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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..59f044f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68416 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68416) diff --git a/old/68416-0.txt b/old/68416-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9fd28b9..0000000 --- a/old/68416-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4032 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Birds and their nests, by Mary Howitt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Birds and their nests - -Author: Mary Howitt - -Release Date: June 28, 2022 [eBook #68416] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Fiona Holmes and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/American - Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS *** - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -Hyphenation has been standardised. - -For the CONTENTS on page v, Chapter IX—Peewits 51 was missed from -print in the original, and has been added. - -The layout of the Contents continuation page on page vi, has been -changed to replicate the layout of the previous Contents page. - -Page 41—changed cemetries to cemeteries. - -Page 55—changed artifical to artificial. - - - - -BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. - -[Illustration: ROBIN AND NEST.] - - - - - BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS, - - BY - - MARY HOWITT. - - [Illustration] - - _With Twenty-three Full-page Illustrations by Harrison Weir._ - - NEW YORK: - GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, 416, BROOME STREET. - London: S. W. Partridge & Co., 9, Paternoster Row. - - _All rights reserved._ - -[Illustration: WATSON AND HAZELL, - -_Printers_, - -London and Aylesbury.] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - Introductory Chapter 1 - - Chapter I.—THE WREN 8 - - ” II.—THE GOLDFINCH 15 - - ” III.—THE SONG THRUSH 20 - - ” IV.—THE BLACKBIRD 26 - - ” V.—THE DIPPER, OR WATER-OUSEL 33 - - ” VI.—THE NIGHTINGALE 37 - - ” VII.—THE SKYLARK 42 - - ” VIII.—THE LINNET 47 - - ” IX.—THE PEEWIT 51 - - ” X.—HOUSE-MARTINS, OR WINDOW-SWALLOWS, AND NESTS 56 - - ” XI.—CHIFF-CHAFFS, OR OVEN-BUILDERS, AND NEST 66 - - ” XII.—GOLDEN-CRESTED WRENS AND NEST 70 - - ” XIII.—WAGTAIL AND NEST 76 - - ” XIV.—JACKDAW AND NESTLINGS 82 - - ” XV.—SPOTTED FLY-CATCHERS AND NEST 86 - - ” XVI.—WOOD-PIGEONS AND NEST 92 - - ” XVII.—WHITE-THROAT AND NEST 98 - - ” XVIII.—BULL-FINCH AND NESTLINGS 102 - - ” XIX.—MISSEL-THRUSHES AND NEST 106 - - ” XX.—YELLOW-HAMMER, OR YELLOW-HEAD, AND NEST 112 - - ” XXI.—MAGPIE AND NEST 116 - - ” XXII.—NUTHATCH AND NEST 120 - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -_Birds and their Nests._ - - - - -INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. - - -The birds in these pictures of ours have all nests, which is as it -should be; for how could the bird rear its young without its little -home and soft little bed, any more than children could be comfortably -brought up without either a bed to lie upon, or a home in which to be -happy. - -Birds-nests, though you may find them in every bush, are wonderful -things. Let us talk about them. They are all alike in the purpose for -which they are intended, but no two families of birds build exactly -alike; all the wrens, for instance, have their kind of nest; the -thrushes have theirs; so has the swallow tribe; so has the sparrow, -or the rook. They do not imitate one another, but each adheres to its -own plan, as God, the great builder and artist, as well as Creator, -taught them from the very beginning. The first nightingale, that sang -its hymn of joyful thanksgiving in the Garden of Paradise, built -its nest just the same as the bird you listened to last year in the -coppice. The materials were there, and the bird knew how to make use -of them; and that is perhaps the most wonderful part of it, for she -has no implements to work with: no needle and thread, no scissors, no -hammer and nails; nothing but her own little feet and bill, and her -round little breast, upon which to mould it; for it is generally the -mother-bird which is the chief builder. - -No sooner is the nest wanted for the eggs which she is about to lay, -than the hitherto slumbering faculty of constructiveness is awakened, -and she selects the angle of the branch, or the hollow in the bank or -in the wall, or the tangle of reeds, or the platform of twigs on the -tree-top, exactly the right place for her, the selection being always -the same according to her tribe, and true to the instinct which was -implanted in her at the first. - -So the building begins: dry grass or leaves, little twigs and -root-fibres, hair or down, whether of feather or winged seed, spangled -outside with silvery lichen, or embroidered with green mosses, less -for beauty, perhaps—though it is so beautiful—than for the birds’ -safety, because it so exactly imitates the bank or the tree-trunk in -which it is built. Or it may be that her tenement is clay-built, like -that of the swallow; or lath and plaster, so to speak, like an old -country house, as is the fashion of the magpie; or a platform of rude -sticks, like the first rudiment of a basket up in the tree-branches, as -that of the wood-pigeon: she may be a carpenter like the woodpecker, -a tunneller like the sand-martin; or she may knead and glue together -the materials of her nest, till they resemble thick felt; but in all -this she is exactly what the great Creator made her at first, equally -perfect in skill, and equally undeviating year after year. This is very -wonderful, so that we may be quite sure that the sparrow’s nest, which -David remarked in the house of God, was exactly the same as the sparrow -built in the days of the blessed Saviour, when He, pointing to that -bird, made it a proof to man that God’s Providence ever watches over -him. - -[Sidenote: _Jules Michelet on Birds._] - -Nevertheless, with this unaltered and unalterable working after one -pattern, in every species of bird, there is a choice or an adaptation -of material allowed: thus the bird will, within certain limits, select -that which is fittest for its purpose, producing, however, in the end, -precisely the same effect. I will tell you what Jules Michelet, a -French writer, who loves birds as we do, writes on this subject:—“The -bird in building its nest,” he says, “makes it of that beautiful -cup-like or cradle form by pressing it down, kneading it and shaping -it upon her own breast.” He says, as I have just told you, that the -mother-bird builds, and that the he-bird is her purveyor. He fetches in -the materials: grasses, mosses, roots, or twigs, singing many a song -between whiles; and she arranges all with loving reference; first, -to the delicate egg which must be bedded in soft material; then to -the little one which, coming from the egg naked, must not only be -cradled in soft comfort, but kept alive by her warmth. So the he-bird, -supposing it to be a linnet, brings her some horse-hair: it is stiff -and hard; nevertheless, it is proper for the purpose, and serves as a -lower stratum of the nest—a sort of elastic mattress: he brings her -hemp; it is cold, but it serves for the same purpose. Then comes the -covering and the lining; and for this nothing but the soft silky fibre -of certain plants, wool or cotton, or, better still, the down from her -own breast, will satisfy her. It is interesting, he says, to watch the -he-bird’s skilful and furtive search for materials; he is afraid if he -see you watching, that you may discover the track to his nest; and, in -order to mislead you, he takes a different road back to it. You may see -him following the sheep to get a little lock of wool, or alighting in -the poultry yard on the search for dropped feathers. If the farmer’s -wife chance to leave her wheel, whilst spinning in the porch, he steals -in for a morsel of flax from the distaff. He knows what is the right -kind of thing; and let him be in whatever country he may, he selects -that which answers the purpose; and the nest which is built is that of -the linnet all the world over. - -Again he tells us, that there are other birds which, instead of -building, bring up their young underground, in little earth cradles -which they have prepared for them. Of building-birds, he thinks the -queerest must be the flamingo, which lays her eggs on a pile of mud -which she has raised above the flooded earth, and, standing erect all -the time, hatches them under her long legs. It does seem a queer, -uncomfortable way; but if it answer its end, we need not object to it. -Of carpenter-birds, he thinks the thrush is the most remarkable; other -writers say the woodpecker. The shore-birds plait their nests, not very -skilfully it is true, but sufficiently well for their purpose. They -are clothed by nature with such an oily, impermeable coat of plumage, -that they have little need to care about climate; they have enough to -do to look after their fishing, and to feed themselves and their young; -for all these sea-side families have immense appetites. - -[Sidenote: _How various Birds Build._] - -Herons and storks build in a sort of basket-making fashion; so do the -jays and the mocking birds, only in a much better way; but as they -have all large families they are obliged to do so. They lay down, in -the first place, a sort of rude platform, upon which they erect a -basket-like nest of more or less elegant design, a web of roots and dry -twigs strongly woven together. The little golden-crested wren hangs her -purse-like nest to a bough, and, as in the nursery song, “When the wind -blows the cradle rocks.” An Australian bird, a kind of fly-catcher, -called there the razor-grinder, from its note resembling the sound of -a razor-grinder at work, builds her nest on the slightest twig hanging -over the water, in order to protect it from snakes which climb after -them. She chooses for her purpose a twig so slender that it would not -bear the weight of the snake, and thus she is perfectly safe from her -enemy. The same, probably, is the cause why in tropical countries, -where snakes and monkeys, and such bird-enemies abound, nests are so -frequently suspended by threads or little cords from slender boughs. - -The canary, the goldfinch, and chaffinch, are skilful cloth-weavers -or felt makers; the latter, restless and suspicious, speckles the -outside of her nest with a quantity of white lichen, so that it -exactly imitates the tree branch on which it is placed, and can hardly -be detected by the most accustomed eye. Glueing and felting play an -important part in the work of the bird-weavers. The humming-bird, for -instance, consolidates her little house with the gum of trees. The -American starling sews the leaves together with her bill; other birds -use not only their bills, but their feet. Having woven a cord, they fix -it as a web with their feet, and insert the weft, as the weaver would -throw his shuttle, with their bill. These are genuine weavers. In fine, -their skill never fails them. The truth is, that the great Creator -never gives any creature work to do without giving him at the same time -an inclination to do it—which, in the animal, is instinct—and tools -sufficient for the work, though they may be only the delicate feet and -bill of the bird. - -And now, in conclusion, let me describe to you the nest of the little -English long-tailed titmouse as I saw it many years ago, and which I -give from “Sketches of Natural History”:— - -[Sidenote: _The Titmouse’s Nest._] - - There, where those boughs of blackthorn cross, - Behold that oval ball of moss; - Observe it near, all knit together, - Moss, willow-down, and many a feather, - And filled within, as you may see, - As full of feathers as can be; - Whence it is called by country folk, - A fitting name, the feather-poke; - But learned people, I have heard, - _Parus caudatus_ call the bird. - Yes, here’s a nest! a nest indeed, - That doth all other nests exceed, - Propped with the blackthorn twigs beneath, - And festooned with a woodbine wreath! - Look at it close, all knit together, - Moss, willow-down, and many a feather; - So soft, so light, so wrought with grace, - So suited to this green-wood place, - And spangled o’er, as with the intent - Of giving fitting ornament, - With silvery flakes of lichen bright, - That shine like opals, dazzling white. - Think only of the creature small, - That wrought this soft and silvery ball, - Without a tool to aid her skill, - Nought but her little feet and bill— - Without a pattern whence to trace - This little roofed-in dwelling place— - And does not in your bosom spring - Love for this skilful little thing? - See, there’s a window in the wall; - Peep in, the house is not so small, - But snug and cosy you shall see - A very numerous family! - Now count them: one, two, three, four, five— - Nay, _sixteen_ merry things alive— - Sixteen young, chirping things all sit, - Where you, your wee hand, could not get! - I’m glad you’ve seen it, for you never - Saw ought before so soft and clever. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE WREN. - - -Truly the little Wren, so beautifully depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir, -with her tiny body, her pretty, lively, and conceited ways, her short, -little turned-up tail, and delicate plumage, is worthy of our tender -regard and love. - -The colouring of the wren is soft and subdued—a reddish-brown colour; -the breast of a light greyish-brown; and all the hinder parts, both -above and below, marked with wavy lines of dusky-brown, with two bands -of white dots across the wings. - -Its habits are remarkably lively and attractive. “I know no pleasanter -object,” says the agreeable author of “British Birds,” “than the wren; -it is always so smart and cheerful. In gloomy weather other birds -often seem melancholy, and in rain the sparrows and finches stand -silent on the twigs, with drooping wings and disarranged plumage; but -to the merry little wren all weathers are alike. The big drops of the -thunder-shower no more wet it than the drizzle of a Scotch mist; and as -it peeps from beneath the bramble, or glances from a hole in the wall, -it seems as snug as a kitten frisking on the parlour rug.” - -[Illustration: - - WRENS AND NEST. [Page 8. -] - -[Sidenote: _A Builder of Many Nests._] - -“It is amusing,” he continues, “to watch the motions of a young family -of wrens just come abroad. Walking among furze, broom, or juniper, you -are attracted to some bush by hearing issue from it the frequent -repetition of a sound resembling the syllable _chit_. On going up you -perceive an old wren flitting about the twigs, and presently a young -one flies off, uttering a stifled _chirr_, to conceal itself among the -bushes. Several follow, whilst the parents continue to flutter about -in great alarm, uttering their _chit, chit_, with various degrees of -excitement.” - -The nest of the wren is a wonderful structure, of which I shall have a -good deal to say. It begins building in April, and is not by any means -particular in situation. Sometimes it builds in the hole of a wall -or tree; sometimes, as in this lovely little picture of ours, in the -mossy hollow of a primrose-covered bank; and because it was formerly -supposed to live only in holes or little caves, it received the name of -_Troglodytes_, or cave-dweller. But it builds equally willingly in the -thatch of out-buildings, in barn-lofts, or tree-branches, either when -growing apart or nailed against a wall, amongst ivy or other climbing -plants; in fact, it seems to be of such a happy disposition as to adapt -itself to a great variety of situations. It is a singular fact that it -will often build several nests in one season—not that it needs so many -separate dwellings, or that it finishes them when built; but it builds -as if for the very pleasure of the work. Our naturalist says, speaking -of this odd propensity, “that, whilst the hen is sitting, the he-bird, -as if from a desire to be doing something, will construct as many as -half-a-dozen nests near the first, none of which, however, are lined -with feathers; and that whilst the true nest, on which the mother-bird -is sitting, will be carefully concealed, these sham nests are open -to view. Some say that as the wrens, during the cold weather, sleep -in some snug, warm hole, they frequently occupy these extra nests as -winter-bedchambers, four or five, or even more, huddling together, to -keep one another warm.” - -Mr. Weir, a friend of the author I have just quoted, says this was the -case in his own garden; and that, during the winter, when the ground -was covered with snow, two of the extra nests were occupied at night by -a little family of seven, which had hatched in the garden. He was very -observant of their ways, and says it was amusing to see one of the old -wrens, coming a little before sunset and standing a few inches from the -nest, utter his little cry till the whole number of them had arrived. -Nor were they long about it; they very soon answered the call, flying -from all quarters—the seven young ones and the other parent-bird—and -then at once nestled into their snug little dormitory. It was also -remarkable that when the wind blew from the east they occupied a nest -which had its opening to the west, and when it blew from the west, then -one that opened to the east, so that it was evident they knew how to -make themselves comfortable. - -And now as regards the building of these little homes. I will, as far -as I am able, give you the details of the whole business from the diary -of the same gentleman, which is as accurate as if the little wren had -kept it himself, and which will just as well refer to the little nest -in the primrose bank as to the nest in the Spanish juniper-tree, where, -in fact, it was built. - -[Sidenote: _How a Nest was built._] - -“On the 30th of May, therefore, you must imagine a little pair of -wrens, having, after a great deal of consultation, made up their minds -to build themselves a home in the branches of a Spanish juniper. The -female, at about seven o’clock in the morning, laid the foundation -with the decayed leaf of a lime-tree. Some men were at work cutting -a drain not far off, but she took no notice of them, and worked away -industriously, carrying to her work bundles of dead leaves as big -as herself, her mate, seeming the while to be delighted with her -industry, seated not far off in a Portugal laurel, where he watched -her, singing to her, and so doing, making her labour, no doubt, light -and pleasant. From eight o’clock to nine she worked like a little -slave, carrying in leaves, and then selecting from them such as suited -her purpose and putting aside the rest. This was the foundation of the -nest, which she rendered compact by pressing it down with her breast, -and turning herself round in it: then she began to rear the sides. -And now the delicate and difficult part of the work began, and she -was often away for eight or ten minutes together. From the inside she -built the underpart of the aperture with the stalks of leaves, which -she fitted together very ingeniously with moss. The upper part of it -was constructed solely with the last-mentioned material. To round it -and give it the requisite solidity, she pressed it with her breast and -wings, turning the body round in various directions. Most wonderful to -tell, about seven o’clock in the evening the whole outside workmanship -of this snug little erection was almost complete. - -“Being very anxious to examine the interior of it, I went out for that -purpose at half-past two the next morning. I introduced my finger, -the birds not being there, and found its structure so close, that -though it had rained in the night, yet that it was quite dry. The -birds at this early hour were singing as if in ecstasy, and at about -three o’clock the little he-wren came and surveyed his domicile with -evident satisfaction; then, flying to the top of a tree, began singing -most merrily. In half-an-hour’s time the hen-bird made her appearance, -and, going into the nest, remained there about five minutes, rounding -the entrance by pressing it with her breast and the shoulders of her -wings. For the next hour she went out and came back five times with -fine moss in her bill, with which she adjusted a small depression in -the fore-part of it; then, after twenty minutes’ absence, returned -with a bundle of leaves to fill up a vacancy which she had discovered -in the back of the structure. Although it was a cold morning, with -wind and rain, the male bird sang delightfully; but between seven and -eight o’clock, either having received a reproof from his wife for his -indolence, or being himself seized with an impulse to work, he began -to help her, and for the next ten minutes brought in moss, and worked -at the inside of the nest. At eleven o’clock both of them flew off, -either for a little recreation, or for their dinners, and were away -till a little after one. From this time till four o’clock both worked -industriously, bringing in fine moss; then, during another hour, the -hen-bird brought in a feather three times. So that day came to an end. - -“The next morning, June 1st, they did not begin their work early, as -was evident to Mr. Weir, because having placed a slender leaf-stalk -at the entrance, there it remained till half-past eight o’clock, when -the two began to work as the day before with fine moss, the he-bird -leaving off, however, every now and then to express his satisfaction on -a near tree-top. Again, this day, they went off either for dinner or -amusement; then came back and worked for another hour, bringing in fine -moss and feathers. - -[Sidenote: _The Patient Industry of this Bird._] - -“The next morning the little he-wren seemed in a regular ecstasy, -and sang incessantly till half-past nine, when they both brought in -moss and feathers, working on for about two hours, and again they -went off, remaining away an hour later than usual. Their work was now -nearly over, and they seemed to be taking their leisure, when all at -once the hen-bird, who was sitting in her nest and looking out at her -door, espied a man half-hidden by an arbor vitæ. It was no other than -her good friend, but that she did not know; all men were terrible, -as enemies to her race, and at once she set up her cry of alarm. The -he-bird, on hearing this, appeared in a great state of agitation, and -though the frightful monster immediately ran off, the little creatures -pursued him, scolding vehemently. - -“The next day they worked again with feathers and fine moss, and again -went off after having brought in a few more feathers. So they did for -the next five days; working leisurely, and latterly only with feathers. -On the tenth day the nest was finished, and the little mother-bird laid -her first egg in it.” - -Where is the boy, let him be as ruthless a bird-nester as he may, who -could have the heart to take a wren’s nest, only to tear it to pieces, -after reading the history of this patient labour of love? - -The wren, like various other small birds, cannot bear that their nests -or eggs should be touched; they are always disturbed and distressed by -it, and sometimes even will desert their nest and eggs in consequence. -On one occasion, therefore, this good, kind-hearted friend of every -bird that builds, carefully put his finger into a wren’s nest, during -the mother’s absence, to ascertain whether the young were hatched; on -her return, perceiving that the entrance had been touched, she set up -a doleful lamentation, carefully rounded it again with her breast and -wings, so as to bring everything into proper order, after which she and -her mate attended to their young. These particular young ones, only six -in number, were fed by their parents 278 times in the course of a day. -This was a small wren-family; and if there had been twelve, or even -sixteen, as is often the case, what an amount of labour and care the -birds must have had! But they would have been equal to it, and merry -all the time. - - For all these little creatures, which so lightly we regard, - They love to do their duty, and they never think it hard. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE GOLDFINCH. - - -The Goldfinch, which is cousin to the Linnet, is wonderfully clever and -docile, as I shall show you presently. In the first place, however, let -me say a word or two about bird cleverness in general, which I copy -from Jules Michelet’s interesting work, “The Bird.” Speaking of the -great, cruel, and rapacious family of the _Raptores_, or Birds of Prey, -he expresses satisfaction in the idea that this race of destroyers is -decreasing, and that there may come a time when they no longer exist -on the earth. He has no admiration for them, though they may be the -swiftest of the swift, and the strongest of the strong, because they -put forth none of the higher qualities of courage, address, or patient -endurance in taking their prey, which are all weak and powerless in -comparison with themselves; their poor unoffending victims. “All these -cruel tyrants of the air,” he says, “like the serpents, have flattened -skulls, which show the want of intellect and intelligence. These birds -of prey, with their small brains, offer a striking contrast to the -amiable and intelligent species which we find amongst the smaller -birds. The head of the former is only a beak, that of the latter is a -face.” Afterwards, to prove this more strongly, he gives a table to -show the proportion of brain to the size of the body in these different -species of birds. Thus the chaffinch, the sparrow, and the goldfinch, -have more than six times as much brain as the eagle in proportion to -the size of the body. We may look, therefore, for no less than six -times his intelligence and docile ability. Whilst in the case of the -little tomtit it is thirteen times as much. - -But now for the goldfinch, of which our cut—which is both faithful -and beautiful—shows us a pair, evidently contemplating with much -satisfaction the nest which they have just finished on one of the -topmost boughs of a blossomy apple-tree. This nest is a wonderful -little fabric, built of moss, dry grass, and slender roots, lined with -hair, wool, and thistle-down; but the true wonder of the nest is the -exact manner in which the outside is made to imitate the bough upon -which it is placed. All its little ruggednesses and lichen growths -are represented, whilst the colouring is so exactly that of the old -apple-tree that it is almost impossible to know it from the branch -itself. Wonderful ingenuity of instinct, which human skill would find -it almost impossible to imitate! - -The bird lays mostly five eggs, which are of a bluish-grey, spotted -with greyish-purple or brown, and sometimes with a dark streak or two. - -The goldfinch is one of the most beautiful of our English birds, with -its scarlet forehead, and quaint little black velvet-like cap brought -down over its white cheeks; its back is cinnamon brown, and its breast -white; its wings are beautifully varied in black and white, as are also -its tail feathers. In the midland counties it is known as “The Proud -Tailor,” probably because its attire looks so bright and fresh, and it -has a lively air as if conscious of being well dressed. - -[Illustration: - - GOLDFINCHES AND NEST. [Page 16. -] - -[Sidenote: _Daily Life of this Bird._] - -Like its relation, the linnet, it congregates in flocks as soon as -its young can take wing, when they may be seen wheeling round in -the pleasant late summer and autumn fields, full of life, and in -the enjoyment of the plenty that surrounds them, in the ripened -thistle-down, and all such winged seeds as are then floating in the air. - -How often have I said it is worth while to go out into the woods and -fields, and, bringing yourself into a state of quietness, watch the -little birds in their life’s employment, building their nests, feeding -their young, or pursuing their innocent diversions! So now, on this -pleasant, still autumn afternoon, if you will go into the old pasture -fields where the thistles have not been stubbed up for generations, or -on the margin of the old lane where ragwort, and groundsel, and burdock -flourish abundantly, “let us,” as the author of “British Birds” says, -“stand still to observe a flock of goldfinches. They flutter over the -plants, cling to the stalks, bend in various attitudes, disperse the -down, already dry and winged, like themselves, for flight, pick them -out one by one and swallow them. Then comes a stray cow followed by a -herd boy. At once the birds cease their labour, pause for a moment, -and fly off in succession. You observe how lightly and buoyantly -they cleave the air, each fluttering its little wings, descending in -a curved line, mounting again, and speeding along. Anon they alight -in a little thicket of dried weeds, and, in settling, display to the -delighted eye the beautiful tints of their plumage, as with fluttering -wings and expanded tail, they hover for a moment to select a landing -place amid the prickly points of the stout thistles whose heads are now -bursting with downy-winged seeds.” - -[Sidenote: _The Goldfinch._] - -The song of the goldfinch, which begins about the end of March, is -very sweet, unassuming, and low—similar to that of the linnet, but -singularly varied and pleasant. - -Now, however, we must give a few instances of this bird’s teachable -sagacity, which, indeed, are so numerous that it is difficult to make a -selection. - -Mr. Syme, in his “British Song Birds,” says, “The goldfinch is easily -tamed and taught, and its capacity for learning the notes of other -birds is well known. A few years ago the Sieur Roman exhibited a number -of trained birds: they were goldfinches, linnets, and canaries. One -appeared dead, and was held up by the tail or claw without exhibiting -any signs of life; a second stood on its head with its claws in the -air; a third imitated a Dutch milkmaid going to market with pails on -its shoulders; a fourth mimicked a Venetian girl looking out at a -window; a fifth appeared as a soldier, and mounted guard as a sentinel; -whilst a sixth acted as a cannonier, with a cap on its head, a firelock -on its shoulder, and a match in its claw, and discharged a small -cannon. The same bird also acted as if it had been wounded. It was -wheeled in a barrow as if to convey it to the hospital, after which -it flew away before the whole company. The seventh turned a kind of -windmill; and the last bird stood in the midst of some fireworks which -were discharged all round it, and this without showing the least sign -of fear.” - -Others, as I have said, may be taught to draw up their food and water, -as from a well, in little buckets. All this is very wonderful, and -shows great docility in the bird; but I cannot greatly admire it, from -the secret fear that cruelty or harshness may have been used to teach -them these arts so contrary to their nature. At all events it proves -what teachable and clever little creatures they are, how readily they -may be made to understand the will of their master, and how obediently -and faithfully they act according to it. - -Man, however, should always stand as a human Providence to the -animal world. In him the creatures should ever find their friend and -protector; and were it so we should then see many an astonishing -faculty displayed; and birds would then, instead of being the most -timid of animals, gladden and beautify our daily life by their sweet -songs, their affectionate regard, and their amusing and imitative -little arts. - -[Sidenote: _Introduced into Pictures._] - -The early Italian and German painters introduce a goldfinch into their -beautiful sacred pictures—generally on the ground—hopping at the feet -of some martyred saint or love-commissioned angel, perhaps from an old -legend of the bird’s sympathy with the suffering Saviour, or from an -intuitive sense that the divine spirit of Christianity extends to bird -and beast as well as to man. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE SONG THRUSH. - - -We have here a charming picture of one of the finest and noblest of -our song-birds—the thrush, throstle, or mavis. The trees are yet -leafless, but the bird is in the act of building, whilst her mate, on -the tree-top, pours forth his exquisite melody. The almost completed -nest, like a richly ornamented bowl, is before us. - -This bird belongs to a grandly musical family, being own cousin to the -missel-thrush and the blackbird, each one having a kindred song, but -all, at the same time, distinctly characteristic. - -The colouring of the thrush is soft and very pleasing; the upper parts -of a yellowish-brown; the chin, white; the under part of the body, -grayish white; the throat, breast, and sides of the neck, yellowish, -thickly spotted with dark brown. - -[Illustration: - - SONG THRUSH AND NEST. [Page 20. -] - -The thrush remains with us the whole year, and may occasionally be -heard singing even in the winter, though April, May, and June are the -months when he is in fullest song. They pair in March, and by the end -of that month, or early in April, begin to build. They have several -broods in the year. The nest, which, as we see, is commodious, is -placed at no great height from the ground, in a thick bush or hedge, -and sometimes, also, in a rough bank, amongst bushes and undergrowth. -They are particularly fond of spruce-fir plantations, building on -one of the low, spreading branches, close to the stem. Though the -structure is so solid and substantial, yet it is built very rapidly; -indeed, the thrush seems to be wide awake in all its movements; he -is no loiterer, and does his work well. As a proof of his expedition -I will mention that a pair of these birds began to build a second, -perhaps, indeed, it might be a third nest, on a Thursday, June 15; on -Friday afternoon the nest was finished, and on Saturday morning the -first egg was laid, though the interior plastering was not then dry. On -the 21st the hen began to sit, and on the 17th of July the young birds -were hatched. - -The frame-work, so to speak, of the nest is composed of twigs, roots, -grasses, and moss, the two latter being brought to the outside. Inside -it is lined with a thin plastering of mud, cow-dung, and rotten wood, -which is laid on quite smoothly, almost like the glaze on earthenware; -nor is there an internal covering between this and the eggs. The -circular form of the nest is as perfect as a bowl shaped upon a -lathe, and often contracts inwards at the top. The eggs, which are -generally five in number, are of a bright blue-green, spotted over with -brownish-black, these spots being more numerous at the larger end. - -The food of the thrush is mostly of an animal character, as worms, -slugs, and snails; and, by seasides, small molluscs, as whelks and -periwinkles. On all such as are enclosed in shells he exercises his -ingenuity in a remarkable way. We ourselves lived at one time in an -old house standing in an old garden where were many ancient trees and -out-buildings, in the old ivied roots and walls of which congregated -great quantities of shell-snails. One portion of this garden, which -enclosed an old, disused dairy, was a great resort of thrushes, where -they had, so to speak, their stones of sacrifice, around which lay -heaps of the broken shells of snails, their victims. I have repeatedly -watched them at work: hither they brought their snails, and, taking -their stand by the stone with the snail in their beak, struck it -repeatedly against the stone, till, the shell being smashed, they -picked it out as easily as the oyster is taken from its opened shell. -This may seem easy work with the slender-shelled snail, but the labour -is considerably greater with hard shell-fish. On this subject the -intelligent author of “British Birds” says, that many years ago, when -in the Isle of Harris, he frequently heard a sharp sound as of one -small stone being struck upon another, the cause of which he, for a -considerable time, sought for in vain. At length, one day, being in -search of birds when the tide was out, he heard the well-known click, -and saw a bird standing between two flat stones, moving its head and -body alternately up and down, each downward motion being accompanied -by the sound which had hitherto been so mysterious. Running up to the -spot, he found a thrush, which, flying off, left a whelk, newly-broken, -lying amongst fragments of shells lying around the stone. - -Thrushes are remarkably clean and neat with regard to their nests, -suffering no litter or impurity to lie about, and in this way are a -great example to many untidy people. Their domestic character, too, -is excellent, the he-bird now and then taking the place of the hen on -the eggs, and, when not doing so, feeding her as she sits. When the -young are hatched, the parents may be seen, by those who will watch -them silently and patiently, frequently stretching out the wings of -the young as if to exercise them, and pruning and trimming their -feathers. To put their love of cleanliness to the proof, a gentleman, -a great friend of all birds, had some sticky mud rubbed upon the backs -of two of the young ones whilst the parents were absent. On their -return, either by their own keen sense of propriety, or, perhaps, the -complaint of the young ones, they saw what had happened, and were not -only greatly disconcerted, but very angry, and instantly set to work to -clean the little unfortunates, which, strange to say, they managed to -do by making use of dry earth, which they brought to the nest for that -purpose. Human intellect could not have suggested a better mode. - -[Sidenote: _How a Day was spent._] - -This same gentleman determined to spend a whole day in discovering how -the thrushes spent it. Hiding himself, therefore, in a little hut of -fir boughs, he began his observations in the early morning of the 8th -of June. At half-past two o’clock, the birds began to feed their brood, -and in two hours had fed them thirty-six times. It was now half-past -five, the little birds were all wide awake, and one of them, whilst -pruning its feathers, lost its balance and fell out of the nest to the -ground. On this the old ones set up the most doleful lamentations, and -the gentleman, coming out of his retreat, put the little one back into -the nest. This kind action, however, wholly disconcerted the parents, -nor did they again venture to feed their young till an artifice -of the gentleman led them to suppose that he was gone from their -neighbourhood. No other event happened to them through the day, and by -half-past nine o’clock at night, when all went to rest, the young ones -had been fed two hundred and six times. - -Thrushes, however, become occasionally so extremely tame that the -female will remain upon her eggs and feed her young, without any -symptom of alarm, in the close neighbourhood of man. Of this I will -give an instance from Bishop Stanley’s “History of Birds”— - -“A short time ago, in Scotland, some carpenters working in a shed -adjacent to the house observed a thrush flying in and out, which -induced them to direct their attention to the cause, when, to their -surprise, they found a nest commenced amongst the teeth of a harrow, -which, with other farming tools and implements, was placed upon the -joists of the shed, just over their heads. The carpenters had arrived -soon after six o’clock, and at seven, when they found the nest, it was -in a great state of forwardness, and had evidently been the morning’s -work of a pair of these indefatigable birds. Their activity throughout -the day was incessant; and, when the workmen came the next morning, -they found the female seated in her half-finished mansion, and, when -she flew off for a short time, it was found that she had laid an egg. -When all was finished, the he-bird took his share of the labour, and, -in thirteen days, the young birds were out of their shells, the refuse -of which the old ones carried away from the spot. All this seems to -have been carefully observed by the workmen; and it is much to their -credit that they were so quiet and friendly as to win the confidence of -the birds.” - -The song of the thrush is remarkable for its rich, mellow intonation, -and for the great variety of its notes. - -[Sidenote: _Wordsworth’s Verses on the Thrush._] - -Unfortunately for the thrush, its exquisite power as a songster makes -it by no means an unusual prisoner. You are often startled by hearing, -from the doleful upper window of some dreary court or alley of London, -or some other large town, an outpouring of joyous, full-souled melody -from an imprisoned thrush, which, perfect as it is, saddens you, as -being so wholly out of place. Yet who can say how the song of that bird -may speak to the soul of many a town-imprisoned passer-by? Wordsworth -thus touchingly describes an incident of this kind:— - - At the corner of Wood Street, when daylight appears, - Hangs a thrush that sings loud; it has sung for three years: - Poor Susan has passed by the spot, and has heard, - In the silence of morning, the song of the bird. - - Green pastures she views in the midst of the dale, - Down which she so often has tripped with her pail, - And a single small cottage, a nest like a dove’s, - The one only dwelling on earth which she loves. - - ’Tis a note of enchantment; what ails her? she sees - A mountain ascending, a vision of trees; - Bright volumes of vapour through Lothbury glide, - And a river flows on through the vale of Cheapside. - - She looks, and her heart is in heaven: but they fade— - The mist and the river, the hill, sun, and shade; - The stream will not flow, and the hill will not rise, - And the colours have all passed away from her eyes. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE BLACKBIRD. - - -The Blackbird is familiar to us all. It is a thoroughly English bird, -and, with its cousin the thrush, is not only one of the pleasantest -features in our English spring and summer landscape, but both figure -in our old poetry and ballads, as the “merle and the mavis,” “the -blackbird and the throstle-cock;” for those old poets loved the -country, and could not speak of the greenwood without the bird. - - When shaws are sheen and fields are fair, - And leaves both large and long, - ’Tis merry walk’ng in the green forest - To hear the wild birds’ song; - - The wood merle sings, and will not cease, - Sitting upon a spray; - The merle and the mavis shout their fill, - From morn till the set of day. - -[Illustration: - - BLACKBIRD AND NEST. [Page 26. -] - -The blackbird takes its name from a very intelligible cause—its -perfectly black plumage, which, however, is agreeably relieved by the -bright orange of its bill, the orange circles round its eyes, and its -yellow feet; though this is peculiar only to the male, nor does he -assume this distinguishing colour till his second year. The female is -of a dusky-brown colour. - -[Sidenote: _The Notes of the Blackbird._] - -Sometimes the singular variety of a _white_ blackbird occurs, which -seems to astonish even its fellow birds; the same phenomenon also -occurs amongst sparrows; a fatal distinction to the poor birds, who are -in consequence very soon shot. - -This bird is one of our finest singers. His notes are solemn and -flowing, unlike those of the thrush, which are short, quick, and -extremely varied. The one bird is more lyrical, the other sings in -a grand epic strain. A friend of ours, deeply versed in bird-lore, -maintains that the blackbird is oratorical, and sings as if delivering -an eloquent rhythmical oration. - -This bird begins to sing early in the year, and continues his song -during the whole time that the hen is sitting. Like his relatives, the -thrush and the missel-thrush, he takes his post on the highest branch -of a tree, near his nest, so that his song is heard far and wide; and -in fact, through the whole pleasant spring you hear the voices of these -three feathered kings of English song constantly filling the woods and -fields with their melody. The blackbird sings deliciously in rain, even -during a thunderstorm, with the lightning flashing round him. Indeed, -both he and the thrush seem to take great delight in summer showers. - -The blackbird has a peculiar call, to give notice to his brood of the -approach of danger; probably, however, it belongs both to male and -female. Again, there is a third note, very peculiar also, heard only -in the dusk of evening, and which seems pleasingly in harmony with the -approaching shadows of night. By this note they call each other to -roost, in the same way as partridges call each other to assemble at -night, however far they may be asunder. - -The nest of the blackbird is situated variously; most frequently in -the thicker parts of hedges; sometimes in the hollow of a stump or -amongst the curled and twisted roots of old trees, which, projecting -from the banks of woods or woodland lanes, wreathed with their trails -of ivy, afford the most picturesque little hollows for the purpose. -Again, it may be found under the roof of out-houses or cart-sheds, -laid on the wall-plate; and very frequently in copses, in the stumps -of pollard trees, partly concealed by their branches; and is often -begun before the leaves are on the trees. The nest is composed of dry -bents, and lined with fine dry grass. The hen generally lays five eggs, -which are of a dusky bluish-green, thickly covered with black spots; -altogether very much resembling those of crows, rooks, magpies, and -that class of birds. - -Universal favourite as the blackbird deservedly is, yet, in common with -the thrush, all gardeners are their enemies from the great liking they -have for his fruit, especially currants, raspberries, and cherries. -There is, however, something very amusing, though, at the same time, -annoying, in the sly way by which they approach these fruits, quite -aware that they are on a mischievous errand. They steal along, flying -low and silently, and, if observed, will hide themselves in the nearest -growth of garden plants, scarlet runners, or Jerusalem artichokes, -where they remain as still as mice, till they think the human enemy has -moved off. If, however, instead of letting them skulk quietly in their -hiding-place, he drives them away, they fly off with a curious note, -very like a little chuckling laugh of defiance, as if they would say, -“Ha! ha! we shall soon be back again!” which they very soon are. - -But we must not begrudge them their share, though they neither have -dug the ground nor sowed the seed, for very dull and joyless indeed -would be the garden and the gardener’s toil, and the whole country in -short, if there were no birds—no blackbirds and thrushes—to gladden -our hearts, and make the gardens, as well as the woods and fields, -joyous with their melody. Like all good singers, these birds expect, -and deserve, good payment. - -The blackbird, though naturally unsocial and keeping much to itself, -is very bold in defence of its young, should they be in danger, or -attacked by any of the numerous bird-enemies, which abound everywhere, -especially to those which are in immediate association with man. The -Rev. J. G. Wood tells us, for instance, that on one occasion a prowling -cat was forced to make an ignominious retreat before the united onset -of a pair of blackbirds, on whose young she was about to make an attack. - -[Sidenote: _Macgillivray’s Account._] - -Let me now, in conclusion, give a day with a family of blackbirds, -which I somewhat curtail from Macgillivray. - -“On Saturday morning, June 10th, I went into a little hut made of green -branches, at half-past two in the morning, to see how the blackbirds -spend the day at home. They lived close by, in a hole in an old wall, -which one or other of them had occupied for a number of years. - -“At a quarter-past three they began to feed their young, which were -four in number. She was the most industrious in doing so; and when he -was not feeding, he was singing most deliciously. Towards seven o’clock -the father-bird induced one of the young ones to fly out after him. -But this was a little mistake, and, the bird falling, I was obliged to -help it into its nest again, which made a little family commotion. They -were exceedingly tidy about their nest, and when a little rubbish fell -out they instantly carried it away. At ten o’clock the feeding began -again vigorously, and continued till two, both parent-birds supplying -their young almost equally. - -“The hut in which I sat was very closely covered; but a little wren -having alighted on the ground in pursuit of a fly, and seeing one of -my legs moving, set up a cry of alarm, on which, in the course of a -few seconds, all the birds in the neighbourhood collected to know what -was the matter. The blackbird hopped round the hut again and again, -making every effort to peep in, even alighting on the top within a few -inches of my head, but not being able to make any discovery, the tumult -subsided. It was probably considered a false alarm, and the blackbirds -went on feeding their young till almost four o’clock: and now came the -great event of the day. - -“At about half-past three the mother brought a large worm, four inches -in length probably, which she gave to one of the young ones, and flew -away. Shortly afterwards returning, she had the horror of perceiving -that the worm, instead of being swallowed was sticking in its throat; -on this she uttered a perfect moan of distress, which immediately -brought the he-bird, who also saw at a glance what a terrible -catastrophe was to be feared. Both parents made several efforts to push -the worm down the throat, but to no purpose, when, strange to say, the -father discovered the cause of the accident. The outer end of the worm -had got entangled in the feathers of the breast, and, being held fast, -could not be swallowed. He carefully disengaged it, and, holding it up -with his beak, the poor little thing, with a great effort, managed to -get it down, but was by this time so exhausted that it lay with its -eyes shut and without moving for the next three hours. The male bird in -the meantime took his stand upon a tree, a few yards from the nest, and -poured forth some of his most enchanting notes—a song of rejoicing no -doubt for the narrow escape from death of one of his family. - -[Sidenote: _Macgillivray’s Day with this Bird._] - -“From four till seven o’clock both birds again fed their young, after -which the male bird left these family duties to his mate, and gave -himself up to incessant singing. At twenty minutes to nine their -labours ceased, they having then fed their young one hundred and -thirteen times during the day. - -“I observed that before feeding their young they always alighted upon -a tree and looked round them for a few seconds. Sometimes they brought -in a quantity of worms and fed their brood alternately; at other times -they brought one which they gave to only one of them. - -“The young birds often trimmed their feathers, and stretched out their -wings; they also appeared to sleep now and then. - -“With the note of alarm which the feathered tribes set up on the -discovery of their enemies all the different species of the little -birds seem to be intimately acquainted; for no sooner did a beast or -bird of prey make its appearance, than they seemed to be anxiously -concerned about the safety of their families. They would hop from tree -to tree uttering their doleful lamentations. At one time the blackbirds -were in an unusual state of excitement and terror, and were attended -by crowds of their woodland friends. A man and boy, who were working -in my garden, having heard the noise, ran to see what was the cause of -it, and on looking into some branches which were lying on the ground, -observed a large weasel stealing slyly along in pursuit of its prey. It -was, however, driven effectually from the place without doing any harm. -It is astonishing how soon the young know this intimation of danger; -for I observed that no sooner did the old ones utter the alarm-cry, -than they cowered in their nest, and appeared to be in a state of great -uneasiness.