MAY. Ill 



On the 6th I mentioned that I heard the Mistle Thrush singing. 

 Readers will perhaps think I am contradicting myself, for I have 

 noted on more than one occasion that this bird ceases singing in 

 March! On the 6th, however, when the showers came on, the 

 Mistle started singing quite loudly. There is no mistaking him. 

 Thus one may easily fall into grievous error, but birds vary in such a 

 way that one should never be surprised at anything which takes place 

 in the feathered world. As, however, the belief about the early song- 

 ceasing of the Mistle Thrush is general, it is an interesting observation 

 that Mr. Spary the local Taxidermist and I both heard it more than 

 once on the 6th May. When the rain ceased, the Storm-cock was 

 silent. 



llth. Lovely morning, but cold. Male Chaffinch "pinking" and 

 female "weeping" in the garden. Brilliant sunshine to-day; after the 

 recent rains, very welcome. 



Saw a Swift skimming in the air for the first time this season, 

 and watched some Swallows in their graceful aerial evolutions. 



A South African Eagle was shot a few days ago by Mr. James 

 Harris, of Southend, on the estate of 

 Colonel E. R. Ellis, Dartford, Kent. It 

 is surmised that the bird had escaped 

 from some travelling menagerie whilst 

 passing through the town. The Eagle 

 measured 3 feet 4% inches from its beak 

 to tip of tail. 



Cold N. winds^ A friend sa w SM ALL TORTOISESHELL 



the bwifts here on the 6th, and House 



_ _ . . _ ., BUTTERFLY. 



Martins the following day, namely, 

 the 7th. 



Skylark soaring and singing at 8 p.m. 



The Red-backed Shrike is a Summer visitor to the British Isles, 

 and should by this time have arrived some days. It is a veritable 

 murderer, preying upon Mice, Shrews, small birds, Frogs, Lizards, 

 and large Insects, Caterpillars, and Humble Bees. I say "murderer," 

 because the Butcher Bird by which name this bird is far better 

 known in the country seems to take life very often for killing sake. 

 Other local names are those of Murdering Pie, Nine Killer, Cheeter 

 Flasher, Flusher, Jack Baker, and Whisky John. 



