6 INTRODUCTION. 



their strong and piercing sight. They penetrate 

 with a glance the depth of the forest, and see the 

 fruits and insects necessary for their support, at 

 a distance at which no other creature could per- 

 ceive them. With a clearness of vision yet more 

 wonderful, they discern, from an amazing height 

 in the air, the minutest objects on the earth. It 

 is said that a hawk, hovering in the air, sees 

 from his station a little lark on a clod of earth 

 in the fields, at twenty times the distance at 

 which a man or a dog can perceive it. The kite 

 too, who soars so high over our heads, when at 

 such a height in the air that we can no longer 

 discern his form, can see the small lizards, field- 

 mice, and birds, in the fields and woods so far 

 beneath him, and selects which he chooses for 

 his prey. 



Many are the wonders connected with the 

 history of birds which remain to be told. How 

 beautiful are their nests, so curiously construct- 

 ed, each bird suiting its dwelling to the wants 

 and habits peculiar to its race ! The yapous o" 

 South America suspend their nests from the 

 branches of trees, like so many little lamps. The 

 little dabchick makes her nest like a tiny boat, 

 and launches it on the stream or still water, 

 having first securely fixed it to the reeds ; and 

 there it rides, like a fairy shallop safely moored. 



