GREAT TIT
Parus major
The sexes are alike in plumage. The whole of the head, chin, throat, and a median line running down the breast are of a glossy blue black; cheeks white; mantle yellowish olive, prolonged forwards to end in a light spot on the nape; wing coverts and tail bluish grey, quills darker. Under parts greenish yellow. Length 5·75 in.; wing 2·85 in.
The young are somewhat paler, but otherwise resemble their parents.
A common resident throughout the whole country, except the extreme north.
The Coal Tit is often found as a near neighbour of the Blue Tit, but is never so abundant and familiar. It prefers clumps of trees bordering open commons and moors, but it may sometimes be seen on the outskirts of woods.
The nest is always placed near the ground, in either a hole of a post or tree, and not infrequently, when suitable holes are scarce, mouse-burrows in the ground itself are chosen. It is chiefly composed of moss and lined with hair and feathers, and the eggs, eight to ten in number, are white speckled with brown, much resembling those of other Tits.
The young are fed entirely on insects, and after leaving the nest wander about in family parties, gradually scattering over the country, but seldom becoming so familiar in the haunts of man and vicinity of towns as the Blue Tit.
The sexes are alike. The head, neck, and upper breast are a glossy blue black; the cheeks and a nuchal spot white; back grey, browner on the rump; wing coverts tipped with white to form two bars. Breast whitish, passing to pale brown on the flanks and belly. Length 4·25 in.; wing 2·4 in.
The young lack the gloss on the head, and the white cheeks and nape are tinged with yellow.
This species may readily be distinguished from the Marsh Tit by the white nuchal spot.
This bird is the rarest of our common species of Tits, although in some places it outnumbers the Coal. In habits it is very similar to its congeners, but is perhaps more partial to young alder and willow plantations than some of the others. Its name would lead us to suspect that it especially frequents marshy spots, but this is not the case. It chooses for its nesting-site a hole in some decayed stump which it not infrequently hews out for itself, and the nest consists of the usual materials, but sometimes willow-down is used in addition for a lining, a material never found in the nests of other Tits.
MARSH TIT
Parus palustris
The note is a three-syllabled chirp bearing a family resemblance to that of the other species. The food consists of insects and seeds of various kinds which it seeks with the unceasing energy characteristic of this genus.
The sexes are alike and of an olive brown colour on the back; head and nape glossy black; cheeks white; chin black; under parts whitish, becoming buff on the flanks. Length 4·5 in.; wing 2·45 in.
The young are duller and have no gloss on the head and nape.
This species is local, but well distributed in England and Wales; in Scotland it is rare and only recorded from two or three counties.
Recently it has been suggested that there is in our islands another species of Tit (P. salicaria) called the Willow Tit. Except that in habits it is apparently more local and restricted to marshy places, there seems to be little to distinguish it, and in plumage it is practically identical with the young Marsh Tit, the absence of gloss on the head being the most characteristic feature.
This bird is very similar in its actions to the Great Tit, but is more often seen in gardens than the latter. It is ever on the move and is extremely fond of a bit of suet—a piece hung on a string in the garden affords throughout the winter months endless opportunities of watching its pretty and fascinating ways. In summer, sunflower seeds are a great attraction; these are removed as soon as they ripen, and taken to some convenient post or branch; there he will hold one between his feet and split it with a few well-directed blows of his bill, and having swallowed the tender kernel he will return again and again to the same sunflower until not a seed is left.
Any dark cavity will suit it for a nesting-site, either a hole in some tree or post, an old tin carelessly thrown in a hedge, or some artificial nest-box in the garden, but it will rarely be nearer the ground than about six feet. It has a very short but bright song, which may often be heard in spring, and its call-note is a single “tzee.”
It is a very common resident, wandering in small parties all over the country during the winter months and even penetrating the heart of our large cities, where it becomes very tame and confiding.
The sexes are alike in plumage. The back is yellowish green; tail and wings blue; wing coverts tipped with white; the crown is cobalt blue encircled by a white line running backwards across the forehead. The chin is blue, and a blue line runs through each eye to the nape, and, encircling the white cheeks, runs forward again to meet the blue chin. Under parts sulphur yellow with a black streak down the centre of the chest. Length 4·3 in.; wing 2·4 in.
