CLASS ACCIPITRES. 129 



gamous, a necessary compensation for the defect of number^ 

 The polygamous males are also less attached to their females. 

 They abandon to them the care of hatching and the nourishing 

 of the young. It is not uncommon with some of them to break 

 and scatter the eggs ; and in such cases a new laying and incu- 

 bation takes place. Nay, this often occurs more than once 

 during the season. 



These polygamous males are moreover jealous tyrants. They 

 use force with the females, and assemble them in a sort of 

 seraglio, of which they must be the sole possessors. Should a 

 rival make his appearance, war is instantly kindled. Cocks, 

 quails, partridges, sea-peacocks, most of the grallae, and in 

 general all polygamous males, are naturally bold, choleric, and 

 always ready for combat. Nature has therefore provided them, 

 as we before observed, with weapons of offence, independently 

 of their vigorous conformation, and greater development of 

 beak and claws. But the monogamous birds, having each a 

 female which suffices them, combat more rarely. They attach 

 themselves to their companion, assist her to construct the nest, 

 take their turn in the fatigues of incubation, enliven her with 

 their songs, bring her nutriment, feed the young, and, in short, 

 contract an intimate union and form a family where the com- 

 forts and trovibles are equally shared. 



The changes observed in birds at the period of their amours 

 are very remarkable. M. Virey examined two sparrows, one 

 at the period of reproduction, and the other towards the end of 

 summer. The first had a plumage more lively and lustrous 

 than the second : the flesh was more firm, and even coriaceous ; 

 the muscles thick and of a blackish red, almost without fat ; 

 but more especially the larynx and tracheal artery were fuller 

 and more developed. The abdomen was harder, and the anus 

 more inflated. The tissue, in general, was extremely solid, 

 and the beak black and very much pointed. On the contrary, 

 the plumage of the other sparrow was almost discoloured, and 

 in disorder ; the flesh soft, partly withered, and of a pale red ; 



Vol. VI. K 



