CHAPTER V.

Productions of the Waters continued-Birds-Ostrich-CassowaryEagle-Anecdotes of Eagles-Bustard-Turkey-Anecdote of Turkeys-Peacock-Pigeon-Carrier

Pigeon-Raven-Magpie-Anec

dotes-Cuckoo-Anecdote-Parrot-Anecdotes-Humming Birds

-Tropical Birds-Migratory Birds.

THE subject of our last chapter was so intimately connected with the Ocean, that the mind naturally reverted from the watery abyss to its appropriate inhabitants; but not so those creatures which are now demanding our attention, those feathered tribes which at the period of which we are treating, first emanated from the bosom of the deep, when "a new system of exterior figure, and a new species of beauty arose to visible existence." At the creative word the air became peopled with a race peculiarly adapted to impress our minds with a sense of Jehovah's goodness, His power, and His ineffable wisdom. It is in animated nature the Most High continually displays the chief varieties of beauty; and whether we are admiring the penciled leaf of the gorgeous tulip, the spacious firmament enriched with millions of shining worlds, the gold and silvery hues of the finny tribe, or the rich and splendid plumage of the tenants of the trees and air, we equally behold the same

inexhaustible and capacious Mind. Birds may certainly be regarded as some of the most beautiful beings in creation. Their formation is so wonderful, their habits so extraordinary, their instinct so admirable, that we need nothing further to convince us that "the hand that made them is Divine."

Before we take a cursory view of the history of these fascinating creatures, for such I regret to think it must be from want of space, it would not be uninteresting to glance at their formation, as well as the real curiosity their feathers exhibit.

These are fastened into the skin, laid regularly over each other, accompanied by a soft down. Every feather has a quill with beards; this is hollow at the bottom, and from thence it derives its nourishment; but lest the feathers should be injured by constant exposure to the air, the bird is furnished with a gland containing oil, which it presses out with its beak, and when necessary, anoints its plumage: water-fowl are largely provided with this oil, which is the cause of their feathers never appearing wet. The wings are composed of several bones, into which are set the feathers intended for flight; they are a little hollow, for the sake of collecting more air, which however, cannot penetrate, in consequence of their being laid so closely over each other. The body is borne up by the wings, which exactly balance it; the head is small, the tail assists the bird to rise, and in preserving the equilibrium, and the legs are drawn up under the body. The bodies of birds are formed throughout the whole with such art and harmony, as to be perfectly adapted to their way of life, and their different wants.* And now that we have

*Sturm's Reflections, vol. ii. p. 299.

glanced at their formation, we will consider the order wherein Naturalists have divided them; and as M. Buffon arranges them in eight, and Dr. Latham in nine, in having added three orders to the six of Linnæus, by following two such able guides, we are not likely to wander far out of the correct path. The first on our list are birds of the Struthious or Ostrich order; the second, the Accipitres, or rapacious birds; the third, the Gallinaceous or Poultry, which include Game; the fourth, the Columbæ, Pigeons or Doves; the fifth, Pica or Pies; the sixth, the Passerine or Sparrow kind; the seventh, the Cloven-footed Water-fowl, including the Fin-footed; and the eighth, the Web-footed Water-fowl. The Ostrich was very anciently known, and has always been considered as the largest of the feathered tribe, whose weight deprives it of the faculty of flying, being nearly eighty pounds, which would require an immense power of wing to elevate it into the air; consequently this, as well as the other birds of this class, being all more or less heavy, are equally incapable of flying. But although unable to wend her way through the air, the ostrich is furnished with the means of escape from her enemies, by being admirably fitted for running. The greater part of her body is covered with hair, rather than feathers; her legs are thick and muscular, her feet large and sinewy, with only two toes, resembling those of a camel, and her wings, armed with two spikes, are given her for a defence.* Thus she traverses the desert, and "when she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider;" Job xxxix. 18; the truth of which is attested by all who have travelled through her sandy abode, and seen her, as Sparman did, "first * Buffon, vol. i. p. 326.