CHAPTER I.

Oxford: Autumn and Winter.

How I came to notice birds—Oxford favourable to bird-life—Late lingerers in October—Migration and pugnacity of Robins—The Bullfinch and the buds—Parsons’ Pleasure and the Cherwell—Kingfishers rare in the summer term—Colouring of the Kingfisher—The Gray Wagtail at the weir; its beauty—The Lesser Redpoll—An eccentric Jack-snipe—Birds of the Park and Magdalen Walk—Lesser Spotted Woodpecker—Christchurch meadow and the Botanic Garden; Titmice, Blackbirds, Redwings—Sea-birds in Port Meadow 1