8842 



Birds. 



It did not fly far in that direction, but on our getting pretty close to the bird it flew 

 up into the air, and made as if it were going to Moundsmere ; suddenly, however, it 

 altered its course, came back again, and perched in a tree not far from us, with the 

 beautiful white mark on its breast showing distinctly: my companion fired and knocked 

 it down. We looked about, but could see no more of the birds till next morning, when 

 I was riding up the lane and saw another. I hastened home and told my companions, 

 who were soon on the alert, and with myself at once started for the spot where I had 

 observed the bird. Here, as I anticipated, we found it, but were unable to get a shot: 

 we tried all the morning, and got wet through, but never could we get near this wary 

 bird. Sometimes it would perch high up in the hedge, at others low down, sometimes 

 in the road. Next day we found a ring ouzel in an ivy-covered tree, close to the place 

 where we saw the bird the day before : this one we shot as it flew over our heads. The 

 stomachs of both these birds were full of ivy berries, which White, in his * Natural 

 History of Selborne,' says is their food during their stay with us in spring. I think 

 we saw another of the birds next day, but am not certain. From that time till the 12th 

 of October I saw nothing of the birds ; but on that day, whilst in a field not far from 

 Bradley, where the men were sowing wheat, I observed a bird fly over, which I imme- 

 diately recognised as the ring ouzel, and it proved to be one, for we shot it in the next 

 field. On searching a little farther we found five more, but four of them flew off 

 towards Moundsmere, the other towards Bradley. I have kept a sharp look out after 

 them ever since, but have not seen anything of them. The stomach of the bird shot 

 contained blackberries and a small snail. — Anthony S. Bradby ; Moundsmere, Hants, 

 October 22, 1863. 



Redwing Singing in England. — At Zool. 8766 is a statement by Mr. Joseph J. 

 Armistead, of Queenwood College, Stockbridge, Hampshire, that he had shot two spe- 

 cimens of the redwing while in the act of singing, and had heard several others. The 

 announcement was kindly accompanied by an offer to send one of the skins. The skin 

 was requested, and has been sent. The packet was opened in the presence of Mr. 

 Bond, and we both of us instantly pronounced it to be that of a song thrush, not devi- 

 ating in any respect from the usual colouring. — Edward Newman. 



Scarcity of certain Small Birds (the Redstart and Goldfinch). — Mr. Roberts (Zool. 

 8771) uotices the scarcity of the redstart near Wakefield, Yorkshire. With me this 

 handsome bird is a great favourite, and I am sorry to say that it is a very scarce 

 bird in our neighbourhood. I have generally had one in one of the holes in my garden 

 wall, but this year I have never seen nor heard of one. Last year I knew of four nests, 

 a very unusual number, and I was pleased to think they were on the increase. They 

 .are very shy birds, except when they have young, and they generally build in out of 

 way places, so that they may be often overlooked, except by the practised eye. There 

 can be no mistaking the song of the cock bird. I have not seen a goldfinch, except 

 in a cage, for more than twenty ye*rs. There were a pair that built in a pear tree in 

 this neighbourhood for some years, until one of the York " fanciers " heard of them, 

 when they quickly fell a prey to his wiles. Bird fanciers and breeders have a particular 

 liking for goldfinches reared in a pear tree, which they say make the best cross with 

 the canary. — J. Ranson ; York. 



Robin's Nest in a Carpenter's Basket. — A joiner in this neighbourhood bought a 

 new joiner's bass basket, which he left on his bench for two or three days, whilst he was 

 working from home. On his return he found that a pair of robins had taken possession, 

 aud built a nest in it. Of course they were not disturbed, and in due course of time 



