buckie and the wilk, cannot be broken by such means, it employs another method, by which, in consequence of applying foreign power, it accomplishes its object. Seizing the shell with its claws, it mounts up into the air, and then loosing its hold, causes the shell to fall among stones, (in preference to the sand, the water, or the soil on the ground) that it may be broken, and give easier access to the contained animal. Should the first attempt fail, a second or a third is tried, with this difference, that the crow rises higher in the air, in order to increase the power of the fall, and more effectually remove the barrier to the contained morsel. On such occasions, we have seen a stronger bird remain an apparently inattentive spectator of the process of breaking the shell, but coming to the spot with astonishing keenness when the efforts of its neighbour had been successful, in order to share in the spoil. Pennant mentions similar operations performed by crows on mussels. - Fleming.

Why do birds congregate in hard weather? Because, as some kind of self-interest and self-defence is, no doubt, their motive, may it not arise from the helplessness of their state in such rigorous seasons; as men crowd together, when under great calamities, they know not why? Perhaps approximation may dispel some degree of cold; and a crowd may make each individual appear safer from the ravages of birds of prey and other dangers. - G. White. Why do long-billed birds grow fat in moderate frosts? Because of the gentle check which the cold throws upon insensible perspiration. The case is just the same with blackbirds, &c; and farmers and warreners observe, the first, that their hogs fat more kindly at such times; and the latter, that their rabbits are never in such good case as in a gentle frost. But when frosts are severe, and of long continuance, the case is soon altered; for then, a want of food soon overbalances the repletion occasioned by a

checked perspiration. I have observed, moreover, that some human constitutions are more inclined to G. White.

plumpness in winter than in summer.

Why do we so often fail in rearing young birds ? Because of our ignorance of their requisite food. Every one who has made the attempt, well knows the various expedients he has resorted to, of boiled meats, bruised seeds, hard eggs, boiled rice, and twenty other substances that Nature never presents, in order to find a diet that will nourish them; but Mr Montagu's failure, in being able to raise the young of the curl-bunting, until he discovered that they required grasshoppers, is a sufficient instance of the manifest necessity there is for a peculiar food in one period of the life of birds. Knapp.* Why have birds that live on seeds, a crop?

Because they swallow the grains unbroken, and the crop, abounding with glands, softens the seeds, which are thence gradually propelled into the stomach. The latter is in birds extremely muscular, and so powerful, that, according to the remarkable experiments of Reaumur and others, it is able to break nuts and olive kernels, and to wear the impressions on pieces of money as smooth as paper. Blumenbach.

Why do voracious birds, when devouring their quarry, swallow bones and feathers, and all matters indiscriminately?

Because the bones, feathers, &c, assist to promote digestion.

Why do birds swallow little pebbles ?

Because they assist in the division and subsequent digestion oftheirfood. Physiologists have differed asto the object and use for whichstonesarethusswallowed. Many have even supposed that it proceeds from stupidity. According to my own investigation, it is an indispensable measure of assistance to digestion, by depriving the seeds swallowed of their vitality, with out which they would not yield to the digestive powers. Blumenbach.

Why have most nocturnal birds large eyes and ears? Because large eyes are necessary to collect every ray of light, and large concave ears to command the smallest degree of sound or noise.

Why are aquatic nocturnal birds, as cranes, wild ducks, &c, very noisy and loquacious?

Because their perpetual clamour prevents them from dispersing, and losing their companions. Why are certain birds called 'waders?"

Because they usually frequent marshy grounds, and the margin of rivers, and wade among the mud or water. All of them are qualified for flying, by the size of their wings, and for running, by the length of their legs.

Why do some birds stand for a great length of time on one foot only, without much exertion?

Because of the length of the toes, and the manner in which they are disposed, joined to the disposition of the body with regard to its centre of gravity. Thus, in the stork, 'the surface of the femur, (or thigh-bone,) that articulates (or joins) with the tibia, (or the largest leg bone) has, in its middle, a depression which receives a projection of the latter bones. In bending the leg, this process is lifted out of the depression, and removed to its posterior edge. By this motion the ligaments are necessarily more stretched than during the extension of the leg, in which the process remains in its socket. These ligaments, therefore, preserve the leg extended in the manner of some springs, without receiving any assistance from the muscles.' Cuvier.

Why have many genuine land birds the middle toe concerted by a web with the outer toe, as far as the first joint?

Because the sole of the foot is thus increased, and better adopted for standing or walking on the ground.

Why have some birds a claw cut like a saw or shorttoothed comb? Because they may comb out or rid their plumage of its vermin.

Why do some birds roll themselves in dust? Because it may free them from annoyances, or prevent the bites of insects. - Knapp.

Why has it been asked whether Mahomet and his followers might not take one method of purification from these pulvatrices?

Because it is found from travellers of credit, that if a strict Mussulman is journeying in a sandy desert, where no water is to be found, at stated hours he strips off his clothes, and most scrupulously rubs his body over with sand or dust. - G. White.

Why are certain birds of a flock called sentinels? Because they observe approaching danger, and speedily communicate it to the whole flock. In some cases these sentinels are deceived by false appearances. Dr Edmonstone, in his 'View of the Zetland Isles,' gives a very striking illustration of this neglect of the sentinel, in his remarks on the Shag. 'Great numbers of this species of the cormorant are sometimes taken during the night, while asleep on the rocks, and the mode of accomplishing it is very ingenious. Large flocks sit, during the night, on projecting rocks of easy access, but before they commit themselves to sleep, one or two of the number are appointed to watch. Until these sentinels are secured, it is impossible to make a successful impression on the whole body; and, to surprise them is therefore the first object. With this view, the leader of the expedition creeps cautiously and imperceptibly along the rock, until he gets within a short distance of the watch. He then dips a worsted glove in the sea, and gently throws water in the face of the guard. The unsuspecting bird, either disliking the impression, or fancying, from what he considers to be a disagreeable state of the weather, that all is quiet and safe, puts his head under his wing and soon falls asleep. His neck is then immediately broken, and the party despatch as many as they choose.'

Why is the new arrangement of birds called 'quinary?"

Because it proposes to arrange them in groups of fives, thus: Raptores, or birds of prey; Insessores, or perching birds; Rasores, or gallinaceous birds; Grallatores, or wading birds; Natatores, or web-foot- wel ed birds. Each of these is divisible into fives; and again into fives. The details of the arrangement would occupy too much space in the present work; and for them the reader is referred to several papers on the subject by Mr Vigors, the ingenious secretary of the Zoological Society, who thinks the proposed arrangement to be strictly in accordance with the natural varieties of birds. It may be observed here, as a curious fact, that 'by far the greater number of the pie and sparrow tribe in this country, and perhaps elsewhere, generally lay five eggs; the rook, the orow, the hedge-sparrow,goldfinch,blackbird, thrush, &c. The advocates of the quinary arrangement will doubtless advance this in corroboration of their system.' *

Why are some birds called monogamous?
Because they pair, (from monogamia, one marriage.)
Why are other birds called polygamous?

Because they never, unless compelled, confine themselves to individual association. - (From polygamia, many marriages.)

The whole number of birds enumerated by Linnæus, specifically, is only 960; while those described by Dr Latham, in his recently published work, amount to about 5,000.

* Jennings' Ornithologia.