192



Capt. B. Hamilton Scott,



Warblers were seen in great numbers from the middle of April

onwards, Blackcaps being by far the most numerous, no clump of

bushes or grove of trees being without several male birds in practically

full song. Both species of Whitetliroat, Garden Warblers, Nightingales,

and Willow-warblers were also to be seen and heard ; a great number

of these soon disappeared on their northern migration, but some of

each stayed in the neighbourhood to breed. Numbers of Bed-backed

Shrikes were to be seen hawking insects from telegraph wires and other

points of vantage. Another handsome bird was the Woodchat Shrike

—at least, I take it to be that species. The colouring, roughly, is

white breast, rich brown head, back and wings a mixture of brown

and black. It habits were very similar to those of the previous species.

Specimens shown in the Museum are described as “ La Pie Prieche

a tete rousse ” (Lanius rufus). A bird which I was very keen on

seeing was the Garrulous Roller (Coracias garrula). One had been

seen several times in the neighbourhood by my C.O. He called it a

“ blue Jay ”, but I knew from his description it was a Roller. We

went out several times to look for it, but without success. Of the

Finches, certainly the most common was the Goldfinch, which might

be seen any day in the orchards or on any rough or weedy ground.

Chaffinches, too, were quite plentiful. Golden-crested Wrens were

sometimes seen in the pine woods, and the ubiquitous Magpie was

always in evidence. At all seasons of the year the so-called “ sports¬

man ” of the district wanders round with a gun, letting drive at any¬

thing that flies. Thrushes and Blackbirds seem to be his favourite

“ game ”, and consequently there are very few of these birds to be seen.

In the rugged hills to the south-west there was a small bird which in¬

habited the close undergrowth on the hill-sides. It had a harsh jarring

note, and though heard pretty frequently it kept itself well screened from

view, and was only actually seen three times, and then at too great

a distance to give a detailed description. Its general colouring seemed

to be a dark bluish-grey, and it was about the size of a Lesser White-

throat.


The part of France passed through showed many signs of war

and the German occupation. Practically all the woods had been cut

down, so it was not a likely part to see anything beyond the usual



