4488 TuE ZooLocist—JUNE, 1875. 
Ornithological Notes from North Lincolnshire. 
By Joun CorpEAux, Esq. 
(Continued from 8, S. 4366). 
FEBRUARY, Marcu, APRIL, 1875. 
Dipper.—I recently purchased a dipper shot during the last 
autumn on the Withern trout-stream near Alford: this is only the 
second occurrence which has come under my notice in North- 
East Lincolnshire. This bird belonged to the English type, 
having the chestnut-brown band on the breast. 
Marsh Harrier.—March 8. In the marshes this morning there 
was a large hawk beating over the ground in a systematic manner. 
On horseback I had a very good view of it, and have little doubt it 
was the now rare marsh harrier. The hawk flew about three feet 
above the ground, and very much like a gannet—that is, three or 
four quick beats of the wing and then a long glide. The wings 
were long and pointed, colour brown, with the tail light-coloured, 
and two very conspicuous bluish gray patches on the wings. I could 
not get a clear view of the head, which was concealed by the wings 
and shoulders. 
Wood Pigeon.—March 9. Breeding-note of wood pigeon first 
heard. Immense flocks now resort daily to the clover-fields, feeding 
on the young plants and doing considerable damage. 
Blackheaded Bunting.—March 9, Have returned in pairs to all 
their usual nesting-haunts. 
Twite.— March 15. A small flock of twites in the marsh. 
Examples obtained have almost assumed the scarlet rump, if 
indeed they had ever lost it. Dr.Saxby, in his ‘ Birds of Shetland’ 
(p. 108), says:—“ In winter, as well as in summer, adult males 
have red upon the lower part of the back, but the winter colour is 
by far the less brilliant.” I have this year seen pairs of twites in 
the marshes up to the middle of April, yet 1 have never found them 
actually nesting with us. 
Starling.— Enormous flocks throughout March on the pas- 
tures: portions of the grass-lands are completely riddled by 
their borings,—not all over the field, but in patches, usually the 
lowest and wettest places. These borings are often so close us to 
be all but confluent, and I have covered twenty with the palm of 
my hand. 
