BRITISH BIRDS* 
plants, of which they find an abundant fupply 
when left to provide for themfelves in thofe wet 
places. 
When they, with other kinds of fowl, are bufily 
employed in picking up the wafte about the barn 
door, they greatly enliven and beautify the rural 
fcene. 
“ A fnug thack houfe, before the door a green ; 
“ Hens on the midding, Ducks in dubs are feen. 
‘‘ On this fide Hands a barn, on that a byre ; 
A peat-ftack joins, and forms a rural fquare.” * 
To this may be added, the no lefs pleafing peep at 
the mill and mill-dam, when well furniflied with 
thefe their feathered inhabitants. The village fchool- 
boy witnefies with delight the antic movements of 
the bufy fliapelefs little brood, fometimes under the 
charge of a fofter mother, who with anxious fears 
paddles by the brink, and utters her unavailing 
cries, while the Ducklings, regardlefs of her warn- 
ings, and rejoicing in the element fo well adapted 
to their nature, are fplafliing over each other be- 
neath the pendent foliage ; or, in eager purfuit, 
fnap at their infed prey on the furface, or plunge 
after them to the bottom : fome meanwhile are feen 
perpendicularly fufpended, with the tail only above 
water, engaged in the general fearch after food. 
* Allan Ramfay, 
