CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 2l 



WRYNECK. 



Case 26. 



This is only a summer visitor, arriving early in April, 

 and after rearing its young, leaving us before the cold 

 weather sets in. 



It is a well-known bird in most of the southern and 

 midland counties, breeding frequently in fruit-trees in 

 gardens in the immediate vicinity of houses. 



In some parts it is known by the name of Cuckoo's 

 Mate, its arrival being generally noticed shortly after 

 that of the well-known harbinger of Spring. Anyone 

 who has watched one of these birds sunning itself on 

 the limb of a tree, and remarked the curious contor- 

 tions it indulges in, can scarcely fail to understand the 

 reason the name of Wr^meck is applied to it. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in the 

 neighbourhood of Brighton, in May, 1866. 



, NUTHATCH. 

 Case 27. 



This bird is generally found where large timber is 

 abundant. It is a near relative to the Woodpeckers, 

 and, from its somewhat similar habits, is known by 

 that name in some districts. 



It has a curious custom of plastering with mud the 

 apertures to the holes in the trees where it breeds. A 

 representation of a very curious nest built with mud in 

 a haystack was given in (I believe) The Field some 

 years ago. It was well authenticated. 



The specimens were shot at Plumptou, in Sussex, 

 in April, 1866* 