The young are very similar but rather duller in colour.
NUTHATCH
Sitta cæsia
It is common and generally distributed throughout our islands, becoming rather scarce and more local in the northwest of Scotland.
A few favoured spots in Scotland are the only resorts of this bird in our islands.
It is a forest species, haunting pine woods, from which it seldom wanders far. Like the Marsh Tit, it frequently excavates its own nesting-hole, which is generally at no great distance from the ground. In all its actions and habits it resembles its congeners.
The sexes are alike. The general colour above is olive brown, beneath white, turning to buff on the flanks. The feathers of the head are black, broadly edged with white and prolonged into a conspicuous crest. A black streak runs backwards from the eye on each side to join its fellow on the nape, whence it turns forward and encircling the cheeks, which are white mottled with black, joins up with the black chin. Length 4·5 in.; wing 2·5 in.
The young are duller and have hardly any crest.
The Nuthatch is fairly well distributed over the woodland portions of our southern and midland counties, becoming rarer towards the north. In Scotland it has only been observed in a few counties, and has never been met with in Ireland.
It is a very shy bird, but is most interesting to observe, as he runs up and down with extreme facility, assuming, as he does so, many graceful and curious positions. Unlike the Woodpeckers, which only run up the trees, it seems quite immaterial to this species whether he be going up, down, or sideways, forwards or backwards, for in all positions he seems equally at home. He will be more often heard than seen as the sharp, shrill note will betray his whereabouts, though by keeping on the far side of the tree he avoids being seen. Insects are largely eaten in summer, but seeds, berries, nuts, and beechmast form his chief food. Nuts and hard seeds are taken to some convenient crevice in the bark and hammered with the sharp, hard bill until an entrance having been effected, the kernel can be pulled out and eaten. Some hole in a tree or wall, or more rarely in a bank, is chosen as the nesting-site; the entrance is generally plastered up with mud till only a small circular hole, just large enough to admit the bird, is left. The inside of the cavity is lined with a few leaves and scraps of bark on which five to seven eggs, boldly marked with reddish brown, are laid. These eggs bear a close resemblance to those of the Great Tit, but are, as a general rule, rather larger. In the courting season the male has a pretty little song, and “shows off” to the female as he chases her up and down the trees. It is a strictly resident species and may be found in the same spot throughout the year.
The general colour of the upper parts is bluish grey, but all the tail feathers, except the central pair, are blackish, barred and tipped with white and grey. A black stripe runs through the eye from the base of the bill. The under parts are pale rufous shading to chestnut on the flanks and under-tail coverts. Length 5·7 in.; wing 3·4 in.
The female and young are rather duller in colour.
COMMON WREN
Troglodytes parvulus
Lower figure St. Kilda variety
There must be few people who have not heard a long and clear song sounding almost at their side, when walking along some garden path or along the edge of a wood, and on investigation have found that this song, so disproportionate in volume to the size of the bird that utters it, proceeds from one of the smallest of our birds, the Wren. Skulking as a rule in the thick hedge bottom, among undergrowth in woods, or in a tangle of brambles on a common, he will suddenly hop on to an outstanding spray, rattle off his little song, and then with quick whirring beats of his wings dive into the undergrowth again a few yards off. Always bright and perky as he hops along, with his short tail held up at right angles to the body, he searches for any small seeds or insects which he can find, and as he appears so cheerful, even in the most severe weather, it is not surprising that he has won a way to our hearts, and next to the Robin is the most favoured bird in England. The nest is a beautiful domed structure, very cleverly concealed among the ivy on a wall or tree, or sometimes in a grassy bank or the side of a stack. It is composed of leaves, moss, bents, etc., so arranged and chosen as to harmonise well with its surroundings. The entrance is a narrow round hole, and the interior is warmly lined with hair and feathers.
