46 
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM NOTTS., 
AUTUMN AND WINTER, 1890-91. 
F. B. WHITLOCK, 
Beeston, Notts. 
THE autumnal movements of birds began to affect us in Notts. early 
in August. On the roth, I observed a flock of about a dozen Common 
Gulls (Zarus canus) wheeling about over the Trent; a strong S.E. 
wind was blowing at the time. On the same day I noticed along 
the margins of the river individuals of the Ringed Plover (.£g/a/itis 
hiaticula), Redshank (Zotanus calidris), and a pair of Green Sand- 
pipers (Aelodromas ochropus As I was returning homewards in 
a heavy rain a small Gull dew past me, which I felt certain was Larus 
minutus. I was subsequently informed that a bird of this species 
was killed about the same date. 
On Aug. 24th a few Wheatears (Saxicoia enanthe) were flitting 
about our low-lying meadows ; those I observed were all birds of 
the year. On the 29th a young male Spotted Crake (forsana 
maruetta) was shot at Attenborough, and I met with several others 
previous to the commencement of the hard weather. 
On the goth a local specimen of the Greenshank (Zofanus 
glottis) came into my possession ; it was killed at Shelford. A little 
earlier in the month another example had been shot near Ilkeston, 
Derbyshire. A few young Chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus rufus) were now 
to be heard ; they lingered with us till the 28th Sept. The Chiffchaff 
breeds with us very sparin 
t. 1st.—A 
a 
Sty: 
flight of Whimbrel (Wumentus pheopus) passed 
over in a south-westerly direction, about seven o’clock i 
evening. 
in: th 
4th.—I observed many freshly-moulted Pied Wagtails 
pees ee gubris) on the margins of the river. I also noted 
numbers of Redbreasts (Zrithacus rubecula) haunting our local willow 
holts ; a great many Meadow Pipits (Anthus pratensis) appeared at 
the same time. These three species were evidently on migration. 
Linnets (Zinofa cannabina) were numerous, and I also met with 
a few Twites (Z. favirostris) and Goldfinches (Carduelis elegans). 
Sept. 18th to 3oth.—My garden was well patronised during this 
period, by Goldcrests (Regulus cristatus), Coal-Tits (Parus ater), and 
Willow Wrens (Phyloscopus trochilus). 1 saw the first Grey Wagtails 
(Motacilla sulphurea) on the 18th. They have been unusually scarce 
this winter, 
Naturalist, 
