A HISTORY OF RUTLAND quail (but a little less scarce of late), corncrake (considerably), wheatear (greatly), woodcock, wild goose, black tern. The Bird Protection Acts have no doubt done some good, especially in the case of such birds as the goldfinch and the kingfisher, but stringent measures are required against scientific ornithologists who, with profes- sional birdcatchers and gamekeepers, do all the damage that is done, and, in the case of rare birds, this is incalculable. A simplified Act is much required, which should extend protection all the year round to all birds and their eggs, except certain species exempted owing to their being injurious to the farmer or gardener, such as the sparrow and rook, game birds of course, and some rapacious birds like the crows and black-backed gulls. Steps should also be taken to preserve the nesting sites of rare birds like the Dartford warbler, cirl-bunting, woodlark, Norfolk plover, and the bigger birds of prey, from the hands of the scientific egg- snatchers, who are the most sordid and the most pernicious enemies of our native birds. Note. — The nomenclature adopted in the following list is that used in the late Mr. Howard Saunders' List of British Birds, 1899, and species not admitted by Mr. Saunders or whose occurrence in the county is open to doubt are placed within square brackets. Brackets placed round the name of the original describer of a species indicate that he did not employ the generic name which is now adopted. — Editor, F.C.H. 1. Missel-Thrush. Turdus viscivorus,Ann. Locally, Stormcock, Stormbird, Mavis. A very common and conspicuous resident, which has increased very much in numbers since the beginning of the last century. Begins nesting early in March. A white specimen seen at Exton in 1900. Not mentioned by T. Barker of Lyndon in his long series of phenological observations (1736-1801). 2. Song-Thrush. Turdus musicus, Linn. Locally, Throstle, Mavis. Mostly migrate in hard winters, though some always remain behind. At other seasons very abundant. Nests with (apparently fresh) eggs have been found in November and December (1897), and a case is recorded at Thorpe-by-Water where one pair brought off three successive broods from the same nest, which was placed in the ivy over a porch. A young cuckoo was discovered in a nest of this species at Caldecott in 1904. A pied speci- men was shot at Uppingham in 1870. 3. Redwing. Turdus iliacus, Linn. A regular winter visitor, but not so com- mon as the fieldfare. Arriving in October it remains till the end of April. 58 4. Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris, Linn. Locally, Felt. Considerable flocks are always to be seen from October till May. From 1736 to 1800 the average date of arrival, as recorded by T. Barker of Lyndon, was 29—30 October, but from 1890 to 1905, it was 22 October. 5. Blackbird. Turdus merula, Linn. Essentially a hedge and garden bird, it is most stay-at-home in its habits and does not seem to migrate. Seldom begins to sing till February, but nests have occasionally been found in January (e.g. 31 January, 1901). One nest with six eggs was found in 1 90 1. The starling-blue variety of egg with large reddish-brown spots at the bigger end is fre- quently met with. Pied varieties are common, and a young albino with pink eyes and yellow bill was observed at Normanton in 1905, and a light-brown, almost yellow one was shot at Exton. A pied specimen with a white gorget was found sitting on its nest at Bisbrooke in 1855, and mistaken for a ring-ouzel. 6. Ring-Ouzel. Turdus torquatus, Linn. Occurs in small numbers throughout the county every year, and has been recorded from Clipsham, Greetham, Burley, Exton,
