198 RAVENS. 



On the 2nd of June, 1833, a Canary bird in an aviary 

 was unexpectedly drenched, having built her nest, during 

 dry weather, in a spot exposed to rain, which fell in a 

 heavy shower on that day. On the following day, she 

 accordingly quitted her nest and appeared so unwell, 

 that it was deemed expedient to remove her into a small 

 cage, and place her in a warmer situation. But to 

 our great surprise a Goldfinch, which had been in con- 

 finement with the Canary-birds for three or four years, 

 without paying any attention to the nests, immediately 

 took her place, and continued to sit very closely, though 

 uselessly, over the chilled and lifeless eggs, which were 

 completely addled. 



At all events, while sitting or rearing its progeny, the 

 Raven deserves the highest credit for persevering attach- 

 ment, and has been known (though one of the shyest 

 and most suspicious of birds) to die rather than desert 

 its post. Mr. White, the naturalist, of Selborne, speaks 

 of an old oak as his Raven- tree, which bulged out into 

 a large excrescence in the middle of the stem, defying 

 the attempts of all who aspired to get at the nest. Many 

 had tried in vain ; all were ambitious of surmounting 

 the arduous task, but when they arrived at the swelling,, 

 it jutted out so in their way, and was so far beyond their 

 grasp, that the most daring and expert climbers were 

 awed, and were obliged to give up the undertaking as 

 too hazardous. So the Raven built on, nest after nest r 

 in perfect security, till a fatal day arrived when the wood 

 was to be levelled. It was in the month of February,, 

 and the old one was on her nest. The saw and the- 

 hatchet were both at work, the wedges were inserted 

 into the opening, the woods echoed to the heavy blows 

 of the beetle or mallet, the tree nodded to its fall ; but 

 still the dam sat on. At last when it gave way the bird 

 was flung from her nest, and though her constancy 

 deserved a better fate, was whipped down by twigs, 

 which brought her dead to the ground. 



But constant or affectionate as they may be to their 



