FRONTISPIECE. 



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1 H E Bird reprefented in the Frontifpiece is an uncommon variety of the 

 Great Titmoufe ; the general colour of the plumage is fo much darker than 

 in that Bird, as on the firft infpe£lion, to make it pafs for a different fpecies : 

 but on a nicer inveftigation, the general diftribution of the colours of the greater 

 Titmoufe may be evidently traced throughout : the greateft fingularity is that 

 of the bill J having both the mandibles elongated and curved, in a particular 

 manner, and croffing each other, as in the Crofsbill. 



This fingular bird was taken up before it was quite dead, in the ftreet at 

 Feverfham in Kent : it was fent to me by Mr. Jacob, an able naturalift of that 

 Town. It appeared to have been fliot, and to have dropped when it could fly 

 no further; if the amazing difference between the make of the bill in its na- 

 tural flate, and that which appears in this fpecimen be confidered, it appears 

 extraordinary how the bird could have fubfifted ; notwithftanding which it 

 feemed to be in pretty good condition. 



