of Entertaining Knowledge; but more especially the Journal of a Naturalist, published by Mr. Leonard Knapp, about three years since, and stated by the author to have originated in his admiration of Mr. White’s Selborne.  The volume before us is the result of a congenial feeling, and is written by Edward Jesse, Esq., deputy surveyor of his majesty’s parks, by means of which appointment he must have possessed peculiar opportunities and facilities of observation, as is evident in the local recollections throughout his volume.  Thus, we find miscellaneous particulars of the Royal Parks and Forests, and from the writer’s residence on the bank of the Thames, (we conclude, near Bushy Park,) a few Maxims for an Angler.  The whole is a very charming melange, with a most discursive arrangement, it is true, but never falling into dulness, or tiring the reader with too minute detail.  We intend, therefore, to range through the volume, and gather a few of its most interesting gleanings to our garner.

Our author thinks he has discovered the use for the remarkable and, indeed, what appears disproportionate length, of the

Claws of the Skylark.

“That they were not intended to enable the bird to search the earth for food, or to fix itself more securely on the branches of trees, is evident, as they neither scratch the ground nor roost on trees.  The lark makes its nest generally in grass fields, where it is liable to be injured either by cattle grazing over it, or by the mower.  In case of alarm from either these or other causes, the parent birds remove their eggs, by means of their long claws, to a place of greater security; and this transportation I have observed to be effected in a very short space of time.  By placing a lark’s egg, which is rather large in proportion to the size of the bird, in the foot, and then drawing the claws over it, you will perceive that they are of sufficient length to secure the egg firmly, and by this means the bird is enabled to convey its eggs to another place, where she can sit upon and hatch them.  When one of my mowers first told me that he had observed the fact, I was somewhat disinclined to credit it; but I have since ascertained it beyond a doubt, and now mention it as another strong proof of that order in the economy of Nature, by means of which this affectionate bird is enabled to secure its forthcoming offspring.  I call it affectionate, because few birds show a stronger attachment to their young.”

Instinct allied to reason.

Several interesting anecdotes are quoted to show that there is something more than mere instinct, which influences the conduct of some animals.  Bees and spiders afford many traits, but we quote the elephant and parrot: