BRITISH BIRDS. 
271 
up the fodden fcattered grain of the farm-yard, 
which, but for their affiduous fearchings, would be 
loft. To them alfo are allotted the larger quantities 
of corn which are fhaken by the winds from the 
over-ripened ears in the fields. On this clean and 
fimple food they foon become fat, and their flefli is 
accounted delicious and nouriftiing. 
, In a wild ftate, birds of various kinds preferve 
their original plumage ; but when tamed they foon 
begin to vary, and fliew the efteds of domeftica- 
tion : this is the cafe with the tame Goofe and the 
Duck, which differ as much from the wild of their 
refpedive kinds, as they do from each other. 
