310 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS 



pheasants also in woods sleep on trees to avoid foxes ; 

 while pea-fowls climb to the tops of the highest trees round 

 their owner's house for security, let the weather be ever so 

 cold or blowing. Partridges, it is true, roost on the ground, 

 not having the faculty of perching ; but then the same fear 

 prevails in their minds ; for through apprehension from 

 pole-cats and stoats, they never trust themselves to coverts, 

 but nestle together in the midst of large fields, far removed 

 from hedges and coppices, which they love to haunt in the 

 day, and where at that season they can skulk more secure 

 from the ravages of rapacious birds. 



As to ducks and geese, their awkward splay web-feet 

 forbid them to settle on trees ; they therefore, in the hours 

 of darkness and danger, betake themselves to their own 

 element, the water, where, amidst large lakes and pools, like 

 ships riding at anchor, they float the whole night long in 

 peace and security. — White. 



Guinea fowls not only roost on high, but in hard weather 

 resort, even in the daytime, to the very tops of the highest 

 trees. Last winter, when the ground was covered with 

 snow, I discovered all my guinea fowls, in the middle of 

 the day, sitting on the highest boughs of some very tall 

 elms, chattering and making a great clamour : I ordered 

 them to be driven down lest they should be frozen to death 

 in so elevated a situation, but this was not effected without 

 much difficulty ; they being very unwilling to quit their 

 lofty abode, notwithstanding one of them had its feet so 

 much frozen that we were obliged to kill it. I know not 



* The pheasants run into equal danger when they roost in the 

 trees ; for, although they are secure from ground vermin, yet do they 

 often fall victims to the poacher, who can see them plainly against 

 the sky. 



St* !■ 



