ENTOMOLOGY OF EPPING. 289 



thology, or nearly all, to my brother. With his beautiful 

 collection of British birds always before my eye, continually 

 hearing his remarks on them and their habits, I have gained 

 knowledge without labour, without study. 



Perhaps I may lay claim to some few observations, which I 

 might be able to make on this subject, but these are few ; for 

 though I have observed many things, those have been few 

 which I had not previously learnt from him. 



I have, in the following list, adhered exactly to Mr. Selby's 

 arrangement, because I conceive his work to be by far the best 

 on our British birds. With this and Temminck's Manual, the 

 British Ornithologist need never, or very rarely, be at a loss 

 upon any point. And what lover of nature is there that would 

 not be an Ornithologist? How much pleasure, and how pure, 

 can be reaped in a few hours' walk through the fields or woods, 

 from observing the habits of their feathered inhabitants ! 

 How pleasing, on a calm summer evening, to watch the 

 Nightjur skimming over the open heath, or circling some soli- 

 tary oak, in search of its insect prey ! How sweet to wander 

 before sun-rise, through the woods, when the whole choir of 

 summer birds welcome with their songs the approach of day! 



There are moments when even the most fortunate feel 

 desponding; -and, 



" Lone — as the corse within the shroud, 

 Lone — as a solitary cloud, 



A single cloud on a summer day. 

 While all the rest of heaven is clear, 

 A frown upon the atmosphere, 

 That hath no business to appear 



When skies are bright and earth is gay." 



But truly to be pitied would that man be who did not reap 

 some joy from the animated and happy scene around him. 



But men will not gather pleasure where it grows most luxu- 

 riantly ; they prefer the unwholesome vegetation of a stagnant 

 marsh to the bountiful produce of a rich field. 



" O ! miseras hominum menteis ! O pectora coeca !" 



How few persons would believe that the following list of our 

 birds can excite any feelings of interest in the mind of a rational 

 person, or could be made subservient to any useful purpose ! 

 no. in. vol. in. p p 



