SURVEYS OF NATURE. 7 



young rife into life, Is the fummit of both their joys, both are 

 tranlported with pleafure, and elated with pride : at this period, 

 the moft timid become courageous, the rapacious become un- 

 uTually fierce and aftive : They carry their prey, yet throbbing 

 with life, to the nefl, and early accuftom their young to flaughter. 

 While the young are unfledged, the parents provide them re- 

 gular fupplies ; and feed each in its turn. When the family is 

 plumed, and capable of flight, they are led forth when the wea- 

 ther is fine, and taught the art of fublifrence ; where their food 

 lies, and the method of difcovering and fecuring It : they return to 

 the nefl:, for a day or two, but when able to (hift for themlelves, 

 the old ones forfake them, and totally difclalm all future con- 

 nexion. 



The greatefl: number of birds remain in their native diftrlcls. 

 The rook, if undlflurbed, never defires to leave his native grove ; 

 the black-bir.d frequents his accuftomed hedge; and the red-breaft, 

 though feemlngly mild, claims a certain diflri6t, from whence he 

 feldom moves, but drives out every one of the fame fpecies. Why 

 then do birds of paflage yearly forfake us, and regularly return ? 

 Few fubjedts are fo much involved in darknefs. 



Food is probably one caufe, yet thofe which in cages have 

 plenty of food, are equally anxious, as if they were llarving: 

 temperature is probably another caufe, yet thofe fheltered and 

 kept warm, are equally reftleis. Do they fly from man in coun- 

 tries too well inhabited for their repofe ? Whence have the young 

 this knowledge ? However it be, it leems a preconcerted under- 

 taking : They afibclate in lome open place, leveral days before 

 their departure, and, by an odd kind of chattering, feem to de- 

 bate the fubject. They take flight together, and often in fuch 

 numbers, that, to mariners at lea, they feem like a cloud that 

 refls on the horizon. By far the greatefl: number make good 

 their intention ; but many grow weary, and fpent by fatigue. 



Of the numerous tribes of the duck kind, that frequent our 

 fliorcs — we know Icarce more than five that breed here. The reft 

 contribute to form that amazing multitude of water- fowl which 



5 annually 



