Birds. 1067 



bird, formerly one of our most abundant species, has decreased greatly in numbers the 

 last three or four years, and this season I have seen but a solitary bird. Many of the 

 other summer visiters are less numerous than usual, particularly the willow-wren and 

 black-cap. — Henry Doubleday ; Epping. 



Dates of the Arrival of our Summer Birds at Bonchurch, in 1845. I inclose my 

 notes on the arrival of the summer birds in our neighbourhood. The list is more im- 

 perfect even than that of last year, but ray time and attention have been nearly en- 

 grossed by other matters. When more at leisure I will give you my thoughts, and the 

 result of my observations on the very interesting subject of partial migration. 



Pied wagtail Mar. 22 Blackcap April 26 



Wheatear 29 Cuckoo May 2 



Chiff-chaff April 8 Sandpiper 2 



Wryneck 17 Sedge-warbler 2 



Whitethroat 18 Whinchat 5 



Willow-warbler 19 Red-backed shrike 5 



Swallow 21 Swift 6 



Redstart 21 Night-jar 25 



Nightingale 26 



Ckas. A. Bury ; Bonchurch, I. of Wight, June 14, 1845. 



Dates of the Arrival of Summer Birds at Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, in 1845. 



Cuckoo April 1 Tree-pipit April 27 



Willow wren 9 Redstart 27 



Blackcap 16 Whinchat 29 



Yellow wagtail 16 Garden-warbler - 30 



Swallow 17 Swift 30 



Martin 19 European goatsucker May 1 



Wood-wren 20 Landrail 28 



Holmes Chapel is situate about the centre of the county of Chester. I may add that 

 although the winter has been longer and more severe than for some years past, I have 

 observed that those birds which are our summer visitants have made their appearance 

 earlier in many cases by some weeks than is their wont. For instance, the cuckoo, 

 which seldom appears in this neighbourhood before the end of April or beginning of 

 May, is recorded in my note-book as appearing on the 1st of April. So also with the 

 redstart, whinchat, and several others. Can any of your correspondents give me a 

 reason for this. — T. W. Barlow; Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, July 10, 1845. 



Arrival of Summer Birds near Odiham, in 1845. 



Chiff-chaff Mar. 28 Sedge-warbler April 22 



Wheatear April 3 Martin 22 



Yellow wagtail 3 Swift May 1 



Swallow 10 Sandpiper 1 



Cuckoo 22 



P. L. Sclater ; Hoddington, near Odiham. 



Notes on the Singing of Birds. When enjoying the softened sunshine a few even- 

 ings back, beneath the same beechen shade where first I formed an acquaintance with 

 the ' Natural History of Selborne,' about twelve years ago, I chanced to read Letter 

 XXVII., wherein the worthy author treats of the singing of birds ; and it afterwards 

 appeared to me that a similar methodus, as he terms it, applicable to the district in 

 which I reside, would be acceptable to those who have imbibed a portion of his spirit 



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