THE BIRDS OF HAMPSTEAD. 95 



Station. In 1871 a few birds were heard calling; in 1872 none. (See Zoologist^ 

 1871, p. 2728.) A Quail was heard calling below West Heath on June 14, 

 1877. In the summer of 1881 their unmistakable note was again heard in 

 the fields adjoining Parliament Hill, where in the following year a brood was 

 hatched and the empty egg-shells discovered. 



Landrail, Crex pratensis. In the fields just referred to the Landrail used to 

 breed regularly every summer, and perhaps does so still. 



Common Sandpiper, Totayms hypoleuais. During the period of its migration in 

 spring and autumn this bird may be looked for in the early morning along the 

 banks of ponds and streams, particularly on the Brent, within an easy walk 

 frorn Hampstead. At the same season of the year many other wading birds 

 are heard passing overhead, such as the Green Sandpiper, Redshank, and 

 Ringed Plover, which regularly visit Kingsbury Reservoir and its tributary 

 streams. 



Gulls and Terns of various species pass about the same time, but at too great 

 a distance to be named with certainty. 



WINTER VISITORS. 



Short-eared Owl, Otus accipitrinus. On the Lower Heath, rough fields, and 

 rushy ground. 



Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris. Vin the fields in open weather; coming into the gardens 



Redwing, T. iliacus. ) during frost and snow. 



Grey Wagtail, Motacilla sulphiirea. An uncertain winter visitor. Has been 

 seen at the Heath pond. 



Snow Bunting, Emberiza nivalis. In November, 1871, a flock of fifty or sixty 

 " Snow-flakes " stayed for some time about the Leg of Mutton Pond on 

 Hampstead Heath. 



Brambling, Fringilla viontifringella. Appears towards the end of autumn in small 

 flocks. Caen Wood used to be a favourite spot for them, and numbers are 

 sometimes taken by the London bird-catchers. Looks like a Chaffinch on 

 the wing, but always distinguishable by the white rump. 



Hooded Crow, Corvus comix. Has been observed on at least two occasions at 

 Hampstead in winter. 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula. About November a few drop into the Hamp- 

 stead Woods, where, one summer, a nest of the Willow Wren was found 

 lined with a few Woodcock's feathers, showing that the winter visitor had 

 remained until the arrival of a summer guest, and had possibly nested there 

 too. 



Snipe and Jack Snipe occasionally visit the Lower Heath. 