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE DIPPER, OR WATER-OUSEL. - - -The Dipper, or Water-ousel, of which Mr. Weir has given us a charming -and faithful portrait, is very like a wren in form and action, with -its round body and lively little tail. Its mode of flight, however, -so nearly resembles the kingfisher that, in some places, the country -people mistake it for the female of that bird. But it is neither wren -nor kingfisher, nor yet related to either of them. It is the nice -little water-ousel, with ways of its own, and a cheerful life of its -own, and the power of giving pleasure to all lovers of the free country -which is enriched with an infinite variety of happy, innocent creatures. - -The upper part of the head and neck, and the whole back and wings of -this bird, are of a rusty-brown; but, as each individual feather is -edged with gray, there is no deadness of colouring. The throat and -breast are snowy white, which, contrasting so strongly with the rest of -the body, makes it seem to flash about like a point of light through -the dark shadows of the scenes it loves to haunt. - -I said above that this bird gave pleasure to all lovers of nature. So -it does, for it is only met with in scenes which are especially beloved -by poets and painters. Like them, it delights in mountain regions, -where rocky streams rush along with an unceasing murmur, leaping over -huge stones, slumbering in deep, shadowy pools, or lying low between -rocky walls, in the moist crevices and on the edges of which the wild -rose flings out its pale green branches, gemmed with flowers, or the -hardy polypody nods, like a feathery plume. On these streams, with -their foamy waters and graceful vegetation, you may look for the -cheerful little water-ousel. He is perfectly in character with the -scenes. - -[Illustration: - - DIPPERS AND NEST. [Page 34. -] - -[Sidenote: _The Home of the Dipper._] - -And now, supposing that you are happily located for a few weeks in -summer, either in Scotland or Wales, let me repeat my constant advice -as regards the study and truest enjoyment of country life and things. -Go out for several hours; do not be in a hurry; take your book, or -your sketching, or whatever your favourite occupation may be, if it be -only a quiet one, and seat yourself by some rocky stream amongst the -mountains; choose the pleasantest place you know, where the sun can -reach you, if you need his warmth, and if you do not, where you can yet -witness the beautiful effects of light and shade. There seat yourself -quite at your ease, silent and still as though you were a piece of -rock itself, half screened by that lovely wild rose bush, or tangle of -bramble, and before long you will most likely see this merry, lively -little dipper come with his quick, jerking flight, now alighting on -this stone, now on that, peeping here, and peeping there, as quick as -light, and snapping up, now a water-beetle, now a tiny fish, and now -diving down into the stream for a worm that he espies below, or walking -into the shallows, and there flapping his wings, more for the sheer -delight of doing so than for anything else. Now he is off and away, -and, in a moment or two, he is on yonder gray mass of stone, which -rises up in that dark chasm of waters like a rock in a stormy sea, -with the rush and roar of the water full above him. Yet there he is -quite at home, flirting his little tail like a jenny wren, and hopping -about on his rocky point, as if he could not for the life of him be -still for a moment. Now listen! That is his song, and a merry little -song it is, just such a one as you would fancy coming out of his jocund -little heart; and, see now, he begins his antics. He must be a queer -little soul! If we could be little dippers like him, and understand -what his song and all his grimaces are about, we should not so often -find the time tedious for want of something to do. - -We may be sure he is happy, and that he has, in the round of his small -experience, all that his heart desires. He has this lonely mountain -stream to hunt in, these leaping, chattering, laughing waters to bear -him company, all these fantastically heaped-up stones, brought hither -by furious winter torrents of long ago—that dashing, ever roaring, -ever foaming waterfall, in the spray of which the summer sunshine -weaves rainbows. All these wild roses and honeysuckles, all this maiden -hair, and this broad polypody, which grows golden in autumn, make up -his little kingdom, in the very heart of which, under a ledge of rock, -and within sound, almost within the spray of the waterfall, is built -the curious little nest, very like that of a wren, in which sits the -hen-bird, the little wife of the dipper, brooding with most unwearied -love on four or five white eggs, lightly touched with red. - -This nest is extremely soft and elastic, sometimes of large size, the -reason for which one cannot understand. It is generally near to the -water, and, being kept damp by its situation, is always so fresh, -looking so like the mass of its immediate surroundings as scarcely to -be discoverable by the quickest eye. When the young are hatched they -soon go abroad with the parents, and then, instead of the one solitary -bird, you may see them in little parties of from five to seven going on -in the same sort of way, only all the merrier because there are more of -them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE NIGHTINGALE. - - -Philomela, or the Nightingale, is the head of the somewhat large -bird-family of Warblers, and is the most renowned of all feathered -songsters, though some judges think the garden-ousel exceeds it in -mellowness, and the thrush in compass of voice, but that, in every -other respect, it excels them all. For my part, however, I think no -singing-bird is equal to it; and listening to it when in full song, in -the stillness of a summer’s night, am ready to say with good old Izaak -Walton:— - -“The nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet -music out of her little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind -to think that miracles had not ceased. He that at midnight, when the -weary labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often -heard, the clear airs, the sweet descants, the natural rising and -falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted -above earth and say, ‘Lord, what music hast Thou provided for the -saints in heaven, when Thou affordest bad men such music on earth!’” - -In colour, the upper parts of the nightingale are of a rich brown; -the tail of a reddish tint; the throat and underparts of the body, -greyish-white; the neck and breast, grey; the bill and legs, light -brown. Its size is about that of the garden warblers, which it -resembles in form—being, in fact, one of that family. Thus, the most -admired of all singers—the subject of poets’ songs and eulogies, the -bird that people walk far and wide to listen to, of which they talk for -weeks before it comes, noting down the day of its arrival as if it were -the Queen or the Queen’s son—is yet nothing but a little insignificant -brown bird, not to be named with the parrot for plumage, nor with -our little goldfinch, who always looks as if he had his Sunday suit -on. But this is a good lesson for us. The little brown nightingale, -with his little brown wife in the thickety copse, with their simple -unpretending nest, not built up aloft on the tree branch, but humbly -at the tree’s root, or even on the very ground itself, may teach us -that the world’s external show or costliness is not true greatness. The -world’s best bird-singer might have been as big as an eagle, attired -in colours of blue and scarlet and orange like the grandest macaw. But -the great Creator willed that it should not be so—his strength, and -his furiousness, and his cruel capacity were sufficient for the eagle, -and his shining vestments for the macaw; whilst the bird to which was -given the divinest gift of song must be humble and unobtrusive, small -of size, with no surpassing beauty of plumage, and loving best to hide -itself in the thick seclusion of the copse in which broods the little -mother-bird, the very counterpart of himself, upon her olive-coloured -eggs. - -[Sidenote: _The Philomela of Surrey._] - -Mr. Harrison Weir has given us a sweet little picture of the -nightingale at home. Somewhere, not far off, runs the highroad, or it -may be a pleasant woodland lane leading from one village to another, -and probably known as “Nightingale-lane,” and traversed night after -night by rich and poor, learned and unlearned, to listen to the -bird. In our own neighbourhood we have a “Nightingale-lane,” with its -thickety copses on either hand, its young oaks and Spanish chestnuts -shooting upwards, and tangles of wild roses and thick masses of -brambles throwing their long sprays over old, mossy, and ivied stumps -of trees, cut or blown down in the last generation—little pools -and water courses here and there, with their many-coloured mosses -and springing rushes—a very paradise for birds. This is in Surrey, -and Surrey nightingales, it is said, are the finest that sing. With -this comes the saddest part of the story. Bird-catchers follow the -nightingale, and, once in his hands, farewell to the pleasant copse -with the young oaks and Spanish chestnuts, the wild rose tangles, the -little bosky hollow at the old tree root, in one of which the little -nest is built and the little wife broods on her eggs! - -Generally, however, the unhappy bird, if he be caught, is taken soon -after his arrival in this country; for nightingales are migratory, and -arrive with us about the middle of April. The male bird comes about -a fortnight before the female, and begins to sing in his loneliness -a song of salutation—a sweet song, which expresses, with a tender -yearning, his desire for her companionship. Birds taken at this time, -before the mate has arrived, and whilst he is only singing to call and -welcome her, are said still to sing on through the summer in the hope, -long-deferred, that she may yet come. He will not give her up though -he is no longer in the freedom of the wood, so he sings and sings, and -if he live over the winter, he will sing the same song the following -spring, for the want is again in his heart. He cannot believe but that -she will still come. The cruel bird-catchers, therefore, try all their -arts to take him in this early stage of his visit to us. Should he be -taken later, when he is mated, and, as we see him in our picture, with -all the wealth of his little life around him, he cannot sing long. How -should he—in a narrow cage and dingy street of London or some other -great town—perhaps with his eyes put out—for his cruel captor fancies -he sings best if blind? He may sing, perhaps, for a while, thinking -that he can wake himself out of this dreadful dream of captivity, -darkness, and solitude. But it is no dream; the terrible reality at -length comes upon him, and before the summer is over he dies of a -broken heart. - -It is a curious fact that the nightingale confines itself, without -apparent reason, to certain countries and to certain parts of England. -For instance, though it visits Sweden, and even the temperate parts -of Russia, it is not met with in Scotland, North Wales, nor Ireland, -neither is it found in any of our northern counties excepting -Yorkshire, and there only in the neighbourhood of Doncaster. Neither -is it known in the south-western counties, as Cornwall and Devonshire. -It is supposed to migrate during the winter into Egypt and Syria. It -has been seen amongst the willows of Jordan and the olive trees of -Judea, but we have not, to our knowledge, any direct mention of it in -the Scriptures, though Solomon no doubt had it in his thoughts, in his -sweet description of the spring—“Lo, the winter is past, the rain is -over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing -of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” A -recent traveller in Syria tells me that she heard nightingales singing -at four o’clock one morning in April of last year in the lofty regions -of the Lebanon. - - -[Illustration: - - NIGHTINGALES AND NEST. [Page 40. -] - - -[Sidenote: _Sir John Sinclair’s Attempt._] - -There have been various attempts to introduce the nightingale into such -parts of this country as it has not yet frequented; for instance, a -gentleman of Gower, a sea-side district of Glamorganshire, the climate -of which is remarkably mild, procured a number of young birds from -Norfolk and Surrey, hoping that they would find themselves so much at -home in the beautiful woods there as to return the following year. But -none came. Again, as regards Scotland, Sir John Sinclair purchased a -large number of nightingales’ eggs, at a shilling each, and employed -several men to place them carefully in robins’ nests to be hatched. So -far all succeeded well. The foster-mothers reared the nightingales, -which, when full-fledged, flew about as if quite at home. But when -September came, the usual month for the migration of the nightingale, -the mysterious impulse awoke in the hearts of the young strangers, and, -obeying it, they suddenly disappeared and never after returned. - -Mr. Harrison Weir has given us a very accurate drawing of the -nightingale’s nest, which is slight and somewhat fragile in -construction, made of withered leaves—mostly of oak—and lined -with dry grass. The author of “British Birds” describes one in his -possession as composed of slips of the inner bark of willow, mixed with -the leaves of the lime and the elm, lined with fibrous roots, grass, -and a few hairs; but whatever the materials used may be, the effect -produced is exactly the same. - -In concluding our little chapter on this bird, I would mention that -in the Turkish cemeteries, which, from the old custom of planting a -cypress at the head and foot of every grave, have now become cypress -woods, nightingales abound, it having been also an old custom of love -to keep these birds on every grave. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE SKYLARK. - - -The Skylark, that beautiful singer, which carries its joy up to the -very gates of heaven, as it were, has inspired more poets to sing about -it than any other bird living. - -Wordsworth says, as in an ecstasy of delight:— - - Up with me! up with me into the clouds! - For thy song, lark, is strong; - Up with me! up with me into the clouds! - Singing, singing. - With clouds and sky about me ringing, - Lift me, guide me till I find - That spot that seems so to my mind. - -Shelley, in an ode which expresses the bird’s ecstasy of song, also -thus addresses it, in a strain of sadness peculiar to himself:— - - Hail to thee, blithe spirit! - Bird, thou never wert— - That from heaven, or near it, - Pourest thy full heart - In profuse strains of unpremeditated art! - - Higher, still, and higher - From the earth thou springest, - Like a cloud of fire; - The deep blue thou wingest, - And singing still doth soar, and soaring ever singest! - - * * * * * - - Better than all measures - Of delightful sound, - Better than all treasures - That in books are found, - Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground. - - Teach me half the gladness - That thy brain must know, - Such harmonious madness - From my lips should flow; - The world should listen then, as I am listening now. - -[Sidenote: _James Hogg’s Verses._] - -James Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, who had listened to the bird with -delight on the Scottish hills, thus sings of it:— - - Bird of the wilderness, - Blithesome and cumberless, - Sweet is thy matin o’er moorland and lea! - Emblem of happiness, - Blest is thy dwelling-place— - Oh, to abide in the desert with thee! - - Wild is thy lay, and loud; - Far in the downy cloud - Love gives it energy, love gave it birth. - Where on thy dewy wing, - Where art thou journeying? - Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth. - - O’er fell and fountain sheen, - O’er moor and mountain green, - O’er the red streamer that heralds the day; - Over the cloudlet dim, - Over the rainbow’s rim, - Musical cherub, soar, singing away! - - Then when the gloaming comes, - Low in the heather blooms, - Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be! - Emblem of happiness, - Blest is thy dwelling-place— - Oh, to abide in the desert with thee! - -But we must not forget the earthly life of the bird in all these sweet -songs about him. - -The plumage of the skylark is brown, in various shades; the fore-part -of the neck, reddish-white, spotted with brown; the breast and under -part of the body, yellowish-white. Its feet are peculiar, being -furnished with an extraordinarily long hind claw, the purpose of which -has puzzled many naturalists. But whatever nature intended it for, the -bird has been known to make use of it for a purpose which cannot fail -to interest us and call forth our admiration. This shall be presently -explained. The nest is built on the ground, either between two clods -of earth, in the deep foot-print of cattle, or some other small hollow -suitable for the purpose, and is composed of dry grass, hair, and -leaves; the hair is mostly used for the lining. Here the mother-bird -lays four or five eggs of pale sepia colour, with spots and markings -of darker hue. She has generally two broods in the year, and commences -sitting in May. The he-lark begins to sing early in the spring. -Bewick says, “He rises from the neighbourhood of the nest almost -perpendicularly in the air, by successive springs, and hovers at a -vast height. His descent, on the contrary, is in an oblique direction, -unless he is threatened by birds of prey, or attracted by his mate, and -on these occasions he drops like a stone.” - -[Illustration: - - SKYLARKS AND NEST. [Page 44. -] - -With regard to his ascent, I must, however, add that it is in a spiral -direction, and that what Bewick represents as springs are his sudden -spiral flights after pausing to sing. Another peculiarity must be -mentioned: all his bones are hollow, and he can inflate them with air -from his lungs, so that he becomes, as it were, a little balloon, which -accounts for the buoyancy with which he ascends, and the length of -time he can support himself in the air: often for an hour at a time. -Still more extraordinary is the wonderful power and reach of his voice, -for while, probably, the seven hundred or a thousand voices of the -grand chorus of an oratorio would fail to fill the vast spaces of the -atmosphere, it can be done by this glorious little songster, which, -mounting upwards, makes itself heard, without effort, when it can be -seen no longer. - -[Sidenote: _Its Solicitude for its Young._] - -The attachment of the parents to their young is very great, and has -been seen to exhibit itself in a remarkable manner. - -The nest being placed on the open-ground—often pasture, or in a field -of mowing grass—it is very liable to be disturbed; many, therefore, -are the instances of the bird’s tender solicitude either for the young -or for its eggs, one of which I will give from Mr. Jesse. “In case of -alarm,” he says, “either by cattle grazing near the nest, or by the -approach of the mower, the parent-birds remove their eggs, by means -of their long claws, to a place of greater security, and this I have -observed to be affected in a very short space of time.” He says that -when one of his mowers first told him of this fact he could scarcely -believe it, but that he afterwards saw it himself, and that he regarded -it only as another proof of the affection which these birds show their -offspring. Instances are also on record of larks removing their young -by carrying them on their backs: in one case the young were thus -removed from a place of danger into a field of standing corn. But -however successful the poor birds may be in removing their eggs, they -are not always so with regard to their young, as Mr. Yarrell relates. -An instance came under his notice, in which the little fledgeling -proved too heavy for the parent to carry, and, being dropped from an -height of about thirty feet, was killed in the fall. - -Of all captive birds, none grieves me more than the skylark. Its -impulse is to soar, which is impossible in the narrow spaces of a cage; -and in this unhappy condition, when seized by the impulse of song, he -flings himself upwards, and is dashed down again by its cruel barriers. -For this reason the top of the lark’s cage is always bedded with green -baize to prevent his injuring himself. In the freedom of nature he is -the joyous minstrel of liberty and love, carrying upwards, and sending -down from above, his buoyant song, which seems to fall down through the -golden sunshine like a flood of sparkling melody. - -I am not aware of the height to which the lark soars, but it must be -very great, as he becomes diminished to a mere speck, almost invisible -in the blaze of light. Yet, high as he may soar, he never loses the -consciousness of the little mate and the nestlings below: but their -first cry of danger or anxiety, though the cry may be scarce audible -to the human ear, thrills up aloft to the singer, and he comes down -with a direct arrow-like flight, whilst otherwise his descent is more -leisurely, and said by some to be in the direct spiral line of his -ascent. - -Larks, unfortunately for themselves, are considered very fine eating. -Immense numbers of them are killed for the table, not only on the -continent, but in England. People cry shame on the Roman epicure, -Lucullus, dining on a stew of nightingales’ tongue, nearly two thousand -years ago, and no more can I reconcile to myself the daily feasting on -these lovely little songsters, which may be delicate eating, but are no -less God’s gifts to gladden and beautify the earth. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE LINNET. - - -Linnets are a branch of a larger family of finches, all very familiar -to us. They are cousins, also, to the dear, impudent sparrows, and the -pretty siskin or aberdevines. - -The linnets are all compactly and stoutly built, with short necks and -good sized heads, with short, strong, pointed bills, made for the ready -picking up of seed and grain, on which they live. Most of them have two -broods in the season, and they build a bulky, deep, and compact nest, -just in accordance with their character and figure; but, though all -linnet-nests have a general resemblance of form, they vary more or less -in the material used. - -Linnets change their plumage once a year, and have a much more spruce -and brilliant appearance when they have their new summer suits on. They -are numerous in all parts of the country, and, excepting in the season -when they have young, congregate in flocks, and in winter are attracted -to the neighbourhood of man, finding much of their food in farm-yards, -and amongst stacks. - -The linnet of our picture is the greater red-pole—one of four brothers -of the linnet family—and is the largest of the four; the others -are the twit or mountain-linnet, the mealy-linnet, and the lesser -red-pole—the smallest of the four—all very much alike, and easily -mistaken for each other. The name red-pole is given from the bright -crimson spot on their heads—_pole_ or _poll_ being the old Saxon word -for head. The back of our linnet’s head and the sides of his neck are -of dingy ash-colour, his back of a warm brown tint, his wings black, -his throat of a dull white, spotted with brown, his breast a brilliant -red, and the under part of his body a dingy white. - -The linnet, amongst singing birds, is what a song writer is amongst -poets. He is not a grand singer, like the blackbird or the thrush, -the missel-thrush or the wood-lark, all of which seem to have an epic -story in their songs, nor, of course, like the skylark, singing up to -the gates of heaven, or the nightingale, that chief psalmist of all -bird singers. But, though much humbler than any of these, he is a sweet -and pleasant melodist; a singer of charming little songs, full of the -delight of summer, the freshness of open heaths, with their fragrant -gorse, or of the Scottish brae, with its “bonnie broom,” also in golden -blossom. His are unpretending little songs of intense enjoyment, simple -thanksgivings for the pleasures of life, for the little brown hen-bird, -who has not a bit of scarlet in her plumage, and who sits in her snug -nest on her fine little white eggs, with their circle of freckles and -brown spots at the thicker end, always alike, a sweet, patient mother, -waiting for the time when the young ones will come into life from that -delicate shell-covering, blind at first, though slightly clothed in -greyish-brown—five little linnets gaping for food. - -[Illustration: - - LINNETS AND NEST. [Page 48. -] - -The linnet mostly builds its nest in low bushes, the furze being its -favourite resort; it is constructed outside of dry grass, roots, and -moss, and lined with hair and wool. We have it here in our picture; -for our friend, Mr. Harrison Weir, always faithful in his transcripts -of nature, has an eye, also, for beauty. - -Round the nest, as you see, blossoms the yellow furze, and round it -too rises a _chevaux de frise_ of furze spines, green and tender to -look at, but sharp as needles. Yes, here on this furzy common, and on -hundreds of others all over this happy land, and on hill sides, with -the snowy hawthorn and the pink-blossomed crab-tree above them, and, -below, the mossy banks gemmed with pale-yellow primroses, are thousands -of linnet nests and father-linnets, singing for very joy of life and -spring, and for the summer which is before them. And as they sing, the -man ploughing in the fields hard-by, and the little lad leading the -horses, hear the song, and though he may say nothing about it, the man -thinks, and wonders that the birds sing just as sweetly now as when -he was young; and the lad thinks how pleasant it is, forgetting the -while that he is tired, and, whistling something like a linnet-tune, -impresses it on his memory, to be recalled with a tender sentiment -years hence when he is a man, toiling perhaps in Australia or Canada; -or, it may be, to speak to him like a guardian angel in some time of -trial or temptation, and bring him back to the innocence of boyhood and -to his God. - -[Sidenote: _Bishop Huntley’s Anecdote._] - -Our picture shows us the fledgeling brood of the linnet, and the -parent-bird feeding them. The attachment of this bird to its young is -very great. Bishop Huntley, in his “History of Birds,” gives us the -following anecdote in proof of it:— - -“A linnet’s nest, containing four young ones, was found by some -children, and carried home with the intention of rearing and taming -them. The old ones, attracted by their chirping, fluttered round the -children till they reached home, when the nest was carried up stairs -and placed in the nursery-window. The old birds soon approached the -nest and fed the young. This being observed, the nest was afterwards -placed on a table in the middle of the room, the window being left -open, when the parents came in and fed their young as before. Still -farther to try their attachment, the nest was then placed in a cage, -but still the old birds returned with food, and towards evening -actually perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made by several -children. So it went on for several days, when, unfortunately, the -cage, having been set outside the window, was exposed to a violent -shower of rain, and the little brood was drowned in the nest. The poor -parent-birds continued hovering round the house, and looking wistfully -in at the window for several days, and then disappeared altogether.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE PEEWIT. - - -The Peewit, lapwing, or plover, belongs to the naturalist family of -_Gallatores_ or Waders, all of which are furnished with strong legs and -feet for walking, whilst all which inhabit watery places, or feed their -young amongst the waves, have legs sufficiently long to enable them to -wade; whence comes the family name. - -The peewit, or lapwing, is a very interesting bird, from its peculiar -character and habits. Its plumage is handsome; the upper part of the -body of a rich green, with metallic reflections; the sides of the neck -and base of the tail of a pure white; the tail is black; so is the -top of the head, which is furnished with a long, painted crest, lying -backwards, but which can be raised at pleasure. In length the bird is -about a foot. - -The peewit lives in all parts of this country, and furnishes one of -the pleasantly peculiar features of open sea-shores and wide moorland -wastes, in the solitudes of which, its incessant, plaintive cry has an -especially befitting sound, like the very spirit of the scene, moaning -in unison with the waves, and wailing over the wide melancholy of the -waste. Nevertheless, the peewit is not in itself mournful, for it is -a particularly lively and active bird, sporting and frolicking in the -air with its fellows, now whirling round and round, and now ascending -to a great height on untiring wing; then down again, running along the -ground, and leaping about from spot to spot as if for very amusement. - -It is, however, with all its agility, a very untidy nest-maker; in -fact it makes no better nest than a few dry bents scraped together in -a shallow hole, like a rude saucer or dish, in which she can lay her -eggs—always four in number. But though taking so little trouble about -her nest, she is always careful to lay the narrow ends of her eggs in -the centre, as is shown in the picture, though as yet there are but -three. A fourth, however, will soon come to complete the cross-like -figure, after which she will begin to sit. - -These eggs, under the name of plovers’ eggs, are in great request as -luxuries for the breakfast-table, and it may be thought that laid thus -openly on the bare earth they are very easily found. It is not so, -however, for they look so much like the ground itself, so like little -bits of moorland earth or old sea-side stone, that it is difficult to -distinguish them. But in proportion as the bird makes so insufficient -and unguarded a nest, so all the greater is the anxiety, both of -herself and her mate, about the eggs. Hence, whilst she is sitting, he -exercises all kinds of little arts to entice away every intruder from -the nest, wheeling round and round in the air near him, so as to fix -his attention, screaming mournfully his incessant _peewit_ till he has -drawn him ever further and further from the point of his anxiety and -love. - -[Illustration: - - PEEWITS AND NEST. [Page 52. -] - -[Sidenote: _Stratagems of the Bird._] - -The little quartette brood, which are covered with down when hatched, -begin to run almost as soon as they leave the shell, and then the poor -mother-bird has to exercise all her little arts also—and indeed the -care and solicitude of both parents is wonderful. Suppose, now, the -little helpless group is out running here and there as merry as life -can make them, and a man, a boy, or a dog, or perhaps all three, are -seen approaching. At once the little birds squat close to the earth, -so that they become almost invisible, and the parent-birds are on the -alert, whirling round and round the disturber, angry and troubled, -wailing and crying their doleful _peewit_ cry, drawing them ever -further and further away from the brood. Should, however, the artifice -not succeed, and the terrible intruder still obstinately advance in the -direction of the young, they try a new artifice; drop to the ground, -and, running along in the opposite course, pretend lameness, tumbling -feebly along in the most artful manner, thus apparently offering the -easiest and most tempting prey, till, having safely lured away the -enemy, they rise at once into the air, screaming again their _peewit_, -but now as if laughing over their accomplished scheme. - -The young, which are hatched in April, are in full plumage by the end -of July, when the birds assemble in flocks, and, leaving the sea-shore, -or the marshy moorland, betake themselves to downs and sheep-walks, -where they soon become fat, and are said to be excellent eating. -Happily, however, for them, they are not in as much request for the -table as they were in former times. Thus we find in an ancient book -of housekeeping expenses, called “The Northumberland Household-book,” -that they are entered under the name of _Wypes_, and charged one penny -each; and that they were then considered a first-rate dish is proved by -their being entered as forming a part of “his lordship’s own mess,” or -portion of food; _mess_ being so used in those days—about the time, -probably, when the Bible was translated into English. Thus we find in -the beautiful history of Joseph and his brethren, “He sent messes to -them, but Benjamin’s mess was five times as much as any of theirs.” - -Here I would remark, on the old name of _Wypes_ for this bird, that -country-people in the midland counties still call them _pie-wypes_. - -But now again to our birds. The peewit, like the gull, may easily be -tamed to live in gardens, where it is not only useful by ridding them -of worms, slugs, and other troublesome creatures, but is very amusing, -from its quaint, odd ways. Bewick tells us of one so kept by the Rev. -J. Carlisle, Vicar of Newcastle, which I am sure will interest my -readers. - -[Sidenote: _A Winter Visitor._] - -He says two of these birds were given to Mr. Carlisle, and placed -in his garden, where one soon died; the other continued to pick up -such food as the place afforded, till winter deprived it of its usual -supply. Necessity then compelled it to come nearer the house, by -which it gradually became accustomed to what went forward, as well as -to the various members of the family. At length a servant, when she -had occasion to go into the back-kitchen with a light, observed that -the lapwing always uttered his cry of _peewit_ to gain admittance. -He soon grew familiar; as the winter advanced, he approached as far -as the kitchen, but with much caution, as that part of the house was -generally inhabited by a dog and a cat, whose friendship the lapwing -at length gained so entirely, that it was his regular custom to resort -to the fireside as soon as it grew dark, and spend the evening and -night with his two associates, sitting close to them, and partaking -of the comforts of a warm fireside. As soon as spring appeared he -betook himself to the garden, but again, at the approach of winter, -had recourse to his old shelter and his old friends, who received him -very cordially. But his being favoured by them did not prevent his -taking great liberties with them; he would frequently amuse himself -with washing in the bowl which was set for the dog to drink out of, and -whilst he was thus employed he showed marks of the greatest indignation -if either of his companions presumed to interrupt him. He died, poor -fellow, in the asylum he had chosen, by being choked with something -which he had picked up from the floor. During his confinement he -acquired an artificial taste as regarded his food, and preferred crumbs -of bread to anything else. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE HOUSE-MARTIN, OR WINDOW-SWALLOW. - - -During our winter, swallows inhabit warm tropical countries, migrating -northwards with the first approaches of summer. They are usually seen -with us from the 13th to the 20th of April, and are useful from the -first day of their arrival, by clearing the air of insects, which they -take on the wing; indeed, they may be said to live almost wholly on the -wing, and, except when collecting mud for their nests, are seldom seen -to alight, and, in drinking, dip down to the water as they skim over it -on rapid wing. - -[Illustration: - - HOUSE-MARTINS AND NESTS. [Page 56. -] - -We have three kinds of swallows in England: the chimney-swallow, the -house-martin, and the sand-martin, of which I shall have something to -say in due course. The chimney-swallow and house-martin are especially -worthy of the affectionate regard of man; for they love his society, -build around his dwelling, destroy nothing that he values, have no -appetite for his fruits; they live harmoniously amongst themselves, -and have no other disposition than that of cheerfulness, unwearying -industry and perseverance, and the most devoted parental affection. - -Mr. Weir has given us a lively picture of swallow-life—four nests -grouped together on a house-side: more there probably are; but there -are as many as we can manage with; indeed we will presently confine -our attention to one single nest, and, by so doing, I flatter myself -that I shall win your admiration for these birds, and that you will -agree with me in thinking that if we all, men and women, boys and -girls, had only their persevering spirit, and their courage under -adversity, there would not be so much unsuccess, either at school or in -life, as is now, too often, the case. - -[Sidenote: _The Nests on Traquair House._] - -Some people are very fond of having martins about their houses, under -their eaves, and even in the corners of their windows. The Earl of -Traquair was one of these; he was, indeed, a great lover of all kinds -of birds, and all were protected on his premises. In the autumn of -1839, there were no less than one hundred and three martins’ nests on -Traquair House—which is a very fine old place—besides several which -had been deserted, injured, or taken possession of by sparrows, which -is a very unwarrantable liberty taken by these birds. - -From six to twenty days are required to build a martin’s nest. If all -goes on well it may be finished in the shorter time. - -Let us now see how the birds set about building. Here are several -nests in our picture; and turning to the pages of Macgillivray’s -“British Birds,” I shall find exactly the information we need. I will, -therefore, extract freely from this interesting writer, that my young -readers may be as grateful to him as I am myself. - -[Sidenote: _The Domestic Life of a Pair._] - -Again turning to our picture, we find four nests. “A party of eight -martins arrived here on the 1st of May. As this was quite a new -location, they spent the whole day in examining the eaves of the house, -the corners of the windows, and the out-buildings. By the following -morning the question was settled, and they had, as you see, fixed -upon a high wall with a slate coping, and an eastern aspect, and at -once commenced making a general foundation for their nests. Suitable -materials are procured from the banks of an adjoining pond, or a puddle -in the lane. Let us go down and see them. Here they come, sailing -placidly over the tree-tops; now they descend so as almost to sweep the -surface of the pond; some of them alight at once, others skim round, as -if borne away by a brisk wind. Those that have alighted walk about with -short steps, looking round for materials. Some seem not to find the mud -suitable, but seize on a piece of straw, or grass, which, tempering -in the mud, they then fly off with. Returning now to the building, we -see one using its tail planted against the wall, or against the nest, -if sufficiently advanced, as a support, deposit the material it has -brought by giving its head a wriggling motion, so that the mud slides -gently into the crevices of yesterday’s work; then he retouches the -whole. See, one has now arrived with his supply before the other has -finished: he is impatient to disburden himself, and wants to drive -off the worker, who rather snappishly retorts, and he, poor fellow, -goes off for a while with the mud sticking to his bill. Now she has -finished; there is room for him, and he goes back again and works hard -in his turn. They never alight on the nest without twittering. At noon, -if the weather be hot, they betake themselves to the fields, or, after -a dip in the pond, sun themselves on the house-top for half-an-hour or -so. Then they will hawk about for food, and after awhile one of them -may, perhaps, return and give another touch or two to the work, or seat -herself in the nest to consolidate the materials. But if cold, wet, or -windy, they keep away. What they do with themselves I know not; but -as soon as it clears up, they are at work again. At the beginning of -their building, they seem to have no objection to leave it for a whole -day; but as it advances, they become more interested or anxious, and -one or both will sit in it all night, even though the weather be bad.” - -So much for the building of these four nests of our picture; and now -I will bespeak your attention to a little narrative of the joys and -sorrows of the domestic life of a pair of martins, which, we will -suppose, belong also to our group. - -“The building began on the 1st of May, at daybreak. But the weather was -very much against them, being cold and stormy, and it was the 18th of -the month before it was finished. - -“Seeing their labours thus brought to a close, one could not help -wishing, considering how much it had cost, that the nest might last -them for many years. But on the 23rd of June, during a heavy fall of -thunder rain, almost the entire nest was washed to the ground, together -with the young birds which it contained. A short time before the -catastrophe, the old birds were observed hovering about, and expressing -great uneasiness. Almost immediately after it happened they left the -place, but returned the following day, and spent it in flying about and -examining the angle of the wall. - -“Next morning they commenced repairing the nest. In three days they had -made great progress; but again rain fell, and their work was stayed. -On the 30th, they advanced rapidly, and both remained sitting on the -nest all night. The next day it was finished; and now they began to -rejoice: they twittered all the evening till it was dark, now and then -pruning each other’s heads, as, seated side by side, they prepared to -spend the dark hours in the nest. Eggs were soon laid again, but, -sad to say, on the morning of the 18th of July, again, during a great -storm of wind and rain, the upper wall fell, carrying with it one -of the eggs. The old birds again fluttered about, uttering the most -plaintive cries, and early the next morning began to repair the damage, -though it rained heavily all day. Part of the lining hanging over the -side was incorporated with the new layers of mud. The urgency of the -case was such, that they were obliged to work during the bad weather. -Throughout the day one bird sat on the nest, whilst the other laboured -assiduously. Kindly was he welcomed by his mate, who sometimes, during -his absence, nibbled and retouched the materials which he had just -deposited. In a few days it was finished, the weather became settled, -the young were hatched, and all went well with them. - -“Sometimes when the nests are destroyed, the birds, instead of -attempting to repair the damage, forsake the neighbourhood, as if -wholly disheartened. Nothing can be more distressing to them than to -lose their young. In the storm of which I have just spoken, another -martin’s nest was washed down with unfledged young in it. These were -placed on some cotton wool in a basket, covered with a sheet of -brown paper, in an open window, facing the wall. During that day and -the following, the parents took no notice of them, and their kind -human protector fed them with house-flies. That evening he tried an -experiment. He gently placed the young ones in a nest of that same -window, where were other young. It was then about eight o’clock in the -evening; the rain was falling heavily, and no sound was heard save -the _cheep, cheep_, of the young birds, and the dashing of the storm -against the window-glass. A minute elapsed, when forth rushed the -parents shrieking their alarm notes, and, again and again wheeled up to -the nest, until at last they drifted away in the storm. He watched them -till they disappeared about half-past-nine. During all this time they -only twice summoned courage to look into the nest. Next morning I was -rejoiced to see them attending assiduously to the young ones.” - -[Sidenote: _The Feeding of the Young._] - -And now, turning again to our group of four nests on the walls, -supposing it be the month of July, every one of them with its -fledgeling brood sitting with gaping mouths, ever ready for food, you -may, perhaps, like to know how many meals are carried up to them in the -course of the day. If, then, the parents began to feed them at about -five in the morning, and left a little before eight at night, they -would feed them, at the lowest calculation, about a thousand times. - -With all this feeding and care-taking, the young ones, as the summer -goes on, are full-fledged, and have grown so plump and large that the -nest is quite too small for them; therefore, they must turn out into -the world, and begin life for themselves. - -It is now a fine, brisk, August morning, and at about eight o’clock, -you can see, if you look up at the nests, how the old birds come -dashing up to them quite in an excited way, making short curves in the -air, and repeating a note which says, as plain as a bird can speak, - - This is the day - You must away! - What are wings made for, if not to fly? - Cheep, cheep, - Now for a leap!— - Father and mother and neighbours are by! - -This flying away from the nest is a great event in swallow-life, as you -may well believe. Let us therefore now direct our attention to one nest -in particular, in which are only two young ones—a very small family; -but what happens here is occurring all round us. - -One of these little ones balances itself at the entrance, looking -timidly into the void, and, having considered the risk for awhile, -allows its fellow to take its place. - -During all this time, the parents keep driving about, within a few feet -of the entrance, and endeavour, by many winning gestures, to induce -their charge to follow them. The second bird also, after sitting for -some time, as if distrustful of its powers, retires, and the first -again appears. Opening and shutting his wings, and often half inclined -again to retire, he, at length, summons up all his resolution, springs -from the nest, and, with his self-taught pinions, cleaves the air. He -and his parents, who are in ecstasies, return to the nest, and the -second young one presently musters courage and joins them. And now -begins a day of real enjoyment; they sport chiefly about the tree-tops -till seven in the evening, when all re-enter the nest. - -In several instances I have seen the neighbours add their inducements -to those of the parents, when the young were too timid to leave their -home. If the happy day prove fine, they seldom return to the nest -till sunset; if otherwise, they will come back two or three times. On -one occasion, when the young were ready to fly, but unwilling to take -the first leap, the parents had recourse to a little stratagem, both -ingenious and natural. The he-bird held out a fly at about four inches -from the entrance to the nest. In attempting to take hold of it, they -again and again nearly lost their balance. On another occasion, the -mother bird, trying this plan to no purpose, seemed to lose patience, -and seizing one of them by the lower mandible, with the claw of her -right foot, whilst it was gaping for food, tried to pull it out of the -nest, to which, however, it clung like a squirrel. But the young, every -one of them, fly in time, and a right joyous holiday they all have -together. - -[Sidenote: _The Autumn Migration._] - -So the summer comes to an end; and towards the middle of September, -the great family cares being over, and the young having attained -to an age capable of undertaking the fatigues of migration, that -mysterious impulse, strong as life itself, and probably affecting -them like some sickness—the necessity to exchange one country and -climate for another—comes upon them. Under this influence, they -congregate together in immense numbers, every neighbourhood seeming -to have its place of assembly—the roofs of lofty buildings, or the -leafless boughs of old trees: here they meet, not only to discuss the -great undertaking, but to have a right merry time together—a time -of luxurious idleness, lively chatterings, singing in chorus their -everlasting and musical _cheep, cheep_, eating and drinking, and making -ready for the journey before them. - -At length the moment of departure is come, and at a given signal the -whole party rises. Twittering and singing, and bidding a long farewell -to the scenes of their summer life, they fly off in a body, perhaps, if -coming from Scotland, or the north of England, to rest yet a few weeks -in the warmer southern counties; after which, a general departure takes -place to the sunny lands of Africa. - -Though gifted with wings wonderfully constructed for prolonged flight, -and though having passed every day of so many successive months almost -wholly on the wing, the swallow frequently suffers great fatigue and -exhaustion in its long migration. Sometimes, probably driven out of -its course by adverse winds, it is known to alight by hundreds on the -rigging of vessels, when worn out by hunger and fatigue it is too -often shot or cruelly treated. Nevertheless the swallow, protected -by Him who cares for the sparrow, generally braves the hardships of -migration, and the following spring, guided by the same mysterious -instinct, finds his way across continents and seas to his old home, -where, identified by some little mark which has been put upon him—a -silken thread as a garter, or a light silver ring—he is recognised as -the old familiar friend, and appears to be no less happy to be once -more with them than are they to welcome him. Sometimes swallows coming -back as ordinary strangers, prove their identity, even though the scene -of their last year’s home may have been pulled down, together with the -human habitation. In this case, he has been known to fly about in a -distracted way, lamenting the change that had taken place, and seeming -as if nothing would comfort him. - -Though the fact of swallows coming back to their old haunts does not -need proving, yet I will close my chapter with an incident which -occurred in our own family. During a summer storm, a martin’s nest, -with young, was washed from the eaves of my husband’s paternal -home. His mother, a great friend to all birds, placed the nest with -the young, which happily were uninjured, in a window, which, being -generally open, allowed the parent-birds access to their young. They -very soon began to feed them, making no attempt to build any other -nest; so that the young were successfully reared, and took their flight -full-fledged from the window-sill. - -[Sidenote: _A Welcomed Return to Old Haunts._] - -The next spring, when the time for the arrival of the swallows came, -great was the surprise and pleasure of their kind hostess, to see, -one day, a number of swallows twittering about the window, as if -impatient for entrance. On its being opened, in they flew, and, -twittering joyfully and circling round the room, as if recognising the -old hospitable asylum of the former year, flew out and soon settled -themselves under the eaves with the greatest satisfaction. There could -be no doubt but that these were the birds that had been reared there. