&RIH5HDIRDS With which was Incorporated in January, 1917, “ The Zoologist.” AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE DEVOTED CHIEFLY TO THE BIRDS ON THE BRITISH LIST EDITED BY Rev. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, m.a. m.b.o.u. ASSISTED BY NORMAN F. TICEHURST m.a. F.R.C.S. M.B.O.U- Volume XII. JUNE 1918— MAY 1919. WITHERBY & CO. 326 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Typical Nesting Site of Golden Plover. ( Photo- graphed by W. Rowan) . . . . . . . . 43 Hen Sparrow-Hawk walking on to Eggs. (Photo- graphed by J. H. Owen) .. .. .. .. 62 Hen Sparrow-Hawk, showing position when incubating. (Photographed by J. H. Owen) . . 64 Sparrow-Ha’Wk and Young. (Photographed by J. H. Owen) . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Hen Sparrow-Hawk about to resume sitting. (Photographed by J. H. Owen) .. .. .. 78 Sparrow-Hawks and Young. (Photographed by J. H. Owen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 The Male Bullfinch arrives at the nest with his throat distended with food. (Photographed by Miss F. Pitt) . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Female Bullfinch waiting with open beak for a share of the male’s supplies. (Photographed by Miss F. Pitt) 126 Female Bullfinch at the nest, the male being just out of sight. (Photographed by Miss F. Pitt) . . 129 Pink-footed Goose incubating with neck outstretched. (Photographed by R. Gurney) . . . . . . 253 BRIIBHDIFDS With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." EDITED BY REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, m.a., m.b.o.xj. .ASSISTED BY Norman F. Ticehurst, m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 1, Vol. XII. June 1, 1918. page Some New Facts about Grit. By Dugald Mac in tyre . . . . 2 The Moults and Sequence of Plumages of the British Waders. By Miss Annie C. Jackson, lion. Mem. B.O.U. Part VI. . 4 Bird Notes from Macedonia. By Surgeon J. M. Harrison, R.N. (Temp.) . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ^ Notes : — Raven Nesting again in Shropshire (H. E. Forrest) .. .. 19 Golden Oriole in Dorsetshire (Miss C. M. Acland) . - • • 19 Reappearance of Fieldfares (Rev.F. C. R. Jourdain) . . 19 Little Owl Breeding in Dorsetshire (W. J. Ashford) . . . . 20 Remarkable Set of Tawny Owl’s Eggs (J. H. Owen) . . 20 Moor-Hen laying in March (J. H. Owen) .. .. 21 Black necked Grebe in estmorland (D. G. Garnett) Black Grouse in North Lincolnshire (Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain) 22 Short Notes Woodchat at Tuskar Rock, co. Wexford. Wood-W aibier in Outer Hebrides. Little Stint in Outer Hebrides. Woodcock’s Nest with Five Eggs. Slavonian Qr.-.p^ m Renfrewshire. Colour Changes of the Beak and Shield of the. Young Moor-Hen. The Little Owl in Somerset Letter : Iceland, not Glaucous Gull in Norfolk (H. M. I pcher) 24 SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT GRIT. BY DUGALI) MACINTYRE. While the fact is known that birds swallow a quantity of small stones as an aid to digestion, the frequency with which the supply is renewed does not seem to be as yet correctly ascertained. The Grouse and domestic Fowl are said by some authorities to partake and get rid of a corresponding quantity of grit daily under normal conditions, but in time of grit scarcity the bird’s stomach conserves the supply. As a matter of fact, many species of birds get rid of grit in normal weather at long intervals only. Some birds, among them the Gulls, Hawks, Owls and Crows, get rid of worn grit in their castings (of course by the gullet) ; others, among them the Grouse, and domestic Fowl, in their droppings. The grit taken by large Gulls, such as the Herring-Gull, is ordinary worn and rounded gravel. The grit used by Hawks, Owls and Rooks is similar to that taken by game birds. Walking over a solitary marsh some years ago, I noticed some curious-looking pouches or bags lying in the pools of water bv which it is intersected. The marsh is the haunt of hundreds of Curlew ( Numenius a. ar quota), and 1 knew the pouches had some connection with the birds’ presence, though far from suspecting them to be what they afterwards proved to be, namely, the inner lining of the Curlew’s gizzard, ejected in an entire state and still containing the chips of white quartz used and worn smooth in the gizzard. In the course of further walks on the moss, I found two Curlews which had died in the act of ejecting their stomachs, the pouch, unusually full of grit in each case, being stuck fast in their throats. On making the above statement of this habit, prior to the war in the pages of the Field, the authorities consulted by the editor denied its possibility, but later, on my forwarding definite proof, admitted it as a new fact. The matter was discussed in British Birds (Vol. VI., p. 334), and later, 1 believe, in the Auk, the quarterly journal of ornithology published by the American Ornithologists’ Union (cf. Br. B., XL, p. 191). During the discussion in the Field, which led to my mention of the Curlew's habit, a number of letters were received from correspondents on the possibility of Grouse dying in numbers during a protracted snow-storm through lack of grit. One correspondent mentioned that he had found many birds (load during a snow-storm, with their vol. xii ] SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT GRIT. 3 crops full of undigested heather, dissection showing no grit at all in the crops and very little in the gizzard. Subsequent to the discussion referred to above, I made a careful examina- tion, extending over many months, of a great quantity of Grouse excreta, with the object of finding out whether Grouse ejected grit daily or periodically. My search was conducted on a moor where grit is plentiful, and no snow fell during its course ; so that conditions were normal. The faecal deposit of Grouse is left in heaps where the birds have roosted during the night, or rested during the day, so that the deposit of individual birds may be readily found and examined. My search for grit in those heaps was singularly unsuccessful at first — probably two hundred heaps (the excreta of individual birds), being carefully examined before any was found. Later I discovered that grit is very rarely present in Grouse excreta when, after patient search, it is discovered, it is always in the form of a packet enclosed in the residue of the bird’s food, in one part only of a heap of droppings. Some- times (very rarely) two packets of grit are found in one heap: one complete, the other composed of grit at one end and heather fibre at the other. The habits of the domestic Fowl, regarding grit, are very similar to those of the Grouse. If a number of Fowls are confined for two or three days (as is often done to prevent the birds incubating prematurely), without food or grit, some of the birds will feed ravenously on liberation, others will not look at food until they have first found grit. Similarly with sitting birds, the bird which to-day comes off her eggs, eats ravenously, and goes back on them in five minutes, will, to-morrow or within a few days, refuse food until she has found grit. Grit is rarely present in the excreta of the domestic Fowl. It seems probable that the retention or rejection of the grit in a bird’s stomach is determined by its state, whether sharp and per- forming its work efficiently, or worn and requiring renewal. The Curlew gets rid of what is probably a year’s supply of grit in one operation, which, I have noted, occurs in autumn, when there is little danger of the bird’s being unable to find more. The grit in the Curlew’s stomach has probably as hard work as that in the gizzard of any other bird, seeing that the bird feeds largely on snails and shell-fish, and it is therefore probable that a supply of good sharp grit may last other birds for a longer period than the Curlew. ( 4 ) THE MOULTS AND SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGES OF THE BRITISH WADERS. BY ANNIE C'. JACKSON, hon. mem. b.o.u. Part VI. Curlew-Sandpiper (E. ferruginca). Adults. — Complete moult from July to December. From February to July there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars, nor all the feathers of the back and rump, nor all the upper tail-coverts), usually the tail-feathers and some innermost secondaries and coverts, some median coverts and sometimes one or two lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. In some individuals some winter body-feathers are retained on the upper and under-parts and the median and lesser coverts are not moulted. The sexes are alike in winter plumage, but in summer the female has the feathers of the upper-parts with more numerous ash-grey tips, not so plentifully and richly marked with orange-cinnamon as in the male ; in some females the ear-coverts, cheeks and sides of neck are pale orange-cinnamon instead of russet as in the male : the feathers of throat and breast are usually paler and more broadly tipped white and usually more plentifully barred and spotted sepia, flanks more or less intermixed with white feathers barred sepia, belly and vent usually more or less intermixed with white feathers, in some the belly and vent more or less white. N.B. — One specimen (February 3rd, New Zealand) in winterplumage had the 3rd primary of each wing in quill. Juvenile. — Male and female. — The upper-parts are distinct but the under-parts are much like the adult in winter plumage. Crown sepia, feathers edged and tipped buff, nape greyish or bullish-white streaked dusky ; mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts black-brown or sepia, the feathers edged cream or warm buff, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts darker subterminally (in the adult in winter the innermost secondaries and coverts are ash-brown, the shafts darker and the edges of the feathers lighter, in some narrowly edged white) ; back and rump ash-brown as in the adult, but the feathers with narrow buff, instead of white tips ; upper tail-coverts white as in the adult, but with faint terminal dusky lines'; lower throat and breast pale or pronounced buff, the feathers of the lower throat and sides of breast with dusky shafts, giving a streaked appearance (in the adult the breast is white faintly streaked brown, most pronounced at the sides of the breast, which are shaded fulvous) ; flanks and belly white as in the adult, but in some washed pale buff : the tail-feathers ash-brown as in the adult, but more broadly tipped white; central pairs with a subterminal shading of sepia, in some tipped buff ; median coverts pale sepia or ash-brown (usually with subterminal borders of sepia) with warm or light buff edges ; lesser coverts same, but with narrower buff edges (in the adult the median and lesser coverts are ash-brown edged white, the shafts darker). First Winter, — Mate and female. — The juvenile body-foatheis (not all the scapulars or all the feathers of the back and rump), sometimes the central pair of tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts, are moulted from September to December, but apparently not the rest of the tail-feathers and not VO), XII.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. 5- the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adult s, but are distinguished by the light buff edgings to the median coverts (especially the innermost) and lesser coverts. First Summer. — None examined. Several first winter birds shot in spring were in full moult into winter plumage and were moulting, the wings as well. Possibly these were abnormal. i/ Little Stint (E. m. minuta). Adults. — Complete moult from August to December. From. March to May there is an almost comp'ete moult involving the body- feathers, tail-feathers, primaries, secondaries and their coverts, innermost secondaries and coverts, some me iian and lesser coverts.. There is a distinct winter and summer plumage. The sexes are alike. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Upper-parts distinct from the adult but the under-parts much as in the adult in winter. Crown black - brown, feathers edged light or warm buff ; nape greyish-white streaked dusky ; mantle and scapulars black-brown, some of the scapulars ashy or sepia-brown shaded darker towards the tip, feathers wit h ochraceous-tawny, warm buff and cream edges ; back, rump and central upper tail-coverts black-brown, the feathers edged ochraceous-tawny : breast pale ochraeeous-buff, at sides streaked dusky, the feathers, edged warm buff (in the adult the breast is white, faintly streaked dusky at sides) ; remaining under-parts as in the adult ; central pair of tail-feathers dark sepia as in the adult, but edged tawny ; innermost secondaries and coverts as scapulars (instead of ash -brown shaded sepia centrally as in the adult) ; median coverts ash-brown or sepia, edged warm buff (instead of ash-brown with lighter edges and dark shafts as in the adult). First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-plumage- (not all the scapulars nor all the feathers of the back and rump) occasionally the central pair of tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from September to January, but not the rest of the wdngs or the tail-feathers. After this moult, the birds resemble the adults, but are distinguished by the worn buff edges to the retained juvenile wing-coverts. First Summer. — Moult as in the adult, after which the birds are only distinguished from the adults by the vrorn buff edges to the retained juvenile innermost median coverts. i/' American Stint (E. m. minutilla). Adults. — Complete moult from autumn to December. From March to June there is a moult involving the body-feathers, tail-feathers,, innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts. In some individuals one or two winter feathers are retained on the upper parts. Only a dozen spring birds were examined and none of these was actually moulting the primaries or secondaries, but from the fresh appearance of the remiges in some, it is probable that they are moulted at this season as they are in the Little Stint, The American Stint is smaller than the Little Stint and in winter plumage has the upper breast streaked dusky, not white as in the Little Stint, while in summer the upper-parts are darker, the feathers broadly edged ash-brown and less plentifully margined with orange-cinnamon. Sexes alike. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like juvenile Little Stint but upper-parts much darker and the pale ochraceous-buff of the breast, narrowly streaked dusky. 6 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile bodv-plumage (not all the scapulars), sometimes the tail-feathers and some innermost secondaries and coverts but apparently not the median and lesser coverts are moulted in autumn but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults but are distinguished by the worn buff edges to the juvenile median and lesser coverts and tawny edges to innermost median coverts. First Summer. — Moult as in the adult and plumage as in the adult summer, but distinguished by the worn buff edges to the retained j uvenile wing-coverts. Temminck’s Stint ( E. tcmminckii). Adults. — Complete moult from July to December. From February to May there is an almost complete moult involving the body -feat hers, tail-feathers (often the central pair only and sometimes none of the tail-feathers), the primaries and secondaries and their coverts and some median and lesser coverts. (In some specimens some winter feathers are retained on the upper-parts.) The winter and summer plumages are distinct and the sexes are alike. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Upper-parts distinct from the adult, but the under-parts like the adult in v inter : crown sepia, the feathers edged warm buff ; nape ash-brown, the feathers faintly edged buff : mantle and scapulars olive brown, the feathers fringed warm buff and some shaded sepia centrally and others subterminally bordered sepia; back, rump and central upper tail-coverts sepia or black- brown as in the adult but the feathers edged warm buff ; ear-coverts, cheeks and sides of neck warm or light buff streaked dusky (instead of ash-grey tinged brown, some of the feathers of cheeks in some edged light buff or white giving a streaked appearance as in the adult) ; lower throat and breast ashy, the feathers suffused and tipped warm or light buff, remaining under-parts as in the adult (in the adult the breast is washed with pale ashy-fulvous, the feathers tipped ashv-white), tail-feathers as in the adult, but all except the three outer pail’s edged warm buff ; wing as in the adult but innermost secondaries and coverts and median coverts as mantle ; lesser coverts black-brown, the feathers tipped warm buff (in the adult the innermost secondaries and coverts are sepia tinged olive and the median and lesser coverts are ashy-grey tinged brown with the shafts darker). First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars nor all the feathers of the back and rump), sometimes the central pair of tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from August to December, bub not the rest of the wings. After this moult, the birds are like the adults, but are distinguished by the retained juvenile feathers of the back and rump when not too abraded and by the worn buff edges to the retained juvenile wing-coverts. First Summer. — Moult as in the adult and the birds are like the adults, but distinguished by the retained juvenile median and lesser coverts. i/' American Pectoral Sandpiper (E. maculata). Adults. — Complete moult in autumn and winter, which, judging from the material examined, commences in August with the body-feathers and somet imes some innermost seconds r es, the moult of the rectrices and remiges taking place in winter and early spring. From February i vol. xii.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. the scapulars and apparently not the feathers of the back and rump), occasionally the central pair of tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings nor apparently the rest of the tail-feathers. In some specimens some winter feathers are retained on the upper-parts. The winter and summer plumages differ chiefly in the coloration of the upper-parts. The sexes are alike in plumage but the wings of the females average shorter than those of the males. N.B. — In some examples the wing-moult is not completed till February or March. One male, Rio Cilmaiguen, 22/2/91, moulting primaries, also body-feathers ; the new feathers appear to be those of the summer plumage. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Resembles the adult in summer plumage ; the crown is black-brown, the feathers edged tawny as in the adult ; nape heavily streaked black -brown or sepia, the feathers edged at sides light ochraceous-buff as in the adult ; mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts black-brown, the feathers edged tawny, ochraceous-buff and creamy -white (in the adult these parts are black -brown without the cream edges, the feathers tipped ash-brown and more or less edged at sides light ochraceous-buff and cinnamon, which in some specimens completely replaces the ash-brown edges; innermost secondaries and coverts black-brown edged tawny or ochraceous-buff) ; remaining upper-parts as in the adult ; throat and breast light buff streaked sepia (instead of ashy-fulvous, with the feathers heavily streaked dusky brown and fringed white or pinkish-buff as in the adult) ; remaining under parts and tail-feathers as in the adult ; wing as in the adult in winter but the median and lesser coverts sepia or black-brown edged tawny, ochraceous or light buff (instead of sepia, edged ash-brown with the edges in some tinged light pinkish- cinnamon as in the adult). First Winter and Summer. — (None examined.) f our home waters and estuaries. It was here, on the shores of the Gulf of Ruphani — almost the most northerly limit of the /Egean Sea — that 1 first met with the Ferruginous Duck ( Nyroca nyroca ) in its natural state, and during the winter months hardly a day passed without affording opportunities of observing this interesting bird. Out at sea it can be seen in little companies, ranging from a few couples to thirty or more ; in fact, it is by far the com- monest duck frequenting the /Egean, at any rate it its northern area, at this time of year. On the wing this species appears very dark in general coloration, although the white wing bars are conspicuous. It is often in company with other diving ducks, especially Tufted Duck and Goldeneye, and on the inland pools with its near relative, the Common Pochard. The Ferruginous Duck makes frequent visits to these inland waters, especially towards evening, and not being a difficult bird to approach, is often obtained for the pot. If, however, it should be in company with the Smew, another common species in the /Egean, it is less easily ob- tained, as the latter appears remarkably cautious and wary. In diving evolutions, the Ferruginous Duck is an expert, and when wounded, unless immediately retrieved, can be con- sidered as lost, for it will seldom show on the surface again, and if once it gains the protection of even a small bed of reeds its security is absolutely assured in the absence of a good dog. I have found the remains of one of these birds which had fallen to the gun and escaped, only to provide a meal for one of the numerous Marsh- Harriers or Peregrines which scour the flats. With respect to its behaviour w hen wounded, it seems to 15 VOL. XII.] BIRD NOTES FROM MACEDONIA. resemble the Grebes more closely than the other members of its genus, for, unlike the latter, it does not seem to come to the surface and chance any further dangers, but rather skulks below until forced to rise by the necessity of breathing, which it accomplishes by thrusting its beak into the air only long enough to do this, and instantly submerging again. Situated within easy (light of the Gulf of Ruphani are no fewer than three headquarters for wikl-fowl, the inaccessibility of which, owing to the exigencies of the Service, was a matter of no small regret to me. 1 refer to the Varda r River and its adjacent marshland, just to the west of Salonika : to the Struma River, with the big lake of Tachinos, under the lee of the Bulgar guns, lying to the eastward of Stavros : and to Rake Beshik, the nearest extensive expanse of fresh water, situated some eight or ten miles roughly due north from the coast at StavTos. All these three localities, but more especially the Vardar marshes and the Struma, teem with fowl of every description the birds met with round and about the Stavros marshes merely representing the overflow7 from the other two. Such handsome species as the Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufirn) and the Ruddy Sheldrake (Casarca ferruginea) are to be met with along this coast. Woodcock and Snipe, both Common and Jack, were abun- dant, and much sought after by the various sportsmen among the officers of H.M. Forces. In addition, however, there were a few pairs of Green Sandpipers ( Tringa ochropus), and in spring, arriving with the Garganey ( Anas querquedula ), came Common Sandpipers, ( Tringa hypoleuca ) and little Ringed Plover ( Charadrius d. curoniem). The vernal migration brings every day something fresh, and the keen student of ornithology can study in the field species formerly, perhaps, only familiar to him as museum specimens or in the vivid work of our leading artists of bird- life. One afternoon towards the end of April, when working some clumps of spikev'eed and rushes, I flushed a Squacco Heron ( Ardeola r. ralloides) and subsequently three others at short intervals. The purity of contrast when this beautiful little white Heron was seen flying over the green of the marsh formed a picture not easily forgotten. These birds only remained a few days and then disappeared, I presumed, to a locality better suited to its nesting habits. Of other species, the Purple Heron ( Ardea p. purpurea ) was the most in evidence and was readily approachable, but I 011I37 met with the Night Heron ( N ycticorax n. nyctieorax ) 16 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. once ; the Bittern ( Bot auras sl-dlar is) abounds v.’here far- reaching beds of sedge and rush are found. The White Stork (Ciconia c. ciconia) was very general, and used the flat tops of the buildings in the villages for its nesting sites. Glossy Ibises (Plegadis f. falcinellius) in small flocks are encountered, especially in the autumn, when adult and immature birds may be met with together. At the end of March, for a few days only, the Pratincole ( Glarcola p. pratincola ) was observed. My first introduction to this interesting bird —a mere silhouette as it flew overhead at a considerable height — left me, 1 must admit, perplexed. At the time T was inclined to believe it a Tern, the flight and note being very similar to that of those birds, but as the specimen was subsequently obtained its identity was established. Two other Waders of interest came my way, one the Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), graceful of poise, reminiscent of the Redshank in its dipping and running movements, and easy of recognition ; and the other, a bird, which T think may have been a Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola f. falcindlus) and would have obtained for identification, had not a stray No. X pellet from a misdirected charge, fired by a well- meaning friend, lodged in my right eyelid and most effectively put me off ray shot. The mud-flat and tidal estuary, so beloved of Waders, being conspicuous by their absence, not many of these birds re- mained, but a few odd Turnstones, Redshank, Greeuskank, Curlew- Sand pipers, and Oyster-Catchers, and so on, seemed to fetch up for a short breather. By the end of April the majority of the Waders had left, only the Tittle Ringed Plover and the Common and Green Sandpipers remaining. The advent of May was quickly followed by the arrival of such beautiful species as the Golden Oriole ( Oriolus o. oriolm) and the Bee-Eater ( M crops apiaster), and by the end of that month the latter species had arrived in large numbers, and along the low sandy banks of the Rendina River the borings of the birds in preparation for nidification were already to be seen, whilst up in the gorges amongst the hills the clear notes of the Oriole could be frequently heard. Unfortunately, we left the station and the colony of Bee-Eaters at this juncture, and it was early July when I was able to revisit the burrows in the river bank. The adult birds now evinced considerable caution and avoided entering the burrows whilst any intruder was about. On examining these tunnellings 1 found them to be two or 17 VOL. XII ] BIRD NOTES FROM MACEDONIA. three feet long, admitting the hand fairly comfortably. The roof was concave ; the floor of the burrow in its very centre was convex, fitting closely to the under surface of the bird ; whilst on either side of this it was grooved to accommo- date its feet. I investigated two of these burrows and found them to contain fledglings, three in each, there being appa- rently a four or five days’ interval between the nestlings in each family. The most mature of them .1 judged roughly to be '.bout three weeks old— it had well formed quills and the colour of the contained feathers was visible through them, whilst the ends of the rectrices were just getting free of their cases. Theirides were hazel. There wras no nest, but the burrow was carpeted with the wing-cases of beetles, some measuring as much as half an inch long, whilst the nestlings themselves appeared to harbour a number of small black flies. The temperature away at the back of the burrow was surprisingly raised, the difference being most apparent to the exploring hand. I should say it was much above that of the external air, winch in Macedonia, on a July afternoon, is far from frigid. To detail the numerous interesting species commonly occurring in the countries bordering on the JEgean would require a far longer article than this brief sketch. Here, however it has been my good fortune to meet with such other birds as the Crested I. ark (Galerida cristata ), the Hoopoe ( Upupa e. epops) ; to see the Roller ( CoracAm g. garruius) at its aerial “ stunts ” — to say nothing of a host of other smaller birds, including some of the rarer Wheatears and Chats, the Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica rufida), and the Black-headed Bunting {Ember iza melanocephala) . The above condensation, memorized as far as has been possible, from my ornithological diary, kept during the twelve months spent out in the northern /Egean area — which was lost, with the rest of my effects and some interesting specimens, with my ship “ M. 28 ” in the action on Jatiuary 20th — will give some idea of the attractions offered to the field naturalist in Macedonia, and may be of interest to others about to embark O.H.M.S. for that quarter, and help to send them on their way one degree cheerier, and hold out some consolation for Foreign Service in wrar-time. [Mrs. H. Rait Ken’ has also kindly forwarded us some extracts from a letter by Captain D. F. Hope- Johnstone, M.C., relating to the Salonika district, which to some extent supple- ment Surgeon Harrison’s notes given above. Captain Hope- Jolmstone says : “ I shot about ten or eleven different sorts of wuld-fowl, chiefly Teal, Pintail and Mallard, one B 18 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. Ferruginous Duck, and two different sorts of Geese. The Lesser White-fronted was in large flocks in the Langaza and Struma valleys, and we shot a good many. The Grey Lag I only saw once, early in April, after the White-fronted had left It was a small flock, and I managed to get within about ninety yards of them on my pony, and shot one with my revolver. Partridges [presumably Alectoris saxatilis grceca ] were very numerous, and we shot a lot in the autumn : Woodcock, too, were very plentiful in some places near the sea. Most of t lie common British birds were there in the winter, but the summer was too hot for them, and few birds were to be seen except the Bee-Eater (in great numbers), Shrikes and Larks. Swallows, of course, were present in thousands : they were extraordinarily fearless and would fly up and down within a foot or two of one’s horse, and build their nests in the villages within easv reach of one’s hand, in an occupied room or veranda.” — Eds.] RAVEN NESTING AGAIN IN SHROPSHIRE. The last known instance of the Raven ( Corvus c. corax) breeding in Shropshire was in 1884, when a pair nested on a ledge in a disused quarry on the Longmynd Hills. On that occasion the young were taken from the nest by boys. This year (1918), after an interval of thirty- four years, a pair nested in the very same spot, and hatched four young. On May 2nd I visited the place, but — sad to say — found two of the young dead on the ground with their legs cut off. A sad ending to an interesting episode. I hope the other two young escaped with the old ravens, as they were just fully fledged. H. E. Forrest. GOLDEN ORIOLE IN DORSETSHIRE. On May 6th, 1918, I saw a male Golden Oriole ( Oriolus o. oriolus ) on the cliffs at Durlston Castle, Swanage. When first noticed it was flying about from bush to bush, and settled on a steeply sloping branch, wiping its bill vigorously on the branch lower down, so that it appeared to be nearly head downward. I saw the bird first at 12.30 p.m., but on revisiting the spot that same evening it had disappeared. Clemen ce M. Aoland. REAPPEARANCE OF FIELDFARES. As Fieldfares ( Turdus pilaris ) have recently been reported in considerable numbers, especially from the east coast counties, it is evident that many must have wintered on the Continent. Space -will not permit us to give full details, but we may mention that from Essex Mr. J. H. Owen reports few seen till March 1st, 1918 (flock of over fifty). About thirty were seen daily till March 8th, and a flock of over fifty on the 10th. On March 27th from eighty to ninety were seen, and on May 2nd considerably over three hundred, working north. Dr. B. B. Riviere also records large flocks constantly met with in Norfolk between March 2nd and May 2nd {Field, May 11th, 1918). From Yorkshire Mr. F. Boves records small flocks from several parts of the East Riding, and three or four small lots near Beverley during April {Field, May 4th, 1918). In Westmorland Mr. A. Astley notes twenty-six seen on April 28th, and the Rev. E. U. Savage records six flocks, totalling sixty-seven birds, seen between March 7th and May 2nd, 1918. F. C. R, Jourdain. 30 BRITISH BIRDS. [vor.. xii. LITTLE OWL BREEDING IN DORSETSHIRE. I am not aware that the Little Owl ( Athene noctua) has been recorded as breeding in Dorset before, but I think it extremely probable that it has done so for some few years. It has been trapped, shot, heard and seen several times in various parts of the county during the last ten years, but I have never before had actual proof of its breeding. On May 6th, 1918, I noticed a Little Owl, in a spot where I had previously seen it, being mobbed by a Blackbird and one or two other small birds, but being pressed for time, was unable to remain to search for the nest, although I felt con- fident it was close at hand and many trees with suitable holes were in evidence. I returned to the spot on May 9th, determined to make an exhaustive search, and was successful in finding the Little Owl sitting on four eggs in a hole in an oak, about fifteen feet from the ground. The nest contained several small pellets, a few of the bird’s own feathers, and a freshly lulled field- mouse, with the head missing. I should like to know if the nest of this species has been found in Dorset before. W. J. Ashford. REMARKABLE SET OF TAWNY OWL'S EGGS. On May 5th, 1918, I found a Tawny Owl ( Strix a. aluco) nest- ing in an old Magpie’s nest near Felsted : I Hushed the bird, but did not go up. Later in the day I showed a boy the nest and again we flushed the bird. This time the boy had climbed the next tree to get a good view of the bird on the nest. When he was almost level with it the Owl scrambled out and stood on the top of the nest for a few seconds before .taking flight, and thus gave us an excellent chance of making identity certain. Another boy climbed up to the nest, and found that it contained two eggs which he declared to be very small, and not as round as they should be. We left the nest, and returned on May 12th and found the bird on five eggs, which we took for the school museum. When the boy brought the eggs down I was greatly surprised at the smallness of all the eggs. I got the senior science master to measure them in millimetres. 2 3 4 5 The average size of Length. 39’ 6 mm. 381 379 38-7 395 a Tawny’s egg i Breadth . 31 -7 mm. 31-9 32 1 326 333 46' 7 x 39‘ 1 mm. NOTES. 21 VOL. XII.] The average size of a Long -eared Owl’s egg is 40 3 X 322 mm., so that the eggs would be on the small side even for this species. The number of eggs is also unusually large for a Tawny ; the usual number about here is two or three. So far I have never seen a four here, though in Shropshire and Wales four sets, are moderately common ; I saw six lots of four eggs or young in April. The Long-eared Owl is a very rare nester in this part of Essex, but lays more eggs than the Tawny in Wales, where I know it better. There I have seen sets of six more than once and heard of sets of seven from reliable people. The date is late for either species to have fresh eggs. Since I have been in Essex I have found more Tawny Owls nesting in old nests than in hollow trees, and I am glad to say that the bird has increased very much since the war began, but especially this last year. J. H. Owen. [Some years before the outbreak of the War we received from Dr. von Boxberger, a photograph and description of a set of eggs of the Tawny Owl, taken in Germany, which closely resembled those described above by Mr. Owen, and were prac- tically indistinguishable from the eggs of the Long-eared Owl. As, however, the evidence of identification in this case was not quite conclusive, we did not publish the record at the time, but Mr. Owen’s note furnishes additional proof as to its correctness. Mr. R. H. Read has a set of four eggs from Dumfries, consisting of one highly incubated egg, measuring 43’6x38 mm., and three infertile eggs, 42' 3x36, 34 3 X 20‘4, and 33 x 28 '5 mm. The two dwarf eggs in this set are considerably smaller than those recorded above. — F.C.R.J.] MOOR-HEN LAYING IN MARCH. In British Birds, Vol. VI., p. 375, there was a note on this subject in which I gave instances to show that the Moor-Hen (Gallinulci c. ch lor opus) occasionally nests in March. In 1917 I did not see a Moor-Hen’s egg until mid-April. This year I noticed Moor-Hens nesting early in March and saw a nest completed on March 15th. After that I had no time to look nests up until March 29th and then saw nests containing five, five, three, and two eggs during a ramble. The next day I looked at another nest and found that it held three eggs. On March 31st I went a round of several ponds with some boys and found nests with nine, seven, seven, six, five, five, two, two, two and one eggs and several empty nests. In the case of the nest with nine eggs the bird had been 22 BRITISH BIRDS. VOL. XII, sitting six to seven days and one of the nests with seven eggs had been incubated about five days ; the rest all seemed fresh. During the first three-quarters of March the wind here had been chiefly N.E. I found nearly every nest with eggs on a pond that had bushes sheltering it on the north and east sides and not a single nest with eggs on an open pond, often not even a nest. J. H. Owen. BLACK-NECKED GREBE IN WESTMORLAND. On January 8th, 1918, I shot on Lake Windermere a female Black-necked Grebe ( Podiceps n. nigricollis), I believe an adult, in winter plumage. This is the second record of the species for the county, the first having been obtained by my friend the late Eric B. Dunlop on August 27th, 1910, on a small sheet of water only about three miles distant from where I secured my specimen. T am not aware that Mr. Dunlop’s bird has previously been recorded. The weather at the beginning of January, 1918, had been intensely cold with a bitter north wind ; all the tarns and smaller sheets of water were frozen. The Grebe was a fresh arrival on the Lake, and I discovered it busily diving in a corner of a sheltered bay and talcing no notice of several children skating on a small pond a hundred juirds away. It sat on the water facing up-wind ; its stern, high out of the water, glistening white in the sun and looking remarkably like a powder puff. While on the surface the bird was con- tinually darting its head in different directions on the outlook for danger, or possibly food. The stomach contents consisted of numerous small Water- boatmen (Notonectidce), several freshwater shrimps (Gam- maridce), a few Caddis worms ( Phryganeidce ), some fibrous vegetable matter and some of its own feathers. The irides, showing the usual white hair-line around the pupil, were bright pinkish-orange. D. G. Garnett. [Mr. Dunlop describes the irides of the bird, an immature male, shot by him as j^ellow. — F.C.R.J.] BLACK GROUSE IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE. The Rev. F. L. Blathwayt. in his paper on the Birds of Lincolnshire in the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union Trans. for 1914, states that Blaclcgame (Lyrurus t. britannicus) aro probably now extinct in the county, and suggests that the birds which existed in small numbers in the north-west of VOL. XTI.l NOTES. 23 the county may have been the descendants of birds wliich had been “ turned down.” It is at any rate worth recording that for the last season or two a few have reappeared on Scotton Common. Six were seen by the keeper flying over in February, 1918, and a cock bird was also noticed by him on May 5th, 1918. The birds are, I am glad to say, receiving protection from the owner of the property, with a view to increasing the stock. It is, of course, quite impossible for these birds to have been turned down during the last three or four years. F. C. R. Jourdain. Woodchat at Tuskar Rock, co. Wexford. — Professor C. J. Patten records a Woodchat ( Lanius s. senator), obtained on May 26th, 1917, at the Tuskar Rock by Mr. Callaghan, the principal Light-keeper ( Irish Nat., 1918, p. 79). Fortun- ately the skin has been preserved, and has been presented to the National Museum at Dublin by Mrs. Barrington. Only one specimen has been previously recorded from Ireland, in 1893 (not 1903 as erroneously stated in the Hand-List), and in this case only a leg and wing were preserved. This occurrence ivas also off the Wexford coast. Wood-Warbler in Outer Hebrides. — In the Scottish Naturalist, 1918, p. 102, Mr. H. Holmes records a Wood- Warbler ( Phylloscopus s. sibilatrix) as seen on August 27th, 1917, near Loch Druidibeg, S. List. This species has been previously recorded by Mr. C. V. A. Peel and the late Mr. Alfred Chapman from N. List, but the records were relegated to “square brackets,” by Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown in his supple- mentary notes On the Avifauna of the Outer Hebrides (Ann. of Scott. Nat. Hist., 1902, p. 142). Mr. Holmes states that it is “ believed to have been seen once before in the Outer Hebrides,” but this is incorrect, as Mr. Peel saw three birds, two on one day, and Mr. Chapman met with one, apparently breeding. Little Stint in Outer Hebrides.— Two Little Stints (Erolia m. mi?iuta) were shot on September 14th, 1917, on the north-west shore of North XJist, and two others seen (H. Holmes, Scott. Nat., 1918, p. 102). This species is said to have only been once previously recorded from the Outer Hebrides (Butt of Lewis, 1914). Woodcock’s Nest with Five Eggs. — The Rev. E. U. Savage informs us that a nest of the Woodcock ( Scolopax rusticola) was found at Levens, Westmorland, on March 27th, 1918, with five eggs. Though unusual, similar clutches have been previously recorded from Kent, Suffolk, Dumfries, etc., while six eggs have been found in a nest on one occasion, 24 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol, hi. and Mr. J. M. Goodali possesses a double set of eight eggs from Forfar. Slavonian Grebe in Renfrewshire. — Mr. J. Robertson (Scott. Nat.. 1918, p. 22) records a Slavonian Grebe ( Podiceps auritus ) seen on Balgray Reservoir on August 12th, 1917, a somewhat remarkable date for this species. Colour Changes of the Beak and Shield of the Young Moor-Hen. — Novitates Zoolotjicce for 1918 (pp. 1-3, pi. II.) contains a careful paper on the development of the colours of the beak and frontal shield of the young Moor-Hen ( Gallinula c. chloropus), from the time when it is hatched to maturity, by Miss Frances Pitt, and is illustrated by a coloured plate in which seven different stages are well figured from water- colour sketches bv the author. (Cf. Brit. Birds, XI., pp. 174- 175). The Little Owl in Somerset. — Dr. J. Wiglesworth has published an exhaustive paper on the status of the Little Owl ( Athene n. noctua ) in Somerset in the Proc.. of the Somerset- shire Arch, and Nat. Hist. Soc., Vol. LXIII. (1917), pp. 152-161. It is illustrated with a map (iff. XIV.), on which the recorded occurrences are shown, with dates appended. Up to 1916 the only records were from the north-east of the county (with one exception), the southern limit running from Burnham on the west to Witham on the east. However, in 1916 a notable extension westward was recorded, the bird having been seen and shot at Minehead, the most westerly point from which it has been reported, while it reappeared at Isle Abbots, where it had been obtained on one occasion six j^ears previously. LETTER. ICELAND, NOT GLAUCOUS GULL IN NORFOLK. To the Editors of British Birds. Sirs, — In writing to you on this subject Sir D. Figott would attribute to me an amount of knowledge to which I certainly do not lay claim. 1 agree with him that, as far as one can be sure of the identity of a bird without handling it, this was an Iceland Gull. 1 have seen and shot Glaucous Gulls on this coast. 1 saw this bird feeding or\ the shore three or four times, with many other species, on the fish refuse the fishermen -were throwing out, and noticed the difference at once between it and a Glaucous. But 1 do not agree with Sir Digby that the biid was adult — for it was, I should say, a decidedly immature specimen. • H. M. Upoher. Sheringham IIall. BRITISH BIRDS With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." EDITED HY REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A., M.B.o.u ASSISTED BY Contents op Number 2, Vol. XII. July 1, 1918. PAGE The Effect of the Winter of 1916-1917 on our Resident Birds. Part II. By the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A. and Lieut. H. F. Witherby, R.N.Y.R 26 Field Notes on the Kingfisher. By Mrs. H. M. Rait Kerr 36 The Moults and Sequence of Plumages of the British Waders. By Miss Annie C. Jackson, Hon. Mem. B.O.U. Part VII. . . 39 Notes : — A Berkshire Keeper’s Larder (H. M. Wallis) . . . . 42 Power of Control over Deposition of Eggs (W. Rowan and N. H. Joy) 42 Song of the Chiffchaff (A. Astley) . . . . . . . . 44 1 Blackbirds Breeding Three Times in the same Nest (Mrs. A. Patteson) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Cuckoo’s Eggs in Nests of Chiffchaff and Wood-Warbler ( J. Beddall Smith) . