OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 289 



and, in the spring, on ivy berries, which then begin to ripen. 

 In the summer, when their young become fledged, they leave 

 neighbourhoods, and retire to sheep-walks and wild commons. 



The magpies, when they have young, destroy the broods 

 of missel thrushes, though the dams are fierce birds, and fight 

 boldly in defence of their nests. It is probably to avoid such 

 insults, that this species of thrush, though wild at other times, 

 delights to build near houses, and in frequented walks and 

 gardens. * 



POULTRY. Many creatures are endowed with a ready 

 discernment to see what will turn to their own advantage and 

 emolument ; and often discover more sagacity than could be 

 expected. Thus, my neighbour's poultry watch for wagons 

 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 ; and turkeys and 

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

 pheasants also, in woods, sleep on trees to avoid foxes ; while 

 pea-fowls climb to the tops of the highest trees round their 

 owner's house for security, let the weather be ever so cold or 

 blowing. Partridges, it is true, roost on the ground, not 

 aving the faculty of perching ; but then the same fear prevails 

 in their minds ; for, through apprehensions from polecats and 

 stoats, they never trust themselves to coverts, but nestle 



* Of the truth of this I have been an eye-witness, having seen the 

 common thrush feeding on the shell snail. 



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 repeatedlyj 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. MARK WICK. 



2c 