Nest-building seems to be an occupation in which these birds delight, and several nests are generally built by each pair; one only, however, is lined, the others being left quite rough inside. These so-called “cocks’ nests” are used, however, as roosting-places, and if the eggs be destroyed they may be lined and used as their home for a second clutch. The eggs, six to eight in number, are white, sparsely spotted with red. In this country the wren is a resident and seldom wanders far from its home, a habit which has resulted in the birds inhabiting some of our outer islands, like St. Kilda, becoming recognisable as distinct from the mainland form. In winter, however, our native stock receives considerable additions from the Continent, but a return migration in spring has not been noticed.
The whole bird is of a uniform reddish brown, rather lighter on the chin and throat, minutely barred with black. There is a dull white streak over each eye. Length 3·5 in.; wing 1·9 in.
The female is rather smaller and duller, and the young are less distinctly barred.
TREE-CREEPER
Certhia familiaris
The Tree-Creeper is a common species, but from its quiet ways and dull colour seldom noticed. It is with us the whole year, spending its time in an unceasing search for small insects on the bark of trees. In its habits and food it is not unlike the Woodpeckers, climbing up with a series of jerks, and, when observed, shifting at once to the far side of the tree.
It has a short but pleasing little song, which is not often heard, and the call-note is a low and plaintive “cheep.” It is solitary in habits, and more than one are seldom seen together, except in the breeding season. The nest is placed behind a piece of loose bark and is merely an accumulation of roots, grass, and moss, with a lining of wool and feathers. The eggs are white, minutely spotted with reddish.
The sexes are alike and have the feathers of the upper parts dark brown with pale centres, becoming lighter on the rump; under parts, silvery white. Flight feathers dark brown, barred with buffish white. Tail feathers stiff and pointed and dull reddish brown in colour. Length 4·75 in.; wing 2·5 in.
It is common and abundant throughout our islands.
Very few examples of this species, whose home is in the mountainous regions of Europe, have occurred in these islands. It spends its life climbing over the bare and precipitous surfaces of rock, searching for spiders and other insects on which it feeds.
The general colour is slate grey with crimson wing coverts and a black throat. The tail feathers are not stiff as in the preceding species. Length 6 in.; wing 3·9 in.
“Chizzit, chizzit,” and looking round we see our little grey friend as he passes with his peculiar and characteristic dipping flight across the field towards the ivy-clad wall. Every year he comes with unfailing regularity to rear his brood near the same spot. It is an old red-brick wall, thickly covered with ivy, which has concealed the various nooks and crannies brought about by the winter’s frosts and the heat of the summer sun. In such a place the Pied Wagtail delights to build his nest. Although not strictly speaking a migrant, for some individuals spend the whole year with us, he nevertheless appears with unfailing regularity towards the end of April at his accustomed haunt, and probably brings his mate with him, for we seldom see more than a pair together at their breeding quarters, and thus quietly, and without any demonstration, the nest-building is begun. This is usually done in the very early hours of the morning, and the day is spent in some neighbouring field among the cattle, with occasional excursions to the side of the stream for the frequent bath which has earned for this species the name of “Polly Dishwasher.”
PIED WAGTAIL
Motacilla lugubris
When the nest, which is composed of grass and bents lined with horsehair, is completed, the six grey and speckled eggs are laid and incubation, which is solely carried on by the hen, begins.
If we did not know the habits of our friend, the first signs of his presence in the garden would be when he flies up to feed his mate with some special titbit, and then as he jumps out from the ivy we see him winging his way with elegant flight across the meadow to his favourite feeding-ground. In due course the young are hatched, and as the needs of the growing family become greater, we can often see the parents coming and going with unceasing energy till night brings compulsory rest to their labours. When the young leave the nest they are almost immediately taken into the grass fields, where the flies, attracted by the feeding cattle, offer them an easy livelihood.
September comes, and in company with the Meadow Pipits, they wander over the country and along the salt marshes near the sea previous to seeking other countries, or settling in the warmer parts of England near some sheltered farm where they may find food until the returning spring reminds them of their old haunts, or impels the younger generation to seek a mate and home.
In winter the sexes are alike, and grey in general colour with dark wings and tail (except the two outer feathers, which are white), while the inner secondaries are also broadly edged with white; under parts white.
In summer the chin and back are black, the forehead and a stripe across the face being white. Length 7·3 in.; wing 3·5 in.
