WARBLERS (MOTACILLA.)

THIS genus is more numerous than any other of birds. Dr. Latham, in his excellent work, "The general Synopsis of Birds," describes one hundred and ninetyeight species. The major part of them inhabit the warmer countries, where insects, their proper food, abound. They are in general not remarkable for gaiety of plumage, but their melody amply compensates for their deficiency in that respect.

The Nightingale. (Motacilla Luscina.) Though common in this country, never visits the northern parts of our island, and is seldom seen but in the neighbourhood of London and the western counties. The following description of the varied song of this unrivalled bird, is taken from the ingenious author of the Histoire des Oiseaux ::-"The leader of the vernal chorus begins with a low and timid voice, and he prepares for the hymn to nature by essaying his powers and attuning his organs; by degrees the sound opens and swells, it bursts with loud and vivid flashes, it flows with smooth volubility, it faints and murmurs, it shakes with rapid and violent articulations; the soft breathings of love and joy are poured from its inmost soul, and every heart beats in unison and melts with delicious languor. But this continued richness might satiate the ear; the strains are at times relieved by pauses, which bestow dignity and elevation. The mild silence of evening heightens the general effect, and not a rival interrupts the solemn scene." They begin to build in May.

MANAKIN (PIPRA.)

TITMICE (PARUS.)

AND

SWALLOWS (Hirundo.)

THE Manakins, at first sight, resemble the next genus, or Titmice. They are mostly natives of South America, and are in general beautiful in their colours. The

most remarkable species is the Cock of the Rock, or Crested Manakin (Pipra Rupicola.) Though this bird is of an uniform orange colour, it is one of the most beautiful of South America. They are found in great numbers on the mountain Luca, near Oyapoc, and on the mountain Courouaye, near the river Aprouack. They are esteemed for the sake of their plumage, and are very scarce and dear; because the savages, either from superstition or fear, will not venture into the dark caverns where they lodge.

The Titmice are a very active and fertile race, laying from eighteen to twenty eggs at one hatch.

They feed on fruit, seeds, and insects, and a few on flesh; most of them are fond of the brains of other birds, which they get at by cleaving the skull of such as they find dead. Several are natives of Britain, and are an extremely entertaining bird in captivity, but are dangerous to introduce into an aviary, on account of their cruelty and boldness.

The natural history of the Swallow is extremely interesting, and has been the cause of much controversy among authors; but we are still in much doubt respecting their manners and habits. A few species visit this country in the summer, and skim over moist and wet places in search of insects, which they dexterously take on the wing.

GOATSUCKERS (CAPRIMULGUS.)

THE birds of this family (the last in the Linnæan arrangement) have their mouths of extraordinary size, opening far beyond the eyes, which enable them to take large insects on the wing. They seldom appear in the day-time, except when disturbed, or in dark cloudy weather. They lay two eggs, which they deposit on the naked ground. The voice of the European one resembles the noise made by a large spinning wheel.

Among a number of these birds, is that highly curious species The Sierre Leone Goatsucker. (Caprimulgus Longipennis.) Presented by A. Haworth, Esq. of Chelsea.

BIRDS IN SEPARATE CASES, NUMBERED, EACH HAVING A REFERENCE TO THE PAGE IN THIS CATALOGUE, IN

WHICH THEY ARE DESCRIBED.

Northern Divers. (Colymbus Glacialis.) Male and Female. The largest of the Divers measures three feet and a half in length. It is sometimes shot on our

coast.

Horned Screamer. (Palamedea Cornuta.) This extraordinary bird is of the size of a large turkey from the front of the head rises a sharp horn, about four inches long, and each joint of the wings is furnished with an extremely strong, triangular and very sharp spur; those on the shoulder being nearly as large as a man's finger: they inhabit the fens of South America, and are always found in pairs, feeding on seeds and reptiles. The female makes a nest on the ground, of mud, shaped like an oven, and lays two eggs.

Barbary Partridges. (Tetrao Rufus.) Male and female. Beautifully preserved, and placed under a glass shade; presented by her Majesty.

AMPHIBIOUS ANIMALS.

"Were ev'ry falt'ring tongue of man,
ALMIGHTY FATHER! silent in thy praise,

Thy works themselves would raise a general voice
Even in the depth of solitary woods,

By human foot untrod, proclaim thy power."

MILTON.

TORTOISE (TESTUDA.)

Common Tortoise. (Testudo Græca.) This animal is considered as the most common of the European species, and is a native of almost all the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea. It lives to a most extraordinary age, instances being adduced of its having considerably exceeded the period of a

century.

Geometrical Tortoise. (T. Geometrica.) From its strong and well-contrasted colours, and regularity of pattern, the present species is more readily distinguishable at first view than most others of this perplexing tribe. The native country of this beautiful tortoise is perhaps not truly known; though the shell is more frequently seen in Europe than that of any other kind.

Close Tortoise. (T. Clausa.) The Close Tortoise obtains its name from the unusual manner in which the under part of the shell is applied to the upper, being continued in such a manner round the margin, that when the animal withdraws its head and legs, it is enabled accurately to close all parts of the shell entirely together, so as to be in a complete state of security; and so strong is the defence (says Shaw, in his Zoology) of this little annimal, that it is not only uninjured by having a weight of 5 or 600lbs. laid upon it, but can walk in its usual manner beneath the load. It is a