NATURAL illHTOET. 293 



" Every copse 



Deep tangled, tree irregular, and bush 

 Bending with dewy moisture, o'er the heads 

 Of the coy quiristers that lodge within, 

 Are prodigal of harmony." THOMSON. 



of the pelican is so frequently associated in writings with that 

 of the wilderness. 



The pouch, therefore, serves as a receptacle, in which the pelican 

 conveys food to its young, in nests which lie remote from the 

 shore. The food designed for the young becomes macerated or 

 softened by the action of the pouch ; and when the nest is situated 

 in a very arid district, the old bird uses the pouch to carry water 

 to its young. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



943. Why when birds migrate, do the old ones generally 

 precede the young ones ? 



Because the moulting of young birds takes place at a later 

 period than that of old ones ; so that they are not sufficiently 

 recovered from the weakness which attends this process, to 

 endure the fatigues of a journey at a time when the old birds 

 are ready to undertake it. 



944. By what circumstances is the migration of birds 

 governed ? 



The time at which birds of passage arrive in Britain, or quit 

 it, varies according to the species. Natives of the northern 

 countries of Europe come to us at the end of autumn or the 

 beginning of winter ; and in the first fine weather avoid our heat, 

 as they had done excess of cold ; they return to lay their eggs 

 in the north. 



Other birds, which are born in our own country, and which may 

 be considered as properly belonging to it, quit us in autumn ; and 

 after passing the winter in warm climates, they revisit us in 

 the spring, or perhaps, avoiding the moderate warmth of our 

 summer, they emigrate to Arctic regions. Others again, natives of 

 southern climates, come to the north to escape from the ardour 



