CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 145 



score, being easily approached, and appearing to be 

 quite unsuspicious of danger. 



The specimens in the case were obtained along the 

 •coast, between Blakeny and Salthouse, in Norfolk, in 

 December, 1871. 



BLACKBIRD. 



Case 175. 



The sketch from which the present case is copied was 

 taken on the Bass Rock ; the nest having been placed 

 in an old chimney, in the ruins of the Grovernor's 

 house, which still stands among the fortifications. 

 Seven or eight years ago a Blackbird's nest was built 

 on the west side of the rock, within a few feet of the 

 breeding-place of the Peregrine Falcon. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in the 

 neighbourhood of Brighton, in the spring of 1875. 



STARLING.— (Mature.) 



Case 176. 



Equally at home in town or country, the Starling is 

 well known in every part of the British Islands. 



In the flat districts of the eastern counties they 

 collect during autumn in immense flocks, and early in 

 the evening repair to the reed-beds, where they take 

 •up their quarters for the night. The extraordinary 

 numbers that roost in such situations occasionally 

 break down the reeds, and cause considerable loss to 

 the owners of the beds.* 



^' The reed is extensively used for tbatchiug and other purposes 

 in the eastern counties. 



