1891. 
July 4
(no 3)
England.
Wells. - In fact I have not thus far seen a single
chimney, either in city or country, which has not 
been crowned with a narrow-topped chimney pot
down which it is not likely the birds would venture.
  In flight, notes, and general appearance the Swallow
of England is indistinguishable from our Barn Swallow.
As a rule it is whiter beneath but I have seen
some with strongly reddish under parts. The broad
steel blue collar can be made out only when the
bird is perched. It is very much more numerous
than our Barn Swallow and inhabits the cities
more.
  At noon I went to the Bishop's Palace and by
payment of the customary sixpence obtained
ingress to the grounds. There is a large building in
good repair and occupied by the present Bishop and
some picturesque ruins overrun with ivy and inhabited
by Starlings, Swifts, Jackdaws, Swallows, Sparrows,
and Spotted Flycatchers. The grounds comprise 5 or 
6 acres, chiefly lawn with graveled walks, a few
flower beds and shrubs and several fir trees.
The whole is enclosed in a stone wall about 20 ft.
high and very thick - the old fortified wall with
watch towers, embrasures and loop-holes, all in
perfect preservation. Outside this wall is a moat
about 60 ft. wide and filled with water fairly
clear but choked in places with various aquatic
plants. Owing to open character of the grounds
they contain but few small birds save Thrushes
and the species already mentioned as frequenting
the ruined walls but passing through a small door