246 THE UNIVERSE. 



When, as a result of innumerable journeys, the heap has 

 grown large enough, the female lays its eggs in it. Know- 

 ing as well as we do that hay heats by drying, it relies 

 upon the warmth for the incubation of its brood, which it 

 abandons immediately after laying. The young Talegallas 

 are born as completely feathered as the Megapodii, and just 

 as able to shift for themselves when they issue from the 

 egg. Hence, a few minutes after having scattered about 

 the hay which surrounds them, they take flight. 



A little rodent of the Siberian Alps, the Lagomys, the 

 size of which does not equal that of a rabbit, accumulates 

 similar heaps of hay as much as five feet high and eight 

 feet in diameter. The Tartars frequently appropriate the 

 fruits of its labor in order to feed their horses. Some day 

 perhaps man will in the same way make use of the nests of 

 the Talegallas, which are even more laborious gleaners. 



CHAPTER III. 



WORK AND THE FAMILY 



The whole tribe of wrens and titmice make us forget 

 their tiny size in the skilful finish of their work, and the 

 delightful love which reigns in every family ; their house- 

 holds are sometimes a perfect marvel to witness. 



Among these charming guests of our thickets we may 

 refer to the common wren, which builds a nest similar to a 

 little underground house. Then comes the long-tailed tit- 

 mouse, the globular abode of which does not exceed the size 



