15 



may be found annually at Hockley. As will be seen by the 

 above notes, tliey are very early breeders. Young birds of 

 two or three days old have been observed on the 2nd and 

 on the 10th of April. 



I imagine this bird to be a very favourite prey of the 

 Sparrowhawk, from having observed several from which I 

 had driven away the hawk. They were as completely 

 plucked as if done by the most experienced poulterer. 



The Wiltshire rustics have a superstitlbn that the loud 

 wild note of this bird uttered during a storm is a sure fore- 

 warning of coming misfortune. 



Turdus Musicus. 



Soiuj Thnish. 

 LOCAL NAME. EGG OBSERVED. 



Throstle. April 3rd, 1865. 



March 25th, 1866. 

 April 1st, 1867. 

 March 16th, 1868. 

 March 26th, 1869. 

 1870. 



This is an exceedingly common and well-known favourite, 

 and deservedly so, for its very musical note is perhaps 

 unsurpassed by that of any other bird, excepting the 

 nightingale. It also has the merit of being the earliest of 

 our songsters, for it may be heard even in the cold bright 

 days of Januaiy. 



