} ¥. i Sr ‘ ay ee aa ea Maen ticorenccoettt by! a eva : PANU WORE Lfodrapeliig eM TEM Bann ms . r z » i oes 7 ha 4 a ke Ne tea or eens ae eo ee oe SANs ye Siler * ey Ag ey ee Pe, oe eS erk, VR Te ea va ZS WA. - Pow” _ ¢ - DRITISABIRDS WITH WHICH WAS [INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘ THE Zoo.toaistT,”’ AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY ‘TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST EDITED BY ls H. F. WITHERBY M.B.E. F.Z.S. M.B.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN M.A. M.B.O.U. H.F.A.O.U. AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST o.B.E. MA. F.R.C.S. M.B.O.U. Volume XX JUNE 1926 — MAY 1927 H. F. & G. WITHERBY 326 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON LIST OF ILLUSTRA'TIONS : PAGE LBERTA WADERS: Semi-palmated Ringed Plover (Drawn by W. Rowan). Plate 1 ... Iyvontispiece Fig. 1. Part of the Point Mud-Flats. (Photographed by W. Rowan) “ Sal i Fig. 2. The Terminal Sandspit. t ss sea by W. Rowan) ... ith 3 Kildeer Plover. Adults and Nestling. ‘(Drawn by W. Rowan) Plate 2 ... facing 6 Fig. 3. Nest and eggs of Kildeer Plover. ~ (Photo- graphed by W. Rowan) Fig. 4. Kildeer Plover feigning injury. ~ (Photo- graphed by Alex. G. Lawrence) 8 Fig. 5. Typical feeding ground of American Golden Plover and Buff-breasted ei ms (Photographed by W. Rowan)... 34 Golden and Grey Plovers. (Drawn by W. ‘Row. an) Plate 3 ast facing 38 mig. 0. Flock of Grey Plover along the Foreshore. (Photographed by W. Rowan) ... 41 REAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER AT NEST-HOLE. _ (Photo graphed by G. C. S. Ingram) ... 59 ERON SCRATCHING ITS HEAD. (Photographed by H. M. Salmon) fee ; ee 60 LBERTA WADERS: Fig. 7. ae Parnes adult female. (Photographed by W. Rowan) ie 82 Bartram’s Sandpiper, adult male; American Dunlin, adult female. ae by W. Rowan) PIGEG*A - ses . Jacing 82 Fig. 8. Type of country, in which Bartram’s Sandpipers breed. Sullivan Lake, Alberta, (Photographed by W. Rowan) ... 84 Fig. 9. Nest and eggs of Bartram’s Sandpiper. t. (Photographed by W. Rowan) ... 85 Fig. 10. Nest and eggs of Bartram’s Sandpiper. (Photographed by W. Rowan)... 86 ARROW-Hawk : Very old hen bringing reer to the nest after incubation had lasted mis ae (Photographed by J. H. Owen) ... o L96 ARROW-H AWK : Hen bringing material for nest some days after the eggs had all been hatched. (Photo- graphed by Sir Thomas Lewis, F.R.S.) we Oy IV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PA ALBERTA WADERS: Sandpipers. ne by W. Rowan) late 6. ase sis nae ... facing i Fig. 11. Bonaparte’s Sandpiper. (Drawn by W. Rowan) eu ie aah BL Fig. 12. American Pectoral Sandpiper. “(Drawn by W. Rowan) _ ... ar ar ao a American Stint, juv.; Baird’s Sandpiper, juv. ; Semi-palmated Sandpiper, juv. (Drawn by W. Rowan). Plate 5 .. facing & Fig. 13. Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Yellow- shanks. (Photographed by W. Rowan) > GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER ABOUT TO FEED YOUNG WITH Motu. (Photographed by G. C. S. Ingram) ... 1§ ALBERTA WAbDERS: Buff-breasted and Spotted Sandpipers. (Drawn by W. Rowan). Plate 7 facing x8 Fig. 14. Buff- breasted Sandpiper. A flock awing. (Photographed by W. Rowan). ... 18 Fig. 15. Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Phases in dis- play of. (Photographed by W. Rowan) Ale il COURTSHIP OF THE ComMMON ScoTeER: Fig. 1. Tail elevation. Fig. 2. The Low Rush. Fig. 3. The High Rush. (Drawn by Donald Gunn) 1g The Flight Rush. (Drawn by Donald Gunn) ... 1g The Obeisance. (Drawn by Donald.Gunn) oe ALBERTA WADERS: Red-breasted Sond pet (Drawn by W. Rowan). Plate8 . . «. facing 23 Fig. 16. Long-billed Dowitchers ; “Marbled God- | wit ; Hudsonian Curlew. (Draivn by W. Rowan) 2 2 Fig. 17. Red-breasted Snipe breeding country. : (Ph oloaraphad by W. Rowan) ... 2K Fig. 18. Downy Long-billed Dowitcher ; “Downy Semi-palmated sane (Drawn by W. Rowan) ; 2 Fig. 19. Nest ‘and eggs of ‘Red breasted Snipe. (Photographed by W. Rowan) .. 21 Fig. 20. Red-breasted Snipe on nest. "(Photo- graphed by WW. Rowan) ... i Fig. 21. Nest and eggs (in bank) of ‘Spotted Sandpiper. (Photographed by W. Rowan) .-. 221 BRITISH BIRDS ANTEUSTRATED: MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIETLY- TOTHEBIRDS “Ss ON THEBRTISH UST MONTHLY-1594 YEARLY-20's, 326HIGHHOLBORNIGNDON. TIF éG-WITHERBY. Cm eer ne Limited Edition of 200 Copies TEXT IN ENGLISH — A MONOGRAPH PHEASANTS OF JAPAN KOREA AND FORMOSA DR. NAGAMICHI KURODA Illustrated with 12 Coloured and 3 Uncoloured Plates IMPERIAL QUARTO = — 40 PAGES Paper Covers, with gilt top PRICE: YEN 18.00 NET Only 130 copies ave now available for sale Published by the Author Fukuyoshi-cho, Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan 1926 A Naturalist’s Paradise. LUNDY ISLAND. Birds in their tens of thousands migrate to nest on the Island in April, May, June and July, and there is probably no other spot within the British Isles where so many species may be observed with such perfect ease and intimacy within easy distance of a comfortable Farm House Hotel. During this period the Island is visited from far and near by Bird-lovers. For Accommodation apply Manageress: MANOR HOUSE HOTEL, LUNDY. Telegrams: Hotel, Lundy-Island-Coast-Guard-Station (one word). Mail leaves Instow Fridays; post early Thursday. VANCOUVER ISLAND. COMPACT ESTATE, Highland District, 12 miles Victoria, 360 acres, 3.-mile square. Bisected by stream and two lakes; Deer, Grouse, Trout. Sheep and poultry proved success. £2,000. Owner getting old. F. S. MITCHELL, M.B.O.U., Millstream P.O., B.C., Canada. British Birds, Vol. XX, Pl. 1. SEMI-PALMATED RINGED PLOVER. Adult, May, nat. size. Copyright by W. Rowan BRITSABINDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE Zoo.LoGIistT.” EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A:,° M.B.0.U., H.F.A.O.U., AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. CONTENTS OF NUMBER I, VOL. XX., JUNE I, 1926. —____—— PAGE Notes on Alberta Waders included in the British List. Part I. By William Rowan, M:sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. e te On some New British Birds. By H. F. Witherby ... a Poor ALE Breeding of the Dotterel in the Pennines in 1925. By Ernest Blezard are ae cae a ae cbs The Display of the Pied Wagtail. By Henry Boase des Re rey Notes :— Mud-Daubed Eggs of Jackdaw (J. H. Owen) ey 23 Coues’s Redpoll in Yorkshire (W. J. Clarke) He Ae species and adds a good many interesting data of movements and migrations as well as of breeding and other habits observed within his area. His work shows considerable care and is usually free from statements which seem to require substantiation. Under Eagle-Owl we find the withdrawal of a supposed occurrence in December, 1915 (see Brit. Birds, Vol. IX., p. 216), Mr. Paton now considering that the bird was really a Short-eared Owl magnified by mist. The statement that Swallows fledged in the middle of September in all probability perished in migration seems uncalled for in view of the fact that Swallows regularly occur on passage until the end of October. The interesting fact that no less than three subspecies of Song-Thrushes have occurred in this small district has already been recorded in these pages (Vol. XVII., p. 165; XIX., p. 175). Mr. Paton is to be congratulated on a very useful little addition to our local avifaunas. Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society. 1924-25. Wii DIG Be ute In last year’s Transactions of this well-known Society there are several items of interest and importance to ornithologists. As a result of an agreement with the local fishermen, who had ‘passed a resolution that the protection of Terns at Blakeney Point had resulted in material loss to them, an investigation into the precise food of the Terns during the breeding season was undertaken. With the sanction of the authorities concerned, two Common Terns per week were shot as well as in all six Little Terns and nine Sandwich Terns. These were sent to Dr. W. E. Collinge, the result of whose investigation is here given in admirable form. Dr. Collinge summarizes his results by stating that the food of the Common Tern at Blakeney Point consists of 40.32 per cent. of fish, of which 25.48 per cent. is food fishes and 14.84 per cent. sand-eels. Species identified were whiting, haddock, herring and whitebait, all of which occur in prodigious numbers. Taking the three species of Tern together, the averages of the food eaten were :—Food fishes 19.60 per cent., sand-eels 16.54 per cent. and the remainder crustaceans, annelids, marine molluscs and insects. No trace was found in any stomach of flat fish, the diminution of which was the main cause of the enquiry. BOL. Xx.] REVIEWS. dl Other papers of interest are :—‘‘ Norfolk Heronries,” in which Dr. B. B. Riviere has given as complete a list as possible of existing Norfolk Heronries and the numbers in each ; “‘ The Swan-Roll in the Norwich Castle Museum,” by Dr. N. F, Ticehurst, and ‘“‘ The Norwich Corporation Swan-herd’s return for 192 5,’ by Dr. S. H. Long; Report of the Committee on “ Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk in 1925,” which contains some valuable notes by Miss Turner on the spring migration as observed at Scolt Head; and ‘‘ The Colour of the Iris in the Hawfinch,” in which Mr. R. J. Howard states that in 1884 he found the colour in the live bird was ‘‘ madder-brown,’’ which varied in intensity by the rapid dilation and contraction of the pupil, and only on death became greyish-white. This observation, by Mr. Howard, which doubtless gives the correct colour of the iris of the Hawfinch, is quoted, it may be remembered, in Mitchell’s Birds of Lancashire, 2nd Ed., 1892, p. 66. THE CALL-NOTE OF THE CHAFFINCH. To the Editors of BritisH Brrps. Sirs,—With reference to the notes on the “ Call-note of the Chaffinch” (Vol. XIX., p. 283), in June and July, 1924-1925, the Chaffinches at Loéche-les-Bains, Valais, Switzerland (4,600 ft. pine: woods and meadowland); had the “ spink spink’’ call-note but did not use it so much as in England ; the note we chiefly heard was a longer- drawn “‘breet’”’ or “bree’’; a variant, I thought, not of the “ spink ” note, but of a similar but less sharp and metallic note they have in England, which may be written “ whet.’ Iam not sure whether the last note is only heard in summer, it is certainly more frequently heard then. Marjory GARNETT. To the Editors of BritisH Brrps. Srrs,—The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain in his note to Mr. W. H. Thorpe’s. letter on the above subject (Vol. XIX., p. 284) states that he regards this variation in the call-note as gecgraphical. It may therefore be of interest to record that I have heard the Greenfinch-like note used by the species in Savoy (coniferous forests on slopes of Mont Cenis Pass, altitude 5 to 6,000 feet), and also in the Dolomite district of Northern Italy (again in coniferous forests). In the latter district I noticed that the Song of the Chaffinch also differs from that of our British bird. The whole phrase is much less hurried and jerky, with the penultimate note much less emphasized, with the result that the song dies away quietly instead of ending abruptly. GEORGE W. TEMPERLEY. To the Editors of BRITISH Birps. Sirs,—I am interested to see the references in your March number to the Greenfinch-like notes uttered by some Chaffinches. My wife and I have been considerably puzzled by similar observations here at Maadi, near Cairo. Frequently in the winter we have heard that long- drawn call-note, and said to one another “ Greenfinch.’’ But the Greenfinch is quite a rare visitor in this part of Egypt and when we have traced the note to a particular bird ithas nearly always turned out to be a Chaffinch. On thinking the matter over we find that we have never actually connected this Greenfinch-like call with a cock Chaffinch. By the way, hen Chaffinches appear to much outnumber the cocks here and the sexes do not always keep strictly separate. We often hear the “‘ pink, pink’’ of a Chaffinch during the winter, but it strikes us that this call is not delivered with quite the same hard metallic emphasis as in England. I should add that there is no record of a Chaffinch breeding in Egypt. The not very numerous winter visitors. presumably come from central Europe. R. E. Moreau. REDSHANK’S METHOD OF OBTAINING FOOD. To the Editoys of BritisH Brrps. Strs,—With reference to Mr. Sydney G. Poock’s letter (Vol. XIX., p- 318) on this subject, I recorded in Vol. XVILI., p. 227, that the Red- shank and Dunlin will obtain food by jumping on the ocze and then probing the place with their bills. R. H. Brown. WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. LE GERFAUT REVUE BELGE D’ORNITHOLOGIE (Fondée en 1911). Le seule publication scientifique belge traitant des oiseaux, spécialement des oiseaux de la Belgique. Abonnement Belgique 13 francs par an: autres pays 15 francs par an. Direction : Square Prince Charles 21, Bruxelles-Laeken (Belgique). STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. ESTD.. 1760: 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS? EGGS, CABINETS, etc. Also BOOKS relating to Natural History, Catalogues of sales posted on application. 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ALLEN, Ph.D. With 34 Half-tone Illustra- . tions, and Diagrams. Demy 8vo, 338 pages. 10s. 6d net. Includes chapters on Human Relations with Birds, Senses and Behaviour, Flight and Song, Feathers, Food, Migration, etc. ~ “A delightful book, full of surprising information which I have never met with elsewhere.’’—E. B, Osborn in Morning Post. p “ Birds, from a popular as well as a scientific stand-point, have seldom been more attractively presented.’’—Scotsman. GEORGE G. HARRAP & Co., Ltd., 39-41, Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA, including CEYLON and BURMA. Published under the authority of the Secretary of State for India in Council. Medium 8vo, with 7 coloured plates, 90 text illustrations, and folding map. BIRDS, VOL. 3 (second edition), £1 10s. LONDON : TAYLOR & FRANCIS, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, E.C.4. THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA, including CEYLON and BURMA. Published under the authority of the Secretary of State for India in Council. Medium 8vo, with 139 text illustrations and folding map. COLEOPTERA (Chrysomelide), £1 5s. LONDON : TAYLOR & FRANCIS, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, E.C.4. A Nataralist’s Paradise. LUNDY ISLAND. Birds in their tens of thousands migrate to nest on the Island in April, May, June and July, and there is probably no other spot within the British Isles where so many species may be observed with such perfect ease and intimacy within easy distance of a comfortable Farm House Hotel. During this period the Island is visited from far and near by Bird-lovers. For Accommodation apply Manageress: MANOR HOUSE HOTEL, LUNDY. Telegrams : Hotel, Lundy-Island-Coast-Guard-Station (one word). Mail leaves Instow Fridays; post early Thursday. DRIDABIRDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.” |]EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. ASSISTED BY REV. ec. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.0.U., AND Norman F. TicEenurst, O.B-E.,'M/ASHR.C.S., M.B.O.U. —» / ——— Sao ey 4 Gu Le 2S p) ty } = ~ cQ wy “GONTENTS OF NUMBER Vou Kis) JOLy Ey) D926; fH —_ PAGE ‘Notes on Alberta Waders included in the British List. By William Rowan, M:.sc., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. (Part IL.) ote nine 34 ‘Recovery of Marked Birds oe aint cae ais a 43 ‘Notes :— Starlings Attacking Swifts (J. H. Owen) a's no rer 53 Crossbills Nesting in Surrey (C. W. Mackworth-Praed) ... 53 Wood-Lark Breeding in Surrey (C. W. Colthrup) ... wate 53 Grey-Wagtail Nesting in Berkshire {John N, Fletcher) rate 54 Unusual Site of Tree-Creeper’s Nest (M. Portal) ee ee 54 Great and Blue Titmice in Skye (Miss Evelyn V. Baxter) ... 54 Nest of Mistle-Thrush on Rock Ledge (J. S. Macdonald) ... 53 Buzzards in Kent in Summer (C. W. Colthrup) ... re 55 Brent Goose in Ireland at end of May (J. P. Burkitt) = 55 Grey Plover and Garganey in Berkshire {John L, Hawkins) 55 Breeding of the Common Curlew in Surrey (Graham W. Kerr) 55 Kittiwakes Inland in Cheshire (A. W. Boyd) eee ae 56 hort Note :— Cuckoo Returning to Same Summer Quarters for at least Seven Years .., “3 eet ear as — — 56 Cc ( 34 ) NOTES ON ALBERTA WADERS INCLUDED IN THE BRITISH LIST. WILLIAM eet eee F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Parr 1. GOLDEN AND GREY PLOVERS. (Plate 3.) Charadrius dominicus dominicus, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. Tue American Golden Plover has achieved world-wide fame on account of its remarkable migrations. As a matter of fact, there is good reason to suppose that these are not even yet fully understood. But to this point I shall have occasion to return. FIG. 5. TYPICAL FEEDING GROUND OF AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVE AND BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) The arrival of this species at our lake is precipitate, f there may be none to-day and hundreds to-morrow. flocks would appear to arrive by night, for they are there daybreak, when one usually takes the first walk round. are not birds of the shore-line in the spring, but, like the B breasted Sandpiper, they seem nevertheless chiefly to freque yOL, xX,] ALBERTA WADERS. 35 country adjacent to some large lake. This, together with their mode of arrival in considerable flocks and evidently at night, suggests that they have travelled a considerable distance from their last stopping place. They stay with us some days and then go in the manner in which they came, en masse. We have no records earlier than May 8th, when the birds may first be expected, but the main contingent arrives nearer the 16th or 17th, while by the 23rd or 24th they have usually all gone. Their period with us is therefore brief as compared with the majority of shore-birds. Stragglers may of course remain, and in fact do so probably throughout the summer. Thus, our latest spring record (a single bird) is June 18th. I do not agree with the opinion so frequently expressed that records such as this are of birds travelling either to or from the Arctic. They are much more likely to be individuals, the normal development of whose reproductive organs has been for some reason inhibited and that are lingering on the road, never to complete their migration. This point has, however, been fully discussed in another paper to appear elsewhere. Suffice it to say that these strays differ in their habits from ordinary spring birds, for they take to the shore and there associate with all kinds of other waders, most frequently with the Grey Plover and Knot. Our autumn migration is remarkable primarily on account of the fact that it is not supposed to exist. All self-respecting Golden Plovers should eschew the prairies after the breeding- season and go south via the Atlantic Ocean and sea-board. But the case is actually far otherwise, for we have notes of hundreds going south in a single day in mid-September, when the main movements occur annually. An interesting feature of the fall migration of Golden Plovers is that it consists entirely of young birds. The earliest record we have is August 18th and the next August 24th. These are rather early, September being the chief month of arrival. The fall movements are protracted, and we may have small flocks with us till towards the end of October. Another feature of the autumn migration is a change of habit. The birds, while often noted on pasture (particularly if in large flocks), more usually frequent the muds and behave like the majority of other waders. They associate freely and habitually with other species. They behave like the strays of the spring. Being birds of the year there is no doubt in their case that they are sexually undeveloped. We have a single record of an adult bird in the fall, collected by Harrold on August 22nd. It was noted the previous day, 36 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. but not secured, and proved to be a female well advanced in its moult. There is one other reliable autumn record for an adult Golden Plover from the Province, seen at Sullivan Lake in July by Mr. T. E. Randall. Until we have spent the whole of July at our lake or some other suitable observation station it will be impossible to say that adults never—except acciden- tally as strays—come south through the Province, but all the evidence available indicates that they do not do so. I have gathered a mass of corroborative facts, not yet published, from the important collections in the States and Canada, and the evidence all points the same way. It is sometimes main- tained that the adults do pass through the interior, but as early as the beginning of July, travel very fast and escape observation. There is not one scrap of evidence in favour of this view and all kinds against.* Cooke’s theory (Distribution and Migration of N.A. Shore Birds) of the Atlantic route is based on countless records and is no doubt correct—if applred to adults only. Possibly a few birds of the year accompany them even as a few adults straggle down the Mississippi valley. But Cooke attaches little significance to the inland records, in spite of the fact that in some inland localities, in the days when the Golden Plover was counted in millions, it was reputed to be more abundant in the fall than in the spring, e.g. Minneapolis (Roberts, Water Birds of Minnesota, Past and Present). It is not only in Alberta that the species goes south in flocks of young only, but also in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and probably Ontario. The general drift over an enormous front appears to be south-east, and the birds ultimately strike the Atlantic, some even as far north as Canada, and then go south along the coast. When it is recalled that this species came very near total extermination and is only gradually recovering its numbers and that in the fall we see only birds of the year and only a fraction of them, it is not to be wondered at that we do not get them in thousands, but neither do we get them in prodigious numbers in the spring. Audubon witnessed, in 1821, the * I am indebted to Mr. A. G. Lawrence of Winnipeg for sending me the following quotation from Barrows’ Michigan Bivd Life, 1912. “It” [the Golden Plover] ‘‘is commonly seen in large flocks from September to November, but the larger number appear during the latter half of September and linger fora month or more. These appear to be mainly young of the year, and they are in the grey plumage characteristic of the young birds. It seems certain that the old birds pass south in August and early September and that a large part of them travel along the sea coast, or even over the open sea, past Bermuda and the Lesser Antilles, to the north coast of South America.” ROL. XX.] ALBERTA. WADERS. 37 slaughter, near New Orleans, of 48,000 Golden Plover in a day. It is questionable if a single observer, however favour- ably situated, could now see that number in a year. If there are really two southward migration routes, one for _ adults, the other for young, the matter is one of exceptional theoretical interest, for the young take the normal spring route. This is no doubt the primitive route and is inherited, for the young follow it without guidance, removed by some two thousand miles from their parents. The Atlantic route adopted by the adults must be a comparatively recent dis- covery, is inherent, and is followed annually by memory and precept. Since the adults leave their young in order to go south like so many other waders, the young cannot take this Toute till they themselves have become parents and in their turn leave their offspring to find their own road while they ' Stick to the other adults who have previously taken the ‘comparatively new route and take it again.* _ One of the chief troubles in attempting to analyze the ‘movements of this species is the difficulty that the average \recorder finds in telling adults in winter plumage from young baad the American Golden Plover from the Grey Plover. As ‘to the former, there is no doubt that the majority of supposedly adult Golden Plovers taken in the fall are juveniles, which show extraordinary variation in plumage. In a long series in my “own collection it is scarcely possible to match any one skin /with another. The adults that complete their moults before reaching their wintering grounds, if there are any at all, must ‘be few and far between (see Hudson, Birds of La Plata, and —— tof the big collections in the east. Errors are so trequent that 1 have found it poor policy to accept any Golden Plover tecords without examining specimens in support. | *G. H. Mackay (‘‘ Habits of the Golden Plover in Mass., U.S.A.,” ‘Auk, 1891) gives an account of thirty-two years’ observations at Wantucket. He particularly points out that the large flocks of storm- driven Golden Plovers that afforded the famous shoots, were composed ‘entirely of adults and the shooting did not begin till the end of August. Plocks of young were casual and irregular, and their arrival, unlike that of the adults, did not synchronize with storms. His explanation eo situation is impossible. The tacts exactly fit the views expressed above. 38 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. It seems to be generally unknown that the two species can be told apart in flight by the dark tail of the Golden and the light tail of the Grey. The further they recede the greater the contrast, for the former then looks black while the latter appears to be pure white. I notice that even the Practical Handbook, which misses so little that is of any value, fails to draw attention to this fact. Alas, but few waders are so contrastly marked, so completely fool-proof. Any one who can tell black from white can distinguish them. If they are at rest one only has to put them up to see the glaring labels (Plate 3). In addition, the Grey has black axillaries and a conspicuous wing-bar, while the Golden lacks the latter and has pale axillaries. Added to all this is the characteristic call of the Grey Plover, and what more is needed to make the birds separable in the field one cannot guess. ‘ In the spring the American Golden Plover generally holds itself aloof from other species, although even large flocks may from time to time associate with flocks of Grey. Since the Grey Plover and the Knot are frequently in company, Golden Plover and Knot form an occasional combination. The rare Buff-breasted Sandpiper often accompanies bands of Goldens and we have seen the situation reversed, two Goldens with a flock of Buff-breasted. The spring habits of these two species are much alike and the association is no doubt natural. In its flight and general ways when on the ground, the American Golden Plover is quite like the British. It is exceedingly swift in flight and generally direct, though capable of very spectacular manceuvres when circling over and around its feeding grounds. The birds are wary and difficult to approach as a rule, whatever their disposition may have been in the old days (see Forbush, Game Birds, Wild Fowl and Shore Birds). We have found it practically impossible to whistle them within gun range. On the ground they behave exactly like the British bird. They run long distances, peck constantly at something or nothing, and are ever on the alert. They feed, like most Plovers, in loosely scattered bands. Certain pastures are frequented annually, and daily while the birds are in the district. A flock in flight, when shot into, always shows the same reaction. The birds drop like hailstones nearly to earth, skim along the ground for a short distance, re-collect them- selves and slowly rise again. (Ihe same thing has been recorded of the Golden Plover in India and elsewhere.) If a flock is passing over out of range, a shot will bring it down, but at such incredible speed, each individual by itself, that British Birds, Vol. XX, Pl. P 2 ~ aa pare: Alin meee Jap min a pn ean te - GOLDEN & GREY PLOVERS. ‘Foreground: left to right (1) Juvenile Grey; (2) American Golden; (3) Asiatic Golden. Background: left to right (1) Adult Grey; (2) Juvenile Grey; (3) American Golden. ‘Flying; left to right (1) Grey; (2&3) American Golden. All September. Copyright by W. Rowan. )eyOL. xx. ] ALBERTA WADERS. 39 _ hone but the swiftest of marksmen could hope to make use of _ the fact. We have observed similar behaviour in the case _ of several other kinds of shore birds. I have never known _ Goldens to return to wounded or dead companions dropped _ from their ranks as do so many other species. Young birds in the autumn are far easier to approach than _ spring adults, but even they are wary and one cannot often _ walk within range of them. But like so many other birds _ that object to being walked up, they will often fly by in range _ of their own accord. This species is somewhat silent on the whole. Pro- _ bably the commonest note is a rather soft, melodious hi, _ Most frequently uttered in flight. It sometimes appears in _ disylabic form, when it is strongly reminiscent of the common ) call-note of the British Golden Plover on its breeding grounds. With regard to the summer range of this species, Mac- Donald found it breeding sparingly on the Barren Lands in _ the regior of Artillery Lake and the head of the Coppermine _ River in 1924. This appears to be a south-western extension | of its known nesting grounds. | Charadrius dominicus fulvus, ASIATIC GOLDEN PLovER (A.0.U. Check-List, PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER). The only inland record for the continent, a juvenile male, » was collected by Harrold on September gth, 1925, on our Point. It was noted in a flock of fourteen young dominicus ‘on account of the bright yellow of the head, neck and back. Harrold told me that it was so conspicuous that it could be detected (and was) at a distance of eighty or ninety yards without the aid of glasses. The specimen compared with my British skins appears to be even more contrasty, and I should — there would be no difficulty in detecting it if ‘encountered at home. | The great difference between the juveniles of dominicus and (fulous, seems to me sufficient to warrant considering the birds ‘full species rather than subspecies. ‘Squatarola squatarola, GREY PLOVER (A.0.U. Check-List, , BLACK-BELLIED PLOVE ) _ LT admit that our bird is supposed to represent a good sub- Species, cynosure, but as I am far from convinced that there 1s anything more than supposition to justify its recognition, I prefer to leave the matter open. Although I have only 40 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xx. twenty-three skins in my collection at the moment, the wings of males vary from a minimum of 176 mm. to a maximum of 200, and females from 184 to 199 mm. The averages for males only, females only and both sexes together, happen to be the same, I9I mm., in each case. Average size In a bird so variable as to measurements means very little, and this by itself seems to me to be inadequate for the separation of any subspecies. It seems particularly valueless if the species concerned, as is the case with the Grey Plover, is of circumpolar distribution. Since the Grey Plover is very abundant with us and com- paratively uncommon at home, the following comments may be of interest. At our lake it is one of the later arrivals in the spring, seldom appearing before the middle of May. It stays generally in some numbers till the end of the month and may linger till the second week of June. It is back again by the end of July and gets common early in August, but only adults have so far been recorded till the fourth week of August, when juveniles begin to arrive. Thence onwards the adults get scarcer and the young more plentiful, the latter attaining their maximum numbers towards the end of September and, remaining plentiful through the major portion of October, may stay right into November, even for a week or two after the lakes have frozen over. By the middle of September the adults have all gone, although we have a single record of one in the third week of the month. They are still in summer plumage, in various stages of moult. Like practically all the other waders, they acquire winter plumage after they have left us. In fact, with the exception of the Dunlin, and the Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa hemastica), I have never here secured or seen an adult shore bird of any kind in full winter dress. Abel Chapman’s contention (The Borders and beyond) that young waders desert their parents on the breeding grounds and leave them to moult prior to undertaking their various journeys, would not be supported by any species on this side, except perhaps the Dunlin and Purple Sandpiper, for the adults all come south ahead of their offspring and moult on the road. _ the Grey Plover appears to be particularly irregular in its moults. It is a comparatively common thing to see birds in full winter plumage, or nearly full, on the spring migration. I should roughly estimate the frequency at something like five percent. We have noted the same thing, though rarely, with the Golden Plover, Sanderling and Knot. In all these species such aberrations are easily detected. They no doubt occur also with other species. VOL. Xx.] ALBERTA WADERS, 4] The Grey Plover is a bird of the shore-line, although frequently seen on meadowland or even summer fallow. It associates habitually with the Knot and mixes freely with other species, particularly the Golden Plover. It is one of the wildest and wariest of the waders, even the young being difficult to approach. It is inclined to be noisy and is a perpetual nuisance when one is trying to collect other species by giving its ever-ready alarm and putting them up. Flocks are usually small (Fig. 6)—anything up to thirty —except when the birds are ready to start on the next lap north, when FIG. 6. A FLOCK OF GREY PLOVER ALONG THE FORESHORE. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) they may aggregate many hundreds if not thousands. On May 23rd, 1925, we estimated the ground covered by a single flock of Grey Plovers, Knots and a sprinkling of Goldens, at about one acre and a half. They were not scattered, but neither were they Closely packed. The Greys made up about 7) per cent. of the whole. The sitting flock looked like a large patch of snow. It was a wonderful sight and on a wonderful day, for nearly all other waders seemed to be there i the same proportions. Could we but have counted them, I should not have been surprised to learn that we several times that day had more than 20,000 shore birds in view at once. 42 BRITISH BIRDS. [ VOL. Xx. The Grey Plover has one habit that seems to be peculiar to it, and I fail to recall any published records of it. It persistently stands on one leg only, so much so, that every bird in a flock may appear to be one-legged. This is of course well known. But if one approach such a group slowly so as not to alarm them unduly, the birds gradually move away, but not one will trouble to unfurl the spare leg. Every bird hops away as though it owned but one. If one now suddenly strides forward, all the apparently superfluous legs speedily make their appearance, the birds take their characteristic runs preparatory to taking flight, and off they go. This species has quite a variety of calls, the most constant being the alarm mX. ine pee-u-wee, loud and ringing. ( 43 ) RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. JACKDAW (Coleus m. spermologus).—66,192, ringed at Rusland, Ulver- ston, Lancashire, as a nestling, by Mr. C. F. Archibald, on May 29th, 1924. Reported near where ringed, in February, 1926, by Mr. H. Brocklebank. MaGPIE (Pica p. Pica).—72,950, ringed near Buxton, Derbyshire, as a nestling, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on June rrth, 1925. Reported near where ringed, in October, 1925, by Mr. G. T. Bratby. Jay (Garrulus g. vufitergum).—71,596, ringed at Linton, Kent, as a nestling, by Mr. W. Wood, on June 3rd, 1925. Reported near Maidstone, on November 28th, 1925, by Mr. G. C. Devas. STARLING (Sturnus v, vulgaris).—Z.2,949, ringed near Worthing, Sussex, as a nestling, by Miss Collins (for Lon. Nat. Hist. Soc.), on May t2th, 1924. Reported near where ringed on February 3rd, 1926, by Mr. H. R. Gatenby. 56,123, ringed at Cheadle, Staffordshire, as a nestling, by Mr. J. R. B. Masefield, on May 23rd, 1924. Reported at Spondon, Derbyshire, on January roth, 1926, by Mr. J. Roberts. Z.1,149, ringed at Kinclune, Kingoldrum, Forfarshire, as a nestling, by Dr. J. N.D. and Mr. T. L. Smith, on June 11th, 1924. Reported near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, on February 17th, 1926, by Bir, oC, Low. Y.7,975, ringed on Scone Estate, Perth, as a nestling, by Lord Scone, on May 16th, 1925. Reported in same building where ringed on March 13th, 1920, by the ringer. Again released. 2.2795, ringed near Leamington, Warwickshire, as an adult, by Mr. P. K. Chance, on January 12th, 1925. Reported where ringed, early December, 1925, by Mr. A. E. Timms. Y.8,816, ringed near Welton, Cumberland, as a nestling, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on May 29th, 1925. Reported near Lisburn, co. Down, Ireland, on December 26th, 1925, by Mr. J. G. Tease. 57,675, ringed near Great Budworth, Cheshire, as a nestling, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on July roth, 1923. Reported where ringed on March 26th, 1924, by the ringer, and near where ringed on April loth, 1925, by Mr. D. Boumphrey, per the ringer, Z.2,112, ringed as 57,675, on May 17th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on August 2nd, 1925, by the ringer. Again released, Y.1,553, ringed as 57,675, as a young bird, on July 30th, 1924. Reported near Warrington, Lancashire, on December 22nd, 1925, by Mrs. P. Skelton. Y.5,151, ringed as 56,765, on May r4th, 1925. Reported where ringed, on November Iith, 1925, by the Tinger. Again released. GREENFINCH (Chloris ch. chloris).—Following ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as adults, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, were reported by him where ringed and again released. No. Date Ringed Dates Reported. A.9,321 ... Feb, ES, EOs4 ... ‘DBwice Mar., 1924; Nov. 22nd, 1925. A.9,343 ... Feb: 24, 1924 ... Feb. 22, 1926. A.9,349 ... Feb. 27, 1924 ... Jan. 1, 1926. B.O.360 ... Feb. 28, 1924 ... Nov. 22, 1925. 3,659 ... Jan. ma, 1925... Twice Feb., 1925, three times Jan., 1926, 44 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoOL. Xx No. Date Ringed. Dates Reported. B.9,045 ... Jan. 25, 1925 ... Feb., Mar., Nov., 1925; Feb., 1926. B.9,109 ... Feb. 26, 1925 ... Dec. 13, 1925. B.9,124 ... Mar. 1, 1925 ... Jan. 13, 1926. B.o;120, 3... Mar (x, 19295 <1. Jan. 14, 1926. IB-9)053 22. War: Fis 2925) eae NOV 22, 1925, B.gjt50"... Mar. 7, Ta25 ss. Jan. 135 1926. B.9,136, ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as an adult, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on March 3rd, 1925. Reported at Selby, Yorkshire, on December 5th, 1925, by Mr. Squirer. B.9,134, ringed as B.9,136. Reported at Langford Farm, Lostock Graham, Cheshire, on December 16th, 1925, by Mr. J. W. Kennerley per the Editor of Cage Birds. LINNET (Carduelis c. cannabina).—B.7,145, ringed at Eton, Bucking- hamshire, as a nestling, by Mr. A. Mayall, on June 6th, 1924. Reported at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, on January 16th, 1926, by Mri. 2. jury. 8,014, ringed near Worthing, Sussex, as a nestling, by Miss Collins (for Lon. Nat. Hist. Soc.), on June 5th, 1925. Reported at Villeneuve de Marsan (Landes), France, in December, 1925, by Mile. Darricau. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla c. celebs).—A.2,004, ringed at Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as an adult, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on February Ist, 1923. Reported where ringed, in August, 1924, and April, 1926, by the ringer. Again released. A.2,043, ringed as A.2,004, on March 8th, 1923. Reported where ringed, in March and December, 1923, January, 1924, February and December, 1925, and January, 1926, by the ringer. Again released. A.9,289, ringed as A.2,004, on January 9th, 1924. Reported at Parbold, Lancashire, in November, 1924, by Mr. R. Glover. A.9,345, ringed as A.2,004, on February 24th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on November 15th, 1925, by the ringer. Again released. TREE-SPARROW (Passer m. montanus).—C.5,616, tinged near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as a nestling, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on June 14th, 1925. Reported where ringed on April 25th, 1926, by the ringer. Again released. YELLOW BuNTING (Emberiza c. citvinella)—Following ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as adults, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, were reported by him where ringed and again released. No. Date Ringed. Dates Reported. B.9,079 Ae Feb. 19, 1925 nae Jan. 15, 1926. C.5,697 mae Jume 25, 1925 ans Jan. 29, 1926, Ciey722; ail July 4, 1925 506 Dec. I9, 1925. C.5,752 ‘iss July 9, 10925. as Feb. 9 and May 14, 1920. C.5,784 366 July 22, 1925 ane Jan. 24, 1926. MeEabow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis).—C.6,442, ringed at Penybont, Radnorshire, as a nestling, by Mr. P. E. A. Morshead, on May 16th, 1925. Reported at Armamar, (Beira), Portugal, on January 23rd, 1926, by Senhor Carlos Gaspar. Published in O Secuilo, January 29th, 1926. VOL. Xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 45 Prev Wacrtart (Motacilla a. yarrellit).—A.9,720, ringed at Streatly, Berkshire, as a nestling, by Dr. N. H. Joy, on June 24th, 1923. Reported at Welwyn, Hertfordshire, late January, 1926, by Mr. C. Butterfield per the Editor of Cage Birds. ay C.7,565, ringed at Torrance, near Glasgow, Stirlingshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Bartholomew, on May 29th, 1925. Reported at Scotstownhill, Glasgow, on April 12th, 1926, by Mr. J. Paterson. , ’ C.9,622, ringed at Carlisle, Cumberland, as a nestling, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on June 16th, 192 5. Reported where ringed, on December 2nd, 1925, by Mr. J. Thomson. Sonc-TuRusH (Turdus ph. clarkei).—7,260, ringed at Torrance, near Glasgow, Stirlingshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Bartholomew, on April 30th, 1923. Reported near Athlone, co. West Meath, Ireland, on December 2nd, 1925, by Mr. T. A. Hussey. Y.1,897, ringed at Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on July 3rd, 1924. Reported at Athlone, co. West Meath, Ireland, on December 26th, 1925, by Mrs. Concannon. 59,158, ringed at St. Andrews, Fife, as a young bird, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on May Ist, 1923. Reported at Ballina, co, Mayo, Ireland, early in February, 1926, by Mr. Walsh. Z.3,487, ringed on Scone Estate, Perth, as a nestling, by Lord Scone, on May 8th, 1924. Reported at Dundee, Forfarshire, on December 24th, 1925, by Mr. C. S. Knight, Y.2,436, ringed as Z, 3.487, on April 29th, 1925. Reported near where ringed, on June 22nd, 1925, by Mr. G. Veitch per the ringer. Y.9,813, ringed at Pyrford, Surrey, as an adult, by Mrs. L. E, Taylor, on July 13th, 1925. Reported at Arromanches-les- Bains (Calvados), France, on December 3rd, 1925, by Mons. M. Senente. Z.8,296, ringed as ¥.9,813, as a nestling, on May 28th, 1924. Reported near where ringed, early in February, 1926 by the ringer. Y.5.972 and Y.5,669, ringed at Nether Welton, Cumberland, as nestlings, on April 26th, 1925. Rings only found in nest-hole of Tawny Owl near where ringed, in April, 19206, by the ringer, Z.1,185, ringed at Malvern, Worcestershire, as an adult, by Mr. Po ER. A, Morshead, on November t2th, 1923. Reported where ringed, on December 21st, 1925, by the ringer. Again released. Z.3,381, ringed at Hemsby, Norfolk, as a young bird, by Miss J. M. Ferrier, on April 2oth, 1924. Reported where ringed, on January 15th, 1926, by Mrs. Rudd per the ringer. Z.3,153, ringed at Burnham, Buckinghamshire, as a nestling, by Mr. A. Myall, on April 22nd, 1924. Reported at Crondall, Hamp- shire, on November 14th, 1925, by Mr. A. Saint. Z.2,155, ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as a nestling, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on June 6th, 1924. Reported near where ringed, on December 26th, 1925, by Mr. A. Wilkinson. 55,238, ringed at Maidstone, Kent, as an adult, by Mr. W. Wood, on July 5th, 1925. Reported where ringed, in December, 1925, by the Rev. C. S.T. Watkins. BLackBirD (Turdus m. merula).—A_.5,482, ringed at Torrance, near Glasgow, Stirlingshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Bartholomew, on May oth, 192 3. Reported at Torrance of Campsie, in December, 1925, by Mr. J. Rennox, 46 WuincHat (Savicola r. rubetva)—MW.20, ringed at Dalston, Cumber- REDBREAST (LEvithacus rubecula).—A.7,271, ringed at Broughty Ferry, BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. Z.4,481, ringed at Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, as a nestling, by Mr. T. Kerr, on May 25th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on April 3rd, 1926, by Mr. R. Anderson. Z.4,186, ringed at Arbroath, Forfarshire, as a young bird, by Mr. H. G. Watson, on May 26th, 1924. Reported where ringed, in February, 1926, by Mr. J. Liveston. Z.1,139, ringed at Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, as an adult, by Dr. J. N. D. and Mr. T. L. Smith, on November 2nd, 1924. Reported near where ringed, on June 24th and July ist, 1925, by the ringer. Z.7,018, ringed at Aberargie, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on May 23rd, 1924. Reported near where ringed, on December 24th, 1925, by Mr. G. Duncan. 56,041, ringed at Cheadle, Staffordshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. R. B. Masefield, on July 19th, 1922. Reported where ringed, on December 2oth, 1925, by the ringer. Again released. Z.3,558, ringed at Malvern, Worcestershire, as a nestling, by Mr. P. E. A. Morshead, on May 14th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on February 19th, 1926, by Mr. G. Frost. 57,759, tinged at Ingatestone, Essex, as a young bird, by Mr. B. Clarke, on April 25th, 1923. Reported where ringed, on October 5th, 1925, by the ringer. Z.8,312, ringed near Horsley, Surrey, as a nestling, by Mrs. L. E. Taylor, on June 3rd, 1924. Reported at East Clandon, Surrey, in December, 1925, by Mr. B. Rhodes. Following ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as adults, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, were reported by him where ringed and again released :— No. Date Ringed. Dates Reported. 57,083 ... Nov. 28, 1923 ... Jan. and Mar., 1924; Nov. and Dec., 1925. 57,088 .. Dee. 4, 1923 «... Dec. 1923, Mar, ro24, Now and Dec., 1925, Jan. 1926. S77lL =. Keb. 19, 1924 5. INov. 13th and 2end), ozs ini coe | Wikehey Hp WO Aon IDE, 5), OA We2,008) 2... Deca e2moe4) .a.) WNOva tO, tOz5: 2,000) 0 lalla, 86} O25) ne Decma enone: Y.2,012 .«.. Mar. 8, 2025 ... Nov. and Dec, mo25. Y.5,242 Ma 23;)LO25 aan nD eCummOm a. land, as a nestling, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on July 2oth, 1925. Reported at Cunha Baixa (Mangualde), Portugal, on October 7th, 1925, by Mr. W.C. Tait. Published in O Seculo, October 9th, 1925. Forfarshire, as an adult, by Dr. J. N. D. and Mr. T. L. Smith, on December 24th, 1923. Reported where ringed twice in December, 1924, by the ringer. A.7,280, ringed as A.7,271, on December 31st, 1923. Reported where ringed four times in March, 1925, by the ringer. Again released. D.3,861, ringed at Kinclune, Kingoldrum, Forfarshire, as an adult, by Dr. J. N. D. and Mr. T. L. Smith, on February 9th, 1925. Reported where ringed, on October 8th, 1925, by the ringer. Again released. B.9,835, ringed at Abernethy, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on May Ist, 1925. Reported at Arbroath, VoL. Xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 47 Forfarshire, on November 11th, 1925, by Mr. W. Ingram Tucker. C.2,131, ringed at Ullswater, Westmorland, as a young bird, by Dr. H J. Moon, in May, 1925. Reported where ringed, on November 26th, 1925, by Mr. J. F. Bowerbank, per the ringer. B.3,930, ringed near Sidmouth, Devonshire, as an adult, by Mr. P. E. A. Morshead, on December 25th, 1924. Reported where ringed, in January, September and December, 192 5, by the ringer. Again released. C.1,123, ringed at Pyrford, Surrey, as an adult, by Mr. W. P. G. Taylor, on January oth, 1925. Reported where tinged, on January 20th, 1926, by the ringer. Again released. C.1,126, ringed as C.1,123, on January 14th, 1925. Reported where ringed, in January and F ebruary, 1926, by the ringer. C.9,060, ringed as C.1,123, on June 13th, 1925. Reported near where ringed, on December ist, 192 5, by Mr. T. G. Woods. C.6,668, ringed as Camis) wom August roth, 1925. Reported where ringed ten times between August roth, 1925, and January 2oth, 1926, by the ringer. Again released. Following ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as adults, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, where reported by him where ringed and again released :— No. Date Ringed. Dates Recovered. A.2,003 ... Jan. 27, 1923... Feb. and Mar., 1924; Nov. and Dec., 1925. B.3,609 ... Aug. 16, 1924 ... Oct. 1924; Mar., Nov. (5 times), Dec., 1925. B.3,632 ... Aug. 2r, 1924 ... Twice Sept., twice Oct., 1924; once Oct., twice Nov., 1925. IBs3,089 ,.. Nov. 20, 1924 ... Jan., Feb., Novy. (twice), Dec.,. 5925, S,60% «1 Dec, Il, 1924 ... Thrice Dec., 1925. EGEOO vx April 25, 1925 ... Dec. 3, toes: C.6,555 «+. Aug. 15, 1925 ... Noy. I4, 1925; Mar. 15, 1926 HEDGE-SPARROW (Prunella modulavis).—Following ringed at Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, as adults by Dr. J. N. D. and Mr. T. L. Smith, were reported where ringed and again released :— No. Date Ringed. Dates Reported. OY.46 «« “Nov. 13, 1921 ... April 22,1923; Feb. I4, 1925 (re-ringed with A.7,295). OF.56 «. Dee, 27, 1921 ... Dec. 24, 1923; Oct. i; 1925 ; (re-ringed with A.7,272). QY.50 ... Jat. 2, toga ... Oct. 2, 1925 (re-ringed with D.3,844). S731 -. Nov. 6, 1922 .., Dec. 26, 1923; Feb. 2, 1925 (re-ringed with A.7,274). &. 9,267 «< Dee. 23, 1923 ... Feb. 22, 1925. Following tinged near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as adults, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, were reported by him where ringed and again released. No. Date Ringed. Dates Reported. A.2,053 .... ‘Mar. I2, 1923 Twice Nov., once Dec. 1924; once Jan., twice Dec., 1925; April 17 and May 55 LOZG: 48 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. xx. No. Date Ringed. Dates Reported. B.3,612 ... Aug. 17, 1924 ... Oct. 3, 1925; Jan. 15, 1926. B.3,692 ... Dec. 14, 1924 ... Mar. 4, 1926. D.3,214 ... Sept. 20, 1925 ... Nov. 12, 1925; twice Mar., 1926. Disi2ie is. ‘Oct, 1, 1925... Nine times between Oct. and Dec., 1925; Feb. 27 and Mar. 7, 1926. B.9,193 and B.9,198, ringed near Gt. Budworth, Cheshire, as nestlings, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on April 24th and 30th, 1925. Reported near Warrington, Lancashire, on January 4th, 1926, and Oct. 17th, 1925, by the Editor of Shooting Times, and Mr. Ife Whalley. A.5,853, ringed at Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, as an adult, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on October 16th, 1923. Reported where ringed, on April 15th, 1925, by the ringer. B.2,597, ringed at Pyrford, Surrey, as an adult, by Mr. W. P. G. Taylor, on April roth, 1924. Reported where ringed, on December Ist, 1925, by the ringer. Again released. C.1,136, ringed as B.2,597, on March 24th, 1925, Reported where ringed, on November 7th, 192 5, by the ringer. B.5,650, ringed at Gill, Dalston, Cumberland, as a nestling, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on May 11th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on November 18th, 1925, by Mr. H. W. Sheehan. Swift (Apus a. apus).—C.3,336, ringed near Tisbury, Wiltshire, as an adult, by Dr. N. H. Joy, on July 30th, 1924. Reported where ringed, in May, 1925, by Mr. Reed per the ringer. Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus).—77,036, ringed at New Cumnock, Ayr- shire, as a young bird, just out of a Meadow-Pipit’s nest, by Mr. T. K. Craven, on July 7th, 1925. Reported at Menteroda, Muhlhausen, Thuringen, Germany, on August 2nd, 1925, by Herr A. Fahlbusch per Dr. Ernst Hartert. Tawny Owt (Strix a. sylvatica).—23,384, ringed at Willenhall, near Coventry, as a nestling, by Mr. F. Dipple, on May 3rd, 1925. Reported near Brandon Hall, Coventry, late in January, 1926, by Capt. D. Beech. 25,777, tinged at Holt, Norfolk, as a young bird, by Mr. R. G. Willan, on May 17th, 1925. Reported near where ringed, on November 3rd, 1925, by Mr. R. Ashby, per the ringer. Again released. Barn-Owt (Tyto a. alba).—23,388, ringed near Coventry, asa nestling, by Mr. F. Dipple, on August 23rd, 1925. Reported at Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, on October 24th, 1925, by Mr. A. W. Hemington. MERLIN (Falco c. e@salon).—72,938, ringed at Blackstone Edge, Lancashire, as a nestling, by Mr. F. Taylor (for Mr. A. W. Boyd), on July 27th, 1924. Reported on a Yorkshire Grouse moor late in November, 1925, by Mr. G. S. Robinson. KEsTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus).—77,037, ringed at Kirkconnel, Dum- fries-shire, as a young bird, by Mr. T. K. Craven, on July goth, 1925. Reported at Waldron, Sussex, on October 27th, 1925, by Mr. L. Leeves. SPARROW-Hawk (Accipiter n. nisus).—77,839, ringed at Welton, Cum- berland, as a nestling, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on July 3rd, 1925. Reported at Wigton, Cumberland, on December 2nd, 1925, by Mr. W. Hope, Jnr. 78,093, ringed at Curthwaite, Cumberland, as a nestling, by Mr. VoL. xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 49 R. H. Brown, on July 16th, 1925. Reported at Carlisle, Cumber- land, on December 30th, 1925, by Mr. I. Harris. 78,092, ringed as 78,093. Reported near Carlisle, Cumberland, late in March, 1926, by Mr. J. Bowman. 78,182, ringed at Comberton, Cambridgeshire, as a young bird, by Mr. G. W. Thompson, on July 25th, 1925. Reported near where ringed, on December 21st, 1925, by Mr. A. E. Croot, per the ringer. 78,193, ringedas 78,182. Reported at Baldcock, Hertfordshire, on March 27th, 1926, by Mr. A. Cross. HERON (Ardea c. cinerea).—t19, ringed near Cheadle, Staffordshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. R. B. Masefield, on May 28th, 1910. Re- ported on Gun Moor, Staffordshire, on February 27th, 1926, by Mr. W. A. Romanis, per Mr. R. E. Knowles. : MAaLLarD (Anas p. platyrhyncha).— Fifty-seven hand-reared birds, ringed at Oakmere, Cheshire, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on July 17th, 1924. Fifty-three reported where ringed, in December, 1924, and four in December, 1925, by the ringer. Six ringed on August 4th, 1925. Reported where ringed in December, 1925. 22,393, (hand-reared) ringed at Cogshall, near Northwich, Cheshire, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on August 8th, 1923. Reported near where ringed, in December 1925, by Mr. Harrison, per the ringer. 20,540, ringed at Leswalt, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, as an adult, by Mr. M. Portal, on March 4th, 1922. Reported where ringed, on November 17th, 1925, by the ringer. 25,456, ringed at Lynedoch, Almondbank, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Mr. H. Zimmerman (for Lord Scone), on August 4th, 1925. Reported at Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, on December 25th, 1925, by Mr. E. B. Lee. Tear (Anas c. crecca).—70,730, ringed at Cotter Fell, Wensleydale, Yorkshire, as a young bird, by Mr. R. M. Garnett, on August 19th, 1924. Reported near Lough Ree, co. Roscommon, Ireland, on December 6th, 1925, by the Rev. T. P. Hurley, per the ringer. 71.543, 71,666, 71,683 (hand-reared), ringed at Netherby, Long- town, Cumberland, by Mr. W. Bell (for Sir Richard Graham), on March 31st, 1923. Reported where ringed, two on November t4th, and one on December 18th, 1925, by the ringer. 71,689, ringed as 71,543. Reported near Lake Wener, Sweden, in April, 1925, by Dr. R. Soderberg. 79,170, ringed as 71,543, on March 3rd, 1925. Reported at Crew- kerne, Somerset, on January 21st, 1926, by Lieut.-Com. H. B. Mitchell, R.N. 76,163, ringed as 71,543, on March 3rd, 1925. Reported at “South Slob Lands,” co. Wexford, Ireland, on January 24th, 1926, by Mr. G. B. Cooke. 76,237, ringed as 71,543, on March 2oth, 1925. Reported near Berek-sur-Mer (Pas de Calais), France, on October 3Ist, 1925, by Mons. Boucher. 76,385, tinged as 71,543, on April Ist, 1925. Reported where tinged, on November 14th, 1925, by the ringer. CorRMORANT (Phalacrocorax c. carbo).—101,802, ringed at Castle Loch, Mochrum, Wigtownshire, as a nestling, by Mr. J. G. Gordon, on June r4th, 1919. Reported at Cape Santa Maria (Algarve), Portugal, on January 19th, 1926, by Senhor E. C. Carrosco. Woop-PicEon (Columba p. palumbus).—77,230, ringed near Andover, Hampshire, as a nestling, by Mr. P, K. Chance, on August 14th, D 50 BRITISH BIRDS. fvon. xx. 1925. Reported at Ripon, Yorkshire, on January 26th, 1926, by Mr. C. Julian. OystER-CATCHER (Hematopus o. ostvalegus).—35,314, ringed at Ravenglass, Cumberland, as a young bird, by Mr. H. S. Greg, on June 22nd, 1925. Reported at Askam-in-Furness, Lancashire, on January 14th, 1926, by Mr. W. M. Stevenson. 25,997, ringed at Rockliffe Marsh, Cumberland, as a nestling, by r. R. H. Brown, on June 13th, 1925. Reported at Preston Mills, by Dumfries, on January 18th, 1926, by Mr. W. Butler. Lapwine (Vanellus vanellus).—95,987, ringed at Torrance, near Glas- gow, Stirlingshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Bartholomew, on June 4th, 1920. Reported on Loch Lomond, Dumbartonshire, in December, 1925, by Mr. J. Lennie. 55,282, ringed as 95,987, on June 19th, 1922. Reported at New- townards, co. Down, Ireland, on December 2nd, 1925, by Mr. John McGouran. 58,880, ringed as 95,987, on June 9th, 1923. Reported at Marvao, Spanish-Portuguese frontier, in December, 1925, by Mr. P. F. Leith. Z.4,974, vinged as 95,987, on June 17th, 1924. Reported on Skelmorlie Shore, Ayrshire, on December 19th, 1925, by Mr. M. Downie. Y.2,214, ringed as 95,987, on July 8th, 1924. Reported at Clona- kilty, co. Cork, Ireland, on December 27th, 1925, by Miss U. McCarthy. Y.7,646, ringed as 95,987, at Balfron, Stirlingshire, on June 8th, 1925. Reported at Balbriggan, co. Dublin, Ireland, on December 11th, 1925, by Mrs. N. Yeates. Y.7,705, ringed as 95,987, at Strathblane, Stirlingshire, on June, 12th, 1925. Reported at Lambhill, Glasgow, end October, 1925, by Mr. John Aitkenhead. Z.4,976, ringed at Aberfoyle, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Bartholomew, on June 19th, 1924. Reported on River Lima, near Vianna do Castello, Portugal, on December 25th, 1925, by Senhor R. D. F. Ramos. Y.7,676, ringed as Z.4,976, on June rith, 1925. Jeported at Ballinasloe, co. Galway, Ireland, in January, 1926, by Mr M. Tierney. 51,321, ringed near Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, as a nestling, by Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Blyth, on June 21st, 1922. Reported near Portadown, co. Armagh, Ireland, on December 2nd, 1925, by Mr. T. G. Robinson, Jnr. Z.1,159, ringed at Glen Clova, Forfarshire, as a young bird, by Dr. J. N. D. and Mr. T. L. Smith, on June 25th, 1924. Reported at Bessbrook, co. Armagh, Ireland, on December 15th, 1925, by Mr. McClelland. Z.4,213, ringed near Arbroath, Forfarshire, as a young bird, by Mr. H. G. Watson, on June 7th, 1924. Reported at Ballybay, co. Monaghan, Ireland, on January 5th, 1926, by Mr. P. Duffy. Z.4,221, ringed as Z.4,213, on June 16th, 1924. Reported at Abernethy, Perthshire, in January, 1926, by Mr. W. Gay, Jnr. Z.1,621, ringed at Glen Fruin, Dumbartonshire, as a young bird, by Mr. T. Kerr, on May 13th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on March 25th, 1926, by Mr. D. McLeod. Z.7,719, ringed as Z.1,621, on June 22nd, 1924. Reported at Athy, co. Kildare, Ireland, in January, 1926, by Mr. P. Day. VoL. Xx.]| RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 51 Y¥.2,165, and Y.2,172, ringed as Z.1,621, on May trgth, 1925. Reported near where ringed early in October and on December 24th, 1925, by Messrs. Macneur and Bryden and Mr. J. Graham. Y.8,072, ringed on Scone Estate, Perth, as a young bird, by Lord Scone, on June 19th, 1925. Reported at Ballykelly, co. Derry, North Ireland, in December, 1925, by Messrs. J. McCurry and Nevin H. Foster. Y.5,029, ringed at Kirkconnel, Dumfries-shire, as a young bird, by Mr. T. K. Craven, on June 28th, 1925. Reported near Oviedo, (Asturias), N. Spain, in February, 1926, by Senor Dr. Vincente Nuno. Y.8,448, ringed at St. Andrews, Fife, as a young bird, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on May 29th, 1925. Reported near Barreiros (Leiria), Portugal, on December 8th, 1925, by Senhor V. P. Estrele d’Oliveira. C.1,517, ringed at Hareshawmuir, Ayrshire, as a young bird, by Mr. E. R. Paton, on May 18th, 1925. Reported on shore of the Clyde, Dumbarton, on November 12th, 1925, by Mr. L. M. Currie. Y.6,721, ringed at Alnwick, Northumberland, as a young bird, by Mr. H. Scott Plumer (for Lord Scone), on April 12th, 1925. Re- ported at Kelso, 30 miles in N.W. direction from where ringed, late in May, 1925, by the ringer. 22,345, ringed at Ullswater, Westmorland, as a young bird, by Dr. H. J. Moon, in May, 1925. Reported at Bruff, co. Limerick, Ireland, on January 11th, 1926, by Mr. T. Suliffe. Y.9,991, ringed near Gill, Dalston, Cumberland, as a young bird, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on June 25th, 1925. Reported at Mallow, co. Cork, Ireland, in February, 1926, by Mr. A. Kiely. 51,126, ringed at Cley, Norfolk, as a nestling, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on June toth, 1922. Reported at Kelling, near Holt, Norfolk, on October 25th, 1925, by Mr. Wm. Dewing. Z.2,166, ringed as 51,126, on June 8th, 1925. Reported where ringed, on November 28th, 1925, by Mr. C. M. Skerrett Rogers. REDSHANK (Tyinga t. tolanus).—Y.7,662, ringed at Torrance, near Glasgow, Stirlingshire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Bartholomew, on June oth, 1925. Reported at Lytham, Lancashire, on October 31st, 1925, by Mr. J. S. Mayor. SNIPE (Capella g. gallinago).—Y.3,607, ringed at Nether Wyresdale, N. Lancashire, as a young bird, by Mr. H. W. Robinson, on May 25th, 1925. Reported in east Limerick, Ireland, on January 6th, 1926, by Mr. C. Ryan. Y.1,013, ringed at N. Hareshaw, Ayrshire, as a young bird, by Mr. E. R. Paton, in July, 1924. Reported at Rowallan, Kilmar- nock, Ayrshire, on November 12th, 1925, by Mr. G. Corbett. Woopcock (Scolopax yr. rusticola).—Z.3,740, ringed at Baronscourt, co. Tyrone, Ireland, as a young bird, by Mr. R. Taylor, on May 12th, 1924. Reported where ringed, on December 5th, 1925, by the Marquis of Hamilton, per the ringer. Z.1,513, ringed at Balgowan, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Mr. A. H. R. Wilson, on May 21st, 1924. Reported near Charleston, Queenstown, co. Cork, Ireland, on December Ist, 1925, by Mr. H. S. Tarrant. 2, Sia, ringed at Lynedoch, Almondbank, Perthshire, as a nestling, by Mr. H. Zimmerman (for Lord Scone), on May 7th, 1925. Reported at Rush, co. Dublin, Ireland, on January 6th, 1926, by Mr. W. Rollison, 2 BRITISH BIRDS. | VOL. XX. Z.1,233, ringed at Comrie, Perthshire, as a young bird, by Col. P. C. Macfarlane, on July 2nd, 1923. Reported at Rozelle, Ayr- shire, on October 17th, 2925, by Col. C. H. Hamilton. Z.6,111, ringed near Drymen, Glasgow, as a nestling, by Miri IRSA: Stewart, on April 27th, 1925. Reported at Rutherford, West Linton, Peebles-shire, on November toth, 1925, by Dr. G. Mackay. 1,472, ringed at Lann, Dumtfries-shire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Murray (for Mr. H. S. Gladstone), in spring, 1922. Reported in Parish of Glencairn, Dumfries-shire, on November 19th, 1925, by Col. Sir J. Laurie, Bt. Y.5,755, ringed at Holestane, Dumfries-shire, as a young bird, by Mr. J. Currie (for Mr. H. S. Gladstone), on April 30th, 1925. Reported on Buteland Farm, near Bellingham, Northumberland, on January 28th, 1926, by Mr. T. Welch. 70,174; ringed near Caton, Lancaster, as a young bird, by Mr. E. Broomfield (for Mr. H. S. Greg), on June 27th, 1923. Reported at Wray, near Hornby, Lancaster, on January gth, 1926, by Mr. A. Suaithe Z.3,070, ringed at Holker, Cark-in-Cartmel, Lancashire, as a young bird, for Col. Porritt, in May, 1925. Reported at Broughton-in-Furness, Lancashire, on December 19th, 1925, by Mr. R. Fawcett. SANDWICH TERN (Sterna s. sandvicensis).—Z.7,341, ringed at Walney Island, N. Lancashire, as a young bird, by Mr. H. W. Robinson, in June, 1924. Reported near where ringed, on August 25th, 1925, by Mr. J. Fletcher, Jnr. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus f. affinis).—26,238, ringed at Bowness Moss, Cumberland, as a young bird, by Mr. R. H. Brown, on July 14th, 1925. Reported at Alhos Vedros, near Lisbon, Portugal, on November 19th, 1925, by Mr. W. C. Tait. Published in Noticias. 24,604, ringed at The Gugh, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, as a young bird, by Mr. H. W. Robinson, on July and, 1925. Reported at Ploudalmezeau (Finistére), France, on September 17th, 1925, by Mons. T. Rapine. GuILtemot (Uria a. albionis).