ORNITHOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 219 



27th. I noticed Mistletoe and Song Thrushes in very unusual 

 numbers feeding upon the berries of the Irish yew in the terrace- 

 garden at Lilford. 



30th. An immature female Great Crested Grebe shot near 

 our decoy. 



November. 



2nd. The falconer reported a great passage of Sky Larks 

 during the last few days. Two Swallows seen at Weekley by 

 Mr. G. Charlton. 



9th. Mr. E . C. Burton, of the Lodge, Daventry, was kind 

 enough to send me a fine pair of Eared Grebes, stuffed, with the 

 information that they were shot upon Daventry Reservoir in 1869. 

 This is the only occurrence of this species in our county that has 

 come to my knowledge. In the case containing these Grebes was 

 a fine Sheldrake, also killed on Daventry Reservoir. 



10th. First Jack Snipe of season shot near Tichmarsh. Three 

 immature Goldeneyes shot in the same neighbourhood. 



11th. Ten Golden Plovers seen passing over Aldwincle. 



16th. Mr. E. C. Burton sent over for my inspection three 

 cases containing the following species, all killed at Daventry 

 Reservoir : — Ringed Plover, Grey Phalarope, Green Sandpiper, 

 Common Tern, Black Tern, Great Black-backed Gull, a pair of 

 Goosanders, and a Cormorant. The only dates given refer to 

 the Gull and the Cormorant, of which the former was killed on 

 May 13th, 1839, and the latter on March 31st, 1891. Mr. Burton 

 was good enough to present me with these two birds. Mr. B. 

 Wentworth Vernon wrote informing me of the existence of a 

 small heronry, of which I had not previously heard, at his place, 

 Stoke Bruerne Park, near Towcester. Mr. Wentworth Vernon, 

 in a subsequent letter, informed me that about two years ago two 

 large Eagles were soaring over his park and the neighbourhood 

 for several hours. 



24tb. Whilst we were sitting at luncheon, about 2 p.m., 

 I heard my two tame Ravens making a great uproar close to the 

 front of the house, and on looking out of window I perceived that 

 they had got hold of a Peregrine Falcon, and had nearly killed 

 her. I sent out a servant, who brought in the Falcon, a bird of 

 (as I believe) the third year, in bad condition, and dying, not 

 only from injuries received from the Ravens, but also from the dire 



S3 



