220 LECTURE XVII. 



bird to farmers. In the winter it may be seen 

 in small flocks, settling on thistles, the seeds of 

 which it feeds on, and thus prevents the spread 

 of these useless plants over the adjacent fields. 

 Various kinds of linnets also have their respec- 

 tive uses by eating the seeds of noxious weeds. 



You are all of you aware of the great utility 

 of the common domestic fowl. To say nothing 

 of a roasted chicken and egg-sauce no bad 

 things we are indebted to them for good 

 puddings, pancakes, and poached eggs and 

 bacon, besides feathers for our beds, and, indeed, 

 many other luxuries. Then there are varieties 

 of birds which are useful for food, such as 

 pheasants, partridges, grouse, woodcocks, tur- 

 keys, geese, ducks, pigeons, &c., and I might 

 mention others in various parts of the globe. 



Sea-birds settle on rocks and roost there, and, 

 in process of time, their manure accumulates in 

 enormous quantities, so that many vessels are 

 employed in collecting and bringing it to this 

 and other countries, where it is found to be a 

 most useful and valuable manure, called guano. 

 Many cliffs and coasts are covered also with the 

 droppings of birds, so as to render them capable 

 of producing useful plants. Nor is this all, for 