—21,458, ringed on Handa Island, Sutherland, as an adult, by Mr. A. W. Boyd, on June 29th, 1923. Reported in Oslo Fjord, Norway, on December 31st, 1925, by Mr. L. R. Natvig. STARLINGS ATTACKING SWIFTS. UNDER the thatch of many of the cottages near Felsted School, Swifts (A pus a. apus) have nested for many years. One ofa pair of such cottages, at French’s Green, has been occupied by the same labourer for more than twenty years and he is rather proud of the fact that quite a number of Swifts have nested there annually. One evening he heard a great screeching outside his window and rushed out to find that a Starling had got a Swift on the ground and was pecking it unmercifully. He picked the Swift up and threw it in the air after he had rested it a bit and smoothed the plumage. Another day the same thing happened but his cat got to the Swift first and made off with it, taking no notice of the Starling. Another evening he found where the cat had just devoured another. On June 5th he reckoned that only two pairs of Swifts remained out of the usual six or more. Both Starlings and Swifts nest so far up under the thatch that it is impossible to remove the Starling broods before the Swifts need possession. J. H. Owen. [Where there is keen competition for nesting sites between Swifts and Starlings I have known two birds to come to the ground locked together, and had some difficulty in disen- tangling their claws. As in the case recorded by Mr. Owen, the Starling generally has the advantage.—F.C.R. J.] CROSSBILLS NESTING IN SURREY. As there do not appear to be many records of the Crossbill (Loxta c. curvirostra) breeding in Surrey, it may be of interest to record that they bred in a certain district of that county this year (1926). They were rather late—still building on March 20th—and unusually shy. We saw two nests on that date and there were other pairs of birds about. C. W. Mackwortu-PRaeEp, WOOD-LARK BREEDING IN SURREY. I Am pleased to be able to record a satisfactory increase in the small colony of Wood-Larks in east Surrey, referred to by me in Vol. XVIII, p. 192. In 1925, I know that at least eight pairs reared one, and probably more, broods. On May 30th, three males were singing in the air at once. From the lateness 5A BRITISH BIRDS. [vouL. Xx. of dates several nests must have been second or even third layings: thus, on June 2nd I flushed a bird off five fresh eggs, on June 20th another was sitting on four fresh eggs, while on July 29th a pair of birds were carrying food to young, but the nest was not found. One nest, on May 30th, in the side of a bank under a canopy of heather, was composed of a broad- leaved couch grass and lined with hay; the one on June ond was in the open amongst seedling birches, and was built of hay and lined with hair; another, on June 20th, was composed of the empty, feathery, seed-capsules of rosebay (Epilobium angustifoliwm) and lined with hay. C.. W. CoLtaRur: GREY WAGTAIL NESTING IN BERKSHIRE. From the end of March to the middle of May, 1926, I observed Grey Wagtails (Motacilla c. cinerea) by the Embrook in Berk- shire. A nest was built on a ledge almost touching a mill- wheel, but the birds deserted after two eggs were laid, probably owing to the wheel being put into motion. The birds were in the vicinity afterwards, at any rate for a short time. JOHN N. FLETCHER. [This bird now breeds regularly in Berkshire, cf. Brit. B., Vol. IX., p. 26, where H. M. Wallis states that about ten nesting sites are known.—F.C.R.J.] UNUSUAL SITE OF TREE-CREEPER’S NEST. A TREE-CREEPER (Certhia f. britannica) made its nest in the hay at the top of a hay-shed at Swanmore, Hampshire, behind one of the larch pillars. The nest was merely burrowed into the hay. Five young birds left it on May 18th, 1926. The parents collected much of their food from insect life found on the outside of the hay in the shed. M. PorTAL. GREAT AND BLUE TITMICE IN SKYE. In a Practical Handbook of British Birds 1 notice that the Great Titmouse (Parus major) is said to be only a rare visitor to Skye. It may be interesting therefore to record that I saw several in the Armadale Castle Woods on January 2Ist, 1926. With reference to the Blue Titmouse (Parus ceruleus), which is stated to be rare in Skye, I saw several in the trees at Broadford on January 23rd, and found them quite common in the trees by the side of a burn at Portree. EVELYN V, BAXTER. VOL, XX.] NOTES. y3) NEST OF MISTLE-THRUSH ON ROCK LEDGE. ON May 13th, 1926, I found a nest of a Mistle-Thrush (Turdus v. visctvorus) ina very unusual situation—near Over Haddon, Derbyshire. It was built on a ledge of rock in a disused limestone quarry and contained four typical eggs. There are plenty of suitable trees near this quarry for a nest of this bird. J. S. Macponatp. \’. B. Whitlock (Birds of Derbyshire, p. 24) states that in the High Peak nests are sometimes found on ledges of rock. The same habit has also been recorded in Yorkshire _ Nat. "SSO, p, 52, etc. ; Zool. 1906, p. III, etc.) and on sea cliffs in Wales (Zool. 1904, p. 15; 1905 p. 225, etc.).—F.C.R.J.] BUZZARDS IN KENT IN SUMMER. ON May 26th, 1925, I watched a Buzzard (Buteo buteo) sailing over Chartham, near Canterbury, travelling N.E. until it disappeared from sight. On June 20th I saw another sailing over Hayes Common going N.E. C. W. CoLTHRup. BRENT GOOSE IN IRELAND AT END OF MAY. ALONG with some other ornithologists I came on a Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) beside an islet in Lough Erne on May 25th, 1926. In the short time for observation through the glasses before flight, I did not notice any white mark on the neck, but otherwise the bird was quite clear, being less than roo yards off. Its flight seemed perfect, but it did not appear to leave the vicinity. J. P. Burxirrt. GREY PLOVER AND GARGANEY IN BERKSHIRE. WHILE Mr. H. P. O. Cleave and I were watching birds at the Reading sewage farm, on the evening of May 25th, 1926, we saw a male Grey Plover (Squatarola s. squatarola) in full summer plumage. It was feeding with two Ringed Plovers and, although exceedingly shy, we managed to get within close range. This species has been observed at the farm before by Mr. Cleave and Dr. Joy, but only on the autumn migration. The day previous (May 24th) a very fine male Garganey (Anas querquedula) was seen by myself at the same place, but this disappeared within a few hours, Joun L. Hawkins. BREEDING OF THE COMMON CURLEW IN SURREY. Havin been informed by Mr. Gardham, of Staines, that when crossing a common in Surrey last year, 1925, his attention 56 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. Xx. had been attracted by the noisy demonstrations of a pair of Curlew (Numenius a. arquata), and that he had found two young ones crouching in the heather, I decided to visit the neighbourhood this spring. On April 18th, I was on the common for eight hours but did not see a bird, though I twice heard them calling from a distance. On May 22nd, I had a pair of birds under observation for over four hours and at length found their nest, on a dry ridge of high ground. lit contained two chicks just free of the shell and two eggs, both chipped. GRAHAM W. KERR. [For previous records, see Vols. XII., p. 260; XIII., p. 230, and XVII., p. 205-—EDs.| KITTIWAKES INLAND IN CHESHIRE. Tue Kittiwake (Rissa t. tridactyla) is so rarely seen inland in Cheshire that three recent occurrences are possibly worthy of record. On March 18th, 1926, Mr. J. Moore identified an adult bird which the keeper had picked up dead a few days before at Marbury Mere, near Northwich. Mr. Moore tells me that it was in beautiful plumage, but emaciated, and thinks that the heavy gales prevailing about that time accounted for its presence inland. On May ist, Mr. G. A. Carver and I saw an immature bird flying over Marbury Mere and resting on the water and on a sandspit ; this bird gave no signs of weakness to suggest that it had been storm-driven. Many migrants were passing at the same time and among others we observed the first Black Tern (Chlidonias n. niger) and Little Tern (Sterna a. albifrons) seen this year. On June 2nd, I picked up on the bank of Oakmere, 7} miles distant from Marbury Mere, the remains of a third Kittiwake, an adult bird, which had obviously been lying there for a number of weeks. A. W. Boyp. Cuckoo RETURNING TO SAME SUMMER QUARTERS FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.—With reference to his former notes (Vol. XVI., p. 190; Vol. XVII., p. 23, and Vol. XVIIL., p, 37), Mr. Thomas L. S. Dooly writes that the same Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) has returned again to Formby, Lancs, this season, 1926, keeping to the same neighbourhood as usual. — Cc 1 ut arty 2 ~- A tee MUSE , én aS D avy WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. LE GERFAUT REVUE BELGE D’ORNITHOLOGIE (Fondée en 1911), Le seule publication scientifique belge traitant des oiseaux, spécialement des oiseaux de la Belgique. Abonnement Belgique 13 francs par an: autres pays 15 francs par an. Direction : Square Prince Charles 21, Bruxelles-Laeken (Belgique). STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. ESTD, 1760, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS’ EGGS, CABINETS, etc. Also BOOKS relating to Natural History. Catalogues of sales posted on application. WHELDON & WESLEY, LTD. have in stock nearly all the books and journals required by ornithologists. The collection of old and rare works is one of the largest in the country. New books and journals supplied to order. Books not in stock sought for. Just issued: Zoological Catalogue, Part I, Vertebrata; Part II, Faunas. Bookbinding in all its branches undertaken. Libraries and parcels of books purchased. 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Birds in their tens of thousands migrate to nest on the Island in April, May, June and July, and there is prebably no other spot within the British Isles where so many species may be observed with such perfect ease and intimacy within easy distance of a comfortable Farm House Hotel. During this period the Island is visited from far and near by Bird-lovers. For Accommodation apply Manageress; MANOR HOUSE HOTEL, LUNDY, Telegrams : Hotel, Lundy-Island-Coast-Guard-Station (one word). Mail leaves Instow Fridays; post early Thursday. BRIDADIRDS « ” WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST. EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOuRDAIN, M.A., M.B.0.U.,.H.F.A.0.U., AND NorMaNn F. TICEHURST, 0.B.E., M.A., FR.CSsg DEBS, Op A is D CoNtewssap NUMBER 3, VoL. XX., AuGUST 2, 1926. a4 ry ev" rs PAGE Field-Notes from Glamorgan (III). By hanes ck C. S. Ingram, . M.B.O.U., and H. Morrey Salmon, m.c. 58 Some Notes on Bird-Song. By the Rev. E. Peake ... eis 62 The Duration of Life in Birds. By H. F. Witherby ans 71 Notes :— Two Pairs of Wood-Warblers Nesting Close ih, uae (A. Ey Machell Cox) ... naw 74 Nesting of Marsh- wheter 4 in Kent. ae oe ne Hale) .. 74, Status of the Garden-Warbler in ee (Bertram Hioyd) ... 8 75 Large Clutch of Eggs of re Woodpecker (Major W. M. Congreve) 76 Early Nesting of is eee Spotted Woodpecker (ajo W. M. Congreve) re 76 Nine Eggs of Sentient icwit in Sonn Nest poesia Cates ThE | Large Clutch of Eggs of Black Kite (Major W. M. Congreve) 77 Prolonged Incubation by Lapwing (W. J: Percy Player) ... 78 Redshank and Lapwing Laying in Same Nest (R. H. Brown) 79 Short Notes :— Egg Deposition i the ates White Nestling Snipe in Lancashire : = = ce She 79 Letters :— The Birds of Essex (William E. Glegg) ns ais 80 A Vertebrate Fauna of South (Wales Geoffrey C. S. feta) 80 E ( 58 ) FIELD-NOTES FROM GLAMORGAN. (IIL) BY GEOFFREY C. S. INGRAM, M.B.0.U., AND H. MORREY SALMON, M.c. SincE the publication of our second series of notes (Vol. XVIII), the following observations have been made :— GotprincH (Carduelis carduelis subsp yA flock of 25-30, an unusually large one for this district, was seen at the Llanishen Reservoirs, November 11th, 1925. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla c. calebs).—A pair built a nest inside a hide which we constructed at the top of a tree some 35 feet high in a local heronry, and reared a brood of five young, May, 1925. BRAMBLING (Fringilla montifringilla) _—A female was seen in the company of a few Chaffinches on Leckwith Common, January 16th, 1926. Housr-Sparrow (Passer d. domesticus).—Two abnormally, coloured birds, light french-grey, darker on the head, with normal eyes, but pale yellow beaks and flesh-coloured legs, were seen in Cardiff on June 18th, 1925, and on several subsequent occasions. Wuite WacrtaAIL (Motacilla a. alba) —One male, in company with two Pied Wagtails (M. a. yarrellii), was seen at Lisvane Reservoir, March 21st, 1926. Waxwine (Bombycilla garrulus).—Mr. John Grimes, a careful local observer, reports seeing one near the Roath Park, Cardiff, on January 16th, 1926. MartTIN (Delichon u. urbica).—As few records of the fledging- period of this species appear to have been made, the following may be of value :—The nest was under the gable of the house of one of the writers and on the day the young hatched, August 6th, 1925, the parents were unduly excited and the fresh half-shells of newly hatched eggs were picked up under the nest shortly after they had dropped. The young left on August 30th; this fact being detected by the absence of droppings below the nest (they had had to be washed away every day) and the disappearance of the birds. The period in this case is 24-25 days. HoopoE (Upupa e. epops).—One was observed near Penarth on April 4th and 5th, 1926, and reported to us by two different observers from points a mile apart. BRITISH GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dryobates major anglicus).—Is steadily increasing in our district and on May roth, 1925, a nest was found in one of the public parks of voL. xx.]} NOTES FROM GLAMORGAN. 59 the city of Cardiff. It was in an alder growing at the edge of a much frequented path, the hole opening towards a small copse. Both parents were busy feeding the young on May 24th and 3rist. PEREGRINE FaLcon (Falco p. peregrinus).—On December 12th, 1924, an immature bird was watched rounding up wild Duck, much as a sheep dog rounds up scattered flocks, without attempting to take any individual bird. We were walking along the shore of a lake on which very large numbers GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER AT NEST-HOLE, WITH BEAK FULL OF BEETLE LARVAE, PROBABLY ONE OF THE LONGICORNS. (Photographed by G. C. S. Ingram.) of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard and Shoveler were swimming and feeding, and as we approached flocks rose and flew round overhead. Suddenly they began to dash down to the water at a furious pace, and on looking for the cause we saw a Peregrine had appeared and was chasing them. It would circle round, single out a small party and dive at them at a tremendous rate, following them almost to the water and then throw up, 60 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. Xx. repeating its tactics until all the Duck had settled, then flying off to perch on a tall, dead tree on a hill overlooking the lake. We put up the Duck again and the Peregrine immediately left its tree, drove them down, and returned to its perch. Once again we roused the Duck, and once more the Peregrine rounded them up. Not once did it attempt to strike at a bird, though it could have killed time after time. HERON SCRATCHING ITS HEAD. (Photographed by H. M. Salmon.) MERLIN (Falco columbarius esalon).—Another new nesting site in the county was discovered by Mr. H. E. David on June 13th, 1925, the nest being in heather on top of a hill. ComMMON HERON (Ardea c. cinerea).—The pectinated middle claw of this bird is well known, and one use is voL. xx.] NOTES FROM GLAMORGAN. 61 illustrated by the accompanying photograph, which was taken.in a local heronry, April 12th, 1925. One of the oldest of the four heronries in the county has now, unfortunately, been dispersed. BEWICK’s SWAN (Cygnus b. bewickii)—Four adults on Kenfig Pool, November 14th and December 26th, 1925. GREY LaG-GoosE (Anser anser).—One, Kenfig Sands, December 26th, 1925. WHITE-FRONTED GOOsE (Ansey albifrons)—Numbers were seen in small groups of from three to eight on the Margam Moors, December 26th, 1925, and a flock of 50-60 feeding together on Flemingston Moors, March 6th, 1926. GOLDENEYE (Bucephala c. clangula)—Has been seen in unusual numbers on the Llanishen Reservoirs from December 13th, 1925, to the end of March, 1926. Two adult males and one male in first summer plumage, with four females, were there from January roth to 31st, 1926. The males remained until March 7th and were seen displaying on February 7th and 14th. GOOSANDER (Mergus m. merganser).—One on Kenfig Pool, November 11th, 1925. SLAVONIAN GREBE (Podiceps auritus).—Five on Llanishen Reservoir on February 8th, 1925. Representatives of all the Grebes on the British list have now been noted, during the past three years, on this sheet of water. BLACK-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps 1. nigricollis),—One on Lisvane Reservoir, December 28th, 1924, and one on Llanishen Reservoir, February 21st to 28th, 1926. This species has been a regular visitor each winter since first noted in Ig2r. GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus).—One at Llanishen Reservoir, December 6th, 1925. LITTLE TERN (Sterna a. albifrons).—Is endeavouring to establish itself in a second site in the county. Three pairs were present on July 14th, 1925, two of which were seen feeding young. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus).—Subsp. unidentified. One or more have been seen in each month, except December, from October, 1925, to March, 1926, on the Llanishen Reservoir. GLaucous Gut (Larus hyperboreus).—An adult seen for several hours on Llanishen Reservoir, January 14th, 1925. SOUTHERN PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica grabe).—Half a dozen pairs were back at their old breeding haunt in the county on June 2Ist, 1925, and were apparently feeding young. ( 62 ) SOME NOTES ON BIRD-SONG. BY THE Rey. E. PEAKE. Att who are interested in bird-song must be grateful for Stanley Morris’s little manual (Bird-Song) recently published. He speaks of his desire to throw more light on a subject which has hitherto received little attention. On the other hand, E. R. Hendy, writing in the Nineteenth Century for March, apologises for taking a subject on which so much has been written. The truth is, no considerable attempt has been made to deal with bird-song since Witchell’s Evolution of Bird-Song, and yet anyone who is greedy to pick up anything written on the subject may collect a great deal of material, increasing in quantity and in quality almost daily, from the writings of Beebe, Patten, Beach-Thomas, Capt. Knight and other more or less well-known names, or from more casual and anonymous sources. In British Birds, Vol. 1X., p. 230 (1919), Miss Haviland said, ‘“‘I venture to think that an ordinary observer need have less diffidence in touching on the subject of bird-song than any other point of ornithology.” The writer ventures to offer a contribution culled from observations kept and noted during the last forty years. First, came about a dozen years at Giggleswick, in Yorkshire, then a similar period at Bradfield in Berkshire, again the same at Oxford, ending with five years in a large garden in Huntingdonshire. The Oxford notes were the product of a very regular survey of the Christ Church walks, a regular bird-sanctuary, especially frequented perhaps by such birds as the Tree-Creeper (Certhia f. britannica), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates m. comminutus), Nuthatch (Stita e. affinis), and Redwing (Turdus musicus). In the bibliography of the subject mention should be made of Mitchell’s Cries and Call-notes of Birds, the Bird Dictionary by C. L. Hett of Brigg, and Dr. Walter Garstang’s poetical presentations. German literature should be examined; a very useful effort is Anleitung zur Studium des Vogelstimmen, by Dr. Alwin Voigt of Leipsig (1892), which uses a system of dots and lines something like what Professor Rowan described in his paper in British Birds, June, 1924. A chapter in Warde Fowler’s Summer Studies of Birds and Books, “ On the Songs of Birds,” is well worth notice. The faculty of perceiving and analyzing bird-song grows unconsciously with practice and familiarity, and, like many matters of perception in nature, differs according to practice. vot. xx.] SOME NOTES ON BIRD-SONG. 63 The Redstart (Phenicurus p. phenicurus) might seem to the beginner to have no song, but its little ‘‘ hee-chit-chit ” is a charming one, and I miss it badly in Huntingdonshire. John Burroughs wrote, ‘The ear hears best and easiest what it has heard before. Properly to apprehend and appreciate bird-songs, especially to disentangle them from the confused murmur of nature, requires more or less familiarity with them.” Personally, I find Burroughs’s remarks specially illuminating and helpful, about bird-singing in general and about individual birds. The circumstances and surroundings make a difference in the judgment of song. Varying condi- tions of resonance in particular affect it. It would seem also that resonance affects the quality of the song of birds them- selves. Burroughs said, “ Birds like a good auditorium, where their voices have room, and their songs reverberate.” This seems the likeliest explanation of the unfinished quality of the song of the Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) and the Yellow- hammer (Emberiza c. citrinella) on the fen side of Hunting- donshire. One cannot help being conscious of the absurdity of efforts to represent songs by words, and yet sometimes they may help to give an idea to someone else. The Song-Thrush (ITurdus ph. clarkei) is easy, no doubt. John Burroughs gave, ‘’ Kiss her, kiss her, do it, do it; stick her to it, stick her to it, that was neat, that was neat, that will do.” C. Oldham, in the Practical Handbook, quotes for the Chaffinch, “In another month will come a Wheatear.”’ Other instances will occur in these notes. The more experience one has, the more is one aware of the amount of small song, sotto voce singing, that goes on with many species. Gene Stratton Porter noted this of American birds, “ Almost all birds sing whisper songs that must be for their own pleasure.” She adds that this is much more common than is supposed (Homing with the Birds). All observers are, no doubt, aware of it in the case of the Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia c. curruca). Those characteristic high-flown clattering notes that mark its song are preceded by little warblings, of which one is hardly conscious unless one is a still listener close at hand. Many are quick to recognize from afar the “ twee, twee, twee,” of the Tree-Pipit (Anthus t. trivialis) as it drops to the tree, but it has plenty of smaller song when heard close at hand. In the same way, the Common Whitethroat (Sylvia c. communis) is a much better warbler than its ordinary hurried hedge-row song would indicate. I have heard this bird at the end of June singing a tiny song from which it would 64 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XX. be hard to tell what bird was singing. The Blackcap (Sylvia a. atricapilla) indulges in all kinds of phrases, sometimes tiny chucklings and bubblings, before it flings out that loud, bright “ hee-ti-weeto-weeto ” at the finish ; a Goldcrest’s (Regulus 1. anglorum) ordinary little song is very definite, but I have several times heard it make little tiny warblings which are quite unrelated to that song. A Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus c. collybita) does the same thing, and I do not agree with Stanley Morris as to its being a sign of going off its song. One hears it on its first arrival in early spring. On April 26th, rg2z, I watched two males challenging each other and indulging in such phrases a good deal. I once heard a Mistle-Thrush (Turdus v. viscivorus) sing little Blackbirdy bits in between spurts of its usual loud song. Many, no doubt, have noticed the small song of a Song-Thrush sitting in a hedge in late autumn, but a charming experience is to hear a Redwing do the same. Blackbirds (Turdus m. merula) sing small, not infrequently, in such a way that one could not tell what the bird was without seeing it. Ihave heard it do so in December, January andin March. In the latter case the bird was court- ing; walking about under a thorn-tree with trailing tail and lowered head, the hen bird sitting stolidly in the tree. One might think a Wren (Tvoglodytes t. troglodytes) could not sing quietly, but once, on July 18th, I heard one sing a contin- uous little song like a Hedge-Sparrow’s (Prunella m. occiden- talis) with just a touch of Wren occasionally. One of the most beautiful of these small songs is that of the Dipper (Cinclus c. gularis), not uttered on the wing, but quietly from its perch by the water in late autumn. A curious thing in bird-song is when birds which are not genuine night-singers burst into song in bright moonlight. I have heard the Blackbird sing thus at 3.15 a.m. in February, and in the early morning of September 26th. The Wood- Pigeon (Columba p. palumbus) often breaks out into his “ You fool, you fool, you poor fool, you!” in the spring months, whether it is rz p.m. or two o’clock in the morning. The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain records the Song-Thrush singing by moon- light, and E. R. Hendy the Wren. I have heard a Hedge-Sparrow in July at 10 p.m., and also while still dark between 3 and 4 in the morning. Once on April 3rd, at 10 p.m., a Hedge-Sparrow broke out into loud song when the pitchy darkness was suddenly illuminated by the lights of a motor. I have heard a Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris) sing under the eaves on October 3rd at I0 p.m., and a Starling in October, vot. xx.] SOME NOTES ON BIRD-SONG. 65 at 9.45 p.m. on a dark night, sang away hard with its ordinary typical calls and clicks. : Bright moonlight also seems to act as a stimulant to birds with less mimical powers, for the Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) will call under this condition and Snipe will drum for hours. One hardly expects any other sound from the Jay (Garrulus g. rufitergum) than its rasping, far-sounding exclamation, though it has a reputation as an imitator, but one N ovember afternoon, towards evening, I heard one utter a not unmusical “clink, clink, clink.” In the case of the Starling I noticed a considerable general difference in the every-day imitations between Yorkshire and Berkshire birds. In the former case, Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), Curlews (Numenius a. arquata) and such birds of the open country and moors were the source, and in Berkshire, Owls and wood birds more. Among less usual imitations I have recorded the Guinea-Fowl and Black-headed Gull (Larus rv. vidibundus). Is it pure fancy to suppose that in winter one may hear the imitation of songs heard out of England ? Mass singing is an interesting question. There must be few who have not noticed this feature with regard to Starlings. A whole flock bubbles with song, waves of sound increasing in intensity, and then perhaps ceasing abruptly to start again in a few minutes. The Redwings do this too, as I shall describe below. Linnets do it also, as well as Sparrows. In this case Tree-Sparrows (Passer m. montanus) are often the chief musicians I believe, but House-Sparrows (P. d. domesticus) also join. This does not refer to the excited chattering of a Sparrow “rag,” but is a musical performance as in the case of the Starlings, and is performed not by one treeful of birds, but a whole orchard full. I found a generic difference between Yorkshire and Berk- shire Chaffinches which was hard to analyze, but I was inclined to think that the influence of Yellowhammers and other such birds, such as were absent or uncommon in Craven, Save more of a burr to the Berkshire birds. It affected the early part of the song. Now in Huntingdon, the Chaffinches, one and all, end the song badly. Dr. Walter Garstang’s description of the song is good: “some plain notes, some trilled notes, a final bravado, ‘ Tell, Tell, Tell, cherry-erry- erry, Tissy-choo-éo,’”’ Many will remember Warde Fowler’s comparison to the action of a bowler at cricket: two or three long strides, then some tripping steps, and a heave-over at the finish. Now this “ final bravado,” or ‘“ Wheatear” or 66 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. Xx. ‘“ British Museum”’ is quite missing in Huntingdon Chaffinches, on the fen side at any rate. In other localities, individual birds will occasionally drop it even when in fullsong. I once listened in the Christ Church walks to two Chaffinches singing one against the other. One suddenly dropped the ending, and the other did the same. There was one bird there which constantly sang “bravado” twice over. Seemingly, the weakness of the Huntingdon song must be due to the lack of numbers and of resonance. A local observer has told me of his astonishment when he first heard the fuller song elsewhere. The ending is evidently the triumph of the song. Listen to a Chaffinch practising in spring, and you will find, until he gets the balance of the first part well, he breaks down before the finish. He trips or stammers as it were. The first notes must be strongly hammered out. The imperfect song of the early weeks is, of course, well known, but the song also becomes imperfect at the end of the season of song, if not at the end of periods. My Oxford notes show that July tith was about the usual date for the end of Chaffinch singing. With regard to autumn singing, I published a note in British Birds, Vol. XVI. (February, 1923) (p. 251), of a bird that con- tinued, in bitsat any rate, almost every day till October, the fall of the leaf. Later records are scarce, though I have heard it in November, and once on December 8th. On February 4th, rgo1, I recorded a Chaffinch sing its song, though imperfectly, seventeen times in a minute! I fancy there is a waning of Chaffinch song in the last week of April and the first of May. It is the staccato nature of the Reed-Bunting’s song (Emberiza s. scheniclus) that strikes me : “ chip, chip, chooce ” seemed the typical form along the banks of the Pang in Berkshire. Its song begins in mid-February and lasts till nearly the end of July. The Yellowhammer also begins in February and sings late in August. Its song not only varies at the start, but the finish is sometimes up, and sometimes down. The Fen-country Yellowhammers end weakly, and the ‘“‘no cheese” is difficult to recognize. I regard the Pied Wagtail’s (Motacilla a. yarrellit) song as infrequent. One hears it occasionally in February and March. Is it the advertisement of the male bird? At the same time, I have records for the middle of June. On August 14th one sang excitedly because a cat was stalking its young. Once, on April zgth, I had a view of a beautiful courting scene. The cock approached from ten feet or so away, bobbing his head straight up and down, with body flattened out. Then, when he got near, he danced round with wings curved and VoL. xx.] SOME NOTES ON BIRID-SONG. 67 expanded, and his tail also expanded and drooping, and sing- ing all the time. The hen with tail raised and head lowered stood snapping her bill. I have only two records of the song of the Grey Wagtail (Motacilla c. cinerea), both in October. One was an astonish- ing performance. The bird was on the top of a young lime tree by the barges at Oxford, and it sang a considerable song “seep, seep, seep,’’ followed by “ chewit, chewee,” with very sweet notes, rather like a Linnet. The song of the Tree-Creeper has escaped the notice of some ornithologists. Its delicate quality accounts for Warde Fowler not knowing it well. Good hearing is a great blessing for the enjoyment of bird-life. He wrote in rgrg, ina letter, “I regret to say the songs have been rapidly disappearing from my ears for some time past. I did, however, get near enough to most of the summer birds to hear them once and again this year ; but it is most provoking to see the Sky-Lark, Tree-Pipit, etc., singing away joyously, and to hear nothing at all.’ Seebohm says, “ The song of the Creeper is only rarely heard, usually in March and April,” whereas the song may be heard in any month of the year, though infrequently in November and December. I heard one singing strongly, many times, on December 27th, 1925. Its full song generally begins in the second or third week of January, and I can recognize no real break, unless perhaps in early April, right away to mid-June. After that it is not infrequent, but not periodic. However, in 1g2I, I noted it daily from August gth to September 7th. My notes generally give “imperfect” in October. This is a typical bird of the Christ Church walks. I heard one sing once on the wing, as it pursued another. The song is very definite, as definite as a Chaffinch’s, but is of very slight quality, tinier perhaps than the “ fine, thread-like song ’’ of the Goldcrest. Naumann’s description is simple but helpful perhaps, “‘ to-ti- tirroiti.”’ A notable woodland sound is the ordinary “ twit-wit ” of the Nuthatch. Its “song” has various degrees. There is the beautiful long-drawn “ twee,’”’ one of the most charming sounds of spring, fuller and sweeter than a Song-Thrush ; then there is this “ twee ” repeated several times, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, and finally there is the rapid “trill,” as it has been called. These notes may be heard from January to June, most persistently in May and June, otherwise occasionally. But these sounds come in again in autumn, from September. In ror4, for instance, I heard them many times 68 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. in that month. They occur even in December, on Christmas Day for instance, and even the “trill”? I have heard on December 5th. Though the Great Titmouse (Parus m. newton) and Blue Titmouse (Parus c. obscurus) are in full song only till the end of May, I have many instances of their song in later months, often for two or three days together, in every month, August perhaps the rarest: ¢.g., Great Tit, June 18th, roth and 21st in 1921 ; Blue Tit, September 6th, 8th and 9th in 1915. The Blue Tit’s song varies considerably, though the commonest phrasings are “ tit-tit-tittee,” or, to use absurd words, “tipsy geegee”” ; sometimes it is all on one note. I have frequently noticed intense or ecstatic singing of the Blue Tit. Dates for this are April 30th, May 2nd. On one occasion the bird sang thirteen times in one minute, twelve in the next. Sometimes the ‘‘ tee-tee-tittee ’’ ends with a sort of trill. The Great Tit is always apt to surprise us with some strange notes, especially in spring and autumn. The Coal-Tit (Parus a. britannicus) is of course heard in spring, but I am struck with the constant entries for July in my Oxford notes. It has two forms of dissyllabic song, which quite distinguish it from the Marsh-Tit (Parus p. dresser). It begins perhaps with an iambus, “ chichee, chichee,” and then swings over to a trochee, “ weecho, weecho.” The Marsh-Tit is not always easy to distinguish from the last by voice alone. Its ways and character are different, and on the whole its notes are more musical and sweeter. A phrase which I write “‘ chichi-jooee ” is unmistakeable, and another attempt to describe its song is ‘‘ p-chip, p-chip, p-chip.” Some people say the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata) sings, but it is hard to persuade oneself of it. I have one note at any rate of hearing it render a lilting version of its ordinary “‘ zee-chit-chit,’’ which is so noticeable when the young are about in June and July, and I wrote it down then as “‘ zeet-zeet-zeet-zeet-chick-chick.”’ . Taking the Garden-Warbler (Sylvia borin), Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat, I think I can trace two periods of song. The first lasts to the end of the first week in June, though the Garden- Warbler is naturally a bit later than the other two, say roughly a week, My Oxford notes seem to show a period of Garden-Warbler from May i1oth to June 22nd. In the same year a Blackcap began his second period from June 21st _ to July 16th. Warblers are more evasive than other birds, and _ no doubt limits of periods differ according to the nature of the summer conditions. This applies to the Lesser Whitethroat —————_ vot. xx.] SOME NOTES ON BIRD-SONG. 69 more than to the other two. The July singing is always more chancy than the early period. I used to reckon at Bradfield that many Blackcaps had a very regular song, tending to a form stereotyped like a Chaffinch’s but, of course, Warblers have a wider capacity for song than Finches. The queer, stammering song of the Wood-Warbler (Phyllos- copus s. sibilatrix) was very familiar at Giggleswick, being heard very continuously in some trees close to the classrooms. On the other hand, at Oxford and at Bluntisham my experl- ence is the same : I hear it just one day in the year, evidently en passant. Oxford dates were April 2oth, 30th, May 3rd, 5th ; Bluntisham, May 3rd, 15th. The Redwing no doubt is never heard in full song in England. The best performance I have heard was in an alder brake at Bradfield on February 18th, 1904. It was an astonishing song, hardly like a Thrush’s, but had distinct phrases as of a Linnet or Warbler. I find I wrote the same description on November 13th, 1913, when I listened to a Redwing singing close to me in a thick thorn hedge. If I had not seen the bird I might have thought it was a Warbler. The chorus- singing of Redwings is remarkable. In the Christ Church Walks it would begin early in the year, and increase in intensity and excitement as spring advanced. One could pick out phrases here and there, harsh “‘ chats” like a Field- fare’s (Turdus pilaris) and hurried cadences of “ chee, chooi, chooi ’’ being the most characteristic. A Wren sang its song seven or eight times over without a break on June r4th, IQI2. The “ jarring ’’ of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker certainly seems to take the place of song. It can be noticed in February, March, April and May, and again sometimes in September, October and November, the latter being the most likely of the three. In 1920 I heard it every day from April 28th to May 11th. In June one hears the noisy “ wicky, wicky, wicky”’ of the young in the nest. The bird’s ordinary cry, “ keek, keek, keek,” which may frequently be heard, is uttered slowly when the bird is courting ; perhaps as it indulges its beautiful parachute flight, which is so unlike its usual dipping style. The rather similar cry of the Wryneck (Jynx t. torquilla) is more ventriloquial, and harder to locate. _The noisy, laughing cry of the Green Woodpecker (Picus v. virescens) is most noticeable in January and February, though it continues during the spring months. The country people consider it a sign of rain. It is to be heard also in the later months of the year from September to December. 70 BRITISH BIRDS. [vou. xx, Besides its excited call of “ chick chack,” the Common Snipe (Capella g. gallinago) utters on the ground a repeated “chuckee, chuckee, chuckee.” I heard it drumming well on August roth, 1922, over Bury Fen. On April 2nd, 1g2r, I was watching a Snipe which uttered ‘‘ chick chack ” at the same time as it “ drummed.” It was long before I learnt that the mysterious “ pluck, pluck, pluck,” which one hears overhead at night in early summer was the voice of the Moor-Hen (Gallinula c. chloropus) indulging in flight. My dates for it are May roth, 12th, 13th, r7th, and June 25th, 27th. coal) THE DURATION OF LIFE IN BIRDS. Major S. S. Flower has recently made a valuable contribu- tion to this subject, and his paper* has considerable interest to ornithologists, although his evidence, like that of previous writers, is based on birds living in captivity or in semi- domestication. During his twenty-six years at the Giza Zoological Gardens, Major Flower evidently kept most careful records, and the result is that he has been able to make notes on no less than 8,145 individual birds, which are summarized in two valuable tables. A further table is given of comparative ages based on all acceptable available evidence, and this shows that ““ 609 different species can live for over ten years, 137 species for over twenty years, and 41 species for over thirty years.” In addition to the tables, details are given under species headings arranged in systematic order and these form the main part of the paper. Answering the six questions put by the late J. H. Gurney in his well-known paper on the subject (Zbis, 1899, pp. 19-42), Major Flower comes to the following conclusions :—That we do not yet know whether birds of some families live longer than those of others, we only know that some live better than others in captivity ; that we do not know whether females live longer than males; that the evidence does not suggest that birds which are long in incubation live longer than others ; that as a general rule large birds live longer than small ones ; that in general birds live longer than mammals : that the evidence does not suggest that birds laying one egg live longer than those laying ten. A more pertinent question than the last would be, we think, whether birds rearing less young in a season live longer than those rearing more young, and this indeed must be so on the average. A further question of interest would be whether birds which take a longer time to reach maturity (i.e. a breeding age and not necessarily maturity in plumage) live longer than those which take a shorter time. As to the greatest age to which individual birds have lived, this depends to a large extent upon what evidence we accept as really reliable. Major Flower, in his detailed notes under species, has been, no doubt rightly, severe in excluding favourite and often repeated stories, which are not supported *Contributions to our Knowledge of the Duration of Life in Vertebrate Animals.—IV. Birds. By Major S. S. Flower, GOB.E., F.L.S., FZS; Reprinted from Proc. Zool, Soc., Part 4, 1925, PP- 1365-1422. 72 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. by incontrovertible evidence. The longest lived individual bird which he admits definitely is an Eagle-Owl of 68 years. Whether ringing will ever give us reliable facts on average age or longevity in wild birds is a matter of doubt, since the individuals which escape accident and those which die and are not found or not reported are surely of greater importance in this respect than the small proportion which comes to hand. Moreover, in the case of longevity, there is always the possibility of the ring or the inscription on the ring wearing out in the lifetime of the bird. Nevertheless, it may be of some interest to give here ages of nine years or over which have been reached by wild birds ringed under the British Birds scheme. To these I have added some records derived from other marking schemes, which have been very kindly supplied to me by Dr. A. Landsborough Thomson, who warns me, however, that they are by no means exhaustive. A comparison of these with Major Flower’s notes on the same species in captivity is given. Most of these birds were ringed as nestlings, and the period during which they have worn the ring is thus practically the same as their age, but in some cases the birds were ringed as adults and this is not always indicated in foreign records. In the British Birds records there is only one such case, which is noted under Lapwing. Sonc-TuHRusH (Turdus philomelus)—Ringed, 8 years 10 months (Thomson, [bis, 1921, p. 508). Captivity, certainly 12 or 13 years, probably 15 or 17 (Flower). BLACKBIRD (Turdus mevula).—Ringed, about Io years (had been dead some time when found) (Brit. Birds., XVIII., p. 187). Captivity, 7 to 11} years and possibly over 20 (Flower). SwaLLow (Hirundo rustica).—Ringed, 9 years (Thomson, Problems of Bird Migration, p. 156). Captivity, one said 9 years (Flower). Common Buzzarp (Buteo buteo).—Ringed, 15 years 5 months (Thiene- mann, Journ. f. Orn., 1926). Captivity, 25 years (Flower). Wuite Stork (Ciconia ciconia).—Ringed, four 9 years, one Io years, one 11 years (cf. Thomson, Problems of Bird-Migration, p. 166). Captivity at Giza, average of twenty individuals 17 years, maxi- mum 24 years (Flower). Guossy Ipis (Plegadis falcinellus)—Ringed, 9 years 1m months (Schenk, Aquila, 1924). Common Heron (Ardea cinerea).—Ringed, 153 years (Brit. Birds, XIX., p. 276); 8 years 1o months (Saxtorph, Dansk Orn. For. Tidsskrift, 1922). Captivity, 20}, 21 and 22 years (Flower). PurrLe Heron (A. purpurvea).—Ringed, 13 years (Schenk, Aquila, 1924). Captivity, 23 years 10 months (Flower). MaLvarp (Anas platyrhyncha).—Ringed, 10 years 4 months (Thomson, Brit. Birds, XVI1., p. 265). Captivity, twenty individuals of Mallard, Pintail and Wigeon averaged 21 years 5 months (Flower). Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).—Ringed, 10} years (Brit. Birds, XVII., p. 240). Captivity, 23 years, 123, 124 years (Flower). VoL. xx.] DURATION OF LIFE IN BIRDS. 73 LaPpwine (Vanellus vanellus)—Ringed, 11 years 8 months (Thomson, ' Brit. Birds, XVIIL., p. 60), 114 and g} years ringed as nestlings, | 9 years ringed as adult (Brit. Birds, XIX., p. 17; XVI., p. 17, and XVIII., p. 190). Captivity, 13 years 7 months, average of seven, 5 years 8 months (Flower). BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus).—Ringed, 123%, 10}, 93, ot years (Brit. Birds, XVII., p.81; XV.,p. 112; XVI.,p.304). Over 12 years, about 12 years, about 9 years (Thienemann, Journ. f. Omrn., 1923, 1924, 1926). Captivity, 21 years 5 months in London ; about 17 years in Frankfort ; at Giza eleven individuals were all living 11 years after being received (Flower). Common Gui (L. canus),—Ringed, 11 years, Io years 5 months (Thienemann, Journ. j. Orn., 1923). Captivity, 15 years r1omonths (Flower). HERRING-GULL (L. aygentatus).—Ringed, 13, 13 and 9 years (Thiene- mann, Journ. f. Orn., 1924, and van Oort, Ardea, 1923). Cap- tivity, Io years 8 months, 11 years 7 months, and cases of 21 and 44 years (Flower). LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (L. fuscus).—Ringed, 8} years (Brit. Birds, XIV., p. 131); 9 years 4 months (Thienemann, Journ. f/. Orn., 1923). Captivity, 25 years 5 months, 20 years 10 months, 18} and 17 years, and cases of 30 to 31 years (Flower). Coot (Fulica atva).—Ringed, 9 years 2 months (Thienemann, Journ. f. Orn., 1924). Captivity, 13 years 4 months (Flower). H. BF. WITHERBY. TWO PAIRS OF WOOD-WARBLERS NESTING CLOSE TOGETHER. Own May 30th, 1926, I watched a Wood-Warbler (Phylloscopus S. sibilatrix) on to its nest in a wooded valley near Plymouth. On going to the nest she fluttered out, and when I stooped to examine it a second bird flew out from a second nest a few inches below the first. The entrances faced slightly different ways, but the distance between them was easily spanned with my pencil. Each bird was sitting on six eggs; both nests and eggs were typical, and I afterwards watched both birds back on to their nests again and heard their mates singing. The species is very plentiful in this particular valley, so that territories are very limited in the more congested areas (there are long stretches, especially on the higher ground, quite unoccupied) ; but I think fifty yards is the shortest distance I have previously noted between two nests. There are, however, nests of a Wood-Warbler and a Willow-Warbler (Ph. t. trochilus) only six yards apart under the same gorse bush, and two years ago they were only three yards apart. A. H. MACHELL Cox. NESTING OF MARSH-WARBLER IN KENT. In the Practical Handbook (1920), the authors’ remark on the Marsh-Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) is ‘‘ Apparently scarce and local, but distribution still not well known.” It seems to me that so few people recognize the bird when they see it, hence it is overlooked. In fact, I doubt if anyone could identify it for certainty by sight only. But there are at least three ways ot being sure of the species : the song, the nest, and nine times out of ten the eggs. In 1907 I heard the bird near Maidstone, but had no time to stay in the locality to make sure. but this year I have seen, heard, and a friend found the nest containing five fresh eggs in the Medway Valley on June roth, 19206. The nest was as usual “ slung ’’; this nest on four stems of this year’s growth of the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) with the typical ‘‘ basket handles.” There was the usual meadow- sweet (Spirea ulmania) growing close by and in a_ withy bed near a river. As regards the meadow-sweet, I have only once found a nest of a Marsh-Warbler without this flower growing close by. VOU, xs, | NOTES. 75 The song of this bird is quite distinct from any other British warbler, but in addition the bird’s power of mimicry makes identification much easier. On one occasion I heard one in Gloucestershire mimic a Song-Thrush, Green Woodpecker and Common Partridge one after the other and then break into its own melodious notes. The shape and materials of the nest and the method of attaching it to stems and being supported by “ basket handles ” are, I believe, unique for a British warbler ; it is quite distinct from a Reed-Warbler’s (A. scirpaceus) nest. No one, in my opinion, could confuse the eggs with those of any other British species. The previous records for Kent are as follows :— Mr. Collingwood Ingram, June 24th, 1905, locality not stated. Mr. Percy F. Bunyard, Birchington, June 22nd, 1go09, nest and five eggs. Mr. C. J. Alexander saw and heard the bird on June 11th, 1909, near Godmersham Hill, Stour Valley. I believe the bird to be much less scarce then supposed in Kent, but it is usually overlooked. JAMES R. HALE. STATUS OF THE GARDEN-WARBLER IN PEMBROKESHIRE. THE editorial note in British Birds (Vol. XIX., p. 314) that eggs of the Garden-Warbler taken near Pembroke in 1907 appear to be the only evidence of the nesting of this species in the county is somewhat surprising. Much depends upon the meaning attached to the word ‘‘evidence.” As long ago as 1866, Thomas Dix recorded the Garden-Warbler as being about as numerous as the Blackcap in the north-eastern portion of Pembrokeshire (Zoologist, 1866, p. 134). It is true that M. A. Mathew, in his extremely untrustworthy book The Birds of Pembrokeshire (1894), stated that this bird “ seems to avoid our county’; but he was haunted by an absurd theory that the Precelly hills formed an insurmountable barrier for certain species of migrants. “It occurs only rarely in the north-east part of the county ; the Precelly Mountains shut it off from visiting the central and southern districts, where it is never seen,’ he wrote. Nowadays, at any rate, Garden-Warblers, though sparsely distributed, cannot be called very rare nesters in other parts of Pembrokeshire besides the north-east corner. Mr. Charles Oldham and I have watched them and heard them singing 76 BRITISH BIRDS. (vou. Kx. near Fishguard in June, 1921, and 1926; near Newport (several) in June, 1926; near Maenclochog in June, 1926 ; and near Letterston in mid-July, 1925. BERTRAM LLoyp. [We referred to published evidence of the actual finding of the nest.—EDs. | LARGE CLUTCH OF EGGS OF GREEN WOODPECKER On May 8th, when walking through a hornbeam and oak wood near Savarsin (late Soborsin), Roumania, I flushed a Green Woodpecker (Picus v. virescens) from a hole about 15 feet from the ground, in a dead hornbeam tree. Beneath the hole were the usual chips in great profusion. On digging out the hole I discovered the nest-hollow contained nine eggs ! These were all slightly incubated and quite normal except that they are rather smaller than two British-taken sets I have compared them with. One of the old birds at once returned to the nest-hole entrance after my descent from the tree. It was at once vigorously assailed by a pair of Collared Flycatchers (Muscicapa albicollis) and driven away. Time and again this happened until the Woodpecker apparently gave up the contest and I took my departure. The sequel to this curious episode is that the Flycatchers at once built a nest in the bottom of the Woodpecker’s hole. On May 18th the nest appeared to be complete but contained no eggs. On May 27th the Collared Flycatcher was sitting on three incubated eggs. NoteE.—First layings of Collared Flycatchers were invariably found to consist of six eggs, while second were imvaniably threes or fours. This species suffered very severely from dormice, which repeatedly turned them out of their nests and took them into occupation. W. M. CONGREVE. [As to Green Woodpecker I have five records of clutches of eight from England, but none of nine. Dresser (Eggs of Birds of Europe) says that occasionally it lays “ even nine,’ but I do not know what his authority is for saying this. Of course, up to twenty-nine eggs have been taken from one hen by removing the eggs one at a time, but this is not a clutch.— F.C.R.J.] EARLY NESTING OF LESSER SPOTTED WOOD- PECKER. My friend, Canon E. Lorimer Thomas, informs me that he heard the notes of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates VOR. xx.] NOTES. 77 minor comminutus), and shortly afterwards found its new nesting-hole, in mid-April, 1926, in north-west Denbighshire. The female was flushed from the nest-hole on May roth. The unmistakable notes of young birds were then heard from inside the hole. The Practical Handbook mentions the extremely early date of May gth as a record for early young. It would be in- teresting to know if this latter record emanated from a district as far north as North Wales ? W. M. CONGREVE. (The record in question is from Essex.—F.C.R.]J.] NINE EGGS OF SPARROW-HAWK IN SAME NEST. IN a somewhat extensive planting some miles from Strandtown, Belfast, I found a nest of a Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter n. nisus), which, on June 4th, 1926, contained nine eggs. The nest was still empty on May 8th, though quite ready to be laid in. On the 15th, I flushed the hen off five eggs. It seemed strange to me at the time that she should have “‘ignored’”’ the customary one-day interval between layings. On returning, almost a fortnight later, my astonish- ment was considerable on seeing nine eggs in the nest. Two eggs were particularly boldly marked, the remainder being less striking in appearance. They were all warm. The nest is large and is this season’s. It is situated in a fir, about 30 feet from the ground, in a lonely spot in the woods. Subsequently, on June 14th, I saw two females at the nest of still unhatched eggs. NORMAN GREEVES. [This is evidently a case of two females laying in the same nest. When the Practical Handbook was written, no clutch of nine eggs of this species had been recorded, but since then an instance of ten has been noted, vide Vol. ALA..; p. 180.—EDs. ] LARGE CLUTCH OF EGGS OF BLACK KITE. On April 24th, 1926, in a large wood near Timisoara (late Temesvar), Roumania, I saw a Black Kite (Milvus m. migrans) sitting on its nest, about 50 feet from the ground, ina solitary oak tree standing in a somewhat isolated position in a portion of the wood which had been cleared of timber. My companion, young D. Lintia, climbed to the nest and, to my amazement, called out that there were five eggs in it. These he duly brought down and handed to me. The eggs were quite normal in size and of the fine spotted type. They were rather dirty, and the dirt on them syn- chronised to a certain extent with the variable incubation. 78 BRITISH BIRDS. - [VoL. xx. The last egg laid was absolutely clean, slightly longer and of less diameter and not so heavily pigmented as the other four —these latter being extremely even in appearance. Incuba- tion was variable from formed embryo to quite fresh. There were various other pairs of Black Kites breeding in this wood and there was no lack of sites, but no other nests close at hand. The nest was of the usual rag-lined type. The majority of the other pairs had not yet laid. I think there is not the slightest doubt the five eggs were laid by the same bird. On May 22nd, in the same wood, I climbed to another Black Kite’s nest which the bird was very reluctant to leave. This nest contained two young of different ages, a third youngster nearly out of its shell and a fourth egg! This latter, I imagined, might be unfertile so I chipped it, only to find it contained a vigorous youngster. This is clear proof of a “‘four”’ clutch. Three other nests examined by me on this date contained two or three eggs or young in each case. W. M. CONGREVE. [The only evidence of a clutch of five eggs in the case of the Black Kite which I have ever come across is in a paper by H. Goebel in the Journal fur Ornithologie, 1873, pp. 128-133, on the Birds of the Uman district, South Russia. He gives without comment the measurements and weights of a clutch of five eggs taken on May 8th, 1872. Clutches of four are rare in this species, and besides this record I only know of definite cases from E. Roumania in 1911 (Messrs. Ratcliff and Mackenzie Murray), from Tunisia in the Museum Koenig at Bonn, and three or four records from Germany and S. Russia. Dr. Rey had four fours also in his collection. Out of all the many nests examined in Spain I never met with more than three, and the great majority contained only two, so it is evident that Spanish birds are less prolific than East and Central European.—F.C.R.]J.] PROLONGED INCUBATION BY LAPWING. On April 24th, 1926, I found a nest of the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) at Wernfadog, Glamorganshire. It contained four eggs. Some little time later it contained three eggs only, and these still remain in the nest and the bird continues to sit upon them, and they were quite warm when I visited the nest on June 3rd. I have seen the eggs practically once a week since April 24th. W. J. Percy PLAYER. {In all such cases of prolonged incubation the eggs are, of course, infertile. Instances are fairly frequent, but have seldom been recorded with actual dates ; cf. Vol. [X., p. 94.—Eps.] VOL. XX. | NOTES. 79 REDSHANK AND LAPWING LAYING IN SAME NEST. THE nest of a Redshank (Tringa t. totanus) was found in Cumberland on June 26th, 1926, containing three Redshank’s eggs and four Lapwing’s (Vanellus vanellus). BR. H. BRown. EGG DEPOSITION BY THE CUCKOo.—Mr. W. B. L. Barrington (Lveld, 1. vii. 26, p. 31) gives an interesting account of the deposition of a Cuckoo’s egg in a nest of the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellii), at Windsor Forest, on June 8th, 1920. At 7.30 p.m. (summer time) a Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) alighted on a holly bush about 5 ft. from where the observer was standing at a window. She was evidently greatly excited, with head-feathers erect and beak slightly open, and presently plunged into a jasmine growing on the side of the house. She scuffled about for a minute or so, but ultimately squeezed herself on to a nest built on a ledge 24 in. wide and 2 {t. below the window, but 3 {t. to one side of it. She remained on the nest for about 1} minutes and was in the jasmine about 2} minutes. When she flew out Mr. Barrington was unable to see whether she carried an egg or not. The Wagtail, which was feeding below, took no notice of the episode, but a Blackbird which was nesting close by was much interested and peered into the nest after the Cuckoo had left. On examination next morning a Cuckoo’s egg and a Pied Wagtail’s ege were found in the nest, which was supported by three stiffish stems behind which the Cuckoo managed to squeeze herself. Another communication from Mr. D. McNab, a keeper at Glenfulloch, Dumbartonshire, describes the movements of a Cuckoo when depositing her egg in a Meadow-Pipit’s nest, but in this case the observations were made with a telescope about 100 yds. away, and it is difficult to understand how the acts of deposition and removal of eggs could have been witnessed in a Pipit’s nest in a tuft of grass at such a distance. WHITE NESTLING SNIPE IN LANCASHIRE.—Mr. Richard E. Knowles informs us that, on May 22nd, 1926, he and Dr. M. S. Wood found on a bog in north Lancashire a nestling Common Snipe (Capella g. gallinago) that was perfectly white, with black eyes, yellow legs, and a yellow bill slightly shaded with brown. It was apparently three or four days old. They were informed by a keeper that he had seen a second nestling belonging to the same brood that was exactly similar except for a brown spot on the head, The nestling was ringed, so that it will be interesting to see what kind of plumage it develops, should it later on be reported. THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. To the Editors of BritisH Brrps. Sirs,—I shall be obliged if you will give publicity in your columns to the fact that I have accepted from the Essex Field Club an invitation to prepare an up-to-date account of the Birds of Essex, in the hope that the collection of further information may be facilitated. I shall be grateful for information of any kind which may shed light on the subject. Records of all natures, whether of rare or common species, will be welcomed. Particulars of collections of either birds or eggs, which have been formed in the County, will be valued, likewise notes on the movements of birds, which might serve to advance the study of migration in the County. All communications should be sent to me at the address below. WILLIAM E. GLEGG. THe House, ALBION BREWERY, WHITECHAPEL Rp., E.1, 1st July, 1926. A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SOUTH WALES. To the Editors of BRiTISH BIRDS. Sirs,—Capt. H. A. Gilbert of Hereford, Capt. H. Morrey Salmon, M.C., of Cardiff, and I, are collecting material for a list of the verte- brate fauna of South Wales and Monmouthshire, with a view to publication. Schedules have been prepared for the birds, and I should be pleased to send one to any of your readers who would be kind enough to help us by filling in upon it notes from any of the following counties :— Monmouthshire, Glamorgan, Breconshire, Radnorshire, Carmarthen- shire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrokeshire. Full acknowledgment of all such assistance would be made. GEOFFREY C. S. INGRAM. 22, WATERLOO RoaD, PENYLAN, CARDIFF, 29th June, 19206. USE eee es > PLU lve 20.) syRCHASEP To) WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. LE GERFAUT REVUE BELGE D’ORNITHOLOGIE (Fondée en 1911). Le seule publication scientifique belge traitant des oiseaux, spécialement des oiseaux de la Belgique. Abonnement Belgique 13 francs par an: autres pays 15 francs par an. Direction : Square Prince Charles 21, Bruxelles-Laeken (Belgique). STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. | ESTP: £7160, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS’ EGGS, CABINETS, etc. lso BOOKS relating to Natural History. Catalogues of sales posted on application, WHELDON & WESLEY, LTD. have in stock nearly all the books and journals required by ornithologists. The collection of old and rare works is one of the largest in the country. New books and journals supplied to order. Books not in stock sought for. Just issued: Zoological Catalogue, Part I, Vertebrata; Part II, Faunas. Bookbinding in all its branches undertaken. Libraries and parcels of books purchased. LONDON:—2, 3, & 4, Arthur St., NEW OXFORD STREET, W.C.1. Telephone :—Gerrard 1412. WATKINS & DONCASTER, NATURALISTS. CABINETS and APPARATUS of every kind for Collectors of Birds’ Eggs, Insects, &c. A LARGE STOCK OF BIRDS’ EGGS (also in Clutches) and BRITISH and EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, &c. NESTING BOXES OF VARIOUS PATTERNS, which should be fixed up in Gardens or Shrubberies by Lovers of Birds before the Breeding Season. All Books and Publications (new and second-hand) on Natural History supplied, 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2., ENGLAND. “‘LENDS NEW PLEASURE TO THE STUDY OF BRITISH BIRDS” BIRDS IN ENGLAND By E. M. NICHOLSON With wood engravings specially prepared by E, FITCH DAGLISH. 344 pages. Demy 8vo., 12s, 6d. net; postage 9d. Detailed prospectus sent on request. SOME PRESS OPINIONS. The Spectator: “Mr. Nicholson has written a book that lends a new pleasure to the study of British Birds. . . His case is put moderately, with wisdom, and with the backing of sound and thorough information. . . Mr. Daglish’s salient and original woodcuts add distinction to a book of distinction.” The Field : ‘‘ To our cordial recommendation of his book on its own merits we should like to add our assurance that Mr, Fitch Daglish’s wood engravings, original in design and execution, will materially add to the welcome the volume will receive from all its readers.” The Observer : “* Theexacter relations of English people past and present to English birds, with its influence on the nature and habits of the bird population, has never before been made a complete and single theme.” In your Bird Study rambles you will find Fungus Growths of intriguing beauty. Ordinary objects perhaps, but opening up a most fascinating study to all lovers of nature. A delightful account of Fungus life in its numerous guises, both real and legendary, is to be found in THE ROMANCE OF THE FUNGUS WORLD by R. T. and F. W. ROLFE. 326 pages, fully illustrated by line drawings and photographs of unusual charm. Demy 8vo, 12s. 6d. net; postage 9d. Prospectus on application. LONDON : CHAPMAN & HALL Ltp., 1] HENRIETTA Sr., W.C.2 ——— BRITISH ~ BIRDS ANIEUSTRATED:- MAGAZINE DEVOTED: CHIETLY:TOTHEBIRDS Ss ON THEBRTISH IST SEPTEMBER 1. 1926. ean MONTHLY-1s94. YEARLY-20:s, 326HIGH HOLBORNICNDON: HFéGWITHERBY. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DUCKS By JOHN C. PHILLIPS Assoctate Curator of Birds in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College In 4 Volumes with Plates in Colour and in Black and White From Drawings by FRANK W. BENSON, ALLAN BROOKS, LOUIS AGASSIZ FUERTES, HENRIK GRONVOLD anp S. KOBAYASHI VOLUME I.—Plectropterina, Dendrocygnine, Anatine (in part). With 27 Maps and 18 Plates, of which 9 are in Colours, 4to, £10 10s. net. VOLUME II.—The Genus Anas, With 38 Maps and 26 Plates (20 of which are in Colour), 4to, £10 10s. net. VOLUME Ui,—Anatine (coneluded) and Fuligulinse (in part), With 21 Plates in Colour and 5 in Black and White. 30 Maps. 4to, £10 10s. net. VOLUME IV.—Fuliguline (concluded), Oxyurine, Mergan- ettine, and Mergine. With 24 Plates in Colour and 8 in Black and White. 23 Outline Maps showing the Geographic Distribution. 4to, £10 10s. net, “Mr. J. C. Phillips is a well-known authority on this group of birds, and it would have been difficult perhaps to find a more competent ornithologist to carry out this great work."