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -THE CHIFF-CHAFF, OR OVEN-BUILDER. - - -The Chiff-chaff, chill-chall, lesser pettichaps, or oven-builder, is -one of the great bird-family of warblers, and the smallest of them in -size; indeed, it is not much larger than the little willow-wren. Like -all its family it is a bird of passage, and makes its appearance here, -in favourable seasons, as early as the 12th of March—earlier than -the warblers in general—and also remains later, having been known to -remain here to the middle of October. - -[Illustration: - - CHIFF-CHAFFS AND NEST. [Page 66. -] - -It is a remarkably cheerful little bird, and is warmly welcomed by all -lovers of the country as being one of the first visitants of spring, -sending its pleasant little voice, with an incessant “chiff-chaff,” -“chery-charry,” through the yet leafless trees. - -Its plumage is dark olive-green; the breast and under part of the body, -white, with a slight tinge of yellow; the tail, brown, edged with pale -green; legs, yellowish-brown. - -The nest is not unlike that of a wren, built in a low bush, and, -sometimes, even on the ground. The one so beautifully and faithfully -depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir, seems to be amongst the tallest grasses -and picturesque growths of some delicious woodland lane. It is a -lovely little structure; a hollow ball wonderfully put together, of -dry leaves and stems of grass, and a circular hole for entrance at -the side; lined with soft feathers—a little downy bed of comfort. The -mother-bird, as we now see her, sits here in delicious ease on five or -six white eggs, beautifully spotted with rich red-brown. - -[Sidenote: _Mr. Howitt’s Account of this Bird._] - -This dainty little bird, which seems made alone for pleasure, is -very useful to man, and should be made kindly welcome everywhere, -living entirely on caterpillars and other troublesome and destructive -creatures. The Rev. J. G. Wood says that it saves many a good oak from -destruction by devouring, on its first arrival, the caterpillars of -the well-known green oak-moth, which roll up the leaves in so curious -a manner, and come tumbling out of their green houses at the slightest -alarm. - -He says, also, that a little chiff-chaff, which had been caught and -tamed, was accustomed to dash to the ceiling of the room in which it -was kept, and to snatch thence the flies which settled on the white -surface. - -My husband, writing of this bird, says:— - -“Gilbert White gave, I believe, the name of chiff-chaff to this -little bird from its note. In the midland counties it is called the -chill-chall from the same cause; and, indeed, this name is, to my ear, -more accordant with its continuous ditty. Its cheery little voice is -one of the pleasantest recognitions of returning spring. It is sure to -be heard, just as in former years, in the copse, the dell, the belt -of trees bordering a wayside; we catch its simple note with pleasure, -for it brings with it many a memory of happy scenes and days gone -by. We see the little creature hopping along the boughs of the yet -only budding oak, and know that it is as usefully employed for man -as agreeably for itself. It tells us, in effect, that sunny days, -flowers, and sweet airs, and the music of a thousand other birds, are -coming. We revert to the time when, tracing the wood-side or the bosky -dingle in boyhood, we caught sight of its rounded nest amongst the -screening twigs of the low bush, and the bleached bents of last year’s -grapes. We remember the pleasure with which we examined its little -circular entrance, and discovered, in its downy interior, its store -of delicate eggs, or the living mass of feathery inmates, with their -heads ranged side by side and one behind another, with their twinkling -eyes and yellow-edged mouths. Many a time, as we have heard the ever -blithe note of chill-chall, as it stuck to its unambitious part of the -obscure woodland glade, we have wished that we could maintain the same -buoyant humour, the same thorough acceptance of the order of Providence -for us. As Luther, in a moment of despondency, when enemies were rife -around him, and calumny and wrong pursued him, heard the glad song of a -bird that came and sang on a bough before his window, we have thanked -God for the lesson of the never-drooping chill-chall. The great world -around never damps its joy with a sense of its own insignificance; the -active and often showy life of man, the active and varied existence of -even birds, which sweep through the air in gay companies, never disturb -its pleasure in its little accustomed nook. It seems to express, in its -two or three simple notes, all the sentiment of indestructible content, -like the old woman’s bird in the German story by Ludwig Tieck— - - Alone in wood so gay, - ’Tis good to stay, - Morrow like to-day - For ever and aye; - Oh, I do love to stay - Alone in wood so gay! - -[Sidenote: _The Bird’s Ditty._] - -“This little bird appears to feel all that strength of heart, and to -put it into its little ditty, which seems to me to say— - -“Here I continue ‘cheery cheery, and still shall, and still shall!’” - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. - - -We have here the Golden-crested Wren—the _Regulus cristatus_ -of naturalists—the tiniest of our British birds, “the pleasing -fairy-bird,” as Bewick calls it, one of the large family of warblers, -and a near relation to Jenny Wren. It is a very charming little bird, -with a sweet melodious song of its own, and so many curious little ways -that it is well worth everybody’s notice and everybody’s love. - -It is very active and lively, always in motion, fluttering from branch -to branch, and running up and down the trunks and limbs of trees, in -search of insects on which it lives. It may as often be seen on the -under as on the upper side of a branch, with its back downwards, like -a fly on a ceiling, and so running along, all alert, as merry and busy -as possible. In size it is about three inches, that is with all its -feathers on, but its little body alone is not above an inch long; yet -in this little body, and in this little brain, lives an amazing amount -of character, as I shall show you, as well as a great deal of amusing -conceit and pertness which you would hardly believe unless you were -told. - -[Illustration: - - GOLDEN-CRESTED WRENS AND NEST. [Page 70. -] - -The colour of the bird is a sort of yellowish olive-green, the under -part of pale, reddish-white, tinged with green on the sides; the quill -feathers of the wing are dusky, edged with pale green, as are also -the tail feathers. Thus attired by nature, that is, by the great -Creator who cares for all His creatures, this little bird, creeping -and fluttering about the branches and bole of the leafy summer tree, -can scarcely be distinguished from the tree itself: hence it is that -the bird is so unfamiliar to most people. The he-bird, however, has -a little distinguishing glory of his own—a crest of golden-coloured -feathers, bordered on each side with black, like a sort of eye-brow to -his bright hazel eyes. This crest, which gives him his distinguished -name, can be erected at pleasure, when he is full of life and -enjoyment, or when he chooses to lord it over birds ten times as big as -himself. - -[Sidenote: _The Lively Gambols of this Bird._] - -It is worth anybody’s while, who has a love for the innocent denizens -of nature, and no desire to do them harm, to go into a wood on a -summer’s day on purpose to watch the doings of this lively little bird -amongst the tree-branches. Fir-woods are the best for this purpose, as -this bird has an especial liking for these trees, and ten to one, if -you will only be patient and quite still, you may soon see him at work -busily looking after his dinner, running along the branches, up one and -down another, then like a little arrow off to the next tree, scudding -along its branches, then back again, up and down, round and round -the bole, going like a little fire, so rapid are his movements; now -running up aloft, now hanging head downward, now off again in another -direction. What a wonderful activity there is in that little body! He -must devour hundreds of insects, as well as their eggs, which he thus -seeks for under the scaly roughnesses of the bark, and finding, devours. - -Pretty as he is, his nest, of which Mr. Harrison Weir has given a most -accurate drawing, is quite worthy of him. It is always the same, swung -like a little hammock from a branch, and always hidden, it may be by -leaves or a bunch of fir-cones. The cordage by which it is suspended -is of his own weaving, and is made of the same materials as the nest, -which are moss and slender thread-like roots. In form it is oval, as -you see, with a hole for entrance at the side, and is lined with the -softest down and fibrous roots. It is a lovely little structure, like -a soft ball of moss, within which the mother-bird lays from six to a -dozen tiny eggs, scarcely bigger than peas, the delicate shell of which -will hardly bear handling. The colour of the egg is white, sprinkled -over with the smallest of dull-coloured spots. - -Mr. Jesse describes one of these lovely nests which was taken from the -slender branches of a fir-tree where it had been suspended, as usual, -by means of delicate cordage, secured to the branch by being twisted -round and round, and then fastened to the edge or rim of the nest, -so that one may be sure that the making and securing of these tiny -ropes must be the first work of the clever little artizan. The nest -thus suspended sways lightly to and fro with the movement of the bird. -We cannot see in our cut the slender ropes that suspend it; they are -concealed under the thick foliage; but we can easily see what a dainty -little structure it is. - -[Sidenote: _The Jackdaw and Mischievous Wrens._] - -Delicate and lovely as is this bird, and pleasing and harmless as is -his life, he yet possesses some curious traits of character, as I -said. For instance, though so small, with a body only an inch long, -he has, apparently, a wonderful conceit of himself, and loves to be -lord and master of creatures that will not dispute with him, as not -worth their while, or perhaps because there really is some inherent -mastership in him by which he contrives, under certain circumstances, -to rule over them. In proof of this, I will tell you what the Rev. J. -G. Wood relates from the experience of a lady, a friend of his. One -severe winter, when she had housed and fed a number of birds, amongst -which were a jackdaw, a magpie, two skylarks, a goldfinch, and a robin, -in a warm aviary, feeding them regularly and abundantly, other birds -came, of course, to partake of the plentiful feast, and amongst them -two golden-crested wrens. These little things made themselves not -only quite at home, but lorded it over the other birds in the most -extraordinary way possible. For instance, if the jackdaw had possessed -himself of a nice morsel which he was holding down with his foot to -eat comfortably, and the golden-crested wren had also set his mind on -it, he hopped on the jackdaw’s head and pecked in his eye, on the side -where his foot held the delicacy. On this the poor jackdaw instantly -lifted his foot to his head where he thought something was amiss, and -the mischievous little fellow snatched up the treasure and was off. At -first the jackdaw would pursue him in great wrath, but he soon learned -that it was no use, for the creature would only jump upon his back -where he could not reach him, and so was safe from punishment. “Before -the winter was over,” continues the lady, “the little gold-crests were -masters of all the birds, and even roosted at night on their backs; -finding, no doubt, that in this way they could keep their little feet -much warmer than on a perch.” - -Conceited and dominant, however, as these little birds may be, they are -yet either extremely timid, or their nervous system is so delicately -constituted, that a sudden fright kills them. Thus if, when they are -all alert and busy on the tree-branch, seeking for insects and fearing -no evil, the branch be suddenly struck with a stick, the poor bird -falls dead to the ground. The shock has killed it. It has received no -apparent injury—not a feather is ruffled—but its joyous, innocent -life is gone for ever. This fact is asserted by Gilbert White, and was -proved by my husband, who brought me home the bird which had thus died. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE WAGTAIL. - - -This elegant little bird belongs to the Motacilla, or Wagtail family. -There are three brothers of them in this country—the pied, the grey, -and the yellow. The pied is the most familiar, and our friend Mr. -Harrison Weir has given us a lovely picture of it at home in a cleft of -the rock, with fleshy-leaved lichens above, and green springing fronds -of the great fern, which will presently overshadow it. Around are the -solemn mountains, and the never silent water is foaming and rushing -below. - -This bird has many names besides his Latin one of Motacilla. In Surrey -he is called washer, or dish-washer, by the common people, from his -peculiar motions in walking, which are thought to resemble those of a -washer-woman at her tub. The colours of the pied wagtail are simply -black and white, but so boldly and clearly marked as to produce a very -pleasing and elegant effect. - -We have, every year, several wagtails in our garden, to which they add -a very cheerful feature, walking about, nodding their heads and tails -as if perfectly at home, afraid neither of dog nor cat, much less of -any human being about the place. A little running brook as one boundary -of the garden is, no doubt, one of the attractions; but here they are -seen less frequently than on the smoothly-mown lawn, where they pick up -tiny insects, gliding along with a smooth motion, accompanied by the -quick movement of head and tail. - -It is bitterly cold wintry weather as I write this, and they now visit -the kitchen door, where, no doubt, little delicacies of various kinds -attract them. They are more fearless and familiar than either sparrows, -robins, or blackbirds; yet all of these are our daily pensioners, -having their breakfast of crumbs as regularly before the parlour window -as we have our own meal. Yet they fly away at the slightest sound, -and the appearance of the cat disperses them altogether. They have, -evidently, the old ancestral fear of man, stamped, as powerfully as -life itself, upon their being. They are suspicious, and always in -a flutter: nothing equals the calm self-possession of the wagtail, -excepting it be the state of mind into which the robin gets when the -gardener is turning up the fresh soil, just on purpose, as he supposes, -to find worms for him. - -[Illustration: - - WAGTAIL AND NEST. [Page 76. -] - -[Sidenote: _Its Quest for Food._] - -And now let me give you a wagtail picture, drawn by a faithful hand.[A] -It is the end of July, the young wagtails are abroad with their -parents, like human families, a month or two later, gone out or abroad -to take their holiday. “Often,” he says, “one may see them wading in -shallow places, in quest of insects and worms, carefully holding up -their tails to prevent them being draggled. If you watch the motions -of an individual just coming up to join the party, you see it alight -abruptly, twittering its shrill notes, and, perching on a small stone, -incessantly vibrate its body, and jerk out its tail.” This of course -is the polite way in which a stranger wagtail introduces itself -amongst its friends. There they are; now walking out into the water, -and looking round for food. Now they are on the shore again, running -rapidly along, picking up, now and then, a dainty morsel, and every -moment spreading out the ever-vibrating tail. Now they are in the -adjoining meadow, each one in pursuit of a fly, which it has no sooner -caught, than it spies another. The lazy geese, which have nibbled -the grass bare, allow the wagtail to pass in their midst without -molestation. When the cows are grazing in the midst of a swarm of -gnats and other insects, as Gilbert White says, as they tread amongst -the bush herbage they rouse up multitudes of insects which settle on -their legs, their stomachs, and even their noses, and the wagtails are -welcomed by the cows as benefactors. Watch them, for they are worth the -trouble; see, one comes forward and catches a small fly, bends to one -side to seize another, darts to the right after a third, and springs -some feet in the air before it secures a fourth, and all this time -others are running about after other flies, passing close to the cows’ -noses or amongst their feet. With all this running to and fro, and -hither and thither, they every now and then run in each other’s way; -but they do not quarrel, aware, no doubt, that there is room enough for -them in the world, nay, even in the meadow, though it now seems to be -full of wagtails, all busily occupied, some walking, others running, a -few flying off and many arriving. You may walk in amongst them; they -are not very shy, for they will allow you to come within a few yards of -them. They may always be met with on the shore when the tide is out, as -well as in the meadow; you will meet with them by the river-side, or by -the mill-dam. Occasionally you may see them perched on a roof, a wall, -or a large stone, but very rarely on a tree or bush. - -[Footnote A: “British Birds.”] - -[Sidenote: _The Taunton Pair._] - -They pair about the middle of April, and build by the side of rivers -in crevices of rock—as in our picture, on a heap of stones, in faggot -or wood stacks, or in a hole in a wall, but always near water and -carefully hidden from sight. The nest is made of dry grass, moss, and -small roots, thickly lined with wool and hair. The eggs are five or six -in number, of a greyish white, spotted all over with grey and brown. -As a proof of the confiding nature of this bird, I must mention that -occasionally it builds in most unimaginable places, directly under the -human eye—as, for instance, “a pair of them last summer,” says Mr. -Jesse, “built their nest in a hollow under a sleeper of the Brighton -Railway, near the terminus at that place. Trains at all times of the -day were passing close to the nest, but in this situation the young -were hatched and reared.” Mr. Macgillivray also mentions that a pair -of these birds built their nest in an old wall near a quarry, within a -few yards of four men who worked most part of the day in getting the -stone, which they occasionally blasted. The hen-bird laid four eggs, -and reared her brood, she and her mate becoming so familiar with the -quarry-men as to fly in and out without showing the least sign of fear; -but if a stranger approached they would immediately fly off, nor return -till they saw him clear off from the place. Another nest was built -beneath a wooden platform at a coal-pit, where the noisy business of -unloading the hutches brought up from the pit, was continually going -forward. But soon the wagtails were quite at home, becoming familiar -with the colliers and other people connected with the work, and flew -in and out of their nest without showing the slightest sign of fear. -Again, another pair built close to the wheel of a lathe in a workshop -at a brass manufactory at Taunton amid the incessant din of the -braziers; yet here the young were hatched, and the mother-bird became -perfectly familiar with the faces of the workmen; but if a stranger -entered, or any one belonging to the factory, though not to what might -be called her shop, she quitted her nest instantly, nor would return -till they were gone. The male, however, had much less confidence, and -would not come into the room, but brought the usual supplies of food to -a certain spot on the roof whence she fetched it. All these anecdotes -prove how interesting would be the relationship between the animal -creation and man, if man ceased to be their tyrant or destroyer. - -As regards this particular bird, it is not only elegant in its -appearance, but amiable and attractive in all its ways. “They are,” -says Bewick, “very attentive to their young, and continue to feed and -train them for three or four weeks after they can fly; they defend them -with great courage when in danger, or endeavour to draw aside the enemy -by various little arts. They are very attentive also to the cleanliness -of their nests, and so orderly as to have been known to remove light -substances, such as paper or straw, which have been placed to mark the -spot.” As regards this proof of their love of order, however, I would -rather suggest that it may be a proof of their sagacity and sense of -danger: they suspected that some human visitor, of whose friendly -character they were not convinced, was intending to look in upon them, -and they thought it best, therefore, to decline the honour of his -visit. - -The ordinary note of this bird, uttered rapidly if alarmed, is a sort -of _cheep, cheep_. In the summer morning, however, it may be heard -singing a pleasant, mellow and modulated little song. Like the swallow, -for which it is a match in elegance, it lives entirely on insects. If -you would only stand silently for a few minutes by a water-side, where -it haunts, you would be delighted with the grace and activity of its -movements. “There it stands,” says one of its friends, “on the top of -a stone, gently vibrating its tail, as if balancing itself. An insect -flies near; it darts off, flutters a moment in the air, seizes its -prey, and settles on another stone, spreading and vibrating its tail. -Presently it makes another sally, flutters around for a while, seizes -two or three insects, glides over the ground, swerving to either side, -then again takes its stand on a pinnacle.” Not unfrequently too it -may be seen on the roof of a house, or in a village street, still in -pursuit of insects. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE JACKDAW. - - -We have called the Rook and Jackdaw first cousins. They are so, and -are greatly attached to each other. There is a difference, however, in -their character; the rook is grave and dignified, the jackdaw is active -and full of fun. But they are fond of each other’s society, and agree -to associate for nine months in the year: during the other three they -are both occupied with their respective family cares. - -[Illustration: - - JACKDAWS AND NESTLINGS. [Page 82. -] - -Rooks build in trees in the open air, the nests of the young being -exposed to all the influences of wind and weather. The jackdaw does not -approve of this mode. He likes to live under cover, and, therefore, -makes his nest in holes and crannies, amongst rocks, as in our picture; -in old and tall buildings, as church towers and steeples, old ruinous -castles, or old hollow trees. The traditional structure of the family -nest is certainly that of the rook; a strong frame-work of sticks upon -which the eggs can be laid, and the clamorous young jackdaws be brought -up. This our friend Mr. Weir has shown us plainly. But, after all, it -does not appear that the jackdaw, with all his sharpness, has much -scientific knowledge, the getting the sticks into the hole being often -a very difficult piece of work. Mr. Waterton amused himself by watching -the endless labour and pains which the jackdaw takes in trying to do -impossibilities. Thinking it absolutely necessary that a frame-work -of sticks should be laid in the hole or cavity as the foundation of -the nest, he brings to the opening just such sticks as the rook would -use in open spaces, and may be seen trying for a quarter of an hour -together to get a stick into a hole, holding it by the middle all the -time, so that the ends prop against each side, and make the endeavour -impossible. He cannot understand how it is; he knows that sticks ought -to go into holes, but here is one that will not; and, tired out at -length, and thinking perhaps that it is in the nature of some sticks -not to be got into a hole by any means, he drops it down and fetches -another, probably to have no better result, and this may happen several -times. But jackdaws have perseverance, and so, with trying and trying -again, he meets with sticks that are not so self-willed, and that can -be put into holes, either by being short enough or held the right way, -and so the foundation is laid, and the easier part of the work goes on -merrily; for the jackdaw is at no loss for sheets and blankets for his -children’s bed, though we cannot see them in our picture, the clamorous -children lying at the very edge of their bed. But if we could examine -it, we should most likely be amused by what we should find. The jackdaw -takes for this purpose anything soft that comes readily—we cannot say -to _hand_—but to _bill_. In this respect he resembles the sparrow, -and being, like him, fond of human society, gleans up out of his -neighbourhood all that he needs for the comfort of his nestlings. Thus -we hear of a nest, built in the ruins of Holyrood Chapel, in which, -on its being looked into for a piece of lace which was supposed to be -there, it was found also to be lined with part of a worsted stocking, -a silk handkerchief, a child’s cap, a muslin frill, and several -other things which the busy jackdaw had picked up in various ways; for -it must be borne in mind that he is own cousin to the magpie, whose -thievish propensities are well known. - -The call of the jackdaw is much quicker and more lively than the rook, -somewhat resembling the syllable _yak_, variously modulated, and -repeated somewhat leisurely, but at the same time cheerfully. Its food -is similar to that of the rook, and going forth at early dawn it may be -seen in pastures or ploughed fields, busily searching for larvæ, worms, -and insects. They walk gracefully, with none of the solemn gravity -either of the rook or raven, and may occasionally be seen running along -and sometimes quarrelling amongst themselves. - -Like the rook, the jackdaw stows away food in its mouth or throat-bag -to feed its young. Its plumage is black, with shining silvery grey -behind the head. Occasionally they are found with streaks or patches of -white, as are also rooks, but these are mere sports of nature. - -[Sidenote: _Mr. Waterton’s Opinion._] - -Mr. Waterton was of opinion that jackdaws lived in pairs all the year -round, as he had seen them sitting in November on the leafless branches -of a sycamore, side by side, pruning each other’s heads, and apparently -full of mutual affection; and as they mostly left the trees in pairs, -and so returned, he was inclined to think that it was their custom -always to remain paired. - -I will now give you his _carte de visite_ from Macgillivray’s “British -Birds.” “He is a remarkably active, pert, and talkative little fellow, -ever cheerful, always on the alert, and ready either for business or -frolic. If not so respectable as the grave and sagacious raven, he -is, at least, the most agreeable of the family, and withal extremely -fond of society, for, not content with having a flock of his own folk -about him, he often thrusts himself into a gang of rooks, and in winter -sometimes takes up his abode entirely with them.” - -As to _thrusting_ himself into a gang of rooks, I am, however, of -opinion that the rooks make him heartily welcome. How do we know what -amusement they, with their stolid gravity and solemn dignity, find in -him with all his fun and loquacity? That rooks are really fond of the -society of jackdaws is proved by an observation of Mr. Mudie. He says -that “in the latter part of the season, when the rooks from one of the -most extensive rookeries in Britain made daily excursions of about six -miles to the warm grounds by the sea-side, and in their flight passed -over a deep ravine, in the sunny side of which were many jackdaws, he -observed that when the cawing of the rooks in their morning flight was -heard at the ravine, the jackdaws, who had previously been still and -quiet, instantly raised their shriller notes, and flew up to join the -rooks, both parties clamouring loudly as if welcoming each other; and -that on the return, the daws accompanied the rooks a little past the -ravine as if for good fellowship; then both cawed their farewell: the -daws returned to their home and the rooks proceeded on their way.” - -Jackdaws, like rooks, are said to be excellent weather-prophets. -If they fly back to their roost in the forenoon, or early in the -afternoon, a storm may be expected that evening, or early in the -morning. - -[Sidenote: _The Rev. J. G. Wood’s Anecdote._] - -The anecdotes of tame jackdaws are numerous. The Rev. J. G. Wood -speaks of one which had learnt the art of kindling lucifer matches, -and thus became a very dangerous inmate, busying himself in this way -when the family was in bed, though, fortunately, he seems to have done -nothing worse than light the kitchen fire which had been laid ready -for kindling over night. Clever as he was, however, he could not learn -to distinguish the proper ignitable end of the match, and so rubbed -on till he happened to get it right. He frightened himself terribly -at first by the explosion and the sulphur fumes, and burned himself -into the bargain. But I do not find that, like the burnt child, he -afterwards feared the fire and so discontinued the dangerous trick. - -The jackdaw is easily domesticated, and makes himself very happy in -captivity, learns to articulate words and sentences, and is most -amusing by his mimicry and comic humour. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. - - -This pretty little bird is also called the Beam or Pillar-Bird from the -position which it chooses for its nest. Building mostly in gardens, -it selects the projecting stone of a wall, the end of a beam or piece -of wood, under a low roof, or by a door or gateway, the nest being, -however, generally screened, and often made a perfect little bit -of picturesque beauty, by the leaves of some lovely creeping rose, -woodbine, or passionflower, which grows there. - -This last summer, one of these familiar little birds, which, though -always seeming as if in a flutter of terror, must be fond of human -society, built in a rustic verandah, overrun with Virginian creeper, at -the back of our house. - -[Illustration: - - SPOTTED FLY-CATCHERS AND NEST. [Page 86. -] - -According to her peculiar fancy she built exactly in the doorway, -though there were some yards of verandah on either hand; but here was -the convenient ledge, forming an angle with the upright support; and -here was placed, as in our picture, the small, somewhat flat nest, -beautifully, though slightly, put together, of dried grass and moss, -lined with wool and hair. Here the mother-bird laid her four or five -greyish-white eggs, with their spots of rusty red, and here she reared -her young. She had, however, it seemed to us, an uncomfortable time of -it, for, though we carefully avoided giving her needless disturbance -that we almost ceased to use the door, yet there was an unavoidable -passing to and fro to which she never seemed to get accustomed, -starting off her nest with a little flutter whenever we came in sight; -nor—although before she had finished sitting the quick-growing shoots -of the Virginian creeper, with its broadly-expanding leaves, hid her -nest so completely that, had it not been for her own timidity, we need -not have known of her presence—she never lost this peculiar trait of -character. - -The nest which Mr. Harrison Weir has drawn is, doubtless, taken from -life. I wish, however, he could have seen ours, only about ten feet -from the ground, a little dome of love, embowered amongst young shoots, -vine-like leaves and tendrils—a perfectly ideal nest, in which our -friend, who has as keen a sense of natural beauty as any artist living, -would have delighted himself. - -The colours of this bird are very unobtrusive: the upper parts -brownish-grey, the head spotted with brown, the neck and breast -streaked or spotted with greyish-brown. It is a migratory bird, and -arrives in this country about the middle or end of May, remaining with -us till about the middle of October, by which time the flies on which -it lives have generally disappeared. - -[Sidenote: _How it takes its Prey._] - -Its mode of taking its winged prey is curious. Seated, stock-still, -in a twig, it darts or glides off at the sight of an insect, like the -bird of our picture, and seizes it with a little snapping noise; then -returns to its perch ready for more, and so on; incessantly darting out -and returning to the same spot, till it has satisfied its hunger, or -moves off to another twig to commence the same pursuit. - -When they have young, the number of flies consumed only by one little -family must be amazing. It is recorded[B] in one instance that a pair -of fly-catchers, beginning to feed their nestlings at five-and-twenty -minutes before seven in the morning, and continuing their labour till -ten minutes before nine at night, supplied them with food, that is to -say with flies, no less than five hundred and thirty-seven times. The -gentleman who made these observations says:—“Before they fed their -young they alighted upon a tree for a few seconds, and looked round -about them. By short jerks they usually caught the winged insects. -Sometimes they ascended into the air and dropped like an arrow; at -other times they hovered like a hawk when set on its prey. They drove -off most vigorously all kinds of small birds that approached their -nest, as if bidding them to go and hunt in their own grounds, where -there were plenty of flies for them. Sometimes they brought only one -fly in their bills, sometimes several, and flies of various sizes.” - -[Footnote B: See Macgillivray’s “_British Birds_.”] - -This bird seems to become attached to particular localities, where -he finds himself conveniently situated and undisturbed. Mr. Mudie -mentions, in his “Feathered Tribes,” “that a pair of these birds had -nested in his garden for twelve successive years.” What is the length -of life of a fly-catcher I cannot say; but probably if they were -not the same birds, they would be their descendants—birds hatched -there, and consequently at home. The Rev. J. G. Wood also speaks of -the same locality having been used by this bird for twenty successive -years; and he supposes that the young had succeeded to their ancestral -home. He gives also an interesting account of the commencement of a -nest-building by this bird. He says that the female, who seems to be -generally the active builder, placed, in the first instance, a bundle -of fine grass in some conveniently-forked branches, and after having -picked it about for some time, as if regularly shaking it up, she -seated herself in the middle of it, and there, spinning herself round -and round, gave it its cup-like form. She then fetched more grasses, -and after arranging them partly round the edge, and partly on the -bottom, repeated the spinning process. A few hairs and some moss were -then stuck about the nest and neatly woven in, the hair and slender -vegetable fibres being the thread, so to speak, with which the moss was -fastened to the nest. - -[Sidenote: _Mr. Mudie on Nest-building._] - -Mr. Mudie, also speaking of their nest-building, says that, in one -instance which came under his notice, “the bird began at seven o’clock -on a Tuesday morning, and the nest was finished in good time on Friday -afternoon.” This was certainly rapid work. Mr. Yarrell says that the -he-bird brings the materials to the hen, who makes use of them—which -is stated as a general fact by Michelet—and that in constructing her -nest the little fly-catcher, after she had rounded it into its first -form, moves backwards as she weaves into it long hairs and grasses with -her bill, continually walking round and round her nest. This, however, -can only be when the situation of the nest will allow of her passing -round it. Our fly-catcher’s nest, and the nest of our picture, are -placed as a little bed close to the wall, and in such situations the -nest has sometimes no back, but simply the lining. A very favourite -place with the fly-catcher for her nest is the hole in a wall, the -size of a half brick, in which the builder fixed the spar of his -scaffolding, and omitted to fill up when he had finished. In these -convenient little nooks the fly-catcher’s nest fills the whole front -of the opening, but has seldom any back to it. From all this, I think -it is clear that the fly-catcher is, in her arrangements, guided by -circumstances: only, in every case, her little home is as snug as it -can be. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE WOOD-PIGEON. - - -The wood-pigeon, ring-dove, or cushat is one of the most familiar and -poetical of our birds. Its low, plaintive coo-goo-roo-o-o is one of the -pleasantest sounds of our summer woods. - - “Tell me, tell me, cushat, why thou moanest ever, - Thrilling all the greenwood with thy secret woe? - ‘I moan not,’ says the cushat, ‘I praise life’s gracious Giver - By murmuring out my love in the best way that I know.’” - -The wood-pigeon belongs to a large family of birds—_columbinæ_ or -doves. The earliest mention of them in the world is in Genesis, -when Noah, wearied with the confinement of the ark, and seeing -that the mountain tops were visible, selected from the imprisoned -creatures—first the raven, then the dove, to go forth and report to -him of the state of the earth. The raven, however, came not back, no -doubt finding food which tempted him to stay; whilst the dove, finding -no rest for the sole of her foot, returned, and Noah, putting forth his -hand, took her in. Again he sent her forth, and she came back in the -evening, and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off. A third -time she was sent forth, but now she returned no more. So Noah looked -out, and behold the face of the earth was dry. And he and his family, -and all the creatures, again went forth and possessed all things. - -This dove might probably be of the carrier-pigeon tribe, which is more -nearly related to the rock-pigeon, also a native of this country, -or rather, of the northern parts of Scotland. These carrier-pigeons -were, in the old times, long enough before the invention of electric -telegraphs, or even before post-offices were established, used instead -of both. Anacreon, the Greek poet, speaks of them as being used to -convey letters; the pigeon, having, as it were, two homes, being fed in -each; thus, a letter from a friend in one home was tied to the wing, -and the bird turned into the air, probably without his breakfast, when -he immediately flew off to his distant home, where the letter was -joyfully received, and he fed for his pains. Whilst the answer was -prepared he would rest, and it, perhaps, taking some little time, he -grew hungry again; but they gave him nothing more, and, again securing -the letter on his little person, he was sent back, making good speed, -because he would now be thinking of his supper. Thus, the answer flew -through the air. - - “Come hither, my dove, - And I’ll write to my love, - And I’ll send him a letter by thee!” - -[Illustration: - - WOOD-PIGEONS AND NEST. [Page 92. -] - -So says the old song. And we are told that a young man named -Taurosthenes, one of the victors in the great Olympian games of Greece, -sent to his father, who resided at a considerable distance, the tidings -of his success, on the same day, by one of these birds. Pliny, the -Roman historian, speaks of them being used in case of siege; when the -besieged sent out these winged messengers, who, cleaving the air at -a secure height above the surrounding army, conveyed the important -intelligence of their need to their friends afar off. The crusaders -are said to have made use of them at the siege of Jerusalem, and the -old traveller, Sir John Maundeville—“knight, warrior, and pilgrim,” as -he is styled—who, in the reign of our second and third Edwards, made -a journey as far as the borders of China, relates that, “in that and -other countries beyond, pigeons were sent out from one to another to -ask succour in time of need, and these letters were tied to the neck of -the bird.” - -But enough of carrier-pigeons. Let us come back to our ring-dove or -cushat, brooding on her eggs in the sweet summer woods, as Mr. Harrison -Weir has so truthfully represented her. She is not much of a nest-maker. - - “A few sticks across, - Without a bit of moss, - Laid in the fork of an old oak-tree; - Coo-goo-roo-o-o, - She says it will do, - And there she’s as happy as a bird can be.” - -The nest, however, is not at all insufficient for her needs. You see -her sitting brooding over her two white eggs in every possible bird -comfort; and whether her mate help her in the building of the nest -or not, I cannot say, but he is certainly a very good domesticated -husband, and sits upon the eggs alternately with her, so that the -hatching, whatever the building may be, is an equally divided labour. - -[Sidenote: _Wordsworth’s Tribute of Praise._] - -Wordsworth sees in this bird an example of unobtrusive home affection. -He says:— - - “I heard a stock-dove sing or say - His homely tale this very day: - His voice was buried among the trees, - Yet to be come at by the breeze; - - He did not cease, but cooed and cooed, - And somewhat pensively he wooed; - He sung of love with quiet blending, - Slow to begin, and never ending; - Of serious faith and inward glee; - That was the song—the song for me.” - -Wood-pigeons have immense appetites, and, being fond of all kinds of -grain, as well as peas and beans, are looked upon by the farmer with -great disfavour. They are, however, fond of some of those very weeds -which are his greatest annoyance—for instance, charlock and wild -mustard; so that they do him some good in return for the tribute which -they take of his crops. They are fond, also, both of young clover and -the young green leaves of the turnip, as well as of the turnip itself. -Either by instinct or experience, they have learned that, feeding -thus in cultivated fields, they are doing that which will bring down -upon them the displeasure of man. “They keep,” says the intelligent -author of “Wild Sports in the Highlands,” “when feeding in the fields, -in the most open and exposed places, so as to allow no enemy to come -near them. It is amusing to watch a large flock of these birds whilst -searching the ground for grain. They walk in a compact body; and in -order that all may fare alike—which is certainly a good trait in their -character—the hindermost rank, every now and then, fly over the heads -of their companions to the front, where they keep the best place for -a minute or two, till those now in the rear take their place. They -keep up this kind of fair play during the whole time of feeding. They -feed, also, on wild fruit and all kinds of wild berries, such as the -mountain-ash, and ivy; and where acorns abound, seem to prefer them to -anything else. At the same time, I must confess that they are great -enemies to my cherry-trees, and swallow as many cherries as they can -hold. Nor are strawberries safe from them, and the quantity of food -they manage to stow away in their crops is perfectly astonishing.” - -[Sidenote: _Its Necessary Watchfulness._] - -Besides man, the wood-pigeon has its own bird-enemies. “In districts -where the hooded crow abounds,” says the author whom I have just -quoted, “he is always on the look-out for its eggs, which, shining out -white from the shallow, unsubstantial nest, are easily seen by him. -The sparrow-hawk seizes the young when they are half-grown and plump; -he having been carefully noticed watching the nest day by day as if -waiting for the time when they should be fit for his eating. The larger -hawks, however, prey upon the poor wood-pigeon himself.” - -With all his pleasant cooings in the wood, therefore, and all -his complacent strutting about with elevated head and protruded -breast—with all his gambols and graces, his striking the points of -his wings together as he rises into the air, to express a pleasure to -his mate beyond his cooing, he has not such a care free life of it. He -is always kept on the alert, therefore, and, being always on the watch -against danger, is not at all a sound sleeper. The least disturbance at -night rouses him. “I have frequently,” continues our author, “attempted -to approach the trees when the wood-pigeons were roosting, but even -on the darkest nights they would take alarm. The poor wood-pigeon -has no other defence against its enemies than its ever watchful and -never sleeping timidity; not being able to do battle against even the -smallest of its many persecutors.” - -Gilbert White says that the wood-pigeons were greatly decreasing, in -his time, in Hampshire, and there were then only about a hundred in the -woods at Selborne, but in former times the flocks had been so vast, not -only there, but in the surrounding districts, that they had traversed -the air morning and evening like rooks, reaching for a mile together, -and that, when they thus came to rendezvous there by thousands, the -sound of their wings, suddenly roused from their roosting-trees in an -evening, rising all at once into the air, was like a sudden rolling of -distant thunder. - -Although the wood-pigeon is considered to be the original parent of -the tame pigeon, yet it does not seem possible to tame the young of -this bird, though taken from the nest quite young. It is a bird which -appears to hate confinement, and, as soon as it has the opportunity, -spite of all kindness and attention, it flies away to the freedom of -the woods. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE WHITE-THROAT. - - -With none of our migratory birds, our spring visitants from southern -lands, is the lover of the country more familiar than with the -White-throat, which, with its nest, is here so beautifully and livingly -depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir. - -This bird, with its many names—White-throat, Peggy-white-throat, -Peggy-chaw, Charlie-mufty, Nettle-creeper, Whishey-whey-beard or -Pettichaps—comes to us in April, about the same time as the cuckoo and -the swallow; the male bird, like his cousin the nightingale, coming -before the female, but he does not make himself very conspicuous till -the hedges and bushes are well covered with leaves; then he may be -found in almost every lane and hedge the whole country over. - -As soon as the female is here, and the birds have paired, the business -of nest-building begins, and they may then be seen flying in and out -of the bushes with great alertness, the he-bird carolling his light -and airy song, and often hurling himself, as it were, up into the air, -some twenty or thirty feet, in a wild, tipsy sort of way, as if he -were fuller of life than he could hold, and coming down again with a -warble into the hedge, where the little hen-wife is already arranging -her dwelling in the very spot probably where she was herself hatched, -and her ancestors before her, for ages. For I must here remark that -one of the most remarkable properties of birds is, that facility by -which they so regularly disperse themselves over the whole country on -their arrival after their far migration, each one, in all probability, -attracted by some attachment of the past, stopping short at, or -proceeding onward to, the exact spot where he himself first came into -the consciousness of life. This is one of the wonderful arrangements of -nature, otherwise of God, by which the great balance is so beautifully -kept in creation. If the migratory bird arrives ever so weary at Dover, -and its true home be some sweet low-lying lane of Devonshire, a thick -hedgerow of the midland counties, or a thickety glen of Westmoreland, -it will not delay its flight nor be tempted to tarry short of that -glen, hedgerow, or lane with which the experience of its own life and -affection is united. - -At this charming time of the year none of the various performers in -nature’s great concert bring back to those who have passed their youth -in the country a more delicious recollection of vernal fields and lanes -than this bird of ours, the little white-throat. - -[Illustration: - - WHITE-THROAT AND NEST. [Page 98. -] - -Yes, along those hedges, fresh and fragrant with their young leaves, -along those banks studded with primroses, campions, blue-bells and -white starwort, and through the thick growth of the wild rose bushes, -all of which have a beauty especially their own, the white-throat -salutes you as you pass, as if to recognise an old acquaintance. He -is brimful of fun; out he starts and performs his series of eccentric -frolics in the air, accompanied by his mad-cap sort of warble; or, -almost as if laughing at you, he repeats from the interior of the -bushes his deep grave note, _chaw! chaw!_ whence comes the name -of peggy-chaw. This, however, is to tell you—and to those who -understand bird-language it is intelligible enough—that he has now a -family to attend to, and he begs, very respectfully, that you will not -trouble yourself about it. - -[Sidenote: _Description of the Bird._] - -A Scotch naturalist says that “the peasant boys in East Lothian imagine -that the bird is mocking or laughing at them, as it tumbles over the -hedge and bushes in the lane, and, therefore, they persecute it at all -times, even more mercilessly than they do sparrows.” - -The white-throat is an excitable little bird, rapid in all its -movements; and though it will apparently allow a person to come near, -it incessantly flits on, gets to the other side of the hedge, warbles -its quaint little song, flies to a short distance, sings again, and so -on, for a long time, returning in the same way. It erects the feathers -of its head when excited, and swells its throat so much when singing, -that the feathers stand out like a ruff, whence it has obtained the -name of _Muffety_, or Charlie-mufty, in Scotland. - -Its colour, on the upper parts of the body, is reddish-brown, -brownish-white below, with a purely white throat. Its food is -principally insects and larvæ of various kinds, for which it is always -on the search amongst the thick undergrowth of the plants and bushes -where it builds. One of its many names is Nettle-creeper, from this -plant growing so generally in the localities which it haunts. - -Its nest—one of the most light and elegant of these little abodes—may -truly be called “gauze-like,” for being constructed wholly of fine -grasses, and very much of the brittle stems of the Galnim aparine, or -cleavers, which, though slender, are not pliant, and bend only with an -angle; they prevent the whole fabric from being closely woven, so that -it maintains a gauzy texture; the inside, however, is put together more -closely of finer and more pliant materials, delicate root-filaments, -and various kinds of hair. The eggs, four or five in number, are of a -greenish-gray colour, often with a tawny hue, blotched and spotted over -with dark tints of the same colour. - -A correspondent of the author of “British Birds” says that, one morning -in June, when walking in his shrubbery within about eighty yards of a -White-throat’s nest, which he was taking great interest in, he found a -portion of the shell of one of the eggs of this bird, and, fearing that -a magpie had been plundering it, hastened to the spot, but found to his -satisfaction that the nest was then full of newly-hatched birds. “The -shell had,” he says, “been instinctively taken away by the mother in -order to prevent the discovery of the place of her retreat.” He adds -that the mother-bird was very shy, and usually dropped from her nest -with the most astonishing rapidity, and, treading her way through the -grasses and other entanglements, disappeared in a moment. The young, -too, seemed greatly to dislike observation, and on his taking one into -his hand to examine it, it uttered a cry, no doubt of alarm, on which -all the other little things leapt out of their abode, although not more -than half-fledged, and hopped amongst the grass. It is a singular fact -that almost every kind of young bird, if they be caused to leave their -nest through alarm, or by being handled, can never be induced to stay -in the nest again, though they may be put back into it time after time. