OF BIRDS. 
209 
it with their wing, to induce it to attempt a 
flight, and thus the infed becomes more eafily 
their prey. 
It is afferted by fome, that Martins alfo feed 
upon Caterpillars, which they pick from trees. 
It has been obferved, and Linnaeus has given 
his authority to the obfervation, that 0 par rows 
fometimes diflodge the Martins from tneir nelt, 
who, in revenge, plaifter up the entrance, and 
thus bury the invader alive. 
Mr. Romare has made a very entertaining ftory 
of this circujnftance in his didionary: he repre- 
fents the injured Martins as gently expoftulating 
at firft with the intruders, but without effed; 
that then they call a council of the neignbouring 
Martins, ftate their grievance, and implore their 
aid ; that the Martins depute heralds to fummon 
the invaders to retire, and that when they find 
thefe meflengers return without fuccefs, the whole 
aflembly breaks up. Every Martin provides him- 
felf with fome tempered earth; they all refort to 
the neft, making a third attempt to induce the 
Sparrows to reftore the habitation which they have 
ufurped: this proving ineffedual, they proceed to 
punifh fuch obflinate ir.juftice by doling up the 
entrance, and entombing the Sparrows, thus 
making the property they have fo unfairly ac¬ 
quired the means of their punishment. 
It 
