236 



Cultivation and populousnoss go hand in hand ; 

 and though our fields may offer them a greater plenty, 

 yet they find the venture greater than the enjoyment, 

 and we are better off by their absence than their 

 company. 



The Crane spends the autumn in Europe ; then flies 

 off to some more southern climate, returns to Europe 

 in spring, crosses up to the north in summer, visits 

 those lakes that are never dry, artd then comes down 

 again to Italy in autumn. 



In these journies it is amazing to conceive the heights 

 to which they ascend. Their note is the loudest of all 

 birds, and that is often heard in the clouds, when the 

 bird 'itself is entirely unseen. But though unseen, 

 themselves, they have the distinct vision of every ob- 

 ject below. They govern and direct their flight by 

 their cries, and exhort each other to proceed or de. 

 scend when a fit opportunity offers. 



Their loud clangorous sound is, when near, almost 

 deafenings however it is particularly serviceable to 

 the animal itself, either during its migrations or stay : 

 by it the flock is encouraged in their journies ; and if 

 ^vhile they are feeding, which is performed in profound 

 silence, they are invadod on any side, the bird that 

 first perceives it sounds the alarm, and ail are speedily 

 upon the wing. 



The Stork also is a bird of passage, and goes away 

 toward winter to the southern countries. It has a 

 very long beak, and long red legs. It feeds on ser- 

 pents, frogs, and insects. As it seeks for these in 

 \vatry places, nature has provided it with long legs, 

 And as it flies to the nest with its prey, its bill is 

 strong and jagged to hold fast what it has taken : she 

 likewise digs wii.n her bill into the earth for snakes or 

 adders, which she carries to her young. Most of her 

 feathers are white. She lays but four eggs, and sits 

 for tii irty days, 



But what renders this bird most remarkable is, its 



