Universally known and beloved; very fond of visiting timber-yards in the town during the winter, where it sings freely; and in the country an excellent prophet of the weather, for if the next day is to be fine, the robin mounts to the top of the tallest tree; if the contrary, it warbles softly underneath. The young birds are nearly the colour of throstles, the distinctive hue not appearing till after the first moult. At this period the bird seems patched with red, presenting a most comical appearance. THE STONECHAT (_Sylvia rubicola_), iii., 140. Seen every winter in the neighbourhood of Withington, haunting the Swedish turnip fields. In the summer it lodges elsewhere. THE GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN (_Regulus cristatus_), iii., 162. This bird builds annually in the yews in the grounds at Dunham Hall, and is common on the outskirts of the town generally. The note resembles that of a weak cricket, and is often repeated, as if the little creatures, like children, were afraid of losing one another. The male and female are never seen apart, and usually there are three or four couples together. THE GREAT TITMOUSE (_Parus major_), i., 36. Common, haunting woods and gardens, and busy most of its time in looking for insects and spiders. Imitating other birds, and making all sorts of queer noises, the reward it often gets is to be shot for its pains, the wonder being what droll creature can it be. THE BLUE TITMOUSE (_Parus coeruleus_), i., 39. Very beautiful in plumage, usually a sweet light blue or dark blue and yellow, common in woods and gardens, and building its nest in holes of trees, in letter-boxes, old pumps, and anything else that has a cavity in it and it takes a fancy to. In late autumn and winter there is no prettier sight than to watch one of these elegant little creatures pecking away at one of the two or three apples that a kind-hearted man always leaves for it. THE COLE TITMOUSE (_Parus ater_), i., 37. Common, but chiefly found in winter, usually going northwards to breed. THE MARSH TITMOUSE. (_Parus palustris_), i., 40. Similar to the last both in habits and note, but building more frequently. THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE (_Parus caudatus_), i., 41. The nest, which is usually suspended from the ends of branches in the thick of the hedge, is most beautifully formed, and resembles a little bee-hive. It is constructed of moss, lichens, and spiders' webs, and lined with feathers, as many, when pulled out and scattered abroad, as would fill a couple of hats. In autumn, parties of about half-a-dozen usually go about together, scampering through the orchards, generally from east to west, examining every tree with remarkable rapidity, always moving, never resting; after which they are not seen again perhaps for months. THE PIED WAG-TAIL, OR DISH-WASHER (_Motacilla Yarrellii_), ii., 80.