BIllUS. 19 



their flight, drop down into the sea, and sometimes upon deck, 

 thus becoming an easy prey to the mariner. 



Of the vast quantity of water-fowl, that frequent our shores, 

 it is amazing to reflect how few are known to breed here. The 

 cause that principally urges them to leave this countiy, seems to 

 be not merely the want of food, but the desire of a secure 

 retreat. Our country is too populous for birds so shy and timid 

 as the greatest number of these are. When great part of our 

 island was a mere waste, an uncultivated tract of woods and 

 marshes, many species of birds which now migrate remained 

 with us throughout the year. The great heron and the crane, 

 that have now forsaken this country, in former times bred fami- 

 liarly in our marshes, and seemed to animate our fens. Their 

 nests, like those of most cloven-footed water-fowl, were built 

 on the ground, and exposed to eveiy invader. But as rural 

 economy increased, these animals were more and more disturbed. 

 Before they had little to fear, as the surrounding marsh defended 

 them from all the carnivorous quadrupeds, and their own strength 

 from birds of prey ; but upon the intrusion of man, and by a long 

 series of alarms, they have at length been obliged to seek, during 

 the summer, some lonely habitation; at a safe distance from every 

 destroyer. 



Of the numerous tribes of the duck kind, we know of no 

 more than five that breed here ; the tame swan, the tame goose, 

 the sheldrake, the eider duck, and a few of the wild ducks. The 

 rest contribute to form that amazing multitude of water-fowl 

 which annually repair to the dreary lakes and deserts of Lapland 

 from the more southern countries of Europe. Jn those exten- 

 sive and solitary retreats, they perform the duties of incubation 

 and nutrition in full security. There are few of this kind that 

 may not be traced to the northern deserts, to countries of lakes, 

 rivers, swamps, and mountains, covered with thick and gloomy 

 forests, that afford shelter during summer to the timid animals, 

 who live there in undisturbed security. In those regions, from 

 the thickness of the forests, the ground remains moist and pene- 

 trable during the summer season ; the woodcock, the snipe, and 

 other slender-billed birds, can there feed at ease ; while the web- 

 footed birds find more than sufficient plenty of food from the 

 number of insects, which swarm there to an incredible degree. 

 The days there arc long ; and the beautiful meteorous nights 



