was first observed sitting on it ten days ago, but afterwards deserted. Till to-day the weather has generally been very mild for the season of the year, which may in a measure account for this early nesting. To-day however is more seasonable, the ground having put on its snowy mantle.-Beverley R. Morris, A.B., M.D.; York, January 18,

1848.

Curious Nesting-place of Robins.- In the summer of 1846, a pair of redbreasts (Erythaca rubecula) made their nest and brought up young in a constantly-inhabited bed-room at Roydon Hall. The nest was made on the top of the window-curtains.

-H. T. Frere.

Extraordinary Assemblage of the Golden-crested Regulus (Regulus cristatus).—About a fortnight since, whilst shooting, at the sand-banks on the Dorsetshire coast, near Poole, I was passing along the edge of a large fir-plantation, which extends completely down to the open beach, when my attention was attracted by a sound, which appeared to be the twittering of multitudes of little birds among the fir-trees, some of which I saw hopping about the heath at the edge of the wood. Upon entering the plantation I observed them flying in every direction from branch to branch, and running upon the bark with great agility, constantly introducing their beaks among its crevices. My curiosity being excited by the minuteness of these birds, as well as by their vast numbers, and not being able to recognize them, I shot one, with a view of ascertaining what they were, and upon picking it up I found it to be the golden-crested regulus (Regulus cristatus). I afterwards shot four more in different parts of the flock, and found them to be all of the same species. Their note was short and monotonous; and I observed that each time after I shot, the whole wood was quite silent for some minutes, and the birds during that time were perfectly still, after which they recommenced their twittering cry and active movements. I could not form any accurate estimate

of their numbers, but I am sure I am far within bounds when I say that there must have been several hundreds of them in the small part of the wood over which I walked : as I only examined a small portion of the plantation, not penetrating it more than two or three hundred yards, where I still heard and saw them on every side, their numbers most probably were very great indeed. Mr. Yarrell quotes a passage from Selby, in which a somewhat similar instance is recorded, but in that case the birds appeared exhausted, as by a long flight, whereas those that I saw were vigorous and active.S. J. A. Salter; King's College, London, January 17, 1848.

Mule between Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) and Canary.—On the 27th of July, last year, a nest of the cirl bunting, containing four young birds, was discovered in a low bushy thorn, in a quarry near this town (Kingsbridge). One of these I procured, and for several days fed it upon soaked bread, crushed rape-seed and hard egg, upon which food it thrived exceedingly well. When feathered and enabled to feed it itself, I gave it the range of my aviary, in company with several canaries and other small seed-birds. It has, from that time to the present, enjoyed uninterrupted and perfect health, and is a most sprightly and beautiful male bird. In June this year it mated with a canary of the preceding year, also reared in the same room. One young bird was reared, a lively little fellow, partaking more of the habits of the bunting than the canary, one marked characteristic of which is its habit of crushing the hemp-seed with the hard bony palate, instead of shelling it with the edges of the beak, as in the finch tribe. It is smaller than the canary, more lively and quicker in its actions, and has also always had the range of the room. This mule bird is, I believe, a hen, there being very little dark plumage under the throat or sides of the head: in other respects

the plumage is very similar to its male parent. I may here also remark that a pair of bullfinches have this year built twice in my aviary, each time selecting a quiet corner for their nests, which they constructed principally of small twigs and hay. Both broods were, however, suddenly deserted when half-fledged, in the same manner as related in two or three instances previously in the 'Zoologist.' The young birds in consequence perished from cold, before any attention could be paid to them.-George Fox; Duncombe Street, Kingsbridge, Devon, January 4, 1848.

Curious Habit of the Rook (Corvus frugilegus).—It is a curious fact, that when a rook, which is perched on a tree, caws, he elevates and spreads his tail like a fan at every caw, while if he vocalizes during flight the tail undergoes no change of course the tail is always in action during flight, but in what way does it assist the bird in cawing while perched ?—Beverley R. Morris, A.B., M.D.; York, January 18, 1848.

