[ 288 J 
As I now draw towards a conclusion of both my 
experiments and observations on the linking o'f birds j 
it may be poftibly allied, what ufe refults ci.her from 
the tr >ubie or expence which they hwe coft me; 
both 1 1 whii h 1 holt to have been c-onfi^er ble. 
I vViU read; U o wn, that no very i, mouant ad - 
va -.tiges can be d. ived front them; a, d yet 1 (lull 
not decline fugueftmg what little profit they may 
poftibly he of, though it heft they fttould rather be 
confidered as what Lord B icon terms, experiments of 
light , than of fruit. 
In the firft place, there is no better method of in-' 
veftigating the human faculties, than by a compa- 
‘ rifon with thole of animals j provided we make it 
without a moft ungrateful with of lowering our- 
o _ o 
felves, in that diftinguifhed fhuation in which we are 
placed. 
Thus we are referred to the ant for an example of 
induftry and forefight, becaufe it provides a maga- 
zine of food for the winter, when this animal is fa 
a ftate of torpidity during that feafon.; r.or are we 
lefs willing to fuppofe the fong of birds to be fupe- 
rior to our own mufical powers. 
The notes of many birds are certainly very plea- 
fing, but can by no means ftand in competition ei- 
ther with the human voice cr our worft mufical 
jnftruments ; not only from want of the ftriking ef- 
fects of harmonv in many excellent compofitions ; but 
becaifte, even when compared to our fimple melody, 
exprefiion is wanting*, without which mufic is fo 
languid and inanimate. 
* The nightingale, indeed, is perhaps an exception to this 
general obiervation. 
But 