The young bird resembles the adult in winter, but the white portions, especially on the throat and breast, are tinged with yellowish and the breast is slightly spotted.
This bird is generally distributed throughout the British Isles, rarer in the north and resident in the warmer portions of the south and west.
This is the Continental form of the preceding species, which passes through the country every year on migration and occasionally stays to breed. In habits it is precisely similar to its congener the Pied Wagtail. It may be distinguished by its rather lighter colour, and in summer it retains the light grey back but assumes the black chin.
The females, however, of our own species frequently do not assume a black back, so that the colour of the back when seen in the field will not be sufficient to identify this species. When it can be closely compared it may always be recognised by the clearer grey of the back and pure grey upper tail coverts. In the Pied Wagtail the mantle has a greenish tinge, and the proximal tail coverts are nearly black. Length 7·5 in.; wing 3·5 in.
GREY WAGTAIL
Motacilla melanope
The Grey Wagtail is a close inhabitant of rocky streams, and we have to go to the more mountainous parts of our islands to find this species “at home.”
Like the Pied Wagtail it is a partial migrant, seeking the warmer portions in the south and west during the winter and moving back to the same rushing streams with the return of spring.
The nest is placed in one of the loose stone walls so common near its haunts, or on the ground in some cleft of the rocks. The eggs resemble those of the Yellow Wagtail, but are slightly larger.
It is a very handsome bird, the handsomest perhaps of all our Wagtails. The back and upper parts are of a deep bluish grey: wings and tail (except the two outer feathers, which are white, a characteristic of all wagtails), dark brown; under parts clear lemon yellow, paler on the vent. Length 7 in.; wing 3·3 in.
Female and young resemble the male, but are paler. In summer the male has a jet black gorget.
This species has a much longer tail than our other species, the Yellow Wagtail having the shortest tail.
Generally distributed throughout our islands but only found during summer near rushing torrents, wandering at other times throughout the country, but always in the vicinity of running water.
The note is very similar to that of the Pied Wagtail.
This species resembles the Yellow Wagtail very closely in all respects, and is the common Continental “Yellow Wagtail,” many different races of which are found. It occurs yearly in the south-east of England on migration and sometimes stays to breed.
The adults may be distinguished from our Yellow Wagtail by having the upper part of the head and neck, including the cheeks, bluish grey and the stripe over the eye white. Young birds are practically indistinguishable from those of our common species, but the eye stripe is constantly whiter. Length 6·3 in.; wing 3·2 in.
A closely allied race is M. beema, which breeds in Western Siberia and occurs on migration in India. It is very closely allied to M. flava, but is paler on the head and has the cheeks and chin white. This form has been taken in England on one occasion, viz. in Sussex, in April 1898. Faded and worn specimens of M. flava appear at first sight to belong to this form, so that excessive caution is necessary before finally identifying British specimens as belonging to this race.
The Scandinavian form, known as M. borealis, with a dark grey crown and no eye stripe, has been obtained on several occasions, and even remained to breed in Sussex in 1906.
BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL
Motacilla flava (left)
Young (centre); var. melanocejala (right)
M. cinereocephala, which has not yet been obtained in England, but breeds in South Europe from Italy eastwards, may be recognised from M. borealis by its rather darker head and cheeks and by having the entire throat white.
Lastly, we have the Black-headed Wagtail, M. melanocephala, which inhabits South-eastern Europe and has a black head with hardly any trace of an eye stripe, and which was also obtained on the south coast in 1906. In this form the cheeks and under parts, including the chin, are bright yellow.
In the flat meadow-lands and pastures intersected by ditches or bordering some sluggish river, we may see this brilliant little fellow as he struts about under the feet of the cattle. At one moment he is running forward to pick some insect off the grass with an audible snap of his slender bill, and the next jumping up to seize, after the manner of the Flycatcher, some winged insect that has come within range of his sharp eyes.
