180 
LAVATER S 
ESSAY XIX. 
On Birds. 
NATURE has likewife drawn on birds a true 
picture of their different charadlers, according to 
their fpecies and place in the fcale of beings. 
Were we only to confider their tender conttitu- 
tution, delicate form, and fuperior faculties, confin- 
ed within a narrow compafs, in a comparative view 
with other living creatures, it might be juftly faid, 
that, next to man, the feathered race is belt entitled 
to our admiration. 
Their little bodies contain more flrength than has 
fallen to the lot of the moft formidable four-footed 
animals, with a greater degree of nimblenefs, by 
means of wings, which are marks of their inde- 
pendence. Thus, having the power to vifit all 
parts of the world, they fly from one climate to 
another, according to thofe changes which inflinft 
teaches them to forefee 5 fo that the whole univerfe 
is their countr}^, or wherever they can foar under 
the great canopy of Heaven. 
They are of a lighter form than quadrupeds, hav- 
ing a more pliant neck, and a fmaller head, wdth a 
pointed beak, inftead of a mouth. To them be- 
4 longs 
