258 INSTINCTS OF DIRDS. 



importance of accurate information in this exten- 

 sive department of zoology, I shall now Kmit 

 my remarks exclusively to the feathered tribes, 

 and whoever attentively considers the diversified 

 operations of the various active powers, with 

 which the interesting beings that compose this 

 pleasing division of the animal kingdom are 

 endowed, cannot fail to receive a high degree of 

 mental gratification. 



It frequently happens, that the experienced 

 observer is enabled to discriminate birds with 

 the utmost certainty by their notes, manner of 

 flight, or some other peculiarity, when he has 

 no opportunity of procuring specimens of them, 

 or of ascertaining the colours of their plumage. 

 Indeed, in this last particular, distinct species, 

 as the willow wrens, several of the larks, finches, 

 &c., so nearly resemble each other; and indi- 

 viduals of the same species, as many of the 

 falcons, gulls, sandpipers, ducks, &c., are so 

 very dissimilar, and vary so greatly with age, 

 change of season, and other circumstances, that 

 colour cannot always be relied upon as affording 

 sufficient evidence of specific identity. A much 

 surer criterion will be found in the uniformity so 

 conspicuous in the manners and economy of 

 birds of the same kind; a coincidence which 

 can only be accounted for by supposing that 



