BIRDS IN GENERAL. 19 



than pleased with his mate. Were it possible to 

 compare sensations, the male of all wild birds 

 seems as happy in the young brood as the fe- 

 male ; and all his former caresses, all his soothing 

 melodies, seem only aimed at that important oc- 

 casion when they are both to become parents, 

 and to educate a progeny of their own produc- 

 ing. The pleasures of love appear dull in their 

 effects, when compared to the interval imme- 

 diately after the exclusion of their young. They 

 both seem, at that season, transported with plea- 

 sure ; every action testifies their pride, their im- 

 portance, and tender solicitude. 



When the business of fecundation is performed, 

 the female then begins to lay. Such eggs as have 

 been impregnated by the cock are prolific ; and 

 such as have not (for she lays often without any 

 congress whatsoever), continue barren, and are 

 only addled by incubation. Previous, however, 

 to laying, the work of nestling becomes the com- 

 mon care ; and this is performed with no small 

 degree of assiduity and apparent design. It has 

 been asserted, that birds of one kind always make 

 their nests in the same manner, and of the same 

 materials ; but the truth is, that they vary this as 

 the materials, places, or climates happen to differ. 

 The red-breast, in some parts of England, makes 

 its nest with oak leaves, where they are in great- 

 est 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 



