INTRODUCTION. 
brilliancy of their plumage, and not feel in 
their hearts sentiments of the deepest vene- 
ration and thankfulness to Him who sent 
such beautiful and interesting creatures for 
our gratification and amusement ! How 
wonderfully his goodness is displayed in 
adapting each to its peculiar climate, element, 
and situation ! Whether we survey the 
eagle that builds on the tops of the most 
inaccessible rocks, or the little sparrow that 
takes up its abode under our very roof, 
they, each and all, teach us a lesson of grati- 
tude and humiliation, and shew us that, how- 
ever highly we may esteem our own powers, 
to the Creator of all we are indebted, whose 
eye is equally on the humblest insect as on 
man. 
The intense pleasure I derive from the 
melody of birds, in their natal bowers, would, 
no doubt, to many persons appear ridiculous, 
or as affectation ; but the most beautiful 
