382 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



The magpies, when they have young, destroy the broods of missel 

 thrushes, though the dams are fierce birds, and fight boldly in 

 defence of their nests. It is probably to avoid such insults, that 

 this species of thrush, though wild at other times, delights to build 

 near nouses, and in frequented walks and gardens. WHITE. 



Of the truth of this I have been an eye-witness, having seen the 

 common thrush feeding on the shell snail. 



In the very early part of this spring (1797) a bird of this species 

 used to sit every morning on the top of some high elms close by 

 my windows, and delight me with its charming song, attracted 

 thither probably, by some ripe ivy berries that grew near the 

 place. 



I have remarked something like the latter fact, for I remember, 

 many years ago, seeing a pair of these birds fly up repeatedly and 

 attack some larger bird, which I suppose disturbed their nest in my 

 orchard, uttering at the same time violent shrieks. Since writing 

 the above, I have seen more than once a pair of these birds attack 

 some magpies that had disturbed their nest, with great violence and 

 loud shrieks. MARKWICK. 



POULTRY. 



Many creatures are endowed with a ready discernment to see 

 what will turn to their own advantage and emolument : and often 

 discover more sagacity than could be expected. Thus my neigh- 

 bour's poultry watch for waggons loaded with wheat, and running 

 after them, pick up a number of grains which are shaken from the 

 sheaves by the agitation of the carriages. Thus, when my brother 

 used to take down his gun to shoot sparrows, his cats would run 

 out before him, to be ready to catch up the birds as they fell.* 



The earnest and early propensity of the gallinae to roost on high 

 is very observable, and discovers a strong dread impressed on their 

 spirits respecting vermin that may annoy them on the ground during 

 the hours of darkness. Hence poultry, if left to themselves and 

 not housed, will perch the winter through on yew-trees and fir- 

 trees ; and ttirkeys and guinea fowls, heavy as they are, get up into 

 apple-trees ; pheasants also in woods sleep on trees to avoid foxes ; 

 while pea-fowls climb to the tops of the highest trees round their 



* Since railways have been introduced, crows (common rooks) assemble along the line to 

 pick up the pieces of grease that fall from the carriage wheels. 



