255 



NOTES BY THE LATE E. LOFTHOUSE. 



The following notes are from notes of the late R. Lofthouse 

 left in iliaries or published in papers not likely to have been 

 seen by many, if any, of our members, and it is proposed to 

 publish them from time to time in the Proceedings, as long as 

 they are in the opinion of the Editor of sufficient interest. I may 

 say that he left notes on a variety of subjects — Natural History, 

 Topographj^ and Archwologv, with special reference to the 

 Cleveland district. " T, A. L. 



BIRD NESTS IN" STRANGE PLACES. 



Birds sometimes choose very curious and odd places for their 

 nesting sites, even in localities where there would seem to be 

 endless choice of suitable resorts. I have seen a chaffinch's nest 

 placed high up in a lofty tree, and although they are usually found 

 at a height of six, seven, or eight feet, I have got one within a foot 

 of the groinid, containing two eggs. 



Robins usually build in a hole or depression, or in what in 

 some parts of Yorkshire is called the " Cam " side of a hedge. I 

 have seen one, ho^vever, placed on the shelf of a gardener's tool- 

 house lietween two flower pots. The bird's means of ingi-ess and 

 egress to and from the house Avas by a small hole in a broken pane 

 of the window. Here it hatched and reared its young successful !}■, 

 the gardener, to his credit be it recorded, being careful not to 

 disturb it. 



Blackbirds most frequently build their nests in hedges or 

 shrubs. One, however, built its nest in the open ixn-tico of a villa. 

 There was a column at one side, and on the opposite side the 

 column rested on a large carved boss, three or four feet from the 

 ground, built into a projecting part of the building. At the back 

 of the boss, Ijetween the column and the Avail, the blackbird had 

 placed its nest, and although people were frequently passing in 

 and out of the building, the Itird was sitting at the time I .saw it, 

 and as the proprietor seemed very proud of its presence, I have no 

 doubt it cai'ried off its young in due time. 



The yellow-hammer is perhaps one of the most timid and shy 

 of our birds. Its nest is generally placed in a low bush of thorn, 

 Avild rose, gorse, or in long tangled weeds. I once saw one placed in 

 a depression on the side of a small heap of road scrapings, by the 

 side of a much frequented high road. It was covered with a little 

 overhanging grass, and was not two feet distant from the track of 

 the wheel of every cart that passed ; it contained two eggs. On 

 visiting it subsequently I found that it had been forsaken. I have 



