9776 Birds. 



grayling. Be that as it may, I consider the cheerful song and inte- 

 resting habits of this neat little bird would well repay any slight 

 diinunition of sport that might be caused on that account. I am happy 

 to say they abound on the river, on whose banks I live, and rear their 

 young in peace and safety. The nest, which is generally placed 

 under a bridge or on the river-bank, looking like a shapeless bundle 

 of moss, is in reality, when closely examined, a most interesting 

 structure. 



Missel Thrush (Turdus viscivorus.). — Well known in every part of 

 the county as the " storm cock," It breeds very early in the spring, 

 and at that time, forgetting its usually shy habits, fearlessly approaches 

 the haunts and dwellings of man. 



Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). — Last winter this bird was very numerous, 

 but for three or four preceding seasons it was a subject of general 

 remark how very few had been seen. 



Song Tlirush (Turdus musicus). — A great many remain with us 

 during the winter, though I have little doubt that numbers migrate to 

 the south. At this time of the year they betake themselves, in large 

 quantities, to the various turnip-fields. 



Redwing (Turdus iliacus). — Far more numerous than the fieldfare, 

 and appearing with much greater regularity : I see hundreds every 

 evening coming in to roost in the laurel-bushes round the house. 

 They appear to be very tender birds, as numbers are picked up dead 

 and dying in the roads whenever we have a winter of any unusual 

 severity. In the spring they congregate in large numbers in the high 

 trees, whence they pour forth a pleasing jargon, which, however, I 

 suppose, does not constitute singing. 



Blackbird (Turdus merula). — A constant resident, and too common 

 to require any remarks. 



Ringed Ouzel (Turdus torquatus). — Most of the high uncultivated 

 grounds in the county produce this bird in tolerable abundance. I have 

 obtained them and their nests on the Black Hill, the Longmynd, the 

 Steperstones, and the Clee Hills. Wherever the mountain ash grows, 

 they will generally be found. 



Hedge Accentor (Accentor modularis). — One of the prettiest, as well 

 as the most common, of our native warblers. 



Redbreast (Sylvia rubecula). — A general favourite, in spite of its pug- 

 nacious disposition. I have a nest of the robin, taken from a ditch- 

 bank, in which the eggs, five in number, are nearly pure while. 



Redstart (Phoenicura ruticilla). — A regular spring visitant, though 

 their numbers vary very considerably. 



