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duals, however, residing fifty miles from the sea, employ the same materials as those which dwell on the shore. The other species in those districts likewise employ a portion of the same substance in the fabrication of their nests. Fleming.

THE STARLING.

Why do starlings probably migrate to this country alone?

Because few other birds could travel so long, and continue such a rapid motion.

From some rude observations, it appears probable, that a pair of starlings in conjunction do not travel less than fifty miles in the day, visiting and feeding their young about one hundred and forty times, which, consisting of five in number, and admitting only one to be fed each time, every bird must receive in this period eight and twenty portions of food or water.

THE CROSS-BILL.

Why is the cross-bill so called?

Because the mandibles of the beak do not lie upon each other, with their lateral edges in opposition, as in other birds, but cross, or curve to the right and left, and always in opposite directions to each other. In some specimens, the upper mandibles curve downwards and to the left, the under portion turned upwards, and to the right. - Mr Yarrel, in the Zoological Journal.

Why is the cross-bill so destructive in orchards ? Because it feeds upon the seeds of the apple, by cutting the fruit asunder with its well-constructed mandibles, in order to obtain the kernels.

THE BULFINCH.

Why is a snowy, severe winter, peculiarly destructive to the bulfinch ?

Because it feeds in this season upon the 'hips' of the dog-rose, which are scarce in hard weather; when they are gone, it seems to pine for food, and is starved, or perhaps frozen, on its roost, as few are observed to survive a long inclement winter.

Why do bulfinches often become wholly black? Because they are fed on hemp-seed. Such influence has food on the colour of animals! The pied and mottled colours of domesticated animals, are supposed to be owing to high, various, and unusual food.- White.

Why do bulfinches pipe?

Because they are taken, when very young, from their nests, and taught by a barrel-organ. Their *tuition is a task of strict discipline, and is commenced when they first begin to whistle, or at the age of two months. They are taught in classes of about six in number; they are naturally great mimics; the barrelorgan is of a single diapason, and only plays one air. The birds, before they make their first essay, are comparatively starved, are placed in a dark room round the organ, and the air is played slowly to them. The moment they mimic the organ, the light is admitted into the room, and a little food is given to them; this is repeated so often, and works upon them so mechanically, that the organ is to them a sure presage of their being fed. During this time, they are fed and attended by one person only. After a month's drilling, they are handed over to boys, who are employed to play to them. Each boy takes a bird; and during these exercises, or rather rehearsals, they are occasionally visited, and always fed, by their old teacher; who, by various motions of the head and mouth, checks or encourages them in their piping, according to their merits: for instance, when they repeat a stave too often, he scowls and blows upon them; and when they proceed correctly he waves his head. They perfectly understand these motions, and by dint of perseverance on the part of the teacher, and attention and practice on theirs, acquire the habit of piping, which never leaves them till death. It is, however, observable,

that, though all the bulfinches have the same advantages, as far as teaching goes, and the same power of voice, there are not above five out of a hundred that pipe correctly.

Blumenbach says, 'Both sexes readily learn to whistle tunes, to sing in parts, and even to pronounce words.'

TIT-LARK, &c.

Why do the tit-lark and yellow-hammer sing late? Because they breed late- the latter very late; and Mr G. White lays it down as a maxim in ornithology, that as long as there is any incubation going on, there is music.

THE BUNTING.

Why is the bunting so destructive in rick-yards ? Because, unlike other birds, which burrow into the stack, the bunting deliberately unroofs the rick, by seizing the end of the straw thatching, and drawing it out to search for any grain the ear might yet contain. Mr Knapp saw a rick of barley thus unroofed, so that the immediate removal of the corn became necessary.

THE CHAFFINCH.

Why are chaffinches, in some parts, called 'twinks' and 'pinks'?

Because of their constant repetition of one note, when alarmed or in danger.

THE CANARY-BIRD.

Why is the Canary-bird so called?

Because it was first brought to Europe from the Canary Islands, about the commencement of the sixteenth century; but has since deviated into many varieties.

THE LINNET.

Why is the linnet among the least solitary of birds? Because it frequents open commons and gorsy fields, where several pairs, without the least rivalry or con

PART IV.

10*

tention, will build their nests and rear their offspring in the same neighbourhood. This duty over, the families unite, and form large associations, feeding and moving in company, as one united household; and, resorting to the head of some sunny tree, they will pass hours chattering with each other in a low and gentle note; and they will thus regularly assemble during any occasional bright gleam throughout all the winter season

And still their voice is song,

which, heard at some little distance, forms a very pleasing concert, innocent and joyous. - Кпарр.

THE SPARROW.

Why ought sparrows to be protected?

Because a single pair of sparrows, during the time they are feeding their young, will destroy about 4,000 caterpillars weekly. - Bewick. They feed their young also with many winged insects; in London, it is presumed, chiefly with flies. - Jennings.

THE NIGHTINGALE.

Why are not nightingales heard in Devonshire and Cornwall?

Because it is presumed that these birds come over to us from the Continent at the narrowest passage, and do not stroll so far westward. The failure of them in Northumberland and Scotland is, of course, attributable to the want of warmth. - G. White.

THE DIPPER.

Why is a certain bird called the dipper ? Because it is enabled to sink to the bottom of the water in pools, and walk thereon, like the hippopotamus among quadrupeds.

THE REDBREAST.

Why is it said by Pliny, that the redbreast is only so in winter?

Because the robin loses nearly all the characteristio colour from its breast in the summer, when it moults, and only recovers it on the approach of autumn. Knapp.

Why are redbreasts called autumn songsters? Because in spring and summer their voices are drowned and lost in the general chorus; in autumn their song becomes distinguishable. - G. White.

Why is the robin the last bird that retires in the evening ?

Because its fine, large eyes are fitted to receive all, even the weakest, rays of light that appear. The worm is its food too, and few that move upon the surface escape its notice.

Why do redbreasts and wrens, in the winter, haunt out-houses, stables, and barns?

Because they may there find spiders and flies, that have laid themselves up during the cold season. G. White.

THE WHEATEAR.

Why is the wheatear highly prized ?

Because, in an unfortunate hour, it has been called the English ortolan, and is pursued as a delicate morsel through all its inland haunts, when hatching and feeding its young, the only period at which it frequents our heaths. - Knapp.

THE MARTIN.

Why do house-martins build their nests only in the morning?

Because the work of the nest, chiefly of dirt or Joam, may not, while it is soft and green, pull itself down by its own weight, but have sufficient time to harden and dry. - G. White.

Why do martins usually build to a north-east or north-west aspect?

Because the heat of the sun may not crack or destroy their nests. - G. White.

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