122 British Bird Calendar. 



March. Since 16th ult, vast numbers of Pcrchers 

 and of ^^'atcrfo\\i have deserted this wind-swept promontory. 

 If birds are arrivhig from the Continent, they do not remain. 

 I have .seen only a .small party of Lapwing (8th). 



D. L. Salcombe, 29,3 '13. 



March. As to the movements of birds in south Oxon , 

 I have noticed just this last fortnight, an unusual num- 

 ber of separate flocks of Redwings within a 5 mile ride on 

 my bicycle. I passed four large flocks; the last flock I came 

 upon in a meadow beside a wood and there must have been 

 several hundi'eds of them, the field was covered, and there 

 were in addition to these scores flying out of the trees. 



These birds have been collecting together, and have 

 been singing in chorus for some time past. Generally this 

 takes place towards the end of March, prior to their leaving 

 for their northern breeding quarters, but they ai'e much 

 earlier in flocks this yeai', and considering what a mild winter 

 it has been it is strange to find such a number of them. Haw- 

 Ihiches are in good numbers here, and are in song. I have 

 only noticed them this last ten days. Peewits are in i)airs on 

 the hills, the flocks have broken up, and they have left 

 the low lands and are rising and tumbling in the air, uttering 

 their peculiar spring note.g, intended for the benefit of their 

 mates; this is always one of the first signs of spring. 



On March 11th, at 4 o'clock in the morning, I heard 

 strange notes of birds, which seemed to be circling round and 

 round over my house. Although I was on my perch, I was wide 

 awake, the birds kept up the peculiar notes unfamiliar to 

 me, for about twenty minutes, and then as they moved off, 

 they grew fainter. The call was of three notes, which sounded 

 exactly like someone whistling for a dog in a rather low 

 pitched tone. P. F. M. G., Caversham, 12;3;'13. 



AVheatear. The only Spring migrant I have seen 

 was a Wheatear, on March 30th. I have heard the passing 

 of many Waders on fine nights during the latter portion of 

 March; a few days however, should herald the arrival of our 

 visitors. R. S. Cleethorpes,3/4/"13. 



