218 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Goldfinches, from various parts of the county, I was glad to see 

 several "charms" of these beautiful little birds about a fine crop 

 of thistles on what ought to be a pasture field on one of our 

 farms to-day. 



20th. First report of Merlin for the season. 



24th. House Martins, which were swarming about the house 

 yesterday, have nearly all departed this morning, leaving many 

 Swallows with us. 



25th. Mr. F. W. Holland, of Eydon Hall, most kindly 

 presented to me a very fine male Ked Grouse, stuffed, with the 

 information that it was shot near Warkworth, in this county, in 

 November, 1892, by a person with whom he is acquainted. I am 

 indebted to Mr. O. V. Aplin for the first intimation of this 

 occurrence — unique, as I believe, in Northamptonshire. First 

 Wigeon of the season reported on our park-ponds. 



October. 



3rd. First report of Grey Crow for the season. 



6th. I received a very young Dotterel, in the flesh, from the 

 Rev. VV. Hopkinson, with the information that it was one of two 

 killed two days ago on Castor Field by a Mr. Hunt. These two 

 birds rose from a " stale tilth," and were the only two of the 

 species seen. The other was sent to Burghley House, where it 

 was declared to be a young Golden Plover, and as I subsequently 

 learned, eaten with satisfaction as a " Short-billed Woodcock" ! 

 The specimen sent to me was unfortunately too far "gone" for 

 preservation. Mr. W. Tomalin, in a letter received to-day, 

 informed me that two Quails were shot at, and missed, near 

 Hackleton on 4th inst. 



8th. A large flock of travelling Wood Pigeons about the 

 beeches at Lilford. 



10th. I heard notes of Brambling for the first time this season 

 at Lilford. Vast flocks of Peewits passing to the westward. 



17th. First report of Woodcock for the season, at Clapton. 



19th. I noticed a large number of Redpolls about our 

 pleasure-grounds. 



21st. A large flock of Geese passed over Wadenhoe to the 

 south-west. A lady who was staying with us assured me that a 

 pair of Rooks have a nest, and in all probability eggs therein, 

 near Thorpe Station. First report of Fieldfare for the season. 



