68 On the Natural History of Guano. 



With respect to the particular species of birds 

 whose dung the guano is, Acosta does not satisfy us: 

 but as they are said to be " sea fovvle," we may ven- 

 ture to suppose, that they are different species of 

 Gulls (Larus), Shags (Pelecanus), Duck and Goose 

 (Anas), Flamingo (Phaenicopterus), &c., Sec. Spe- 

 cies of all these genera are common on the coast of 

 Peru. 



We can the more readily believe what we are told 

 concerning the endrmous collections of Guano, from 

 what we know of the quantities of similar substance 

 that are often met with in different parts of the United- 

 States. Every North- American has seen, and every 

 naturalist has heard of, the prodigious flocks of Wild- 

 Pigeons (Columba migratoria) which annually pass 

 through the United- States. " In the year 1778, they 

 appeared (says Loskiel) in such great numbers, that 

 the ground under their resting-places was covered with 

 their dung above a foot high, during one night*." 



X. Facts and Observations relative to the North- Ame- 

 rican Woodcock. Communicated to ?^(? Editor by 

 Dr. John Vaughan and Mr. Robert Milh- 

 CAN, both of Wilmington y in the state of Delaware. 



Dear Sir, 



THE enclosed note contains the description, 

 promised you by Mr. Milligan, of the evening flight 



* History of the Mission of the Unilcd Brethren among the 

 Indians in North-America. Part 1. Page 93. London: 1794-. 



