Proceedings. 26 



occasion I found a nest of this bird containing as many as 

 seven eggs. 



Missel Thrush. — One or two pairs generally breed with 

 us every year. I generally hear their song first in January, 

 or, if the season be severe, not until the beginning of 

 February; but in mild seasons they may sometimes be heard 

 in December. 



Song Thrush. — This species has seemed to me to be a 

 little diminished in numbers since the severe weather of the 

 last three winters. The earliest date I have recorded for its 

 eggs is March 7th ; but on February 21st, 1869, I saw one 

 sitting on its nest in a high Fir-tree, so it probably then had 



Blackbu-d. — Equally common with the preceding, and 

 nearly as early a breeder. The dates I have recorded for the 

 commencement of its song vary between February 2nd and 

 March 13th. This bird and the Thrush are great berry- 

 eaters. They usually strip the Mountain Ash trees of their 

 berries almost as soon as they are ripe, and are also very 

 fond of Berberis and yew berries. I once saw a Blackbird 

 bolt seven yew berries consecutively, without appearing to 

 crush them in the least. I have also seen them devouring 

 the berries of the Portugal Laurel ; and in spring, when the 

 Ivy -berries are ripe, they come in very opportunely for them. 

 One day last spring I noticed a quantity of small hard seeds 

 of a peculiar shape on the edge of a Blackbird's nest in which 

 were young birds just ready to fly ; on examining the seeds 

 I found they were those of Ivy-berries, and therefore con- 

 cluded that the birds had been feeding their young on this 

 kind of food. 



Fieldfare. — Only seldom seen, and then only flying over. 



Eedwing. — This species frequently visits us chiefly in 

 severe or snowy weather, when they like to get into 

 sheltered places on the banks of the wood near the stream, 

 and scratch among the leaves. The earliest date I have 

 recorded for their appearance in autumn is October 6th. 



Hedge Sparrow. — Abundant all the year. It generally 

 begins its song early in January, unless the weather be severe. 



