MIGRATORY IMRDS. 
57 
—should be preserved at once in spirit directly they are captured, so as 
to be in good and natural histological condition for subsequent detailed, 
examination with the microscope. The want of such preparations has 
been specially experienced in the microscopic examination of the 
Pennatulida specimens for determining difficult points of histological 
structure; the change of circumstances in the exposure of a deep¬ 
water object, even for a short time, to the higher temperature, 
diminished pressure, and greater light of surface water, being un¬ 
favourable to an accurate preservation of the microscopic details in 
animal structure. 
MIGEATOKY BIEDS. 
REMARKS ON MIGRATORY BIRDS NOTICED IN NORTH 
OXFORDSHIRE IN THE AUTUMN OF 1882. 
BY OLIVER V. APLIN. 
The first sign of the autumn migration was the appearance of two 
Green H&ndpi'pers (Totanns ochropiis ), which I observed on the Cherwell 
on August 19th. This species is an occasional visitor to us during the 
autumn and early winter months, frequenting the shelving banks of 
the larger streams. When sprung they generally follow the course of 
the stream, flying low over the water and uttering a shrill piping cry. 
I saw a single Wheatear (Saxicola oenanthe) that same day, a bird which 
only visits us on migration in spring and autumn, and noticed a 
considerable flock of Yellow Wagtails (Motacilia Raii) in the meadows, 
where they congregate preparatory to departure. A flight of Spotted 
Crakes (Porzana niaruetta) appears to have passed over about the end 
of August. Specimens were picked up under the telegraph wires on the 
29th, and on the 4th and 6th September. I observed seven or eight 
Wheatears on September 6th, looking restless and evidently.on the 
move. On the .5th I shot a Common Sandpiper (Totanus hyjwleucus) 
on the banks of the Cherwell, and on the 15th a man, whom I had 
asked to shoot for me any Sandpipers he might come across, turned up 
with a Jack Snipe ( Galliuago Gallinula). It is not often that “ Jacks ” 
put in an appearance before October, and this is the earliest date that 
I have for its arrival in North Oxon. Another struck the telegraph 
wires and was picked up on the 23rd. A great many Pied Wagtails 
(Motacilla lucjubris) visited us about the close of the month, and stayed 
for a short time. The Grey Wagtail (Motacilla sulpliurea) arrived 
about that time. A small canal weir near Banbury, with some large 
stones scattered about in the rushing waters, is a favourite spot for this 
bird; on these stones it loves to settle, flirting its long tail and uttering 
its loud note, decidedly wagtailish in character, but easily distinguished 
from that of either of the two other common British species. I noticed the 
firston the24th. Snipef Gallinago -med/aj have not been plentiful; the first 
