Birds of Guernsey (1879): And the Neighbouring Islands: Alderney, Sark, Jethou, Herm; Being a Small Contribution to the Ornitholony of the Channel IslandsSmith, Cecil
History
Birds of Guernsey (1879): And the Neighbouring Islands: Alderney, Sark, Jethou, Herm; Being a Small Contribution to the Ornitholony of the Channel Islands
Smith, Cecil
Birds -- Channel Islands
Mr. Gallienne, in his remarks appended to Professor Ansted's list, says
the Ring Ouzel stays with us throughout the year, but is more plentiful
in winter than in summer. But I have never myself seen one either dead
or alive in the spring or summer. It may, however, occasionally visit
the Island in the spring migration, but I know of no authentic instance
of its remaining to breed, nor have I seen the eggs in any Guernsey
collection. I have seen specimens of the Ring Ouzel from Alderney, and
it appears to me about equally common at the same time of year in all
the Islands. Mr. MacCulloch, however, writes to me:--"From what I have
heard the Ring Ouzel is more common in Alderney than Guernsey, where it
is seen mostly on the southern cliffs." The south end of the Island is
no doubt its favourite resort in Guernsey. As far as Alderney is
concerned Captain Hubback, R.A., who has been quartered there at
different times, says he has never seen one there; but I do not think he
has been much there in the early autumn.
Professor Ansted includes it in his list, and marks it as occurring in
Guernsey and Sark. There are several, both male and female and young, in
the Guernsey Museum.
28. HBDGESPARROW. _Accentor modularis_, Linnaeus. French, "Mouchet,"
"Traîne buisson," "Accenteur mouchet."--The Hedgesparrow is, I think,
quite as common as in England, and resident throughout the year in all
the Islands. According to Mr. Métivier's 'Dictionary' its local name is
"Verdeleu," and he describes it as "Oiseau qui couvre les oeufs de
Coucou." In Guernsey, however, Cuckoos are much too numerous for the
Hedgesparrow to afford accommodation for them all.
Professor Ansted mentions the Hedgesparrow in his list, but restricts
it to Guernsey and Sark. I have, however, frequently seen it in Alderney
and Herm, and the little Island of Jethou.
29. ROBIN. _Ericathus rubecula_, Linnaeus. French. "Bec-fin
rouge-gorge," "Rouge gorge." The Robin, like the Hedgesparrow, is a
common resident in all the Islands, and I cannot find that its numbers
are increased at any time of year by migration. But on the other hand I
should think a good many of the young must be driven off to seek
quarters elsewhere by their most pugnacious parents, for of all birds
the Robin is by far the most pugnacious with which I am acquainted, and
deserves the name of "pugnax" much more than the Ruff, and in a limited
space like Jethou and Herm battles between the old and the young would
be constant unless some of the young departed altogether from the
Island.
Professor Ansted includes the Robin in his list, but, as with the
Hedgesparrow, only mentions it as occurring in Guernsey and Sark. It is,
however, equally common in Alderney, Jethou, and Herm.
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