OBSERVATIONS OF BIRDS IN MID-WALES. 141 



fields, and scores resort to the same plantation to roost. Where 

 wood is scarce the nest is in stunted birch and mountain-ash 

 which overhang the streams, and on the bogs in willows, some- 

 times not more than five feet from the ground. A few pairs nest 

 upon the cliffs in company with Herring Gulls. 



Hooded Crow, C. comix. Of rare occurrence at the present 

 day, and appears to have been equally scarce thirty or forty years 

 ago. I have only heard of four occurrences. 



Rook, C. frugilegas. Though rookeries are rare in the hill 

 districts, this bird ranges over most of the upland country. I 

 have not seen it, however, in the dale of the upper Towy, the 

 nearest outpost in this direction being a small colony of some 

 fifteen nests about a mile from Abergwessin. 



Jackdaw, C. monedula. To the great abundance of this 

 species at Aberystwyth, the disappearance of the Chough may 

 possibly in part be due. 



Tree Creeper, Certhia familiaris. A common resident in 

 the wooded districts. 



Nuthatch, Sitta ccesia. Common in wooded parts of Brecon- 

 shire and Radnorshire, extending up the valleys as far as oak 

 timber is to be found. In the Wye Valley it is common as far up 

 as Rhayader. Of rare occurrence upon the western or Cardigan 

 shire side of the hills. A specimen now at Gogerddan is believed 

 to have been obtained there. Mr. Hutchings has one which was 

 shot at Llanbadarn, and remembers seeing one tapping amongst 

 some old filbert-trees at Tan-y-bwlch. 



Swallow, Hirundo rustica. 1892, April 10th ; 1893, April 

 4th; 1894, April 7th. During the spring passage, which lasts 

 about three weeks, small parties are constantly to be seen 

 following the coast northwards. All have left by the end of 

 September. 



Martin, Chelidon urbica. Much less numerous than the last. 

 The few pairs which visit us arrive late, and none are seen passing 

 with the Swallows. 1892, May 14th; 1893, May 7th; 1894, 

 May 8th. 



Sand Martin, Cotile riparia — the prevalent blue slates and 

 grits being unsuitable — finds breeding sites only in the banks of 

 the rivers and in the boulder clay of the cliffs* 1892, April 5th ; 

 1893, April 23rd; 1894, April 7th. 



