THE BIRDS OF HAMPSTEAD. 93 



Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus. Now and then one in the fields below Hampstead, 

 and in Lord Mansfield's ponds. 



SUMMER MIGRANTS. 



Red-backed Shrike, Lanms colhirio. On the outskirts of the woods, and in thick 

 hedgerows. 



Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola. In some years very common. On 

 park palings and lower branches of trees, darting into the air after passing 

 insects. 



Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa atricapilla. Rare. There were two pairs in 

 Bishop's Wood, in May, 1859. Nest found in 1866. Bird seen in May, 

 1867. Four young in August, 1868. 



Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus. Observed feeding on the berries of the moun- 

 tain ash in a garden on Haverstock Hill, in September, 1865. Seen also at 

 Caen Wood. 



Redstart, Ruticilla phcenicurus. In some years common. 



Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra. On the Heath. ' 



Wheatear, Saxicola cenanthe. Lower Heath and gravel -pits. The late Mr. G. 

 Daniel (many of whose observations are quoted in the footnotes to Bennett's 

 Edition of White's " Selborne ") had a Wheatear which was taken at Hamp- 

 stead on February 14, 1834. Unless this bird had remained throughout the 

 winter, as some affirm that it does {e.g., Jesse, in a footnote to his edition 

 of White's "Selborne "), this is the earliest date for its appearance which has 

 been noted. 



Grasshopper Warbler, Acrocephaliis locustella. On the Heath, and breeding 

 in Bishop's Wood. In July, 1866, a nest was cut out of mowing grass. 



Sedge Warbler, A. phragmitis. Caen Wood pond. 



Reed Warbler, A. strepertis. Nesting in gardens — in lilac bushes — far from 

 water. 



Nightingale, Sylvia luscinia. Common every year in Bishop's Wood and Caen 

 Wood. A great number used to be caught every spring at Highgate by 

 London bird-catchers. 



Blackcap, S. atricapilla. Common in Bishop's Wood and Caen Wood, and visit 

 ing gardens at Frognal and Belsize Park. Feeds much on ivy-berries. 



Garden Warbler, S. hortensis. In some years very common around Hamp- 

 stead. A fine songster. Will sit at evening in a high oak-tree or thick bush, 

 like a Nightingale, and maintain a continued warble for ten minutes without 

 a pause. 



