the
most sanguinary of the rapacious tribe. This genus has
been variously placed in the systems of naturalists ; some-
times it has been classed with the Falcons, sometimes
with the Pies, and has even been ranked with the harm-
less and inoffensive tribes of the Passerine kind, to which,
indeed, in outward appearance at least, it bears no small
resemblance. Conformably, however, with the latest ar-
rangements, it is here placed in the rear of those birds
which live by rapine and plunder ; and, like most of the
connecting links in the great chain of nature, it will be
found to possess a middle quality, partaking of those
which are placed on each side of it, and making thereby
an easy transition from the one to the other.

The Shrike genus is distinguished by the following
characteristics : the bill is strong, straight at the base,
and hooked or bent towards the end ; the upper mandi-
ble is notched near the tip, and the base is furnished
with bristles ; it has no cere ; the tongue Is divided at
the end ; the outer toe is conne<Sl:ed to the middle one
as far as the first joint. To these exterior marks may
be added, that it possesses the most undaunted courage,
and will attack birds much larger and stronger than it-
self, such as the Crow, the Magpie, and most of the
smaller kinds of Hawks : if any of these should fly near
the place of its retreat, the Shrike darts upon it with

M 2

94

BRITISH BIRDS.

loud cries, attacks the Invader, and drives it from its
nest. The parent birds will sometimes join on such oc-
casions; and there are few birds that will venture to
abide the contest. Shrikes will chase all the small birds
upon the wing, and sometimes will venture to attack
Partridges, and even young hares. Thrushes, Black-
birds, and such like, are their common prey ; they fix on
them with thew- talons, split the skull with their bill, and
feed on them at leisure.

There are three kinds found in this kingdora, of which
tli£ following is the largest.

SiJ^'J.-iia^?

GREAT ASH-COLOURED SHRIKE.

MURDERING PIE, OR GREAT BUTCHER BIRD.
{^Lanitu excuhitory Liii. — La Ple-Griefche gri/ey Buff.)

The length about t^n 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 whit^ ; a black stripe passes through each eye ; the

BRITISH BIRDS. 95

greater quills are black, with a large white spot at the
base, forming a bar of that colour across the wing ; the
lesser qnills are white at the top ; the scapulars are
white ; the two middle feathers of the tail are black ;
the next on each side are white at the ends, gradually-
increasing to the outermost, which are nearly all white ;
the whole, when the tail is spread, forms a large oval
spot of black ; the legs are black. The female differs
little from the male ; she lays six eggs, of a dull olive
green, spotted at the end with black.

This bird is rarely found in the cultivated parts of the
country, preferring mountainous wilds, among furze and
thorny thickets, for its residence. 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 Pennant 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 order more securely to seize them.

The foregoing figure and description were taken from
a very fine specimen, for which this work is indebted to
Lieutenant H. F. Gibson, of the ^th dragoons.

96

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE.

LESSER BUTCHER BIRD, OR FLUSHER.
(Lanius Collurio, Lin. — U Ecorcheur, BufT.)

This bird 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 others 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 breast,
belly, and sides of a dirty white ; the tail deep brown j
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.

BRITISH BIRDS. 97

The manners of this species are similar to those of the
last : it frequently preys on young birds, which it takes
in the nest ; it likewise feeds on grasshoppers, beetles,
and other inserts. It also 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 out-
cries.

THE WOODCHAT

{La P'i£-Griefcke Roujfe, BuiF.)

Is said to equal the last in point of size ; its bill is
horn-coloured ; feathers round the base whitish ; head
and 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 outer edges and tips of the others are white \ the
legs black.

The description of tliis bird seems to have been taken
from a drawing by Mr Edwards, in the Sloanian Museum,
and is not unlike the Least Butcher Bird of that celebrat-
ed naturalist, which it resembles in size and in the distri-
bution of its colours. M. Buffon supposes it may be a va-
riety of the Red-backed Shrike, as they both depart in
September, and return at the same time in the spring 5
the manners of both are said to be the same, and the dif-
ference of colours not very material : the female is some-
what 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, tipped with red.

98 BRITISH BIRDS.

BIRDS OF THE PIE KIND

Constitute the next order in the arrangement of
the feathered part of the creation : they consist of a
numerous and irregular tribe, widely differing from
each other in their habits, appetites, and manners, as
well as in their form, size, and appearance. In general
they are noisy, restless, and loquacious, and of all other
kinds contribute the least towards supplying the neces-
sities or the pleasures of man. At the head of these we
shall place the Crow and its affinities, well known by
its sooty plumage and croaking note, from every other
tribe of the feathered race. Birds of this kind are
found in every part of the known world, from Green-
land to the Cape of Good Hope ; and though generally
disliked for their disgusting and indiscriminating vora-
city, yet in many respects they may be said to be of
great benefit to mankind, not only by devouring putrid
flesh, but principally by destroying great quantities of
noxious insects, worms, and reptiles. Rooks, in parti-
cular, are fond of the erucse of the hedge-chafer, or
chesnut brown beetle,* for which they search with
indefatigable pains. They are often accused of feeding

* These insects appear in hot weather, in formidable numbers,
disrobing the fields and trees of their verdure, blossoms, and
fruit, spreading desolation and destruction wherever they go.
They appeared in great numbers in Ireland during a hot summer,
and committed great ravages. In the year 1747, whole meadows
and corn fields were destroyed by them in Suffolk. The decrease
of rookeries in that county was thought to be the occasion of it.
The many rookeries with us is in som.e measure the reason why
we have so few of these destructive insects.

JValiii^ Hiitory of Northumberlaad^

BRITISH BIRDS. .^9

'^on the corn just after it has been sown, and various con-
trivances have been made both to kill and frighten them
away; but, in our estimation, the advantages derived
from the destruction which they make among grubs,
earth-worms, and noxious insects of various kinds,
greatly overpay the injury done to the future harvest,
by the small quantity of corn they may destroy in
searching after their favourite food. In general they
are sagacious, active, and faithful to each other : they
live in pairs, and their mutual attachment is constant.
They are a clamourous race, mostly build in trees, and
form a kind of society, in which there appears some-
thing like a regular government : a centinel watches for
the general safety, to give notice on the appearance of
danger. On the approach of an enemy, or of a stranger,
they act in concert, and drive him away with repeated
attacks. On these occasions they are as bold as they
are artful and cunning in avoiding the smallest appear-
ance of real danger ; of this the disappointed fowler has
frequently occasion to take notice, on seeing the birds
^y away before he can draw near enough to shoot
them : from this circumstance it has been said that they
discover their danger by the quickness of their scent,
which enables them to provide for their safety in time ;
but of this we have our doubts, and rather ascribe it to
the quickness of their sight, by which they discover the
motions of the sportsman.

The general characters of this kind are well known,
and are chiefly as follows ; — ^The bill is strong, and has
a slight curvature along the top of the upper mandible ;
the edges are thin, and sharp or cultrated ; in many of
the species there is a small notch aear the tip ; the

N

100

BRITISH BIRDS.

nostrils are covered with bristles ; tongue divided at the
end ; three toes forward, one behind, the middle toe
connected to the outer as far as the first joint.

THE RAVEN

GREAT CORBIE CROW.
[Corvus Corax, Lin.— X<? Corbeau, Buff.)

Is the largest of this kind ; its length is above twt)
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 covered with strong hairs
or bristles, which extend above half its length, covering
the nostrils : the general colour of the upper parts is a
fine glossy black, reflecting a blue tint in particular
lights j the under parts are duller, and of a dusky hue.

BRITISH BIRDS. lOI

The Raven is well known in all parts of the world,
and, in times of ignorance and superstition, was con-
sidered as ominous, foretelling future events by its
horrid croakings, and announcing impending calamities :
in those times the raven was considered 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 ignorant and credulous. It is a very long-lived
bird, and is supposed sometimes to live a century or
more. It is fond of carrion, v/hich it scents at a great
distance j 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 alive : it will suck the
eggs of other birds; it feeds also on earth-worms,
reptiles, and even shell-iish 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 bluish green colour, spotted with
brown. The female sits about twenty days, and is con-
stantly attended by the male, who not only provides
her with abundance of food, but relieves her in turn,
and takes her place in the nest.

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.

n2

102

BRITISH birds:

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 hablts>.
colour, and external appearance. It is about eighteen
inches in length ; its breadth about three feet. Birds of
this kind are more numerous and as widely spread as the
Raven ; they live mostly in woods, and build their nests on
trees j the female lays five or six eggs much like those o£
a Raven. They feed on putrid flesh of all sorts ; like-
wise on eggs, worms, insedls, and various sorts of grain.
They live together in pairs, and remain in England dur-
ing the whole year*

THE HOODED CROW

ROYSTON CROW.
{Corvus Comix, Lin.— Z^ CorneUIe ManteVee, Buff.)
Is somewhat larger and more bulky than the Rook^

» BRITISH BIRDS. 103

measuring twenty-two inches in length. Its bill is black,
and two inches long ; the head, fore part of the neck,
wings, and tail are black ; the back and all the und'er
parts are of a pale ash colour ; the legs black.

These birds arrive with the Woodcock, and on their
first coming frequent the shores of rivers. They depart
in the spring to breed in other countries, but it is said
that they do not all leave us, as they have been seen
during the summer months, in the northern quarters of
our island, where they frequent the mountainous parts of
the country, and breed in the pines. In more northern
parts of the world they continue the whole year, and
subsist on sea-worms, shell-fish, and other marine pro-
ductions. With us they are seen to mix with, and to
feed in the same manner as the Crow. During the
breeding season they live in pairs, lay six eggs, and are
said to be much attached to tliQir offspring.

10^

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ROOK.

(Corvus Frugllegus, 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 and nostrils, as far as the eyes,
is covered with a rough scabrous skin, ia 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
appearance 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 occassion to observe
that they are useful in preventing a too great increase of
that destru(Stive insedl the chafer or dor-beetle, and there-
by make large recompence for the depredations they may
occasionally commit on the corn-fields. Rooks are gre-

BRITISH BIRDS. 105

•garious, and fly in immense flocks at morning and even-
ing to and from their roosting places in quest of food.
During the breeding time they live together in large
societies, and build their n£sts on trees close to each
other, frequently in the midst 'of large and populous
towns. These rookeries, however, are often the scenes
of bitter contests j the new-comers are frequently driven
away 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, after an unsuccessful attempt to
establish themselves in a rookery at no great distance
from the Exchange, were compelled to abandon the at-
tempt. They took refuge on the spire of that building,
and although constantly interrupted by other Rooks,
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 turning about
with every change of the wind. They returned and
built their nest every year on the same place till 1793,
soon after which the spire was taken down.

106

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE JACK-DAW.
{Corvus Monedula, Lin. — Le Choucas, BufF.)

This bird is considerably less than the Rook, being
only thirteen inches in length, and about twenty-eight
in breadth. Its bill is black ; eyes white *, the hinder
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 remains
with us the whole year : in other countries, 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 build in trees : in Hampshire they sometimes
breed in the rabbit burrows.* They are easily tamed.

* White's Natural History of Selborne.

BRITISH BIRDS.

107

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 inse£ls, grain, fruit,
and small pieces of flesh, and are said to be fond of Par-
tridge's eggs.

There is a variety of the Daw found in Switzerland,
having a white collar round its neck. In Norway
and other cold countries they have been seen perfe£lly
white.

THE RED-LEGGED CROW,

CORNISH CHOUGH.
{Corvus Graculus, Lin. — Le Coracias, BufF.)

This bird is about the size of the Jackdaw. The bill
is long, curved, sharp at the tip, and of a bright red
colour ; the iris of the eye is composed of two cir-

o

IDST^

BRITISH BIRDS.

cles, 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, hooked, and black.

BufFon describes the bird " as of an elegant figure,
lively, restless, and turbulent, but it may be tamed to a
certain degree." It builds on high cliffs by the sea side,
and chiefly frequents the coasts of Devonshire and Corn-
wall, 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 insedls
and berries : it is said to be particularly fond of the juni-
per berry. Its manners are like those of a Jackdaw : it
is attracted by glittering objects. Buffon says that it has
been known to pull from the fire lighted pieces of wood,,
to the no small danger of the house.

U

-V

WHITISH BIRDS.

109

fe?&*

THE MAGPIE.

PIANET.
[CorvKS 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 under parts and scapulars ; the neck
feathers are long, as are also those on the back, which
extend towards the rump, leaving only a small space, of a
greyish ash colour, between them and the tall coverts,
which are black ; the plumage In general Is glossed with
green, purple, and blue, which catch the eye in different
lights ; the tail is very long, and rather wedge-shaped ;
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, resembling strong whitish hairs.

This beautiful bird is every where common in Eng-

o2 - .

110

BRITISH BIRDS.

land ; it is likewise found in various parts of tlie Con-
tinent, 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 animafl 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 an interweaving of thorny twigs, closely entangled,
thereby securing 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 re-
pose : 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 sentences, and will
imitate any particular noise which it hears. It is addict-
ed, like other birds of its kind, to stealing, and will hoard
up its provisions. It is smaller than the Jackdaw, and its
wings are shorter in proportion ; accordingly its flight is
not so lofty, nor so well supported ; it never undertakes
lonfT journies, but flies only from tree to tree^ at moderate
distances.

BRITISH BIRDS.

Ill

THE NUTCRACKER.

[Corvus Caryocata&es, Lin. — Le Cajfe No'iXy BufF.)

The length of this bird is thirteen inches. The bill
is about two inches long, and black ; the eyes are hazel ;
the upper part of the head and back part of the neck
black ; its general colour is that of a dusky brown, cover-
ed 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 j 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 Denmark, and frequents the
most moimtainous parts of those countries. It makes its
Jiest in holes of 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. This draw-
ing was made from a stuffed specimen in the museum of
the late George Allan, Esq.

U2

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE JAY.
[Corvus Glandarius, Lin. — Le Geai, BufF.)

This beautiful bird is not more than thirteen inches
in length. Its bill is black ; eyes white ; the feathers on
the forehead are white, streaked with black, and form a
tuft which it can ere<St and depress at pleasure •, the chin
is white, and from the corners of the bill on each side
proceeds a broad streak of black, which passes under the
eye *, the hinder p art of the head, the neck, and the 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 al-
ternately *, the greater quills are black, with pale edges,
the bases of some of them white ; lesser quills black ;
those next the body chesnut •, the rump is white ; tail
black, with pale brown edges j legs dirty pale brown.

BRITISH BIRDS. 113

The Jay is a very common bird in Great Britain, and
is found in various parts of Europe. It is distinguished
as well for the beautiful arrangement of its colours, as for
its harsh, grating voice, and restless disposition. Upon
seeing the sportsman, 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 artless nest, com-
posed 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 ob-
serves, 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 some-
times destroy young birds in the absence 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 the sound made by
the a6lion of a saw so exa(Stly, that though it was on a
Sunday, we could hardly be persuaded that the person
who kept it had not a carpenter at work in the house.
Another, 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 was complained of as a nuisance, and its
owner was obliged to destroy it.

114.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CHATTERER.

SILK TAIL, OR WAXEN CHATTERER.
{Ampelts Garrulus, Lin. — Le Jafeur de Boheme, Bliff.)

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
hinder part of the head j its throat is black j 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 ; the vent and tail coverts
m some, nearly white ; in others, the former reddish
chesnut, and the latter ash colour : the tail feathers are
black, tipped with pale yellow •, the quills are black, the
third and fourth tipped on their outer edges with white,
the five following with straw colour, but in some bright

BRITISH BIRDS. 135

yellow ; the secondaries are tipped with white, each be-
ing pointed with a flat horny substance of a bright ver-
miUion colour. These appendages vary in different sub-
je<Sls ; one of those in our possession, had eight on one
wing and six on the other. The legs afe short and black.
It is said the female is not distinguished by the little red
waxen appendages at the ends of the second quills ; but
this we are not able to determine from observation.

This rare bird visits our island only at uncertain inter -
vals. In the years 1790, 1791, and 1803, several of
them were taken in Northumberland and Durham as
early as the month of November. Their summer resi-
dence is supposed to be the northern parts of Europe,
within the arclic circle, whence they spread themselves
into other countries, where they remain during winter,
and return in the spring to their usual haunts. The ge-
neral 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 captivity was fed chiefly
with hawthorn berries, but from the difficulty of provid-
ing it with a sufficient supply >of its natural food it soon
died. Only this species of the Chatterer is found in
Europe ; all the rest are natives of America-

IIG

BRITISH BIRDS

THE ROLLER.
( Coraclas Garrula, Lin. — Le RoUier d* Europe, Buff. )

This rare bird is distinguished by a plumage of most
exquisite beauty ; it vies with the Parrot in an assem-
blage of the finest shades of blue and green, mixed with
white, and heightened by the contrast of graver colours,
from which perhaps it has been called the German Par-
rot, although in every other respeft it differs from that
bird, and seems rather to claim affinity with the Crow
kind, to which we have made it an appendage. In size it
resembles the Jay, being somewhat more than twelve in-
ches in length. Its bill is black, beset with short bristles
at the base ; the eyes are surrounded with a ring of naked
skin, of a yellow colour, and behind them there is a kind
of wart 5 the head, neck, breast, and belly, are of a light

BRITISH BIRDS. Il7

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
parts of the feathers are of a dusky green, middle parts
pale blue, tips black : the legs are short, and of a dull
yellow.

This is the only species 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 men-
tions two that were shot in England, and these probably
were only stragglers. The above drawing was made
from a stuffed specimen in the Museum of the late Mr
Tunstall, of Wycliffe.

The Roller is wilder than the Jay, and frequents the
thickest woods -, it builds its nest chiefly on birch trees.
Buffon says it is a bird of passage, and migrates in the
months of May and September. 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 Rooks and other birds, searching for worms, small
seeds, roots, &c. ; it likewise feeds on berries, caterpil-
lars, and insedls, and is said, in cases of necessity, to eat
young frogs, and even carrion. The female is described
by Aldrovandus as differing very much from the male >
her bill is thicker, and the head, neck, breast, and belly,
are of a chesnut 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, by which it has obtained the name of Garrulus.

p 2

US

I511ITISH BIRD'S;

THE STARLING.

STARE.
[Shirnus Vulgaris, Lin, — U Etourneau, BuiF.)

The length of this bird is somewhat less than nine-
inches. The bill is straight, sharp-pointed, and of a yel-
lowish brown — in old birds deep yellow ; the nostrils are
surrounded by a prominent rim j the eyes are brown ;
the whole plumage is dark, glossed with green, blue,
purple, and copper, but each feather is marked at the
end with a pale yellow spot ; the wing coverts are edged
with yellowish 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 man-
ners, observable in this bird and those more immediately
preceding, we have no scruple in removing it from its
usual place, as it evidently forms a connecting link ba*

BRITISH BIRDS. 119

tween them, and in a variety of points seems equally al-
lied to both. Few birds are more generally known than
the Stare, it being an inhabitant of almost every climate ;
and as it is a familiar bird, and easily trained 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 whirling mode of
flight, which Buflbn compares to a sort of vortex, in
which the coUedtive body performs an uniform circular
revolution, and at the same time continues to make a
progressive advance. The evening is the time when the
Stares assemble in. the greatest numbers, and betake
themselves to the fens and marshes, where they roost
among the reeds : they chatter much in the evening and
morning, both when they assemble and disperse. So at-
tached are they to society, that they not only join those
of their own species, but also birds of a diff'erent kind,
and are frequently seen in company with Redwings,
Fieldfares, and even with Crows, Jackdaws, and Pigeons.
Their principal food consists of worms, snails, and cater-
pillars ; they likewise eat various kinds of grain, seeds,
and berries, and are said to be particularly fond of cher-
ries. In a confined state they eat small pieces of raw
flesh, bread soaked in water, &c. are very docile, and may
easily be taught to repeat short phrases, or whistle tunes
with great exactness, and in this state acquire a warbling
superior to their native song.

120 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE ROSE-COLOURED OUZEL

{Tardus Rofeus, Lin, — Le Merle Couleur de Rofcf BufF.)'

Is the size of a Starling. Its bill is of a carnation co-
lour, blackish at the tip ; 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 colour, marked with a few irregular
dark spots : legs pale red ; claws brown.

This bird has been so rarely met with in England that
it will scarcely be admitted among such as are purely
British. There are, however, a few instances of its be-
ing found here 5 and although not a resident, it some-
times visits us, on which account 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 chiefly in the warmer climates ; it is fond of lo-
custs, and frequents the places where those destruiflive
inse£ls abound in great numbers ; on which account it i$
said to be held sacred by the inhabitants.

JBRITISH BIRDS.

121

THE RING OUZEL.

(Turdus TorquatuSf Lin. — Le Merle a Plajiron BlanCf BuiF. )

This bird very much resembles the Blackbird : its
general colour is of a dull black or dusky hue ; each
feather is margined with a greyish ash colour ; the bill
is dusky ; corners of the mouth and inside yellow ; eyes
hazel ; its breast is distinguished by a crescent of pure
white, which almost surrounds the neck, and from which
it derives 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 authors to consider it as a dif-
ferent species, under the name of the Rock Ouzel.

Ring Ouzels are found in various parts of this king-
dom, chiefly in the wilder and more mountainous districts
of the country : their habits arie similar^ to those of the
Blackbird ; the female builds her nest in the same man-
ner, and in similar situations, and lays four or five eggs

a^

BRITISH BIRDS.

of the same colour : they feed on inserts 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 au-
thor says, that in France they are migratory. In some
parts of this kingdom they have been observed to change
places, particularly in Hampshire, where tliey are knov/n
generally to stay not more than a fortnight at one time.
The foregoing representation was taken from one killed
near Bedlington, in Northumberland.

THE BLACK OUZEL.

BLACKBIRD.
{Turdus Merula, Lin.— Zf 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 yel-

BRITISH BIRDS. 12S

low. The female is mostly brown, Inclining to rust co-
lour on the breast and belly ; the bill is dusky, and the
legs brown j its song is also very different, so that it haS
sometimes been mistaken for a bird of a different species.
The Males, during the first year, resemble the fe-
males so much as not easily to be distinguished from
them j but after that, they assume the yellow bill, and
other distinguishing marks of their kind. The Black-
bird is a solitary bird, frequenting woods and thickets,
chiefly of evergreens, such as holly, pines, firs, &c. espe-
cially where there are perennial springs, which together
afford it both shelter and subsistence. Wild Blackbirds
feed on berries, fruits, Insedls, and worms *, they never
fly in flocks like Thrushes ; they pair early, and begin
to warble nearly as soon as any other of the songsters of
the grove. The female builds her nest in bushes or low
trees, and lays four or five eggs, of a bluish 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 melo-
dious tones are well adapted. They are restless and timo-
rous 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 companions in slavery unceasingly, for which rea-r
son they are generally confined in cages apart. In some
counties of England this bird is called simply the Ouzel.

I24i BRITISH BIRDS.

MISSEL THRUSH.

MISSEL BIRD, OR SHRITE.
{Tardus Vifcivorusy Lin. — La Draine, BufF.)

The length of this bird is about eleven inches. The
bill is dusky, the base of the lower bill yellow ; 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 y
the cheeks are of a yellowish white, spotted with brown,
as are also the breast and belly, which are marked with
larger spots of a dark brown colour j 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 out-
side with small twigs. It begins to sing very early,
often on the turn of the year in blowing sbowery wea-
ther, whence in some places it is called the Storm-cock.
Its note of anger is very loud and harsh, between a chat-
ter 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 plant of that name was only propagated
by the seed which passed the digestive organs of this
bird, whence arose the proverb *' Tardus malum sihl ca-
cat ;" it likewise feeds on catei*pillars and various kinds
of insedls, with which it also feeds its young.

This bird is found in various parts of Europe, and is
said to be migratory in some places, but continues in
England the whole year, and frequently has two broody

BRITISH BIRDS.

125

THE FIELDFARE,

{Turdus Pilaris, Lin. — La Lkorne, ou Tourdelle, BuiF.)

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 wuth 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,
inclining to black ; the legs dusky yellowish brown \ in
young birds yellow.

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 j the spots on the breast were faint and indis-

0.2

126 BRITISH BIRDS.

tin<Sl ; the quill feathers were perfe£lly white, except one
or two on each side, v/hich were brown j the tail was
marked in a similar manner.

The Fieldfare is only a visitant in this island, making
its appearance about the beginning of 0<^ober, in order
to avoid the rigorous winters of the north, whence it
sometimes comes in great flocks, according to the severi-
ty of the season, and leaves us about the latter end of
February or the beginning of March, and retires to Rus-
sia, Sweden, Norway, and as far as Siberia and Kamts-
chatka. Buffon observes that they do not arrive in
France till the beginning of December, that they assem-
ble in flocks of two or three thousand, and feed on ripe
cervices, of which they are extremely fond : during the
winter they feed on haws and other berries ; they like-
wise eat worms, snails, and slugs.

Fieldfares seem of a more sociable 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 fields in search of food, they seldom lose sight of
each other, but, when alarmed, fly ofi*, and colled to-
gether upon the same tree.

7;3»^— — ~»

BRITISH BIRDS.

127

THE THROSTLE.

THRUSH, GREY BIRD, OR MAVIS.
{Turdus Muftcus, Lin. — La Grive, BufF.)

This is larger than the Redwing, but much less than
the Missel, to which it bears a strong resemblance 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 distinguished 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 it begins early iu the spring, and continues during
part of the summer. This bold and pleasing songster,

12S BRITISH BIRDS.

from his high station, seems to command the concert of
the grove, whilst in the beautiful language of the poet,

** The Jay, the Rook, the Daw,

<* And each harsh pipe (discordant heard alone)

** Aid the full concert, while the Stock-Dove breathes

<* A melancholy murmur through the whole."

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 considered with us as
mio-ratory, it has, nevertheless, been observed in some
places in great numbers during 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. The Throstle is migratory in France : M. de
Buffon says that it appears in Burgundy about the end
of September, before the Redwing aud Fieldfare, and
that it feeds upon the ripe grapes, and sometimes does
much damage to the vineyard. The females of all the
the Thrush kind are very similar to the males, and
differ chiefly in a less degree of brilliancy in the colours.

BRITISH BIRDS.

129

THE REDWING

SWINEPIPE, OR WIND THRUSH.
[Turdus lUacusy 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 distinguishes it from that bird ; the
belly is not quite so much spotted, and the sides of the
body and the feathers under the wings are tinged with
red, which is its particular characteristic ; whence also
it derives its name.

These birds make their appearance a few days before
the Fieldfare,* and are generally seen with them after

* A Redwing was taken up November 7th, 1785, at six
o'clock in the morning, which, on its approach to land, had
flown against the light -house at Tynemouth, and was so stunned
that it fell to the ground and died soon after j the light mos.t
probably had attracted its attention.

130 BRITISH BIRDS.

their arrival; they frequent the same places, eat the
same food, and are very similar to them in manners.
Like the Fieldfare, they leave us in the spring, for
which reason their song is quite unknown to us, but it
is said to be very pleasing. The female builds her nest
in low bushes or hedges, and lays six eggs, of a greenish
blue colour, spotted with black.

This and the former are delicate eating : the Romans
held them in such estimation that they kept thousands
of them together in aviaries, 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
admit 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 proprietors, who sold them to
Roman epicures for three denarii, or about two shillings
sterling each.

BRITISH BIRDS.

131

THE CUCKOO.

THE GOWK.
{^Cuculus CanorusylAn.'-^Le Coucouy 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 cross-
ed 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 alternate 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-

R

rs^ SRirrsH birds.

known cry is generally heard about the middle 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 build no nest ; and, what is more extraordinary,
the female deposits her solitary egg in the nest of ano-
ther bird, by whom it is hatched. The nest she chuses
for this purpose is generally selected from the following,
viz : the Hedge-sparrow's, Water-wagtail's, Titlark's,
Yellow-hammer's, Green Linnet's, or the Winchat's.
Of these it has been observed that she shews a much
greater partiality to that of 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 eggy to the accurate
observations of Mr Edward Jenner, communicated to
the Royal Society, and published in the 78th volume
of their transactions, part 2 : — He observes that during
the time the Hedge-sparrow is laying her eggs, which
generally takes up four or five days, the Cuckoo con-
trives to deposit her egg among the rest, leaving the fu-
ture care of it entirely to the Hedge-sparrow. This in-
trusion 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 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 observed that the Hedge-sparrow has either
thrown out or injured the egg of the Cuckoo. Wherr
the Hedge-sparrow has sat her usual time, and has
disengaged the young Cuckoo and some of her own

^BRITISH BIRDS. 13$

ofFspring from the shell, her own young ones, and any
of her eggs that remain unhatched, are soon turned
out -, the young cuckoo then remains in full possession
of the nest, and is the sole object of the future care of
its 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 account 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-
sparrow'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-sparrow. 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 astonishment, he saw the young Cuckoo,
though so lately hatched, in the a<5l of turning out the
young Hedge-sparrow. The mode of accomplishing this
was curious : 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 situa-
tion, and feeling about with the extremities of its wings,
as if to be convinced that the business was properly exe-
cuted, it dropped into the nest again." ^Ir J. made seve-

R 2

rS't BRITISH BIRDS.

ral experiments in different nests, by repeatedly putting
in an egg to the young Cuckoo, which he always found
to be disposed of in the same manner. It is very re-
markable, 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 scapulse 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 filled up, the
back assumes the shape of nestling birds in general, and
at that time the disposition for turning out its companion
entirely ceases. The smallness of the Cuckoo's eggy
which, in general, is less than that of the House-spar-
row,* is another circumstance to be attended to in this
surprising transaction, 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 probably
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

* The Cuc'koo"'s eggs which have come under our observation
were nearly the size of those of the Thrush.

BRITISH BIRDS. 135

hatched in the same nest ; one Hedge-sparrow's egg re-
mained unhatched : in a few hours a contest began be-
tween the Cuckoos for possession of the nest, which
continued undetermined till the afternoon of the follow-
ing 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 contest,
he adds, was very remarkable : the combatants alternate-
ly appeared to have the advantage, as each carried the
other several times nearly to the top of the nest, and then
sunk down again oppressed with the weight of its bur-
then 5 till at length, after various efforts, the stronger
prevailed, and was afterwards brought up by the Hedge-
sparrow. It would exceed our limits to give a detail of
the observations made by this ingenious enquirer ; we
must therefore refer the reader to the work itself, in
which he will find a variety of interesting matter respect-
ing this singular bird, whose history has for ages been
enveloped in fable, and mixed with unaccountable stories,
founded in ignorance and superstition. At what period
the young Cuckoos leave this country is not precisely
known ; Mr Jenner supposes they go off in succession,
as soon as they are capable of taking care of themselves.
That some of them remain here in a torpid state, has al-
ready been observed.* Buffon mentions several instances
of young Cuckoos having been kept in cages, which, pro-
hably for want of proper nutriment, did not survive the
winter. We knew of one which was preserved through
the winter by being fed with worms, inserts, soaked
breadj and small pieces of flesh. The plumage of the

* See the introduction.

136

BRITISH BIRDS.

Cuckoo varies greatly at different periods of its life. In
young Cuckoos the bill, legs, and tail are nearly the
same as those of 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 : the 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 picture of the most exqui-
site neatness : from the hinder part of the head down to

BRITISH BIRDS. I37

the middle of the back there runs an irregular line of
dark brown inclining 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,
crossed with fine bars of black *, the breast, belly, and
thighs are of a light ash colour, marked with triangular
spots, irregularly dispersed *, the larger quill feathers are
marked on the outer webs with alternate 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 scapulars are nicely freckled, and shaded
with brown spots of different sizes ; the tail feathers are
marked with irregular bars of black, the intervening
spaces being finely freckled, and powdered with dark
brown spots ; its bill is rather long, sharp pointed, and
of a pale lead colour j its eyes are light brown : ^)ut what
chiefly distinguishes this singular bird is the struiflure of
its tongue, which is of considerable length, of a cylindri-
cal form, and capable of being pushed forwards and
drawn into its bill again ; it is furnished with a horny
substance at the 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 branches of
trees, on which it can run in all diredlions with great fa-
cility. 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 much difficulty ; according to
Buffon, they are perfectly white, and from eight to ten
in number.

This curious bird, though in many respeds nearly re-

198 BRITISH BIRDS.

lated to the family of the Woodpeckers, being similar to
that tribe in the formation of its bill and feet, yet never
associates with them, and seems to constitute a genus of
itself. It is found in various parts of Europe, and gene-
rally appears with us a few days before the Cuckoo. Its
food consists chiefly of ants and other inserts, of which
it finds great abundance lodged in the bark and crevices
of trees. The stomach of one which we opened was full
of undigested parts of ants. It is said to frequent the
places where ant-hills are, into {\'hich it darts its tongue,
and draws out its prey. It holds itself very ere£t on the
branch of the tree where it sits *, its body is almost bent
backward, whilst it writhes its head and neck by a slow
and almost involuntary motion, not unlike the waving
wreaths of a serpent. 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 this is only transitory, for as
soon as the domestic union is dissolved, which is in the
month of September, they retire and migrate by them-
selves.

BRITISH BIRDS. 139

THE TFOODPECKERS,

Of these only three or four kinds are found in Great
Britain. Their characters are striking, and their man-
ners singular. The bill is large,- strong, and fitted for its
employment : the end of it is formed like a wedge, with
which it pierces the bark of trees, and bores into the
wood in which its food is lodged. Its neck is short and
thick, and furnished with powerful muscles, which enable
it to strike with such force as to be heard at a considera-
ble distance : its tongue is long and taper ; at the end of
it there is a hard horny substance, which penetrates into
the crevices of trees, and extradls the insefts and their
eggs which are lodged there : the^tail consists of ten stiff,
sharp-pointed feathers, bent inwards, by which it supports
itself on the trunks of trees while in search of food ; for
this purpose its feet are short and thick, and its toes,
which are placed two forward and two backward, are
armed with strong hooked claws, by which it clings firm-
ly, and creeps up and down in all directions .

M. Buffon, with his usual warmth of imagination, thus
describes the seemingly dull and solitary life of the
Woodpecker : — *' Of all the birds which earn their sub-
sistence by spoil, none leads a life so laborious and pain-
ful as the Woodpecker : nature has condemned it to in-
cessant toil and slavery. While others freely employ
their courage or address, and either shoot on rapid wing
or lurk in close ambush, the Woodpecker is constrained
to drag out an insipid existence in boring the bark and
hard fibres of trees to extraCl its humble prey. Neces-
sity never suffers any intermission of its labours, never
grants an interval of sound repose ; often during the

14a

BRITISH BIRDS.

night it sleeps in the same painful posture as in the fa-
tigues of the day. It never shares the sports of the other
inhabitants of the air, it joins not their vocal concerts,
and its wild cries and saddening tones, Avhile they dis-
turb the silence of the foj'est, express constraint and ef-
fort. Its movements are quick, its gestures full of in-
quietude, its looks coarse and vulgar ; it shuns all society,
even that of its own kind ; and when it is prompted to
seek' a companion, its appetite is not softened by delicacy
of feeling,'*

THE GREEN WOODPECKER.

WOODSPITE, HIGH-HOE, HEW-HOLE, OR PICK-A-TREE.*
{Picus FirUis, ILin.—Le Pic Ferd, Buff.)

This is the largest of the British kinds, being thirteen

* Wallis, in his History of Northumberlaud, observes that it
is called by the common people Pick-a-tree, also Rain Fowl, from
its being more loud and noisy before rain.- The old Romans-
called them Plunjia aves for the same reason.

BRITISH BIRDS. u%

inches in length. Its bill is two inches long, of a trian-
gular shape, and of a dark horn colour j the outer circle
of the eye is white, surrounding 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 j
the eye is surrounded by a black space ; and from each
corner of the bill there is a crimson streak pointing down-
wards j 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
sound part of the wood, sometimes to a considerable
depth, until they penetrate to that which is decayed and
rotten, where she lays five or six eggs, of a greenish co-
lour, marked 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 those insecis
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.

s 2

142

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

WITWALL.
[Picus Major, Lin. — UEpeiche, 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 ex-
ceedingly sharp at the end ; the eyes are reddish, en-
circled 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 coverts 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 yellowish white \

BRITISH BIRDS. 143

the vent and lower part of the belly crimson ; the lep-s
and feet of a lead colour. The female has not 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 AVoodpecker. It creeps with great ease
in all diredlions upon the branches of trees, and is with
difficulty seen, as it instantly avoids the sight by creep-
ing behind a branch, where it remains concealed.

THE MIDDLE-SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

{^Picus Medius, Lin. — Le Pic varie a Tete Rouge, BuiF. )

> This bird is somewhat less than the former, and dif-
fers from it chiefly in having the top of the head wholly
crimson \ in every other respe(St the colours are much
the same, though more obscure. BufFon gives a figure
of it in his Planches EnliimmeeSy but considers it as only a
variety of the former.

THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

HICKWALL.

[P'lcus Minor, Lin. — Le petit Epeiche, Buff.)

This is the smallest of our species, being only five
inches and a half in length j weight nearly one ounce.
Its general plumage is very similar to that of the larger
species, but VN^thout the red under the tail, and the large
white patches on the shoulders ; the under 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 some-
times disputes possession with the Colemouse, which it
compels to give up its lodging.

I4.i

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE NUTHATCH.

KUTJOBBER, WOODCRACKER.
(^Siiia Europea, Lin. — La Stttelle on le Torchepot, BufF.)

Its length is near six inches ; the bill strong, black
above, beneath almost white ; the eyes hazel ; 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 body 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 ches-
nut •, quills dusky ; its tail is short, the two middle
feathers are grey, the rest dusky, three of the outer-
most spotted with white *, the legs pale yellow ; the
claws large, sharp, and much bent, the back claw very
strong ; when extended the foot measures one inch and
three quarters.

BRITISH BIRDS.

145

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 incu-
bation 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 caterpillars, beetles, and various
kinds of insects ; it likewise eats nuts, and is very ex-
pert in cracking them so as to come at the contents ;
having placed a nut fast in a chink, it takes its stand a
little above, and striking it with all its force, breaks the
shell and catches up the kernel. Like the Woodpecker,
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 inhabited places, and i^
sometimes seen in orchards and gardens. The young
ones are esteemed very good eating.

146

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HOOPOE.

{Upupa EpopSf Lin. — Le Hiipe ou Puput^ Buff.)

Its length is twelve inches ; breadth nineteen. The
bill is about two inches long, black, slender, and some-
what 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 highest about two inches
in length ; the neck is of a pale reddish brown ; breast
and belly white, and in young birds marked with va-
rious dusky lines pointing downwards ; the back, scapu-
lars, and wings are crossed with broad bars of black and
white ; the lesser coverts of the wings light bro\VTi ; the
rump is white ; the tail consists of ten feathers, each
marked with white, and, when closed, assumes the
form of a crescent, the horns pointing downwards : the
legs are short and black.

BRITISH BIRDS. 147

This is the only species of its kind found in this
kingdom -, and is not very common with us, being
seen only at uncertain periods. The foregoing repre-
sentation was taken from a very fine one, shot near
Bedlington, Northumberland, and sent for this work,
by the Rev. Henry 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 sometimes in a hole of a wall, or
even on the ground. Buffon says, that he has some-
times found a soft lining of moss, wool, or feathers in
-the nests of these birds, and supposes that, in this 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 : hi 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 ; it then stands erect ;
and its tail also, as well as its crest, is generally at the
same time erected, and spread like a fan.

148

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CREEPER.

{^Certh'ia famUiarlSi Lin. — Le Gnmpereatii 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 curved, the upper mandible brown, the lower
whitish ; eyes hazel ; the head, neck, back, and wing
coverts are of a dark brown, variegated with streaks of a
lighter hue ; the throat, breast, and belly are of a silvery
white ; the rump tawny 5 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
passes 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 colour ; the claws are long,
sharp, and much hooked, by which it is enabled 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, x is not seen without diffi-
culty, from the ease with which, en the appearance of any

BRITISH BIRDS.

149

one, it escapes to the opposite side of the tree. It builds
its nest early in the spring, in a hole of a tree : the fe-
male lays from five to seven eggs, of an ash colour,
marked at the end with spots of a deeper hue.

t2

i50 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE PJSSERIN£ ORDER.

This numerous class constitutes the fifth order inr
Mr Pennant's arrangement of British Birds, and includes
a great variety of different kinds : of these we have
detached the Stare, the Thrush, and the Chatterer, and
have joined them to the Pies, to which they seem to
have a greater affinity. Those which follow are distin-
guished by their lively and active dispositions, their
beautiful plumage, and dellp;htful melody. Of this
Order consist those amazing flocks of small birds of
almost every description — those numerous families,
which, universally diffused throughout every part of
the known world, people the woods, the fields, and
even the largest and most populous cities, in countless
multitudes, and every where enliven, diversify, and
adorn the face of nature. These are not less conspi-
cuous for their usefulness, than for their numbers and
variety : they are of infinite advantage in the economy
of nature, in destroying myriads of noxious insects,
which would otherwise teem in every part of the animal
and vegetable systems, and would pervade and choke
up all the avenues of life and health. Insects and their
eggs, worms, berries, and seeds of almost every kind,
form the varied mass from which these busy little tribes,
derive their support.

The characters of the Passerine order, which are as
various as their habits and dispositions, will be best seen
in the description of each particular species. It may be
necessary, however, to observe, that they naturally
divide themselves into two distinct kinds, namely, the
kard-billed or seed birds, and the slender or soft-billed

BRITISH BIRDS.

151

birds : the former are furnished with stout bills of a
conical shape, and very sharp at the point, admirably
fitted for the purpose of breaking the hard external
coverings of the seeds of plants from the kernels, which
constitute the principal part of the food ; the latter are
remarkable for the softness and delicacy of their bills :
their food consists altogether of small worms, insects, the
larvse of insects, and their eggs, which they find depo-
sited in immense profusion on the leaves and bark of
trees, in chinks and crevices of stones, and even in
small masses on the bare ground, so that there is hardly
a portion of matter that does not contain a plentiful sup-
ply of food for this diligent race of beings.

Full nature swarms with life ;

The flowery leaf

Wants not its soft inhabitants. Secure

Within its winding citadel, the stone

Holds multitudes. But chief the forest-boughs.

That dance unnumberM to the playful breeze.

The downy orchard, and the melting pulp

Of mellow fruit, the nameless nations feed

Of evanescent insects.

152 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE GROSSBEAK,

This genus Is not numerous In this island, and of those
which we call ours, most of them are only visitors, mak-
ing a short stay with us, and leaving us again to breed
and rear their young In other countries. They are in
general shy and solitary, living chiefly in woods at a
distance from the habitations of men. Their vocal
powers are not great ; and as they do not add much to
the general harmony of the woods which they inhabit,
they are consequently not much known or sought after.
Their most conspicuous character is the thickness and
strength of their bills, by which they are enabled to
break the stones of various kinds of fruits, and other
hard substances on which they feed. Their general ap-
pearance is very similar to birds of the Finch kind, of
which they may be reckoned the principal branch..

!*f0^}'

m^

c^-'ii). V "'in,, •?i"tak.v iS

BRITISH BIRDS*

153

THE CROSS -BILL.

SHEL-APPLE.
[Loxia Cur'vlrojlra, Lin. — Le Bee Crolfef BufF.)

This bird is about the size of a Lark, being nearly se-
Ten inches in length. It is distinguished by the peculiar
formation of its bill, the upper and under manibles curv-
ing in opposite directions, and crossing each other at the
points :* its eyes are hazel ; its general colour is reddish.

* This singular construction of the bill is considered by M. Buf-
fon as a defect or error in nature, rather than a permanent feature,
merely because, in some subjects, the bill crosses to the left, and in
others to the right, arising, as he supposes, from the way in which
the bird has been accustomed to use its bill, by applying either
the one side or the other to lay hold of its food. This mode of
reasoning, however, proves very defective, when we consider that
this peculiarity is confined to a single species, for no other bird in
nature is subject to a similar variation from the general construe-

154. BRITISH BIRDS.

mixed with brown on the upper parts ; the under parts
are considerably paler, being almost white at the belly
and vent *, the wings are short, not reaching farther than
the setting on of the tail, and of a brown colour ; the
tail is of the same colour, and somewhat forked : the legs
are black. Individuals vary in the colours of their plu-
mage ; among a great number hardly two of them are ex-
actly similar ; they likewise vary with the season, and
according to the age of the bird. Edwards paints the
male of a rose colour, and the female of a yellowish
green, mixed more or less with brown. Both sexes ap-
pear very different at different times of the year.

The Cross-bill is an inhabitant of the colder climates,
and has been found as far as Greenland. It breeds in
Russia, Sweden, Poland, and Germany, in the mountains

tion, although there are many other birds which feed upon the
same kinds of hard substances, but nevertheless, do not experience
any change in the formation and structure of their bills ; neither
has the argument, drawn from the supposed exuberance of growth
in the bills of these birds, any better foundation, as that likewise
may be applied to other birds, and the same question will occur —
namely. Why is not the same effect produced ? This ingenious
but fanciful writer, in the further prosecution of his argu-
ment, seems to increase the difficulties in which it is involved.
He observes, " that the bill, hooked upwards and downwards,
and bent in opposite directions, seems to have been formed for the
purpose of detaching the scales of the fir cones and obtaining the
peeds lodged beneath them, which are the principal food of the
bird. It raises each scale with its lower mandible, and breaks it
with the upper." We think there needs no stronger argument
than this to prove, that Nature, in all her operations, works by va-
rious means ; and although these are not always clear to our li-
mited understandings, the good of all her creatures is the one
great end to which they are all directed.

BRITISH BIRDS. 15s

of Switzerland, and among the Alps and Pyrenees, whence
it migrates in vast flocks into other countries. It some-
times 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 ac-
tions of that bird, climbing, by means of its hooked bill,
from the lower to the upper 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, fixing
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 pene-
trate it.

* We have met with it on the top of Blackstone-edge, between
Rochdale and Halifax, in the month of August.

v

15B

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GROSBEAK.-

HAWFINCH.
[Loxia Coccothraujles, Lm. — //(? Gros-bec, Buff.)

Length nearly seven Inches. Bill of a horn colour,
conical, and prodigiously thick at the base ; eyes a^h'
coloured ; the space between the bill and the eye, and
thence to the chin and throat, is black ; the top of the
head is of a reddish chesnut, 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 chesnut j
the greater wing coverts are grey, in some almost white>.
forming a band across the wing •, the quills are all black,
excepting some of the secondaries nearest the body,
which are brown ; the four outer quills seem as if clipped
off at the ends ; the prime 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, excepting the ends, of the
middle feathers, which are grey *, the outer ones are

BRITISH BIRDS. 157

tipped with white ; the legs are pale brown. The fe-
male greatly resembles the male, but her colours are le.>s
Tivid, and the space between the bill and the eye is grey
instead of black. These birds vary considerably, as
scarcely two of them are alike : in some the head is
wholly black ; in others the whole upper part of the
body is of that colour j and others have been met with
entirely white, excepting the wings.

This species is an inhabitant of the temperate climates,
from Spain, Italy, and France, as far as Sweden, but
visits this island only occassionally, and generally in
winter, when it is probably 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 vvdiere
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, of small dry roots
and grass, lined with warmer materials. The eggs are
roundish, of a bluish green, spotted with brown. She
feeds her young with insefts, chrysalids, and other soft,
nutritious substances.

THE PINE GROSBEAK.

GREATEST BULLFINCH.
j^Loxta 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 crimson ; the back and less-
er wing coverts black, each feather edged with reddish
brown j the greater wing coverts tipped with white^

u 2

158

BRITISH BIRDS.

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 marked as the quills, and is somewhat forked ; the legs
are brown.

This bird is found only in the northern parts of this
island and of Europe •, but it is common in various parts
of North America, visiting the southern settlements in
the winter, and retiring northwards in the summer for
the purpose of breeding : like the Cross-bill, it frequents
the pine-forests, and feeds on the seeds of that tree.
The female makes her nest on trees, at a small distance
from the ground, and lays four white eggs, which are
hatched in June.

BRITISH BIRDS.

159

THE GREEN GROSBEAK.

GREEN FINCH, OR GREEN LINNET.
{Loxia Chloris, Lin. — Le Verdiery BuiF.)

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

These birds are common in every part of Great Bri-
tain, They do not migrate, but change their quarters
according to the season of the year. They keep together
in small flocks during the extremity of winter, when they
draw to the shelter of villages and farm yards, and dis-
perse to breed in the spring. The female makes her
nest in hedges or low bushes ; it is composed of dry
grass, and lined with hair, wool, and other warm mate-
rials J she lays five or six eggs, of a pale greenish colour.

160

BRITISH BIRDS.

marked at the larger end with spots of a reddish brown ;
she is so close a sitter, that she may sometimes be taken
on her nest. The male is very attentive to his mate dur-
ing the time of incubation, and takes his turn in sitting.
Though not distinguished for its song, this bird is some-
times kept in a cage^ and soon becomes famiUar.

THE BULLFINCH.

ALP, OR NOPE.
(Lcxia 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 j the
breast and belly red ; wings and tail black ; the upper
tail coverts and vent are white ; legs dark brown. The
female is very like the male, but the colours in general
are less bright, and the under parts of a reddish brov/n. f

* Hence in some countries it is called Mcn^ or Pope, and in
Scotland it is not improperly denominated Coally-hood.

f The Bullfinch sometimes changes its plumage, and becomes

BRITISH BIRDS. 161

This bird is common in every part of this island, as
well as in most parts of Europe ; its usual haunts, during
summer, are in woods and thickets, but in winter it ap-
proaches nearer to cultivated grounds, and feeds on seeds,
winter berries, &c. *, in the spring it frequents gardens,
where it is usefully busy in destroying the worms which
are lodged 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 bluish white, marked 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 unpleasant. Both male and female
may be taught to whistle a variety of tunes, and, it is saidj
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 Germany,
where they are taught to articulate, with great distindl-
ness, several words.

wholly black during its confinement, especially when fed with
hemp-seed. Iii the Leverian Museum there is a variety of the
Bullfinch entirely white. *

* A white Bullfinch was shot in November, 1801, by Mr Robert Spear-
man, of Wharton. Its bill, like that of the common Bullfinch, was black*
as were also a few of the first quills, the bastard wing, and a few slight
spots about the eyes : all the other parts of the plumage were white, except
being faintly blushed with red on the cheeks and breast.

1G2

BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE BUNTING.

The principal difference between this kind and the
last consists in the formation of the bill, which in the
Bunting is of a very singular construction. The two
mandibles are moveable, and the edges of each bend in-
wards ; the opening of the mouth is not in a straight line
as in other birds, but at the base the jundlion is formed
by an obtuse angle in the lower mandible, nearly one-
third of its length, which is received by a corresponding
angle in the upper one ; in the latter there is a strong
knob, of great use in breaking the harder kinds of seeds
and kernels, on which it feeds. The tongue is narrow,
and tapers to a point like a tooth pick ; the first joint of
the outer toe is joined to that of the middle one.

BRITISH BIRDS.

163

THE BUNTING.

(Emberiza miliaria^ Lin. — Le Proyer, Buff.)

The length of this bird is about seven inches and a
half. The bill is brown ; the irides hazel ; the general
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 colour on the breast j
the quills are dusky, with yellowish edges ; upper coverts
tipped with white ; tail feathers 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 a
hedge or uppermost branch of a tree, uttering its harsh
and dissonant cry, which it incessantly repeats at short
intervals ; they are heard and seen in these situations
■diu'ing the gr^-^ter part of summer, after which they are

164.

BRITISH BIRDS.

met with m flocks, and continue so for the most part
during winter : they are often shot in great numbers, or
caught in nets ; and from the similarity 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 arrives soon after
the Swallow, and spreads itself through almost every part
of Europe. Their food consists chiefly of grain ; they
likewise eat the various kinds of inserts which they find
in the fields and meadows.

THE YELLOW BUNTING.

YELLOW HAMMER, OR YELLOW YOWLEY.
{Emherlza citrineUa, Lin. — Le Bruant, Buff.)

Length somewhat above six inches. Bill dusky •,

BRITISH BIRDS. les

eyes hazel ; its prevailing colour is yellow, mixed with
browns of various shades ; the crown of the head, in ge-
neral, 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 hinder part
of the neck and the 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 forked, the feathers edged with
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 colours 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 frequent-
ly repeated monotone on the hedges by the way-side. It
feeds on various kinds of seeds, inse<5ls, &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
frequehtly has more than one brood in the season. In
Italy where small birds of almost every description are
made use of for the table, this is esteemed very good
eating, and is frequently fattened for that purpose like the
Ortolan; but with us, who are accustomed to grosser
kinds of food, it is considered too insignificant to form
any part of our repasts.

X 2

I^G

FRITISH BIRDS;

THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING.

REED BUNTING, OR REED SPARROW.
{^Emberi%a Schan'icliiSt Lin. — L' Ortolan de Rofeauxy Buff. J

This bird is less than the Yellow Bunting. Its eyes-
are hazel \ the head, throat, fore part of the neck, and
breast are black, excepting a white line from each corner
of the bill, passing downward a little, and forming a
border which reaches the back part of the neck ; the up-
per parts of the body and the 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 j the rump and upper tail
coverts bluish ash colour, mixed with brown ; th6 quills
are dusky, edged 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 al-
most white, the ends tipped with brown, and the bases
black ; the legs and feet dusky brown. The female has
lap collar \ her throat is not so black, and her head is

BRITISH BIRDS. 167

Tariegated with black and rust colour ; the white on her
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, among which they
nestle. 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 bluish white,
veined irregularly with purple, principally at the larger
end. As its chief resort is among reeds, it is supposed
that the seeds of that plant are its principal food 5 it is
however frequently seen in the higher grounds near the
roads, and sometimes in corn fields. They keep near
the ground, and seldom perch except among the low
bushes. The male, during the time of hatching, has a
soft, melodious, warbling song, whilst he sits perched
among the reeds, and is frequently heard in the night
time. It is a watchful, timorous bird, and is very easily
alarmed ; in a state of captivity it sings but little, and
only when perfedlly undisturbed.

Birds of this species are said to be migratory in France ;
with us they remain the whole year, and are seldom seen
in flocks of more than three or four together. That
from which the foregoing figure was taken, was caughti
during a severe storm in the middle of winter.

KB BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SNOW BUNTING.

SNOWFLAKE.
{Emberiza Nivalis, Lin. — U Ortolan de Ne'tge, Buff.)

Length nearly 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 hinder part of the
head ; the back is black ; the bastard wings and ends of
the greater coverts white ; the prime quills are black, se-
condaries 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 j legs black. Its
summer dress is different, the head, neck, and under parts
of the body are marked with transverse waves of a rusty
colour, of various shades, but never so deep as in the fe-
male, in which this 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 Spltzbergen, the Lapland
Alps, the shores of Hudson's Bay, and perhaps countries
still more northerly, are, during the summer months, the
favourite abodes of this hardy bird. The excessive seve-
rity of these inhospitable regions changes parts of its plu-
mage into white in winter ; and there is reason to believe
that the further northward thev are found, the whiter
the plumage will be. It is chiefly met with in the north-
ern 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 severe w^eather, which
drives it from its usual haunts. This bird has been
caught in various parts of Yorkshire, and is frequently

BRITISH BIRDS. 1G9

met with in Northumberland; it is found in all the
northern latitudes without exception, as far as our navi-
gators have been able to penetrate. Great flocks have
been seen upon the ice near the shores of Spitzbergen.
They are known to breed in Greenland, where the fe-
male makes her nest in the fissures of the mountain
rocks •, the outside is composed of grass, within which is
a layer of feathers, and the down of the arctic fox com-
poses 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 similar in size,
manners, and in the length of their hinder claws, v^rhence
they have been ranged with birds of that class by some
authors, but are now with more propriety referred to the
Buntings, from the peculiar stru6hjre of the 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.

«£V*^^S5r^ '^^^r ^ ^^., . _

170

BRITISH BIIIDS-

THE 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 forehead chesnut
colour ; the hinder part of the neck and the 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 j 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 that
colour upon it ; the upper tail coverts are yellow ; the
tail is a little forked, the two outermost feathers white,
the third black, tipped with white, the rest wholly
black 5 the legs are short and black j the hinder claws

BRITISH BIRDS. 171

are almost as long, but more bent than those of the
Lark.

The foregoing figure and description of this bird were
taken from one which was caught in the high moory
grounds above Shotley-Kirk, in the county of Northum-
berland. We are perfectly of opinion, with Mr Pen-
nant, that this and the former are the same bird in their
summer and winter dress.* Linnaeus, who must have
been well acquainted with this species, comprises them
under one, and says that they vary, not only according
to the season, but to their age : it is certain that no
birds of the same species differ from each other more
than they ; among multitudes that are frequently taken,
scarcely two are alike. Mr Pennant supposes, with
great probability, that the swarms which annually visit
the northern parts of our island, 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 multitudes into
Birsa, one of the Orkney isles, as to cover the whole
barony ; yet, of all the numbers, it could hardly be
discovered that any two of them agreed perfectly 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 stranger must have been noticed •, and
without duly attending to its distinguishing characters,
it has been considered as forming a distinct kind, and
adding one more to the numerous varieties of the feather-
ed tribes. We have often had occasion to observe,

* Vide Arctic Zoology, Number 222.
Y

172 :british birds,

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 sometimes to mislead, the most
experienced ornithologists ; much caution is therefore
necessary to guard against these deceitful appearances,
lest by multiplying the species beyond the bounds which
nature has prescribed", we introduce confusion into our
system, and instead of satisfying the attentive inquirer,
only bewilder and perplex him in his researches into
nature.

•v'l ■ "-^^-.=1^^=^- \( --

BRITISH BIRDS.

173

OF THE FINCH.

The transition from the Bunting to the Finch is very
easy, and the shade of dijEFerence betv/een them, in some
instances, almost imperceptible -, on which account they
have been frequently confounded with each other. The
principal difference consists in the beak, which, in the
Finch is conical, very thick at the base, and tapering to
a sharp point : in this respect it more nearly resembles
the Grosbeak. Of this tribe many are distinguished as
well for the liveliness of their song, as for the beauty
and variety of their plumage, on which accounts they are
much esteemed. They are very numerous, and assem-
ble sometimes in immense flocks, feeding on seeds and
grain of various kinds, as well as on inserts and their

t2

174.

BRITISH BIRDS.

^^

THE HOUSE SPARROW.

{Fringtlla domejllca, Lin. — Le Moitieau franc, BufT.)

The length of this bird is five inches and three quar-
ters : the bill is dusky, eyes hazel -, the top of the head
and back part of the neck are of an ash colour ; 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 colour ; the back, scapu-
lars, and wing coverts are of a reddish brown, mixed
with black — the latter are 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 forked j the legs are pale brown. The female is
distinguished from the male by wanting the black patch
on the throat, and by having a little streak behind each
eye ; she is also much plainer and duller in her whole
plumage.

This bird, as seen in large and smoaky towns^is gcne-
?aUy sooty and unpleasing in its appearance , but among

BRITISH BIRDS. 175

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 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 to the editors of this
work, by Mr Raleigh Trevelyan, of St. John's College,
Cambridge.

In whatever country the Sparrow Is settled, it is never
found in desert places, or at a distance from the dwell-
ings of man. It does not, like other birds, shelter Itself
in woods and forests, or seek its subsistence in unin-
habited plains, but is a resident in towns and villages :
it follows society, and lives at its expence : granaries,
barns, court-yards, pigeon-houses, and in short all places
where grain is scattered, are its favorite 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 extremely destructive. Its plumage is
entirely useless, its flesh indifferent food, its notes
grating to the ear, and Its familiarity and petulance
disgusting." 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 distribution 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 respedl

^ S.ee Introduction..

176 BRITISH BIRDS.

alone, there is reason to suppose, sufficiently repay the de-
stru£tion they may make in the produce of the garden or
the field. The great table of nature is spread out alike
to all, and is amply stored with every thing necessary
for the support of the various families of the earth *, it
is owing to the superior intelligence and industry of
man, that he is enabled to appropriate so large a portion
of the best gifts of providence for his own subsistence
and comfort j let him not then think it waste, that, in
some instances, creatures inferior to him in rank, are
permitted to partake with him, nor let him grudge
their scanty pittance ; 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
effusions 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. The nest is
made of hay, carelessly put together, and lined with fea-
thers* The female lays five or six eggs, of a reddish
white colour, spotted with brown ; she has generally
three broods in the year, whence the multiplication of
the species must be very great. In autumn* large flocks
of them are seen every where, both in town and country.
Though familiar, the Sparrow is said to be a crafty bird,
easily distinguishing the snares laid to entrap it ; they
often mix with other birds, and not unfrequ-ently partake
with the Pigeons or the poultry, in spite of every precau-
tion to prevent them.

BRITISH BIRDS.

m

>•!. _^=»i

THE MOUNTAIN SPARROW.

{^Fr'ingilla Montana, L.in. — Le Friquet, BufF.)

This bird is somewhat less than the common Sparrow.
The bill is black ; eyes hazel ; the crown of the head and
hinder part of the neck are of a chesnut 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 un-
der parts dirty white ; the quills are black, with reddish
edges, as are also the greater coverts *, the lesser are bay,
fidged with black, and crossed with two white bars : the
tail is of a reddish brown, and even at the end j the legs
are pale yellow.

This species is frequent in Yorkshire, liancashire, and
also in Lincolnshire, but has not been seen further north
than those counties : it differs from the House Sparrow
an making its nest in trees and not in buildings. Buffon
says that it feeds on fruits, seeds, and inserts. It is a
lively, afiive little bird, and, when it alights, has a varie-
ty of motions, whirling about and jerking its tail upwards
and downwards, like the Wagtail. It is found in Italy,
Trance, Germany, and Russia, and is much more plenti-
ful in many parts of the continent than in England.

ITS

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CHAFFINCH.

SHILFA, SCOBBY, SKELLY, OR SHELL-APPLE.
(FrinpIIa calebsy Lin. — Le Ping on, BufF.)

The bill is of a pale blue, tipped with black j eyes
hazel ; the forehead black ; the crown of the head, and
the hinder part and sides of the neck are of a bluish ash
colour ; sides of the head, throat, fore part of the neck,
and the breast are of a vinaceous red ; belly, 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 feathers 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 female
wants the red upon the breast ; her plumage in general
is not so vivid, and inclines to green ; in other respedts
it is not much unlike that of the male.

This beautiful little bird is every where well known ;
it begins its short and frequently-repeated song early in
the spring, and continues it till about the summer solstice,
after which it is no more heard. It is a lively bird, which

BRITISH BIRDS. 179

together with its elegant plumage, has given rise to the pro-
verb, '* as gay as a Chaffitich.'* Its nest is very neat, and
constni6led 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, sprin-
kled with dark spots, principally at the larger end. The
male is very assiduous in his attendance during the time of
hatching, seldom straying far from the place, and then on-
ly to procure food. Chafiinches subsist chiefly on small
seeds of various kinds j they likewise eat caterpillars and
insefts, 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 com-
bats, and fight till one of them is vanquished, and com-
pelled to give way. In Sweden these birds perform a
partial migration ; the females collect in vast flocks in
the latter end of September, and, leaving their mates,
spread themselves through various parts of Europe : the
males continue in Sweden, and are again joined by their
females, who return in great numbers, about the begin-
ning of April, to their wonted haunts. With us, both
males and females remain the whole year. Mr White,
in his history of Selborne, observes, that great flocks
sometimes appear in that neighbourhood about Christ-
mas, and that they are almost entirely hens. It is diffi-
cult to account for so singular a circumstance as the part-
ing of the two sexes in this instance y perhaps the males,
being more hardy and better abl» to endure the rigours
of the northern winters, are content to remain in the
country, and pick up such fare as they can find, whilst the
females seek for subsistence in more temperate regions.

ISO.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MOUNTAIN FINCH.

BRAMBLING.
[Fringtlla Montifrlngllla, Lin. — Le Ping on d* Ardennes ^ Buff.)

Length somewhat above six inches. Bill yellow,
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 j the throat, fore part of the neck, and the breast
are of a pale orange *, belly white ; lesser wing coverts
pale reddish brown, edged with white ; greater coverts
black, tipped with pale yellow j quills dusky, with
pale yellowish edges ; the tail is forked, the outer-
most feathers edged with white, the rest black, with
whitish edges : legs pale brown.

The Mountain Finch is ji native of northern climates>
whence it spreads into various parts of Europe : it arrives
in this country in the latter end of summer, and is the
most common in the mountainous parts of our island.*

* We have seen them on the Cumberland hills in the middle of
August*

BRITISH BIRDS* ]8i

Vast flocks of them sometimes 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 appear sometimes in such immense numbers, that
the ground where they have 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 greater 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.

* BufFon.

z 2

182

BRITISH BIPvDS-

THE GOLDFINCH.

GOLDSPINK, OR THISTLE-FINCH.
{Frhgilla Carduelis, Lin. — Le Chardonnerety BulF.)

The bill is white, tipped with black ; the forehead
and chin are of a rich scarlet colour, which is divided by
a black line passing from each corner of the bill to the
eyes, which are dark •, the cheeks are white ; top of the
head black, which colour extends downward from the
nape on each side, dividing the white on the cheeks from
the white spot on the hinder part of the neck •, the back
and rump are of a cinnamon brown colour; the sides the
same, but paler •, 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 upon it ; the tips white ; the tail feathers
are black, with a white spot on each near the end ; the
legs are of a pale flesh colour.

Beauty of plumage, says the lively Count de Bufron,
melody of song, sagacity, and docility of disposition, seem

BRITISH BIRDS. 183

all united in this charming little bird, which, were it rare,
and imported from a foreign country, would be more
highly valued. Goldfinches begin to sing early in the
spring, and continue till the time of breeding is over ;
•when kept in a cage, they will sing the greater 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 containing their
water and food, to fire a cracker, and such like. They
construct: a very neat and compact nest, which is com-
posed of moss, dried grass, and roots, lined with wool,
hair, 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 tlieir young with caterpillars and insects ; the
old birds feed on various kinds of seeds, particularly those
of the thistle, of which they , are extremely fond.

Goldfinches breed with the Canary ; this intermixture
succeeds best between the cock Goldfinch and the hen
Canary, whose offspring are productive, and are said to
resemble the male in the shape of the bill, and in the co-
lours of the head and wings, and the hen in the rest of
ithe body.

18 h

BRITISH BIRDS,

THE SISKIN.

ABERDEVINE.
(Frlngtlla Splnus, Lin — Le Taring Buff.)

Length nearly 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 the back yel-
lowish olive, faintly marked with dusky streaks down
the middle of each feather ; rump yellov/ ; under parts
greenish yellow, palest on the breast •, thighs grey,
marked with dusky streaks ; greater wing coverts of a
pale yellowish green, and tipped with black-, quills
dusky, 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 it ;
the tail is forked, the middle feathers black, with faint
edges, the outer ones yellow, with black tips : the legs
pale brown \ claws white.

The foregoing figure and description were taken from
one which was caught on the banks of the Tyne, and
kept some years afterwards in a cage ; its song, though

BRITISH BIRDS, 185

not so loud as that of the Canary, was pleasing and sweet-
ly various ; it imitated the notes of other birds, even ta
the chirping of the Sparrow: it was famiUar, docile, and
chearful, and began its song early in the morning. Like
the Goldfinch, the Siskin may easily be taught to draw
up its little bucket with water and food. The latter
consists chiefly of seeds ; it drinks frequently, and seems
fond of throwing water over its feathers. It breeds free-
ly with the Canary. When the Siskin is paired with the
hen Canary, he is assiduous in his attention to his mate,
carrying materials for the nest, and arranging them ;
and, during the time of incubation, regularly supplying
the female with food.

These birds are common in various parts of Europe ;
they are in most places migratory, but do not seem to ob-
serve any regular periods, as they are sometimes seen In
large, and at other times in very small numbers. Buffon
observes that those immense flights happen only once in
the course of three or four years. It conceals its nest
with so much art, that it is extremely difficult to discover
it. Kramer says, that in the forests bordering on the
Danube, thousands of young Siskins are frequently fpund,
which have not dropt their first feathers, and yet it 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. In some parts of the South it is called the Barley-
bird, being seen about that seed time ; and in the neigh-
bourhood of London it is known by the name of th©
Aberdevine.

186 ' BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CANARY FINCH

{FrlnglUa Canarla, 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 yellow, more or
less mixed with grey, and in some with brown on the
upper parts ; the tail is somewhat forked ; legs pale flesh
colour.

In a wild state they are found chiefly in the Canary
islands, 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 differences attendant
on that state. Buffon enumerates twenty-nine varieties,
and many more might probably be added to the list, were
all the changes incident to a state of domestication care-
fully noted and brought into the account. The breed-
ing and rearing of these charming birds form an amuse-
ment of the most pleasing kind, and affbrd a variety of
scenes highly interesting and gratifying to innocent minds.
In the places fitted up and accommodated to the use of
the little captives, we are delighted to see the workings
of nature exemplified in the choice of their mates, build-
ing their nests, hatching and rearing their young, and
in the impassionate ardour exhibited by the male, whe-
ther he is engaged in assisting his faithful mate in col-
lefting materials for her nest, in arranging them for her
accommodation, in providing food for her off*spring, or
in chaunting his lively and amorous songs during every
part of the important business. The Canary will breed
freely with the Siskin and Goldfinch, particularly the
former, as has been already observed j it fikewise proves

BRITISH BIRDS. 187

prolliic with the Linnet, but not so readily ; and admits
also the Chaffinch, Yellow Bunting, and even the Spar-
row, though with still more difficulty. In all these in-
stances, excepting the first, the pairing succeeds best
when the female Canary is introduced to the male of the
opposite species. According to Buffon, the Siskin is the
only bird of which the male and female propagate equal-
ly 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 the reader is referred.
We have thought it necessary to say so much of a bird,
which, though neither of British origin, nor a voluntary
visitor, must yet be considered as ours by adoption.*

* The importation of Canaries forms a small article of com-
merce ; great numbers are every year imported from Tyi'ol : four
Tyrolese usually bring over to England about sixteen hundred of
these birds ; and though they carry them on their backs one
thousand miles, and pay twenty pounds for such a number, they
are enabled to sell them at five shillings a-piece. — PkiL Trans*
'vol. 62.

2 A

188

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LINNET.

GREY LINNET.
{Fringtlla Llnaria, Lin. — La Llnotte, BufF.)

