I04 



inention a White Clmffincli. This was a very beautiful male 

 bird which frequented a brickfield near here throughout last 

 winter, and was the talk of the neighbourhood— it appeared 

 fair!}' tame. I had good opportunities of seeing it and 

 thought what an attraction it would have been to some of our 

 Shows. However, it has disappeared for ever, for after several 

 attempts had been made to capture the bird alive, the common 

 pest, "the lunatic with the gun," appeared on the scene — with 

 the usual result. 



Then there was a Cinnamon Hedge vSparrow. This I first saw 

 at a farm near here last autumn, it was exceedingly tame for a 

 wild bii-d and would allow passers-by to get close to it before 

 flying off. It frequented the vicinity until the end of 

 February last, when it disappeared. I have uot heard of its 

 capture or death, so hope that it has by this time been 

 successful in producing some young ones of a similar colour. 

 It was a very light-coloured bird. 



White and Cinnamon vSparrows are frequently heard of, so 

 it is only right that we should have a specimen here — at any 

 rate there is a cream-coloured bird haunting one of the 

 cottage gardens about the Hatfield Estate. 



I have also come across a pied Crow, showing a large pro- 

 portion of white about the flights and body, and a Thrush with 

 a pure white head, but have not had a very close view of 

 either, as they are somewhat wild. 



Last, but not the least, a fine Cinnamon Robin, which 

 spent the winter and early spring about the garden of a keeper's 

 lodge, where it became very tame, and was in the habit of 

 flving in and out of the lodge at will for food. The keeper, his 

 wife, and family treated the bird with every kindness, which it 

 apparently appreciated, as its continued visits proved. I must 

 confess to trying to induce the keeper to catch it for me, but 

 the pains and penalties which he told me his wife had vowed to 

 mete out to anyone who should take their pet away, showed 

 me it was no use trying to get the bird. Doubtless it has now 

 commenced housekeeping. I sincerely hope the result may be 

 that next winter my friend the keeper will have several 

 Cinnamon Robins to take up their abode, or get on visiting 

 terms, with him. Possibly, then, a much-coveted specimen 

 might not be missed. 



I might also say that all kin<ls of birds are plentiful about 

 here, especially insectivorous ones. 



F, TURNBER. 



