244 
BRITISH BIRDS, 
Our figure was taken from one newly lhot, fent us 
by Lieut. H. F. Gibfon. We made a drawing from 
a Huffed bird in the mufeum of the late Mr Tun- 
Hall, at Wycliffe, in which the black band through 
the eyes was wholly wanting ; the back of the neck 
was black ; the back, fides, and thighs were of a 
reddifli brown, mixed with white : We fuppofe it 
may have been a female. The neH of this bird is 
Angularly curious and elegant, being of a long oval 
form, with a fmall hole in the fide as an entrance ; 
its outfide is formed of mofs, wool, and dry grafs, 
curioufly interwoven, whilfi the infide is thick- 
ly lined with a profufion of the loftefi down.* — ■ 
In this comfortable little manfion the female de- 
pofits her eggs, to the number of fixteen or feven- 
teen, which are concealed almoH entirely among 
the feathers ; they are about the fize of a fmall 
bean, and of a grayifh colour, mixed with red.~ 
This bird is not uncommon with us ; it frequents 
the fame places with the other fpecies, feeds in the 
fame manner, and is charged with the fame mif- 
demeanor in defiroying the buds, and probably 
with the fame reafon : It flies very fwiftly, and 
from its flender fliape, and the great length of its 
tail, it feems like a dart (hooting through the air : 
It is almoH confiantly in motion, running up and 
down the branches of trees with great facility. 
The young continue with the parents, and form 
* In fome places it is called a Feather-poke. 
