Notices for a Young Fanner, xlv 



ing, and preserve their domestic habits. They often injure 

 the garden; but some gardeners think that they do more good 

 than harm, by devouring insects and noxious vermin. The 

 absence of wild birds, whether owing to irregularities of sea- 

 sons, or wanton destruction, is often seriously felt in the in- 

 crease of insects on our farms. The depredations of birds 

 are fully compensated by the services they render to us $ 

 whilst, for their own support, they are preying on our ene- 

 mies. Our poultry are entitled to regard on this account. 

 They may be broken of bad habits, by checking intru- 

 sions ; and feeding them exclusively, in places distant from 

 the garden. Those who find them ungovernable and too 

 mischievous, may keep them in poultry yards, or banish 

 them entirely. Pigeons are seriously mischievous ; and should 

 either be kept in small numbers, or not at all. Guinea fowls 

 lay abundance of eggs ; though in some cold countries it is 

 otherwise. But they are inveterate enemies to other poultry. 

 Fowls, however, laying the most eggs, which they can do 

 without frequent congress with the males, are not remarkable 

 for breeding; many of their eggs being barren. Those lay- 

 ing fewer eggs, more frequently incline to incubation. Tur- 

 kies among tobacco plants, are valued for their feeding on 

 the worms which infest them. Mr. Coke of Norfolk, in Eng- 

 land, purchased hundreds of ducks, for worming his turnips. 

 Whatever may be their value, in these disgusting however 

 useful instances of filthy feeding, it would require the absence 

 of all our prejudices for us to relish them at our tables. 

 Those who bought Mr. Coke's fat ducks, were happily igno- 

 rant of the means by which the delicacy was rendered mer- 

 chantable ; and no objections are made to feasting on turkies 

 thus fed, by those whom habit has reconciled to such repasts. 

 Good eaters are, however, too busily employed on the sub- 

 jects before them, to suffer the intrusion of over-nice associ- 

 ations of ideas. 



Hen houses and nests should be kept clean ; nor should they 

 be too close and warm. Filth generates vermin ; and heat is 

 injurious, both as it respects health generally, and particu- 

 larly at the times of incubation, when over-warmth in the 



