To  assist  the  efforts  of  birds,  and  sustain  them  through  their  long
journeys,  it  is  often  necessary  to  borrow  the  aid  of  the  winds ;  but
that  this  element  may  assist,  it  is  proper  that  it  meet  them  ;  or  be
in  the  reverse  of  its  aid  to  the  navigator.  This  observation  is  so
far  verified,  that  to  succeed  in  the  chase  of  birds  upon  the  water,  it


INTRODUCTION.  27

is  necessary  to  approach  them  by  cutting  the  wind  upon  them  ;  conse-
quently, by  the  disposition  of  their  wings,  they  are  obhged  to  come
towards  the  boat,  which  is  also  at  the  same  time  pushed  towards  them.
Our  common  Passenger  Pigeons  and  Wild  Geese,  decided  migra-
tors, may  be  observed,  when  moving  in  the  largest  bodies,  flying  in
a  path  contrary  to  the  wind.  The  direction  of  the  winds  is  then  of
great  importance  to  the  migration  of  birds,  not  only  as  an  assistance
when  favorable,  but  to  be  avoided  when  contrary,  as  the  most  dis-
astrous of  accidents,  when  they  are  traversing  the  ocean.  If  the
breeze  suddenly  change,,  the  aerial  voyagers  tack  to  meet  it,  and
diverging  from  their  original  course,  seek  the  asylum  of  some  land
or  island,  as  is  the  case  very  frequently  with  the  Quails,  who  conse-
quently, in  their  passage  across  the  Mediterranean,  at  variable
times,  make  a  descent  in  immense  numbers  on  the  islands  of  the
Archipelago,  where  they  wait,  sometimes  for  weeks,  the  arrival
of  a  propitious  gale  to  terminate  their  journey.  And  hence  we
perceive  the  object  of  migrating  birds,  when  they  alight  upon  a
vessel  at  sea;  it  has  fallen  in  their  course  while  seeking  refuge
from  a  baffling  breeze,  or  overwhelming  storm,  and  after  a  few
hours  of  rest,  they  wing  their  way  to  their  previous  destination.
