196 NATUKAMZATIONT OF FOREIGN lURDS, 



are found, the White Birch, (Betula alba,) being the most abundant, a layer 

 of clay is met with; and below that a stratum of sand, embedded in which 

 are discovered many of the heads and antlers of deer. Does not this evidently 

 show that on this spot there has existed at one time an extensive forest, 

 abounding in game, though now for many miles round the country presents 

 a very barren appearance? Indeed, it is one extensive flat of peat bogs in 

 all directions. It may in conclusion be remarked, that the few trees in the 

 neighbourhood are very much stunted in their growth, owing to the strong 

 winds from the sea. This is very noticeable, even as far as Garstang, a town 

 nearly eleven miles from the bay. 



Fleetioood, Lancashire ^ Sepfemher Uth., 1851. 



NATURALIZATION OF FOREIGN BIRDS IN THIS COUNTRY, 



BY HENRY TAYI.OR, ESQ. 



Under the above title you did me the favour to insert a communication 

 at page 89, in which I suggested the desirableness and practicability of 

 introducing into our woods certain of the foreign song birds, now only kept in 

 cages or aviaries by bird-fanciers. My remarks were especially directed to that 

 beautiful songster, the Loxia eardinalis, or Virginian Nightingale. A reference 

 to my former article will shew that a pair of these birds was established this 

 spring in my conservatory, in company with several other kinds of the feathered 

 tribe. My desire was to become acquainted with their habits, as well as to 

 ascertain whether the Virginian Nightingales would breed under such circum- 

 stances. With your permission, I will detail the result of ray experience. 



It was apparent in the month of May that the birds had paired, and my 

 attention was directed to the requisites for building. After trying various 

 kinds of receptacles, attended with much loss of time, I found their instincts 

 led them to give a preference to some dwarf box trees in the conservatory, 

 growing in pots.'*' In one of these a little hay was placed, which the hen 

 eagerly adopted as the foundation of a nest. Materials of various kinds were 

 scattered about, but that which found the greatest favour was paper in small 

 pieces, these probably being the nearest approach to dried leaves. A window 

 opens from the conservatory to my sitting-room, into which both birds were 

 always pleased to enter when opportunity was given, and where an old news- 

 paper was, to the female, particularly attractive. In rather a loose kind of 

 nest, lined with a few twigs stolen from a broom, an egg was laid on the 

 20th. of July, about the size of a Blackbird's; in colour what I might call 

 a dii'ty white, freckled with light brown spots. To this, I think, another 

 was added; although of the fact I could not be certain, for the nest imme- 



* It is worth while to say that these are the favourite roosting-placos of the smaller and 

 move tender birds. In winter they afford the best protection from cold currents of air, whilst 

 at the proper season nests are frequently built in them. 



