702 THE STL'DY t)F \ATURAL HTSTORY. 
ber of others, which had been nestHiig amongst the rushes on the 
bank, and tliese again after a certain time, relinquished their labours 
to another party, so that the water was kept in a constant state of 
agitation both night and day, until the frost was over. I observed, 
that whenever the fresh party of ducks entered the water, their first 
object was to swim close to the ice in a semi-circle form, so as to en- 
tirely prevent it congealing any where within their boimdaries ; but 
what struck me as the most extraordinary circumstance was, that 
when the well known whistle of the keeper proclaimed the feeding- 
time, it had no effect on the ducks then on duty, although all the 
others flew as usual to the spot with their accustomed clamour, a 
part however soon returned to the lake with a loud call for those then 
in the water to change situations, which was performed with an ala- 
crity and rcgdaritv, that would have been a lesson to w'ell disciplin- 
ed troops. The ducks appeared nearly regardless of the labourers, 
although at other times a single footstep would have alarmed the 
whole flock, and ])ut them to flight. 
Henry Phillips. 
21, Russel-S'piare, Brifjhton, July, 1832. 
ARTICLE XVII. 
ON THE ADVANTAGES RESULTING FROM A JUDICIOUS STUDY 
OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
BY J. SMITHMOT. 
Of the different studies which mankind pursue, ie\\, if any, present 
a wider field for mental exertion than the study of natural history. 
Placed by an all- wise and bountiful Creator on this globe of earth, 
we are every where surrounded by the immensity of his works. It 
is much to be lamented that, notwithstanding every faculty which the 
present eidightened age affords for the attainment of scientific and 
useful knowledge, there should be, comparatively speaking, so few 
who manifest any desire of obtaining an intimate acquaintance with 
the subliine productions of nature. No one, is able to avoid being 
led occasionally by his own feelings, to notice the ever-varying and 
magnificent appeai'ances which everj'where present themselves. All 
can remark the beautiful verdure of the fields, and woods, the ele- 
gance of the flowers, and the melodious singing of the birds ; but 
how few indeed give themselves the trouble of proceeding a single 
step further, or exhibit any desii'e of examining into the nature of 
