2SS 1{E1M)KTS. 



of oiir siiinmei* migrants are particularly interesting, and my 

 own limited observations are supplemented by those of Mr. 

 B. Kowswell and Mr. John S. Hocart, to whom I am grateful 

 for kindly handing me their notes on the subje(;t. I have 

 also to thank Mr. \i. P. Spencei- and Mr. F. L. Taimer for 

 information about some uncommon ))irds. 



Ring Ousel. ()n October 19 I saw a particularly well -marked Rin^^ Ousel 

 flying' down the Valley at Petit Bot. Has anyone ever observed one of 

 these birds in Uuernsey in the spring 't 



Robin. A clutch of pure white eggs, very unlike typical Robin's eggs, was 

 taken here this year, and one of them was sent to me for identification, 

 but unfortunately I could not learn where this extremely interesting nest 

 was found, or by whom. 



Blackcap. In Alderney a Blackcap was seen, and could have been cauglit, 

 in Se]3tember by Mr. R. P. Spencer. Tliis is the first record for that 

 island. In Guernsey a hen bird was captured in a greenhouse at Vau- 

 vert, by Mr. F. L. Tanner. 



Chiffchaff. The earliest date on which I heard the note was April 9 at 

 Moulin Huet, and I last heard it on October 7 at Saints Bay. The 

 Chiffchaff is one of the earliest of summer visitors to arrive, i'.nd one of 

 the latest to depart. 



Wood Lark. A couple of Wood Larks were seen in Sark in April by Mr. 

 F. L. Tanner. This bird has not before been recorded for these islands. 



Hawfinch. A fine specimen, shot at Havilland Farm in January, was 

 presented in the flesh to the Guille-AUes Museum by Mr. R. P. 

 Spencer. 



Bullfinch. These birds are certainly increasing in numbers in this island. 

 On Sept. 29 I saw one in my small garden at St INIartin's, and on July 2 

 Mr. Rowswell saw a pair on the Fermain cliffs. Mr. Spencer tells me 

 Bullfinches frequent Smith's Nursery at the Couture in some numbers, 

 and one or two pairs certainly bred there last year ; and at Saumarez 

 Park, Catel, Mr. Tanner says these birds have been known to breed 

 regularly for two or three years, and are carefully protected, so that now 

 there is quite a small colony of them. 



Wryneck. Mr. Rowswell heard one at Moulin Huet on April 4, and Mr. 

 Hocart another at the Vale on the same day. These are the earliest dates 

 I know of for certain, but if we may rely on newspaper evidence, the 

 Wryneck was heard in Guernsey by several farmers on JMarch 28, which 

 is very probable, as the latter days of March were perfect midsummer 

 weather. These birds continued calling later than usual this year. I 

 heard one at Moulin Huet on July 15, Mr. Rowswell one on the following 

 day, and on July 19 I listened for some time to one in full song in the 

 valley west of St. Saviour's Church. 



Cuckoo. The cold and stormy weather of April kept the cuckoo silent, and 

 the earliest note in Guernsey seems to have been heard (by two persons 

 in dift'eient parts of St. Martin's) on April 18. The following day both 

 my son and I saw and heard a cuckoo at Moulin Huet, but Mr. Hocart 

 notes April 25 as the earliest date at the Vale. A local newspaper 

 reported the first appearance of this bird in Alderney on April 28, an 

 unusually late date for that island. If they commenced late, however, 

 they continued singing much longer than in ordinary years, for I have 

 reliable information about the cuckoo having been heard regularly every 

 day up to July 8, and the Rev. R. H. Tourtel heard one singing in the 

 trees near La Belieuse, St. Martin's, on July 13, which is probably the 

 latest date on record for Guernsey, although Mr. Rowswell reports 

 hearing a cuckoo in Sark on July 14, 1902. 



