INSTINCT. 61 



in its natural state, making a ledge over the 

 aperture of the nest, whicli it can close at will, 

 and fastening the structure to a branch sus- 

 pended over a running stream, so that the rats or 

 snakes which frequent the waters cannot reach it. 

 There are birds of the East wliich build chambers 

 in their nests, and others which ingeniously sew 

 leaves together for a covering to their little homes ; 

 others are perfect basket-makers, and weave so 

 well, that the birds have received the name of 

 those artizans, whose fabrics their nests resemble. 



The nests of our song-birds vary sometimes 

 a little, in consequense of the situation or the 

 materials which are to be found in the neighbour- 

 hood in which they are built ; yet from one gene- 

 ration to another, they are framed with so much 

 regularity that a practical ornithologist can tell 

 at once, if he sees an empty nest, what species of 

 bird was the architect. As James Montgomery 

 has said : — 



" The nightingale that dwelt in Adam's bower, 

 And pour'd his stream of music through his dreams ; 

 The soaring lark, that led the eye of Eve 

 Into the clouds, her thoughts into the heaven 

 Of heavens, where lark nor eye can penetrate ; 

 The dove that perch'd upon the tree of life, 



