76 The Zoologist — February, 1866. 



Gray Wagtail. — November 10. Saw the first gray wagtail. 



Snow Bunting. — Have lately seen several floclis of these lively, 

 restless buntings in the marshes, and remarked that they contain 

 many more of the fuU-plumaged adult males than is usually the 



case. 



John Cordeaux. 

 Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire, 

 December 1, 1865. 



Ornithological Notes from Shropshire. By John Rocke, Esq. 

 (Continued from page 9782.) 



Green Woodpecker (Pious viridis). — Shy and retiring in its habits, 

 this handsome bird is usually found in our parks and woods, where the 

 oak and its varied companions have arrived at full maturity. Occa- 

 sionally I am gratified by a slight contemplation of its lovely hues on 

 my lawn, attracted for the moment by some insect-life to us unseen. 

 I consider it a common bird, and I trust it may be long before the 

 ruthless hand of destruction will have accomplished the extermination 

 of this, one of the most interesting of our constant residents. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker (Picus major). — Much more rare than 

 the preceding bird, though a good many are to be found in this county. 

 They also breed pretty regularly with us. I knew of a nest last year 

 in a tree on the banks of the Clun, which I trust came to maturity. 



Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Picus minor). — This most interesting 

 little woodpecker was very abundant here this summer. I knew of 

 three or four pairs within a radius of less than two miles of this house. 

 They are usually considered very rare birds, though I think this arises 

 in a great measure from their being so easily overlooked. Were it not 

 for the singular noise they make whilst in search of their food, I believe 

 this would be the case much oftener than it is. Though I watched them 

 a great deal this season, I failed to discover exactly the way in which 

 that noise is produced : I think a succession of rapid strokes with the 

 bill must be the cause, though one is astounded at such a result being 

 the efforts of so small a bird : it is very like rending a large tree in 

 twain, and can be distinctly heard at a very considerable distance. 

 I called the attention of a friend to it one day this spring, and, 

 although a very good naturalist, he was quite at a loss to account for 

 the noise, and was still more surprised when, after we had walked a 

 good half-mile, I pointed out to him the little bird, in an ancient 



