field on this the dog returned to me, nearnest. I have observed them to remain near the place the young ones lay concealed in the grass, which the old bird no sooner perceived than she flew back again to us, settled just before the dog's nose again, and by rolling and tumbling about, drew off his attention from her young, and thus preserved her brood a second time. I have also seen, when a kite has been hovering over a covey of young partridges, the old birds fly up at the bird of prey, screaming and fighting with all their might to preserve their brood.

*

Partridges manifest great caution in choosing the place where they intend having their PASSERINE ORDER, 8. Birds of the

This numerous class constitutes the fifth order in Mr. Pennant's arrangement of British birds, and includes a great variety of different kinds of those who have detached the stare, the thrush, and the chatterer, and have joined them to the pies, to which they seem to have a greater allinity. Those which follow are distinguished by their lively and active disposition, their beautiful plumage, and delightful melody. Of this order consist those amazing flocks of small birds of almost every description-those numerous families, which universally diffused throughout every part of the known world, people the woods, the fields, and even the largest and most populous cities, in countless multitudes, and everywhere enliven, diversify, and adorn the face of nature.

the same spot for some weeks before the fe-
male lays her eggs; and if in the meantime
they should discover the retreat of any ani-
mal in the neighbourhood, which is likely to
be injurious to them, they shift their quar-
ters. I have generally noticed that par-
tridges lodge themselves at night near the
middle of a field, probably being aware that
they are safer in this situation from the at-
tacks of stoats or weasels, than if they got
nearer hedges, under the roots or banks of
which these animals conceal themselves.-
Bewick-White of Selborne-Markwick,
tribe.

sparrow

of each particular species. It may be necessary, however, to observe, that they naturally divide themselves into two distinct kinds, namely, the hard-billed or seed birds, and the slender or soft-billed birds; the former are furnished with stout bills of a conical shape, and very sharp at the point, admirably fitted for the purpose of breaking the hard external coverings of the seeds of plants from their kernels, which constitute the principal part of their food; the latter are remarkable for the softness and delicacy of their bills; their food consists altogether of small worms, insects, the larva of insects, and their eggs, which they find deposited in immense profusion on the leaves and barks of trees, in chinks and crevices of stones, and even in small masses on the bare ground, so that there The characters of the Passerine order, is hardly a portion of matter that does not which are as various as their habits and dis- contain a plentiful supply of food for this positions, will be best seen in the description | diligent race of beings.—Bewick. PASTERN, S, The distance between the joint next the foot and the coronet of a horse.

PASTURAGE, S. The business of feeding cattle; lands grazed by cattle; the use of pasture.

PEACOCK, 8. A fowl eminent for the beauty of his feathers, and particularly of his tail.

The peacock and peahen are always kept velled thither from Macedonia, to be spectators by the London dealers, whence any person in of that beautiful phenomenon, the paragon of the country, desirous of breeding them, may the feathered race. It is probable the ancients, be supplied with breeding stock. Exclusive as well as the moderns, introduced the peaof the consideration of ornament to a poultry- cock upon the table, rather as an ornament yard, the peacock is very useful for the de- than a viand. There are varieties of this bird, struction of all kinds of reptiles; but at the some white: they perch on trees, like the tur same time some peacocks are said to be vici- key. Their age extends to twenty years, and ous, and apt to tear to pieces and devour at three, the tail of the cock is full and comyoung chicks and ducklings, suffered to be plete. The cock requires from two to four within their reach. They are also destruc-hens, and where the country agrees with them, tive in a garden. they are very prolific. They are granivorous,

It is asserted by the ancient writers, that like other domestic fowls, preferring barley. the first peacock was honoured with a public-Moubray. exhibition at Athens; that many people tra

PECK, 8. The fourth part of a bushel; the stroke of a bird's bill.
PECK, v. To strike with the beak as a bird; to pick up food with the beak-
PELICAN (Pelicanus, LINN.), s. There are two sorts of pelicans, one lives
upon fish, the other keeps in deserts, and feeds upon serpents; the

pelican was erroneously supposed to admit its young to suck blood from its breast.

