ON THE INSTINCTS OF BIRDS. 127 
it. The Partridge, Land-Rail, and those birds whose 
young are able to run almost as soon as they are 
hatched, generally give themselves very little trouble 
in providing nests for their progeny ; and some spe- 
cies of Waterfowl do not make any, but deposit their 
eggs in the crevices and on the projecting shelves 
and ledges of lofty rocks, or upon the bare ground. 
The Sociable Grosbeak builds in society under a 
common roof. The Pensile, Abyssinian, and Philip- 
pine Grosbeaks construct curious nests, which they 
suspend from the slender twigs of trees, particularly 
such as grow over water, by these means securing 
ther offspring from the predatory attacks of their 
numerous enemies; and the Tailor-bird frames its 
temporary abode by sewing leaves together with the 
flexible fibres of plants, and lining the cavity with the 
lightest and softest animal or vegetable down. 
It is true that, in preparing their nests, birds 
occasionally accommodate themselves to some circum- 
stances, and take advantage of others, in a manner 
which seems to indicate a large share of intelligence. 
The Wren, for example, usually adapts the exterior 
of its compact fabric to the situation in which it is 
placed. When built against a haystack, hay is almost 
invariably made use of; and green mosses or withered 
leaves and fern are employed, as green or the various 
shades of brown prevail in its vicinity. Nor let it 
be imagined that these substances, which from their 
contiguity are often most easily procured, are selected 
