


174 TH HE NATURAL HISTORY 
~~ fome again fulpend them ingenioufly from 
branch of a tree, and all employ a variety 
proper materials to make a comfortable receptact 
| g; and exert an amazing, and well 
direGted activity, in furnifhing ‘their numerous: 
offspring with convenient food, and in defending , 
them from the affaults of every enemy. . 
_ No birds difcover more fire and intrepiditys 
they are the firft to aflault the owl ; they aim boldly | 
this eyes; their attack is accompanied with 2 
| rufiling of the fea thers, and a rapid fucceflion i. 
violent attitudes and precipitate motions, “— : 
for their young 







-exprefs with energy their little rage. 
When they are taken, they bite the hand an 
fing cers of the bird- -catcher, flriking repeated blow 
with their bills, and calling with reiterated fereat 
to their companions, who aflemble in numbel 
and joining | in the cry bring numbers more. 
They are eafily taken in almoft every kind be 
trap. Sometimes they are intoxicated by meal 
or meat, foaked in wine; they attempt to ay 
find themfelves giddy, flutter, fall, roll abou 
make an effort to rife, and fall again, - and by thei 
ftrange and fingular geftures, and whimfical atte : 
tudes, contribute to the amufement of a youn 
fpeGator. 
_ Although Titmice ‘occafionally difcover a fi 
