Tiie Birds of Hillsborough. 27 



Family AMPELID.*]. 

 Ampeiis garrulus [Liunt]. Waxwixu. 



All iiregtilar Winter visitant. One shoi in Lissue, Co. Antrim, and 

 another seen in Hillsborough Demesne in l)eceniber, 1903 ; one shot near 

 St. John's Church, 3rd February, 1917, are all that have been observed in 

 the district. 



Family SYLVIID.E. 

 Sylvia communis Latham. Whitethroat. 



A regular Spring migrant usually appearing about the first of Maj^ 

 (earliest 24th April, in 1902). The presence of the male is soon detected 

 by his almost continuous singing, which ceases early in July ; but on the 

 morning of 6th August, 1909, one was heard in full song. Average size 

 of eggs 18'8 v 18 '82 mm. ; average weight of full eggs r886 gr., of empty 

 shells -102 gr. 



Locustella najvia [Boddatrt). Urasshoppkr- Warbler. 



A Spring migrant whose visits to the district appear to be somewliat 

 irregular ; in some years plentiful, whilst in others it is not seen or heard. 

 Average size of eggs 18"08 x 13'97 nun. ; average weight of full eggs 1"782 

 gr. , of empt}' shells ' 1 gr. 



Acrocephalus schoenobaenus orientalis (Liim4). Sedge- Warbler. 



This species usually arrives about 1st May, and is always numerous. 

 The late John Cottney maintained that the male never sang in the 

 proximity of the nest. Average size of eggs 17 '13 x 1275 mm. ; average 

 weight of full eggs I'oOl gr., of empty shells ■075 gr. 



Phylloscopus trochilus {Llnn£). Willow-Warbler. 



Probably the most numerous of the warblers, this bird usually arrives 

 about the middle of April (earliest 3rd April, in 1906 , and from this time 

 till the middle of Julj' (nie can scarce go about without hearing its 

 melodious if somewhat plaintive song. Occasionally the song is resumed, 

 but much n)ore faintlj^ in the Autumn. Average size of eggs 15'09 x 12'11 

 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 1'162 gr. , of empty shells '059 gr. 



Phyllosocopus collybita ( VielUot). Chiftchaff. 



The earliest of the regular Spring un'grants to arrive in the district, 

 generally appearing in the last week of March (earliest 23rd, in 1918). 

 Like the preceding species the song ceases about mid Jidy, but is resumed 

 in August and uttered occasionally during September. Average ?ize of 

 eggs 14'o3 X 11 "58 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 1 '021 gr., of empty 

 shells -07 gr. 



Family TURDID.-E. 

 Turdus viscivorus Linnr. Missel-Thrush. 



The Missel-Thrush or Mistle-Thrush was first noticed in Ireland about 

 1808, but is now widely distributed and common. Here it is known as 

 the ''Jay " or "' Jaj'-Thrush." It is said to be ai-\ early nester, but in this 

 district it does not appear to be specially so. Average size of eggs 30"33 

 X 21 '49 mm. ; average weight of full eggs 7'63 gr., of empty shells 

 •4566 gr. 



