Birds. 9309 
European nuthatch, it differs much in colour, the crown of the head, 
nape and anterior part of the back being black. The whole of the 
under parts from chin to vent white. Under tail-coverts bluish white, 
broadly margined with reddish brown. Primaries and secondaries 
black, margined and tipped with white. Second, third, fourth and 
fifth quills spotted with white on the outer webs, and both primary 
and secondary coverts are broadly tipped with white, forming a bar on | 
the wing. Inner secondaries bluish gray on the outer webs. The 
cheek is white, and there is no black band running through the eye as 
in the European species. Length 5 inches and 9-tenths; extent of 
wings 10 inches and 6-tenths. 
Meadow Lark (Alauda magna). Rather a common species in this 
neighbourhood, where the woods have been extensively cleared. They 
frequent the long grass and clover, and when disturbed do not, like 
the sky lark, soar aloft, but flutter along at no great height; their 
being in a state of moult may occasion this. They would frequently 
resettle within thirty or forty yards of me. One I observed, after 
being fired at, take a distant flight and settle on a tree. The plumage 
of the back is very similar to that of our sky lark, and though un- 
doubtedly a handsome bird, the bright yellow of the under parts is in 
too strong a contrast to the reddish brown and black of the upper; 
the transition is too sudden, there being no shading or blending of 
colours. Wilson looked upon it as “ eminently superior in plumage, 
as in sweetness of voice,” to the sky lark; however, I cannot think 
that the latter would be improved by having a bright yellow breast 
and belly. As to its song, I never chanced to hear it. They are 
about twice the size of the sky lark. 
Yellow Bird or Goldfinch (Fringilla tristis). The white, downy, 
lichen-covered nesis of this common but beautiful and elegant little 
bird (already described) are to be found in considerable numbers 
among the stunted hawthorn bushes abounding in this rocky ground ; 
so compact are they that they weather the winter, for 1 have observed 
many old nests still adhering to the branches. 
A small bird, greatly resembling our titlark, was shot, which having 
failed to identify, I shall not now describe. 
After the date last mentioned few birds were to be found ; one mighs 
walk miles without seeing half a dozen kinds; I did not even notice a 
crow for some months. The nuthatch, woodpecker, and a few other 
species, have the woods to themselves, and a solitary hawk may chance 
to be seen soaring aloft. The autumn having proved the mildest 
known for many years may account for the late stay of some of the 
