QUESTION TO NATURALISTS. 63 



met with an unfortunate end^ being accidentally cmsh- 

 ed in a window-shutter. 



Can your friend Mr. Palmer tell me by what sense 

 this bird was guided to the spot whence he was 

 taken ? It could not be sights for he was conveyed 

 from one place to the other in such a manner that 

 he could not possibly trace his way. It is not likely 

 that the sense of smelling could have retained an in- 

 fluence for so many months. Nor can I devise any 

 known quality with which birds are endowed, that 

 can account for it. You see that, in imitation of you, 

 I am becoming a naturalist ; and shall add to your 

 store of curious anecdotes of animals, whenever I meet 

 with any deserving your notice. 



You remember that my father is a great sportsman, 

 and is generally accompanied in his shooting expedi- 

 tions by Mr. Craven, a respectable fanner, who is 

 one of his tenants. When they return from the ex- 

 ploits of the day, they generally engross all the con- 

 versation with relating their sanguinary achievements, 

 or the hairbreadth escapes of the poor animals, who 

 owed their preservation, probably, more to the bad 

 aim of the marksman, than to the swiftness of their 

 wing. My patience is often exhausted by being 

 obliged to listen to subjects in which I feel so little 

 interest, and which too often savour of cruelty ; for I 

 can take no pleasure in the needless destruction of the 



