to 6 BRITISH BIRDS# 
inward part comes away ; then, taking it by the 
other in like manner, cleanfes it from all its im- 
purities, eating only the outward part or lkin.— 
Although the Redbreaft never quits this illand, it 
performs a partial migration. As foon as the bu- 
iinefs of incubation is over, and the young are fuf- 
ficiently grown to provide for themfelves, it leaves 
its retirement, and again draws near the habitations 
of mankind : Its well-known familiarity has at- 
tracted the attention and fecured the protection of 
men in all ages ; it haunts the dwellings of the cot- 
tager, and partakes of his humble fare ; when the 
cold grows fevere, and fnow covers the ground, it 
approaches the houfe, taps at the window with its 
bill, as if to entreat an afylum, which is always 
chearfully granted, and, with a fimplicity the molt 
delightful, hops round the houfe, picks up crumbs, 
and feems to make himfelf one of the family.— 
Thomfon has very beautifully defcribed the an- 
nual vifits of this little gueft in the following lines : 
The Redbreaft, facred to the houfehold gods, 
Wifely regardful of th’ embroiling Iky, 
In joylefs fields and thorny thickets leaves 
His fhivering mates, and pays to trufted man 
His annual vifit. Half afraid, he firft 
Againft the window beats j then brilk alights 
On the warm hearth ; then, hopping o’er the floor, 
Eyes all the finding family afkance, 
And pecks, and ftarts, and wonders where he is ; 
Till, more familiar grown, the table crumbs 
AttraCl his (lender feet. 
