186 FIRST APPEARANCES Of BIRDS, INSECTS, ETC. 



(S. C.) S. Creed, Cheddington, Misterton. 



(Miss P.) Miss Payne, Weymoutli. < ' 



(H. S. G.) H. S. Gray, Rush,more (Wilts); also at Motcombe, 

 near Shaftesbury. 



(R. F. W.) Rev. Canon R. F. Wheeler, Hazelbury Bryan 

 Rectory. 



(E. J. B.) Rev. E. J. Bodington, Osmington Vicarage. 



The number of observers (15) is the same as last year, the two 

 last having replaced the Portisham and Broadstone observers of 

 1895 ; and Mr. Gray has sent in, for the first time, observations at 

 Motcombe. 



RARE BIRDS IN 1896. 



GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER. One seen at Whatcombe 

 June 13. (J. C. M.-P.) 



SOLITARY SNIPE. One shot at Wareham October 10. 

 (J. C. M.-P.) 



SABINE'S GULL. One shot at Christchurch Harbour, Hants, 

 by Mr. E. Hart, September 26. (J. C. M.-P.) 



GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Acrocephalus ncevius). Note by 

 (E. R. B.) " I find no mention of this in the lists of birds of the 

 Purbeck Society Papers (1855-69). It was frequently heard by 

 myself in a copse close to Corfe Castle Rectory and in a 

 neighbouring withy bed, from April 23 onwards, and there can be 

 little doubt that a pair or two must have nested there." 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopus minor). Note by 

 (E. R. B.) u A specimen of this bird, which is extremely rare in 

 Purbeck, took up its temporary abode in Corfe Castle Rectory 

 grounds in the spring and was frequently heard making its peculiar 

 rattling noise every day from April 19 till May 7, when finding 

 presumably that there was no chance of getting a mate, it moved 

 on elsewhere. It was particularly fond of sitting and rattling on 

 the dead limb of an old black poplar tree within a few yards of the 

 house, and I repeatedly watched it in the act through opera glasses. 

 It took no notice of people passing beneath, but always flew off 

 as soon as it realised that I was engaged in watching it. While 



