ITS BIRDS. 89 



and tied by the neck in bunches of a score each, and 

 sold to the London markets. The numbers were far 

 greater than could have been produced in the district, 

 but in spring and autumn, when the bird-catchers ply 

 their trade, there is a general shifting of quarters by 

 these birds, so that many caught in the Forest must 

 have come from a distance. 



Lesser Redpoll. Loughton Forest and Wanstead Flats. 



Mealy Redpoll. This pretty species only appears at long 

 intervals, and, like the crossbills, in considerable 

 numbers, probably in quest of food. •' Some years ago 

 many examples were trapped by myself and H. Double- 

 day."— J. L. E. 



Skylark. Common, and generally distributed. 



Meadow Pipit. Only a winter visitant here. Its quickly 

 repeated note, as it rises with jerking flight, cheers the 

 sadness of our flats in winter. 



Tree Pipit. Frequent about the borders of the woods. As 

 soon as it arrives in April its song is constantly heard as 

 it soars to a considerable height and descends with 

 motionless and outstretched wings. 



Common Wren. Everywhere. 



Bobin. Everywhere. 



Pied Wagtail. A common resident. The greater number 

 go south, to return about the end of February dressed 

 in their summer plumage. Those that remain with us 

 retain their winter garb until the spring is farther ad- 

 vanced. 



Yellow Wagtail. Used to be frequent in summer, but now 

 scarce in this neighbourhood. 



Gray Wagtail. Not uncommon along the Roding in winter. 



Bee-eater. Observed at Wanstead by H. I. 



Spotted Flycatcher. A common summer visitor ; but the 

 last of all to arrive. 



Pied Flycatclier. A female bird of this species was taken 

 in the Forest by a bird-catcher on the 13th September 

 1S77, and was forwarded to Mr. Harting for identifica- 

 tion. It was kept alive for some days on chopped 

 egg and meal worms. Two examples were shot in 

 the Theydon Grove, and are in the Doubleday collec- 

 tion. 



Nightingale. Well distributed over our district. The cock 

 bird arrives first and sings best while he is waiting for 

 his mate to join him. When the nesting is far advanced, 

 his song is reduced to a tuneless croak. If a trap 

 is baited with meal worms they do not seem able to 

 resist the temptation, and they are consequently easily 



