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A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE later a second was shot at the same place (Palmer, ' Birds of Newbury and District '). Two were killed by Mr. P. St. Gerrans on the banks of the Blackwater in the autumn of 1891, and are in his possession (G. T. Phillips in lit.). On November 3, 1897, one was seen by Mr. Woods at Theale (G. W. Bradshaw in lit.). 45. Red - backed Shrike. Lanius collurio, Linn. Locally, Butcher-bird, French Sparrow. A late summer migrant, seldom seen before the middle of May in this district but earlier in the south. It is fairly common and breeds in many parts of the county ; from Windsor to Maidenhead it nests freely, and of late years I have found them on Maidenhead Thicket at Crazies Hill, Culham Court and near Reading. Mr. Wallis informs me they breed pretty commonly near Aldermaston Station. In the Wellington College district, and at Radley, near Abingdon, nests have been found. 46. Woodchat Shrike. Lanius pomeranus, Sparrman. This species is included in my list because I have seen a specimen in the British Museum labelled ' Reading, Theo. Fisher, Esq.,' but further particulars are wanting. 47. Waxwing. Ampelis garrulus, Linn. This species is a rare winter visitor. One was shot and wounded in January, 1867, at the Hermitage near Newbury ; it was kept alive for three days, when it died of its in- juries (Zool. 1867, p. 561). The year pre- viously a fine specimen was killed on Novem- ber 9 in the same district (W. H. Herbert). The late Dr. Palmer has recorded another in his collection shot at the same place in 1868. In December, 1883, one was observed by Mr. Phillips in a holly bush at 10 yards dis- tance, and on February i, 1895, a second was shot in a thorn bush at Binfield. One is reported from near Wellington College in 1883. 48. Pied Flycatcher. Muscicapa atricapilla, Linn. A summer visitor, though at rare intervals. Writing in 1868, Clark Kennedy mentions one taken in Berkshire ' about ten years since ' (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 169), and a well-authenticated nest was found near Eton in 1860, possibly on the Berks side. Eggs were shown me from a nest taken at Hennerton near Wargrave about 1880. A nest was taken and the female shot at Berry Hill, Taplow, in (I think) 1873; and al- though this is over our boundary it is so near that it should be recorded. A pair have been noticed on the borders of Englefield Park each summer for some years, and were pro- bably breeding there, while a nest was found near the bathing-place at Park Place in 1901. 49. Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa grisola, Linn. Locally, Beam-bird. An abundant summer migrant, arriving about the middle of May and departing at the end of September. 50. Swallow. Hirundo rustics, Linn. Locally, Chimney-swallow. A few arrive here about the end of first week in April, although the great migration does not take place until fully a week or ten days later. They return for the most part at the end of September, though some re- main later, and have often been noticed well on into October and even November. At least two broods are produced. The excep- tionally late occurrences are probably those of young birds unable to follow their parents, who often abandon them to shift for them- selves, so strong is the migratory instinct. 51. House-Martin. Cbelidon urbica (Linn.). Arriving rather later than the preceding species, the greater number have left us again by the first week in October, though single birds may remain till November. I have seen one on the 2 5th of that month, and another is recorded at Henley-on-Thames as late as December 18 (Zool. 1881, p. 62). A common idea exists in the local mind that both these birds and swallows occasionally hibernate, and one worthy assured me he had found dozens in a hole in an old bridge an impossibility which needs no comment. The martin in this district is not nearly so numer- ous as it was twenty years ago, owing, I be- lieve, to the house-sparrow usurping the mar- tins' nest and driving the birds away. A story often repeated to the effect that the martin has been known to avenge itself by mudding up the entrance to the nest, thus retaining the sparrow a prisoner, seems un- likely, as we can hardly believe this strong- billed bird would peacefully remain in the nest whilst the operation was being completed. At the same time I once noticed a martin's nest with no aperture, and on opening it found a dead sparrow. Probably the bird had died from natural causes, and being an unpleasant companion the entrance to the nest was closed up. 146