21 6 
BRITISH BIRBSo 
t y white, mottled with brown ; it likewife frequents 
the fides of rivers and ponds where there is covert s 
It fmgs inceffantly night and day, during the breed- 
ing time, imitating by turns the notes of the Spar- 
row, the Swallow, the Skylark, and other birds — - 
from whence it is called the Englifti Mock-bird* 
Buffon obferves, that the young ones, though ten- 
der and not yet fledged, will defert the neft if it be 
touched, or even if a perfon go too near it. This 
difpofition, which is common to all the Fauvettes, 
as well as to this which breeds in watery places, 
feems to chara&erife the inftin&ive wildnefs of the 
whole fpecieso 
