574 
APPENDIX. VI. 
Thus most people see no difference between 
one sheep and another, when a large flock is be- 
fore them. The shepherd, however, knows each 
of them, and can swear to them, if they are 
lost; as can the Lincolnshire gosherd to each 
goose. 
As I now draw towards a conclusion of both 
my experiments and observations on the singing 
of birds; it may be possibly asked, what use re- 
sults either from the trouble or expence which 
they have cost me; both of which I admit to 
have been considerable, 
I will readily own, that no very important ad- 
vantages can be derived from them; and yet I 
shall not decline suggesting what little profit 
they may possibly be of, though at best they 
should rather be considered as what Lord Bacon 
terms, experiments of light, than of fruit. 
In the first place, there is no better method 
of investigating the human faculties, than by a 
comparison with those of animals; provided we 
make it without a most ungrateful wish of lower- 
ing ourselves, in that distinguished situation in 
which we are placed. 
Thus we are referred to the ant for an exam- 
ple of industry and foresight, because it pro- 
vides a magazine of food for the winter, when 
this animal is in a state of torpidity during that 
