BRITISH BIRDS. 



133 



and thickets, chiefly evergreens, especially where 

 there are perennial springs, which together afford 

 it both shelter and subsistence. They feed on ber- 

 ries, fruits, insects, and worms ; but never fly rn 

 flocks like Thrushes ; they pair early, and begin to 

 warble nearly as soon as any other songsters of the 

 grove. They build in bushes or low trees, and lay 

 four or five eggs, of a bluish green, marked irregu- 

 larly with dusky spots. The young birds are easily 

 tamed, and may be taught to whistle a variety of 

 tunes. They are restless, and timorous birds, easily 

 alarmed, and difficult of access ; but they readily 

 suffer themselves to be caught with bird-lime, 

 nooses, and all sorts of snares. They are never 

 kept in aviaries, but generally in cages apart; 

 for, when shut up with other birds, they pursue 

 and harass their companions unceasingly. In 

 some counties of England this bird is called 

 simply the Ouzel. 



