ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN SOUTH WALES. 17 



hill-sides, as I saw some flying in that direction after picking up 

 feathers in a farm-yard. 



Carduelis elegans. — One pair in the lower valley. 



Passer domesticus. — Vide supra. 



Fringilla coelebs. — Very common, and sang the Wood-Wre 

 prelude almost entirely or exclusively. 



Pyrrhula europcea. — Once, in the lower valley. 



Emberiza citrinella. — Some. 



Sutrnus vulgaris. — Only two or three seen. 



Garrulus glandarius. — A few in the woods. 



Pica rustica. — Three or four seen. 



Corvus monedula. — Some about a small solitary church. 



C. corone. — Common, especially on the hills. 



C. frugilegus. — Some. 



C. corax. — Twice saw a pair, and once a single bird ; always 

 on the hills. 



Alauda arvensis. — Not uncommon on the moorland at the top 

 of the hills. 



A. arborea. — Apparently not uncommon in the lower valley. 

 Observed two males singing in two low oaks, one on each side of 

 a narrow lane. Two others seen. To my mind the song of this 

 bird yields to none for beauty. For softness, sweetness, and 

 restfulness it takes the palm. In delivery it is gentle and 

 leisurely. Mr. Raeburn did not meet with the Wood Lark, and 

 at Barmouth it has only occurred in winter (Zool. 1894, p. 331). 



Cypselus apus. — Fairly common. Often overhead when I was 

 on the highest ground. 



Caprimulgus europceus. — Heard "churring" loudly on one wet 

 evening. 



Cuculus canorus. — Heard frequently. 



Syrnium aluco. — One seen in a wood ; heard hooting at night 

 also. 



Buteo vulgaris. — Several seen. 



Milvus ictinus. — One seen. 



Falco tinnunculus. — Several seen. 



Ardea cinerea. — A magnificent old bird passed over my head, 

 low down, as I was searching for a Sandpiper's nest one day. 

 I never (except at the nest) had one fly so close to me before. 

 I fancy he did not see me; but I was in the open — merely on a 

 shallow underbank of the river, and I am sure no Oxfordshire 



ZOOLOGIST, THIRD SERIES, VOL. XIX. JAN. 189 5. C 



