BIRDS 71. Ortolan Bunting. Emberiza hortulana, Linn. Clark Kennedy states (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 177), 'Mr. Sharpe informed me a few years since (i.e. prior to 1868) three birds of this species were shot near Cookham by a man named Mott. These specimens were well identified, but they were unfortu- nately not preserved.' 72. Reed - Bunting. Emberiza schceniclus, Linn. Locally, Black-headed Bunting, Reed-sparrow. The first local name is the one by which this bird is usually known on the banks of the Thames, though quite erroneously. The real black-headed bunting (E. melanocephala) is an inhabitant of south-eastern Europe, and has only been recorded in England some four or five times. Our bird is resident and com- mon, breeding in some numbers by the sides of streams and in the water meadows, but in winter often seen feeding with other seed- eating birds round the rick-yard or on arable land. 73. Snow-Bunting. Plectrapbenax nivalis (Linn.). One killed by a shoemaker near Cookham passed into the collection of Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, and was recorded by Clark Kennedy (Birds of Berks and Bucks, p. 175), but the date was not forthcoming. There is also one men- tioned in the Eton College Museum Catalogue as having been taken in Berks, but when I went to examine it, it was not to be found ! Two were shot near Reading January, 1795 (' Ornith. Bercheria '). Three have been shot at different times near Wallingford (Mr. Newton in lit.). A pair were seen by Mr. Valpy near Enborne church during the win- ter of 1885 (Palmer, 'Birds of Newbury and District '), who also mentions he saw another shot in the neighbourhood ' some years ago.' 74- Starling. Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. Locally, Stare. Resident, very numerous and an increasing species I fear becoming rather too plentiful. Although the amount of good they do in destroying vast numbers of insects cannot be denied, yet in early spring I have known acres of young wheat pulled up just as it was showing through the soil. They roosted in some laurel close by, and killed the covert owing to their droppings, so that eventually we were forced to cut it down in order to drive them away. Another crime that can justly be laid to their charge is that of driving other birds from their nesting-holes. I have seen great spotted woodpeckers, nut- hatches and tits all deposed. It has often been disputed whether starlings breed twice in the year. My own experience, from boxes placed in sight of the windows, leads me to believe that, whilst many have double broods, a large number have not ; also, many do not breed at all, as proved by the large flocks roosting here throughout the summer. 75. Rose-coloured Starling. Pastor roseus (Linn.). A male was shot in September, 1810, whilst feeding amongst some cows in the Newbury fields. Its stomach contained some undigested beetles (' Ornith. Bercheria '). The late Dr. Palmer mentions one picked up in an exhausted condition about 1876 ('Birds of Newbury and District'), and the bird has twice been obtained near Crowmarsh, just over our boundary (W. Newton in lit.). 76. Chough. Pyrrhocorax graculus (Linn.). One was killed near Newbury on August 13, 1868, and seen in the flesh by Mr. Herbert, into whose collection it passed (Netv- bury District Field Club, 1870-1, p. 96). It seems hardly likely this was a wild bird. 77- J a y- Garrulus glandarius (Linn.). A common resident, though probably its numbers are increased by migrants in the autumn. Jays breed in the wooded districts in fair numbers, considering the persecution to which they are subjected. That they destroy a certain number of game-birds' eggs there is no denying, but their food consists largely of worms, also acorns, beech-masts and other seed, so that I would ask game preservers not to be too hard on them. 78. Magpie. Pica rustica (Scopoli). Resident and fairly common, but it has ceased to breed in this part of the county. Not nearly as cunning as the last species it is much more easily destroyed, and as it is not migratory to any extent, we seldom see an individual now. It still breeds near Radley and in the less preserved parts of the county ; also near Faringdon, where it is very common (T. Dewe in lit.). 79. Jackdaw. Corvus monedula, Linn. Locally, Daw. This bird is common and resident, breeding in large numbers. It is a regular eater of eggs and young birds, with few redeeming points. 149
