&X1V 
INTRODUCTION. 
With regard to the Duck kind in general, they are moftly 
birds of paffage. Mr Pennant obferves, ££ Of the numerous 
6C fpecies that form this genus, we know of no more than five 
ee that breed here, viz the Tame Swan, the Tame Goofe, the 
ec Shield Duck, the Eider Duck, and a very fmall number of 
u the Wild Ducks s The reft contribute to form that amazing 
4£ multitude of water fowl that annually repair from mod parts 
4£ of Europe to the woods and lakes of Lapland and other arc- 
<c tic regions, there to perform the functions of incubation and 
i( nutrition in full fecurity. They and their young quit their re- 
44 treats in September, and difperfe themfelves over Europe. 
4£ With us they make their appearance in the beginning of 
4£ October, circulate firfl round our fhores, and., when compel - 
4£ led by fevere froft, betake themfelves to our lakes and ri> 
4£ vers.” — In winter the Bernacles and Brent Geefe appear in 
vaft flocks on the north-weft coaft of Britain, and leave us in 
February, when they migrate as far as Lapland, Greenland, or 
Spitzbergen. 
The Solon Geefe or Gannets are birds of paffage ; their firfl 
appearance is in March, and they continue till Auguft or Sep- 
tember. The Long-legged Plover and Sanderling vifit us in 
winter only ; and it is worthy of remark, that every fpecies of 
the Curlews, Woodcocks, Sandpipers, and Plovers, which for- 
fake us in the fpring, retire to Sweden, Poland, Prufiia, Nor- 
way, and Lapland to breed, and return to us as foon as the 
young are able to fly ; the frofts, which fet in early in tnofe 
countries, depriving them totally of fubfiftence. 
Befides thefe, there is a great variety of birds which perform 
partial migrations, or flittings, from one part of the country to 
another. During hard winters, when the furface of the earth 
is covered with fnow, many birds, fuch as Larks, Snipes, & c, 
withdraw from the inland parts of the country towards the 
fea-fiiores in queft of food.; others, as the Wren, the Redbreaft, 
and a variety of fmall birds, quit the fields, and approach the 
habitations of men. The Bohemian Chatterer, the Grofbeak, 
and the Crofsbill, are only occafional vifitors, and obferve no 