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Cuckoo’s Egg in Nest of Lesser Whitethroat (J. H. Owen) 46 Young Cuckoo in Blackbird’s Nest (Midshipman J. Craven- Sykes, R.N.V.R.) 46 Osprey in Norfolk (Dr. S. H. Long) . . . . . . . . 47 Unrecorded Long-tailed Duck in Lancashire (H. W. Robinson) 47 Curlew-Sandpiper Inland in S. Lancashire (Capt. A. W. Boyd) 48 Moor-Hen Laying in March (C. B. Moffat and Rev F. C. R. Jourdain) .. .. .. .. •• •• .. 48 Notice to Correspondents . . . . . . . . . . 48 C ( 2G ) THE EFFECT OF THE WINTER OF 1916-1917 ON OUR RESIDENT BIRDS. BY THE REV. F. C. R. JOURDAESf, M.A. AND LIEUT. H. F. WITHERBY, R.N.V.R. Part II. Corvidae : — As a whole the Crow tribe suffered very little, being able to pick up a living on birds weaker than themselves. With regard to the Raven ( Corvus c. corax) reports from North and South Wales, Devon and Dorset agree in representing its status as unaltered. The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) was also unaffected, and in some districts has increased owing to the scarcitjr of keepers. Rooks (C. f. frugilegus) and Jackdaws ( Coloeus m. spermologus) were unaffected or only showed slight local diminution. Although in some cases the sitting birds were practically snowed up on their nests, yet there was a good hatch of Rooks and the young were fledged at the usual time (Dr. Riviere). Magpies ( Pica p. pica) and Jays ( Garrulus g. rufitergum) were little affected, and during the last year or two both species have distinctly increased in some localities owing to the cessation of game preservation. This is very noticeable in the case of the Magpie in Kent. The Irish Jay ( G . g. hibernicus) also shows no decrease. Sturnida; : — The Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris) was affected to some extent and a good many dead were picked up, but the breeding stock left over was sufficient to fill the gaps, though some diminution was reported locally in Provinces I. to III., V., VI., and IX. to XII. FRiNGiLLmiE : — On the whole not much affected, though some species appear to have suffered much more than others. The Hawfinch ( Coccothraustes c. coccothraust.es) was scarcer in Province HI., but normal elsewhere. Greenfinch ( Chloris c. chloris) shows decreases, varying from slight to 50 per cent, in Provinces I. to IV., VI., VIII. to XII., but in Devon, Wilts, and some of the Midland counties, there was little change. Linnet ( Carduelis c. cannabina) shows decreases locally in nearly every province, in some cases as much as 40 or 50 per cent., but even here some counties in Provinces I. to V., and VIII. and IX., show little change. Reports on the Twite ( Carduelis flavirostris) from Yorkshire and N. Derbyshire arc unfavourable. In Lancashire its numbers vol. xii.] SEVERE WINTER’S EFFECT ON BIRDS. 27 were grecatly diminished in 1917, probably only 20 per cent, of the usual stock being left, but a remarkable increase was apparent in 1918 and probably 70 to 80 per cent, of the normal numbers are now present (F. Taylor). Lesser Redpoll ( C . linaria cabaret ) shows a tendency to increase in the south- east (Hants., Berks., and parts of Kent), but considerable reduction is reported from the Northern Provinces, except Cumberland, and also by some observers in Kent and Surrey. Goldfinch (G. carduelis britannica) showed decreases every- where of from 20 to 50 per cent, except in Dorset, Wilts., Surrey, some parts of Kent, and perhaps South Wales. Bull- finch (. Pyrrhula p. pileata) shows decreases in most places, but slight change only is reported from Dorset, Wilts., Somerset, Berks., Oxon., Cheshire and South Wales. The loss was most severe in the Midlands and north, but was also very noticeable in Surrey and Kent. In Ireland it has also greatly decreased in numbers, and in co. Wexford is now rare. Sparrow (P. d. domesticus ) showed little or no decrease except in the extreme north (Cumberland and Northumberland) anti in the north Midlands locally (Salop., and perhaps Derbyshire). Tree- Sparrow (P. m. montanus) no reduction in Herts., Staffs., Notts, Cheshire and Lancs ; but diminution in Kent and Derbyshire. At Didsbury Mr. H. Massey reports fifteen nests in his grounds in 1917 as against ten in 1916. The Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs ) on the whole came through well, being able to pick up a living on the roads. Decreased, however, in Wilts., Sussex, Kent, Surrey (?), Berks., Oxon., Herts. (?), Beds., Norfolk and Yorks., but not seriously. Yellow Bunting (Emberiza citrinella) was unaffected in most places, but considerable decreases took place in Devon (about 33 per cent.) and Cheshire, where many dead were found ; also diminished in Hants., Berks., Oxon., and Beds. The few reports of the Cirl Bunting (E. cirlus) from the southern counties and North Wales show no change, except in Hants., where it is reported as considerably decreased. Reed-Bunting (E. schceniclus) apparently suffered severely in Devon, where it was formerly very common, in Lincoln and Cheshire, while some decrease is reported from Hants., Kent, Surrey and possibly Beds. Otherwise its numbers are practically normal. Corn-Bunting (E . miliaria) unaffected except in Essex, where it was always scarce and perhaps in Herts., and east Berks., locally. Alaudii)/E : — Sky-Lark ( Alauda arvensis). Reports con- tradictory, but apparently considerable local reduction in many places, estimated at 70 per cent, at Frant, Sussex 28 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. (R. Ware) and 40 to 50 per cent, in Notts, and north Staffs. No change in Somerset and Dorset, but decidedly fewer in the north, and on the whole decidedly scarcer in the Midlands and east counties. Recovery in the case of this species seems to be slow, and little increase is noticeable in 1918. Wood- Lark ( Lullula arbor ea). This very local species was almost exterminated in the “ Breck ” country, and up to the present shows no sign of recovery. On the other hand, we have favourable reports from Devon, and at least one pair bred in Dorset in 1917. Motacilltd.e : — Meadow-Pipit ( Anthus pratensis). De- creased in numbers generally, but only slightly in Somerset, and apparently not in Dorset, Lincoln, Derby, S. Staffs, and Yorks. In Ireland the decrease seems to have been greater in co. Wexford, but in co. Down it was unaffected. Rock-Pipit (A. s. petrosus) is reported from Dorset as reduced about 50 per cent., but was present in normal numbers on the north-east coast from Yorks, to Northumberland in 1918. Grey Wagtail ( Motacilla c. cinerea). Decreases noted from Devon (33 per cent.), Derbyshire, Salop., and West- morland, but normal in Radnor, Somerset, and Cheshire. In Ireland the mortality was very heavy and in co. Wexford this species was practically exterminated, but in co. Down it was unaffected. Pied Wagtail (M . a. lugubris ) wintered well on the whole, but some diminution in Somerset, Sussex (20 per cent.), Kent, Surrey, Essex (about 50 per cent.), Radnor (slight), Lancs., Westmorland and Cumberland. Otherwise reduction only slight. CERTHiiDiE : — The Tree-Creeper ( Certkia J. britannica) was very seriously reduced in numbers, and in some districts almost exterminated, but enough are left to recover in time under favourable conditions. Decreases are specially marked in Sussex (80 per cent.), Kent, Surrey, Essex, Worcester, Berks., Oxon., Beds., Staffs., Herts., Derby and Westmorland. It is remarkable that in Ireland this species seems to have suffered very little. Sittid/e : — The Nuthatch (Sitta e. britannica) was not affected in Sussex, Warwick, South Wales or Salop., and only locally in Devon and Somerset, but decided diminution took place over the other southern countiesfrom Wilts, and Oxon., east to Kent. Recovery has been almost imperceptible in 1918. PARiDiE : — The Tits (Great, Blue, Coal-, Marsh-, and Willow-) show as a rule considerable reductions in numbers. Probably from 40 per cent, to 90 per cent, of (lie Great Fits VOL. XTI. ] SEVERE WINTER’S EFFECT ON BIRDS. 29 ( Parus m. newtoni) perished, and the Blue Tit ( P . c. obscurus) also suffered even more severely, but it is more difficult to estimate the effect on the scarcer Coal-, Marsh- and Willow- Tits ( P . a. britannicus , P. p. dresseri, and P. a. kleinschmidti) . The large broods reared by the Tits should render recovery rapid where any breeding stock is left, and there are already signs of a return to normal conditions. In thickly populated districts, such as Lancashire, and the outskirts of large towns, Great and Blue Tits survived in considerable numbers ; in Cheshire, Worcester, Cambs. and Lincoln, the decrease was not very noticeable, but in other counties the absence of Tits was very marked in 1917. The Irish Coal-Tit (P. ater hibernicus) is said to have suffered little if at all (C. B. Moffat). Apparently Marsh -Tits, always much scarcer than Great or Blue, suffered less in proportion to their numbers in Radnor and Leicester, but in other districts the loss was very heavy. The Long-tailed Tit ( Mcjithalos c. roseus ) was apparently almost exterminated, hardly any being reported in 1917, but a few pairs evidently survived, and for the reason stated above the recovery may prove unexpectedly rapid. The destruction seems to have been very general, and to have extended also to Ireland generally, practically all counties reporting it as absent or almost exterminated in the spring of 1917, yet two nests were found in May, 1918, -within a mile of one another, in north Berks., where no birds had been seen since the frost of 1917. There seems no doubt that quite 80 or 90 per cent, were killed off, but the wandering habits of this species in winter will probably soon lead to the re- colonizing of many ancient haunts. Regulid.e :j — The Goldcrest ( Regidus r. anglorum ) is another species which has been brought perilously near to extermina- tion, but though very few were seen or heard in 1917, we have reports of breeding birds from such widely separated counties as Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk, Berks., Oxon., Sussex, Hants., Radnor, Dorset, etc. Breeding also undoubtedly took place in 1917 in Kent and on the borders of Suffolk and Norfolk, and probably in many other districts, so that we may look for a considerable increase in a year or two. The destruction was general, reports of its absence being received from practically all counties. In Ireland this species seems to have suffered quite as severely as with us, though here also a few pairs have evidently survived in co. Mayo and probably elsewhere. PANURiDiE : — Bearded Tit ( Panurus b. biarmicus). This is another species which has suffered very severely, but 30 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. owing to its extremely local distribution, there is much less chance of survival during abnormally severe weather, as the weather conditions are practically the same throughout the Broad district. At least one brood was reared on Hickling Broad in 1917, but there is reason to believe that other pairs bred in an entirely different locality, at some distance from the Broads (E. C. Stuart Baker). None were seen on Horsey or Hickling in December, 1917, by J. Vincent. The average clutch in this species is not so large as in the Paridce, but two or three broods are often reared in a season. Muscioapid^e : — Dartford Warbler ( Sylvia u. dartfordi- ensis). A very marked diminution is reported from Surrey, but probably this is due to other causes, such as the de- struction of the long heather by the movements of large bodies of troops over the breeding ground. Well-known haunts in Dorset and Devon are also reported as unoccupied (in one case probably owing to a heath fire), but one haunt in Dorset was cpiite thickly populated in 1918, and a few birds are reported from Hants., the Sussex coast, etc. One nest with young was seen in Surrey in 1917, so that the Dartford Warbler is not extinct even here. The Thrushes all suffered more or less, especially the Song-Thrush ( Tardus p. clarkei). All counties report decreases usually varying from 50 to 90 per cent., though in a few favoured localities, such as Dorset, south Derby, Cumberland, Warwick, and some urban districts, the diminution was comparatively slight. From being one of our commonest birds, it has become quite rare in some districts, and its slow recovery as contrasted with the rapid increase in the number of Blackbirds (T. m. merula ) furnishes proof of the severity of the losses incurred. Large numbers of dead were picked up, and even in 1918 only scattered songsters are to be heard where formerly there was a chorus everywhere. Mistle- Thrushes ( T . r. viscivorus), though hard hit and reported as seriously decreased, up to 89 and even 90 per cent., from all counties, have shown a very marked recovery in numbers, and certainly stood the trial better than the Song-Thrush. Blackbirds ( T . m. menda), although suffering heavily in some districts, were by no means generally reduced in the way that the Thrushes were. The distribution of breeding pairs in 1917 was curiously irregular. In the northern counties, with the exception of Northumberland, the decrease was not very marked, south to Lancs, and Yorks. ; in Lincoln, Cheshire, Warwick, Beds., Kent, S. Berks., and Dorset similar conditions arc reported, but in other parts, such as vol. xii ] SEVERE WINTER’S EFFECT ON BIRDS. 31 Surrey, W. Berks., Leicester, Herts., Wilts., Somerset, where one would expect similar results, decreases of 50 to 90 per cent, are recorded. In Ireland the reduction seems to have been comparatively slight, though the Song-Thrush was much reduced in numbers. The Stonechat ( Saxicola t. hibernans ) is reported as very seriously decreased from all sources. None noted in 1917 in Norfolk, Sussex, Surrey, Beds., Salop., Cheshire or Staffs., North Wales coast or Isle of Man, but a few survive in Kent, Hants, Dorset, the Devonian peninsula, Somerset, Merioneth, Lancashire and Cumberland. The decrease in Ireland seems to have been equally marked, and general, yet on the coast of north France it was apparently unaffected. Robin ( Erithacus r. melophilus). Decreases reported from all sources, generally estimated at about 50 to 80 per cent. The diminution seems to have been least noticeable in Devon, Cambs., S. Derby, S. Staffs., Cheshire and Lancs., and in suburban districts more survived than in the country. In some of the south coast counties, such as Dorset, Hants., Sussex and Kent, the mortality was very heavy, and generally this species is only recovering slowly. Accentorid.e : — The Hedge-Sparrow ( Prunella m. occiden- talis) withstood the winter rather better than the Robin on the whole. Decreases were generally moderate, though some diminution was reported from almost all counties, but the heaviest losses, estimated at about 50 to 80 per cent., were experienced in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Essex, Herts., Derby, Yorks, and Merioneth. TROGLODYTim-E : — Wren ( Troglodytes t. troglodytes). Nearly all observers agree in reporting decreases, but these vary considerably, being only slight in some districts and esti- mated at 80 to 90 per cent, in others. In North Wales and Beds, no change was noted, and in Radnor and Cheshire decreases were small, but in Kent, Surrey, Hants., Norfolk, Somerset, Herts, and Worcester, losses were particularly severe. Dipper ( Cinclus c. britannicus). Reductions are noted in Cumberland, the Welsh Border, N. Derby and Somerset, but little affected in Yorks., S. Derby, Radnor, Devon and Dorset. The Irish Dipper ( C . c. hibernicus) shows little or no diminution. Alcedinid^e : — Kingfisher ( Alcedo i. ispida). The diminu- tion in the breeding stock is shown by the fact that while most of the favourite breeding places on the lower reaches of the Thames were occupied in 1917, the upper reaches were deserted, though the birds have reappeared 32 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XH. in 1918. In Devon, Worcester, Cheshire and Cumberland, considerable decreases were noted, and some diminution in Kent, Surrey and Middlesex, while no change is reported from Radnor and Beds. Picidte : — Green Woodpecker ( Pious v. pl-uvius ) stood the winter fairly well, though decreases are reported from Dorset, Hants., Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Essex, Beds., Notts, and S. Staffs., and Colonel Feilden picked up four in one day dead from starvation (Sussex). Probably the heaviest mortality varied from 20 to 50 per cent, locally, and has now been made good in most places by the normal increase. With regard to the Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers ( Dryobates major anglicus and D. minor comminutus), there is but little evidence to hand, but the general tendency of opinion points to the Great Spotted at any rate as unaffected in most districts, though decreases are reported from Sussex, and by some observers in Kent and Surrey, and the Lesser Spotted is reported as decreased in Kent and Surrey. Stkigidje : — The Owls were apparently little affected by the weather, and no reports of decrease of either Barn (Tyto a. alba) or Tawny (Strix aluco ) have been received, but two pairs of Long-eared Owls ( Asio o. otus) were found dead under roosting trees in N. Lancs, in March, 1917 (H. J. Moon). Being the earliest breeder of the three, and generally nesting in more exposed sites, this species probably was affected more than the others. Falconid^e and Aqijilid/e : — Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Sparrow-Hawks (Accijnter n. nisus) were present in almost usual numbers in 1917, but no considerable increase was apparent, such as might have been expected from the absence of gamekeepers. In Herts, a large increase in the number of Sparrow-Hawks is reported in 1917, which has been maintained, but Kestrels were scarcer. In Essex the de- crease of Kestrels was estimated at 50 per cent. In 1918 Kestrels certainly appear to be more numerous, generally, and Sparrow-Hawks are also increasing in numbers. The presence of Buzzards (Buteo b. buleo ) has been reported from many counties in England. These birds were unaffected by the winter, but are profiting by the cessation of game preservation and there are signs that they may attempt to re-establish themselves in the English woodlands. In Ireland the Kestrel was apparently considerably diminished in numbers. Ardeid^e : — The Heron (Ardea cinerea) maintained its numbers well, the only decreases being reported from Sussex, vol. xii.] SEVERE WINTER’S EFFECT ON BIRDS. 33 and by some observers in Kent and Surrey. Deaths from starvation were noted near Felsted, Essex. Anatidje : — Mallard (Anas p. platyrhyncha) must have lost many of their first lajfings, but the few reports do not indicate any great diminution, though in Lines, they were decidedly scarcer. Only 150 to 200 Pochards (A. ferina) and Tufted Ducks ( Nyroca fuligula) on Hickling Broad, where usually there are 700 to 1,000 (J. Vincent). Teal (Anas crecca) and Shoveler (A. clypeata) are reported as decreased in Kent and Surrey. Coliimbidje : — The Wood-Pigeon ( Columba palumbus) and Stock-Dove (C. oenas) showed no decrease in most districts, but some diminution in the number of Wood-Pigeons is reported from Northumberland, some parts of Cheshire (where many were picked up dead), Staffs., Radnor, and Oxon., while in Essex they are reported as more plentiful than ever. Feiver Stock-Doves were noted in Kent, but both species have profited by the cessation of shooting. Limicolje : — Golden Plovers (Charadrius apricarius) were decidedly reduced in numbers in North Wales and Cumberland, and the usual spring flocks were absent in Scotland, but the decrease in the N. Derbyshire moors was slight. Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus ) were reported as much reduced in numbers from nearly all sources except Herts, where, however, laying was retarded in 1917. The estimates varied from 25 per cent, in Sussex to 50 per cent, over the greater part of England, and 80 to 90 per cent, in N. Oxon. and N. Derby. So far there has been little recovery and the breeding stock in 1918 is still far below the level of 1916 Redshanks (Tringa totarms) were noted in normal numbers in Lincoln, Beds., Kent, Surrey and Cheshire, but were reduced in East Anglia, Lancs, and Westmorland. Dunlin (Erolia alpina) were fewer, but not noticeably so in N. Lancs. Curlew (Numenius arquatus) seem to have been little affected, though breeding later than usual, and the only decrease is reported from the N. Lancs, moors, the numbers being about normal in Radnor, the Welsh border counties, N. Derby and Cumberland. Snipe (Gallinago g. gallinago) bred in smaller numbers in Sussex, Essex, Lancs, and Northumberland, but no diminution was noticed in Kent, Berks., Worcester, Derby, Lincoln and Radnor. Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola). Usual numbers in Northum- berland ; also normal few pairs in Sussex ; decrease in Kent and Surrey. La ridas : — Black-heacled Gulls (Earns ridibundus). Many 34 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOE. XII. were caught in a weak or dying condition in Norfolk, and several of the smaller colonies are either reduced in numbers or else abandoned altogether. In the case of the large colonies, the loss of a small percentage is not noticeable. Among the counties where a distinct reduction in the breeding stock has been noted may be mentioned Dorset, Hants., Cheshire, and possibly North W ales and Northumberland. The east coast gulleries from Kent north to Yorkshire seem to have been little affected. Probably the larger and more predatory Gulls were better able to hold their own, but on this point we have no sufficient data. Rallid.e Moor-Hen ( Gallinula c. chloropus). A majority of the reports note decreases, generally from 30 to 50 per cent., but in Sussex, Essex, Warwick, Radnor and Lancs, little or no change was noted. Probably the numbers at the present time are up to the average. Coot (Fulica atra) suffered more than Moor-Hens, though little change was reported from Notts, and Radnor. Considerable decrease took place in Province III. (Thames), and also in Worcester. The stock on Hickling Broad was reduced from a normal 2,000 to 500 only, or 75 per cent., but where any birds were left recovery has been rapid, and in many cases the stock is again at the normal level. CoLYMBnxas : — Great Crested Grebe ( Podiceps cristatus). Unaffected in Cheshire, but considerable decrease in Kent and Surrey. In the case of the Dabchick (P. ruficollis) little or no change noted in Surrey, Berks., Beds., and Radnor, but it was absent from its usual haunts in Cheshire, and decreased in Kent and Surrey. Tetraonid/E, Etc. : — Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus). Decrease noted on the N. Derbyshire moors, and in Yorks, the clutches were noted as abnormally small. In the case of game-birds, which are reared under artificial conditions, it is difficult to ascertain what share the weather has in increase or decrease, as so many other factors arc present. It is generally conceded that 1917 was quite an exceptionally good hatching season for game. Several starved Partridges (Perdix p. perdix) were picked up in Oxon., and a good many barren birds noted, but in Notts, the bags in autumn 1917 were surprisingly large, and on the whole this species has maintained its status well, but in many counties far fewer than usual have been shot. The Red-legged Partridge ( Aledoris rufa) seems to have decreased in Kent, but shows little change in Sussex and Surrey, though probably less numerous than before. vol. xii. ] SEVERE WINTER’S EFFECT ON BIRDS. 35 Several observers note the diminished number of eggs in the clutch in the spring of 1917. Mr. W. Rowan records this from Herts, in the case of the Magpie, Chaffinch, Black- bird, Hedge-Sparrow, Kingfisher, Kestrel and Sparrow-Hawk, and Mr. J. H. Owen independently makes similar observations in the Felsted district, Essex, on the Jay, Sparrow-Hawk and other residents ; and on the Welsh borders with regard to the Raven, Buzzard and Tawny Owl, but not the Carrion Crow. This is also confirmed by the reports from keepers on the Yorkshire moors with regard to Red Grouse. Infertile eggs also appear to have been present in more than the usual proportion. The Rev. F. L. Blathwayt calls our attention to what is probably the earliest record of a similar disaster to bird-life ; the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for the year 671 containing only a single entry, “ This year was the great destruction among the Birds.” Gilbert White (Nat. Iiist. of Selborne, Letter LXII.) has some interesting remarks on the mortality among Thrushes, Blackbirds and Partridges during the great frost of January, 1776. See also letter LXI. on that of January, 1768. 36 ) FIELD NOTES ON THE KINGFISHER. BY HELEN M. RAIT KERR. In British Birds, Vol. XL, pp. 218-225, an article appeared on the Kingfisher ( Alcedo i. ispula), and as for as many years as I can remember a pair has nested here in a hole in the bank of a stream running beside the avenue near our home in Ireland, and 1 have made a close study of their habits, perhaps the following notes may be of interest. In March, usually about the 20th, the birds return together from the tidal waters whither they have departed in the autumn, and remain with us till October. Two broods are raised in the year the first, the eggs of which are laid about the middle of April, the young leaving the nest in the last week of May. The second brood is hatched in June, the young leaving the nest about the end of July. At first when they return, the birds are shy and difficult to observe, but by building a screen and using all kinds of camouflage I succeeded in overcoming their fear, though in spite of it all for some time the slightest movement, especially of my hands, betrayed my presence and alarmed them. Last year (1917) on the first occasion when I tried to observe them, I caught a glimpse of both birds, sitting together on a branch overhanging the water and just opposite the entrance of the nesting-site, their favourite perch. When I came in sight they disappeared up-stream, returning after twenty-five minutes and flying off again, evidently suspicious of danger. The shrill “ Kee kee ” with which these birds herald their approach is of great assistance to the observer. Ten minutes later one returned alone, and remained sitting on the branch till a slight movement of my head made it fly off. After several efforts patience was rewarded and I obtained a good view of the pair, both together and singly, at different times. Sometimes the Kingfisher “ dips ” up and down on the branch, and this I take to be an expression of alarm, when suspicious of danger, as at other times when I am convinced the bird was unaware of my presence, it sat quite still ; neither bird paid any attention to passing vehicles and in time became cpiite reconciled to my presence. The fact that I have always had the same difficulty in making them accustomed to seeing me, led me to suspect that it might not be the same vol. xtt.] FIELD NOTES ON THE KINGFISHER. 37 pair of birds which returned each year, but perhaps a pair reared in the nesting hole and returning to the “ scenes of their childhood.” I have never ringed the old birds (the Kingfisher not being on the list of birds which the Editors request us to mark) and cannot therefore state with positive certainty that it either is, or is not the same pair of birds which returns each year to nest and rear their young. I have always regretted that I have only a V.P. Kodak which is too small to photograph the birds, as though I have more than once attempted it the results have not been successful. On March 19th, 1917, I heard the piping cry as I rode up the avenue, which told me that the Kingfishers had returned, and on several occasions on the two following days I saw one about, both on the stream and also on a pond below the house, to get to which it flew across the croquet lawn in full view of and cpiite close to spectators. As usual, I went down to the stream on several occasions and on the particular one of which I write, I was beginning to think that my watch would be in vain, when in the distance I heard the shrill piping cry and an instant later, like a vivid blue Hash, one of the brilliant birds darted past me, followed almost immediately by a second. Both birds alighted on a tree root which projected over the water, and whilst there kept up a continuous cheeping, alternately raising and lowering the head. After sitting together for some time, the male (distinguished by the brighter plumage and longer bill) departed. His absence lasted for about ten minutes, when he returned carrying something in his bill which looked like a lump of mud ; though the birds were quite close to me I turned the binoculars on them and then discovered that the supposed mud was really a small crayfish. As the male alighted beside her, the female turned her head towards him, at the same moment opening her bill. He failed at the first attempt to get the tit-bit to its proper destination, and was rewarded by an angry “ Kee ” by the lady ! A second attempt was more successful, and after she had swallowed it, they both Hew away up-stream. I thought they had departed for good, but a few minutes later the female returned and made for a hole in the bank, disap- pearing just where in former years the nesting hole had been. A little later the male also returned and continuing his flight for a few yards past me, turned and alighted on a branch immediately opposite the hole where the nest was, 38 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. sitting there with head drawn back on his shoulders, turning from side to side, his beautiful plumage showing brilliantly in the sunlight. I watched him for some time as he sat, all unconscious of my presence ; he was quite close to me and just beneath him there was a pool which I knew to be a favourite haunt of minnows. I noticed that he kept a careful eye on it, and suddenly, like a flash, he darted into the water, emerging at once and resuming his former position with a small fish in his bill ; after a moment he swallowed it, in the same manner as does a Heron, at one effort, with a throw-back of his head. This performance was repeated until his hunger was satisfied. I noticed that sometimes the fish was held crosswise and sometimes just behind the head ; in either case it was swallowed head first and with the greatest ease. Having disposed of about nine in this way he proceeded to take a bath by diving, then rising again to the surface at some little distance from where he entered the water, he returned to his perch and shaking himself, smoothed down all his feathers very carefully and resumed his watchful position. About ten minutes later he again darted downwards and arose once more with a minnow in his bill, which he did not eat, but carried into the hole, returning a moment afterwards to continue fishing, and keeping it up until he satisfied his hungry mate, when he flew off up-stream and I saw him no more that day. In the breeding season both birds keep up a continual cheeping, resembling “ Kee-kee-kee,” very shrill at times when on the wing, and at others, when perched and together, only a low note. I have seen them indulge in “ love passages,” the male stroking the female with his long bill, and both bowing to each other, and behaving in a way not unlike that adopted by Wood-Pigeons in the same circumstances. The “ nest ” can, of course, only be called so by courtesy, as there are no materials other than a few fish bones and indi- gestible material, portions of food cast up by the birds, which in time become considerable, and emit a very unpleasant smell. This year (1918) a pair of birds are back again in the old haunt and 1 hope that they will meet with no interruption in the rearing of their families, and that I shall be able to continue my observations. ( 39 ) THE MOULTS AND SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGES OF THE BRITISH WADERS. BY ANNIE C. JACKSON, hon. mem. b.o.u. Part VII. Genus Terekia. Terek Sandpiper ( T . cinerea). Adults. — Complete moult from August to January. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (nob all the scapulars), sometimes the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and usually some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike. N.B. — One or two March and April specimens examined were moulting the primaries. Juvenile. — Male and female.- — The upper-parts resemble the adult in summer plumage, but the under-parts are like the adult in winter. The feathers of the ash-brown crown are narrowly tipped light buff (not with faint white edgings as in the adult) ; mantle and scapulars ash- brown, the feathers with sepia shafts or bold median streaks of sepia as in the adult, but edged light buff or pinkish-cinnamon (not faintly edged white as in the adult) ; scapulars usually with bold median streaks of black-brown as in adult, which towards tip in some widen out into a club-shaped mark or a transverse subterminal bar, the upper scapulars more or less black-brown as in the adult but edged light buff or pinkish-cinnamon ; back, rump and upper tail-coverts ash-brown as in the adult, but the feathers tipped, and the tail-coverts sometimes washed, light buff ; under-parts much as in the adult in winter but throat and breast more or less suffused light buff, and in some the feathers of the breast with faint terminal dusky lines ; tail-feathers as in the adult in winter plumage but edged light buff ; wing as in the adult in winter, but the innermost secondaries and their coverts and the median coverts edged buff and with sepia shaft-streaks usually widening out into a club-shaped mark or subterminal bar towards the tip (in the adult the innermost secondaries and coverts are ash-brown with dark shafts faintly tipped white, the median coverts ash-brown with sepia shafts and tipped white) ; lesser coverts as in the adult but faintly edged light buff instead of white. First Winter. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), usually all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts are moidted from September to January, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults, but are distinguished by one or more retained juvenile innermost secondaries and by retained juvenile median coverts when not too abraded. First Summer.- — -Not to be distinguished from the adult summer and moult presumably as in the adult. Genus Tringa. This genus includes the Sandpiper and Redshank groups. The winter plumage of the adult is acquired by a complete 40 BRITISH BIRDS. [ VOL. XII. moult in autumn, prolonged in many individuals into the winter months, while in the Wood-Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper and Yellowshank several specimens with outer primaries in quill occurred in January, February or even March. there is a partial moult in spring involving all or most of the body-feathers, usually the tail-feathers, some or all of the innermost secondaries and coverts, and as a rule some median and lesser coverts. In the Common and Spotted Sandpipers the spring moult appears usually to involve the primaries and secondaries as well. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage. The juvenile plumage is much like that of the adult in winter ; no juvenile of the Marsh-Sandpiper was examined. The post-juvenile moult involves the body-feathers, some or all of the tail-feathers, but in some specimens not the tail at all, innermost secondaries and coverts and usually some median and lesser coverts. The first winter birds are not to be distinguished from the adults in the Common and Spotted Sandpipers and are difficult to distinguish with certainty in the Green Sandpiper ; in the remaining species they may be recognized by the retained juvenile wing-coverts when not too abraded, a character which also distinguishes first summer from adult summer birds which are otherwise usually alike. The spring moult of the first winter bird is like that of the adult, but in the Greater Yellowshank and the Redshank, the few first summer birds examined had acquired only a little of the breeding plumage and in certain cases (e.g. specimens of the Yellowshank and Greater Yellowshank and Grey-rumped Sandpiper) they appeared not to have moulted or to have moulted in spring straight into winter plumage without acquiring any breeding plumage. No first summer specimens of the Solitary Sandpiper, Yellowshank or Greenshank were examined. ^ Common Sandpiper (T. hypolenca). Adults. — Complete moult from July to January. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts and usually some median and lesser coverts. In several February and March specimens examined the 2nd, 3rd or 4th primaries of each wing were in quill and specimens moulting remiges occurred from September to March ; the spring specimens frequently also acquiring summer bodv-feathers. In some individuals some winter feathers are retained on the upper-parts in summer. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes aro alike in plumage but the wings of the females average longer. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like the adult in winter plumage, but the feathers of the olive-brown crown, mantle and scapulars with subterminal sepia edgings and tipped warm buff ; the scapulars 41 VOL. XII.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. notched the same (in the adult the mantle and scapulars are olive- brown faintly edged light buff, the feathers mostly with a subterminal bar of sepia) ; feathers of sides of breast greyish-olive-brown as in the adult, but with light buff edges and often with faint subterminal markings of sepia, instead of mostly with white tips as in the adult ; tail-feathers as in the adult, but the central pair (and in some the outer pairs) tipped buff and notched the same ; wing as in the adult, but the innermost secondaries and coverts as upper-parts (in the adult the innermost secondaries and their coverts are olive-brown faintly tipped and edged light buff, usually with a subterminal barring or notching of sepia and with irregular wavy freeklings or notchings of sepia). N.B. — 'There is considerable individual variation in the colour and pattern of the wing-coverts of the juvenile as there is in the adult ; many juveniles have the coverts more closely and distinctly barred than in the adult while the buff tips and bars are of a deeper colour, being more pinkish-buff than in the adult. Abrasion makes the upper-parts more or less uniform before the commencement of the post-juvenile moult. First Winter. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from August to November, but apparently not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults and cannot be distinguished with certainty. Spotted Sandpiper (T. macularia). Adults.— Complete moult from June to February. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and usually most of the median and some lesser coverts. Specimens moulting the remiges occur in every month from September to May ; February and March skins were examined with the wing- moult almost complete and the 2nd primary in quill or with the wing-moult still far from complete and with the 7th or 5th primaries in quill and the outer ones worn ; in some April and May birds the remiges appear worn and in others fresh. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings of the females average longer. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like the adult in winter plumage, but the feathers of the upper-parts margined with buff as in the juvenile Common Sandpiper. Differs from the juvenile Common Sandpiper in having the lower throat white not streaked olive-brown and the feathers of the sides of the breast uniform greyish-olive-brown with very faint buff tips and without the faint subterminal sepia markings usually present in the Common Sandpiper. Adult and juvenile Spotted Sandpipers have the 7th, 8th and 9th secondaries with a brown sepia band across the middle and with white tips and bases ; in the adult and juvenile Common Sandpipers the 9th secondary and sometimes the 8th are more or less white. N.B.-^-The buff edges to the feathers of the upper-parts soon become abraded and the upper-parts are then more or less uniform olive-brown. {To be continued.) D A BERKSHIRE KEEPER'S LARDER, On April 24th, 1918, I found in a gamekeeper’s larder on the side of Lowbury, Berkshire Downs, besides the usual Kestrels, Crows, etc., the dried up remains of a Peregi’ine Falcon (Falco p. peregrinus) which still retained a few feathers : two Merlins (F. columbarius cesalon), also an old male Sparrow- Hawk (Accipiter n. nisus ) with the slate-blue back and rusty under-surface so seldom attained by this bird nowadays. A rat 2 2 1 inches in length was hanging with the Owls, Rooks and cats’ tails. H. M. Wallis. POWER OF CONTROL OVER DEPOSITION OF EGGS. The following incident is of such interest in illustration of the extraordinary power of some birds to control the deposition of eggs under certain circumstances, that I think many of your readers would probably care to hear the case. From about February loth, 1918, the Golden Plover ( Charadrius apricarius ) began to return to the west Yorkshire moors from the valleys in which many of them winter with Lapwings. Their numbers remained small, however, till the end of March, when they rapidly increased. Lapwings began laying in the first week of April, and on the 8th of that month two single eggs of the Golden Plover were found, one by a keeper’s boy collecting “ Tewits’ ” eggs, the other by myself, near a footpath. About this time the weather had turned extremely cold with frosts and snow, directly after several . days of almost summer heat. From the 8th to the l ltli the hen bird of my pair was perpetually by the nest, sometimes sitting beside the egg, but never, as far as I could see, on it. During those days, when the cold was severe, the Golden Plover were rapidly dwindling in numbers, and on the lltli my pair of birds, which were amongst the last to remain on the moor, deserted. On the 13th I took the egg. This was deposited as usual on a hit of ground which had been burnt over a few years back, the lining to the scrape consisting only of half a dozen bits of heather stem. Till April 30th no more Golden Plover were scon or heard on the moor. They then began to return. The interval was spent in the river valley where, I heard, flocks of 150 were seen. I went down myself to verify this statement and saw several flocks of twenty to fifty NOTES. VOL. XII. ] 43 On May 7th, chancing to be near the spot from which I had taken the deserted egg, and once more seeing a pair of Golden Plover there, I thought I would look at the nest, lo my surprise I found the cup enlarged and more liberally lined with bits of heather stem. Three days later I revisited the spot and found still more lining and a single egg, matching exactly, as far as I could judge from memory, the first egg. It was not till the 28th that I once more went to the spot. To my great disappointment the eggs were gone and the birds with them. I have no doubt that the birds returned to finish TYPICAL NESTING SITE OF GOLDEN PLOVER. Photo by W. Rowan. the clutch, but it would have been interesting to note the number of eggs laid. As a matter of fact, an extraordinarily high percentage of clutches have consisted of three only. Most of the nests are quite large, and usually not completed till a day or two after the last egg has been laid. The accompanying photo- graph represents a typical site. Wm. Rowan. On May l Oth and 11th, 1918, I found the following nests in a water-meadow bordering the River Kennet at Theale, 44 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XIT. Berks : — A Redshank’s ( Tringa totanus) with four eggs and another broken one lying about a foot away ; a Lapwing’s ( Vanellus vanellus) with five eggs, one of them imbedded in the foundation of the nest, but with all the large end showing, the remaining four being arranged as usual ; a Redshank’s with five eggs, all of the same type. In one of the last the young bird had just begun to chip out. I did not remove the others. The probable explanation of these three sets of five eggs within an area of about two acres is that there was one egg in each nest when the field was Hooded after the snow towards the end of April. In the first case, the egg was washed out of the nest or removed by a CToav ; in the Plover’s case, the nest was built up around the egg ; in the last case, an ordinary full clutch was laid in the nest already containing the old egg. Norman H. Joy. [The point on which evidence is lacking in the above cases is whether the egg next advanced in development, and which under normal conditions would have been laid within two days at the utmost, is dropped promiscuously. Such eggs would naturally be quickly destroyed. That the development of the remaining eggs of the clutch should be retarded by weather conditions is more readily intelligible. The occasional discovery of double clutches in one nest, in which the first set has been spoilt by weather, and perhaps temporarily deserted, would seem to point to the first clutch being laid in full.