but they confer an inestimable boon on all, by 

 ridding the air of millions of noxious insects. 



If any of our British birds require a law to 

 protect them, there are none, in my opinion, more 

 worthy of it than the Swallow tribe. 



It was lately stated in print that a certain firm 

 of plumassiers had given out an order for a hundred 

 dozen Swallows and Martins. Such wanton 

 destruction of a useful bird ought certainly, if 

 possible, to be put a stop to. 



House Martins, although generally nesting, as 

 their name implies, round the dwellings of man, 

 may be occasionally found building amongst rocks 

 and cliffs. 



The specimens in the case were taken, together 

 with their nest, at the Cromarty Rocks, in July, 

 1869. 



DARTFORD WARBLER 



Case 12. 



This is by no means an uncommon, though a 

 decidedly local, species. I have, however, only met 

 with it in the south-eastern counties. 



During the summer, Dartford Warblers may 

 generally be found in most of the large patches of 

 furze that are scattered over the South Downs, 

 though, being remarkably shy, they are liable to 

 escape observation, as, on the slightest sign of 

 danger, they immediately seek the shelter of the 

 bushes. 



In the winter they seem to be of a roving 

 disposition, as I have met with them several 

 times among the stunted thorn - bushes and 

 straggling furze on the beach between Eastbourne 

 and Pevensey, and when rabbit-shooting further 

 inland, I have noticed them occasionally driven out 

 by the beagles from cover, where no one would 

 ever imagine they would be found. 



