AND THE OIL-GLAND. 



131 



under great obligations to this courteous gen- 

 tleman for the flattering manner in which he 

 has introduced my name. May I entertain the 

 hope that he will not be offended with me, if I 

 venture to disagree with him on one point 

 relative to what he has advanced on the habits 

 of the bird in question ? 



He has quite satisfied me that the windhover 

 will now and then make a meal on the smaller 

 birds ; and this information on his part is very 

 acceptable to me, as I have no opportunity of 

 observing the windhover during the winter 

 months, for it leaves this immediate neighbour- 

 hood in October, and seldom returns before the 

 first week in February. 



The conclusion of Mr. Bury, as to the use of 

 the oil-gland, is not quite so satisfactory. He 

 says, " And I plainly saw the bird press the 

 nipple with its beak, and rub the matter so 

 expressed on its feathers." This assertion 

 would have put the question at rest for ever 

 in my own mind, and I should willingly have 

 yielded the disputed palm to this intelligent 

 gentleman, had he not subsequently remarked, 

 " I do not mean to say I ever saw the matter 

 expressed." 



K 2 



