or a little ripe fruit from the appropriation of our lovely songsters, we constantly hear fire-arms discharged, first by one neighbor, then by another, throughout the day. Thereby do we lose the confidence of many a nightingale, blackcap, robin, and others, who "seek safety in flight." If we attempt to reason with our neighbors, they laugh at us; so we are e'en content (from necessity) to tell them "they have no soul;"-nor have WE any remedy !]

แ

POPULAR DISCUSSIONS.
PHRENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.

I AVAIL MYSELF of your invitation, Mr. Editor, to furnish contributions discussing popular questions relative to Natural History; and beg you will allow me a little space now and then, to propose for discussion in your pages some original views of Phrenological questions.

For more than twenty years, Phrenology has been my favorite science; and with respect to some of its principles, I can say that I have never once found them to fail. I have seen various races of men in various parts of the world. I have contracted a habit of scanning the form of every head I see, and of noticing prominent traits of character; and I have always found that certain forms of head correctly indicated certain mental qualities. But this has been true of part of the head only, not of the whole. There are certain Phrenological doctrines which require re-consideration; and I feel a conviction that until they receive such re-consideration, Phrenology can never be accepted by all those who are capable of understanding it. This re-consideration I would much wish that KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL should be instrumental in suggesting; for in its pages are recorded many beautiful and striking illustrations of "Comparative Phrenology." I have not many numbers by me now (although I take in duplicates), but I believe that there is not one number in which I have not marked some passage which illustrates the mental functions; and in several of them, many passages. The lower animals furnish some of the very best examples of the propensities. Indeed, in the feathered tribes, Phrenology might be made available in their classification; and I have no doubt will be, some day.

After this long exordium, I will now introduce in few words a subject for discussion, -namely, that part of the head usually marked "No 33," and called the "Organ of Language." This was the first organ noticed by Gall; and yet its name and ascribed functions are in direct opposition to the fundamental principles of Phrenology, that

66

one organ can only perform one kind of functions." To write, to speak, to point, or beckon, and to understand the import of all these, are acts of language; but they are surely of too diverse a kind to be considered as the functions of one faculty. In my humble opinion, the sole and simple function of the organ No. 33," is that of operating on the vocal muscles and lungs, and producing sounds thereby. This is a most important part of language, no doubt; but it is very different from writing, and reading, and seeing, and hearing, and associating forms and sounds with other forms and sounds, and with abstract principles and qualities. For these functions, other organs are required; and it would be just as proper to speak of an organ of astronomy, or of geology, as of an organ of language.

The cries of animals, bleating, neighing, braying, screeching and screaming, singing and whistling, are all performed by this organ. Singing is its highest effort; and without it, Jenny Lind would be perfectly mute; our woods, fields, and hedgerows, too, would be silent as the grave. Without it a man might be a good instrumental musician, but he could not utter "sol, fa."

It is a far better index of a person's ability to sing, than the organ No. 32-improperly called "melody" or "music," although that organ is also necessary to the musician. It will be found to be developed in proportion to a person's rapidity and distinctness of utterance; and if I were called upon to give a demonstration of the connection between the external form of the head and mental manifestations, I would choose this organ in preference to all others. Let a dozen persons, one half of them having it large, the other half small (other conditions being somewhat equal), talk freely, and a person blindfolded might indicate, correctly, every one of themsimply by taking notice of their enunciation.

I invite Phrenologists to submit these remarks to the test of observation, and in doing this, they must bear in mind that all educated men pay more attention to their pronunciation than uneducated men do; and that where they find great vivacity and mental energy, there will be a proportionate rapidity of utterance from this cause alone. They must also bear in mind that this organ does not give taste and feeling in singing, nor yet a voice.-J. S. H.

BIRDS OF SONG.

No. XX. THE NIGHTINGALE. WHEN WE FIRST BEGAN DILATING (contrary to our original intention) on the habits of the nightingale, we were fearful lest our extended observations from week to week

might prove tedious. Each successive day, however, brings with it such pleasing, such abundant proof to the contrary, that we have thrown all our best energies into the subject. It is indeed, as most of our correspondents remark, no less singular than true, that there is really no valuable practical work on British Song Birds existing; and we can well understand why, under such circumstances, we are urged to be "explicit." Let us hope that our intimate acquaintance (some thirty years) with the feathered tribe, will at last furnish the required desideratum. Thus much parenthetical.*

If ever your nightingales droop, or show an unusual want of liveliness, which in the autumn they very often do, change their food a little. They are particularly fond of ants' eggs, and liver gentles. Give them occasionally a few of each; and never pass them without taking some notice of them. They cannot bear a slight. On every occarion of kindness shown, you will be the gainer.

animals have their lives shortened, and their health injured, by neglect.

