BOOK III. 

 OF BIRDS OF THE POULTRY KIND 



CHAP. I. 



OF BIRDS OF THE POUI-TRY KIND IN GENERAL. 



From the most rapacious and noxious tribe of birds, we 

 make a transition to those which of all others are most harm- 

 less, and the most serviceable to man. He may force the ra- 

 pacious tribes to assist his pleasures in the field, or induce the 

 smaller warblers to delight him with their singing; but it is 

 from the poultry kind that he derives the most solid advan- 

 tages, as they not only make a considerable addition to the ne- 

 cessaries of life, but furnish out the greatest delicacies to every 

 entertainment. 



Almost, if not all, the domestic birds of the poultry kind 

 that we maintain in our yards, are of foreign extraction ; but 

 there are others to be ranked in this class that are as yet in a 

 state of nature ; and perhaps only wait till they become suffi- 

 ciently scarce to be taken under the care of man, to multiply 

 their propagation. It will appear remarkable enough, if we 

 consider how much the tame poultry which we have imported 

 from distant climates has increased, and how much those wild 

 birds of the poultry kind that have never yet been taken into 

 keeping have been diminished and destroyed. They are all 

 thinned ; and many of the species, especially in the more culti- 

 vated and populous parts of the kingdom, are utterly unseen. 



Under birds of the poultry kind I rank all those that have 

 white flesh, and, comparatively to their head and limbs, have 

 bulky bodies. They are furnished with short strong bills for 