Occurrence of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Picus minor) near Huddersfield.— You will be glad to hear of the existence of the lesser spotted woodpecker (Picus minor) in our northern latitude. I yesterday shot a fine male specimen, consorting with the commoner of the Parinæ. It seemed to have been driven from its usual haunts by a heavy fall of snow, which occurred a few days before. It was very tame, and allowed me to notice its movements without apparent alarm. The Picus major is not unfrequent in our woods, but the little woodpecker I never expected to see so far north.Peter Inchbald; Storthes Hall, Huddersfield, January 20, 1848.

The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) destructive to the Caterpillars of the Cabbage Butterfly (Pontia Brassica).-For two or three successive years my garden was visited by a cuckoo, and I found the source of attraction to be some gooseberry-bushes, which were laden with the caterpillars of the large white cabbage butterfly: to feast on these he came regularly twice every day, and if interrupted, alarmed or driven away, he would be seen to return. He always sung on his arrival before he began to feed, and again after feeding before he flew away. The last year of his visiting my garden he was much annoyed by a hedge-sparrow which had a nest close by: directly the cuckoo alighted and commenced his "cuckoo," out flew the hedge-sparrow off her nest, and attacked him furiously about the head: this took place several successive days, and the hedge-sparrow always succeeded in driving the cuckoo away.-Alexander Pytts Falconer; Becton, Christchurch, February 11, 1848.

[Mr. Yarrell says that "adult cuckoos are most partial to hairy caterpillars," and I have observed the caterpillars of the various species of Burnet moths to be ardently sought by them.-E. N.]

White Variety of the Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and Pale Variety of the Martin (H. urbica).—Mr. James Watts, surgeon, of this town, has in his possession a white swallow, shot in an adjoining parish about two years ago; also a pale fawn-coloured martin, shot at the same place the year following.―James B. Ellman ; Battel, February 11, 1848.

Habits of the Stock Dove (Columba Enas).-Although the stock dove is found in this neighbourhood in considerably less numbers than the ring dove, it is by no means a rare bird. It is smaller in size than the latter, and has a bluer cast of plumage, from which circumstances it is usually called "the little blue pigeon." Although perhaps many hundreds may be seen daily by a person repairing to our neighbouring parks, yet, notwithstanding, a bird in the open country is rather a rarity, particular seasons excepted. They seem particularly attached to gnarled oak trees, and on this account the parks of Calke and Donnington are their favourite haunts. In frosts and

long snows they become more bold, and, flocking together like ring doves, repair to turnip and cabbage fields, and it must be acknowledged are serious depredators. Owing to their light and delicate plumage, they have a very pretty appearance as they rove from field to field. On these occasions they sometimes are accompanied by rooks and starlings, but it is not often that the two pigeons are seen together. They remain the year round in considerable numbers, but towards autumn, when beech-mast and acorns are ripe, receive very considerable accessions to their numbers. The greater part of these visitors again depart in a few weeks; but it is very remarkable that they suit the time of their coming exactly to that period when wild fruits are ripe they are therefore sooner or later, according to the state of the season. In spring they commit serious damage to clover and young seeds, taking the youngest and freshest leaves as they spring from the ground. The stock dove invariably builds in the old and weather-worn trees in our parks; at least I have never known an instance of one building beyond the outskirts of those places; neither have I ever seen it, like the ring dove, place its nest on the bough of a tree, but always in the bowels of one, either on a projecting ledge of wood or deeply in a hole, oftentimes some feet in length. They build about the third or fourth week in April, but I have generally found them in the first week in May, sitting on eggs pretty well advanced towards incubation. Eggs rather smaller than those of the ring dove, and white. The nest is composed of dead oak twigs outwardly, and lined with strips of the inner rind of the bark of trees, blades of grass dried, bits of withered fern, and a good profusion of the cast-off hair from fallow deer. The birds sit close, and will not leave the nest until the intruder is at the root of the tree, and when they find themselves detected endeavour to steal away more cautiously than the ring dove. Fine weather and a favourable season will sometimes induce the stock dove to breed very early. On April 7th, 1845, I saw a young bird shot, which, from its remarkable tameness, the tenderness of its feet and youthful appearance of the feathers, seemed to have but just left the nest. If startled while feeding, they immediately wing their way to the woods and bury themselves in seclusion. The cooing is more pleasing than musical, and yet where these birds are numerous their voices blend very harmoniously with the mellower notes of the blackbird, the wild polyglot of the song thrush, and a hundred other sweet sounds which enliven the fine old domains which they frequent.-John Joseph Briggs; King's Newton, Melbourne, Derbyshire, January 18, 1848.