This bird is a true migrant, reaching our shores during the latter half of April and leaving us again in September. The males arrive, as is the case with so many species, a few days before the hens, and on their arrival nest-building is begun without further delay. The site chosen is on the ground in the middle of an open field and generally near some upturned sod or in the deep footprints of the cattle. A few grass stems loosely laid together and lined with horsehair suffices for a nest, and the eggs, five to six in number, are of a pale clay-brown with no spots or markings. The birds are very shy when at the nest, leaving it long before the intruder has approached, and only running on again when he is well away. The young are fed exclusively on insects, and when they are fledged remain in their summer home till shorter days and colder nights warn them that autumn has come. Old and young then collect in enormous numbers in the salt marshes along the sea-shore, until with favourable weather they pass on to warmer and more congenial climes.
The male above is of a uniform bright greenish yellow, with a yellow eye stripe; under parts bright lemon yellow. Females and young are similar but duller, the latter sometimes showing in autumn some dark spots on the breast. Length 6·25 in.; wing 3·15 in.
This bird is distributed in suitable localities throughout England, with the exception of the extreme south-west. In Wales it is chiefly seen on migration, and in Ireland it is only found nesting in a few places. In Scotland it does not nest north of Perthshire, and to the north of the Great Glen it is only a rare straggler. Abroad it is confined to North-west France and the Iberian peninsula, wandering in winter to West Africa.
TREE PIPIT
Anthus trivialis
(left)
MEADOW PIPIT
Anthus pratensis
(right)
Arriving in April with our other summer visitors, the Tree Pipit may be found fairly commonly throughout England and Scotland, but becomes scarcer in the north. It has not yet been known to visit Ireland. It may be heard singing its pretty little song near the outskirts of woods, or in fields bordered by trees. This is usually uttered on the wing when, having sprung some distance into the air, it descends with fluttering wings and open tail to the same perch on the top of the tree from which it started. Most of its food is sought on the ground, and consists almost entirely of insects. The nest is placed in the middle of a field, or more preferably in some bank or railway cutting, and is composed of roots and bents with a little moss and lined with finer bents and hair. The eggs are generally six in number and vary considerably, the commonest variety being greenish white with bold blurred markings of dark brown at their larger end, another variety resembles this in markings but is suffused with reddish, while a third variety is uniformly and closely mottled with reddish brown.
In appearance, though not in habits, this bird somewhat resembles a lark. The upper parts are sandy brown with dark brown streaks, the wing coverts darker with conspicuous pale edging to the median ones. Chin white, breast and flanks buff with darker markings, rest of under parts white. Tail feathers dark brown except the two outer pairs, which show a considerable amount of white. Hind claw short and curved. The sexes are alike, but the female is slightly smaller. The young are rather more spotted. Length 6 in.; wing 3·3 in.
Common in England and south of Scotland, rather scarcer in Wales and rare in North Scotland. Does not visit Ireland.
Bleak and dreary moorlands, or wide wind-swept marshes and water meadows form the haunts of this bird at all seasons of the year. Hatched in a neat nest, placed on the ground and carefully concealed under a tussock of grass, the young Meadow Pipit is assiduously fed by both its parents on insects, and his cradle would be most difficult to discover were it not that the parents, in their anxiety, hover round the spot calling out “peet, peet” in a plaintive and pained manner. The nest is made of grass and bents lined with finer grass and hair, and the clutch usually consists of six eggs, which are of a uniform brownish grey colour, frequently mottled or clouded with a darker shade and having sometimes a narrow black hair streak at their larger end. Several broods are reared during the season. After quitting the nest, they remain about their home, feeding on insects or small seeds and joining in flocks with the Wagtails and others of their own kind. Towards September they become restless and slowly move southwards, the majority quitting our shores for warmer climates; their place is, however, soon taken by wanderers from farther north that stay with us, braving our winter gales. They are graceful little birds, running about the fields rather like a Wagtail, picking up an insect from a blade of grass, or jumping up in the air and catching a fly as it hurries along in the genial warmth of a summer’s day. But on a winter’s day, when the south-wester blows up the clouds and sweeps the rain across the desolate meadows, they seem equally happy and at home, and rising at one’s feet from the shelter of a tussock fly off to another shelter, their “peet, peet” adding a harmonious touch of life to the discordant elements. In spring our summer visitors return, and then we may watch him as, full of energy, he rises some distance into the air and gradually descends with fluttering wings and outspread tail, singing his somewhat feeble song.
