INTRODUCTION. 
xli 
cholic softness, and wooes the female in tender strains. Then he changes 
his notes to an harsh, broken, discordant, and quick- repea ted chirp, and 
pursues her, from branch to branch: she often answers him; and this 
courtship will frequently continue, wuthout intermission, for an hour. If 
the male be still unsuccessful, lie again tries to subdue the obduracy of her 
heart, by the charms of music ; and his song exhibits the wild, rapturous 
effusions of desire, mingled with the more modulated cadency of Ihs 
calmer moments. He runs through his scale of powers, to arrest her atten- 
tion ; and dwells on those notes which seem to express, with most energy, 
his love. On the appearance of a rival, his crest rises in rage, his wings 
beat rapidly, his feathers swell, and he resumes his provocations to combat 
But when the connubial engagement is concluded, the rivalry ceases, and 
the united pair, formed for themselves alone, search for a proper situation 
for their nest. With assiduity and skill birds in general prepare to form 
in coniunction (for in most instances they are both equally active in the 
important duty) their habitations ; which are commonly distinguished by 
the figure and materials, of which they are composed. Some are contented 
with a slight depression of the earth, or a few sticks slovenly put together, 
the hole of a tree, or the bare wall of a barn, while the Sparrow Hawk, the 
Kestrel, and the Brown Owl, often perform their incubation in the nest 
of the Crow, the Magpie, and the Daw. However, individuals of the 
same species will often use different substances, in the composition of 
their nests, to suit the climate, or situation, in which they are built ; con- 
trary to the unfounded assertions of those, who aver that birds of the same 
species always make their nests with the same materials, and of the same form 
and in similar situations. To those persons who have more accurately 
studied their economy, this assertion instantly appears untrue. Even the 
Little Wren offers many proofs which demonstrate their error. At one 
time its nest is externally covered with moss, or white lichen, at another with 
straw, or withered leaves ; suiting its external covering, to its situation, in 
order to conceal it from the eyes of its foes. The Hedge Sparrow, early in 
the spring, lines its nest with feathers alone, to render it more warm and 
G 
