BIRDS. 
323 
cat other times, delights to build near houses, and in fre- 
quent sd walks and gardens/ 
POULTRY. 
Many creatures are endowed with a ready discernment to 
:see what will turn to their own advantage and emolument ; 
and often discover more sagacity than could be expected. 
Thus my neighbour's poultry watch for waggons loaded 
MALLARD. 
with wheat, and running after them pick up a number of 
grains that are shaken from the sheaves by the agitation of 
the carriages. Thus, when my brother used to take down 
^ Of the truth of the first of tliese observations I have been an eye- 
Avitness, having seen the common thrusli feedmg on the shell snail. 
In the very early part of this spring (1797) a bird of this species nsed 
to sit every morning on the top of some high elms close by my windows, 
and delight me with its charming song, attracted thither, probably, by 
some ripe ivy berries that grew near the place 
I have remarked something like the latter fact, for I remember, many 
years ago, seeing a pair of these birds fly up repeatedly and attack some 
larger bird, which I suppose disturbed their nest in my orchard, uttering 
at the same time violent shrieks. Since writing the above, I have seen 
more than once a pair of these birds attack some magpies, that had dis- 
turbed their nest, with great violence and loud shrieks. — Markwick. 
