Itetrospective Criticism, i83 



Art. VIII. Retrospective Criticism, 



The promised Series of Infrodttctort/ Papers on the different Branches 

 tif Natural History, -^'^w^ I need hardly apologise to you as the conduc- 

 tor of a public journal, for reminding you that you have held "a word of 

 promise to the ear," which has not as yet been fulfilled. In your early 

 I^umbers you promised a series of initiatory papers upon the different 

 branches of natural history, and you certainly gave an earnest of what 

 might be expected : but, with the exception of one or two papers, these 

 have not been completed. Believe me, I do not wish to complain, as I 

 am aware that very much matter of great interest must press for inser- 

 tion ; but having subscribed to your Magazine from the commencement, 

 and feeling great interest in the study of natural history not only for my 

 own sake, but for that of ray pupils, in whom I have succeeded in raising 

 a sincere relish for the pursuit, I thought a " touch at your elbow " would 

 be sufficient, probably, to induce you to continue those communications 

 which have set some young people seriously to work. 



I quite coincide with you in some very wise remarks which you have 

 occasionally dropped, tha't the study of natural history will do much for 

 youth : and I feel certain that the habits of attention and discrimination 

 thereby excited will do as much more in this respect, than the study of 

 mathematics, as a close observation of facts does more than volumes of 

 abstract reasoning. Yours, Slc — J. B. A. Peckham, Oct. 6. 1830. 



The introductory papers we have for the most part discontinued, be- 

 cause they were objected, to by many readers, chiefly on the ground that 

 they could purchase separate introductions complete for little more than 

 the price of one of the Magazines, More experienced natiu-alists ob- 

 jected to them as superfluous. — Cond. 



The Missel Thrush (T'urdus viscivorus i^mn.).— Sir, I send you a 

 few remarks on some opinions stated by youi* correspondent J. B, 

 (Vol. III. p 193.) ; and, as he wishes any one who has heard the singing 

 of the bird quoted to state his opinion, I shall proceed to lay before you 

 certain facts respecting it, which have come under my notice. 



I most certainly agree with J. B. that the missel thrush (Tardus 

 viscivorus) may be classed amongst our song birds, and that it is one of 

 the most pleasing in the spring of the year. It is then without a compe- 

 titor, as it makes the groves and orchards resound with its peculiarly loud 

 notes.' That it has a harsh note I acknowledge; but that is when alarmed, 

 or when it pursues the redwing (2'urdus /iiacus), the fieldfare (Turdus 

 pilaris), and the blackbird (Turdus ikferula), from some favourite haw- 

 thorn bush, where they all regale in severe v/eather. He then shows his 

 pugnacity, by attacking them without mercy, and driving them from the 

 repast, which he monopolises. Your correspondent states that he has 

 never been able to approach one near enough, whilst in the act of singing, 

 to observe it minutely. Now, I have ; for my occupation, which requires 

 me constantly to be out of doors at all times, and in almost all weathers, 

 enables me to note the different songs, flights, and habits of bu'ds in this 

 quarter with facility.. I have often heard him, and been close enough to 

 be positive that it was the missel thrush. I have once in my life observed 

 one to sing whilst in the act of flying from one side of a field to the other ; 

 but it is a solitary instance, as I neither observed it before nor since, and had 

 they been in the habit of doing so, I should'most certainly have noticed it. 

 Its song is louder, and the notes are shorter, than those of the blackbird, 

 which it somewhat resembles ; it will sing for a long time together " as 

 hard as it can rattle." Its music, as near as ,1 can judge, consists of four 

 notes repeated over and over again, without the least abatement or vari- 

 ation. It sings most in breeding time, and generally in the morning., ' 



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