214 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



out the smallest tincture of a savage or vindictive spirit. 

 In less than a week after its capture, it was perfectly 

 familiar, and made one in the family circle round the 

 fire, suffering even the caresses of the children. When 

 removed to an aquatic menagerie, it lived in perfect 

 harmony with a whisthng swan, a barnacle goose, various 

 sorts of ducks, and several other birds. If it got out, it 

 never attempted to ramble, but walked to the house, 

 entered the first open door, regardless even of a dog, 

 and became, in fact, " troublesomely tame." 



Here, then, we pause in our consideration of British 

 Birds, not because all have been looked at, (for many 

 remain unnoticed,) but because the limit assigned to 

 this volume is reached. Nor have we forgotten the 

 great and gracious Being who created them all. He 

 ought to be constantly and devoutly regarded : — 



" The God of nature and of grace, 

 In all his works appears : 

 His goodness through the earth we trace — 

 His grandeur in the spheres. 



" The forests in his strength rejoice : — 

 Hark ! on the evening breeze, 

 As once of old, Jehovah's voice 

 Is heard among the trees. 



