MODE OF DEECRIBING SPECIES. — PBEf EIIV.VIIO. 21'7 
placed our bird. Here, comparative characters, from a 
well known species, are of the greatest va^lue ; and her , 
every deviation, however slight, should be not . 
Then follows the description of the plumage, an , 
lastly, the measurements, which should be taken as 
follows : — 1. Total length, in inches and tenth parts. 
Specimens will always vary in this from the mode oi 
pLerving or mounting, and the greater /ess exte - 
sion of the skin. 2. The length of tX\e hill, fiom the 
angle of the mouth and from the front base. d. I he 
wbigs, from the tip of the longest quill to Je ^ 
joinl 4. The from the base of ^ 
how much it extends beyond the vvmgs 5. 1 he to - 
sw, from the meeting of the thigh and shin bone (oi 
the knee) to the upper base of the hmd toe o , f o 
expressed, to the sole of the foot. . le o > 
tively and relatively, the claws being included therein. 
The specific descriptions by Dr. Richardson may 
commended as models in this respect, and we may 
allowed to say, they are the best we have ever met with. 
CHAP. HI. 
ON COLLECTING, PBESEBVING, AND ABBANGINO BIBDS. 
(208.) A genebal introduction to ornithology would 
be incomplete if no notice was taken of t le mec , 
part of the subject; that is, of the methods by vhicli 
the birds themselves are to be procured, 
arranged. Tliose who study this science mw k “ , 
specimens, if they wish either to understand t lor ^ 
what has already been written upon it, or i 
to prosecute any line of original research. ^ 
suaded, therefore, that this chapter will conduce very 
B 4 