The bill of this genus is long and straight; young, and as soon as that office is performed, the end either booked or sloping; the nostrils they retire in the autumn to their unknown placed in a furrow that runs along the sides abodes. Their return each season points out of the bill, and in most of the species not dis- also that of the shoals of the herrings, which tinguishable. The face generally destitute of they hover over, pursue, and chiefly feed upon. feathers, being covered only with a bare skin: These shoals, at that season of increasing gullet naked, and capable of great distension: warmth, are poured forth on their southern body long, heavy, flat: legs placed far back-route, gliding forward in wide glittering co. ward; toes four in number, and all webbed together.

Latham, following the example of Linnæus, includes the pelican, man-of-war bird, cormorant, shag, gannet, and booby, in this genus, of which he enumerates thirty distinct species, and two varieties; four only of this number, and one variety, are British birds. In confining the present account to these, it is proper to remark that they are not the inhabitants of this country only, but are widely dispersed over the globe, being met with in almost every climate which navigators have visited, whether temperate, hot, or cold. The gannet only is migratory, large flocks of this species arrive in the spring of the year, and disperse themselves in colonies over the rocky promontories of Scotland, and its isles, in various parts of which they breed and rear their

lumns of myriads upon myriads, from the unknown but prolific regions of the northern pole. These enormous shoals, with their divisions and subdivisions, in their branched course around the British isles are attended by the gannet. On our southern coasts the pilchard affords these birds another supply of food, in pursuit of which they are enticed as far southward as the Mediterranean sea.

The cormorant and the shag remain with us throughout the year, but particularly on our more northern shores, upon whose rocky shelving precipices they station themselves, and perform the offices of incubation, while strag glers occasionally take a wider range, with out-stretched neck and vigorous wing sweep along the coast, entering the mouths of the rivers, follow their course in quest of food, to the lakes inland.-Bewick

PELLET, S. A little ball; a bullet, a ball.

PERCH, 8. A measure of five yards and a half; a pole; something on which birds roost or sit; a kind of fish peculiar to ponds and rivers

Perch have one particularity, which contrary to the nature of all fish of prey in fresh water (and they are so voracious as to attack their own kind), that they are gregarious, swimming in shoals. The body of the perch is deep, the scales very rough, the back much arched, and the side-line approaches near it

the irides are golden, the teeth small, disposed in the jaws and on the roof of the mouth, which is large; the edges of the cover of the gills serrated, on the lower end of the largest is a sharp spine, and the head is said to consist of no fewer than eighty bones; the colours of the perch are beautiful, the back and part

:

field on this the dog returned to me, nearnest. I have observed them to remain near the place the young ones lay concealed in the grass, which the old bird no sooner perceived than she flew back again to us, settled just before the dog's nose again, and by rolling and tumbling about, drew off his attention from her young, and thus preserved her brood a second time. I have also seen, when a kite has been hovering over a covey of young partridges, the old birds fly up at the bird of prey, screaming and fighting with all their might to preserve their brood.

*

the same spot for some weeks before the female lays her eggs; and if in the meantime they should discover the retreat of any animal in the neighbourhood, which is likely to be injurious to them, they shift their quarters. I have generally noticed that partridges lodge themselves at night near the middle of a field, probably being aware that they are safer in this situation from the attacks of stoats or weasels, than if they got nearer hedges, under the roots or banks of which these animals conceal themselves.Bewick-White of Selborne-Markwick.

