.-INTRODUCTION. 
Ill 
herbs, in places in which they would not else have appeared ; and almost 
all of the sparrow kinds, defend the fruits of our labors from the devas- 
tation of countless multitudes of insects, the exuberance in the increase of 
which, were it not thus happily checked, would be an evil insurmount- 
able by all our efforts. 
Besides, if we give credence to the assertions of the ancients, the 
actions of birds have led to important, and highly valuable discoveries. 
Among many others, Pliny ‘ makes mankind indebted to the Kite, for the 
knowledge of the use of the rudder, so instrumental in the purposes of 
navigation. 
But were there no other motive that stimulated us to this investi- 
gation, than that it leads us to a knowledge of the Omnipotence of that 
great and awful Being, who has displayed his wonders before our eyes, but 
hidden himself in impenetrable darkness, that alone would induce the 
philosophic mind to engage in the task. In every part of the animal 
world, his wisdom shines with a radiance, almost overpowering the strength 
of human intellect ; and, though difficulties and obstacles continually arise 
in the search, still enough is seen in the formation of these beautiful 
creatures to convince us, that the harmony and agreement of their various 
organs are not the combination of blind, irregular, unforeseeing chance, 
but of an Omniscient Creator, who has wisely suited the means to the 
end. 
Formed, as are the feathered tribes, with a structure well adapted to 
permeate the untrodden regions of air, clothed in a soft, and delicate 
vesture, painted with a thousand colors, and endued with extraordinary 
swiftness, they in general pass a life of enjoyment, rather than of toil; a 
' Nat. Hist.. Lib. 10. Cap. 10. Milvi videntur artem gubernandi docuisse (navem.) caudas 
flexibus, in coelo monstrante natura, quod opus esset in profundo, 
B 2 
