BIRDS 2. Song-Thrush. Turdus musicus, Linn. Locally, Grey Bird, Snailjobber. A common resident. During a severe winter or a dry season partial migrations occur to the vicinity of the sea-coast, where the birds feed on mussels and marine insects along the shore. After a time these indi- viduals become dark in plumage. 3. Redwing. Turdus iliacus, Linn. A winter migrant to the county ; generally appearing towards the middle of October in small parties, in company with the fieldfare. These are but advance guards of larger forces, which come as the year nears its end ; the numbers vary however according to the severity of the winter. When the weather is mild and open very few visit the county. During a severe winter their numbers are large, and they remain with us until the stores of holly berries give out, when the greater number disappear altogether from the county, and we see no more of them until they pass in the spring on their homeward journey, when they have been observed as late as the end of March. 4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn. The remarks on the preceding species apply equally to the fieldfare, which is also a winter migrant to the county, but it stays later than the redwing. 5. Blackbird. Turdus merula, Linn. A common resident, which has increased in numbers of late years, owing to the ex- tension of fruit growing in Kent. Mulberries form a favourite fruit of this bird. In Octo- ber blackbirds leave our gardens for the most part, and resort to the woods, where they seek their living on ground moistened by fallen leaves and dripping branches. The blackbird is essentially a worm-feeding bird, and there is not a doubt that fallen leaves attract worms more readily to the surface. Partial migra- tions occur in autumn and winter and again in spring. 6. Ring-Ouzel. Turdus torquatus, Linn. Occurs in Kent as a migrant only. Mr, Walter Prentis says : ' The ring-ouzel passes through Rainham on its passage north in spring, south in autumn ; sometimes, when food is to be had, staying a few days with us ; always wild, choosing for its perch the tops of trees.' In October, on its journey southward, this bird resorts to furze-covered commons near the sea, and should berries be plentiful it prolongs its stay. It is by no means a common migrant in the county. 7. Wheatear. Saxicola cenanthe (Linn.) Locally, Clod-hopper. The wheatear arrives in Kent towards the middle of March, and by the time that month draws to an end becomes a familiar figure in our coastland scenery. It is decidedly local as a breeding species in the interior of the county, its distribution varying according to the condition of the spring. Should March be an inclement month, not a few leave the bleak land near the coast and pass further in- land for summer quarters. The males appear to precede the females, for on several occasions when noting the arrival of this bird in spring I have seen none but males. In Kent the principal breeding localities of the wheatear are the Lydd beach around Dungeness, Little- stone and in the vicinities of Sandwich and Pegwell Bays and Whitstable, while it nests annually on the low ground between Graves- end and Chatham. The firing-courses at Lydd that now take place annually over this wide tract of beach have apparently failed to banish the wheatear, as they have several other breeding species. In this locality curious un- looked-for spots are often chosen by the birds for their nests. Discarded tins, kettles, and crevices in the gabion casemates are frequently made use of; while in May 1896 the writer discovered a nest inside an empty four- pounder shell. Again, it is not unusual to find the wheatear's nest in a depression on the bare beach. In a case like this dry grass alone is used, the nest resembling a large edition of the lark's, but the normal feather lining is then absent and the nest is thereby rendered less conspicuous. In August a congregating movement may be noticed, and the numbers of birds bred on the south coast are augmented for a short season by mi- grants from the westward, especially on the Sussex downs, where, in the days of our fore- fathers, the shepherds carried on a regular trade in these birds, which were looked upon as a great delicacy. We read in Gilbert White's letter to Daines Barrington in December 1 773 (Letter xvii.), that ' at the time of wheat har- vest, they begin to be taken in great numbers and sent for "sale in vast quantities to Bright- helmstone and Tonbridge, and appear at the tables of all the gentry that entertain with any degree of elegance.' 8. Whinchat. Pratincola rubetra (Linn.) A summer migrant to the county, arriving in the second week of April and departing again at the end of August, when parties of young birds in their rufous and black plumage may be observed lingering about waste land, 271