Partridges manifest great caution in choosing the place where they intend having their PASSERINE ORDER, 8. Birds of the sparrow tribe. This numerous class constitutes the fifth order in Mr. Pennant's arrangement of British birds, and includes a great variety of different kinds of those who have detached the stare, the thrush, and the chatterer, and have joined them to the pies, to which they seem to have a greater affinity. Those which follow are distinguished by their lively and active disposition, their beautiful plumage, and delightful melody. Of this order consist those amazing flocks of small birds of almost every description-those numerous families, which universally diffused throughout every part of the known world, people the woods, the fields, and even the largest and most populous eities, in countless multitudes, and everywhere enliven, diversify, and adorn the face of nature,

of each particular species. It may be necessary, however, to observe, that they naturally divide themselves into two distinct kinds, namely, the hard-billed or seed birds, and the slender or soft-billed birds; the former are furnished with stout bills of a conical shape, and very sharp at the point, admirably fitted for the purpose of breaking the hard external coverings of the seeds of plants from their kernels, which constitute the principal part of their food; the latter are remarkable for the softness and delicacy of their bills; their food consists altogether of small worms, insects, the larva of insects, and their eggs, which they find deposited in immense profusion on the leaves and barks of trees, in chinks and crevices of stones, and even in small masses on the bare ground, so that there is hardly a portion of matter that does not contain a plentiful supply of food for this diligent race of beings.—Bewick.

The characters of the Passerine order, which are as various as their habits and dispositions, will be best seen in the description PASTERN, S, The distance between the joint next the foot and the coronet of a horse.

PASTURAGE, S. The business of feeding cattle; lands grazed by cattle; the use of pasture.

PEACOCK, S. A fowl eminent for the beauty of his feathers, and particularly of his tail.

The peacock and peahen are always kept by the London dealers, whence any person in the country, desirous of breeding them, may be supplied with breeding stock. Exclusive of the consideration of ornament to a poultry yard, the peacock is very useful for the destruction of all kinds of reptiles; but at the same time some peacocks are said to be vicious, and apt to tear to pieces and devour young chicks and ducklings, suffered to be within their reach. They are also destructive in a garden.

velled thither from Macedonia, to be spectators of that beautiful phenomenon, the paragon of the feathered race. It is probable the ancients, as well as the moderns, introduced the peacock upon the table, rather as an ornament than a viand. There are varieties of this bird, some white: they perch on trees, like the turkey. Their age extends to twenty years, and at three, the tail of the cock is full and complete. The cock requires from two to four bens, and where the country agrees with them, they are very prolific. They are grauivorous, like other domestic fowls, preferring barley.

It is asserted by the ancient writers, that
the first peacock was honoured with a public-Moubray.
exhibition at Athens; that many people tra-

PECK, 8. The fourth part of a bushel; the stroke of a bird's bill.
PECK, v. To strike with the beak as a bird; to pick up food with the beak.
PELICAN (Pelicanus, LINN.), 8. There are two sorts of pelicans, one lives
upon fish, the other keeps in deserts, and feeds upon serpents; the

pelican was erroneously supposed to admit its young to suck blood from its breast.

The bill of this genus is long and straight; young, and as soon as that office is performed, the end either booked or sloping; the nostrils they retire in the autumn to their unknown placed in a furrow that runs along the sides abodes. Their return each season points out of the bill, and in most of the species not dis- also that of the shoals of the herrings, which tinguishable. The face generally destitute of they hover over, pursue, and chiefly feed upon. feathers, being covered only with a bare skin: These shoals, at that season of increasing gullet naked, and capable of great distension: warmth, are poured forth on their southern body long, heavy, flat: legs placed far back-route, gliding forward in wide glittering co. ward; toes four in number, and all webbed together.

Latham, following the example of Linnæus, includes the pelican, mau-of-war bird, cormorant, shag, gannet, and booby, in this genus, of which he enumerates thirty distinct species, and two varieties; four only of this number, and one variety, are British birds. In confining the present account to these, it is proper to remark that they are not the inhabitants of this country only, but are widely dispersed over the globe, being met with in almost every climate which navigators have visited, whether temperate, hot, or cold. The gannet only is migratory, large flocks of this species arrive in the spring of the year, and disperse themselves in colonies over the rocky promontories of Scotland, and its isles, in various parts of which they breed and rear their

lumns of myriads upon myriads, from the unknown but prolific regions of the northern pole. These enormous shoals, with their divisions and subdivisions, in their branched course around the British isles are attended by the gannet. On our southern coasts the pilchard affords these birds another supply of food, in pursuit of which they are enticed as far southward as the Mediterranean sea.

