CURRIE. 4(J7 



Phys. By any person but yourself. Well, I desist, although 

 I am anxious to have the skull of one, being, as you know, 

 forming a series for the purpose of comparing the alleged phre- 

 nological indications with the known habits of the birds. The 

 many American skulls with which you have presented me will 

 prove of great interest in this respect. 



Orn. There is a Sandpiper : it has flown down the brook 

 close upon the water. 



PJiys. The fields are covered with Lapwings, picking up their 

 food here and there ; but they are too shy, and none near the 

 fences. A hare scuds across, and another is retreating to the 

 plantation. Great numbers of Rooks are scattered about, 

 gleaning for their young. How beautifully that grass field is 

 enamelled with daisies ; yet, I daresay, the farmer finds them 

 more ornamental than useful, and would gladly dispense with 

 them. Come now, a smart walk of half an hour on this road, 

 and we shall be at Currie. 



Orn. Hot weather, gentlemen ! Get up this back stair if 

 you can ; and now, here is the house, " at whose friendly door 

 the weary traveller loves to call." Walk in. Which way ? 

 Rest is pleasant to the weary, drink to the thirsty, food to the 

 hungry ; and we three are all these. 



Aud. What shall we have ? Whisky and water, porter, 

 bread and cheese, cold meat, and something besides. 



Pliys. Gentlemen, with your permission, I take the porter. 



AiLd. Do. Dull drink ! Hand me the noggin. Come, 

 here''s to our better acquaintance. We have had a very plea- 

 sant day. I have not seen so much game in Scotland before. 



Orn. Here's to all lovers of nature, and especially to all true 

 ornithologists. May the quinarians reform, and study birds as 

 well as their skins. May Scotland flourish, and England and 

 America prosper, " Land of brown heath" ! thou art dear to 

 me ; for as yet all thy moors are not fenced and hedged and 

 hemmed in ; thy sons, thy physicians, philosophers, historians, 

 and poets, — have not their names been heard in distant lands ! 

 — and our ornithologists, — Gentlemen, excuse me, I hope they 

 will yet equal those of England, and trust me, I have seen no 

 history of the birds of that country, nor any representations of 



