THE SONGS OF BIRDS 



robins clearly experienced what we must call pain, 

 as would human beings under like circumstances. 

 The great difference is that with the birds the inci- 

 dent is soon forgotten. A natural instinct is out- 

 raged, and for the moment the birds react violently. 

 But the divided waters soon close, and the loss is 

 forgotten. In the case of the human mother we know 

 it is different. Birds quickly forget, and the loss of 

 the young or of a mate is usually only the incident 

 of a day. A new mate is quickly found, and a new 

 brood is soon on the road. 



The wild creatures are all under the absolute law 

 of Nature, and no time is wasted in pity or regret. 

 The parental affection continues so long as the well- 

 being of the young demands it, and little longer. 

 The bluebirds rearing their brood on the corner of 

 my porch reared an earlier brood which they dis- 

 missed weeks ago, and which now gives them no 

 more concern. To keep up your end in the great 

 adventure of peopling the world, and waste no time 

 in lamenting over your failures, is the unwritten law 

 of Nature. 



Birds with the flocking-instinct sometimes sing in 

 concert. The prettiest instance known to me of this 

 habit among our birds is that of the goldfinches, 

 which in spring have their musical reunions a 

 sort of sdngerfest which often continues for days, 

 and during which the matches appear to be made. 

 But with most of our birds the song is a sort of 

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