184 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
collected together in view of a migration, because, in the first place, common 
as the Crow is here, I do not think we could muster quite such a host as 
this in any one part of the district; and, secondly, it is usual for them to 
disappear by degrees, and not all at once.—Oxiver V. Apiin (Great Bourton, 
near Banbury). 
Variety of Jackdaw and Chaffinch.—A Jackdaw was shot Dec. 10th and 
brought to my stuffer, who purchased it for me; it is of a dark stone-colour 
all over, with the outer edges of flight-feathers cream-colour. A neighbour 
sent me a Chaflinch the other day of several shades lighter than one in 
normal plumage, the white in the wings being replaced by yellow, back blue- 
grey, rump yellow, and tail light yellow-grey; a male bird.—J. Wutrakrer 
(Rainworth Lodge, Notts). 
Natural History Notes from Yorkshire.—I had few opportunities 
of field observation in this county last autumn, but I have since collected 
a few notes from competent observers, adding my own limited experience. 
The Grey Wagtail, which visits these lowland districts in late autumn, 
retires to the N.W. moorland streams in spring; it rarely breeds in South 
Yorkshire. On November 26th Hooded Crows were in the low-flooded 
grounds about Wath-on-Dearne, and Fieldfares, Redwings, Jack Snipes, 
and Woodcocks had arrived from northern countries. ‘The Woodcock has 
bred rarely near Cannon Hall and Stainborough parks. On December 2nd 
Golden Plover, Lapwing, and Common Snipe were observed. These breed 
on the west moors, rarely on our low lands. On December 8th heard the 
Sky Lark uttering its cheery notes. The Robin sang throughout the winter. 
On December 20th Jackdaws and Rooks were seeking food after frost or 
rain in fields near the town. On January 2nd a female Merlin was brought 
to me from Thurnscoe. This small falcon is scarce; I have seen one 
take a bird on the wing, and one was caught in a thick bush near Barnsley. 
Several have been noted by the late W. Talbot in his list of the Birds of 
Wakefield. On January 4th Mr. Hailstone, of Walton Hall, wrote to me 
that the lake was visited by a flock of from 400 to 500 wild ducks; a female 
Goosander had been observed on several days, at times close to the hall. 
He has informed me, in former winters, of hundreds of waterfowl on and 
about his lake, where I am happy to say they still have protection, as in 
Waterton’s time. The Herons are occasional visitors, but could not be 
induced to stay after their nesting-trees were cut down. On January 9th 
a Water Rail (scarce), Little Grebes, Herons, Pochards, and Kingfishers 
were reported on pools and streams. Most of our resident songsters uttered 
their songs in February and early in March.—T. Lisrer (Barnsley). 
Grey Shrikes in Oxfordshire.—A fine example of the Great Grey Shrike, 
the typical form with two well-developed white wing-spots, was shot on 
the borders of Oxfordshire, near Chacombe, on December 26th last. It 