The adult is olive brown above, each feather having a darker centre, except on the rump and upper tail coverts; wing coverts margined with white; there is a narrow white eye stripe. Under parts buffish white streaked with brown on the throat, breast, and flanks. In autumn both old and young are much more buff coloured. The sexes are alike Length 5·75 in.; wing 3·1 in.
Less than half-a-dozen individuals of this species, which breed in the far north of Europe and Asia, and winter in tropical Africa, have visited us, and with one exception they have all been taken on the shores of Kent or Sussex.
It closely resembles the Meadow Pipit, but in the breeding season the sides of the neck and breast in both sexes are vinous chestnut. All our examples, however, have been immature birds, which are extremely difficult to distinguish from our common species.
The feathers of the rump form, however, the most distinctive character in this species; they have dark centres like those of the mantle, but in the Meadow Pipit, as we pointed out above, these feathers are of a uniform olive brown. Length 5·8 in.; wing 3·5 in.
The Tawny Pipit is a regular summer visitor to the sand-dunes and arid wastes of Europe, breeding in some numbers no farther from our shores than the north of France and Holland. It winters in Africa. To England it has only been a scarce straggler, single examples having been obtained in autumn on our southern and eastern shores from the Scilly Islands as far north as Yorkshire. During the last year or two there is evidence that it may have bred in Sussex, adult pairs of birds having remained about the same spot during part of the summer till they were shot.
The general colour is pale sandy brown with dull darker centres to the feathers. Two outer pairs of tail feathers white with brown margins to their inner webs, rest of the tail brown. Under parts warm buff, slightly striated with brown on the breast and paler on the belly. Length 6·5 in.; wing 3·6 in.
This eastern species breeds in Turkestan, Siberia, and Mongolia, but a large number yearly visit Europe during the autumn migration. In England a good many examples have been obtained, and closer observation may prove it to be a regular autumn migrant along our eastern and southern seaboard, as it is abundant on Heligoland every year. It has occurred once in Scotland and once in Ireland.
It is a large bird and may be distinguished by its long hind claw; when seen on the wing it appears very dark. The feathers of the upper parts are sandy brown with dark centres, but the rump is of a nearly uniform brown. Wing coverts tipped with reddish buff. Outer pair of tail feathers white with dusky margins to the inner webs, in the next pair the dusky margin is much broader, remainder of the tail feathers very dark brown. Chin white, margined with brown spots; breast buffish and thickly spotted; belly white. Length 7·25 in.; wing 3·75 in.
The Water Pipit breeds in the Alps, Pyrenees, and other mountain ranges of Central Europe, migrating in winter to the shores of the Mediterranean. A few odd stragglers have been taken in this country both in the spring and autumn migrations.
The upper parts are of a uniform greyish brown; under parts buff, paler on the belly and browner on the flanks. There is a short light stripe immediately above the eye. The tail feathers are brown, except the outer vane of the exterior pair and the tips of the second pair, which are white. This forms at all seasons and ages a mark by which this species may be distinguished from the Rock Pipit.
This species, which very closely resembles the Meadow Pipit but is slightly larger, is found along the rocky coasts of our islands.
It is strictly an inhabitant of the sea-shore and never wanders inland, but finds its food, which consists of flies, small mollusca, and marine insects, on the beach and rocks or among the rough tangle of sea-weed left dry by the retreating tide. The nest is placed on the ground, in some crevice of the rocks, or in a grassy bank, and the eggs, large for the size of the bird, are pale greenish grey, uniformly and densely mottled with olive brown. This species is largely migratory, and after the breeding season wanders round the whole of our coasts, inhabiting in winter the salt marshes and estuaries of our eastern and southern counties, as well as the more rocky portions of our shores.
Its song and call-note are almost indistinguishable from that of the Meadow Pipit, and if the nest be approached it flies restlessly from rock to rock, calling out all the time, but does not hover round in the air like the commoner species.
Birds from Scandinavia, Denmark, and the Baltic are distinguishable from our form, which is also found on the adjacent coast of France, in being of a vinous tint on the breast during the breeding season. The Scandinavian form may be found sparingly on our shores during migration.
