"Not often, my dear, for most birds congregate together in small flocks
and depart unnoticed; many go away at night, when we are sleeping; and
some fly very high on cloudy days, so that they are not distinctly seen
against the dull grey sky. The water birds, such as geese, swans, and
ducks, take their flight in large bodies. They are heard making a
continual noise in the air, and may be seen grouped in long lines, or in
the form of the letter V lying on its side, (<), the point generally
directed southward or westward, the strongest and oldest birds acting as
leaders: when tired, these aquatic generals fall backward into the main
body, and are replaced by others."

Lady Mary was much surprised at the order and sagacity displayed by wild
fowl in their flight; and Mrs. Frazer told her that some other time she
would tell her some more facts respecting their migration to other
countries.

"Nurse, will you tell me something about birds' nests, and what they make
them of?"

"Birds that live chiefly in the depths of the forest, or in solitary
places, far away from the haunts of men, build their nests of ruder
materials, and with less care in the manner of putting them together;
dried grass, roots, and a little moss, seem to be the materials they make
use of. It has been noticed by many persons, my dear, that those birds
that live near towns and villages and cleared farms, soon learn to make
better sorts of nests, and to weave into them soft and comfortable things,
such as silk, wool, cotton, and hair."

"That is very strange, nurse."