The Zoologist— February, 1866. 77 



willow-tree, which was the cause of it all. The nest is generally very 

 difficult to discover. I was fortunate in finding one, a few years ago, 

 in a decayed alder-tree. A starling had taken possession of the upper 

 portion of the limb, and a little below, in another hole, was the so- 

 called " nest" of the little woodpecker, containing five beautiful pink 

 eggs. I shot the mother, and made the best atonement I could by 

 placing her in my museum. 



Wryneck (Yunx torquilla). — Not at all an uncommon bird, though 

 one that usually attracts little attention, except from its peculiar cry, 

 which much resembles that of some of the smaller hawks. It is wel- 

 comed as the forerunner of the cuckoo, and is well known, 1 believe, 

 in most counties by the appellation of " cuckoo's mate." 



Common Creeper (Certhia familiaris) . — Another of the most beauti- 

 ful and interesting of our residents. I have for two or three years in 

 succession watched a pair engaged in the process of making their nest, 

 in an arbour constructed externally of small upright larch-poles, and 

 lined with boards and matting. VVithout exhibiting the slightest fear 

 of mankind, everything is carried on with a sort of mouse-like cunning : 

 an aperture is selected between two poles, sufficient to admit the bird, 

 and the nest is constructed some little distance below, safe from the 

 weather, and almost concealed from observation. Here the brood was 

 hatched and carefully tended by the parents, in the same noiseless 

 stealthy manner, until on a certain day some tiny heads began to show 

 themselves : this seemed to be the prelude to a general departure, for 

 very shortly afterwards each little occupant was seen to wriggle itself 

 upwards until it had gained a footing, and at once to take to flight. 



Wren (Troglodytes vulgaris). — Beautiful in its simplicity, this little 

 bird is an universal favourite. Summer and winter it haunts our 

 gardens and dwellings, enlivening us at intervals with its voice, — 

 wondrously powerful for so tiny a frame, — and choosing the most 

 marvellous spots wherein to build its beautiful nest, even to the 

 interior of the dried-up body of a scare-crow rook. 



Hoopoe (Upupa epops). — This singular and very handsome wanderer 

 has been frequently seen and obtained in the county. There are two 

 specimens in Lord Hill's collection, killed at Acton Reynold. The 

 late Mr. Slaney saw the bird at Walford Manor. Mr. Eyton mentions 

 one killed at the Black Birches. My friend Mr. Herbert Crawshay 

 pursued one unsuccessfully near Burrington Pool, on the Downton 

 Castle Estate, and I saw a good example last year, obtained near 

 Oswestry. 



