in the Vicinity of Carlisle, in 1830. 445 



Swallow. — On referring to our remarks upon this species, 

 it will be seen that we considered the arrival of the Swallow 

 near Carlisle, last year, unusually early*. We have, however, 

 to record its appearance this year three days sooner, namely 

 on the 6th of April. Three or four were seen on the 10th, 

 exactly in the same situation as the one observed last year on 

 the 9th of April. 



Sand Martin. — This is the first time we have been able to 

 see the Sand Martin arrive in March since we have paid any 

 attention to the appearance of the summer birds of passage in 

 this neighbourhood. In the year 1788 it was observed nearly 

 in the same locality as early as the 25th of this month. 



Goatsucker. — We have this year been so fortunate as to 

 obtain six eggs of the Goatsucker, four on the 2nd, and two 

 on the 6th of June. These were all found exposed on the 

 bare ground, and so much resembled the small grey or whitish 

 stones commonly found on heaths and mosses, that in one in- 

 stance they were found with great difficulty, notwithstanding 

 the female was put off her eggs. 



The eggs of this species are rather elegantly formed, some 

 being almost perfectly oval ; they however vary much in size, 

 weighing from 112 to 134 grains. 



Pied Flycatcher. — Either the Pied Flycatcher was later than 

 usual in making its appearance this year, or it had escaped our 

 search; for we could not discover it before the 23rd of April. 

 A pair had a nest in the identical hole where this species has 

 bred for four successive years. On the 14th of May this nest 

 contained eight eggs, arranged in the following manner: one 

 lay at the bottom, and the remainder were all regularly placed 

 perpendicularly round the sides of the nest, with the smaller ends 

 resting upon it, the effect of which was exceedingly beautiful. 



We regret to observe that we were not successful in our 

 attempts to rear the two young Pied Flycatchers mentioned 

 in our last communication f. We are satisfied that our want 

 of success may be attributed, in a great measure, to allowing 

 them to wash too frequently when first caged, from the 

 effects of which they never completely recovered. The first 

 died on the 24th of September, the other survived until the 

 20 th of October. 



After the beginning of September the strongest bird became 

 exceedingly restless and uneasy, especially in the evening and 

 at night; and occasionally to such a degree, that the person 

 who had the care of it was more than once induced to get up 

 in the night, being apprehensive that it had been attacked by 

 a cat. It would frequently start up suddenly from the perch, 



* Philosophical Magazine and Annals, N. S. vol. vi. p. 276. f Ibid. 278. 



dart 



