On the Ornithology of Wits. 41 
beheaded at Gloucester. This was coupled with such a humorous 
account of the village tradition connected with the effigies, as to 
make his hearers look with anxiety for the more full and elaborate 
account of the structure in question, which the Rev. gentleman has 
promised. In conclusion, the manner was shown in which his own 
Arechzological investigation afforded a clue to the origin of this tra- 
dition, which these villagers believed with an almost religious per- 
tinacity ; and the way in which such a Society as the Archeological 
was calculated to sweep away these dim legends, and leave the 
mind more open for the reception of a higher and holier belief. 
Tea was provided in an ante-room for such of the company as 
required this refreshment, and at ten o’clock thanks were given to 
the Chairman, and the company separated. 
ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF WILTS. 
By the Rey. A. C, Smiru, Local Secretary. 
If Wiltshire is preéminent among other counties for its Archeeo- 
logical Remains (as it undoubtedly is), presenting to the antiquary 
such numerous and highly interesting relics of by-gone ages, so I 
think it cannot be disputed that it offers to the natural historian 
no less an ample field for his researches, to whatever branch of 
Natural History he may devote his attention. 
Now it is an undisputed fact in Zoology—as I may say, in Natu- 
ral History generally—that those districts afford the greatest 
variety of species which comprise the greatest variety of scenery ; 
for as some kinds of creatures prefer an open plain, others a 
sequestered valley, as some delight in the recesses of deep woods, 
others court the margin of streams, and all these are usually to 
be found in their own peculiar locality; the Zoologist in search 
of particular species will devote his attention to the country 
suited to the habits of the animal of which he is in search ; thus to 
confine myself to Ornithology (to which I am now anxious more 
particularly to direct your attention) and to take an example which 
must be familiar to everyone, who would think of beating a thick 
wood for snipe ; or of wading through a marsh for partridges? It 
is the same with every species of bird, as well as with all quadru- 
_ reptiles, insects and other inferior tribes in the animal kingdom. 
e Almighty Creator has peopled with the living creatures which 
He has made, no less the wild dreary plain, than the sunny smiling 
valley, no less the bleak open down, than the sheltered sequestered 
nook. I myself have found specimens of animal life far above 
vegetation amongst the eternal snows of the Swiss Alps, 9000 feet 
G 
