Sfi A HISTORY OF 



trtrh is, that they vary this as the materials, places, or climatf s, hnjN 

 pen to differ. The red-breast, in some parts of England, makes its 

 nest with oak leaves, where they are in the greatest plenty ; in other 

 parts with moss and hair. Some birds, that with us make a very warm 

 nest, are less solicitous in the tropical climates, where the heat of the 

 weather promotes the business of incubation. In general, however, 

 every species of birds has a peculiar architecture of its own ; and this 

 adapted to the number of eggs, the temperature of the climate, or the 

 respective heat of the little animal's own body. Where the eggs are 

 numerous, it is then incumbent to make the nest warm, that the ani- 

 mal heat may be equally diffused to them all. Thus the wren, and all 

 the small birds, make the nest very warm ; for having many eggs, it 

 is requisite to distribute warmth to them in common : on the contrary, 

 the plover, that has but two eggs, the eagle and the crow, are not so 

 solicitous in this respect, as their bodies are capable of being applied 

 to the small number upon which they sit. With regard to climate, 

 water-fowl, that with us make but a very slovenly nest, are much meve 

 exact in this particular in the colder regions of the north. They the r e 

 take every precaution to make it warm ; and some kinds strip the 

 down from their breasts, to line it with greater security. 



In general, however, every bird resorts to hatch in those climates 

 or places where its food is found in greatest plenty ; and always at 

 that season when provisions are in the greatest abundance. The large 

 birds, and those of the aquatic kinds, choose places as remote from 

 man as possible, as their food is in general different from that which 

 is cultivated by human labour. Some birds, which have only the ser- 

 pent to fear, build their nests depending from the end of a small bough, 

 and form the entrance from below ; being thus secured either from 

 the serpent or the monkey tribes. But all the little birds which live 

 upon fruits and corn, and that are too often unwelcome intruders upon 

 the fruits of human industry, in making their nests, use every precau- 

 tion to conceal them from man. On the other hand, the great birds, 

 remote from human society, use every precaution to render theirs in- 

 accessible to wild beasts or vermin. 



Nothing can exceed the patience of birds while hatching ; neither 

 the calls of hunger, nor the near approach of danger, can drive them 

 from the nest. They are often fat upon beginning to sit, yet before 

 incubation is over, the female is usually wasted to skin and bone. Ra- 

 vens and crows, while the females are sitting, take care to provide 

 them with food ; and this in great abundance. But it is different with 

 most of the smaller kinds : during the whole time, the male sits near 

 his mate upon some tree, and soothes her by his singing ; and often 

 when she is tired, takes her place, and patiently continues upon the 

 nest till she returns. Sometimes, however, the eggs acquire a degree 

 of heat too much for the purposes of hatching ; in such cases, the hen 

 leaves them to cool a little, and then returns to sit with her usual per- 

 severance and pleasure. 



So great is the power of instinct, in animals of this class, that they 

 ecm driven from one appetite to another, and continue almost passive 

 under its influence. Reason we cannot call it, since the first dictates 

 of that priri^ip^e would be self-preservation : " Take a brute," savs 



