NESTS AND EGGS OF LOCAL BIRDS (BURTON-ON-TRENT), 160 
The grey wagtail seems to be sparsely distributed. I have seen 
its nests at Bretby Mill, Old Winshill, and Clay Mills. In some 
summers the yellow wagtail is very numerous on the meadow land, 
‘“‘Stubbed ” osier beds on the banks of the rivers and canals are 
favourite nesting places for black-headed buntings, and sometimes 
their nests are very common. Yellow buntings have increased toa 
remarkable extent in recent years, as in most other parts of the 
country. 
The neat domed nest of the dipper may generally be found in 
Dovedale. I once saw one on an island in the pool at Byrkley 
Lodge. 
The numerous old decayed hawthorns in Bretby Park are much 
resorted to by redstarts, but they are not now quite so numerous as 
a few years ago, 
Reed warblers, like the martins visiting us, have rapidly 
decreased in numbers. Ten years ago their nests could be seen in 
almost every osier or reed bed, but now there are very few. 
Many peewits still remain to breed in this district. Most of 
them nest in the meadow land, but a few in the ploughed fields of 
the uplands. They resort to the same fields annually, 
It is gratifying to note that so interesting a bird as the redshank 
is steadily increasing in numbers. Not many years ago it was not 
known to nest in this district, but now, during the nesting season, 
many pairs may be seen or heard on the meadows of the Trent and 
Dove, within a few miles of the town. They resort to the same 
meadows annually, and sometimes make their nests in company with 
peewits, but are usually more careful in concealing their nests than 
the latter birds. 
