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15 



especially down at the pond, and their loud clear note greatly 

 enhanced the pleasure of sitting out on " The Cedars' " lawn on 

 a warm spring evening. 



Driving from " West Lodge " to Sidcup, on May 4th, I 

 heard my first 1901 Nightingale, so they are not very far off. 

 Indeed, I am told that they still visit "The Cedars'" grounds 

 for a day or two every year. 



I have seen a great many Nightingales' nests on the ground, 

 or in nettles a few inches up, but have never yet seen an egg 

 vary in the very least from the olive green type. 



9. — Whitethroat (Sylvia Cinevea). 

 A summer visitor, which I feel sure nests at "The Cedars." 



10. — Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia Curruca). 

 Another summer visitor to "The Cedars." 



11. — Blackcap (Sylvia Atricapilla). 



Another summer visitor. On May 4th, 1901, my daughter 

 found a nest, by " The Cedars' " pond, with two eggs in it. The 

 little bird with black head, sitting so defiantly for half the day, 

 soon convinced us it was the Blackcap's nest. The female, with 

 reddish-brown coloured head was on the nest the other half of 

 the day. Before leaving " West Lodge " for the country, 21st 

 May, 1901, I paid a visit to this nest, and found five young birds 

 with the mother in attendance. This is the fourth Blackcap's 

 nest I have been able to watch right through, and note how both 

 the birds take their share in sitting. 



On 25th May, 1903, by " The Cedars' " pond, I came across 

 a Blackcap's nest with an unfledged young one and one egg in. 

 The old bird rolled over at my feet, pretending to be wounded. 

 It is curious how these " Cedars'" birds sit on so short a clutch. 



12. — Garden Warbler (Sylvia Hortensis). 



Another summer visitor. I found a nest by the pond at 

 " The Cedars," 10th May, 1904, in a rose tree, with two eggs ; 

 unfortunately, someone took both nest and eggs. On 18th Mav, 

 1899, I saw and heard one down at the pond. They are very 

 difficult birds to locate. The eggs closelv resemble S. A tvicapilhi. 

 with rather a dirtier tinge. 



