BIRDS the present day seem to be on Dunstable Downs where a few pairs can also be found. Although redshanks probably bred on our low-lying meadow lands years ago no certain evidence can be obtained ; but they appeared at Newnham in 1896 and several pairs continued nesting until 1899. It is possible that the black tern may once have nested also in the county. To what extent such a small area as the sewage farm at Newnham can, under varying conditions, influence the appearance of rarer migrants and nesting species will be shown in the accompanying notes. The Ouse is the highway which brings so many of the rarer waterfowl, and along the Ouse valley a regular stream of migratory waders, geese, ducks, gulls, terns, etc., journey every spring and autumn on their way from coast to coast. The large flocks of lapwings and golden plovers, and the numbers of hooded crows and various other species that winter with us are evidently migrants that have come from our eastern coasts and followed the course of the Ouse. In cases where the record of a bird's occurrence is open to doubt or its appearance is due to artificial introduction the entry in the following list is placed within square brackets. Brackets placed round the name of the original describer of a species indicate that he did not employ the generic name which is now adopted. 1. Missel-Thrush. Turdus viscivorus, Linn. Locally, Screaming-Thrush. A common bird throughout the county. It is one of our earliest breeding species, fre- quently nesting towards the end of March, and at times even earlier. A fawn-coloured variety in the possession of Mr. Cane is said to have been taken locally. 2. Song Thrush. Turdus musicus, Linn. Nests abundantly everywhere. Many thrushes forsake their haunts as the winter approaches, and remain absent during any lengthy spell of severe weather. An instance of a nest of a thrush having been found near Luton in the side of a round wheat-stack is re- corded by Morris in his British Birds. Several pied varieties of this thrush have been obtained. 3. Redwing. Turdus iliacus, Linn. An abundant winter visitant. As is the case with the fieldfare, prolonged severe weather tends very much to reduce their numbers. Redwings generally arrive with us earlier than the fieldfare. Often the first intimation of their presence is the note of a migrant passing overhead during the night. About the middle of October seems to be the usual date of their arrival, and they depart again at the end of March or early in April. 4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn. Locally, Felt, Felfer. Generally towards the latter end of October I 105 or in early November small flocks of fieldfares arrive, their number being considerably added to as the winter advances. During the more open period, when insect food is obtainable, they frequent, in company with redwings, the grass lands, where, in such districts as the meadows of Goldington and Cardington, they may be seen together in thousands. At the first fall of snow, or as soon as the ground has become frozen, they are driven to seek a living among the bushes and hedgerows, feed- ing upon the berries in company with red- wings, blackbirds, thrushes, etc. Should un- usually severe weather prevail for a long time, many starve, and others, half starved, are com- pelled to migrate elsewhere. Under such conditions it takes several years to recoup their numbers. The fieldfare is the last of our winter visitants to return to its breeding haunts, staying with us until late in April and frequently till May. A pied fieldfare was killed at Bolnhurst about 1863. 5. Blackbird. Turdus merula, Linn. Our blackbirds undoubtedly vary in num- bers owing to migration, but many are also resident with us, except perhaps during pro- longed severe weather ; yet even then, so long as a small supply of food is obtainable, some prefer not to forsake their summer haunts. Although a general favourite, this bird becomes troublesome in the fruit season. Albinos, pied, yellow and other varieties are frequently obtained. 14
