456 THK ZOOLOGIST. 



Oct. 14th. A Water Eail was shot by one of the gamekeepers 

 near Thrapston ; two others picked up dead on the railway, and 

 evidently killed by telegraph-wires, were brought to me on 

 Sept. 21st and 28th respectively. This species is by no means 

 rare with us in the autumn and winter, and I only place these 

 occurrences on record, because it appears to me that two at least 

 of these three individuals were evidently on migration. As in 

 the case of the Snipes above mentioned, I this year offered a 

 reward to any one who could find a nest of the Water Rail 

 with eggs in the neighbourhood of Lilford ; but in spite of very 

 diligent and intelligent research, in many localities admirably 

 suited to the breeding habits of this species, no nest was found, 

 although an old bird was observed in June. 



Oct. 16th. First Fieldfare of season, reported by Mr. Hunt. 

 First report this season of Bramblings ; two seen near Achurch. 



I may conclude with a few general remarks upon birds about 

 Lilford since our return thither from Bournemouth on 14th June 

 last. I had heard many reports before that date of the scarcity 

 of the Hir undines in many parts of England, but there were 

 certainly quite an average number of Swaflows about the house 

 from June to October ; House Martins, however, were very scarce 

 till the end of June, as above mentioned — since that time rather 

 more abundant than usual. Sand Martins, never very abundant 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of Lilford, appeared sparingly 

 along the river in July. 



The Pied Woodpecker was seen and heard during this summer 

 very much more frequently than in any previous year within 

 my recollection. A nest full of nearly fledged young was found, 

 within less than a quarter of a mile from the house, in the third 

 week of June, and another brood was hatched out in our pleasure- 

 grounds about a fortnight afterwards. 



Most of our common summer visitors were in about their 

 usual numbers ; Spotted Flycatchers and Eedstarts perhaps 

 more abundant than usual. We had a wonderful number of 

 Partridges, and our returns of killed during September and 

 October are higher by nearly four hundred brace than in any 

 season as yet recorded. Kestrels and Sparrowhawks were 

 remarkably scarce with us till late in August, when both sijecies 

 appeared in force. I saw a Hobby on two or three occasions 

 near the house in July and August, and heard of several more 



