390 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



When the young nestlings, or rather the young 

 birds (for the term " nestling" never very appro- 

 priate when speaking of birds in general, as many 

 birds make no nest is now no longer applicable at 

 all) have attained this point, the connexion between 

 the parent and its offspring is broken. With a 

 feeling which seems in the strongest contrast to 

 that intense attachment which has long filled the 

 mother's heart toward her young ones, the latter 

 are now driven away from her side. In vain their 

 efforts to retain some degree of the parental care 

 towards them ; the mother's fountain of love 

 appears dried up towards her first brood, and they 

 are either abandoned to get their own living, or 

 probably compelled to run away from the place of 

 resort of their parents. Soon the tie seems for- 

 gotten on both sides ; and it may often happen 

 that, in their future lives, both the parent and the 

 young may encounter without recognition on 

 either part. This too, though apparently a pain- 

 ful measure, is necessary for the well-being of 

 both ; for in all the realms of nature God has in- 

 structed his creatures in the duty of self-reliance, 

 man himself not excepted, save that He has also 

 given him the revealed promise of His help like- 



