NOTES ON THE ORNITHOLOGY OF OXFORDSHIRE. 205 



perhaps on account of the dry weather, returned to-day. A 

 slight shower. 



25th. — Three Kay's Wagtails, near Adderbury, and one in 

 the Cherwell Valley. Common Sandpiper. Found two old 

 Otters and at least one cub in the Cherwell below Twyford Mill. 

 Of the two old ones killed one looked quite 27 lb. and had old 

 broken teeth. 



27th. — Hawthorn in blossom. 



29th. — Oaks coming out very early. 



30th. — An increase of Swallows ; the birds which breed in 

 my buildings arrived, or some of them. Swifts arrived (six or 

 eight) early. Blackcap (migrant) singing in front of the house. 

 House-Martin (one) arrived here. 



A warm and dry month. Eain on eleven days only amounted 

 to "83 inches. 



May 1st. — Oaks very early. Some have leaves two and a 

 half to three inches, and oak galls as big as a " solitaire " 

 marble. Gulls flying over, N., 8.30 p.m., moonlight. From 

 their squeaky cries they seemed to be Larus canus. 



2nd. — A very fine Whimbrel shot in a field near Deddington, 

 where it had been seen all the previous day. A most destructive 

 frost. 



3rd. — There are four or five male Blackcaps near here, more 

 than I have noticed for years. Bedstarts too are more common, 

 and I have seen eight or ten males. 



5th. — One young Book at least could fly well. A Goldfinch's 

 nest in a horse-chestnut tree in the village. Garden Warbler. 



6th. — Cuckoos very scarce, and I have heard the call hardly 

 ten times this spring. 



8th.— A Whinchat. 



10th. — Swallows have mostly left the village, perhaps on 

 account of the dry and cold weather. The oaks were earlier in 

 leafing that I ever remember them before, and the ash is as 

 remarkably late ; no signs of growth on most of them yet. 



13th. — Kestrel had five eggs in one of this year's Crow's nest, 

 from which the eggs were taken. 



14th. — Many Orange-Tips now and Holly Blues round a holly- 

 tree here. Swifts screaming well for the first time. 



15th. — Went to North Aston Mill to see some birds reported 



