Breeds in the woods in Trafford Park and about Chat Moss; plentiful about Urmston, though rather rare in the district generally.
THE STOCKDOVE (_Columba ænas_), iii., 165.
Very scarce. Marple Wood.--(On the Lancashire localities, see _Manchester Guardian_, Jan. 21, 1882.)
THE RED GROUSE (_Lagopus Scoticus_), iii., 172.
THE COMMON PARTRIDGE (_Perdrix cinerea_), iii., 174.
This bird breeds on Carrington Moss, Chat Moss, and in many other places.
THE COMMON HERON (_Ardea cinerea_), iv., 197.
In the _Manchester Guardian_ of December 28, 1881, it is stated that there is a heronry "within about fourteen miles of the Exchange," and that within forty miles of Manchester there are a dozen other stations for this beautiful and celebrated bird. The former is probably that one which it is further stated has existed since 1871 in Tabley Park, though the older stations, Dunham Park, Oulton Park, and the trees near the water at Arley Hall, have long since been deserted.--(_Vide_ also the _Guardian_ of March 18th, 1882.)
THE WHEAT-EAR (_Sylvia Oenanthe_), iii., 142.
The earliest of our summer visitants, coming by the end of March, but staying in the fields not longer than two or three weeks, when it moves off to the mountainous districts to breed. Very fond of placing its nest in deserted rabbit-holes, and in cavities in old stone walls.
THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (_Sylvia locustella_), iii., 143.
No one who has heard this bird can ever forget it, the note resembling the voice of the grasshopper, but prolonged into a whirr, like the noise of a spinning-wheel. Towards midnight, when all other birds are still, if approached, it will begin. Found haunting thickets and hedge-bottoms, but rather uncommon, and rarely seen, though often heard, on account of its habit of running among the low brushwood.
THE SEDGE WARBLER (_Sylvia salicaria_), iii., 145.
Common by the sides of pitsteads. This is the bird so often mistaken in our neighbourhood for the nightingale. No bird takes more care to let us know of its presence; the moment it is disturbed, it begins to sing.
THE BLACK-CAP WARBLER (_Sylvia atricapilla_), iii., 150.
A most beautiful song-bird, and common in woods. When it arrives, it is fond of mounting high into the trees; the males, like most of the warblers, coming a week or two before the females, and selecting a station, where they sing until their mates arrive.