100 LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. 



the ruthlessness of the gamekeepers, almost disappeared. The seops owl 

 (Scops Aldrovandi) was taken some years ago, and I have no doubt would 

 have continued with us, but for the same cause, for the aforesaid gentry ne- 

 ver trouble themselves to inquire whether such visitors may not do as much 

 or more good than harm, it is enough for them to know that they are not 

 game, and of course must be exterminated. 



Amongst other birds which I have known taken is the ash-coloured shrike 

 (Lanius excubitor). That very interesting little bird the pied fly-catcher 

 (Muscicapa luctuosa) ; the chatterer (Bombycivora garrula), the finest case I 

 ever saw of which were purchased of a boy who was feeding his ferrets with 

 them, for one penny each ; in fact most of these things are destroyed to no 

 purpose, as soon as seen. The grey-headed wagtail (Motacilla neglecta) was 

 once obtained from a boy. Next comes the poor little crossbill (Loxia cur- 

 virostra), of which we have lately had numbers, and which, by a cessation 

 of hostilities, might be induced to take up its abode and increase among us ; 

 but no sooner is it heard, (and its note being a peculiar one is the herald of 

 its own destruction), than it is driven from plantation to plantation, and, 

 like the dove from the ark, can find no rest for the sole of its foot. 



The little busy barred woodpecker meets with no encouragement here, 

 and is obliged to seek a habitation elsewhere. The stock dove (Columba 

 jEnas) has become scarce of late ; and the large bustard (Otis tarda) is all 

 but exterminated. A fine female was sold in Cambridge market last Fe- 

 bruary for £2. 2s.; it was shot between Cambridge and Lynn. A male was 

 killed near this place seven or eight years ago, and hawked about for half- 

 a-crown. The little bustard (Otis tetrax) was taken last year in this coun- 

 ty. The little sandpiper (Tringa pusilla), the little auk (Mergulus melano- 

 leucos), and the fulmar (Procellaria glacialis), have also, singularly enough, 

 been taken here; as well as the fork-tailed petrel (Thalassidroma Bullockii). 

 Some of the above are preserved in the Museum of this town, but I am sor- 

 ry to say not the whole of them. 



But I have not yet stated the chief difficulties the naturalist has to con- 

 tend with ; these are the jealousies and envyings which seem to pervade the 

 breasts of men of all classes in the different branches of science. This to 

 me is unaccountable. When all are animated by a common object, mutual 

 assistance ought to be cheerfully rendered, especially when all are working 

 for the public good. Creation is full of beauties for the naturalist to ad- 

 mire. In the lively and interesting feathered race, the well-adapted and 

 graceful figures of quadrupeds, the infinitely diversified forms of the insect 

 tribes, and in the beauty and variety of the surrounding vegetation, — there 

 is nothing to excite envy, but everything to induce an opposite frame of 

 mind. Everything was intended for our enjoyment and instruction ; every- 

 thing is beautiful and happy ; and 



"All save the spirit of man is divine: " 



and but for that spirit the earth would be a paradise. — Joseph Clarke. — 

 Saffron Walden, Nov. 24th, 1838. 



LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. 



Mr. James F. Stephens, author of the Illustrations of British Insects, is 

 preparing for publication a series of Manuals descriptive of all the species 

 of British Insects. The first volume, containing the whole of the British 

 Beetles, is nearly ready. 



