128 BIHDS' NKSTS. 



which finds no analogy generally, except in the insect and reptile tribes; 

 I mean the nest. This admirable and pleasing structure is one of those 

 things which every one, except those brought up in a city, is acquainted 

 with from the earliest period, and to find which is one of the chief 

 amusements of our boyhood. Who does not mingle in his earliest remi- 

 niscences the joy he felt on lighting upon the pretty little retreat of the 

 Hedge Sparrow, with its four or five bright blue eggs; or the thoughtless 

 manner in which perhaps he bore the prize away; but was he struck with 

 'the beautiful workmanship of the little habitation, or did he contemplate 

 it for a moment otherwise than as a prize which he had the cleverness to 

 discover, and took as the lawful reward of his discernment? The nest was 

 probably taken merely for the sake of its general pretty appearance; and 

 the eggs which it contained, and which, blown and strung, formed the 

 pleasure of the playful hour, were soon broken and cast away with 

 their previously disregarded receptacle. I do not speak of this in austerity 

 or grave reproof, for I well remember doing the like; but I only wish 

 my readers to ponder upon this reflection, or call it to mind the next 

 time this temptation offers. I would merely have them think of it in a 

 reflective manner, so that they may enjoy the pleasure of the contempla- 

 tion without being the unthinking means of pain to even so insignificant a 

 creature as the builder of that little nest, by robbing him of his home; 

 temporary it is true, but still his home. 



As birds are doubtless a great addition to the full enjoyment of rural 

 life by their song and presence, so it is in the capacity of trainers of 

 their helpless brood that they chiefly awaken our sympathies. The 

 secrecy and care which they bestow in their domestic economy, next claim 

 our attention, and we are naturally led to an observation of the progress 

 of their household affairs. It is the aim of every one of us men to (what 

 is called) settle in life, that is, obtain sufficient to have a house and 

 establishment of our own; we then marry, a family springs up around us, 

 we educate and place them in the way of doing as we have done; this 

 performed, old age has come upon us, and we must turn all our thoughts 

 to that second state of existence to which we may be called hence at any 

 moment, but which we are perfectly certain cannot by this time be far distant. 



Now, what is this other than the life of all animals, and birds more 

 particularly; for, if we think of it, we shall find the resemblance sufficiently 

 complete, only, that in all matters of instinct, every part of the duties of 

 life is performed with a punctuality which affords a very useful lesson to 

 us, superior as we think ourselves. Thus the nestling, as soon as he can, 

 performs small journeys in the air or on the earth, gains strength very 

 rapidly, and in a very short period commences life on his own account, feeds 

 himself, and spends the autumn and succeeding winter in that sportive 



