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Allen Silver — Bird-life in 1918



White Wagtail .—Saw odd ones here and there with “ Pieds ”.

Have seen this slate-backed form paired to black-backed form and

rearing young quite normal in appearance.


Ray’s Wagtail .—Except where alteration in low grasslands has

ousted it, the bird seemed as plentiful as usual.


Grey Wagtail .—Saw it everywhere in its winter movements,

appearing right into the suburbs. Noticed a lot of clean-moulted

birds recently in North Wales.


Wrynecks, Woodpeckers, etc.


Wryneck .—Heard and saw it quite early in suburbs, and at various

points later.


Green Woodpecker .—A common bird still. Have seen many

immature birds as well as adults.


Lesser Spotted Woodpecker .—Saw this breeding in Suburbia, and

all three species in a garden on Surrey side. Saw it in winter in

East Anglia and Surrey, and heard good accounts of it.


Greater Spotted Woodpecker .—This occurred in town as before-

mentioned, and I saw it in Monmouthshire and elsewhere.


Kingfisher .—Found it in usual places, and seldom visit spots in

Hunts, Suffolk, and Essex without hearing it the moment I arrive at

its quarters. Has never varied in its numbers where I know it, except

just during severe frosts. Even then it attacks a roving member of

its kind should it come near its haunts.


Swift .—Exceedingly numerous wherever I have been, and in some

places bred in every roof in the village. The mad screaming frolics

of this bird are entertaining to bewilderment. Saw three in a few days

fly into houses, mistaking upper windows partly open for the entrance

to their nests.


Owls and Hawks


Barn Owl .—Prevalent in all old quarters known to me, but does not

adapt itself so readily as the Tawny species.


Tawny Otvl .—Common in most places. Still holds strongly to

quarters in the vicinity of London.


Long-eared Owl .—About as many as usual where I expected it.


Short-eared Owl .—Have no sportsmen friends who usually let me



