A HISTORY OF HEREFORDSHIRE end of September. It occurs fairly often in the county. I 7a. Dartford Warbler. Sylvia undata (Boddaert). Two nests of this rare warbler were seen near the banks of the Teme a few years ago by Mr. Palmer of Ludlow, who not only saw the birds but found the nests. Unfortunately the gorse where the nests were placed was burnt down two years ago, and the birds have not been observed since (Pilley). 1 8. Goldcrest. Regulus crisiatui, 'Koc^i. Locally, Gold-crested Regulus, Gold-crested Warbler, Gold-crowned Ringlet. A common resident in the county, and its numbers are augmented by immigrants in the spring and autumn. Bull says it is rare in summer, but prob- ably this is owing to its being often overlooked in the thick foliage of the trees. £Firecrest. Regulus ignicapillus (Brehm). Although reported to have been • seen ' at Sufton, Hyston, and Sellack the occurrence is almost doubtful, as it is almost impossible to discern the difference between this and the last-named bird, unless one has it in the hand.] 19. ChifF Chaff. Phylloscopus rufus, (^tzViXAXXi). Locally, Lesser Petty-Chaps, Least Willow Wren. A summer migrant arriving in March and leaving in October ; everywhere common in the county. 20. Willow Warbler. Phylloscopus trochilus (Linn.) Locally, Willow Wren, Yellow Wren, Scotch Wren, Haybird, Huck Muck, Ground Wren, Oven Bird. A summer migrant from April to September and, as may be expected, one of the commonest of the warblers in the county. 2 1 . Wood Warbler. Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein). Locally, Wood Wren, Yellow Wren. Another summer visitant from April to September. Although common in Breconshire most years, it can only be considered as fairly so in Herefordshire, but the numbers vary in different years. Dr. Williams, alluding to the domed nest made by this bird, says that he once found a nest the top of which was formerly the root of a tree. It is fairly plentiful in the Ross district. 22. Reed Warbler. Acncephalus streperus (Vieillot). Locally, Reed Wren, Night Warbler. A summer visitant arriving in April and leaving in September, but rare in the county, as may be expected from the absence of any large lake where reeds flourish in abundance. It has been observed in Tyberton, Moccas and Shobdon. 23. Sedge Warbler. Acncephalus phragmites (Bech- stein). Locally, Sedge Bird, Sedge Reedling. A summer migrant arriving in the latter part of April and leaving at the end of September. This is one of our most abundant warblers and is everywhere common in the county. 24. Grasshopper Warbler. Locustella naevia (Bod- daert). Locally, Reeler. This often-heard but little seen summer migrant arrives in April and departs in September. It is known by the appropriate name of Reeler from its note resembling the reel of a fishing line when drawn off the reel. It is common in the Ross district and occurs in the Bromyard district, at Kingsland and Kimbolton, and throughout the county. 25. Hedge Sparrow. Accentor modularis {Lmn.). Locally, Hempie, Aizack, Isaac, Blue Isaac, Dun- nock, Hedge Warbler, Shufflewing. A common resident. 26. Dipper or Water Ouzel. Cinclus aquaticus Bechstein. Locally, Water Blackbird, Whitethroated Black- bird, Wizzel, Brook Ouzel, Water Crow, Water Colly, Water Kiet, Bessyducker. Generally distributed throughout the county, more especially on the Garron. (Southall.) 27. Long-tailed Tit. Acredula caudata (Linn). Locally, Bottle Tit, Canbottle, Mummiruffin, Mumruffin, Ragamuffin, Longtailed Mag, Bottle Tom, Longtailed Capon, Longtailed Pie, Caper Long Tail, Oven Builder, Poke Pudding,Mufflin,Canbottling,Feather-Poke. A common resident, and occurs in greater numbers than generally supposed. They are very loosely feathered, and in hard weather are generally the first to appear in the apple trees near the house with their feeble, jerky flight. 28. Great Tit. Parus major, Linn. Locally, Oxeye, Blackcap, Great Black-headed Tom Tit, Pickcheese, Sawyer Bird, G.eat Titmouse. A common resident. This is a very savage bird, and it may not be generally known that it will kill weaker birds by making a hole in their skulls. In- deed I found it impossible to keep these birds with others in an aviary as they were so destructive. This bird is very fond of nuts, and I have seen one put a nut in the fork of a branch and crack it by stiffening its body and bringing its bill down on to the nut like a hammer. It has also the curious habit of bending the feathers of its tail when clinging to any round object. 29. Coal Tit. Parus ater, Linn. Locally, Coal Mouse, Coalhead. Also common, but not nearly so much so as the last- named. Dr. Williams in the Woolhope Transactions states that he once found a coal tit's nest built in a disused one of a thrush. 30. Marsh Tit. Parus palustris, Linn. Locally, Coal-head, Blackcap, Willow Biter. A resident, but still less common than the coal tit. 3 1 . Blue Tit. Parus coeruleus, Linn. Locally, Tomtit, Bluecap, Willowbiter, Blue Tomtit, Nun, Bluebonnet, Billybiter, Hick- wall, Blue Mope. Common throughout the county. Dr. Williams states,' that in 1894 he found a blue tit's nest in a ' Tram. Woolhofe Club, 1896,.?. 148. 32
