A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE The earliest date I have of its arrival is in 1891, when a bird of this species was seen at St. Albans on September I4th. Curiously enough, redwings had stayed at St. Albans as late as April 28th in the preceding spring. 4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn. The fieldfare appears to be much commoner than the redwing, and is more regular in the numbers that visit us. In 1887 this species stayed with us as late as May 8th, when some were seen at Great Gaddesden, while in 1891 it was first observed at St. Albans on Septem- ber 1 5th, both of which are rather unusual dates. 5. Blackbird. Turdus merula. Linn. This is a common bird in this as in other counties, and it appears to be more subject to albinism than others of the thrush family, many white and pied varieties having been obtained in different parts of Hertfordshire. 6. Ring-Ousel. Turdus torquatus, Linn. This bird is an irregular visitor on migra- tion, although probably it occurs more fre- quently than is recorded. The most notice- able fact about its appearance in Hertfordshire is the lateness of the dates on which it has been seen. The various records I have set out below will show how this species, which is only a summer visitor to most parts of the British Isles, does extend its stay with us to a much later date than is usual with most summer migrants. The first mention I have of this bird in Hertfordshire is a note by the late J. E. Littleboy of having seen a ring- ousel at Hunton Bridge on November I4th, and again on the 2ist, in 1877. In the following year he saw a pair at the same place on November 3rd ; while on the 6th of that month one was observed near Riclc- mansworth. In 1881 one of these birds, with one of its wings nearly severed from the body, was picked up under the telegraph wires near Royston on May 20th ; and on October agth Mr. Clutterbuck found one near Stanmore Common, which he forwarded to Mr. Littleboy. A ring-ousel was seen at Chalk Hill near Watford, on September nth, 1882, and again on the I3th ; while on December I2th Mr. Littleboy saw two or more at Caldicott Hill. In 1883 one was shot near Royston on September 1 2th, while a specimen was obtained at Therfield on October 1 3th, and another between Hertford and Ware en the I7th of the same month, a fourth being procured near Hertford on Nov- ember 25th. Mr. Littleboy identified a pair between Hunton Bridge and King's Langley on November I5th, 1885, and saw another in the same neighbourhood on September 1 6th of the following year. In 1886 two were shot at Tring in July, while a third was obtained there in the following October. I saw a ring-ousel on Berkhamsted Common on April 7th, 1895 ; and Mr. H. S. Rivers identified one at Sawbridgeworth, on the other side of the county, two days later. The last record I have is of a bird seen by my brother on Berkhamsted Common on May 8th, 1896. 7. Rock-Thrush. Montlcola saxatilis (Linn.). To Hertfordshire belongs the honour of producing the first, and indeed only, authenti- cated example of this species that has been recorded in the British Isles. As long ago as May I gth, 1843, a Mr. Joseph Trigg shot a rock-thrush which was sitting on an ash tree at Therfield, in the north of the county. The bird was shown to the late Mr. William Yarrell in the flesh, and was figured by him in his book on British birds, from the plate of which it appears to have been a male. The specimen was skinned by John Norman of Royston, and is, I believe, now in the collec- tion of Mr. F. D'Arcy Newcome of Feltwell Hall, Norfolk. 8. Wheatear. Saxicola aenanthe (Linn.). This species is a regular visitor on migra- tion, usually appearing towards the end of March, although in 1885 Mr. Henry Lewis identified it at St. Albans on February 22nd. As a breeding species in Hertfordshire I am afraid it has greatly decreased. It is nowadays only found in quite small numbers during the nesting season along the north of the county, where formerly it was very common. Casual pairs are occasionally found nesting in other places, but undoubtedly the open country to the north is its favourite haunt. 9. Whinchat. Pratincola rubetra (Linn.). The whinchat is found scattered all over the county during the summer, frequenting commons and grass fields principally, but not despising railway embankments and other waste places. Usually arrives about the 2ist of April. 10. Stonechat. Pratincola rubicola (Linn.). This bird, which is often known as the furzechat, may be found in comparative abundance on many of our commons. It is a partial migrant, though in mild winters it does not leave us. Should, however, hard weather come for any length of time, these birds usually leave for the south. The stone- chat is an early nester, as I have seen fully- fledged young birds at the end of April. J 196
