208 ON VARIOUS PAR^S 



as they are, get up into apple trees : phea-' 

 sants also in woods sleep on trees to avoid 

 foxes ; while pea-fowls climb to the tops 

 of the highest trees round their owner's 

 house for security, let the weather be ever 

 so cold or blowing. Partridges, it is true, 

 roost on the ground, not having the faculty 

 of perching ; but then the same fear pre- 

 vails in their minds ; for through apprehen- 

 sions from pole-cats and stoats, they never 

 trust themselves to coverts, but nestle to- 

 gether in the midst of large fields, far re- 

 moved from hedges and coppices, which 

 they love to haunt in the day, and where at 

 that season they can sculk more secure 

 from the ravages of rapacious birds. 



As to ducks and geese, their awkward 

 splay web-feet forbid them to settle on 

 trees ; they therefore, in the hours of dark- 

 ness and danger, betake themselves to their 

 own element the water, where amidst large 

 lakes and pools, like ships riding at anchor, 

 they float the whole night long in peace and 

 security, 



WHITE. 



