Since sending my notes for the winter of 1896 I have learnt from Mr. Chalkley that a Gannet was shot at East Tisted on December 12th, and a Peregrine Falcon at Whitchurch on the 5th of that month.
January.
In water-meads (Winchester) this month shows very little change in bird-life from the last. The Common Gulls still remain with us, but L. argentatus has not paid a visit during the whole month. Mr. Kelsall, writing to me of sea-birds in the New Forest, says:—"There is a large pond in my parish about four miles from the sea which the Gulls visit every day in summer—Herring Gulls, I think. The forest people say that the Cormorants fly daily to Salisbury! They often pass over us. Our Gulls are not seen here in winter; perhaps they go further afield when they have no eggs or young. I find notes in my diary as follows:—March 13th, 1895; Gulls begin to pass over about this date; and March 15th, 1896, Gulls passing over."
On the 6th a Bittern, B. stellaris, was shot at Avington, and sent to Mr. Chalkley to be preserved. By the 29th Pied Wagtails were as numerous as ever in water-meads, but the Grey Wagtails were reduced to a few pairs. Reed Buntings were still common quite close to the town. On the 30th I saw two Dabchicks, P. fluviatilis, on the Itchen close to the town, for the first time during the winter. They were extremely wary, and dived down, to appear several yards off in an inconspicuous position by the bank, at the slightest disturbance.
The frost gave way on this date.
