"Birds of the same kind make their nests of the same ma"terials," says an excellent author, "laid in the same order, " and exactly of the same figure; so that by the sight of the "nest one may certainly know to what bird it belongs; and "this they do though living in distant countries, and though "they never saw nor could see any nest made: that is, though "taken out of the nest and brought up by the hand; neither 66 were any of the same kind ever observed to make a differ66 ent nest, either for matter or fashion*" &c.

"I am never tired," says the author of the Spectacle de la Nature," with observing the perfect similitude that appears " in all the nests of birds of the same species,—the difference "between that of one species, or of another, and the indus"try, neatness, and precaution which reign through the "whole. You would smile to see the inhabitants come to "traffic at this fair: one wants a bit of moss; another has "occasion for a feather; a third can't do without a straw; 66 you will see two outbidding one another for a lock of wool, " and this sometimes causes great quarrels; however, the dif"ference is commonly adjusted, and each carries what she 66 can to her nest."

It would be endless to point out all the beautiful observations that have been made on this sprightly part of the creation, and the reflections that may be drawn from these; every one's mind will suggest these to him, upon an attentive survey of this leaf of the book of nature.

* Ray's Wisdom of God in the Creation.

+ Vide Spec. de la Nat. v. 1. Dial. 10. passim.

DIVISION II.-WATER-FOWL.

ORDER VI.—CLOVEN-FOOTED, OR WADERS.

GENUS XVI.—THE HERON.

Gen. Char.—Bill long, strong, and sharp pointed; nostrils linear; tongue pointed; toes connected as far the first joint by a membrane; back toe large.

Species 1.--The Crested-Heron.

Common Heron, or Heronshaw, Wil. Orn. 277. Ardea Cinerea Major, seu Palla, Raii Syn. Av. 98. Ardea Major, Lin. Sys, 236. Brit. Zool. 339. Orc. Heron with a black top.

THIS bird is very frequent with us in winter; sometimes may be seen fifty in a flock, but then very shy: however, I have seen two or three shot in that season, which, though small in proportion to the length and breadth, were tolerable eating.

Whether this species continues with us or not, I am not positive, as I have never seen it in summer; rather think not,

as those found here at that season are of the species next to be described.

The great characteristic difference of this from the following is the crest, which is long, and of a deep black in this, but grayish-dusky in the other; the head is white; the whole upper part of the body is ash-coloured; the lower part of the throat to the breast is a yellowish-white, most beautifully spotted with black, insomuch that at a distance it has the appearance of spotted ermine; the feathers are all long and loose; the belly white, with stripes of a very deep black; the legs a dirty green; the toes long, and pretty strong.

Its long legs are thrown straight behind it in flying, as a counterpoise to its neck.

The places where they frequent most are all round the seashores of the different isles, the loch of Stenness, and in the night-time sit in flocks on the outer holm of Stromness, together with the next species, one always sitting higher than the rest, who no sooner sees any danger but he gives the alarm, and the whole flock betake themselves to flight.

Species 2.-The Ash-coloured Heron.

Aldrovandus, his third kind of Ash-coloured Heron, Wil. Orn. 279. Raii Syn. Av. 98. Ardea Cinerea, Lin. Sys. 236. Brit. Zool. 340. tab. 6. Sib. Scot.

18.

THE Heron, for such a small body, has a large flight, to

enable it to go to very distant places in search of food; long legs, for wading to a good depth in the water; and a long neck, and sharply-edged bill, to detain its prey when caught, and carry the most slippery fishes to a great distance, as it is often obliged to do with eels, &c. &c.

Sir Robert Sibbald places the crane in these isles; but if this bird ever makes us visits, these must be very seldom and irregular.

Mr Wallace says the same of the bittern, "that it hath "been seen in this country;" but I believe we may easily say it is under the same class with the former, that of "irre"gular visitors," driven here, perhaps by a storm or other accident, once in a century.

GENUS XVII-THE CURLEW.

Gen. Char.-Bill slender, long, incurvated face covered with feathers; nostrils linear, longitudinal near the base; tongue short, and sharp-pointed; toes connected, as far as the first joint, by a membrane.

Species 1.-The Curlew.

Wil. Orn. 294. Raii Syn. Av. 103. Scolopax Arquata, Lin. Sys. 242. Brit. Zool. 346. tab. 8. Numenius, sive Arquata, Sib. Scot. 18. tab. 12. fig. 1. Orc. Major, Stock-Whap; minor, Little-Whap,

THE Curlew is one of the waders which is most frequent about these shores; found all round the country in flocks ; builds in all our most retired hills, such as Hoy, Walls, the hills of Harra, &c. &c.; lays very large eggs; an early breeder, like most of the waders, the brood on the wing in July.

The larger curlew, called here Stock-Whap, differs something in its colours from the lesser; the head and neck are much browner, whereas in the little one they are grayish and spotted; the bill, feet, and in other respects they agree, except the size; but whether this is sufficient to constitute a specific difference I much doubt, though they are always distinguished by our rural philosophers,—but they commonly examine by the bulk ;

For what is worth in any thing,

But just as much as it can bring!