316 HINTS TO ORNITHOLOGISTS. 



except in a great fall of snow, we have proof posi- 

 tive, by their aptitude at walking, and by their velo- 

 city in running, that our judgment has been rash, 

 and that our theory is unsound. 



We are informed that jays live more amongst 

 trees than upon the ground ; and the arboreal pro- 

 pensity of this bird is inferred from the shape of iU 

 toes. Now, let it be remembered, that, with the 

 exception of the short periods when garden fruits 

 and acorns are ripe, this bird must be upon the 

 ground to procure a maintenance. Here, where he 

 is protected, he may be seen upon the ground at all 

 hours of the day. 



The common wagtail, too, is pronounced to be ^ 

 " truly terrestrial bird,'' on account of the formation 

 of his toes. Come hither, and you shall see the 

 common wagtail in the daily habit of resorting to 

 the trees. 



Those who derive their knowledge of birds from 

 the inspection of their external anatomy alone, may 

 write on the use of bristles at the mouths of 

 birds ; and they may tell us that, in proportion as 

 birds partake of a vegetable and an insect diet, so 

 are these bristles more or less developed. But the 

 fallacy of this theory is manifest in the ordinary 

 habits of the barn-door fowl, the wigeon, and many 

 other birds. During the summer months, the barn- 

 door fowl, whilst cropping the grass and herbs, will 

 capture, with the utmost facility and avidity, every 

 insect, great or small, or soft or hard, which is 

 unfortunate enough to be within its reach. The 



