ITS BIRDS.
95
at the end of January or beginning of February, and at
once begin nesting operations. The old nests seem to
require little repair. About fifty birds came to the trees
in 1883 ; by the 6th of March 1884 forty-three were
counted, and there were probably more. At that date
the keeper considered that fresh arrivals were still com-
ing. If this were so, it is remarkable, to say the least,
as in most of the nests the birds had been sitting since
the beginning of the month. This is earlier than usual,
probably on account of the mild season.
HERONS.
The greater number of these birds leave the heronry
towards the middle of summer, but a few remain through-
out the year.
The admission of the public to the grounds does not
appear at all to have interfered with the herons breeding.
Woodcock. These birds are not unfrequent visitors to the
Forest in the winter months, but the absence of springs
and the hardness of the soil are unfavourable to them, and
they are never numerous where cattle have access. They
do not, therefore, generally remain long, but instances