VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 165 
2in.; irides, golden yellow. The crop, gizzard, and intestines 
were filled with insects, mixed with vegetable fibre, probably 
grass-roots, one or two blades of grass, and a leaf, no doubt 
swallowed when tearing out a wild bee’s nest. Careful washing 
produced small bees (Nomada sp. ?), about one hundred ichneumon 
flies, some Syrphide, one soldier beetle (Telephorus sp.), and 
parts of other beetles ; one hundred or more larvae, or parts of 
larve, of Geometride, of three species, the greater number 
being probably those of H. progemmaria. This specimen is 
now in the possession of Mr. R. W. Chase, of Edgbaston, 
Birmingham. The Leicester Museum possesses an immature 
male specimen (in light snuff-coloured plumage), procured from 
the late Mr. Widdowson, to whom it was sent alive on being 
taken at Croxton Park on June 18th or 14th, 1884. Mr. 
Widdowson wrote concerning it:—‘‘I have examined it, and 
cannot find any wounds. It is very amiable, allowing me to 
stroke its head or back without showing any temper or fear. It 
is now two or three days since capture, and it has not eaten 
anything at present.” After it came into my possession I kept 
it alive up to the end of June, but, although exceedingly tame, 
it would not touch anything, nor could we force anything down 
its throat, not even water. After it died we found it had received 
injury to the walls of the abdomen, evidently caused by shot. 
The colour of its irides was golden yellow; legs and toes reddish 
yellow. 
Falco peregrinus, Tunstall. Peregrine Faleon.—Has occurred 
near the Loughborough outwoods, at Gopsall, at Groby, at 
Bradgate, in Oakley and Piper Woods, and at Stapleford Park. 
Turner reports a female, shot by Mr. Berkeley at the North Bridge 
some years since, while chasing pigeons. In October, 1885, I 
purchased a specimen for the Museum, an immature female said 
to have been shot some eight years previously at Woodgate, near 
the North Bridge, out of some high poplar trees; and in May, 
1885, Mr. Owen West presented to the Leicester Museum an 
old female Peregrine, shot by himself at Tur Langton, about 
five years previously. 
Falco subbuteo, Linn. Hobby.—- An uncommon summer 
visitant, and has bred inthe county. Potter records one specimen 
as having occurred near Thringstone. According to Harley, “ It 
usually breeds in the deserted nest of a Carrion Crow or Magpie, 
