196 



The following statement in reference to the 

 present species appears in a well-known ornitho- 

 logical work : 



" It is now perfectly clear that this bird resides 

 amongst trees only, and that it makes its nest in 

 holes and cavities of such as are decayed, and 

 never amongst the branches nor in buildings." 



I took particular trouble to hunt for the breed- 

 ing quarters of these birds round several farms in 

 the east of Norfolk, and in every instance the nest 

 was placed amongst the buildings ; some in cow- 

 sheds, others under the tiles of the out-houses, and 

 three or four among the rough stems of some 

 particularly coarse ivy that grew over an old wall. 

 Not one did I discover among the trees, though the 

 House Sparrows were breeding plentifully both in 

 the branches and the ivy round the trunks. 



The male and female in this sparrow are alike ; 

 the young also exhibit the same markings in their 

 first feathers. 



The specimens in the case were obtained at 

 Potter Heigham in Norfolk in June, 1873. 



STONE CHAT. (SUMMER). 

 Case 298. 



The Stone Chat is widely distributed over the 

 British Islands, frequenting open heaths and furze- 

 covered downs. 



A few remain with us during the winter, but 

 their numbers are increased in the spring by 

 arrivals from the Continent. 



The specimens in the case were obtained on the 

 Downs near Brighton in June, 1872. 



LITTLE STINT. (SUMMER). 

 Case 299. 



This elegant little wader (which both in habits 

 and appearance takes after the Dunlin, while the 



