78 A NATURAL AVIARY. 



peep, of the Wryneck. Close at hand were two Redstarts, and Whin Chats, 

 Whitethroated Fauvets, and Locustells, among the bushes. Here also the Gar- 

 den Ouzel warbled full and melodious, while the Thrush's delightful note every- 

 where resounded, with the Missel Thrush also in the distance. Every one of 

 these species I noticed, and one- too in addition (besides Redbreasts, Dunnocks, 

 Wrens, &c.) which, as it has been the subject of much error, I shall mention 

 more particularly ; this is the White-breasted Fauvet (Ficedula garrula), of 

 which I noticed as many as nine different individuals, two only in the bushes, 

 all the remainder in trees, some at a considerable height ; and I three or four 

 times observed them utter their loud shivering concluding cry, while flying from 

 one tree to another. I never knew this species so plentiful as it appears to 

 be this season, as is in fact the case with the rest of our migratory birds. 



At the same place I tried yesterday to entrap a Locustell, but ineffectually, 

 though I hired a man to attend the trap the greater part of the day ; and I my- 

 self watched it early in the morning, for two or three hours. This bird opens its 

 mouth in a remarkable manner while trilling, an action which I find, by the 

 assistance of a pocket telescope, imparts a perceptible vibration to the whole 

 body. The Locustells are certainly not so shy as is supposed, nor do they ap- 

 pear to trouble themselves much about concealment, being generally rather con- 

 spicuous when uttering their cry. Here they are very far from being uncommon. 

 I have no reason to suspect that it is a double-moulting bird, as the Pipits are. 

 I have never known it utter its cry on the wing, but still would not venture to 

 dispute the fact, as I think it probable, from analogy with the brake birds. 



Montagu says, very correctly, of the Locustell, that " it is not a plentiful 

 species," which is quite true as compared with the Fauvets ; at the same I en- 

 tirely differ from Sweet, who says that it is extremely rare near London. I 

 think I could obtain about two dozen specimens annually, within a circle of five 

 miles from this place ; and am pretty certain that four or five pair breed in three 

 localities, diverging less than half that distance. I have been watching them 

 much this season with my telescope, to ascertain whether they run or hop,* 

 though as yet in vain. The other day one remained some time on a bare piece 

 of ground just before me, but, unfortunately, I did not perceive it before it flew 

 up. The wild and beautiful spot alluded to in the former part of these notes, 

 has already afforded me much amusement and instruction, and I still anticipate 

 passing many delightful hours in a place so admirably adapted for ornithological 

 observation. 



Tooting, Surrey, May 14, 1836. 



* Mr. Hoy informs me he has repeatedly seen it running, and he is of opinion that it never 

 progresses otherwise on the ground.— E. B. April 1, 1837. 