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE BULL-FINCH. - - -This bird, which is common to all parts of the country, is very shy, -and for the greater part of the year haunts the woods and thickets. -In spring, however, its fondness for tender fruit-buds tempts it into -gardens and orchards, where, being considered an enemy, it is destroyed -without mercy. It is a question, however, whether it devours these -young buds as favourite food, or whether it may not be the equally -distinctive grub or insect which is the temptation; and thus, that -it ought rather to be regarded as the friend than the enemy of the -gardener and fruit-grower. At all events, the general opinion is -against the poor bull-finch. He is declared to be a devourer of the -embryo fruit, and no mercy is shown to him. The Rev. J. G. Wood, always -a merciful judge where birds are concerned, thinks that public opinion -is unfairly against him. He says that a gooseberry tree, from which it -was supposed that the bull-finches had picked away every blossom-bud, -yet bore the same year an abundant crop of fruit, which certainly -proved that they had picked away only the already infected buds, and so -left the tree in an additionally healthy state, doubly able to mature -and perfect its fruit. - -Bull-finches seldom associate with other birds, but keep together in -small flocks as of single families. Its flight, though quick, is -somewhat undulating or wavering; and in the winter it may sometimes -be seen in large numbers flitting along the roadsides and hedges, -being probably forced out of some of its shyness by the stress of -hunger. Its ordinary note is a soft and plaintive whistle; its song, -short and mellow. It is, in its native state, no way distinguished as -a singing-bird, but at the same time it is possessed of a remarkable -faculty for learning tunes artificially, of which I may have more to -say presently. - -The bull-finch begins to build about the beginning of May. She places -her nest, as we see in our illustration, in a bush, frequently a -hawthorn, at no great distance from the ground. The nest is not very -solidly put together; the foundation, so to speak, being composed of -small dry twigs, then finished off with fibrous roots and moss, which -also form the lining. The eggs, five or six in number, are of a dull -bluish-white, marked at the larger end with dark spots. - -Although there is so little to say about the bull-finch in his natural -state—excepting that he is a handsome bird, with bright black eyes, -a sort of rich black hood on his head; his back, ash-grey; his breast -and underparts, red; wings and tail, black, with the upper tail-coverts -white—yet when he has gone through his musical education, he is not -only one of the most accomplished of song-birds, but one of the most -loving and faithfully attached little creatures that can come under -human care. These trained birds are known as piping bull-finches. - -[Illustration: - - BULL-FINCH AND NESTLINGS. [Page 102. -] - -[Sidenote: _How it is taught to pipe._] - -Bishop Stanley, in his “History of Birds,” thus describes the method by -which they are taught:— - -“In the month of June, the young ones, which are taken from the nest -for that purpose, are brought up by a person, who, by care and -attention, so completely tames them that they become perfectly docile -and obedient. At the expiration of about a couple of months, they first -begin to whistle, from which time their education begins, and no school -can be more diligently superintended by its master, and no scholars -more effectually trained to their own calling, than a seminary of -bull-finches. They are formed first into classes of about six in each, -and, after having been kept a longer time than usual without food, and -confined to a dark room, the tune they are to learn is played over -and over again, on a little instrument called a bird-organ, the notes -of which resemble, as nearly as possible, those of the bull-finch; -sometimes, also, a flageolet is used for this purpose, and birds so -taught are said to have the finer notes. For awhile the little moping -creatures will sit in silence, not knowing what all this can mean; but -after awhile one by one will begin to imitate the notes they hear, for -they have great power of imitation as well as remarkably good memories. -As soon as they have said their lesson all round, light is admitted -into the room, and they are fed. - -“By degrees the sound of the musical instrument—be it flageolet or -bird-organ—and the circumstance of being fed, become so associated in -the mind of the hungry bird, that it is sure to begin piping the tune -as soon as it hears it begin to play. When the little scholars have -advanced so far they are put into a higher class, that is to say, are -turned over each to his private tutor; in other words, each bird is put -under the care of a boy who must carry on its education, and who plays -on the little instrument from morning to night, or as long as the bird -can pay attention, during which time the head-master or feeder goes -his regular rounds, scolding or rewarding the little feathered scholars -by signs and modes of making them understand, till they have learned -their lessons so perfectly, and the tune is so impressed on their -memories, that they will pipe it to the end of their days; and let us -hope, as I believe is the fact, that they find in it a never-ending -delight. - -“Just as in human schools and colleges, it is only the few out of the -great number who take the highest honours or degrees, or become senior -wranglers, so it is not above five birds in every hundred who can -attain to the highest perfection in their art! but all such are valued -at a very high price.” - -It is allowable to hope that the poor bull-finch, which has thus -industriously applied himself to learn, and has thus become -artificially gifted with the power of pleasing, takes great -satisfaction in his accomplishment. Perhaps also the association with -his human teacher calls forth his affection as well as his power of -song, for it is a fact that the piping bull-finch is, of all birds, -given to attach itself to some one individual of the family where it -is kept, expressing, at their approach, the most vehement delight, -greeting them with its piping melody, hopping towards them, and -practising all its little winning ways to show its love, and to court a -return of caresses. - -“An interesting story,” says the bishop, “was told by Sir William -Parsons, who was himself a great musician, and who, when a young man, -possessed a piping bull-finch, which he had taught to sing, ‘God save -the king.’ On his once going abroad, he gave his favourite in charge -to his sister, with a strict injunction to take the greatest care of -it. On his return, one of his first visits was to her, when she told -him that the poor little bird had been long in declining health, and -was, at that moment, very ill. Sir William, full of sorrow, went into -the room where the cage was, and, opening the door, put in his hand, -and spoke to the bird. The poor little creature recognised his voice, -opened his eyes, shook his feathers, staggered on to his finger, piped -‘God save the king,’ and fell down dead.” - -[Sidenote: _The Devoted Affection of Birds._] - -We see in the piping bull-finch—a bird which in its education is -closely associated with man—the deep and devoted affection of which -it is capable; and if we could only live with the animal creation as -their friends and benefactors, we should no longer be surprised by such -instances of their intelligence and love. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE MISSEL-THRUSH. - - -This is the largest of our British song birds. It remains with us -through the whole year, not being migratory, excepting in so far as it -moves off in considerable flocks into Herefordshire and Monmouthshire -for the sake of the mistletoe which abounds in the orchards there, -on the viscous berries of which it delights to feed, and whence it -has obtained its familiar name of missel, or mistletoe thrush. It is -generally believed that this curious parasitic plant was propagated or -planted upon the branches of trees, by this bird rubbing its bill upon -the rough bark to clean it from the sticky substance of the berry, and -thus introducing the seeds into the interstices of the bark. - -[Illustration: - - MISSEL-THRUSHES AND NEST. [Page 106. -] - -The Missel-thrush is a handsome bird; the head, back, and upper coverts -of the wings olive-brown, the latter tipped with brownish-white, -spotted with brown; the breasts and under parts pale yellow, covered -with black spots; the legs are yellow and the claws black. - -It is a welcome bird, being the earliest harbinger of spring, the first -singer of the year. Long before the swallow is thought of, before even -the hardy familiar robin has begun his song, its clear rich voice -may be heard on Christmas or New Year’s day, often amidst wild winds -and winterly storms, whence its also familiar name, the storm-cock. -It is known by different names in different parts of the country. -The origin of its more general appellation—the missel-thrush—I have -already mentioned. In the midland counties it is called the thrice -cock, but why I know not. In Wales it is known as _Pen-y-llwyn_, which -means the head or master of the coppice. Why it is so called I will -mention presently. - -[Sidenote: _A Description of the Nest._] - -The nest of the missel-thrush is large and well constructed, being -made of almost every material ordinarily used for nest-making -purposes—moss, and hay, and straw, and dry leaves, and little twigs, -and locks of wool, with occasional odds and ends of every possible -kind. All these are woven and wrought together very compactly; not, -however, without loose straws and little tangles of wool hanging about. -Within is a smooth casing of mud, as in the nest of the throstle, and -within that a second coating of dry grass. Our picture represents all -as being now complete. The busy labours of the year are now over; the -eggs, four or five in number, of a greenish-blue, marked with reddish -spots, are laid, and the mother-bird has taken her patient seat upon -them, whilst her mate, from the branch above, sings as if he never -meant to leave off again. - -The song of this bird is loud, clear, and melodious—a cheering, -hopeful song; and when heard amidst the yet prevailing winter-storms, -as if in anticipation of better times, it well deserves our admiration. -It resembles, to a certain degree, the song of the blackbird and the -thrush, and is often mistaken for them; but it has not the short, -quick, and varied notes of the one, nor the sober, prolonged, and -eloquent melody of the other. On the contrary it is of an eager, -hurrying character, as if it could not sufficiently express its -emotion, and yet was trying to do so. - -The missel-thrush is a bird of very marked character, and is both bold -and chivalrous. Its harsh, jarring note of anger and defiance is the -first to be heard when a bird-enemy is at hand. If a cuckoo or hawk is -anywhere near meditating mischief, the missel-thrush is vehement in his -expression of displeasure. In our own neighbourhood, where the jays in -summer come from the wood to carry the young of the sparrows from their -nests in the ivied boles of the trees round our garden, the outcry of -the parent sparrows instantly arouses the sympathetic missel-thrushes, -who, with a scolding defiance, rush to the rescue. Of course these -birds, which are of so militant a character, and so loud in protesting -against a wrong done to another, will be equally alive to their own -rights, and active in defending their own nests and young. Some -naturalists have suggested that this combatant temper and extraordinary -courage are but the natural consequence of the bird finding its nest -open to common attack; for, being of a large size, and built early in -the year whilst the trees are yet leafless, it is visible to every -enemy and depredator. - -Mr. Thompson says: “Often have I seen a pair of these birds driving off -magpies, and occasionally fighting against four of them. One pair which -I knew attacked a kestrel which appeared in their neighbourhood when -the young were out. One of them struck the hawk several times, and made -as many more fruitless attempts, as the enemy, by suddenly rising in -the air, escaped the cunning blow. They then followed the kestrel for a -long way, until they were lost to our sight in the distance.” - -The old Welsh name of “master, or head of the coppice,” refers to the -same warlike spirit. “The missel-thrush,” says Gilbert White, “suffers -no magpie, jay, or blackbird to enter the garden where he haunts, and -is, for the time, a good guardian of the new-sown crops. In general, he -is very successful in defence of his family. Once, however, I observed -in my garden that several magpies came determined to storm the nest of -the missel-thrush. The parent-birds defended their mansion with great -vigour, and fought resolutely. But numbers at last prevailed, and the -poor missel-thrushes had the pain of seeing their nest torn to pieces, -and their young carried off.” - -[Sidenote: _The Gardeners’ Enemy._] - -The missel-thrushes, however, as the year goes on, make for themselves -enemies even more formidable than hawks or magpies; these are the -gardeners. Towards the end of summer, when the young have flown, -and they and the parent-birds congregate in large flocks, having -then nothing to do but to enjoy themselves, like human families when -children are all home for the holidays, they too go abroad on their -excursions of pleasure; not, however, to sea-side watering places, but -into gardens where the cherries and raspberries are ripe. Poor birds! -Little aware of their danger, or if they be so, defiant of it in the -greatness of the temptation, they make sad havoc amongst the fruit, -and many unfortunates are shot or snared, and then hung up amidst the -cherry-boughs or the raspberry-canes as a terror to their associates. -It is a pity we cannot make them welcome to some and yet have enough -left for ourselves. - -The berries of the mountain-ash and the arbutus, and later on in the -year those of the holly and ivy, supply them with food, as do also -in the spring and summer insects of various kinds—caterpillars and -spiders—so that in this respect they are good friends to the gardener, -and might, one thinks, be made welcome to a little fruit in return. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE YELLOW-HAMMER, OR YELLOW-HEAD. - - -This, though an extremely pretty bird, is so common that very -little notice is taken of it. Its colours are varied and beautiful: -the back and wings, bright red; the central part of each feather, -brownish-black; the head and throat, bright yellow; the feathers of the -upper part tipped with black; the breast, brownish-red. The colours of -the female are much duller. - -The yellow-hammer resembles linnets, finches, and sparrows in character -and habits, and often associates with them, resorting to the fields in -open weather, and often perching in hedges and bushes as well as in -trees. In the winter, when the weather is severe, it congregates, with -other birds, about houses, farm-buildings, and stack-yards. - -One of the most pleasing features of autumn is, to my mind, these -flocks of kindred birds, which are at that time all abroad and yet -together, circling in their flight, all rising as you approach, and -wheeling away into the stubble-field, or into the distant hedges, now -rich with their wild fruits—the blackberry, the wild rose hip, and the -bunches of black-privet berries—and then away again, as you approach, -with their variously modulated notes, through the clear air into the -yet more distant stubble or bean-field. - -The flight of the yellow-hammer is wavy and graceful, and, alighting -abruptly, he has a curious way of jerking out his tail feathers like -a little fan. All at once a whole flock of them will descend from a -considerable height and settle on the twigs of a tree, clothing it as -with living leaves. Whatever number the flock may consist of, there -is no impatient hurry or jostling among them to get the best perch, -every individual settling as if on its own appointed place. As I have -already observed, nothing is more charming at this season than these -congregated companies of small birds. All the cares of life are now -over, their young broods are around them, and now, with nothing to -do but to enjoy themselves in the freedom of nature, where—on every -hand, on every bush and tree, and in every outlying field—though the -crops are now carried, all except, perhaps, here and there a solitary -field in which the bean-shocks stand up black in the golden autumnal -sunshine; but here, and there, and everywhere, a full table is spread, -and they are welcome to enjoy. - -In spring and summer, the yellow-hammer sings a peculiar but -mournful sort of little ditty, composed of a few short, sonorous -notes, concluding with one long drawn out. In the midland -counties, where stocking-weaving is the business of the people, -the note of the bird is said to resemble the working of the -machine—ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-e-e-chay—the prolonged latter syllable being -what the stockinger calls, in the machine movement, “pressing over the -arch.” In other parts of the country this bird’s song is interpreted as -“A little bit of bread, and—no-cheese!” which may just as well be “A -little bird am I, and—no thief!” - -[Illustration: - - YELLOW-HAMMER AND NEST. [Page 112. -] - -The food of this bird consists of the seeds of all kinds of grasses, -chickweeds, polygonums, and other such weeds; also, in summer, when -food is needed for the young, insects and larvæ. - -[Sidenote: _Its Picturesque Nest._] - -The winter congregations break up in April, and then the yellow-hammer -begins to think of family joys and cares. But, unlike their relations -the sparrows and finches, the he-birds take everything quietly, without -having their little skirmishes to show their spirit and prowess, like -the knights of old, at the tournament, before the admiring ladies. The -yellow-hammer does everything quietly, choosing his mate in an orderly -way; and now that the buds are swelling on the trees, the primroses -gemming the hedge-banks, and the golden catkins hanging on the willows -by the watersides, hither come the little yellow-hammers, and, having -selected some sweet, hidden spot, under a bush, or on the fieldy banks -amongst the thick herbage—we see it a month later in our picture, -when the buds have expanded into leaves, in a wild growth of beautiful -grasses and herbage—begin to make their nest. How picturesque it is! -William Hunt never painted anything more beautiful. The nest itself -is somewhat large, and of simple construction, woven externally of -coarse bents and small pliant twigs, and lined with hair and wool. Here -the hen lays four or five eggs of a purplish white, marked with dark, -irregular streaks, often resembling musical notes. - -These poor little birds are extremely attached to their home and their -young, so much so, that if these be taken by the pitiless bird-nester, -they will continue for some days about the place uttering the most -melancholy plaint, which, though still to the same old tune as the song -of their spring rejoicing, has now the expression of the deepest woe. - -The author of “British Birds” thus sums up their various characteristic -actions:—“When perched on a tree, especially in windy weather, they -crouch close to the twigs, draw in their necks, and keep their tails -declined. After pairing, the male is generally seen on a bush or tree, -raising his tail by sudden jerks, and slightly expanding it. His notes -are then usually two chirps, followed by a harsher note—cit, chit, -chirr—with considerable intervals. When feeding in the stubble-fields, -they advance by very short leaps, with their breasts nearly touching -the ground; when apprehensive of danger they crouch motionless, and -when alarmed give information to each other by means of their ordinary -short note.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE MAGPIE. - - -You have here a living portrait of the Magpie, sitting, so to speak, on -his own door-sill, and contemplating it with rather a sentimental air, -perhaps rather with tender admiration; and as to his dwelling, it is, -we must confess, a wonderful structure—a half-timbered edifice, so to -speak, walled-round and roofed-in, with its front-door and all complete. - -The magpie is one of our most beautiful as well as most amusing and -characteristic birds. He is cousin to the jackdaw, and has, like him, -odd ways of his own. In all countries where he is found, he is just the -same. An old Greek poet, who lived two thousand years ago, speaks of -him as a great mimic, and such an inordinate talker, that, in his own -satirical humour, he pretends to believe that magpies were originally a -family of young ladies, in Macedonia, who were noted for the volubility -of their tongues. Handsome he is, as well as talkative, and very droll -and mischievous. - -Being such, we need not wonder that his nest is very original. He likes -to place it in a secure angle of branches, on some lofty tree, as we -see it here, fifty feet or so from the ground; and prefers to have it -on a tree bare of branches to a considerable height, knowing that it -is then more inaccessible. He is wise in all this, for its bulk being -so large it is discernible to a great distance. As magpies, however, -are found almost everywhere, and in some parts of the country, the -north of Scotland for instance, where there are no trees, the poor -magpie is then obliged to build in a bush, and do the best he can. In -such a case, in Norway, he was known to barricade his nest with thorny -branches, brought thither by himself for that purpose, till it was next -to impossible for the domicile to be invaded. A cat could not get to -it, and a man only with hedging-mittens on his hands, and by help of a -bill-hook. - -Like the rook, the magpie inhabits the same nest for several years, -perhaps for the whole of his life, putting it into repair every year -before he again needs it for family use—like a wealthy country family -taking possession of their ancestral mansion in the spring. - -And now, turning to our picture, we find our magpie in excellent -circumstances. Every thing has gone well with him. Here he is, and I -will have the pleasure of giving you a bit of every-day magpie life, -as sketched by that true pen-and-ink artist, the author of “British -Birds.” Our scene opens a few minutes before the time indicated in our -picture:— - -[Illustration: - - MAGPIE AND NEST. [Page 116. -] - -[Sidenote: _A Search for Food._] - -“There, on the old ash-tree, you may see a pair, one perched on the -topmost twig, the other hopping on the branches below, keeping up an -incessant chatter. How gracefully she, on the topmost twig, swings in -the breeze! Off she starts, and directs her flight to the fir-woods -opposite, chattering all the way, seemingly to call her mate after her. -But he prefers remaining behind. He is in a brown study, or something -of that kind, as we can plainly see. Now, having spied something -below, he hops downwards from twig to branch, and descends to the -ground. His ash-tree, you must understand, grows close to, and in part -overshadows, a farmyard; so now he is on ground which, as is customary -in such places, is not over clean; therefore, lifting up his tail to -prevent it being soiled or wet, as the farmer’s wife might hold up her -Sunday gown, and raising his body as high as possible, he walks a few -paces, and, spying an earth-worm half out of his hole, drags it forth -by a sudden jerk, breaks it in pieces, and swallows it. Now, under the -hedge, he has found a snail, which he will presently pick out of its -shell, as an old woman would a periwinkle. But now something among the -bushes has startled him, and he springs lightly upwards, chattering -the while, to regain his favourite tree. It is a cat, which, not less -frightened than himself, for both are intent on mischief, runs off -towards the barn. The magpie again descends, steps slowly over the -grassy margin of the yard, looking from side to side, stops, listens, -advances rapidly by a succession of leaps, and encounters a whole brood -of chickens, with their mother at their heels. If she had not been -there he would have had a delicious feast of one of those chickens; -but he dare not think of such a thing now, for, with fury in her eye, -bristled plumage, and loud clamour, the hen rushes forward at him, -overturning two of her younglings, and the enemy, suddenly wheeling -round to avoid the encounter, flies off to his mate. - -“There again you perceive them in the meadow, as they walk about with -their elevated tails, looking for something eatable. By the hedge, afar -off, are two boys, with a gun, endeavouring to creep up to a flock of -plovers on the other side. But the magpies see them, for there are not -many things which escape their sharp eyes, and presently rising, they -fly directly over the field, chattering vehemently, and the flock of -plovers on this take wing, and the disappointed young sportsmen sheer -off in another direction.” - -Magpies always make a great chattering when they are disturbed, or -when they apprehend that danger is near. Waterton says that they -are vociferous at the approach of night, and that they are in truth -valuable watchmen on that account. “Whoever enters the wood,” he -says, “is sure to attract their notice, and then their challenge is -incessant. When I hear them during the night, or even during the -day, I know that mischief is on the stir. Three years ago, at eleven -o’clock in the day, I was at the capture of one of the most expert -and desperate poachers, to whose hiding-place we were directed by the -chatter of the magpies.” - -The poor magpie has many enemies, and, knowing this, is always on the -watch, and easily alarmed. - -Its mode of walking is like that of the rook, but not having any -dignity to maintain, it every now and then leaps in a sidelong -direction. When alarmed itself, or wishing to announce danger to other -birds, it utters a sort of chuckling cry or chatter. If a fox or cat, -or any other unfriendly animal, approaches, it hovers about it, and -alarms the whole neighbourhood by its cries till the enemy is out of -sight. - -Like the jackdaw, it generally keeps in pairs the whole year round; -and, indeed, when birds continue to inhabit the same nest, season after -season, it is quite natural that they should do so. It is a curious -fact, however, that if by any accident the hen-magpie is killed, whilst -sitting on her eggs, her mate sets off at once and brings home another -wife, who takes to the nest and eggs, just as if she had laid them; and -if by another mischance she too should come to an untimely end, the -widower again goes off, and, without any loss of time, brings back a -third wife, and she takes to her duties quite as naturally and lovingly -as the other did; but where all these surplus mothers come from is a -question which no naturalist has yet answered, and the magpie, with all -his chattering, is not clever enough to explain the wonder. - -[Sidenote: _Its Beautiful Plumage._] - -The beauty of this bird’s plumage is familiar to all; and although it -is simply black and white, yet the exquisitely-coloured gloss of green, -blue, and purple, with their varying and intermingling tints, produce -such a charming effect that one cannot sufficiently admire them. - -With the external structure of the magpie’s nest we are acquainted: the -lower part, inside, is neatly plastered with mud, “and is furnished,” -says Bewick, “with a sort of mattress, formed of wool or fibrous roots, -on which from three to six eggs are laid.” The eggs frequently vary, -both in size and colour; sometimes they are of a pale green, freckled -over with amber-brown and light purple; sometimes pale blue, with -smaller spots of the same dark colours. - -The nest is, so to speak, a sort of little domed chamber, of a good -size for its purpose; but then comes the question—What does the magpie -do with her long tail as she sits on her eggs? It would certainly -poke a hole through the wall if left to its full extent; she must, -therefore, lift it up, as she does when walking amongst the wet grass, -and sit with it laid flat against the wall, which probably is not -inconvenient to her. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE NUTHATCH. - - -This bird is almost an entire stranger to most people. It belongs to -the rather large family of creepers; birds which, like the woodpecker -and the little golden-crested wren, run up the holes and branches of -trees in search of food. The nuthatch, however, has an advantage over -all its other creeping relatives, by being gifted with the power of -coming down the tree head foremost, which none of them have. It can -also sleep with its head downwards; neither in its rapid ascent has it -occasion to press its tail against the tree for help; so that it is the -most accomplished little acrobat of the whole race of creepers. - -[Illustration: - - NUTHATCH AND NEST. [Page 120. -] - -The nuthatch cannot be called a rare bird, and yet it is not often -seen, being of a shy and retiring disposition, though naturally lively -and active. The plumage is very pleasing in colour; the upper parts -of the body are bluish-grey; a black line passes from the corners of -the mouth to the back of the neck; the breast and under parts light -reddish-yellow, and the sides reddish-brown. - -It delights in woods and trees; nor need it be looked for elsewhere, -as it derives its food entirely amongst them, either of insects and -larvæ, hidden in the bark, or of fruits and nuts, as kernels of -fir-cones, beech, and other nuts, the shells of which it breaks in -a very ingenious manner, as I shall presently describe. Now and then -it alights on the ground, and then advances by short leaps. It has no -song; but in winter, when living in small companies, perhaps the whole -summer-family associating together, it has a little piping note, which, -however, is supposed to be simply the call to each other. It is said to -be sensitive to the cold, and always feeds on the side of the wood or -of the tree which is defended from the wind. In spring, however, when -all nature is renovated with a quicker pulse of life—for, as Tennyson -says:— - - In the spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin’s breast; - In the spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest; - In the spring a livelier iris changes on the burnished dove— - -then, also, the silent nuthatch sends forth through the awakening -solitude of the woods his two little notes, one short and twittering, -the other a low, mellow, flute-like whistle, which is so clear that it -may be heard to a considerable distance. - -[Sidenote: _Its Favourite Food._] - -The graphic author of the “British Birds” says, “It is, at all times, -a busy and cheerful bird, particularly at nesting-time. Its favourite -food is nuts of any kind. It builds and roosts in hollow trees, and -is seldom seen in the open fields, unless when in quest of the stones -of the white-thorn or sloe. It may, therefore, be properly called a -forester. Its dexterity in opening nuts and the stones of fruit is -curious. It fixes the nut in a crack, on the top of a post, or in the -bark of a tree, and, placing itself above it, head downwards, striking -with great force and rapidity, with its strong, wedge-shaped bill on -the edge of the shell, splits it open. When their food is plentiful, -they have a favourite crack for unshelling the kernels, as sometimes a -peck of broken shells may be seen under this crack.” - -The Rev. W. T. Bree tells us that “the tapping of the bird on the hard -shell may be heard at a considerable distance, and that during the -operation it sometimes happens that the nut swerves from its fixture -and falls towards the ground. It has not descended, however, for the -space of more than a few yards, when the nuthatch, with admirable -adroitness, recovers it in the fall, and, replacing it in its former -position, commences the attack afresh. The fall of the nut in the air, -and the recovery by the bird on the wing, I have seen repeated several -times in the space of a few minutes.” - -This is a little act of skill in the bird which it would be charming to -observe; and here again I would remark, as I have so often done before, -that this is but a single instance of what many of us, living in the -country, might witness in some woodland nook near at hand, if we would -only be lovingly still and patient, and interest ourselves in the ways -and means of the innocent animal-life around us. - -The nest of the bird also deserves our notice; and let me here call -your attention to the beautiful and living little portrait of the bird -at home, given us by Mr. Harrison Weir, than which we have nothing more -truthful from his pencil. The home of the nuthatch is nothing more, to -begin with, than the hole in an old tree, which, probably, has been -deserted by the woodpecker. As, however, the woodpecker either requires -a more enlarged entrance to her nursery, or considers it more seemly, -the nuthatch, who merely likes a snug little hole to creep in at, and -nothing more, walls up the opening with a plastering of clay or mud, -leaving only just room enough for herself to enter. Perhaps she may be -afraid of the old tenants returning and again taking possession, so -builds up a little defence in front; but of that I cannot say; certain -it is she makes herself comfortably at home in rather an untidy nest, -composed mostly of dead oak-leaves, and here she lays six or seven -white eggs, with ruddy spots on them. - -[Sidenote: _Her Defence of her Young._] - -If the plaster wall be by any chance removed, the poor bird loses not -a moment in replacing it; and though she has apparently great dread -of any enemy—the woodpecker, snake, man, or whatever else he may be, -disturbing her—yet so faithfully devoted is she to her duties, that -scarcely anything will induce her to leave the eggs or young. She -fights vigorously in defence of her home and its treasures, striking -out with her bill and wings, and making a hissing, angry noise. Nay, -timid and shy as she naturally is, she will suffer herself to be -carried off captive rather than desert her charge. - -Let me conclude with one of Bechstein’s anecdotes of the nuthatch:— - -“A lady amused herself in the winter by throwing seeds on the terrace, -below the window, to feed the birds in the neighbourhood. She put some -hemp-seed and cracked nuts even on the window-sill, and on a board, for -her particular favourites, the blue-tits. Two nuthatches came one day -to have their share of this repast, and were so well pleased that they -became quite familiar, and did not even go away in the following spring -to get their natural food and to build their nest in the wood. They -settled themselves in the hollow of an old tree near the house. - -“As soon as the two young ones which were reared here were ready to -fly, they brought them to the hospitable window, where they were to be -nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It was amusing to see -these two new visitors hang or climb on the walls or blinds, whilst -their benefactress put their food on the board. These pretty creatures -as well as the tits, knew her so well, that when she drove away the -sparrows, which came to steal what was not intended for them, they did -not fly away also, but seemed to know what was done was only to protect -and defend them. They remained near the house for the whole summer, -rarely wandering, till one fatal day, at the beginning of the sporting -season, in autumn, on hearing the report of a gun, they disappeared and -were never seen again.” - -[Illustration] - - -Watson & Hazell, Printers, 28, Charles Street, Hatton Garden. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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- display: inline-block;} - -/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry in browsers */ -/* .poetry {display: inline-block;} */ -.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} -/* large inline blocks don't split well on paged devices */ -@media print { .poetry {display: block;} } -.x-ebookmaker .poetry {display: block;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -/* Poetry indents */ -.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} -.poetry .indent10 {text-indent: 2em;} -.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2em;} -.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1em;} -.poetry .indent6 {text-indent: 0em;} -.poetry .indent8 {text-indent: 1em;} - - - /* ]]> */ </style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Birds and their nests, by Mary Howitt</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Birds and their nests</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Mary Howitt</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: June 28, 2022 [eBook #68416]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Fiona Holmes and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS ***</div> - -<div class="transnote"> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>Hyphenation has been standardised.</p> - -<p>For the CONTENTS on <a href="#Page_v" title="">Page v</a>, Chapter IX—Peewits 51 was missed from print -in the original, and has been added.</p> - -<p>The layout of the Contents continuation page on <a href="#Page_vi" title="">Page vi</a>, has been -changed to replicate the layout of the previous Contents page.</p> - -<p class="noindent"><a href="#Page_41" title="">Page 41</a>—changed cemetries to <b>cemeteries</b>.</p> - -<p class="noindent"><a href="#Page_55" title="">Page 55</a>—changed artifical to <b>artificial</b>.</p> -</div> - - - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_cover"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" width="1986" height="2560" /></a> -</div> - -<p class="space-above4"></p> - -<h1>BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS.</h1> - -<p class="space-above4"></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_frontis"><img src="images/i-frontis.jpg" alt="" width="486" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">ROBIN AND NEST.</p> -</div> - -<p class="space-above4"></p> - -<div class="title-page"> -<p class="p140"> BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS,</p> - -<p class="center"> BY</p> - -<p class="center"> MARY HOWITT.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_title"><img src="images/i-title.jpg" alt="" width="327" height="300" /></a> -</div> - -<p class="center"> <em>With Twenty-three Full-page Illustrations by Harrison Weir.</em></p> - -<p class="space-above2"></p> - -<p class="p80">NEW YORK:</p> -<p class="p80">GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, 416, BROOME STREET.</p> -<p class="p80"><span class="smcap">London: S. W. Partridge & Co., 9, Paternoster Row.</span></p> - -<p class="center"> <em>All rights reserved.</em></p> -</div> - -<p class="space-above2"></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_004"><img src="images/i-004.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="200" /></a> -</div> - -<p class="center">WATSON AND HAZELL,<br /> -<em>Printers</em>,<br /> - -<span class="smcap">London and Aylesbury</span>.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_005"><img src="images/i-005.jpg" alt="" width="405" height="400" /></a> -</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> -<table> -<tr> - <td> </td> - <td> </td> - <td> </td> - <td class="right"><span class="smcap">PAGE</span></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="cont1" colspan="2">Introductory Chapter</td> - <td class="cont3"> </td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#INTRODUCTORY_CHAPTER" title="Page 1">1</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="cont1a"><span class="allsmcap">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="1">I.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE WREN</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_8" title="Page 8">8</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="2">II.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE GOLDFINCH</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_15" title="Page 15">15</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="3">III.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE SONG THRUSH</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_20" title="Page 20">20</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="4">IV.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE BLACKBIRD</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26" title="Page 26">26</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="5">V.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE DIPPER, OR WATER-OUSEL</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33" title="Page 33">33</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">” </td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="6">VI.</abbr> </td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE NIGHTINGALE</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="7">VII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE SKYLARK</span> </td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_42" title="Page 42">42</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="8">VIII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE LINNET</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47" title="Page 47">47</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="9">IX.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">THE PEEWIT</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51" title="Page 51">51</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="10">X.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">HOUSE-MARTINS, OR WINDOW-SWALLOWS, AND NESTS</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56" title="Page 56">56</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="11">XI.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">CHIFF-CHAFFS, OR OVEN-BUILDERS, AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66" title="Page 66">66</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="12">XII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">GOLDEN-CRESTED WRENS AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70" title="Page 70">70</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="13">XIII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">WAGTAIL AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75" title="Page 75">76</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="14">XIV.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">JACKDAW AND NESTLINGS</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_81" title="Page 81">82</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="15">XV.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">SPOTTED FLY-CATCHERS AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86" title="Page 86">86</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="16">XVI.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">WOOD-PIGEONS AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91" title="Page 91">92</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="17">XVII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">WHITE-THROAT AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_97" title="Page 97">98</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="18">XVIII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">BULL-FINCH AND NESTLINGS</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101" title="Page 101">102</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="19">XIX.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">MISSEL-THRUSHES AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106" title="Page106">106</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="206">XX.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">YELLOW-HAMMER, OR YELLOW-HEAD, AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111" title="Page 111">112</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="21">XXI.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">MAGPIE AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115" title="Page 115">116</a></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="chn">”</td> - <td class="cont2"><abbr title="22">XXII.</abbr></td> - <td class="cont3">—<span class="allsmcap">NUTHATCH AND NEST</span></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120" title="Page120">120</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_006"><img src="images/i-006.jpg" alt="four eggs in a nest" width="458" height="400" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_007"><img src="images/i-007.jpg" alt="two birds on tree branch" width="796" height="650" /></a> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Birds_and_their_Nests"><em>Birds and their Nests.</em></h2> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTORY_CHAPTER">INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> birds in these pictures of ours have all nests, which is as it -should be; for how could the bird rear its young without its little -home and soft little bed, any more than children could be comfortably -brought up without either a bed to lie upon, or a home in which to be -happy.</p> - -<p>Birds-nests, though you may find them in every bush, are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> wonderful -things. Let us talk about them. They are all alike in the purpose for -which they are intended, but no two families of birds build exactly -alike; all the wrens, for instance, have their kind of nest; the -thrushes have theirs; so has the swallow tribe; so has the sparrow, -or the rook. They do not imitate one another, but each adheres to its -own plan, as God, the great builder and artist, as well as Creator, -taught them from the very beginning. The first nightingale, that sang -its hymn of joyful thanksgiving in the Garden of Paradise, built -its nest just the same as the bird you listened to last year in the -coppice. The materials were there, and the bird knew how to make use -of them; and that is perhaps the most wonderful part of it, for she -has no implements to work with: no needle and thread, no scissors, no -hammer and nails; nothing but her own little feet and bill, and her -round little breast, upon which to mould it; for it is generally the -mother-bird which is the chief builder.</p> - -<p>No sooner is the nest wanted for the eggs which she is about to lay, -than the hitherto slumbering faculty of constructiveness is awakened, -and she selects the angle of the branch, or the hollow in the bank or -in the wall, or the tangle of reeds, or the platform of twigs on the -tree-top, exactly the right place for her, the selection being always -the same according to her tribe, and true to the instinct which was -implanted in her at the first.</p> - -<p>So the building begins: dry grass or leaves, little twigs and -root-fibres, hair or down, whether of feather or winged seed, spangled -outside with silvery lichen, or embroidered with green mosses, less -for beauty, perhaps—though it is so beautiful—than for the birds’ -safety, because it so exactly imitates the bank or the tree-trunk in -which it is built. Or it may be that her tenement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> is clay-built, like -that of the swallow; or lath and plaster, so to speak, like an old -country house, as is the fashion of the magpie; or a platform of rude -sticks, like the first rudiment of a basket up in the tree-branches, as -that of the wood-pigeon: she may be a carpenter like the woodpecker, -a tunneller like the sand-martin; or she may knead and glue together -the materials of her nest, till they resemble thick felt; but in all -this she is exactly what the great Creator made her at first, equally -perfect in skill, and equally undeviating year after year. This is very -wonderful, so that we may be quite sure that the sparrow’s nest, which -David remarked in the house of God, was exactly the same as the sparrow -built in the days of the blessed Saviour, when He, pointing to that -bird, made it a proof to man that God’s Providence ever watches over -him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Jules Michelet on Birds.</em></div> - -<p>Nevertheless, with this unaltered and unalterable working after one -pattern, in every species of bird, there is a choice or an adaptation -of material allowed: thus the bird will, within certain limits, select -that which is fittest for its purpose, producing, however, in the end, -precisely the same effect. I will tell you what Jules Michelet, a -French writer, who loves birds as we do, writes on this subject:—“The -bird in building its nest,” he says, “makes it of that beautiful -cup-like or cradle form by pressing it down, kneading it and shaping -it upon her own breast.” He says, as I have just told you, that the -mother-bird builds, and that the he-bird is her purveyor. He fetches in -the materials: grasses, mosses, roots, or twigs, singing many a song -between whiles; and she arranges all with loving reference; first, -to the delicate egg which must be bedded in soft material; then to -the little one which, coming from the egg naked, must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> not only be -cradled in soft comfort, but kept alive by her warmth. So the he-bird, -supposing it to be a linnet, brings her some horse-hair: it is stiff -and hard; nevertheless, it is proper for the purpose, and serves as a -lower stratum of the nest—a sort of elastic mattress: he brings her -hemp; it is cold, but it serves for the same purpose. Then comes the -covering and the lining; and for this nothing but the soft silky fibre -of certain plants, wool or cotton, or, better still, the down from her -own breast, will satisfy her. It is interesting, he says, to watch the -he-bird’s skilful and furtive search for materials; he is afraid if he -see you watching, that you may discover the track to his nest; and, in -order to mislead you, he takes a different road back to it. You may see -him following the sheep to get a little lock of wool, or alighting in -the poultry yard on the search for dropped feathers. If the farmer’s -wife chance to leave her wheel, whilst spinning in the porch, he steals -in for a morsel of flax from the distaff. He knows what is the right -kind of thing; and let him be in whatever country he may, he selects -that which answers the purpose; and the nest which is built is that of -the linnet all the world over.</p> - -<p>Again he tells us, that there are other birds which, instead of -building, bring up their young underground, in little earth cradles -which they have prepared for them. Of building-birds, he thinks the -queerest must be the flamingo, which lays her eggs on a pile of mud -which she has raised above the flooded earth, and, standing erect all -the time, hatches them under her long legs. It does seem a queer, -uncomfortable way; but if it answer its end, we need not object to it. -Of carpenter-birds, he thinks the thrush is the most remarkable; other -writers say the woodpecker. The shore-birds plait their nests, not very -skilfully it is true, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> sufficiently well for their purpose. They -are clothed by nature with such an oily, impermeable coat of plumage, -that they have little need to care about climate; they have enough to -do to look after their fishing, and to feed themselves and their young; -for all these sea-side families have immense appetites.