Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/41

Rh 15th.—Two Blackbirds, old and young, had a prolonged running fight, with occasional halts. When they faced each other, one of them (at least) sang a few high-pitched shrill notes.

19th.—A small flock of Siskins in alders at South Newington.

20th.—Had news of many Crossbills seen in a plantation of spruce and larch at Wardington.

21st.—Blackbird sang well; very early.

22nd.—Received two Crossbills which had been shot a few days ago at Wardington. They had been killed too long for preservation, or for the sex to be ascertained. Dusky birds with dark feather-centres, and the feathers of the crown and (but less so) mantle with yellow edges. Rump of one bird yellow; of the other, shot away.

23rd.—One crocus bloom out.

24th.—A pair of Starlings investigating a former nesting-hole in the roof of a thatched cottage.

30th.—Pied Wagtail singing well.

31st.—Wood Pigeons numerous. I saw two or three large flocks; one flying to the Tew Woods late in the afternoon numbered three hundred at least. Jays have been rather numerous since the end of October. With few exceptions the Jay (on account of the absence of woods, and scarcity of even small plantations) in this immediate district, is an autumn visitor for the winter.

February 19th.—Bullfinches made a heavy onslaught on the plum buds; they chose the best-flavoured plums.

2lst.—Hard frost and snow.

22nd.—Thermometer down to 25° (at four feet from the ground) last night. Wind N.E. lately.

24th.—Apricot blossom expanded.

25th.—White frost, 25°.

March 2nd.—Cold and stormy for some days; daffodil in flower.

3rd.—News from Mr. Darbey, of Oxford, that he received "the other week" a particularly fine Peregrine Falcon, shot near Woodstock; also that he had been told that another frequented the same neighbourhood.

4th.—Frost and snow.

9th.—Wintry weather, and N.E. winds lately. Zool. 4th ser. vol. IV., January, 1900.