'The Natural History of Se I borne 73 



with its bill against a dead bough, or some old pales, calling it 

 a jarbird. I procured one to be shot in the very fact; it 

 proved to be the Sitta europoea (the nuthatch). Mr. Ray says 

 that the less spotted wood-pecker does the same. This noise 

 may be heard a furlong or more. 



Now is the only time to ascertain the short-winged summer 

 birds ; for, when the leaf is out, there is no making any re- 

 marks on such a restless tribe; and, when once the young 

 begin to appear, it is all confusion : there is no distinction of 

 genus, species, or sex. 



In breeding-time snipes play over the moors, piping and 

 humming : they always hum as they are descending. Is not 

 their hum ventriloquous like that of the turkey ? Some sus- 

 pect it is made by their wings. 



This morning I saw the golden-crowned wren, whose crown 

 glitters like burnished gold. It often hangs like a titmouse, 

 with its back downwards. 



Yours, &c. &c. 



Qolden-crested wren 



