150 ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



scriptions given of them in systematic works : but as 

 their native countries are pointed out, an opportunity 

 may thus be given to such of our countrymen as are 

 residing abroad, to procure them : at all events, they will 

 know what birds will be most esteemed in this country, 

 of such as are here described, and whether they are 

 worth the trouble and expense of sending them ahve from 

 any great distance. 



The aquatic birds of the rasorial division (which 

 includes the whole of the swans, geese, and ducks) 

 have more especially claimed our attention ; and this, 

 for several reasons. In the first place, a very large 

 proportion are of species which will freely live upon 

 ponds, and such other small pieces of Avater as are 

 always to be met with in the country, and are therefore 

 more adapted as ornaments to the residences of pri- 

 vate gentlemen. To these birds, also, there is generally- 

 some little history attached, beyond a mere description 

 of their plumage, elucidating the economy of the species 

 themselves in a state of nature, and guiding the amateur 

 in many things connected with their proper management. 

 Secondly, the majority of these birds are so hardy '.as 

 to need no other care than shelter during frost, — a pro- 

 tection which can generally be given them in the 

 outbuildings of a gentleman's establishment, where a 

 common stove would keep the air sufficiently warm to 

 prevent injury to the birds. Thirdly, the aquatic 

 and the rasorial orders are those only, with very few 

 exceptions, which breed in confinement ; and this 

 faculty opens a fresh source of interest and delight to 

 their possessor — enabling him not only to increase his 

 own stock, but to exchange or distribute the eggs and 

 young among his friends and neighbours. We grant, 

 that the numerous species of cage birds, particularly of 

 the family of parrots, are more brilliant in their plumage, 

 and may, among our female amateurs, receive the pre- 

 ference ; but these birds, generally sold at high prices, 

 have nothing but their simple beauty to recommend 

 them : they do not increase and multiply under our 

 eyes : we know nothing of their history, but their name 



