CHAPTER XXXV 



Migration notes Tree struck by lightning Bleak spring weather King- 

 fishers Unusual nesting site Curious Grouse eggs Waxwings and 

 Hawks Fate of rare or conspicuous birds Cats Natural check on 

 increase of albinos. 



IN the following pages some record of the arrival of birds 

 at Llanuwchllyn, is given in chronological order, it being 

 easier to avoid tiresome repetition by dealing with the subject 

 in that way than in any other ; while, at the same time, the 

 association of different species together is often of much 

 greater interest than if each were treated separately. This 

 arrangement also allows of occasional reference to the 

 weather, which must always have an important bearing upon 

 migration ; though it is noteworthy that in each year almost 

 every species was observed within a day or two of its 

 previous record. It will suffice, therefore, to take one year 

 only, and, except when otherwise mentioned, 1905 may be 

 understood. Although a few Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, 

 and Reed Buntings, usually pass the winter in the neigh- 

 bourhood, their numbers are as nothing compared with 

 those that arrive in spring ; and in the following notes, only 

 such birds as, from their behaviour, appeared to be obviously 

 new arrivals, are taken account of. 



March %th. Many Curlews passing overhead, and a 

 few beginning to settle upon the moors. Two male Pied 

 Wagtails together in the village. 



ityh. Curlews, and Peewits, well established on the 

 moors, and uttering their spring notes. (The first plovers* 

 eggs appeared in Bala shops on the i7th.) Several more 

 male Pied Wagtails have arrived, and little troops of 

 Meadow Pipits. A pair of Reed Buntings, apparently new 

 arrivals, on one of the fields. A flock of about fifty Larks 



on the hillside ; comparatively few of these breed here. 



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