CAUTION OF BIRDS. 125 



might see nine or ten, or sometimes twelve old 

 guillemots in a line, so near to each other that 

 their wings seemed to touch those of their neigh- 

 bours ; and when they flew off at your approach, 

 you would see as many eggs as you had counted 

 birds sitting on the ledge."* 



While the guillemot behaves in this apparently 

 foolish way, and exposes its eggs to every storm 

 of heaven, and to the gaze of every intruder, the 

 conduct of other birds is far different. Repeated 

 instances have come before us of the art with 

 which birds construct their nest, so that in 

 general it does not obtrude upon notice. Resting 

 secure in its entire resemblance to the surround- 

 ing materials, the wren will quit her beautiful 

 nest without a fear that during her absence any 

 invader will have disturbed the security of her 

 dwelling. Such also is the behaviour of the 

 majority of birds which, until the time of in- 

 cubation arrives, make frequent excursions to and 

 from their nests. In committing their eggs thus 

 to the mercies of events, providing first for the 

 careful concealment of their place of deposit, birds 

 are generally fully justified by the rarity with 

 * Magazine of Natural History. 



