CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 



331 



in every part of the kingdom. It is by this means alone that the differ- 

 ent internal migrations of birds from one part of one country to another 

 can be observed, commented, on, and accounted for. The present age, 

 however, as all enthusiastic naturalists must see with delight (and who 

 can be a good naturalist who is not enthusiastic in his pursuits?) ; the 

 present age is particularly favourable to the advancement both of this 

 and every other study. Societies have been formed, and communica- 

 tions have been established, the end of which will naturally be, the 

 propagation of, and increased attention to, the delightful study of 

 natural science. There was, a short time since, one circumstance which 

 retarded every one's endeavours, and which restrained almost every one 

 from the study I am now advocating What I refer to was the ex- 

 tensive use of books rather than field study, and the fast increasing 

 quackery of systems and forms. This is fast becoming obsolete, and 

 natural history will no longer hide its " nitidum caput obscura fer- 

 rugine," and " impii gentes " will no longer dread (r - obscuram noctem." 

 It is time, however, that I should begin to lay before you my few 

 observations, in order to do which this communication was attempted. 

 To commence, then, with some remarks on the nest of the long-tailed 

 titmouse (Parus caudatus), which this part of Devonshire is so abun- 

 dant in. On reading, a short time since, a work which decidedly is 

 very excellently written, both with regard to style and matter, " Mu- 

 die's British Naturalist," I found the following description of this 

 elegant little bird, and still more elegant nest. " This species is con- 

 fined to England ; it is of the same weight as the cole -mouse, but has 

 the tail about an inch longer. It is a very pretty little bird, having a 

 sort of rosy tint over the greater part of it. The throat, cheeks, fore- 

 head, and crown, all white, with which the secondaries of the wings, 

 and the outside feathers of the tail are edged ; a band of black runs 

 backward above each eye to the nape, from their junction at which a 

 black mesial line extends along the whole of the back ; and the quills 

 of the wings and middle feathers of the tail are also black ; the re- 

 mainder of the upper part is rose colour, and the under part grey, with 

 a shade of the same. The nest is found in a thick tree or bush ; and, 

 where the locality suits, an evergreen is preferred. It is constructed 

 with great neatness and care, made soft by abundance of feathers, 

 closed over, and formed with two openings, so that the bird neither 

 needs to turn in the nest, nor is in any way incommoded by its long 

 tail, which projects from one opening of the structure. As is the case 

 with all the other species, the eggs are numerous. In the pairing season 

 this titmouse has a kind of cry, but it is simple and faint." Now this 



