e tower at Canonbury, in Islington; and the
_Baltimore Oriole_ is, according to Wilson, found very often on the trees
in some of the American cities; but the _Mocking-bird_, that used to be
very common in the American suburban regions, is, it is said, now
becoming more rare, particularly in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia.

The _Thrush_ was also often heard in the gardens behind York-place,
during the spring of 1826. I heard it myself in delightful song early in
March, 1826, among the trees near the canal, on the north side of the
Regent's Park.

Some of the migratory birds approach much nearer to London than is
generally imagined. The _Cuckoo_ and _Wood-pigeon_ are heard occasionally
in Kensington-gardens. The _Nightingale_ approaches also much nearer to
London than has been commonly supposed. I heard it in melodious song at
seven o'clock in the morning, in the wood near Hornsey-wood House, May
10, 1826, which is, I believe, the nearest approach to St. Paul's it has
been for some time known to make. It is also often heard at Hackney and
Mile-end. I have also heard it regularly for some years past in a garden
near the turnpike-gate on the road leading from London to Greenwich, a
short distance from the third mile stone from London-Bridge. This
charming bird may be also heard, during the season, in Greenwich Park,
particularly in the gardens adjoining Montagu-house; but never, I
believe, on its lofty trees. The _Nightingale_ prefers copses and bushes
to trees; the _Cuckoo_, on the contrary, prefers trees, and of these the
elm, from which it most probably obtains its food. The _Nightingale_ is
also common at Lee and Lewisham, Forest-hill, Sydenham, and Penge-wood;
in all these places, except Hackney and Mile-end, I have myself often
heard it, and in the day-time. Those who are partial to the singing of
birds generally, will find the morning, from four to nine o'clock, the
most favourable time for hearing them----_Jennings's Ornithologia_.

* * * * *

MOCK SUNS.

In the centre of the heavens above us, the sun began to break through the
mist, forming a clear space, which, as it grew wider by the gradual
retreat of the mist and clouds, was enclosed or surrounded by a complete
circle of hazy light, much brighter than the general aspect of the
atmosphere, but not so brilliant as the sun itself. This circle was about
half as broad as the apparent size of the sun, through which it seemed