BIRDS through my field-glasses for some time, satis- fying myself that it had two wing spots, therefore being L. excubitor. The flight of this bird was very like that of the red-backed species ; the tail seemed very long, and the black and white wings and tail appeared very conspicuous when flying. The bird generally sat on the top of a thornbush with its body bent very much forward. Mr. Latchmore of Hitchin informs me that he has in his possession an example of this species which was shot on Norton Common near Baldock. 49. Red-backed Shrike. Lanius co/lurio, Linn. This is a regular summer visitor to Hert- fordshire, arriving about the middle of May, and so far as the Berkhamsted district is con- cerned, is decidedly on the increase. 50. Woodchat Shrike. Lanius pomeranus, Sparrman. This shrike has occurred in Hertfordshire on two occasions, both of which are mentioned by Mr. O. V. Aplin in his paper on the occurrence of this species in the British Isles in the Zoologist for 1892. In 1856 Mr. Tuck reported in the Zoologist that a wood- chat had been shot near Baldock in the spring, and had been mounted by Mr. Norman of Royston ; while in May, 1873, the Rev. H. A. Macpherson saw one near Hertford, and recorded it in the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Association. 5 1 . Waxwing. Ampelis garrulus, Linn. The first Hertfordshire specimen of the waxwing was shot about a mile from Tring on the Aylesbury road, about 1851. In January, 1870, Mr. How shot one at Cupid's Green near Hemel Hempstead, and the bird is, I believe, still in his possession. The late Dr. Brett mentioned that one was shot in the Watford Fields in 1874. Two were shot near Ware in 1881, and are in the possession of Mr. Chapman of Bennington ; while the Hon. Walter Rothschild informed Mr. Little- boy that a waxwing was obtained at Tring in March, 1883. In 1893 a specimen was picked up on the banks of the river Lea near Hertford, in January ; and on February 27th two were shot from a party of five which were feeding on the fruit of the wild rose at Northaw. In the autumn of 1895 two of these birds were shot at Radlett by Mr. Clarke the station-master, in whose possession they now are. 52. Pied Flycatcher. Muscicapa atricapilla, Linn. This species can unfortunately only be included in the Hertfordshire list as an occa- sional visitor. It has been recorded on about seven occasions. In 1879 one was shot near Royston during the summer ; it was stuffed by the late William Norman, and remained in his collection till his death, when the col- lection was, I believe, sold ; where this par- ticular specimen went to I do not know. It was not until 1887 that this bird was again recorded in the county ; in that year one was shot near Stevenage on May I3th. In 1896 an example was obtained at Hitchin, but was so badly damaged that it could not be pre- served ; it was, however, carefully identified before being thrown away. In the following year I saw a fine male near Great Gaddesden on April 23rd, and spent some time in watch- ing it. I was first struck by the white on the bird, which was in splendid plumage. Its movements were very similar to those of the spotted flycatcher, and its note was somewhat like the call-note of a tree-pipit (A. trivia/is). On April 24th, 1898, and the two following days, the Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert saw a male in his garden at Munden near Watford, and had many opportunities of watching it. In the present year he again saw a male bird at Munden ; this was on April 8th, which seems an exceptionally early date for the species. In the Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc. 1893, vol. vii., there is mention made of an example of this species, which was included in the list of Hertfordshire Quadrupeds, Birds and Insects which had been preserved by a Mrs. Young of Bennington. 53. Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa grisola, Linn. This is an annual visitor, and may be found nesting all over the county. It usually arrives about the beginning of May, but has been seen at times about a week earlier. 54. Swallow. Hirundo rustica, Linn. This is a regular summer visitor to Hert- fordshire, arriving usually about the first or second week in April, and leaving us in September or early in October. This is one of the nests in which the cuckoo's egg has been found in the county. 55. House-Martin. Cbelidon urbica (Linn.). The house-martin is also a summer visitor, which comes here usually rather later than the last species, but which leaves about the same time. 56. Sand-Martin. Cotile riparia (Linn.) This species is usually the first of the Hirundinidts to arrive, often making its appear- ance at the end of March. 201
