76 BIRDS FINCHES DIAGRAM 4 



without being stung, which 

 would certainly kill them 

 The titmice build pretty nests 

 of moss at the fork of the 

 large branches. They cover it 

 outside with lichens, so that it 

 cannot be distinguished from 

 the trunk of the tree. This 



Titmouse. nest is entirely closed, only hav- 



ing an opening large enough to admit the finger ; it is lined inside 

 with feathers and down, on which the female lays her eggs. 



The water wagtail is a pretty little bird, which is always found 

 by the side of the water. It may be known by its white belly, 

 and by its step, always easy and elegant. It moves its tail at 

 every step it takes, from which habit it derives its name. 



Sparrows. This family also includes the buntings, the ortolans, 

 the goldfinches, the canaries, the chaffinches, ike grosbeaks, the linnets, 

 and the bullfinches. They may all be known by their short 



straight beak, thickened at the base, 

 and pointed. They are great eaters 

 of corn, and are for the most part 

 formidable to agriculture, except 

 during the whole period that they are 

 Head of Grosbeak. ma king their nest, sitting, and rearing 

 their young ; for at these times they live only on grubs and 

 insects, and feed their brood with the same. 



The buntings live in woods in summer, and in the winter they 

 come in flocks into the farm yards, and settle on the dung to 

 seek for what grain remains. The young ones leave the nest 

 before they can fly, but these birds seem to have a great family 

 attachment, and when the young are grown up, they often 

 continue to live with the parents. 



The ortolan like the oriole, is a very rare bird in England, 

 though common on the continent. They live among vines and 

 cornfields ; and are caught and fattened for table, as a delicacy. 



