ORNITHOLOGY OF OXFORDSHIRE. 19 



shot at Wroxton this spring. Heard and saw the Nightingale 

 in the paddock-walk, which has been there now for a month. 



6th. — Mistle-Thrush singing well this evening. 



7th. — Again singing. 



8th. — Nightingale reported as unusually common at Great 

 Tew and South Newington Hill. 



9th. — Heard Wood-Wren in a mixed plantation of beech and 

 some oak at Tadmarton Camp. Two Nightingales there this 

 spring. Mistle-Thrush singing. 



10th. — Some young Starlings in a box against the wall, only 

 five feet from the ground. Mistle-Thrush sang well. 



13th. — Bullfinch several times lately close to the house, I 

 believe in consequence of the bird-cherry having much fruit on 

 it this year. Saw one in the tree the next day. 



15th, 16th, and 17th. — Mistle-Thrush still singing. 



18th. — Two pairs of Nightingales in the cover at South New- 

 ington were very noisy with the " sleet " and the Edible Frog- 

 like " turrr." 



24th. — A Barred Woodpecker noisy and excited all day in 

 my neighbour's walnut-tree, and in trees in my garden. Possibly 

 had young just out of the nest. 



July 4th. — Mr. Fowler told me of one nest of the Marsh- 

 Warbler, the young in which were hatched this morning. He 

 believed a second pair had a nest. 



14th. — Saw a pair of Eed-backed Shrikes on the telegraph- 

 wires below the Lessor Farm, Milcomb, a favourite haunt with 

 these birds, which are scarce and local with us. 



17th. — A covey of young Partridges could fly. 



19th.— Very hot; 90° in the shade, 76° at 9 p.m. Swifts 

 revelling in the hot evening. 



24th. — Severe drought continues. 



25th. — The hottest day I ever experienced in England ; 91^° 

 in the shade. A fresh south wind and the very dry air made 

 walking possible. The air at night was of the " well-cooked " 

 kind that one knows in the South. Swifts delight in this 

 weather, and scream loudly. 



29th. — A good rain at last. 



August 1st. — A soaking rain. A good deal of rain after this, 

 and stormy weather for some days. 



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