784 
Part X. 
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES OF 
CURIOSITY. 
Pairing. 
The instinct of pairing is bestowed on every species of animals 
to which it is necessary for rearing their young, and on no other 
species. 
All wild birds pair, but with a remarkable difference between 
such as place their nests on trees, and such as place them on the 
ground. The young of the former, being hatched blind, and without 
feathers, require the nursing care of both parents till they are able 
to fly. The male feeds his mate on the nest, and cheers her with 
a song. As soon as the young are hatched, singing yields to a more 
necessary occupation, that of providing food for a numerous issue, 
a task that employs both parents. 
Eagles and other birds of prey build on trees, or on other inacces- 
sible spots. They not only pair, but continue in pairs all the year 
round, and the same pair procreates year after year: this is at least 
the case of the eagles. The male and females hunt together, unless 
during incubation, at which time the female is fed by the male. A 
greater number than a single pair are never seen in company. Gre- 
garious birds pair, probably to prevent discord in a society confined 
to a narrow space ; this is the case of pigeons and rooks. The 
male and female sit on the eggs alternately, and divide the care of 
feeding their young. 
Partridges, pheasants, plovers, sea-fowl, grouse, and other kinds that 
place their nests on the ground, have the instinct of pairing, but 
differ from such as build on trees in the following particular : that 
after the female is impregnated, she completes her task without need- 
ing any help from her mate. Retiring from him, she chooses a safe 
spot for her nest, where she can find plenty of worms and grass-seed 
at hand ; and her young, when hatched, take foot, and seek food for 
themselves. The only remaining incumbent duty on the dam is, to 
lead them to proper places for food, and to call them together when 
danger impends. Some males, provoked at the desertion of their 
mates, break the eggs if they stumble on them. 
Eider ducks pair like other birds that build their nests on the 
ground, and the female finishes her nest with down plucked from her 
own breast. If the nest be destroyed for the down, which is remark- 
ably warm and elastic, she makes another nest as before. If she is 
robbed a second time, she makes a third nest, but the male furnishes 
the down. The black game never pair ; in spring, the cock, on an 
eminence, crows and claps his wrings, and all the females within 
hearing instantly resort to him. Pairing birds, excepting those of 
/ 
s 
