WITH THE BIRDS IN WALES 91 



small birds under the firs. We heard the " rark, rark " 

 of a Jay somewhere in the plantation, and on the way 

 home discovered the old nesting hole of a Lesser 

 Spotted Woodpecker. 



March 2\st. — Returned to Kent for ten days. 



March 22nd. — Noticed a Stormcock or Missel 

 Thrush singing on the wing ; also a Blackbird carol- 

 ling from the top of a chimney-pot in the town, a 

 distinctly unusual position. 



March 23;-^. — Saw a pair of Starlings making love 

 to one another, but it will be an early date for their 

 eggs, the middle of April being the usual time. A 

 pair of Missel Thrushes must have a nest somewhere 

 in the garden, for they are frequently flying around 

 in a great state of excitement when I visit a certain 

 portion of it. I cannot find the nest, however. Often, 

 however, this species' nest escapes observation, from 

 the very fact of being so exposed. 



March 26th. — Went for a stroll in S. Park, and 

 found a Blackbird's nest ready for eggs in an isolated 

 clump of trees, also a Thrush sitting on four eggs. 

 The head gardener told me that on the 19th instant 

 he found a Blackbird's Qgg on the ground, and outside 

 his house on the other side of the lane is a Robin's 

 nest built in the ivy growing up the hedge. It looks 

 fresh, but the gardener thinks that the birds have 

 deserted it, as it appeared to be ready for eggs some 

 ten days ago. I think, however, that they mean to 

 use it, for Robins will often leave their finished nests 

 for days before la\-ing. 



April 1st. — Returned to Wales. 



April yd. — Whilst dressing in the morning I 