- — Eds.] SONG OF THE CHIFFCHAFF. In none of the books to which I have been able to refer do I find the song of the Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus c. collybita ) fully described. The authors seem to take it for granted that the song merely consists of the disyllabic reiteration of the bird’s name, “ chiff-chaff,” though variations are sometimes men- tioned, such as “ chiff-chiff-chaff.” As a matter of fact, the notes have a somewhat sharper tone than is expressed by these syllables, and are in reality more like the words “ chip- chap,” but this is not the point to which I wish to draw attention. The familiar syllables are repeated an irregular number of times, varying greatly in number in successive bursts, and are each time followed by what I used to consider a marked interval of silence. 1 find, however, that this silent spell is only apparent, and is in reality filled in with an entirely different note, the interval between the “ chiff-chaff ” note being filled with a very low and subdued throaty note resem- bling “ tluk-tluk-tluk,” uttered at a slightly- slower tempo NOTES. 45 VOL. XII.] than the more audible “ chiff-chaff.” It is perhaps nearer accuracy to describe this intervening note as more of a prelude to the succeeding burst of the “ chiff-chaff ” portion of the song than a continuation of the whole performance. This intervening note is so subdued that it is not always easy to catch it, and it is necessary to stand immediately below the tree in which the bird is singing, and even then it is frequently drowned by the song of some other neighbouring bird. This is especially the case in May and June, when most birds are singing freely, but towards the end of June, as the other birds stop singing, it becomes much more easy to hear this “ tluk-tluk ” note, while in July, when the Chiffchaff is often the only bird singing, the note can be plainly heard at a considerable distance, say up to fifty or seventy-five yards. It is interesting that the Chiffchaff should have what may be almost described as a double song, as the feature is so marked in the case of its congener the Wood-Warbler, which, as is well known, has two distinct phases of song, the first long shivering scale, usually repeated some six or seven times in succession, and then followed by the entirely distinct, clear, ringing “ tew-tew-tew,” usually repeated some five times. Arthur Astley. [H. E. Howard ( British Warblers , I., p. 153), after describing the ordinary song, says : “ Also there is often at the beginning and end a curious little medley, rapidly and quietly uttered.” This evidently refers to the subdued phase referred to above, which seems to vary somewhat in individual birds, but generally consists of a succession of low, metallic notes, readily audible at thirty or forty yards. Possibly this phase in a somewhat accentuated form may be the origin of the “ Mimicking Song ” ascribed to individuals of this species by Colonel Meyrick, Messrs. G. A. B. Dewar, R. Warren, J. S. Huxley and H. G. Attlee ( Zool. , 1908, pp. 190, 227, 230, 268, etc.) — F.C.R.J.] BLACKBIRDS BREEDING THREE TIMES IN THE SAME NEST. A pair of Blackbirds ( Turdus m. merula) has had three broods in the same nest in my garden at Limpsfield, Surrey, this year. When the young of the first brood were nearly ready to fly, they were killed by a snowstorm. The second clutch consisted of two only, and these got off safely. The third brood of four are still in the nest. I know the cock bird well, as he has a ring on his leg and has been in the garden all the winter. A. Patteson. 46 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. [Mr. H. W. Robinson has recorded a case in which the same nest was used for two broods in two consecutive seasons (Brit. Birds, X., p. 119), and three instances in which three broods were reared from the same nest in England (as well as one from the Continent) will be found described in Brit. Birds, V., pp. 143 and 165 ; X., p. 119. A fifth case will be found in the Field, June 14th, 1913, where Mr. Howard Williams writes that a third brood of four young Blackbirds has just been hatched from the same nest in his garden at Torrington Park, North Finchley.— F.C.R.J.] CUCKOO’S EGGS IN NESTS OF CHTFFCHAFF AND WOOD- WARBLER. On May 18th, 1918, I came upon the nest of a Chiffchaff (Phylloscojms c. collybita) in Hertfordshire containing an egg of the Cuckoo ( C-uculus c. canorus). There were five eggs of the foster-parent. This is the first time I have known the Cuckoo to utilize the nest of this species. There were a considerable number of Sedge Warblers’ nests close by, one of which contained a Cuckoo’s egg. I once found the Cuckoo using the nest of the Wood- Warbler (Pliylloscopus s. sibilatrix) in June, 1905. In this case there were very few small birds and nests round, and I imagine it was a case of necessity on the part of the Cuckoo. J. Beddall Smith. CUCKOO’S EGG IN NEST OF LESSER WHITETHROAT. On May 7th, 1918, at Felsted, Essex, a small boy brought me an egg of the Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia c. curruca) for identification. On May 10th he went to get the rest of the eggs, and found that the nest contained a Cuckoo’s egg only, which he proceeded to spoil by making large holes at the ends. J. H. Owen. YOUNG CUCKOO IN BLACKBIRD’S NEST. On June 5th, 1918, 1 found a young Cuckoo (Cuculus c. canorus ) in a nest with two young Blackbirds (Turdus m. menda). As the latter had attained a good size I thought at first that their foster-brother had found them too heavy to eject, but on returning next day I discovered the unfortunate chicks lying dead on the ground beneath the nest, and the young Cuckoo the sole occupant of the nest. 1 visited the I vol. xii.] NOTES. 47 nest subsequently on several occasions, and found the bird doing well. On June 18th I discovered that it had flown. The nest was situated about six feet from the ground in a crab-apple tree, in the grounds of the Crystal Palace, Norwood. I have never before known a Cuckoo to lay in a Blackbird’s nest, as it usually prefers nests of smaller species, such as the Tree-Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Hedge-Sparrow, etc. J. Craven-Sykes. [Only about five cases of this fosterer have been definitely recorded, and of these the young Cuckoo was only hatched in one instance, so that the notes on its proceedings are of considerable interest. — Eds.] OSPREY IN NORFOLK. Although Stevenson in his Birds of Norfolk, Vol. I., p. 5, describes the Osprey ( Pandionh . haliaetus ) as a bird that “ still visits us [i.e., Norfolk] as a regular migrant in small numbers,” one must remember that this was written fifty-two years ago ; and, so far as I am aware, it is now many years since this handsome bird has been recorded as passing through Norfolk on its vernal migration. On May 23rd, 1918, Mr. Robert Gurney and I were able to watch, for about an hour, an Osprey on Scoulton Mere, It was undoubtedly an adult bird, and although almost con- tinuously mobbed by the thousands of Black-headed Gulls that still return annually to this historical inland mere as a nesting haunt, the Osprey took not the slightest notice of its would-be persecutors, either when it was on the wing or when it was resting on the bough of some dead tree. Our only regret was that we had not the pleasure of witnessing the bird make any attempt at fishing. S. H. Long. UNRECORDED LONG-TAILED DUCK IN LANCASHIRE As there are only four records of the Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hy emails) for Lancashire according to Mitchell’s Birds of Lancashire, it may be of interest to record a fifth, an adult drake, shot three miles from Burnley in February, 1899, by Mr. F Haddock, and now in his collection, where I saw it on June 6th last. It was shot on a pond many miles from the coast. A sixth, a female, is mentioned in the Victoria County History , as having been shot on the Keer in North Lanca- shire in 1901. H. W. Robinson. 48 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XIT. CURLEW-SANDPIPER INLAND IN S. LANCASHIRE. A sewage-farm in the Irwell valley, a few miles from the centre of Manchester, has attracted Curlew-Sandpipers ( Erolia ferruginea) during two autumn migrations (see Brit. Birds, Vol. VI.. p. 192 and Vol. IX, p. 157), but I can find no record of its inland occurrence in the spring in either Lancashire or Cheshire. On May 9th one was feeding on a stretch of mud on this farm. Judging from the comparative paleness of the red colour on its breast, this bird was not fully mature. A. W. Boyd. MOOR-HEN LAYING IN MARCH. The nesting of the Moor-Hen ( Gallinula c. chloropus ) in March cannot be very unusual in Ireland. I have notes of seeing broods of young Moor-Hens swimming about on April 4tli, 1890, in co. Dublin, and on April 8tli, 1901, in co. Wexford. In both these instances incubation must have begun during the third week of March, and I have seen the birds visiting: and repairing old nests of the previous year in February. The use of an old nest in a second year may be unusual, but one pair of birds that I had under observation for several years seemed to make it their practice. C. B. Moffat. Eggs of the Moor-Hen have been found during the last week in March near Didsbury, South Lancashire, by Mr. H. Massey {in lilt.) and at Kirkliston, N.B. {Report Scott. Ornith., 1911), while Stevenson {Birds of Norfolk, Vol. II., p. 416), states that two dead young, two or three days old, were found at Hoveton on April 2nd, 1846. W. Jeffery records a brood hatched off on April 1st in West Sussex {Zool., 1866, p. 266), but the earliest date with which I am acquainted is that given by “ T.D.” (Shaftesbury, Dorset) in the Field for March 9th, 1867, who records a nest with six eggs on March 5th, 1867. F. C. R. Jourdain. Notice to Correspondents. — As some misapprehension seems to exist on the subject, it may be well to point out that corrected proofs or MSS. for press, up to the weight of 1 oz., may be sent in unclosed envelopes under the present postal regulations for a halfpenny. The initials of the correspondent are sufficient when the note requires no alteration. — Eds. BRITISH BIRDS With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." EDITED BY REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, m.a., m.b.o.u. ASSISTED BY Norman F. Ticehurst, m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 3, Vol. XII. August 1, 1918. PAGE The First Nesting Record of the Great Skua in the Orkneys. By the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A. .. .. .. .. 50 Heather and Grouse Disease. By Dugald Macintyre . . 53 Some Breeding-Habits of the Sparrow-Hawk. (6) Laying and Incubation. By J. H. Owen . . . . 61 Notes : — Are Young Birds without Smell ? (W. R. Butterfield) . . 66 Snow-Finches in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) . . . . . . 66 Wall-Creeper in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) .. .. .. 67 The Tail-Motion of the Red-backed Shrike (W.Warde Fowler) 67 Multiple Nest-Building of Song-Thrush (O. R. Owen) . . 68 Abnormal Breeding of Redbreast (Major W. B. Arundel).. 68 Young Cuckoo in Blackbird’s Nest (Commander R. E. Vaughan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Sheld-Ducks and Common Scoters Inland in Lancashire and Cheshire (Captain A. W. Boyd) .. .. .. .. 69 Teal Marked in Finland Recovered in Spain (H. W. Robinson) 69 Tufted Duck Breeding in Leicestershire (H. G. Attlee) . . 70 ■ Short Note : — The Sale Catalogue of the Portland Museum. (1786). . . 70 Review : — Annotated List of Birds of Blakeney Point (W. Rowan) . . 71 Letter : — Some New FactB about Grit (J. Kirke Nash) . . . . 72 E ( 50 ) THE FIRST NESTING RECORD OF THE GREAT SKUA IN THE ORKNEYS. BY THE REV. F. C. R. JOURDA1N, M.A., M.B.O.U. Hitherto the Great Skua ( Stercorarius s. skua) lias only been known as a rare straggler to the Orkney group. Messrs. Har vie -Brown and Buckley in their Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands, p. 237, mention only six or seven cases of its occurrence within their limits, and since that date (1891) there seems no reason to believe that its visits have become more numerous, judging from published records. In the Shetland Islands, there has been a distinct tending to form new colonies of late years on other islands besides the historic breeding- places on Foula and Unst, so that such an extension of range as is implied by the discovery of a breeding pair on an island in the Orkney group need not be altogether unlooked for. In the collection of the British Museum there are three eggs ascribed to this species from the Seebohm Collection, which are stated to have been taken in the Orkney Islands by “ W. Dunn” ; but there is not the slightest evidence in support of this statement, and no details of this supposed occurrence are known. Robert Dunn, the author of the Ornithologist’s Guide to the Islands of Orkney and Shetland, says : ” I never saw this bird in Orkney ” (p. 112), and Seebohm himself ( History of British Birds, III., p. 346) writes : “ It appears never to have lived in the Orkneys.” The presence of the entry in the Catalogue is ontyone instance of numerous similar errors to which I have already drawn attention. (See Ibis, 1913, p. 516.) It is therefore with great pleasure that I am able to record an undoubted instance of breeding witihin the Orkney Group, although for obvious reasons it is impossible at present to give the name of the actual finder of the nest, who is however personally known to me, and who is an officer in the Navy. In order to give every chance for the bird to establish itself, it has also been decided not to disclose the name of the island on which the nest was found. On June 30th, 1917, a party of three naval officers landed on one of the islands in the Orkney group with a view to exploring the interior. After a long and tiring walk through the heather they sat down to rest, when their attention was drawn to a large brown bird with heavy flapping flight 51 VOL. XTI. j GREAT SKUA IN THE ORKNEYS. and short tail, which bore a curious resemblance to a fowl when in flight. My informant is quite familiar with the appearance of the Arctic or Richardson’s Skua, and with the help of the glasses the bird was soon made out to be a Great Skua. A second bird now appeared, and the two circled round and round over a valley. As time was pressing and they had not reached their destination, it was decided to move on, especially as breeding was regarded as highly improbable, and when returning some time later, one bird alone appeared overhead. The fact that the bird kept in the vicinity made the finders decide to revisit the spot, in order to settle the point as to whether this pair of Skua was actually nesting or not. On the following day two of the former party set out for the place, the third being unable to come, and were accompanied by another friend. The following account is given in the actual words of the finder. On reaching a spot near the valley where we had seen the birds on the preceding day, we heard in the distance the harsh cry of the Skua, but with the sun in our eyes, did not actually see it till we were at the foot of the valley. Only one bird was in sight, and it appeared to be anxious, flying fast and not round and round in a leisurely way. We decided to search for the nest, but after half an hour’s further effort, gave up the task as hopeless. It is a remarkable fact that the bird never attacked us while searching, though we must have passed quite close to the nest once or twice. We held a consultation and decided that I should lie down behind a mound near where we thought the nest was situated, while the other two would walk on out of sight. We found a good high mound and I lay down behind it, but with my glasses I could see everything without being seen. As soon as my two friends were out of sight the Skua came and settled on a mound not far from me. I could distinguish the dark bars on the wing and the light patch at the angle of the folded wing quite clearly. The bird turned round and round, eyeing everything most intently, and then flew to another mound. For the next half hour she did nothing but fly from one mound to another, but eventually having satisfied herself that all was clear, she flew to a spot barely a hundred yards from where I was lying. Here she again stopped and listened once more, ran on another yard, and then sank down in the heather till her tail was the only part visible. I had now no doubt that she had at last settled on the nest, and having taken careful note of the various mounds near the nest, I stood up and began to walk towards her, 52 BRITISH BIRDS. VOL. XII. but had hardly taken a step before the bird shot up into the air and came straight for me. Luckily I had a walking-stick with me, and struck out with it. The bird whistled past about three feet off and then rose almost perpendicularly. She made her next stoop at my head from behind, but was kept off by the stick. I then lashed my handkerchief to the end of the stick and waved it above my head continuously, while the bird made repeated stoops at it. Fortunately I had taken carefid note of the position of the nest, and was able to walk straight up to it. The Skua then ceased her attacks, and flew to some distance away, flying uneasily round. The nest contained only a single egg, which had every appear- ance of being hard set.” Linfortunately the exigencies of the Service have prevented my informant from revisiting the spot, so that at present I have no further information with regard to these birds, but there seems to be no reason why they should not establish themselves here if undisturbed. ( 53 ) HEATHER AND GROUSE DISEASE. BY DUGALD MACINTYRE. I am indebted for the facts relative to ancient Grouse disease to an old keeper who served for fifty years on the Argyll estates. In his boyhood he accompanied his grandfather (a fox-hunter by profession) on his rounds, and from him gathered informa- tion about Grouse and other matters back to about the year 1750. According to this old fox-hunter, whose trips in pursuit of his quarry extended to most parts of Argyll, Red Grouse ( Lagopus scoticus ) were scarce during his lifetime, though Blackgame ( Lyrurus t. britannicus ) were plentiful, affording sport with the unwieldy musket then in use. My informant began his career as a keeper in the year 1842, at which period no shootings had ever been let in Kintyre. The Duke of Argyll in that year placed a head, and five under-men, on the ground, to kill down the vermin and await the coming of possible tenants. At this period (1842) Grouse were scarce, but increased rapidly in number owing to the measures taken for their protection. A Captain McGregor was the first Grouse tenant in Kintyre. He was succeeded by Mi’. St. John, whose writings helped so much to popularize the Highlands as a sporting resort. He held the “ Moil ” shooting but one season, giving place to a party of gentlemen known as the “ Company,” and in the second year of their tenancy, the year 1846, Grouse disease made its first (and worst) appearance. The keepers, prior to the outbreak, were not aware of the extent of the birds’ increase, which was only disclosed by the number of carcases seen in or near the small moorland burns, afterwards. The disease, according to my informant, broke out after the shooting season. It may be noted in passing that the year 1846 (given as the commencement of Grouse disease in Kintyre) was also the year (’45-46) of that first failure of the potato crop, which caused so much misery in both Scotland and Ireland, assisting materially in their depopulation. That blight of the heather, which turns vast areas in late summer a rusty brown colour, was this year first noted by my informant and set down by him as the primary cause of the birds’ death. Prior to 1845, the grouse had been (in Kintyre) entirely a bird of the moorlands, but on this year he saw Grouse feeding on the corn-stooks (sheaves) for the first time. Grouse made 54 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOI.. XII. a gradual recovery after this first outbreak of disease, and tenants of shootings generally had good sport for some seasons, followed by one or two bad ones, caused by a fresh outbreak of the now known and dreaded disease. To come to more modern times, the general outbieak of Grouse disease in 1912, occurring as it did, in widely separated districts of Scotland and England, came as a surprise to many who fancied that improved moor management had rendered the recurrence of disease improbable. The spring of 1912 found the heather in good condition and Grouse went down early on full nests. On certain favoured districts of the moors I know best, broods could not have been much closer together if they had been reared in coops. These birds grew quickly, and favoured by the weather, became very strong and healthy, when, in late July, protracted drought affected the heather and later prevented its blooming. The birds not only stopped feeding on heather but actually commenced to migrate in the latter part of July. A low ground “ Moss ” ( anglice Marsh) is a feature of the Kin tyre shootings, and here the heather bloomed even more freely than usual, while that on the hills were becoming quite parched up. To this Moss in July and early August came thousands of the hill Grouse, so that in August 20th, when the hill was first shot over, it contained only a scanty breeding-stock, while the Moss at the same date was packed with Grouse to an extent never seen in normal seasons even in October (the r^al migratory season). This was only the beginning of a general exodus from all the moors, the birds coming down, first to the borders of the agricultural districts then to adjacent cornfields, and when those were exhausted, to further fresh fields, or vainly searching for them. The first birds to leave the moors on this premature and excessive migration of course fared better than the more conservative or younger packs, which followed in their track, as they had the best of the feed, those following being in the position of one army following another. To return to the Moss, all went well there for a time in spite of the influx of many fresh packs of Grouse in September and October. Grain was plentiful on the many large farms adjacent, and the birds flew further as the nearer stubbles became exhausted, until in November they travelled some miles morning and evening to outlying fields. At last a period arrived when it was no longer possible for the birds to find enough grain to subsist on, and they had to return to their staple food, heather. This transition period from grain 55 vol. xit.] HEATHER AND GROUSE DISEASE. to heather diet was the most fatal part of the year to them, most of the dead being noted during December and January. A pack of starving Grouse as they fly at this period to outlying- stubbles is an instructive sight : the weak birds at the tail-end of the pack are often obliged to give up, and fall by the way. When the pack reaches its destination, the strong birds in the van retain their position while feeding, and so get the bulk of the scanty feed there is. (In this habit Grouse differ from Rock, and Wood-Pigeons, the birds in rear in Pigeon flocks continually flying over the heads of their neighbours in the struggle for food.) Black -game found difficulty in picking up a living on the hills in 1912 (most probably the abnormal drought affected their food supply as well as that of the Grouse). A large number of Black-game, migrating to the low country, subsisted exclusively on turnips (which in that district are left to grow during winter) and when the last turnip-field was carted many of those birds died, evidently from starvation. In the late December of 1912, when Grouse resumed heather feeding, they could be seen after a stormy night to be still wet — a sign of low vitality in birds. They occasionally frequented the stubbles, but at dusk supplemented the scanty diet picked up there, with a very heavy heather meal, their crops when flushed appearing to be distended. Some birds killed by winged vermin were without a particle of fat and a great many emaciated corpses picked up, showed signs of having eaten just prior to death more heather than they in their weak state could digest. With the longer days an improvement in the birds' health was discernible, and as the survivors split up into small lots, this was maintained until in February mortality on the Moss had practically ceased, and a steady re-migration to the deserted hills begun. Only a normal stock remained on the Moss to breed, and these soon (on oats being sown) found out that source of supply with much benefit to themselves and their progeny, as evi- denced by the size and strength of the broods hatched on the Moss in 1913. The heather on the hills, which had failed to bloom in the autumn of 1912 made a partial recovery after heavy rain had fallen in October, showing withered sprays above, but a strong fresh undergrowth. In the late February of 1913 the nearer hill ground was found to be very heavily stocked with Grouse (portions of the dismembered packs) and among these deaths were for a time again rather frequent. In March and early April a further improvement was evident in the birds’ health, near cultivation, while reports of dying Grouse became common from remote districts, where of 56 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. course prior to the spring migration there had been few or no birds. At one end of a beat about two miles long, where the rock formation of the hills nearly approaches the surface, and the soil is not pure peat, the heather was still bad in April, while at the other end, with deeper soil and more gradual slopes, it was very good. On the portion which was still suffering from blight, fewer birds than usual settled to breed. Those which did reared at best one or two sickly cheepers, and in the shooting season of 1913 these weakly cheepers were frequently found to be without parents, both old birds having proved unequal to the task of rearing a family. The good end of tins beat held quite a fair number of strong broods, nor did the old birds die there. A walk in late July with pointers working, showed Grouse to be late and scarce in areas which showed the heather blight, while on parts of the moor where the heather had made a good recovery (showing some bloom) broods were almost normal. The shooting-season of 1913 proved a rather poor one, birds were late and scarce, and while some moors held a fair stock of birds, others at no great distance were practically without any. It is very noticeable to one who has spent a lifetime in a particular district that in case of what is called a disease year coming it is always the same moors which suffer most severely. This fact is easily explicable, for a close examina- tion invariably shows that these moors are mainly composed of shallow “ flow ” ground and are therefore liable to suffer most from frost and flood. The real cause or causes of that heather blight which in early spring or late summer turns vast areas of good heather into brown and useless stuff uneatable by Grouse or sheep, does not seem to be understood by scientists, nor is this to be wondered at, as the facts necessary to form a just conclusion can onty be accumulated after a long period of observation. The cause of heather blight has been ascribed in the Final Report of the Commission on Grouse Disease entirely to the ravages of the Heather Beetle (Lochmoea suturalis), a somewhat inadequate conclusion to the practical man who has made a lifelong study of the subject. Practically all the samples of ‘frosted’ heather submitted to Mr. Grimshaw were found to be infested by the Heather Beetle in large numbers. The Heather Beetle feeds on the leaves and sprays of heather. Caterpillar-infested plants do not die as a rule, nor become brown and withered over vast areas, while individual plants each retain the bulk of their sprays and leaves. On the contrary, plants fed on and even completely stripped by, caterpillars frequently 57 vol. xii.] HEATHER AND GROUSE DISEASE. recover and throw out fresh growth when the plague has passed on. Why then should the ravages of the Heather Beetle, which neither attacks the roots nor completely strips the foliage of the heather plant, kill it or cause it to assume that scorched appearance familiar in heather blight ? Heather can be cropped bare by cattle or sheep, burned, or cut by a sickle, and survive, and yet the loss of a few sprays by the heather beetle is supposed by scientists to kill it, or at least render it useless over vast areas for sheep or Grouse food. Does the beetle poison the plant and, if so, is there another instance in Nature of a similar occurrence ? The more probable cause or causes of that failure of the heather crop which spells disease are, in brief, the same which affect adversely other plant life. One very important clue to the real nature of heather blight lies in the fact that it never occurs on ground where there is a fair depth of soil (or peat) and good natural drainage. If the portions of heather affected are closely examined, the rock formation of the hills is found in nearly all cases within a few inches of the surface. Failure of the heather crop, in fact, mainly occurs on flow ground, that is, ground through which rain falling on the hilltops in winter is conveyed later to a lower level by the force of gravitation. The heather plant is capable of adapting itself to a certain extent to most situations in Avhich it finds itself. One sees at times a boulder on the moors without an inch of soil on its surface, covered with beautifully blooming heather. If the mat of heather covering the boulder is stripped off, the whole mass is found to depend for moisture on one or more larger roots, which send their suckers out for many feet round to where it is attainable in deep soil. No such enter- prise is open to the heather plant in flow ground where the soil is uniformly shallow, so it develops in another manner, sending out a multitude of rootlets, which, in drought, make the most of the scanty moisture, and in wet weather take up no more than the plant’s daily requirements. As the annual rainfall varies, so of course does the supply of moisture to the heather on the flow ground. At varying dates in late summer the winter supply of percolating water gives out, and from that date till the autumnal rains fall, the heather on the flow ground (and all steep slopes are necessarily of this nature) is entirely dependent on casual rainfall. The heather on the hills has, in fact, a struggle for existence which any abnormal climatic influence may convert into a death struggle. Doubt has often been expressed whether frost can 58 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. or does damage a hardy plant like heather. Heather, like many other plants which are dormant during winter, and therefore proof against its attacks, can be and is often damaged in large well-defined areas by a frost which occurs in late spring or early summer. In a frost which occurred in early June of a year preceding a bad disease season, the young bracken shoots below a certain well-defined line on the fringes of the moors were all killed by frost in one night. This frost only affected the bracken in marshy hollows and these were laid low in a perfectly straight line (in many places quite as straight as if cut by human agency). The heather in marshy hollows throughout the moors suffered as much from this frost as did the bracken, changing colour with the action of the sun in a few days to a rusty yellow colour. The line where the frost had in the higher ground ceased to take effect was often quite as clearly defined as in the case of the bracken, but this varied (from causes which I will endeavour to explain) with the shape of the hollow or marsh. After a fine hot day on the moors there is always a damp mist which lies over the hollows above where it has been formed. When the frost occurs this is crystallized, and forms a thick white covering, known as white frost or hoar frost, on the plants beneath. The boundaries of this coincide exactly with the boundaries of the mist which in the evening lies above it, killing or injuring all plants within its bounds. This is the secret of the well-defined patches of blighted heather seen in all moors in certain seasons. The bracken, of course, can throw out fresh shoots, but no such complete recovery is possible in the case of the heather, which often only shows signs of partial recovery after the autumnal rains. Returning last season (1917) to the moors where, prior to the war, I made those investigations into the connec- tion between Grouse and heather disease, I found that in my absence disease had run its usual course. The season of 1916 had been a bumper year for Grouse, two old gentlemen killing their fifty or sixty brace regularly. The keeper on the ground informed me that the heather had gone bad ” but from what cause he had no idea. Our best bag for four fairly useful guns was some fifteen brace and those (mostly old ones) showed no signs of disease. It is again worthy of remark that 1916 was a bad year for the potato crop, and for other crops as well, so that it is not unreasonable to suspect climatic influences in the latest, as well as on the first noted instance (1846) of Grouse disease. It is obvious that, in exceptional years heather mav suffer 59 vol. xii.] HEATHER AND GROUSE DISEASE. from three evils at least, in addition to the ravages of the Heather Beetle : frost in June, drought in July, and too much wet weather and little sunshine in the early spring months. If all three causes operate during one season, Grouse disease will be bad. If two, or only one, are in operation, the disease will be relatively milder. There is nothing, of course, in the facts given here in opposition to the conclusion formed by the Grouse Disease Commission that the immediate cause of Grouse disease is the presence of certain internal parasites ( Trichostrongylus and others). They are, indeed, a second- ary cause, as loss of condition by whatever cause occasioned, encourages the growth and multiplication of these pests. Red Grouse, now artificially numerous, have not earned their position in the scheme of things as have some other birds, such as the Wood-Pigeon, to which developed and inherited wing power and the migratory instinct render life comparatively easy. Wood-Pigeons, like many other kinds of birds are now de- pendent for their existence as a numerous species, on an artificial food supply filched from man. Were they and other species dependent on a purely natural food supply, their ^ disease” year would be one of those seasons when climatic influences caused failure of the crops of seeds in wild grasses and weeds, on which they depended. As a concluding argument I will adduce the case of the wild rabbit, colonizing couples of which I have known take possession of a “ cairn ” (heap of stones) on the moors some miles from the nearest cultivation. Round the parent cairn, in the special case I have in my mind, there was a circumscribed area of fine grass, outside of which existed a wilderness of heather. All went well during the first season at the cairn, the parent couple reared several litters which throve and grew, until in September some twenty or thirty young formed the nucleus of a promising colony. Some little hardship was ex- perienced during January and February, and a few young died, apparently from tapeworm, in those months. In the second year the increase of the colony was too rapid for the food supply, and the young developed the habit in winter of eating heather and nibbling its stems. In the third year drought affected the heather, the increasing number of rabbits kept down the grass to vanishing point, and the once promising colony died out (old and young) in early spring. The rabbits in this moor colony were much afflicted with tapeworm and other worms, which seemed to thrive more as their hosts became enfeebled. Rabbits on the fringes of the moors from whence this colony originally 60 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. sprung, retained their health because they had access to unlimited food of good quality. They were infested with tapeworm and other parasites equally with the ill-fed moor rabbits, but being well-nourished not only supported life but accumulated fat. The practical remedy for Grouse disease would be artificial feeding in those years the heather crop fails, and this the writer tried with a fair measure of success in 1912. The food supplied to the birds, after they had been trained to visit oat-sheaves laid out on the moors, was small round maize, and this the birds feed on greedily. ( 61 ) SOME BREEDING-HABITS OF THE SPARROW-HAWK. (6) Laying and Incubation. BY J. H. OWEN. In a previous series of articles in British Birds, Vol. X., on the Sparrow-Hawk ( Accipiter n. nisus), some mention is made of the intervals in laying and the period of incubation, but some amplification of those notes may prove interesting. It is there stated (t.c. p. 26) that laying takes place on alternate days ; as a general rule there is an interval of forty-eight hours between eggs. Occasionally the period is seventy- two hours, and, much more rarely, even more. A period of more than two days is unusual when a bird lays five eggs, but not uncommon when she lays six. Then, if there is one interval of more than two days, the probability is that there will be two. This year the birds had not begun to lay when we came back to Felsted on April 30th, and so I was able, with the help of some boys, to get a number of details of the laying dates of several nests. As all these nests were visited daily and some of them, which we intended watching right through the incubation period, even twice a day, I give the numbers of the eggs and the days they were laid. All the dates are in May. No. of Egg 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Nest (1) 3 5 7 10 12 15 — „ (2) •• 4 6 8 10 12 — — „ (3) 8 10 12 14 16 — — „ (4) 12 14 16 18 20 — — Dates of „ (5) • • 4 6 8 10 12 14 — Laying „ (6) S 10 12 14 16 18 — „ (?) • ■ 3 5 8 10 13 15 24 No. 7 was communicated to me by Mr. W. Rowan from Skipton, Yorkshire ; unfortunately this bird was shot on May 25th. He examined the bird and found no sign of more eggs to come. He did not say in his letter whether there were signs of the seventh egg having been laid by her. It is just possible that it was the produce of another bird, HEN SPARROW-HAWK WALKING ON TO EGGS. (Photographed by J. H. Owen.) 63 vol. xii.] HABITS OF SPARROW-HAWK. though very unlikely. The probability is that the egg would have been infertile, and it is a great pity that his observations were cut short. Very often the first egg is badly marked, often the worst marked egg in the set ; the last egg may also be badly marked and is often marked with quite different coloured markings from the rest of the set. By the time the second egg is laid, one can usually say whether there will be five or more in the set. If the first egg is well marked, the eggs are the produce of a bird that has reached maturity, and the rest of the eggs, except possibly the last, should be very well marked. If there are six eggs in the set, the markings nearly always keep the colour well in such a case ; if five, the last egg loses bright- ness and often is absolutely different in colouring from the others. If the first egg is poorly marked, and the second well marked, I think the bird is younger, and the probability is that there will not be more than five eggs and that the last will also be badly marked. If the first egg is poorly marked and also the second, I take it that the eggs are the produce of an old bird and that the rest of the set will all be poorly marked. As a bird attains maturity her eggs seem to acquire depth and brightness in the markings, and then after a time the markings deteriorate. One bird, for example, used to lay five eggs very nicely and brightly marked with rather light markings. In 1916 the markings fell off very much ; in 1917 she could only produce two eggs, with an interval of seventy-two hours between them, and there was hardly a mark on either. I found her nest in mid-March and she did not lay untiF mid-May. In 1918 I could find no trace of her in that wood or any of the neighbouring woods. As each hen Sparrow-Hawk has many little peculiarities which distinguish her from others, I was sure of my bird from her behaviour, for I observed her from a hut in 1915. Another bird has laid six eggs every year, and I have taken them annually for the school museum. In each of the years 1916, 1917, and 1918 she followed six eggs with five ; in 1916 and 1917 three of these five were infertile. This year her first set has lost a vast amount of colouring and her second eggs have no markings at all. Up to this year her eggs (I have them since 1913) have been very beautiful ; next year the number should drop below six or the colour further deteriorate. I have also known longer periods than three days between eggs, but they were usually easily accounted for. For example, in 1916 a boy wanted a set of eggs, and I took him to a nest which I had not troubled to go up to and HEN SPAllROW-HAWK, SHOWING POSITION WHEN INCUBATING. (Photographed by J. H. Owen.) VOL. xD.j HABITS OF SPARROW-HAWK. 65 in which I thought that incubation had begun. He got four eggs, and pulled the nest down. However, the bird had not finished laying, and hurriedly made a new nest quite close by and deposited an egg the next day or day after. She then began to sit, and a new set of eggs was developed in her, of which the first was laid ten days later. When her brood grew up, the oldest nestling was fledged when the second was only beginning to show plumage under the down. The average size of eggs of the first laying is approximately 38- 9 x 32T mm. A set may be slightly above or below this size. Eggs of the second laying are very often smaller than those of the first laying. As an example I give the measurements of a second laying of four ; the five eggs of the first laying were very finely-marked, large eggs. These eggs are also well marked and, I should say, the produce of a young but mature bird. (1) 36-9 X 29T mm. (2) 38-6 X 30T „ (3) 35-5 X 28-0 „ (4) 38-0 X 30-3 „ Another bird, which by my observations, should be an old bird, followed a five of very poorly-marked eggs with three eggs lightly marked, and all below the average, but I did not take the measurements. Birds that are continually robbed will go on laying a large number of eggs, and the eggs in such cases become much smaller as the number increases. Boys have brought in very small specimens from birds nesting very near to the school. The smallest of these described as “ about the thirtieth,” measured 36'2 x 29'3 mm. (To be continued.) ARE YOUNG BIRDS WITHOUT SMELL? If the fledglings of Passerine birds give out no smell, it must be of great advantage to them during the short but specially dangerous period when they leave the nest, but are as yet unpractised in the use of their wings. When the wings are grown, but before the birds have learnt to fly, they hurriedly flutter from the nest when alarmed and scatter in different directions. Recently I followed a young Song-Thrush ( T urdus philomelus clarkei), which had left the nest in this fashion, tcf its place of retreat. I found it crouching, with the neck drawn back, in a patch of grass. It was perfectly still and remained so, although 1 approached to within a foot of it. I imitated as best I could the mewing of a cat and the barking of a dog, but the bird made no movement ; nor did it move when I slowly extended a hand as though to seize it. I intended to take it up to look at the eyes and mouth, but before I could do so my dog, which had been out of sight for ten minutes or so, came up, and as I was anxious not to betray the presence of the bird, I stepped aside. The dog — an exceptionally keen-nosed animal, far too prone to kill small mammals and birds — sniffed about with his nose close to the ground. Although he approached within six inches of the fledgling, it was clear that he neither scented it nor saw it. He then ran off, but was back again soon afterwards, and again he got quite close to the bird without detecting it. I remained standing for some time, to keep the dog in the neighbourhood and to give him full opportunity to scent the bird, but he failed to do so. “ Lookers ” ( i.e ., shepherds) on Dungeness have told me that their dogs can smell even the eggs of shingle -breeding birds, but whether these dogs, which are often trained to find nests, succeed by the aid of smell or of sight I am unable to say. W. R. Butterfield. SNOW-FINCHES IN SUSSEX. Three Snow-Finches (Mont if ring ilia n. nivalis) were shot at Rye, Sussex, on February 28th, 1916. They proved to bo a male and two females, and were examined in the llesh vol. xn.] NOTES. 