Birds' Nests, Eggs, and Egg-Collecting. (e-book) (used book) | bookbook.eu

Description

As a rule the first subject to which the young naturalist turns his attention is the most interesting one within his reach, and that subject is undoubtedly found in bird-life particularly that portion of it which concerns the negts, eggs, young, and various modes of nidification, for this is really the kernel of ornithology. Its details teach him the utility of systematic study and close observation, two important points in all matters of scientific research. It is my intention in the following pages to furnish as full and interesting particulars on Oology, which may fairly be entitled to the dignity of a science, as can be found, or is likely to be required, in any popular treatise of its modest compass. This particular branch of natural history has bcen uutil lately but indifferently studied-in fact, considered unworthy of higher attention than that which could be bestod upn it by schoolboys. People have bcen content to know that the wonderful architecture and mechanism of a bids nest the outcome of a force vaguely known as instinad, without taking the trouble to discover its workings, extent, or limits. Instinct is an extremely difficult power to dehe, and whether it be described as hereditary habit, or simply accepted as an unknown law of Nature blindly followed by its possessor, it cannot be denied that it is the outcome of conditions, and always amenable by them.