As to the fly-catcher, I have not seen it; it
is indeed one of the latest, but should appear about this time: and
yet, amidst all this meteorous strife and war of the elements, two
swallows discovered themselves as long ago as the eleventh of
April, in frost and snow; but they withdrew quickly, and were not
visible again for many days. House-martins, which are always more
backward than swallows, were not observed till May came in.
Among the monogamous birds several are to be found, after
pairing-time, single, and of each sex: but whether this state of
celibacy is matter of choice or necessity, is not so easily
discoverable. When the house-sparrows deprive my martins of
their nests, as soon as I cause one to be shot, the other, be it cock or
hen, presently procures a mate, and so for several times following.
I have known a dove-house infested by a pair of white owls, which
made great havoc among the young pigeons: one of the owls was
shot as soon as possible; but the survivor readily found a mate, and
the mischief went on.
Pages:
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148