454 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



May 7th. A Magpie's nest contained young, as did a second 

 near at hand. Close to it was a Kestrel incubating five eggs. 

 I also found a Blackbird's nest on the bare ground in the same 

 wood. The eggs were as small as those of the Redwing. I had 

 noticed another nest containing one egg the evening before ; I 

 fully expected a second would be laid the following morning, but 

 it was not till 11 o'clock that this was accomplished. Two Little 

 Grebes were building in a backwater of the river, and several 

 pairs of Marsh Tits were about ; they were very animated, the 

 males chasing the females, and uttering rippling notes which were 

 quite musical. As schoolboys we always called this species the 

 " Chica-dee-dee," from its call-note. 



May 29th. Observed a nest of the Lesser Redpoll in a half- 

 wild garden. It was placed in the upper branches of a dead sloe- 

 bush. There was not the slightest attempt at concealment. The 

 nest contained five eggs. A day or two later I received a Willow 

 Wren from the same locality. It had been strangled by a horse- 

 hair, which a Lesser Whitethroat had left hanging near its nest. 



June 26th. A great many Corn Crakes were calling in the 

 low-lying meadows near the Soar. 



July 24th. A few young Kestrels about. On one occasion 

 three were observed on the flat roof of a summer-house. They 

 had been feeding on small birds. When rowing on the river we 

 disturbed a brood of young Wild Ducks. The little ones 

 scuttled off into the reeds, but the old duck laid her head and 

 neck flat on the surface of the water, at only an oar's length 

 from the boat. She remained quite still until the last young one 

 had disappeared. A Barn Owl seen flying by the wood side. 



Aug. 24th. Thundery weather in the early morning. At 

 about 5 a.m. a large number of Swallows passed over towards the 

 east at a great elevation. 



Sept. 1st. A small plover, which I believe was a Dotterel, was 

 in company with a large flock of Lapwings, feeding in a meadow. 

 Owing to the shyness of the latter birds I could not make 

 identity certain. 



Sept. 3rd. Ringed Plovers passing over to S.W. at a great 

 height. Wind strong W. A few young Wheatears also seen. 



1893. 

 Feb. 20th. Some gulls seen in the distance, Kitti wakes or 

 Black-headed, probably. 



