11 
INTRODUCTION. 
her former place of incubation, from distances immense ; the Nightingale 
again finds the grove in which she had poured her song ; and hundreds of 
the little warblers reject the poisonous fruits, that conceal destruction 
under an alluring exterior, with the certainty of the most acute reasoning 
skill. And, even in the sublimer affections, the inferior animals are his 
rivals ; the Dog exhibits the strongest traits of gratitude, faithfulness, and 
affection ; the Shrike, and a hundred others, of parental fondness, and the 
horned Screamer, if Margrafr may be relied on, of the most deep-rooted 
individual love. It is not in every particular endowment, then, that man rises 
superior to other animals, but it is as one common centre of many perfec- 
tions, one collective whole, that he mounts the scale of being, and places 
himself at the head. The investigation of every part of the regions, and 
of the works of nature, tends to increase his superiority, and to invigorate 
the energies of his mind ; to elevate him above himself, as he comes from 
her hand, and to make him participate, in some degree, in the first great 
attribute, — the wisdom of the Deity. Among the numerous races of ani- 
mated heings, the light and airy tribes that enliven the forest and the field, 
and gratify us with the wild music of nature, demand some attention. 
Too impotent, to be dangerous enemies ; too shy, and volatile, to be 
domestic friends ; conferring benefits which are unregarded, committing 
injuries which are exaggerated, sought after for amusement, or to pamper 
our appetites ; we are inclined to investigate their habits, their customs, 
and their actions, with a degree of indifference, as if they were merely a 
beautiful part of the works of creation, or slightly beneficial to mankind. 
But they were not formed on purpose to adorn, and beautify, the scenery 
of Nature, to exhibit the delicacy and splendor of her paintings, gratify 
us with their luxuries, or cheer us with their melodies. Many of their 
species were, evidently, called into being for more important uses ; the 
Vulture, the Crow, the Raven, and the Pie, greedily devour the putrid 
carcases, which, if left to rot, and spread their poisons, might fill the 
atmosphere with contagion and death. Others disperse over the surface 
of the earth innumerable seeds, and become the planters of trees and 
