372 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



CUEIOUS EXPEEIENCES IN BIRDS' NESTING. 



By Dr. R. Williams 

 (Of Kingsland, Herefordshire.) 



As I have resided for many years in a part of Herefordshire 

 favourahly situated for observing the nesting habits of our 

 commoner birds, several curious instances have come under my 

 personal observation which I think are worth recording. 



In May, 1889, whilst strolling through a small wood with a 

 keeper I discovered a Blackbird's nest situated in a depression 

 in the ground, in just such a position as a Sky Lark's might 

 occupy. The keeper remarked that he had found several other 

 Blackbirds' nests in this wood in similar positions. Within a 

 few hundred yards of the first nest we found two Thrushes' nests, 

 also on the ground, the edge of the nests being level with the 

 surface. The wood abounded in thickets and small fir trees ; but 

 these more favourable sites contained very few Blackbirds' or 

 Thrushes' nests. On enquiry, I learnt that the proprietor, having 

 found that this wood was a nesting stronghold of these species, 

 had made systematic raids on their nests in consequence of the 

 havoc made by the birds on his fruit. I think this fact suggests 

 why these birds had departed from their usual habit in their 

 choice of nesting sites. Profiting from experience, they had 

 selected safer positions. 



As regards the Common Sandpiper, I think the following 

 facts will show that this species also profits by experience, and 

 occasionally varies its choice of nesting sites. In May, 1886, just 

 when these birds were commencing to sit, we had a very heavy 

 rainfall, heavier than any remembered by my father, who is over 

 eighty years of age. The land on each side of the river running 

 near my house was under water. The Common Sandpiper usually 

 nests on patches of gravel thrown up by the water, and more or 

 less covered with docks and other weeds. These places being 

 flooded, the nests were swept away and destroyed. On the sub- 

 sidence of the flood, the Sandpipers built again on their old sites, 

 only to find their nests swept away by another flood. In the 

 nesting season of the following year (1887), wishing to secure a 

 few clutches of Sandpipers' eggs, I searched in the usual places 

 for a whole morning without success. But as I observed only 

 single birds and no pairs, I concluded the hens were sitting 



