. A history of British birds : the figures engraved on wood . is spread, forms a large ovalspot of black; the legs are black. The female differslittle from the male ; she lays six eggs, of a dull olivegreen, spotted at the end with black. This bird is rarely found in the cultivated parts of thecountry, preferring mountainous wilds, among furze andthorny thickets, for its residence. M. Buffon says it iscommon in France, where it continues all the year: it ismet with likewise in Russia, and various parts of Europe ;it preys on small birds, which it seizes by the throat, and,after strangling, fix
. A history of British birds : the figures engraved on wood . is spread, forms a large ovalspot of black; the legs are black. The female differslittle from the male ; she lays six eggs, of a dull olivegreen, spotted at the end with black. This bird is rarely found in the cultivated parts of thecountry, preferring mountainous wilds, among furze andthorny thickets, for its residence. M. Buffon says it iscommon in France, where it continues all the year: it ismet with likewise in Russia, and various parts of Europe ;it preys on small birds, which it seizes by the throat, and,after strangling, fixes them on a sharp thorn, and tearsthem in pieces with its bill. Mr Pennant observes, thatwhen kept in the cage, it sticks its food against the wiresbefore it will eat it. It is said to imitate the notes of thesmaller singing birds, thereby drawing them near itshaunts, in order more securely to seize them. The foregoing figure and description were taken froma very fine specimen, for which this work is indebted toLieutenant H. F. Gibson, of the ^th 96 BRITISH BIRDS.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1800, bookidhistoryo, booksubjectbirds
