CORRESPONDENCE. 809 
OrnirpoLocicAL Notes rrom OxrorpsHire.—A fine specimen of 
Richardson’s Skua was killed at Milcombe, in this county, on 
October 15th. It is, I believe, the first occurrence of the bird in 
this district. A Common Skua was obtained at Hydon, Northamp- 
tonshire, on the 18th of that month, and on the 7th instant a Cormorant 
was shot on Clattercut Reservoir. The occurrence of these sea birds so far 
inland, considering the fine weather we have been lately enjoying, is very 
unusual. Two Turtle Doves were seen on September 29th—a very late 
stay. I did not notice Fieldfares, nor could I hear of any being seen, till 
the 22nd ult., when I observed a flock of about a hundred flying over. 
Several Spotted Crakes were brought to Mr. Wyatt, the taxidermist at 
Banbury, during last month, all killed in the neighbourhood; also one 
Hawfinch. The former bird is believed to breed on the Cherwell. Mr. 
Wyatt informs me that he has had young birds once or twice. A Red- 
legged Partridge had its nest this season on the thatch at the corner of a 
corn stack about five feet.from the ground—an uncommon situation, I 
should imagine. The bird, however, seldom breeds here ; it is the only 
instance I know of its doing so in this parish; a few years ago it was 
unknown ; now it is gradually increasing. Song Thrushes and Black- 
birds are here now in large numbers, feeding on the berries of the yew; 
they are doubtless migrants, as during the summer they were far from 
plentiful. These berries are very attractive, and even draw a few Missel 
Thrushes into the gardens, shy as they usually are at this time of year. 
Greenfinches also come in small flocks. Snipe have been plentiful. I 
put one up from amongst some cut beans—an unusual place. A few 
Jack Snipe have been shot; the first was on September 24th, rather an 
early arrival. They do not come to us, as a rule, before the middle of 
October. I have recently obtained a young Hobby; it was taken about 
four miles from here, and reared by hand; I find it far more docile than 
the tame Kestrels I have come across—in fact, I have generally found the 
latter bird rather vicious.—O. V. Artin, Bodicote, Oxon, November, 1879. 
OrnitHoLocicaL Norrs.—I have not at present seen any Fieldfares 
or Redwings, which indicates an absence of the very cold weather in the 
north, which drives them southward. I have noticed some large flocks 
of Peewits, which are very interesting to watch; I suppose they have 
rather enjoyed the wet season, as they usually congregate in the autumn 
over the low and marshy lands. I have sometimes observed a large 
battalion of them wheeling about for some time and then dividing into 
companies, flying off to their feeding ground, where they alight and seek 
their food, which consists of slugs, worms, and insects. For two or three 
nights I had the pleasure of hearing the distinct note of a Brown Owl in 
the Combe Woods. It is several years since I heard one. I suppose the 
poor bird met with the usual fate, as after a few nights I heard no more 
of him. The equinoctial storms have driven some of the sea birds as 
far inland as our midland district, and several species of the gull tribe 
have been seen in this neighbourhood. A ‘‘Pomerine Skua,” not a 
common bird even on our coasts, was lately caught alive on Wyken 
Slough. The bird was nearly starved and too weak to make its escape. 
The Skua breeds in Iceland and the north of HKurope, but visits our 
shores in autum and winter, and is occasionally driven inland, as this 
was. Itis a very strong and powerful bird, of rapid flight, and rapacious 
habits. The Skuas are said even to drive away the eagles, and are 
encouraged and preserved by the shepherds in the countries where they 
build as a protection to their flocks. It appears to be a young bird, the 
legs and upper part of the beak being of a bluish colour. It would 
measure about three feet across the extended wings. Mr. Elkington, of 
this town, has also a nice specimen of the “‘ Spotted Crake,” which was 
lately shot at Whitley.—Joun Guuson, Coventry, November dth. 
