THE BUTCHER BIRD. SOI 



During summer, such of them as constantly reside 

 amongst us, (for the small red butcher bird migrates 

 from hence,) always adhere to the mountainous parts 

 of the country, and in the winter descend into the 

 plains ; the larger kind choose the highest trees to build 

 in, but the smaller prefer bushes for the security of 

 their young. The nest on the outside is composed of 

 white moss, interwoven with very long grass, and the 

 inside is made warm by a lining of wool ; they gene- 

 rally lay about six eggs of a whitish colour, marked to- 

 wards the bigger end with a ring of brownish red. The 

 female feeds her young with caterpillars and insects, 

 and by degrees accustoms them to carnivorous food. 

 Neither parent attempts to force the little ones from 

 their abode, but all dwell together in the utmost har- 

 mony and peace. Each family lives apart, and gene- 

 rally consists of the male and female, with five or six 

 of their young. They may easily be distinguished bj 

 their manner of flying, which is never direct or side- 

 ways, but always up and down. There are three or 

 four different kinds of the butcher bird ; and the fea- 

 thers are generally ash colour, with either red or brown 

 upon their backs. 



CHAP. IV, 



RAPACIOUS BIRDS OF THE OWL KIND, WHICH SEEK 

 THEIR PREY BY NIGHT. 



A.LL birds of the owl kind may be considered as noc- 

 turnal robbers, who, unfitted for taking their prey 

 whilst it is light, surprise it in those hours of security 

 and rest, when Nature requires invigorating by sleep. 

 The formation of the eye, in this nocturnal depreda- 