As a rule, we should say never keep a nightingale, unless a brancher, or a nestling, more than three years. About this time, sometimes sooner, you will observe_their legs to swell, and to become gouty. Large scales will form, from the upper joint downwards; causing your birds so much pain, that they will frequently perch upon one leg only-the other being drawn up for relief. We have succeeded in reducing these scales; but as it is difficult, and attended by danger, we shall give no "instructions." Let us therefore charitably consider that the time is now come to reward our little friend for the pleasure he has afforded us. We have unmistakeable signs that confinement has brought on premature old age. The only remedy for this-the only way to regenerate his system-is, to let him fly. This should be done in the month of July or August, just before he moults. He will

then have time to recruit himself before taking his final leave in September, and acquire renewed strength to waft him across the Mediterranean.

away.

We have before casually noted (whilst treating on SEED birds) that soft-billed birds when performing any call of Nature, always bolt their tails, and this action proves them to be in health; whereas the very converse is the case with seed birds. This makes it needful to attend to proper diet. If the nightingale were not to bolt his tail on certain occasions, it would be an unerring symptom of illness; and a meal-worm or two should be given him immediately. If he refuses these, he must be bad indeed! Sometimes, in the heat of summer-indeed oftentimes, if not regularly looked to-the cages of these birds emit a very offensive smell. This, as we before remarked, arises from the nature of the food they eat. Let us, therefore, again urgently recommend extreme cleanliness. The bird can then respire freely, and enjoy himself; and he stands a fair chance of keeping in good

health. One-half of our birds and domestic

however, is certain-the very same bird you liberated will speedily be restored to health, and to youth. The chances, too, are, that he will return to your garden the very next season, and there abide; until having reared a family, he again revisits his former haunts. These are notorious "facts." Far be it from the nightingale easily to forget the rights of hospitality. You have fostered him, and given him liberty; and he will annually reward you with songs of gratitude as long as he lives, and you live to hear him.

Nightingales, if affectionately tended, moult freely in a cage, and get through their troubles in a very few weeks. They should be kept warm, and quiet, but not covered up too close. It is desirable to keep their food varied, and to treat them now and then to a few ants' eggs, raw scraped carrot, or a meal-wom, Do anything but neglect them. This would cause their sensitive hearts to break. They are not fashioned like ours!

although the birds' plumage may suffer from this agitation, they will regain their selfpossession, and their usual flow of spirits, in a few weeks. Still you will observe occasional signs of melancholy throughout the autumn.

Birds caught immediately on their arrival in England, are of little value the first year. Their song seldom lasts in a cage more than three weeks. When however, use, which is said to be second Nature, reconciles them to their master or mistress, they show great gradual improvement. They break out into song either at Christmas, or early in the following year; and continue in fine song until June. They are then silent until October; when they "settle down" with the family in a nice snug room, warmed by a bright cheerful fire, and gaily lighted for the happy enjoyment of a merry round party. Then will the mellifluous jug-jug, the soul-enchanting water-bubble, and the thrilling lovechant, be heard throughout the house. Then will the inherent excellences of our noble here be universally acknowledged. Then are our household-gods "complete."

It is perhaps not so well known as it ought to be, though we have already hinted at it, that the nightingale, when in confinement, is a most cruelly-jealous bird-jealous not only of his master or mistress noticing any other bird than himself, but jealous of his own tribe. His motto is, Aut Caesar, aut nullus. He will admit no rival near the throne. Hence, to keep two of these birds in one room would be ridiculous.

The same extraordinary failing prevails in most of our "warblers." If out-done in song, they frequently fall "dead from off their perches. Some of these rival musicians, be it known, do not weigh a quarter of an ounce! When, therefore, it is considered desirable to keep several nightingales, let each occupy a separate apartment. By this precaution, not any one of the birds will be put down or silenced, and each will sing without having his temper ruffled. It is sometimes a hard matter to restore the serenity of one of these "enraged musi cians." Even then, his rage smoulders!

When autumn visits us, and there is a sudden change of temperature, be sure and keep your birds in a warm, cheerful room. Never leave them by any chance, in a room without a fire. They are very sensitive, and soon fall sick. Extreme cold inflicts blindness on them, and they cannot see to find their food. Their finely-constructed lungs require to be studied in the minutest parti

cular. Never therefore let them remain in a smoky room; and let them be always removed pro tem., when your Abigails have 8 domestic rout;" also when there is a general sweeping of carpets. Attend to

these little matters, and you will be rewarded to your heart's content.

CHILDHOOD.

