Il6 BRITISH BIRDS. 



OF the birds which constitute this division, we 

 find only two species that inhabit this island, and 

 these are not numerous. The useful instincts and 

 propensities of this little active race are confined 

 chiefly to countries under the more immediate 

 influence of the sun, where they are of infinite use 

 in destroying those numerous swarms of noxious 

 insects, engendered by heat and moisture, which 

 are continually upon the wing. These, though 

 weak and contemptible when individually con- 

 sidered, are formidable by their numbers, devour- 

 ing the whole produce of vegetation, and carrying 

 in their train the accumulated ills of famine and 

 pestilence. Thus, to use the words of an eminent 

 naturalist,* "we see, that all nature is balanced, 

 and the circle of generation and destruction 

 is perpetual ! The philosopher contemplates with 

 melancholy this seemingly cruel system, and strives 

 in vain to reconcile it with his ideas of benevolence ; 

 but he is forcibly struck with the nice adjustment 

 of the various parts, their mutual connection and 

 subordination, and the unity of plan which per- 

 vades the whole. 



* Buff on. 



