( 249 ) 



NOTES ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 



By the Right. Hon. Lokd Lilford. 



Owing to the circumstances mentioned in my last com- 

 munication on Northamptonshire birds (Zool. 1886, p. 465), and 

 my leaving Lilford for Bournemouth (whence I now write) shortly 

 afterwards, the following notes are given entirely upon the 

 authority of correspondents, of whose good faith in every 

 instance, and accuracy of identification in the great majority 

 of occurrences quoted, I have not the slightest doubt. 



October 8th, 1886. My brother saw tAvo Golden Plovers on 

 an old pasture near Aldwinkle. I heard reports of this species 

 being seen in our neighbourhood in the latter half of September, 

 but the above is the first appearance this autumn, of which 

 I feel quite certain. 



Oct. 15th. Four Teal were brought alive from our decoy, with 

 twelve Wild Ducks. 



Oct. 28th. Eight Fieldfares seen at Biggin, near Oundle, 

 and Grey Crows, — "now in abundance since N.E. wind," — at 

 the same place, reported to me by my brother-in-law, Mr. T. H. 

 Burroughes. 



Oct. 30. Donald Mackay, gamekeeper at Aldwinkle, writes 

 that one of Lord Lyveden's keepers flushed two Woodcocks near 

 Brigstock on Sept. 26th. 



November 1st. Colonel Irby wrote to me that he was assured 

 by one of our game-watchers that he saw one of three Wild 

 Ducks suddenly seized and taken under water by some invisible 

 foe near Pilton Bridges, within a short distance from Lilford. 

 I have no doubt that an Otter was the " secret agent" in this 

 instance. 



Nov. 5th. My falconer reported the sudden appearance about 

 Lilford of a great number of Jays, the scarcity of which species 

 till this date has been somewhat remarkable. 



Nov. 6th. Sir Eainald Knightley wrote to me, under this 

 date, from Fawsley, near Daventry, as follows : — " Last year we 

 had a Night Heron — at least it was exactly like the picture of 

 that bird in Gould. It remained here nearly all the autumn, 



