IX. 
NOTES ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE DURING 
THE YEAR 1883. 
By John E. Littlebot. 
Read at Watford , 18 th March , 1884. 
I have now the pleasure to lay before our members, I think for 
the fifth time, a few notes respecting birds observed in Hertfordshire 
during a preceding year. 
Only four additional species—the twite, the hoopoe, the hen¬ 
harrier, and the dotterel—have been reported since the reading of 
my last paper. It will be readily understood that as year succeeds 
to year the difficulty of adding new species to our register is 
greatly increased, and it is with considerable* satisfaction that 
I am able to announce the number I have already stated. The 
four birds that I have just named will increase the number on our 
register to 154 species. I will at once proceed to record a few 
particulars respecting them. 
1. The Twite (Linota flavirostris ).—A pair of twites were caught 
in bird-nets during the month of December, near the village of 
Aldbury, at the foot of the Chilterns. They were exhibited for 
some time at Mr. Banfield’s, bird-dealer, Hemel Hempstead. 
The twite and the linnet are closely congeneric birds, the former 
taking the place of the latter in the wilder or more mountainous 
districts of these islands. When observed at large there is but little 
by which to distinguish the one species from the other, but those who 
are acquainted with the song of the linnet will readily distinguish 
the twite from that bird by its shriller call-note. It is also more 
slender and elegant than the linnet. It is a spring and autumn 
visitor to Great Britain, and frequently remains with us during the 
winter when the season is mild and favourable. 
2. The Hoopoe ( Upupa Epops ).—A hoopoe, in fine plumage, was 
shot by Samuel Gooch, one of the keepers on the Brocket Hall 
estate, near Digswell, in the parish of Welwyn, in May, 1882. It 
is still in his possession. I am indebted for this important infor¬ 
mation to Mr. J. Sharp, Dagnal Street, St. Albans, a genuine lover 
of birds, who has kindly supplied me, from time to time, with 
many valuable notes. 
The hoopoe is an irregular spring and autumn migrant. 
Several specimens have, at different times, been taken in Hertford¬ 
shire, but always at considerable intervals. The striking appear¬ 
ance of the hoopoe renders it a ready mark for the aim alike 
of gamekeeper and sportsman, and I think it may be said that 
no British bird, without even excepting the brilliant golden 
oreole, is more ruthlessly persecuted to death than the beautiful 
hoopoe. “ With all its natural dignity and beauty,” writes Yarrell,* 
“ the hoopoe possesses some very unpleasant peculiarities, and these 
are intensified during the breeding season. The bird generally 
seeks its living amid the most obscene refuse. Beetles of many 
* ‘ British Birds,’ 4th edition, vol. ii, p. 423. 
