208 ON VARIOUS PARTS 



as they are, get up into apple trees : phea- 

 sants also in woods sleep on trees to avoid 

 foxes ; while pea-fowls climb to the tops 

 of the highest trees round their owner's 

 house for security, let the weather be ever 

 so cold or blowing. Partridges, it is true, 

 roost on the ground, not having the faculty 

 of perching ; but then the same fear pre- 

 vails in their minds ; for through appre- 

 hensions from pole-cats and stoats, they 

 never trust themselves to coverts, but nestle 

 together in the midst of large fields, far 

 removed from hedges and coppices, which 

 they love to haunt in the day, and where 

 at that season they can sculk more secure 

 from the ravages of rapacious birds. 



As "to ducks and geese, their awkward 

 splay web-feet forbid them to settle on 

 trees ; they therefore, in the hours of dark- 

 ness and danger, betake themselves to their 

 own element the water, where, amidst 

 large lakes and pools, like ships riding at 

 anchor, they float the whole night long in 

 peace and security. 



WHITE. 



