80 



These volumes are truly fresh and delightful, and 

 show their author to be a real field Naturalist. 

 We present our readers with a short extract from 

 the second volume, to give an idea of the style and 

 spirit of the Gleanings : — 



" The propensity which the Raven has to hide 

 things, is one of the peculiarities of its character. 

 Many persons must recollect a Raven, which used 

 to hop about amongst the workmen employed in 

 the construction of the bridge, at the top of the 

 Serpentine river in Hyde Park. This bird, from 

 its familiarity and odd habits, attracted at the same 

 time the notice of many persons, and amongst 

 others that of a friend of mine. He constantly 

 noticed and made many inquiries respecting it. — 

 It was taken from a nest on the top of an elm tree 

 in Hyde Park, with two or three others, all of 

 which died. The one in question, however, sur- 

 vived, and became perfectly tame and sociable. It 

 haunted the spot I have mentioned, and would 

 sometimes take long flights and be absent some 

 days, but always returned to the bridge. One day 

 a lady was passing over it, and dropped a valuable 

 bracelet. She turned round to pick it up, but before 

 she could do so, the Raven had seized and imme- 

 diately flew away with it out of sight. It was con- 

 jectured that he had a hiding place in some distant 

 tree, where probably, at some future time, the 

 bracelet and other things may be found. The fate 

 of this Raven was a melancholy one. He was 

 stolen, and was not heard of for a long time. At 

 last, however, he returned, and one of his wings 

 was cut. He was unable therefore to resume his 

 former habits, and moped about, and one morning 

 he was found dead in the Serpentine river, to the 

 great regret of many of his admirers." — Vol. II, 

 p. 33 — 34. — The work is exceedingly rich in anec- 

 dote, throughout. 



