304 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



Willow- Warbler [Phylloscopus t. trochilus). 

 Increase 33. Decrease 14. Normal numbers 57. No returns 7. 



The WilloAv-Warbler seems to have been above the average 

 in numbers in 1912. 



A decided increase is reported from many localities, e.g. 

 Tenterden (Kent) ; Felsted (Essex), " many more, well 

 above the average " (J. H. Owen). Four observers in Herts, 

 report this species as very i^lentiful. A marked increase is 

 reported from Oswestry (Salop), Lydiard IMillicent (Wilts.), 

 Ackworth (Yorks.), Hebden Bridge (Yorks.), Cheadle 

 (Staffs.). In some cases where a decrease is reported, it 

 seems only local, and is made up by an increase in an adjacent 

 area, e.g. Bloxham (Oxon.), "slight decrease" (0. V. 

 Aplin), Kingham (Oxon.), "above the average" (W. 

 Warde Fowler) ; Tonbridge (Kent), " decided decrease " 

 (R. H. Rattray), Tenterden (Kent), " thirty per cent, 

 increase " (N. F. Ticehurst). 



Where " normal numbers " are returned it is often described 

 as "plentiful as usual," e.g. Aldringham (Suffolk), Chelmsford 

 (Essex) ; or the decrease is but slight, e.g. Cambridge, " fifty 

 pairs 1911, forty-six pairs 1912 " (H. G. Alexander). In 

 Norfolk, at Brunstead and at Keswick, this species is reported 

 as below the average. 



A decided decrease is only noticed in a few localities, 

 e.g. Midhurst (Sussex), Stockfield (Northumberland), though 

 another observer reports an average, Harrogate (Yorks.) 

 and Chap well (Durham). 



Whitethroat {Sylvia c. communis). 

 Increase 13. Decrease 33. Normal numbers 50. No returns 14. 



This species seems on the whole to be holding its o\mi, 

 though its distribution is rather " patchy." As far as can 

 be judged from the answers received its numbers seem to 

 have been about up to the average in 1912. In only two 

 districts was a decided increase reported, though in both 

 cases the report was qualified by a different one from the 

 same district, i.e. Sunningdale (Berks.), " fifty per cent, 

 increase" (G. F. Clarke), Sunningdale (Berks.), "rather 

 scarce " (J. C. Cornish), Horsham (Sussex), " much above 

 the average " (P. H. Wyatt), Horsham (Sussex), no return 

 (J. G. Millais). 



In some cases an increase in one district must be set 

 against a decrease in another not far off : such are Send 

 (Surrey), " decreasing " (B. Norman), Banstead (Surrey), " an 