—The Field. LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO., LTD. 39, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON, E.C.4. A Naturalist’s Paradise. LUNDY ISLAND. Birds in their tens of thousands migrate to nest on the Island in April, May, June and July, and there is probably no other spot within the British Isles where so many species may be observed with such perfect ease and intimacy within easy distance of a comfortable Farm House Hotel. During this period the Island is visited from far and near by Bird-lovers. For Accommodation apply Manageress : MANOR HOUSE HOTEL, LUNDY, Telegrams : Hotel, Lundy-Island-Coast-Guard-Station (One word). Mail leaves Instow Wednesdays; post early Tuesday. TAXIDERMY BIRD and FISH mounting and SKINS for the Cabinet a Speciality. 40 years’ experience and in the field. Correspondence invited. E. C. SAUNDERS, 98, Arundel Road, Newtown, Gt. Yarmouth. Old Patrons please note change of address. TLSHPs faint DRITDSABIRDS ” WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST. MASED - EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C,.R) ‘JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.0.U., AND NoRMA »F TACEHURST, \B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. : 2! | x} “cy PUR : F. ConTENnts_OF NUMBER‘4,“VoL. XX., SEPTEMBER I, 1926. PAGE Notes on Alberta Waders Included in the British List. By William Rowan, M.Sc., F.Z.S., M.B.o.U. (Part III.) ng 82 A Study of the Robin by Means of Marked Birds. By ak. Burkitt. (Fifth Paper).... nhc ee Be aa a gi The Egg-Devouring Habit of the Cuckoo. By Geo. ER. Humphreys, M.B.0O.U. F ae Rais Pe Ae em 102 Notes :— New Breeding Records for Breconshire (Commander Alec T. Wilson) PP — ave oe os = see 104 Mud-Daubed Eggs of Jackdaw (J. Kirke Nash) eos he 104 Unusual Site of Goldfinch’s Nest (Major Stanley Pershouse) 105 The Nestling Bearded Tit (H. F. Witherby) rae Kee 105 Contest for Nesting Site between Spotted Flycatcher and Swallow (H. W. Robinson) ... tf Re rae a. 105 Early Breeding of the Grasshopper-Warbler in Sussex (Rev. B.C, R. Jourdain) ... “= os or sas ‘ie 106 Early Breeding of the Grasshopper-Warbler in Somerset (Stanley Lewis) ava ee me aes ae ne 106 Probable Alpine Accentors in Hampshire (Major Cecil Paddon) 107 Dipper in Surrey (P. F. Dagger and A. L. Mackie) ... rie 107 Golden Eagle and Marsh-Harrier in Ireland (W. J. Williams) 107 Tufted Duck Breeding in Wiltshire (S.. I. C, Tuner) ae 108 New Nesting Locality of Sandwich Tern in Cumberland (R. H. Brown)... Ree ar are ak oa oi 108 Young Sandwich Terns going to Ground in Hot Weather (H. W. Robinson) ~ Poe 108 ‘Short Notes :— Unlikely Records in Yorkshire—Carrion-Crow’s Nest with Eight Eggs. Erythristic Eggs of Sky-Lark. Little Owl in Lancashire. Osprey in Scotland in June ne ss 08 Review :— Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1924, including Migration. By Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintonl ~ .:. wire s III Letters : — Disappearance after Nesting of Pied Flycatcher (A. Astley). Nesting of the Marsh-Warbler (Major W. M. Congreve) ... 112 ( 82 ) NOTES ON ALBERTA WADERS INCLUDED IN THE BRITISH LIST.* BY WILLIAM ROWAN, M:sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Part III. TURNSTONE, BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER, SANDER- LING, KNOT AND DUNLIN. (Plate 4.) Arenaria interpres morinella, RUDDY TURNSTONE. Agout our race of the Turnstone there is little to say. It is almost a duplicate of the British bird and juveniles are quite Fig. 7. RUDDY TURNSTONE (Avenaria interpres morinella). Adult female. May. 5/6ths nat. size. (Copyright by W. Rowan.) indistinguishable. Adults in life strike one as being lighter and brighter than interpres. The average wing length of specimens in my collection is 147 mm. This is one of several birds that are so rare on migration in the southern parts of the Province that they must virtually *ERRATUM.—In Part II., antea p. 37, line 12, for ‘“‘is inherent’’ read “is not inherent.” British Birds, Vol. XX, Pl. 4. "d9qO}JOO ‘a|ewej yNpy “"NVINOG NYOIWMANY BA pee SE a ‘ounp ‘9]/ew 4[Npy “YAdIdGNVS Ss\WVYLYVE VOL. XX. | ALBERTA WADERS, 83 be considered accidentals. Yet to the north of us, in this case no further north than Lake Athabasca (Preble, N.4A. Fauna, No. 27, and MacDonald), they get extremely abundant on migration. The Turnstone is also rare in Saskatchewan, both in spring and autumn (once recorded in large numbers, Mitchell, Condor, 1925), but on Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba (May, 1920) I have seen it in scores. The Check-List does not commit itself to any opinion as to the migration routes of this species, while Cooke has practically nothing to say. It is quite possible, and perhaps quite likely, that some of the ducks. exhibiting the same peculiarity in migration reach the north of the Province by crossing the mountains and so leave a permanent vacuum to the south, but it is very unlikely that the Turnstone and such Passerine species as the Harris Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) should do so. In fact, the evidence points to a strong westward drift in the spring and an eastward one in the fall, so that Edmonton and the south of Alberta are missed altogether except by strays. Some years the Turnstone is fairly numerous, but its numbers appear to be subject to variation in all the prairie provinces. An alternative explanation is that the species travels north in very long stages. Lakes Winnipeg and Athabasca would both be likely stopping places. The species is one of the few that winters regularly in Hawaii (Henshaw, Awk, 1g10) and is therefore capable of very sustained effort. Bartranua longicauda, BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER (A.0.U. Check- List, Upland Plover). Bartram’s Sandpiper is one of our most interesting shore- birds. It is a Sandpiper that has imitated the Plovers in appearance and habits and has done it with profound success. At our lake it is, curiously enough, extremely rare, and we have but two records of it. This is probably due to three things. The bird breeds but sparsely in the northern sections of the Province (although its breeding-range extends to the Arctic in patches, for it is distinctly local) ; it is not a bird of the lakes, and its migration line appears to be somewhere to the west of us. Some years at least it gets plentiful on migration on Lake Athabasca (Preble). MacDonald found. it breeding abundantly, together with the Grey Plover, on the plateaux of the mountains to the west of the Carcajou River which drains into the lower Mackenzie. I had the opportunity of getting familiar with this bird on its breeding-grounds in the south of the Province during a short stay with Mr. T. E. Randall at Sullivan Lake in the 84 . BRITISH BIRDS.° [VOL. XX. spring of 1924 (Fig. 8). Here I found the species common and mostly commencing to lay (first week of June), though some of the eggs were fairly well advanced in incubaticn. The birds were plentiful and we got many opportunities of observ- ing their general ways. This was a satisfactory state of affairs, for this Sandpiper does not seem to approve of cultiva- tion and is deserting many of its former nesting-grounds. In recent years, however, it is reputed to have shown increase in many localities in the prairie Provinces and in the northern Fig. 8. TYPE OF COUNTRY IN WHICH BARTRAM’S SANDPIPERS BREED. SULLIVAN LAKE, ALBERTA. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) States. It is probably recovering its numbers where it occurs in the south, although its range seems to be diminishing. There is but a single respect in which Bartram’s Sandpiper actually resembles a Sandpiper and that is in its appearance ‘as it flies away from one. The tail with its dark centre and pale margins and white on the sides of the rump, leaves the impression of one of the common Sandpipers disappearing. In every other respect the bird is a Plover, from its carriage to the nervous way of running quickly for a short distance, stopping suddenly to peck on the ground and then dubiously running again. In flight the tail, which is actually rather VOL. XxX.| ALBERTA WADERS. 85 long, looks quite insignificant, unless spread, which it occasionally is. The wings on the other hand look excessively long at all times. The usual flight on the breeding-grounds is a rapid wing-beat like a hovering Kestrel’s or a Willet’s (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus) when in song. This is in marked contrast 1o the strong, steady strokes employed Fig. 9. NEST AND EGGS OF BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) at other times, e.g. on migration. (The Solitary Sandpiper shows the same peculiarity.) A bird put off her nest on a very windy day frequently soared into the wind and came back with the usual short beats. When soaring she looked very Hawk-like. The birds constanily perch on telephone poles, fence posts, roofs and tree-stumps. 86 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. XX. The nests found were very variable in make-up and situation, One had no lining whatever and consisted of a mere scrape in the ground. This was in a hollow right in the open on a huge sandy area with but sparse vegetation, on which Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus) were nesting. Others were in clumps of rough brush (Fig. 9), and this is probably typical for this locality. Another was in long grass (Fig. 10.) The most elaborate lining noted consisted of leaves, bents and small twigs. One clutch of five eggs was Fig. 10. NEST AND EGGS OF BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) found and one of three, the latter no doubt incomplete as the bird was not about and the eggs were fresh. Without doubt the most striking thing about Bartram’s Sandpiper was the fact that parties of three were commoner than pairs, yet there was absolutely no sign of quarrelling that we could see. Two of these trios were successfully collected complete. In both cases two of the birds were males. Examination of the ovary of one of these females added another surprise, for she had already laid two eggs, while the third was at the end of the oviduct ready for laying. The female of the other trio had not yet laid. There were no VOL. XX.] ALBERTA WADERS. 87 discharged follicles. The largest ovum was a little more than a centimetre in diameter. Whether this is to be looked upon as normal polyandry or merely due to a temporary or local excess of males, it would be impossible to say without further evidence. But the fact itself is remarkable, for it 1s obvious that the two males not only retained their interest in the female after laying was in progress, but managed to do it amicably. And this certainly suggests normality. The other trios were also made up of the same elements, for the disparity in the size of the sexes makes judgment relatively easy. i contrast to their temperament off the breeding-grounds, none of the Bartram’s Sandpipers that we saw could. be termed wild. They were easily approached even in the open. When put off the nest the birds usually stayed in the neigh- bourhood, frequently flying round at close quarters. One bird, owning fairly well incubated eggs, ran away, feigning injury before taking flight. Randall tells me that when the young are running the birds get very demonstrative and much noisier. As to calls, these are rich in quality, characteristic and unmistakable. The most beautiful of all is the loud, ringing oun e-whee, produced either in flight or from the ground. The first syllable is weak and does not carry far and may be repeated two or three times. The second descends through about half an octave, and can be heard at a great distance. On rising from the ground a very beautiful, rich bubble, reminiscent of the Curlew’s (the English one, for ours appears never to bubble) is frequently uttered. Two of the birds put off the nest left with a call not heard again, a rapidly repeated Ve SR OAD “hu hu hu,”* rather like the Whimbrel. The species is, however, com- paratively silent and calls were heard at rather infrequent intervals. Crocethia alba (A.O.U. Check-List, Calidris leucophea) SANDERLING. The Check-List does not commit itself on the subject of the migrations of this species. Cooke says “ it is quite rare (on migration) in all the district between the Great Lakes and 88 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xx. the Pacific coast.”” Here, however, it is not only regular and abundant, but often, perhaps usually, exceedingly so. It is late, both in the spring and the autumn, but in the fall may be more numerous than all other shore-birds put together. Harrold took one on April 29th in 1923; I took another on May ist, 1925, still in almost full winter plumage, but between these dates and about May 24th we have nothing but one or two odd records of single birds, for it is in the last week of May that the Sanderling really begins to show up. It gets abundant at the very end of the month and during the first few days of June, after which we do not see it again till about the end of September, sometimes the middle, and exception- ally (1925) in August. It stays till the last half of October. Our latest record is that of a single bird taken on November rrth. Beyond pointing out that it is regular and abundant, if a somewhat late migrant in Alberta, there is little to say ot the Sanderling. It is late in its spring moult and we have not seen a single bird in full plumage. Some samples collected on Lake Winnipeg on May 24th, 1920, were further advanced in plumage than any we have noted here even in June. Birds apparently still in complete winter plumage are periodically seen. But we need specimens to confirm this, for unless examined in the hand, a partial moult is more than likely to escape detection. We have two fall records of adult Sanderling, both well on into winter plumage. In England I have always associated the Sanderling with the sandy sea-shore. I do not think I can recall ever having seen it on mud-flats. Here it frequents the muds at all times. Calidris (A.O.U. Check-List, Tvinga) canutus rufa, KNOT. The ways and habits of the Knot appear to me to be identical with the bird in England, although ours belongs to a different race and even the young can be told from those of canutus. The only comment that seems to be called for is with regard to its migrations. The Check-List calls it rare in the interior. It has only once been recorded from inland British Columbia (Brooks and Swarth, List of Birds of B.C.), and once from Saskatchewan (Mitchell, Condor, 1925). In Manitoba it is rare but regular on both migrations (Harrold). The fact that it was a regular fall migrant in Alberta was known to local collectors before my time ; but there were no spring records — ee ee eee VOL. XX.] ALBERTA WADERS. 89 of it. In 1922, when we collected at the Point up to May 23rd, we did not see a single Knot. In 1923 we continued till June 7th and we saw hundreds. During the next two seasons we discovered that odd birds might turn up earlier, but that the last week of May saw the main migration, always of brief duration, but heavy while it lasted. We are therefore on a regular line of travel, the fall numbers being far below those of the spring and consisting in the main of birds of the year. Our fall records of adults are few and quite late (end of September) and all specimens have been in moult with the summer plumage still predominating. Odd Knots may be seen with practically any group of waders, but the larger flocks seem to associate almost entirely with the Grey Plover. Calhidris alpina sakhalina, Dunutn (A.0.U. Check-List, Pelidna alpina sakhalina, Red-backed Sandpiper). Probably even this Sandpiper is more regular in the interior than is supposed, although in Alberta it actually seems to be nothing more than a stray. Every spring sees a few odd individuals amongst the hordes of waders on the Point, but we have never seen more than one at a time. On May 24th, 1920, on Lake Winnipeg, we saw a large flock, and others have been recorded from the same place (A. G. Lawrence). Farley’s records of the species in this Province, quoted by Taverner in his list of the birds of the Red Deer (Auk, 1919), were either Golden or Grey Plover or both. The error arose through the misapplication of one of the popular names used in eastern Canada for the Dunlin, i.e. “ Black-heart Plover.” The only fall record of this species in Alberta that I know of was obtained on the Point on October 31st, 1924, when I secured two adults in full winter plumage out of a flock of five. The temperature was a few degrees below zero (Fahr.) and a gale was blowing. The lake was freezing over so rapidly that one could practically watch the ice forming. I was hunting Hydras and Pisidia in the lake at the very tip of the Point in hip-waders and through going out too far had got water in at the top. When I came out the waders were frozen on to me in a few minutes. I sat down and tried to pull them off (but without success and I subsequently had to walk four miles in them). As I was thus engaged—shore- birds were the last thing in the world I was expecting although Thad previously noted a couple of Grey Plovers and a Killdeer —I heard a small flock of birds pass me behind and settle on 90 . BRITISH BIRDS, [Or sox. the far side of the sandbank on which I was sitting. I reached for the binoculars and trained them on three grey-brown heads, all I could see of the birds as they fed on the edge of the ice across the bank. So decurved were the bills that 1 was quite certain I was about to add the Curlew-Sandpiper to the Provincial list. With the utmost care I crept along to the gun, took out the heavy duck cartridges and slipped in some reloaded with small shot. As I got up the birds flew. Even before I heard the typical Dunlin notes I had realised what they . were for they had not got white rumps. I got three with my left and another with the right, for even though, to my dis- appointment, they were but Dunlins, they were the first actually to be collected in Alberta as far as I know and constituted the first fall record. Two fell far out and the gale had them out of reach before I could grab them. Gladly would I have swum for them could I have stripped—I have done it before in equally drastic circumstances—but those wretched waders were immovably cemented to my legs! ( 91 ) A STUDY OF THE ROBIN BY MEANS OF MARKED BIRDS. BY i; Bi BUREITT, (FIFTH PAPER)* I REGRET that this paper brings my study to an end, as I have had to give up residence on the property where my observations were made. But I am thankful to have had this little bit of research into a corner of God’s garden. It is possible I may be able to have a very occasional look for some of the marked birds. This paper brings the record from June, 1925, to March, 1926. The second half of 1925 has been chiefly remarkable for an apparent weakening of my proposition as to the permanency of males which have been parents (see A, p. 250, Vol. XVIII). Of fourteen such males, no less than nine disappeared, though, as I shall describe later, one of them temporarily reappeared and another came back to stay. This disappearance is totally contrary to my previous experience. The order in which they began to disappear at once led me to suspect age as one possible cause ; so much so that I was on the watch for certain others to go, which they did. Imay add to the list of such males bird No. 22, which, though it never had a mate while with me, yet was a constant resident for two years. This makes the departure- list the following ten out of fifteen such males, with the above qualification as to two of the ten—2z, 9, 19, 20, 22, 26, 38, 45, 53, 54. It is rather risky to call a bird gone until after a considerable absence, so that number 45 may be doubtful as my own departure prevented confirmation. Now the first seven of the list were seven out of the eight longest marked males, as can be conveniently seen from the Table, p. 123, Vol. XIX. This sounds a good argument for age being a prime cause of the disappearance. Yet, if we take the number to disappear as eight out of the fifteen, it seems a great lot to go all in seven months from age alone. I do not pretend to explain it, though I make some suggestions as to a Robin’s life-span towards the end of this paper, but I do not believe that it means that the consistently observed habit of these birds in my previous study was mere chance. The longest marked bird is, of course, not necessarily the oldest. As to the actual age of the foregoing birds I can, * For previous papers see Vol. XVII., pp. 2904-303; Vol. XVIIL., Pp. 97-103 and 250-257; Vol. XIX., pp. 120-124. 92 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. however, say the following :—2 and 9 were at least 34 years old (g returned and is now at least 3? years), Ig and 20 were 2} years old, 22 was at least 2 years, 26 and 38 were at least 2+ years, 45 was I4 years, 53 and 54 were at least I year. And we must remember that if the doubtful ages should be increased, they must be increased by full years. It may be proper to exclude 45 for the reason already given, and 53 and 54 were on the boundary of my chief observation area, which means that their disappearance from the neighbour- hood is not quite so proven as that of the birds inside. Any known circumstances connected with the disappearance of these parent male birds are of interest. Four appeared piainly to be displaced by other birds, viz. 9, 26, 38, 54. Four appeared equally plainly to be not displaced, 22, 53, 20 (45), as they left no successors. As to two others, 2 and 19, it was not clear whether they were displaced or not. The record of No. g (and to some extent of 54) is particu- larly interesting. Are we to take them as any guideas to what happens in the other cases ? No. 9 was a bird which I saw daily in front of my house ; it would come to me on sight or toa call. On September 16th, 1925, it was there all right. The next day it was gone and its place taken by a boisterous new bird singing constantly. This new bird I subsequently ringed as 73. I looked care- fully for the dead body of No. 9, but next day he reappeared for a moment, took my food and slipped off again, evidently knowing he had lost his title to that ground. For over three weeks I saw no more of him, even though I tried to get in touch with him in case he was not far off by making myself in evidence in the direction in which he departed. Owing to the configuration of the ground I think he should have come to me even if he were a quarter of a mile away. On October 12th he again appeared and fed surreptitiously for a moment. I did not see him again till November 5th, when he came to me and fed in unoccupied ground adjacent to his old site. He had quite newly occupied it, but continued on in it. Meanwhile, his enemy 73 kept its ground, but disappeared on December 8th and left no successor. After that I ex- pected bird g to quickly reoccupy his old and now empty ground, especially as he frequently came to his old feeding place there when I appeared. Finally, he did so transfer to his old spot but not till near the end of December. Thus, in this case, and even with one of my longest residents, it did not follow that displacement necessarily meant death. Robins must die, but,as I have remarked before, I have never seen in a VOL. Xx.] STUDY OF THE ROBIN. 93 all my study any evidence of a mortality due to combat. Of course, this is only negative. Again, another male parent, No. 54, was displaced on August 28th, but it reappeared for food on August 31st and September 12th, showing that so far it was alive. It has not been seen since. The following is a list of the changes which took place in the several months of 31925 since the breeding-season. I have underlined the males referred to above whose move- ments were so unprecedented. Early June Two males disappeared, 22 M., 53 M. Ten female parents were not seen after this, corroborating my general previous ex- perience. Of these, two reappeared for the spring of 1926 (as observed up to end of March). July One young bird, 69, became occupant of a site. End August One new bird, 76, became a resident. One male, 41 M., returned. One male, 19 M., disappeared. September Four new birds, 72, 73, 74,75, became resident. Two males, 55 M., 58 M., returned. Four males, 2 M., 9 M., 54 M., 38 M., disappeared. End October One male, 26 M., disappeared. Two new birds, 77, 79, became resident. November One male, 20 M., disappeared. One male reappeared, g M. December One female, 43 F., disappeared. One probable female, 80, became resident, but left again end of January. . At New Year Two females, 27 F., 50 F., disappeared ; one, 59 F., reappeared. (One male 45, M. left ?) It may be noted that the disappearance of these males had nothing to do with harsh or wintry conditions. The abnormal disappearance among my resident males this autumn resulted in the December census being consider- ably less than at the breeding-season, viz. in the proportion of 22 to 31; whereas, in previous years, the census appeared about equal. The vacant sites inside my area this autumn were very marked. I may make a note about the stranger birds, seen during early autumn, that some give the impression of having taken 94. ; BRITISH BIRDS. [vou. xx: up residence by remaining there for a week, and perhaps even singing, but it appears that previous to the end of September any such acquisition may be illusory. Thus, I apparently made a mistake this year in ringing two such birds (70, 71), one in July and one in August ; I never saw them again. I have had one case during my study of the male and female parents keeping together all the autumn. It was a pretty coincidence to see them. She always fed first. I was disappointed in them both disappearing, the female (43) in December (see table) and the male (45) in January. As all my Robins knew me particularly well this winter, it was amusing when putting down food at some particular territory to hear a fluttering of wings overhead and find the extraordinary sight of nearly half-a-dozen Robins having adventured from their territories and being all consistently chased back along their various routes, never attempting to show any real fight. The Robin regularly makes a quite defined gliding flight, with wings outstretched, when pro- ceeding to attack an intruding Robin. I shall recapitulate my survey of the seasonal movements of my Robins, covering my whole study. I realise thoroughly that it is risky to generalize from such a small area, but two main points seem too definite to be chance, namely the general persistence of male parents, and the great movement among females. 1. After the breeding-season the females move en masse. Most are not seen again. I have looked for them outside my boundary as well as inside. This, of course, leaves much free ground. A very few reappear, occupying sites in mid-autumn. 2. In July and August a certain very small number of known young birds acquire sites (that is, while their plumage discloses their youth) ; the total observed was much less than half the number of previous breeding pairs, or say, much less than one young bird to each brood. Further- more, out of ten such young birds whose sex was known there were nine males but only one female. 3. In September—December (chiefly October), of birds acquiring the remaining free ground a very few were previous female parents, as mentioned in (1); of the rest, where the sex was known, there were about three males to one female. 4. In January a very few females moved locally to mate with adjacent males ; another few departed, in number about equivalent to those that arrived in autumn; but from VOL. XX. | STUDY OF THE ROBIN. 95 January to April there was a large arrival of females equivalent to the large departure after the breeding- season, see (I) above. 5. As to any male movements other than described above they did not occur at any definite season. They were in the main among males which had not bred with me. There was perhaps a slightly marked arrival in January but not equal to the autumn. Any departures were scattered over the year and seemed probably due to stress of competition and no doubt partly to death. In other words they were probably not voluntary. Now in considering periodic movements (or quiescence) in the Robin population as observed by me, in so far as they may be reliable, we cannot suppose that they are peculiar to my little area, but on the contrary that they apply over the whole country. Therefore, discarding migration, the movements in respect to any area must be reciprocal both in time and numbers. But it is plain that if the above survey be correct, the movements of females were not reciprocal. The bulk of the females who left me at mid-summer were not replaced by other females, either then or after the conceal- ment of the moult period. And the bulk of the females who arrived between January and April were much more than a replacement of the female departures in January. Besides, the latter were confined to January, whereas the former were spread over two or three months. Again, if (2) and (3) above give a correct impression, then the female young birds largely, if not mainly, disappear. There would, therefore, be an unexplained quantity of females absent between mid-summer and spring. If this is true how can it be explained unless by migration, and a migration mainly female? Is this conceivable? A certain migration of Robins out of the country is admitted; if this is at all general over the country, and if we admit that males in general keep to their ground, must not the migration be mainly female, and therefore corroborative of my experience ? Any idea of females in quantity wandering freely about in November and December is entirely ruled out, as intruders of either sex into occupied ground are immediately chased. MOUwLT. I would comment on two aspects of the moult in addition to what I have already said on p. 251, Vol. XVIII. It is convenient to survey the moulting period with the tailless condition as datum. This condition appears to take a 96 BRITISH BIRDS. | [VOL. Xx. consistent place some two or three weeks after the first signs of moult. My first comment is that I find some Robins moult very much later than others and for no evident reason. Thus, over 1924 and 1925, I have found the tailless condition to vary from June 27th to August 22nd, and indeed it would seem to divide itself into two series of birds with nearly a fortnight separating the latest of one set from the earliest of the other, but this may be only a coincidence. In seeking among my birds for any grounds of sex or age for the big difference in moulting dates, I can so far see none except that I have no note of a female being in the late period. The latest date for a female being tailless was July 27th. This would rather corroborate the departure of females by indicating no late moult to prevent their departure. My second main comment about the moult is as to how the moult finishes. It begins on chin and breast, then goes to wings and tail. After the tailless condition the tail quickly grows and then, though the bird is still a little untidy, yet to all appearance the moult is over. But this is not so at all. There follows a gap of two or three weeks with nothing to remark upon, when suddenly the sides of the head, the back of the head, and finally the front of the head develop a moult. There are thus about five weeks between the tailless condition and the head moult. With the later birds the head moult takes place in mid-September. Under the head moult the bird takes a most weird appearance, especially when the red band on the forehead is changing. A light-coloured, loose erection appears on the forehead and looks extremely odd, but this quickly passes and with this the moult ends. I think the head moult lasts altogether a week or ten days. For three birds I can compare their moulting positions in two successive years, 1924, 1925. With bird No. g his stages were about three weeks later in 1925 than in 1924. With bird 18 his stages were a few days later in 1925. With bird 20 his stages were a week or ten days later in 1925. SONG. As to female song, I corroborate what I said before by having just two records of a weak bar or two from two females in autumn, once from No. 50 on October gth, once from No. 27 on November 15th after chasing an intruder. I may record that the male regularly makes a_ peculiar short note of song or whortle as a war-cry preparatory to attack. When a bird I am watching makes this note I always know an intruder has come. LvOL. EX. STUDY OF THE ROBIN. 97 LENGTH OF LIFE. I said above that I should make a reference to the age of Robins. A question occurred to me about birds in general where migration is not taken into consideration. What is the relation between the number of eggs or of probable surviving young and the average age of a species, if that species is to remain fairly constant in numbers? By average age, of course, I mean as the result of mortality from all causes. A species such as I am discussing must, I presume, be either fairly constant in average mortality and average brood survival or else be increasing or diminishing with great rapidity : because any appreciable annual difference per family would be enormously accumulative. In the following disquisition it is to be clearly understood that average age means the average age of birds that have survived to their first breeding-season. Assuming a constant census it follows, I think, that a. If a bird lives » years then ;th of the birds die per year. b. The young surviving from each year equal the birds that die. I will also take into consideration the number of mateless birds. With the Robin, there seems a considerable number of mateless males, as I have also noticed in other species. In 1924, my table shows two such birds to nine pairs; in 1925, four or five such birds to thirteen pairs, Let m = number of male parents or of pairs. y = proportion of mateless birds (any sex) to the number of pairs. y = number of young to each pair surviving to the next breeding-season. then my = number of mateless birds. my == number of surviving young, c. And the total number of adult birds at breeding-season is 2m + mr. From a, b, c, we have the equation my = % (2m + mr) 2+°7r hence n= J For the present case take the unmated birds to be only the unmated males, and in numbers as observed by me, or take sell =}. Take y as being somewhat less than 1 (see references in this study), say 0.8. Though indeed where my study suggested 98 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. 0.8 this figure referred to the young surviving at early autumn, not at next breeding-season which would be less. 2.25 Then ” = 4a 2.8 years as the average life of a Robin. 0 There is some compatibility between this figure and the suggestion that the male Robin parents which left me this year had reached their span of life. If instead of 0.8 we put y as representing two young birds to each pair of parents, which might be called a more natural guess (without any data) than my 0.8, then 2.25 n= —— =I years 2 as the average life of a Robin. If more than one brood be common elsewhere then we still further reduce the average life to almost an absurdity. This shows that if there is anything sound in my statement of the case, one must either drastically cut down the surviving young birds or else put the average age at a much smaller figure than is generally supposed. Even allowing for considerably more mateless birds in the above equation, it does not help us very much. And what about species which while laying a number of eggs seem to have much fewer enemies than a Robin ? It is well known that, in captivity, small birds such as Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Skylarks, etc., not infrequently attain an age of six to ten years, and ages of twenty-five and even thirty years are on record. A. R. Wallace, in Darwinism (p. 26), speaking of the struggle for existence as concerning such birds as the Redbreast, Sparrow, the four Common Titmice, the Thrush and the Blackbird, says such birds as these often live from fifteen to twenty years in confinement, “and we cannot suppose them to live shorter lives in a state of nature when unmolested ; but to avoid possible exaggera- tion we will take ten years as the average duration of their lives.” Nevertheless, I think that the words “ when un- molested ’’ are contrary to a state of nature and this must just make the whole difference. In the British Birds Marking Scheme (see Vol. XIX., pp. 276, 277), the oldest ringed bird so far under the scheme is a Heron nearly 16 years of age; there is a Willow-Warbler of 3 years; a Mallard of 6} or 73 years at least; and a Sandwich Tern of 6 years.* *This paper was written previous to Mr. H. F. Witherby’s article ‘On the Duration of Life in Birds”’ (antea p. 71). _ VOL. XX.] STUDY OF THE ROBIN, 99 With reference to the proportion of surviving young birds, I happened when writing in the Jvish Naturalist in January, 1921, to refer to my experience of the misfortunes of nests, saying that at least half of them and probably two-thirds will come to a bad end. This drew from one of the editors, Mr. Praeger, in February, 1921, a characteristically accurate record of the history of a large number of nests observed by him (though some forty years ago), giving the final result in percentages for those— unfinished, deserted, destroyed, and young safely fledged. He took one particular year’s nests as having the most complete record. There were about 263 nests in that year whose history was known. About half of them were found within the confines of “‘ villadom” (where the misfortunes were higher), the other half in the open country. (My own obser- vations were in the open country.) Those species which had a good number of nests observed (between 11 and 65 each) were in order of number—Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Magpie, Hedge-Sparrow, Song-Thrush, Robin, Wren, Yellow- hammer, Wood-Pigeon. For the whole 263 an average of 37 per cent. had the young sately fledged ; 63 per cent. were in vain. The lowest per- centage was the Song-Thrush with rz per cent. safe; the highest was the Robin (17 nests) with 48 per cent. The Blackbird with most nests (65) was 32 per cent. And even with the Magpie (20 nests), where the percentage might be expected high, it was only 4o per cent. Thus, to return to our argument, there are some grounds for assuming on a large scale only one-third of nests to have young safely fledged from the nest, if so many. What then would be the final proportion of young which survive the many risks of adolescence, including existence until the next breeding-season ? With one brood of five to each pair 3 would be fledged, and if, say, half that number survive to next breeding-season or 8, this gives us again the figure 0.8 used above. Subjoined is a complete list of the marked birds -— No. First Mate |Mate }Mate |Not seen and sex} noticed] Date in in in |sincedate Notes. where | in occu- | Marked 1923 /1924 |1925 |below or known | pation extant T, 3, 4, _ Oct.Nov.| — — —_ Dec. Several were probably not 5, 7, 8 Dec. 1922 1922 or true residents when ringed. before No. 8 died. 2M = -/to/22]| ro 34 See -—/8/25 | 6 — —frEjae| — — — -/1/23 100 » BRITISH BIRDS,’ | VOL. Xx’ No. First Mate | Mate /Mate | Not seen and sex | noticed| Date in in in |since date Notes. where | in occu-| Marked |1923 | 1924 |1925 | below or known | pation extant 9M — 14/1/23 | 14 | 36 | 66 | Extant| 36 was killed, See recent and history of g in present ano- article, ther Io F = PSaelfeu fs} 1) 7) — — -/5/23 adele — 4/2/23 | Not | 19 — | 24/7/24 | Absent between 6/23 and mar- 2/24. ked 12 _— 8/2/23 | — — — Date Probably non-resident fe- marked male, 13 — 4/3/23 | — — — -/5/23| Probably a female parent { 1923. 14 —_— 4/5/23 |g and 18 — | 24/6/24 | Absent between 6/23 and 17 2/4/24. 15 F — 8/5/23 | 16 — — -/1/24 | Absent between 7 and 10/23. 16 M = 9/6/23 | 15 | Not i¢ = Not sufficient data, mar- ked 17M = 25/0/2304 = -/6/23 18 M —_— 30/7/23 |Born| 14 67 | Extant 1g M 2/7/23 9/9/23 |Born}| 11 64 | 28/8/25 20 M 8/8/23) 12/9/23 |Born| 27 27 |15/11/25 21M? 8/8/23 16/9/23 |Born|None| — | 5/12/24 | Lost a foot 9/24. 22M? = 22/9/23 | — |None |None| 27/5/25 23 17/€/23| 23/9/23 |Born| — —- —/1/24 24 5/10/23 |13/10/23 | — — — | -/10/23 | Hardly a resident. 25 8/10/23 |22/10/23 | — — _ —/1/24 26M _— 26/10/23 | — 37. |None} 20/10/25 27 EF 5/11/23 |16/11/23 | — 20 20 1/1/26 28 = 18/11/23 | — — _— 9/2/24 29 1/11/23 |22/11/23 | — — |— -/1/24 30 = 31 M?|30/12/23| 24/1/24 | — — No proper data. —/4/24 | Evidently ejected. 32 M |28/10/23) 3/2/24 | — 35 — | 14/6/24 # 33 F 20/2/24 2/5/24 | — | Not | — _— No further data, > mar- 7 ked " 34 F 3/2/24) 1/3/24 —/6/25 35 F 16/2/24| 3/3/24 | — | 32 | — | x/12/24 | 400 yards between the breed- ing and autumn terri- tories, 1924. | 36 F 8/3/24| 9/3/24] — | 9 | — | Killed | 8/5/24. Sy WR 4/3/24 | 12/3/24 | — | 26 | — | 27/7/24 38 M | 19/3/24| 28/3/24 | — | 40 | 65 | 26/9/25 39 M | 19/3/24) 19/5/24 | — | Not | 49 | Extant mar- ked 40 F 4/24| 22/5/24 | — | 38 | — | 14/6/24 41 M?| 17/7/24| 24/7/24 Born | None) Extant Absent (ejected ?) between 7/5/25 and 26/8/25. 42 6/24 1/8/24 Born| — | 10/8/24 43 F 7/24 | 26/8/24 8/12/25 | One foot sore and rings removed 29/11/25. | | les) ° ia 5B a er 44M | 23/8/24 | 30/8/24 Born} 62 Extant 45M | 22/6/24 | 31/8/24 Born| 43 1/1/26 46 16/9/24 |10/10/24 | — | Born| — |15/11/24 47 17/10/24 |31/10/24 | — — —_— 24/1/25 48 F?| 24/9/24 | 2/11/24 | — — — | 18/1/25 49 F |23/10/24 | 2/11/24 | — | — | 39 -/6/25 50 F |x4/r0/24 | 7/x1/24 | — | — | 54 | 1/1/26 51 M?|27/10/24 |15/11/24 None} Extant | Absent between 15/11/24 and 25/2/25. Had acquired a female 14/3/26. —_ — | 28/4/25 | Ejected ? — 60 —/6/25 — 50 | 12/9/25 | See departure in this article. 52 M?|x11/11/24 |15/11/24 53 M |23/11/24 |13/12/24 54M /|x1/11/24 |13/12/24 ial VOL. XX.] STUDY OF THE ROBIN. 101 No. First Mate |Mate |Mate | Not seen and sex| noticed] Date in in in |sincedate Notes. where | in occu-} Marked |1923 | 1924| 1925 below or known pation extant 55 M? |14/12/24 |21/12/24| — | — | — | 14/2/26] Absent between 5/2/25 and 5/9/25. 56F | -/1/25/! 4/2/25| — | — | 57 | Extant | Absentfrom6/25. It rejoined previous male 6/2/26, 57M -/1/25| 4/2/25! — | — | 56 | Extant 58 M?| 18/1/25] 7/2/25| — | — | — | Extant| Absent between 16/3/25 and 21/9/25. Last seen shifted to adjacent site. 59 F -/1/25 | 20/2/25 | — | — | 63 | Extant | Apparently near outside my ; border during autumn 1925. Inside after 23/12/25. 60 F 12/2/25 | 28/2/25| — | — | 53 -/6/25 61 F = 3/3/25 — | Not | -/6/25| The unmarked male seems } mat- extant, = ked 62 F 7/3/25 | 14/3/25 | — | — | 44 | -/6/25 63 M 23/2/25 | 19/3/25 | — a 59 | Extant 64 F 8/3/25 | 20/3/25| — | — | 19 -/6/25 65 F 20/3/25 | 26/3/25| — — 38 | -/6/25 66 F 3/4/25 | 15/4/25| — | — 9 —/6/25 67 F 20/3/25 | 1o/5/25| — — 18 -/6/25 68 M?| 28/4/25 | 25/5/25| — | — |None| -/5/25 i 69 M?}| 21/7/25 | 11/8/25 — |Born| Extant 70, 71 | 21/7/25 | 19/8/25 | — Born' -/8/25 | Should not have been mar- ked, not truly resident, — | Extant | Mated with 75 for 1926. — | 8/12/25 | See details this article. 7a. F 1/9/25 | 9/9/25) — 73 M?| 17/9/25 | 4/10/25 | — 74 M?| 26/9/25 | 7/10/25 | — — | Extant 75 M 11/9/25 |28/10/25 es | Extant | Mated with 72 for 1926. bably Born 76 M?| 28/8/25 |28/10/25 — | Extant Extant 77 M? |29/10/25 |10/11/25 | — 78 M? = 10/12/25 | — 79 F 12/11/25 |13/12/25 | — 80 F ? |11/12/25 |22/12/25 | — 88 M?] 21/1/26 7/2/26 | — — | 10/1/26 | See note to 8r. — | Extant | Unmarked mate for 1926. = -/1/26 — | 21/2/26 | Seemed to displace 78 on my ? border, but value of both records uncertain, a a ee eee Notes: The — queried are almost certainly correct, but there was no pairing to verify. 56, 57 and 59, 63 had their sexes reversed in previous table, 55 appears to have been a male; Ireferred to it on p, 122, Vol. XIX., as a probable female, The error is of no effect, ( 102 ) THE EGG-DEVOURING HABIT OF THE CUCKOO. BY GEO. R. HUMPHREYS, m.B.0o.v. ALTHOUGH quite a lot of information regarding the breeding- habits of the Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) has been published during the last five or six years, and several new and important facts respecting the manner in which the egg is deposited in the nest of the fosterer have been revealed, practically nothing has been said about its egg-devouring habit. Referring to this question in his monograph on the Cuckoo, published in 1892, Dr. E. Rey of Leipzig says: ‘‘ In agree- ment, probably with all other oologists, I consider the state- ment that the Cuckoo eats the eggs which it takes trom a nest to be a fable.”’ Mr. E. P. Chance, in The Cuckoo's Secret, published in 1922, quotes numerous instances where the Cuckoo was seen to carry off an egg, but it would appear that on none of these occasions was she observed in the act of eating the egg. He tells me, however, that on many occasionsin 1922 he watched the same Cuckoo “A” in her fifth season devour the egg she had taken from the nest of her dupe, as well as many Yellowhammers’ (Emberiza c. citrinella) eggs, to which, he adds, that particular Cuckoo seemed extremely partial. It occurs to me that the following incident which came under personal observation on June 20th, 1926, in a field off the high road, about three miles from the town of Wexford in that county, may be of interest. At 3.40 p.m. (B.S.T.), or roughly 2.15 p.m. by the sun, a Cuckoo, accompanied by four Meadow-Pipits (Anthus pra- tensis), was seen to float down from a tall willow tree in a hedgerow. After two unsuccessful attempts it became evident she had reached her objective, asshe was seen to rise from the grass Carrying an egg in her beak and followed by one Pipit. Flying towards the same hedgerow she perched on a haw- thorn directly facing me, and in full view. The Meadow- Pipit took up a position at right angles, but quite close to the Cuckoo, and in such a way that both birds’ heads were level with each other. Without delay the Cuckoo tossed up her head and swallowed the egg, having made no attempt to smash it. The whole act was performed by rapidly jerking the head and neck backwards and forwards. After doing this she ruffled her feathers, shook herself, and disappeared over the hedgerow, followed by the Meadow-Pipit, which had carefully watched the whole procedure. VOL. Xx.] CUCKOO’S EGG-DEVOURING HABIT. 103 On examining the spot from where the Cuckoo rose the grass was found to be eighteen inches in height. A portion was so beaten down that it formed a channel about two-and-a-half feet in length by nine inches in width. In it were lying five of the Cuckoo’s feathers. Mr. Witherby, who kindly examined them, says that there is little doubt that they came from the nape or the back of the neck. As the channel followed the direction of the Cuckoo’s flight when approaching, I expected to find the nest at the farthest end. Instead, the nest, although in line with this end of the channel, was separated from it by a ridge of standing grass. My attention was attracted to the nest by the grass on the edge being flattened out in the same way as described by me on a previous occasion when the Cuckoo was seen to sit on the nest (/7ish Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII., pp. 119-21). I should mention that the Cuckoo was on the ground nearly ten minutes and it is obvious that she experienced some difficulty in locating the exact position of the nest, and during that time was fiercely attacked by the Pipits. The nest contained two Meadow-Pipit’s eggs, quite cold, and a Cuckoo’s egg, quite warm. NEW BREEDING RECORDS FOR BRECONSHIRE. I have this year found the following species of birds breeding near my home at Garth, Breconshire. The particulars are as follows :— SOUTHERN GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius a. apricarius). C/4 incubated eggs on May 14th. C/4 fresh eggs on May r6th. SOUTHERN DUNLIN (Calidris alpina schinzit). C/4 and C/2 incubated eggs on May 25th. HAWFINCH (Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes). C/4 incubated eggs on June roth. RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lantus c. collurio). C/6 incubated eggs on June 7th. ALEC T. WILSON. [The nest of the Dunlin has, I believe, only once been found previously in Brecon. On June roth, 1903, Mr. J. A. Walpole Bond found a nest with four eggs on a big flat on a hill top, about 1,000 feet above the sea, where he had previously noted at least two pairs. With regard to the other species men- tioned, Cambridge Phillips, in the Birds of Breconshire (1899), mentions several localities where the Golden Plover breeds. He also quotes at least one definite instance of the breeding of the Hawfinch and describes the Red-backed Shrike as common.—P.C.R. J] MUD-DAUBED EGGS OF JACKDAW. WirtH reference to Mr. J. H. Owen’s note on this subject (antea, p. 23), on May Ist, 1908, at Woodhouselee, Midlothian, I found a Jackdaw’s nest about eighteen feet from the ground in the bole of an elm tree. It contained a clutch of five eggs which were completely coated over with a layer of mud—not a vestige of shell showing. I removed them, and before they could be blown it was necessary to place them in water in order to soften the mud which was hard baked on the shells. Four years previously my friend, Mr. David Hamilton, found a clutch under exactly similar conditions in the same hole. The eggs in both instances were perfectly fresh, which dis- proves any theory that the mud is gradually accumulated during incubation. J. Kirke Nasu. [The evidence published in this volume and previously (see VOL, Xx.] NOTES. 105 Vol. IV., pp. 176, 214, 250 ; Vol. VIII., p. 14; Vol. x. DP. 40), seems to show that the habit of daubing their eggs with mud by the Jackdaw, though widespread, is confined to certain individuals.—EDs. | UNUSUAL SITE OF GOLDFINCH’S NEST. Tuis year (1926) a pair of Goldfinches (Carduelis c. britannica) built their nest in ivy growing on one of the stone bridges which span the River Dart, Devon. The nest, which was only about 3 feet 6 inches from the ground, contained young birds on May 7th. STANLEY PERSHOUSE, THE NESTLING BEARDED TIT. WHEN examining a nest-full of recently hatched Bearded Tits (Panurus biarmicus) this summer at Hickling Broad, Norfolk, I saw that the coloration of the inside of the mouth was wrongly described in the Practical Handbook (Vol. I., p. 257). On looking up the subject I find that I entirely overlooked Mr. W. P. Pycraft’s excellent description and figures in British Birds, Vol. IL., pp. 58-9. This description should have been quoted in the Practical Handbook. Mr. Pycraft states that there are four rows of pearly-white, conical, peg-like pro- jections on the palate, two rows on either side of the middle line. These tooth-like bodies are not of uniform size and are set in a background of black surrounded by a rich carnelian- red, the whole being framed in by the lemon-yellow gape- wattles, which are not very strongly developed. The tongue is black with a white tip and a pair of white spurs at its base. I think Mr. Pycraft’s description cannot be improved, and this has been confirmed by Mr. J. Vincent and Mr. Roland Green, who also kindly examined the nestlings’ mouths at my request. Mr. Green referred to the colour called carnelian-red by Mr. Pycraft as rose-madder and I had noted it down as a rather deep flesh-colour. I might add that the skin of the upper- part of the nestling is dark, almost blackish, flesh-colour, somewhat like that of a young Cuckoo but not so blackish. It seemed to me that the ‘“ teeth’”’ on the palate were set pointing slightly backwards and they might have some connexion with the retention and swallowing of food. H. F. WITHERBY. CONTEST FOR NESTING SITE BETWEEN SPOTTED FLYCATCHER AND SWALLOW. TuHIs year a pair of Westmorland Swallows (Hirundo r. rustica), returning to their former nesting site on a beam inside a barn, whose door was usually shut, had to fight for possession 106 BRITISH BIRDS. [ VOL. xx. of their nest with a Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata). The fight lasted the whole of one day, the Swallows eventually winning and raising a brood which flew early in June. It is, I think, somewhat unusual for this Flycatcher to nest inside a closed building. H. W. RoBINSON. EARLY BREEDING OF THE GRASSHOPPER- WARBLER IN SUSSEX. Mr. J. A. WALPOLE-Bonp has kindly furnished me with some particulars of the nesting dates of the Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella n. n@via) in Sussex from 1920 to 1926 as observed by himself and Mr. P. B. Smyth. Some of these records are so remarkable that it seems advisable to give details. The latest date for a clutch of fresh eggs was May 22nd, 1925 (c/6 J.A.W.B. & P.B.S.), but many nests were found with full sets between May oth and 2oth. On May 25th, 1923, a nest with the unusual number of seven young about four days old was found. Allowing fourteen days for incubation, this would make the date of the full clutch about May 7th and the first egg would have been laid on May 2nd. In the year 1926, Messrs. Walpole-Bond and Smyth met with a nest containing five young and an addled egg on May 16th. The young were about two or three days old, so that the eggs must have been laid during the last days of April! On the same day, another bird was also seen feeding young, but the nest was not found till May 25th, when they were just fledged. This was probably slightly earlier than the previous nest. A third nest with young a few days old was also dis- covered on May roth, yet full clutches of fresh eggs were found in the same district up to May roth and 2oth. It is evident from the above records that, exceptionally, the first eggs may be found as early as April 24tb or 25th, and full clutches by the end of April on the south coast of England, nearly four weeks earlier than the average date for the Midlands and North of England. F. C. R. JOURDAIN. EARLY BREEDING OF GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER IN SOMERSET. On May 26th, 1926, I found a nest of Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella n. nevia), containing two young about three days old and four addled eggs, in Somerset. Allowing three days for the age of the chicks, and fourteen days {or incubation, the first egg was laid on May 5th! I am wondering if the unusually early date had anything to do with the infertile eggs. STANLEY LEwIs. VOL. =x.] NOTES. 107 PROBABLE ALPINE ACCENTORS IN HAMPSHIRE. On January 19th, 1926, at Beaulieu, Hampshire, during the second day of a howling blizzard (the direction of which at Beaulieu was from the S.S.E.), three strange birds appeared among the Chaffinches and Sparrows, which came to food put down during the winter outside my house. They were first noticed by Sergt.-Major Adams and were seen many times by myself and also by Col. C. Hodgkinson. They were fairly tame and remained near the house from January roth to 21st, and were twice within ten feet of the window. The points noticeable about the birds were their speckled throats, white wing-bars, deepish red-brown flanks, yellowish beaks and the colour of their legs, which was of a rather pale, but dirty salmon shade. On the ground they had a rather low, sliding movement, almost a crouch, but difficult to describe. They were larger than Chaffinches and their tracks were also larger and quite distinct, with a longish hind claw. Checking the appearance of the birds from Coward’s Birds of the British Isles we had little doubt that they were Alpine Accentors (Prunella collaris). CECcIL PADDON. DIPPER IN SURREY. In the afternoon of May 3rd, 1926, we saw a Dipper (Cinclus c. gularis) on the banks of the river Mole, near Leatherhead Railway Bridge. When disturbed, the bird flew off down stream, and we had a clear view of it. We have both seen a good many Dippers in the north, but never before in Surrey. We have not seen the bird again and it was no doubt a passing visitor. P. F. DAGGER. A. L. MACKIE. GOLDEN EAGLE AND MARSH-HARRIER IN IRELAND. THE Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaétus), which was well known about the Adara Mountains, co. Donegal, for the last ten years, was caught in a trap laid beside a dead sheep to destroy foxes on April 2nd, 1926. As far as can be ascertained, this is the last remaining Irish Eagle ; it was a female with atrophied ovaries past breeding. Thirty years ago the Golden Eagle was a common species, breeding in Donegal, Clare, Mayo and Kerry. It was gradually exterminated, principally by poison. Another Raptor which has entirely disappeared is the Marsh-Harrier (Circus ceruginosus), which was common on the large lakes. Although Lord Castletown strictly preserved the last pair on his estate in Queen’s county, when I visited 108 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. the place in May, 1908, by invitation, I only saw one solitary Harrier, and Mr. Carroll tells me he saw a single bird at the same place in 1922. Up to ten years ago we always had one or two sent for preservation, but since that time we have never had a single specimen. W. J. WILLIAMS. [The extinction of these birds as breeding species in Ireland is indeed a sad event to have to chronicle (cf, Vol. 2X, Pp. 211).—EDs.} TUFTED DUCK BREEDING IN WILTSHIRE. On June 29th, 1926, I saw a pair of Tufted Duck (Nyroca fuligula) with two ducklings on a pond within ten miles of Marlborough. On July roth, there were five ducklings to be seen. I believe this is the first time that Tufted Duck have been recorded as nesting in Wiltshire. There were two pairs on the pond, but whether both nested this year is impossible to prove. 5: 1, C. TURNpE, NEW NESTING-LOCALITY OF SANDWICH TERN IN CUMBERLAND. PREvious to this year the Sandwich Tern (Sterna s. sand- vicensis) has only nested in the one locality (Ravenglass) in Lakeland, but in 1926 a pair bred in another locality in Cumberland and hatched out one nestling on June 30th. R. H. Brown. YOUNG SANDWICH TERNS GOING TO GROUND IN HOT WEATHER. Tuat the chicks of both the Sandwich Tern (Sterna s. sandvicensis) and Common Tern (S. h. Aivundo) go under- ground into rabbit-holes when disturbed or in hot weather I have known for some years, but they are nearly always within arm’s length of the entrance. During my visit to a colony of Sandwich Terns in the heat wave during the last few days of June up to July 2nd, I found that on the latter date all these, except a few just hatched, were so far down as to be only reached by digging. None were less than six feet down or in, and the majority much deeper and quite out of reach. They came to the entrance to be fed, as shown by the amount of “‘ whitewash ” at the entrance of such bedaubed holes, for Sandwich Terns are dirty birds in this respect. In such distress were the few newly hatched ones in the intense heat that I placed them under overhanging sods or fronds of heather for shelter. On June 22nd, nettles, thistles and VOL, XX.] NOTES. 109 ragwort were luxuriant among the nesting scrapes, yet ten days later all these lay dead and burnt with the heat. The young of one colony all flew during the first three days of June, another adjoining had young in all stages and eggs on June 22nd, and still some eggs on July 2nd, whilst a third off-shoot had only one chick out on June 22nd, all these being hatched and far underground on July 2nd, except one. One colony only had the usual fringe of dozens of dead young Black-headed Gulls round it, their heads pierced by the sharp: beaks of the parent Sandwich Terns, for trespassing within their domain. The chick of the Sandwich Tern is most hardy, as it is the exception to find any deaths among them as it is among Common and Arctic Terns, where the death-rate is sometimes. very high. H, W. ROBINSON. UNLIKELY RECORDS IN YORKSHIRE.—In the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Report for 1925 (Nat., 1926, p. II), some quite extraordinary records are published on the authority of Mr. V. G. F. Zimmermann, A MHobby’s nest, near Terrington (Yorks), would be a rare event in itself, but we are told that there were four young (a very exceptional number) on July gth (an extraordinarily early date) and, further, that the nest contained “ fifteen Partridge wings, four Blackbird wings, six Thrush wings, two wings of Lapwing, and the skin of a rabbit.’’ As no comment is made in the Report on this observation, we think it as well to draw attention to its. very remarkable nature. CARRION-CROW’S NEST WITH EIGHT Eccs.—In the Field, 22.iv.26, p. 682, Mr. Stanley Lewis records finding a nest of Carrion-Crow (Corvus c. corone) in an oak tree in Somerset, with eight eggs on April 12th, 1926. The eggs showed some variation but there was nothing to suggest the presence of two females. A somewhat similar case was recorded by Mr. R. W. Calvert from the Oxon. and Gloucester borders on May 3rd, 1924 (Rep. Oxf. Orn. Soc., 1923-24, p. 23), but in this. case five eggs were of one type and three of another, so that probably two hens were responsible for the abnormally large clutch. ERYTHRISTIC EGGs OF Sky-LArRK.—Surg. Rear-Admiral J. H. Stenhouse records a clutch of four reddish eggs of the Sky- Lark (Alauda a. arvensis) taken on Fair Island in May, 1925, and now in the Royal] Scottish Museum (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 91) They are described as being rather lighter than normal red 110 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XX. ‘eggs of the Tree-Pipit. In a previous paper on ‘“‘Erythrism in Eggs of British Birds” (antea, Vol. VII., p. 249), we were ‘only able to record one instance of this type (c/3 from the Orkneys in Mr. Bunyard’s collection), but we have recently ‘seen a set of three from Denmark in the Lehn Schisler collec- tion at Copenhagen and have also seen a set of three red eggs from Suffolk ascribed by the finder to this species.—F.C.R. J. LITTLE OWL IN LANCASHIRE.—Mr. A. R. Davidson intorms us that an adult Little Owl (Athene n. vidalii) was picked up ‘dead at Woodvale, a village lying between Ainsdale, Formby, and the western side of Downholland Moss, on July 28th, 1926. OSPREY IN SCOTLAND IN JuNE.—In the Field (July tst, 1926, p. 31), Mr. N. Maclachlan states that in the evening of June 2nd, 1926, he and the vicar of Wakefield, while fishing the River Don at Glenkindie (Aberdeenshire), saw an Osprey (Pandion halietus) about 100 feet up carrying a fish. The bird was being “ mobbed” by a number of Lapwings, some Oyster-Catchers, Redshanks, and other birds and after rising in a wide semi-circle made off to the north-west. The occurrence of an Osprey at so late a date in the Highlands is of considerable interest. One was recorded in 1924 as visiting Taymount (Fifeshire) about April 26th (Scot. Nat., 1925, Pp. 75). ie To: p eaaIe aay Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1924, including Migration. By Evelyn V. Baxter and L. J. Rintoul. (Reprinted from The Scottish Naturalist, 1925, pp. 73-88 and 109-130.) This annual Report, which has been issued some time and should have been noticed before, has been compiled in the usual form and careful manner associated with these authors’ work for many years. The following notes of interest have not previously been mentioned in our pages ; all the dates refer to the year 1924. SCARLET GROSBEAK (Carpodacus e. evythrinus)—One at Fair Isle, September 9th and 12th. OrTOLAN BuntiING (Emberiza hortulana).—One at Fair Isle, May 16th. GREAT SpoTtED WooppPEcKER (Dryobates m. anglicus) are noted as still spreading in Scotland, and breeding is recorded from north Fifeshire, Morayshire, and east Inverness-shire. BItTERN (Botaurus s. stellaris)—An unusual number were reported pn the southern half of Scotland, mostly in January and in a state of exhaustion. SNow-GoosE (Anser hyperboreus subsp. ?).—A Snow-Goose was seen with Pink-footed Geese on the shore at Tayport ‘Fifeshire) on January 11th. GapwaLL (Anas strepera)—Downy young were seen at Biel (Haddington) on July 7th, this being the first record of breeding in east Lothian. The bird bred again in south Fifeshire, where it is hoped it may become established. WicGEon ‘Anas penelope).—These are referred to positively as having bred for the last three years in Bute, but although the evidence is strong it does not seem to us to be conclusive. The Rev. J. M. McWilliam, in his original note ‘Scot. Nat., 1924, p. 162), states that Wigeon ‘‘ have brought their young to Quienhoch,” but he does not state the age of the young or give the months of their appearance. The statement is on the evidence of two gamekeepers, but Mr. McWilliam has, himself, seen two pairs of old birds on May 2oth, r916, and a drake on June 4th, 1924. PInTAIL (Anas a. acuta).—A female with young was seen at Kin- goodie {Perthshire) on June 14th. RED-THROATED DiveR {Colymbus stellatus)—This is stated to be breeding in Mull. GREENSHANK {Tyinga nebularia)—Bred in Aberdeenshire, the first record for the Dee area. * WHIMBREL ‘Numenius pheopus).—A record is quoted from the Field ‘Sept. 11th, 1924, p. 402) of the breeding of the Whimbrel near Newtonmore, in Inverness-shire. Mr. Dugald Macintyre was the observer, and he states that he saw the old birds, which flew round in a state of anxiety, uttering their call, which he at once recognized. Eventually he found a young one which was almost “ fledged ”’ but not larger than an adult Golden Plover. Hedoesnot, unfortunately, give other details which would afford absolute proof that his identification was correct. There is no authentic case of the Whimbrel breeding on the mainland of Scotland, and it will be interesting to see if this observa- tion is confirmed in the future. ROSEATE TERN {Stervna d. dougailii)—Two were seen in one locality on May 17th, and another at a different locality on the 19th, both on the east coast. Breeding, however, was not proved. fos) al LEVERS DISAPPEARANCE AFTER NESTING OF THE PIED FLYCATCHER. To the Editors of BritisH Brrps. Strs,—Living as I do in the heart of a Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa h. hypoleuvca) district I have had ample opportunities for many years: past of watching them under the most favourable conditions. It must be admitted that in the great majority of cases my observations. have been on birds occupying artificial nesting boxes, for no species. takes more readily to these; but in consequence I, and many of my neighbours, have them under our eyes at all hours of the day during the nesting season, and no birds can be easier to observe. But there is one problem that I have never yet been able to solve. What becomes. of the Pied Flycatchers, both old and young, as soon as the latter have left the nest? In the case of the Spotted Flycatcher (M. s. striata) and most other small birds, both old and young are to be seen about for some time, even for weeks, after the young have left the nest, but with the Pied Flycatcher it is never so, and from the moment that the young ones leave the nest the whole family vanishes. In an experience of over thirty years I have never yet succeeded in seeing a Pied Flycatcher except at the nesting site; once the young have flown they are never seen again until the following April. What becomes of them? Can anyone living in a Pied Flycatcher district throw any light on the subject ? A, ASTLEY. FRESHFIELD, AMBLESIDE. NESTING OF THE MARSH-WARBLER, To the Editors of BRITISH Birps. Strs,—With reference to Mr. Hale’s note on the nesting of Marsh- Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) in Kent, I see he writes of the “usual Meadow-sweet . . . growing close by ...’’ He then adds further remarks ve the prevalence of this plant in the vicinity of all but one nest found by him. I have had considerable experience of this species, both in Northern France and Hungary, and the impression I have gained is that the occurrence of meadow-sweet has not necessarily anything to do with Marsh-Warblers. It seems to me that it is merely an indication that the locality is a suitable one wheve these Warblers ave not very plentiful. Where the species is quite common I have found numerous nests in nettles on dry ground—in the vicinity of willow bushes. On one occasion, in France, I even found a nest sus- pended in a wild mustard plant growing in a crop of rye on a hill top well away from watey! On another occasion I saw and heard undoubted breeding birds in a field of well-grown beans, also well away from watery. The commonest plant utilized, both in France and Hungary, was found to be the nettle, but a well-favoured site was dead reed, up which grew convolvolus (bind-weed), the dead stems of convolvolus often being used as a nest lining. I agree that the song, nest and eggs are unmistakable. The song mimicry is simply amazing. ‘he rye-field male bird was a perfect genius at imy ersonating the Quails, which were common neighbours ! W. M. ConGREVE. ‘Harrop, TREFNANT, 4th August, ean 'S HM » oa. oe oo . ¢ May Ae ‘ ‘A va Ea IS [ Ry > % 1926 PURCHASED Up et O ~FRAL HIS WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. LE GERFAUT REVUE BELGE D’ORNITHOLOGIE (Fondée en 1911), Le seule publication scientifique belge traitant des oiseaux, sptcialement des oiseaux de la Belgique. Abonnement Belgique 13 francs par an: autres pays 15 francs par an. Direction : Square Prince Charles 21, Bruxelles-Laeken (Belgique). STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. BSTD- 1760, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS’ EGGS, CABINETS, ete. | Also BOOKS relating to Natural History. Catalogues of sales posted on application. WHELDON & WESLEY, LTD. have in stock nearly all the books and journals required by ornithologists. The collection of old and rare works is one of the largest in the country. New books and journals supplied to order. Books not in stock sought for. Just issued: Zoological Catalogue, Part I, Vertebrata; Part II, Faunas. Bookbinding in all its branches undertaken. Libraries and parcels of books purchased. LONDON:—2, 3, & 4, Arthur St., NEW OXFORD STREET, W.C.1. Telephone :—Gerrard 1412. WATKINS & DONCASTER, NATURALISTS. CABINETS and APPARATUS of every kind for Collectors of Birds’ Eggs, Insects, &c. A LARGE STOCK OF BIRDS’ EGGS (also in Clutches) and BRITISH and EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, &c. NESTING BOXES OF VARIOUS PATTERNS. which should be fixed up in Gardens or Shrubberies by Lovers of Birds before the Breeding Season. All Books and Publications (new and second-hand) on Natural History supplied. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2., ENGLAND. “LENDS NEW PLEASURE TO THE STUDY OF BRITISH BIRDS” BIRDS IN ENGLAND By E. M. NICHOLSON With wood engravings specially prepared by E. FITCH DAGLISH. 344 pages. Demy 8vo., 12s. 6d. net; postage 9d. Detailed prospectus sent on request. SOME PRESS OPINIONS. The Spectator: “Mr. Nicholson has written a book that lends a new pleasure to the study of British Birds. . . His case is put moderately, with wisdom, and with the backing of sound and thorough information. . . Mr. Daglish’s salient and original woodcuts add distinction to a book of distinction.” The Field : “To our cordial recommendation of his book on its own merits we should like to add our assurance that Mr. Fitch Daglish’s wood engravings, original in design and execution, will materially add to the welcome the volume will receive from all its readers.” The Observer : ‘ Theexacter relations of English people past and present to English birds, with its influence on the nature and habits of the bird population, has never before been made a complete and single theme.” In your Bird Study rambles you will find Fungus Growths of intriguing beauty. Ordinary objects perhaps, but opening up a most fascinating study to all lovers of nature. A delightful account of Fungus life in its numerous guises, both real and legendary, is to be found in THE ROMANCE OF THE FUNGUS WORLD by R. T. and F, W. ROLFE. 326 pages, fully illustrated by line drawings and photographs of unusual charm. Demy 8vo, 12s. 6d. net; postage 9d. Prospectus on application, LONDON : CHAPMAN & HALL Ltp., 11 HENRIETTA Srt., W.C.2 | ainaals “Wma ea = “4 i } a ~*~ \ ' BRIWSH BIRDS ANIEUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY: TOTHEBIRDS “s ON THEBRNTISH UST. la - OCTOBER 1, 1926. MONTHLY - 1594. YEARLY-20:s, -326HIGH HOLBORNIENDON- HFeG-WITHERBY. JUST PUBLISHED. RECORD OF BIRDS BRED IN CAPTIVITY By EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. 15/- net This work is, as the title indicates, the compilation of a record of those birds which have reproduced themselves in captivity, and without any necessary reference to the first occasion or first breeder, though these particulars are given where known. The volume is divided into three parts: (1) Species which have been bred in confinement, (2) Hybrids which have been bred, and (3) a summary of the whole in which an attempt is made to indicate the comparative values of the records. The whole represents the completest record it is possible to make to the end of 1925, and contains over 800 true-breeding records, with about the same number of hybrids. H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. A Naturalist’s “Paradise. LUNDY ISLAND. Birds in their tens of thousands migrate to nest on the Island in April, May, June and July, and there is probably no other spot within the British Isles where so many species may be observed with such perfect ease and intimacy within easy distance of a comfortable Farm House Hotel. During this period the Island is visited from far and near by Bird-lovers. For Accommodation apply Manageress: MANOR HOUSE HOTEL, LUNDY. Telegrams : Hotel, Lundy-Island-Coast-Guard-Station (one word). Mail leaves Instow Wednesdays; post early Tuesday. TAXIDERMY BIRD and FISH mounting and SKINS for the Cabinet a Speciality. go years’ experience and in the field. Correspondence invited. E. C. SAUNDERS, 98, Arundel Road, Newtown, Gt. Yarmouth. Old Patrons please note change of address. 2 gh Sa oNgR anor NE et ata 2 2 y ‘ ” - ees BRITDAIBIRDS WITH WHICH WaS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U: SS Ola TS ———— en — 7 A OBER og NUMBER 5, VoL. XX., OcTOBER I, 1926) os okt The Eggs of the Sparrow-Hawk. By J. H. Owen ... eos . Field-Notes from Lakeland, 1925. By R. H. Brown oe) aoe Notes :-— “ British Birds’? Marking Scheme nee 128 Nesting of the Golden-Plover, Hawfinch and Red-backed Shrike in Breconshire (John Walpole Bond and R. P. Sandeman) sky ve Re ava is ca “a. £28 Additional Notes from Glamorgan (Miss Clemence M. Acland) 128 Red-backed Shrike Breeding in Cheshire (Edwin Cohen) ... 129 Laying Dates of the Grasshopper-Warbler in Glamorgan (Geoffrey C. S. Ingram and H. Morrey Salmon) ae 129 Fledging-Period of House-Martin (R. H. Brown) ... oe 130 Marsh-Harrier in Westmorland (Laurence Ardern) ... ins 130 An Unrecorded Night-Heron in Somerset (B. W. Tucker) 130 Whimbrel Inland in N. Wales (M. V. Wenner) bet gu 131 Fledging-Period of Common Tern (R. H. Brown) ... ve 131 Short Notes :— Erythristic Eggs of Sky-Lark. Continental Song-Thrush in Bute. White Swallow in Ireland. Cuckoo Returning to Same Summer Quarters for Eight Successive Years. Short-eared Owl Breeding in Westmorland. White Wild Geese. Red-breasted Merganser Nesting in Renfrew- shire. Early Arrival of Jack Snipe in Devonshire. Early Arrival of Jack Snipe in Wigtonshire. i232 Reviews :— A Natural History of the Ducks. By John C. Phillips, Vols. RE. and EV. ws ois at aN ~ ae ue The Marsham Phenological Record. By Ivan D. Margary. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, LII., Now 207) x3. ree ae es ae — ee she 134 Letters :— Disappearance after Nesting of the Pied Flycatcher (Dr. H. J. Moon and Miss A. V. Stone)... sae 136 The Egg-Devouring Habit of the Cuckoo (R. M. Garnett) 136 I (114) THE EGGS OF THE SPARROW-HAWK. BY J. H. OWEN. THE eggs of the Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter n. misus) usually number four, five or six. Seven is distinctly uncommon and higher numbers must be very rare. In my opinion a clutch of less than four is the produce of a very old bird whose powers of reproduction are failing. I have found three in a nest occasionally and only once a pair. In the above remarks I refer, of course, to the first laying of a bird in a year; that is, the bird has not previously been robbed. A bird that has been robbed usually lays at least one less in the second set and less still in the third set. In 1913, I took six from a nest and the bird built again in a tree suitable for photography. As A. P. Adams wished to photograph the bird we obtained leave for the nest to be left and the second set consisted of six eggs. Adams and Alstone, a friend of his, both climbed up to it but I did not do so myself. This is the only case of six being followed by six that has come under our joint observation. I have one or two cases of five followed by five and four by four, but a drop in numbers is far more usual. I have notes of six followed by three and five by two. The first case was the produce of a young bird and the second of a very old one. The latter dropped to four eggs the next year, followed by two, and the same the following year again. It is always a matter of difficulty to get sets from the same bird many years in succession. Many birds get killed or, if robbed repeatedly, they often change their breeding-ground. One bird, though robbed every year, used the same spinney from 1917-24 inclusive. I found the nest after the young had gone in 1917. The spinney was only a long narrow slip and there was not a tree in it as thick as a man’s thigh. At first she nested very low down, about eight feet from the ground, but year after year resorted to higher sites until at last she used the highest possible. I took her eggs from 1918-24, but usually gave them to boys who helped me. She had probably been killed before May, 1925, as I could not find a sign of her in the spinney or elsewhere. The eggs vary very much in colourand shape. The breadth is great compared with the length, so much so that some seem very round. The majority are pointed, if very bluntly, but occasionally eggs are found shaped exactly alike at both ends. In comparatively few sets are all the eggs long and narrow. The ground-colour is usually quite white, but fairly often there is a faint tinge of blue. The inside of a fresh egg is a beautiful vot. xx.] EGGS OF THE SPARROW-HAWK. 115 deep green which seems quite permanent after the egg is blown ; it, however, fades as the egg is incubated, and if an egg with a well-developed chick in it is blown, the green will not be nearly so bright. The shell from which a chick has hatched barely shows green at all. The markings vary from very dark brown or chocolate, one might almost say black in fact, down to a very pale light brown. At Felsted I find paler markings more common than dark. Ina few sets the markings have a violet tinge in them, but I think this variation is uncommon. The placing of the marking in nearly all sets varies very much. Sometimes it is all collected in a cap at one of the ends; sometimes it is inazone, and sometimes splashed about in splotches and spots anyhow ; quite frequently eggs of all these types will occur in the same set. A set of darkly marked eggs may contain one lightly marked, but the reverse is unusual in my experience. One seldom sees a set with markings evenly distributed over all the eggs of the set. Such a set is the produce of a mature bird presumably in the best of health. I have a few sets in which one of the eggs is completely covered with markings of uniform colour, but I have seen very few such eggs; they are so well covered that it is almost impossible to see any ground-colour; more after the type of the eggs of the Kestrel, Merlin and Hobby than the Sparrow-Hawk. Some sets have an absolutely unmarked egg. If this belongs to a first laying it is certain to be the last egg of the set; the supply of pigment has run out. It needs rather careful examination to say anything of the age of the bird which produced it. If the other eggs have medium bright markings it is probably the produce of a young bird. If they are distinctly bright it is probable that the bird is young but mature. I have two sets taken from the same bird in one year in which the last of the first set was not marked ; all the second laying were marked and she would probably not lay another unmarked egg. These would most probably be the first eggs she had laid. In another case the last egg of four was not marked; this time, however, it was the produce of an old bird, and in succeeding years her last egg was always unmarked. I have two sets of her eggs, laid in successive years. The second laying is as a rule much less well marked than the first, but now and then a strong vigorous bird will produce well-marked eggs in the second set, though, in my experience, never up to the standard of the first lot. It is much more usual for the eggs to be very poorly marked, increasingly so as the set nears completion, and ending with an absolutely unmarked egg. The bird (ueMoO "HY *[ 4q paydvasojoyq) “SAV ALMIHI GUISVI GVH NOILVANONI YALAV LSAN AHL OL IVIMALVW ONIDNINA NAH GIO AUTA EGGS HAD ALL HATCHED SOME DAYS AFTER THE NEST pS oe a2) = o 4 Ww 3 q S) ra H A= n = S = ~~ Q& 8 ~~ g S =~ se! HEN BRINGING MATERIAL FOR 118 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. which laid in the spinney mentioned above always finished her second laying with an unmarked egg. I saw her third set of eggs once or twice and the first laid of these were marked again, but I never took them or troubled her. Eggs some- times show shell-marks of a much lighter colour than the surface markings. In many eggs, and often in exceedingly well-marked specimens, the markings skew round the egg as if the egg was being very slowly rotated as the markings were put on; asa rule only one, if one, of the eggs in a set has these skew markings; this is curious as I have seen Buzzards’ eggs in which all the eggs in the set showed it plainly. The size of the eggs varies very much. I have by me the measurements of 425 eggs. The average length is 38.86 mm. and breadth 31.22. The biggest eggs are 44.1 X 31.0, 43.7 X 32.3, 43-6 X 32.1, 44.0X 31.2 and 44.5x32.7 This last is a very curious specimen as it was a single yoked egg, as far as I could tell, and was the middle egg of five of which the other four averaged 37.8 X 29.85 mm. The smallest egg I have got is 34.2 27.5 mm., but this is rather unfair as it is the last egg of a third laying. Boys used to bring me very small eggs from birds that they robbed until the eggs became quite tiny, but I never kept them and the smallest measurement I can find is 36.2x29.3. My bird’s previous egg measured 38.031.3 mm. Three eggs in a second laying of a four-egg bird were 35.4 X29.7, 35.0 X 29.0 and 35.5 X 30.3. Her first eggs were 37.0 X 31.2, 35.4 X 30.8, 35.8 X 30.9, 36.0 X 29.5, so that all her eggs were on the small side. Very few eggs of a first set measure less than 35 mm. in length. A bird produced one 34.8 30.1 in Ig21, and another 34.4 X 31.1 in 1923. I could not find her nest in 1922 or again after 1923. My average and biggest eggs are in size below those quoted in most books. The average is easily explained. My eggs contain quite a number of second layings and these eggs are often noticeably less than those in the first. Another point is that the eggs of the bird slightly decrease year by year. I have measurements of several sets from the same birds. The probability is that the majority of the eggs, from which the book averages were taken, were the produce of birds that had not been laying for more than three years, only one set from each, not many second sets and no third sets. I have no six-set with all the eggs over 40 mm., but one set has five and the sixth egg measures 39.4. I have six five-sets in which all the eggs measure Over 40 mm, and in one case a second voL. xx.] EGGS OF THE SPARROW-HAWK. 119 set of four all measured over 40, and in fact averaged larger than the first set. I have one other set of four and one set of three (a second laying) which also reach this measurement. The smallest six-sets average 36.9 x 29.63 and 37.05 X 29.35, the produce of different birds. A five bird averaged 36.2 x 30.3 in 1921 and 35.9X30.5 in 1923. A five bird averaged 36.3 X29.9 in I91g but only laid four eggs in 1g2I, which averaged 36.0 30.8. As with everything else connected with the Sparrow-Hawk it is impossible to lay down a definite rule that the eggs decrease slightly year by year. My own experience is that this is generally so, but I have several excep- tions. Soft-shelled eggs are exceedingly rare. This year (1926) one was laid in a set of five and the bird turned it out ; some years ago a Kestrel did exactly the same thing. In 1925 the keepers seemed to be more thoroughly at work in this neighbourhood and I found Hawks hanging in woods where they had not been molested, except by myself, for years. I had great difficulty in finding nests and had to extend my usual range very considerably to find eight nests, which provided forty-one eggs and the soft egg. These eggs averaged 39.55X31.7. One of the birds behaved in an extremely interesting manner. I found the nest before she began to lay, but even at that early stage she whimpered when anyone went at all near the nest-tree. As she got eggs her uneasiness grew and she became more and more noisy. As she was nearing the completion of her clutch she used to dart at me repeatedly, missing my head by inches only, when I was standing in sight of the nest but quite forty yards from it. Very curiously, when she had finished laying, she became much more normal or had got used to being visited. She was a young bird laying her first set and I attributed her queer behaviour partly to nerves and partly to the fact that woodmen were busy in the woods near her and this kept her worried. Of the other seven, one only made any noise at all; the rest were all absolutely silent when the nests were visited. I have mentioned the brightness of the markings on the eggs. Iam of the opinion that this is a mark of youth in a bird and increases until the bird has reached a certain age ; the markings on the eggs of old birds are dull and the eggs generally have a faded appearance even when taken quite fresh. It seems to me, too, that the sets which have paler markings have more brightness than the darker markings, although sometimes these are quite glossy. An analysis of the measurements of thirty-four clutches of eggs, ascribed to fourteen females, shows some points of interest. 120 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. In nearly every case if the first layings alone are considered, there is a slight, but definite, decrease in size. Bird. »” Year. IQI2 1913 I9QI6 1917 I9QI5 1916 I9Q17 1918 1919 1920 1921 1923 1921 1922 1921 1924 Ig2I 1922 Average size of eggs. 40.50 X 32.22 40.02 X 31.96 37-90 X 31.12 38.96 X 31.06 39-71 X 31.48 39.83 X 30.90 39.16 X 31.51 38.38 X 31.40 38.42 X 31.60 37.51 X 31.21 38.61 X 31.23 35-88 X 30.50 39.85 X 32.50 39.75 X 32.05 39.52 X 31.58 37.20 X 31.56 38.32 X 32.80 37.82 X 32.44 No. of eggs. nn nn On DANN Nn oO nn Ann ak > Notes. Markings darker and more distinct. Decrease in size. Last egg not well coloured. One of the few cases of increase in size (length). All eggs well marked. Last egg weakly coloured. (2nd laying 5; all poorly marked.) (2nd laying 5; all poorly marked.) (2nd laying 5 ; poorly marked but very pretty.) One egg missing; perhaps drop- pedaway from nest. (2nd laying 53 poorly marked.) Decrease in length and breadth. An oldish bird ; small eggs of dark type. Great decrease in size. find 1922 nest; acres.) (Failed to wood over 50 No appreciable change in size. A second laying in 1919 averaged 38.62 X 30.10. Marked decrease in length. Decrease in length and breadth. The following cases show the differences between first and second layings :— H ” a”? Ig2I ” 1923 ”? 1922 1918 1923 ” 42.20X 33-54 42.62 X 32.82 37-47 X 32-57 38.55 X 32.07 39.16 X 30.42 38.77 X 29.47 37-30 X 30.62 37.00 X 30.63 40.33 X 32.22 38.46 X 31.48 37-33 X 30.20 Wn Aw Nw n AD SS All fine eggs well marked. Increase of length. Probably a mature bird. Last egg unmarked. All marked. Increase of length. Young bird. Third egg abnormally large (44.5 X 32.7). Decrease. From a really old bird; in 1919 and 1920 she laid 4 and 2 only. Slight decrease. Three sets from the same bird ; she changed woods for the second nest; and used the old nest, which had been kicked down and lodged half-way for the third. Steady decrease in size. (iat 4 FIELD-NOTES FROM LAKELAND, 1925. BY R. H, BROWN. CARRION-CROoW (Corvus c. corone).—Two pairs, breeding in localities at altitudes of three hundred feet and thirteen hundred feet above sea-level, had clutches of four eggs by April 8th. Of eleven nests found this spring, two had clutches of five, three had three, the rest four. One pair built about six feet from the ground in a hawthorn bush. A nest visited on May 17th held, besides the three young, a partly-eaten young Rook. On April 25th, a Crow was flushed from a nest holding five Crows’ eggs and one of a Tawny Owl (Strix a. sylvatica) ; the Owl’s egg was removed and placed under a broody hen, but was infertile. As Crows are notorious egg-stealers it is strange they had not eaten this egg. Apparently there was an interval between the Crows finishing their nest and beginning laying, during which the Owls took possession and laid an egg, only to be ejected by the rightful owners. Roox (C. f. frugilegus)—Two rookeries were visited in April and one hundred and eighteen nestlings were ringed ; these were distributed amongst fifty-three nests, which gives an average of 2.2 young per nest. 4 nests each held 4 young. 16 ”? a) ” S ” 21 ” ” ” 2 a” I2 ” +”? ” I ” 53 nests held 118 young. None of the nestlings were under a fortnight old, some were practically feathered, and it is probable that all were reared. There were some dozens of dead nestlings, averaging about ten days old, beneath the trees. MacpliE (Pica p. pica).—In 1924, a pair nested in an oak tree and reared one young. The same nest was used this year, a new lining added, and three eggs laid. 122 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. Xx. On February 6th, a party of eight birds was noticed in a hedge, pursuing one another, three making flights at intervals. Seven birds were pursuing each other about some trees at dusk on April 16th, occasionally all would fly almost vertically into the air for about a hundred feet, then plane steeply down. YELLOW BuntTING (Emberiza c. citrinella)—Song in general did not begin before the third week of February, although one male was singing on January 28th. Two nests ready for eggs on April 21st had each one egg on the 24th. PIED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca)—In one locality a male was seen and heard in song on May 8th ; the female may have been present then but was not noticed until the 12th. The nest with three eggs was found on the roth, on the 24th there were eight; these hatched on June 5th, incubation-period twelve days, and the eight young flew on the 18th, fledging-period thirteen days (cf. Vol. XIX., p. 28r). The male continued in song until the young hatched, often singing to the brooding female, and gave as much song during the incubation-period as before it. Another male was located on May 24th; he was in full song and paid several visits to a certain knot-hole in an elm tree. On the 30th he was still singing vigorously, but no female was seen, and when the knot-hole was examined, and found empty, he came within a few feet of me, uttering his alarm-note. After I left the tree he twice visited the knot- hole and pursued from the tree a Great Tit. On June 6th the knot-hole was still empty, no female was seen, and the male was giving very little song, but still maintained a watch on the tree and drove away a Tree-Creeper. On the 17th a female was flushed from the knot-hole, which held a nest of three eggs, and by July 3rd there was one nestling about six days old, the other eggs being infertile. A third male was noticed on June 4th, and by the sustained vigour of his song and the way he was investigating all knot- holes had evidently just arrived. He was observed for nearly three weeks, during the greater part of which period he frequented an oak tree and made periodic visits to a certain knot-hole, but no female came and he disappeared, his song having gradually diminished during his stay. The same fate befell a fourth male who was also unable to obtain a mate, although in possession of a breeding-territory including trees with empty knot-holes. vot, xx.] FIELD-NOTES FROM LAKELAND. 123 LESSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia c. curruca).—Near Carlisle, on July 20th, a nest of two young was found. Both adults were seen, general coloration above dark grey, almost a bluish-grey, below white; no rufous-coloured wings or prominent white throat. Their alarm-note was a loud “ tuc- tuc-tuc.”’ The nest, slightly constructed, was about four feet from the ground in some brambles. HEDGE-SPARROW (Prunella m. occidentalis).—Males do not usually begin singing before the last week of January or first week of February. This year one began on January 28th ; throughout the autumn and early winter months no song is heard. Some pairs keep to the same territory throughout the year, whilst with others the sexes separate for the winter, especially with “ hard weather ” conditions. On October 12th three birds, by their behaviour two females and a male, were pursuing one another about the garden, but since then only the pair has been noticed. In another territory on Novem- ber 20th a pair, presumably male and female, attacked and drove away a third bird. WREN (Troglodytes t. troglodytes) —Wrens often remain in pairs, and frequent the same territory, throughout the year. The male’s song, heard in every month, may help him to retain his mate and perhaps signifies his willingness to breed at any season. On September 23rd, two Wrens, presumably male and female, were about the garden. The male pursued the female to a wall and then, with wings and tail half open and drooping, burst into vigorous song; when he had finished the female sang, a song as loud and vigorous as his; a similar incident was witnessed on November 7th. A pair was seen in a hedge on November 6th, the male attempted coition but the female refused ; they fought, after which he burst into song, then followed her. A male was noticed on November 20th, whilst singing to a female, slowly to extend his wings and raise them to their highest, then lower them; this action was repeated several times. Tawny Ow (Strix aluco sylvatica).—A pair laid in a hollow tree ; the eggs were laid on alternate days and incubation began with the first egg. The nestlings hatched on alternate days and if the eggs hatched in the order in which they were laid, then the incubation-period for each was twenty-eight days. The nestlings were brooded during the day until the eldest was fifteen days old. Only two nestlings were reared. 124 BRITISH BIRDS. [ VOL. .xx. Incubation] Young left | Fledging Egg No. Laid. Hatched. Period. the nest. Period. Days. Days. I March 21 | April 18 28 May 20 32 2 ” 23 ” 20 28 ary 2P? (?) 32 (?) 3 Pe 25) » «22 28 — red 4 » 27 » 24 28 by |May 3rd. * antea Vol. XIX., p. 281. The following notes deal with the development and food of the young. All mammals and birds were headless unless otherwise stated. April 18th, one nestling out, other eggs unchipped ; one perfect short-tailed field-vole. 20th, two nestlings, other eggs unchipped ; three long-tailed field-mice (two perfect), and three nestling Song-Thrushes (two perfect). The Song-Thrushes were only partly feathered and had obviously been taken from a nest. 22nd, three nestlings. 24th, four; remains of a Song-Thrush. 26th, two older nestlings have the quills of the flight-feathers and mantle appearing. May 3rd, only the two older nestlings left. Feathering on the head, nape, mantle, and wing-coverts, and the flight-feathers are breaking’out of the quills. A brown rat, a long-tailed field-mouse, and a perfect shrew. 15th, a young Blackbird. zoth, one young Owl sitting on a branch of the nest-tree was in full juvenile plumage (legs in down), the other was still in the nest, a little down about the head and the tail-feathers only two-thirds out. Its fledging-period would be thirty-two to thirty-three days. PEREGRINE Fatcon (Falco p. peregrinus).—A female was flushed on April r9th from an empty ledge. She flew up and down the face of the cliff, making no outcry, now and again flying to a considerable height and hanging head to wind like a Kestrel. On a feeding-place near this ledge were many pellets and the remains of a Greenfinch, several Meadow- Pipits, a Redwing, and two Song-Thrushes. On May toth the female was brooding one egg on this ledge and when disturbed flew about the cliff-face, calling frequently and fighting with a pair of Ravens which had a brood of four fledged young about fifty yards away in the same cliff. On the nesting-ledge were the remains of a Homing-Pigeon and a rabbit, and on a feeding-place a Redshank. The eyrie was found robbed by May 22nd. vou. xx.] FIELD-NOTES FROM LAKELAND. 125 MERLIN (Falco c. @salon).—The Merlin still breeds in the Lake District. In June, 1924, a female was seen in a certain locality but the nest was not found. Several visits were paid to the locality this year and the young located. On May 2nd a fight was watched between the male and a Buzzard which had entered the valley, resulting in the latter being put to flight. The Merlin would swoop down on the Buzzard, the larger bird avoiding the rushes by a movement of its wings, but twice its small antagonist struck it, and most of the time the Buzzard was mewing. On June 17th the female was found brooding four one-day-old nestlings. Both adults disappeared out of sight, making no outcry, when disturbed, but on the other occasions when the nest was visited the female, and the male if present, was always very noisy. By the 24th there were only three young, and they were found on July 12th perched on a boulder some distance above the nest and flew off strongly when disturbed ; this gives a fledging- period of twenty-five days (cf. Vol. XIX., p. 281). The nest was observed for several hours on July Ist and 5th, and it was found that the female kept guard and fed the young, the male hunting and plucking the prey and keeping guard whilst she was at the nest. From the prey found on the boulders the young were fed entirely on Meadow-Pipits and Wheatears. When the prey was plucked, sometimes the male took it to the female, sometimes he called and she came for it. Another pair was located (not in the Lake District) but had been robbed. On various feeding-places were the remains of two young Redshanks, a Meadow-Pipit, a Song-Thrush, and a Stonechat. CoMMON BuzzarpD (Buteo b. buteo)—On May 3rd a nest of three eggs was found in the top branches of an alder tree, the nest-rim gracefully decorated with green larch sprays, and within three hundred yards another pair had a similar clutch in a nest in a cliff-side. Both pairs were subsequently robbed, a fate which befell three more pairs. A female was flushed from a clutch of four eggs on April roth; none of the eggs were chipped on May toth, but by the 22nd the four young were out, the two eldest approxi- mately nine days old, the third seven days, the youngest five. If the first egg was laid on April 13th and incubation began with it, then the incubation-period was approximately twenty-eight to thirty days. On the nest-rim were the perfect bodies of two short-tailed field-voles, a shrew-mouse, and a young stoat. There were still four young on June 8th, ‘but the youngest was considerably behind the others in 126 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx, development. These had their flight- and tail-feathers well out. The young were in a corner of the ledge, out of the nest, which was decorated, for the first and only occasion, with silver-birch twigs. About the nest were the bones of a rabbit. When the nest was visited on the 21st one of the eldest birds flew from the ledge, fledging-period thirty-nine days; its mate was in full juvenile plumage and so was the third young except for a little down on the head, and these two would probably fly in two or three days, but the youngest bird (now thirty-five days old) had still its head and thighs in down. About the nesting-ledge were many pellets of vole-fur and the remains of a Meadow-Pipit. A clutch of three eggs was found on April 24th, and on June 1st the female was flushed from the nest, which held one young bird, thirteen or fourteen days old, clad in coarse greyish-white down, the quills of the flight- and tail-feathers appearing. The nest-rim, decorated with mountain-ash twigs, held the wing of a domestic fowl and the breast-bones, legs and feet of three adult Red Grouse. By the roth the young Buzzard had grown considerably, the flight-feathers were developed and the tail-feathers two-thirds out. The mantle was feathered and the head and breast beginning to feather, but the thighs were still in down. The nest-rim, decorated with silver-birch twigs, held the breast-bones, legs and feet of an adult Red Grouse. On the 26th the young bird was in full juvenile plumage, and if it left the nest the following day its fledging-period was thirty-nine to forty days. The nest-rim, profusely decorated with mountain-ash twigs, held the remains of an adult Red Grouse. About a month later this nest was visited and the remains of another adult Red Grouse found. The locality was also visited in the late autumn, and under some trees where the adults roosted at night were found many pellets, consisting entirely of the fur and bones of field-mice. A clutch of two eggs found on May roth reposed in a very slight nest, just five or six small sticks with a few pieces of bracken for lining. Near it were the remains of a rabbit. The eggs were still unhatched on the 22nd, the nest con- taining a lot of down and a flight-feather from an adult. By June 8th there was one young bird, the other egg being infertile, and on the nest-rim the hind-quarters of a rabbit. This nest was never decorated. MALLARD (Anas p. platyrhyncha).—A party of five drakes and three ducks was observed on December 12th. The drakes were going through their courtship, bobbing their VoL, Xx.] FIELD-NOTES FROM LAKELAND. 127 heads up and down, each time touching their breasts with their bills, whilst at times both ducks and drakes would plunge and splash about in the water, diving at times, and occasionally both sexes were noticed swimming about with necks outstretched on the water. On one occasion a duck was swimming about like this when a drake approached and copulation occurred, after which event both birds thoroughly washed themselves. SLAVONIAN GREBE (Podiceps auritus).—One observed on a pond near Carlisle on November 25th. On several occasions it brought to the surface and ate a small fish. Woop-PicEon (Columba p. palumbus).—In the parish of Dalston, a flock of seventy-four to eighty birds was seen on . May 2oth, and one of thirty-five to forty on June 18th (cf. Vol. XVIII., p. 195). STocK-DovE (Columba cnas).—A clutch of two eggs hatched on July 24th and the two young flew on August 17th, fledging-period twenty-four days (cf. Vol. XIX., p. 28r). DUNLIN (Calidris alpina).—A pair of Dunlin was seen on one of the Lake Mountains on June roth, and although from their behaviour they appeared to be breeding no eggs or young were found. GOLDEN PLOVER (Charadrius a. apricarius).—These birds breed, but very sparingly, in at least three localities in the Lake District. LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)—One picked up dead on Burgh Marsh, Solway Firth, on October 14th was still in juvenile plumage, except that some of the inner secondaries had been moulted. Moor-HEN (Gallinula ch. chloropus).—A young Moor-Hen, when flushed from some reeds by a stream, made for the water and swam underneath for a distance of twenty to twenty- five yards before rising to the surface to breathe, and pro- gressed in this way until out of danger. In swimming under water it mainly used its feet and occasionally its wings. “ BRITISH BIRDS” MARKING SCHEME. “ RINGERS ” are requested to send in to the Editor, not later than October 31st, their schedules, together with a list showing the number of each species ringed. NESTING OF GOLDEN PLOVER, HAWFINCH AND RED-BACKED SHRIKE IN BRECONSHIRE. WirtH reference to Commander Wilson’s note (antea, p. 104), I could point to several hills in his district alone where Golden Plover (Charadrius a. apricarius) were breeding over twenty years ago, where doubtless they have bred for all time; but they were not numerous. As to Hawfinches (Coccothraustes c. coccothraustes), I think it would be found that in certain parts of Breconshire they breed annually, but only a few. I found three nests in 1903 near Builth Wells, four fresh eggs on June 8th, a nest half built on June 11th (this was deserted), and two nestlings about a day old and an addled egg on | June 26th. Evidently this species is a late breeder in Brecon- shire (cf. Commander Wilson’s date, June 19th, four incubated eggs), unless, indeed, its original efforts are destroyed by vermin. Red-backed Shrikes (Lamius c. collurio) were quite common in parts of Breconshire, e.g. round Builth Wells. JOHN WALPOLE-BOND. WITH reference to Commander Wilson’s note (antea, p. 104), the Hawfinch has been a regular breeder in Breconshire for years. I have two clutches of erythristic eggs which I took myself. I did not see a nest this year but saw one, if not two pairs of birds. The Golden Plover breeds every year on the hills. The Red-backed Shrike used, as - Cambridge Phillips says, to be quite common, but for some years, at any rate in my district, it has become much more scarce. R. P. SANDEMAN. ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM GLAMORGAN. In addition to the Field-Notes from Glamorgan (antea, p. 58) by Messrs. G. C. S. Ingram and H. M. Salmon, the following occurrences may be worth recording. | BLAck REDSTART (Phenicurus ochrurus gibraltariensis).— One male seen on November 8th, 1925, near the Worm’s Head, Gower. It flitted amongst the gorse, from one open “—~Pa- VOL. XX.] NOTES. 129 space to another, allowing me to get within two or three yards of it on several occasions and to observe it for a considerable time. NutTuHatcH (Sitta europea affinis)—It was reported to me by Mr. T. W. Proger, F.Z.S., that a Nuthatch had nested in a certain wood in the Vale of Glamorgan during 1925 ; his informant showed him the nesting-hole during the winter, and it had the characteristic mud stopping. Though I visited the wood on several occasions I did not see or hear the birds until April roth, 1926, when one was seen in the tree. On the 22nd one was seen coming out of the hole, and on the 3oth, and again on May 6th, I attempted to photograph the birds feeding young. In The Birds of Glamorgan the Nut- hatch is mentioned as “only occasionally observed in the county ”’ having ‘“‘ probably bred some years ago,” and the nest having been taken on the Breconshire border. GOOSANDER (Mergus m. merganser).—One at Kenfig Pool, March 21st, 1926. Brack TERN (Chlidonias n. niger)—Two Black Terns were seen on Kenfig Pool on March 21st, 1926, their dark appearance, coupled with the fact that never once in over two hours observation did they plunge into the water, but hovered above, occasionally “ nipping ’’ something off the surface, made me certain of their identification. On two occasions they alighted on some water-lily leaves near the edge of the pool, where I was able to see that they had dark markings on the neck, and that their feet were apparently black or very dark brown. CLEMENCE M. ACLAND. RED-BACKED SHRIKE BREEDING IN CHESHIRE. EARLy in August, 1926, my wife and I watched a female Red-backed Shrike (Lanius c. collurio) feeding a young one at Wilmslow, Cheshire, and at another time we saw the male _ bird at the same place. In Coward’s Fauna of Cheshire (1910) the only other record for the district isin 1869. Fpwrx ConEN. LAYING DATES OF THE GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER IN GLAMORGAN. WirTH reference to the notes on the early breeding of the Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella n. nevia) by the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain and Mr. Stanley Lewis (antea, p. 106), it may be of interest for the sake of comparison, to give the earliest dates of some of the nests we have found. The birds arrive at their breeding-ground on an average about April 2tst, the earliest date we have noted being the K 130 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. 15th of that month. The following are the details of five early nests. ay 28th, 1910. C/4. The young left this nest on June 1gth. Allowing an approximate period of say twenty-eight days for incubating and fledging, and four for the laying of the clutch, the first egg would have been laid on May 18th. June 13th, 1912. Four young which left the nest on the 17th or 18th. Allowing thirty-two days for laying, incubating and fledging, the first egg would have been laid about May 17th. May 2ist, 1913. C/6. slightly incubated. Allowing six days for laying, and three for incubating, the first egg was laid on May 12th. May 29th, 1915. C/4. The young left the nest on June r1th. Allowing thirty-two days for laying, incubating and fledging, the first egg was laid on May roth. The eggs in this nest when found were on the point of hatching, so that the fledging- period was twelve or thirteen days at the most. May roth, 1920. C/6, slightly incubated. Allowing six days for laying and three for incubating, the first egg was laid on May roth. GEOFFREY C. S. INGRAM. H. MorrEY SALMON. FLEDGING-PERIOD OF HOUSE-MARTIN. A CLUTCH of three eggs of the House-Martin (Delichon w. urbica) hatched on August 29th, 1925. The three young were ringed on September 12th, but when the nest was examined on the roth there were only two young, and these flew the next day, fledging-period twenty-two days. A clutch of four eggs, hatched on July gth, 1926, and the four young left the nest on August rst, fledging-period twenty- three days. R. H. BRown MARSH-HARRIER IN WESTMORLAND. On May 24th, 1926, I picked up an adult female Marsh- Harrier (Circus @. eruginosus) on Rigmaden Moor, Kirkby Lonsdale. The bird had been shot at and had just died. It was in poor plumage, the ovaries enlarged, but no eggs had been laid this year. The crop contained rabbit flesh and Coot’s eggs. LAURENCE ARDERN. AN UNRECORDED NIGHT-HERON IN SOMERSET. THROUGH the kindness of Mr. E. G. Holt, of Burnham-on-Sea, my attention has lately been drawn to the existence of a hitherto unrecorded Somerset example of the Night-Heron MO 2. | NOTES. 131 (Nycticorax n. nycticorax). This is in the possession of Mrs. Shingleton, of Panborough Inn, near Wedmore, where I have examined it. The owner was able to supply sound data. The bird was shot by a member of her family, Mr. Thomas Clarke, on Normoor, near Panborough. She was positive that it was killed some time before her marriage, which took place forty-seven years ago, and this would, in any case, preclude the possibility of its being the same as one mentioned by T. Compton in “A Mendip Valley ” (and quoted by the Rev. F. L. Blathwayt—Victoria County History, Somerset, Vol. I.) as having been killed near Glastonbury in 1881, and “ brought to Mr. Clothier.” Subsequently, I succeeded in tracing this latter bird, which is still in existence. No clue seems to be given in Compton’s book to the identity of “ Mr. Clothier.” In point of fact the reference is to the late Mr. J. W.C. Clothier, of Street, near Glastonbury, in the possession of whose son, Mr. A. T. Clothier, the bird now is. Mr. Clothier has kindly permitted me to examine it and has also shown me his father’s copy of Selby, in which there appears under “ Night-Heron ”’ the marginal note ‘‘ Shot at Street, Somerset, 1876."’ Compton’s date is, therefore, apparently incorrect. . B. W. Tucker. WHIMBREL INLAND IN N. WALES. THE Whimbrel (Numenius pheopus) is not often observed inland in N. Wales, so it may be worth recording that while out on the hills at Llangwm, Denbighshire, on August 21st, 1926, five Whimbrel, uttering their characteristic oft- repeated call-note, passed overhead, coming from the Cerrig-y-druidion direction and disappeared over the hills towards Bala. M. V. WENNER. FLEDGING-PERIOD OF COMMON TERN. A Common Tern (Sterna h. hirundo) ringed as a day-old nestling on June 21st, 1926, was caught again on July 2oth, and was then in juvenile plumage and beginning to fly, fledging-period thirty days. R. H. Brown. ERYTHRISTIC EGGs OF Sky-Lark.—In a note on this subject (aniea, p. 109), three or four cases are mentioned in which red eggs of the Sky-Lark (Alauda a. arvensis) are recorded. Mr. W. J. Ashford now writes that he found a nest with four eggs of this type in June, 1926, in Lancashire. Three were on the point of hatching and one, which he took, was unfertile. Mr. J. M. Goodall has also two erythristic sets in his collec- 132 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. tion: c/3 from Yorkshire, and c/2 taken by Captain Stares, so that about seven cases of this aberrant coloration are now on record ; six from the British Isles and one from Denmark. CONTINENTAL SONG-THRUSH IN BuTE.—The Rev. J. M. McWilliam states (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 60) that for several years he has noticed a difference in some of the Song-Thrushes frequenting Bute in winter. On December 3rd, 1925, he shot two of these birds and found they were of the typical form Turdus philomelus philomelus, an opinion confirmed by Surgeon Rear-Admiral Stenhouse on comparison with other specimens. Mr. McWilliam considers that these birds stay in Bute several months and leave in the early spring. WHITE SwaLLtow IN IRELAND.—Mr. W. H. Workman informs us that he saw a pure white Swallow (Hirundo r. rustica) on August 14th, 1926, near Ballycastle, co. Antrim ; it was flying about with ordinary coloured birds and appeared to be a young bird as the tail-feathers were short. Cuckoo RETURNING TO SAME SUMMER QUARTERS FOR EIGHT SUCCESSIVE YEARS.—Major Van de Weyer informs us that the Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) with the peculiar broken note reported in Vol. XVI., p. 107, Vol. XVIII, p. 30, and Vol. XIX., p. 30, returned to Hungerford Park, Berkshire, for the eighth successive year on April 19th, 1926. SHORT-EARED OWL BREEDING IN WESTMORLAND.—Mr. Laurence Ardern writes that a pair of Asio f. flammeus successfully reared a brood in Westmorland in 1926. WHITE WILD GEESE.—Under this title, Mr. H.S. Gladstone contributes an interesting article to the Scottish Naturalist (1926, pp. 37-46), in which he shows that albinistic wild Geese of any species are extremely rare. He has, indeed, after much research, been able to trace only fourteen specimens, while a few others have been recorded as seen. A white Barnacle-Goose (Branta leucopsis) shot on the Dumfries- shire side of the Solway on January 3rd, 1925, and now in Mr. Gladstone’s possession, is the only recorded albino of that species so far as the auther knows. This remarkable bird is well figured, as is the cream-coloured Bean-Goose (Anser fabalis) shot on the Solway in 1917 (not Ig16, as recorded in Brit. Birds, Vol. X., p. 276), and the cream-coloured Pink-footed Goose (A brachyrhynchus), also shot on the Solway and referred to in the above-mentioned note. The date of this last, Mr. Gladstone now gives as October 12th, ee VOL. XX.] NOTES. 133 1912, and the locality Rockliffe Marshes, Cumberland. Other White Geese obtained in the British Isles and enumerated by Mr. Gladstone are Grey Lag-Goose (Anser anser), shot on S. Uist between 1895 and 1905, and another shot but not retrieved on the Firth of Tay about 18go. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER NESTING IN RENFREWSHIRE.— Mr. J. P. Ritchie records (Scott. Nat., 1926, p. 61) that in the spring of 1925 he found a nest of Mergus serrator on an overhanging bank at a fresh-water loch in Renfrewshire. Ten eggs were laid and hatched. Although the bird is known to breed in Dumbarton this appears to be the first record of breeding in the neighbouring county. EARLY ARRIVAL OF JACK SNIPE IN DEVONSHIRE.—Mr. P. B. Savile informs us that he shot a Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes gallinula) on August 3rd, 1926, on Dartmoor. EARLY ARRIVAL OF JACK SNIPE IN WIGTONSHIRE.—Mr. M. Portal writes that a Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes gallinula) rose twice on August 6th, 1926, at Corsewall, and was identified by Mr. D. Currick Buchanan. + ,— iti A Natural History of the Ducks. By John C. Phillips. Vols. III. and IV., with many Plates. (London: Longmans). {10 tos. per vol. Mr. PusrLvips is to be sincerely congratulated on bringing his great work on the Ducks to an end so promptly. The very full bibliography (extending to over a hundred pages in double column) printed at the end of Volume IV. demonstrates the magnitude and thoroughness of the author’s research into the literature of his subject and this, especially in connection with distribution and habits, is a feature of the work, as indeed it should be in a monograph. Our only little regret is that Mr. Phillips has not given rather more detailed descriptions of plumages and more details regarding classification and nomenclature—for instance, the type-localities of names proposed are not cited. But as a whole there is no doubt that the author has given us a very excellent and most acceptable account of the Ducks of the world, and the more one examines the work the more one must realize the vastness of the subject and the immense labour and wide knowledge Mr. Phillips has brought to his task. A secondary but very important feature of the work is in its illustra- tions. The great majority of them are the work of Major Allan Brooks, the well-known Canadian ornithologist and artist. Major Brooks has the rare advantage of being not only an excellent bird-artist, but also a very fine field-ornithologist of great experience. There is no doubt that in the drawing of birds Major Brooks is a master, and we think he excels even more in this than in his colouring, which is sometimes inclined to be too dull, though this is certainly better than an exagger- ated brightness. But even if we do not think all his coloured plates very pleasing there are very many which are most admirable in this respect and they all show the birds well, while the uncoloured plates (chiefly of display attitudes) are most excellent. H.F.W. THE MARSHAM PHENOLOGICAL RECORD. In Vol. LII., No. 217, of the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Soc. (Jan. 1926), there appears a very able paper by Mr. Ivan D. Margary upon the ‘‘ Marsham Phenological Record.” This Marsham Record, probably unique as a record of private obser- vation, was begun by Robert Marsham, F-.R.S., in 1736, and has been continued by his son, grandson, great-grandson, and great-great- grandson (Major H. S. Marsham) up to the present time, and except for two gaps, from the years 1811-1835 inclusive, and from 1841-1844, it covers a period of 190 years, the observations from 1736 to 1858 being made at the estate of Stratton Strawless, about 7 miles north of Norwich, and from 1858 onwards at Rippon Hall, 1 miles to the north of this. Robert Marsham, F.R.S., a correspondent of Gilbert White, and recorder, in a letter to him, of the Norfolk specimen of the Wall- Creeper (Tichodroma muraria), read his observations for the first fifty- two years (1736-1788) before the Royal Society on April 2nd, 1789, and these were published in the Philosophical Tvansactions (79, Part 2, 1789). They were later discussed by Mr. T. Southwell in two papers 135 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xx. contributed by him to the Norf. and Norwich Nat. Soc. Transactions (1874-75, p. 31, and 1901, p. 246), but since then no work appears to have been done upon them until the appearance of Mr. Margary’s paper. The record deals with twenty-seven natural phenomena, seventeen of which refer to the flowering of plants and the leafing of trees, and eight to the movements of birds, these latter being arranged under the following headings :—Swallow, Cuckoo, Nightingale, “Chum Owl Calls,”’ “‘ Thrush sings,’ ‘“‘ Ring Doves coo,’ ‘‘ Rooks build,’ and “Young Rooks.”’ From the entries under some of these headings Mr. Margary has worked out a very interesting series of charts and curves, and for the purpose of continuity the gaps for the years 1811-35, and 1841-44, have been bridged from entries in two contemporary records dealing with the same phenomena, namely those of Henry Cox, who kept a record at Farningham, Kent, and later at Limpsfield, Surrey, and that of Orlando Whistlecraft at Thwaite, Suffolk. As regards the bird observations, with which the present writer is alone concerned, too many small gaps occur in the Nightingale and Nightjar records to make the charting of satisfactory curves possible, though one may mention in passing that the earliest and latest recorded dates for the former are April 2nd and May 23rd (average April 26th), and for the latter April 27th and July oth (average May 24th). The entries for the spring arrival of the Cuckoo and Swallow, how- ever, are so complete that in the 140 effective years (omitting 1811-35 and 1841-44) of the Marsham record, there is only one blank for the Cuckoo and six for the Swallow, and the curves which Mr. Margary has worked out for these two birds over the whole period of 190 years are, I think, of considerable interest to ornithologists. The earliest recorded date for the arrival of the Cuckoo is April 12th, and the latest May 7th (average April 25th), and for the Swallow— earliest April 3rd, and latest May 12th (average April roth). This gives a range of variation of thirteen days for the Cuckoo, and forty- one days for the Swallow, and a comparison of the charted curves of these two birds shows in a very striking manner a much greater regularity of arrival in the former than the latter. Again, whereas the yearly fluctuation in the arrival of the Cuckoo corresponds to some extent with the curve of the April temperature (very possibly, as Mr. Margary points out, the temperature of a shorter period, say the week of arrival, would show an even closer agreement) that of the Swallow shows no relationship to April temperature at all. On the other hand, the Swallow curve shows a curious periodic fluctuation of alternate earliness and lateness, the average length of the periods being 7.6 years. Perhaps the most interesting fact, however, is elicited by a com- parison of the first and last periods of thirty-five years in the record, viz. 1751-1785 and 1891-1925. The average date for the arrival of the Cuckoo in the first period is April 25th and in the last April 23rd— a variation of two days. In the case of the Swallow the average date for the first period is April 15th, and for the last April 23rd—a variation of eight days. This retardation in the arrival of the Swallow would appear, from a study of the decade averages, to have been a gradually increasing one over the whole period of the record, and, as Mr. Margary suggests, may possibly indicate some definite climatic change at its winter quarters, B.B.R. heLETTERS af DISAPPEARANCE AFTER NESTING OF THE PIED FLYCATCHER. To the Editorvs of BritisH Birps. Srrs,—The letter from Mr. Astley (antea, p. 112) interests me as I live in a Pied Flycatcher district and have noticed the sudden dis- appearance of both young and old birds as soon as the former have left the nest. I usually have three or four pairs in my nesting-boxes and despite careful observation am still puzzled. A possible explanation is that the whole family retires to the wooded area that always obtains near the nesting-site and by virtue of silence and shyness escape notice in the dim light. The only birds I have seen, except at the nesting-site, have been in the woods, but I have not seen enough there to satisfy myself that it explains the disappearance satisfactorily. Another suggestion is that as soon as the young leave the nest move- ment towards the “ migration-route’”’ begins. If that is so one would expect to hear of their appearance each year at a fixed time at certain places. But we do not. It is an interesting question and considering how conspicuous the bird is it is extraordinary that the question should arise. MossDALE, ULLSWATER. H. J. Moon. To the Editors of British BrrpDs. Srrs,—With reference to Mr. Astley’s letter on this subject (antea, p. 112), on July roth, 1912, I watched a party of Pied Flycatchers for some time on trees by a stream in north Northumberland. They were known to breed at that time in Chillingham Park, which was distant about half a mile from where I saw the birds. A. V. STONE. THE EGG-DEVOURING HABIT OF THE CUCKOO. To the Editors of BritisH Brrps. Srrs,—With reference to the note under this heading in the September issue (antea, p. 102), the following may perhaps be worth publication as confirmatory of Mr. G. R. Humphreys’ observations. On May 29th, 1926, while waiting for a train at Appledore Station (Kent), I watched a Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) sit for about fifteen minutes on a signal post on the railway. Presently, it floated down into a reed-bed beside the line, where it remained between one and two minutes. It then flew out on to a post and I could see with my binoculars that it carried an egg in its mouth. It threw back its head and gulped the egg down whole, after doing which it flew away. I was unable to go to the nest under the circumstances, but I have no doubt it had just laid an egg in the nest from which it extracted the one I saw swallowed. The owner of this egg (probably a Reed- Warbler) did not appear at all. R. M. GARNETT. SD - 30C7T 1926 + 7 eee = PURCHASED / FOR SALE.—Small choice collection of Waders— in lot or separately. Little Stint, Black-breasted Golden and Grey Plovers, Stone Curlew, Green- shank, Sanderling (Winter and Summer dress), etc. STANLEY DUNCAN, The Wildfowlers’ Association, Hull. WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. 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Royal 8vo, Plates in Colour and 140 Photographs and Text Figures 20/- net 326 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, W.C.1. DAUHIST BIRDS ANIEUSTRATED:- MAGAZINE DEVOTED GiiETLY: TOTHEBIRDS “sa ON THEBRITISH UST NOVEMBER 1, 1926. MONTHLY. 1s9d. YEARLY-20s. -326HIGH HOLBORNICNDON- TtFéG-WITHERBY. JUST PUBLISHED. RECORDS OF BIRDS BRED IN CAPTIVITY By EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. 15/- net This work is, as the title indicates, the compilation of a record of those birds which have reproduced themselves in captivity, and without any necessary reference to the first occasion or first breeder, though these particulars are given where known. The volume is divided into three parts: (1) Species which have been bred in confinement, (2) Hybrids which have been bred, and (3) a summary of the whole in which an attempt is made to indicate the comparative values of the records. The whole represents the completest record it is possible to make to the end of 1925, and contains over 800 true-breeding records, with about the same number of hybrids. H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Hoiborn, London. FOR SALE COLLECTION OF IRISH BIRDS includes Greenland Falcons, Little Bustard, Scops Owl, Ferruginous Duck, and many Rarities. All Authentic and Recorded. Owner now Specialising in Birds of Abnormal Plumage. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. FOR SALE.—Small choice collection of Waders— in lot or separately. Little Stint, Black-breasted Golden and Grey Plovers, Stone Curlew, Green- shank, Sanderling (Winter and Summer dress), etc. STANLEY DUNCAN, The Wildfowlers’ Association, Hull. WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. so > oe DRIDIIDE WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, “‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E.,F.ZS., M.B.0.U. ASSISTED BY Rev. P.-C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., MGB.0.U., HLE.A. AND NORMAN» F. TICEHURST, 0.B.E., M.A FRCS; M.ByO.U. x \*” ConTENTS oF NuMBER 6, VoL. XX>°™=NG rT, ro26, ro j PAGE Notes on Alberta Waders included in the British List. Part IV. By William Rowan, M.sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. : ee 138 . Birds Marked Abroad and Recovered in Great Britain ... eee) oat Notes :— Additional Notes from Glamorganshire (Ronald M. Lockley) 147 Magpie and Kestrel Nesting in Same Tree (J. F. Thomas) ... 148 Erythristic Eggs of Sky-Lark, Bullfinchand Jay (Fred. Taylor) 148 The Incubation- and Fledging-periods of some British Birds (Raymond Carlyon-Britton) ... ay aa a8 nF 149 Brambling in Middlesex in June (R. W. Pethen) na ae 149 Willow-Tit in Yorkshire (W. J. Clarke) os me a 150 Early Breeding of Red-backed Shrike (D. W. Musselwhite) 150 Evidence for Double-Brood in Grasshopper-Warbler (Lewis ke. Wi Loyd) x5 aes ree ae ait aes =o 150 Early Breeding of Grasshopper-Warbler (D. W. Musselwhite) 151 Moths Used to Feed Young Grasshopper-Warblers (G. Gos: Ingram and H. M. Salmon) asks ait ah ae I51 Early Breeding of Sedge-Warbler (Raymond Carlyon-Britton) 153 Abnormal Song of Willow-Warbler (Bertram Lloyd) wots 153 Willow-Warbler and Unlined Nest (A. H. Machell Cox)... 154 Swallow’s Nest on an Electric Light Bulb (John S. Reeve). ... 154 Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch Nesting in the Same Tree (A. H. Machell Cox) . is es eye y Nas 155 Snowy Owl in co. Mayo (J. Cronin) ... Ne ae i 155 Peregrine’s Unusual Method of Transferring Prey (Lewis R. W. Loyd) ae son av ae wae ve ) ” ” 6 ” 8 2? ” ” 5 »? > »”? 11/5/1924 Hants Baty Fresh 15/5/1924 Surrey — 5 days 23/5/1924 Berks O 5 ae 21/5/1926 Surrey 7 .,, (all dertile) 5 26/5/1926 - 6 young 5 »” D. W. MUSSELWHITE. MOTHS USED TO FEED YOUNG GRASSHOPPER- WARBLERS. WHEN observing and photographing a pair of Grasshopper- Warblers (Locustella n. nevia) from a “hide” on June 8th, 1915, in Glamorganshire, we were interested to note that on two occasions within the space of an hour, one of the birds brought a moth, which was fed to one of the young, wings and all. On the second of these visits we were fortunate enough to secure a photograph of the bird with a moth in its beak, and it is possible to identify the species as the mother shipton (Ewclidia mi), a day-flying insect which is common in _ May and June where wild flowers abound, and which was flying in considerable numbers in the more open parts of the 152 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. thicket where the nest was situated. The rest of the food brought, as far as we could see, was mainly flies and cater- pillars, and the young at that date were approximately nine days old. When discovered on May 2oth, this nest held four eggs, three of which hatched, the other being addled. We also : GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER ABOUT TO FEED YOUNG WITH A MOTH, (Photographed by G. C. S. Ingram.) have records of three other nests where the full clutch was only four, and this may be worth recording in view of the statement in A Practical Handbook that the clutch is “‘ normally six, very rarely seven, sometimes five.” GEOFFREY C. S. INGRAM. H. Morrey SALMON. oe Vou. XXx.] NOTES 153 EARLY BREEDING OF SEDGE-WARBLER. On May 6th, 1926, I found the nest of a Sedge-Warbler (Acrocephalus schenobenus), with the hen sitting on five eggs, at Fishbourne, West Sussex. The eggs had then been incubated for some time. Unfortunately, I have no note of the date of hatching, but I know there were young before May 17th. Subsequently, I saw the young birds flying about the osiers and being fed by their parents on June 5th, 1926. RAYMOND CARLYON-BRITTON. ABNORMAL SONG OF WILLOW-WARBLER. On May 27th, 1926, at Dale (Milford Haven), Mr. Charles Oldham and I observed a Willow-Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) whose song often varied greatly from the normal. This bird frequently indulged in a distinct outburst resembling part of a rapidly repeated, but curiously distorted, Chiffchaff’s song-——closely approximating in fact to the characteristic “ chiff-chiff-chaff ’’ notes, but with a noticeable difference in rhythm. On several occasions we heard him end up the normal Willow-Warbler stave with a gush of such hurried “ chiff-chaff ’’ notes instead of the usual “ dying fall”; and once these notes actually preluded the Willow-Warbler strain, merging into it without any break On the other hand, he often sang the typical Willow-Warbler song alone—once for a full quarter of an hour—with all the usual minute variations in modulation, speed, etc. Watching this bird again on the next day we found his performance exactly similar: a spell of pseudo-Chiffchaff song (sometimes lasting for several minutes) succeeding a spell of pure Willow-Warbler song would be followed by a few staves of Willow-Warbler with “ chiff-chaffy ’’ inter- polations, and so on. We noticed, however, that he never uttered the low and oft-repeated “chirp”? note which generally forms part of the typical Chiffchaff’s song at this season. As the strip of territory occupied by this Warbler was immediately between those of two Chiffchaffs and all three birds were sometimes singing at the same time, it is of course possible that his apparently abnormal song-habit was merely due to imitation. In any case we have heard no other like it in this district, where Chiffchaffs are very abundant, out- numbering Willow-Warblers by at least two to one. Accumulating evidence indicates the existence of remark- able variations—perhaps even some definite connection or M 154 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. XX. overlapping—in the songs of these two species.