would then open its beak and place it through the wires of its cage, fluttering and chirping all the time for the lady to press it with her lips (an indulgence which might be considered as amply repaying it for all its former troubles), and nothing could exceed the gratification it evinced. The other bird in the mean time would equally display its anger and regret at losing the ladies' favours. Sometimes these demonstrations of rivalry became quite troublesome, from their constant repetition whenever either of the ladies entered or quitted the room. One privilege these happy birds enjoyed was that of being allowed to come out of their cages every morning while the young ladies were dressing; and after flying round the room, alighting on the tables and chairs, and resting on the hands of the young ladies, these two friends in captivity generally ended in abusing the indulgence they obtained, by fighting most furiously, tearing their feathers off, and buffeting each other in a most savage manner until they were separated; and they might be compared to the knight errants of the olden times, using their utmost exertions to overcome their adversary as an act of favour and honour on behalf of their fair mistresses: but on one unlucky occasion, when love or jealousy had driven these two little champions into a more deadly encounter than usual, a third party unperceived entered the lists and put an end to to all further emulation, a cat suddenly seized and devoured one of the poor bullfinches: the other lived many years afterwards, but seemed lost without its former companion, and never appeared so lively as before this accident occurred." The bunting, our next tribe, has nothing very remarkable, consisting only of three birds dwelling here, and one scarce winter visitant, the snowy, or tawny bunting, according to its summer or winter costume. The COMMON BUNTING, often called the bunting lark (though it has no affinity to the larks but in its sober plumage), is common about farms; in winter it becomes gregarious, and is the largest bird amid those flocks which throng the rickyard in hard weather. The YELLOW BUNTING (well named citrinella or lemon colour) is one of our commonest birds: its monotonous chant is almost the only one often heard by the traveller in the heat of the day, consisting (like the buntings) of the same note repeated quickly four or five times, and then one a little higher drawled out in lengthened cadence. The REED BUNTING, well known by his black head, is a "It is especially seen among them (says Buffon) on rainy days." Sir W. Jardine thinks many arrive from Sweden and Norway, in autumn. handsome bird, found in and near most reedy places, rather remarkable for the undeserved reputation he has obtained for his song, than for any merit of his own. “There can be no doubt," says that accurate observer, Mr. Montagu, “that the nest* as well as song of the sedge warbler have been taken and confounded for those of this bird; for, as they both frequent the same places in the breeding season, that elegant little warbler is pouring forth its varied notes, concealed in the thickest part of a bush; while this is conspicuously perched above, whose tune is not deserving the name of song, consisting only of two notes, the first repeated three or four times, the last single and more sharp." Besides those above alluded to, one local species (discovered in Devonshire by Mr. Montagu), the cirl bunting, differs little from the common yellow hammer. The FINCH tribe present to us several birds almost always found in our shrubberies or fields, and each interesting to an observer. That common pillager, the SPARROW, is known to all. Even he is not without his use; and his cheerful chirp (the only note which * "The reed bunting uses the same artifice to attract attention from its nest, as the partridge does to save its young, limping along upon the ground, screaming and shaking its wings.”—Phil, Trans, vol, 15. comes" to those in populous cities pent,") is pleasure to the ear of a plodding citizen. In the most thickly peopled parts of London, this pert, familiar bird (a dingy denizen) is found, forming his nest securely amid the roofs and chimneys, pecking up every refuse morsel, and in early morning, before the world is abroad, assisting the other scavengers to clear the streets.* The MOUNTAIN or TREE SPARROW is not so local a species as some have supposed; both sexes, as Mr. Montagu discovered, nearly resembling the common cock sparrow, though rather less. We have found it near Shrewsbury; its manners are of a much less obtrusive nature than those of the house sparrow, and it is found about oak and elm trees somewhat decayed; and a distinct black mark, a little below the back part of the eye, easily distinguishes it, besides its smaller size.† * One pair (says an observer) will often bring up fourteen young ones in a season. Their ingenuity in attaching their nests beneath those of the Rook, making use of their neighbour's structure as a defence against depredation, manifests their contrivance for the safety of their young.― Journal of a Naturalist. An interesting account of the small birds of flight, and the method of their capture in clap-nets by the London bird-catchers, is given in the Appendix to Pennant's British Zoology. These flights, or internal migrations, take place early in the spring, and in the autumn. The The CHAFFINCH builds a most elegant nest, furnished with materials and mosses of the colour of the place near it. We have no more cheerful bird around us: his colours are brilliant, his motions lively, and his song, though simple, is gay and varied. A cruel method of blinding this poor bird (in order that he may sing longer) is practised, especially abroad. In Flanders, we have often seen it exposed in the market "blind, and in prison, to be sold as a slave."-"Ah!" said our French laquais de place," he never lives long; but dies of ennui, for the want of society." The Latin name given to the chaffinch is cœlebs, or bachelor, because, at one time of year, the sexes congregate separately; the gentlemen chiefly remain with us, but the ladies often visit foreign parts. * The GOLDFINCH, sometimes called sheriff'sman or seven-coloured linnet, is one of the most brilliant little birds of this world, and his costume would not disgrace a peacock's levee. If the farmer has neglected his fields, and the thistles are abundant and coming into seed, there shall we find our handsome finch busy, endeavouring to mitigate the evil: his song is Pipit-lark, Wood-lark, Linnet, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, and Greenfinch are enumerated; all sojourners, and hard-billed birds. * White's Selborne, Letters 8. and 13. |