116 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



On going to the Kingfisher's haunt we found 

 that they were making a fresh bury, close to the 

 ruins of the old one, which is satisfactory. After 

 tea, hearing a Woodlark singing close to the house, 

 we investigated matters, but failed to find the nest, 

 though we saw the cock as he came earthwards. 

 We also saw a brace of hen Pheasants in the oak 

 scrub. G. V. stayed to supper, after which I walked 

 part of the way home with him, hearing a bird-note 

 with which we were not acquainted. The VVheatear 

 was still singing as late as 8.30. 



April 2\st. — A wet day with fitful bursts of sun- 

 shine. Looked for the Woodlark's nest above the 

 house, but unsuccessfully. The Goosanders were still 

 about, and I saw a Drake and two Ducks of this 

 species fly over me at no great height, as I could see 

 the black and white plumage of the former distinctly, 

 but I cannot think that they mean to breed here, 

 though it is certainly a very late date to see them 

 so far south. The only known spots in our islands 

 which this bird favours for nesting purposes are a 

 i^w localities in the Highlands of Scotland, but they 

 are scarce enough even there. Saw a Martin and 

 Wood Warbler for the first time this season. 



April 22nd. — I started over R. crest to investigate 

 the country in that direction. The wind was very 

 strong ; so much so that even when I had succeeded 

 in lighting my pipe the tobacco was quickly blown 

 out of the bowl. I neither heard nor saw the Wood- 

 larks on the C. ground ; but I found that the Tawny 

 Owls were getting on well. The female, or pre- 

 sumably the female, was on her young, and on 



