134 ON THE FOOD OF ANIMALS. 



Had this kestril's intention been ever so 

 ardent to lubricate its feathers with the con- 

 tents of its own oil-gland, the thing would have 

 been impossible, because the thick bunch of 

 down, on the very extremity of the nipple, 

 would have effectually impeded the transfer of 

 the oil from the gland to the bill. Moreover, 

 the oil would have disfigured the down, had it 

 been expressed through the nipple ; and Mr. 

 Bury could not have failed to observe the 

 change which the oil would have made in the 

 appearance of the down itself. The tail and 

 oil-gland of this kestril are now on the table 

 before me. 



ON THE FOOD OF ANIMALS. 



" Came ferse sedant jejunia, nec tamen omnes : 

 Quippe equus, et pecudes, armentaque, gramine vivunt." 



Ovid. 



On passing the terrestrial animals in review 

 before us, it would appear, that those which 

 go in flocks, are known to live upon the fruits 

 of the earth : and that those which shun the 



