CHAPTER OP CRITICISM. 
42S 
first arrival in spring, may be more generally met with in the Sheep-folds, but 
from the limited number that visit this district I cannot determine; for in such 
situations it is no uncommon occurrence to see M. Yurrellii, the nest of which I 
have more than once found on a heathy common, far away from any water. 
Both species delight to be in the vicinity of cattle, more particularly when they 
are grazing in the lands adjoining the river. The only difference I have been 
able to detect, is that M. Yarrellii resorts to the homesteads, and on that account 
may be looked upon in the light of a domestic bird. This is certainly not the 
case with M. flam, which does not approach very near the habitations of man. 
Perhaps it may be as well to mention that there is little or no low ground 
adjoining the river at this place; the heath and warren often approach close to 
the margin of the stream, which flows very rapidly, and is navigable; for several 
miles below this town, where the low ground is contiguous, the river does not 
exceed a stone’s-throw across it; still it so happens,, that where it is of the 
greatest breadth is the situation selected by M. Jiuva for its common residence. 
I have lately ascertained from a friend, that this species is to be seen through 
the summer very abundantly alongside the edges of the drains intersecting the 
fens of Norfolk, Huntingdonshire, &c. This I can myself in part confirm, and I 
saw it very plentifully in similar situations as I passed through those fens in the 
spring of 1836. 
Structure of the Kingfisher’s Nest. 
I find Mr. Alington, at p. 274, describes the structure of the Kingfisher’s 
nest, “ excepting the mixture of fish bones, as not very unlike that of a Thrush.” 
I have had many opportunities of examining the place of nidification of this 
bird, and in no one instance could I find the least appearance of a nest; with 
the exception of excavating the hole, I should most certainly say that it con¬ 
structs no nest whatever. A pair of birds will occupy the same situation for 
more than one season : and from the accumulation of fish bones, and the castings 
of young birds, mixed with sand, an artificial nest will be formed of a very frail 
structure, which I suspect was the case in the instance described, as it stated 
that it crumbled to pieces on being touched, I scarcely need observe that the 
Thrush’s nest is of a very compact structure. 
Hoes the Hooded Crow breed in Lincolnshire ? 
At p. 322 Mr. Alington remarks, in his “ ornithological notes”:—“ The 
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) sitting on the 10th.” May I ask if that bird 
breeds in the neighbourhood of Swinhope House, as it is the first instance I have 
seen of its breeding on this side the Tweed. 
My observation relative to the egg of the Ortolan Bunting (p. 323) was tG 
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