452 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



were tracks of Little Grebes in the half-melted snow, which had 

 frozen again. The impressions were wonderfully clear, giving one 

 a good idea of the awkwardness of this species in walking. A few 

 days later a flock of thirteen Wild Geese were seen, but the 

 species was not recognised. 



1891. 



The break up of the frost on 22nd Jan. was followed by a 

 flood, on which numbers of Little Grebes were swimming. Where 

 did they come from ? On Jan. 25th the first Lapwings appeared 

 since the hard weather commenced. On Feb. 16th got a glimpse 

 of a small Finch which I believe was a Siskin. On March 29th 

 several pairs of Magpies were building their nests, and in a tall 

 elm was a partially constructed Crow's nest, which I was told was 

 the work of a pair of Hoodies. Whilst I was watching it from a 

 distance, a pair of these birds flew into the tree. However, 

 nothing came of the nest, as both birds disappeared shortly 

 afterwards. 



March 25th. A Great Crested Grebe caught in the outwoods, 

 Charnwood Forest. A stream flows through the northern end of 

 the wood, which carries off the surplus water from the adjacent 

 reservoir. I think this bird must have first appeared on the 

 reservoir, and then followed the stream into the wood, where it 

 was captured. A second example was shot near Barrow-on-Soar 

 about April 20th. 



April 30th. The first Swifts and Corn Crakes were seen and 

 heard to-day. 



May 2nd. Four or five Common Sandpipers, on migration. 

 Tree Pipits had arrived in large numbers ; they were in little 

 parties of five or six ; not many were singing. The Hirundines 

 were late this season, except a few stragglers. On May 10th 

 large numbers were flying over the Soar; it snowed heavily 

 on 16th. 



May 21st. Examined a Nightingale's nest in an old osier- 

 stump covered with ivy. Owing to the tenant of the osier- bed 

 taking a too paternal interest in this nest, the old birds forsook it 

 after laying four eggs ; they, however, hatched a second clutch in 

 a nest placed in a similar situation, but the latter nest was quite 

 exposed to view. I heard that a few Wheatears had appeared on 

 migration about a month previously. 



May 28th. An old male Kestrel was shot on the outskirts of 



