Birds. 819 



whether dressed or raw, an unnatural food, the former at least ; and 

 yet he preferred fasting to eating what is supposed to be a natural 

 article of diet. He did not know instinctively, methinks, what a de- 

 licate supper he would have found within the shell of the egg. And 

 this I hold to be almost conclusive, unless (a question for Mr. 

 Waterton's larger experience) individuals of the same species feed 

 differently in a state of nature ; that is, will one individual eat that 

 which another, under similar circumstances, will refuse ? Will one 

 hedgehog eat eggs, and another not eat them ? 



But to conclude, what I fear you will consider to have already ex- 

 ceeded due bounds : it is useless, or nearly so, to expect to learn the 

 natural habits of animals from those that are kept in confinement — 

 an animal in confinement is no longer itself — we must roam the 

 fields, the woods, and the moors ; we must follow the example of the 

 indefatigable Waterton, though most of us at very humble distance, I 

 trow, if we would read Nature correctly. General structure, and com- 

 parison of parts will help us to observe, but cannot be substituted for 

 actual observation. Many birds agreeing nearly in their affinities, 

 closely allied generically or specifically, will be found to differ much 

 in habit. I would not seem, by this remark, to disparage scientific 

 arrangement, far from it ; but it should not be supposed that, because 

 two birds belong to the same genus, therefore we can certainly pre- 

 dicate similarity of habits. For while I admit a general agreement 

 between structure and habits, there are many exceptions to the rule, 

 as every out-door naturalist well knows. 



Hence the value and importance of ' The Zoologist,' to the 

 scientific naturalist. If it succeed, as it bids fair to succeed, in be- 

 coming a slore-house of well authenticated and characteristic facts, 

 you, Mr. Editor, will have done good service to the cause of natural 

 science in giving it existence. I congratulate you on the measure of 

 success already attained ; and wish you all prosperity, in abundance 

 of valuable communications, and greatly -increased circulation, for the 

 coming year. 



Charles A. Bury. 



Bouchurch, Isle of Wight, 

 December 1, 1844. 



