( 5 ) 



NOTES ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF OXFORDSHIRE, 



1899-1901. 



By O. V. Aplin, F.L.S. 



Where no other locality is mentioned, the notes refer to the 

 parish of Bloxham. 



1899. 



January 5th. — News from Mr. W. H. Gale of a Corn-Crake 

 caught at Nuneham on the 3rd, and then quite at home in one of 

 the greenhouses. 



19th. — Dr. Routh told me that about five years ago he saw 

 on several days at various spots between Epwell, Shutford, and 

 Sibford a pair of Hoopoes. It was in the late spring. He is 

 well acquainted with the appearance of this bird. 



26th. — Fieldfares and Redwings have been fairly abundant 

 all the season. To-day there are a good many Song-Thrushes 

 about the grass-fields. 



28th. — Bullfinches numerous, and very destructive to plum- 

 buds for some days. 



February. — The floods in the Sorbrook valley in the early 

 part of this month were the largest we have had for a good 

 many years. Violent storms at sea lately, and here also about 

 the 13th, 



26th. — A Song-Thrush's nest, nearly finished, in the shrub- 

 bery. 



March 10th. — Bullfinches have been singing a good deal this 

 last month. Several pairs of Peewits to-day in a rough grass- 

 field on this side of Duns Tew. 



16th. — Blackbird sang here for the first time this season, to 

 the best of my knowledge ; this is a very late beginning. 



20th. — Mistle-Thrush's nest in orchard, apparently finished. 

 Bitterly cold weather; snow last night, and the thermometer 

 at 24° this morning. 



23rd. — Very cold dry weather lately ; severe frosts. 



