326 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



July 1st. — A curiously light night, with a glow in the north ; 

 not dark all night. 



5th. — Great Tit with fledged young in one of my boxes. 

 Does this bird rear two broods ? 



19th. — Blackbird singing. 



26th. — Thrush singing early. 



About 2£ in. of rain on ten days this month. The 30th was 

 the hottest day so far, and only 75°. 



August 4th. — Starlings (with Blackbirds), having swept the 

 garden of bush-fruit, do not visit the garden much now. They 

 ate all the black currants this year for the first time. Blackbirds 

 are now eating plums on the wall-trees. 



11th. — Country very dry now. 



14th. — Gulls passing over at night. Two were seen over 

 this garden yesterday evening, and a flock of Wild Geese were 

 reported flying over the village a few days ago. 



15th. — Martins have gathered on the house-roof for nearly a 

 week in increased numbers daily. 



16th. — Plenty of Swifts, although they are not very numerous 

 this year. 



17th. — About half a dozen seen. 



18th. — None. 



20th. — Five weeks since the last useful rain. 

 September 5th. — Goldfinch singing. A diminution in num- 

 bers of Swallows and Martins. 



11th. — Began shooting ; harvest late. 



12th. — Great congregation of Martins on roof lately and till 

 to-day, but none noticed next day. 



14th. — Flock of two hundred or three hundred Peewits on 

 ploughing at Barford. No migratory Pipits yet. A good season 

 for Hares. 



15th. — A Blackbird sang a little. We have seen no Land- 

 Rails this season, but shooting began late. 



22nd.— News of Quail shot at Signet Hill on 17th. 



23rd. — Some Pipits in roots for first time, scattered about 

 everywhere, but nowhere in any numbers. 



24th. — A few Martins on roof. 



25th. — The greater part of the Martins and of Swallows have 

 gone. Blackbirds have nearly all left the garden now, the fruit 



