BRITISH BIRDS. 
t 
gin to expand their bloffoms ; they difperfe through 
the whole extent of our plains ; fome inhabit our 
gardens, others prefer the clumps and avenues 5 
fome conceal themfelves among the reeds, and ma- 
ny retire to the midlt of the woods.” But, not- 
withflanding their numbers, this genus is confeffed- 
ly the moll obfcure and indetermined in the whole 
of ornithology. We have taken much pains to 
gain a competent knowledge of the various kinds 
which vifit our illand, and have procured fpeci- 
mens of molt, if not all of them, but confefs that 
we have been much puzzled in reconciling their 
provincial names with the fynonima of the differ- 
ent authors who have noticed them. 
The following is defcribed by Latham as a va- 
riety of the Pettichaps, and agrees in raoft refpe£t$ 
with our fpecimen. We conceive it to be the 
fame as the Pafferinette of Buffon, allowing fome- 
what for difference of food, climate, &c. 
P 2 
