BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 647 



which runs from the south to the northern side of the county, 

 we have the red sandstone, or red marl, abundantly distributed, 

 and intersected here and there with gypsum. Slate occurs at 

 Swithland, and syenite at Markfield, where the rocks assume 

 a very porphyritic character. 



Of the southern part of the county, little can be said, except 

 that it stands high in the estimation of the agriculturist for its 

 fertility and rich pasturage. The south-eastern part boasts of 

 its rich Vale of Belvoir, composed chiefly of the blue marl or 

 clay. The most remarkable feature that presents itself to the 

 naturalist is the Charnwood Forest range of hills, forming a 

 ridge which intersects the northern part of the county. The 

 western side of it, which before its inclosure in 1810-11, was 

 rugged and covered principally with fern, gorse, and stunted 

 heath, is now formed into fields, with here and there a patch 

 of barren waste, setting at defiance the powers of man. The 

 south-eastern side of the range is less rugged, and much more 

 fertile. The surface is undulated, the soil chiefly of red marl, 

 and cultivation has made great progress. It is on the extreme 

 southern verge of this range that Bradgate Park abuts, with 

 its old storm-riven oaks, and weather-beaten crags. 



From its central situation, Leicestershire cannot boast of any 

 large rivers, although it has many small streams and rivulets. 

 One of our streams joins the Severn, and consequently falls into 

 the Bristol Channel ; while another unites with the Humber, 

 which emj)ties itself into the German ocean. Grooby Pool, 

 which is scarcely a mile in circumference, is our largest ex- 

 panse of water. From the absence of large rivers and lakes, 

 together with our distance from the sea, Grallatorial and Nata- 

 torial birds are not numerous with us. 



The changes which have taken place, in consequence of the 

 progress of cultivation, have materially altered our ornithology. 

 The Kite, the Bittern, the Curlew, and the Golden Plover, have 

 disappeared from the forest. The Stonechat, the Snipe, and 

 the Woodcock are every year becoming scarcer. On the other 

 hand, the Partridge is becoming abundant in the cultivated 

 parts, while in the woodlands the Pheasant is rapidly increas- 



