NOTES ON OXFORDSHIRE ORNITHOLOGY. 447 



[This is the only authenticated instance of the occurrence of the 

 Woodchat in Oxon known to me.] 



Ring-Ouzel (Turdus torquatus). — Some few are seen every 

 season about the borders of Turville Park. Has been shot at 

 Swyncombe, Ibstone, and North End. [The two latter localities 

 are on the Chiltern Hills, just on and over our boundary, in 

 Bucks.] 



Golden Oriole (Oriolus galbula). — Once shot here. 



Redstart (Ruticilla phoenicurus). — Occurs but sparingly, by 

 no means common. [It has become more common in recent 

 years, and is numerous in North Oxon.] 



Stonechat (Pratincola rubicola). — By no means uncommon 

 here on our large scrubs and commons. Nests towards the latter 

 end of March. The local name is " Black Top." 



Whinchat (P. rubetra). — Much more common than the 

 Stonechat. 



Wheatear {Saxicola cenanthe). — The rarest of the three. I 

 believe it never breeds. Occasionally found " during the autumn 

 and winter months." I had one, shot at Harpsden in November. 

 [I believe some breed on the Chilterns not far from Henley.] 



Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella ncevia). — Not rare; I have 

 eggs almost every season. 



[Dartford Warbler. — Stubbs had searched for this in vain.] 



Wood-Wren (Phylloscopus sibilatrix). — Not rare in our beech 

 woods and oak copses. 



Bearded Titmouse (Panurus biarmicus). — Has occurred on 

 two or three occasions in some of our larger reed-beds. One or 

 two have been obtained in the neighbourhood. [Three years ago 

 a pair of Bearded Reedlings, through the kind intervention of 

 Mr. W. L. Mellersh, came into my possession, with the following 

 history : — About the year 1870 a man living either in, or close 

 to, Oxford was in the habit of sending birds in the flesh to a bird- 

 stuffer at Cheltenham (now dead, but whose son carries on the 

 business) to be preserved, and afterwards of selling them ; he 

 sent, among other things, a number of Kingfishers. About this 

 date he sent a pair of Bearded Reedlings, and the birdstuffer 

 knowing their rarity, bought them himself, and sold them to a 

 private collector in Cheltenham, in whose collection Mr. Mellersh 

 saw them. Mr. Mellersh then, some time previous to his 



