2424 Birds. 



generally adopted, we shall soon be able to ascertain, with little or 

 no trouble, the comparative distribution of every species throughout 

 the kingdom. The arrival and departure of the migratory birds we 

 have in most cases left unnoticed in the general list, but propose, at 

 its conclusion, to give a summary of our regular visitors, both in the 

 order of their appearance, and, as far as practicable, of their departure 

 also : we hope, by so doing, to render our observations upon this in- 

 teresting part of their economy more intelligible than they would 

 appear if intermixed with other matter. 



We have introduced no species into the list on what appeared to 

 us doubtful authority, and for this reason we have been obliged to 

 exclude a few whose rarity pleaded strongly in favour of their admis- 

 sion. Foremost among these is the collared pratincole. Of the iden- 

 tity of the specimen in question we have but little doubt: its appearance 

 occurred in the following manner. In passing from this place to Ox- 

 ford, in May, 1845, we observed a curious-looking bird, of the peculiar 

 colour of the pratincole, flying along a ditch by the road-side, in the 

 bottom of which it very soon settled; but the depth and overhanging 

 twigs prevented our discovering in what manner the bird had alighted. 

 On our arriving at the spot it arose again, and, flying for a few yards, 

 again alighted. After this had been repeated several times, we betook 

 ourselves, with all possible speed, to the nearest house, for the purpose 

 of procuring a gun : unfortunately we were disappointed, and were 

 with much reluctance compelled to abandon any further pursuit of 

 this to us most interesting object. Although many times within a few 

 yards of this bird, we were unable to see any more than its back, 

 owing to its never having risen above the bank of the ditch along 

 which it was flying, nor could we, from the nature of the places where 

 it settled, discover whether it had fairly alighted on the ground or on 

 the neighbouring twigs : still we should have no hesitation in at once 

 pronouncing it a veritable pratincole, but for these two reasons ; that 

 it had no white mark on the rump, and that we did not perceive any 

 forking in the tail, which, indeed, was not expanded during the time 

 we were watching the bird : in general colour, size and shape, it 

 agreed exactly with that species. 



Another case, very similar in its circumstances to the foregoing, oc- 

 curred with regard to a thrush, which, at the time, we had every reason 

 to believe to be a specimen of White's thrush ; but this we were, 

 from the same cause, disappointed in ascertaining. 



In concluding these preliminary remarks, a few words respecting 

 llie drawings which accompany them will not be out of place. As to 



