OF BIRDS. 
137 
This fprightly little bird appears early in the 
fpring; as foon as the leaves begin to open, and 
the blofloms to appear, they difperfc themfelvcs 
through the country: fome frequent our woods 
and groves, and others our gardens ; they animate 
every country feene, by their fprightlinefs and 
\ 
gaiety. There is nothing pleafing in their plu¬ 
mage, which feems to be the cafe with inoft of 
th fe birds whole manners arc fprightly, or whofe 
fong is melodious. 
They frequent gardens, and fields that are fown 
with peas; they build their nefts upon the rifers 
that fupport thefe plants, and are continually 
going into and out of them ; they are in conilant 
adion, (porting with, watching, and purfuing 
one another ; their little quarrels feem without 
refentment, and are always ended by a fong. 
Notwithftanding their gaiety, they are far from 
inconftant; and the affection oi the parents towards 
each other, feems to continue after the breeding 
feafon is over. 
Whilft the female fits, nothing can be more 
attentive and affiduous than the male. The neft 
is compofed of dry grafs, filaments of hemp, and 
horfe-hair. The female lays five eggs; file for- 
fakes them if they arc touched, and it is impof- 
fiblc to deceive- her by putting others in their 
room, 
