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eyes, which are compassed about with a broad 

 circle of naked white skin, and by being of a 

 dark blue or blackish colour; it is from their 

 attachment to their native place, and particu- 

 larly where they have brought up their young, 

 that these birds are employed in several coun- 

 tries as the most expeditious carriers* They 

 are first brought from the place where they were 

 bred, and whither it is intended to send them 

 back with information. The letter is tied under 

 the bird's wing, and it is then let loose to return. 

 The little animal no sooner finds itself at liber- 

 ty, than its passion for its native spot directs 

 all its motions ; it is seen, upon these occasions, 

 flying directly into the clouds to an amazing 

 height ; and then, with the greatest certainty 

 and exactness, directing itself by some sur- 

 prising instinct towards home, which lies some- 

 times at many miles distance, bringing its message 

 to those to whom it is directed. By what marks 

 they discover the place, by what chart they are 

 guided in the right way, is to us utterly un- 

 known ; certain it is, that in the space of an 

 hour and a half they perform a journey of forty 

 miles, which is a degree of despatch three times 

 greater than the fleetest quadruped can per- 



