NATURAL HISTORY. 401 



shy and solitary birds, (as, for example, the Hylatomus pileaius,) which 

 are gradually retiring with the clearing up of the forests to more 

 mountainous and inaccessible regions. Nevertheless, the pertinacity 

 with which some birds hold their ground is surprising. Thus the 

 common partridge, though so continually persecuted by sportsmen, 

 is still very numerous, even in the immediate vicinity of the city. A 

 total change of habit by civilization, sometimes to be observed, is ex- 

 tremely interesting. There can be no doubt that before the settle- 

 ment of the country the Ghcietura pelasgia bred in hollow trees. This 

 habit is now totally lost, the bird finding chimneys better suited to its 

 wants. In like manner, the Hiriindo horreorum now breeds altogether 

 on the rafters and beams of barns and outhouses, w'hile the H. luni- 

 frons is gradually abandoning the sides of cliffs for the convenient 

 situations afforded by the projecting eaves of buildings. The Progne 

 purpurea 'dhyays gives preference to the boxes now everywhere placed 

 for its accommodation. 



With these brief and very cursory remarks, which might be greatly 

 extended did space permit, w^e proceed to the list of the species ascer- 

 tained to inhabit the District. Our observations, from Avhich the 

 paper has been prepared, have extended over a period of nearly five 

 years, during which all the time that could be spared from other oc- 

 cupations has been devoted to the study of birds. No species has 

 been admitted which has not been actually detected in the District 

 or its immediate vicinity. A few of whose existence there can be 

 little or no doubt, are included in brackets, but still are not counted 

 in the list. The date given for the arrival and departure of any bird 

 is the mean of those observed during each successive year, since the 

 appearance and disappearance of birds depend somewhat on the 

 early or late advance of the season. It is regretted that the account 

 of some of the water birds is so scanty and incomplete; but it is hoped 

 that the very full details of most of the land birds will in a measure 

 atone for the deficiency in this respect. 



1. Cathartes aura, (Linn.,) 111. — Turkey Buzzard. Permanent res- 

 ident. Abundant. Not ordinarily gregarious, but collects in great 

 numbers where offal of any description is exposed. 



2. Falco columbarius, Linn. Pigeon Haw^k. Rather rare, but few 

 having been observed. Very shy. Sometimes exposed for sale in 

 the market. 



3. Falco (Tinnuncidus) sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. Resi- 

 dent. Abundant. Generally found in open fields, about hedges, 

 stumps, dead trees, &c. 



4. Astur africapiUus, (Wils.,) Bon. — Goshawk. Very rare; only 

 occasionally observed during the winter months. 



5. Accipiter cooper i, Bon. — Cooper's Hawk. Resident. One of the 

 most common haw^ks. Frequents chiefly open fields, searching for 

 mice, small birds, &c. 



6. Accipiter/uscus, (Gm.,) Bon. — Sharp-shinned Hawk. Resident. 

 Very abundant, and the least shy of the hawks. Frequents hedges, 

 ditches, brier patches, &c. 



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