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accompanied by a, solitary Coot. A Golden-crested Wren
was seen here. On High Beach the Lesser Redpolls had
shifted their feeding ground, possibly having exhausted the
food supply where previously seen. The flock probably ran
into hundreds. The Nuthatch was also heard and seen
here.
February 6th.—Some Tufted Ducks and the solitary Coot was on
Connaught Water. Here Chaffinches were heard singing for
the first time this season, and the Green Woodpecker was'
seen and heard. Two Golden-crested Wrens were seen in
Little Monk Wood. In Great Monk Wood an unusually
large flock of Chaffinches, Titmice, etc., was observed. At
Fairmead the Green Woodpecker was again seen. The five
Titmice which are found in the Forest, namely, Blue, Great,
Marsh, Coal, and Long-tailed, were seen during the morning,
and the Jay, which seems to be increasing, was twice
identified.
February 13th.—On Connaught Water the number of Tufted Ducks
was reduced to eight, and the Coot was again seen. The
Green Woodpecker was in the vicinity. At High Beach one
Lesser Redpoll only was seen, and the highly-pitched note
of the Nuthatch was heard incessantly, a poor imitation
of the note brought the bird into view. During the morning
the sawing note of the Great Tit was much in evidence.
The Jay was identified on eight occasions in 21/2 hours, pro-
bably different birds.
February 20th.—A male Reed Bunting in breeding plumage was seen
on Chingford Plain. The Coot was still on Connaught
Water, also a male Pochard. The Kingfisher was seen here.
On Strawberry Hill two Golden-crested Wrens were seen,
and a Green Woodpecker was observed driving its bill re-
peatedly into the ground; on the bird flying off, a hole
tapering to a point was noticed in a small mound, this was,
no doubt, the work of the Woodpecker. The Green Wood-
pecker was identified on two other occasions during the
walk and the Jay on ten occasions.
February 27th.—Ground deep in snow, in many parts of the Forest
quite a foot deep. Heavy snow showers fell during morning.
The Coot was still on Connaught Water and one Tufted
Duck, a male, only. No Moorhens were noticed on the lake,
whereas usually a number may be seen. In Great Monk
Wood a Tree-creeper was observed and also a male Reed
Bunting feeding on the seeds of Molinia varia which pro-
truded through the snow. The Nuthatch was calling at
High Beach. The Jay was identified on five occasions. The
absence of bird life was very remarkable.
March 5th.—Ground hard with frost. The Coot still on Connaught
Water but no Tufted Ducks. The Green Woodpecker was
heard on Strawberry Hill, also at High Beach. The Tree-
creeper was "seen in Debden Slade. A number of Lesser
1916