128 FLIGHT OP SEA-BIRDS. 



the Reelings right a head. He says, that generally 

 speaking, if there is land within fifty miles of a 

 vessel, its existence will be indicated, and the 

 direction in which to look for it will be pointed out 

 by birds. He observed some Tern, however, about 

 120 miles from any known land, and this fact 

 may help to shew within what limits the appear- 

 ance of those birds may be considered to indi- 

 cate the vicinity of land. 



The length and strength of the wings of those 

 birds which take long and frequent flights over 

 the vast ocean, their peculiar formation and adap- 

 tation to the climates and places they frequent, 

 are subjects which must always interest not only 

 a naturalist, but the Christian, who delights in 

 beholding and enquiring into the ways of Pro- 

 vidence, as evidenced in the works of creation. 

 It is one of those subjects which the human 

 mind is, I think, called upon to investigate. It 

 affords us the clearest view of a protecting 

 Power, and of a wonderful arrangement in the 

 organization of every thing, sufficient to stifle the 

 doubts of a sceptic, and to fill the mind of a sin- 

 cere believer with wonder and admiration. If the 

 inferior works of creation are so constantly under 

 the care and guidance of a superintending Provi- 

 dence, how delightfully and confidently may the 

 humble Christian, amidst the storms, and cares 

 and anxieties of this life, look up to the same 