Length about five inches and a half. The bill bluish
grey ; eyes hazel ; the upper parts of the head, the 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
streaked with brown ; the quills are dusky, edged with
white ; the tail brown, likewise with white edges, except
the two middle feathers, which have reddish margins ; it
is somewhat forked : the legs are brown. The female
wants the red on the breast, instead of which it is marked
with streaks of brown 5 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 dry grass, roots, and moss j it

BRITISH BIRDS. 189

IS lined with hair and wool. The female lays four or five
eggs, of a pale blue colour, spotted with browTi at the
larger end : she breeds generally twice in the year. The
song of the Linnet is lively and sweetly varied •, its man-
ners are gentle, and its disposition docile ; it easily adopts
the songs of other birds, when confined with them, and
in some instances it has been taught to pronounce words
with great distinctness ; but this substitution of imperfect
and forced accents, which have neither charms nor beauty,
in the room of the free and varied modulations of unin-
strufted nature, is a perversion of its talents. Linnets
are frequently found in flocks : during winter, they feed
on various sorts of seeds, and are said to be particularly
fond of lintseed, from which circumstance they derive
their name.

2 A 2

im BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREATER REDPOLE.

^Fr'ingilla Cannahina, Lin. — Le grande Linnotte de VigneSf BuflF.)

This bird is somewhat less than the last, and differs
principally from the Linnet in being marked on the fore-
head by a blood-coloured spot ; the breast likewise is
tinged with a fine rose colour ; in other respects it re-
sembles the Linnet so much, that BufFon supposes thera to
be the same, and that the red spots on the head and breast
are equivocal marks, differing at different periods, and
appearing at one time and disappearing at another, in the
same bird. It is certain that during a state of captivity,
the red marks disappear entirely ; and that in the time
of moulting, they are nearly obliterated, and for some
time do not recover their usual lustre. But however
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,
those of the Redpole being of a very pale green, with
rusty-coloured spots. The head of the female is ash-
coloured, 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 Eng-
land, where they breed chiefly in mountainous places.

BRITISH BIRDS*

191

THE LESSER REDPOLE.

[Frlngilla 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 j 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 th&
Twite of Mr Pennant, and most probably constitutes one
species with it and the Mountain Linnet, the diflferences
being immaterial, and merely such as might arise from age,
food, or other accidental circumstances. The female has
no red on the breast or rump, and the spot on her fore-
head is of a saffron colour ; her plumage in general is
not so bright as that of the male.

192

BRITISH BIRDS.

This species is found in every part of Europe, from
Italy to the most extreme parts of the Russian empire.
In America and the northern parts of Asia it is Hkewise
very common. They are not unfrequent in this island ;
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 va-
rious kinds, especially those of the alder, of which they
are extremely fond 5 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^

i*^

^^

BRITISH BIRDS. 193

OF THE LARK;

Among the various kinds of singing birds with which
this country abounds, there is none more eminently con-
spicuous than those of the Lark kind. Instead of retir-
ing to woods and deep recesses, or lurking in thickets,
where it may be heard without being seen, the Lark is
seen abroad in the fields ; it is the only bird which
chaunts on the wing, and while it soars beyond the reach
of our sight, pours forth the most melodious strains,
which may be distinctly heard at an amazing distance.
The great poet of nature thus beautifully describes it as
the leader of the general chorus :

" Up springs the Lark,

" Shrill-voic'd and loud, the messenger of morn ;
** Ere yet the shadows fly, he, mxOiinted, sings
" Amid the dawning clouds, and from their haunts
" Calls up the tuneful nations."

From the peculiar constru6lion of the hinder claws,
which are very long and straight, Larks generally rest
upon the ground ; those which frequent trees perch on-
ly on the larger branches. They all build their nests
upon the ground, which exposes them to the depredations
of the smaller kinds of voracious animals, such as the
weasel, stoat, &c. which destroy great numbers of them.
The Cuckoo likewise, which makes no nest of its own,
frequently substitutes its eggs in the place of theirs. The

general charadters of this species are thus described :

The bill is straight and slender, bending a little towards
the end, which is sharp-pointed j the nostrils are covered

13^

BRITISH BIRDS.

with feathers and bristles ; the tongue is cloven at the
end ; tail somewhat forked •, the toes divided to the
origin ; claw of the hinder toe very long, and almost
straight ; the fore claws very short, and slightly curved.

^^^■=---

THE SKYLARK.

LAVROCK.
(/^lauJa arvenjlst Lin. — U Alouette, BufF.)

Length nearly seven inches. Bill dusky, under man-
dible 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, dashed with brown ; breast, belly, and
thighs white ; the quills brown, with pale edges •, tail the
same, and somewhat forked, the two middle feathers
darkest, the outermost white on the outer edge ; the legs
dusky. In some of our specimens the feathers on the

BRITISH BIRDS. I95

fop of the head were long, and formed a sort of crest be-
hind. The Lesser Crested Lark of Pennant and Latham
is perhaps only a variety of this, the difference being
trifling. It is said to be found in Yorkshire.

The Lark begins its song very early in the spring, and
is heard chiefly 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 ob-
lique 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 co-
lour, marked with darker spots ; she generally has two
broods in the year, and sits only about fifteen days. As
soon as the young have escaped from the shell, the at-
tachment of the parent bird seems to increase ; she flut-
ters over their heads, directs all their motions, and is ever
ready to screen them from danger.

The Lark is diffused almost universally throughout Eu-
rope ; it is every where extremely prolific, and in some
places the prodigious numbers that are frequently caught
are truly astonishing. In Germany there is an excise
upon them, which has produced, according to Keysler,
the sum of 6000 dollars in one year to the city of Leipsic
alone. Mr Pennant says, the neighbourhood of Dun-
stable is famous for the great numbers of these birds
found there, and that 4000 dozen have been taken be-
tween September and February, for the London markets.
Yet, notwithstanding the great havoc made among these
birds, they are extremely numerous. The winter is the
best season for taking them, as they are then very fat,

2b

196 BRITISH BIRDS.

being almost constantly 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 cawpejlris, Lin. — La Spipolettey Buff. )

This exceeds the Titlark in size, being about six inches
long. Its bill is slender j 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 j
the scapulars faintly bordered with white ; the throat and
under parts of the body are of a dirty white ; the breast
is yellowish, and marked with large black spots ; the
sides and thighs streaked with black ; the tail dusky,
two outer feathers white, except a small part of the inner
web j the next two tipped with white : the legs are of a
yellowish brown ; the hinder claws somewhat curved.

This bird is similar to the Titlark in plumage ; its song
is however totally different, as are also its haunts, which
are chiefly near woods, and not unfrequently on trees ;
it builds its nest like the last, and in similar situations, on
the ground, and sometimes in a low bush near the ground.
The male is scarcely to be distinguished from the female
ia its outward appearance.

BRITISH BiRDS, 197

THE GRASSHOPPER LARK.

\Alauda trivtalis, Lin. — U Alouette P'lpi) 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 greenish colour, variegated
and mixed with brown ; the under parts 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 ; the legs pale dingy brown ;
its hinder claws, though shorter and more crooked than
those of the Skylark, sufficiently mark its kind. It
builds its nest on the ground, in solitary spots, and
conceals it beneath 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 j his tones are soft, clear, and melodious.
In the winter its cry is said to resemble that of the
grasshopper, though rather stronger and shriller : it has
been called the Pipit Lark, from its small shrill cry,
and in German Pieplerche for the same reason. Mr
"White observes, that its note seems close to a person,
though at an hundred yards distance ; and when close
to the ear, seems scarcely 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,
evading the sight. Sometimes, early in the morning,

2 B 2

198

BRITISH BIRDS.

when undisturbed, it sings on the top of a twig, gaping
and shivering with its wings.

We have occasionally met witli 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, whence it rises singing to a considerable
height, and descends slowly, with its wings set up and its
tail spread out like a fan. Its note is full, clear, melodi-
ous, and peculiar to its kind.

fe

^'-'/>/\^

THE WOODLARK.

[^Alauda arborea, Lin. — U Alouette de boisy Buff.)

This bird is somewhat smaller than the Field Lark :
the colours of its plumage are much the same, but on the
upper parts are paler, and not so distin6tly defined : a
white streak passes from the bill over each eye towards
the nape, nearly surrounding the head like a bandage >

BRITISH BIRDS. 1S9

the under parts are white, tinged with yellow on the
4:hroat, and red on the breast, and spotted with black.
The tail is rather shorter than that of other Larks, which
gives this bird a less tall and slender shape : the legs are
of a dull yellow •, the hinder claw very long, and some-
what curved.

The Woodlark Is generally found near the borders of
woods, from which it derives its name ; it perches on
trees, and sings during the night, so as sometimes to be
mistaken for the Nightingale 5 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 early, the
young, in some seasons, being able to fly about the latter
end of March. It makes two nests in the year, like the
Skylark, but Is not nearly so numerous as that bird. In
autumn the Woodlarks are fat, and are then esteemed
fixcellent eating.

200 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE TITLARK.

{^/ilauda pratenfis, Lin. — La Farloufe, ou UAlouette de
prezf 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, and over each is a pale streak. In the dispo-
sition of its colours it is very similar to the Skylark, but
somewhat darker 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 j 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 differs only in that its plumage is
less bright than that of the male.

The Titlark is common in this country ; and, though
it sometimes perches on trees, is generally found in mea-

BRITISH BIRDS.

201

dows 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 incu-
bation, 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 variety ; 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.

J^S^'S>,

202 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE WAGTAIL.

The species of this kind are few, and these are chiefly
confined to the continent of Europe, where the indivi-
duals are numerous. They are easily distinguished by
their brisk and lively motions, as well as by the great
length of their tails, which they jerk up and down inces-
santly, from which circumstance they derive their name.*
They do not hop, but run along the ground very nimbly
after flies and other inse£ls, on which they feed : they
likewise feed on small worms, in search of which they
are frequently seen to flutter round the husbandman
whilst at his plouojh, and follow the flocks in search of
the flies which generally surround them. They frequent
the sides of pools, and pick up the inserts which swarm
on the surface. They seldom perch ; their flight is
weak and undulating, during which they make a twitter-
ing noise.

* In almost all languages the name of this bird is descriptive of
its peculiar habits. In Latin, Motacilla ; in French, Motteux, La
Lavandiere, or Washer ; in England, they are sometimes called
Washers, from their peculiar motion ; in German, Brook-stilts •
ki Italian, Shake-tail, &c. &c

BRITISH BIRDS.

203

THE PIED WAGTAIL.

BLACK AND WHITE WATER WAGTAIL.
[Molacil/a yilba, Lin. — La LwDancrmre, BufF.)

The length of this bird is about seven inches. The
bill is black ; eyes hazel ; hinder 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 dark ash co-
lour ; wing coverts and secondary 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, ex-
cept 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, leaving
only a crescent of black on the breast. The head of the
female is brown.

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 insedls, on which it feeds.
Its usual haunts are the shallow margins of waters into

2 c

204. 15RITISH birds;

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 con-
tinue 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 j they have been known to remove
light substances, such as paper or straw, which have been,
laid as a mark for the nest.

The Wagtail 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.

3RITISH BIRDS.

5(55

THE GREY WAGTAIL.

(Mofacilla Boaruhf Lin. — La Bergeronette jauncj BufF.)

This bird Is somewhat larger than the last, owing to
the great length of Its tall. Its bill is dark brown j 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 places as the
last, and feeds on the same food. 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 that of the last :

2 c 2

206

BRITISH BIRDS.

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 throit.

%^ A&s^^Ab^^ tx

THE YELLOW WAGTAIL.

[MoiaclIIa Flava^ Lin. — La Bergeronette de prtntemsy Buff.)

Length six inches and a half. Bill black ; eyes ha-
zel *, the head and all the upper parts of the body are of
an olive green, palest on the rump; the tmder parts are
of a bright yellorw, dashed with a few dull spots on the
breast and belly •, over each eye there is a pale yellow
streak, and beneath a dusky line, curving upwards to-
wards the hinder part of the head*, wing coverts edged
with pale yellow ; quills dusky ; tail black, except the
outer feathers, which are white : legs black ; hinder claws
long.

This bird is seen very early in the spring, in the mea-
dows and fields, among the green corn, where it fre-
quently nestles \ in winter it haunts the sides of brooks
and springs which never freeze. The female lays five
eggs, of a pale lead colour, with dusky spots.

BRITISH BIRDS ^07

OF THE FLTCJTCHERS.

Of the birds which constitute this class, we find only
two kinds that inhabit this island, and these are not the
most numerous of the various tribes with which this
country abounds. The useful instincts and propensities
of this little adlive race are chiefly confined to countries
under the more immediate influence of the sun, where
they are of infinite use in destroying those numerous
swarms of noxious insects, engendered by heat and mois-
ture, which are continually upon the wing. These,
though weak and contemptible when individually consi-
dered, are formidable by their numbers, devouring the
whole produce of vegetation, and carrying in their train
the accumulated ills of pestilence and famine. Thus, to
use the words of an eminent naturalist,* ** we see, that
all nature is balanced, and the circle of generation and
destruction is perpetual ! The philosopher contemplates
with melancholy this seemingly cruel system, and strives
in vain to reconcile it with his ideas of benevolence ; but
he is forcibly struck with the nice adjustment of the va-
rious parts, their mutual conneflion and subordination,
and the unity of plan which pervades the whole."

The characters of this genus with us are somewhat
equivocal, and not well ascertained j neither do we know
of any common name in our language by which it is dis-
tinguished. Mr Pennant describes it thus : — " Bill flat-
ted at the base, almost triangular, notched at the end of
the upper mandible, and beset with bristles at its base.'*
.We have placed the Flycatcher here, as introductory to
-the numerous class which follows, to which it is neai'ly

* Buffon.

208 BRITISH BIRDS.

related, both in respect to form, habits, and modes of
living ; the affinity between them is so great, as to occa-
sion some confusion in the arrangement of several of the
individuals of each kind, for which reason we have
placed them together.

THE PIED FLYCATCHER.

GOLDFINCH.
^Mufcicapa Atr'tcapillay Lin. — LeTraquet d* Angleterre^ Buff.)

Length nearly five inches. Bill black ; eyes hazel ;
the forehead is v/hite ; the top of the head, the back, and
tail are black ; the rump is dashed with ash colour ; the
wing coverts are dusky, the greater 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 much smaller, but longer tailed
than the male; she is brown where he is black; shef
likewise wants the white spot on the forehead.

This bird is no where common ; it is most plentiful in

BRITISH BIRDS. 209'

Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire. Since the cut,
which was done from a stuffed specimen, was finished,
we have been favoured with a pair of these birds, shot at
Benton, in Northumberland : we suppose them to be
male and female, as one of them wanted the white spot
on the forehead ; in other respe£ls 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.

The nest of this bird, with a very great number of
young, was found in a hole of a tree, in Axwell Park,
June 18, 1801 : the parent birds, but particularly the
male, incessantly kept feeding them with small flies,
which they were extremely expert in catching. The
female, after she had fed her young, always jerked up
her tail.

THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER.

BEAM BIRD.
{^Mufcicapa Grlfola, Lin. — Le Gobe-moucfje, Buff.)

Length nearly five Inches and three quarters. Bill
dusky, the 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.
|t visits this island in the spring, and disappears in Sep*

210 BRITISH BIRDS^.

tember. It builds in a vine or sweetbriar, 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 female lays four or five eggs, closely spotted
and blotched with dark rusty red. The nest is carelessly
made, and consists chiefly of moss, frequently mixed
with wool and strong fibres, " so large," says Buffon,
*f that it appears surprising how so small an artificer
could make use of such stubborn materials." This bird
feeds on insedls, 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 immedi-
ately returns to its station to watch for more : it is like-
wise fond of cherries. Mr Latham 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
retires early. When its young are able to fly, it retires
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.

BRITISH BIRDS. 211

OF THE WARBLERS.

This very numerous class is composed of a great va-
riety of kinds, differing in size from the Nightingale to
the Wren, and not a little in their habits and manners.
They are widely dispersed over most parts of the known
world j some of them remain with us during the whole
year ; others are migratory, and visit us annually in great
numbers, forming a very considerable portion of those
numerous tribes of singing birds, with which this island
so plentifully abounds. Some of them are distinguished
by their flying, which they perform by jerks, and in an
undulating manner ; others by the whirring motion of
their wings. The head in general is small ; the bill is
weak and slender, and beset with bristles at the base ;
the nostrils are small and somewhat depressed ; and the
outer toe is joined to the middle one by a small mem-
brane.

2 D

0}9

BRITISH BIRDS*-

THE NIGHTINGALE.

{Motac'iUa hifcln'ia, Lin — Le Rojftgnol-, Buff.)

This bird, so deservedly esteemed for the excellence
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, yellow 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 colour, 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 counties of Devonshire
and Cornwall : it leaves us some time in the month of
August, and makes its regular return in the beginning of
April ; it is supposed, during that interval, to visit the^
distant regions of Asia ; this is probable, as these birds
do not winter in any part of France, Germany, Italy^

BRITISH BIRDS. O]^

Greece, 5rc. neither does it appear that they stay in Afri-
ca, but are seen at all times in India, Persia, China, and
Japan ; in the latter country they are much esteemed for
their song, and sell at great prices. They are spread ge-
nerally throughout Europe, even as far north as Sibe-
ria and Sweden, where they are said to sing delight-
fully ; they, however, are partial to particular places, and
avoid others which seem as likely to afford them the ne-
cessary means of support. It is not improbable, however,
that, by planting a colony in a well-chosen situation,
these delightful songsters might be induced to haunt
places where they are not at present seen ; the experi-
ment might be easily tried, and should it succeed, the re-
ward would be great in the rich and varied song of this
unrivalled bird. The following animated description of
it is taken from the ingenious author of the Histoire dcs
Oiseaux : — " The leader of the vernal chorus begins with
a low and timid voice, and he prepares for the hymn to
nature by assaying his powers and attuning his organs ; by
degrees the sound opens and swells, it bursts with loud
and vivid flashes, it flows with smooth volubility, it faints
and murmurs, it shakes with rapid and violent articu-
lations ; the soft breathings of love and joy are poured
from his inmost soul, and every heart beats in unison,
and melts with delicious langour. 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 effe6V,
and not a rival interrupts the solemn scene."

Ni^ihtinjjales beorin to build about the end of Aoril or

coo ■»

the beginning of May ; they make their nest in the
lower part of a thick bush or hedge ; the female lays four

2 D 2

2U BRITISH BIRDS.

or five eggs, of a greenish brown colour. The nest is
composed of dry grass and leaves, intermixed v/ith 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 : as
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 countries 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 principally of inserts, small
worms, eggs of ants, and sometimes berries of various
kinds. Nightingales, though timorous and shy, are
easily caught ; snares of all sorts are laid for them, and
generally succeed ; 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 considerable time they re^
fuse 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 th^
greater part of the year.

BRITISH BIRDS,

ms

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

This bird measures above iive inches In length, of
which the tail is about one half. Its bill Is rather long and
slender, and a little bent at the tip ; It is of a black co-
lour, whitish at the base ; its eyes are reddish ; 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 co-
lour ; 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.

It 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 few years ago ; they
have since been observed in great numbers, and are sup-
posed sometimes to winter with us. BufFon says they
are natives cf Provence, where they frequent gardens.

216

BRITISH BIRDS.

and feed on flies and small insects. The foregoing re-
presentation was taken from a stuffed specimen in the
Wycllffe Museum, then in the possession of Geo. Allan,
Esq. of the Grange, near Darlington.

^!!.«^ •^/r..^.ji^

THE REDBREx\ST.

ROBIN-REDBREAST, OR RUDDOCK.
(Mofadlla ruhecola, Lin. — Le Rouge Gorge, Buff.)

This general favourite Is too well known to need a
very minute description. Its bill is slender and delicate ;
its eyes are large, black, and expressive, and its aspect
mild ; its head and all the upper parts of Its body are
brown, tinged with a greenish olive *, Its neck and breast
are of a fine deep reddish 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

BRITISH birds: 217

the most concealed spot, and sometimes In old buildings j
it is constru£led of moss, intermixed with hair and dried
leaves, and lined with feathers : in order more efFecShially
to conceal it, the bird covers its nest with leaves, leaving
only a narrow winding entrance under the heap. The
female lays from five to nine eggs, of a dull white,
marked with reddish spots. During the time of incuba-
tion, 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 it has never been known
that two pairs of these birds, who are as faithful as they
are amorous, were lodged at the same time in the same
bush.* The Redbreast prefers the thick shade, where
there is water ; it feeds on inse£ls and worms ; but never
eats them alive. It takes them in its bill and beats them
against the ground till they cease to move : during this
operation it frequently happens that the caterpillar is
burst, and its entrails are shaken out, leaving only the
body thus cleansed from all its impurities. Some orni-
thologists have ascribed this to the extreme delicacy of
the bird in preparing its repast j others think that it is
only an accidental consequence arising from the manner
of putting its prey to death.

Although the Redbreast never quits this island, it per-
forms a partial migration. As soon as the business of
incubation is over, and the young are sufficiently grown
to provide for themselves, he leaves his retirement, and
again draws near the habitations of mankind : his well-
known familiarity has attra£led the attention and secured
fhe protection of man in all ages ; he haunts the dwellr

* Ununi arbustum non alit duos erithacos.

218 BRITISH BIRDS.

ing of the cottager, and partakes of his humble fare 5
when the cold grows severe, and snow covers the ground,
he approaches the house, taps at the window with his
bill, as if to entreat an asylum, which is always chearfuUy
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 beauti-
fully described the annual visits of this little guest in the
following lines : —

<* The Redbreast, sacred to the household gods.
Wisely regardful of th* embroiling sky,
In joyless fields and thorny thickets leaves
His shivering mates, and pays to trusted man
His annual visit. Half afraid, he first

" Against the window beats ; then brisk alights

* On the warm hearth ; then, hopping o'er the floor,

* Eyes all the smiling family askance,
" And pecks, and starts, and wonders where he is ;

< Till, more familiar grown, the table crumbs
' Attract his slender feet."

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 appear-
ance of the red is about the end of August, but it does
not attain 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 perform their
journey singly, one after another, which is a singular cir-
cumstance in the history of this bird. Its general fami-

BRITISH BIRDS.

219

liarity has occasioned it to be distinguished by a peculiar
name in many countries : about Bornhohn, it is called
Tomi Liden ; in Norway, Peter Ronsmad ; in Germany,
it is called Thomas Gierdet j and with us, Robin-Red-
-breast, or Ruddock.

THE REDSTART.

RED-TAIL.
i^MotaciUa Phcen'tcurus, Lin. — Le Rojfignol de murailh, BufT.)

This bird measures rather more than five inches in
length. Its bill and eyes are black; its forehead is
white ; cheeks, throat, fore part and sides of the neck
black, which colour extends over each eye ; the crown
of the head, hinder part of the neck, and the 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, excepting the two
middle ones, which are brown ; the belly is white ; feet
and claws black. The female differs considerably from

2 E

220

BRITISH BIRDS.

the male ; her colours are not so vivid : the top of the
head and back are of a grey ash colour, and the chin is
white.

The Redstart is migratory ; it appears about the mid-
dle of April, and departs in the latter end of September,
or beginning of Odlober ; it frequents old walls and
ruinous edifices, where it makes its nest, composed
chiefly of moss, lined with hair and feathers. It is dis-
tinguished 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 in-
accessible places for its residence : it likewise builds in
forests, in holes of trees, or in high and dangerous pre-
cipices. The female lays four or five eggs, not much un-
like those of the Hedge-sparrow, but somewhat longer.
These birds feed on flies, spiders, the eggs of ants, small
berries, soft fruits, and such Hke.

BRITISH BIRDS, 221

THE FAUVETTE.

PETTICHAPS.
(Motacilla hippolals, Lin. — La Fawvette, 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, excepting
the outermost, which are white on the exterior sides and
tips ; over each 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, where it may be heard but not seen. It is truly
a mocking bird, imitating the notes of various kinds, ge-
nerally 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
delightfully in the midst of a bush close at hand, but have
seldom been able to obtain a sight of it, and could never
procure more than one specimen. Its appearance with
us does not seem to be regular, 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 fa-

* We have adopted the name of Fawvette for want of a more
appropriate term Jn our language. We apprehend this to be the
Flycatcher of Mr Pennant — Br. Zool. vol. a, p. 264, 1st. ed. — and
the Lesser Pettichaps of Latham, which he says, is known in York-

2 E 2

222" BRITISH BIRDS:

mily, consisting of ten distin£l species, many of which
visit this island in the spring, and leave it again in au-
tumn. , " These pretty warblers," says he, " arrive when
the trees put forth their leaves, and begin to expand
their blossoms ; they are dispersed through the whole
extent of our plains ; some inhabit our gardens, others
prefer the clumps and avenues ; some conceal themselves
among the reeds, and many retire to the midst of the
woods." But, notwithstanding their numbers, this genus
is confessedly 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 specimens 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 different authors who have noticed them.

shire by the name of the Beambird ; but he does not speak from
his own knowledge of the Bird. It certainly is but little known>
and has no common name in this country.

•^m^

BRITISH BIRDS.

223

THE LESSER FAUVETTE.

PASSERINE WARBLER.
[MotaciUa pajfennay Lin. — Le Pajferlnettef BufF.)

Length nearly the same as the last. Bill pale brown ;
upper parts of the body brown, slightly tinged with olive
green ; under parts dingy 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 dusky and black spots. This bird is also a mocker,
but its song is not so powerful as that of the last.

^^^

22t

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WINTER FAUVETTE.

HEDGE WARBLER, HEDGE SPAR.ROW, OR DUNNOCK.
(Motacilla Modularisy Lin. — La Fauvette d'Hiver, BufF.)

The length of this well-known bird is somewhat more
than five inches. Its bill is dark ; eyes hazel ; its gene-
ral appearance is that of a dusky brown ; the feathers on
the head, hinder part of the neck, back, wings, and tail,
are edged with rusty or pale tawny brown, plain on the
rump, rather clouded on the breast, and dashed on the
sides with deeper shades of those colours : the chin,
throat, sides of the neck, and fore part of the breast are
of a dull bluish ash j the belly is of the same colour, but
lighter, and the legs are reddish brown.

This bird is frequently seen in hedges, from which
circumstance it derives one of its names ; but it has no
other relation to the Sparrow than in the dinginess of its
colours ; in every other respe£l it differs entirely. It
remains with us the whole year, and builds its nest near

BRITISH BIRDS. 225

tlie ground ; it is composed of moss and wool, and lined
with hair. T(je female generally lays four or five eggs,
of a uniform pale blue, without any spots : the young are
liatched about the beginning of May. During the time
of sitting, if a cat or other voracious animal should hap-
pen to come near the nest, the mother endeavours to di-
vert it from the spot by a stratagem similar to that by
which the Partridge misleads the dog : she springs up,
flutters from spot to spot, and by such means allures her
enemy to a safe distance. In France the Hedge-sparrow
is rarely seen but in winter ; it arrives generally in Octo-
ber, and departs in the spring for more northern regions,
where it breeds. It is supposed to brave the rigours of
winter in Sweden, and that it assumes the white plumage
common in those severe climates in that season. Its sons:
is little varied, but pleasant, especially in a season when
all the other warblers are silent : its usual strain is a sort
of quivering, frequently repeating something like the fol-
lowing tit-tit -tititit i from which, in some places, it is called
the Titling. It has already been observed that the
Cuckoo frequently deposits her e^g in the nest of this
bird.

S2(>

BRITISH BIRDS.

- THE REED FAUVETTE.

SEDGE BIRD.
(MotaciUa Salicanai Lin. — Le Fauvette de rofeaux, 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 i 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
yellow •, the thighs are yellow : legs dusky ; the hinder
claws are long and much bent.

This bird is found in places where reeds and sedges
grow, and builds its nest there, which is made of dried
grass, and tender fibres of plants, lined with hair, and
usually contains five eggs, of a dirty white, mottled with
brown j it likewise frequents the sides of rivers and
ponds, where there is covert : it sings incessantly night
and day, during the breeding time, imitating by turns
the notes of the Sparrow, the Swallow, the Skylark, and
other birds, from which it is called the English Mock-

BRITISH BIRDS.

227

l)Ird. Buffon observes, that the young ones, though ten-
der and not yet fledged, will desert the nest if it be touch-
ed, 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 chara£lerise the
instindlive wildness of the whole genus.

■^^

THE BLACK-CAP.

{MotaclJIa /!triaipilla, Lin. — La Fauvette a tete noire, BuiF.)

This bird is somewhat above five inches in length. The
upper mandible is of a dark horn colour ; the under one
light blue, and the 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 bluish colour, inclining to brown ; the
claws black. The head of the female is of a dull rust
colour.

The Black-cap visits us about the middle of April, and
retires in September ; it frequents gardens, and builds
its nest near the ground ; it is composed of dried grass,
moss, and wool, and lined with hair and feathers. The

2 F

228 BRITISH BIRDS.

female lays five eggs, of a pale reddish brown, sprinkled
with spots of a darker colour. During the time of incuba-
tion the male attends the female, and sits by turns ; he
likewise procures her food, such as flies, worms, and in-
se(Sls. The Black-cap sings sweetly, and so like the
Nightingale, that in Norfolk it is called the Mock-Night-
ingale. Buffon says that its airs are light and easy, and
consist of a succession of modulations 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 modulations, superior,
perhaps, to any of our warblersj the Nightingale except-
ed •, and, while it warbles, its throat is wonderfully dis-
tended. Black-caps feed chiefly on flies and insects, and
not unfrequently on ivy and other berries.

BRITISH BIRDS.

229

^^1... m.^

THE WHITE-THROAT.

MUGGY.
{^Motacilla Sylva, Lin. — La Fawcette gr'ifs, BuiF.)

The length of this bird is about five inches and a half.
Its bill is dark brown, lighter at the base ; eyes dark ha-
zel *, 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 brow^n. 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
as they ; it frequents thickets and hedges, and feeds on
inserts and wild berries. It makes its nest in thick bushes,
of fine dried grass, thinly lined with hair : the female
lays five eggs, of a greenish white, sprinkled with darkish
olive spots, which become numerous and blotched at the
thicker end. It is often heard in the midst of a thick

2 F 2

230 BRITISH birds:

covert to utter a pretty constant grating call of cha^ chay
cha^ which it leaves o£F as soon as it is disturbed, flitting
before the passenger from bush to bush, singing as it flies
along, and sometimes mounting up a little height inta
the air, as if it were attempting to imitate the Lark,
both in its motions and song ; but in these it falls greatly
short, and its frequently repeated notes have but little
melody.

THE YELLOW WILLOW WREN.

{Moiacilla trochilusy Lin. — Le Pou'dlot, ou U Chantre, BufF.)

Length above five inches. The bill is brown, the-
Inside and edges yellow ; eyes hazel ; the upper 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 is very distinct ; the wings
and tail are of a dusky brown, with pale edges : legs yel-
lowish brown.

There are three distindl species* of the Willow Wren^
of which this is the largest ; the following two differ in
their size as well as note ; their form and manners are
however very similar. This species is rather scarce here.
It is sometimes seen on the tops of trees, whence it often

*' The editors were so fortunate as to procure specimens of
each kind, taken at the same time of the year, and had an oppor-
tunity of noticing the difference of their song. For these speci-
mens, as well as for many others, this work is indebted to Lieut.
H. F. Gibson, of the 4th dragoons.

A nest, of this species, with five young ones, was found and
examined in Axwell-park, June 18, 1801 ; it was built in a hole
on the edge of a brae : the entrance was long, and curiously
arched over with the stems of dried grass..

BRITISH BIRDS.

231

rises singing; its note is rather low, and soft, but not
much varied. It makes its nest in holes, at the roots of
trees or in dry banks, of moss, lined with wool and hair :
the eggs are of a dull white, marked with reddish spots.

THE WILLOW WREN.

{^Le Figuier hrun et jaunet Buff.)

This is next in size. The plumage of the upper parts
is much darker than that of the last, and of a greenish
olive colour ; the v/ings are brown, with pale yellowish
edges j the under parts are whitish, pretty deeply tinged
with yellow on the throat, breast, and thighs : the bill
is brown, inside yellowish ; over each eye a light yellow
line extends from the bill to the back part of the head :
the legs are yellowish brown. These birds vary much
in the depth of the shadings of their plumage.

The Willow Wren 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

232 BRITISH BIRDS.

"withered grass, moss, and the slender stems of dried
plants J it is lined with a few feathers, hair, and a
little wool, and is commonly placed in a low thick bush
or hedge : the female generally lays five eggs, which
are white, spotted with red. "We suppose this to be the
Figuier hrun et jaune of M. BufFon.

We are favoured by the ingenious Mr J. Gk>ugh, of
Kendal, with the description of a bird very similar 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 the Swallow, and
begins to sing immediately on its arrival, and may be
heard till the beginning of August.

THE LEAST WILLOW WREN.

CHIFF CHAFF.

^ This bird is about an inch less in length than the Yel-
low Willow Wren, and about half an inch shorter than
the last. The upper parts of its plumage are darker than
tliose of the last two, somewhat inclining to a mouse co-
lour J its breast is of a dull silvery white, from which, in
some places, it is called the Linty-white : its legs are dark.

The song of this bird, though similar to that of the
last, is still weaker : in both it consists of a single strain,
frequently repeated ; and their little simple song, when
poured forth from the branches of the loftiest trees, is
heightened in tone only by the aid it receives from the
echo.

This species visits this country among the first sum-
mer birds of passage, but from the smallness of its num-
bers they are thinly dispersed ; from which, together with,
their preferrmg the shades of solitary woods and coverts,
they are but rarely to be seen.

BRITISH BIRDS.

233

5^.^^

THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.

[Mofacilla regulits, Lin. — Le Roitelety BufF.)

This is supposed to be the least of all the European
birds -, it is certainly the smallest of the British kinds>
being in length not quite three inches and a half,* and
weighing 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 olive green colour ; all the under 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 tipped with white : quills dusky, edged
with pale green, as are also the feathers of the tail, but
lighter : the legs are of a yellowish brown. The female

* The .body, when stripped of its feathers, is not quite an inch
long.— 3zf^.

234. BRITISH BIRDS.

is distinguished by a pale yellow crown ; her whole plu-
mage 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, particularly the
first, in which it finds both food and shelter ; in these
it builds its nest, which is suspended from a branch by a
kind of cordage made of the materials of which the nest
is chiefly composed ; it is of an oblong form, having an
aperture on one side, and is made principally of moss,
lined with the softest down, mixed with slender fila-
ments ; the female 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 agile,
and are almost continually in motion, fluttering 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 consists chiefly of the
smallest insects, which they find in the crevices of the
bark of trees, or catch nimbly on the wing ; they also
eat the eggs of insects, small worms, and various sorts
of seeds.

The Golden-crested Wren Is diffused throughout
Europe ; it has also been met with in various parts of
Asia and America, and seems to bear every change 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 re-
turns 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
Grasshopper.

BRITISH BIRDS.

235

THE WREN.

KITTY WREN.

{^MotaclUa troglodytes^ Lin. — Le Troglodyte, BuiF.)

Length three inches and a half. The bill is slender,
and a little curved ; upper mandible and tips of a brownish
horn colour, the under one, and edges of both, dull yel-
low ; 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 narrow double wavy lines of pale and dark brown
colours ; the belly, sides, and thighs are marked with
the same colours, but more distinctly ; the tliroat is of a
dingy white ; the cheeks and breast the same, faintly
dappled with brown ; the quills and tail are marked with
alternate bars of a reddish brown and black : the legs are
of a pale olive brown.

This active little bird is very common in England, and
braves our severest winters, which it contributes to en-
liven by its sprightly note. During that season it ap»

. 2 G

23^

BRITISH BIRDS;

preaches near the dwellings of man, and takes shelter in
the roofs of houses and barns, in hay-stacks, and holes in
the walls : it continues its song till late in the evenings
and not unfrequently during a fall of snow. In the
spring it betakes itself to the woods, where it builds ks
nest near the ground, in a low bush, and sometimes on
the turf, beneath the trunk of a tree, or in a hole in a
wall : its nest is constructed with much art, being of an
ovarshape, with one small aperture in the side for an
entrance : it is composed chiefly of moss, and lined with-
in with feathers : the female lavs from ten to sixteen, and:
sometimes eighteen eggs j they are white, thinly sprlnkleA
Tarith small faint reddish spots at the thicker end.

THE WHITE-RUMP.

WHEATEAR.
{Motacilla oenanthe, Lin. — he Mottcux^ ou h Cul hlanc. Buff.)

Length five inches and a half. The bill is black ;
eyes hazel; from the base of the bill a black streak is
extended over the eyes, cheeks, and ears, where it- is

BRITISH BIRDS. 237

pretty broad ; above this there is a line of white ; the
top of the head, hinder part of the neck, and the back,
are of a bluish 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 ; tlice
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 tail of so pure -a white.

The Whit^-rump breeds -under shelter of a tuft or
clod, in newly-ploughed lands, or under stones, -and
sometimes in old rabbit burrows : its nest, which is con-
structed with great care, is composed of dry grass or
moss, mixed with wool, and is lined with feathers ; it is
defended by a sort of covert fixed to the stone or clod
under which it is formed : the female generally lays five
or six eggs, of a light blue, the larger end encompassed
•with a circle of a somewhat deeper hue.

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 never 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 two thousand dozen are said to be
taken annually in that way, in one district only, which
are generally sold at sixpence per dozen * Great num-
bers are sent to the London markets, where they are
jnuch esteemed, being thought not inferior to the Orto=

* Pennant.
5J G 2

23S

BRITISH BIRDS.

Ian. 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 departure. They are extended
over a large portion of the globe, even as far as the
southern parts of Asia.

THE WHINCHAT.

(Motadlla ruhetra, Lin. — Le grand Traquety ou le Tar'ter, Buff.)

This bird is somewhat larger than the Stonechat. 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 hinder
part of the head •, the cheeks are blackish ; chin white ;
the breast is of a rust colour ; belly, vent, and thighs
pale buff j 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, as are also the legs.

BRITISH BIRDS. 239

The colours in general of the female are paler ; the white
streak over the eye, and the spots on the wings, are much
less conspicuous *, and the cheeks, instead of being black,
partake of the colours of 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 Stone-
chat : it makes its nest very similar to that bird, and is
generally seen in the same places during the summer
months : the female lays five eggs, of a lightish blue,
very faintly sprinkled with small rusty spots. 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 de-
licacy to the Ortolan.

240

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE STONECHAT.

STONE-SMITH, MOOR-TITLING.
{Motacilla rubecola, Lin. — Le Traquety BufF.)

Length nearly five inches. The bill is black j eyes
dark hazel ; the head, neck, and throat are black, faintly
mixed with brown ; on each side of the neck, immedi-
ately above the wings, there is a large white spot ; the
back and wing coverts are of a fine velvet black, margin-
ed with reddish brown •, the quills are dusky, with pale
brown edges, those next the body are white at the bot-
tom, 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 fe-
male are duller •, the white on the sides of the neck is
not so conspicuous •, the breast and belly 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
inserts of all kinds. It builds its nest at the roots of

BRITISH BIRDS 241

bushes, or underneath stones : it carefully conceals the
entrance to it by a variety of little arts : it generally
alights at some distance from it, •and makes its approaches
with great circumspection, creeping along the ground in
a winding dire£lion, so that it is a difficult matter to dis-
cover its retreat. The female breeds about the end of
March, and lays five or six eggs of a greenish pale blue.
The flight of the Stonechat is low : it is almost conti-
nually 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. Buffbn compares its note to the word
ivistrata frequently repeated. Mr Latham observes, that
it seemed to him like the clicking of two stones together,
from which circumstance it probably may have derived
its name.

^

242 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE TITMOUSE.

This diminutive tribe is distinguished by a peculiar
degree of sprightliness and vivacity, to which may be add-
ed a degree of strength and courage which by no means
agrees with its appearance. Birds of this class are perpe-
tually in motion ; they rim with great celerity along the
branches of trees, searching for their food in every little
cranny, where the eggs of insedls are deposited, which
are their favourite food. During spring they are fre-
quently observed to be very busy among the opening
buds, searching for caterpillars, and are thus actively em-
ployed in preventing the mischiefs that would arise from
a too great increase of those destructive Inserts, whilst,
at the same time, they are intent on the means of their
own preservation : they likewise eat small pieces of raw
meat, particularly fat, of which they are very fond.
None of this kind have been observed to migrate : they
sometimes make short flittings from place to place in
quest of food, but never entirely leave us. They are
very bold and daring, and will attack birds much larger
than themselves with great intrepidity. Buffon says,
" they pursue the Owl with great fury, and that in their
attacks they aim chiefly at the eyes : their a<ftions on
these occasions are attended with a swell of the feathers,
and a succession of violent attitudes and rapid movements,
which strongly mark the bitterness of their rage. They
will sometimes attack birds smaller and weaker than them-
selves, which they kill, and having picked a hole In the
skull, they eat out the brains." The nests of most of
this kind are constructed with the most exquisite art, and

BRITISH BIRDS. 243

with aterlals of the utmost delicacy : some species, with
great sagacity, build them at the extreme end of small
branches proje^ling over water, by which means they
are effe6lually secured from the attacks of serpents and
the smaller beasts of prey.

These birds are very widely spread over every part of
the old continent, from the northern parts of Europe to
the Cape of Good Hope, as well as to the farthest parts
of India, China, and Japan : they are likev;ise found
throughout the vast continent of America, and in several
©f the West India islands. They are every where pro-
lific, even to a proverb, laying a great number of eggs,
which they attend with great solicitude, and provide for
their numerous progeny with indefatigable adlivity.

All the Titmice are distinguished by short bills, which
are conical, a little flattened at the sides, and very sharp •
pointed ; the nostrils are small and round, and are gene-
rally covered by short bristly feathers, refledled from the
forehead ; the tongue seems as if cut off at the end, and
terminated by short filaments •, the toes are divided to
their origin j the back toe is very large and strong.

2 H

214»

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREATER TITMOUSE.

OX-EYE.
[Parus nwjory Lin. — La Groje Mefange, Buff.)

The length of this bird Is about five inches. The bilf
is black, as are also the eyes ; the head is covered appa-
rently with a sort of hood, of a fine deep glossy black,
which is extended to the middle of the neck j 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 bluish ash colour ;
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.

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 generally in a hole of a
tree : the female lays from eight to ten eggs, which are
wkite, spotted with rust colour. BufFon says, that th&

BRITISH BIRDS. 245

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 other ; they generally con-
tinue together till the approach of spring invites them to
pair. We kept one of these birds in a cage for some
time j it was fed chiefly with hemp-seed, which, instead
of breaking with its bill, like the Linnet, it held very
dexterously 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 a(Stivity.
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.

2 h2

216

BRITISH BIRDS.

K

•^^^^^^

THE BLUE TITMOUSE.

TOM-TIT, BLUE-CAP, OR NUN.
{^Parus cccmleus, Lin> — La Mejange blcue, 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 hinder part 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 j 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 yel-
low : legs and claws black. The female is somewhat
smaller than the male^ has less blue on 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, that in its pursuit

BRITISH BIRDS.

247

after its favourite food, which is often lodged in the ten-
der buds, it may destroy them also, to the injury of the
future harvest, not considering that it is the means of
destroying a much more dangerous enemy (the caterpil-
lar) which it finds there : it has likewise a strong propen-
sity to flesh, and is said to pick the bones of such small
birds as it can master, as clean as skeletons. The female
builds lier nest in holes of walls or trees, which she lines
well with feathers: she lays from fourteen to twenty
white eggs, spotted with red. If her eggs should be
touched by any person, or one of them be broken, she
immediately forsakes her nest and builds again, but other-
wise makes but one hatch in the year. This bird is dis-
tinguished above all the rest of the Titmice by its rancour
against the Owl.

THE COLE TITMOUSE.

{^Parus ater, Lin. — La petite Charbonnleref Buff.)

"This bird is somewhat less than the last, and weighs
only two drachms ; its length is four inches. The bill is

24S

BRITISH BIRDS.

black, as are also the head, tl\roat, and part of the 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
hinder part of the head and neck ; the back and all the
upper parts are of a greenish ash colour ; the wing coverts
are tipped with white, which forms two bars across the
wing -, the under parts are of a reddish white ; legs lead
colour 5 tall somewhat forked at the end.

THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE.

(Parus caudaius, Lin. — La Mefange a longue queucy 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
grey •, over each eye there is a broad black band, which
extends backwards, and unites on the hinder part of the
head, whence it passes down the back to the rump, bor-
dered 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, edged

BRITISH BIRDS. 249

with rose colour ; the quills are dusky, with pale edges :
the tail consists of feathers of very unequal lengths ; the
four middle feathers are wholly black, the others are
white on the exterior edge : legs and claws black.

The foregoing figure was taken from one newly shot.
There was a stuffed specimen in the museum of the late
Mr Tunstall, 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 : it probably was 2 female.

The nest of this bird is singularly curious and elegant,
being of a long oval form, with a small hole in the side,
near tlie top, as an entrance •, its outside is formed of
moss, woven or matted together with the silken shrouds
of the aurelia of insedls, and covered all over with the
tree and the stone lichens, fixed with fine threads of the
same silken material : from this thatch the rain trickles
off without penetrating it, whilst from its similarity in co-
lour and appearance to the bark of the branch on which
it is most commonly placed, it is not easily to be dis-
covered : the inside is thickly lined with a profusion of
feathers,* the soft webs of which are all laid inwards,
with the quills or points stuck into the outward fabric.
In this comfortable little mansion the female deposits her
eggs, to the number of sixteen or seventeen, which are
concealed almost entirely among the feathers : they are
about the size of a large pea, and perfectly white,f but
take a fine red blush from the transparency of the shell,
which shews the yolk. This bird is not uncommon with

* In some places the nest is called a feather-poke.

t Eggs taken out of the same nest differ : some are delicately
freckled with red spot§.

250 BRITISH BIRDS.

us •, it frequents the same places as the other species of
Titmice, feeds in the same manner, and is charged with
the same misdemeanor in destroying the buds, and pro-
bably with the si^me 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 ti*ees with great facility. The young continue with
the parents, and form little flocks through the winter :
they utter a small shrill cry, only as a call, but in the
spring their notes become more musical.

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 appeared as fully
cloathed as in the coldest regions.

THE MARSH TITMOUSE.

BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE.
(Parus pahjlrisi Lin. — La Mefange de mar ah, BufF.)

Its length is somevv^hat short of five inches. Its bill
is black j the whole crown of the head, and part of the

BRITISH BIRDS.

251

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 dusky, with pale edges : the tail is dusky ;
legs dark lead colour.

The Marsh Titmouse is said to be fond of wasps, bees,
and other insecls : it lays up a little store of seeds against
a season of want. It frequents marshy places, whence
it derives its name. Its manners are similar to those of
the Cole Titmouse, and it is equally prolific.

THE BEARDED TITMOUSE.
{^Parus biarmicus, Lin. — La Mefange 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 al-
so orange ; the head and back part of the neck are of a
pearl grey, or light ash colour j on each side of the head,
from the eye, there is a black mark extending down-

2 I

252 BRITISH BIRDS.

wards on the neck, and ending in a point, not unlike a-
mustachoe ; 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 j the
lesser coverts of the wings are dusky, the greater rust co-
lour, with pale edges ; the 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, edged and tipped with white : the legs are black.
The female wants the black mark on each si(;le 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 as the belly.

The Bearded Titmouse is found chiefly in the southera
parts of the kingdom ; it frequents marshy places where
reeds grow, on the seeds of which it feeds : it is supposed
to breed there, though its history is imperfedlly 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 probability, supposes
that they are ours ab orlglne, and that it is owing to their
frequenting the places where reeds grow, and which are
not easily accessible, that so little is known of them. Mr
Edwards gives a figure of this bird, and describes it un-
der the name of the Least Butcher Bird.

BRITISH BIRDS. 253

OF THE SWALLOW.

Of all the various famines of birds, which resort te
this island for food and shelter, there is none which has
occasioned so many conjedlures respec):ing its appearance
and departure as the Swallow tribe : of this we have al-
ready hazarded our opinion in the introductory part of
the work, to which we refer the reader. The habits and
modes of living of this tribe are perhaps more conspicu-
ous than those of any other. From the time of their ar-
rival to that of their departure they seem continually be-
fore our eyes. The Swallow lives habitually in the air,
and performs its various functions in that element •, and
whether it pursues its fluttering prey, and follows the de-
vious windings of the insedls on which it feeds, or endea-
vours to escape the birds of prey by the quickness of its
motion, it describes lines so mutable, so varied, so inter-
woven, and so confused, that they hardly can be pictured
by words. " The Swallow tribe is of all others the most
inoffensive, harmless, entertaining, and social ; all, except
one species, attach themselves to our houses, amuse us
with their migrations, songs, and marvellous agility, and
clear the air of gnats and other troublesome inse6ts, which

would otherwise much annov and incommode us. Who-

•I

ever contemplates the myriads of insedts that sport in the
sun-beams of a summer evening in this country, will soon
be convinced to what degree our atmosphere would be
choaked with them, were it not for the friendly inter-
position of the Swallow tribe."*

Nat jnany attempts have been made to preserve Svral-

* White's Selborne.
2 I 2

251^ BRITISH BIRDS.

lows alive during the winter, and of these, few have suc-
ceeded. The following experiments, by Mr James Pear-
son, of London, communicated to us by Sir John Treve-
lyan, Bart, are highly interesting, and throw great light
upon the natural history of the Swallow ; we shall give
them nearly in Mr Pearson's own words.

Five or six of these birds were taken about the latter
end of August, 1784, in a bat fowling-net, at night ; they
were put separately into small cages, and fed with Night-
ingale's food : in about a week or ten days they took food
of themselves ; they were then put alt/?getlier into' a deep
cage, four feet long, with gravel at the bottom ; a broad
shallow pan with water w^s placed in it, in which they
sometimes washed themselves, and seemed much strength-
ened by it. One day Mr Pearson observed that they
went into the water with unusual eagerness, hurrying in
and out again reputedly, with such swiftness as if they
had been suddenly seized with a frenzy. Being anxious
to see the result, he left them to themselves about half
an hour, and on going to the cage again, found them all
huddled togetSbr in a corner, apparently dead ; the cage
was then placed at a proper distance from the fire, when
only two of them recovered, and were as healthy as be-
fore— the rest died. The two remaking ^nes were al-
lowed to wash themselves occasionally for a short time
only J but their feet soon after became swelled and in-
flamed, which Mr P. attributed to their perching, "and
they died about Christmas : thus the first year's experi-
ment was in some measure lost. Not discouraged by the
failure of this, Mr P. determined to make a second trial
the succeeding year, from a strong desire of being con-
vinc.ed of the truth respecting their going into a state of

*■

BRITISH BIRDS. 255

torpidity. Accordingly, the next season, having taken
some more birds, he put them into the cage, and in every
respeft pursued the same methods as with the last ; but
^to guard their feet from the bad effects of the damp and
cold, he covered the perches with flannel, and had the
pleasure to observe that the birds throve extremely well ;
they sung their song through the winter, and soon after
Christmas began to moult, which they got through with-
out any difficulty, and lived three or four years, regularly
moulting every year at the usual time. On the renewal
of their feathers it appeared that their tails were forked
exactly the same as in^those birds which return hither in
Xthe spring, and in every respedl their appearance was the
same. These birds, says Mr Pearson, were exhibited to
the society for promoting Natural History, on the 14th
day of February, 1786, ^ the time they were in a deep
moult, during a severe frost, when the snow was on the
ground. Minutes of this circumstance were entered in
the books 6f the society. These birds died at last from
negleft, during a long illness which Mr Pearson had :
Ihey died in the summer. Mr P. concludes his ve^y in-
teresting account in these words': — " January 20, cl797,
I have now In my house. No. 21, Great Newport-street,
Long- Acre, four Swallows in moult, in as perfect health
as any birds every appeared to be when moulting."

The result of these experiments pretty clearly proves,
that Swallows do not in any material instance differ from
oth^r bjrds in their nature and propensities; but that
they leave us, like many other birds, when this country
can no longer furnish them with a supply of their proper
and natural food, and that consequently they seek it la
other places, where they meet with that support which
enables them to throw off their feathers.

256

BRITISH BIRDS.

Swallows are found in every country of the known
world, but seldom remain the whole year in the same
climate ; the times of their appearance and departure in
this country are well known : they are the constant har-
bingers of spring, and on their arrival all nature assumes
a more chearful aspect. The bill of this genus is short,
very broad at the base, and a little bent -, the head is flat,
and the neck scarcely visible ; the tongue is short, broad,
and cloven ; tail mostly forked j wings long ; legs short.

THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW.

HOUSE SWALLOW.
{Hirundo rujilcai Lin. — UHirondelle domejilque, Buff.)

Length somewhat more than six inches. Its bill is
black ; eyes hazel •, the forehead and chin are red, in-
clining to chesnut ; the whole upper part of the body is
black, refle<El:ed with a purplish blue on the top of the
head and scapulars *, the quills of the wings, according to
their different positions, are sometimes of a bluish black,
and sometimes of a greenish brown, whilst those of the

BRITISH BIRDS. 257

tail are black, with green reflexions ; 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 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 construfted, of
a cylindrical shape, plaistered 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 admit, above that occupied the preceding
year.* We are favoured by Sir John Trevelyan, Bart,
with the following curious fadl : — 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 probability 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 ia
the year ; the first in June, the other in August, or
perhaps later. We have seen a young Swallow, v/hicH
was shot on the 26th of September ; its length was
scarcely five inches ; its tail was short, and not forked >

^ EuffoH.

258 BRITISH BIRDS.

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 which circumstance it
has been supposed that they retire into that element.

Swallows soon become familiar* after they have been
caught j that from which the foregoing figure was taken

* The following remarkable proof of this property, is extracted
from a letter written to the editors, by the Rev. Walter Trevelyan,
dated Long-Witton, Northumberland, September 10, 1800: —

" About nine weeks ago, a Swallo\v fell down one of our chim-
nies, nearly fledged, and was able to fly in two or three days. The
children desired they might try to rear him, (to which I agreed,
fearing the old ones would desert him) and as he was not the least
shy, they succeeded without any difficulty, for he opened his
mouth for flics as fast as they could supply them, and was regu-
larly fed to a whistle. In a few days (perhaps a week) they tised
to take him into the fields with them, and as each child found a
fly, and whistled, the little bird flew for his prey, from one to ano-
ther : at other times he would fly round above them in the air,
but always descended at the first call, in spite of the constant en-
deavours of the wild Swallows to seduce him away, for which
purpose several of them at once would fly about him in all direc-
tions, striving to drive him away when they saw him about to set-
tle on one of the children's hands, extended with the food. He
would very often alight on the children, uncalled, when they were
walking several fields distant from home.

" Our little inmate was never made a prisoner, by being put in-
to a cage, but always ranged about the room at large, wherever
the children v/ere, and they never went out of doors without tak-
ing him with them. Sometimes he would sit on their hands or
heads, and catch flies for himself, which he soon did with great
dexterity. At length, finding it take up too much of their time to
supply him with food enough to satisfy his appetite, (for I have
po doubt he ate from seven hundred to a thousand flies a-day).
they used to turn him out of the house, shutting the wiiidow to

BRITISH BIRDS, 259

had been slightly wounded in the wing, so as to prevent
its flying away. It sat on the bench while the cut was
engraved, and from its having been fed by the hand with
flies, when sitting for its portrait, watched every motion,
and^t every look of the eye, when pointedly directed to-
wards it, ran close up to the graver, in expectation of a
fresh supply of food.

prevent his return, for two or three hours together, in hopes he
would learn to cater for himself, which he soon did, but still was
no less tame, always answering their cally and coming in at the
window to them (of his own accoid) frequently, every day, and
always roosting in their room, which he has regularly done from
the first till within a week or ten days past. He constantly roost-
ed on one of the children's heads till their bed-time ; nor was he
disturbed by the child moving about, or even walking, but would
remain perfectly quiet, vv'ith his head under his wing, till he was
put^way for the night in some warm corner : for he liked much
warmth.

*' It is now four days since he came in to roost in the house,
and though he did not then shew any symptoms of shyness, yet
he is evidently becoming less tame, as the whistle will not now
bring him to the hand, nor does he visit us as formerly, but he al-
ways acknowledges it when within hearing, by a chirp, and by
flying near. Nothing could exceed his tamencss for about six
weeks, and I have no doubt it would have continued the same,
had we not left him to himself as much as we could, fearing he
would be so perfectly domesticated that he would be left behind
at the time of migration, and of course be starved in the winter,
from cold or hunger.

<* One thing I have observed, which perhaps is not much known,
which is, that these birds cast like the Hawk tribe."

2 K

260

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SAND MARTIN.

BANK MARTIN, OR SAND SWALLOW.
{^Hlrundo rlparla, Wn.-^UHirondelle de rlvage^ BufT.)

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 feet are smooth and dark brown.

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 places the nest at the
end *, it is carelessly construdted 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.

BRITISH BIRDS. 261

THE MARTIN.

MARTLET, MARTINET, OR WINDOW SWALLOW.
[Hirundo urb'ica, Lin. — VHirondelle a cul hianc, 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 jire 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 generally
two broods, sometimes three, in the year : it builds its
nest most frequently upon the crags of precipices near
the sea, or by the sides of lakes, and not unfrequently
tinder the eaves of houses, or close by the sides of the
windows : it is made of mud and straw on the outside,
and lined with feathers : the first hatch the female lays
five eggs, which are white, inclining to dusky at the

2 K 2

262 BRITISH BIRDS.

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, adhering 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 imperceptible to those who are not
accustomed to observe it.

The Martin arrives somewhat later than the Swallow,
and does not leave us so soon : they have been observed
in the neighbourhood of London as late as the middle of
October. Mr White, in his Natural History of Sel-
borne, 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, and serves to confirm the idea that the
greater 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 acces-
sion of the second broods, till at last they swarm in my-
riads round the villages on the Thames, darkening the
face of the sky as they frequent the islets of that river,
where they roost. They reHre in vast flocks together,
about the beginning of October." He adds, " that
they appeared of late years in considerable numbers, in
the neighbourhood 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 fortnight."
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 devastations somehow and some-
where ; for the birds that return yearly bear no manner
of proportion to those that retire."

-BRITISH BIRDS.

263

THE SWIFT.

BLACK MARTIN, DEVILING, OR SCREAMER.
{^H'lrundo apus, Lin. — Le Martinet noir, BufF.)

Length nearly eight inches. Bill black ; eyes hazel ;
its general colour is that of a sooty black, with greenish
refledtions ; the throat is white *, the wings are long,
measuring, from tip to tip, about eighteen inches j 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 fe-
male is rather less than the male ; her plumage inclines
more to brown, and the white on the throat is less distindl.

The Swift arrives later, and departs sooner than any
of the tribe, from which 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 that of any of its kindred
tribes, and it has but one brood in the year, so that the
young ones have time to gain strength enough to accom-
pany the parent birds in their distant excursions. They
have been noticed at the Cape of Good Hope, and pro-
bably visit the more remote regions of Asia. Swifts are
almost continually on the wing -, they fly higher, and

2G4« BRITISH BIRDS.

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 vio-
lent exertion, the other of perfecft Inaction ; they must
either shoot through the air, or remain close in their
holes. Thoy are seldom seen to alight ; but If by any ac-
cident 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 j in the morn-
ing and evening they go out in quest of provision ; they
then are seen in llocks, describing an endless series of
circles upon circles, sometimes in close ranks, pursuing
the direction 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 elevated places ; lofty steeples
and high towers are generally preferred : sometimes
they build under the arches of bridges, which, though
their elevation is not great, are 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

* Buffon.

BRITISH BIRDS.

^65

along the surface cf the ground; while others assert,
with more probability, 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, previously to their departure,
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 disappear.

THE NIGHTJAR.

GOAT-SUCKER, DOR-HAWK, OR FERN OWL.
{^Caprlmulgus Europeus, Lin. — UEngouIlventy Buff.)

The length of this bird is about ten Inches and a half.
The bill is small, flat; and somewhat hooked at the tip.

266 BRITISH BIRDS.

and Is furnished on each side of the upper mandible with
several strong bristles, whereby 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 description.
The male is distinguished by an oval spot of white on
the inner webs of the first three quill feathers, 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 connected by a membrane as far as
the first joint ; the middle one is considerably larger than
the rest, and the claw is serrated on one side.

To avoid perpetuating error, as much as possible, we
have dropped the term Goat-sucker, which has no foun-
dation but in ignorance and superstition, and have adopt-
ed one, which, though not universally known, bears some
analogy to the nature and qualities of the bird to which
it relates, both with respeft to the time of its appearance,
which is always in the dusk of the evening, in search of
its prey, as well as to the jarring noise which it utters
whilst at rest perched on a tree, and by which it is pecu-
liarly distingushed.

The Night-jar is found In every part of the old conti-
nent, from Siberia to Greece, Africa, and India ; it ar-
rives in this country 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 nowhere 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

BRITISH BIRDS. 2GT

not dazzled by the bright rays of the sun. It feeds on
inse£Vs, which it catches on the wing : it is a great de-
stroyer of the cock-chafer or dor-beetle, from which
circumstance, in some places, it is called the Dor-hawk»
Six of these insefls were found in the stomach of one of
these birds, besides four or five large-bodied moths. Mr
White supposes that its foot is useful in taking its prey,
as he observed that it frequently, whilst on the wing, put
forth its leg, with which it seemed to convey something
to its mouth. These birds frequent moors and wild
heathy tra(5ls 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. They are seen most frequently towards autumn :
their motions are irregular and rapid, sometimes wheel-
ing in quick succession round a tree or other objedl, div-
ing 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
|his attitude utters its jarring note : it is Ukewise distin-
guished by a sort of buzzing which it makes while on the
wing, and 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 : sometimes 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 to invite the female, as it has been observ-
ed to utter it 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 ge-
nerally seen alone ; two are seldom found together, but
sitting at a little distance from each other.

2l

26S BRITISH EIRD-S.

OF THE DOVE KIND.

The various families which constitute this beautifuf
genus are distinguished by shades and gradations so mi-
nute, as to exceed all description. Of these by much
the larger portion are the willing attendants on man, and
depend on his bounty, seldom leaving the dwellings pro-
vided for them, and only roaming abroad to seek amuse-
ment, or to procure subsistence -, but when we consider
tlie lightness of their bodies, the great strength of their
wings, and the amazing rapidity of their flight, it is a
matter of wonder that they should submit even to a par-
tial kind of domestication, or occupy those tenements
fitted up for the purpose of breeding and rearing their
voung. It must be observed, however, that in these they
live rather as voluntary captives, or transient guests, than
permanent or settled inhabitants, enjoying a considerable
portion of that liberty they so much delight in : on the
slightest molestation they will sometimes abandon their
mansion with all its conveniences, and seek a solitary
lodgment in the holes of old walls or unfrequented
towers J and some ornith6logists assert, that they will
even take refuge in the woods, where, impelled by in-
stindt, they resume their native manners.

Of these the varieties and intermixtures are innume-
rable, and partake of all those varied hues which are
the constant result of domestication. The manners of
Pigeons are well known, few species being more univer-
sally diffused ; and having a very powerful wing, they
are enabled to perform very distant journies ; according-
ly wild and tame Pigeons occur in every climate, and al-
tiiough they thrive best in warm countries, yet with cari^

BRITISH BIRDS.

269

they succeed also In very northern latitudes. Every
where their manners are gentle and lively ; they are
fond of society, and the very emblem of connubial at-
tachment ; they are faithful to their mates, whom they
solicit with the softest cooings, the tenderest caresse-s,
and the most graceful movements. The exterior form
of the Pigeon is beautiful and elegant : the bill is weak,
straight and slender, and lias a soft protuberance at the
base, in which the nostrils are placed : the legs are short
and red, and the toes divided to the origin.

S^

THE VfILD PIGEON.

STOCK DOVE.
(^Columha ccnast Lin. — Le B'lfet, Buff.)

Length fourteen Inches. Bill pale red ; the head,
neck, and upper part of the back are of a deep blue grey
colour, refle^Sted on the sides of the neck with glossy

2l 2

270 BRITISH BIRDS.

green and gold ; the breast Is of a pale reddish purple,
or vinous colour ; the lower part of the back and the
rump light grey or ash colour, as are also the belly,
thighs, and under tail coverts ; the primary quill feathers
are dusky, edged with white, the others grey, marked
with two black spots on the exterior webs, forming two
bars across each wing ; the tail is ash colour, tipped with
black ; the lower half of the two outermost feathers is
white : the legs are red ; claws black. The Stock Dove,
Rock Pigeon, and AV^ood Pigeon, with some small dif-
ferences, may be included under the same denomination,
and are probably the origin of most of those beautiful
varieties, which, in a state of domestication, are depen-
dent 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, how-
ever, remain in this country, only changing their quar-
ters for the purpose of procuring food. They build their
nests in the hollows of decayed trees, and commonly have
two broods in the year. In a state of domestication their
increase is prodigious ; and, though they never lay more
than two eggs at a time, yet, allowing them to breed nine
times in the year, the produce of a single pair, at the ex-
piration of four years, may amount to the enormous num-
ber 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 into the mouths
of the young ones.

To describe the numerous varieties of the domestic
Pigeon would exceed the limits of our v/ork ; we shall

* Stillingfleet's Tracts.

BRITISH BIRDS. 271

therefore barely mention the names of the most noted
among 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, from very early times, to convey intelligence on
the most important occasions, and it never fails to exe-
cute its commission with unequalled expedition and cer-
tainty.* The Pigeon used on these occasions is taken
from the place to which the advices are to be communi-
cated, and the letter being tied ujider its wing, the bird
is let loose, and in spite of surrounding armies and every
obstacle that would have effectually prevented any other
means of conveyance, guided by instinct alone, it returns
diredlly home, where the intelligence is so much wanted.
There are various instances on record of these birds
having been employed during a siege, to convey an ac-
count of its progress, of the situation of the besieged,
and of the probable means of relief : sometimes they have
been the peaceful bearers of glad tidings to the anxious
iover, and to the merchant of the no less welcome news
jof the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired port.

* In Asia Pigeons are still used to convey intelligence.

272

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RING DOVE.

CUSHAT, OR QUEEST.
* ■ {^Cohimla palumbusj Lin. — Le P'lgecn ramler, BufF.)

This is tlie largest of all the pigeon tribe, and mea-
sures above seventeen inches in length. The bill is of a
pale red colour ; the nostrils are covered with a mealy
red fleshy membrane : the eyes are pale yellow ; the up-
per parts of the body are of a bluish ash colour, deepest
on the upper part of the back, the lower part of which,
the rump, and fore part of the neck and the head, are of
a pale ash colour ; the lower part of the neck and breast
are of a vinous ash colour ; the belly, thighs, and vent
are of a dull white ; on the hinder part of the neck there
is a semicircular line of white (whence its name) above
and beneath which, the feathers are glossy, and of a
changeable hue in different lights ; the greater quills are
dusky, and all of them excepting the outermost, edged
with white 5 from the point of the wing a white line ex-

BRITISH BIRDS. 27S

tends 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 black.

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 fre-
quently seen them during the winter on the banks of the
Tyne, where they constantly breed in the spring. 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 white eggs, and is generally supposed to
have two broods in the year. They feed on wild fruits,
herbs, and grain of all kinds ; they likewise are very fond
of the roots of the pernicious weeds so well known to
farmers under the denomination of ivhkkensy of which
the Triticum repens, or couch-grass, is the principal one :
their flesh is very delicious when they have fed upon
these, but it soon acquires an unpleasant flavour when
they have lived upon turnips, which, from necessity,
they are driven to eat in severe winters. 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.

274f

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE TURTLE DOVE.

{^Columha turtur, Lin. — La Tourterelle, BuiF.)

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 the 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 also edged with the same : 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 Northumberland, in the month of September, ] 794' ;
it agreed in every respei^ with the Common Turtle^ ex-

BRITISH BIRDS. 275

cepting 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 singularly 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 gentle and soothing accents •, on which ac-
count the Turtle 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 frequents 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 supposed to breed several times in
the year. Turtles are pretty common in Kent, where
they are sometimes seen in flocks of twenty or more, fre-
quenting 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.

2 M

276 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE GALLINACEOUS KIND.

We are now to speak of a very numerous and useful
class of birds, which, by the bountiful disposition of pro-
vidence, is diffused throughout every country of the
world, affording every where a plentiful and grateful
supply of the most delicate, wholesome, and nutricious
food. A large portion of these seem to have left their
native woods to crowd around the dwellings of man,
where, subservient to his purpose, they subsist upon the
pickings of the farm-yard, the stable, or the dunghill ; a
chearful, adlive race, which enliven and adorn the rural
scene, and require no other care than the fostering hand
of the housewife to shelter and protect them. Some
kinds, such as the Partridge, the Pheasant, and the like,
are found only in cultivated places, at no great distance
from the habitations of men ; and, although they have
not submitted to his dominion, they are nevertheless sub-
je6t to his controlling power, and are the obje(Sts of his
keenest pursuit : whilst others, taking a wider range, find
food and shelter in the deepest recesses of the woods
and forests, sometimes subsisting upon wild and heathy
mountains, or among rocks and precipices the most diffi-
cult of access.

The characters of the gallinaceous genus are generally
well known : most of the species are distinguished above
all others for the whiteness of their flesh j their bodies
are large and bulky, and their heads comparatively small ;
the bill in all of them is short, strong, and somewhat
curved ; their wings are short and concave, and scarcely
able to support their bodies, on which account they seU

BRITISH BIRDS.

277

dom make long excursions : their legs are strong, and are
furnished with a spur or a knob behind.

Birds of this kind are extremely prolific, and lay a
great number of eggs : the young follow the mother as
soon as hatched, and immediately learn to pick up the
food which she is most assiduous in shewing them *, on
this account she generally makes her nest on the ground,
or in places easy of access to her young brood.

Our gallant Chanticleer holds a distinguished rank in
this class of birds, and stands foremost in the list of our
domestic tribes j on which account we sliall place him at
the head.

2 M 2

278

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE DOMESTIC COCK.

{Phaftanus Gallus, Lin. — Le Coq, BufF.)

The Cock, like the Dog, in his present state of do-
mestication, differs so widely from his wild original, as to
render it a dijEEcult matter to trace him back to his pri-
mitive stock ; however it is generally 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 endless, every country, and almost
every district of each country, producing a different kind.
From Asia, where they are supposed to have originated,

BRITISH BIRDS. 279

■they have been diffused over every part of the inhabited
world. America was the last to receive them. It has
been said that they were first introduced into Brazil by
the Spaniards : they are now as common in all the inha-
bited 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 several va-
rieties, such as the white-crested black ones ; the black-
crested white ones j 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 oppo-
site dire<Slions : they are originally from the southern
parts of Asia, and when young are extremely sensible of
cold. They have a disordered and unpleasant appear-
ance, but are in much esteem for the table.

5. The Silk Fowls, whose skin and bones are black.

6. A kind which has no rump, and consequently no
tail feathers.

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

* Buffon.

