42 A CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS 



23. "WoDDCHAT. L. ETJEUS, Brisson. 



Lanius rufus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 110. 

 ,, rutilm, Yarrell, Hist. Brit, Birds, Ed. 2, I., 167. 



A specimen of this rare casual visitant was shot near Bam- 

 borongh on April 29tli, 1859, and is in the possession of Henry 

 Cresswell, Esq., of Cresswell Tower. 



24. Bed-baceed Sheike. L. collueio, Linncnus. 



Lanim coUurio, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 112. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 161. 



A rare casual visitant. Two specimens were killed, near 

 Kenton, on the JSTewcastle Town Moor, in the summer of 1829. 

 These are mentioned in Mr. Selby's catalogue, and are now in 

 my collection. Another example, also in my collection, was shot 

 at Horsley, ^Northumberland, May, 1834. 



Bewick's figure of the female represents the young in the first 

 plumage. 



Eajply. STURIN'ID^, Vigors. 



36. STURNUS, Linnmt!^. 



25. Staeling. S. vulgaris, Linnmis. 



Sturnus vulgaris, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 98. 

 „ „ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Biixls, Ed. 2, II., 40. 



A resident. Common everywhere, and breeds ia INewcastle 

 amidst the chimneys of the houses. A few years ago it was not 

 by any means numerous. 



The rapid increase of this species is undoubtedly owing to the 

 destruction of the bii'ds of prey, and shows with what speed man's 

 intciiercnce with nature may affect its balance for good or for 

 evil. 



I have often heard our late celebrated townsman, Thomas 

 Bewick, say, how delighted he should be if a Starling could be 

 induced to come and build its nest in his house. "Were he alive 

 now, his wish might easily bo attained. To induce tliis species 



