Bird-life in 1918.



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Fieldfare .—Saw it here and there, but weather prevented me

going on low wet ground at the time I was in the country.


Blackbird .—Exceptionally strong everywhere. Is never “ hit ”

by the frost like a Song Thrush. Saw 1918 bird feed August nestlings

of the same year, apparently an earlier example from three broods

reared by a pair in my garden.


Ring Ouzel .—Have not been in its haunts, but have a report

to the effect that it came in usual numbers.


Redbreast .—As numerous as ever, bred early and late every¬

where. More old birds seemed to survive moult and keep their

quarters this autumn than usual. Some seasons birds of the year shift

many of them.


Nightingale .—Good accounts from Kent, Surrey, Hunts, and

East Anglia. In Farnborough, Kent, a pair brought a flying brood

from a wood and fed them on a mould heap near potting shed in garden

for several days. Last year in same grounds a pair similarly conducted

a brood round pigsties and manure heap at almost same dates.

I heard this male on arrival, and he apparently settled and bred

in area.


Redstart .—Had good report in Ipswich district, and saw it here

(East Anglia), and as far west as the Wye and Conway.


Black Redstart .—Have had no report, and have been unable to

go where I expect it at a certain time. Saw last living wild specimen

not far from Dr. Butler’s a few years ago. It remained there for

weeks.


Chats.


Wheatear .—Am afraid I shall be unable to get to Downs

country, where I usually see the return birds. Had accounts of its

vernal arrival in usual numbers.


Stonechat .—Winter resident birds were thinned in 1916-17.

Migratory birds, however, made this up. Saw a winter pair settled early

this spring, and recently (August) a cock and brood near New Cross on

some elevated waste.


Whinchat .—Moving alongside four-foot way disturbed birds in

one or two of my favourite spots. These shifted, but have not been

to where I can usually see them with moving broods. Local report

mentions them.



