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LIST OF BIRDS BREEDING 
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. 

In preparing a list of the localities in which the Species of Birds 
breeding within a radius of 20 miles from this town may be found, I 
haye endeavoured, as far as possible, to indicate a centre of the 
district in which the birds breed ; and for that purpose I have selected 
some town or village, as, for instance,—Manchester (M.), and Hap- 
ton (Har.); that town or village representing the centre of a circle 
with a radius of 6 miles or thereabouts. Sometimes it intersects the 
circle of another district ; for it must be apparent to Naturalists that 
most species of Birds (which are of so migratory a character) cannot 
be expected to be found in one spot year after year. 
Many of the species I have mentioned as breeding in this neigh- 
bourhood, do so only at intervals, and some few have only been found 
nesting once or twice. 
The draining of marsh and waste land, the levelling of woods, and 
enclosing of heaths, have no doubt done much to diminish the num- 
ber of our birds; though not to the same extent, it is to be feared, 
as the reckless destruction of the eggs and young birds by youths ; 
which is a practice to be strongly condemned. If a collection of eggs 
is wanted as a supplement to one of Birds, a couple of eggs, or even 
more, may be taken from the nests of most Birds without causing 
them to leave the place ; particularly when incubation has commenced. 
The information concerning some of the species has been given me 
by friends in the country,—as farmers, game-keepers, &c., who have 
had opportunities of noting them. 
In my list, B. Edge stands for Blackstone Edge; Bu., Bury; B., 
Bolton ; Has., Haslingden; Hav., Hapton; Hou; Houghton ; M., 
Manchester ; T., Turton ; W., Whalley; n.m., Materials of which the 
nests are formed. 
J. H. WOOD. 

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Falco salon, Merlin, W., B. Edge, Rowley Moor, Dry parts of moors on ground. 
n.m., Heather, lined with dry grass. Very rare, one nest on Rowley Moor in 
1855. 
Falco tinnunculus, Kestril, Bu., B., W., Tops of tall trees, and in old magpie nests. 
nm., Twigs and dry leaves. Generally diffused, though not common. 
Falco nisus, Sparrowhawk, Bvu., B., M., in thick trees, sometimes near ground. 
nm., Large nest of twigs and dry grass. Much scarcer than Kestril. 
Strix flammea, Barn or White Owl, Bu., M., W., Old ruins or Church towers. 7.., 
Slight nest of sticks, and debris of its prey. Rare around here ; nests at Stand, 
and Radcliffe, in 1871. 
Lanius collurio, Redbacked Shrike, Har., Hov., Tall hedge or young tree. 2.m., 
Large nest of twigs, roots, and wool. Only an occasional visitant, 
