9598 Birds. 



Oniithohgical Notes from Lincolnshire. By John Cordeaux, Esq. 



(Continued from page 9574). 



April, 1865. 



Pied and White Woyhiih. — I observed during the last week in 

 March two or three pairs of white wagtails in this neighbourhood. At 

 this season of the year it is not difficult to distinguish them at once 

 from Motacilla Yarrellii, both by their light gray mantle, which con- 

 trasts strongly with the much darker shades on the head and tail, 

 while in M. Yarrellii the whole of the upper part was one uniform dark 

 colour ; also by the white patch on the side of the head and neck, 

 which in M. alba is much larger, and runs quite down to the wing 

 without any intervening colour. In the autumn it is very difficult to 

 distinguish between the young broods, both having the light upper 

 gray parts. Several pairs of pied wagtails remain in this neighbour- 

 hood during the winter; they may generally be seen feeding in the 

 turnip fields, about the sheep-troughs, and always in close propinquity 

 to the flock. This bird is by far the most frequently met with of the 

 two species in this parish : M. alba is not, however, uncommon during 

 the spring and summer. We had a very large increase to the number 

 of the pied wagtails on or about the 7th of April, on which day I saw 

 no less than thirty pairs of these pretty graceful birds during a short 

 morning's drive. 



Wheatear. — On the 8th of April, a warm and fine day, wind S. and 

 S.W., considerable numbers of wheatears arrived in our marsh district, 

 their first appearance in the neighbourhood this spring. On this day 

 they might be seen everywhere, in pairs, about the dry banks and 

 drain sides, also on the Humber embankment. The next day, and 

 for ten days afterwards, although I daily traversed nearly the same 

 ground, I did not see a single bird : they had all left us. I observed 

 two or three pairs during the last week in the month searching 

 amongst the mass of drift-wood and sea-weed on the coast. Very iew 

 out of the many which arrive in the spring remain iu the neighbour- 

 hood for breeding purposes, and 1 have never been able to discover 

 their nest in the marsh district. 



Widtjeon. — April 1. Widgeon still linger in the neighbourhood, 

 I observed a large flock on the Humber on the 1st of this month, but 

 have not seen any since this date. 



Scaup Duck. — A ieyf scaup ducks still remain on the Humber, 

 apparently old males. My last notes of them are — April 7th, three ; 



