378 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



the young ones of the first hatch, who have each 

 taken one, and seem to take as much care of them 

 as the old ones could have done. They feed them, 

 and never leave them : only one young one has 

 remained with the old hen." 



Wilson relates of the American blue bird, that 

 it raises two, and sometimes three broods in a 

 season ; but the mother of these respective families 

 not being able to pay them that degree of atten- 

 tion which they require, the male takes the 

 youngest brood, for the time being, under his care, 

 while the female is again sitting. 



Many beautiful anecdotes might be related illus- 

 trative of the attachment of birds to their young 

 families at this interesting and perilous period in 

 the life of a bird. Such self-devotion and strength 

 of affection as is evidenced in the conduct of some 

 bird-parents it is scarcely possible to surpass by any 

 parallel examples of parental love among ourselves. 

 A most amusing instance of this kind, and of the 

 watchfulness of the male as the guardian of his 

 mate and her tender family, is recorded of the 

 yellow-breasted chat of America. When once 

 aware that you have seen him, he is less solicitous 

 to conceal himself, and will sometimes mount up 



