BIRDS OF THE BIBLE. 303 



may be kept in mind, although the want of Hebrew might 

 be a difficulty if one wished to be critically correct. I 

 doubt not the subject has been already rushed into by some 

 who know nothing either of dead languages or live birds : 

 at least a good deal of what I thought inaccurate has met 

 my eye in glancing over the so-called Scripture natural his- 

 tories. The late Dr Scott of Corstorphine (afterwards, I 

 think, Professor of Hebrew in St Andrews,) left a number 

 of unpublished essays of that sort behind him. He was a 

 good Eastern scholar, but didn't know a bullfinch from a 

 black-cock. 



" I think the easiest plan for myself, and one of the 

 most suitable for you, would be for me to take up now and 

 then a single definite group, say, for example, parrots 

 (Psittacidce), or humming-birds (Trochdlidce), and give a 

 sketch of the nature, extent, and distribution of the group. 

 It would have the advantage that each such contribution, 

 supposing it correctly treated, would be complete in itself 

 — a satisfactory circumstance alike to writer and reader." 



TO THE SAME. 



" Woodville, 3<M January 1854. 

 " My DEAE SlE, — On coming down stairs to breakfast 

 this morning for the first time this year. I have the plea- 

 sure to receive your note and the vera effigies of the least 



