Page:The New Forest - its history and its scenery.djvu/334

 . (Turdus pilaris, Lin.) Large numbers frequent the Forest, where it is known as the "blacktail." It especially frequents the hawthorn, and seldom approaches the hollies till the berries of the former are all eaten.

. (Fingilla spinus, Lin.) Now and then taken by the birdcatchers.

. (Fingilla linaria, Lin.) I should not be surprised if this was discovered to breed in the Forest, as so many pair are seen late in the spring.

. (Loxia curvirostra, Lin.) Not uncommon. In Dec., 1861, a large flock frequented the plantations round Burley. A few pair are sometimes to be seen in the summer, and Mr. Farren mentions a nest built in a fir-tree in a garden near Lyndhurst, June, 1858, but the birds were unfortunately not preserved, though their identity is beyond dispute.

. (Corvus comix, Lin.) Not unfrequent.

. (Charadrius plucialis, Lin.)

. (Charadrius hiaticula, Lin.) Known, with the dunlin, in the neighbourhood of Christchurch and Lymington, as the "oxbird."

. (Calidris arenaria, Leach.) Not uncommon on the coast, especially in Christchurch harbour.

. (Ardea stellaris, Lin.) Not a year passes without several specimens being brought to the bird stuffers. Mr. Rake tells me that five were killed close to Fordingbridge in the winter of 1858.

. (Numenius arquata, Lin.)

. (Totanus ochropus, Tem.) Rather common between Lymington and Calshot Castle. Mr. Rake informs me that a pair were shot at Hale, on the borders of the New Forest, April, 1858; and Mr. Hart tells me that he has shot several in the summer in Stanpit Marsh. In June, 1862, I saw several pair near Leap, so that it probably breeds on the coast.

. (Scolopax gallinula, Lin.) Mr. Cooper tells me that he has known this bird lie so close that he has walked up to it and caught it with his hat.

. (Tringa Canutus, Lin.) Not uncommon during the spring at Christchurch Harbour. Mr. Tanner has a specimen in his collection, knocked down with a stick by a boy.

. (Tringa variabilis, Meyer.) By no means uncommon. See Ringed Plover.

. (Anser ferus, Steph.)

. (Anser segetum, Gmel.) A stray bird from the Solent sometimes finds its way to Whitten and Ocknell ponds.

. (Anser bernicla, Illig.) Locally known as the "Brangoose."

. (Cygnus musicus, Tem.)

. (Anas acuta, Lin.)

. (Anas Penelope, Lin.)

. (Anas nigra, Lin.)

. (Anas ferina, Lin.) Known along the coast as the "redhead" and "ker."

. (Anas marila, Lin.)

. (Anas Juligula, Lin.)

. (Mergus serrator, Lin.) Known to the fishermen at Christchurch as the "razorbill."

. (Podiceps cristatus, Lath.) Appears every winter in Christchurch harbour, and may be seen just cresting the waves, as they break under the Barton Cliffs. Mr. Rake informs me that specimens were killed at Breamore, November, 1855, and again, Jan., 1856.

. (Colymbus glacialis, Lin.)

. (Colymbus septentrionalis, Lin.) Not so common as the last.

. (Sula Bassana, Boie.) 312