BIRDS 
the present day seem to be on Dunstable Downs where a few pairs can 
also be found. Although redshanks probably bred on our low-lying 
meadow lands years ago no certain evidence can be obtained ; but they 
appeared at Newnham in 1896 and several pairs continued nesting until 
1899. It is possible that the black tern may once have nested also in 
the county. To what extent such a small area as the sewage farm at 
Newnham can,under varying conditions, influence the appearance of 
rarer migrants and nesting species will be shown in the accompanying 
notes. The Ouse is the highway which brings so many of the rarer 
waterfowl, and along the Ouse valley a regular stream of migratory 
waders, geese, ducks, gulls, terns, etc., journey every spring and autumn 
on their way from coast to coast. The large flocks of lapwings and 
golden plovers, and the numbers of hooded crows and various other 
species that winter with us are evidently migrants that have come from 
our eastern coasts and followed the course of the Ouse. 
In cases where the record of a bird’s occurrence is open to doubt or 
its appearance is due to artificial introduction the entry in the following 
list is placed within square brackets. 
Brackets placed round the name of the original describer of a species 
indicate that he did not employ the generic name which is now adopted. 
1. Missel-Thrush. Turdus visctvorus, Linn. or in early November small flocks of fieldfares 
Locally, Screaming-Thrush. 
A common bird throughout the county. It 
is one of our earliest breeding species, fre- 
quently nesting towards the end of March, 
and at times even earlier. A fawn-coloured 
variety in the possession of Mr. Cane is said 
to have been taken locally. 
2. Song Thrush. Turdus musicus, Linn. 
Nests abundantly everywhere. Many 
thrushes forsake their haunts as the winter 
approaches, and remain absent during any 
lengthy spell of severe weather. An instance 
of a nest of a thrush having been found near 
Luton in the side of a round wheat-stack is re- 
corded by Morris in his British Birds. Several 
pied varieties of this thrush have been obtained. 
3. Redwing. Turdus ilacus, Linn. 
An abundant winter visitant. As is the 
case with the fieldfare, prolonged severe 
weather tends very much to reduce their 
numbers. Redwings generally arrive with 
us earlier than the fieldfare. Often the first 
intimation of their presence is the note of a 
migrant passing overhead during the night. 
About the middle of October seems to be the 
usual date of their arrival, and they depart 
again at the end of March or early in April. 
4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn. 
Locally, Felt, Felfer. 
Generally towards the latter end of October 
arrive, their number being considerably added 
to as the winter advances. During the more 
open period, when insect food is obtainable, 
they frequent, in company with redwings, the 
grass lands, where, in such districts as the 
meadows of Goldington and Cardington, they 
may be seen together in thousands. At the 
first fall of snow, or as soon as the ground has 
become frozen, they are driven to seek a 
living among the bushes and hedgerows, feed- 
ing upon the berries in company with red- 
wings, blackbirds, thrushes, etc. Should un- 
usually severe weather prevail for a long time, 
many starve, and others, half starved, are com- 
pelled to migrate elsewhere. Under such 
conditions it takes several years to recoup their 
numbers. The fieldfare is the last of our 
winter visitants to return to its breeding 
haunts, staying with us until late in Apriland 
frequently till May. A pied fieldfare was 
killed at Bolnhurst about 1863. 
5. Blackbird. Turdus merula, Linn. 
Our blackbirds undoubtedly vary in num- 
bers owing to migration, but many are also 
resident with us, except perhaps during pro- 
longed severe weather ; yet even then, so long 
as a small supply of food is obtainable, some 
prefer not to forsake their summer haunts. 
Although a general favourite, this bird becomes 
troublesome in the fruit season. Albinos, pied, 
yellow and other varieties are frequently 
obtained. 
I 105 14 
