256 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 
cially, we should recommend the points of inquiry 
above alluded to. Let them read the pages of Wilson, 
now within the means of purchase of almost every 
one*, and in the same style, or at least with the same 
watchfulness and attention, and the same regard to the 
most minute and apparently trit:ial circumstances — let 
them become the biographers of the common birds 
around them ; — if they will do this, science will be 
more benefited than by hundreds of stuffed skins sent 
over without any information of the living animals 
which they once covered. The natural history of the 
shrike crows (to which belong the genera Barrita and 
Vanya') would form one of the most interesting papers 
imaginable ; for we feel persuaded they are truly 
Corvidee, with many of the habits of the shrikes. The 
history of the turkey vulture t, the menura, and even 
of the common parakeets, would possess both novelty 
and interest ; and the different groups of the honey- 
suckers (Meliphagidw) must each possess peculiar man- 
ners. We feel so much interest in the elucidation of 
these subjects, that we take this opportunity of offering 
our assistance to any naturalist who may be disposed to 
investigate them on the spot, and we would take care that 
his observations should be published in this country, 
‘‘ with all honours,” and elucidated by those scientific 
notes which require the use of a library and museum.J 
We can hardly expect that those who have so lately 
gone to the Swan lliver and other new districts, have 
yet become sufficiently settled for indulging in pursuits 
of this nature; but it may be as well to remind them 
that they are upon unexplored ground — that nearly 
every animal may probably be new to European natu- 
ralists, and that an early investigation, as leisure per- 
mits, will secure to them the honour of being the 
* The edition in Constable's Miscellany, in four small volumes, costs 
only 165. 
t See Field’s interesting volume, jV/c’OToirs 0 / 2 ^^ SouiA Wales. 
X Communications addressed to the publishers will be regularlv for- 
warded to the author. One or two specimens of each species should always 
accompany the descfiption of its manners, which is all that is necessary to 
be written. 
