BIRDS on the branches of small willows near the shore. He also remarks that this species covers its eggs with wet, green weed when leaving the nest, as recorded of the great-crested grebe. With regard to this habit of both grebes I would remark that although various authors assert that this is done to assist the maturing of the eggs, as a kind of hot-bed, yet 1 would suggest that, taking into consideration the fact that the eggs of both birds when first laid are of a dazzling white, it is much more probable that instinct has taught the birds to cover up such conspicuous objects from the prying eyes of carrion crows and other birds which, as is well known, harry the nests. Very soon, by this covering-up process, the eggs become of the same ground colour as those of the moorhen and coot, a colour not so likely to attract the keen eyes of marauders. Mr. W. J. Horn writes in 1907 : ' Breeds at Saddington Reservoir. I Jan., 1897, one seen on the floods at Narborough ; 28 April, 1900, one seen on Saddington Reservoir; 7 June, 1902, several seen on Saddington Reservoir ; I April, 1905, one seen on Saddington Reservoir. A pair of these birds had placed their nest in such a position that I could come upon the sitting bird suddenly. This I did time after time. It was but the work of a second for the sitting bird to tear up part of the nest and cover, or partially cover, the eggs and to glide into the water.' 211. Storm Petrel. Procellaria pebgica, Linn. Locally, Mother Carey's Chicken." A rare and accidental straggler from the coast. Harley noted one shot on 23 Oct., 1846, close to Leicester, on the River Soar, a few yards below the West Bridge. The late Dr. Macaulay stated (Mid. Nat. 1882, p. 80) that in 1862 another was found dead at Gumley and was in the possession of the Rev. A. Matthews. The late Mr. Widdowson wrote: ' Several have been picked up dead near Melton.' Mr. G. H. Storer informs me that he has seen a nice specimen (mounted), which was picked up dead in a field near Anstey, after very stormy weather, in 1875 ; and Mr. G. H. Nevinson had one that was caught in Dover Street, Leicester, about 1882, having flown against a wall. Dr. Macaulay presented to the museum a beautiful female specimen, shot by Mr. Graye Hardy at Earl Shilton 24 Nov., 1892. Mr. W. J. Horn, writing in 1907, refers to a report in the Field, 30 Sept., 1899, of one shot at Whet- stone, a few days before the above date, by Mr. Norman Brown. 2 1 2. Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel. Oceanodroma leucor- rkoa (Vieillot). A very rare straggler from the coast. This bird is recorded in Mr. Babington's list (Potter, op.cit. App. 70)
- A popular name for all petrels.
under the name of ' Thalassidroma Bul.'ockii, fork-tailed storm-petrel,' as thus : ' One found in Gopsall Park is in the possession of the Earl Howe. Communi- cated by Dr. Kennedy.' Harley stated that one, collected by the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, was obtained in the county, but the precise locality is unknown. I am enabled to definitely add a more recent example one caught in a hedge at Cosby on 1 8 Nov., 1899, during very foggy weather with a heavy raugh frost, by one William Johnson, who brought it to me alive, and from whom I pur- chased it for the museum. 213. Manx Shearwater. Puffinus anghrum (Tem- minck). A rare straggler, sometimes driven inland by gales on the coast. According to Harley, who called this bird the ' Cinerous shearwater,' one was captured by a shepherd-dog in a turnip-field near the River Soar at Cossington in 1840. For several days it was con- fined to a grass-plot by the foot, and during its cap- tivity it was observed to grow less sociable, especially on the appearance of a dog or cat, or indeed any domestic creature, for no sooner did one venture near than it rushed at it with fury, and with its sharp bill drove it away. The late Dr. Macaulay reported (Mid. Nat. 1882, p. 80) one picked up nearly dead at Gumley in November, 1867, and in the collection of the Rev. A. Matthews ; and another found dead at Billesdon in 1879. With reference to this last I am informed that the date is 1877, and that two others which I reported (Zoo!. 1886, p. 412) as being taken at Billesdon are referable to this single specimen, which was, it appears, caught in a hedge by a retriever belonging to the late Mr. T. Tomblin of the Coplow Farm. Turner told m:, in Ojtobsr, 1885, of one caught in a pi^stye, some seven or eight years previously. The late Mr. Widdowson informed Dr. Macaulay that one was caught alive at Nether Broughton by Mr. Greaves on 2 Sept., 1879. Dr. Macaulay told me of a specimen which was in his possession which I have seen since it was set up found in the Newarke, in the middle of Leicester, on 30 Aug., 1888, by a Mr. Harrison. It had evi- dently been killed by striking against something in its flight. Sex was, unfortunately, not ascertained. Mr. Stephen H. Pilgrim informed me that one was found in a grass field (High Close) adjoining Barwell Church on I Sept., 1891, by some boys, who brought it to the Rev. R. Titley. Mr. Pilgrim suggests that the bird may have been blown in by a gale the pre- vious night. Dr. Macaulay reported one taken at Smeeton Westerby on 7 Sept., 1891, and in answer to an inquiry from me, he replied : ' Caught alive by a dog. I saw it in the possession of Mr. William Matlock of Smeeton, who has it now.' One was purchased for the museum in 1904, found at Bagworth Park. '57
