120 THE STUDY OF ANIMAL LIFE CHAP. 



of their genuine blood-relationship. Yet the python 

 coiled round her eggs is a prophecy of the brooding birds, 

 as in past ages the flopping Saurians prophesied their 

 swift-winged flight. The sharpness of the contrast is 

 also lessened by the fact that a few birds, like the mound- 

 builders, do not brood at all ; while others, it must be 

 confessed, are somewhat careless. But, exceptions and 

 criminals apart, birds are so lavish in their love, so 

 constant in their carefulness, that it is difficult to speak 

 of them without exaggeration. Much of their careful- 

 ness seems to be instinctive and without thought (that is 

 half the beauty of it) ; it is quite certain that many 

 species would have gone to the wall long since in the 

 struggle of life if the parents had not taken so much care 

 of the young ; but these considerations do not affect the 

 Jact that the creatures sacrifice themselves for the sake 

 of their young to a most remarkable degree, and spend 

 themselves not for individual ends, but for their off- 

 spring. 



Before^ the time of egg-laying the birds build their 

 nests, eagerly but without hurry, instinctively yet with 

 some plasticity, and often with much beauty. On the 

 laid eggs, which require warmth to develop, the mothers 

 brood, and though to rest after reproduction is natural, 

 the brooding is not without its literal patience. Among 

 polygamous birds the males are, as one w r ould expect, 

 more or less careless of their mates, but most of the 

 monogamous males are careful either in sharing the duty 

 of brooding or in supplying the females with food. After 

 the eggs hatch, the degree of care required varies accord- 

 ing to the state of the young ; for many are precociously 

 energetic and able to look after themselves, while others 

 still require prolonged nurture. They need large quan- 

 tities of food, to supply which all the energies of both 

 parents seem sometimes no more than adequate ; they 

 may still require to be brooded over, and certainly to be 

 protected from rain and enemies. After they are reared, 

 they have to be taught to fly, to catch food, to avoid 

 danger, and a dozen other arts. With what apparent 

 love willing and joyous is all this done for them | 



