HINTS TO ORNITHOLOGICAL COLLECTORS. 249 
of the most common birds of Brazil are those which are 
most seldom sent to Europe, and the same remark is 
probably applicable to the ornithology of other regions. 
The collector would do well to remember this, and com- 
mence at once upon the ordinary birds that abound in 
the vicinity of his dwelling. 
(210.) Neither are species to be passed over, because, 
in general aspect, they bear a resemblance either to those 
of Europe, or to others which have been previously 
collected. In regard to the first, the supposed identity 
is generally groundless, when the two specimens are 
placed together and compared. Not five land birds of 
temperate America are of the same species as those of 
Europe : and yet the wren, the gold crest, and the swal- 
low of both countries are so nearly alike, that their dif- 
ference can only be detected upon close comparison. It 
may be considered, therefore, as a rule admitting of but 
very few exceptions, that the land birds of one continent 
are specifically distinct from those of another, except, 
indeed, when the two regions join. Many of the birds, 
for instance, of Asia Minor and Turkey in Europe are 
the same. Yet, even in such cases, the collector should 
secure specimens ; for, besides the interest attaching to 
examples of the same species from different localities, the 
geographic branch of the science is much improved, and 
our knowledge extended by a better ac(|uaintance with 
the physical distribution of the different races. The 
redbreast of Britain is not found in India ; and yet in 
that country there is a bird of a different genus, so 
exactly resembling ours that the difference is entirely 
confined to the shape of the bill, and cannot therefore 
be detected, unless by a very close comparison. Let us 
warn the collector, also, against another delusion of this 
sort, which, without experience, he could not anticipate; 
it is that of not killing or preserving a bird because it 
seems a sUght variety, or perhaps even of the same spe- 
cies, as one that he has already. He will be chiefly in- 
fluenced in this by colour and general appearance ; for 
it is seldom that a travelhng ornithologist can have im- 
