BIRDS. 'i3y 



tbat used to twitter before this, now enters the nest as quietly 

 and as privately as possible. The young ones are hatched at the 

 expiration of twenty days ; but are seen to differ as well in their 

 size as in their beauty. 



As the ancients have had their fables concerning this bird, so 

 have the modern vulgar. It is an opinion generally received 

 among them, that the flesh of the king- fisher will not corrupt, 

 and that it will even banish all vermin. This has no better 

 foundation than that which is said of its always pointing, when 

 hung up dead with its breast to the north. The only truth 

 which can be affirmed of this bird, when killed, is, that its flesh 

 is utterfly unfit to be eaten ; while its beautiful plumage pre- 

 serves its lustre longer than that of any other bird we know. 

 ■ Having thus given a short history of birds, I own I cannot 

 take leave of this most beautiful part of the creation without reluc- 

 tance. These splendid inhabitants of the air possess all those 

 qualities than can soothe the heart, and cheer the fancy. The 

 brightest colours, the routidest forms, the most active manners, 

 and the sweetest music. In sending the imagination in pursuit 

 of these, in following them to the chirping grove, the screaming 

 precipice, or the glassy deep, the mind naturally lost the sense 

 of its own situation, and attentive to their little sports, almost for- 

 got the TASK of describing them. Innocently to amuse the imagi- 

 nation in this dream of life is wisdom ; and nothing is useless that, 

 by furnishing mental employment, keeps us for a while in obli- 

 vion of those stronger appetites that lead to evil. But every 

 rank and state of mankind may find something to imitate in those 

 delightful songsters, and we may not only employ the time, but 

 mend our lives, by the contemplation. From their courage in 

 defence of their young, and their assiduity in incubation, the 

 coward may learn to be brave, and the rash to be patient. The 

 inviolable attachment of some to their companions may give les- 

 sons of fidelity ; and the connubial tenderness of others be a 

 monitor to the incontinent. Even those that are tyrants by 

 nature never spread capricious destruction ; and, unlike man, 

 never inflict a pain but when urged by necessity. 



