J. E. LITTLEBOT BIRDS OBSEETED n^"1878. 145 



rail-svay, near the old Watford Station, and on the 9tli of September 

 two were observed near the Hoo, Great Gaddesden, and another 

 has since been seen in the low meadows near King's Langley. 



The Song Thrtjsh {Turdus musicus). — During the past year the 

 song thrush has been wonderfully abundant. As a proof of the 

 mildness of the early part of the year 1878, I may mention that 

 a nest with eggs was taken near King's Langley Common on the 

 28th of February. On the 13th of last month, and on several 

 occasions since that date, I have heard a thrush, apparently in full 

 song, in the garden at Hunton Bridge, 



The Fieldfare (Turdits pilaris). — During the winter of 1877-78 

 fieldfares were unusually scarce. 



The Ring Ottzel {Turdus torquatus). — I stated last year that I 

 had seen one of these birds on the 14th of JS^ovember, near the 

 turnpike road, between Hunton Bridge and King's Langley. On 

 the 3rd of last month I again observed a beautiful specimen, 

 hopping about within twenty yards of the spot at which I had seen 

 it in 1877. I believe it was accompanied by a female bird, but of 

 this I cannot speak quite positively. The coincidence appears to 

 be extraordinary. Is it possible that the ring ouzel frequents 

 precisely the same localities on each returning journey from its 

 northern home ? Mr. Parkhouse informs me that, only last week, 

 a ring ouzel, together with other birds, came to feed from crumbs 

 which had been scattered on the lawn before his house at E,ick- 

 mansworth. 



The Chiff-chaff {Plujllmcopus colhjhita). — First seen at Hun- 

 ton Bridge on the 27th of March, and at Chipperfield on the 29th. 



The Heed Warbler {Acrocephaliis streperus) — This interesting 

 little bird was identified by Mr. Thos. Toovey, in the meadows 

 near King's Langley, on the 15th of June. I have already 

 recorded the reed warbler as frequenting the Tring Reservoirs, but 

 it constitutes an important addition to the birds of our immediate 

 neighbourhood. 



The Red-Backed Shrike [Lanius Collurio). — Seen during the 

 summer on several occasions, but not nearly so abundant as last 

 year. 



The Yellow Wagtail {MotaciUa Rail). — Reported to have been 

 seen on the l7th of June in the low meadows near King's Langley. 

 This is a scarce bird and should be very carefully identified. 



The Grey Wagtail {MotaciUa sulphur ea). — Tolerably abundant 

 during the autumn at Hunton Bridge and elsewhere. 



The Magpie {Pica riistica). — A flight of five magpies, a rather 

 unusual number in this district, was noticed in the month of 

 November near Elstree Reservoir. 



The Swallow {Ilirundo rustica). — First seen at Hunton Bridge 

 on the 9th of April; at Hemel Hempstead on the 11th of April; 

 at Ware, by Lieut. R. B. Croft, on the 15th of April; and at St. 

 Albans, by the Rev. C. M. Perkins, on the 22nd of April. 



The Great Spotted Woodpecker {Picus major). — This beautiful, 

 but rare bird, was recently seen by Mr. Barraud near Elstree. 



VOL. II. — I'T. IV. 11 



