NATURAL HISTORY. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR SAVING PARTS OF THE SKELETON 



OF BIRDS. 



BY ALFRED NEWTON, OF THETFORD, ENGLAND. 



In the present stage of ornithological knowledge it is not alone suffi- 

 cient that systematists should be able to describe the external charac- 

 ter of a species, but it is required of those who wish really to advance 

 the science, to give some account of the bird's internal structure, also. 

 The subject naturally divides itself into two branches : The first, with 

 regard to the bony framework of the bird ; the second, relating to its 

 alimentary and digestive organs. The importance of these latter is 

 very great in determining the proper place of a species in the order of 

 nature, and accordingly they are well deserving of preservation ; but 

 it is to the former only that the present remarks are intended to refer. 

 This much is allowed by nearly all ornithologists, that it is very desir- 

 able, whenever opportunity offers, to obtain a complete skeleton of every 

 species; but it is almost impossible for a field naturalist to do so, 

 except by sacrificing the skin of a specimen, with its skull and feet, 

 which, unless the species be very abundant, is more than can be ex- 

 pected of him. Much, however, may be learned from the examination 

 of some parts of the skeleton. It is, therefore, highly important that 

 as great a portion of it as is possible should be saved, and to bring this 

 necessity to the knowledge of the collector, at the same time informing 

 him how it may best be met, is the object of these "suggestions." 



It is generally the case that, after having skinned a specimen, the 

 field ornithologist does nothing more with its carcase than, perhaps, to 

 ascertain by dissection its sex, (supposing that the plumage leaves that 

 open to doubt;) though, if he be of a more inquiring disposition, he 

 will look at its crop or stomach to discover upon what it had been 

 feeding. These questions determined, he casts it aside, unless, indeed, 

 he be a needy traveler, in which case the body is consigned, but equally 

 without further thought, to the spit or the kettle. Now, here is a 

 great mistake. The collector in acting thus is, by no means, making 

 the best use of his opportunities ; on the contrary, he is neglecting what 

 many ornithologists, who have to stay at home, value most highly ; 

 for it is beyond the power of the greatest geniuses, in all cases, to judge 

 rightly of a bird's affinities by the mere study of its feathers, beak, and 

 feet. It is true that, in many cases, they are able to come to a conclu- 

 sion on this point more or less satisfactory ; but it must be remembered 

 that this fact only tells the more to their credit in those instances 

 wherein they determine justly. Often these outward organs are only, 



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