THE BULFINCH. 317 



Ingenious structure of their nests. 



protected, and are under the necessity of rebuild- 

 ing in other trees. One of these deserted nests 

 I had the curiosity to break down, to inform 

 myself of the internal structure of it; and found 

 it equally ingenious with that of the external. 

 There are many entrances; each of which forms 

 a regular street, with nests on both sides, at about 

 two inches distance from each other. The grass 

 ' ith which they build is called the Boshman's- 

 grass : and I believe the seed of it to be their 

 principal food ; though, on examining their nests, 

 I found the wings and legs of different insects. 

 From every appearance, the nest which I dis- 

 sected had been inhabited for many years; and 

 some parts of it were much more complete than 

 others. This, therefore, 1 conceive to amount 

 nearly to a proof, that the animals added to it at 

 different times, as they found necessary, from 

 the increase of the family, or rather of the na- 

 tion or community." 



THE BULFINCH 



IS a very common bird, and when at full 

 growth measures, from the point of the bill to 

 the tip of the tail six inches, of which the tail 

 is two, and weighs about thirteen drachms. It 

 has a black short bill, very strong and crooked, 

 the upper part hanging over the under like that 

 of a hawk ; the tongue short, and the; eyes of a 



