G4 THE BIKDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 



him. In the -winter of 1880 I believe I saw one also amongst 

 a flock of starlings, but though I followed and stalked the flock 

 for some distance, I could not be quite positive ; but I do not 

 believe the markings 1 observed were those of a pied bird. 



li). — The Raven f Corvus corax). One was shot at Saddiugton, many 

 years since, by Mr. Johnson. It was feeding on a portion of a 

 sheep that had been hung up for dogs' meat, in a plantation. 

 Rev. A. Matthews saw one at (iumley — tlie date is uncertain, 

 but more than twenty years ago. One was shot at Rothlev in 

 1881. 



20. — The Hooded Crow (Corrns conii.v). Not often seen so far iidand. 

 It has been observed by Rev. A. Matthews at Gumley. One 

 was obtained at Skettington in 1875, another was shot at 

 Rothley in 1881, a third killed at Skeffington in 1880, and I am 

 informed by Mr. M. Browne, that a specimen was obtained 

 near Leicester in January of this year, and is now in the 

 Museum. 



21. — The Great Spotted Woodpecker ( ricus iiutjur). Very rare. Potter 

 mentions it occurring on Charnwood Forest. Sir G. Beaumont 

 writes me that he has seen it at Coleorton. The Rev. A. 

 Matthews shot a female at Gumley in November, 1861 ; and 

 Mr. Davenport informs me that one was killed at Loddiugton 

 in 1881. 



22. — The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Picm minor). Still more rare 

 than the last. Rev. F. O. Morris says it has occurred in 

 Leicestershire. In the summer of 1878 a pair built their nest 

 in an orchard at Gumley ; but, sad to say, it was discovered by 

 a mischievous boy, who robbed the nest and destroyed the old 

 bird, which allowed itself to be captured rather than desert. 



23. — The Hoopoe (Upupa epops). There are two local specimens in 

 the Leicester Museum. Mr. Browne writes me that they 

 were shot at Lutterworth before 1849. He further tells me, on 

 the authority of Mr. J. E. Weatherhead, that another was 

 killed at Stapletoa in 1851. Sir G. Beaumont says : " A good 

 many years ago my head-gardener saw a bird which (from his 

 description) I took to be a hoopoe. 



21.— The Black Grouse iTctmo tetri.vj. No doubt in by-gone times 

 black game was common enough in Charnwood Forest. 

 Potter mentions them as being found there. Sir (i. Beaumont 

 says: " I can remember perfectly killing black game on Charn- 

 wood Fox-est about 1847 or 1848, aud during the next ten years 

 I killed several grey hens in South Wood, near Coleorton." 



2-5. —The Red Grouse {Tctrao lagopus). Now only an occasional 

 visitor, though formerly it had a home on Charnwood. • Potter 

 mentions it as being found there. In 1861 a sohtary grouse 

 was killed at Skeftingtou by Rev. J. Davenport, and one was 

 also found and killed at Noseley by Sir A. Hazelrigge some 

 years since. 



20. — Pallas' Sand Grouse (Sijirhuptca paradoxus j. In 1867, there 

 came a large flight of these birds to our shores, and they were 

 seen and killed in all parts of England. Five were seen near 

 Laughton, four miles from here, but unfortunately no specimen 

 was procured. 