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>How various Birds Build.</em></div> - -<p>Herons and storks build in a sort of basket-making fashion; so do the -jays and the mocking birds, only in a much better way; but as they -have all large families they are obliged to do so. They lay down, in -the first place, a sort of rude platform, upon which they erect a -basket-like nest of more or less elegant design, a web of roots and dry -twigs strongly woven together. The little golden-crested wren hangs her -purse-like nest to a bough, and, as in the nursery song, “When the wind -blows the cradle rocks.” An Australian bird, a kind of fly-catcher, -called there the razor-grinder, from its note resembling the sound of -a razor-grinder at work, builds her nest on the slightest twig hanging -over the water, in order to protect it from snakes which climb after -them. She chooses for her purpose a twig so slender that it would not -bear the weight of the snake, and thus she is perfectly safe from her -enemy. The same, probably, is the cause why in tropical countries, -where snakes and monkeys, and such bird-enemies abound, nests are so -frequently suspended by threads or little cords from slender boughs.</p> - -<p>The canary, the goldfinch, and chaffinch, are skilful cloth-weavers -or felt makers; the latter, restless and suspicious, speckles the -outside of her nest with a quantity of white lichen, so that it -exactly imitates the tree branch on which it is placed, and can hardly -be detected by the most accustomed eye. Glueing and felting play an -important part in the work of the bird-weavers.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> The humming-bird, for -instance, consolidates her little house with the gum of trees. The -American starling sews the leaves together with her bill; other birds -use not only their bills, but their feet. Having woven a cord, they fix -it as a web with their feet, and insert the weft, as the weaver would -throw his shuttle, with their bill. These are genuine weavers. In fine, -their skill never fails them. The truth is, that the great Creator -never gives any creature work to do without giving him at the same time -an inclination to do it—which, in the animal, is instinct—and tools -sufficient for the work, though they may be only the delicate feet and -bill of the bird.</p> - -<p>And now, in conclusion, let me describe to you the nest of the little -English long-tailed titmouse as I saw it many years ago, and which I -give from “Sketches of Natural History”:—</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Titmouse’s Nest.</em></div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent4">There, where those boughs of blackthorn cross,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Behold that oval ball of moss;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Observe it near, all knit together,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Moss, willow-down, and many a feather,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And filled within, as you may see,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">As full of feathers as can be;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Whence it is called by country folk,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">A fitting name, the feather-poke;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">But learned people, I have heard,</div> - <div class="verse indent4"><em>Parus caudatus</em> call the bird.</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Yes, here’s a nest! a nest indeed,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">That doth all other nests exceed,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Propped with the blackthorn twigs beneath,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And festooned with a woodbine wreath!</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Look at it close, all knit together,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Moss, willow-down, and many a feather;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">So soft, so light, so wrought with grace,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">So suited to this green-wood place,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And spangled o’er, as with the intent</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span></p> - <div class="verse indent4">Of giving fitting ornament,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">With silvery flakes of lichen bright,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">That shine like opals, dazzling white.</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Think only of the creature small,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">That wrought this soft and silvery ball,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Without a tool to aid her skill,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Nought but her little feet and bill—</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Without a pattern whence to trace</div> - <div class="verse indent4">This little roofed-in dwelling place—</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And does not in your bosom spring</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Love for this skilful little thing?</div> - <div class="verse indent4">See, there’s a window in the wall;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Peep in, the house is not so small,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">But snug and cosy you shall see</div> - <div class="verse indent4">A very numerous family!</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Now count them: one, two, three, four, five—</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Nay, <em>sixteen</em> merry things alive—</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Sixteen young, chirping things all sit,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Where you, your wee hand, could not get!</div> - <div class="verse indent4">I’m glad you’ve seen it, for you never</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Saw ought before so soft and clever.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_013"><img src="images/i-013.jpg" alt="bird on branch" width="497" height="500" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE WREN.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Truly</span> the little Wren, so beautifully depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir, -with her tiny body, her pretty, lively, and conceited ways, her short, -little turned-up tail, and delicate plumage, is worthy of our tender -regard and love.</p> - -<p>The colouring of the wren is soft and subdued—a reddish-brown colour; -the breast of a light greyish-brown; and all the hinder parts, both -above and below, marked with wavy lines of dusky-brown, with two bands -of white dots across the wings.</p> - -<p>Its habits are remarkably lively and attractive. “I know no pleasanter -object,” says the agreeable author of “British Birds,” “than the wren; -it is always so smart and cheerful. In gloomy weather other birds -often seem melancholy, and in rain the sparrows and finches stand -silent on the twigs, with drooping wings and disarranged plumage; but -to the merry little wren all weathers are alike. The big drops of the -thunder-shower no more wet it than the drizzle of a Scotch mist; and as -it peeps from beneath the bramble, or glances from a hole in the wall, -it seems as snug as a kitten frisking on the parlour rug.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_015"><img src="images/i-015.jpg" alt="" width="473" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">WRENS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_8" title="Page 8">Page 8.</a></p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>A Builder of Many Nests.</em></div> - -<p>“It is amusing,” he continues, “to watch the motions of a young family -of wrens just come abroad. Walking among furze, broom, or juniper, you -are attracted to some bush by <span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span>hearing issue from it the frequent -repetition of a sound resembling the syllable <em>chit</em>. On going -up you perceive an old wren flitting about the twigs, and presently -a young one flies off, uttering a stifled <em>chirr</em>, to conceal -itself among the bushes. Several follow, whilst the parents continue to -flutter about in great alarm, uttering their <em>chit, chit</em>, with -various degrees of excitement.”</p> - -<p>The nest of the wren is a wonderful structure, of which I shall have a -good deal to say. It begins building in April, and is not by any means -particular in situation. Sometimes it builds in the hole of a wall -or tree; sometimes, as in this lovely little picture of ours, in the -mossy hollow of a primrose-covered bank; and because it was formerly -supposed to live only in holes or little caves, it received the name of -<em>Troglodytes</em>, or cave-dweller. But it builds equally willingly in -the thatch of out-buildings, in barn-lofts, or tree-branches, either -when growing apart or nailed against a wall, amongst ivy or other -climbing plants; in fact, it seems to be of such a happy disposition as -to adapt itself to a great variety of situations. It is a singular fact -that it will often build several nests in one season—not that it needs -so many separate dwellings, or that it finishes them when built; but it -builds as if for the very pleasure of the work. Our naturalist says, -speaking of this odd propensity, “that, whilst the hen is sitting, the -he-bird, as if from a desire to be doing something, will construct as -many as half-a-dozen nests near the first, none of which, however, -are lined with feathers; and that whilst the true nest, on which the -mother-bird is sitting, will be carefully concealed, these sham nests -are open to view. Some say that as the wrens, during the cold weather, -sleep in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> some snug, warm hole, they frequently occupy these extra -nests as winter-bedchambers, four or five, or even more, huddling -together, to keep one another warm.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Weir, a friend of the author I have just quoted, says this was the -case in his own garden; and that, during the winter, when the ground -was covered with snow, two of the extra nests were occupied at night by -a little family of seven, which had hatched in the garden. He was very -observant of their ways, and says it was amusing to see one of the old -wrens, coming a little before sunset and standing a few inches from the -nest, utter his little cry till the whole number of them had arrived. -Nor were they long about it; they very soon answered the call, flying -from all quarters—the seven young ones and the other parent-bird—and -then at once nestled into their snug little dormitory. It was also -remarkable that when the wind blew from the east they occupied a nest -which had its opening to the west, and when it blew from the west, then -one that opened to the east, so that it was evident they knew how to -make themselves comfortable.</p> - -<p>And now as regards the building of these little homes. I will, as far -as I am able, give you the details of the whole business from the diary -of the same gentleman, which is as accurate as if the little wren had -kept it himself, and which will just as well refer to the little nest -in the primrose bank as to the nest in the Spanish juniper-tree, where, -in fact, it was built.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>How a Nest was built.</em></div> - -<p>“On the 30th of May, therefore, you must imagine a little pair of -wrens, having, after a great deal of consultation, made up their minds -to build themselves a home in the branches of a Spanish juniper. The -female, at about seven o’clock in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> morning, laid the foundation -with the decayed leaf of a lime-tree. Some men were at work cutting -a drain not far off, but she took no notice of them, and worked away -industriously, carrying to her work bundles of dead leaves as big -as herself, her mate, seeming the while to be delighted with her -industry, seated not far off in a Portugal laurel, where he watched -her, singing to her, and so doing, making her labour, no doubt, light -and pleasant. From eight o’clock to nine she worked like a little -slave, carrying in leaves, and then selecting from them such as suited -her purpose and putting aside the rest. This was the foundation of the -nest, which she rendered compact by pressing it down with her breast, -and turning herself round in it: then she began to rear the sides. -And now the delicate and difficult part of the work began, and she -was often away for eight or ten minutes together. From the inside she -built the underpart of the aperture with the stalks of leaves, which -she fitted together very ingeniously with moss. The upper part of it -was constructed solely with the last-mentioned material. To round it -and give it the requisite solidity, she pressed it with her breast and -wings, turning the body round in various directions. Most wonderful to -tell, about seven o’clock in the evening the whole outside workmanship -of this snug little erection was almost complete.</p> - -<p>“Being very anxious to examine the interior of it, I went out for that -purpose at half-past two the next morning. I introduced my finger, -the birds not being there, and found its structure so close, that -though it had rained in the night, yet that it was quite dry. The -birds at this early hour were singing as if in ecstasy, and at about -three o’clock the little he-wren came<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> and surveyed his domicile with -evident satisfaction; then, flying to the top of a tree, began singing -most merrily. In half-an-hour’s time the hen-bird made her appearance, -and, going into the nest, remained there about five minutes, rounding -the entrance by pressing it with her breast and the shoulders of her -wings. For the next hour she went out and came back five times with -fine moss in her bill, with which she adjusted a small depression in -the fore-part of it; then, after twenty minutes’ absence, returned -with a bundle of leaves to fill up a vacancy which she had discovered -in the back of the structure. Although it was a cold morning, with -wind and rain, the male bird sang delightfully; but between seven and -eight o’clock, either having received a reproof from his wife for his -indolence, or being himself seized with an impulse to work, he began -to help her, and for the next ten minutes brought in moss, and worked -at the inside of the nest. At eleven o’clock both of them flew off, -either for a little recreation, or for their dinners, and were away -till a little after one. From this time till four o’clock both worked -industriously, bringing in fine moss; then, during another hour, the -hen-bird brought in a feather three times. So that day came to an end.</p> - -<p>“The next morning, June 1st, they did not begin their work early, as -was evident to Mr. Weir, because having placed a slender leaf-stalk -at the entrance, there it remained till half-past eight o’clock, when -the two began to work as the day before with fine moss, the he-bird -leaving off, however, every now and then to express his satisfaction on -a near tree-top. Again, this day, they went off either for dinner or -amusement; then came back and worked for another hour, bringing in fine -moss and feathers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Patient Industry of this Bird.</em></div> - -<p>“The next morning the little he-wren seemed in a regular ecstasy, -and sang incessantly till half-past nine, when they both brought in -moss and feathers, working on for about two hours, and again they -went off, remaining away an hour later than usual. Their work was now -nearly over, and they seemed to be taking their leisure, when all at -once the hen-bird, who was sitting in her nest and looking out at her -door, espied a man half-hidden by an arbor vitæ. It was no other than -her good friend, but that she did not know; all men were terrible, -as enemies to her race, and at once she set up her cry of alarm. The -he-bird, on hearing this, appeared in a great state of agitation, and -though the frightful monster immediately ran off, the little creatures -pursued him, scolding vehemently.</p> - -<p>“The next day they worked again with feathers and fine moss, and again -went off after having brought in a few more feathers. So they did for -the next five days; working leisurely, and latterly only with feathers. -On the tenth day the nest was finished, and the little mother-bird laid -her first egg in it.”</p> - -<p>Where is the boy, let him be as ruthless a bird-nester as he may, who -could have the heart to take a wren’s nest, only to tear it to pieces, -after reading the history of this patient labour of love?</p> - -<p>The wren, like various other small birds, cannot bear that their nests -or eggs should be touched; they are always disturbed and distressed by -it, and sometimes even will desert their nest and eggs in consequence. -On one occasion, therefore, this good, kind-hearted friend of every -bird that builds, carefully put his finger into a wren’s nest, during -the mother’s absence, to ascertain whether the young were hatched; on -her return,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> perceiving that the entrance had been touched, she set up -a doleful lamentation, carefully rounded it again with her breast and -wings, so as to bring everything into proper order, after which she and -her mate attended to their young. These particular young ones, only six -in number, were fed by their parents 278 times in the course of a day. -This was a small wren-family; and if there had been twelve, or even -sixteen, as is often the case, what an amount of labour and care the -birds must have had! But they would have been equal to it, and merry -all the time.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">For all these little creatures, which so lightly we regard,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">They love to do their duty, and they never think it hard.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_022"><img src="images/i-022.jpg" alt="a bee flying around a nest" width="441" height="500" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE GOLDFINCH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Goldfinch, which is cousin to the Linnet, is wonderfully clever and -docile, as I shall show you presently. In the first place, however, -let me say a word or two about bird cleverness in general, which I -copy from Jules Michelet’s interesting work, “The Bird.” Speaking of -the great, cruel, and rapacious family of the <em>Raptores</em>, or -Birds of Prey, he expresses satisfaction in the idea that this race of -destroyers is decreasing, and that there may come a time when they no -longer exist on the earth. He has no admiration for them, though they -may be the swiftest of the swift, and the strongest of the strong, -because they put forth none of the higher qualities of courage, -address, or patient endurance in taking their prey, which are all weak -and powerless in comparison with themselves; their poor unoffending -victims. “All these cruel tyrants of the air,” he says, “like the -serpents, have flattened skulls, which show the want of intellect and -intelligence. These birds of prey, with their small brains, offer a -striking contrast to the amiable and intelligent species which we find -amongst the smaller birds. The head of the former is only a beak, that -of the latter is a face.” Afterwards, to prove this more strongly, he -gives a table to show the proportion of brain to the size of the body -in these different species of birds. Thus the chaffinch, the sparrow,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -and the goldfinch, have more than six times as much brain as the eagle -in proportion to the size of the body. We may look, therefore, for no -less than six times his intelligence and docile ability. Whilst in the -case of the little tomtit it is thirteen times as much.</p> - -<p>But now for the goldfinch, of which our cut—which is both faithful -and beautiful—shows us a pair, evidently contemplating with much -satisfaction the nest which they have just finished on one of the -topmost boughs of a blossomy apple-tree. This nest is a wonderful -little fabric, built of moss, dry grass, and slender roots, lined with -hair, wool, and thistle-down; but the true wonder of the nest is the -exact manner in which the outside is made to imitate the bough upon -which it is placed. All its little ruggednesses and lichen growths -are represented, whilst the colouring is so exactly that of the old -apple-tree that it is almost impossible to know it from the branch -itself. Wonderful ingenuity of instinct, which human skill would find -it almost impossible to imitate!</p> - -<p>The bird lays mostly five eggs, which are of a bluish-grey, spotted -with greyish-purple or brown, and sometimes with a dark streak or two.</p> - -<p>The goldfinch is one of the most beautiful of our English birds, with -its scarlet forehead, and quaint little black velvet-like cap brought -down over its white cheeks; its back is cinnamon brown, and its breast -white; its wings are beautifully varied in black and white, as are also -its tail feathers. In the midland counties it is known as “The Proud -Tailor,” probably because its attire looks so bright and fresh, and it -has a lively air as if conscious of being well dressed.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_025"><img src="images/i-025.jpg" alt="" width="494" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">GOLDFINCHES AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_16" title="Page 16">Page 16.</a></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Daily Life of this Bird.</em></div> - -<p>Like its relation, the linnet, it congregates in flocks as soon as -its young can take wing, when they may be seen wheeling round in -the pleasant late summer and autumn fields, full of life, and in -the enjoyment of the plenty that surrounds them, in the ripened -thistle-down, and all such winged seeds as are then floating in the air.</p> - -<p>How often have I said it is worth while to go out into the woods and -fields, and, bringing yourself into a state of quietness, watch the -little birds in their life’s employment, building their nests, feeding -their young, or pursuing their innocent diversions! So now, on this -pleasant, still autumn afternoon, if you will go into the old pasture -fields where the thistles have not been stubbed up for generations, or -on the margin of the old lane where ragwort, and groundsel, and burdock -flourish abundantly, “let us,” as the author of “British Birds” says, -“stand still to observe a flock of goldfinches. They flutter over the -plants, cling to the stalks, bend in various attitudes, disperse the -down, already dry and winged, like themselves, for flight, pick them -out one by one and swallow them. Then comes a stray cow followed by a -herd boy. At once the birds cease their labour, pause for a moment, -and fly off in succession. You observe how lightly and buoyantly -they cleave the air, each fluttering its little wings, descending in -a curved line, mounting again, and speeding along. Anon they alight -in a little thicket of dried weeds, and, in settling, display to the -delighted eye the beautiful tints of their plumage, as with fluttering -wings and expanded tail, they hover for a moment to select a landing -place amid the prickly points of the stout thistles whose heads are now -bursting with downy-winged seeds.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Goldfinch.</em></div> - -<p>The song of the goldfinch, which begins about the end of March, is -very sweet, unassuming, and low—similar to that of the linnet, but -singularly varied and pleasant.</p> - -<p>Now, however, we must give a few instances of this bird’s teachable -sagacity, which, indeed, are so numerous that it is difficult to make a -selection.</p> - -<p>Mr. Syme, in his “British Song Birds,” says, “The goldfinch is easily -tamed and taught, and its capacity for learning the notes of other -birds is well known. A few years ago the Sieur Roman exhibited a number -of trained birds: they were goldfinches, linnets, and canaries. One -appeared dead, and was held up by the tail or claw without exhibiting -any signs of life; a second stood on its head with its claws in the -air; a third imitated a Dutch milkmaid going to market with pails on -its shoulders; a fourth mimicked a Venetian girl looking out at a -window; a fifth appeared as a soldier, and mounted guard as a sentinel; -whilst a sixth acted as a cannonier, with a cap on its head, a firelock -on its shoulder, and a match in its claw, and discharged a small -cannon. The same bird also acted as if it had been wounded. It was -wheeled in a barrow as if to convey it to the hospital, after which -it flew away before the whole company. The seventh turned a kind of -windmill; and the last bird stood in the midst of some fireworks which -were discharged all round it, and this without showing the least sign -of fear.”</p> - -<p>Others, as I have said, may be taught to draw up their food and water, -as from a well, in little buckets. All this is very wonderful, and -shows great docility in the bird; but I cannot greatly admire it, from -the secret fear that cruelty or harshness<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> may have been used to teach -them these arts so contrary to their nature. At all events it proves -what teachable and clever little creatures they are, how readily they -may be made to understand the will of their master, and how obediently -and faithfully they act according to it.</p> - -<p>Man, however, should always stand as a human Providence to the -animal world. In him the creatures should ever find their friend and -protector; and were it so we should then see many an astonishing -faculty displayed; and birds would then, instead of being the most -timid of animals, gladden and beautify our daily life by their sweet -songs, their affectionate regard, and their amusing and imitative -little arts.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Introduced into Pictures.</em></div> - -<p>The early Italian and German painters introduce a goldfinch into their -beautiful sacred pictures—generally on the ground—hopping at the feet -of some martyred saint or love-commissioned angel, perhaps from an old -legend of the bird’s sympathy with the suffering Saviour, or from an -intuitive sense that the divine spirit of Christianity extends to bird -and beast as well as to man.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_029"><img src="images/i-029.jpg" alt="bird's nest" width="190" height="200" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE SONG THRUSH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> have here a charming picture of one of the finest and noblest of -our song-birds—the thrush, throstle, or mavis. The trees are yet -leafless, but the bird is in the act of building, whilst her mate, on -the tree-top, pours forth his exquisite melody. The almost completed -nest, like a richly ornamented bowl, is before us.</p> - -<p>This bird belongs to a grandly musical family, being own cousin to the -missel-thrush and the blackbird, each one having a kindred song, but -all, at the same time, distinctly characteristic.</p> - -<p>The colouring of the thrush is soft and very pleasing; the upper parts -of a yellowish-brown; the chin, white; the under part of the body, -grayish white; the throat, breast, and sides of the neck, yellowish, -thickly spotted with dark brown.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_031"><img src="images/i-031.jpg" alt="" width="478" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">SONG THRUSH AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_20" title="Page 20">Page 20.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The thrush remains with us the whole year, and may occasionally be -heard singing even in the winter, though April, May, and June are the -months when he is in fullest song. They pair in March, and by the end -of that month, or early in April, begin to build. They have several -broods in the year. The nest, which, as we see, is commodious, is -placed at no great height from the ground, in a thick bush or hedge, -and sometimes, also, in a rough bank, amongst bushes and undergrowth. -They are particularly fond of spruce-fir plantations, building on -one of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>the low, spreading branches, close to the stem. Though the -structure is so solid and substantial, yet it is built very rapidly; -indeed, the thrush seems to be wide awake in all its movements; he -is no loiterer, and does his work well. As a proof of his expedition -I will mention that a pair of these birds began to build a second, -perhaps, indeed, it might be a third nest, on a Thursday, June 15; on -Friday afternoon the nest was finished, and on Saturday morning the -first egg was laid, though the interior plastering was not then dry. On -the 21st the hen began to sit, and on the 17th of July the young birds -were hatched.</p> - -<p>The frame-work, so to speak, of the nest is composed of twigs, roots, -grasses, and moss, the two latter being brought to the outside. Inside -it is lined with a thin plastering of mud, cow-dung, and rotten wood, -which is laid on quite smoothly, almost like the glaze on earthenware; -nor is there an internal covering between this and the eggs. The -circular form of the nest is as perfect as a bowl shaped upon a -lathe, and often contracts inwards at the top. The eggs, which are -generally five in number, are of a bright blue-green, spotted over with -brownish-black, these spots being more numerous at the larger end.</p> - -<p>The food of the thrush is mostly of an animal character, as worms, -slugs, and snails; and, by seasides, small molluscs, as whelks and -periwinkles. On all such as are enclosed in shells he exercises his -ingenuity in a remarkable way. We ourselves lived at one time in an -old house standing in an old garden where were many ancient trees and -out-buildings, in the old ivied roots and walls of which congregated -great quantities of shell-snails. One portion of this garden, which -enclosed an old,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> disused dairy, was a great resort of thrushes, where -they had, so to speak, their stones of sacrifice, around which lay -heaps of the broken shells of snails, their victims. I have repeatedly -watched them at work: hither they brought their snails, and, taking -their stand by the stone with the snail in their beak, struck it -repeatedly against the stone, till, the shell being smashed, they -picked it out as easily as the oyster is taken from its opened shell. -This may seem easy work with the slender-shelled snail, but the labour -is considerably greater with hard shell-fish. On this subject the -intelligent author of “British Birds” says, that many years ago, when -in the Isle of Harris, he frequently heard a sharp sound as of one -small stone being struck upon another, the cause of which he, for a -considerable time, sought for in vain. At length, one day, being in -search of birds when the tide was out, he heard the well-known click, -and saw a bird standing between two flat stones, moving its head and -body alternately up and down, each downward motion being accompanied -by the sound which had hitherto been so mysterious. Running up to the -spot, he found a thrush, which, flying off, left a whelk, newly-broken, -lying amongst fragments of shells lying around the stone.</p> - -<p>Thrushes are remarkably clean and neat with regard to their nests, -suffering no litter or impurity to lie about, and in this way are a -great example to many untidy people. Their domestic character, too, -is excellent, the he-bird now and then taking the place of the hen on -the eggs, and, when not doing so, feeding her as she sits. When the -young are hatched, the parents may be seen, by those who will watch -them silently and patiently, frequently stretching out the wings of -the young as if to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> exercise them, and pruning and trimming their -feathers. To put their love of cleanliness to the proof, a gentleman, -a great friend of all birds, had some sticky mud rubbed upon the backs -of two of the young ones whilst the parents were absent. On their -return, either by their own keen sense of propriety, or, perhaps, the -complaint of the young ones, they saw what had happened, and were not -only greatly disconcerted, but very angry, and instantly set to work to -clean the little unfortunates, which, strange to say, they managed to -do by making use of dry earth, which they brought to the nest for that -purpose. Human intellect could not have suggested a better mode.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>How a Day was spent.</em></div> - -<p>This same gentleman determined to spend a whole day in discovering how -the thrushes spent it. Hiding himself, therefore, in a little hut of -fir boughs, he began his observations in the early morning of the 8th -of June. At half-past two o’clock, the birds began to feed their brood, -and in two hours had fed them thirty-six times. It was now half-past -five, the little birds were all wide awake, and one of them, whilst -pruning its feathers, lost its balance and fell out of the nest to the -ground. On this the old ones set up the most doleful lamentations, and -the gentleman, coming out of his retreat, put the little one back into -the nest. This kind action, however, wholly disconcerted the parents, -nor did they again venture to feed their young till an artifice -of the gentleman led them to suppose that he was gone from their -neighbourhood. No other event happened to them through the day, and by -half-past nine o’clock at night, when all went to rest, the young ones -had been fed two hundred and six times.</p> - -<p>Thrushes, however, become occasionally so extremely tame that the -female will remain upon her eggs and feed her young,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> without any -symptom of alarm, in the close neighbourhood of man. Of this I will -give an instance from Bishop Stanley’s “History of Birds”—</p> - -<p>“A short time ago, in Scotland, some carpenters working in a shed -adjacent to the house observed a thrush flying in and out, which -induced them to direct their attention to the cause, when, to their -surprise, they found a nest commenced amongst the teeth of a harrow, -which, with other farming tools and implements, was placed upon the -joists of the shed, just over their heads. The carpenters had arrived -soon after six o’clock, and at seven, when they found the nest, it was -in a great state of forwardness, and had evidently been the morning’s -work of a pair of these indefatigable birds. Their activity throughout -the day was incessant; and, when the workmen came the next morning, -they found the female seated in her half-finished mansion, and, when -she flew off for a short time, it was found that she had laid an egg. -When all was finished, the he-bird took his share of the labour, and, -in thirteen days, the young birds were out of their shells, the refuse -of which the old ones carried away from the spot. All this seems to -have been carefully observed by the workmen; and it is much to their -credit that they were so quiet and friendly as to win the confidence of -the birds.”</p> - -<p>The song of the thrush is remarkable for its rich, mellow intonation, -and for the great variety of its notes.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Wordsworth’s Verses on the Thrush.</em></div> - -<p>Unfortunately for the thrush, its exquisite power as a songster makes -it by no means an unusual prisoner. You are often startled by hearing, -from the doleful upper window of some dreary court or alley of London, -or some other large town, an outpouring of joyous, full-souled melody -from an imprisoned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> thrush, which, perfect as it is, saddens you, as -being so wholly out of place. Yet who can say how the song of that bird -may speak to the soul of many a town-imprisoned passer-by? Wordsworth -thus touchingly describes an incident of this kind:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">At the corner of Wood Street, when daylight appears,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Hangs a thrush that sings loud; it has sung for three years:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Poor Susan has passed by the spot, and has heard,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In the silence of morning, the song of the bird.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Green pastures she views in the midst of the dale,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Down which she so often has tripped with her pail,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And a single small cottage, a nest like a dove’s,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The one only dwelling on earth which she loves.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">’Tis a note of enchantment; what ails her? she sees</div> - <div class="verse indent0">A mountain ascending, a vision of trees;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Bright volumes of vapour through Lothbury glide,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And a river flows on through the vale of Cheapside.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">She looks, and her heart is in heaven: but they fade—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The mist and the river, the hill, sun, and shade;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The stream will not flow, and the hill will not rise,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And the colours have all passed away from her eyes.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_037"><img src="images/i-037.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="137" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE BLACKBIRD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Blackbird is familiar to us all. It is a thoroughly English bird, -and, with its cousin the thrush, is not only one of the pleasantest -features in our English spring and summer landscape, but both figure -in our old poetry and ballads, as the “merle and the mavis,” “the -blackbird and the throstle-cock;” for those old poets loved the -country, and could not speak of the greenwood without the bird.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">When shaws are sheen and fields are fair,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And leaves both large and long,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">’Tis merry walk’ng in the green forest</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To hear the wild birds’ song;</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">The wood merle sings, and will not cease,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Sitting upon a spray;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The merle and the mavis shout their fill,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">From morn till the set of day.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_039"><img src="images/i-039.jpg" alt="" width="474" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">BLACKBIRD AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_26" title="Page 26">Page 26.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The blackbird takes its name from a very intelligible cause—its -perfectly black plumage, which, however, is agreeably relieved by the -bright orange of its bill, the orange circles round its eyes, and its -yellow feet; though this is peculiar only to the male, nor does he -assume this distinguishing colour till his second year. The female is -of a dusky-brown colour.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Notes of the Blackbird.</em></div> - -<p>Sometimes the singular variety of a <em>white</em> blackbird occurs, -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>which seems to astonish even its fellow birds; the same phenomenon -also occurs amongst sparrows; a fatal distinction to the poor birds, -who are in consequence very soon shot.</p> - -<p>This bird is one of our finest singers. His notes are solemn and -flowing, unlike those of the thrush, which are short, quick, and -extremely varied. The one bird is more lyrical, the other sings in -a grand epic strain. A friend of ours, deeply versed in bird-lore, -maintains that the blackbird is oratorical, and sings as if delivering -an eloquent rhythmical oration.</p> - -<p>This bird begins to sing early in the year, and continues his song -during the whole time that the hen is sitting. Like his relatives, the -thrush and the missel-thrush, he takes his post on the highest branch -of a tree, near his nest, so that his song is heard far and wide; and -in fact, through the whole pleasant spring you hear the voices of these -three feathered kings of English song constantly filling the woods and -fields with their melody. The blackbird sings deliciously in rain, even -during a thunderstorm, with the lightning flashing round him. Indeed, -both he and the thrush seem to take great delight in summer showers.</p> - -<p>The blackbird has a peculiar call, to give notice to his brood of the -approach of danger; probably, however, it belongs both to male and -female. Again, there is a third note, very peculiar also, heard only -in the dusk of evening, and which seems pleasingly in harmony with the -approaching shadows of night. By this note they call each other to -roost, in the same way as partridges call each other to assemble at -night, however far they may be asunder.</p> - -<p>The nest of the blackbird is situated variously; most frequently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> in -the thicker parts of hedges; sometimes in the hollow of a stump or -amongst the curled and twisted roots of old trees, which, projecting -from the banks of woods or woodland lanes, wreathed with their trails -of ivy, afford the most picturesque little hollows for the purpose. -Again, it may be found under the roof of out-houses or cart-sheds, -laid on the wall-plate; and very frequently in copses, in the stumps -of pollard trees, partly concealed by their branches; and is often -begun before the leaves are on the trees. The nest is composed of dry -bents, and lined with fine dry grass. The hen generally lays five eggs, -which are of a dusky bluish-green, thickly covered with black spots; -altogether very much resembling those of crows, rooks, magpies, and -that class of birds.</p> - -<p>Universal favourite as the blackbird deservedly is, yet, in common with -the thrush, all gardeners are their enemies from the great liking they -have for his fruit, especially currants, raspberries, and cherries. -There is, however, something very amusing, though, at the same time, -annoying, in the sly way by which they approach these fruits, quite -aware that they are on a mischievous errand. They steal along, flying -low and silently, and, if observed, will hide themselves in the nearest -growth of garden plants, scarlet runners, or Jerusalem artichokes, -where they remain as still as mice, till they think the human enemy has -moved off. If, however, instead of letting them skulk quietly in their -hiding-place, he drives them away, they fly off with a curious note, -very like a little chuckling laugh of defiance, as if they would say, -“Ha! ha! we shall soon be back again!” which they very soon are.</p> - -<p>But we must not begrudge them their share, though they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> neither have -dug the ground nor sowed the seed, for very dull and joyless indeed -would be the garden and the gardener’s toil, and the whole country in -short, if there were no birds—no blackbirds and thrushes—to gladden -our hearts, and make the gardens, as well as the woods and fields, -joyous with their melody. Like all good singers, these birds expect, -and deserve, good payment.</p> - -<p>The blackbird, though naturally unsocial and keeping much to itself, -is very bold in defence of its young, should they be in danger, or -attacked by any of the numerous bird-enemies, which abound everywhere, -especially to those which are in immediate association with man. The -Rev. J. G. Wood tells us, for instance, that on one occasion a prowling -cat was forced to make an ignominious retreat before the united onset -of a pair of blackbirds, on whose young she was about to make an attack.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><cite>Macgillivray’s Account.</cite></div> - -<p>Let me now, in conclusion, give a day with a family of blackbirds, -which I somewhat curtail from Macgillivray.</p> - -<p>“On Saturday morning, June 10th, I went into a little hut made of green -branches, at half-past two in the morning, to see how the blackbirds -spend the day at home. They lived close by, in a hole in an old wall, -which one or other of them had occupied for a number of years.</p> - -<p>“At a quarter-past three they began to feed their young, which were -four in number. She was the most industrious in doing so; and when he -was not feeding, he was singing most deliciously. Towards seven o’clock -the father-bird induced one of the young ones to fly out after him. -But this was a little mistake, and, the bird falling, I was obliged to -help it into its nest again, which made a little family commotion. They -were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> exceedingly tidy about their nest, and when a little rubbish fell -out they instantly carried it away. At ten o’clock the feeding began -again vigorously, and continued till two, both parent-birds supplying -their young almost equally.</p> - -<p>“The hut in which I sat was very closely covered; but a little wren -having alighted on the ground in pursuit of a fly, and seeing one of -my legs moving, set up a cry of alarm, on which, in the course of a -few seconds, all the birds in the neighbourhood collected to know what -was the matter. The blackbird hopped round the hut again and again, -making every effort to peep in, even alighting on the top within a few -inches of my head, but not being able to make any discovery, the tumult -subsided. It was probably considered a false alarm, and the blackbirds -went on feeding their young till almost four o’clock: and now came the -great event of the day.</p> - -<p>“At about half-past three the mother brought a large worm, four inches -in length probably, which she gave to one of the young ones, and flew -away. Shortly afterwards returning, she had the horror of perceiving -that the worm, instead of being swallowed was sticking in its throat; -on this she uttered a perfect moan of distress, which immediately -brought the he-bird, who also saw at a glance what a terrible -catastrophe was to be feared. Both parents made several efforts to push -the worm down the throat, but to no purpose, when, strange to say, the -father discovered the cause of the accident. The outer end of the worm -had got entangled in the feathers of the breast, and, being held fast, -could not be swallowed. He carefully disengaged it, and, holding it up -with his beak, the poor little thing, with a great effort, managed to -get it down, but was by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> this time so exhausted that it lay with its -eyes shut and without moving for the next three hours. The male bird in -the meantime took his stand upon a tree, a few yards from the nest, and -poured forth some of his most enchanting notes—a song of rejoicing no -doubt for the narrow escape from death of one of his family.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Macgillivray’s Day with this Bird.</em></div> - -<p>“From four till seven o’clock both birds again fed their young, after -which the male bird left these family duties to his mate, and gave -himself up to incessant singing. At twenty minutes to nine their -labours ceased, they having then fed their young one hundred and -thirteen times during the day.</p> - -<p>“I observed that before feeding their young they always alighted upon -a tree and looked round them for a few seconds. Sometimes they brought -in a quantity of worms and fed their brood alternately; at other times -they brought one which they gave to only one of them.</p> - -<p>“The young birds often trimmed their feathers, and stretched out their -wings; they also appeared to sleep now and then.</p> - -<p>“With the note of alarm which the feathered tribes set up on the -discovery of their enemies all the different species of the little -birds seem to be intimately acquainted; for no sooner did a beast or -bird of prey make its appearance, than they seemed to be anxiously -concerned about the safety of their families. They would hop from tree -to tree uttering their doleful lamentations. At one time the blackbirds -were in an unusual state of excitement and terror, and were attended -by crowds of their woodland friends. A man and boy, who were working -in my garden, having heard the noise, ran to see what was the cause of -it, and on looking into some branches which were lying on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> the ground, -observed a large weasel stealing slyly along in pursuit of its prey. It -was, however, driven effectually from the place without doing any harm. -It is astonishing how soon the young know this intimation of danger; -for I observed that no sooner did the old ones utter the alarm-cry, -than they cowered in their nest, and appeared to be in a state of great -uneasiness.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image_046"><img src="images/i-046.jpg" alt="bird singing" width="408" height="400" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE DIPPER, OR WATER-OUSEL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Dipper, or Water-ousel, of which Mr. Weir has given us a charming -and faithful portrait, is very like a wren in form and action, with -its round body and lively little tail. Its mode of flight, however, -so nearly resembles the kingfisher that, in some places, the country -people mistake it for the female of that bird. But it is neither wren -nor kingfisher, nor yet related to either of them. It is the nice -little water-ousel, with ways of its own, and a cheerful life of its -own, and the power of giving pleasure to all lovers of the free country -which is enriched with an infinite variety of happy, innocent creatures.</p> - -<p>The upper part of the head and neck, and the whole back and wings of -this bird, are of a rusty-brown; but, as each individual feather is -edged with gray, there is no deadness of colouring. The throat and -breast are snowy white, which, contrasting so strongly with the rest of -the body, makes it seem to flash about like a point of light through -the dark shadows of the scenes it loves to haunt.</p> - -<p>I said above that this bird gave pleasure to all lovers of nature. So -it does, for it is only met with in scenes which are especially beloved -by poets and painters. Like them, it delights in mountain regions, -where rocky streams rush along with an unceasing murmur, leaping over -huge stones, slumbering in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> deep, shadowy pools, or lying low between -rocky walls, in the moist crevices and on the edges of which the wild -rose flings out its pale green branches, gemmed with flowers, or the -hardy polypody nods, like a feathery plume. On these streams, with -their foamy waters and graceful vegetation, you may look for the -cheerful little water-ousel. He is perfectly in character with the -scenes.