152 Notice of British Naturalists. 
rious works; and he discovered many novelties, which perhaps 
were novelties only, because no one had hitherto taken the trouble 
to look for them. Since his day, England has been diligently 
explored, and he is fortunate who succeeds in discovering there 
any thing new. In this country there is altogether as good a field, 
if not better, for original discovery, as Pennant enjoyed ; and the 
experience of our travelling naturalists and of the scientific and 
exploring expeditions proves sufficiently, that he who takes the 
trouble of observing, will be fully rewarded for his pains. ‘The 
accounts which Pennant published of these tours, are perhaps 
the most instructive and interesting of the kind which we possess. 
It is a common remark, that the climates of both Europe and 
America are gradually changing. 'T’o decide whether this is the 
case or not, or whether the difference arises only from a higher 
state of cultivation, is a work of great difficulty. The data on 
which to proceed, are in a great measure wanting. Well con- 
ducted meteorological observations, although we now have some 
of great value, have not been recorded in numerous places and 
for a sufficient length of time, to form the basis of general con- 
clusions ; and without some such certain and well known expetl- 
ments, from which sound deductions may be drawn, it is not pos 
sible to arrive at any satisfactory opinion. 
It is a circumstance worthy of observation, that both in the 
United States, and in Great Britain, many birds appear to have 
changed their habitations within the last one hundred years. 1 
his first tour to Scotland, Pennant visited the Fern Islands, 4 
group of barren rocks off the Coast of Northumberland, and there 
found the little Auk, (Mergulus alle, Selby,) and the Black Guil- 
lemot, (Uria Grylle, Lath,) not unfrequent ; while, according 
to Mr. Selby, the first dees not now occur at all, and the latter is 
only occosionally met with in that location, Another instance 18 
that of the Crane, ( Grus cinerea, Bechst.,) which, according ' 
Ray, was in his time found, in some counties, in large flocks, but 
which now ranks among the rare visitors. Others again, once 
scarce, have taken their places, and become comparatively COM 
mon; among which we may particularly remark, as of very ' 
cent date, the Honey Buzzard, (Buteo Apivorus, Ray.) A long 
list of such changes might be given. We must now revert 4 few 
years, to trace Pennant’s literary labors. 
