of commerce. None of the passerine or struthious orders have yet been domesticated, though many of the former are reckoned delicate food. A few species of the duck kind have been brought from their wild state to the service of man; the swan, several kinds of geese and ducks. Some of the grallæ, or waders, are deemed such excellent food, as to provoke the appetite of the pampered epicure, such as the woodcock, snipe, curlew, &c.; yet not one of all this numerous class has ever been brought into a domestic situation. This enumeration suggests a remarkable fact, that of four thousand different species of birds, described by Latham, not more than ten or twelve have been rendered serviceable to the human race by domestication. It is to be regretted, that the acquaintance of man with the feathered race is so limited, as many species may no doubt be found, which, if domesticated, would add to his stock of subsistence, increase his industry, and multiply his amusements. We have reason to believe, that even the birds of the warmer climates might, if otherwise proper for the purpose, be successfully domesticated, even in these northerly countries. Many of those which we already possess are natives of the intratropical parts of the earth. The common turkey and guinea-hen were originally inhabitants of Africa, and probably of the burning regions under the line. The sheldrake, a bird rather larger in size than our common duck, is one of those which, it is presumed, might be rendered useful by domestication. It is tamed with facility; and though it lives on the shore, it has been found by experience that it will thrive and breed in ponds. It is more beautiful in plumage than the common duck, and is equally proper for the uses of the table. The domestication of the Canadian goose has also been attempted with success at the seat of a nobleman in Scotland. The eider duck, a bird rather h smaller than the goose, should also be tamed, especially as its down is considered as an article of value. From the weight and size of the bustard, in which it is superior to the turkey, this bird seems highly useful for the table; and from the nature of its food, which is grain and vegetables, it seems perfectly fitted for domestication. Its flesh is nutritive, and from its weight it is scarcely capable of raising itself from the ground; a circumstance which renders it perhaps too easy a prey to the sportsman, but which seems favourable to its domestication. Another species of bustard, the field-duck, a native of France, and occasionally found in Great Britain, is a bird which might be brought into this country, and tamed with great facility. The American pigeon might with propriety be introduced into this country from Canada, where it abounds, and constitutes a great part of the food of the inhabitants. Besides the birds fitted for domestication, there are others which might be imported to this island from abroad, and might prosper in a wild state. The hazel hen, so much esteemed in Germany both for sport and the table, and the francolin of Italy, might all be easily introduced into Britain, to the great increase of our game. The red-legged or Barbary partridge, which abounds in many parts of the south of Europe, has been introduced with success in the eastern and some of the southern counties of England, and promises to repay the trouble of importation, if not destroyed by the rapacity of sportsmen. The crested turkey abounds in its wild state in the inland parts of New England. The great quantities of food which the inhabitants obtain by killing this bird, clearly point out the advantages to be derived from its domestication, and the propriety of transporting it into this country. The same reason exists for introducing the American pigeon, which constitutes so considerable a part of the subsistence of the inhabitants of Canada. We cannot terminate, without reluctance, our Survey of BRITISH BIRDS, their structure, nestling and incubation, language, flight and plumage, migration, and general uses in the economy of Nature. These splendid inhabitants of air possess all those qualities that can soothe the heart and cheer the fancy; the brightest colours, the roundest forms, the most active manners, and the sweetest music. In sending the imagination in pursuit of these-in following them to the chirping grove, the screaming precipice, or the glassy deep, the mind naturally loses the sense of its own situation, and, attentive to their little reports, forgets the task of describing them. Innocently to amuse the imagination in this dream of life, is wisdom; and nothing is useless that, by furnishing mental employment, keeps us for awhile in oblivion of those stronger appetites that lead to evil. But every rank and state of mankind may find something to imitate in these delightful songsters, and we may not only employ the time, but mend our lives by the contemplation. Birds, by their mutual love and parental affection, aptly represent what takes place in every worthy family; and these aërial beings may be regarded as a sober and virtuous race, from whom we may derive moral instruction and a useful example. To conclude:From the consideration of the providential care so evidently manifested in the preservation of the feathered tribes, the Divine Teacher of our holy religion has drawn an argument to prevent our sinking into anxiety and despondence, and to induce us to rely with filial confidence and piety in the goodness of our heavenly Parent:-' Behold the fouls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?' Behold, and look away your low despair! THOMSON. Select Books on Ornithology. Graves's British Ornithology, 8vo, with Plates beautifully coloured after Nature. Pennant's British Birds, forming the first and second volumes of his Zoology. Donovan's History of British Birds, 8vo, 7 vols. Dr. Shaw's General History of Birds, 8vo. Graves's Ovarium Britannicum; or, correct Delineations of the Eggs of such Birds as constantly reside in, or occasionally resort to, Great Britain, 8vo, with coloured Plates. The Article Ornithology,' in the PANTOLOGIA, or Dictionary of Arts and Sciences; to which we are indebted for much curious information not to be found in any other Cyclopædia. For the best mode of preserving and stuffing Birds, consult the Naturalist's Pocket Book, 8vo, by Mr. Graves, whose kindness in correcting the proofs of this and our last Introduction on Insects, deserves particu lar acknowledgment. TIME'S TELESCOPE FOR 1821. JANUARY. THE name given to this month by the Romans was taken from JANUS, one of their divinities, to whom they gave two faces; because, on the one side, the first day of this month looked towards the new year, and on the other, towards the old one. An account of this god, and of the Hindoo deity Ganesa, may be seen in our last volume, pp. 1-3. Remarkable Days In JANUARY 1821. 1.-CIRCUMCISION. THIS festival was instituted in the sixth century, to commemorate the circumcision of our Saviour. This is also New Year's Day, which has ever been considered a season of joy and congratulation for blessings received and dangers escaped in the past year. In no part of the habitable globe, is the New Year ushered in with more mirth and hilarity than in Scotland; devoid of the mummery and intrigue of a carnival, broad mirth and unrestrained freedom reign triumphant upon this occasion. It is not under a mask that the sports of the season are enjoyed. The honest, undisguised countenance appears clad in smiles; the hand of friendship is everyA |