724 « Retrospective Criticism, 



a catalogue, he has omitted some of the more common birds. 

 Thus, he gives Corvus [Bombicivora] garrukis, and Loxia cur- 

 virostra; and passes over the landrail (Ortygometra Crex 

 Flem.), and the willow wren (Sylvia Trochilus Latharri), al- 

 though there are at least a hundred of each of the latter two for 

 every one of the former two. I notice a few others omitted 

 by M. P. The henharrier (Falco cyaneus Zy., Circus Py- 

 gargus Flem.); the merlin (Falco ^'salon Temm.), rare; 

 the nightjar (Caprimulgus europas^us L.), very rare indeed ; the 

 wheatear (Saxicola GEJnanthe Bechstein), not very common ; 

 the winter wagtail (ikZbtacilla Boarula L.\ rarer than the pied 

 wagtail, but frequently met with ; the yellow wagtail (3f. flava 

 Z/.), seen occasionally. 



Willow wren (Sylvia Trochilus Latham), No bird is here 

 more common. I see them every day sporting among the rose 

 bushes in search of aphides; and this week, the windows 

 having been accidentally left open, I have captured two on 

 two successive days, and allowed them to fly about the room 

 for some time, when one of them occasionally uttered a little 

 sharp note. 



Landrail (Ortygometra Cr^x Mem.), This bird is very 

 abundant in the spring. It is common about East Witton, 

 and most probably at Wensley ; but is only heard while the 

 grass remains uncut. It is very shy ; and, although it will 

 allow you to approach within a few yards of it without its 

 ceasing its loud note, it is almost impossible to obtain a sight 

 of it, unaided by a dog. Notwithstanding this, the mowers 

 frequently capture them ; andj I have been assured that not 

 fewer than ten were taken by the mowers last summer on a 

 neighbouring farm : they are also occasionally run down by 

 means of small terriers. It is, in some measure, a nocturnal 

 bird, as its note is but seldom heard during the day, but com- 

 mences about seven or eight o'clock in the evening, and 

 continues with little intermission through the night. 



The common sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucus Temm.). Very 

 common in some parts of the Yore (less properly spelt Ure) : 

 it also occurs in Cover Scarr, whence I have a specimen. 



The dahchick (Podiceps minor Latham), About a mile 

 from East Witton, on the banks of the Yore, is a large fish- 

 pond, belonging to the Marquess of Aylesbury ; half of it is 

 very retired, and the whole of the west side is thickly wooded. 

 Amid the reeds and sedges with which it is surrounded, 

 dabchicks are very plentiful ; but I have seldom seen them in 

 the adjoining river, although the south bank (the same side 

 with the fishpond) is covered with a profusion of similar 

 reeds, &c. : but, as a public footpath winds along the river. 



