OR, PLAIN TEACHING. 



243 



magpie, 5, is remarkable for its 

 strong contrasts of black and 

 white, and for rich and gilded 

 variegations. 



They frequently make their nests on a single 

 tree standing a little way apart from a wood, 

 and when disturbed therefrom, fly into the 

 wood for shelter. They usually return to 

 the same nest, and repair it for occupation, 

 during successive seasons. 



The jay, 6, is emphatically a 

 woodland bird, never being found 

 in open and treeless places, and 

 very seldom near houses. In the 



woods it chooses the thickest 

 shades, and though its chatter is 

 often heard, it is less frequently 

 seen than almost any other bird 

 of the same size, and equally 

 numerous. 



They choose the most close and concealed 

 parts of trees for their nests ; and, both for 

 general habitation and nesting, they prefer 

 young woods, in which the trees are branched 

 down nearly to the ground, to those which have 

 tall and clear holes. The nest is not so elabo- 

 rate in structure as that of the magpie. The 

 eggs vary from four to seven, and are of a 

 greenish grey colour, with olive spots. Jays 

 may be " called " by making a chirping noise by 

 pressing the lips against the back of the hand, 

 and imitating their notes. 



The water ousel's nest, 411, 

 may be looked for in those places 

 where streams gurgle through 

 the wood. They will be found 

 among the gnarled roots that 

 overhang the water-course. 



The most singular trait in the 

 character of the water ousel, 7, is 

 that of its power of walking, in 



639. 



quest of its prey, on the pebbly 

 bottom of a stream, almost as 

 easily as upon dry land. 



The ring ousel, a bird somewhat larger than 

 the blackbird, and taking its name from a mark 

 of pure white which almost surrounds the neck 

 of the male bird, builds its nest in the same 

 manner, and in similar situations to the black- 

 bird, laying four or five eggs of the same colour. 



Thrushes, 8, sometimes build 

 in the branches of trees — in a 

 cleft near the summit, or other- 

 wise very near the ground. 

 Evergreens afford them a favour- 

 ite shelter, and the young spruces 

 and silver 8 

 firs afford 



them wel- ^I^ISfi^L 

 come con- 

 cealment. 

 They also 

 select 

 spots 

 where ivy 

 abounds; 

 and where 

 any of 

 these do not occur, the hazel 

 or white and black thorns are 



640. 



