On Birds in North Northumberland, by T. H. Gibb. 135 



several times ; for they remained for a long time in the same 

 locality. 



Red Wings (Turdus iliacus) and Fieldfares (T. pilaris) have 

 been comparatively scarce. Usually they visit us in large num- 

 bers, our hedgerowed and coppice-filled country seeming to suit 

 their tastes. In a few short notes which have previously appeared 

 in the Proceedings of the Club, I adverted to the greater suscepti- 

 bility of the Fieldfare and Redwing to the cold and privation which 

 follow in the wake of a snow-storm, than are the congenerous 

 species indigenous to this country. Since then, I have had many 

 opportunities of examining into the cause of this ; and I am of the 

 opinion that it arises from the inaptitude of comparative strangers 

 in discovering the snails and larva of insects, which form a great 

 part of the food of our local birds during severe weather. 

 I never remember having seen either the Redwing or Fieldfare 

 feeding on any of our Helicidce ; while our indigenous Thrushes 

 may often be seen securing a dainty meal from this source ; 

 securing such, no doubt, from having a better knowledge of their 

 habitats, than can possibly be accorded to birds which are so 

 absolutely migratory in their habits, and remain for no lengthened 

 period in one locality. 



Rook ( Corvus frugilegus).—J. have frequently been much amused 

 in watching the Rook during the season of nest making, and 

 noting how prone they are at such times to pilfer the materials 

 of their neighbours' nests. I observed one, last spring, most 

 persistent in this habit ; for though he was again and again 

 chased away by the victims of his dishonesty, he ever and anon, 

 as an opportunity offered, made another attack. How long this 

 lasted I cannot say, but about a week afterwards I found little or 

 no trace of the nest left ; from which I concluded that either 

 the rogue had carried it off holus bolus, or that the owners had 

 themselves transferred it to some place of safer keeping. I 

 have observed that Rooks do not in all cases remain at their 

 own rookeries to roost throughout the entire year ; and many 

 extensive breeding places, notably that in Hume Park, near 

 Alnwick, are all but deserted by the birds during the winter 

 months, whereas the colony in Trickley Wood, on the Chilling- 

 ham estate, and others that might be mentioned, are usually 

 more than trebled during that season ; the increase evidently 

 being made up of birds bred elsewhere. Towards spring all 



