HATCHING. l5 



by affection for its progeny, there is nothing to compare to the work 

 of the Sociable Weaver Bird. This Cape Bird, also called Republican 

 Bird, which is about the size of and resembles a Sparrow, lives in 

 numerous families, that unite in forming immense colonies. Their 

 dwellings have the appearance of a circular framework or umbrella 

 surrounding the trunk of a tree, as represented in Fig. 77. Leyaillant 

 counted as many as 300 cells, which indicate that it is inhabited by 

 600 birds. These nests are so heavy that Levaillant was compelled 

 to employ a cart with many men in transporting one of their colonies. 

 Again, the esculent nest of the Eastern Swallow, the one so much 

 sought after by gourmands, hangs from cliffs washed by the sea, and 

 is constructed of a fucus or marine plant of the genus Gelidium, 

 which gelatinous substance, cemented by the saliva of the bird, forms 

 a paste, considered by the epicures of some countries to possess a 

 most delicate flavour. 



Eggs are generally numerous in inverse proportion to the size of 

 the bird. The Eagle lays two, for instance, while the Wren lays occa- 

 sionally twelve. After the eggs are laid, the female must submit to 

 the long and painful labour of incubation. While the male watches 

 in the neighbouring bush to defend his embryo brood against any 

 enemy which may present itself, giving battle to much larger animals 

 than himself if they venture to attack his nest, the female only 

 quits her charge for necessary food, and her place is often occupied 

 during her absence by her mate. Among the numerous enemies 

 to be dreaded we may mention birds of prey, quadrupeds, reptiles, 

 and, possibly more unfeeling than all, children with destructive 

 instincts. 



If nothing occurs to disturb the repose of the parent birds, the 

 male, perched upon a neighbouring branch, pours out a song ex- 

 pressive of his felicity. The little ones are finally hatched, helpless 

 and incapable, without feathers and with closed eyes,^ utterly de- 

 pendent on their progenitors, by whom they are fed until they are 

 capable of providing for themselves. The mother directs their first 

 efforts, uttering a peculiar cry to attract them when she discovers a 

 favourite morsel ; defending them courageously, and, with a total 

 abnegation of self, meeting the most formidable enemies ; sometimes 

 going so far for their protection as to offer herself a victim. How 

 pitiful are the cries of a swallow whose nest is built under the roof 

 of a house that is on fire ! Fearlessly she rushes into the flames, 

 to rescue her young or perish with them in the attempt. Or mark 

 the unhappy partridge which the sportsman has surprised on the 

 nest. She hesitates not to offer herself a sacrifice, rushing almost 



