224 



LINNETS. 



change their very nature, and inspire a boldness and confidence 

 in these little creatures, which calls for respect and admiration. 

 What can be more interesting than the affection of the two 

 Linnets we are about to mention 1 A nest, containing four 

 young ones, scarcely fledged, was found by some children, who 

 resolved to carry them home for the purpose of rearing and 

 taming the young birds. The old ones, attracted by their chirp- 

 ing, continued fluttering round the children, till they reached 

 the house, when the nest was carried upstairs to the nursery, 

 and placed outside the window. The old birds soon after- 

 wards made their appearance, approached the nest, and fed the 



family, without show- 

 ing alarm. This being 

 noticed, the nest was 

 soon afterwards placed 

 on a table, in the mid- 

 dle of the apartment, 

 and the window left 

 open. The parent 

 birds came boldly in, 

 and fed their offspring 

 as before. Still further 

 to put their attach- 

 ment to the test, the 

 nest and young ones were placed within a bird-cage ; still the old 

 ones returned, entered boldly within the cage, and supplied the 

 wants of their brood as before, and, towards evening, actually 

 perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made around them 

 by several children. This continued for several days, when an 

 unlucky accident put an end to it. The cage had been again 

 set on the outside of the window, and was unfortunately left 

 exposed to a sudden and heavy fall of rain : the consequence 

 was, that the whole of the young were drowned in the nest. 

 The poor parents, who had so boldly and indefatigably per- 

 formed their duty, continued hovering round the house, and 

 looking wistfully in at the window, for several days, and then 

 disappeared. * 



* Edin. Phil. Jour. 



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The Linnet. 



