Natural History. 17 



warrens between Gainsboro' and Frodingham, in the 



north-west of the county. 

 V. A portion of Kesteven, south of Grantham and east of 



Belvoir, of which Corby is about the centre, well-wooded, 



picturesque, and highly cultivated, and containing noble 



parks and country seats. 

 VI. The Isle of Axholme, formerly moor, bog, and widely 



extending heath and low firwood, but now 50,000 acres 



of rich warp, and bounded to the north-west by the great 



level of Thome waste in Yorkshire. 



It must be clearly understood, however, that these divisions 

 are only approximate, and that with our present knowledge no 

 absolutely hard and fast lines can be laid down defining faunal 

 areas, and that there are yet portions of the county which it is 

 difficult to range under any of these divisions. I have en- 

 deavoured to define roughly six fairly marked districts within 

 the boundaries of Lincolnshire, and I shall now briefly enter 

 more fully into the physical peculiarities of each, and endeavour 

 to show that, notwithstanding the great changes which have 

 taken place, these still possess attractions for the naturalist. I 

 would also mention those special matters which require more 

 careful working out. 



In the Marsh and Middle Marsh is included the whole of 

 the low-lying plain between the foot of the chalk wolds and 

 the sea, including the sea-coast itself and all its wide attractions. 

 The chief interest of this district rests in its ornithology more 

 particularly in the spring and autumn and in connection with 

 the migration of birds. The total number of species which 

 can fairly be admitted at the present time into the Lincolnshire 

 avifauna is somewhat doubtful. In the Humber district up to 

 this date I have been able to record 290. This compares 

 favourably with the Norfolk list of 293, and Yorkshire with 

 310. With our present knowledge as to the frequency with 

 which rare birds turn up during the period of migration, far 

 out of their ordinary route, I think we should attach very little 

 importance to the increase of any local or county list by the 

 addition of mere wanderers. The record of such is interesting 

 as showing how far some birds get driven out of their normal 

 course. The chief additions to the Humber district in late 

 years have come from Spurn, but there is no reason why 

 equally good results should not be obtained from our own 

 coast. 



Vol. 5, No. 34, Lines. N. & >. B 



Nat. Hist. Sect. 



