324 THE PHlLOSOPnt 



mofl Inftantaneoufly making an afylum or habitation, and oi 

 procuring a plentiful fubfiftence without the neceffity of go- 

 ing abroad. They fhut up the entrance of their retreats* 

 and feldom leave them, unlefs compelled by the admifiioii 

 of water, or when their manfions are dcmoliihed by art. 



The nidification of Birds has at all times defervedly called 

 forth the admiration of mankind. In general, the nefts of 

 birds are built with an art fo exquiilte, that an exaft imita-- 

 tion of them exceeds all the powers of human lliill and in- 

 duftry. Their ftyle of architedture, the materials they em- 

 ploy, and the fituations they felefl, are as various as the dif- 

 ferent fpecies. Individuals of the fame fpecies, whatever re- 

 gion of the globe they inhabit, colle(St the fame materials^ ar- 

 range and conftru£l: them in the fame form, and make choice 

 of fimllar fituations for ere^llng their temporary habitations ;. 

 for the nefts of birds, thofe of the eagle-kind excepted, after 

 the young have come to maturity, are forever abandoned by 

 the parents. 



To defcribe minutely the n^fts of birds would be a vain at- 

 tempt. Such defcriptions could not convey an adequate idea 

 of their architedlurc to a perfon who had never fecn one of 

 thofe beautiful and commodious habitations, which even 

 aftonlfh and excite the amazement of children. 



The different orders of birds exhibit great variety In the 

 materials and fiirufture of their nefts. Thofe of the rapaci- 

 ous tribes are in general rude, and compofed of coarfe mate- 

 rials, as dried twigs, bents, &c. But they are often lined 

 with foft fubftances. They build in elevated rocks, ruinous 

 and fequeftered caftles and towers, and in other folitary re- 

 tirements. The aiery or neft of the eagle is quite flat, and 

 not hollow, like thofe of other birds. The male and female, 

 commonly place their neft between two rocks, in a dry and 

 inaccefhble fituation. The fame neft, It is faid, ferves the 

 eagle during life. The ftruclure is fo confiderable, and com- 



