Fragments of Ornithology , 333 



have fed on pigeons in many countries, but cannot say that 

 I ever found them vary in taste from the pigeon which in- 

 habits our common dovecots. Much, perhaps, depends upon 

 the cooking. The culinary art, no doubt, with other im- 

 portant sciences, has derived much benefit from the march of 

 intellect. In London they will serve you up a ram cat for a 

 Martlemas rabbit ; and we are told that in Paris a pair of old 

 hunting boots can be stewed down into a very excellent and 

 wholesome soup. 



" Nil equidem durare diu sub imagine eadem 

 Crediderim." 



These cooks will suffer nothing to remain 

 In pristine flavour, or its shape retain. 



Walton Halli May 21. 1834. Charles Waterton. 



Art. V, Sketches of the Natural History of my Neighbourhood, 

 No. 2., Fragments of Ornithology. By C. Conway, Esq., of 

 Pontnewydd Works, Monmouthshire. 



What I have to say respecting the birds of my neighbour- 

 hood may be very insignificant, and beneath the notice of the 

 ornithologist : I am sorry for it. I am no ornithologist ; yet, 

 when I run after butterflies [VI. 224?. 541.], or ramble about 

 the country to gather flowers, I cannot shut my eyes when a 

 bird flits by me, nor stop my ears when he chooses to cheer 

 me with his song. Observations gathered under such cir- 

 cumstances are what I have now to offer. Some classification, 

 however, appeared to be necessary ; but, as I do not profess 

 to be a scientific ornithologist, that which was most accessible 

 appeared to be the best suited to my purpose, and I have 

 therefore made use of that furnished in Stark's Elements of 

 Natural History: and now for our gossip. 



I. Rapa'ces. — Fdlco M' salon (Merlin), F. Tinnunculus 

 {Kestrel), F. Wisus {Spa7rowhawk), F. Milvus {Kite), F. Buteo 

 {Com,mon Buzzard), F. riifiis {Moor Buzzard), F, cydneus 

 {Henharrier). — I believe that this list contains all thefelcons 

 of my neighbourhood ; and these are, perhaps, quite enough 

 for one small locality. The merlin is, probably, the scarcest 

 of them. 



Is it a Fact that Hawks have such Power of Sight as is gene- 

 rally presumed ? — I recollect seeing a sparrowhawk once in 

 pursuit of a redbreast, and almost in the act of capturing 

 him ; but the redbreast turning short round the angle of a 

 building, the hawk flew directly against it, and absolutely 



