HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [155 



It sings at the close of day, and at times in the night ; the noise 

 resembles the whizzing of a spinning wheel, and when near gives a 

 sensible vibration to the human frame, and it is difficult to discover 

 whence the sound is emitted. This bird is a natural ventriloquist, 

 has wonderful powers of wing, and may be termed the night swal- 

 low, never flying in the day unless disturbed ; it is nearly as large 

 as a cuckoo; its unfledged young squat amongst heath, and resem- 

 ble a toad. 



HIRUNDO RUSTICA The Chimney Swallow: Above purplish 

 black, beneath reddish white, a red spot on the forehead, and under 

 the chin, mouth black ; length seven inches. Two birds of this spe- 

 cies, entirely white, were bred at Horsebrook, 1796. 



2. URBICA *The Martin : Head and back purple black, breast, 

 belly, rump/white, feet covered with white down, month yellow ; 

 length six inches. 



3. RIPARIA The Sand Martin: Above mouse colour, beneath 

 white, feet black, a mouse-coloured ring round the neck, length 

 five inches. Will penetrate several feet into the banks of sand- 

 pits to deposit their eggs, the shell of which is white, and beau- 

 tifully pellucid. 



4. APUS The Martlet; Swift ; Jack Squealer : Black, except a 

 white spot on the chin, all the toes stand forward; weight less 

 than one ounce, length near eight inches. This species cannot 

 rise from off the ground, from its shortness of legs and length of 

 wing. 



TORDUS VISCIVORUS TheMiMoe Thrush; Thricecock: Above 

 brown grey, beneath yellow white, with dark spots, irides hazel, 

 tail of 12 feathers, exteriors tipped with white; inner coverts of the 

 wings white; weight five ounces, length 11 inches. Our largest 

 singing bird: builds often in orchards, and propagates the misletoe. 



2. PILARIS The Fieldfare: Bill yellowish, tipped with black, 

 head and rump ash colour, back deep brown, tail and legs black, be- 

 neath white, breast reddish, with dark spots; weight four ounces, 

 length 10 inches. Migrates. 



3. Musicus The Throstle: Above brown grey, beneath white, 

 with black spots, throat and breast reddish, inner coverts of the 

 wings yellow ; weight three ounces, length nine inches. Sings 

 loudly, and early in spring mornings. 



4. ILIACUS The Redwing: Above brown grey, beneath whitish 

 brown spots, sides and under coverts of the wings red yellow, a yel- 

 low white line athwart the eyes ; weight 2$ ounces. 