67 by Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield. All three are now in my collection. Only three specimens of this species have pre- viously been obtained, one from Sussex and two from Kent. J. B. Nichols. WALL-CREEPER IN SUSSEX. A female Wall-Creeper ( Tichodroma muraria) was shot on some rocks near Ecclesbourne, Sussex, on December 28th, 1915. It was examined in the flesh by Mr. H. W. Ford- Lindsay, and is now in my collection. This is the sixth recorded specimen from England, and the fourth from Sussex. J. B. Nichols. THE TAIL-MOTION OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. All observers recognize the Red-backed Shrike ( Lanins collario) at once by the peculiar way in which it swings its tail backwards and forwards as it sits on the top of the hedge. This is particularly noticeable when there is a nest or a young brood to be looked after, and I have always supposed that it indicates anger. I find little with regard to it in any of the best books ; even Macgillivray only quotes a reference from Harley on the point, while Miss Turner incidentally mentions the “ swishing ” movement of the tail as characteristic in the British Bird Book. I have just learnt something new about it, which may be worth while recording, for the tail-motions of all birds form an interesting study for a field-observer. A young brood of these Shrikes is just now in the habit of perching on a fence near my house, where they are very conspicuous objects, and let me approach them within five or six yards. I find that they have exactly the same tail- motion as their parents, though they can be only a few days out of the nest. This raises the question whether the motion really means anger, and is not rather a nervous habit like that of the Wagtails and the Redstart, advantageous perhaps, as with these species, in showing the whereabouts of the individual. I also discovered the exact nature of the method of motion. Shrikes always like to perch facing you, and you rarely see their tails from behind or near enough to see exactly what goes on ; but this morning a young one presented his back to me, letting me come so close that I could see every feather as it moved. I found that the motion is largely due to the horizontal expansion of the tail-feathers, but at the same time the whole tail is moved slightly from side to side, and to some extent also up and down. It is in fact much the same motion as that of the Redstart’s tail, only very much slower. W. Warde Fowler, 08 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xii. MULTIPLE NEST-BUILDING OF SONG-THRUSH. On June 6th, 1916, a pair of Song-Thrushes (Turdus p. clarkei) had partly built twenty-four nests on a beam in an outlying cattle shed, nine miles from Knighton, Radnorshire. The Thrush was sitting on an empty nest, while four nests each contained a single egg. Many of the nests were only partly built, and only five had the mud lining. Each nest was made of manure straw, of which there was a liberal supply in the yard, and seven nests contained long pieces of binder twine, which was hanging down quite a foot in two instances. Owen R. Owen. [In Brit. Birds, Vol. V., p. 132, Mr. J. H. Owen described and illustrated a case in which a pair of Robins ( Erithacus r. melophilus ) built in 1911 twenty-three incomplete nests in a stack of drain-pipes. In 1913 several nests were again built, but not used ; and in 1914 the same thing occurred, but the birds completed and occupied one nest (Brit. Birds, VII., p. 346). In one case which came under my notice a pair of Redstarts (Phceni curtis p. phamicurus) built three nests under adjoining rafters of a cowshed, and eggs were laid in two of them. Instances of “ multiple ” nest-building have also been recorded from the United States. As in all these cases the sites occupied by the same birds were very similar in appear- ance, it would seem that the birds were unable to discriminate between them. F. C. R. Jourdain.] ABNORMAL BREEDING OF REDBREAST. In April, 1918, a nest of the Redbreast (Erithacus r. melophilus) was built in a box, about eight inches square, with an open front, placed on the inside wall of an open shed in the kitchen garden of my house at High Ackworth, Pontefract. The weather at the time was very cold. The eggs were deposited in the nest on the undermentioned dates The first egg on April 11th, 1918. The second egg on April 14th, 1918. The third egg on April 18th, 1918. The fourth egg on April 20th, 1918. The* fifth egg on April 22nd, 1918. The sixth egg on April 23rd, 1918. On April 24th, 1918, one of the birds, which had a grey head, whereby it was identified as having been about all the previous winter, coming to the house for food, was sitting on the nest. Two of the eggs hatched out on the 9th May, 1918, and one the following day. The three other eggs never hatched. NOTES. 69 VOL. XII.] The three nestlings left the nest on May 24th, 1918. The only old Redbreast observed in connection with the nest during the whole operation was the grey-headed bird. Walter B. Arundel. YOUNG CUCKOO IN BLACKBIRD’S NEST. I was interested to see the account of a young Cuckoo ( Cuculus c. ccmorus) being reared from a nest of the Blackbird (Tardus m. merula ) at Norwood ( antea , p. 46), for on June 29th, 1918, I came across a well-grown young Cuckoo in a Blackbird’s nest in a hedgerow in Worcestershire, but could find no trace of any young Blackbirds beneath the nest. Unfortunately the Cuckoo was taken by village boys, and did not long survive their rough handling. R. E. Vaughan. SHELD-DUCKS AND COMMON SCOTERS INLAND IN LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. The Sheld-Duck ( Tadorna tadorna) appears locally on inland waters in South Lancashire and East Cheshire casually from time to time, but there seems little evidence here of a definite passage on migration ; the occurrence of a bird on a sewage- farm in the Irwell valley not far from Manchester on May 9th, 1918, followed by that of eight birds (seen by Mr. K. Fisher and myself) on Marbury Mere, Great Budworth, Cheshire, on May 10th, possibly points to some movement in progress. On May 25th Mr. K. Fisher and I saw three Common Scoters ( Oidemia n. nigra) on the White Holme Reservoir, which is on Soyland Moor, near Littleborough — the boundary line of Lancashire and Yorkshire running just near the reservoir. A. W. Boyd. TEAL MARKED IN FINLAND RECOVERED IN SPAIN. In December last I received a notice that a small duck like a Teal (Anas. c. crecca). had been shot on November 25th, 1917. at Ibars, Lerida, N.E. Spain, bearing on its leg a ring No. 184c, showing that it had been marked in Finland. I at once wrote to Professor J. A. Palmen, of Helsingfors, and his reply, dated January 30th, but not posted until June 5th, because of the revolution, reached me on June 29th. The bird was ringed on July 25th, 1917, as half-grown young, in the parish of Kuolajarvi. on the small lake of Vaha- Sieminki, in North Finland, just at the Polar Circle, a few kilometres west from the political boundary between Finland and Russia. Unfortunately the ringer, E. Merikallio, an able and interest- 70 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. ing ornithologist, is not quite sure as to rings Nos. 184 and 185. One was put on a Teal, he thinks No. 184, but the other on a J sized Wigeon (Anas penelope) on July 30th, 1917, on the River Kutsajoki in the same parish, but a few kilo- metres N.E. From the description of the recovery it is more likely to be A. c. crecca than A. penelope. In 1913, 776 birds were marked with Professor Palmen’s rings; in 1914, 1396; and in 1915, 1145. H. W. Roblnson. TUFTED DUCK BREEDING IN LEICESTERSHIRE. As Mr. Montagu Browne in the Victoria History of the County of Leicester, I., p. 142 (1907), gives no evidence of the breeding of the Tufted Duck ( Nyroca fuligula) in Leicestershire, the following notes may prove of interest : — Between November 11th, 1917, and March 10th, 1918, many were seen on Swithland Reservoir and a few on Cropston, and on the latter date I met with two ducks on the River Soar. On June 9th at least one pair was seen at the rush and reed-grown end of Swithland Reservoir. The drake was being “ chivied ” by a Coot on guard close at hand. On the 16th only the drake was seen, but on June 30th the drake was noted right out on the open water, some thirty or forty yards away from the duck, which was accompanied by two young, which appeared to be only a few days old and kept close to the bank. Hugh G. Attlee. The Sale Catalogue of the Portland Museum (1786). — Captain H. S. Gladstone informs us that he has recently acquired a copy of this rare pamphlet, which is of special interest as it contains the names of the purchasers of the various lots. (For a full description see Mullens and Swann, Bibliography of Brit. Ornithology, p. 477-8). The specimen of Picus villosus, said to have been shot in the park of Sir George Armitage at Kirklees Hall, Yorkshire, and recorded by Latham, was knocked down to one Walker for 7s. 6d., together with some other birds, and what was stated to be the first identified nest and eggs of “ Motacilla hirundinacea ” with the parent birds was bought by one Humphreys for £1 5s. 0.1. The latter was the name under which Dr. Lisihtfoot described the Lesser Whitethroat ( Sylvia c. curruca) in the Philos. Trans, for 1785. It would bo of interest to ascertain the ultimate fate of these specimens, or any further particulars with regard to the purchasers. Annotated List of Birds of BlaJceney Point. By W. Rowan. (Blakeney Point Hand Lists, No. 1.) This is a useful little handbook to the birds of a very restricted district of the north Norfolk coast, which, although only providing breeding-places for some fifteen forms, neverthe- less has been visited by no fewer than 213 species, a surpris- ingly large number considering its very limited area. Blakeney Point has a double interest for ornithologists, not onty on account of the fine colony of Common and Lesser Terns, but also as being an excellent station for watching migration. Mr. Rowan has little to say with regard to the Tern colony (which is more fully described in another of the Blakeney Point publications), but he mentions a single case in which four eggs, laid by one bird, were found in 1914. In 1917 when Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker and Dr. H. N. Coltart visited the Point, they were able to see from one spot no fewer than four nests each containing four eggs, while one nest actually contained five eggs. The Annotated List of occasional visitors has been compiled with considerable care, but we should have been glad of fuller details in the case of some of the rarer species. On p. 8 it is stated that three specimens of Richard’s Pipit, were taken in the district in October, 1907. We believe that November was the month in which they were obtained ; and it was in 1908 that Ramm obtained the two birds which are now in Mr. Lysaght’s collection. The Osprey does not figure in the List, but as migrants have been obtained at Cley (e.g. one was shot there on May 22nd, 1910), some mention might have been made of this species. The Ruddy Sheld-Duck appears to have been over- looked, although Mr. Lysaght has one, shot at Blakeney about August 18th, 1898, by G. Long. The same collection also contains an immature Eider shot in 1891, a White- fronted Goose, an immature Little Gull, shot November 7th, 1877, and a pure white Little Grebe, shot October 23rd, 1907 {Zool., 1908, p. 136), all obtained at Blakeney, of which no mention is made in the List. We do not find any mention of the Great Skua, but Mr. R. S. Standen records one as seen by him near the mouth of the Harbour, Blakeney, on August 27th, 1889 {Field, September, 7th 1889). 72 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. The Kentish Plover is stated to have been taken once “many years back” by Mr. J. H. Gurney. This bird was obtained in 1874 (Cf. Zool., 1874, p. 4196), but Mr. Gurney ( Catalogue of the biidsof Norfolk, p. 32) says : “ I have known it occur three times at Blakeney.” Some additional informa- tion as to what is meant by the “ Intermediate Ringed Plover, C ? ” (No. 150 in the list) Mould be of interest in a future edition. Probably there are few spots in the British Islands which could furnish a longer list ot casual visitors than the “ Point,” and we are glad that it has at last found a zealous and careful chronicler in Mr. Rowan. F. C. R. Joukdain. LETTER. SOME NEW FACTS ABOUT GRIT. To the Editors of British Birds. Sirs, — In the interesting article under this head, which appeared in British Birds (antea, p. 3), Mr. D. Macintyre remarks that grit is rarely present in the excreta of the Domestic Fowl. Apparently the birds he experimented with had been prevented from obtaining grit, as I have frequently used poultry manure for garden purposes, reducing it to a liquid state, and on all occasions I have found grit present in considerable quantity in the residuum- — a medium -sized pailful of manure usually supplying a large handful of grit. J. Kirke N ash. Edinburgh. [Mr. Macintyre states ( loc . cit.) that the retention or rejection of grit in a bird's stomach probably depends on its state, whether sharp and performing its work efficiently, or worn and requiring renewal. In the case of birds kept in confined spaces where grit is scarce or of inferior quality, rejection would naturally be more frequent. — Eds.] BRnrniRDs With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." • EDITED BY REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, m.a., m.b.o.u. ASSISTED BY Norman F. Ticehurst, m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 4, Vol. XII. September 2, 1918. PAGE Some Breeding-Habits of the Sparrow-Hawk. (6) Laying and Incubation. — Part II. By J. H. Owen. 74 Notes on the Autumn Migration at Odessa in 1917. By Miss Maud D. Haviland, Hon. M.B.O.U. . . . . . . 83 Notes : — The Behaviour and Mouth-Coloration of Nestling-Birds (W. B. Butterfield) . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Evolutions of the Male Raven (Stanley Lewis) . . 88 Meadow-Bunting in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) . . . . . . 89 Richard’s Pipit at Blakeney, Norfolk (Cadet C. Borrer) . . 89 The Tail-Motion of the Red-backed Shrike (Dr. B. B. Riviere) 90 Ring-Ouzels in Norfolk (Dr. B. B. Riviere) . . . . . . 91 Large Brood of Swallows (H. W. Robinson) . . . . 91 Hoopoe in Berkshire (C. Suffern) . . . . . . . . 91 Wryneck in Shrewsbury (H. E. Forrest) . . . . . . 91 Cuckoo's Egg in Nest of Twite (H. Massey) . . . . . . 91 Cuckoo’s Eggs in Nests of Whitethroat (P. F. Bunyard) . . 92 Spoonbill in Essex (W. B. Nichols) . . . . . . . . 92 Solitary Sandpiper in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) . . . . . . 93 Return of Common Terns to Former Nesting Site (H. W. Robinson) . . . . . . . . • • • ■ ... 93 The Supposed Breeding of the Great Black-backed Gull in Dorset (W. J. Ashford) . . . . . . . . . . 93 Short Notes : — Wren Building in House-Martin’s Nest. Thrush- Blackbird Hybrids. Cirl Bunting in East Yorkshire. Food of the Kingfisher. Dwarf Eggs of Ringed Plover. The Norwich Library . . . . . . . . 96 G ( 74 ) SOME BREEDING HABITS OE THE SPARROW-HAWK. (6) Laying and Incubation. Part II. BY J. H. OWEN. The incubation period is a very difficult problem to deter- mine exactly. It is not sufficient to note the date of the last egg, the number of eggs, and the date of hatching. The nest must be visited daily, oftener if possible, during the whole of the laj'ing period and after the eggs have begun to chip. My own observations brought out the period as almost thirty-five days, but closer investigation shows that this may be slightly overestimated. I first began to study the incubation of the Sparrow-Hawk carefully in 1911, when I was fortunate enough to peisuade a keeper to leave a nest to hatch for me. I expected it to hatch in less than a month, but, on mentioning this to Mr. H. S. Davenport, he told me that five weeks was the proper peiiod, and this turned out to be approximately ■correct. Afterwards I tried to get nests to watch, but several circumstances were against me. To begin with, the birds had usually begun to lay, and sometimes, as in 1916, finished laying, before we got back. Also it was useless trying to keep a nest near the school, as when I persuaded the keepers to leave one, some of the boys robbed it. I tried tarring the tree, nailing post-cards on the tree within a foot of the nest, with a request that the nest should be left, and other methods, but had no luck at all. 1 then tried to get data from second layings, after the worst of the looting was over. Several times I had nests of this kind under observation, but the results were unreliable : they supported the theory that the correct period was about thirty-five days, but the amount of variation was very puzzling. One great drawback of these late observations was that such a large percentage of the eggs proved infertile. A bird I found sitting on May 7th, 1916, hatched four out of five eggs on June 7th during the afternoon. The fifth egg was infertile. By the appearance of the nest this bird had been sitting some days when I first went up to it ; I had found the nest in the previous March . In nearly every nest I found in 1916 the hen had finished laying by May 6th. the day on which the school opened, or the nest was too far away for every day visiting. A second laying watched in the same year gave unreliable results, as some of 75 VOL,. XII.] HABITS OF SPA BROW-HAWK. these eggs were infertile and I had not numbered the eggs as laid. A second laying in 1917 proved useless, as all the eggs were infertile, and the old bird, after eating two on the thirty-eighth day from the first egg, deserted the nest. Another second nest had three infertile eggs out of five, and again the eggs were not numbered. Out of all my misfortunes, however, I gathered a few rather interesting details. Incubation in the first nests may begin after any egg or not until the whole set is laid ; it will most likely begin after the greater half has been dropped, i.e., three out of five, or four out of six. It is not often that a bird will wait for laying to be finished before beginning to sit. In first layings it is unusual, but not unknown, for a bird to begin to sit after the first egg. In second layings incubation begins much earlier as a ride than in first. I have known several birds begin to incubate with the first egg in second layings, which did not start until they had almost completed a first laying, and I have never known a bird wait for her whole second set to be laid before beginning to sit. This year (1918) I determined to tr}r to satisfy myself, at any rate about the incubation period. At first luck seemed with me. Not a bird had laid when we came back and nests were plentiful and, fortunately, many of them were in nice easy trees to climb. Of course, those nearest the school had to be abandoned at once, as usual, I selected three nests, and two boys, Knight and Collyer, helped me to take observations. In fact. Knight took charge of one nest himself, as it was in just the opposite direction to the other two, which were under the charge of Collyer and mj^self. At first everything went very well, and the birds had begun regular incubation before anything went wrong. Then an egg (No. 3) disappeared from Knight’s nest. By a strange coin- cidence an egg (also No. 3) was missing from mine. Then Knight found a Jay busy on No. 1 in his nest and next day that had gone, so he only had three eggs left. My two nests had six and five eggs respectively, and I give details of the incubation : — No. 1 Nest. No. of Egg 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Laid May. . 3 5 7 10 12 15 Egg chipped June 12 12 (missing) 12 13 infertile Egg hatched June 13 14 — 14 15 — Incubation period in days 34 35 — 35 34 — SPARROW-HAWK AND YOUNG. Ill this nest the bird began to sit after the first egg, and the next three were infertile.* The fifth egg was fertile. The j.lioto shows the difference of eight days in the ages of the young very clearly. ( Photographed by J. H. Owen.) 77 vol. xii. | HABITS OF SPARROW-HAWK. At this nest we built an observation hut. No. 1 egg had a hole in it when it was chipped on June 12th. We (Collyer and I) saw the hen nibbling away bits of the shell round the hole while we were in the hut. I made out that this bird began to sit on May 10th. Up to that date the eggs were stone cold when I visited the nest and found the bird off, but from May 10th they were always warm, even if I did not actually flush the bird. No. 6 proving infertile was a great blow, as that would have made the period quite definite for this particular nest. No. 2 Nest. No. of Egg. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Laid May 4 6 8 10 12 Chipped June infertile 10 10 12 13 Hatched June — 12 12 ! 13 14 Incubation period in days . — 35 35 34 33J This bird, according to my observations, began to sit while laying No. 3, i.e., May 8th. At 8 p.m. on May 7th all the eggs were stone cold, but never again at any visit. Here No. 1 proving infertile rather upsets calculations. No. 5 has a short period : at 8.30 p.m. on June 13th the egg was chipped, but the young one not out and the state very little different from what it was nine hours earlier. The nest was next visited at 1 p.m. (summer time) on June 14th, and the young one was then out, but still damp from the shell. No. 3 (Knight’s) Nest. No. of Egg. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Laid May 8 10 12 14 16 Chipped June (missing) 16 (missing) 16 16 Hatched June — 17 — 18 17 Incubating period in days — 32 — 33 32 Eggs No. 1 and No. 3 disappeared during incubation. This nest gives a shorter period. The bird did not begin to sit until she had finished laying, which agreed with her habits of previous years. Knight built an observation hut at the nest, and visited it very regularly with one or more friends. SPARROW-HAWK ABOUT TO RESUME SITTING . vol. xii.] HABITS OF SPARROW-HAWK. 79 One point is very noticeable, and that is how very long an egg takes to hatch after being chipped. Out of the eleven eggs mentioned above, which hatched out, six took two days after chipping, and in another egg we saw the hen help the chick by breaking away the shell. In 1915 one egg, in a nest I had under observation, was chipped four days before the chick came out. These notes are interesting, but not conclu- sive by any means : they point strongly towards the incuba- tion period being over thirty-two days, at any rate, and generally about thirty-four to thirty-five. I am afraid it would want data of at least a dozen nests, with no incon- venient infertile eggs, to fix the exact period. Other people were trying to help me by watching nests this year, but their misfortunes were greater than mine, and they got no final results. Another thing I have not discovered is how long the young are kept without food after being hatched : it is certainly several hours. Do the}’' get a meal before they are tweiffy- four hours old ? I question it, but my reasons do not seem conclusive enough to quote. It is, however, noticeable that for the first week after they are hatched, 11-4 (summer time) is the time in which they get least food : during that week the entrails are rarely given to them. Eggs seem to be laid early in the morning as a rule. I have known birds which always dropped their eggs between 9 and 11 a.m. (normal time), but generally it takes place earlier than that. My brother. O. R. Owen, told me that once he visited a nest soon after four o’clock in the morning, and saw the hen crouching on it. She flew away at his approach, and he climbed up to find five eggs arranged in a pyramid, one on the top of the four ; he had disturbed her in the very act of dropping an egg. I have mentioned already that all hen Sparrow-Hawks have their peculiarities. This was very obvious as regards the birds from which I took the above observations. The one I watched from an observation hut was the most silent bird I have ever come across. Duringthe whole time, from May 3rd to June 2 1st, I only heard her note twice. Once she whimpered a little when I put her off newly-hatched young, and once she called to the cock after she had returned from him to the nest with food. The other bird, not “ hutted,” was, I believe, the noisiest I have ever come across. At first, May 4th- May 7th, I could not get a glimpse of her or get near to her, but after she had begun to sit she used to shriek her alarm- note as she left the nest and kept it up incessantly. In SPARROW-HAWKS AND YOUNG. 81 yol. xii.] HABITS OF SPARROW-HAWK. addition to this her calls brought the cock up very quickly, and they both went noisily all over the wood, but never in com- pany ; i.e., the hen flew away and called and the cock called and joined her. Both birds were light sitters and left the nest very easily ; to see one on the nest, unless there was rain, it was always necessary to approach noiselessly through the wood, right up to the time of hatching. All my observa- tions still tend to show that the cock bird does not help in incubation. So far I have never seen the cock at the nest in such a way as to make me think he had been covering the eggs. On the other hand, I have had very substantial proof that he hunts for the hen more and more as incubation advances ; I have several times seen him bring food to the neighbourhood of the nest, and have noticed the hen leave the nest for a meal and return immediately. On these occasions she sometimes preens herself and cleans her wing and tail-feathers before returning to the nest, and less often at the nest after her return ; but in no case does she take much time over it. If the sun gets on the nest while the hen is sitting, she will nearly always get off and go through the same operations on the edge of the nest. When the young are hatched she preens and even stretches while brooding more often than on the edge of the nest. I have before offered an opinion that the cock has some voice in the selection of the nesting-site, and have had further evidences of this being the case. As this happens with other birds, such as the Pied Wagtail and the Spotted Flycatcher, it is the more easily credited. From the observation huts alone I have now seen more than three hundred victims brought to the nests. I have not all my notebooks by me, and so cannot give a detailed list of the various species. Nearly one half were “ dressed ” beyond recognition. Often while the young are small, the feet are the only part of the victim by which one could recognize the bird ; sometimes even these are missing ; for example, the first bird I saw brought to the nest in 1918 was completely feathered and beheaded ; the legs, entrails, and a good portion of the skin were also missing. Out of all the birds I have recognized there have been only two game-birds — a very young Red-legged Partridge, complete in every detail, and a Pheasant, at the outside not a week old. I think, however, that this small percentage of game-birds is due to the large amount of cereal crops rather than to anything else, and that the proportion would be much larger in pasture country. So far I have not seen any farmyard chicks of any kind 82 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOl.. XII. brought to a nest, although numbers are reared all round the woods here. On the other hand, I have seen Kestrels and Magpies do any amount of damage to chickens and Partridges. I think one of the mistakes I made in my investigations of the Sparrow-Hawk was that I read the observations of other people first. When one reads the statements of well-known ornithologists, one is bound to be influenced by them, and make assumptions and take things for granted. Therefore one is not careful enough to check those points really accurately. These notes are compiled almost entirely from my own observations, but I am quite prepared to find that my conclusions are inaccurate, and am very willing to be corrected ; I have also done my utmost to check any note brought by a boy before making use of it. In conclusion, I would again say with reference to these and previous notes on the Sparrow-Hawk I have published, that there has always been Some noticeable difference in the behaviour in all hen and cock Sparrow-Hawks which have come under my close observation . ( 88 ) NOTES ON THE AUTUMN MIGRATION AT ODESSA IN 1917. BY MAUD D. HAVILAND, Hon. M.B.O.U. During October, 1917, I lived for over a fortnight in a datcha or summer villa, at Odessa. The coast here, between the Port and Mali Fontan, consists of low broken red clay cliffs, facing eastwards across the Black Sea. In the sheltered spots are clumps of acacia trees and low bushes, and the hillocks and hollows are otherwise overgrown with low herbage, which in summer is like a natural flower garden. I spent two weeks at this place at the end of June, and was able to make a fairly accurate list of the resident species of a strip of coast about a verst and a half in length. This list, however, is a short one, for from dawn to dusk the cliffs were overrun with trippers from Odessa — gramophones from the numerous datchas among the acacias made day and night hideous ; kvass kiosks commanded the open spaces, and parties of idle soldiers lolled among the flowers. Eastern Pied Wheatear ( (Enanthe pleschanka), Common Wheat-ear ( (Enanthe cenanthe), Blue-headed Wagtail ( Motacilla flava), White Wagtail ( Motacilla alba), Whitethroat ( Sylvia communis) Crested Lark ( Galerida cristata), Tree-Sparrow (Passer montanus) House-Sparrow ( Passer domesticus), Green- finch ( Chloris chloris), Reel-backed Shrike ( Lanius collurio), Swallow ( Hirundo rustica), Martin ( Delichon urbica), Magpie (Pica pica), Swift (Apus apus), Herring-Gull (Larus argentatus cachinnans), Mediterranean Black-headed Gull (Lames melano cephalus). In October I returned to the same villa, and Avas able to visit the cliff frequently between the 12th and the 27th of the month. Unfortunately, as this part of the coast was used for gun and seaplane practice during my stay, and as the status of British subjects (nor indeed of any subjects !) was not very secure in Odessa at that time, one had to be very careful, not only in the use of binoculars, but even lest loitering should arouse suspicions. Twice when wandering along my accustomed beat, I was accosted by soldiers who demanded my business. Otherwise I had the cliff more or less to myself, for the visitors had most of them departed, and the datchas were empty or inhabited only by fisher families. By October the Whitethroats, the White Wagtails and both species of Wheatears had disappeared ; likewise the 84 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. Red-backed Shrikes ; and I have no autumn records of Swallows or Martins. The following notes are taken from my diary : — Oct. 12th. — Wind S.E. A flock of Geese flew' over from nor’-east and passed on south-west following the coast-line. In the afternoon numbers of immature Gulls (Herring ?) passed flying south, parallel with the coast. Oct. 13 th. — Wind N.E. Cold and unsettled. Oct. 14 th. — Wind S.E. Warmer. After dark, twro large flocks of Geese passed over the house, calling, in a south-easterly direction. Oct. 1 5th. — Wind S.E. Three flocks of Geese of thirty to fort}’ birds each came over in the forenoon, and flew out to sea in a south-easterly direction. “ As on 12th, the birds paused as they came over the shore and circled round, calling for several minutes, and then flew steadily seawards.” This day wras the first on which I uTas able thoroughly to search the cliff. The only migrants were a Redstart (Phcenicurus phcenicurus ) and a Chiffchaff ( Phyllo - scopus collybita) which broke into feeble song. Serins ( Serinus ccinarius serinus ) which I never saw' in the summer, were in small flocks and very common. Three Blue -headed Wagtails (M otacilla flava) apparently birds of the year, on the foreshore. Oct. 16 th. — Wind S.E., light. Very heavy sea-mist all morning. Four Geese passed, flying west. Heard a flock of Terns scream- ing close inshore. Willow-Wrens (P. trochilus) numerous, especially among the rank Chenopodvum that covered much of the ground and from the same covert I flushed a female Reed-Bunting ( Emberiza schceniclus) and a Tree-Pipit (Anthus trivialis). Among the acacias wrere seven Song-Thrushes ( Turdus philomelus ) very wild ; two hen Chaffinches ( Fringilla ccelebs), and a Blue Tit (Parus cceruleus). Serins still abundant. Oct. nth. — Wind S. Fine and sunny. Willow-Wrens common. Redstarts, all young birds, numerous round the acacias, and Song-Thrushes frequent, though very wild. Two hen Black- birds ( Turdus merula) in a sheltered hollow. Serins common. Oct. \8th. — Wind shifted N.E. during the night. Very clear and cold. Birds lying very close in the herbage. Still many Serins, and Willow-Wrens very common. Saw a Tree-Pipit. Redstarts and Thrushes very scarce. Oct. 11) th. — Wind E. Cold and clear. A few Serins, a Redstart, and a single Redbreast ( Erithacus rubecula) were the only birds seen. Oct. 20 th.- — Wind E. Fine, rough and cold. Many Chiff- chaffs and a few Willow-Wrens in the Chenopodium. A single Mistle-Thrush ( Turdus viscivorus) seen. Serins all gono. Oct. 21st. — Wind N.E. Rather foggy. At 1) p.m. six flocks of Geese passed over within half an hour, and apparently flying S.W. Oct. 22nd. — Wind E. In forenoon and evening several vol. xii.] AUTUMN MIGRATION AT ODESSA. 85 flocks of Geese passed, flying west. On the cliff I saw a few Chiffchaffs, a Redstart, two single Redbreasts, a Tree-Pipit, and a Blue Tit. Oct. 23rd. — WindN.N.E. Cold and dull. The only birds noted were two Chiffchaffs and a Redbreast. Oct. 24:th. — Wind S.E. to S. with rain in evening. “ Went along cliff, but saw only two Redbreasts together and a single Chiff- chaff. Then walked further to Mali Fontan and flushed a Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) on the stone by a trickle of fresh water.” Oct. 25th. — WindS. Very warm, with much rain. “Could not visit cliff . . . but heard a Phylloscopus and saw a cock Blackbird in the datcha garden.” Oct. 2 6th. — Wind S., shifting N.E. in evening. Rained all day very heavily. Oct 21th. — Wind E. Calm and clear. Four Chiffchaffs in the Cheno- podinm. Four Blue-headed Wagtails and a hen Stonechat (Saxicola torquata ) near the foreshore. A flock of about sixty Starlings flying west over Odessa . A Hedge-Sparrow ( Prunella modularis ) in scrub. This piece of coast was a great haunt of birdcatchers, who worked with decoys and clap nets. These decoys were pinioned Serins, Goldfinches ( Carduelis carduelis ) and Blue Tits ; but they never seemed to catch anything but Serins, for which they asked absurdly high prices. All the “Geese ” I identified by daylight -were Grey Lags (Anser anser), and from the above notes it is clear that when passing Odessa, Geese fly in a S.E. or S.W. direction, irre- spective of the wind . If they flew due south it would obviously entail crossing the Black Sea at its widest part. On the other hand, if they flew S.E. their journey must be broken half-way by the east coast of the Crimea ; while if they flew S.W. they must follow the coast-line of the Black Sea past the estuaries of the Dniester and Danube. It seems legitimate to suppose that the Geese that reach the Dnieper Bight in October have travelled southwards, either by the river system of the Bug, which flow's S.E., or by that of the Dnieper, which flows S.-S.W7., the two systems converging in the Gulf of Dnieper. On this theory there must be two lines of Goose migration which touch round the mouths of the two rivers. It would be of considerable interest to know whether the lines remain distinct, merely crossing each other on the coast, the birds of the Bug system passing over the Crimea, and those from the sources of the Dnieper basin continuing along the western shores of the Black Sea ; or whether there is an intermingling of the eastern and western migrants in the Dnieper Gulf, their subsequent course being determined by other factors. It is worth remarking, however, that according to my notes the Geese flew N.E.-S.W. on October 12th. There was then 86 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. a day of unsettled weather, and on the 14th and 15th the direction changed to south-east. On the 16th, during fog, four birds passed to the west; while on the 21st and 22nd, some numbers flew south-west. The course of the birds on the 16th may have been a local deviation due to the fog. Setting this record aside, therefore, it appears that all the migrating Geese on certain dates all passed in the same direction, which, as the wind seems to have been an indifferent factor, suggests that they may possibly have come all from same region. THE BEHAVIOUR AND MOUTH-COLORATION OF NESTLING-BIRDS. The behaviour of recently-hatched Passerine birds, Avhen disturbed, is familiar to almost every one. On the least interference they instantly become alert, raise themselves more or less, crane their necks forward, and open to the fullest extent their extraordinarily capacious mouths. It would seem at first sight that these actions mean no more than that the birds are hungry and keenly competing for food ; but I have long been convinced that we must look elsewhere for the true explanation, and that in interpreting the actions account must be taken of other circumstances. The mouth-cavity is nearly always yellow (one of the most arresting colours in nature) ; the tongue sometimes has barb-like attachments at the base, and these attachments may be differently coloured from the rest of the tongue ; the edges of the mouth at the angles are frequently swollen ; and the roof of the mouth may bear spots or tooth-like processes, which stand out conspicuously against the back- ground. I believe the sudden and simultaneous transforma- tion that takes place in the nest to be a protective device, the purpose — a wholly unconscious purpose, it need hardly be said — being to strike alarm in would-be enemies. The behaviour and coloration focus attention on the gaping mouths, and thus the helpless state of the creatures is lost sight of, while the effect is enhanced when there are sharply eontrasting spots on the roof of the mouth or the tongue has barb-like attachments. A furred or feathered marauder, confronted with the widely gaping mouths on disturbing the nestlings, may well be deterred from attacking them. In Mr. W. P. Pycraft’s article {Brit. Birds, I., p. 131) it is urged that the mouth-spots have been developed to serve as guide-marks to the parents when placing food in the mouths of their young. No one, however, who has brought up nestlings by hand can have failed to notice that it makes no difference in whatever region of the mouth food is placed ; guide-marks are quite unnecessary. On several occasions I have tested the effect upon children between the ages of five and nine, and in every case more or less alarm was shown. Although at times I placed a finger 88 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. in one of the gaping mouths, to prove that no harm would result, I found it difficult to get the children to follow suit. Older children are more venturesome, and if they are frightened at all it is only to a slight extent. My dog was certainly startled the first time I lifted him up to look at a nest of young Blackbirds, and he at once drew back. I was careful not to disturb the birds until the right moment, as it is the sudden opening of the mouths that is so disconcerting. What I look upon as a parallel device is found in some caterpillars, and the above remarks may gain force if I refer to a single instance. The caterpillar of the Large Elephant Hawk-moth ( Clncerocampa elpenor ) has eye-markings on the first and second abdominal segments, and these, combined with the posture assumed by the caterpillar when molested, have been shown to intimidate monkeys and birds. Of this Professor E. B. Poulton writes : “ These markings do not attract special attention when the animal is un- disturbed. ... As soon, however, as the leaves are rustled by an approaching enemy, the caterpillar swiftly draws its head and the three first body-rings into the two next rings bearing the eye-like marks. These two rings are thus swollen, and look like the head of the animal, upon which four enormous, terrible-looking eyes are prominent. The effect is greatly heightened by the suddenness of the trans- formation, which endows an innocent-looking and inconspicu- ous animal with a terrifying and serpent-like appearance.” (“ Colours of Animals,” 1890, p. 258). In parts of Ireland the caterpillar is supposed to be venomous and is regarded with superstitious dread (cf. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1902, p. 309). I believe that the mouth-spots in nestling birds have been developed, like the eye-spots of caterpillars, to increase the effect of the protective behaviour. W. R. Butterfield EVOLUTIONS OF THE MALE RAVEN. On March 16th, 1918, I had a male Raven ( Corvus c. corax) under observation at a nest situated well inland in Somerset, which offered unusual facilities to a watcher as it is situated among the rocks of a ravine, and the movements of the birds can be readily studied from the opposite side. The weather at the time was fine, with brilliant sunshine. As I approached the male was flying to and fro over the ravine, but a few minutes later the hen left the nest and joined him on the wing. The male at once began to fly more swiftly NOTES. 89 VOL. XII ] and in an excited manner, but did not appear to be displeased with her company. After a few quick strokes he would glide just as swiftly on outstretched wings and then in an instant turn completely over sideways, belly uppermost. Then instantly closing his wings to the body he would “ nose- dive ” for about ten yards, and recovering himself would repeat the performance on a lower plane, but in a different direction, according to the point towards which the hen was Aying- Then again he would rise and give a similar exhibition. I am certain that during the action of turning over sideways the wings were extended, but were closed immediately before diving. The female after flying round and about the ravine returned quickly to the nest without once pitching, after an absence of twelve minutes. During these evolutions the male remained silent, and made no attempt to drive the hen back to the nest. Stanley Lewis. MEADOW-BUNTING IN SUSSEX. A female Meadow-Bunting (Emberiza c. cia) was shot by a market gardener, Mr. Fellowes, on April 6th, 1915, atWestfield, Sussex. It was examined in the flesh by Mr. H. W. Ford- Lindsay, and subsequently was submitted to Dr. E. Hartert and Mr. H. F. Witherby after having been set up. Both agreed in assigning it to the European race of this species. The specimen is now in my collection and is the sixth recorded from England, five of which were obtained in Sussex. J. B. Nichols. RICHARD’S PIPIT AT BLAKENEY, NORFOLK. In the Review of my friend Mr. W. Rowan’s Annotated List of the Birds of Blakeney Point {antea, p. 71), the question is raised as to the date on which the specimens of Richard’s Pipit ( Anthus r. richardi ) were obtained. The following details may therefore be of some interest, as curiously enough, the bird turned up in four successive years there, and there are no previous or subsequent records that I am aware of. It must be remembered that Mr. Rowan’s list simply deals with Blakeney Point, and I hope after the war to be able to publish notes referring to the whole of the harbour, including Cley and Salthouse levels. The first occurrence of Richard’s Pipit took place on October 12th, 1907. I shot this bird myself towards dusk, about 300 yards east of where the Point actually leaves the beach. A second was shot on H 90 BRITISH BIRUS. [VOL. XII. October 14th, while two others were killed on November 15th and 21st. Of these one passed into the collection of Mr. F. I. Richards, while that shot by Holman on November 15th was acquired by the late Mr. Connop and is now in Mr. L^saght’s possession. All the above four birds are mentioned by Mr. J. H. Gurney, in his Ornithological Report for Norfolk (1907) in the Zoologist, 1908 p. 131. In the following autumn (1908) four were shot in the immediate neighbourhood. Only one was killed by Ramm, and I was with him when the bi rd rose out of the long grass on Salthouse bank, and he called out what it was as he fired. This was on November 3rd, and the bird is in Mr. Lysaght’s collection, as is also a second, shot by R. Pinchen on November 18th (both females). In 1909 a male was shot on October 27th, and in 1910 another male on September 1st. I do not know exactly which birds were killed on the Point itself, but all were obtained there or on the surrounding marshes. Clifford Borrer. THE TAIL-MOTION OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. Having this year brought up two young Red-backed Shrikes (Lanius c. collurio ) from the nest, I was interested in Mr. Warde Fowler’s note on the tail-motion of this bird. I cannot agree with his suggestion that this movement may be a “ nervous habit ” comparable to that of the Redstart and Wagtail. In my birds it is certainly only called forth by the emotions of fear, anger, or curiosity, and in the wild bird the detected presence of an observer would be enough to produce it. It is usually accompanied by the well-known “ Chack chack chack ” note of alarm or anger, the converse being equally true, i.e., that the alarm note is almost invariably accompanied by the tail movements. As regards the movement itself, the whole tail is moved not only horizontally from side to side, and vertically up and down, but also round the arc of a circle — a combination of the two other movements, which gives the peculiar “ swinging ” motion to the tail so characteristic of this bird. The feathers of the tail are at the same time expanded on the side towards which the tail is moving. My birds began this tail-motion when alarmed or inquisitive, long before their tails were full grown, which, by the way, was not for more than a fortnight after they had left the nest and could fly quite well. B. B. Riviere. vol. xn.] NOTES. 