THE OENITHOLOGICAL GUIDE. 25 



are poring over ponderous tomes of cramp techni- 

 calities, he is out in the woods, capturing an insect, 

 or looking after a bird. He has, in fine, either a 

 general disregard or a thorough contempt — according 

 to the construction of his mind* — for systems and 

 their authors, and leaves to them to give what names 

 they please to his discoveries. 



" Such are the general characteristics of a practical, 

 or, as he is now usually termed, a field naturalist, of 

 the present day, as gathered from the sentiments 

 conveyed by this class of observers in our natural- 

 history periodicals. There is not only much to 

 commend in such pursuits, as regards their effect 

 upon the individual, but the facts which they bring 

 to light form a very material part of the history of 

 nature. This is apparent from the writings of 

 White, Levaillant, Azara, and Wilson ; all of 

 whom, with little deviation, studied nature upon this 

 plan. They were essentially field naturalists. They 

 took to themselves that department of research 

 which called them into the open air : and they are, 

 of all others, the best qualified to write the natural 

 histoiy of species. Every thing, however, past this 

 line of inquiry, is beyond their province. Those 

 who have been really eminent as original observers, 



* This is not a correct expression ; it should have been — according 

 to the organization of his brain. For aught we know to the contrary, the 

 minds of all may be' similar ; but its manifestations, while linked to 

 the body, depend on the quality, quantity, and organization of the 

 brain. — Wood. 



