2m 



ON ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMS, AND THE 



the sense here intended, we have no exact English synonym : but it is de- 

 signed to include various kinds and families, which, for the most part, 

 may be denominated small birds, and singing birds. They are charac- 

 terized by having the bill conic, and sharp- pointed ; and the nostrils 

 naked. To this order belong the alauda or lark kind; the columba, 

 pigeon, and dove kind ; the emberiza or bunting, including the yellow- 

 hammer ; the fringilla or finch, with all its numerous species of goldfinch, 

 greenfinch, thistlefinch, linnet, and sparrow ; the hirundo, including the 

 swift, swallow, and martin ; the loxia or grosbeak, including the bullfinch 

 and hawfinch, the only finches I am at present aware of, that do not be- 

 long to the fringilla genus : and the motacilla, a most interesting group, 

 as including the nightingale, whose song surpasses that of all the singing 

 birds of the grove ; and the redbreast, whose song is, indeed, less sono- 

 rous and striking, but who is so justly celebrated and beloved for his social 

 qualities ; together with all the amusing species and varieties of wrens 

 and wagtails. To the order of passeres appertain also the pipra or mana- 

 kin, someof which are peculiarly musical ; and the turd us, comprising 

 those sweet melodious choristers, the thrush, the throstle, and the black- 

 bird. 



Such is a brief and scanty survey of the interesting and instructive class 

 of birds : and thus in the elegant language of the poet of the Seasons, 



Innumerous songsters, in the fresh'ning shade 

 Of new-sprung leaves, their modulations mix 

 Mellifluous. The jay, the rook, the daw, . 

 And each harsh pipe, discordant heard alone, 

 Aid the full concert : while the stock-dove breathes 

 A melancholy murmur through the whole.'*' 



* Catalogue of singing birds, with the time of their beginning and ceasing to sing, from a 

 mean of live years' observation, with the numerical value of their notes, twenty being that 

 of absolute perfection. From an interesting article by Mr. John Blackwell, in Memoirs of 

 the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester. Second Series, vol. iv. 



Name. 



Begins, 



Ends. 



1 Mellow- 

 1 ness. 



Sprightli- 

 ness. 



Plaintive- 

 ness. 



Compass. 



Execution. 



Redbreast - - . . 



Jan. 



3 



Dec. 14 



9 



8 



12 



14 



14 





do. 



13 



do. 3 



1 



16 



0 



2 



5 



Missel Thrush - - - - 



Feb. 



1 



May 28 



3 



4 



1 



5 



3 



Throstle - - - - 



do. 



8 



Aug. 12 



3 



10 



2 



0 



4 



Skylark 



dt). 



9 



July 8 



4 



19 



4 



18 



18 



Hedge Warbler - - - 



do. 



9 



do. 19 



3 



4 



3 



4 



4 



Chaffinch - - - - 



do. 



10 



do. 7 



2 



14 



1 



4 



6 



Starling - - - - 



do. 



15 



May 30 



4 



2 



2 



4 



2 



Blackbird - 



Mar 



20 



July 13 



8 



1 



4 



5 



3 



Green Grosbeak - - - 



do. 



24 



Aug. 12 



5 



3 



5 



5 



5 





April 4 



July 9 



3 



2 



2 



2 



2 



Lesser Redpole - 



do. 



5 



Aug. 5 



1 



4 



0 



3 



3 



Woodlark . 



do. 





Oct. 5 



18 



2 



17 



8 



6 



Goldfinch - - - - 



do. 



11 



June — 



4 



16 



4 



10 



12 



Redstart - - - - - 



do. 



14 



do. 29 



1 



4 



0 



2 



2 



Willow Wren - - - 



do. 



14 



Aug. 23 



6 



4 



6 



5 



5 



Linnet . - - - » 



do. 



15 



July 6 



10 



15 



6 



12 



19 



Lesser Field Lark 



do. 



17 



do. 8 



8 



7 



5 



4 



5 



Swallow - - - - - 



do. 



19 



Sep. 25 



4 



6 



2 



3 



3 



Stonechat - 



do. 



24 



June — 



1 



3 



0 



3 



2 



Whinchat - 



do. 



25 



July 1 



1 



3 



0 



2 



2 



Blackcap - - - - 



do. 



25 



do. 22 



14 



19 



12 



10 



8 



Whitethroat - - - - 



do. 



29 



do. 16 



1 



4 



0 



3 



3 



Pattychaps - - - - 



May 



12 



do. 11 



14 



6 



14 



10 



9 

 14 



Sedge Warbler - 



do. 



17 



do. 16 



2 



16 



0 



18 



