40 BKITISH LAND BIRDS. 



of the most pleasing and attractive traits in their 

 characters, and it is that which chiefly 



CONFIDENCE , ,, 



IN MAN. attaches them to man, since, when tamed, 

 they distinguish their masters and 

 benefactors with endearing marks of affection and 

 gratitude. Numerous, indeed almost innumerable, 

 instances of this kind are seen in birds of various 

 species, as in parrots, geese, bullfinches, the star- 

 ling and rook tribes, and others. Nor is this feel- 

 ing shown only by birds in a state of confinement 

 or domestication. In their natural condition 

 they give abundant proofs of ttieir confidence in 

 man, and their sensitiveness to his kindness. 



I remember to have recently seen an account 

 of a robin, whose nest, containing young ones, 

 was attacked by a snake. The loud cries of the 

 bird attracted the attention of a man who was 

 working near the spot, when he went immediately 

 to its assistance, and killed the snake. When its 

 enemy was dead, the robin showed its gratitude 

 to the preserver of its young in every way in its 

 power, at the same time flying now and then, in a 

 rage, to peck at the dead snake. 



The celebrated French naturalist, M. Sonnini, 

 has recorded the following pleasing incident 

 which occurred during his passage from Malta to 

 Egypt : 



Two little birds, one a grey wagtail, the other 



