260 bird's nest in block of a mast. 



same element as ourselves. Quadrupeds certainly 

 have the superiority above other animals, man ex- 

 cepted, in the scale of intelligence; yet the elegant 

 form, beautiful plumage, and interesting manners 

 of the various species of birds, have made me so 

 partial to them, that I collect with pleasure every 

 anecdote I can obtain of their amiable instincts. 

 Two or three present themselves to my recollection 

 at this moment, which may probably amuse you. 

 The first is extracted from the Buckinghamshire 

 Herald, for Saturday, June 1st, 1793, and is as fol- 

 lows : 



"Glasgow, May 23. 



" In a block, or pulley, near the head of the mast 

 of a gabert now lying at the Bromielaw, there is a 

 chaffinch's nest and four eggs. The nest was built 

 while the vessel lay at Greenock, and was followed 

 hither by both birds. Though the block is occasion- 

 ally lowered for the inspection of the curious, the 

 birds have not forsaken the nest. The cock, how- 

 ever, visits the nest but seldom, while the hen 

 never leaves it but when she descends to the hulk for 

 food." 



What a remarkable instance of maternal love, so 

 deeply implanted by the Great Creator, for the preser- 



