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many districts, almost rarities , for miles and miles may be often passed without 

 seeing one. The lesser birds are, also, in like manner, comparatively scarce ; 

 Sparrows, which, whether in London streets or our rural lanes, meet us at every 

 step, are by no means plentiful on the other side tbe water ; but in many parts, and I 

 may instance Baden and environs in particular, Chaffinches appear not only to oc- 

 cupy their place, but assume their bold character. For one Sparrow I have counted 

 twenty or more Chaffinches ; and those who, like myself, may have preferred break- 

 fasting under the shady trees in the beautiful grounds adjacent to the castle at 

 Heidelberg to the common room of the hotels in the town below, will bear me 

 out in testifying to the boldness of the Motacilla coelebs. I have seen them re- 

 peatedly not only contend with each other for the crumbs within a yard of my feet, 

 but even perch on the table and carry off the pieces of bread I placed within their 

 reach. 



Before finally dismissing the subject of birds, I cannot help referring to the 

 admirable collection in the museums at Leyden and Bonn — but more especially 

 the former — both excellent in all respects. I must, however, confine myself to 

 the case in point, and refer to the unrivalled collection of ornithological skeletons, 

 set up and prepared in the most perfect manner ; and I am induced to allude to it 

 more particularly, with a hope that this highly important branch of Natural His- 

 tory may be more attended to in our own museums. The comparative anatomy of 

 birds is in itself a subject of the highest interest on every account, and is entitled, 

 I should venture, with all deference, to assert, to at least as much, if not more, 

 attention than the outward form and garb ; and yet in our own country there is 

 scarcely a museum where the slightest is paid. Probably the difficulty of preparing 

 skeletons may have acted as an obstacle. I am perfectly aware of the nicety re- 

 quired and the disappointments that too frequently ensue ; and perhaps, Mr. Editor, 

 I cannot do better than to entreat you to call upon your friends and readers, who 

 are competent, to the task, to afford, through the medium of the pages of Hie 

 Naturalist, the best modes of making these preparations. What an invaluable 

 addition would it be to our practical knowledge, if chemistry could point out any 

 corrosive substance which would rapidly decompose the flesh without destroying 

 the ligatures by which the bones are held together ! 



[To be continued.] 



