Birds. 9777 



Slonechat (Saxicola rubicola). — Common, and breeds with us 

 every season, though not so numerous as the next and nearly allied 

 species. 



Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra). — Common everywhere. 

 Wheatear (Saxicola oenauthe). — Found chiefly in the higher 

 grounds, though occasionally met with in the meadows by the river- 

 side. 



Grasshopper Warbler (Salicaria locustella). — Rather a rare bird, 

 except in the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury, where it is far from un- 

 common. Being shy and retiring in its habits, I strongly suspect 

 it is often overlooked, more especially by those who are not well 

 acquainted with its singular note. 



Sedge Warbler (Salicaria Phragraitis). — I was not at all aware, till 

 within the last few years, how very common this pretty little warbler 

 is in this part of the county. It not only frequents the sides of our 

 streams and ponds, but I often find it in the hedges, far away from 

 water. The song is pleasing, though at times harsh. The nest is 

 most difficult to discover, being generally placed in the thickest rank 

 herbage, a very little way from the grouud. 



Reed Warbler (Salicaria arundinacea). — Much less common than 

 the last species. They usually live in colonies by the sides of ponds 

 and meres that abound in reeds, to which they attach their beautiful 

 nests. Ormond Park Pool, Crowsmere, near Ellesmere, and Hawk- 

 stone Park, are three localities in Shropshire where they breed in con- 

 siderable numbers. 



Nightingale (Philomela luscinia). — I am sorry to say there are, of 

 late, few well-authenticated instances of the occurrence of the nightin- 

 gale in this county. Coalbrookdale and Bridgenorth can boast of an 

 occasional visit, but even in those genial soils there seems to be 

 something wanting to induce this most interesting songster to stay 

 with us. What constitutes that "mysterious line" over which it is 

 not supposed to pass .'' There have been instances of its appearance 

 at Kingsland, and in the Quarry Walk in Shrewsbury, but of course 

 on the outskirts of a town the poor bird would have little chance of 

 remaining long unmolested. 



Blackcap fFay5/e>' (Curruca atricapilla). — The song of this charm- 

 ing little warbler is nearly equal to that of the nightingale, and is no 

 doubt often mistaken for it. It is very common in this part of the 

 county. 



Garden Warbler {CmYuca. hortensis). — Much more local than the 

 VOL. XXIll. 3 E 



