EXERTIONS TO OBTAIN FOOD. 353 



farthest stone to be distant only one hundred 

 yards from the basket. It is said that strong men 

 come in staggering from muscular exhaustion 

 after such exertions as are necessary to accomplish 

 the task in a given time. Yet this is as nought 

 in comparison of the labours of a bird to feed its 

 young. How many trips are made in a day it 

 is difficult to know ; but it is certain that the mus- 

 cular effort expended is exceedingly great; and 

 were it not that the bird has been endowed 

 with great endurance of muscular fatigue, its 

 strength would be altogether inadequate to the 

 fulfilment of its duties. 



The gold-crested regulus, or wren, happening 

 to take possession of a fir-tree in Colonel Mon- 

 tagu's garden, gave him an opportunity of be- 

 coming acquainted with its habits during this 

 interesting period of a bird's life. The pair, as if 

 sensible of their increased responsibilities, ceased 

 their notes as soon as the young were hatched. 

 This beautiful little family caused him much 

 delight and amusement. At first there were 

 ten in the nest, but, probably from the male 

 not providing his share of provisions, two out 

 of the little family perished. The visits of the 



