Page:VCH Bedfordshire 1.djvu/147

BIRDS II. Black Redstart. Ruticilla titys (Scopoli) This somewhat rare winter migrant to the British Islands has been recorded for the county several times. Four occurrences came under the personal observation of Mr. A. Covington, the particulars of which are as follows : In November i860 one was search ing for food among the crevices of the stone will be found equally distributed over the county. Mr. A. Covington once had a lesser whitethroat pass through his hands which had the whole of the under part suffused with pale salmon colour. 1 6. Blackcap. Sylvia atricapilla (Linn.) In my wanderings over the county I work of the old hostelry in the Old George alwa y S found the black k ca P a hlrl Y common yard at Bedford ; another was observed on Sunday, 29 December 1872, on the carving of the south porch of St. Paul's Church ; it seemed rather shy, but he was able to watch it for several minutes ; it eventually flew up to one of the pinnacles. One shot in the town was taken to him on the following day, and was probably the same bird. The third was observed 17 February 1899 near Clap- ham Park. Two others also passed through his hands, shot at Barford and Clapham, both whilst perched on hurdles forming sheep pens. Mr. Cane killed one of this species near Luton about 1865, and saw another at a later date, which however was not obtained. He heard also of a third being seen in that locality. 12. Redbreast. Erithacus rubecula (Linn.) The robin is far too numerous and familar to need any reference to its distribution, ex- cept that its numbers with us are considerably added to by immigrants at certain periods of the year. Instances of odd situations chosen for nesting accommodation by the robin are numerous. 13. Nightingale. Daulias luscinia (Linn.) From its abundance the greater part of the county must be well suited to its habits ; any small spinney with a fair amount of under- growth will be made the nesting haunt of at least a pair of these birds ; in larger plan- tations and woods many pairs can be found, and frequently a thick hedgerow or a garden shrubbery will tempt a pair to nest regularly. It seems more numerous in some years than in others. 14. Whitethroat. Sylvia cinerea (Bechstein) Locally, Haybird, Nettle-Creeper, Cut-Throat. The commonest warbler amongst our sum- mer migrants. Its fragile nest can generally be found about the hedgerows or among the undergrowth of small spinneys. 15. Lesser Whitethroat. Sylvia curruca (Linn.) Compared in numbers with the previous species this bird is far less common, but yet it may be termed fairly abundant, and I think, from my own observations and those of others, summer migrant, which experience is shared by various friends and correspondents. It is generally distributed, frequenting the numerous small plantations and woodlands where suit- able undergrowth can be found for its nesting requirements. 1 7. Garden-Warbler. Sylvia hortensis (Bech- stein) Another summer migrant numbers about equal to those of the blackcap, frequenting similar situations, and whose habits are almost identical. To the best of my know- ledge it would be described as common in any part of the county. 18. Goldcrest. Regulus cristatus, Koch. In such localities as Ampthill, Woburn, Aspley, Rowney, Southill, and Warden, or probably where fir plantations are abundant, we find the goldcrest fairly common during the breeding season, and I have found it frequently nesting in many other districts where isolated or small groups of suitable trees meet its requirements. 19. Firecrest. Regulus ignicapillus (Brehm) A very uncommon winter visitor. Mr. A. Covington mentions two specimens of the firecrest as having passed through his hands ; a male which was killed in the firwoods at Ampthill about 1873, and a female which was killed with a stone by a lad in one of the hedgerows there. 20. Chifrchaff. Phylloscopus ru/us (Bechstein) A common summer migrant arriving in our county towards the end of March and stay- ing with us until late in September. 21. Willow- Warbler. Phylloscopus trochilus (Linn.) Locally, Oven-Bird, Banking-Bottle, Willow- Wren. From the domed construction of the nest the willow-warbler has received its local names. A willow-warbler was shot near the old bridge at Newnham as late as 27 December in 1878. 22. Wood Warbler. Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) Although I can name many localities where