OBSERVED IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN 1885 . 
61 
there was a hole for drainage at the bottom, and through this the 
little bird found a circular space just suited for its nest. Of course 
the vase could not be filled till the domestic duties of the family 
were ended. 4th—The following dialogue will tell its own tale : 
—Gardener: “ If you please, ma’am, what am I to do with those 
blue tits ? ” Mrs. B. : “ And what have the blue tits been doing ? ” 
Gardener: “ Two of them have been sitting close to the entrance 
of one of the hives and have picked off and killed every bee as it 
came out, and now they have begun on a second hive.” Mrs. B. : 
“ Well, gardener, you had better stick some potatoes all over with 
feathers and hang them up in front of the hives; that will most 
likely frighten them away.” Gardener: “ I’ve done that, ma’am, 
already, and the tits just sit on the potatoes and look at me.” 
Eventually one of the offenders was shot and hung up as a “ frightful 
example ” to the rest. This proved an effectual warning. 
Bed-backed Shrike (.Lanius collurio ).-—Several red-backed shrikes 
have been again reported. On May 15th a nest, with two eggs, 
was found near Bedbourn Bury by Mr. E. W. Arnold ; on the same 
day a cock, in fine plumage, was observed on Bernard’s Heath by 
Mr. Henry Lewis. On June 7th a nest, with four eggs, was found 
near Boyston by Mr. P. E. Eordham. On July 22nd Mr. Henry 
Lewis found a shrike’s nest in a furze-bush at Nortonbury, close to 
the moat, and on the same day, by carefully watching a bird at 
Leasey Bridge, was fortunate enough to discover its larder—it con¬ 
sisted of mice, beetles, and young birds impaled on black-thorns. 
Lastly, Mr. Norman Thrale informs me that three out of the four 
pairs of shrikes reported last year as nesting near Port Yale, have 
again resorted to their old haunts. 
Waxwing ( Ampelis Garrulus). —A waxwing was shot by Mr. 
H. How, on Cupid’s Green, Hemel Hempstead, in January, 1870, 
and is still in his possession. It was mounted by Mr. Bowers, of 
Watford. Mr. How informs me that at the time the bird was shot 
the weather was intensely cold. I reported this species, for the 
first time, last year, but it is so seldom to be met with in Hert¬ 
fordshire that I think it best to record its capture as now stated. 
Siskin ( Carduelis Spinus). —Siskins have been tolerably abundant. 
On March 4th a flight was observed by Mr. H. Lewis on alder trees 
near St. Albans, and on February 7th a considerable number con¬ 
gregated on the alder trees near the waterfall in my own meadow. 
Greenfinch ( ligurinus Clitoris). —Miss Myers, of the Grove 
gardens, informs me that during the early summer she noticed a 
boy with a nest containing four young greenfinches. Wishing to 
save their lives, she offered to take charge of them and rear them. 
This was done very successfully by feeding them on bread-crumbs 
and boiled egg. When completely fledged, she liberated them, but 
twice every day went into the gardens to feed them. Directly she 
made her appearance, the birds would fly towards her, perch on her 
head and shoulders, and eagerly consume the proffered meal. This 
practice was continued for more than a month, when Miss Myers 
had occasion to leave home for about a fortnight; on returning to 
