BIRDS 
11. Black Redstart. Ruticilla titys (Scopoli) 
This somewhat rare winter migrant to 
the British Islands has been recorded for 
the county several times. Four occurrences 
came under the personal observation of Mr. 
A. Covington, the particulars of which are as 
follows : In November 1860 one was search- 
ing for food among the crevices of the stone- 
work of the old hostelry in the Old George 
yard at Bedford ; another was observed on 
Sunday, 29 December 1872, on the carving 
of the south porch of St. Paul’s Church ; it 
seemed rather shy, but he was able to watch 
it for several minutes ; it eventually flew up 
to one of the pinnacles. One shot in the 
town was taken to him on the following day, 
and was probably the same bird. The third 
was observed 17 February 1899 near Clap- 
ham Park. Two others also passed through 
his hands, shot at Barford and Clapham, both 
whilst perched on hurdles forming sheep pens. 
Mr. Cane killed one of this species near Luton 
about 1865, and saw another at a later date, 
which however was not obtained. He heard 
also of a third being seen in that locality. 
12. Redbreast. Erithacus rubecula (Linn.) 
The robin is far too numerous and familar 
to need any reference to its distribution, ex- 
cept that its numbers with us are considerably 
added to by immigrants at certain periods of 
the year. Instances of odd situations chosen 
for nesting accommodation by the robin are 
numerous. 
13. Nightingale. Dauttas luscinia (Linn.) 
From its abundance the greater part of the 
county must be well suited to its habits ; any 
small spinney with a fair amount of under- 
growth will be made the nesting haunt of at 
least a pair of these birds; in larger plan- 
tations and woods many pairs can be found, 
and frequently a thick hedgerow or a garden 
shrubbery will tempt a pair to nest regularly. 
Tt seems more numerous in some years than 
in others. 
14. Whitethroat. Sy/via cinerea (Bechstein) 
Locally, Haybird, Nettle-Creeper, Cut-Throat. 
The commonest warbler amongst our sum- 
mer migrants. Its fragile nest can generally 
be found about the hedgerows or among the 
undergrowth of small spinneys. 
15. Lesser Whitethroat. 
(Linn.) 
Compared in numbers with the previous 
species this bird is far less common, but yet it 
may be termed fairly abundant, and I think, 
from my own observations and those of others, 
Sylvia 
curruca 
will be found equally distributed over the 
county. Mr, A. Covington once had a lesser 
whitethroat pass through his hands which had 
the whole of the under part suffused with pale 
salmon colour. 
16. Blackcap. Sylvia atricapilla (Linn.) 
In my wanderings over the county I have 
always found the blackcap a fairly common 
summer migrant, which experience is shared . 
by various friends and correspondents. It is 
generally distributed, frequenting the numerous. 
small plantations and woodlands where suit- 
able undergrowth can be found for its nesting 
requirements. 
17. Garden-Warbler. 
stein) 
Another summer migrant visiting us in 
numbers about equal to those of the blackcap, 
frequenting similar situations, and whose habits 
are almost identical. To the best of my know- 
ledge it would be described as common in any 
part of the county. 
18. Goldcrest. Regulus cristatus, Koch. 
In such localities as Ampthill, Woburn, 
Aspley, Rowney, Southill, and Warden, or 
probably where fir plantations are abundant, 
we find the goldcrest fairly common during 
the breeding season, and I have found it 
frequently nesting in many other districts 
where isolated or small groups of suitable trees 
meet its requirements, 
Sylvia hortensis (Bech- 
19. Firecrest. Regulus ignicapillus (Brehm) 
A very uncommon winter visitor. Mr. A. 
Covington mentions two specimens of the 
firecrest as having passed through his hands ; 
a male which was killed in the firwoods at 
Ampthill about 1873, and a female which 
was killed with a stone by a lad in one of the 
hedgerows there. 
20. Chiffchaff. Phylloscopus rufus (Bechstein) 
A common summer migrant arriving in our 
county towards the end of March and stay- 
ing with us until late in September. 
21. Willow-Warbler.  Phylloscopus trochilus 
(Linn.) 
Locally, Oven-Bird, Banking-Bottle, Willow- 
Wren. 
From the domed construction of the nest the 
willow-warbler has received its local names. 
A willow-warbler was shot near the old bridge 
at Newnham as late as 27 December in 
1878. 
22. Wood Warbler. 
(Bechstein) 
Although I can name many localities where 
Phylloscopus sibilatrix 
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