8 BRITISH BIRDS. 



the west of the county, there seems to be no doubt that on the 

 whole its numbers are less than in the east. The normal 

 yearly fluctuations in numbers would, therefore, be more 

 apparent in the west than in the east ; at the same time there 

 seems to be some ground for saying, that there has been a 

 slight increase in the west during the last thirty years. 



Somersetshire. — There seems to be ample evidence that 

 the Nightingale has increased greatly in numbers during the 

 last thirty years, and is still increasing throughout those parts 

 of the county of Somerset where it is found, while at the same 

 time it is slightly extending its range westwards. 



It appears to be most numerous and generally distributed, 

 particularly in the river- valleys, in the east and south-east of 

 the county, from the Wiltshire and Dorsetshire borders to as far 

 west as a line through Wells and Glastonbur}^ In the extreme 

 south, about Chard, near the Devonshire border, however, its 

 distribution becomes more patchy, and although increasing, 

 its numbers are comparatively smaU. These increase, however, 

 a little further north, about Ilminster, to become large again, 

 further north still, as the Vale of Taunton is reached. 



North of the Mendips it is less numerous, but stiU generally 

 distributed throughout the county between these hills and the 

 valle}^ of the Avon. Immediately south of Clevedon the 

 country appears to be unsuited to its habits, and it only occurs 

 sporadically about Weston. Along the southern slopes of the 

 Mendips, in certain sheltered copses and passes leading through 

 them, the Nightingale is sparingly distributed, though in very 

 variable numbers year by j^ear, but becomes more numerous 

 and regular, both in numbers and distribution, as one passes 

 eastwards up the valley of the Axe towards Wells. It is along 

 this valley that a definite westward spread has taken place 

 within comparatively recent years. 



Between the river Axe and the Polden Hills lies the alluvial 

 tract known as the "Peat Moors," which extends from the 

 shores of the Bristol Channel to just beyond Glastonbury ; 

 in this area the Nightingale appears to be known only as a 

 passing migrant, the fact of its being unknown as a breeding- 

 bird being probably soleh^ on account of the lack of suitable 

 breeding-haunts in this district. In certain parts of the 

 Polden Hills, e.g. about Walton, the bird seems to be particu- 

 larty numerous, and is fairly common around Bridgwater, 

 between these hills and the Quantocks. To the south-west of 

 Bridgwater its distribution appears to follow fairly accurately 

 the fertile valley of the Tone, round the foot of the Quantocks, 

 where, in the neighbourhood of Taunton, the bird is a well- 



