20 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



over their distressed companion. Apparently ani- 

 mated by their sympathy, or, perchance, by their 

 language of counsel, known to themselves, he 

 sprang into the air, and by one strong effort, con- 

 trived to reach the point of a rock which pro- 

 jected into the river. The joy became loud and 

 universal, but, alas ! it was soon changed into 

 notes of lamentation, for the poor wounded bird, 

 while attempting to fly to his nest, dropped again 

 into the river and was drowned, amid the moans 

 of its whole fraternity. 



There is a proverb " As merry as a kitten ;" 

 and who has not watched with pleasure 



JOT AND 



PLAYFUL- the sportive movements of animals, as they 

 chase each other and indulge in a thousand 

 frolicsome gambols, on a warm summer's evening ? 

 Birds are constantly to be seen engaged in these 

 evolutions, so expressive of joy and delight, that 

 it is impossible to mistake their meaning. 



Very curious are the movements of the crane 

 and the trumpeter. The latter (an American 

 bird) stands on one leg, hops about in the most 

 eccentric manner, and throws somersets. The 

 crane expands its wings, runs round in circles, 

 leaps, and throws little stones and pieces of wood 

 into the air, which it endeavours to catch as they 

 fall, or pretends to avoid, as if afraid. Water 

 birds, such as ducks and geese, dive after each 



