THE UTILITY OF BIRDS. 221 



it is well known that wild ducks, in their migra- 

 tions, carry impregnated spawn into remote 

 ponds, &c., and in this way stock them with 

 fish. 



The solan goose, or ganiiet, is the principal 

 food of the poor islanders of St. Kilda, off the 

 coast of Scotland. They not only preserve these 

 birds in great quantities for winter use, but they 

 eat their eggs, and women wear their skins 

 instead of shoes. Indeed, the entire skins of 

 sea-birds are used for the clothing of many 

 Northern nations. 



The cormorant is a very useful bird in China, 

 where it is in common use in taking fish. 



The down of the Eider-duck is of great value, 

 as is well known, and is an article of commerce. 



The vulture is a most .useful bird, in h$t 

 countries especially, where it feeds on carrion, 

 and destroys immense quantities of lizards, 

 snakes, rats, mice, &c. : for this reason it was 

 considered a sacred bird amongst the Egyptians. 



You thus see what extremely important crea- 

 tures birds are in the economy of Nature. 

 They destroy, as you have heard, innumerable 

 insects, and the thoughtless extirpation of some 

 birds supposed to be injurious to fields and 



