EUROPEAN NUTHATCH. 



55 



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 that 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, when on hearing the report 

 of a gun they disappeared, and were never seen again." 



YouxG. — The young when fledged differ from the adult in 

 having the colours paler and the plumage more loose. 



Fro. 197. 



