THE 
EDINBURGH JOURNAL 
OF 
NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE. 
JANUARY 1830. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
ART. I. Observations on a Collection of Birds lately received 
from Madeira, with the Description of some New Species from 
that Island. By Sir W. Jarpine, Barr. F.R.S.E. F.L.S. 
M.W.S. &c. &c. 
Tue zoology and natural history of Madeira is at present com- 
paratively little known, and the late political insurrections have 
rendered the endeavours of several individuals of little use. I be- 
lieve some foreign naturalists have, to a certain extent, explored 
the island, aud at present Mr. Lowe from this country is mak- 
ing researches with the view of illustrating its natural history. 
Independent of these, there are several resident scientific gentle- 
men, but few of their observations have yet reached us. Mr. 
Lowe has communicated some valuable plants, which have been 
partly published by Drs. Hooker and Greville, in their elegant 
Icones Filicum, and one species (Gymnogramma Lovet) is dedi- 
cated to that gentleman. Dr. Heineken has made some observa- 
tions on the birds and meteorology ; and Dr. Renton has been en- 
gaged in researches on the climate of the country. For the present 
collection I am indebted to the kindness and attention of my friend, 
W. T. Carruthers, Esq. of Dormont, who unhappily arrived at the 
very commencement of the late struggles, by which both the col- 
lection and the notes accompanying it were much curtailed. I am 
also indebted to the Rev. Mr. Bulwer for several specimens from 
the same island. Some species from both these collections I have 
been unable to make out in any of our modern publications, and 
have little doubt of their being yet undescribed ; while others be- 
ing birds of our own country, some our ee of passage, 
VOL. I. H 
