CONTENTS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Observation and Inattention contrasted . 2 ; 
A Taste for Natural History requires Cultivation . . 10 
Extraordinary Enthusiasm of Wilson ll 
Quinary System, with the Orders and Families of Birds, 
by M. Vigors . : : ; ; 3 : si a3 
CHAPTER I.—mMINING BIRDs. 
Inventions said to be derived from the Lower Animals wre |; 
The Mining of the Bank-swallow sy : . 
White’s Account of this Corrected . 7 3 a ib. 
How the Holes are Circular : : ‘ . 19 
Sociality of the Bank-swallow . ° ° : - 20 
The Mining Habits of the Peterel . : A . 2i 
Wilson’s Account of the Peterel at Sea . ‘ ‘ =) AD 
Superstitions of Mariners accounted for . - 23 
Peterels do not carry their Eggs under their Wings . 24 
The Burrowing Owl (Striz Cunicularia) . doy heeZS 
The Account of Charles Bonaparte ‘ “ : e'{ ab, 
Its Sociality with the Prairie-dog . : . : 26 
CHAPTER II.—GRounD BUILDERS, 
Requisites of a Bird’s Nest... Rah dake 27 
Internal Heat of the Earth important 4 . : on 28 
Its Temperature known to Birds. F ‘ - 29 
Moisture not. always Injurious to Hatching ° lB 
Nest of the Willet and other Birds , : . . 30 
The Eider-duck (Somateria Mollissima) . . . ib. 
Localities chosen for Nestling 4 A ° : «om 
Preference for small islands b ‘ ara 3 
Female plucks the Down from her Breast : . senda 
Elasticity of the Down. Be tery i erin a ib. 
The Redbreast (Sylvia Rubecula) te a ee 
Redbreast’s Nest at Christmas : a ve bhai 
Fanciful Account of a Redbreast’s Nest. . . . 34 
