THE MAGPIE. Why does the magpie cover its nest with thorns? Because its eggs may thus be protected from birds; a danger which it seems to understand, by its feeding on the eggs of others. THE JAY. Why was the jay formerly persecuted through all its retreats? Because the beautiful blue-barred feathers, that form the greater coverts of the wings, distinguish it from every other bird; wherefore they were much in request in the days when feather-work was in fashion with our fair country-women. THE CUCKOO. Why has the cuckoo a broad, hollow back? Because, soon after the young cuckoo is hatched by the hedge-sparrow, the eggs, or the young ones, whichever should happen to be in the nest, are turned out of it by the cuckoo, and by it alone; to effect which, the cuckoo is conjectured to have this peculiar conformation of the back. [We quote this observation from a paper by Dr Jenner, in the Philosophical Transactions for 1788; premising the anomaly of the cuckoo laying its eggs in other birds' nests, to be familiar to the reader. We have not space to pursue the subject further, neither will the details of a controversy be looked for in the present work. Mr Jennings has sensibly observed 'The truth seems to be, notwithstanding all that has been observed and published concerning the cuckoo, that its natural history is still involved în considerable obscurity.'] Till lately, it was not known that any bird laid its eggs in the nests of other birds, besides the cuckoo; it is now, however, well ascertained, that the American cowpen, or cow-bunting, lays its eggs in other birds' nests, and takes no care whatever of its offspring. Jennings. Why are cuckoos supposed to migrate in succession? Because the cuckoo, seldom seen in company with his mate, even during the breeding season, is, to all appearance, equally solitary at the period of migra tion. Why may the cuckoo be said to have done much for musical science? Because from that bird has been derived the minor scale, whose origin has puzzled so many; the cuckoo's couplet being the minor third sung downwards. Mag. Nat. Hist. THE MISSEL-BIRD. Why is the missel-bird, in Hampshire and Sussex, called the storm-cock. Because it sings early in the spring, in blowing, showery weather. G. White. THE LARK. Why do the songs of the sky-lark and wood-lark differ? Because the song of the sky-lark is very sweet, full of harmony, extremely cheerful, and known and admired by all; but the voice of the woodlark is local, not so generally heard, from its softness must almost be listened for to be distinguished, and has not any pretensions to the hilarity of the former. The ill-fated Shelley has some exquisite lines to a sky-lark: Hail to thee, blithe spirit; Bird thou never wert, That from heaven or near it, In profuse strains of unpremeditated art. Higher still and higher From the cloud thou springest, Like a cloud of fire; The deep blue thou wingest, And singing still dost soar and soaring ever singest. * Teach me half the gladness The world should listen then, as I am listening now.❤ * See the 'Beauties of Shelley,' 18mo, 1830. SWALLOWS. Why is the submersion of swallows during winter, in lakes and rivers, an improbable occurrence? Because swallows are much lighter than water, and could not sink in clusters, as they are represented to do. If their feathers are previously wetted, to destroy their buoyant power, in what manner can they resist the decomposing effect of six months' maceration in water, and appear in spring as fresh and glossy as those of other birds? Swallows do not moult while they remain with us in an active state; so that, if they submerge, they either do not moult at all, or perform the process under water. In the case of other torpid animals, some vital actions are performed, and a portion of oxygen is consumed; but in the submersed swallows, respiration, and consequently, circulation, must cease. torpid animals, too, in retiring to their winter slumbers, consult safety: while the swallow, in sinking under the water, rushes to the place where the otter and the pike commit their depredations. It is now ascertained that migration is in ordinary cases practised by the swallow; yet their submersion has been believed by many naturalists; — such as, Klein, Linnæus, and others.- Fleming. Other Why are swallows rarely seen in London, although they are numerous in the suburbs? Because flies are not so plentiful in London as in the open country, and most of the chimneys have conical tops to them; which, if they do not preclude, are certainly no inducement for their building in such places; the top of a chimney being its favourite site for its nest. Jennings. Why are chimney swallows' improperly so called? Because they by no means build altogether in chimneys, but often within barns and out-houses, against the rafters. In Sweden, the swallow builds in barns, and is called lada swala, the barn swallow. - G. White. Why may fine weather be expected or continued, when swallows fly high, and rain when the birds fly low and close to the ground? Because swallows pursue the flies and gnats, and flies and gnats usually delight in warm strata of air; and as warm air is lighter, and usually moister, than cold air, when the warm strata of our air are high, there is less chance of moisture being thrown down from them by the mixture with cold air; but when the warm and moist air is close to the surface, it is almost certain that, as the cold air flows down into it, a deposition of water (or rain) will take place. - Sir H. Davy. Why, after swallows have disappeared for some weeks, are a few occasionally seen, and that only for one day? Because, probably, they withdraw, and slumber in some hiding-place during the interval; for it cannot be supposed that they had migrated, and so returned again for one day: more probably, they are awakened from sleep, and, like the bats, are come forth to collect a little food. - G. White. Why is a certain species of swallow called 'esculenta,' or edible? Because its nests are eaten as great delicacies. They are found in the Indian Archipelago, and form an article of trade to the China market, where those of the first quality fetch their weight in gold! They are used to make soup, to which are ascribed powerfully restorative qualities. The substance of which these nests consist, resembles isinglass,and is disposed in irregular, transverse threads, with a few feathers interposed. Neither the analytical experiments of Dobereiner, nor those of Brande demonstrate it to be of animal origin. The relatively small portion of ammonia, indeed, which it yields, and its facility of incineration, rather lead to the conclusion that it is a vegetable gum. It was once supposed to be procured from the scum of the sea. Those indivi |