218 



CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 



They first attracted my attention, as they flew from tree to tree, 

 pursued by sparrows, who seemed to deem them intruders on their 

 long-possessed domain. In your edition of Montagu's Dictionary, it is 

 stated that the natural notes of this bird are a shrill whistle, and a 

 chattering noise. The latter remark appears correct, but I do not 

 concur in the expression shrill whistle. I would rather say, a melancholy 

 or plaintive whistle. In the same work, it is said, in confinement it 

 is very docile, and is taught to imitate the human voice, and to whistle 

 tunes. But it has great natural powers of imitation, according to 

 Mr. Lowe, in his work on the Orkneys. ei I have," says that author, 

 " often been much diverted to hear a couple of cock stares, perched 

 upon two opposite chimneys, trying to excel one another in imitating 

 all the noises below — the crowing of cocks, cackle of hens, barking of 

 dogs, mewing of cats, particular notes of different wild birds ; all this 

 intermixed with its own natural harsh discordant squeak." 



Mr. Knapp terms their call " a fine clear note, that in particular 

 states of the air may be heard at a considerable distance." I presume 

 these naturalists are speaking of different notes ; though Knapp after- 

 wards speaks of their chattering " in a low song-like note" 



These and such like discrepancies involve the subject of natural 

 history in much difficulty. If you think any part of this letter fit to be 

 published, you will probably, in a note, clear up the ambiguity. 



Yours, &c. J. B. (b v. b. v.) 



On cats. — As you have occasionally given us some observations on 

 the domestic cat, and as you solicit even the slightest information 

 upon any thing relating to Natural History, I am induced to trouble 

 you with the following particulars as to a cat of the large black and 

 white kind now in my possession, which, though (I believe) more than 

 twelve years of age, is in good condition and as lively and playful as a 

 kitten. 



My object principally is, to correct two errors which some natu- 

 ralists have fallen into ; namely, that the cat seldom or never lives 

 beyond the age of ten years, and that it is always attached to the 

 house and not to the person of its owner. 



Being at lodgings in London in 1824 and 1825, the cat above allu- 

 ded to, which then belonged to the people of the house, attached itself 

 in a particular manner to my wife and me, so much so that it was 

 never contented but in our apartments ; and when we happened to be 

 absent for a short time, it was quite disconsolate, though, till this feel- 



