104 



The Naturalist. 



Eeed Bunting. This was tlie commonest bird observed. Four nests 

 containing young were found on our first day's nesting (the 7th), 

 so that this species is an early breeder. Male birds were observed 

 sitting on the eggs. 



Ortolan Bunting {De Ortolan). — Noticed in the collection of Adrian 

 Mollen, who informed me that it bred at Valkenswaard. 



Chaffinch {Be Vink). 



Goldfinch. — A nest and eggs found. Bird not seen. 



Linnet. 



Tree Sparrow. 



House Sparrow. 



Greenfinch, 



Bullfinch. 



Starling. 



Carrion Crow {Craai?). — Very numerous. A fine series of eggs 

 obtained. 



Book. 

 Jackdaw. 



Magpie (Ekster). — Everywhere. A nest found in a sallow bush in 

 the marsh, was only three feet from the surface of the water. The 

 eggs from this nest were the finest in size and richness of marking 

 that I have seen. Other nests observed in the stunted pines quite 

 out on the heaths. 



Jay ( De VlaamscJie Gaai). — Very common. Nests in the pine planta- 

 tions ; the general number of eggs was found from five to seven. 

 Some nests were not more than five feet from the ground. 



Green Woodpecker (i)<? Groeyie SpecJd). — The harsh laugh and un- 

 dulating flight of this bird were often both heard and seen. A 

 nest got on the 13th, was in the heart of a solid ash tree, and took 

 a Dutchman four hours to chop it out, when only two eggs were 

 found. (In Adrian Mollen's collection we saw greater, middle, and 

 and lesser spotted woodpeckers.) 



Wryneck. — The peculiar kestrel-like note of this species was heard 

 on the 13th. 



Hoopoe [De Hop). — Not a numerous species in this district. On the 

 14th, when near the village of Aalst, a boy made us to understand 

 by signs, &c., aided on our part by the little Dutch we had picked 