91 RING-OUZELS IN NORFOLK. Ring-Ouzels ( Turdus t. torquatus ) are of sufficiently infrequent occurrence in Norfolk, to make their appearance worth recording. On February 13th, 1918, I saw about a dozen in a high thorn fence, about four miles from Norwich, and on March 4th a single cock at Mundesley-on-Sea. The former date is, I think, an early one for Ring-Ouzels to be passing north, but the weather during the previous fortnight had been most exceptionally fine and warm. B. B. Riviere. LARGE BROOD OF SWALLOWS. In British Birds, Vol. IX. . p. 71, I recorded a brood of eight Swallows ( Hirundo r. rustica ) in Lancashire, in June, 1915. In June, 1918, I found another brood of eight at another farm in North Lancashire, the nest having broken down under their weight. The nest in this building has always contained full broods, and in 1915 and 1917 held broods of six. H. W. Robinson. HOOPOE IN BERKSHIRE. On July 15th, 1918, at Didcot Railway Junction, Berkshire, I saw a Hoopoe (Upupa e. epops) come flying down a hedge towards me. It then turned and went into the hedge, giving me a very good view of it. I have seen Hoopoes before at Port Said, and have no doubt as to its identity. C. SUFFERN. WRYNECK IN SHREWSBURY. On July 21st, 1918, a Wryneck (.Jynx t. torquilla) was caught alive in the fireplace of a house in Shrewsbury, having fallen down the chimney. Its occurrence is the more remarkable as this species is almost unknown hereabouts, though it occurs regularly in the Severn valley further south. H. E. Forrest. CUCKOO’S EGG IN NEST OF TWITE. On June 1 Ith, 1918, my friend, Mr. Fred Taylor, found a nest of the Twite ( Cardudis f. flavirostris ) containing one egg of that species, and also an egg of the Cuckoo ( Cuculus c. canorus). He left it till June 15th, when the clutch was completed, viz , five eggs of the Twite as well as the Cuckoo’s egg. The nest was on the moors in the parish of Saddleworth, Yorkshire. 1 have now in my collection four Cuckoo’s eggs taken with 92 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. this uncommon foster-parent, three of which were taken in Yorkshire and one in Scotland, and have recorded in British Birds. Vol. VII., p. 265. an instance of the same fosterer from the Bolton Moors. Herbert Massey CUCKOO’S EGGS IN NESTS OF WHITETHROAT. In 1916 I took, in Surrey, a remarkable sequence of four Cuckoo’s eggs, all in the nests of Whitethroat ( Sylvia communis) on the following dates : May 27th, with four and five White- throats eggs, May 31st, with three ditto, and June 24th, with two ditto. All the Cuckoo’s eggs are obviously from the same bird (Ibis, 1917, Vol. V., p. 126). In 1917 I took two more Cuckoo’s eggs by the same bird which produced the 1916 eggs, also in Whitethroat’s nests, on May 20th with three, and May 26th with one. The latter two eggs I replaced with two eggs of Whitethroat from a nest near by. On June 2nd I visited the nest and found the Whitethroat had completed her clutch, and hatched out the two substituted eggs. This year I found yet another Cuckoo’s egg by the same bird, and again in a Whitethroat’s nest with four eggs, making a total of seven Cuckoo’s by the same bird, all in Whitethroat’s nests, and all found within a radius of fifty yards. In 1917 and this year my time was very limited. I feel sure, however, that if more time could have been given, more clutches of Cuckoo and Whitethroat would have been found. Previous to the above experience I had always found the Whitethroat a rare foster-parent, and in spite of the fact that I have lived in a Cuckoo country all my life, I had only once previously found it, this was in Sussex. The above experience strengthens my belief that certain Cuckoos are parasitical on certain species, and also the possibility of the offspring becoming parasitical on the same species. The seven Cuckoo’s eggs are large with greyish-white ground evenly marked with pale brown and in general appearance resemble those of the Pied Wagtail ( M. a. lugubris). Weight : maximum 0 255 g. ; minimum 0 225 g. Aver- age 54 eggs 224- 3 g. (own weights) all British. Average 710 eggs 2311 g. (Rey). P. F. Bunyard. SPOONBILL IN ESSEX. On July 27th, 1918, I saw a Spoonbill ( Platalea l. leucorodia) on the mud of the estuary below my house, at Bradfield, near Manningtree. It is the first' example of this species NOTES. 93 VOL. XTT.] which I have seen during twenty-five years of observation in this neighbourhood, and I hope it may escape the attention of the puntsmen. Walter B. Nichols. SOLITARY SANDPIPER IN SUSSEX. A female Solitary Sandpiper ( Tringa s. solitaria) was shot on Pevensey Marsh, Sussex, on May 30th, 1916. It was examined in the flesh by Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield and Mi*. H. W. Ford-Lindsay. This is I believe the seventh recorded British specimen, and the second from Sussex. J. B. Nichols. RETURN OF COMMON TERNS TO FORMER NESTING SITE. It may be of interest to record that the Common Terns {Sterna hirundo ) which, up to 1911, nested in large numbers at Ravenglass, Cumberland, and after a sparse nesting in 1912, did not breed at all from 1913-17, are this year (1918) again nesting there almost as plentifully as they did prior to 1912. In the latter year they also ceased to nest on Walney, North Lancashire, and at other sites in that county, for no sufficient reason, unless it was that their eggs were eaten wholesale by the Black-headed Gulls, which had increased out of all bounds. This is borne out by their return after thousands of these Gulls’ eggs were collected for food both this year and last. A fair number of Common Terns came to Ravenglass every year between 1912-17, but lift after laying a few eggs. Gunfire was given as another reason for their leaving Ravenglass, but this could hardly be the reason, as the gunfire, then only intermittent, is now almost incessant and the guns very much heavier. Most of the colonies were very late this year, the majority of the eggs being yet unhatched on July 12th. On the other hand, the young in part of one colony were just beginning to feather, evidently a. colony of early arrivals. It seems worthy of note that many birds hatched on July 12th were flying, ten days later, on July 22nd. H. W. Robinson. THE SUPPOSED BREEDING OF THE GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL IN DORSET. In most of the recently published works on British Orni- thology the Greater Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) is described as breeding on the Dorset cliffs. Yarrell (1884) and Saunders (1889-99) state that a few 94 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. pairs still nest on the Dorset coast, which, of course, may have been correct at that time, but it is to be hoped these statements were not made without stronger evidence than merely seeing the birds. Mansell Pleydell in his “ Birds of Dorset,” dealing with this species, says: “Compared with the Herring-Gull, this is a much scarcer bird in the breeding season on the rocky cliffs of St. Alban’s Head and Gadcliff ” (p. 108). Of the Lesser Black-backecl Gull he states ( loc . cit.) : “ Not known to have nested here,” whereas in the introduction (p. xiii.) he says : — “ The Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gull, . . . share with the Razorbill, Guillemot and Puffin the grand cliffs of ‘ Old Harry ’ and Whitenore for rearing their young.” This appears contradictory as regards the Lesser Black-backed and rather vague regarding the Greater black-backed. The only real evidence of the breeding of the Great Black- backed Gull on the Dorset cliffs appears to be contained in a paper by Mr. J. E. Harting in the Zoologist for 1865, pp. 9665-9678. After expressing surprise at the absence of the Kittiwake, Common Gull [!] and Lesser Black-backed Gull, he states that he saw a few Great Black-backed Gulls (p. 9677) and adds (p. 9678). “ Two nests which we obtained [sic] of the Great Black-backed Gull are worth mentioning : instead of the usual colour, the eggs are a beautiful pale blue, in one or two cases marked with faint grey spots, and in others wholly plain, looking more like the large eggs of a Heron than those of a Gull.” It would be interesting if these eggs could be re-examined by an expert, as if obtained through fishermen and not seen in situ, the well-known propensity to ascribe any unusual variety of an egg to a new species, may be responsible for their identification as those of Larus marinus, and in any case it seems remarkable that the only eggs known to have been taken here should have been of this unusual type. If it is an established fact that the birds were breeding in 1865 or later, the question arises when did they cease to nest ? I may just roughly state that I have visited the cliffs between “ Old Harry ” and Portland annually since 1903 (1916 and 1917 excepted), and have never found this species breeding, nor have I been able to get any reliable evidence as to its having done so. Both adult and immature birds are often seen (though chiefly the latter) at all times of the year, as well as the Lesser Black-backed, which at times appears in company with the breeding Herring-Gulls, and this may have given rise to the wrong assumption that the birds were breeding. NOTES. 95 VOL. XII.] Occasionally fishermen and others have told me that they have taken eggs of both Greater and Lesser Black-backs, but I am not in the habit of paying much attention to these tales, and the evidence has always been most unsatisfactory. I think I am right in saying there is no record of this species ever having nested on the cliffs in the neighbourhood of Burton Bradstock, Bridport or Lyme Regis. From my own experience I can only say that I am certain, as far as it is possible to be, that it has not nested in Dorset for at least fifteen years — possibly a great many more — and I most certainly should not include it in a list of Dorset breeding birds unless it can be proved that it has done so within very recent years, which I think is extremely improbable. W. J. Ashford. Wren Building in House-Martin’s Nest.— Mr. F. E. Blagg informs us that a Wren ( Troglodytes t. troglodytes) has built inside a House-Martin’s nest, high up under the eaves of his house at Petersfield, Hants, and within a couple of feet of House-Martins incubating eggs. Similar instances have been recorded in the Vert. Fauna of Cheshire, I., p. 161, and Zool., 1S83, p. 126. Breeding inside Swallows’ nests is not uncommon, and has been frequently recorded (Cf. Zool., 1880, p. 142 ; 1883, pp. 380 and 423 ; Caradoc and Severn Valley F.C. Record for 1901, 1904, 1909, etc.). Thrush-Blackbird Hybrids. — These two species are frequently stated to have interbred in a wild state, though in many cases the evidence is of a very unsatisfactory nature, and it is interesting to note that even in captivity the cross is of exceedingly rare occurrence. Cage Birds for June 8th, 1918, contains some interesting particulars of the first properly authenticated hybrids bred in confinement, which were reared by Mr. T. H. Anderson, of Darvel, in 1915 and 1916. A full description of the plumage of one of these birds appeared in Brit. Birds, Vol. XL, p. 23, in which it was shown that the hybrid exhibited characteristics of both parents. In this case a hen Blackbird was paired with a cock Thrush. Up to the present time the hen has laid over sixty eggs in captivity in the course of six seasons, and since being paired withthe Thrush only two have proved infertile. This year (1918) the first egg of a clutch of five was laid on May 10th, and three young were already hatched on May 27th. Cirl Bunting in East Yorkshire. — Mr. J. T. Sewell (Nat., 1918, p. 203) states that a Cirl Bunting ( Emberiza cirlus ) was seen at Upgang, near Whitby, on January 10th, 96 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xii. 1918, but seemed weak and only able to make short flights. As a heavy snowstorm took place on the following day it is doubtful whether it would stand much chance of surviving. Although resident in very small numbers in Yorkshire, it has only once previously been recorded from the East Coast ; a female having been shot near Whitby on February 28th, 1882. Food of the Kingfisher. — We understand that Dr. W. E. Collinge, The University, St. Andrews, N.B.. is engaged on an investigation of the food and feeding habits of th( Kingfisher (Alcedo i. ispida) and will be glad to receive nesting materials or pellets from old nests of this species for examination. Dwarf Eggs of Ringed Plover.— Airs. C. Hodgkin reports having found a nest of Ringed Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula) on June 19th, 1915, containing two dwarf eggs, one the size of a Reed-Bunting’s egg and the other that of a Red-backed Shrike, on the Northumbrian coast. The eggr were heavily blotched. The Norwich Library.— A recent issue of the Readers' Guide (July, 1918) published by the Norwich Library Com- mittee, contains a sketch of the life of Mr. A. H. Patterson, and a bibliography of his writings, with annotations (pp. 37-41) which should prove useful to students of the Fauna of East Anglia. BRITISH BIRDS With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." EDITED HY REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, m.a., m.b.o.u. ASSISTED BY Norman F. Ticehurst, m.a.. f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. Contents oe Number 5, Vol. XII. October 1, 1918. PAGE The Nest Down of Some British Ducks : A Correction. By Miss Annie C. Jackson, Hon. Mem. B.O.U. . . . . 98 The Redshank in Warwickshire. Compiled by T. Ground . . 101 The Moults and Sequence of Plumages of the British Waders. By Miss Annie C. Jackson, Hon. Mem. B.O.U. Part VIII. 104 Notes : — Blue-headed Wagtails in Hertfordshire (J. Beddall Smith) 114 Marsh-Warbler Breeding in Staffordshire (W. Davies) .. 114 Cuckoos’ Eggs in Nests of Red-backed Shrike (P. F Bunyard and Commander R. E. Vaughan, R.N.) .. .. .. 115 Strange Nesting-site of Sand-Martin (Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain) 116 Teal Marked in Russian Lapland Recovered in Italy (H. W. Robinson) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 116 Pallas’s Sand-Grouse in Worcestershire in 1888 (T. Ground) 116 Dusky Redshanks in Hertfordshire (Chas. Oldham) . . . . 117 Caspian Tern in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) . . . . . . 118 Movements of Black-headed Gulls from Finland (H. W. Robinson) .. .. .. .. •• •• .. 118 ^Short Note : — Annual Oological Dinner . . . . . . • - • • 119 [Letter : — Are Young Birds without Smell ? (J. Bartholomew) . . 120 I ( 98 ) THE NEST DOWN OF SOME BRITISH DUCKS: A CORRECTION. BY ANNIE C. JACKSON, hon. mem. b.o.tt. r x my notes on the ‘'Moults and Sequence of Plumages in some British Ducks,” in British Birds, Vol. IX., pp 34-M2. I gave a brief description of the nest down of some of the species dealt with, my descriptions being based on the nest down found on the female. Unfortunately I omitted to remove the nest down from the skin and failed to notice that towards the extreme base the down in most cases is white, t hese white bases being the most conspicuous when the down is examined en masse in the nest. I have delayed making this correction, as I hoped to deal more fully with the down of ducks, but owing to the impossibility of collecting the necessary material at present this must be postponed. My thanks are due to the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain and Mr. P. F. Bunyard for most kindly sending me some ducks’ down to examine. The following descriptions are intended to take the place of those given by me previously ; in most cases the down from the nest has been examined as well as that from the skin ; it is interesting to note that the sepia and light brown coloured downs referred to in the table below were in every case from nest linings which had been collected some time ago, mostly thirty or forty years ago, and my impression is that they have faded ; in many cases the nest down was also much abraded. Towards the end of the incubation period the nest down apparently becomes much abraded and faded, as instanced by down in my possession collected from a Mallard’s nest after the young had hatched. The nest linings examined were composed of nest down, ordinary down and feathers, in some instances very little ordinary down was present. In these descriptions of nest linings, I have not thought it necessary to describe the feathers found amongst the down, as they have been already figured and described by Mr. Heatley Noble in British Birds, Vol. II., pp. 18-23 and 37-41. I should like, however, to point out that it is, I consider, impossible to identify a nest lining of any of the above species by examination of the down alone, and that the feathers are by far the most important means of identification. VOIi. XII.J rNt^SL 1 M ) VV IN UJt SiUMJKi UK111&H DUUJVS. SPECIES. Anas p. pla- tyrhyncha Anas strepera Anas c. crecca Anas c. caro- linensis Anas discors Anas quer- quedula Anas pene- lope ORDINARY DOWN. Grey, ash brown or dusky brown in the mass, white towards base and with lighter tips ; when disinte- grated appears white, very faint- ly tinged dusky Greyish brown or dusky brown in the mass with white tips and bases ; when dis- integrated ap- pearswhite tinged greyish or dusky brown Ashy brown with white bases ; ap- pears paler when disintegrated and in some white with pale greyish white tips Ashy brown, light- er towards tip and whitish to- wards base Pale ashy (when disintegrated ap- pears pale ashy white) with whit- ish tips and whit- ish towards base Ashy brown, white towards base ; when disinte- grated appears white with pale dusky tips Ashy brown with lighter tips and bases ; appears very pale ashy brown when dis- integrated NEST DOWN. Blackish brown with white bases and with whitish or buffish tips ; the tips some- times ill-defined Blackish brown or sepia with white centres and con- spicuous white tips Blackish, black, brown or sepia, with white bases and conspicuous white tips yy REMARKS. The sepia coloured down referred to was from nest lin- ings in the See- bohm Coll, (now in the Natural His- toryMuseum). The nests were taken at the Petchora in the year 1875. Blackish, black, brown or sepia, in some light brown, base, namely, centre of down, white or brownish white, with very faint indications of white or light tips Blackish brown or sepia with white or brownish white centres and j tips Blackish, sepia, or light brown, with light brown tips sometimes faintly indicated and large conspicuous white bases Black with buff tips and white bases The sepia and light brown coloured downs referred to were from nest linings ex See- bohm Coll, (now in the Natural History Museum, South Kensing- ton), collected in the years 1871, 1873, 1881 and 1884. In the nest linings collected in the years 1871, 1874, 1875, 1876, ex See- bohm Coll, (now in the Natural His- tory Museum) the down was sepia or light brown in coloration. No nest lining ex- amined . 100 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. SPECIES. Anas americana Spatula clypeata Anas acuta Nyroca icrina Nyroca nyroca Nyroca fuligtda , Nyroca marila ORDINARY DOWN. Ashy brown with white bases; when disinte- grated .white with palest dusky white tips Ash grey or light ashy brown, white towards base, very pale ashy brown or ashy grey when dis- integrated Pale ashy brown, white towards base and with lighter tips Ashy brown with lighter tips and white towards base ; appears paler when dis- integrated Ash brown, tipped white and with white towards utmost base : ap- pears paler when disintegrated NEST DOWN. Blackish, black, brown or sepia with large white centres and faint white or light brown tips Blackish, black, brown or sepia, with small and in- conspicuous white or pale brownish white centres, sometimes with faint indications of lighter tips Blackish, brown or dark sepia, with very small incon- spicuous white or brownishwhite centres and some- times lighter tips Blackish, black brown or sepia with small incon- spicuous white centres Blackish, black, brown or sepia, with very small inco nspicuous white or brown- ish white centres REMARKS. The blackish brown down was taken from a nest in 1917 ; the sepia coloured down, on the other hand, had been collected some time ago. The sepia coloured down was des- cribed from nests from the Seebohm Coll, (now in the Natural History" Museum), taken in the years 1880 and 1883. The only sepia co lo ured downs examined were those from the See- bohm Coll. (now in the Natural His- tory Museum), taken in the years 1883 and 1885. The only sepia coloured down ex- amined was col- lected in the year 1885 ex Seebohm Coll, (now in the Natural History Museum). The sepia coloured nest down was col- lected in the years 1875 and 1885 «a: SeebohmColl . (now in the Natural History Museum). Ash brown with white tips and bases Ash brown with white bases and lighter tips, paler when disinte- grated Blackish brown or sepia tippedwhite and with white bases Blackish, black, brown or sepia, with faint white or light brown tips and white cen tres ( 101 ) THE REDSHANK IN WARWICKSHIRE. BY T. GROUND. (Compiled from Notes by the lnte A. GEOFFREY LEIGH.) The following comprises the history of the Redshank ( Tringa iotanus) in Warwickshire, so far as it was known to Leigh until he entered the army in 1914, and is extracted from his diaries, tabulated notes, etc. The Redshank has, for a not inconsiderable number of years, been recognized in Warwickshire as a bird of passage, Mr. R. W. Chase noting in 1886 that it had appeared on the sewage farms in the neighbourhood of Birmingham ( Handbook Brit. Assocn., 1886) ; the late R. F. Tomes, in the Victoria History of Warwick (1904), gives no additional information and merely quotes Mr. Chase’s remark ; Mr. Steele-Elliott, in the Journal of the Birmingham Nat. Hist. See., II., p. 54, describes it as an occasional spring migrant at Sutton Cold- field ; Leigh himself observed it at Ham pton-in- Arden on various dates between 1908 and 1914, and at Sutton Coldfield on March 31st, 1914, and April 4th. 1915 — on the last date when undergoing military training at that place ; Miss B. A. Carter informed him that she saAv it at the same place on several occasions during 1911, 1912 and 1913 ; passing birds are noted in the Bull. B.O.C., XXXII., p. 274, on August 24th and 25th, 1911; whilst Leigh records in his diary, fide Mr. Rawlinson, that good numbers were at Water Orton early in October, 1913. Mr. Fred Smalley is entitled to the credit of being the first to find the Redshank breeding in the county, observing one pair regularly wee k by week in May, June and July, 1895 to 1898, “ behind the rifle butts ” at Rugby (Brit. Birds , I., p. 191), a record which was elicited by a note in the same volume, p. 158, by Mr. A. H. Etches, giving particulars of a pair which had, without doubt, reared two young in 1907 on sewage land near Coventry. Again, Mr. William Davies ( t.c ., p. 191) “found a nest of the Redshank with four eggs well concealed in coarse grass in Sutton Park ” on Mav 20th, 1905. Leigh commenced his diaries in May, 1908, but amongst his MSS. I find a note that one pair bred at Hampton-in- Arden in 1907, when four young were hatched, three of which were ultimately reared. In 1908 at the same place there were one pair and an odd male. Leigh sent an account 102 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOi.. XII. of the above to British Birds, II., p. 33, where further details may be found. In 1009 two pairs bred at Hampton, and in 1910 one bird arrived there on March 4th ; on the 5th, another ; on the 6th, a third ; and, finally, two pairs were in possession of the ground. Slightly incubated eggs were found on May 1st, and by July 10th three young had been reared, this being the last date on which they were seen that season. In 1911 they still numbered two pairs, first appearing on March 9th, a nest with full clutch was ready by April 26th, which nest was found robbed by a Crow on May 11th. On May 13th, the nest belonging to the second pair contained newly-hatched young, and on May 15th a dead chick, a live one being caught in the vicinity. The number remained the same in 1912 : first appearance, March 17th ; newly-hatched young, May 8th ; and by July 16th they had gone. In 1913 the Redshanks, which had increased to three pairs, were first in evidence on February 20th, a full clutch of eggs being laid by 13th April. In 1914 Leigh notes in his diary : “ Five pairs of Redshanks are at Hampton this year, three of the four nests we found have been robbed, the fourth hatching out on 6th May ; one pair laid a second clutch, there being three eggs on 8th May.” On May 22nd he writes : “ Went to examine the Redshank’s nest, and was delighted to find we had timed our visit perfectly, three young being hatched and the fourth egg chipped ; although two of the chicks were not yet dry, all were quite active and tried to crawl out of the deep cup of the nest.” These young were ringed, and one of them was recovered at Landulph, Hatt, Cornwall, on January 29th, 1915 ( British Birds, IX., 45). At Packington one pair bred in 1913, and the old birds were seen feeding young on May 25th : they were last seen June 29th : this is the only breeding record Leigh has for Packington, though some birds were seen there in the breeding season in other years, e.g., 1909 and 1912. Leigh distinctly says that none bred there in 1909, in spite of a statement to that effect by the late F. Coburn (Report North Staffs. Field Club, XLIV., p. 102). Leigh told me that it was he himself who invited Coburn to see two pairs which were there, but they were not in breeding plumage and neither nests nor young were found. At Bickenhill, on April 22nd, 1911, I myself found a pair in possession of a marshy corner of a field and decided they must be breeding, for I saw them there at intervals for several weeks afterwards. Of this I subsequently informed Leigh ; and on May 14th, in the following year, we were passing the 103 VOL. xii.] REDSHANK IN WARWICKSHIRE. spot in company when an adult bird flew up to it. As it was not at the moment convenient to examine the ground, l^eigh cycled over early on the following morning. His diary thus describes this visit : — “ After putting up an old Redshank, I made a search and in lifteen minutes I espied a young bird crouched in some dead grass and very well hidden . I ringed it and let it go : the second adult did not appear till I was leaving. This is an important extension of the breeding range, being nearly two miles distant from the settlement at Hampton. There can be little doubt that a pair bred here last year.” The ringed bird was recovered early in September, 1912, at Brancaster Staithe, King’s Lynn, Norfolk (Brit. Birds, VI., p. 213). On May 15th, 1912, Leigh put up a Redshank at Bannerleiy Pool Marshes, but as there was only one, he thought it a wanderer from Packington. Oti April 20th, 1913, Redshanks were reported to him from Berkswell Bogs, but though he Avent to inA^estigate, he failed to find them. A correspondent of the Birmingham Daily Mail (Juno 20th, 1914) reported that eggs of this species Avere tAvice taken in that year at Ryton-on-Dunsmore. It may be as Avell to notice here that a feAv birds, tAvo or three pairs, Avere breeding at Cole Hall seAvage farm, near Yardlev, Worcestershire, in 1914, and had done so for three or four years previously. This farm is closely adjacent to the WarAAickshire boundary. There Avere five or six birds at this place on May 9th, 1915, which I saAv in company Avith Leigh ; there Avere no signs of nesting, but in all probability the eggs had been taken. ( 104 ) THE MOULTS AND SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGES OF THE BRITISH WADERS. BY ANNIE C. JACKSON, hon. mem. b o.u. Part VIII. First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from September to January, but apparently not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are apparently indistinguishable from the adults. £/" Wood-Sandpiper (T. glareola). Adults. — ’Complete moult commencing in July with the body- feathers, while specimens moulting the remiges occur from September to March. From January to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers, in some the tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts and usually most of the median and some lesser coverts. Several February and March specimens in full moult into breeding plumage had also one or other of the outer primaries in quill. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage but the wings of the females average slightly longer. N.B. — -One May specimen (not moulting) had retained some winter feathers on the mantle and scapulars. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like the adult in winter plumage, but the feathers of the upper-parts including the innermost secondaries and coverts warmer sepia or black-brown, edged and broadly notched warm buff, in some the scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts have notches of darker sepia as well (in the adult the feathers of crown, nape and upper mantle are sooty-brown or sepia narrowly edged white, those of the mantle and scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts sooty-brown or sepia tipped and notched white, the scapulars and some times some feathers of the mantle with a subterminal black or black - brown bar and notched the same, black and white notches, more or less alternating on scapulars and innermost secondaries) ; lower throat and upper breast with more pronomiced streaks than in the adult ; tail- feathers as in the adult, but the central pair tipped buff ; wing as in the adult, but the median and lower lesser coverts warmer sepia than in the adult tipped and notched warm or light buff instead of white (in the adult some of the median coverts have notches and incomplete barrings of black -brown) ; innermost median coverts sepia notched warm or light buff at the sides of the feather, but without buff tips (in the adult these coverts are faintly notched and tipped white). N.B. — Before the post -juvenile moult commences the upper-parts, owing to the abrasion of the notches, become more or less uniform. First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body -feathers, sometimes the tail-feathers, sometimes the central pair only and sometimes not the tail at all, innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from September to January, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults and only to be distinguished when the buff notches to the innermost median coverts are not too worn and faded. vol. xii.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. 105 First Summer. — Moult as in the adult and only to be distinguished when the innermost median coverts are not too abraded. Green Sandpiper (T. ocliropus ). Adults. — Complete moult from August to December. From December to May there is a partial moult, involving the body-feathers {not always all the scapulars), usually the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and usually some median and lesser coverts, but apparently not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings of the females average longer. Juvenile. — Male and, female.— Very like the adult in winter plumage but the feathers of the upper-parts darker olive-brow n ; the mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts without the hair-brown tips of the adult and notched warm or pinkish-buff, the notches more numerous than in the adult, which has scapulars (and in some many feathers of mantle) notched black-brown ; sides of neck, lower throat and upper breast more closely and boldly streaked olive- brown than in the adult (in which the streaks are hair-brown) ; tail-feathers as in the adult but the central pair more or less washed buff ; median and lower lesser coverts darker olive-brown with more numerous warm or pinkish-buff notches and without the hair-brown edges as in the adult, but more or less notched black-brown or sepia as in the adult. N.B. — Abrasion makes the upper-parts more or less uniform before the post-juvenile moult commences. First Winter.— Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers, tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from August to December, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are usually not to be distinguished with certainty from the adult, though in some the warm buff notches to some of the juvenile median coverts (especially the innermost) may be recognized, but usually these buff notches have become abraded before the completion of the post-juvenile moult. First Summer. — Only to be distinguished from the adult summer when the warm or pinkish-buff notches are not too abraded. ^ Solitary Sandpiper (T. s. solitaria). Adults. — Complete moult from August to January. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (apparently not always all the scapulars nor all the feathers of the back and rump), sometimes one or two central pairs of tail-feathers, in some all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and usually some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The w'inter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings of the females average longer. N.B. — -Several January specimens examined had the 2nd, 3rd or 4th primaries in quill ; one March 23rd was in full body-moult into summer plumage and had the 2nd primary of each wing in quill. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Very much like the juvenile Green Sandpiper in coloration but easily distinguished by its smaller size, olive-brown, instead of white, upper tail-coverts, lateral upper tail-coverts more or less barred black-brown and white, while the upper-parts are notched paler buff or white ; the upper breast is white, narrowly streaked or shaded hair-brown, not boldly streaked olive-brown as in the juvenile Green Sandpiper, central pair of tail-feathers uniform olive-brown tipped and notched along the outer edge white and 10(5 BRITISH BIB US. [vor,. xii. black -brown (instead of sepia, barred white as in the Green Sandpiper) ; wing as in the juvenile Green Sandpiper, but the innermost secondaries and coverts and median coverts notched light buff or white instead of warm or pinkish-buff. First Winter. — Male and female. — The body -feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and apparently some median and lesser coverts are moulted in autumn and winter, but apparently not usually the rest of the wings and not the tail-feathers, at all events in the series examined. After this moult the birds are like the adults and are only to be distingished by the buff notches at the sides and tips of the innermost median coverts when not too abraded (in the adult the innermost median and lesser coverts are narrowly tipped and notched white). First Summer. — (Not examined.) Yellow shank (T. flavipes). Adults. — Complete moult from July to February. From February to April there is a partial moult involving most of the body-f eat hers, usually all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, usually a good many median coverts and in some a few lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage. N.B. — Several specimens with the outer primaries in quill occurred in January and February and one or two in March ; the February and March specimens were also acquiring summer feathers. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Resembles the adult in winter plumage, but the feathers of the crown are sepia, narrowly edged light buff or white, and the mantle and scapulars sepia, the feathers notched on the edge and at the tip light or pinkish-buff, the scapulars notched black -brown along the border (in the adult these parts are ash-brown, the feathers with sepia shaft-streaks and lighter edges and faintly edged greyish-white, the scapulars mostly with notches of black-brown, in some faint notches of white) ; back and rump ash-brown as in the adult, but the feathers in some notched and edged light buff (in some white), not tipped white as in the adult ; upper breast white, more narrowly and closely streaked sepia or ash-brown than in the adult : remaining under-parts as in the adult ; tail-feathers more pointed at tip than in the adult and more closely barred ash-brown and sepia, in some the barrings are incomplete and the feathers are more or less ash-brown, notched black-brown or white ; innermost secondaries and coverts as scapulars, but the black-brown notches larger (in the adult the innermost secondaries and coverts are ash-brown with sepia shafts and narrowly edged white, boldly notched along the outer border with black-brown) ; greater coverts as in the adult, but sepia instead of ash-brown edged, and slightly notched, light buff, instead of white : median coverts sepia, tipped and notched light buff, and more or less notched and with subterminal shadings of black-brown towards the tip ; lesser coverts sepia narrowly edged light buff or white (in the adult the median coverts are ash-brown with sepia shafts and faintly tipped w'hite with lesser coverts dark ash-brown narrowly bordered white). First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), in some the central pair of tail-feathers, innermost secondaries and coverts, but not the median and lesser coverts in the few specimens examined, are moulted from August to January, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds resemble the adults 107 vol. xii. J MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. and are only distinguished by the worn juvenile tail-feathers and the worn and faded sepia greater and median coverts, the latter having a characteristic spear-like shape owing to the abrasion of the buff notches ; the innermost median coverts notched buff or white at the sides of the tip of the feather instead of broadly tipped white as in the adult. First Summer. — (Not examined.) N.B. — Oner) March 9th Texas, a bird of the previous year, moulting the primaries and acquiring fresh winter feathers on the mantle and scapulars, the old feathers being apparently worn winter ones. One June in worn winter plumage, the 5th primary of each wing in quill and getting new whiter feathers on the body, appears to be a bird of the previous year by the wing-coverts. Greater Yellowshank (T. melanoleuca). Adults. — Complete moult from August to January. From February to May there is a partial moult involving most of the body- feathers, usually all the tail-feathers, usually all the innermost secondaries and coverts, most of the median coverts as a rule and some lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings of the females average slightly longer. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Similar in plumage to the juvenile Yellowshank but the upper-parts darker, the feathers black-brown rather than sepia, the mantle and scapulars with larger notches of pinkish or light buff ; the sides of neck, lower throat and upper breast more broadly streaked and the streaks darker sepia or black-brown ; the flanks more broadly barred and freckled with black-brown or sepia instead of barred ash-brown or sepia ; innermost secondaries and coverts as the scapulars ; the rest of the wing as in the juvenile Y ellowshank. The Greater Y ellowshank in all plumages is distinguished from the Yellowshank by its considerably larger size. First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the central, or two central, pairs of tail-feathers, usually all, or most of the innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts are moulted from September to January or February, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults but are distinguished by the worn juvenile tail- feathers and worn and faded sepia greater, median and lesser coverts, the median and lesser coverts being of a characteristic spear-like shape owing to the abrasion of the light buff notches and by the white or buff notches at the sides of the innermost median coverts, which are not deeply tipped white as in the adult (in the adult in winter the greater coverts are asli-brown, tipped white with a subterminal shading of black-brown and notched white and black-brown, the notches being usually most pronounced on the inner coverts, median coverts ash-brown with sepia shafts and faintly tipped white, some notched black-brown and white along their borders ; lesser coverts dark ash-brown narrowly edged white). First Summer. — Apparently the first summer bird acquires only a little of the breeding plumage or moults entirely into winter plumage. The first summer birds are distinguished from the adult by the very worn juvenile wing-coverts as in first winter birds. Common Redshank ( T . totanus). Adults. — Complete moult from July to January. From January to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all 108 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. - XII. the scapulars), in some all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, in some most of median and a few lesser coverts but not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings of the females average slightly longer. N.B. — In some individuals the summer plumage is never completely acquired, many worn winter feathers being retained. Two or three January specimens examined had the 2nd or 3rd primaries in quill. Juvenile. — Male and, female. — Resemble the adult in winter plumage but the upper-parts are sepia, the feathers edged and notched at sides, and some tipped, light or cinnamon-buff, the scapulars notched at sides black-brown and light or cinnamon-buff (in the adult the upper-parts are dark ash-brown and the mantle and scapulars in some are tinged olive-brown and the feathers with light greyish-olive or faint white tips) ; upper tail-coverts as in the adult but some faintly washed buff ; sides of neck, lower throat and breast light buff or white with pronounced streaks of sepia ; feathers at sides of breast ashy-brown or sepia with light buff tips and irregular subtenninal markings of sepia (in the adult the sides of neck are more or less uniform ash-brown, the feathers mostly narrowly streaked sepia ; the lower throat and breast light ashy-brown or white, the feathers mostly with narrow median streaks of sepia ; the feathers of the sides of the breast more or less uniform ash-brown with faint white tips and sepia shaft-streaks) ; tail-feathers as in the adult, but narrower and more pointed at the tip and more or less washed buff ; innermost secondaries and coverts as scapulars, but the black-brown notches in some are more pronounced and form an incomplete bar or coalesce to form a border (in the adult the innermost secondaries and coverts are like the scapulars in some with obsolete bare and spots of sepia along the edge of the feafhers) ; median coverts sepia, notched and edged light or cinnamon-buff and mostly with a subterminal shading and notching of black-brown (in the adult the median coverts are ash-brown narrowly tipped white with sepia shafts, the lower series with obsolete bare of black-brown at sides of the feathers) ; the lesser coverts sepia, the inner ones tipped white, instead of ash-brown faintly edged white as in the adult. First Winter. — Male and female.— The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), in some the central or two central pairs of tail- feathers, sometimes all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, most of the median and some lesser coverts are moulted from August to January, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults and only to be distinguished by the retained juvenile wing-coverts. N.B. — In some individuals all or most of the median and lesser coverts are moulted, in others the juvenile innermost secondaries and coverts, median and lesser coverts are all retained. First Summer. — Apparently as the adult, but does not acquire so much summer plumage and is distinguished by the retained juvenile wing-coverts. Very few first summer birds were examined : two spring specimens were in full body-moult and the moult is apparently much as in the adult. Spotted Redshank ( T . crythropus). Adults. — Complete moult from August to January. From March to May there is a partial moult involving the body -feathers (not all the scapulars), usually all the tail-feathers but sometimes the central 109 VOL. XII. I MO! LTS OF BRITISH WADERS. pair only, most of the innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. In some individuals some winter feathers are retained on the upper- and under-parts and in some no lesser coverts, very few median coverts and no innermost secondaries are moulted, in others apparently the tail is not moulted. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings and bills of the females average longer. