44 On the Ornithology of Wilts. 
inhabitant of Wiltshire ; yet since their time, in the rapid strides 
made of late in every branch of Natural History, and in none more 
than in the one of which I am speaking, partly owing to the exer- 
tions of these industrious and accurate observers, there have been 
but few in this county who have given much attention to this 
branch of science. 
If, then, the county abounds in Ornithological riches, and the 
field of research for these riches has been of late but little trodden, 
I would earnestly hope that the Inauguration of this Society may 
prove the beginning of better things, and stir up some amongst us 
to more diligent inquiry. I am convinced that Ornithology is a 
most fascinating and interesting study, carrying its votaries along 
the most pleasant paths, and adding tenfold interest to every walk. 
The unobservant passer-by may think that all birds are alike, ex- 
cept in size and colour; the casual observer may imagine that in 
this pursuit there can be little to learn; but the truth is, that in all 
pursuits of this kind, and certainly not the least so, m the one 
before us, the farther he advances, the more he sees to admire, the 
more he sees how little he knows. Let him examine the plumage 
of a bird, let him take a single feather, and see its wonderful growth, 
its mysterious colouring, its perfect adaptation to the end for which 
it was made; what an admirable defence against cold and heat, 
how light and buoyant! Let him examine the different methods 
of nidification adopted by the different species, how every species 
adopts a method peculiar to itself, yet one which is exactly followed 
by all the members comprising that species. What consummate 
skill and ingenuity are displayed in the construction of their nests ; 
how beautiful and curious and varied are their eggs! Or to take 
a hurried glance at the five great orders or divisions, into which 
birds are commonly divided. Is the first order composed of those 
birds which live by prey? Mark how powerful and compact their 
bodies, how strong and hooked their bill, how muscular their limbs, 
how curved their claws, how keen their vision, how rapid their 
flight! Is the second division that extensive one, comprising all 
the smaller birds which perch? See how their anatomical con- 
struction is in every point adapted to their habits; hard bills to 
the seed-eating, soft bills to the insect-eating tribes: how their 
_ feet are adapted to perching and grasping. Does the third order 
consist of ground birds? Mark the shortness of the wing, for 
they need not extensive flight; their deficiency in the faculty 
of grasping with their feet, for they rarely perch; but see 
their swiftness and endurance in running, their strong powerful 
muscles, their short toes. Does the fourth order comprise the 
waders? Mark the length of leg and bill, which usually charac- 
terizes this order, and is so adapted to their habits. And is the 
fifth order that which embraces all the swimmers? See the struc- 
ture of their feet, the shape of their bodies, and how well they are 
formed for swimming and diving ! 