The cormorant and the shag remain with us throughout the year, but particularly on our more northern shores, upon whose rocky shelv ing precipices they station themselves, and perform the offices of incubation, while strag glers occasionally take a wider range, with out-stretched neck and vigorous wing sweep along the coast, entering the mouths of the rivers, follow their course in quest of food, to the lakes inland.-Bewick

PELLET, S. A little ball; a bullet, a ball.

PERCH, 8. A measure of five yards and a half; a pole; something on which birds roost or sit; a kind of Perch have one particularity, which contrary to the nature of all fish of prey in fresh water (and they are so voracious as to attack their own kind), that they are gregarious, swimming in shoals. The body of the perch is deep, the scales very rough, the back much arched, and the side-line approaches near it

fish peculiar to ponds and rivers
the irides are golden, the teeth small, disposed
in the jaws and on the roof of the mouth,
which is large; the edges of the cover of the
gills serrated, on the lower end of the largest
is a sharp spine, and the head is said to con-
sist of no fewer than eighty bones; the colours
of the perch are beautiful, the back and part

of the sides being of a dark green, marked with broad black bars pointing downwards; the belly is white, tinged red; the ventral fins of a rich scarlet; the anal fins and tail (which is a little forked,) of the same colour but rather paler.

well-baited with them, put one at a time on the hook), cad-bait, bobs, and gentles.

Although generally termed a bold biter, the perch is extremely abstemious in winter, and scarcely ever bites in that season, but in the middle of a warm sunshiny day; he bites best in the latter part of the spring, from seven to eleven in the forenoon, and from two to six in the afternoon, except in hot and bright weather, and then from sunrise to six in the morning, and in the eve from six to sunset. If a day be cool and cloudy, with a ruffling south wind, perch will bite during the whole of it. In clear water, sometimes a dozen or more of perch have been observed in a deep hole, sheltered by trees or bushes; by using fine tackle and a well-scoured worm, the angler may see them strive which shali first seize it, until the whole shoal have been caught.

The perch affords the angler great diversion, and not only the baits are various, but the modes of using them. Of worms, the best kinds are small lob worms which have no knot, brandlings, red dungbills, or those found in rotten tan, all well scoured; the hook may be varied from No. 2 to 6, being well whipt to a strong silk-worm gut, with a shot or two a foot from it; put the point of the hook in at the head of the worm, out again a little lower than the middle, pushing it above the shank of the hook upon the gut; take a smaller one, beginning the same way, and take its head up to the middle of the shank only; then draw the first worm down to the head of the latter, so that the tails may hang one above the other, keeping the point of the book well covered. This is the most enticing method that can be adopted in worm-fishing; use a small cork float, to keep the bait at six or twelve inches Mr. Young mentions that, at Peckenham, from the bottom, or sometimes about mid- Lord Longford informed him respecting the water in angling near the bottom, raise the quantities of fish in the lakes in his neighbait very frequently from thence almost to the bourhood, that the perch were so numerous, surface, letting it gradually fall again. Should that a child with a pack thread and a crooked a good shoal be met with, they are so greedy, pin would catch enough in an hour for the that they may be all caught, unless one es- daily use of a whole family, and that his capes that has felt the hook; then all is over, lordship had seen five hundred children fishthe fish that has been hooked becomes rest-ing at the same time; that, besides perch, less, and soon occasions the whole shoal to the lakes produced pike five feet long, aud leave the place. Two or three rods may be trout of ten pounds each. * employed, as they require time to gorge sufficient to allow the angler to be prepared to strike them.

Baits for the perches are loaches, sticklebacks, with the spines cut off, miller's thumbs, horse-beans boiled (after the place has been

The perch may be angled for and taken until the end of September, and indeed at particular times all the year round; but the preferable season is from the beginning of May, to the middle of July.

Great numbers of perch are bred in the Hampton Court and Bushy Park ponds, all of which are well supplied with running water, and with plenty of food, yet they sel dom arrive at a large size. In a neighbouring pond, which is only fed with drainage