THE POULTRY KIND. 55 



the grouse, the partridge, and the quail. These all bear a strong simi- 

 litude to each other, being equally granivorous, fleshy, and delicate 

 to the palate. These are among birds what beasts of pasture are 

 among quadrupeds, peaceable tenants of the field, and shunning the 

 thicker parts of the forest that abounds with numerous animals, who 

 carry on unceasing hostilities against them. 



As Nature has formed the rapacious class for war, so she seems 

 equally to have fitted these for peace, rest, and society. Their wings 

 are but short, so that they are illy formed for wandering from one re- 

 gion to another ; their bills are also short, and incapable of annoying 

 their opposers ; their legs are strong, indeed, but their toes are made 

 for scratching up their food, and not for holding or tearing it. These 

 are sufficient indications of their harmless nature ; while their bodies 

 which are fat and fleshy, render them unwieldy travellers, and inca- 

 pable of straying far from each other. 



Accordingly we find them chiefly in society; they live together; 

 and though they may have their disputes, like all other animals, upon 

 some occasions, yet when kept in the same district, or feed in the 

 same yard, they learn the arts of subordination ; and in proportion as 

 each knows his strength, he seldom tries a second time the combat 

 where he has been once worsted. 



In this manner all of this kind seem to lead an indolent, voluptuous 

 life, as they are furnished internally with a very strong stomach, 

 commonly called a gizzard, so their voraciousness scarce knows 

 any bounds. If kept in close captivity, and separated from all their 

 former companions, they still have the pleasure of eating left ; and they 

 soon grow fat and unwieldy in their prison. To say this more simply, 

 many of the wilder species of birds, when cooped or caged pine away, 

 grow gloomy, and some refuse all sustenance whatsoever ; none, ex- 

 cept those of the poultry kind, grow fat, who seem to lose all remem- 

 brance of their former liberty, satisfied with indolence and plenty. 



The poultry kind may be considered as sensual epicures, solely 

 governed by their appetites. The indulgence of these seems to in- 

 fluence their other habits, and destroys among them that connubial 

 fidelity for which most other kinds are remarkable. The eagle and 

 falcon, how fierce soever to other animals, are yet gentle and true to 

 each other ; their connections when once formed, continue till death ; 

 fuid the male and female, in every exigence, and every duty, lend 

 faithful assistance to each other. They assist each other in the pro- 

 duction of their young, in providing for them when produced ; and 

 even then, though they drive them forth to fight their own battles, yet 

 the old ones still retain their former affection to each other, and sel- 

 dom part far asunder. 



But it is very different with this luxurious class I am now describ- 

 ing. Their courtship is but short, and their congress fortuitous 

 The male takes no heed of his offspring ; and satisfied with the plea 

 sure of getting, leaves to the female all the care of providing for pos- 

 terity. Wild and irregular in his appetites, he ranges from one to 

 another, and claims every female which he rs strong enough to keep 

 from his fellows. Though timorous when opposed to birds of prey, 

 yet he is incredibly bold among those of his own kind ; and bat to 

 see a male of his own species is sufficient to produce a combat. A* 



