146 BIRDS. 



December 1825. The feathers were quite fresh and entire, like those of a 

 wild bird. I owe the possession of the specimen to the ornithological zeal 

 and attention of the Reverend A. Esplin, schoolmaster of Monymeal. 



A second class of stragglers includes those species, individuals of which 

 have escaped from confinement on board of vessels, or from aviaries on shore, 

 — such as the Painted Bunting, the Trumpeter, and the Black Swan. Such 

 birds, if carefully examined, will be found to have the extremities of the 

 wing and tail-feathers worn and imperfect, the result of their confinement. 



The reader who wishes to examine figures of the British Birds, may con- 

 sult with great advantage the expressive delineations of Bewick, whose work 

 on " British Birds" he will find a useful companion to his studies. Should 

 coloured figures, as elegant productions of art and luxury, be the object of 

 his wishes, he will find gratification in the publications of Edwards, Pennant, 

 Donovan, and Lewin, but especially in the splendid work of Mr Selby, which 

 is superior to all the others, in true form, correct expression, and faithful co- 

 louring. 



rest decreasing to the exterior. The two middle dusky black, the next grey, 

 the inner margin white towards the extremity, with a black and brown spot 

 near the base ; the fourth and third grey, with the black spot ; the second 

 grey, with the black and brown spot. The outer web and tip of the first 

 white, lower half of the inner web grey, with a black and brown spot. The 

 upper tail-covers long, produced ; the lower ones white. 