Early Nesting of Ring Doves (Columba Palumbus).-In the spring of 1845 a pair of ring doves hatched very early at Roydon. I forget the exact date, but one of the young was found dead below the nest while the ground was hard with permanent frost. The winter broke up about March 15th, and this was therefore prior to that day. The other bird arrived at maturity. The nest was made in the thick branches of a Phyllyrea.-H. T. Frere; Aylsham, 1847.

Anecdote of a Turtle Dove (Turtur migratorius).—In August, 1846, an adult bird of this species came and fed with the pigeons at my father's, Rear-Admiral H. G. Morris, at Beverley. This it continued to do for several weeks, and from never being disturbed became tolerably tame. It continued to feed with the pigeons till the cold weather arrived, in October, when, on one or two occasions, it took refuge at night in the pigeon-boxes: fearing the cold might be too severe for it, it was caught, and was kept in the kitchen all the winter; in the spring it was turned out, and after a few days disappeared, and has not been seen since. It was in most beautiful plumage when caught, and by the end of winter got very tame. I do not think it was one that

had escaped; it had a different look to any tame ones I have ever seen, and the gardener said he saw two of them in the garden at first. It was after one of these disappeared that my friend took up with the pigeons; he was always master in any little skirmish which took place occasionally, but still they seemed to get on very well together. It appears to be a rare bird so far north as Yorkshire, but has occasionally been met with even in Scotland.-Beverley R. Morris, A.B., M.D.; York, January 18, 1848.

Extremely large Red Grouse (Lagopus Scoticus).—I have to-day seen what may be termed a giant of the above species; it weighed thirty ounces (the average weight is stated to be about twenty ounces): the heaviest I have ever heard of before was twenty-six ounces. It was shot above the Golynos Wood, about a mile from the town. -James Bladon; Pont-y-Pool, January 18, 1848.

Occurrence of the Collared Pratincole (Glareola Pratincola) near Scarborough.—A fine specimen of the collared pratincole was killed, when in company with a flock of dotterels, in May, 1844, on Staxten Wold, five miles from Scarborough. It is in the possession of Mr. Peter Hawksworth.-W. M. E. Milner; Nunappleton, Tadcaster, February 5, 1848.

Great Plover (Edicnemus crepitans) wintering in Cornwall.-In my letter to you of the 31st of December, 1844 (Zool. 876), I referred to the occurrence of the great or Norfolk plover in this neighbourhood, on the 24th then instant; and in reference to the general supposition that this species leaves us in the autumn, I mentioned, that of the several examples which had been captured in the Land's End district, I knew of none that were so obtained except in the winter months. Two more instances of its occurrence have come under my notice this season, one in the third week of January last, and another in the present week; the first at the Land's End, and the second near Falmouth.-Edward Hearle Rodd; Penzance, February 5, 1848.

Peewit (Vanellus cristatus) destructive to the Wireworm.—Among birds useful to the farmer the peewit ought certainly to be included: the gizzard of one which I examined last spring was completely crammed with the destructive wireworm.-Joseph Poole; Killiane, Wexford.

Occurrence of the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) at Battel.—A fine specimen of the common bittern was caught here about the beginning of last month. It was seen to fly into a hedge, and was so exhausted as to allow a man to capture it by seizing it by the legs.-James B. Ellman; Battel, February 5, 1848.

