THE BIRDS OF TERRICK HOUSE. 107 



and gloom than at the time the last scene opened. The poor birds might 

 reasonably be expected to be in a worse position now than then ; but we are 

 now introduced into the " domain" of one who loves them ; who rejoices in 

 every opportunity that offei's itself of testifying that love; and who is earnest 

 in the desire and unceasing in the endeavour to ameliorate their condition, 

 when for a time the earth is, as now, locked up, and the supplies it wont to 

 yield are cut off from them.. We behold a space of some extent in a sheltered 

 situation, from which the snow has been carefully swept. Over this space 

 provisions to suit all tastes have been strewn. Here the Blackbird and the 

 Thrush thrive and become fat during the most protracted frosts. Here 

 Sparrows — for a long course of kind ti-eatment has disarmed even the 

 Sparrow of his suspicions — Finches, Buntings, Titmice, and other birds 

 revel in enjoyment. No murderous gun is here pointed at them; no 

 treachery awaits them here ! There is no concealed snare, or trap ; no 

 enemy is lying in wait to destroy; no danger is lurking around. Eyes there 

 are, bent upon them from the dining or drawing room windows, but not 

 with a sinister expression. Eyes — friendly, admiring eyes, are bent earnestly 

 upon them, complacently witnessing their enjoj^ment; glancing from one 

 species to an^other — from the common and soberly clad Hedge-Warbler, to 

 the somewhat rare and handsomely-plumaged Grosbeak — and noting the 

 particular habits and manners of each member of this truly " happy family," 

 of which our favourite Linnet foi-ms a part. 



Mark the restless activity of the Nuthatch yonder; how rapid are his 

 movements ; how lively all his actions. Now he seizes upon a nut, and 

 wedging it firmly in a chink in the bark of an elm close by, provides us with 

 a vast fund of amusement in watching his operations. It seems not to 

 matter at all to him whether head or tail be uppennost, or whether both be 

 upon a level. Now he may be seen'in a vertical position ; now in a horizontal 

 one : again he changes that position for another; nor ceases changing until 

 he finds himself in that in which his blows upon the nutshell tell with the 

 greatest effect. But though intent upon his work, he keeps a watchful eye 

 upon everything that passes ; like a wakeful and a faithful sentinel, he is not 

 to be surprised at his post. After every two or three blows, a keen and 

 scnitinizing glance is thrown around. The Rev. F. O. Morris, in his 

 charming " History of British Birds," now being published, has happily 

 caught tills act of wariness in the bird ; and admirably has he depicted it. 

 The representation he has given of the bird is altogether a most life-like one. 

 But more of him, i.e., the Nuthatch, anon. Supplied with a suificiency of 

 food, the individuals who form this interesting " Christmas party " feel not 

 the cold — it harms them not. Wind and storm are by them lightly regarded. 

 Sheltered among the evergreens, or reposing in the side or under tlie thatch 

 of some friendly rick, they securely and comfortably pass the night, and 

 throughout the day are cheerful and contented. Asylums like this are 



