THE BIRDS OF ROUKEN GLEN PARK. 65 
Redbreast (Zrithacus rubecula (L.) )—The robin is abundant 
at all seasons, and it would be difficult to single out a week of 
the whole year in which its thin, high-pitched song may not be 
heard. 
Common Whitethroat (Sv/via cinerea (Bech.) )—This species 
arrives about the beginning of May and leaves again by September. 
It is a common bird in the grounds, frequenting the trees and 
thickets, and many pairs nest. 
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla (L.) )}—This fine warbler is heard 
every season from the middle of May on, but only a pair or two 
nest. 
Garden Warbler (.Sy/via hortensis (Bech.) )—The garden warbler 
arrives from 6th May on, and is more numerous than the blackcap; 
six Or seven males may be heard in song on a May morning. 
The song is lower and more gurgling than that of the blackcap, 
but it requires very considerable practice and patience to be able 
to discriminate between the songs of these two species. 
Goldcrest (Regulus cristatus, Koch.)—The golden-crested wren, 
the smallest of British birds, is common, especially among the 
conifers. It is always present, summer or winter, mild weather 
Or severe frost; and in most seasons not less than half-a-dozen 
pairs nest within the bounds of Rouken Glen Park. 
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus rufus (Bech.) )—This is only a passing 
visitor in April or May, its note, “ chiff chaff,” being often heard 
among the trees near the foot of the glen. I have never known 
it to nest here. 
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus (L.) )—The commonest 
of all our warblers arrives from 8th April on. It is abundant 
everywhere, and in May its silvery little song may be heard on 
every hand. Even throughout August a few individuals are in 
song, but the song is then much lower and softer than in April 
or May. 
Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis (Bech.) )—This chat- 
tering warbler arrives about the end of April, and keeps pretty 
much among the willows and other bushes by the edge of the 
water. Only a few birds are to be found in the glen. The song 
consists of a few harsh “churring” notes of its own, intermixed 
with the notes of all the commoner birds, which it mimics 
admirably. On warm, close nights it sings all through the night, 
E 
