sort of food as the other birds of this tribe, but was par- 
ticularly fond of the yolk of an egg boiled hard, also 
of the raw lean meat, that was cut up small, and mixed 
in the bread and bruised hemp-seed ; it would also 
occasionally feed on the bread and milk, but it was not 
so fond of that as some of the other birds. Insects of 
various sorts it was very partial to, particularly small 
caterpillars, ants eggs, spiders, moths and butterflies, 
and flies of various sorts ; the latter it was very dex- 
terous in catching when they came near its cage. 
These birds are not uncommon in several parts of 
England ; they are said to be plentiful on Malmsbury 
Common, Wiltshire, in Summer, where they breed ; 
they are also frequently seen in Norfolk and Suffolk, 
and in various other parts, where they build their nest 
among some high grass or sedge, in which it is so con- 
cealed that it is with difficulty found, except by watch- 
ing the old birds carrying food to their young ; or when 
they are building they may be seen carrying materials 
to construct their nest. The young ones may be easily 
reared by placing their nest in a little covered basket, 
nearly filled with dry moss or soft hay, and to be fed 
whenever they require it, with the same Sort of food, as 
recommended for the old ones; being careful to keep 
them clean, and a few very small gravel stones should 
be mixed with their food occasionally, that their bones 
may become strong and firm, so that they may not be 
cramped ; should any of my readers be able to procure 
me a nest, I should feel much obliged, and would wil- 
lingly give any sort of which I possess duplicates in 
return. 