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-049"><img src="images/i-049.jpg" alt="" width="473" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">DIPPERS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_34" title="Page 34">Page 34.</a></p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Home of the Dipper.</em></div> - -<p>And now, supposing that you are happily located for a few weeks in -summer, either in Scotland or Wales, let me repeat my constant advice -as regards the study and truest enjoyment of country life and things. -Go out for several hours; do not be in a hurry; take your book, or -your sketching, or whatever your favourite occupation may be, if it be -only a quiet one, and seat yourself by some rocky stream amongst the -mountains; choose the pleasantest place you know, where the sun can -reach you, if you need his warmth, and if you do not, where you can yet -witness the beautiful effects of light and shade. There seat yourself -quite at your ease, silent and still as though you were a piece of -rock itself, half screened by that lovely wild rose bush, or tangle of -bramble, and before long you will most likely see this merry, lively -little dipper come with his quick, jerking flight, now alighting on -this stone, now on that, peeping here, and peeping there, as quick as -light, and snapping up, now a water-beetle, now a tiny fish, and now -diving down into the stream for a worm that he espies below, or walking -into the shallows, and there flapping his wings, more for the sheer -delight of doing so than for anything else. Now he is off and away, -and, in a moment or two, he is on yonder gray mass of stone, which -rises up in that dark chasm of waters like a rock in <span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>a stormy sea, -with the rush and roar of the water full above him. Yet there he is -quite at home, flirting his little tail like a jenny wren, and hopping -about on his rocky point, as if he could not for the life of him be -still for a moment. Now listen! That is his song, and a merry little -song it is, just such a one as you would fancy coming out of his jocund -little heart; and, see now, he begins his antics. He must be a queer -little soul! If we could be little dippers like him, and understand -what his song and all his grimaces are about, we should not so often -find the time tedious for want of something to do.</p> - -<p>We may be sure he is happy, and that he has, in the round of his small -experience, all that his heart desires. He has this lonely mountain -stream to hunt in, these leaping, chattering, laughing waters to bear -him company, all these fantastically heaped-up stones, brought hither -by furious winter torrents of long ago—that dashing, ever roaring, -ever foaming waterfall, in the spray of which the summer sunshine -weaves rainbows. All these wild roses and honeysuckles, all this maiden -hair, and this broad polypody, which grows golden in autumn, make up -his little kingdom, in the very heart of which, under a ledge of rock, -and within sound, almost within the spray of the waterfall, is built -the curious little nest, very like that of a wren, in which sits the -hen-bird, the little wife of the dipper, brooding with most unwearied -love on four or five white eggs, lightly touched with red.</p> - -<p>This nest is extremely soft and elastic, sometimes of large size, the -reason for which one cannot understand. It is generally near to the -water, and, being kept damp by its situation, is always so fresh, -looking so like the mass of its immediate surroundings<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> as scarcely to -be discoverable by the quickest eye. When the young are hatched they -soon go abroad with the parents, and then, instead of the one solitary -bird, you may see them in little parties of from five to seven going on -in the same sort of way, only all the merrier because there are more of -them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-052"><img src="images/i-052.jpg" alt="bird's nest on the ground" width="468" height="400" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE NIGHTINGALE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Philomela</span>, or the Nightingale, is the head of the somewhat large -bird-family of Warblers, and is the most renowned of all feathered -songsters, though some judges think the garden-ousel exceeds it in -mellowness, and the thrush in compass of voice, but that, in every -other respect, it excels them all. For my part, however, I think no -singing-bird is equal to it; and listening to it when in full song, in -the stillness of a summer’s night, am ready to say with good old Izaak -Walton:—</p> - -<p>“The nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet -music out of her little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind -to think that miracles had not ceased. He that at midnight, when the -weary labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often -heard, the clear airs, the sweet descants, the natural rising and -falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted -above earth and say, ‘Lord, what music hast Thou provided for the -saints in heaven, when Thou affordest bad men such music on earth!’”</p> - -<p>In colour, the upper parts of the nightingale are of a rich brown; -the tail of a reddish tint; the throat and underparts of the body, -greyish-white; the neck and breast, grey; the bill and legs, light -brown. Its size is about that of the garden warblers,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> which it -resembles in form—being, in fact, one of that family. Thus, the most -admired of all singers—the subject of poets’ songs and eulogies, the -bird that people walk far and wide to listen to, of which they talk for -weeks before it comes, noting down the day of its arrival as if it were -the Queen or the Queen’s son—is yet nothing but a little insignificant -brown bird, not to be named with the parrot for plumage, nor with -our little goldfinch, who always looks as if he had his Sunday suit -on. But this is a good lesson for us. The little brown nightingale, -with his little brown wife in the thickety copse, with their simple -unpretending nest, not built up aloft on the tree branch, but humbly -at the tree’s root, or even on the very ground itself, may teach us -that the world’s external show or costliness is not true greatness. The -world’s best bird-singer might have been as big as an eagle, attired -in colours of blue and scarlet and orange like the grandest macaw. But -the great Creator willed that it should not be so—his strength, and -his furiousness, and his cruel capacity were sufficient for the eagle, -and his shining vestments for the macaw; whilst the bird to which was -given the divinest gift of song must be humble and unobtrusive, small -of size, with no surpassing beauty of plumage, and loving best to hide -itself in the thick seclusion of the copse in which broods the little -mother-bird, the very counterpart of himself, upon her olive-coloured -eggs.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Philomela of Surrey.</em></div> - -<p>Mr. Harrison Weir has given us a sweet little picture of the -nightingale at home. Somewhere, not far off, runs the highroad, or it -may be a pleasant woodland lane leading from one village to another, -and probably known as “Nightingale-lane,” and traversed night after -night by rich and poor, learned and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> unlearned, to listen to the -bird. In our own neighbourhood we have a “Nightingale-lane,” with its -thickety copses on either hand, its young oaks and Spanish chestnuts -shooting upwards, and tangles of wild roses and thick masses of -brambles throwing their long sprays over old, mossy, and ivied stumps -of trees, cut or blown down in the last generation—little pools -and water courses here and there, with their many-coloured mosses -and springing rushes—a very paradise for birds. This is in Surrey, -and Surrey nightingales, it is said, are the finest that sing. With -this comes the saddest part of the story. Bird-catchers follow the -nightingale, and, once in his hands, farewell to the pleasant copse -with the young oaks and Spanish chestnuts, the wild rose tangles, the -little bosky hollow at the old tree root, in one of which the little -nest is built and the little wife broods on her eggs!</p> - -<p>Generally, however, the unhappy bird, if he be caught, is taken soon -after his arrival in this country; for nightingales are migratory, and -arrive with us about the middle of April. The male bird comes about -a fortnight before the female, and begins to sing in his loneliness -a song of salutation—a sweet song, which expresses, with a tender -yearning, his desire for her companionship. Birds taken at this time, -before the mate has arrived, and whilst he is only singing to call and -welcome her, are said still to sing on through the summer in the hope, -long-deferred, that she may yet come. He will not give her up though -he is no longer in the freedom of the wood, so he sings and sings, and -if he live over the winter, he will sing the same song the following -spring, for the want is again in his heart. He cannot believe but that -she will still come. The cruel bird-catchers,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> therefore, try all their -arts to take him in this early stage of his visit to us. Should he be -taken later, when he is mated, and, as we see him in our picture, with -all the wealth of his little life around him, he cannot sing long. How -should he—in a narrow cage and dingy street of London or some other -great town—perhaps with his eyes put out—for his cruel captor fancies -he sings best if blind? He may sing, perhaps, for a while, thinking -that he can wake himself out of this dreadful dream of captivity, -darkness, and solitude. But it is no dream; the terrible reality at -length comes upon him, and before the summer is over he dies of a -broken heart.</p> - -<p>It is a curious fact that the nightingale confines itself, without -apparent reason, to certain countries and to certain parts of England. -For instance, though it visits Sweden, and even the temperate parts -of Russia, it is not met with in Scotland, North Wales, nor Ireland, -neither is it found in any of our northern counties excepting -Yorkshire, and there only in the neighbourhood of Doncaster. Neither -is it known in the south-western counties, as Cornwall and Devonshire. -It is supposed to migrate during the winter into Egypt and Syria. It -has been seen amongst the willows of Jordan and the olive trees of -Judea, but we have not, to our knowledge, any direct mention of it in -the Scriptures, though Solomon no doubt had it in his thoughts, in his -sweet description of the spring—“Lo, the winter is past, the rain is -over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing -of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” A -recent traveller in Syria tells me that she heard nightingales singing -at four o’clock one morning in April of last year in the lofty regions -of the Lebanon.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-057"><img src="images/i-057.jpg" alt="" width="503" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">NIGHTINGALES AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_40" title="Page 40">Page 40.</a></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span></p> -<div class="sidenote"><em>Sir John Sinclair’s Attempt.</em></div> - -<p>There have been various attempts to introduce the nightingale into such -parts of this country as it has not yet frequented; for instance, a -gentleman of Gower, a sea-side district of Glamorganshire, the climate -of which is remarkably mild, procured a number of young birds from -Norfolk and Surrey, hoping that they would find themselves so much at -home in the beautiful woods there as to return the following year. But -none came. Again, as regards Scotland, Sir John Sinclair purchased a -large number of nightingales’ eggs, at a shilling each, and employed -several men to place them carefully in robins’ nests to be hatched. So -far all succeeded well. The foster-mothers reared the nightingales, -which, when full-fledged, flew about as if quite at home. But when -September came, the usual month for the migration of the nightingale, -the mysterious impulse awoke in the hearts of the young strangers, and, -obeying it, they suddenly disappeared and never after returned.</p> - -<p>Mr. Harrison Weir has given us a very accurate drawing of the -nightingale’s nest, which is slight and somewhat fragile in -construction, made of withered leaves—mostly of oak—and lined -with dry grass. The author of “British Birds” describes one in his -possession as composed of slips of the inner bark of willow, mixed with -the leaves of the lime and the elm, lined with fibrous roots, grass, -and a few hairs; but whatever the materials used may be, the effect -produced is exactly the same.</p> - -<p>In concluding our little chapter on this bird, I would mention that -in the Turkish cemeteries, which, from the old custom of planting a -cypress at the head and foot of every grave, have now become cypress -woods, nightingales abound, it having been also an old custom of love -to keep these birds on every grave.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE SKYLARK.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Skylark, that beautiful singer, which carries its joy up to the -very gates of heaven, as it were, has inspired more poets to sing about -it than any other bird living.</p> - -<p>Wordsworth says, as in an ecstasy of delight:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Up with me! up with me into the clouds!</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For thy song, lark, is strong;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Up with me! up with me into the clouds!</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Singing, singing.</div> - <div class="verse indent2">With clouds and sky about me ringing,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Lift me, guide me till I find</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That spot that seems so to my mind.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Shelley, in an ode which expresses the bird’s ecstasy of song, also -thus addresses it, in a strain of sadness peculiar to himself:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Hail to thee, blithe spirit!</div> - <div class="verse indent10">Bird, thou never wert—</div> - <div class="verse indent8">That from heaven, or near it,</div> - <div class="verse indent10">Pourest thy full heart</div> - <div class="verse indent4">In profuse strains of unpremeditated art!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Higher, still, and higher</div> - <div class="verse indent10">From the earth thou springest,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Like a cloud of fire;</div> - <div class="verse indent10">The deep blue thou wingest,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And singing still doth soar, and soaring ever singest!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent4"> - -<hr class="tb" /></div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span></p> </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Better than all measures</div> - <div class="verse indent10">Of delightful sound,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Better than all treasures</div> - <div class="verse indent10">That in books are found,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Teach me half the gladness</div> - <div class="verse indent10">That thy brain must know,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Such harmonious madness</div> - <div class="verse indent10">From my lips should flow;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">The world should listen then, as I am listening now.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>James Hogg’s Verses.</em></div> - -<p>James Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, who had listened to the bird with -delight on the Scottish hills, thus sings of it:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Bird of the wilderness,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Blithesome and cumberless,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Sweet is thy matin o’er moorland and lea!</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Emblem of happiness,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Blest is thy dwelling-place—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Wild is thy lay, and loud;</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Far in the downy cloud</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Love gives it energy, love gave it birth.</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Where on thy dewy wing,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Where art thou journeying?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">O’er fell and fountain sheen,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">O’er moor and mountain green,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">O’er the red streamer that heralds the day;</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Over the cloudlet dim,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Over the rainbow’s rim,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Musical cherub, soar, singing away!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8">Then when the gloaming comes,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Low in the heather blooms,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be!</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Emblem of happiness,</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Blest is thy dwelling-place—</div> - <div class="verse indent8">Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span></p> -<p>But we must not forget the earthly life of the bird in all these sweet -songs about him.</p> - -<p>The plumage of the skylark is brown, in various shades; the fore-part -of the neck, reddish-white, spotted with brown; the breast and under -part of the body, yellowish-white. Its feet are peculiar, being -furnished with an extraordinarily long hind claw, the purpose of which -has puzzled many naturalists. But whatever nature intended it for, the -bird has been known to make use of it for a purpose which cannot fail -to interest us and call forth our admiration. This shall be presently -explained. The nest is built on the ground, either between two clods -of earth, in the deep foot-print of cattle, or some other small hollow -suitable for the purpose, and is composed of dry grass, hair, and -leaves; the hair is mostly used for the lining. Here the mother-bird -lays four or five eggs of pale sepia colour, with spots and markings -of darker hue. She has generally two broods in the year, and commences -sitting in May. The he-lark begins to sing early in the spring. -Bewick says, “He rises from the neighbourhood of the nest almost -perpendicularly in the air, by successive springs, and hovers at a -vast height. His descent, on the contrary, is in an oblique direction, -unless he is threatened by birds of prey, or attracted by his mate, and -on these occasions he drops like a stone.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-063"><img src="images/i-063.jpg" alt="" width="479" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">SKYLARKS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_44" title="Page 44">Page 44.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>With regard to his ascent, I must, however, add that it is in a spiral -direction, and that what Bewick represents as springs are his sudden -spiral flights after pausing to sing. Another peculiarity must be -mentioned: all his bones are hollow, and he can inflate them with air -from his lungs, so that he becomes, as it were, a little balloon, which -accounts for the buoyancy <span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>with which he ascends, and the length of -time he can support himself in the air: often for an hour at a time. -Still more extraordinary is the wonderful power and reach of his voice, -for while, probably, the seven hundred or a thousand voices of the -grand chorus of an oratorio would fail to fill the vast spaces of the -atmosphere, it can be done by this glorious little songster, which, -mounting upwards, makes itself heard, without effort, when it can be -seen no longer.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Its Solicitude for its Young.</em></div> - -<p>The attachment of the parents to their young is very great, and has -been seen to exhibit itself in a remarkable manner.</p> - -<p>The nest being placed on the open-ground—often pasture, or in a field -of mowing grass—it is very liable to be disturbed; many, therefore, -are the instances of the bird’s tender solicitude either for the young -or for its eggs, one of which I will give from Mr. Jesse. “In case of -alarm,” he says, “either by cattle grazing near the nest, or by the -approach of the mower, the parent-birds remove their eggs, by means -of their long claws, to a place of greater security, and this I have -observed to be affected in a very short space of time.” He says that -when one of his mowers first told him of this fact he could scarcely -believe it, but that he afterwards saw it himself, and that he regarded -it only as another proof of the affection which these birds show their -offspring. Instances are also on record of larks removing their young -by carrying them on their backs: in one case the young were thus -removed from a place of danger into a field of standing corn. But -however successful the poor birds may be in removing their eggs, they -are not always so with regard to their young, as Mr. Yarrell relates. -An instance came under his notice, in which the little fledgeling -proved too<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> heavy for the parent to carry, and, being dropped from an -height of about thirty feet, was killed in the fall.</p> - -<p>Of all captive birds, none grieves me more than the skylark. Its -impulse is to soar, which is impossible in the narrow spaces of a cage; -and in this unhappy condition, when seized by the impulse of song, he -flings himself upwards, and is dashed down again by its cruel barriers. -For this reason the top of the lark’s cage is always bedded with green -baize to prevent his injuring himself. In the freedom of nature he is -the joyous minstrel of liberty and love, carrying upwards, and sending -down from above, his buoyant song, which seems to fall down through the -golden sunshine like a flood of sparkling melody.</p> - -<p>I am not aware of the height to which the lark soars, but it must be -very great, as he becomes diminished to a mere speck, almost invisible -in the blaze of light. Yet, high as he may soar, he never loses the -consciousness of the little mate and the nestlings below: but their -first cry of danger or anxiety, though the cry may be scarce audible -to the human ear, thrills up aloft to the singer, and he comes down -with a direct arrow-like flight, whilst otherwise his descent is more -leisurely, and said by some to be in the direct spiral line of his -ascent.</p> - -<p>Larks, unfortunately for themselves, are considered very fine eating. -Immense numbers of them are killed for the table, not only on the -continent, but in England. People cry shame on the Roman epicure, -Lucullus, dining on a stew of nightingales’ tongue, nearly two thousand -years ago, and no more can I reconcile to myself the daily feasting on -these lovely little songsters, which may be delicate eating, but are no -less God’s gifts to gladden and beautify the earth.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE LINNET.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Linnets</span> are a branch of a larger family of finches, all very familiar -to us. They are cousins, also, to the dear, impudent sparrows, and the -pretty siskin or aberdevines.</p> - -<p>The linnets are all compactly and stoutly built, with short necks and -good sized heads, with short, strong, pointed bills, made for the ready -picking up of seed and grain, on which they live. Most of them have two -broods in the season, and they build a bulky, deep, and compact nest, -just in accordance with their character and figure; but, though all -linnet-nests have a general resemblance of form, they vary more or less -in the material used.</p> - -<p>Linnets change their plumage once a year, and have a much more spruce -and brilliant appearance when they have their new summer suits on. They -are numerous in all parts of the country, and, excepting in the season -when they have young, congregate in flocks, and in winter are attracted -to the neighbourhood of man, finding much of their food in farm-yards, -and amongst stacks.</p> - -<p>The linnet of our picture is the greater red-pole—one of four brothers -of the linnet family—and is the largest of the four; the others -are the twit or mountain-linnet, the mealy-linnet, and the lesser -red-pole—the smallest of the four—all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> very much alike, and easily -mistaken for each other. The name red-pole is given from the bright -crimson spot on their heads—<em>pole</em> or <em>poll</em> being the old -Saxon word for head. The back of our linnet’s head and the sides of his -neck are of dingy ash-colour, his back of a warm brown tint, his wings -black, his throat of a dull white, spotted with brown, his breast a -brilliant red, and the under part of his body a dingy white.</p> - -<p>The linnet, amongst singing birds, is what a song writer is amongst -poets. He is not a grand singer, like the blackbird or the thrush, -the missel-thrush or the wood-lark, all of which seem to have an epic -story in their songs, nor, of course, like the skylark, singing up to -the gates of heaven, or the nightingale, that chief psalmist of all -bird singers. But, though much humbler than any of these, he is a sweet -and pleasant melodist; a singer of charming little songs, full of the -delight of summer, the freshness of open heaths, with their fragrant -gorse, or of the Scottish brae, with its “bonnie broom,” also in golden -blossom. His are unpretending little songs of intense enjoyment, simple -thanksgivings for the pleasures of life, for the little brown hen-bird, -who has not a bit of scarlet in her plumage, and who sits in her snug -nest on her fine little white eggs, with their circle of freckles and -brown spots at the thicker end, always alike, a sweet, patient mother, -waiting for the time when the young ones will come into life from that -delicate shell-covering, blind at first, though slightly clothed in -greyish-brown—five little linnets gaping for food.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-069"><img src="images/i-069.jpg" alt="" width="479" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">LINNETS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_48" title="Page 48">Page 48.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The linnet mostly builds its nest in low bushes, the furze being its -favourite resort; it is constructed outside of dry grass, roots, and -moss, and lined with hair and wool. We have it <span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>here in our picture; -for our friend, Mr. Harrison Weir, always faithful in his transcripts -of nature, has an eye, also, for beauty.</p> - -<p>Round the nest, as you see, blossoms the yellow furze, and round it too -rises a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux de frise</i> of furze spines, green and tender to -look at, but sharp as needles. Yes, here on this furzy common, and on -hundreds of others all over this happy land, and on hill sides, with -the snowy hawthorn and the pink-blossomed crab-tree above them, and, -below, the mossy banks gemmed with pale-yellow primroses, are thousands -of linnet nests and father-linnets, singing for very joy of life and -spring, and for the summer which is before them. And as they sing, the -man ploughing in the fields hard-by, and the little lad leading the -horses, hear the song, and though he may say nothing about it, the man -thinks, and wonders that the birds sing just as sweetly now as when -he was young; and the lad thinks how pleasant it is, forgetting the -while that he is tired, and, whistling something like a linnet-tune, -impresses it on his memory, to be recalled with a tender sentiment -years hence when he is a man, toiling perhaps in Australia or Canada; -or, it may be, to speak to him like a guardian angel in some time of -trial or temptation, and bring him back to the innocence of boyhood and -to his God.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Bishop Huntley’s Anecdote.</em></div> - -<p>Our picture shows us the fledgeling brood of the linnet, and the -parent-bird feeding them. The attachment of this bird to its young is -very great. Bishop Huntley, in his “History of Birds,” gives us the -following anecdote in proof of it:—</p> - -<p>“A linnet’s nest, containing four young ones, was found by some -children, and carried home with the intention of rearing and taming -them. The old ones, attracted by their chirping,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> fluttered round the -children till they reached home, when the nest was carried up stairs -and placed in the nursery-window. The old birds soon approached the -nest and fed the young. This being observed, the nest was afterwards -placed on a table in the middle of the room, the window being left -open, when the parents came in and fed their young as before. Still -farther to try their attachment, the nest was then placed in a cage, -but still the old birds returned with food, and towards evening -actually perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made by several -children. So it went on for several days, when, unfortunately, the -cage, having been set outside the window, was exposed to a violent -shower of rain, and the little brood was drowned in the nest. The poor -parent-birds continued hovering round the house, and looking wistfully -in at the window for several days, and then disappeared altogether.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-072"><img src="images/i-072.jpg" alt="A Linnet on a branch" width="233" height="200" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE PEEWIT.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Peewit, lapwing, or plover, belongs to the naturalist family of -<em>Gallatores</em> or Waders, all of which are furnished with strong -legs and feet for walking, whilst all which inhabit watery places, or -feed their young amongst the waves, have legs sufficiently long to -enable them to wade; whence comes the family name.</p> - -<p>The peewit, or lapwing, is a very interesting bird, from its peculiar -character and habits. Its plumage is handsome; the upper part of the -body of a rich green, with metallic reflections; the sides of the neck -and base of the tail of a pure white; the tail is black; so is the -top of the head, which is furnished with a long, painted crest, lying -backwards, but which can be raised at pleasure. In length the bird is -about a foot.</p> - -<p>The peewit lives in all parts of this country, and furnishes one of -the pleasantly peculiar features of open sea-shores and wide moorland -wastes, in the solitudes of which, its incessant, plaintive cry has an -especially befitting sound, like the very spirit of the scene, moaning -in unison with the waves, and wailing over the wide melancholy of the -waste. Nevertheless, the peewit is not in itself mournful, for it is -a particularly lively and active bird, sporting and frolicking in the -air with its fellows, now whirling round and round, and now ascending -to a great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> height on untiring wing; then down again, running along the -ground, and leaping about from spot to spot as if for very amusement.</p> - -<p>It is, however, with all its agility, a very untidy nest-maker; in -fact it makes no better nest than a few dry bents scraped together in -a shallow hole, like a rude saucer or dish, in which she can lay her -eggs—always four in number. But though taking so little trouble about -her nest, she is always careful to lay the narrow ends of her eggs in -the centre, as is shown in the picture, though as yet there are but -three. A fourth, however, will soon come to complete the cross-like -figure, after which she will begin to sit.</p> - -<p>These eggs, under the name of plovers’ eggs, are in great request as -luxuries for the breakfast-table, and it may be thought that laid thus -openly on the bare earth they are very easily found. It is not so, -however, for they look so much like the ground itself, so like little -bits of moorland earth or old sea-side stone, that it is difficult to -distinguish them. But in proportion as the bird makes so insufficient -and unguarded a nest, so all the greater is the anxiety, both of -herself and her mate, about the eggs. Hence, whilst she is sitting, he -exercises all kinds of little arts to entice away every intruder from -the nest, wheeling round and round in the air near him, so as to fix -his attention, screaming mournfully his incessant <em>peewit</em> till he -has drawn him ever further and further from the point of his anxiety -and love.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-075"><img src="images/i-075.jpg" alt="" width="481" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">PEEWITS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_52" title="Page 52">Page 52.</a></p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Stratagems of the Bird.</em></div> - -<p>The little quartette brood, which are covered with down when hatched, -begin to run almost as soon as they leave the shell, and then the poor -mother-bird has to exercise all her little <span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>arts also—and indeed the -care and solicitude of both parents is wonderful. Suppose, now, the -little helpless group is out running here and there as merry as life -can make them, and a man, a boy, or a dog, or perhaps all three, are -seen approaching. At once the little birds squat close to the earth, -so that they become almost invisible, and the parent-birds are on the -alert, whirling round and round the disturber, angry and troubled, -wailing and crying their doleful <em>peewit</em> cry, drawing them ever -further and further away from the brood. Should, however, the artifice -not succeed, and the terrible intruder still obstinately advance in -the direction of the young, they try a new artifice; drop to the -ground, and, running along in the opposite course, pretend lameness, -tumbling feebly along in the most artful manner, thus apparently -offering the easiest and most tempting prey, till, having safely lured -away the enemy, they rise at once into the air, screaming again their -<em>peewit</em>, but now as if laughing over their accomplished scheme.</p> - -<p>The young, which are hatched in April, are in full plumage by the end -of July, when the birds assemble in flocks, and, leaving the sea-shore, -or the marshy moorland, betake themselves to downs and sheep-walks, -where they soon become fat, and are said to be excellent eating. -Happily, however, for them, they are not in as much request for the -table as they were in former times. Thus we find in an ancient book of -housekeeping expenses, called “The Northumberland Household-book,” that -they are entered under the name of <em>Wypes</em>, and charged one penny -each; and that they were then considered a first-rate dish is proved -by their being entered as forming a part of “his lordship’s own mess,” -or portion of food; <em>mess</em><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> being so used in those days—about -the time, probably, when the Bible was translated into English. Thus -we find in the beautiful history of Joseph and his brethren, “He sent -messes to them, but Benjamin’s mess was five times as much as any of -theirs.”</p> - -<p>Here I would remark, on the old name of <em>Wypes</em> for this -bird, that country-people in the midland counties still call them -<em>pie-wypes</em>.</p> - -<p>But now again to our birds. The peewit, like the gull, may easily be -tamed to live in gardens, where it is not only useful by ridding them -of worms, slugs, and other troublesome creatures, but is very amusing, -from its quaint, odd ways. Bewick tells us of one so kept by the Rev. -J. Carlisle, Vicar of Newcastle, which I am sure will interest my -readers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>A Winter Visitor.</em></div> - -<p>He says two of these birds were given to Mr. Carlisle, and placed -in his garden, where one soon died; the other continued to pick up -such food as the place afforded, till winter deprived it of its usual -supply. Necessity then compelled it to come nearer the house, by which -it gradually became accustomed to what went forward, as well as to -the various members of the family. At length a servant, when she had -occasion to go into the back-kitchen with a light, observed that the -lapwing always uttered his cry of <em>peewit</em> to gain admittance. -He soon grew familiar; as the winter advanced, he approached as far -as the kitchen, but with much caution, as that part of the house was -generally inhabited by a dog and a cat, whose friendship the lapwing -at length gained so entirely, that it was his regular custom to resort -to the fireside as soon as it grew dark, and spend the evening and -night with his two associates, sitting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> close to them, and partaking -of the comforts of a warm fireside. As soon as spring appeared he -betook himself to the garden, but again, at the approach of winter, -had recourse to his old shelter and his old friends, who received him -very cordially. But his being favoured by them did not prevent his -taking great liberties with them; he would frequently amuse himself -with washing in the bowl which was set for the dog to drink out of, and -whilst he was thus employed he showed marks of the greatest indignation -if either of his companions presumed to interrupt him. He died, poor -fellow, in the asylum he had chosen, by being choked with something -which he had picked up from the floor. During his confinement he -acquired an artificial taste as regarded his food, and preferred crumbs -of bread to anything else.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-079"><img src="images/i-079.jpg" alt="Peewit standing on a rock." width="565" height="500" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE HOUSE-MARTIN, OR WINDOW-SWALLOW.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> our winter, swallows inhabit warm tropical countries, migrating -northwards with the first approaches of summer. They are usually seen -with us from the 13th to the 20th of April, and are useful from the -first day of their arrival, by clearing the air of insects, which they -take on the wing; indeed, they may be said to live almost wholly on the -wing, and, except when collecting mud for their nests, are seldom seen -to alight, and, in drinking, dip down to the water as they skim over it -on rapid wing.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-081"><img src="images/i-081.jpg" alt="" width="485" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">HOUSE-MARTINS AND NESTS.      [<a href="#Page_56" title="Page 56">Page 56.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>We have three kinds of swallows in England: the chimney-swallow, the -house-martin, and the sand-martin, of which I shall have something to -say in due course. The chimney-swallow and house-martin are especially -worthy of the affectionate regard of man; for they love his society, -build around his dwelling, destroy nothing that he values, have no -appetite for his fruits; they live harmoniously amongst themselves, -and have no other disposition than that of cheerfulness, unwearying -industry and perseverance, and the most devoted parental affection.</p> - -<p>Mr. Weir has given us a lively picture of swallow-life—four nests -grouped together on a house-side: more there probably are; but there -are as many as we can manage with; indeed we <span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>will presently confine -our attention to one single nest, and, by so doing, I flatter myself -that I shall win your admiration for these birds, and that you will -agree with me in thinking that if we all, men and women, boys and -girls, had only their persevering spirit, and their courage under -adversity, there would not be so much unsuccess, either at school or in -life, as is now, too often, the case.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Nests on Traquair House.</em></div> - -<p>Some people are very fond of having martins about their houses, under -their eaves, and even in the corners of their windows. The Earl of -Traquair was one of these; he was, indeed, a great lover of all kinds -of birds, and all were protected on his premises. In the autumn of -1839, there were no less than one hundred and three martins’ nests on -Traquair House—which is a very fine old place—besides several which -had been deserted, injured, or taken possession of by sparrows, which -is a very unwarrantable liberty taken by these birds.</p> - -<p>From six to twenty days are required to build a martin’s nest. If all -goes on well it may be finished in the shorter time.</p> - -<p>Let us now see how the birds set about building. Here are several -nests in our picture; and turning to the pages of Macgillivray’s -“British Birds,” I shall find exactly the information we need. I will, -therefore, extract freely from this interesting writer, that my young -readers may be as grateful to him as I am myself.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Domestic Life of a Pair.</em></div> - -<p>Again turning to our picture, we find four nests. “A party of eight -martins arrived here on the 1st of May. As this was quite a new -location, they spent the whole day in examining the eaves of the house, -the corners of the windows, and the out-buildings. By the following -morning the question was settled, and they had, as you see, fixed -upon a high wall with a slate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> coping, and an eastern aspect, and at -once commenced making a general foundation for their nests. Suitable -materials are procured from the banks of an adjoining pond, or a puddle -in the lane. Let us go down and see them. Here they come, sailing -placidly over the tree-tops; now they descend so as almost to sweep the -surface of the pond; some of them alight at once, others skim round, as -if borne away by a brisk wind. Those that have alighted walk about with -short steps, looking round for materials. Some seem not to find the mud -suitable, but seize on a piece of straw, or grass, which, tempering -in the mud, they then fly off with. Returning now to the building, we -see one using its tail planted against the wall, or against the nest, -if sufficiently advanced, as a support, deposit the material it has -brought by giving its head a wriggling motion, so that the mud slides -gently into the crevices of yesterday’s work; then he retouches the -whole. See, one has now arrived with his supply before the other has -finished: he is impatient to disburden himself, and wants to drive -off the worker, who rather snappishly retorts, and he, poor fellow, -goes off for a while with the mud sticking to his bill. Now she has -finished; there is room for him, and he goes back again and works hard -in his turn. They never alight on the nest without twittering. At noon, -if the weather be hot, they betake themselves to the fields, or, after -a dip in the pond, sun themselves on the house-top for half-an-hour or -so. Then they will hawk about for food, and after awhile one of them -may, perhaps, return and give another touch or two to the work, or seat -herself in the nest to consolidate the materials. But if cold, wet, or -windy, they keep away. What they do with themselves I know not; but -as soon as it clears<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> up, they are at work again. At the beginning of -their building, they seem to have no objection to leave it for a whole -day; but as it advances, they become more interested or anxious, and -one or both will sit in it all night, even though the weather be bad.”</p> - -<p>So much for the building of these four nests of our picture; and now -I will bespeak your attention to a little narrative of the joys and -sorrows of the domestic life of a pair of martins, which, we will -suppose, belong also to our group.</p> - -<p>“The building began on the 1st of May, at daybreak. But the weather was -very much against them, being cold and stormy, and it was the 18th of -the month before it was finished.</p> - -<p>“Seeing their labours thus brought to a close, one could not help -wishing, considering how much it had cost, that the nest might last -them for many years. But on the 23rd of June, during a heavy fall of -thunder rain, almost the entire nest was washed to the ground, together -with the young birds which it contained. A short time before the -catastrophe, the old birds were observed hovering about, and expressing -great uneasiness. Almost immediately after it happened they left the -place, but returned the following day, and spent it in flying about and -examining the angle of the wall.</p> - -<p>“Next morning they commenced repairing the nest. In three days they had -made great progress; but again rain fell, and their work was stayed. -On the 30th, they advanced rapidly, and both remained sitting on the -nest all night. The next day it was finished; and now they began to -rejoice: they twittered all the evening till it was dark, now and then -pruning each other’s heads, as, seated side by side, they prepared to -spend the dark hours in the nest. Eggs were soon laid again, but,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> -sad to say, on the morning of the 18th of July, again, during a great -storm of wind and rain, the upper wall fell, carrying with it one -of the eggs. The old birds again fluttered about, uttering the most -plaintive cries, and early the next morning began to repair the damage, -though it rained heavily all day. Part of the lining hanging over the -side was incorporated with the new layers of mud. The urgency of the -case was such, that they were obliged to work during the bad weather. -Throughout the day one bird sat on the nest, whilst the other laboured -assiduously. Kindly was he welcomed by his mate, who sometimes, during -his absence, nibbled and retouched the materials which he had just -deposited. In a few days it was finished, the weather became settled, -the young were hatched, and all went well with them.</p> - -<p>“Sometimes when the nests are destroyed, the birds, instead of -attempting to repair the damage, forsake the neighbourhood, as if -wholly disheartened. Nothing can be more distressing to them than to -lose their young. In the storm of which I have just spoken, another -martin’s nest was washed down with unfledged young in it. These were -placed on some cotton wool in a basket, covered with a sheet of -brown paper, in an open window, facing the wall. During that day and -the following, the parents took no notice of them, and their kind -human protector fed them with house-flies. That evening he tried an -experiment. He gently placed the young ones in a nest of that same -window, where were other young. It was then about eight o’clock in the -evening; the rain was falling heavily, and no sound was heard save the -<em>cheep, cheep</em>, of the young birds, and the dashing of the storm -against the window-glass. A minute elapsed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> when forth rushed the -parents shrieking their alarm notes, and, again and again wheeled up to -the nest, until at last they drifted away in the storm. He watched them -till they disappeared about half-past-nine. During all this time they -only twice summoned courage to look into the nest. Next morning I was -rejoiced to see them attending assiduously to the young ones.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Feeding of the Young.</em></div> - -<p>And now, turning again to our group of four nests on the walls, -supposing it be the month of July, every one of them with its -fledgeling brood sitting with gaping mouths, ever ready for food, you -may, perhaps, like to know how many meals are carried up to them in the -course of the day. If, then, the parents began to feed them at about -five in the morning, and left a little before eight at night, they -would feed them, at the lowest calculation, about a thousand times.</p> - -<p>With all this feeding and care-taking, the young ones, as the summer -goes on, are full-fledged, and have grown so plump and large that the -nest is quite too small for them; therefore, they must turn out into -the world, and begin life for themselves.</p> - -<p>It is now a fine, brisk, August morning, and at about eight o’clock, -you can see, if you look up at the nests, how the old birds come -dashing up to them quite in an excited way, making short curves in the -air, and repeating a note which says, as plain as a bird can speak,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6">This is the day</div> - <div class="verse indent6">You must away!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">What are wings made for, if not to fly?</div> - <div class="verse indent6">Cheep, cheep,</div> - <div class="verse indent6">Now for a leap!—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Father and mother and neighbours are by!</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span></p> -<p>This flying away from the nest is a great event in swallow-life, as you -may well believe. Let us therefore now direct our attention to one nest -in particular, in which are only two young ones—a very small family; -but what happens here is occurring all round us.</p> - -<p>One of these little ones balances itself at the entrance, looking -timidly into the void, and, having considered the risk for awhile, -allows its fellow to take its place.</p> - -<p>During all this time, the parents keep driving about, within a few feet -of the entrance, and endeavour, by many winning gestures, to induce -their charge to follow them. The second bird also, after sitting for -some time, as if distrustful of its powers, retires, and the first -again appears. Opening and shutting his wings, and often half inclined -again to retire, he, at length, summons up all his resolution, springs -from the nest, and, with his self-taught pinions, cleaves the air. He -and his parents, who are in ecstasies, return to the nest, and the -second young one presently musters courage and joins them. And now -begins a day of real enjoyment; they sport chiefly about the tree-tops -till seven in the evening, when all re-enter the nest.</p> - -<p>In several instances I have seen the neighbours add their inducements -to those of the parents, when the young were too timid to leave their -home. If the happy day prove fine, they seldom return to the nest -till sunset; if otherwise, they will come back two or three times. On -one occasion, when the young were ready to fly, but unwilling to take -the first leap, the parents had recourse to a little stratagem, both -ingenious and natural. The he-bird held out a fly at about four inches -from the entrance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> to the nest. In attempting to take hold of it, they -again and again nearly lost their balance. On another occasion, the -mother bird, trying this plan to no purpose, seemed to lose patience, -and seizing one of them by the lower mandible, with the claw of her -right foot, whilst it was gaping for food, tried to pull it out of the -nest, to which, however, it clung like a squirrel. But the young, every -one of them, fly in time, and a right joyous holiday they all have -together.