Birds. 87] 



chase away all intruders, with a degree of animosity that does not at all suit the 

 gentle melancholy nightingale of romance. We have two distinct species of night- 

 iugale, which dispute the palm of minstrelsy : the common, or western (Luscinia), and 

 the eastern nightingale, or Sprosser (Philomela). The latter has the second primary 

 decidedly longer than the fourth ; the belly is generally pure white, and the back a 

 brighter brown than in the common kind. Its note is, perhaps, somewhat inferior in 

 compass and sweetness to that of the nightingale, but in return, it possesses the advan- 

 tage in strength and fulness. In their habits, &c, little difference, if any, can be 

 perceived. Besides the nightingales, a great variety of other birds find shelter in 

 this privileged place, aud being never molested, afford the naturalist excellent oppor- 

 tunities of observing their habits. Amongst others, the hoopoes generally build here ; 

 the golden oriole suspends its curious nest from the highest branches of the aspen, 

 and breathes out its cheerful flute-notes at evening ; the Bohemian wax-wing is a 

 regular and plentiful winter visitant, whilst a variety of finches and warblers of less 

 note complete this real " happy family." — J. W. Slater ; January 25, 1845. 



Gold-crests breeding twice in the same nest. In the spring of last year, a pair of 

 gold-crests selected a fir-tree in our garden as being a fit and proper place to suspend 

 their nest in ; being unmolested, all went on prosperously, and in due time the young 

 birds bid farewell to home. I took no further notice of the tree or nest, until one 

 day I was attracted by seeing a gold-crest close to the old nest, which occurring again, 

 induced an examination, and there indeed, either the same birds, or another pair, had 

 commenced laying again in the old nest. All went on well with these also ; the 

 young were hatched, fledged, and flew away. — Christopher Parsons ; Jan. 6, 1845. 



Occurrence of the Waxen Chatterer near Hull. Within the last few days, I was 

 told by a person residing a few miles from the town, that he had seen a pair of 

 Bohemian wax-wings feeding on the haws which grow in the hedge-rows. They 

 were very wild, in consequence of repeated attempts having been made to shoot 

 them, but without effect. They were heard to repeat, occasionally, a sharp note, 

 previous to taking flight, which very much resembled the flight of the starling. 

 What makes the appearance of these birds more strange is, that we have had no indi- 

 cations as yet, of any frost whatever. I can rely on the evidence of the party, he 

 having seen them, some years ago, in considerable numbers, in the same locality, and 

 moreover, possesses a pretty fair knowledge of birds. — G. Norman, Hull, November 

 21, 1844. 



Note on the occurrence of the Hoopoe in Sussex. On the 30th April, 1841, I saw 

 a hoopoe on the border of this parish, at one of the very few spots where any trees 

 exist. Having heard nothing more of it, I conclude it was on its passage to the 

 interior. — Arthur Hussey ; Rottingdean, November 5, 1845. 



Migration of the Quail. In consequence of some fields of corn remaining in this 

 part of England still standing in December, quails did not leave us till very late. 

 After several days of severe frost, I heard of a pair having been seen in a field in the 

 parish of Hornsey, near this town. I cannot remember the exact date, but it was 

 some time in December; and in the last week of November, I saw a pair in this 

 market, where they have been more plentiful than usual this autumn, which had been 

 killed down in the fens. If the reason which I gave above, viz., the late harvest, be 

 not the true one, I should be much obliged if any of your numerous correspondents 

 would help me, as those which were seen at Hornsey had not been driven away by the 



