254 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



V. A portion of Kesteven, south of Grantham, and east of 

 Belvoir, of which Corby is about the centre, well wooded, 

 picturesque, and highly cultivated, and containing noble 

 parks and country seats. 

 VI. The Isle of Axholme, formerly moor, bog, and widely- 

 extending heath and low firwood, but now 50,000 acres 

 of rich warp, and bounded to the north-west by the great 

 level of Thorne waste in Yorkshire. 

 It must be clearly understood, however, that these divisions 

 are only approximate, and that with our present knowledge no 

 absolutely hard and fast lines can be laid down denning faunal 

 areas, and that there are yet portions of the county which it is 

 difficult to range under any of these divisions. 



In the Marsh and Middle Marsh is included the whole of the 

 low-lying plain between the foot of the chalk wolds and the sea, 

 including the sea-coast itself and all its wide attractions. The 

 chief interest of this district rests in its Ornithology — more 

 particularly in the spring and autumn — and in connection with 

 the migration of birds. The total number of species which can 

 fairly be admitted at the present time into the Lincolnshire avi- 

 fauna is somewhat doubtful. In the Humber district, up to this 

 date, I have been able to record 290. This compares favourably 

 with the Norfolk list of 293, and Yorkshire with 310. With our 

 present knowledge as to the frequency with which rare birds turn 

 up during the period of migration, far out of their ordinary route, 

 I think we should attach very little importance to the increase of 

 any local or county list by the addition of mere wanderers. The 

 record of such is interesting as showing how far some birds get 

 driven out of their normal course. The chief additions to the 

 Humber district in late years have come from Spurn, but there 

 is no reason why equally good results should not be obtained 

 from our own coast. 



The collection of facts in connection with the Botany of this 

 district commenced as far back as 1590, and the great naturalists 

 of former days — Gerard, Ray, Sir Joseph Banks, and Dr. Martin 

 Lister — have each in turn visited and investigated its floral 

 treasures. 



As regards the Marine Mammalia (the Seals, and various 

 forms of Whale, Grampus, Porpoise, and Dolphin), although in 

 recent years considerable additions have been made to our local 



