OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 49 



Innumerable proofs could be cited in confirmation of this 

 assertion. One, however, must suffice. A few years ago, 

 near Elwood, Atlantic Co., N. J., we discovered a Robin's 

 nest, which, on account of its most curious structure, we were 

 desirous of possessing. rnwilling to wait until the un- 

 fledged brood had taken their departure, the plan was con- 

 ceived of removing them to another nest of the same species, 

 neither so neatly, nor so tastefully constructed. But as we 

 anticipated, the mother cruelly deserted her offspring ; the 

 love for home apparently predominating over every other 

 feeling. 



These deviations from the ordinary style of nest-building 

 by the Pewee, would seem to argue against the belief gen- 

 erally entertained, that instinct, being a positive determina- 

 tion given to the minds of animals for certain purposes, 

 must necessarily be perfect, when viewed in connection 

 with those purposes ; but to say that they doubtless imply 

 a change of instinct, is to perplex the understanding by a 

 perversion of language. But to ascribe these changes to the 

 operation of reason influenced by motives, does seem to be 

 the most rational view to take of the subject. That reason 

 does enter into the inferior creatures, and dictate many of 

 the changes of habit which mark their career, has been 

 proved in repeated instances, but we cannot forbear to record 

 another, which came under our immediate observation in the 

 spring of 1871. While watching a pair of Ampclis ccdro- 

 rum, engaged in the construction of a domicile upon a branch 

 of an apple-tree, the thought occurred that by supplying 

 the birds with materials, we might obtain a nest much neater 

 and more compact than what is ordinarily built. The birds 

 entered into the project with readiness, and eagerly carried 

 away every piece of colored string and cotton fabric with 

 which we supplied them. After we had ceased to furnish 

 materials, they would frequently fly to the branch where the 

 articles were deposited, as if imploring further supplies. 

 The result of our labor was a nest much firmer, more symmet- 

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