64 
BIRDS OBSERVED IN 1885 . 
generally be found in this district, during the early part of 
November, wherever large fields and high hawthorn hedges prevail. 
Both species suffered frightfully during the first fortnight of March, 
1886. Redwings, which are more exclusively insectivorous than 
fieldfares, and are also more susceptible to the effects of cold, 
perished in immense numbers, and I have heard of their being 
picked up dead and dying in all directions. Fieldfares, naturally 
timid and difficult to approach, have been almost as tame as robins. 
I observed several, in pitiful condition, with drooping wings, and 
apparently unable to fly, close to the vicarage at Hunton Bridge, 
and, for the first time, I have seen two or three in my own garden. 
Large numbers of fieldfares must also have perished. 
It will be noticed that the occurrence of most of our winter 
visitants is far more uncertain and accidental than that of our 
summer migrants. It is not difficult to suggest an explanation. 
Summer migrants wing their way to us from southern climes for 
the purpose of nesting and breeding, and it is an admitted fact that 
they will almost always return, if possible, to the locality of their 
birth. Winter visitants come to us from the north, not because 
they love our shores, but because they are driven by cold and 
hunger to resort to a more genial climate. There is no certainty 
that a wanderer from the north will revisit, year after year, the 
same district; he will probably remain wherever he happens to 
find the food that he requires, and will extend his journey south¬ 
ward as circumstances may dictate. This theory is well illustrated 
by the ascertained habits of the common wild duck. It is well 
known that wild ducks frequently remain with us during mild 
winters. When ice first covers the ponds which they frequent, 
they will frequently retreat to a running stream, and eventually, 
should necessity compel, to the sea. Perhaps it may be worthy of 
remark that the holly-berries, always a last resource with birds, 
appear to have been more completely stripped from the hedges 
during the recent cold weather, than I have ever before observed to 
be the case. 
Before I conclude, may I solicit the kind assistance of our members 
in obtaining for me further information respecting rare birds, taken 
in Hertfordshire, prior to the year 1877 ? There must be, in many 
old mansions, stuffed specimens, about which detailed particulars 
might readily be obtained, and the record of which would mate¬ 
rially augment the number of species at present on our county 
register. I have also to ask for a continuance of the efficient help 
that has hitherto been so constantly and liberally furnished by a 
large circle of correspondents, and without which it would be im¬ 
possible to maintain the interest of my annual reports. 
