garded than fo elegant a vifitant would otherwife be. 

 It has however fome qualities which are not calculated 

 to obtain it univerfal approbation ; fince it is not only 

 cleftructive to the young buds of fruit-trees, but has 

 alfo a certain audacity in its difpofnion which would 

 hardly be expected from fo fmall a bird : indeed the 

 manners of the Pari in general are obferved to be not 

 the moft amiable, and they are accufed of fometimes 

 attacking other birds, and killing them by picking out 

 their brains. Whether this can be confidered as a fre- 

 quent occurrence I cannot take upon me to determine, 

 but it is recorded by fome of the moft accurate obfer- 

 vers of Nature. The birds of this genus eminently 

 excel in nidification, and are prolific almoft beyond 

 belief. The prefent fpecies builds its curious neft in 

 holes of trees ; under the eaves of walls, and fometimes 

 in out-houfes. It lays about twelve, fifteen, and even 

 fometimes eighteen eggs, but feldom breeds more than 

 once in a year. 



