1212 The Zoologist— May, 1868. 



Birds occurring in Leicestershire in 1868. 

 By Theodore C. Walker, Esq. 



Golden eye Duck and Pochard. — In January a fine specimen of the 

 goldeneye duck was shot on the fish-pond at Ulverscroft Priory, on 

 the estate of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington ; a pochard was 

 also shot at the same place, where specimens occur nearly every 

 winter: this place is in the very centre of England. 



Green Sandpiper. — A specimen of this winter visitor was shot in a 

 ditch by Martinshaw Wood, near Rathy. 



Gray Phalarope. — A specimen in winter plumage was killed by 

 striking against the telegraph-wires near Leicester. 



Bohemian Waxwing. — A very fine adult male was shot at Arnsby, 

 by a farmer, while feeding on a hawthorn-bush during severe weather. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker. — An adult male was shot at Bosworth, 

 near the battle -field, on the estate of Sir A. B. C. Dixie, Bart.: this 

 bird is of not uufrequent occurrence in some of our largest woods, as 

 Buddon, Martinshaw, Steward-Hay, &c, but being very shy is seldom 

 seen. 



Hawfinch. — A specimen was shot, in the beginning of April, at 

 Belvoir Castle. Birds of this species occur annually about the wood- 

 lands of Anstey and Biadgate Park. 



Little Bittern. — A specimen of this rare winter visitor* was shot 

 at Billesdon Coplow in January. 



Bittern. — A splendid specimen was shot in the snipe-ground of 

 Groby Pool in March. I am told that it is twenty-five years since the 

 last was shot in the county, at Bradgate Park. 



Merlin. — A specimen, in immature plumage, was killed a few days 

 since, by dashing at the window of a house in Leicester, causing great 

 consternation to the occupants. An adult bird was shot on the farm 

 of Messrs. Spencer, in this county. 



Peregrine Falcon. — 1 have just seen a splendid adult female at our 

 taxidermists, Messrs. G. Stuart & Co., killed at Weston-super-Mare: 

 an egg ready for extrusion was found in the ovary : the egg is very 

 beautifully coloured. 



* [I have a gnat aversion to muling any criticisms on the communications 

 I receive, but I think the term " winter visitor,*' as applied to the little bittern, is 

 rather assuming a fact before it is established. My own opinion does not coincide 

 with Mr. Walker's, in considering this rare bird a winter visitor.— E. N.] 



