The Goal of the Wise

A partial illustration at the top right edge of the page showing the head and neck of a bird with an orange beak, likely a goose or duck, facing left.

...not birds of prey original: "non rapaces". All other things that we touch upon regarding the natures of animals should be sought in the second book on animals. Therefore, the first division of birds is [this]—some are aquatic, others terrestrial, others intermediate. Aquatic birds are called those of [that] nature—these are those whose dwelling is in the waters, because water is [the place] to which nature gave them limbs capable of remaining in the waters and [moving through] the waters, and by their nature and constitution, they have a desire to remain [there] more. Terrestrial birds, however, are called those of the field, and these are those whose dwelling is upon the earth, and they have limbs capable for this, and their constitution [leads them] to desire to always remain on the earth and upon the earth. Intermediate birds are called those whose dwelling consists partly on the earth and partly in the water, and nature gave them limbs suitable for both; to remain in both. And commonly, one divides every animal into aquatic and terrestrial. Those of the water are called fish alone. Under the terrestrial, [one] includes flying and walking [animals], nor does one call every flying thing a bird. We, however, by a certain custom and habit in the hunting of birds and...

...by a certain transference of speech, [we call] birds [in comparison] to the matter which is distinct [as] the higher and external [parts] of the light elements, which are indeed the lightest, most subtle, volatile, and inhabiting the air. Therefore, the division of birds [into] intermediate [and others], as much as we have given examples, [we proceed] by following their divisions into different limbs and the genera themselves into four. Aquatic birds, however, some always have a dwelling [such] that they do not recede from the waters, nor [do they travel] through the air and open space, except only as much as to move from one water to another. Or to change places according to the changing of the seasons, such as the manner of herons, cormorants, and sea crows original: "corui marini", and also what are called mergansers. And the geese—those that are called birds in the book of animals—the pelicans, which are called cosani a term likely referring to a specific type of aquatic bird or pelican by some. These are large birds, after the manner of white storks. They have a long and wide beak, under which they have a pouch original: "pelliculam" which they open and close while fishing, after the manner of a fishing net. They have webbed original: "coriales" toes of the feet, and [a membrane] continues, connecting the posterior toe to the anterior toes—a [thing] which does not happen in others that have webbed toes. These and many others rarely or never recede from...

A rectangular landscape miniature at the bottom of the page showing a pond with green rippled water and reeds. On the left grassy bank, a gray heron-like bird stands. In the water, two white birds (swans or ducks) are swimming; one has its neck submerged. On the right bank, another white long-necked bird with an orange beak stands looking toward the water.