THE ARRANGEMENTS OF PROVIDENCE. 155 



bones are glued together, and no other material 

 is used. These nests are very difficult to get 

 at, from the depth of earth in which they are 

 deposited; and the instinct which leads the 

 parent birds to do this is another proof of the 

 care Providence bestows on His creatures. They 

 are, in fact, very cunning birds, and have various 

 ways of eluding those who are so ready to 

 capture or destroy them : for this beautiful bird 

 has many enemies; but Providence, as I have 

 mentioned, has endowed it with peculiar instincts 

 for its preservation. 



When you consider what millions of quad- 

 rupeds, birds, reptiles, and insects there are in 

 the world, it may well surprise you in reflecting 

 on the care a superintending and wise Creator 

 bestows on their well-being. He watches over 

 the very smallest link in the whole scale of 

 created beings, and His fatherly goodness pro- 

 vides for the preservation of the weakest and 

 lowest of creatures. When severe frosts and 

 heavy falls of snow lead insects to conceal them- 

 selves in secure retreats, they burst forth with 

 the warmth of the sun in spring, and then we 

 see them rejoicing, as it were, in their renovated 

 existence. 



