58 INERTES. 



frequently becomes necessary to make an incision at the nape 

 tor extracting the brain and eyes. 



Others of this order have very fat skins inside, so that great 

 caution is necessary to prevent it from soiling the plumage 

 while taking off the skin. A very large proportion of cotton 

 and tow, therefore, becomes necessary. 



ORDER XVI. INERTES. 



Little can be said respecting this order ; but what we have 

 just remarked concerning the former order, will apply also to 

 this. 



OF THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BIRDS. 



Few objects of Natural History are more interesting than 

 the nests of birds. To the reflecting naturalist, they open up 

 a wide field for inquiry. Speaking of the examination of 

 birds, in the exercise of their mechanical arts of constructing 

 nests, professor Rennie says, " This work is the business of 

 their lives the duty which calls forth that wonderful ingenu- 

 ity, which no experience can teach, and which no human skill 

 can rival. The infinite variety of modes in which the nests of 

 birds are constructed, and the exquisite adaptation of the nest 

 to the peculiar habits of the individual, offer a subject of al- 

 most exhaustless interest." The number and variety of the 

 eggs of birds are curious subjects of contemplation, and should 

 be carefully noted whenever opportunity offers. They are as 

 essential to the personal history of the species, as any other 

 part of our inquiries. 



Professor Rennie's interesting work on the architecture of 

 birds needs only to be read, to excite in those, who are unac- 

 quainted with the subject, sufficient interest to induce an at- 

 tentive notice of them. He has arranged them in systematic 

 order, according to the construction of these nests, under 

 the following heads; namely: Mining birds, Ground-build- 

 ers, Mason birds, Carpenter birds, Platform-builders, Bas- " 

 ket-making birds, Weaver birds, Tailor birds, Felt-making 

 birds. Cementers, Dome-builders, and Parasite birds. It 



