Willow Wren. (Sylvia trochilus, Lath.) Many are to be seen about the middle and end of April in the young enclosures, where I have frequently caught the bird on its nest.
Wood Wren. (Sylvia sibilatrix, Bechst.) Its nests and eggs are generally found about the same time as the willow wren's.
Whitethroat. (Sylvia cinerea, Lath.) Common.
Lesser Whitethroat. (Sylvia curruca, Lath.) Not abundant.
Whinchat. (Sylvia rubetra, Lath.) Known throughout the Forest as the "Furze Hacker."
Tree Pipit. (Anthus arboreus, Bechst.) Common.
Reed Wren. (Sylvia arundinacea, Lath.) The five foregoing species come much about the same time, namely, the end of April, but the reed wren is excessively scarce in the Forest, and I have only once or twice heard its note in the Beaulieu river. Mr. Hart assures me that it builds on the banks of the Avon, but its nest has yet to be found.
Landrail. (Gallinula crex, Lath.) About the end of April or beginning of May. A good many yearly build round Milton, and the south parts of the Forest, and even in the interior, as at Fritham and Alum Green.
Common Sandpiper. (Tetanus hypoleucos. Tem.) A pair now and then remain to breed at Whitten pond, near Burley, and also at Ocknell.
Turtle Dove. (Columba turtur, Lin.) Not uncommon. Makes a slight framework of heather for a nest, which it places in a furze bush or low holly. Is extremely shy, and easily forsakes its eggs.
Swift. (Cypselus apus, Illig.)
Nightjar. (Caprimulgus Europæus, Lin.) Known throughout the Forest as the "Night Hawk," "Night Crow," "Ground Hawk," from its habits, and manner of flying. I have received its eggs at all dates, from the middle of May to the end of July.
Spotted Flycatcher. (Muscicapa grisola, Lin.) Arrives about the same time as the three preceding, namely, the beginning of May.
Redbacked Shrike. (Lanius collurio, Lin.)
Hobby. (Falco subbuteo, Lath.) Generally breeds from the beginning to the end of June. Mr. Farren, however, in 1861, found a nest containing three eggs so early as May 28th. See Chapter XXII. p. 261.
Honey Buzzard. (Falco apivorus, Lin.) Never arrives before the end of May. See Chapter xxii. pp. 262-265.
Puffin. (Mormon fratercula. Tem.) Comes to the Barton cliffs from the Isle of Wight, where it breeds.
Here, as before, the list clearly indicates the nature of the country. The wheatear proclaims the down-like spaces on the tops of the hills, whilst the hobby and the honey-buzzard tell of the vast extent of woods. In the following division the winter birds speak, instead, of the morasses and bogs, and the river estuaries and mudbanks, which surround the Forest district.
Shorteared owl. (Strix brachyotus, Gmel.) Not uncommon. Mr. Cooper, the Forest Keeper to whom I have before referred, tells me that in winter and late in the autumn for twenty years past he has invariably met specimens in heathy and marshy spots at Harvestslade between Burley and Boldrewood. A specimen was killed in November, 1860, in Dibden Bottom, by L. H. Cumberbatch, Esq.
