Hints for Improvements. 287 



great abilities, ytt having a taste for the pursuit, which the proht arising from 

 it enhances. This profit is derived by supplying those who desire to pos- 

 sess, without the trouble of collecting, as well as those whose study ia 

 directed to the theoretical and physiological part. Hence we see the 

 majority of books, published for the extension of these studies, are in 

 error in many parts, for the want of that information which only th© 

 practical pursuit of them can give. Thus, those who publish apply for guid- 

 ance to those who collect; but the pecuniary advantage they derive from 

 secrecy on this point, leads them to give wrong dates and circumstances. 

 Many instances oecur of the public being wrongly informed, from theses 

 causes, by publishers of works on natural history. 



I would, therefore, propose something that would obviate this, and make 

 a more public acquaintance with what may be the desiderata, to those 

 who pursue it, of natural history, viz. the habits and places of their 

 specimens. 



My ideas are, that a fund should be established by those who are desirous 

 to join in a theory of this sort, by subscription ; a society formed, who 

 should be at liberty, in the same way as the Royal Society, to offer money 

 or medals as a reward for the best information respecting any subject that 

 might be proposed by the society, due care being taken that such was- 

 truly authenticated. Such a course would operate materially on those 

 who only look to pecuniary advantage; as in addition to the reward 

 would be a self-satisfaction, that what they had discovered would be duly 

 attributed to them, and made known as such, which their present want of 

 ability to communicate properly their ideas precludes. A simple medal 

 would induce these people to give information, when the offer of four or 

 five times its value has been unable to accomplish it, because it would 

 enable them to show they had done something for the pursuit they had 

 embraced. Persons publishing would give more satisfaction, and would get 

 rid of an idea that has some hold now, viz. that book-making, and not 

 science, is the inducement. In furtherance of the plan I have proposed, 

 I am quite ready to contribute to the promotion of it by my subscription. 

 I remain. Sir, yours, &c. — K. Ipswich, Feb. 17. 1829. 



Songs of Birds. — A very pleasant letter in the Magazine of Natural His-, 

 tory (Vol. I. p. 414), on the subject of American song-birds, suggested to me 

 an idea, that letters on English birds, written in the same lively strain, 

 would be interesting. Many persons, who are highly interested in all the 

 operations of nature, are at a loss to distinguish the songs, cries, flights, 

 &c., of birds ; the more, as many vary at different seasons of the year. 

 I think, if a familiar account of the haunts, habits, sounds, &c., of such 

 birds as are more commonly seen in any particular season, were given in 

 the Magazine preceding it, it would be both interesting and useful. I have 

 not a sufficient practical acquaintance with the feathered tribe, to do jusr 

 tice to such a thing myself, or I would send you a specimen of what I 

 mean ; it should be done by a person familiar with their notes and flights, 

 not by one who must put " salt upon the tails of the birds" to examine 

 their colours and forms, before he could tell you how they ought to fly and 

 sing. I find that comparatively few persons are aware of the vocal powers of 

 that very familiar bird, the robin: 1 have frequently heard this bird sing in 

 a manner to do honour to its connection with the nightingale ; when it has 

 been disputed, whether or not it could be the robin. I would at any time 

 silence the finished song of the chaffinch, in three distinct parts, to listen 

 to the mellow notes of my warm-hearted friend, robin. I doubt, even, if 

 there be any bird I would prefer but the nightingale itself: I hesitate as to 

 the black-cap. I wish, however, some one would introduce them to us 

 more familiarly, and make us acquainted with their several claims and 

 merits. — i'. JT. Feb. 1 \^29* 



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