1889-90.] Stray Notes 071 tJie Birds of Anglesea. 365 



may be observed in odd pairs in the very centre of Perth and 

 other shires far removed from the sea — but, it is safe to say, 

 not to anything like the same extent as its relations the wheat- 

 ear and whinchat. One of the most beautiful parts in Angle- 

 sea is the estate of Baron Hill, belonging to Sir E. B. Wil- 

 lianis-Bulkeley, the representative of an old Welsh family who 

 at one time held a great ajnount of property on the opposite 

 shore of the Menai Strait, now in possession of Lord Penrhyn 

 and other proprietors. The grounds attached to the mansion- 

 house are laid out with great taste, and, from the iminense 

 size and diversity of the woods, harbour a considerable variety 

 of birds, including most of the warbler fraternity, always 

 excepting the nightingale and a few other uncommon species 

 that do not visit North Wales. Starlings flew about in great 

 numbers, working with a will to gather food for their ever 

 hungry broods, which for the most part were concealed in the 

 hollows of huge trees, of which the estate could boast an 

 enormous number. It is extremely doubtful if any species, 

 save the rook, toils so hard and so constantly as the starling : 

 from earliest dawn till darkness sets in he seems always to be 

 busy ; and whatever failings and peccadilloes may be laid to 

 his charge, these are indeed trifling in comparison with the 

 good he does in devouring grubs and other harmful insects, 

 which, but for the efforts of the feathered fauna, would ulti- 

 mately prove anything but a blessing to the agriculturist. In 

 a large clump of trees, close to Baron Hill house, a small 

 colony of blue rock-doves had taken up their abode — the only 

 instance of the kind that has come under my own knowledge, 

 their usual haunts being caves and rocks on the sea-shore ; 

 bu.t it seems that this is not uncommon, as they, in confor- 

 mity with many other species, suit themselves to circum- 

 stances. Perhaps the rarest bird that frequented the policy 

 was the green woodpecker. A favourite haunt of this inter- 

 esting species was a small lawn opposite the door of the 

 house, which was surrounded by a clump of immense trees, 

 whose trunks offered strong temptations to this climbing 

 acrobat. This is a shy bird, and not so readily noticed as 

 one would imagine, considering his size and brilliant plumage, 

 his modus ojycrandi being to keep on the other side of the 

 trunk from the spectator, ever and anon taking a sly glance 



