470 PRACTICAL ORNITHOLOGY. 



Phys. Here are two Willow Wrens, I shot what I thought 

 a Blackcap, but it fell into a thicket of sloes and brambles, and 

 I could not find it. 



Orn. Now, take the gun, Mr Audubon, and shoot me a bird 

 or two to be kept as memorials of this day's excursion, that, 

 when you are basking in the warmth of your American sun- 

 shine, under some flower-clad Magnolia, listening to the notes 

 of the Mocking Bird, and enjoying the repose so sweet after 

 protracted labours like yours, I may call to mind the many 

 happy days we have spent together in cold Scotland. 



And. With good will. There is a lovely male Yellow 

 Bunting on the very tip of that fir-tree. Now for it. Come, 

 not amiss yet ! The first shot I have fired since I came to 

 England last. 



Phys. Here is Colinton. Shall we go by the road, or through 

 the woods \ 



Orn. Take the woods by all means. But let us first quench 

 our thirst. Here is the public house. 



Aud. With all my heart. Your Scotch whisky is excellent. 

 I wish we had as good in America. My service to you. May 

 you prosper, and may I live to see engraved your drawings of 

 the Birds of Britain, which I sincerely declare to be the best 

 representations I have yet seen. 



Orn. You have so often said so, that I must believe your 

 partiality to the man has not deceived you into a belief that 

 his productions are better than they really are. I wish all the 

 world, excepting of course the authors of similar works, may 

 agree with you. Who knows but the day may come ? 



Aud. Be assured more strange things have happened. How 

 little did I think when I commenced my drawings, that they 

 should ever form a series of engravings occupying more than 

 four hundred sheets of double elephant folio. Hope for the 

 best, and put me down as your first subscriber. 



Orn. It is done. Now, Physiophilus, move a-head, and give 



room for tacking. There are Dr Walker's cedars of Lebanon 



on the bank opposite, and here a most beautiful male Chaffinch, 



worthy of being shot by the American Ornithologist. 



A^(d. Down it comes. A lovely creature it is indeed. Stop 



