Proceedings. 27 



Wood Wren. — Generally appears about April 28tli ; 

 earliest record is April 23rd. It generally builds on one of 

 the banks in the wood among a thick growth of Mercury, 

 Hyacinths, &c. I once watched one of these birds engaged 

 in building, and saw it visit the nest forty times at intervals 

 of half a minute on the average. I believe it was every time 

 the female, as I could hear a male — doubtless the one 

 belonging to this nest — singing at a short distance all the 

 time. I have certainly seen both the male Long-tailed Tit 

 and Wren assist in building. 



Willow Wren. — Arrives about April 8th, and usually 

 builds on the ground amongst thick herbage, the domed nest 

 appearing very little raised above the general level. 



Chiffchaff. — The first summer migrant to appear, gene- 

 rally the last week in March, but often still earlier; once 

 heard — viz., in 1872 — as early as March 7th. Its loud 

 double chirp is usually repeated about ten to twelve times 

 consecutively. Its nest is often just a little raised above the 

 ground, in a bramble or other low bush. 



Goldcrest. — Met with all the year round, but we do not 

 find its nest by any means every year. I have found it in 

 Spruce Fir, Deodara, and Abies Dowjlasii. 



Great Tit. — A very common species, and generally 

 making its presence known by its varied notes, the best of 

 which, begun very early in the year, might almost be called 

 a song. It sometimes selects curious sites for its nest : once 

 at some depth down an old piece of iron water-pipe ; another 

 time under a large inverted flower-pot, when it must have 

 entered through the hole. 



Blue Tit. — Also common ; many seasons a pair nested 

 in a hole in a Laburnum ; in other years this hole has been 

 tenanted by Marsh Tits and Cole Tits. 



Cole Tit. — Somewhat less common, but to be seen at all 

 times of year. I have often noticed this and the two last- 

 named species eating the beech-mast in the autumn ; they 

 hold a nut on a branch under one foot, and pick out the 

 kernel bit by bit with the beak. Chaffinches, which also feed 

 on the mast, generally do so on the ground, and without 



