48 



ON PROCURING SPECIMENS OF THE 



minutely studied: the characteristic attitudes of the siskin ( Carduelis 

 spinus} are not to be learned by studying those of a B goldfinch (C. 

 elegans) ; nor can a knowledge of the natural positions of the chiffchaff 

 {Sylvia loquax) be obtained by observing those of a wood-wren {S. 

 sibilatiHx) ; again, many of the most common attitudes of the babillard 

 {Ficedula garruld) would be altogether unnatural in either the white- 

 throat {F. cinerea) or in the blackcap (F. atricapilla). 



It is now quite time, however, that I proceed to the immediate object 

 of this paper j which is to point out the different periods of the year 

 in which specimens of the various British land birds should be obtained 

 for stuffing. To commence with the predacious species {Accipiires, 

 Linn.) These vary exceedingly in their plumage ; but as their tints 

 are in no case affected by change of season, and as the species are for 

 the most part rare, and difficult to obtain, it would be useless to say 

 much upon them. To illustrate the Accipitres well, at least three 

 specimens of every species should, if practicable, be preserved, repre- 

 senting the adult male, the adult female, and the young in its first or 

 nestling plumage. As they do not much injure their feathers, they 

 are generally in a fit state for stuffing, excepting, of course, during the 

 autumnal moult ; though even then it is often interesting to represent 

 them when in a state of change. Many species, as the common buzzard, 

 (Bateo vulgaris,*) and the marsh harrier, {Circus rufus,) exhibit much 

 individual variety, and such cannot be well illustrated without a 

 number of specimens. The common barn owl {Aluco vulgaris) also 

 varies very much in colour and in markings. I have lately examined a 

 considerable number of these birds, and have hardly found two of them 

 alike. They differ very much in the number and disposition of the 

 black bars on the wings and tail ; in one very beautiful specimen,, 

 which was lately shot in this neighbourhood, these bars were altogether 

 wanting. In this species, contrary to what is usual among birds of 

 prey, the two sexes are about equal in size ; the male may generally 

 be distinguished by the greater quantity of ash-colour on the upper 

 parts, and by the under parts being of a buff-colour, more or less 

 studded with black spots : in the female, the under parts are often 

 pure white, without a spot, and in some specimens there is hardly any 

 appearance of ash-colour on the back; but both male and female 

 present every intermediate shade, and many specimens occur in which 

 the sex can only be ascertained by dissection. 



In some species of birds of prey, the sexual difference of size is so 

 considerable, even among the nestlings before they can fly, that it 



