INTRODUCTORY. XXI 



book by giving full descriptions of nests and plumages, 

 and by copying largely on such points from the many 

 excellent works now published, but no single fact that I 

 know of proceeds from any but an original source. The 

 writings of Lancashire men in the various periodicals 

 have, of course, been utilized, as these come naturally 

 within the scope of the subject. "Where no authority 

 has been given for a statement, it may be taken as 

 proceeding from the personal experiences of myself and 

 my constant out-of-door companion, Mr. Thomas 

 Altham, of Clitheroe, one of that race of artisan- 

 naturalists of which, though more especially in re- 

 gard to Botany, Lancashire has such reason to be 

 proud. 



The time at about which each species lays its eggs 

 has been given as near as experience has taught to be 

 correct, but birds not naturally double-brooded will, if 

 any accident has happened to their first nest, lay a 

 second clutch a few weeks later on. I do not know that 

 any, except those of which it is so indicated, naturally 

 bring up two or more broods in a season, and in the 

 case of late nests, to add to the list, it would be 

 necessary to watch special pairs, and see whether their 

 rirst" attempt had been successful or not. 



I gratefully acknowledge the help I have received 

 from naturalists in all parts of the county, and from the 

 list which follows, showing the boundaries which limit 

 the observations of each, it will be seen that, taken in 

 conjunction with published matter, the whole of the 

 ground has been thoroughly worked : — 



Mr. C. E. Eeade, Manchester. 



Notes from Unnston have their limit about eight miles 

 from Manchester, and on the south-west side only. Notes 

 from Moston, three to five miles north of Manchester. 



