86 
Ring Ouzel is however scarce, especially of late. I have met 
with it in the Minster Marshes, but I have no record of the 
White’s Thrush in the district. 
Associated with the Zurdide, and in the Family Jenrulide 
was formerly placcd the Water Ouzel or Dipper, they are now 
included in the Family Cinelide ; and the only two representatives 
in Britain have been met with in this district, although m each 
case they must be placed in the category of Accidental Visitors. 
Cinclus aquaticus has been taken at River, near Dover, and 
the very rare Black bellied Dipper, Cinclus melanogaster, was 
shot at Folkestone (on the authority of Mr. Gordon), and is now 
in the Folkestone Collection. 
FAMILY SYLVIIDAi.—(page 106.) 
Kent justly boasts of the numbers of the Family Sylviide 
that gladden her lanes. Among the annual visitors are to be 
found many rare birds, such as the Blue Throat, Icterine Warbler, 
Great Reed Warbler, Aquatic Warbler, the Orphean Warbler and 
Dartford Warbler; while the Nightingale and Blackeap are still 
common in our woods and plantations. Yet we must lament that 
those which a few years ago were very common, are annually 
diminishing in numbers. This may be partially accounted for by 
the more denuded state of the country, of copses and hedgerows, 
by bird nesting boys, domestic cats, and last but not least, the 
bird catchers. JI have remarked that in the suburbs of our large 
towns, from the planting up of gardens with evergreens, and the 
ereater seclusion from bird nesting enemies, the Songsters have 
tended to increase. The Wild Birds Preservation Act has, I fear, 
been rather a dead letter in country districts, as there are 
generally few that sce its provisions are carried out. 
It is somewhat curious to note how fearless some of our 
Songsters are of the presence of man. The Nightingale will 
pour forth its melodious notes while perched on the branch just 
over your head. The Blackeap will construct its nest with such 
little effort at concealment, that it hangs down in the centre of 
your paths. The Robin will venture on the window sill, even 
before hard weather sets in. The Reed Warblers will construct 
their nests close to a highway, where traffic is passing hourly 
close to the nests. Domestic cats easily find out their nests. An 
old friend of mine used to relate how fat the cats became when 
young Nightingales were hatching out, and his pussy he was sure 
made a daily meal of their young. I have been an enthusiastic 
admirer of our migratory Songsters, and tried all possible means 
to preserve them; sometimes I have had the mortification of 
finding, in spite of all precautions, their nests have been taken. 
I believe, in most cases, the young birds, if they survive the 
