The Common Wren (Sylvia Troglodytes), iii., 160.
Well–known, and common everywhere in gardens, woods, and hedgerows. Often found with a few scattered white feathers, and sometimes with white wings. The large and pretty nest reminds one of what women do for the world. The hen commences one and completes it. Meantime the male bird begins two or three in succession, a short distance from his mate’s, but never completes one of them. The materials are moss, feathers, hair, dead leaves, and dead fern.
The Peewit, or Lapwing (Vanellus cristatus), iv., 192.
Common everywhere in marshy grounds, and known to most people by the peculiar cry represented in the name. The young ones are particularly fond of being in the bottom of deep ditches and drains, squatting down close to the ground.
The King–fisher (Alcedo ispida), i., 46.
Cheadle, Urmston, Flixton, and elsewhere in those directions, by all the tributaries of the Mersey. A beautiful but very timid bird, darting with great speed, its glossy green back glancing quick as thought.—(See, in reference to the Lancashire localities, the Manchester Guardian of Feb. 4th, 1882.)
The Moor–hen, or Water–hen (Gallinula chloropus), v., 247.
Common by old pits. Many breed on the ponds in Dunham Park, where we cannot go in the summer without seeing them in companies of four or five, their little white tails cocked up, and looking as if they were swimming on their necks.
The Great Crested Grebe (Colymbus cristatus), v., 294.
On all the Cheshire meres, Tatton, Tabley, Rostherne, &c.