228 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



inclinations, and each was ambitious of surmount- 

 ing the arduous task. But when they arrived at 

 the swelling, it jutted out so in their way, and 

 was so far beyond their grasp, that the most daring 

 lads were awed, and acknowledged the under- 

 taking to be too hazardous. So the ravens built 

 on, nest upon nest in perfect security, till the fatal 

 day arrived in which the wood was to be felled. 

 It was in the month of February, when these birds 

 usually sit. The saw was applied to the butt, the 

 wedges were inserted into the opening, the woods 

 echoed to the heavy blow of the beetle or mallet, 

 the tree nodded to its fall, but still the bird sat on. 

 At last, when it gave way, the bird was flung 

 from her nest, and, though her parental affec- 

 tion deserved a better fate, was whipped down by 

 the twigs, which brought her dead to the ground. 

 The female bird, it need scarcely be said, is the 

 one upon whom, in the greatest number of cases, 

 devolves this duty of incubation. During the 

 period thus occupied, as we have before remarked, 

 she is a close prisoner to the nest ; but this state- 

 ment requires some qualification. If her mate 

 omits to supply her with food, she is compelled to 

 leave the eggs for a short period in order to supply 



