24 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Missel Thrush, Tardus viscivorus. — The number of resident 

 birds is largely increased by foreign arrivals during October. 

 Formerly common, but its numbers were much reduced by the 

 severe winters between 1875 and 1881. It seems to have now 

 recovered its former status. I have taken unspotted eggs in 

 the Soar Valley. 



Redwing, T. iliacus. — Living near the Soar mouth during 

 1886-7, I noticed constant arrivals throughout October until the 

 following January, mostly at night. 



Ring Ouzel, T. torquatus. — I do not think this species now 

 breeds in Charnwood Forest, or that it ever did in any numbers. 

 The scarcity of the bilberry and other mountain fruits may to 

 some extent account for its absence. It is curious that this 

 species, breeding so freely as it does in Derbyshire, should so 

 seldom occur in Leicestershire on migration. I think the ex- 

 planation of the fact must be that it flies over at a great elevation. 



Wheatear, Saxiccla cenanthe. — I look upon its breeding in 

 Leicestershire as quite exceptional. As it is scarce in the Peak 

 of Derbyshire, I conclude we are out of its fly line. I see but a 

 few each year on migration. 



Whinchat, Pratincola rubetra.—I doubt its being double- 

 brooded, from the fact of the parents being seen with the young in 

 the hay-fields during the latter part of June. I have found the nest 

 most frequently in mowing grass. It is very partial to fields 

 alongside the railways. In the Soar Valley I found a nest situated 

 in a small blackthorn bush standing in a nettle bed. I have fre- 

 quently seen it hovering like a Kestrel before pouncing on some 

 beetle or other insect, but I do not think it takes beetles on 

 the wing. 



Stonechat, P. rubicola. Very rare. I met with a single pair 

 on Charnwood Forest amongst the gorse bushes. I think they 

 had young in the neighbourhood. 



Redstart, Ruticilla phoenicurus. — Breeds freely on Charnwood 

 Forest, and in the neighbourhood of Loughborough. In the lower 

 parts of the Soar Valley rather scarce. 



Nightingale, Daulias luscinia. — More generally distributed 

 than Mr. Browne imagines. Breeds regularly on Charnwood 

 Forest, and also near Loughborough, and that portion of the 

 eastern part of the county bordered by Notts. 



Lesser Wiiiiethroat, Sylvia curruca ; Blackcap, S. atrica- 



