BIRDS IN GENERAL. 15 



they are able to keep their course over vast oceans, 

 and continents, is entirely beyond our comprehen- 

 sion. 



On this subject, man is obliged to own his ignorance, 

 and in silence attribute directly to the Great Author 

 of Nature those qualities which his reason cannot 

 comprehend. 



USEFULNESS OF BIRDS. 



In addition to the pleasure we receive from seeing 

 and hearing those birds that visit our houses and culti- 

 vated grounds, we derive a real advantage from their 

 labours. The vast number of insects which they de- 

 stroy, would often render the labours of the husband- 

 man and gardener useless, had not a kind Providence 

 thus prevented their increase. 



These birds, says Mr. Bewick, are the industrious, 

 regulating little messengers of Providence, without 

 whose assistance the plough and spade would often 

 find their labours bestowed in vain ; and weak as 

 these instruments may appear, without their aid, in- 

 stead of a land of overflowing plenty, adorned with 

 flowers, and fruits, and trees, in rich luxuriance, we 

 should too frequently meet with nothing but barren- 

 ness, and the silence and dreariness of a desert. 



The number of insects which birds destroy is im- 

 mense, and altogether beyond common belief. Mr. 

 Bradley in his Treatise on Husbandry, and Gardening, 

 says, that a pair of Sparrows carried to their nest 



How are birds useful to the farmer? 



What number of insects is it said a pair of Sparrows destroyed 

 in a week ? 



