28 Nevin tl. Poster on 



Turdus musicus clarkii (Harttrt). Bkitish Song-Thrush. 



The song of this biid nia^' be lieard in every month of the year, with 

 the possible exception of August. Its nest has been seen early in March. 

 As a rule this thrush lines its nest Avith a waterproof coating composed of 

 rotten \vood, dung, &c., but one found in 1911 liad onl^r a very flimsj^ 

 plastering of such substance inside which was a profuse lining of dead 

 leaves. As the three eggs in this nest were below normal size — they 

 averaged 25 '82 x 20 '32 mm. — it is probable it was the first attempt of a 

 young bird. This nest and eggs passed into the collection of the late 

 H. L. Orr. Average size of eggs 27"28 x 20'4.5 nmi. ; average weight 

 of full eggs 6 "004 gr.. of emptjr shells '3610 gr. 



Turdus iliacus (noii Lum6). Redwinu. 



Fairly large flocks frequent the district every Winter. Their arrival 

 is usually about the end of October, but an exceptionall3r early date is the 

 26th of August in 1819 when six (tf these birds were observed. On their 

 arrival they appear to devote their attention to Yew berries (which are 

 l^lentiful in the Demesne) till tliey are consumed, afterwards spreading 

 themselves over the fields a)id frequently consorting with Starlings. They 

 are seldom seen after the beginning of April. 



Turdus pilaris Linn-i. Fielpfare. 



Formerly known as a numerous Winter visitant but for the past i) or 

 6 years it has become very scarce. It usually arrived from the middle to 

 end of October and remained later than the Redwing, the latest noted 

 date being 10th May in 1910. 



Turdus merula LiunL Blackbird. 



By far the most numerous of the Thrush family in the neighbourhood. 

 Partial albinos of this species are not uncommon. Average size of eggs 

 29 '54 X 2r2 mm. ; average w^eight of full eggs 7 '024 gr., of empty shells 

 •44 gr. 



Erithacus rubecula melophiius Hartert. British Redbreast. 



Resident and very coumion. Like the Song-Thrush its song may be 

 heard throughout the year except in August. Average size of eggs 

 19 '56 X 14 "48 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 2'296 gr., of empty shells 

 •15 gr. 



Saxicola rubicola (Liime). Stonechat. 



This species is resident in small numbers but is very local in its 

 habitats, being usually confined to the neighbourhoods of Drumlough Moss, 

 Maze and Canal banks. Like the Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tits its 

 numbers appeared to have been much reduced by the severe Winter of 

 1916-17. Average size of eggs 18'73 x 14"2 mm. ; average weight of full 

 eggs 1'989 gr., of empty shells "105 gr. 



Saxicola rubetra (Lirme). Whinchat. 



A Summer visitant and one of our rarest migrants. The only 

 observations of this bird in the district being in July, 1907, and September, 

 1908, both in a meadow adjacent to the Maze racecourse. 



