j 74 THE NATURAL HI S T O 
feme again fufpend them ingenioufly from the 
branch of a tree, and all employ a variety of 
proper materials to make a comfortable receptacle 
for their young ; and exert an amazing, and well 
directed activity, in furnifliing their numerous 
offspring with convenient food, and in defending 
them from the a {Faults of every enemy. 
No birds difeover more fire and intrepidity ; 
they are the flrft to affault the owl; they aim boldly 
at his eyes ; their attack is accompanied with a 
ruffling of the feathers, and a rapid fucceffion. of 
violent attitudes and precipitate motions, which 
exprefs with energy their little rage. ^ -| 
When they are taken, they bite the hand and 
fingers of the bird-catcher, flriking repeated blows 
with their bills, and calling with reiterated fcreamS 
to their companions, who affemble in numbers, 
and joining in the cry bring numbers more.. 
They are eafily taken in almoft every kind or 
trap. Sometimes they are intoxicated by meal, 
or meat, foaked in wine ; they attempt to fly, 
find themfelves giddy, flutter, fall, roll about, 
make an effort to rife, and fall again, and by their 
flrange and Angular geftures, and whimfleal atti¬ 
tudes, contribute to the amufement of a young 
fpeeflator. 
Although Titmice occaflonally difeover a fa- 
