10 CLASS AVES. 



silent, by a song which is far from disagreeSble. The more 

 rigorous the season grows, the more familiar this bird 

 becomes ; and when the snow deprives it of all nourishment 

 abroad, or renders it difficult to be procured, it comes into 

 houses, to seek the crumbs from the table, fibres of meat, 

 and various grains, for at this period it is omnivorous. It 

 exhibits so much desire to enter the houses, that if every 

 avenue is closed, it will strike at the windows with its bill for 

 admission, which is always willingly granted. It soon grows 

 so familiar that it will remain there the whole winter, if 

 undisturbed, without showing the slightest inclination to 

 depart. On the approach of spring, it will give the same 

 signal, to indicate its desire of returning into its solitude. 



The red-breast which remains in the forest becomes the 

 companion of the woodman, warms itself at his fire, picks his 

 bread, and never ceases the entire day to flutter around him. 

 It always shows an affection for man, and seems to delight in 

 his company. It follows or precedes travellers in the forests, 

 and that for a very long time. Less wild than other birds, 

 it will suffer itself to be approached so nearly, as to make one 

 imagine that it can be caught with the hand, but as soon as 

 it is within reach, it hops on further, where it remains for the 

 purpose of again removing in the same manner. 



In spring, when the red-breasts which migrate return, 

 they are seen in greater numbers in orchards and gardens, 

 though but for a short time : they soon hasten to the distant 

 woods to enjoy the sweets of solitude and love, beneath the 

 embowering foliage. Forests of great extent, especially such 

 as are provided with springs of living water, are the haunts 

 which they prefer, and where they are found in the greatest 

 numbers. 



Of all birds, the red-breast is one of the earliest, its song 

 being heard from the dawn of day. It is also the last whicli 

 is seen to flutter after the setting of the sun. Its song, com- 

 posed of light, delicate, and tender sounds, is but a chirp- 



