PLATE XV. 
regular ; their nells are found in the holes of old walls of decayed buildings, and in faw-pits. They 
follow the gardener as he digs up the mould, and I have remarked them pecking for the reptiles be- 
fore the fpade could poffibly be put a fecond time into the ground. Their note is cheerful and 
pleafing, and they begin their fong at that feafon when that of other birds decline : and their favourite 
time of delighting us with their warbled ftrains is in the dawn of day, and the clofe of evening: fo that 
it would almofl appear as if kind nature had deftined them to cheer our gloomy moments in that 
dreary period of the year, when the foft melody of the grove is dumb. They will fing within very 
few hours after they are caught, if turned loofe into a room ; but, if caged, not before two or 
three days ; and when their confinement is become a little more tolerable, they will fing by can- 
dle light. The country people think it impious to deftroy thefe birds — certainly it is unkind and 
inhofpitable. 
