WHITLOCK: THE BIRDS OF DERBYSHIRE. 207 
unsatisfactory. The Raven is extinct as a breeder, and praiseworthy 
attempts to reinstate him in his ancient haunts have failed. Gre 
Crows follow the Trent from the east coast, and are common in the 
south-east of the county. The Bee-eater, Roller, and Hoopoe have 
all been obtained, the latter frequently, so also the Golden Oriole. 
Attractive in plumage, and strangers, they are invariably hunted 
down and slain. 
A few pairs of Short-eared Owls breed annually on the moors of 
the Peak, and there is good evidence that the Snowy Owl has been 
seen twice, and the Eagle Owl once. The Hen Harrier has probably 
not nested anywhere in the county during the last quarter of 
a century, and the Common Buzzard is practically extinct. In 1668, 
according to Willughby, a pair of Golden Eagles had a nest in 
a hamlet called ‘ Woodlands,’ in the High Peak, but we have no 
record when they ceased to breed in the county. Glover, in his 
‘ History of the County of Derby,’ 1829, records the Goshawk in his 
list of birds, and Pilkington, writing in 1789, includes the Kite as 
one of the common birds of prey. There is good evidence that the 
Hobby nested as recently as 1891, and a few pairs of Merlin still 
continue to breed in the High Peak 
Reference has already been made to the numerous additions, from 
time to time, made to the county list of birds, from the valley of the 
Heron, and Glossy Ibis. The Common Bittern, too, is most often 
observed in the Trent valley. Five species of Geese, two of Swan, 
and twelve of Duck, have been obtained from the same waters ; the 
Goosander is common in winter, the Merganser rare, and the Smew 
an occasional visitor. The Turtle Dove is a decidedly increasing 
species ; the Black Grouse has become a comparatively local bird ; 
Dotterel are annual spring visitors to the Peak. The Golden Plover 
breeds not uncommonly on the high moors, so probably the Dunlin, 
although the nest has not yet been found. The Grey Plover, Oyster- 
Catcher, Avocet, Grey Phalarope, Knot, Sanderling, Ruff, Green 
Sandpiper, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Whimbrel have all 
been got from Trent side. The Ringed Plover passes up this river 
valley, in April and May, with great regularity, returning again in 
August ; these appear to belong to a small race which, probably, 
Comes to us from the south in the spring, and may be distinguished 
by their smaller size, darker mantle, and more sharply defined and 
brighter colouration. It is satisfactory to learn that during the last 
twenty years, the Redshank has established itself as a breeding 
Species and appears to be annually increasing ; the same may be 
Said of the neighbouring county of Nottingham. Mr. Whitlock 
Tuly 1893, 1893. 