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Autumn Migration.</em></div> - -<p>So the summer comes to an end; and towards the middle of September, -the great family cares being over, and the young having attained -to an age capable of undertaking the fatigues of migration, that -mysterious impulse, strong as life itself, and probably affecting -them like some sickness—the necessity to exchange one country and -climate for another—comes upon them. Under this influence, they -congregate together in immense numbers, every neighbourhood seeming -to have its place of assembly—the roofs of lofty buildings, or the -leafless boughs of old trees: here they meet, not only to discuss the -great undertaking, but to have a right merry time together—a time -of luxurious idleness, lively chatterings, singing in chorus their -everlasting and musical <em>cheep, cheep</em>, eating and drinking, and -making ready for the journey before them.</p> - -<p>At length the moment of departure is come, and at a given signal the -whole party rises. Twittering and singing, and bidding a long farewell -to the scenes of their summer life, they fly off in a body, perhaps, if -coming from Scotland, or the north of England, to rest yet a few weeks -in the warmer southern counties; after which, a general departure takes -place to the sunny lands of Africa.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span></p> - -<p>Though gifted with wings wonderfully constructed for prolonged flight, -and though having passed every day of so many successive months almost -wholly on the wing, the swallow frequently suffers great fatigue and -exhaustion in its long migration. Sometimes, probably driven out of -its course by adverse winds, it is known to alight by hundreds on the -rigging of vessels, when worn out by hunger and fatigue it is too -often shot or cruelly treated. Nevertheless the swallow, protected -by Him who cares for the sparrow, generally braves the hardships of -migration, and the following spring, guided by the same mysterious -instinct, finds his way across continents and seas to his old home, -where, identified by some little mark which has been put upon him—a -silken thread as a garter, or a light silver ring—he is recognised as -the old familiar friend, and appears to be no less happy to be once -more with them than are they to welcome him. Sometimes swallows coming -back as ordinary strangers, prove their identity, even though the scene -of their last year’s home may have been pulled down, together with the -human habitation. In this case, he has been known to fly about in a -distracted way, lamenting the change that had taken place, and seeming -as if nothing would comfort him.</p> - -<p>Though the fact of swallows coming back to their old haunts does not -need proving, yet I will close my chapter with an incident which -occurred in our own family. During a summer storm, a martin’s nest, -with young, was washed from the eaves of my husband’s paternal -home. His mother, a great friend to all birds, placed the nest with -the young, which happily were uninjured, in a window, which, being -generally open, allowed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> the parent-birds access to their young. They -very soon began to feed them, making no attempt to build any other -nest; so that the young were successfully reared, and took their flight -full-fledged from the window-sill.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>A Welcomed Return to Old Haunts.</em></div> - -<p>The next spring, when the time for the arrival of the swallows came, -great was the surprise and pleasure of their kind hostess, to see, -one day, a number of swallows twittering about the window, as if -impatient for entrance. On its being opened, in they flew, and, -twittering joyfully and circling round the room, as if recognising the -old hospitable asylum of the former year, flew out and soon settled -themselves under the eaves with the greatest satisfaction. There could -be no doubt but that these were the birds that had been reared there.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-091"><img src="images/i-091.jpg" alt="" width="530" height="427" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE CHIFF-CHAFF, OR OVEN-BUILDER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Chiff-chaff, chill-chall, lesser pettichaps, or oven-builder, is -one of the great bird-family of warblers, and the smallest of them in -size; indeed, it is not much larger than the little willow-wren. Like -all its family it is a bird of passage, and makes its appearance here, -in favourable seasons, as early as the 12th of March—earlier than -the warblers in general—and also remains later, having been known to -remain here to the middle of October.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-093"><img src="images/i-093.jpg" alt="" width="462" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">CHIFF-CHAFFS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_66" title="Page 66">Page 66.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>It is a remarkably cheerful little bird, and is warmly welcomed by all -lovers of the country as being one of the first visitants of spring, -sending its pleasant little voice, with an incessant “chiff-chaff,” -“chery-charry,” through the yet leafless trees.</p> - -<p>Its plumage is dark olive-green; the breast and under part of the body, -white, with a slight tinge of yellow; the tail, brown, edged with pale -green; legs, yellowish-brown.</p> - -<p>The nest is not unlike that of a wren, built in a low bush, and, -sometimes, even on the ground. The one so beautifully and faithfully -depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir, seems to be amongst the tallest grasses -and picturesque growths of some delicious woodland lane. It is a -lovely little structure; a hollow ball wonderfully put together, of -dry leaves and stems of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>grass, and a circular hole for entrance at -the side; lined with soft feathers—a little downy bed of comfort. The -mother-bird, as we now see her, sits here in delicious ease on five or -six white eggs, beautifully spotted with rich red-brown.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Mr. Howitt’s Account of this Bird.</em></div> - -<p>This dainty little bird, which seems made alone for pleasure, is -very useful to man, and should be made kindly welcome everywhere, -living entirely on caterpillars and other troublesome and destructive -creatures. The Rev. J. G. Wood says that it saves many a good oak from -destruction by devouring, on its first arrival, the caterpillars of -the well-known green oak-moth, which roll up the leaves in so curious -a manner, and come tumbling out of their green houses at the slightest -alarm.</p> - -<p>He says, also, that a little chiff-chaff, which had been caught and -tamed, was accustomed to dash to the ceiling of the room in which it -was kept, and to snatch thence the flies which settled on the white -surface.</p> - -<p>My husband, writing of this bird, says:—</p> - -<p>“Gilbert White gave, I believe, the name of chiff-chaff to this -little bird from its note. In the midland counties it is called the -chill-chall from the same cause; and, indeed, this name is, to my ear, -more accordant with its continuous ditty. Its cheery little voice is -one of the pleasantest recognitions of returning spring. It is sure to -be heard, just as in former years, in the copse, the dell, the belt -of trees bordering a wayside; we catch its simple note with pleasure, -for it brings with it many a memory of happy scenes and days gone -by. We see the little creature hopping along the boughs of the yet -only budding oak, and know that it is as usefully employed for man -as agreeably for itself. It tells us, in effect, that sunny days,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -flowers, and sweet airs, and the music of a thousand other birds, are -coming. We revert to the time when, tracing the wood-side or the bosky -dingle in boyhood, we caught sight of its rounded nest amongst the -screening twigs of the low bush, and the bleached bents of last year’s -grapes. We remember the pleasure with which we examined its little -circular entrance, and discovered, in its downy interior, its store -of delicate eggs, or the living mass of feathery inmates, with their -heads ranged side by side and one behind another, with their twinkling -eyes and yellow-edged mouths. Many a time, as we have heard the ever -blithe note of chill-chall, as it stuck to its unambitious part of the -obscure woodland glade, we have wished that we could maintain the same -buoyant humour, the same thorough acceptance of the order of Providence -for us. As Luther, in a moment of despondency, when enemies were rife -around him, and calumny and wrong pursued him, heard the glad song of a -bird that came and sang on a bough before his window, we have thanked -God for the lesson of the never-drooping chill-chall. The great world -around never damps its joy with a sense of its own insignificance; the -active and often showy life of man, the active and varied existence of -even birds, which sweep through the air in gay companies, never disturb -its pleasure in its little accustomed nook. It seems to express, in its -two or three simple notes, all the sentiment of indestructible content, -like the old woman’s bird in the German story by Ludwig Tieck—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Alone in wood so gay,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">’Tis good to stay,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Morrow like to-day</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For ever and aye;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Oh, I do love to stay</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Alone in wood so gay!</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span></p> -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Bird’s Ditty.</em></div> - -<p>“This little bird appears to feel all that strength of heart, and to -put it into its little ditty, which seems to me to say—</p> - -<p>“Here I continue ‘cheery cheery, and still shall, and still shall!’”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-097"><img src="images/i-097.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="500" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> have here the Golden-crested Wren—the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Regulus cristatus</i> -of naturalists—the tiniest of our British birds, “the pleasing -fairy-bird,” as Bewick calls it, one of the large family of warblers, -and a near relation to Jenny Wren. It is a very charming little bird, -with a sweet melodious song of its own, and so many curious little ways -that it is well worth everybody’s notice and everybody’s love.</p> - -<p>It is very active and lively, always in motion, fluttering from branch -to branch, and running up and down the trunks and limbs of trees, in -search of insects on which it lives. It may as often be seen on the -under as on the upper side of a branch, with its back downwards, like -a fly on a ceiling, and so running along, all alert, as merry and busy -as possible. In size it is about three inches, that is with all its -feathers on, but its little body alone is not above an inch long; yet -in this little body, and in this little brain, lives an amazing amount -of character, as I shall show you, as well as a great deal of amusing -conceit and pertness which you would hardly believe unless you were -told.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-099"><img src="images/i-099.jpg" alt="Golden-crested wrens" width="480" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">GOLDEN-CRESTED WRENS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_70" title="Page 70">Page 70.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The colour of the bird is a sort of yellowish olive-green, the under -part of pale, reddish-white, tinged with green on the sides; the quill -feathers of the wing are dusky, edged with pale <span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>green, as are also -the tail feathers. Thus attired by nature, that is, by the great -Creator who cares for all His creatures, this little bird, creeping -and fluttering about the branches and bole of the leafy summer tree, -can scarcely be distinguished from the tree itself: hence it is that -the bird is so unfamiliar to most people. The he-bird, however, has -a little distinguishing glory of his own—a crest of golden-coloured -feathers, bordered on each side with black, like a sort of eye-brow to -his bright hazel eyes. This crest, which gives him his distinguished -name, can be erected at pleasure, when he is full of life and -enjoyment, or when he chooses to lord it over birds ten times as big as -himself.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Lively Gambols of this Bird.</em></div> - -<p>It is worth anybody’s while, who has a love for the innocent denizens -of nature, and no desire to do them harm, to go into a wood on a -summer’s day on purpose to watch the doings of this lively little bird -amongst the tree-branches. Fir-woods are the best for this purpose, as -this bird has an especial liking for these trees, and ten to one, if -you will only be patient and quite still, you may soon see him at work -busily looking after his dinner, running along the branches, up one and -down another, then like a little arrow off to the next tree, scudding -along its branches, then back again, up and down, round and round -the bole, going like a little fire, so rapid are his movements; now -running up aloft, now hanging head downward, now off again in another -direction. What a wonderful activity there is in that little body! He -must devour hundreds of insects, as well as their eggs, which he thus -seeks for under the scaly roughnesses of the bark, and finding, devours.</p> - -<p>Pretty as he is, his nest, of which Mr. Harrison Weir has<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> given a most -accurate drawing, is quite worthy of him. It is always the same, swung -like a little hammock from a branch, and always hidden, it may be by -leaves or a bunch of fir-cones. The cordage by which it is suspended -is of his own weaving, and is made of the same materials as the nest, -which are moss and slender thread-like roots. In form it is oval, as -you see, with a hole for entrance at the side, and is lined with the -softest down and fibrous roots. It is a lovely little structure, like -a soft ball of moss, within which the mother-bird lays from six to a -dozen tiny eggs, scarcely bigger than peas, the delicate shell of which -will hardly bear handling. The colour of the egg is white, sprinkled -over with the smallest of dull-coloured spots.</p> - -<p>Mr. Jesse describes one of these lovely nests which was taken from the -slender branches of a fir-tree where it had been suspended, as usual, -by means of delicate cordage, secured to the branch by being twisted -round and round, and then fastened to the edge or rim of the nest, -so that one may be sure that the making and securing of these tiny -ropes must be the first work of the clever little artizan. The nest -thus suspended sways lightly to and fro with the movement of the bird. -We cannot see in our cut the slender ropes that suspend it; they are -concealed under the thick foliage; but we can easily see what a dainty -little structure it is.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Jackdaw and Mischievous Wrens.</em></div> - -<p>Delicate and lovely as is this bird, and pleasing and harmless as is -his life, he yet possesses some curious traits of character, as I -said. For instance, though so small, with a body only an inch long, -he has, apparently, a wonderful conceit of himself, and loves to be -lord and master of creatures that will not dispute with him, as not -worth their while, or perhaps because there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> really is some inherent -mastership in him by which he contrives, under certain circumstances, -to rule over them. In proof of this, I will tell you what the Rev. J. -G. Wood relates from the experience of a lady, a friend of his. One -severe winter, when she had housed and fed a number of birds, amongst -which were a jackdaw, a magpie, two skylarks, a goldfinch, and a robin, -in a warm aviary, feeding them regularly and abundantly, other birds -came, of course, to partake of the plentiful feast, and amongst them -two golden-crested wrens. These little things made themselves not -only quite at home, but lorded it over the other birds in the most -extraordinary way possible. For instance, if the jackdaw had possessed -himself of a nice morsel which he was holding down with his foot to -eat comfortably, and the golden-crested wren had also set his mind on -it, he hopped on the jackdaw’s head and pecked in his eye, on the side -where his foot held the delicacy. On this the poor jackdaw instantly -lifted his foot to his head where he thought something was amiss, and -the mischievous little fellow snatched up the treasure and was off. At -first the jackdaw would pursue him in great wrath, but he soon learned -that it was no use, for the creature would only jump upon his back -where he could not reach him, and so was safe from punishment. “Before -the winter was over,” continues the lady, “the little gold-crests were -masters of all the birds, and even roosted at night on their backs; -finding, no doubt, that in this way they could keep their little feet -much warmer than on a perch.”</p> - -<p>Conceited and dominant, however, as these little birds may be, they are -yet either extremely timid, or their nervous system is so delicately -constituted, that a sudden fright kills them.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> Thus if, when they are -all alert and busy on the tree-branch, seeking for insects and fearing -no evil, the branch be suddenly struck with a stick, the poor bird -falls dead to the ground. The shock has killed it. It has received no -apparent injury—not a feather is ruffled—but its joyous, innocent -life is gone for ever. This fact is asserted by Gilbert White, and was -proved by my husband, who brought me home the bird which had thus died.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-104"><img src="images/i-104.jpg" alt="bird's nest with eggs" width="461" height="491" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE WAGTAIL.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> elegant little bird belongs to the Motacilla, or Wagtail family. -There are three brothers of them in this country—the pied, the grey, -and the yellow. The pied is the most familiar, and our friend Mr. -Harrison Weir has given us a lovely picture of it at home in a cleft of -the rock, with fleshy-leaved lichens above, and green springing fronds -of the great fern, which will presently overshadow it. Around are the -solemn mountains, and the never silent water is foaming and rushing -below.</p> - -<p>This bird has many names besides his Latin one of Motacilla. In Surrey -he is called washer, or dish-washer, by the common people, from his -peculiar motions in walking, which are thought to resemble those of a -washer-woman at her tub. The colours of the pied wagtail are simply -black and white, but so boldly and clearly marked as to produce a very -pleasing and elegant effect.</p> - -<p>We have, every year, several wagtails in our garden, to which they add -a very cheerful feature, walking about, nodding their heads and tails -as if perfectly at home, afraid neither of dog nor cat, much less of -any human being about the place. A little running brook as one boundary -of the garden is, no doubt, one of the attractions; but here they are -seen less frequently than on the smoothly-mown lawn, where they pick up -tiny<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> insects, gliding along with a smooth motion, accompanied by the -quick movement of head and tail.</p> - -<p>It is bitterly cold wintry weather as I write this, and they now visit -the kitchen door, where, no doubt, little delicacies of various kinds -attract them. They are more fearless and familiar than either sparrows, -robins, or blackbirds; yet all of these are our daily pensioners, -having their breakfast of crumbs as regularly before the parlour window -as we have our own meal. Yet they fly away at the slightest sound, -and the appearance of the cat disperses them altogether. They have, -evidently, the old ancestral fear of man, stamped, as powerfully as -life itself, upon their being. They are suspicious, and always in -a flutter: nothing equals the calm self-possession of the wagtail, -excepting it be the state of mind into which the robin gets when the -gardener is turning up the fresh soil, just on purpose, as he supposes, -to find worms for him.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-107"><img src="images/i-107.jpg" alt="" width="474" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">WAGTAIL AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_76" title="Page 76">Page 76.</a></p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Its Quest for Food.</em></div> - -<p>And now let me give you a wagtail picture, drawn by a faithful hand.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> -It is the end of July, the young wagtails are abroad with their -parents, like human families, a month or two later, gone out or abroad -to take their holiday. “Often,” he says, “one may see them wading in -shallow places, in quest of insects and worms, carefully holding up -their tails to prevent them being draggled. If you watch the motions -of an individual just coming up to join the party, you see it alight -abruptly, twittering its shrill notes, and, perching on a small stone, -incessantly vibrate its body, and jerk out its tail.” This of course -is the polite way in which a stranger wagtail introduces itself -amongst its friends. There they are; now walking out into the water, -and looking round for food. Now they are on the shore again, running -rapidly along, picking up, now and then, a dainty morsel, and every -moment spreading out the ever-vibrating tail. Now they are in the -adjoining meadow, each one in pursuit of a fly, which it has no sooner -caught, than it spies another. The lazy geese, which have nibbled -the grass bare, allow the wagtail to pass in their midst without -molestation. When the cows are grazing in the midst of a swarm of -gnats and other insects, as Gilbert White says, as they tread amongst -the bush herbage they rouse up multitudes of insects which settle on -their legs, their stomachs, and even their noses, and the wagtails are -welcomed by the cows as benefactors. Watch them, for they are worth the -trouble; see, one comes forward and catches a small fly, bends to one -side to seize another, darts to the right after a third, and springs -some feet in the air before it secures a fourth, and all this time -others are running about after other flies, passing close to the cows’ -noses or amongst their feet. With all this running to and fro, and -hither and thither, they every now and then run in each other’s way; -but they do not quarrel, aware, no doubt, that there is room enough for -them in the world, nay, even in the meadow, though it now seems to be -full of wagtails, all busily occupied, some walking, others running, a -few flying off and many arriving. You may walk in amongst them; they -are not very shy, for they will allow you to come within a few yards of -them. They may always be met with on the shore when the tide is out, as -well as in the meadow; you will meet with them by the river-side, or by -the mill-dam. Occasionally you may see<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> them perched on a roof, a wall, -or a large stone, but very rarely on a tree or bush.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[A]</a> “British Birds.”</p> - -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Taunton Pair.</em></div> - -<p>They pair about the middle of April, and build by the side of rivers -in crevices of rock—as in our picture, on a heap of stones, in faggot -or wood stacks, or in a hole in a wall, but always near water and -carefully hidden from sight. The nest is made of dry grass, moss, and -small roots, thickly lined with wool and hair. The eggs are five or six -in number, of a greyish white, spotted all over with grey and brown. -As a proof of the confiding nature of this bird, I must mention that -occasionally it builds in most unimaginable places, directly under the -human eye—as, for instance, “a pair of them last summer,” says Mr. -Jesse, “built their nest in a hollow under a sleeper of the Brighton -Railway, near the terminus at that place. Trains at all times of the -day were passing close to the nest, but in this situation the young -were hatched and reared.” Mr. Macgillivray also mentions that a pair -of these birds built their nest in an old wall near a quarry, within a -few yards of four men who worked most part of the day in getting the -stone, which they occasionally blasted. The hen-bird laid four eggs, -and reared her brood, she and her mate becoming so familiar with the -quarry-men as to fly in and out without showing the least sign of fear; -but if a stranger approached they would immediately fly off, nor return -till they saw him clear off from the place. Another nest was built -beneath a wooden platform at a coal-pit, where the noisy business of -unloading the hutches brought up from the pit, was continually going -forward. But soon the wagtails were quite at home, becoming familiar -with the colliers and other people connected with the work, and flew -in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> and out of their nest without showing the slightest sign of fear. -Again, another pair built close to the wheel of a lathe in a workshop -at a brass manufactory at Taunton amid the incessant din of the -braziers; yet here the young were hatched, and the mother-bird became -perfectly familiar with the faces of the workmen; but if a stranger -entered, or any one belonging to the factory, though not to what might -be called her shop, she quitted her nest instantly, nor would return -till they were gone. The male, however, had much less confidence, and -would not come into the room, but brought the usual supplies of food to -a certain spot on the roof whence she fetched it. All these anecdotes -prove how interesting would be the relationship between the animal -creation and man, if man ceased to be their tyrant or destroyer.</p> - -<p>As regards this particular bird, it is not only elegant in its -appearance, but amiable and attractive in all its ways. “They are,” -says Bewick, “very attentive to their young, and continue to feed and -train them for three or four weeks after they can fly; they defend them -with great courage when in danger, or endeavour to draw aside the enemy -by various little arts. They are very attentive also to the cleanliness -of their nests, and so orderly as to have been known to remove light -substances, such as paper or straw, which have been placed to mark the -spot.” As regards this proof of their love of order, however, I would -rather suggest that it may be a proof of their sagacity and sense of -danger: they suspected that some human visitor, of whose friendly -character they were not convinced, was intending to look in upon them, -and they thought it best, therefore, to decline the honour of his -visit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span></p> - -<p>The ordinary note of this bird, uttered rapidly if alarmed, is a sort -of <em>cheep, cheep</em>. In the summer morning, however, it may be heard -singing a pleasant, mellow and modulated little song. Like the swallow, -for which it is a match in elegance, it lives entirely on insects. If -you would only stand silently for a few minutes by a water-side, where -it haunts, you would be delighted with the grace and activity of its -movements. “There it stands,” says one of its friends, “on the top of -a stone, gently vibrating its tail, as if balancing itself. An insect -flies near; it darts off, flutters a moment in the air, seizes its -prey, and settles on another stone, spreading and vibrating its tail. -Presently it makes another sally, flutters around for a while, seizes -two or three insects, glides over the ground, swerving to either side, -then again takes its stand on a pinnacle.” Not unfrequently too it -may be seen on the roof of a house, or in a village street, still in -pursuit of insects.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-112"><img src="images/i-112.jpg" alt="" width="402" height="450" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE JACKDAW.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">We</span> have called the Rook and Jackdaw first cousins. They are so, and -are greatly attached to each other. There is a difference, however, in -their character; the rook is grave and dignified, the jackdaw is active -and full of fun. But they are fond of each other’s society, and agree -to associate for nine months in the year: during the other three they -are both occupied with their respective family cares.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-115"><img src="images/i-115.jpg" alt="" width="478" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">JACKDAWS AND NESTLINGS.      [<a href="#Page_82" title="Page 82">Page 82.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>Rooks build in trees in the open air, the nests of the young being -exposed to all the influences of wind and weather. The jackdaw does not -approve of this mode. He likes to live under cover, and, therefore, -makes his nest in holes and crannies, amongst rocks, as in our picture; -in old and tall buildings, as church towers and steeples, old ruinous -castles, or old hollow trees. The traditional structure of the family -nest is certainly that of the rook; a strong frame-work of sticks upon -which the eggs can be laid, and the clamorous young jackdaws be brought -up. This our friend Mr. Weir has shown us plainly. But, after all, it -does not appear that the jackdaw, with all his sharpness, has much -scientific knowledge, the getting the sticks into the hole being often -a very difficult piece of work. Mr. Waterton amused himself by watching -the endless labour and pains which the jackdaw takes in trying to do<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> -impossibilities. Thinking it absolutely necessary that a frame-work -of sticks should be laid in the hole or cavity as the foundation of -the nest, he brings to the opening just such sticks as the rook would -use in open spaces, and may be seen trying for a quarter of an hour -together to get a stick into a hole, holding it by the middle all the -time, so that the ends prop against each side, and make the endeavour -impossible. He cannot understand how it is; he knows that sticks ought -to go into holes, but here is one that will not; and, tired out at -length, and thinking perhaps that it is in the nature of some sticks -not to be got into a hole by any means, he drops it down and fetches -another, probably to have no better result, and this may happen several -times. But jackdaws have perseverance, and so, with trying and trying -again, he meets with sticks that are not so self-willed, and that can -be put into holes, either by being short enough or held the right way, -and so the foundation is laid, and the easier part of the work goes on -merrily; for the jackdaw is at no loss for sheets and blankets for his -children’s bed, though we cannot see them in our picture, the clamorous -children lying at the very edge of their bed. But if we could examine -it, we should most likely be amused by what we should find. The jackdaw -takes for this purpose anything soft that comes readily—we cannot say -to <em>hand</em>—but to <em>bill</em>. In this respect he resembles the -sparrow, and being, like him, fond of human society, gleans up out of -his neighbourhood all that he needs for the comfort of his nestlings. -Thus we hear of a nest, built in the ruins of Holyrood Chapel, in -which, on its being looked into for a piece of lace which was supposed -to be there, it was found also to be lined with part of a worsted -stocking, a silk <span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>handkerchief, a child’s cap, a muslin frill, and -several other things which the busy jackdaw had picked up in various -ways; for it must be borne in mind that he is own cousin to the magpie, -whose thievish propensities are well known.</p> - -<p>The call of the jackdaw is much quicker and more lively than the rook, -somewhat resembling the syllable <em>yak</em>, variously modulated, and -repeated somewhat leisurely, but at the same time cheerfully. Its food -is similar to that of the rook, and going forth at early dawn it may be -seen in pastures or ploughed fields, busily searching for larvæ, worms, -and insects. They walk gracefully, with none of the solemn gravity -either of the rook or raven, and may occasionally be seen running along -and sometimes quarrelling amongst themselves.</p> - -<p>Like the rook, the jackdaw stows away food in its mouth or throat-bag -to feed its young. Its plumage is black, with shining silvery grey -behind the head. Occasionally they are found with streaks or patches of -white, as are also rooks, but these are mere sports of nature.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Mr. Waterton’s Opinion.</em></div> - -<p>Mr. Waterton was of opinion that jackdaws lived in pairs all the year -round, as he had seen them sitting in November on the leafless branches -of a sycamore, side by side, pruning each other’s heads, and apparently -full of mutual affection; and as they mostly left the trees in pairs, -and so returned, he was inclined to think that it was their custom -always to remain paired.</p> - -<p>I will now give you his <em>carte de visite</em> from Macgillivray’s -“British Birds.” “He is a remarkably active, pert, and talkative little -fellow, ever cheerful, always on the alert, and ready either for -business or frolic. If not so respectable as the grave and sagacious -raven, he is, at least, the most agreeable of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> family, and withal -extremely fond of society, for, not content with having a flock of his -own folk about him, he often thrusts himself into a gang of rooks, and -in winter sometimes takes up his abode entirely with them.”</p> - -<p>As to <em>thrusting</em> himself into a gang of rooks, I am, however, of -opinion that the rooks make him heartily welcome. How do we know what -amusement they, with their stolid gravity and solemn dignity, find in -him with all his fun and loquacity? That rooks are really fond of the -society of jackdaws is proved by an observation of Mr. Mudie. He says -that “in the latter part of the season, when the rooks from one of the -most extensive rookeries in Britain made daily excursions of about six -miles to the warm grounds by the sea-side, and in their flight passed -over a deep ravine, in the sunny side of which were many jackdaws, he -observed that when the cawing of the rooks in their morning flight was -heard at the ravine, the jackdaws, who had previously been still and -quiet, instantly raised their shriller notes, and flew up to join the -rooks, both parties clamouring loudly as if welcoming each other; and -that on the return, the daws accompanied the rooks a little past the -ravine as if for good fellowship; then both cawed their farewell: the -daws returned to their home and the rooks proceeded on their way.”</p> - -<p>Jackdaws, like rooks, are said to be excellent weather-prophets. -If they fly back to their roost in the forenoon, or early in the -afternoon, a storm may be expected that evening, or early in the -morning.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Rev. J. G. Wood’s Anecdote.</em></div> - -<p>The anecdotes of tame jackdaws are numerous. The Rev. J. G. Wood -speaks of one which had learnt the art of kindling lucifer matches, -and thus became a very dangerous inmate,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> busying himself in this way -when the family was in bed, though, fortunately, he seems to have done -nothing worse than light the kitchen fire which had been laid ready -for kindling over night. Clever as he was, however, he could not learn -to distinguish the proper ignitable end of the match, and so rubbed -on till he happened to get it right. He frightened himself terribly -at first by the explosion and the sulphur fumes, and burned himself -into the bargain. But I do not find that, like the burnt child, he -afterwards feared the fire and so discontinued the dangerous trick.</p> - -<p>The jackdaw is easily domesticated, and makes himself very happy in -captivity, learns to articulate words and sentences, and is most -amusing by his mimicry and comic humour.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-119"><img src="images/i-119.jpg" alt="Castle tower" width="354" height="420" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> pretty little bird is also called the Beam or Pillar-Bird from the -position which it chooses for its nest. Building mostly in gardens, -it selects the projecting stone of a wall, the end of a beam or piece -of wood, under a low roof, or by a door or gateway, the nest being, -however, generally screened, and often made a perfect little bit -of picturesque beauty, by the leaves of some lovely creeping rose, -woodbine, or passionflower, which grows there.</p> - -<p>This last summer, one of these familiar little birds, which, though -always seeming as if in a flutter of terror, must be fond of human -society, built in a rustic verandah, overrun with Virginian creeper, at -the back of our house.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-121"><img src="images/i-121.jpg" alt="" width="476" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">SPOTTED FLY-CATCHERS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_86" title="Page 86">Page 86.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>According to her peculiar fancy she built exactly in the doorway, -though there were some yards of verandah on either hand; but here was -the convenient ledge, forming an angle with the upright support; and -here was placed, as in our picture, the small, somewhat flat nest, -beautifully, though slightly, put together, of dried grass and moss, -lined with wool and hair. Here the mother-bird laid her four or five -greyish-white eggs, with their spots of rusty red, and here she reared -her young. She had, however, it seemed to us, an uncomfortable time of -it, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>for, though we carefully avoided giving her needless disturbance -that we almost ceased to use the door, yet there was an unavoidable -passing to and fro to which she never seemed to get accustomed, -starting off her nest with a little flutter whenever we came in sight; -nor—although before she had finished sitting the quick-growing shoots -of the Virginian creeper, with its broadly-expanding leaves, hid her -nest so completely that, had it not been for her own timidity, we need -not have known of her presence—she never lost this peculiar trait of -character.</p> - -<p>The nest which Mr. Harrison Weir has drawn is, doubtless, taken from -life. I wish, however, he could have seen ours, only about ten feet -from the ground, a little dome of love, embowered amongst young shoots, -vine-like leaves and tendrils—a perfectly ideal nest, in which our -friend, who has as keen a sense of natural beauty as any artist living, -would have delighted himself.</p> - -<p>The colours of this bird are very unobtrusive: the upper parts -brownish-grey, the head spotted with brown, the neck and breast -streaked or spotted with greyish-brown. It is a migratory bird, and -arrives in this country about the middle or end of May, remaining with -us till about the middle of October, by which time the flies on which -it lives have generally disappeared.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>How it takes its Prey.</em></div> - -<p>Its mode of taking its winged prey is curious. Seated, stock-still, -in a twig, it darts or glides off at the sight of an insect, like the -bird of our picture, and seizes it with a little snapping noise; then -returns to its perch ready for more, and so on; incessantly darting out -and returning to the same spot, till it has satisfied its hunger, or -moves off to another twig to commence the same pursuit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span></p> - -<p>When they have young, the number of flies consumed only by one little -family must be amazing. It is recorded<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> in one instance that a pair -of fly-catchers, beginning to feed their nestlings at five-and-twenty -minutes before seven in the morning, and continuing their labour till -ten minutes before nine at night, supplied them with food, that is to -say with flies, no less than five hundred and thirty-seven times. The -gentleman who made these observations says:—“Before they fed their -young they alighted upon a tree for a few seconds, and looked round -about them. By short jerks they usually caught the winged insects. -Sometimes they ascended into the air and dropped like an arrow; at -other times they hovered like a hawk when set on its prey. They drove -off most vigorously all kinds of small birds that approached their -nest, as if bidding them to go and hunt in their own grounds, where -there were plenty of flies for them. Sometimes they brought only one -fly in their bills, sometimes several, and flies of various sizes.”</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[B]</a> See Macgillivray’s “<cite>British Birds</cite>.”</p> - -</div> - -<p>This bird seems to become attached to particular localities, where -he finds himself conveniently situated and undisturbed. Mr. Mudie -mentions, in his “Feathered Tribes,” “that a pair of these birds had -nested in his garden for twelve successive years.” What is the length -of life of a fly-catcher I cannot say; but probably if they were -not the same birds, they would be their descendants—birds hatched -there, and consequently at home. The Rev. J. G. Wood also speaks of -the same locality having been used by this bird for twenty successive -years; and he supposes that the young had succeeded to their ancestral -home. He gives also an interesting account of the commencement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> of a -nest-building by this bird. He says that the female, who seems to be -generally the active builder, placed, in the first instance, a bundle -of fine grass in some conveniently-forked branches, and after having -picked it about for some time, as if regularly shaking it up, she -seated herself in the middle of it, and there, spinning herself round -and round, gave it its cup-like form. She then fetched more grasses, -and after arranging them partly round the edge, and partly on the -bottom, repeated the spinning process. A few hairs and some moss were -then stuck about the nest and neatly woven in, the hair and slender -vegetable fibres being the thread, so to speak, with which the moss was -fastened to the nest.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Mr. Mudie on Nest-building.</em></div> - -<p>Mr. Mudie, also speaking of their nest-building, says that, in one -instance which came under his notice, “the bird began at seven o’clock -on a Tuesday morning, and the nest was finished in good time on Friday -afternoon.” This was certainly rapid work. Mr. Yarrell says that the -he-bird brings the materials to the hen, who makes use of them—which -is stated as a general fact by Michelet—and that in constructing her -nest the little fly-catcher, after she had rounded it into its first -form, moves backwards as she weaves into it long hairs and grasses with -her bill, continually walking round and round her nest. This, however, -can only be when the situation of the nest will allow of her passing -round it. Our fly-catcher’s nest, and the nest of our picture, are -placed as a little bed close to the wall, and in such situations the -nest has sometimes no back, but simply the lining. A very favourite -place with the fly-catcher for her nest is the hole in a wall, the -size of a half brick, in which the builder fixed the spar of his -scaffolding, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> omitted to fill up when he had finished. In these -convenient little nooks the fly-catcher’s nest fills the whole front -of the opening, but has seldom any back to it. From all this, I think -it is clear that the fly-catcher is, in her arrangements, guided by -circumstances: only, in every case, her little home is as snug as it -can be.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-126"><img src="images/i-126.jpg" alt="children looking out a window" width="438" height="550" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE WOOD-PIGEON.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> wood-pigeon, ring-dove, or cushat is one of the most familiar and -poetical of our birds. Its low, plaintive coo-goo-roo-o-o is one of the -pleasantest sounds of our summer woods.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Tell me, tell me, cushat, why thou moanest ever,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thrilling all the greenwood with thy secret woe?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">‘I moan not,’ says the cushat, ‘I praise life’s gracious Giver</div> - <div class="verse indent0">By murmuring out my love in the best way that I know.’”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The wood-pigeon belongs to a large family of birds—<em>columbinæ</em> -or doves. The earliest mention of them in the world is in Genesis, -when Noah, wearied with the confinement of the ark, and seeing -that the mountain tops were visible, selected from the imprisoned -creatures—first the raven, then the dove, to go forth and report to -him of the state of the earth. The raven, however, came not back, no -doubt finding food which tempted him to stay; whilst the dove, finding -no rest for the sole of her foot, returned, and Noah, putting forth his -hand, took her in. Again he sent her forth, and she came back in the -evening, and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off. A third -time she was sent forth, but now she returned no more. So Noah looked -out, and behold the face of the earth was dry. And he and his family, -and all the creatures, again went forth and possessed all things.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span></p> - -<p>This dove might probably be of the carrier-pigeon tribe, which is more -nearly related to the rock-pigeon, also a native of this country, -or rather, of the northern parts of Scotland. These carrier-pigeons -were, in the old times, long enough before the invention of electric -telegraphs, or even before post-offices were established, used instead -of both. Anacreon, the Greek poet, speaks of them as being used to -convey letters; the pigeon, having, as it were, two homes, being fed in -each; thus, a letter from a friend in one home was tied to the wing, -and the bird turned into the air, probably without his breakfast, when -he immediately flew off to his distant home, where the letter was -joyfully received, and he fed for his pains. Whilst the answer was -prepared he would rest, and it, perhaps, taking some little time, he -grew hungry again; but they gave him nothing more, and, again securing -the letter on his little person, he was sent back, making good speed, -because he would now be thinking of his supper. Thus, the answer flew -through the air.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent2">“Come hither, my dove,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And I’ll write to my love,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And I’ll send him a letter by thee!”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-129"><img src="images/i-129.jpg" alt="" width="476" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">WOOD-PIGEONS AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_92" title="Page 92">Page 92.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>So says the old song. And we are told that a young man named -Taurosthenes, one of the victors in the great Olympian games of Greece, -sent to his father, who resided at a considerable distance, the tidings -of his success, on the same day, by one of these birds. Pliny, the -Roman historian, speaks of them being used in case of siege; when the -besieged sent out these winged messengers, who, cleaving the air at -a secure height above the surrounding army, conveyed the important -intelligence of their need to their friends afar off. The crusaders -are <span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>said to have made use of them at the siege of Jerusalem, and the -old traveller, Sir John Maundeville—“knight, warrior, and pilgrim,” as -he is styled—who, in the reign of our second and third Edwards, made -a journey as far as the borders of China, relates that, “in that and -other countries beyond, pigeons were sent out from one to another to -ask succour in time of need, and these letters were tied to the neck of -the bird.”</p> - -<p>But enough of carrier-pigeons. Let us come back to our ring-dove or -cushat, brooding on her eggs in the sweet summer woods, as Mr. Harrison -Weir has so truthfully represented her. She is not much of a nest-maker.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6">“A few sticks across,</div> - <div class="verse indent6">Without a bit of moss,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Laid in the fork of an old oak-tree;</div> - <div class="verse indent6">Coo-goo-roo-o-o,</div> - <div class="verse indent6">She says it will do,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And there she’s as happy as a bird can be.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The nest, however, is not at all insufficient for her needs. You see -her sitting brooding over her two white eggs in every possible bird -comfort; and whether her mate help her in the building of the nest -or not, I cannot say, but he is certainly a very good domesticated -husband, and sits upon the eggs alternately with her, so that the -hatching, whatever the building may be, is an equally divided labour.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><cite>Wordsworth’s Tribute of Praise.</cite></div> - -<p>Wordsworth sees in this bird an example of unobtrusive home affection. -He says:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent4">“I heard a stock-dove sing or say</div> - <div class="verse indent4">His homely tale this very day:</div> - <div class="verse indent4">His voice was buried among the trees,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Yet to be come at by the breeze;</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span></p> </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent4">He did not cease, but cooed and cooed,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">And somewhat pensively he wooed;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">He sung of love with quiet blending,</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Slow to begin, and never ending;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">Of serious faith and inward glee;</div> - <div class="verse indent4">That was the song—the song for me.