EVERY-DAY LIFE. 
259 
domestic Pigeon do this on the Nile. The solemn 
Vulture, when thirsty, paces up and down at the water’s 
edge and drinks at intervals : Finches like to drink in 
company; they perch on the bushes nearest the water, 
dart down, take one sip of the precious liquid, and then 
return to their resting-place; these little flights are 
repeated until their thirst is satisfied. All true water- 
birds drink while swimming, and, be it remarked, salt 
water as well as fresh. These, along with carrion-, reptile-, 
fish-eating, and granivorous birds, appear to require a 
great deal of water. Insectivorous birds, on the con¬ 
trary, drink but little; and Falcons, Eagles, and Owls, 
often remain for a long time without drinking at all. In 
general, birds seem to enjoy a good draught of water as 
much as we do a good glass of wine. At all events, they 
always appear thoroughly comfortable after having 
quenched their thirst. Indeed, the business of digestion 
usually begins with them immediately after drinking, and 
is a delightful state of “ dolce far niente.” 
The meal finished, the bird (though always to be 
tempted by an attractive morsel) flies quietly to its 
resting-place; makes itself comfortable; preens its 
feathers; raises its wings; satisfies nature; sets itself 
up straight, sometimes on one leg only; shuts its eyes, 
either wholly or partially, and then quietly allows crop 
and stomach to do their work. To thoroughly under¬ 
stand the extreme luxury of rest after a meal one must 
observe the flesh- and grain-eating birds, whose food is 
first prepared in the crop for digestion. Buminants only 
can enjoy such quiet pleasure, while languidly reclining 
during the hours of digestion. At this time the animal 
thinks of nothing, and does not even allow its personal 
safety to interfere with this important operation. Vultures, 
