234 
W. BICKERTON-NOTES ON BIRDS 
belong to the 1904 account, I have thought well to report it, as we 
have only two other records for our county, one in 1840, the other 
in 1884. 
Wild Geese.— Mr. E. P. Thompson reports that a flock of wild 
geese, 55 in number, passed over Elstree on 5th March, 1904, and 
another 25 shortly afterwards. Seven were also seen on the 
Reservoir in October. The exact species was not identified. 
Corncrake or Landrail (Crex pratensis). — This bird has been 
decidedly scarce in Hertfordshire during recent years. I only 
heard it once during the summer of 1904. Mr. A. W. Dickinson 
reports a nest of young landrails having been seen in a clover field 
on July 6th. Two of them were unfortunately killed by the 
mowing-machine, Mr. Dickinson also reports the following:— 
“ On November 8th a landrail was caught on a field near Sparrow’s 
Wick Wood. It could not fly, and had doubtless been shot or 
injured in some way. My sister kept it for about a week, when it 
died and was sent to the County Museum.” 
Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius). — Mr. E. Hartert, the 
Museum, Tring, reports that a female of this species, in beautiful 
changing plumage, was shot on the Reservoirs on Nov. 2nd. There 
are only four previous records for the county, the last in 1891. 
Dunlin (Tringa alpina). —Mr. Hartert also reports that “ dunlins 
mixed with curlew sandpipers in flights” were seen at Wilstone 
on September 15th. Two of the dunlins were obtained. 
Slavonian Grebe (Podicipes auritus). —Mr. H. Lewis, St. Albans, 
writes : “A Slavonian grebe I had in my possession and lately 
presented to the County Museum was sent to me in the flesh some 
twenty years ago. I believe it was killed in the county, though 
I have no recollection where.” 
As we have only three previous records of this bird, I have 
thought it well to include Mr. Lewis’s note, although it does not 
contain a record for 1904. 
The following birds are reported as being more common during 
1904 :—missel-thrush, song-thrush, blackbird, nuthatch, grey 
wagtail, red-backed shrike, hawfinch, goldfinch, house-sparrow, 
starling, swift, green woodpecker, ring-dove, partridge; while 
those reported as being scarcer than usual are: redwing, fieldfare, 
chiffchaff, willow-wren, wood-wren, grasshopper-warbler, swallow, 
jay, magpie, nightjar, kestrel, landrail, coot, golden plover, snipe. 
Curious Nesting-place. —Mr. H. Lewis reports: “A great-tit’s 
nest was built in an upright iron pipe stuck in the ground in 
Mr. A. Lewis’s garden at Sparrowswick, St. Albans. The nest 
was about eighteen inches from the top, the pipe being only about 
2£ inches in diameter. It is marvellous how the nest was con¬ 
structed in it.” 
The cuckoo’s egg is reported by Mr. Headley as having been 
found in the nest of the spotted flycatcher. 
In conclusion, I desire to very cordially thank all those who have 
so kindly sent me notes during the past year. Without their 
invaluable assistance it would be obviously impossible for me to 
