NOTES ON BIRDS
107
tremendous clamour a very large flight of Grey Geese passed over west-
wards before daybreak.
To sum up: No Wrynecks until late August, when I saw one. Blackcap,
Pied Wagtail and Swift showed big increases. Flycatchers again had a
bad year. Yellow Wagtail bred here and there locally. In May I heard
a large company of Long-tailed Tits working a hedge in front of the house.
I counted up to 34 as they passed across the open!
Notes on a pair of Pied Wagtails.—On December 20th, 1951, whilst
clearing a land-drain across my garden during a ground frost, a hen Pied
Wagtail followed me along, finding plenty of small insects, etc., as I
opened the trench. She almost continuously made a soft hissing chirp and
remained from 11 a.m. until dark.
January 10th, 1952. The hen reappeared with a cock. I was now hoeing
grass and weeds along the hedges, which afforded another fertile hunting
ground for the birds. The hen was very tame, but the cock was nervous;
both were continually searching and feeding. The next day the cock became
more confident, and continually tried to drive the hen away. The following
day the hen fed much closer, almost underfoot, but the cock kept well away
while hunting. 14th. I found many small grubs under the matted grass
and fed them to the hen. She soon learned what to expect when I chirped
and put my hand in my pocket, running closer and frequently taking the
larva in the air as I flicked one to her. I then tried to educate her to take
from my hand, and twice succeeded. She would dance up and then ner-
vously circle away, until a couple of succulent cutworms tempted her to
finish the run on to my hand and snatch the larvae. A third time she had
almost got one when a Robin swooped and took it. On one occasion the
Robin tried to drive her away; she declined and fought back—at least, they
rose together feet to feet as Robins do when fighting. On landing, however,
she carried on hunting, seeming not at all perturbed. Although Pied Wag-
tails are plentiful, this is the first time I have had them for more than a
short visit. I notice that this hen ate wood-liee; Robins ignore them.
January '27th. Hard frost. No Wagtails until 1 p.m., when cock arrived;
he flew away when I tried to entice him with a grub, and the Robin usually
got it. I turned up unfrozen clods under thick grass; both Robin and
Wagtail seem to find plenty, though I can see but little life. Still no hen
on the following day; Robin and Wagtail cock twice fought, rising from
ground claw to claw. The next day there was hard frost and fog and
there was no sign of the Wagtails, but the day after the cock again paid
short visits. February 4th. Short visit by hen, possibly another individual,
as it is very nervous and wild. This supposed hen appeared slightly yel-
lowish on breast and head, so may be an immature bird. I have not seen
their meticulous cleanliness recorded: every few minutes they carefully
rearranged the breast feathers and picked soil from feet and claws.
H. J. Hastings.
Hen-Harrier and other birds near Bradwell-on-Sea.—During a week-end
in November, 195'2, spent at Bradwell-on-Sea in company of Miss B. Shiach
and members of the Y.H.A. Field Club, we saw 14 Long-tailed Tits near
St. Peter's Chapel. Eight Brent Geese were also seen flying south along
the coast. At Howe Outlet on the Dengie Flats good views of a Hen-Harrier
were had by all in the party. The bird was quartering along the sea-wall
and for a little while was mobbed by two Carrion-Crows. Other birds seen
at the Outfall were a Kingfisher, 50 Sheld-Duck and six Lesser Black-
backed Gulls.
J. Jones.