INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 15 



neglecting the impulses of the creatures which 

 contribute so much, in various ways, to our com- 

 fort and enjoyment. Who can doubt, if he care- 

 fully watch the habits of our familiar birds, that 

 they give unmistakable evidence of being actu- 

 ated by the passions of love, fear, sympathy, joy, 

 emulation, and so on ? The most powerful of 

 these is, undoubtedly, love, especially in the form 

 of parental affection. It is well known 

 that the attachment of birds to their l^^ 

 young is not exceeded by that of any 

 other creatures. The boldness and sagacity con- 

 tinually manifested by them in the protection 

 and defence of their broods is truly surprising, 

 especially when the natural timidity and defence- 

 lessness of most of the species is considered. 

 During the breeding season their whole existence 

 is absorbed in their duties, and their whole 

 natures undergo a change. Examples of the 

 devoted attachment of the parent birds to their 

 young are so common as to excite no surprise, 

 scarcely, indeed, to awaken interest. And yet, 

 what can be more touching ? 



It is but a short time since an instance of the 

 kind occurred under my notice. Walking in the 

 neighbourhood of a populous city, I was accosted 

 by a couple of grinning urchins, who presented to 

 me a nest containing three callow fledglings, which 



