117 



GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS IN SOUTH DEVON. 



Concluded from page 90. 



When the cold of winter compels the numerous spe- 

 cies of ducks and other aquatic birds to emerge from 

 their arctic retreats, they commence a southward 

 emigration, in search of a milder clime, and suitable 

 protection and food. Amongst those spots which 

 offer these desiderata is our own coast ; the bays, 

 and inlets of the sea, their natural habitats are here 

 presented to them, and the rejectamenta of the sea, 

 and natural productions of that element, and of the 

 coast, afford them the necessary sustenance : here 

 then they remain till milder weather, they have 

 penetrated as far south as this country permits, and 

 they feel no inducement to cross the channel to seek 

 out better quarters. Upon the occurrence of a long 

 continued south-westerly wind;, or of a storm, the 

 pelagic birds and fishes are driven to the coasts, and 

 it seems likely, from our position, as regards the 

 ocean, namely, further removed from it than Corn- 

 wall, that the fury of the elements would drive them 

 to us in preference to the latter county : so also it 

 would appear, that the eligibility of this county, 

 presenting, as it does, so many quahfications for the 

 abodes of all kinds of birds, renders it more a resort 

 both for the migratory and resident tribes, than the 

 adjoining counties. 



In enumerating the physical conditions of this 

 county, we have made the subject of melioration, 

 cultivation, and planting, appear separately, because 

 these may in one sense be regarded as adventitious, 

 or supervenient circumstances ; indeed, in the allu- 

 sions above made, to fertility and ehgibility, we 

 meant only to imply those natural qualifications of 

 the soil which it appears to me not too much to in- 

 sist on, while that additional luxuriance, bestowed 

 on it by human agency, seems to merit a separate 

 consideration. It is curious to observe the altera- 

 tions effected in our fauna, through the instrumen- 



