36*8 
BIRDS. 
birth. Their magazine contains a provision of this 
fluid, adequate to the necessity of its consumption, 
which is continually returning ; their very flesh 
contracts the flavour of it ; and every one may ob- 
serve that the care of oiling their feathers is their 
constant employment. 
The wings and the tail are both very admirably 
constructed to answer the necessary purposes of the 
bird. For the wings form on each side two levers, 
that keep the body in a just poise ; at the same time 
they perform the office of oars ; while the tail acts 
as a counterpoise to the head and neck, and serves 
the bird instead of a rudder, whilst he rows with 
his wings : but this rudder is not only instrumental 
in preserving the equilibrium of the flight ; it like- 
wise enables the bird to rise, descend, and turn 
where he pleases ; for, as soon as the tail is directed 
to one point, the head turns to the opposite quarter. 
We have now completed the general description 
of the bird, and shall conclude this introduction 
with an interesting account which the author of the 
Arctic Zoology has collected, of the manner in which 
bird-catching is carried on by the inhabitants of the 
Orkneys, who subsist, during the season, on the 
eggs of the birds which nestle in the cliffs. 
tf The method of taking them is so very hazard- 
ous, as to satisfy one of the extremity to which the 
poor people are driven for want of food. Copinsha, 
Hunda, Hoy, Fowla, and Noss-head, are the most 
celebrated rocks ; and the neighbouring natives the 
most expert climbers and adventurers after the game 
