BRITISH BIRDS. 
*93 
OF THE FLYCATCHERS. 
Of thofe birds which conftitute this clafs we 
Only find two kinds which inhabit this ifland, and 
thefe are not the moft numerous of the various 
tribes with which this country abounds. The ufe- 
ful inftinCts and propenfities of this little active 
race are chiefly confined to countries under the 
more immediate influence of the fun, where they 
are of infinite ufe in deftroying thofe numerous 
fwarms of noxious infefts engendered by heat and 
moiflure, which are continually upon the wing. 
Thefe, though weak and contemptible when indi- 
vidually confidered- are formidable by their num- 
bers, devouring the whole produce of vegetation, 
and carrying in their train the accumulated ills of 
peftilence and famine. Thus, to ufe the words of 
an eminent Naturalift,* “ we fee, that all nature is 
balanced, and the circle of generation and deftruc- 
tion is perpetual ! The philofopher contemplates 
with melancholy this feemingly cruel fyflem, and 
ftrives in vain to reconcile it with his ideas of be- 
nevolence ; but he is forcibly {truck with the nice 
adjuftment of the various parts, their mutual con- 
nection and fubordination, and the unity of plan 
which pervades the whole .’ 5 
% BufFon. 
O 
