152> Notice of British Naturalists. 



rious works ; and he discovered many novelties, which perhaps 

 were novelties only, because no one had hitherto taken the trouble 

 to look for them. Since his day, England has been diligently 

 explored, and he is fortunate who succeeds in discovering there 

 any thing new. In this country there is altogether as good a field, 

 if not better, for original discovery, as Pennant enjoyed ; and the 

 experience of our travelling naturalists and of the scientific and 

 exploring expeditions proves sufficiently, that he who takes the 

 trouble of observing, will be fully rewarded for his pains. The 

 accounts which Pennant published of these tours, are perhaps 

 the most instructive and interesting of the kind which we possess. 



It is a common remark, that the climates of both Europe and 

 America are gradually changing. To decide whether this is the 

 case or not, or whether the diflerence arises only from a higher 

 state of cultivation, is a work of great difficulty. The data on 

 which to proceed, are in a great measure wanting. Well con- 

 ducted meteorological observations, although we now have some 

 of great value, have not been recorded in numerous places and 

 for a sufficient length of time, to form the basis of general con- 

 clusions ; and without some such certain and well known experi- 

 ments, from which sound deductions may be drawn, it is not pos- 

 sible to arrive at any satisfactory opinion. 



It is a circumstance worthy of observation, that both in the 

 United States, and in Great Britain, many birds appear to have 

 changed their habitations within the last one hundred years. In 

 his first tour to Scotland, Pennant visited the Fern Islands, a 

 group of barren rocks off the Coast of Northumberland, and there 

 found the little Auk, {Mergulus alle, Selby,) and the Black Guil- 

 lemot, (Uria Gri/lle, Lath,) not unfrequent ; while, according 

 to Mr. Selby, the first does not now occur at all, and the latter is 

 only occosionally met with in that location. Another instance is 

 that of the Crane, {Grus ciyierea, Bechst.,) which, according to 

 Ray, was in his time found, in some counties, in large flocks, but 

 which now ranks among the rare visitors. Others again, once 

 scarce, have taken their places, and become comparatively com- 

 mon ; among which we may particularly remark, as of very re- 

 cent date, the Honey Buzzard, (Buteo Jpivorus, Ray. ) A long 

 list of such changes might be given. We must now revert a few 

 years, to trace Pennant's literary labors. 



