NOTES ON THE DAYS WHP]N THE SUMMER BIRDS 



WERE FIRST OBSERVED AB(>UT BAllNSLEY, 



WITH INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF OUR RARER BIRDS AND 



THEIR SYSTEMATIC EXTERMINATION. 



BY MR. T. LISTER, 

 ( Contlmced from page 244, Vol. III.) 

 April ISth. — Walked with my usual companion to Cliff Wood, which we 

 had scarcely left unsought one day this spring; here he was summoned back 

 at the relentless call of duty, and unfortunately in this instance, as in that 

 of the ChifF Chaff, to miss the first notes of another member of that interesting 

 family. A few moments after he had gone, I was greeted by the more musical 

 strain of the Willow Wren, one week later than last year, and soon after by 

 the more loud and dashing notes of the Tree Pipit. These strains, the first 

 of the present year, added a new and lively interest to the chorus of Sky 

 Larks, Buntings, Thrushes, and Finches resounding on every side. The strain 

 of the Meadow Pipit, our winter resident, which I had first noticed on the 

 3rd. of this month, was heard in fine contrast, from the near fields, to its 

 kindred bird of the woods and trees. It sings both in its ascending and 

 descending flight, a habit which distinguishes it from the Tree Pipit, whose 

 song begins at the top of its Sight, continuing through the descent until near 

 the ground or tree where it alights. I have never seen any variation from 

 these habits in either bird, when the song is uttered in flight, (for both will 

 sing from a tree, or post, or the ground,) and I am surprised not to find by 

 any naturalist the distinction pointed out, the song during descent only being 

 ascribed to both birds, or the distinction is passed over in silence, by men 

 whom I have followed with unquestionable deference, and have not hitherto 

 published the discrepancy, to avoid the appearance of a petty carping spiirit. 

 Both are about here indiscriminately called Titlark, but a well defined account 

 of their song would have made the two species distinct to the learner; as with 

 the three summer Wrens, (Si/Jvla,) where the oiftward similarity is so great, 

 except in minute points of claws and quills, the song would be the easiest 

 mode of knowing them one from another. It is difficult to mark at a distance 

 the long straight hind claw of the Meadow Pipit so as to distinguish it from 

 the shorter arched one of the Tree Pipit. 



April 19th. — Saw the Yellow or Spring Wsigtail the first time this season 

 in the corn lands adjoining Mottram Wood, attracted by its sprightly call-note 

 and jerking undulating flight. 



April 21st. — Heard the first Redstart of the season in Mottram Wood, 

 during my morning walk to the Dearne Valley. 



April 22nd. — Walked with my companion to Cliff Wood. While entertaining 

 ourselves with the unbought minstrelsy of our home songsters, as the Storm- 

 cock, Spink, Jenny Wren, and our newly-come visitants, as the Willow Wren, 

 Tree Pipit, and Chiff Chaff, now abounding in every copse and wood, and 

 having our ears awake to detect the earliest sounds of any new arrivals, we 