280 BRITISH BIRDS.

barbarous times, and lament that it still continues the
disgrace 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 erefled for that pur-
pose, which, though it is now applied to a very different
use, still retains 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 paroxysms
of their phrensy, 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, and his whole demeanor be-
speaks 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 mo-
tions : his legs are strong, and are armed with sharp spurs,
with which he defends himself and attacks his adversary.
When surrounded by his females, his whole aspect is full
of animation -, he allows of no competitor, but on the ap-
proach 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 females,
hardly ever losing sight of them ; he leads, defends, and
cherishes them, colleds them together when they strag-

BRITISH BIRDS. 281

o-le, and seems to eat unwillingly till he sees them feed-
ing around him : when he loses them he utters his griefs,
and from the different inflexions of his voice, and the va-
rious significant gestures which he makes, one would be
led to conclude that it is a species of language which serves
to communicate his sentmients. The fecundity of the
hen is great *, she lays generally two eggs in three days,
and continues to lay through the greater part of the year,
excepting the time of moulting, which lasts about two
months. After having laid about ten or twelve eggs, she
prepares for the anxious task of incubation, and gives the
most certain indications of her wants by her cries and the
violence of her emotions. Should she be deprived of
her own eggs, which is frequently the case, she will cover
those of any other kind, or even fi(Slitious 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, and
changes them gently, that all parts may be properly
heated ; she seems to perceive the importance of her em-
ployment, and is so intent on her occupation, that she
negledls, in some measure, the necessary supplies of food
and drink : she omits no care, overlooks no precaution,
to complete the existence 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 appear to
us, is perhaps not a tedious situation, but a state of con-
tinual joy ; so much has Nature connected raptures with
whatever relates to the multiplication of her creatures !"
For a curious account of the progress of incubation, in

282

BRITISH BIRDS.

the developement of the chick, we refer our readers to
the above-mentioned author, who has given a minute de-
tail of the several appearances which take place, at differ-
ent stated periods, till the young chick is ready to break
the shell and come forth.

The Egyptians have a method of hatching eggs with-
out 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
carefully avoided -, by which means, and by turning the
eggs so that every part may enjoy alike the requisite
heat, hundreds of chickens are produced at the same
time. *

tt^-^f^ .SvJ^^^^-nS

r^^Z

BRITISH BIRDS.

283

THE PHEASANT ^

(P/:q/ianus CoIchicuS) Lin. — Le Fa'ifan-, BufF.)

Is rather less than the Common Cock. The bill is of
a pale horn colour ; the nostrils are hid under an arched
covering ; the eyes are yellow, and surrounded by a space,
in appearance like beautiful scarlet cloth, finely spotted
with black ; immediately under each eye there is a small
patch of short feathers of a dark glossy purple ; the up-
per parts of the head and neck are of a deep purple, va-
rying to glossy green and blue •, the lower parts of the

2 N

284 BRITISH BIRDS.

neck and the breast are of a reddish chesnut, with black
indented edges ; the sides and lower part of the breast
are of the same colour, with pretty large tips of black ta
each feather, which in different lights vary to a glossy
purple ; the belly and vent are dusky ; the back and sca-
pulars are beautifully variegated with black and white,
or cream colour speckled with black, and mixed with
deep orange, all the feathers are edged with black j on
the lower part of the back there is a mixture of green ;
the quills are dusky, freckled with white *, wing coverts
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 reddish brown colour, marked with
transverse bars of black : the legs are dusky, with a short
blunt spur on each, but in some old birds the spurs are
as sharp as needles ; between the toes there is a strong
membrane.

The female is less, and does not exhibit that variety
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 bar-
red somewhat like that of the male ; the space round the
eye is covered with feathers.*

* The hen Pheasant is sometimes known, when she has done
breeding, to assume the garb of the male. The late ingenious Mr
John Hunter, F. R. S. in a paper read before the Royal Society,
and published in tlie philosophical transactions for 1780, says —
•' It is remarked by those who are conversant with this bird,
when wild, that there appears now and then a hen Pheasant with
the feathers of the cock ; and all that they have decided on this
subject is, that this animal does not breed, and that its spurs da

BRITISH BIRDS. 285

The Ring Pheasant is a fine variety of this species ;
its principal difference consists in a white ring, which en-
circles the lower part of the neck ; the colours of the plu-
mage in general are likewise more distinct and vivid. A
fine specimen of this bird was sent us by the Rev. Wil-
liam Turner, of Newcastle, from which the figure was
engraven. They are sometimes met with in the neigh-
bourhood 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 some
we have seen, the ring was hardly visible, and in others
a few feathers only, marked with white, appeared on
each side of the neck, fonr.ing 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 indiscriminating rapacity.

There are many varieties of Pheasants, of extraordinary
beauty and brilliancy of colours : in many gentlemen's
woods there is a kind as white as snow, which will inter-
mix with the common ones. Many of the gold and silver
kinds, brought from China, are also kept in aviaries in
this kingdom : the Common Pheasant is likewise a na-
tive of the east, and is the only one of its kind that has

not grow." He further notices, that in two of these birds which
he dissected, he found them perfectly feminine, having " both the
ovaria and the ovi-duct." A Pheasant exhibiting the same kind
of plumage as those mentioned by Mr Hunter, was shot in Janu-
ary, 1S05, by Sir Thomas Frankland, Bart, and presented to this
work. This bird was of the size of the common hen Pheasant,
its tail nearly the same ; it was without spurs, and had no scarlet
around the eyes, and in rising its cry was that of the hen ; in
other respects its plumage was nearly like that of the male, only
not quite so brilliant in colour.

2 N 2

236

BRITISH BIRDS.

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 of March
and April, when the male seeks the female ; 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 they are freed from the
shell. During the breeding season the cocks will some-
times intermix with the Common Hen, and produce a
hybrid breed, of which we have known several instances.

■BRITISH BIRDSi

287

THE TURKEY.

{^Meleagris Gallopavo, Lin. — Le D'lndon., BiifF.)

It seems to be generally allowed that this bird was ori-
ginally brought from America, and that in its wild state
it 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 J the tail consists of eighteen feathers, of a brown
colour, mottled and tipped with black ; the tail coverts
are waved with black and white ; on the breast there is a
tuft of black hairs, eight inches in length : in other re-
spedls it resembles the domestic Turkey, especially 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.

288 BRITISH BIRDS.

Tame Turkles, like every other animal In a state of
domestication, are of various colours ; of these the pre-
vailing one is dark grey, inclining to black, with a little
white towards the end 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.
Turkles are bred in great numbers in Norfolk, Suffolk,
and other counties, whence they are driven to the Lon-
don markets in flocks of several hundreds. The drivers
manage them with great facility, by means of a bit of red
rag tied to a long rod, which, from the antipathy these
birds bear to that colour, effedlually drives them forward.

The motions of the Turkey, when agitated with de^
sire, or enflamed with rage, are very similar to those of
the Peacock : he ereiSls his train, and spreads it like a
fan, whilst his wings droop and trail on the ground, and
he utters at the same time a dull hollow sound ; he struts
round and round with a solemn pace, assumes all the dig-
nity of the most majestic of birds, and thus expresses his
attachment to his females, or his resentment to those ob-
jects which have excited his indignation. The hen Tur-
key 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 Turkles, after
their extrication from the shell, are very tender, and re-
quire great attention in rearing, being subje6t 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

BRITISH BIRDS.

289

are sufficiently strong, they are abandoned by the mother,
and are then capable of enduring the utmost rigour of
our winters.

THE PEACOCK.

{Pavo crijlatus, Lin. — Le Paon, BufF.)

To describe the inimitable beauties of this elegant bird,
in adequate terms, would be a task of no small difficulty.

290 BRITISH BIRDS.

« Its matchless plumage," says Buffon, " seems to com-
bine all that delights the eye in the soft and deHcate tints
of the finest flowers, 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 of the same, tinged with
bronze ; the scapulars and lesser wing coverts are of a
reddish cream colour, variegated with black ; the middle
coverts deep blue, glossed wath green and gold; the
greater 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 character of this
singular bird is its train, which rises just above the tail,
and, when ere£led, forms a fan of the most resplendent
hues : the two middle feathers are sometimes four feet
and a half long, the others gradually diminishing on each
side *, the shafts, which are w^hite, 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,
enam.elled with the most enchanting colours j yellow,
gilded with various shades ; green, running into blue and
bright violet, varying 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
erecls his tail, and displays all the majesty of his beauty :

BRITISH BIRDS. 291

all his movements are full of dignity *, his head and neck
bend nobly back j 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 inconceivable richness and beauty, accompanied
at the same time with a hollow murmuring voice expres-
sive of desire. The cry of the Peacock, at other times,
is often repeated, and is very disagreeable.

The Peahen is somewhat less than the cock, and
though furnished both with a train and crest, is destitute
of those dazzling beauties which distinguish the male.
She lays five or six eggs, of a whitish colour : for this
purpose she chuses some secret spot, where she can con-
ceal them from the male, who is apt to break them : she
sits from twenty-five to thirty days, according to the
temperature of the climate, and the warmth of the
season.

Peacocks were originally brought from the distant pro-
vinces of India, and thence have been diffused over every
part of the world. The first notice taken of them is to
be found in holy writ,* where we are told they made part
of the cargoes of the rich and valuable fleet which every
three years imported the treasures of the East to Solo-
mon^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 influence of that luxuri-
ant climate this beautiful bird exhibits its dazzling co-
lours, which seem to vie with the gems and precious

* 2d Chron. ix. 21.
2 o

292

BRITISH BIRDS.

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 Roman volup-
tuaries.

The females of this species, like the Pheasant, have
been known to assume the appearance of the male, by a
total change of colour ; this is said to take place after
they have done laying. A bird of this kind is preserved
in the Leverian Museum.

"White Peacocks are not uncommon in England 5 the
eyes of the train are barely visible, and may be traced by
a different undulation of shade upon the pure white of
the tail.

THE PINTADO.

GUINEA HEN, OR PEARLED HEN. ^
[Numldla Meleagris, Lin. — La Fintade, Bu£F.)

This bird is somewhat larger than the common Hen.

BRITISH BIRDS, 293

Its head is bare of feathers, and covered with a naked
skin, of a bluish colour ; on the top is a callous protube-
rance, of a conical form j at the base of the upper bill,
on each side, there hangs a loose wattle, which in the fe-
male is red, and in the male of a bluish colour; the up-
per 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 j the general co-
lour of the plumage is a dark bluish grey, sprinkled with
round white spots of different sizes, resembling pearls,
from which it has been called the Pearled Hen ; its wings
are short, and its tail jendulous, like that of the Par-
tridge : its legs are of a dark colour.

This species, which is now very common in this coun-
try, was originally brought from Africa, whence it has
been diffused over every part of Europe, the West Indies,
and America : it formed a part of the Roman banquets,
and is now much esteemed as a delicacy, especially when
young. 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 a 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.

2 o 2

294

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WOOD GROUSE.

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

This bird is as large as the 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 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
elegantly marked with small transverse lines of black and

BRITISH BIRDS. 295

^ey, as are also the back and wings, but more irregular-
ly ; the breast is black, richly glossed 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 are marked with a few white spots :
the legs are very stout, and covered with brown feathers *,
the toes are furnished on each side with a strong pedli-
nated membrane. The female is considerably less than
the male, and differs from him greatly in her colours :
her throat is red ; the transverse bars on the head, neck,
and back are red and black ; the breast is of a pale
orange colour *, belly barred with orange and black, the
top of each feather white ; the back and wings are
mottled with reddish brown and black; the scapulars
tipped with white ; the tail is of a deep rust colour, bar-
red with black, and tipped with white.

This beautiful kind is found chiefly in high mountain-
ous regions, and is very rare in Great Britain. Mr Pen-
nant mentions one, as an uncommon instance, which was
shot near Inverness. It was formerly met with in Ire-
land, but is now supposed to be extin(St there. In Rus-
sia, Sweden, and other northern countries, it is very
common : it lives in the forests of pine, with which those
countries 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 for pairing com-
mences : during this period, the cock places himself on
an eminence, where he displays a variety of pleasing at-
titudes J the feathers on his head stand ered, his neck

296

BRITISH BIRDS.

swells, his tail is displayed, and his wings trail almost on
the ground, his eyes sparkle, and the scarlet 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 produced 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, spotted with
yellow, and larger than those of the Common Hen : for
this purpose she .chuses some secret spot, where she can
sit in security : she covers her eggs carefully over v/ith
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 at-
tached to them.

BRITISH BIRDS.

297

THE BLACK GROUSE.

BLACK GAME, OR BLACK COCK.
(TetraoTefrix, Lin. — LeCoqdeBruyereaquetiefourchuei Buff.)

This bird, though not larger than the common hen,
weighs nearly 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 almost to the top of the head ; the
general colour of the plumage is a deep black, richly
glossed with blue on the neck and rump j the lesser wing
coverts are dusky brown j the greater are white, which
extends to the ridge of the wing, forming a spot of that
colour on the shoulder wh^n the wing is closed ; the
quills are brown, the lower parts and tips of the seconda-
ries are white, forming a bar of white across the wing j

29» BRITISH BIRDS.

there Is likewise a spot of white on the bastard wing ; the
feathers of the tall 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 those of the former species.
In some of our specimens the nostrils were thickly cover-
ed with feathers, whilst in others they were quite bare,
probably 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 j
they are common in Russia, Siberia, and other northern
countries : they feed on various kinds of berries and other
fruits, the produce of wild and mountainous places : in
summer they frequently come down from their lofty si-
tuations for the sake of feeding on corn. They do not
pair, but on the return of spring the males assemble In
great numbers at their accustomed resorts, on the tops of
high and heathy mountains, when the contest for supe-
riority commences, and continues with great bitterness
till the vanquished are put to flight : the vl^lors being
left in possession of the field, place themselves on an emi-
nence, clap their wings, and wath 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 female Is about one-
third less than the male, and differs from him considera-
bly 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 cocks at first resem-
ble the mother, and do not acquire their male garb till

BRITISH BIRDS. 299

towards the end of autumn, when the plumage gradually
changes to a deeper colour, and assumes that of a bluisK
black, which it afterwards retains.

RED GROUSE.

RED GAME, GORCOCK, OR MOORCOCK.
{Tetrao Scoticusy Lin. — UAttagasy 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 purplish hue, crossed with
small dusky lines.; the tail consists of sixteen feathers, of
ecjual lengths, the four middlemost barred with red, the

2 p

300 BRITISH BIRDS.

others black ; the quills are dusky ; the legs are cloathed
with soft white feathers 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 conspi-
cuous, and the colours of her plumage in general are-
much lighter than those of the male.

This bird is found in great plenty in the wild, heathy,
and mountainous trails in the northern counties of Eng-
land; 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 men-
tioned by M. Buffon, are probably varieties of this kind,
and no doubt would breed with it. It is to be wished-
that attempts were more frequently made to introduce a
greater variety of these useful birds into this country,
to stock our waste and barren moors with a rich fund of
delicate and wholesome food ; but till the legislature
shall alter or abrogate our very unequal and injudicious
game laws, there hardly remains a single hope for the
preservation of such birds of this species as we now 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 v/ild.

.BRITISH BIRDS.

501

WHITE GROUSE.

WHITE GAME, OR PTARMIGAN.
{Tetrao lagopus, Lfln. — Le LagGpede, 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 asli colour, mottled with small dusky spots and
bars •, the bars on the head and neck are somewhat
broader, and are mixed with wdiite ; the under parts are
^white, as are also the wings, excepting the shafts of the
quills, which are black. This is its summer dress, which
in winter is changed to a pure white, excepting 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 white in winter,
the next two are slightly marked with white near the
ends, the rest are wholly black ; the upper tail coverts
are long, and almost cover the tail.

The Vfhite Grouse is fond of lofty situations, where

2 p 2

S02 BRITISH BIRDS.

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 Hebrides 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 moun-
tains ; for as the snow melts on the sides of the moun-
tains, it constantly ascends, till it gains the summit, wher«
it forms holes, and burrows in the snow. They pair at
the same time as the Red 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 Eocks, and ar;e so little accustomed to
the sight of man, that they are easily shot or taken in a
snare. They feed on the wild produ6lions of the hills,
which sometimes give the flesh, a bitter, but not unpa-
latable taste : it is dark coloured, and, according to M.
Buffon, has somewhat the flavour of the hare.

BRITISH BIRDS. S03

THE PARTRIDGE,
{Tetrao Perdix, Lin. — Le Perdrix Grifet 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 is streaked down the middle with
bufF colour *, the sides of the head are tawny ; under each
eye there is a small safiron-coloured spot, which has a
granulated appearance, 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 chesnut colour : the tail is short : the legs are
of a greenish white, and are furnished with a small knob
behind. The female has no crescent on the breast, and
her colours in general are not so distindt and bright as
those of the male.

Partridges are found chiefly in temperate climates ; the
extremes of heat and cold are equally unfavourable to
them : they are no where in greater plenty than in this
island, where, in their season, they contribute to our most

301^ BRITISH BIRDS.

elegant entertainments. It is much to be lamented, how-
ever, that the means taken to preserve this valuable bird
should, in a variety of instances, prove its destrudlion :
the proper guardians of the eggs and young ones, tied
down by ungenerous restrictions, are led to consider them
as a growing evil, and not only connive at their destruc-
tion, but too frequently assist 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's eggs un-
der 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 are their favourite food, and with-
out which it is almost impossible to bring them up •, they
likewise eat insects, and when full grov;n, feed on all
kinds of grain and young plants. The affection 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 in common, call them to-
gether, point out to them their proper food, and assist
them in finding it by scratching the ground with their
feet ; they frequently sit close by each other, covering
the chickens with their wings, like the Hen. In this si-
tuation 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 interest-
ing -, but should the pointer come too near, or unfortu-
nately run in upon them, there are few who are igno-
rant of the confusion that follows : the male first gives

BRITISH BIRDS. ~ 30.5

the signal of alarm by a peculiar cry of distress, throwing
himself at the same moment more immediately into the
way of danger, in order to deceive or mislead the enemy ;
he flies, or rather runs, along the ground, hanging his
wings, and exhibiting every symptom of debility, where-
by the dog is decoyed, in the too eager expectation of an
easy prey, to a distance from the covey ; the female flies
oft in a contrary dire6lion, and to a greater distance, but
returning soon after by secret ways, she finds her scattered
brood closely squatted among the grass, and colledling
them with haste, she leads them from the danger, before
the dog has had time to return from his pursuit.

THE QUAIL.

[Tetrao coturnlx, Lin. — Le Caille, Buff.)

The length seven inches and a half. Bill dusky ; eyes
hazel •, the colours of the head, neck, and back are a
mixture of brown, ash colour, and black j over each eye
there is a yellowish streak, and another of the same co-
lour 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

306 BRITISH BIRDS.

light yellowish streak down the middle of eacli ; the *
quills are of a lightish brown, with small rust-coloured
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 consists of twelve feathers,
barred like the wings 5 the belly and thighs are of a yel-
lowish white : legs pale brown. The female wants the
black spots on the breast, and is easily distinguished by a
less vivid plumage.

Quails are almost universally difRised throughout Eu-
rope, Asia, and Africa ; they are birds of passage, and
are seen in Immense flocks traversing the Mediterranean
sea, from Europe to the shores of Africa, in the autumn,
and returning again in the spring, frequently alighting in
their passage on many of the islands of the Archipelago,
which they almost cover with their numbers. On the
western coasts of the kingdom of Naples such prodigious
numbers have appeared, that an hundred thousand have
been taken In a day within the space of four or five
miles. From these circumstances it appears highly pro-
bable, 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 here •, they breed with us, and many of them
are said to 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 seven* eggs of a greyish colour, speckled

* In France they are said to lay fifteen or twenty. Buf.
They are sometimes seen in a bevy of fifteen together, in thi$
country. They fly quick and .near the ground

-BRITISH BIRDS.

SG7

with brown. The young birds follow the mother as soon
as hatched, but do not continue long together ; they are
scarcely grown up before they separate j or, if kept to-
gether, they fight obstinately with each other, their quar-
rels frequently terminating in each other's destru6tion.
-From this quarrelsome disposition in the Quail it was that
they were formerly made use of by the Greeks and Ro-
mans as we use Game-cocks, for the purpose of fighting.
We are told that Augustus punished a prefect of Egypt
with death, for bringing to his table one of these birds
which had acquired celebrity by its victories. At this
time the Chinese are much addi£led to the amusement of
fighting Quails, and in some parts of Italy it is said
likewise to be no unusual pra6lice. 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 heels till one of them yields.

2^

308

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE CORN-CRAKE.

LAND RAIL, OR DAKER HEN.
(^Rallus-CreXf Lin. — Le Rale de Genet, Buff.)

Length rather more than nine inches. The bill is
light brown •, the eyes hazel ; all the feathers on the up-
per parts of the plumage are of a dark brown, edged with
pale rust colour ; both wing coverts and quills are of a
deep chesnut ; the fore part of the neck and the breast
are of a pale ash colour ; a streak of the same colour ex-
tends 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 marked with faint rusty-coloured bars : 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
liave little or no analogy, and have placed it among
others, to which, in most respects, it bears a strong affi-
nity. It makes its appearance about the same time as the
Quail, and frequents the same places, 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

BRITISH BIRDS. ^ S09

long enough to shelter It, and continues till the grass is
cut ; but the bird is seldom seen, for it constantly skulks
among the thickest part of the herbage, and runs so
nimbly through it, winding and doubling in every direc-
tion, 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 extremity, and generally flies with its legs hanging
down, but never to a great distance : as soon as it alights,
it ruhs off, and before the fowler has reached the spot,
the bird is at a considerable distance.

The Corn-crake leaves this island before the winter,
and repairs to other countries in search of its food, which
consists principally of slugs, of which it destroys prodi-
gious numbers ; it likewise feeds on worms and insecfts,
as well as on seeds of various kinds. It is very common
in Ireland, and is seen in great numbers in the island of
Anglesea in its passage to that country. On its first ar-
rival in England, it is so lean as to weigh less than six
ounces, from which 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
very delicious eating. The female lays ten or twelve
eggs, on a nest made of a little moss or dry grass care-
lessly put together : they are of a pale ash colour, marked
with rust-coloured spots. The young Crakes are covered
with a black down j they soon find the use of their legs,
for they follow the mother immediately after they have
burst the shell.

The foregoing figure was made from a living bird, for
which the work is indebted to Lieut. H. F. Gibson.

2 0,2

Si a

BRITISH BIRDS.

GREAT BUSTARD.
(Olis 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 chara6lers are peculiar,
and with such as conne^l it with birds of the gallinaceous
kind, it has others which seem to belong to the Ostrich^

a>

BRITISH BIRDS, 311

and the Cassowary. Its bill is strong, and rather con-
vex ; its eyes red ; on each side of the lower bill there
is a tuft of feathers 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 naked
spots, of a violet colour, but which appeared to be cover-
ed with feathers when the neck was much extended.
The back is barred transversely with black and bright
rust colour on a pale reddish ground j the quills are
black ; the belly white : the tail consists of twenty fea-
thers ; 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, naked 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 furnished with a callous prominence, which serves
instead 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 has no tuft on
each side of the head. There is likewise another
very essential difference between the male and tlie fe-
male : the former is furnished with a sack or pouch, si-
tuated in the fore part of the neck, and capable of con-
taining about two quarts •, the entrance to it is immedi-
ately under the tongue.* This singular reservoir was
iirst discovered by Dr Douglas, who supposes that the
bird fills it with water as a supply in the midst of those
dreary plains where it is accustomed to wander ;f it like-

* Banington's Mis. p. 553.
t One of these birds, which was kept in a caravan, among other
animals, as a show, lived without drinking. It was fed with the
leaves of cabbages and other greenS; and also with flesh and breadj

312 BRITISH BIRDS.

wise makes a further use of it in defending itself against
the attacks 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 common in this island
than at present ; they are now found only in the open
countries of the South and East, in the plains of "Wilt-
shire, Dorsetshire, and in some parts of Yorkshire ;
they were formerly met with in Scotland, but are now
supposed to be extindt 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
diversion. The Great Bustard is granivorous, but feeds
chiefly on herbs 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,* bits of metal, and the like.
The female builds no nest, but making a hole on the
ground, drops two eggs, about the size of those of a
Goose, of a pale olive brown, with dark spots. She
sometimes leaves her eggs in quest of food ; and if,
during her absence, any one should handle, or even
breathe upon them, she immediately abandons them.

Bustards are found in various parts of Europe, Asia,
and Africa, but have not hitherto been discovered on the
new continent.

* In the stomach of one which was opened by the academici-
ans there were found, besides small stones, to the number of ninety
doubloons, all worn and polished by the attrition of the stomach.

BRITISH BIRDS^

31S

THE LITTLE BUSTARD.

(O/w Tetrax, Lin. — La petite Outarde, Buff.)

Length only seventeen inches. The bill is pale
brown ; irides red ; the top of the head is black, spotted
with pale rust colour ; the sides of the head, the 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 colour, mottled with brown, and
crossed with fine irregular 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 tawny, barred with black, the others are white, mark-
ed with a few irregular bands of black : the legs are grey.
The female is smaller, and has not the black collar on the
neck ; in other respe£ls she nearly resembles the male.

m<

BRITISH BIRDS.

This bird is very uncommon in this country *, and we
liave seen only two of them, both females. The figure
was drawn from one sent by W. Trevelyan, Esq. which
was taken on the edge of Newmarket Heath, and kept
alive about three weeks in a kitchen, where it was fed
with bread and other things, such as poultry eat. It is
very common in France, where it is taken in nets like
the Partridge. It is a very shy and cunning bird j 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.

Both this and the Great Bustard are excellent eating,
and, we should imagine, would well repay the trouble of
domestication : indeed it seems surprising that we should
suffer these fine birds to run wild, and be in danger of
total extin^ion, which, if properly cultivated, might af-
ford as excellent a repast as our own domestic poultry, or
even as the Turkey, for which we are indebted to distant
countries.

BRITISH BIRDS. S15

OF THE PLOVER.

This genus is distinguished by a large full eye ; the
bill is straight, short, and rather swollen towards the tip ;
the head is large ; the legs are naked above the knee j
and most of the species are without the hind toe.

Although the Plover has generally been classed with
those birds whose business is wholly among waters, we
cannot help considering the greater part of them as par-
taking entirely of the nature of land birds. Many of
them breed upon our loftiest mountains, and though they
are frequently seen upon the sea-coasts, feeding with birds
of the water kind, yet it must be observed that they are
no more water birds than many of our small birds which
repair thither for the same purpose. The Long-legged
Plover and the Sanderling are w^aders, and belong more
immediately to the water birds, to which we refer them :
the Great Plover and the Lapwing we consider as entire-
ly connected with birds of the Plover kind ; the former
has usually been classed with the Bustard, the latter with
the Sandpiper ; but they differ very materially from
,both, and seem to agree in more essential points with
this kind : we have therefore given them a place in this
part of our work, where, with the rest of the Plovers,
. they may be considered as conne<fling the two great divi-
sions of land and water birds, to both of which they are
in some degree alHed.

2 a

S16

BRITISH BIRDS*

THE GREAT PLOVER.

THICK-KNEE'D BUSTARD, STONE CURLEW, NORFOLK

PLOVER.

( Charadrius Oedicnemus, Lin. — Le grand Pluvler, BufF. )

The length of this bird is about sixteen inches. Its
bill is long, yellowish at the base, and black at the tip ;
its irides and eye-lids are pale yellow ; above each eye
there is a pale streak, and beneath one of the same co-
lour extends to the bill -, the throat is white •, the head,
neck, and all the upper parts of the body are of a pale
tawny brown ; down the middle of each feather there is
a dark streak ; the fore part of the neck and the breast
are nearly of the same colour, but much paler ; the belly,
thighs, and vent are of a pale yellowish white ; the quills
are black 5 the tail is short and rounded, and a dark band

BRITISH BIRD5. S17

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 swollen, hence its
name ; the claws are black.-

This bird is found in great plenty in Norfolk and se-
veral 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, sheltered 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. Al-
though 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 sportsman comes within gun-shot j it
likewise runs on the ground almost as swiftly 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 sin-
gular, resembling a hoarse kind of whistle three or four
times repeated, and has been compared to the turning of
a rusty handle. Buffon 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 j the flesh of the old ones
is hard, black, and dry. Mr White mentions them as
frequenting the district of Selborne, in Hampshire. He
says, that the young run immediately from the nest, al-
most as soon as they are excluded, like Partridges j that

2 r2

;i8

BRITISH BIRDS.

the dam leads them to some stony field, where they bask,
skulking among the stones, which they resemble sa near-
ly 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 be-
ginning of autumn prepare to take leave by getting to-
gether 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.
{Tr'tnga vanellus, Lin. — Le Fanneau, BufF.)

This bird is about the size of a Pigeon. Its bill is-
black ; eyes large and hazel ; the top of the head is
Uadc, glossed with green ; a tuft of long narrow feathers
issues from the back part of the head, and turns upwards

BRITISH BIRDS. 319

at the end ; some of them are four inches in length : the
sides of the head and neck are white, which is interrupt-
ed 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 the
wing coverts are of a dark green, glossed with purple
and blue reflections ; the quills are black, the first four
tipped with white ; the breast and belly are of a pure
white ; the upper tail coverts and vent pale chesnut ;
the tail is white at the base, the rest of it 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 country ; but
as it subsists chiefly on worms, it is forced to change its
place in quest of food, and is frequently 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 which, in most languages,
a name has been given to it, imitative of the sound.
The Pee-wit is a lively, a6live bird, almost continually
in motion ; it sports and frolics in the air in all direflions,
and assumes a variety of attitudes j it remains long upon
the wing, and sometimes 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 attention to their charge ^ on
the approach of any person to the place of their deposit,

320 BRITISH BIRDS.

they flutter round his head with cries of the greatest
inquietude, which increase 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 fowler from any
further pursuit. The young Lapwings are first covered
with a blackish down interspersed with long white hairs,
which they gradually lose, and about the latter end of
July they acquire their beautiful plumage. At this time
they assemble in flocks, which hover in the air, saunter
in the meadows, and after rain, disperse among the
ploughed fields. In 0(Sl:ober the Lapwings are very fat,
and are then said to be excellent eating. Their eggs are
considered as a great delicacy, and are sold in London at
three shillings a dozen.

The following anecdote communicated by the late 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 animals differing from itself in
nature, and generally considered as hostile to every
species of the feathered tribe. 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
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 became 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 Lap-
wing always uttered his cry ^ pee-wtf to obtain admit-
tance. He soon grew more familiar ; as the winter
advanced, he approached as far as the kitchen, but witfe

BRITISH BIRDS.

S21

much caution, as that part of the house was generally
occupied 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 fire -side 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 fire-side. 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 shelter and his old friends,
who received him very cordially. Security was produc-
tive of insolence ; what was at first obtained with cau-
tion, was afterwards taken without reserve : he fre-
quently amused 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 indigna-
tion if either of his companions presumed to interrupt
him. He died in the asylum he had chosen, being
choaked with something he had picked up from the floor.
During his confinement, crumbs of wheaten bread were
his principal food, which he preferred to any thing else.

322

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GOLDEN PLOVER.

YELLOW PLOVER.
{Charadrius Pluvialis, Lin. — Le Pluvier dore, BuiF.)

The size of the Turtle. Bill dusky ; eyes dark ; all
the upper parts of the plumage are marked with bright
yellow spots upon a dark brown ground ; the fore part of
the neck and the 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 j in some
which we have had, the breast was marked with black
and white j in others, it was almost black ; but whether
this difference arose from age or sex, we are at a loss to
determine.

The Golden Plover is common in this country and all
the northern parts of Europe ; it is very numerous in va-
rious parts of America, from Hudson's Bay as far as Ca-

BRITISH BIRDS. 32a

rollna, migrating from one place to another, according to
the seasons: it breeds on high and heathy mountains :
the female lays four eggs, of a pale olive colour, variegat-
ed with blackish spots. They fly in small flocks, and
make a shrill whistling noise, by an imitation 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, as
the plumage inclines more to grey.

THE GREY 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
dusky brown, edged with greenish ash colour, and some
with white ; the cheeks and tliroat are white, marked
with oblong dusky spots j the belly, thighs, and rump
are white ; the sides are marked with a few dusky spots 5
the outer webs of the quills are black, the lower parts of
the inner webs of the first four are white ; the tail is
marked with alternate bars of bhck and white : the legs
are of a dull green j the hind toe is small. In the
Planches Enluminees this bird is represented with eyes of
an orange colour ; there is likewise a dusky line extend-
ing 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 respedl but that of having a
very small hind toe ; but this is so sHght a difference as
not to render it necessary to exclude it from a place in the
Plover family, to which it evidently belongs. The Grey

2s

323.

BRITISH BIRDS.

Plover Is not very common In Britain ; it appears some-
times in small flocks on the sea-coasts : it is somewhat
larger than the Golden Plover, Its flesh is said to be
Very delicate.

^M

^;i "^if^i:

THE DOTTEREL.

{^Charadrlus Morinellus, Lin. — Le Guignard, BufF.)

The length of this bird Is about nine inches. Its bill
2S 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 passes to the hind-
er part of the neck ; the cheeks and throat are white ;
the back and v/ings are of a light brown, inclining ta
olive, each feather margined 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 reddidi white ; the tail is of an olive

BRITISH BIRDS. S25

brown, black near the end, and tipped 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 Bri-
tain, though in some places it is scarely 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, appearing 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. It is said that the Dotterel is so very stupid a bird,
as to be 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 atten-
tion 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 flock. At present
the more sure method of the gun has superseded this ar-
tifice.

vV^M^

$26

BRITISH BIRDS-

THE RING DOTTEREL.

RING PLOVER, OR SEA LARK.
[Charadrlus Hiaticula, Lin. — Le petit Pluvler a collier, Buff.)

The length is rather more than seven inches. The
bill is of an orange colour, tipped with black ; the eyes
are dark hazel *, a black line passes from the bill, under-
neath each eye, and spreads over the cheeks ; above this
a line of white extends across the forehead to the eyes j
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, above which, IS)
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 parts are white ; the quills are dusky, with
an oval white spot about the middle of each feather,
which forms, when the wings are closed, a stroke of
white down each ; the tail is of a dark brown, tipped
svith white, the two outer feathers almost white ; the

BRITISH BIRDS.

327

legs are of an orange colour ; claws black. In the fe •
male, 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,
and 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 grounds

'A

HISTORY

OF

BRITISH BIRDS

THE FIGURES ENGRAVED ON WOOD BY T. BEWICK.

PART II.

CONTAINING THE

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF WATER BIRDS.

^■"•i.ew»9,0i"itj*»«»,illlli)i «•«» ,(iii)5.«i«(» .Till, ,
^»»«»iiii,ii''»9aO»i/„nl>>ft,j,»'«l,,ni>Wo«»*^iiiii'''»<»*'*

■'•••..ii'V»»»».|„,ii>'e««o'5iiiiiil'«<oeB»*"iiiiiO*«»«*-<ii.ur" — =—

NEWCASTLE:

printed by edward walker, for t. bewick : sold by him, and
Longman and co. London.

1809.

THE PREFACE.

To point out the paths which lead to happinefs, however
remote they may he from common obferv^ation, and at the
fame time to forewarn the inexperienced ftranger againft ap-
proaching thofe which terminate in vice and mifery, is a tafk
worthy of the moft enHghtened underftanding. The learn-
ed in every age have laboured for thefe ends : they have
fet up their works, like beacons and guide-pofts, to direct
their fellow travellers in the journey of life. Thefe are their
marks, left behind them to witnefs their having lived ; and
although, like other more vain hximan monuments, they re-
main but for a while — fmce, in the great fcale of time, every
work of man, like an infcription on the fea-fand, is wafhed
away by the return of the ceafelefs wave — yet let not this
reflexion, fo mortifying to human vanity, damp the ardour
of doing good ; for however temporary the efforts may be,
they are not only valuable in themfelves, (being records of
ufefulnefs laid up for the benefit of mankind) but are in-
citements alfo to the emulation of good example, whereby
incalculable advantages may be derived to thoufands yet un-
born. The generality of men, indeed, are little affeded by
obfervations of this fort : regardlefs of the voice of reafon, and
loft to a fenfe of duty, they neither know nor enquire why

• A

IV PREFACE.

they were fent upon the ftage of life ; they ftumble on ftill In
darknefs and error, and wafte their days without a fmgle ef-
fort to be ufeful to the community in which they live : they
fee not the wonders which the univerfe prefents to flimulate
them to refled on the wifdom, the power, and the goodnefs,
which planned and fupport the whole. Defpairing of their
improvement, whofe minds have thus been fuiFered to grow
up into maturity uncultivated, we fhould rather direct our
attention to the fowing of the feeds of knowledge in the
minds of youth.

The great work of forming the man cannot be begun too
early ; and, agreeably with this fentiment, how many writers
are there who fpend their lives in contributing, in various
ways, to turn the ftreams of inftrudion through their proper
channels, into this moft improveable foil ! Taking children
by the hand, from their leading-firings and go-carts, they
dire<5t: their fteps, like guardian-angels, in the outfet of life,
to prevent their floundering on in ignorance to the end.
In thefe undertakings the inftruftors of youth are often af-
jifted by the fertile genius of the artift, who fupplies their
works with fuch embellifhments as ferve to relieve the length-
ened famenefs of the way. Among the many approved
branches of inftrudtion, the ftudy of Natural Hiftory holds a
diftinguifhed rank. To enlarge upon the advantages which
ai e derivable from a knowledge of the creation, is furely not
neceflary ; to become initiated into this knowledge, is to be-
come enamoured of its charms ; to attain the objedt in
view requires but little previous ftudy or labour ; the road
which leads to it foon becomes ftrewed with flowers, and
ceafes to fatigue ; a flow is given to the imagination which
baniflies early prejudices and expands the ideas ; and an end-
lefs fund of the moft rational entertainment is fpread out,
which captivates the attention and exalts the mind. For the
attainment of thi^ fcieace, in any of its various departments^

PREFACE. ^

the foundation may be laid, infenfibly, in youth, whereon a
goodly fuperftrudlure of ufeful knowledge can eaiily be
raifed at a more advanced period. In whatever way, in-
deed, the varied objedls of this beautiful world are viewed,
they are readily underftood by the contemplative mind, for
they are found alike to be the vifible words of God. " Tl:ie
Creator, doubtlefs, did not beftow fo much curiofity and ex-
quifite workmanfhip and fkill upon his creatures, to be look-
ed upon with a carelefs, incurious eye."* Could mankind
be prevailed upon to read a few leflbns from the great book
of Nature, fo amply fpread out before them, they would
clearly fee tlie hand of Providence in every page ; and would
they confider the faculty of reafon as the diftinguifaing gift
to the human race, and ufe it as the guide of their lives, they
would find their reward in a chearful refignation of mind, in
peace and happinefs, under the confcious perfuafion, that a
good naturalift cannot be a bad man.

In ideas congenial with thefe, originated the firfl; incite-
ments, which drew forth the Hiftories of Quadrupeds and
Britilh Birds. From thefe humble attempts — for every at-
tempt to depidlure nature mufl: fall fliort of the original — it
is hoped that foraie ufeful inftrudion may be gathered, and
at the fame time a ftimulus excited to further enquiry. But
however this may prove, " innocently to amufe the imagi-
nation in this dream of life, is wifdom ; and nothing is ufe-
lefs which, by fumifliing mental employment, keeps us for a
while in oblivion of thofe ftronger appetites that lead to
evil."f To the rifmg generation thefe efforts to inftrud: and
pleafe are principally direfited, and are fent forth with an
ardent wifli, that they may be found to deferve the notice of
youth, and contribute to amufe and to inform them. May

* Derham's Physico-theology, Book xi. chap. 2.
f Goldsmith.

a2

VI

PREFACE.

the reader, imprefled with fentlments of humanity, on view-
ing the portraits, fpare and proted the originals : and when
thefe books fliall become obfolete, or be loft In the revolution
of time, may fome other more able naturalift arife, equally
inclined to produce better to fupply tbeir place-

.%/%^^^.^Ctvsr ^i^^U^/^:^f

2^eivcastle upvn Ti^ne, December., 1 SOS.

i^-S-^^J-^^^D-^tSz-^^-O^^-tt-^^^^

INTRODUCTION

TO THE

HlSTORr OF BRITISH WATER BIRDS,

«.«««o^»*»-» •

In the preceding volume of Britifli Land Birds, the charac-
ters of that part of the firfl: great divifion of the feathered
tribes, the beautiful tenants of the air, the woods, and the
fields, have been defcribed, and their figures faithfully deli-
neated. Amongft thefe were enumerated not only the car-
nivorous and rapacious kinds, which by the accuracy of their
fcent, difcover putrid bodies at a vaft diftance, and thofe
which, endowed with piercing fight, foar aloft In fearch of
their living prey, and dart upon it from an Immeafurable
height, with the rapidity of an arrow ; but alfo the various
other kinds of land birds, which, aldiough lefs noticed, are
eminently ufeful to man, by clearing the earth and the at-
mofphere of myriads of infe6ls. In every ftage of their pro-
^reflive growth, from the invlfible Qg^ to the period when
they are enabled to flutter on the wing. Thefe, together

vlii INTRODUCTION.

with the other branches of this great family, whofe lives may
be faid to be fpent more innocently than thofe of the rapaci-
ous kinds, all contribute their fervices to man, by clearing
the earth of the feeds of noxious plants, as well as the trees
of innumerable deftru(5live infe(5ls, with which they feed their
young, and claim for themfelves, meanwhile, but a fmall re-
turn of the produce of the fields and gardens, which too of-
ten is ungratefully begrudged them.

Nearly the whole of this amufing group appear to relieve
each other, and are, in fucceffion, the conftant neighbours,
or attendants on the habitations of men. They are the fub-
tenants of the cultivated world, and mofl of them, efpecially
thofe that are granivorous, may well be termed wild poultry,
and are die valued property of the fportiman. Some of
thefe alfo, uniting with others of the foft-billed tribe, form
the hufbandman*s cheerful band of chorifters, whofe comings
and goings proclaim the feafons ; while, by their notes pour-
ed forth from every tree, and vale, and woody glen, they en-
liven the face of nature. But having defcribed this divifion
of birds in the former volume, we muft now bid them adieu,
witli this teftimopy of their ufefulnefs — that they are the in-
duftrious regulating little meifengers of Providence, without
whofe afliftance the plough and the fpade would often find
their labours beftowed in vain ; and, weak as thefe inftru-
ments may appear, without their aid, inftead of a land of
overflowing plenty, adorned with flowers and fruits, and trees
and woods, in rich luxuriance, and in all their varied beauty,
where every grove is made vocal with refponfive praifes, we
fhould too frequently meet with nothing but the barrennefs,
and the filence, and the drearinefs of a defert.

Leaving thofe denizens* of nature to enjoy their own na-
tive woods, the ftieltering coppice, or extended plain, the taik

* " Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap,
nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feedeth them." — See
Matt. vi. 26.

INTRODUCTION. ix

now afligned us is to delineate the figures, and to defcribe the
eharafters of the other two divifions of this numerous family
— the loaders and the fnu'immers : thefe are generally found
far removed from the cultivated world. In exploring the
track which leads us, ftep by ftep, to an acquaintance with
them, we muft travel through reeds and rufhes, with doubt-
ful feet, over the mofs-covered faitlilefs quagmire, amidft
oozing rills, and ftagnant pools. The former divifion of
thefe inhabitants of the marjfh are called loaders. All the ge-
nera, and the different fpecies, of this divifion have divided
toes : they are apparently fitted for living on land, but are
furnilhed with propenfities and appetites which dired them
chiefly tt) feek their food in moift and watery places, or on
the margins of lakes and rivers, and yet they avoid thofe
depths, where it might feem to be found in the greateft abun-
dance. Mofl of them have long bills, formed to perforate
the foft mud and moift earth, and long legs, bare above the
knees, whereby they are enabled to wade through fhallow
waters in fearch of food, without wetting their plumage.
Others have fhorter legs, feathered down to the knees, and
bills of varied length : whence it may appear that thefe are
more limited in their powers, and pick up only fuch infeds
or grafTes, feeds or roots of aquatic plants, as are to be met
with near the furface of the ground, or in fhallow pools ;
whilft others again are known to plunge into the water, and
by partial fwimmings to extricate themfelves from it, after
they have feized their prey, whether fifhes or infefts. Some
of this clafs, in the warmer and temperate climates, breed and
rear their young in the fens, where they remain throughout
the year : others again, but thefe are few, after the bufmefs
of incubation is over, difappeai, and are fuppofed to dire(ft
their flight northward ; while others, and thefe by much the
greater number, are known invariably to leave the north, and
to migrate fouthward on the approach of the winter months.

X INTRODUCTION.

and to return northward in the fpring. It mufl: be obferved
that the fwamps and inland waters of temperate chmes, are
alfo flocked with a numerous fet of inhabitants of the fecond
clafs — the fwimmers. Some of thefe, likewife, after having
reared their young, migrate much in the fame way as the
'waders.

The ornithologift, who does not content himfelf with bare
names and appearance, in examining the economy of the va-
rious kinds of birds, and the ftrudure of their feveral parts,
will find ample room for the exercife of his labours in the
moft minute inveftigation ; and although he can fcarcely
overlook the flow, and almoft imperceptible degrees, by which
nature has removed one clafs of beings from another, yet in
his attempts to trace the relationfhip, or affinity, which one
bears to another, he will, with his utmoft care, find himfelf
at a lofs to afcertain that precife link in the chain, where the
doubtful croffing line is drawn, and by which the various ge-
nera and fpecies are to be feparated. But, however, after he
Ihall have examined a few gradations, upwards or down-
wards, he will more readily difcover the modes of life which
the feveral kinds are deftined to purfue ; and their ability to
perform the various evolutions neceffary for the procuring
of their food in that exactitude to which the Author of na-
ture hath formed them. In fome of thofe which run on the
furface of the foft mud, and can occafionally take the water,
the indications of their ability for fwimming are furniftied
very fparingly : thefe indications firft appear in the breadth
of the under fides of the toes, with the two outer toes joined
by a fm.all web. The fcalloped membranes attached to the
fides of the toes form the next advance : fome are webbed
to the nails, with deep indentations in the middle, between
each toe ; others have only three toes, all placed forwards,
and fuUy united by webbed membranes : fome have the ad-
dition of back toes, either plain, or with webbed appendages

introduction: xi

to each ; and others again have the four toes fully webbed
together. The thighs, in the moft expert divers, are placed
very far back ; their legs are almofl as flat and thin as a
knife ; and they are enabled to fold up their toes fo clofely,
that the leaft poflible refiftance is made while they are draw-
ing them forwards to repeat their ftrokes in the water. Ma-
ny of thefe divers are provided internally with a receptacle,
feated about the windpipe, for a ftock of air, which ferves the
purpofe of refpiration, whilft they remain under water : and
the whole of the tribe of fwimmers have their feathers bed-
ed upon a foft, clofe, warm down ; and are furnifhed with
a natural oil, fupplied from a gland in the rump. This oil
they prefs out with their bills from a kind of nipple, and with
it preen and drefs their plumage, which is thereby rendered
impenetrable to the water, and, in a great degree, to the moH
extreme cold.

Of the number of thefe birds, both waders and fwimmers,
a great proportion may not improperly be termed frefli-water
birds, as they reaf their young, and fpend the greater part of
their time inland. In this clafs are the y!rdea, Scolopax, and
Tringa, with divided toes,— the Fulica, Phalaropus, and Podi-
ceps, with finned feet ; together with others of the web-footed
kinds, chiefly of the genera of the Mergus and Anas. Among
thefe various kinds, fome fpecies are found, which only occa-
fionally vifit the fea-fhore : others have not been noticed
there at all ; while others are feen there frequently, feeding
on the beach : fome, like little boats, keep within bays and
creeks, near the fliores ; others, meanwhile, adventure into the
ocean, and fport amidfl: its waves. To particularize thefe,
with their various places of abode, and the times of their mi-
grations, would here be tedious and unnecefTary : they are
noticed in the defcription of each bird.

The northern extremities of the earth feem as if they were
fet apart for the nations of the feathered race, as their pecu*

. B

xll INTRODUCTION.

liar heritage — a poflefllon which they have held coeval with
creation. There, amidft lakes and endlefs fwamps, where the
human foot never, trod, and where, excepting their own cries,
nothing is heard but the winds, they find an afylum where they
can rear their young in fafety, unmolefled, and furrounded by
a profufion of plenty. This ample provifion confifts chiefly
of the larvse of gnats and other infers, with which the at-
mofphere muil be loaded in that region, during the fummer
months. The eggs of thefe infects being depofited in tlie
mud, and hatched by the influence of the unfetting fummer's
fun, they arife like exhalations, in multiplied myriads, and,
as we may conceive, afford a never-failing fupply of food to
the feathered tribes. An equal abundance of food is alfo
provided for the young of thofe kinds of birds, which feek it
from the waters, in the fpawn of fiflies, or the fmall fry,
which fearlefsly fport in their native element, undifturbed by
the angler or the fillierman. In thefe retirements they re-
main, or only change their haunts from one Jake or mifty
bog to another, to procure food, or to mix with their kind ;
and thus they pafs the long enlightened feafon. As foon as
the fun begins, in fliortened peeps, to quit his horizontal
courfe, the falling fnows, and the hollow blafts foretel the
change, and are the fignals for their departure : then it is,
that the widely-fpreading winged hoft, having gathered to-
gether, in feparate tribes, their plump well-fledged families,
direded by Inftindive knowledge, leave their native wilds, the
ar«flic regions, that prolific fource, whence thefe multlphed
migrators. In flocks innumerable, and in diredions like radii
from the centre of a circle, are poured fourth to replenlfli the
more fouthern quarters of the globe. In their route, they
are Impelled forwards, or flop fliort, in greater or lefs num-
bers, according to the feverity or mlldnefs of the feafon, and
are thus more equally difl:ributed over the cultivated world ;
where man, habituated to confider every thing In the creation

INTRODUCTION. xili

as fubfervient to his ufe, and ever watchful to feize all with-
in his grafp, makes them feel the full force of his power.
Wherever they fettle under his dominion, thefe pretty wan-
derers afford a fupply to the wants of fome, pamper the lux-
ury of others, and keep the eager Iportfman in.conftant em-
ployment.

Leaving the lakes and inland watery waftes, to purfue his
refearches by the brooks and the rivers, in their lengthened
courfe to the eftuaries and to the fea, the ornithologift is de-
lighted with the view of the various clean-featliered inhabi-
tants, feeding or preening themfelves on the fhores, fwim-
ming or diving in the current, or wheeling aloft on the wing.
Many of thefe divide their time between the frefli and the fait
waters, and ferve as aerial guides, to direct his fight over the
vaft; expanfe to other claffes of birds that almoft entirely com-
mit themfelves to the ocean ; and with whofe tribes, at cer-
tain feafons, thefe affociate. This multifarious hoft, thus af-
fembled in diftindi: families, is fometimes feen to cover the
furface of the water to a vaft extent : and of all thefe various
families, thofe of the ^Inas genus, which keep much at fea,
form the moft confiderable, amounting in the whole to nine-
ty-eight fpecies, befides varieties,* a number exceeding that
of any other kind. And, when we confider that each fami-
ly of this genus is often feen in confiderable flocks, and add
them to thofe which may more properly be called fea-fowl —
beginning with the Alca, and ending with the Pelicanus — con-
fifting of nine diftinft Britifh genera and their fpecies, we
Ihall find the aggregate far to exceed in number the whole
of the birds that are fupported on the land. Whilft thefe
fiihers, in their flying fquadrons, are viewed from the cliffs

* It is very probable that many of these varieties, as well perhaps as
others that are accounted distinct species, may be a mixed breed, the pro-
duce of a kind somewhat different ; and that this may also be the case witk
the varieties of other genera of birds.

b2

xiv INTRODUCTION.

and fliores of the fea, foarlng aloft, or refting fecure on the
lowerhig -precipice, the ear is often pierced with their harfh
fhrill cries, fcreamed forth in mingled difcord with the roar-
ing of the furge. Grating as their cries are, thefe birds are
often hailed by the mariner, as his only pilots, while he is
toffed to and fro, amidft folitary rocks and ifles inhabited on-
ly by the fea-fowl.

Although it is not certainly known to what places fomeof
thefe kinds retire to breed, yet it is afcertained that the great-
er part of them hatch and rear their young on the rocky pro-
montories and inlets of the fea, and on the innumerable little
ifles with which the extenfive coafl; of Norway is ftudded,
from its foutliern extremity — the Lindcfnefs, or Naze, to the
North Cape, that oppofes itfelf to the Frozen Ocean. The
Hebrides, or Weftern Scottifli Ifles, are alfo well known to be
a principal rendezvous to fea-fowl, and celebrated as fuch by
Thomfon:

*' Or where the northern ocean, in vast whirl?,
*' Boils round the naked melancholy isles
" Of farthest T/iule ; and the Atlantic surge
** Pours in among the stormy Hebrides :
*' Who can recount what transmigrations there
*' Are annual made ? what nations come and go?
*' And how the living clouds on clouds arise ?
*' Infinite wings! till all the plume-dark air,
" And rude resounding shore are one wild cry."

Other parts of the world — the bleak fhores and ifles of Lap-
land, Siberia, Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla, Iceland, Green-
land, &c. with the vaft fweep of the Ar<5tic Zone, are alfo
enlivened in their feafons by fwarms of fea-fowl, which range
the intervening open parts of the feas to the ftiorelefs frozen
ocean. There a barrier is put to further enquiry, beyond
which the prying eye of man muft not look, and there his
imagination only mufl: take the view, to fupply the place of
reality. In thefe forlorn regions of unknowable dreary fpace.

INTRODUCTION. xv

this refervoir of froft and ihow, where firm fields of ice, the
accumulations of centuries of winters, glazed in Alpine
heights above heights, furround the pole, and concentre the
multiplied rigours of extreme cold ; even here, fo far as hu-
man intelligence has been able to penetrate, there appears
to fubfift an abundance of animals in the air, and in the wa-
ters : and, perhaps, it may not be carrying conjecture too far
to fuppofe, that every region of the earth, air, and water,
however ungenial the clime may appear to us, is replete with
animals, fuited, each kind, to the place afligned to it.

Certain it is, however, that the deeps of the frozen zone
are the great receptacle whence the finny tribes iflue, in {o
wonderful a profufion, to reftock all the watery world of the
northern hemifphere ; and that this immenfe icy protube-
rance of the globe, this gathering together, tliis hoard of con-
gealed waters, is periodically diminifhed by the influence of
the unfetting fummer's fun, whofe rays being perpetually,
though obliquely, fhed, during that feafon, on the widely
extended rim of the frozen continent, gradually diffolve its
margin, which is thus crumbled into innumerable floating
ifles, that are driven fouthward to replenifh the feas of
warmer climates.*

Amidft thefe drifts of ice, and following this widely fpread-
ing current^ teeming with life, the whole hoft of fea-fowl find
in the waters an inexhaufiible fupply of food : for tlie great
movement, the immenfe fouthward migration of fiflies is then
begun, and fhoal after fhoal, probably as the removal of their
dark icy canopy unveils tliem to the fun, are invited forth,
and, guided by its light and heat, poured forward in thou-
iandfi of myriads, in multitudes which fet all calculation at
defiance. The flocks of fea birds, for their numbers, baflle

* The same happens in the southern hemisphere, by the melting of the
ice at the south pole.

XV i INTRODUCTION.

the power of figures ;* but die fwarms of fiflies, as if engen-
dered in the clouds, and Ihowered down like the rain, are
multiplied in an incomprehenfible degree ; they may indeed
be C2dled infinite, if infinity were applicable to any thing cre-
ated. Of all thefe various tribes of filhes, thus preffing for-
ward on their fouthern route, that of the Herring is tlie mofl
numerous. Clofely embodied in refplendent columns of ma-
ny miles in length and breadth, and in depth from the furfacc
to the bottom of the fea, the fhoals of this tribe peacefully
glide along, and glittering like a huge refle<5ted rainbow, or
Aurora Borealis, attraft the eyes of all their attendant foes.
Other kinds of fifties, in duller garbs, keep alfo together in
bodies, but change their movements as may befl fuit their
different modes of attack or defence, in preying upon, or e-
fcaping from each other as they pafs along.f All thefe va-
rious tribes of fiflies, but particularly that of the Herring, are
in their turns encountered and preyed upon by the whole hods
of fea-fowl, which continually watch all their motions. Some
are feen to hover over the flioals of fifties, and to wheel about
in quick and glancing evolutions, and then to dart down like

* A bird may lay ten eggs and hatch them j but the roe of a herring is
•aid to contain ten thousand.

f *' Fishes are the most voracious animals in nature. Many species
prey indiscriminately on every thing digestible that comes in their way,
and devour not only other species of fishes, but even their own. As a
counterbalance to this voracity they are amazingly prolific. Some bring
forth their young alive ; others produce eggs. The viviparous Blmny
brings forth 200 or 300 live fishes at a time. Those which produce eggs
are all much more prolific, and seem to proportion their stock to the dan-
ger of consumption. Lewenhock affirms that the Cod spawns above nine
millions in a season. The Flounder produces above one million, and the
Mackarel above 500,000. Scarcely one in a hundred of these eggs, how-
ever, is supposed to come to maturity : but two wise purposes are answered
by this amazing increase ; it preserves the species in the midst of number-
less enemies, and serves to furnish the rest with a sustenance adapted to
their mtUTe"-~^£nci/cl.Brifan,

INTRODUCTION. xvii

a falling plummet upon the feled:ed objedl, which is gliding
near the furface of the water, and inftantly to rife, and de-
vour the living victim on the wing. Others, equally alert
and rapid in their purfuit, plunge and dive after their prey
to greater depths ; while the lefs active birds feem content to
devour only fuch of the fifties as have been killed or wounded,
and caft out on the flanks, or left in the rear of the main body.

In this great, this wonderful emigration of birds and fifties,
it is evident that they are amply provided on their way with
an abundance of food, which they derive from each other ;
and that the flioals of fifties which the fea-fowl attend, are
impelled fouthward by inftind, aided by currents, for the ac-
compliftiment of their miflion. The birds alfo, in their pro-
grefs to fulfil the fame high purpofe, are by thefe enticed for-
wards, as it were, to follow the feafons, and to wing their
way to the pofts afllgned them in climes adapted to the ful-
filling of tlie great duties of rearing their young, and of lead-
ing them fortli to purfue the unalterable courfe of nature :
and thus they fpend out the varied year in the fame ceafelefs
traverfmgs on the globe.

Notwithftanding the prodigious multitudes of the inhabi-
tants of the ocean, which are thus defl:royed by each other,
and by their winged enemies, yet, like a fmall toll, or like a
meafure of fand taken from the beach, there is no vifible di-
minution of them ; for although many divifions of the larger
kinds, by keeping in the mid-fea deeps, efcape notice, and are
difperfed like the fov/l that follow to feed on them ; yet others
are mixed with the fmaller forts, and form part of thofe vafi;
fhoals which yearly prefent themfelves to man, filling every
creek and inlet of the northern ftiores, particularly thofe of
the Britifti ifles ; where this wonderful influx appears as if of-
fered to give employment to thoufands, and to fupply an in-
exhauftible fource of commerce : but this, like other over-
flowing bounties of Providence, feems to be too little regard-

rviil INTRODUCTION.

ed : the wade, Indeed, in this inftance, is fuiKcIent to feed
half the human race.

It Is a melancholy refledion, that, from man, downwards,
to the fmalleft living creature, all are found to prey upon and
devour each other. The philofophic mind, however, {ees
this wafte of animal life again and again repaired by frefti
(lores, ever ready to fiipply the void, and the great work of
generation and deftrudion perpetually going on, and to this
difpenfation of an all-wife Providence, fo interefting to hu-
manity, bows in awful fdence.

In returning from thefe dlgreffions to the fubje<51: of the
prefent enquiry, let the imagination pidure to itfelf countlefs
multitudes of birds, wafted like the clouds, around the globe,
which in ceafelefs revolutions turns its convexities to and from
the fun, caufmg thereby a perpetual fucceffion of day and
night, fummer and winter, and thefe migrators will be feen to
follow its courfe, and to traverfe both hemlfpheres from pole to
pole. To thofe, who, contemplating this world of wonders,
extend their views beyond the common gropings of mankind,
it will appear, that Nature, ever provident that no part of her
empire fhould be unoccupied, has peopled it with creatures
of various kinds, and filled every comer of it with animation.
To follow her into all her receifes would be an endlefs tafk ;
but fo far as tliefe have been explored, every ftep is marked
with pleafantnefs : and while the refleding mind, habituated
to move in its proper fphere, breaks through the trammels of
pride, and removes the film of ignorance, it foars with clearer
views towards perfedion, and adores that Infinite Wifdom
which appointed and governs the unerring courfe of all things*

" Thus the men,

*' Whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself
*' Hold converse ; grow familiar day by day
" With his conceptions ; act upon his plan,
^ And form to his the relish of their souls."

Ahmide's I^kasures ofjmaginationi Eooi 3, f, 630*

BRITISH BIRDS,

THE SANDERLING.

TOWILLEE, OR CURWILLET.
[Charadrius Calidris, Lin. — Mauheche, BufF.)

1 HIS bird weighs almost two ounces ; Is about eight
inches in length, and fifteen in breadth, from tip to tip.
The bill is an inch long, slender, black and grooved on
the sides nearly from the tip to the nostril ; the brow to
the eyes white \ the rest of the head pale ash colour,
mottled in brown streaks from the forehead to the
hinder part of the neck, and on each side of the upper
part of the breast j back, scapulars, and greater coverts,

. c

20 BRITISH BIRDS.

brownish ash, edged with dull white, and irregularly
marked with dark brown spots. The pinions, lesser
coverts, and bastard wings, dark brown *, the quills,
which extend beyond the tail, are of the sam^ colour on
their exterior webs and points, except four of the middle
ones, which are white on the outer webs, forming, when
the wing is closed, a sharp wedge-shaped spot •, inner
webs brownish ash ; the secondary quills are brown>
tipped with white ; the rump and tail coverts are also
brown, edged with dirty white ; the tail feathers brown-
ish ash, edged with a lighter colour, the two middle
ones much darker than the rest ; the throat, fore part of
the neck, the breast, belly, thighs and vent, are white ;
the toes and legs black, and bare a little above the
knees. This bird is of a slender form, and its plumage
has a hoary appearance among the Stints, with which it
associates on the sea-shore, in various parts of Great
Great Britain. It wants the hinder toe, and has, in
other respects, the look of the Plover and Dotterel, to
which family it belongs.

Latham says, this bird, like the Purre, and some
others, varies considerably, either from age or the sea-
son J for those he received in August, had the upper
parts dark ash coloured, and the feathers deeply edged
with a ferruginous colour ; but others sent him in January
were of a plain dove-coloured grey ; they difl'ered also
in some other trifling particulars. *

* The specimen from which this drawing and dcsci-iption were
t-aken, was furnished by the Rev. H. Cotes, of Bedlington ; and
it is the only one which the author has had an opportunity of
esacaining^

BR.ITISH BIRDS.

^l

THE LONG-LEGGED PLOVER.

LONG SHANKS, OR LONG LEG.
[Charadrius himantopus, IJm.—U Echasse, BufF.)

Its slender black bill is two inches and a half long,
from the tip of which to the end of the tail it measures
only about thirteen inches -, but to the toes a foot and a
half. The wings are long, measuring, from tip to tip,
twenty-nine inches •, irides red ; the crown of the head,
the back and wings, of a glossy black ; tail light grcy, ex-
cept the two outside feathers, which are white j as are
all the other parts of its plumage, except a few dusky
spots on the back of the neck. Its long, weak, and
<lisproportionate legs are of a blood red, and measure,
from the foot to the upper naked part of the thigh,
about eight inches ; the toes are short, and the outer
and middle ones are connected by a membrane at the

base.

Ornithologists mention only a few instances of this

c 2

22

BRITISH BIRDS.

singularly-looking species having been met with in Great
Britain j * but it is common in other countries.

Latham says, " it is common in Egypt, f being found
there in the marshes in October ; its food is said to con-
sist principally of flics. It is Ukewise plentiful about the
Salt Lakes, and often seen on the shores of the Caspian
Sea, as well as by the rivers which empty themselves into
it ; and in the southern deserts of Independent Tartary :
we have also seen it in Chinese paintings-, and it is
known at Madras, in the East Indies." It is also often
met with in the warmer parts of America ; is sometimes
seen as far north as Conne6licut, and also in Jamaica.

* Sir Robert Sibbald makes mention of two that were shot in
Scotland — Pennant of one that was shot near Oxford — and of five
others which were shot in Frincham pond in Surrey,
f Pliny says it is a native of Egypt.

Mi^^'.

BRITISH BIRDS.

22

OF THE OrSTER-CATCHER.

Its bill is long, compressed and cuneated at the end ;
nostrils linear ; tongue scarcely a third of the length of
the bill ; toes, three in number, all placed forwards, the
exteriors united to the middle by a strong membrane, as
far as the first joint.

This separate and single genus of birds, though no
where numerous, is widely dispersed over the globe, be-
ing met with in every country which travellers have
visited.

THE OYSTER-CATCHER.

PIED OYSTER-CATCHER, SEA-PIE, OR OLIVE.
{Hamatopus cjlralegus, Lin. — L^Hutrier, Buff.)

The Oyster-catcher generally weighs about sixteen
Qunces, measures seventeen inches in length, and is two
feet eight inches in breadth. The bill is of a bright

M BRITISH BIRDS.

scarlet, about three inches long, wide at the nostrils, and
grooved beyond them nearly half its length ; thence to
t]^ tip it is vertically compressed on the sides, and ends
obltusely : with this instrument, which, in its shape and
structure, is peculiar to this bird, it easily disengages the
limpets from the rocks, and plucks out the oysters from
their half-opened shells : on these it feeds, as well as on
other kind of shell-fish, sea-worms and inse<Sts. The
irides are of a lake-coloured red ; orbits orange ; under
eye-lids white, and (in many specimens) a crescent-shaped
stroke of this colour crosses the throat j the head, neck,
upper part of the back, the scapulars, lesser coverts of the
wings and end of the tail are black ; the quills, in some,
are of a dark brown, striped less or more in the middle
and in the inner webs with white ; the secondary quills
are white towards their base, and the uncovered points
black, narrowly edged with white *, the breast, belly,
vent, upper half of the tail, lower part of the back and
the greater wing coverts are white : the legs and feet are
of a pale red, short and strong ; the toes, three in num-
ber, are each surrounded with a membraneous edge, and
covered with a hard scaly skin, which enables the bird to
climb and traverse the rough and sharp shell-covered
rocks, in quest of prey, without injury.

Although the Oyster-catcher is not provided with
powers fitted for an expert swimmer, yet it does not shew
any aversion to taking the water, upon which it may be
said to float rather than swim. These birds are the con-
stant inhabitants of the sea-shores, and are seldom found
inland. In winter they assemble in flocks, are then shy
and wild, and are seen in pairs only in the breeding-sea-
son and in the summer. The female deposits her eggs in

BRITISH BIRDS.

25

an open and dry situation, out of tide mark, sheltered
merely by a tuft of bent grass, without any other nest
than the bare sand and fragments of shells, blown thither
by the wind. She lays four or five eggs of a greenish
Sjrey colour, spotted with black, which she leaves during
the day exposed to the influence of the sun, and is care-
ful to sit upon them herself only during the night and in.
bad weather. The young ones may easily be tamed, and
will associate with domestic poultry.

THE WATER CRAKE.

SPOTTED RAIL, LESSER SPOTTED WATER RAIL, SKITTY,
OR SPOTTED GALLINULE.

{Rallus Porzanat Lin. — La MarouettCy Buff.)

This bird weighs above four ounces, and measures
nearly nine inches in length, and about fifteen in breadth.
The bill is of a greenish yellow, and not more than three
quarters of an inch long. The top of the head to the nape
is dusky, slightly streaked with rusty brown ; a brown and

^6 BRITISH BIRDS.

w'hite mottled stripe passes from the bill over and behind
the eves ; the cheeks and throat are of a freckled dull
grey. The neck and breast are olive, marked with small
white spots ; the sides dusky and olive, crossed with bars
of white, and the under parts are a mixture of cinereous
dirty white and yellow. The colour of the plumage of
all- the upper parts is dusky and olive brown, spotted,
edged, barred or streaked with white ; the spots on the
wing coverts are surrounded with black, which gives
them a studded or pearly appearance ; and the white
bars and streaks on the scapulars and tertials form a beau-
tiful contrast to the black ground of the feathers on these
parts. The legs are of a yellowish green. The Water
Crake in its figure and general appearance, though much
less, is extremely like the Corn Crake or Land Rail j but
its manners and habits are very different. Its common
abode is in low swampy grounds, in which are pools or
streamlets, overgrown with willows, reeds, and rushes,
where it lurks and hides itself with great circumspedlion :
it is wild, solitary, and shy, and will swim, dive, or skulk
under any cover *, and, it is said, will sometimes suffer it-
self to be knocked on the head, rather than rise before
the sportsman and his dog. The species is very scarce
in Great Britain, and from its extreme vigilance it is
rarely to be seen. It is supposed to be migratory here,
as well as in France and Italy, where it is found early in
the spring ; it is also met with in other parts of Europe^
but no where in great numbers. The conformation of
its nest is curious : it is made of rushes and other light
buoyant materials, woven and matted together, so as to
float on, and to rise or fall with the ebbing or flowing of
the water, like a boat , and to prevent its being swept

BRITISH BIRDS.

^

away by floods, it is moored or fastened to the pendant
stalk of one of the reeds, by which it is skreened from
the sight, and sheltered from the weather. The female
lays from six to eight eggs. The young brood do not
long require the fostering care of the mother, but as soon
as they are hatched, the whole of the little black shape-
less family scramble away from her, take to the water,
separate from each other, and shift for themselves. The
flesh is said to have a fine and delicate flavour, and is
esteemed by epicures a delicious morsel.

D

2S

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WATER RAIL.

BILCOCK, VELVET RUNNER, OR BROOK OUZEL.
[RaVius aquaticusy Lin. — Le Rale d^Eau, BufF.)

