as in the preceding case, that no young birds, from the moment of their taking wing, ever returned to the house, either for the purpose of forming nests of their own in so safe and comfortable an asylum, or disputing possession with the old ones for the tenement in which they were born and bred. But, besides these regular migratory birds, others seem to possess a similar instinctive power; for instance, a Robin which frequented a greenhouse was caught, and a piece of silk being tied round its leg, it was put into a bag, and carried to a distance of some miles, and then turned loose. In three days it was found in the greenhouse.

One other peculiarity in the periodical visits of birds to their breeding stations, is the punctuality of their arrival. There is seldom the difference of a week, and frequently not that of a day, in the time of the appearance of some particular species. Of course we cannot be accurate in most cases, from not being able to fix on the exact moment of a bird's arrival; but in some instances, circumstances afford us the means of speaking more positively. Thus, on a well-known rocky island, called the South Stack, near Holyhead, the lighthouse keepers assured us that the Gulls, which seldom visit the island for two-thirds of the year, arrive on the same night, namely, February 10th, for the purpose of breeding. They are regularly warned of the arrival of their summer guests, about midnight, by a great noise, as it were a mutual greeting and cheering; and from that moment they remain till their broods are reared, and the business for which they resorted thither entirely at an end.

The light-keepers spoke with pleasure of the arrival of the birds, saying that they looked to their return as that of so many old acquaintances after a long absence, announcing the spring to be at hand, and the winter to be over and gone.

In alluding to light-keepers, we may mention a curious circumstance connected with birds of passage, namely, that during their migrations in the night, they frequently fly with such force against the strong plate-glass reflectors of lighthouses, as to be killed on the spot. Instances of this have

occurred at Flamborough Head, where we have been informed that Ducks, Woodcocks, Starlings, Fieldfares, Redwings, and in short every species of the migratory tribes, have fallen victims to the attractive but unintentional decoy. The astonishing number of seventeen dozen of Starlings were, at the latter end of 1836, picked up near the above-mentioned lighthouse, having been killed, maimed, or stupefied by flying against the dome of that brilliant light.

It has been observed that the time of departure of certain birds is by no means so exact as that of their arrival; which may be accounted for by a natural disinclination on the part of the old ones to desert the nests of young ones still requiring their care. But even this most powerful of all instincts, the attachment of a parent to its young, is not in all cases strong enough to conquer the still stronger impulse for migration; for Swallows will actually desert their nests, and leave helpless little ones to perish by hunger, rather than remain long after their companions. A pair of Martins, which had deserted their family in the autumn, on returning in the spring, were observed to draw out the dead bodies of three nearly full-fledged nestlings. Another pair acted in a different manner; after vainly endeavouring to drag out the bodies, which had most probably formed a dried mass with the wool and feathers in the interior, they entirely closed up the opening of the nest with clay, and leaving them thus entombed, proceeded to build another nursery.

As much interest and amusement may be derived from watching and expecting the arrival and departure of our migratory birds, we annex a list of a few of the most common, with the earliest and latest dates which have come under our observation.

Having thus noticed, as extensively as our limits would

allow, some of the most prominent external as well as internal peculiarities of birds, we shall now proceed to the consideration of the various species in detail, following pretty nearly the arrangement already given in the Tables of Classification, and inserting additional observations and anecdotes to illustrate those subjects on which we have already touched.

CHAPTER VI.

Eagle and Hawk Tribe.-Wild Eagle; Tamed.-Muscular Powers of. Carry off Children, Lambs, &c.-Sometimes killed on the Wing by Weasels.-Battle between Cat and Eagle.-How caught when Fishing. -Voracity of.-Nests.-Singular Mode of capturing their Prey.-Bird of Washington. --Eagle Traps.-Feathers of, prized.

TABLE II. ORDER I. RAPACIOUS BIRDS.

EAGLES AND HAWKS.

WE have classed Eagles and Hawks together; for though not exactly similar in their form and habits of life, there is still

Hawk.

a great resemblance; they are for the most part wild, savage birds, and may be compared to the Lions, Tigers, and all that family of fourfooted animals, preying upon others, and tearing them to pieces for their food.

The Eagle stands first and foremost amongst them; for though one or two of the Vulture tribe are a little larger, none can compare with the well-named King of Birds. Those who have only seen an Eagle in confinement, can form little idea of what he is in his natural state, amongst the rocks and mountains in which he takes up his abode-a situation in which we were

once fortunate enough to be very near one of these noble birds. In climbing some high precipices in the volcanic district of Auvergne, in France, near a great waterfall which dashed downwards with a thundering noise, in the midst of the loud roar of waters, a short, shrill cry met our ear, coming, as it were, from the clouds. On looking in the direction from whence it came, we soon perceived a small dark speck moving steadily on towards us. It was a Golden Eagle, evidently coming from the plain countries below; on drawing nearer, we could see that his wings scarcely ever moved; he seemed to float or sail in mid-air, rather than fly; though now and then, indeed, they slowly flapped, as if to steady him. As he was approaching in a direct line, we hid ourselves. behind a rock, and watched his motions through a telescope. When first seen he could not have been at a less distance than a mile, but in less than a minute he was within gun-shot; and after looking round once or twice, he darted down his legs, slightly quivered, and alighted on a rock within a few yards. For a moment he gazed about with his sharp bright eyes, as if to assure himself that all was safe; he then, for a few moments more, nestled his head beneath one of his expanded wings, and appeared to plume himself. Having done this, he stretched out his neck, and looked keenly and wistfully towards the quarter of the heavens from whence he came, and uttered a few rapid screams; then stamped with his feet, at the same time snapping his hooked beak with a sharp jerking noise, like the crack of a whip. There he remained for about ten minutes, manifesting great restlessness, not a single instant quiet; when suddenly he seemed to hear or see something, and immediately rising from the rock on which he stood, launched himself into the air, and floated away as before, uttering the same shrill cry; and looking round, we beheld the cause of his emotion; he had seen his mate approaching. He rose to meet her, and after soaring in a circle a few times, they went away, and were soon invisible to the naked eye.

This was the large Golden Eagle, a species occasionally