DREAD OF MAN APPARENT 



native small birds, that reside all the year with us, 

 and see us often, though they may retire at our 

 near approach, do not exhibit such shyness and 

 avoidance as several of our migrating birds. The 

 grey flycatcher, and the swallow tribe, which seek 

 their food, we conclude, all the year near the 

 dwellings of man, where most abundantly found, 

 manifest familiarity with us rather than dislike, are 

 accustomed to the sight of human beings, and do 

 not fear them; but whatever may be the cause 

 that influences the precipitate retreat of certain 

 birds, we note the original mandate, and see that 

 the " fear of us, and the dread of us," are still in 

 operation with many of these little " fowls of the 

 air," that would never receive harm from our hands. 

 The blackcap finishes its feast here with the jar- 

 gonel pear, when it can meet with it, then leaves 

 us for other fruits and milder climes. 



" And the fear of you, and the dread of you, 

 shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon 

 every fowl of the air, and upon all that moveth 

 upon the earth." This vesture of universal dread, 

 which was to envelop man, though appointed from 

 the beginning of time, has never been removed, but 

 most signally and remarkably attaches to him still. 

 It was ordained to be so ; and so it is. In some 

 few instances only does this awe of man subside : 

 in extreme cases of want, for individual preserva- 

 tion, or when protection is required. In such cases, 

 the fear or sensibility of pain, love of life, or a 

 paramount duty, becomes the stronger principle, 



