130 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
observed. Wild Ducks have been very numerous. It has also been a 
capital season for Snipe; they frequented the water-meadows in large 
“wisps,” but Jacks have been scarce. Lapwing and Plover were plentiful, 
but they all disappeared before the frost set in, and have not yet returned. 
Ihave paid great attention lately to the Grey Wagtail, and I find it resident 
in this county throughout the year. On looking through my notes I find 
I noticed one or more individuals every month. It seems a very local 
species. I know two or three spots where it is invariably to be met 
with. I find Mr. A. G, More includes it in the Sub-Province 9 (Oxon, 
Berks, Bucks), on the authority of the Rey. B. Burgess. Although not 
nearly so numerous as in the breeding season, I have observed Kestrels 
here every day all through November and December. The Siskin and 
Redpoll, especially the latter, have been fairly plentiful. Ornithologists 
will be pleased to hear that the Goldfinch is very common with us, small 
flocks of this elegant bird frequenting the waste lands. In one stubble-field 
I saw a very large flock, containing fully eighty individuals. They are, 
however, scarce in the breeding season. From October to March I do not 
often meet with the Stonechat, but I noticed a fine male perched on the 
topmost spray of a furze-bush on December 4th. On November 28th I saw 
two Kittiwakes flying over; one had recently been killed in the vicinity. 
A Quail was shot here in October. I have daily noticed very large flocks of 
Stock Doves feeding in the stubbles. A fine male Goldeneye was shot on 
December 12th at Chattercut Reservoir, and a Razorbill was procured on 
the same day and locality. Although getting a scarce species with us, 
examples of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker are occasionally met with. 
I have recently been told of one killed in the early part of the year by a game- 
keeper in Broughton Park.—C. Marrunw Prior (The Avenue, Bedford). 
Tu Past SHoorine Season ar tHE Scrtty [stes.—The late severe 
winter has given a fine season of sport on these islands. The return of the 
number of Woodcocks and Snipes killed by the Lord Proprietor, Mr. Dorrien 
Smith, may interest the readers of ‘ The Zoologist.’ The following is about 
the summary of the bag, but I am led to believe that double the number of 
Snipes might have been obtained by additional and fairly effective guns :— 
Woodcocks, 415; Snipes, full, 545; Jack Snipes, 73; Curlew, 10; Teal, 67; 
Pheasants, 390; Golden Plover, 84; Landrails,8; Rabbits, 2045; various, 
between 100 and 200, including one Purple Heron (immature), one Wood 
Sandpiper, one Green Sandpiper, Rufis, Bar-tailed Godwit, Goldeneye, 
Shoveller, Norfolk Plover, Pochards, Wild Ducks, Widgeon, in more or less 
numbers. The best day’s Snipe-shooting gave 533 couples, and of Woodcocks 
42 birds. J need scarcely refer to the fact of the Islands having been crammed 
with all sorts of the Thrush tribe, as well as our indigenous birds, during the 
hard weather, it being always the case that in severe winters there is always 
