wary and has very acute hearing.

When disturbed, the tufts on the head are raised, and maintained in that position whilst the cause continues. The long-eared owl is seldom its own architect, but generally selects and repairs the old nest of a hawk, magpie, or woodpigeon. The eggs, two to four in number, are laid in March or April, sometimes on consecutive days, and sometimes at longer intervals. During incubation, which commences from the laying of the first egg, feathers and down are accumulated about the nest, and the old bird sits exceedingly close,-so closely in fact, that last Spring I had great difficulty in distinguishing one on the nest of a woodpigeon. The parent birds continue to feed the young ones for a long time after they have left the nest. Last Spring, I had the pleasure of watching a brood, and it was very interesting to see them in the evenings and to hear the various notes used by the old and young birds. evident from their manner and actions, that these notes were used in conversation, and that each had a very significant meaning. The bones in the first joint of each wing in this species contain no marrow, but all the others with those of the legs do.

It was

The short-eared owl (Otus brachyotus,) is sometimes met with, and may occasionally breed on the mosses or sandhills.

The tawny owl (Syrnium stridula,) also occurs in the district and is probably resident, but I have not as yet met with a nest.

The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio,) is an occasional visitor. A pair reared five young near Bidston, a few years since, and afforded much amusement, though I did not see the nest. The eggs are pale buff, variously spotted with grey or reddish brown.

The spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola,) is a summer migrant and constant visitor. It is a confiding bird, sometimes taking up its abode in the localities most frequented by

man. Perched almost motionlessly on a bare branch, it will often fly at a passing insect and return to the very spot so lately left. Were it not for this peculiarity, the unobtrusive habits and sober plumage would seldom attract notice. Few other birds have more local names. It is not necessary to enumerate all, but wall bird, wall pecker, woodpecker, and cherry picker are examples. These names generally have reference to some real or supposed habit, and are sometimes entirely erroneous; this bird, for instance, having no affinity with the woodpeckers. The nest is without beauty, but great skill is shown in adapting it to circumstances, since various and sometimes curious places are chosen for the site. Holes in walls and trees, depressions on horizontal branches, niches in the sides of quarries or earth-banks, hinges of garden doors, and ordinary situations in trees or ivy are amongst the number. The materials are also very diversified, moss, cobwebs, &c., being used according to situation and circumstances. The eggs are very variable, and five form the complement. They are greenish white, suffused, spotted or blotched with reddish brown.

The thrush (Turdus musicus,) is a well-known and common resident. Its nest is made of grass or moss, lined with mud, and seldom, if ever, varies. The locality chosen for it is in a hedge or isolated bush, though not unfrequently it is placed high in a tree or on twigs growing from the bole. Occasionally, aberrant situations are resorted to, such as bare banks or level ground in woods or fields. I remember finding one which was built on the ground, in the middle of a large meadow and at a long distance from any bush. It was sunk in the ground like a lark's. A nest found last Spring, was sunk in level ground in a wood, and had nothing to shelter it but a little trailing ivy. Strange to say, the parents were rearing only one young one. I have seen another, containing eggs, in the cavity of an old magpie's nest. There is little or no attempt

at concealment, and though of common-place appearance, few others have more charm. The eggs, five in number, are greenish-blue, with black spots.

The missel thrush (Turdus viscivorus,) is also abundant, and is the first to commence singing in Spring. It is not a favourite with country people, on account of the song being so often heard in hard weather. Stormcock is a common local name. The nest is often built in March, though April is the principal month. It is a solid structure, composed of grass, moss, bracken, &c., lined with mud, and internally with the soft portions of grass. There is very frequently a piece of white rag, wool, or paper, hanging from the outside. Occasionally, twigs are extensively used in the construction; and in this case, the nest, at a little distance, has much the appearance of a jay's. The favourite situation is a fork, at any elevation, in a timber or orchard tree, but sometimes the top of a pollard is chosen. The eggs, two to five in number, vary very much. They are greenish, or pale buff, marked with leaden-gray and reddish-brown. In Spring, this bird is often confiding, and few are more bold and daring in defence of their nest or young. In Summer, it is the constant frequenter of fruit trees, especially seeking the early pear, cherry, gooseberry and currant. In Autumn, the various families. become associated, and often form large flocks, frequenting the more retired districts. At this season and in winter, few birds are more wild, wary and distrustful.

