4 
ORNITHOLOGY IN SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE. 95 
of its character—almost entirely destitute of woodland and water, it 
presents but few opportunities for collecting notes, or for observing the 
migration of rare birds—yet with all its drawbacks I have succeeded in 
obtaining sufficient observations to justify me in the hope that they may 
at least prove interesting. 
Many of the facts recorded below are due to the observations of my 
friend, the Rev. A. Matthews, Gumley Rectory, whose name alone in the 
world of Natural History is a sufficient guarantee for their accuracy. 
The observations extend over the last twenty-five years, and the 
most rare birds are given as nearly as possible in the order of date, and a 
list is added of others not so uncommon. 
Rose-coloured Pastor, (Pastor roseus,) seen amongst a flock of 
starlings, near Foxton, no date. 
Raven, (Corvus coraz,) once seen near Gumley, no date. 
Great Snipe, (Scolopax major,) shot near Lutterworth. 
Snow Bunting ,(Plectrophanes nivalis, ) one shot at Laughton, no date. 
Pied Flycatcher, (Muscicapa atricapilla,) seen at Kibworth, 1859. 
Gray Phalarope, (Phalaropus lobatus,) shot near Foxton, 1860. 
Temminck’s Stint, (Tringa Temminckii,) shot at Saddington Reservoir, 
1860. 
Stormy Petrel, ( Thalassidroma pelagica, found dead near Gumley, 1862. 
Goosander, (Mergus castor,) a female, shot near Smeeton, 1862. 
This bird was also seen in 1866 and 1877. 
Golden Hagle, (Aquila chrysaétos,) seen flying W. by Rev. A. 
Matthews, 1863. 
Black Tern, (Sterna fissipes,) shot at Saddington Reservoir, 1865. 
Manx Petrel, (Pufinus Anglorum,) picked up exhausted near Gumley, 
1867. 
Sand Grouse, (Syrrhaptes paradoxus,) five seen near Laughton, 1867. 
Garganey, (Anas circia,) four shot at Saddington Reservoir, 1868. 
Great Northern Diver, (Colymbus glacialis,) seen on Saddington 
Reservoir, where it remained for a fortnight, 1872. 
Black-throated Diver, (Colymbus arcticus,) shot on Saddington 
Reservoir, 1874. 
Red-necked Grebe, (Podiceps rubricollis,) shot on Saddington 
Reservoir, 1874. 
Scaup Duck, (Fuligula marila,) shot on Saddington Reservoir, 1874. 
This bird is not an unfrequent visitor. 
Peregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus, )a pair seen near Saddington, 1877. 
Small Spotted Woodpecker, (Picus minor,) a pair nested at Gumley, 
and hatched off on 26th May, 1878. Unfortunately their nest was 
discovered by a boy, who captured and killed the old one and 
destroyed the young. 
fais now pass on to the less rare birds which appear deserving of 
notice :— 
Great Black-backed Gull, (Larus marinus, ) has been seen occasionally. 
Herring Gull, (Larus argentatus,) has been seen occasionally. 
Common Gull, (Larus canus,) often seen. 
Kittiwake, (Larus tridactylus,) often seen. 
Curlew, (Numenius arquata,) often seen. 
Whimbrel, (Numenius pheopus,) often seen. 
Green Sandpiper, (Totanus ochropus,) a constant winter visitor. 
Common Sandpiper, (Totanus hypoleucos,) a constant summer visitor. 
Merlin, (Falco esalon,) often seen in winter. 
Ring Ousel, (Twrdus torquatus,) occasionally seen, one shot at Gumley 
a few years ago. 
Spotted Rail, (Crex porzana,) has been frequently shot, one this year 
