elements.

"Their nests are made large or small, in proportion to the number of
eggs they are to contain. Some birds hang up their nests by a kind of
thread, which they have the skill to form of flax, of different sorts of
weeds, and of the webs of spiders. Others place it in the middle of a
soft and gluey substance, to which they carefully stick many feathers.
All birds seek retired and solitary places, and use every endeavour to
make their nests strong and solid, to secure them from the attacks of
enemies of various species.

"It is in this kind of habitation they lay their eggs, where the mother,
and at times the father, sits upon them, puts every thing within them
into motion, and at last produce little creatures, who break through
their shell, and come forth.

"I doubt not but you have often seen a fly in winter, which appeared to
have no life in it: yet, upon taking it into your hand, the warmth
proceeding from it has brought it to life. It is nearly the same thing
with birds, the perseverance of whose parents, in brooding upon their
eggs, converts them into living creatures.

"While the mother is sitting, the cock is her constant attendant, and
amuses her with his music. When the young birds are hatched, the old
ones endeavour to release them from the confinement of the egg. At this
period their diligence is redoubled, they do everything to nourish and
defend them, and are constantly employed in that interesting pursuit.
No distance deters them from seeking their food, of which they make an
equal distribution, every one receiving in his turn what they have been
able to procure. So long as they continue young and helpless, they
contrive to procure such food as is adapted to their delicacy; but as
soon as they are grown stronger by age, they provide for them food of a
more solid nature.

"The pelican, which is a very large bird, is obliged to go a great
distance for food for its young, and therefore nature has provided it
with a sort of bag, which she fills with such food as she knows is most
agreeable to the palate of her young ones. She warms what she procures,
and by such means makes it fitter for their tender stomachs.

"While they are thus acting the parental part, they seem to be forgetful
of themselves, and attentive only to their little family. On the
approach of either rain or tempests, they hasten to their nest, and
cover it as well as they can with expanded wings, thereby keeping out
the wind and