NOTES ON BIRDS IN KENT. 345 



first sight pass easily as that bird. When on a fence this Shrike 

 will often turn backwards round its perch, and cling to the bottom 

 of it, after the manner of a Titmouse. Several nests of this 

 species may frequently be found in close proximity to one 

 another. A "tiller,"* or some other favourable position, not 

 far from the nest, is always chosen as a look-out post, and this is 

 resorted to for some time before building is commenced. In- 

 cubation is performed by the female, who leaves her nest and 

 flies to the "tiller," and is there fed by the male. 



Around our gardens a few families of Spotted Flycatchers are 

 still to be met with. These are the late broods. Although the 

 majority of the young can look after themselves, yet in each 

 family there are one or two wearing the spotted livery of first 

 youth that have still to depend upon a mother's care. The task 

 of feeding these devolve solely upon the female parent. Her 

 mate has tired of her love-play, for as soon as the nestlings are 

 abroad he leaves her, and becomes once more a bachelor. When 

 catching prey for this backward brood she faces the prevalent 

 breeze, and this enables her to detect more readily its drifting 

 course. 



The first appearance of the Wood Warbler in the Cranbrook 

 district this year is a noteworthy incident. The favoured locali- 

 ties are certain spots in the Angley and Bedgebury woods, where 

 tall firs and beech trees grow. From these high points this 

 daintiest and prettiest of our Warblers proclaimed his arrival on 

 one sunny day near the end of April by the utterance of his 

 peculiarly fascinating song — a tiny "hip hip hip hurra." The 

 first three syllables are given out with distinct hesitation, a mere 

 prelude wherein to gain strength for the final outburst of song. 

 This finale, which rises in pitch towards the end, and uttered 

 with wings shivering and head thrown back, has all the appear- 

 ance of being the expression of a deep passion of joy. Then, as 

 if weary with such a supreme effort, it sluggishly flops to a fresh 

 perch, and there gathers strength for another demonstration of 

 its musical capacities. The male of this species arrives here 

 before the female. And as soon as his songs have attracted and 

 won a mate, they become less frequent, and cease altogether when 

 the young are hatched. 



A local name given to a young oak-tree. 