* All detailed records are therefore of particular interest to field-ornitho- logists, since they may ultimately lead to the identification of birds breeding in Britain as stray representatives of foreign local races with clearly differentiated song-forms. BERTRAM LLOYD. WILLOW-WARBLER AND UNLINED NEST. HavInG recorded (Vol. XIX., p. 152) the nest of a Willow- Warbler (Phylloscopus t. trochilus) without a single feather, which I found last year near Plymouth, I was anxious to see if there was any repetition of this abnormal building in 1920. On May 3rd I watched a Willow-Warbler, accompanied by its mate, at work on a nest within about twenty-five yards of last year’s site. When completed it also had no feathers, and I waited for the eggs to be laid before I could be certain that they would not be added. I had examined the nest most circumspectly in the absence of the birds, but to my disgust it was deserted at this stage. On June 3rd I dis- covered a second nest full of nearly fledged birds, within ten yards of the original 1925 nest, and I confidently foretold that I should find this unlined. Unfortunately for my theory this proved quite a mistake, as it was well lined. But is it not probable that the first (deserted) nest was built by the 1925 female with her 1925 mate, that a mishap befell her and that the widower replaced her, introducing another bride to his territory ? A. H. MACHELL Cox, SWALLOW’S NEST ON AN ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB. Ir may be worth recording that a nest of a Swallow (Hirundo y. yustica) was built on an electric light bulb hanging without a shade in an archway at the Kesteven Mental Hospital. Three young were successfully reared. The bird had a first brood in a nest in a normal position on a beam close at hand. JOHN S. REEVE. [For similar cases, cf. Vol. I., p. 354; Voll, ps 20:5 Vol. XIX., p. 131.—Eps.] . «Dr. E. Hartert records hearing the “‘ dilm-dilm-delm ” notes of the Chiffchaff tacked on to the song of a Willow-Warbler in Silesia. He also refers to similar observations by Passler and Parrot, the latter of whom heard an unidentified Warbler (‘‘ Laubsanger ’’) beginning and ending like a Chiffchaff and singing the Willow-Warbler’s strain in the middle. (Die Vogel dey paldarktischen Fauna i. (5003 1908;) see also, e.g. H. Lynes on the Spanish Chiffchaff (Ibis, 1914, p. 304) and C. Ingram on the Song of Pyrenean Chiffchaffs (Ibis, 1926, Pp. 255); and, for the British Islands, notes by various observers in The Zoologist, 1908 (s.v. ‘‘ Chiffchaff’’), and in British Bivds, XVI. (pp. 134, 161 and 227) and XVIII. (p. 117) as well as Vol. V., p. 74, on abnormal song of the Wood-Warbler.— B.L, ; VOL. FéG-WITHERBY: JUST PUBLISHED. RECORDS OF BIRDS BRED IN CAPTIVITY By EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., fZ.55 M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. 15/- net This work is, as the title indicates, the compilation of a record of those birds which have reproduced themselves in captivity, and without any necessary reference to the first occasion or first breeder, though these particulars are given where known. The volume is divided into three parts: (1) Species which have been bred in confinement, (2) Hybrids which have been bred, and (3) a summary of the whole in which an attempt is made to indicate the comparative values of the records. The whole represents the completest record it is possible to make to the end of 1925, and contains over 800 true-breeding records, with about the same number of hybrids. PRESS OPINIONS. “Every bird-lover who knows the profusion, the vaugeness and the frequent inaccuracy of the statements on this subject will admire the pertinacious and critical enthusiasm with which the author has carried out his task. . . Aviculturists will be the chief beneficiaries but other naturalists will be interested.” —Times. “ Aviculturists will appreciate this full record of what has been accomplished. . . The author is an experienced ornithologist, and has produced a careful compilation which has scientific value.”—Manchester Guardian. = H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. TT FOR SALE COLLECTION OF IRISH BIRDS includes Greenland Falcons, Little Bustard, Scops Owl, Ferruginous Duck, and many Rarities. All Authentic and Recorded. Owner now Specialising in Birds of Abnormal Plumage. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Seen ee WANTED.—Birds. in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. stench pa ade ht ally RN ined te: A ed ll a ES et Ot gle ets Mesa -o5, Pe on BRITSABIRDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H.F. WITHERBY,M.B.ELFZS., MBO. 1D ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JourpaIn, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., AND NORMAN’ F. TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. fh CONTENTS OF NUMBER 7, VOL. XX., DECEMBER 1, 1926. Some Breeding-Habits of the Lapwing. By R. H. Brown 162 Proportions of Male and Female Duck on ie See By Henry Boase ... - 169 Fledging-Periods of some British Birds. By! Lr. G. Longstaf, M.D., and Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain ... n7a Notes :— The Incubation- and ia ak Periods of some British Birds (W. Shaw) my oes C77 Great Tit Eating Nuts (Chas. E. Pe cece | gee ¥ Ig? Whitethroat Breeding in Caithness (H. A. Gilbert) mee 177 Peregrines Unusual Method of aia eae (Collingwood Ingram) ae ‘ ee et 178 Common Buzzard eosin ww. H. Thorpe) ate ov 178 Scaup in Hertfordshire in September (Chas. Oldham) ... 178 Male Black Stork Incubating Eggs (Major W. M. Congreve) 178 ‘Short Notes :— Black Redstart in Surrey. White Wild Geese. Hen-Harrier in Yorkshire. Spotted Crake in Yorkshire cis as 179 ‘Letters :— Nesting of Marsh-Warbler (Stanley Lewis) ... or ads 180 Longevity of Swallow (Dr. Norman H. Joy) ek — 180 Bird’s-Nesting Bank Voles (Major W. M. Congreve) én 180. Grey Phalarope in Cheshire (J. W. W. Stephens) ... 181 Early Bird-Marking Records (Dr. A. Lands borough Thomsen) 181 Reviews :— The Gulls a) of the World. By eee ice M.D. 5 183 De Vogels van Nederland, Val. TI. By Prof. De ie D. van OTE ie : Pe ee eae ee 184. N ( 162 ) SOME BREEDING-HABITS OF THE LAPWING. BY R. H. BROWN. Turse notes on certain breeding-habits of the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) are based on observations made during the past three years in Cumberland, and all generalizations made apply only to the writer’s experience. A. COURTSHIP. 1. Pre-Mating Ceremonies :—The pre-mating courtship of the Lapwing extends over the autumn and early winter months, usually from September until February, in some cases from August onwards ; no pre-mating ceremonies were seen earlier than the first week of August, although a certain amount of “ scrapping ”’ was noticed amongst some individuals ‘of the flocks assembled in July. As long as the weather remained mild and open, the flocks (most held varying ~ numbers of adults and young, but some had a majority of adults, in others the young were in the ascendant) annually © frequented certain pasture and meadow fields during their stay in the district and generally no Lapwings bred in these fields the following summers. When hard frost set in, numbers ~ left the district and those remaining spread themselves about the adjacent fields in pairs and singly ; whilst if the frost was very severe all left the neighbourhood. It is probable that the birds watched during the periods August—October consisted of birds reared in the neighbourhood, whilst from October onwards Scottish breeding birds may have been present. Most pre-mating courtship was seen on the fine, sunny days following frost, especially if the frost had just begun, but .courtship was also observed when snow was on the ground, a cold wind blowing, or on days of intermittent rain. The most obvious sign that pre-mating ceremonies were pro- ceeding was the behaviour of the birds*: a continuous calling — of ‘“peet ” and “‘ pee-wit ” indicated a varying amount of courtship. Although a flock might rise, fly around, and settle in a field several times a day, certain individuals were noted always to return to the same piece of ground and keep off any intruders. These birds mainly had their territories on the outskirts of the flock and both males and females thus occupied territories, the males apparently in order to display *No young birds seem to participate in these pre-mating ceremonies. VOL. XX.] BREEDING-HABITS OF LAPWING 168 to the females, but the reason for the females occupying territories was not discovered, although some females were noticed displaying. When a Lapwing was in occupation of a territory and another alighted or attempted to alight on this ground, the occupant assumed an attitude of hostility, 1.e. head lowered, body and tail elevated, wings rather open, often pecking at the ground and calling a shrill “ peet.” If the Lapwing alighted, fighting usually began, the combatants striking at one another with wings and feet, occasionally varying this by swooping down at each other. Such fights often lasted intermittently for over half-an-hour. When the female was in possession of territory she usually drove away the male by running at him, the male always retreating, often with wings uplifted. The males generally displayed when the females were close at hand, but they rarely took any notice, often moving away when the males began. Usually a male was in possession of territory before he displayed and either waited until the female entered his domain or else tried to attract her attention by displaying on the edge of his territory. The fighting between males over a territory was presumably in order ‘that the victor might display to the females, but this does ‘not explain why the females fought for territory when ithey did not display. Sometimes a male would approach ‘a male and female and display, the other male replying iwith a like display. There was a certain amount of individual variation in the display, but usually it began with ithe male picking the grass, then scraping the ground with ‘his feet and going forward on to his breast, which was moved ‘up and down on the ground or else in a circular manner from iright to left, whilst the wings were held wide apart and the itail elevated to show the bright tail-coverts. Usually the ‘males uttered a shrill “ peet-peet-peet ” during this display ; on several occasions birds assumed to be females displayed in a like manner and then attacked and drove away in succes- ‘sion several males. On one occasion when a male had ‘displayed to a female he struck and fought with her. Besides this display on the ground, males would occasionally give an exhibition of their tumbling-flight, uttering part of the spring song whilst doing so. Also, just before dusk, the flock would often go through aerial evolutions before settling for the night. 2. Post-Mating Ceremonies ‘—Although the flocks were watched for three autumns it was not discovered how the females accepted the males, but when the birds began to 164: BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. arrive on their breeding-grounds in the spring many were seen to be in pairs, and it was assumed that these birds had paired-up during the autumn and early winter. This habit of sometimes arriving in pairs on the breeding-grounds is not confined to the Lapwing, as the same fact has been noticed with the Redshank, Sandpiper and Curlew. It is possible that some Lapwings pair for life (during the autumn when a single bird left a flock, another was noticed to fly up and accompany it), others may take a new mate every two or three years or even each year, but, however they pair, all the males perform the post-mating courtship and as this particular phase of the courtship is confined almost entirely to the males, it appears it is done in order to arouse the excitement of the females so that they will allow sexual union. Lapwings began to visit their breeding-grounds from the middle of January onwards, but settled occupation was not noted before the second week of February (this applies to land about three hundred feet above sea-level ; land at higher altitudes was occupied later in the month). The display of the paired male took place in the presence of the female: generally the female was behind the male, sometimes in front, or else standing by him. The display began by the male pecking the grass in front of him until the ground was bare, throwing the grass over his back, then, using his feet, he scraped away the top soil, often moving his body up and down, and then going forward on to his breast, moved it up and down or else in a circular manner from right to left until a definite hollow was formed, when his tail was sharply depressed and his feet moved with great rapidity to clear the hollow. During this performance the bird usually uttered a rapid, shrill ‘‘ neet-peet-peet ”” and often threw grass or soil over his back. After his display it was usual for the male to perform his tumbling-flight and give his spring-song of ‘‘ pees-wecp-weep-weep, pees-weep. ” On one occasion a male displayed when some distance from the female, then flying to her, displayed a few feet in front of her and returning to his original position was followed by the female. In another case the female put the male to flight, then alighted beside another female and began moving her body up and down as if about to display, but another male passing over she made the “hostility ”’ sign, then returned to her mate. Unmated males tried to obtain mates by displaying before a pair, the paired male usually answering with a display and then driving the other away, whilst if an unpaired male i VoL. xx.] BREEDING-HABITS OF LAPWING. = 165 displayed towards a paired female when her mate was absent she usually replied with the “hostility ”’ sign. More fighting was noticed during the pre-mating courtship than the post-mating, and what little there was appeared to be due to sexual rivalry, as when an unmated male in the presence of her mate tried to display towards a paired female, or when a paired male, evidently desiring copulation and refused by the female, fought with her. Each pair apparently had a definite territory (the females showed themselves as little as possible) but mainly as a nesting-site, as four or five pairs would nest on a quarter-acre of ground and once the young were hatched, the adults and their broods seemed free to move wherever they liked. The presence of a Crow or Rook was a signal for all the males to rise and attack it. 3. Nest-Building :—The first part of the nest-building, the making of the nest-hollow, was done by both sexes and appeared to be part of the post-mating courtship. The hollow was made by both birds performing as in the post- ‘mating display: first the male scraped out part of the hollow, |performing as above described, whilst the female stood beside ‘him and threw grass or soil over her back ; then the male \left the nest-hollow, the female took his place and with rdles ‘reversed both performed as previously described. The birds ‘worked on until the hollow was formed, but the lining of ‘the hollow was not seen and may only have been done by ‘the female. When the birds have to lay a second or third ‘clutch they may utilise one of the scrapes made by the male ‘when displaying. Occasionally a female was found brooding (on an empty nest. B. SEXUAL UNION. Copulation was seen on many occasions but never after any post-mating display by the male, and generally the male, some distance away, flew to and alighted beside the female, copulated, then either flew away or else both birds ran forward in different directions or even flew away. Usually copulation was performed in silence but exceptions were noticed. Thus a female assumed the coition-attitude, called a rasping ““peet,”’ the male flew to her, copulated, then walked away ; on another occasion both birds uttered a rasping “ peet ” before pairing. Three exceptions to the above generalizations were seen. A male, some distance from the female, began walking towards qer, uttering all the time a rasping “‘peet,” and arriving beside her, the female assumed the coition-attitude, copula- (lon occurred, then the male alighted to one side, raised his 166 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. xx. wings to their fullest extent, then flew about twenty yards and on alighting made the post-mating display. Another male uttered the “‘ peet ” note, flew to and alighted behind the female and was about to copulate when he noticed the writer and thereupon flew away some distance and made the post-mating display. A male, flying about, suddenly alighted beside the female, copulated, then flew away. After some time the female flew to where the nest with one egg was, and began pecking grass and throwing it over her back. C. INCUBATION. Incubation seemed to be mainly the work of the females, but on two occasions a male was seen incubating. In the case where both sexes incubate the writer does not know whether there is any nest-relief ceremony. With most pairs the duty of the male was to keep guard, warn the female of the approach of human beings, and attack any bird that passed over the breeding-ground. The average incubation- period is twenty-four days, and incubation proper does not begin until the clutch is laid, although the eggs may be brooded a few hours each day, and usually each night, during the laying-period. Incubation-Period Pair No. Last Egg. Eggs Hatched. Days. r: April 10 May 4 24 a; April 13 May 7 24 3. April 5 April 29 24 5 May 3 May 27 24 Full clutches are general from the last week of March onwards, and if the first clutch is taken a second is laid ; if the second is robbed presumably a third clutch is laid, as day-old nestlings may be found each year from the last week of April until the first week of July, but possibly the chicks el ——— from a third laying are not so hardy as those from a first or — second laying. D. CARE OF YOUNG. As soon as the eggs begin to chip both adults become very demonstrative, swooping down to the intruder and, with sheep or dogs, often striking them, whilst uttering their “‘pee-wit ”’ or “ pee-ec”’ and trying to entice the intruder away by feigning injury or pretending to be brooding young. These actions are continued during the fledging of the nest- lings, whilst the other breeding birds usually flock overhead and add their cries to the parents’ calls. Sometimes the male, in his excitement, gives the breeding-song. voL. xx.] BREEDING-HABITS OF LAPWING 167 With most broods the young remain together until feathered, both adults feeding and guarding them, but the females usually brood them, although occasionally males were noticed brooding young. The Lapwing thus differs in its method of rearing the young from the Curlew where, when the four eggs hatch, the male often takes two young, the female the other two, andthe family does not unite until the young are partly- feathered, by which time there are often only one or two left. Generally, the nestlings are brooded during the day until about twelve days old and at night until sixteen days, but no doubt the weather has a great effect upon the amount of brooding, because in dry warm weather the young will not be brooded so long as in cold wet weather. E. THE YOUNG. The young Lapwings usually stay in the nest until their down is dry and for the first few days do not go far away, but afterwards appear to move freely about the field and, if the field adjoins a road, the adults may lead them across it into the adjacent field. From birth, the nestlings crouch as soon as the adults give the alarm, although in their first days one or two nestlings in each brood will often run a few yards before crouching, and this crouching is maintained until the danger is past, while it is persisted in until the young are able to fly. When handled, on being released, the young usually crouch, although sometimes they run off to a fresh hiding-place, but are more likely to do this when feathered. It is rarely that the young seek hiding like young Redshanks nor is it general for them to answer the adults’ calls as is the way with young Curlews or Sandpipers. The nestlings are expert swimmers. F,. AVERAGE Broop REARED. It is not easy to estimate accurately the average brood reared, for although four young are generally hatched, it is certain that very few, if any, pairs rear the full brood. In the past three years the writer has ringed three hundred and thirty nestlings or young birds, but dividing this number by the number of pairs of adults would not give the average brood reared, as in April and May the broods consisted mainly of four downy nestlings, whilst from June onwards the average brood was one or two partly-feathered young. Possibly the average brood reared is about two. Carrion-Crows (Corvus c. corone), Rooks (C. f. frugilegus) and Jackdaws (Coleus m. spermologus\ are the worst enemies 163 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. Xx. of young Lapwings as their keen eyes readily detect the white napes of the nestlings. When the adults give the alarm the brood, even if only a few hours old, usually crouches at once and remains thus until the danger is over. However, one or two nestlings will often run a few yards before crouching, thus inviting disaster, as their white napes reveal themselves to the passing Crow.or Rook. G. FLOCKING AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. Adults and young begin to flock from the third week of June onwards ; the earliest date the writer has for flocking is June oth. In common with other species, Lapwings occasionally pay visits to their breeding-grounds during the autumn and early winter months. During the winter months Lapwings consume many earth- worms which they catch by listening for them. The Common Gull (Larus c. canus) and the Black-headed Gull (L. 7. ridibundus) are parasitic on the Lapwings during the winter. The procedure is for a Gull to approach closely a Lapwing busy pulling an earthworm or grub out of the soil and as soon as the Lapwing is successful give chase to it until the Lapwing either drops its prey or eats it. Rooks, from their numbers, probably commit more havoc amongst the Lapwings’ eggs than either Carrion-Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies (Pica p. pica) or Jays (Garrulus g. rufitergum). ( 169 ) PROPORTIONS OF MALE AND FEMALE DUCK ON TAY ESTUARY, 1910-1925. BY HENRY BOASE. SratTistics of numbers in the study of birds are not often available. This is the apology the writer offers for the accompanying table showing the approximate proportions of male and female met with of some of the commoner duck. It is, unfortunately, incomplete in many respects: it repre- sents the summary of a long series of records made under conditions good and bad, and it does bear out, in cold figures, various peculiarities of proportion and distribution in a manner more compact than mere generalities in writing could convey. There are, of course, weaknesses in the statement. It is not possible in ordinary field work with a binocular to dis- tinguish in most cases between juvenile and female ; accord- ingly these are grouped together. There is also the eclipse plumage of the male which may affect the figures for September ; probably only Goldeneye, Goosander and Merganser are involved however. Broadly speaking, these ducks show the three possible variations—Mallard (Anas p. platyrhyncha), an equality of 6 and 2, Wigeon (A. penelope), Scaup (Nyroca m. marila) and Goosander (Mergus m. merganser), an apparent surplus of 9, and the rest, a varying surplus of ¢. Teal (A. c. crecca) has not been included as it does not occur normally on the lower Tay Estuary. In certain cases it has been deemed advisable to give two figures, one of which represents the average, the other the result, when certain apparently abnormal records are excepted. The equality of numbers of g and 2 Mallard is rather puzzling in some respects. Counts made at different seasons, both on fresh water and salt, have always given the same result, and the break-up of the wintering flocks has left a mere handful—not a dozen—probably consisting of two-thirds female which may or may not linger on salt water until lost among the males which come down for a period from the end of May until the approach of moult sends them into hiding. What becomes of the young of the year is not clear; of course, the young males assume a plumage similar to the adult their first autumn, yet the proportion of ¢ to 9 in the various broods must be well maintained. There is another way of looking 170 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xx, at it, however, and that is the probability that many of the local nesting birds drift away in early autumn and their places are taken by immigrants, in many cases at least, already in pairs. Sometimes the September records seem to show this. The Wigeon tends to be a bird of passage as the records show, but there is no doubt that adult males are relatively scarce at both passages, and the few records of relative numbers on fresh water show the same peculiarity. The Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) is included, although material is so scanty, for the reason that the March figure is confirmed by records on fresh water. These are not given because the growth of cover renders counting quite hopeless, but the surplus of drakes is demonstrated by the amount of display and war-like excursions, which continue well into May. Pintail (A. a. acuta) records refer to passage birds in spring ; the figures give hint of females lingering over the winter. The Pochard (N. f. ferina) seems to run to excess of males at most seasons, why is not clear. It has nested on a loch in south-west Forfarshire in 1925 and 1926; it attempted to do so on a neighbouring loch in 1917, and, although common at all seasons, except June, it does not appear to be breeding at all freely. Whence the males come from in July to local lochs (2.7-1) the writer has, so far, not discovered. This bird is certainly extending its range and appears to take a long time to settle down. The Tufted Duck (N. fuligula) shows some of the peculiari- ties of the Pochard. Like it, it appears that the sexes tend to separate during the winter, with a distinct preference for fresh water on the part of the females in the case of the Tufted Duck. Probably, this duck also is pressing on to new ground. The figures for fresh water are given for this, for the Pochard and for the Goldeneye (Bucephala c. clangula), and show interesting differences. The Scaup, Goldeneye and Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) do not show any very marked peculiarities. The material available for the first and last is not great. The Goldeneye has apparently nested in Perthshire in recent years. The figures for the Eider (Somateria m. mollissima) are at first sight rather remarkable. Clearly there are complex influences at work. Unfortunately, little or no material is available for December, which appears to be a critical period. The writer is inclined to suspect the November \voL. xx.] DUCK—PROPORTIONS OF SEX. 171 figures, knowing well that the male is so much more conspicu- ous than the female, and the dull haze of winter does not help. From records of October, particularly the first half, it appears ‘that the males pack far more than the females. In one case, -at least, while males were certainly in the vast majority and in close packs, the females were scattered over the wide shallows rather than in the narrow flows preferred by the males, and so had to be looked for. On the Tay Estuary, probably 100 pairs or so nest, and by the end of July all the young birds are away to better feeding grounds among the rocks further north, accompanied by the females, while the birds remaining are apparently the males in eclipse. By September the family parties are scattering, but the separation continues until early in the year. Whether the tendency for display during the winter brings about some pairing and consequently an increasing tendency for females to join the packs is perhaps a speculation, but it may be so far correct. The writer has discussed some of the peculiarities of numbers in April and May (see Vol. XIX., p. 46) when dealing with the courtship. The material regarding the Common Scoter (Ozdemia n. nigra) and Velvet Scoter (01. f. fusca) is very scanty, but, such as it is, it points to a marked excess of males. The Goosander and Merganser (M. serrator) show rather an interesting contrast. Whether the relative breeding ranges of these two species has anything to do with it is a speculation. The Goosander nests, or endeavours to do so, over most of Perthshire, and presumably will come to salt water in winter. The excess of females rather indicates that the Tay is also on the southern margin of its wintering as well as breeding range. Its tendency to wander, and indeed its whole character, seems far less energetic than its commoner relative, the Merganser. Just where its head- quarters are in winter, in Scotland, is a matter of doubt, and the records available do not point to the open sea as a usual habitat, nor even the less turbulent but yet fully maritime areas within the bar, anyway so far as Tay is concerned. The Merganser finds much of its feeding ground in the shallows over sand at the bar of Tay, as well as the less exposed areas up river outside the areas of mud. The question in general raised by these figures is “‘ what are the habits of these birds outside the breeding-season ? ”’ Most of them leave fairly well-defined breeding areas and vanish into the unknown for the most part during the re- mainder of the year. They offer some interesting little problems for those in a position to investigate them. EEE EE 3 ‘9soq} Surjoopsou ‘+4161 ur 6 jo siequinu jeuliouqe jo soueseid Aq poayooye oie en ey oe eran Seok aed ig ji “SeTeutey ser} 0} eTeur ou jo uorrzodoid ur aram 19q0}90 Ut WOISTAA “S*a ‘OSLO YOR UT 4SIY UdATS ST P OY} IOF oINSY oy] 5 Zot ett Col wi—oO-k Ion ey ST r—1 S°z—1 + Iosues1sj *spIod01 IZ6I JNOYIIM 09-1, ’ ‘posdipoo *sP opnyout | — rer ar Gir zi-1 Gi-1 ,o/-1 loz-r 6sIIV Iapuesoos) Aewit ‘sprooor -z6r ynoyyM oS—rt t *10q0}0Q AT}sour— 24th day (I egg), 13-14 days from laying last egg (W. Evans). Fledging-period (21, 18 or 19 T.G.L.). 19 days in two cases (C. E. Alford); 21 in three cases (PGi. WuitEetHRoat. Incubation-period (2 “T.G,L.); ist half of 13th day in incubator, 11-13 days from last egg (W. Evans) ; 11-12 days (S. E. Brock) ; H. E. Howard gives 176 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. Xx. 10-15 days! Fledging-period (10 or II, 10 TGS days (S. E. Brock) ; 12 days (R. H. Brown). GARDEN-W ARBLER. Incubation-period (12 T.G.L.). . About 12 days (H. E. Howard). Fledging-period (93 1.B.). 9-10 days (H.E.H.). WILLOW-W ARBLER. Incubation-period (14 T.G.L.); 12-13 days (S. E. Brock) ; 13 days (J. H. Owen), end of 13th day sn incubator ; 13, 13, 14, 16 from last egg (W. Evans) ; 13, Ta. EG Brown). Fledging-period (rg, 3) SEZ Or eS T.G.L.) ; 13-14 days (S. E. Brock) ; 12-16 (J: H. Owen) ; 10-11 in one case (W. B. Arundel) ; 13, 13 (R. H. Brown). MistiE-TuRusH. Incubation-period (13-14 J.B.HS.); 13-14 (S. E. Brock) ; 15th day in incubator (W. Evans); 14 (N. M. Richardson) ; 14 (R. H. Brown). Fledging-period (17 T.Gi S00 B.S) 2s: E. Brock) ; 15-16 (N. M. Richardson) ; 15 (R. H. Brown). Combined in- cubation- and fledging-periods 29 (5. G. Cummings). Brock’s estimate is evidently too low. Rosin. Incubation-period (14 JE.H.S.). 14th day in incu- bator, 12-14 (mostly 13) from last egg (W. Evans) ; 13-14 incubator (id.), 13 (R. H. Brown). Fledging-period (x4, MGI, Ov aeeeeon) gy Le eS (R. H. Brown) ; 12 (AG Longstaff) ; 13. (R. H. Brown); 14 (O. J. Wilkinson). Wryneck. Incubation-period (12 T.Gi.)s° me days trom last egg to first egg hatched (T.G.L.). Fledging-period (19 T.G.L.) ; 20, but one bird remained a week later (SG Barnes) ; three weeks, but one remained three days later (J. H. Salter); 18, 19 (iG: Longstaff).—F.C.R. J. | THE INCUBATION- AND FLEDGING-PERIODS OF SOME BRITISH BIRDS. Tue following small list of incubation- and fledging-periods I have obtained this year (A) near Chichester, Sussex, and (8) near Marlborough, Wilts, Incubation- Fledging- Species Cases period in period in days days B. Carrion-Crow (Corvus c. COvONe) 0 I — 30 A. Linnet (Carduelis ¢. cannabina) ... 1 — 12 B. Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) I II = A. Song-Thrush (Turdus p. clarket) 2 Izandiz — B. Song-Thrush (Turdus p. clarket) ... 1 — t3 A. Redbreast (Evithacus r. melophilus) 2 I4andi3 — B. Kestrel-Hawk (Falco t. tinnuncu- lus) ays ae iz eas Ak — 2c W. SHAW. [Most of the above estimates agree fairly well with previous records. We have little definite in formation as to the fledging- speriods of the Accipitres. Miss Turner estimates that of the ‘Kestrel at about six weeks, but in confinement it has been Observed to take 32-33 days.—F.C.R.]J.] GREAT TIT EATING NUTS. I HAVE a little nut-grove in my garden at Lowdham, Notts., and this year a large proportion of the nuts were eaten. I thought we had been visited by Nuthatches, which are tare here, but a few days ago I watched a pair of Great Tits (Parus m. newtoni) which nest regularly in the garden, and saw one of them take a nut up on to a ledge on a lime tree and peck it like a Nuthatch, | cannot hear of anyone else who has seen Great Tits eating nuts. Cuas. E. Pearson. WHITETHROAT BREEDING IN CAITHNESS. ON June 8th, 1926, Mr. A. Brook and I found a nest of the Whitethroat (Sylvia communis communis) containing five eggs at Dunbeath, Caithness. The nest was placed among neadow-sweet which was growing in a marshy spot on the ‘Op of the cliff within 200 yards of Dunbeath Castle. The Practical Handbook (Vol. I., p. 372) states that in scotland this bird ‘is thinly distributed and local in north, ipparently not breeding in north Sutherland or Caithness.” H. A. Guperr. oO 178 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. Kx. PEREGRINE’S UNUSUAL METHOD OF TRANS- FERRING PREY. In my Birds of the Riviera (p. 77), [have described an incident very similar to that recorded by Mr. Lewis Loyd (antea, p. 155). In this case a Tiercel was circling in front of his eyrie with a bird in his claws. As soon as the Falcon appeared she snatched the prey from him in mid-air and carried it immediately to the eyrie, which contained young birds. COLLINGWOOD INGRAM. COMMON BUZZARD HOVERING. On September 7th, 1926, whilst in the Isle of Skye, I watched three Common Buzzards (Buteo b. buteo) slowly quartering a mountain side. Every now and then one of the birds would hover absolutely motionless exactly in the manner of a Kestrel but with slightly less flapping of the wings. The length of the “hovers ” was somewhat shorter than that of the Kestrel—rzo, 15 and 35 seconds being recorded, whereas a hover of 1-14 minutes is not unusual with the latter bird. A fairly strong wind was blowing at the time and the birds would quarter the slope against wind and then, sailing down wind, recommence their search over the same ground. I do not remember ever before having seen Buzzards hovering, as distinct from soaring, nor can I recall any mention of the habit in any of the standard books, but perhaps other readers of British Birds are familiar with it. It seems worth mentioning that, while watching these Buzzards, I enjoyed the unusual experience of having two Ravens, two Buzzards and two Kestrels in the field of my binoculars at the same moment. W. H. THORPE. SCAUP IN HERTFORDSHIRE IN SEPTEMBER. For an hour or more on September 19th, 1926, I watched an adult male Scaup (Nyroca marila) diving close inshore at Wilstone Reservoir. The Scaup is a rather uncommon winter visitor to the Tring waters, and my own experience of it during the past nineteen years is limited to this and nine previous occurrences. These, with one exception—a female on the Wilstone Reservoir on October 27th, 1907—were between November and March, and a visit so early as mid- September is noteworthy. CuHas. OLDHAM. MALE BLACK STORK INCUBATING EGGS. In the Practical Handbook the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, under the heading of ‘“‘ Breeding Habits,” states that more evidence VOL, Xx] NOTES. 179 is desirable regarding the part taken by the male Black Stork (Ciconia migra) during the process of egg incubaticn. It may therefore be of interest to record that on May 25th, 1926, when in the Banat of Roumania (ex Hungary), I was the unwilling spectator of the death of a very Close sitting Black Stork, shot by a Roumanian naturalist as it flew off its nest containing three incubated eggs. This bird, on dissection, proved to be the male and, if my memory is not at fault, it had a pronounced incubation patch. W. M. CONGREVE. [Recent observations have also shown that the incubation- period was greatly under estimated by Naumann (28 days) and is probably about 4o days, rough observations by Hérring and others ranging from 32 to 43 days.—F.C.R. J.] Biack REDSTART IN SuURREY.—Mr. W. M. Crook informs us that he saw a Black Redstart (Phenicurus ochrurus gibraltariensis) near Coldharbour, on October 24th, 19206. WHITE WILD GEESE.—Referring to the note on this subject (antea, p. 132), Baron Snouckaert van Schauburg informs us that a female Grey Lag-Goose (Anser anser), shot on October 19th, 1897, near Hallum on the coast of the Dutch province Friesland, was partially albinistic (not quite white). Baron Snouckaert had it mounted and kept it for some time in his collection and subsequently sold the specimen to the Carnegie Museum at Pittsburg, U.S.A. This specimen is additional to those mentioned by Mr. Gladstone in his paper. HEN-HARRIER IN YORKSHIRE.—Mr. W. S. Medlicott informs us that he saw an adult male Circus cyaneus near Little Beck, Sleights, on November 4th, 1926. SPOTTED CRAKE IN YORKSHIRE.—Mr. W. S. Medlicott ‘writes that an adult Porzana porzana was shot near North- allerton on October 21st, 1926. NESTING OF THE MARSH-WARBLER. To the Editoys of BririsH BirDs. Sirs,—In the October issue (antea, p. 112), Major W. M. Congreve gives some interesting sites for the nests of the Marsh-Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) in certain districts abroad where this species was plentiful. My experience in a county where this species is decidedly rare will prove that it does not necessarily follow that these surprising situations are always compatible with an abundance of birds. The position of a nest and eggs I saw in June, 1925, will add another site to the list ; it was built close to the trunk of a very old and large withey tree, suspended in the ‘“ brash” or young stems, which shot out low down in the trunk and were about two feet in length. In the same county a few years ago a nest containing a full set of eggs was found in growing corn on a hill-top far from water, a site very similar to that mentioned by Major Congreve in France. The Marsh-Warbler loves the witheys, and when nesting in dense two or three year old beds, the underlying vegetation being somewhat scanty for want of light and sun, they resort to the edges of the beds where meadow-sweet, comfrey, chervil, etc., etc., flourish and sufficient cover is available. STANLEY LEWIs. September 15th, 1920. LONGEVITY OF SWALLOW. To the Editors of BritisH Birps. Strs,—A few days before Mr. Witherby’s article, The Duration of Life in Birds (antea, p. 71), was published, I was explaining to a friend some of the advantages of bird ringing, among other things, that it would teach us something about this subject. He told me that Miss B. Dowson marked a Swallow (Hirundo yr. rustica) with a “ Canary ring’ at West Meon, Hants, some time before the war. It was ringed as an adult, and returned to the same nesting place for nine consecutive years, after which the pair stopped nesting there. Norman H. Joy. 78, CRESCENT Rp., READING. BIRD’S-NESTING BANK VOLES. To the Editors of British Brirpbs. Srrs,—Mr. B. W. Tucker’s interesting letter (antea, p. 158) on Bird’s-nesting Bank Voles, quite convinces me that he has hit upon the most probable solution of the problem that baffled the Rev. F. CUR. Jourdain, himself, and the writer, when they were at Hammerfest in 1921. What chiefly convinces me is the result of my experiences on the borders of Transylvania, last spring. Time and again I found complete or partly built nests of the Collared Flycatcher (Muscicapa albicollis)—usually well down holes in hornbeam trees—thoroughly disarranged. In some cases where nests contained eggs, some were sucked and left on the nest edges or on the ground at the foot of the nest-containing tree. Isay “‘some’’ of the eggs because in every case in which a disturbed nest contained eggs there were several survivors— usually hidden away in the nest lining. It did not take me long to discover the culprits and these were found to be dormice, not bank voles. I actually caught them on several VOL, XX.] LETTERS. 181 occasions and gave several to a small boy of my acquaintance, to be kept as pets. Tt was feiecitire to see the extreme agitation of the Flycatchers when their nests were upset. The male bird would repeatedly drive the hen to the nest hole, but as repeatedly she would peer in and quickly leave again. I had reasonable proofs of several nests which had been disturbed and one or more eggs sucked, but which, nevertheless, were not deserted by the birds. ; The only nest of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (M. . parva) which I succeeded in finding completely disappeared with at least three eggs. Here I keep an open mind, because in the case of all the Collared Flycatchers the nests were not removed—merely thoroughly rumpled up. ue at least two cases, two dormice were discovered in the same nest and I presume they intended to use it as a home. It appeared to me that egg sucking was only incidental and not by any means a main object. W. M. ConGREVE. GREY PHALAROPE IN CHESHIRE. To the Editors of BritisH Brrps. Srtrs,—On November 7th, 1926, I picked up a specimen of the Grey Phalarope on the shore at Hoylake, Cheshire, ‘a couple of miles ”’ _ from the lake at West Kirby, where Mr. Wilson made his observation recorded in the November number (page 157). J. W. W. SrEpHENs. EARLY BIRD-MARKING RECORDS. To the Editors of BritisH Birps. Strs,—On page 158 of this volume, Dr. H. J. Moon quotes from Bewick the case of a Woodcock marked in Dorset in 1797 and after- wards recovered at the same place. In an editorial note is added a record, from The Essex Chronicle of 1776, of a Swan bearing a medal indicating Danish origin. It may therefore be of interest to quote other old records, some of them of still earlier date. Doubtless the information which I can give by no means exhausts the subject. Although Noah is recorded as having made homing experiments with a Dove, and less successfully with a Raven (Genesis, viii, 7-12), the earliest case of actual marking which I can cite is that given by Pliny in the tenth book of his Natural H istory. A Roman knight used to take some Swallows with him from Volaterrae in Tuscany to Rome, and to let them loose, for the information of his friends at home, after dyeing them with the colours of the winner of the chariot races. The use of homing Pigeons is of great antiquity. There must also have been many early instances of marked captive birds, particularly those used in falconry, escaping and being recovered at a distance. One such is that of a Falcon belonging to Henry II., which escaped from Fontainebleau and was recovered at Malta, so it is said, twenty-four hours later. The story is given in various books, but I do not know its — source ; presumably it refers to the French king of the name 1519-59). The case of the Swan in Essex is antedated by that of a Duck re- corded by Gilbert White (letter to Daines Barrington, 12th February, 1771). This bird was shot in Sussex in the winter of 1708-9, and bore a silver collar engraved with the arms of the King of Denmark. One of White’s editors, Harting, suggests that the bird may have been a Cormorant used in fishing. White himself adds ‘‘ I have read a like anecdote of a Swan.” 182 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. There is at least one case earlier than that quoted by Dr. Moon in which marking of wild birds was done ina spirit of more or less scientific inquiry. Lucanus (1922: Die Ratsel des Vogelzuges) quotes a work by Johann Leonhard Frisch, published in 1740, in which the author records having tied coloured threads to the feet of Swallows. The birds returned next year, and as the dye was not washed out Frisch con- cluded that they had not hibernated under water ! Marking for purposes of migration study had been suggested even earlier than this. Schenk (1924: Aquila, 30-31, 325) and Quantz (1925: Ovnithologische Monatsberichte, 33, 14) quote a publication, dated 1722, in which it is recorded that one Gottlieb Koehlich, a pastor in east Prussia, had proposed marking White Storks, apparently old birds to be caught on the nest ; but this came to nothing. It must have been very soon after the close of the eighteenth century that J. F. Naumann began the experiment, recorded in his work of 1822, to which attention has recently been drawn by the editor of the Ovnithologische Monatsberichte (loc. cit.). Naumann released a number of Buzzards after marking them with copper rings upon which the complete data were inscribed. The account is in general terms only, but apparently a good many birds were marked over a’ period of years and a few were subsequently reported. The object was the study, not of migration, but of plumage changes, and for this no material was obtained. In the nineteenth century, records of isolated marking experiments become fairly numerous. Lucanus mentions several German instances, referring especially to White Storks. Lihe (1908: Ovnithologische Monatsberichte, 16, 96) had already drawn attention to one interesting case, given by Homeyer (1881 : Die Wanderungen dey Vogel), in which a Stork was marked in south-western Germany in July, 1880, and recovered in Spain a month later. This is in accord with recent experience. Schenk (1921: Aquila, 28, 152) mentions three early records of marked Storks which are supposed to have travelled from Europe to India, a movement not confirmed by twentieth century marking. In the two cases of which he is able to give details, the earlier dating from 1813, the birds are themselves alleged to have brought back with them the news of their winter capture. Search would probably bring to light many early marking records | in this country also. One, for instance, is quoted by Yarrell (1845: A History of British Birds, 2nd ed., Vol. I., p. ix.) from the daily press of the year in which he wrote. It refers to a Swallow shot in Yorkshire which bore, tied to one leg, a piece of parchment inscribed “ J. Rovina y Clavi. Barcelona, roth March, 1845.” There is an antique, romantic flavour about this final record, quoted in various works from Slatin Pasha’s Five and Sword in the Sudan (1896). A young Crane liberated in south Russia by Falz-Fein, who has since used modern rings, was provided with a species of locket round its neck in which was placed a paper giving the bird’s history in several languages. This was found soon afterwards near Dongola by a follower of the Mahdi, and was sent to Slatin, in his captivity at Omdurman, by the Khalifa. This, however, was in 1892, two years after Lord William Percy had begun the regular marking of Woodcock in Northumberland, and only seven years before Mortensen, in Denmark, inaugurated marking on a large scale with numbered rings. A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON. Lonpon, 12th November, 1926. SREVEWSS The Gulls (Larid@) of the World; their plumages, moults, variations vyelationships and distribution. By Jonathan Dwight, M.D. Illustrated. (New York: Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. LII., Art. III., pp. 63-401). THIs important work, upon which Dr. Dwight has been engaged for many years, will be warmly welcomed by ornithologists all over the ‘world. In his introductory pages, Dr. Dwight discusses taxonomy and ‘nomenclature, gives a list of all the genera proposed and the classifica- ‘tion he adopts with definitions of the genera and subgenera, and a ‘complete synonymy of the species. As a pioneer student of moults and sequence of plumages, the author, as we should expect, gives a very complete account of the various plumages and moults, not only in detail under each species, but also, treats of the subject in a broader and comparative manner, arranged under various convenient headings, in the introduction. Comparing Dr. Dwight’s accounts of the plumages and moults of the British Gulls with ours in the Practical Handbook, we can find no ‘serious difference except in the spring moult of Sabine’s Gull, which ‘we found to extend to the wings and tail (unlike all other Gulls); but this is founded on small material, though April birds moulting wings ‘and tail were examined by us. Dr. Dwight’s generic groups are, we are glad to see, large, but he idivides the Hooded Gulls under the genus name Hydrocoleus, which ‘seems scarcely warranted, especially as he is evidently doubtful as to ‘where to place ichthyaétus, which he keeps somewhat reluctantly under Larus, and melanocephalus which he places with equal doubt under Hydrocoleus. For the Ivory-Gull he accepts the specific name albus, which we re- jected as doubtful, and for the Iceland Gull he uses leucopterus of Vieillot, 1820, but according to Mathews and Iredale (Austr. Avian Rec., 1V., p. 156) this name refers to the Glaucous Gull. The Common Gull has for many years been accepted as having occurred once in North America (Labrador), but Dr. Dwight on examining the specimen finds that it is an example in worn juvenile plumage of L. delawarensis and not L. canus at all. The Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls are undoubtedly the most difficult taxonomically and agreement regarding their relation- ships has not yet been reached. Dr. Dwight considers Larus cachinnans as a distinct species. On account chiefly of its yellow legs he will not unite it specifically with argentatus, although vege is said to have sometimes legs of a yellowish-flesh. Nor does he recognize the western Mediterranean form of this bird, michahellesii, though he admits that it approaches his atlantis, which he considers a form of Larus fuscus and we a form of argentatus. Nor does he admit Larus fuscus inter- medius, which Mr. Schidler has proposed for the Norwegian, as opposed to the Swedish, Lesser Black-backed Gull. As regards the North American Herring-Gulls, Dr. Dwight distinguishes smithsonianus for the more southern breeding bird and thayert for the more northern. Larus kumlieni he thinks is a hybrid between the Herring-Gull (thayevi) and the Iceland Gull. 184. BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XX. Before closing our notice of this valuable and interesting work we must refer to the plates, which are of great importance. These consist of sixty-four black and white plates containing four figures on each and showing the five outer primaries and half the tail, not only of adults but in many Cases of immature birds. These with five coloured plates of bills and feet will prove of the greatest assistance in identifying species and fixing the age of specimens. Dr. Dwight is much to be congratulated on having accomplished a sound and useful piece of work for which the student of Gulls will always be grateful—H.F.W. De Vogels van Nederland. Door Prof. Dr. E. D. van Oort (’s Gravenage: Martinus Nijhoff). THE second volume of Dr. van Oort’s large and important work on the birds of Holland is now complete, while the plates of Vol. III. have also been issued. Vol. IJ. covers the Hawks, Game-birds, Rails and Bustards, as well as the Plovers and a number of other waders. We note that Dr. van Oort places the Dutch form of Goshawk as A. gentilis gallinovrum. In this middle-European form the underparts of young birds are more rusty-yellow below than in Scandinavian birds, which are whiter. In size the bird is also rather smaller. This form has only comparatively recently been considered distinct and it is quite possible that some of the British recorded examples have belonged to it, though this cannot be determined without examination of speci- mens. Differences in the avifauna of Holland and the British Isles are somewhat marked in the birds covered in this volume. A certain number of species such as the Pallid Harrier (Civcus macrourus), the Serpent Eagle (Circaétus gallicus), the Buzzard (Buteo ferox), the Bar- bary Falcon (Falco pevegrinus pelegrinoides), and others admitted to the Dutch list as stragglers by Dr. van Oort are absent from ours. On the other hand, a good many stragglers or rare visitors on our list such as the American Falco peregrinus anatum and Accipiter gentilis atrica- pillus, and the Lesser Kestrel (Falco n. naumannt), are not included in the Dutch list. In breeding-birds the three Harriers are more plentiful in Holland, and the Goshawk and Honey-Buzzard breed, as do the Spotted, Little and Baillon’s Crakes, but the Golden Eagle, Peregrine and Merlin are only visitors, while the Capercaillie, Red Grouse and Ptarmigan are altogether absent. The plates in this volume, if not very artistic, are certainly very useful, The birds are represented in a very large size (even the Griffon Vulture is one-third, and most of the Hawks, larger than half natural size), and a good many figures of each species are given showing various plumages. There are six figures for instance of Montagu’s Harrier, five of the Sparrow-Hawk, and no less than nine of the Common Buzzard. The plates of Hawks are perhaps the best, the colouring in those of the waders being not so good, the birds often being too dark and dull, and the drawings of the chicks in down of these birds are especially disappointing —H.F.W. ©o QO AAS MUSS UE: A Mee a TAXIDERMY BIRD and FISH mounting and SKINS for the Cabinet a Speciality. go years’ experience and in the field. Correspondence invited. E. C. SAUNDERS, 98, Arundel Road, Newtown, Gt. Yarmouth. Old Patrons please note change of address. STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. ESTD, 1760. 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS’ EGGS, CABINETS, etc. Also BOOKS relating to Natural History. Catalogues of sales posted on application. WHELDON & WESLEY, LTD. have in stock nearly all the books and journals required by ornithologists. The collection of old and rare works is one of the largest in the country. New books and journals supplied to order. Books not in stock sought for. Just issued: Zoological Catalogue, Part I, Vertebrata; Part II, Faunas. Bookbinding in all its branches undertaken. Libraries and parcels of books purchased. LONDON: —2, 3, & 4, Arthur St., NEW OXFORD STREET, W.C.1. Telephone :—Gerrard 1412. WATKINS & DONCASTER, NATURALISTS. CABINETS and APPARATUS of every kind for Collectors of Birds’ Eggs, Insects, &c. A LARGE STOCK OF BIRDS’ EGGS (also in Glutches) and BRITISH and EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, &c. 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Royal 8vo, Plates in Colour and 140 Photographs and Text Figures 20/- net 326 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, W.C.1. BRIUTSA BIRDS ANIEUSTRATED-MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY: TOTHE BIRDS “a ONTHEBRTISH UST” JANUARY 1, 1927. MONTHILY-1s94 YEARLY-20. ‘S26HIGHHOLBORNIENDON. FéG-WITHERBY. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. / JUST PUBLISHED. RECORDS OF BIRDS BRED IN CAPTIVITY By EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., dove M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. 15/- net This work is, as the title indicates, the compilation of a record of those birds which have reproduced themselves in captivity, and without any necessary reference to the first occasion or first breeder, though these particulars are given where known. The volume is divided into three parts: (1) Species which have been bred in confinement, (2) Hybrids which have been bred, and (3) a summary of the whole in which an attempt is made to indicate the comparative values of the records. The whole represents the completest record it is possible to make to the end of 1925, and contains over 800 true-breeding records, with about the same number of hybrids. PRESS OPINIONS. “We must all be very grateful to Dr. Hopkinson for the immense amount of trouble he has taken to tabulate the existing records in easily accessible form. — It was not an easy task, and we know of no one so well qualified to take it on. It is surely a book that every aviculturist will wish to have by him for reference.’ "— Abvicultural Magazine. “ Every bird-lover who knows the profusion, the vaugeness and the frequent inaccuracy of the statements on this subject will admire the pertinacious and critical enthusiasm with which the author has carried out his task. . . Aviculturists will be the chief beneficiaries but other naturalists will be interested.”"—Times. on pe i ae OS ee H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. FOR SALE COLLECTION OF IRISH BIRDS includes Greenland Falcons, Little Bustard, Scops Owl, Ferruginous Duck, and many Rarities. All Authentic and Recorded. Owner now Specialising in Birds of Abnormal Plumage. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. Satie nce cine cen ee nnn EAE EEA EERE DRITDIBIRDS : 1.7 ” WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST. _ ‘, EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E.,F.ZS., M.B.0.U. Oo. , ASSISTED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST, 0O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. CONTENTS OF NuMBER 8, VoL. XX., JANUARY I, 1927. PAGI Notes on Alberta Waders included in the British List. Part V. By William Rowan, M.sc., F.z.S., M.B.O.U. ; : 186 The Courtship of the Common Scoter. By Donald Gunn ... 193 Notes :— Bird’s-Nesting Mice and Insects (Dr. T. G. Longstaff) es 198 Magpie and Kestrel Nesting in Same Tree (G. W. Thompson) 199 House-Sparrow in Bay of Biscay (C. E. Baker) ie cd 200 Rock-Pipit in Oxfordshire (E. M. Nicholson) ee ate 200 Cuckoo Reared by Common Wrens (G. W. Thompson) ... 200 Rough-legged Buzzards and Hen-Harrier in Denbighshire (H. E. Forrest) “i? aye ve ae te ee 201 Incubation of the Black Stork (P. G. Ralfe) ae =e 201 Spoonbills in Bedfordshire (J. S. Elliott) “ee ce 202 Cormorant in North Derbyshire (William Shipton)... ive 7 BOB Storm-Petrel in Shropshire (H. E. BOxfest) 21. 202 Oyster-Catchers Inland in Cheshire CREP AWE elegy dell eae es 202 Grey Phalarope in Cornwall (E. Le Breton Martin) aby 203 Kittiwake Gull Ringed in Farne Islands, Reported from Labrador (H. F. Witherby) » ae en ic see BT RZOR Northern Guillemot in Somerset (Stanley Lewis) ... as 205 Water-Rails Eating Apples (M. Portal) 205 Short Notes :— Nestling Plumages of the Indian Stonechat and Pratincole. Late Swallows in Hampshire, Sussex and Suffolk. Great Spotted Woodpecker Breeding in Sutherland. Scops Owl in Shetland. White Nestling Snipe diy 205 Letters :— Bird’s-Nesting Bank Voles (Mrs. L. E. Taylor) = 207 Common Buzzards Hovering (Dr. Ernst Hartert and R. | Brown) nee = ve oe ss sr ban 207 The Birds of Surrey (Howard Bentham) oats ee 25 208 Great Tit Eating Nuts (R. H. Brown) 7. as ae 208 Review :— British Birds. By Archibald Thorburn 208 ( 186 ) NOTES ON ALBERTA WADERS INCLUDED IN THE BRITISH LIST. BY WILLIAM ROWAN, M:SC., F.Z.5., M.B.C.U. ParRT V. Tryngites subruficollis, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. (Plate 7.) Turs is a remarkable Sandpiper from many view-points. Like the American Golden Plover and the Eskimo Curlew it used to exist in millions and was slaughtered in uncountable numbers. To-day there are many widely travelled collectors who have never in their lives met with it. After extensive enquiries I can discover only one spot on the continent besides our Point on which migrating Buff-breasted Sandpipers may be relied upon to turn up in any numbers. We get it in hundreds every spring and, roughly speaking, it frequents only one field. Odd birds or moving flocks may be noted elsewhere from time to time, but on the rough pasture that forms the main body of the Point this species arrives with unfailing regularity within a day or two of the 18th of May. Like the Golden Plover it seems to migrate by night, for at daybreak there may be hundreds in place of the few or none at all of the previous evening. We have therefore been exceptionally fortunate in being able to get observations on the habits of this Sandpiper on its spring migration. In the fall—late August and September—it is far less abundant and we have taken only juveniles and seldom seen them in flocks. On August 3rd, 1925, in paying a flying visit to the Point, I noted five Buff-breasts together. They looked to me like adults but I was unable to secure one. It is therefore probable that the adults come through the Province, but, as is customary with waders, ahead of the young. The species is now so scarce that it is impossible to compute its migration routes from recent records, but its nocturnal arrival at, and departure from, the Point in large batches, together with the very few records of its occurrence elsewhere and its ever excessive fatness, suggest that it covers long stages at a time. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper, like Bartram’s, is a Plover in its ways and habits rather than a Sandpiper. Even in its coloration it differs radically from the Common Sandpipers. It is extraordinarily tame and confiding at times. When the British Birds, Vol. XX, Pl. 7. “ABI “INpy ‘YAdIdGNVS GALLOdS ‘uUBMOY "AM Aq jyUstaddon ‘OZIS "JEN ‘Av ‘oyew ynpy ‘YddIdGNVYS GHLSvaya sig - ais" M heer USED &% G S * & a a Aig VOL. Xx.] ALBERTA WADERS. 187 mood seizes it, one could without difficulty wipe out every bird of a flock provided one killed or wounded one with the first shot. The remainder will return again and again to a wounded bird. The noise of the gun seems to have little more than momentary effect. Owing to the muddy tone of their plumage these birds are exceptionally difficult to see on the type of ground that they so habitually frequent. One can easily walk into a flock without knowing it till the birds get up almost under foot. This is made the easier by their habit of “ freezing.”” They stand immobile on being approached, not necessarily crouching, generally the very reverse, but without movement they readily enough escape observation. If they start moving as one gets nearer, it is always on the run. They then carry their necks “‘ craned,” scatter widely, and zig-zag hither and thither rather after the manner of Partridges, of which they frequently remind one. A flock will seldom rise in unison, but the nearer birds will merely fly over and settle on the remote side of the further ones. Even when Buff-breasts are amongst Sandpipers such as Baird’s, Semi-palmateds, etc., five times out of ten they will remain on the spot if the others are scared up. A really large flock is rare. We estimated the number of Buff-breasts on a few acres of grass one morning at about 2,000 and we spent several hours in trying to photograph them. They were scattered in clumps in all directions. Although we walked through them from one end to the other more than once, thus tending to herd them, the largest number we were able to put up together was about 150 (Fig. 14). This constitutes the largest flock we have ever seen. The typical loose association is evident in the photograph. The birds merely flew round and settled again in the vicinity. On windy days, these, like other waders, become exceedingly restless and impossible to approach. They then perform the most remarkable gyrations, always but a few feet above the sround, and seldom rising and falling vertically as do so many others. They attain great speed and keep in close formation, Moving in absolute unison. As such a flock turns in the sunlight there can be no possible error as to identity, for the vhole mass looks yellowish. A single bird, in favourable ight, may also give one the impression of being yellow. The bsence of white margins and black centre to the rump, and rence the lack of contrast in this region, I have found to be he most useful diagnostic character in the field. The wing atch (see Pt. IV.) is also valuable. The extraordinarily ne (uemoy “Mv 49 paydvsoj0yd ) “WaAdIdaNVS aaisvaud-aand— Fi “old “ONIMV MOOTS V . 7 % ‘ L “ ses ae ee cs ie ge ‘ “ 5 2 +8 « Wt i 4 “ ~ 4 / we wi L - 3) 3 = Y “+ @ “ 4 4 4 < te * a - hy? am # . fl - « te L 4 4 -< a rae St ; Lge et & rT % ? * a - é OL. XX.] ALBERTA WADERS. 