INTKODUCTION. lix 



Taking Norwich and its Hamlets, then, as a con- 

 venient starting point, we liave, within a comparatively 

 small area, a locality rich in its attractions for almost 

 all classes of birds, and one in which, not only the 

 more common species are plentifully distributed, but 

 many of the rarest have occurred at times. Norwich 

 has been well termed " a city in an orchard," and, in- 

 spite of the additional space required for a largely 

 increased population, may still claim that title, owing 

 to the number of its gardens and the general dis- 

 tribution of foliage, which gives so rural an aspect 

 to the older portions of the town. The venerable 

 walls, enclosing the gardens themselves, afford in their 

 many chinks and crannies abundant harbour for insects 

 and their larvae; and, in destroying these hidden 

 pests, the busy Titmice, the Redbreast, Hedge- Sparrow, 

 Chaffinch, and many summer visitants, do invaluable 

 service. The wall fruit, also, attracts the Blackbirds 

 and Thrushes, which, nevertheless, atone for their 

 depredations by a wholesale destruction of worms, 

 slugs, and snails, and the Spotted-Flycatcher (Mus- 

 cicapa, grisola) and the beautiful Redstart (Phoenicura 

 ruticilla) return year after year, with the apple and 

 pear blossoms, to the same nest on the vine-stem, 

 or in the ivy-covered wall. With these, also, return 

 to their accustomed haunts the Swallow and the House- 

 Martin, which are seen in the streets throughout their 

 brief sojourn, and nest in the chimney shafts and 

 under the eaves of the houses, even in the busiest 

 thoroughfares. A few small colonies of Rooks have 

 been established, for years, within the bounds of the 

 city, and whatever may be the spiritual wants of 

 the laity, the ecclesiastical Jackdaw can scarcely put 

 in a claim to "additional church accommodation." 

 The useful Starlings find abundant nest-holes in ancient 

 gables or the crumbling walls of monastic and other 



