11s ON THE INSTINCTS OF BIRDS. 
ornithologist, for an excellent mode of distinguishing 
species, under circumstances in which the ordinary 
rules for determining them are of little or no avail; 
and the physico-theologist for a more comprehensive 
view of the power, wisdom, and goodness of the 
Creator as manifested in his living works. 
Having thus succinctly adverted to the great im- 
portance of accurate information in this extensive 
department of zoology, I shall now limit my remarks 
exclusively to the feathered tribes; and whoever 
attentively considers the diversified operations of the 
various active powers with which the interesting 
beings that compose that pleasing division of the 
animal kingdom are endowed, cannot fail to receive a 
high degree of mental gratification. 
It frequently happens that the experienced observer 
is enabled to discriminate birds with the utmost 
certainty by their notes, manner of flight, or some 
other peculiarity, when he has no opportunity of pro- 
curing specimens of them, or of ascertaining the 
colours of their plumage. Indeed, in this last parti- 
cular, distinct species, as the Yellow Wren and Lesser 
Pettychaps, several of the Larks, Finches, &c., so 
nearly resemble each other, and individuals of the 
same species, as many of the Falcons, Gulls, Sand- 
pipers, Ducks, &c., are so very dissimilar, and vary so 
greatly with age, change of season, and other circum- 
stances, that colour cannot always be relied upon as 
affording sufficient evidence of specific identity. A 
