AN UNPUBLISHED ORNITHOLOGY OF GLASGOW. 187 



Of the Hedge-Chanter [Sparrow], "They are very numerous 

 here, and are easily caught in the common brick trap. . . 

 I remember catching one which had a cataract in the left eye." 



The Pied Wagtail "is common here all the year round. 

 They keep up a most agreeable inward chatter when looking for 

 food — and are generally more plentiful in the neighbourhood of 

 those streams to which washerwomen resort, the insects being 

 attracted by the soap suds — whence one of its common names 

 [Washerwoman] ." 



The Grey Wagtail is " not near so common here as the 

 preceding, in company with which it is sometimes seen. Its 

 song is not so loud. . . ." 



The Yellow Wagtail, "certainly the most elegant of the 

 Wagtails — having the longest tail [a mistaken idea, this being 

 the distinction of the Grey Wagtail]. ... It is, however, 

 the rarest, being only occasionally seen here. It is, however, 

 very common in other parts of the country, from which it pays 

 us a passing visit generally for a few days in August. . . ." 



The Meadow-Pipit alone among its congeners is mentioned, 

 but a perusal of Dr. Grieve's description of its habits proves that 

 the Tree Pipit was also under his observation, although he failed 

 to distinguish the one from the other. This is a common mistake 

 in old writers, as Pennant, Gilbert White, &c. 



In his account of the Sky-Lark, he gives a curious narrative of 

 a wild brood he put in a cage on the outside of his window, where 

 they were attended for several days by their parents. 



As so often happens in old lists, the Wood-Lark appears, in this 

 case upon the authority of "a lady," but, as the author properly 

 says, "probably wrong." 



The Great Titmouse and Blue Titmouse were very common. 

 Of the former, it is said " it has a nice song which it commences 

 early in February, sings through March and April, and resumes 

 again for a short time in September." 



The Yellow* Hammer " generally commences to sing about the 

 20th or 23rd of February, and sings on to August 18th, or even 

 26th, and again from about September 20th to the end of the 

 month. It is not uncommon on the fine clear sunny mornings of 

 September to hear many of the young birds going through part 

 of their song, as I said already of the young larks." 



