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168 which no one can help feeling, whatever may be the moral propensities of the animal who possesses it: it is true, the bird, of which we speak, is a polygamist; but, then, as the words have it, "he is a kind husband and a tender parent." "His tenderness," (says Aristophanes,) "towards his brood is such, that, contrary to the custom of many other males, he will scratch and provide for them with an assiduity almost equal to that of the hen; and his generosity is so great, that, on finding a hoard of meat, he will chuckle the hens together, and, without touching one bit himself, will relinquish the whole of it to them!" He seems, however, on the other hand, to be the physical instrument, in the menagerie of nature, to establish and sanction the power of might over right; a recommendation of very doubtful quality, were it not supported by the same author, who compares him, in consequence, to the King of Persia; and, by the observation of Pliny, who says, "imperitant suo generi, et