554 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



AVES. 



Abundance of the Song-Thrush near Bradford. — The chief ornitho- 

 logical feature of the year in this district has been the immense number of 

 Song-Thrushes (Turdus musicus) which have bred, in marked contrast to 

 the years 1880 and 1881. As a rule, even in mild winters and late autumn, 

 not many are to be seen here ; but on the approach of spring, mostly in 

 February, immigrants arrive, many of which withdraw sooner or later, 

 according to the state of the weather, to breed probably in higher 

 latitudes. This year, at the beginning of February, a larger number 

 arrived than usual ; most of the fields in the neighbourhood of woods were 

 literally covered, and, contrary to what usually occurs, a large majority 

 remained to breed. Having visited the woods almost daily during the 

 breeding season, one could not fail to be struck with their abundance; 

 indeed, it was a matter of common knowledge even to casual observers, and 

 we hardly ever came into contact with any gamekeeper who did not repeat- 

 edly mention this fact. Another peculiarity was that a greater proportion 

 of nests were built on the ground, and had larger clutches of eggs than in 

 average years. If boisterous winds prevail in early spring a greater pro- 

 portion of nests are built on or nearer the ground, or on more shielded 

 places than would otherwise be the case; but, taking this factor alone 

 into consideration, will not account for the exceptional phenomena of the 

 present year. It is hardly conceivable that this large addition in num- 

 bers was bred here last year, and we cannot account for it except on the 

 supposition that for some reason or other these birds remained here to breed, 

 but under more favourable conditions would have bred in more northern 

 latitudes. It would appear that some species of birds are more prolific in 

 the north, and it is not at all unreasonable to suppose that many species of 

 birds would be less strictly arboreal in their habits ; but, be this as it may, 

 the fact recorded requires explanation. It would be interesting to ascertain 

 what are the habits of this species in more northern latitudes. Five eggs 

 is the usual clutch in this district, but frequently four is the complement. 

 Six is an exceptional number (one instance only this year has come to our 

 knowledge), but even this latter number is sometimes exceeded. Whilst 

 on this subject it may be said en passant how very different are the habits 



