OF NATURE. 207 



POULTRY. 



Many creatures are endowed with a 

 ready discernment to see what will turn to 

 their own advantage and emolument ; and 

 often discover more sagacity than could be 

 expected. Thus my neighbour's poultry 

 watch for waggons loaded with wheat, and 

 running after them pick up a number of 

 grains which are shaken from the sheaves 

 by the agitation of the carriages. Thus, 

 when my brother used to take down his 

 gun to shoot sparrows, his cats would run 

 out before him, to be ready to catch up the 

 birds as they fell. 



The earnest and early propensity of the 

 gallinae to roost on high is very observable; 

 and discovers a strong dread impressed on 

 their spirits respecting vermin that may 

 annoy them on the ground during the 

 hours of darkness. Hence poultry, if left 

 to themselves and not housed, will perch 

 the Winter through on yew-trees and fir- 

 trees; and turkies and guinea fowls, heavy 



