95
binoculars to make certain that the note proceeded from the
Jay and not from the nocturnal species.
June 18th.—The Wood-Warbler was heard again at Oak Hill, and in
spite of a thorough search no nest was found. Another of
this species was identified near Copped Hall grounds. A
Nightjar was flushed in Long Running where Redstarts were
numerous. A visit to that detached part of the woodland
beyond Epping, called the Lower Forest, yielded the follow-
ing species:—Willow-Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden-Warbler
feeding young, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Whitethroat
feeding young, Cuckoo, Redstart, Pied Wagtail and Long-
tailed Titmouse. The Jay was heard on several occasions.
A lot of Garden-Warbler and some Blackcap song was also
heard.
June 25th.—The decrease in volume of song was very noticeable.
The voice of the Willow-Warbler was still to the fore, and
the Chiffchaff no less than usual. The little Blackcap and
Garden- Warbler song heard was poor. Nightingale only a few
notes. Both species of Whitethroat were heard. '1 wo Night-
jars were flushed in Great Monk Wood, and a search resulted
in the finding of a broken egg. Redstarts very common.
July 2nd.—The Wood-Warbler at Oak Hill was not heard. Has the
bird left its haunt for the season ? The Warblers very silent;
in a walk embracing the wood between Chingford and High
Beach, Strawberry Hill, the Monk Woods and Oak Hill, only
four Willow-Warblers and one Whitethroat were heard,
July 9th.—At Strawberry Hill, a pair of Red-hacked Shrikes with two
young. The parent birds greatly excited and making a
tremendous noise. In the same bush with the young birds
found a dead adult Warbler, species unknown, spiked on a
thorn, with part of head eaten. A third bird was also
observed at the north edge of the same place. On Old Church
Plain a female Red-backed Shrike was noted. No Willow-
Warblers heard. Near Almshouse Plain and Fairmead
Bottom three Chiffchaffs and two Lesser Whitethroats heard.
July 23rd.—Kingfisher seen flying over Connaught Water. In glade
just beyond two Bullfinches (one male). Two Red-backed
Shrikes on Strawberry Hill, the male was rapidly swaying
from side to side his spread-out tail, which gave the impres-
sion that it was rotating. Heron flying over Fairmead
Bottom. Seven Jays identified.
July 30th.—There was a noticeable revival of Willow-Warbler song
which previously had almost disappeared. The advent of
very hot weather has probably had some influence. Red-
breast song started. Nuthatch heard at Fairmead Bottom.
Eight Jays identified.
August 6th.—Nuthatch calling and one Tree-creeper seen at High
Beach. Redbreast song increasing. Two Jays identified.
August 13th.—Very little bird life in evidence. One Willow-Warbler
1916