1 12 PASSERES. AMPELID^E. 



is very rapid ; when taking wing they utter a 

 note resembling the syllables zi 9 zi, ri, but are 

 generally silent, notwithstanding the name that 

 has been given them. They are, however, 

 said to have a sweet and agreeable song in the 

 time of breeding, though at others it is a mere 

 whistle."* 



The zoologist just cited speaks of the food of 

 these birds in America, as consisting of different 

 kinds of juicy berries, and in summer principally 

 of insects. They are fond of the berries of the 

 mountain ash, and poke-weed (Phytolacca), are 

 extremely greedy of grapes, and also, though in a 

 less degree, of juniper and laurel berries, apples, 

 currants, figs, and other fruits. In Britain, Sir 

 William Jardine and other naturalists, mention 

 the various kinds of winter berries, and those of 

 the holly in particular. And Bechstein, noticing 

 its habits in Germany, says, " When wild we see 

 it in the spring eating, like Thrushes, all sorts of 

 flies and other insects ; in autumn and winter, 

 different kinds of berries ; and in time of need, 

 the buds and sprouts of the beech, maple, and 

 various fruit-trees. Indeed, from his account of 

 its manners in captivity, its appetite would seem 

 to be almost omnivorous. His opinion of its 

 character is somewhat less favourable than Prince 

 Bonaparte's. In fact, he draws so unpleasing a 

 picture of its greediness and dirty habits, in his 

 work on Cage-birds, that, if correct, few would 

 desire its captivity. The following is a portion 

 of his observations, omitting what is more re- 

 pulsive. " During the ten or twelve years that 

 it can exist in confinement, and on very meagre 



* Amer. Ornithology, iv. 76. (Constable's ed.) 



