INTRODUCTION. XXI 



time, which would seem scarcely sufficient to supply the waste by 

 the numerous casualties which occur, unless more than one brood 

 were raised in the year. Captain King found several northern birds 

 in the Straits of Magellan. 



A large proportion of the migratory birds arrive in the higher lati- 

 tudes in flocks, but disperse in pairs soon afterwards ; and some, as the 

 Emberiza nivalis and Lapponica, which winter within the limits of 

 the Fur-countries, assemble during that season in large flocks, but 

 separate when they reach their breeding-places. Parus atricapillus 

 and Linaria minor live in small families in the winter only ; the 

 Tetraonida form coveys of ten or twelve in summer and the middle 

 of winter, but make their spring and autumn movements to and from 

 their breeding -places in great assemblages. The Corvus corax con- 

 gregates only in the pairing season, in the beginning of March, when 

 as many as fifteen or twenty may be seen together for a few days, until 

 each has chosen a mate. Many of the Sturnidtf, the Columba migra- 

 toria, and Pelecanus onocrotalus fly in dense flocks all the summer. 

 The Hirundinidce and Laridce breed in societies, and hunt for their 

 food in numbers together ; but they do not appear to move in con- 

 certed flights, like the birds we have last mentioned. The Anatidce, 

 again, feed together, but generally make their nests in remote and 

 solitary spots. 



The following Table requires no explanation. The fourth column is 

 taken from the Prince of Musignano's work above alluded to (p. xvii.), 

 and the fifth column is filled up on the authority of that naturalist, 

 Wilson, Audubon, and some others. A partial analysis of this Table 

 is given in the succeeding ones. 



