A HISTORY OF 
6. Ring Ousel. Turdus torquatus, Linn. 
From the frequency with which this bird 
is obtained, notwithstanding that it is rather 
shy in its habits on migration, it must pass 
through the county in the spring and autumn 
in fair numbers. Mr. A. F. Crossman reports 
one seen by himself as late as 18 January 
1891. A male was picked up in May 1896 
which had killed itself against the telegraph 
wires. Mr. J. King, writing to me in refer- 
ence to this bird around Langford, states that 
it is generally seen in October, rarely in the 
spring ; that in the autumn it feeds upon 
hips and haws and in the spring upon the ivy 
berries growing over some old hawthorns 
alongside the river. He reports one shot 27 
October 1861; another 3 October 1869; a 
female on 13 October of the same year; a 
male 14 April 1870, which had been about 
the meadows some days, and which he had 
frequently heard singing; others in 1875 
and 1886, and 27 September 1889; one 
shot 3 May 1892; another seen by him 
29 April 1895 feeding also upon the ivy 
berries; and one shot 19 October 1898, 
having been in that locality in company with 
redwings, blackbirds, and thrushes about the 
hedgerows several days. One was killed at 
Clifton 6 April 1893, and two at Chawston 
in the autumn of 1892. Professor Newton 
has seen this bird at Everton, and other 
records include one shot at Tingrith in 1897. 
7. Wheatear. Saxtcola ananthe (Linn.) 
At the present day by no means a common 
nesting species. Of late years the wheatear 
seems to have restricted its breeding range to 
the southern portions of the county where it 
breeds in very limited numbers. It is now 
known only as a common spring and autumn 
migrant in other parts of Bedfordshire, 
whereas at one time it seems to have bred 
regularly in limited numbers in various other 
localities. The wheatear used to breed in 
the Newnham ruins, at Cox’s Pits and in the 
old stone walls of the gardens at Steving- 
ton and Sharnbrook; in 1892 two pairs 
frequented the brickyard along the Clapham 
road, when they stayed some considerable 
time, but it is uncertain whether they attempted 
to nest. Mr. J. King saw a nest containing 
young in a rabbit hole near Hexton about 
thirty years ago, and informs me of a pair that 
remained ina field near Cliftonall the summer ; 
although his brother searched well he failed 
to find their nest. Mr. C. F. Woods says 
the wheatear bred regularly on Crawley 
Heath during his residence at Woburn 1858- 
68. On the downs below Whipsnade on 
the borders of the county they continue nest- 
BEDFORDSHIRE 
ing, four of their nests being found in May, 
1898, and I have personally observed this 
bird during the nesting time in other localities 
around that neighbourhood. 
8. Whinchat. Pratincola rubetra (Linn.) 
A fairly common summer migrant. It can 
be found frequenting meadows and rough 
grassy lands, but by far the most favourite 
haunts of this bird are the railroads, where the 
embankments and cuttings form rough grassy 
slopes which suit its requirements admir- 
ably. 
g. Stonechat. Pratincola rubicola (Linn.) 
Formerly known to nest in several localities, 
Those seen nowadays are usually on migra- 
tion or are wintering with us. At Henlow 
they nested until about 1870, and also on 
Rowney Warren. Along the Clapham road 
and in the ballast hole along the Ampthill 
road they bred until about 1890. The only 
nesting place I know now is between Southill 
and Shefford. 
10. Redstart. Ruticilla phoenicurus (Linn.) 
One of our handsomest summer migrants, 
but by no means so commonly distributed here 
as in many other counties, and its numbers 
have probably decreased of late years. It is 
however fairly abundant, and may be found 
nesting throughout the county. Even in the 
town of Bedford several pairs nest regularly 
in the old pollard willows along the embank- 
ment and elsewhere. An interesting instance 
of the nesting of the redstart came under my 
notice while rambling with Mr. King over 
the Southill estate on 18 May 1894. He 
was telling me that many years ago a pair of 
these birds had nested, season after season, on 
a ledge under the porch of one of the cottages 
in the park. On passing by we called upon the 
old tenant, and to our surprise we found a nest 
on the same site containing young. By the 
side of it, separated only by an upright, was 
another nest containing one egg, which the 
tenant informed us had been forsaken by the 
old birds, and the second nest had been built 
beside it. Upon Mr. King referring to his 
notes he found, strange to say, that exactly 
twenty years ago on that day the female had 
been caught on her nest by a lad, under the 
same porch. At that time the eggs were 
frequently robbed, and the pair once tried 
nesting at the end of the house, at another 
time in an outhouse at the bottom of the 
garden, and again in the hole of a tree not far 
away, but came back again to the porch, 
where we were informed redstarts have nested 
regularly ever since. 
106 
