A HISTORY OF RUTLAND to breed. I saw a single one on 27 July 1 902 near Uppingham, and another on 22 May 1903 at AUexton. Mr. A. E. G. Dixon reports that he has seen it throughout the year at Empingham, and a pair several times in June 1902 at the Normanton Waterworks, and again at Clipsham Ford on 5 May 1903. A nest has not yet been definitely recorded for Rutland, unless one in the vicarage garden of Caldecott, attributed by the Rev. S. R. Pocock to the yellow wagtail [M. rati), be- longed (as seems likely) to this species. In any case a nest will no doubt be found ere long. 38. Yellow Wagtail. Motacilla rati (Bona- parte). Locally, Golden Wagtail. Though not very common, it is fairly well distributed over the county, except perhaps round Normanton. It may be expected about the middle of April. The nest has been re- corded from Belton, Stoke Dry, Ketton, Seaton, and Oakham. This bird flocks before its departure in September. 39. Tree-Pipit. Anthus trivialis (Linn.). Locally, Titlark. A common migrant, arriving early in April. Nests have been found as late as July. The two varieties of eggs, reddish and purplish, are equally common. 40. Meadow Pipit. Anthus pratemis (Linn.). Locally, Titlark. Fairly common throughout the year, but in summer not so numerous as the preceding. A nest may usually be found on the rough commons or heaths at Barrowden, Seaton, and LufFenham about the second week in May. This species certainly shifts its quarters at different times of the year. 41. Rock Pipit. Anthus obscurus {L,2ith?im). One was killed at Tixover in 1876 by A. C. Elliot, which he described as ' a poor specimen, dark olive-brown.' This is the only record for Rutland. 42. Great Grey Shrike. Lanius excubitory Linn. A rare winter visitant. One was killed near Casterton in January 1883, a second at Morcott about 1885, which passed into the collection of the late Mr. Simpson of Spratton. A third was shot at Exton the same year, and is now in the possession of Lord Gainsborough. A fourth was seen near Oakham in the winter of 1886-7. 43. Red-backed Shrike. Lanius collurio^ Linn. Locally, Butcher Bird. Sparingly distributed over the county, but common in certain localities, such as Glaston and its neighbourhood. Both varieties of eggs are found. It arrives early in May. The so-called ' larder ' formed by this bird has only once been discovered. 44. Wood-Chat Shrike. Lanius pomeranuSy Sparrman. One was seen in the spring of 1869 close to the Rutland border, and a second found dead near Stamford in the same year. Both were recorded by A. C. Elliot. 45. Waxwing. A mpelis garrulus, L,' n. Six instances. One seen near Stamford in the winter of 1844-5. -A- second seen on Barnsdale Hill by the late Mr. R. Tryon about 1883. Several at Bisbrooke, one of which, ' a magnificent specimen,' was shot. Another was shot at Liddington in February 1885. On 2 March 1898 one was seen at Uppingham, and caught a few days later with birdlime while feeding on haws. It soon died in confinement. Lastly, several were seen at Barnsdale in 1904 by Capt. C. Fitz- william. 46. Pied Flycatcher. Muscicapa atrtcapilloy Linn. Has undoubtedly bred in Rutland. In 1885 a male bird was seen at Ridlington, and a nest with three eggs found. On 22 May 1892 another male bird was seen in the same locality. In May 1899 Lord Gainsborough saw a male bird in the kitchen garden at Exton Park, and states that it had been seen there on a previous occasion, and a nest had been reported from the village. In June 1 90 1 a male specimen was again seen at Ridlington. Mr. J. Whitaker, of Rainworth, Nottingham- shire, took a nest about 1865 near Wardley Wood, and the bird was seen at Bisbrooke about 1872. So Rutland may now be added to the counties where this bird is occa- sionally found. 47. Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa grisolOy Linn. Locally, Beam Bird. One of our later migrants, seldom to be seen before May. Common throughout the county. On one occasion at Edith Weston in 1903 a pair utilized an old swallow's nest in which to rear a brood. The pale blue variety of egg occasionally occurs. The cuckoo sometimes commandeers the nest of this bird. 62
