THE SINGING BIRDS. 2or 



dance, with wings and tail outspread, accompanying the movements of his feet and body with a 

 continuous flow of song, and bowing his head repeatedly : this entertainment being varied by rising 

 suddenly into the air, and sinking again rapidly, with open pinions, to the ground. Upon one 

 occasion, whilst journeying over the Sierra de los Anches, we came upon a pair of these birds, seated 

 near to a nest containing their unfledged young. The terrified female immediately began flitting from 

 rock to rock, while her mate at once commenced dancing, tripping gracefully about, and singing with 

 all his power, as though with the idea of riveting our attention on himself, and thus averting danger 

 from his little family. We could not find it in our hearts to render the wily stratagem abortive, so 

 contented ourselves with a hasty glance at the nest, and left the spot, followed by a loud song of 

 triumph and rejoicing from the anxious father. The nest, which is placed in holes in the rock, is not 





the STONE thrush, OR ROCK wagtail {Petrocincla-Ttirdus-saxatilis). 



commenced until the end of April or beginning of May. The exterior is formed of fibres and grass, 

 woven firmly together, the interior being carefully lined with a layer of goats' hair. The eggs are of 

 a pale greenish blue, marked violet or reddish, but their pattern is very variable ; they are from four 

 to six in number : in Spain we have occasionally found as many as seven in a brood. The young 

 are reared upon insects, and are no sooner fledged than they may be seen perching upon the rocks 

 or stones, watching their parents as they pursue flies or other insects destined to fill their craving 

 beaks. Meanwhile, should any unusual sight or sound attract the attention of the vigilant father, he 

 instantly warns his brood by a peculiar cry that they must at once seek shelter in the neighbouring 

 holes and fissures, and recalls them with the same note when they may again venture forth. It is 

 only after the moulting season, which continues throughout July, August, and September, that the 

 young withdraw themselves from the protection of their parents, in order to seek a mate and begin 

 life on their own account. 

 vol. ir. — 65 