The blackbird (Turdus merula,) seems to be more numerous now than formerly. This may be due to the increase of shrubberies and other places suited to its retired habits. The song is loud, and similar to that of the missel thrush, but is more mellow and pleasing. It is occasionally uttered whilst the bird flies from one tree to another. The nest is composed of moss, lined with mud, and internally with the soft portion grass. Sometimes grasses and fern leaves form the outside.

of

Busbes in retired places are the favourite situations, and though trees are sometimes resorted to, a nest at any materia] elevation is rarely found. I have seen only one that was so high as about twenty feet. Occasionally, a nest is built on a retired bank, sheltered merely by a little trailing ivy, or a spray of honey-suckle. The eggs, four or five in number, are subject to great variation. Typical ones are greenish, freckled and spotted all over with grayish brown. The blackbird is a

great telltale, as it is very noisy on being disturbed.

Two pairs of the ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus,) the one near Bidston, and the other near Tranmere, have come within my notice. It is probable that these had nests though I did

not find them.

Authors do not admit that the fieldfare (Turdus pilaris,) nests in Britain, but as I have seen one on an unfinished nest, at Maghull, I mention the bird here. Fieldfares roost extensively on the ground, and I have flushed many from rough herbage on ditch sides at night.

The well-known hedge sparrow (Accentor modularis,) needs little comment. Thick bushes are the favourite situations for the nest, which is composed of moss, lined with hair. Five of the spotless blue eggs form the complement, and two broods are reared in the season.

The robin (Erythaca rubecula,) familiar to every one, and the constant attendant upon gardeners, sings throughout the year, though owing to the prevalence of song during the spring and early summer, it is less heard at those seasons than at others. Pugnacity is an inherent quality in this bird, whose fights with rival robins frequently end in the death of one or other of the combatants. There is little doubt that this has given rise to the fable of the young ones killing their parents. The nest, composed of moss and dead leaves, lined with hair, is placed on a bank under the shelter of pendent grass. Occasionally, the side of a haystack, a hole in a wall,

or some such aberrant situation is chosen. 1 have found them in ivy. The eggs, four to six in number, are pale cream-colour, marked with reddish brown, and are very variable.

The redstart (Phænicura ruticilla,) is not an abundant visitor to the district, since a few only are anually found in the neighbourhood of Eastham. Though a summer visitor, I once met with a female specimen on the Leasowe Embankment during severe weather in winter. The eggs are spotless blue.

The stonechat (Saxicola rubicola,) is abundant during the summer months. Though the majority leave us in autumn to winter in more genial climates, a few remain here all the year. The stonechat, for the most part, affects wastes where gorse grows freely, and where it may be constantly seen indulging in short flights from bush to bush, uttering its twicerepeated, sharp, loud note, whilst alighting on the topmost spray. The song is insignificant. The nest is placed at the foot of a furze, or other thick bush, or amongst rough grass, and is difficult to find, though the birds always betray the neighbourhood. Five or six, most frequently the latter, are the complement of eggs. They are greenish blue, freckled over with brown, and are subject to variation. Two broods are reared in the season.

The whinchat (Saxicola rubetra,) is also a common visitor, and affects hedges, with habits similar to the preceding species. It always leaves us in autumn. The nest, composed of grass and moss, lined with the soft portions of grass, is placed amongst rough herbage, on a bank, and is difficult to find. I have met with one built like a lark's in an open field. eggs, ordinarily six in number, are like those of the stonechat, but with fewer and sometimes more distinct spots. Two broods are reared in the season.

The

The wheat-ear (Saxicola ananthe,) is also plentiful in summer, though less so than formerly. It is a ground-loving