142 
This bird deposits five or six eggs in the 
hollows of trees, without constructing a nest. 
But few instances are recorded of this 
bird having been met with in this country, 
Latham informs us that it is common in many 
parts of Europe. 
It appears from the accounts given by au- 
thors to be a migratory species. In France 
it is said to arrive and depart with the Swal- 
low. At particular times great flocks arrive, 
and wage war against the Field Mice, in 
years when those animals are unusually nu- 
merous. 
Spallanzani informs us that in Italy, its fa- 
vourite residence is in gently rising, wooded 
regions, and that it lives principally on insects 
and earth-worms. During the day it conti- 
nues in the shade of the woods, perched on a 
branch, and continuing motionless, with its 
ears or tufts erected; in this state it will per- 
mit a very near approach, and then only re„ 
tires to hide itself among the branches.— 
Towards the dusk of the evening it emerges 
from its retreat, perches on a tree in some open 
spot, and begins its cry, which consists of a 
quick and *>ften repeated whistle, somewhat 
