ORNITHOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 45 



12th. I received to-day, from the Kev. H. N. Kokeby, of 

 Arthingworth, near Northampton, for identification, a ragged and 

 moth-eaten specimen of Storm Petrel, stuffed and set up in an 

 old cigar-box, with the information that the bird was picked up 

 on the high road in the neighbourhood of Arthingworth, some 

 fifty or more years ago. I may add that this specimen has been 

 most marvellously restored and remounted by the skilled hands 

 of Mr. J. Cullingford, of Durham, to whom, with Mr. Rokeby's 

 permission, I sent it. I record this at length, as, although I have 

 heard rumours of the Storm Petrel's occurrence in other parts of 

 the county, I know that some of them relate to other species, and 

 this is the only one of which I have proof positive. 



17th. Under this date, I heard of two wandering Mute Swans, 

 and a large number of wildfowl, Fieldfares and Redwings, haunting 

 our flooded meadows. Of fifteen Wigeon taken on the decoy 

 to-day and on 22nd inst, and sent to me at Bournemouth, twelve 

 were males in perfect adult plumage. One Pochard on the decoy 

 on 22nd.— R. S. 



March. 



8th. I received from Mr. G. Hunt, of Wadenhoe, a female 

 Tufted Duck, shot by him at Thrapston on 1st inst. 



12th. Fifty Ducks, twelve Teal, and ten Wigeon on the decoy, 

 and a " Starn" flying up the river on 10th. — R. S. If it had not 

 been so early in the year I should have been inclined to put 

 down this " Starn" as a Black Tern, as the decoy-man calls the 

 Common Tern " Sea Swallow," but from subsequent examination 

 and enquiry I feel little doubt that the bird was really a Brown- 

 headed Gull. 



26th. A nest of Tawny Owl with three eggs, and two nests of 

 Barn Owl (containing respectively one and three eggs) found in 

 hollow trees in the close vicinity of Lilford. — S. J. 



April. 



1st. Two more nests of Tawny Owl, with eggs, near Lilford. 

 — R. C. 



3rd. From this date till nearly the end of the month I received 

 constant reports of Canada Geese frequenting our meadows and 

 occasionally visiting my ponds, their numbers varying from two 

 to nine. I found, on enquiry from Mr. H. S. O'Brien, of Blather- 



