1 
INTRbDUCTlON. 
of the Duck species are hatched in twenty-eight days ; but the Swan 
incubates nearly two months. The young of the Hawk, and Owl kinds, 
and of the Plovers, Water Hens, Rails, and poultry tribes, are at first covered 
with a soft down ; and birds so clothed, when excluded, are in general a 
long time before they are full hedged. Some run as soon as they quit the 
shell ; this trait is conspicuous in the gallinaceous kinds, and the young ones 
of the Goatsucker move from their nests- at a very early period : others, 
like most of the Sparrow race, lie in a state of imbecility for weeks, alike 
incapable of supplying their wants, or escaping from danger. Young birds* 
are voracious, and importunate ; and it is with labor 'and difficulty that 
their wants are supplied ; but the affection of the parents lightens the labor, 
and with unwearied, and, most probably, pleasing exertion, they fulfil the 
incumbent duties of their new situation. While the female is feeding thelittle 
ones, the male is assiduously searching for food, and by the time she quits 
the nest, he has approached it. Thus alternately employed, and relieved, 
they pass their days in the most grateful of all duties, the rearing of the 
pledges of their love. When the old one draws near to the nest, a gentle 
twitter announces its return, and as all are equally eager, the mouths of the 
whole brood are open to receive their food ; which is distributed among 
them with as much impartiality, as the care and affection of the parents will 
admit. The one at the top, which is commonly a male, and generally the 
strongest, in defiance of their endeavours, often steals from his hungry 
brethren their portions. Sometimes the old ones feed their young in 
succession, after having satisfied the appetite of each individual. At other 
times, they pass immediately on, from one to another in instant succession. 
Many birds are remarkably attentive to cleanliness, particularly among the 
Sparrow tribes ; though the Golden- crest, like the Hawk and the Owl, 
perhaps from the depth of its nest, suffers its young ones to repose on a 
congeries of filth, insects, seeds, and dung. When the young have 
attained sufficient vigor, and plumage, to follow their parents through the 
trackless air, they are essayed in the art of flying, which is frequently 
practised, until, experienced in the exercise, they can fearlessly ascend the 
untrodden sky. 
