20 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the ugly roofs of the buildings not being at all favourable to the 
habits of the birds; and further, ever since I paid any attention 
to the manners of this bird I have never been more surprised at 
its temporary withdrawment than during August, 1848.” On the 
16th the Swifts withdrew, apparently altogether, where only a few 
days before the birds were abundant; but on the 24th, 25th, and 
26th numbers returned in my own parish and at a small village 
hard by. 
Cypselus melba (Linn.). White-bellied Swift; ‘‘ Alpine Swift.” 
—A rare summer migrant. Has been quoted in nearly every 
work since 1839 as having occurred in Leicestershire, on the 
authority of Macgillivray (Brit. Birds, i1., p. 613), which, with 
Harley’s MSS. to guide me, appears insufficient, the bird having 
only been seen flying overhead, at some considerable distance 
from the ground. Mr. Harting, at page 201 of ‘Our Summer 
Migrants, allows it to be inferred that the above specimen (men- 
tioned at p. 200) was shot. 
Fam. CaPpRIMULGIDA. 
Caprimulgus europeus, Linn. Nightjar; “ Goatsucker;” “Fern 
Owl.”—A summer migrant, sparingly distributed, but doubtless 
breeding occasionally. Harley records it from Bardon, Oakley, 
Gopsall, Martenshaw, and Gracedieu. The MS. Donation Book, 
Leicester Museum, records one from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Sep- 
tember 2nd, 1874: one, Birstall, September 3rd, 1876; one, 
Belgrave, May 26th, 1877. The late Mr. Widdowson wrote from 
Melton, ‘‘ Very few about here.” Mr. Ingram writes, ‘ Found 
every summer in Belvoir Woods, but less numerous than formerly; 
have not found its eggs.” Mr. 'T. B. Ellis writes, ‘‘ Rare, one or 
two generally at ‘The Brand.’” 
Fam. Picip#. 
Dendrocopus major (Linn.). Great Spotted Woodpecker ; 
“French Magpie.” — Resident, but not common, breeding 
occasionally. In Potter’s ‘History of Charnwood Forest’ it is 
said to be “found in old woods all round the Forest, but is not 
very common.” Harley says, ‘The species is seldom seen, 
except in the vicinity of the parks of Garendon, Donington, 
Beaumanor, Gopsal, and Bosworth.” Sir G. Beaumont wrote to 
Mr. Macaulay that he had seen it at Coleorton. The Rev. A. 
