BIRDS. 149 



of the pie kind, there are few, except the pigeon, that are any 

 way usefnl. They serve ratlier to teaze man, than to assist or 

 amuse him. Like faithless servants, they are fond of his 

 neighbourhood, because they mostly live by his labour; but 

 their chief study is what they can plunder in his absence, while 

 their deaths make no atonement for their depredation. 



But though, with respect to man, this whole class is rather 

 noxious than beneficial ; though he may consider them in this 

 light, as false, noisy, troublesome neighbours, yet, with respect 

 to each other, no class of birds are so ingenious, so active, or so 

 well fitted for society. Could wt; suppose a kind of morality 

 among birds, we should find that these are by far the most in- 

 dustrious, the most faithful, the most constant, and the most 

 connubial. The rapacious kinds drive out their young before 

 they are fit to struggle with adversity ; but the pie kind cherish 

 their young to the last. The ])oultry class are faithless and 

 promiscuous in their courtship ; but these live in pairs, and their 

 attachments are wholly confined to each other. The sparrow 

 kind frequently overleap the bounds of nature, and make illicit 

 varieties ; but these never. They live in harmony with each 

 other; every species is true to its kind, and transmits an unpol- 

 luted race to posterity. 



As other kinds build in rocks or upon the ground, the chief 

 place where these build is in trees or bushes ; the male takes 

 Lis share in the labours of building the nest, and often relieves 

 his mate in the duties of incubation. Both take this office by 

 turns ; and when the young are excluded, both are equally ac- 

 tive in making them an ample provision. 



They sometimes live in societies ; and in these there are 

 general laws observed, and a kind of republican form of govern- 

 ment established among them. They watch not only for the 

 general safety, but for that of every other bird of the grove. 

 How often have we seen a fowler, stealing in upon a flock of 

 ducks or wild geese, disturbed by the alarming note of a crow or 

 a magpie : its single voice gave the whole thoughtless tribe 

 warning, and taught them in good time to look to their safety. 



Nor are these birds less remarkable for their instincts tliaa 

 their capacity for instruction. There is an apparent cuiming or 

 archness in the look of the whole tribe ; and I have seen crows 

 and ravens taught to fetch and carry with the docility of a 



a 3 



