BIRD-LIFE IN APRIL 223 



many Nightingales. The Cuckoo was late in 

 coming — ^he did not gladden us with his welcome 

 notes to any extent until April 20, but here a 

 week or so afterwards he is to be heard on every 

 side! 



On the 2 1 St the woods were full of music, Black- 

 bird, Thrush, Chiff Chaif, Wood Warbler, Willow 

 Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Tree Pipit, 

 Chaffinch, Nuthatch, various Tits, the love song 

 of the Kestrel (not so harsh and unmusical as one 

 would expect from a bird of prey). Ring Dove, 

 Jay, Hedge Sparrow, Robin, and, last but not 

 least, the Blackcap. 



I did not observe the Greater Whitethroat 

 until April 28, and although the Sand Martin, 

 House Martin, and several other migrants have 

 been reported to me, the only other harbinger on 

 my own list is the Turtle Dove, whose soft voice 

 I also heard on April 28. 



Young Robins, Thrushes, and Blackbirds have 

 now been out some days; the Wren has young, 

 and the Titmice have all got nests, for they are 

 early breeders. Several Blue Tits have nests in 

 the lamp-posts of the City, and when it is borne 

 in mind that a two-inch gaspipe runs up the 

 middle of the post the wonder at a bird choosing 

 such a nesting site increases. 



There is a great deal more bird-life in April 

 which needs mentioning to make this sketch com- 



