nately, the young ones perished prematurely on the ground underneath, apparently through being frightened by boys who found them. On visiting the nest on probably the second day after the young had scrambled out, I found a store of twenty-three small birds besides portions of several others. Some were decapitated, others partially so, and all were plucked; the majority were perfectly fresh. They comprised thirteen sparrows, one greenfinch, one yellow bunting, one black-headed bunting, one cole, or marsh-tit, four young robins, and two which I could not identify. These, probably less than a two days' store, will give an idea of the havoc committed amongst small birds by the Sparrow-hawk. Even allowing an average of two per day to each, the number devoured by one individual would be seven hundred and thirty in a year. The male bird takes part in incubation. On examining a considerable number of castings of the Barn Owl during last summer I discovered the skull of a sparrow, and one of some kind of thrush. This species, therefore, evidently preys occasionally on small birds, though far less frequently than the long-eared owl. The Red-backed Shrike has again visited the district during the present year, and reared young at Rainhill. During last spring, I found a second instance of a thrush's nest in the cavity of an old magpie's. Whilst in Wales last May I saw so many on the ground, in woods, that they almost ceased to be remarkable in that situation. From accounts received from boys, a pair of Ring Ouzels visited the neighbourhood of New Brighton this year, and frequented the ground called the Warren through most of the spring. Nests of the Whinchat, built on the ground like those of larks, are not uncommon. I saw several such last spring, but none were at any great distance from a bush. A pair of Garden Warblers (Curruca hortensis) visited the neighbourhood of Prenton Mount last Spring, but through going from home at the time I did not see the nest. During last May I saw some nests of the Blackcap Warbler which were built amongst thick nettles. They were so like the ordinary nest of the whitethroat, that prior to their containing eggs, I was inclined to attribute them to that species. Judging from the nests alone, therefore, it is often impossible to decide to which bird they belong. I also found a standard nest of the Blackcap suspended in a bush of honey-suckle. Several sprays of the bush were woven into the rim, which was rendered firmer than ordinary by the interweaving of bits of wool with the rest of the material. There was no other support whatever. A second similar nest was suspended from the spreading branch of a tree, at an elevation of seven or eight feet. The Wood Warbler's nest is domed. The dome is so slightly constructed, and so very slightly attached to the lower part, especially near the entrance, that it is very easily displaced. The nest, therefore, after being many times visited by the birds, or otherwise disturbed, is apt to have the appearance of being only half domed, as previously described. Six or eight nests found last spring, and examined minutely, bear out this view. All were constructed of coarse grass, lined with the softer portions, and a few straggling hairs. One example, similar to the rest in other respects, was partially lined at the bottom with five or six feathers. All were in depressions scratched in the ground by the birds; all were likewise on slopes in woods, and nearly, if not quite buried by fallen leaves and dead bracken. The nest cannot be seen, and the best way to find it is to flush the old one off, or watch her down to it. On several occasions visiting one containing young, the old bird hobbled down the bank for several yards, as if lame. It appears to be the habit of the species to do this, as I saw other individuals do the same. The complement of eggs is five or six. The nest of the Chiff-chaff is also domed. The remarks just made about the dome of the Wood-wren's nest apply equally to this. In other respects, the nest is as formerly described; but in addition to being on or near the ground, it is not unfrequently placed in thick furze, prickly box, or other similar bush, at an elevation of sometimes as much as a yard. The site is variously chosen in a wood, and not necessarily near the margin. The complement of eggs is five or six. The Chiff-chaff will sometimes remain so closely on her nest that a person may almost walk over it without causing her to fly off. Last winter was apparently a disastrous one for the Goldencrested Wren. During the subsequent spring there were very few in the Cheshire firwoods, where they generally abound throughout the year. The Marsh Tit is certainly resident, and breeds here. I found a nest last spring containing callow young. It was built in a wall which bounded a wood. Two nests of the common Bunting which came under my notice last season, were built in depressions scratched by the birds in the ground, amongst thick star-grass on the Sandhills. Both were constructed of grass, principally stalks, lined with fine fibres and a few hairs. Two others, found by a friend, were described to me as similar to these in every respect. I also saw three nests of the Yellow bunting built in hollows scratched in the ground by the birds. These situations were evidently from choice, and not necessity, as there were plenty of young trees and bushes all round. Two or three nests of the Chaffinch, seen during the past season, were profusely lined with a mixture of feathers and the standard hair. Nests of the Lesser Redpole occur at various elevations in trees, as well as in the situations previously mentioned. At the conclusion of the paper, the PRESIDENT remarked that he had listened to it with great attention, and complimented Mr. Brockholes upon the interest which he had thrown around the subject. He made some observations upon several of the topics which had been touched upon, corroborating the writer, and further illustrating the subject. Dr. COLLINGWOOD bore testimony to the usefulness of the paper, which was full of original information, not derived from books, but the result of long, and patient, and watchful communion with Nature. In reply to a question raised by Mr. Higginson as to whether it was true that the Swallows had left this country a month earlier than usual on account of the inclement weather, he remarked that he scarcely believed it probable, or borne out by experience, that they should antedate their departure by so long a period. Birds seldom were influenced by the weather to so great an extent in their migrations; and the fact of the Swifts having remained their full time would seem to militate against it. After some further discussion, the subject dropped. EXTRAORDINARY MEETING. After the business of the Ordinary Meeting, an Extraordinary Meeting was held, for the purpose of confirming the proceedings of the last meeting in reference to the election of Mr. William Brown as a corresponding member of the Society. The resolutions of the last meeting having been read, a ballot was again taken, and Mr. William Brown was declared duly elected a Corresponding Member. * * Mr. William Brown having been elected an Honorary or Corresponding Member by each of the five learned societies of the town, the occasion of the opening of the New Free Public Library and Museum, October 18th, 1860, was considered a fitting time to present him with a joint Address, which was accordingly done at the Town Hall on the morning of the ceremony, in the presence of the Mayor (T. D. Anderson, Esq.), the Joint Councils, and numerous corporate, and other officials. The address was read by Mr. J. Abraham, Hon. Sec. to the Joint Councils, and was handed to Mr. Brown by the Rev. H. H. Higgins, President of the Literary and Philosophical Society, who accompanied the presentation with suitable remarks. It was as follows: SIR, "TO WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ., OF RICHMOND HILL, LIVERPOOL. When you intimated your intention to present to the public a building for the Free Public Library and Museum of this town, and subsequently, when the foundation stone was about to be laid, several of the local learned Societies expressed to you their gratitude and good wishes. You have since become entitled to their more especial acknowledgements. Within the present year you have given another proof of the warm interest which you feel in the progress of science, by providing an additional and spacious hall for the purpose of exhibiting objects of interest illustrative of the useful arts, and you have honoured our five Societies by requesting their advice and co-operation in its management. To render this they consider their duty and their privilege: and as a means of expressing their entire and hearty appreciation of your munificence and courtesy, each of those Societies has had the pleasure of enrolling you in that class of its members which by its laws and constitution is most honourable, and they have jointly entrusted to us the agreeable duty of making to you this public and official intimation of the fact." This Address, beautifully engrossed and illuminated upon vellum, was signed by the Presidents and Secretaries of the five Societies, in Alphabetical order, as follows: The Architectural and Archælogical Society. The Chemists' Association. The Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire. The Polytechnic Society. |