PREFACE. 
All Waders, or cloven-footed fowl, are monogamous, except 
the Ruffs ; and all with pinnated feet, as far as I know, are alfo 
monogamous. 
The fwimmers, or web-footed fowl, obferve the fame order, as 
far as can be remarked with any certainty ; but many of the 
Auks affemble in the rocks in fuch numbers, and each individual 
fo contiguous, that it is not poflible to determine their method in 
this article. 
It may be remarked, that the affection of birds to their young, 
is very violent during the whole time of nutrition, or as long as 
they continue in a helplefs ftate ; but fo foon as the brood can fly 
and ftiift for itfelf, the parents negled, and even drive it from their 
haunts, the affedion ceafing with the neceflity of it : but, during 
that period, 
The mothers nurfe it, and the fires defend; 
The young difmifs’d to wander earth, or air, 
There flops the inftind, and there ends the care ; 
The link diffolves, each feeks a frefh embrace. 
Another love fucceeds, another race, 
NIDIFICATION. 
THENefl of a bird is one of thofe daily miracles, that, from its 
familiarity, is pafied over without regard. We flare with wonder 
at things that rarely happen, and' negled the daily operations of 
nature, that ought fir ft to excite our admiration, and clame our 
attention. 
Each bird, after nuptials, prepares a place fuited to its fpecies, 
for the depofiting its eggs, and fheltering its little brood; Diffe- 
rent 
