4 
INTRODUCTION. 
India; the Goose, Duck, and Pigeon of Europe ; the Turkey of 
America ; and the Pintado or Guinea-Hen of Africa, are the prin- 
cipal : to which may also be added, as less useful, or more recently 
naturalized, the Peacock of India; the Pheasant of the same coun- 
try ; the Chinese and Canada Goose ; the Muscovy Duck ; and the 
European Swan. 
Carnivorus birds, by many striking traits, evince the destiny for 
which they have been created ; they are provided with wings of 
great length, supported by powerful muscles, which enable them to 
fly with energy, and soar with ease at the loftiest elevations in which 
they are visible. They are armed with strong and hooked bills ; 
and with the sharp and formidable claws of the tiger ; they are also 
further distinguished by their large heads, short necks, strong muscu- 
lar thighs in aid of their retractile talons, and a sight so piercing, as 
to enable them, while soaring at the greatest height, to perceive 
their prey, upon which they sometimes descend, like an arrow T , 
with undeviating aim. In these birds the stomach is smaller than 
in the granivorous kinds, and their intestines are shorter. Like 
beasts of prey, they are of a fierce and unsociable nature ; and 
so far from herding together like the inoffensive tribes, they drive 
even their offspring from the eyry, and seek habitually the shelter 
of desert rocks, neglected ruins, or the solitude of the darkest forest, 
from whence they utter loud, terrific, or piercing cries, in accordance 
with the gloomy rage and inquietude of their insatiable desires. 
Besides these grand divisions of the winged nations, there are 
others, which, in their habits and manners, might be compared to 
the amphibious animals, as they live chiefly on the water, and feed 
on its productions. To enable them to swim and dive in quest 
of their aquatic food, their toes are connected by broad membranes 
or webs, with which, like oars, they strike the water, and are im- 
pelled with force. In this way even the seas, lakes, and rivers^, 
abounding with fish, insects, and seeds, swarm with birds of various 
kinds, which all obtain an abundant supply. There are other aquatic 
birds, frequenting marshes and the margins of lakes, rivers, and the 
sea, which seem to partake of an intermediate nature between the 
land and water tribes. Some of these feed on fishes and reptiles ; 
others, with long and sensible bills and extended necks, seek their 
food in wet and muddy marshes. These birds are not made for 
swimming; but, familiar with water, they wade, and many follow 
the edge of the retiring waves of the sea, gleaning their insect prey 
at the recession of the tides : for this kind of life nature has provided 