This bird, though a distindl genus of itself, has many
traits in its character very similar to both the Corn Crake
and the Water Crake : it is migratory, like the former,
to which it also bears some resemblance in its size, in its
long shape, and in the flatness of its body ; its haunts
and manner of livinfr are nenrlv the same as those of the

o

latter ; but it differs from both in the length of its bill,
and in its plumage. It weighs about four ounces and a
half, and measures twelve inches in length and sixteen
in breadth. The bill is slightly curved, and one inch
and three quarters long ; the upper miandibls is dusky,
edged with red ; the under reddish orange ; the irides
red. The top of the head, hinder part of the neck, the
back, scapulars, coverts of the wings, and tail, are black,
edged with dingy brown ; the ridge of the v/ings is white,
the bastard wing barred with white^ the mside barred

BRITISH BIRDS. 29

with brown and "white, and the quills and secondaries
dusky ; the side feathers are beautifully crossed with
black and white, and slightly tipped with pale reddish
brown. The inner side of the thighs, the belly, and the
vent are pale brown, and in some specimens, speckled
with bluish ash. The sides of the head, the chin, fore
part of the neck, and the breast, are of a dark hoary lead
colour, slightly tinged with pale rufous. The tail con-
sists of twelve short black feathers, edged and tipped with
dirty red ; some of those on the under side barred with
black and white. The legs, which are placed far behind,
are a dull dirty red ; the toes long, and without any con-
necting membrane. Latham says, " the eggs are more
than an inch and a half long, of a pale yellov/ish colour,
marked all over with dusky brown spots, nearly equal
in size, but irregular."

The Water Rail is a shy and solitary bird. Its con-
stant abode is in low wet places, much overgrown with
sedges, reeds, and other coarse herbage, among which it
finds shelter, and feeds in hidden security. It runs, oc-
casionally flirting up its tail, through its tracts, with the
same swiftness as the Corn Crake runs through the mea-
dows and corn fields, shews as great an aversion to take
flight as that bird, and has more of the means in its
power of disappointing the sportsman. It generally ex-
hausts his patience, and distracts and misleads his dog, by
the length of time to which it can protract its taking
wing ; and it seldom rises until it has crossed every pool,
and run through every avenue within the circuit of its
retreats. It is, however, easily shot when once flushed,
for it flies but indifferently, with its legs dangling down
v/hile on the v.'ing. This bird is not very common in
Great Britain, but is said to be numerous in the marshes

D 2

30

BRITISH BIRDS.

of the northern countries of Europe, whence, partially
and irregularly, it migrates southward, even into Africa,
during the severity of the winter season. BufFon says
*' they pass Malta in the spring and autumn," and to con-
firm this, adds, " that the Viscount de Querhoent saw a
flight of them at tlie distance of fifty leagues from the
coasts of Portugal on the 1 7th of April, some of which
were so fatigued that they suffered themselves to be caught
by the hand." The flesh of the Water Rail is not so ge-
nerally esteemed as that of the Land Rail, and yet by
many it is thought rich and delicious eating.

THE WATER OUZEL,

WATER CROW, DIPPER, OR WATER PIOT.
[Sturnus C'lnclus, Lin.— Zf Merle d^Eau, Buff.)

The length of the Water Ouzel is about seven inches
and a half from the point of the beak to the end of its
tail, which is very short, and gives the bird a thick and

BRITISH BIRDS. si

stumpy appearance. The mouth is wide ; the bill black,
about three quarters of an inch long ; the upper mandi-
ble rather hollow in the middle, and bent a little down-
wards at the point ; the eye-lids are white, and the irides
hazel. The upper parts of the head and of the neck are
deepish rusty brown ; the back, rump, scapulars, wing
coverts, belly, vent, and tail are black •, but each feather
on these parts is distinctly edged with a hoary grey co-
lour. The breast, fore part of the neck and throat are
of a snowy white ; and the black and white on the belly
and breast are separated by a rusty brown. The legs and
toes are short and strong, the scales pale blue, the hinder
part and joints brown ; the claws are curved, and the toes
are distinctly parted, without any membraneous substance
between to join them.

This solitary species is removed from the place it has
hitherto holden, in all systems, among the land birds : it
ought not to be classed any longer with the Ouzels and
Thrushes, to which it bears no affinity. Its manners and
habits are also different from those birds, and are peculiar
to itself. It is chiefly found in the high and mountainous
parts of the country, and always by the sides of brooks
and rocky rivers, but particularly where they fall in cas-
cades, or run with great rapidity among stones and frag-
ments of broken rocks ; there it may be seen perched on
the top of a stone in the m.idst of the torrent, in a conti-
nual dipping n'lOtion, or short courtesy often repeated,
wliilst it is watching for its food, which consists of small
fishes and insecLS. The feathers of this bird, like those
of the Duck tribe, are impervious to water, whereby it is
enabled to continue a long time in that fluid without sus-
taining the least injury. But the most singular trait in

'\9.

BRITISH BIRDS.

its character, (and it is well authenticated) is that of its
possessing the power of walking, in quest of its prey, on
the pebbly bottom of a river, in the same way, and with
the same ease, as if it were on dry land. The female
makes her nest in the banks of the rivulet, of the same
kind of materials, and nearly of the same form, as that of
the common Wren, and lays four or five eggs, which are
white, lightly blushed with red.

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE KINGFISHER.

[j^Icedo ifpldat Lin. — Le Martln-pechettrt Buff.)

This splendid little bird is of rather a clumsy shape,
the head being large in proportion to the size of the body,
and the legs and feet very small. In length it is only se-
ven inches, in breadth eleven ; and its weight is about
two ounces and a quarter. The bill, measured from the
corners of the mouth, is two inches long, vertically com-
pressed on the sides, strong, straight, and tapering to a
sharp point : the upper mandible is black, fading into a
red colour towards the*base •, the under one, as well as
the inside of the mouth, is of a reddish orange : the irides
are hazel, inclining to red. A broad stripe passes from
the bill over the eye to the hinder part of the neck, of a
bright orange colour, but margined on the side of the
mouth, and crossed below the eye, by a narrow black
stroke, and it Is terminated behind the auriculars with a
slanting wedge-shaped white spot. The throat is white \

34 BRITISH BIRDS.

the rest of the head, and the wing coverts are of a deep
shining green, spotted with bright light blue : the scapu-
lars and exterior webs of the quills are of the same co^
lour, but without spots. The middle of the back, the
rump, and coverts of the tail are of a most resplendent
azure : the tail, which consists of twelve short feathers,
is of a rich deep blue, and the whole under part of the
body of a bright orange. The legs and toes are of a red
colour, and are peculiar in their shape and conformation,
the three forward toes being unconnected from the claws
to the first joints, from whence they appear as if grown
into each other ; and the inner and hinder ones are placed
in a line on the inside of the foot, whereby the heel is
widened, and seems pressed out.

It is difficult to conceive why ornithologists have class-
ed the Kingfisher with land birds, as its habits and man-
ner of living are wholly confined to the waters, on the
margins of which it will sit for hours together on a pro-
jecting twig, or a stone *, at one while fluttering its wings
and exposing its brilliant plumage to the sun ; at another,
hovering in the air, like the Kestril, it waits the moment
when it may seize its prey, on which it darts almost un-
erringly : often it remains for several seconds under the
water, before it has gained the objeCt of its pursuit, then
brings up the little fish, which it carries to the land, beats-
to death and swallows.

The female commonly makes her nest by the sides of
rivers or brooks, in a hole made by the mole, or the
water-rat : this she enlarges or contraiSls to suit her pur-
pose ; and it is conje£lured, from the difficulty of find-
ing the nest, that frequently the hole which leads to it
is under water.

BRITISH BIRDS. S5

The author was favoured with a stuffed specimen of
this bird, together with its nest and six eggs, by G. W.
Went worth, of WoUey-Hall, near Wakefield, Esq. In
the compa(Stness of its farm, the nest resembled that of
the Chaffinch : it was made entirely of small fish bones,
cemented together with a brown glutinous substance*
The eggs were of a clear white.-

To take notice of the many strange and contradi£lory
accounts of this bird, as well as of its nest, transmitted to
us by the ancients,.* and to enumerate the properties as-
cribed to it by the superstitious in all ages, would occupy
too large a portion of this work : but the following mo-
dern instance seems worthy of notice : —

Dr Heysham, of Carlisle, in his Catalogue of Cumber-
land Animals, says, " On the 7th of May a boy from Up-
perby brought me a Kingfisher alive, which he had taken
when sitting on her eggs the night before : from him I
received the following information : — Having often this
spring observed these birds frequent a bank upon the
river Peteril, he watched them carefully, and saw them
go into a small hole irt the bank. The hole was too
small to admit his hand, but as it was made in the soft

* Their nests are wonderful — of the figure of a ball rather ele-
vated, with a very narrow mouth ; they look like a large sponge :
they cannot be cut with a knife, but may be broken with a smart
stroke : they have the appearance of petrified sea-froth. It is not
discovered of what they are formed ; some think of Prickly-back
bones, since they live upon fish. Pliny.

Aristotle compares the nest to a gourd, and its substance and
texture to those sea-balls or lumps of interwoven filaments which
are cut with difficulty ; but, wlien dried, become friable.

jElian and Plutarch describe it as being made to ftotat on the
placid face of the ocean.

. E

3^

BRITISH BIRDS.

mould, lie easily enlarged It. It was upwards of half a
yard long ; at the end of it the eggs, which were six in
number, were placed upon the bare mould, there being
not the smallest appearance of a nest.'* If the boy was
correct in his relation to Dr Heysham, it may be con-
cluded that these birds sometimes, from necessity per-
haps, build a nest, and sometimes make the dry mould
answer that purpose.

Kingfishers are not so numerous as might be expelled
from the number of eggs found in their nests, owing pro-
bably to the young being destroyed by the floods, which
must often rise above the level of the holes where they
are bred-

Except in the breeding season, this bird is usually seen
alone, flying near the surface of the water with the rapi-
dity of an arrow, like, a little brilliant meteor, by which
appearance the eye is enabled to follow its long-continued
course. Considering the shortness of its wings, the ve-
locity with which it flies is surprising.

Ornithologiits inform us that Kingfishers are found in
almost every part of the globe ; ' but it does not appear
that more than this one species has ever been seen in
Europe.

BRITI&H BIRDS, $j

OF THE SPOONBILL,

The bill is broad, long, flat, and thin, tlie end widen-
ing into a roundish form not unlike a spoon ; the nostrils
small, and placed near the base ; the tongue small and
pointed, and the feet semi-palmated.

This genus consists of only three known species, and
three varieties, and these are thinly dispersed over vari-
ous parts of the globe. Their common residence is on
the sea-shores, or the contiguous fenny swamps which are
occasionally overflowed by the tide, or on such low marshy
coasts as are constantly covered with stagnant pools of
water. These places they very seldom quit, but they
sometimes are seen by the sides of lakes or rivers in the
interior parts of the country. They feed on various kinds
of little fishes, and small shell-fish, which they swallow
whole ; also on worms, inserts, frogs, and the various other
inhabitants of the slimy pools, through which they wade,
and search the mud with their curiously construdVed bills j
and sometimes they eat the weeds, grasses, and roots
which grow in those boggy places.

SB

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SPOONBILI,,

OR, WHITE SPOONBILL.
(Platalea kucorodia, Lin. — La Spatuk, BufF.)

The Spoonbill measures two feet eight inches in
length, and is about the bulk of the Common Heron, but
its legs and neck are shorter. The whole plumage is
white, though some few have been noticed with the quills
tipped with black.

The bill, which flaps together not unlike two pieces of
leather, is the most striking feature in this bird : it is six
inches and a half long, broad and thick at the base, and.
very flat towards the extremity, where, in shape, it is
widened and rounded like the mouth of a mustard spatu-

BRITISH BIRDS. 39

la : it is rimmed on the edges with a black border, and
terminated with a small downward-bent point or nib.
The colour of the bill varies in different birds ; in some,
the little ridges which wave across the upper bill are
spotted, in others striped with black or brown, and gene-
rally the ground colour of both mandibles is in different
shades of deeper or lighter yellow : the insides, towards
the gape of the mouth, near the edges, are studded with
small hard tubercles or furrowed prominences, and are
also rough near the extremities of the bill, which enables
these birds to hold their slippery prey. A black bare
skin extends from the bill round the eyes, the irides of
which are grey ; the skin which covers the gullet is also
black and bare, and is capable of great distention. The
feathers on the hinder part of the head are long and
narrow, and form a sort of tuft or crest which falls be-
hind. The toes are connedled near their junction by
webs, which reach the second joint of the outer toe and
the first of the inner ones, and slightly border them on
each side to their extremities : the feet, legs and bare part
of the thighs are covered with a hard and scaly skin of a
dirty black colour.

The White Spoonbill migrates northward in the sum-
mer, and returns to southern climes on the approach of
winter, and is met with in all the intermediate low coun-
tries, between the Ferro Isles and the Cape of Good
Hope. It is said that they were formerly numerous on
the marshes of Sevenhuys, near Leyden in Holland. In
England they are rare visitants : Pennant mentions that a
flock of them migrated into the marshes near Yarmouth
in April, 1774?.

Like the Rooks and the Herons, they build their nests

^

BRITISH BIRDS.

on the tops of large trees, lay three or four eggs, the size
of those of a Hen, of a white colour, sprinkled with pale
red, and are very noisy during the breeding season.
The intestines are described as being very long, and the
trachea atteria is like that of the Crane> and makes a
tiouble inflection in the thorax.

BRITISH BIRDS. 41

OF THE CRANE,

The characters by which this genus is distinguished,
are a long, strong, straight, sharp-pointed bill, nostrils
linear, tongue pointed, the toes connected by a membrane
as far as the first joint, and the middle claw of some of
the species pectinated. Their thighs are half naked, and
their legs long, by which, without wetting their plumage,
they are enabled to wade deep in the water, where they
stand motionless, awaiting the approach of the unsuspect-
ing finny tribes, and the moment these are within reach,
they strike them with their bill, admirably formed for
the purpose, with the rapidity of a dart. Their body is
slender, and covered with a very thin skin ; their wings,
which are very large and strong, contain twenty-four
quills *, and their tails are short. They live mostly ia
lakes and fens, upon water animals ; they also occasion-
ally eat grain and herbage, and they build their nests
chiefly upon the ground. Their flesh is savoury.

The Crane difi^ers fi-om the Stork and Heron in the
singular conformation of the windpipe, which, " enterino-
far into the breast bone, (which has a cavity to receive
it) and being thrice reflected, goes out again at the same
hole, and so turns down ta the lungs."* It difl^ers from
them also in some other particulars, both internally and
externally.

* Willoiighbf.

42

BRITISH BIRDS,

~^"J^' ■ll^'^!^'^^^^ '■''^ ''-'"4

"'Sw'^Si'Ti'fr, - -«"t *»•■",

THE CRANE,

OR, COMMON CRANE,
(y^r^^^z Gr«j, Lin — Zar Grz/^, Buff.)

The bill Is about four inches long, straight, pointed,
and compressed at the sides, of a greenish black colour,
turning lighter towards the point ; the tongue is broad
and short, and horny at the tip. The forehead, to the
middle of the crown, is covered with black hairy down,
through which, if the bird be healtliy, the skin appears

BRITISH BIRDS. 4«

red ; behind this it is nearly bare, and entirely so for
the space of a:bout two inches on the nape of the neck,
which is ash coloured. The sides of the head behind
the eyes, and the hinder part of the neck are white. »
The space between the bill and the eyes, the cheeks, and
the fore part of the neck, are of a blackish ash colour ;
the greater wing coverts are also blackish, and those
farthest from the body, with the bastard wing and quills^
are quite black : the rest of its plumage is of a fine waved
light ash colour. From the pinion of each wing springs
an elegant tuft of loose feathers, curled at the ends,
which fall gracefully over the tail, in their flexibility,
their position, and their texture, resembling the plumes
of the Ostrich. The legs and bare part of the thighs
are black. The Crane measures, when extended, from
the tip of the bill to the toes, more than five feet in
length, and weighs nearly ten pounds ; its gait is erecl,
and its figure tall and slender.

This species is widely spread, and, in its migrations,
performs the boldest and most distant journies,

« Marking the tracts of air, the clamorous Cranes
*< Wheel their due flight, in varied lines descried ;
" And each with out-stretch'd neck his rank maintains
" In marshall'd order through the ethereal void."

In the summer they spread themselves over the north of
Europe and Asia as far as the arctic circle, and in the
winter are met with in the warmer regions of India,
Syria, Egypt, &c. and at the Cape of Good Hope. The
course of their flight is discovered by the loud noise they
make, for they soar to such a height as to be hardly visi-
ble to the naked eye. Like the Wild Geese, they form '

. F

44<

BRITISH BIRDS.

themselves into different figures, describing a wedge,
a triangle, or a circle. It is said that they formerly vi-
sited the fens and marshes of tliis island in large flocks,
Jjut they have now entirely forsaken it.

THE STORK,

OR, WHITE STORK.
[Ardea Ciconia, Lin. — La Cigogne, Buff.)

The White Stork is smaller than the Crane, but much
larger than the Heron : its length, from the point of the
bill to the end of the tail, is three feet six inches ; and
its breadth, from tip to tip, above six feet. The bill is
of a fine red colour, and its length, from the tip to the
corners of the mouth is seven inches 5 the legs and bare

BRITISH BIRDS. ^s

part of the thighs are also of the same colour ; the former
below the knees measure eight inches, and the latter five.
The plumage is of a bright white, except the quills,
greater coverts, and some of the scapulars, which are
black J the eyes are dark and full, the orbits bare of fea-
thers, and of a dusky reddish hue. The neck is long
and arched ; the feathers near the breast, like those of
the Heron, are long and pendulous ; the secondary quills
are nearly of the same length as the primaries, and when
the wings are closed, they cover its short tail. The fe-
male nearly resembles the male in her plumage and ge-
neral appearance : her nest is made of dry sticks, twigs,
and aquatic plants, sometimes on large trees or the sum-
mits of high rocky cliffs : this, however, seldom happens,
for the Stork prefers the neighbourhood of populous
places, where it finds protection from the inhabitants ;
who, for ages, have regarded both the bird and its nest
as sacred, and commonly place boxes for them on the
tops of the houses wherein to make their nests ; to Which
they return after the most distant journies, and every
Stork takes possession of his own box. When these are
not provided for them, they build on the tops of chimnies,
steeples, and lofty ruins.

The Stork lays from two to four eggs, the size and co-
lour of those of a Goose, and the male and female sit up-
on them by turns. They are singularly attentive to their
young, both together never quitting the nest, which is
constantly watched by one of them, while the other is
seeking for, and bringing provisions, which the young
receive with a sort of whistling noise.

The food of the Stork consists of serpents, lizards,
frogs, small fish, &c. for which it watches with it 'keen

F 2

^ BRITISH BIRDS.

eye, on the margins of lakes and pools, and ifl swamps
and marshes. In low countries abounding with places of
this description, the Stork is a welcome visitant, and al-
ways meets a friendly reception.

. In its migrations this bird avoids alike the extremes of
heat and cold :- in summer it is never seen farther north
than Sweden or Russia, and in winter it is not known to
venture further southward than Egypt, where it is con-
stantly seen during that season : m the intennediate
countries, both in Asia and Europe, it is common in the
temperate seasons of the year.

Before the Storks take their departure from their
northern summer residence, they assemble in large flocks,
and seem to confer on the plan of their projected route.
Though they are v€ry silent at other times, on this occa-
sion they make a singular clattering noise with their bills,
and all seems bustle and consultation. It is said that the
first north wind is the signal for their departure, when
the whole body become silent, and move at once, gene-
rally in the night, and, taking an extensive spiral course,
they are soon lost in the air.*

The Stork: is now seldom seen in Britain : Wallis, in
his History of Northumberland, mentions one which was
killed near Chollerford-bridge, in the year 1766. Its
skin was nailed up against the wall of the inn at that place,
and drew crowds of people from the adjacent parts to view
it. The foregoing figure was taken from a stuffed speci-
men in the Wycliffe museum.

* <« The Stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times \
and the Turtle and the Crane, and the Swallow observe the time
of their coming." Ja-cmiah viii. 7.

BRITISH BIRDS.

47

OF THE HERON,

Some ornithologists have separated this tribe from the
Cranes and the Storks, and from the difference observa-
ble in the conformation of their parts, consider them as a
distinct genus : others, preferring the Linnxan system,
class the whole together, and thus make them amount
to above eighty distinct species, besides varieties, widely
distributed over various parts of the globe, all differing
in their size, figure, and plumage, and with talents adapt-
ed to their various places of residence, or their peculiar
pursuits. But notwithstanding the difference in the co-
lours of their plumage and their bills, the manners of all
are nearly the same, as is also their charadler, which is
stigmatized with cowardice and rapacity, indolence, and
yet insatiable hunger : they are, indeed, excessively vo-
racious and destructive ; but from the meagre looking
form of their bodies, to an inaccurate observer, the
grexitest abundance might seem insufficient for their
support.

48

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE HERON.

COMMON HERON, HERONSEWGH, OR HERONSHA\r.
{^Ardea Majors Lin. — Le Heron hupe, BufF.)

Although the Heron Is of a long, lank, awkward
shape, yet its plumage gives it on the whole an agreeable
appearance ; but when stripped of its feathers, it looks as
if it had been starved to death. It seldom weighs more
than between three and four pounds, notwithstanding it
measures about three feet in length, and in the breadth
of its wings, from tip to tip, above five. The bill is six
inches long, straight, pointed, and strong, and its edges
are thin and slightly serrated j the upper mandible is of
a yellowish horn colour, darkest on the ridge ; the under
one yellow. A bare skin, of a greenish colour, is extend-
ed from the beak beyond the eyes, the irides of which

BRITISH BIRDS. 49

are yellow, and give them a fierce and piercing aspe6V.
The brow and crown of the head are white, bordered
above the eyes by black lines which reach the nape of the
neck, where they join a long flowing pendent crest of the
same colour. The upper part of the neck, in some, is
white, in others pale ash ; the fore part, lower down, is
spotted with a double row of black feathers, and those
which fall over the breast are long, loose, and unwebbed ;
the shoulders and scapular feathers are also of the same
kind of texture, of a grey colour, generally streaked with
white, and spread over its down-cloathed back. The
ridge of the wing is white, coverts and secondaries lead
colour, bastard wings and quills of a bluish black, as are
also the long soft feathers which take their rise on the
sides under the wings, and, falling down, meet at their
tips, and hide all the under parts : the latter, next the
skin, are covered with a thick, matted, dirty white down,
except about the belly and vent, which are almost bare.
The tail is short, and consists of twelve feathers of a cine-
reous or brownish lead colour : the legs are dirty green,
long, bare above the knees, and the middle claw is jagged
on the inner edge.

The female has not the long flowing crest, or the long
feathers which hang over the breast of the male, and her
whole plumage is more uniformly dull and obscure. In
the breeding season they congregate in large societies,
and, like the Rooks, build their nest on trees, with sticks,
lined with dried grass, wool, and other warm materials.
The female lays from four to six eggs, of a pale greenish
blue colour.*

* " A remarkable circumstance, with respect to these birds,
occuiTed not long ago, at Dallam Tower, in Westmorland, the
*eat of Daniel Wilson, Esq.

50 l^aiTISH BIRDS.

The Heron is described by Buffon as exhibiting the
picture of wretchedness, anxiety, and indigence; con-
demned to struggle perpetually with misery and want,
and sickened by the restless cravings of a famished appe-
tite, &c. However faithful this ingenious naturalist may
have been in pourtraylng the appearance of the Heron,
yet otliers are not inclined to adopt his sentiments in de-
scribing its habits and manners, or to agjree with him in
opinion that it is one of the most wretched of animated
beings. It is probable that it suffers no more than other
birds, many species of which employ equal attention in
looking for their prey *, and it is not unlikely that the He-

<« There were two groves adjoining to the park : one of which,
for many years, had been resorted to by a number of Herons,
which there built and bred ; the other was one of the largest
rookeries in the country. The two tribes lived together for a long
time without any disputes. At length the trees Occupied by the
Herons, consisting of some very fine old oaks, were cut down in
the spring of 1775, and the young brood perished by the fall of
the timber. The parent birds immediately set about preparing
new habitations, in order to breed again ; but, as the trees in the
neighbourhood of their old nests were only of a late growth, and
not sufficiently high to secure them from the depredations of boys,
thev determined to effect a settlement in the rookery. The Rooks
made an obstinate resistance ; but, after a very violent contest, in
the course of which many of the Rooks, and some of their anta-
gonists, lost their lives, the Herons at last succeeded in their at-
tempt, built their nests, and brought out their young.

« The next season the same contests took place, which termi-
nated like the former, by the victory of the Herons. Since that
time peace seems to have been agreed upon between them : the
Rooks have relinquished possession of that part of the grove which
the Herons occupy ; the Herons confine themselves to those trees
they first seized upon, and the two species live together in as
much harmony as they did before their quarrel." Ilysbam.

BRITISH BIRDS.

51

ron derives pleasure from It instead of pain. This bird,
however, is of a melancholy deportment, a silent and pa-
tient creature ; and will, in the- most severe weather,
stand motionless a long time in the water, fixed to a spot,
in appearance like the stump or root of a tree, waiting
for its prey, which consists of frogs, water-newts, eels,
and other kinds of fish ; and it is^ also said that it will de*-
vour field-mice.

The Heron traverses the country to a great distance in
quest of some convenient or favourite fishing spot, and
in its aerial journies soars to a great height, to which the
eye is directed by its harsh cry, uttered from time to time
while on the wing. In flying it draws the head between
the shoulders, and the legs stretched out, seem, like the
longer tails of some birds, to serve the office of a rudder.
The motion of their wings is heavy and flagging, and yet
they get forv/ard at a greater rate than would be ima-
gined.

In England Herons were formerly ranked among the
royal game, and protedled as such by the laws ; and who-
ever destroyed their eggs was liable to a penalty of
twenty shillings for each offence. Heron hawking was
at that time a favourite diversion among the nobility and
gentry of the kingdom, at whose tables this bird was a
favourite dish, and was as much esteemed as Pheasants
iJid. Peacocks. ^

.G

52

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREAT WHITE HERON.

{^Jrdea alba, Lin. — Le Heron hlanc, BufK)

The great white Heron is of nearly the same bulk jrs
the common Heron, but its legs are longer. It has no
crest, and its plumage is wholly white, its bill yellow, and
its legs blacko-

Its character and manner of living are the same as those
of the common Heron, and it is found in the same coun-
tries, though this species is not nearly so numerous. It
has rarely been seen in Great Britain. Pennant, in his
Ar<5lic Zoology, says it is found in the Russian domini-
ons, about the Caspian and Black Seas, the lakes of Great
Tartary, and the river Irtisch, and sometimes as far north
as latitude 53. Latham says, it is met with at New York>
in America, from June to Odlober ; at different seasons
of the year, it is found in Jamaica, and in the Brazils : and
our circumnavigators have met with it at New Zealand.

BRITISH BIRDS.-

53

THE NIGHT HERON.

LESSER ASH-COLOURED HERON, OR NIGHT RAVEN.
(^yfrdea ny^icoraxy Lin. — Le Blhoreau, BuiF.)

The length of this bird Is about twenty inches. The
bill is three Inches and three-quarters long, slightly arch-
ed, strong, and black, inclining to yellow at the base ;
the skin from the beak round the eyes is bare, and of a
greenish colour *, irides yellow. A white line is extend-
ed from the beak over each eye •, a black patch, glossed
with green, covers the crown of the head and nape of the
neck, from which three long narrow white feathers,
tipped with brown, hang loose and waving : the hinder
part of the neck, coverts of the wings, the sides and tail,
are ash-coloured j throat white j fore part of the neck,

G 2

5* BRITISH BIRDS.

breast and belly yellowish white or buff 5 the back black;
the legs a greenish yellow.

The female is nearly of the same size as the male, but
she differs considerably in her plumage, which is less
bright and distinct, being more blended with clay or
dirty white, brown, grey, and rusty ash colour, and she
has not the delicate plumes which flow from the head of
the male.

The Night Heron frequents the sea-shores, rivers, and
inland marshes, and lives upon inserts, slugs, frogs, rep-
tiles, and fish. It remains concealed during the day,
and does not roam abroad until the approach of night,
when it is heard and known by its rough, harsh, and dis-
agreeable cry, which is by some compared to the noise
made by a person straining to vomit. Some ornitholo-
gists affirm that the female builds her nest on trees,
others that she builds it on rocky cliffs : probably both
accounts are right. She lays three or four white eggs.

This species is not numerous, although widely dispers-
ed over Europe, Asia, and America.

The above figure was taken from a stuffed specimen
in the "Wycliffe museum, and is the only one the author
has seen. The bird is indeed very uncommon in this
country. Latham mentions one in the Leverian mu-
seum, which was shot not many miles from London, in
May, 1782.

BRITISH BIRDS.

55

THE EGRET.

^ Ardea CarzettCy Lin. — Egretta, BuiF. )

The Egret is one of the smallest, as well as the most
elegant of the Heron tribe : its shape is delicate, and its
plumage as white as snow ; but what constitute its prin-
cipal beauty are the soft, silky, flowing plumes on the
head, breast, and shoulders : they consist of single slender
shafts, thinly set with pairs of fine soft threads, which
float on the slightest breath of air. Those which arise
from the shoulders are extended over the back, and flow
beyond the tail. These plumes were formerly used to
decorate the helmets of warriors : they are now applied
to a gentler and better purpose, in ornamenting the head-
dresses of the European ladies, and the turbans of the
Persians and Turks.

56

BPaTISH BIRDS,

The Egret seldom exceeds a pound and a half in weight,
and rarely a foot and a half in length. A bare green
skin is extended from the beak to the eyes, the irides of
which ar€ pale yellow : the bill and legs are black. Like
the common Heron they perch and build their nests on
trees, and live on the same kinds of food.

This species is found in almost every temperate and
warm climate, and must formerly have been plentiful in
Great Britain, if it be the same bird as that mentioned
by Leland in the list or bill of fare prepared for the fa-
mous feast of Archbishop Nevil, in which one thousand
of these birds were served up. No wonder the species
has become nearly extin^St in this country !

BRITISH mKDS.

57

THE BITTERN.

BOG-BUMPER, BITTER-BUM, OR MIRE-DRUM.
{^/Irdea Stellar is, Lin. — Le But or, BufF.)

The BIftern is nearly as large as the common Heron ;
its legs are stronger, body more plump and fleshy j and
its neck is more thickly cloathed with feathers. The
beak is strong at the base, straight, sharp on the edges,
and gradually tapers to an acute point ; the upper man-
dible is brown, the under inclining to green ; the mouth
is wide, the gape extending beyond the eyes, with a
dusky patch at each angle : the irides are yellow. The
crown of the head is somewhat depressed, and covered

m BRITISH BIRDS^

with long black feathers ; the throat is yellowish white,
the sides of the neck pale rust colour, variegated with
black, in spotted, waved, and narrow transverse lines, and
on the fore part the ground colour is whitish, and the
feathers fall down in less broken and darker lengthened
stripes. These neck feathers, which it can raise and de-
press at pleasure, are long and loose, and inclining back-
ward, cover the neck behind ; those below them on the
breast, to the thighs, are streaked lengthwise with black,
edged with yellowish white : the thighs, belly, and vent
are of a dull pale yellow, clouded with dingy brown.
The plumage on the back and wings is marked with black
zigzag lines, bars and streaks, upon a ground shaded with
rust colour and yellow. The bastard wings, greater co-
verts, and quills are brown, barred with black. The tail,
which consists only of ten feathers, is very short : the
legs are of a pale green, bare a little above the knees ;
the claws, particularly those on the hind toes, are long
and sharp, the middle ones serrated.

The female is less than the male ; her plumage is
darker, and the feathers on her head, breast, and neck
are shorter, and the colours not so distin£lly marked.
She makes an artless nest, composed chiefly of the
withered stalks and leaves of the high coarse herbage,
in the midst of which it is placed, and lays from four to
six eggs of a greenish white colour.

The Bittern is a shy solitary bird j it is never seen on
the wing in the day time, but sits, commonly with the
head ere£t, hid among the reeds and rushes in the
marshes, where it always takes up its abode, and from
whence it will not stir, unless it is disturbed by the sports-
man. When it changes its haunts, it removes in the

BRITISH BIRDS. 59

dusk of the evening, and then rismgm a spiral dlreftion,
soars to a vast height. It flies in the same heavy man-
ner as the Heron, and might be mistaken for that bird^
were it not for the singularly resounding cry which it
utters from time to time Avhile on the wing ; but this cry
is feeble when compared to the hollow booming noise*
which it makes during the night time, in the breeding
season, from its swampy retreats.

The Bittern, when attacked by the Buzzard, or other
birds of prey, defends itself with great courage, and ge-
nerally beats ofF such assailants -, neither does it betray
any symptoms of fear, when wounded by the sportsman,
but eyes him with a keen undaunted look, and when
driven to extremity, will attack him with the utmost vi-
gour, wounding his legs, or aiming at his eyes with its
sharp and piercing bill. It was formerly held in muck
estimation at the tables of the great, and is again recover-
ing its credit as a fashionable dish.

This bird lives upon the same water animals as the
Heron, for which it patiently watches, unmoved, for
hours together.

* " The Bittern booms along the sounding marsh,
** Mixt with the cries of Heron and Mallard harsh."

.M

60

BRITISH BIRDS.

'SNCiflS**

THE LITTLE BITTERN.

( Ardea m'lnutaj Lin. — Le Blongios, BufF. )

This bird, in the bulk of its body, is not much bigger
than the Throstle, measuring only about fifteen inches in
length. From the corners of the mouth, a black stroke
extends along the under sides of the cheeks ; and a patch
of black, glossed with green and edged with chesnut,
covers the crown of its liead. On the back, rump, and
scapulars, the feathers are dark brown, edged with pale
rusty-coloured red ; the sides of the neck, and the breast,
are of the same colours, but the brown on the middle of
each feather is in narrower streaks. The belly is white j
the hinder part of the neck is bare, but the long feathers
on the fore part lie back and cover it. The tail is short,

BRITISH BIRDS,

SI

arid of a black green colour, edged and tipped with
tawny : the legs dirty green. The Little Bittern has-
seldom been met with in Great Britain.

The above drawing and description were taken from,
an ill-stuffed specimen in the WyclifFe museum*

II 2

Q2-

BRITISH BIRDa

OF THE CURLEir,

The bill is long, equally incurvated, and terminated Iir
a blunt point ; nostrils linear, and longitudinal near the
base ; tongue short and sharp pointed j and the toes are-
conne6ted as far as the. first joint by a membrane.

With the Curlew, Linnseus begins a numerous tribe of
birds under the generic name of Scolopax^ which, in his
arrangement, includes all the Snipes and God wits, a-,
mounting, according to Latham, to forty-two species and
eight varieties, spread over various parts of the world, but
no where very numerous.

Buffon describes fifteen species and varieties of the
Curlew, and Latham ten, only two or three of which are-
British birds. They feed upon worms which they pick
up on the surface, or with their bills dig from the soft
earth : on these they depend for their principal support ;
but they also devour the various kinds of inserts which
swarm in the mud, and in the wet boggy grounds, where
these birds chiefly take up their abode.

>*^^

* ^^

BRITISH BIRDS.

63

^ ■ --^ N. _. ■ - -V''i :„ "fa'-nti

THE CURLEW.

{^Scohpax arquata, Lin. — Le C our lis, BuiF.)

The Curlew generally measures about two feet in
length, and from tip to tip above three feet. The bill is
about seven inches long, of a regular curve, and tender
substance at the point, which is blunt. The upper man-
dible is black, gradually softening into brown towards the
base j the Mnder one flesh-coloured. The head and neck
are streaked with darkish and light brown ; the wing
coverts are of the same colours ; the feathers of the back
and scapulars are nearly black in the middle, edged and
deeply indented with pale rust colour, or light grey.
The breast, belly, and the lower part of the back are dull
white, the latter thinly spotted with black, and the two
former with oblong strokes more thickly set, of the same

&4f BRITISH BIRDS,

colour. The quill feathers are black, the Inner webs
crossed or spotted with white : the tail is barred with
black, on a white ground tinged with red : the thighs
are bare about half way above the knees, of a bluish co-
lour, and the toes are thick, and flat on the under side^
being furnished with membraneous edgings on each side
to the claws.

These birds differ much in size, as well as In the dif-
ferent shades of their plumage, some of them weighing
not more than twenty-two ounces, and others as much as
thirty-seven. In the plumage of some the white parts
are much more distinct and clear than in others, which
are more uniformly grey, and tinged with pale brown.

The female is so nearly like the male, that any parti-
cular description of her is unnecessary : she makes her
nest upon the ground, in a dry tuft of rushes or grass, of
such withered materials as are found near, and lays four
eggs of a greenish cast, spotted with brown.

The Curlew is met with by travellers in most parts of
Europe, from Iceland to the Mediterranean Islands. In
Britain their summer residence is upon the large, heathy,
boggy moors, where they breed. Their food consists of
worms, flies, and inserts, which they pick out of the soft
mossy ground by the marshy pools, which are common
in such places. In winter they depart to the sea-side,
where they are seen in great numbers, and then live up-
on the worms, marine inse<Sts, and other fishy substances
•which they pick up on the beach, and among the loose
rocks and pools left by the retiring tide. The flesh of
the Curlew has been characterised by some as very good,
and of a fine flavour j by others as dire<Slly the reverse :

BRITISH BIRDS.

65

the truth Is, that while they are in health and season, and
live on the moors, scarcely any bird can excel them in
goodness ; but when they have lived some time on the
sea-shore, they acquire a rank amd fishy taste.

. THE WHIMBREL.

{Scolopax PhaopuS) Lin. — Le petit Courilsf Buff.)

The Whimbrel is only about half the size of the Cur-
lew, which it very nearly resembles in shape, the colours
-of its plumage, and manner of living. It is about seven-
t^een inches in length, and twenty-nine in breadth, and
weighs about fourteen ounces. The bill is about three
inches long, the upper mandible black, the under one
pale red. The upper part of the head is black, divided
in the middle of the crown by a white line from the
brow to the hinder part : between the bill and the eyes
there is a darkish oblong spot ; the sides of the head, the

66

BRITISH BIRDS.

^eck, and breast, are of a pale brown, marked with nar-
row dark streaks pointing downwards : the belly is of the
same colour, but the dark streaks upon it are larger ;
about the vent it is quite white ; the lower part of the
back is also white. The rump and tail feathers are bar-
red with black and white ; the shafts of the quills are
white, the outer .webs totally black, but the Inner ones
marked with large white spots : the secondary quills are
spotted in the same manner on both the inner and outer
webs. The legs and feet are of the same shape and co-
lour as those of the Curlew.

The Whimbrel is not so commonly seen on the sea-
shores of this country as the Curlew ; it is also more re-
tired and wild, ascending to the highest mountain heaths
in spring and summer to feed and rear its young.

.<jJ!tr7

BRITISH BIRDS. ,67

OF THE SNIPE.

The bill is long, straight, narrow, flexible, and rather
blunt at the tip *, the nostrils are linear, and lodged in a
furrow ; the tongue is pointed and slender ; the toes di-
vided, or very slightly connected, and the back toe very
small.

This division of the numerous Scolopax genus of Lin-
naeus amounts, according to Latham, to about twenty
species, besides varieties, of which only the Woodcocl^
Common Snipe, and Judcock, and their varieties, are
accounted British Birds.

Pennant has placed the Woodcock after the Curlews
as the head of the Godwits and Snipes ; and others are
of opinion that the Knot, from the similarity of its figure
to that of the Woodcock, ought to be classed in this tribe.
In these subdivisions ornithologists may vary their classifi-
cations without end. As in a chain doubly suspended,
the rings of which gradually diminish towards the mid-
dle, the leading features of some particular bird may-
point it out as a head to a tribe ; others from similarity of
shape, plumage, or habits, will form, by almost imper-
ceptible variations, the connecting Unks ; and those which
may be said to compose the curvature of the bottom, by
gradations equally minute, will rise to the last ring of the
other end, which, as the head of another tribe, will be
marked with characters very different from the first.

^ J

68

BRITISH BIRDS,

THE WOODCOCK.

{^Scolopax Rujlicohi Lin. — La Becajfcy BufF.)

The Woodcock measures fourteen inches in length,
and twenty-six in breadth, and generally weighs about
twelve ounces. The shape of the head is remarkable,
being rather triangular than round, with the eyes placed
near the top, and the ears very forward, nearly on a line
\vith the corners of the mouth. The upper mandible,
which measures about three inches, is furrowed nearly its
whole length, and at the tip it projects beyond and hangs
over the under one, ending in a kind of knob, which, like
those of others of the same genus, is susceptible of the
finest feeling, and calculated by that means, aided, per-
haps, by an acute smell, to find the small worms in the
soft moist grounds, from whence it extracts them with its
sharp-pointed tongue. With the bill it also turns over

BRITISH BIRDS. e«X

and tosses the fallen leaves in search of the insedls which
shelter underneath. The crown of the head is of an ash
colour ; the nape and back part of its neck black, marked
with three bars of rusty red : a black line extends from
the corners of tlie mouth to the eyes, the orbits of which
are pale buff; the whole under parts are yellowish white,
numerously barred with dark waved lines. The tail con-
sists of twelve feathers, which, like the quills, are black,
and indented across with reddish spots on the edges : the
tip is ash coloured above, and of a glossy white below.
The legs are short, feathered to the knees, and, in some,
are of a bluish cast, in others, of a sallow flesh colour.
The upper parts of the plumage are so marbled, spotted,
barred, streaked, and variegated, that to describe them
with accuracy would be difficult and tedious. The co-
lours, consisting of black, white, grey, ash, red, brown,
rufous, and yellow, are so disposed in rows, crossed and
broken at intervals by lines and marks of different shapes,
that the whole seems to the eye, at a little distance,
blended together and confused, which makes the bird ap-
pear exa(Slly like the withered stalks and leaves of ferns,
sticks, moss, and grasses, which form the back ground of
the scenery by which it is sheltered in its moist and soli-
tary retreats. The sportsman only, by being accustomed
to it, is enabled to discover it, and his leading marks are
its full dark eye, and glossy silver-white tipped tail. In
plumage the female differs very little from the male, and
like most other female birds, only by being less brilliant
in her colours.

The flesh of the Woodcock is held in very high estima-
tion, and hence it is eagerly sought after by the sports-
man. It is hardly necessary to notice, that in cooking

I 2

70 BRITISH BIRDS.

it, the entrails are not drawn, but roasted within the bird,
whence they drop out with the gravy upon slices- of
toasted bread, and are relished as a delicious kind of
sauce.

The Woodcock is migratory, and in different seasons
3S said to inhabit every climate : it leaves the countries
bordering upon the Baltic in the autumn and setting in
of winter, on its route to this country. They do not
come in large flocks, but keep dropping in upon our
shores singly, or sometimes in pairs, from the beginning
of 0(Slober till December. They must have the instinc-
tive precaution of landing only in the night, or in dark
misty weather, for they are never seen to arrive ; but are
frequently discovered the next morning in any ditch
which afl:brds shelter, and particularly after the extraor-
dinary fatigue occasioned by the adverse gales which they
eften have to encounter in their aerial voyage. They do
not remain near the shores to take their rest longer than
a day, but commonly lind themselves sufficiently recruit-
ed in that time to proceed Inland, to the very same haunts
which they left the preceding season.* In temperate
weather they retire to the mossy moors, and high bleak
mountainous parts of the country ; but as soon as the frost
sets in, and the snows begin to fall, they return to lower
and warmer situations, where they meet with boggy

* In the winter of 1797, the gamekeeper of E. M. Pleydell,
Esq. of Whatcombe, in Dorsetshire, brought him a Woodcock,
which he had caught in a net set for rabbits, alive and unhurt.
Mr P. scratched the date upon a bit of thin brass, and bent it
round the Woodcock's leg, and let it fly. In December the next
year, Mr Pleydell shot this bird with the brass about its leg, in the
very same wood where it had been first caught by thegamekeeper*
(Communicated bj Sir John Trcvel^^an^ Bart.}

BRITISH BIRDS. 71

grounds and springs, and little oozing mossy rills which
are rarely frozen, and seek the shelter of close bushes of
holly, furze, and brakes in the woody glens, or hollow
dells which are covered with underwood : there they re-
main concealed during the day, and remove to different
haunts and feed only in the night. From the beginning
of March to the end of that month, or sometimes to the
middle of April, they all keep drawing towards the coasts,
and avail themselves of the first fair wind to- return to
their native woods : should it happen to continue long to
blow adversely, they are thereby detained ; and as their
numbers insrease, they are more easily found and destroy^
ed by the merciless sportsman.

The female makes her nest on the ground, generally
at the root or stump of a decayed tree j it is carelessly
formed of a few dried fibres and leaves, upon which she
lays four or five eggs, larger than those of a Pigeon, of a
rusty grey colour, blotched and marked with dusky spots.
The young leave the nest as soon as they are freed from
the shell, but the parent birds continue to attend and as-
sist them until they can provide for themselves. Buffon
says they sometimes take a weak one under their throat,
and convey it more than a thousand paces.

Latham mentions three varieties of British Woodcocks :
in the first, the head is of a pale red, body white, and
the wings brown ; the second is of a dun, or rather cream
colour ; and the third of a pure white.* Dr Heysham, in

* A white Woodcock was seen three succesive winters in Pen-
rice wood, near Penrice Castle, in Glamorganshire : it v^-^as re-
peatedly flushed and shot at during that time, in the very same
place where it was first discovered : at last it was found dead,
with several others which had perished by the severity of the
weather, in the winter of 1793. This account, which was com-

72 BRITISH BIRDS.

his Catalogue of Cumberland Animals, mentions his
having met with one, the general colour of which was a
fine pale ash, with frequent bars of a very delicate ru-
fous : tail brown, tipped with white ; and the bill and
legs flesh colour. In addition to these, some other varie-
ties are taken notice of by the late Marmaduke Tunstall,
Esq. of WyclifFe, in his interleaved books of ornithology.

Latham and Pennant assert, that some Woodcocks de-
viate from the course which Nature seems to have taught
their species, by remaining throughout the year, and
breeding in this country ; and this assertion Mr Tunstall
corroborates by such a number of well- authenticated in-
stances, that the faft is unquestionable.

When the Woodcock is pursued by the sportsman, its
flight is very rapid, but short, as it drops behind the first
suitable sheltering coppice with great suddenness, and in
order to elude discovery, runs swiftly off, in quest of
some place where it may hide itself in greater security.

To describe the various methods which are pra<Sl:ised
by fowlers to catch this bird, would be tedious ; but it
may not be improper to notice those most commonly in
use, and against which it does not seem to be equally on
its guard as against the gun. It is easily caught in the
nets, traps, and springes which are placed in its accus-
tomed runs or paths, as its suspicions are all lulled into
security by the silence of the night ; and it will not fly
or leap over any obstacles which are placed in its way,
while it is in quest of its food ; therefore, in those places,

municated to the author by Sir John Trevelyan, Bart, on the au-
thority of the Rev. Dr Hunt, proves not only the existence of
white Woodcocks, but also the truth of the assertion, that the
haunts of this bird are the same year after year.

BRITISH BIRDS. 73

barriers and avenues formed of sticks, stones, &c. are
constructed so as to iveir it into the fatal openings, where
it is entrapped : in like manner, a low fence made of the
tops of broom stuck into the ground, across the wet fur-
row of a field, or a runner from a spring which is not
frozen, is sufficient to stay its progress, and to make it
seek from side to side for an opening through which it
might pass ; and there it seldom escapes the noose that is
set to secure it.

At the root of the first quill in each wing is a small-
pointed narrow feather, very elastic, and much sought af-
ter by painters, by whom it is used as a pencil. A
feather of a similar kind is found in the whole of this
tribe, and also in every one of the Tringas and Plovers
which the author has examined. The annexed figure
represents a scapular feather of the Woodcock.

THE GREAT SNIPE.

(Scolopax Media,)

Latham gives the following description of this bird :
*< Size between the Woodcock and Snipe : weight eight
ounces : length sixteen inches : bill four inches long, and
like that of the Woodcock : crown of the head black, di-

74- BRITISH BIRD'S.

vided downthe middle by a pale stripe : over and beneath
€acli eye another of the same: the upper parts of the
body very like the Common Snipe : beneath white.: the
feathers edged with dusky black on the neck, breast, and
sides ; and those of the belly spotted with the same, but
the middle of it is plain v/hite : quills dusky : tail red-
dish, the two middle feathers plain, the others barred
with black : legs black." He adds, " This is a rare
species. A fine specimen of it was shot in Lancashire,
now in the Leverian museum •, said also to have been met
with in Kent."*

* The author has seen three specimens of a large kind of Snipe
called, by some sportsmen, from being always found alone, the
Solitary Snipe. They weighed the same as the above-mentioned,
but differed in sc«ne slight particulars, measuring only twelve
inches in length, and from tip to. tip about nineteen. The upper
parts of the plumage were nearly like those of the Common
Snipe : the breast, sides, belly, and vent white, spotted, barred,
and undulated with black. It is not clearly ascertained whether
this be a distinct species of Snipe, or whether it acquires its bulk
and change of plumage from age, and its solitary habits from ceas-
ing to breed.

BRITISH BIRDS,

ts

THE COMMON SNIPE.

SNITE, OR HEATHER-BLEATER.
{^Scobpax GaUinago, lAn. — La Becajfine^ Buff.)

The Common Snipe is generally about four ounces in
weight, and measures twelve inches in length, and four-
teen in breadth. The bill is nearly three inches long :j
in some pale brown, in others greenish yellow, rather flat
and dark at the tip, and very smooth in the living bird ;
but it soon becomes dimpled like the end of a thimble,
after the bird is dead : the head is divided lengthwise by
three reddish or rusty white lines, and two of black ; <3ne
of the former passes along the middle of the crown, and
one above each eye : a darkish mark is extended from
the corners of the mouth nearly to each eye, and the au-
riculars form spots of the same colour : the chin and fore
part of the neck are yellowish white, the former plain,
the latter spotted with brown. The scapulars are ele-
gantly striped lengthwise on one web^ and barred on the

76 BRITISH BIRDS.

otlier with black and yellow : the quills are dusky, the
edge of the primaries, and tips of the secondaries, white,
those next to the back barred with black, and pale ru-
fous : the breast and belly are white : the tail coverts are
of a reddish brown, and so long as to cover the greater
part of it : the tail consists of fourteen feathers, the webs
of which, as far as they are concealed by the coverts, are
dusky, thence downward, tawny or rusty orange, and ir-
regularly marked or crossed with black. The tip is
commonly of a pale reddish yellow, but in some speci-
mens nearly white : the legs are pale green.*

The common residence of the Snipe is in small bogs
or wet grounds, where it is almost constantly digging and
nibbling in the soft mud, in search of its food, which con-
sists chiefly of a very small kind of red transparent worm,
about half an inch long ; it is said also to eat slugs, and
the inserts and grubs of various kinds, which breed
in great abundance in those slimy stagnant places. In
these retreats, when undisturbed, the Snipe walks leisirre-
ly, with its head erect, and at short intervals keeps mov-
ing the tail. But in this state of tranquillity it is very
rarely to be seen, as it is extremely watchful, and per-
ceives the sportsman or his dog at a great distance, and
instantly conceals itself among the variegated withered
herbage, so similar in appearance to its own plumage,
that it is almost impossible to discover it while squatted
motionless in its seat : it seldom, however, waits the near

* Mr Tunstall mentions a " very curious pied Snipe which was
shot in Bottley meadow, near Oxford, September 8, 1789, by a
Mr Court : its throat, breast, back and wings were beautifully
covered or streaked with white, and on its forehead was a star of
the natural colour ; it had also a ring round the neck and the tail,
with the tips of the wings of the same colour.''

BRITISH BIRDS. 77

approach of any person, particularly in open weather, but
commonly springs, and takes flight at a distance beyond
the reach of the gun. When first disturbed, it utters a
kind of feeble whistle, and generally flies against the
wind, turning nimbly in a zigzag direction for two or
three hundred paces, and sometimes soaring almost out
of sight *, its note is then something like the bleating of
a goat, but this is changed to a singular humming or
drumming noise, uttered in its descent.

From its vigilance and manner of flying, it is one of
the most difficult birds to shoot. Some sportsmen can
imitate their cries, and by that means draw them within
reach of their shot ; others, of a less honourable descrip-
tion, prefer the more certain and less laborious method
of catching them in the night by a springe like that which
is used for the Woodcock.

The Snipe is migratory, and is met with in all coun-
tries : like the Woodcock, it shuns the extremes of heat
and cold, by keeping upon the bleak moors in summer,
and seeking the shelter of the vallies in winter. In severe
frosts and storms of snow, driverrby the extremity of the
weather, they seek the unfrozen boggy places, runners
from springs, or any open streamlet of water, and they
are sure to be found, often in considerable numbers, in
these places, where they sometimes sit till nearly trodden
upon before they will take their flight.

Although it is well known that numbers of Snipes leave
Great Britain in the spring, and returrf in the autumn,
yet it is equally well ascertained that many constantly re-
main and breed in various parts of the country, for their
nests and young ones have been so often found as to leave
no doubt of this fact. The fem.ale makes her nest in the

k2

'9

BRITISH BIRDS.

most retired and inaccessible part of the morass, generally
under the stump of an alder or willow ; it is composed of
withered grasses and a few feathers: her eggs, four or
five in. number, are of an oblong shape, and of a greenish
colour, with rusty spots. The young ones run off soon
after they are freed from the shell, but they are attended
hy the parent birds until their bills have acquired a sufit-
cient firmness to enable them to provide for themselves.
The Snipe is a very fat bird, but its fat does not cloy,
and very rarely disagrees even with the weakest stomach.
It is much esteemed as a delicious and well-flavoured
dish,, and is cooked in the same manner as the Woodcock.

BRITISH BIRDS.

79

THE JUDCOCK.

JACK SNIPE, GID, OR JETCOCK.
{^Scolopax Gallinula, LXn.-^La petite Becafftne, Buff.)

The Judcock, in its figure and plumage, nearly re-
sembles the Common Snipe ; but it is only about half its
weight, seldom exceeding two ounces, or measuring more,
from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail, than eight
inches and a half. The bill is black at the tip, and light
towards the base, and rather more than an inch and a
half in length. A black streak divides the head length-
wise from the base of the bill to the nape of the neck ;
and another, of a yellowish colour, passes over each eye
to the hinder part of the head : in the midst of this,
above the eye, is a narrow black stripe running parallel
with the top of the head from the crown to the nape.
The neck is white, spotted with brown and pale red.
The scapulars and tertials are very long and beautiful ;
on their exterior edges they are bordered with a stripe of

80

BRITISH BIRDS.

yellow, and tile inner webs are streaked and marked with
bright rust colour on a deep brown, or rather bronze
ground, reflecting in different lights a shining purple or
green. The quills are dusky. The rump is of a glossy
violet or bluish purple ; the belly and vent white. The
tail consists of twelve pointed feathers of a dark brown,
edged with rust colour : the legs are of a dirty or dull
green.

The Judcock is of nearly the same character as the
Snipe ; it feeds upon the same kinds of food, lives and
breeds in the same swamps and marshes, and conceals itself
from the sportsman with as great circumspection, among
the rushes or tufts of coarse grass. It, however, differs in
this particular, that it seldom rises from its lurking place
until it is almost trampled upon, and, when flushed, does
not fly to so great a distance. It is as much esteemed as
the Snipe, and is cooked in the same manner.

The eggs are not bigger than those of a lark ; in other
respedls they are very like those of the Snipe.

BRITISH BIRDS.

81

THE KNOT,

KNUTE, OR KNOUT.
{Tr'inga Canutus, Lin. — Le Cantit, BufF.)

These birds, like others of the same genus, diiFer con-
siderably from each other in their appearance, in differ-
ent seasons of the year, as well as from age and sex.
The specimen from which the above drawing was taken,
measured from the point of the bill to the tip of the tail,
eight inches and a half, the extended wings about fifteen,
and it weighed two ounces eight drachms : the bill was
one inch and three-eighths long, black at the tip, and
dusky, fading into orange towards the base ; tongue of
nearly the same length, sharp and horny at the point ;
sides of the head, neck, and breast, cinereous, edged with
ash-coloured grey ; the chin white, and a stroke of the
same colour passed over each eye. All the upper parts
of the plumage were darkish brown, but more deep and
glossy on the crown of the head, back and scapulars, and

82 BRITISH BIRDS.

each feather was edged with ash or grey : the under parts
were a cream-coloured white, streaked or spotted with
brown on the sides and vent ; the greater coverts of the
wings tipped with white, which formed a bar across them
when extended : the legs reddish yellow, and short, not
measuring more than two inches and one-eighth from the
middle toe nail to the knee ; the thighs feathered very
nearly to the knes ; toes divided without any conne(Sting
membrane.

This bird is caught in Lincolnshire and the other fenny
counties, in great numbers,* by nets, into which it is de-
coyed by carved wooden figures, painted to represent it-
self, and placed within them, much in the same way as
the Ruff. It is also fattened for sale, and esteemed by
many equal to the Ruff in the delicacy of its flavour.
The season for taking it is from August to November,
after which the frost compels it to disappear.

This bird is said to have been a favourite dish with
Canute, king of England j and Camden observes, that its
jiame is derived from his — Knute, or Knout, as he was
called, which, in process of time, has been changed to
Knot.

* Pennant savs fourteen dozen have been taken at once.

BRITISH BIRDS. 8S

OF THE GODJVIT.

BuFFON enumerates eight species of this division of
the Scolopax genvLSf under the name of Barges, including
the foreign kinds ; and Latham makes out the same
number of different sorts, all British. They are a timid,
shy, and solitary tribe ; their mode of subsistence con-
strains them to spend their lives amidst the fens, search-
ing for their food in the mud and wet soil, where they
remain during the day, shaded and hidden among reeds
and rushes, in that obscurity which their timidity makes
them prefer. They seldom remain above a day or two
in the same place ; and it often happens that in the morn-
ing not one is to be found in those marshes where they
were numerous the evening before. They remove in a
flock in the night, and when there is moonlight, may be
seen and heard passing at a vast height. Their bills are
long and slender, and, like the Common Snipe's, are
smooth and blunt at the tip : their legs are of various co-
lours, and long. When pursued by the sportsman, they
run with great speed, are very restless, spring at a great
distance, and make a scream as they rise. Their voice
is somewhat extraordinary, and has been compared to
the smothered bleating of a goat. They delight in salt
marshes, and are rare in countries remote from the sea.
Their flesh is delicate and excellent food.

. L

S4

BRITISH BIRD&.

THE GODWIT.

COMMON GODWIT, GODWYN, YARWHELP, OR YARWHIP,
{^Scolopax agocephala, Lin. — La grande Barge grlfe, BufF.)

The weight of this bird is about twelve ounces ; length
about sixteen inches. The bill is four inches long, and
bent a little upwards, black at the point, gradually soften-
ing into a pale purple towards the base *, a whitish streak
passes from the bill over each eye : the head, neck, back,
scapulars, and coverts, are of a dingy reddish pale brown,
each feather marked down the middle with a dark spot.
The fore part of the breast is streaked with black ; the
belly, vent, and tail are white, the latter regularly barred
with black : the webs of the first six quill feathers are
black, edged on the interior sides with reddish brown i.
the legs are in general dark coloured, inclining to a
greenish blue.

BRITISH BIRDS.

S5

The Godwit'is met with in various parts of Europe,
Asia, and America: in Great Britain, in the spring and
summer, it resides in the fens and marshes, where it rear^
*its young, and feeds upon small worms and insedts.
During these seasons it removes only from one marsh
to another *, but when the winter sets in with severity, it
seeks the salt. marshes end the sea-shores.

The Godwit is much esteemed, by epicures, as a great
delicacy, and sells very high. It is caught in nets, to
which it is allured by a stale, or stuffed bird, in the same
mani^er, and in the same season, as the Ruffs and Reeveii.

THE RED GODWIT,

OR, RED-BREASTED GODWIT.
(Scolopax Lapponka, Lin. — La Barge Roujfe, BuiF.)

This bird exceeds the Common Godwit in size, and
is distinguished from it by the redness of its plumage ;

h 2

S6 BRITISH BIRDS.

in other respe£ls its general appearance and manner of
living are nearly the same. It measures eighteen inches
in length, and weighs about twelve ounces. The bill is
nearly four inches long, slightly turned upwards, dark at
the tip, and of a dull yellowish red towards the base.
The predominant colour of the head, upper part of the
shoulders, breast and sides, is a bright ferruginous or
rusty red, streaked on the head with brown, and on the
breast and sides barred or marbled with dusky, cinereous,
and white ; the neck plain dull rusty red. The back,
•scapulars, greater and lesser coverts, are ash-coloured
brown ; on the former two, some of the feathers are bar-
red and streaked with black and rust colour, and edged
with pale reddish white. The rump is white ; the mid-
dle of the belly, and the vent, the same, slightly spotted
with brown : a bar of white is formed across each wing
by the tips of the greater coverts. The exterior webs,
and tips of the primary quills, are of a dark brown co-
lour, and the interior webs are white towards their base.
In some specimens the tail is barred with black, or dark
brown, upon a pale rufous ground ; in others it is plain
dark brown, with light tips and edges. The legs are
dusky, and bare a long space above the knees.

Mr Pennant, in his Arftic Zoology, says, " these birds
are found in the north of Europe, and about the Caspian
Sea, but never in Siberia, or any part of Northern Asia."
According to Latham, they are plentiful in the fens about
Hudson's Bay, in America. They are not very common
in Great Britain. It is praised by those who have eaten
it, as a very well-tasted and delicious bird.

There is reason to suppose that Buffon has described
the male and female Red Godwits as two distinct species.

BRITISH BIRDS. «y

In his Planches Enlumineesy the Barge Rotisse is the fe-
male, and the Grande Barge Rousse, the male, Red God-
wit. The colours are the same in both, but the feathers
of the female are not so variegated, clouded and barred,
being of a more uniform rufous, or rust colour, on the
head, neck, breast, and belly, and on the upper parts of
a more plain brown. His descriptions agree with tlie
foregoing, except that the tail of his Grande Barge Rousse
is plain brown, and that of the specimen from which the
above drawing was made, is barred with rust colour.

The foregoing figure and description were taken from
a bird in full plumage, sent to the author by the Rev. J.
Davies, senior fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, to
whom he is indebted for most of the fen birds.

THE CINEREOUS GODWIT.

This species, as well as several others of the same ge-
nus, seems to be very imperfe<5tly known, or ascertained :
the slight shades of difference in their size and plumage,
probably occasioned only by age or sex, there is cause to
suspe^l may have led nomenclators, in their over anxiety
to add new species to their numbers, into errors ; but,
however this may be, the author will leave the matter as
it stands at present, to be elucidated by sportsmen and
ornithologists ; and as he has never seen this or the two
following kinds, he presents only the descriptions of
others. Latham says it is the " size of the Greenshank.
Bill two inches and a half long, but thicker than in that
bird : the head, neck, and back variegated with ash co-
lour and white : tail slightly barred with cinereous : throat
and breast white j the last marked with a few ash-colour-

gS BRITISH BIRDS.

ed spots : legs long, slender, and ash-coloured." He
mentions one as having been shot near Spalding, in Lin-
colnshire. Pennant says, " it is about the size of the
Greenshank, which it nearly resembles in its colours,
but the bill is so much thicker, as to form a specific dis-
tin(Etion.'*

THE CAMBRIDGE GODWIT.

*« Larger than the Common Redshank. Head, up-
per part of the neck, and back, cinereous brown : lesser
wing coverts brown, ed^ed with dull white, and barred
with black : primaries dusky, whitish on their inner sides ;
secondaries barred, dusky and white : underside of the
neck and breast, dirty white : belly and vent, white : tail
barred, cinereous and black : legs orange : shot near
Cambridge." Latham,

THE LESSER GODWIT.

SECOND SORT OF GODWIT, OR JADREKA SNIPE.
{Scolopax limofa, Lin. — La Barge f BaiF.)

« Length seventeen inches : weight nine ounces.
Bill near four inches long, dusky, the base yellowish;
irides white : the head and neck are cinereous : cheeks
and chin white : back, brown : on the wings, a line of
white : vent and rump, white : two middle tail feathers,
black -, the others, white at the ends, which increases on
the outer feathers, so as the exterior ones are white for
nearly the whole length : legs, dusky. This inhabits
Iceland, Greenland, and Sweden. Migrates in flocks in
the south of Russia. Seen about Lake Baikal : and is
said also to have been met with in England." Latham,

BRITISH BIRDS.

S9

THE GREENSHANK.

GREEN-SHANKED GODWIT, OR GREEN-LEGGED HORSE-
MAN.

{^Scolopax glottlsy Lin. — La Barge variee, Buff.)

The Greenshank is of a slender and elegant shape,
and its weight small in proportion to its length and di-
mensions, being only about six ounces, although it mea-
sures from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail four-
teen inches, and to the toes twenty ; and from tip to tip
of the wings, twenty-five. The bill is about two inches
and a half long, straight and slender, the upper mandible
black, the under reddish at its base. The upper parts of
its plumage are pale brownish ash colour, but each feather
is marked down the shaft with a glossy bronze brown :
the under parts, and rump, are of a pure white : a whitish
streak passes over each eye : the quill feathers are dusky,
plain on the outer webs, but the inner ones are speckled
with tvhite spots : the tail is white, crossed with dark

90

BRITISH BIRDS.

waved bars : the legs are long, bare about two inches
above the kne^s, and of a dark green colour : the outer
toe is connected by a membrane to the middle one as far
as the first joint.

This species is not numerous in England, but they ap-
pear in small flocks, in the winter season, on the sea-
shores and the adjacent marshes ; their summer residence
is in the northern regions of Russia, Siberia, &c. where
they are said to be in great plenty •, they are also met
with in various parts of both Asia and America. Their
flesh, like all the rest of this genus, is well-flavoured,
and esteemed good eating.

The above figure and description were taken from a
stuffed specimen in the WyclifFe museum.

THE SPOTTED REDSHANK.

RED-LEGGED GODWIT, SPOTTED SNIPE, OR BARKER.
(Scolopax TotanuSi Lin. — Le Chevalier rouge^ Buff.)

The length of this bird, from the tip of the bill to the

BRITISH BIRDS. 91

end of the tail, Is twelve indies, and to the end of the
toes fourteen inches and a half; its breadth twenty-one
inches and a quarter, and its weight about five ounces
two drachms, avoirdupoise. The bill is slender, mea-
sures two inches and a half from the corners of the mouth
to the tip, and is, for half its length, nearest the base,
red ; the other part black : irides hazel : the head, neck,
breast, and belly are spotted in streaks, mottled and bar-
red with dingy ash brown and dull white, darker on the
crown and hinder part of the neck : the throat is white,
and lines of the same colour pass from the upper sides of
the beak over each eye, from the corners of which two
brown ones are extended to the nostrils : the ground co-
lour of the shoulders, scapulars, lesser coverts, and tail,
is a glossy olive brown, — the feathers on all these parts
are indented on the edges, more or less, with triangular-
shaped white spots. The back is white ; the rump bar-
red with waved lines of ash-coloured brown, and dingy
white : the vent feathers are marked nearly in the same
manner, but with a greater portion of white : the tail and
coverts are also barred with narrow waved lines, of a dull
ash colour, and, in some specimens, are nearly black and
white. Five of the primary quills are dark brown,
tinged with olive ; the shaft of the first quill is white ;
the next six are, in the male, rather deeply tipped with
white, and slightly spotted and barred with brown : the
secondaries, as far as they are uncovered, when the wings
are extended, are of the same snowy whiteness as the
back. The feathers which cover the upper part of the
thighs, and those near them, are blushed with a reddish
or vinous colour : the legs are of a deep orange red, and

. M

9-2

BRITISH BIRDS.

measure, from the end of the middle toe nail to the up-
per bare part of the thigh, five inches and a half.

A stuffed specimen of this elegant-looking bird, from
which the figure and description were taken, was the
gift of Mr Riddiough, of Ormskirk : another of these
birds, in perfe<Sl plumage, was shot by Mr John Bell, of
Alemouth, merchant, in September, 1801 j it differed
from the former in being more sparingly spotted with
white on the upper parts, and in its breast, belly, and the
inside of the wings, being of a snowy whiteness, and its
sides, under the wings, more delicately spotted with pale-
brown.

BRITISH BIRDS.

93

'-'«<*?>■ ,^^
"-■ii^-2^

--I-V^ ^^r

THE REDSHANK.

RED-LEGGED HORSEMAN, POOL SNIPE, OR
SAND COCK.

[Scoiopax Calidris, Lin. — Le Chevalier aux P'lcds Rouges, BufF.)

This bird weighs about five ounces and a half: its
length is twelve inches, and the breadth twenty-one.
The bill, from the tip to the corners of the mouth, is
more than an inch and three-quarters long, black at the
point, and red towards the base : the feathers on the
crown of the head are dark brown, edged with pale ru-
fous ; a light or whitish line passes over, and encircles
each eye, from the corners of which a dark brown spot
is extended to the beak : irides hazel : the hinder part
of the neck is obscurely spotted with dark brown, on a
rusty ash-coloured ground ^ the throat and fore part are
more distlnflly marked or streaked with spots of the same
colour : on the breast and belly, which are white, tinged
with ash, the spots are thinly distributed, and are shaped

m2

§4t BRITISH BIRDS.

something like the heads of arrows or darts. The gene-
ral appearance of the upper parts of the plumage is glossy
X)\\ve brown ; some of the feathers are quite plain, others
spotted on the edges with dark brown, and those on the
shoulders, scapulars, and tertials are transversely marked
■with the same coloured waved bars, on a pale rusty
ground : the bastard wing and primary quills are dark
brown •, the inner webs of the latter are deeply edged
with white, freckled with brown, and some of those quills
next the secondaries are elegantly marked, near their
tips, with narrow brown lines, pointed and shaped to the
form of e^h feather : some of the secondaries are barred
in nearly the same manner, others are white : back white ;
the tail feathers and coverts are beautifully marked with
alternate bars of dusky and white, the middle ones slight-
ly tinged with rust colour : legs red, and measure from
the end of the toes to the upper bare part of the thigh,
four inches and a half.

This species is of a solitary chara£ler, being mostly seen
alone, or in pairs only. It resides the greater part of the
year in the fen countries, in the wet and marshy grounds,
where it breeds and rears its young. It lays four eggs,
whitish, tinged with olive, and marked with irregular
spots of black, chiefly on the thicker end. Pennant and
Latham say, " it flies round its nest, when disturbed,
making a noise like a Lapwing." It is not so common
on the sea-shores as several others of its kindred species.
Ornithologists differ much in their descriptions of the
Redshank, and probably have confounded it with others
of the red-legged tribe, whose proper names are yet
wanting, or involved in doubt and uncertainty. Latham,
in his supplement, describes this bird as differing s.o much

BRITISH BIRDS.

