372 iTjeWisDouof GOD Part IL 



As for young Birds which are brought up in 

 the Neft by the old, they are fed chiefly if not 

 folely by Infeds ; and therefore for the time when 

 Birds for the moft part breed, in the Spring, when 

 there are Multitudes of Caterpillars to be found 

 on all Trees and Hedges -, moreover, it is very re- 

 markable, that of many fuch Birds as when grown 

 up feed almoft wholly upon Grain, the young 

 ones are nourifh'd by Infefts ; for example, Phea- 

 fants and Partridges^ which are well known to be 

 granivorous Birds, the Young live only or moftly 

 upon Ants Eggs. Now Birds, being of a hot Na- 

 ture, are very voracious Creatures, and eat abun- 

 dantly, and therefore there had need be an infi- 

 nite Number of Infedls produc'd for their Sufte- 

 nance,. Neither do Birds alone, but many Sorts 

 ofFifhes, feed upon Infcds, as is well known to 

 Anglers, who bait their Hooks with them -, nay, 

 which is more ftrange, divers Quadrupeds feed 

 upon Infeds, and fome live wholly upon them, 

 as two Sorts of "Tamundiius upon Ants, which 

 therefore are call'd in EngliJId Ant-Bears ; the Cn- 

 melion upon Flies -, the Mole upon Earth-worms; 

 the Badger alfo lives chiefly upon Beetles, Worms, 

 and other Infeds. 



Here we may take notice by the way, that be- 

 caufe fo many Creatures live upon Ants and their 

 Eggs, Providence hath fo ordered it, that they 

 fliould be the mofl: numerous of any Tribe of In- 

 iefts that we know. 



Confor- 



