150 THE BIRDS OP OXFOEDSHIRE. 



THE GKBY PHALAROPE. ' 



Fhalarojjus fulicarius. 



The Grey Plialarope is a rather rare occasional visitor in 

 autumn and winter. The specimens procured are usually in 

 the immature, or adult winter dress, but in one instance an 

 example which had partly attained its summer plumage, was 

 brought to the late Mr. Forrest, of Oxford, from that neigh- 

 bourhood, as recorded by the Messrs, Matthews, who note it as 

 more frequent in its winter dress, and mention one in their 

 collection, shot at Weston-on-the-Green in September, 1833 

 [Zoologist, p. 2603). The following occurrences may be enu- 

 merated. One near Chipping Norton, 31st December, 1831 

 (T. Goatley, Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, 1 832). One, 

 immature, September, and one in adult winter plumage, Decem- 

 ber, 1852, Port Meadow (Hon. T. L. Powys, Zoologist, 1853, 

 p. 3805). One on the Thames at Whitchurch, T9th Septem- 

 ber, 1 866, during the memorable immigration of this species to 

 England that autumn, recorded in a pamphlet upon the subject by 

 Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. One at Henley, being the third shot 

 there, 34th October, 1870 (Stubbs, Zoologist, ss, p. lA^^'l). One, 

 immature, on the Cherwell at Franklin^s Knob, below Banbury, 

 in the winter of 1876. One at Bloxham and two at South 

 Newington (C. M. Prior, Banhury Guardian). One, adult, on 

 the Isis at Newbridge, nth December, 1881 (Warner J/-6'.). 

 One, in fine adult winter plumage, on the canal, a mile north 

 of Banbury, 23nd December, 1883. One in the same year on 

 Port Meadow, Oxford, in Mr. G. Arnatt^s collection. One, 

 male, Bletchingdon, 18th October, 1886, One seen on Port 

 Meadow, 30th January, 1887, by Mr. A. H. Macpherson, 

 who approached within a short distance of it, as it stood 

 in some shallow half -frozen flood- water bathing and trimming 

 its feathers. 



