The Birds’ Calendar 
entice the person into pursuit of herself; utter- 
ing at the same time certain peculiar notes of 
alarm, well understood by the young, who dive 
separately among the grass, and secrete them- 
selves till the danger is over; and the parent 
chaving decoyed the pursuer to a safe distance, 
returns by a circuitous route, to collect and lead 
them off. This well-known manceuvre, which 
nine times in ten is successful, is honorable to 
the feelings and judgment of the bird, but a 
severe satireon man. The affectionate moth- 
er, as if sensible of the avaricious cruelty of his 
nature, tempts him with a larger prize, to save 
her more helpless offspring ; and pays him, as 
avarice and cruelty ought always to be paid, 
with mortification and disappointment.’’ 
Having accorded the due meed of praise to 
the female, in the foregoing account, it is only 
fair that I should do equal justice to her lord 
and master, by quoting the following eulogy 
from another writer, who says of him, ‘‘ He is 
willing to take any amount of the family re- 
sponsibility. Nature cannot ask too much of 
him: he will whistle to two or three wives if 
necessary ; and he will even accept the law of 
Moses, and assume the part of husband toward 
his brother’s widow. Should his wife propose 
248 
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