OF BIRDS. 
201 
call to some favorite, retired, and shady retreat. It is 
the voice of love, of faithful connubial affection, for 
which the whole family of doves are so celebrated; and 
among them all, none more deservingly than the present 
species.” 
Blackbird. (PI. 32.) This bird is of the sparrow 
kind; which class chiefly resides in the neighbourhood of 
man, and are his peculiar favourites. The falcon may 
be more esteemed, and the turkey more useful; as ani- 
mals reclaimed to supply some of the conveniences of 
life, but these little painted songsters conciliate our affec- 
tions both by their beauty and their melody;— they fill 
our groves with harmony, and elevate our hearts to sym- 
pathise with their raptures. 
The above beautiful and well known bird is one of the 
first that proclaims the genial spring, and his note, when 
heard at a distance, is the most pleasing of all the grove; 
though it is rather unpleasant in a cage, being loud and 
deafening. It is a solitary animal, generally found in se- 
questered woods, or rather retired situations. It feeds 
on worms, snails, insects, fkc. but when domesticated it 
will eat any sort of flesh meat, either raw or dressed, 
provided it be not salt. The female builds an artificial 
nest, well plastered on the inside with clay, straw, and 
hair, and usually lays four or five bluish eggs. 
Goldfinch. ( 'Fririgilla Tristis . Wil. PI. 32.) This 
bird is universally esteemed, both for the melody of its 
I note and the beauty of its colours. It is of a mild and 
I gentle nature; soon becomes reconciled to captivity, and 
may be easily taught a variety of entertaining tricks. — • 
: The female generally builds in fruit trees, and lays five 
I or six eggs of a white colour, speckled and marked with 
a reddish brown. 
Wren. ( Sylvia . PI. 32.) This bird, which weighs only 
three drachms, and is but four inches in length, from the 
point of the bill to the end of the tail, is admired for the 
loudness of its note, compared with the little body whence 
it issues; and even when confined in a cage it has some- 
times been known to sing as strong as in its native fields, 
and with equal freedom and mellowness of song. It 
