The faculties of birds / [Anon].

  • Rennie, James, 1787-1867
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The faculties of birds / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Chapter VI. TASTE OF CARNIVOROUS BIRDS. It was remarked by Plato, that when animals were created, peculiar species of food were assigned to each,—“ to one herbs, to another the fruits of trees ; to some roots, and to a distinct race, it was permitted to feed upon the flesh of other creatures*.” The Grecian philosopher, however, does not seem to have had so clear a notion of the order in which this assignment was made as our modern inquirers, inasmuch as he appears to consider it subsequent to the provisions of strength, swiftness, natural weapons of defence, and means of protection from the in¬ clemencies of the weather. Were we to follow out Plato’s views according to the interpretation which they will justly bear, we must conclude that the peculiar species of food was appointed to each animal without reference to its organization, whereas there cannot be a shadow of doubt of this being the very reverse of the fact. A beautiful passage in Buffon appears to us to place the matter in its true light. “ The mode of life,” he says, “ the habits, and economy of animals, are not so free as might be supposed. Their actions result not from inclination and choice, but are the necessary effects of their peculiar organization and structure. Nor do they seek ever to infringe or evade the law of their constitution; the eagle never abandons his rocks, nor the heron her shores: the one shoots down from the * Protagoras, § 57.