5 
I noted the male and female eating the faces of the 
young, at almost every visit to the nest, and the accom- 
panying photograph shows the cock in the act of lifting 
the f@ces in his bill. 
One or two pairs of Mistle-Thrushes are to be seen 
here iu the early spring, and I am glad to say breed in the 
orchard. The absolute lack of secrecy in choosing their 
building-site always strikes me on coming across the nest 
of this handsome Thrush. I found a nest in a pear-tree, 
placed in the fork not six feet from the ground, and not 
more from the tennis-lawn and path leading toit. Ifthe 
nest were a small and compact one this would be easier to 
understand, but with the large and untidy structure made 
of grass and bents, discovery is almost a foregone con- 
clusion, especially when one remembers that at the time of 
building the leaves of the trees are not out. The boldness 
of this bird during its breeding time is particularly notice- 
able owing to its shy habits at other times. 
Robins, as everywhere when encouraged, are very tame 
and plentiful, and several pairs nest yearly in the banks of 
hedges and ditches in the orchard. It is very amusing to 
watch their interest in any gardening which may be going 
on, and to see the way in which they take possession of 
a spade or any tool left in the ground, by immediately 
perching on it and from it keeping a keen eye open for 
worms turned up. 
Of the sylvin@ the Willow-Wren is much the most 
common, and the garden for two or three months is full of 
the exquisitely sweet little song of this bird. One cannot 
be too thankful for the liking the Willow-Wren displays 
for this locality. I am delighted to see the number of 
young birds which have been hatched and reared here. 
Only two nests were actually located, but such advantage 
is taken of the cover afforded in long grass and in the 
hedge bottoms, that one may safely assert that for one 
discovered many escape notice. One nest provided shelter 
for six fledglings, and it was only after the most careful 
watching of the parent birds that I discovered it. 
