THE PLIGHT OF BIRDS. 147 



are sufficiently marked. Thus, every one, naturalist or not, knows a Pigeon 

 as it flies over him, and will not mistake it for a Eook or any other 

 bird of the same size. The Rook, if his general appearance when near 

 be well known, will hardly be mistaken on the wing; and yet unobservant 

 persons constantly confound him with the Jackdaw, the Carrion Crow, and 

 even with the Raven. It must, however, be admitted that a Rook and 

 Crow are very similar on the wing, but a glance at the head will imme- 

 diately determine the identity; that of the Rook being small with a large 

 bill, more or less whitish, whilst the Crow has a large well-proportioned 

 skull, and beak to correspond, quite black; besides, the Crow is scarce 

 compared with the Rook, and never seen in large flocks, except the Royston 

 Crow, whose grey back instantly distinguishes him. The Raven again, is 

 a much larger bird, and usually sails in circles at a considerable height, 

 uttering a hoarse croak, or skims in a manner hardly to be confounded 

 with his sable relatives. The Jackdaw is so much smaller than any of 

 his kind, and he has such a high sharp ^caw,' which cuts in as a sort of 

 chorus to the clamours of a flight of Rooks, that most people must know 

 him, his bill being also black and his poll grey. 



The Heron is an elegant bird on the wing, and seems buoyed up in a 

 very graceful mannner by its large, hollow, aerial supporters; and ; as it 

 skims over the pool with head arched back and legs thrust out behind 

 to perfect its balance, is only necessary to be once known that it may 

 ever after be recognised. All marine birds, indeed, have something of his 

 manner, and this arises from the large size of the wings in proportion to 

 the body. The Gull tribe, in particular, have much of his air, but they 

 sail more, and appear lighter and more buoyant. All sea birds, being 

 familiarly known only to fishermen, and those who reside near the coast, 

 are more difficult of recognition; there is, moreover, much more similarity 

 between them than the land birds, and there are a far greater number 

 of species having the same general appearance in each order or genus. 

 Thus the Albatross and Cormorant are well known; but the Oxbirds, Dot- 

 terels, and Turnstones, may be very easily confounded, or the Terns, inter se. 



Of all land birds, the Pheasant, perhaps, is most easily recognised, and 

 as his wings are small for his weight, great muscular exertion is requisite 

 to sustain his flight; with this he is accordingly endowed, and although he 

 may not always fly very far, the speed at which he travels is very great, 

 as he rises from the bosom of the woods uttering his loud clucking cry. 

 The Partridge is another instance of this kind, the wings appear perfectly 

 to spin with the rapidity of their motion, and, , like the Pheasant, it is 

 only upon the acquisition of this impetus, that they can ease themselves 

 by a cessation, and skim until they alight. Of all birds, perhaps, which 

 may be regai'ded as having perfect powers of flight, there is none with so 



