weathers, and to the view of everything for a long distance. When the foliage is expanding, the later nests are built in larger woods, and the hand can scarcely be inserted without receiving scratches. The eggs, six to eight in number, are very variable. Typical ones are greenish gray, freckled or spotted all over with two or three darker shades, and olive brown.

The Jay Garrulus glandarius) is resident in most large woods. In common with the crow and magpie, it is persecuted for its thievish, egg-sucking propensities, though extreme wariness, and more retired habits, enable it to maintain existence where others fail. Scarcely is an enemy within sight when the harsh note of the Jay gives the alarm, and all the tribe fly off. In the summer months, when there is abundant shelter, other notes are used. These are varied, subdued, and sometimes mellow-so much so, that on one occasion I heard them blended and prolonged into a pleasant warble. In addition to its own ordinary notes, the Jay will imitate those of other birds, sometimes sufficiently well to deceive. I have heard it produce the quail's note in a rather rough, loud key; and on several occasions I have been puzzled to detect its imitation of that of the crow. The nest, composed of sticks and roots, lined with fibres, is placed at various elevations in a tree or bush. The eggs are grayish brown, freckled or mottled all over with a darker shade; they are usually five in number.

The greater spotted Woodpecker (Picus major) is an occasional visitor. A pair nested in Bromborough Wood last spring. The hole in which the young were reared was freshly made in a dead part of the oak immediately below where a brood of goat-moth larvæ (Cossus ligniperda) had been. It passed horizontally through the bole for three or four inches, and then descended in a rather oblique direction for about a foot. The entrance was only large enough to admit the birds singly, but the hole was rather larger towards the bottom.

The chippings were not conveyed away, but remained underneath just as they had happened to fall. The entrance to the hole was at an elevation of about twelve feet. The eggs are glossy white. The female was bold and pugnacious while on the nest; on placing a stick in the entrance to prevent egress, she scrambled up, bit it angrily, and in so doing produced a gnawing sound somewhat similar to that made by mice. The male, on the contrary, quietly awaited an opportunity to escape. The birds occasionally resorted to the ground, probably in search of insects.

The common Creeper (Certhia familiaris) resides in the district, though in smaller numbers than formerly. It is highly interesting to watch these birds in search of insects; and nothing can exceed their graceful movements whilst running on the trees. No position seems amiss to them, and they walk with equal ease up, down, or round a tree or branch, or hang with the head downward for an indefinite length of time. Should they stop, whilst ascending, to pick an insect from a crevice, or from under the bark, they place the tail against the bole, as do the woodpeckers, and use it as a means of support. The noise produced by pecking against the tree is sometimes loud, considering the size of the bird, and may be heard at a moderate distance. Whilst looking for insects, the Creeper will occasionally dislodge pieces of bark of the size of large nuts, which shows considerable strength. The nest is placed behind loose bark, detached ivy, or in a hole in a tree. I have known one in a hole in a wall, and another on the part of a tree trunk where a large branch had been abruptly broken away. I have not seen one for some time, and do not remember the materials used. The eggs are white, spotted with reddish brown.

The Wren (Troglodytes vulgaris) is a well-known resident, and one which invariably sings throughout the year. Though loud, the song is lively, clear, and pleasing. In habits, the

Wren is restless and active, bold and fearless, frequenting woods, hedge-rows, isolated bushes, banks, and open commons, especially those parts where there is shelter amongst rough herbage. It creeps quickly and mouse-like through bushes, hollow banks, and over the surface of the ground, and indulges frequently in short flights. In winter, this bird, though so small, feeds extensively on snails, extracting them from the shells in an ingenious manner. When a snail is found, it is conveyed to a selected stone, and tapped upon until the shell breaks, or the animal otherwise becomes detached. It is then easily taken out and devoured. The same stone will often be resorted to for a long time, so that a considerable number of shells will frequently be accumulated. These remains may often be noticed, and as often, perhaps, have puzzled the beholder. In winter, also, Wrens collect in numbers in warm favourite roosting places. At dusk, the observer, by remaining quiet, may see them coming singly from all directions to a favourite hay-stack. On arrival, they locate themselves in holes previously made round the sides by their own species, or other small birds. By going after dark, the observer may sometimes take them by the dozen in a handful from one hole. Old or unfinished nests are often chosen as dormitories, and sometimes unlined ones are built expressly for the purpose. The sites selected for these, and those required as cradles for their young, are as varied as the haunts: low branches of trees, sprays growing from the boles, bare roots of trees under hollow banks, holes in walls, banks or hay-stacks are the most common. I have known the nest at an elevation of about fifteen feet, but such instances are rare. Great skill is shown in adapting it to circumstances, and the materials used in the construction differ according to the situation. Composed generally of that which abounds in the neighbourhood, it resembles more or less closely the objects which are near. If in a bank, for instance, it is composed chiefly of moss; when