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Resembling the adult in winter plumage, but the feathers of the crown sepia faintly notched white at the sides, nape, the same but lighter ; feathers of the mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries sepia or black-brown, notched and tipped white (in the adult the upper-parts are ash-brown, the feathers of the nape, mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries faintly tipped white, scapulars mostly notched black-brown or sepia and white) ; upper tail-coverts more closely barred black-brown or sepia than in the adult ; cheeks, sides of neck and lower throat white streaked and spotted sepia ; remaining under-parts white, the feathers with irregular horse-shoe or \J -shaped markings and wavy bars of pale sepia (in the adult the cheeks are white, spotted dusky brown, the sides of the neck bordering throat, lower throat and upper breast white, more or less spotted or marked dusky brown, the feathers washed palest ashy-brown towards the tip ; sides of breast more or less pale ashy-brown, the feathers tipped white; belly, vent and flanks white, the latter washed pale ashy-brown and irregularly barred or marked ash-brown or sepia ; under tail-coverts white, a few with irregular markings and barrings of black-brown) ; tail-feathers narrower and more pointed at the tip than in the adult and sepia narrowly barred white, in some the bars obsolete, central tail-feathers in some pale sepia with incomplete bars of dark sepia and notched white (in the adult the tail-feathers are ash-brown narrowly edged and tipped white, with obsolete bars or notches of black-brown, outer tail-feathers more or less ash-brown, narrowly barred, notched or mottled white) ; median coverts sepia, notched and edged at sides light buff or white, in some of the coverts the white notches meeting at tip (in the adult the median coverts are ash-brown broadly tipped white with a snbterminal sepia barring and more or less irregularly notched sepia and white, the innermost median and lesser coverts broadly fringed white) ; lesser coverts sepia tipped white as in the adult, but some of the lower ones notched white at sides. First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), in some apparently the central pair of tail- feathers only, in others two or three central pairs, usually all the innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from August to February, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds resemble the adults and are only distinguished by the retained juvenile median coverts, especially by the much narrower white tip (in some absent) to the innermost median coverts and the worn sepia greater coverts and worn juvenile tail-feathers. First Summer. — As adult, only to be distinguished by the worn juvenile wing-coverts and tail-feathers when the latter are not all moulted. Moult as in the adult. Greenshank (Ir. nebidaria). Adults. — Complete moult from .June to January. From January to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers, tail- feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and 110 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. In some individuals the tail-feathers do not appear to be moulted in spring, in others the median and lesser coverts are not moulted, while some old winter feathers are sometimes retained on the mantle and scapulars. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage but the wings and bills of the females average longer. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like the adult in winter plumage, but has the feathers of the forehead, crown and nape sepia narrowly edged white or light buff at sides (in the adult the crown and nape are streaked sepia or ash-brown, the feathers broadly edged white at sides) ; mantle and scapulars sepia, the feathers edged and tipped at sides and some irregularly marked light or warm buff, lower scapulars and innermost secondaries ash-brown edged light buff with sepia shafts and notches on borders (in the adult the mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries are ash-brown, the feathers with sepia shafts and edged and tipped white and more or less bordered, shaded or notched sepia round the edge of the feather, in some the feathers are mottled, freckled or irregularly marked white) ; upper breast and sides of breast white, the feathers mostly with faint terminal dusky lines and with triangular-shaped sepia spots or streaks most pronounced at the sides of breast (in the adult the centre of the upper breast is white, and the sides white, the feathers with sepia shaft-streaks and irregular barrings and mottlings of ash-brown) ; flanks white as in the adult, but slightly marked dusky ; tail-feathers more pointed at tip than in the adult (in which the tips are more or less rounded), central pair of tail-feathers white, irregularly barred sepia and most of the feathers with subterminal V-shaped sepia marks and more or less edged light or warm buff (in the adult the central pair of tail-feathers are white with broad bars or frecldings, mottlings and shadings of ash-brown, in some, pale drab-grey with irregular wavy transverse bars and f recklings of ash-brown while the buff edges are absent) ; median coverts sepia edged light or warm buff, the innermost with incomplete and narrow light buff or white tips ; lesser coverts dark sepia, some faintly edged light buff (in the adult the median and lesser coverts are sepia with black-brown shafts, without the buff edges, and with narrow white edges most pronounced on the innermost median coverts and absent from the distal lesser coverts which are dark sepia). First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars) in some two or three central pairs of tail-feathers, occasionally the central pair only and sometimes all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts are moulted from August to March, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults, and are only to be distinguished by the retained juvenile tail-feathers and worn and faded juvenile wing-coverts, especially the innermost median coverts which are less abraded. First Summer. — (Not examined.) \/ Marsh-Sandpiper ( T. stagnatilis). Adults. — Complete moult from August to December. From January to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), usually all the tail-feathers and all the innermost secondaries and coverts, usually a good many median coverts and sometimes some lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. In some specimens the tail-feathers do not appear to be moulted, in others some winter body-feathers are retained. The winter and summer vol. xii.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. Ill plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike, but the bills and wings of the females average longer. N.B. — One specimen, Etawah, 25/11/65, was commencing to get summer feathers on the mantle. Juvenile. — (Not examined.) First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), tail-feathers, apparently in some the central pair only, some median and a few lesser coverts are moulted from autumn to February, but not the rest of the wings. The first winter bird resembles the adult but is distinguished by the worn and faded sepia greater and median coverts, the latter when not too abraded having light buff or white edges, all but meeting at the tip of the feathers in the innermost median coverts (in the adult the greater and median coverts are ash-brown narrowly tipped white). First Summer. — Apparently as adult summer and only to be distinguished when the buff or creamy-white edges to the innermost median coverts are not too abraded. Moult evidently as in adult. N.B. — One specimen 2nd March, with 2nd primary in quill and inner primaries worn, was in full moult into first summer plumage. J Grey-rumped Sandpiper (T. i. brevipes). Adults. — Complete moult from July to December. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings of the females average longer. N.B. — One but when I did so unfortunately shook the camera, which frightened the lien off the nest. She disappeared into the heavy shadows among the spruces and no more was seen of her for half an hour, at the end of which time I left the tent for a while. Returning at 12.30* I found it hotter than ever, the flies droned more drowsily than before, Pigeons were cooing sleepily, and only the different Warblers seemed to sing ener- getically. I had hardly got into my “ hide ” before I heard first a twitter and then the plaintive piping call-note of the Bullfinches. Soon the hen came fluttering bv the tent and without hesitation went on to the nest. 1 exposed a plate, and then clapped my hands, intending to drive her off before changing the slide. To my astonishment she would not move. Make as much noise as I would, I could not induce her to stir ! tShe sat through it all without winking, but when I tried to change the plate the slight shaking of the tent front frightened her more than all my noise. She was gone in a second. In a little white, during which 1 heard a great deal of conversation going on in the melancholy Bullfinch language in the sur- rounding trees, she and her mate came back together. She popped on to the eggs and he stood by her for some minutes. I subsequently found that he always escorted her back to the nest, being the most attentive and devoted of mates. The young hatched on May 23rd, and the 24th being a bright day I took my camera to the tent to try for some more photographs. The little ones were very small and helpless, decorated with tufts of black down like the conventional adornments of a circus clown. Are such tufts merely an accident of evolution, or do they serve a useful purpose ? Watching the tiny mites as thejr lay in their nest gave me no answer to my query, unless it was the thought that maybe these scanty tufts are a legacy from the primitive bird in which the nest-building impulse was not yet developed, and whose young therefore would almost certainly be well clad. Hardly was 1 inside the tent before the female Bullfinch was back at the nest escorted by the male. Having seen her settled down he left at 1.30, returning fifteen minutes later with his throat swollen with food. She opened her beak, and regurgitating his store, he gave it all to her. At 2.0 he was back again, and once more he fed her. He then stopped away until 2.30. This time, the hen having taken a little food from her mate, rose, stepped back to the edge of the nest, and left the young ones exposed to view. The cock, leaning forward. * Normal (Greenwich) Time, not Summer Time is used throughout this paper. 125 VOL. XII.] NESTING OF BULLFINCH. fed the mites with the remainder of his food supply, after which he attended to the sanitation of the nest, passing some of the excrement to the female to swallow and disposing of the rest himself, after which he went off to forage again, and the hen settled down to brood. At 3.0 she became restless, looked this way and that, and finally slipped off the nest and away through the bushes. Hardly had she gone when the male Bullfinch appeared with food. His “ taken aback ” look when he found she had disappeared was quite laughable ; however, he fed and attended to the young before flying off in the same direction in which she had vanished, and 1 took the opportunity of their being both away to leave the “ hide.” Evidently when the young are first hatched the cock bird does all the catering, supplying both his mate and. the young with food at intervals varying from fifteen minutes up to thirty-five or more. I noted the next day that the female, though she left the nest twice, did not bring food with her on hei' return, while her mate arrived each time with his throat swollen with the results of his foraging. My notes for the afternoon run : — £ brought food at 1 .4 $ went off at 1 .22 and returned without food 1 .33 q brought supplies at 1 .55 The pair left together at 1.57 $ returned without food at 2.19 came with food at 2.25 Left tent at 3.10 I further noted down as the birds unfolded their famil\- life before my eyes that : “ The cock is a perfect little gentle- man, feeding his mate most daintily. He gives her some food first, then she rises off the young ones and stands o.side, while he feeds them, after which she gives them what she has received. Then both attend to the sanitation. The regurgi- tated food appears to be semi-digested buds, etc., but it is impossible to say for certain. The cock does look a quaint little fellow when he comes home with his throat as full as it is possible to cram it ! He is really the daintiest and gayest of feathered creatures, with his salmon-pink waistcoat, grey back, white rump, and coal-black tail , but if he is a gay cavalier in his bright clothes, his mate might be a Puritan dame in her demure greys, whites, and blacks. Curiously inconsistent are their flat, somewhat hawk-like heads and strong, thick bills- — each tints I look at them they make me Female Bullfinch waiting with open beak for a share of the male’s supplies. ( Photographed by Miss F. Pitt.) vol. xii.] NESTING OF BULLFINCH. 127 think of the wall paintings of the hawk-headed gods on ancient Egyptian monuments ! ” Photographically the situation of the nest was very bad, it being impossible to open it up sufficiently to permit an instantaneous exposure. Dark Austrian pines and spruce surrounded the place, and the light which filtered through the heavy green branches was even poorer actinically than it appeared to the eye. In consequence I had to give short time exposures, varying from \ of a second up to two or three, when the hen was brooding. To begin with, the slight click of the shutter would cause both birds to “freeze ” for a moment, but later they became so indifferent to all sounds that not even shouting would make them turn their heads ! They also lost all fear of movements within the tent. I could shake it as much as I liked and they took no notice, but they did not get reconciled to the sight of a human being. If I showed no more than hand outside the tent they were both gone in an instant. The result of this acquired indifference to noise was a dreadful wastage of plates. Again and again I tried for records of various episodes of the family life, only* to find on development that the photographs showed too much movement to be any use at all. I never got a good photograph of the old birds removing excrement, an incident I tried for repeatedly. For the first d ay or two after the young had hatched, it was swallowed at the nest by the parents. Afterwards they carried it off and, I believe, dropped it at a distance. The first time I saw the female Bullfinch bring food for the family was on May 29th, when I began my watch at 11.10. My notes, made while I waited, run as follows : “ Very hot, the air full of drowsily humming flies, a few birds singing, a hen Cuckoo bubbling and her mate cuckooing. An Owl rouses himself to hoot vigorously, at which a Blackbird or two break into hysterical shrieks. The young Bullfinches seem much distressed by the heat and lie gasping all the time with their heads over the edge of the nest. They have grown enormously, almost doubling in size during the last two days. The female returns (11.18), feeds (the first time I have seen her do so) and covers them. She too seems very hot, not- withstanding that the nest is more or less shaded, and sits gasping with her beak open. The male, who has seen her home, has now gone off with a beakful of excrement. At 11.45 the cock appears with food. Both attend to the young and the two leave together. At 12.23 they both return, the male with food, the female without. The cock seems this 128 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. time to have difficulty in regurgitating his supplies and eventually flies away looking bilious. The hen, having covered the young for a moment or two, flies after him, almost upsetting one of the little things out of the nest as she rises. “ At 12.55 $ and $ return together, both bringing food. Each feeds the young, then the hen opens her beak, exactly as if expecting the cock to give her food, and he helps himself several times to her supply, giving a little to each of the nestlings. He then leaves, and she broods the little things for a few moments. Then she pulls a fibre out of the nest, which appears to have got out of place, and flies away with it. At 1.23 the female appears alone, feeds the family, and broods them until her mate’s return at 1.38. When he has fed and attended to them, the two depart together. At 2.15 they are back again, but do not stop after feeding the young and cleaning up. Leave tent at 2.20.” From this time forward the pair invariably foraged together, returning together with their supplies, and behaved, in fact, like a most devoted couple. Except when the hen stayed to brood the young for a while, the cock never moved without her. They each had their own path by which they approached the nest. He invariably flew on to the roof of my tent and thence to a particular twig in front of the nest, but she came from the back, slipping quietly through the branches and appearing suddenly on the further side of the nest. Sometimes the pair notified their approach with their mournful call-notes, and at other times came silently. I only once saw the male take food from the female, but several times saw him share supplies with her. She would stand with open beak mutely appealing to him, but more often than not her supplicating attitude was disregarded. After the first six days the parental duties were shared equally; both as regards feeding and carrying off excreta. The visits, which to begin with were at fifteen to twenty minute intervals, got further and further apart until, by the time the young were ready to fly, food was only brought once in three-quarters of an hour or even longer. The result of the young being left so long was that the nest sometimes got dirty, but the old birds when they did turn up always cleaned it carefully. The young grew with extraordinary rapidity, and on May 30th, when they were seven days old, I noted : “ The nestlings groAv like mushrooms: they seem to have doubled in size in the night. They can now hold their heads right up in the air. When they do so, with their great blind eyes and long Female Bullfinch at the nest, the male being just out of sight. (Photographed by Miss F. Pitt.) 130 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. trembling necks, they are grotesquely reptilian in appearance. Their clown-like tufts of down add to their weird appearance.” They were much distressed by heat, not only by the direct rays of the sun, but when shaded as well, and I repeatedly saw them lying with heads over the edge of the nest panting in great distress. It seems therefore as if the partiality for nesting in evergreen bushes on the part of this species is really due to its seeking cool, dark sites, such as the hearts of these trees usually afford. How rapidly the young developed may be gathered from the fact that on the eighth day their feathers were showing, and I wrote that “though comparatively helpless yet. their eye-slits only beginning to open, they have already some idea of trying to preen themselves. One made a valiant attempt on the young stumpy feathers that are appearing on its shoulder, but failing in the effort, yawned widely and settled down to doze until the old birds came home.” At eleven days old the young had altered wonderfully, they had developed many more feathers, their eyes had opened, they appeared to see and understand what was going on around them, and at the sight of the old birds or at the shaking of a twig they twittered in anticipation of the good things to come. Their beaks, already large, contrasted strongly with the intensely black ones of their parents, for at this stage they were a dirty yellowish -white. When fifteen days old they were fully Hedged and the frail nest threatened to give way under its burden, for the five filled it to overflowing. The sixteenth day — June 8th — saw them launched into the world — five little Bullfinches suddenly shot out of the nest; five pale greyish editions of their parents were seen for a few moments among the dark boughs ; then the anxious call-notes of the old birds were heard, and they vanished for good. To recapitulate the results of my observations : the male fed the female while she was incubating, also brought her food after the young had hatched, and did the entire foraging for the family until they were six days old. For the remaining ten days the pair shared their duties, working together and seldom moving without one another. Further, the young were, to begin with, fed at fifteen to twenty minute intervals 7 but, later, the time lengthened until it became forty-five to sixty minutes and occasionally more. In both nests watched incubation occupied fourteen days : in the case of the first the young flew sixteen days after hatching ; in that of the second on, I think, the fifteenth day, but it might possibly have been NESTING OF BULLFINCH VOL. XII.] 131 a dajr earlier. The accompanying table gives dates and times : — « TIME-TABLE. When found. Remarks. First egg- No. Bird of began eggs, to sit. Young Iucuba- hatched. tion. Young left nest. 1st Nest 3/V/18 Ready 5/v 5 9/V 23/V days. 14 8/VI 16 days old 2nd Nest for eggs 19/V/18 Incuba- (?) 5 18/V 1/VI 14 15/vi or 14/vi tion (?) (?) begun ( 132 ) A LIST OF SUMMER BIRDS OBSERVED ON THE OUTER FARNE ISLANDS. BY EDWARD MILLER. During the seasons 1911 to 1914 inclusive I was engaged as watcher on the Outer Fame, and the following list repre- sents the result of four summers’ observations. Unfortunately the period during which I was stationed on the Islands did not cover the main season of migration either in the spring or autumn, and no doubt a longer period of residence would have resulted in a considerable increase in the number of species reported. Practically all the records given are from observations made on the Brownsman, which is only about three acres in extent, with little or no cover. From the Outer Fame, which covers eleven acres, no doubt a longer list could readily be compiled. As the great majority of these records are from observation only, I have not ventured to define the subspecies in such cases as that of the Chiffchaff and Willow-Warbler, where it is possible that continental races may occur on migration. The period during which I was resident extended from May 13th to August 17th, by which time the breeding species had hatched off. List of species observed : — Rook (Corvus f. frugilegus). — One on May 24th, 1912, and on May 14th, 1914. Jackdaw ( Colceus m. spermologus).— Occasional in May in the early morning. Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris). — Three or four pairs nest annually. Twite {Carduelis f. fiavirostris) . — One on May 19th, 1912. Lesser Redpoll ( Carduelis l. cabaret). — I found the remains of a dead bird, 1911. Linnet ( Carduelis c. cannabina). — 1 found the remains of a dead bird in 1911. Chaffinch ( Fringilla c.coelebs). — One,afemale, Aug. 13th, 1914. House-Sparrow ( Passer d. domesticus). — One, a male, on August 10th, 1914. Tree-Sparrow ( Passer m. montanus). — A party of eight on May 22nd, 1913. Rock-Pipit (Anthus spinoletta petrosus). — About a dozen pairs nested on the Brownsman each year. One nest in 15)13 had eight eggs. One nested in the wall of an old beacon- tower eight feet from the ground. Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. lugubris). — Nested in the Browns- vol. xii.] SUMMER BIRDS ON THE FAItNES. 133 man in 1911 and 1912. An occasional visitor in 1913, but never seen in 1914. White Wagtail ( Motacillaa . alba). — One visited us on June 10th, 1913. Goldcrest (Regulus regulus). — One at the Longstone lantern, July 26th, 1912. Spotted Flycatcher ( M uscicapa s. striata). — Occasional in May or early June. Pied Flycatcher (M uscicapa h. hypoleuca). — A male on June 11th and 12th, 1914, after a northerly breeze. Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus coMybita) —Occasional in May and in August. Willow-Warbler ( Phylloscopus trochilus). — Occasional in May, June, and in August. Sedge-Warbler (Acrocephcilus sclioenobcenus) . — From 3rd to the 7th June, 1912. Garden -Warbler ( Sylvia borin). — 15th and 16th May, 1913. Blackcap (Sylvia a. atricapilla) . — 7th June, 1912, and 24th May, 1913. Whitethroat ( Sylvia c. communis). — Occasional in Ma}' and early June. Fieldfare (T urdus pilaris) . — I found the remains of a dead bird in May, 1911, and one visited us on May 15th, 16th and 19th, 1914. Song-Thrush (T urdus p. clarkei). — Odd birds visited us occa- sionally each season. Redwing (T urdus musicus). — I found the remains of a dead bird in May, 1911. Ring Ouzel (T urdus t. torquatus). — A single bird visited us on May 15th, 16th, and 28th, 1913. Blackbird (T urdus m. merula). — Visited us occasionally. In 1914 a pair were seen almost every day, but I found no sign of a nest. Wheatear ( CEnanthe oenanthe). — A regular visitor in May, sometimes a dozen birds being seen. Occasional in June and July and regular in August. The larger birds seen probably belonged to the Greenland race. Stonechat (Saxicola t. hibernans) .— A male on May 16th, 1914. Whinchat ( Saxicola r. rubetra). — Occasional visitor in May, July and August and once on June 2nd. Redstart (Phcenicurus ph. plioenicurus) . — Occasional in May and early June. Swallow (Hirundo r. rustica). — Occasional all the season. Martin (Delichon u. urbica). — Occasional all the season. Sand-Martin ( Riparia r. riparia). — On June 3rd and 4th, 1912. 134 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xn. Swift (Apus a. apus). — A party of five were hovering over on August 4th, 1914. Nightjar (Caprimulgus e. europceus). — One on June 6th and ' 17th, 1912. Tawny Owl (Strix a. aluco). — One on June 20th and 21st, 1912. Common Heron ( Ardea cinerea). — I thrice saw a single Heron and once a pair alight between the North and South Walmses. Common Sheld-Duck ( Tadorna tadorna). — We occasionally had a pair in May or June. There are records of these breed- ing on the Staple and on the Walmses. Mallard ( Anas p. platyrhyncha). — An occasional visitor to the Browns man Slake. Teal ( Anas c. crecca ). — One on 16th August, 1912, and two on 26th June, 1914. Eider ( Somateria m. mollissima). — This species maintains a steady increase under protection. Common Scoter (C Edemia n. nigra). — A party passed us while fishing on July 16th, 1912. Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax c. carbo). — A colony nests on the Horcars, Walmses or on the Megstone, but the birds frequently shift their site, owing to depredations by Gulls. Shag ( Phalacrocorax g. graculus). — A number of immature birds haunt the Pinnacles and Staple face. There were a large number in July and August 1912. Caimet (Sula bassana). — Numbers of these fish off the Islands in all stages of plumage. Most numerous in the mornings. Red-throated Diver (Golymbus stellatus). — A freshly-killed specimen on east side of the Brownsman, May 1914, on our arrival. Ring-Dove ( Columba p. palumbus). — One on May 25th, 1913. Turtle-Dove ( Streptopelia t. turtur). — One on June 12th, 1912, and on June 4th, 1913. Oystercatcher (Hcematopus o. oslralegus). — About eight pairs nest annually. I have seen a party of thirty or more, apparently migratory birds, in August as ours were still nesting. Dotterel ( Charadrius morinellus). — A party of about twenty alighted on the Staple on July 16th, 1914. Ringed Plover (Charadrius h. hiaticula).- — A pair nests annually on the Brownsman and reared two broods 191 1 , 1912 and 1913, but one in 1914. Golden Plover ( Charadrius apricarius).— Some come to feed after dusk in July and August, my earliest record being July 12th, 1914.' Lapwing ( Vanellus vanellus). — Occasional visitor all the season. vol. xii. | SUMMER BIRDS ON THE F ARNES. 135 Turnstone (Arenaria i. interpres). — In 1912 I only missed this bird on eight days in June and on four in July. In 1913 on two in May, sixteen in June, and nine in July, whilst in 1914 I only missed it on the 4th and 5th June. In May the birds are in well-defined adult plumage. The stragglers in June are in mottled immature plumage. The numbers gradually increase towards the end of July and in August. Knot ( Ganutus canutus). — An occasional visitor in August. Dunlin ( Erolia a. alpina). — An occasional visitor. Very regu- lar July and August 1912, a wet season, when they fed on a small slake on the Brownsman. A party of five stayed a while. Curlew-Sandpiper ( Erolia ferruginea). — One on Aug. 2, 1914. Purple Sandpiper ( Erolia m. maritima). — A regular visitor, except in June and the first week of July. Numbers in May. I have one record for June each year. It returns in July (July 9th, 1912 ; July 12th, 1913 ; and July 12th, 1914) and like the Turnstone it gradually increases in numbers till it generally outnumbers the Turnstone after the first week in August. Green Sandpiper ( Tringa ochropus). — One remained for a week in August 1912, and one August 6th, 1914. Common Redshank ( Tringa totanus). — Regular in July and August ; occasional in June. Dates of arrival. July 7th, 1912 ; July 12th, 1913 ; July 4th, 1914. Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) . — One on Aug. 11, 1912. Bar-tailed Godwit ( Limosa l. lapponica ). — Occasional, passing over in May. Common Curlew (Numenius a. arquata). — Regular in July and August, occasional before. Dates of arrival, July 6th, 1912 ; July 4th, 1913 and 1914. Whimbrel (Numenius ph. phceopus). — Occasional in August. Common Snipe (Gallinago g. gallinago). — One on August 4th, 1913. Very dry weather. Woodcock ( Scolopax rusticula). — I have found remains of dead birds. Bla,ck Tern (H ydrchelidon n. nigra). — One, May 26th, 1912. Sandwich Tern ( Sterna s. sanclvicensis). — Nests in great numbers on the Inner Fames and occasionally visits Outer Islands. From what I saw of this species I should estimate the number of nests on the Knoxes at 1,000 to 1 ,200. One egg was laid on the Brownsman in 1913, but was destroyed by the Gulls. When the birds are leaving in August they go off in large parties after dusk, flying out to sea at a great height. 136 BRITISH BIRDS. Ivol. xii. Roseate Tern ( Sterna d. dougallii). — A few pairs nest on the Inner Fames among the Arctic Terns and occasionally visit the Outer Islands. Common Tern ( Sterna hirundo). — We have a sprinkling of these amongst the Arctic Terns. Arctic Terns ( Sterna paradiscea). — There is a large and in- creasing colony on the Brownsman, numbering in 1912 eleven hundred nests. Little Gull ( Larus minutus). — An immature bird was about on June 16th, 1914, and an adult on June 27th, 1914. Black-headed Gull ( Larus ridibundus). — An occasional visitor all the season. Common Gull ( Larus c. canus). — An occasional visitor. One pair has bred on the Inner Fames since 1910, but no increase has been noted in the numbers returning to breed up to 1918. Herring-Gull ( Larus a. argentatus). — A sprinkling of these nest annually. I have always found the nest on the rock, never amongst the campion. During a spell of hue, warm weather and calm seas a number of immature Herring-Gulls always assemble about the Islands, perching about the edge of the rocks above tide mark and feeding in clusters on the surface of the sea. As soon as a wind comes to disturb the surface they are gone. Lesser Black-backed Gull {Larus f. affinis). — These nest in large numbers. Great Black-backed Gull {Larus marinus). — Occasional visitor, chiefly immature birds. Kittiwake Gull {Rissa t. tridactyla). — These nest in increasing numbers on the Staple face and ledges of the Pinnacles, in 1913 one nest was on the Brownsman, four in 1914. Arctic Skua {Stercorarius parasiticus). — Occasional in August. Razorbill {Alca torda). — About three pairs nest annually about the Staple face. Common Guillemot {Uria t. troille). — Numbers nest on Pinnacles and on Staple face. A sprinkling of ringed birds pair indiscriminately. Puffin {Fratercula a. graboe). — Nest in numbers on Staple and on other Islands. Land-Rail {Crex crex). — One was in the old tower on the Brownsman on May 21st, 1912, after a stormy north-east wind all night. The absence of some of the best known birds on the main- land, such as the Skylark, Redbreast, Hedge-Sparrow, etc., is the more remarkable when it is remembered that the Islands are only If to 4 miles from the Northumbrian coast. NOTES MEMORIAL TO GILBERT WHITE OE SELBOR NE. At the present time no memorial to Gilbert White of any kind exists at Selborne beyond the stone bearing his initials, which marks the spot where he lies. Mr. Joseph Whitaker, of Rainworth Lodge, Rainworth, Notts, has now opened a fund for the erection of a stained glass window to be placed in Selborne Church. Although the present time seems hardly a propitious one, we understand the sum required is not a large one and that Mr. Whitaker has already received many promises of support, one quarter of the sum required having already been subscribed, so that we have little doubt the project will be successfully carried out. Contributions should be sent direct to Mr. Whitaker at the address given above, who will be glad to furnish particulars to intending subscribers. Editors. LOSS OE WEIGHT IN EGGS BY EVAPORATION OF MOISTURE. On June 24tli. 1918, I blew two eggs of the Guillemot ( Uria I. troille), a greenish-blue veined-scrolled egg and a red one. On the following day, after all superfluous water had been drained from them, none of which had been allowed to touch the outside, they were again weighed at intervals, on the dates given belowr. Both eggs were kept under the same conditions while evaporation was taking place, i.e. while drying out. They were placed in a cardboard box with lid partly off, which was then placed on the top of two cabinets about a foot from the ceiling in a room where gas is used in the evening. The experiment was made for the purpose of demonstrating the great importance of thoroughly drying eggs before placing them in the cabinet. I am convinced that most of the trouble experienced by oologists with mildew is owing to placing specimens in the cabinet before being thoroughly dried. It is quite obvious from the figures below, that no Guillemots’ eggs should be placed in the cabinet under three weeks, and for all other eggs time should be given in proportion to size. Mildew is sometimes caused by specimens not being thoroughly cleansed, but the danger from this is considerably reduced if specimens are well dried. The experiment also proves the importance of drying thoroughly before weights are taken for comparison. M 138 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XU . The gradual evaporation of moisture is accompanied by a gradual fading of the colour. This loss of colour is not due to actual fading, but to the evaporation of the moisture from the calcareous matter, which takes from the egg much of its original beauty and richness. This apparent loss of freshness can be restored by a long immersion in water. Date of Weighing. Red egg. Green egg. Weight in Grams. Loss of weight from previous weighing. Weight in Grams. Loss of weight from previous weighing. June 25th 13T97 14 064 July 2nd 12107 1090 13 058 1-006 J uly 6th 11-887 0-220 12-675 0-383 July 12rh 11-762 0-125 12 452 0-223 July 19th 11-762 nil. 12-410 0042 Total loss in weight ... 1-435 g. 1-654 g. Percy F Bttnyaro. CROSSBILLS IN NORFOLK. The distribution of the Crossbill (Loxia c. curvirostra) in north- east Norfolk has always been somewhat of a puzzle. For many years they were either quite unknown or overlooked at Nort.hrepps, which is a parish near Cromer, but now for some reason they have become constant, though somewhat irregular, visitants to that section of the county, more especially in summer. For the month of June there are twelve records in eight years, and ten for July, but only three for August, and live for September, which indicates the time of year when they are to be looked for. The presence of these birds may be due to immigration from Scandinavia, consequent on a succession of prolific breeding seasons, and probably also to failure in the seeding of the conifers ; but, on the other hand, it may be due to local movements of our Norfolk birds, driven to migrate by lack of their food supply in some particular district. The first, or nearly the first Crossbills to be identified in the particular parish now under consideration were a little flock on July 8th, 1909, but after that their note having been recognized — jip, jip, jip— fre- quently repeated, they became less difficult to discover. During the year now past (1917) a careful watch was kepi vol. xii. ] NOTES. 139 by Mr. W. Burdett, and the dates registered have been as follows : — May 4th, 1917. Ten Crossbills May 8th, 1917. Four ,, May 28th, 1917. Six ,. June 22nd, 1917. Three ,, July 16th, 1917. Eight ,, August 3rd, 1917. Five August 7th, 1917. About thirty-five Crossbills. September 20th, 1917. Ten Crossbills. November 7th, 1917 Five ,, November 10th, 1917. Three ,, As to nidification, there has been no actual proof of it in this immediate district, but it is otherwise near King’s Lynn, where Crossbills appear to breed not infrequently, and where on April 8th, 1917, Mr. Tracy again found a nest of four eggs in a Scotch fir. J. H. Gurney. PIED FLYCATCHER IN DORSET. The Pied Flycatcher (Mvscicapa h. hypoleuca) may be con- sidered rara avis in these parts, and its appearance in Dorset is. I think, worth recording. As a passage migrant it may pay us a flying visit pbrhaps oftener than supposed, but I have not heard of its occurrence here for many years. I saw a female of this species a few miles east of Dorchester on September 17th, 1918. Had I not been well acquainted with this species it might have escaped my notice, as the female, unlike the male, is by no means a very conspicuous bird, and not likely to attract attention. W. J. Ashford. NUMBERS IN SWALLOW BROODS IN 1918. Having published the percentage for broods of Swallows ( Hirundo r. rustica ) for several years in British Birds, I beg to record those of 1918 as found in North Lancashire and Westmorland. The summer was not a good one for Swallows like those of 1915 and 1917, but better than 1916, and very much better than 1913, as the table below will show. June showed 60 per cent, of full broods as compared with 65.5 per cent, for June last year and 68 per cent, for June, 1915. During July they fell to 33 per cent., and August only showed a little over 13| per cent. For the whole summer 35.2 per cent, showed BRITISH BIRDS. 140 [vox . XII. full broods, as compared with 45.7 per cent, in 1917, 28.6 in 1916, and 50.0 in 1915. Nests visited. Broods of six or more. Broods of five. Average full broods. Average brood. Percentage. 1909 .. 11 0 0 0 3.27 1910 . . 45 0 15 33 3.89 1911 .. 60 3 24 45 4.4 1912 .. 20 0 8 40 3.95 1913 . . 22 0 3 13.6 3.27 1914 .. None — — — — 1915 . . 38 5 14 50 4.65 1916 .. 42 0 12 28.5 4.0 1917 .. 70 4 28 45.7 4.3 1918 .. 51 4 14 35.2 4.19 H. W. Robinson STRANGE NESTING-SITES OF SAND-MARTIN. I read with interest the note on this subject [anted, p 116). Less than twenty years ago 1 was spending a short summer holiday at Traquair Manse, Peeblesshire. The garden wall there, adjoining the public road, was about seven feet high, and had for a coping layers of turf about eighteen inches in breadth. This coping was tunnelled by a colony of Sand- Martins ( Riparia r. riparia), all busily engaged in rearing their young. William Serle, lx the Gudbrandsdal. Norway, the Rev. H H. Slater noticed that Sand-Martins often selected the turf roofs of the cottages to make their nest-burrows in ( Zool. , 1883, p. 10); and in Texel I have found them nesting in the turf walls which are used there instead of hedges. Nests in holes of stone walls and in weep-holes of brickwork have been recorded on numerous occasions : the earliest reference of some twelve or more records being a note by J. Dalton (Zool. 1862, p. 7844) on breeding in the walls of Godstow Priory, near Oxford. F. C. R. Jourdain. ROLLERS IN HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. A female Roller ( Coracias garrulus) was brought to me on September 23rd, 1918, having been shot that day in the parish of New Milton Hampshire. It was in good condition and plumage. The authors of The Birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight give five records for the county (p. 112), the last occurrence being reported by the late Mr G. B. Corbin, who sent a note VOL. XLI.l NOTES. 141 to the Zoologist, 1904, p. 458, that a bird was seen on several occasions from May to . Fuly, 1904, on an estate near Ringwood. R. E. Cole's. In The Birds oj Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (p. 112) only two records of the Roller ( Coracias garrulus) are given from the Isle of Wight : one killed at Nunwell, near Brading, in 1881, and another shot near Sandown in 1886. In the Field , June 14th, 1884, there is a note by Mr. W. T. Smyth, of Ryde, to the effect that a male Roller was shot in 1884 on Lady Oglander’s estate, near Brading, and stuffed by Conacher, of Ryde. It is quite possible that this is the same bird as that recorded as having been killed in 1881, but the con- temporary record of the date is far more likely to be correct. If both statements are accurate, another occurrence must be added to the county list. F. C. R. Jourdain. GREEN WOODPECKER IN WESTMORLAND. The Green Woodpecker ( Pious viridis pluvius) has always been a rare bird in Westmorland. Macpherson in his Fauna of Lakeland (p. 167) only mentions one record for the county, a bird shot near Appleby shortly prior to 1882. It is of interest therefore to place on record the presence of these birds during 1918. They have been both seen and heard on many occasions at Rydal during the summer, and there is little doubt that they have successfully bred there, as on one occasion as many as three were seen together. The bird was first seen by a lady living in the neighbourhood about the third week in April. After that it was seen and heard constantly up to July 25th, on which date three birds were seen together at the same time. The last occasion on which one was seen was as recently as September 7th, when a bird was watched at close quarters, feeding on the ground. I have been able to trace another record of the bird locall}7, and give the particulars. The late Miss M. L. Armitt, of Rydal, was a ver}7 keen and competent naturalist, and her books were bequeathed on her death to found the present “ Armitt Library ” in Ambleside. In her copy of Mac- pherson’s Fauna , now in the library, a pencilled note appears in her handwriting against the Green Woodpecker, reading as follows, “ James Hewertson shot one above Loughrigg Brow m winter 1884/5 He had it stuffed and has given it to me.” T have made enquiries, but so far have been unible to trace this stuffed bird, and cannot say as to whether it is still in existence, but the late Miss Armitt was such a careful and 142 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. accurate observer that I feel that the record can safely be accepted as correct. A. Astley. [Two other records of the appearance of this species in Westmorland, by Mr. Hulme Wilson and the late Lieut. E. B. Dunlop, will be found in Brit. Birds, V., pp. 25 and 77. F. C. R. Jourdatn.] CUCKOOS’ EGGS AND NESTLINGS IN 1918. This year Cuckoos ( Cuculus c. canorus) were very common in the Felsted district, but very few nests containing eggs or young were found. At present very few of the members of the School Scientific Society are at all capable ; the only two who are of much real use spent most of their spare time helping me with the Sparrow-Hawk, and I had little time myself for other birds. Only ten such nests were found ; the victims of the Cuckoos being Hedge-Sparrow (five), Pied Wagtail (two), Robin (one), Reed-Bunting (one), Lesser Whitethroat (one) — a very interesting, if small, series. One egg was infertile. Of the five nestlings kept under observation one died when six days old. In one case the Cuckoo ejected three of the Wagtail’s eggs, leaving onty two in the nest with her own. In another case I visited the Hedge-Sparrow’s nest and found it to contain four eggs. Scarcely a quarter of an hour later as I was returning I saw a Cuckoo leave the spot and found the nest contained a Cuckoo’s egg and three Hedge- Sparrow’s eggs. The Reed-Bunting’s nest was in a straw-stack about six feet from the ground. The nestling hatched, but died. There was a Wagtail’s nest in the same stack, but the nest was not used by the Cuckoo. Cuckoos began to lay very early in May and ceased calling here after July 2nd. J. H. Owen. CUCKOO’S EGG IN NEST OF RED-BACKED SHRIKE AND CHIFFCHAFF. With reference to Mr. P. F. Bunyard’s note on this subject in the October issue, it may be of interest to record that on June 16th, 1918. I found at Holmwood, Surrey, a nest of the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius c. collurio) containing seven of the bird's own eggs and one of the Cuckoo ( Cuculus c. canorus). The Cuckoo’s egg was greenish -white in ground-colour, evenly marked with small purplish-brown spots ; the Shrike’s eggs being of the cream-coloured type, zoned with olive- brown and grey. Howard Bentham. Judging from the few instances that have come to light I vol. xn. NOTES. 