56 BIRD LIFE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 



and dunlin, especially in time of frost, when they do 

 not readily freeze. So that the prospect of our 

 retaining as British birds all the more interesting 

 elements of the Fenland avifauna still left to us may be 

 said to have distinctly improved within the past few 

 years. 



CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY. 



February 5th. — Blackbird begins to sing more regularly. 

 6th. — Chaffinch sings. 

 7th. — Pied Wagtails begin to return. 

 8th. — Woodlark sings. 

 10th. — Skylark sings more frequently. 

 12th. — Grey Wagtail returns to its nesting haunts 



in the hills. 

 15th. — Coal Tit's spring note heard. 

 16th. — Some Long-tailed Tits paired. 

 20th. — Yellow-hammer sings. 

 20th. — Water Ouzels begin to build. 



Nuthatch's spring whistle heard. 

 21st. — Some Lapwings paired. 

 25th. — Goldcrest sings. 

 27th. — Curlew leave the coast for the hills. 



Meadow Pipits begin to return. 

 28th. — Golden Plover returns to the moors. 

 Rooks build. 

 Early pairs of Ravens have eggs. 



