MARCH. 55 



of the nest! There should be young in a few days now. There 

 were no eggs in the other Thrush's nest written about on the 18th 

 of the month. Heard the Nuthatch calling, and the Ring Doves 

 cooing in the tall Firs. Hedge Sparrow in the garden singing most 

 of the day. Dull and cheerless in the woods. Wild Hyacinths 

 making rapid headway; a few Primroses out. The Sallow will be 

 well out by Easter. Along a sheltered hedge I saw just a trace 

 of the green Spring flush. Blue Tits busy in the Lichen bearing 

 trees. Chaffinch "pinking"; Skylark and Song Thrush singing. Wood 

 Sorrel leaves peeping through. Many old nests in the woods. Here- 

 abouts it is new ground to me, and the quantity of old homesteads 

 augurs well a little later. Horse Chestnut buds well-formed, and will 

 soon open with some nice warm sunshine. A similar remark applies 

 to the Sycamore. 



I listened anxiously in the woods for the Chiff Chaff, and looked 

 eagerly for the Wheatear elsewhere, but am afraid this cold weather 

 will keep them silent, even if they are here yet. The strong winds 

 forced a Song Thrush's nest and eggs from its position in a tall tree 

 near here on the 20th. It contained four eggs ; two of them were 

 no worse for their fall ; the remaining two were broken. I might just 

 add that the notes contained in this diary always refer, unless 

 otherwise mentioned, to St. Albans, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding 

 neighbourhood. Readers would do well to bear this in mind when 

 perusing these unpretentious notes and queries. I think they shew 

 that even in a somewhat restricted area, there is much to interest,, 

 elevate, and amuse. 



26th. Hedge Sparrow singing and picking up tit-bits in my 

 garden. N. winds. Heavy snow and hail during the day. Chaffinches 

 on some newly-ploughed and recently sown land; was it the seed they 

 were after? Song Thrush singing. Blue Titmouse in the garden. 

 Rooks passing from North to South, and vice versa. This is the Lark 

 singing season. They will never be in finer trim than they are now; 

 it is Larks everywhere ; the air is full of their sweet songs. Frost 

 last night. Travelling on the Midland Railway from London to 

 St. Albans, I saw a very fine Sparrow Hawk between Elstree and Mill 

 Hill. They tell me the Ewes have not lambed very well in this 

 district. 



28th. Two or three inches of snow fell last night. This snow, 

 rain, hail, wind, and sleet, has completely spoiled my show 

 of Crocuses. They have never once had a fair start this Winter. 



