134 



that's it; 



other northern countries, chiefly 

 in wooded and mountainous situa- 

 tions ; and in the northern parts 

 of our own island on uncultivated 

 moors. The female is about one- 

 third less than the male ; her tail 

 is much less forked, and she 

 differs from him considerably in 

 colour ; the head, neck, and 

 breast being striped transversely 

 with red and black ; the back, 

 wing-coverts, and rump deep red, 

 varied with black lines ; and the 

 tail feathers black, with oblique 

 zigzag red stripes, and tipped 

 with white. The hen makes an 

 artless nest on the heathy ground, 

 and usually lays from six to ten 

 eggs, of a dirty white colour, 

 blotched with spots of rusty 

 brown. The young follow the 

 hen for some time, but quit her 

 it the commencement of the 

 winter, and keep together in 

 docks of seven or eight till the 

 spring. Their food consists prin- 

 cipally of fruits and berries, and 

 in winter, of the tops of the 

 heath and birch ; but, though 

 they are particularly fond of wild 

 and mountainous places, in sum- 

 mer they frequently come down 

 from their lofty situations for the 

 sake of feeding on corn. 



The last example which we 

 shall at present give, is one with 

 which we are most familiarly ac- 

 quainted, belonging to the species 

 of domestic fowls, of which they 

 are the largest variety. 



Cochin China fowls, 10, derive 

 their name from Cochin China, 

 whence they were originally im- 

 ported into England. They have 

 lately become a favourite stock 

 with poultry keepers, on account 



of the frequency and regularity 

 of their laying, and from the fact 



10 



441. 



that they produce eggs in those 

 seasons when other fowls do not. 



The uses of birds to man are of great import- 

 ance and variety. Were it not for them, the 

 depredations of insects would be so great that 

 vegetation could not proceed; and as certain 

 species of birds derive their chief subsistence 

 from insects, their destruction to within certain 

 limits is secured . Another class of birds destroy 

 vermin, which are equally prejudicial to vege- 

 tation ; and a third class, by feeding on corrupt 

 flesh and other refuse, prevent the atmosphere 

 from being poisoned with noxious effluvia, which 

 would be prejudicial to health and life. 



Birds also supply to mankind an important 

 article of food ; some varieties are esteemed 

 delicacies, and find their way to the tables of 

 the wealthy only, but others, especially at cer- 

 tain seasons, are available to the humbler classes. 

 The delicacy and tenderness of their flesh not 

 only affords an agreeable change from other 

 animal food, but renders them peculiarly adapted 

 to the feeble digestive powers of delicate persons. 

 An important and universal article of food is 

 also furnished by birds in the shape of eggs, 

 which, from the lowness of the price, and the 

 nutritive qualities which they possess, form a 

 cheap and excellent food for all classes of 

 society. 



In addition to the immense supplies derived 

 from home produce, the importation of eggs 

 from foreign countries forms an important item 

 of commerce. In 1852, 109,000,000 of eggs were 

 imported, producing a revenue of £40,000. 

 France supplies at an average some 80,000,000 

 of this immense importation, the rest being 

 principally brought from Belgium. 



Feathers make a considerable article of com- 

 merce, particularly those of the ostrich, hercn., 



