10 HABITS OP BIRDS. 



A great number of birds are fond of washing their 

 plumes, by throwing 1 water over them with their 

 beaks, and even dipping their bodies in ponds or 

 streams. So universal is this habit, that it is taken 

 advantage of on the Continent to entrap wild birds 

 by means of what is called an Abreuvoir. "No- 

 thing," says M. Bechsteiri, " can be more agreeable, 

 during the hot weather of summer, than the sport 

 thence arising, while seated tranquilly under the 

 shade of thick foliage, by the side of a slow running 

 brook. According to the extent of the place, a net 

 from three to six feet long, by three or four feet in 

 width, is extended over a rill which has been dug ex- 

 pressly for conducting the water of the adjoining 

 stream. A number of rods, about an inch in diame- 

 ter, are stuck in this rill upon a level with the water, 

 where rings are fixed to prevent the net from being 

 wetted, the remainder of the little canal being co- 

 vered over with boughs. When the place is well 

 chosen it will be surrounded all day long, but par- 

 ticularly early in the morning and near sunset, the 

 time for beginning to place the net being about the 

 middle of July* " 



Mr. Knapp mentions the linnet (Linaria Linota) 

 as the cleanliest of birds in this respect, since it 

 delights to dabble in the water and dress its plumage 

 in every rill that runs by f ; but we do not think the 

 linnet washes more frequently than any of the other 

 smaller birds (Sylvicol&, VIEILLOT). The linnet, 

 the chaffinch, and all the seed-eating birds, indeed, 

 we have remarked to wash less frequently than the 

 slender-billed birds (Sylviada, VIGORS), to which 

 washing seems almost as necessary as food and air. 

 These are accordingly amongst the most frequent 

 captures in the Abreuvoirs, as we learn from M. 



* Manuel de 1'Amateur, p. 67, 2d edit. 

 f Journ. of a Naturalist, p. 154, 3d edit; 



