The architecture of birds / [Anon].

  • James Rennie
Date:
[1831]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The architecture of birds / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and dearer to the heart, than all the artificial solos or concertos on this side heaven.’# Besides these personal observations, Wilson re- ceived communications from various quatters, all corroborative of the singular habits just described ; and, amongst others, one from Dr Potter, of Balti- more, the more interesting parts of which we shall. endeavour to condense. He remarked that the cow- birds do not appear to pair, no. more than the cuckoos observed by Dr Jenner, being seen during the breed- ing season in odd or even numbers from one to twenty ; and when a female separates from the com- pany, her departure is not noticed, no gallant part- ner accompanies her, nor manifests any solicitude in her absence ; nor is her return greeted by the fond tenderness which is so remarkable in most other birds. This want of reciprocal attachment, however, is quite consistent with the general economy of the cow-birds; for such. attachments would be superfluous, seeing that they neither build a nest nor nurse theirown young. By watching a number of these birds during the breed- ing season, ‘the female may be observed to desert her associates, assume a sickly aspect, and perch upon some eminence where she can reconnoitre the proceed- ings of birds in constructing their nests; but if she can- not from such a station make a discover y suitable for her purpose, she becomes restless, and flits about from tree to tree till she finds a nest to her mind. ‘Seeing a female,’ says Dr Potter, ‘ prying into a group of bushes in search of a nest, I de- termined to see the result, if practicable ; and ‘know- ing how easily they are disconcerted by the near ap- proach of man, [ mounted my horse, and proceeded slowly, sometimes seeing and sometimes losing sight * Wilson’s Amer, Ornith ii, 162.
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