BIRDS IN GENERAL 409 



young, and are therefore very serviceable in gardens. 

 Missel thrushes do not destroy the fruit in gardens like 

 the other species of turdi, but feed on the berries of 

 misseltoe, and in the spring on ivy berries, which then 

 begin to ripen. In the summer, when their young become 

 fledged, they leave neighbourhoods, and retire to sheep 

 walks and wild commons. 



The magpies, when they have young, destroy the broods 

 of missel thrushes, though the dams are fierce birds, and 

 fight boldly in defence of their nests. It is probably to 

 avoid such insults, that this species of thrush, though wild 

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

 frequented walks and gardens. 



POULTRY 



Many creatures are endowed with a ready discernment 

 to see what will turn to their own advantage and emolu- 

 ment ; and often discover more sagacity than could be 

 expected. Thus my neighbour's poultry watch for waggons 

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

 of grains which are shaken from the sheaves by the agitation 

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

 his gun to shoot sparrows, his cats would run out before 

 him, to be ready to catch up the birds as they fell. 



The earnest and early propensity of the gallinae to roost 

 on high is very observable ; and discovers a strong dread 

 impressed on their spirits respecting vermin that may 

 annoy them on the ground during the hours of darkness. 

 Hence poultry, if left to themselves and not housed, will 

 perch the winter through on yew-trees and fir-trees ; and 

 turkeys and guinea fowls, heavy as they are, get up into 

 apple trees; pheasants also in woods sleep on trees to 

 avoid foxes ; while pea-fowls climb to the tops of the 

 highest trees round their owner's house for security, let 

 the weather be ever so cold or blowing. Partridges, it is 

 true, roost on the ground, not having the faculty of perch- 

 ing ; but then the same fear prevails in their minds ; for 



