OBSERVED IN 1880 AND 1881. 247 



The Carriox-Crow {Corvus Corone). — A carrion-crow is reported 

 by Mr. D. Kill to have been seen near Pinner, and on the 8tli of 

 April a second was observed near St. Stephen's. 



TuE Hooded Crow (^Corvus Comix). — These crows have been 

 again abundant in the neighbourhood of Odsey and Ashwell. They 

 are reported by Air. H. G. Fordham as seen on the 12th, 13th, and 

 14th of October ; and also on the 9th of December, on which 

 occasion six birds were observed. Tliey have also been plentiful 

 in the neighbourhood of Little Gaddesden and Studhara. 1 am 

 informed that hooded crows may always be observed at Ashridge on 

 days subsequent to a shooting party. It is easy to understand the 

 character of the attraction. 



It appears to be more than doubtful whether the carrion and 

 hooded crows are perfectly distinct species. It is certain that 

 they interbreed freely. The fact is admitted by Yarrell,* and I 

 may state in further confirmation of it, that I was recently shown 

 a drawer full of the skins of crows shot by Mr. Henry Seebohm 

 in Siberia. They were arranged in a series, and shaded olf, by 

 almost imperceptible degrees, from the jet black of the carrion to 

 the well-known grey shoulders and body of the Royston bird. 



The Skylark {Alauda arvensis). — Reported by Mr. E,. B. Croft 

 as singing near Ware on January 2nd and 3rd, 1880, and by 

 Mr. H. G. Fordham, as heard near Odsey, on January 3rd. On 

 the 13th of January, 1881, a flock of skylarks numbering many 

 thousands settled on a large field near Bennett's End, Hemel 

 Hempstead. They crouched close to the ground, seemed tired, 

 and were extremely tame. When frightened they rose on the 

 wing for only a few seconds and again settled. Portions of the 

 field appeared almost alive with them. I am informed that flights 

 of similar extent were observed on the same day in the neighbour- 

 hoods of both Luton and Hitchin. It is probable that the very 

 severe weather that occurred in the beginning of January had driven 

 them in countless thousands southward, either from the north of 

 Scotland or very probably from Norway or Sweden. 



The Greater Spotted Woodpecker {Picus major). — Reported 

 by Mr. Platten as frequent in Hatfield Park. 



The Green Woodpecker {Gecinus viridis). — Reported by Mr. 

 Stannard, as observed at Hazelwood, near Hunton Bridge. 



The l^iG'B.Ti3\^(^Caprimulgus europceus). — On the 1st of September 

 a nightjar was observed crouching on the ground in a meadow near 

 L angle y Road, Watford; and on the 18th of September one was 

 shot by Mr. H. G. Fordham near Odsey. 



The Kingfisher {Alcedo Ispida). — On February 20th, 1880, 

 kingfishers were observed pairing at Hunton Bridge ; and they have 

 been tolerably abundant during the year. Mr. Abel H. Smith 

 reports that a nest with eggs was found precisely in the same spot 

 as mentioned last year. 



The Stock-Dove {C'ohimba CEnas). — Mr. Abel H. Smith reports 



* ' British Birds,' vol. ii, p. 86. 



