own, return to us again, when the snow covers our mountains and valleys. Thus the Swallow forsakes us in October, and the Wildfowl visits us and again, in the spring, the Swallow returns, and the Wild-fowl hastens away to its colder regions.

If one may make a comparison, the feathered tribes seem the most beautiful part of all animated nature; and this comparison is heightened when, as in the case of the cardinal grosbeak and red birds, song and plumage are combined in one. The song of this kind is so full and melodious, that in America it is called "the Virginian Nightingale."

But I cannot spare more time for general description; but at once hasten to look at this wonderful family, consisting of more than 6,000 known species.*

Linnæus, in a beautiful and concise description, thus speaks of the feathered tribes:-"This beautiful and cheerful portion of created nature, consists of animals having a body covered with down and feathers -jaws protracted and naked-two wings formed for flight-and two feet. Birds are aerial, vocal, swift, and light. They are destitute of external ears, lips, teeth, bladder, epiglottis, and of a diaphragm."

Linnæus divided the bird family into six orders; and took his general characters from their bill, tongue, nostrils, caruncles, and other naked parts. To these, another Naturalist (Dr. Latham) has added three more orders; and we will thankfully take part of his

• Buffon, in his day, spoke of 800 that he knew; and supposed there might be 1,000 or 1,300 more unknown.

arrangement, and though I cannot promise to mention all the birds comprised in the several orders, yet I hope to avoid omitting any of consequence.

THE EIGHT ORDERS OF BIRDS.

1. Accipitres.-2. Picæ.-3. Anseres.-4. Gralla.-5. Gallina.-6. Struthiones.7. Passeres.-8. Columbæ.

FIRST ORDER, ACCIPITRES.-FOUR GENERA.-MANY SPECIES.

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The word Accipitres, is the Latin for Hawks. It comprehends: 1. the Vulture; 2. the Eagle; 3. the Owl; 4. the Shrike. This warlike family are all carnivorous, and are well termed "BIRDS of PREY;" for, as the Scripture says, where the slain are, there are they. They are distinguished by beaks hooked, strong, and notched; legs thick and muscular; toes strong and grasping; talons long and sharp. Then, again, their bodies are of amazing strength, and their flight darting and swift. The eye is dark and full of power.

GENUS VULTURE. This genus comprises the Condor and Vulture. The Condor. This is the largest of all the birds of the heaven, and the most formidable. Some naturalists say, that its wings are eighteen feet in width. The Condor carries off a small deer in its talons. It is a native of South America. The colour of the Condor is brown. The wing feathers are enormous-some two feet in length, and the quill half an inch in circumference.

The King of the Vultures. Vultures in general are found in the four quarters of the globe; but are entire strangers in our part of Europe. They are distinguished from the Eagles by their heads and necks being naked of feathers, only covered with a fine down. The King Vulture is found in America, and is as large as a Turkey Cock. A scarlet skin surrounds the eyes, and the irides have the colour and lustre of pearls. The whole of this family are most voracious; they follow the armies of battle, and dart upon the slain, (See Rev. xix. 17; Isaiah xxxiv. 15.)

What the Lion is among with the birds of the air. Linnæus has distinguished

SECOND GENUS.-FALCO.-The Eagle. the beast of the forest, such is the Eagle He is emphatically the king of the birds. several species of this family; such as the Golden Eagle, the Common Eagle, the Sea Eagle; and we will just consider these a little separately.

The Golden Eagle. This is the noblest of this noble family, the expansion of its wings being seven feet, and its length three feet from its beak to its tail. The body is a dark brown, beautifully shaded. This species is found in Ireland (you remember Lugnaquilla,* in the glen of Imale) and Wales. The Eagle is frequently referred to in the word of God; and some of the illustrations drawn from it I will mention in my next letter.

The Common Eagle. This species is found in the northern parts of

In Irish "the Eagle's wing." The elevation of Lugnaquilla is 3,700 feet.

England and Scotland. They seldom come into the low countries, for they love the mountain. The flight of the Eagle is supposed to be higher than that of any other bird, and its vision more acute. The sense of smell, in the whole of this order, is very delicate.

The Sea Eagle. This bird lives near the sea, and is the deadly enemy of fish that swim near the surface, on which it darts (like the gannet) with the swiftness of lightning.

The Falcon. Next in importance to the Eagle, is the Falcon, of which there are several species; as the Ger-Falcon, the Peregrine Falcon, &c. Falconry, some centuries ago, was in general use among the nobility, as I have before mentioned; and the tameness and obedience of these birds was wonderful; for though they were FREEabsolutely free when loosed—yet having captured the prize for which they were sent, they returned with it to their owners.

The Ger-Falcon. This is the largest of this family; the beak is yellow and much hooked, the throat white, the plumage of the back brown. It is found in the northern districts of Scotland.

The Peregrine Falcon is found in Scotland and Wales. It is much like the Ger-Falcon.

The Buzzard. This bird is well known in our woods. inactive bird, remaining often on the same perch all day. four or five feet from wing to wing.

It is a lazy,

It is about

The Kite. The forked tail distinguishes this active bird, which seems ever on the wing. It is rather larger than the Buzzard. Lord

Bacon used to say, that when the Kite flew high, the weather would be fine; but perhaps this is in general true of the flight of all birds. The Goshawk. This is rather larger than the buzzard; but it is far more active, and darts on its prey with exceeding impetuosity.

The Sparrow Hawk. This, though small, is indeed a bird of prey ; and its screech in the woods fills one with very different emotions from the plaintive cooing of the dove, or song of the nightingale. This bird was in high estimation among the Egyptians; and their god Osiris was worshipped under this emblem.

THIRD GENUS.-STRIX.-The Owl. This genus is confined to the varied family which gives it its name; they are all birds of night. The farmer loves to see their white wings skim his fields in the twilight therefore the Owl is not to be despised, but looked upon as the farmer's friend. There are twelve species of this family.

The Eagle Owl. This bird almost equals the Eagle in size. The head and whole body are beautifully varied with lines and spots, black and brown. The wings are long, and tail short. This principal species is found only in mountainous districts. He scorns mice, or such little prey, and feeds on hares and other game.

The Horned Owl. This is a very odd and singular branch of the family. Its horns, which distinguish it from all others, it raises or depresses at pleasure. They consist of six feathers in each horn, about an inch in height, yellow and black. The horned owl is found. in Wales, Cheshire, and the north of England.