CONCLUSION. 309 



The study of ornithology, in all its aspects, affords 

 numerous illustrations of the truth of these observa- 

 tions. Whether we consider the external form and 

 anatomical structure of birds, or examine their facul- 

 ties and habits, or compare them among themselves 

 or with each other, or turn our attention to the admi- 

 rable adaptation of their whole frame and constitu- 

 tion to the circumstances of external nature in the 

 particular locality which they are destined to inhabit, 

 or regard them with reference to other animals, either 

 in their bodily powers, or their instinctive impulses, 

 or their mental qualities in every light in which it 

 is possible to view the subject, the conclusion which 

 irresistibly forces itself on the mind is always the 

 same. Contrivance inexhaustible, intelligence vast 

 and comprehensive, still infinitely beyond the grasp 

 of the human intellect, combined with a power which 

 never fails to effect its object, and a goodness which 

 makes life in all its forms a blessing, are the charac- 

 ters which in this, as well as in every other depart- 

 ment of nature, are conspicuous and undeniable. 

 It is not absolute perfection indeed which in this 

 search we discover. We are ourselves imperfect, 

 and the world around us is imperfect; but it is a 

 relative perfection which suits every thing to its pre- 

 sent condition, and which leaves nothing for man 

 to feel in contemplating it, but a mingled sentiment 

 of mysterious awe, profound admiration, and over- 

 flowing gratitude. 



Throughout the works on subjects of Natural 

 History, which form portions of the ' Library of En- 

 tertaining Knowledge,' attention has constantly been 

 paid to the proofs which have presented themselves 

 so abundantly of a supreme designing hand ; but in 

 bringing this series of volumes on 4 Birds' to a 

 close, it seems useful to collect the proofs which 

 belong to this division of nature into one point of 



