INTRODUCTION. 51 



than as the natural check interposed by Divine 

 Providence upon a race of creatures which, in 

 their own places, also lend efficient aid against 

 other classes of depredators. 



As articles of food, the members of the inces- 

 sorial order are either, many of them, too diminu- 

 tive, and in other respects, such as flavour, &c. 

 unpalatable, at least to the British taste ; and 

 although in some countries, as Italy and France, 

 neither their utility, beauty of plumage, nor melody 

 of voice, saves them from the appetite of the 

 epicure, still, among the many important services 

 which they afford to man, that of administering 

 to his supply of food can scarcely be enumerated. 



Among our enjoyments out of doors, perhaps 

 those which we derive from the incessores are not 

 the least or most insignificant. Our walks are ever 

 cheered by their lively notes or song, and it is 

 only those who have wandered through the lonely 

 forest, and experienced the gloom which prevails, 

 when not a motion is seen, or a noise heard, save 

 the trembling leaf or the sighing of the blast, that 

 can appreciate the effects of the wildest and most 

 monotonous notes of its tenants. What a change 

 in the character of our woods and ornamental 

 groves does even the accession of our summer 

 birds of passage occasion. In winter the land- 

 scape is filled up by flocks of various creatures, all 

 active in looking for subsistence, or assembling 

 together for warmth ; but with the return of spring, 

 and the freshness of vegetation, we have also the 

 bustle and activity of incubation voices that have 