148 think that the fact of a Cuckoo ( Cuculus c. canorus) deposit- ing its egg in the nest of a Chiffchaff ( Phylloscopus c. collybita) is of sufficiently rare occurrence to be worth placing on record. On May 19th, 1918, I found a Chiffchaff’s nest containing two eggs and one of a Cuckoo. The nest was in the same spot as last season, and in the Wantage district of Berkshire. The bird was not sitting, and from the feel of the eggs, may have deserted. The accustomed dupes of this Cuckoo were probably Robins or Hedge-Sparrows, but in this locality both species are now remarkably scarce, not having recovered from the devastating effects of the 1917 Spring. E. E. Pettitt. PALLAS'S SAND-GROUSE IN WORCESTER- SHIRE IN 1888. About twelve years ago, when 1 was an assistant master at Bromsgrove School, I compiled a note book primarily with a view to inviting the assistance of the boys of the school in noting the various birds found in the Bromsgrove district. The late Rev. K. A. Deakin, at that time rector of Cofton, gave me very great help with numerous observations, and I remember distinctly seeing at Cofton Rectory the two Pallas’s Sand-Grouse ( Syrrhaptes paradoxus) which Mr. T. Ground mentions in British Birds ( antea , p. 116) as being in Mr. Deakin’s possession. Further, my note book contains the entry in Mr. Deakin’s handwriting that “ four were shot out of a flock of five at Cofton, Dec. 29th, 1888.” With regard to the Teal (Anas c. crecca) nesting at Cofton, which Mr. Ground also mentions, Mr. Deakin wrote in my note book ; “ Teal : Brood of eight young, Upper Bittall (reservoir), June 7, 1892. “ Ten eggs, Cofton Plantation, June 10, 1896.” A. May all. WINTER BREEDING OF MOOR-HEN IN NORFOLK. Although I do not remember having seen eggs of the Moor- Hen (Gallimda c. chloropus) in March, a clutch hatched out about Christmas, 1916, at North Runcton, near Lynn, where on January 29th, 1917, four young ones, about one-third grown, were seen by Mrs. Craigie and others. J. H. Gurney. [Cf. Br.B., antea, pp. 21 and 48 and Vol. VI., p. 375, for notes on early breeding of this species. — Eds.] BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. 144 OBITUARY. L. BERESFORD MOUR1TZ. We regret to learn that the Court of Enquiry which was held to determine the fate of Mr. L. B. Mouritz, who was reported as missing during the fighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula in May 1915, has declared that he was killed in action on May 14th, 1915. Mr. Mouritz was an Australian by birth and a mining engineer by profession. He was a keen and very promising young ornithologist, and while resident in England prior to going out to South Africa he did a good deal of ornithological work, chiefly in Surrey. Most of his earlier observations were made in Richmond Park, and when oidv seventeen he contributed a useful article to the Zoologist on the birds of that neighbourhood, which being within convenient reach of his home at Chiswick, received a good deal of his attention. Later on he extended his researches further afield and thoroughly explored a great part of the moorlands in the south-western corner of Surrey, and in view of his success in this quarter, he decided, with the assistance of several other ornithologists, to publish a series of annual reports on the Birds of Surrey in the Zoologist, the first of which appeared in 1907 (pp. 92-100). Among the more interesting records were those of the Blue-headed Wagtail Greenshank and Curlew-Sandpiper. Unfortunately the work was dis- continued owing to the departure of Mr. Mouritz for Rhodesia in the latter part of 1907. In collaboration with Mr. C. H. Bentham he also contributed an article to the first volume of British Birds on the breeding of what was believed at the time to be a pair of Hen-Harriers in Surrey in 1907, but which subsequently proved to be Montagu’s Harriers (Circus pygargus). Hobbies were also found breeding in Surrey at the same time (Cf. Brit. Birds, I., pp. 237-242 and 351-354). In the latter part of 191 1 Mr. Mouritz prospected in Katanga, Belgian Congo, under Anglo-Belgian auspices, and a paper by him on the birds observed was published in the Ibis for 1914. pp. 26-38. He was elected a Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union in 1912 and supplied a valuable paper on the Birds of the Matoppo District, South Rhodesia, to tin* Ibis, 1915, pp. 185-216 and 534-571. At the beginning of the war Mr. Mouritz enlisted as a trooper in the 2nd Australian Light Horse and did good service till the time of his death in the bitter lighting on the Gallipoli Peninsula. E.C.R.J. BRITISH BIRDS With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." EDITED BY REV. F. C. R. JOTJRDAIN, m.a., m.b.o.d ASSISTED BY Norman F. Ticehurst, m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 7, Vol. XII. December 2, 1918. page The Moults and Sequence of Plumages of the British Waders. By Miss Annie C. Jackson, Hon. Mem. B.O.U., Part IX. .. 146 The Great Crested Grebe in Warwickshire. By the late A. G. Leigh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Recovery of Marked Birds . . . . . . . . . . 154 Notes : — White-winged Larks in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) . . . . 159 Marsh-Warbler breeding in Berkshire (E. E. Pettitt) . . 159 Brown-backed Warbler in Sussex (J. B. Nichols) . . . . 160 Late Stay of Swift .. .. .. .. .. .. 160 Belted Kingfisher in Cornwall (Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain).. 160 Green Woodpecker in the Isle of Wight (Rev. C. A. Shaw) . . 161 Little Owl in Monmouthshire (R. C. Banks) .. .. 162 Bewick's Swan in Warwickshire (R. H. Baillie) .. .. 162 Cormorant in Staffordshire and Derbyshire (E. Grindey) 163 Black and Sandwich Terns inland in Cheshire (K. Fisher) . . 163 Spotted Crake in Staffordshire (H. E. Forrest) .. .. 164 Short Notes : — Jays Feeding on Wheat. Ortolan Bunting in Sussex. Crested Tit Breeding in West Elgin. Great Spotted Woodpecker Breeding in Tay Area. Little Stint in Outer Hebrides. Black Terns in co. Mayo .. 164 Reviews : — Report of Zoological Section (Trans. N . Staffs. Field Club, 1917-18). Ornithological Report for Derbyshire. Report on Scottish Ornithology for 1917 .. .. 166 Obituary : — Lieut. -Colonel W. V. Legge . • . . . . 168 N ( U{> ) THE MOULTS AND SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGES OF THE BRITISH WADERS. BY ANNIE C. JACKSON, hon. mem. b o.u Part IX. Red-necked Phaearope ( Ph . lobatus). Adults. — Complete moult from July to January. From February to June there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, but not the wings in the few specimens examined. The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The sexes are alike in winter plumage, but distinct in summer plumage, the female being the more brilliant. The male differs chiefly from the female in having the feathers of the crown, nape and upper mantle dark sepia narrowly edged white ; the feathers of the rest of the mantle black-brown or sepia tipped and edged white at sides and usually plentifully margined with cinnamon or pinkish-buff ; the female has the crown, centre of nape and mantle dull brownish-slate, the feathers of the sides of the mantle margined at sides cinnamon or pinkish-buff forming two streaks converging towards the centre of the mantle ; scapulars dull brownish -si ate tipped white and more or less margined at sides cinnamon or pinkish- buff : sides of face dark sepia in the male, in the female dull brownish- slate ; the male has the tawny patch on the side of the neck less extensive, while the lower throat, upper breast and patch on sides of breast and belly are sepia, the feathers fringed and margined with white (in some specimens some feathers of the lower throat are margined tawny or intermixed with a few tawny feathers and in some the lower throat is more or less tawny) ; in the female the lower throat is tawny, some feathers faintly edged white, intermixed in some with feathers spotted dull brownish-slate, while in some the lower throat is entirely dull brownish-slate, the feathers with white edges ; sides of breast and belly dull brownish-slate, the feathers more or less edged and marked white ; lower breast, belly and vent white in both sexes. N.B. — Two May specimens examined were moulting the 2nd primaries and were in full body-moult into summer plumage. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Resembling the adult male in summer plumage but the forehead white and the crown black-brown, the feathers faintly margined at sides warm buff ; centre of nape sooty-brown, the feathers faintly edged white, sides of nape white, the feathers faintly tipped buff ; mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts black or black-brown, the feathers tipped and broadly margined warm buff ; centre of back and rump sooty- brown and central upper tail-coverts black -brown notched and tipped warm buff (instead of sepia with the feathers edged white as in the adult male) ; a black-brown line encircling the eye except above and continued through the ear-coverts, rest of face, chin and throat white; sides of breast and belly pale sepia, the feathers edged and suffused light buff or white ; lower throat white more or less suffused light or vinaceous-buff ; under tail-coverts faintly tipped buff, remaining under-parts white (in the adult male the under tail-coverts are white, some with central streaks of sepia) ; tail-feathers narrower and more pointed at the tip than in the adult, the central pair edged light or warm buff instead of white ; innermost secondaries and coverts as « vol. xii.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. 147 scapulars (in the adult in summer the innermost secondaries and coverts are sepia, in some faintly edged cinnamon on outer-web, in winter sepia with a grey bloom and narrowly edged white) ; median and lesser coverts sepia or hair-brown with a dull grey bloom as in the adult, but lower median coverts broadly edged white or light buff instead of narrowly edged white as in the adult. First Winter and Summer. — (Not examined.) Genus Himantopus. Black-winged Stilt (H. himantopus). Adults. — Complete moult from July to December. From February to June there is a partial moult in some individuals apparently involving most of the body-feathers, in others only the feathers of the head and neck, and scattered feathers on the upper- and under-parts, sometimes some innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts, but apparently not the tail-feathers nor the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are much alike, but in summer plumage some of the males have the crown and nape more or less black, the amount of black varying considerably indi- vidually ; in summer the mantle and scapulars are metallic green, the feathers without the narrow brown edges as in winter, the white under-parts are usually suffused with a roseate tinge. The female has the same plumage as in winter, but in some examples some feathers of the hinder crown are tipped blackish-brown. The female differs from the male in having the mantle and scapulars hair-brown, the feathers narrowly tipped white instead of black glossed metallic blue-green ; primaries and secondaries browner and with less gloss, innermost secondaries and coverts and innermost median coverts hair-brown, in some slightly glossed green instead of black glossed metallic green as in the male. N.B. — One o, December 12th, Ichang, had the hinder part of the crown and line round eye and region behind eye greenish-black, the feathers of the nape white broadly tipped black. Juvenile. — Male. — Resembling the adult winter female, but the crown, patch behind eye, line round eye and ear-coverts sepia, the feathers narrowly tipped light buff (forehead white) ; (in the adult winter female the crown is white, the feathers with ashy-brown bases often imperfectly concealed, the hinder crown in some with a few sooty-brown feathers or with white feathers tipped and marked sooty) ; nape and upper mantle light sepia or ashy-brown, the feathers narrowly tipped light buff or white (instead of white feathers ash- brown towards base, bases often imperfectly concealed as in the adult female) ; mantle and scapulars sepia, the feathers tipped and bordered warm buff ; scapulars and some feathers of mantle with a subterminal border of darker sepia (instead of hair-brown the feathers narrowly tipped white as in the adult female) ; upper tail-coverts as in the adult, but tipped buff and with a subterm Inal border of pale sepia ; under wing-coverts brownish-black narrowly tipped white or warm buff (instead of black glossed metallic blue-green as in the adult) ; tail-feathers as in the adult, but with a subterminal sepia border or bar, in some scarcely indicated, succeeded by a warm or light buff border or bar and narrowly tipped sepia ; primaries and secondaries with inner-w7ebs, in some both webs towards tip, browner ; the 5th to the 11th primaries tipped white or light buff, secondaries broadly tipped white (in the adult $ the primaries and secondaries are black, shading to black-brown or sepia on the inner -webs, primaries and secondaries more or less glossed metallic blue-green. 148 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. without white or buff tips as in the juvenile) ; innermost secondaries and then- coverts sepia, tipped and bordered light or warm buff ; outer-webs faintly glossed metallic green (instead of hair-brown narrowly tipped white, in some slightly glossed metallic green as in the adult female) ; greater, median and lesser coverts dull metallic green, all except some of the lesser coverts narrowly tipped light- buff, proximal median coverts browner and innermost sepia (in the adult female the wing-coverts are black with a duller metallic blue- green gloss than in the male, the greater coverts and some median coverts with the inner-webs more or less black-brown or sepia slightly glossed green and without the buff tips of the juvenile ; the innermost median coverts hair-brown, in some slightly glossed metallic green). Female. — As male, but median coverts sepia, edged warm buff, distal ones slightly glossed metallic green on outer-webs. First Winter. — Male. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), two or three central pairs of tail-feathers, in some all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, most of median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings are moulted from July to January. After this moult the male resembles the adult, but the crown, line round eye, region behind eye and ear-coverts are mouse-grey (forehead white) ; nape and upper mantle pale mouse-grey, feathers of upper mant le mostly with narrow white tips ; mantle and scapulars hair-brown more or less glossed dull-green ; tail as in the adult except for the worn juvenile feathers ; wing as in the juvenile, but inneimost secondaries and coverts hair-brown with a slight green gloss and narrowly tipped white ; new median and lesser coverts dull metallic green with narrow hair-brown tips. Female. — As male but the mantle and scapulars hair-brown without the green gloss and the feathers faintly tipped white; inneimost secondaries and coverts hair-brown usually without green gloss and faintly tipped white. First Summer. — Male. — Moult as in the adult, but apparently most or all of the body-feathers and some innermost secondaries are moulted, while the two central pairs of tail-feathers are sometimes renewed. Coloration as in first winter, but crown (except forehead), region behind eye, nape and upper mantle intermixed with white feathers, in some the feathers of the crown are white as in the adult, with ash-brown bases more or less imperfectly concealed, or hinder crown intermixed with white feathers tipped mouse-grey, in some the feathers of the nape are white, tipped dark or blackish mouse-grey ; mantle and scapulars glossed dull metallic green ; the feathers shading to hair-brown tow aids the edge and with broad hair-brown tips ; cheeks, ear-coverts and sides of neck white usually intermixed with a few' pale mouse-grey feathers ; innermost secondaries and coverts metallic green shading to hair-brown at margins of feather. Female. — As first winter female, but crown, nape, upper mantle, cheeks, ear-coverts and sides of neck intermixed with white feathers. Moult presumably as in the male. Second Winter.- — Male. — Moult as in the adult, and plumage as the adult winter, but crown (except forehead, which is white), line encircling eye, region behind eye and ear-coverts are black-brown, sooty-1 rown or mouse-grey ; nape, sides of neck and upper mantle mouse-grey or pale mouse-grey, the feathers with narrow' white edges. Female.- — As adult female, but crown (except forehead, which is white), line round eye and region behind eye and ear-coverts mouse-grey or pale mouse-grey; nape, sides of neck, feathers of upper mantle pale mouse-grey, feathers of upper mantle narrowly edged white. 149 vol. xn. j MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. Second Summer. — Male. — Moult as in the adult, but the median and lesser coverts do not appear to be moulted ; sometimes the central pair of tail-feathers are renewed. After this moult the male cannot be distinguished with certainty from the adult ; it appears, however, always to have some black on the crown and nape, which are never entirely white as in some adults. Female. — -As adult female, but crown (except forehead, which is white) , more or less intermixed with worn or new sooty-brown or mouse-grey feathers ; feathers of nape greyish-white in some, some with mouse-grey or blackish mouse-grey tips ; upper mantle a mixture of new white and worn pale mouse-grey or greyish-white feathers, in some specimens nape and upper-mantle pale mouse-grey, the feathers narrowly tipped white. N.B. — -One $ April 10th, Sardinia, with crown, region behind eye and ear-coverts (not forehead) mouse-grey, nape white, the feathers more or less tipped deep mouse-grey. In some females examined some median and lesser coverts had been renewed. Genus Recurvirostra. Avocet ( R . avosetla). Adults. — Complete moult from June to January. From January to June there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), in some individuals all the tail-feathers but in some the central pair only, innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. Summer plumage as winter, but the female like the male in winter, with the forehead, lores, crown and nape black, the feathers with ash or ashy-white bases, not brownish-black, the feathers of the forehead and lores with white liases and intermixed with white feathers tipped brownish-black as in winter plumage. N.B. — In some individuals the white of tl e upper-parts in summer plumage is clouded with pale grey. As the season advances the black upper-parts, owing to fading, become brownish. One $ adult, 15/2/02, Cape Colony, had the 4th primary of each wing in quill and was moulting the body-feathers. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like the adult female in winter but the forehead, lores and crown down to the eye and upper part of the nape sepia, the feathers faintly tipped light buff (in the adult female the crown, nape and ear-coverts are brownish-black, the feathers of the forehead and lores brownish-black with white bases and intermixed with white feathers and white feathers tipped brownish-black) ; sides, and to some extent the centre, of the mantle and inner scapulars sepia or dusky brown, the feathers tipped and edged with irregular spots and markings of light buff ; rest of scapulars white, in some shaded dusky on the inner-web (in the adult the sides of mantle and inne 1 scapulars are black, forming two broad parallel bands, centre of mantle white) ; upper tail-coverts white as in the adult but tipped light buff ; tail- feathers as in the adult but tipped light buff ; wing as in the adult but primaries dark sepia instead of black, the 6th and 7th narrowly bordered white at tip of inner-web (6th very narrowly), the 8th more broadly edged white at tip of inner-web, in some specimens the 8th and to some extent the 7th with inner-webs broadly bordered white from the white base to the tip where the border narrows (in the adult the 6th, 7th and 8th primaries are black, without the narrow white borders, in some the 7th and 8th have the inner-webs very faintly edged white) ; innermost secondaries and coverts with inner-webs clouded with sepia and mottled light buff and sepia at the tip, others sepia or pale sepia 150 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XU. mottled and marked light buff at tip and the sides (in the adult most of the innermost secondaries and their coverts have the inner, or both, webs clouded with pale dusky brown, shading to white or palest grey towards the tip) ; median and distal series of lesser coverts sepia faintly tipped light buff (in the adult these coverts are black). First Winter.- — Male. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), in some all the tail-feathers, in others apparently only three central pairs, some innermost secondaries and coverts and a varying number of median and lesser coverts are moulted from autumn to January. After this moult the birds resemble the adults, but the forehead, crown, lores, ear-coverts and upper nape are sepia, the feathers towards their bases white, which is ill-concealed on the lores, forehead and crown, the forehead is also intermixed with white feathers or white feathers tipped black-brown ; black of upper-parts browner ; primaries as in the juvenile, rest of wing as in the adult except for the worn juvenile coverts. Female.— As male, but sepia apparently does not extend so far down the nape. First Summer. — As adult summer and only to be distinguished by the worn sepia primaries, by the white edges to the 7th and 8th primaries when not too abraded, and by an odd worn sepia juvenile median covert. Moult apparently as in the adult, but not the tail- feathers in the few specimens examined. Genus Limosa. Bar-tailed Godwit ( L . 1. lapponica). Adults. — Complete moult from July to December. From February to June there is a partial moult involving most of the body-feathers, the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, in some some median and an odd lesser covert, but not the rest of the wings. In some individuals many winter body-feathers are retained, in others the tail is not moulted, in others, especially females, few if any median coverts are renewed. Thewinter and summer plumages are distinct. The bill and wings of the female are considerably longer than in the male. The sexes are alike in winter plumage. In summer plumage the female has the feathers of the upper-parts edged at the sides and notched pale pinkish-cinnamon and white (instead of edged and notched pinkish- cinnamon as in the male) ; the feathers of the mantle and scapulars, inner- most secondaries and coverts with sepia or light sepia centres (instead of dark sepia or black-brown centres as in the male) ; scapulars with broader white tips and edges in the female and in some edged and tipped pale ashy-brown ; in the female the cheeks, sides of neck and throat are white more or less suffused with pale or light pinkish-cinnamon and narrowly streaked sepia, eye-stripe and chin white or light pinkish-cinnamon, in some spotted or narrowly streaked dusky (in the male the eye-stripe, ear-coverts and cheeks are pinkish-cinnamon, ear-coverts and sometimes eye-stripe and cheeks, streaked sepia, while the remaining under-parts are pinkish-cinnamon deepening to orange-cinnamon on the breast and belly, some feathers edged white ; feathers of the sides of the neck, sides of breast and belly, in some also the fore-neck with median streaks of sepia ; flanks in some and under tail-coverts tipped white and with narrow sepia shaft-streaks or irregular transverse or sagittate sepia bare ; vent sometimes intermixed with a few white feathers) ; in the female the breast is pinkish-cinnamon intermixed with numerous white or buffish-white feathers all more or less narrowly streaked or spotted sepia, some of the feathers with transverse sepia or dusky bars 151 vol. xii.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. (concealed in fresh plumage by the feather tips), sides of breast more broadly streaked sepia ; sides of belly and flanks intermixed with white and pinkish-cinnamon feathers with arrow shaped and transverse bars of sepia ; belly and vent white intermixed with a few pinkish- cinnamon feathers ; under tail-coverts as in winter with a few suffused pinkish-cinnamon ; new median coverts as in winter, but edged light pinkish-cinnamon (instead of sepia broadly notched and edged at sides pinkish-cinnamon and narrowly tipped white as in the male). Juvenile. — Male and female.- — The upper-parts are distinct from the adult, but the under-parts somewhat resemble the adult in winter ; forehead and crown sepia, the feathers edged at the sides light buff : nape light buff narrowly streaked ash-brown or pale sepia ; mantle and scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts sepia, the feathers notched light buff at sides, scapulars with numerous buff notches ; back, rump and upper tail-coverts as in adult but tail-coverts suffused buff ; sides of face and sides of neck narrowly streaked ash-brown as in the adult, but suffused with light buff ; fore-neck and breast pale vinaceous-buff or pinkish-buff, fore-neck and sides of breast narrowly streaked sepia (in the adult the sides of neck and fore-neck are white or pale drab narrowly streaked ash-brown ; the breast more or less clouded with pale drab) ; sides of belly and flanks pinkish-buff, some feathei’s with narrow central streaks of sepia ; belly, vent and under tail-coverts as in adult, but more or less suffused pinkish-buff (in the adult the belly and vent are white, the under tail-coverts the same more or less barred sepia) ; tail-feathers barred white and sepia, narrowly tipped white, in some the white bars more or less suffused light buff (in the adult the tail-feathers are ash-brown or sepia tipped and narrowly edged white, all more or less mottled, marked and barred with white, the pattern varies individually) ; greater, median and lesser coverts pale sepia, the greater being edged light buff on outer or both webs, and the median and lesser broadly edged and tipped light buff (in the adult the greater and median coverts are ash-brown with sepia shafts or central shadings of sepia, edged and tipped white, and the lesser coverts are darker ash-brown tipped white). Bill smaller than in the adult. The sexes are alike in plumage. First Winter. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), sometimes two or three central pairs of tail-feathers, sometimes all the tail-feathers, sometimes none at all, usually some innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and lesser coverts but not the rest of the wings are moulted from September to January or even March. After this moult the birds are like the adults but are distinguished by the retained juvenile wing-coverts and sometimes by some retained juvenile tail-feathers or innermost secondaries. N.B. — One or two February specimens examined had retained the juvenile tail-feathers, wing-coverts and most, or all, of the innermost secondaries. First Summer. — None examined except the following specimens in winter plumage or growing winter feathers, viz. one, February 20th, Mekran Coast, with worn winter feathers and growing new winter feathers on body, one $, April 29th, Yarmouth, in worn winter plumage and getting new winter body-feathers, one Christchurch, Hants, May, in worn winter plumage and no moult apparent, four, Scotland, collected in May and June, were in winter plumage, and some were acquiring new winter feathers. [To be continued.) ( 152 ) THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE IN WARWICKSHIRE. BY The late A. GEOFFREY LEIGH. One of the most interesting studies in the history of Warwick- shire birds is afforded by the rapid increase and spread of the Great Crested Grebe ( Podiceps c. cristatus), a species which in less than half a century, from being a rare straggler in the non-breeding season, has become a well distributed and common breeding bird. The earliest recorded appearance in the county appears to be that of a bird obtained at Earlswood in 1858 ( Zoologist , 1865, p. 956), a locality which furnished a second example on March 5th, 1865 (loc. tit.), whilst a third specimen was obtained at Sutton Coldfield on November 15th of the same year ( Zoologist , 1866, p. 100). No further information is available until May 1881, when both birds of a pair breeding at Napton were shot (Viet. Hist. Warwick, p. 806), and in September of the same 3’ear a specimen was obtained at Priors Marston. Mr. 0. V. Aplin informs me that a pair bred yearly at Worm- leighton from 1883 to 1888, but that the locality was then deserted until 1910, since which year they have bred regularly. At Sutton Coldfield the species was present when Mr. Steele Elliott first visited the locality in 1887 ; at this time they bred on two of the five pools, but one of these was deserted for some years until 1894 ( Joum . Birm. Nat. Hist. Soc., p. 60). In 1911 they were breeding on three of the pools, but since then the third (Longmore) has been untenanted, and in 1914 they were breeding only on Bracebridge and Powell’s Pools (Miss B. A. Carter). Mr. Steele Elliott writes me that the species was present on two of the pools at Packington in 1888 or 1889, and since that date they have increased considerably in the locality, as many as eight pairs being present on the two pools in the early breeding season of 1913. whilst a pair also frequented the third pool, but have never yet bred there. On the reservoir at Shu stoke six were seen on April 7th. 1895. The date of the first breeding of this Grebe at Earlswood is not obtainable, but it has nested there regularly at least since the beginning of the present century. From these data it is clear that by about 1900 the Great Crested Grebe had become a regular and fairly well distributed yol. xii.] GREAT CRESTED GREBE. 153 breeding species in Warwickshire, yet the late R. F. Tomes, writing in 1904 (Viet. Hist. Warwick, p. 206), speaks of it as “ almost rare, occurring occasionally on the Avon in winter,” and in 1911 Mr. F. G. Savage confirmed this statement (in litt.) Avith regard to the district around Stratford-on-Avon. This is doubtless to be attributed to the circumstance that the pools in that neighbourhood are of small size and probably do not hold out sufficient attraction to the species as breeding quarters ; additional support is given to this conjecture by the fact that the species was breeding at the time on the pools at Alcester. On the majority of the pools already in use the number of breeding pairs is increasing yearly, Avhilst fresh sheets of water are being constantly occupied. The species is migratory to the extent that all the breeding haunts are deserted about mid -November, when many of the birds resort to the rivers, where they remain for about three months : in all likelihood some leaA^e the district altogether. The return to the breeding quarters usually takes place in February, but in some localities not till the end of March, whilst the late F. Coburn records (Birm. Daily Mail, January 20th, 1906) that in 1906 they appeared at Earlswood as early as January 13th. I have, however, seen pairs indulging in the antics of courtship early in March and this continues on some occasions until mid- April. The breeding season is A’ariable and apparently depends largely on the amount of cover available, as where the birds depend for nesting-sites on the current year’s growth of vegeta- tion. building does not commence till late in April, whilst elseAvliere I have found eggs at the beginning of the month ; yet on two closely adjoining pools, Avhere precisely the same conditions exist, I have known a period of three weeks to elapse between the laying of eggs by tA\*o different pairs. I have elsewhere shown (British Birds, III., p. 171) that the species is frequently double-brooded and subsequent observation shows that this is a fairly general rule. I have seen birds building as late as July 18th. ( 154 ) RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. The following have kindly sent in subscriptions towards the expenses of the Marking Scheme since the last acknowledg- ment was made : Messrs. J. Appleby, J. Bartholomew, Lt. R. 0. Blyth, Capt. A. W. Boyd, Lt. G. Brown, Miss B. A. Carter, Messrs. T. A. Coward, E. de Hamel, K. Fisher, A. G. Greg, Major H. S. Greg, Mrs. Hodgkin, Mr. F. W. Holder, The London Natural History Society, Mr. •J. G. Maynard, Miss E. Mellish, Dr. H. J. Moon, Mr. J. H. Owen, Mrs. Patteson, Mrs. Rait Kerr, Messrs. R. L. Russell and H. J. Vaughan. Starling ( Sturnus v. vulgaris). — 46,020, adult, marked by Mr. T. C. Hobbs at Gosforth, Northumberland, on November 1st, 1913. Reported by Air. W. Douglass at Jesmond, Newcastle -on -Tyne, on October 20th, 1917. 42,356, adult, marked as 46,020 on May 14th, 1913. Reported by Sergeant-Major A. Ashley at Newcastle-on- Tyne on November 8th, 1918. 84.174, adult, marked as 46,020 on January 9th, 1915. Reported by Mr. F. Puttock at Sandyford, Newcastle- on-Tyne. on January 8th, 1918. 80,969, nestling, marked by Dr. H. J. Moon and Mr. F. W. Sherwood at Lytham, Lancs, on June 23rd, 1916. Reported by Mr. .1. Haslam at St. Annes-on-Sea on February 27th, 1918. 84,042, adult, marked by Mr. R. Burnier at Bradfield, Berks, on February 24th, 1915. Reported by Mr. A. Dixev near Steventon, Berks, on December 23rd. 1917. Skv-lark ( Alauda a. arvensis). — 91,058, nestling, marked by Dr. H. J. Moon at Blackpool, Lancs, on May 14th, 1917. Reported by Mr. H. Med well at the same place on April 15th. 1918. Meadow-Pipit ( Anthus pratensis).— CC20, nestling, marked by Dr. H. J. Moon and Mr. F. W. Sherwood at St. Annes- on-Sea, Lancs, on May 19th, 1916. Reported by Mr. H. Medwell at Blackpool in April, 1918. Pied Wagtail ( Motacilla a. lugubris). — T170, nestling, marked by Miss A. Blyth at Moulin, Pitlochry, Perthshire, on June 4th, 1916. Reported by Senor M. Cuervo at Aviles, Asturias, Spain, on January 1st, 1918. Blackrird (T. m. merula). — 80,063, nestling, marked by Mr. A. Mayall near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on May 30th, 1914. Reported by Mr. J. Barker at the same place at the end of July, 1918. 83,661, adult male, marked by Mr. T. Robinson at 155- VOL. XII.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. Oldham, Lancs, on December 13th, 1914. Reported by Mr. W. Bamford at the same place on September 29th, 1918. T871, nestling, marked by Mr. J. Bartholomew at Torrance, Stirlingshire, on May 4th, 1914. Reported in Cage Birds as found dead at the same place in September 1917. 49,544, adult, marked by Mr. T. C. Hobbs near Alnwick, Northumberland, on August 13th, 1914. Reported by Mr. R. Duncan at the same place on June 25th, 1918. 88,805, adult male, marked by Mr. J. Appleby at Great Crosby, Lancs, on June 9th, 1916. Caught again at the same place on January 12th, 1918. Ring replaced and bird released. Wheatear (C "Enanthe cr. cenanthe). — DZ10, adult, marked by Dr. H. J. Moon at Blackpool, Lancs, on May 6th, 1917. Reported by Mr. R. Cardwell at the same place in July 1918. British Redbreast ( Erithacus r. melophilus). — BB1. adult, marked by Mrs. Patteson at Limpsfield, Surrey, on September 5th, 1916. Recovered at the same place during wint.er of 1917. Wren ( Troglodytes t. troglodytes). — FF57, young, marked by Mi-. J. A. Anderson at Milngavie, Stirlingshire, on June 26th, 1917. Recovered at the same place in January 1918. Swallow ( Hirundo r. rustica). — G760, nestling, marked by Mr. H. W. Robinson at Caton, near Lancaster, on July 3rel, 1916. Caught again at the same place on May 15th, 1918. Ring replaced and bird released. FS86 and FV38, nestlings, marked by Mr. J. G. Maynard at Rugby on July 1st and 11th, 1917. Reported near the same place in June 1918. CG61, nestling, marked by Mr. F. W. Holder at South- port, Lancs, on August 31st, 1917. Reported by Mr. M. Marchment at Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, on October 23rd, 1917. Little Owl ( Athene n. noctua). — 26,124, nestling, marked by Air. J. S. Elliott at Turvey, Beds, on June 28th, 1914. Reported by Lord St. John of Bletso at Sharnbrook, Beds, on May 22nd, 1918. Common Heron ( Ardea cinerea). — 50,084, nestling, marked by Mr. G. Atchison at Harbottle, Northumberland, on April 17th, 1913. Reported by Air. Atchison nesting at the same heronry in April 1918. 156 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xii. Mallard (Anas p. platyrhyncha). — 37,714. nestling, marked by Mr. H. Caunce (per Mr. F. W. Holder) at Southport, Lancs, on May 22nd, 1918. Reported by Mr. J. Ains- cough near Wigan, Lancs, on September 11th, 1918. Teal (A. c. crecca). — 25.809. adult female, marked by Mr. J. Law at Leswalt, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, on February 8th, 1916. Recovered at the same place on October 1st, 1917. Wigeon (A. penelope). — 65,001, adult, markeel by Mr. W. Mecch (for Lord William Percy) at Alnwick, Northumber- land, on August 18th, 1915. Reported by Mr. P. Skou- gaarel at Bygholmsvejle, Denmark, in the autumn of 1917. Cormorant (. Phalacrocorax c. carbo). — 101.704, nestling, marked by Mr. H. J. Vaughan at the Fame Islands, Northumberland, on August 26th, 1918. Reported by Mr. F. Borrow at Morecambe, Lancs, on October 17th, 1918. Oolden Plover ( Charadrius apricarius). — 41.204, nestling, marked by Mr. F. Taylor (per Mr. T. A. Coward) at Blackstone Edge, Lancs, on May 25th, 1918. Reported bv Mr. A. Atkinson at Saddleworth, Yorks, on August 6th, 1918. Lapwing ( Vanellus vanelhis). — 13,973. nestling, marked by the late A. Geoffrey Leigh at Hampton-in Arden, Warwickshire, on June 22nd. 1911. Reported by Mr. B. T. Daniel at Val verde del Camino (Huelva) Spain, on January 3rd, 1918. 19,653, nestling, marked by Mr. R. E. Knowles on the East Cheshire Hills, on June 21st, 1912. Reported by the Rev. L. D. Mitton at Newby Beach, near Annan, Dumfriesshire, on January 21st, 1918. 81.598, nestling, marked as 19,653 on May 31st, 1914. Reported by Mr. J. Tovey at Ballyhaunis. co. Mayo, on December 20th, 1917. 41,929, nestling, marked by C. K. Parker at Red Moss, Cliviger, Lancs, on June, 2nd, 1914. Reported by Mr. H. Redding at Lumb, Rossendale, on June 26th, 1918. 18,956, nestling, marked by Mr. C. K. Parker at Rossen- dale, Lancs, on May 4th, 1913. Reported by Councillor S. Compston, J.P.. at the same place on May 7th, 1918. 88,098, nestling, marked by Mr. J. Bartholomew at Torrance, Stirlingshire, on July 30th, 1916. Reported in Cage Birds as recovered at the same place on April 7th. 1918. 157 vol. xii.] RECOVERY OF MARKED BIRDS. Common Tern {Sterna hirundo ). — H.R.68, JK3, JK84, nestlings, marked by Mr. H. W. Robinson at Ravenglass, Cumberland, on July 8th and 23rd, 1918. Recovered at Wigan (Lancs), Bentham (Yorks), and near Blackburn (Lancs) on August 11th and 21st and September 9th, 1918. 93,980. 94,842. 94,844, nestlings, marked by' Mr. F. W. Holder at Ainsdale, Lancs, on July 26th, 1918. Reported near the Liverpool Bar (picked up on the Pilot Vessel), at Hilbre Island, Cheshire, and near Ormskirk, Lancs, in September 19 IS. Black headed Gull {Lams ridibundus). — 63,853, nestling, marked by Capt. A. W. Boyd at Delamere Forest, Cheshire, on June 14th, 1913. Reported by Mis. Hope near Welshpool during summer of 1917. 29,390, nestling, marked by Mr. H. W. Robinson at Walney Island, Lancs, on June 26th, 1912. Reported by Mr. A. Wade at Bolton-le-Sands, Lancs, on January 22nd, 1918. Four nestlings, marked by Messrs. H. W. Robinson and F. W. Smalley at Ravenglass, Cumberland, on June 12th, 1911. June 19th, 1912 and June 11th, 1913. Recovered in March 1917 and January and February 1918 at Allonhy (Cumberland), Spalding (Lines), Carlisle (Cumber- land), and Southport (Lancs). British Lesser Black-backed Gull {Lams f. affinis). — - 31,464, nestling, marked by Mr. H. W. Robinson at Foulshaw, Westmorland, on June 25th, 1913. Reported by Mr. J. Reis at Villa do Co ride, Portugal, on January 21st, 1918. 8,391, nestling, marked as 31,464, on July 14th, 1916. Reported in the Shooting Times as recovered at Cocker- ham Marsh, near Lancaster, in October 1918. 34,421, nestling, marked as 31,464 on July 16th, 1915. Reported by Mr. J. Maclennan at Arzeu, Algeria, at the beginning of December 1917. 35,039, nestling, marked as 31.464, on July 14tli, 1916. Reported by Dr. Bommier near Staples, Pas cle Calais, France, on July 31st, 1918. 35,825, nestling, marked by Miss A. Pease at the Fame Islands, Northumberland, on August 5th, 1914. Reported by Mr. W. C. Tait near Aveiro, Portugal, early in November 1917. 38,225, nestling, marked by Air. H. J. Vaughan at the Fame Islands on August 26th, 1918. Reported by Mr. J. Coote at the Tees Mouth. Yorks, on September 3rd, 1918. 158 BRITISH BIRDS. Lvol. xii. ■Guillemot ( Uria t. troille). — 38.107, nestling, marked by Capt A. W. Boyd at Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, on July 15th, 1918. Reported by Mr. Olaf Tobiassen on the Lister Fjord, Farsund, Norway, on October 22nd, 1918. Majrked Abroad and Recovered in England. Starling (Sturnus v. vulgaris). — Kismuseum, Stockholm, 2,067, nestling, marked at Borgsjo, Vesternorrland, Sweden, on June 8th, 1915. Reported in Cage Birds at Middlesbrough, Yorks, on February 1st, 1918. Helgoland 16.166, marked at Helgoland on March 31st, 1914. Reported by Mr. A. Mooney at Drumshambo, co. Leitrim, in December 1914. Black headed Gull ( Larus ridibundus). — Helgoland 1,469, nestling, marked in Schleswig on July 4th. 1912. Reported by Mr. R. Hackfath at Little Coates, Grimsby, Lines, in November 1916. Helgoland 2.188, nestling, marked as 1,469 on July 3rd, 1912. Reported by the Times as recovered near Chatham on January 31st, 1917. Helgoland 23,181, nestling, marked as 1,469 on July 7th, 1913. Reported in the Daily Mail as caught at Norwich on January 31st, 1917. Bird was kept in captivity until May 1917 and again released with ring still on. 22,763, marked as 1,469 on July 7th, 1913. Reported by Capt. P. H. P. Gunton at Salthouse, Norfolk, on February 11th. 1917. Rossitten 24,193, marked near Liibeck, Schleswig- Holstein, on June 7th, 1914. Reported in the Times as recovered at Folkestone, Kent, in February 1917. Rossitten, 25,459, nestling, marked at Wendisch Langen- derf, Pomerania, on June 25th, 1916. Reported by Mr. J. H. Gurney at Norwich on January 31st, 1917. Bird was kept in captivity until May 1917 and again released with ring still on. Lotos, Prag, Austria, 40,817, nestling, marked at Hirsener Trtch, North Bohemia, on May 7th. 1914. Reported in the Times as recovered in Cambridgeshire in February 1917. Lotos, Prag, Austria, 44,079, nestling, marked as 40,817 on May 27th, 1915. Reported by the Home Office as recovered on the River Mersey on September 28th, 1916. MOTES WHITE-WINGED LARKS IN SUSSEX. Four White-winged Larks ( Melanocorypha sibirica) were shot at Winclielsea, Sussex, in 1916 : a male on March 30th, a male and female on March 31st, and a male on April 2nd. These birds are now in my collection. The first three were examined in the flesh by Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield and the last by Mr. H. W. Forcl-Lindsay. Six specimens have pre- viously been obtained and one seen in Sussex or Kent. J. B. Nichols. [The above specimens passed into Mr. Nichols’ possession shortly after they were shot, and were mentioned by him in a letter received by us early in July 1918, but we delayed the publication of the record till we had an opportunity of inspecting the birds.- — Eds.] MARSH-WARBLER BREEDING IN BERKSHIRE. Although always alive to the possibility of meeting with the Marsh-Warbler ( Acrocephalus palustris) nesting in the Thames Valley, having come across them in Surrey, Bucks and Oxon, I have never until this year met with them in Berkshire. During this last season I discovered a pair breeding not so very far from Pangbourne, and a second within measurable distance of Wargrave. The first of these pairs is the more interesting, as it provides probably the earliest nesting date yet recorded for this country. The nest, of typical “ basket- handle ” shape, was suspended in a dense growth of nettles, and contained three eggs on May 27th, 1918. Unfortunately, this nest was inadvertently knocked sideways before being seen, and was afterwards, of course, deserted. By June 2nd the birds had another nest ready for eggs, but this time had elected to sling it from thistles at a few yards distance from the first. On June 9th this nest held five eggs. The nest of the second pair Avas not found until July 6th, when it contained tAvo eggs. These birds had chosen for a site the middle of about a couple of acres of almost impenetrable tangle of reed, nettle, bindweed, osier, comfrey and meadoAv- SAveet, and had slung their nest from stems of the last-named. Judging from the look of the cover these birds had not been molested and Avere presumably later than usual in going to nest. E. E. Pettitt. 