95

in its summer and winter dress, and In its weight, as to
appear to be of two distlndl species. There is reason to
believe that several species of the Scolopax and Tringa ge-
nera which have not yet been taken into the list of Bri-
tish birds, appear occasionally in Great Britain, and that
this circumstance, together with the difference of age and
sex, has occasioned much confusion. The figure and
description of this pretty bird were taken from a speci-
men sent by the Rev. J. Davies, of Trinity College,
Cambridge : on comparing it with that figured in the
Planches EnlumineeSy under the title of Z^" Chevalitr raye^
and the striated Sandpiper of Pennant and Latham, the
difference was so slight, that there is no doubt of its hoing
the same species.

96

BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE SANDPIPER,

The tongue is slender ; toes divided, or very slightly
conne£led at the base by a membrane ; hinder toe weak ;
their bills are nearly of the same form as those of the pre-
ceding species, but shorter : their haunts and manner of
life are also very similar. Latham has enumerated thirty-
seven species and nine varieties of this genus, seventeen
of which are British, exclusive of those which in this work
are placed among the Plovers ; but the history and classi-
^fication of this genus are involved in much uncertainty.

THE RUFF.

[Trlnga Pugnax, Lin. — Le Comhattant, Buff.)

The male of this curious species is called the RuiF, and
the female the Reeve : they differ materially in their ex-

BRITISH BIRDS. 97

t€rlor appearance ; and also what is remarkable in wild
birds, it very rarely happens that two Ruffs are alike in
the colours of their plumage.* The singular, wide-spread-
ing, variegated tuft of feathers which, in the breeding
season, grows out of their necks, is different in all. This
tuft or ruff, a portion of which stands up like ears behind
each eye, is in some black, in others black and yellow,
and in others again white, rust colour, or barred with
glossy violet, black and white. They are, however, more
nearly alike in other respedts : they measure about a foot
in length, and two in breadth, and when first taken,
weigh about seven ounces and a half ; the female seldom
exceeds four. The bill is more than an inch long, black
at the tip, and reddish yellow towards the base ; the
irides are hazel : the whole face is covered with reddish
tubercles, or pimples ; the wing coverts are brownish ash
colour : the upper parts and the breast are generally
marked with transverse bars, and the scapulars with
roundish shaped glossy black spots, on a rusty- coloured
ground : quills dusky : belly, vent, and tail coverts
white : the tail is brown, the four middle feathers of it
are barred w^ith black : the legs are yellow. The male
does not acquire the ornament of his neck till the second
season, and, before that time, is not easily distinguished
from the female, except by being larger. After moult-
ing, at the end of June, he loses his ruff and the red tu-
bercles on his face, and from that time until the spring
of the year, he again, in plumage, looks like his mate.

These birds leave Great Britain in the winter, and
are then supposed to associate with others of the Tr'mga

* Buffon says, that Klien compared above a hundred Ruffs to-
gether, and found only two that were similar.

08 BRITISH BIRDS.

genus, among which they are no longer recognized as
the Ruff and Reeve. In the spring as soon as they
arrive again in England, and take up their abode in the
fens where they were bred, each of the males (of which
there appears to be a much greater number than of
females), immediately fixes upon a particular dry or
grassy spot in the marsh, about which he runs round
and round, until it is trodden bare : to this spot it
appears he wishes to invite the female, and waits in.
expectation of her taking a joint possession, and becom-
ing an inmate. As soon as a single female arrives, and
is heard or observed by the males, her feeble cry seems
as if it roused them all to war, for they instantly begin
to fight, and their combats are described as being both
desperate and of long continuance : at the end of the
battle, she becomes the prize of the vi(Slor. * It is at
the time of these battles that they are caught in the
greatest numbers in the nets of the fowlers, who watch for
that opportunity : they are also, at other times, caught
by clap, or day nets, f and are drawn together by means
of a stuffed Reeve, or what is called a stale bird, which
is placed in some suitable spot for that purpose.

* Buffon says, " they not only contend with each other in
single rencounter, but they advance to combat in marshaled
ranks."

f These nets, which are about fourteen yards long, and four
broad, are fixed by the fowler over night : at day-break in the
morning he resorts to his stand, at a few hundred yards distance
from the place, and at a fit opportunity pulls his cord, which
causes his net to fall over and secure the prize. Mr Pennant
says, an old fowler told him he once caught forty- four birds
at one haul, and, in all, six dozen that morning : he also adds,
that a fowler will take forty or fifty dozen in a season. The
females are always set at liberty.

BRITISH BIRDSi 99

The RufF is highly esteemed as a most delicious dish^
and is sought after with great eagerness by the fowlers
who live by catching them and other fen birds, for the
markets of the metropolis, &c. Before they are offered
for sale, they are commonly put up to feed for about a
fortnight, and are during that time fed with boiled
wheat, and bread and milk mixed with hempseed, to
which sugar is sometimes added : by this mode of treat-
ment they become very fat, and ar^ often sold as high
as two shillings and sixpence each. * They are cooked
in the same manner as the Woodcock.

The female, in the beginning of May, makes her nest
in a dry tuft of grass, in the fens, and lays four white
eggs, marked with rusty spots.

These birds are common in the summer season in the
fens of Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, and are also
found in other more northern regions, even as far as
Iceland.

THE SHORE SANDPIPER.

{Trlnga Littoreay Lin. — he Chevalier "carle, Buff.)

Under this name Latham describes this bird, which,
it is said, migrates from Sweden into England at the
approach of winter. He makes it a variety of the last
species, and says it does not differ materially from it.
«« The spots on the back are ferruginous instead of

* In a note communicated by the late George Allan, Esq. of
the Grange, near Darlington, he says, " I dined at the George
inn, Coney-street, York, August 18, 1794, (the race week,}
where four RufFs made one of the dishes at the table, which,
in the bill, were separately charged sixteen shillings." •

. N

100

BRITISH BIRDS.

white: the shaft of the first quill is white, as in the
Green Sandpiper ; and the secondaries have white tips :*
the legs are brown." Brunnich mentions a further variety^
wherein the first quill has a black shaft, and the spots
on the back and wings are less ; and observes, that the^;'
differ in age and sex. f

TFIE GREEN SANDPIPER.

{Tr'inga Ochropus, Lin. — Le Becajfeau, ou Cid-ilanc, BuiF.)

This bird measures about ten inches in length, to the^
end of the toes nearly twelve, and weighs about three
ounces and a half. The bill is black, and an inch and a
half long : a pale streak extends from it over each eye ;
between which and the corners of the mouth, there is a
dusky patch. The crown of the head and hinder part of

* These are marks so common to many of this geniis, that they
cannot be considered as a feature sufficient to distinguish any par»r
ticular species.

f Buffon's figure ia the Planches Enlumlnees differs from thi*
description*

•BRITISH BIRDS.

TlOl

;tli« neck are of a dingy brownish ash colour, m some
specimens narrowly streaked with white : the throat is
white: forepart of the neck mottled or streaked with
brown spots, on a white or pale ash-coloured ground.
The whole upper parts of the plumage are of a glossy
bronze, or olive brown, elegantly marked on the edge of
each feather with small roundish white spots : the quills are
without spots, and are of a darker brown : the secondaries
and tertials are very long : the insides of the wings are
dusky, edged with white grey ; and the inside coverts
next the body are curiously barred, from the shaft of
each feather to the edge, with narrow white lines, formed
nearly of the shape of two sides of a triangle. The belly,
vent, tail coverts, and tail, are white ; the last broadly
barred with black, the middle feathers having four bars,
and those next to them decreasing in the number of bars
towards the outside featliers, which are quite plain : the
legs are green.

This bird is not any where numerous, and is of a soli-
tary disposition, seldom more than a pair being seen to-
gether, and that chiefly in the breeding season. It is a
scarce bird in England, but is said to be more common in
the northern parts of the globe, even as far as Iceland. It
is reported that they never frequent the sea-shores, but
their places of abode are commonly on the margins of the
lakes in the interior and mountainous parts of the country^

102 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GAMBET.

{Tringa gambettat Lin. — La Gambeite, Buff.)

This is the Chevalier Rouge of Brisson, and the Red-
legged Horseman of Albin. For want of a specimen of
this bird, the following description is borrowed from La-
tham : —

«< Size of the Greenshank : length twelve inches. Bill
of a reddish colour, with a black tip : the irides yellowish
green : head, back, and breast cinereous brown, spotted
rwith dull yellow : wing coverts and scapulars cinereous^
edged with dull yellow : prime quills dusky ; shaft of the
first white : tail dusky, bordered with yellow : legs yel-
low.* This inhabits England, but is not common : has
been shot on the coast of Lincolnshire. Known in
France j but is there a rare bird. Has a note not unlike
the whistle of a Woodcock j and the flesh is esteemed.
Inhabits Scandinavia and Iceland ; called in the last Stelkr.
It has also been taken in the frozen sea between Asia and
America."

THE ASH-CGLOURED SANDPIPER.

Tringa Cinerea.

This bird weighs between four and five ounces, and
measures ten inches in length, and about nineteen in
breadth. The whole upper parts of the plumage are of a
brownish ash colour : the head is spotted, and the neck
streaked with dusky lines : the feathers of the back, sca-

* The figure of this bird in the Planches Enluminees of BufFon,
iis.red legged, and also differs in plumage from this description.

BRITISH BIRDS.

103

pulars, and wing coverts, are elegantly marked or bor-
dered on their ridges and tips, witH two narrow lines of
dull white, and dark brown. Some specimens have black
spots on the breast, but most commonly the whole under
parts are pure white: the tail is cinereous, edged with
white, and its coverts are barred with black : legs dirty
green ; toes e^ged with a fine narrow scallopped mem-
brane.

The Ash-coloured Sandpiper, it is said, breeds in the
northern parts of both Europe and America. Pennant
says they appear in vast flocks on the shores of Flintshire
in the winter season ; and Latham, that they are seen in
vast numbers on the Seal-Islands, near Chateaux Bay ;
and also that they breed and remain the whole summer
at Hudson's Bay, where they are called by the natives
Sasqtia pisqua nishish, ,'

-•«fr,*^*

104

BRITISH BIRBS.

THE COMMON SANDPIPER.

(Tringa hypoleucos, Lin. — La Gulgnettey Buff.)

This bird weighs about two ounces, and measures
seven inches and a half in length. The bill is about an
inch long, black at the tip, fading into pale brown
towards the base. The head and hinder part of the
neck are brownish ash, streaked downwards with dark
narrow lines : the throat is white, and a streak of the
same colour surrounds and is extended over each eye :
the cheeks and auriculars are streaked with brown : the
fore part of the neck to the breast is white, mottled and
streaked with spots and lines of a brown colour, pointing
downwards : in some the breast is plain white : belly and
vent white. The ground colour of all the upper parts of
the plumage is ash, blended witli glossy olive bronze
brown : the coverts, scapulars, lower part of the back and
tail coverts, are edged with dull white, and most elegant-
ly marked with transverse dark-coloured narrow waved

BRITISH BIRDS. 105

Knes : the first two quills are plain brown ; the next nine
are marked on the middle of their inner webs, with white
spots ; the secondaries are also marked in the same man-
ner, on both webs, and tipped with white. The tail con-
sists of twelve feathers : the four middle ones are of an
olive brown, dark at the tips -, those next to them, on
each side, are much lighter coloured, mottled with dark
brown, and tipped with white ; the two outside ones are
edged and tipped in the same manner, but are barred on
their webs with dark brown : legs pale dull green, faintly
blushed with red.

This description was taken from a perfect bird, the
present of the right honourable Lord Charles Aynsley,
of Little-Harle Tower, Northumberland, in May, 1798,
By comparing it with other birds, and other descriptions,
(no doubt taken with equal accuracy) the truth of the
observation so often made, that two birds even of the
same species, are very seldom exa6lly alike, will be
proved.

This elegant little bird breeds in this country, but the
species is not numerous ; yet they are frequently seen in
pairs during the summer months •, and are well known
by their clear piping note, by their flight, by jerking up
their tails, and by their manner of running after their in-
se(St prey on the pebbly margins of brooks and rivers.
The female makes her nest in a hole on the ground near
their haunts ; her eggs, commonly five in number, are
much mottled and marked with dark spots, on a yellowish
ground. They leave England in the autumn, but whi-
ther they go is not particularly noticed by ornithologists.
Buffon says they retire far north; and Pennant and La-
tham, that they are met with in Siberia and Kamtschatca,
and are also not uncommon iir North America.

lOS BRITISH BIRDS*

THE BROWN SANDPIPER,

Fufca*

Pennant describes this bird, which, he says, was
bought in the London market, and preserved in the col-
leftion of the late M. Tunstall, Esq. of WycllfFe : —
*' Size of a Jacksnipe : the bill is black : the head, up-
per part of the neck, and back, are of a pale brown>
spotted with black : coverts of the \vings dusky, edged
with dirty white : under side of the neck white, streaked
with black : the belly white : tail cinereous : legs black."

THE GREENWICH SANDPIPER.

Grenovicenjis.

<< Size of the Redshank : weight nearly eight ounces •,
length twelve inches and a half. Bill an inch and a half
long, black : crown of the head reddish brown, streaked
with black : nape, cheeks, and neck, ash colour ; the
middle of the feathers dusky down the shaft : lower part
of the neck and back black ; the feathers margined on
the sides with pale ferruginous, and some of those of the
back at the tips also : chin nearly white : fore part of the
neck very pale ash colour, as far as the breast, which is
of a dusky white : belly, sides, vent, and upper tail co-
verts on each side, and the whole of the under ones,
white : lesser wing coverts ash colour ; the greater, the
same, obscurely margined with pale ferruginous ; greatest
tipped with white •, under wing coverts pure white : prime
quills dusky, the shafts more or less white j secondaries
and scapulars nearly the colour of the back •, the seconda-
ries and primaries very little differing in length : the

BRITISH BIRDS* 107

lower part of the back, rump, and middle of the tail co-
verts, ash colour : tail a little rounded at the end, brownish
ash colour, somewhat mottled with brownish near the
tips, and fringed near to the end with pale ferruginous :
legs dusky olive green, bare an inch above the knee : the
outer and middle toe connected at the base." The bird
from which the above description was taken, was shot by
Dr Leith, at Greenwich, on the 5th of August, 1785,
and sent to Mr Latham, who considered it as a new
species.

THE BLACK SANDPIPER.

Leucura.

<* Size of a Tlirush: the beak short, blunt at the
point, and dusky : nostrils black : the irides yellow : the
head small, and flatted at the top : the colour white, most
elegantly spotted with grey : the neck, shoulders, and
back mottled in the same manner, but darker, being
tinged with brown ; in some lights these parts appeared
of a perfect black, and glossy : the wings were long : the
quill-feathers black, crossed near their base with a white
line : the throat, breast, and belly white, with faint brown
and black spots of a longish form, irregularly dispersed ;
but on the belly become larger and more round : the tail
short, entirely white, except the two middle feathers,
which are black : legs long and slender, and of a reddish
brown colour." This bird was shot in Lincolnshire ; and
the description communicated to Mr Pennant by Mr
Bolton.

. o

lOS

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER,

OR SPOTTED TRINGA.
(Tringa macularia, Lin. — La Grlve d^eaU) BuiF.)

This bird measures about eight inches in length. The
bill is black at the tip, and fades into a reddish colour to-
wards the base ; a white streak is extended over each eye,
and a brownish patch between them and the bill : the
whole upper part of the plumage is of a glossy lightish
brown, with green refle(Stions : the head and neck are
marked with longish small dark spots : on the back, sca-
pulars, and wing coverts the spots are larger, and of a tri-
angular shape : the rump is plain : the greater quills are
dusky ; secondaries tipped with white ; as are also the
greater and lesser coverts, which form two oblique white
lines across the extended wings : the two middle feathers
of the tail are greenish brown ; the side ones white,
crossed with dusky lines : the breast, belly, and vent are
white, but in the female, spotted with brown : legs of a
dirty flesh colour.

BRITISH BIRDS.

109

This species is not common in England. The speci-
men from which the foregoing figure was drawn, was
shot in the month of August, on the bkak moors above
Bellingham, in Northumberland •, and the author is in-
debted for it, and many other fa^^ours of the same kind,
at different times, to Mr John Wingate, of the Westgate,
Newcastle.

^^^^^

THE RED-LEGGED SANDPIPER.

Tringa Erythropus.

This bird measures from the tip of the beak to the
end of the tail, ten inches. The bill is an inch and three -
eighths long, black at the tip, and reddish towards the
base : the crown of the head is spotted with dark brown,
disposed in streaks, and edged with pale brown and grey :
a darkish patch covers the space between the corners of
the mouth and the eyes : the chin is white ; the brow
and cheeks pale brown, prettily freckled with small dark
spots : the hinder part of the neck is composed of a mix-

o 2

110 BRITISH BIRDS.

ture of pale brown, grey and ash, with a few indlstin(3:
dusky spots ; the fore part, and the breast, are white,
clouded with a dull cinnamon colour, and sparingly and
irregularly marked with black spots, refledting a purple
gloss : the shoulder and scapular feathers are black, edged
with pale rust colour, and have the same glossy reflections
as those on the breast : the tertials are nearly of the same
length as the quills, and are marked like the first annexed
figure : the ridges of the wings are a brownish ash co-
lour ; the coverts, back, and rump are nearly the same,
but inclining to olive, and the middle of each feather is
of a deeper dusky brown : the primary quills are deep
olive brown : the exterior webs of the secondaries are al-
so of that colour, but lighter, edged and tipped with
white, and the inner webs are mostly white towards the
base : the tail coverts are glossy black, edged with pale
rust colour, and tipped with white j but in some of them
a streak of white passes from the middle upwards, nearly
the whole length, as in the second figure. The tail fea-
thers are lightish brown, except the two middle ones,
which are barred with large spots of a darker hue : the
belly and vent are white : legs bare above the knees, and
red as sealing-wax ; claws black. The female is less than
the male, and her plumage more dingy and indistinCl :
an egg taken out of her, previous to stuffing,, was sur-
prisingly large, considering her bulk, being about the size
of that of a Magpie, of a greenish white colour, spotted
and blotched with brown, of a long shape, and pointed at
the smaller end.

The foregoing figure and description were taken from
a pair, male and female, which were shot on Rippengale
fen, in Lincolnshire, on the 14th of May, 1799, by Major

BRITISH BIRDS.

Ill

Charles Dilke, of the Warwickshire cavalry, who also
obligingly pointed out several leading features of these
birds, in which they differ materially from the Scolopax
Calidris of Linnaeus, called here the Redshank or Pool-
snipe. He says, " this bird is a constant inhabitant of
the fens, and is known to sportsmen by its singular notes,
which are very loud and melodious, and are heard even
when the bird is beyond the reach of sight."

The description of this bird, which, it seems, is com-
mon in the fen countries, has been more particularly at-
tended to, because It has not been described in any of the
popular works on ornithology ; at least, not so accurate-
ly as to enable a naturalist to distinguish it by the pro-
per name.

112 BRITISH BIRDS,

THE RED SANDPIPER.

ABERDEEN SANDPIPER.
(Tr'tnga Icelandicay Lin.)

Latham describes this bird in the following manner :
« Length from eight to ten inches : bill brown, one mch
and a half long, and a little bent downwards : head, hind-
er part of the neck, and beginning of the back, dusky,
marked with red : fore part of the neck and breast cine-
reous, mixed with rust colour, and obscurely spotted with
black : lesser wing coverts cinereous : quills dusky : se-
condaries tipped with white : the two middle tail feathers
dusky *, the others cinereous : legs long and black." The
same author mentions another variety, which is called by
Pennant the Aberdeen Sandpiper : it has the breast red-
dish brown, mixed with dusky : belly and vent white :
in other respects it is like the Red Sandpiper, of which
it is supposed by Latham to be the female, or a young
bird. He adds, " the Red Sandpiper has appeared in
great flocks on the coasts of Essex : the Aberdeen, in
Scotland. They have also been met with on the coasts
of New York, Labrador, and Nootka Sound ; and are al-
so found in Iceland. In summer they frequent the neigh-
bourhood of the Caspian sea ; and also the river Don.
It is perpetually running up and down on the sandy
banks, picking up inserts and small worms, on which it
feeds."

BRITISH BIRDS.

113

^^^ ?5AH^v -^v^. > «>N\V>, \» ^

THE DUNLIN.

{Tringa /ilpina, Lin. — La Brunette, BufF.)

This bird is nearly of the size of the Judcock, and its
bill is of the same shape, but much shorter in proportion
to the bulk : it may also be easily distinguished anion ^ its
associates, the Purres, Dottrels, SanderHngs, &c. by the
redness of the upper parts of its plumage j the ground
colour of which, from the beak to the rump, is ferrugi-
nous, or rusty red ; but the middle of each feather is black,
and the edges of some of them are narrowly frino-ed with
yellowish white, or ash-coloured grey : in some specimens
the lesser wing coverts are dingy ash -coloured brown ;
in others they are of a clear brown, edged with ferrugi-
nous rather deeply : the quills and greater coverts are dark
brown, the latter deeply tipped with white, which, to-
gether with the bases of the secondaries, forms an oblique
bar across the extended wings : the primaries, except the
first three, are edged on the exterior webs with white ;
their shafts are also mostly white, and each feather is
sharply pencilled and distin<5lly defined with a light co-

lU

BRITISH BIRDS.

lour about the tips : a darkish spot covers each side of the
head from the corners of the mouth, and a pale streak
passes from the bill over each eye : the throat and fore
part of the neck to the breast, are of a yellowish white,
mottled with brown spots : a dusky crescent-shaped patch,
the feathers of which are narrowly edged with white, covers
the breast, the horns pointing towards the thighs :* the
belly and vent are white : the middle tail feathers black,
edged with ferruginous j the others pale ash, edged with
white : legs and thighs black. The female is rather
larger than the male, but in other respects resembles him
pretty nearly.

The above description and figure were taken from a
pair, sent by the Rev. C. Rudston, of Sandhutton, near
York, the 22d of April, 1799 ; and the author has been
favoured with numbers of these and others of the same
genus, by the Rev. H. Cotes, vicar of Bedlington ; not
two of which were exactly alike, probably owing to the
difference of age or sex,

^ In some specimens, supposed to be female, this patch was
wanting.

^i,fk c.

BRITISH BIRDS.

115

THE PURRE,

{Trlnga Cinclus, Lin. — U Alouette de Mer, BufF.)

In the north of England these birds are called Stints,
in other parts, the Least Snipe, Ox-Bird, Ox-Eye, Bull's-
Eye, Sea-Lark, and Wagtail : they generally measure
about seven inches and a half in length, and in breadth
about fourteen ; but sometimes they weigh and measure
rather more. The bill is black, grooved on the sides of
the upper mandible, and about an inch and a quarter in
length : tongue of nearly the same length, sharp and
hard at the point : a whitish line runs from the brow
over each eye, and a brownish one from the sides of the
mouth to the eyes, and over the cheeks : the fore part of
the neck is pale ash colour, mottled with brown ; the
head, hinder part of the neck, upper part of the back,
and the scapulars, are brownish ash colour, but the mid-
dle of the feathers on these parts is dark brown ; hence
there is a more or less mottled and streaked appearance in
different birds. The scapular feathers, next the back,
are deep brown, edged with bright ferruginous j tertials,

. p

116 BRITISH BIRDS.

rump, and tall coverts nearly the same : bastard wing,
primary and secondary quills, deep brown : lesser coverts
brown, edged with yellowish white ; greater coverts of
nearly the same colour, but tipped with white : the
throat, breast, belly, and vent, white : the two middle
feathers of the tail are dusky j the rest ash-coloured i
legs, thighs, and toes black, inclining to green. The fe-
male has not the bright ferruginous -edged feathers on
the upper scapulars, and her whole plumage is more uni-
formly of a brownish ash colour, mixed with grey.

The Purre, with others of the same genus, appears in
great numbers on the sea-shores, in various parts of
Great Britain, during the winter season : they run nimbly
near the edges of the flowing and retiring waves, and
are almost perpetually wagging their tails, whilst they
are at the same time busily employed in picking up their
food, which consists chiefly of small worms and inserts.
On taking flight, they give a kind of scream, and skim
along near the surface or the water with great rapidity^
as well as with great regularity : they do not fly dire£lly
forward, but perform their evolutions in large semicircles,
alternately in their sweep approaching the shore and the
sea, and the curvature of their course is pointed out by
the flock's appearing suddenly and alternately in a dark
or in a snowy white colour, as their backs or their bellies
are turned to or from the spe(Statoir.*

The Purre leaves this country in the spring, but whl-

* It is somewhat remarkable that birds of different species, such
as the Ring-Dotterel, Sanderling, &c. which associate with the
Pun-e, Dunlin, &c. should understand the signal, which, from
their wheeling about altogether with such promptitude and good
order, it would appear is given to the whole flocks

BRITISH BIRDS. 117

ther it retires to breed is not yet known. It is said to be
widely dispersed over both. Europe and America.

By the kindness of his friends the author has been fur-
nished with many of these birds •, and on the most mi-
nute inspection, as has before been noticed in respe£t of
others of this genus, they all differed in a greater or less
degree from each othen*

* In a variety of this species, obligingly presented by George
Strickland, Esq. of Ripon, the bill was bent a little downward ;
and the fore part of the neck and the breast were of a pale reddish
buff colour : in other respects it did not differ materially.

There is reason to suspect that some ornithologists have deno-
minated this bird the Dwarf Curlew ; and probably the Cincle, or
V Alouetie dc Mer, of Buffon, and the variety of the Pun-e, de-
scribed by Latham, only differ from the specimen whence the
above di-awing was taken, in age or sex.

i=?^:^.7i-l . *^*r^^f 1-^^^

t2

118

JBRITISH BIRDS.

THE LITTLE STINT.

LITTLE -SANDPIPER, OR LEAST SNIPE.
{Tringa puftlla, Lin. — La petite Alomtte de Mer, BrifTon.)

This bird, the least of the Sandpiper tribe, in its figure
and plumage nearly resembles the last two kinds. It
weighs twelve pennyweights troy, and measures in length,
extended, from the point of the beak to the end of the
tail, nearly six inches ; from tip to tip of its wings, about
eleven inches and a half ; and the bill, to the corners of
the mouth, is five-eighths of ah inch. The feathers on
the crown of the head are black, edged with rust colour :
it is marked, like most of the genus, by a light streak
over each eye, and a darkish spot below and before them :
the throat, fore part of the neck, and belly are white ;
and the breast is tinged with pale reddish yellow : the
shoulders and scapulars are black, edged with white on
the exterior vi^ebs of each feather, and on the interior
with rust colour : back and tail dusky : legs slender, and
nearly black.

BRITISH BIRDS.

119

This figure and description were taken from a bird
shot by Robert Pearson, Esq. of Newcastle, on the 10th
of September, 1801, the only one the author has seen.
It will be remarked that it differs from Pennant and La-
tham's descriptions, simply In the feathers on the upper
parts not being edged with black and pale rusty brown.

THE TURNSTONE.

SEA DOTTEREL, OR HEBRIDAL SANDPIPER.
{Tringa 'interpresj Lin. — Le Coulon-chaud, Buff.)

This is a plump-made, and prettily variegated bird,
and measures about eight inches and a quarter in length.
The bill is black, straight, strong, and not more than an
inch in length : the ground colour of the head and neck
is white, with small spots on the crown and hinder parts ;
a black stroke crosses the forehead to the eyes : the au-
ric ulars are formed by a patch of the same colour, which,

120

BRITISH BIRDS.

pointing forward to the corners of the mouth, and fall-
ing down, is spread over the sides of the breast, whence
ascends another branch, which, Uke a band, goes about
the lower part of the neck behind.* The back, scapu-
lars, and tertials are black, edged with rusty red : lesser
coverts of the wings cinereous brown •, greater coverts
black, edged with ferruginous, and tipped with white :
primary and secondary quills black, the latter white at
the ends : the rump and tail coverts are white, crossed
with a black bar : tail black, tipped with white : the fore
part of the breast, belly and vent white : thighs feathered
nearly to the knees : legs and feet red.

'* In some specimens the lower part of the neck is white.

BRITISH BIRDS.

121

THE TURNSTONE.

{Trlnga morlnellai Lin. — Le Coulon-chaud cendre, BufF.)

This bird is like the preceding species in its size and
shape. The bill is short, strong, thick at the base, and
of a dark horn- colour, tinged with red : the crown and
hinder part of the head are dusky, edged with greyish
brown ; the fore part, from the eyes to the bill, pale
brown ; a curved patch or band of the latter colour bounds
the lower part of the neck, points forward, and falls down
towards the points of the wings ; between this band and
the head, is a de mi-ring of brownish black, which nearly
surrounds the neck, a branch from which strikes upwards
to the corners of the mouth, and another falls down,
forming a kind of inverted gorget on the fore part of the
neck, and sides of the breast : the colour of the throat is
white, which tapers to a point on the fore part of the
neck : the upper parts of the plumage are dusky, edged
with rusty or brownish red 5 but some of the scapulars

122

BRITISH BIRDS.

next to the wings are partly edged with white: the ter-
tials are long, and deeply edged and tipped with a fine
pale rufous brown i the ridge of the wings and bastard
quills are brownish black ; the lesser coverts adjoining
the ridge, white : primaries and secondaries, black, —
the bases of the former, and tips of the latter, white ;
the greater coverts are also deeply tipped with white,
which, when the wing is extended, forms a bar quite
across it: the under parts of the plumage, the back,
and tail coverts are white, excepting a black patch which
crosses the rump. The tail consists of twelve black fea-
thers, tipped with white, except the two middle ones,
which are entirely black : the legs and toes are short, and
of an orange red. The male excels the female in the
beauty of his plumage ; her pyebald marks are not so
distinct, and her colours are uniformly more dull and
confused.

These birds frequent the sea -shores in various parts of
Great Britain, and have obtained their name from their
manner of turning over small stones in quest of their
prey, which lies concealed under them.

This species of Turnstone is chiefly confined to the
northern, as is the former to the southern parts of Great
Britain.

BRITISH BIRDS.

12^

THE WATER HEN.

COMMON GALINULE, OR MOOR HEN.
{Fulica chloropus, Lin. — La Poule d'Eauy Buff.)

The weight of this bird varies from ten and a half to
fifteen ounces : the length from the tip of the beak to
the end of the tail is about fourteen inches, the breadth
twenty-two. The bill is rather more than an inch long,
of a greenish yellow at the tip, and reddish towards the
base, whence a singular kind of horny or membraneous
substance shields the forehead as far as the eyes : this ap-
pendage to the bill is as red as sealing-wax in the breed-
ing season ; at other times it varies or fades into a white
colour. The head is small and black, except a white spot
under each eye, the irides of which are red : all the up-
per parts of the plumage are of a dark shining olive green,
inclining to brown : the under parts are of a dark hoary

124 BRITISH BIRDS.

lead colour : vent feathers black ; those on the belly and
the thighs tipped with dirty white : the long loose fea-
thers on the sides, which hang over the upper part of the
thighs, are black, streaked with white : the ric^ge of the
wing, outside feathers of the tail, and those underneath,
are white : the upper bare part of the thighs is red ;
from the knees to the toes, the colours are different
shades, from pale yellow to deep green : the toes are very
long, the middle one measuring, to the end of the nail,
nearly three inches j their under sides are broad, being
furnished with membraneous edgings their whole length
on each side, by which the bird is enabled to swim, and
easily run over the surface of the slimy mud by the sides
of the waters, where it frequents.

The body of the Water Hen is long and compressed
at the sides, and the legs are placed far behind ; its fea-
thers are thickly set, or compact, and are bedded upon
down. Like the Water Rail and Water Crake, it lives
concealed, during the day, among reeds and willows, by
the sides of rivers or rivulets, which it prefers to bogs
and stagnant pools : like those birds, it can run over the
surface of such waters as are thickly covered with weeds,
and it dives and hides itself with equal ease : like the
Water Crake, it also flirts up its tail when running, and
flies with its legs hanging down, but is a better swimmer.
In the evenings, it creeps, runs, and skulks by the mar-
gins of the waters, among the roots of the bushes, osiers,
and long loose herbage which over-hang the banks, in
quest of its food, which consists of water inserts, small
fishes, worms, aquatic plants and seeds. It is likewise
granivorous, and, if killed in September or OiStober, after
having had the advantage of a neighbouring stubble, its
flesh is very good.

BRITISH BIRDS. 125

The female makes her nest of a large quantity of
withered reeds and rushes, closely interwoven, and is
particularly careful to have it placed in a most retired
spot, close by the brink of the water ; and it Is said, she
never quits it without covering her eggs with the leaves
of the surrounding herbage. Pennant and Latham say,
she builds her nest upon some low stump of a tree, or
shrub, by the water's side : no doubt she may sometimes
vary the place of her nest, according as particular cir-
cumstances may command, but she generally prefers the
other mode of building it. She lays six or seven eggs at
a time, and commonly has two hatchings in a season.
The eggs are nearly two inches in length, and are irregu-
larly and thinly marked with rust-coloured spots on a
yellowish white ground. The young brood remain but
a short time in the nest, under the nurturing care of the
mother ; but as soon as they are able to crawl out, they
take to the water, and shift for themselves.

Although the Water Hen is no where very numerous,
yet one species or other of them is met with in almost
every country in the known world. It is not yet ascer-
tained whether they ever migrate from this to other
countries, but it is well known that they make partial
Sittings from one distridl: to another, and are found in
the cold mountainous tradls in sumnner, and in lower and
warmer situations in winter.

On examination of several specimens of this bird, In
full feather, they were found, like most birds of plain
plumage, very little dliferent from each other.

126

BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE COOT,

Bill strong, thick, sloping to a point ; the base of the
upper mandible rising far up into the forehead : both
mandibles of equal length : nostrils inclining to oval, nar-
row, short : body compressed : wings and tail short : toes
long, furnished with broad scalloped membranes between
each joint, on each side ; the inner toe has two, the mid-
dle three, and the outer four scallops ; and the hinder
toe, one plain membrane adhering to it its whole length.

The Coot is met with in various parts of Europe, Asia,
and America ; its flesh is of a strong marshy taste ; for
which, by some people, it is much liked ; while others,
for the same, reason, hold it in little estimation.

JBRITISH BIRDS.

127

THE COOT,

OR, BALD COOT.
(Fulica airat Lin. — La Foulque, ou Morrelle, BufF.)

This bird generally weighs, when in full condition,
about twenty- eight ounces, and measures fifteen inches
in length. The bill is of a greenish white colour, more
than an inch and a quarter long : a callous white mem-
brane, like that of the Water Hen, but larger, is spread
over the forehead, which also, as in that bird, changes its
colour to a pale red in the breeding season : irides red :
the upper parts of its plumage are black, except the outer
edges of the wings, and a spot under each eye, \^hich are
white : the under parts are of a hoary dark ash or lead
colour. The skin is cloathed with a thick down, and
covered with close fine feathers : the thighs are placed
far behind, are fleshy and strong, bare, and yellow above
the knees : the legs and toes are commonly of a yellowish
green, but sometimes of a lead colour.

12S BRITISH BIRDS.

The Common Coot has so many traits in its character,
and so many features in its general appearance Uke the
Rails and Water Hens, that to place it after them, seems a
natural and easy gradation : Linnaeus and other ornitholo-
gists, however, describe it as of a genus distinct from those
birds, and from the waders in general, on account of its
being fin-footed, and its constant attachment to the waters,
which, indeed, it seldom quits. With it naturalists be-
gin the numerous tribe of swimmers, and rank it among
those that are the most compleatly dependent upon the
watery element for their support : it swims and dives with
as much ease as almost any of them ; and also, like those
which seldom venture upon land, it is a bad traveller,
and may be said not to walk, but to splash and waddle
between one pool and another, with a laboured, ill-ba-
lanced, and aukward gait.

These birds, like those of the preceding kinds, skulk
and hide themselves, during the day, among rushes,
sedges, and weeds, which grow abundantly in the loughs
and ponds, where they take up their constant abode : they
rarely venture abroad, except in the dusk, and in the
night, in quest of their food, which consists of the herb-
age, seeds, insects, and the slippery inhabitants of stagnant
waters. It seldom happens that the sportsman and his
dog can force the Coot to spring from its retreat ; for it
will, in a manner, bury itself in the mud rather than take
wing, and when it is very closely pursued, and compelled
to rise, it does this with much Jlustering and apparent
difficulty.

This species is met with in Great Britain, at all seasons
of the year, and it is generally believed that it does not
migrate to other countries, but changes its stations, and

BRITISH BIRDS. 129

removes in the autumn from the lesser pools or loughs,
where the young have been reared, to the larger lakes,
where flocks assemble in the winter. The female com-
monly builds her nest in a bush of rushes, surrounded
by the watery* it is composed of a great quantity of
coarse dried weeds, well matted together, and lined with-
in with softer and finer grasses : she lays from twelve to
fifteen eggs at a time, and commonly hatches twice in a
season : her eggs are about the size of those of a pullet,
and are of a pale brownish white colour, sprinkled with
numerous small dark spots, which, at the thicker end,
seem as if they had run into each other, and formed
bigger blotches.

As soon as the young quit the shell, they plunge into
the water, dive, and swim about with great ease ; but
they still gather together about the mother, and take
shelter under her wings, and do not entirely leave her for
some time. They are at first covered with sooty-colour-
ed down, and are of a shapeless appearance : while they
are in this state, and before they have learned, by expe-
rience, to shun their foes, the Kite, Moor Buzzard, and
others of the Hawk tribe, make dreadful havoc among
them ;f and this, notwithstanding the numerous brood,
may account for the scarcity of the species.

* A Bald Coot built her nest in Sir William Middleton's lake,
at Belsay, Northumberland, among the rushes, which were after-
wards loosened by the wind, and, of coutse, the nest was driven
about, and floated upon the surface of the water, in every direc-
tion ; notwithstanding which, the female continued to sit as usual,
and brought out her young upon her moveable habitation.

t The Pike is also the indiscriminate devourer of the young of
all these water birds.

130 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREATER GOOT.

(Fulica atlerima, Lin. — La Grande Foulque, ou la:
Macroukf Buff.)

« ThIs is of a larger size than the last, but differs not
in the colour of the plumage, except that it is blacker.
Brisson distinguishes the two by the colour of the bare
part of the forehead, which is in this white : and the
garters, which are of a deep red.* This bird is said to
be found in Lancashire and Scotland, It should seem to
be a mere variety of the former, did not authors join in
advancing the contrary. They are more plentiful on the
continent, being found in Russia and the western part of
Siberia \qyj common ; and are also in plenty at Sologne
and the neighbouring parts, where they call it Judelle,
The people eat them on maigre daysy and the flesh is
much esteemed." Latham,

* " This can be no distinction, as birds differ in the colour of
these parts according to the season." Latham,

BRITISH BIRDS. 131

OF THE PHALAROPE,

Bill straiglit and slender -, nostrils minute ; body and

legs like the Sandpiper j toes furnished with scallopped
membranes^

THE RED PHALAROPE.

{Tr'tnga hyperlorea, Lin. — Le Phalarope cendre. Buff.)

The bill is black, slender, straight, about an inch long,
and bent a little downwards at the tip.' A dusky stripe
passes through the eyes to the back part of the head,
where it is joined to a reddish one above it, which falls
down on the sides of the neck : the chin and throat are
white ; the top of the head, hinder part of the neck,
breast, and wmg coverts of a lead colour, darkest on the
breast : the back and scapulars are the same, but striped
with yellowish rusty edges : the greater coverts are cross-
ed with a white stripe •, the quills dusky : the tail coverts
are barred with black and white : tail short, and of a ci-
nereous colour : belly white : legs black.

This species is rarely met with in England ; but it is
said to be pretty common on the continent. It is, how-
ever, a native of the arftic regions, and only migrates
southward to shun the long dreary freezing period of the
winter months. In summer it returns to breed and rear
its young, and has been met with by voyagers and tra-
vallers in Hudson's Bay, Greenland, Spitzbergen, &c.
It is seen in Greenland in April, and is said to leave it
in September.

. R

132-

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREY PHALAROPE.

COOT-FOOTED TRINGA, OR SCALLOP-TOED SANDPIPER.
{Tr'wga Lobatiii Lin. — Le Phalarope a fejlons dentiJest Buff.)

The bill of this bird is nearly an inch long : the upper
mandible is of a dusky horn colour, grooved on each side>
and flatted near the tip ; the under one is orange towards
the base. The eyes are placed high in the head ; there
is a dark patch underneath each, and the same on the
hinder part of the head and neck. The shoulder and
scapular feathers are of a fine lead colour, edged with
white : fore part of the head, throat, neck, and breast,
white ; the belly is also white, but slightly dashed with
pale rust colour : the greater coverts are broadly tipped
with white, which forms an oblique bar across the wings,
when closed : some of the first and secondary quills are
narrowly edged with white : on the middle of the back,
the feathers are brown, edged with bright rust colour :
on the rump there are several feathers of the same co-
Tour^ but mixed with others of white, rufous, and lemanv

BRITISH BIRDS, 13S

The wings are long, and, when closed, reach beyond the
tail : the primary quills are dusky, the lower part of their
inner sides white ; secondaries tipped with white : tail
dusky, edged with ash colour : legs black. The scalloped
membranes on its toes differ from those of the Red Pha-
larope, in being finely serrated on their edges.

This curious and pretty bird, like the preceding, is a
native of the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and Ame-
rica, and migrates southward in the winter. It has sel-
_dom been met with in any part of the British isles. Ray,
however, saw one at Brignal, in Yorkshire ; and Mr Pen-
nant mentions one which was shot in the same county ;
Mr Tunstall another, shot at Staveley, in Derbyshire ; —
and the specimen from which this drawing and description
were taken, was shot near the city of Chester, by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Dalton, of the 4th regiment of dragoons,
on the 14th of October, IS 00.

B.

'>

134* BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE GREBES,

The bills of this genus are compressed on the sides^
^nd though not large, are firm and strong, straight and
sharp -pointed : nostrils linear : a bare space between the
bill and the eyes : tongue slightly cloven at the end :
body depressed : feathers thickly set, compadl, very
smooth and glossy : wings short ; scapulars long ; no
tail : legs placed far behind, much compressed, or flatten-
ed on the sides, and serrated behind with a double row
of notches : toes furnished on each side with membranes ;
the inner toes broader than the outer ; the nails broad
and flat.

This genus is ranked by Ray and Linnxus with the
Diver and Guillemot ; but as the Grebes differ material-
ly from those birds, Brisson, Pennant, and Latham have
separated them.

The Grebes are almost continually upon the water,
where they are remarkable for their agility : at sea they
seem to sport with the waves, through which they dart
with the greatest ease, and, in swimming, slide along, as
it were without any apparent effort, upon the surface,
with wonderful velocity *, they also dive to a great depth
in pursuit of their prey. They frequent fresh water
lakes and inlets of rivers, as well as the ocean, to which
they are obliged to resort in severe seasons, when the
former are bound up by the ice. No cold or damp can
penetrate their thick close plumage, which looks as if
it, were glazed on the surface, and by which they are en-
abled, while they have open water, to brave the rigours
of the coldest winter. They can take wing from the wa-
ter, or drop from an eminence, and fly with great swift-

BRITISH BIllDS. 135

ness to a considerable distance ; but when tliey happen
to alight on the land, are very helpless, for they cannot
either rise from the flat surface of the ground, or make
much progress in walking upon it. On shore they sit
with the body ere£t, commonly upon the whole length
of their legs, and, in attempting to regain the water, they
aukwardly waddle forward in the same position -, and, if
by any interruption, they happen to fall on the belly, they
sprawl with their feet, and flap their short wings as if
they were wounded, and may easily be taken by the hand,
for they can make no other defence than by striking vio-
lently with their sharp-pointed beak. They live upon
fish, and, it is said, also upon fresh-water roots and sea-
weeds. They are generally very fat and heavy in pro-
portion to their size.

The females generally build their nests in the holes
of the rocky precipices which overhang the sea shores 5
and those which breed on lakes, make theirs of withered
reeds and rushes, &c. and fix it among the growing stalks
of a tuft cr bush of such like herbage, close by the water's
edge. They lay from two to four eggs at one hatching.

The skins of these birds are dressed with the feathers
on, and made into warm beautiful tippets and muffs : the
under part only is used for this purpose j and a skin of
one of the species sells as high as fourteen shillings.

13G

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREAT.CRESTED GREBE.

GREATER-CRESTED DOUCKER, CARGOOSE, ASH-COLOUR-
ED LOON, OR GAUNT.

{CoJymbus crl/latus, Lin. — Le Grebe huppe^ Buff.)

This bird is the largest of the Grebes, weighing about
two pounds and a half, and measuring twenty-one inches
in length, and thirty in breadth. The bill is about two
inches and a quarter long, dark at the tip, and red at the
base : the bare stripe, or lore, between the bill and the
eyes, is in the breeding season red, but afterwards changes
to dusky : irides, fine pale crimson. The head, in adult
males, is furnished with a great quantity of feathers,
which form a kind of ruff, surrounding the upper part of

BRITISH BIRDS. 137

the neck ; those on each side of the headV behind, are
longer than the rest, and stand out like ears : this rufF is
of a bright ferruginous colour, edged on the under side
with black. The upper parts of the plumage are of a
sooty or mouse-coloured brown ; the under parts of a
glossy or silvery white : the inner ridge of the wing is
white ; the secondaries of the same colour, forming an
oblique bar across the wings, when closed : the outside of
the legs is dusky, the inside and toes of a pale green.

This species is common in the fens and lakes in vari-
ous parts of England, where they breed and rear their
young. The female conceals her nest among the flags
and reeds which grow in the water, upon which it is said
to float, and that she hatches her eggs amidst the mois-
ture which oozes through it. It is made of various kinds
of dried fibres, stalks and leaves of water plants, and (Pen-
nant says) of the roots of bugbane, stalks of water-lily,
pond-weed, and water-violet ; and he asserts, that when
it happens to be blown from among the reeds, it floats
about upon the surface of the open water.

These birds are met with in almost every lake in the
northern parts of Europe, as far as Iceland, and south-
ward to the Mediterranean ; they are also found in vari-
ous parts of America.

isa

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE TIPPET GREBE.

GREATER DOBCHICK, OR GREATER LOON.
(Colymbus urinatort Lin. — La Grebe, BuflF.)

This bird differs from the last only in being somewhat
less, in having its neck, in most specimens, striped down-
ward on the sides with narrow lines of dusky and white,
and in having no crest.

Modern ornithologists begin to suspeft that the Tippet
Grebe is the female of the Great -crested Grebe, or a
young bird of that species. Latham says, *' It is with some
relu6lance that we pen our doubts concerning the identity
of this, as a species, at least as being distinct from the
Great crested Grebe, in contradiction to what former
authors have recorded on the subjedt. It is certain that
the last-named bird varies exceedingly at different pe-
riods of life ; and we are likewise as certain that the birds
which have been pointed out to us as the Geneva Grebes,
have been no other than young ones of the Great-crested,
not having yet attained the crest j and whoever will com-

BRITISH BIRDS. 139

pare Brisson*s three figures of the birds in question, will
find (the crest excepted) that they all exadlly coincide,
allowing for their different periods of age. We have
been further led into this opinion from the circumstance
of a large flock of them, which appeared in various parts
of the shores of the Thames, from Gravesend to Green-
wich, last winter, many of which were killed, and came
under our inspeftion : among them we found the greatest
variety about the head, from being perfectly without a
crest, to the most complete one, with all the intermedi-
ate stages above-mentioned."

In the progress of this work, the author has been fa-
voured, by sporting friends, with several of these birds,
which differed from each other in the manner described
by Mr Latham, and induced him to adopt the opinion of
that gentlemen concerning them.

THE EARED GREBE,

OR EARED DOBCHICK.
[^Colymhus auritus, Lin. — Le petit Grebe huppe. Buff.)

This bird measures about twelve inches in length, and
twenty- two from tip to tip of the wings. The bill is
black, inclining to red towards the base, rather slender,
nearly an inch long, and slightly bent upwards at the
point : lore and irides red : the head is thickly set and
-enlarged with feathers of a sooty black colour, except two
large, loose and spreading orange -coloured tufts, which
take their rise behind each eye, flow backward, and
nearly meet at their tips : the neck and upper parts of
the plumage are black ; the under parts of a glossy white :
the sides a rusty chesnut colour : legs greenish black.

. s

140

BRITISH BIRDS.

The male and female are nearly alike, only the latter is
'not furnished or puffed up about the head with such a
quantity of feathers.

This species is not numerous in the British Isles.
Pennant says they inhabit and breed in the fens near
Spalding, in Lincolnshire, and that the female makes a
nest not unlike that of the Crested Grebe, and lays four
or five small white eggs. The Eared Grebe is found in the
northern regions of Europe, as far as Iceland, and is also
met with in southern climates. The circumnavigator
Bougainville says it is called the " Diver with Spectacles"
in the Falkland Islands.

BRITISH BIRDS.

Ul

THE DUSKY GREBE.

OR BLACK AND WHITE DOBCHICK.
{Nigricans, . La petite Grebe, BufF.)

This species measures about an inch less in length, and
two in breadth, than the last. The bill is more than an
inch long, and of a pale blue colour, with reddish edges :
lore and orbits red : irides bright yellow : the upper part
of the head, hinder part of the neck, scapulars, and rump,
are of a dark sooty, or a mouse coloured brown : the fea-
thers on the back are nearly of the same colour, but glos-
sy, and with greyish edges : the ridge of the wings and the
secondary quills are white ; the rest of the wing dusky.
There is a pale spot before each eye : the cheeks and
throat are white ; the fore part of the neck is light
brown j and the breast and belly are white and glossy,

s 2

U2

BRITISH BIRDS.

like satin : the thighs and vent are covered with dirty
white downy feathers : the legs are white behind, dusky
on the outer sides, and pale blue on the inner sides and
shins : the toes and webbed membranes are also blue on
the upper sides, and dark underneath.

This description was taken from a very perfe£l bird>
caught on Sand Hutton Car, near York, on the 28th of
January, 1799, by the Rev. C. Rudston : other speci-
mens of this species have differed in the shades of their
plumage and colour of the bill : in some the upper man-
dible is yellow, from the nostrils to the corners of the
mouth, and the under one entirely of that colour.

THE RED-NECKED GREBE.

{^Colymbus fubcrljlatus, < Le Jougris, BufF.)

This bird measures from the bill to the rump seven-
teen inches, to the end of the toes twenty-two, and weighs
eighteen ounces and three-quarters. The bill is about
two inches long, dusky or horn-coloured on the ridge
and tip, and on the sides of it, towards the corners of the
mouth, of a reddish yellow ; the under side of the lower
mandible is also of the latter colour : lore dusky : irides
dark hazel: the cheeks and throat are of a dirty or greyish

BRITISH BIRDS. HS

white : the upper part of the head is black, with a greyish
cast •, and the feathers are lengthened on each side on a
line with the eyes backward, so as to look like a pair of
rounded ears ; these it can raise or depress at pleasure :
the fore part and sides of the neck are of a dingy brown,
mixed with feathers of a bright rusty red : the upper
parts of the plumage are of a darkish mouse-coloured
brown, lightest on the wing coverts, deepest on the sca-
pulars and rump, and edged with grey on the shoulders ;
the under parts are of a glossy white, like satin, mottled
with indistinct brownish, spots : primary quills brownish
tawny, with dark-coloured tips ; secondaries white :
outer sides of the legs dusky, inner sides sallow green ;
webs of the outer toes flesh colour, middle ones redder,
and the inner ones orange.

Pennant supposes the Red-necked Grebe to be only a
variety of the Great-crested Grebe ; but Latham, who
had been furnished with several specimens, is of opinion
that it is a distin£l species. He describes the adult males,
in full feather, as having their necks of an uniform red-
dish chesnut ; and the younger birds, when they have
not obtained their full plumage, to be only partially
spotted on their necks with that colour.

The foregoing figure and description were taken from
a specimen, the gift of George Silvertop, of Minsteracres^
Northumberland, Esq. January 16th, 1802.

144 BillTISH BIRDS.

THE LITTLE GREBE.

DOBCHICK, SMALL DOUCKER, DIPPER, OR DIDAPPER.
(Colymbus minuttis, Lin. — Le CnJIagneuxy^uS.)

This Is the least of the Grebe tribe, weighing only be-
tween six and seven ounces, and measuring to the rump
ten Inches, to the end of the toes thirteen, and about six-
teen from tip to tip of the wings. The bill Is scarcely an
inch long, of a dusky reddish colour : irides hazel ; the
head is thickly cloathed with a downy kind of soft fea-
thers, which It can pufF up to a great size, or lay down flat
at pleasure : the cheeks are mostly of a bay colour, fading
towards the chin and throat into a yellowish white. The
neck, breast, and all the upper parts of the plumage, are
of a brown or chesnut colour, tinged with red, lightest on
the rump : the belly Is white, clouded with ash colour,
mixed with red : thighs and vent grey : greater quills
dark brown j the lesser white on their innef webs : legs
dirty olive green.

The little Grebe Is a true aquatic, for It seldom quits
the water, nor ventures beyond the sedgy margins of the
lake where It has taken up Its abode. It Is a most excel-
lent diver, and can remain a long while under water, in
.pursuit of Its prey, or to shun danger. It is found In al-

BRITISH BIRDS. 145

most every lake, and sometimes upon rivers, but seldom
goes out to sea. Its food is of the same kind, and its ha-
bits much the same as those of the other Grebes.

Ornithologists and sportsmen describe the nest of this
bird as being of a large size, and composed of a very
great quantity of grass and water plants, at least a foot in
thickness, and so placed in the water, that the female
hatches her eggs amidst the continual wet, in which they
were first laid : and it is conjedhired that the natural
warmth of her body occasions a fermentation of the herb-
age, which greatly aids the incubation. She lays from
four to six eggs, of a yellowish dull white colour, and is
said to cover up, or hide them, with the surrounding
leaves, every time she has occasion to stir abroad.

This species of the Grebe is an inhabitant of both Eu-
rope and America. In several specimens furnished by
the author's sporting friends, the difference was very
trifling, except that the plumage of some was more dashed
with red than that of others.

THE BLACK-CHIN GREBE.

This bird is described as being larger than the last.
" Chin black : fore part of the neck ferruginous ; hinder
part mixed with dusky : belly cinereous and silver inter-
mixed. Inhabits Tiree, one of the Hebrides." Latham,

146

BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE AVOSET.

Bill long, slender, very thin, depressed, and bending
considerably upwards : nostrils narrow and pervious :
tongue short : legs very long : feet palmated •, the webs
deeply indented from the nails towards their middle ;
back toe placed high, and very small.

The Avoset is migratory, and is met with in temperate
climates, on the shores in various parts of Europe.

BRITISH BIRDS*

l-'3^7-

THE AVOSET.

.^COOPER, CROOKED-BILL, OR YELPER.
{^Recurv'irojlra A'vofetta, Lin. — U Anjocette, Buff.)

This bird, which is the only British species of Avoset,
does not much exceed the Lapwing in the bulk of its
body j but, from the length of its legs, it is much taller.

It measures about eighteen inches in length, to the end
of the toes twenty-two, and from tip to tip thirty, and
weighs from twelve to fourteen ounces. The bill is
black, about three inches and a half long, and of a singular
conformation, looking not unlike flexible flat pieces of
whalebone, curved upwards to the tip : the irides are hazel:
the head round, black on the upper part to below the
nape of the neck : above and beneath each eye, in most
specimens, there are small white spots ; but in the one
from which the above figure was taken, a streak of that
colour passed over each eye towards the hinder part of

. T

148 BRITISH BIRDS.

the head. The thighs are naked, and, as well as the legs
and feet, are of a fine pale blue colour. The whole plu-
mage of the Avoset is white, intersected with black ; and,
like most of the variegated or pyebald birds, the patches
of these colours are not placed exadlly the same in every
individual ; therefore, as the bird cannot be mistaken, a
more minute description is unnecessary.

These birds are common in the winter about the lakes,
mouths of rivers, and marshes, in the southern parts of
England ; and they assemble in large flocks on the fens,
in the breeding season. When the female is frightened
off her nest, she counterfeits lameness ; and when a flock
is disturbed, they fly with their necks stretched out, and
their legs extended behind, over the head of the speiHia-
tor, much in the same way as the Peewit or Lapwing,
making a shrill noise, and uttering a yelping cry of tivity
Hvity all the time. The places where they have been
feeding may be traced out by the semicircular marks left
in the mud or sand by their bills in scooping out their
food, which consists of spawn, worms, insedls, &c.« La-
tham says, " they lay two eggs, the size of those of a
Pigeon, an inch and three quarters in length, of a cine-
reous grey, singularly marked with deep brownish dark
patches, of irregular sizes and shapes, besides some under
markings of a dusky hue." They keep near the shore,
wading about, up to the belly in the water, and sometimes
swimming. In all their motions^ they are smart, lively,
and volatile, and do not remain long stationary in on&
spot.

BRITISH BIRDS.

14:9

OF THE AUK, OR PENGUIN,

Bill strong, thick, convex, compressed on the sides :
nostrils linear, placed parallel to the edge of the bill :
tongue almost as long as the bill : toes, three in number,
all placed forwards.

150

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREAT AUK.

NORTHERN PENGUIN, OR GAIR-FOWL.
^Alca Impenn'is, Lin. — Le Grand Pingoirtf BufF.)

The length of this bird, to the end of the toes, is three
feet. The bill is black, and four inches and a quarter
long ; both mandibles are crossed obliquely with several
ridges and furrows, which meet at the edges. Two oval-
shaped white spots occupy nearly the whole space between
the bill and the eyes : the head, back part of the neck,
and all the upper parts of the body and wings are covered
with short, soft, glossy black feathers, excepting a white
stroke across the wings, formed by the tips of the lesser

BRITISH BIRDS. 151

■quills : the whole under side of the body is white : the
wings are very short, not exceeding four inches and a
quarter, from the tips of the longest quill feathers to the
first joint : legs black, short, and placed near the vent.

From the inability of these birds to fly or walk, they
are seldom seen out of the water, and it is remarked by
seamen, that they never wander beyond soundings. The
female lays only one egg, which she deposits and hatches
on a ledge close to the sea-mark : it is of a very large
size, being about six inches in length, of a white colour,
streaked with lines of a purple cast, and blotched with
dark rusty spots at the thicker end.

This species is not numerous any where : it inhabits
Norway, Iceland, the Ferro Isles, Greenland, and other
cold regions of the north, but is seldom seen on the Bri-
tish shores.

The Gair-fowl described by Martin, in his voyage to
St Kilda, and account of that island, published in 1698,
differs in some particulars from the foregoing : he says,
" it is larger than the Solan Goose, black, red about the
eyes, has a large white spot under each eye, a long broad
bill ; stands ere£l, has short wings, cannot fly ; lays one
egg, twice the size of that of the Solan Goose, variously
Speckled with black, green, and dusky spots."

152

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RAZOR-BILL.

AUK, MURRE, FALK, MARROT, OR SCOUT.
{^Alca tor day Lin. — Le Pingoin, Buff.)

The wings of this species are more furnished with fea-
thers, and longer in proportion to the size of the bird,
than those of the last ; they measure, extended, about
twenty-seven inches : the length of the bird, from bill
to tail, is eighteen. The bill Is black, strong, curved to-
wards the point, and sharply edged j the upper mandible
is crossed with four transverse grooves, and the under
one with three, the broadest of which is white, and forms
a band across them both : the inside of the mouth is yel-
low : the base or the bill is covered with feathers a great
way forward, upon which, on each side, is placed a sin-
gular, narrow, white streak, which passes to the corner
of the eye ; another white stripe, or bar, formed by the
tips and lesser quills, crosses each wing obliquely : the
upper part of the head, hinder part of the neck, back,
rump, and tail coverts are of a soft glossy black, and look
something like velvet : the cheeks, chin, and throat are

BRITISH BIRDS. I53

of a dull sooty dark brown : ridge and pinions of the
wings, light brown : coverts and quills dusky : legs black.

These birds associate with the Guillemots, and also
breed in the same places. About the beginning of May
they take possession of the highest impending rocks, for
the purpose of incubation, and upon the ledges of these
rocks they congregate in great numbers, sitting closely
together, tier above tier, and row above row : there they
deposit their single large egg on the bare rock ; and not-
withstanding the numbers of them, which are thus as it
were mixed together, yet no confusion takes place, for
each bird knows her own egg, and hatches it in that
situation.

It has often excited wonder that as the eggs have no
nest or bedding to rest upon, they are not rolled off into
the sea by gales of wind, or upon being touched by the
birds : it is also said, that if they are removed by the
human hand, it is impossible, or at least extremely
difficult, to replace them in their former steady situa-
tion. This is accounted for by some ornithologists,
who assert that the egg is fixed to the spot upon which it
is first laid, by a glutinous substance with which the shell
is covered, and which keeps it firmly in its place until the
young is produced. The egg of this Auk is three inches
long, of a greenish white colour, irregularly marked with
dark spots. They are gathered, with other kinds, in
great numbers, by the neighbouring inhabitants, from
the rocky promontories in various parts of the British
isles, but particularly in the north, where the men who
are accustomed to gather these eggs, are let down over
the precipices by ropes, which are tied to, or held by,
their companions above.

15^1. BRITISH BIRDS.

The foregoing figure and description were taken from
a specimen in perfe6t plumage, shot on Jarrow-Slake,
near the mouth of the Tyne, in May, by the late Mr
Thomas Walton, of Farnacres, to whose memory, for
many favours of the same kind, the author feels a large
debt of gratitude.

THE BLACK-BILLED AUK.

[Aka Pica, Lin. — Le Petit Pingoin, Buff.)

Latham says, " This weighs eighteen ounces : is in
length fifteen inches : breadth twenty-four. The bill is
not above half the breadth of the Razor-bill's, and very
little curved, perfedlly smooth throughout the whole of
its surface, except a slight indentation at the base : msido
of the mouth of a pale flesh-colour : the top of the head,
taking in the eyes, part of the neck, the back, wings,
and tail, are black : on the sides of the neck the black
comes forward so as almost to meet on the fore part : the
sides of the head, throat, fore part of the neck, and
all beneath, white : from behind the eye a dusky black
mark tends to the hinder part of the head, as in the Less-
er Guillemot ; the white on the sides of the head is
less pure than that on the under parts : all the secondary
quills are tipped with white ; and the primaries are of a
deeper black than the others : legs brownish black."
Linnaeus says the legs are red, but no other author re-
cords it. Latham further observes, " This, from its ex-
ternal marks, should appear to be a different species from
the Razor-bill, but we are pretty certain it is no other
than the young of that bird."

BRITISH BIRDS.

155

THE PUFFIN.

MULLET, COULTERNEB, SEA-PARROT, POPE, OR
WILLOCK,

(^Ica ArBlca, Lin. — Le Macarettx, Buff.)

The Puffin weighs about twelve ounces, and measures
twelve inches in length, and twenty one in breadth. Its
singular bill looks not unlike a kind of sheath slipped
over both mandibles, and, from its appearance, the bird
is not improperly named Coulterneb, or Knife-bill. At
the base, where it is about an inch and a half in depth,
it is rimmed with a white callous border, the two corners
of which projedt above the brow, and below the chin. It
IS about the same in length, curved towards the point,
compressed vertically, very flat, and transversely furrow-
ed on the sides ; the half of it adjoining to the head is
smooth, and of a fine lead-coloured blue j the other part,
to the tip, red : the nostrils are placed in long narrow
slits, near the edge of the bill : the corners of the mouthy

. U

156 BRITISH BIRDS,

when closed are curiously puckered, and form a kind of
small star, or rose : the eyes are protected by small cal-
lous protuberances, both above and below : the edges of
the eye- lids are crimson : irides grey : the chin and'
cheeks are white, bordered with grey, the latter much
puffed up with feathers, which makes the head look large
and round. From behind the corner of each eye, the
feathers are curiously separated, forming a narrow line,
which reaches to the hinder part of the head : the crown
of the head, hinder part of the neck, and upper part of
the plumage are black, and a collar of the same colour
encircles the neck : the under parts are white : the tail
consists of sixteen feathers : the legs are reddish orange.

The Puffin, like others of the same genus, takes wing
with great difficulty, and walks upon the whole length of
the leg and foot, with a wriggling awkward gait. In
tempestuous weather it takes shelter in caverns and holes
in the nearest rocks, or in those made by the rabbit on
the beach, among the bent grass, in which it sits dozing,
in snug security, till the return of calm weather ; for
these birds cannot brave the storm, and it is not uncom-
mon, when they have been overtaken by it, to find them
drowned and cast on shore. Various kinds of fish, such
as small crabs, shrimps, sprats, and also sea-weeds, are
said to be the food upon which they live *, but it is evi-
dent, from the structure, great strength, and sharpness-
of the bill, that they are furnished with powers to crush
and pluck out other kinds of shell-fish, which ornitholo-
gists have not noticed.

The female makes no nest ; she deposits her single
whitish coloured egg upon the bare mould, in a hole dug
©ut and formed in the ground, by her mate and herself^

BRITISH BIRDS. li,7

for that purpose ; or in those that they find ready made
by the rabbits, which they easily dislodge. The parent
birds are very attentive to their young, which they will
defend to the last, by severely biting whatever enemy
attempts to molest them, and will suffer themselves to be
taken rather than desert them : and yet, notwithstanding
this uncommon attachment, when the day of migration
comes, the young ones which are not able to fly are left
behind, and mostly perish of want, or are destroyed by
birds of prey.

The bite of these birds is very severe : one sent to the
author in a box covered with netting, caught hold of the
finger of a poor man, and brought away the fleshy part,
as if it had been cut out with a knife : but they may be
tamed, and soon become familiar. They are fed on fish
and other animal substances.

These birds are spread over various parts of the north-
ern world, and are met with on almost all the rocky cliffs
on the coasts of Britain and Ireland, and on many of the
surrounding isles, in immense numbers. They con-
gregate in flocks of a magnitude regulated by the accom-
modations afforded them at their breeding places, at
which they first assemble early in April, but do not settle
to prepare for the business of incubation till May. They
hatch their young in the beginning of July ; from which
time until nearly the middle of August, they are employed
in nurturing and rearing their brood : when this is ac-
complished, the whole associated swarm leaves the place
at once, and pursues its route to other regions, more
suited to their future exigencies, there to spend the re-
mainder of the varied year.

^Ihe foregoing figure and description were taken from

u 2

158 BRITISH BIRDS.

a perfect specimen of an old bird, the present of Mrs
Cheney, late Miss Harriot Carr, of Dunston Bank •, and
on comparing it with several others, it appeared evident
that their bills increase in size with their age.

'iM. 't.<-

im^

THE LITTLE AUK.

LITTLE BLACK AND WHITE DIVER, GREENLAND DOVE,
OR SEA-TURTLE.

(^Ica alle, Lin. — Le petit Gutlleinot, BnfF.)

This is a plump round-sliaped bird, and measures
about nine inches in length. The bill is black, short,
thick, strong, and convex ; it is feathered from the cor-
ners of the mouth half way forward towards the point.
The crown of the head is flat and black *, all the upper
parts of the plumage are of the same colour, except a nar-
row bar of white, formed by the tips of the lesser quills
across the wings, and the scapulars, which are streaked

BRITISH BIRDS.

1.59

downwards with the same :* the cheeks and under parts
are white : legs and toes yellowish ; webs dusky.

These birds are inhabitants of Spitzbergen and Green-
land, and are also met with at Newfoundland, where they
are called Ice Birds ; but they are rare visitants of the
British Isles. That from which the above figure and de-
scription were taken, was caught alive on the Durham
coast, and was, for a short time, fed with grain.

* Some specimens have a white spot below each eye;

160 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE GUILLEMOT.

The bills of birds of this genus, though of a slender
shape, are firm, strong, and pointed : the upper mandible
slightly bending towards the end : base covered with soft
short feathers : nostrils lodged in a hollow near the base :
tongue slender, almost the length of the bill : thighs
placed in the abdomen : no back toe.

The Guillemots appear to be a stupid race of birds :
they do not, like many other kinds, become cautious from
experience, but suffer themselves repeatedly to be shot
at, as if they did not know danger, or care for life ; for
notwithstanding they have seen their associates drop at
every fire, they still continue to wheel about in the same
circle, and to alight again on the same place whence they
were first disturbed.

These birds are numerously spread over various parts
of the northern world, whence they are driven by the ap-
proach of winter to seek more temperate climes. At that
season they arrive on the British shores, where they re-
main until they have reared their young.

BRITISH BIRDS.

161

THE GUILLEMOT.

WILLOCK, FOOLISH GUILLEMOT, SKOUT, KIDDAW,
SEA-HEN, LAW, OR STRANY.

{Colymbus Troiie, Lin. — Le Guillemot, BufF.)

The Guillemot is a plump heavy bird in proportion to
its size, weighing about twenty-four ounces, and mea-
suring only seventeen inches in length, and twenty-seven
and a half in breadth. The bill is a bluish black colour,
about two inches and three-quarters long, from the tip
to the corners of the mouth, the inside of which is yel-
low : both mandibles are slightly notched near their
points : irides hazel : from each eye to the hinder part
of the head, a narrow line is formed by a singular division
of the feathers, which here, as well as on the head and
neck, are close and smooth, and of a dull dusty mouse-
colour ; the back, wings, and tail are nearly the same,
but have a lead-coloured cast : the tips of the lesser quills,
and the breast, belly, and vent, are white ; legs dusky
and brown : nails black.

The female lays only one egg, which is large in pro-
portion to her size, being about three inches in length :

162

BRITISH BIRDS.

they are not all alike ; those of one bird being of a
whitish ground, and of another, perhaps, pale blue, or
pale sea-green, and all of them are curiously and irregu-
larly spotted and streaked with black.

It has been before observed, that these birds associate
with and breed in the same places as the Razor-bill, and
that they are, in many places, indiscriminately called
WiUocks.

C3riai//ff.-^^s^

BRITISH BIRDS.

163

THE LESSER GUILLEMOT,

OR MARROT.

Ringuia.

This species weighs about nineteen ounces, and mea-
sures in length sixteen mches, and in breadth twenty-six.
The bill is shaped like that of the last, and is about two
inches and a half long : the stroke formed by the divided
feathers behind the eye, is dusky, on a white ground :
the cheeks, fore part of the neck and the breast, tips of
the secondary quills, and the whole of the under parts,
are white, except a few dull spots on the auriculars, and
some freckles on the breast : the front and crown of the
head, back of the neck, and the whole of the upper parts,
are dusky, inclining to lead colour : the legs and feet
dusky, blushed with red.

