WHITLOCK : BIRD NOTES FROM THE MID-TRENT VALLEY, 65 
the same date. It was remarkable how closely each flock 
followed the exact line taken by the previous ones. Sand 
Martins were passing commonly also. I observed a few Tree 
Pipits (Anthus trivialis) on the 15th, and about this time I saw 
several more White Wagtails. I am now inclined to think that 
this bird migrates from S.W. to N.E., contrary to the direction 
of most of our local spring visitors, but the species is i 
sented in too limited numbers to make me very certa 
the 18th I heard the Cuckoo ‘ Cuciéus canorus). eso from 
two different localities in Notts give an earlier date by a week. 
I also heard a solitary Corn Crake (Crex pratensis). This 
individual was in an osier bed, where the herbage had been in 
places cut for litter. I several times saw it come out and 
remain calling on one of the bare patches. This was the only 
example I met with until a fortnight later. I also heard the 
first Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis) at the same time. 
I saw a Common Whitethroat (Sy/via rufa) on the 22nd, and 
the Lesser species (Sy/via curruca) a few days later. I hearda 
Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella nevia) reeling away on the 
28th, and another individual heard in a different locality was 
observed to leave its usual cover at dusk, for some tussocky 
hollows in a neighbouring meadow, where it was heard uttering 
its peculiar note. The first Swifts (Cypsedus apus) were noted 
on the 25th, but it was not till the beginning of May that I saw 
a House Martin (Chelidon urbica). May gth was rainy, with 
a south-west wind. Perhaps the largest migration of Sand 
Martins I ever saw took place this day. At about 6.30 p.m. 
the air seemed thick with them, all flying to the usual point, 
and, unlike a number of Swallows, not stopping to hawk for 
insects over the river. They were again very abundant the 
following day. It was not until the 11th that I heard the first 
Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus streperus), always a late species 
with us. 
To resume notes on individual species— 
Redshank (Zotanus calidris). Our breeding birds arrived about 
March 18th. We had at least five pairs, all of which, I believe, 
brought off their young. One nest was found, but only a single 
egg taken, the parent birds being met with by myself in an 
adjacent marsh, where their young were concealed. The male 
was very anxious whilst I was near. Once he perched on the 
_ twig of a tall hawthorn bush, where he remained 
waying about and uttering his alarm note until I left the 
‘ heieheuteak 
Mar, 1895, - 
