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And first； for the Element that I use to trade in； which is the Air； an
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element of more worth than weight； an element that doubtless exceeds
both the Earth and Water； for though I sometimes deal in both； yet the air
is most properly mine； I and my Hawks use that most； and it yields us
most recreation。 It stops not the high soaring of my noble； generous Falcon；
in it she ascends to such a height as the dull eyes of beasts and fish are not
able to reach to； their bodies are too gross for such high elevations； in the
Air my troops of Hawks soar up on high； and when they are lost in the
sight of men； then they attend upon and converse with the Gods； therefore
I think my Eagle is so justly styled Jove's servant in ordinary： and that
very Falcon； that I am now going to see； deserves no meaner a title； for she
usually in her flight endangers herself； like the son of Daedalus； to have
her wings scorched by the sun's heat； she flies so near it； but her mettle
makes her careless of danger； for she then heeds nothing； but makes her
nimble pinions cut the fluid air； and so makes her highway over the
steepest mountains and deepest rivers； and in her glorious career looks
with contempt upon those high steeples and magnificent palaces which we
adore and wonder at； from which height； I can make her to descend by a
word from my mouth； which she both knows and obeys； to accept of meat
from my hand。 to own me for her Master； to go home with me； and be
willing the next day to afford me the like recreation。
And more； this element of air which I profess to trade in； the worth of
it is such； and it is of such necessity； that no creature whatsoever…not only
those numerous creatures that feed on the face of the earth； but those
various creatures that have their dwelling within the waters； every creature
that hath life in its nostrils； stands in need of my element。 The waters
cannot preserve the Fish without air； witness the not breaking of ice in an
extreme frost； the reason is； for that if the inspiring and expiring organ of
any animal be stopped； it suddenly yields to nature； and dies。 Thus
necessary is air； to the existence both of Fish and Beasts； nay； even to Man
himself； that air； or breath of life； with which God at first inspired
mankind； he； if he wants it； dies presently； becomes a sad object to all that
loved and beheld him； and in an instant turns to putrefaction。
Nay more； the very birds of the air； those that be not Hawks； are both
so many and so useful and pleasant to mankind； that I must not let them
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pass without some observations。 They both feed and refresh him； feed him
with their choice bodies； and refresh him with their heavenly voices：…I will
not undertake to mention the several kinds of Fowl by which this is done：
and his curious palate pleased by day； and which with their very
excrements afford him a soft lodging at night：…These I will pass by； but not
those little nimble musicians of the air； that warble forth their curious
ditties； with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of art。
As first the Lark； when she means to rejoice； to cheer herself and those
that hear her； she then quits the earth； and sings as she ascends higher into
the air and having ended her heavenly employment； grows then mute； and
sad； to think she must descend to the dull earth； which she would not touch；
but for necessity。
How do the Blackbird and Thrassel with their melodious voices bid
welcome to the cheerful Spring； and in their fixed months warble forth
such ditties as no art or instrument can reach to！
Nay； the smaller birds also do the like in their particular seasons； as
namely the Laverock； the Tit…lark； the little Linnet； and the honest Robin
that loves mankind both alive and dead。
But the Nightingale； another of my airy creatures； breathes such sweet
loud musick out of her little instrumental throat； that it might make
mankind to think miracles are not ceased。 He that at midnight； when the
very labourer sleeps securely； should hear； as I have very often； the clear
airs； the sweet descants； the natural rising and falling； the doubling and
redoubling of her voice； might well be lifted above earth； and say； 〃 Lord；
what musick hast thou provided for the Saints in Heaven； when thou
affordest bad men such musick on Earth！ 〃
And this makes me the less to wonder at the many Aviaries in Italy； or
at the great charge of Varro's Aviary； the ruins of which are yet to be seen
in Rome； and is still so famous there； that it is reckoned for one of those
notables which men of foreign nations either record； or lay up in their
memories when they return from travel。
This for the birds of pleasure； of which very much more might be said。
My next shall be of birds of political use。 I think it is not to be doubted
that Swallows have been taught to carry letters between two armies； but
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'tis certain that when the Turks besieged Malta or Rhodes； I now
remember not which it was； Pigeons are then related to carry and recarry
letters： and Mr。 G。 Sandys； in his Travels； relates it to be done betwixt
Aleppo and Babylon； But if that be disbelieved； it is not to be doubted that
the Dove was sent out of the ark by Noah； to give him notice of land；
when to him all appeared to be sea； and the Dove proved a faithful and
comfortable messenger。 And for the sacrifices of the law； a pair of Turtle…
doves； or young Pigeons； were as well accepted as costly Bulls and Rams；
and when God would feed the Prophet Elijah； after a kind of miraculous
manner； he did it by Ravens； who brought him meat morning and evening。
Lastly； the Holy Ghost； when he descended visibly upon our Saviour； did
it by assuming the shape of a Dove。 And； to conclude this part of my
discourse； pray remember these wonders were done by birds of air； the
element in which they； and I； take so much pleasure。
There is also a little contemptible winged creature； an inhabi