189 rounded head seen in silhouette against the sun or in bad light at reasonable range has more than once proved useful. The note is always diagnostic : ce Ss tebe take,” I know no other bird that can become so disgustingly fat as the Buff-breast. Holes made by shot pellets that do not penetrate sufficiently to draw blood, ooze oil, which runs over the feathers and makes the bird so messy that it has to be cleaned after skinning. In addition to this it bleeds very freely. I should say that on the average only about one bird out of every five shot can be made up without the necessity of extensive cleaning. There is one feature of the Buff-breasts on the Point that Merits mention—the marked preponderance of males over females. As with the Pectoral, there is a great disparity in size between the sexes, the males being by far the larger. They can therefore be distinguished in life. Since the sexes travel together the comparison is a fair one. The birds secured by myself and various collectors on visit, all taken more or less at random over a period of four years, have worked out at about five males to two females. It is possible that this fact accounts for the slow rate of recovery of the species. But we have noted a constant excess of males also amongst Grey Plovers and to a lesser extent amongst Goldens, while the excess of males in breeding Bartram’s in the south of the Province has already been commented upon. I am indebted to the Biological Survey at Washington for kindly analyzing the contents of seventeen stomachs, spring taken. Roughly 4o per cent. consisted of Coleoptera, adults and larve, and 50 per cent. of Diptera, chiefly larve and pupe. Seeds of Polygonum, Potamogeton and Eleocharis were present to the extent of 1 per cent. The rest consisted of spider and insect remains. I shall be glad to send a detailed list to anyone who may be interested. There only remains to give an account of the display of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Nelson, in his Report upon Natural History Collections made in Alaska (Washington, 1887), has described Murdoch’s observations obtained on the nesting- grounds. These are not detailed, but in the account he refers to two birds sparring and then rising in the air to about thirty feet before drifting apart. This episode we have not witnessed, nor anything comparable with it 190 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. xx. As we have noted it annually, there are several distinct — stages to the display, but the males do not appear to be concerned in the least with the females at any time. Nor have I ever seen a female take the slightest notice of any of the displays. Nelson comments on the fact that Murdoch frequently saw solitary males displaying, yet he was observing them on the actual breeding-grounds. Probably the most frequent performance is the raising of one wing only (either one), but this has various phases. A, the wing is spread and held steadily for a few moments with the primaries horizontal (Fig. 15, A) and is then closed again. B, the wing is spread with the primaries nearly perpendicular and waved round in an ellipse, the bird standing still. C, the wing is spread while the bird runs round in circles. D, the wing is held aloft while the owner runs after another bird, always, so far as I have seen, another male, which instantly raises one wing also and starts zig-zagging through the grass, the first bird giving chase. They may thus cover many yards before one suddenly collapses his wing and halts, the second immediately following suit. All these single-wing performances seem to be carried out in silence. Both wings together are used for another set of actions. E, the wings are raised similarly to a bird alighting on or arising from the ground, the body horizontal. In this attitude one bird sometimes chases another. F isa double version of B, both wings being raised high and waved round and round (Big, 15, 2). G, both wings are spread, under-surfaces forward, primaries horizontal, after the manner of the Ameri- can Eagle, the body being almost perpendicular (Fig. 15, Gr and G2). This may be accompanied by a rapid a VY VY “tick tick tick ”’ many times repeated. Two birds may do it simultaneously standing opposite to each other with the tips of the wings practically touching. H is the most characteristic of all and the most amusing to watch. Both wings are raised with the under-surfaces facing to the front as in G but with the prim- aries perpendicular, tips practically touching each other over the bird’s head (Fig. 15, H.) The body is held absolutely vertical and the legs stretched to capacity ([ am not sure that the birds do not stand partially on tip-toe), tail cocked out horizontally behind, while the individual “ticks” at tog speed for about a second. Each “ tick ”’ is accompanied with a rapid jerk of the whole body. The bird then relaxes” (UBMOY “WW Aq paydvasojoy7) “NUUdICANVS GALSVaNd-sAAOG 40 AVIdSIG NI SaSVHq—'S1 “SIA 192 BRITISH BIRDS. [vVOL. XX. momentarily, turns through an angle of 40 to 50 degrees, repeats the performance to 4 fresh audience (if there 1s one, for I have seen ;solated birds doing this), relaxes to switch round again, and so on perhaps half a dozen times. This may also be done simultaneously by two birds, face to face and standing so close that the wing tips appear to touch over their heads. It may then be repeated without any change of direction in the intervals. But it always seems to be done in spasms. Display is evidently infectious, particularly in fine weather, for no sooner does one start than a dozen may be at ‘tina moment. But it is curious to see a bird suddenly stop ‘n its hunt for food in order to go through one of these acts and then proceed as though it never had anything else in mind, particularly if it is by itself. It seems SO irrational. Occasional bickering occurs, but we have never seen serious fights or even suggestion of anything serious. There are probably few birds that use the spread wing so consistently in display, but there is surely no other bird with a wing SO incomparably beautiful as that of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper. My photographs have suffered from poor light and from the difficulty of focussing fast and accurately with a 4.5 lens on a mud-coloured object sitting on mud. The reproductions herewith are of course from enlargements, in which the fuzziness is increased. ( 198 ) THE COURTSHIP OF THE COMMON SCOTER. BY DONALD GUNN. AT the approach of the breeding-season it is the habit of most of the ducks to form little parties for the purpose of courtship display. In all cases these are composed of a group of males surrounding a single female and going through a series of postures which, however grotesque to our eyes, are obviously enjoyed by the performers and presumably appreciated by the admiring female. But, while all such displays have certain features in common, the rules of conduct followed by the drakes, as well as the vigour of their antics, are seen to vary greatly when one species is compared with another. Some ducks, such as the Tufted, are so undemonstrative as to seem almost cold-blooded, the drakes doing little more than convoy the duck in a loose squadron formation with their heads stiffly elevated. Others, like the Mallard, appear to find so much pleasure in their formal and leisurely “ showing off” that at times they are liable to drift away from the duck, as though to enjoy the rigour of the game apart from the distracting influence of the orize. The Common Scoter (Oidemia n. migrva), on the other hand, dossibly as a result of his seafaring life, is so hearty in his ourting methods that they may almost be described as oisterous. Of this duck, J. G. Millais, in his British Diving Ducks (Vol. II., p. 61) says, ‘‘ I do not know of any account of, or have I seen, the courtship of this duck.” The following lotes, made in the spring of this year while watching a group f Common Scoters on the Kentish coast, may therefore be vorth offering to readers of British Birds. April goth, 1926.—Except that it is broken by occasional en-minute pauses for rest and titillation, the performance js ontinuous while my vigil lasts. Suitors fall out now and hen during its progress, but their places are soon filled by assers-by who drop in and take a hand. At any given loment there are usually seven drakes surrounding the single uck. At first inspection, if the sea is at all rough, it is easy ) overlook the female bird, for she is brown in colour and sits w on the water, while the males are conspicuously black and ré, in every sense, making the most of themselves. The direction of movement of the whole party is never omstant for long, but its general trend, while I watch, is wards the west and parallel to the shore line. Whether Q 194 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XxX, this results from an intention on the part of the duck to move that way, or whether it is effected by the set of the tide, Tam unable to determine ; but, in any case, as she is the nucleus of the group its digressions will conform to her movements, be they voluntary or otherwise. She swims with the van of her escort around her and the remainder tailing out behind. She often makes low swift rushes which may be intended to simulate acts of repulsion or attempts at escape, but are in either case mere feints. There is one handsome drake, bigger and blacker than his comrades, and it seems to me that she keeps with and even follows him, reserving her half-hearted attacks and furtive dabs for the rest of her suite. At times she rises and flies away, when all the company follows ; but her flight lasts only a short distance before she plumps down and is once more the centre of the turmoil which gives her so distracting a sense of her impor- tance. She pretends to be embarrassed, turns this way and that, swims low, is self-effacing and modest—in a word, the complete feminine. The demonstrations of the individual drakes are such as_ to carry them past her one by one, and presently she finds herself, as a result of this movement, at the tail of the group instead of leading it. Pretending to accept this as a chance of escape, she turns about and swims away, as though saying “ Tye had enough of this rowdy gang.” Then they all turn about and go after her and she is caught up and once more penned in. She then usually turns again and so resumes the original line of travel. The drakes go through many of the motions that are common to all ducks when displaying ; more particularly frequent upstandings and head shakings. There are also attitudes that are assumed by the whole party on occasion, or at any rate there is one such, when the whole company of drakes elevate their necks to the fullest extent (keeping the head horizontal) and maintain that position for some time— just as the Tufted drakes do when displaying. While making this concerted, though rather tame demonstration, there is a chorus consisting of a constantly repeated metallic note which to my dull ear sounds like ‘‘ Crek.’’ As I hear this only in squalls, and as these seem to coincide with the general erect-neck posture, I take it to be a sort of day-light serenade. While doing this the drakes all carry their stiff tails at the proper Scoter angle of 30° to the horizontal, which makes this bird always so easy to identify. But they can make more play with the tail than that, for every now and then a drake VoL. xx.] COURTSHIP OF COMMON SCOTER 195 will fan out his tail and suddenly raise it over his back at a seemingly impossible angle ; though, when he does this, I cannot detect any elevation of the stern and hollowing of the back, such as is shown by the displaying Mallard. Among the most spectacular forms of display by the drakes are the rushes. These may be divided into three classes : (1) Low rushes. (2) High rushes. (3) Flight rushes. In the low rush, which is the swiftest, the neck is extended and kept very low. THE LOW RUSH. In the high rush, which is much Slower, the bird foams past the duck in a half-upright position with his breast protruded. THE HIGH RUSH. The flight rush, as I have called it, is perhaps the most oe euous and is in almost constant use by one or other member of! the party, Every few moments one of the drakes 196 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. at the rear of the group rises and flies a few yards ahead of the procession—perhaps eight or ten wing-beats—and then alights on the water in front of the duck in a nearly upright position with his wings depressed and half extended : thus creating a great seething splash which the momentum of his flight allows him to carry with him for a distance of several feet after striking the surface. This is in full view of the duck. He then turns back towards her and, assuming a very “ chesty ” attitude, swims back to join the group. THE FLIGHT RUSH. As often as not, two drakes will make a flight rush in this manner and make it almost simultaneously, giving the im- pression of an attempted attack and short pursuit by one of the two. But I think it happens thus, as a paired display, simply because the starting up of one drake serves to pull the action-trigger for another. And it will be noticed that, though the one who appears to be the assailant comes back after the short flight, very erect and seemingly triumphant, the pseudo-fugitive follows him just as erect and just as triumphant. And such chasing as there is is merely formal, for the drakes are not really combative and never attempt to come to grips. But of all the various forms of display the most effective and curious is performed as follows. A drake pauses, opens his wings deliberately and fully while he remains sitting on the water, elevates them high over his back and then lifts himself nearly upright by about half a dozen strokes of his raised wings. While in that position, the bill is pointed vot. xx.] COURTSHIP OF COMMON SCOTER. — 197 vertically downwards and the head passed down in front of the breast. K\ “ SS SS SO) \ AY Ww \ Ws NSS SV ig Oe THE OBEISANCE The duck also displays ; I saw her do a good deal of head- shaking, as well as this elaborate form of head-bowing. Altogether, for the more constant of her admirers, the turmoil of their courtship must be highly fatiguing. Every now and then by common consent there is an interval for rest and revivement—which latter takes the form of furious nibbling and scratching. Then, with one mind, they fall to again. BIRD’S-NESTING MICE AND INSECTS. As field-mice are just now approaching one of their periodic maxima it is to be hoped that the recent correspondence in British Birds will lead to the publication of further observa- tions. I have recorded (Ibis, Oct. 1926, pp. 644 and 651) instances of the finding of nests of Willow-Warbler (Phyllos- copus t. trochilus), Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata), and Pied Wagtails (Motacilla a. yarrelli) in Hampshire, with teeth-marks in the egg-shells which could only have been made by a mouse of some sort, though I have not had Mr. Tickner’s luck in seeing the marauder at work (see antea, . 159). Probably the bank-vole (Evotomys glareolus : tail—} body) is concerned ; but it is possibly the long-tailed field-mouse (A podemus sylvaticus), which is also common here. The short-tailed field-mouse or common vole (Microtus agres- tis: tail=4 body) seems to be a non-climbing species and is probably innocent. I have also found nests of a Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs), and a Linnet (Carduelis c. cannabina), in which I had expected to find eggs, empty and with the linings disarranged as described by Major Congreve ; as this work was quite different from the former cases I can well believe it due to the dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). In all these cases the attacks had been made before incubation had begun, but th’s year we had a nest of three-quarter fledged Great Tits (Parus m. newtont) killed by some small mammal. The evidence was conclusive that the culprit was not any bird, nor a stoat, and made it very improbable that it was a weasel: in this case also I suspect the dormouse, which had formerly nested in this box. Grass-snakes have twice been caught here taking young Willow-Wrens from the nest, but they could not possibly have been involved in this case. Neither from Messrs. Horace Donisthorpe, O. W. Richards, nor W. H. Thorpe can I get any records of insects preying upon nestlings in Britain, therefore it seems worth while to record the following cases, imperfect though most of them are. In 1924 a low-sited Linnet’s nest was under observation and a week after hatching all the young were found dead, covered by a devouring swarm of small dark ants (? Formica fusca). Under similar circumstances in 1925 I found a family of nearly fledged Robins (Ervithacus r. melophilus) ROL, Sax. NOTES. 199 dead in the nest with several large, dark, flat centipedes (? Lithobius sp.) feeding on them. Neither of these nests had been drowned out or otherwise interfered with. Deser- tion at this stage is most unlikely. Supposing one parent had been killed, surely the other would have continued to feed the young through the few remaining days of fledging ? Though there is no proof of it, I have little doubt that in both cases the young had been killed by these insects. This year I was able to watch big wood-ants (Formica rufa) in the act of attacking young Willow-Wrens on their tenth day in the nest. One fledgeling was lying dead about a foot from the nest and another nearer the entrance, cast out, I suppose, by their parents after death; another inside the nest was scuffling and wriggling under the first attacks of a few ants, while many more were on the two carcases. I freed the afflicted bird as well as I could and placed the dead ones together about a foot away so as to block the trail which the ants had made to the nest ; on this bait the ants concentrated and the surviving birds got safely away three days later. T. G. LONGSTAFF. MAGPIE AND KESTREL NESTING IN SAME TREE. WITH reference to Mr. J. F. Thomas’s note on a Magpie (Pica p. pica) and Kestrel (Falco t. tinnunculus) nesting in the same tree, I have known this happen twice in two vears. On each occasion I robbed the Magpie’s nest, and while the Magpie built again, a pair of Kestrels f requented the deserted nest ; subsequently there was a brood of young Magpies and another of Hawks at the same time. I have never known the species breed as close as seven feet, the nearest I can recall being about fifteen feet, But this is nothing unusual, for it is the exception rather than the rule for Magpies round Cambridge to build within ten yards of the robbed nest, be it in a thorn hedge, a line of trees, or a wood, and I have often known nests of the two species in adjacent trees. It only proves, however, that the Magpie has no fear of the Kestrel, and, as when eggs are hatched, the Magpies, which formerly were fond of mobbing the Hawks, are now too busy feeding their own young. G. W. THomPson. [The last paragraph is probably true, so long as there is house room tor both, but where nests are scarce I have known a pair of Magpies summarily ejected from a new nest by a pair of Kestrels—F.C.R. J.] 200 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XX. HOUSE-SPARROW IN BAY OF BISCAY. WuiILE crossing the Bay of Biscay, homeward bound, on board R.MS.P. “ Arlanza” on October 17th, 1926, I saw a male House-Sparrow (Passer d. domesticus) on the upper deck. We were then about seventy miles S.W. of Ushant. The bird was evidently exhausted, as I was able to approach within a foot or two of it. C. E. BAKER. ROCK-PIPIT IN OXFORDSHIRE. On October 21st, 1926, while following the towpath down from Godstow to Oxford I flushed a large Pipit, which dropped again a little way ahead. It was very approachable, and when I put it up, which I did quite twenty times, it flew only a few yards on. The timbre of the single shrill note (there were Meadow-Pipits (Anthus pratensis) present for comparison), large size, plump build, characteristic rather stolid pose, and definite absence of any trace of white in the tail, were all repeatedly observed at close quarters and put the identification as a Rock-Pipit (that is, either Anthus s. petrosus or the Scandinavian A. s. littoralis, indistinguishable in winter) absolutely beyond doubt. I had field-glasses ancl took particular care owing to the prima facie suspicion of Water-Pipit (A. s. spinoletta). The Rock-Pipit is not given in Warde Fowler’s list nor by Jourdain in the new Natural History of the Oxford District, so apparently this is the first local record. It always alighted either on the muddy margin, strewn with flotsam, or actually on floating weeds. Later, I picked up a second Rock-Pipit and watched both simultan- eously. This was opposite Port Meadow, within the city of Oxford, and perhaps half a mile from the present Berkshire boundary. E. M. NICHOLSON. [There is a previous record of a Pipit of the Anthus spinoletta group, i.e. either a Rock or Alpine (Water) Pipit, seen by Mr. O. V. Aplin on March 22nd, 1903, at Milcombe. He notes that it did not show pure white in the tail and suggests that it was the Scandinavian Rock-Pipit (A. s. littoralis). This and another record of some race of A. spinoletta from Reading sewage farm are treated binomially as A. spinoletta in the Natural History of the Oxford District —F.C.R.J.] CUCKOO REARED BY COMMON WRENS. On July 20th, 1926, at Zell, near Biberach, in the Black Forest of Germany, I found a three-parts-grown young Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus) on the ground under the nest of a Common vOL.. Ss ONTHEBRTISH ST” FEBRUARY 1, 1927. MONTHLY-1s94 YEARLY-20's, J26HIGH HOLBORNICNDON.- TiFéG-WITHERBY. ONLY 4 SETS NOW REMAIN FOR SALE. A MONOGRAPH OF THE PHEASANTS By WILLIAM BEEBE. Royal 4to., Four Vols., £12 10s. each. Limited edition of 600 numbered copies. A complete record of the pheasants of the world, their haunts, changes of plumage and their nests and eggs. Each volume contains- numerous coloured plates by A. THORBURN, C. R. Knicut, G. E. Lover, L. A. Furrtes, H. GRONVOLD and H. JoNEs, together with maps and many photogravure reproductions from the author’s own photographs. Prospectus, with specimen plate, on application. H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. NESTING BOXES | _, YOUR GARDEN—A BIRD SANCTUARY “/_ These artistic Nesting Boxes are intended for wild birds that build in holes. Provide the birds with 4s 6d lodgings and they will board themselves : * off your garden pests and give you Postage 1/3 constant entertainment with their pretty ways. They like a bath—it need not be h. and c. Illustrated Catalogue (No. B.B.) of Nesting Boxes, Birds’ Baths, Sundials, Vases and ali garden ornaments posi free. ARTHUR H. MOORTON, LTD., 17, Eccleston St., London, S.W.1. (Sole Manufacturers for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), RARE BOOKS especially on ORNITHOLOGY, also other Zoological, Botanical and Geological Works. Large Stock. Write for Catalogues, post free. Books on above subjects bought and sold. Address: ‘“THE NATURALIST’S LIBRARY es (A. J. BATEMAN) Shirley House, Camden Road Corner, Eastbourne, Eng. NEW BOOKS supplied promptly at publisher’s prices. Personal attention to all enquiries—essentially a personal business. LE GERFAUT REVUE BELGE D’ORNITHOLOGIE (Fondée en 1911. Le seule publication scientifique belge traitant des oiseaux, spécialement des oiseaux de la Belique. he Abonnement 25 francs belges - 5 Belgas par an. Direction : Square Prince Charles 21, Bruxelles-Laeken (Belgique). Pacha 9. RRR NAD a TK IE ES WANTED.—Birds in_ variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. Cc. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. DRITDSABIRDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, “‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.’ EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. ASSISTED BY Rev F.C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.0.U., AND NORMAN F., TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. CONTENTS oF NUMBER 9, VoL. XX., FEBRUARY 1, 1927. PAGE Notes on Alberta Waders included in the British list, Part Wi, By William Rowan, m. S¢C., F.Z.S,, M.B.0:U. ... i Sco Wall-Building Birds. ae the Key. F. @ R. Jourdain, M.A., M,B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U. aa.” ee Notes :— (Starling’s Grip on a Kestrel (Rev. E. Peake) ite soem 220 Probable Hawk-Owl in Middlesex (W. Kay Robinson) ... 226 Montagu’s Harrier Breeding in Worcestershire (Guy Charteris) 226 Wood-Pigeon Building on se of cecal Thrush (Rev. W. Serle) 227 Kentish Plover in Dorset (S. T. C. Turner and G. O. Budd) 227 Short Notes :— Ring-Ouzel in Sussex in Winter. Early Nesting of Blackbird in Sussex. Snowy Owls in the Atlantic. Rissa over London. Flamingo in Hampshire an Escape from ad ity. Errata ... ze ved ee tes wee a oie rare Letters :— Peculiar Note of Raven (H. A. Gilbert) iys ox es» 220 Magpie and Kestrel Nesting in Same Tree (G. W. Thompson) 229 Common Buzzards Hovering (H. A. Gilbert) ee “2 230 “aes Nesting Mice and Bank-Voles (Fr. Haverschmidt, AY Gilbert and G. von Burg) ... aR ye re 230 Reviews :— Aviculture. A Treatise on the Management of Foreign and British Birds in Captiv ity. Vol. I. (The Avicultural Society) 231 Records of Birds Bred in ge "a Emilius ie rg C.M.G., etc. ae 231 Birds mentioned in The Acts 2 “the 2 ant of Sethe 1124-1707. By Hugh S. Gladstone aes ees 239 ( 210 ) NOTES ON ALBERTA WADERS INCLUDED IN THE BRITISH LIST. BY WILLIAM ROWAN, M:sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Part VI. DOWITCHER AND SPOTTED SANDPIPER. (Plate 8.) Limnodromus griseus, RED-BREASTED SANDPIPER (A.0.U. Check-List M acrorhamphus griseus, Dowitcher). THE Dowitcher or Red-breasted Sandpiper or Snipe, although one of our common waders, is irregular in numbers from year to year. Its dates stretch continuously from May 6th to the last half of October. At the Point it is scarce in June and July, but it breeds in various localities in this part of the Province. The migrant that comes through sometimes in huge numbers is the western sub-species, L. g. scolopaceus. It is readily told from the breeding form in lite as well as in the cabinet, but to this point I shall return later. The Red-breasted Snipe is a bird likely to turn up almost anywhere on the water's edge. Wooded or prairie lakes, reedy shores or barren mudflats are all attractive to it. At the Point, where we have both mudflats and shallow, reed- fringed bays, it is one of the few shore-birds that constantly patronises the latter, for the majority of waders appear to avoid them. The species tends to keep rather to itself and flocks may reach large proportions. We have seen several hundreds together. Such an aggregation can be recognized at a considerable distance owing to the habit of bunching, one bird keeping close to the next. It is not quite so marked as in the case of the Stilt Sandpiper, but is in great contrast to the scattered bands of Yellowshanks, about the only species that might be mistaken, on account of size, for the Red- breasted Snipe and then only at rest. The latter always wades when it feeds as it has a probing bill, and the Yellow- shank usually does the same. In flight the birds cannot possibly be confounded, nor when feeding in flocks, owing to the difference in their characteristic formations. The Red-breasted Snipe appears larger than it is by virtue of its inclination to wear its feathers loosely puffed out, giving it the ball-like appearance of a canary on a frosty morning. Except when feeding, and on the rare occasions that it shows British Birds, Vol. XX. Pl, 8. “UBMOY "MM Aq 4yB1aAdo5 ‘ezIS “yeu ‘AB 4Inpy “YAdIdGNvVs G4aLSvaug-qay < VOL. XX,] ALBERTA WADERS. 211 alarm, it carries its head well tucked in to the shoulders with its bill pointing down at an angle of about 45 degrees (Fig. 16). It presents a very characteristic appearance and unlike that of any other bird with the exception of the Godwits. In some lights, when size is difficult to judge, it is quite pos- sible to mistake the one for the other. However, Godwits hold their bills nearer the horizontal] than Red-breasted Snipe. Godwits, as pointed out by E. C. Arnold (British Waders), normally carry their necks tucked in and not stretched out as frequently depicted. In Figure 16 I have endeavoured to give my impressions of the Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) at rest and alarmed. The bird, at rest, in outline, is very similar to a Red-breasted Snipe, and in circumstances where size has to be guessed without anything at hand for comparison, the mistake is easily made, and has actually been made to my knowledge several times. Arnold (loc. cit) says, ‘ Godwits, roughly speaking, in their autumn plumage are Whimbrels with upturned bills and no stripe on the crown.” In the Province, our Whimbrel—the Hudsonian Curlew (Nwmenius hudsonicus)—is not only easily mistaken for the Marbled Godwit, which it resembles in size and general coloration, but habitually associates with it and so can be very easily over- looked. Like so many of the other waders, this species is not supposed to occur in the interior at all, but it is as a matter of fact a regular migrant. I have discovered that the two species can be separated without error at a very great distance by the carriage of the head, and hence the bill. In contrast to the Godwits, the Hudsonian Curlew holds its bill] horizontal, and long before head-stripes or any detail of pattern or shape of bill can be made out, the bird can be correctly identified on the strength of this alone (Fig. 16). My memory of the Whimbrel is not fresh enough to know whether this would apply on the British coasts but | should imagine so. I have found it a most useful character out here, in fact the most useful. In flight the Red-breasted Snipe can always be told by the white line down the back—from the rump forwards, to the shoulders—if seen from behind and by the angle at which the long bill is carried when seen in profile. The head is tucked in even in flight. The white streak on the back of the Red- breasted Snipe is not unlike that of the Turnstone, but the black and white crescent of the latter is wanting. Red-breasted Snipe are generally ridiculously tame and will permit of a very close approach before beating a querulous retreat. If specimens are collected from a flock the remainder Tr Ay ‘SYAHOLIMOG :ONIATA {MATANO NVINOSGOH (€) ‘Lsaa Lv (Z) ‘CAWAVIV LIMGOD GHXIAUVN (1)—LHOI OL LAAT ¢ (PEP suaHLO ‘4 ISAT) SUTHOLIMOG AATTIA-ONOT : GNDOUDANOA—'QI “OIA VOL. Xx. ] ALBERTA WADERS. 215 will return again and again, and even repeated shooting does not seem to convey the idea of danger to them. This bird has a considerable variety of notes. They are all rather soft and lack the ringing quality of the Yellowshank. The alarm is a musical fe 9 varying in length and accentuation til] it sounds two-syllabled, thus vu 1S] tow-it. The call from which the bird appears to have derived its name sounds to me like w= . ia dow-it-ee. The “ tyit ” note is occasionally repeated many times, quite fast, beginning fairly high and descending towards the end, when it is very reminiscent of one of the calls of the Lesser Yellowshank. The Red-breasted Snipe occurs right across the continent from the Pacific to the Atlantic, being, no doubt, most abundant on migration in the prairie provinces. It is one of Our common waders. It has at different times been divided into two full species and into two sub-species and now threatens to be reinstated in its original glory as a single species without subdivision of any kind. Of its breeding-grounds only certain areas are known. While I do not propose to discuss the matter in detail, a few suggestions as to what is probably the true situation may hot be out of place. We have for some time kept careful watch for those Red-breasted Snipe that ’ differ noticeably from the western sub-species scolopaceus, and have succeeded in collecting a fair series of skins. It is frequently maintained that we get the true eastern form, griseus, in the prairie Provinces and also in British Columbia. JInfortunately, I have not been able to examine specimens from British Columbia, but I have had the loan of several birds taken on the prairies that have been attributed to this form. None of these, however, and none of my own taken at the Point is typical griseus. They can be told without difficulty either in a series or by themselves. The breeding-grounds of scolo paceus are known—roughly, from the mouth of the Mackenzie 214 BRITISH BIRDS, [ VOL. XX. westward. No examples of griseus have been recorded from here, but neither have breeding-birds been taken elsewhere. On migration the eastern race has a puzzling distribution, further fogged by the occurrence of the birds that we get here, somewhat resembling the real thing and constantly taken for it. For the last three years it has been evident that the Red- breasted Snipe breeds in Alberta even further south than Edmonton. I need not detail the evidence except to say that finally, in June, 1925, Mr. A. D. Henderson, of Belvedere, Se eee ae Oa j ¥ + = Sapeee eae oe a FIG. I17.—RED-BREASTED SNIPE BREEDING COUNTRY. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) Alberta (about sixty miles N.W. of Edmonton), took a set of eggs and kindly got me a couple of skins from a spot to the west of Belvedere. This is heavily wooded country and the home of the Solitary Sandpiper and both Yellowshanks. The photograph (Fig. 17) ‘5 of a lake of the same type on this side of Belvedere on which I took a Red-breasted Snipe in the middle of June, 1924, that was almost certainly a breeding- bird, although eggs were not obtained. This skin, and those taken by Henderson, and those collected at various times on the Point, are all of the same type, rather like griseus, but larger and differing in some points that appear to be constant. But till we have a working series, as there is considerable variation, we can decide nothing definite. But all the facts together suggest that we are either on the verge of the VOL. xx.] ALBERTA WADERS. 215 breeding-range of griseus, hitherto unknown, and our birds belong to that race but are not typical, or our Red-breasted Snipe represent a third and good sub-species. Both the races at present recognized show considerable variation, but typical birds of either are well defined and characteristic. It was not till two years ago that I was convinced of this, but even now, with a series of sixty skins, there are points that require further elucidation. The long-billed Red-breasted Snipe coming south in the fall arrive early in August, adults only at first, but followed before the month is over by birds of the year. These may be either in juvenile or first winter plumage or moulting, for there is great latitude in the rate of moult. The same applies to the adults. I have two skins taken at the beginning of August that are in almost complete winter plumage, but these are most exceptional as the vast majority, even towards the end of the month, are still in very worn summer dress. The primaries are evidently moulted first and the wings are generally in markedly ragged condition when the birds get here. One secured in the middle of August had only four old primaries left and the others not yet replaced, but was able to fly without apparent difficulty. The bill of the Red-breasted Snipe is invariably depicted as being pitted towards the tip. In life, however, as with the Snipe, it is perfectly smooth. In our dry Alberta climate the first pits may appear within two hours of death. The following description of a downy chick (Fig. 18) is from a skin kindly lent me by Mr. H. B. Conover of Chicago, who collected it on Hooper Bay, Alaska, on June 23rd, 1924. Fore-head white suffused yellow-buff ; black median band from base of upper mandible to crown ; crown black suffused tawny with a few irregular whitish tufts ; crescentic line of white from top of eye back to sides of neck above a crescentic line of blackish and buff » Nape as crown; cheeks richly suffused buff anteriorly and irregularly dotted blackish posteriorly ; black line gape to eye; remaining upper-parts mottled black and buff with irregular tufts white, the latter forming more or less well defined longitudinal lines down back ; chin whitish - belly and throat suffused pale buff ; breast suffused deep buff, down black at base ; vent as back : several days old ; ‘‘ parent collected ; legs olive with blackish Stripes down side ; bill black ; iris brown.” This year (1926) we had the opportunity, at Klondike City, Alberta (about 120 miles north-west of Edmonton), of seeing something of the Red-breasted Snipe on its nesting grounds. (uemoy “mM 49 17/5144G05) i aa ai "IgAOUOD “A “H “JIN JO Bos][OD “PASPLV ‘eas Suulog, Wor} Y}O_ “AT ‘3d 908 uordisosed 104 ‘(snqpisnd sajaunasq) UAMIAANVS GALVWIVd-INAS ANMOA :LHDIN *(snaavdojogs snasis snwmospoumry) (adINS AHISVANS-dau) AAHOLIMOG AATUA-DNOT ANMOG :Ida1I— BI “914 . Pepe ep VOL. XXx.] ALBERTA WADERS. 217 This is the breeding area discovered by Henderson, who very generously made all arrangements for us and secured us an excellent guide. It is typical muskeg and jackpine country, of which a fuller description will be found in the notes on the two Yellowshanks and the Solitary Sandpiper, also breeding here in numbers. We were probably a little early for Red- breasted Snipe. Two nests were found, the one at the time of discovery having only two eggs, the other a full and fresh clutch of four. I do not think any system ever devised for spa v> P. di 9 +2, @ . Hk ee A af VA Z - "4 . - %, 44s “¥ VF ps liv ‘ - ‘b J rT 7» es ff *_ . + OO ~~ a a ; 745 gh ‘ om G4. . > oo se i SNIPE. JUNE, 1926, ALBERTA. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) locating nests would prove effective with this species. Both our nests were flukes. One was the reward of much hard work, but it was discovered without any previous clue, the bird being unexpectedly “ jumped.”’ In the case of the other, three of us were sitting together on a deadfall watching a pair of Bonaparte Gulls (Larus philadelphia), when a Red-breasted Snipe, without warning, dropped from a clear sky to the ground only a few yards away from us. It was promptly lost to view in the tall grass. We gave it a few minutes’ grace and then tried to walk it up, but a lengthy hunt proved unavailing. Presently, however, I happened to be back for a fresh start at the spot at which we were sitting originally 218 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. and looking over the ground, saw the bird rise some seventy yards away from the spot on which she had landed. Another member of the party happened to be within twenty yards of her with his back turned. Taking no chances of losing the place again, I directed him to it and he duly walked right up to the two eggs. It is very probable that the bird had just laid the second. This was about ten o’clock. The nest (Fig. 19) was merely a grass- and moss-lined depression in a -hummock in the middle of a small, fairly dry muskeg with tamaracs and spruces dotted through it. Fifteen yards from the nest was a clump of trees with a Bonaparte Gull’s nest in one of them. Ridiculously confiding as these birds are on migration, they proved the same here. Photographing the bird on the nest (after the set of four eggs had been completed) was simplicity itself (Fig. 20). We merely put up the cameras beside the nest and, sitting at the foot of the adjacent trees, worked them with distance releases. The bird paid but slight attention to the two cameras and went on to the eggs with only a few minutes’ hesitation, right under the evil eyes. Once or twice both birds of the pair came in together, and this seemed to make them both more nervous, for it always took much longer for the sitter to sum up the requisite courage to settle down. Moreover, when she was settled, and the other bird, apparently satisfied, flew away, she got up and followed him. Several times, either when being purposely put off the eggs, or when getting suddenly nervous and departing of her own accord, she would fly to a neighbouring tree, singing as she went. From the long bill, the sitter was certainly the hen, so that, as with the Yellowshank, both sexes no doubt perform. The song is reminiscent of that of other waders, but highly variable and usually short. Probably we did not hear it often enough to grasp its characteristics. The bird rises to some height and flies with rapid wing-beats, trilling and twittering in an almost indescribable manner. It may then drop to the ground or perch on a tree, the most usual thing being the latter. We also witnessed coition on the top of a stump. The birds at the second nest behaved rather curiously. On account of the rarity of the eggs—with the exception. of Henderson’s set, only eggs of scolopaceus have previously been taken—the finder, quite rightly, deemed it advisable to take them on the spot, but in order that we might photograph and then collect the birds themselves, he thoughtfully substituted a set of Wilson Phalaropes (Steganopus tricolor) picked up in 6, ALBERTA. N ro = Pe = Bae ae ae Y a rm i z S) es cS wn Ma ZS ie ont mS na of Zz ns Qs fi ¥ Ae ns iN! SN a . a A, oe aes f pole eZ ; Z 5 ' =e 5 a ° N FIG. 220 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. the neighbourhood. These eggs were somewhat smaller, but not very dissimilar. He watched the return of the sitter. She gave the eggs one glance as she approached and then flew away as though a gun had been fired at her. When later on, we went to try our luck with the cameras, it was only to find the site completely deserted. On our last two days in this district, June 6th and 47th, I tried to secure a series of skins. Out of deference to my fellow collectors, who were oologists, I had hitherto refrained from shooting any Dowitchers. My gun had met with an accident and I had nothing but a 32 collecting pistol where- with to procure my specimens. Had I been after any other species I should probably have had to go home empty-handed. ‘As it was I had better luck, for at times during the trip it had proved possible to get even within a yard of Red-breasted Snipe. One particular muskeg, which unfortunately happened to be of the floating variety, attracted these birds especially, and here Ihunted. It was a pastime that I shall never forget. The birds were extremely difficult to see on account of their protective coloration, and the only sure way of spotting them was to watch them down. Keeping my eyes glued on the spot on which my prospective victim had settled, I would then proceed to stalk it. Progression on the floating grasses was like walking on a spring mattress with most of the springs missing. Suddenly, from time to time, I would step into bottomless water, only saving myself from complete sub- mersion beneath the vegetation by spreading my arms or throwing myself out full length as soon as I trod on nothing- ness. For once rain and thunder went unheeded, for there wasn’t a dry spot on me in any case. Here I saw as many as six or seven birds from time to time giving chase to single individuals and singing in the chase. These were no doubt males hunting mates after the manner of ducks. The nests of these trustful and confiding birds must be about the hardest of all shore-birds to find. The owners give no clue whatever as to their whereabouts, because apparently they care nothing whether human beings are around or not. One has absolutely no idea when one is in the neighbourhood of a breeding pair. One may see the birds almost anywhere over the interminable muskegs, but whether they are merely feeding or ‘“‘ standing by” a sitting mate one cannot guess unless one happens to “jump” the mate. About the only possible ‘‘ system ”’ is the one we adopted, to labour through mile after mile of muskeg and trust that by one of those miracles that happens once in so often one may chance to VOL. XX.] ALBERTA WADERS. 221 walk into a sitting bird. In our whole stay this happened just once, and then only to one member of the party. For myself, I wore out every pair of shoes I had with me. If the Red-breasted Sandpiper should become scarce in the future, not even the most narrow-minded of the egg-collector’s enemies will be able to point a finger at him. tt a FIG. 21.—-NEST AND EGGS (IN BANK) OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER. (Photographed by W. Rowan.) Iringa (A.0.U. Check-List Actitis) macularia, SPpoTTED : SANDPIPER (see Plate 7). Possibly on account of its extreme abundance, or perhaps because whenever I have encountered the Spotted Sandpiper breeding I have been in quest of something more interesting, I have remarkably few notes on this species. Not that there would be much to say in any case, for it is an exact duplicate in calls, manners and habits, of the Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) at home. I have even observed it leaving its nest in that curious manner adopted by hypoleucos, creeping through the grass like a mouse with wings drooping, 222 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOL. XX. tail turned down and fanned, to the accompaniment of curious and unusual noises. The usual note is nae gehen “weet weet.” The flight is characteristic, rapid wing-beats for a few moments followed by gliding for about the same length of time. The pird seldom takes long flights but prefers to do a semi-circle to land a hundred yards or so ahead, till again approached, then to repeat, till the nest has been left a long way behind, when it will suddenly turn and go back, doing a much longer flight than isits wont. I have never observed the spring song- flight so characteristic of the Common Sandpiper, but that is probably only because I have never troubled to watch the Spotted during the nesting period. Here it most usually nests on river banks though it breeds also on many lakes. The accompanying photograph (Fig. 21) was obtained on one of the wooded lakes, a type that is evidently preferred to open ones. This nest, tucked into the bank, is very typical. (The usual fourth egg was accidentally broken.) At the Point, which is devoid of trees, we get the species only on migration, the earliest date being May 5th, and the latest in October. I have never seen anything like a flock of Spotted Sandpipers, although the birds may be quite numerous. They always seem to be quite independent of one another. ( 223 ) WALL-BUILDING BIRDS. BY THE Rev. F.C. R JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.0.U., ETC. MAny years ago I read in Irby’s fascinating book on the Ormithology of the Straits of Gibraltar that the Black Wheatear (Znanthe l. leucura), which nests in holes and clefts of rock, had the extraordinary habit of making a sort of wall or screen of stones in front of its nest. He describes and figures one exceptionally perfect case where there was a barrier of stones about 9 inches long, the same in width, and 24 inches high. Colonel Verner removed the stones and counted them, and found 76 in the foundation of the nest, while the wall contained 282 more, total 358! The largest stone was 2 inches long by ¢ inches wide and 4 inch deep, and the total weight of the stones was 44 Ib. The Black Wheatear is large for a Chat, but is by no means a big bird, and one wonders how the stones are carried to the hole. As far as I know no one has seen the Black Wheatear engaged in this task and it would be an interesting piece of research work to see whether the bill or the feet are used. Although Dr. Hartert states that the Falcon-billed Lark (Rhamphocorys) uses its bill for this purpose it would seem more natural for the Chats to use their feet, as the weight otf a stone would destroy their balance in flignt. But this is a point which can only be settled by observations’ on the nesting bird. When I first began to work among the birds of north Africa, it did not take long to discover that the African Black Wheatear (EZ. leucura syenitica) has the same habit as its Spanish ally, but even more strongly developed. Time after time we found old nests in pot holes or crannies in the face of cliffs, and wherever there was room there was invariably a glacis of loose stones, sometimes only twenty or thirty, but often rising to enormous numbers. One which I saw during last year was the largest I have ever met with, and formed an embankment otf loose stones near the foot ot a cliff which would have filled a couple of buckets to the brim. There is no reason to suppose that this was the work of one season; the old sites are used over and over again, and in that dry climate the action of the weather hardly affects them at all. One nest of C2. 1. syenitica contained no stones, but it was in a very unusual site : placed a few inches down a hole in the steep face of a mud bank in a dried- up river bed, and stones would either have blocked up the entrance to the hole or fallen outside. Other Chats in north- west Africa have the same habit. Hartert has recorded it 224 BRITISH BIRDS. [yOu Sok, of GE. leucopyga and I have noticed it also in CE. lugens halophila, though not to the same extent as in the larger Black Chats. It is, however, even more surprising to find that the habit ‘s not confined to the rock-nesting species in north Africa ; it exists in a somewhat modified form among the Larks. The Brown Desert Larks (Ammomanes deserti) build their nests under the shelter of a stone or tiny bush, but on the open side one generally finds a little wall of stones arranged loosely at or below the level of the nest. During the spring of 1926 I made the acquaintance of another species of Desert Lark on the stony deserts south of Biskra and in south Tunisia (A. phemcurus arenicolor), and here again was the wall in a primitive form, but in both cases the stones were not loose but wedged well into the sandy soil. Of course it is possible that these little birds use the same sites year after year, and in that case it would not be surprising to find that blown sand had accumulated round the stones and given them the appearance of being built into the ground; but Koenig appears to have also met with similar cases of Desert Larks’ nests in which the stones were, as he says, “plastered 2 imto the ground. Other species which “ wall in” their nests are the great Falcon-billed Lark (Rhamphocorys clot-bey) and the north African Horned Larks (Evemophila alpestris bilopha and E. a. atlas). Yn connexion with these last an interesting parallel occurs. The Shore-Lark of northern Europe (E. alp. flava) frequently nests on the tundra, where there are often no loose stones and only boulders embedded in the ground. Moreover, the habit of wall-building appears to be confined to Mediterranean species. When looking through the ilus- trations in H. J. Pearson’s Beyond Petsova Eastward recently, — I noticed in a photograph of a Shore-Lark’s nest (facing p. 76) some peculiar objects arranged roughly in two rows on one side of the nest. Referring to the letterpress (p. 79) I found the following interesting note: “On examining the photo of this nest . . . there will be noticed a number of pieces of light brown shale on one side ; these were the only stones within a circle of many feet, and I have little doubt were brought by the bird to divert attention from the light-coloured eggs and nest.” It is an interesting coincidence to find an arctic subspecies adopting the same habit which is characteris- tic of the Saharan and Atlas races. With regard to the object of these walls there is still con- siderable divergence of opinion. Irby’s surmise that they | may be of use in draining the nest of superfluous moisture VOL. Xx.] WALL-BUILDING BIRDS. 225 may be summarily dismissed, as the Spanish birds generally breed in places to which rain cannot penetrate, and in any case the risk of damage by wet during the nesting-season is very slight. In north Africa, where the rainfall, as Hartert has already pointed out in an article on this subject in the Bettriige zur Fortpflanzungs-biologie der Vogel, I., pp. 2, 21, is practically negligable, the theory is still more untenable. Another explanation is that it is for protection against the visits of Uvomastix and other lizards. Hartert points out that the Uromastix is a vegetable feeder and would hardly be stopped by so small an obstacle, while the small lizards are themselves as light of foot as birds. In default of any better explanation he is inclined to think that the walls are for protection against the frequent and severe wind storms of the desert. This is probably true as regards the nests of the desert-breeding Larks (Rhamphocorys, Evemophila and Ammomanes), but seems to have little bearing on the case of the rock-nesting Chats. It seems more probable that the loose glacis of stones, forming a scree of a foot or even two feet in height, is a useful protection against the unwelcome visits of the smaller snakes, which in all countries are deadly foes to nestling birds and also to eggs. The whole subject is one which deserves fuller investigation, and furnishes an excellent field for anyone who wishes to do some bird- watching with a definite object in the country south of the Atlas and Aurés ranges. STARLING’S GRIP ON A KESTREL, One day early in December, 1926, a farmer of Earith, Hunt- ingdonshire, saw a bird in trouble on the ground. He picked it up and found it was a Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), absolutely incapacitated because a Starling (Stwrnus vulgaris) had both its feet gripped round one of the Kestrel’s legs. With difficulty he loosened the Starling’s grip, and it flew away apparently unhurt. E, PEAKE. [This.is a remarkable case, but I know from experience how strong the grip of a Starling is, not only from handling the birds themselves, but also when freeing Swifts which have been brought to the ground in the grip of Starlings, a task of considerable difficulty.—F.C.R. J.] PROBABLE HAWK-OWL IN MIDDLESEX. On December 27th, 1926, at West Molesey Reservoirs, Mr. R. W. Heenan and I saw what was, without any doubt, a Hawk-Owl (Surnia ulula subsp). It was perched in the upper branches of a tree at the foot of the largest reservoir and paid no attention to passing motorists on the road close by. At first, from the length of tail, we thought it some strange kind of Hawk, but a nearer approach showed the peculiarly ‘square’ shape of the head and the obvious Owl-shape of the body. It was then facing us, and we particularly noticed (x) the cross-barring on the breast, (2) the black “ border ”’ encircling the cheeks, and (3), most important of all, the long tail which, to us, appeared distinctly wedge-shaped, 1.e. coming to a point. After a bit it rose and, with a sort of half-twist, dropped into the next tree, where it again settled, this time with its back to us, when it appeared all darkish-brown above, with scattered paler markings, and the tail barred, but not — strongly. We tried to get a closer view, and the bird then flew away behind the next tree, and we could not find it again. ~ W. Kay ROBINSON. MONTAGU’S HARRIER BREEDING IN WORCESTERSHIRE. On June 5th, 1926, I saw a male Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) quartering the lake close to a country house © VOL. XX.] NOTES. 227 in Worcestershire. Pheasants were being reared, but a protective warning was issued. In December, I asked the head-keeper if he had seen the bird after I left. He told me that two adults and three young of the year were in the neighbourhood until October. The parents were seen once only at the rearing field, but later, in addition to Mallard, many Pheasants were taken, a marked preference being shown for hens. . Guy CHARTERIS. WOOD-PIGEON BUILDING ON NEST OF MISTLE- THRUSH. IN 1925, a Mistle-Thrush (Turdus v. viscivorus) built on an horizontal bough, in a beech tree in my garden near Edinburgh and reared her brood ; a Wood-Pigeon (Columba p. palumbus) then took possession and built a nest upon the top of that of the Mistle-Thrush, the effect being very strange: a Wood- Pigeon sitting on a bulky nest of hay, grass and twigs. During forty years of careful observation, such an incident has never before come under my notice. WILLIAM SERLE. [Mr. Serle also reports a Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata) similarly utilizing the nest of a Song-Thrush (Turdus ph. clarke), but in this species the habit has been already frequently recorded, cf. Vol. IV., p> 220; Vi, p. 167) X, Dp. I17.—Eps.] KENTISH PLOVER IN: DORSET. On April 24th, 1925, we saw a Kentish Plover (Charadrius a. alexandrinus) near Studland, opposite Poole harbour. There was a good light and we watched the bird with field- glasses for a quarter of an hour. There were a few Ringed Plover there, so comparison was easy, and we noted the slightly smaller size of the bird in question, its generally lighter colour and less prominent chest bands, and its black legs. Since then we have seen a great many Kentish Plovers in Egypt and so confirmed our convictions. S. T. C. Turner. GO. Buon. RING-OUZEL IN Sussex IN WINTER.—Mr. Bernard i Ringrose writes that he saw an adult, and probably male, Turdus torquatus, near Horsham on December 24th, 1926. He remarked that it was very tame and evidently hard pressed for food. EARLY NESTING OF BLACKBIRD IN SUSSEX.—Mr. Raymond Carlyon-Britton informs us that Mr. Ernest Dean, of Parham, found a nest of Turdus m. merula with two eggs on December 15th, 1926, and that a third egg had been laid the next day, 228 BRITISH BIRDS. [VoL. xx Snowy OWLS IN THE ATLANTIC.—A large migration of Snowy Owls (Nyctea nyctea), and also Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis), took place in the north Atlantic in November, 1926, many Snowy Owls being captured on board ships and brought to this country. Exact details of position and dates have been difficult to obtain, but it would appear that the large majority of the occurrences were on the American side of the Atlantic, and I have heard of only one Snowy Owl as having been probably captured “‘ off north Scotland,” but details are not available. Mr. D. Seth-Smith informs me that Mr. H. W. Drewitt tells him that a Snowy Owl arrived on his farm at Colworth, Chichester (Sussex), at the end of November and stayed for about three weeks. Mr. Drewitt writes: “ Its principal food seemed to be Moorhens and it was quite tame, allowing approach to within five yards, so probably it too was an escape from a passing ship.” Dr. Witmer Stone, the Editor of the Awk, is asking for information with a view to publishing a careful report of the migration, and any details of occurrences known to readers of British Birds will be welcome for transmission to Dr. Stone.—H.F.W. BUZZARD OVER Lonpon.—The Hon. G. Charteris informs us that early in October, 1926, he saw, as he was entering Hyde Park from the Bayswater Road, what appeared to be a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), flying at a moderate height in a north-westerly direction. FLAMINGO IN HAMPSHIRE AN ESCAPE FROM CAPTIVITY.— With reference to the note on page 156 of a Flamingo, which appeared to have been a wild bird, seen by Major C. Paddon at Beaulieu on September 31st, 1926, it would now seem certain that this bird was an escape from captivity. Sir Thomas Troubridge informs us that having seen a paragraph in The Times he now finds that Lt.-Col. F. E. E. Bailey lost a Flamingo from his aviary at Lake, near Salisbury, in the early summer. Mr. E. S. McEuen informs Sir Thomas Troubridge that a Flamingo has been haunting Langstone Harbour since last September, when it was seen coming from the west over Portsmouth Harbour. It is thought that there may be two Flamingos in this neighbourhood, another having been lost from Shere in December. FLEDGING-PERIODS : Evrata.—In the article on “ Fledging Periods ” (antea, p. 175), under LinNeET, for “ R. C. Boulton ”’ read “‘ R. Carlyon-Britton,”’ and for ‘‘ on the 13th day ” read ‘ry and 11-12 days (2 cases).’’ Under Fledging-Period, for “12-15 Geddes l2. LETTERS PECULIAR NOTE OF RAVEN. To the Editors of BritisH Brrvs. Strs,—In the early part of March, 1924, while I was trying to locate a few pairs of Woodlarks on a friend’s property, I heard a curious note—a triple toc-toc-toc—very high in tone and repeated at intervals of about ten seconds. Looking up, I found that the noise came from a single Raven (Corvus c. corax), flying very high overhead—at least 1,000 feet up. The Raven flew over, following a direct line and continued on that line out of sight. It seemed a curious proceeding for three reasons : first, that the Raven should have been alone; second, that, as no Ravens had hitherto nested anywhere within many miles, the bird should have been so far from its nest at that time of year ; third, that it should have given out such a call—a call such as I have never heard a Raven make before or since. I thought no more about the matter until (on March 28th) I heard that a keeper had shot one of a pair of Ravens about three weeks before, and about five miles from where the events described above took place, and in the direction from which the bird had arrived. On April 4th, on going to the place where this bird had been shot, we puta Kaven off anestina large larch tree. It, therefore, seems possible that the peculiar note which I have described is the invitation note given out by a Raven in search of a fresh mate after its partner has been shot, and that I had seen the bird set out on its search. H. A. GILBERT. MAGPIE AND KESTREL NESTING IN SAME TREE. To the Editors of British Birps. Sirs,—With reference to Mr. Jourdain’s comment on my note (antea p. 199), the reverse is generally the case in Cambridgeshire, in fact, there is positive proof that a pair of Magpies evicted the Kestrels. Early in April, I saw the Hawks frequenting the ‘‘ last year’s nest ”’ of the Magpies until about the 12th or 15th of the month. I quite expected to find eggs when I climbed up on about the 25th, but found instead, that the Magpies were again in possession and were repairing the old home. I waited until the first week in May and then took the six Magpies’ eggs, when, immediately, the Hawks returned and laid five eggs (and hatched off successfully), while the Magpies built again in the same wood, but a fairly long way away. Barton, CAMBRIDGE. G. W. THOMPSON. COMMON BUZZARDS HOVERING. To the Editors of British Birps. Sirs,—I have lived in Buzzard country all my life and can assure Mr. Thorpe that these birds frequently hover. I have seen them do so times without number, and the best exhibition I have seen was in April, 1926, when I saw a Buzzard hover for more than a minute Over a grass-field near Solva. In addition, on May 6th, 1924, lsawa Golden Eagle hover for an appreciable time—estimated at twenty seconds—behind Dorback Lodge, Nethybridge. I had the glasses on the bird at the time and could see that it was moving its head and examining the ground beneath it. I am unaware whether the nuptial flight of the Common Buzzard has been recorded, but many observers 230 BRITISH BIRDS. [VvoL. Xx, must have seen it. The pair float in circles round and round each other near the nesting site, always facing each other, with tails wide spread (to show the barred feathers) and wings held stiffly at a steeper angle than in the ordinary flight. In addition, I have seen a variant of the courtship flight and one which is very like that recorded of the Kestrel. On April 19th, 1926, I saw a Buzzard repeatedly diving past its mate, which was sitting on a projection of the cliff near Strumble Head, squealing repeatedly. The bird shot up into the air after each dive, only to repeat its performance, and almost struck its partner at each dive. H. A. GILBERT. [Fraul. J. Schinz also writes from Zurich that she occasionally sees Buzzards hovering over the fields, and sends the following references to the habit by German authors: Brehm, Tievleben, I. Band, p. 381 ; C. G. Friderich, Natur-Geschichte dey Deutschen Vogel, p. 408; Otto Fehringer, Vogel Mitteleuropas, II. Band. Raben-Raub Huhnervogel, p. 62.—Eps.] BIRD’S-NESTING MICE AND BANK-VOLES. To the Editoys of BrirtisH Brrps. Sirs,—Referring to Mr. Tucker’s letter (antea p. 158), it should be noted that in Rudolf Zimmermann, Das Liebesleben dev Vogel (Dresden, 1922), on plate 16, an excellent photograph is given of Evotomys glaveolus in the act of robbing a nest of a Yellow Bunting (Emberiza c. cityinella). Personally, I have the following notes on nests robbed apparently by mice, although I did not see the marauders at work. In a nest of a Blackcap (Sylvia a. atricapilla), found with four newly hatched young on June 3rd, 1922, near Utrecht, about 1 metre from the ground in a hedge, lay, on June 9th, one dead young, and in the bottom of the nest a round hole was bitten. A nest of a Chaffinch (Fvingilla c. celebs), found with three eggs on May toth, 1925, near Leersum (prov. Utrecht), in an elder tree about 24 metres from the ground, was found empty on May 23rd. In this case a little round hole was bitten in the side of the nest. A nest of a Song-Thrush (Turdus philomelus) found with four newly hatched young on May 26th, 1925, near Utrecht, about 2 metres from the ground in a beech tree, was found empty on June ist, while a round hole was bitten in the bottom of the nest. UTRECHT, HoLLaAnp. FR. HAVERSCHMIDT. To the Editors of British Birpbs. Sirs,—In this district (Herefordshire), mice destroy a very large percentage of the first eggs laid by the Wood-Lark (Lullula arborea), 1.e., those laid between March 25th and April 2oth. It is difficult to say what proportion of nests are so destroyed, but I should put it as high as 70 per cent. at least. HAS Gives To the Editors of BritisH Birps. Sirs,—I am able to give some further information about mice as marauders. In the summer of 1921 we found several nests of small birds, some of them more than six feet from the ground in trees, destroyed. Later on, young trees in the woods of Born, near Olten in Switzerland, were damaged, the bark being gnawed. We began to put traps in the trees, some of them near precipitous rocks more than 15 feet high. We caught some dozen of bank-voles and long- tailed field-mice (Evotomys glareolus jurassicus and A podemus sylvaticus bornensis) and, once, we caught a climbing common vole (Microtus agrestis). G. von Bure. OLTEN, January 5th, 1927. ( 281 ) REVIEWS. Aviculture. A Tyeatise on the Management of Foreign and British Birds in Captivity. Published by the Avicultural Society. Vol. L., 1925. Hertford, printed by Stephen Austin & Sons, Ltd. TuIs book consists of three parts: an introduction of 18 pages ; a series of articles, occupying 306 pages, On special groups of Passerine birds, by the late Mr. H. D. Astley, the late Dr. A. G. Butler, Messieurs A. Decoux, J. Delacour and M. Legendre, Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo, Capt. G. E. Rattigan, Mr. D. Seth-Smith and Mr. W. Shore-Baily ; and useful indices extending to 16 pages. Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte, as we all know, was a famous ornithologist ; his uncle, the great Napoleon, if his attention had not been so much taken up by other affairs, would have been a first-class aviculturist. His maxim, “ The moral is to the physical as three to one,” contains the main secret of all success in keeping wild birds alive in captivity. The introduction to this book is all useful and good, but, unfortunately, omits the most important item—that of giving mental occupation to the birds. Extracts from the Avicultural Magazine, 3rd Series, Vol. 2, Dec., 1910, pp. 67-69, might have been appropriate. Many of the chapters by Monsieur Delacour will make the reader long to visit, or revisit, the thick forests and open spaces of the Far East and of the Western Hemisphere. Lovers of British birds will find most interest on pages 41 to 46, where Mr. Meade-Waldo writes delightfully on the Crow Tribe: on page 135, where Dr. Butler tells of a habit of the Chaffinch nestling, and on pages 221 to 226, in which are Mr. Astley’s experiences of Thrushes. In 27 plates, figures, useful for their purpose, are given of about 128 different species of birds, S. S. Flower. Records of Bivds Bred in Captivity. By Emilius Hopkinson, C.M.G., D.S.0., M.A., M.B., B.Ch. (Oxon), F.Z.S., M.B.0.U. London (H. F. & G. Witherby), 1926, pp. i-ix., I-330. This is a more important and valuable work than might be inferred from the author’s modest preface. To construct a proper conception of any “form ”’ of bird, and to be able to classify it—as a monotypic Senus, as a species or as a subspecies, it is necessary to know far more about it than its external appearance and its internal anatomy; we want to know all we can of its ways of life and of its psychology. It is these biological studies that are so difficult to condense into writing, and it is especially difficult to eliminate the personal element of the observer and recorder. Therefore, we welcome any contribution that helps to throw impersonal and concentrated light on these matters. Dr. Hopkinson has selected two items that are capable of being definitely recorded :— I. Species that have been bred in confinement. 2. Hybrids which have been bred. The first gives clues to several facts, the second to “ kindred and affinity.” The author's long residence in Africa has given him but little time for consulting all the records on these subjects, but it is wonderful Egyptian Zoological Gardens at Giza are occasionally referred to, but only to about twenty years ago; in Annual Reports, published since then, more items of interest can be found. The Gardens of the 232 BRITISH BIRDS. {| VOL. XX, both Black Game and Capercaillie have been bred in the London Zoological Gardens, and in some cases reared; thus a ‘Capercaillie hatched there June 30th, 1848, lived till May 7th, 1849. That Spoonbills and Ibises (or vice versa ?) will pair and hatch out living young is a fact (see footnote, page 253). I have seen more than one of such hybrids on the continent of Europe. S. S. FLOWER. Birds mentioned in The Acts of the Parliaments of Scotvand, 1124-1707. By Hugh S. Gladstone. (Dumfriesshire and Galloway Nat. Hist. and Antiq. Soc., 1926.) In the above pamphlet of 37 pages, Mr. Gladstone has compiled an exhaustive treatise on the birds mentioned in the Scottish Acts of Parliament between 1124 and 1707. Besides such collective names as ‘“‘ Hawks,” ‘‘ Wild-Fowl,” etc., he has succeeded in making a list of thirty-six identifiable species, besides a few others, whose medieval names at present defy interpretation, though these thirty-six include the Peacock and other domesticated forms. All the earlier Acts quoted (up to 1400) relate to the preservation of Hawks, eyries of Gos-Hawks and Sparrow-Hawks, specified in the Act of 1235, being the earliest mention of identifiable species. The later Acts are of three kinds, those for the preservation of certain birds that we should now describe as wild-fowl and game-birds; those for the suppression of species harmful to them, “ foulys of reif,’”’ as they are termed in the Act of 1457, and those concerned with the cognate subject of heather-burning. It is interesting to note that the latter custom has apparently been an important economic usage from very early times. It was regulated by undated Acts before 1400 and by no less than sixteen different enactments between then and 1685. Mr. Gladstone is of opinion that it was regulated primarily as a safeguard to personal property. Next to the Hawks, the Rook and Dove-cote Pigeons are the earliest mentioned species, the former being restricted and the latter protected by the Act of 1424, while the Black and Red Grouse, Partridge and Plover were first mentioned, being awarded a close season from the beginning of Lent until August, in 1427. The Quail occurs four times between 1551 and 1698, but curiously emough the Capercaillie is mentioned only once and that so late as 1621. The word ‘‘ Crane” is only mentioned in an Act of 1551, and Mr. Gladstone evidently considers that it is more than probable that it is intended to apply to the Heron. A full list of the species mentioned is to be found in a useful index at the end of the paper. Space does not permit here of mentioning the curious old names under which many of them are recorded, but Mr. Gladstone may be congratulated on the great pains he has taken in identifying them and for the full explanations that he has given. Altogether, he has accomplished a notable task in early British Bird history, and the Dumfriesshire Natural History Society, now in its sixty-fifth year of useful life, must be thanked for its enterprise in N publishing it. aE TAXIDERMY BiRD and FISH mounting and SKINS for the Cabinet a Speciality. 40 years’ experience and in the field. Correspondence invited. E. C. SAUNDERS, 98, Arundel Road, Newtown, Gt. Yarmouth. Old Patrons please note change of address. STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. ESTD, 1760. 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS’ EGGS, CABINETS, etc. Also BOOKS relating to Natural History. Catalogues of sales posted on application, WHELDON & WESLEY, LTD. have in stock nearly all the books and journals required by ornithologists. The collection of old and rare works is one of the largest in the country. New books and journals supplied to order. Books not in stock sought for. Just issued: Zoological Catalogue, Part I, Vertebrata; Part II, Faunas. Bookbinding in all its branches undertaken. Libraries and parcels of books purchased. LONDON: —2, 3, & 4, Arthur St., NEW OXFORD STREET, W.C.1. elephone:—Gerrard 1412, WATKINS & DONCASTER, NATURALISTS. CABINETS and APPARATUS of every kind for Collectors of Birds’ Eggs, Insects, &c. A LARGE STOGK OF BIRDS’ EGGS (also in Glutches) and BRITISH and EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, &c. NESTING BOXES OF VARIOUS PATTERNS. which should be fixed up in Gardens or Shrubberies by Lovers of Birds before the Breeding Season. All Books and Publications (new and second-hand) on Natural History supplied. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2., ENGLAND. RECORDS OF BIRDS BRED IN CAPTIVITY By EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. 15/- net This work is, as the title indicates, the compilation of a record of those birds which have reproduced themselves in captivity, and without any necessary reference to the first occasion or first breeder, though these particulars are given where known. The volume is divided into three parts: (1) Species which have been bred in confinement, (2) Hybrids which have been bred, and (3) a summary of the whole in which an attempt is made to indicate the comparative values of the records. The whole represents the completest record it is possible to make to the end of 1925, and contains over 800 true-breeding records, with about the same number of hybrids. We must all be very grateful to Dr. Hopkinson for the immense amount of trouble he has taken to tabulate the existing records in easily accessible form. It was not an easy task, and we know of no one so well qualified to take it on. Ik is surely a book that every aviculturist will wish to have by him for reference,”"— Avicultural Magazine. PROBLEMS OF BIRD-MIGRATION By A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON, O.B.E., D.Sc. (Aberdeen), M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. Maps and Diagrams. 18/- net Gives an authoritative account of the many facts that have been gathered about this subject, and discusses the fascinating problems they present. The book is divided into three parts: (1) After touching on migration in other classes of animal life, gives an account of the principal known facts of Bird-Migration in all its aspects; (2) contains a number of detailed studies by way of illustrative examples, deals specially with recent additions to knowledge obtained from the scheme of marking individual birds, and discusses the general results of this method of study; (3) gives a statement of the main problems of Bird-Migration, discusses the ends it serves, its originating cause, the factors governing its annual recurrence and those determining its path and goal, and initiates a discussion on the wider biological issues involved. An Appendix deals with some practical bearings of the Study of Bird-Migration. ‘* Well planned and well written ”—/bis. ‘Far exceeds in value anything that has appeared in this country.” Scottish Naturalist. LR H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. Se een aoe ‘ A §. Liu .BNITTSH BIRDS ANTEUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY: TOTHEBIRDS “a ONTHEBRTISH UST MARCH 1, 1927. MONTHILY-1s94 YEARLY-20's. D26HIGHHOLBORNICNDON- TLFéG-WITHERBY. BREEDING SEASON 1927. Would any ornithologist care to advise me regarding an excursion anid accompatty me on the trip (a few days in May or June) to one of the Scottish bird-isles in order to visit breeding- colonies of Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins, in exchange for a similar arrangement from my side, for a trip to the well-known nesting-places in Holland of Avocets, Godwits, Spoonbills, Purple-Herons, etc. Address to :—Dr. C. EYKMAN, Member of the Board Cl. Dutch Ornithologists, Dordrecht (Holland). THE IBIS. Complete set to 1924, and 1925 parts 1-3. With 2 Jubilee Vols.; General Indexes, General Subject Index, and B.O.U. List of Birds. 72 Vols., newly bound half blue calf, gilt. (1924-1925 original parts.) Fine Set. £120 With Bookplate of Charles J. Wilson. DRESSER (H. E.) A History of the Birds of Europe. 8 Vols., with 633 magnificent coloured plates. 1871-1881. Half morocco, t.e.g. £50 THE ZOOLOGIST. A monthly Journal of Natural History. Third Series, Vol. VII., to Fourth Series, Vol. XX. 1883-1916. 34 Vols., cloth (last 3 vols. wrappers). £5 10s. PARKER & SON, English & Foreign Booksellers - OXFORD. NEW CATALOGUE (No. 27) including ORNITHOLOGY, NATURAL HISTORY, etc., sent on receipt of card. NESTING BOXES. YOUR GARDEN—A BIRD SANCTUARY These artistic Nesting Boxes are intended for wild birds that build in holes. Provide the birds with 4s 6d lodgings and they will board themselves ° * off your garden pests and give you Postage 1/3 constant entertainment with their pretty ways. ‘They like a bath—it need not be h. and c. Illustrated Catalogue (No. B.B.) of Nesting Boxes, Birds’ Baths, Sundials, Vases and all garden ornaments post free. ARTHUR H. MOORTON, LTD., 17, Eccleston St., London, S.W.1, (Sole Manufacturers for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). RARE BOOKS especially on ORNITHOLOGY, also other Zoological, Botanical and Geological Works. Large Stock. Write for Catalogues, post free. Books on above subjects bought and sold. Address: ‘‘ THE NATURALIST’S LIBRARY ” (A. J. Bateman) Shirley House, Camden Road Corner, Eastbourne, Eng. NEW BOOKS supplied promptly at publisher’s prices. Personal attention to all enquiries—essentially a personal business. BRETDABIRDS Wirt WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.’ EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E.,F.Z.S.,M.B.0.U. ASSISTED BY dev. F. C. R. JoURDAIN, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., AND NORMAN F. TICEHURST, O.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. as CONTENTS OF NuMBER 10; VOL. AX X.; MarcH I, 1927 4 The Altitude of Birds on the Cairngorm Hills. By Seton Gordon The “ British Birds’’ Marking Scheme. Progress for 1926. By H. F. Witherby Recovery of Marked Birds Notes :— Incubation- and Fledging-Periods of some British Birds (R. Hi. Brown)... Curious Action of a Nestling Whitethroat (C. W. Colthrup) Short Notes :— Large Colony of House-Sparrows in One Tree. Willow-Tits in Lanarkshire. Red-Spotted Bluethroat in Edinburgh. Common Pochard Breeding in Midlothian, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. Goosander Nesting in Dumfriesshire Letters :— On the Effects of Extreme Cold on Birds (W. Rowan) Wasps Destroying Young Birds (Oliver H. Wild) ... Bird’s-Nesting Mice and Voles (R. H. Brown) Tits Eating Nuts (N. Tracy) Common Buzzard Hovering (W. Gyngell) Swimming Powers of Young Lapwings (M. Portal) T PAGE ( 284 ) THE ALTITUDE OF BIRDS ON THE CAIRNGORM HILLS. BY SETON GORDON Birp travellers often meet their fate upon the High Cairn- gorms. On Ben MacDhui, at a height of just on 4,000 feet, I have found at different times a Lapwing, a Woodcock, and a Song-Thrush. The snow had just melted and the bodies had been preserved through the winter months. Towards the end of the nesting season—that is in July and early August—one sees unexpected birds on the High Cairngorms. Golden Plover frequently fly up to the south-west top of Brae Riach and sun themselves beside the cairn at an eleva- tion of over 4,100 feet above the distant sea. Sometimes I have seen Ring-Ousels and Mistle-Thrushes there, and once a Blackbird. Meadow-Pipits do not nest thus high, but fly up in summer after the nesting season. In July, 1925, and again in July, 1926, I saw a young Rook there—a bird almost as unexpected as the Blackbird. But the Grey Crow, although it nests on the lower slopes of the Cairngorms, never seems to fly up to the hill tops. I have seen the Dipper more than once on the Dee at its source on the plateau of Brae Riach, just 4,000 feet above the sea, and in July it is no unusual thing to see Black-headed Gulls soaring over the top of the Cairngorms. In mid-July, 1925, I saw a family party of Wheatears on the top of the main summit of Brae Riach, 4,248 feet above sea level. They were insect-catching, and often flew far out over the precipices that drop to the deep corrie to the south of the hill. In May, 1926, I saw a pair of Wheatears very near the hill top, on likely nesting ground. It seems probable, therefore, that the birds nest as high as 4,000 feet, and that the family I saw here in 1925 had been hatched near the hill top. Dunlin nest on the Cairngorms, and in June, 1926, H. F. Witherby and I found a nest containing four eggs at a height of 3,300 feet, on some boggy ground where at least a couple of pairs of these birds nest every year. In June, 1924, I was surprised to see a Dunlin on the very top of Monadh Mor, 3,600 feet above the sea. The hill was hard and stony—not by any means suitable nesting ground for a Dunlin—but the bird for long refused to rise from the ground, running ahead of me and calling frequently. At last it rose and flew far westward out of sight. Perhaps it was a bird “ off duty ”’ VOL. XX.] ALTITUDE OF BIRDS, 235 which had been urged by the glorious weather to fly up to the hill top. I have never seen Golden Plover nesting on the Cairngorms at an elevation of over 3,000 feet, but the Dotterel sometimes lays at the 4,000 feet level, where even the hardy Ptarmigan rarely nest. The Golden Eagle, of course, is often seen high above the highest tops, where it must be soaring at least 7,000 feet above the sea, but it does not nest above 3,000 feet. At sunrise in September I saw a flock of Swallows pass over the crest of the well-known Lairig Ghru—the pass that leads from Aberdeenshire to Inverness-shire through the heart of the Cairngorms. The birds were flying swiftly south, moving only a few inches above the ground. In April of the same year I was at the head of the pass. The altitude here is just on 3,000 feet, and the ground was covered with deep snow that had lain uninterruptedly for more than two months. On the snow was a dead Robin which must have been over- taken by a blizzard of snow as it was migrating over the pass northwards. Flying into the teeth of the storm the small bird must have lost its way in the thick mist and blinding drift and sunk exhausted in the snow—a stranger in a strange land. ( 286 ) THE “BRITISH BIRDS” MARKING SCHEME.* PROGRESS FOR 1926. BY H. F. WITHERBY. THE number of bird ringed in 1926 shows a surprising increase over all previous years, as will be seen by the following HeUTeSs:--— : NUMBER OF BIRDS RINGED. In 1926 it ee 23,432 IboWesco\ore) a 2175 In 19m8 ss 5,937 {TORO” “Sa. 7,Q10 4 EGIOr 4s 3,578 LOR Mee 10,416 5) 1020 Se 5,276 o, OIA eer 11,483 » Lo2zT es 8,997 4 MOMS ale 14,843 FeLO22) ae 9,289 5 LOI es 13,024 = MOZ8h a. 12,866 5 tOES on 7,907 3 HOGA mre 18,189 sp LEQIIO NT late 7,107 py DOZ5. ci 18 233 y LOUZ) as 6,926 Grand Total ar a6 187,444 The number of ringers has also increased and, including members of societies, over one hundred took part in achieving this remarkable result for 1926. Of these, no less than five individual ringers reached a total of more than one thousand each. Dr.H. J. Moon once again heads the list, and once again beats all previous records with a total of three thousand two hundred and ninety. These included forty-two species, of which the largest numbers were Song-Thrush (644), Sand- Martin (483), Blackbird (391), Lapwing (169), while Tree- Pipit (104), Pied Flycatcher (50), and Wood-Warbler (40) may be also mentioned. Mr. A. Mayall once again comes * For previous Reports see Vol. IIl., pp. 179-182, for 1909; Vol. IV., pp. 204-207, for 1910; Vol. V., pp. 158-162, for 1911; Vol. VI., pp. 177-183, for 1912; Vol. VII., pp. 190-195, for 1913; Vol. VIIL., pp. 161-168, for 1914; Vol. IX., pp. 222-229, for 1915; Vol. X., pp. 150-156, for 1916; Vol. XI., pp. 272-276, for 1917; Vol. XIII., pp. 96-100, for 1918; Vol. XIII., pp. 237-240, for 1919; Vol. XIV., pp. 203-207, for 1920; Vol. XV., pp. 232-238, for 1921; Vol. XVI., pp. 277-281, for 1922; Vol. XVIL., pp. 231-235, for 1923 ; Vol. XVIII., pp. 260-265, for 1924; Vol. XIX., pp. 275-280, for1g25. voL. Xx.] ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ MARKING SCHEME. 287 second with over two thousand of thirty species, which include besides large numbers of Blackbirds and Thrushes, House- Martin (381), Swallow (173), and considerable numbers of seven species of Warblers. Mr. A. W. Boyd, who is next on the list with over eighteen hundred, has ringed forty-nine species, his chief totals being Starling (374), Mallard (327), Yellow Bunting (130) and Swallow (117). Lord Scone comes very close to Mr. Boyd with over seventeen hundred of forty- three species, of which I may mention Song-Thrush (418), Starling (289), Woodcock (149), and Wood-Pigeon (51). Mr. Rk. H. Brown’s list totals just over one thousand and includes the greatest number of species, namely fifty-three. Of them may be mentioned, Lapwing (173), Rook (128) and Heron (19). Mrs. L. E. and Mr. W. P. G. Taylor have ringed nearly one thousand of twenty-seven species, almost all Passeres, of which the chief is the Linnet (213). In Mr. F. W. Holder’s list the chief figure is the Common Tern (676), achieved with the assistance of the watchers at Ainsdale. Mr. P. A. Morshead has confined his attention chiefly to Passeres, and amongst these I note Brambling (10). Mr. T. L. Smith’s list includes Jackdaw (65), and Mr. Bartholomew’s Wood-Pigeon (45). Many other lists deserve mention, and it is to be hoped that the large numbers of birds ringed will lead to a valuable series of recovery records. The remarkable transatlantic journey made by a second Kittiwake from the Farne Islands has already been published (antea, pp. 203-4). This striking record was widely referred to in the Press and thus made the ringing scheme more generally known. Although the scheme has been frequently mentioned in the Press on previous occasions, there are still many people who have no idea of the object of ringing, and no doubt a good many ringed birds found are not reported. In this connection, Mr. E. M. Nicholson has devised the plan of a Museum exhibit of ringing. This he has carried out in excellent manner at the Haslemere Museum, and it would no doubt help on the scheme if similar exhibits could be arranged in other centres. Should any of my readers be in a position to make such arrangements with the authorities of Museums, I have Mr. Nicholson’s kind permission to give details of his plan, and shall be pleased to transmit them with any other assistance I can give. As will be seen by the list published in the present issue, a large number of recoveries has been reported. I am glad to note that trapping for ringing purposes is becoming practiced more extensively, notably by Mr. Boyd as well as 238 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. XX. by Dr. and Mr. Smith, Mrs. and Mr. Taylor, the Rev. Peake and others. The special work done by Mr. J. F. Thomas with Wheatears, Mr. G. W. Thompson with Kestrels, and Sir Richard Graham with Teal, should also be mentioned as leading to interesting results. In America the system of trapping has been extensively and systematically used with very valuable results. The ringing scheme in the United States is under the control of the Department of Agriculture and in order to assist us in understanding more about trapping, Mr. F. C. Lincoln, biologist of that Department at Washington, has very generously consented to contribute a practical paper on the subject to BritisH Birps. This I hope to receive and publish shortly. NUMBER OF BIRDS “ RINGED.” Dr. H. J. Moon (3290), Messrs. A. Mayall (2178), A. W. Boyd (1833), Lord Scone (1738), Messrs. R. H. Brown (1047), W. P. G. Taylor and Mrs. L. E. Taylor (945), Messrs. F. W. Holder (820), P. E. A. Morshead (658), T. L. Smith (612), J. Bartholomew (608), Miss E. C. Sharp (536), Mr. P. K. and Miss J. M. Chance (524), Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Blyth (486), Mr. H. W. Robinson (455), Lon. Nat. Hist. Soc. (399), Dr. J. N. D. Smith (398), Messrs. J. F. Thomas (370), R. M. Garnett (352), Miss F. K. Staunton and Miss C. Wingfield (345), Mr. W. S. Jones (St. Edmund’s School Nat. Hist. Soc.), (337), Lt.-Col. G. P. Pollitt (332), Mr. H. G. Watson (325), Sir R. J. Graham a Messrs. K. W. Parkinson (295), J. N. Fletcher (287), B. Clarke (244), J. R. B. Masefield (212), Mrs. T. E. Hodgkin (211), Messrs. H. B. Pp ise (206), E. R. Paton (187), Rev. E. Peake (172), Major M. Portal (172), Messrs. G. W. Thompson (157), W. and A. B. Duncan (150), Perthshire Soc. N. Sc. (144), Dr. A. S. and Mr. E. G. Corbet (141), Messrs. C. W. Walker (135), D. Macdonald (127), T. K. Craven (122), A. H. R. Wilson (112), Miss L. W. Streatfield (107), Messrs. J. H. Methold (90), G. Townsend (72), Miss I. Mayne (71), Mr. C. F. Archibald (65), Miss C. M. Acland (64), Dr. N. H. Joy (64), Mr. E. M. Nicholson (64), Major W. M. Congreve (63), Messrs. F. Howard-Lancum (56), F. J. Mitchell (56), R. G. Willan ek T. Kerr (50), Mrs. A. Mackenzie (47), Miss J. M. Ferrier (46), Messrs. J. F. Madden (46), W. D. Shaw (44), W. Wood (37), Ing? Je Gait and C. Tuckett (35), R. Carlyon-Britton (32), Miss B. Wigram (31), The Duke of Northumberland (29), Messrs. R. Groome (20), 1B}, jje Ringrose (20), and others who have ringed under twenty each. yOu. Xx.] *Crow, Carrion kook Jackdaw *Magpic Jay Starling Greenfinch *Goldfinch .. Twite zs Redpoll, Lesser Linnet a Bullfinch .. Chaffinch Sparrow, House Sparrow, Tree Bunting, Yellow Bunting, Reed Lark, Sky.. Pipit, Tree Pipit, Meadow Wagtail, Yellow .. Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied ‘Creeper, Tree Tit, Great .. Tittslue +. Tit; Coal Tit, Long-tailed .. Wren, G.-crested Shrike, R.-backed Flycatcher, S. *Plycatcher, Pied ., Chiffchaff .. Warbler, Willow ,. Warbler, Wood Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden > Blackcap .. Whitethroat Whitethroat, L. . Fieldfare .. Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Song Redwing Ouzel, Ring Blackbird .. Wheatear .. Whinchat.. Stonechat.. Redstart Nightingale Redbreast ». 7018 ary 20” 22 me Sa 176 22 36 Io 42 136 . 1301 195 --2859 ; -. 464 SO = ei aaa 16 II a le 6 i 20" 20 4 6 5 2 7 169 411 454 187 380 386 20, 12 3 Ly = 3 De) Ey 122) 272) 377 40. 52 ge 367 521 618 2 I I 26 As 40 4% TOO LOT 39° «50 54 4x 63 64 3l 340 = 42 22 S462 5 26 5 19 — It 25 46 124 112 24. 1s 26 31 18 G E2932 15 eee I lL oo— 22 25, [14 157 72 43 13 ES 65 25 206 284 274 54 «FE 59) 3r 30.” 2m 30 80 50 55 55 42 Zl 1320 ay 130 679° 133 28 23° 19 28) Nidie oS, 62I 1042 1052 — ay — Fe 3 5 469 918 920 Ir 75 155 J Ly 730 ser Sp, i i565 70 Eo, FO 20 299 494 507 223 24 18 59 4 2 i 36 oo 6 20 736 738 352 484 10 19 I 16 12 I 575 435 63 62 635 764 2 15 22° FO 144 143 39 27 or) EA S7 72 OX Ind 20/ 14 oe ot 136 243 It 4 23 20 II 33 I 2 5 I Fa 32, DO 3o 126 208 Zz. AEH 22 Ty 402 436 80 86 23 8 of 6-45 56 100 26° 25 177 138 Si ies. L7t L390 1702 2660 — if 26 if 1334 1985 83 97 69 49 56 27 102 58 ae) 18 865 753 yi) 166 43 28 24 866 478 5 27 560 55 672 I 45 22°77 57 ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ MARKING SCHEME. 239 NUMBERS OF EACH SPECIES ‘“ RINGED.” ’09-19 ; Total 204 733 522 138 129 12359 5783 82 63 216 4131 584 7366 489 518 1507 668 2205 686 1842 287 301 1758 240 BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. xx. 109-19" 2O) Mate 220) M2Qes e24e wes) 26) wlotall Sparrow, Hedge ..1885 185 246 221 409 463 487 462 4358 I Wren ois = 735) 0. 2O5 BU SZ ssh S43 203) 2720 Dipper eA So mS So TON S55 46 56, 55 Swallow .. --7290 307 382 821 889 1055 1173 1328 13245 Martin .. -.1784 87 144 245 2906 900 959 849 5264 Martin, Sand re AO) 52) 37 MS sONes4 Zale “Asie eZoo POWELL (oe en 60 at 2 BF 87 57, Oe 1BHS Nightjar .. no AK) 7 So) 7 4 5 95 Wryneck .. Su HON Ih 8 8 220) 3 28 eon Cuckoo .. in 7 20) 6) 225 SO Ee commons *Owl, Little 2) =O 12 67 ir 820) 38) so) as @vils Long-eaned- 5) 30) 2 Onna 7 — £2 3 76 Owl, Barn.. oe ON eS 2. 8 5 @5° to TA9 Owl, Tawny Be ey ey ay yl Ati 2 35 (273 * Merlin ae LO I 6 4 On 225025 83 iKestrel .. set Shue 4 D2 B20. 25) 68 OR mein *Buzzard .. ee Ta 3 2 Se 6 44 Hawk, Sparrow .. 62 5 4 Qo) 92 +260) io) res Heron, Common .. 111 — — 6° I4 21)» 38 To “Bos Sheld-Duck OM I —- 4 — 6 I 83 Mallard .. eOd4 el 4m 9 580 SON 28m i277 Are COO Teal ete -. 129 20 == tT == 2985 148 393" 740 Wigeon .. a ON 28 I 5 — 3 rt — #22 Duck, Tufted i 65) == 4 [i —-— — — 70 Cormorant 7. 563° = = == — 8 — 2 594 Shag me at, WO = SD 5 Sreesis Gannet .. -- 198 — — 26 Ir9 425 — tIT00 £868 Shearwater, Manx 69 3 —- — 9 ne 3 2 99 Wood-Pigeon oF OR LO) 38) 26) On ersr sa oz sscg Dove, Stock aie ONO. 7 5) TO WG 5) 75 Dove, Turtle oe eS Om) 125) 1S. ao she ct ese Oystercatcher .. Io0 4 5 9 Plover, Ringed .. 143 I Plover, Golden .. 49 — 4 I 2 5 I 74 Lapwing .. --4033 125 220 345 358 597 778 1136 7592 Sandpiper, C. orl SOS See UO 240 nat see Ane er One 03 Redshank ., aa AS}S) YG) Gd T'S} 577 Curlew, Common.. 214 14 36 67 58 1r10 59 109 667 Snipe, Common .. 214 6 19 18 8 50) 3m 40) 4356 Woodcock. . ao SYS ay 8 32 28 57 S40 273 S40 ern, Sandwich -. 735 31 36° «77 «153 o2 wen TAs) TOSS Tern, Common ..3854 144 706 2 44 425 632 882 6689 Tern, Arctic Ao JN) Gy al 2 I 9 15 #44958 Rog Tern, Little x0 75 Ol — 9 Te Zon es 2. “25 Gull, B.-headed «11961 — 5 —_—_— — 3. — II 11980 Gull, Common ..5514 — — 26 36 59 16 28 = 679 Gull, Herring .. 512 — 6 Oy ZONES LOM AONE AS Gull, L. Blk.-bkd..2698 471 197 455 120 565 197 IOI 4804 Gull, G. Blk.-bkd.. 78 — — 2 333) 35 28) sao Kittiwake -» 84 — — 43 86 15 — 15 243 Razorbill .. Ose eS —— Sn 2) Oh Sr 246 *Guillemot .. fo 128 — 106 255 563 — I 948 Puffin 56 +. 9095 — — BS) aili5} IK) 2, 21 Tooo Moor-Hen .. ai LOGO! L283) Aa 5S | lO so * Of species so marked no record was kept of the number ringed from 1913 to 1920. VoL. xx.] ‘BRITISH BIRDS’ MARKING SCHEME. 241 SOME PERCENTAGES OF RECOVERIES. Number Number Percentages Species. Ringed Eko oe oO é : 1909-25. ko dats. Recoveries ROOK <.. Der Ae pS: Sof 558 17 3.04 Starling “eee vet is an 10,392 528 5.08 Greenfinch oe oes ae om 5,059 7X 1.4 Linnet <.. ay 7 pate ees 3,642 26 Onur Chaffinch lie ee sie ae 6,436 88 1.3 Yellow Bunting nee ake Pee T,227 46 Sy Reed-Bunting a Aa fy: 635 2 0.3 Sky-Lark ae tus roe Fee 2,165 19 0.8 Tree-Pipit es oa Ae eas 510 a 0.3 Meadow-Pipit ... tr as Ke 1,740 7M T.2 Pied Wagtail ... _— tte at 1,634 29 1.7 Spotted Flycatcher ... ai ae 1,687 5 0.2 Willow-Warbler Ref re 3,928 22 0.5 Whitethroat ... +08 ahs ioe 1,459 5 0.3 Mistle-Thrush ... st es mee mo3 24 1.7 Song-Thrush ... me are eK 19,677 242 1.2 Blackbird ae ee ee =p 13,013 308 2.4 Wheatear a Fe oe aa 716 14 1.9 Whinchat Ae a a o 671 6 0.8 Redstart Bae al dae ee 741 2 0.2 Redbreast a ite ae =a 6,592 268 4.06 Hedge-Sparrow re ea es 3,896 15 0.3 Swallow as sus ar st II,Q17 86 0.7 Martin ... ae aie Pr Pa 4,415 33 0.7 Sand-Martin ... — Sas Ss 1,517 6 0.3 SWE 203 = Kes =F nas 286 10 3-4 Cuckoo 32 Ae ae ae 225 7 3.1 Tawny Owl ae aes 238 16 Ory, Kestrel . Fi ies £54 eee 185 15 8.1 Sparrow-Hawk _ ees ire she 146 27 18.4 Heron ... ae scr one re 190 24 12.6 Mallard re ae it sXe 1,332 236 aI RF, Meal =... e4 eG e ste 433 41 9.4 Cormorant tee ae ar 571 100 75 SHAS 43s Res oo ie ws 237 28 ay Gannet ... re ws er eg 768 26 3.3 Wood-Pigeon ... oes «06 sas 697 28 4.01 Ringed Plover oe is Fe 381 4 1.04 Lapwing . — sia aes 6,456 192 2.9 Common Sandpiper es ath eae 370 2 0.5 Redshank Ae ae mare keke 479 2 5-03 Curlew ... re aay “ae aes 558 22 3.9 Supe 4. el oe $a ee 346 29 8.3 Woodcock athe a skis c 573 62 10.8 Sandwich Tern Zn er sain 1,535 14 0.9 Common Tern aes dies — 5,807 104 £7 Black-headed Gull ... i a II,969 526 4.3 Common Gull... ae oe eee 651 17 250 Herring-Gull ... : Su des 609 20 a2 Lesser “Black- backed Gull a wat 4,703 187 3-9 Guillemot ne : ae ae 947 16 1.6 Puffin .a« = aia x’ = 979 I O.1 No. X.3336 LEB IO LATAG Y.6968 B.5198 X.3243 Y.6059 Z.5045 76790 Y.2520 X.1610 X.1612 X.1750 X.2471 54982 Z.9339 54432 59432 X.3635 Z.1421 242 ) RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Reported. STARLING (Sturnus v. vulgaris). Broughty Ferry (Forfar), 22.0 ZO adem oNe Wen eles Smith. Ditto 22.12.25. Ditto 26.10.24. Dyan ON. Ds anda le: Smith. Scone Estate (Perth), 23.2.26, ad., by Lord Scone. Torrance (Stirling), 26.5.24, young, by J. Bartholomew. Carlisle (Cumberland), 2.2.26, eNdles Joy Jn INI, ID) ‘Sivanneln. Dalston (Cumberland), 16.5.25, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Cumdivock (Cumberland), 21.5.24, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Ullswater(Cumberland), June, 1926, young, by H. J. Moon. Prestwich (Lancs.), 5.12.25, ad., by G. Townsend. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 5.12.25, ad., by A. W. Boyd. Ditto. ALT2:25.. Ditto ISR 2i25 5 Ditto 18.1.26. Ditto o.2-235 Bluntisham (Hunts.), 27.1.25, ad:, Dy EE. Peake. Ditto 26.5.24. Ditto 260.5.24. Warwick Park (Warwick), 20.5.26, nestling, by P. K. Chance. Eton (Bucks.), 24.8.23, young, by A. Mayall. Where ringed, 12.2.26, by ringer; again released. Feryden, Montrose (25. miles away), early May, 1926. breeding, by S. Nicoll. Where ringed June, 1926, by A. McIntosh. Where ringed, 8.7202 Where ringed, 14.3.26 and 15.10.26, by ringer; again released. Where ringed, 18.5.26, by ringer. Belsay Castle, nr. Newcastle, 16.4.26, by L. M. Middleton. Cumdivock (Cumberland), 1.5.26, by R. Scales. Thursby (near Carlisle), 20.5.26, by R. Blamire. Cavan (N. Ireland), 14.10.26, by D. Kelly. Ulceby (Lincs.), May, 1926, lov? Wa dels io Wvelolo- Where ringed, 19.6.26, by ringer. Griineberg, Brandenberg, Prussia, 19.5.26, by W. Przy- goda, per J. Thienemann. Manchester (Lancs.), 13.1.26, by E. P. Enderlein. Pomerania, May, 1926 (nest- ing), by C. Runge, per J. Thienemann. Where ringed, 4.12.25, by ringer; re-ringed X.1619. Where ringed, 18.3.25 and 6.2.26, by ringer; again released. Chesterton (Cambs.), 3.10.26, by A. Roper. Where ringed, April, 1926, by ringer. Near High Wycombe (Bucks.), 11.7.26, by W. Jennings. Braintree (Essex), 8.11.26, by W. B. Martin. VoL. xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. No. 73718 73719 Place and Date Ringed. 243 Place and Date Reported. JACKDAW (Coleus m. spermologus). 69480 Seaford (Sussex), 7.6.23, ad., B.7678 D.3233 D.3278 D.3286 C.2223 B.9051 D.3301 B.2584 A.2027 A.2036 B.9113 B.9175 C.5766 D.3275 D.3293 D.3311 D.5040 D.1867 by J. F. Thomas. ‘Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), Where ringed, 28.6.26, by 17.10.25, by A. W. Boyd. ringer ; again released. Seaford, 14.6.26, by D. S. L. Shilcock. GREENFINCH (Chloris ch. chloris). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 12.8.25,ad., by A. W. Boyd. Ditto 27.25. Ditto TS. 02,25. Ditto RO.E2 255 Malvern (Worcs.), 8.3.25, ad., by P. E. A. Morshead. CHAFFINCH (Fringilla c. celebs). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 9.2.25, ad., by A. W. Boyd. Ditto 28.12.25. Pyrford (Surrey), 11.3.24, ad, by Mis. lb. EB. Taylor. YELLOW BUNTING (Emberiza c. citrinella). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 26.2.2 ad., by A. W. Boyd Ditto Fe Gh Ditto 26.2.25. Ditto 10.3.25 Ditto 13.7-25 Ditto 12.12.25 Ditto 16.12.25 Ditto Syne) Ditto 25.2.26 Where ringed, 4.5.26, by ringer; again released. IDtEO TR26 and 15,.5.26: Ditto 4.5.26. Ditto 12and 15.11.26; 6.5.26. Ditto 17.38.20. Where ringed, 16.5.26, by ringer ; again released. Ditto 15.6.26 Where ringed, 11.3.26, by ringer. Where ringed, 6.7.26, by ringer ; again released. Ditto 25225; 120.205 20.6.26. Ditto 15.5.26; 25.6.26 Ditto 5-7-25 5 10.7.26 Ditto 6.7.26. Ditto 12.6.26. Ditto 13.6.26. Ditto 6.5.26; re-ringed D.5099. Half a mile away, 25.6.26, by Mr. Millington. WILLOW-WARBLER (Phylloscopus t. trochilus). Ullswater (Cumberland), June, 1925, young, by H. J. Moon. Blackpool (Lancs.), mid-May, 1926, by E. H. Jones. 244, No. Tb iaenty| C.7553 Y.5986 Y.1955 ee Z.3055 Y.4098 Y.4275 58339 Z.2432 WE8822 MZ.52 A.5763 C.7582 Y.4809 56234 Z.9155 L 2272, Y.6180 Z.3586 Wey 55228 BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. [VOL ke Place and Date Reported. SONG-THRUSH (Turdus ph. clarket). Broughty Ferry (Forfar), 29.5.24, nestling, by J. N. D. and T. L. Smith. Torrance (Stirling), 26.5.25, young, by J. Bartholomew. Dalston(Cumberland), 3.5.25, nestling, by R. H. Brown. Formby (Lancs.), 15.11.25, ad., by TI. L. S. Dooly. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 2O2 2A aden Diy) en ie Boyd. Near Stoneleigh (Warwick), 11.4.25, nestling, by Dipple. Burnham (Bucks.), 27.4.25, nestling, by A. Mayall. Ditto 9.5.25. Enfield (Middx.), 13.3.25,ad., bys) Gy Pocock Pyrford (Surrey), 7.4.24, ad., by W. P. G. Taylor. Balgay Hill, about 7 miles away, 23.5.26, by J. Mac- farlane. Where ringed, June, 1926, by ringer. Tralee (Kerry), Ireland,6.1.26, by W. Quinnell. Where ringed, 22.5.26, by ringer. Where ringed, 316125, by ringer; again released. Near Hook Tower Lighthouse, Fethard (Waterford), late Nov., 1925, by M. McMahon. Near Wadebridge (Cornwall), 1.2.26, by F. Craddock. Near Slough (Bucks.), late Jan., 1926, by C. Hester. Where ringed, 26.11.25, by ringer; again released. Where ringed, 57.20% BLACKBIRD (Turdus m. merula). Broughty Ferry (Forfar), Aiteiin-rsy, then oxy IDSs Smith. Torrance (Stirling), 14.6.20, nestl., by J. Bartholomew. Torrance, 20.6.23, young, by J. Bartholomew. Torrance, 3.6.25, young, by J. Bartholomew. Ullswater (Cumberland), May, 1925, young, by H.J. Moon. Formby (Lancs.), 22.5.24, nestling, by T. L. S. Dooly. Wistaston (Ches.), 13.7.24, young, by Miss E. K. I. Mayne. Prestbury (Ches.), 23.5.24, nestling, by R. M. Garnett. Malvern (Worcs.), 12.6.25, nestl.,byP. E. A. Morshead. Ditto 3.6.24, ad. Burnham (Bucks.), 9.5.25, nestling, by A. Mayall. Maidstone (Kent), 8.6.23, nestling, by W. Wood. Gt. Malvern, Feb., Lochee, Dundee _ (Forfar), 8.3.26, by J. B. Crammond. Where ringed, 11.3.26, by ringer. Ditto about 1.7.26. Street (West Meath), Ire- land, March, 1926, by W. L. McCulloch. Windermere (Westmorland), 29.4.26, by C. T. Phillips. Where ringed, 22.4.26, by R. Aindow. Crewe (Ches.), 25.8.26, by Miss F. J. Day. Where ringed, 12.5.26, by ringer. 1926, by H. O. Summers. Where ringed, 4.6.25 and 17.5.26, by ringer. Where ringed, 15.12.25, by J. Savin. Same place, 27.6.26, by Miss W. Parker. VoL. xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 245 No. B.7412 B.7414 B.7443 B.2509 D.4920 E.6162 Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Reported. WHEATEAR (Cinanthe e. enanthe). ‘Seaford (Sussex), 24.5.25, Two miles away, 26.6.26, by nestling, by J. F. Thomas. ringer; breeding; again released. Ditto breeding female. Nesting } mile away, 25.5.26, by ringer. Ditto 2.6.25, nestling. Ditto ditto. Ditto 19.5.24, breeding Ditto 23.5.26, a mile away. female. Ditto 4.5.26 ditto. Ditto 30.5.26, 40 yards away. REDSTART (Phenicurus ph. phenicurus). Near Ambleside (Westmor- Kendal, 9 miles from where land), 23.6.26, nestling, by ringed, about 19.8.26, by P. K. Chance. J. Pattinson. REDBREAST (Evithacus rubecula). Wistaston (Ches.), 24.11.25, Where ringed, 22.3.26, by ad., by Miss I. Mayne. ringer. Prestbury (Ches.), 15.2.25, Ditto 25.12.25,again released. ad., by R. M. Garnett. Malvern (Worcs.),1.2.25,ad., Ditto 8.2.25; 10 and 13.5.25; by P. E. A. Morshead. and 17.5.26. Bluntisham (Hunts.), 3.3.25, Ditto SLa.2F, ad., by E. Peake. Ditto ditto. Ditto HOT225 5 20-1.26. Ditto STDs. Dittor tsado25); 3.5.25 }. 2.2.26: Godstone (Surrey), 10.7.24, Near where ringed, Dec.,1925, by J. F. Madden. by ringer. Pyrford (Surrey), 24.5.25, Where ringed, 15.7.26, by nestling, by Mrs. L. E. ringer; again released. Taylor. HEDGE-SPARROW (Prunella modularis). Prestbury (Ches.),1.9.25,ad., Where ringed, 27.2.26, by by R. M. Garnett. ringer. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), Where ringed, Pasir 255 2.00.25, ad., by 2, Ws. Site, ts. 20.: re- Boyd. ringed D.5117. Ditto 12.3.23. Where ringed, 19.3.23; four times between Nov., 1924 and Jan., 1925 ; twice Dec., Ross; 74205 5.5.26.5 twice Jan., 1927. Ditto 2.9.25 Where ringed, 26.6.26. Flawboro’ (Notts.), 6.5.25, Where ringed, 21.4.26, by young, by F. Cragg fo ringer. Miss F. K. Staunton. Pyrford (Surrey), 30.10.25, Where ringed, Tes 20s ad., by Mrs. L. E. Taylor. 246 No. F.345 E.5751 B.3588 B.3992 €.8506 C.8540 C.7476 C€.8308 A.7876 C.6285 C.6296 A.2406 76060 26348 9657 22822 2MIEAS BRITISH BIRDS. [voL. xx. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Reported. SWALLOW (Hirundo r. rustica). Swordale (Ross), 5.7.11., nestling, by Miss A. C. Jackson. Torrance (Stirling), 21.6.26, young, by J. Bartholomew. Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 8.8.24, nestling, by A. W. Boyd. Near Coventry (Warwick), 13.06.25, nestling, by FB. Dipple. Laugharne (Carmarthen), 31.7.25, nestling, by J. EF. Thomas. Ditto 7.8.25. Weyhill (Hants.), 10.6.25, young, by R. Groome. MARTIN (Delichon u. urbica). Glen Esk (Forfar), 17.7.25, young, by H. G. Watson. Burnham (Bucks.), 21.6.23, ad., by A. Mayall. SWIFT (Apus a. apus). | Near Leamington (Warwick), Where ringed, 11.6.26, by swoon lel, Jone | Jey lat Chance. Forant (Wilts.), 4.7.22, ad., by K. C. Clay. LITTLE OWL (Athene n. vidalit). Barton (Cambs.), 20.4.25, ad., by G. W. Thompson. Caerwent (Mon.), 5.7.25, nestling, by Miss C. M. Acland. TAWNY OWL (Sinz a. sylvatica). Ulverston (Lancs.), 3.7.25, nestling, by C. F. Archi- bald. BARN-OWL (Tyto a. alba). Lode Fen (Cambs.), 27.7.25, young, by G. W. Thomp- son. Bluntisham(Hunts.),31.10.25, nestling, by E. Peake. Drumchapel (Stirling), July, 1920, by Miss J. Black. (Previous publication omit- ted.) Kilsyth, 8 miles away,25.8.26, by Miss C. Taylor. Near Sandbach (Ches.), 5.5.26, by H. Richardson. Warwick Park, early June, 1926, by P. K. Chance. St. Austell (Cornwall),13.5.26, by W. G. May. A mile away, 17.5.26, by T. J. Howell; again released. Near Basingstoke (Hants.), 21.7.26, by Miss E. Heward. Where ringed, June, 1926, by ringer; again released. Wooburn Green (Bucks.), 30.6.26, by Mrs. A. Muir. ringer. Where ringed, 10.5.26. Same nesting hole, 25.4.26, by ringer. Wick (Glamorgan), 8.1.26, by D. Francis. Near Ulverston, 20.5.26, by J. Bevins. Near Ely (Cambs.), early Jan., 1926, by P. Bradshaw. Near where ringed, end July, 1926 by W. Farren. vou. xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. 247 No. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Reported. MERLIN (Falco c. @salon). 75343 Gairloch (Ross), 25.6.24, Near where ringed, 3.5.26, by nestling, by Lord Scone. S. Mackenzie. 74.729 Hareshawmuir (Ayr.), Linlithgow (W. _ Lothian), 14.7.25, young, by E. R. April, 1926, by N. Mc- Paton. Lachlan. 26343 Kenfig (Glamorgan), 24.6.23, Nantyfyllon, 7 miles away, nestling, by Miss C. M. 29.6.26, by W. Jenkins. Acland. KESTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus). 77615 Logiealmond Lodge (Perth), Damhead, Symington (Ayr), 6.6.26, nestling, by J. Dun- Oct., 1926, by Miss C. McC. can for Lord Scone. Muir. 77617 Ditto ditto. Amubree, Dunkeld, to miles away, 23:6.26, (by IR. -S- Rowat. 77618 Ditto ditto. Near Comrie, 20 miles away, 4.8.26, by W. A. Dewhurst. 25941 Kirkconnel (Dumfries), Near Garstang (Lancs.), 26.6.25, young, by T. K. 21.2.26, by R. Cookson. Craven. 79134 Ditto 10.7.26, nestling. Near Inveraray (Argyll), 27.10.26, by J. MacLean. 76059 Barton (Cambs.), 28.5.25, Where ringed, early June, ad., by G. W. Thompson. 1926, by ringer. 77479 Ditto 7.6.25, nestling. 1} miles away, 18.5.26, by ringer ; again released. 76070 Ditto 3.7.25, young. Near Christchurch (Hants.), 50,25; Oy. Ne eae. 78196 Ditto 3.6.26, young. Edenbridge (Kent), 22.11.26, by Brig.-General Buzzard. 79097. Haslingfield(Cambs.), 10.6.26, Sporle, Swaffham (Norfolk), nestling, by G. W. Thomp- 9.8.26, by T. S. Matthews. son. HERON (Ardea c. cinera). 104045 Floriston (Cumberland), Kingussie (Inverness.), July, 8.5.26, nestling, by R. H. 1926, by J. Ness. Brown. MALLARD (Anas p. platyrhyncha). oe ee ce 28.8.26, Near where ringed, 9.11.26, 26076; young, by H. Zimmerman by ringer. for Lord Scone. 26087 : ‘ F oii \ Ditto 10.97.26, Ditto ditto. 27475 ' Ditto 6.8.26. Ditto 18.11.26. 20516 Leswalt (Wigtown), 6.3.24, Aurich, Hanover (Prussia), ad., by M. Portal. 25.3.26, by G. F. Kittel. 23642 Near Gainsborough (Lincs.), Motala, Ostergothland 3.7.24, young, by F. Mey- (Sweden), 26.8.26, by nell. G. G. Vederberg. 248 No. 71534 76146 76148 76161 78432 78514 78515 104257 102840 103586 73874 72945 72947 73708 TPES BRITISH BIRDS. Place and Date Ringed. TEAL (Anas c. Longtown (Cumberland), 31.3.23, ad., by W. Bell for Sir R. J. Graham. Longtown, 3.3.25, hand- reared, by Sir R. J. Gra- ham. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto. Ditto UA PAO Ditto 5.3.26. Ditto 9.3.26. [voL. XX, Place and Date Reported. crvecca). Rosersberg, near Stockho]m (Sweden), 1.8.26, by E. Lonnberg. Near Harwich (Essex), 23.10:26, by EF. 1, Smith: Falster Island (Denmark), 3.8.26, by E. Frellesvig. Near Rauland (Norway), 9.5.26, by A. Géytil and A. Bernhoft-Osa. Torne River (Lapland), end July, 1926, by E. Lénnberg. Lake Malaren, 32 miles N.W. of Stockholm (Sweden), 21.9.26, by E. Lonnberg. Lake 56 miles S. of Stettin. Brandenburg (Prussia), 26.8.26, by Count of Véss- Délzig. CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax c. carbo). Badcall Islands (Sutherland), 17.6.26, nestling, by Miss BS CG. sharp, Roughrigg Reservoir, Shotts SHAG (Phalacrocorax a. avistotelis). Handa (Sutherland), 25.6.23, ad., by A. W. Boyd. (Lanark), 23.10.26, by Airdrie Water Board. Where ringed, 18.6.26, by Miss E. C. Sharp; again released. GANNET (Sula bassana). Ailsa Craig, Firth of Clyde, Lo.7.24, young. iby DE Macdonald. 20 miles N.W. of Muckle Flogga (Shetland), 9.6.26, by L. Laurenson. WOOD-PIGEON (Columba p. palumbus). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 5.7.24, nestiing, by A. W. Boyd. Antrobus, 14 miles away, 17.7.26, by Mr. Harrison. TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia t. turtur). Near Gt. Budworth (Ches.), 19.8.24,ad., by A.W. Boyd. Ditto Pig Soyoil Ditto 8.7.25. Ditto Bafe25e Near where ringed, 8.7.25; 9.6.26, by ringer; again released. Where ringed, 20.5.26, by ringer ; again released. Ditto 26.6.26 ; re-ringed No. 73740 and re-captured 2.8.26. Where ringed, 9.7.26. os. xx.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. “ No. Place and Date Ringed. 249 Place and Date Reported. LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus). Z.7714 Glen Fruin (Dumbarton), Pallasgreen (Limerick, Ire- 22.6.24, young, by T. Kerr. land), 25.10.26, by T. Wheeler. 51326 Near Kilmacolm (Renfrew), Ballyhaunis (Mayo, Ireland), 23.6.22, young, by Mr. and 7.12.26, by M. Grogan. Mrs. R. O. Blyth. Y.6048 Burgh Marsh (Cumberland), Begadan (Médoc, France), 13.5.25, nestling, by R. H. 25.2.26, by G. Lussaud. Brown. Y.8813 Near Green Quarries (Cum- Maryport (Cumberland), berland), 28.5.25, nestling, 22.6.26, by I. Nicholson. by R. H. Brown. ’ Z.3241 Near Butcombe (Somerset), Blagdon (Somerset), Feb., " 25.5.24, young, by C. Tuc- 1926, by C. Sainsbury. kett and R. P. Gait. REDSHANK (Tringa ¢t. totanus). — X.9342 Burgh Marsh (Cumberland), Eastriggs (Dumfries), July, “7 28.5.26, nestling, by R. H. 1926, by W. F. McGlasson. Brown. CURLEW (Numenius a. avquata). 66200 Ulverston (Lancs.), 30.5.24, Dunmore (Galway, Ireland), young, by C. F. Archibald. Feb., 1926, by The Shooting Times. i WOODCOCK (Scolopax rv. rusticolw). : X.4551 Glendelvine Estate (Perth), Two miles from where ringed, 15.6.26, nestling, by W. McLaren for Lord Scone. a —* 10.g.26, by W. O. Horne, One mile from where ringed, 20.10.26, Two miles from where ringed, T1.9.26. Near Kendal (Westmorland), 20.11.26, by H. D. Wilson. Moniaive (Dumfries), 30.11.26, by C. Dubs, per H. §., X.9212 Kinloch, Meigle (Perth), II.6.26, by C. W. Walker. 18.9.26, by ringer. X.6946 Ditto 9.5.26. Ditto Hamsterley (Durham), a 30.5.26, young, same 10.9.26, by ringer. -6499 | brood, by Col. Pollitt. X.6484 Ditto 27.6,26, Ditto Z.3097 Holker, Cark-in-Cartmel (Lanes.), May, 1925, young, by Col. Porritt. 2854 Balmaclellan (Kirkcud- brightshire), summer, 1914, young, by R. Shepley Gladstone. Shepley. HERRING-GULL (Larus a. argentatus). 24713 Near Auchmithie (Forfar), 30.6.25, young, by H. G. Watson. Loon-Plage (Nord, France), 17.5.26, by Docteur Top. 250 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. No. Place and Date Ringed. Place and Date Reported. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Lams f. affinis). 26236 Bowness Moss (Cumberland), Near Lisbon (Portugal), 14.7.25, young, by R. H. 29.11.26, by D. Whiting, Brown. per Daily Mail. 39788 Foulshaw (Westmorland), Near Sundside(Westmorland), 30.7.21, young, by H. W. Aug., 1926, by D. Gray. Robinson. RAZORBILL (Alca torda). 71366 Handa (Sutherland), 25.6.23, Where ringed, 18.6.26, by ad., by A. W. Boyd. Miss E. C. Sharp. BIRDS MARKED ABROAD AND RECOVERED IN GREAT BRITAIN. SrarLinc (Sturnus v. vulgavis)—Zool. Stat., Helgoland, 502,222, ringed at Jsraelsdorf, near Lubeck, Holstein, west Germany, on May 26th, 1926. Reported at Boxley, near Maidstone, Kent, on October 29th, 1926, by Mr. G. Tomsett, per the Daily Mail. Repwine (Turdus musicus).—Zool. Stat., Helgoland, 53676, ringed in Heligoland on April 14th, 1924. Reported near Norwich, Norfolk, on February 3rd, 1927, by Dr. S. H. Long. HERON (Ardea c. cinevea).—1.R.A., Versailles, France, 0/14, ringed in the Heronry in Forest of Rioult-Clairmarais, Pas-de-Calais, France, as a nestling, on April 28th, 1926. Reported at Laver- stoke Park, on River Test, Hants, on November 8th, 1926, by Major M. Portal. TEAL (Anas c. crecca).—Leningrad, Lesnov Institut, D.523, ringed on Luberetzkoie Lake for water-fowl, 10 miles east of Novgorod (100 miles south of Petrograd), Russia, on July 24th, 1926. Ke- ported at Bowthorpe, 4 miles from Norwich, Norfolk, on November oth, 1926, by Mr. E. A. Curl. GoLpDEN PLovER (Charadrius apricarius).—P. Skovgaard, Viborg, Danmark, X.2728, ringed on Hraunsland S. Pinvollasysla, Den- mark, on June 27th, 1926. Reported in King’s Co., Ireland, November 11th, 1926, per Mr. J. Bartholomew. (See Shocting Times, November 13th, 1926.) Common GULL (Larus c. canus).—P. Skovgaard, V.borg, Danmerk, X.5971, ringed at Dybsii, south of Sjzlland, Denmark. on June 30th, 1925. Reported at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, end of December, 1926, by Mr. H. Becher. THE INCUBATION- AND FLEDGING-PERIODS OF SOME BRITISH BIRDS. ; Tue following data were obtained during 1926, in addition ‘o those concerning the House-Martin and Common Tern dready published (antea, pp. 130 and 131). Incubation- Fledging- Period, Period, Days. Days. Magpie (Pica p. pica) te -. 17-18, —, 22-23, 24 soldfinch (Carduelis c. britannica) 12 a= Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs) a x I3 Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellii) —,— 15, 15 Tree-Creeper (Certhia f. brittanica) —- 14 spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa s. striata) : =a i mel I2, 15 rs, 53 Robin (Evrithacus r. melophilus) .. 14 12 Dipper (Cinclus c. gularis) Ss 15-16 19-20 Swallow (Hirundo r. rustica) ox Eq, 14,34 20, 22, 27 R. H. Brown. CURIOUS ACTION OF A NESTLING WHITETHROAT. ON July 20th, 1926, I found on the ground a fledged young Whitethroat (Sylvia c. communis). The parent bird was ittering its harsh alarm note from a neighbouring bush. Che young bird stayed in the same spot and gradually raised its head over its back until the beak almost touched the tail, when the bird lost its balance and fell over. Thinking there might be something wrong with it, I retired to a distance to watch, and saw the old bird come out and feed the young one, when it became quite normal and moved along the ground a short way with the old bird. To make a further test I showed myself again and the parent bird uttered its alarm note, whereupon the young bird stood still and went through the same performance as before. | may add that the movement was executed very slowly and apparently deliberately. C. W. CoLtTurup. LARGE COLoNy oF HovusE-SparRows IN ONE TREE.— Mr. G. B. Westcott sends us a photograph of a pear-tree near Althringham, Cheshire, that was taken possession of by a colony of House-Sparrows (Passer d. domesticus) in 1926. The photograph is not clear enough for reproduction, but the tree 1S not a large one and Mr. Westcott states that it held seventeen nests. 252 BRITISH BIRDS. [ VOL. xx. WitLow-Tits IN LANARKSHIRE.—Mr. Walter Stewart contributes an interesting article to the Scottish Naturalist (1926, pp. 147-150) on the distribution, appearance, habitat and nesting of the Willow-Tit (Parus atricapillus klein- schmidti) in Lanarkshire. In certain parts of this county the bird seems plentiful, more so than in any other part of Scotland according to the author. It particularly affects valleys in the bottoms of which the ground is somewhat waterlogged, with a rank, dense undergrowth in summer. Here it nests in the stumps of decayed alders and willows, and about go per cent. of the nests are in holes bored by the birds them- selves, and in nearly every case the chips are removed to at least a short distance. Among the localities outside Lanark in which Mr. Stewart has identified the bird, he mentions near Kincardine O’Neil in south Aberdeenshire, a part from which we are not aware of any previous record. RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT IN EpInBuRGH.—Prof. R. A. Sampson records (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 160) that a Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) was seen in the grounds of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, from about the month of August to September 7th, 1926. The Bluethroat has only once before been recorded from the mainland of Scotland in autumn. ComMMON POCHARD BREEDING IN MIDLOTHIAN, AYRSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE.—Messrs. D. Hamilton and J. K. Nash have proved the breeding, in 1926, of Nyvroca f. ferina on Doddington Loch, where two broods were seen in play (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 130). Adult birds have been observed there in recent springs, but actual breeding in the county seems not to have been previously proved. In the same journal (p. 131), Mr. E. Richmond Paton states that he saw broods of this duck in the summer of 1926 in Ayrshire and in Renfrew- * shire, where it seems not to have been recorded as breeding before, though a record belonging to Dumbartonshire was first erroneously ascribed to Renfrewshire. GOOSANDER NESTING IN DUMFRIESSHIRE.—Mr. H. S. Gladstone records (Scot. Nat., 1926, p. 140) that a gamekeeper informed him that he frequently saw two pairs of Goosanders (Mergus m. merganser) on the River Annan in April and May, 1926, and that on July 17th he saw one female with SIX young and at an earlier date the other female with ten young. On September 4th the keeper shot a young male Goosander and sent it to Mr. Gladstone by way of confirmation. In his Birds of Dumfriesshire, Mr. Gladstone did not accept a previous record of breeding about thirty years ago as substantiated. Proof of breeding so far to the south in Scotland is interesting. LETTERS ON THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME COLD ON BIRDS. To the Editors of Britisu Birps. Strs,—May I add a few words to my comments on the effects of extreme cold on birds in a previous issue of British Birds (Vol. XVIIL., Pp. 296-9, April, 1925). The first half of the present winter (to the end of December, 1926) has been the severest on record since a meteoro- logical station was established here in rgrq. Although the temperature has never exceeded 35° below zero (Fahr.) we have had long spells of below zero weather, while on December 11th we experienced what is reputed to have been the worst blizzard in twenty years. In addition to my old aviaries I now have a considerably larger one (about 170 Square feet in area) built on the same general principle but with various improvements. A slight alteration to the old ones has proved bene- ficial, for during the great blizzard only three or four birds in these got frozen feet, none at all in the new. This has been the only case of frozen feet this winter. Since it occurred again during a blizzard, it may be assumed that the condition is due to a blending of gale, snowfall and low temperature. (I had nearly 200 birds inthe combined aviaries. ) As to the icing of the head and back, this has been very frequent and has been practically confined to the birds in the new aviary. In the sheltered portion of the roof there runs a ledge lengthwise, on to which the Juncos (Junco hyemalis) have developed a habit of crowding at nights, no doubt for warmth. Whenever the thermometer drops to about 15° below zero or worse, a large percentage of the birds are ice- covered in the morning. All vestiges of it disappear during the day, so that this is no doubt due, as previously surmised, to sleeping in confined quarters during intense cold. In addition to Juncos, the following species have demonstrated their ability to withstand extreme temperatures—Gambel’s Sparrow (Zonoirichia 1. gambeli), White-throated Sparrow (Z. albicollis), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus s. alaudinus), Tree-Sparrow (Spizella m. ochvacea) and the domestic Canary ! There are several points that call for special mention. My experi- mental cage is lit up for some hours at night, the birds thus getting an advantage over the controls, which have to go daily without food during the sixteen hours of darkness that we get here in December. I have been prepared each day to rescue at least the control Canaries, But I have had to do no rescuing. The control cocks have never missed singing a single day through the winter and have enjoyed the best of health. Even at the height of the now notorious blizzard, responsible for numerous deaths amongst humans, at least two were sitting against the wires, barely able to retain their seats in the forty mile-an-hour gale, periodically lost to view in a cloud of swirling, driving snow with the thermometer at zero, singing as though it were spring. The Canaries in the experimental aviary, although most of them have been fit throughout, have done but little singing. A noticeable thing about the Canaries killed for eXamination has been the complete absence of fat, both in controls and experimentals, 954 BRITISH BIRDS. [ VoL. xx. More remarkable than the Canaries, perhaps, have been the Juncos in the experimental aviary. The moult of these birds has been very protracted, and although many of them were only half feathered, they showed no signs of distress at 35° below zero. Even more astounding was a single Savannah Sparrow from the control aviary. This bird alone among the wild species showed unhappiness every time the thermometer took a serious drop below zero. At 35° below he looked so wretched that I brought him in fora couple of days and then killed him for examination. As soon as he got into the house he was perfectly cheerful again and full of ‘“‘ pep.” Although he was obviously suffering in the cold he had evidently taken no harm. On being killed it was ascertained that after his October moult he had completely failed to grow new feathers on his back. He was poorly feathered all over, but his back was actually bare and yet he survived 35° below zero. In addition he was heavily parasitized with nematodes. Surely amongst such birds as these seed-eaters, cold gud cold can hardly be considered a factor in the history of migration. If cold has any direct detrimental effect on such species, it must surely be in the listlessness and inactivity that it induces. My experi- mental birds, whose aviary is lit with artificial light for so long each night, show a distinct tendency to go to roost earlier when the weather gets colder. At temperatures far below zero they can_hardly be induced to move after they have gone to roost. This year I have kept a rough check on the amount of food consumed, and the increase during cold spells is very considerable. An inclination to decreased activity when the reverse is demanded may be the factor that is responsible for the absence of the migratory Sparrows from their northern range during the winter months. For Juncos and aree= Sparrows can find enough food in ordinary winter weather to keep themselves fit. Some of my released birds have successfully spent two weeks out and returned so well fed that they have not even bothered to go to the food box on their return to the aviary. Moreover, occasional individuals of both species winter here of their own accord. On the other hand, of ten control Juncos released two days before the great blizzard, one had not entered the traps by the night that the blizzard broke loose. He was found a few days later frozen to death by the aviary. He no doubt perished in the storm as he was not noticed around the garden subsequently. Apart from the question of actual cold, it is remarkable that the extreme changes of temperature to which we are liable here during the winter months have no detrimental effects on at least the Canaries. The night preceding the blizzard, when I was out at the aviaries at about 3 a.m. in pyjamas to salvage a curtain on the control aviary and to see how the birds were faring in a gale that nearly lifted me off my legs, the temperature was 45° above zero. Within twenty-four hours the thermometer had dropped some 55 degrees to 10° below. It continued to drop till it reached 35° below. And even greater and more rapid changes than this are on record. Wn. Rowan. Epmonton, ALTA., CANADA, 25th December, 1926. WASPS DESTROYING YOUNG BIRDS. To the Editors of BritisH Brrbs. Strs,—lIn his note (antea, p. 198), Dr. T. G. Longstaff mentions the difficulty of obtaining records of insects preying upon nestlings in Britain. The following case may be of interest. In July, 1917, — VOL. XX.] ‘LETTERS. 255 in the vicinity of Cheltenham, I found the nest of a Blackcap (Sylvia a. atvicapilla) containing three newly hatched young. Wishing to identify the parents, I hid near the nest. I noticed a large worker wasp flying round the brood at close quarters and occasionally alight- ing on the head of a nestling. The hen Blackcap was about five yards away from the nest and was “ churring.’”’ Presently, I counted three worker wasps, which seemed to be engaged in stinging the nestlings. I killed one and drove the others away. The species was Vespa sylvestvis. Thinking that if left undisturbed the parents would return, and defend their young, I left the spot forabout an hour. Onreturning, I found several wasps engaged in gnawing the corpses of the young. I could see no sign of the parent birds. I have no reason for thinking that I had disturbed the nest of the wasps, thus causing them to attack the young birds. OLIVER H. WILp. BIRD’S-NESTING MICE AND VOLES. To the Editors of Britisn Btrps. Strs,—In 1924, two nests of the Long-tailed Tit (42githalos c. roseus), both with full clutches, were subsequently found deserted, with the linings of the nests disarranged and several eggs missing. In the bottom of each nest was a small hole. The eggs mysteriously dis- appeared from a nest of the Linnet (Carduelis c. cannabina) and a small hole was noticed in the nest-bottom. These nests were situated in gorse-bushes and were presumably raided by field-mice. R. H. Brown. TITS EATING NUTS. To the Editors of Britis Birps. Strs,—With reference to Mr. Pearson’s note on Great Tits eating nuts (antea, p. 177), it may be worth recording that monkey-nuts, which I fix in crevices in a tree trunk for Nuthatches (Sitta euvopea), are taken quite as frequently by Great Tits (Parus major), and these birds hammer at the nuts as vigorously as the Nuthatches. Both species, when they can extract the whole nut from the crevice, fly away with it to some favourite place and pull it to pieces at their leisure. Coal- Tits (P. ater), Marsh-Tits (P. palustris) and Blue Tits (P. ceruleus) also feed on the nuts, but none of these seem to have sufficient strength to open them up by themselves. The Coal-Tits sit on a tree nearby watching the Nuthatches, and when one of the latter is ready to take the kernel out of the Shell, a Coal-Tit will fly down suddenly, irighten the Nuthatch away, seize the kernel, and fly away with it, before the Great Spotted Woodpeckers also come for the nuts, and when they can remove the nut bodily they will fly away and fix it in one of the clefts that they use for fir cones. When the nut is too firmly fixed they will make a hole in it and cut it up into tiny pieces, and eat it Straight from the shell, On one occasion I saw a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker try to get a nut, but it was frightened away before it succeeded. N. Tracy. SoutuH Wootton, Kine’s Lynn, 256 BRITISH BIRDS. [von. xx. COMMON BUZZARD HOVERING. To the Editors of BritisH BIRDs. Strs,—Though I have never seen a Common Buzzard hover, the following from my note book, relating to an observation of the Rough- legged species, may be of interest :—‘‘ November 7th, 1903, on the top of Stepney Hill, near Scarborough, a friend and I saw the bird fly across the road and it commenced hovering, somewhat Kestrel-like, over a field. We watched it with our glasses for some minutes.” W. GYNGELL. [Sufficient evidence has now been published to show that Buzzards not infrequently hover.—Eps.] SWIMMING POWERS OF YOUNG LAPWINGS. To the Editors of BritisH BirpDs. Srrs,—Mr. R. H. Brown in his recent article on Lapwings states that ‘‘ Nestlings are expert swimmers” (antea p. 167). To what extent are they swimmers ? Would they swim a fairly fast flowing stream, fifteen yards wide, in order to get to water-meadows on the far side ? I ask because I have a twelve-acre field between woods, wired round with 14-inch wire netting, sunk in the ground. Four pairs of Lapwings nest yearly in the field and three usually hatch off safely. Within a week of hatching, young Lapwings and parents are in a water-meadow half a mile off. To get there they must cross a stream nine feet wide, a meadow, a small river ten to twelve yards wide, and get through t}-inch mesh netting. The only alternative is that they are carried by the parent birds. M. Porta. WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. LE GERFAUT REVUE BELGE D’ORNITHOLOGIE (Fondée en 1931) Le seule publication scientifique belge traitant des oiseaux, spécialement des oiseaux de la Belique. Abonnement 25 francs belges - 5 Belgas par an. Direction: Square Prince Charles 21, Bruxelles-Laeken (Belgique). STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. ESTD. 1766. 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C.2. Periodical Sales are held at the above Rooms, of NATURAL HISTORY SPECIMENS, including BIRDS and BIRDS? 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All Books and Publications (new and second-hand) on Natural History supplied. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2., ENGLAND. RECORDS OF BIRDS BRED IN — CAPTIVITY By EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. 