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following in the same clump of furze. StiU more difficult to find is the nest of 

 the Wheateax (Sylvia cenanthe), which we have discovered on the Black Mountain, 

 hidden beneath a flat stone upon the grovind amongst the heather. (The eggs of 

 the Stonechat, Whinchat, and "Wheatear, with drawings of the birds themselves, 

 are exhibited). 



One of our rather uncommon species is the Grasshopper "Warbler (Sylvia 

 locustella), which is, however, much more numerous in some seasons than others. 

 Last year they were plentiful, and this year they appear to be very scarce. With 

 regard to the nests of this species, we have often sought for them to no purpose in 

 the localities in which they are commonly said to be found, but have been sue. 

 cessful in meeting -mth them in the middle of clover and grass fields in the month 

 of June. They are commonly placed on the ground, but the nest exhibited is 

 interesting, as having been, flimsy structure as it appears, built around the stalks 

 of clover, with its base some inches above the surface of the earth, just as the 

 common Eeed Warbler (Sylvia arundinacea) suspends its nest on the stalks of the 

 bull-rush. The latter species mentioned, the Reed Warbler, we have only seen in 

 the northern and western portions of our county, but they are especially numerous 

 at Llangorse Pool. Nothing can be more diverse in appearance than the nests of 

 this species, varying in material from coarse grass to the soft white down of the 

 willow catkin, of which one of the nests taken at Llangorse was entirely composed. 

 Some nests which we took in the garden of Magdalen College, Oxford, were placed 

 in shi-ubs, one at the height of 15 feet above the ground, and in these situations 

 they were comparatively shallow ; but when built in the usual position around 

 the pliant and waving stems of the reeds, they are made of great depth, to pre- 

 vent the eggs from rolling out under the agitation of the wind. 



The Sedge Warbler (Sylvia salicaria) is plentiful in Herefordshire, 



The Lesser ^Vhite-throat (Sylvia curruca), though not nearly so abundant 

 as the Greater White-throat (Sylvia cincrea), is a common bird throughout our 

 county ; its comparative shyness (for though often heard it is not frequently seen) 

 may have occasioned its repute for rarity, which is certainly undeserved, as few 

 days pass in spring when its weU-known rattling song may not be heard. 



Some ornithologist may probably be able to give us more information than 

 we possess relative to the Fire-crested Wren (Berjulus iynicapillm), of which four 

 years ago a pair were seen at Sellack ; it is difficult on such occasions to refrain 

 from the use of the gun, for a pair of these beautiful Uttle birds, side by side with 

 the Golden-crested Wren (Jiec/ulus o-isiatusj, would be an interesting cabinet 

 ornament, but unlsss the principle of sparing our rarer birds is rigidly adhered to 

 they must aU be soon annihilated. 



Among the birds which are less uncommon than is usually supposed, the 

 Girl Bunting (Emheriza cirlns) should be enumerated. This species is native in 

 Herefordsliire, and not merely an occasional visitor in the winter months. In two 

 successive springs we noticed a male bird perched on the same identical tree in the 

 parish of King's Caple, near Ross, and by his anxiety and often repeated caU note 

 it was plain that his mate was not far distant upon her nest ; the spot was 



