INTRODUCTION. xxi. 



contrary to the commonly-received opinion, that birds, par- 

 ticularly Sparrows, do much mischief in destroying the la- 

 bours of the gardener and the husbandman. It has been 

 observed, "that a single pair of Sparrows, during the time 

 they are feeding their young, will destroy about four thou- 

 sand caterpillars weekly; they likewise feed their young with 

 butterflies and other winged insects, each of which, if not 

 destroyed in this manner, would be productive of many 

 thousands of caterpillars." Swallows are almost continually 

 upon the wing, and in their curious winding flights destroy 

 immense numbers of flies and other insects, which are con- 

 tinually floating in the air, and which, if not destroyed by 

 these birds, would render it unfit for the purposes of life and 

 health. 



That active little bird, the Tomtit, which is generally sup- 

 posed hostile to the young and tender buds that appear in 

 the spring, when attentively observed, may be seen running 

 up and down among the branches, and picking up the eggs* 

 of insects, or the small maggots or worms that are concealed 

 in the blossoms, and which would effectually destroy the 

 fruit. As the season advances, various other small birds, 

 such as the Redbreast, Wren, Hedge Warbler, White-throat, 

 Redstart, &c., are all engaged in the same useful work, and 

 may be observed examining every leaf and feeding upon the 

 insects which they find beneath them. These are a few 

 instances of that superintending providential care, which is 

 continually exerted in preserving the various ranks and or- 

 ders of beings in the scale of animated Nature; and although 

 it is permitted that myriads of individuals should every mo- 

 ment be destroyed, not a single species is lost, but every link 

 of the great chain remains unbroken. 



Great Britain produces a more abundant variety of birds 

 than most northern countries, owing to the various condition 

 of our lands, from the highest state of cultivation to that of 



* On these they almost solely live in winter. 



