IV CONTENTS. 



THE SWAN. Page 



Wordsworth's description of this bird— Its nest— Its great age— Families 

 of Swans on the River Thames 35 



THE SPARROW-HAWK. 

 A common species in the enclosed parts of the kingdom — Habits of this 

 bird — A pet Sparrow-hawk 37 



THE MOOR-FOWL. 



This bird is found in mountainous situations — It is confined to the United 

 Kingdom— Flocks of Moor-Fowl . . - 41 



THE PETREL. 

 " Mother Carey's Chickens"— These birds seen in great numbers all over 

 the Atlantic— Immense stream of them— Superstition of sailors . . 43 



THE NIGHTINGALE. 



The largest of British warblers — Coleridge's description of the Night- 

 ingale — This bird is not found in Scotland — Its visits to various lands 

 — Contrast to its brief song 46 



THE DOMESTIC COCK. 

 Traced to the Jungle-fowls of India — Cock-crowing in the East — Varieties 

 from the primal stock — Importation of eggs — Care of the Hen for 

 her young — Allusion to it in the words of our Lord — Interesting story 

 — Ingenious machine for accomplishing the process of incubation — 

 Singular and interesting facts 53 



THE SPARROW. 

 Its food — Its nests — Anecdote of a brood — Instance of fraud — Provi- 

 dence of God— Interesting fact 68 



THE PHEASANT. 

 Splendour of this bird — Instinct of the Pheasant when sitting 



