NOTES FROM LEICESTERSHIRE. 451 



this species, though breeding regularly, had always been scarce. 

 A Wood Warbler's nest was found May 23rd, and two Grasshopper 

 Warblers a little earlier. Moss had been used in the construction 

 of both the latter nests. 



In a boat-house by the Soar quite a colony of Swallows had 

 established themselves. On June loth several nests contained 

 eggs. To gain access, the old birds had to fly in through a hole 

 where a couple of bricks had been dislodged. The owner, to 

 discourage the birds, on account of the dirt they made, wired the 

 hole over, but the birds beat him by skimming under the door. 



On Aug. 16th and 17th, noticed a few Common Sandpipers 

 flying by the Soar, and in the morning flocks of Lapwings came 

 from other parts to feed in a favourite meadow. 



Sept. 17th. A few Chiffchaffs in the willows by the river; 

 they were uttering their customary notes, but in a very feeble 

 manner, as though they were young birds practising. Also 

 noticed many Missel Thrushes. These birds are very fond of 

 black currants. An island in the Soar, which is planted as an 

 orchard, is visited incessantly when the fruit is ripe. They soon 

 clear a bush. 



Oct. 26th. A great many flocks of migratory Thrushes passing 

 to south-west, including Fieldfares, Redwings, and Song Thrushes; 

 a few flocks of Starlings at the same time. Wind strong E. An 

 occasional Hooded Crow or two also seen, and Goldcrests observed 

 in the hedgerows. On the following day a flight of Woodcock 

 arrived. 



Nov. 29th. A friend sent me a Water Rail that he had shot, 

 and reported that a large flock of Golden Plovers had passed up 

 the Soar Valley during the week. A good many Snipe were about 

 at this time. 



Dec. 2. A few Bramblings were caught by local birdcatchers. 



At Christmas the weather was very severe, the ice on the Soar 

 being several inches thick, but a small sheltered dyke near at hand 

 was unfrozen. This was haunted by Moorhens, Water Rails, 

 Common Snipe, and Grey Wagtails, all of which were in very 

 poor condition ; indeed, the Moorhens were so benumbed with cold 

 that a fox-terrier caught several by running them into a hedge- 

 bottom. A Common Snipe got up literally from under my feet 

 as I stood talking to a friend on a small culvert. We had been 

 there a minute or two in conversation before it rose. On the ice 



