10 A Description of Birds 



In the feathered race the variety is still more conspicuous, 

 and, taking Temminck as a guide in estimating the number of 

 European birds, it will suffice to support our conclusion, 

 simply to state that within the British colony at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, there are to be found at least one hundred more 

 species of birds than in the whole of the quarter of the globe he 

 alludes to. The plumage of those in our domain cannot certainly 

 be held out as in general particularly splendid, yet at the 

 same time there are not wanting instances of great beauty ; 

 but if the diversity and adaptation of characters and instincts 

 in the various individuals be only considered, there will be 

 found sufficient to entice and engage attention without the 

 really less important and interesting commendation, that of 

 fine feathers. In the class of reptiles, here are the means of 

 making numerous additions to science ; not only as regards 

 the description of non-descript species, but also as to classi- 

 fication. The diversity of forms under which they occur, 

 and the peculiar characters and habitats which each variety 

 appears to maintain, furnish good hints for divisions ; and, 

 if such alone be regarded, they will enable the naturalist to 

 decide upon proper positions, without direct reference to for- 

 mation, though that will be found upon inquiry, to support 

 the conclusions deduced from such like observations. Hence 

 exist two methods of arranging the objects of animated nature, 

 and whether the one or the other, or both, be followed, the 

 conclusions of the accurate observer will, I am convinced, 

 be the same. 



Of insects there are a very great variety, and the 

 principal portion of them is marked by much beauty of color- 

 ing, as well as by numerous interesting characters. From 

 the huge elephant to the smallest flower, all here furnish the 

 entomologist with specimens, and there is scarcely an object 

 upon which he can cast his eye, or to which he can direct his 

 research, that will not supply him with the means of increas- 

 ing his collection. Besides this extreme multiformity in the 

 land productions, the ocean is not less prolific, and to survey 

 the variety of fishes and other marine productions which present 

 themselves in our seas and about our shores, is almost enough 

 to petrify exertion, and generate a belief of the impossibility of 

 ever unravelling all the mysteries of creation. Let us, however, 

 take spirit and console ourselves in knowing that if we do but 

 little, that little will assist in rendering the labour of our 

 successors less difficult, and will concur towards illustrating 

 the beauty and wisdom, connection and dependence, which a 

 thorough knowledge of the animal kingdom will doubtless 

 one day display. The results, upon such being attained, will 

 prove the utility of the study, and will doubtless dispense 

 knowledge and benefits to society of which we cannot at pre- 



