BIRDS 



INTRODUCTION.* 



THE feathered tribes, as they are emphatically 

 called, have at all times been favourite objects 

 of study to the naturalist. The beauty of their plu- 

 mage, the elegance of their forms, the gracefulness 

 of their movements, and above all, the cheerfulness 

 which everywhere surrounds them, tempt his obser- 

 vation, and impart to the thinking mind no small 

 share of that exuberant happiness expressed by the 

 gaiety of their demeanour and the chorus of their 

 song. 



Inhabitants of the air, lightness and activity are 

 the characteristic features of their economy. Some, 

 borne on rapid wing, skim onwards like the meteor^s 

 flight, and are by far the swiftest of the animal 

 creation. Some soar aloft, till, lost to human vision, 

 only their voice is heard like music from the sky. 

 Others frequent the woods, making the trees their 

 residence, where, as they hop from spray to spray, 

 they pour forth streams of melody ; or gorgeously 

 attuned, glancing like fairy visions in the sunny land- 

 scape, seem the very gems and ornaments of Nature^s 

 lovely dress. 



Races of stronger wing and sterner attributes 

 obtain their food by waging active war on living 

 animals, their destined prey, swooping upon their 

 quarry from afar like falling thunderbolts ; or else by 

 night, prowling on muffled wings, invade the dark- 



* See " Animal Creation." page 407. 

 B 



