Birds. 0605 



been a hard frost the day before. I feel pretty confident that none 

 had previously arrived, having been daily on the look out for them, as 

 they are a week or so behind their lime. Though the vvheatear is said 

 to be the earliest of our summer birds, 1 have found it not unfrequeutly 

 preceded by the chifiTchaff. 



Cole Tit. — March 28. This species observed to be paired. 



Tree Pipit. — First seen on or about Lady-day. 



April, 1865. 

 Bluethroaled Warbler. — Having, on the 1st of April, heard from a 

 neighbour that a " bluebreasted robin" had been seen in his grounds 

 at St. Boniface, and that it frequently approached the house to feed 

 with robins and other birds on crinubs placed in a tray on the window- 

 sill, I went immediately to look for it, but was unsuccessful. I again 

 sought for it on the morning of the 3rd, but it did not appear, nor did 

 I fall in with it on revisiting the spot in the afternoon ; but on going 

 towards Bonchurch, at 5 p.m., it was pointed out to me by one of the 

 villagers, as it sat singing on a branch of an ash near the pond : it had 

 been observed by this man and his lellow-workmen during the greater 

 part of the day, but they had no idea of its being any other than the 

 common robin, though differing in plumage and wanting the red breast, 

 so like is it in shape and manner; however, when pointed out, they 

 readily saw how much smaller it is. I was told of its familiarity, and 

 soon had ocular proof of its tameness, for it suddenly alighted on the 

 opposite side of tlie road ; when, screened by the coping of the 

 garden wall, 1 approached within two yards, and observed it searching 

 for worms among the decayed leaves; but there was no need of 

 caution, the bird being so perfectly fearless. The men, on quitting 

 their work, left me and the bluethroated warbler together, so before 

 dusk I had a good opportunity for making observations on its habits 

 and manners : its flight is more sudden and rapid than that of the red- 

 breast, and I observed the tail often raised like that of the wren, par- 

 ticularly when pursued or excited, as it often was by the robins, and 

 though it did not coiu't the attack it was ever ready for the fray, and, 

 with outstretched neck and upraised tail awaiting the attack, it fought 

 desperately, falling with its assailant to the ground, where it struggled 

 on for a second or two, but on taking wing seemed none the worse for 

 the encounter, and, perching on a tree, renewed its song, which is very 

 similar to that of the redbreast, though not so loud, nor is it so 

 prolonged. When singing the bill is widely opened, the wings 

 drooping and vibrating with the tail, and in hopping among the 



