Birds on the Western Front 



GREAT TITS, doubtless of the continental 

 species, could be seen exploring the broken 

 tree stumps, which were the only indication 

 of the site of Thiepval Wood, in spite of 

 77 mm. shells which were bursting near 

 (Ibis, 1917, p. 532). 



REED WARBLERS did not even raise their 

 heads out of their nests during the most 

 heavy firing (Bird Notes and News, vol. vii. 

 p. 2). 



A pair of ICTERINE WARBLERS were build- 

 ing in a lilac bush in Villers Pluich, on 

 May 25th, 1917 ; but the place got a bad 

 pounding the same evening and the nest 

 was probably destroyed, as it was only a very 

 short distance behind the firing-line (Ibis, 

 1919, p 65). 



Despite the fact that the largest Hun shells 

 were bursting near, a WHITETHROAT remained 

 on its nest, and, although the very air seemed 

 to be filled with a terrifying, tearing crash 

 followed by a long echoing roar, duly reared 

 its brood of four (Bird Notes and News, vol. 

 vii. p. 109). 



A BLACKCAP sat on her eggs near Ypres 



