172 A DEVOTED NURSE. 



proof of that order in the economy of nature, by means of which, 

 this affectionate bird is enabled to secure its forthcoming offspring. 

 I call it affection, because few birds show a stronger attachment to 

 their young. 



I have often strained my eyes in watching these birds while 

 they sang their beautiful notes on the wing, till I could see them 

 no longer. 



Up springs the Lark, 



Shrill- voiced and loud, the messenger of morn ; 

 Ere yet the shadows fly, he, mounted, sings, 

 Amid the dawning clouds. 



If, in his descent, he hears the voice of his mate, you may observe 

 him fall to the earth apparently, like a stone. 



This however does not take place during the period of incubation, 

 or before the young birds have left their nest. At those times I 

 have observed that the Lark, in his descent, flies along the surface of 

 the field, and alights at some distance from the nest. 



It is evident that this foresight is given to it by its benevolent 

 Creator for the better preservation of its young ; as if it alighted at 

 its nest, the spot might easily be watched, and its young fall a prey 

 to some marauding ploughboy. 



Buffon relates a singular instance of maternal care mani- 

 fested by a young hen bird of this species. It was brought 

 to him in the month of May, and was then not able to 

 feed without assistance. She was hardly fledged, when 

 the naturalist received a nest of three or four unfledged 

 Larks, to which she took a strong liking, tending them day 

 and night, cherished them under her wings, and fed them 

 with her bill, although they were scarcely younger than 

 herself. Her tender care of them was unceasing. If they 

 were taken from her, she flew to them as soon as permitted 

 to do so, and would not attempt to effect her escape when 

 opportunities were offered. Her affection grew upon her, 

 so that she neglected food and drink, and at length expired, 

 consumed as it seemed by maternal anxiety. So essential 

 were her cares, that none of the young birds long survived 

 her. Wood observes, that perhaps as great a proportion 

 of the nests of the Skylark fall a sacrifice to various acci- 

 dents as of any other bird; and the circumstance of its 

 being situated on the ground renders it still more liable to 

 accident from weasels, rats, and other vermin which prowl 

 about in the night season. Probably also these animals 

 plunder the nest in the daytime. Nothing is more common 



