22 
NATURE NOTES 
and so is that Pied Wagtail in the roadway, and even tliat beauti- 
ful but rare bird here, the Grey Wagtail. What a contrast there 
is between these two birds, though the male Yellow Wagtail, who 
will be feeding on the same refuse-heap perhaps to-morrow, is 
to my mind the handsomest of all the Wagtails that cheer outer 
London. Many Titmice you see in the young trees, perhaps 
lianging head downwards. Many of this family are represented 
here, and at no great distance away. The Great Tit, together 
with the well-known Tom Tit or Blue Tit, is almost sure to be in 
your garden : a little further away you see the Coal Tit ; and if 
you want the Marsh Tit, you will perhaps find him foraging 
around some old stump, in some out-of-the-way place, but at no 
great distance. 
The handsome Long-tailed Titmouse, together with last year’s 
progeny, is often about, though not so commonly met with as 
the other Titmice ; and should you see the rare Bearded Tit and 
Crested Tit, then you have found them all ; but it can only be by 
accident that specimens of the latter wander so near London. 
I saw a very handsome male Bearded Tit which had been shot 
near Eltham : but the wanton destruction of our rare birds is an 
every-day occurrence. 
Down amongst the stumps and clearings of the old Abbey 
Woods you observe many Redstarts : an attractive bird is the 
male, with a good attempt at a song. He may be as common in 
other parts on this side of London, but he dearly loves this place. 
Many Stonechats and Whinchats manage to spend a few 
months with us, associated with the Yellow-Hammer ; and near 
by, at Bostal Heath, you may find them with their nests, usually 
flat on the ground. Then the Wheat-ears may put in an appear- 
ance ; but they seldom stay for long, preferring, no doubt, more 
suitable conditions, though I have seen numbers of these birds 
from time to time. 
What is that bird perched on the top of a small mountain 
ash ? He is off as soon as you make yourself known. A second 
glance, if you are lucky, will prove him to be the Blackcap 
Warbler. He is not yet in full song, having but just arrived. 
Presently, if he should make up his mind to stay, he will 
attempt to rival the Nightingale, whose song, though so thrilling, 
lacks the veal warble of the Iflackcap. 
Near by, the ordinary-looking Garden Warbler is looking 
out a likely spot for his ordinary-looking nest and eggs. These 
birds are much more frequently met with than the Blackcap. 
If the (larden \\’arbler is not much to look at, he makes up for 
it with a very attractive song, and, providing you are careful, 
will allow )ou to approach (juite near, when he can be heard 
to perfection. 
Quite near London you can hear the Nightingales; they have, 
indeed, nested in London. At the foot of Plumstead Common 
1 discovered two nests last year. Yon, perhaps, have no idea 
how near us this bird will locate itself and rear a brood, if not 
