WATER FOWL. 437 



that it will even banish all vermin. This has no 

 better foundation than that which is said of its 

 always pointing, when hung up dead, with its 

 breast to the north. The only truth which can 

 be affirmed of this bird when killed is, that its 

 flesh is utterly unfit to be eaten ; while its beau- 

 tiful plumage preserves its lustre longer than that 

 of any other bird we know. 



Having thus given a short history of birds, I 

 own I cannot take leave of this most beautiful 

 part of the creation without reluctance. These 

 splendid inhabitants of air possess all those quali- 

 ties that can sooth the heart and cheer the fancy : 

 The brightest colours, the roundest forms, the 

 most active manners, and the sweetest music. In 

 sending the imagination in pursuit of these, in 

 following them to the chirping grove, the scream- 

 ing precipice, or the glassy deep, the mind na- 

 turally lost the sense of its own situation, and, 

 attentive to their little sports, almost forgot the 

 task of describing them. Innocently to amuse 

 the imagination in this dream of life is wisdom ; 

 and nothing is useless that, by furnishing mental 

 employment, keeps us for a while in oblivion of 

 those stronger appetites that lead to evil. But 

 every rank and state of mankind may find some- 

 thing to imitate in those delightful songsters, and 

 we may not only employ the time, but mend our 

 lives by the contemplation. From their courage 

 in defence of their young, and their assiduity in* 

 incubation, the cow^ard may learn to be brave, 

 and the rash to be patient. The inviolable at- 

 tachment of some to their companions may give 



