22T 



Another circumstance which tends to render the 

 tyranny of these animals more supportable, is ? that 

 they are less fruitful than other birds. Those of the 

 larger kind seldom produce above four eggs, often 

 but two ; those of the smaller kinds, never above 

 six or seven. Likewise the carnivorous kinds only 

 breed annually, and of consequence their fecundity 

 is smalh 



8. The largest of birds is the Cuntur of Peru. 

 The body is as big as that of a sheep. Its wings 

 ex tended are fifteen or sixteen feet from point to point*. 

 It is never seen in forests, because it would not have 

 room to fly, but frequents the sea.shore and the 

 banks of rivers. Nature, to allay their fierceness, 

 has denied them the talons given to eagles, though 

 they are of the eagle-kind. However, their beak i$ 

 strong enough to tear off the hide, and rip up ths 

 bowels of an ox. 



What a blessing is it to mankind, that there arc 

 but few fjust enough to keep up the species) of 

 this monster in the feathered creation !. And into 

 what can we resolve this, but the wise atid overruling 

 care of an adorable Providence I 



In beasts the smallest animals are noxious^ and 

 loathsome ; the smallest of birds are the most beau- 

 tiful, innocent^ and sportive. Of ali ihos-e that flut- 

 ter in the garden, or paint the landscape, the hum* 

 ming-bird is the most delightful to look upon, and; 

 the most inoffensive. 



Of this there are six or seven* varieties, from the 

 size of a small wren, down to that of an humble bee. 

 An European could never have supposed a bird es. 

 isting so very small, and yet completely fur- 

 nished with a bill, feathers, wings, and intestines, ex* 

 actly resembling those of the largest kind. A bird 

 not so big as the end of onc*i> little finger, would pro- 

 bably be supposed but a creature of imagination, were 

 it not secu iu infinite numbers, and as frequent as 

 ' 



