126 
ivil hours together, and procure an ample sup- 
ply of provisions. When she withholds her 
silver beams, their nights are not fortunate; 
and their ravages are confined to a single 
hour in the morning and in the evening ; for 
we cannot suppose that these birds, though 
they can distinguish objects in a weak light, 
are able to perform their motions when in- 
volved in total darkness*" 
The flight of these birds is light and buoy- 
ant; they often, as they are Hying, touch tha 
surface of the earth on which in general their 
prey is to be found,- and dart unexpectedly 
on their prey, not pursuing it It sometimes 
happen that they continue their search longer 
than usual, and following the dictates of ap- 
petite rather than that of prudence, wait till 
day-light breaks upon them, they are bewil- 
dered, dazzled, and confounded, and how- 
ever far from home, are obliged to remain in 
the same spot until the return of evening. If 
by any means they are forced to leave their 
retreat, their flight is tardy and interrupted, 
being* afraid of dashing against the inter- 
vening obstacles. The other birds, perceiv- 
ing their fear, or their constrained situation, 
