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 A HISTORY OF BEDFORDSHIRE 6. Ring Ousel. Turdus torquatus, Linn. From the frequency with which this bird is obtained, notwithstanding that it is rather shy in its habits on migration, it must pass through the county in the spring and autumn in fair numbers. Mr. A. F. Crossman reports one seen by himself as late as 1 8 January 1 89 1. A male was picked up in May 1896 which had killed itself against the telegraph wires. Mr. J. King, writing to me in refer- ence to this bird around Langford, states that it is generally seen in October, rarely in the spring ; that in the autumn it feeds upon hips and haws and in the spring upon the ivy berries growing over some old hawthorns alongside the river. He reports one shot 27 October 1861 ; another 3 October 1869 ; a female on 13 October of the same year; a male 14 April 1870, which had been about the meadows some days, and which he had frequently heard singing; others in 1875 and 1886, and 27 September 1889; one shot 3 May 1892 ; another seen by him 29 April 1895 feeding also upon the ivy berries; and one shot 19 October 1898, having been in that locality in company with redwings, blackbirds, and thrushes about the hedgerows several days. One was killed at Clifton 6 April 1893, anc * two at Chawston in the autumn of 1892. Professor Newton has seen this bird at Everton, and other records include one shot at Tingrith in 1897. 7. Wheatear. Saxicola cenanthe (Linn.) At the present day by no means a common nesting species. Of late years the wheatear seems to have restricted its breeding range to the southern portions of the county where it breeds in very limited numbers. It is now known only as a common spring and autumn migrant in other parts of Bedfordshire, whereas at one time it seems to have bred regularly in limited numbers in various other localities. The wheatear used to breed in the Newnham ruins, at Cox's Pits and in the old stone walls of the gardens at Steving- ton and Sharnbrook ; in 1892 two pairs frequented the brickyard along the Clapham road, when they stayed some considerable time, but it is uncertain whether they attempted to nest. Mr. J. King saw a nest containing young in a rabbit hole near Hexton about thirty years ago, and informs me of a pair that remained in a field near Clifton all the summer ; although his brother searched well he failed to find their nest. Mr. C. F. Woods says the wheatear bred regularly on Crawley Heath during his residence at Woburn 1858- 68. On the downs below Whipsnade on the borders of the county they continue nest- ing, four of their nests being found in May, 1898, and I have personally observed this bird during the nesting time in other localities around that neighbourhood. 8. Whinchat. Pratincola rubetra (Linn.) A fairly common summer migrant. It can be found frequenting meadows and rough grassy lands, but by far the most favourite haunts of this bird are the railroads, where the embankments and cuttings form rough grassy slopes which suit its requirements admir- ably. 9. Stonechat. Pratincola rubicola (Linn.) Formerly known to nest in several localities. Those seen nowadays are usually on migra- tion or are wintering with us. At Henlow they nested until about 1870, and also on Rowney Warren. Along the Clapham road and in the ballast hole along the Ampthill road they bred until about 1890. The only nesting place I know now is between Southill and Shefford. 10. Redstart. Ruticilla phoenicurm (Linn.) One of our handsomest summer migrants, but by no means so commonly distributed here as in many other counties, and its numbers have probably decreased of late years. It is however fairly abundant, and may be found nesting throughout the county. Even in the town of Bedford several pairs nest regularly in the old pollard willows along the embank- ment and elsewhere. An interesting instance of the nesting of the redstart came under my notice while rambling with Mr. King over the Southill estate on 18 May 1894. He was telling me that many years ago a pair of these birds had nested, season after season, on a ledge under the porch of one of the cottages in the park. On passing by we called upon the old tenant, and to our surprise we found a nest on the same site containing young. By the side of it, separated only by an upright, was another nest containing one egg, which the tenant informed us had been forsaken by the old birds, and the second nest had been built beside it. Upon Mr. King referring to his notes he found, strange to say, that exactly twenty years ago on that day the female had been caught on her nest by a lad, under the same porch. At that time the eggs were frequently robbed, and the pair once tried nesting at the end of the house, at another time in an outhouse at the bottom of the garden, and again in the hole of a tree not far away, but came back again to the porch, where we were informed redstarts have nested regularly ever since.