Some naturalists susped that the Lesser Guillemot is

164.

BRITISH BIRDS.

only the young of the foregoing species -, but this is not
yet ascertained, neither is it known where they breed. -
They, however, seldom associate with the Guillem' ts
that breed on the British shores, which they visit only
during the winter season, and almost all of them retire-
northward in the spring.

The bird from which the above drawing and descrip-
tion were taken, was caught alive at Tynemouth, in the
latter end of September, 1801 : the tide had left it in a
situation surrounded by rocks, upon the flat sand, from
which it could not raise itself to take flight. While the^
drawing was making, it sat under a table trimming its
feathers, and appeared perfe£tly at ease, and not the least
alarmed at the peeping curiosity of the children who sur-
rounded it. When this business was finished, it was
taken and set down upon an open part of the shore,
where it immediately began to waddle towards the water,
with the whole leg and foot extended on the ground ;.
and as soon as it reached its beloved element, it flapped
its wings, darted through the surge, dived, and disap-
peared.

BRITISH BIRDS. 165

THE BLACK GUILLEMOT.

GREENLAND DOVE, SEA-TUP.TLE, OR TYSTE.
( Colymhus Grylle, Lin. — Le petti Guillemot no'tr, BufF. )

The length of the Black Guillemot is about fourteen
inches, breadth twenty-two, and its weight fourteen
ounces. The bill is black, slender shaped, and pointed •,
the upper mandible slightly bent at the point : the inside
of the mouth red. The whole plumage is sleek and
glossy, and of a sooty-coloured black, excepting a large
patch of white on the coverts of each wing : its feathers
appear all unwebbed, and look like silky hair : the legs
and feet are red : claws black. In some of this species the
whole plumage is black ; in others the lesser quills are
tipped with white ; and all those that remain in the
northern climates are said to turn white in winter.

These birds are found in great numbers in the North
Sea, in Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and the Ferro
Isles, and when the winter sets in, they migrate southward
along the shores of Scotland and England, where some
of them remain and breed. The nest is made in the

x2

166 BRITISH BIRDS.

deep crevices of the rocks which overhang the sea : the
feggs are of a grey colour : some ornithologists assert that
the female lays only one, others that she lays two. They
commonly fly in pairs, and so low that they raise the sur-
face of the sea by the flapping of their narrow wings.

The Greenlanders eat the flesh of this bird, and use
its skin for cloathing, and the legs as a bait for their fish-
ing lines. Ray, Albin, Willoughby, and Edwards have
named it the Greenland Dove, or Sea Turtle. In the
Orkney Islands it is called the Tyste.

The foregoing figure was taken from a drawing pre-
sented to the author.

THE SPOTTED GUILLEMOT.

This is a variety of the last species, which the author
has not seen. It is thus described by Latham : — " In
this the plumage is in patches of wliite and black on the
upper parts, and all beneath white. In Brunnich's bird
the belly was spotted black and white : he supposed it to
be a bird of the first year."

Latham enumerates several other varieties of this genus
of birds, but as they have not been observed to visit the
British Isles, they do not come within the scope of this
work. There are, however, others which are occasionally
met with in this country, but whether the differences
may not be owing to age or sex, is not yet ascertained.
One of these, presented in 0<Stober, 1802, by the Rev.
H. Cotes, of Bedlington, differed from the Lesser Guille-
mot in its bill's being much shorter, measuring only about
an inch and a half on the ridge of the upper mandible,
and in having the hinder part of the head surrounded by
a continuation of the white feathers which cover the
cheeks, but mixed with dusky spots.

BRITISH BIRDS. J67

OF THE DIVERS.

The bills are strong, straight, and pointed : the upper
mandibles the longest ;; the edges of each bending in-
wards : nostrils linear, the upper part divided by a small
cutaneous appendage : tongue long, pointed, and serrated
on each side near the base : thighs placed far backward :
legs thin and flat, and extended horizontally : the toes,
four in number ; the exterior the longest ; the back one
small, and joined to the interior by a thin membrane :
tail short, consisting of twenty feathers. These birds are
broad, flat, and long-bodied, and swim in a squat position
on the water. Ornithologists enumerate eight species of
this genus, six of which, besides some doubtful varieties,
frequent the British shores.

168 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER.

LOON, IMBRIM, OR EMBERGOOSE.
^Colymbus gJacialisi Lin. — L^Imhrhrii Buff.)

The Great Diver weighs about sixteen pounds ; mea-
sures three feet six inches in length, and four feet eight
in breadth. The bill is black, four inches and a half
long, and strongly formed : the head is of a deep black,
glossed with green and purple refledlions : the neck ap-
pears as if wrapped obliquely round with a bandage of
the same colours as the head ; the feathers in the spaces
between are white, streak-ed down the middle with nar-
row black lines ; the sides of the breast are marked in
the same manner : the whole of the upper parts are black,
spotted with white : the spots on the scapulars are the
largest, and of an oblong square shape, placed in rows,
two on the end of each feather : the under parts are
white : quills and tail black. The female is less than the

BRITISH BIRDS. 169

male, and her whole upper plumage inclines more to
brown. Her under parts are of a dirty white, and the
bandages on her neck and the spots on her body are not
so distinct.

This species of the Diver seldom visits the British
shores, except in very severe winters. In the summer
season it inhabits the north of Europe, and the arctic
coasts, as far as the river Ob in the Russian dominions,
and Hudson's Bay in North America, and is common in
the intermediate dreary countries in the same latitudes.
They seldom quit the sea, or are seen Inland, except at
the breeding season, when, for the purposes of ovation
and incubation, they repair to the fresh-water lakes in the
Ferro Isles, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Greenland, &c. on the
shores and small islets of which they make their nests and
rear their young. The female is said to lay only two
eggs, which are of a dirty white or stone colour : when
she quits her nest, she flies very high, and on her return
darts down upon it in an oblique direction.

The natives of some of the northern countries dress
or tan the skins of these birds, as well as those of several
other water -fowls, and make them into caps, peHces, and
other warm garments.

The foregoing figure was taken from a stuffed speci-
men in the Wycliffe museum.

170 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE IMBER.

GREAT DOUCKER, OR EMBERGOOSE.
(Coiymbus Immer, Lin. — Le Grand Plongeout BufF.)

The Imber measures from the tip of the beak to the
end of the tail nearly three feet, and from tip to tip of
the wings three feet eight inches. The bill is four inches
and a quarter long, and of a dark horn colour. The up-
per parts of the plumage are dark brown, each feather on
the back and wings edged with light brownish ash : the
front and crown of the head, and hinder part of the neck,
are slightly broken with spots of the same light brownish
ash-colour : the cheeks and sides of the neck, to the
breast, are speckled with brown ; near to the lower part
of the neck the brown colour spreads forward towards
the front, which, as well as the throat, is white : the
breast and belly are also of a glossy white : vent mottled
with brown. The quills and tail are dusky, but the fea-
thers on the latter are edged with dirty white : the legs
are of a dark dingy lead colour. The plumage of the fe-
male is less distindl in its colours, being nearly of a dull
brown on the upper parts, and dull white beneath.

This species is of nearly the same manners and habits
as the last : they are both excellent divers and fishers,
and are inhabitants of the same northern countries •, but
this is oftener met v/ith farther southward, towards Scot-
land and its numerous adjacent isles. It is also spread
more abroad in other countries both in Europe, Asia, and
America.* Latham describes it as being common in

* A fine specimen- was presented by Admiral Byron, when go-
vernor of Newfoundland, to Mr Tunstall.

BRITISH BIRDS.

in

Switzerland, where it is known by the name of Fluder.
He says, <' it makes its nest among the reeds and flags,
and places it in the water ; so that it is continually wet,
as in some of the Grebe genus. It utters a loud shrill
cry." He adds that it is " sometimes taken twenty yards
deep under water, viz. with a net or iron hook baited
with a fish :" and BufFon also asserts, that " it dives to
very great depths, and swim,s under water to the distance
of an hundred paces without ascending to take breath :
a portion of air included in its dilated wind-pipe suppliesL
its respiration during this interval."

ir

172

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE LESSER IMBER.

" Bill black and horn colour, tinged with blue, three
inches long, pointed and slender : nostrils very near the
base : tongue pointed : crown of the head, and back of
the neck, mouse-colour : irides brown : scapulars, back,
rump, tail, and wings, black, edged with grey : quill fea-
thers black : tail very short and rounded. The whole
under side of the body, from the throat to the tail, silvery
white, except a brown bar which crosses the vent : inner
coverts of the wings white : legs remarkably flat, and
placed close to the tail ; they are black and grey, with a
blue tinge : the feet are very large,, webs entire and flesh

BRITISH BIRDS.

173

colour. Length two feet one inch ; extent of the wings
three feet two inches : weight three pounds eight ounces.
This bird was shot on Windermere Lake, in Westmor-
land, in December, 1794-."

This work is indebted for the above drawing and de-
scription, to Geo. Strickland, Esq. of Ripon, who further
adds, — " As this species of the Colymbus much resembles
the Imber in the colour of its plumage, I have given it
the name of the Lesser Imber, as in weight and size it is
one- third less. I have not met with any description of
it, and the specimen now in my possession is the only
one I have seen."

THE FIRST SPECKLED DIVER.

SPRAT LOON, GREATEST-TAILED DIVER, OR SPECKLED

LOON.

{Colymbus pUattis, Lin. — Le petit Pkngeon, BufF.)

This species generally weighs about two pounds and a
•half, and somewhat exceeds two feet in length, and three
and a half in breadth. The bill is three inches long, of

y 2

174' BRITISH BIRDS.

a light colour, and has rather a cast upwards : the crown
of the head and upper parts of the body are dusky, in-
•clining to grey ; and, excepting the hinder part of the
neck, lesser coverts and quills, which are plain, the rest
of the plumage is speckled all over with small white spots ;
those on the scapulars and middle wing coverts are the
largest, and marked more distinctly on the margins of
each feather, near to their tips. The fore part of the
neck is of an ash colour : cheeks, chin, throat, and under
parts, of a glossy white : tail tipped with white : legs and
toes dusky *, webs pale.

The natural habits of the Speckled Diver are much
the same as those of the kinds before described, but it
seems still more to shun the rigours of the north, and
remains longer in the temperate climates. In the winter
season it keeps its route southward, and is then met with
in the Baltic, the German ocean, and on various parts of
the British shores. In the spring it retires northward to
the lakes of the continent, and the islands within the
arftic circle, to breed and rear its young. The female
makes her nest in the grass, near the edge of the water,
and lays two eggs of a longish oval shape, larger than
those of a Hen ; they are of a dingy stone colour, spotted
with black.

The foregoing figure was done from a stuffed specimen.

BRITISH BIRDS.

175

THE SECOND SPECKLED DIVER.

The length of this bird, to the end of the tail, is two
feet four inches, and rather more to the end of the longest
or outside toe ; the extended wings are three feet four
inches, from tip to tip ; and it weighs three pounds and a
quarter. The bill, from the tip to the brow, is two inches
and an eighth, and a little more than three inches to the
corners of the mouth : both mandibles are white, faintly-
blushed with a livid or purple cast, except on the ridge
of the upper one, where it is of a dark horn colour, fa-
ding off lighter towards the tip, which is entirely white :
the irides are of a clear brown. The head and hinder
part of the neck have a hoary dark ash-coloured appear-
ance, at a little distance, but on a nearer view, the feathers
on the crown and brow, which are very small, are dark
in the middle, and distinftly edged with light grey : those
from the nape downwards are larger, but the edges are
less defined. The sides of the mouth, about the eyes,
also the cheeks and throat, are white, but are partially
dulled or freckled by a mixture of numerous small
brownish ash-coloured spots : the fore part of the neck is

ire BRITISH BIRDS.

darkened with closer set and larger spots, inclining more
to brown. All the upper parts of the plumage are of a
deep or black brown, and except the greater coverts and
the quills, are speckled all over with oblong oval white
spots, placed on the side of each feather, near the tip.
The whole under side of the body is white, but crossed
by a brown bar at the vent. The tail is brown, very
short, and of a rounded or fan shape : the legs on the in-
sides, down the shins, and on the edges behind, are
white : the middle of the webs, the two inner toes, and
the terminating joint of the outer one, together with all
the nails, are the same : all the other parts of the legs
and feet are dusky.

A pair of these birds were shot on the Tyne, at New-
castle, in the month of January, by Mr Pollock. They
differed somewhat from the preceding species, but very
little, excepting in weight, from each other. This figure
and description were taken from the larger bird. The
smaller, which probably was the female, w^eighed only
two pounds and a half. Although a particular chapter
has been allotted to these birds, the author does not sup-
pose them to be a distinct species from the preceding,
which was probably a very old female.

BRITISH BIRDS.

177

THE RED-THROATED DIVER.

RED-THROATED LOON, OR RAIN GOOSE.
( Colymbus feptentriGnaUs, Lin. — Le Plongeon a gorge rouget BiifF. )

This bird measures three feet five inches in breadth,
two feet to the end of the tail, and four inches more to
the end of the toes, and weighs nearly three pounds.
The bill is dark coloured, and less than that of the
Speckled Diver : the irides reddish : the head, chin, and
sides of the neck are of a spotless or plain dusty lead-colour-
ed blue : the upper fore part of the neck, to the throat,
is of a deep red bay : the hinder part of the neck from
the nape towards the shoulders and sides of the breast, is
streaked downwards with dusky and white, and formed
into curious ridges, by the white edges and tips of the
feathers standing outwards. The upper parts of the plu-
mage in some specimens are of a greyish dusky colour,
in others of a shining deep brown, and In both thinly
sprinkled all over with white spots, which on the coverts
and scapulars assume a more streaked or lengthened
form : the under parts are white : the legs the same as
those of the preceding species. The male and female
are nearly alike in their plumage.

173 BRITISH BIRDS.

This species inhabits the same cold countries as the
other Divers, and its manners and habits do not differ
from theirs j but it is of a more Hvely chara6i:er, and has
a more sprightly appearance than any of the preceding
kinds : also, like the rest of the genus, it is driven, in
severe winters, from the northern to more southern climes.
They breed, and are common in Greenland, Hudson's
Bay, Iceland, the Shetland and Orkney Isles, &c. The
female makes her nest, which is composed of moss and
herbage, lined with a little of her own down, on the very
edge of the shore : she lays two eggs, which are nearly
of the size of those of a hen, but of a longer shape, and
of a dingy bluish white, thinly marked with dusky spots.
They live in pairs with inconceivable affection, run swift-
ly upon the water, dive immediately, but are very aukward
upon the land, from which they rise with great difficulty.
Their flight, however, when once on the wing, is both
strong and swift : they rise to a great height, making at
intervals a disagreeable croaking, or a loud howling cry.

THE BLACK-THROATED DIVER.

i^Colymbus ArBicus^ Lin. — Le Lumme, ou petit Plongeon de la
Mer duNordy Buff.)

This bird is somewhat bigger than the Red-tliroated
Diver, and differs from it in its plumage *, but In every
other respedl they are very much alike. The fore parts
of the head, the throat, and front of the neck, are black,
changing in different lights to glossy purple or green •
on the sides of the neck this long black patch is bor-
dered by a stripe of black and white oblong spots, point-*
ing downwards, and falling over each side of the breast.
The hinder part of the head and neck are ash-coloured :
upper parts of the plumage black, marked on the scapu-

BRITISH BIRDS.

179

lars with square white spots, and on the wing coverts
with smaller round ones : the under parts are white :
quills dusky : tail black- : legs dark, and reddish on the
inside.

The Black-throated Diver, like the preceding, is com-
mon in all the Ar6lic regions, and but rarely visits Eng-
land. It has the same disagreeable cries, which, in both
kinds, are believed by the natives of Norway, the Orkney
Isles, &c. to forebode heavy rains or bad weather. Their
skins are dressed, and made into caps, hoods, Sec. and
are much esteemed as a covering for the head and breast
in the rigorous climates in which these birds are found,
the gr^at thickness of the feathers rendering them very
fit for that purpose.

By many naturalists it is thought that this differs from
the former bird in sex only.*

* A bird supposed to be of this species, was caught in the
month of March, in a pool near Dukesfield, Northumberland, and
presented to the author, by Mr Thomas Crawhall : it wanted the
black patch on the throat ; its tail, like the First Grey Speckled
Diver's, was tipped with white, and its legs were marked like those
of the second. It measured two feet two inches from the bill to
the tail.

180 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE TERNS, OR SEA SWALLOWS.

Birds of this genus have straight, slender-shaped, and
pointed bills : nostrils linear : tongue slender and sharp :
their legs are small, the webs deeply scallopped from the
toe ends to the middle, and the back toe small : the wings
are very long, and the tail forked.* These birds con-
tinue long on the wing, and, in their quick and circling
evolutions, they rise and sink in the air, or glide along
near the surface of the waters, sometimes snapping at the
inse6ls in their way, or, suddenly checking their course,
darting down upon their finny prey, which they swallow
in the ascent, without delaying their progress. Their
common residence is the sea -shores, or the mouths of
large rivers, whose courses, however, they sometimes
traverse nearly to their rise. They also visit loughs and
lakes very distant from the ocean, and likewise make ex-
cursions a long way out to sea. They congregate in large-
flocks, but particularly in the breeding season, when they
are more than usually restless, wheeling and redoubling
their varied flight high in the air, and uttering their loud
screams in clamorous confusion. Some of the species
are described as breeding on the shores, and depositing
their two eggs upon the bare rock ; others lay three or
four eggs in a hole made in the dry sand ; and some
kinds nestle among the reeds and rushes in the marshy
borders of the lakes which they frequent. The young
ones keep the nest a good while after they have been
hatched, not offering to leave it until their wings have

* In the young of some species, the tails are nearly even at the^

ends...

BRITISH BIRDS.

181

attained sufficient length and strength to enable them to
fly with ease and safety.

One kind or another of these birds is met with by na-
vigators in almost every part of the world. Latham enu-
merates twenty-three species, besides varieties : five of
the former and one of the latter are British.

THE COMMON TERN.

GREAT TERN, KIRMEW, OR SEA-SWALLOW.
{Sterna Hirundo, Lin. — La grande Hirondelle de Mer, Buff.)

This bird measures above fourteen inches in length,
thirty in breadth, and weighs more than four ounces.
The bill is of a crimson colour, tipped with black, and
about two inches and a quarter in length : the head is
capped with a longish black patch, which extends over
the eyes, and ends in a point below the nape of the neck :
the throat, cheeks, neck, and the whole of the under
parts are white : the tail, which is long, and greatly
forked, is also white, except the two outside feathers,
xvhich are black on their exterior webs j but in flying,

z 2

1S2

BRITISH BIRDS.

these forks are frequently closed so as to look like a single
feather. The upper part of the plumage is of a fine pale
lead colour : the quills are of a deeper cast, the outside
ones the darkest : the legs and feet red.

The female, it is said, forms her nest in the moss or
long coarse grass, near the lake, and lays three or four
eggs of a dull olive colour, marked with different sized
black spots at the thicker end : it is added, that she
covers them only during the night, or in the day when
it rains •, at all other times she leaves the hatching of them
to the heat of the sun.

This clean-looking bird is pretty common in the sum-
mer months on the sea-coasts, rivers and lakes of the
British Isles, and is also met with in various parts of Eu-
rope, Asia, and America. It migrates southward to the
Mediterranean, and to the Madeira and Canary Isles, and
northward as far as Spitzbergen and Greenland.

^^WV^v

BRITISH BIRDS.

183

t^f^^M^ ^'

THE LESSER TERN,

OR, LESSER SEA-SWALLOW.
( Sterna mlnutaf Lin. — La petite H'lrondelle de Mer^ BufF. )

The Lesser Tern measures about eight inches in length,
and nineteen in breadth, and weighs a little more than
two ounces. It looks like the former species in minia-
ture ; is equally, if not more delicately elegant in its plu-
mage and general appearance, and its manners and habits
ar^ much the same ; but it is not nearly so numerous, or
so widely dispersed. It differs from the Common Tern
in having the black patch on its head divided by a white
line on the front of its brow, and over each eye, in the
tail being wholly white, and, in proportion to the size of
X)f the bird, much shorter or less forked, and in the bill
and the feet being more inclined to orange or yellow.
Nothing can exceed the clean, clear, and glossy whiteness
of its close-set feathers on the under parts of the body ;
but the upper plumage is of a plain sober lead- coloured
grey. The egg is an inch and a half in length, of a dirty
yellowish brown, dashed all over with reddish blotches.

184 BRITISH BIRDS.

This bird is met with in the summer months about the
Baltic, in some parts of Russia, the river Irtish in Siberia,
the Black and Caspian Seas, and in America near New
York, &c. In Belon's time " the fishermen floated a
cross of wood, in the middle of which was fastened a
small fish for a bait, with limed twigs stuck to the four
corners, on which the bird darting, was entangled by the
wings."

THE BLACK TERN.

SCARE-CROW, CLOVEN-FOOTED GULL, OR CAR-SWALLOW.
(Sterna jyjipedesf Lin. — U EpouvantaiU Buff.)

This bird measures about ten inches in length, and
twenty-four in breadth, and weighs about two ounces
and a half. The bill, head, neck, breast, and belly, are
a dull black : back, wings, and tail, a deep ash colour :
vent, and the exterior feather on each side of its sharp
forked tail, white *, and in the male there is a white spot
on the throat. The legs and feet are a dusky red, the
webs much depressed in the middle.

The Black Tern is of a size between that of the last
two. Like them it frequents the sea-shores in summer ;
but its habits and manners are somewhat difFerent : it has
a shriller cry, does not associate with them, and seems
rather to prefer the rivers, fens, marshes, and lakes in-
land, to the sea. It breeds and rears its young among
the reeds and rushes in the former places, and is said to
lay three or four eggs of a dirty greenish colour, spotted
and encircled about the middle with black. It feeds on
beetles, maggots, and other insedls, as well as on small
fishes J and, like the rest of the genus, is very noisy, cla-

BRITISH BIRDS.

185

morous, and restless. Voyagers and ornithologists say it
is met with in Hudson's Bay, Newfoundland, and Iceland,
and that it is common in Siberia, and the salt lakes in
the deserts of Tartary.

THE SANDWICH TERN.
( Sandvicencts, Latham. )

A PAIR of these birds, male and female, were shot on
the Fern Islands, on the coast of Northumberland, in
July, 1802, from the former of which this figure was
taken.* They measured two feet nine inches from tip
to tip of the wings : the bills were tipped with yellow :
the black feathers which capped and adorned their heada

* These birds, as well as specimens of nearly the whole of the
different kinds which breed on the Fern Isles, were, after great
trouble and risk, shot there, expressly for the use of this work, by
Major Shore and Lieutenant Henry Forster Gibson, of the 4th
Dragoons : and the author takes this opportunity of expressing
the high sense of gratitude he feels to those gentlemen, for the fa-
cilities they have given to his labours.

186 BRITISH BIRDS;

were elongated behind, forming a kind of peaked crest*,'
which overhung the nape and hinder part of the neck :
the feathers of the fore part of the neck and breast, when
ruffled up, appeared deUcately and faintly blushed with
red. In other respecfts they corresponded so nearly with
Mr Latham's accurate description, that to attempt giving
any other is needless. — " Length eighteen inches : bill
two inches ; colour black with the tip horn colour :
tongue half the length of the bill : irides hazel : fore-
head, crown, hind head, and sides above the eyes, black :
the rest of the head, neck, under parts of the body and
tail white j the back and wings pale hoary lead colour :
the first five quills hoary black, the inner webs deeply
margined with white *, the sixth like the others, but much
paler : the rest of the quills like the back : the tail is
forked, the outer feathers six inches and a quarter in
length -, the wings reach beyond it : legs and claws
black : the under part of the feet dusky red/' « Some
specimens have the top of the head dotted with white."
<« In young birds the upper parts are much clouded with
brown ; and the whole of the top of the head greatly
mixed with white : but this is not peculiar, as the young
of other Terns with black heads are in the same state."
" It is pretty common on the Suffolk and Kentish coasts
in the summer months, breeds there in the month of
June, is supposed to lay its eggs upon the rocks, and to
hatch them about the middle of July." He adds,
« Whether these birds only visit us at uncertain seasons^
or have hitherto passed unnoticed among other Terns,
we know not ; but believe that this has not yet been re-
corded as a British species." " They generally make
their appearance in the neighbourhood of Romney in

BRITISH BIRDS. 187

Kent, about the middle of April, and take their depar-
ture in the beginning of September.

{^Sterna navia, Lin. — La Guifette, Buff.)

Latham says this bird is in <« length eleven inches and
a half. Bill dusky : back part of the head and nape black,
edged with rufous brown : the eye half surrounded at
the back part with a black crescent : the rest of the head,
neck, and under parts, white : back and wings of a bluish
brown, the margins of the feathers paler : the outward
part of the wing more inclined to blue grey : the wings
exceed the tail in length ; the last very little forked :
legs dusky brown." He adds, " This by authors has
been considered as a species, but is, no doubt, a young
bird merely of the Sandwich Tern."

Buffon gives a figure, and describes this bird as com-
mon on the coast of Picardy, and frequently seen flying
on the rivers Seine and Loire : that it is of a middle size
between the Greater and Lesser Tern, but differs from
them in some particulars in its habits and oeccnomy, viz :
that it feeds more upon insefts, flies, &c., is not so cla-
morous as the Greater Tern, does not lay its eggs on th©
naked sand, but makes its nest in the marshes with a few
dried herbs, in a tuft of grass or moss, in some insulated
hillock, and that it sits upon its eggs closely (generally
three in number) till the young are hatched.

.2 A

188

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BROWN TERN.

(Sterna nigra f Lin. Sterna Fufcay R^dLj. — Brown Tern,
Willonghby. Brown Gull, Pennant.)

" The whole under side white -, the upper brown ;
the wings partly brown, partly ash- colour : the head
black: the tail not forked. These birds fly in com-
panies."

This short and imperfect account is all that ornitho-
logists have been enabled to give of this doubtful species,
which has found its way into notice merely from the
communications of Mr Johnson* to Mr Ray, copied by
the latter into his Synopsis of Birds, &c.

* Mr R. Johnson, the correspondent, friend, and assistant of
the irnmortal Ray, was vicar of Brignal in Yorkshire. He died
there on the 7th of May, 1695, aged 66 years.

BRITISH BIRDS. 189

«

OF THE GULL.

The bill is strong and straight, but bent downwards
at the point : the nostrils are pervious, oblong, and nar-
row, and are placed in the middle ; the lower mandible
has an angular prominence on the under side, which
tapers towards, and forms its tip : the tongue is a little
cloven. The body is cloathed with a great quantity of
down and feathers, which, together with the large head
and long wings, give these birds an appearance of bulk,
without a proportionate weight. Their legs are small,
naked above the knees : feet webbed, and the back toe
detached, and very small.

This genus, which some naturalists have described as
consisting of about nineteen species, besides a few varie-
ties, is numerously dispersed over every quarter of the
known world, and is met with, at certain seasons, in some
parts, in such multitudes, that the whole surface of the
ground is covered with their dung : and their eggs are
gathered by the inhabitants in prodigious quantities.
They assemble together in a kind of straggling mixed
flocks, consisting of various kinds, and greatly enliven
the beach by their irregular movements, whilst their
shrill cries are deadened by the noise of the waves, or
nearly drowned in the roarings of the surge. They oc-
casionally take a wide range over the ocean, and are met
with by navigators many leagues distant from the land.
Their plumage, which in each individual of the species
varies with its age,* is clean and agreeable, but their car-

* Hence the confusion which has arisen among authors and no«
menclators, respecting this numerous tribe of birds.

2a 2

190 BRITISH BIRDS.

riage and gait are ungraceful, and their character Is stig-
matised as cowardly, cruel, lazy, thievish, and voracious ;
for which reason they have by some been called the Vul-
ture of the sea : and it Is certain pthough this trait is
not peculiar to them'J that the stronger will rob the
weaker kinds, and that they are all greedy and glutton-
ous, almost Indiscriminately devouring whatever comes
in their way, whether of fresh or putrid substances, until
they are obliged to disgorge their overloaded stomachs.
On the contrary, they are able to endure hunger a long
while : BufFon mentions one that lived nine days with-
out tasting food.

Some ornithologists divide this genus of birds into two
kinds, calling the larger Gulls, and the lesser Mews, and
class with the former kind those which measure eighteen
or twenty Inches from the point of the bill to the end of
the tail ; and with the latter all those which are of less
dimensions. The larger kinds are not so common in the
warm, as they are in the cold climates, where they re-
main to breed and rear their young, feeding chiefly upon
the rotting carcases of dead whales, &c. which they find
floating on the sea, among the ice, or driven on shore by
the winds and waves •, and many are said to remain in
the dreary regions of ice and snow during the winter,
the extreme severity of which does not compel them all
to quit their native climes.

In the temperate and cultivated countries they occa-
sionally leave the shores, and make excursions inland,
tempted probably to search for a change of food, such as
worms, slugs, &c. and of these they find, for a time, an
abundant supply on the downs and pastures which they
visit. The jelly-like substance which Is sometimes met

BRITISH BIRDS.

191

with in the fields, and known by the name of star-shoty
is believed to be the remains of half-digested worms, &c.
which they have discharged from their over-loaded sto-
machs.

THE BLACK-BACKED GULL,

OR, GREAT BLACK AND WHITE GULL.
( Lams mariTius, Lin. — Le Gotland noir. Buff. )

This species, which is the largest of the tribe, measures
twenty-nine inches in length, and five feet nine inches in
breadth, and weighs nearly five pounds. The bill is
pale yellow, very firm, strong, and thick, and nearly four
inches long from the tip to the corners of the mouth :
the projecting angle on the lower mandible is red, or
orange, with a black spot in the middle, on each side :
the irides are yellow, and the edges of the eye-lids orange.
The upper part of the back and wings is bla^k : all the

192

BRITISH BIRDS.

other parts of its plumage, and the tips of the quills, are
white : the legs pale flesh colour.

Gulls of this species are common in the northern parts
of Europe, the rocky isles of the North Sea, and in
Greenland, but are only thinly scattered on the coasts of
England, where they, however, sometimes remain to
breed on the highest cliffs which overhang the sea : their
eggs are of a round shape, of a dark olive colour, thinly
marked with dusky spots, and quite black at the thicker
end. Their cry of kac, kac, kac, quickly repeated/ is
roughly hoarse and disagreeable.

Mr Pennant says, " I have seen on the coast of Angle-
sea a bird that agrees in all respects with this, except in
size, in wanting the black spot on the bill, and in the co-
lour of the legs, which in this are of a bright yellow :
the extent of the wings is only four feet five : the length
only twenty-two inches : the weight one pound and a
half. This species, or perhaps variety, (for I dare not
assert which) rambles far from the sea, and has been shot
at Bullstrode, in Middlesex." One of this sort was shot
by Mr Latham on the Thames, near Dartford, and mea-
sured full two feet in length.

BRITISH BIRDS. 193

THE HERRING GULL.

^Larus fufcusj Lin. — Le Goiland in manteau gris-brun, ou h
Bourgmejlre, BufF.)

The weight of this bird exceeds thirty ounces ; the
length is about twenty-tliree inches, and the breadth fifty-
two. The spot on the angular knob of the under mandi-
ble is deep orange ; the rest of the bill yellow : irides
pale yellow ; edges of the eye-lids red. The back and
wing coverts are of a dark bluish ash colour : the first
five quills in most specimens are black on the upper parts,
and have each, a roundish white spot on the outer webs
near the tips ; others are marked differently on the
quills : legs pale flesh colour. The back and wings of
some of this species, which are supposed to be the young
not arrived at full plumage, are ash-coloured, spotted
with brown : the old ones are said to turn quite white.

The haunts, manners, and habits, as well as the gene-
ral appearance of this Gull, are very similar to those of
the preceding species, but this is much more common on
the British shores : they make their nests of dry grass
on the projedling ledges of the rocks, and lay three eggs
of a dull whitish colour, spotted with black. They have
obtained their name from pursuing the shoals of herrings,
and preying upon those fish. Fishermen describe them
as the constant, bold, intruding attendants on their nets,
from which they find it difficult to drive them away.
This species, like the preceding, is met with in the cold
northern seas, but has been observed to wander farther
into southern climates.

Naturalists are divided in their opinions respefling the
Bbxk-backed Gull, the Herring Gull, and the Wagel :

19i

BRITISH BIRDS.

it is by some suspected that they are all of one species,
and that the difference in their appearance is owing mere-
ly to their age and sex. This, as well as much more re-
spe6ling the Gull tribe, remains to be determined by fur-
ther investigation. The Glaucous Gull of Pennant and
Latham, which they do not consider as a British bird,
called by the Dutch Burgermeister, or Burgomaster, and
figured in the Planches Enlum'inces^ under the name Got-
land cendreey is also one of the number involved in the
same doubt, and is probably not a species distinct from
the Herring Gull ; and Latham has the same doubt re-
spe<fting the Silvery Gull.

"M

BRITISH BIRDS.

195

THE WAGEL.

GREAT GREY GULL, GRISARD, OR BURGO-MASTER.
i^Larus naviuSf Lin.-*— Z<^ Gotland varie, ou le Grlfard^ Buff.)

This Gull is about two feet in length, and five in
breadth, and weighs nearly three pounds \ but the indi-
viduals vary much in their size, some of them being less,
and others larger than these dimensions. The bill is
black, scarcely three inches long : the irides dark blue.-
The whole plumage is a mixture of ash-coloured brown
and white. The feathers on the back are dark in the
middle, with whitish grey edges : the wing coverts near-
ly the same, but more spotted j and the under parts of
the body have a much lighter and more mixed appear-
ance : the quills are plain black : the middle tail feathers
the same, but tipped with white, and crossed with a nar-

.2 B

196

BRITISH BIRDS.

row white bar towards the root or base : the side feathers
are mottled black and white : the legs are of a dirty white,
sometimes blushed with red.

Mr Pennant treated of the Wagel as a distindl species,
from an opinion he had formed, " that the first colours
of the irides, of the quill feathers, and of the tail, are in
all birds permanent." Further observation, however,
caused him to alter his mind. Other observers say that
this Gull is the young of the Herring Gull, and that it
does not change its grey plumage until the fourth year.

BRITISH BIRDS.

197

THE COMMON GULL.

COMMON SEA-MALL, OR MEW.
[Larus Canus, Lin. — La Grande Mouette cendree. Buff.)

The Common Gull generally measures between sixteen
and seventeen inches in length, thirty-six, and sometimes
more, in breadth, and weighs about one pound. The
bill is pale yellow, tinged with green,* and an inch and
three-quarters long : irides hazel : edges of the eye-lids
red : the upper part of the head and cheeks, and the
hinder part and sides of the neck are streaked with dusky
spots : the back, scapulars, and wings are of a fine pale
bluish grey : the throat, rump, tail, and all the under
parts are pure white : the first two quills are black, with
a pretty large white spot near the tips j the next four are
tipped with black, and the secondaries largely with white :

* Buffon says, the bluish bill and feet, always observable in this
fpecies, ought to distinguish it from every other, in which the feet
are generally of a flesh colour, more or less vennillion or livid.

2 B 2

198 BRITISH BIRDS.

the legs are greenish, or a dirty white. This is nearly
the description of an individual specimen j but from the
number which the author has examined, it is certain that
these birds vary in the markings of the head, quills, tail,
and in the colour of the bills and feet, hardly two of
them being found exaftly alike. Some have the head
quite white *, some the quills plain black at the ends ;
others the tail tipped with black, and the feet blushed
with red, green, or blue. Their plumage and look alto-
gether is very clean and agreeable.

The habits and manners of this species are much the
same as those of the rest of the genus : they are spread
all over the globe, and are the most common and nume-
rous of all the Gulls which frequent the British shores.
They breed on the rocky cliffs ; and lay two eggs, nearly
of the size of those of a Hen, of an olive brown colour,
marked with dark reddish blotches, or irregular spots.
At the mouths of the larger rivers, they are seen in num-
bers, picking up the animal substances which are cast on
shore, or come floating down with the ebbing tide : for
this kind of food they watch with a quick eye, and it is
curious to observe how such as are near the breakers will
mount upon the surface of the water, and run splashing
towards the summit of the wave to catch the objedl of
their pursuit. This species also, at particular seasons, re-
sorts to the inland parts of the country to feed upon
worms, &c.

Some persons who Hve near the sea commonly eat this,
as well as various other kinds of Gulls, which they de-
scribe as being good food, when they have undergone a
certain sweetening process before cooking, such as bury-
ing them in fresh mould for a day, or washing them in
vinegar.

BRITISH BIRDS.

199

THE WINTER GULL.

WINTER MEW, OR CODDY MODDY.
(Larus bybernus, Lin.^Za Mouette d^hyvevy Buff.)

This generally exceeds the Common Gull in its weight
and admeasurement. The bill is lightish, except at the
tip, of a slender shape, and about two inches long : irides
hazel. It is marked with oblong dusky spots on the top
of the head and hinder part of the neck : back and sca-
pulars pale ash-coloured grey ; but these feathers are
spotted with brown : wing coverts pale brown, edged
with dingy white ; the first quill is black, the six follow-
ing more or less black at the ends ; the others tipped
with white : the tail is crossed with a broad black bar near
the end : all the other parts of the plumage are white :
legs bluish dirty white. Mr Pennant asserts that this is
only a young bird, not a species distin6l from the Com-
mon Gull j and he also differs from Linnxus in his opini-
on that it is the same as the Larus tridaclylusy or Tarrock,

200

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BLACK-HEADED GULL.

BLACK-CAP, OR PEWIT GULL.

{Larus ridibunduSi Lin. — La Mouette rleufc a patios rouges,

BrifTon.— Za Mouette r'leufe, BufF.)

This pretty looking bird measures fifteen inches in
length, and thirty-six in breadth, and weighs about ten
ounces. The bill is of rather a slender make, and of a
full red colour : the irides hazel : edges of the eye-lids
red : head black ; but in some specimens it inclines to a
mouse-coloured brown. The back and wings are of a
delicate pale lead, or ash colour ; the neck, tail, and all
the under parts, pure white. The first quills in the spe-
cimen from which the above drawing was made, were
black on the outer webs ; those next them white, and
black towards their tips : others of the quills were partly
ash-coloured, and partly white : the legs red.

The Black-cap Gulls breed on the marshy edges of
rivers, lakes, and fens, in the interior parts of the country.

BRITISH BIRDS. 201

The female makes her nest among the reeds and rushes,
of heath or dried grass, and lays three or four eggs of an
olive brown colour^ blotched over with spots and streaks
of dull rusty red. As soon as the young are able to ac-
company them, they all retire from those places, and re-
turn to the sea.

In former times these birds were looked upon as valu-
able property, by the owners of some of the fens and
marshes in this kingdom, who, every autumn, caused
the little islets or haftsy in those wastes, to be cleared of
the reeds and rushes, in order properly to prepare the
spots for the reception of the old birds in the spring, to
which places at that season they regularly returned in
great flocks to breed. The young ones where then
highly esteemed as excellent eating, and on that account
were caught in great numbers before they were able to
fly. Six or seven men, equipped for this business, waded
through the pools, and with long staves drove them to
the land, against nets placed upon the shores of these
hafts, where they were easily caught by the hand, and
put into pens ready prepared for their reception. The
gentry assembled from all parts to see the sport. Dr
Plot,* in his Natural History of Staffordshire, published

* Dr Plot describes them as coming annually " to certain pools
in the estate of the right worshipful Sir Charles Skrymsher,
Knight, to build and breed, and to no other estate but that of this
family, in or near the county, to which they have belonged ultra
hominum memoriam^ and never moved from it, though they have
changed their station often." What the Doctor relates of the
attachment of these birds to the head of that family, of their re-
moval to another spot immediately on his death, and of their re-
turning again with the same predilection to his heir, is curious
enough, although bordering very much upon the marvellous*

202- BRITISH BIRDS.

in 1686, gives the above particulars, and says that in this
manner as many have been caught in one morning as,
when sold at five shillings per dozen, (the usual price at
that time) produced the sum of twelve pounds ten shillings ;
and that in the several drifts on the few succeeding days
of this sport, they have been taken in some years in such
abundance, that their value, according to the above rate,
was from thirty to sixty pounds — a great sum in those
days. These were the See-Gulles of which we read as
being so plentifully provided at the great feasts of the
ancient nobility and bishops of this realm. Although
the flesh of these birds is not now esteemed a dainty,
and they are seldom sought after as an article of food,
yet in the breeding season, where accommodation and
prote(Stion are afforded them, they still regularly resort
to the same old haunts, which have been occupied by
their kind for a long time past.* The foregoing figure
and description were taken from a specimen shot on
Prest wick-Car, near Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Lartis Atrkilla of Linnaeus (Laughing Gull of
Catesby, &c.) is by some naturalists believed to be an old
bird of this species, differing from it only in being rather
larger, and in having the legs black.

Willoughby gives nearly the same account, in his excellent Orni-
thology, published in 1678, and computes the sale of the birds
to amount to twenty-five pounds per annum.

* This is the case with the flocks which now breed at Pallins-
bume, in Northumberland, where they are accounted of great use
in clearing the surrounding lands of noxious insects, worms,
slugs, &c.

BRITISH BIRDS. 203

THE BROWN-HEADED GULL.

RED-LEGGED GULL, OR PICKMIRE.

Four of these birds, two males and two females, were
shot out of a flock on Prestwick-Car, Northumberland,
in the middle of May, by Mr John Wingate, of Newcas-
tle, who favoured the author with a pair : they were of
the same kind as the one described by Dr Heysham in
his Catalogue of Cumberland Animals, and communicat-
ed by him to Mr Latham. The bill and feet red ; the
edges of the eye-lids the same : inside of the mouth red-
dish orange : irides hazel. The female, which was rather
less than the male, weighed about seven ounces, and
measured fourteen inches in length, and thirty-five in
breadth : her head and throat were mouse-coloured
brown, the feathers, in places, very slightly edged or
fringed with white. The plumage on the head of the
male was of the same colour, but much more dappled and
broken with white. In both, the neck, throat, and
belly were white ; back and scapulars of a fine pale blue
grey colour ; middle coverts of the v/ings light brown,
edged with greyish white ; the exterior webs, and part
of the interior ones of the first four quills, were black :
tail white, tipped with black : toes short.

Dr Heysham says, " It is clear," from his description,
** that it neither agrees with the Tarrock nor the Pewit,
and it could not be a young bird, as it was killed in June,
and the ovary contained eggs." This reasoning does not
appear decisive ; the bird might be old enough to breed,
although not in perfedl plumage, to which some species
do not attain in less than two or three years : therefore,
whether it really was the young of the Black-headed

.2 c

204

BRITISH BIRDS.

Gull, or a dlstincn: species, remains to be determined by
further investigation.

The male of the Brown-headed Gull is by some orni-
thologists called the Kittiwake (the Larus Rissa of Lin-
nseus) ', but as there is no end of the conjectures, opini-
ons, and doubts respecting many of the Gulls, which,
from the slightest differences of plumage, have, in some
instances, been branched out into new varieties, in this
work the descriptions of others have been given in pre-
ference to making alterations, when the author could not
with certainty throw any new light upon the subje6L

BRITISH BIRDS.

205

La petite Mouette grife^ BrliTon.

Mr Pennant describes this as a variety of the Black-
headed or Pewit Gull. He says, " It differed in having
the edges of the eye-lids covered with white soft feathers.
The fore part of the head white ; the space round the
eyes dusky : from the corner of each eye is a broad dusky
bar, surrounding the hind part of the head ; behind that
is another reaching from ear to ear : the ends, interior
and exterior edges of the three first quill feathers, black ;
the ends and interior sides only of the two next white ;
beneath a black bar : the rest, as well as the secondaries,
ash- colour." " In all other respects it resembled the Com-
mon Pewit Gull." " The fat was of a deep orange colour."

The above figure was taken from a stuffed specimen
In the Wvclifie museum.

2oa

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE KITTIWAKE,

OR, ANNETT.
{Larus R'l/fa, Linnasus.)

The Kittiwake measures from fourteen to seventeen
inches in length, thirty-eight to forty in breadth, and
weighs generally about fourteen ounces. The bill is of
a greenish yellow.: the inside of the mouth and edges of
the eye-lids are orange : irides dark : the headj neck,
under parts and tail, pure white : back and wings a lead
or ash-coloured grey : the exterior edge of the first quill
feather, and the tips of the next four or five are black :
legs dusky : hinder toe not bigger than a small wart.
Some specimens of the Kittiwake are described as having
the auriculars tipped with black.

These birds chiefly haunt the rocky promontories and
islets on the British coasts : they are are likewise widely
dispersed over the world, particularly in the north, and

BRITISH BIRDS. 207

are met with from Newfoundland to Kamtschatka, as
well as in all the intermediate parts, and as far north as
navigators have visited.

This specimen was shot on one of the Fern Islands in
July, 1802.

THE TARROCK.

{Larus trldaBylus, Lin. — La Mouette cendree tacheteCi BufF.)

This bird is somewhat less than the Kittlwake. The
bill is black, short, and strong ; the head, neck, breast,
belly, and tail are all white, with the exception of the tips
of ten of the middle feathers of the tail, a spot on the au-
riculars, another under the throat, and a crescent-shaped
patch on the hinder part of the neck, all of which are
black : the back and scapulars are of a bluish grey : lesser
coverts of the wings deepish brown, edged with grey: some
of the greater covert feathers are of the same colour, and
others of plain grey : the outer webs and ends of the first
four quills, and the tips of the next two, are black ; all
the rest are wholly white : the legs are of a dingy ash co-
lour : the hinder toe, like that of the Kittiwake, is only
a kind of small, and apparently useless, protuberance.

The habits and manners of these birds are the same as
those of the Kittiwake : they are met with in the same
countries, and at the same breeding places, from Green-
land to Scotland and its isles. They leave the sea-shores
in autumn, and spread themselves over the northern ocean,
making, it is said, the floating isles of ice their chief rest-
ing places. In the spring they return to the rocky crags
to breed ; and in the month of June the female lays two
eggs of a dingy greenish colour, spotted with brown:

208

BRITISH BIRDS.

these as well as the flesh of the birds, are held jn great
estimation by the Greenlanders, who also use their skins
for caps and garments.

After many doubts and surmises respecting the Tar-
rock, the prevailing opinion among ornithologists is, that
it is only the Kittiwake not arrived at full age and plu-
mage.

A specimen of this bird, presented by Charles John
Brandling, Esq. of Gosforth, had not the black spot on the
throat. The lesser wing coverts were very dark brown ;
the first five quills were black on the outer webs and tips ;
the tips of the next two were marked with a black spot ;
and the two outside feathers of the tail were tipped in
the same way.

^^:;<fm

BRITISH BIRDS.

209

THE SKUA GULL,

OR BROWN GULL.
[Larus catarra3esy Lin.— Zf Goiland brutiy Buff.)

This stout Gull is two feet in length, and between
four and five from tip to tip of the extended wings, and
weighs about three pounds. The bill is dark, more than
two inches long, strong, much hooked, and sharp at the
tip ; and, what is singular, it is covered to the nostrils
with a kind of cere, something like that of the Hawk
tribe. The whole upper plumage is of a deep brown,
edged with a dull rust colour : the under parts are of the
same colours, but lighter ; and in some birds, the head
and throat are dashed or mixed with ash grey, and have
the secondary quills tipped with white : the tail is white
at the root, the shafts are of the same colour, and the
webs of deep brown : the legs and toes are covered with
coarse black jcales j the claws are strong and hooked, th^
inner one more so than the rest.

210 BRITISH BIRDS.

This fierce species is met with by navigators in the
high latitudes of both hemispheres, where they are much
more common than in the warm or temperate parts of
the globe. In Captain Cook's voyages round the world,
they are often mentioned ; and, from their being nume-
rous about the Falkland Isles, the seamen called them
Port-Egmont Hens. They are also common in Norway,
Iceland, the Shetland and Ferro Isles, &c. It is said that
they prey not only upon fish, but also upon the lesser
sorts of water-fowl, and even upon young lambs : this,
however, is doubted, and, by some of the northern
islanders, even denied : they on the contrary assert, that
these birds afFord protedtion to the flocks, by driving
away the Eagle, which they furiously attack whenever it
comes within their reach, and on this -account they are
highly valued. It is, however, well ascertained that they
are uncommonly courageous in defence of their own
young, and that they seize, with the utmost vengeance,,
upon any animal, whether man or beast, that offers to
disturb their nests •, and it is said also, that they some-
times attack the shepherds even while they are watching
their flocks upon the hills, who are obliged, in their own
defence, to guard their heads, and to ward off the blows
of the assailants by holding a pointed stick towards them,
against which they sometimes dash with such force as to
be killed on the spot. In like manner, they who are
about to rob their nests, hold a knife, or other sharp in-
strument, over their heads, upon which the enraged
bird precipitates, and transfixes itself. They make their
nests among the dry grass, and, when the young are
reared, they disperse themselves, commonly in pairs>
over the ocean.

BRITISH BIRDS.

211

The feathers of this species, as well as those of other
Gulls, are by many people preferred to those of the
Goose ; and in some parts they are killed in great num-
bers, merely for the sake of the feathers. On the EngUsh
coasts they are not very common : that from which the
foregoing figure was taken, was shot near Tynemouth, in
the month of September.

,^ D

212

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE BLACK-TOED GULL.

LABBE, DUNG BIRD, OR BOATSWAIN.
{^Larus Crepidatus, Lin. — Le Stercorare, BufF.)

This bird measures sixteen inches and a half in length,
and three feet four inches in breadth, and weighs eleven
ounces.* The bill is of a lead colour, dark at the point,
from which to the brow it is little more than an inch in
length : the nostrils are placed near the nail or tip, in a
kind of cere not much unlike that of the Skua Gull.
The whole upper and under plumage is dark brown, each
feather slightly edged and tipped with ferruginous : the
greater wing coverts, and the first and secondary quills
are dusky, and more distindlly tipped with rusty spots.
The tail consists of twelve feathers, the two middle ones

* This is the weight given by Mr Pennant. The specimen
from which this figure and description were taken weighed only-
eight ounces, but it was very lean. It was shot on the Durham
coast, by Mr John Forster, of Newcastle, the first of October,
1800.

BRITISH BIRDS. 21^

longer than the rest ; it is of the same colour as the
quills, except at the concealed part of its root, which is
white. The legs are slender, and of a lead colour j the
thighs and part of the joint, and the toes, black : the
webs are of the same colour, excepting a small space be-
tween the first joints of the toes, which is white.

The black-toed Gull, described by Mr Pennant, differs
from this in some particulars : he says, " the head and
neck are of a dirty white : the hinder part of the latter
plain, the rest marked with oblong dirty spots : the breast
and belly are white, crossed with numerous dusky and
yellowish lines : the feathers on the sides and vent are
barred transversely with black and white : the back, sca-
pulars, coverts of the wings, and tail, are black, beautiful-
ly edged with white or pale rust calour : the shafts and
tips of the quill feathers are white : the exterior web,
and upper half of the interior web, black ; but the lower
part of the latter white : the tail consists of twelve black
feathers tipped with white." The male is said to be
blacker and darker than the female.

These birds are not common on the British shores,
nor, although widely dispersed over the face of the ocean,
are they numerous any where. They do not exceed the
Lesser Gulls, or Mews, in size, yet their greater ferocity
enables them to carry into effeft that continual persecu-
tion which is prompted by their ravenous appetite. As
soon as they perceive that one of the Mews has seized a
prey, they pursue and attack it with the speed and vigour
of a Hawk, until the harassed bird, through fatigue or
fear, is compelled to drop or disgorge the obje^l of con-
tention, which the pursuer catches in the fall, commonly
before it reaches the water. Distant observers have sup-

.2 d2

214* BRITISH BIRDS.

posed this dropping substance to be the dung of the fugi-
tive ; and hence the Black-toed Gull obtained the name
of the Dung-bird.

THE ARCTIC GULL.

FEASER, OR LONG-TAILED LABBE.
{^Larus parafiticusy Lin. — Le Labhe a longue queues BufF.)!

" The length of this species is twenty-one inches : the
bill is dusky, about an inch and a half long, pretty much
hooked at the end, but the straight part is covered with
a sort of cere. The nostrils are narrow, and placed near
the end, like the former* In the male the crown of the
head is black : the back, wings, and tail dusky : but the
lower part of the inner webs of the quill feathers, white :
the hind part of the neck, and the whole under side of
the body, white : the tail consists of twelve feathers, the
two middlemost nearly four inches longer than the
others : the legs black, small, and scaly." " The female
is entirely brown -, but of a much paler colour below than
above : the feathers in the middle of the tail only two
inches longer than the others. Linnaeus has separated
this from its mate, his Larus Parasiticus^ and made it a
synonym to his Larus CatarracUSy a bird as different
from this as any other of the whole genus." Pennant,

The habits and manners of this species are the same as
those of the last. It pursues the smaller Gulls for the
purpose of robbing them of their prey, and like the other,
is called the Dung-bird, from similar groundless notions.
It is pretty common in the northern parts of Europe,
Asia, and America. Numbers of them frequent the He-

BRITISH BIRDS.

215

brides in the breeding season, which is from May till
August. The female makes her nest of moss on the dry-
grassy tufts in boggy places, and lays two eggs of an ash
colour, spotted with black*

216 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE PETREL.

The bills of this genus are straight, except the end,
which is bent or hooked : the nostrils, for the most part,
contained in one tube ; but in a few species they are dis-
tindl and separate. Legs small, and naked above the
knees : three toes placed forward, and a spur behind, in-
stead of a back toe : wings very long and strong.

These birds are the constant, roving, adventurous in-
habitants of the ocean ; one species or another of them is
met with by navigators in every climate, and at the
greatest distances from land. They seem to sport with
the tempest, and run on foot, swim, or fly at pleasure
over the foaming billows, with amazing velocity.* In
flying they generally keep so near to the undulating wa-
ters, that the tips of their wings often beat upon the sur-
face, and thereby accelerate their progress. In calm
weather they float and repose, as it were, on the bosom
of the ocean. They are seldom seen on shore, and when
they are, it is only in the breeding season, and then
merely for the purposes of incubation. The females de-
posit their eggs in holes in the ground, or in the deep
hidden caverns and recesses of the rocks, where they and
their mates, while employed in rearing their young, are
heard in croaking, clucking converse, not unlike the un-
varied hollow sounds of a number of frogs. They ara
accounted a stupid race of birds, because they seem fear-
less of danger, and suff^er themselves to be so nearly ap-
proached as easily to be shot, or even knocked on the
head. In the preservation of their young they seem to

* Some species of them are known to dive also. Co9k''i Fojages,

BRITISH BIRDS.

217

have only one mode of defence, and that is the singular
faculty of squirting oil from their bills, with great force,
on the face of their enemy ; by which means they some-
times succeed in disconcerting his attempts to rob their
iiests. They are a remarkably oily fat race of birds.

Ornithologists have reckoned nineteen species, and a
few varieties, of the Petrel, whose nostrils are contained
in a single tube, — and four species which have nostrils
divided into two tubes. Three species only of this genus
are accounted British birds.

218

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE FULMAR,

OR MALLEMOKE.

{^ProceUana glaclalisi Lin. — Le Fulmar, ou Petrel Puffin grls

blanc, BufF.)

The Fulmar measures seventeen Inches in length, and
weighs about twenty-two ounces. The bill is strongly-
formed, and about two inches long ; the hook or nail of
the upper mandible, and the truncated termination or
tip of the under one, are yellow \ the other parts of it
are of a greyish colour, and, in some specimens, blushed
with red : the nostrils are contained in one sheath, divid-
ed into two tubes. The head, neck, all the under parts,
and the tail, are white : back and wing coverts blue grey :
quills dusky blue : legs yellowish, inclining more or less,
in some specimens, to red. The body is thickly cloathed
with feathers upon a close fine down.

This species is much more common in cold than in
warm or temperate climates : it has been met with in

BRITISH BIRDS. 219

both the ar<Slic and antardlic regions, In all parts which
navigators have been able to visit, even to the foot of
those impenetrable barriers, the floating islands and eter-
nal mountains of ice and snow.

In the northern parts of the world, the natives of the
various coasts and Islands easily catch these heedless birds
in great numbers. Pennant, speaking of these which
breed on, or inhabit, the Isle of St Kilda, says — « No
bird is of such use to the islanders as this : the Fulmar
supplies them with oil for their lamps, down for their
beds, a delicacy for their tables, a balm for their wounds,
and a medicine for their distempers." He says also, that
it is a «' certain prognostlcator of the change of the wind ;
if it comes to land, no west wind Is expected for some
time 5 and the contrary when it returns and keeps the

sea.

These birds are extremely greedy and gluttonous, and
will devour any floating putrid substances, such as the
filth from the ships, which they fearlessly follow. They
also pursue the whales, but particularly the bloody track
of those which are wounded, and In such great flocks as
thereby sometimes to discover the prize to the fishers,
with whom they generally share 5 for when the huge ani-
mal is no longer able to sink, the Fulmars, In multitudes,
alight upon It, and ravenously pluck off and devour lumps
of the blubber, until they can hold no more.

The female Is said to lay only one large white and very
brittle egg, which she hatches about the middle of June.

.2 E

220

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SHEARWATER.

SKRABE, MANKS PETREL, MANKS PUFFIN, OR LYRE.
(Procellarla Pujinus, Lin. — Le Puffin^ BufF.)

This species measures In length fifteen inches, and In
breadth thirty one, and weighs about seventeen ounces.
The bill is about an inch and three quarters long ; the
tip black, the other parts yellowish : the tubular nostrils
are not so prominent as in others of this genus. The in-
ner coverts of the wings, and under parts of the body,
are white : the head, tail, thighs, and upper parts black,
tinted more or less with grey : the legs are flattened on
the sides, and weak -, light-coloured, or whitish on the
fore parts, and dusky behind.

The Shearwater is found in greater or smaller numbers
in almost every part of the watery world, in both hemi-
spheres, and in every climate ; but they are met with in
greater abundance in the north. In the Hebrides, and

o

other islands with which the seas of Scotland are dotted.

BRITISH BIRDS. 221

these birds are caught by the natives in great numbers,
and are used for the same purposes as the Fuhnar.

Willoughby whose excellent ornithology has thrown
so much light on this branch of natural history, and clear-
ed the paths for subsequent writers, gives the following
account of the coming of these birds to breed in the Isle
of Man: —

" At the south end of the Isle of Man lies a little islet,
divided from Man by a narrow channel, called the Calf
of Man, on which are no habitations but only a cottage
or two lately built. This islet is full of rabbits, which
the Puffins coming yearly dislodge, and build in their
burroughs. They lay each but one egg before they sit,
like the Razor-bill and Guillem, although it be the com-
mon persuasion that they lay two at a time, of which the
one is always addle." " The old ones early in the morn-
ing, at break of day, leave their nests and young, and
the island itself, and spend the whole day in fishing at
sea, and never returning or once setting foot on the island
before evening twilight : so that all day the island is so
quiet and still from all noise as if there were not a bird
about it." He observes that they feed the young ones
from the contents of their loaded stomachs during the
night, that they become extremely fat, and are taken and
salted down for keeping, and that the Romish church
permitted them to be eaten in lent. He adds further re-
spe£ling the young ones : — " When they come to their
growth, they who are intrusted by the lord of the island
(the Earl of Derby) to draw them out of the rabbit-holes,
that they may the more readily know and keep account
of the number they take, cut off one foot, and reserve it,
which gave occasion to that fable, that the Puffins are

2e 2

^

222

BRITISH BIRDS.

single footed. They usually sell them for about nine-
pence the dozen, a very cheap rate."

The above figure was taken from a stuffed specimen
in the Wycliffe museum.

BRITISH BIRDS.

223

THE STORMY PETREL.

STORM FINCH, OR LITTLE PETREL.
{^Procellaria pelag'tca, Lin. — UOlfeau de Temphet Buff.)

This is the least of all the web-footed birds, measuring
only about six inches in length, and thirteen in breadth.
The bill is half an inch long, hooked at the tip ; the nos-
trils tubular. The upper parts of the plumage are black,
sleek, and glossed with bluish refledlions : the brow,
cheeks, and under parts, sooty brown : the rump, and
some feathers on the sides of the tail, white : legs slender,
black, and scarcely an inch and three quarters in length,
from the knee joint to the end of the toes.

This bird resembles the Chimney Swallow in general
appearance, in the length of its wings, and in the swift-
ness of its flight. It is sometimes met with by navigators
on every part of the ocean, diving, running on foot, or
skimming over the surface of the heavy rolling waves of
the most tempestuous sea, quite at ease, and in security 5

224 BRITISH BIRDS.

and yet it seems to foresee, and fear the coming storm,
long before the seaman can discover any appearance of
its approach ; and this these little sure prognosticators
make known by flocking together under the wake of
the ship, as if to shelter themselves from it, or to warn
the mariners, and prepare them to guard against the dan-
ger. They are silent during the day, and their clamor-
ous piercing voice is heard only in the night. In the
breeding season they betake themselves to the promon-
tories, where, in the fissures of the rocks, they breed and
rear their young, which they condu6t to the watery ele-
ment as soon as they are able to crawl, and immediately
lead them forward to roam, with themselves, over the
dreary and trackless waste.

Mr Pennant, on the authority of Brunnich, says, that
** the inhabitants of the Ferro Isles make tliis bird serve
the purposes of a candle, by drawing a wick through the
mouth and rump, which being lighted, the flame is fed
by the fat and oil of the body." Like others of this genus,
it squirts oil from its bill on the face of its enemy.

Although it has been generally said that these birds are
never seen but at sea, except during the period of incuba-
tion ; yet some instances occur of their having been shot
inland. Mr Latham speaks of one which was shot at
Sandwich, in Kent, in a storm of wind, among a flock
of Hoopoes, in the month of January, — of another shot
at Walthamstow, in Essex, — and of a third which was
killed near Oxford. The late M. Tunstall, Esq. of Wy-
clifFe, had one sent to him, which was shot near Bake-
well, in Derbyshire •, and the specimen from which the
above figure and description were taken, was found dead
in a field near Ripon, in Yorkshire, and obligingly sent

BRITISH BIRDS.

225

to the author by Lieutenant-Colonel Dalton, late of the
4th Dragoons. It is probable that sickness, or the ex-
treme violence of some hurricane had driven these birds
so far from their natural element.

226 BRITISH BIRDS.

OF THE MERGUS.

BiKDS of this genus have roundish slender bills, fur-
nished at the end with a hard, horny, crooked nail-,
edges of the mandibles very sharply toothed, or serrated ;
nostrils small, subovated and placed near the middle of
the bill : tongue rough, with hard indented paplllse turn-
ed backward : legs short ; feet webbed ; toes long, and
the outer ones about the same length as the middle : the
head is small, but the quantity of soft silky feathers
with which it is furnished, and which they can bristle up
from the nape of the neck to the brow, gives it a large
appearance. They are a broad, long-bodied, and flat-
backed kind of birds, and swim very squatly on the wa-
ter, the body seeming nearly submerged, with only the
head and neck clearly seen. They are excellent divers,
remaining a long while under water, and getting to a
great distance before they appear again. They fly near
the surface of the water, and, notwithstanding the short-
ness of their wings, with great swiftness, though seldom
to any great distance. They devour a large quantity of
fish ; and their pointed, sharp-toothed, and hooked bills
are well calculated for holding fast their slippery prey,
none of which, when once within their gripe, can escape.
Latham enumerates six species and three varieties of
this genus, five of which are accounted British birds.
George Strickland, Esq. of RIpon, to whom this work is
much indebted for sundry communications, enumerates
six species of this genus, which are all met with in Great
Britain and its adjacent isles : the author agrees with him
likewise in opinion, that much remains to be done in or-
der to clear up the doubts in which their history is in-

BRITISH BIRDS.

2^7

volved, and by which the classification of the different
species is confused : he says — " The genus Mergus,
though only a very small tribe of birds, still remains in
the greatest obscurity, and I have not yet n;et with any
ornithologist who has not, in my opinion, multiphed the
number of the species, by considering birds of this genus
as of different kinds, when they differed only in sex."
His arrangement is as follows : —

Gjsnus Mergus*

Species 1. Merganser .... Goosander.

2. Castor Dun-Diver.

3. Serrator . ^ . . . Less Dun-Diver.

4. Alhellus Smew.

5. ■ Lough-Diver.

6. Minutus ..... Red-headed Smew.

^^ r

228

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GOOSANDER.

[Mergus Merganfer., Lin. — UHarle, Buff.)

The male generally weighs about four pounds, and
measures in length nearly two feet, and in breadth three
feet two inches. The bill is slender, and turned a little
upwards ; it is three inches long from the hooked nail or
tip to the corners of the mouth, but little more than two
inches on the ridge \ both mandibles are black on the
upper and under parts, and crimson on the sides ; they
are sharply toothed on the edges, and on the inside of
the upper, which is narrow, thin, and hard at the tip,
there is a double row of smaller teeth : the tongue is
furnished with a similar kind of double row, running
along the middle, and edged with a kind of hairy border :
the irides are commonly of a fine red colour, but in some
dusky. The head is covered or crowned with a great
quantity of feathers, which, when eredled, form a crest ;
at other times they are laid flatly down, and fall over the
nape of the neck : these feathers are of a glossy bottle

BRITISH BIRDS. 22c^

green colour ; and the cheeks, throat, and upper fore
part of the neck, dull black : the lower part of the neck,
the breast, belly, vent, and inner coverts of the wings are
of a beautiful kind of cream colour : the upper part of
the back, and adjoining scapulars are a fine glossy black ;
the others bordering on the wing, white : the coverts at
the setting on of the wing, black ; the rest pure white ;
the secondary quills are the same, narrowly edged with
black ; the primaries dusky : the middle of the back and
rump are ash colour -, from the thighs to the sides of the
tail, waved and freckled with ash and white : the tail
consists of eighteen dark bluish grey feathers : the legs
and feet are deep scarlet, like sealing-wax. Willoughby
says — " It hath a huge bony labyrinth on the windpipe,
just above the divarications ; and the windpipe hath, be-
sides, two swellings out, one above another, each resemb-
ling a powder-puff."* It is probable that the whole
genus have a similar kind of windpipe, and that the use
of it is to contain the air which the bird respires while
divings and remaining long under water.

The Goosander is an inhabitant of the cold northern
latitudes, and seldom makes its appearance in the tempe-
rate or more southern climates, to which it is driven only
by the inclemency of the weather, in severe winters, in
search of those parts of rivers or lakes which are not
bound up by the frost. It leaves this country early in
the spring, and goes northward to breed, and is never
seen during the summer months in any part of England ;
but in hard winters (which the appearance of these birds
presages) they are common on the fresh water pools,
rivers, and fens in the east riding of Yorkshire, and oxx

* The Red-breasted Goosander has the same.
2 F 2

230

BRITISH BIRDS.

the fens of Lincolnshire. Their flesh is by some ac-
counted rank and fishy ; others say that it is dry un^
pleasant food, and, in corroboration of this, quote the old
vulgar proverb, " He who would regale the devil, might
serve him with Merganser and Cormorant." The author,
in some instances, has found these proverbs to be not well
founded ; but never having tasted of this particular
species, he cannot hazard a contrary opinion.

The foregoing description was taken from a* bird in
full plumage, with which this work was favoured by Ro-
bert Pearson, Esq. of Newcastle, 20th March, 180Q.

y£%,

BRITISH BIRDS.

231

■^v.

THE DUN-DIVER,

OR SPARLING-FOWL.
[Mcrgus cq/Ior, Lin. — UHark cendre, ou h BievrC) BufF.)

This is of the same form as the Goosander, but differs
from that bird in its plumage and size : it measures
twenty-seven inches in length, and thirty-five in breadth,
and, when in good condition, weighs sometimes between
three and four pounds. The bill, from the tip to the
corners of the mouth, is two inches and a quarter long,
of a red colour, but darker on its ridge •, the hooked
horny nail of the upper mandible is blackish ; the tip of
the under one white. The head and upper part of the
neck are of a deep chesnut ; the crest, the feathers of
which are soft, very long, and pendent, is of a deeper
shade of the same colour : the chin and upper part of the
throat are white : the back, scapulars, coverts of the
wings, rump, and sides of the body, are of a bluish ash
or lead colour : the fore part of the neck, the breast, bel-
ly, and vent, are yellowish white \ the bastard and pri-

232 BRITISH BIRDS.

mary quills dark brown : a large white patch or bar is
formed on the middle of the wing, by the tips of the
greater coverts and the outer webs of six of the secondary
quills *, but those nearest to the body are of a hoary dark
ash : the tail, which consists of fourteen feathers, is near-
ly of the same colour : the legs are orange red.

The habits, manners, and haunts of this species are
nearly the same as those of the last; but the Dun -diver
is met with in this country in greater numbers.* They
have long been looked upon and treated of by ornitholo-
gists as the female of the Goosander •, later observations,
however, have wrought a change of opinion among the
modern investigators of this branch of natural history,
and it is now generally agreed that the Dun-diver is a
distinct species. Dr Heysham, of Carlisle, was probably
the first who, by dissection, removed some of the doubts
in which this matter was involved : — in his Catalogue of
Cumberland Animals,-}- he says, " This has generally been
considered as the female of the Goosander." *' The fol-
lowing circumstances which have come under my obser-
vation, however, render this opinion somewhat doubtful :
1st, The Dun-divers are far more numerous than the
Goosanders. 2d, The Dun-divers are all less than the
Goosanders, (the largest I have seen being little more
than three pounds) but of various sizes, some being under
two pounds. 3d, The crest of the Dun-diver is conside-
rably longer than the crest (if it can be so called) of the

* Latham, on the authority of Mr Jackson, says they breed on
the islands of the river Shannon, near Killaloe, in Ireland, and are
frequently seen there the whole summer.

■f See the additional ornaments to Hutchinson's History of
Cumberland.

BRITISH BIRDS. 233

Goosander. 4th, Dun-divers have been found, upon
disseftion, to be males. 5th, The neck of the laroest
Dun-diver, and which has proved to be a male, is no-
thing like so thick as the neck of the Goosander."
« On the 26th of December, 1783, I dissected a Dun-
diver, which was rather more than three pounds in
weight ; its length was twenty-seven inches, and its
breadth thirty-five inches. It proved to be a male : the
testes, though flaccid, were very distinct, and about half
an inch in length. In the middle of January, 1786, I
received two Dun-divers, both of which I dissected : the
first was a small one, about two pounds in weight ; it
proved to be a female ; the eggs were very distindl : the
second was much larger, and weighed three pounds ; its
crest was longer, and its belly of a fine yellowish rose co-
lour : it was a male, and the testes were beginning to
grow turgid. I have dissefled only one Goosander, and
that proved to be a male. Therefore, until a Goosander
be found, upon dissection, to prove a female, or two
Goosanders to attend the same nest, the doubts respect-
ing these birds cannot be satisfactorily removed."

