BIRD-LIFE NEAR GILWELL PARK, SEWARDSTONE. 75
man asleep in the hedge. It may be heard on successive evenings
for two weeks or longer. It is generally noticed after dusk,
but not exclusively so, for in some years we have heard it
throughout the day as well. The sound is very difficult to
locate, because, when tracking it, though the intensity increases,
the sound always appears to come from further afield. However,
I have several times traced it to a Little Owl and on July 14th
this year my nephew and I, on following the direction of the
sound, found two Little Owls wide awake on the branch of an
oak. It has been suggested that the sound is the hunger cry of
the young birds. Why then did we hear it throughout October
and November of 1928, when they would be capable of hawking
for themselves? Usually, it is true, we have heard it during
late June and July, when it might be the hunger cry, except
for the fact that I have never seen the young birds being fed
whilst it was uttered, and the sound is continuous for hours
together.
Wood-Pigeon. Several pairs nest in the Park. During
the prolonged frost beginning in December, 1928, large flock;
came in search of acorns, both to the Park and to the Forest,
and have been a more abundant species ever since.
Stock Dove. The same remark applies to this species as
to the wood-pigeon. It is less abundant than the latter, but
its advent is of more interest, as it is, I believe, a new species
for the Gilwell district and it has apparently come to stay.
We found the remains of one in the Forest lately that had fallen
a prey to a fox.
Pheasants and Partridges have increased greatly in
numbers and nest regularly in the Park. It is a familiar sight.
that of a covey of partridges in Gilwell Park and on the West
Essex Golf Links. A pheasant laid twelve eggs in my hedge
last year, but she was probably shot just before they hatched,
as she failed to return to her sitting.
Magpie. As this is a very scarce bird in Epping Forest.
I will quote directly from the card index my experiences of it.
"1921. I saw a magpie several times in November in and
"near Gilwell, once at the Jubilee Retreat and once in front
"of Ludgate House" (Blackbush Plain).
"Nov. 15, 1922. Saw a magpie several times in the lane