HATCHING. 201 



and is constructed of ajucus, or marine plant, of the genus Geli- 

 dium, which gelatinous substance, cemented by the saliva of the 

 bird, forms a sort of paste of most delicate flavour. 



When this nest is built, and the walls properly cemented, and 

 the home of the little brood prepared, the eggs are laid and the 

 process of hatching commences. Eggs are generally numerous in 

 inverse proportion to the size of the bird. The Eagle lays two, for 

 instance, while the Titmouse (Parus) lays from twelve to eighteen. 



The eggs laid, the female must now submit to the long and 

 painful labour of incubation. While the male lies in wait in the 

 neighbouring bush to defend his young brood against any enemy 

 which may present itself, giving battle to much larger animals 

 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. Enemies that lie in wait are numerous. 

 Among them may be enumerated birds of prey, small quadrupeds, 

 reptiles which treacherously insinuate themselves into the nest, 

 and perhaps more unfeeling than all, children with destructive 

 instincts. 



If nothing occurs to disturb the repose of the pair, the male, 

 perched upon a neighbouring branch, pours out a song expressive 

 of his felicity. The little ones are finally hatched. Helpless and 

 incapable, without feathers and with closed eyes, they are utterly 

 dependent on the parent birds, by which they are fed until the 

 time when they are covered with feathers. They now begin to 

 try their wings, and find their own food. 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 on fire ! Fearlessly she 

 rushes on the flames, flying to the assistance of her young, as if 

 she would rescue them or perish under the fatal roof. Or mark 

 the unhappjr Partridge which the sportsman has surprised on the 

 nest. She hesitates not to offer herself a sacrifice, throwing her- 

 self almost under the intruder's feet, in order to attract his atten- 

 tion from her progeny. 



