18 HISTORY OP 



never so remote from the object, though they are so well fitted 

 for changing place with ease and rapidity, yet the greatest num- 

 ber remain contented in the districts where they have been bred, 

 and by no means exert their desires in proportion to their endow- 

 ments. The rook, if undisturbed, never desires to leave his 

 native grove ; the black-bird stiU frequents its accustomed 

 hedge ; and the red-breast, though seemingly mild, claims a cer- 

 tain district, from which he seldom moves, but drives out every 

 one of the same species from thence without pity. They are 

 excited to migration by no other motives but those of fear, cli- 

 mate, or hunger. It must be from one of these powerful mo- 

 tives that the birds, which are called birds of passage, every year 

 forsake us for some time, and make their regular and expected 

 returns. 



Nothing has more employed the curiosity of mankind than 

 these annual emigrations ; and yet few subjects continue so much 

 involved in darkness. It is generally believed, that the cause 

 of their retreat from these parts of Europe, is either a scarcity 

 of food at certain seasons, or the want of a secure asylum from 

 the persecution of man, during the time of courtship, and bring- 

 ing up their young. Thus the starling in Sweden, at the ap- 

 proach of winter, finding subsistence no longer in that kingdom, 

 descends every year into Germany ; and the hen-chaffinches of 

 the same country are seen every year to fly through Holland in 

 large flocks, to pass their winter in a milder climate. Others, 

 with a more daring spirit, prepare for journeys that might intimi- 

 date even human perseverance. Thus the quails, in spring, for- 

 sake the burning heats of Africa for the milder sun of Europe ; 

 and, when they have passed the summer with us, steer their 

 flight back to enjoy in Egypt the temperate air, which then be- 

 gins to be delightful. This, with them, seems a preconcerted 

 undertaking. They unite together in some open place, for some 

 days before their departure, and, by an odd kind of chattering, 

 seem to debate on the method to proceed. When their plan is 

 resolved upon, they all take flight together, and often appear in 

 such numbers, that to mariners at sea they seem like a cloud 

 that rests upon the horizon. The boldest, strongest, and by far 

 the greatest number, make good their intention ; but many there 

 are, who, not well apprized of their own force for the undertak- 

 ing, grow weary on the way, and, quite spent by the fatigues of 



