42 A HISTORY OF 



ruped class ; while the humming-bird, of the size of a humble-be^v 

 and with a fluttering motion, seems nearly allied to the insect. 



These extremities of this class are rather objects of human curiositv 

 than utility : it is the middle order of birds which man has taken care 

 to propagate and maintain. Of those which he has taken under his 

 protection, and which administer to his pleasures or necessities, the 

 greatest number seem creatures of his formation. The variety of 

 climate to which he consigns them, the food with which he supplies 

 them, and the purposes for which he employs them, produce amazing 

 varieties, both in their colours, shape, magnitude, and the taste of their 

 flesh. Wild birds are, for the most part, of the same magnitude and 

 shape ; they still keep the prints of primaeval nature strong upon them, 

 except in a few ; they generally maintain their very colour : but it is 

 otherwise with domestic animals ; they change at the will of man of 

 the tame pigeon, for instance, it is said that they can be bred to a 

 feather. 



As we are thus capable of influencing their form and colour, so also 

 is it frequent to see equal instances of our influencing their habitudes, 

 appetites, and passions. The cock, for instance, is artificially formed 

 into that courage and activity which he is seen to possess ; and manv 

 birds testify a strong attachment to the hand that feeds them : how 

 far they are capable of instruction, is manifest to those who hav the 

 care of hawks. But a still more surprising instance of this was seen 

 some time ago in London : a canary bird was taught to pick up the 

 letters of the alphabet, at the word of command, so as to spell any 

 person's name in company ; and this the little animal did by motions 

 from its master, which were imperceptible to every other spectator. 

 Upon the whole, however, they are inferior to quadrupeds in docility ; 

 and seem more mechanically impelled by all the power of instinct. 



CHAPTER III. 



OF THE DIVISION OF BIRDS. 



THOUGH birds are fitted for sporting in air, yet as they find their 

 luod upon the surface of the earth, tiiere seems a variety equal to the 

 ijfierent aliments with which it tends to supply them. The flat and 

 burning desert, the rocky cliff, the cxtensi\e fen. the stormy ocean, as 

 well as the pleasing landscape, have all their' peculiar inhabitants. 

 The most obvious distinction therefore of birds, is into those that live 

 i.y land and those that live by water ; or, in other words, into land 

 ftrds, and water-fowl. 



It is no difficult matter to distinguish land from water-fowl, by the 

 legs and toes. All land birds have their toes divided, without any 

 membrane or web between them ; and their logs and feet serve them 



