50 NOTES OS THE NK8TING OF BIRDS. 



drains are made with inch tiles, they cannot enter, but would work at that 

 depth in all directions^ and be of the greatest possible use." 



On some lands the drainage is wholly effected by the Mole, so far that 

 the farmer might save himself some shillings, nay pounds, to the Mole-catcher. 

 Let us hope, then, that henceforward he may be suffered to live in peace, 

 and die of old age, throughout the length and breadth of our blessed land. 

 To the farmer and the gardener this matter is worthy of more consideration 

 than it has yet obtained. 



Having thus brought the agricultural charges against the Mole to a con- 

 clusion, I will, D. v., in my next carefully examine the horticultural charges 

 against him, and hope to gain "a verdict for the defendant." 



5, Middle-Street, Taunton^ Somersetshire. 



(To be continued. ) 



A FEW NOTES ON THE NESTING OF BIRDS. 



BY W. G, JOHNSTONE, ESQ. 



In a small space of ground behind No, 9, George- Street, Dumfries, there 

 is a little green-house in which are ranged three rows of flower- pots, each 

 containing flowers; many of them very beautiful. In the middle row? 

 and again in about the centre of it, stood, this spring, a pot containing 

 some small-rooted cuttings of Lonzia elegans. One day a Blackbird appeared 

 in the said green-house; and shortly afterwards his mate. All they did that 

 day was seemingly to reconnoitre. Again, the following afternoon, not only 

 did they appear, but they took possession of the pot above-mentioned, tearing 

 up the small plants, which they used as the foundation of their nest; some 

 pieces of rope and string lying in the green-house, were also made use of; 

 and, as a finish, some of the rotted poplar leaves from outside. 



The morning of the second day after they commenced to build, an egg 

 was laid; and in uninterrupted succession one each day till five were laid. 

 On the seventeenth day after the beginning of the whole, four young appeared; 

 and in four weeks again, old and young disappeared in high health and 

 spirits. What is remarkable, the bird sat quietly, and allowed the plants all 

 around her to be daily watered without shewing any signs of fear, although 

 the hands of the party watering would come within a few inches of her. 

 The male took his turn on the nest. Another thing confirmed is that they 

 regularly carried away the young birds' excrements, keeping everything clean 

 and neat. The male bird had a few white feathers on his head. 



A Robin was observed daily flying out and in, and the good lady of the 

 house beautifully conceived the idea, that Robert was helping the Blackbird, but 

 it was soon found out this was not the case; Robin also had a nest in 

 the green-house on the ground in a corner below the stage, and here were 

 brought out six Robins, all of which arrived at bird's estate. I may also 



