A very lovely little bird; its song, or trill, a repetition of two notes, and its nest very hard to find. While singing, it sits on the bough and seems to tremble, the wings being quivered elegantly. THE WHINCHAT (_Sylvia rubetra_), iii., 141. A common little bird, breeding everywhere, usually selecting uncultivated lands, and sometimes hay-fields, but always having its nest upon the ground. About Urmston it is known as the "utic," from its peculiar cry, "tic, tic, utic." In habits sprightly and cheerful, popping about for ever from one spray to another. THE WILLOW WARBLER, OR WILLOW WREN (_Sylvia Trochilus_), iii., 156. This little fellow is common in most places,--woods, gardens, hedgerows,--choosing the top of the trees to sing in. It ceases to sing after pairing, devoting itself to the construction of its large nest, which is usually protected with a lid, and built of grass, moss, and feathers. In the summer of 1858, Edward Jacques found a nest in Hough-end Clough, with a dead blackbird alongside, from which the feathers had all been plucked, and used in the construction. Nowhere is it more numerous or happy than about Urmston, arriving clean as a daisy, after its journey of a thousand miles or more. THE CHIFF-CHAFF (_Sylvia rufa_), iii., 158. This little creature, which is one of the smallest of the warblers, arrives a trifle later, or about the middle of March, when it at once begins its cry in the very highest branches it can find of the tallest poplars and fir-trees, perching itself on the topmost pinnacle. Not common about Manchester generally, though plentiful in Marple Wood. First it cries "chiff," then "chaff," then "chaff" and "chiff" alternately. 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. THE CUCKOO (_Cuculus canorus_), ii., 71.