146 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
BIRDS q/’ Me C R A N E K I N D. 
This clafs is inferior to every other in 
building their nefts, being lefs curious than 
thofe of the fparrow kind ; the method they 
nie to obtain their food, is alfo lefs ingenious 
than thofe of the falcon kind ; the pie kind 
excel them in cunning ; while the poulti7 
kind are more prolific. None of this kind 
being, therefore, protefted by man, they lead 
a precarious life in fens and marflies, where 
they feed upon filh and infefls ; for which 
purpofe nature has provided them with long 
necks, to enable them to dive for their prey, 
and long legs to keep their bodies dry and 
clean. 
Thole only which feed on infefts are eat- 
able. 
The S T O R K. 
II I S bird is llmilar to the crane, hut 
moi-e remarkable both in figure and difpofi- 
tion. T.'he feathers arc white and brown; 
and the nails arc flat, like thofe of a man. 
It makes no other noife, but that of clacking 
its under bill againll the upper. Contrary 
to the general difpofition of nature, it has as 
much, ^f not more filial affeftion toward 
its 
