BIRDS 



mon species in the south of France and which 

 might easily visit our south coast.] 



19. Blackcap. Sylvia atrkapilla (Linn.) 



A summer migrant generally distributed 

 and abundant in all wooded localities, and 

 breeds freely. Usually arriving some time 

 about the middle of April, it stays with us 

 very late in the season, and not unfrequently 

 individuals remain throughout the winter. 



20. Garden-Warbler. Sylvia hortensis, Bech- 



stein 

 A summer migrant numerous in some 

 localities. It arrives in April and occasionally 

 remains up to October. It is frequently seen 

 near Exeter and Exmouth, and it has been 

 found to be common in the valley of the 

 Plym. Montagu met with it on the banks of 

 the Avon a few miles from the sea in 1806, 

 but at present it appears to be only seen in 

 the South Hams during its autumnal 

 migration. It is not common in north Devon. 

 Owing to its inconspicuous colouration and 

 retiring habits it is frequently overlooked, and 

 it is probably more generally distributed than 

 it is supposed to be. 



2 1 . Dartford Warbler. Sylvia undata (Bod- 



daert) 

 Formerly a resident in the southern parts of 

 the county. It is now rarely met with, and 

 it is supposed that numbers perished in the 

 severe snowstorms of the memorable winters 

 of 1 880-1 and 1886-7. Mr. E. A. S. 

 Elliot sometimes notices it in turnip fields near 

 Kingsbridge in the autumn, perhaps on 

 migration. The breeding habits of this 

 interesting little bird were first discovered by 

 Colonel Montagu in this county. He first 

 met with it in the southern parts of Devon 

 on 8 September 1802, but he had previously 

 made its acquaintance in Cornwall. He found 

 nests, eggs and young on a large furze com- 

 mon near Kingsbridge, 16 July 1806. It 

 has not been observed nesting in the county 

 since that date. This little warbler has been 

 reported from north Devon, and has been 

 obtained at Budleigh Salterton, Lympstone, 

 Bickleigh Vale and Mount Batten, Plymouth. 



22. Golden-crested. Regulus cristatus, K. L. 



Koch 

 Locally, Tidley-Goldfinch. 

 Resident, frequenting fir plantations. It is 

 most numerous in winter, when its numbers 

 are recruited by immigration commencing in 

 October. White and cream-coloured speci- 

 mens have occurred in the county. 



23. Fire-crested Wren. Regulus ignicapillus 



(C. L. Brehm) 

 A casual visitor of very rare occurrence. 

 A female example obtained at Torquay, 

 6 March 1873, was seen by Mr. J. H. 

 Gurney in the possession of Mr. Shopland, to 

 whom it had been brought in the flesh for 

 preservation. One is said to have been 

 picked up dead at Torre in 1874. Several 

 occurrences have been reported from Devon- 

 port and Axminster, but must be considered 

 doubtful. It is also said to have visited Lundy 

 Island. 



24. Yellow-browed Warbler. Phylloscopus 



superciliosus (J. F. Gmelin) 

 According to Mr. Frohawk four individuals 

 of this rare straggler to England were seen at 

 West Buckland in south Devon on i October 

 1895. 



25. ChiiFchafF. Phylloscopus rufus (Bechstein) 

 Locally, Choice and cheap (around Totnes). 



A summer migrant, generally distributed, 

 and sometimes very numerous on its first 

 arrival in early spring, and on its autumnal 

 passage. It usually appears at the end of 

 March, departing at the end of September or 

 in October. A few however occasionally 

 remain all through the winter. 



26. Willow -Wren. Phylloscopus trochilus 



(Linn.) 

 Locally, Hay-bird, Ground Isaac (from O. E. 

 heisugge). 



A summer migrant, common and generally 

 distributed. Arrives usually about the middle 

 of April, sometimes in a great ' rush ' across 

 the Channel. Such an occasion was observed 

 by Mr. E. A. S. Elliot at Kingsbridge during 

 the week between 12 and 18 April 1890* 

 There is sometimes a great influx of birds of 

 the year into south Devon in August. A 

 few willow-wrens sometimes remain till as 

 late as October on the south coast. 



27. Wood -Wren. Phylloscopus sibilatrix 



(Bechstein) 



A summer migrant, local, frequenting oak 

 woods, but sometimes abundant where it 

 occurs. At Plymouth this wren arrives in 

 April and departs in October. It is common 

 in Bickleigh Vale, and in all large woods with 

 tall trees, but is very rarely observed in brush- 

 wood. It also occurs at Ivybridge, Tavistock, 

 Newton Abbot and Berry Pomeroy. It is 

 seen rarely near Torquay and Topsham 

 late in the summer. In September 1900 

 Mr. E. A. S. Elliot saw some wood-wrens in 



299 



