126 ZOOLOGY. 



cry also further aids its discovery. The Partridge, Quail, 

 Corn Crake, and a multitude of others derive much of their 

 security from a similar cause : the Ptarmigan and Snow 

 Bunting, are entirely confined to the snow clad mountains 

 of the north, whilst the Sandpiper on the shores of the 

 ocean, are secure from the same cause, among the shingle of 

 the beach. The different kinds of Titmouse frequent trees, 

 whose rugged trunks being covered with various kinds of 

 Moss and Lichens, their similarity of colour is so great 

 that they are hardly perceptible, even at a short distance ; 

 the same may be said of the Creeper, common to this coun- 

 try, the Wryneck, and others ; but it is to be remembered 

 that in all these instances, either their notes, or some pecu- 

 liar spots of a different hue, act as guards against their 

 too abundant increase. The tail of the Ptarmigan, is all 

 seasons of the year quite black, which when the bird is in 

 motion, it mostly displays, and which of course betrays it ; 

 the Woodcock, whose sombre tints so exactly correspond in 

 colour with the falling leaves of the forest, may be disco- 

 vered by its white tail, and large black eyes ; other con- 

 trasts could be enumerated ad hijinittan, but sufficient 

 have already been adduced to call the attention of the Na- 

 turalist to these interesting correspondencies. 



We shall now proceed to point out those particulars most 

 deserving the attention of the Naturalist, both as they relate 

 to the habits, oeconomy, and peculiarities of the birds them- 

 selves, and also, how far they contribute to the welfare, 

 comfort, and support of the human race. What we re- 

 marked when speaking of Quadrupeds, is equally applicable 

 to Birds, and other classes of Animals, that it is not hy the 



