58 INERTES. 
frequently becomes necessary to make an incision at the nape 
for 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 aris 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 
