137 



PERCHING BIRDS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE WAEBLEES Our choicest song-birds' nests The Pied 

 and the Yellow Wagtail Account of these birds kept in 

 an aviary Anecdote of a Water- Wagtail nestling in a 

 workshop The Wrens The Redbreast Description of 

 this bird and its nest Anecdote of a Robin and an 

 Angora cat Curious nesting-places of the Redbreast The 

 common Wren The Golden-crested Wren, and the Fire- 

 crested Wren The Nightingale Its exceeding shyness 

 Its song and migrations Isaac Walton on the Nightingale. 



THE various divisions of the PERCHING BIRDS are, 

 at present, but imperfectly arranged; few authors 

 agreeing in the formation of the minor groups. 

 A few of the principal characteristics, and some 

 anecdotes descriptive of the manners and habits 

 of some of the most familiarly-known species, 

 may perhaps be best adapted to the wants of 

 the young student. 



The WARBLERS are a numerous race. They are 

 the choicest of our summer birds of song, whose 

 voices resound through the groves and woodlands 

 of our happy country, reminding us of the 

 Psalmist's description of the springs and valleys 

 where " the fowls of heaven have their habitation, 

 which sing among the branches," and " the birds 