The sexes are alike in plumage. The general colour above is olive brown with dark centres to the feathers; the under parts are greenish buff streaked with brown on the breast and flanks. The tail is brown, except the outer webs of the tail feathers, which are smoky grey, and this forms an easy characteristic by which this species may be distinguished from the Water Pipit, which it otherwise closely resembles. Length 6·25 in.; wing 3·5 in.
There is little doubt that this beautiful species, if unmolested, would become a regular summer visitor to this country. Every year during the spring migration several of these birds are seen and shot, chiefly in our southern and south-western counties, and there is no doubt that it has on several occasions successfully reared its young in this country. Its brilliant colouring unfortunately attracts the eye and the gun of those whose sole thought on seeing a rare bird is to kill it, and the large mass of nature lovers are thus deprived of the pleasure of a glimpse of this brilliant bird.
It breeds commonly over most of Europe, throughout France, Germany, and Russia, but is scarce along the countries bordering the North Sea.
The nest is suspended from the fork of a branch of some tree, usually in woods, and is a carefully woven structure of strips of bark and grass stems. The eggs are white with a few large black spots.
The male is golden yellow all over, except for the quills, wing coverts, and lores, which are black. The central pair of tail feathers are black, all the rest being black with yellow tips. Bill red. Legs lead grey. The female is greenish yellow and has the under parts striated with greyish. The young is still duller in colour than the female. Length 9·5 in.; wing 6 in.
Every autumn towards the end of October a certain number of these birds regularly visit us, occurring more commonly on our eastern coasts, but having nevertheless been taken in most of our counties. In habits it resembles its small congener the Red-backed Shrike, and may be seen sitting on some point of vantage from which it may dash off to attack its unsuspecting victims.
This species, or various races of it, breed throughout Northern and Central Europe and Asia. It migrates on the approach of winter from the more northerly quarters, but its wanderings rarely extend to the shores of the Mediterranean.
The male is pearl grey in general colour, lighter on the scapulars; forehead and a line over each eye white; lores and ear coverts black. Wings black, with white tips and bases to the secondaries and inner primaries. Tail feathers black with white tips, except the outermost, which are pure white. Under parts white. Bill and legs black. Length 9·5 in.; wing 4·3 in. Female duller with faint greyish bars on the under parts.
The main home of this species, of which only a few examples on migration have been taken in this country, is South and Central Europe as far west as the valley of the Rhone.
In habits it does not differ from its congeners, and is excessively savage and pugnacious, especially during the nesting season.
It roughly resembles the preceding species in plumage, but may be distinguished by its smaller size, black forehead, and the white bases to the tail feathers and primaries, which latter form a broad bar. An unfailing characteristic, however, of this species, distinguishing it from all other Shrikes, is the wing formula; the first or bastard primary being very short, while the second nearly equals the third and longest primary. Length 8·5 in.; wing 4·6 in.
Arriving during the early part of May, this species is fairly common in our southern and south-eastern counties and in Wales during the summer months. In the northern counties its appearances are irregular, and on one occasion only has it been seen in Ireland.
One can somehow feel but little affection for this fine but cruel bird; it is not his fault to be in that stage of evolution in which as an insect-feeder he aims at higher prey than that with which he is successfully able to deal. Bold and pugnacious, he sits on the top of some thick hawthorn hedge, dashing down from his point of observation on some mouse, bird, or lizard nearly as large as himself.
After a tussle the hapless victim is carried off and impaled on a thorn near its captor’s nest, to be eaten at a future time; it is these larders of impaled victims that have earned for him the name of Butcher Bird. Beetles, bees, and insects of all kinds are also included in his menu, and young half-fledged birds are considered a great delicacy.
RED-BACKED SHRIKE
Lanius collurio
Adult male, female, and young
The nest is a large and loose structure of twigs, roots, and moss; it is lined with hair and wool, and placed about eight or ten feet from the ground in a thick hawthorn hedge. The eggs are usually of a pale green colour, with a zone or band of olive brown mottlings round the larger end. In some districts a variety is found in which the ground colour is pinkish and the markings reddish brown. The Shrike has no song, but makes a great variety of harsh noises and chucklings as it sits on its post of vantage, bending down and flirting his tail at the same time. The call-note is a harsh “chack.” Like the Swift, Cuckoo, and several other species, he does not stay with us long, but having reared his brood, the whole family wander south, and soon leave our shores.
