The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-08-17
Habits of Migration.

1t is a remarkable fact that the return
of some birds is so regular that they vary
hardly more than single day, and re-
turn promptly to the old nest of the
previous year. Some 60 from the equator
to the arctic circle, travelling high in the
air in the darkest nights, when all land
marks of the earth must be entirely shut
out from view, and yet moving on
through the pitchy darkness almost ex-
actly in line north. Here is a faculty
possessed by these birds of which we
know nothing. No mariner, however ex-
perienced, would venture out of sight OF
land without chart or compass, especially
OH densely dark and tenn pestuous night.
But all seasons and hours seem the
same to these adventurous navigators OF
the air.
On the other side of the equator, in
the southern hemisphere, they do pre-
cisely the same, going from arctic re-
giOns to the tropics, and returning; so
that bird-nature seems alike over the
whole world.
The cause of this regular migration is
not fully determined. Some have re-
garded it as owing to change of season
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from which they come. But bird in
the cage always shows degree Of rest
lessness at the time of the migration OF
other birds. showing that it is by an in
stinct of their nature that they change
their residence.
The affection of birds for their young
is most beautiful trait of character,
and in some instances this affection
is fully reciprocated by the young
bird.
1t is said that the stork retains its
affection for its parents to the close OF
life. After the relations of the nest are
broken up, they will feed and protect
them in their old age, as they were
protected and fed by them in their
youth.
A remarkable instance of devotion to
their young is recorded of the stork in
Delft, Holland, that had built her nest
in roof of dwelling that took fire. As
the heat increased, the stork was dis
tinctly seen endeavoring to protect her
young by her wings, but to no purpose.
1t was supposed by bystanders that when
the flame reached the nest the old stork
would abandon it and her brood. Not
80. Although there was every Oppor-
tunity afforded for escape by the
gradually approaching flames, yet the
noble bird continued to spread her wings
over her nest, until the fierce flame con-
sumed her feathers, and left exposed her
bare, featherless body to the consuming
heat, and still the torture could not
drive her from her helpless young,
and she persisted with them in the
nest.
We have ali observed how fiercely the
timid bird or fowl will attack an enemy
approaching her nest or her young. AS
this courage is only temporary, and all
vanishes with the full growth and de-
parture of the young, we must conclude
it is special and providential endow-
ment, without which the young would
not be protected and reared.
Birds show themselves capable, also,
Of strong attachment to their mates The
black pigeon of oriental countries, when
its mate dies, refuses all association with
others and remains minated for the rest
of life.
A male canary, while singing to his
mate on the nest, suddenly fell dead.
The female Immediately left her eggs,
and finding him dead, refused all food,
and. without once returning to the nest,
remained near bin until she, too, died.
Here was, seemingly, affection as strong
as human heart could cherish.
Military Execution in the ServIan Camp.
D.l MaIl Ha.a