OBSER VA TIONS ON BIRDS. 309 



In the very early part of this spring (1797), a bird of 

 this species used to sit every morning on the top of some 

 high elms close by my windows, and delight me with its 

 charming song, attracted thither, probably, by some ripe ivy 

 berries that grew near the place. 



I have remarked something like the latter fact, for I 

 remember, many years ago, seeing a pair of these birds fly 

 up repeatedly and attack some larger bird, which I suppose 

 disturbed their nest in my orchard, uttering at the same 

 time violent shrieks. Since writing the above, I have seen 

 more than once a pair of these birds attack some magpies 

 that had disturbed their nest, with great violence and loud 

 shrieks. M ARK WICK. 



POULTRY. 



Many creatures are endowed with a ready discernment 

 to see what will turn to their own advantage and emolu- 

 ment, and often discover more sagacity than could be 

 expected. Thus my neighbour's poultry watch for waggons 

 loaded with wheat, and running after them, pick up a 

 number of grains which are shaken from the sheaves by the 

 agitation of the carriages. Thus, when my brother used 

 to take down his gun to shoot sparrows, his cats would run 

 out before him, to be ready to catch up the birds as they 

 fell. 



The earnest and early propensity of the Gallince to roost 

 on high is very observable ; and discovers a strong dread 

 impressed on their spirits respecting vermin that may annoy 

 them on the ground during the hours of darkness. Hence 

 poultry, if left to themselves and not housed, will perch the 

 winter through on yew-trees and fir-trees ; turkeys and 

 guinea fowls, heavy as they are, get up into apple-trees ; 



