Bird-life in 1918 .



197



Jay. —Seemed common everywhere I have been. Saw two

breeding pairs in Suburbia, and met with good flocks in Kent, Surrey,

East Anglia, and North and South Wales.


Starlings.


Starling. —Has, as usual, teemed. Some earlier broods now

clean moulted (August).


Larks.


Skylark. —Thick everywhere ; bred well into outskirts of the

Metropolis.


Woodlark. —Have been only where it is a shy breeder or passing

migrant, and have no reports of its breeding this season.


Buntings.


Common. —Met with breeding pairs in usual quantity in East

Anglia and North and South Wales.


Yellow. —Plenty in East Anglia. Saw very early nestlings this


season.


Reed. —Common in proper haunts ; early broods on wing this

season. Applies to East Anglia and western localities.


Cirl. —Have had no breeding reports sent in, but it cropped up in

winter in usual numbers and saw one to-day (August).


Finches.


Hawfinch. —Good accounts of this shy bird. Saw it in East Anglia

February, 1918, and have one youngster caught on peas here now.

In this district they came in good large parties right into walled-in

gardens, and mutilated and destroyed the tall varieties of choice peas.

This occurs usually early in the morning.


Crossbill. —Am out of touch with the localities where I can

usually find it, even when no flux is on.


Bullfinch.- —Plenty of these “ primers ” wherever I have been.

Saw strong broods both sides of the country.


Chaffinch.— Needs no comment, except that in many places with

the Greenfinch equals and in some cases exceeds the House Sparrow

in numbers.


Brambling. —Snow and slop prevented me getting out, but saw

several, and it “ cropped up ” in the snow of 1918 all over the place.



