The Goal of the Wise

more venerable dwellings for the protection of [her] children. If she does not have the same, they choose for themselves dwellings similar to those in which they were born, which nest in high places. However, few birds make a nest and stand on the ground, like a certain manner of pigeons, which have a golden beak and other markings in other colors. And there are some that hatch on the ground, staying in the water at night, [or] remaining on the ground at night, like siam-galline possibly guinea fowl, peacocks, and many manners of pigeons, concerning which birds it was seen above, just as the aquatic and terrestrial [birds], both those that are predatory and those that are not, because of that which was said. Concerning the passage of birds.

Since it has already been said concerning birds that are not predatory, aquatic, intermediate, and terrestrial, that which had to be said. Now it must be seen concerning the change of locations which birds perform according to the change of the seasons. Truly, since they make a double change, namely from cold places to warm [ones], and from warm to cold, it will be said first concerning that change which they make from cold places to warm [ones]. For this [one] first

before they make it with strength. And this transit or passage, for they pass from cold regions to warm [ones], because of two [reasons], namely the places of birth and because of long distances. Other [birds], however, make this transition and afterward return, namely from warm regions to cold, in which, however, the return is turned back. But because it will have to be taught in the beginning that birds make this change.

It will be said concerning this. And which birds pass, and what manner they have prepared for the transit. And at what time of the year, and the qualities of the times of which agree with their transit. And which pass first, and why others fly first while passing. From which places they pass. To which places they descend while they pass, and to which places they pass and remain in the places to which they have passed. And for how long. Which birds make the transit.

The transition, however, of aquatic birds, whether they are from those totally that live from fish only, or whether they are from those that live from fish and other aquatic things, or from those that live from terrestrial things, and not from fish: neither from natural things