THE RED-BREAST. 191 



day. Great quantities of "Wheat- ears are eaten on the spot by the 

 inhabitants ; others, are picked and sent to Lon<ion poulterers ; and 

 many are potted, being much esteemed in England, as the Ortolons are 

 on the continent. 



The vast abundance of these birds on the downs about Eastbourn, is 

 supposed by Mr. Pennant to be occasioned by a species of fly, their 

 favorite food, that feeds on the wild thyme, and abounds on the adjacent 

 hilla 



A few of the birds breed in the old Rabbit-burrows there. Their 

 Lest is large, and made of dried grass. Rabbits' down, a few feathers, 

 and horse-hair. The eggs are from six to eight in number, and of a 

 light color. 



THE EED-BREAST. 



The Red-breast has usually been reckoned among the birds of 



passage ; but, as M. de Buffbn has 

 elegantly expressed himself, the 

 departure in the autumn "not being 

 proclaimed among the Red-breasts, 

 as amonsc other birds at that season 

 collected into flocks, many stay 

 behind ; and these are either the 

 young and inexperienced, or some 

 which can derive support from the 

 slender resources of winter. In 

 tjuit season they visit our dwell- 

 ings, and seek the warmest and 

 ^lost sheltered situations ; and, if 

 any one happens still to continue 

 in the woods, it becomes the companion of the faggot-maker, cherishes 

 itself at his fire, pecks at his bread, and flutters the whole day round 

 him, chirping its slender p?}). But, when the cold grows more severe, 

 and thick snows cover the ground, it approaches our houses, and taps 

 at the window with its bill, as if to entreat an asylum, which is cheer- 

 fully granted ; and it repays the fovor by the most amiable familiarity, 

 gathering the crumbs from the table, distinguishing aft'ectionately the 

 people of the house, and assuming a warble, not indeed so rich as that 

 in the spring, but more delicate. This it retains through all the rigors 

 of the season ; to hail each day the kindness of its host, and the sweet- 

 ness of its retreat. There it remains tranquil, till the returning spring 

 awakens new desires, and invites to other pleasures : it now becomes 

 uneasy, and impatient to recover its liberty." 



The Red-breast generally builds its nest among the roots of trees, in 

 some concealed spot near the ground. This is composed of dried 

 leaves, mixed with hair and moss, and lined with feathers. The female 

 lays from five to seven eggs. In order the more successfully to con- 

 ceal its nest, we are told that it covers it with leaves, suffering only a 

 narrow winding entrance under the heap to be left. 



RED' BREAST 



