254 
THE BIRDS OF HAMPSHIRE. 
eluding the Isle of Wight. Two birds killed at Itchen 
Abbas on May 15th were the first of this irruption to be 
recognised in England. 
After this, and chiefly during the months of May and 
June, they were observed at Winchester, Overton, Hurst- 
bourne, Ringwood, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Stubbing- 
ton, Hayling, Wolmer, Aldershot, and Freshwater. 
In many districts they remained for weeks, and indeed 
Mr. Hart informs us that some were to be found in the 
neighbourhood of the New Forest until May, 1889. 
Hayling Island also proved an attractive resting-place. 
The late Mr. William Jeffery informed Kelsall that three 
specimens were obtained there as late as December, 1888, 
and January, 1889. 
The Stubbington example was dated December 14th, 
1888,^ and the Freshwater specimen was obtained during 
the autumn of that year.^ 
The disappearance of the bird from our district was 
caused partly by a vigorous persecution, and partly by 
unsuitable soil and food, and inclement weather. 
It is a native of the steppes of Central Asia. 
'"Zoologist." February, 1889. - " Zoologisl." January, 1889. 
