38 
W. BICKERTON-NOTES ON BIRDS 
neighbourhood of Stevenage, has now become practically extinct 
there. Mr. Pryor further reports that the coot ( Falica atra) 
and the dabchick ( Podicipes fluviatilis) have ceased to nest and are 
seldom seen in the district. 
The following birds are reported to have been scarcer during 
recent years:—Chiffchaff, linnet, swallow, house-martin, kestrel, 
landrail, magpie, wryneck, hawfinch, sparrow-hawk, red-backed 
shrike, nightjar, grasshopper-warbler, jay, quail, snipe, woodcock, 
golden plover, fieldfare, and redwing; while the following are 
reported as being on the increase :—Missel-thrush, blackbird, song- 
thrush, goldfinch (slightly), robin, sparrow, starling, kingfisher, 
green woodpecker, wood-pigeon, and marsh-tit. 
Of curious nesting-places I have only received three records. 
Robin. —A nest was built in a creel or basket hanging in a shed 
in the garden. Access could only he obtained through a narrow 
aperture or slit at the top. {Mr. H. Lewis.) 
Red-legged Partridge.— A nest was built on the ivy-covered 
top of a garden wall 5 feet high, and about 3 yards from an 
entrance door and 6 yards from the drawing-room window. Ten 
eggs were laid. '{Mr. Lewis Evans.) 
Rlue Tit. —A blue tit generally nests every year in a hole in 
an iron gatepost, close to which many boys [at Haileybury] pass 
daily. {Mr. Vaughan.) 
The usual list of summer visitors with dates of arrival is given 
herewith. 
Species. 
Stonechat ... 
(Vratincola rnbicola) 
Redstart . 
(Rut i cilia phcen i cu rus) 
Nightingale.... 
(Daulias luscinia) 
Greater Whitethroat 
(.Silvia cinerea) 
Lesser Whitethroat .... 
(Silvia curruca ) 
Blackcap .... 
(Silvia atricapilla) 
Garden-Warbler . 
(Silvia undata) 
Chiffchapp. 
(Phylloscopus rufus) .... 
Locality. Date. Observer. 
Berkhamsted . April 3 H. Lewis. 
Watford . May 11 W. Bickerton. 
Hitchin ... April 12.A. W. Dawson. 
Croxley Green. ,, 13.W. Bickerton. 
Hatfield . ,, 13 ..... T. Brown. 
St. Albans . ,, 14.H. Lewis. 
Bushey Heath. ,, 14.P. J. Barraud. 
Berkhamsted .......... ,, 16 ..... Mrs. E. Mawley. 
Watford ,, 16.Mrs. Bishop. 
Harpenden..., ,, 17 ..... J. J. Willis. 
Elstree . ,, 18 ..... E. P. Thompson. 
Preston . ,, 19.R. de V. Pryor. 
Broxbourne. ,, 20.Rev. H. P. Waller. 
Sawbridgeworth..... ,, 20.J. J. Rivers. 
Bushey Heath. ,, 18 ..... P, J. Barraud. 
Elstree .. ,, 19 ..... E. P. Thompson. 
Bushey Heath.. ,, 20.P. J. Barraud. 
Bushey Heath.. ,, 13.P. J. Barraud. 
Newberries. Radlett ,, 14.Mrs, Verity. 
St. Albans . ,, 21 H. Lewis. 
Bushey Heath.. ,, 22.P. J. Barraud. 
Berkhamsted . Mar. 28 ..... H. Lewis. 
Newberries,Radlett ,, 31 Mrs. Verity. 
Bushey Heath..... April 1.P. J. Barraud. 
