ON THE PREDACIOUS HABITS OF THE SHRIKE. 



77 



to the commonly received opinion, (although subsequently I shall 

 prove it gives out its vapour far below the freezing point, on some 

 occasions, and, on the other hand, not at the boiling point,) when expe- 

 rience proves, we have the most rain when it stands below temperate, 

 which is fifty-five degrees ; for instance, the snow in frost, and the 

 rain after. 



Objection 2d. That when, we have the greatest heat, with the 

 largest loss of water, we have the least rain, as witness every dry 

 summer. Query. What becomes of it ? 



Objection 3d. When vapour is condensed into water, which it 

 must be, if exposed to an atmosphere colder than itself, it must imme- 

 diately descend ; as witness the dews, (but more of this by and by) ; 

 it being then heavier in its specific gravity than the bulk of the 

 surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, were water raised into vapour, by 

 the heat of 300°, it must be immediately condensed by the sudden 

 change of temperature, and descend before it had risen to the height 

 of one hundred yards, much less rise into the highest regions of the 

 atmosphere, and remain there for a length of time, and then form 

 clouds, and so produce rain, as witness the steam arising from the 

 boiler of a steam-engine, or the refrigeratory of a common alembic. 



Objection 4th. Experience has proved, that we have the most rain 

 in nights, and in winter, when, of course, it must be the coldest, as 

 then the sun has the least influence. 



Objection 5th. There is no vapour arises from the water when the 

 sun has the most influence, (the reason for this will be given hereafter ;) 

 for, place a looking-glass over a river, when the sun shines with his 

 meridian force, and it will not so much as dim it; but, when the sun 

 is gone down, the vapour rises so as to be visible. Query. Does the 

 water in the pot boil when the fire is out ? 



Objection 6th. If the old theory were true, there would always be 

 the most rain in the tropics, where the sun is vertical, which is not the 

 fact. 



OJS 7 THE PREDACIOUS HABITS OF THE SHRIKE, OR FLUSH ER, 



(Lanius Collurio.) 



BY EDWARD BLYTH. 



As there are yet many naturalists who doubt the predacious habits 

 of the shrike {Lanius Collurio,) the following facts, which have occurred 



