If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young: (Deuteronomy 22:6)
Or, “the mother with the young.” Presumably, the reference here is to any clean bird that may be eaten. God is considerate of the feeling and lives of His lesser creatures (Matt. 10:29; Luke 12:6), and is pleased and honored when we are also (see on Lev. 22:27). Taking the lives of any of God’s creatures in sport, or annoying them, or disturbing them unnecessarily, is unworthy of a Christian and is displeasing to God.