218 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



are more striking than this alteration in the habits 

 and demeanour of the bird. When we remem- 

 ber the joy with which it delighted to wing its 

 way through the air, the long period for which it 

 would absent itself from its nest, for many hours in 

 the day, and the distance to which, in its gambol- 

 ings, or in its search after food, it would wander 

 from its abode, and contrast its conduct in these 

 respects with its demeanour now, we cannot fail to 

 be struck with admiration and surprise. The poets 

 have long selected the bird unrestrained in its airy 

 wanderings as a symbol of freedom ; yet we have 

 now to watch this same winged being negligent 

 of her liberty, and intent only upon the fulfilment 

 of her duty of incubation. The desire is so strong 

 that it might be called an instinct. 



From the facts before stated with respect to the 

 number of eggs laid by birds, the supposition 

 seems to be in some degree warranted, that a bird 

 will not incubate, or in other words sit upon its 

 eggs, if interfered with, and the number kept from 

 being increased by daily removal. The egg col- 

 lectors on the coast state, that the guillemot would 

 sit upon her single egg, if permitted to do so, and 

 produce no more for that season ; but upon its 



