50 



drive away several of the larger FringiWdce, the large Tit, and many others 

 equally, to all appearance, its superiors in combat; but which were, nevertheless, 

 quite unable to withstand the spirited attacks of the little Whitebreast. A very 

 tame one, that was long in my possession, and which was often suffered to fly 

 about the room, would frequently alight on the wires of a cage containing a Robin, 

 and, on the latter approaching to defend his castle, the little termagant would 

 fight fiercely with him through the wires, and soon compel him to retreat. Phre- 

 nologists may look for an ample development of combativeness in this little bird's 

 cranium. 



The characteristic activity of the Whitebreasted Fauvet is also very perceptible 

 in confinement, and far exceeds that of any of its congeners. This beautiful little 

 bird often assumes attitudes peculiarly calculated to shew itself to advantage ; — 

 throwing back its head, and at the same time partially expanding its wings and 

 tail (the white exterior feathers of which then appearing conspicuous) ; in a mo- 

 ment it darts about with such rapidity that the eye can scarcely follow, or performs, 

 in quick succession, rapid summersets in the air, throwing itself over backwards, 

 and in a variety of fluttering and zig-zag ways. Then, perhaps, after a short time, 

 it may be observed with the feathers of the crest and throat erected, and tail more 

 or less raised, and often flirted, check, check, checking about, as is an occasional 

 habit of all the Fauvets, more especially when they espy an enemy or object of 

 distrust, which, in the wild state, they will thus follow for a considerable dis- 

 tance along the hedges.* 



In the accompanying representation, I have endeavoured to delineate the bird 

 in one of its characteristic attitudes, about to spring up into the air, and vacillate 

 it knows not where ; but such positions are, of course, only momentary. 



The Whitebreasted Fauvet is of equally active habits in a state of nature, where, 

 instead of dissipating its energy in the performance of summersets,f it may be 

 seen, occasionally, fluttering, with strange irregular flight, from tree to tree, or 

 winging a circuitous route across a field, ever and anon repeating its monotonous 

 ditty as it flies ; but it never rises singing into the air, or hovers warbling, as is ob- 

 served in the Whitethroated Fauvet, or in the Dusky Furzelin ( Melizophilus 

 fuscu$),% another species closely allied, though ranging in a separate minimum 

 division. Indeed, its inward warble is rarely emitted on the wing, except immedi- 

 ately before it alights on a bough, as may be also noticed in the Blackcap and 

 Garden Fauvets (F. atricapilla and F. hortensis), and in fact in numerous 

 other small birds, all of which then continue the strain without stopping, after 

 they have settled. 



* All this I know from actual observation, having for many years paid especial atten- 

 tion to the highly interesting family of Warblers — N. W. 



f I have, however, noticed these summersets in wild individuals. — N. W. 

 X Dart ford Warbler, of the books. 



