ORNITHOLOGY OF OXFORDSHIRE. 323 



where there was once a fine mansion, and deer within the 

 memory of a former correspondent of mine. Eycote Pool is 

 close by, and it was a grand place for a heronry. A man 

 who had lived close to the wood for many years told me he 

 had counted as many as thirty birds. There were several pairs 

 of Coots on the Pool, as well as Dabchicks, Duck, and Moorhens. 

 Several Nightingales. 



4th. — Nuthatch at Thame Park. 



7th. — A Wild Duck rose from her nest on an island in a 

 small pond near the village, and a long way from any brook. A 

 Blackbird's nest quite ten feet up in a huge hawthorn hedge. 

 The bird refused to come off for some time, feeling herself and 

 nest quite safe. 



10th. — A Gull passing N.E. yesterday, and three seen a week 

 ago ; rather stormy weather. 



16th. — Signs of Long-eared Owls in Claydon Hill Wood. 



21st. — Great thunderstorm and a deluge of rain. 



25th. — Cinnabar moth appeared. 



31st. — Young Starlings in small flocks. 



June 2nd. — Wood-Wren in Churchill Heath Wood. Mr. 

 Calvert told me he found a Grey Wagtail's nest in the stonework 

 of the lasher at Ascott- under- Wychwood Mill, with eggs, on 

 April 15th, and another nest of young near there in May. He 

 subsequently informed me by letter that the young were nearly 

 fit to fly at the time of the flood (June 7th and 8th), and he 

 feared they were washed out of the nest, as the river rose in the 

 middle of the night. He thinks the birds laid a third time, as 

 he used to see a brood about there when he was fishing at the 

 end of August. 



3rd. — More Nightingales in the district this year than usual. 

 A female Eed-backed Shrike. Goldfinches rather common. 



7th. — Great storms of thunder and rain and heavy floods 

 about this time. I was away from home. 



15th. — Heard a Corn-Crake between here and the Grove, from 

 the house. About 10.30 p.m. Golden Plovers were passing N., 

 calling loudly. 



19th. — A Wren's nest which was being built on March 27th, 

 and was, I thought, deserted, was found to contain eggs a day 

 or two ago. 



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