Enquiry respecting the Migration of Plovers (Charadrius pluvialis and cinereus). -Do plovers, gray or golden, migrate? The question was new to me, and occasioned by a conversation with a resident on our south coast, who was kind enough to write his observations as follow: "On Friday last, January 28th, 1848, I witnessed a continued flight of plovers (gray or golden) at Ballymacon, a place between Dunmore and Tramore, in the county of Waterford, across the sea: they commenced early in the morning, and continued till late in the evening. I enquired of parties living on the spot if this was a rare occurrence, and ascertained it was not. Query, do those birds migrate, and to where ?" The course of flight was towards the Spanish coast. Some of the readers of the 'Zoologist' may probably be able to throw light on the subject.-James Clibborn; Waterford, 2nd mo. 11th, 1848.

Woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola) drowned in crossing the Channel.-Some years ago, a few miles from the Land's End, the sea was strewed with hundreds of woodcocks : it is probable that they were exhausted by their long flight, and hundreds seem to have

fallen together into the sea: some of them were taken up, and found to be perfectly fresh.-Alex. P. Falconer; Becton, Christchurch, February 11, 1848.

Enquiry respecting the Egg of the Greenshank.-Your correspondent Mr. Milner, in his interesting observations on the birds of Sutherlandshire and Ross-shire (Zool. 2014), mentions the capture of a greenshank, from which was taken a perfect egg. As there has been some confusion about the egg of this bird, an accurate description and (if it is not incompatible with the plan of the 'Zoologist') a coloured lithotint drawing of the specimen thus obtained would be of great interest to such of your readers as are interested in the oological branch of the science of ornithology.—William R. Fisher; February 1, 1848.

[Mr. Milner will much oblige me by sending a description and drawing.-E. N.] Occurrence of the White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) at Waterford.—A couple of wild geese were shot in this neighbourhood during the late severe weather, which on close inspection proved to be the white-fronted species, which is very rare here.— James Clibborn; Waterford, 2nd mo. 11th, 1848.

Account of a Hooper or Wild Swan (Cygnus ferus), nearly Seven Years in the possession of Rear-Admiral Webley Parry.—The winter of 1829-30 was remarkably severe, and especially so for South Wales, where the climate is generally mild and humid. There had been numerous flocks of wild geese and other northern birds, including the hooper or wild swan, on the river Tivy and its tributary streams: a pair of these birds were shot at and secured by the Rev. Samuel B. Shirreff, of Stradmore, Cardiganshire, whose residence was on the banks of that river. The male bird was merely wounded in the pinion; the female unfortunately too severely so to survive. Mr. Shirreff presented the other to my father, the late Rear-Admiral Webley Parry, of Noyadd Trefann, in the same county, in the hope that he might be sufficiently tamed to put on a piece of ornamental water near the house. The extreme wildness and fierceness of this bird, if approached, was remarkable, flying at every person who came near his domicile. We placed him in a small yard, with an open shed for him to retire to. It was many days before we could induce him to eat anything: as we were quite ignorant of his natural food we feared he would be starved to death, but fortunately he began to eat sea biscuit soaked in water, which he continued to live upon for some months. After being kept in this place for more than two months, and being as we thought tolerably tame, we put him on the piece of water before named, but no sooner was he on his native element than all his natural wildness seemed to return : he made his way down to a stream which ran into the Tivy, on which river he was caught, making his way towards the sea, and brought back again. Shortly after this, an accident happening to the embankment, the piece of water became dry, and 'Dan,' as he was called, was brought up to the house, and had to content himself in the circumscribed limits of the stable and poultry yards, together with the farm-yard pond : from the number of people constantly passing and repassing there, and his long sojourn, he became excessively tame, went to bed with the poultry, came when called, would follow us about, and knew his way around the premises as well as the dogs. After a while he returned to his old quarters, and from that time until his death never but once attempted to escape, though he would occasionally take a flight round the water and alight again: at the time alluded to he would doubtlessly have returned, but in his flight he alighted at a farm not far from Noyadd, when he was immediately caught and shut up, and notice sent to us of his capture. I went to fetch him, knowing he would follow me, and on my way saw him being driven home by a boy; but