DISPOSITION. 
157 
alone and of its own free will it willingly accepts this 
troublesome responsibility. My father observed a nest of 
young Titmice (Parus major), probably orphans, under 
the care of a Marsh Tit, which latter not only fed, but 
guided and warned them when danger was near, as 
though they were her own. These orphans, moreover, 
obeyed their foster-mother with the greatest readiness 
and exactitude ; they perfectly understood her call-notes 
and warning cry, though strange to them, and would 
seek shelter near her of their own accord. A forester with 
whom we are well acquainted once saw a Water Wagtail 
carry food to some young Redstarts. I myself have seen 
the young of the Reed Warbler fed by a Sedge Warbler. 
Naumann tells us that Moorhens take the most jealous care 
of their young: they keep them always in sight, giving 
warning of every impending danger. My father remarked, 
after repeated experiments, that captive Warblers would 
unhesitatingly rear young ones if placed in the same cage 
with them, and now and then the young of the first brood 
will rear those of the second in the wild state! Thus 
they take a portion of the burden of bringing up from off 
the shoulders of the parents, and, though barely inde¬ 
pendent themselves, take care of the welfare of those still 
more helpless. A young Eared Owl brought up nestlings 
of the same species, when its parents had been killed; a 
fledgling Kingfisher undertook the rearing of two half- 
grown young ones; and an old Hen often plays the part of 
mother to orphan Chickens. Ducklings confided to the 
care of Hens may also be mentioned here, and at the same 
time I will give a very remarkable anecdote relating to 
a case of the above. A solitary Goose used to take 
charge of some Ducklings when the Hen brought them 
to the water—where she could not follow them: the 
Y 
