Birds, 311 



ton, near Lancaster, (fig. d, p. 309) ; in this a pair of blue titmice built 

 their nest, hatched their eggs and reared their young. There was no 

 cork in the bottle, and the birds had no other way of entrance than 

 through the mouth, going up and down the neck of the bottle every 

 time they carried food to their young ones, all of which, ten in num- 

 ber, were reared without accident, and made their escape unmolested 

 through the neck of the bottle. When they were fairly gone the bot- 

 tle was taken down, and the old nest found within : the bottle was fif- 

 teen inches deep, and the neck one inch in diameter. I am at a loss 

 to know how the birds could manage to ascend the neck. M. Saul. 

 Fort Green Cottage, Garstang, Lancashire, 

 July 5, 1843, 



Notes on the capture and appearance of some of our British Birds, 

 in the county of Derby. By J. J. Briggs, Esq.* 



(Continued from p. 1 80). 



Willow-wa7'hler, [Sylvia Trochilus). This diminutive little creature 

 is mostly denominated the willow-warbler, for he loves osiers and 

 willows ; and no sooner has the lovely April arrived, with her warm 

 breezes and refreshing showers, and feathered their branches, than he 

 appears to salute us with his music. Few things are more amusing 

 than to watch his manoeuvres on some fruit or forest tree. Perchance 

 he has alighted on a willow just opening into blossom: — witness his 

 proceedings. Now he hides beneath a canopy of infant leaves — now 

 climbs a cluster of downy catkins ; his soft, sleek breast, as silken as 

 one of them, glistening in the sunshine, and almost seeming to equal 

 it in beauty. Now he picks a grub from the bark, now chases an in- 

 sect through the green-leaved boughs, alternately appearing and dis- 

 appearing amongst the fresh, young foliage ; and now, as if his exer- 

 tions were no labour, but a most pleasant pastime, he gives forth a 

 song so loud and wild, and withal so musical in its tone, that in rivalry 

 other birds awaken their songs too, and seem to emulate his music. 



His arrival in this neighbourhood (Melbourne) is scarcely ever later 

 than the end of the second week in April. In the years 1840, 41, 42 

 and 43, it occurred on the 10th, 9th, 12th and 12th of that month ; 

 and he departs somewhere about the 9th or 12th of September. Ue 

 dwells chiefly apart from villages, except where orchards and high 

 trees abound, and prefers meadows and low grounds, intersected with 



* Being extracts from ' Melbournia Mannscripta,' in possession of the author. 



