BIRDS IN GENERAL 39 



longer in that kingdom, descends every year into Germany; and the 

 hen chaffinches of the same country are seen every year to fly through 

 Holland in large Hocks, to pass their winter in a milder climate. 

 Others, with a more daring spirit, prepare for journeys that might in- 

 timidate even human perseverance. Thus the quails, in spring, for- 

 sake the burning heats of Africa for the milder sun of Europe ; and, 

 when they have passed the summer with us, steer their flight back, to 

 enjoy in Egypt the temperate air, which then begins to be delightful. 

 This, with them, seems a preconcerted undertaking. They unite to- 

 gether in some open place, for some days before their departure, and, 

 by an odd kind of chattering, seem to debate on the method to pro- 

 ceed. When their plan is resolved upon, they all take flight together, 

 and often appear in such numbers, that to mariners at sea, they seem 

 like a cloud that rests upon the horizon. The boldest, strongest, and 

 by far the greatest number, make good their intention ; but many 

 there are who, not well apprised of their own force for the underta 

 king, grow weary in the way, and, quite spent by the fatigues of their 

 flight, drop down into the sea, and sometimes upon deck, thus becom- 

 >ng an easy prey to the mariner. 



Of the vast quantity of water-fowl that frequent our shores, it is 

 amazing to reflect how few are known to breed here. The cause 

 that principally urges them to leave this country, seems to be not 

 merely the want of food, but the desire of a secure retreat. Our 

 country is too populous for birds so shy and timid as the greatest 

 number of these are. When great part of our island was a mere 

 waste, an uncultivated tract of woods and marshes, many species of 

 birds which now migrate remained with us throughout the year. The 

 great heron and the crane, that have now forsaken this country, in 

 former times bred familiarly in our marshes, and seemed to animate 

 our fens. Their nests, like those of most cloven-footed water-fowl, 

 were built on the ground, and exposed to every invader. But as rural 

 economy increased, these animals were more and more disturbed. Be- 

 fore, they had had little to fear, as the surrounding marsh defended 

 them from all the carnivorous quadrupeds, and their own strength from 

 birds of prey ; but upon the intrusion of man, and by a long series of 

 alarms, they have at length been obliged to seek, during the summer, 

 some lonely habitation, at a safe distance from every destroyer. 



Of the numerous tribes of the duck kind, we know of no more than 

 five that breed here ; the tame swan, the tame goose, the sheldrake, 

 the eider duck, and a few of the wild ducks. The rest contribute to 

 form that amazing multitude of water-fowl which annually repair to 

 the dreary lakes and deserts of Lapland from the more southern coun- 

 tries of Europe. In those extensive and solitary retreats, they per 

 form the duties of incubation and nutrition in full security. Theie 

 are few of this kind that may not be traced to the northern deserts, to 

 countries of lakes, rivers, swamps, and mountains, covered with thick 

 and gloomy forests, that afford shelter during summer to the timid ani- 

 mals, who live there in undisturbed security. In those regions, from 

 the thickness of tbe forests, the ground remains moist and penetraMe 

 during the summer season ; the woodcock, the snipe, and other slen- 

 der-billed birds, can there feed at ease ; while the web-footed bird* 



