ORNITHOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 47 



of Grey Plover, Squatarola helvetica, with the information that it 

 had been shot near Barrowden, in Rutland, about Dec. 6th ult. 

 This is the first bird of this species, killed in our neighbourhood, 

 that has come into my hands. 



31st. A beautiful adult Kittiwake was picked up dying on the 

 road near Aldwincle, and brought to me dead. 



February. 



11th. Under this date the Rev. Henry H. Slater, of Thorn - 

 haugh (to whom I am indebted for many interesting notes), 

 writes, " Rook carrying stick to the rookery." For brevity's sake, 

 I shall refer for the future to Mr. Slater's communications with 

 the initials H. H. S. 



14th. A great many Hawfinches about the pleasure-grounds 

 at Lilford. 



15th. A large flock of small Gulls observed near Thorpe 

 Waterville by W. Edwards. 



18th. Stock Doves paired. Green Woodpeckers still busy at 

 thatch of school-house, Lilford (see Jan. 11). 



19th. "A curious season : some Partridges were paired before 

 1st inst. ; most are now, but some coveys show no signs yet. A 

 lot of nineteen together." — H. H. S. 



22nd. A small string of Wigeon on our decoy ; one of them 

 taken to-day, and sixteen yesterday, with eleven Mallard and 

 three Teal, in the two " drives." 



28. My two tame Ravens busy at making a nest in a large 

 beech-tree close to the house. These birds, of which the male is 

 Dutch and the female from Andalucia, have each one wing cut, 

 not pinioned, but are otherwise in complete liberty. 



March. 



1st. My falconer tells me that some Long-eared Owls (of which 

 species I have turned out several during the last few years) have 

 taken up their quarters in a plantation near his house, and are to 

 be heard thereabouts every night. 



3rd. " Rooks lining their nests with moss and grass ; a pair in 

 coitu, but some only beginning to think of repairing their nests." — 

 H. H. S. 



11th. Pied Wagtails re-appearing about Lilford in force. 

 "Pied Wagtails back, and inspecting their last year's nest at 

 Thornhaugh."— H. H» S. 



