Observed in Hertfordshire in 1905. 57 



(1905-6) there have been large flocks of them in the Watford 

 district — on the outskirts of Cassiobi^ry Park especially. They 

 seemed rather early in arrival, too, for I first saw them at 

 Sarratt on November 5th. 



Siskin {Glirysomitris spimis) and Lesser Redpoll (Linota 

 riffescetis) . — These have been present in the Watford district in 

 about average nimibers. One rarely sees them except in the 

 alders and birches which fringe the streams. 



Cirl Bunting (Emheriza cirhis). — Mr. E. Hartert reports that 

 this bird was heard singing in the middle of June on the 

 Chiltern Hills near Tring. This is the first record of it we have 

 liad for many years. 



Magpie (Pica rustica) . — During my seven years' residence in 

 this district I have previously to this year seen only one magpie. 

 I am glad, therefore, to report that on October 22nd I saw four 

 in one place not far from Chandler's Cross, and on ISTovember 5th 

 I saw two in the same spot, and also two others at Micklefield 

 Grreen. I imderstand that on the Duke of Bedford's estate at 

 Chenies these handsome (if destructive) birds are protected. 

 Probably, therefore, Chenies acts as a sort of local " centre of 

 dispersal " for them, and the presence of those I saw is thus 

 probably accounted for. I fear, however, tliat not many of 

 the birds which thus disperse themselves are allowed either 

 to remain in their new quarters or to get back to their 

 old ones. 



Raven {Corvus corax). — Mr. E. P. Thompson (Elstree) 

 reports that a pair of these all-too-rare birds were seen at the 

 Reservoir on July 27th. This is another extremely intei-estiug 

 item for the year, as the last occurrence of the bird mentioned 

 in o\w ' Transactions ' was in December, 1894, at Tring Park. 

 It is only in a few places in oiu* mountainous districts or on our 

 rock-bound coasts that this bird of ill-omen still holds his own 

 and brings off his young. Mr. A. Crossman, in his list of 

 Hertfordshire birds, remarks : " This bird was probably a fairly 

 plentiful breeding-species in Hertfordshire in former times, but 

 it has now vanished." 



Mghtjar (Caprimidgits eiiropxus) . — Mr. M. Vaughan reports 

 that last year he noticed a nightjar hawking over the quadi-angle 

 at Haileybury. As this is enclosed by buildings its appearance 

 is all the more remarkable. 



Of the Woodpeckers, Mr. Vaughan reports that a Greater 

 Spotted (Dendrocojms major) was seen flying over the Cottage 

 Field, Haileybury, on May 14th ; Mr. E. P. Thompson reports 

 both G-reater and Lesser (D.)iunor) Spotted from Elstree ; while 

 Mr. H. Lewis states : " My son, Mr. J. Lewis, noticed a lesser 

 spotted woodpecker on April 12th near the back of a house in 

 St. Peter's Street, St. Albans." 



I have also a note of the appearance of several " French 

 Woodpeckers " near Hertford. 



Shoveler Duck {Spatula clypeata). — Mr. E. Hartert (Tring) 



