BIRDS USING OIL PROM GLANDS. 25 



to lend a sanction to a cause? I reply, to seem, is one thing, to be, a 

 far different. I am glad I have in no manner justified the destruction of 

 these birds, merely for destruction, but to verify by actual specimens, that 

 such have been obtained from our grounds. Nor are any of the domestics 

 habitually employing fire-arms, but they fulfil the adage, "that the mice 

 will play in the cat's absence;" hence our possession of the Pipit. We 

 have a pair of Chaffinches permanently settled with us, and I have several 

 times seen and heard a Whitethroat, though I presume its migration will 

 soon ensue. The Redbreast at all periods of the day is enlivening us with 

 his always pleasing song, and winning from us renewed love and care. 



I fully concur with Mr. Fuller, that "boys are as destructive as cats." 

 Are they not more so? Country boys are never so happy as when armed 

 with a gun, and as for their depredations they are immense, as regards 

 eggs. I met with an instance this summer of upwards of four hundred 

 taken by one lad, the majority of them song birds. 



Wholesale and thoughtless persecution is much to be censured; anything 

 done for no higher or worthier motive than mere gratification is unnatural 

 and unwise. The labours of a boy early arranging and collecting, thoughtfully 

 reading and confirming his knowledge by habits of observation, and proper 

 and lawful acquisition of specimens are to be commended, the germs of a 

 future scientific naturalist are to be encouraged. 



I have an idea, and it is founded on the intense pleasure all classes 

 feel in hearing of the wonders of the vast kingdoms of Natural History, 

 that were practical and outdoor lessons given plainly and attractively to 

 the young generally, we should find ourselves repaid in seeing grow up 

 around us a better and a wiser class of men, realizing the oft-quoted 

 utterance of Coleridge: — 



"He prayeth best who loveth best 

 All things both great and small." 



Birmingham, October 2nd., 1856. 



ON BIRDS USING OIL FROM GLANDS 



"FOR THE PURPOSE OF LUBRICATING THE SURFACE 



OF THEIR PLUMAGE." 



BY THOMAS FULLER, ESQ. 



That all swimming birds possess glands which furnish an oily liquor is 

 well known, and it is generally believed that such oily liquor is used for 

 lubricating their feathers and plumage for the purpose of resisting wet. 

 Waterton, in his Essays on Natural History, when treating upon this 

 subject, expresses himself entirely in opposition to such belief, and says, 



