THE ZOOLOGY OF LEICESTERSHIRE 35 
Since that time there has been no record of either of these interesting little 
creatures having been seen. 
The brown rat (Mus decumanus) is unfortunately too abundant, but no 
recent occurrence of the black rat (MV. ratius) has been noted. So far 
there is no evidence that the musk rat, which is doing so much damage in 
Shropshire and other counties, has invaded Leicestershire, though recent 
reports state that it has been seen in Rutland. 
BIRDS. 
Since the publication of the list of birds in the Victoria County History of 
Leicestershire and Rutland in 1907, a number of additional species have 
been recorded. It is also pleasing to note that several of the rarer species 
in the earlier lists are still occasionally met with. For example, a raven 
was seen at Wanlip during the winter of 1919, and remained in the district 
unmolested for some days. Ravens nested in different parts of Charn- 
wood Forest in earlier days, the last record of a nest being at Garendon 
in 1825. 
A rough-legged buzzard was observed at Bradgate in 1909, and an 
osprey in the same locality in the autumn of 1913. ‘Two hen harriers 
were seen and unfortunately shot at Normanton in 1919. 
Though recorded as an uncommon summer visitant, the hobby has, 
for the last two or three years, nested at Barkby Holt and at Humberstone. 
There are several large sheets of water around Leicester, forming part 
of the city’s water supply. ‘These reservoirs, of which Swithland Reser- 
voir is the largest, have thickly vegetated margins, and form excellent 
habitations for most of the commoner species of water-fowl. ‘The stately 
great crested grebe visits these waters every spring to nest, with a popula- 
tion per reservoir ranging from two to eight pairs. Avery few occurrences 
of the sclavonian grebe (C. auritus), the red-necked grebe (C. griseigena) 
and the eared grebe (C. migricollis) have also been recorded. ‘The rare 
wood sandpiper (TJ. glareola L.) occurred at Swithland Reservoir in the 
autumn of 1919. The reservoirs also provide excellent feeding-places for 
herons. Leicestershire can boast of but one small heronry, at Stapleford 
Park, the seat of the Hon. John Gretton, J.P.,M.P. Stapleford is situated 
on the extreme eastern edge of the county, and the herons are very strictly 
preserved. Early records show that herons have made unsuccessful 
attempts to establish heronries at Mere Hill, Martinshaw Wood, Buddon 
Wood and Bradgate. 
The lapwing or green plover (V. vanellus) inhabits the low-lying 
pastures in the valley of the river Soar in large numbers. 
At Wanlip is a large extent of marshy land near the river, which is used 
for the cultivation of osiers. ‘The bird population of this ‘ osier holt ’ is 
extensive, and several pairs of reed warblers (A. streperus) nest there every 
year. The grasshopper warbler’s prolonged ‘ reeling’ notes may also 
be heard there almost every spring. In 1931 this interesting little visitor 
nested near the village of Queniborough. 
There appears to be a marked increase in the numbers of the tawny 
owl of recent years, whilst the barn owl becomes correspondingly scarce. 
The little owl is now all too common, though in 1907 it was a rarity. 
