In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 



213 



wonder, then, that in whatever line of natural science the mind more 

 especially may revel, it finds itself thrown back upon its own little- 

 ness, and is compelled to allow its own ignorance. The wisest man 

 knows but little of God's works, and sees but skin deep into those 

 natural laws which so admirably govern the elements of Nature, 

 but which God holds in the hollow of His hand ; and when therefore 

 we allow ourselves to ask such a question as we have suggested, 

 " What can be the use of such-and-such a creature, inasmuch as it in 

 no way immediately ministers to man's use or comfort ? 33 is it not in 

 itself a sufficient answer to return, " In order to carry out the in- 

 tentions of its Creator - "? an intention, perchance, more sure of 

 , completion if at times man intermeddles not in its history ; for God 

 loves every work of His hand, and has created each for a definite 

 purpose of His own. 



But I must not thus digress, lest I be accused of sermonising, 

 but return to the subject matter in hand, the " Grallatores/' or 

 (e Order of the Waders." They are especially attractive, because 

 they seldom intrude themselves upon our notice ; and, deny it who 

 will, there is an attraction in novelty, which is a thing " sui generis/'' 

 and which attaches to everything around us. What ornithologist 

 does not return from his outing in extra good humour with himself, 

 and with the world in general, when he has secured — or even seen — 

 a specimen he has never observed before ? It is not that the bird is 

 more curiously formed, or perhaps more beautifully-plumaged than 

 many another he possesses, but it is partly the indescribable pleasure 

 of breaking new ground, and of pondering, perchance, on the tale 

 that that rare bird could tell, if it had a voice to recount its own 

 history. Where may not have been its nesting-place ! in the Arctic 

 or the Torrid zone. O'er what far distant countries may it not 

 have roamed ! What sights may it not have witnessed which have 

 been denied to the eye of man ! even as suggested by the poet when 

 contemplating the burial of Moses : — 



" Perchance the bold old eagle on grey Beth Peors height, 

 Out of his lonely eyerie looked on that wondrous sight." 



Anyhow we may feel that that wandering specimen, which may have 



