BIRDS. 139 



pleasing; but a slighter notice will probably be sufficient 

 for my readers. 



At the approach of spring, birds begin to pair ; and 

 then indeed commences the era of love, joy, and harmony, 

 to all animated nature, but more peculiarly to the fea- 

 thered race. The notes, which are so delightful to the 

 car of man, proceed from the male birds ; and are the 

 language of courtship to their mates, or of endearment 

 to their young. In a state of nature, the two sexes, after 

 pairing, preserve their love-engagement, for the season at 

 least, with inviolable fidelity. Such animals, however, 

 as are under the care of man, are in some measure affected 

 by his corrupt habits. A partial attachment is not very 

 common among domestic fowls. Quadrupeds also, in 

 general, follow the law of constancy, more or less, in 

 their native haunts ; and are depraved only when re- 

 claimed. 



Before the female begins to lay her eggs, a nest is pre- 

 pared ; in which business, many species display a very 

 considerable degree of ingenuity, both in the construction, 

 and in concealment from the prying eye of man, or 

 shelter from the injuries of other animals. Some birds, 

 however, evince some neglect in this point ; but all have 

 a distinct style of architecture, or a particular selection 

 of place, and such as appears best adapted to the general 

 purposes of convenience or protection. 



The period of incubation is the happiest part of life to 

 the feathered tribes. Both parents watch their progeny 

 with unremitting vigilance and attention ; and seem to 

 feel all the honest pride and importance of the office in 

 which they are employed, and all the fondness of parental 

 solicitude. How wanton, how cruel, then, to wound the 

 tuneful warbler's breast, by robbing it of its eggs, or its 

 young ! Trivial is the highest gratification that such 

 plunder can afford, compared with the pain which is thus 

 inflicted! 



But instinct, however strong, has none of the perma- 

 nent attachments of reason. When birds have complied 