15/- net This work is, as the title indicates, the compilation of a record of those birds which have reproduced themselves in captivity, and without any necessary reference to the first occasion or first breeder, though these particulars are given where known. The volume is divided into three parts: (1) Species which have been bred in confinement, (2) Hybrids which have been bred, and (3) a summary of the whole in which an attempt is made to indicate the comparative values of the records. The whole represents the completest record it is possible to make to the end of 1925, and contains over 800 true-breeding records, with about the same number of hybrids. “We must all be very grateful to Dr. Hopkinson for the immense amount of trouble he has taken to tabulate the existing records in easily accessible form. It was not an easy task, and we know of no one so well qualified to take it on. It is surely a book that every aviculturist will wish to have by him for reference,’ — Avicultural Magazine. PROBLEMS OF BIRD-MIGRATION By A. LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON, O.B.E., D.Sc. (Aberdeen), M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. Maps and Diagrams. 18/- net Gives an authoritative account of the many facts that have been gathered about this subject, and discusses the fascinating problems they present. The book is divided into three parts: (1) After touching on migration in other classes of animal life, gives an account of the principal known facts of Bird-Migration in all its aspects; (2) contains a number of detailed studies by way of illustrative examples, deals specially with recent additions to knowledge obtained from the scheme of marking individual birds, and discusses the general results of this method of study; (3) gives a statement of the main problems of Bird-Migration, discusses the ends it serves, its originating cause, the factors governing its annual recurrence and those determining its path and goal, and initiates a discussion on the wider biological issues involved. An Appendix deals with some practical bearings of the Study of Bird-Migration. “In our estimation this book supplants everything else to date. An authoritative digest of the facts and theories of bird migration.” —The Conder. “Well planned and well written "—Ibis. nN H. F. & G. WITHERBY, 326, High Holborn, London. — BRITISH BIRDS ANIEUSTRATED- MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY: TOTHEBIRDS “Ss ON THEBRTISH UST MONTHLY. 1394 YEARLY-20. 326HIGHHOLBORNICNDON. TtFéG-WITHERBY: W. F. H. ROSENBERG, 57, Haverstock Hill, London, N.W.3, England Telephone: Primrose Hill 0660 has large stocks of BIRDS’ SKINS and Eggs from all parts of the World, and specimens in all branches of Zoology. Also Collecting Apparatus, Books, etc. Price Lists sent post free on application. Kindly state which Lists are required and mention this Periodical. nr eemmneneeeenennnnn remem iaacaaaaaaaaaaacaacasamaaaamaaasammaccacmaaal, THE IBIS. Complete set to 1924, and 1925 parts 1-3. With 2 Jubilee Vols.; General Indexes, General Subject Index, and B.O.U. List of Birds. 72 WVols., newly bound half blue calf, gilt. (1924-1925 original parts.) Fine Set. £120 With Bookplate of Charles J. Wilson. DRESSER (H, E.) A History of the Birds of Europe. 8 Vols., with 633 magnificent coloured plates. 1871-1881. Half morocco, t.e.g. £50 THE ZOOLOGIST. A monthly Journal of Natural History. Third Series, Vol. VII., to Fourth Series, Vol. XX. 1883-1916. 34 Vols., cloth (last 3 vols. wrappers). £5 10s. PARKER & SON, English & Foreign Booksellers - OXFORD. NEW CATALOGUE (No. 27) including ORNITHOLOGY, NATURAL HISTORY, etc., sent on receipt of card. NESTING BOXES YOUR GARDEN—A BIRD SANCTUARY ‘These artistic Nesting Boxes are intended for wild birds that build in holes. Provide the birds with 4s 6d lodgings and they will board themselves S * off your garden pests and give you Postage 1/3 constant entertainment with their pretty ways. They like a bath—it need not be h. and ec. Illustrated Catalogue (No. B.B.) of Nesting Boxes, Birds’ Baths, Sundials, Vases and all garden ornaments post free. ARTHUR H. MOORTON, LTD., 17, Eccleston St., London, S.W.1, (Sole Manufacturers for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). WANTED.—Birds in variety plumage, or would purchase whole collection of such. C. J. CARROLL, Rocklow, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. BIRDS’ EGG CABINETS. Cabinets of 1 inch deal, finished dark mahogany, with moulded base and top. A really fine piece of furniture. Two sizes :—3 ft. gins. high, 18ins. wide, containing 12 drawers. 1 ft. ro ins. high, 18 ins. wide, containing 6 drawers. Size of drawers, each r5ins. by roins., graduating in depth as follows :—1% ins., 2, 24%, 3, 3%, 4%, with data drawer at top, 5 ins. Prices, carriage paid including crate :—12-drawer Cabinet, £4 - 4. 6-drawer Cabinet, £2 - 2. D. DAVIES, Fairview, Knucklas, Knighton, Radnorshire. DRITSABIRDS WITH WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN JANUARY, 1917, ‘‘ THE ZOOLOGIST.” EDITED BY H. F. WITHERBY, M.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ASSISTED BY Rey. F. Cj) R.} Jourpar, M.A., M.B.O.U., H.F.A.O.U., AND NORMAN F./TICEHURST, 0.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. CONTENTS OF NUMBER II, VOL. AA, APRIL TE, 7027, Ornithological Report from Norfolk for 1926. ey. B. 8, Riviere, F.R.C.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ais ; The Westward Flight of Autumn Migrants in the Tay ete: By Henry Boase .. Notes :— Heredity in Abnormal Egg-coloration (J. H. Owen) Crossbills Breeding in Surrey (C. W. sarees. and Jf. Beddall Smith) .. House-Sparrows’ Winter Nest-Building ww. E. Mayes) Wood-Lark in Yorkshire (W. S. Medlicott) ... Chiffchaffs Wintering in Sussex (R. Carlyon- Britton) Black Redstarts in Derbyshire (J. Armitage) Little Owl in Derbyshire (M. V. Wenner) Rough-legged Buzzards in Yorkshire (W. S. Medlicott) Supposed Mallard < Eider Hybrid Seen in Devon (Ernest Allen) eis ae ate a Goosanders in reonenies (HL E B, Forrest) Red-necked Grebe in Cheshire (A. W. Boyd) Long-tailed Skua in Leicestershire (W. E. Mayes) Short Notes :— Ring-Ouzel in Leicestershire. Black Redstart in Somerset. Pintail in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Little Aukin Yorkshire Letters :— Lapwing Carrying its Young (Hugh S, Gladstone) ... Swimming Powers of Young Lapwings (R. H. Brown) Reviews :— The Birds of the British Isles. By I AD Coward oa series) aa The Migrations of Birds. ‘By feccnte: Wetmore ... x Oni to ho (ep) Nn ON SP SB) Sy Sy ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FROM NORFOLK FOR 1926. BY By, 8) RIVIERE, F.R.C.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. THE event of most outstanding interest to Norfolk ornithology in the year 1926, and one which seems likely to have an important bearing upon its future, was undoubtedly the purchase of Cley Marshes from the executors of the late Mr. A. W. Cozens-Hardy by a few public-spirited and enter- prising naturalists, and the formation of a limited company, entitled the Norfolk Naturalists’ Trust, to whom the property has been handed over to be maintained for all time as a bird sanctuary. Cley Marsh, to which reference has frequently been made in these notes, is some 400 acres in extent, and is bounded on the north by a sea-wall, on the east and west by high banks, the former of which divides it from Salthouse Broad, whilst on the south runs the main coast road and the village of Cley. Formerly this area was well drained, grazing marsh, but it became flooded when the sea-wall was breached by an abnormally high tide during a gale on the night of Decem- ber 31st, rg2z, and having remained in a state of partial inundation ever since, has proved an extraordinarily attractive feeding and resting ground for Ducks and Waders. Its value asa Duck shoot may be gauged by the price of £5,160 which the 400 acres realized when sold at public auction, whilst as regards Waders there is probably no other spot in England where so many rare species may be seen at one and the same time during the spring and autumn migrations. Certainly there is none where they can be seen more easily, one of the best observation posts being in fact a motor car on the main road overlooking one of the gates on to the marsh! Amongst the interesting passage-migrants which have visited it annually during the past few years may be mentioned Ruffs and Reeves, Black-tailed Godwits, Spotted Redshanks, Curlew- Sandpipers, Little Stints, Green and Wood-Sandpipers, Black Terns, and Spoonbills. A colony of Sandwich Terns bred there in 1923, whilst a Ruff and Reeve remained to nest in 1922, and encouraged by this latter fact and by our good fortune in having re-established the Bittern, one may still hope that on this ideal nesting ground, now that it is freed from all danger of disturbance, other of our lost Norfolk birds, such as the Black Tern and Black-tailed Godwit, may be won back to breed with us again. vou. xx.] ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT. 259 The newly constituted Norfolk Naturalists’ Trust which will administer this, and it is to be hoped, other Norfolk bird reserves which may be acquired in the future, has full power as regards limiting, and if necessary entirely prohibiting, public access to their property. The lack of such power has, I think, proved a serious disadvantage to the two Norfolk reserves which are owned by the National Trust, namely Blakeney Point and Scolt Head, the former of which is so overrun by visitors during the summer months that the protection of the Tern colony has become a matter of very great difficulty, and the task of the watcher almost an im- possible one. The year 1926 opened with a continuation of the mild weather which set in at Christmas, but on January 13th it gave place to a nine days’ spell of exceptional severity, 16° of frost being recorded on the screen on the 15th, and 20° on the 16th. A return to mild open weather followed and was continued through February and March with the exception of a short wintry spell and a fall of snow towards the end of the latter month. Unusually fine warm weather prevailed during the first week of April, the thermometer rising to 74.5° on April 4th ; but the rest of the month was dull and wet and was followed by an exceptionally cold May. These weather conditions seem to have had some influence upon the arrival of summer visitors, for although a few individuals, forming the vanguard, put in an appearance exceptionally early, the main body appears to have been unduly delayed, very few Swallows being present up till mid-May, whilst Swifts did not reach Norwich until May roth, six days behind their usual date. The following are the dates of some first arrivals :— Wheatear, February 27th (E. L. Turner); Chiffchaff, March 30th (W. Tracy) ; Sedge-Warbler, April 2nd (Tracy) : Willow-Warbler, April 2nd (B.B.R.); Swallow, April 3rd (L. Lloyd); Sand-Martin, April 3rd (Lloyd); Redstart, April 7th (Tracy); Whinchat, April 8th (Tracy) ; White- throat, April 9th (Tracy); Nightingale, April 8th (J. P. Burwell) ; Yellow Wagtail, April gth (Tracy) ; Tree-Pipit, April 9th (Tracy); Blackcap, April 13th (Lloyd); Swift, May 10th (B.B.R.) ; Turtle-Dove, May 12th (B.B.R.). From the Lynn Well lightship at the mouth of the Wash, my correspondent, Mr. W. S. Sharman, recorded the usual E. to W. passage of Hirundines throughout May and the first three days of June, whilst a Willow-Warbler was killed at the light on the night of April 7th, a Sedge-Warbler on May 17th and a Whinchat on May atst. aVVYU APIARLAOLR AAU We > Sa ees The only other notable feature of the spring migration was the exceptional number of Bar-tailed Godwits which visited Breydon on their way north in May ; Jary, the watcher, recording that they were present in larger numbers than he ever remembers to have been the case during the past twenty- five years. Fine and warm weather prevailed for the most part throughout August, September, and the first half of October, when a very cold spell set in till the end of the month with ground frosts nearly every night, after which open weather with very few frosts continued until the end of the year. A few Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Wheatears, Whinchats, and Warblers arrived with a N.E. wind at Cley during the first week in September, and were also recorded upon several nights during the same period at the Lynn Well lightship (Sharman), but during the rest of the month, with winds mostly from a westerly quarter, practically no migration was seen at Cley, and only one Bluethroat was recorded (Septem- ber gth), Mr. E. C. Arnold describing it as “ the worst Septem- ber I remember.”’ Between October 1st and October 8th, however, with anti- cyclonic conditions prevailing over the greater part of western Europe, a great rush of birds travelling from E. to W. passed the Lynn Welllight both by day and night, and during the week Mr. Sharman caught and identified the following species :— Lapwing, Knot, Starling, Skylark, Linnet, Chaffinch, Bram- bling, Greenfinch, Redwing, Song-Thrush, Blackbird, Ring- Ouzel, Meadow-Pipit, Robin, Goldcrest, and Wheatear. A considerable arrival of Woodcocks took place between the 17th and 24th of October with a wind between N. and N.E., one Yarmouth gunner flushing between twenty and thirty on Yarmouth Denes on the morning of the 21st ; whilst on the 21st and 23rd, Rooks, Hooded Crows, Starlings, and Sky- larks were travelling from E. to W. and S.E. to N.W. over Poringland, the same movement being observed on the former day by Mr. G. Gurney at Hempstead, some twenty miles to the north-west. Owing probably to a severe easterly gale which occurred on October 26th, the North Sea appears to have taken an unusually heavy toll of birds at the latter end of this month, for Mr. H. Cole, on November 4th, wrote that he had recently picked up on Cromer beach the drowned bodies of Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Ring-Ouzel, Linnet, Brambling, Siskin, Redstart, Goldcrest, and Blue Tit. vou. xx.] ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT. 261 A notable feature of the late autumn was the unusually delayed departure of Swallows and House-Martins. Two young Swallows were seen being fed by their parents upon telegraph wires on October 18th (Jourdain), another was seen on October 26th (Jourdain), two were hawking over my garden at Poringland on November rst, and one was seen on November 24th; whilst two House-Martins were seen on November 7th (Saunders), one on November 14th (Ley), and two on November 25th (Allen). The two latest migratory movements of the year were again recorded by W. S. Sharman from the Lynn Well light, a passage of Redwings, Starlings, Skylarks, Lapwings and Knots from E. to W., and of Rooks from S.E. to N.W. taking place on December rst and 2nd: whilst a big rush of Waders was made evident by foggy weather on the night of December 5th; the casualties picked up next morning numbering twenty-seven, and consisting of Knots, Redshanks, Golden Plovers and Snipe. Amongst the few rarities which were recorded during the year may be mentioned a small flock of Glossy Ibises, and several Dippers, particulars of which will be found under the classified notes. CovEs’s REDPOLL (Carduelis h. exilipes)—Dr. C. B. Tice- hurst, in Vol. XII. of the Norf. & Norwich Nat. Soc. Trans- actions (p. 263), records a male Coues’s Redpoll killed at Marsham on January 4th, 1926, and also a female obtained at Yarmouth on October 26th, 1g10. This race of Redpoll had not previously been identified in Norfolk. CROSSBILL (Loxia c. curvirostra).—As foreshadowed in my last report, a large increase in the number of Crossbills nesting in Norfolk was apparent this year, following the immigration which was evident during the late summer and autumn of 1925. Not only was this the case in the Thetford and Castle Rising districts, but evidence of the birds’ presence was also to be found in the pine woods to the north-west of Norwich (Tracy). During the first half of June, two adults and five young birds, which were possibly reared in a neighbouring plantation of Scotch firs, were in the habit of coming several times a day to Mr. Moore’s bungalow at Hellesdon, some two miles from Norwich, in order to drink at the gutter, and Mr. Moore was able to take an excellent photograph of them doing so from one of his windows. Woop-Lark (Lullula a. arborea).—During the past year or two there has been a very noticeable increase in the number 262 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. Xx. of Wood-Larks in Norfolk, and a considerable extension of their breeding area. Last year, I was able to record a new nesting locality in the northern half of the county, this being at Drayton ; whilst this year there was evidence of their having also bred in the adjoining parish of Taverham. Throughout the “ Breckland” districts of the south-west, they appear to have been well distributed, whilst Mr. N. Tracy reports that about six pairs nested in his immediate neighbourhood at South Wootton, a district in which they appeared for the first time in 1925. GrEY WacrtaiL (Motacilla c. cinerea)—A pair of Grey Wagtails again nested at Taverham and reared two broods, a Cuckoo’s egg being removed from the second nest on May 26th (L. Lloyd). In view of the fact that these birds have now reared two or three broods of young ones each year for four years in succession, it is somewhat remarkable that no other Grey Wagtail’s nest has been recorded up to now, either upon the same river or elsewhere in Norfolk. REDSTART (Phenicurus ph. phencurus).—Redstarts appear to be upon the increase in the extreme south-western area of Norfolk, Mr. N. Tracy reporting ten pairs in the neigh- bourhood of South Wootton, as against five last year. Of the six pairs which nested within his “ sanctuary,” two pairs again reared second broods. No instance of their nesting elsewhere has been reported, though a male was seen at Taverham on May 6th (L. Lloyd). BLUETHROAT (Luscinia s. ga@tket)—The only Bluethroat reported during the year was one at Morston on September gth (E. C. Arnold). WREN (Troglodytes t. troglodytes). —At sundown on January r6th, the coldest night of the year, when the thermometer registered 20° of frost, thirty or more Common Wrens were seen going to roost in some old Martins’ nests under the eaves of Woodbastwick Old Hall, but that all were not fortu- nate enough to secure a lodging for the night was evident from the fact that no less than twelve of these little birds were picked up dead next morning on the ground beneath, having presumably been killed by the cold. I have often known Wrens to make use of House-Martins’ nests to roost in during the winter, but have never before known them ‘“‘ flock’ to this extent ; their doing so, upon this occasion being due, no doubt, to the very exceptional cold. von. Xx.]| ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT. 263 DippPER (Cinclus cinclus).—On October 31st and November 6th, a Dipper was seen on the Wensum, whilst on December roth no less than four were seen at the same spot (A. H. Patterson). As none of these birds came to a “ bad end,”’ it is impossible to say to what race they belonged, but all the Dippers which have been obtained in Norfolk, with two, or possibly three, exceptions, have proved to be of the typical Scandinavian and not the British form. MARTIN (Chelidon u. urbica).—I do not know how near to the ground House-Martins have been recorded to have nested, but two nests which were built this year under the eave of the engine room at Poringland, were, I think, the lowest I have ever seen, measuring 6 foot 6 inches from the ground to their lower margins. Entirely undisturbed by the noise of the engine, both old and young showed extraordinary tameness. Up to the time when they left the nest the young ones would open their beaks to be fed when one put one’s fingers in the nest ; whilst during a day when the engine had to be dismantled and taken outside, regardless of all sounds of hammering and other manipulations, the parents continued to feed them within a few feet of the heads of the workmen who were doing the repairs. SHORT-EARED Owt (Asio f. flammeus).—No Short-eared Owls nested in the Broads district in 1926, but a pair again frequented Scolt Head during the summer, where they appeared to have a nest, though this was never discovered. KEsTREL (Falco t. tinnunculus)—A Kestrel bearing a Witherby ring No. 79097, which was shot at Swaffham on August gth, was, I am informed by Mr. Witherby, ringed as a nestling on June roth at Haslingfield, Cambs. ROUGH-LEGGED Buzzarp (Buteo Ll. lagopus).—A few Rough- legged Buzzards put in an appearance as usual during the Jate autumn, though there has been no large immigration of these birds since 1916, and previous to that in r9g10. The great majority of those which visit us are immature, but a female which I saw, which had been shot at Blakeney on November ist, was in adult plumage. MARSH-HARRIER (Circus @ eruginosus).—A Marsh-Harrier, which from its plumage was either a female or an immature male, frequented Hickling during the last week in May, where I saw it on the 23rd and again on the 30th. A fine adult male also visited Hickling during the first week in September, 204 BRILISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX. and another in not quite such advanced plumage at the end of the same month (E. Turner). Although well protected in the locality they most often visit, Marsh-Harriers have not, to my knowledge, nested in Norfolk since 1921. MontaGu’s HARRIER (C. pygargus).—Six pairs bred this year in the usual locality in the Broads district. One of these nests contained six eggs, which the Head Keeper tells me is the only clutch of six he has ever met with. Two more pairs bred upon another marsh in the same district, whilst another pair probably nested in the south-west area of the county (Sir HH. Beevor). OsprEY (Pandion h. halietus)—An Osprey arrived at Hickling on July 28th, and remained in the locality for some three weeks (E. Turner), whilst another, or possibly the same bird, was seen over Breydon on August 28th (EF. Ellis). SPOONBILL (Platalea 1. leucorodia)—A Spoonbill arrived on Cley Marshes on April rst and remained until April 28th, whilst one was seen by Mr. Witherby at the same place on May 31st. Only one visited Breydon this year, arriving on the morning of May 2oth and leaving again the same evening, this possibly being the same bird which was seen on Cley Marshes two days later. GuLossy Isis (Plegadis f. falcinellus)—A small party of Glossy Ibises visited Norfolk during September, an immature female being shot at Holme on September 11th (B. J. Sumpter), one seen at Hickling on September 14th and 16th (E. Turner), one on Breydon on September 16th (IF. E. Gunn), whilst another—an immature male—was killed by a gunner when duck flighting, and I believe in ignorance of its identity, on October 7th (FE. C. Saunders). BITTERN (Botaurus s. stellaris)—Thanks to rigorous pro- tection the number of breeding pairs has been well maintained. Eleven nests were reported to me, but this refers to a portion only of their present breeding area. J. Vincent tells me that he has now seen no less than fifty-five Norfolk nests since IQII. Ruppy SHELD-Duck (Casarca ferruginea).—A drake was shot at Holkham on May 27th. TEAL (Anas c. crecca)—A Teal bearing a ring marked Lenigrad, Lesnoy Institut, D.523, was killed at Bowthorpe, near Norwich, on November gth, 1926. Mr. Witherby is VOL.xx.} ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT. 265 informed by Prof. Sushkin that this bird was ringed on Luberetzkoie Lake, ten miles east of Novgorod (100 miles south of Petrograd), Russia, on July 25th, 1926. CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax c. carbo).—On September ath and 8th a Cormorant selected an unusual resting place upon a projecting ledge half way up the spire of Norwich Cathedral, where its somewhat sinister appearance caused, I believe, a certain amount of apprehension to some of the inhabitants of the Close, until assured of its identity by Dr. S. H. Long. On the evening cf the 8th it was seen to fly away to the E.S.E., after which it was seen no more. LEACuH’s FORK-TAILED PETREL (Oceanodroma I. leucorrhoa).— On September 16th a Fork-tailed Petrel came into the hands of Mr. E. Ellis, which had been picked up alive in the river at Yarmouth, covered with oil and helpless. It had completely cleaned itself next day, having apparently swallowed the oil during the process, but it only survived a few days. STONE-CURLEW (Burhinus @. edicnemus).—Mr. P. Meikle- john reports that a pair bred this year on Kelling Heath, a site which has long been deserted. A pair again nested at Horsey, close to the sea, where they have now been established for some six or seven years, Other localities in east Norfolk where they now breed regularly are in the parishes of Taverham and Drayton. COMMON SANDPIPER (Tringa hypoleucos).—On August 8th a Common Sandpiper was brought to Mr. A. H. Patterson, which had met with a somewhat unusual death, having swallowed a fishing hook baited with a worm, which had been left beside the river Wensum near Hellesdon, and being al- ready dead when the angler returned to his rod. GREY PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius).—Two females were obtained at Blakeney on October 18th and atst. AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta).—An Avocet which visited Breydon on December 5th met, at the hands of a boy, what is unfortunately the usual fate of these interesting and beautiful birds in unprotected areas of Norfolk. The date is a most unusual one, and is the latest I have any record of, the latest Previous dates being October 12th, 1891, and November 2nd, 1888, both of which are recorded by Pashley (Notes on the Birds of Cley, pp. 24 and 29). Mr. E. C. Saunders, to whom the bird was sent, tells me that it was a female and 266 BRITISH BIRDS. | VOL. XX. that it appeared to be a bird of the year, and was still in moult. SANDWICH TERN (Sterna s. sandvicensis)—Well over 500 pairs of Sandwich Terns nested at Scolt Head, which is now our strongest colony, in 1926, about 75 per cent. of the nests containing two eggs, whilst there were six clutches of three. Unfortunately, the mortality among the young birds was extremely high, between 50 per cent. and 75 per cent. of these dying, the majority. within twenty-four hours of hatching (Sen Lone): At Blakeney Point some 100 pairs nested, whilst at Salt- house forty-five nests contained eggs at the end of May. These, however, were unfortunately destroyed, probably by rats, and the birds left ; but five pairs laid again in the latter half of June, and successfully hatched off. RosEATE TERN (S. d. dougallii)—The Roseate Terns did not return this year to the Tern colony in which they nested in 1924 and 1925. A pair, however, bred in another colony, where the bird was watched down to the eggs by Mr. H. F. Witherby and Mr. J. Vincent on May 31st. The eggs hatched on June 21st, and both young ones were successfully reared (Pinchin). Litre GuLi (Larus minutus).—Mr. H. F. Witherby and I had a very close view of an immature Little Gull at Hickling on May 30th, whilst an adult was seen at Yarmouth on November 1st (E. C. Saunders). LANnD-RAIL (Crex crex).—Mr. W. S. Sharman of the Lynn Well lightship informs me that a Land-Rail was killed at the light on December 15th, a most unusual date. ComMMON PARTRIDGE (Perdix p. perdix).—Another example of the curious erythristic variety of Partridge, called by Brisson Perdix montana, was shot on October 5th at Bylaugh. This makes the twenty-eighth which has been killed in Norfolk since the year 1896, when they first appeared, all of these having been obtained within a limited and well defined area of the county. The following are the parishes in which they have occurred :—Bylaugh, Dereham, Sparham, Causton, Elsing, Hockering, Bawdeswell, Foulsham, Lenwade Taverham and Sculthorpe, and a glance at the map will show that, with the exception of Sculthorpe which lies some twelve miles to the north-west, this comprises an area of mid-Norfolk roughly oblong in shape and extending about ten miles from E. to W., and seven miles from N. to S. ‘+ — ( 267 ) THE WESTWARD FLIGHT OF AUTUMN MIGRANTS IN THE TAY ESTUARY. BY HENRY BOASE. BirD migration in the Tay Estuary is well marked both in . spring and autumn, It has been watched in some detail by the writer and others for a number of years, and it was soon found that there were some unusual features in the autumn movements. The most important of these is the marked passage to the west in autumn, which, involving one species or another, occupies a period of about four months. In working out some of the details of this movement at Buddon- ness, and for tracing a similar passage of at least one group, the Swallows, in other parts of Scotland, the writer is indebted to H. R. Colman. So far as has been traced, only one hint exists in older works of this movement of birds in the Tay area—a casual reference to the possibility of such a movement over the Auchterarder ridge, made by J. A. Harvie-Brown in his Fauna of the Tay Basin, which, while not stating anything definite, suggests that passage to the west over that line had been noticed. In the Scottish Naturalist for May, 1918 (page 109), the writer gave an account of the movement of the Hirundines as then known, not so much with any attempt at finality in the matter, but merely to draw attention to the question, and, since then, he and H. R. Colman have continued the work in more detail. This westerly passage is used by a few species only and in widely varying degree. The Skylark (Alauda a. arvensis) heads the list for sheer numbers. The Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis) and Swallow (Hirundo r. rustica) run it close in the importance of their movements, the Sand-Martin (Riparia vy. riparia) follows in rank, and the House-Martin (Delichon u. urbica), the Swift (Apus a. apus), Finches, Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarrellit), and perhaps the Mistle-Thrush (Turdus v. viscivorus), form the less prominent and often erratic users of this line of flight. Other species probably make use of it but show no consistency or numbers to merit their inclusion here. It must not be supposed that the species using this line of flight are confined to it at all times or at any one time. All the species mentioned show movement in other directions in autumn, mainly to the east and south-east, and may show such movement simultaneously with passage to the west. 268 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XX The writer makes no apology for reviewing once more the records referring to the Hivundines. The passage of Swallows to the west was first noticed in rg11, and since then has been observed ona varying scale each year. The earliest record of this movement so far obtained is July 15th, 1923, of which year the summer was cold and wet, while the latest occur- rence recorded is October 15th, I916, giving a maximum period of three months. The average period of passage, however, is from July 25th to September 25th; records beyond the last-named date are for smal] numbers only. When passage has continued in October, it has generally happened that the last birds seen for the year were so engaged. Of course, there are some records where the birds were merely feeding, when the direction of their flight was uncertain, but on no occasion so far has passage in any other direction been seen in October. The passage to the west has been watched during all daylight hours, but in the period from midday to about three o’clock there is a distinct slowing down of the passage. The birds may travel singly, more usually in small parties, sometimes in large parties, and varying in height from skimming land or water to high flighting almost beyond the range of unassisted vision. Over the town of Dundee, some at least pass at about five hundred feet. The weather does not appear to be a very decisive factor—it rather determines the manner of the flight, whether in ones or twos, skimming low against wind and rain, or wheeling in parties in the calm sunshine of an autumn evening. So far as has been noted, adults are in the majority among the early passage birds ; later, young birds predominate. It is, however, not an easy matter to determine. The westward passage of House-Martins is not so marked as that of the Swallow ; the numbers involved are far less. The earliest record of passage to the west is July 25th, 1920. Only one other July record has been got, that of July 27th, 1923, and in general the passage does not develop until the second week of August. The latest date of this passage so far noted is October 7th, 1912, but ordinarily it is over by the fourth week of September, thus showing an average period of about five weeks. House-Martins appear to be less sociable in migration than the other Hivwndines and generally travel alone on this line of flight, not associating with the move- ments of Swallows and Sand-Martins. They are met with on passage to the east and south-east rather more frequently than either Swallows or Sand-Martins. The Sand-Martin, in its passage to the west, is commonly associated with the Swallow. The movement has been seen VOL, XX AUTUMN MIGRANTS. 269 so early as July 17th, 1920, and on one occasion extended to September 16th, 1923. Normally, however, the period of passage extends from the fourth week of July to the first week of September. Almost in every case, the last Sand-Martin for the year is seen on this flight, and on few occasions has flight in other directions been seen, even during the height of its passage. The Swift is also associated with the Hirundines on the passage to the west in autumn, but is rather erratic in numbers and dates. Over a period extending from mid July to the end of August, this movement of Swifts may occur. There is some evidence that passage may take place at a consider- able height, and this may account for the uncertain behaviour observed. When the passage does take place, the numbers are fairly large. Swifts have not been seen on passage at Buddonness in August so far. In point of numbers, the passage of the Skylark to the west is the most important. It differs from the foregoing species in that by far the largest numbers have been seen passing up river at or near Buddonness, and not to the west of Dundee. The passage has been seen as early as September 8th, 1925, but normally it does not begin until the second week is advanced. Passage may continue into December : indeed, it is commonly revived under stress of weather, which goes to show that, as a movement, it has complexities. The main passage is over by the second week of October and after that time such revivals as occur are on a comparatively small scale. The time of passage in daylight is confined to the forenoon, and after half-past eleven or so there is generally a marked drop in numbers. The birds pass in parties of a dozen or twenty, generally at a moderate elevation, and they call frequently. Over Dundee, the birds rise to two hundred feet or so. On occasions, during the height of the movement during the last week of September and the first week of October, the numbers passing within sight near the Buddon- hess may reach thirty per minute up to half-past ten. At Buddonness, generally beyond the lights, a small proportion, perhaps 10-15 per cent., of the birds pass to the south instead of turning west up the river; this has been observed only in October. The Meadow-Pipit passage is very similar to that of the Skylark. The earliest date of the movement, however, is August 30th, 1925, and the average date is in the first week of September, while the first week of October sees the finish of the main movement. Like the Skylark, irregular passage 270 DHRILISH DIADS. LVYOL. XX, of small numbers may occur up to the end of the year. The manner of flight and the time of the movement are similar to those of the Skylark. There is just a hint in some records that some passage may take place in the evening. In numbers, the Meadow-Pipit rarely exceeds one-fifth of the Skylark, with which it is generally associated. These six species are the only ones which use this overland route in any numbers. During the main movement, but for the most part during the second half of September and the first days of October, the Greenfinch (Chloris ch. chloris), Linnet (Carduelis c. cannabina), and Pied Wagtail pass in small numbers. These birds share the peculiarity of passing for the most part in the evening, which may indicate that the main passage takes place after dark. There is, however, no direct evidence of this. There are a few records for these species passing to the west at Buddonness in the forenoon during brisk movements of Skylarks. There is some indica- tion that the Chaffinch (Fringilla c. celebs), Lesser Redpoll (C. 1. cabaret), and Mistle-Thrush may also take part in this movement, but the numbers seen have been very small. It may be well to indicate the limitations imposed in observing this passage up river. As usual it is somewhat dependent on the weather conditions, it is restricted in time and place of observation, and the presence of training camps on Buddonness with their rifle and artillery ranges has rendered difficult any work there until the break up of the camps at the end of August. Hence, the movements in July and August have been observed for the most part on the west side of Dundee. This portion of the record, however, covers a period of about fifteen years. It was not until the Buddon- ness was worked from 1922 onwards that the fuller under- standing of the records was possible. It seems clear that the movements described must refer almost entirely to birds nesting in Scotland. The marked fall in numbers by the first week of October is significant. The considerable numbers of Swallows and Sand-Martins involved, neither of which is a passage bird in numbers to northern Europe, and the early start of their passages are indicative of the nature of the movements under discussion. The Skylark presents at first sight a more difficult problem, yet the matter is rendered fairly simple when the arrival of Skylarks from northern Europe, as given by Eagle Clarke in his ‘‘ Studies,” is taken into consideration, namely from the first week of October, with the main arrival in the third week, which information rules out any real connection between the —— VOL. XX. ] AUTUMN MIGRANTS, 271 movements. The Meadow-Pipit shows a similar position to the Skylark in reference to the arrival of that species from overseas. In some years the passage to the west observed in the Tay Estuary has coincided with a passage to the south in south-west Scotland, as shown by the returns from lights there. As to the other species to which reference has been made—Swift, Pied Wagtail, etc-—nothing very definite can be said about them. The Pied Wagtail is, of course, almost confined to these islands and the Swift shows no record late enough to give any suggestion of passage from the north-east. As has been already stated in dealing with the Skylark, a proportion of the birds seen passing at Buddonness pass to the south instead of turning up the Tay, and this tendency becomes more marked as October is reached. It seems reasonable to suppose that this rising proportion in October consists of birds from overseas, from northern Europe, making their way south on the east coast of Great Britain. There have been several records of arrivals of Skylarks and Meadow-Pipits from the east in east Fife in the second half of September and early October. These may have been direct arrivals from the north-east or they may have been parties which had missed the Tay estuary and had turned in to St. Andrew‘s Bay for rest and food. The passage to the west of Skylarks and Meadow-Pipits, which continues during October and November and even December, may consist of immigrants from the north- east passing inland by the river route, but the observed scale of the movement is small, and it is conceivable that these daylight passages may still be the movement of lingering summer visitors to Scotland, of local migrants, and of resi- dents moving under stress of weather, and not to overseas immigrants, whose arrival is more likely after dark. As indicated in the opening paragraph, this passage to the west has been met with in other parts of Scotland. The passage of the Swallow group has been traced on both shores of the Tay Estuary, from Buddonness westwards to Perth and Bridge of Earn; it has been found on the north side of Strathmore, in the hills at the head of Glen Clova, in Deeside about Ballater, about Dunkeld, in the stretch of Strath Tay about Aberfeldy, in Strath Tummell towards Rannoch, near Culross on the Forth, and in the area about Fort William. These records indicate the widespread nature of the passage. At Buddonness, the birds come from the north or slightly east of north, as though cutting straight across from the coast line at Abroath and turn up the Tay estuary at the Ness. The Skylark has been seen passing to the west in Strathmore ala DIVLLTLOTE Diltlv-. L¥ULe “a, in the early afternoon, the forenoon of which day was marked by a very brisk passage at the Buddon. This bird was seen on one occasion passing to the west early in October in the upper estuary of the Forth. Finches have also been reported passing up river in the Forth within the dates given for the Tay movements, but the numbers have been small. The conclusion suggested by these notes is, in general, that the species mentioned show a definite passage westwards over a considerable area, that this passage seems to concern Scottish breeding birds for the most part, and that probably a small proportion of winter visitors and perhaps passage migrants may use the route. The existence of cross-country routes from Forth to Clyde and Forth to Solway has been known for some time and it is with these routes that the Tay passage line will be associated after passing the low ridge at Auchterarder. The view that this passage concerns the departure of Scottish breeding birds is strengthened by the fact that the Skylarks and Meadow-Pipits of much of Perthshire depart from their nesting places on the moors during the first half of August, and the evidence of passage to the coast from that time onward in the Tay Estuary is so slight that it seems quite unlikely that the departure is by an eastern route. The passage to the west in autumn might be expected to have its counterpart of passage to the east in spring. So far, the presence of this movement has been revealed by very small indications. The Swallow has been seen passing to the east on two occasions only ; in both cases they were single birds, the first seen for their respective years. The Swift has shown on this line of flight on three occasions, once so late as May 2ist, 1915. The Skylark has been detected once only, on April 13th, 1924, when three small groups passed to the east. Beyond these records, nothing definite has been got. All these species show a definite passage to the west in spring. OIES HEREDITY IN ABNORMAL EGG-COLORATION. In 1925 I found a nest of a Robin (Erithacus r. melophilus) with five pure white eggs not far from Great Waltham, Essex. These eggs were of an almost spherical shape. In r9g26 | found three nests in one week in the same neighbourhood all with the same type of egg: one bird laid six and the other two five each. I also found a fourth bird with very poorly marked eggs. Does not this tend to show that the marking of eggs is to some extent hereditary ? Fora similar case with Spotted Flycatcher see B.B., Vol. VI., p. 343. Unfortunately, although I found six of the nests of the above Robins in all in 1926, I cannot say that any of the birds raised broods, as all the nests were destroyed by mice or Jays. One bird had three nests in a five-yard circle in a wood and they were all spoilt. J. H. OWEN. CROSSBILLS BREEDING IN SURREY. Wiru reference to my note on Crossbills in Surrey (Vol. XX., p. 23), I am pleased to be able to report that at least two pairs bred, as, although I failed to find any nests (owing to the large number of fir trees in the neighbourhood), I had the pleasure of seeing two pairs of birds with fully fledged young, feeding on the ground under fir trees on June 26th, 1926, and the birds have been about in some numbers all the winter since. C. W. CoLTHRUP. Ir may be of interest to record that on March 2nd, 1927, I saw in a certain district in Surrey two nests of Crossbill (Loxta c. curvivostva) containing eggs. From observation I think that this bird is a scarce resident in the neighbourhood indi- cated, and I have seen odd pairs in other districts in the county. J. BEDDALL Situ. (For previous records see Vol. III., pp: 404, 406; IV., p. 187; XX., p. 53.—Eps.] HOUSE-SPARROWS’ WINTER NEST-BUILDING. THERE has occurred in Leicestershire a_ rather interesting demonstration on the part of a colony of House-Sparrows (Passer d. domesticus) in the building of winter nests. In November, 1926, they were observed carrying material, building nests and repairing old ones in the ivy on an out- building. Upon closer observation it was found that these SS alt DINLLDSTA DIN». LYVMe Asa. nests were being used for roosting, and in some cases by more than one bird, which fact gave the observer the impression that these nests were being constructed solely for roosting purposes. In December or early January, when it became necessary to remove the ivy from the building, it was found to contain no fewer than forty new domed nests, and all snugly lined with clean dry feathers. None contained eggs. Of course one is familiar with the frequent occurrences of Sparrows and other birds defying the conventions and hatch- ing out young in December and January, but it would be interesting to know if there have been other instances of this wholesale building of winter nests by Sparrows. W. E. MAYEs. {In towns, Sparrows will breed at any time of the year. A certain amount of perfunctory building is also going on from time to time. If the forty nests above mentioned were really all new it is certainly curious, but it would seem to be difficult to distinguish a breeding nest of 1926, freshly lined with feathers, so as to make a roosting place, from a new nest. Among birds which breed in communities the example of one bird is often followed by the rest.—F.C.R.J.] WOOD-LARK IN YORKSHIRE. On January 7th, 1927, at Goathland, a single Wood-Lark (Lullula arborea) flew close over my head, coming from the north-east, and settled in an oak tree close by—the most northerly point I have seen this bird previously is N.W. Lincolnshire, where it nests annually—one or two pairs. I have never seen it in Yorkshire before, nor do I know of any Yorkshire nesting-site, though I should not be surprised if it did nest in the Pickering district, where I know of several apparently suitable spots. It is most likely this bird was passing, going further south to breeding ground. I never saw it again. W. S. MEDLICOTT. CHIFFCHAFFS WINTERING IN SUSSEX. On January 8th, 1927, I first noticed a Chiffchaff (P/yllo- scopus c. collybita) at Fishbourne, West Sussex. On the 21st my friend, Mr. William Shaw, saw two together, feeding on the willows. I subsequently observed single birds here on January goth, 25th, 27th and 28th, and February Ist, 6th and gth. On February roth I saw two birds at once, on different sides of a mill-pond, one calling and the other silent. From February 18th until March 6th I saw nothing of them. On the latter date I saw both birds and heard one of them in good song for the first time. RAYMOND CARLYON-BRITTON. VOL, 2%. ] NOTES. 275 BLACK REDSTARTS IN DERBYSHIRE. WHILE in Deepdale (two miles east of Buxton) on March 7th, 1927, I saw two Black Redstarts (Phenicurus ochrurus gibraltariensis) and was fortunate in keeping them under observation until they flew into a plantation close to the Topley Pike entrance of the dale. They moved rapidly and silently over the screes, occasionally dropping out of sight as they flitted among the masses of jumbled stones and old nettle stalks, apparently hunting for food. Both birds were dark-breasted ; probably adult males. JOHN ARMITAGE. LITTLE OWL IN DENBIGHSHIRE. ON January 18th and again on March 16th, 1927, I observed a Little Owl (Athene noctua) at close quarters here at Garth- meilio, Llangwm, Denbighshire ; on both occasions towards mid-day. These records, which I think are the first for Denbighshire, are the more interesting taking into considera- tion the fact that Garthmeilio lies in a quiet side valley amongst the Denbighshire hills, goo ft. above sea level. M. V. WENNER. ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS IN YORKSHIRE. Own December gth, 1926, I watched from my house at Goath- land a Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) hunting the moor close by. It “‘ hovered ’’ two or three times for several seconds and flew off eventually in a southerly direction. While hunting in the Mulgrave Woods, near Whitby, on February 15th, 1927, another flew out of a large oak tree less than two hundred yards from me and settled in another a hundred yards off. W.S. MEDLICOTT. SUPPOSED MALLARD X EIDER HYBRID SEEN IN DEVON. In December, 1926, I saw off the south coast of Devon a strange Duck, which would appear to be a hybrid Eider- Mallard. Four of us saw it, ina perfect light and flat calm, and so close that with two good telescopes (one a Ross) amongst us it was almost like having the bird in our hands. In shape and general colour the bird was exactly like a duck Eider (Somateria mollissima), of which I have seen great numbers in Scotland and generally two or three here in Devonshire each winter. But on each wing it had the complete speculum of a Mallard (Anas platyrhyncha), two narrow white bars, with the broad dark band in between. It also had the small curled-up feathers on the tail like a 276 BRITISH BIRDS. (VOU. Kz. Mallard drake. It dived repeatedly, and we saw it bring up and eat a small crab, a small star-fish and several other things we could not make out, they were swallowed so quickly. Finally, we saw it sitting on a low rock, surrounded by the sea, a little way from us. The curled feathers over the tail are very puzzling in conjunction with the rest of the plumage which was entirely female. At the same time I feel sure that these feathers could not have been merely ruffled up, and one of my companions agrees with me that though not a very conspicuous feature they were quite distinct and noticeable. ERNEST ALLEN. [Of course it must always remain in doubt what this bird actually was. The description does not agree at all with that of the Mallard X Eider cross described by Dr. Eagle Clarke (Scott. Nat. 1912, pp. 198-201) which, moreover, was said not to dive. It is unusual also for any Mallard hybrid to show the upcurl of the tail-coverts to anything like the extent of the pure species, and the combination of these and a speculum with the diving and eating of crabs is very puzzling.—EDs. ] GOOSANDERS IN SHROPSHIRE. On Saturday, February 12th, 1927, I had brought to me for identification an adult male Goosander (Mergus merganser) which had been shot, out of a pair, on the Severn below Atcham Bridge the same morning. This section of the river seems to have a special attraction for the Goosander, and I have known parties remain there in winter for weeks at a time. This was especially notable in the winter of 1885-6. Its visits to Shropshire are very irregular, and I have no records between 1918 and the present time. H. E. ForREsT. RED-NECKED GREBE IN CHESHIRE. From December 2gth, 1926, to January 22nd, 1927, a Red- necked Grebe (Podiceps g. griseigena), the rarest ot the Grebes in Cheshire, was present at Marbury Mere, near Northwich, and was seen by Mr. J. Moore and myself. On several occasions I was able to watch it very closely and see the details of its plumage : the front of the neck was deep chestnut- red, paling to light colour on the breast ; its bill was yellow with a darker tip; and across the whitish face were two slight dark streaks. On several days it associated with a Great-crested Grebe (Podiceps c. cristatus), giving a good opportunity for comparison. A. W.. Boyp: LONG-TAILED SKUA IN LEICESTERSHIRE. AN immature male Buffon’s or Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus) was put up with a covey of Partridges at Melton 7 VOL. XX.] NOTES. 277 Mowbray, Leicestershire, on October 3rd, 1926, and was inadvertently shot. This is the first record of the bird having occurred in the county. The bird has been added to the Leicester Museum collection. W. E. MAyEs. RING-OUZEL IN LEICESTERSHIRE.—Mr. W. E. Mayes informs us that a cock Ring-Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) was seen at Gopsall Park, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, on June 4th, 1926, and that the last recorded occurrence of the bird in the county was in 1888. Brack REDSTART IN SOMERSET.—Mr. Joseph H. Symes informs us that he saw a Black Redstart (Phenicurus ochrurus gibraltariensis) at Coat, Martock, on October 30th, 1926. PINTAIL IN BERKSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE.—Messrs. F. R. Barlow and J. D. Wood write that they identified a pair of Pintail (Anas acuta) at the Reading Sewage Farm on January 26th and 31st, 1927, and two pairs near Twyford on March 24th, 1926. Messrs. A. B. and J. R. Gillett, P. Campbell and Miss M. Campbell also inform us that they saw a drake on the lake in Woodstock Park on January 7th, 1927. LitTLE AUK IN YoORKSHIRE.—Mr. W. S. Medlicott writes that a Little Auk (Alle alle) was caught alive on a pond at Driffield on December 2nd, 1926, and brought to him. LETTERS. LAPWING CARRYING ITS YOUNG. To the Editors of BritisH Birps. Sirs,—Referring to a letter by Mr. M. Portal (antea, Pp. 256), is it worth while pointing out that—so long ago as 1905—that most reliable field-ornithologist, the late Robert Service, described how he had himself seen a Lapwing carrying its young? His description will be found in Tvans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1905, Vol. VIII., pp. 48-9, and is quoted in The Birds of Dumfries-shire, 1910, P- 373. UGH S. GLADSTONE, SWIMMING POWERS OF YOUNG LAPWINGS. To the Editors of BritisH Brirps. Sirs,—In answer to Major M. Portal’s enquiry (antea, p. 256), I have known young Lapwings swim a stretch of water about thirty yards in extent, formed through the flooding of low-lying land, and have seen them swim the marsh creeks when the tide was flowing in and they had from ten to fifteen feet of water to cross. The adults usually fly to the far side of the creek or stream and call to the youngsters, who enter the water without the least hesitation and swim as well as young Ducks or Moorhens. One day I disturbed a brood of young, about three days old, and one immediately made for a creek and swam the five or six feet stretch of water. Young Oystercatchers can swim well; whilst on two occasions I have seen them swim under the water, like young Sheld-Ducks. So far I have not seen an adult Lapwing swimming, but on several occasions have noticed adult Oystercatchers swim a medium-sized river, and on reaching the far side fly away. ' R. H. Brown. SCVEWOS The Birds of the British Isles. By T. A. Coward. Third series. (Warne). Illustrated. tos. 6d. net. Tus is a third and supplementary volume of Mr. Coward’s well-known work, and we feel sure it will be warmly welcomed, as in it the author not only discusses subjects which were scarcely touched on in the main work, but also aims at bringing that work up to date and gives plates of many of the rarer species not figured in the previous volumes. The coloured plates are, as before, reduced reproductions from Lilford’s ‘Coloured Figures,’’ while on the reverse of each plate is printed a photographic illustration of bird or nest, many of these being of rarer species but some of familiar ones. The introductory part of the book is largely taken up with an ex- cellent summary of migration as affecting the British Islands. To a few of Mr. Coward’s statements under this heading we might fairly take exception. For instance, that many of our summer residents “travel far east before they turn south to reach Central or Southern Africa ; many selecting the fertile Nile Valley and the Sudan as better routes than the Sahara.’’ If this means, as it appears to, that individuals breeding in Britain migrate down the Nile Valley we know of no evidence for the truth of such a statement. In his chapter on “‘ Nomenclature,’ Mr. Coward gives a very fair representation of this difficult and contentious subject. We like especially his remark that ‘‘ Ornithology is a living, progressive science, and ornithologists keep it very much alive by disagreement.” The bulk of this volume, however, concerns the birds themselves, and gives under headings of families corrective or additional details about birds mentioned in the first two volumes and brief references to rare visitors. In these pages there are many notes of interest, a selection of which it may be appropriate to quote here. On page 78, the author's observation that ten Carrion-Crows (Corvus corone) came in with Hooded Crows at Spurn (Yorkshire) on October 16th, 1911, and one a few days later, is particularly interesting as there are so few reliable records of this species as an immigrant. Mr. H. A. Gilbert has recently referred in our pages to the nest of a Raven (Corvus covax) in a tree (antea p. 229),and Mr. Coward quotes another instance of this revival of an old habit on the authority of Mr. W. W. White, who saw young Ravens in a nest in a tree on Dartmoor in 1925 (p. 81). A curious case of a Magpie (Pica pica) building an open nest in heather in the Isle of Man is quoted on the same page. There seems no good record of the breeding of the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarvellit) in Shetland, but the White Wagtail (J. a. alba) has several times been noted as breeding there, and it will be interesting to see if Mr. Coward’s assertion that this latter form breeds there annually (p. 98) is confirmed by future observation. The occurrence of a pair of Bearded Tits (Panurus biaymicus) in Sussex for two consecutive summers is of note even if no nest was found (p. 108). There are some valuable observations on page 130 concerning the Black Redstart (Phenicurus o. gibraltariensis), which tend to show that it is more regular than has been supposed as a passage-migrant on the west coast of Great Britain, and this fits in with its known fairly regular VOL, Xx] REVIEWS. 279 occurrence in the south and east of Ireland. The author also states that recent information shows that the bird is as regular a winter visitor to Somerset and Dorset as it is to Cornwall and Devon. With regard to the nesting of this species on the south coast, recorded by Mr. Coward in our pages (Vol. XVIII., pp. 76-7) as having taken place in 1923 and 1924, our readers will be pleased to note the news given in the volume now under review (p. 132) that at least two pairs of these birds nested and brought off young in 1925. Mr. Coward states (p. 173) that he has carefully investigated a case of a drake Harlequin-Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), shot in January 1916 or Ig17 at Crossens, near Southport, and has come to the conclusion that it was a genuine migrant. It is, perhaps, by a slip that its origin is given as America, since Iceland seems more probable. With regard to the passage of the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), Mr. Coward gives some good evidence to show that it passes through Cheshire, Lancashire, north Derbyshire and Staffordshire regularly (pp. 218-19), and he concludes that, owing to the rarity of the species further north, these birds must cross over England to reach their Continental breeding grounds. The statement that the White-winged Black Tern (Ch. leucopterus) is a regulary bird of passage in Norfolk (p. 219) does not agree with published records, and we should welcome more evidence on this point. On page 250, the author quotes Mr. Collingwood Ingram’s dictum in the /bis, that because he could not with certainty distinguish French from British Blue Tits, therefore the subspecies P. c. obscurus was very doubtful. But even if for the sake of argument it were agreed that French and British birds were not separable, what is Mr. Ingram going to call these birds if not obscurus ? Surely the marked difference in colour (to say nothing of size) in Scandinavian birds would scarcely escape his detection, in which case Linné’s name ce@vuleus would be inapplicable and he would have the same difficulty in applying one of the names given to German birds. Had Mr. Ingram discussed these essential points, Mr. Coward might have had more justification in supporting him. In conclusion, it may be said that this volume is packed with observation, and that we cannot too strongly recommend it to the attention of our readers. H.F.W. The Migrations of Birds. By Alexander Wetmore, Harvard University Press (London: Humphrey Milford). 1926. pp. viii, 2E7 CONSCIOUSLY or unconsciously our outlook on migration has insular bias ; we cannot visualize migration without considering the influence of birds from other areas upon our island group. The American’s experiences are, naturally, more continental; he sees movement of large bodies of birds which find within the States, or in the North American Continent, those extremes of climatic and other conditions which are the cause of seasonal journeys. Furthermore, the intimate connection of migration with distribution can be better realized in a continental area than in one in which geographical races are mostly insular or are passing visitors. By way of illustration: we have three races of Song-Thrush in our fauna, but knowledge of their migration range is still incomplete ; in the Western States alone, Swarth’s work on the Fox-Sparrow reveals an interesting fact about the distribution of the six geographical races. The three forms that breed furthest north, winterin the same area furthest south ; the fourth breeds further north than the fifth and winters further south ; the sixth is practically 280 BRITISH BIRDS. _ [ VoL. xx, sedentary at the centre of the specific range. This orts a well- known theory about the more northerly forms travelling most southerly winter quarters, an idea which is not always supported in the Old World by what we have learnt from the ringing of resident and passage birds. Mr. Wetmore’s experiences are not limited to North America ; he has had opportunity to observe in many parts of South America, and has studied the movements of birds in the tropical forests, as well as the writings of students of migration in all parts of the world. His conclusions disprove rather than modify the old idea that Tropical forms are sedentary, for even in the forests there is seasonal migration in search of food areas, which may be regular or irregular according to the prevalence of rains or droughts. Altitudinal migration is a phase which is seldom studied in Britain, but in high mountain ranges is genuine seasonal migration; even here we know that the sedentary Red Grouse descends to lower levels under stress of weather, whilst the Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Twite leave the tops every autumn for the lowlands. On the origin of migration, and the vexed questions of height and speed, distance travelled, route or broad-front migration, and path- finding he has no fresh conclusions to offer, though he supplies many interesting facts, largely the result of “ banding ’’ and systematic observation. He inclines to disbelief in migration at high elevations, and considers that Meinertzhagen’s and Ingram’s investigations prove that most flight is at under 3,000 feet: this may be so, but the fact that so many instances of high flight were collected in a relatively small area may mean that high flight is more general than is supposed ; his suggestion that “‘ birds must feel keenly the lack of buoyancy of the upper reaches” is rather dogmatic without further evidence. Again, he affirms that ‘‘ there is no apparent advantage in altitude is indicated by the fact that comparatively few attempt it’’; who knows how few or how many do attempt it? He believes what Gatke believed, that birds travelling with a following wind lose balance and have their feathers disarranged, but who has ever seen a bird flying more slowly than the air current in which it was moving ? On the perils of migration he has some:sound arguments bout the influence of man on a species which maintains its position, its @xistenc as a species by a delicate balance ; he believes that it was excessit shooting that brought disaster to the Passenger Pigeon and Eski Curlew in spite of many arguments to the contrary. Mr. Wetmore’s evidences of exceptional route migration are ex- ceedingly interesting, for he shows that in the Northern Hemisphere, under certain geographical conditions, the direction of normal migration is reversed—in autumn from south to north, and spring north to south. According to his own experiences in South America, and to the obser- vations of others in South Africa and Australia, migration from southern breeding areas to more northerly winter quarters is never so extensive as the southward travels of the Arctic and northern Palearctic forms, nor are the distances travelled so great. The evidence he supplies of the long Atlantic and Pacific oversea journeys of many northern waders should satisfy those who have doubted the assertions of Cooke and others. In two hundred odd pages Mr. Wetmore has collected a very large amount of valuable information, and has presented it in a concise and readable form ; the book is a very useful addition to our literature of migration, but, alas, as a work of reference it has one great fault; it is unfinished, for it lacks an index, TAG BR nH oe 6) oe Ole BOR shel ; ie oe RARE BOOKS eutiepialt on ORNITHOLOGY, also other Zoological, Botanical and Geological Works. Large Stock. Write for Catalogues, post free. Books on above subjects bought and sold. Address: ‘“‘ THE NATURALIST’S LIBRARY ”’ (A. J. BATEMAN) Shirley House, Camden Road Corner, Eastbourne, Eng. NEW BOOKS supplied promptly at publisher’s prices. Personai attention to all enquiries—essentially a personal business. STEVENS’S AUCTION ROOMS, LTD. 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