DUKNOCK. 9 



advancing into open ground, or frequenting trees of larger 

 size. 



Even in the depth of the severest winter, when, as in this 

 February, 1853, the ground is everywhere covered with snow 

 a foot deep, and you would think that every motion must 

 be chilled in the breast of even the hardiest bird that is 

 exposed to the damaging attacks of the two 'weird sisters,' 

 cold and hunger, by night and by day; you will see the 

 Dunnock flirting about some low bush in the splendid sun- 

 shine that succeeds the bitter blasts which have come and 

 gone, and warbling its unpretending little lay, as if to shew 

 that an even and quiet temper is that which will best sustain 

 under the most adverse circumstances of life. Now it has 

 come down upon the snow, and its tiny feet move nimbly 

 over the crystal surface, its tail quickly moved up and down 

 the while; now it stops for a few moments, now hops on 

 again, and now is gone, in company with its mate, pursuing 

 or pursued. Or, half-hopping, half-walking, its usual gait, it 

 approaches the door, in search of any chance crumbs, which, 

 if you are charitably disposed, you will have placed there 

 for any feathered pensioners, whom the inclemency of the 

 season may compel to a more intimate acquaintance than 

 they otherwise would have chosen. 'Never turn thy face from 

 any poor man,' says the Holy Word, 'and then the face of 

 the LORD shall not be turned away from thee, 1 and so in 

 like manner let your benevolence embrace even those whose 

 actions alone can speak their wants. '0 give relief, and 

 Heaven will bless your store.' 



These birds never under any circumstances, or at all events 

 very rarely indeed, enter into houses by the open door or 

 window, -as some others do through stress of weather, though 

 so devoid of shyness in their approaches to them. The 

 neighbourhood of the hedge is their favourite haunt, from 

 whence they venture but a little way into the field, or the 

 road. Sometimes however they are seen in towns, in such 

 places as squares, where trees and shrubs are planted. 



They are by no means gregarious, though three or four 

 may sometimes be observed at no great distance from each 

 other. They are seldom seen among or on the upper branches 

 even of a bush or hedge, and as Mr. Macgillivray remarks, 

 it is very rare to see two flying in the same direction, 

 although they are generally observed in pairs. In dry sunny 

 weather in summer, they may be seen sometimes basking in 



