CHAPTER OF CRITICISM. 
4*25 
at least not with our Warwickshire Thrushes, which 1 have often observed. 
They generally sit high in the tree, but not on the “ top branch.” 
2. P. 64. “ Containing fruit w r hich are of course unattainable to its tender 
beak.” N ot clearly expressed, and surely not correct in fact, is it ? Why do 
you call it the Tree Redstart ? 
3. “ Brake Nightingale.” Are there really more than one species in England ? 
This bird sings as much by day as by night; but at night he has it all to himself, 
and so is more remarked. When at Oxford I observed a Nightingale singing on 
the bough of a tree which hung over the turnpike-road from Kedington Hill, in 
the middle of the day. 
4. P. 99. The Blackcap 44 arrives in the middle or towards the end of April.” 
Earlier generally. I have heard him even in March ; he is among our first sum¬ 
mer visitants. 
5. P. 165-6. From what Dr. Liverpool states, we might infer that the Tits 
do not crack nuts, and you yourself (in the foot-note) do not seem to be aware of 
the fact. I have often observed them here striking nuts with their beaks, as 
the Nuthatch does. 
6. The Longtailed Tit on my premises sometimes builds in Gorse ( Ulex ) and 
Box, and frequently in Blackthorn. I never saw more than one hole to the nest; 
certainly two are not usual. 
7- You have some excellent remarks at p. 220, under the head of 44 Spring 
Oatear,” about 44 birds which actually do good where they are supposed to be most 
mischievous.” But are you not going too far in saying that the Nightjar 44 leaps 
up at the Cows’ udders and legs, in order to obtain the insects and larvae lodged 
in the poor animal’s skin” ? I much doubt its taking any insects but such as are 
on the wing. 
8. P. 267. “ Though I never heard this bird Qthe Wood Lark] make any 
attempt at a song in winter,” &c. It does sing beautifully in winter, as I used 
often to hear it when a boy, before the Christmas holidays were expired; it also 
sings very much in autumn. 
9. P. 346. 44 In the middle of March **** the Chaff Finch commences its merry 
and oft-repeated strains.” Long before this time—in February, and sometimes 
in January; I have even heard him in December, but always, I think, before the 
middle of March. I consider him to afford one of the very first indications or 
spring, and accordingly he is a great favourite with me, notwithstanding his 
mischievous propensities in the garden. 
10. P. 371* The generic nam e Linaria is inadmissible, being preoccupied as 
such in Botany for several species of Toadflax. 
11. P. 379. You speak of the Redpoll as a shy bird. I well remember, when a 
very young sportsman, or rather a young carrier of a gun, falling in with a flock 
