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which they visit. The jelly-like substance 
which is sometimes met with in the fields, 
and known by the name of star-shot, is 
proved to be the remains of half digested 
worms, &c» which they have discharged 
from their over-loaded stomachs. 
Both sexes of this genus are alike in 
plumage. 
Notwithstanding we have examined most 
of the authors (belonging to this country) 
who have written on Ornithology, and have 
likewise had an opportunity of examining 
some of the finest collections (both private 
and public) of British birds, yet we cannot 
enter into the description of the species 
without feeling a considerable degree of 
diffidence. When we see so many authors 
of the greatest respectability, and with 
talents far beyond what we can lay claim 
to, differing so widely from each other 
when describing the same bird, we feel 
conscious that it is scarcely possible for us 
to succeed, and trust to the liberality of 
the Ornithologist to forgive any uncon- 
scious mistake we may enter into. We will 
