NATURAL HISTORY. 



249 



Behold, -within the leafy shade, 



Those speckled eg&amp;lt;&amp;gt;s together laid ! 



On me the chance-discovered sight 



Gleamed like a vision of delight.&quot; WOKDSWOHTB. 



nest hy a series of short flights ; and when the coast is clear, she again flies into 

 the bush, chirping softly the note of safety, and soon after the male resumes 

 uis song. 



761. Why do goldfinches build their nests on flexible branches 

 in preference to rigid ones ? 



Because the young being th.ua 

 rocked to and fro in the nest, 

 are made accustomed to the 

 motion which they will after 

 wards experience when seeking 

 their food on the tops of tall 

 and flexible stems. 



762. Wliy does the titmouse suspend its nest over a pond 

 or stream ? 



In order to preserve it from the attacks of quadrupeds and 

 reptiles. 



763. What is especially remarkable in the plumage of the 

 canary bird ? 



Its light sulphur colour, which it has exchanged for the grey or 

 brown hue of its native islands. 



764. This little captive songster was introduced to Europe early in the 16tb 

 century, and is believed to have spread from the coast of Italy, where a vessel, 

 which was bringing to Leghorn a number of these birds, besides merchandise, was 

 wrecked. The climate being favourable, they increased ; but they did not bccom* 

 naturalised, being entrapped by breeders for the purpose of sale. 



765. W]iy are, birds of Paradise so called ? 



Tu earlier ages these birds, which are peculiar in their stiuctur* 

 11* 



