NOTES on the ORNITHOLOGY of OXFORDSHIRE,
1896-1898.
By O.V. Aplin, F.L.S.
(Concluded from vol. iii. p. 442.)
Where no other locality is mentioned, the notes refer to the parish of Bloxham.
1897.
January 12th.—Fieldfares and Redwings only just beginning the large crop of haws, which, almost untouched, simply redden the hedges.
15th.—Flock of from two to three hundred Ring and Stock Doves.
20th.—Some snow; sharp frosts lately.
21st.— Two Redpolls.
22nd.—Snow on ground. Large flock of Fieldfares and many Redwings. Large flock of Larks.
23rd.—Very hard frost, and snow on ground. A Great Crested Grebe shot on the Thames at Cassington ('Oxford Times').
29th.—Thaw. Three hundred and fifty brace of Partridges killed this season on a beat of about 4000 acres of rough ground, in the parishes of South Newington, Swerford, and Rollright. This season and last have been very good ones here; hot and dry summers.
February 1st.—A vast flock of Skylarks on a stubble. News from Mr. Darbey of eight or ten Sheldrakes seen on floods at Charleton-on-Otmoor. They were very wild, but one was shot and sent for preservation.
20th.—Blackbird singing well.
23rd.—Large flock of Fieldfares.
A Great Crested Grebe, recently shot on Port Meadow, reported in the 'Oxford Times,' 5th March.
Writing to me on February 6th, Mr. R.W. Calvert, of Ascott-under-Wychwood, says:—"At the present time I am acquainted with about half a dozen nesting sites of both the Barn and Long-eared Owl, all within a radius of about seven
