THE STOCK-DOVE. 55 



they were all disposed of. The morning after the 

 last bird was sold, the female black-bird was 

 found dead beneath the cage in which her be- 

 loved offspring had been confined, as if she had 

 been unable to survive their loss. So strong 

 indeed is the attachment of these birds for their 

 young, that a boy was struck violently on the 

 head by one of them, while he had a young black- 

 bird in his hand, which he was taking from a 

 nest. 



The affection of animals is not confined entirely 

 to their kind and offspring. A clergyman in- 

 formed me, that when he resided at Cambridge, 

 he had a young Stock-dove given to him, which 

 soon became extremely attached to him. It 

 roosted in an open cage in his hall, and always 

 recognized, with great joy, his ring at the house- 

 bell. As he had long journies to make, it was 

 often late at night when he reached home. On 

 these occasions, the instant he rang the bell, 

 the bird would descend from its cage, run along 

 the hall with extended and quivering wings, hop 

 upon his shoulder, cooing, and fondling him with 

 its wings, and exhibiting the utmost pleasure and 

 delight. 



