Birds. 2425 



the hemipode, we feel that no apology will be required for presenting 

 your readers with an accurate figure of this rare and very curious bird, 

 and one, moreover, so peculiarly adapted to ornament a list of the 

 feathered tribes of Oxfordshire. With regard to the grasshopper war- 

 blers somewhat more may be said. We have always felt much inte- 

 rest in investigating the habits of this singular species, and have been 

 very successful in our pursuit of it : it is one of the most elegant and 

 graceful of all the British birds, and we often observe with regret the 

 injustice done to it by the majority of the figures already before the 

 public : the attitude in which we have represented the male is one we 

 have often seen it assume while running up a twig in the act of singing 

 — if such a term be applicable to its curious ticking note : in the spe- 

 cimen from which our figure of the female was taken, the spots on 

 the throat are wanting : it must not be supposed, however, that this is 

 intended for a sexual distinction, as both males and females are not 

 uncommonly found without them. 



We cannot offer the subjoined as a perfect catalogue of the birds of 

 Oxfordshire and its neighbourhood, but merely as a list of such as 

 have come under our observation, in recent specimens, and of those 

 which are fully authenticated as having been killed in the localities 

 described ; but, whenever any additional species occurs, we shall feel 

 great pleasure in recording its appearance in subsequent numbers of 

 the ' Zoologist.' 



Class I. — Residents. 



The various species comprised in this class may be met with at all 

 seasons of the year in inland districts ; in this county perhaps amount- 

 ing to fifty-nine : of these there are six whose claim of residence may 

 admit of some doubt, viz., hawfinch, siskin, lesser redpole, great 

 spotted woodpecker, stock dove and green sandpiper ; but our reasons 

 for thus classing them will appear in the notes below. 



Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola). 



Sparrow hawk (Accipiter fringillarius). Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra). 



Barn owl (Strix flammea). * Golden-crested Regulus (Reyulus aurica- 



Tawny owl (Ulula stridula). pillus), 



Missel thrush ( Turdus viscivorus). Great titmouse (Parus major). 



Thrush (Turdus musicus). Blue titmouse (Parus cceruleus). 



Blackbird (Merula vulgaris). Cole titmouse (Parus ater). 



Hedge sparrow (Accentor modularis). Marsh titmouse (Parus palustris). 



Robin redbreast (Erythaca rubecula). Long-tailed titmouse (Parus caudatus). 



