RAPACIOUS BIRDS. 



Admirably adapted to the requirements of each 

 creature as their dispositions and institutions are 

 known to be, yet their peculiar modes of dieting, 

 or inclination for particular food, and formation of 

 the organs that digest it, should not be utterly un- 

 heeded, because by these appointments of Omni- 

 science, abundance is produced for every race of 

 created things in all places, without variance or 

 unfitting exertions to procure it. Could we unite 

 into one district a human being from every square 

 mile upon the surface of the globe, unshackled by 

 bigotry or the tenets of any faith, they probably, 

 without reluctance, having the means, might feed 

 upon and be nourished by one natural diet we 

 will say the flesh of the ox, with potatoes or rice 

 but this is by no means the case with the inferior 

 animals. Most of them, having different conforma- 

 tions and inclinations, are supported by variety of 

 diet ; by which means every station and place is 

 made an abode, and maintains its inhabitants, for 

 the u Creator hath opened his hand, and filled all 

 things living with plenteousness." 



As a brief note, not a disquisition, upon the 

 subject is designed, we will pass over the habits 

 and dispositions of beasts and insects, strongly 

 charactered as they are, and only instance a few of 

 our land-birds, as affording the most familiar in- 

 stances ; and we shall find that it is not the genera 

 only, but the individuals which compose them in 

 many instances, that are supported by different 

 aliment. And first, those birds which we denomi- 



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