BIRDS IN GENERAL. 33 



in her operations : the ostrich, seemingly covered 

 with hair, and incapable of flight, making near 

 approaches to the quadruped class ; while the 

 humming-bird, of the size of an humble-bee, and 

 with a fluttering motion, seems nearly allied to 

 the insect. 



These extremities of this class are rather ob- 

 jects of human curiosity 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 ad- 

 minister to his pleasures or necessities, the great- 

 est 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 primeval 

 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 acti- 

 vity which he is seen to possess ; and many birds 

 testify a strong attachment to the hand that feeds 

 them : how far they are capable of instruction, is 



VOL. iv. c 



