24 EEDBKEAST. 



as elderberries and blackberries, as also on flies, beetles, and 

 other insects, earwigs and worms; tbe larger are frequently 

 held in one claw, and so picked: occasionally it will capture 

 insects on the wing, sallying out at them time after time. 

 The hard parts of any are cast up, as is done by the Hawks. 

 One has been seen to attack the formidable stag beetle on 

 the wing, when both fell together to the ground; what the 

 result would have been was not ascertained, for the former 

 flew away on the observer coming up. In the winter this 

 bird frequently visits the sea-shore, searching among the sea- 

 weed for small marine insects. In summer he eats not a few 

 currants and other small fruits, with which the young are 

 sometimes fed; but insects are his chief food. Its manner of 

 feeding is not an assiduous pecking about, but it hops on for 

 a few steps, and then halts, and then hops on again with a 

 diligence of observation to which we for the moment are 

 blind, though we presently are almost sure to see its successful 

 result. Now and then it turns up the grass or leaves in 

 search of or in pursuit of its prey. A little gravel is swallowed 

 to aid the trituration of its food. 



There is something peculiarly touching in the soft, sweet, 

 and plaintive note of the Redbreast, especially when first 

 re-heard again at the close of summer, when the leaves begin 

 to fade and fall, and autumn gives presage of the storms and 

 cold of returning winter. So likewise when winter has again 

 in its turn passed away, and the first signs, though ever so 

 faint, of long-wished-for spring begin to dawn, then is the 

 well-known note a pleasant sound to the ear that loves the 

 the country for the country's sake. The Bobin in fact sings 

 throughout the year, except while too much engaged with his 

 family in the nest. And as for his annual, so also for his 

 diurnal habit; retiring late to roost, his voice is heard in 

 every lane and garden, while any glimmer of twilight remains, 

 but then it ceases, and up he is betimes again after daybreak, 

 before the sun, and his 'Good Morning' is a pleasant welcome 

 to the early riser on the following day. 



Two birds are often heard answering the one to the other 

 from some little distance, especially in fine calm and clear 

 evenings, but also even in dull or rainy weather, when many 

 other kinds are dulled to silence. The one waits till the 

 other has ended, before he begins, and thus the conversation 

 is carried on. Either may been seen to stretch forward the 

 head, and bend the neck to catch what is sung, offering no 



