THE REASON 



&quot; The thrush 



And woodlark, o er the kind-contending throng 

 Superior heard, run thro the sweetest length of notes.&quot; 



THOMSON. 



705. Why has the ivren been associated in nursery literature 

 with the redbreast ? 



The habits of the wren being very similar to those of the robin, 

 its anti-migratory character, its familiar bearing towards man, 

 and particularly its practice of paying him an annual wintei- 

 visit, may have led to this association. 



706. The tiny fairy-like form of the wren would also, with children, render it an 

 appropriate consort for the smart vivacious &quot; robin.&quot; The loves and woes of the 

 Batter in connection with &quot;jenny wren&quot; are, however, too precious a legacy for 

 the mind of childhood for science rudely to interfere with. 



707. Why do wagtails and other birds frequently congregate 

 about the feet of cows when tJiose animals are feeding in moist 

 low pastures ? 



They do this for the purpose of availing themselves of the flies 

 which settle on the animals legs, and also to pick up the worms 

 and larvae that are roused by the trampling of the cows feet. 



708. Why do missel thrushes at times prefer building their 

 nests near house and in frequented garden ivalks? 



Because the magpies destroy tlu broods of missel thrushes 

 whenever they can make their way to them, so that the latter 

 build in the neighbourhood of frequented places by way of 

 protection. The favourite haunt of the missel thrush is an 

 orchard, and orchards are generally in the neighbourhood of 

 human habitations, and of these magpies are shy. 



709. How is the intelligence of the thrush manifested by its 

 manner of procuring food ? 



When a thrush settles upon a lawn moistened with dew or rain, 

 he at first stands motionless, as if undetermined how he shall 

 proceed. Suddenly he bends his head on one side, as if in the act 



