TR4.NSACTI0NS. 71 



Whitethroat {Curruca Cinerea) and Willow Wren {Sylvia Trochibis) 

 are fairly numerous, while the Lesser Whitethroat {Carruca 

 Sylviella) and Chiffchaff {Sylvia Hippolais) may perhaps be con- 

 sidered rare. The Cxarden Warbler {Citrruca Horteiisis) I am dis- 

 posed to think must occur with us, but I have failed to recognise 

 it. The Gold-crested Regulus {Regiilus Cristatus), the smallest 

 not only of British but of European birds, and one of the prettiest, 

 is not uncommon. It is our only species that builds a hanging 

 nest, and the structure, in compactness and beauty and architecture, 

 is only rivalled by that of the Chaffinch. The Wren {Troglodytes 

 Vulgaris) is plentiful, and a favourite with everybody. Strange 

 sites are often selected for nesting, and great ingenuity shown in 

 concealment. We once saw a nest built in a tuft of waterdrift 

 which a flooded stream had left suspended from the branch of an 

 overhanging tree. On another occasion we found a nest concealed 

 in a clump of polopody fern on the rocky face of Craigen- 

 puttock Moor, a site which appeared much better suited to the 

 hawk than to the tiny wren. The Creeper {Certhia Familiaris) 

 can scarcely be considered rare, but it is retired and unobtrusive 

 in habits, and, on that account, often overlooked. The Great Tit 

 {Pants Major) is met with sparsely throughout the ^jarish. It is 

 a bird endowed with great strength of bill, and we have seen it 

 break the shell of a hazel-nut with ease. In autumn the sharp 

 tap-tap of its bill in the nut woods may often be hoard when the 

 bird itself is unseen. The Blue Tit {Parus Cceruleus) is common. 

 The Cole Tit {Parus Ater) and Long-Tailed Tit {Parus Candatus) 

 are both somewhat scarce. When I have seen the latter at all it 

 has usuall)^ been in flocks of six or more intent upon some winter 

 food foray. The Bohemian Waxwing {Bombycilla Garrula) was 

 seen once many years ago in the vicinity of Hastings Hall — the 

 only instance of its occurrence. Among the Motacillidaj, the Pied 

 Wagtail {Motacilla Alba) is the only really resident variety, and it 

 is likewise the most common. The Grey Wagtail {Motacilla 

 Boarula), the handsomest of its class, can scarcely be considered 

 iL a plentiful bird. During the winter months it is entirely absent. 

 ■' Ray's Wagtail {Motacilla Flava), the smallest of the wagtails, is 

 ■ also the least common. I have seen it in one locality for several 

 K years in succession, but I am doubtful if it occurs anything 

 ^k like generally. The Tree Pipit {Anthus Arboreiis) is not 

 ^Bk uncommon. The Meadow Pipit {Anthus Pratensis) is abundant. 



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