CONCLUSION 



IN the foregoing pages I have endeavoured to 

 make some advance in the study of a highly interest- 

 ing subject, which has not hitherto received any 

 systematic treatment from ornithologists. Science 

 has devoted attention too exclusively to the physical 

 features of animals, and has neglected the study of 

 their habits. Yet aberrant habit may be termed 

 the parent of physical development. It suggests 

 the future, as structure recalls the past. It also 

 indicates thought and originality of purpose. In 

 this country we may be said to live in the midst 

 of birds ; but, although the geographical distri- 

 bution of these airy beings has been carefully 

 recorded in all parts of the United Kingdom, their 

 manners and various cries have hardly been noticed. 

 Yet, of all pursuits in the realm of natural science, 

 the study of these subjects may be considered the 

 easiest to follow. The student needs only to be 



