BIRDS IN GENERAL. 13 



Fear, and confidence, do not, in this case arise from 

 experience, since the little bird, having always been 

 confined in its cage, could have no knowledge of the 

 ferocity of the one, nor the mildness of the other. 

 The Quail and Partridge will pretend to be lame and 

 wing broken, to attract attention, while their young 

 are escaping ; and the Night Hawk will seek a place 

 on the ground, the colour of which is so near its own, 

 as not easily to be seen. 



These are a few among the instances where the 

 God of Nature has taught the fowls of the air to shield 

 themselves from harm, by that instinctive power, 

 which man, with all his wisdom, can neither imitate, 

 nor comprehend. 



MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



Migration signifies the annual passage of Birds, from 

 one country to another. It is well known, that during 

 the winter, in this country, few birds are seen. The 

 Swallow, the Martin, the Robin, and most other 

 birds, leave us on the approach of cold weather, and 

 retire to a warmer climate. 



Each kind of bird has a particular time of the year, 

 when they commence their flight, and it is astonishing 

 with what exactness they observe this period. During 

 the Autumn, we may one week see thousands of 

 Swallows, or Martens in the air, and the next week 

 not one of these birds is to be found. In the spring, 



What is said of the Quail and Partridge ? 

 What is said of the Night Hawk ? 

 What is meant by the Migration of Birds ? 

 What is laid about the time of their migrations ? 



