C. Troile, Guillemot, s.p, c* Alca árctica, Puffin, s.p, c. Pica, Black-billed auk, c†` much smaller numbers than glaciàlis, compared with I'mmer, is, that both stellatus and septentrionalis leave this country much earlier than the others, and consequently before the period when, like stellàtus, I'mmer would have assumed the plumage of maturity. Like I'mmer, they also vary much in size, which has induced Bewick to mention three varieties of the speckled diver. One which I sent to the Dublin Royal Society, corresponding with his second variety, is several inches shorter than two in my collection. * The valuable testimony of Edmonstone, who has so thoroughly investigated the subject, renders it almost unnecessary for future ornithologists to say much more to establish the identity of Colýmbus Troile and minor, and of A'lca Tórda and Pìca; yet, as Montagu (whose opinion the British naturalist ought so justly to respect) has so ingeniously supported the opposite opinion, and as I have had particularly good opportunities of observing these birds, I am unwilling to neglect adding my testimony to that of Edmonstone and Temminck. By the unprejudiced enquirer, the evidence of experience, in subjects of this nature, will always be preferred to the most elaborate reasoning of the scientific; for it is by this test alone that the value and correctness of their conclusion can ultimately be estimated, and it is to it they must ultimately themselves have recourse. The principal ground on which Montagu forms his opinion of their being distinct is, the inferior size of the body and bill of C. mìnor; which circumstance universally prevailing, if he succeeded in proving the maturity of the bird, would undoubtedly have warranted the conclusion he has drawn. As he however fails, I think, in doing so; and as we find, in almost all instances, though often not very apparent, that young birds are inferior in both these respects to the parent bird; and as in spring (precisely at that period when the young bird would in these respects have attained nearly to the perfection of the old one) I have met with minor having the bill as long though not quite so hard, with the same indentures in it, and the body as large as any foolish guillemot I ever saw, of which, soon afterwards, there are immense numbers all along this coast; I think it will be admitted as strong proof against the views of those who maintain the opinions of Montagu, who would, I am sure, have, on more extended examination, admitted the incorrectness of his first opinions on this subject. The same reasons have led me to a similar conclusion respecting Alca Tórda and Pìca. I have been enabled, by procuring many speci mens of the latter, at different periods during winter and the early part of spring, to trace uninterruptedly the change from the immature plumage of Pica to the perfect garb of Tórda; and in one specimen of the former, killed late in spring, the bill was nearly as large as in the latter, and much larger than in those killed previously to it in winter: the white stroke from the eye to the bill, and the white line on the upper mandible, were also pretty distinctly marked. These periodical distinctions I have always found coincident with the advance of the season. ART. IV. Hints for Improvements. CONVENTIONAL Signs, to express Objects in Geology and Physical Geography. — Sir, Physical geography and geology having become popular sciences, the slightest hints which tend to their progress will, I am persuaded, find ready admission into your journal. Half a century since, such a thing as a physical map of a country was almost unknown; zigzag lines, traced without any regard to accuracy, designated the course of rivers, and a number of well-formed mole-hills were intended to represent mountains; "the big Hill of Howth" proudly vying in importance with Chimborazo. Something has been done towards the correction of such incongruities, but much remains to be done; and in this respect we are much behind our neighbours the French and Germans. This principally arises from the want of conventional signs: but if this be to be regretted in physical geography, it is still more so in geology. It will be said, that we have excellent geological maps. True: the greatest praise is due to Messrs. Smith and Greenough; but they are obliged to call in the aid of colours to designate the different formations: however, here the end is attained, and if not in the best manner, yet so as to afford the requisite instruction. Our artists, like so many Doctors Syntax, scour the "wide world" in search of the picturesque. A fine mountain is a fortune to them; it makes such a pretty picture! and, after it has passed through the hands of a Heath or a Finden, becomes an elegant ornament to a book but I would ask, like the mathematician at the theatre, what does that prove? Why, that the scenery is very beautiful, and very romantic: the eye is delighted, but the mind is not instructed or improved; and this, too, for the want of conventional signs. Now, Sir, I submit whether this be not a subject worthy the consideration of the Geological Society. In heraldry we have lines and dots, which perfectly designate the colours to be blazoned on a shield: why should we not employ a similar method to designate the different formations? These signs, fixed and authorised by the Geological Society, would soon become generally adopted. Our travellers would soon learn them by heart, and fix them in their memories. Any of the popular treatises on geology would enable them to ascribe to the landscape, especially mountain scenery, its true character. They would embody it in their sketches, and thus aid, without trouble or difficulty, the progress of geological science. The artist, thus viewing his landscape with the eye of science, will find new charms in his pencil; and, instead of contenting himself with a distant prospect, he will approach his object, study its geological structure; and, instead of bringing home a series of merely pretty views, he will have to offer a valuable tribute to science. Almost every science has its signs; and I trust that Messrs. Murchison, Buckland, De la Beche, Sedgwick, Lyell, Greenough, Conybeare, &c., will feel that geology, which ranks in importance with the highest, ought no longer to be without them.