160 BRITISH BIRDS. [voi, xn. BROWN-BACKED WARBLER IN SUSSEX. Early in -Inly I received a male Brown- backed Warbler ( Agrobates g. syriacus), which was shot at West St. Leonards on June 8th, 1918. It was examined in the flesh by Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield. Another male of this race from Hythe, Kent, the first record for the British Isles, is also in my possession, and was recorded by me in British Birds, I., p. 257, under the name of Aedon familiaris. Mr. H. F. Witherby subsequently showed that this and another male obtained at Ninfield, Sussex, on May 13th, 1910, now in the Booth Museum at Brighton, really belonged to the Brown-backed rather than the Grey-backed race of this species (cf. Brit. Birds. IV., p. 310). I have also a male in my collection which was shot at Westfield, Sussex, on May 7th, 1915, as recorded in Brit. Birds, IX., p. 155, so that this form has occurred four times in England in May, June and July, while all five recorded specimens of the Rufous Warbler ( Agrobates g. galactotes) were obtained in September or October. J. B. Nichols. LATE STAY OF SWIFT. We have received several communications calling attention to the fact that a few Swifts ( Apus a. opus) stayed unusually late this year, although Swallows (Hirundo r. rustica) and Martins (1). u. urbica and R. r. riparia) left if anything rather earlier than usual, all having gone from the Shrewsbury district by September 20th, according to Mr. H. E. Forrest, and only a single House Martin being noted there in October. Mr. A. Astley, writing from Ambleside, Westmorland, says the Swifts left in a body on the night of August 8th, 1918, though a straggler was seen on August 10th, but on September 8th a Swift was flying round with Swallows and Martins. The Rev. W. Serle says that Swifts always linger round his church at Edinburgh into September, even though they may have left the surrounding district a month earlier. The last bird was noted here on September 25th, 1918. At Walsall, Staffordshire, Mr. W. Davies saw a Swift on October 19th, and another (or possibly the same bird) was reported to him from the same district two days later. Editors. BELTED KINGFISHER IN CORNWALL. At the meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Union on October 9th, 1918, Mr. C. Chubb exhibited a female Belted Kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyon), which had been acquired by the British Museum through Mr. G. Thorne Phillips of Wadebridge, NOTES. 161 VOL. XIT.j Cornwall. The bird had been set up, and was stated to have been shot on the banks of the River Allen, a tributary of the River Camel, by Mr. F. G. Stevenson of Sladcsbridge, in November 1908. Apparently the bird has remained unrecorded for ten years, and the only evidence of its authenticity is a written state- ment from Mr. Stevenson that he shot the bird himself at the time and place stated above. There is no previous record of the occurrence of this species in Great Britain, but two instances are said to havetaken place in Ireland. One bird was shot by Mr. Frederick A. Smith at Annsbrook, co. Meath, on October 26th, 1845. A second is said to have been seen at Luggela, co. Wicklow, prior to November 20th, 1845, by the gamekeeper of Mr. Latouche, and was shot by him ( fide Thompson) or by Mr. J. C. Campion (fide Watters). The former specimen was bought for the collection of Trinity College, Dublin, while the latter was left by Mr. T. W. Warren to the Museum of Science and Art at Dublin. These two occurrences have not been regarded as sufficiently well authenticated to allow of the inclusion of the Belted Kingfisher in the British List, and Ussher, writing in 1908, states that “the circumstances connected with them are open to suspicion.” On the other hand, when Saunders wrote in 1899 that, even assuming the accuracy of the records, the bird had probably escaped from confinement, he knew of no occurrences in Greenland, Iceland or the Continent of Europe. It is now known to have visited the Azores on one occasion (Nov. Zool., XII., p. 114) and also to have Teen obtained on the Westmann Isles, Iceland, in 1901 (cf . Bull. B.O.C., XXXIX., p. 7). 'There is also one instance of its occurrence on the Continent, which is omitted in the account given in the Bulletin (loc. cit.), for an adult male was shot in Galderland, Holland, on December 17th, 1899 (Orn. Monatsber., 1900, p. 114). Two at least of these occurrences, and probably the third also, are beyond the possibility of suspicion and render the occurrence of this species in the British Isles far more probable than was the case when Saunders and Ussher wrote on the subject. At the same time, the lapse of ten years renders investigation difficult in this case, while considerable doubt attaches to at least one of the Irish records. F. C. R. Jottrdain. GREEN WOODPECKER IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT Mr. R. H. Fox, the writer of the ornithological section of the Guide to the Natural History of the Isle of Wight , published o 162 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. in 1909, has the following note on the Green Woodpecker (p. 510). “ Gecinus viridis (Green Woodpecker). This must be a very rare bird in the Island ; I never saw or heard one, though there are parts well suited to it. Wadham reports one shot at Wootton some years since, and another shot at Swainston, November 28th. 1907.” I can testify from personal experience to the accuracy of the above note at the time it was published. During a residence of fourteen years in the Isle of Wight, in country districts at the centre and at the eastern and western ends, I never once saw or heard this bird, of which the appearance and cry are so unmistakable. Last winter (1917) I saw a solitary Green Woodpecker ( Pious v. pluvius), while shooting at Chessell, in the neighbourhood of Brooke, and a few months later saw one again in the same district. Now the bird is quite common about Brooke. A family was successfully reared in a copse near my house last summer, and at the present time hardly a day passes without my observing one or more of the birds. I sincerely hope that this beautiful and interesting addition to our avifauna has come to stay, and that they will escape the senseless treatment meted out to the unfortunate birds at Wootton and Swainston. Courtney A. Shaw. LITTLE OWL IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. A friend of mine shot a Little Owl (Athene n. noctua) in a wood near Portskewett, Monmouthshire, on November 14th, 1918. I also know of a second bird of the species shot about two years ago at Marshfield, but they are certainly scarce in this county. R. C. Banks. [This is, we believe, the first record of this species from Monmouthshire, but the information available so far has been of the most scanty nature, only about twenty-four notes on ornithology having been published since 1845. — Eds.] BEWICK’S SWAN IN WARWICKSHIRE. While in Stoneleigh Deer Park, Warwickshire, on November 16th, 1918, two Bewick’s Swans ( Cygnus bewicki) flew over my head quite low down, and within gunshot. They passed over at about 3.30 p.m., flying in a north-easterly direction. I am sure of their identity, as I got mv glasses to bear on them, and could see the rounded head and yellow base patch to the bill. The eye was set in the white of the head, there being no black running up to it as in the Mute Swan ( C . olur), neither was there any knob at the base of the bill. They were evidently not Whoopers ( C . cygnus), from NOTES. VOL. XII. J J63 their small size, as I took them for geese at first sight, before they reached me. They were uttering a curious monotonous noise, which sounded like “ Wow-wow-wow-wow.” This could not have been the note of the Whooper, which I have never heard, but is usually described as a u Hoop.” This species is not mentioned in R. F. Tomes’ article on the Birds of Warwickshire in the Victoria History of Warwick, but Miss B. A. Carter recorded the occurrence of a single bird at Sutton Coldfield Park, in January 1918, which stayed up to March 22nd (cf. Br. Birds, XI., p. 233), so that these form the second and third records for the county. R. H. Baillie. CORMORANT IN STAFFORDSHIRE AND DERBYSHIRE. During the whole of Christmas week 1916, a Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo) took up its abode on the River Dove, which here divides Staffordshire from Derbyshire, haunting the reach of deep water above Coldwall Bridge, Thorpe, where it was seen repeatedly flying up and down the river. On one occasion I saw it run along the ground for a couple of yards or so in a very awkward and ungainly manner, in order to gain the necessary impetus to use its wings freely, and also saw it diving for food. This bird appears to have got away safely, but another is said to have been shot about three miles up the River Dove a few years earlier. Ernest Grindey. t BLACK AND SANDWICH TERNS INLAND IN CHESHIRE. On September 29th, 1918, at Marbury Mere, near Northwich, I saw, flying over the water at the same time, a Common Tern {Sterna hirundo), a Black Tern (H ydrochelidon n. nigra), and a Sandwich Tern ( Sterna s. sandvicensis). The birds flew very close to me from time to time, and I was able to be quite certain of the colours of the bills and feet. They dived frequently, fishing with success ; ail three entered the water with a great splash, spreading out their wings as they reached the surface. The Black Tern was in winter plumage, while the Sandwich Tern, from the brown markings on the wings and the thin dark bar next the narrow white tip of the tail, must have been immature. There is no mention of the Sandwich Tern in Coward’s Fauna of Cheshire (1910), and it is possible that this inland record is new for the county. As late as October 6th I saw a solitary Black Tern, also in winter plumage, at Marbury. K. Fisher. 164 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xn. SPOTTED CRAKE IN STAFFORDSHIRE. I have lately seen at a local taxidermist’s a Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana), shot at Bilston about September 20th. 1918. It is in perfect plumage, showing no sign of moult. H. E. Forrest. Jays Feeding on Wheat. — In Mr. W. Ruskin Butterfield’s Notes on the Local Fauna, etc., for 1917, published in the Hastings Naturalist , Yol. III., p. 75, is a note from Colonel H. W. Feilden on a newly observed habit of the Jay ( Garrulus g. rufitergum), viz., attacking standing wheat. They came down on the wheatfielcl from an adjacent wood, cutting off the wheat heads and returning to the wood with them. On two afternoons no fewer than seventeen were shot by the keeper, flying from the field to the wood. Mr. W. M. Abbott furnishes interesting confirmation of this habit in a detailed note contributed to the Irish Naturalist , 1918, p. 131. on the Irish J ajr ( Garrulus g. hibernicus) feeding on wheat. He describes at length the systematic way in which the raids were carried out, the birds assembling on a special tree on the signal being given by a few loud cries and proceeding in silence in single file from tree to tree, always following the same line, and retreating in silence when alarmed in the same way, unless taken by surprise. No doubt the greatly increased production of wheat will bring this habit into prominence, but both Dr. W. E. Collinge and Mr. Newstead have recorded wheat and oats from stomach -contents ex- amined by them. Ortolan Bunting in Sussex. — J. Gordon Dalgleish states that an Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) was netted close to Brighton, September 21st, 1918, and brought to Messrs. Brazenor, the taxidermists, on the same day (Field, Oct. 12th, 1918). [In an editorial note to the above it is stated that “ many have been procured in Norfolk and Lincolnshire.” The Rev. F. L. Blathwayt writes to the Field (Nov. 2nd, 1918) pointing out that the only instance known to him of the occurrence of this species in Lincolnshire was the bird seen but not secured by John Cordeaux (Zool., 1883, p. 253), and asking for further details of other occurrences. The Editor states that his assertion was based on records in the Zoologist for 1861, 1871, 1883, 1884, 1889 and 1891. We have searched the volumes in question and find no record of any Ortolan having been obtained in Lincolnshire, the only mention of it being Cordeaux’s record referred to above. Pending NOTES. 165 VOL. XU.] further evidence we must accept Mr. Blathwayt’s statement of the case as correct, and that of the Naturalist Editor of the Field as erroneous. — Eds.] Crested Tit Breeding in West Elgin. — Mr. R. H. Mackessack states that in the first week of July 1918 he met with a family party of Crested Tits (Par us cristatus scoticus), the young of which had evidently been hatched close at hand, as they were barely able to fly, in a small wood about three miles from Forres (Scott. Nat., 1918, p. 216.) Although for some years past these birds have been seen near Fochabers, this appears to be the first notice from the Forres district. Great Spotted Woodpecker Breeding in Tay Area. — The Rev. H. N. Bonar writes (Scott. Nat., 1918, p. 94) that on June 29th, 1917, he found two nests containing young of the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates major anglicus ) within ten or fifteen miles of the western boundary of Perth- shire, and suggests that the cutting down of the larger woods for war purposes is driving these birds into the smaller woods of the more remote glens. Harvie -Brown, in 1906, regarded this species as a more or less regular winter visitor, in some years in considerable numbers, to the Tay area, but gives no instance of breeding. (Fauna of the Tay Basin and Strath- more, p. 159.) Since that date it has been found nesting in the Dunkeld district, and as the birds were noted in Methven Castle Woods early in July 1917 (Scott. Nat., 1918, p. 156), they were probabty also breeding there. Little Stint in Outer Hebrides. — Lieut. F. S. Beveridge writes that two Little Stints ( Erolia minuta) were obtained near Griminish, North Uist, on June 11th and August 27th, 1907, and since that date it has been observed almost annually (Scott. Nat., 1918, p. 216). These specimens appear to be the first obtained in the Outer Hebrides, but the first record is that of a bird from the Butt of Lewis in 1914. Black Terns in co. Mayo. — Mr. W. Ruttledge (Irish Nat., 1918, p. 130) noticed two Black Terns (H ydrochelidon n. nigra) flying over Lough Carra on September 23rd, 1918. Ussher only gives two records from co. Mayo, but a third will be found in the Irish Nat., 1917. p. 194 ; cf. Br. Birds, XI., p. 238 Report of Zoological Section. By J. R. B. Masefield, M.A. (From Report and Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field Club, Vol. LIL, 1917-18). Birds, pp. 112-115. Ornithological Record for Derbyshire, 1917. By N. H. Fitz- Herbert. (From Journal of the Derbyshire Archceol. and Nat. Hist. Society, 1918, pp. 238-250). These two reports may conveniently be treated together, for they deal with adjacent districts, and many records from the Dove Valley are common to both counties. Mr. Masefield’s records appear in a much more abbreviated form that those of Mr. FitzHerbert, and as many of them have appeared already in the pages of British Birds or the Field, it would be advisable to add references to the original records, in which fuller details may be found. Dealing first with records peculiar to Staffordshire, we are at a loss to understand why Mr. Forrest’s note on the occur- rence of the White-fronted Goose is included. Peplow, where this bird was shot, is six miles distant from the Staffordshire boundary. We note with interest another occurrence of the Brent Goose in Staffordshire, and are glad to find that fuller details are given in this instance than in some former records. A Manx Shearwater was picked up by a dog at Oulton, near Stone, on August 27th, 1917, and a dead Gadwall at Bellfields Reservoir on November 10th, 1917. It is interesting to note that a Common Buzzard roosted in High Onn Wood for about a month in August and September 1917. Possibly this may have been the same bird which haunted a gully in Dovedale in November 1917, and was eventually picked up dead on January 27th, 1918 (cf. Brit. Birds, XL, p. 232). A record common to both counties is that of a Marsh- Harrier, first seen on November 7th, 1916, at Dovedale. No specimen of this species had been obtained for over a century in either county, although one was killed in 1895 just over the Yorkshire border, and three were seen about the same time in North Derbyshire, which may have belonged to the same species. The bird in question was apparently identified by its white head, but in size it appears to have been much below the average, for the Marsh-Harrier looks a very large bird on the wing. While we have every confidence in the good faith of the observer, we think that in the case of a REVIEWS. 167 VOL. XTI.] difficult group like the Harriers, the clearest evidence is necessary before the record should be inserted without brackets. Mr. Masefield refers to a Cormorant which frequented the lake at Trentham from April to October 1916, but we do not notice any account of the bird which was seen by Mr. E. Grindey and others near Thorpe in Christmas week 1916. As this note seems to have been overlooked, we publish details by the observer (antea, p. 163). Other records of interest in the Derbyshire report are those of a male Pied Flycatcher, seen by Mr. H. M. Leach, in Dovedale, on May 5th, 1917 ; a Gannet, seen passing over Thorpe village on March 1st, 1917 ; and a Grey Plover shot in the Ashburne district at the end of 1916. F. C. R. JOURDAIN. Report on Scottish Ornithology in 1917. By E. V. Baxter and L. J.Rintoul . ( Scottish Naturalist, July- August, 1918, pp. 145-196). We must congratulate the Misses Baxter and Rintoul on the way in which they have kept up the standard of their Annual Report under very trying conditions. Naturally, we cannot expect such a long list of remarkable records as usual, in view of the many restrictions and the absence of so many field workers, but there are many points of interest in the Report. Although the spring of 1917 was memorable in Scotland for its exceptional severity, its effects on the resident birds seem to have been far less pronounced than in England and Wales or Ireland, and there are no records of total extermina- tion of any species even locally. It is unnecessary to refer to occurrences to which we have already called attention in the pages of British Birds, but the following deserve mention : Lapland Bunting ( Calcarius l. lapponicus). — One from Fair Island on May 14th, 1917 (p. 149). Blue-headed Wagtail ( Motacilla f. flava). — One from Fair Island on same date. Waxwing ( Bombycilla gar r ulus). One caught in a hen-house at Kirkwall, Orkneys, at end of April. Wood-Warbler ( Phylloscogms s. sibilatrix). — Besides the occurrence referred to (antea, p. 23) one is reported from Vallay, North Uist, on August 6th. Bluethroat ( Luscinia svecica). — A female from Fair Island on May 12th, the only record for the year (p. 150). Hoopoe (Upupa e. epjops). — Five records, the three last of which may refer to the same bird. 168 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. Hen-Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ). — Four records (two from Fife and Berwick in winter : a male near Darvel, Ayr, on April 23rd, and one in North Uist in September). Osprey ( Pandion h. haliaetus). — One seen in early May over Bardowie Loch, Clyde. Little Gull ( Larus minutus). — One reported from Barra Head, Outer Hebrides, on March 18th (p. 151). A hybrid Mallard x Wigeon was seen on November 17th, on Duns Lake, Berwickshire (p. 151). We regret to learn that only one pair of Red-necked Phalarope ( Phalaropns lobatus) nested this year in North Uist, instead of the usual seven or eight pairs. Short-eared Owls are also said to be decreasing in numbers there (p. 152). Two pairs of Spotted Flycatchers ( Muscicapa s. striata) nested in the Orkneys in 1917, an unusual and interesting record (p. 153). The nomenclature in use is that of the Hand-List, in some cases brought up to date, though an exception must be made in the case of the Hirundinidoa : the Lesser Black-backed Gull should be named L.fuscus affinis and not L.f. britannicus (p. 190). F. C. R. Jourdain. OBITUARY. L1EUT.-COLONEL W. V. LEGGE. Although by far the greater part of Colonel Legge’s work in Ornithology was concerned with the birds of Ceylon and Tasmania, and so necessarily falls outside our scope, in his earlier days in the Royal Artillery he was stationed for some time at Shoeburyness, and contributed some interesting studies of Essex bird-life to the Zoologist for 1865, 1866 and 1867, as well as to the Ibis of 1866. Perhaps the most import- ant fact noted was that no fewer than three pairs of Ravens [Corvus c. corax) still bred in tall elms in hedgerows within six miles of Shoeburyness in 1866. These birds maintained a precarious footing in Essex till about twenty-four years later, according to Mr. Miller Christy ( Viet. Hist, of Essex, I., p.241), and their survival for so long a period after the Raven had been exterminated over the greater part of England, is a most interesting case. Colonel Legge is best known by his classic work on the Birds of Ceylon, published in 1878-1880, which still remains the only complete work on the subject. He died on March 25th, 1918, at his home in Tasmania, in his seventy-eighth year. F. C. R. Jourdain. briibudipds With which is Incorporated “THE ZOOLOGIST." EDITED BY REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, m.a., m.b.o.u. ASSISTED BY Norman F. Ticehijrst, m.a., f.r.c.s., m.b.o.u. Contents of Number 8, Vol. XII., January 1, 1919. PAGE Further Notes on the Breeding of the Great Skua in the Orkneys. By the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, M.A. , M.B.O.U., etc. .. .. 170 The Moults and Sequence of Plumages of the British Waders. By Miss Annie C. Jackson, Hon. Mem, B.O.U. PartX. .. 172 Notes on the Crested Lark in Northern France. By E. Arnold Wallis .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. — 180 Observations on the Cuckoo. By Edgar Chance .. .. 182 Notes : — Wall-Creeper in Somersetshire in 1901 (Dr. J. Wiglesworth) 185 Pied Flycatchers in Dorset (Surg.-Capt. J. H. Stenhouse, R.N.) 185 Late Stay of Swift (Editors and H. G. Alexander) . . . . 186 Little Owl in the Isle of Wight (Rev. A. C. Shaw) . . . . 186 Hobby in the Isle of Wight (Rev. A. C. Shaw) . . . . 187 Tire Status of the Common Buzzard in England (Rev.F. C. R. Jourdain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Red-breasted Mergansers in Warwickshire (Miss B. A. Carter) 189 New Breeding Localities of the Fulmar in the Orkneys (H. F. Witherby) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1S9 Large Clutch of Little Grebe’s Eggs in Sussex (Major C. Smeed, R.A.) 189 Iceland Gull in the Orkneys (Surg.-Lieut. J. M. Harrison, R.N.) 190 Erroneous Record of Great Skua from Roxburgh (Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain) . . . . . . • • • • • • . • 190 Puffin in Buckinghamshire (Dr. E. Hartert) .. .. .. 191 Short Notes : — Common Buzzard and Cormorantjpn East Hants and West Sussex. An old Record of the Red-crested Pochard in Staffordshire. Wild Fowl in Nidderdale, Yorkshire . . . . . • . • • • • • • • 191 p ( no ) FURTHER NOTES ON THE BREEDING OF THE GREAT SKUA IN THE ORKNEYS. BY THE REV. F. C. R. JOURDAIN, M.A. In British Birds, antea, pp. 50-52, I had the privilege of recording for the first time the breeding of the Great Skua (Stercorarius s. skua) on one of the islands in the Orkney group. The information was supplied to me by Sub-Lieut. F. Schunck, R.N., but owing to the restrictions of the censorship it was impossible at the time to mention his name. He found a nest with a single highly incubated egg on June 30th, 1917. At the time it was rumoured that the birds had been seen in this district in previous seasons, but no reliable information on this head was obtainable. Recently, however, through the good offices of a distin- guished member of the British Ornithologists’ Union in the Naval Service, further information has come to hand, from which it is now evident that Skuas have haunted the locality for some years past, and that young were actually hatched in 1916, while eggs were againfound in 1918. This information is based on letters from three sources. In two cases the writers are naval officers, Engineer-Commander G. Roussel Byles, R.N., and Surgeon W. P. Vicary, R.N., while the third is a gamekeeper on the island on which the birds have bred. The first note of the appearance of the Great Skua during the breeding-season comes from the keeper, who states, in a letter dated September 21st, 1918, that he saw a pair of Great Skuas about the top of a specified hill “ about ten years ago,” i.e. about 1908. Nothing further of a definite kind appears in the letters till the season of 1914, when a pair was again located and watched on the same ground by him, but without result. In 1915 Eng. -Commander Byles and Surgeon Vicary came across a pair in May haunting another ridge in the same district. The birds were new to them, and were watched with much interest, but at first without result. On mentioning the matter to the keeper, he informed them that the birds had been present on the ground in 1914, and subsequently he accompanied the officers to the spot on several occasions during May, June and July 1915. Two pairs of birds were frequently seen : one pair certainly nested, and there is some reason to believe that the eggs were taken, but the second pair apparently consisted of younger vol. xii.] GREAT SKUA IN THE ORKNEYS. 171 birds, and there is no evidence that they nested at all, although they kept about one part of the moor through the season. In the following year (1916) Surgeon Vicary had left and Eng. -Commander Bvles only visited the place on a few occa- sions during the breeding-season, and noted that the nesting- site of the previous year was again occupied. The haunt of the second pair was not visited by him that year. Fortunately, however, we have fuller details in a letter from the keeper, who found the nest of the second pair while in company with another keeper. He describes it as large and something like that of the Great Black-backed Gull ( Larus marinus). One young bird had already been hatched out and was found outside, but close to, the nest. Another nest was also found by the second keeper in a new locality with two eggs, and possibly a third pair also bred this year. For the year 1917 we have Sub-Lieut. F. Schunck’s observa- tions already recorded ( antea , p. 50) ; a nest with a single highly incubated egg being found on June 30th. No other information is available for this season. During the summer of 1918 one nest with two eggs was found by the keeper, while it is known that a second pair had a nest ready for eggs in another locality about the same date, and in the opinion of the keeper there were at least four pairs haunting the district. The birds are evidently on the increase, and there seems no reason why, provided that a reasonable amount of protec- tion on the part of the proprietors is given, they should not establish themselves permanently in the Orkney group. THE MOULTS AND SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGES OF THE BRITISH WADERS. BY ANNIE C. JACKSON, hon. mem, b.o.u. PART X. Black-tailed Godwit (L. limosa). Adults. — Complete moult from August to December. From February to June there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars and in some not the feathers of the back and rump), in some the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, usually a few median coverts and an occasional lesser covert, but not the rest of the wings (a varying number of winter feathers are retained on mantle and scapulars ; in some some upper tail-coverts are not moulted, while in others no new median and lesser coverts are acquired). The winter and summer plumages are distinct. The female is larger than the male, and has a longer wing and bill. The sexes are alike in winter plumage but in summer the female has the mantle and scapulars more plentifully intermixed with new drab feathers with central streaks or shadings of sepia ; the sides of face and neck, fore-neck and under-parts paler pinkish-cinnamon, the feathers of the breast in some with narrower sepia bars ; the flanks, belly, vent and under tail-coverts whiter than in the male and with fewer bars ; in one or two specimens examined the crown is light drab as in winter but with the feathers streaked sepia, in some the feathers are faintly edged pinkish-cinnamon ; feathers of nape tipped and edged whitish- drab or drab ; mantle and scapulars drab without the black and pinkish-cinnamon feathers, feathers with central streaks or irregular transverse shadings of sepia, some faintly edged pinkish-cinnamon at sides, the scapulars mostly narrowly bordered with, or with small alternate notches of sepia and pinkish-cinnamon, while in one or two other specimens the under-parts are much as in winter. N.B. — One female, Omsk, May, has the upper- and under-parts quite as bright as in the male. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Much like the adult in summer, but the crown streaked sepia instead of black-brown, the feathers with pale pinkish-cinnamon edges (in some ochraceous-buff) as in the adult ; nape paler pinkish-cinnamon than in the adult, the feathers with dusky brown bases and without the sepia streaks ; mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries sepia with light ochraceous-buff, or light pinkish- cinnamon tips, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts bordered and notched with the same (in the adult male the mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries are sepia or black-brown with drab bases and with irregular transverse bars, notches or borders of pinkish-cinnamon and tipped the same) ; sides of neck light pinkish- cinnamon (or ochraceous-buff) as in the adult in summer ; lower throat and breast light ochraceous-buff or light pinkish-cinnamon (in the adult pinkish-cinnamon, in some with small sepia spots) ; feathers of breast and sides of belly tipped white and with strong transverse sepia bars, feathers of flanks, belly and short under tail-coverts white, mostly with strong transverse sepia bars, flanks in some washed pinkish- 173 VOL. XII. ] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. oinnamon ; feathers of sides of breast, belly and flanks dusky brown with light ochraceous-buff or light pinkish-cinnamon fringes ; belly white more or less suffused light buff, vent and under tail-coverts white ; tail-feathers black with white bases as in the adult usually tipped light buff instead of white, central pair in some without the drab tips ; median coverts dusky brown with dark shafts and deep buff fringes, sometimes some with transverse sepia shadings (instead of drab with dark shafts and narrowly edged white as in the adult in winter) ; lesser coverts sepia as in the adult, but edged light buff instead of faintly edged white. As in the adult, the female is larger than the male and has a longer bill. First Winter. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), two or three central pairs of tail-feathers, possibly in some all the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, some median and a few lesser coverts are moulted from August to January but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults and are only to be distinguished by the retained worn juvenile outer tail-feathers and the worn and faded juvenile median coverts. First Summer. — Some individuals apparently assume the adult summer plumage, and are only to be distinguished from the adults when the faded buff edges to the innermost median coverts are not too abraded and by the generally worn appearance of the juvenile wing- coverts. One or two April and May specimens examined were acquiring summer feathers on the upper and under-parts ; all were in moult so that it is impossible to say how much of the breeding plumage is ultimately acquired. On the other hand, other examples examined were in full moult into winter plumage. Genus Numenius. The adults of the four British species of this genus have a complete moult in autumn, but in the Curlew and Whimbrel it is often not finished till December or January. There is a partial moult in spring involving the body-feathers, tail- feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. Yen’ few spring specimens of the Eskimo and Slender-billed Curlews were examined. One Eskimo Curlew collected on May 6th was moulting the body-feather, as were also spring examples of the Slender-billed Curlew. The winter and summer plumages are alike in coloration in the Whimbrel and Eskimo Curlew, but differ slightly in the Curlew and Slender-billed Curlew. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the females are larger and have longer bills and wings. The juvenile plumage resembles that of the adult ; in the Curlew and Slender-billed Curlew it is most like the adult in summer plumage. The post juvenile moult involves the body-feathers, tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The first winter bird is like the adult, 174 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XII. but distinguished from it by the retained juvenile tail-feathers and wing-coverts (in the Whimbrel also by the broader white tips to the inner primaries), characters which also distinguish the first summer birds from the adults. No first winter or first summer Eskimo Curlews were examined. The spring moult is the same as in the adult. First summer Slender-billed Curlews are only to be told from the adults if the innermost median coverts are not too abraded. Curlew (N. a. ar quota). Adults. — Complete moult from August to December. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), tail-feathers, some, or all, innermost secondaries and coverts, sometimes some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. Summer plumage as winter, but the feathers of the upper-parts edged and notched at sides cinnamon-buff instead of olive-brown or hair-brown as in winter ; sides of neck, throat, fore-neck and breast cinnamon-buff instead of pinkish-buff or vinaceous-buff and streaked sepia as in winter. Sexes alike in plumage, but the female is larger and has a longer bill and wing. Juvenile. — Male and female. — Like the adult in summer plumage, but the feathers of the crown and nape with narrower streaks of sepia and broadly edged at sides light or warm buff ; feathers of mantle edged, and scapulars and iimermost secondaries and coverts notched and edged, warm buff ; sides of face and neck, throat and breast warm or light buff much more narrowly streaked sepia than in the adult ; sides of belly and flanks light or warm buff, the feathers with longitudinal streaks and irregular transverse bars of sepia ; under tail-coverts white usually similarly marked (in the adult the flanks and under tail-coverts are more strongly barred with sepia and have sagittate markings of sepia, flanks washed cinnamon-buff) ; lower breast and belly light or warm buff, or white, the feathers with narrow sepia streaks widening towards the tips; (in the adult the lower breast is cinnamon-buff heavily streaked sepia, the belly white with long oval sepia streaks) ; tail-feathers as in adult, but clouded with warm buff, and rather more closely barred and the feathers narrower; median coverts with sepia centres tapering to a point at tip and with broad borders of warm buff and in some notched same (instead of sepia with dark shafts, more or less edged, and irregularly notched white or white suffused pinkish-buff, as in the adult). First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body -feathers (not all the scapulars), in some three central pairs of tail-feathers, in others apparently no tail-feathers, sometimes some iimermost secondaries and coverts and sometimes some median and lesser coverts are moulted from August to December, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults and are only to be distinguished by the worn juvenile tail-feathers and innermost secondaries with the buff notches more or less eaten out, the sepia juvenile median coverts with faded buff edges, innermost median coverts faded sepia, notched and edged at the sides of the feathers warm buff (in the adult the innermost median coverts are sepia edged all round with white, which in some is faintly suffused with pale pinkish-buff). 175 VOL. XII.] MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. First Summer. — As adult and only to be distinguished by the worn juvenile tail-feathers and wing-coverts as in the first winter bird. Moult apparently as in the adult. Whimbrel. (N. ph. phceopus). Adults. — ’Complete moult from June to January. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts and some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The winter and summer plumages are alike in coloration. The sexes are alike in plumage, but the wings and bills of the females are longer. N.B. — One February 25th, Comoro Islands, with 7th primary of each wing in quill and in full body- and tail-moult ; another February 28th, $ Southern Nigeria, in full body-moult, also moulting the tail-feathers and wing-coverts and with the 2nd primary of each wing in quill. Juvenile. — - Male and female. — Like the adult, but the feathers of the mantle and scapulars sepia, notched at the sides pinkish or warm buff (instead of with olive-brown centres, shading to light drab or brownish-white at the edge of the feather, the scapulars indistinctly notched pale buffy-brown or brownish-white and narrowly edged white as in the adult) ; upper tail-coverts as in the adult but washed pinkish-buff ; under-parts as in the adult, but sides of neck, fore-neck and breast rather more narrowly and closely streaked ; wing as in adult but the inner primaries more broadly tipped white ; innermost secondaries and coverts as scapulars (in the adult the innermost secondaries and coverts are olive-brown narrowly edged white and with the outer-webs notched pale drab) : greater and median coverts olive-brown notched light buff (in the adult the greater coverts are pale olive-brown notched and edged white and the median coverts same edged and notched palest drab or white). First Winter. — Male and female. — The juvenile body-feathers (not all the scapulars), the tail-feathers, in some the two central pahs only, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings are moulted from August to February. After this moult the birds are like the adults and are only to be distinguished by the broader white tips to the inner primaries and by the retained juvenile wing-coverts, the notches of which are least abraded on the innermost median coverts. First Summer. — Male and female. — Like the adult and only to be recognized by the same characters which distinguish the first winter birds. Moult as in the adult. N.B. — one and one $ 28/4/09, Portuguese Guinea, were in worn first winter plumage, but not moulting. Eskimo Curlew (N. borealis). Adults. — Complete moult in autumn. With the exception of one bird May 6th, which was moulting the feathers of the head, neck and mantle, the few spring specimens examined were not in moult. Probably the spring moult is similar to that obtaining in the other members of this genus. The winter and summer plumages are alike in coloration. The sexes are alike, but the wings and bills of the females are longer. Juvenile. — Resembling the adult, but the feathers of the forehead and crown dark sepia, narrowly edged light buff with a light buff mesial 176 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOl.. XII. streak down the crown (in the adult the feathers of the crown are lighter sepia edged at sides pinkish-buff, the edges broadest on the feathers of the centre of the crown and forming a more or less distinct mesial pinkish-buff streak) ; mantle and scapulars black-brown, tinged deep olive and edged at sides, and here and there notched, light buff (not plentifully notched pinkish-buff as in the adult) ; innermost secon- daries and coverts olive-brown edged at sides and slightly notched light buff (not plentifully notched pinkish-buff as in the adult) ; median coverts pale olive-brown edged light buff (in the adult the median coverts are notched and edged pinkish-buff). First Winter. — (Not examined). Slender-billed Curlew ( N . tenuirostris). Adults. — Complete moult in autumn, and presumably a spring moult as in N. a. arquata, but very few spring specimens in moult were examined and those were moulting the body -feathers only. The winter and summer plumages differ slightly in coloration. The sexes are alike in plumage but the bills and wings of the females are longer. Juvenile. — Male and, female. — Like the adult in summer plumage, but the feathers of the crown, nape, mantle, scapulars and innermost secondaries and coverts edged light or warm buff, scapulars and inner- most secondaries and coverts notched same (instead of margined with pinkish-buff as in the adult, the innermost secondaries and coverts with broad light drab margins shading to light buff or white at the edge of the feather) ; cheeks, sides of neck, foreneck, and upper-breast narrowly streaked sepia, the streaks on the breast widening out at the tip of the feather (in the adult the upper-breast is light buff or white, the feathers with ashy-brown bases terminating towards the tip of the feather in narrow median oval streaks and spots of sepia) ; feathers of sides of belly and flanks without the sepia heart-shaped markings as in the adult but irregularly streaked and with incomplete sepia bars ; belly white, sometimes with some feathers of the upper belly streaked sepia (in the adult the feathers of the breast and some of those of the belly have oval markings of sepia) -r tail-feathers with slightly narrower sepia bars ; median coverts sepia edged and slightly notched light buff or white (in the adult the median coverts are sepia with dark shafts edged and notched white). First Winter. — The juvenile body-plumage apparently is moulted as in N. a. arquata, but very few moulting specimens were examined. First winter birds are hardly distinguishable from adults and can be recognized only by the worn appearance of the juvenile tail-feathers end wing-coverts as compared with the freshly moulted adult and by the buff edges at the sides of the innermost median coverts which all but meet at the tip of the feather (in the adult these coverts are edged all round white or pinkish-white). First Summer.- — Moult apparently as in the adult and only to be distinguished from the adult if the innermost median coverts are not too worn and faded. Genus Gallinago. Great Snipe (G. media). Adults. — Complete moult in autumn. From February to May there is a partial moult involving the body-feathers (not all the scapulars, and in some apparently not the feathers of the back and vol. xii. 1 MOULTS OF BRITISH WADERS. 177 rump), tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, most of the median and some lesser coverts, but not the rest of the wings. The summer plumage is as the winter but the brown-black feathers of the parallel bands on the head are notched, spotted and edged at sides pinkish-cinnamon (in winter plumage only the feathers bordering the median buff band are thus spotted), while the feathers of the brown- black mantle are nearly all plentifully edged and notched and mostly with U- or V-shaped markings of pinkish-cinnamon ; in winter plumage these markings are less numerous. The sexes are alike, but the bills and wings of the females average longer. Jtjvenile.- — -Male and female. — Very like the adult in summer plumage, but the feathers of the mantle and scapulars notched, barred or irregularly marked and tipped cinnamon (not pinkish-buff or pinkish- cinnamon as in adult) ; feathers of sides of mantle and scapulars with narrower margins of paler pinkish-buff on outer-webs as compared with the adult ; the 6th and 7th pairs of tail-feathers (counting from outside) tipped pinkish-cinnamon and more or less barred same at base and with subterminal olive-brown bars, the next pah- same, but the white tips more or less suffused pinkish- cinnamon (in the adult these tail-feathers have black bases the pinkish-cinnamon barring absent and with more or less broad white tips) ; three outer pairs of tail-feathers white with several transverse bars of olive-brown extending to the tip (in the adult these tail-feathers are white with olive-brown bases and with broad bars of same far apart on the outer-webs and not extending beyond § or k the total length of the feather and often not so far) ; greater coverts usually with narrower white tips than in the adult ; median coverts as in the adult, but instead of with broad white tips, with much narrower tips of light buff or white. First Winter. — -The body-feathers (not all the scapulars), apparently sometimes the tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and coverts, and some median and lesser coverts are moulted in autumn, but not the rest of the wings. After this moult the birds are like the adults, and difficult to distinguish with certainty, should the tail-feathers be moulted, though the presence of worn, faded, juvenile wing-coverts amongst the new feathers forms a temporary means of identification. N.B. — From the specimens examined it is impossible to say, with certainty, whether the tail is usually moulted or not, or whether it is completely moulted. One specimen,