

Resident Birds. 267 



shade of blue than that of the eggs it is scarcely 

 possible to discover. 



THE ROBIN, OR REDBREAST (Sylvia rubecula), in., 136. 

 Universally known and beloved; very fond of visiting 

 timber-yards in the town during the winter, where it 

 sings freely; and in the country an excellent prophet 

 of the weather, for if the next day is to be fine, 

 the robin mounts to the top of the tallest tree; if the 

 contrary, it warbles softly underneath. The young 

 birds are nearly the colour of throstles, the distinctive 

 hue not appearing till after the first moult. At this 

 period the bird seems patched with red, presenting a 

 most comical appearance. 



THE STONECHAT (Sylvia rubicola), iii., 140. 



Seen every winter in the neighbourhood of Withington, 

 haunting the Swedish turnip fields. In the summer 

 it lodges elsewhere. 



THE GOLDEN - CRESTED WREN (Regulus cristatus), 



iii., 162. 



This bird builds annually in the yews in the grounds at 

 Dunham Hall, and is common on the outskirts of 

 the town generally. The note resembles that of a 

 weak cricket, and is often repeated, as if the little 

 creatures, like children, were afraid of losing one 

 another. The male and female are never seen 

 apart, and usually there are three or four couples 

 together. 



