334 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



nest with five eggs. I have seen both these nests. On the 19th 

 Mr. E. Tyrrell found, near Crouch Hill, a Blackbird's nest with 

 five ordinary eggs and one small one, which appears to be that 

 of a Cuckoo. They are now in my possession. 



June 2nd. — A Red-backed Shrike's nest containing four very 

 bright examples of the red type of egg was found at Franklin's 

 Knob, on the Cherwell, opposite Bodicote, the spot where my 

 abnormal female (with her mate) was shot in 1890. Certain 

 spots seem to have peculiar attractions for this very local species, 

 and it resorts to them every year. 



23rd. — Saw near Barford what appeared to be a young 

 Sparrow, white with a shade of brown. 



27th. — A very few Willow- Wrens sing now. 



29th. — Bain ceased this morning after falling for thirty-six 

 hours. 



July 15th. — Goldfinch, which laid six eggs and was sitting by 

 this date, built its nest in an apple tree in my orchard entirely 

 of dead seeding plants of the Procumbent Pearlwort (Sagina pro- 

 cumbens), lined with some vegetable down and a little long light- 

 coloured hair. 



17th. — Heard a Corn-Crake at Cropredy Station. 



25th. — In the level open corn-lands on the north side of 

 Wroxton listened to two Quails calling. The Corn-Bunting is 

 fairly common there. Also saw two young Red-backed Shrikes. 



28th. — The Hedge- Sparrow — a most persistent singer — still 

 sings. One was sitting on eggs on the 20th. Spotted Flycatchers 

 are very scarce this year. 



30th. — Early this morning several young Thrushes, a Black- 

 bird, and two Garden Warblers all eating the fruit of the bird- 

 cherry. A fine hot July. 



August 4th. — The upland-breeding Peewits now frequent root- 

 fields until the tops cover the ground. Shrikes are more common 

 this year than usual. 



7th. — A great congregation of Martins seen on this roof early 

 this morning ; misty morning. 



11th. — A family party of Shrikes on the railway between here 

 and Milton. It seems possible that Shrikes follow the railway 

 lines to some extent, and that their increase here of late years 

 may be partly accounted for by the completion of this branch 



