On natural Phenomena. 54^ 



flocks, for long courses of years ; in like instinctive 

 predilections with beasts, who have regular haunts ; 

 or FISH, who undeviatingly revisit the rivers in which 

 they were bred ; after migrating, in the early stage of 

 their existence at first, and thereafter when full grown, 

 from their native streams, into the vasty and bound- 

 less receptacle and nursery of the finny tribes, — the 

 ocean. From this immense region of waters, they re- 

 turn to the places of their usual resort ; for breeding, 

 and continuing their species. And this appears to be 

 a propensity common to all animals, in which instinct 

 amply supplies the absence of reasofi ; and is, to them, 

 the most unerring directrix. Who can now tell what 

 agricultural uses might be made, by intelligent and 

 observing men, of the migrations and return, oi birds, 



regularly returned after migrations, in the spring seasons of many 

 years ; and made use of the boxes, placed for their accommoda- 

 tion, by several persons who have related the facts to me. 



This animus revertendi, to places of resort, either native, or 

 adopted, and habitually frequented ; is not confined to siuallows. 



Godfrey Esq. oi Cafie May, winged a wild goose ; which 



fell, and was caught. It was fed among his flock of tame geese ; 

 and appeared domesticated. The wing, which had been broken, 

 became again perfectly sound. The goose, through several sea- 

 sons, fled away with the wild flocks, passing over Mr. G's proper- 

 ty, towards their distant resorts, for hybernation. It returned, how- 

 ever, every spring ; and associated, constantly, with the tame flock. 

 Finally, by clipping its wings, its flight with the wild flock was in- 

 terrupted and prevented. Its vagrant habit was changed ; audit 

 became entirely stationary, and domified. 



Other instances, were it necessary to multiply them, could be 

 given ; showing that birds, of other kinds, have the like propensi- 

 ties. R. P. 



