BIRDS. 323 



at other times, delights to build near houses, and in fre- 

 quented walks and gardens. 1 



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 waggons .loaded 



MALLARD. 



with wheat, and running after them pick up a number of 

 grains that are shaken from the sheaves by the agitation of 

 the carriages. Thus, when my brother used to take down 



1 Of the truth of the first of these observations 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 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 dis- 

 turbed their nest, with great violence and loud shrieks. MARKWICK. 