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Wood-pigeons have immense appetites, and, being fond of all kinds of -grain, as well as peas and beans, are looked upon by the farmer with -great disfavour. They are, however, fond of some of those very weeds -which are his greatest annoyance—for instance, charlock and wild -mustard; so that they do him some good in return for the tribute which -they take of his crops. They are fond, also, both of young clover and -the young green leaves of the turnip, as well as of the turnip itself. -Either by instinct or experience, they have learned that, feeding -thus in cultivated fields, they are doing that which will bring down -upon them the displeasure of man. “They keep,” says the intelligent -author of “Wild Sports in the Highlands,” “when feeding in the fields, -in the most open and exposed places, so as to allow no enemy to come -near them. It is amusing to watch a large flock of these birds whilst -searching the ground for grain. They walk in a compact body; and in -order that all may fare alike—which is certainly a good trait in their -character—the hindermost rank, every now and then, fly over the heads -of their companions to the front, where they keep the best place for -a minute or two, till those now in the rear take their place. They -keep up this kind of fair play during the whole time of feeding. They -feed, also, on wild fruit and all kinds of wild berries, such as the -mountain-ash, and ivy; and where acorns abound, seem to prefer them to -anything<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> else. At the same time, I must confess that they are great -enemies to my cherry-trees, and swallow as many cherries as they can -hold. Nor are strawberries safe from them, and the quantity of food -they manage to stow away in their crops is perfectly astonishing.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Its Necessary Watchfulness.</em></div> - -<p>Besides man, the wood-pigeon has its own bird-enemies. “In districts -where the hooded crow abounds,” says the author whom I have just -quoted, “he is always on the look-out for its eggs, which, shining out -white from the shallow, unsubstantial nest, are easily seen by him. -The sparrow-hawk seizes the young when they are half-grown and plump; -he having been carefully noticed watching the nest day by day as if -waiting for the time when they should be fit for his eating. The larger -hawks, however, prey upon the poor wood-pigeon himself.”</p> - -<p>With all his pleasant cooings in the wood, therefore, and all -his complacent strutting about with elevated head and protruded -breast—with all his gambols and graces, his striking the points of -his wings together as he rises into the air, to express a pleasure to -his mate beyond his cooing, he has not such a care free life of it. He -is always kept on the alert, therefore, and, being always on the watch -against danger, is not at all a sound sleeper. The least disturbance at -night rouses him. “I have frequently,” continues our author, “attempted -to approach the trees when the wood-pigeons were roosting, but even -on the darkest nights they would take alarm. The poor wood-pigeon -has no other defence against its enemies than its ever watchful and -never sleeping timidity; not being able to do battle against even the -smallest of its many persecutors.”</p> - -<p>Gilbert White says that the wood-pigeons were greatly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> decreasing, in -his time, in Hampshire, and there were then only about a hundred in the -woods at Selborne, but in former times the flocks had been so vast, not -only there, but in the surrounding districts, that they had traversed -the air morning and evening like rooks, reaching for a mile together, -and that, when they thus came to rendezvous there by thousands, the -sound of their wings, suddenly roused from their roosting-trees in an -evening, rising all at once into the air, was like a sudden rolling of -distant thunder.</p> - -<p>Although the wood-pigeon is considered to be the original parent of -the tame pigeon, yet it does not seem possible to tame the young of -this bird, though taken from the nest quite young. It is a bird which -appears to hate confinement, and, as soon as it has the opportunity, -spite of all kindness and attention, it flies away to the freedom of -the woods.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-134"><img src="images/i-134.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="404" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE WHITE-THROAT.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">With</span> none of our migratory birds, our spring visitants from southern -lands, is the lover of the country more familiar than with the -White-throat, which, with its nest, is here so beautifully and livingly -depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir.</p> - -<p>This bird, with its many names—White-throat, Peggy-white-throat, -Peggy-chaw, Charlie-mufty, Nettle-creeper, Whishey-whey-beard or -Pettichaps—comes to us in April, about the same time as the cuckoo and -the swallow; the male bird, like his cousin the nightingale, coming -before the female, but he does not make himself very conspicuous till -the hedges and bushes are well covered with leaves; then he may be -found in almost every lane and hedge the whole country over.</p> - -<p>As soon as the female is here, and the birds have paired, the business -of nest-building begins, and they may then be seen flying in and out -of the bushes with great alertness, the he-bird carolling his light -and airy song, and often hurling himself, as it were, up into the air, -some twenty or thirty feet, in a wild, tipsy sort of way, as if he -were fuller of life than he could hold, and coming down again with a -warble into the hedge, where the little hen-wife is already arranging -her dwelling in the very spot probably where she was herself hatched, -and her ancestors before her, for ages. For I must here remark that -one of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> most remarkable properties of birds is, that facility by -which they so regularly disperse themselves over the whole country on -their arrival after their far migration, each one, in all probability, -attracted by some attachment of the past, stopping short at, or -proceeding onward to, the exact spot where he himself first came into -the consciousness of life. This is one of the wonderful arrangements of -nature, otherwise of God, by which the great balance is so beautifully -kept in creation. If the migratory bird arrives ever so weary at Dover, -and its true home be some sweet low-lying lane of Devonshire, a thick -hedgerow of the midland counties, or a thickety glen of Westmoreland, -it will not delay its flight nor be tempted to tarry short of that -glen, hedgerow, or lane with which the experience of its own life and -affection is united.</p> - -<p>At this charming time of the year none of the various performers in -nature’s great concert bring back to those who have passed their youth -in the country a more delicious recollection of vernal fields and lanes -than this bird of ours, the little white-throat.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-137"><img src="images/i-137.jpg" alt="" width="470" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">WHITE-THROAT AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_98" title="Page 98">Page 98.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>Yes, along those hedges, fresh and fragrant with their young leaves, -along those banks studded with primroses, campions, blue-bells and -white starwort, and through the thick growth of the wild rose bushes, -all of which have a beauty especially their own, the white-throat -salutes you as you pass, as if to recognise an old acquaintance. He -is brimful of fun; out he starts and performs his series of eccentric -frolics in the air, accompanied by his mad-cap sort of warble; or, -almost as if laughing at you, he repeats from the interior of the -bushes his deep grave note, <em>chaw! chaw!</em> whence comes the name -of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>peggy-chaw. This, however, is to tell you—and to those who -understand bird-language it is intelligible enough—that he has now a -family to attend to, and he begs, very respectfully, that you will not -trouble yourself about it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Description of the Bird.</em></div> - -<p>A Scotch naturalist says that “the peasant boys in East Lothian imagine -that the bird is mocking or laughing at them, as it tumbles over the -hedge and bushes in the lane, and, therefore, they persecute it at all -times, even more mercilessly than they do sparrows.”</p> - -<p>The white-throat is an excitable little bird, rapid in all its -movements; and though it will apparently allow a person to come near, -it incessantly flits on, gets to the other side of the hedge, warbles -its quaint little song, flies to a short distance, sings again, and so -on, for a long time, returning in the same way. It erects the feathers -of its head when excited, and swells its throat so much when singing, -that the feathers stand out like a ruff, whence it has obtained the -name of <em>Muffety</em>, or Charlie-mufty, in Scotland.</p> - -<p>Its colour, on the upper parts of the body, is reddish-brown, -brownish-white below, with a purely white throat. Its food is -principally insects and larvæ of various kinds, for which it is always -on the search amongst the thick undergrowth of the plants and bushes -where it builds. One of its many names is Nettle-creeper, from this -plant growing so generally in the localities which it haunts.</p> - -<p>Its nest—one of the most light and elegant of these little abodes—may -truly be called “gauze-like,” for being constructed wholly of fine -grasses, and very much of the brittle stems of the Galnim aparine, or -cleavers, which, though slender, are not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> pliant, and bend only with an -angle; they prevent the whole fabric from being closely woven, so that -it maintains a gauzy texture; the inside, however, is put together more -closely of finer and more pliant materials, delicate root-filaments, -and various kinds of hair. The eggs, four or five in number, are of a -greenish-gray colour, often with a tawny hue, blotched and spotted over -with dark tints of the same colour.</p> - -<p>A correspondent of the author of “British Birds” says that, one morning -in June, when walking in his shrubbery within about eighty yards of a -White-throat’s nest, which he was taking great interest in, he found a -portion of the shell of one of the eggs of this bird, and, fearing that -a magpie had been plundering it, hastened to the spot, but found to his -satisfaction that the nest was then full of newly-hatched birds. “The -shell had,” he says, “been instinctively taken away by the mother in -order to prevent the discovery of the place of her retreat.” He adds -that the mother-bird was very shy, and usually dropped from her nest -with the most astonishing rapidity, and, treading her way through the -grasses and other entanglements, disappeared in a moment. The young, -too, seemed greatly to dislike observation, and on his taking one into -his hand to examine it, it uttered a cry, no doubt of alarm, on which -all the other little things leapt out of their abode, although not more -than half-fledged, and hopped amongst the grass. It is a singular fact -that almost every kind of young bird, if they be caused to leave their -nest through alarm, or by being handled, can never be induced to stay -in the nest again, though they may be put back into it time after time.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE BULL-FINCH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird, which is common to all parts of the country, is very shy, -and for the greater part of the year haunts the woods and thickets. -In spring, however, its fondness for tender fruit-buds tempts it into -gardens and orchards, where, being considered an enemy, it is destroyed -without mercy. It is a question, however, whether it devours these -young buds as favourite food, or whether it may not be the equally -distinctive grub or insect which is the temptation; and thus, that -it ought rather to be regarded as the friend than the enemy of the -gardener and fruit-grower. At all events, the general opinion is -against the poor bull-finch. He is declared to be a devourer of the -embryo fruit, and no mercy is shown to him. The Rev. J. G. Wood, always -a merciful judge where birds are concerned, thinks that public opinion -is unfairly against him. He says that a gooseberry tree, from which it -was supposed that the bull-finches had picked away every blossom-bud, -yet bore the same year an abundant crop of fruit, which certainly -proved that they had picked away only the already infected buds, and so -left the tree in an additionally healthy state, doubly able to mature -and perfect its fruit.</p> - -<p>Bull-finches seldom associate with other birds, but keep together in -small flocks as of single families. Its flight, though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> quick, is -somewhat undulating or wavering; and in the winter it may sometimes -be seen in large numbers flitting along the roadsides and hedges, -being probably forced out of some of its shyness by the stress of -hunger. Its ordinary note is a soft and plaintive whistle; its song, -short and mellow. It is, in its native state, no way distinguished as -a singing-bird, but at the same time it is possessed of a remarkable -faculty for learning tunes artificially, of which I may have more to -say presently.</p> - -<p>The bull-finch begins to build about the beginning of May. She places -her nest, as we see in our illustration, in a bush, frequently a -hawthorn, at no great distance from the ground. The nest is not very -solidly put together; the foundation, so to speak, being composed of -small dry twigs, then finished off with fibrous roots and moss, which -also form the lining. The eggs, five or six in number, are of a dull -bluish-white, marked at the larger end with dark spots.</p> - -<p>Although there is so little to say about the bull-finch in his natural -state—excepting that he is a handsome bird, with bright black eyes, -a sort of rich black hood on his head; his back, ash-grey; his breast -and underparts, red; wings and tail, black, with the upper tail-coverts -white—yet when he has gone through his musical education, he is not -only one of the most accomplished of song-birds, but one of the most -loving and faithfully attached little creatures that can come under -human care. These trained birds are known as piping bull-finches.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-143"><img src="images/i-143.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">BULL-FINCH AND NESTLINGS.      [<a href="#Page_102" title="Page 102">Page 102.</a></p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>How it is taught to pipe.</em></div> - -<p>Bishop Stanley, in his “History of Birds,” thus describes the method by -which they are taught:—</p> - -<p>“In the month of June, the young ones, which are taken from the nest -for that purpose, are brought up by a person, <span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>who, by care and -attention, so completely tames them that they become perfectly docile -and obedient. At the expiration of about a couple of months, they first -begin to whistle, from which time their education begins, and no school -can be more diligently superintended by its master, and no scholars -more effectually trained to their own calling, than a seminary of -bull-finches. They are formed first into classes of about six in each, -and, after having been kept a longer time than usual without food, and -confined to a dark room, the tune they are to learn is played over -and over again, on a little instrument called a bird-organ, the notes -of which resemble, as nearly as possible, those of the bull-finch; -sometimes, also, a flageolet is used for this purpose, and birds so -taught are said to have the finer notes. For awhile the little moping -creatures will sit in silence, not knowing what all this can mean; but -after awhile one by one will begin to imitate the notes they hear, for -they have great power of imitation as well as remarkably good memories. -As soon as they have said their lesson all round, light is admitted -into the room, and they are fed.</p> - -<p>“By degrees the sound of the musical instrument—be it flageolet or -bird-organ—and the circumstance of being fed, become so associated in -the mind of the hungry bird, that it is sure to begin piping the tune -as soon as it hears it begin to play. When the little scholars have -advanced so far they are put into a higher class, that is to say, are -turned over each to his private tutor; in other words, each bird is put -under the care of a boy who must carry on its education, and who plays -on the little instrument from morning to night, or as long as the bird -can pay attention, during which time the head-master<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> or feeder goes -his regular rounds, scolding or rewarding the little feathered scholars -by signs and modes of making them understand, till they have learned -their lessons so perfectly, and the tune is so impressed on their -memories, that they will pipe it to the end of their days; and let us -hope, as I believe is the fact, that they find in it a never-ending -delight.</p> - -<p>“Just as in human schools and colleges, it is only the few out of the -great number who take the highest honours or degrees, or become senior -wranglers, so it is not above five birds in every hundred who can -attain to the highest perfection in their art! but all such are valued -at a very high price.”</p> - -<p>It is allowable to hope that the poor bull-finch, which has thus -industriously applied himself to learn, and has thus become -artificially gifted with the power of pleasing, takes great -satisfaction in his accomplishment. Perhaps also the association with -his human teacher calls forth his affection as well as his power of -song, for it is a fact that the piping bull-finch is, of all birds, -given to attach itself to some one individual of the family where it -is kept, expressing, at their approach, the most vehement delight, -greeting them with its piping melody, hopping towards them, and -practising all its little winning ways to show its love, and to court a -return of caresses.</p> - -<p>“An interesting story,” says the bishop, “was told by Sir William -Parsons, who was himself a great musician, and who, when a young man, -possessed a piping bull-finch, which he had taught to sing, ‘God save -the king.’ On his once going abroad, he gave his favourite in charge -to his sister, with a strict injunction to take the greatest care of -it. On his return, one of his first visits was to her, when she told -him that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> poor little bird had been long in declining health, and -was, at that moment, very ill. Sir William, full of sorrow, went into -the room where the cage was, and, opening the door, put in his hand, -and spoke to the bird. The poor little creature recognised his voice, -opened his eyes, shook his feathers, staggered on to his finger, piped -‘God save the king,’ and fell down dead.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Devoted Affection of Birds.</em></div> - -<p>We see in the piping bull-finch—a bird which in its education is -closely associated with man—the deep and devoted affection of which -it is capable; and if we could only live with the animal creation as -their friends and benefactors, we should no longer be surprised by such -instances of their intelligence and love.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-147"><img src="images/i-147.jpg" alt="a nest among the leaves" width="403" height="450" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE MISSEL-THRUSH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> is the largest of our British song birds. It remains with us -through the whole year, not being migratory, excepting in so far as it -moves off in considerable flocks into Herefordshire and Monmouthshire -for the sake of the mistletoe which abounds in the orchards there, -on the viscous berries of which it delights to feed, and whence it -has obtained its familiar name of missel, or mistletoe thrush. It is -generally believed that this curious parasitic plant was propagated or -planted upon the branches of trees, by this bird rubbing its bill upon -the rough bark to clean it from the sticky substance of the berry, and -thus introducing the seeds into the interstices of the bark.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-149"><img src="images/i-149.jpg" alt="" width="477" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">MISSEL-THRUSHES AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_106" title="Page 106">Page 106.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The Missel-thrush is a handsome bird; the head, back, and upper coverts -of the wings olive-brown, the latter tipped with brownish-white, -spotted with brown; the breasts and under parts pale yellow, covered -with black spots; the legs are yellow and the claws black.</p> - -<p>It is a welcome bird, being the earliest harbinger of spring, the first -singer of the year. Long before the swallow is thought of, before even -the hardy familiar robin has begun his song, its clear rich voice -may be heard on Christmas or New Year’s day, often amidst wild winds -and winterly storms, whence its also familiar name, the storm-cock. -It is known by different names <span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>in different parts of the country. -The origin of its more general appellation—the missel-thrush—I have -already mentioned. In the midland counties it is called the thrice -cock, but why I know not. In Wales it is known as <em>Pen-y-llwyn</em>, -which means the head or master of the coppice. Why it is so called I -will mention presently.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>A Description of the Nest.</em></div> - -<p>The nest of the missel-thrush is large and well constructed, being -made of almost every material ordinarily used for nest-making -purposes—moss, and hay, and straw, and dry leaves, and little twigs, -and locks of wool, with occasional odds and ends of every possible -kind. All these are woven and wrought together very compactly; not, -however, without loose straws and little tangles of wool hanging about. -Within is a smooth casing of mud, as in the nest of the throstle, and -within that a second coating of dry grass. Our picture represents all -as being now complete. The busy labours of the year are now over; the -eggs, four or five in number, of a greenish-blue, marked with reddish -spots, are laid, and the mother-bird has taken her patient seat upon -them, whilst her mate, from the branch above, sings as if he never -meant to leave off again.</p> - -<p>The song of this bird is loud, clear, and melodious—a cheering, -hopeful song; and when heard amidst the yet prevailing winter-storms, -as if in anticipation of better times, it well deserves our admiration. -It resembles, to a certain degree, the song of the blackbird and the -thrush, and is often mistaken for them; but it has not the short, -quick, and varied notes of the one, nor the sober, prolonged, and -eloquent melody of the other. On the contrary it is of an eager, -hurrying character,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> as if it could not sufficiently express its -emotion, and yet was trying to do so.</p> - -<p>The missel-thrush is a bird of very marked character, and is both bold -and chivalrous. Its harsh, jarring note of anger and defiance is the -first to be heard when a bird-enemy is at hand. If a cuckoo or hawk is -anywhere near meditating mischief, the missel-thrush is vehement in his -expression of displeasure. In our own neighbourhood, where the jays in -summer come from the wood to carry the young of the sparrows from their -nests in the ivied boles of the trees round our garden, the outcry of -the parent sparrows instantly arouses the sympathetic missel-thrushes, -who, with a scolding defiance, rush to the rescue. Of course these -birds, which are of so militant a character, and so loud in protesting -against a wrong done to another, will be equally alive to their own -rights, and active in defending their own nests and young. Some -naturalists have suggested that this combatant temper and extraordinary -courage are but the natural consequence of the bird finding its nest -open to common attack; for, being of a large size, and built early in -the year whilst the trees are yet leafless, it is visible to every -enemy and depredator.</p> - -<p>Mr. Thompson says: “Often have I seen a pair of these birds driving off -magpies, and occasionally fighting against four of them. One pair which -I knew attacked a kestrel which appeared in their neighbourhood when -the young were out. One of them struck the hawk several times, and made -as many more fruitless attempts, as the enemy, by suddenly rising in -the air, escaped the cunning blow. They then followed the kestrel for a -long way, until they were lost to our sight in the distance.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span></p> - -<p>The old Welsh name of “master, or head of the coppice,” refers to the -same warlike spirit. “The missel-thrush,” says Gilbert White, “suffers -no magpie, jay, or blackbird to enter the garden where he haunts, and -is, for the time, a good guardian of the new-sown crops. In general, he -is very successful in defence of his family. Once, however, I observed -in my garden that several magpies came determined to storm the nest of -the missel-thrush. The parent-birds defended their mansion with great -vigour, and fought resolutely. But numbers at last prevailed, and the -poor missel-thrushes had the pain of seeing their nest torn to pieces, -and their young carried off.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>The Gardeners’ Enemy.</em></div> - -<p>The missel-thrushes, however, as the year goes on, make for themselves -enemies even more formidable than hawks or magpies; these are the -gardeners. Towards the end of summer, when the young have flown, -and they and the parent-birds congregate in large flocks, having -then nothing to do but to enjoy themselves, like human families when -children are all home for the holidays, they too go abroad on their -excursions of pleasure; not, however, to sea-side watering places, but -into gardens where the cherries and raspberries are ripe. Poor birds! -Little aware of their danger, or if they be so, defiant of it in the -greatness of the temptation, they make sad havoc amongst the fruit, -and many unfortunates are shot or snared, and then hung up amidst the -cherry-boughs or the raspberry-canes as a terror to their associates. -It is a pity we cannot make them welcome to some and yet have enough -left for ourselves.</p> - -<p>The berries of the mountain-ash and the arbutus, and later<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> on in the -year those of the holly and ivy, supply them with food, as do also -in the spring and summer insects of various kinds—caterpillars and -spiders—so that in this respect they are good friends to the gardener, -and might, one thinks, be made welcome to a little fruit in return.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-154"><img src="images/i-154.jpg" alt="nest in a tree" width="389" height="450" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE YELLOW-HAMMER, OR YELLOW-HEAD.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span>, though an extremely pretty bird, is so common that very -little notice is taken of it. Its colours are varied and beautiful: -the back and wings, bright red; the central part of each feather, -brownish-black; the head and throat, bright yellow; the feathers of the -upper part tipped with black; the breast, brownish-red. The colours of -the female are much duller.</p> - -<p>The yellow-hammer resembles linnets, finches, and sparrows in character -and habits, and often associates with them, resorting to the fields in -open weather, and often perching in hedges and bushes as well as in -trees. In the winter, when the weather is severe, it congregates, with -other birds, about houses, farm-buildings, and stack-yards.</p> - -<p>One of the most pleasing features of autumn is, to my mind, these -flocks of kindred birds, which are at that time all abroad and yet -together, circling in their flight, all rising as you approach, and -wheeling away into the stubble-field, or into the distant hedges, now -rich with their wild fruits—the blackberry, the wild rose hip, and the -bunches of black-privet berries—and then away again, as you approach, -with their variously modulated notes, through the clear air into the -yet more distant stubble or bean-field.</p> - -<p>The flight of the yellow-hammer is wavy and graceful, and,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> alighting -abruptly, he has a curious way of jerking out his tail feathers like -a little fan. All at once a whole flock of them will descend from a -considerable height and settle on the twigs of a tree, clothing it as -with living leaves. Whatever number the flock may consist of, there -is no impatient hurry or jostling among them to get the best perch, -every individual settling as if on its own appointed place. As I have -already observed, nothing is more charming at this season than these -congregated companies of small birds. All the cares of life are now -over, their young broods are around them, and now, with nothing to -do but to enjoy themselves in the freedom of nature, where—on every -hand, on every bush and tree, and in every outlying field—though the -crops are now carried, all except, perhaps, here and there a solitary -field in which the bean-shocks stand up black in the golden autumnal -sunshine; but here, and there, and everywhere, a full table is spread, -and they are welcome to enjoy.</p> - -<p>In spring and summer, the yellow-hammer sings a peculiar but -mournful sort of little ditty, composed of a few short, sonorous -notes, concluding with one long drawn out. In the midland -counties, where stocking-weaving is the business of the people, -the note of the bird is said to resemble the working of the -machine—ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-e-e-chay—the prolonged latter syllable being -what the stockinger calls, in the machine movement, “pressing over the -arch.” In other parts of the country this bird’s song is interpreted as -“A little bit of bread, and—no-cheese!” which may just as well be “A -little bird am I, and—no thief!”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-157"><img src="images/i-157.jpg" alt="" width="477" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">YELLOW-HAMMER AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_112" title="Page 112">Page 112.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The food of this bird consists of the seeds of all kinds of <span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>grasses, -chickweeds, polygonums, and other such weeds; also, in summer, when -food is needed for the young, insects and larvæ.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Its Picturesque Nest.</em></div> - -<p>The winter congregations break up in April, and then the yellow-hammer -begins to think of family joys and cares. But, unlike their relations -the sparrows and finches, the he-birds take everything quietly, without -having their little skirmishes to show their spirit and prowess, like -the knights of old, at the tournament, before the admiring ladies. The -yellow-hammer does everything quietly, choosing his mate in an orderly -way; and now that the buds are swelling on the trees, the primroses -gemming the hedge-banks, and the golden catkins hanging on the willows -by the watersides, hither come the little yellow-hammers, and, having -selected some sweet, hidden spot, under a bush, or on the fieldy banks -amongst the thick herbage—we see it a month later in our picture, -when the buds have expanded into leaves, in a wild growth of beautiful -grasses and herbage—begin to make their nest. How picturesque it is! -William Hunt never painted anything more beautiful. The nest itself -is somewhat large, and of simple construction, woven externally of -coarse bents and small pliant twigs, and lined with hair and wool. Here -the hen lays four or five eggs of a purplish white, marked with dark, -irregular streaks, often resembling musical notes.</p> - -<p>These poor little birds are extremely attached to their home and their -young, so much so, that if these be taken by the pitiless bird-nester, -they will continue for some days about the place uttering the most -melancholy plaint, which, though still to the same old tune as the song -of their spring rejoicing, has now the expression of the deepest woe.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span></p> - -<p>The author of “British Birds” thus sums up their various characteristic -actions:—“When perched on a tree, especially in windy weather, they -crouch close to the twigs, draw in their necks, and keep their tails -declined. After pairing, the male is generally seen on a bush or tree, -raising his tail by sudden jerks, and slightly expanding it. His notes -are then usually two chirps, followed by a harsher note—cit, chit, -chirr—with considerable intervals. When feeding in the stubble-fields, -they advance by very short leaps, with their breasts nearly touching -the ground; when apprehensive of danger they crouch motionless, and -when alarmed give information to each other by means of their ordinary -short note.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-160"><img src="images/i-160.jpg" alt="nest of eggs" width="440" height="450" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE MAGPIE.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">You</span> have here a living portrait of the Magpie, sitting, so to speak, on -his own door-sill, and contemplating it with rather a sentimental air, -perhaps rather with tender admiration; and as to his dwelling, it is, -we must confess, a wonderful structure—a half-timbered edifice, so to -speak, walled-round and roofed-in, with its front-door and all complete.</p> - -<p>The magpie is one of our most beautiful as well as most amusing and -characteristic birds. He is cousin to the jackdaw, and has, like him, -odd ways of his own. In all countries where he is found, he is just the -same. An old Greek poet, who lived two thousand years ago, speaks of -him as a great mimic, and such an inordinate talker, that, in his own -satirical humour, he pretends to believe that magpies were originally a -family of young ladies, in Macedonia, who were noted for the volubility -of their tongues. Handsome he is, as well as talkative, and very droll -and mischievous.</p> - -<p>Being such, we need not wonder that his nest is very original. He likes -to place it in a secure angle of branches, on some lofty tree, as we -see it here, fifty feet or so from the ground; and prefers to have it -on a tree bare of branches to a considerable height, knowing that it -is then more inaccessible. He is wise in all this, for its bulk being -so large it is discernible to a great<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> distance. As magpies, however, -are found almost everywhere, and in some parts of the country, the -north of Scotland for instance, where there are no trees, the poor -magpie is then obliged to build in a bush, and do the best he can. In -such a case, in Norway, he was known to barricade his nest with thorny -branches, brought thither by himself for that purpose, till it was next -to impossible for the domicile to be invaded. A cat could not get to -it, and a man only with hedging-mittens on his hands, and by help of a -bill-hook.</p> - -<p>Like the rook, the magpie inhabits the same nest for several years, -perhaps for the whole of his life, putting it into repair every year -before he again needs it for family use—like a wealthy country family -taking possession of their ancestral mansion in the spring.</p> - -<p>And now, turning to our picture, we find our magpie in excellent -circumstances. Every thing has gone well with him. Here he is, and I -will have the pleasure of giving you a bit of every-day magpie life, -as sketched by that true pen-and-ink artist, the author of “British -Birds.” Our scene opens a few minutes before the time indicated in our -picture:—</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-163"><img src="images/i-163.jpg" alt="" width="477" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">MAGPIE AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_116" title="Page 116">Page 116.</a></p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>A Search for Food.</em></div> - -<p>“There, on the old ash-tree, you may see a pair, one perched on the -topmost twig, the other hopping on the branches below, keeping up an -incessant chatter. How gracefully she, on the topmost twig, swings in -the breeze! Off she starts, and directs her flight to the fir-woods -opposite, chattering all the way, seemingly to call her mate after her. -But he prefers remaining behind. He is in a brown study, or something -of that kind, as we can plainly see. Now, having spied something -below, he hops downwards from twig to branch, and <span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>descends to the -ground. His ash-tree, you must understand, grows close to, and in part -overshadows, a farmyard; so now he is on ground which, as is customary -in such places, is not over clean; therefore, lifting up his tail to -prevent it being soiled or wet, as the farmer’s wife might hold up her -Sunday gown, and raising his body as high as possible, he walks a few -paces, and, spying an earth-worm half out of his hole, drags it forth -by a sudden jerk, breaks it in pieces, and swallows it. Now, under the -hedge, he has found a snail, which he will presently pick out of its -shell, as an old woman would a periwinkle. But now something among the -bushes has startled him, and he springs lightly upwards, chattering -the while, to regain his favourite tree. It is a cat, which, not less -frightened than himself, for both are intent on mischief, runs off -towards the barn. The magpie again descends, steps slowly over the -grassy margin of the yard, looking from side to side, stops, listens, -advances rapidly by a succession of leaps, and encounters a whole brood -of chickens, with their mother at their heels. If she had not been -there he would have had a delicious feast of one of those chickens; -but he dare not think of such a thing now, for, with fury in her eye, -bristled plumage, and loud clamour, the hen rushes forward at him, -overturning two of her younglings, and the enemy, suddenly wheeling -round to avoid the encounter, flies off to his mate.</p> - -<p>“There again you perceive them in the meadow, as they walk about with -their elevated tails, looking for something eatable. By the hedge, afar -off, are two boys, with a gun, endeavouring to creep up to a flock of -plovers on the other side. But the magpies see them, for there are not -many things which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> escape their sharp eyes, and presently rising, they -fly directly over the field, chattering vehemently, and the flock of -plovers on this take wing, and the disappointed young sportsmen sheer -off in another direction.”</p> - -<p>Magpies always make a great chattering when they are disturbed, or -when they apprehend that danger is near. Waterton says that they -are vociferous at the approach of night, and that they are in truth -valuable watchmen on that account. “Whoever enters the wood,” he -says, “is sure to attract their notice, and then their challenge is -incessant. When I hear them during the night, or even during the -day, I know that mischief is on the stir. Three years ago, at eleven -o’clock in the day, I was at the capture of one of the most expert -and desperate poachers, to whose hiding-place we were directed by the -chatter of the magpies.”</p> - -<p>The poor magpie has many enemies, and, knowing this, is always on the -watch, and easily alarmed.</p> - -<p>Its mode of walking is like that of the rook, but not having any -dignity to maintain, it every now and then leaps in a sidelong -direction. When alarmed itself, or wishing to announce danger to other -birds, it utters a sort of chuckling cry or chatter. If a fox or cat, -or any other unfriendly animal, approaches, it hovers about it, and -alarms the whole neighbourhood by its cries till the enemy is out of -sight.</p> - -<p>Like the jackdaw, it generally keeps in pairs the whole year round; -and, indeed, when birds continue to inhabit the same nest, season after -season, it is quite natural that they should do so. It is a curious -fact, however, that if by any accident the hen-magpie is killed, whilst -sitting on her eggs, her mate sets<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> off at once and brings home another -wife, who takes to the nest and eggs, just as if she had laid them; and -if by another mischance she too should come to an untimely end, the -widower again goes off, and, without any loss of time, brings back a -third wife, and she takes to her duties quite as naturally and lovingly -as the other did; but where all these surplus mothers come from is a -question which no naturalist has yet answered, and the magpie, with all -his chattering, is not clever enough to explain the wonder.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Its Beautiful Plumage.</em></div> - -<p>The beauty of this bird’s plumage is familiar to all; and although it -is simply black and white, yet the exquisitely-coloured gloss of green, -blue, and purple, with their varying and intermingling tints, produce -such a charming effect that one cannot sufficiently admire them.</p> - -<p>With the external structure of the magpie’s nest we are acquainted: the -lower part, inside, is neatly plastered with mud, “and is furnished,” -says Bewick, “with a sort of mattress, formed of wool or fibrous roots, -on which from three to six eggs are laid.” The eggs frequently vary, -both in size and colour; sometimes they are of a pale green, freckled -over with amber-brown and light purple; sometimes pale blue, with -smaller spots of the same dark colours.</p> - -<p>The nest is, so to speak, a sort of little domed chamber, of a good -size for its purpose; but then comes the question—What does the magpie -do with her long tail as she sits on her eggs? It would certainly -poke a hole through the wall if left to its full extent; she must, -therefore, lift it up, as she does when walking amongst the wet grass, -and sit with it laid flat against the wall, which probably is not -inconvenient to her.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">THE NUTHATCH.</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">This</span> bird is almost an entire stranger to most people. It belongs to -the rather large family of creepers; birds which, like the woodpecker -and the little golden-crested wren, run up the holes and branches of -trees in search of food. The nuthatch, however, has an advantage over -all its other creeping relatives, by being gifted with the power of -coming down the tree head foremost, which none of them have. It can -also sleep with its head downwards; neither in its rapid ascent has it -occasion to press its tail against the tree for help; so that it is the -most accomplished little acrobat of the whole race of creepers.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-169"><img src="images/i-169.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="650" /></a> -<p class="caption center">NUTHATCH AND NEST.      [<a href="#Page_120" title="Page 120">Page 120.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>The nuthatch cannot be called a rare bird, and yet it is not often -seen, being of a shy and retiring disposition, though naturally lively -and active. The plumage is very pleasing in colour; the upper parts -of the body are bluish-grey; a black line passes from the corners of -the mouth to the back of the neck; the breast and under parts light -reddish-yellow, and the sides reddish-brown.</p> - -<p>It delights in woods and trees; nor need it be looked for elsewhere, -as it derives its food entirely amongst them, either of insects and -larvæ, hidden in the bark, or of fruits and nuts, as kernels of -fir-cones, beech, and other nuts, the shells of which it <span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>breaks in -a very ingenious manner, as I shall presently describe. Now and then -it alights on the ground, and then advances by short leaps. It has no -song; but in winter, when living in small companies, perhaps the whole -summer-family associating together, it has a little piping note, which, -however, is supposed to be simply the call to each other. It is said to -be sensitive to the cold, and always feeds on the side of the wood or -of the tree which is defended from the wind. In spring, however, when -all nature is renovated with a quicker pulse of life—for, as Tennyson -says:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">In the spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin’s breast;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In the spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In the spring a livelier iris changes on the burnished dove—</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>then, also, the silent nuthatch sends forth through the awakening -solitude of the woods his two little notes, one short and twittering, -the other a low, mellow, flute-like whistle, which is so clear that it -may be heard to a considerable distance.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Its Favourite Food.</em></div> - -<p>The graphic author of the “British Birds” says, “It is, at all times, -a busy and cheerful bird, particularly at nesting-time. Its favourite -food is nuts of any kind. It builds and roosts in hollow trees, and -is seldom seen in the open fields, unless when in quest of the stones -of the white-thorn or sloe. It may, therefore, be properly called a -forester. Its dexterity in opening nuts and the stones of fruit is -curious. It fixes the nut in a crack, on the top of a post, or in the -bark of a tree, and, placing itself above it, head downwards, striking -with great force and rapidity, with its strong, wedge-shaped bill on -the edge of the shell, splits it open. When their food is plentiful,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> -they have a favourite crack for unshelling the kernels, as sometimes a -peck of broken shells may be seen under this crack.”</p> - -<p>The Rev. W. T. Bree tells us that “the tapping of the bird on the hard -shell may be heard at a considerable distance, and that during the -operation it sometimes happens that the nut swerves from its fixture -and falls towards the ground. It has not descended, however, for the -space of more than a few yards, when the nuthatch, with admirable -adroitness, recovers it in the fall, and, replacing it in its former -position, commences the attack afresh. The fall of the nut in the air, -and the recovery by the bird on the wing, I have seen repeated several -times in the space of a few minutes.”</p> - -<p>This is a little act of skill in the bird which it would be charming to -observe; and here again I would remark, as I have so often done before, -that this is but a single instance of what many of us, living in the -country, might witness in some woodland nook near at hand, if we would -only be lovingly still and patient, and interest ourselves in the ways -and means of the innocent animal-life around us.</p> - -<p>The nest of the bird also deserves our notice; and let me here call -your attention to the beautiful and living little portrait of the bird -at home, given us by Mr. Harrison Weir, than which we have nothing more -truthful from his pencil. The home of the nuthatch is nothing more, to -begin with, than the hole in an old tree, which, probably, has been -deserted by the woodpecker. As, however, the woodpecker either requires -a more enlarged entrance to her nursery, or considers it more seemly, -the nuthatch, who merely likes a snug little hole to creep in at, and -nothing more, walls up the opening with a plastering of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> clay or mud, -leaving only just room enough for herself to enter. Perhaps she may be -afraid of the old tenants returning and again taking possession, so -builds up a little defence in front; but of that I cannot say; certain -it is she makes herself comfortably at home in rather an untidy nest, -composed mostly of dead oak-leaves, and here she lays six or seven -white eggs, with ruddy spots on them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><em>Her Defence of her Young.</em></div> - -<p>If the plaster wall be by any chance removed, the poor bird loses not -a moment in replacing it; and though she has apparently great dread -of any enemy—the woodpecker, snake, man, or whatever else he may be, -disturbing her—yet so faithfully devoted is she to her duties, that -scarcely anything will induce her to leave the eggs or young. She -fights vigorously in defence of her home and its treasures, striking -out with her bill and wings, and making a hissing, angry noise. Nay, -timid and shy as she naturally is, she will suffer herself to be -carried off captive rather than desert her charge.</p> - -<p>Let me conclude with one of Bechstein’s anecdotes of the nuthatch:—</p> - -<p>“A lady amused herself in the winter by throwing seeds on the terrace, -below the window, to feed the birds in the neighbourhood. She put some -hemp-seed and cracked nuts even on the window-sill, and on a board, for -her particular favourites, the blue-tits. Two nuthatches came one day -to have their share of this repast, and were so well pleased that they -became quite familiar, and did not even go away in the following spring -to get their natural food and to build their nest in the wood. They -settled themselves in the hollow of an old tree near the house.</p> - -<p>“As soon as the two young ones which were reared here were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> ready to -fly, they brought them to the hospitable window, where they were to be -nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It was amusing to see -these two new visitors hang or climb on the walls or blinds, whilst -their benefactress put their food on the board. These pretty creatures -as well as the tits, knew her so well, that when she drove away the -sparrows, which came to steal what was not intended for them, they did -not fly away also, but seemed to know what was done was only to protect -and defend them. They remained near the house for the whole summer, -rarely wandering, till one fatal day, at the beginning of the sporting -season, in autumn, on hearing the report of a gun, they disappeared and -were never seen again.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<a id="image-174"><img src="images/i-174.jpg" alt="" width="313" height="350" /></a> -</div> - -<hr class="full x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Watson & Hazell</span>, Printers, 28, Charles Street, Hatton Garden.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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