104 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



Tlioir nests arc cup shaped, and generally neatly constructed, nltlinnq'h 

 some of tliem are thin and lotisoly woven; they lay from five to seven 

 eggs, mostly of a greenish white colour, and rear at least two broods 

 in a season. They are all migratory birds, but do not perform their 

 journeys in large flocks, the males arrive in this country first, and the 

 females several days, or in some cases over a week later. They feed 

 on insects, of which they destroy immense numbers, ridding our fruit 

 trees and crops of the aphides, caterpillars, and other pests, that would 

 inevitably, without their timely aid, I'educe the face of nature to a leaf- 

 less and desolate wilderness. They are certainly also great eaters of 

 cherries, currants, raspberries, and other fruit, but we must regard their 

 depredations as the wages, and remarkably small ones too, for the vast 

 amount of valuable work they perform. Wil^h Bishop Mant we heartily 

 agree when he says; — 



"Molest them not! the vernal bloom 

 If chance the prying bill consume, 

 The ill o'erlooked they'll more than buy 

 The indulgence with the snail or fly 

 Excluded: — if the ripening fruit 

 Perchance their curious palate suit, 

 To the pleased ear they more than pay 

 Its value with the tuneful In^." 



