ORNITHOLOGY OF OXFORDSHIRE. 331 



could not be less than 1750. Some Snipes and Herons about 

 there. 



26th. — Swallows and Martins seem to be quite gone. Wag- 

 tails passing over. 



This fine month is drying the country up. About ten inches 

 of rain fell in July and August. 



October 1st. — Four or five Martins flying about the house. 



3rd. — Many Pipits about the Milcomb hills. 



4th. — One Martin. Sharp white frost. 



5th. — Twelve or fifteen Martins, doubtless on passage, stayed 

 all the afternoon. 



6th. — Some half-dozen. 



7th. — Long-eared Owl hooting gently from spinney at South 

 Newington Hill in the afternoon. 



9th. — News from Mr. Fowler that he saw a Grey Crow at 

 Kingham (the first he ever saw there) on the 8th. 



10th.— Three Martins. 



11th. — Lot of Pipits. When lunching at a cattle-hovel be- 

 tween Milton and Coombe Hill to-day, we found a Little Owl 

 quite lively in the sun. 



17th. — Saw a Little Owl at South Newington Hill. I think 

 they move about this month and early in the next. 



21st. — A Woodcock near South Newington. 



25th. — A single Golden Plover flew over, calling. Field- 

 fares. 



26th. — Cold and wet as it was, Larks sang well, showing 

 that their autumn song does not depend on fine weather. Yet 

 it takes a very fine, warm, sunny day to produce a song in 

 winter after the autumn song is over. 



November 1st. — Eedwings. 



18th. — Grey Crow reported at Milton. 



19th. — Winter aconite flowering, the first I ever saw in 

 November. The Thrush tribe here in abundance, enjoying the 

 soft weather and abundant haws. Dark variety of Red-legged 

 Partridge at Hook Norton (vide Zool. 1913, p. 276). 



21st. — Examined an immature Sheld-drake shot on the 

 floods near the mouth of the Sorbrook about the end of August. 

 Also a Hobby, a bird of the year (and said to be a female), shot 

 between Barford and Newington on September 17th. 



