172 



On the Ornithology of Wilts. 



slippery prey, others supplied with organs for discovering that prey 

 when out of sight. There are many other instances of this varied 

 form and varied appliance, but we need no more to prove their 

 diversity, their excellence, their perfection. 



Before I conclude this paper, I will just call attention to the ex- 

 traordinary superstition entertained in this country, and especially 

 in Scotland, not many years since in regard to long beaks. One 

 cannot very clearly see the connection between a long beak and a 

 goblin, nor is it easy to say whence such an idea could have arisen ; 

 yet such was the common belief, and without attempting to give 

 any reason, every body knew well enough that a long beak por- 

 tended no good. Sir Walter Scott alludes to this; and Yarrell 

 tells us that the Highlander will pray to be preserved from "witches, 

 warlocks (or wizzards), and aw lang-nebbed things"; but this super- 

 stition is not peculiar to Great Britain, for to this day, many of 

 the birds exposed for sale in the markets at St. Petersburg and 

 elsewhere are first deprived of their beaks, and thus some of the 

 rarest specimens are irremediably mutilated. 



These and many other equally absurd fictions relating to birds 

 it is the part of the ornithologist to overthrow; to do which we 

 have but to bid men look into the page of nature, and the more we 

 read it, the more truly shall we learn to appreciate the wonderful 

 works of God. 



Alfred Charles Smith. 



Yatesbury Rectory, April, 1855. 