Although Willoughby describes this as the female
Goosander, yet he expresses his doubts of the matter,
from its being, like that bird, furnished with a kind of
large labyrinth, which, he says, is to be found in the
males only of the Duck tribe, and whence he conjedtures
that this is also peculiar to all the males of the Mergi,
and that all the females are v/ithout it ; but he notices
one of this family (which at Venice is called Cokal/J in
which this labyrinth, or enlargement of the windpipe,
was wanting. Respecting the Dun-diver he further ob-
serves, that " the stomach of this bird is as it were a craw

234.

BRITISH BIRDS.

and a gizzard joined together. The upper part, resem-
bling the craw, hath no wrinkles or folds in its inner
membrane, but is only granulated with small papillary
glandules, resembling the little protuberances on the
third ventricle of a Beef, called the Manifold, or those on
the shell of a Sea-urchin."

The above figure was drawn from one in full plumage
and perfe6lion, for which this work was indebted to Ro-
bert Pearson, Esq. of Newcastle, the 28th of February,
1801.

'^m^^

BRITISH BIRDS.

2S5

**^HMWt? SSA>*»«»»»"««» "*

THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.

{Mergus ferrator, Lin. — V Hark huppe^ BuiF.)

This bird measures one foot nine inches in length, and
two feet seven in breadth, and weighs about two pounds.
The bill, from the tip to the angles of the mouth, is three
inches in length, slender, and of a rather roundish form,
and like those of the rest of this genus, hooked at the tip,
and toothed on the edges : the upper mandible is dark
brown, tinged with green, and edged with red : the
lower one wholly red : tlie irides are deep red : the head,
long pendent crest, and upper part of the neck, are of a
glossy violet black, changing in different lights to a beau-
tiful gilded green : the rest of the neck and belly white :
the breast rusty red, spotted with black on the front, and
bordered on each side with five or six white feathers,
edged with black : the upper part of the back, glossy
black ; the lower, the rump, and sides, are prettily mark-

.2 G

236 BRITISH BIRDS.

ed with transverse zigzag lines of brown and pale grey :
the ridge of the wings, and adjoining coverts are dusky j
the feathers nearest to the wings are white : the greater
coverts, and some of the secondary quills, black and
white ', the others, and the scapulars, are also party-co-
loured of the same hue : the primary quills are black ;
some of those next to the body tipped with white, and
others of them white on the upper half, and black to
their points. The tail is short, its colour brown : the legs
and feet are of a deep saffron-coloured red. These birds,
both male and female, are said to differ much in their
plumage ; some having more white on them than otliers,
and some also brighter colours, and more distincStly
marked.

The female (which the author has not seen) is describ-
ed as differing from the male in having only the rudi-
ment of a crest. Mr Pennant says — " The head and up-
per part of the neck are of a deep rust-colour : throat
white : fore part of the neck and breast marbled with
deep ash colour : belly white : great quill feathers dusky :
lower half of the nearest secondaries black j the upper
white : the rest dusky : back, scapulars, and tail, ash-co-
loured ; the upper half of the secondary feathers white 5
the lower half black -, the others dusky."

In a male of this species which was shot at Sandwich,
in Kent, Latham says — " I observed that the feathers
which compose the crest, were simply black ; also down
the middle of the crown, as well as the space before the
eye, and beneath the chin and throat ; but in the rest of
the neck the black had a gloss of green." He also de-
scribes it as having " a curious and large labyrinth," simi-
lar, it is supposed, to those of other males of this genus
which have been noticed before.

BRITISH BIRDS.

237

The Red-breasted Merganser is not common in Bri-
tain, particularly in the southern parts of the island ; but
they are met with in great flocks at Newfoundland,
Greenland, and Hudson*s Bay, during the summer
months j they are found also in various other northern
parts of the world, and in the Mediterranean sea.

^c2

238

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SMEW,

OR WHITE NUN.
( Mergus alhellast Lin. — Le petit Hark huppe, ou la Fietfe, Buff.)

The Smew is about the size of a Wigeon : the bill is
nearly two inches long, of a dusky blue colour, thickest
at the base, and tapering into a more slender and narrow
shape towards the point •, it is toothed like those of the
rest of this tribe : the irides are dark : on each side of
the head, an oval-shaped black patch, glossed with green,
is extended from the corners of the mouth over the eyes :
the under side of the crest is black ; the other parts of
the head and neck white : the breast, belly, and vent are
also white, excepting a curved black stroke, pointing for-
ward from the shoulders on each side of the upper part
of the breast, which, on the lower part, has also similar
strokes pointing the same way : the back, the coverts on
the ridge of the wingSj and the primary quills, are black:

BRITISH BIRDS.

239

the secondaries and greater coverts black, tipped with
white : the middle coverts and the scapulars white : the
sides, under the wings to the tail, are agreeably variegat-
ed and crossed with dark waved lines. The tail consists
of sixteen dark ash coloured feathers ; the middle ones
are about three inches and a half long, the rest gradually
tapering off shorter on each side : the legs and feet are
of a bluish lead colour. This species is at once distin-
guished from the rest of the Mergi by its black and white
piebald appearance, although the individuals vary from
each other in the proportion and extent of those colours
»n their plumage.

210 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RED-HEADED SMEW,

OR WEESEL COOT.
[Mergus mlnutus, Lin. — VHarle etoile. Buff.)

This bird measures fifteen inches and a half in length,
and twenty-four in breadth, and weighs about fourteen
or fifteen ounces. The bill is of a bluish lead colour, the
tip dusky : the head and crest are of a reddish brown,
with a dusky spot between the bill and the eyes : the
cheeks, throat, belly, sides of the body, and vent, are
white : the middle of the neck is encircled with pale
brown ; the lower part of it, the breast, and shoulders,
are clouded with dingy brown and pale grey ; the ridge
of the wings, and adjoining lesser coverts are grey ; the
middle coverts white ; the greater and the secondary
quills, Uke those of the Smew, black, tipped with white ;
the primary quills dusky : the back, scapulars, rump, and
tail, of a deep brownish ash colour ; legs and feet dull
pale blue.

The Red-headed Smew has long been considered, by
some ornithologists, as a distin£l species ; while others
have maintained that it is only the female of the last j
and this matter is still doubtful. Mr Pennant, in the
supplement to his Ar£lic Zoology, says, it is now found
to be the female of the Smew •, Mr Latham is of the same
opinion j but Mr Strickland thinks differently j he rests
his opinion chiefly on the great disproportion in their
%veight : the former, he says, is two pounds two ounces,
while this is onlv about fourteen ounces.

BRITISH BIRDS, 241

THE LOUGH-DIVER.

This is somewhat less than the Smew. " The head
and hinder part of the neck are rust-coloured ; the head
slightly crested : back, scapulars, and tail dusky : fore
part of the neck white : breast clouded with grey ; on
the lesser coverts of the wings a great bed of white ; on
the primaries ^nd greater coverts two transverse lines of
white : legs dusky." In describing this as the female of
the Smew, Mr Pennant says it has " around the eyes a
spot of the same colour and form as in the male ;" he af-
terwards correfts his error in supposing it the female, and
adds — "■ The bird I thought to be the female, and called
the Lough-diver, is a distinft kind. Mr Plymley informs
me that he disse£l:ed several, and found males and females
without any distinction of plumage in either sex."

Having had no opportunity of examining either of the
two birds last described, the author has been obliged to
relate merely what others have said concerning them,
and is at a loss how to reconcile their different opinions,
not only indeed concerning these, but others of this
tribe ; to some of which no known females have yet been
distinctly attached : and whilst it is evident that this is a
circumstance which cannot happen, it is also plain that
much further investigation is necessary in order to eluci-
date their history. The finishing hand of some scientific
ornithologist is yet wanting, whose zeal and industry in
the pursuit may be rewarded by the means and opportu-
nities of acquiring such information as may clear up those
doubts, and remove those difiiculties, which have hither-
to rendered this class of birds so imperfectly known.

The Lough-diver, the White Nun, and the Red-head-

212 BRITISH BIRDS.

ed Smew seldom visit this country, except in very severe
winters, by which they are driven from their haunts in
the northern parts of the world. Their manners and
habits are alike ; they also differ little from the rest of
the genus, which all live on fish of various kinds, which,
they eagerly hunt after, both at sea and in the fresh
water lakes, as necessity or inclination impels them to
visit the one or the other.

BRITISH BIRDS. 2-13

OF THE ANAS,

The bill of this genus is strong, broad, depressed, or
flat, and commonly furnished at the end with a nail ; the
edges of the mandibles divided into lamiiise or teeth : nos-
trils small and oval : tongue broad, edges neai^ the base,
fringed : feet webbed ; the middle toe the longest.

This genus, in which ornithologists have included all
the Swans, Geese, and Ducks, amounts, according to the
latest enumeration, to ninety-eight species, and about
fourteen varieties ; thirty-three of the former, and one
of the latter, are accounted British birds.

From the Swan downward to the Teal, they are all a
clean-plumaged beautiful race of birds, and some of them
exquisitely so. Those which have been reclaimed from
a state of nature, and live dependent on man, are ex-
tremely useful to him : under his protection they breed
in great abundance, and without requiring much of his
time or care, lead tlieir young to the pool almost as soon
as they are hatched, where they instantly, with instinc-
tive perception, begin to search for their food, which at
first consists chiefly of weeds, worms, and ins€<5ls ; these
they sift, as it were, from the mud, and for that purpose
their bills are admirably adapted. When they are fur-
ther advanced in life, they pick up the sodden scattered
grain of the farm-yard, which, but for their assiduous
searchings, would be lost. To them also are allotted the
larger quantities of corn which are shaken by the winds
from the over-ripened ears in the fields. On this clean
and simple food they soon become fat, and tlieir flesh is
accounted delicious and nourishing.

.2 H

24^i

BRITISH BIRDS.

In a wild state, birds of various kinds preserve their
original plumage ; but when tamed they soon begin to
vary, and shew the effe(Sls of domestication : this is the
case with the tame Goose and the Duck, which differ as
much from the wild of their respeflive kindsj as they
do from each othei*.

BRITISH BIRDS. 24-5

THE WILD SWAN.

ELK, HOOPER, OR WHISTLING SWAN.
(Anas Cygnus ferus, Lin. — Le Cygne fauvagct Buff.)

The Wild Swan measures five feet In length, and
above seven in breadth, and weighs from thirteen to six-
teen pounds. The bill is three inches long, of a yellowish
white from the base to the middle, and thence to the tip,
black : the bare space from the bill over the eye and eye-
lids is yellow : the whole plumage in adult birds Is of a
pure white, and, next to the skin, they are cloathed with
a thick fine down : the legs are black.

This species generally keeps together in small flocks,
or families, except in the pairing season, and at the set-
ting In of winter. At the latter period they assemble In
immense multitudes, particularly on the large rivers and
lakes of the thinly inhabited northern parts of Europe,
Asia, and America : but when the extremity of the
weather threatens to become Insupportable, in order to
shun the gathering storm, they shape their course, high
in air, in divided and diminished numbers, in search of
milder climates. In such seasons they are most com-
monly seen in various parts of the British isles, and in
other more southern countries of Europe. The same is
observed of them in the North American states. They
do not, however, remain longer than till the approaching
of the spring, when they again retire northward to the
ar£lic regions to breed. A few, indeed, drop short, and
perforpi that office by the way, for they are known to
breed in some of the Hebrides, the Orkney, Shetland,
and other solitary isles ; but these are hardly worth no-
tice : the great bodies of them are met with in the large

2 h2

24>a BRITISH BIRDS.

rivers and lakes near Hudson's Bay, and those of Kam-
tschatka, Lapland, and Iceland. They are said to return
to "the latter place in flocks of about a hundred at a time,
in the spring, and also to pour in upon that island from
the north, in nearly the same manner, on their way
southward in the autumn. The young which are bred
there remain throughout the first year ; and in August,
when they are in moult, and unable to fly, the natives
taking advantage of this, kill them with clubs, shoot, and
hunt them down with dogs, by which they are easily
caught. The flesh is highly esteemed by them as a de-
licious food, as are also the eggs, which are gathered in
the spring. The Icelanders, Kamtschatdales, and other
natives of the northern world, dress their skins with the
down on, sew them together, and make them into gar-
ments of various kinds : the northern American Indians
do the same, and sometimes weave the down as barbers
weave the cawls for wigs, and then manufacture it into
ornamental dresses for the women of rank, while the
larger feathers are formed into caps and plumes to deco-
rate the heads of their chiefs and warriors. They also
oather the feathers and down in large quantities, and
barter or sell them to the inhabitants of more civilized
nations.

Buffbn Is of opinion that the Tame Swan has been de-
rived originally from the wild species ; other naturalists
entertain a contrary opinion, which they form chiefly on
the difference between them in the singular conforma-
tion of the windpipe. Willoughby says, " The wind-
pipe of the Wild Swan, after a strange and wonderful
manner enters the breastbone in a cavity prepared for it,
and is therein reflected, and after its egress at the divari-

BRITISH BIRDS. 247

cation IS contracted into a narrow compass by a broad and
bony cartilage ; then being divided into two branches,
goes on to the lungs : these branches before they enter
the lungs, are dilated, and as it were swollen out into
two cavities." Dr Heysham corroborates the above, and
adds, that the "Wild Swan, in this particular, differs not
only from fhe Tame Swan, but also from every other
bird. The only observable external difference between
the two species is in the markings of the bill, (which are
figured in the subjoined head) and in the Wild Swan's
being of less bulk than the Mute or Tame kind.

' Much has been said in ancient times, of the singing of
the Swan, and many beautiful and poetical descriptions
have been given of its dying song. « No fiftion of na-
tural history, no fable of antiquity, was ever more cele-
brated, oftener repeated, or better received : it occupied
the soft and lively imagination of the Greeks ; poets,
orators, and even philosophers, adopted it as a truth too
pleasing to be doubted." « The dull insipid truth,"
however, is very different from such am.iable and affedl-
ing fables, for the voice of the Swan, singly, is shrill,
piercing, and harsh, not unlike the sound of a clarionet
when blown by a novice in music. It is, however, assert-
ed by those who have heard the united and varied voices
of a numerous assemblage of them, that they produce a
more harmonious effect, particularly when softened by
the murmur of the waters.

At the setting in of frosty weather, the Wild Swans
are said to associate in prodigious multitudes, and thus
united, to use every effort to prevent the water from
freezing : this they accomphsh by the continual stir kept
up amongst them 5 and by constantly dasliing it with-

248 BRITISH BIRDS.

their extended wings, they are enabled to remain as long
as it suits their convenience, in some favourite part of a
lake or river which abounds with their food.

The Swan is very properly entitled the peaceful Mo-
narch of the Lake : conscious of his superior strength, he
fears no enemy, nor suffers any bird, however powerful,
to molest him ; neither does he prey upon any one. His
vigorous wing is as a shield against the attacks even of
the Eagle, and the blows from it are said to be so power-
ful as to stun or kill the fiercest of his foes. The Wolf
or the Fox may surprise him in the dark> but their ef-
forts are vain in the day. His food consists of the grasses
and weeds, and the seeds and roots of plants^ which grow
on the margins of the water, and of the myriads of in-
serts which skim over, or float on its surface -, also occa-
sionally of the slimy inhabitants within its bosom.

The female makes her nest of the withered leaves and
stalks of reeds and rushes, and lays commonly six or se-
ven thick-shelled white eggs : she is said to sit upon them
six weeks before they are hatched. Both male and fe-
male are very attentive to their young, and will suffer na
enemy to approach them.

BRITISH BIRDS.

249

THE MUTE SWAN,

OR TAME SWAN.
{^Atias Cygnus manfueius, Lin. — Le Cygnet Bu£F.)

The plumage of this species is of the same snowy
whiteness as that of the Wild Swan, and the bird is
cavered next the body with the same kind of fine close
down ; but it greatly exceeds the Wild Swan in size,
weighing about twenty-five pounds, and measuring more
in the length of the body and extent of the wings. This
also differs in being furnished with a proje£ling, callous,
black tubercle, or knob, on the t)ase of the upper mandi-
ble, and in the colour of the bill, which in this is red.

250 BRITISH BIRDS.

with black edges and tip : the naked skin between the
bill and the eyes is also of the latter colour : in the Wild
Swan this bare space is yellow.

The manners and habits are much the same in both
kinds, particularly when they are in a wild state ; for in-
deed this species cannot properly be called domesticated ;
they are only as it were partly reclaimed from a state of
nature, and invited by the friendly and protecting hand
of man to decorate and embellish the artificial lakes and
pools which beautify his pleasure grounds. On these
the Swan cannot be accounted a captive, for he enjoys
all the sweets of liberty. Placed there, as he is the
largest of all the British birds, so is he to the eye the
most pleasing and elegant. What in nature can be more
beautiful than the grassy-margined lake, hung round
with the varied foliage of the grove, when contrasted
with the pure resplendent whiteness of the majestic
Swan, wafted along, with erefled plumes, by the gentle
breeze, or floating, reflected on the glossy surface of the
water, while he tlirows himself into numberless graceful
attitudes, as if desirous of attraiSting the admiration of
the spectator .''

The Swan, although possessed of the power to rule,
yet molests none of the other water birds, and is singu-
larly social and attentive to those of his own family, which
he protects from every insult. While they are employed
with the cares of the young brood, it is not safe to ap-
proach near them, for they will fly upon any stranger,
whom they often beat to the ground by repeated blows ;
and they have been known by a stroke of the wing to
break a man's leg. But,. however powerful they are with
their win^s, yet a slight blow on the head will kill them.

BRITISH BIRDS.- 251

The Swan, for ages past, has been protecfted on th^
river Thames as royal property 3 and it continues at this
day to be accounted felony to steal their eggs. " By
this means their increase is secured, and they prove a de-
lightful ornament to that noble river." Latham says, " In
the reign of Edward IV. the estimation they were held in
was such, that no one who possessed a freehold of less
than the clear yearly value of five marks, was permitted
even to keep any." In those times, hardly a piece of
water was left unoccupied by these birds, as well on ac-
count of the gratification they gave to the eye of their
lordly owners, as that which they also afforded when
they graced the sumptuous board at the splendid feasts
of that period : but the fashion of those days is passed
away, and Swans are not nearly so common now as they
were formerly, being by most people accounted a coarse
kind of food, and consequently held in little estimation :
but the Cygnets (so the young Swans are called) are still
fattened for the table, and are sold very high, commonly
for a guinea each, and sometimes for more : hence it may
be presumed they are better food than is generally ima-
gined.

This species is said to be found in great numbers In
Russia and Siberia, as well as further southward, in a
wild state. They are, without an owner, common on
the river Trent, and on the salt-water inlet of the sea,
near Abbotsbury, in Dorsetshire : they are also met with
on other rivers and lakes in different parts of the British
isles.

It is the generally received opinion that the Swan lives
to a very great age, some say a century, and others have
protracted their lives to three hundred years ! Strange

.2 I

252

1BRITISH BIRDS.

as this may appear, there are who credit it : the author,
however, does not scruple to hazard an opinion, that this
over- stretched longevity originates only in traditionary
tales, or in idle unfounded hear-say stories ; as no one
has yet been able to say, with certainty, to what age they
attain.

The female makes her nest, conceakd among the rough
herbage, near the water's edge 1 she lays from six to eight
large white eggs, and sits on them about six weeks (some
say eight weeks) before they are hatched. The young do
not acquire their full plumage till the second year.

It is found by experience that the Swan will not thrive
if kept out of the water : confined in a court yard, he
makes an awkward figure, and soon becomes dirty, taw-
dry, dull, and spiritless.

A^:f :^'^..i*.

rS^,gff^:^'--^''i

BRITISH BIRDS.

253

THE SWAN GOOSE.

CHINESE, SPANISH, GUINEA, OR CAPE GOOSE.
{^Anas Cynoides, Lin. — UOie de Gultiee, Buff.)

This species is more than a yard in length, and is of a
size between the Swan and the Common Goose : it is
distinguished from others of the Goose tribe by its up'
right and stately deportment, by having a large knob on
the root of the upper mandible, and a skin, almost bare
of feathers, hanging down like a pouch, or a wattle, under
the throat :* a white line or fillet is extended from the
corners of the mouth over the front of the brow : the base
of the bill is orange : irides reddish brown : a dark brown

* The bird from which the above figure was taken, was with-
out this appendage.

2i 2

254* . BRITISH BIRDS.

or black stripe runs down the hinder part of the neck^
from the head to the back : the fore part of the neck, and
the breast, are yellowish brown : the back, and all the
upper parts, brownish grey, edged with a lighter colour :
the sides, and the feathers which cover the thighs, are
clouded nearly of the same colours as the back, and edged
with white : belly white : legs orange.

It is said that these birds originally were found in
Guinea only : now they are become pretty common, in
a wild as well as a domesticated state, both in warm and
in cold climates.

Tame Geese of this species, like other kinds, vary
much, both in the colour of the bill, legs, and plumage,
as well as in size -, but they all retain the knob on the base
of the upper mandible, and rarely Vant the pouch or
wattle under the gullet. They are kept by the curious
in various parts of England, and are more noisy than the
Common Goose : nothing can stir, in the night or day>
without their sounding the alarm, by their hoarse cack-
lings and shrill cries. They breed with the Common
Goose, and their offspring are as prolific as those of any
other kind. The female is smaller than the male : " the
head, neck, and breast are fulvous ; paler on the upper
part : the back, v/ings, and tail, dull brown, with pale
edges : belly white : in other respe(Sls they are like the
male, but the knob over the bill is smaller."

BRITISH BIllDS. ^55

THE CANADA GOOSE,

OR CRAVAT GOOSE.
{^jlnas Canadenjis. — UO'ie a cravate, BufF.)

This is less than the Swan Goose, but taller and longer
than the Common Goose. Their average weight is about
nine pounds, and the length about three feet six inches.
The bill is black, and two inches and a half long : irides
hazel : the head and neck are also black, with a crescent-
shaped white band on the throat, which tapers off to a
point on each side below the cheeks, to the hinder part of
the head : the whiteness of this cravat is heightened by-
its contrast with the dark surrounding plumage, and it
looks very pretty : this mark also distinguishes it from
others of the Goose tribe. All the upper parts of the
plumage, the breast, and a portion of the belly, are of a
dull brown, sometimes mixed with grey : the lower part
of the neck, the belly, vent, and upper tail coverts, white :
quills and tail black : legs dingy blue.

This is another useful species which has been reclaimed
from a state of nature, and domesticated and multiplied
in many parts of Europe, particularly in France and Ger-
many ; and it is not very uncommon in England. It is
as familiar, breeds as freely, and is in every respe£l as va-
luable as the Common Goose : it is also accounted a great
ornament on ponds near gentlemen's seats. Buffon says,
« Within these few years, many hundreds inhabited the
great canal at Versailles, where they lived familiarly with
the Swans : they were oftener on the grassy margins
than in the water. There is at present a great number of
them on the magnificent pools that decorate the charm-
ing gardens of Chantilly." The wild stock whence these

256 BRITISH BIRDS.

birds were taken are found in the northern parts of Ame-
rica ; they are one of those immense families, which,
when associated with others of the same genus, are said,
at certain seasons, to darken the air Hke a cloud, and to-
spread themselves over the lakes and swamps in innume-
rable multitudes.

Mr Pennant, in his Ar<Stic Zoology, gives the following
interesting account of the mode of taking the Canada
Goose in Hudson's Bay : —

*< The English of Hudson's Bay depend greatly on
Geese, of these and other kinds, for their support ; andj
in favourable years, kill three or four thousand, which
they salt and barrel. Their arrival is impatiently at-
tended •, it is the harbinger of the spring, and the month
named by the Indians the Goose moon. They appear
usually at our settlements in numbers, about St George's
day, O. S. and fly northward to nestle in security. They
prefer islands to the continent, as further from the haunts
of men. Thus Marble island was found, in August, to
swarm with Swans, Geese and Ducks; the old ones
moulting, and the young at that time incapable of flying.

« The English send out their servants, as well as In-
dians, to shoot these birds on their passage. It is in vain
to pursue them : they therefore form a row of huts made
of boughs, at musquet-shot distance from each other, and
place them in a line across the vast marshes of the coun-
try. Each hovel, or, as they are called, standy is occupied
by only a single person. These attend the flight of the
birds, and, on their approach, mimic their cackle so well,
that the Geese will answer, and wheel and come nearer
the stand. The sportsman keeps motionless, and on
iiis knees, with his gun cocked, the whole time; and

BRITISH BIRDS. 257

never fires till he has seen the eyes of the Geese. He
fires as they are going from him, then picks up another
gun that Hes by him, and discharges that. The Geese
which he has killed, he sets up on sticks as if alive, to
decoy others j he also makes artificial birds for the same
purpose. In a good day (for they fly in very uncertain
and unequal numbers) a single Indian will kill two hun-
dred. Notwithstanding every species of Goose has a
different call, yet the Indians are admirable in their imi-
tation of every one.

<« The vernal flight of the Geese lasts from the mid-
dle of April until the middle of May. Their first ap-
pearance coincides with the thawing of the swamps, when
they are very lean. The autumnal or the season of their
return with their young, is from the middle of August
to the middle of October. Those which are taken in
this latter season, when the frosts usually begin, are pre-
served in their feathers, and left to be frozen for the
fresh provisions of the winter stock. The feathers con-
stitute an article of commerce, and are sent to England."

258 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE EGYPTIAN GOOSE.

GANSER, OR GAMBO GOOSE.
{Anas Mgyptiacoy Lin. — L^Oie d^Egypte, Buflf.)

This beautifully variegated species Is nearly of the size
of the Grey Lag, or common Wild Goose. The bill
red, about two inches in length, tip black, and nostrils
dusky : eye-lids red, and the irides pale yellow : the
throat, cheeks, and upper part of the head are white : a
rusty chesnut- coloured patch on each side of the head
surrounds the eyes. About two-thirds of the neck, from
the head downwards, is of a pale reddish bay colour,
darker at tlie lower end : a broad deep chesnut-coloured
spot covers the middle of the breast : the shoulders and
scapulars are of a reddish brown, prettily crossed with
numerous dark waved lines : the wing-coverts are white :
the greater ones barred near their tips with black : the
secondary quills are tinged with reddish bay, and bor-
dered with chesnut ; those of the primaries which join
them are edged with glossy green, and the rest of the
first quills are black : the lower part of the back, the
rump and tail, are black : the belly is white, but all the
other fore parts, and sides of the body, from the neck to
near the vent, are delicately pencilled with narrow rust-
coloured zigzag lines on a pale ash-grey ground : each
wing is furnished on the bend with a short blunt spur.
The colours of the female are pretty much the same as
those of the male, but not by any means so bright or
dlstindlly marked.

This kind is common in a wild state in Egypt, at the
Cape of Good Hope, and in various parts of the interme-
diate territories of Africa, whence they have been brought

BRITISH BIRDS.

259

into, and domesticated in this and other civilized coun-
tries, and are now an admired ornament on many pieces
of water contiguous to gentlemen's seats ; but neither the
author nor his correspondents were able to procure a spe-
cimen of this or the preceding species, for the purpose of
inaking drawings.

.^ K

•269

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE RED-BREASTED GOOSE,

OR SIBERIAN GOOSE.
[^Anfer ruficolUs.)

The Red-breasted Goose measures above twenty inches
in length, and its extended wings three feet ten in breadth.
The bill is short, of a brown colour, with the nail black :
irides yellowish hazel : the cheeks and brow are dusky,
speckled with white : an oval white spot occupies the
space between the bill and the eyes, and is bounded
above, on each side of the head, by a black line which
falls down the hinder part of the neck : the chin, throat,
crown of the head, and hinder part of the neck to the
back, are black : two stripes of white fall down from be-
hind each eycj o» the sides of the neck, and meet in the

BRITISH BIRDS. 261

middle : tlie other parts of the neck, and the upper part
of the breast, are of a deep rusty red, and the latter is
terminated by two narrow bands of white and black : the
back and wings are dusky ; the greater coverts edged
with grey : sides and lower part of the breast, black :
belly, upper and under tail coverts, white : legs dusky.

This beautiful species is a native of Russia and Siberia,
whence they migrate southward in the autumn, and re-
turn in the spring : they are said to frequent the Caspian
sea, and are supposed to winter in Persia. They are
very rare in this country, only three of them (so far as
the author's knowledge extends) having ever been met
with in it, and those all by the late M. Tunstall, Esq. of
WyclifFe, in Yorkshire, in whose valuable museum the
first of these birds, in high preservation, was placed.* It
was shot near London in the beginning of the hard frost
in the year 1766 ; and another of them was about the
same time taken alive near WyclifFe, and kept there for
several years in a pond among the Ducks, where it be-
came quite tame and familiar. Mr Tunstall informed
Mr Latham of these particulars, and also mentioned a
third of the same kind, which had been shot in some
other part of the kingdom. They are said to be quite
free from any fishy taste, and are highly esteemed for
the table.

* The foregoing figure was taken from this specimen.

26c2

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GREY LAG GOOSE,

OR COMMON WILD GOOSE.
{/fnas Anfer^ Lin. — UO'ie fawvage, Buff.)

This Wild Goose generally weighs about ten pounds,,
and measures two feet nine inches in length, and five in
breadth. The bill is thick at the base, tapers towards
the tip, and is of a yellowish red colour, with the nail
white : the head and neck are of a cinereous brown,
tinged with dull yellow, and from the separations of the
feathers, the latter appears striped downwards : the up •
per part of the plumage is of a deep brown, mixed with
ash-grey •, each feather is lighter on the edges, and the
lesser coverts are tipped with white : the shafts of the pri-
mary quills are white, the webs grey, and the tips black :
the secondaries black, edged with white : the breast and
belly are crossed and clouded with dusky and ash on a
whitish ground •, and the tail-coverts and vent are of a

BRITISH BIRDS. 263

snowy whiteness : the middle feathers of the tail are
dusky, tipped with white ; those adjoining more deeply
tipped, and the exterior ones nearly all white : legs pale
red.

This species is common in this country, and although
large flocks of them, well known to the curious, in all the
various shapes which they assume in their flight,* are
seen regularly migrating southward in the autumn, and
northward in the spring,-]- yet several of them are known
to remain and breed in the fens of Lincolnshire and
Cambridgeshire, and it is said, in various other parts of
Great Britain. Pennant says they reside in the fens the
whole year, breed there, and hatch about eight or nine

* The elevated and marshaled flight of the "Wild Geese, seems
dictated by geometrical instinct : shaped like a wedge, they cut
the air v/ith less individual exertion ; and it is conjectured, that
the change of its form from an inverted V, an A, and L, or a
Straight line, is occasioned by the leader of the van's quitting his
post at the point of the angle through fatigue, dropping into the
rear, and leaving his place to be occupied by another.

■f A gentleman in the county of Durham, one morning in the
month of April, observed a flock of Wild Geese going northward,
in the line of two objects whose distance he knew to be four
miles : he found by his watch the exact time they were in flying
this distance ; from which he calculated, that if they continued to
fly at the same rate for twelve hours, they would be at the Orkneys
by sun-set, which is twenty-five miles an hour. But it is not pro-
bable that these birds ever migrate from the fens in Cambridge-
shire, &c. to the Orkneys, or other places where they breed, in one
day, or at one flight ; for great numbers of them are known to
stop for several days, both in going and coming back again, at the
mouth of the Tees, Prestwick Car, the haughs of the river Till,
near Wooler in Northumberland, and at some places in the Merse
in Scotland.

264. BRITISH BIRDS.

young ones, which are often taken, easily made tame, and
much more esteemed for the excellent flavour of their
flesh than the domestic Goose : he adds, " The old
Geese which are shot are plucked and sold in the market
as fine tame ones, and readily bought, the purchaser be-
ing deceived by the size ; but their flesh is coarse."*

This species is widely and numerously spread over all
the various parts of the northern world, whence some
flocks of them migrate a long way southward in the win-
ter. Latham says they seem to be general inhabitants of
the globe, are met with from Lapland to the Cape of
Good Hope, — are frequent in Arabia, Persia, and
China, as well as indigenous to Japan, — and on the Ame-
rican continent from Hudson's Bay to South Carolina.
He also observes that our voyagers have met with them
in the Straits of Magellan, Port Egmont in the Falkland
Islands, Terra del Fuego, and New Holland. There can
be little doubt about the territories assigned to them for
their summer residences and breeding places ; the lakes,
swamps, and dreary morasses of Siberia, Lapland, Ice-
land, and the unfrequented or unknown northern regions
of America seem set apart for that purpose, where, with
multitudes of other kinds, in undisturbed security, they
rear their young, and are amply provided with a variety
of food, a large portion of which must consist of the lar-
vae of the gnats which swarm in those parts, and the my-
riads of insedts that are fostered by the unsetting sun.

* This is the case with all very old Geese, both tame and wild ;
but the flesh of a middle-aged one of the latter sort, in the spring
of the year, when the bird is in full feather, is very tender, finely
flavoured, and nowise like that of the Tame Goose either in taste
or colour.

BRITISH BIRDS. . 265

Pennant says that these Wild Geese appear in Hudson's
Bay early in May, as soon as the ice disappears ; — collect
in flocks of twenty or thirty, stay about three weeks,
then separate in pairs, and take off to breed ; that about
the middle of August they return to the marshes with
their young, and continue there till September. Some
of them are caught and brought alive to the factories,
where they are fed with corn, and thrive greatly.

"Wild Geese are very destructive to the growing corn
in the fields where they happen to halt in their migratory
excursions. In some countries they are caught at those
seasons in long nets, resembling those used for catching
Larks : to these nets the Wild Geese are decoyed by
tame ones placed there for that purpose. Many other
schemes are contrived to take these wary birds ; but as
they feed only in the day time, and betake themselves to
the water at night, the fowler must exert his utmost care
and ingenuity in order to accomplish his ends : all must
be planned in the dark, and every trace of suspicion re-
moved ; for nothing can exceed the vigilant circumspec-
tion and acute ear of the sentinel, who, placed on some
eminence,^ with out-stretched neck surveys every thing
that moves within the circle of the centre on which he
takes his stand ; and the instant he sounds the alarm, the
whole flock betake themselves to flight.

266

BRITISH BIRDS,

"V/' I .,r; ,,

THE TAME GOOSE.

{^Anas Anfer, Lin. — UOie dome/iiquei Buff.)

To describe the varied plumage and the economy of
this well-known valuable domestic fowl, may seem to
many a needless task j but to others, unacquainted with
rural affairs, It may be interesting.* Their predominant
colours are white and grey, with shades of ash, blue, and
brown : some of them are yellowish, others dusky, and
many are found to differ very little in appearance from
the wild kind last described — the original stock whence,
in early times, they were all derived. The only per-
manent mark, which all the grey ones still retain, like
those of the wild kind, is the white ring which surrounds
the root of the tail. They are generalUy furnished with
a small tuft on the head ; and the most usual colour of

* A certain town lady wondered how a Goose could suckle
nine Goslings.

BRITISH BIRDS. 267

the males (Gander or Steg) Is pure white : the bills and
feet in both males and females are of an orange red. By
studied attention in the breeding, two sorts of these Geese
have been obtained : the less are by many esteemed as
being more delicate eating ; the larger are by others pre-
ferred on account of the bountiful appearance they make
upon the festive board. The average weight of the lat-
ter kind is between nine and fifteen pounds ; but in-
stances are not wanting, where they have been fed to
upwards of twenty pounds : this is, however, to sacrifice
the flavour of the food to the size and appearance of the
bird ; for they become disgustingly fat and surfeiting, and
the methods used to cram them up are unnatural and
cruel. It is not, however, altogether on account of
their use as food that they are valuable j their feathers,
their down, and their quills,* have long been consi-
dered as articles of more importance, and from which
their owners reap more advantages. In this respedl the
poor creatures have not been spared : urged by avarice,
their inhuman masters appear to have ascertained the ex-
aft quantity of plumage of which they can bear to be
robbed, without being deprived of life. Mr Pennant, in
describing the methods used in Lincolnshire, in breed-
ing, rearing, and plucking Geese, says " they are plucked

* " An English archer bent his hcrWf

" Made of a trusty tree, —
** An arrow of a cloth-yard long,

" Unto the head, drew he :

" Against Sir Hugh Montgomei7

** So right his shaft he set,
" The grey Goose wing that was thereon

^* In his heart's blood was wet."

Cbety Chacec
. 2x

268 BRITISH BIRDS.

five times in the year : first at Lady-day for the feathers
and quills ; this business is renewed for the feathers on-
ly, four times more between that and Michaelmas :" he
adds, that he saw the operation performed even upon
Goslings of six weeks old, from which the feathers of the
tails were plucked -, and that numbers of the Geese die
when the season afterwards proves cold. But this un-
feeling greedy business is not peculiar to one county, for
much the same is practised in others. The care and at-
tention bestowed upon the brood Geese, while they are
engaged in the business of incubation, in the month of
April, is nearly the same every where : wicker pens are
provided for them, placed in rows, and tier above tier,
not uncommonly under the same roof with their owner.
Some place water and corn near the nests ; others drive
them to the water twice a-day, afid replace each female
upon her own nest as soon as she returns. This business
requires the attendance of the Gozzard (Goose-herd) a
month at leastj in which time the young are brought
forth : as soon afterwards as the brood are able to wad-
dle along, they are, together with their dams, driven to
the contiguous loughs, and fens or marshes, on whose
grassy-margined pools they feed and thrive, v/ithout re-
quiring any further attendance until the autumn. To
these marshes, which otherwise would be unoccupied,
(except by wild birds) and be only useless watery wastes,
we are principally indebted for so great a supply of the
Goose ; for in almost every country where lakes and
marshes abound, the neighbouring inhabitants keep as
many as suit their convenience, and in this way immense
numbers annually attain to full growth and perfection.
But in no part of the world are such numbers reared as

BRITISH BIRDS. 269

in the fens of Lincolnshire, where it is said to be no un-
common thing for a single person to keep a thousand old
Geese, each of which, on an average, will bring up seven
young ones. So far those only are noticed which may
properly be called the larger flocks, by which particular
watery districts are peopled ; and, although their aggre-
gate numbers are great, yet they form only a part of the
large family : those of the farm-yard, taken separately,
appear as small specks on a great map ; but when they
are gathered together, and added to those kept by al-
most every cottager throughout the kingdom, the im-
mense whole will appear multiplied in a ratio almost in-
calculable. A great part of those which are left to pro-
vide for themselves during the summer, in the solitary
distant waters, as well as those which enliven the village
green, are put into the stubble fields after harvest, to fat-
ten upon the scattered grain ; and some are penned up
for this purpose, by which they attain to greater bulk j
and it is hardly necessary to observe, that they are then
poured in weekly upon the tables of the luxurious citi-
zens of every town in the kingdom. But these distant
and divided supplies seem trifling when compared with
the multitudes which, in the season, are driven in all di-
rections into the metropolis :* the former appear only
like the scanty waterings of the petty streamlet ; the
latter like the copious overflowing torrent of a large
river. To the country market towns they are carried in
bags and panniers ; to the great centre of trade they are
sent in droves of many thousands .f To a stranger it is

* In ancient times they were driven in much the same way,
from the interior of Gaul to Rome.

•f In an article which Mr Latham has copied from the 5t

2 L 2

270 BRITISH BIRDS.

a most curious spedacle to view these hissing, cackling,
gabbling, but peaceful armies, with grave deportment,
waddling along (like other armies) to certain destruction.
The drivers are each provided with a long stick, at one
end of which a red rag is tied as a lash, and a hook is
fixed at the other : with the former, of which the Geese
seem much afraid, they are excited forward ; and with
the latter, such as attempt to stray, are caught by the
neck and kept in order ; or if lame, they are put into an
hospital carty which usually follows each large drove. In
this manner they perform their journies from distant
parts, and are said to get forward at the rate of eight or
ten miles in a day, from three in the morning till nine
at night ; those which become fatigued are fed with oats,
and the rest with barley.

It is universally believed that the Goose lives to a great
age, and particular instances are recorded by ornitholo-
gists, which confirm the fafl : some are mentioned which
have been kept seventy years ; and Willougliby notices
one which lived eighty years. They are, however, sel-
dom permitted to live out their natural life, being sold
with the younger ones long before they approach that
period. The old ones are called cagmagSy and are bought
only by novices in market-making ; for, from their toughs
ness, they are utterly unfit for the table-

The Tame Goose lays from seven to twelve eggs, and
sometimes more : these the careful housewife divides
equally among her brood Geese, when they begin to sit.
Those of her Geese which lay a second time in the course

James's Chronicle of September 2d, 178S, it is noticed, that a
drove of about nine thousand Geese passed through ChelmsfordI
on their way to London, from Suffolk.

BRITISH BIRDS. 271

of the summer, are seldom, if ever, permitted to have a
second hatching *, but the eggs are used for household
purposes. In some countries the domestic Geese require
much less care and attendance than those of this country.
BufFon, in his elegant and voluminous Ornithology, in
which nothing is omitted, gives a particular detail of their
history and economy every where : he informs us, that
among the villages of the Cossacks, subject to Russia, on
the river Don, the Geese leave their homes, in March or
April, as soon as the ice breaks up, and the pairs joining
each other, take flight in a body to the remote northern
lakes, where they breed and constantly reside during the
summer ; and that on the beginning of winter, the parent
birds, with their multiplied young progeny, all return,
and divide themselves, every flock alighting at the door
of the respective place to which it belongs.

The Goose has for many ages been celebrated on ac-
count of its vigilance. The story of their saving Rome
by the alarm they gave, when the Gauls were attempting
the capitol,* is well known, and was probably the first
time of their watchfulness being recorded ; and on that
account, they were afterwards held in the highest esti-
mation by the Roman people. It is certain, that nothing
can stir in the night, nor the least or most distant noise
be made, but the Geese are roused, and immediately be-
gin to hold their cackhng converse ; and on the nearer
approach of apprehended danger, they set up their more
shrill and clamorous cries. It is on account of this pro-
perty that they are esteemed by many persons, as the
most vigilant of all sentinels, when placed in particular
situations.

■ * As the poet sings —
« Et servaturis vigili Capitolia voce Anseribus.'*

272 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WHITE-FRONTED WILD GOOSE,

OR LAUGHING GOOSE.
(^^nas albifrons.'-'L^Ote rieufe, BujT.)

This species measures two feet four Inches in length,,
and feur feet six in the extended wings, and weighs
about five pounds. The bill is thick at the base, of a
yellowish red colour ; the nail white j from the base of
the bill and corners of the mouth, a white patch is ex-
tended over the forehead : the rest of the head, the neck,
and the upper parts of the plumage are dark brown : the
primary and secondary quills are of the same colour, but
much darker ; and the wing coverts are tinged with ash :
the breast and belly are dirty white, spotted with dusky :
the tail is of a hoary ash coloured brown, and surrounded,
Uke the Lag Goose's, with a white ring at the base : the
legs yellow.

These birds form a part of those vast tribes which
swarm about Hudson's Bay, and the north of Europe
and Asia, during the summer months, and are but thinly
scattered over the other quarters of the world. They
visit the fens and marshy places in England, in small
flocks, in the winter months, and disappear about the be-
ginning of March. It is said that they never feed on
the corn-fields, but confine themselves wholly to such
wilds and swamps as are constantly covered with water.

BRITISH BIRDS. 273

THE BEAN GOOSE.

This species differs very little in its general appearance
from the Grey Lag Goose, the chief distincSlion between
them being in the bill ; which in this is small, much com-
pressed near the end, whitish, and sometimes of a pale red
in the middle, and black at the base and nail : the latter
is shaped somewhat like a horse-bean, from which the
species has obtained the name of Bean Goose. The
length of this bird is two feet seven inches ; breadth four
feet eleven ; its weight about six pounds and a half. The
head and neck are of a cinereous brown colour, tinged
with ferruginous : breast and belly dirty white, clouded
with cinereous : sides and scapulars dark ash, edged with
white : the back of a plain ash colour : coverts of the
tail white : lesser coverts of the wings light grey, nearly
white ; the middle deeper, tipped with white : primaries
and secondaries grey, tipped with black : feet and legs
saffron colour ; claws black.

These birds arrive in the fen counties in the autumn,
and take their departure in May. They are said to alight
in the corn-fields, and to feed much upon the green
wheat, while they remain in England. They are report-
ed to breed in great numbers in the Isle of Lewis, and
no doubt on others of the Hebrides, and also at Hudson's
Bay.

274

BRITISH BIRDS.

m0r§^^>.,/^0'>^Mk

THE BERNACLE.

CLAKIS, OR TREE GOOSE.
{^Anas Erythropusy Lin. — La Bernachcy Buff.)

The Bernacle weighs about five pounds, and measures
more than two feet in length, and nearly four and a half
in breadth. The bill, from the tip to the corners of the
mouth, is scarcely an inch and a half long, black, and
crossed with a pale reddish streak on each side : a narrow
black line passes from the bill to the eyes, the irides of
which are brown : the head is small, and as far as the
crown, together with the cheeks and throat, white : the
rest of the head and neck, to the breast and shoulders, is
black. The upper part of the plumage is prettily marbled
or barred with blue grey, black, and white : the feathers
of the back are black, edged with white, and those of
the wing coverts and scapulars, blue grey, bordered with
black near their margins, and edged with white: the
quills black, edged a little way from the tips with blue
grey : the under parts and tail coverts white : the thighs

BRITISH BIRDS. 275

are marked with dusky lines or spots, and are black near
the knees : the tail is black, and five inches and a half
long : the legs and feet dusky, very thick and short> and
have a stumpy appearance.

In severe winters, these birds are not uncommon in
this kingdom, particularly on the northern and western
parts, where, however, they remain only a short time,
but depart early in the spring to their northern wilds,
to breed and spend the summer.

The history of the Bernacle has been rendered re-
markable by the marvellous accounts which were in for-
mer times related concerning their propagation, or rather
their growth. Almost all the old naturalists, as well or-
nithologists as others, assert that they were produced
from shells which grew out of rotten ship-wrecked tim-
ber, and other kinds of wood and trees which lay under
water, in the sea, and that these shells owed their origin
to " spume or froth," which, in a short time, assumed a
fungous appearance upon the wood : others affirmed that
they were produced from the palms or fruits of a tree
like the willow, which, when ripe, dropped off into the
water, and became alive, &c. Treatises were written ex-
pressly on these chimerical principles, giving a particular
description of their first appearance, progressive growth,
birth, (or final exclusion from the shell) and of their
dropping into the sea, swimming about, and becoming
perfedlly feathered birds, &c. Other authors, indeed,
less credulous, suspected the truth of these assertions ;
Belon was of the number of those who laughed at the
story in his day ; and Willoughby, long after him, treat-
ed such incoherent narratives with contempt. It must
excite regret, that so respeftable, so learned, and so grave

.2 u

276 BRITISH BIRDS.

an author as Gerard, should not only have believed this
wonderful transformation, but that he should have intro-
duced the idle tale into his invaluable Herbal.* But
even to enumerate these authors, or to quote the enter-
taining parts of the wild whimsies with which they have
embellished their descriptions of these birds, would far
exceed the limits of this work, and would only serve to
prove (were that necessary) how credulous, not only the
great unthinking mass, but even the philosophers, once
were, and how far it was possible for such circumstantial-
ly told miracles to lay the understandings of mankind
fast asleep. Bartholin discovered that these Goose-bear-
ing conches contained only a shell-fish of a particular
kind, a species of multivalve — the Pousse-pieds of Wor-
mius and Lobel, and the Lepas Anatifera of Linnaeus.

'^ See Gerard's Herbal, published in 1597, article — " The Goose-
iree,^'* which he seems to have reserved for the conclusion of his
Avork, as being the most wonderful of all he had to describe,
A small island called the Pile of Foulders, half a mile frorti the
main land of Lancashire, he says, is the native soil of " the Tree
bearing Geese^'* and so plentiful is the fruit, that a full-grown bird
is sold for three-pence. The honest naturalist, however, although
his belief was fixed, admits that his own personal knowledge wa?
confined to certain shells which adhered to a rotten tree that he
dragged from the sea between Dover and Romney, in some of
which he found " lining things without forme or shape ; in others
which were nearer come to ripenes, liuing things that were very
naked, in shape like a birde : in others, the birds couered with
soft downe, the shell halfe open, and the birde readie to fall out,
which no doubt were the foules called Barnakles."

BRITISH BIRDS. ^7

THE BRENT GOOSE.

{^nas Berntcla, Lin. — Le Cravantj Buff.)

This Is of nearly the same shape, but somewhat less
than the last, from which it differs in the colour of its
plumage, being mostly of an uniform brown, the feathers
edged with ash : the upper parts, breast and neck, are
darker than the belly, which is more mixed and dappled
with paler cinereous and grey : the head and upper half
of the neck are black, excepting a white patch on each
side of the latter, near the throat : the lower part of the
back and the rump are also black : the tail coverts above
and below, and the vent, white : tail, quills, and legs
dusky : the bill is dark, rather of a narrow shape, and
only about an inch and a half long : the irides are light
hazel. In the females and the younger birds, the plu-
mage is not so distin£lly marked, and the white spots on
the sides of the neck are often mixed with dusky : but
such varyings are discernible in many other birds, for it
seldom happens that two are fr^ind exactly alike.

2 m2

2Z8 BRITISH BIRDS.

The Brent Geese, like other species of the same genus,
quit the rigours of the north in winter, and spread them-
selves southward in greater or less numbers, impelled
forward, according to the severity of the season, in search
of milder climates. They are then met with on the Bri-
tish shores, and spend the winter months in the rivers,
lakes, and marshes in the interior parts, feeding mostly
upon the roots, and also on the blades of the long coarse
grasses and plants which grow in the water : but indeed
their Taried modes of living, as well as their other habits
and propensities, and their migrations, baitings, breeding
places, &c. do not differ materially from those of the
other numerous families of the Wild Geese. BufFon
gives a detail of the devastations which they made, in
the hard winters of 1740 and 1765, upon the corn-fields,
on the coasts of Picardy, in France, where they appeared
in such immense swarms, that the people were literally
raised (en masse we suppose) in order to attempt their
extirpation, which, however, it seems they could not ef-
fe61:, and a change in the weather only, caused these un-
welcome visitants to depart.

The Brent and the Bernacle were formerly, by some
ornithologists, looked upon as being of the same species ;
later observers, however, have decided differently, and
they are now classed as distinct kinds. The foregoing
figure was drawn from one shot at Axwell-Park, near
Newcastle upon Tyne. There was a stuffed specimen in
the Wycliffe museum, which slightly varied in the mark-
ings of the plumage.

BRITISH BIRDS.

279

THE EIDER DUCK.

ST CUTHBERT'S DUCK» OR GREAT BLACK AND
WHITE DUCK.

[Anas molliffimaf Lin. — U Eider, BuiF.)

This wild, but valuable, species is of a size between
the Goose and the Domestic Duck, and appears to be one
of the graduated links of the chain which connects the
two kinds. The full-grown old males generally measure
about two feet two inches in length, and two feet eigh-
teen in breadth, and weigh from six to above seven
pounds. The head is large ; the middle of the neck
small, with the lower part of it spread out very broad, so
as to form a hollow between the shoulders, which, while
the bird is sitting at ease, seems as if fitted to receive its
reclining head. The bill is of a dirty yellowish horn co-
lour, darkish in the middle, and measures, from the tip
to the corners of the mouth, two inches and a half : the
upper mandible is forked in a singular manner towards
each eye, and is covered with white feathers on the sides,

280 BRITISH BIRDS.

as far forward as the nostrils. The upper part of the
head is of a soft velvet black, divided behind by a dull
white stroke pointing downwards : the feathers, from the
nape of the neck to the throat, are long, or puffed out,
overhanging the upper part of the neck, and look as if
they had been clipped off at the lower ends : they have
the appearance of a pale pea-green velvet shag, with a
white line dropping downward from the auriculars on
each side. The cheeks, chin, upper part of the neck,
the back, and lesser wing coverts, are white : the scapu-
lars, and secondary quills, next the body, dirty white :
bastard wings, and primary quills, brown ; the seconda-
ries and greater coverts are the same, but much darker :
the lower broad part of the neck, on the front, to the
breast, is of a buff colour ; but in some specimens tinged
with rusty red : the breast, belly, vent, rump, and tail
coverts, are of a deep sooty black : tail feathers hoary
brown : legs short, and yellow : webs and nails dusky.
The female is nearly of the same shape, though less than
the male, weighing only between five and six pounds^
but her plumage is quite different, the ground colour be-
ing of a reddish brown, prettily crossed with waved black
lines ; and in some specimens the neck, breast, and bel-
ly, are tinged with ash : the wings are crossed with two
bars of white : quills dark : the neck is marked with lon-
gitudinal dusky streaks, and the belly is deep brown,
spotted obscurely with black.

The Eider Duck lays from three to five large, smooth,
pale olive-coloured eggs ; these she deposits and conceals
in a nest, or bed, made of a great quantity of the soft,
warm, elastic down, plucked from her own breast, and
sometimes from that of her mate. The ground work or

BRITISH BIRDS. 281

foundation of the nest is formed of bent -grass, sea-weeds,
or such Hke coarse materials, and it is placed in as shel-
tered a spot as the bleak and solitary place can afford.

In Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, Lapland, and
some parts of the coasts of Norway, the Eiders flock to-
gether, in particular breeding places, in such numbers,
and their nests are so close together, that a person in
walking along can hardly avoid treading upon them.
The natives of these cold climates ^eagerly watch the
time when the first hatchings of the eggs are laid : of
these they rob the nest, and also of the more important
article, the down with which it is lined, which they care-
fully gather and carry off. These birds will afterwards
strip themselves of their remaining down, and lay a se-
cond hatching, of which also they are sometimes robbed :
but it is said, that when this cruel treatment is too often
repeated, they leave the place, and return to it no more.*

* The following particulars, from Von Troil's Letters on Ice-
land, are given, on account of the singular trait of character
which is mentioned — that of two females occupying only one
nest : —

" The Eider birds build their nests on little islands not far from
the shore, and sometimes even near the dwellings of the natives,
who treat them with such kindness and circumspection as to
make them quite tame. In the beginning of June they lay five or
six eggs, and it is not unusual to find from ten to sixteen eggs in
one nest, with two females, who agree remarkably well together.
The whole time of laying continues six or seven weeks, during
which time the natives visit the nest, for the purpose of taking
the down and eggs, at least once a week. They first carefully
remove the female, and then take away the down and part of the
eggs; after which she lays afresh, covering her eggs with new
down plucked from her breast : this bemg taken away, the male
comes to her assistance, and covers the eggs with his down,

282 BRITISH BIRDS.

The quantity of this valuable commodity, which is thus
annually collefted in various parts, is uncertain. BufFon
mentions one particular year, in which the Icelandic com-
pany sold as much as amounted to upwards of eight hun-
dred and fifty pounds sterling. This, however, must be
only a small portion of the produce, which is all sold by
the hardy natives, to stuff the couches of the pampered
citizens of more polished nations.

The great body of these birds constantly resides in the
remote northern, frozen climates, the rigours of which
their thick cloathing well enables them to bear. They
are said to keep together in flocks in the open parts of
the sea, fishing and diving very deep in quest of shell-fish
and other food, with which the bottom is covered ; and
when they have satisfied themselves, they retire to the
shore, whither they at all times repair for shelter, on the
approach of a storm. Other less numerous flocks of the
Eiders branch out, colonize, and breed further southward
in both Europe and America : they are found on the pro-
montories and numerous isles of the coast of Norway,
and on those of the northern, and the Hebrides or wes-
tern isles of Scotland, and also on the Fern Isles, on the

which is left till the young are hatched. One female, during the
whole time of laying, generally gives half a pownd of down. The
down from dead birds is accounted of little worth, having lost its
elasticity. There are generally exported fifteen hundred or two
thousand pounds of down on the company's account, exclusive of
what is privately sold. The young ones quit the nest soon after
they are hatched, and follow the female, who leads them to the wa-
ter, where, having taken them on her back, she swims with them a
few yards, and then dives, and leaves them floating on the water :
in this situation they soon learn to take care of themselves, and
are seldom afterwards seen on the land, but live among the rocks^
and feed on insects and sea-weed.'*

BRITISH BIRDS.

283

Northumberland coast, which latta: is the only place
where they are known to breed in England, and may be
said to be their utmost southern limit in this quarter, al-
though a few solitary instances of single birds being shot
further southward along the coast have sometimes hap-
pened. Mr Tunstal had a stuffed specimen in his mu-
seum, which was shot in January, at Hartlepool, on the
Durham coast. The foregoing figure and description
were taken from a perfect bird, in full plumage, shot in
April, near Holy Island.

It is not known that any attempts to domestic this
species have succeeded. Such as were made by the
Rev. Dr Thorp, of Ryton, entirely failed of success.

^-^^«> -Mf^Ji ^^i^

. 2 N

284^ BRITISH BIRDS.

THE MUSK DUCK.

MUSCOVY, CAIRO, GUINEA, OR INDIAN DUCK.
(^nas mo/cbafusy Lin. — Le Canard Mufque^ Buff.)

This species is less than the last, but much larger than-;
the Common Duck, measuring about two feet in length*
The bill is two inches long •, the tip and nostrils brown ;;
the other parts of it red, as is also the naked warty skin
which joins its base, and surrounds the eyes.

The crown of the head is rather tufted or crested, and
black : the cheeks, throat, and fore part of the neck^
white, irregularly marked with black : the belly, from
the breast to the thighs, white. The general colour of
the rest of the plumage is deep brown, darkest, and
glossed with green on the back, rump, quills, and tail;
the two outside feathers of the latter, and the first three
of the quills, are white : the legs and feet are red, short,
and thick. This is the general appearance of the Musk
Duck ; but as it is domesticated in almost every country,
it varies very much, like all other birds in that state. In
the female, the bare warty, or carunculated skin, which
is spread from the bill over the eyes, is of a mtich duller
red, and does not cover so large a portion of the head as
it does in the male : she is also of a less size.

Ornithologists are in doubt as to the country to which
these birds originally belonged ; it is, however, agreed,
that they are natives of the warm climates. Mr Pennant
says they are met with, wild, about lake Baikal, in Asia ;
Ray, that they are natives of Louisiana ; Marcgrave, that
they are met with in Brazil ; and Buffon, that they are
found in the overflowed savannas of Guiana, where they
&ed in the day-time upon the wild rice, which grows-

BRITISH BIRDS.

285

there in abundance, and return la the evening to the sea :
he adds, *' they nestle on the trunks of rotten trees ;
and after the young are hatched, the mother takes them
one after another by the bill and throws them into the
water.'* It is said that great numbers of the young
brood are destroyed by the alligators, which are common
in those parts. These birds have obtained the name of
Musk Duck, from their musky smell, which arises from
the liquor secreted in the glands on the rump. They
are a thriving and prolific species, and their flesh, which
is high-flavoured, is by many very much esteemed. They
will associate with the Common Ducks ; and instances
are not wanting of their producing a mixed breed.

-2 n2

2S6 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE VELVET DUCK.

DOUBLE SCOTER, OR GREAT BLACK DUCK.
{^Anas fujca^ Lin. — La grande Macreufe, Buff.)

The Velvet Duck is larger than a Mallard, weighing
about three pounds two ounces, and measuring above
twenty inches in length. The upper mandible is broad,
and flat, and rises into a kind of black knob at the base :
the nostrils are of the same colour, and stand out on each
side ; the middle, or ridge, and the nail, are red ; the
rest of it is orange yellow, €dged with black. The un-
der mandible is pale or yellowish white, edged and
spotted with black, and tipped with deep yellow :
both are coarsely serrated. The head is large, the
eyes small, with a spot of white below each; and the
irides are nearly of the same colour. All the rest of the
plumage, excepting a white stroke or band which crosses
the closed wings in an oblique direction, is of a soft
smooth sooty black, glossed with a cast of purple on the
head, upper part of the neck, and shoulders, and inclin-

BRITISH BIRDS.

287

ing to brown on the sides, belly, and vent : the outer
sides of the legs and toes are of a fine crimson colour ;
the inner sides deep yellow ; the webs and nails black ;
and the joints of both legs and toes look as if they were
stained or bespattered with ink : the tail, consisting of
fourteen feathers, is short and pointed. The female is
without the protuberance on the base of the bill, and has
a white spot behind the ears, and her plumage is more
more inclined to brown.

These birds are natives of the northern parts of the
world, where they rear their young, and continue during
the summer months, but retire southward in winter, at
which season they are met with in greater or less num-
bers, and according to the severity of the weather, ap-
proach towards the temperate climates of Europe, Asia,
and America. In the latter quarter they are frequently
seen as far south as New York, and spread themselves in
small numbers along the shores of western Europe, as far
as France, where they sometimes appear in company
with the large flocks of Scoters, and are often caught in
the fishermen's nets wiia those birds j but they are sel-
dom met with on the British shores.

288

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SCOTER.

BLACK DUCK, OR BLACK DIVER.
[^Anas Nigray Lin. — La Macreufey Buff.)

The Scoter is less than the Velvet Duck, weighing ge-
nerally about two pounds nine ounces, and measuring
twenty-two inches in length, an 4 thirty four in breadth.
The base of the upper mandible is raised up into a kind
of large knob, divided downwaras in the middle by a nar-
row bright or deep yellow stripe, which is spread round
the projecting edges of the nostrils, and extended nearly
to the tip : the rest of the bill is black, grooved along
near the edges, where it Is broad and flat : the under
mandible is also black : irides dusky. From the curious
conformation and appearance of the bill, (of which a more
accurate figure is subjoined) this species cannot easily be
mistaken, although it is said that the knob in some speci-
mens is red : in that of the females it is hardly notice-
able -, and in the younger males it is of a small size.

BRITISH BIRDS. 289

The eye-lids are yellow, the Irldes dark, and the whole
of its close smooth plumage is black, glossed on the head
and neck with purple. The tail consists of sixteen sharp-
pointed feathers, of which the middle are the longest :
legs brown. In some of the young females the plumage
is grey.

In severe winters the Scoters leave the northern ex-
tremities of the world in immense flocks, dispersing
themselves southward along the shores of more temperate
climates. They are only sparingly scattered on the coasts
of England ; but according to BufFon, they appear in
great numbers on the northern coasts of France, to which
they are attracted by beds of a certain kind of small bi-
valve shell-fish, (vaimeaux) which abound in those parts,
and of which they are very fond, for they are almost in-
cessantly diving in quest of them. Over these beds of
shell-fish, the fishermen at low water spread their long
nets, floated or supported horizontally two or three feet
from the s^nd : these they leave to be covered by the
overflowing tide, which also brings the Scoters prowling
along with it, within their accustomed distance from the
beach. As soon as the first of them perceives the shells,
it instantly dives, when all the rest follow the example,
and numbers are entangled in the floating meshes of the
net. In this way it is said that sometimes twenty or
thirty dozen have been taken in a single tide. These
birds are sold to the Roman catholics, who eat them on
fast days and in lent, when their religious ordinances
have forbidden the use of all animal food except fish ;
but these birds, and a few others of the same fishy fla-
vour, have been exempted from the interdi^St, on the sup-

29a BRITISH BIRDS.

position of their being cold blooded, and partaking of the
nature of fish.

The Scoters seldom quit the sea, upon which they are
very nimble, and are indefatigable expert divers j but
they fly heavily, near the surface of the water, and to na
great distance, and are said to walk awkwardly ere£l on
the land.

BRITISH BIRDS.

291

THE MALLARD,

OR COMMON WILD DUCK.
{^nas bo/chas, Lin. — Le Canard Sauvagef Buff.)

The Wild Drake weighs from thirty-six to forty
ounces, and measures twenty-three inches in length, and
thirty-five in breadth. The bill is of a yellowish green
colour, not very flat, about an inch broad, and two and a
half long, from the corners of the mouth to the tip of the
nail : the head and upper half of the neck, are of a glossy
deep changeable green, terminated in the middle of the
neck by a white collar, with which it is nearly encircled :
the lower part of the neck, the breast, and shoulders, are
of a deep vinous chesnut : the covering scapular feathers
are of a kind of silvery white ; those underneath rufous ;
and both are prettily crossed with small waved threads of
brown : wing coverts ash : quills brown \ and between
these intervenes the beauty-spot (common in the Duck
tribe) which crosses the closed wing in a transverse ob-
lique dire(^ion j it is of a rich glossy purple, with violet

. 2 o

292 BRITISH BIRDS.

or green reflections, and bordered by a double streak of
black and white. The belly is of a pale grey, delicately
penciled and crossed with numberless narrow waved
dusky lines, which, on the sides and long feathers that
reach over the thighs, are more strongly and distinfVly
marked : the upper and under tail -coverts, lower part of
the back, and the rump, are black ; the latter glossed
with green : the four middle tail-feathers are also black,
with purple reflections, and, like those of the Domestic
Drake, are stifily curled upwards ; the rest are sharp-
pointed, and fade off to the exterior sides, from a brown
to a dull white .: legs, toes, and webs red.

The plumage of the female is very different from that
of the male, and partakes of none of his beauties except
the spot on the wings. All the other parts are plain
brown, marked with black. She makes her nest, lays
from ten to sixteen greenish white eggs, and rears her
young, generally in the most sequestered mosses or bogs,
far from the haunts of man, and hidden from his sight
among reeds and rushes. To her young helpless un-
fledged family, (and they are nearly three months before
they can fly) she is a fond, attentive, and watchful parent,
carrying or leading them from one pool to another as her
fears or inclinations direct her ; and she is known in this
country to use the same wily stratagems to mislead the
sportsman and his dog, as those before noticed respecting
the Partridge.*

Like the rest of the Duck tribes, the Mallards, In pro-
■digious numbers, quit the north at the end of autumn,
and migrating southward, arrive at the beginning of win-
ter in large flocks, and spread themselves over all the

* Part I, page 304.

BRITISH BIRDS. 29S

loughs and marshy wastes in the British isles. They
pair in the spring, when the greater part of them again
retire northward to breed •, but many straggling pairs
stay with us : they, as well as preceding colonists of their
tribes, remain to rear their young, who become natives,
and continue with us throughout the year.

Many and various are the contrivances which have
been used, in both ancient and modern times, to catch
these wild, shy, and wary birds ; and from the avidity
with which the sport is still followed, it is hardly neces-
sary to observe how highly they are esteemed, and what
place they hold as a delicacy on the table. To describe
these various contrivances would swell out this part of
their history beyond its proper limits, and Willoughby,
Buffon, Pennant, Latham, and others, have left little new
to add on this head. It will not be proper, however, to
omit noticing the decoy, which from its superiority over
every other method, promises to continue long in use ;
for in that mode the Mallard and other Ducks are taken
by thousands at a time ; whereas all the other schemes, of
lying in ambush, shooting, baited hooks, wading in the
water with the head covered in a perforated wooden ves-
sel, or in a calabash, &c.* are attended with much watch-
ing, toil, and fatigue, and are also comparatively trifling
in point of success.

* This method of taking Wild Geese or Ducks is represented,
as well as those anciently in use, of taking almost every kind of
wild animals, in an old folio book, consisting of 105 engravings,
by Collaert and others, from the paintings of Johannes Stradanus.
The wooden vessel which conceals the head of the fowler, is there
represented, as it were floating about among the unsuspecting
flocks, while with his hand the dextrous sportsman is pulling all
those within his reach, one after another, by the legs under wa»
ter. This method is still practised in China.

294 BRITISH BIRDS.

The decoys*" now in use are formed by cutting p7pes or

* For the following account of the manner of taking Wild-fowl
in decoys, this work is indebted to Mr Bonfellow, of Stockton, in
Norfolk.

" In the lakes where they resort, the most favorite haunts of the
fowl are observed : then in the most sequestered part of this haunt,
they cut a ditch about four yards across at the entrance, and
about fifty or sixty yards in length, decreasing gradually in width
from the entrance to the farther end, which is not more than two
feet wide. It is of a circular form, but not bending much for the
first ten yards. The banks of the lake for about ten yards on each
side of this ditch (or pipe, as it is called) are kept clear from reeds,-
coarse herbage, &c. in order that the fowl may get on them to sit
and dress themselves. Across this ditch, poles on each side, close
to the edge of the ditch, are driven into the ground, and the tops
bent to each other and tied fast. These poles at the entrance form
an arch, from the top of which to the water is about ten feet.^
This arch is made to decrease in height, as the ditch decreases in
width, till the farther end is not more than eighteen inches in
height. The poles are placed about six feet from each other, and
connected together by poles laid lengthways across the arch and
tied together. Over them a net with meshes sufficiently small ta
prevent the fowl getting through, is thrown across, and made fast
to a reed fence at the entrance, and nine or ten yards up the ditch,
and afterwards strongly pegged to the ground. At the farther
end of the pipe, a tunnel net (as it is called) is fixed, about four
yards in length, of a round form, and kept open by a number of
hoops about eighteen inches in diameter, placed at a small dis-
tance from each other, to keep it distended. Supposing the cir-
cular bend of the pipe be to the right when you stand with your
back to the lake, on the left hand side a number of reed fences
are constructed, called shootings, for the puipose of screening from
sight the decoy-man, and in such a manner, that the fowl in the de-
coy may not be alarmed, while he is driving those in the pipe :.
these shootings are about four yards in length, and about six feet
high, and are ten in number. They are placed in the following:

manner- j;.,;i,;ii,.wiJit||ppK From the end of the last

BRITISH BIRDS. 295

tapering ditches, widened and deepened as they approach

shooting, a person cannot see the lake, owing to the bend of the
pipe : there is then no farther occasion for shelter. Were it not
for those shootings, the fowl that remain about the mouth of the
pipe would be alarmed, (if the person driving the fowl already
under the net should be exposed) and would become so shy as to
forsake the place entirely. The first thing the decoy-man does when
he approaches the pipe, is to take a piece of lighted turf or peat
and hold near his mouth, to prevent the fowl smelling him. He is
attended by a dog taught for the pui-pose of assisting him ; he
walks very silently about half-way up the shootings, where a small
piece of wood is thrust through the reed fence, which makes an
aperture just sufficient to see if any fowl are in ; if not, he walks
forward to see if any are about the mouth of the pipe. If there
are, he stops and makes a motion to his dog, and gives him a piece
of cheese or something to eat ; upon receiving it he goes directly
to a hole through the reed fence, (No. 1.) and the fowl immediate-
ly fly off the bank into the water ; the dog returns along the bank
between the reed fences and the pipe, and comes out to his master
at the hole (No. 2.) The man now gives him another reward,
and he repeats his round again, till the fowl are attracted by the
motions of the dog, and follow him into the mouth of the pipe.
This operation is called working them. The man now retreats
farther back, working the dog at different holes till the fowl are
sufficiently under the net : he now commands his dog to lay down
still behind the fence, and goes forward to the end of the pipe
next the lake, where he takes off his hat and gives it a wave be-
tween the shooting ; all the fowl under the net can see him, but
none that are in the lake can. The fowl that are in sight fly for-
ward ; and the man runs forward to the next shooting and waves
his hat, and so on, driving them along till they come to the tun-
nel net, where they creep in ; when they are all in, he gives the net
a twist so as to prevent their getting bac^: he then takes the net
off from the end of the pipe with what fowl he may have caught,
and takes them out one at a thne and dislocates their necks, and
hangs the net on again; and all is ready for working again.

