68 BOOK OP NATURE LAID OPES. 



of their habitations ; that each should make choice 

 of the situation most suitable to its kind. 



" Some to the rude protection of the thorn 

 Commit their feeble offspring ; the cleft tree 

 Offers its kind concealment to a few ; 

 Their food its insects, and its moss their nest. 

 But most in woodland solitudes delight." 



And that all should agree in laying as many eggs 

 as to be sufficient to keep up their species, yet no 

 more than they can conveniently hatch and bring up. 



In the incubation with what patience do these 

 creatures set on their eggs when necessary, till the 

 young are ready to be hatched, and then how 

 officious in assisting the little prisoners to escape ! 

 With what inimitable care do they afterwards watch 

 over and provide for the brood until it is capable of 

 doing for itself ; and with what scrupulous exactness, 

 during this period, do they distribute to each his al- 

 lotted portion of food. 



" What is this Mighty Breath, ye sages say, 

 That in a powerful language, felt, not heard, 



Instructs the fowls of heaven ? What but GOD, 



Inspiring GOD ! who, boundless Spirit all, 

 And unremitting energy pervades, 

 Adjusts, sustains, and agitates the whole." 



These observations are applicable to the feathery 

 tribe in general ; but if we turn to the peculiarities 

 of a few of the different species, we shall observe 

 that the wisdom and the goodness of the Deity are 



