THE SPARROW KIND. 21 



rarely caught, it is in high estimation even in the 

 countries where it breeds, but still more valuable 

 when carried from home. It not only whistles in 

 the most delightful manner, but speaks with an 

 articulate distinct voice. It is so docile, and ob- 

 serves all things with such diligence, that though 

 waked at midnight by any of the family, it will 

 speak and whistle at the word of command. Its 

 colour, about the beginning of winter, from blue 

 becomes black, which changes to its original hue 

 on the first approaches of spring. It makes its 

 nest in deep holes, in very high and inaccessible 

 solitudes, and removes it not only from the ac- 

 cesses of man, but also hides it with surprising 

 cunning from the chamois, and other wild beasts 

 that might annoy its young. 



The manner of taking this beautiful bird is said 

 to be this : The fowlers, either by chance, or by 

 lying in wait, having found out the place where 

 it builds, take with them a strong stilt or stake, 

 such as the climbers of rocks make use of to as- 

 sist them in their descent. With the assistance 

 of this, they mount where an indifferent specta- 

 tor would think it impossible to ascend, covering 

 their heads at the same time to ward off any dan- 

 ger of the falling of pebbles or stones from above. 

 At length, \vith extreme toil and danger, having 

 arrived at the nest, they draw it up from the hole 

 in which it is usually buried, and cherish the 

 young with an assiduity equal to the pains they 

 took to obtain them. It produces for the most 

 part five young, and never more ; it seldom de- 



