88 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



smartly together, and is probably the origin of its name. When 

 hovoring in the air at a low elevation, or perched upon the topmost 

 twig of a bush, this lively and elegant little bird often breaks into 

 a short, but sweet and softly-modulated warble; its performance may 

 be heard from the beginning of April to the middle of June. It is 

 extremely active and restless, rarely remaining in one spot for any 

 length of time, but darting from bush to bush in a succession of 

 short jerking flights, as if it had a vast amount of business to 

 transact in a very short time, or hopping along the ground in an 

 equally rapid manner, then pausing for a moment to give a knowing 

 look round, or to pick up some larva or worm, and jerking its tail 

 in a sudden and spasmodic manner at every bend of its body. 



This bird pairs early in March, and builds towards the end of the 

 month. The nest, which is large, with rather a shallow cavity, and 

 composed of grasses and fibrous roots, lined with moss, hair, and 

 feathers, is generally placed on or near the ground, at the base of 

 some bush, in the heather, or occasionally in a hedge adjoining the 

 field or common which the bird frequents. It is well concealed and 

 difficult to find, its locality being rarely betrayed by the birds. The 

 female sits very close, and when off the nest, watches any intruder 

 in order to seize an opportunity of dropping amid the furze so 

 suddenly that the exact spot at which she disappeared cannot be 

 ascertained. During the whole period of incubation the male makes 

 himself conspicuous by his frequent outbursts of song, and he may at 

 times be heard imitating the notes of other birds. The eggs, from 

 five to seven in number, are of a pale greenish or greyish blue 

 colour, and of an elongated oval shape; they are hatched in about a 

 month. The parents exhibit great anxiety concerning the fledglings 

 if any person approaches the nest, uttering their peculiar note in a 

 sharp and excited manner, and practising various tricks to entice him 

 away. The young birds are abroad by the end of May, or the 

 beginning of June, and may be seen in company with the old ones 

 for some time after leaving their snug place of birth. Their plumage 

 is of a pale greyish brown colour, with a white spot at the end of 

 each feather. 



The adult male is from five and a quarter to five and a half inches 

 in length, and weighs about five drachms; in his summer dress, the 

 head, back, and neck are nearly black, the latter having a white 

 stripe on each side. The wings are blackish brown, each feather 

 edged with lighter brown, and the hindmost coverts and pen feathers 

 white. The breast is rich chesnut, fading into yellowish white below; 

 the tail nearly black, the irides nut brown, and the legs, toes, and 