The adult male has the crown, nape, and upper tail coverts grey; frontal band, lores, and ear coverts black; back chestnut; tail feathers black, all except the central pair with white bases; under parts rose buff.
The female has the upper parts brown, mantle rufous, with small narrow black crescentic bars on the feathers; under parts greyish white barred like the mantle. The young bird resembles the female, but is more barred. Length 7 in.; wing 3·7 in.
Single examples of this species have from time to time visited the southern and eastern counties of England during migration, and possibly they may have nested on one or two occasions. It is a common and abundant breeding species in Southern and Central Europe, from whence it migrates in winter to tropical Africa.
The forehead, lores, ear coverts, and sides of the neck and back are black; crown of the head chestnut; scapulars white; wings blackish, primaries with white bases, secondaries and coverts tipped with white; and upper tail coverts grey turning to whitish; tail feathers black tipped with white; under parts whitish. The female is duller and tinged with rufous on the upper parts. Length 7·1 in.; wing 3·8 in.
This is a south-eastern species, one example of which was shot in Kent in July 1905.
It is a rather smaller bird than any of our other Shrikes. The upper parts are chiefly black; scapulars, speculum, and a band across the forehead white. Chin, throat, and under tail coverts white; flanks and breast ferruginous. Length 6·8 in.; wing 3·5 in.
WAXWING
Ampelis garrulus
Adult (left). Young (right)
Breeding as far north as the limit of tree growth will allow, the Waxwing is only known in these islands as an irregular winter visitor. It migrates yearly to South-east France, Italy, and Turkey, and only under stress of weather do its migrations extend westwards, so as to include our islands. Its food consists chiefly of berries, though insects also form no insignificant part of its diet. When in these islands it will usually be found in plantations. It is a short thick-set bird, having a steady and rapid flight when on the wing. The general colour is greyish brown, and it has a flat and backwardly-directed crest that can be erected at will. The accompanying plate gives so good an idea of this bird, which has no affinities with any other species, that further description is unnecessary. The sexes are alike, but in the males the vermilion waxtips of the quill and tail feathers, to which it owes its popular name, are larger and more numerous.
In fully adult birds the yellow line of the outer vein of the primaries is continued on the inner vein, forming an arrow-shaped marking. Length 7·5 in.; wing 4·5 in.
Dull in colour and lacking in vocal ability, this bird makes up for these deficiencies by his tameness and fascinating ways. It does not reach this country till early in May, while in backward seasons it is the end of that month before the main bulk of them have arrived at their summer quarters. It is common throughout these islands, nesting in gardens and woods, and feeds entirely on small insects, which are invariably captured on the wing. The nest, which is placed against a tree, in ivy near a wall, or frequently on the beam in a verandah or outhouse, is composed entirely of moss loosely felted together with cobwebs and lichens, and is lined with horsehair and a few feathers. The eggs are bluish, mottled and spotted with rusty red spots. From its quiet ways and unobtrusive plumage they often escape observation, even in the vicinity of the nest, on which the female sits very closely. The cock, however, may often be seen on his favourite perch, generally a dead bough, or some wire railings, from which he darts down constantly to seize some unfortunate insect that has attracted his attention, after which he immediately returns to his perch to wait for more. When the young are hatched his time is fully occupied in catering for their wants, and we may miss him, or only see him for shorter periods, as it becomes increasingly necessary for him to keep on the move and find his food instead of waiting until the unsuspecting prey comes to him.
In July and August, however, when family cares are over, we shall see a good deal of this species; both old and young chasing insects from various exposed perches, and announcing the successful capture by a telling snap of the bill. Towards the end of August, long before lack of food or storms toll the knell of departing summer, they start on their long journey to the south; we may not have taken much notice of them while they were with us, but their departure leaves a gap, and we then realise the part they played in the picture of a summer’s garden.