BIRDS' NESTS. 17 



CHAPTER II. 



SHOULD this little book fall into the hands 

 of any boy who has been in the habit of birds'- 

 nesting in the manner in which that cruel 

 sport is usually practised, I beg him to listen 

 to a few words of advice. If he be naturally 

 and resolutely cruel, I know they will be with- 

 out effect, so I shall not urge them on him. 

 But if he has pursued the sport out of mere 

 thoughtlessness, or because his companions 

 have prevailed on him to join them, or because 

 he is fond of rambling about in the fields and 

 woods, and wants an object ; or if he wishes 

 to make a collection of eggs, as being very 

 beautiful things ; or if, finally, he wishes to 

 observe the various instincts of birds in select- 

 ing materials for their nests, their skill as 

 architects, and their cunning in choosing 

 places where to build them ; if, in a word, he 

 follows up the pursuit as a branch of Natural 

 c 



