. Song birds and seasons . efers gardens andfields neai- iinining watei-; tlie white throat pi-efers todwell among the willows near rve and hemp (^ are some traits common to them all ; thev all havea fialteued head like the swallow, a strong bill and a longand robusi tliund) nail : they all feed exclusivelv on thoseinsects which abound in lh(> neighbourhood of water;they all have the sauie yellowish grey plumage^ and thesame shrill. >liarp notes in llieii- song. Their deep nests are artistically built, skilfully wovenon the outside anti inside with (lr\ supple grasses. Theygen
. Song birds and seasons . efers gardens andfields neai- iinining watei-; tlie white throat pi-efers todwell among the willows near rve and hemp (^ are some traits common to them all ; thev all havea fialteued head like the swallow, a strong bill and a longand robusi tliund) nail : they all feed exclusivelv on thoseinsects which abound in lh(> neighbourhood of water;they all have the sauie yellowish grey plumage^ and thesame shrill. >liarp notes in llieii- song. Their deep nests are artistically built, skilfully wovenon the outside anti inside with (lr\ supple grasses. Theygenerally sus|)eud them on I wo or three sleuis lied togetherby as many rings of moss and hair: these moveable looj)sare loose enough to allow the nest to rise and fall accord-ing to the luMght of ihe wat(Ms. In this aerial dwelling which the current and theslightest breeze swav to and fro. the female lavs five creamcoloured eggs, veined with brown. As soon as the eggsarc laid, she does not again leave her nest, but allows it. THE WAHBLEK THE 19 to be rocked ; wliilsl the niiilc, j^ercliing on a willowl)r;ui( h oi- clinging- lo a ivod, goes on repeating all dayhis joyous sj^riglilly song, letting the quick, shrill notessucceed each other with unvaiied regularity :^cri, cri,era, cara, cara ! The sun shoots down its rays, and between the reedsthe water has the dazzling glare of molten silver; thefiery atmosphere seems to blaze, and that monotonousunceasing song harmonizes Avith the twinkling of theriver, the buzzing of the insects and the quavering of thehot air. It is a continual babbling, harsh like the voiceof a busy housewife as she comes and goes about thehouse, giving her orders, scolding her servants and neverstopping her chattering. In the district of Brie, inFrance, they say of a talkative woman, she chatters hkea white throat. fElle jase com me line This merry warbler has all the domestic virtues of agood housewife, but her faults as well : exclusive,
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License: Licensed
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1888
