INTRODUCTION’ 
XX11I 
finely ; and it is remarkable, that thefe reciprocally 
alTift in their domefric cares, as building their nefts 
and fitting on their eggs, feeding and defending 
O O ' O O' 
i c 
their young brood, &c. The oriolus (idteri 
Cat.) is an inftance of this cafe; and the female of 
the Idterus minor is a bird of more fplendid and gay 
drefs than the male bird. Some tribes of birds 
will relieve and rear up the young and helplefs, of 
their own and other tribes, when abandoned. Ani- 
mal fubfcance feems to be the find food of ail birds, 
even the grand vorous tribes. 
Having palled through feme remarks, which ap- 
peared of fuflicient confequence to be offered to the 
public, and which were mod datable to have a, 
place in the introduction, I fnall now offer fuch ob- 
fervations as mud necelfarily occur, from a careful 
attention to, and invedigation of, the manners of 
the Indian nations ; being induced, while travel- 
ing among them, to affociate with them, that I 
might judge for myfelf, whether they were deferving 
of the fevere cenfure which prevailed againd them, 
among the white people, that they were incapable 
of civilization. 
In the confideration of this important fubjeft It 
will be neceflary to inquire, whether they were in- 
clined to adopt the European modes of civil focie- 
ty ? Whether fuch a reformation could be obtained, 
without ufing coercive or violent means ? And laftly, 
whether fuch a refoluticn would be productive of 
real benefit to them, and confequently beneficial to 
the public ? I was fatisfied in difeovering that they 
were defirous of becoming united with us, in civil 
and religious fociety. 
It may, therefore, not be foreign to the fubjeCt, 
to point out the propriety of fending men of abi- 
lity and virtue, under the authority of government. 
