THE AVI-FAUNA OF WIMBLEDON COMMON. 239 
time always be heard in the evening near the reservoir, and I 
have, by keeping very quiet in one place, very often seen this 
interesting little bird creeping among the low whins and bushes. 
The Dartford Warbler is another frequenter of the thickest part 
of the furze bushes. I have twice seen this bird near the 
reservoir, and also below the shooting butts in the thick furze, 
but not since the butts have been established. 
Of the Paride, the Great Tit, the Blue Tit, the Long-tailed 
Tit, and the Coal Tit are to be found pretty generally distributed. 
The Pied Wagtail is common, and the Grey Wagtail, Motacilla 
boarula, has been noticed by the side of Beverley Brook, in 
the lower part of the Common. The Yellow Wagtail and the 
Tree Pipit and Meadow Pipit are generally to be heard and seen 
on both Commons. The Sky Lark was formerly very common, 
but it is getting scarcer every year. The Wood Lark was also to 
be found occasionally. I noticed it on two successive years, but 
it is now scarce. The Common Bunting and the Yellowhammer 
are common enough. A pair of Reed Buntings frequented the 
lower part of the Common, beside Beverley Brook, in 1874. 
The Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, and the Linnet 
are all pretty numerous. The Hawfinch, Coccothraustes vulgaris, 
is an occasional visitor. I noticed one in my garden in 1870; 
and the Goldfinch flits across the Common in its spring and 
autumn migration. The Bullfinch is an occasional visitor. A pair 
came to our garden in two successive springs, and I have no doubt 
bred in the neighbourhood. 
The Starling is everywhere abundant, building under the 
stone copings of many of the houses in Wimbledon. They have 
increased much of late years. 
The Common Crow and the Grey Crow have both been 
noticed on the Common. The Rook is very plentiful. There is 
a large rookery at Wimbledon, and another at the top of Putney 
Hill, the latter close adjoining our house. I had for seven 
years in the spring and summer months—and from the upper 
rooms we were very close neighbours—a good opportunity of 
watching the habits of these birds. In the pairing and breeding 
season they are most affectionate, and yet most pugnacious. 
They are great cowards, as well as individually brave when in 
defence. I have seen the hen bird beat off a vigorous attack of 
four or five or more coming in a body to despoil her nest, and 
