168 
many districts, almost rarities, for miles and miles may be often passed without 
seeing one. The lesser birds are, also, in like manner, comparatively scarce ; 
Sparrows, which, whether in London streets or our rural lanes, meet us at every 
step, are by no means plentiful on the other side the water; but in many parts, and I 
may instance Baden and environs in particular, Chaffinches appear not only to oc¬ 
cupy their place, but assume their bold character. For one Sparrow I have counted 
twenty or more Chaffinches ; and those who, like myself, may have preferred break¬ 
fasting under the shady trees in the beautiful grounds adjacent to the castle at 
Heidelberg to the common room of the hotels in the town below, will bear me 
out in testifying to the boldness of the Motet cilia coelebs. I have seen them re¬ 
peatedly not only contend with each other for the crumbs within a yard of my feet, 
but even perch on the table and carry off the pieces of bread I placed within their 
reach. 
Before finally dismissing the subject of birds, I cannot help referring to the 
admirable collection in the museums at Leyden and Bonn—but more especially 
the former—both excellent in all respects. I must, however, confine myself to 
the case in point, and refer to the unrivalled collection of ornithological skeletons, 
set up and prepared in the most perfect manner; and I am induced to allude to it 
more particularly, with a hope that this highly important branch of Natural His¬ 
tory may be more attended to in our own museums. The comparative anatomy of 
birds is in itself a subject of the highest interest on every account, and is entitled, 
I should venture, with all deference, to assert, to at least as much, if not more, 
attention than the outward form and garb ; and yet in our own country there is 
scarcely a museum where the slightest is paid. Probably the difficulty of preparing 
skeletons may have acted as an obstacle. I am perfectly aware of the nicety re¬ 
quired and the disappointments that too frequently ensue ; and perhaps, Mr. Editor, 
I cannot do better than to entreat you to call upon your friends and readers, who 
are competent to the task, to afford, through the medium of the pages of The 
Naturalist , the best modes of making these preparations. What an invaluable 
addition would it be to our practical knowledge, if chemistry could point out any 
corrosive substance which would rapidly decompose the flesh without destroying 
the ligatures by which the bones are held together ! 
[To be continued .] 
