BIRDS 
(Tadorna cornuta), the redshank (Lotanus calidris), the shoveler (Spatula 
clypeata), and the black-headed 
gull (Larus ridibundus). 
Continued 
research may possibly add to the numerical census of the Ornis of 
Cumberland. At the present time (October, 1900) we recognize 259 
species as having undoubtedly occurred in Cumberland. 
1. Missel-Thrush. Turdus viscivorus, Linn. 
Locally, Stormcock, Churr-Cock, Shell-Cock, 
Shrite, Shalary, Shrailie, Mountain 
Throssel. 
A partial resident ; formerly rare as a breed- 
ing bird (1782), but generally distributed since 
the ‘thirties’ ; nesting chiefly in gardens and 
orchards, often in close proximity to a pair of 
chafinches. ‘The nest is frequently built in 
most exposed situations ; but the owners are 
indefatigable in driving away jackdaws, mag- 
pies and other marauders. Many flocks of 
missel-thrushes migrate through Cumberland 
in autumn. 
2. Song-Thrush. Turdus musicus, Linn. 
Locally, 'Throssel, Grey Throssel. 
Resident in large numbers, and occasionally 
nests in very singular positions. Some years 
ago a thrush reared her young in a nest built 
into an old log at Burgh. In May, 1891, 
another thrush built on a railway waggon 
standing at the Caledonian Railway shed, Car- 
lisle. ‘The first egg had just been laid when 
the nest was accidentally destroyed. A large 
proportion of the thrushes annually reared in 
Cumberland migrate in autumn, and probably 
fall victims to the snares of foreign fowlers. 
But many return in spring. On March 22nd, 
1899, the fields between Cockermouth and 
the Solway Firth were literally alive with flocks 
of song-thrushes and blackbirds. 
3. Redwing. Turdus iliacus, Linn. 
Locally, Felty, Fell fo ! 
A numerous winter visitant, and a favourite 
quarry of the sparrow-hawk. During severe 
frost redwings often haunt the creeks which 
drain the salt-marshes of the Solway Firth. 
I have not seen an albino of this species in 
Cumberland, but two pied individuals have 
been obtained locally. One of these has the 
entire under surface pure white. 
4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn. 
Localy, Felty, Pigeon Felty, Blue Felty, 
Blue-wing, Blue-back, Fell fo ! 
A winter visitor, arriving in October and 
late in September, often represented by hun- 
dreds and hundreds, but of varying numerical 
force. The stay of this bird is rarely pro- 
longed after the middle of May; but, in 1899, 
a single bird was captured near Carlisle in 
July. Some injury had probably hindered it 
from departing with its fellows. Several 
white and cream-coloured specimens have been 
procured locally. 
5. Blackbird. Turdus merula, Linn. 
Locally, Blackie. 
An abundant resident, even in elevated 
districts, though less numerous where stone 
walls replace thorn hedges. Many of those 
reared in our midst appear to leave the country 
in autumn ; their numbers being replaced in 
early winter by fresh contingents which fre- 
quent the turnip fields. 
6. Ring-Ousel. Turdus torquatus, Linn. 
Locally, Fell-Throssel, Crag-Starling, Crag- 
Ousel. 
A summer visitant in very moderate num- 
bers; less frequently met with among the crags 
of the Lake hills than upon the fells which form 
our boundaries to the east. Some individuals 
reach us at the end of March ; others appear 
in their summer haunts in May and April. I 
have known young birds to leave their nest as 
early as May 28th, and have handled newly- 
fledged nestlings, with flakes of down still ad- 
hering to their feathers, in August ; but the 
majority of broods fly in June. 
7. Wheatear. Saxicola cenanthe (Linn.). 
Locally, White-rump. 
The first of our summer visitants to arrive 
and the last to quit our shores ; its hardy dis- 
position tempts this bird to push forward its 
spring journey while showers of sleet are fall- 
ing in the beginning of March, but one wheat- 
ear does not make a spring, for the first pioneer 
often precedes the bulk of its companions by 
a month or even more. The first individuals 
to arrive are males, followed by flocks com- 
posed of both sexes. 
8. Isabelline Wheatear. 
Ruppell. 
Early in November, 1887, I paid a hurried 
visit to the Solway Firth, for the express pur- 
pose of hunting for wheatears, as I had a dis- 
tinct impression that a rare chat was likely to 
occur. Having traversed a great extent of 
coast-line unsuccessfully, and being obliged to 
return south, I begged my friends, Mr. 
Thomas Mann and his brother of Aigle Gill, 
Saxicola isabellina, 
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