OBSERVED IN HEETFOBBSnTUE IN 1882. 221 



and November. This is an nnusual coincidence, but on referring to 

 the report on migration published by the Committee of the British 

 Association (p. 3), its explanation becomes self-evident. I quote 

 the folloAving sentence from this report: "Not the least remarkable 

 feature was the influx of the larger raptorial birds in a broad fan, 

 all along our cast coast, extending from Forfarshire to the South of 

 England, having previously crossed Heligoland on September the 

 22nd and two following days." I have already noticed the im- 

 portant migration of jays to our county, which immediately 

 followed tlieir reported flight over the same island, and I think it 

 will be admitted by all, that considerable additional interest is 

 added to ornithological returns when cause and effect can be traced 

 in so satisfactory a manner as is the case in these instances. 



I believe that it is customary in sporting circles to describe each 

 year by the name of a favourite animal. If I may be allowed to 

 ingraft the practice on the ornithological records of our Hertford- 

 shire Society, I think that the year 1882 must take its place in our 

 annals as the year of the " Rustic Bunting." 



The occurrence in our county, within a few weeks of each other, 

 of the little auk, the puffin, and the guillemot, all birds of kindred 

 feather, appears to point to the prevalence of severe gales during 

 the months of November and December. It will be interesting to 

 note whether our meteorological returns will justify the inference 

 I have drawn. 



The arrival of summer migrants does not appear to have been 

 materially affected by the mildness of the spring. A few species 

 are reported a trifle earlier than usual, but they are exceptions to 

 the general rule. Several of our residents, notably perhaps the 

 thrush, the blackbird, the rook, and the robin, paired and nested 

 earlier than is customary ; while the plaintive note of the thrush, 

 the jubilant song of the skylark, and the innocent carol of the 

 little wren were heard almost from the commencement of the new 

 year. One of my correspondents, who is a keen ornithologist, 

 informs me that he counted thirty-nine species of birds, in his own 

 small garden almost close to Watford, during the summer months. 

 The habit of counting the number of birds observed during a walk 

 or in a particular month, is an extremely useful one. It familiarizes 

 the eye with the style and appearance of different birds, 



" Great nature's happy commoners." 



And it enables the observer to recognise and to master the charm- 

 ing but varied notes that welcome, so joyously, the advent of an 

 EngKsh spring, when 



"Every copse and bush, 

 Bending with dewy moisture o'er the heads 

 Of the coy choristers that lodge within. 

 Are prodigal of harmony." 



Before I conclude, there is a subject to which, with your per- 

 mission, I wish especially to allude. Thanks to our numerous 

 correspondents, I receive from most parts of our county, regular 



VOL. II.— PART VI. 15 



