BIRDS IN GENERAL. 25 



ascertained ; but this is true, that such as would 

 have laid but two or three at the most, if their 

 nests be robbed, or their eggs stolen, will lay 

 above ten or twelve. A common hen, if mo- 

 derately fed, will lay above a hundred from the 

 beginning of spring to the latter end of autumn. 

 In general, however, it obtains, that the smallest 

 and weakest animals are the most prolific, while 

 the strong and rapacious are abridged by sterility. 

 Thus, such kinds as are easily destroyed, are as 

 readily repaired ; and nature, where she has de- 

 nied the power of resistance, has compensated by 

 the fertility attending procreation. 



Birds in general, though they have so much to 

 fear from man and each other, are seldom scared 

 away from their usual haunts. Although they be 

 so perfectly formed for a wandering life, and are 

 supplied with powers to satisfy all their appetites 

 though never so remote from the object, though 

 they are so well fitted for changing place with 

 ease and rapidity, yet the greatest number remain 

 contented in the districts where they have been 

 bred, and by no means exert their desires in pro- 

 portion to their endowments. The rook, if un- 

 disturbed, never desires to leave his native grove ; 

 the black-bird still frequents its accustomed 

 hedge ; and the red-breast, though seemingly 

 mild, claims a certain district, from whence he 

 seldom moves, but drives out every one of the 

 same species from thence without pity. They 

 are excited to migration by no other motives but 

 those of fear, climate, or hunger. It must be 

 from one of these powerful motives that the birds, 



