BRITISH BIRDS. 203 



to do so in the same place for many seasons, if not 

 disturbed: the female lays from eight to twelve 

 white eggs, spotted with rust colour. The young 

 brood continue blind for several days, after which 

 their growth is very rapid, and they are able to fly 

 in about fifteen days; after they have quitted the 

 nest they return no more to it, but perch on the 

 neighbouring trees, and incessantly call on each 

 other; they generally continue together till the 

 approach of spring invites them to pair. We kept 

 one of these birds in a cage for some time; it was 

 fed chiefly with hemp-seed, which, instead of break- 

 ing with its bill, like the Linnet, it held very 

 dexterously in its claws, and pecked it till it broke 

 the outside shell ; it likewise ate raw flesh, minced 

 small, and was extremely fond of flies, which, w r hen 

 held to the cage, it seized with great avidity ; it was 

 continually in motion during the day, and would, 

 for hours together, dart backwards and forwards 

 with astonishing activity. Its usual note was 

 strong and simple; it had besides, a more varied, 

 but very low, and not unpleasant song. During 

 the night it rested on the bottom of the cage. 



