12 BIRDS IN GENERAL. 



site skill, as at once to set all the art of man at defi- 

 ance, and it is still more wonderful, that every bird of 

 the same species should build its nest in the same 

 form, and generally of the same materials. The 

 nests of the Robins are every where formed so exact- 

 ly alike, as that no difference can be seen between 

 them. The same remark may be made in respect to 

 the nests of the Wren, the Quail, and indeed of most 

 of the birds with which we are acquainted. It makes 

 no difference if the bird has been brought from a dis- 

 tant country, or has never associated with any of its 

 own kind, its nest will still be like those of its ow r n 

 species, almost to the laying of a straw. The situa- 

 tions will also be similar : thus the Robin builds on a 

 tree, the Quail on the ground, and the Woodpecker 

 in a hole. 



The Great Author of nature has also endowed the 

 fowls of the air with surprising sagacity in the means 

 of escaping from each other, and from man. Were 

 this not the case, it is probable that the weaker tribes 

 would soon become few in number, being destroyed 

 by the stronger. 



The Hen appears to know by instinct, the enemy 

 of her race, though far distant in the air, and will warn 

 her chickens to escape from the Hawk, though she 

 had never seen him before. The Canary bird, it is 

 said, will tremble, and turn pale a| the sight of a 

 Hawk, while the sight of a Dove will not disturb her. 



What is said of the form in which birds build their nests ? 



Do all birds of the same kind make their nests alike? 



Where do Robins, Quails, and Woodpeckers build their nesta* 



What is said of the instinct of the Hen ? 



What is said of the Canary Bird ? 



