60 
J. E. LITTLEBOY—NOTES OF BIRDS 
Spring, Autumn, and Winter Visitants. 
Species. Locality. Date. Observer. 
Redwing ...... Near St. Albans .... Nov. 5 J.E.L. 
(Turdus Iliacus) 
Fieldfare.... ...... Royston ...Jan. 7 P. F. Fordham. 
(Turdus Pilaris) Sandridge, St. Albans..... Apl. 5 A. F. Griffith. 
Royston .i..................... Oct. 4 P. F. Fordham. 
Ring-Ousel .... Between Hnnton Bridge 
(Turdus torquatus) and King’s Langley ..... Nov. 15 J.E.L. 
B rambling...... Redbournbury, St.Albans Jan. 11 E. W. Arnold. 
(Fringilla moniifring ilia) Harpenden ... Feb. 20 Henry Lewis. 
St. Albans ................. Nov. 7 E. W. Arnold. 
Cassio Bridge, Watford Apl. 20 E. Moon. 
Hooded Crow .... Royston ... Jan. 2 P. F. Fordham. 
(Corvus Cornice) Port Yale, Hertford.. Mar. 1 Norman Thrale. 
Snipe ........ Redbournbury, St. Albans Aug. 23 E. W. Arnold. 
(Gallinago gallinula) 
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 
Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella ncevia). —Mr. A. E. Griffith, 
reports having observed one of these charming little birds in the 
neighbourhood of Sandridge. The grasshopper-warbler can be 
readily distinguished by its very peculiar note; it may be heard 
occasionally, on a summer’s evening, in low meadows or along the 
side of streams, but it is an extremely timid bird and is very difficult 
to approach. 
Tits (Par us major , P. ater, and P. cceruleus). —Mrs. Brightwen, 
of the Grove, Stanmore, has been good enough to supply me with 
some interesting anecdotes respecting tits. 1st—An empty cocoa- 
nut, with a hole in it, was hung up near the house, for the special 
accommodation of these most amusing birds ; a “ large tit ” speedily 
took possession of it and commenced to build; but an action for 
ejectment was very quickly commenced; a little “ blue tit,” doubt¬ 
less coveting so commodious a house, attacked the occupant in the 
most determined and desperate manner. The case was decided by 
a pitched battle, the combatants, in their struggle, rolling over and 
over several times on the lawn. The blue tit was at last victorious, 
immediately took possession of the cocoanut, and successfully 
brought up a large family. The hen-bird became so tame that 
she would allow her home to be taken down for inspection, and 
although she would hiss and set up her feathers when touched, she 
did not attempt to escape. Her little birdies were fed principally 
with small caterpillars. I may add, from personal knowledge, that 
the “ blue tit” is singularly pugnacious, and is generally a most 
successful combatant. In order to entice the tits, my daughter 
makes a practice of suspending a net, with fat in it, in a position 
readily observable from the parlour window. Battles-royal between 
blue tits, coal tits, and large tits are of constant occurrence, but 
the blue tits are invariably victorious. 2nd—A coal tit built its 
nest in a post letter-box; for the sake of protection the letter-box 
was locked, but the genus “ boy ” has no pity ; sticks were poked 
down the slit used for letters, the bird was killed, and the eggs were 
broken. 3rd—A blue tit built in the lower part of a stone vase; 
