276 Country Rambles. 



THE COMMON HERON (Ardea cinerea), iv., 197. 



In the Manchester Guardian of December 28, 1881, it 

 is stated that there is a heronry "within about 

 fourteen miles of the Exchange," and that within 

 forty miles of Manchester there are a dozen other 

 stations for this beautiful and celebrated bird. The 

 former is probably that one which it is further stated 

 has existed since 1871 in Tabley Park, though the 

 older stations, Dunham Park, Oulton Park, and the 

 trees near the water at Arley Hall, have long since 

 been deserted. ( Vide also the Guardian of March 

 1 8th, 1882.) 



II. PERIODICAL VISITORS. 



I. COMING IN SPRING AND SUMMER. 



THE WHEAT -EAR (Sylvia (Enanthe), iii., 142. 



The earliest of our summer visitants, coming by the 

 end of March, but staying in the fields not longer 

 than two or three weeks, when it moves off to the 

 mountainous districts to breed. Very fond of placing 

 its nest in deserted rabbit-holes, and in cavities in 

 old stone walls. 



THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Sylvia locustella), iii., 143. 

 No one who has heard this bird can ever forget it, the 

 note resembling the voice of the grasshopper, but 

 prolonged into a whirr, like the noise of a spinning- 

 wheel. Towards midnight, when all other birds are 

 still, if approached, it will begin. Found haunting 



