98 
BIRD-LIFE. 
families. Solitary birds, that is to say those that live in 
pairs and are of an unsociable disposition, are not com¬ 
mon. In our country the following shun the society of 
their fellows from a feeling of jealousy :—Hawks (some), 
Falcons, Owls, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, the Dipper, the 
Wren, the Nightingale, the Hedge Sparrow, the Wry¬ 
neck, Water Rails, Divers, and most Warblers; these 
will not tolerate a second pair on their beat, and drive 
away even their own young, as soon as they are grown 
up. Others of our home birds—as the Magpie, the Jay, 
Partridge, Longtailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Stonechat, Cross¬ 
bill, and Eared Grebe—live in families so attached, that 
it is rarely one meets with a solitary specimen. In 
Africa I have always seen the following in flocks;—Colies 
( Colius ), Plantain-eaters ( Corythaix ), and the Promerops 
(L risor). The generality of other birds congregate in large 
bands, especially when migrating. Many assemble toge¬ 
ther for the purpose of singing :—as Starlings, Swallows, 
sociable Finches, Weaver-birds, &c.; is it not pleasanter 
and easier to rejoice in company than alone ? It is true 
that at times jealousy puts in an unwelcome appearance, 
though it does not break up the general harmony. It is 
worthy of remark, that the strong rather than the weak 
associate together, and that even when unconstrained by 
the pressure of hunger; yet the weak associate with the 
strong for greater safety :—Jackdaws and Starlings asso¬ 
ciate with the Rook; Nuthatches, Tomtits, Tree-creepers, 
and Goldcrests keep company with the Pied Woodpecker; 
the smaller Waders place themselves under the care of 
their more powerful kinsmen; Bean Geese, Brent Geese, 
and many Ducks under the leadership of the Wild Swan 
(Cygnus musicus) ; Plovers choose the Curlew Sandpiper 
for their companion. These leaders enjoy the greatest 