-J. Byerley. London, April 29. 1832. ART. V. Retrospective Criticism. FACTS and Observations in Natural History, communicated by Mr. Sells, the publication of which, in this Number, was promised in p. 470. of the last, must stand over until the next Number.-J. D. On Birds oiling their Plumage. — Sir, In answer to Mr. Waterton, “ On birds using oil from glands, for the purpose of lubricating the surface of their plumage," and particularly with regard to the following paragraph (p. 414.), I send you some remarks on a tame dove :-"Suppose, for sake of argument, that the bird does actually employ oil from the gland to lubricate the plumage (which, by the by, I flatly deny), how is the head and part of the neck to be so supplied with oil? Why, the truth is, they never can be supplied; and if you examine, with the nicest scrutiny, the feathers of the body which come within the range of the bill, and the feathers of the head, which are out of the range of the bill, and then compare them, you will not observe the smallest difference in their downy appearance: proof positive that the plumage of the body has not been lubricated with oil from the gland."- No proof at all. Last summer, I brought up, by hand, a turtle dove, which I accustomed to fly about my room, till within this last month, at all times, except at night. Invariably, when I had it sitting on my hand, it would begin pluming itself (particularly while in moult, which it was for about four months), and, at such times, it was curious to see it apply its bill to the gland or nipple just above its tail, and, by pinching it, procure something (though I could never discover what); on withdrawing its bill, it always stretched out its neck, and twisted its head about in the strangest manner, with its eyes shut, and the bill opening and shutting, as if the act of chewing something which put it in pain, but which, I always considered, was for the purpose of spreading, or allowing the substance procured to circulate to all parts of the bill this operation lasted about twelve seconds, and then it immediately applied it, very quickly, to only three or four different parts of its plumage at a time, and, at its pleasure, easily enough, all over its head and neck, by rubbing them on such parts as were within a convenient distance (for who ever saw a bird, particularly a duck, wash itself, without observing it rub its head and neck on its back, or the shoulders of its wings?): this I have seen it do at least ten times in as many minutes, on my hand; but confess I could never detect what it was it procured from the gland for the purpose of spreading over its plumage, though I could distinctly see it pinch the nipple, as it would allow me to remove the feathers while in the act. Yours, &c.-H. Henslow, St. Albans, June 14. 1832. Stormy Petrels taken in the Interior of the Island. -- Sir, I have before now heard the remark made, that if one were to enumerate all the birds to be met with in any district, or even parish, it would be quite surprising to see how full and extensive a catalogue might by this means be supplied; especially if the district selected for the purpose, in the first instance, be one favourable for ornithology, and all those species included in the number which are only occasional or merely accidental visiters. Who would have looked to find the stormy petrel in Warwickshire, the most central portion of the island? Yet so it is: one of your correspondents records the fact of two of these birds having been taken in or near the town of Birmingham (see p. 283.). Nor are these the only instances of the kind that have occurred. A friend of mine, who resides at Coventry, has in his possession a specimen of the stormy petrel, which was caught in the streets of that city on the 2d of November, 1820, after some very tempestuous weather. The bird was first observed flying up Bishop Street, about 7 ft. or 8 ft. from the ground, apparently much exhausted. It had attracted the notice of several persons, and was eventually captured by my friend's assistant clerk, who knocked it down in the street with his hat. Another specimen of this bird, I am informed, was likewise taken in Coventry, some time between the spring of 1825 and 1827: the exact date I have been unable to ascertain. This latter specimen was killed in Much Park Street, by a waggoner, with his whip; and is, I believe, now in the collection in Sir Eardley Wilmot. Mr. Warner, to whom I am indebted for the above particulars, has just forwarded to me the following communication relative to other and more recent captures of the species in this vicinity:-" May 21. 1832. I have this morning seen two more specimens of the stormy petrel: one of them was shot on the 20th or 21st of December last, while sitting by the side of a pit at Stivichall (about a mile from Coventry): it is a very fine specimen. The other was found dead, by the side of the canal, some time during last winter." From the above instances, it would appear that it is by no means so unusual a circumstance as one might have supposed, for the stormy petrel to be driven far in shore by violent gales; and to be met with, in an exhausted state, in the interior parts of the country. I may here mention, as an additional instance of superstitions connected with natural history (see p. 209.), that it is, as I am informed, accounted ill luck by the sailors to kill a stormy petrel, or (as they call the bird) "Mother Carey's chicken." But on this subject of superstitions I may, perhaps, add a remark or two on a future occasion. I am, Sir, yours, &c. -W. T. Bree. Allesley Rectory, May 23. 