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SOME FIELD-NOTES ON BIRDS.
SOME FIELD-NOTES ON BIRDS. BY HARRY C .
MURRELL.
are a few notes taken by a novice in the field during the present year, along with a smattering of the local names by which the birds are known hereabouts. The long clutches of eggs seen were those of the Thrush (Turdus mustern, L.) of six ; the Sedgewarbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis, Bch.) of seven; and as many of the Redbacked Shrike (Lantus collurio, L.), which " Butcher Bird " was less plentiful than during the previous year, but Whitethroats (Sylvia cinerea, Bch.), termed both Nettle Creeper" and " Hayjack," were quite common. Of Lesser Whitethroats (S. curruca, L.) fewer were seen this year than usual; though Blackcaps (S. atricapiUa, L.), which may be insectivorous but are certainly very partial to ehernes and plums, were well represented. Four nests were observed of the Goldcrest (Reeulus cristatus, Kch), and six or seven of the Long-tailed Tit (Acredula caudata, L.), called both " Pudden Poke and " Bottie Tit " Nuthatches (Sitta ccesia, Wlf). have been common in some places; and the " Yellow Dishwater" or Wagtail (MotacĂźla Raii, Bon.) was to be found all through the Framlingham District. Two Magpie (Pica rusttca, Scp.) nests were built in the same District: unfortunately both were taken. Nidification of the Swallows (Hirundo rustica, L.) and House Martins (Chelidon urbica, L.) was late, and I do not think that many had second broods. The Wood Lark (Alauda arborea, L.) was onlv sparsely represented, but the Lesser Woodpecker (Dendrocopus mincr, L.) has been frequently seen and at least one brood was brought off; in another case, a Kinghsher (Alcedo ispida, L.) reared its young in a sand-pit! HERE
From some direct observations I can confirm the fact that Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus, L.) are polyandrous ; lt is remarkable that this year they ceased calling towards the end of June, with no chanee of voice, and also that young of the Short-eared Owl (Asio aeeipitrinus, Pal.) or " Wood-cock Owl " were reared on salt-marshes. Shooting of Harriers (Circus spp.) in the course of last winter is very regrettable and a most reprehensible practice ; but a pair of Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus, L.) or " Wind-hovers sueeeeded in building in an oak-tree a nest that was later tenanted by Stock Doves (Columba emas, L.) + Four Pink-footed Geese (Anser brachyrhynchus, Bail.) were seen in December 19J1; Shovelers (Spatula clypeata, L.) have this year bred on the salt-marshes ; and the Stone Curlew ((Edicnemus scolopax, Gm!.), * M r D o u g h t y w i s h e s it s t a t e d t h a t t h e P i g e o n s n e s t i n g i n R a m s h o l t c h u r c h - t o w e r ( T r a n s , s u p r a , i, p . 172) w e r e ^ n o t Columba palumbus U n n b u t Domestic-pigeons become feral : probably they had been left behind, ' " ' s o f t e n necessarily t h e case. %vhen t h e i r earl.er h o m e , a f a r m - h o u s e doubtless, became untenanted.—Ed.