NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 99 



Reading, is a stream or canal running under the stables and 

 out into the fields on the other side of the road : in this 

 water are many carps, which lie rolling about in sight, 

 being fed by travellers, who amuse themselves by tossing 

 them bread ; but as soon as the weather grows at all severe, 

 these fishes are no longer seen, because they retire under 

 the stables, where they remain till the return of spring- 

 Do they lie in a torpid state 1 If they do not, how are they 

 supported ? 



The note of the white-throat, which is continually 

 repeated, and often attended with odd gesticulations on 

 the wing, is harsh and displeasing. These birds seem of a 

 pugnacious disposition ; for they sing with an erected crest 

 and attitudes of rivalry and defiance ; are shy and wild in 

 breeding-time, avoiding neighbourhoods, and haunting lonely 

 lanes and commons, nay, even the very tops of the Sussex 

 downs, where there are bushes and covert ; but in July 

 and August they bring their broods into gardens and 

 orchards, and make great havoc among the summer-fruits. 



The black-cap has in common a full, sweet, deep, loud, 

 and wild pipe ; yet that strain is of short continuance, and 

 his motions are desultory ; but when that bird sits calmly 

 and engages in song in earnest, he pours forth very sweet 

 but inward melody, and expresses great variety of soft and 

 gentle modulations, superior perhaps to those of any of our 

 warblers, the nightingale excepted. 



Black-caps mostly haunt orchards and gardens : while 

 they warble their throats are wonderfully distended. 



The song of the redstart is superior, though somewhat 

 like that of the white-throat ; some birds have a few more 

 notes than others. Sitting very placidly on the top of a 

 tall tree in a village, the cock sings from morning to night : 

 he affects neighbourhoods, and avoids solitude, and loves to 



