BREEDING. 
335 
they hold the prey in view, at a distance, diving with it on 
the near approach of the young birds, so as to induce 
them to follow suit. If the pupil is obstinate and refuse 
to dive, the old bird seizes him under her wing, and 
without further ado quietly dives with the little culprit to 
the bottom, until he is able and willing to follow the 
trade of his fathers. 
Young birds are the most obedient children in the 
world: they unhesitatingly obey the orders of their parents, 
and scrupulously follow their example in everything ; one 
warning note from either parent is sufficient suddenly to 
silence the liveliest and noisiest troop of youngsters. 
The old birds are the first to fly from danger, and 
thus give the signal to their young to seek their own 
safety. It is rare that the parents have recourse to other 
means of securing obedience. My father, however, twice 
observed exceptions to this rule in the Lesser Gray 
Shrike : on both occasions the old bird had sounded the 
retreat more than once, and still the inexperienced young 
scamp awaited the nearer approach of the gunner. All at 
once up rushed the mother, knocked the disobedient imp 
off his perch with her beak, and then the two flew off 
towards the thicket. 
Thus the young are led and taught until able to shift 
for themselves. Some species either leave their parents 
voluntarily as soon as they have arrived at maturity, or 
are driven away by them; others remain together for a 
long time, leading a sociable family existence. Sparrows, 
Finches, and Warblers, after the first fortnight or three 
weeks, do not trouble themselves further about their 
young; Crows and Birds of Prey keep them somewhat 
longer with them; Swallows and Wild Geese lead them 
on their autumnal migrations; while, lastly, Long-tailed 
