A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK may perhaps be classed as a resident, as a few pairs probably still breed on some of the furze commons. 20. Goldcrest. Regulus cristatus, K. L. Koch Locally, Teapot, possibly from the shape of its nest. A resident, receiving large additions in autumn. There is nothing more interesting in the autumn migration than the crossing of the wild North Sea by this 'shadow of a bird,' as Gilbert White called it. On 1 5 October, 1883, fourteen were killed by striking the lantern of the Shipwash lightship, which lies about five miles south-east of Orford. Dr. Babington seems to have been very doubtful about the claim of the firecrest [R. ignicapillui) to a place in the Suffolk list, and as there appear to be no further records the species is omitted here. 21. Chiffchaff. Phylloscopus rufUs (Bechstein) The local names of ' ground oven ' and 'oven bird' are common to this species and the willow-warbler from the shape of their nests. The chiffchaff is a summer migrant, arriving in March and announcing its presence by the often repeated note from which it takes its name. 22. Willow - Warbler. Phylloscopus trochilus (Linn.) A summer migrant, building a domed nest lined with feathers like that of the chiffchaff, but the eggs can be distinguished by their pale red markings, while those of the chiffchaff are spotted with purple or claret colour. 23. Wood-Warbler. Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) A much more uncommon summer migrant. The bird is larger and greener than either of the two species just mentioned, its nest contains no feathers, and the eggs are much more closely marked with dark red or purple. 24. Reed - Warbler. Acrocephalus streperus (Vieillot) A local summer migrant, restricted to places where the reeds afford it shelter and also the requisite support for its beautiful nest. It is plentiful in the reeds which fringe and in some places completely cover the river Waveney. The very similar marsh-warbler (y/. palustris), which has occurred in Norfolk, will doubtless be sooner or later identified in Suffolk, and any basket-like nest found in an osier-bed, or suspended from the stalks of the meadow-sweet, should be carefully watched with thi« object in view. 25. Sedge-Warbler. Acrocephalus phragmitis (Bechstein) A very common summer migrant, which seems to be especially fond of the sound of its own voice, as it may be heard before day- light and after dusk. A rare kindred species known as the aquatic warbler {A. aquaticus) has been obtained in Norfolk, and ' the con- spicuous buff streak down the middle of the crown of the aquatic warbler is an unfail- ing mark of distinction between this species and the sedge warbler ' (Saunders' Manualy p. 88) 26. Grasshopper-Warbler. Locustella navia (Boddaert) A local summer migrant, much more often heard than seen, which builds a nest so well concealed in rough grass or a low bush that very few nest-hunting boys have ever seen its red-mottled eggs, or even know of the existence of the bird. The grasshopper- warbler looks very dark in colour when flushed from her nest, and as she goes off spreads her tail to its fullest extent, so that when once seen under these circumstances she can always be recognized again. 27 Accentor modularis Hedge - Sparrow. (Linn.) Locally, Hedge-Betty. A common resident, though many are also migratory. Its moss-built, hair-lined nest and lovely blue eggs are well known to every one. As in the case of the blackbird, five eggs are rarely found till the second nest is built. 28. Alpine Accentor. Accentor collaris (Sco- poli) This very rare visitant has never been ob- tained in the county, but has been twice seen by excellent observers, the first time in 1824 at Oulton by the Rev. R. Lubbock, and again in September, 1894, at Gorleston Pier by Mr. Patterson {Zoologist for 1900, p. 400) 29. Dipper. Cinclus aquaticus, Bechstein This species, though common enough in many parts of England, is a very rare visitant to Suffolk. Dr. Babington also records the occurrence of the northern form, which has a black breast. 30. Bearded Reedling or Tit. Panurus biar- micus (Linn.) Norfolk appears to be the only county in the British Islands in which this beautiful little bird is now (1903) a resident. It was 182
