780 
BIRD-LIFE. 
confinement they make a backward movement when 
voiding their excreta. 
Both parents are much attached to their offspring, 
never, however, losing sight of necessary caution. Even 
while carrying the materials to the nest they thoroughly 
examine the neighbourhood before alighting, and they 
are still more mistrustful when they have eggs or young 
ones. If the nest is disturbed previous to the eggs being 
laid, the Baven never builds a second one that year, 
neither does it attempt to raise a second brood if the 
first one comes to grief. If, however, the eggs are laid 
and hatched out without any misfortune happening to 
them, the Baven redoubles its caution and care for their 
safety, as well as its own. If a human being approaches 
the nest the Baven slips silently away as soon as the 
enemy is within a hundred yards : it soon returns, how¬ 
ever, circling round the nest at a safe height, watching 
what may be going on. Its distrust is boundless, if the 
individual remains any length of time under the tree in 
which the nest is placed. The slightest alteration in the 
neighbourhood of the nest perplexes itimmensely: a newly- 
erected hut or screen is in no wise calculated to mislead 
it, or to pass unobserved; it manages to keep clear of 
every danger that threatens. Under such circumstances 
it will let the brood clamour for food for hours together, 
though while circling over-head it evinces its pity for 
them, and seeks to allay their trouble by a call of com¬ 
passion, and in extreme cases it will drop food into the 
nest from a height. As soon as the patience of the enemy 
is exhausted it returns to the nest, and tries to make up 
for lost time. If the nest is really being harried the 
parent birds perch on the nearest tree out of shot, and 
set up cries of distress; they are clever enough though 
