Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/30

4 the Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding in about their usual numbers at this inland haunt, twelve miles from the sea. Dunlin were also nesting upon the bog, and a pair of Redshanks passed overhead. On Whit Monday I visited a Buzzard's nest in the neighbourhood of Strata Florida. It was situated in a thin Scotch fir at a height of about thirty feet from the ground, and contained two young birds, differing in age, and an unhatched egg, together with a mole brought by the old birds as provision for the former. On June 15th I found a small colony of Lesser Terns breeding at the mouth of the Dovey, where, as Mr. Feilden informs me, they established themselves in 1896 or 1897.

The Redbreast began to sing again on July 27th. On Aug. 1st Chaffinches were singing their broken summer song, and two days later a Willow-Wren was warbling softly to itself. A late Yellowhammer's nest contained young nearly fledged upon Aug. 16th. On the 17th a Swift went to its nest-hole under the eaves for the last time.

A large number of Ray's Wagtails in fields beside the Rheidol on Aug. 20th were evidently on migration. A Chiffchaff was singing quietly its late summer song, which I heard again on Sept. 3rd. The Spotted Flycatcher was last noted on the 14th. On Sept. 15th a Stonechat "chacked" and sang a strain or two. At the end of the month the Whimbrel's note announced its presence upon the return migration.

A Thrush was coming into song again on October 23rd. The last member of a late brood of young Swallows lingered till Nov. 1st. On Nov. 2nd the Cirl Bunting sang; here the most constant of songsters, its monotonous trill is heard throughout the year.

Mr. D.B. Grubb, who again visited the district referred to above, informed me that eggs had been taken from two Kites' nests, those of the only two pairs which continue to frequent that neighbourhood. An unsuccessful attempt was made to protect one nest by coiling barbed wire round the trunk of the tree. This fine species is nearing extinction in Wales, its nests being ruthlessly harried by egg-dealers whose names are perfectly well known. There is no possibility of these Kites breeding successfully except under such protection as would be afforded