WHITLOCK : BIRD-NOTES FROM THE MID-TRENT VALLEY. 57 
Water Rail. Rallus aquaticus. I frequently observed a pair 
in a particular haunt throughout the winter. Col. Irby writes 
of a croaking note uttered by this species (Ornith. Straits of 
Gibraltar). I have heard a sound of this nature issuing from 
a marsh in the very early part of spring, but have attributed it 
to frogs. Have any readers of the ‘ Naturalist’ heard the Water 
Rail uttering a note as described by the former ornithologist ? 
Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis. _A considerable flock 
spent the winter of 1895-6 with us. They were up and down the 
Trent Valley continually. I handled a few of them that were 
shot. In March 1896 I came across them on the Leicester- 
shire side of the Trent, at Sawley. They then numbered about 
200, and were in company with a single Redshank and large 
numbers of Peewits. At that period they showed no signs of 
the black breast. 
Bohemian Waxwing. Ampelis garrulus. An example of 
this species was procured at Smalley, in Derbyshire, on 26th 
January, 1895. 
Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris. We had a few remaining with us 
throughout the hard winter of 1894 and 1895. ‘They frequented 
the margins of the river a great deal. On February 3rd I put 
one up which attempted to cross to the other side. It was so 
weak, however, that it fell into the water several times before 
this was accomplished | 
‘Gulls. Laridz. A young Lesser Black-back (Z. /uscus) was shot 
at Wollaton about 24th February. On January 3rd I saw two 
or three examples of Z. canus or ridibundus. On 6th of the 
following month I saw individuals of Z. fuscus (immature), and 
an adult Z. canus or tridactylus. 
In contrast to the severe winter of 1894 and 1895, that of 
1895 and 1896 was exceptionally mild, and as regards bird-life 
very uneventful. I paid many visits toa marsh for flight-shooting, 
meeting with moderate success. All I killed were Mallards. 
One evening, I think a Tufted Duck came to feed, I supposed 
it was of this species from its harsh call-note. 
On 29th March my residence of upwards of ten years in the 
Trent Vailey came to an end. I can now no longer hear the roar 
of Beeston river, or watch the migrations of the Lapwing from my 
‘sitting-room window. Any further notes I may send therefore, will | 
only be oS items relating to casual visits to my favourite 
old hau 
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