BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 127 



edge of a rocky bank near Roslin, but so hid by 

 grass and ivy, that, had it not been for some wild 

 flowers for which we were looking, (the hen sits 

 so very close,) we might never have found it. 

 Last year, (1822,) at Craig-Lockliart, near Edin- 

 bm'gh, we saw a cock-bird rather agitated, with 

 something in its bill, and, thinking the nest might 

 be near, we were anxious to see if they built in so 

 exposed a situation as the way-side : After much 

 trouble, and careful examination of both sides of 

 the road, we at last discovered it by the hen flying 

 out, when we were within a foot of the nest ; had 

 she not been on, it was so curiously concealed, we 

 might never have perceived it. 



In a garden at Canonmills, for several years, 

 a redbreast, (we believe the same bird,) has built 

 its nest; once in a bower, another time in a laurel 

 close by a wall, and last year artfully hid amongst 

 ivy on the trunk of an old willow-tree : it was 

 found by observing the cock going in with food, 

 and, just as our hand was at the hole which led to 

 the nest, the bird flew boldly down from a tree, 

 and struck at our fingers. 



This winter, (1822-3,) the same redbreast 

 watched when the servant went at dusk to shut 

 up a greenhouse in the garden, entered with her, 



