THE WHITE WAG-TAIL (_Motacilla alba_), ii., 81.
Arrives at the end of March or the beginning of April, but does not appear to breed in our neighbourhood.
THE YELLOW WAG-TAIL (_Motacilla flava_), ii., 84.
Common in open fields, building its nest among young corn, and in hay-grass. Like all the other wag-tails, a bird of very poor song, but singularly gentle and affectionate. It arrives the last week in March, apparently all the better for its journey, the plumage being often more clean and beautiful the day of arrival than at any later period.
THE REDSTART (_Sylvia phoenicurus_), iii., 138.
Formerly very common in Hulme, Chorlton, and Withington, but now become scarce, being shy in temperament, and retiring before the advance of population. Plentiful in the rural parts of Cheshire. To get a full view of a redstart is also very difficult, as it is for ever dodging behind a branch, and, as the name implies, is never still.
THE TREE PIPIT (_Anthus arboreus_), ii., 88.
A lively bird, arriving at the beginning of April, and commencing to sing immediately. Common, building its nest on the ground, and laying the most variously coloured eggs, some being blood-red and others deep black.
Arrives abundantly about the 27th of April, remaining until about August, though young birds of the year have been found in October. However disregardful of its young, the cuckoo makes ample amends in its conjugal fidelity, for when one of either sex is seen, you may be quite sure that its mate is not far off.
THE WRYNECK, OR CUCKOO'S MATE (_Yunx Torquilla_), ii., 61.
Rare, coming mostly with the cuckoo, which it somewhat resembles.
THE SWALLOW (_Hirundo rustica_), ii., 76.
Common and familiar everywhere. Social, harmless, and useful, and perhaps as much beloved as the robin itself, if only because of its fondness for human habitations.
THE HOUSE MARTIN (_Hirundo riparia_), ii., 79.
Common and familiar, and, like the swallow, always welcome. This odd bird often takes for the foundation of its nest one constructed the previous year by the swallow. The swallow's nest is open at the top. The house-martin likes to have a roof or lid, so goes on with the one it adopts till finished to its own fancy, keeping only an aperture for ingress.