INTRODUCTION.

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cS rs Sq. at Di llineton Park in
ises | | rec pests and th estate of ° Ambut st I . Ambut st ; I Sq ; ( ‘ ‘
comprises about one bund! ZOUS, ( Vi

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Nor OLK. Si v : Cc

: < . sr meres in Norfolk.
Gulls, in various counties, particularly at Scoulton and other 1
TUILIS, c . ”
7 Lede offer manv interesting peculiarities. Som
A t to the receptacles for their eggs when laid, birds offer many interesting peculic e
With respect to aches Ss ;
: . . pvriform shape of their eggs being the only safe-
‘ll content themselves with the bare ledge of a rock, the pyriform shape 55 5 J
Wi ; g S j e
oe s deposi ir egos a mass of sea-weed or in a
d against their falling over the precipice ; others deposit their eggs on a me é é
guard agains g -
: ; ‘ase WI > Grebes. ere a more ambitious
floating nest composed of rotten aquatic plants, as is the case with the Grebes. Where @ é
a: 2 : : . =
’ ication, from the loosely-built platform of the Wood-
is erec syery degree of complication, j
structure is erected, we find every deg
. rp : rs Sacks = S 5 os Ss
Piceon to the elegant lichen-crested nest of the Long-tailed Tit. Each species shows in its nesting a most
: . : eee A ee ale st of the Sedge-Warblers, it is
perfect adaptation to the exigencies of the situation. Where, like the nest of the Sedge-Warble
auc C - 5
. . heey nase wi » deep purse-like shape of the interior is a safe
swaved to and fro amidst the reeds by every passing wind, the deep } |
provision against the eggs being blown out ; under our eaves the homely Martin plasters its nest of mud;
: So 2 5 ?

the Goldcrest hangs its hammock-like cradle beneath the tip of a pendent fir bough; and in holes of trees

and walls the Tits delight to construct their felted nests.

I should fatigue my readers and exceed the latitude allowed me in this introduction, were I to dwell longer
upon the situations affected by various species in their midification, or the wondrous forms shown in the
construction of their homes. Otherwise I might dilate upon the ingenuity displayed in the dome-like nests of
the Magpie, in the approach to that shape seen in those of the common House-Sparrow when built in trees,
or in the fish-bone floor of the Kingfisher’s retreat ; but all these will be found more fully dwelt upon in the
descriptions attached to the representation of each species in the body of the work. I may, however, remark
in passing that the structural skill displayed by many of our birds is far surpassed by that of certain foreign
species ; and we are struck with astonishment when we gaze upon such nests as those of the Tailorbird, the

Sociable Grosbeak, the Weaverbird, the Zeteri or Hang-nests.

In writing upon subjects connected with ornithology I find the associations of my boyhood ever flitting
before me. Well can I recollect the dried body of the brightly coloured Kingfisher hanging from the cottager’s
ceiling, and supposed by its movements to point the direction of the wind*—a superstition now, like many
others, happily abandoned. Well do I recollect also the particoloured strings of eggs with which I and
ny companions delighted to festoon the walls, and which were 1

‘igorously destroyed in our games before
the termination of the year, 1D

order to ward off the ill-luck otherwise supposed to ensue. I can still
* “But how now stands the wind ?
Into what corner peers my halcyon’s bill ?”

Martowe’s Jew of Malta.