** In this manner five or six dozen have been taken at one drift.
When the wind blows directly in or out of the pipe, the fowl sel-

296

BRITISH BIRDS.

the water, In various semicircular direflions through the

dom work well, especially when it blows in. If many pipes are
made in a lake, they should be so constructed as to suit different
winds.

" Duck and Mallard are taken from August to June. Teal or
Wigeon, from October to March. Becks, Smce, Golden Eyes,
Arps, Cricks, and Pintails or Sea Pheasants, in March and April.

" Poker Ducks are seldom taken, on account of their diving and
getting back in the pipe."

REFERENCES TO THE CUT.

No. 1 . Dog's hole, where he goes to unbank the fowJ.

2. Reed fences on each side of the mouth of the pipe.

3. Where the decoy-man shews himself to the fowl first, and af-

terwards at the end of every shooting.

4. Small reed fence to prevent the fowl seeing the dog when he

goes to unbank them.

5. The shootings.

6. Dog's holes between the shootings, used when working.

7. Tunnel net at the end of the pipe.

8. Mouth of the pipe.

BRITISH BIRDS. 297

swampy ground, into particular large pools, which are
sheltered by surrounding trees or bushes, and situated
commonly in the midst of the solitary marsh. At the
narrow points of these ditches, farthest from the pool, by
which they are filled with water, the fowlers place their
fu7inel nets : from these the ditch is covered by a con-
tinued arch of netting, supported by hoops, to the de-
sired distance ; and all along both sides, skreens formed
of reeds are set up so as to prevent the possibility of the
birds seeing the decoy-man ; and as these birds feed du-
ring the night, all is ready prepared for this sport in the
evening. The fowler, then, placed on the leeward side,
sometimes with the help of his well-trained dog, but al-
ways by that of his better trained tame Decoy-Ducks,
begins the business of destruction. The latter, directed
by his well-known whistle, or excited forward by the
floating hempseed, which he strews occasionally upon the
water, entice all the Wild Ducks after them under the
netting ; and as soon as this is observed, the man or his
dog, as the fitness of opportunity may direct, is from the
rear exposed to the view of the birds, by which they are
so alarmed that they dare not offer to return, and are
prevented by the nets from escaping upwards : they there-
fore press forward in the utmost confusion to the end of
the plpe^ into ihe funnel or purse nets there prepared to
receive them, while their treacherous guides remain be-
hind in conscious security. The season allowed by a6l
of parliament for catching these birds in this way, con-
tinues only from the latter end of October till February.
Particular spots or decoys, in the fen countries, are let
to the fowlers at a rent of from five to thirty pounds per
annum j apd Pennant instances a season in which thirty-

298

BRITISH BIRDS.

one thousand two hundred Ducks, including Teals and
Wigeons, were sold in London only, from ten of these
decoys near Wainfleet, in Lincolnshire. Formerly, ac-
cording to Willoughby, the Ducks, while in moult and
unable to fly, were driven by men in boats, furnished
with long poles, with which they splashed the water be-
tween long nets, stretched vertically across the pools, in
the shape of two sides of a triangle, into lesser nets placed
at the point ; and in this way, he says, four thousand were
taken at one driving in Deeping-Fen ; and Latham has
quoted an instance of two thousand six hundred and
forty-six being taken in two days, near Spalding in Lin-
colnshire : but this manner of catching them while in
moult is now prohibited.

BRITISH BIP.D5.

299

'^"^'■^''^^'^•^^^^;^

"Wr"i^-%^^^,-*f*S«raca^.a

THE TAME DUCK.

\Anas domeftica,Lim,--'Le Canard domejllque^ Buff.)

This valuable domestic owes its origin to the Mallard,
the last-described species, but has long been reclaimed
from a state of nature. Many of them appear in nearly
the same plumage as the wild ones ; others vary greatly
firom them, as well as from each other, and may be said
to be marked with almost all colours ; but all the males
(Drakes) still retain the unvarying mark of their wild ori-
ginal, in the curled feathers of the tail. Long domesti-
cation has, however, deprived the Tame Duck of that
keen, quick, .and sprightly look and shape which distin-
guish the Mallard, and substituted a more dull and less
elegant form and appearance in their stead. In the wild
state they pair, and are monogamous, but become poly-
gamous when tame.

The Count de BufFon, whose lively and ingenious
flights of imagination are peculiar to himself, says, " Man

.2r

300 BRITISH BIRDS.

made a double conquest when he subdued inhabitants at
once of the air and of the water. Free in both these
vast elements, equally fitted to roam in the regions of
the atmosphere, to glide through the ocean or plunge un-
der its billows, the aquatic birds seemed destined by na-
ture to live for ever remote from our society, and from
the limits of our dominion." " Eggs taken from the
reeds and rushes amidst the water, and set under an
adopted mother, first produced, in our farm-yards, wild,
shy, fugitive birds, perpetually roving and unsettled, and
impatient to regain the abodes of liberty." These, how-
ever, after they had bred and reared their own young in
the domestic asylum, became attached to the spot ; and
their descendants, in process of time, grew more and
more gentle and tradable, till at last they appear to have
nearly relinquished and forgotten the prerogatives of the
savage state, although they still retain a strong propensity
to roam abroad, in search, no doubt, of the larger pools,
marshy places, and bogs, which it is natural to suppose
they must prefer to the beaten, hard, pebbly-covered
surface surrounding the scantily watered hamlet : and in-
deed it is well known to every observing good housewife,
that where they are long confined to such dry places,
they degenerate in both strength and beauty, and lose
much of the fine flavour of those which are reared in
spots more congenial to their nature. That these, and
such like watery places, which their health requires for
them to wash, dive, feed, rest, and sport in, are not bet-
ter tenanted by these useful and pretty birds, is much to
be regretted, and marks strongly a falling off— a want of
industry* in those females to whose lot it falls, and whose

* « The thrifty huswife is aye weel kend by her sonsy swarms
o'bonny chucky burdies." Scotch Proverb^

BRITISH BIRDS. SOI

duty it is to contribute their quota of attention to these
lesser but not uninteresting branches of rural economy.
Were this done, and ponds made in aid of the purpose,
in every suitable contiguous situation, there can be na
doubt but that a multiplied stock of Ducklings, to an in-
conceivable amount, might be annually reared, with a
comparatively trifling additional expence ; for the vari-
ous undistinguishable animal and vegetable substances up-
on which they chiefly live, and for which they unceas-
ingly search with their curiously constructed bills, sifting
and separating every alimentary particle from the mud,
unless fed upon by them, are totally lost. When older>
they also devour worms, spawn, water insects, and some-
times frogs and small fishes, together with the various
seeds of bog and water plants, of which they find an
abundant supply when left to provide for themselves in
those wet places.

When they, with other kinds of fowl, are busily em-
ployed in picking up the waste about the barn door, they
greatly enliven and beautify the rural scene.

•< A snug thack house, before the door a green ;
** Hens on the middings, Ducks in dubs are seen :
** On this side stands a bam, on that a byre ;
" A peat-stack joins, and forms a rural square."*

To this may be added the no less pleasing peep at the
mill and mill-dam, when well furnished with these their
feathered inhabitants. The village school-boy witnesses
•with delight the antic movements of the busy shapeless
little brood, sometimes under the charge of a foster mo-
tlier, who with anxious fears paddles by the brink, and

* Allan Ramsay.
2 p 2

302^

BRITISH BIRDS.

utters her unavailing cries, while the Ducklings, regard-
less of her warnings, and rejoicing in the element so well
adapted to their nature, are splashing over each other be-
neath the pendent foliage ; or, in eager pursuit, snap at
their inse<fl prey on the surface, or plunge after them to
the bottom : some meanwhile are seen perpendicularly
suspended, with the tail only above water, engaged in
the general search after food.

Scenes like these, harmonized by the clack of the mill
and its murmuring water-fall^ afford pleasures little
known to those who have always been engaged in mere
worldly pursuits; but such picturesque beauties pass not
unnoticed by the young naturalist -, their charms invite
his first attentions, and probably bias his inclinations to
pursue studies which enlarge and exalt his mind, and cant
end only with his Hfe.

-^?i5nr.V., ^?^^f^

BRITISH BIRDSi

303

THE HOOK-BILLED DUCK.

(^Anas aduncOi Lin. — Le Canard a bee courhcy BrifTon.)

The bill of this differs from that of the Mallard and
of the Tame Duck, in being broader, longer, and in
bending more downwards ; but as this bird is of the same
species, so in other respedts it nearly resembles them, and
this variation of the bill is probably only one of tilose ac-
cidental sportings of nature, not very uncommon in all
domestic animals ; every variety of which, each with its
original peculiarities, (for like begets like) may easily
be kept up as long as caprice shall feel gratified by con-
tinuing them. Latham says these birds seem only to be
kept in England out of curiosity, but that according to
the information he received, they are full as common in.
Germany as the other sort of Tame Ducks. He also
mentions other varieties of the Mallard. Those with
copped heads, others wanting the webs of their feet, &c.
if added to the list, would only serve to mislead the
young enquirer; and to the experienced ornithologist
such details are unnecessary.

^

^^^

304. BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SCAUP DUCK.

(Anas Marila, Lin.)

This species is less than the Mallard ; some of them,
it is said, weighing only a pound and a half, while others
exceed that weight by eight or nine ounces, and measure^
when stretched out, nearly twenty inches in length, and
thirty-two in breadth. The bill is broad and flat, more
than two inches long, from the corners of the mouth to
the tip, and of a fine pale blue or lead colour, with the
nail black : irides bright deep yellow : the head and up-
per half of the neck are black, glossed with green : the
lower part of the latter, and the breast, are of a sleek
plain black : the throat, rump, upper and under coverts
of the tail, and part of the thighs, are of the same colour,
but dull, and more inclining to brown. The tail, when
spread out, is fan- shaped, and consists of fourteen short
brown feathers : the back, scapulars, wing coverts, and
tertials, are varied from white to deeper shades of pale
2ish, and ash brown, and are prettily marked with delicate-

BRITISH BIRDS. 305

ly freckled, or more distindlly penciled transverse dark
waved lines : the bastard wings, greater coverts, and the
exterior webs of the first two or three primary quills, (the
interior webs of which are brownish ash) and the tips of
all the rest, are deep brown, more or less sprinkled with
white, and crossed with narrow waved white lines : some
of the primary quills towards the body, are white ; the
bases of the secondaries, of the same colour, form an
oblique bar across the wings, which is stopped by a single
under tertial feather, of plain brown, with green reflec-
tions : the belly is white, and shaded oflf towards the vent
with the same kind of sprinkled and waved lines as those
so predominant on a large portion of the plumage. The
legs are short ; toes long, and, as well as the outer or la-
teral webs of the inner toes, are of a dirty pale blue co-
lour ; all the joints and the rest of the webs are dusky.
These birds are said to vary greatly in their plumage, as
well as size, but those which have come under the au-
thor's observation were all nearly alike.

The Scaup Duck, like others of the same genus, quits
the rigours of the dreary north in the winter months,
and in that season only is met with, in small numbers, on
various parts of the British shores.

306

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE SHIELDRAKE.

SHELDRAKE, SKELDRAKE, OR BURROUGH DUCK.
( Anas tadorna, Lin. — La Tadorne. )

The male of this prettily marked species is somewhat
larger than the Mallard, measuring about two feet in
length, three and a half in breadth, and weighing com-
monly two pounds ten ounces. The bill is red, with the
nail and nostrils black : the upper mandible is broad, flat,
and grooved on the edges towards the point, where it has
rather a cast upwards ; it is also depressed in the middle,
and raised into a knob or tubercle at the base. The
head, and upper part of the neck, are of a glossy dark or
bottle green : the lower part of the neck, to the breast,
is encircled with white, and joined by a broad band of
bright orange bay, which is spread over, and covers the
breast and shoulders. The back, wing coverts, rump,
upper tail coverts, and sides of the belly to the vent, and

BRITISH BIRDS. S07

tail, are white : a dusky stripe, tinged with rufous, runs;'
alopg the middle from the breast, the whole length of
the belly : part of the scapulars next the wings are black,
and those next the body white : the bastard wing, and
some of the first primary quills, are black ; the exterior
webs of the next adjoining ones are glossed with gold
green, which forms the spectilum or beauty spot of the
wings : this spot is bounded, and partly covered by the
orange webs of the three succeeding quill feathers, which
separate it from the scapulars. The tail is white, but
some of its feathers are tipped with black : the legs pale
red. The female is less than the male, and her plumage
is not so vivid and beautiful. She makes her nest, and
rears her young, under ground, in the rabbit-holes which
ar^ made in the sand-hills near the sea-shore : it is chiefly
formed of the fine down plucked from her own breast :
she lays from twelve to sixteen romidish white eggs, and
the incubation lasts about thirty days. During this time
the male, who is very attentive to his charge, keeps watch
in the day-time on some adjoining hillock, where he can
see all around him, and which he quits only when im-
pelled by hunger, to procure subsistence. The female
also leaves the nest, for the same purpose, in the morn-
ings and evenings, at which times the male takes his turn
and supplies her place. As soon as the young are hatch-
ed, or are able to waddle along, they are conducted, and
sometimes carried in the bill, by the parents, to the full
tide, upon which they launch without fear, and are not
seen afterwards out of tide-mark until they are well able
to fly : lulled by the roarings of the flood, they find
themselves at home amidst an ample store of their na-
tural food, which consists of sand-hoppers, sea-worms^ &c*

.2 (4

308 BRITISH BIRDS.

or small shell fish, and the innumerable shoals of the
little fry, which have not yet ventured out into the great
deep, but are left on the beach, or tossed to the surface
of the water by the restless surge.

If this family, in their progress from the nest to the
sea, happen to be interrupted by any person, the young
ones, it is said, seek the first shelter, and squat close
down, and the parent birds fly off: then commences
that truly curious scene, dictated by an instin6t analogous-
to reason, the same as has been already noticed in the
Mallard and the Partridge : the tender mother drops, at
no great distance from her helpless brood, trails herself
along the ground, flaps it with her wings, and appears
to struggle as if she were wounded, in order to at-
tract attention, and tempt a pursuit after her. Should
these wily schemes, in which she is also aided by her
mate, succeed, they both return when the danger is over,
to their terrified motionless little offspring, to renew the
tender ofiices of cherishing and protecting them.

These birds are sometimes watched to their holes,
which are dug up to the nest, whence the eggs are taken,
and hatched, and the young reared by a Tame Duck.
In this way many gentlemen, tempted by the richness of
their garb, have their ponds stocked with these beautiful
birds ; but as they are of a roving disposition, and are
apt to stray, or to quit altogether such limited spots, it is
generally found necessary to pinion or disable a wing to
secure them. The Shieldrake has been known to breed
with the Common Duck ; but it is not well ascertained
whether the hybrids thus produced will breed again or-
not.

This species is dispersed, in greater or less numbers^

BRITISH BIRDS.

S09

over the warm, as well as tlie cold climates, in various
parts of the world : they are met with as far north as Ice-
land in the spring, and in Sweden and the Orkney Islands
In the winter. Captain Cook notices them, among other
sea-fowl, on the coast of Van Diemen's land, and they
have been seen, in great numbers, at the Falkland Islands.
Although they are not numerous on the British and the
opposite shores, yet they are common enough in the Bri-
tish Isles, where they remain throughout fhe year, always
in pairs, and occasionally straggle away from the sea coast
to the lakes inland.

*Kfa'"|0ti|gO

2 0^2

X^IO BRITISH BIRDS.

.^■^'^^NN,-— -

THE SHOVELER.

BLUE-WING SHOVELER, KERTLUTOCK, OR BROAD-BILL.
{^Anas clypeafay Lin. — Le Souchct, Buff.)

The Shoveler is less than the Wild Duck, commonly
weighing about twenty-two ounces, and measuring twenty-
one inches in length. The bill is black, three inches
long, very broad or spread out, and round-ed like a spoon
nt the end, with the nail hooked inward and small : the
insides of the mandibles are remarkably well furnished
with thin pectinated rows, which fit into each other like
a weaver's brake, and through which no dirt can pass,
while the bird is separating or sifting the small worms
and inserts from amongst the mud, by the edges of the
water, where it is continually searching for them : the
irides are of a fine pure yellow •, the head and upper half
of the neck of a dark glossy changeable green : the lower
part of the neck, the breast, and scapulars, white : the
l)ack is brown : belly and sides chesnut bay, and the wing

BRITISH BIRDS. 311

coverts of a fine pale sky-blue, terminated with white
tips, which form an oblique stripe across the wings, and
an upper border to the beauty spot, or spangle, which is
-of a glossy changeable bronze, or resplendent green, and
also divides or crosses the wings in the same direction :
the greater quills and the tail are dusky, but in the latter
the outside feathers, and the edges of some of the adjoin-
ing ones, are white : a ring of white also encircles the
rump and the vent, behind which the feathers under the
tail are black : legs and feet red. The female is smaller
than the male, from which she also differs greatly in the
colours of her plumage, the coverts and spangle spot on
her wings being less brilliant, and the other parts, com-
posed of white, grey, and rusty, crosssed with curved
dusky lines, giving her much the appearance of the
Common Wild Duck. She makes her nest, lined with
withered grasses, on the ground, in the midst of the
largest tufts of rushes or coarse herbage, in the most in-
accessible part of the slaky marsh : she lays ten or twelve
pale rusty-coloured eggs •, and as soon as the young are
hatched, they are conducted to the water by the parent
birds, who watch and guard them with the greatest care.
They are at first verv shapeless and ugly, for the bill is
then almost as broad as the body, and seems too great a
weight for the little bird to carry. Their plumage does
not acquire its full colours until after the second moult.

It would appear, from the varied descriptions of orni-
thologists, that these birds differ much from each other,
both in the colour of the bill, and in the disposition of
the markings of their rich-coloured plumage. All, how-
ever, agree in ranking the Shoveler among the most
beautiful of the Duck tribe j and it is also, in the opinion

312 BRITISH BIRDS.

of many, inferior to none of them in the delicate flavour
of its flesh, which is red, juicy, and tender.

It has not yet been ascertained whether the Shoveler
breeds in England, where indeed it is a scarce bird ; but
according to M. Baillon,* they are not uncommon in
France, where they arrive about the month of February,
disperse in the marshes, and a part of them hatch every
year. He conjecShires that they advance southward, for
they are seldom met with after the first northerly wind
that blows in March, and he adds, that those of them
which tlien stay behind do not depart till September.
He also remarks that hardly any are ever seen during
the winter, from which he concludes that they shun the
approach of cold. They are said to be met with in Sca-
nia and Gothland, and in most parts of Germany, Russia,
and Kamtschatka ; and also, in the winter months, in
New York and Carolina, in America.

This species is of so wild, shy, and solitary a disposi-
tion, that all attempts hitherto made to domesticate them
have failed. This work was favoured with the bird from
which the foregoing figure and description were taken,
by the author's friends at Cambridge.

The Atias muscaria of Linnseus Le Souchet a ventre hlanc
of Brisson, differs only from this in having the belly
white, and is considered merely as a variety of the same
species.

* The friend and correspondent of the Count de BufFon.

BRITISH BIRDS. 313

THE RED-BREASTED SHOVELER,

«' Size of a Common Duck. Bill large, serrated on
the sides, and entirely of a brownish yellow colour : head
large : eyes small : irides yellow : breast and throat of a
reddish brown : back brown, growing paler towards the
sides : the tips and pinions of the wings grey : quills
brown ; the rest of a greyish brown : the speculum, or
wing spot, purple, edged with white : tail short, and
white : vent of a bright brown, spotted with darker :
legs short and slender : feet small, and of a reddish
brown colour."

** In the female all the colours are fainter, and the
speculum of the wings blue."

" This species is sometimes taken in the decoys of
Lincolnshire."

SH BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GADWALL,.

OR GRAY.
{^Anas Jlrepera, Lin.— Xf Chlpeauy Buff.)

The Gadwall is less than the Mallard, measuring about
nineteen inches in length, and twenty-three in breadths
The bill is flat, black, and two inches long, from the tip
to the corners of the mouth : the head, and upper part
of the neck, are of a rufous brown colour, lightest on the
throat and cheeks, and finely speckled and dotted all
over with black and brown : the feathers on the lower
part of the neck, breast, and shoulders, look like scales,
beautifully margined and crossed with curved black and
white lines : those of the back, scapulars, and sides, are
brown, marked transversely with narrower waved streaks
of a dusky colour : the belly and thighs are dingy white,
more or less sprinkled with grey : the lower part of the
back dark brown: rump and vent black*, and the tail
ash, edged with white. The ridge and lesser coverts of
the wing are of a pale rufous brown, crossed obliquely
by the beauty spot, which is a tri-coloured bar of purplish
red, white, and black : the greater quills are dusky : legs
orange red. The wings of the female are barred like
those of the male, but the colours are of a much duller
cast, and her breast, instead of his beautiful markings, is
only plain brown, spotted with black.

Birds of this species breed in the desert marshes of the
north, and remain there throughout the spring and sum*
mer. On the approach of winter they leave the Euro-
pean and Siberian parts of Russia, Sweden, &c. and aided
by tlie first strong north-east wind, commonly make
their appearance about the month of November, on thp

BRITISH BIRDS.

315

French, British, and other more southern shores, where
they remain till the end of February, and then return to
their northern haunts. They are very shy and wary
birds, feeding only in the night, and lurking concealed
among the rushes in the watery waste during the day,
in which they are seldom seen on the wing.

These birds shew themselves expert in diving as well
as in swimming, and often disappoint the sportsman in
his aim ; for the instant they see the flash of the pan^
they disappear, and dive to a distant secure retreat.

L' R

SIG

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE WIGEON.

WHEWER, WHIM, OR PANDLED WHEW.
{^/inas Penelope, Lin. — Le Canard Jiffleur, Buff.)

This is nearly of the same size as the Gadwall, weigh-
ing generally about twenty-three ounces, and measuring
nearly twenty inches in length, and two feet three in
breadth. The bill is an inch and a half long, narrow,
and serrated on the inner edges : the upper mandible is
of a dark lead colour, tipped with black. The crown of
the head, which is very high and narrow, is of a cream
colour, with a small spot of the same under each eye :
the rest of the head, the neck, and the breast, are bright
rufous chesnut, obscurely freckled on the head with black
spots, and darkest on the chin and throat, which are
tinged with a vinous colour : a band, composed of beauti-
fully waved, or indented narrow ash brown and white
lines, separates the breast and neck ; the back and scapu-
lars are marked with similar feathers, as are also the sides
of the body under the wings, even as low as the thighs,
^ut there they are paler : the belly to the vent is white t

BRITISH BIRDS. 817

the ridge of the wing, and adjoining coverts, are dusky-
ash brown : the greater coverts brown, edged with white,
(in some specimens wholly white) and tipped with black,
which forms an upper border to the changeable green
beauty-spot of the wings, which is also bordered on the
under side by another stripe formed by the deep velvet
black tips of the secondary quills : the exterior webs of
the adjoining quills are white, and those next the back,
which are very long, are of a deep brown, (in some spe-
cimens deep black) edged with yellowish white : the
greater quills are brown j the vent and upper tail coverts,
black. The tail, which consists of fourteen feathers, is
of a hoary brownish ash, edged with yellowish white ;
the two middle ones are sharp-pointed, darker and longer
than the rest. The legs and toes are of a dirty lead co-
lour, faintly tinged with green ; the middle of the webs
and nails black. <^ The female is brown, the middle of
the feathers deepest : the fore part of the neck and breast
paler : scapulars dark brown, with paler edges : wings
and belly as in the male." The young of both sexes are
grey, and continue in that plain garb till the month of
February, after which a change takes place, and tlie plu-
mage of the male begins to assume its rich colourings, in
which, it is said, he continues till the end of July, and
then again the feathers become dark and grey, so that he
is hardly to be distinguished from the female.*

These birds quit the desert morasses of the north on
the approach of winter, and as they advance towards the
■end of their destined southern journey, they spread them-

* M. Baillon, from whom these remarks are taken, adds, that
the same changes happen to the Pintail, the Gadwall, and the
Shoveler, and that they are also all grey when young.

2 R 2

S18

BRITISH BIRDS.

selves along the shores, and over the marshes and lakes
m various parts of the continent, as well as those of the
British Isles •, and it is said that some of the flocks advance
as far south as Egypt. They remain in these parts during
the winter, at the end of which the old birds pair, and
the whole tribe, in full plumage, take their departure
northward about the end of March. While they remain
with us, they frequent the same places, and feed in the
same mode as the Mallard, and are often taken in the de-
coys along with them and other kinds of Ducks.

The Wigeons commonly fly, in small flocks, during
the night, and may be known from others by their whist-
ling note while they are on the wing. They are easily
domesticated in places where there is plenty of water,
and are much admired for their beauty, sprightly look,
.and busy frolicsome manners.

BRITISH BIRDS.

S19

THE BIMACULATED DUCK.

CLUCKING DUCK.
(Anas Glocitans.)

*« Length twenty inches. Bill deep lead colour;
nail black : irides brown : crown brown, changeable with
green, ending in a streak of brown at the hinder part of
the head, with a small crest : between the bill and eye,
and behind each ear, ferruginous spots, the first round,
the last oblong and large : throat of a fine deep purple :
the rest of the head bright green, continued in streaks
down the neck : breast a light ferruginous brown, spotted
with black : hind part of the neck and back dark brown,
waved with black : wing coverts ash coloured ; lower
coverts streaked with rust colour : scapulars cinereous :
quills the same, inclined to brown : secondaries fine
green, ending in a shade of black, edged with white :
tail coverts deep changeable green : twelve feathers in
the tail ; the two middlemost black, the others brown,
edged with white : belly dusky, finely granulated : legs
small, yellow: webs dusky." " Taken in a decoy in
England. Has been met with along the Lena, and about
the lake Baikal. Has a singular note, somewhat like
clucking." Latham,

i£^

320 BRITISH BIRDS.

THE POCHARD.

POKER, DUNBIRD, OR GREAT-HEADED WIGEON.
{^Anas ferina^ Lin. — Penelope^ le Millouin, Buflf.)

The Pochard is nineteen inches in length, and two
feet and a half in breadth, and weighs about one pound
thirteen ounces. The bill is of a dark lead colour, with
the tip and sides near the nostrils, black : irides fine deep
yellow. The head and neck are of a glossy chesnut,
joined to a large space of sooty black which covers the
breast, and is spread over the shoulders : the lower part
of the back, the rump, tail coverts, and vent, are also
black : the rest of the plumage, both above and below, is
wholly covered with prettily freckled slender dusky
threads, disposed transversely in close-set zigzag lines, on
a pale ground, more or less shaded off with ash and brown,
and deepest on the wing coverts. The primary quills are
brown, with dusky tips 5 the secondaries lead colour,
tinged with brown, and slightly tipped with dull white.
The tail consists of twelve short feathers, of a dark
brownish ash, which have also a hoary grey appearance :

BRITISH BIRDS. 321

the legs and toes are lead colour, shaded and dashed with
black.

This species is without the beauty-spot on the wings,
and has altogether a more plain and half-mourning kind
of look than others of this tribe. The specimen from
which the above figure was drawn, was shot at Axwell-
Park, in the county of Durham : the description was
taken from one shot in January near Holy Island. Tlie
former differed from the latter in wanting the black on
the rump and vent, and in some other slight variations
in the shadings of its colours.

<* The head of the female is of a pale reddish brown :
the breast is of rather a deeper colour : the coverts of the
wings plain ash colour : the back marked like that of the
male : the belly ash coloured."*

These birds leave the north on the approach of winter,
and migrate southward as far, it is said, as Egypt in Afri-
ca, and Carolina and Louisiana, in America. They ar-
rive in the marshes of France about the end of October,
in tolerably numerous flocks ; and considerable numbers
of them are caught in the fens of Lincolnshire during
the winter season, and sold in the London markets,
where they and the female Wigeons are indiscriminately
called Dunbirds, and are esteemed excellent eating. It
has not yet been discovered whether any of them remain
to breed in England.

The Pochard is of a plump round shape, and its walk
Is heavy, ungraceful and waddling j but when on the
wing, they fly with greater rapidity than the Mallard,
and in flocks of from twenty to forty, commonly in a close
compact body, whereby they may be easily distinguished

* Pennant.

322-

BRITISH BIRDS.

from the triangular shaped flocks of the Wild Duck, as
well as by the diff*erence of the noise of their wings.

The few attempts which have been hitherto made to
domesticate this species have failed of success. They do
pretty well where they have plenty of water, but it is
said that they cannot bear walking about on hard pebbly
grounds.

BRITISH BIRDS. 323

THE FERRUGINOUS DUCK,

jinas Rutila.

« Weight twenty ounces. The bill long, and flatted,
rounded a little at the base, serrated along the edges of
each mandible, and furnished with a nail at the end of
the upper ; colour pale blue : head, neck, and whole up-
per part of the bird, an agreeable reddish brown : throat,
breast, and belly, the same colour, but paler : the legs of
a pale blue : webs black." << One of this species was
killed in Lincolnshire. Found in the Swedish rivers,
but rarely. Mr Pennant has also received it from Den-
mark." Latham.

.S^

.324?

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE PINTAIL DUCK.

SEA PHEASANT, CRACKER, OR WINTER DUCK.
( Anas acuta^ Lin. — Le Canard a longue queue., BufF. )

This handsome-looking bird is twenty-eight inches in
length, and thirty -eight in breadth, and weighs about
twenty-four ounces. The bill is rather long, black in the
middle, and blue on the edges: the irides reddish: the head
and throat are of a rusty brown, mottled with small dark
spots, and tinged behind the ears with purple : the nape
and upper part of the neck are dusky, margined by a nar-
row white line, which runs down on each side, and fall-
ing into a broader stripe of the same colour, extends it-
self on the fore part as far as the breast ; the rest of the
neck, the breast, and the upper part of the back, are ele-
gantly penciled with black and white waved lines : the
lower back and sides of the body are undulated in the
same manner, but with lines more freckled, less distinct.

BRITISH BIRDS. S25

a'nd paler : the scapulars are long and pointed, each feather
black down the middle, with white edges : the coverts of
the wings are ash brown, tipped with dull orange : be-
low these the .wing is obliquely crossed by the beauty-
spot of glossy bronze purple green, with a lower border
of black and white : this spangle is formed by the outer
webs and tips of the middle quills : the rest of the quills^
are dusky. All the tail feathers are of a brown ash
colour, with pale edges, except the two middle ones,
which are black, slightly glossed with green, considerably
longer than the others, and end in a point : the belly and
sides of the vent are white :* under tail coverts black :
legs and feet small, and of a lead colour. The female is
less than the male, and her plumage is of a much plainer
cast, all the upper parts being brown, with each feather
margined more or less with white, inclining to red or
yellow : the greater coverts and secondary quills are
tipped with cream colour and white, which form a bar
across the wings. The fore part oT the neck, the breast,
and the belly, to the vent, are of a dull white, obscurely
spotted with brown. The tail is long and pointed, but
the two middle feathers do not extend themselves beyond
the rest, like those of the male.

These birds do not visit the temperate and warm cli-
mates in great numbers, except in very severe winters,
the great bulk of them dropping short, and remaining
during that season in various parts of the Russian domi-
nions, Sweden, Norway, &c. and also in the same latitudes
in both Asia and America. They are seldom numerous
in England, but flocks of them are sometimes abundantly

* In some, the belly and fore part of the neck are of a rcddirfx
buff, or cream colour.

2 s2

326

BRITISH BIRDS.

spread' along the isles and shores of Scotland and Ireland,
and on the interior lakes of both those countries, as well
as those of the continent, as far south as Italy, and in
America, as far south as New York. They are esteemed
excellent eating.

The Pintail Duck is of a taller or more lengthened
shape than any of the other species, and, in the opinion
of the Count de Buffon, seems to form the link betwejen.
the Duck and the Garganey.

BRITISH BIRDS,

S27

THE LONG-TAILED DUCK,

OR SWALLOW-TAILED SHELDRAKE.
{/fnas Giaciaiis, Lin. — Canard de Mtclon, BuflF.}

This species is considerably less than the last, and
comes more nearly to the size of the Wigeon. The bill
is short, black, and crossed by an orange red bar between
the tip and the nostrils, with both mandibles deeply pec-
tinated on the edges. The front of the head, the cheeks,,
and the sides of the neck, are pale reddish brown, with^
an oval-shaped black and chesnut patch, placed on the
sides behind the auriculars ; the rest of the head and
neck is white: the breast, shoulders, back, and lesser
wing coverts, are of a deep chocolate colour, more or less
inclining to black or brown in different birds : the greater
coverts and primary quills dusky ; the secondaries are
reddish brown, and form an oblique bar of that colour
across the wings : the belly, vent, and scapulars are white ;
the feathers of the latter long, narrow, and sharp pointed :
the two middle or long feathers of the tail, and one on

S2S BRITISH BIRD3.

each side of them, are black : the rest white. The legs
and toes are pale blue : webs and nails black : the inner
toes and the small ones behind are margined by small
lateral webs.

This species is described as varying in the different
shades of their plumage. In some the spots on the sides
of the upper part of the neck are much larger and darker,
and the two tail feathers are double the length of those
of others : their legs are also said to be sometimes ofc
deeper or lighter shades of red.

The Long-tailed Ducks, it is said, do not in the winter,
like many of the other tribes, entirely quit their native
haunts in the northern extremities of the world, but con-
siderable numbers remain there, enduring its gloomy ri-
gours, as well as enjoying the perpetual day, under the
influence of the unsetting summer's sun, during the rest
of the thus divided year. Numerous flocks, however,
spread themselves southward in the winter, from Green-
land and Hudson's Bay, as far as New York in America ;
and from Iceland and Spitzbergen, over Lapland, the Rus-
sian dominions, Sweden, Norway, and the northern parts
of the British isles, in Europe. The same progress of
them is observed in Asia, where they are met with about
Kamtschatka, &c. They frequent the lakes in the inte-
rior of all those parts as well as the sea shores. The
flocks which visit the Orkney Isles appear in OcHiober,
and continue there till April •, and " about sun-set they
are seen in vast companies going to and returning from
the bays, in which they frequently pass the night, making
such a noise, as in frosty weather may be heard some
miles." They are rather scarce in England, whither they
•come only in very hard winters, and even then but in.

BRITISH BIRDS. 329

small straggling parties. They fly swiftly, but seldom to
a great distance, making a loud and singular cry. They
are expert divers, and are supposed to live chiefly upon
shell-fish.

The female, it is said, makes her nest among the grass
near the water, lined, like that of the Eider Duck, with
her own equally valuable down. Her eggs are of a bluish
white colour, about the size of those of a Pullet. La-
tham says she lays five •, others assert that the number is
<' seldom fewer than ten, and often as many as fourteen
or fifteen." Some are of opinion that the latter number
may be the produce of two females, as is said to be the
case with the Eider Duck. When the young are hatch-
ed, the mother carries them to the water in her bill.

Latham describes the ^nas hyemalis of Linnxus as the
female of this species : he says the bill is the same :
« sides of the head white ; hind head cinereous ; the rest
of the head, the neck, breast, and back, dusky black .
the lower part of the breast and scapulars chesnut : belly
white : upper tail coverts and wings, much as in the male :
legs dusky reddish brown." " Some birds of this sex have
the brown feathers edged with ferruginous, others not."
<« I have likewise observed in some a white spot on each
^ide of the lower part of the neck." He adds, that in
•the females which he had seen, the long tail feathers
-ivere wanting.

330

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GOLDEN-EYE.

{^nas clangula, Lin. — Le Garrof, Buff'.)

The weight of this species varies from twenty- six
ounces to two pounds. The length is nineteen inches,
and the breadth thirty-one. The bill is bluish black,
short, thick, and elevated at the base : the head large,
slightly crested, and black, or rather of a glossy bottle
green, with violet reflections : a large white spot is placed
on the space on each side between the corners of the
mouth and the eyes, the irides of which are of a golden
yellow : the throat, and a small portion of the upper part
of the neck, are of a sooty or velvet black ; the lower, to
the shoulders, the breast, belly, and vent, white ; but
some of the side feathers, and those which cover the
thighs, are tipped with black : the scapulars white and
deep black : of the latter colour are also the adjoining
long tertial feathers, and those on the greater part of the
back : the first fourteen primary quills, with all the out-
side edge of the wing, including the ridge and a portion
of the coverts, are brownish black ; the middle part of

BRITISH BIRDS. 531

the wing Is white, crossed by a narrow black stripe, which
is formed by the tips of the lesser coverts : tail dark
hoary brown : legs short, of a reddish yellow colour, with
the webs dusky : the inner and hinder toes are furnished
with lateral webs : on the latter these webs are large and-
flapped. Willoughby says " the windpipe hath a la-
byrinth at the divarication, and besides, above swells out
into a belly or pufF-like cavity."

This is the description of an individual adult male, ill'
which, as to the identity of the sex and species, no one
can be mistaken : but as younger males have been met
with, bearing in every respecH: the same plumage as the
old ones, except in having no white spots before the eyes,
and other (supposed) young males have also been seen
both with and without those white spots, though with a
female-looking garb, and their bills tipped with orange,
like that of the Morillon ; it is not only uncertain at
what age the Golden-eye attains his full dress, but also,
from the varied appearances, as well in these, as in those
supposed to be females, it is doubtful whether two dis-
tin61: species are not confounded in one, and the young of
one species described as the old of another. Willoughby
describes two species v the one, the *' smaller reddish-
headed Duck," which he at last supposes to be the female
Golden-eye, — and the other the "greater reddish-head-
ed Duck," " perchance the same as the last described, or
the male thereof." Latham confesses himself equally at
a loss with Willoughby ; and as some of the correspon-
dents of the author are of one opinion, and some of ano-
ther, in respe^l to the sex, as well as the species of these
birds, he forbears giving descriptions from other speci-
mens, although accurat:ely taken, because they would not

.2 T

332 BRITISH BIRDS.

remove the doubts already entertained, or elucidate the-
subjefl. It may not be improper, however, to quote Mr
Pennant's account of the female Golden-eye in this place,
and that of the Morillcn, sent to this work by George
Strickland, Esq. of Ripon, in the subsequent account of
the latter bird. " The head of the female is of a deep
brown, tinged with red : the neck grey : breast and
belly white : coverts and scapulars dusky and ash coloured :
middle quill feathers white j the others, together with
the tail, black : the legs dusky.* These birds frequent
the fresh water, as well as the sea, being found on the
Shropshire meres during winter ."f

These birds do not congregate in large flocks, nor are
they numerous on the British shores, or on the lakes in
the interior. They are late in taking their departure
northward in the spring, the specimens before mentioned
being shot in April. In their flight they make the air
whistle with the vigorous quick strokes of their wings ;
they are excellent divers, and seldom set foot on the
shore, upon which, it is said, they walk with great appa-
rent difiiculty, and, except in the breeding season, only
repair to it for the purpose of taking their repose.

The attempts which were made by M. Baillon to do-
mesticate these birds, he informs the Count de Buffon,
quite failed of success.

* A bird was sent to the author by the Rev. J. Davies, of Tri-
nity College, Cambridge, agreeing with this description, except ia

the legs being yellow.

f Pennant.

BRITISH BIRDS. 333

THE MORILLON.

( Anas Glaucion, Lin. — Le Moriilotij Buff. )

« Bill brown, orange from the nostrils to the point,
the knob of which is black ; it is an inch and a half long,
rather narrow towards the apex ; the nostrils are placed
very forward : head brown, cheeks tinged with black :
irides straw colour : a broad white circle round the neck,
the back part of which is mottled with brown : breast,
sides of the body, and scapular feathers, white, barred
with black : belly white : thighs and vent feathers brown
and white : inner coverts of the wings brown : back and
coverts of the wings black, mottled with white : quill
feathers and tertials black ; secondaries white : tail
rounded, and grey : legs and toes yellow brown, with a
greenish tinge ; webs and claws black. Length one foot
four inches ; breadth two feet four inches ; weight one
pound seven ounces."

« The above is a description of the male bird : the fe-
male has not the white circle round the neck, or the yel-
low on the bill, and has less white on the wings." << I
have shot this species on Coniston lake, and on Eastwaite
water, Lancashire, in December, — on Duddon-sands,
Cumberland, in April, — and on a pond near Ripon, York-
shire, in October. They are generally seen in small flocks,
<living for their food, near the shore." — Mr Strickland,

351- BRITISH BIRM.

THE TUFTED DUCK.

(y^nas fuliguhf Lin. — Le petit Morillon, BrifTon.)

This is a plump, round, and short-shaped species.
The male is distinguished by a pendent crest, overhang*
Ing the nape of the neck, two inches in length. The
weight is about two pounds, length eighteen inches.
The bill is broad, of a dark lead colour ; the nail black :
irides deep orange : the head is black, glossed with pur-
ple : the neck, breast, and all the upper parts, are of a
deep brown or black ; the scapulars faintly powdered or
sprinkled with light spots, so minute as not to be observ-
ed at a short distance. The wings are crossed by a nar-
row white bar ; the belly, sides, and under coverts of the
wings, are of a pure white : the vent white, mixed with
dusky. The tail consists of fourteen very short feathers -
the legs are of a dark lead colour •, webs black. The fe-
male is of a browner colour than the male, and has n©
,crest.

BRITISH BIRDS.

^55

The habits, manners, and haunts of this species are
much the same as those of the Golden-eye, and they re-
turn northward about the same time. Latham says
" the French allow these birds to be eaten on maigre
days, and in lent ; as they do also the Scoter : but though
the flesh of the latter is now and then tolerable, that of
the Tufted Duck is seldom otherwise than excellent."

336

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE GARGANEY.

{Anas querqueduhi liln. — La Sarcelhy Buff.)

This species, which is only a little bigger than the
Teal, is cloathed with an elegant plumage, and has altoge-
ther a most agreeable and sprightly look. It measures
about seventeen inches in length, and twenty-eight in
breadth. The bill is of a dark lead colour, nearly black :
the irides light hazel. From the crown of the head, over
the nape of the neck downwards, it is of a glossy brown :
chin black : brow, cheeks, and the upper fore part of
the neck, reddish chesnut, with vinous reflexions, and
sprinkled all over with numerous small pointed white
lines. A white stripe passes over each eye, and slanting
backwards, falls down on each side of the neck, the lower
part of which, with the breast, is light brown, pretty
closely crossed with semicircular bars of black : the shoul-
ders and back are marked nearly the same, but on a
darker ground : the scapulars are long and narrow, and
are striped with ash colour, black and white. The belly,
in some, is white, in others pale reddish yellow; the

BRITISH BIRDS. S37

lower part of it, and the vent, mottled with dusky spots :
the sides are freckled and waved with narrow lines of ash
coloured brown, more and more distinctly marked to-
wards the. thighs, behind which this series of feathers ter-
minates in a ribband striped with ash, black, white, and
lead-coloured blue. The coverts of the wings are of an
agreeable bluish ash, margined with white : next to this
the exterior webs of the middle quills are glossy green,
tipped with white, and form the beauty-spot or spangle
of the wings, to which the white tips make a border : the
primary quills are ash-brown, edged with white : tail
dusky : legs lead colour. — ^The foregoing figure and de-
scription were taken from a male bird in full and perfedl
plumage. This sex is furnished with a labyrinth.

** The female has an obscure white mark over each
eye ; the rest of the plumage is of a brownish ash colour,
not unlike the female Teal *, but the wing wants the green
spot, which sufficiently distinguishes these birds."

It has not yet been noticed whether any of this species
ever remain to breed in England, where indeed they are
rather a scarce bird*

33S

BRITISH BIRDS.

THE TEAL,

OR COMMON TEAL.
[j^nas crecca, lAn*'— -La petite Sarrelle.)

This beautiful little Duck seldom exceeds eleven
ounces in weight, or measures more, stretched out, than
fourteen inches and a half in length, and twenty-three
and a half in breadth. The bill is a dark lead colour,
tipped with black : irides pale hazel : a glossy bottle-green
patch, edged on the upper side with pale brown, and be-
neath with cream-coloured white, covers each eye, and
extends to the nape of the neck : the rest of the head,*
and the upper part of the neck, are of a deep reddish
chesnut, darkest on the forehead, and freckled on the
chin and about the eyes with cream-coloured spots ; the
hinder part of the neck, the shoulders, part of the scapu-
lars, sides under the wings, and lower belly, towards the
vent, are elegantly penciled with black, ash-brown, and

* In some of this species, the feathers on the head are lengthen-
ed out into a crest ; the upper part of which is pale brown, tke
under deep purple.

BRITISH BIRDS. 33&

white transverse waved lines : the breast, greatly resem-
bling the beautifully spotted appearance of an India shell,
is of a pale brown or reddish yellow, and each feather is
tipped with a roundish heart-shaped black spot : the belly
is a cream-coloured white : back and rump ash brown,
each feather freckled and #dged with a paler colour :
vent black : the primary quills, lesser and greater covertsj
are brown ; the last deeply tipped with white, which
forms a bar across the wings : the first six of the secon-
dary quills are of a fine velvet black ; those next to them,
towards the scapulars, are of a most resplendent glossy
green, and both are tipped with white, forming the di-
vided black and green bar, or beauty-spot of the wings.
The tail consists of fourteen feathers, of a hoary brown
colour, with pale edges : the legs and feet are of a dirty
lead colour.^ The female, which is less than the male, is
prettily freckled about the head and neck with brown
and white. She has not the green patch behind the eyes,
but a brown streak there, which extends itself to the nape
of the neck : the crown of the head is dark brown : the
upper mandible yellow on the edges, olive green on the
sides, and olive brown on the ridge ; nail black, and the
under bill yellow : breast, belly, and vent glossy yellowish
white, spotted on the latter parts with brown : the upper
plumage is dark brown, each feather bordered with rusty
brown, and edged with grey : the wings and legs nearly
the same as those of the male.

The Teal is common in England in the winter months^
but it is uncertain whether or not they remain through-
out the year to breed,* as is the case in France. The

* Dr Heysham says " the Teal is now known to breed in the
mosses about Carlisle."

.2 u

340 BRITISH BIRDS*

female makes a large nest, composed of soft dried grasses,,
(and, it is said, the pith of rushes) lined with feathers,
and cunningly concealed in a hole among the roots of
reeds and bulrushes, near the edge of the water ; and
some assert that it rests en the surface of the water so as
to rise and fall with it. The eggs are of the size of those
of a Pigeon, six or seven in number, and of a dull white
colour, marked with small brownish spots ; but it appears
that they sometimes lay ten or twelve eggs, for Buffon
remarks that that number of young are seen in clusters-
on the pools, feeding on cresses, wild chervil, &c. and
no doubt, as they grow up, they feed, like other Ducks,
on the various seeds, grasses, and water-plants, as well as-
upon the smaller animated beings with which all stagnant
waters are so abundantly stored. The Teal is highlf
esteemed for the excellent flavour of its flesh.

BRITISH BIRDS. '341

VF THE PELICAN.

The bill of this genus is long and straight ; the end
either hooked or sloping ; the nostrils placed in a furrow
that runs along the sides of the bill, and in most of the
-species not distinguishable. The face generally destitute
of feathers, being covered only with a bare skin : gullet
naked, and capable of great distention : body long, heavy,
and flat : legs placed far backward : toes four in number,
and all webbed together.

Latham, following the example of Linnaeus, includes
the Pelican, Man of War bird, Corvorant, Shag, Gannet,
and Booby, in this genus, of which he enumerates thirty
distindl species and two varieties : four only of this num-
ber, and one variety, are British Birds. In confining the
present account to these, it is proper to remark, that they
are not the inhabitants of this country only, but are wide-
ly dispersed over the globe, being met with in almost
every climate which navigators have visited, whether
temperate, hot, or cold. The Gannet only is migratory :
large flocks of this species arrive in the spring of the
year, and disperse themselves in colonies over the rocky
promontories of Scotland and its isles, in various parts of
which they breed and rear their young ; and as soon as
that office is performed, they retire in the autumn to
their unknown abodes. Their return each season points
out also that of the shoals of the herring, which they
hover over, pursue, and chiefly feed upon. These shoals,
at that season of increasing warmth, are poured forth on
their southern route, gliding forward in wide glittering
columns of myriads upon myriads, from the unknown
but prolific regions of the northern pole. These prodi-

2 u 2

342

BRITISH BIRDS.

gious shoals, with their divisions and subdivisions, in their
branched course around the British isles, are attended by
the Gannet. On our southern coasts the Pilchard af-
fords these birds another supply of food, in pursuit of
which they are enticed as far southward as the Mediter-
ranean sea.

The Corvorant and the Shag remain with us through-
out the year, bnt particularly on our more northern
shores, upon whose rocky shelving. precipices they station
themselves, and perform the offices of incubation ; while
stragglers occasionally taking a wider range, with out-
stretched neck and vigorous wing, sweep along the coast,
and entering the mouths of the rivers, follow their course
in quest of food, to the lakes inland.

BRITISH BIRDS.

343

"^l^^i^^nH^;

THE CORVORANT.

COLE GOOSE, OR GREAT BLACK CORMORANT.
{^Pelicanus Car6o, Lin. — Le Cormoran, Buff.)

The weight of this species varies from four to seven
pounds, and the size from thirty-two inches to three feet
four or five in length, and from four feet to four feet six
inches in breadth. The bill, to the corners of the mouth,
measures four inches, and on its ridge two and three
quarters : it is of a dark horn colour, and the tip or nail
of the upper bill is much hooked and sharp : from the
i)ase of this it is furrowed on each side nearly to the tip,

344 BRITISH BIRDS.

without ^ny visible appearance of nostrils : the lower l>ill
is compressed, and covered about the gape of the mouth
with a naked yellowish skin, extended under the chin
and throat, where it hangs loose, and forms a kind of
pouch, which, together with the springing blades on each
side, forming its rim, is capable of distention to a great
width, and enables the bird to swallow prey apparently
too large to be admitted into its throat : the skin about
the eyes is also naked, and of the same colour as the
pouch : the eyes, which have a remarkable wild stare,
and are placed near the bill, look like two little greenish
glass globes. The crown of the head, and the neck, are
black : on the hinder part of the former the feathers ap-
pear elongated, and form a sort of loose short crest. In
some specimens the throat is white, with a kind of stripe
passing from it upwards behind each eye ; in others the
cheeks and throat are mixed with brown and white ; and
again, in others the head and neck are streaked with
scratches of the latter colour : the middle of the belly is
white, with a patch of the same colour over each thigh :
all the under parts, however, together with the back and
rump, are commonly of a glossy blue black, with green
refle(Elions: the shoulders, scapulars, and wing coverts
are of a bronze brown, tinged and glossed with green,
and each feather is bordered with shining bluish black :
the secondary quills are nearly of the same colour : the
coverts and the primaries are dusky. The tail consists of
fourteen stiff hasky dark feathers, which look as if they
were discoloured by being dipped in mud or dirty ken-
nel water, and dried again : the legs are thick, strong,
black, and coarse, about two inches and a half long, and
the outer toe is more than four in length.

BRITISH BIRDS. S45

The Corvorant, as before observed, is found in every
climate. In Greenland, where it is said they remain
throughout the year, the jugular pouch is made use of by
the natives as a bladder to float their fishing darts, after
they are thrown : their skins, which are tough, are used
for garments, and their flesh for food ; «< but the eggs
are too fetid to be eaten even by the Greenlanders."*

These birds usually assemble in flocks on the summits
and inaccessible parts of the rocks which overhang, or
are surrounded by the sea, upon which the female makes
her nest of the withered sea-tang, weeds, sticks, and
grasses, which are cast on shore by the waves : she lays
four or more greenish white eggs, of the size of those of
a Goose, but of a longer shape. There are writers who
assert that, in some parts of the world they build their
nests on trees, like the Rook and the Heron •, other
authors, stricken with the singular conformation of the
feetf and serrated claw, have ascribed properties to them
which they do not possess, and believe that they hold
their prey in one foot, while with the other they push
forward to the shore, or carry it thither, in the same man-
ner, on the wing : but this seems mere conje<Slure, for
the feet of this tribe are not fitted for any such purpose ;
they are, like those of all the expert divers, placed far
behind ; and while by the position of these, and the
powerful strokes from their broad webs, the bird is en-
abled to pursue and overtake its slippery prey, the hooked
sharp-edged beak is the only fit instrument both to catch
and to secure it ; and there is no need to use the awkward
expedient of removing it afterwards to the foot.

* Arctic Zoology. This must surely mean the rotten eggs,
f See the cut in the Explanation of Technical Terms, part h
page xxxiv.

346 BRITISH BIRDS.

At sea, or on the inland lakes, they make terrible ha-
voc. From the greatest height they drop down upon the
object of pursuit, dive after it with the rapidity of a dart,
and with an almost unerring certainty, seize the victim ;
then emerging, with the fish across the bill, with a kind
of twirl, throw it up into the air, and, dexterously catch*-
ing it head foremost, swallow it whole.

While at rest on the shore, commonly on the ledge of
a projecting rock, these birds sit more or less in an ereft
posture, and are propped up by the stiff feathers of the
tail ; and in places where they have not experienced the
fatal effe£ls of the gun, they have been known, however
wary at other times, to sit and receive repeated shots,
without offering to remove out of the danger.* At other
times and places, while they sit in a dozing and stupified
state, from the effe£ls of one of their customary surfeits,
they may easily be taken by throwing nets over them, or
by putting a noose around their necks, which they avoid
no further than by slipping the head from side to side as
long as they can.

Notwithstanding the natural wlldness of their disposi-
tion, it seems, according to some accounts, that certain

* Dr Hey sham relates that, about the year 1759, one of these
birds " perched upon the castle at Carlisle, and soon afterwards
removed to the cathedral, where it was shot at upwards of twenty
times without effect : at length a person got upon the cathedral,
fired at, and killed it." " In another instance, a flock of fifteen
or twenty perched, at the dusk of evening, in a tree on the banks
of the river Esk, near Netherby, the seat of Sir James Graham.
A person who saw them settle, fired at random at them in the
dark six or seven times, without either killing any or frightening
them away : surprised at this, he came again, at day light, and
killed one ; whereupon the rest took flight."

BRITISH BIRDS. 347

species of these birds have formerly been tamed and ren-
dered subservient to the purposes of man, both in this
and in other countries. Among the Chinese, it is said,
they have frequently been trained to fish, and that some
fishermen keep many of them for that purpose, by which
they gain a livelihood. " A ring, placed round the^neck,
hinders the bird from swallowing ; its natural appetite
joins with the will of its master, and it instantly dives air
the word of command ; when unable to gorge down the
fish it has taken, it returns to the keeper, who secures it
to himself. Sometimes, if the fish be too big for one to
manage, two will a<ft in concert, one taking it by the head
and the other by the tail."* In England, according to
Willoughby,f they were hood-winked in the manner of
the Falcons, till they were let off to fish, and a leather
thong was tied round the lower part of their necks, to

* Latham.

-|. « When they come to the rivers, they take off their hoods,
and having tied a leather thong round the lower part of their
necks, that they may not swallow down the fish they catch, they
throw them into the river. They presently dive under water, and
there for a time, with wonderful swiftness, they pursue the fish,
and when they have caught them, they arise presently to the
top of the water, and pressing the fish lightly with their bills, they
swallow them, till each bird hath in this manner swallowed five or
six fishes ; then their keepers call them to the fist, to which they
readily fly, and, little by little, one after another, vomit up all their
fish, a little bruised with the nip they gave them with their bills.
When they have done fishing, setting the birds on some high place,
they loose the string from their necks, leaving the passage to th^
stomach free and open, and for their reward they throw them part
of the prey they have caught, to each, perchance, one or two fishes,
which they by the way, as they are falling in the air, will catGh
most dexterously in their mouths." — WiUoughby,

.2 X

S48 BRITISH BIRDS*

prevent them swallowing the fish. Whitlock tells us
*« that he had a cast of them manned like Hawks, which
would come to hand." He took much pleasure in them>
and relates, that the best he had was one presented to
him by Mr Wood, Master of the Corvorants to Charles I.
This tribe seems possessed of energies not of an ordi-
nary kind ; they are of a stern sullen character, with a re-
markably keen penetrating eye, and a vigorous body j
and their whole deportment carries along with it the ap-
pearance of the wary circumspect plunderer, the unre-
lenting tyrant, and the greedy insatiate glutton, rendered
lazy only when the appetite is palled, and then they sit
puffing forth the fetid fumes of a gorged stomach, vented oc-
casionally in the disagreeable croakings of their hoarse hol-
low voice. Such is their portrait, such the character ge-
nerally given of them by ornithologists ; and Milton seems
to have put the finishing hand to it, by making Satan per-
sonate the Corvorant, while he surveys, undelighted, the
beauties of Paradise.* It ought, however, to be observed,
that this bird, like other animals, led only by the cravings
of appetite, and directed by instinct, fills the place and
pursues the course assigned to it by nature.

* Paradise Lost, Book iv. 1. 194'— 198.

BRITISH BIRDS.

349

i

THE CRESTED CORVORANT.

The crest is black, and longer than that of the Great
Black Corvorant : the crown of the head, and nearly
the whole neck, are streaked downwards with scratches
of white and dusky: a white gorget hangs from the
cheeks, and covers the chin 5 this is bounded behind by
a broadish black fillet, which partly covers the auriculars,
and is extended to the corner of each eye : a patch of
white feathers covers the hinder part of each thigh : the
rest of its plumage is the same as that of the preceding
species ^ its character is also similar.

2x2

350 BRITISH BIRDS.

It is not yet clearly ascertained whether this is a varie-
ty of the last, or a distinft species, or whether it is the
Corvorant in the garb of its highest adult state. Latham
inclines to the latter opinion, and supposes the streaked
head and different markings of its plumage to be acquir-
ed only by age. BufFon, in his Planches Enlumineesy has
given its figure as the Corvorant ; and Pennant, differing
from them, makes it a species of the Shag. Mr Tunstall
was in doubt on this subjeft, but discovered, by dissec-
tion, that the whiteness under the chin and on the thighs
is not confined to the males, for one with these marks,
which was sent to him out of Holderness, in Yorkshire,
in 1775, was full of eggs. The above figure was taken
from the specimen in his museum.

BRITISH BIRDS.

351

THE SHAG.

SKART, SCARFE, OR GREEN CORMORANT.
{^Pelicanus graculusjUm. — Le petit Cormoratiy gu ie NigauJ,l^VLff,)

The form, the aspecl altogether, the outward confor-
mation of all the parts, the charadter, manners and habits,
and the places of abode, of this species, are nearly like
those of the Corvorant ; but they do not associate, and
these make their nests on the rugged shelvy sides and
crevices of the rocky precipices or projecting cliffs which
overhang the sea, while the others make theirs on the
summits above them ; and these are at once distinguished
from the others by the greenness of the upper, and
brownness of the under plumage, and also in being of a
much less size 5 the largest Shags weighing only about

352 BRITISH BIRDS.

four pounds, and measuring nearly two feet six Inches in
length, and three feet eight in breadth. The bill is of a
more slender make, but nearly as long as that of the Cor-
vorant ; the head, in the male, is crested in the same
manner ; the middle claw is serrated ; and its tail, con-
sisting of twelve stiff featliers stained with green, is also
of the same form and hoary or dirty appearance as that
of the Corvorant : the crown of the head, hinder part of
the neck, lower back, and rump, are of a plain black, or
very dark green, shining like sattin : the upper back, or
shoulders, together with the scapulars and wings, are
nearly of the same colour, but with a tinge of bronze
brown, and each feather is distinctly edged with purple
glossed black : the under parts are clouded with dusky
dirty white and brown.

The Shag is as greedy and voracious as the Corvorant,
and, like that bird, after having over-gorged its stomach,
is often found on shore in a sleepy or stupified state ; but
when this torpor is over, and they appear again upon the
water, they are then extremely alert, and are not easily
shot, for both kinds dive the instant they see the flash of
the gun, and take care afterwards to keep out of its reach.
In swimming they carry their head very eredt, while the
body seems nearly submerged, and from their feathers
not being quite impervious to the water, they do not re-
main very long upon it at a time, but are frequently seen
flying about, or sitting on the shore, flapping the moisture
from their wings, or keeping them for some time expand-
ed to dry in the sun and the wind. Notwithstanding the
strong and offensive smell emitted from the Shags and
the Corvorants, some instances are not wanting of their
having been eaten by people in this country 5 but before

BRITISH BIRDS.

353

they are cooked, they must undergo a certain sweetening
process, part of which consists in their being first skinned
and drawn, and then wrapped up in a clean cloth, and
buried for some time in the earth; after which they are
made ready for eating in various ways, though generally
potted like Moor Game.

..^-^^K-

354

BRITISH BIRDS..

THE GANNET,

GAN, SOLAND OR SOLAN GOOSE.
(Pelicanus bajfanusf Lin. — Le Fou de Baffariy Buff.)

The Gannet Is generally about seven pounds in weight,
three feet in length, and six in breadth. The bilf is of
a pale or lead-coloured blue, six inches long, a little jagged
on the edges, strong and straight to the tip, which is in-
clined a little downwards : the upper bill is furnished
with a distinct rib or ridge, running along from the tip
nearly to its base, on each side of which it is furrowed,
without any visible appearance of nostrils : the tongue is
small, and placed far within the mouth, all the inside of
which is black : a darkish Une passes from the brow over
the eyes, which are surrounded with a naked blue skin,
and, Hke those of the Owl, are set in the head so as to
look nearly straight forward, and the extreme paleness of

BRITISH BIRDS. S55

the Irldes gives them a keen wild stare. The gape of
the mouth is very wide, and seems more lengthened, by
a slip of naked black skin, which is extended on each
side from the corners beyond the cheeks : these features
of its countenance, altogether, give it somewhat the ap-
pearance of wearing spectacles. A loose black bare dila-
table skin, capable of great distention, hung from the
blades of the under bill, and extended over the throat,
serves it as a pouch to carry provisions to its mate, or its
young. The body is flat and well cloathed with fea-
thers ; the neck long : the crown of the head, nape, and,
in some specimens, the hinder part of the neck, are of a
buff colour ; greater quills and bastard wings black, and
the rest of the plumage white. The tail is wedge-shaped,
and consists of twelve tapering sharp-pointed feathers,
the middle ones the longest. The legs and feet are
nearly of the same colour and conformation as those of
the Corvorant, but they are curiously marked by three
pea-green stripes, which run down each leg, and branch
off along the toes. The male and female are nearly alike,
but the young birds, during the first year, appear as if
they were of a distindl: species, for their plumage is then
of a dusky colour, speckled all over with triangular white
spots.

The female makes her nest in the caverns and fissures,
or on the ledges of the louring precipice, as well as on
the plain surface of the ground : it is formed of a great
quantity of withered grasses and sea-weeds of various
kinds, gathered with much labour from the barren soil,*

* " They continue to pluck grass for their nests from their
coming in March, till the young fowl are ready to fly, in August
or September, according as the inhabitants take or leave the first

. 2 Y

356 BRITISH BIRDS.

or picked up floating about upon the water. She lays
three eggs, of a white colour, and somewhat less than
those of a Goose, although ornithologists assert that she
will lay only one eggy if left to herself, undisturbed, and
that when this egg is taken away she then lays a second,
and in like manner a third, which she is generally per-
mitted to hatch, and rear the young one.* ** The male
and female hatch and fish by turns ; the fisher returns to
the nest with five or six herrings in its gorget, all entire
and undigested, which the hatcher pulls out from the

or second eggs. It is remarkable of them that they never pluck
grass but on windy days." — Martin. [It would appear from this
that they are not so successful in taking their prey in boisterous
weather as when it is calm.]

Martin gives an account of the Solan Geese stealing the materi-
als of which they form their nests, from each other, and describes
a battle between two of them in consequence of a theft of this
kind : the one which had robbed the nest flew towards the sea
with Its load, and returned again as if it had gathered the stuff
from a different quarter ; but the owner, though at a distance
from his nest, had observed the robbery, and waited the return of
the thief, which he attacked with the utmost fury. " This
bloody battle was fought above our heads, and proved fatal |0 the
thief, who fell dead so near our boat, that our men took him up,
and presently dressed and eat him."

* " The Solan Geese have always some of their number that
keep watch in the night time, and if the centinel is suiprised, (as
it often happens) all that flock are taken, one after another ; but
if the centinel be awake at the approach of the creeping fowlers,
and hear a noise, he cries softly Grog, Grog) at which the flock do
not move ; but if this centinel see or hear the fov/ler approaching,
he cries softly /Jir, Bir, w^hich would seem to import danger, since
immediately after, all the tribe take wing, leaving the disappointed
fowlers without any prospect of success for that night."

BRITISH BIRDS. 357

throat of its provider, and swallows tliem, making at the
same time a loud noise."

These birds are common on the coasts of Norway and
Iceland, and are said to be met with in great numbers
about new Holland • and New Zealand*, they breed also
on the coasts of Newfoundland, and migrate southward
along the American shores as far as South Carolina : they
are noticed, indeed, by navigators, as being met with, dis-
persed over both hemispheres, and are probably one great
family spread over the whole globe j but their greatest
known rendezvous is the Hebrides and other solitary
rocky isles of North Britain, where their nests, in the
months of May and June, are described as so closely
placed together, that it is difficult to walk without tread-
ing upon some of them ; and it is said that the swarms
of the old birds are so prodigious, that when they rise in-
to the air, they stun the ear with their noise, and over-
shadow the ground like the clouds.* At the small isle
of Borea, Martin says " the heavens were darkened by
those flying above our heads ; their excrements were in
such quantity, that they gave a tincture to the sea, and
at the same time sullied our boat and cloaths." Besides
this small isle of Borea, and St Kilda, noticed by Martin,

* Martin, in his History of and Voyage to St Kilda, published
in 1698, says " the inhabitants of St Kilda take their measures
froni the flight of these fowls, when the heavens are not clear, as
from a sure compass, experience shewing that every tribe of fowls
bend their course to their respective quarters, though out of sight
of the isle ; this appeared clearly in our gradual advances ; and
their motion being compared, did exactly quadrate with our
compass."

2 Y 2

35^ BRITISH BIRDS.

Pennant and other writers mention the isle of Ailsa In
the Frith of Clyde *, the Stack of Souliskerry, near the
Orkneys ; the Skellig Isles, ofF the coast of Kerry, Ire-
land ; and the Bass Isle, m the Frith of Forth. This last-
mentioned isle is farmed out at a considerable rent, for
the eggs of the various kinds of water fowl with which
it swarms ; and the produce of the Solan Geese forms a
large portion of this rent ; for great numbers of their
young ones are taken every season, and sold for about
twenty-pence each, in Edinburgh, where they are esteem-
ed a favourite dish, being generally roasted, and eaten
before dinner. On the other bleak and bare isles, the
inhabitants, during a great part of the year, depend for
their support upon these birds and their eggs, which are
tak-en in amazing quantities, and are the principal articles
of their food.* From the nests placed upon the ground
the eggs are easily picked up one after another, in great
numbers, as fast as they are laid ; but in robbing the
nests built in the precipices, chiefly for the sake of the
birds, the business wears a very different aspe<Sl : there,
before the dearly earned booty can be secured, the ad-
venturous fowler, trained to it from his youth, and fami-
liarised to the danger, must first approach the brow of
the fearful precipice, to view and to trace his progress on

* " They preserve the eggs in stone huts or pyramids, which
they build for that purpose, as well as for a shelter to the fowlers :
in these pyramids they cover up the eggs with turf ashes, which
defend them from the air, dryness being their only preservative,
and moisture their corruption : by this method, it is said, they
k^ep them fresh and fit for use, for six, seven, or even for eight
months.' ' — Mart hi.

BRITISH BIRDS. 359

the broken pendent rocks beneath him : over these rocks,
which (perhaps a hundred fathoms lower) are dashed by
the foaming surge, he is from a prodigious height about
to be suspended. After addressing himself in prayer to
the Supreme Disposer of events, with a mind prepared
for the arduous task, he is let down by a rope, either held
fast by his comrades, or fixed into the ground on the
summit, with his signal cord, his pole-net, his pole-hook.
Sec. and thus equipped, he is enabled in his progress,
either to stop, to ascend or descend, as he sees occasion.
Sometimes by swinging himself from one ledge to ano-
ther, with the help of his hook, he mounts upwards,
and clambers from place to place -, and, at other oppor-
tunities, by springing backwards, he can dart himself
into the hollow caverns of the projecting rock, which he
commonly finds well stored with the objects of his pur-
suit, whence the plunder, chiefly consisting of the full-
grown young birds, is drawn up to the top, or tossed
down to the boat at the bottom, according to the situa-
tion of concurring circumstances of time and place. In
these hollows he takes his rest, and sometimes remains
during the night, especially when they happen to be at
such vast and stupendous heights. To others of less
magnitude the fowlers commonly climb from the bottom,
with the help of their hooked poles only, by which they
assist, and push or pull up each other from hold to hold,
and in this manner traverse the whole front of the
frightful scar. To a feeling mind the very sight of this
hazardous employment, in whatever way it is pursued,
is painful ; for, indeed, it often happens that these ad-
venturous poor men, in this life-taking mode of obtaining
their living, slip their hold, are precipitated from one

360

BRITISH BIRDS.

proje<Slion to another, with increasing velocity, and fall
mangled upon the rocks, or are for ever buried in the
abyss beneath.

PRIKTED BY EDWARD WALKER,
NEWCASTLE.

FINIS.

■-- '"^- .L>«^ --~

Bewick's British Birds, 1809

Received: The bock was bound in
\ green goatskin, with "stormont"
marbled endpapers, plain endsheets,
and tan eadbands. The title was in
gold on the spine, with double gold
lines to indicate panels. The leather
had red rot, and was generally
tattered.

Treatment: The text block was rein-
forced with stab joint endpapeirs.
Adhesive used at the spine was piafec
satch past and a 50/50 mix of Jade
i403 and methyl cellulose.

1983 0. P.-C.