The Zoologist— September, 18G7. 880 



without spots ; they were placed near the surface of water. I frequently 

 have found eggs of other birds which have this pale, washed-out 

 appearance when the nest is placed in a bush near water ; the black- 

 bird, chaffinch, &c, are examples. May not the dampuess of the 

 locality assist in effecting this ? 



Redwing.— The redwing generally arrives in the beginning of 

 October, or perhaps a little earlier, but a good deal depends on the 

 severity of the season. I have heard a flock of these birds twittering 

 like a flock of swallows, and so forcibly has the resemblance struck me 

 that I have looked up in full expectation of seeing some late return- 

 ing swallows westward-bound. The redwing I fancy to be more 

 susceptible to cold than most of our winter migrants : I have repeatedly 

 found them dead, in severe winters, beside some frozen spring, when 

 none of the other birds appeared to suffer. Blackbirds I think are 

 nearly, but not quite, so susceptible of cold. 



Blackbird.— I took a nest of eggs of a blackbird (the bird was on 

 the nest) much in the same situation as the above-mentioned song 

 thrush : the eggs were of a pale blue colour, and quite unspotted ; 

 the nest was placed about two feet above a marsh, in an alder-tree 

 which was growing out of it: see 'Zoologist' for 1866 (S. S. 146). 

 I have several times found the nest of the blackbird on the ground in 

 the midst of a thick rhododendron-bush ; also in the side of a sloping 

 bank behind a tuft of grass. One built on a garden-seat and sat on 

 its eggs whilst the seat was being paiuted (Zool. S. S. 308). 



Ring Ouzel. — Frequents most of the high grounds to the north and 

 south of the county, and breeds also, in sparing numbers, in the 

 Campsil Hills. Visits the gardens and orchards at the foot of the 

 hills in July and August. 



Hedge Sparrow .—Local name, " blue sparrow," from the colour of 

 the eggs. Common, and breeds abundantly. 



Redbreast.— Common ; if one sits down in a dense wood, when no 

 other bird is visible, robin will keep you company. 



Redstart— Local name, "redtail" and "firetail." Tolerably 

 plentiful ; always nests in our garden. Arrives generally about the 

 10th of May, but I have noticed its arrival on the 18th of April. 



Stonechat. — Local name, in common with the next and the 

 wheatear, " stonechacker." Common, but not so much so as the 

 next. 



Whinchat. — Local names as above, and " whinnie." Common. 



Wheatear.— Common, but local, keeping to stony, uncultivated 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. II. 3 A 



