96 FAEMING FOR LADIES. [chap. iv. 



placed in the same spot in which it was de- 

 posited ; the propriety of attending to which 

 arises from the partiality which she enter- 

 tains for a nest to which she has been ac- 

 customed, and the dislike which she some- 

 times has to others, without any motive that 

 can be conjectured. Nature, however, teaches 

 her better than we can what is best for her 

 comfort, and when she shows a predilection 

 for anything not decidedly injurious, her 

 taste should always be indulged. The pro- 

 cess, although tedious, cannot be otherwise 

 than agreeable to the hen ; for, as Buffon 

 correctly observes, "Nature ever combines 

 pleasure with whatever relates to the multi- 

 plication of the species." 



Most breeders have the nests made in 

 wooden boxes, about twelve to eighteen inches 

 square, and six to eight inches deep, accord- 

 ing to the size of the fowl, as being, in their 

 opinion, warmer than baskets : either will, 

 however, answer all the purposes if kept 

 clean, and clear from vermin ; and perhaps 

 a small flat sieve, like that used by gardeners, 

 is as good as any. We have frequently seen 

 these baskets in Germany, thickly lined with 



