PREFACE. 
xvii 
but two : but Providence wifely prevents the extinction of the 
genus, by a fwiftnefs of flight that eludes every purfuit. 
The Gallinaceous order, the molt ufeful of any to mankind, 
lay the molt eggs, from eight to twenty ; Benigna circa hoc natura , 
innocua et efculenta animalia fee cun da generavit , is a fine obfervation 
of Pliny. With exception to the Bustard, a bird that hangs be- 
tween the Gallinaceous and the Waders, which lays only two. 
The Columbine order lays but two white eggs; but the do- 
meftic kind, breeding almoft every month, fupports the remark of 
the Roman naturalift. 
All of the Passerine order lay from four to fix eggs, except 
the Titmice and the Wren, which lay fifteen or eighteen, and the 
Goatfucker, which lays only two. 
The Struthious order, which confifts but of two genera, dif- 
agree much in the number of eggs : the Ostrich laying many, 
as far as fifty; the Dodo but one. 
The Cloven-footed Water-fowl, or Waders, lay, in general, 
four eggs. The Crane and the Norfolk Plover feldom more 
than two. All thofe of the Snipe and Plover genus are of a 
dirty white, or olive, fpotted with black, and fcarcely to be diftin- 
guifhed in the holes they lay in. The bird called the Land Rail 
(an ambiguous fpecies) lays from fifteen to twenty. Of birds with 
pinnated feet, the Coot lays feven or eight eggs, and fometimes 
more. Grebes from four to eight, and thole white. 
The Web-footed, or Swimmers, differ in the number of their 
eggs. Thofe which border on the order of Waders, lay few eggs ; 
the Avoset, two; the Flamingo, three; the Albatross, the 
Auks, and Guillemots, lay only one egg apiece: the eggs of 
D -the 
Gallinaobous. 
Passerine. 
Struthious. 
Wads rs. 
Web* foots a. 
