The Zoologist— June, 1871, 2635 



a low garrulous warble, increasing in loudness, and a ways ter- 

 minating in a shrill cry, ' qui-qui-qui-qui,' which, like the 

 whistle of the blackcap, is alone heard late in the season." Both 

 whitethroats are quite common. 



The songsters of the spring give cheerfulness to the country at 

 that inspiring, time, and the melodious notes heard among the 

 flowering trees tempt the naturalist to an observing ramble ,° and 

 thougli watching the development of Nature's mysteries, in his 

 inmost soul he can hardly fail to agree with the poetic incitation 

 then called forth : — 



" For the free birds' merry song 

 Drowns thoughts of many a wrong 

 Suffer'd in life, iu the jarring strife 

 Of a selfish worldly throng." 



Robin.— A general resident. 



Bedstart.—A spring visitant. Often seeu in the pear orchards, 

 or among tall trees. 



Chifc/iaff.-One of the first migratory birds heard in spring in 

 every coppice. 



Wood ^Fmi.-Not "uncommon as a spring resident. Its song is 

 a peculiar shivering twitter, besides which it repeats " twee-twee- 

 twee," in a singularly plaintive key. 



Willoiv Wren.-Geneva\ in spring, but later in its arrival than 

 the chiffchaff. The above three migrants Mr. Edwards puts down 

 as "equally common." 



Goldencrested ^Fre«. — Generally distributed, though seldom 

 seen, except m the winter season, and then chiefly among firs 

 Mr. Edwards mentions the Firs Common as one of their haunts' 

 These minute birds are very agile, and are almost continually in 

 motion, fluttering from branch to branch, creeping on all sides of 

 the trees, and often hanging like the various tits. 



Common fFre«.— Resident through the jear. 



Wheatear.~A {e^y of these birds of passage frequent the rocks 

 ot the hills, where they breed, appearing as early as March. 



Whinchai.— Not uncommon among hedges and bushes in the 

 open country. Mr. Blyth remarks, - Its song, delivered in short 

 broken staves, is very like that of the redstart, but is distinguishable 

 by the initiatory note." 



Stonechat.~A summer visitant, but a ieyr remain through the 

 winter. Its clicking note is characteristic. 



