870 Birds. 



" drinks a drop of the deil's bluid, ilka Monday morning ;" and not being over careful 

 in its deglutition, a spot of the fluid " incarnadine " has become evermore impressed 

 upon its chin. Children tell the same thing of the pretty yellowhammer, which wears 

 the evil badge upon its brow, and both it and the swallow are, therefore, sacred birds, 

 which it is dangerous to harm, but yet right to persecute! — James Hardy ; Gates- 

 head, January 17, 1845. 



Superstition respecting the Martin (Hirundo urbica). In Fifeshire, there is a 

 careful preservation of the martin's nest, in whatever " coigne of vantage" it be 

 situate, because the destruction of the nest betokens the departure of good luck from 

 the house. — Id. 



Migration of House Martins about Brighton. The last of the swallow tribe, 

 which I observed here last autumn, was on the 18th November, when 1 encountered 

 a party of martins, at least six, about the cliffs towards Brighton. The day was very 

 fine, with bright sunshine occasionally, after many days of wind and rain, or fog ; 

 wind S.W., very light. I have often noticed, that both swallows and martins, when 

 appearing on this coast late in the season, are, I may say invariably, proceeding west- 

 ward, usually without a pause. So the above, after taking some short turns backward, 

 speedily advanced quite out of sight ; though I, on approaching Brighton, found the 

 same (or another) party performing the same evolutions. — A. Hussey ; Rottingdean, 

 January, 1845. 



Nesting of the House Martin. From my own knowledge, I can corroborate Mr. 

 Sladen's account (Zool. 763) of the perseverance with which house martins will en- 

 deavour to build in their accustomed locality. I have seen it attempted to dislodge 

 them, by fastening bushes and nets under the eaves of a house, but they made their 

 way through the net, and accomplished their nests, in spite of either twigs or nets, till 

 the attempt was abandoned in despair, and they were thenceforward permitted to 

 pursue their vocation in peace. The martin is a great favourite with me, and I am 

 always glad to see them about my house, but must admit the great nuisance of the 

 dirt they make. I have heard it stated, but am not aware of the fact being proved, 

 that a line of black, painted along the wall where they are accustomed to build, will 

 scare them away. — Id. 



Protection of the Nightingale, fyc, at Gradenfeld, in Prussia. It is a pleasing 

 thing to witness the confidence and familiarity of the nightingale, when protected ; 

 as, for instance, in the promenade at Gradenfeld, a beautifully planted piece of 

 ground, extending nearly a quarter of a mile, along both banks of a small stream. 

 In addition to the penalties denounced by law in Prussia against those who rob the 

 nests of the nightingale, a watchman is stationed here during the breeding season, for 

 additional security. This may, perhaps, appear singular, in our matter-of-fact age, 

 but I am confident that no lover of nature, who had resided in Gradenfeld, and en- 

 joyed the delicious concerts which these birds maintain both day and night, except 

 from about two to five o'clock p.m., would refuse his aid to such a custom. Many a 

 bird-fancier is at much greater expense, not to speak of trouble, in keeping a ghost of 

 a nightingale caged, and why should we wonder at the inhabitants of Gradenfeld, 

 with their open-air habits, taking care that their favourite resort shall never become 

 songlcss. Seated on a broad-leaved jessamine, the shrub which generally conceals 

 the nest, the male bird will sing, although you pass within four feet of him, eyeing 

 you as if perfectly aware that he is a privileged character. It is my belief that the 

 same birds, in general, return yearly to their old quarters, or as near as possible, and 



