18 REV. MB BAIRd's ADDRESS. 



but the structure, the habits, and the general history of which have 

 hitherto been very little attended to. The public business of the day 

 was concluded by a paper by Dr Johnston on the failure of the Potato 

 crop during the present year, — in which some probable reasons are 

 assigned for the fact, but which, we suspect, is still in a great measure 

 unexplained, and still, therefore, open to inquiry. 



Such, then, is a very hurried and, I fear also, a most imperfect, re- 

 capitulation of the labours of our Cliib during the second year of its 

 existence, — a recapitulation indeed so imperfect, that had I not to plead, 

 as an apology, a considerable absence from home, and continued pro- 

 fessional engagements since my return, I should feel almost ashamed 

 to present it. 



I conclude with only one observation. The preceding review shews 

 that we have done something, and that the Club has not been institu- 

 ted in vain. It also shews that the field of our labours is an interesting 

 one, and that, though a little has been accomplished, a great deal yet 

 remains to be done. Let us then continue our researches with vigour : 

 let us stroll along our splendid shores ; let us penetrate into the recesses 

 of our woods and deans : let us ascend our mountain sides, and, with 

 unwearied feet, let us follow the meanderings of our rivers and our 

 babbling brooks ! There at least health and peace and rational en- 

 joyment attend our footsteps ; and, while thus occupied, however the 

 vidgar or the ignorant may marvel at our joy, we can tell them that, 

 with whatever eyes they may contemplate Nature, yet there are others 

 who can 



" Find tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 

 Sermons in stones, and good in every thing !" 



Notice of the Birds olserved in the Neighhourhood of St AhVs Head, on 

 July 18, 1832. By P. J. Selby, Esq., F.B.S.K, F.L.S., Sfc. 

 (Eead on the 19th Sei^tember 1832.) 



Passing without fiirther observation the various flocks of sparrows 

 and other Pringillidfe that enliven the shades of our highways, or are 

 to be seen within the precincts of all the farm-steads and villages, I 

 commence with the rock or shore pipit {Antkus aquaffctfs). This species, 

 which is strictly confined to our rocky coasts, I observed to be plentiful 

 near the village of Northfield, and indeed along the whole of the coast 

 we examined. In size it exceeds both the common and the tree pipit, 

 {A. pratensis and arhorens). The claw of the aqnaticiis, though shorter 

 and more curved than that of the pratensis, is longer and less incrirved 

 than that of the arhorem. It feeds upon marine insects and worms, 

 and is a permanent resident. The marten or martlet {Ilirtindo urhica) 

 next attracted my attention from the unexpected numbers in wliich it 

 was seen hawking about the face of the cliffs, a habitat in point of 

 situation very dissimilar to those in which we are accustomed to observe 



