SONG BIRDS OF G R E A T BRITAIN. 



which it has been perched, to a considerable height 

 in the air, descending slowly to the same spot. 



Sweet describes this bird as " a very lively and in- 

 teresting species, and one of the easiest preserved. 

 Its song also, in my opinion, cannot be surpassed 

 by any bird whatever : it is lively, sweet, and loud, 

 and consists of a great variety of notes. 



" J[t is readily taken in a trap baited with a living 

 caterpillar or butterfly. In their native state, these 

 birds feed chiefly on small insects, and a few sorts 

 of fruit, strawberries and raspberries in particular : 

 they are very partial to the different species of 

 aphides, with which almost every tree is covered 

 some time or other in the summer ; they are also 

 very fond of the smaller species of butterflies, and 

 the common house-fly. They soon take to feed on 

 bruised hemp-seed and bread, and also on bread 

 and milk. Fresh meat both fat and lean they also 

 like very well for a change, and the yolk of a boiled 

 egg, and a roasted apple in winter. They pick up 

 a great quantity of small gravel, of which there 

 should be always a constant supply in their cage or 

 aviary : if they are without this, they soon get un- 

 well. Fresh water should also be given them occa- 

 sionally in a saucer or pan, large enough for them 

 to get into to wash themselves." 



The nest is made of goose-grass, lined with 

 fibres, and sometimes a few long hairs with some 

 finer grass, — but is of so flimsy a texture that it can 

 afford little warmth to the eggs or young : this 

 is generally placed in some low bush amongst 

 nettles or other luxuriant herbs. The eggs are 



