ORDER PASSERES. 247 



remain as well as males, and united together, form, along 

 with the tree-finches, green-finches, buntings, and other birds, 

 those innumerable flocks which, during winter, are seen in 

 our fields, and in the vine-grounds abroad ; and which, when 

 the earth is covered with snow, come before our barns, &c. 

 to partake with the sparrows the aliment of our domestic 

 fowls. 



From the early days of spring, each couple isolate them- 

 selves. Some fix in our gardens and orchards, others retire 

 into coppice-woods. They all animate the places which they 

 inhabit by their gaiety, and by their song, which is by no 

 means devoid of melody. Besides this song, which is 

 tolerably varied, and consists of burdens more or less long, 

 these birds have various well-known cries. That which the 

 male and female use in the autumn, and during the bad 

 season, is simple, and sharp. The male alone in the spring 

 utters a plaintive accent, especially in the evening, and 

 repeats it most frequently in rainy weather. This bird, 

 taken from the nest, has the talent of learning foreign strains, 

 and will imitate that of the canary, and in part that of the 

 nightingale, &c., if kept near them. It can even be taught 

 to articulate some words. It has also been remarked, that 

 it sings better and longer if deprived of sight, and this obser- 

 vation has proved very fatal to these little prisoners, since 

 they are blinded for the purpose of gratifying our taste for 

 music. With the details of this cruel and disg-raceful 

 operation, we shall forbear to trouble our readers. In- 

 formation of this kind is worse than useless. The poor 

 victims of this cruelty having their attention no longer dis- 

 tracted by external objects, become indefatigable singers; 

 but if the operation has not been very adroitly per- 

 formed, they are subject to a constant rotation of the 

 head, very disagreeable to behold. It is seldom per- 



