ESSAYS, &c. 



ON 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



REMARKS ON PROFESSOR RENNIE'S EDI- 

 TION OF MONTAGU'S ORNITHOLOGICAL 

 DICTIONARY. 



" It is admitted by all the naturalists already quoted, that 

 the nest in question (grebe's) is built on moist ground, if not 

 actually touching the water, and that part at least of the mate- 

 rials consist of moist water plants. Now, it is indispensable to 

 hatching, that the eggs be kept at a high temperature, and not 

 be suffered to cool for a moment. The natural heat of the 

 bird itself is sufficient for this purpose, without the heat of fer- 

 mentation, erroneously supposed by Pennant ; but if she quits 

 them for a moment, to go in pursuit of food, or to withdraw 

 the attention of an intruding water- spaniel, or a prying natural- 

 ist, their near vicinity to moist plants, or to water, would cer- 

 tainly prove fatal to the embryo chicks. In order, then, to 

 prevent the brood from being destroyed by cold, the careful 

 bird covers the eggs with a quantity of dry hay, to keep them 

 warm till her return." 



When the worthy professor wrote the above- 

 quoted passage, I am sure that he had not the least 

 doubt but that it was correct. Nine tenths of his 

 readers would be of the same opinion with him. 



B 



