406 
RURAL HOURS. 
* Among the interesting birds of this part of the world, there 
are a number which, though not often seen in our State, are yet 
occasional visitors, or else resident here in very small numbers. The 
noble wild turkey, for instance, is still found in small parties in 
the wilds of SuUivan, Orange, and Rockland counties, and also 
farther westward, in Alleghany and Cattaraugus ; formerly it was 
known in large flocks from Mexico to Canada. 
The fine, peculiar, Pinnated Grouse, though rapidly disappear- 
ing, is still seen in very small parties in Orange county. 
The Mockino'-bird is found on Lonj^ Island and in Rockland 
county. This bird, indeed, is said. to range from 25° south of the 
equator, to 44 north. They are rare in our State, however, 
though a few arrive in the lower counties toward the last of 
May. 
The brilliant Cardinal Grosbeak, with his scarlet coat, breeds in 
our State, and is said to be found in a county adjoining our 
own. 
* We are none of us very knowing about the birds in this country, unless it be 
those scientific gentlemen who have devoted their attention especially to such 
subjects. The same remark applies in some measure to our native trees and 
plants ; to our butterflies and insects. But little attention has yet been given by 
our people generally, to these subjects. In Europe such is not the case .; many 
persons there, among the different classes of society, are familiar with these sim- 
ple matters. Had works of this kind been as common in America as they are in 
England, the volume now in the reader's hands would not have been printed, and 
many observations found in its pages would have been unnecessary. But 
such as it is, written by a learner only, the book is offered to those whose inter- 
est in rural subjects has been awakened, a sort of rustic primer, which may lead 
them, if they choose, to something higher. 
If it will not be considered an assumption of importance, in a volume of the chit- 
chat, common-place character of that now before the reader, the writer will ven- 
ture to express her thanks to Dr. T)e Kay and Mr. Downing, not only for their 
published works, but also for their kindness in directing her course on several oc- 
casions. 
