BIRDS. 303 



examination in future years, after the Martins and Swallows 

 had taken their departure ; and, each time, several nests were 

 found containing dead nesthngs which had heen abandoned 

 by the parents. Upon these interesting facts Mr. Thompson 

 remarks : — " In the instances above alluded to, the young 

 broods and eggs were deserted late in the season, and I should 

 suppose at the migratory period. The paramount object 

 would then seem to be migration ; and, wdien favourable 

 weather and wind prevail, the love of offspring yields to the 

 stronger impulse, and the parents take their departure. Had 

 this favourable time been long enough protracted, they would 

 have continued to tend their offspring, and bring them to 

 maturity."* 



Affection for their Young. — The instances just mentioned 

 are the exceptions to that ardent attachment to their young 

 which birds evince. If danger threaten, the most timid 

 becomes bold, and is ready to give battle to the assailant. t 

 In the cold-blooded vertebrate animals, the mother, in most 

 cases, is satisfied with depositing the spawn in a suitable 

 situation, or the eggs in what seems a place of security. "With 

 this her care for the future progeny is ended, and she ex- 

 periences nothing of the actual cares or pleasures of maternity. 

 But the proceedings of birds, prior to the exclusion of the 

 young from the q^^, and afterwards in regard to the attention 

 bestowed upon them, is in every respect so sedulous, so 

 unceasing, and so replete with tenderness, that it is not in the 

 power of language to convey a picture of affectionate solicitude 

 beyond that which is employed in reference to their ordinary 

 habits. J The exertions made by the parent birds to procure 

 for their helpless young the supply of the requisite food, are 

 so unceasing, and are caiTied on with such entire forgetfulness 

 of self, as to excite the admiration even of the most incurious. 

 When, therefore, the poet recounts the simple facts which 



• Annals of Natural History, vol. ix. p. 378. 



f " The poor Wren, 



The most diminutive of birds, will flsht, 

 Her young ones in the nest, against the Owl." 



Shakspeare. 

 X The reader will recall to mind, as an example of this, the memorable 

 words — " Jerusalem, Jenisalem I which killest the prophets, and stonest 

 them that are sent unto thee : how often would I have gathered thv chil- 

 dren together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her icimjs, and ve 

 would not!" — LcKjB xiii. 34. 