1832. Wilson has some most sensible remarks on the ominousness and hatred which sailors attach to the stormy petrel, as appears by the interesting article which Professor Rennie presents of this bird, under the name of "petrel," in his edition of Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary. — J. D. Inland Specimens of the Forked-tail Petrel. (p. 282, 283. 380.) - It is very remarkable that so rare a bird as the forked-tail petrel (Procellària Bullock of Fleming, whose name I prefer to "Leách," for the reason stated by himself) should have been so extensively diffused over the country as it has been this year. In addition to those mentioned as being found in Oxfordshire (p. 282.), in Worcestershire (p. 380.), in Herefordshire (p. 283.), and in Warwickshire (p. 283.), I have been informed that a number have been obtained in the neighbourhood of the metropolis. Besides these, four have been picked up dead in the vicinity of York, one or two near Hull, one at Thirsk, and three or four near Halifax.Thomas Allis. York, 8th of the 5th month (May), 1832. Grey Phalarope. (p. 282, 283. 379.) I have this year obtained a most beautiful specimen of the grey phalarope, which was taken up dead in a ditch near this city [York). Id. The British Species of Petrel. Sir, At p. 282, 283, mention is made of the forked-tail petrel, and the reader is referred to Dr. Latham's General Synopsis of Birds; thereby making it appear that the author was unacquainted with the discriminations which have taken place, within these few years, on that subject, as well as on many others. I beg leave, therefore, to inform you, that, had the doctor's late work on ornithology been consulted, it would have been found that the bird in question has been fully described under the name of Leach's petrel; and that the several birds formerly known by the name of stormy petrels are now found to consist of three distinct species, and are so described in the General History of Birds », viz. stormy petrel (vol. x. p. 289.), long-legged petrel (vol. x. p. 193.), and Leach's petrel (vol. x. p. 194.); all of which are British. There is also a fourth, which has been confounded with the others, and which is figured in the American Ornithology, vol. vii. pl. 60. fig. 6. ; and this is probably the frigate petrel of the General Synopsis and History of Birds. As to the other forked-tail petrel, mentioned (p. 282.) as being 10 in. in length, this is probably the one so called both in the General Synopsis and History of Burd, p. 188., and is a totally different and larger species. It is, therefore, to be hoped that, before the inquisitive naturalist forms his opinion on any ornithological subject which may come under his observation, he will no longer consult the General Synopsis of Birds, published between forty and fifty years since, as he may meet with fuller information by looking into the General History of Birds of the same author, and which made its appear. ance little more than seven years ago. I am, Sir, yours, &c.— Aristophaar. April 9. 1832. A Wigeon's Nest in England. - Your correspondent J. C. tells us (p 344.) he found a wigeon's nest. This is the first time I have ever heard of a wigeon breeding in England. I hope he reared the young, which, be informs us, were hatched from the eggs he carried home. - Charles Waterton. Walton Hall, May 12. 1832. Habits of Incubation of the Carrion Crow (Córvus Coròne L.).— Sir, Observing (p. 142.) some remarks, by Mr. Waterton, on Professor Rennie's new edition of Montagu's Ornithological Dictionary, I resolved, during the present season, to ascertain, as far as practicable, the truth of the profes sor's assertion that the carrion crow does, on leaving its nest, cover the eggs with wool, rabbit's fur, and such like soft materials. Now, though I take Mr. Waterton to be a clever man in his way, yet I think that he treats Mr. Rennie very roughly and unceremoniously; and, instead of awarding him the merit due to his laborious and successful investigations through the mazes of natural history, he abuses him through thick and thin, and calls his plan of study (the most of which is very excellent)" a mere exhalation of his own brain," " a kind of will-o'-the-wisp, which will lead his pupils into the swamp of error." However, I will return to the crow. Wishing, as I have before said, to examine their nests; and, by ocular demonstration to convince myself either of the truth or incorrectness of Mr. Rennie's statement, I have, during the past six weeks, ascended, by means of "climbers," no less than four and twenty trees. Fifteen of these nests had eggs; and, out of them all, only one was in any way "covered." This was built in an elm covered from top to bottom with ivy; and the eggs in the nest were strewed with a few fresh-picked ivy leaves, which entirely concealed them: indeed, at first, I thought it had been constructed the year before; but, on removing the leaves, I discovered the eggs deeply embedded in soft moss and wool. Now, to account for this seems difficult; and, I must own, I know of no satisfactory explanation but that the bird, while sitting, might have pecked them off, so closely was she sur rounded with the leaves, though, perhaps, with no intentional purpose. But what, I think, deceived Mr. Rennie, at first a little deceived me: some of the nests have such deep beds of wool, moss, and cows' hair, that the eggs seemed quite lost; and might have given the professor his erroneous idea of their being covered with those substances," to keep them warm." It is well known that the long-tailed titmouse (Pàrus caudatus L.) lines * A General History of Birds, by John Latham, M.D. &c. &c.; in ten volumes 4to; 1821-1824. |