10 Mr. Blackwall's Extracts from his Zoological Journal. 



Art. IV. Extracts from a Zoological Journaly kept at 

 Crumpsall Hall, near Manchester. By John Blackwall, 

 Esq., F.L.S., ^c. 



Crumpsall Hall, July \st, 1829. 

 Sir, 

 Not having any thing of greater interest to communicate at present, 

 I transmit to you a few extracts from my journal ; requesting, that if they 

 should be considered too trifling or unconnected to appear in your valua- 

 ble publication, you will, without hesitation, commit them to the flames. 

 I am, Sir, with much respect. 



Your obedient Servant, 



John Blackwall. 

 To JV. A. Vigors, Esq., Sfc. Sfc. 



NiDIFICATION OF BiRDS. 



Birds sometimes construct their nests in unusual situations, and occa- 

 sionally modify their structure in order to adapt them to peculiar circum- 

 stances. The following examples exhibit instances of departure from 

 the ordinary rule, in these particulars. 



In the month of April, 1821, three pairs of Rooks built in some low 

 Black Italian Poplars, growing in the back-yard attached to the residence 

 of the late Miss Hall, situated in King-street, in a central part of the 

 town of Manchester. Considering that they had to collect all their ma- 

 terials in the country, the rapidity with which these birds proceeded in 

 their undertaking was truly surprising : their nests were speedily com- 

 pleted ; they deposited their eggs in them ; and, though they were fre- 

 quently much disturbed by the eager curiosity of idle people who crowded 

 about the premises, desirous to witness so extraordinary a sight, they ul- 

 timately succeeded in rearing their young, and conveying them to a place 

 of greater security. In the ensuing spring, the Rooks again visited their 

 nest-trees, and began to repair their former habitations with great dili- 



