cause of their existence. To those who have had an opportunity of examining these birds, it need not be remarked how perfectly the formation of a Vulture is adapted to that share in the daily business of the globe which has been allotted to it-that of clearing away putrid or putrescent animal matter, which might otherwise taint the air, and produce infectious disease."

The Vulture is enabled to perform these duties, in countries of great extent and thinly scattered population, principally from his extraordinary powers of sight. The wonderful extent of vision of this bird's eye is shown in the following instance. "In the year 1778, Mr. Baber, and several other gentlemen, were on a hunting party, in the island of Cossimbuzar, in Bengal, about fifteen miles north of the city of Murshedabad.

“They killed a wild hog of uncommon size, and left it on the ground near the tent. An hour after, walking near the spot where it lay, the sky perfectly clear, a dark spot in the air at a great distance attracted their attention. It appeared to increase in size, and move directly towards them; as it advanced, it proved to be a Vulture flying in a direct line to the dead hog. In an hour seventy others came in all directions, which induced Mr. Baber to remark, This cannot be smell.'"

THE TURKEY BUZZARD, OR TURKEY VULTURE. THIS bird is larger than a raven, and is very common in the warm parts of America. It is very rarely seen in New England; but in South Carolina, Georgia, and farther south, it is abundant. It remains throughout the year ar far north as Delaware and Maryland.

It lives on filth and putrid flesh, and is so useful in clearing away offensive substances, as to be protected by law in the southern cities. They are foul birds, and exceedingly voracious, and sometimes gorge themselves with

food in such a manner as to be unable to fly. They breed in solitary swamps, making their nests on decayed trunks of trees and excavated stumps. If a person takes one of the young ones in his hands, he immediately vomits forth such abominable matter, as soon to drive the intruder away. The old birds, when caught, drive off their enemy in a similar way.

The Black Vulture is also common in the tropical regions of America.

THIS bird is of the hawk kind, but of an ignoble class. He is easily distinguished from any other bird of prey by his forked tail, and the slow and circular eddies he describes in the air, whenever he spies, from the regions of the clouds, a young duck or a chicken strayed too far from the brood; when pouncing on it, with the rapidity of a dart, he seizes it in his talons, and carries it up to destroy it without mercy. He is larger than the common buzzard; and, though he weighs somewhat less than three pounds, the extent of his wings is more than five feet. The head and back are of a pale ash-colour. It is found in various parts of Europe.

OF Owls there are about fifty species, of which, however, it is not necessary here to notice more than three: the Great Horned or Eagle Owl, the Screech Owl, and the Brown or Hoot Owl. Generally speaking, they prey only in the night-time. The head of the Owl is round, somewhat like that of a cat, of which animal, indeed, the bird has all the mice-destroying propensities. The eyes also of the Owl, like those of the cat, are so constructed that its visual faculties are far more perfect in the dusk than in the glare of day. Owls retire in the winter to holes in old walls and towers, and pass the inclement season in sleep. In most countries the Owl is foolishly considered as a bird of ill omen.

The SCREECH OWL frequents old houses and uninhabited buildings. The singular cry which it emits during its flight, and which weak persons cannot hear without terror, is the source of its name. As its sight is very defective

during the day, it never, if it can avoid it, begins its predatory excursions till twilight. If, by chance, it is seen in the day-time, it is pursued and tormented by all the smaller birds.

The GREAT HORNED OWL is a native of most parts of Europe, Asia, and America, takes up its abode in inaccessible rocks and desert places, and is equal in size to some of the eagles. It possesses a stronger sight than any other of the Owl tribe, and, in consequence, is sometimes seen pursuing its prey in open daylight. To its offspring it is very affectionate, and if they are taken from the nest and confined, it will assiduously supply them with food: this, however, it accomplishes with such secrecy and sagacity that it is almost impossible to detect it in the act.

The BROWN or Hoor OWL is common in Europe and

America, and is rather more than a foot in length. The breast is of a pale ash-colour, marked with dusky streaks; and the head, wings, and back, are spotted with black. This is a very rapacious bird, and frequently commits great depredations in pigeon-houses. It breeds in ruined buildings and hollow trees, and, in defence of its young, will attack even mankind with great courage. Mice are among its favourite articles of food, and it skins them with as much dexterity as a cook-maid skins a rabbit.

THE Raven is upwards of two feet in length, and above four in breadth. His weight is about three pounds. The bill is strong, black, and hooked. The plumage of the whole body is of a shining black, glossed with deep blue; yet the black of the belly inclines to a dusky colour. He is of a strong and hardy disposition, and inhabits all climates of the globe. He builds his nest in trees, and the female lays five or six eggs of a palish green colour, spotted with brown. He is common in most countries; but is seldom seen in America, except as far west as Lake Erie.

The life of this bird extends to a century, and above, if we can believe the accounts of several naturalists on the subject. The Raven unites the voracious appetite of the crow to the dishonesty of the daw, and the docility of almost every other bird. He feeds chiefly on small animals; and is said to destroy rabbits, young ducks, and chickens, and sometimes even lambs. In the northern regions he preys in concert with the white bear, the arctic fox, and the eagle. He devours the eggs of other birds, and eats shore-fish and shell-fish; with the latter he soars