166 



SIR WM. JAR DIN E ON HUMMING BIRDS. 



one or two black-birds and song-thrushes. Some of these birds 

 must have gathered the ivy-berries, it would appear, from the gar- 

 den wallsj and carried them to the bay and other trees at some dis- 

 tance, and in breaking open the berries for their food, have shed 

 some of their contents on the ground beneath, so as to produce the 

 appearance, which I do not remember to have seen remarked by 

 writers on such subjects. Ivy-berries, I believe, are a favourite 

 food with certain birds ; and it is remarked by some naturalists, I 

 think the Rev. Gilbert White, in his delightful ,f Natural History of 

 Selborne," that they afford a proof of the bountiful care of Provi- 

 dence, inasmuch as they supply birds with food through the winter 

 and far into the spring, in consequence of their not being injured by 

 the frost. 



It is our custom to throw a few crumbs out of window for the 

 birds every morning after breakfast ; and it is pleasing to observe, 

 not only the actions of the birds whilst they are picking up the 

 crumbs, but how they previously hover about the breakfast-room 

 window, and perch on the neighbouring boughs, evidently expecting 

 their morning meal. 



I do not know how far the notice of such trifling incidents as the 

 preceding, may fall within the scope of your Magazine j but as you 

 appear to invite communications containing " the slightest hints" 

 derived from personal observation, on the productions of nature, 

 I venture to trouble you with these 5 and I hope that your under- 

 taking will tend to the encouragement of a fondness for natural 

 history. 



Bath, \Qth Feb., 1833.* 



SIR WILLIAM JARDINE, ON HUMMING BIRDS |. 



The Count de Buffon, whom it is the fashion among certain closet 

 classifiers to try to ridicule because his brilliant sun-light outshines 

 their farthing candles, has given an eloquent sketch of the character 



* Any other communication from Ruricola will be highly acceptable. — Editor. 



f The Naturalist's Library. Ornithology. Vol. I. Humming Birds. By Sir 

 William Jardine, Bart., F.R.S. & E. F.L.S., &c. 12mo, pp 147. 35 coloured plates,' 

 and portrait. Lizars, and Stirling & Kenney, Edinburgh. 1833. 



