232 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



walking in the fields, when I heard a vast whirring of wings and 

 a low indescribable twittering from thousands of throats. On 

 looking up I saw countless thousands of Starlings, wheeling in 

 regular order, before settling for the night. The following morn- 

 ing I could find no trace of the birds. 



Jay (Garrulus glandarius). — Numerous in the well-wooded 

 parts. It undoubtedly destroys many Pheasant eggs, and for 

 this reason is much persecuted in Windsor Forest, falling a 

 ready victim to the pole-trap ; but I was glad to hear from a 

 ranger that " for every bird killed a dozen come to the funeral." 



Magpie (Pica rustica). — Sparsely distributed. 



Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). — Common. 



Eaven (C. corax). — Once seen feeding in a field with Books. 

 Although it flew away strongly, I think it must have been a bird 

 escaped from confinement. 



Carrion-Crow (C. corone). — Bare. 



Book (G.frugilegus). — There are rookeries of various sizes all 

 over the district. 



Sky-Lark (Alauda arvensis). — A common resident. During 

 winter its numbers are heavily reinforced by birds that only 

 winter here. 



Wood-Lark (A.arborea). — A summer migrant, and then only 

 found in a certain part of Windsor Forest, where it is fairly 

 common, and breeds. 



Swift (Cypselus apus). — Common. 



Alpine Swift (C. melba). — One occurred on spring migration, 

 1895. 



Nightjar (Capriimdgus europcsus). — Bare. 



Wryneck (lynx torquilla). — In early spring this bird may be 

 commonly seen perching on fences or tops of hedges. When 

 nesting commences the notes are still frequently heard, but the 

 bird is rarely seen. 



Green Woodpecker [Gecinus viridis). — Very numerous in 

 Windsor Forest. Sits closely, and one bird actually allowed me 

 to take her in my hand, and even then made no effort to fly away. 

 The wood chips thrown out in excavating the nesting-hole are 

 not removed from the ground below. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major). — Barely 

 seen. 



