412 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



weather, which has lasted about fifteen months, came to an end 

 quite suddenly. Nearly all the 1'56 inches of rain (on twelve 

 days) fell in the first eight days of the month. A beautiful day. 

 Crocus expanded for the first time. Peewits on the young wheat 

 paired, and lavish with their sweet spring call-notes, doubly wel- 

 come after the long wet winter and retarded spring. 



10th. — Dr. Routh told me he had seen a pair of Hawfinches 

 at Sibford, and Mr. Warriner that he had had one on his lawn 

 at the Grove lately. There has evidently been an immigration 

 of these birds. 



11th. — A pair of Stonechats on Tadmarton Heath, where I 

 have not seen one for a long time. A Hawfinch in the holly-tree 

 by my window. 



12th. — -Pied Wagtails noisy on the ploughings. 



14th.— Song-Thrush (c/. Zool. 1904, p. 363 ; 1905, p. 414) 

 has for the third year built in the same spot on the top of a wall 

 plum-tree, using horseradish-leaf remains, and leaving streamers 

 of this from twelve to eighteen inches long — most untidy and 

 conspicuous. There were two eggs in the nest on the 20th, and 

 the clutch was completed ; but a day or two after I found them 

 all on the ground a yard or two from the foot of the tree, one 

 quite whole, and the others in fragments. I am at a loss to know 

 what vermin could have accomplished this feat, but suspect Jack- 

 daws. I hope the old bird escaped. 



15th. — A female Grey Wagtail at Barford Mill, where this 

 species bred once. 



16th. — Lesser celandine in flower. 



17th. — The Crows which destroyed the rookery at Wickham 

 two years ago seem to be still in possession, and this evening I 

 saw them drive off a party of Jackdaws. 



21st. — One apricot blossom expanded. Last year the same 

 tree had several expanded on Feb. 20th, showing a great differ- 

 ence in the two seasons. 



23rd. — In sheltered places you can here and there find a 

 hawthorn-bud burst and green. 



24th. — Saw a Peregrine Falcon flying over some arable fields, 

 and going to a grove of trees on Hob Hill. Mr. Bartlett said he 

 had preserved some Hawfinches this winter, and I had news of 

 some seen at Adderbury lately. A large Chub of from two to 



