76 J. E. LITTLEBOT BIBDS OBSEEYED EST 1879. 



that in foggy weather they cannot find their way, and therefore 

 remain here." 



The Careio^t-Crow ( Corvus corone). — Mr. Abel H. Smith 

 reports that a pair of carrion-crows built at the top of a high 

 fir-tree in Woodhall Park. The hen bird was killed and four eggs 

 were found in the nest. 



The Hooded Ceow [Corvus Comix). — Royston has vindicated its 

 right to claim the hooded or Royston crow as its own. This bird 

 is a winter visitant, and was observed near Odsey Grange for the 

 last time during the season 1878-79 on the 16th of March. A 

 single bird was again seen, probably a very rare occurrence, as late 

 as the 8th of June, and a flock of eight or nine was first observed 

 during the present season on the 26 ih of October in the same 

 locality. Mr. J. E. Hatting, F.L.S., writes* of the hooded crow 

 as follows: "In Scotland it is said to pair habitually with the 

 carrion-crow, and on this account has been regarded by some 

 naturalists as specifically identical with that bird." 



The Swallow {llirundo rustica). — First seen at St. Albans on 

 the 6th of April ; at King's Langley on the 10th ; at Watford, by 

 Mr. Bernard Smith, on the Uth ; at Ware, by Mr. R. B. Croft, on 

 the 13th; at Hunton Bridge on the 14th; at Boxmoor on the 

 1 7th ; at Sacombe in large numbers on the same day ; at Hert- 

 ford, by Mr. E,. T. Andrews, on the 19th ; at Ash well on the 24th ; 

 at Kimpton, by the Rev. T. D. Croft, on the 25th ; and at Nuffield 

 House, by Miss Wilson, on the 3rd of May. 



The MaetijST {Chelidon tirhica). —'First seen at Southfield House, 

 Watford, by Mr. Bernard Smith, on the 6th of April ; at King's 

 Langley on the 10th of April ; and near Odsey Grange on the 25th 

 of May. It was last seen in that district on the 1 0th of October ; 

 and a pair was observed near St. Andrew's Church, Watford, on 

 the 11th of November. It is probable that these were young birds 

 left behind at the period of general migration through inability to 

 accompany their fellows. It has been remarked more than once 

 in ' The rield ' that the number of house-ttiartins has decreased 

 of late years, in consequence of the persistent manner in which 

 their nests are appropriated by sparrows. Mr. T. Toovcy has 

 kindly furnished me with some interesting particulars on this 

 subject. He informs me that a martin's nest, built under the 

 eaves of the mill at King's Langley, was, last summer, forcibly 

 taken possession of by a pair of sparrows. He at once shot the 

 cock-bird, hoping to restore the nest to its legitimate owners, 

 but the attempt was completely unsuccessful ; the hen immediately 

 paired a second time, and retained possession. This process was 

 again and again repeated, and it was not until six male birds had 

 been shot, that the hen became inconsolable, accepted her condition 

 of widowhood, and abandoned the long-cherished nest. 



The Sand-Maetin [Cotyle rijmria). — First seen at King's 

 Langley on 10th of April. The following particulars respecting 



« ( 



Hand-book of British Birds,' p. 31. 



