BIRDS. 2.57 



song its true relish. These, united, improve each other, and 

 raise the mind to a state of the highest, yet most harmless, ex- 

 iiltation. Nothing can, in this situation of mind, be more pleas- 

 ing llian to see the lark warbling upon the wing; raising its note 



of man, tliey may deliver themselves without disturbance to the education 

 of their youiiy fmnilies. 



The Calandre is larg-er than the common lark, but yet has many points ot 

 resemblance to it, not only in conformation and colour, but also in liabits 

 and manners. Its voice is equally agreeable, but stronger ; it possesses a 

 similar levity of motion and disposition ; it nestles in the same manner on 

 ground, under a clump of tufted grass, and lays four or five eggs. It has a 

 similar facility of counterfeiting perfectly the song of many birds, and tlu! 

 cries of some quadrupeds, but its species is less numerous It is found in the 

 south of France, particularly in Provence, where it is common, and gene- 

 rally reared on account of its song; it is also found in Italy and the island 

 of Sardinia, where it passes the entire year. The calandres are not observ- 

 ed to congregate in flocks, but usually remain single ; in autumn they grow 

 very fat, and are then good eating ; they aro taken in nets, laid near the 

 waters where they are accustomed to drink. 



The Siiii, a species of lark, is remarkable for its long and arched beak. It 

 is found in the southern parts of Africa, and even iu Barbary, usually in- 

 habiting the sandy downs; from its peculiar song, which it generally puts 

 forth from some little eminence, its name is derived. 



the Double-crested Lark is distinguished chiefly by the double crest, 

 from which its name is derived. 



The majority of the Titmice, particularly those which frequent woods, 

 thickets, and orchards, are courageous, and even ferocious ; they will at- 

 tack the owl with greater boldness than any other bird, being always fore- 

 most in darting on him, and trying to pick out his eyes. They express their 

 little rage and fury by the swelling of their plumes, by violent attitudes, 

 and preciintate motions ; they peck sharply the hand which holds lliem, 

 strike it repeatedly with the bill, and seem by their cries to call others t« 

 their assistance, which usually attracts them in crowds, and produces 

 abundant sport to the fowler, for a single individual can take them all. 

 There are many traits of conformity in their manners and disposition with 

 tho.ie of the crows, shrikes, and pies ; they liave the same appetite for flesh, 

 and the same custom of tearing their food in pieces to eat it. 



These birds being of a lively and active character, are incessantly in mo- 

 tion ; they are continually fluttering from tree to tree, hopping from branch 

 to branch, climbing up the trunk, crooking themselves to walls, and sus. 

 pending themselves in all fashions, sometimes with the head downwards. 

 Tliough fierce, they are social, seek out the company of their own species, 

 and form little flocks, more or less numerous ; and if any accident should 

 separate them, they recall each other mutually, and are soon reunited. 

 They then seek their food in common, vi..^it the clefts of rocks and walls, 

 and tear with their bills the lichens and the moss of trees, to find insecta 

 or their eggs. They also feed on seeds ; but though in many species ttie 

 bill is strong enough, tlicy do not break them, like the bullfinches and lin- 

 nets ; they place them umlor their claws, and pierce them witli their bilJi 



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