4 Maccabees 14:16-18

Revised Standard Version

¹⁶ and the others, by building in precipitous chasms and in holes and tops of trees, hatch the nestlings and ward off the intruder. ¹⁷ If they are not able to keep him away, they do what they can to help their young by flying in circles around them in the anguish of love, and warning them with their own calls. ¹⁸ And why is it necessary to demonstrate sympathy for children by the example of unreasoning animals,