introduction. 
vii' 
characters of the other two divifions of this numerous family— 
the waders and the Jwimmers i thefe are generally found far re- 
moved from the cultivated world. In exploring the track which 
leads us, Hep by ftep, to an acquaintance with them, we raufl: 
travel through reeds and rufiies, with doubtful feet, over the 
mofs-covered faithlefs quagmire, amidft oozing rills, and Rag- 
nant pools. The former divifion of thefe inhabitants of the 
marfli are called waders. All the genera, and the different fpe- 
cies of this divifion have divided toes : they are apparently fitted 
for living on land, but are furnifhed with propenfities and appe- 
tites which direft them chiefly to feek their food in moifl; and 
watery places, or on the margins of lakes and rivers, and yet they 
avoid thofe depths, where it might feem to be found in the greatefl: 
abundance. Mofl: of them have long bills, formed to perforate 
the foft mud and moifl; earth, and long legs, bare above the 
knees, whereby they are enabled to wade through fhallow waters 
' in fearch of food, without wetting their plumage. Others have 
fhorter legs, feathered down to the knees, and bills of varied 
length : whence it may appear that thefe are more limited in 
their powers, and pick up only fuch infeCls or graffes, feeds or 
roots of aquatic plants, as are to be met with near the furface 
of the ground, or in fhallow pools ; whllft others again are 
known to plunge into the water, and by partial fwimmings to 
extricate themfelves from it, after they have feized their prey, 
whether fifhes or infedls. Some of this clafs, in the warmer 
and temperate climates, breed and rear their young in the fens, 
where they remain throughout the year : others again, but thefe 
are few, after the bufinefs of incubation is over, difappear, and 
are fuppofed to direCl their flight northward ; while others, and 
thefe by much the greater number, are known Invariably to 
leave the north, and to migrate fouthward on the approach of 
the winter months, and to return northward in the fpring. It 
mufl be obferved that the fwamps, and inland waters of tempe- 
rate climes, are alfo flocked with a numerous fet of inhabitants 
