410 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



NOTES ON THE OBNITHOLOGY OF OXFOEDSHIEE, 



1904. 



By 0. V. Aplin, F.L.S., M.B.O.U. 



January 1st. — Wood-Pigeons here in vast flocks on the 

 stubbles. Hard frost. 



6th. — Milder weather. Three Snipe and a Teal in the Swere 

 valley near Wigginton. 



7th. — Handled two Crossbills — one red, the other green — 

 shot at Tussmore on the 5th. 



8th. — Mistle-Thrush singing well, and Song-Thrush in the 

 afternoon ; very little song lately. 



12th. — Mild. Nuthatch with the run of long whistles. Coal- 

 Tit with spring note. 



17th. — Galanthus elwesii in flower a week ago. 



20th. — Fieldfares continue very scarce, and Kedwings con- 

 spicuous by their absence ; a few at one spot on the 6th are all I 

 have seen this month. There are no "haws." 



22nd. — Sharp frost. A big flock of Linnets on high ground, 

 on clover, near Tadmarton Camp ; unusual at this time of year. 

 In the valley below the only good flock of Fieldfares I have seen 

 as yet. 



23rd. — Bullfinches very abundant this winter. In the 'Field ' 

 to-day is reported a Bittern seen at the gravel-pits near Aynho 

 Station a few days ago. 



24th — A Hawfinch feeding on holly-berries within a few feet 

 of my study window. 



25th. — Sky-Larks very numerous ; in large flocks. 



28th. — Many Song-Thrushes, and much song. 



31st. — Eain and snow. Thrush sang while it snowed. 



Eainfall 3*17 inches, on sixteen days. 



February 2nd. — A deluge of rain in the afternoon. At least 

 two Blackbirds opened song, singing before and after the rain. 

 The open winter, with plenty of food, has made them early. 



