m ae 
314 GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGES. 
other counties, besides which, many upon finding 
suitable abodes and mild climate, are induced to 
abide with us through the winter. Lastly, the 
occurrence of some species in this county, which 
have never been noted or but sparingly in others, 
must be set down either to accidental causes or to 
influences of which we are ignorant. And since there 
are such various reasons for our ornithology being 
so extensive the species of which we boast as super- 
numeraries or as being found here whilst they are 
very sparingly scattered over the rest of England, 
cannot be exclusively Gralle or Accipitres, although 
as before hinted it is in these classes that the great- 
est preponderance is observed ; neither must we be 
altogether guided by the ornithology of any one 
county such as that selected for comparison, in 
arriving at conclusions respecting the peculiarities 
of our own, or respecting the ornithology of the 
southern counties of England generally. As we 
proceeded we pointed out instances which illustrate 
the various reasons here given for the extent of our 
ornithological list. Other cases might be cited, 
but as our knowledge of their geographical ranges 
is imperfect they could be mentioned only with 
great hesitation. 
A few words on the remaining tribes of animals 
will close our consideration of this division of our 
subject. With respect to the Reptiles of South 
Devon but little can be said, as they do not differ 
materially either in number or in geographical po- 
sition from those of most other counties. The 
Nimble Lizard is found in plenty on our heaths and 
commons, but is not confined to these spots, as I 
have taken it in gardens, and I have likewise once 
seen it on the stump of an old tree in a willow- 
ground. The Dumfries-shire Snake and Natter Jack 
Toad do not occur in Devon so far as my knowledge 
extends. 
