PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 311 



views ; and be the walk ever so humble, yet inquiry opens to the 

 contemplative mind stores of knowledge and instruction, which can- 

 not, when properly viewed, do otherwise than interest and improve 

 the mind and heart of man. The branch of science which it is my 

 intention to touch upon, although not the highest in the range of 

 Natural History, is one that offers that beautiful adaptation and fit- 

 ness of the means to the end, that, whilst it can scarce fail to im- 

 press even the casual observer, sinks deep into the heart of tl\e more 

 reflective inquirer, and strikes upon a 



*' Chord within, which, touched by Nature's hand, 

 Reciprocates her holiest sympathies." 



There are none of the lighter branches of Natural History the pur- 

 suit of which is attended with greater pleasure than that of Orni- 

 thology. In this study our admiration is excited, not only by the 

 beautiful forms and plumage, the harmonious songs and elegant 

 motions, of the feathered race, but the contemplation also of their 

 interesting habits and wonderful instincts affords full scope to our 

 speculations and astonishment. It has the advantage also of not 

 being a solitary or isolated study, for it may be embraced in 

 the active inquiries of the geologist and botanist. It is un- 

 fortunate that many ornithologists of the present day appear to pre- 

 fer the duty of the cabinet to that of the field, and confine them- 

 selves to the arrangement or re-naming of species already well 

 known, instead of giving their attention to the discovery of new 

 species or the investigation of new habits. Doubtless a correct and 

 scientific nomenclature is absolutely necessary, but the continual 

 and unnecessary change of common names is the greatest obstacle to 

 the pursuit, and the greatest drawback to the acquisition of know- 

 ledge, that can possibly be invented or imagined." The lecturer 

 then divided birds into the five following heads : — Rapiores, or 

 Preyers, such as the Hawk ; Insessores, or Perchers, such as the 

 Sparrow ; Rasores, or Scratchers, such as the Partridge ; Gralla- 

 tores, or Waders, such as the Heron ; Natalores, or Swimmers, 

 such as the Wigeon ; and these he divided into numerous families 

 and sections. He considered British birds (of course, including 

 those which visit our shores) to amount to upwards of three hun- 

 dred species, but believed it impossible to determine the precise 

 number. He thence proceeded to take a view of the most general 

 and striking characteristics of Ornithology, such as the forms, flight, 

 migration, instincts and affections, age, food, and songs of birds. 

 The construction of birds is very admirable. Independent of the 

 external beauty and buoyancy of their shapes, their delicate plum- 

 age, at once an ornament and defence, and the combination of elas- 

 ticity and strength so observable in their wings, their peculiar adap- 

 tation is displayed in a large portion of the skeleton being formed 

 into receptacles for air, the interior of most bones of adult birds 

 being hollow. The bones of young birds are filled with marrow. 



