Miscellaneous. 481 



is open to the view of all classes of the metropolitan public; 

 second, that it forms a museum peculiarly adapted for the pur- 

 poses of science; third, that the museum and library are to be 

 always open without restriction to scientific persons and artists; and, 

 fourth, that practical advantages are aimed at by the introduction, 

 naturalization, and gratuitous distribution of useful and ornamental 

 foreign birds. 



With regard to the first of these points, a very interesting 

 and valuable collection of aquatic birds is now open to the view 

 of all classes in the beautiful garden in St James's Park. The 

 study of natural history is so conducive to our moral and corporeal 

 health, that we rejoice over every institution and project which is 

 intended to diffuse more widely among our fellows that pure happi- 

 ness which we ourselves are conscious of having derived from this 

 enchanting source. The Horticultural and Zoological Gardens have 

 added greatly to the enjoyment of the inhabitants of the crowded 

 metropolis ; but those gardens are generally accessible to none but 

 the higher and more wealthy classes, and gardens of natural history 

 for the poor were a desideratum hitherto unsupplied, until the Or- 

 nithological Society stepped forward to supply it. We trust that 

 this benevolent example will be followed, and that we shall live to 

 see the royal parks of London converted into gardens of botany and 

 zoology, sculpture and statuary. Such a conversion might easily be 

 efiTected without the slightest loss, but, on the contrary, with a most 

 remarkable addition to the beauty and picturesque effect of the 

 parks, and an incalculable improvement, moral and intellectual, of 

 the people. 



With regard to the second point, the scientific character of the 

 museum, it is intended to form a complete collection of skeletons 

 and of skins, which, as every ornithologist knows, are far more use- 

 ful for examination than mounted specimens ; to preserve anatomi- 

 cal preparations of parts ; to collect eggs, nests, &c. so as to teach 

 (as it were) ornithology by the eye. 



Upon the third point, the opening of the museum and library 

 without restriction to scientific persons and artists, it is unnecessary 

 to make any explanation, — the intention is as wise as it is liberal. 



The last point, viz. the introduction, naturalization, and distri- 

 bution of foreign birds, is one of some difficulty, but of exceeding 

 interest and value. With the pheasant in our woods, the turkey 

 and Guinea-fowl in our farm-yards, and the parrot and Canary bird 

 in our cages, it is wonderful that these examples of the advantages 

 of the introduction of foreign birds have not excited us to more en- 



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