[ 2 5° ] 



but by covering them with her wings ; and I have little doubt but 



that fhe would have done the fame by young ducks. 



I have likewife been witnefs of neftling thruihes of a later brood 



being fed by a young bird which was hatched earlier, and which 

 indeed rather over-crammed the orphans intruded to her care ; if 

 the bird however erred in judgement, fhe was certainly not de- 

 ficient in tendernefs, which I am perfuaded fhe would have 

 equally extended to a neftling cuckow. 



An inftance moreover is recorded by Dr. Birch of two pi- 

 geons (not more than feven weeks old) fitting on fuppofititious, 

 eggs, and not only hatching, but rearing them m . 



If it is confidered, that with regard to the nurture of young birds 

 there can be no difficulty but on the part of the dam, half the 

 wonder of many of the foregoing inftances muft immediately 

 ceafe, when it is recollected, that if neftlings perfectly fledged 

 are taken, they are as ready to receive their food from man as 

 from the parent bird, and are as clamorous for it. As thefe ad- 

 vances are therefore conftantly made on the part of the infant 

 brood, there can be but one reafon for withholding the food that 

 is implored, which is the fofter- bird's being a hen, with a large 

 brood of her own, under which circumftances even it hath been 

 proved that fhe is willing to rear them, for there feems to be a. 

 pleafure and perhaps pride ill other animals, as well as man, to 

 have their dependents. Nor is affiduity wanting on the part of 

 the neftlings to preferve the continuance of this protection by 

 every coaxing endearment on their part, which, if man becomes, 

 the fofter parent, is equally (hewn to him. Nor is this 

 merely dirlimulation, in order to procure food and nurture,, 

 for they are enlivened by his prefence after a hearty meal, and 



See a letter from Dr. Wallis, Hiilory R. S. vol.. I. p. 313. 

 1 fine 



