304 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



with a marvellously rapid developed aptitude 

 for deriving the fullest advantage from it. The 

 young of all birds hatched in a condition which 

 enables them to run, are clothed in down of 

 such colours that harmonise closely with the 

 special localities in which they live during in- 

 fancy. Then these chicks soon acquire the habit 

 of squatting close to the ground when threatened 

 by danger, and thus ensure the efficacy of their 

 protective dress. Caliology, the study of nests, 

 and Oology, the study of eggs, although as yet 

 but little-worked branches of ornithology, must, 

 however, always be classed as not the least inter- 

 esting portion of the Story of the Birds. 



THE END 



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 Edinburgh & London 



