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INTRODUCTION. 



What is a Bird? Of course every one knows what a bird is 

 — a two-legged, winged, feathered animal — a feathered biped, we 

 may say, because it goes upon hi — two, pedes — feet, when it does 

 walk, which in some species is not very often, although others, 

 whose bodies are heavy, and habits "of the earth, earthy," pass 

 the greater part of their lives on their feet, or in the water; in 

 which case their feet, which are generally webbed, act as paddles 

 to sustain, and impel them from place to place. 



The term Bird is Saxon, as is also Fowl, generally applied to 

 the larger kinds; thus we speak of Poultry as Domestic Fowls, 

 of Wild Ducks and Geese, etc., as Wild Fowl; while the Grouse, 

 which make their homes in the wide wild moors of Scotland, and 

 are eagerly sought by the sportsmen, are called Moor Fowl. Then, 

 too, one who makes it his business or pleasure to pursue and cap- 

 ture the free- winged creatures, is called a Fowler, and the instru- 

 ment of death which he carries is a Fowling-piece. The term 

 Fowl as used in Scripture, is applied to the whole feathered 

 division of animated nature; thus we read in the history of the 

 creation given in the first chapter of Genesis, that "God said 

 Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that 

 hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open 

 firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every 

 living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth 

 abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his 

 kind; and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, 

 saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, 

 and let fowl multiply on the earth." 



And truly, as we all know, fowl have multiplied on the earth; 

 everywhere do we see and hear them, leading their gladsome 

 lives, and singing, as we cannot help sometimes thinking, praises 

 to their Great Creator. 



The melody of birds! how delightful it is, how cheering, how 

 soothing! Who can listen to it without a thrill of pleasure? 

 Who can look upon their elegant forms, clothed in variegated 

 plumage, and watch their lively and graceful motions without 

 confessing that they are indeed the most lovely and loveable of 



