Aston Clinton and Halton. Although not a regular migrant, we hardly think that it stays throughout really cold weather in Bucks and Herts. Sir John van Hatten records it as being shot by Mr. F. Sanders on November 15, 1774, near Dinton Hall, Aylesbury.
10. Redstart. Ruticilla phaenicurus (Linn.).
The redstart is apparently not as common as it is in many other counties, and rather locally distributed. It is however a regular breeder in many places, especially near rivers and streams, where willows and other suitable trees offer good opportunities for breeding. Nests are found, though this is not frequent, in holes of walls. We have both observed several pairs in and near Stowe Park ; Hartert has seen it on the river Ouse, and the late Lionel Wiglesworth informed him that it was a common breeder in willow trees near Castlethorpe. We have seen it rarely near Walton and Aylesbury. Mr. Heatley Noble tells us that it breeds every year on the hill by Fawley village. The Rev. Hubert Astley reports it as nesting regularly on the Chequers Court estate, where in two cases holes under eaves of keepers' houses were chosen for the nest. Grossman and Hartert observed it in June at Burnham Beeches, where it appears not to be rare.
11 . Redbreast. Erithacus rubecula (Linn.).
(We are of opinion that the more correct name of the British form of the redbreast is Erithacus rubecula melophilus, Hart. The above name (E. rubecula) should strictly only be used for the continental form, which has the throat of a paler red and the back not so deep rufous brown. See Novit. Zool. 1901, p. 317)
One of the commonest birds everywhere throughout the year. We have not noticed any migration in this bird, neither do our birds apparently leave us as a rule, nor have we seen an influx of migrants. Specimens obtained at various times of the year and others closely observed belonged all to the British race. Some months ago a German lady during a visit to England remarked that she had been pleased with the frequency and tameness of the robins, and that they in Eng- land deserved the name ' redbreast ' much more than those on the continent, which were not half so red and bright. This un- sophisticated statement of a person ignorant of ornithology is rather striking, as it agrees with our view on the distinctness of the British race. Mr. A. Heneage Cocks writes : 'A nest was found on the ground under dead fern on April 14, 1886. A fern pushing up from beneath had rendered the bottom of the nest convex, so that the eggs got arranged in single file round the edge. On the 22nd I removed two eggs which had fallen through the bottom of the nest.'
12. Nightingale. Daulias luscinia (Linn.).
Though unaccountably local, the nightin- gale is seldom absent on low, fertile ground, especially if water is near. It is mostly absent from high dry ground, though sometimes it takes up its residence in such places. The Rev. Hubert Astley found a pair nesting in a hedge bordering a road leading to an out-of- the-way farmhouse in the vicinity of beech woods with very little undergrowth. W. found it more common near Castlethorpe, Buckingham and Newport Pagnell.
13. Whitethroat. Sylvia cinerea (Bechstein).
From the middle or end of April one of the commonest birds in hedgerows, gardens, woods and commons. The eggs vary most wonderfully, though we have not seen any very unusual varieties from Buckinghamshire.
14. Lesser Whitethroat. Sylvia curruca (Linn.).
Arrives generally between April 15 and 2O. Hartert has seen it in full song on April 16. A more or less common bird almost everywhere in similar places, but not as abundant as the common whitethroat.
15. Blackcap. Sylvia atricapilla (Linn.).
In suitable localities, viz. well wooded parks and woods with undergrowth, this beautiful songster is common. The majority arrive about the middle of April, but Hartert has heard it in full song on April 10. The pink varieties of the eggs are much rarer than the brown ones.
16. Garden-Warbler. Sylvia hortensis (Bechstein).
From the end of April or beginning of May this warbler may be found generally distri- buted in quiet, well-wooded parks, gardens and woods all over the county, but it is no doubt much rarer than the blackcap, and not so easily seen, though its song is often to be heard. Grossman and Hartert have observed it near Chesham, Beaconsfield, Burnham, Castlethorpe and Mentmore. The Rev. Hubert D. Astley calls it common in gardens at the foot of the Chiltern Hills.
17. Goldcrest. Regulus cristatus, Koch.
(The more correct name of this species, in our opinion, is Regulus regulus, as Linnæus
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