502 Burleigh, Bird-life in Southwestern France. [ ct. 



found June 12 with almost fully fledged young was in the hollow of a large 

 shell lying on the ground near a munition works. 



24. Parus cristatus mitratus Brehm. Crested Tit. — This species 

 was resident and plentiful except during the nesting season. At this time 

 these birds evidently retired to the deep pine woods to nest. During the 

 fall and winter they were found with others of this family, and were easily 

 recognized by their crest and dull plumage. On March 17 one was heard 

 uttering a loud, clear, two-syllabled whistle. 



25. Sitta europsea europaea L. Nuthatch. — With the exception of 

 the black line over its eye, this species resembled very closely our Red- 

 breasted Nuthatch. It was found throughout the year wherever there 

 were stretches of woods and was frequently seen associating with the Tits. 

 Its loud, querulous notes made it noticeable wherever it occurred. On 

 March 24 one was heard uttering a loud, clear, rolling whistle. Toward the 

 end of May young, fully grown and out of the nest, were seen. 



26. Certhia f amiliaris subsp.? Creeper. — This species resembled in 

 every respect — size, actions, and notes, and general plumage — our Brown 

 Creeper. ] t was noisier, however, and far more agile, feeding with seeming 

 ease on the smaller limbs, where it was often seen. It could be found 

 throughout the year in the pines, and was often seen with the Tits and the 

 Nuthatch. A nest found May 7 with four fully fledged young was three 

 feet from the ground, in a crack in the trunk of a large maritime pine at the 

 edge of a stretch of woods, and facing an open field. It was composed 

 largely of green moss with a few feathers, soft grasses, and bits of wool. 



27. Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes (L.). Wren. — This, 

 the only one of the family found in Europe, reminded me much of our Winter 

 Wren. It was of the same size, actions, and notes, even down to its song, 

 which could be heard at any and all times. Although found at times about 

 houses, it was largely seen in the pine woods, feeding in the tangled thickets 

 of briars. It was resident and plentiful at all times. Several old nests 

 were found in pockets in upturned roots, balls of small twigs and green 

 moss. 



28. Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris L. Starling. — This bird was 

 seemingly an irregular straggler only in this part of France, for I have but 

 two records of its occurrence. On October 24 a flock of ten birds was seen 

 in the tops of several chestnut trees at the edge of a field, and on December 

 22 a flock of eight was noticed flying by overhead. 



29. Garrulus glandarius glandarius (L.). Jay. — Resident and 

 plentiful, occurring, except during the nesting season, in noisy, wandering 

 flocks. With their dull brown plumage they would be far from conspicu- 

 ous but for their white rump and harsh cries. Feeding in the tops of the 

 pines at the edge of the woods, they were seldom quiet, and so always much 

 in evidence. 



30. Pica pica pica (L.). Magpie. — This bird was seemingly in every 

 respect like our Magpie. It was resident and plentiful in the more open 

 country, but was never seen deep in the pine woods. On May 12 a bird 



