76 
SIR THOMAS BROWNE AS A NATURALIST. 
that “the air so entereth the lungs, that by its nitrous spirit it 
doth affect the heart and several ways qualify the blood,” going on 
with reasons against air being a source of nutrition to any animal. 
This curious belief in a nitrous spirit in the air is interesting, 
though its action on the blood in the way described is directly 
opposed to our notions of the action of respiration. 
Of great interest to Norfolk Naturalists is Browne’s “ Account 
of Birds found in Norfolk.” The earliest list of British Birds 
we possess is that in Merrett’s ‘ Pinax Berum Naturalium 
Britannicarum,’ printed in London in 1666. It is little more than 
a bare catalogue and, as indicated by the remarks at the commence- 
ment of the first communication, it is evident that the “Account 
of the Birds found in Norfolk ” was sent at Merrett’s request, with 
a view to supplying information for a second edition of that work. 
In the following list of animals, I have thought it sufficient 
to give the common name only, when there seemed to be no doubt 
in the case ; but in other cases, to ensure certainty, I have quoted 
the modern scientific name, according to the authorities quoted 
at the end of the paper. I have used Yol. III. of Wilkin’s [Bohn’s] 
Edition in 3 vols. of Browne’s Works, commencing with p. 311, 
and have, in nearly all cases, taken the names in the order in 
which they occur, to facilitate comparison. In exceptional cases, 
I have introduced quotations from the letters to Dr. Merrett. 
Mr. Southwell, who has lately copied the original MSS. at the 
British Museum, has kindly assisted me in cases where the reading 
seemed doubtful. 
Birds. 
The account consists of a list, with a few notes, of over eighty- 
five species of birds. On examining the list, we find the following 
common birds mentioned : 
Teal. 
Coot. 
Moor-hen. 
Water-rail. 
Lapwing. 
Cuckoo. Of which, he supposed, there were two sorts, probably 
owing to differences in age. 
