536 



A HISTORY OP 



If it is built in bushes, the pliant branches 

 are so disposed as to hide it entirely from 



the view; if it be built among moss, nntk: =- 



^ .<. mere is an 

 outwardly appears tf, ~ , . 



te t ^ A _ J _ ! _Ji. rhtrfm. It is always built near 

 >se places where food is found in greatest 

 abundance; and they take care never to go 

 in or out while there is any one in sight. The 

 greater birds continue from their nest for 

 some time, as their eggs take no damage in 

 their absence; but the little birds are assi- 

 duous while they sit, and the nest is always 

 occupied by the male when the female is 

 obliged to seek for sustenance. 



The first food of all birds of the sparrow 

 kind is worms and insects. Even the spar- 

 row and the gold-finch, that when adult feed 

 only upon grain, have both been fed upon 

 insects while in the nest. The young ones, 

 for some time after their exclusion from the 

 shell, require no food ; but the parent soon 

 finds, by their chirping and gaping, that they 

 begin to feel the approaches of hunger, and 

 flies to provide them a plentiful supply. In 

 her absence they continue to lie close to- 

 gether, and cherish each other by their mu- 

 tual warmth. During this interval also, they 

 preserve a perfect silence, uttering not the 

 slightest note, till the parent returns. Her 

 arrival is always announced by a chirrup, 

 which they perfectly understand, and which 

 they answer all together, each petitioning for 

 its portion. The parent distributes a sup- 

 ply to each by turns, cautiously avoiding to 

 gorge them, but to give them often, though 

 (tie at a time. The wren will in this man- 

 ner feed seventeen or eighteen young ones, 

 without passing over one of them. 



Such is the manner in which these birds 

 bring forth and hatch their young; but it yet 

 remains to usher them from the nest into life, 

 and this they very assiduously perform. When 

 they are fully fledged, and fitted for short 

 flights, the old ones, if the weather be fair, 

 lead them a few yards from the nest, and then 

 compel them to return. For two or three 

 succeeding days they are led out in the same 

 manner, but each day to seek more distant 

 adventures. When it is perceived that they 

 can fly, and shift for themselves, then the pa- 

 rents forsake them for ever, and pay them no 

 more attention than they do to other birds in 



Indeed, it 

 ...>, 1 3, mat, 



the same flock. , 



these I'*' 1 - "'=>> mat, trom the moment 

 -,,cir young are set out, all future connexion 

 ceases between the male and the female; 

 they go separate ways, each to provide for 

 itself during the rigours of winter; and, at 

 the approach of spring, each seeks for a new 

 associate. 



In general, birds, when they come to pair 

 in spring, associate with those of their own 

 age and place of abode. Their strength or 

 courage is generally in proportion to their 

 age : the oldest females first feel the acces- 

 ses of desire, and the oldest males are the 

 boldest to drive off all younger pretenders. 

 Those next in courage and desire become 

 pretenders, till they are almost all provided 

 in turn. The youngest come last; as, in fact, 

 they are the latest in their inclinations. But 

 still there are several, both males and females, 

 that remain unprovided for; either not hap- 

 pening to meet with each other, or at least 

 not during the genial interval. Whether 

 these mix with small birds of a different spe- 

 cies, is a doubt which naturalists have not 

 been able thoroughly to resolve. Addison, 

 in some beautiful Latin lines, inserted in the 

 Spectator, is entirely of opinion (hat birds 

 observe a strict chastity of manners, and 

 never admit the caresses of a different tribe. 



Chaste are their instincts, faithful is their fire, 

 No foreign buauty tempts to false desire : 

 The snow-white vesture, and the glittering crown, 

 The simple plumage, or the glossy down, 

 Prompt not their love. The patriot bird pursues 

 His well acquainted tints, and kindred hues : 

 Hence thro' their tribes no mix'd polluted flame, 

 No monster-breed to mark the groves with shame : 

 But the chaste blackbird, to its partner true, 

 Thinks black alone is Beauty's fav'rite hue: 

 The nightingale, with mutual passion blest, 

 Sings to its mate, and nightly charms the nest : 

 While the dark owl, to court his partner flies, 

 And owns his offspring in their yellow eyes. 



But whatever may be the poet's opinion, 

 the probability is against this fidelity among 

 the smaller tenants of the grove. The great 

 birds are much more true to (heir species than 

 these; and, of consequence, the varieties 

 among them are more few. Of the ostrich, the 

 cassowary, and the eagle, there are but few 

 species ; and no arts that man can use, could 

 probably induce them to mix with each other. 



