4 INTRODUCTION. 



India ; the Goose, Duck, and Pigeon of Europe ; the Turkey of 

 America ; and the Pintado or Guinea-Hen of Africa, are the prin- 

 cipal : to which may also be added, as less useful, or more recently 

 naturalized, the Peacock of India; the Pheasant of the same coun- 

 try ; the Chinese and Canada Goose ; the Muscovy Duck ; and the 

 European Swan. 



Carnivorus birds, by many striking traits, evince the destiny for 

 which they have been created ; they are provided with wings of 

 great length, supported by powerful mviscles, which enable them to 

 fly with energy, and soar ^itli ease at the loftiest elevations in whiclt 

 they are visiblj^.. <They are armed with strong and hooked bills; 

 and with the sharp and formidable claws of the tiger ; they are also 

 further distinguished by their large heads, short necks, strong muscu- 

 lar thighs in aid of their retractile talons, and a sight so piercing, as 

 to enable them, while soaring at the greatest height, to perceive 

 their prey, upon which they sometimes descend, like an arrow, 

 with undeviatiug aim. In these birds the stomach is smaller than. 

 in the granivorous kinds, and their intestines are shorter. Like 

 beasts of prey, they are of a fierce and unsociable nature ; and 

 so far from herding together like the inoffensive tribes, they drive 

 even their offspring from the eyry, and seek habitually the shelter 

 of desert rocks, neglected ruins, or the solitude of the darkest forest, 

 from whence they utter loud, terrific, or piercing cries, in accordance 

 with the gloomy rage and inquietude of their insatiable desires. 



Besides these grand divisions of the winged nations, there are 

 others, which, in their habits and manners, might be compared to 

 the amphibious animals, as they live chiefly on the water, and feed 

 on its productions. To enable them to swim and dive in quest 

 of their aquatic food, their toes are connected bjr broad membranes 

 or webs, with which, like oars, they strike the water, and are im- 

 pelled with force. In this way even the seas, lakes, and rivers, 

 abounding with fish, insects, and seeds, swarm with birds of various 

 kinds, which all obtain an abundant supply. There are other aquatic 

 birds, frequenting marshes and the margins of lakes, rivers, and the 

 sea, which seem to partake of an intermediate nature between the 

 land and water tribes. Some of these feed on fishes and reptiles j 

 others, with long and sensible bills and extended necks, seek their 

 food in wet and muddy marshes. These birds are not made for 

 swimming; but, familiar with water, they wade, and many follow 

 the edge of the retiring waves of the sea, gleaning tlieir insect prey 

 at the recession of tlie tides : for this kind of life nature has provided 



