114 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
posed, as its shy nature leads to its being comparatively little
observed. There is good cause also for be-
lieving that it has increased considerably in
number during the last half-century, and in
some winters it may now almost be described
as abundant with us. Epping Forest seems
to be a stronghold of the species—indeed, it
was Henry Doubleday's observations in the
Forest about fifty years ago which first drew
attention to the fact that this bird was by no
means so scarce as had hitherto been sup-
posed. The account of the species in the
first edition of Yarrell is largely composed
of contributions from Doubleday (14. i. 483).
Many more of his observations, which have
never yet been published, are to be found in
his letters to Heysham, whence I have culled many extracts.
Mr. J. Gurney Barclay has given (23. 569) an interesting account of their
habits in the neighbourhood of Walthamstow. He says :
"This species came first under my notice about the winter of 1825, when a
fine cock bird fell dead on the gravel walk before the gardener—from what cause
was not ascertained ; but it was not until 1837 that I was aware of their being
resident and rather numerous in the neighbourhood. * * * In the winter season,
and especially during severe weather, these birds are frequently seen in the neigh-
bourhood of the forest in large flocks of from fifty to a hundred or more, feeding
on the seeds of the hornbeam, to which they appear to be particularly partial; and as
spring advances they disperse into retired spots to breed. I am inclined to think
that their shy habits, together with their being a very local species, has led to
their having remained so long comparatively unobserved."
Mr, Clarke notes (24) that one was killed in the churchyard at Saffron Wal-
den many years ago ; seven (two of which are still in Walden Museum) at Audley
End in 1832 ; another in the garden at Audley End on Feb. 7th, 1837, and one
at Walden in 1844.
Hy. Doubleday, in Aug., 1831, says (10) :
"The Grosbeak, I believe, breeds in our extensive forest every year, and I
doubt not I can procure thee specimens in November, as at that time it draws
near gardens and plantations to feed on the stones of the plum, cherry, laurel,
&c. It is an extremely shy bird and difficult to shoot, as it darts with great
rapidity through the laurels, firs, &c, and seldom shows itself till out of reach of
shot."
On June 12th, 1832, he writes (10) :
" I am happy in being able to send one rarity, viz., two eggs of the Haw-
finch, which till this spring I never saw. The nest is built in the most careless
manner, and consists of a few coarse sticks, then a layer of that coarse lichen
which grows on the stems of oaks, and [is] lined with a few roots. It is also
extremely shallow. They seem to build in any situation. The nest I took was
in a whitethorn, about four feet high, and I saw one on the top of a tall spruce
fir. * * I have now a full-grown young Hawfinch in confinement, which was
caught in our forest about a fortnight ago."
On Mar. 22nd, 1836, he writes (10), "Many Hawfinches may be daily seen in