MANY people differ about the "happiness so called, attached to childhood; and no doubt some, and indeed all children have their trials and troubles at certain times. We had many of these; for the angel of death seemed oftentimes about to claim us as his own before we reached the early age of eight years. We remember it as yesterday, and are grateful that our later childhood, or manhood, has given us since what was denied us then. The following, by W. Howitt, is so pleasing a picture of childhood as it ought to be, that we have pleasure in transferring it to our pages. It nay read a lesson to some folk, who expect miracles of learning from mere children, whose only occupation ought to be rambling in the fields, and whose only lesson ought to be gratitude to the Author of their being. Then should we have fewer lunatic asylums, and the bills of mortality would be very considerably lessened. Let those talk," says Mr. H." of the miseries of childhood that will, I never knew misery in mine; and woe to him that makes the glad heart of infancy sad! He sears the future bud of promise, he is making that woful which God intended to be glad as the angels in heaven. The wisest and the best of men, let them have grown great, and learned, and honorable as they might, have always looked back to the had made its nest in the heart, and said with shining days of their early youth, ere care a sigh, O that I were a boy once more!' Man is a being that must be pursuing some objects of beauty and curiosity to call forth object; the boy in the country has a thousand his attention and his ardent spirit, and he is happy as the day is long, at the same time that he is laying up a store of strength and health for years of care and grave duties as he grows up. Ah! those were the times. After years, we may be successful and even glorious: we may conquer difficulties, and dispense good, and achieve genuine honors: we may grasp power, and dwell in the very flowers like those then gathered: pleasures lap of riches: but there never will come so pure and exquisite as those then enjoyed: never such sunshine, never such dews, never such beauty in air and earth, in thicket and wood and water-never anything so like to heaven-till heaven itself is reached."-We have often said, and we wish ever to dwell on it, that on early education depends all the happiness or misery in life.

THE NECESSITIES that exist, are in general created by the superfluities that are enjoyed.— Zimmerman.

Two or three weeks agone, we spoke in rapturous anticipation of the joys of haymaking. These joys have since been ours; and our sun-burnt features now give ample tokens that we have been "making hay while the sun shines." Time was, when WE, like other of our jeunesse, thought much of preserving the "beauty of our complexion." It was well perhaps, so to do; but we are wiser now, and hold "ruddy health" to be all paramount to considerations about "purity of color." No person who loves to examine carefully Nature's lap-full of Summer blessings, must fear sunburn and freckles. These marks must ever attend the true lover of country joys. We delight in beholding them, as well on the brow of "a nut-brown maid" as on the countenance of one of the rougher sex. We claim an affinity with the former in an instant, and fraternise with true brotherly affection. vein of pleasing masonic sympathy, be it known, runs through all who love the fields and the hedgerows; and we care not how often we put ourselves in rehearsal with these children of nature. Their society is truly delectable. May they cross our path daily!

A

We have before said, that we must now for a season dispense with the warblings of birds. The heat has nearly silenced them, and driven them to the thickets. We may, however, still hear the mellow note of the blackbird, who lazily but happily opens his sweet mouth, occasionally, to chime in with the harmonies of nature; and also the delicious melody of the blackcap, who sings nearly all day on the tops of the highest trees. This warbler is our especial favorite. Wander where and when we may, there we invariably find him in our company. this bird does love the company of man! and what a joyous, merry, happy little rogue he is! He has oftentimes cured us of a

How

heart-ache, and we love him for it. We shall be singing his praises at much length, in a few days.

Let us now call the attention of such as fear not the heat of the sun, and dread not his marks, to the insect world. If they will throw themselves incontinently down under some quiet hedge, in some sweetsmelling field, and cast their eyes around them, there will they behold a world of the tiniest of happy creatures, revelling in all the innocent enjoyments of a short but merry life. Of all delights, this is to us the purest, the most exquisite. The Hand that formed both them and us, is and must be Divine. And what a host is there of them! nearly all of them different; and how united are they in their movements, their bodies all but transparent! Hear how CLARE sings of them ::

"These tiny loiterers on the barley's beard,
And happy units of a numerous herd
Of play fellows, the laughing Summer brings,
Mocking the sunshine on their glittering wings.
How merrily they creep, and run, and fly!
No kin they bear to labor's drudgery,
Smoothing the velvet of the pale hedge-rose;
And where they fly for dinner no one knows-
The dewdrops feed them not-they love the
shrine

Of noon, whose suns may bring them golden wine.
When night, repose, for they can do no less.
All day they're playing in their Sunday dress
Then, to the heath-bell's purple hood they fly,
And like to princes in their slumbers lie,
Secure from rain, and dropping dews, and all
In silken beds and roomy painted hall.
So merrily they spend their summer day,
Now in the corn fields, now in the new-mown
hay;

One almost fancies that such happy things,
With colored hoods and richly-burnished wings,
Are fairy folk, in splendid masquerade
Disguised, as if of mortal folk afraid;
Keeping their joyous pranks a mystery still,
Lest glaring day should do their secrets ill."

So much for one of the sources of Summer enjoyments, at which, indeed, we can but barely hint.

We may now soon look for thunder and some refreshing showers; which, after great drought, are most truly welcome. We observe, on every hand, a universal languor prevailing throughout nature; and we ourselves cannot escape from it. Yet can we, like the cattle, seek repose near pools of water, and find a shelter from the sun's rays beneath the trees of the wood. This "Summer laziness" is particularly observable among the larger members of the feathered tribe :

The daw, The rook, and magpie, to the grey-grown oaks That the calm village (in their verdant arms Sheltering) embrace, direct their lazy flight;