BIRDS 



82. Hooded Crow. Corvus comix, Linn. 



A local winter visitor, numerous on the 

 lower Trent and not uncommon on the 

 moors, but almost unknown in many parts 

 of the county. It is scarce in the upper 

 Trent valley and rare on the Derwent and 

 Dove. According to Mr. E. D. Doncaster 

 it is destructive among the moorland sheep 

 in severe weather (Birds of Derbyshire, p. 107). 



83. Rook. Corvui frugilegus, Linn. 

 Locally, Crow. 



Exceedingly common all over the county, 

 and at times very destructive to eggs of all 

 kinds. Examples with elongated and mal- 

 formed mandibles are not uncommon. Two 

 such specimens are to be seen in the Derby 

 Museum. A third is mentioned in the Zoolo- 

 gist 1900, p. 429. Exceptionally rooks have 

 been known to nest in late autumn, and an 

 instance of this took place near Chesterfield. 

 A white bird has been recorded from Staveley, 

 and pied or partly white birds are not un- 

 common. 



84. Sky-Lark. Alauda arvensis, Linn. 



Most numerous in the southern plain, but 

 found everywhere except on the moors. 

 Under stress of weather large flocks make 

 their way southward in the winter, returning 

 after the break-up of the cold weather. A 

 variety with white wing feathers is recorded 

 in the Birds of Derbyshire (p. 1 09). 



85. Wood-Lark. Alauda arborea, Linn. 



This species appears to have unaccountably 

 decreased in numbers since Neville Wood's 

 time. In 1836 he describes it as tolerably 

 abundant near Foston, and proceeds to men- 

 tion some nests in unusual positions. In 

 1863 Sir O. Mosley notes that it is 'scarce' 

 in the Tutbury district, and Mr. E. Brown as 

 'rare' near Burton, and in 1850 Mr. J. J. 

 Briggs writes that it is becoming scarcer every 

 year. At the present time I have no notes 

 of its occurrence in Derbyshire with the 

 exception of a single bird obtained on the 

 Sheffield moors (W. Boulsover), and a nest, 

 said to have been found in the Burton district 

 on May 29, 1881. 



86. Swift. Cypselus apus (Linn.). 

 Locally, Squealer, Screamer. 



A common summer visitor usually arriving 

 about May 4 with wonderful regularity. F. 

 B. Whitlock saw many on April 30, 1892, 

 but this is unusual. When suitable breeding 

 places are available swifts prefer to breed in 

 company ; but as these are often restricted in 



numbers, isolated pairs may frequently be met 

 with. A few nests may be found in the 

 limestone district in crevices of rocks, but 

 most of them are placed under eaves or in 

 thatch. Two or frequently three eggs are 

 laid, varying considerably in size and shape. 

 For further notes on this species in Derbyshire 

 see Zoo/. 1901, p. 286. 



87. Nightjar. Caprimulgus europccus, Linn. 

 Locally, Moth-hawk, Fern Owl, Goatsucker. 



A regular summer visitor to the moorlands 

 breeding in small numbers not only on the 

 Glossop moors but also on the eastern side of 

 the Derwent from Ashopton to the Matlock 

 district. To the low-lying country in the 

 south and south-east it is a scarce and irre- 

 gular visitor, but has been shot at Staveley, 

 Kirk Ireton, near Derby, Sinfin Moor, Don- 

 ington Park and near Burton. 



88. Wryneck. lynx torquilla, Linn. 



A local summer visitor in small numbers to 

 the parks in that part of Derbyshire which 

 lies south of the Trent. A few are also to 

 be found in the north-east, and one or two 

 pairs visit the valley of the upper Derwent. 

 It is unknown in the Dove valley. 



89. Green Woodpecker. Gecinus viridis 



(Linn.). 



A fairly common resident in most well- 

 wooded districts, and noticeable on account of 

 its peculiar cry. It is less shy than the 

 spotted woodpecker. 



90. Great Spotted Woodpecker. Dendro- 



copus major (Linn.). 

 Locally, French Magpie. 

 A local resident, but more common in 

 suitable localities than is generally believed 

 owing to its shy and retiring habits which 

 render observation difficult. It is most 

 numerous in the woods and parks of southern 

 and central Derbyshire, but a pair or two 

 haunt the coniferous woods on the edge of 

 the moorlands in the High Peak. 



91. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Dendro- 



copus minor (Linn.). 



This species is also very prone to elude 

 observation but is probably rather scarcer 

 than the great spotted woodpecker though no 

 doubt frequently overlooked. I have not 

 met with it further north than Rowsley, and 

 most notes of its appearance are from the 

 district which lies to the south of Belper. 



92. Kingfisher. Alcedo ispida, Linn. 



A common resident by the rivers of south 



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