

INTRODUCTION. XIX 



"When by kind duty fixed. Among the roots 



" Of hazel, pendent o'er the plaintive stream, 



" They frame the first foundation of their domes, 



" Dry sprigs of trees, in artful fabric laid, 



" And bound with clay together. Now 'tis nought 



" But restless hurry through the busy air, 



" Beat by unnumber'd wings. The Swallow sweeps 



" The slimy pool, to build the hanging house 



" Intent: and often from the careless back 



" Of herds and flocks, a thousand tugging bills 



" Pluck hair and wool; and oft, when unobserved, 



" Steal from the barn a straw; till soft and warm, 



"Clean and complete, their habitation grows." 



After the business of incubation is over, and the young are 

 sufficiently able to provide for themselves, the nests are 

 abandoned by the parents, excepting by those of the Eagle 

 kind. 



The various gifts and endowments which the great Author 

 of Nature has so liberally bestowed upon his creatures, 

 demand, in a peculiar manner, the attention of the curious 

 Naturalist; among the feathered tribes in particular, there 

 is much room, in this respect, for minute and attentive in- 

 vestigation. In pursuing our inquiries into that system of 

 reconomy, by which every part of Nature is upheld and pre- 

 served, we are struck with wonder in observing the havock 

 and destruction which every where prevail throughout the 

 various orders of beings inhabiting the earth. Our humanity 

 is interested in that law of Nature which devotes to destruc- 

 tion myriads of creatures to support and continue the ex- 

 istence of others ; but although it is not allowed us to unravel 

 the mysterious workings of Nature through all her parts, or 

 unfold her deep designs, we are, nevertheless, strongly led 

 to the consideration of the means by which individuals, as 

 well as species, are preserved. The weak are frequently 

 enabled to elude the pursuits of the strong by flight or 

 stratagem; some are screened from the pursuits of their 



