48 WHITLOCK: AUTUMN AND WINTER NOTES FROM NOTTS. 
Nov. 22nd.—At one of our local bird-stuffers’ I noticed four 
Common Gulls (Zarus canus), which, I was informed, had been shot 
on the Trent. 
n Nov. 23rd I saw a Spotted Crake (Porzana maruetta) splash 
across a broad dyke. This is a very late date for this species in 
Notts. 
Towards the end of November we had a good number of the 
Common Snipe (Gad/inago celestis) with us; and on the 2gth a large 
flock of Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) passed down the Soar 
valley in a southerly direction. 
D A Red-throated Diver (Colymbus septentrionalis) anda 
Scaup Duck (/uligula marila) were shot on Wollaton Lake. A few 
days previously a Great Grey Shrike (ZLanius excubitor) was killed 
at Dunkirk, near Nottingham. 
At the beginning of December the frost set in in earnest. Six or 
eight Dunlins (Z7inga variabilis) were killed near Shelford, as well 
asa few Teal (Querguedula crecca) and Little Grebes (Podiceps minor). 
On the 13th a fine Barnacle Goose (ernic/a leucopsis) was shot 
near Eastwood. 
By the 14th all still waters were frozen except in the most 
sheltered places, and consequently when birds desired to quench 
their thirst many were compelled to visit the same spot. By 
waiting at one water-hole I observed large numbers of the Turdine 
come down to drink, and I shot two Common Snipe (Gadlinago 
celestis), which were evidently in search of food. The hard frost 
being so general, ducks were either driven to the sea or to the larger 
and more rapid streams which remained unfrozen, and, as might be 
expected under these circumstances, we have had an exceptional 
winter for ducks on the Trent. The first specimens I secured were 
rufina), which were shot near Beeston, the females being also killed 
at the same time. During the Ali sa of the frost, numerous. 
other examples of these species were procured, as well as Scaups: 
(Fuligula maria), Mallards Pay boschas), Wigeons (Mareca penelope), 
and Goldeneye (Clangula gtaucton). Another Common Scoter 
(Zdemia nigra) was also obtained, and a very fine old male Goosander 
(Mergus merganser), in perfect plumage, was killed at Colwick- 
One or two Geese have been shot, but I have not learned of what 
species, except in the case of a Canada Goose (Bernicla Canadensis), 
which no doubt belonged to one of the semi-domesticated flocks in 
the neighbourhood. The most noteworthy event, however, has been 
the occurrence of the Smew (Mergus albellus), three specimens of 
which have been shot. The first, an immature bird, was killed at 
Nai 
