Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/41

Rh Ornithological Notices. The ring-ousel (Merula torquata), the pied flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), and the hobby (Falco subbuteo), occasionally visit us in the spring, but their appearance is very uncertain. In the spring of 1840 several ring ousels remained a few days in the neighbourhood. A single reed-warbler was shot at a pond close by the town, in 1835, which is the only individual I have seen here. In the spring of 1841 the redstart, nightingale, willow-wren, lesser pettychaps and garden warbler, were very numerous; while the blackcap, whinchat, lesser whitethroat, red-backed shrike and spotted flycatcher were far less common than usual. —Id.

Appearance of Migratory Birds near Sheffield. The absurd notions entertained by some of the naturalists of the last century, with respect to "birds creeping down reeds &c." have been exploded long ago by the scientific world; but still, even now you do find some of the country people talking of a change of plumage towards winter: such as Crex pratensis being shot in a different dress, and which, from description, must be Rallus aquaticus. I have offered these people large rewards to bring me a "corn creak," but of course never could get one at that season. The following observations, given under the hope that they may possibly be useful, have been made on the spot that twenty-one years ago gave me life; where, undisturbed, many of the summer birds delight us with their lovely forms and rich vocal powers.

The earliest arrival (excepting the wheatear, whose migrations are on a small scale) is the lesser pettychaps (Phyllopneuste rufa): on the 1st of April, 1838, I obtained a specimen; this was very early, for in 1841 they appeared on the 24th of April; in 1842 the time of arrival was April 22nd, on the 25th they were quite abundant. Redstarts (Ruticilla Phœnicura) arrived April 7th, 1841; they did not make their appearance until April 24th this year. In this locality the 24th of April is the average time of arrival with the blackcap warbler (Curruca atricapilla), garden warbler (C. hortensis), greater and lesser whitethroat (S. cinerea and curruca), the wood and willow wrens (Phyllopneuste sibilatrix and Trochilus). Cuckoos, reed and grasshopper warblers are not abundant in our immediate vicinity, so that I am not able to give dates to a day, but the cuckoo is generally on our moors in the latter part of April, and sedge-birds arrive about the same time. Nightingales are quite rare with us; there are a few about Conisborough Castle and Doncaster, but I cannot give the time of their arrival. On the 28th of April I saw the swallow (Hirundo rustica). The swallows are sadly persecuted by strolling gunners from the town.