62 BRITISH BIRDS. 



effort, this part is provided with a scale formed of car- 

 bonate of lime — the basis of bone and of our teeth. 

 Thus armed, the task is accomplished, and this being 

 done — admirable, most admirable provision — the scale 

 falls from the beak, being no longer wanted. 



Another fact, equally interesting, may also be men- 

 tioned : the principal parts of the animal are formed 

 from the albumen, the yolk being designed for the sup- 

 port of the little creature. The quantity appears also 

 to be fully adapted to the case. But for this arrange- 

 ment, as the eggs are hatched at different periods, the 

 mother-bird would have to go in quest of food, as soon 

 as the first was hatched, and leave the rest which would 

 thus be injured : a consequence which is now completely 

 avoided. 



Other singular facts are stated by the exhibitor of 

 the machine, to whose little treatise on the subject, and 

 a conversation with him, the writer is indebted for many 

 particulars. The interest in rearing a brood of chick- 

 ens appears to be greatly increased by the artificial sys- 

 tem thus -adopted. Birds, very soon after they are 

 hatched, recognise the person who feeds them ; and in 

 a few days, are said to display very pleasing traits of 

 confidence in him as a protector and friend, following 

 his st^ps, and clamorously repining at his absence. 



