OF BIRDS. 
Ml 
£onc to ftone, feeming to avoid hedges and 
bufhes, upon which he alights much lefs feldom 
than on {tones. 
The beak is fine at the point, but wider at the 
bafe, confequently well conftructcd for feizing, 
and devouring infers, on which they dart conti¬ 
nually. They almoft always keep on the ground, 
and if difturbed, perch only on low buflies. 
When they alight, they twitter, and flirt their 
tails. In ground lately ploughed, or near little 
tufts, or under Hones in fallow land, or between 
the Hones of which they make fences in fome 
countries, they build their nefi. It is curioufly 
conftrudted of mofs, or fine gratis on the outfide ; 
of feathers and wool, rabbits down or fur, and 
horfe-hair in the inlide. 'It is remarkable for a 
kind of ihc-lter placed above the nefi, and fattened 
to the Hone, or hillock, under which the nefi is 
made. The female lays five or fix eggs ; and 
fits fo clofe as fometimes to lol’e the feathers 
from her breafi. The male attends her with 
great attention, bringing her flies, and ants, and 
always keeps near the nefi. If lie obferves any 
perfons approaching, he flies before them, alight¬ 
ing every now and then, as though to divert them 
from the nefi; and when he judges them at a 
fufficient difiance, he takes a compals, and re¬ 
turns 