in a wall or stack, hay is the principal material; and dead leaves are often the main component of those in trees and bushes. It is domed, and has the entrance on one side. The eggs, which are white, dotted or spotted with reddish brown, are numerous, and commonly seven in number.

The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). This favourite and common summer visitor, although apparently without affection for its offspring, is strongly attached to its mate. Wherever the one bird is, the other is seldom far off. It is well known that the eggs are placed in the nests of other birds, and that the parental duties devolve upon these. The nests of the various insectivorous species, as well as those of larks, buntings, and finches, are chosen, though preference seems to be given in this district to the nests of the meadow-pipit, and sky-lark. Strangely enough, I have never yet seen the egg of a Cuckoo in the nest of the hedge-sparrow. It is, probably, a rare occurrence for the Cuckoo to select a sparrow's nest when built in a wall, yet I have known such an instance. When a boy, I saw a Cuckoo enter a moderately large oval hole in the wall of a hay-loft -one of those ordinarily left in farm buildings to admit airand which contained a sparrow's nest The purpose of the stranger's visit occurred to me, and on climbing up soon afterwards, I found a Cuckoo's egg amongst the legitimate Cuckoo's eggs are small, compared with the size of the bird, and are very variable. They are pale, or dark gray, often reddish, brown, or olive, dotted, spotted, and sometimes blotched with darker shades. Occasionally, two are found in the same nest, but more frequently only one. It is highly probable that the Cuckoo deposits several.

ones.

The Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida) is resident, though in decreasing numbers, owing, no doubt, to the too frequent desire of obtaining so beautiful a bird. It is an interesting sight to watch it catch its prey. Perched, motionless, on a projecting stone, or overhanging bank or branch, it suddenly plunges at

a passing fish, and instantly reappears; or stopping its rapid, onward flight, it hovers for a moment over the stream, and swiftly darts into the water, seldom missing the fish, though rarely seen to swallow it. The impetus with which the plunges are made must be very great, as the bird is far too buoyant to sink in water without the application of considerable force. The nest is composed of the indigestible portions of fish, and is placed some distance within a hole in a dry bank. The eggs are glossy white.

The Swallow (Hirundo rustica), also an annual summer visitor, appears in greater or less numbers, on or about the 23rd of April. The nest, composed of mud, mixed with hay, and lined internally with feathers, is placed on a ledge in a chimney, or against a beam in a farm building or outhouse, and sometimes against a rafter supporting a bridge. It is never domed; neither is it ever attached by the rim to any ceiling, &c. An unusual form of nest, built in a tree at Maghull, has come within my notice. It was composed of the ordinary materials, but formed, like a chaffinch's, amongst twigs such instances are rare. The eggs, five in number, are white, dotted, or spotted with reddish brown.

The Martin (Hirundo urbica) arrives annually, in considerable numbers, to spend the summer with us. The nest, composed of mud, mixed with hay, and lined internally with feathers, is placed against a beam in an outhouse, or wall, or under the eaves of a building, or bridge. It is almost always domed, or attached by the rim to a ceiling, or the lower part of another nest, &c. The Martin often builds in societies. The eggs are white, and five form the complement.

The Sand-Martin (Hirundo riparia) generally arrives with the swallow in each year, and is, perhaps, the most abundant hirundine which visits the district. It is a social bird, and colonies of varying extent take possession of suitable banks in quarry sides, &c., for the purposes of nidification. Each